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diff --git a/old/69809-h/69809-h.htm b/old/69809-h/69809-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index c55a331..0000000 --- a/old/69809-h/69809-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,21898 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html lang="en"> - <head> - <meta charset="UTF-8"> - <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of For whose sake? by Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth</title> - <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> - <style> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - .lg-container-b { text-align: center; } - .x-ebookmaker .lg-container-b { clear: both; } - .lg-container-r { text-align: right; } - .x-ebookmaker .lg-container-r { clear: both; } - .linegroup { display: inline-block; text-align: justify; } - .x-ebookmaker .linegroup { display: block; margin-left: 1.5em; } - .linegroup .group { margin: 1em auto; } - .linegroup .line { text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } - div.linegroup > :first-child { margin-top: 0; } - .linegroup .in12 { padding-left: 9.0em; } - .linegroup .in16 { padding-left: 11.0em; } - .linegroup .in2 { padding-left: 4.0em; } - .linegroup .in4 { padding-left: 5.0em; } - .linegroup .in8 { padding-left: 7.0em; } - .ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; } - ol.ol_1 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 2.78%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: decimal; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - .x-ebookmaker hr.pb { display: none; } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:60%; } - .x-ebookmaker .id001 { margin-left:20%; width:60%; } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: justify; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c001 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c003 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c004 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 0.8em; - margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; margin-top: 2em; } - .c005 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - .c006 { font-size: .9em; } - .c007 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c008 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c009 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c010 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: .9em; } - .c011 { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c012 { margin-top: 2em; font-size: .9em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; - } - .c013 { font-size: .9em; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; - margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c014 { margin-top: 2em; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:thin solid silver; margin:2em 10% 0 10%; font-family: Georgia, serif; - clear: both; } - .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } - div.tnotes p { text-align: justify; } - .x-ebookmaker .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block; } - .figcenter {font-size: .9em; page-break-inside: avoid; max-width: 100%; } - .x-ebookmaker img {max-height: 30em; max-width: 100%; } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .ol_1 li {font-size: .9em; } - .x-ebookmaker .ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: 0em; } - body {font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } - table {font-size: .9em; padding: 1.5em .5em 1em; page-break-inside: avoid; - clear: both; } - div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; } - div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } - .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; - page-break-before: always; } - .border {border-style: solid;border-width: 1px; } - .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } -</style> - </head> - <body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of For whose sake?, by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: For whose sake?</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>a sequel to “why did he wed her?”</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 15, 2023 [eBook #69809]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOR WHOSE SAKE? ***</div> - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div class='titlepage'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'><em>FOR WHOSE SAKE?</em><br> <span class='xlarge'><span class='sc'>A Sequel to “Why Did He Wed Her?”</span></span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='large'>By MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='small'>Author of</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>“Lilith,” “The Unloved Wife,” “Em,” “Em’s Husband,” “Ishmael,” “Self-Raised,” Etc.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>A. L. BURT COMPANY</div> - <div>PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='border'> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>Popular Books</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>By MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='small'>In Handsome Cloth Binding</span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>Price 60 Cents per Volume</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<hr class='c004'> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>CAPITOLA’S PERIL</div> - <div class='line'>CRUEL AS THE GRAVE</div> - <div class='line'>“EM”</div> - <div class='line'>EM’S HUSBAND</div> - <div class='line'>FOR WHOSE SAKE</div> - <div class='line'>ISHMAEL</div> - <div class='line'>LILITH</div> - <div class='line'>THE BRIDE’S FATE</div> - <div class='line'>THE CHANGED BRIDES</div> - <div class='line'>THE HIDDEN HAND</div> - <div class='line'>THE UNLOVED WIFE</div> - <div class='line'>TRIED FOR HER LIFE</div> - <div class='line'>SELF-RAISED</div> - <div class='line'>WHY DID HE WED HER</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c005'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div>For Sale by all Booksellers or will be sent postpaid on receipt of price</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>A. L. BURT COMPANY PUBLISHERS</div> - <div>52 Duane Street New York</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Copyright, 1884</div> - <div>By ROBERT BONNER</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='sc'>For Whose Sake</span></div> - <div class='c002'>Printed by special arrangement with</div> - <div>STREET & SMITH</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>FOR WHOSE SAKE?</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER I<br> <span class='large'>A STARTLING RENCONTRE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Two travelers on board the ocean steamer <em>Scorpio</em>, -bound from New York to Liverpool, were Gentleman Geff -and his queenly bride.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was in blissful ignorance that his forsaken wife and -her infant were on the same ship.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The wife whom he believed to be in her pauper grave in -potter’s field, and the child of whose birth he had never -heard!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff was riding on the topmost wave of success -and popularity. He had paid a high price for his fortune, -but he told himself continually that the fortune was -worth all he had given for it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Certainly there were two awful pictures that would present -themselves to his mental vision with terrible distinctness -and persistent regularity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The first was of a deep wood, in the dead of night, and a -young man’s ghastly face turned up to the starlight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The other was of a silent city street, in the dark hours before -day, and a girl’s form prone upon the pavement, with a -dark stream creeping from a wound in her side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were moments when the murderer would have -given all that he had gained by his crimes to wake up and -find that they had all been “the phantasmagoria of a midnight -dream”; that he was not the counterfeit Randolph -Hay, Esquire, of Haymore, with a rent roll of twenty -thousand pounds sterling a year, and an income from invested -funds of twice as much, and with two atrocious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>murders on his soul, but simply the poor devil of an adventurer -who lived by his wits, and was known to the miners -as Gentleman Geff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At such times he would drink deeply of brandy, and -under its influence find all his views change. He would -philosophize about life, fortune, destiny, necessity, and try -to persuade himself that he had been more sinned against -than sinning. He then felt sure that, if he had been born -to wealth, he would have been a philanthropist of the highest -order, a benefactor to the whole human race; would have -founded churches, and sent out missionaries; would have -established hospitals and asylums, and erected model tenement -houses for the poor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ah! how good and great a man he would have proved -himself if he had only been born to vast wealth! But he -had been born to genteel poverty. Fate had been unkind. -It was all the fault of fate, he argued.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In this exaltation he would go into the gentlemen’s -saloon, sit down at one of the gaming tables, and stake, -and win or lose, large sums of money; and so, in the feverish -mental and physical excitement of drinking and gambling, -he would seek to drive away remorse.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Often he would drink himself into a state of maudlin -sentimentality, and in that state reel into the stateroom -occupied by himself and his bride. He was really more “in -love” with Lamia Leegh than he had ever been with any -woman in his long career of “lady-killing.” He had married -her for love, although it was the Turk’s love.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Lamia did not love him in the least. She had married -him for rank, money and position. She had begun by -liking him, then enduring him, and now she ended by detesting -him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Some poor girls marry old men for money; some marry -ugly men or withered men for the same cause; but to marry -a drunkard for that, or for any cause; to be obliged to live -with the beast; to be unable to escape from him; to see him -day and night; to smell his nauseous breath—it is horrible, -abhorrent, abominable!” she said to herself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yet she never dared to let her disgust and abhorrence appear -to its object. She was too politic to offend him, for—he -held the purse strings. There had been no settlements—nothing -of the sort—notwithstanding all the talk about -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>them with Will Walling. For every dollar she would receive -she must depend on her husband.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Cashmere shawls and sable furs and solitaire diamonds -that she longed for, if she should get them at all, -must be got from him, and she knew she would get them, -and everything else she might want, so long as he should -possess his fortune and she retain his favor. So she veiled -her dislike under a show of affection, and she even made -for herself a rule and set for herself a task, so that he might -never find out her real feelings toward him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The more disgusted she might really be, the more enamored -she would pretend to be.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was surely a very hard way of earning diamonds -and the rest, but, like Gentleman Geff, she told herself that -they were worth it; and she thought so.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Their fellow passengers all knew them to be a newly married -pair; for there happened to be a few New York -“society” people on the ship, who had heard all about the -grand wedding at Peter Vansitart’s, and they had spread -the news in the first cabin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Their fellow voyagers also believed them to be a very -happy couple; though ladies sometimes whispered together -that he certainly did look rather dissipated; and gentlemen -remarked to each other that it was a pity he drank so hard -and played so high. It was a bad beginning at his age, and -if it should continue Haymore fortunes could scarcely -“stand the racket.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>But notwithstanding these drawbacks, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph -Hay were very popular among their fellow voyagers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The weather continued good for the first week.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The bride and groom were daily to be seen on deck—well -wrapped up, for the fine October days were cold on midocean.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yet though they were every day on deck, they had never -yet encountered Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>How was that? And where was Jennie?</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie Montgomery was in her stateroom, so prostrated -by seasickness that she was scarcely able to take care of her -child. She had never once left her room even to go into the -ladies’ saloon, but passed her time between her lower berth -and her broad sofa.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stewardess Hopkins became interested in poor little -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>Jennie and her baby—“one as much of a baby as t’other,” -she had said to one of the stateroom stewards—and so she -showed them kindness from a heartfelt sympathy, such as -no fee could have purchased.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the eighth day out, Mrs. Hopkins was in the room -with the young mother and child, when Jennie, looking -gratefully at the stewardess, said, with tears in her eyes:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Mrs. Hopkins, I do thank you with all my heart, -but feel so deeply that that is not enough. I shall never, -never be able to repay you for all your goodness to me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t talk in that way, my dear,” replied the stewardess, -in self-depreciation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If it were not for you, I believe that I and baby should -both die on the sea.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, dear. ‘The Lord tempers the wind to the shorn -lamb,’ and if I hadn’t been here He would have provided -some one else for you. But now, dear, I do really think you -ought to try and exert yourself to go up on deck. Here -we are a week at sea, and you have had no enjoyment of the -voyage at all. Don’t you think, now that the baby has gone -to sleep, and is safe to be quiet for two or three hours, you -could let me wrap you up warm and help you up on deck?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should like to do so, but I am not able; indeed I am -not. I am as weak as a rat.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Rats are remarkably strong for their size, my dear, for -they’re all muscle. And as for you being weak, it is only a -nervous fancy, caused by your seasickness. But you’re over -that now. And if you will only let me help you up on deck, -why, every step you take and every breath you breathe will -give you new life and strength,” persisted the stewardess.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I will go.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie stood up, holding by the edge of the upper berth -for support, while the stewardess prepared her to go up on -deck.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And when last of all Jennie was well wrapped up in her -fur-lined cloak, Mrs. Hopkins led and supported her to the -stairs, and took her carefully up to the deck, and found her -a sheltered seat on the lee side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sit here,” she said, “and every breath of this fresh air -you breathe will give you new life.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And having tucked a rug well around the feet of her -charge, the stewardess left Jennie to herself.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>Jennie looked around her. There were very few people -within the range of her vision, only the man at the wheel -and two or three deck hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was the luncheon hour, and nearly all the passengers -who were not in their staterooms had gone to the dining -saloon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Jennie looked abroad over the boundless expanse of -dazzling blue sea, leaping and sparkling under the light of -a radiant blue sky. It was splendid, glorious, but blinding -to vision just out of the shadows of the stateroom and cabin, -and so Jennie closed her eyes to recover them, and sat with -them closed for some moments. At this hour it was very -quiet on deck. Only the sounds of the ship’s movements -were heard. Jennie, with her tired eyes shut, sat there in -calm content.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I am going mad! I am going mad! It has taken -shape at last—or is this—delirium tremens? I—must not—drink -so much!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a low, husky, shuddering voice that uttered these -strange words in Jennie’s hearing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She opened her eyes at the sound, looked up and saw——</p> - -<p class='c009'>Kightly Montgomery, her husband, within a few feet of -her, staring in horror upon her, while he supported himself -in a collapsed state against the bulwarks of the ship. The -face that confronted her was ashen, ghastly, awe-stricken, -yet defiant, as with the impotent revolt of a demon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie returned his glare with a gaze of amazement and -perplexity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so they remained spellbound, staring at each other, -without moving or speaking, for perhaps a full minute.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie was the first to recover herself. A moment’s reflection -enabled her to understand the situation—that -Kightly Montgomery, under his new name and with his -new wife, was her fellow passenger on the <em>Scorpio</em>. This -was clear enough to her now.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She was also the first to break the spell of silence, though -it cost her an effort to do so, and her voice quivered, and -she lowered her eyes as she said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You seem to take me for an optical illusion.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He still glared at her without answering.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am no ‘illusion,’” she continued, more steadily, gaining -more self-control every moment.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>“If not—what—in the devil—are you?” he gasped at -length, terrified, yet aggressive.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am your wife; but shall never claim, or wish to claim, -the position,” she replied, still keeping her eyes down to -avoid the pain of seeing his face.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are—I do not—I thought——How——” he began, -in utter confusion of mind, and with his eyes starting -from the intensity of his stare.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go away, please, and collect yourself. Do not fear me. -I shall not trouble you. But pray, go now, and do not come -near me or speak to me again,” said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I thought—you were dead!” he blurted out, with -brutal bluntness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie reflected for a moment. Why should he have -thought that she was dead, even though he had tried to kill -her, and had indeed left her for dead? Then she concluded -that he must have fled from the city immediately after having -committed the crime by which he had intended to rid -himself of her forever; but she made no reply to his remark.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why have you followed me here?” he demanded, trying -to cover his intense anxiety with an air of bravado.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I did not follow you. I did not know that you were to -be on this boat. How should I have known it? And why -should I have followed you?” she calmly inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How is it—that you are here, then?” he questioned, his -voice still shaking, his eyes staring, his form supported -against the bulwarks of the ship.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am going home to my father’s house. When I got -well in the Samaritan Hospital a few good women of means -clubbed together and raised the funds to give me an outfit -and pay my passage to England. They engaged for me one -of the best staterooms in the ladies’ cabin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How is it—that I have never seen you—or suspected -your presence on the ship before? Have you been hiding -from me?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; I have already told you that I did not know you -were on board. You have not seen me because I have been -seasick in my stateroom. This is my first day on deck. -And now will you please to go away and leave me?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Presently. By Jove, Jennie, you take things very -coolly!” he exclaimed, drawing a handkerchief from his -breast pocket and wiping his forehead, on which beads of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>perspiration stood out. “What do you intend to do?” he -suddenly demanded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nothing to trouble you while you are on this ship. I do -not wish to see, or speak to, or even to know you here again, -and I will not.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I—well—I thank you for so much grace. But what will -you do after you shall have reached England?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I shall tell my father the whole story—of which he has -no suspicion now—and I shall place myself in his hands for -direction, and do whatever he counsels me to do. He was -my guard and guide all my life until I threw off his safe -authority and followed you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pity!” muttered Gentleman Geff to himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now,” said Jennie, “once more, and for the third -time, I beg you to leave me. Let this distressing and most -improper interview come to an end at once. I think it is -both sinful and shameful, in view of the past and the -present, for you to speak to me, or even to look at me. Perhaps -I am doing wrong in keeping quiet. Perhaps I ought -to denounce you to the captain and officers of this ship.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That would be quite useless, my girl,” exclaimed Gentleman -Geff, daring to speak contemptuously for the first time -during the interview, yet still quaking between the conflicting -passions of terror and defiance; “you could not prove -anything against me here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Probably not; and my interference would not only be -useless, but worse than useless; it would make an ugly scandal, -and create a great disturbance. No, I will do nothing -until I take counsel with my father. But let me give you -this warning: My father is to meet me at Liverpool. Do -not let him see you then! And now, Capt. Montgomery, -if you do not leave me, I shall be obliged to go to my room,” -Jennie concluded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff turned away. It was time, for people -were leaving the dining saloon and coming up on deck.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Several people—men, women and children—passed -Jennie on their way forward; nearly every one of these -glanced at Jennie with more or less interest; for hers was -a new face. Now, in the beginning of a sea voyage nearly -all the passengers are strangers to each other. But after -eight days, when every one on board is known to the other -by sight, a new face is an event. And this face was fair, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>pensive and interesting, and it belonged to a young woman -who seemed to be quite alone on board.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Among those who passed was a superbly beautiful woman, -whose Juno-like form was wrapped in a rich fur-lined cloak, -the hood of which was drawn over her lovely head, partly -concealing the glory of her red, gold-hued hair, and half -shading the radiance of her blond and blooming complexion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This goddess did something more than glance at the -pretty, pale, childlike form reclining there. She stopped -and gazed at her for a moment, and then, when Jennie -lowered her eyes, the goddess passed on.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the stream of passengers had all gone forward -Jennie drew a sigh of relief and composed herself to rest -and to think over the sudden, overwhelming interview -which had just passed between herself and her husband.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie was troubled, not in her affections—for if Kightly -Montgomery had not succeeded in slaying her, he had certainly -managed to kill her love for him—but in her conscience. -Was she right in letting him go on in his course -of evil? Ought she not to stop it? But could she, even if -she tried? And she shrank from trying. For if she should -succeed in exposing him, what a terrible mortification it -would be to that unfortunate young lady whom he had -feloniously married; who was reported to be as religious -and charitable as she was beautiful and accomplished; who, -even in the busy week before her wedding day, had given -time to go out shopping for her—Jennie’s—outfit; and -whom it was now too late to save, since she had been living -with her supposed husband for a week.</p> - -<p class='c009'>To expose him now, and here, would be to degrade her -before all the ship’s passengers, so that all who now admired, -honored or envied her, would soon pity and avoid -her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie could not bring an “unoffending” fellow creature -to that pass; and if her forbearance was a sin, she hoped -the Lord would pardon her for His sake who pitied the -sinful woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While Jennie was “wrestling” so in the spirit, the stewardess -came up and put her baby in her arms, smiling, and -saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As I was passing by your stateroom I just looked in to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>see if all was right, and then I saw this little thing lying -wide awake and crowing to herself as good as pie. And I -thought I would wrap her up and bring her to you for a -breath of this good, fresh air, which, if it was doing you -good, wouldn’t do her harm. Was I right?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, Mrs. Hopkins. And I thank you so much,” -said Jennie, as she stooped and kissed the babe that lay -upon her lap; but Mrs. Hopkins had already gone about -her business.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie smiled and cooed to the little one, enjoying its -presence, and rejoicing that Kightly Montgomery was gone -from her side and was not likely to return. She had purposely -avoided speaking of the child to him. She was glad -that he had not once inquired about it. She had almost a -superstitious dread of his seeing, touching or even knowing -of the babe, for fear that his evil nature might, in some -moral, physical or, perhaps, occult way, bring harm to the -little innocent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She was still bending over the babe, when a soft, sweet, -melodious voice addressed her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pardon me, you are Mrs. Montgomery, are you not?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie looked up. The goddess had come back. Jennie -did not know her, but she answered quietly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am Mrs. Randolph Hay; and that I had heard of you -and become interested in you must be my excuse for intruding -my acquaintance on you,” added the beauty, with a -bewitching smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie flushed, paled, trembled and cast down her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This, then, was Lamia Leegh, the unfortunate young lady -whom Kightly Montgomery had married!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie felt sorry for her, standing there in all the pride -and pomp of her beauty and wealth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are very kind, madam,” was all that she could find -to say, in a low tone, with downcast eyes and flushed cheeks.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The goddess thought the little woman overpowered by -her own grandeur, smiled condescendingly, and said complacently:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What a pretty baby you have! Girl or a boy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Girl, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is right. I love girl babies. What is her name?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She is not christened yet.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>“How old is she?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Two months on the third of this month, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! She is well grown for that age. I need not ask -if she has good health. She looks so well.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, madam. Thank Heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is the first time you have been on deck, I think?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Suffered from seasickness, I fear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam, until this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! very sad to have missed all this beautiful voyage. -An exceptionally fine voyage. I have crossed many times, -but have never experienced so fine a voyage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie did not reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, then, seasickness is a great benefit to some constitutions. -I hope that it will have been so in your case.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Still Jennie did not answer, except by a bow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Have you quite recovered?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite, ma’am, thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yet you feel weak?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will pass away. You are traveling quite alone, I -believe.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, if I or Mr. Randolph Hay can be of any service -to you, I hope you will call on us. I, and I am sure Mr. -Hay also, would be very much pleased to serve you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you, madam, very much, but my dear father -will meet me at Liverpool, so that I shall not need assistance. -But equally I thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie would have said more had she been able. She -would have acknowledged the services or the supposed services -the lady had performed for her before they had ever -met; but her tongue “clove to the roof of her mouth,” so -to speak. It was all she could do to utter the perfunctory -words she had spoken, and these without raising her eyes to -the face of the goddess.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Randolph Hay bowed graciously, and passed on -toward the cabin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poor thing!” breathed Jennie, with deep pity; “poor, -poor thing! She, so proud, so stately, so beautiful, to be -cast down to the dust! Oh, no! Heaven pardon me, but -I must spare him for her sake! I will do nothing until I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>see my father, and then I must tell him all, and be guided -by his counsels.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>So then Jennie stooped and kissed her baby and felt at -peace with all the world.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia Leegh was not one to hide her “light under a -bushel.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Before many hours had passed every one had heard the -pathetic story of the English curate’s young daughter, who -had been married, deserted and months afterward half -murdered by her husband; how she had been taken to the -Samaritan Hospital, where she became a mother; how certain -charitable ladies had become so interested in her case -that they had made up a fund to give her and her child an -outfit and send them home to her father, and how she was -on this very ship.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Without claiming all the credit in so many words, Lamia -Leegh had left the impression on the minds of her hearers -that she herself had been the principal, if not the only, benefactress -of Jennie Montgomery, and she won applause for -her benevolence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Kightly Montgomery left his wife seated on the -deck it was with a feeling of relief to get out of her presence. -He hurried to his stateroom, looked around, and -felt more relief to find that his deceived bride was absent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He kept a private stock of strong old brandy in a case. -He opened a bottle, poured out half a goblet full, and drank -it at a draught.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he felt better still.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She will keep her word,” he said to himself. “If she -had intended to give me away, she would have done so before -this. Any man would have denounced another under -such circumstances. But these women are inexplicable. I -wonder if her child was born alive? I wonder if it is living, -and if she has it with her, or if she has placed it in some -asylum? Impossible to say. She volunteers no information -on the subject, and I certainly cannot question her -about it. She wishes me to avoid her. I am quite willing -to oblige her in that particular. I very much do not wish -to see her again. No, nor her father! I must not meet the -dominie, under present complications. It would be awkward. -I shall shirk that <i><span lang="fr">rencontre</span></i> by getting off the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>steamer at Queenstown and taking the mail route to London -via Kingstown and Holyhead. That will do!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He filled and drank another half goblet of brandy, and -then sat staring at his boots.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently Lamia Leegh entered the stateroom. He -looked up at her stupidly. His face was flushed, his eyes -were fishy. The air was full of the smell of brandy. She -knew that he had been drinking to intoxication; but she -cared too little for him and too much for herself to notice -this. He might drink himself to death, if he pleased, without -any interference from her, so that he supplied her with -plenty of money while he lived and left her a rich dower -when he should die.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So, without seeming to notice his state, she sat down on -the sofa by him and said, very pleasantly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You remember hearing me speak of that interesting -young woman from the Samaritan Hospital for whom we -furnished an outfit and engaged a stateroom in this cabin -to send her home to her people?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What young woman? Ah! yes, I believe I do. What of -her?” he drawled, with assumed indifference.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have just seen her and her child——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Child?” he echoed involuntarily.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; I told you she had a child, you remember.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Aw—no—I didn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes. Such a pretty little girl baby! They have -been shut up in their stateroom for a week on account of -the mother’s seasickness. She is out on deck to-day for the -first time. When I saw a new face there I thought it was -hers, but was not certain, so I passed her by. But a little -later, when I saw the stewardess place a young infant in -her arms, then I felt almost certain, and I went up and -spoke to her. A prodigal daughter, I fear she is, but a most -interesting one, and her father is to meet her at Liverpool -and——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Lamia,” interrupted the man, “suppose we drop the -subject. I am not at all interested in your charity girl.” -He yawned with a bored air.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, very well; what shall we talk about? The end of -the voyage? Well, I heard the captain say that we shall -be at Queenstown to-morrow morning.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And we shall get off at Queenstown; do you hear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>“At Queenstown? But why, when our tickets are for -Liverpool?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because I will it to be so!” said the man, in the sullen -wilfulness of intoxication.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, very well! Quite right! So be it!” replied Lamia, -with contemptuous submission.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the discussion ended.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She loosened her dress and laid herself down on the -lower berth to take an afternoon nap.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He sat on the sofa, with the brandy bottle before him, -and drank and drank and drank.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That evening Gentleman Geff was much too drunk to go -into the dining saloon, yet with the fatuity of drunkenness -he insisted on doing so, and he reeled out of his stateroom -and through the cabin and up the stairs. But had it -not been for Lamia’s strong support he could never have -reached his seat at their table. Lamia was like Burns’ -Nanny:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“A handsome jaud and strang,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>and she succeeded in setting him safe in his seat, where he -sat bloated, blear-eyed, and luckily stupid, instead of hilarious -or quarrelsome. Every one at table noticed his condition, -and—</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What a pity! What a pity!” was thought or whispered -by one or another.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a severe ordeal for Lamia, yet the trial was softened -by the thought that all the sympathies of the company -were with her, all the condemnation for him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She was glad at last when she succeeded in drawing him -away from the table to the privacy of their stateroom, where -he fell upon the sofa and sank into the heavy sleep of intoxication.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia felt too bitterly humiliated to return to the saloon -or go on deck, so she remained in the stateroom, reading a -French book until it was time to retire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she turned into her berth, leaving the stupefied -inebriate to sleep off the fumes of his brandy, lying on the -sofa dressed as he was.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie Montgomery sat on deck with her baby on her -knees until the fading day and the freshening breeze warned -her to seek shelter in the cabin.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>Then she took her child to her stateroom, where soon -after both were rocked to sleep by the rolling of the ship.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a dark night, partly overclouded, and with but -few stars shining.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A few passengers, all men, remained on deck to catch the -first glimpse of land. Before midnight the man on the -lookout made Cape Clear Lighthouse, and the ship ran -along the coast of Ireland.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER II<br> <span class='large'>FATHER AND DAUGHTER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Jennie slept late that morning, and was finally awakened -by the cessation of the motion to which she had been accustomed -day and night for the last nine days.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She started up and looked out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The ship was at anchor in the fine cove of Cork, and the -window of her stateroom commanded the harbor. She knew -there was a crowd of people on deck, but she felt no disposition -to join them; so after she had washed and -dressed her child and herself she sat down and waited until -the kind stewardess brought her some breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, here we are at Queenstown,” said the good woman, -as she set down the breakfast tray.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you for bringing my breakfast, Mrs. Hopkins. -How long will we remain here?” inquired Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Only a few hours. The bride and groom—Mr. and Mrs. -Randolph Hay, you know—have got off. I know they took -their tickets for Liverpool, and here they have got off at -Queenstown. Now they will go to London by way of Holyhead.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah,” said Jennie, only because she felt that she must say -something.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very queer, I call it, for gentlemen and ladies to sacrifice -their passage money in that way. But when people have -more money than they know what to do with they do fling -a good deal away, that’s certain.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie began to drink her coffee to avoid the necessity of -speaking. She did not think it was queer that the pair -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>should have left the steamer at Queenstown, for she understood -very well that Kightly Montgomery dared not face her -father at Liverpool.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Are they really off, Mrs. Hopkins?” she inquired at last. -“Are you sure they have actually gone?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Went ashore in the boat half an hour ago. Took all -their baggage from the stateroom, but left that which is in -the hold—big trunks that must go to Liverpool, where they -will claim them at the custom house, when they themselves -get there by the mail route,” replied the stewardess.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was a great relief to Jennie. To know that Kightly -Montgomery was really gone from the steamer, not to -return, gave her a sense of freedom and security which she -had not experienced since she had discovered his baleful -presence on board. She felt now that she could go freely on -the deck and take her child there, and enjoy all the delights -of the voyage across the channel and up the Mersey, without -the fear of meeting him or his deceived bride.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not think, Mrs. Hopkins, that I shall trouble any -one to bring my meals to me here after this. I shall go to -the public table,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It would be much better for you, my dear,” the stewardess -replied.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now that I have finished breakfast, I will take baby -and go up on deck.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will be better for you, too, my dear. Let me help -you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no. I am quite well and ever so much stronger than -I was yesterday. Besides, the ship is quite still, so you see -I can walk steadily and carry baby.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>But the stewardess resolutely took the child from the -arms of the young mother and carried it up before her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The deck was a crowded and busy scene. All the passengers -were up there, gazing out upon the beautiful -scenery. But crowded as it was, the people were nearly all -standing, so it was easy for the stewardess to find a good -seat for the mother, to whom, when comfortably arranged, -she gave the child.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her fellow passengers took but little notice of Jennie -now; they were too much interested in other matters. She -sat there and enjoyed the scene until the ship got under -way again and stood out for the mouth of the Mersey.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>This last day on board Jennie enjoyed the voyage very -much. She spent nearly the whole day on deck, and left it -with reluctance at night to retire to her stateroom. That -night she could scarcely sleep for the excitement of anticipating -her meeting with her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nevertheless, she was up and out on deck early the next -morning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were near the mouth of the Mersey. As soon as she -had breakfasted she packed up all her effects, so as to be -ready to go on shore as soon as the ship should land.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she sat on deck to watch the shores until at last -the steamer drew near to the great English seaport and -came to anchor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A steam tender from the piers was rapidly approaching -the <em>Scorpio</em>.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A great crowd of people were on board the tender, apparently -coming to meet friends on the <em>Scorpio</em>.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Many field glasses were in active use in the hands of voyagers -trying to make out the persons of their friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie had no glass, but as she stood bending forward, -straining her eyes to see, a gentleman near her said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you take my glass?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She thanked him, and took it, adjusted the lenses to her -sight, and held the instrument up to her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A cry of joy had nearly broken from her lips. She saw -her father standing on the deck of the coming tender, looking -well and happy. He, too, had a glass, and was using it. -She saw that he had seen her; he took off his hat and -waved it to her. She waved her hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The tender was drawing very near, and now came a general -waving of handkerchiefs in salutation from the passengers -on both steamers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In another minute the tender was alongside, the gangplank -thrown down, and the rush of friends to meet each -other made a joyous confusion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie found herself in her father’s arms, scarcely knowing -how she got there in such a crowd and confusion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My daughter! my daughter! welcome! welcome! welcome! -welcome to my heart!” the father cried, in a breaking, -choking voice, as he pressed her fondly to his breast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My own beloved father! Oh, thank the Lord—thank -the Lord, that I see you again! And my mother!—my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>darling mother!—how is she?” cried Jennie, sobbing for -joy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, my dearest, well, thank Heaven! Sends fondest -love to you, my child, and waits your return with a joyful -heart.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! how have I deserved this love and tenderness, this -divine compassion and forgiveness? Oh! my father, I -ought to fall—not on your neck—but at your feet, and say—what -I feel! what I feel!—‘Father, I have sinned against -Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be -called thy child.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hush! my darling, hush! We will talk later. Let us go -away from here as soon as possible. Where is your babe, -Jennie?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In my stateroom, dear father, fast asleep. Will you -come down with me and see her?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The father and daughter struggled through the pressing -crowd, and made their way slowly and with difficulty down -into the cabin, which was now all “upside down” with -ladies and ladies’ maids, and gentlemen and valets, stewards -and stewardesses, getting together their “traps” and making -ready to go on shore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie took her father directly to her stateroom, where -the pretty babe lay sleeping on the lower berth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie lifted the babe and placed it in her father’s arms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister received the child, raised his eyes, and -solemnly invoked God’s blessing on it, then stooped and -pressed a kiss upon its brow. Finally he returned the babe -to its mother, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Wrap her up, my dear. We must hurry, or we shall -miss the first return trip of the tender and have to wait for -the second, which would cause us to lose our train.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie quickly folded the baby in the warm white cloak -and hood which had been given her by the Duncan children.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now I will take her again and carry her for you. Do -you take up your hand-bag and parasol. I will speak to -have the other things brought after us,” said Mr. Campbell, -as he led the way to the deck, carrying the babe, and followed -by his daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The passengers had all left the steamer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Men were carrying baggage on board the tender. Mr. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>Campbell spoke to one of them, directing him to the stateroom -of his daughter. Then, holding the babe on one arm, -he gave the other to Jennie, and led her across the gangplank -and on board the tender, where by this time all the -passengers were gathered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In a few minutes the tender put off from the ship and -steamed to the piers, where she soon arrived. The passengers -swarmed out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell called a cab, put his daughter and her -child into it, followed them and gave the order: To the -Lime Street Railway Station.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they reached the place the minister stopped the -cab, got out and took the babe from her mother’s arms, -and led the way into a second-class waiting-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will stay here, my dear,” he said, “while I go back -to the custom house and get your baggage through. You -will not mind?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, dearest father. I shall not mind anything, except -missing the sight of your dear face, even for a minute. -It seems to me as if I should never bear to lose sight of you -again.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I shall come back as soon as possible, my dear,” said the -minister; and he found for her a comfortable seat, placed -the baby in her arms, and so left her in the waiting-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie sat there without feeling the time pass wearily, -after all; her mind was too full of delightful anticipations -of homegoing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nearly an hour passed, and then her father came hurrying -in.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is all done, my dear. Your trunks are rescued from -the custom house and deposited on the train, and now we -have five minutes left in which to take some refreshments, -if you would like,” he said cheerfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I want nothing, dear papa, for I have not very long since -breakfasted. But you?” she inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear; nothing for me. And now, my dear child, I -have at length found breathing space in this hurry and confusion -to ask about your husband. You did not name him -at all in your letter, from which I argued ill; and if there -had been time, I should have written to you for some explanation; -but I knew that you were then to sail in a few -days, and that you would reach Liverpool before my letter -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>could get to New York. Now, my dear, I must ask you -some very serious questions.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How is it that you, the daughter of a clergyman of the -Church of England, and the wife of an ex-captain in her -majesty’s army, should have been confined in the charity -ward of a public hospital?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie shuddered, but did not answer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How was it that you had to be indebted to alms for your -outfit and passage to this country? Why did you not mention -your husband’s name in your letter to me? Why are -you here alone? Where is your husband? Tell me, child. -Do not fear or hesitate to tell your father everything,” he -said, tenderly taking her hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa, your goodness goes to my heart. He has left -me, papa,” she said, and then suddenly lifting her soft, dark -eyes, full of truth and candor, to meet her father’s pitying -gaze, she added: “But do not mind that, dear papa. I do -not. The best thing he ever did for me was to leave me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa dear, it was, indeed. I am not saying this -from pride or bravado, but because it is the very truth itself, -that the best thing he ever did for me was to leave me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Jennie!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You do not care for him, then?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And yet, my child, he is your husband still,” said the -minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Unhappily, yes; but he has left me. It is the kindest -act of his life toward me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you never wish to see him again, Jennie?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never, nor to hear of him. I am happy now in a quiet -way. I wish for nothing better on earth than to live in a -quiet way at the darling little parsonage with you and dearest -mamma and my blessed baby.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Suddenly into the pathos and gravity of Jennie’s face -came a ripple of humor as she spoke of her child and looked -at her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Rev. James Campbell was certainly the youngest -grandfather in England, if not in Europe. He was really -but thirty-eight years old, and might have been taken for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>a mere boy, for he was of medium height and of slight and -elegant form, with a shapely head, pure, clean-cut classic -features, a clear, fair complexion and dark chestnut hair, -parted in the middle, cut rather short and slightly curling. -He wore neither beard nor mustache. His dress was a -clerical suit of black cloth of the cheapest quality and somewhat -threadbare; but it perfectly fitted his faultless figure; -but his linen collar and cuffs were spotless even after a -railway journey in the second-class cars and his gloves were -neatly mended.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Altogether he looked very young and even boyish, as we -said, though he was in middle life and a grandfather.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But for the close resemblance between the father and -daughter, their fellow passengers in the waiting-room must -have taken them for a married pair, and “o’er young to -marry also.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But about this man, Jennie,” he said, seeing that she -paused. “Where is he now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In Ireland, I believe, papa. It is a long story I have to -tell when we get home. And—here is our train.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The whistle sounded, and the minister took his grandchild -from his daughter and carried it, followed by its -mother, to their seats in one of the second-class carriages.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER III<br> <span class='large'>HER WELCOME HOME</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The curate and his daughter found themselves in a -crowded carriage of the second class, on the Great Northern -express train from Liverpool to Glasgow. I say crowded, -for though no one was standing up, yet many of the passengers -had well-grown children on their laps.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell and Jennie took the last two vacant seats.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Give me the baby now, papa dear,” said the little -mother, holding opt her arms, as soon as she had settled -herself in her seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear, the child is sleeping. If she wakes and frets, -I will hand her over to you; otherwise I will hold her to -rest you,” replied her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>Their fellow travelers turned and looked at the young -grandfather and the youthful mother, and very naturally -drew false conclusions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were mostly of the class who listen, comment and -observe.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s easy to see that is a young married pair, with their -first child,” whispered a fat, florid country woman, with one -baby sitting on her knees and two on the floor at her feet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He won’t be quite so fond of loading himself down with, -the kids when there’s a dozen of ’em, maybe,” replied her -companion, a stout, brown woman with a burden of two -heavy bundles and a basket on and about her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister and his daughter heard every word of this -whispered colloquy with slight smiles of amusement; but -it warned them that they could not indulge in any very -confidential discourse there, where every whispered word could -be so distinctly heard.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All further explanations would have to be postponed until -they should reach Medge Parsonage. And that was a hundred -miles off as yet. Nothing but the commonplaces of -conversation could pass between them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Are you quite comfortable, my dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You don’t feel the draught from that window?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, papa dear.” Etcetera.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie took particular pains to call her young father -“papa” whenever she spoke to him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But that did not enlighten their companions as to the -true relations between the two. They thought it only one -more silly affectation of the youthful parents. Many vain -young mothers called their husbands “papa” for baby, as -many proud young fathers called their wives “mamma” also -for baby.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So merely trivial talk passed between the father and -daughter until the train blew the steam whistle and -“slowed” into the first station after leaving Liverpool, -stopped ten seconds and sped on again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie had not seen her native country for two years, and -she looked out at the vanishing station almost with the curiosity -of a stranger, and then exclaimed with a look of astonishment:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, papa! That was Huton!”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>“Well, my dear!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie looked at her father in amazement.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the matter, my dear?” inquired the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Matter? Why, papa, matter enough. We have certainly -taken the wrong train. Huton is on the Great Northern, -and not the South Eastern Railroad. This is not the -way to Medge.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, dear, we are not going to Medge.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not going to Medge?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie stared.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I also have something to tell you which I have reserved -until now,” said the minister gravely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is it, papa? Oh, what is it?” demanded the -young girl in sudden alarm. “You said my dear mother -was quite well. If she were in heaven, you might say with -truth she was quite well; but oh! how could I bear it! Oh, -how could I bear it! Is she quite well in this world?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite well, here on earth, my dear. Compose yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then what is it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nothing to alarm you, Jennie.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where are we going?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To Haymore, in the North Biding of Yorkshire, where -I have a curacy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To Hay—— And you never told me!” said Jennie, -aghast with astonishment. All her life, until her hasty -marriage, two years before, she had lived with her parents -at Medge. She considered them as fixtures to that spot. -She would as soon have expected the old parish church -and graveyard to be plucked up by the roots from Medge -and transplanted to Haymore as to have her father and -mother removed from the first to the last named place. -“‘Haymore!’” she said to herself—“‘Haymore!’ Surely -that was the name of the manor to which Kightly Montgomery -had fallen heir. And in Yorkshire, too. It must be -the same place! She and her father were going there! -And—Kightly Montgomery, under his new name, and with -his new bride, was also going there. The first as the lord -of the manor, the second as pastor of the parish. What -was to be done? They must surely meet, and then?” -Jennie was dumfounded from consternation.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>“Why, what ails you, Jennie, my child?” inquired her -father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She found her tongue at last, and said, because she did -not know what else to say:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You never told me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I explained that I reserved the information for our -meeting,” gently replied the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How long have you been at Haymore?” was her next -question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“About twelve weeks. Not quite three months. But -don’t look so horrified, my dear. If I had changed my -religion, instead of having changed my parish, you could -scarcely seem more confounded,” said the curate, with a -little laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa dear, what made you leave dear old Medge?” -she dolefully inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Necessity, Jennie. My old rector died——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! Good old Dr. Twomby! Has he gone?” exclaimed -Jennie in a tone of grief.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear—full of years and honors. It would be impious -to mourn the departure of so sainted a man. His -successor was a young Oxonian, who gave me warning and -put in a classmate of his own as his curate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And what made you go so far—quite from the south to -the north of England?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Again necessity, my dear. I was out of employment, -and your mother and myself were living in cheap lodgings -in the village, when I received a letter from Dr. Orton—an -old friend of my father, who had heard of my misfortune—inviting -me to come with my wife to Haymore and take -his parish and occupy his parsonage for a year, during -which he was ordered by his physician to travel for his -health. I gratefully accepted the offer.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And how do you like it, papa?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very much, my dear. The rectory is a beautiful old -house, very conveniently fitted with all modern improvements -and very comfortably furnished. The house is covered -with ivy and the porches with climbing plants. There -is a luxuriant old garden, full of flowers and herbs and -all kinds of fruits and vegetables that our climate will grow, -and there is a lawn with old oak trees.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“How lovely!” impulsively exclaimed Jennie. But then -her face fell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, it is lovely,” assented the minister, who had not -noticed the change in his child’s countenance. “And I like -it so well that I shall grieve to leave it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, but you are sure of it for a twelvemonth!” exclaimed -Jennie, eager to please her father, yet again stopping -short at the sudden memory of what must meet him -at Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, my dear. I am not sure of the place for a -month even. Orton has heart disease, and, though he may -live for months or years, he may drop dead at any moment. -He may be dead now. And in such a case, you see, the -very same thing that happened to me at Medge would -happen again at Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How, papa?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If Orton should die, his successor would turn me adrift, -to put in my place some friend of his own.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who has the appointing of the incumbent? The bishop -of the diocese or some nobleman?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Neither. The living is attached to Haymore Manor, and -is in the gift of the new squire.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the gift of the new squire, and that squire Kightly -Montgomery under a new name!</p> - -<p class='c009'>The thought of this complication turned Jennie pale. In -her dismay and confusion, she could settle upon but one -course—the course she had thought of all along—to tell her -father everything; every single fact she knew concerning -Kightly Montgomery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister was now watching her curiously, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c009'>To cover her distress, she asked the first question that -came into her head, and not an irrelevant one:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Were the terms favorable upon which you agreed to -take this parish for a year, papa?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, yes, I suppose so. The living is worth six hundred -pounds a year, and Orton gives me two hundred, with -the use of the rectory.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you do all the work for one-third of the salary?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear; and I am very glad to do it. And there -are hundreds of capable clergymen in England who would -be glad to do it for one-sixth of the salary.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Mr. Campbell suddenly became conscious that he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>was talking too freely of private matters in a crowded car. -He looked about him. But every one seemed too sleepy to -attend to him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The woman with the three babies was sound asleep, as -was her brood, and the group reminded the curate of a fat, -cozy pussy cat and her kittens.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The woman with the bundles was nodding, catching herself, -gripping her parcels and nodding again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These were the nearest passengers to the curate and his -daughter, and had evidently not been listening to the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The express had been running on a long while without -stopping, but now, about noon, the steam horn shrieked -again and the train drew into the station of a large -manufacturing town, stopped two minutes and roared on again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The swift motion of the train, that sent nearly all the -grown people to nodding and all the children to sleep, -seemed to have so overpowered the nerves of Jennie’s young -baby as to steep it into a deep stupor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The little mother at length grew anxious.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t you think baby sleeps too soundly, papa?” she -inquired uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, my dear! She is all right. She will sleep -until we get home and then wake up as bright as a daisy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ten minutes for refreshments!” shouted the guard at -the window, as he climbed along on the outside of the carriage, -while the train drew into the station of another large -town.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you get out, Jennie?” inquired her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No papa dear, I would much rather not,” she answered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then take the baby while I go,” he said, carefully -placing the little one on her lap within her arms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, what shall I bring you, dear?” he next inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A cup of tea and a biscuit, papa, nothing more,” replied -Jennie, who remembered the slender purse of the curate, -who could ill afford the journey to Liverpool and back with -his daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She had ten pounds left of her own, but did not dare to -offer them to her father, whose very poverty made him sensitive. -She meant, however, when she should reach the parsonage, -to put that little fund, through her mother’s agency, -into the general household expenses.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>Mr. Campbell left the carriage and went across to the -refreshment rooms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie’s fellow passengers of the second class did not -leave their seats, but took out luncheon baskets, and soon the -air was full of the sound of popping ginger beer or ale or -porter bottles, while bread and cheese and beef were laid out -on laps covered with brown wrapping paper for a tablecloth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The woman with the babies and the woman with the bundles, -who sat opposite to Jennie and seemed to be friends, -drew the cork of brown stout—one holding the bottle, and -the other pulling the screw with all her might.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the mother filled a little thick glass tumbler with -the foaming porter and held it to Jennie, saying kindly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Drink it, dearie. It’ll do ’ee good; ’specially as ye’re -nussing a young babe.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie, touched by the kindness, smiled her sweetest and -thanked her neighbor, explaining that her heart was weak -and that she could not bear strong porter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I hope your good man will bring ’ee some light -wine,” replied the woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The gentleman with me is my father,” said Jennie, glad -to make this explanation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your fey—— And the grandfeyther o’ the bairn?” -exclaimed the woman, opening her eyes with astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, it’s wonderful! He didn’t look a day over twenty-five. -Do he, now, M’riah?” she said, appealing to her companion -of the bundles.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He don’t that,” replied the latter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But here the three babies became clamorous for something -to eat, and the two women turned their attention to -them. And though this party had been nibbling cake or -candy, more or less, during the whole journey, as is too -much the custom of their class, yet now they all ate as if -they had fasted since breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell reappeared with a little tray in his hand, -on which was arranged a cup of tea, a small plate of cream -toast, and another plate with the wing of a roast chicken, -which he placed on the vacant seat, while he relieved Jennie -of her sleeping babe.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear papa, to think that you should remember my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>taste for milk toast and chicken, and bring them to me! -This is killing the fatted calf, indeed,” said Jennie gratefully -as she took the tray upon her lap.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell then sat down on the vacant seat with the -baby in his arms; but he made no reply except by a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The train started.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, dear,” said Jennie, “we are carrying off the crockery -ware!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all,” replied the father. “The return train will -bring them back and leave them at this station. Such is the -arrangement.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then my mind is easy. Did you get anything to eat, -papa dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes; a slice of cold beef and a cup of coffee while -they were fixing up your tray.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am glad,” said Jennie; and she gave her attention to -her tray, and exhibited such a healthy appetite that not a -crumb or a drop was left when she finished her meal and -put the little service under the seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The train rushed on, nor stopped again until nearly sunset, -when it ran in at the station of York.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here the father and daughter got off to take a branch line -to Chuxton, the nearest railway station to Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Willingly would the curate have stayed here overnight to -show his daughter the great cathedral city, which she had -never seen, had not two good reasons prevented—first, his -poverty, which could not bear the expense; secondly, the -anxiety of the wife and mother at home to see her long-absent -daughter, which, he knew, could not tolerate the delay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Some day we will return to see this ancient city, my -dear; but to-day we must hurry home to your mother,” he -said as he led her into the waiting-room to stay till their -train should be ready to start.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There the “little angel” awoke in no angelic temper, but -impatient to be nursed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie took her into the dressing-room, where she attended -to all her needs, and presently brought her back -smiling and good-natured to the arms of her grandfather.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I foresee what an idol the grandmother will make of -this little one,” he said as he received her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The idea of calling my pretty young mamma a grandmother! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>It is well she is not a woman of fashion, or she -would be disgusted,” said Jennie, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As it is, she will be delighted,” said her father, looking -curiously at his child. He was very pleasantly disappointed -in Jennie. He had feared to meet in her a heartbroken -woman—a forsaken wife, whom none of her “old blessings” -of father and mother, home and family affection, could possibly -console—and he found a daughter who had let go the -unfaithful husband and comforted herself with her unoffending -babe, and meant even to enjoy herself with her -parents at the parsonage in the performance of every filial, -maternal and domestic duty. And that this disposition was -not forced, but was natural, might be seen and heard in her -contented countenance and frequent laugh. Even now, if -the thought would recur that the curate’s temporary parish -lay in the manor of Haymore, and the reigning or pretending -squire was Kightly Montgomery, still, upon later reflection, -she felt so much confidence in the wisdom and -goodness of her father that she dismissed all dread of any -fatal or even serious result of his meeting with her husband. -And for one circumstance Jennie felt glad and grateful, -namely, for the change of residence from Medge, where -everybody had known her from childhood, and might, therefore, -wonder and ask questions why the curate’s married -daughter should return home to live without her husband—since -it was clear from her dress that she was not a -widow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No such wonder could be excited at Haymore; no such -questions asked. The people were strangers. They had -taken their temporary pastor upon well-merited trust, and -his family history was unknown to them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As for the other matter connected with Kightly Montgomery, -she would tell her father everything, and he would -know what to do.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Kightly Montgomery, she knew, never by any chance entered -a church, so her father would never see him there.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As for the curate, when she should have told him who -the new squire really was, it was unlikely that Mr. Campbell -would feel disposed to make a clerical call at the manor -house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Under the divine Providence she would leave everything -to her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>While the father and daughter were still chatting pleasantly -together a door was flung open and a voice was heard -announcing:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Train for Chuxton.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, my child,” said Mr. Campbell, rising with the -baby on his arms and crossing the room, followed by Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They went out to the train and entered the second-class -carriage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In five minutes, after they were comfortably seated, the -train was off, speeding away from the old cathedral city in -a northerly direction across the moors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sun had not yet set, though it was on the edge of the -horizon. Jennie fixed her eyes on the vastness of the brown -moor that stretched, or rather rolled, away in all directions -to meet the horizon. It reminded her of the sea. It seemed -a boundless ocean, enchanted into stillness; for not a breath -of air disturbed the motionless heather, and not a hamlet or -a farmhouse broke the illusion. No doubt there were farms -and villages not far off, but they were in the hollows, out -of sight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently Jennie turned from the window to look at her -baby. The little one was fast asleep again; so was the -curate, who had been traveling all night and all day, for -twenty-four hours. He had his arms so securely wound -around the sleeping child that Jennie forbore to take it -away, lest she should disturb their rest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sun set; twilight faded; yet the train sped on over -the moor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently Jennie observed twinkling lights before her -that seemed to be on the edge of the horizon. As the train -sped on toward those lights she recognized them as belonging -to a station.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the steam horn shrieked and waked up all the passengers, -and the guide shouted:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Chuxton!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here we are, my dear,” said the curate, waking up as -the train stopped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were but few passengers who got out here, and -there were all sorts of conveyances waiting for them, from -donkey carts to fine coaches.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How far are we from Haymore, papa?” inquired Jennie -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>as her father led her from the train to the waiting-room -of the station.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ten miles, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is there a stagecoach to Haymore?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, my dear, but I took the precaution to engage the -fly from the Red Fox to meet us here for this train. If it -has not come yet—and I do not see it—it will be here soon.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How much expense I put you to, dear papa!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tut, tut! there is a time to spend! Whether there is -a time to save or not, while there is the least need anywhere -of spending, I really do not know! There’s the fly -now!” exclaimed the curate, at the sound of wheels, suddenly -breaking off in his discourse and going to the door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Nahum, you are on time, I see!” said Mr. Campbell, -speaking cheerfully to some one in the outer darkness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ay, bound to be, sir, when your reverence had bespoken -the kerridge,” answered a buoyant voice from the shades.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, my dear! But, Nahum, perhaps the mule wants -food and water?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not she, sir! She had her oats and her water and her -mug of ale! You’d no believe, sir, how that lass loves ale! -So, with your leave, I’ll e’en give her another mug of that -same, whiles she rests five minutes. No longer, your reverence. -No longer, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite right. Let us know when you are ready.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate sat down by his daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In something less than five minutes the voice of the hostler -was heard, calling:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All right now, sir. Miss Nancy and me is at your service, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Miss Nancy?” inquired Jennie as she arose and took -her father’s arm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This mule, of course. Nahum is an oddity! His avocations -are multiform. He is coachman, groom, hostler and -handy man generally at the Red Fox,” Mr. Campbell explained -as he took his daughter out to the carriage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was not a “fly” at all, though they called it so; it was -a strong, snug carryall, covered all over with a black tarpaulin, -except the front, which was open. It was drawn by a -stout mule.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell put his daughter and her child in the sheltered -back seat and placed himself beside the coachman in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>the front. And the carryall rolled away over the murky -moor until it seemed to be swallowed up in the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But “Miss Nancy” knew the road, and, if she had not -known it, her driver did. So they went on in safety.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER IV<br> <span class='large'>STARTLING NEWS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Nahum opened conversation with Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The last of the workmen have left to-day, sir,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The workmen? Oh, the decorators and upholsterers -who were fitting up Haymore Hold for the young squire and -his bride.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir. All is finished in the very latest style, and -with all the modernest improvements. And they do say as -there is not a place in the North Riding aquil to it for -magnificence and splendiferousness! They do that!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, when are the young pair expected?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That I can’t jest tell you, sir. But Mr. Isaiah Prowt, -the bailiff, do say as he is to receive a week’s notice of their -arrival, so as to have the triumphanting arches put up all -along the road leading into the village and the avenue from -the park gate to the hall.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will make a fine display, Nahum, but an expensive -one. However, I suppose it will give pleasure to the -people.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It will that, your reverence. And that is not all! They -are to have tents and markees and pavilions all over the -lawn, and a great outdoor gala for all the tenants, and even -the villagers who are not tenants, and for the whole neighborhood; -in fact, men, women, and children, sir, are to be -feasted on the fat of the land, and have dances and games, -and all that, all day long, and at night fireworks! All at -the young squire’s expense.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It will be a boon to the village, where there is never -even a market day or a fair.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It will that, sir. Why, the people have gone stark, staring -mad over the very thought of it, though they don’t the -least know when it is to come off. But they are looking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>forrid to it. For, as you say, sir, they never have anything -here. Chuxton is the market town, and the fairs go -there on market day.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So they never have a public fête unless it is given by the -lord of the manor on the occasion of a marriage, or a coming -of age in the family?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And never then, up to this toime. Such a day as this -coming on has never been seen at Haymore in the memory -of man. The old squires never did nothing like it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No? Why was that?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, they kept themselves aloof. They never thought -about their tenants, except to keep them pretty strict and -punctuous in the payment of the rents. Otherwise they -looked down on them as dirt underneath of their feet.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let us hope, from the present signs, that the new squire -will be more genial and benevolent.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He will that, sir. You may depend upon it. And no -doubt he will have the old church repaired. And you’ll do -your part to welcome the bridal pair. You’ll have the -parish school children drilled to stand aich side the road by -which they come and sing songs and throw flowers? And -you’ll have the bellringers to ring out joyful peals of -music?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, certainly, with all my heart. It falls in the -way of my office to see that the parish school children and -the bellringers take their part and do their duties properly -in the ceremonial reception of the bridal couple,” cordially -responded Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No more was said just then.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie was aghast. She had not thought that Kightly -Montgomery would bring his deceived bride, who was not a -lawful wife, to England so soon after his <i><span lang="fr">rencontre</span></i> with herself -on shipboard. When he had left the steamer at Queenstown, -to avoid meeting her father at Liverpool, she had -supposed that he would go to the continent for his bridal -tour, and return later to England. But instead of doing so -he had written a letter from Queenstown, on the morning -of his arrival there, to announce his intention of coming to -Haymore. This letter he must have posted on the same -morning, so that it came over land and sea by the shorter -route of the Irish mail, and reached its destination at Haymore -before she, by the longer way of the channel, arrived -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>at Liverpool. But why did he think of coming to Haymore -at this time?</p> - -<p class='c009'>A little reflection told her why. She tried to put herself -in Kightly Montgomery’s place and think out his motives. -Then she understood.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Kightly Montgomery knew certainly that Jennie had -gone home to her father’s, but he believed, erroneously, that -she had gone to him in his old parish at Medge, in Hantz, -where the curate had lived and preached for twenty years -past, and where he was likely to continue to minister for -forty years to come.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nearly the whole length of England lay between Medge, -on the south coast of Hantz, and Haymore, in the North -Riding of Yorkshire. He might, therefore, go safely to his -manor house without fear of being troubled by Jennie or -her people. He could not dream, of course, that the Rev. -James Campbell had left Medge to become the pastor of the -parish of Haymore, where his daughter would be with him; -else he would as soon have rushed into a burning furnace -as to come to Yorkshire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So far Jennie reasoned out correctly the meaning of -Kightly Montgomery’s course. But there was more cause -for his false sense of security than she knew anything about.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Kightly Montgomery had not the least idea that Jennie, -by putting odds and ends of facts and probabilities together, -had made herself acquainted with his fraudulent claim to -the name of Hay, and to the inheritance of Haymore. He -thought she knew nothing beyond the fact of his second -marriage, not even the name under which he married, and -that, therefore, she could not know how or where to seek -him, even if she were disposed to do so, which he utterly -disbelieved. With his wronged wife at the extreme south of -England, and in ignorance of his present name and residence, -he felt perfectly safe in coming to Haymore in the -north, to gratify his pride and vanity by a triumphant -entry, with his queenly and beautiful bride, into the village -and on to the manor house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He little dreamed of the dread Nemesis awaiting him -there.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie, my darling, why are you so silent?” inquired -Mr. Campbell, breaking in upon his daughter’s reverie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have been listening, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>“But you have not heard anything for the last half hour. -We have not been talking.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I listened with a great deal of interest while you did -talk, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you have heard that in a few days, perhaps, we -are going to have grand doings at Haymore to welcome the -young squire and his bride.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa dear, I heard all that.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you think of it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think it will be a very exciting time,” evasively replied -the young woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie, my dear, you speak so faintly. Are you tired?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa dear—rather tired.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Take courage, then, for we are near home, where the -mother is waiting to welcome us with a bright fire and a -nice tea table,” said the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa. Don’t mind me, dear. It is a healthful -weariness that will make me sleep all the better,” replied -Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But the last words were fairly jolted out of her mouth, -for the carryall was now ascending a very steep hill.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate turned his head again to speak to his daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We are entering the village, dear, and the church and -parsonage are at this end. You can see nothing from where -you sit behind there. If you could you would see a stony -road, with paving stones set sharp edge up to make a hold -for horses’ hoofs, otherwise they could scarcely climb it -And you would see high stone walls on each side of the road, -with plantations behind them. These walls, my dear, inclose -Haymore Park, through a portion of which this road -runs. On the top of the hill is Haymore Old Church and -Rectory. There is our home at present. There is an old -graveyard around the church, and an old garden around -the rectory. All this is at the entrance of the village, which -stretches on both sides of the road over the hill and down -the declivity. All around the manor, the church and the -village roll the everlasting moors from the center to the -circumference. There, my dear, you have a picture of our -home, though you cannot see it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I see it in my mind’s eye, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>All this time the mule was toiling slowly, painfully up -the steep ascent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie, straining her eyes to look forward, saw nothing -for a while but the black forms of her father and the driver -against the darkness, but presently fitful lights glanced in -sight and disappeared. After a while they grew more steady -and stationary, and Jennie recognized</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The lights in the village,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>though they were still distant before her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here we are,” said the curate blithely as the panting -mule drew up before a gate in a wall, all covered with ivy -or some other creeping plant, Jennie could not see what.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Beyond the gate and the wall was the front of a two-story, -double stone house, like the wall, all covered with -creeping vines, but with a bright firelight and lamplight -gleaming redly from the windows of the lower room on the -right-hand side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate lifted his daughter and her child from the -carryall and opened the gate that led between two low stone -walls, also covered with green creepers, up to the steps of -the long porch before the house. But some one in the house -had heard the sound of wheels, for the front door was flung -open, a small, slender woman rushed out and threw herself, -sobbing, into the arms of Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, my darling! my darling! my darling!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, mother! mother! mother!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>That was all they could say, as they clasped each other, -sobbing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell went on before them into the house, carrying -the baby out of the night air.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come in, come in, come in! Oh, welcome home, my -child! my child!” sobbed the mother, as, with her arm -around the waist of her daughter, she supported her into the -house, through the hall and into that warm, bright room, -where a sea coal fire was blazing in the grate, and a chandelier -hung from the ceiling just over a dainty white cloth -that covered the tea table, on which a pretty china service -was arranged.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The parlor was furnished entirely in crimson—carpet, -curtains, chair and sofa covers were all crimson, which, in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>the lamplight and firelight, gave a very warm, bright glow -to the room, which the travelers had seen from the carryall -without.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie was placed in an easy-chair, and her fur-lined -cloak and beaver hat taken off her by gentle mother hands. -Even in that sacred moment of meeting, the feminine instinct -caused the curate’s wife to hold up and admire the -rich cloak and hat that had been given Jennie by her New -York friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You haven’t looked at baby, mother dear,” said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! so I haven’t! How could I forget!” exclaimed the -young grandmother; and down went cloak and hat, disregarded, -on the floor, while she turned to look for the little -queen who was destined to ascend the throne of the household.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell, smiling at this impetuosity, placed the infant -in her arms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then—but I will spare my readers the rhapsodies -that ensued.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, everything else was forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Nahum, the driver, remembered he had to collect his -fare, and so “made bold” to walk into the curate’s house, -and stand, hat in hand, at the parlor door. As he stood in -the full glare of the light, he appeared a little, sturdy, -muscular man, with a strange mixture of complexion; for -while his skin was swarthy and his short hair, stubby beard -and heavy eyebrows were as black as jet, his eyes were light -blue. But the most characteristic feature in his remarkable -face was his nose, which was large and turned up so that -his nostrils described a semicircle upward. It was a “mocking -nose,” of the most distinct type. He wore a suit of -coarse blue tweed, and carried a battered felt hat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Nahum!” exclaimed the curate on catching sight -of him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Please, your reverence, it is eight shillings, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! Ah! Yes!” said the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the price was paid and the driver dismissed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Esther Campbell and her recovered daughter were now -seated close together on the crimson sofa, which was drawn -up on one side of the blazing fire. Esther had her grandchild -on her lap and her right arm around Jennie’s waist, -while Jennie’s head rested on her shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>“Come, Hetty, my love, we want our tea,” said the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Campbell put the baby in its mother’s arms and -rang the bell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A Yorkshire woman of middle age, dressed in a blue -cheviot cloth skirt and a gay striped sack of many colors, -came in with the tea urn and put it on the table. She was -a stranger to Jennie, but she courtesied to the “master’s” -daughter, who returned her greeting with a smile and bow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is our old servant, mamma?” inquired Jennie -when the new one had left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Julia? She married the greengrocer and left us -just before we left Medge.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Julia was forty years old at least!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear, and the greengrocer was a widower of fifty -with all his children grown up, married and settled.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A good match for Julia, then!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Excellent.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Yorkshire woman re-entered the room, bringing in a -tray on which was arranged hot muffins, dried toast, broiled -chicken and fried ham, all of which she placed on the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is our daughter, Mrs. Montgomery, whom we have -been expecting to see for so long a time, Elspeth,” said Mrs. -Campbell, speaking from her own genial nature and overflowing -happiness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth courtesied again and smiled, but said nothing; -she was rather shy. She took the baby, however, when the -curate and his wife and daughter sat down to the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Esther Campbell looked a young, fair and pretty woman -as she presided over the tea urn. She was really thirty-five -years old, but did not look more than twenty-three. But, -then, she had always had excellent health, few family cares -and no sorrows, except in the marriage of her daughter, and -even that was a light one compared to what that wayward -daughter was made to suffer. She was a woman of medium -height and slender form, for she had escaped the malady of -fat to which women of middle age or those approaching -middle age are subjected. Her figure was girlish, her features -were delicate, her complexion very fair, with a faint -rose hue over cheeks and chin. Her hair was brown, bright -and curly. She wore her only Sunday’s dress, a dark green -silk with a little lace at the throat and wrists. It was put on -in honor of her daughter’s return.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>The party of three waited on themselves and each other.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When all were served Hetty Campbell would most eagerly -have asked her daughter:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is your husband?” but that she feared something -was very wrong with him and dared not question Jennie on -this subject in the presence of the new servant.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie had a healthy young appetite, and ate heartily, to -the great comfort of her mother, who joyously watched her -plate and kept it well supplied.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you like this place, mamma?” inquired Jennie at -length.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear, on many accounts I like it very much. -Of course we felt a natural regret at leaving a home where -we had lived so long that we seemed grown into it, like a -cluster of oysters in their shells, which to shuck out is death. -But as it was not our own act there was no compunction; -and as it was inevitable, there had to be resignation. We -are happy here, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But the old friends—the people papa has christened and -married and comforted and instructed for twenty years! -For he was there before you were married, mamma.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, it was hard to leave them. But the knowledge that -we must submit to the inevitable strengthened us even for -that.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And how do you like the people here, mamma?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very much, indeed. They are exceedingly kind.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth having set the baby in its mother’s lap, and left -the room to take a new supply of hot muffins from the oven, -Jennie lowered her voice and inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And the one humble woman among the people with -whom we are in daily intercourse, and on whom so much -of our comfort must depend, mamma?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You mean our new servant?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course. Is she a worthy successor to Julia?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A most worthy one. Elspeth—the widow Longman—has -not always been in service. She has had reverses and -great sorrows—the loss of her husband while she was still -a young woman with an infant boy, a boy whom she spoiled -as only a widowed mother can spoil an only child. He grew -up, so it is said, not really wicked or worthless, but idle, -wilful, headstrong, and fond of pleasure and of roving. -One day the poor mother lost her temper, under some great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>provocation, and told him he was the one grief and trial of -her life, or words to that effect. He took his hat and walked -out of the house. She thought he had only gone to the barn -or to the village, and her burst of grief and anger being -over, she prepared that evening an extra good supper for -her boy, that they might make up their misunderstanding. -But, though she waited long and anxiously, he did not come, -nor has he ever come, nor has she ever heard one word of -him since that day when he walked out of the house in -sullen wrath.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, how dreadful! how dreadful!” exclaimed Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; it nearly killed her. The farm, with no one to -look after it, went to rack and ruin. She was compelled to -sell off all the stock to pay the rent, and then to give up -the lease and go into service. That is Elspeth’s sad little -story,” said Mrs. Campbell, hurriedly concluding as she -saw the subject of her discourse re-entering the room with -the plate of hot muffins in hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But no one wanted any more.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate gave thanks and they arose from the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The mother and daughter reseated themselves on the -crimson sofa in the glow of the fire, Hetty Campbell took -the baby on her lap, and the fondling and idolizing recommenced, -and might have continued all night, but that -James Campbell wisely put an end to the play.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come!” he said. “I have been traveling night and day -for twenty-four hours, and am well worn out. So is Jennie, -though she has only traveled one day by rail. So we had -better go straight to bed. Listen, Hetty: I have had our -daughter all day long to myself. You take her to your -bosom to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Eh?” exclaimed his wife, not understanding.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you sleep with Jennie and the precious baby to-night. -That will make you all very happy, though I am not -so sure about the baby. Only don’t talk all night. Put off -all mutual explanations until the morning,” the curate explained.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie sprang to her father and embraced him, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa! how good of you!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty, with the baby in her arms, came up on the other -side, kissed him, and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>“How kindly thoughtful of you, dear Jim!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate laughed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There! there! I shall not break my heart for your absence -this one night, Hetty, my dear. I shall sleep too -soundly. And the arrangement is on no account to be a -perpetual one.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth, having cleared away the tea table, was called in, -and the evening worship was offered earlier than usual.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell in the course of his devotions prayed for -the safe return of the poor widow’s son. This he had always -done morning and evening since Elspeth had been living -with the family.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a great comfort to the poor mother, who one day -said to Mrs. Campbell:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No minister ever prayed for my poor lad to come back -before. Now the minister prays for him, I know he will -come. I see it a’ as plain as if my eyes were opened; the -maister’s prayer goes straight up to the Throne; the Lord -receives it, and sends its spirit straight down to my boy’s -heart, wherever he may be on the footstool; and he will feel -it a-drawing and a-drawing of him until he turns his steps -homeward. I know it! And, oh! mem, the one that kept -me from going crazy with the trouble was the thought that -go where he would, he wouldn’t get out of the Lord’s world; -and if I didn’t know where he was, the Lord did; and if I -couldn’t see him, the Lord could. So I prayed for him, and -by the Lord’s help kept up.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the prayers were over the little family circle separated.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth went back to her kitchen to wash up her dishes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty and Jennie kissed the husband and father good-night -and went up to a spacious, white-draped chamber -which was over the parlor, and where a fine sea coal fire -was burning; and there they went to rest.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER V<br> <span class='large'>IN THE SILVER MOON MINING CAMP</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>It was the close of a dark November day. Heavy mists -hung over the gulch and settled upon the mountain stream -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>that ran between high banks at its bottom, and upon the -miners’ huts that dotted either side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The men had returned from their work and many of -them were seeking rest and refreshment in the shed dignified -with the name of saloon, where they paid very high -prices for very bad whisky, and won or lost money with very -grimy cards.</p> - -<p class='c009'>One excuse for them was this—the camp was a new one, -far out of civilization. It had been called into existence by -the hue and cry of a new and grand discovery of ore in a -mine which the discoverers christened the Silver Moon. It -was formed mostly of men who had been unsuccessful in -other mines. And there was not a woman in it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Three men sat on the ground in the rudest of rude stone -huts, built up irregularly of small fragments of rocks, and -roofed with slender logs. There was neither door, window -nor chimney, but there was an opening in front, protected -by a buffalo hide—to keep the heat in, and there was a hole -in the roof to let the smoke out. The floor was the solid -earth, and the fire was built against the wall. There was -scarcely any furniture to be seen, only a heap of coarse -blankets in one corner, and an iron pot and a few tin cups -and plates in another.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy’s well-ordered hut at Grizzly was a little palace -compared to this squalid shelter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three men sitting on the earth floor, before the fire, -which afforded the only light in the place, were unkempt, -unwashed and altogether about the roughest-looking savages -since the prehistoric ages. Yet they were three as different -men as could be found anywhere.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The first was perhaps the very tallest man ever seen outside -of a show, grandly proportioned, with a fine head, fine -face, clear, blue eyes, and yellow hair that flowed to his -shoulders, and a yellow beard that fell to his bosom. He -was clothed in a buckskin coat trimmed with fur, now much -the worse for wear, and buckskin leggings and buffalo-hide -boots. In a word, this Hercules was our old friend, Samson -Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The second was a medium-sized and elderly man, with a -thin, red face, red beard and a bald head. He was clothed -in a coarse, gray shirt, duck trousers, a nondescript jacket, -and many wrappings of sackcloth and sage grass around his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>feet and ankles, by way of boots. He was our old acquaintance, -Andrew Quin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The third was a slight yet muscular youth, with clear, -bright complexion, dark gray eyes and dark brown hair, a -mocking nose and a laughing mouth. He wore a coarse, red -flannel shirt, duck trousers, tucked into hide boots, a knit-woolen -blouse, and battered felt hat. Of course, he was -young Michael Man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All three of the men lived together like friends in this -hut. This evening they were all very grave, not to say -gloomy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Old Dandy Quin, sitting flat upon the ground and engaged -in unwinding the strips of sacking from his tired -feet, was the first to break a silence that had continued some -time.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’m gettin’ tired of this yere,” he grumbled. “Here -we’ve been more’n two months working like mules, and -never got a gleam o’ this yere moonlight. It’s moon-calves -we are, all on us. Ef it hadn’t been for Longman and his -gun we’d ’a’ starved! that’s what we would—’a’ starved! -We never had no luck nowhere! Leastways, I never had! -I’ve been nigh twenty years slaving in the mines, digging in -the bowels of the yeth, working hard and living harder, and -running like a luny after a jack-o’-lantern, from one grand -discov’ry to another, but never got no more but hard work -and harder living out of any on ’em, and now I’m sixty -years old come next Martinmas, and I’m gettin’ tired on -it,” he concluded, flinging his rags aside and caressing his -poor feet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dandy, ye poor ould craychur, haven’t ye pit a cint itself, -nowhere?” questioned Mike in a sympathetic tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, jest eleven hund’ed dollar in the savings bank at -Sacramento, and that I hev saved up, dollar be dollar, in -the last twenty years, a-working hard an’ the—Regiment hard, and -a-starving and a-stinting of meself to do it! And since here -we have come to this Silver Moon Mine it hev been all loss -and no gain! And as I said before, we’d ’a’ starved to -death ef it hadn’t been for Longman and his gun. And now -he is going back on us!” concluded Dandy in an injured -tone and with a look of reproach at the giant.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should be sorry to do that,” said Longman, stroking -his long, yellow beard. “But, Dandy, why won’t you go -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>with me? I will gladly take you. You are alone here and -growing old. Have you no natural longings to see your -native country? Come! come along with me!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why can’t you stay here? How do you know but to-morrow -the stroke of a pick may strike a vein of solid -silver running down to the very middle of the earth?” demanded -Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, that’s it! Delusive hope has been the will-o’-the-wisp -that has led you on from post to pillar for twenty years -of unsuccess.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, after working twenty years for almost nothing, -you wouldn’t have a man miss the chance of turning up a -fortune with the very next stroke of his pick—a fortune -that would pay him for all he has suffered—would you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, certainly not, if such luck were probable. But, -Dandy, my friend, your pick has never struck a vein, and I -think it never will. Be sensible. Draw your money from -the savings bank, and come home to England with me. -That sum will be a fortune to you in England, and set you -up in any light business you may like; or buy you a small -annuity, sufficient for your comforts for the rest of your -life. Think of it, Dandy,” said Longman, with kindly interest -in the lonely man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What makes you so hot-foot all of a sudden to go back -to England?” demanded Dandy. “A great, strapping, very -strapping young fellow like you to leave the grand field of -enterprise to go back to England?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman sighed and asked in his turn:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What brought you here, Dandy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I s’pose it was the goold.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ay, man, the gold—the gold fever. I have nothing to -say against it, because it has, on the whole, enriched and -blessed the world; or, at least, I hope and believe so. But -you, to come out here to the gold country at forty years of -age, and to spend twenty years of life as hard as the life of -a convict, in the pursuit of an ignis-fatuus that always -eluded you, still under the delusion that the next stroke of -your pick may discover a vein, is to have lost so much of -your life! Think of what I have said, Dandy, and redeem -and enjoy the rest.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’ll think of it, Maister Longman. But ye hevn’t answered -my question. What brought yerself out? Not the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>goold fever, I’ll be bound. I hev never seed ye handle a -pick or shool.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, not the gold fever. I was never fond of digging or -delving, or any sort of hard work. That was my ruin, -Dandy,” said Longman with a deep sigh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ruin!” exclaimed old Andrew, looking at the speaker -from head to foot. “Well, then, ye are the foinest spacimin -of a well-presarved ruin as ever I seed in my loife.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My hatred of steady work made me an outcast from my -home and an exile from my country, Dandy,” gravely replied -the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A great, tall, strong fellow like you to be lazy!” exclaimed -Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, not lazy; but averse to steady, hard, confining -work,” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An’ for that same did the feyther of ye turn ye adrift, -me poor Sam?” inquired Mike, striking into the talk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, not my father—he was dead; but my mother did.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your mither! Hivenly mither av us all!” exclaimed -Mike, stupidly staring at the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I deserved it, Michael,” said the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Och, thin, tell us all and about it, Sam, dear,” said -Mike sympathetically.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Longman briefly told his little story.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see, my father was a small farmer at Chuxton, in -the North Riding of Yorkshire. I do not remember him, -though I hope some day to make his acquaintance in the -upper world. He left this one when I was a very young -child—the first and only child,” he began.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘The only son of his mother, and she a widow?’ Ye’ll be -looked after, Sam, be the Lord Himsilf, or ilse all the -howly fathers have taiched me is not true,” put in Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Our neighbors used to say that my mother spoiled me. -I have often heard them say it to her before my face when -I was a bairn.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, no doobt, they telled the truth,” exclaimed Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And what would the mither say to that?” inquired -Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She would only draw me to her side and kiss me, to -comfort me for the mortification of hearing such words. -But you were right, Dandy. The neighbors did tell the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>truth. My poor, widowed young mother did spoil her only -child in her excessive fondness for him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, it was naterel,” admitted Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I grew up a very idle and headstrong boy, fonder of consorting -with gamekeepers, and even with poachers, than of -working on our farm. I think if I could have been taken -on as an assistant by some gamekeeper, who would have -given me plenty to do among guns and game, I might have -been contented to stay at home; but I could get no such -place. Besides, my work was badly wanted on the farm. -We were not able to hire laborers. My mother, myself and -one boy were expected to do everything; but I neglected my -part,” said Longman with a deep sigh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No one made any reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mother bore with me very patiently for all the years I -was growing; but by the time I was twenty years old, and -as strong and tall for that age as if I had been twenty-five -instead, and when the farm had been growing from bad to -worse for years, my poor mother frequently lost her temper -and scolded me—scolded me, a man, whom she had never -scolded as a boy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, faith, ye desarved it, hinny,” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I know I did. But one thing I can remember with -satisfaction: bad as I was, I never gave my mother what -she would have called ‘the back answer.’ I never in my -life spoke an undutiful word to my mother.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good for ye, Sam!” exclaimed Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When her words were very sharp and bitter, and I could -stand them no longer, I used to take my hat and walk out, -and never come back till night. And she—poor mother!—she -would have a nice, hot supper waiting for her prodigal -son, with some extra luxury that she could ill afford added -to the feast.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An’ she was a good craychur, be that same token,” exclaimed -Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, she was good—very good—but I tired her beyond -her patience. One day the crisis came; the rent was behindhand; -the bailiff was threatening; there seemed danger of -an eviction. Then my mother, in her grief and anger, -turned on me, said that if it had not been for my worthlessness -the farm would have been prosperous. She had said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>that so often before that the words had lost all significance -to me. But she ended in saying this:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘If it hadn’t been for you, Samson, I shouldn’t ha’ been -brought to this disgrace and poverty. The cost of keeping -you in idleness would have paid an able-bodied farm laborer, -who would have kept the place in order. And now I tell -you, if you can’t work here, you had better go and find employment -somewhere else to suit you.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Faix, it was harrd on ye,” said Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It was, though she did not mean it. She was half crazy -with the trouble that I might have warded off from her. -But, boys,” added Longman solemnly, “her words fell on -me stinging, burning, smarting, humiliating as a lash laid -on a naked back. Without a word I took up my hat and -walked out of the house, as I had often done before on other -but less bitter occasions; only this time I did not return. -That was five years ago. I have never seen my mother -since.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>A solemn silence fell on the trio.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently old Dandy inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An’ where did ye go thin? Ye couldn’t hev hed mooch -money in yer pocket, if there was none to pay the rint.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, I had not a shilling. I walked into Chuxton, sold -my silver watch for all it would bring, and then took a -third-class ticket in the cheap parliamentary train to London, -shipped as an able-bodied seaman on board the <em>Auro</em>, -bound from St. Katherine’s Docks to the Golden Gate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So it was for goold ye kem, after all,” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all. I never went near the mines in search of -gold. I drew my pay at ’Frisco, bought a couple of guns, -a lot of ammunition, some boots, and struck into the wilderness, -where there was plenty of game and no game laws.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An’ how hev ye thriven? Ye see, I niver knowed ye -afore we met in the woods last summer,” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have done well. I have been an industrious hunter. -I have supplied forts, post agencies, miners’ camps and -military caravans with game. I have saved more money -than you have, Dandy; and I am going home to old England—on -a visit, mind you, not to stay—I wouldn’t stay -there on any terms, unless some one would make me head -keeper on some estate where there is plenty of game. Even -that would be a poor substitute for the grand, free life of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>the hunter in these wilds. But, Mike, why do you look at -me in that strange way?” Longman inquired of the Irish -boy, who had been sitting with his elbows on his knees, and -his head held between the palms of his hands, gazing silently -and steadfastly into the face of the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis, I’m lookin’ at ye; I’m observin’ ye, Misther Longman. -That’s so! That’s a fact there’s no denyin’,” replied -Mike, without removing his gaze, which was becoming embarrassing, -if not offensive, to the good-natured hunter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But why? What’s the matter?” demanded Longman, -shifting his position so as to get out of the range of Mike’s -eyes’ fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the matther? Och! he ax what is the matther! -Haven’t ye just telled us how ye ran away fram yer poor -withowed mither in her throuble, an’ nivir wint back to ax -how she windded through it? An’ ye ax me what’s the matther?” -exclaimed Mike with much excitement.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, Mike, she turned me out of doors.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, she didn’t, Misther Longman. Not aven on your -own showin’, which was like to be in your own favor. She -upbreeded you for idleness an’ neglect av dooty. An’ she -was right! An’ she told yer if ye couldn’t worruk on the -farrm ye’d betther go and worruk somewheres else. An’ she -was right again, so she was.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, she was right; and I took her at her word and left -to work somewhere else.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis; an’ ye were the vagabond av the worruld for doin’ -that same, Misther Longman. Sure ye knew she nivir -meant it, an’ yez leaving must ha’ broke her heart, and yez -her onliest one in the worruld.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What would you have had me to do, Mike?” inquired -Longman very patiently.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What wad I hev had ye to do, is it? Why, to hev gone -to worruk on the farm and mindded yer ways from that -hour, and hed the rint reddy on pay day. That’s what I -wud hev had ye to do, Misther Longman. I nivir hed a -mither; me and me twin swishter, Judy, was orphint childer—born -so—and nivir knowed a mither. But if I hed hed a -mither, and she had got mad at me and put me out av the -front door, I’d ’a’ kem in at the back one. I wud nivir hev -deserted me own mither—nivir! But I nivir hed a mither, -and thim as has blessings nivir vally thim. I’m spaking me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>mind, Misther Longman, and ye may dooble me oop and -fling me over the bank and brek me neck at the bottom of the -gulch if ye like, for ye’re twice as big and strong as meself, -but I’m bound to spake me mind!” exclaimed the Irish boy -excitedly, digging his hands in his trousers pockets and -straightening himself up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Give me your hand, Mike. You are a brave, true young -fellow, and all that you say is right. Now, then, I must tell -you that I have not neglected my mother. I wrote to her -before I sailed from London, telling her where I was going. -I also wrote to her from ’Frisco. I have written to her -from every available point where I have taken up my abode. -But I have never had an answer to any letter. She must -have discarded me, and perhaps married again, for she was -a comely woman, only thirty-eight years old, when I left -her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Did it nivir occur till ye that the letthers might be lost -in a wild, onsartin part uv the worruld like this?” inquired -Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I have thought of that. And lately—I don’t know -why—the thought has grown upon me that my poor mother -may be lonely and pining for her prodigal son. I cannot -get rid of that thought. It haunts me day and night. That -is why I have made up my mind to go home and make -friends with my mother.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As if she ivir was anything else but frinds wi’ ye, Sam, -darlint!” broke in Mike. He had stopped calling his comrade -“Misther Longman.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I didn’t mean that exactly. I meant to make it all up -with her, and to her, if I could. To give her all the money -I have saved, to make her comfortable for life; and then -come back to the free woods and the free game.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Less ye could win to a keeper’s place in the owld counthry,” -put in Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; but that’s a dream,” laughed Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Aven so, it’s a dhrame that may kem as thrue as me own -swishter Judy’s dhrame about her swateharrt that brought -her all through the Black Woods to find him at last.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t in the least see how my dream—which was not -even a dream, but a passing thought of a bare possibility—can -come true,” laughed Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>“Then I’ll tell you!” exclaimed Mike. “Ye know Ran, -whose life ye saved?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, of course!” exclaimed Longman in surprise at the -vain question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I only wanted to mind ye of him. Ye know he -has kum into a great estate?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course, I have heard that, too.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, thin. He’s going to live on it. And if ye be -in England, and wanting av a keeper’s place, what more -natural than Misther Hay should pit you over his own kivvirs? -You thet saved his life!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, of course, the estate has a gamekeeper already.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tare an’ ’ounds, man, and supposin’ an’ if it has! -Misther Hay wud kape two keepers before he’d lave you -out’n the cold!” indignantly exclaimed Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know he would do all he possibly could for any of us. -But it is time enough to think of all that when we get to -England,” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And are you bent on going, Mr. Longman?” inquired -Andrew Quin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Bent on’ it, Dandy? I can’t help it. Something is -drawing me. I feel it all the time.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“On a visit?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“On a visit for the present.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I go with you, sir, and come back with you, if I -feel like it—though it is giving up the chance of a grand -future.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But it is making reasonably sure of enjoying the rest of -your days, Dandy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, mates, if you’ll both be laving, it’s meself that will -go wid you. The ould fort will be right on our road, and -I can shtop there to see me swishter Judy, and then I’ll go -back to Grizzly. Grizzly ain’t no great shakes; but for a -steady-going old mining camp, that will nivir promise to -mek a man a millingnaire, nor yet starve him to death, but -sorter keep him a-going on fair hopes and fair profits, why, -thin, give me ould Grizzly!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good for you, Mike, my bold boy! We shall be glad to -have your company, even as far as the fort, if no further,” -said Longman, clapping his young comrade on the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, now, boys,” said Andrew, “I hev hed twenty years’ -experience in these regions, where both of you are, relatively -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>speaking, newcomers. And I tell you, airly as it is in the -season, there’s snow not far off, and if so be we are bound to -start, we had better be off to-morrow. What do you say?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’m riddy,” said Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you, Mr. Longman?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I agree with you.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>“‘Laugh those who can! Weep those who may!</div> - <div class='line in4'>Southward we march by break of day!’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER VI<br> <span class='large'>AT THE FORT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>It was a glorious November morning, not yet cold in the -latitude of the fort. Though there was a large wood fire in -the sitting-room of the colonel’s quarters, the front windows -were open, admitting the fresh air as well as the bright sunshine.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The colonel’s wife sat in her sewing-chair beside her -work-stand at some little distance from the open window -and nearer the fire, engaged in making a frock for one of -her younger girls.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy sat at the window with a book in her hand, dividing -her attention between the open page and the open view.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no one else in the room. The colonel and his -eldest son, “Jim,” were at the adjutant’s office. All the -younger children were in the schoolroom under the charge -of their eldest sister, “Betty,” who was their teacher.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy had been three months separated from her brother, -and from her betrothed, and under the exclusive care of -Mrs. Moseley. Quick, witty, imitative and anxious to improve, -Judy had made rapid advances. She had recovered -all the half-forgotten book knowledge taught her at the convent -school, and had progressed considerably beyond that. -Hearing only good English spoken about her, she had -gradually dropped her sweet dialect, which both Col. Moseley -and Mr. Jim declared to be a lost charm, and only occasionally, -under emotion or excitement, she would suddenly -fall into it again. She was also better dressed than formerly; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>though again the colonel and his son declared not so -picturesquely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley had judiciously expended a portion of the -money left by Mike for the benefit of his sister, and her -short, red skirt and black jacket had given place to a brown -dress with white cuffs and collars, exchanged on Sundays -for a fine, dark blue one with embroidered frills.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The mail came twice a week to the fort, and every mail -brought Judy two or more letters from Ran; for he wrote -nearly every day. The desire to answer all Ran’s letters was -a great spur to improvement in Judy, who, showing all her -compositions to Mrs. Moseley, begging her to correct the -spelling, grammar and punctuation, and then carefully -studying these corrections before making the clean copy that -finally went to her betrothed, made greater progress in -her education than she could have accomplished under any -other circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran kept her advised of everything that happened to him, -and his latest communications assured her that his cause -was going on swimmingly, though, of course, there were, -necessarily, “law’s delays.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>To corroborate this, Mrs. Moseley received occasional letters -from her old schoolmate, Mrs. Samuel Walling, who -gave her chapter after chapter of what she called this romance -in real life; how much the hero of it was admired -by all to whom she had introduced him; how from his dark -beauty and grace he was dubbed the Oriental Prince; how -he was taken up by every one in society except the Vansitarts, -who, in the interests of their late governess and -favorite, and with idiotic obstinacy, disallowed a claim that -every one else was forced to admit; last of all, how young -Randolph Hay had discovered a lovely cousin, and sole surviving -relative, in Palma Hay Stuart, the only child of his -late Uncle James Jordan Hay, and the wife of Cleve Stuart, -a man of fortune from Mississippi.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Much of this information—all of it, in fact, except that -which concerned his “lionizing”—Ran had faithfully imparted -to Judy. And she rejoiced in his present prosperity -and future prospects.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy had but one source of anxiety—her Brother Mike! -Three letters she had received from him since he took leave -of her in September; but these had reached her at intervals -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>of a week or ten days apart, and since the last of these -three, two months had passed and she had heard nothing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were times when she grew very much distressed, -and felt almost sure that the party of adventurers to which -Mike belonged had been massacred.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On this splendid November morning Judy, sitting at the -window, with her grammar in hand, was more than usually -downcast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>First, there was the news that had come to her from her -betrothed, that he was to sail for England about the first of -December with Mr. Will Walling, to go through certain -forms, preliminary to taking possession of the Hay estate -and ousting the present usurper; his absence must be indefinite; -but he would return as soon as possible—he hoped -in two months’ time at the furthest. That news depressed -the girl very much; but that was not all. The mail that -brought Ran’s letter brought none from Mike. It was at -least her twentieth disappointment, but she felt it as bitterly -as if it had been her first.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the matter, Judy?” at length inquired the colonel’s -wife, noticing the dejected countenance of her -protégée.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am, it’s about Mike! I am sure the Indians -must have—— Oh, ma’am, I can’t spake it!” the girl answered, -breaking off with a sob.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My poor child, there is really no cause for such keen -anxiety. Your brother and his party have gone far beyond -the mail route in their search for silver. He cannot send -a letter to you from his present camp, except by the chance -of some one returning toward the mail routes. Be patient -and hopeful, Judy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do try, ma’am; but it is awful to lose one’s brother in -such a—void!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is no void in which any creature can be lost, -Judy; for the Creator is everywhere, and He is our Father -as well, and none of His children can stray out of His presence. -It must be dreadful to have any beloved one disappear -mysteriously, but it is certain that the Lord knows -where he or she is, and will take care of His child, living -or dead!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I believe that, ma’am,” said Judy, trying to rally her -spirits.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>She returned to the study of her book; but her thoughts -were too distracted for concentration, and her eyes wandered -from the page to the open window. The great gates of the -fort were directly in front of the colonel’s quarters and -about a hundred yards distant.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently Judy, looking out toward them, dropped her -book, started up and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why! What!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then she stopped and gazed through the window.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is it, my child?” inquired the lady.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A strange officer, ma’am, and several strange soldiers -coming in at the gate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley laid down her work and came and joined -Judy at the window.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A small troop of horsemen, about ten men in all, with -an officer at their head, marched through the gate, wheeled -to the right, and rode up to the adjutant’s quarters, where -they all dismounted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The officer, attended by an orderly, went into the office.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The men remained outside, standing by their horses.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What does it mean, ma’am, do you think?” inquired -Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t know. It may be some small reinforcement on -their way to some other fort. We shall hear when the -colonel comes in.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>As the lady spoke the orderly came out of the adjutant’s -office and spoke to the dismounted men, who immediately -dispersed, leading their horses away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The two women stood a few minutes longer at the window, -and then, as there was nothing more to be learned by -looking out, each returned to her employment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Even after that, Judy continued to glance from her lesson -in syntax, through the open window that commanded the -great gates and a broad sweep of the fort grounds; but -nothing occurred to reward her vigilance or satisfy her -curiosity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length she grew tired of watching, and gave her undivided -attention to her lesson.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Two hours passed, and the colonel might have been seen -coming from the adjutant’s office to his own quarters, with -a brisk step and a radiant face, with full twenty years taken -off his fifty.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>“Good news, Dolly, my dear!” he said, bursting into the -sitting-room. “Good news! Dispatches from Washington. -Call all the children together to hear the good news.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go, Judy, dear, and bring them,” exclaimed Mrs. Moseley -in eager anticipation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy flew to do her bidding, and soon the room was filled -with the progeny of the military patriarch.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where’s Jim?” demanded the colonel, looking around.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here I am, father,” said the eldest son, entering the -room at that moment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And Betty?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here, father, behind you. So close to you that you can’t -see me!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And Baby Lu?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Right there between your feet, father. If you look down -you will see her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hadn’t you better call the roll, dad? Then you will be -sure that we are all here!” cried Master Clin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hold your tongue, you young scamp, and listen!” exclaimed -the colonel, laughing. Then turning to his wife -gravely, almost tearfully, he said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dolly, my dear, it has come at last! It has been a long -time coming. I have got my promotion and six months’ -leave!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley jumped from her chair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Moses! Moses! I am so glad! So thankful! I -never expected it in our lifetime—never! I looked that we -should live and die among the frontier forts, with no change -but from one to another. Oh, thank Heaven! Thank -Heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Maj. Lawson will succeed me in command here. Capt. -King, who brought the dispatches, remains here with the -ten new recruits who are to take the places of as many of -our soldiers whose terms of service are drawing to a close. -There, children, there is my good news. Now be off with -you and rollic over it!” he added, turning to the young -people.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! father dear, are we really going East? Really -going to the cities and to civilization?” breathlessly demanded -Betty, thinking this news much too good, too wonderful -to be true.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>And the faces of all the other children eagerly seconded -their elder sister’s question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Really and truly, my dear ones. And my pleasure in -going is immeasurably heightened by the joy the anticipation -of the change gives you all. Now run away; I wish to -speak to your mother,” he said, smiling on them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tell us one thing, dad, do!” said Master Clinton.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, what is it, my boy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When are we going?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In a very few days. I cannot tell you yet what day. -Now run away.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The boy scampered off, and his army of brothers and -sisters followed him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy also would have left the room, but Mrs. Moseley -stopped her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Stay, my dear girl. We only sent the children away that -they might give vent to their joy in the open air, as you hear -them doing. Now, Moses!” said the lady.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear, it is only this: King will dine with us -to-day, and I have invited Lawson, and Hill, and Perry to -meet him. Is it too late to make some suitable addition to -our family spread?” anxiously inquired the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! no, not if we put back the dinner an hour. There -is a fine haunch of venison, a buffalo tongue, and a bunch -of prairie fowl that I have just bought from an Indian. -And then I will open my preserve jars in honor of the occasion, -though I did not intend to touch them until Christmas.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are a tower of strength, Dolly, my dear, but we -shall not be here at Christmas. Now I have something to -do over at the office. I will be back with King a little -while before dinner,” concluded the colonel as he left the -room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the matter, Judy? You look very grave, my -dear,” said Mrs. Moseley, who was at last at leisure to observe -her protégée.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am!” said the girl in a broken voice, being almost -in tears; “oh, dear, ma’am, it is not that I am not glad -and thankful for the good fortune that has come to you and -the dear colonel and the childer——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Children, Judy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>“Yes, ma’am, children, to be sure, only sometimes I do -forget.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, you were saying——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, ma’am, I was saying I am glad and thankful to -the Lord and all the saints for the blessing and the prosperity -that have come to you; but, but, but——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But what, Judy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The girl did not answer, but burst into tears and sobbed -aloud.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Judy! Judy! Judy! What is all this? Are you crying -because you are doubtful of what is to become of you?” -tenderly inquired the lady, laying her hand on the girl’s -curly, dark hair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s the parting with yeez a’, ma’am! And the thought -what will I do at all, at all, when ye lave this! Oh, sure -it is a silfish wretch that I am to be graiving for meself, -instid of rejoicing with yeez!” wept the girl, backsliding -hopelessly into her dialect.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Judy, dear, do you think we would leave you behind? -No, dear, not one of us would think of such a cruel thing. -We must take you with us, Judy, my poor child!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am, sure and it’s a hivinly angel av goodness ye -are and always was, and meself always said it. And I’d go -with you, willing, and glad, and grateful, only there’s me -poor Mike. If Mike should write to me, or come to see -me, what wud he do not to find me?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My girl, we would leave word with the adjutant to forward -any letters that might come for you, and if your -brother should appear in person, to tell him where you were -to be found. There! will that do? And remember we are -going to New York, and you will see Ran before he sails -for England. Come, now! will that do?” archly inquired -the colonel’s wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yis, ma’am! Yis, sure!” exclaimed Judy, her eyes -sparkling through her tears. “And sure meself will be -the thankful craychur!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Creature, Judy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So it is! Creature, ma’am, thank you, and I will learn -after a while.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley then left the sitting-room and went to the -kitchen to give directions to the soldier’s wife who filled the -place of her cook.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>Judy laid aside her book and began to put the room in -order for the visitors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Punctually at about fifteen minutes before the dinner -hour the colonel came in with Capt. King, a fine, tall, stalwart-looking -man with dark complexion, black hair and -mustache, and about thirty-five years of age. He introduced -the strangers to Mrs. Moseley, who received him -cordially, and to “Miss Man,” who only bowed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were soon joined by the major, the adjutant and -the surgeon, and then all went in to dinner. Judy scarcely -opened her lips in speech during the meal, for fear of falling -into her dialect. The impromptu dinner party passed -off very successfully, and the evening passed gayly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next day being Tuesday, preparations for leaving -the fort were commenced by the colonel and his family.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They fixed the ensuing Monday for their departure.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley, in the midst of her packing, found time -to write to her friend, Augusta Walling, announcing their -return to the East, and asking her to find a large furnished -house suitable to their large family and moderate income, -somewhere in an inexpensive suburb of New York, and to -have it ready for them to enter on their arrival, to save the -cost of going to a hotel with their numerous party.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Every one was happy except Judy, who was grieving to -go away without having heard from her missing brother, -even though she was going where she would be sure to meet -her betrothed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>With distressful anxiety she watched for the one remaining -mail that would come in before they would leave the -fort.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Thursday, the next mail day, came and brought her letters -from Ran, telling her of the progress of his business -and the passing of his time, and that he had at length -secured apartments in the same building with his cousins, -and had left his hotel to establish himself there until he -should sail for England.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy was satisfied so far as her lover was concerned; but -she was so bitterly disappointed and distressed at not getting -any news of her brother by this last mail that she felt -as if her last hope for him had died out, almost as if she -might mourn him as dead, and she went away to her own -tiny room to have her cry out by herself.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>Then she wrote a long letter addressed to her brother, in -which she explained to him the necessity of leaving the -fort with the colonel’s family, and begging him to write to -her or come and see her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This she placed in the adjutant’s hands, begging him to -give it to Mike if he should come to the fort.</p> - -<p class='c009'>By Friday night all the preparations for departure were -completed. It had been a heavy week’s work to get ready a -family of fifteen for a removal and a long journey, but the -task was finished at last, and the colonel said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We may now take two Sabbaths’ rest, the Jewish and -the Christian, before setting out on our pilgrimage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And that night the whole family went to bed tired enough -to enjoy the two days’ rest to come.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next day—Saturday—was a beautiful day, clear, -and bright, and mild. Fine fires were burning in all the -fireplaces, but all the windows were open.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley was distributing to the few soldiers’ wives -that were in the camp many household articles that she -would not want. Also she was receiving informal visits -from officers’ wives, who were sorry to have her leave the -fort.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy, having nothing on earth to do, was walking up -and down on the piazza of the colonel’s quarters, thinking -of her brother, Mike, and his too probable fate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On this day, people were coming in and going out of -the fort gates continually; but Judy took no notice of them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently there came through the gates another troop—not -a troop of horse as on the preceding Monday, but a -very small troop on foot, consisting of some half a dozen -of the most ragged, dirty, forlorn and Heaven-forsaken -looking tramps that Christian eyes ever beheld.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy, pacing up and down the piazza, never saw them. -She was muttering to herself:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know he is dead, but I shall never know how he died, -or where he died, or how much he might have suffered -before he died. And this will be a sorrow to me worse than -death itself! A life-long sorrow that even me darlint Ran -can nivir comfort me for.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Judy!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>A familiar voice called in her ear, a hard hand clapped -her on the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>She sprang as if she had been shot, gazed for an instant -as if she had gone mad, and then, with a great cry, flung -herself in her brother’s arms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike was worn out with his wearisome tramp, so he sat -down on one of the wooden benches, drew his sister on -his knees, and held her to his bosom, where she lay sobbing -in a great paroxysm of emotion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her cry had brought Mrs. Moseley and several other -members of the family to the door. They saw Mike sitting -there with his sister’s face hidden on his bosom. Mike -lifted his old rag of a hat to the lady, who smiled and returned -into the house with all who had followed her to the -door. She would not disturb such a joyful meeting. She -was as much delighted as surprised that it had come so -opportunely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was some time before Judy was composed enough to -speak. And even then her first utterances were incoherent -ejaculations of thankfulness, delight and affection. At -length she said, falling into her old dialect:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s an answer to prayer! It’s a blissing come down -from the Mither av Hivin. Oh, sure me harrt was breaking -in me brest to lave this, an’ yoursilf away, and me unbeknownst -of whativir hed become av ye!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Wheriver were ye going, Judy?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, sure ye didn’t know! How should ye?” she said. -And then she told him the situation, and inquired, in her -turn, how it was that he came so happily to see her, before -her departure.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That Silver Moon Mine was jist the most misfortunate -ventur’ as ivir was made! Iviry one of the bhoys as went -from Grizzly have come back, hed to, ilse we wud ha’ perished -in the snow there, this winter. What a differint climit -this is! Why, it’s almost like simmir here compared to -there. So we’s all going back to slow and sure old Grizzly. -All, lasteways, ixcipt Longman and Dandy, who are going -back to the ould counthry.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Mike, are you going back to Grizzly?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis, sure! Where ilse wud I go?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Mike, don’t let us be parted! Go with me to New -York! Ran is going to England about the first of December; -wouldn’t you like to see him once more before he -goes?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>Mike hesitated, then he said slowly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sure, and I wud like to go with ye, Judy, and I wud -like to see Ran, but——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, don’t say but, Mike. Draw out the bit of money ye -left in the savings bank at ’Frisco, and come with us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis, but what the divil will I do before I get to ’Frisco -without a cint av money or a dacint suit av clothes?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh—I’ll—I’ll—I’ll spake to the colonel’s leddy!” said -Judy, springing up impulsively and running into the house -to lay the case before her benefactress.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley was all sympathy and kindness, and soon -devised a plan by which Mike should have an outfit and -transportation to San Francisco, where he might draw his -savings from the bank, and repay all advances.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That day and the next, through the kindness of the colonel -and his officers, the footsore, starved and wearied -tramps were fed and rested at the fort.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Monday the determined miners went on their way to -Grizzly, well provided with food and drink for their journey -through the woods.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At the same time a train of ambulances and army -wagons, containing the colonel and his numerous family, -the discharged soldiers, with Longman, Mike, Dandy and -much goods, filed out of the fort gates and took the road to -St. Agnetta, where they were all to take the train to San -Francisco, en route for New York.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER VII<br> <span class='large'>A GLAD SURPRISE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>“I have found them, ma’am! I have found them! And -they are charming—charming!” exclaimed Ran Hay with -boyish exultation, bursting into Mrs. Samuel Walling’s parlor -with the freedom of an inmate on the morning succeeding -his meeting with Cleve and Palma Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sit down, you excitable fellow, and tell me whom you -have found. Is it Sir John Franklin and his crew, or is it -Mr. Livingstone?” inquired the lady, rising and giving her -hand to the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>“Neither, ma’am; though I would give my life to find -either if it were possible. But I have found my own dear -cousins!” replied Ran, dropping into a chair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your Uncle James Jordan’s children? Those whom you -advertised for?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“His daughter, ma’am; his sole surviving child, Palma, -and her husband, Cleve Stuart, who is the only son and sole -heir of the late John Stuart, a rich planter of Mississippi. -They are a charming young couple, only a few months married.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Cleve Stuart?” said Mrs. Walling, musing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, ma’am.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, I know him! He used to be a devoted admirer of -Lamia Leegh. We all thought that it would certainly be -a match. But I fancy she discarded him in favor of the -wealthier suitor, your treacherous traveling companion, -Gentleman Geff, the rival claimant of Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If she did she made a miserable mistake. But I do not -think she did. I don’t believe she ever had the chance. I -cannot fancy Stuart ever having been enslaved by any -woman before his lovely wife, to whom he is perfectly devoted!” -replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! well, I may have been mistaken. He was very -much in society. So was Miss Leegh. They were frequently -together. But tell me how you found them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Through that advertisement, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, I know. But how?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Stuart answered my advertisement by coming in -person to my hotel; finding me out, he left a note with his -address, asking me to call there. I got that note when I -came in, and immediately started out to see my cousins. I -found them in an elegant little flat, their rooms almost as -charming as themselves. I spent the afternoon with them, -dined with them, went to the theater with them, supped -with them, and only left them in the ‘wee sma’ hours’ of -the morning. And I could not sleep for happiness in the -thought of having found my kindred, and such delightful -kindred! Then as soon as possible this morning I came to -tell you the good news.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to hear it, Mr. Hay! I have lost sight -of Mr. Stuart for the last six months.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is just as long as they have been married. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>were married on the first of May last, and spent the whole -season at some place up the Hudson, and have only been in -town for a few weeks. And I do not think she knows a -soul here!” said Ran with a pleading look in his soft, dark -eyes that said as plainly as words could have spoken:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Won’t you please to take the dear little one under your -wing?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling replied just as if he had spoken his plea.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, certainly, I will call on Mrs. Stuart with great -pleasure if you will give me her address.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When? Oh, when?” demanded Ran with more eagerness -than politeness. And then suddenly remembering -himself he said: “Oh, I beg pardon.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, any time—this week, to-morrow, to-day, if you -like. Yes, to-day, it will be just as convenient as any other -day. Will you escort me, Mr. Hay?” said the lady.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, with the greatest pleasure and gratitude, ma’am. -You are very kind.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling touched a bell, which brought a servant to -the room. She ordered her carriage to be brought to -the door, and then turning to young Hay, said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you will remain here until I put on my bonnet and -wraps I will not keep you long.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran rose and bowed, and Mrs. Walling left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Twenty minutes later Ran handed the lady into her carriage, -entered after her, and gave the order:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To the Alto Flats.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The truth is that Mrs. Samuel Walling was impelled by -curiosity as well as by neighborly kindness in thus promptly -going to call on Mrs. Cleve Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A half hour’s drive brought them to the flats.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Leaving Mrs. Walling in the carriage, but taking her -card, he entered the office of the house and gave it, with his -own, to the janitor’s boy, who took them upstairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In five minutes the boy came down and reported that -Mrs. Cleve Stuart was at home, and would the gentleman -and lady come up?</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran returned to the carriage, assisted Mrs. Walling to -alight, and conducted her into the house; they entered the -elevator and were soon “landed” at the door of the private -hall leading into the Stuarts’ suite of apartments.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The boy opened the parlor door and they entered.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>Palma, neatly dressed in her well-worn, best suit of crimson -cashmere, with its narrow, white frills at throat and -wrists, and her curly, black hair lightly shading her forehead, -arose from her chair and came forward with shy grace -to receive her visitors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is Mrs. Samuel Walling, dear Cousin Palma. She -does me the honor to be my good friend. Mrs. Walling, my -cousin, Mrs. Cleve Stuart,” said Ran, going through the introduction -as well as he could.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma put out her hand shyly, half in doubt whether she -should do so or not, and murmured:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very happy to see you, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Mrs. Walling took her hand with a frank and cordial -smile and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am delighted to know you! I should have recognized -you without an introduction, anywhere, from your likeness -to your cousin here! Why, you might be twins.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>In a few minutes the three friends were seated and talking -as freely as if they had known each other all their lives.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Evidently the two women were mutually pleased with -each other.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While they conversed Cleve Stuart came in from his -daily, fruitless quest after employment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He looked surprised and pleased to see Mrs. Walling with -his wife, and warmly shook hands with her, expressing his -satisfaction at meeting her again after so long an interval -of time.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It was your own fault, Mr. Stuart. You should have -sent an old friend your wedding cards,” said the lady, -laughing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We had none, madam. My little girl was an invalid, -and our wedding was a very quiet one at Lull’s, where I had -taken her for a change of air,” replied Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will not excuse you, sir. On your return to the city -with your sweet, young wife, you should have sent me your -address, that I might have called sooner. I hold that you -have deprived me of some weeks’ enjoyment I should otherwise -have had in the acquaintance of Mrs. Cleve Stuart.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I have no more to say, dear madam, but to throw -myself upon your mercy,” replied Stuart as he seated himself -near the group.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never mind, my dear,” said Mrs. Walling, turning to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Palma, “we must make up for lost time by becoming at -once very intimate friends. Now, will you come and take -tea with me to-morrow at six o’clock? Not a fashionable -tea, dear child, at which hundreds of people sip Oolong or -Gunpowder out of dolls’ china cups, but a real unfashionable -tea party of ten or a dozen intimate friends, who assemble -at ‘early candle-light,’ and sit comfortably down to -a long table—a custom of my grandmother’s that I loved -in my childhood, and brought with me from old Maryland -to this city, and indulge in whenever I can with some of my -friends. Will you come, you and Mr. Stuart, dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“With much pleasure, thank you, ma’am,” replied Palma, -speaking for both.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I want you to meet my friend, Mrs. Duncan, and one -or two other good people.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you very much, madam,” said Palma shyly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She will be glad to make friends among your friends, -Mrs. Walling, for she is almost a stranger here,” added -Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then, to-morrow afternoon, at six o’clock,” -concluded the lady, and she arose to take her leave.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran shook hands with his cousins and escorted Mrs. Walling -back to her carriage, and would have bid her good-by -at the door, but that the lady said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come in here, Mr. Hay. I want to have more talk -with you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran obeyed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they were seated and were well on their way along -the avenue Mrs. Walling said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have heard from our friends at the fort but once since -your arrival, Mr. Hay! The letter of introduction you -brought is the last, except a card, I have had from Mrs. -Moseley, and never has so long an interval passed without -hearing from her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you answered her last letter, dear madam?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course I did, immediately, and have written one or -two since. Have you heard from them, Mr. Hay?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not for two weeks! And I should be very anxious if I -did not know that they must have written. The mails in -that unsettled region are very irregular, often delayed and -sometimes lost. That condition of affairs out there explains -an apparent silence that might otherwise make me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>seriously anxious. We shall get letters by and by, Mrs. -Walling, for every mail is not lost.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I hope they got my letters.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They must have received every one, though we have got -none,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the carriage drew up before the Walling house and -Ran had helped the lady to alight and escorted her to her -own door, he would have taken leave, but she insisted that -he should enter with her and remain for dinner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There he spent the evening, after dinner taking a hand -in a rubber of whist with Mrs. Walling and the two Messrs. -Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That same night Mr. Samuel Walling left by the late -train for Washington to see the British minister. He expected -to be back in three days.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next morning Mrs. Walling sent out her few invitations -to intimate friends for her entertainment. It was -only under certain conditions that the lady could indulge -in the practical reminiscence of her childhood, represented -by this old-fashioned tea party, which, when it occurred, -always superseded the late dinner; and the first of these -conditions was the absence of her husband, who could never -give up a dinner for a tea, no matter how abundantly the -table for the latter might be spread.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Walling’s journey to Washington furnished her opportunity -on this occasion. So, early in the morning, she -sent out about half a dozen little cocked-hat notes of invitation -to some of her old friends not among the most -fashionable of her acquaintances. And all who were disengaged -accepted at once. Among these was good little Mrs. -Duncan, and old Mrs. Murphy, and Miss Christiansen—all -pleasant people.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At six o’clock her guests began to arrive—only eight in -number, including the hostess. Six of these were ladies, -the only gentlemen present being Mr. Cleve Stuart, Mr. -Randolph Hay and Mr. Roger Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The elegant and luxurious “tea” was as abundant and -varied as any dinner need be, and much more dainty than -any dinner can be. It was not a full dress party, nor a -ceremonious occasion; so both before and after tea there -was some card playing and much gossip.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Stuart and Mr. Duncan, with Miss Christiansen and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>Mrs. Murphy, sat down to a rubber of whist. Mrs. Walling, -Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Stuart and Mr. Hay sat near each other -in a group and gossiped with all their might and main.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Duncan was the principal talker; and after telling -many a spicy but harmless bit of news, she took up the story -of her protégée, Jennie Montgomery, and soon interested all -her hearers in it. The facts were new to them all except -to herself and Mrs. Murphy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What puzzled me about the young thing was this: That -while she had lost every particle of respect and affection for -her would-be murderer, she persisted in shielding him from -justice. Now, I can understand a woman shielding a criminal -whom she has loved, and still loves; but I cannot -understand her protecting an assassin who has aimed at -her life, and whom she fears and abhors!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Palma’s eyes began to sparkle. She had her little -story to tell, too. And she wanted to tell it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you know,” she said, as soon as she could slip into -the busy conversation—“do you know that my husband was -arrested by mistake for Capt. Kightly Montgomery, and -held for a murderous assault, until he could prove his identity -by competent witnesses?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The ladies, startled by this information, made little, low -exclamations of surprise.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your husband was one of the witnesses, Mrs. Walling,” -continued Palma, pleased with herself that she could contribute -some little item of interest to the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! I think I remember hearing something about -some one being arrested by mistake, charged with something -or other, and Mr. Walling being called as a witness to prove -the accused to be some other than the man wanted; but, -really, now, there are so many sensational items in the daily -papers that one shoves the other from the memory. So it -was Mr. Cleve Stuart, was it? Pleasant for him,” said -Mrs. Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And it was really your husband, Mrs. Stuart, who was -taken to the woman’s ward of the hospital to be identified -by Jennie Montgomery! I heard all about it at the time, -but I had forgotten the name of the gentleman who had -been arrested by mistake,” said Mrs. Duncan, taking a good -look at Stuart, who was in a fine light for the view, seated -at the card table immediately under a chandelier. “And -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>there certainly is a very striking likeness between him and -the miniature of the young woman’s murderous husband,” -she concluded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then all the other ladies turned and gazed at Stuart, -who was blissfully unconscious of the severe scrutiny.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But though there is a striking likeness, there is also a -very great difference,” resumed Mrs. Duncan. “But you -can see for yourselves. By the merest chance I have that -miniature in my pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, do let us see it, dear Mrs. Duncan, do!” pleaded -Palma, eager to behold the likeness that had led to her -husband’s false arrest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear; but first let me tell you how I happen to -have it in my possession, and also to have it with me here. -Mrs. Montgomery spent the last ten days of her stay in the -city in my house. The miniature which had been found in -her possession when the police searched her room, and had -been used in the vain effort to trace her assailant, was at -length restored to her. And to show how entirely she had -ceased to care for the man who tried to murder her, she -actually forgot his picture, and left it behind in her bureau -drawer. I never chanced to find it until this morning; and -as I was coming out, I thought I would do it up and send it -out to her by mail. So I put it in a small box, directed and -sealed it and put it in my pocket with the intention of -posting it, and then—forgot all about it until now. Now -you shall see it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She drew a small pasteboard box from her pocket, broke -the seals, opened it and took out a small morocco case, which -she also opened and handed to Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is a slight resemblance. Only a very slight one. -I do not see how any one could mistake this sinister-looking -face for a miniature of Mr. Stuart. Now, do you, Mrs. -Walling?” said Palma with an aggrieved air as she passed -the picture to her friend and hostess.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is a very wonderful likeness to my eyes, my dear, -in features, hair, complexion and all—except expression.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And expression is everything. I see scarcely any likeness -myself,” persisted Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you allow me to look at it?” Ran inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling placed it in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>“Now, do you see any likeness between that ill face and -Cleve’s?” inquired Palma, appealing to her cousin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not the least!” exclaimed Ran on the first cursory -glance at the miniature. Then holding it closer and gazing -more attentively he exclaimed suddenly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, I know this fellow! It is Gentleman Geff, as he -appeared when he first came to Grizzly, before he shaved his -mustache off and let his beard grow! It’s Gentleman Geff!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Gentleman Geff!’” echoed all the ladies, except Mrs. -Walling, who took the picture and gazed at it in silence for -a moment, and then, returning it, said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes! I see now! So it is! Though the full beard -made so great a difference that even the likeness did not -occur to me. Excuse me one moment, friends. I will return -directly.” And she hastily left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran could scarcely get over his astonishment at his discovery. -Gentleman Geff, the very fine dude who had seemed -too dainty for any of the rudenesses of life, yet who had -treacherously shot him in the woods, robbed him of his -documents, and possessed himself of his estates, was also -the man who had attempted the murder of his own wife and -feloniously married another woman!</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But who is Gentleman Geff?” inquired Palma, Mrs. -Duncan and Miss Christiansen, in a breath.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Please wait a little, ladies, until the return of Mrs. -Walling. Perhaps she will inform you, or allow me to tell -you, who he is,” said Ran respectfully, and even deprecatingly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling returned with what might be called Mr. -Walling’s professional photograph album in her hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She opened it at a certain page and pointed out a face -and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look at that and compare it with the miniature, and -then tell me if the two are not likenesses of the same person, -notwithstanding the difference made by the mustache on -one face and the full beard on the other.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She had handed the two pictures first to Palma, who -gazed for a moment, and then nodded assent, and passed -them around to her companions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But who is the man?” inquired Mrs. Duncan, while -Palma and Miss Christiansen seconded the question by their -eager looks.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>“Friends, he was one of Messrs. Wallings’ clients, but is -so no longer. He has managed to deceive two astute lawyers, -to impose upon society, to get hold of a name and an -estate that does not belong to him, and to marry the most -beautiful woman in the country and take her off to Europe -in triumph, while his own deserted wife and child, whom -he believed he had safely disposed of by murder, sailed with -him in the same ship, unsuspected by him, unsuspicious, -also, it seems, of her faithless, murderous husband’s presence -there. He is an adventurer of many aliases, a gambler, -a forger, a swindler, a perjurer, a bigamist and an assassin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling paused a moment to look upon her shocked -audience, and then continued:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is the man. What his name is I cannot tell you. -We knew him as Mr. Randolph Hay, of Haymore. You -have all heard of him under that name, and the <i><span lang="fr">éclat</span></i> of the -splendid festivities at the Vansitart mansion on the occasion -of his marriage with Miss Leegh has scarcely died away. -Jennie Montgomery knew him as Capt. Kightly Montgomery; -my young friend, Mr. Hay, knew him as Geoffrey -Delamere, Esq.; and gamblers of Grizzly Gulch as Gentleman -Geff.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She paused again to mark the effect of her words.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But no one spoke; the women were shocked into silence -and pallor. At length, however, Ran murmured:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is too horrible!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You know that the man whom society has been lionizing -for the last six months is a fraudulent claimant of the Haymore -estate; you should also know that this gentleman here, -whom I introduced to you as simply Mr. Hay, is really the -true Randolph Hay, of Haymore, and a few weeks at -furthest will see him invested with his manor.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Duncan and Miss Christiansen both turned to congratulate -Ran, who laughed and blushed like a girl at the -honor due him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Four by honors and six by tricks, and we have beat the -rubber!” exclaimed Mr. Roger Duncan, rising in triumph -from the whist table and breaking in upon the gravity of -the circle collected around the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No one of that circle thought of speaking to the others -of their discovery through the miniature and photograph.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And soon the company broke up.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER VIII<br> <span class='large'>UNEXPECTED ARRIVALS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>From this day forth the life of Cleve and Palma -changed. They made friends and went much into company -through the introductions of Mrs. Walling. They were -young and innocently fond of gayety, and they were led on -by Ran, who was liberally supplied with money advanced -by his solicitors, and who, from being a daily visitor at -their apartments, had at last taken up his abode under the -same roof for the sake of being nearer to them until he -should sail for England, accompanied by Mr. William Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Unfortunately, neither Randolph Hay nor the Wallings -suspected the impoverished condition of their new friends, -else they would not have tempted or led the young pair -into a way of life so much above their means.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As it was, their scanty little fund had to be drawn upon -for such additions to Palma’s toilet, and even to Cleve’s, in -the way of nice boots and fresh gloves, that seemed really -indispensable to them when they went out in the evening. -Had Palma even suspected their own poverty she would not -have gone anywhere if it cost money to go there. But, -unsuspicious as she was, believing, as she did, that her husband -was in very easy circumstances, she went out a great -deal; and Cleve, seeing how much she enjoyed society, had -not the heart to check her enjoyment by telling her the -truth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Only gloves and boots and car fare her pleasures cost -them. She had two dresses, the crimson cashmere, much -worn, but carefully preserved, and often cleaned and repaired -for continual use by the careful hands of Mrs. Pole. -This was her dress for dinners and afternoon teas. Her -white India muslin—her confirmation robe, and afterward -her wedding suit—was now her only evening dress. Neither -of these were at all stylish, but they were neat and clean; -and then her boots and gloves were perfectly fitting, fresh -and faultless.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Every day Cleve went forth to seek employment, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>every night returned disappointed to find himself poorer by -the day’s expenditures than he had been the day before.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Everything was going out and nothing coming in; and -yet he shrank from saying to Palma:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We cannot afford another pair of new gloves even, -dear,” or to do anything but smile in her face when she -would only ask him to go with her to a lunch party at Mrs. -Duncan’s, or to a five-o’clock tea at Miss Christiansen’s.</p> - -<p class='c009'>If Ran had only known their straits as he bounded daily -up and down the stairs, too full of life and energy to avail -himself of the elevator, how gladly, how joyously, would he -have poured into his cousin’s lap wealth from his own abundant -means, nor ever dreamed of offering offense in proffering -what he himself, in their reversed circumstances, -would have been frankly willing to receive from them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he knew nothing, suspected nothing, of their poverty; -and even if he had known, and had offered to give -assistance, Cleve Stuart, in his spirit of pride or independence, -would have refused it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran held firmly to his purpose of giving his cousin a fair -share of their grandfather’s estate, as soon as he himself -should be put in lawful possession, which was only a question -of a few weeks’ time; but he said nothing more about -it to either Palma or Cleve. He thought they understood -his intentions, and believed in them, and that it would be -in bad taste to refer to them again. Besides, he did not -suspect how dark the future looked to one of them at least, -and what a source of anxiety it was.</p> - -<p class='c009'>What the young pair really thought of their cousin’s offer -to share, was just this—that it had been made, not from a -delicate sense of justice that would stand the test of time -and opportunity, but from a sudden impulse of generosity -that might yield to cool afterthought. Neither of them -placed much reliance on the offer, especially as they had -repudiated it at the time, and Ran had never renewed it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The day for young Hay’s departure for England was at -length fixed. He was to sail on the second of December. -It had been first suggested that Mr. Samuel Walling should -attend him to England, and introduce him personally to the -London solicitors of the Hays of Haymore; but, as usual, -Mr. Will put in his plea of overwork, brain exhaustion, -want of change, and so on, and, as usual, his claim was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>allowed, and it was decided that he should accompany the -young heir.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The aged priest, Father Pedro de Leon, having under -oath testified to the identity of Randolph Hay, had bidden -an affectionate good-by to his pupil and returned to his -flock in San Francisco.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was remarkable that while Mr. Sam Walling, the head -of the firm of Walling & Walling, took all the heaviest responsibilities, -did all the hardest work, seldom left his desk -during the office hours, and never left the city except on -business, Mr. Will, the junior partner, required all the -relaxation in frequent visits to Newport and Saratoga during -the summer months, and Washington and even Savannah -during the winter season. And now it seemed absolutely -necessary that Mr. Will should have a sea voyage to restore -the shaken equilibrium of his overtasked mind and body.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That’s just it!” Mrs. Walling said one day to Ran when -speaking of the trip to England. “Our firm, as a firm, is -always full of work, yet manages to have a good deal of -play also; only Sam takes the work and Will the play.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>As the month of November drew to a close and the day -of his departure came near, Ran grew more and more uneasy. -He had not heard a word from Judy for more than -three weeks, though in that time he had written so many -letters; nor had Mrs. Walling lately heard from Mrs. Moseley.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran was not of a temperament to borrow trouble. Quite -the contrary; he always looked on the bright side. He was -willing to make every allowance for the well-known uncertainty -of the mails in those unsettled regions guarded by -the frontier forts; but still it seemed strange and alarming -that for a month past no mail had come safely through -contingent dangers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His greatest anxiety now was that he should have to sail -for Europe without having heard from Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He confided his trouble to Cleve and Palma, with whom -he now spent every evening whenever they were at home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>One evening, about a week before he was to sail, he was -sitting with Cleve and Palma in their tiny parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve had been reading aloud, but laid down his book on -the entrance of Ran. Palma was knitting a woolen wristlet, -the last of four pair that she had been making for Cleve and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>Mrs. Pole, and she continued to knit after greeting her -cousin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran brought a chair to the little table at which the other -two sat, threw himself into it, sighed and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is Saturday night, the twenty-fifth, and in one -week from to-day, on Saturday, the second of December, I -must sail for England.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, Cousin Randolph, I know. And I am very sorry it -should be necessary that you should have to go—very. But -you will soon return,” sympathetically replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is about Judy,” frankly exclaimed Ran. “I have not -had a letter from her for nearly a month.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you yourself have told us of the uncertainty of the -mails.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, and that might have been an explanation, and -therefore a kind of comfort, for failing to get a single letter -in time. But when three or four that I should have got -have failed to come, it is strange and alarming.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Neither Cleve nor Palma found anything to answer to -this. They knew and felt that it was both “strange and -alarming.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let us hope that you will get a letter within a few -days,” at length ventured Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, you may get one even to-morrow,” hopefully exclaimed -Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! And I may have to sail for England in the -most agonizing anxiety as to Judy’s fate!” said Ran with -a profound sigh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But there is no reason for such an intense anxiety. She -is in excellent hands,” said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! but when I came away there was a talk of the intended -rising of the Indians! Good Heaven! the fort may -have been stormed and all hands massacred for all I know!” -exclaimed the youth, growing pallid at the very thought.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Randolph!” cried Palma in horror.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nothing of that sort could have happened without our -having heard of it before this. The authorities at Washington -would have received the news, and it would have been -in all the papers. Some survivor would have escaped to the -nearest telegraph station and sent the message flying to -Washington,” said Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes—certainly. But I never thought of that! It is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>a real relief to me! I hope I may get a letter before I go! -If I do not, and could have my own way, I would sacrifice -the passage and wait here until I could hear from Judy. -But Mr. Walling says it is absolutely necessary that I -should go no later certainly than the day set for sailing.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But if a letter should come we will immediately send it -after you,” said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, cousin, dear; I know that you will do all -that you can. Well, I have learned one lesson from all -this,” said Ran so solemnly that both his companions looked -up inquiringly, and Palma asked:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is it, Cousin Randolph?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is this: If Heaven ever should bring my dear Judy -and myself together again I will never part with her—no, -never while we both shall live! Nothing shall ever part us -again except the will of Heaven!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But how about school and college that was to have prepared -you both for the sphere of life to which you are -called?” Palma inquired with some little amusement.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, bother that! It was all the nonsense about ‘the -sphere of life to which we are called’ that parted Judy and -me! And it shall never part us again! We will go to -school and college, but we need not part and live in school -and college. We will marry and go to housekeeping in some -city where there are educational advantages. I will attend -the college courses. Judy shall have teachers at home. -And so we will live until we are polished up bright enough -to show ourselves to my grandfather’s neighbors and tenants -at Haymore. Then we will settle there for good, and no one -will ever know that the successors of Squire Hay were first -of all a pair of little ragamuffins and ignoramuses from a -California mining camp! Yes, that is what I will do, and -no prudence, and no policy, and no consideration for ‘that -sphere of life to which we are called,’ nor for anything -else but Judy herself, shall influence me! When we meet -again we shall be married out of hand and nothing but -death shall part us! When we meet again! But when will -that be? Ah, me!” sighed poor Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There came a rap at the door, and the “boy” put in his -head and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The lady and ge’men would come up, sir, which they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>said there wasn’t no call to send up no card,” then withdrew -his head and ran away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three cousins looked up to see a tall, martial-looking -man with a gray mustache, and clothed in a military overcoat -and fatigue cap, enter the room with a slender, graceful -girl, in a long gray cloth ulster and a little gray plush -hat, hanging on his arm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three companions stared for a moment, and then -Ran sprang up, overturning his chair in his haste, and -rushed toward them, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Col. Moseley! Judy! Oh, Judy!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And in another instant Judy was pressed to his heart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, introduce us to your friends, Mr. Hay,” said the -colonel, taking off his cap and bowing to the lady and gentleman, -who had risen to their feet to receive the unknown -and unexpected guests.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, pardon me,” exclaimed Ran, raising Judy, drawing -her arm through his own and taking her up to his cousins.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, this is Miss Judith Man, my betrothed. -Judy, darling, these are my Cousin Palma and her -husband,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was to be thought that the young girl would have made -her quaint, parish school courtesy; but she did not. She -bowed, blushed and smiled very prettily. Cleve Stuart -shook hands with her and said that he was very glad to see -her. But Palma drew the girl to her bosom and kissed her, -with a few murmured words of welcome.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Ran presented:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Col. Moseley, Mrs. Stuart, Mr. Stuart.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And all shook hands in the old-time, cordial manner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And when all were seated, Col. Moseley in Ran’s vacated -chair at the little table with Cleve and Palma, and Ran -and Judy, side by side, on the little sofa near them, there -came the natural question from Stuart:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When did you reach New York, colonel?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“At noon to-day,” replied Moseley.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“At noon to-day, and I see nothing of Judy until eight -o’clock this evening!” exclaimed Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Patience, my dear fellow; I had to find you before I -could bring her. I arrived, with a large party, at noon, as -I said; took them all to an old-fashioned hotel downtown, -where the prices are not quite ruinous; left them all there, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>and went to hunt up you at your hotel, found that you had -left it, but could not find out where you had gone; went -back to own place and dined with my family; after dinner -went out to hunt up the Wallings, with the view of finding -you, and also of finding the furnished house I had commissioned -Walling to engage for me; looked in at the office first, -but found no one there but the janitor cleaning up; office -hours were over; Mr. Samuel Walling gone home to his -dinner; got his address; went to the house; found Mr. and -Mrs. Samuel Walling, who were as much amazed at seeing -me as if I had been a ghost risen from the dead. In fact, -they had not got my letter of advice, and, consequently, had -not engaged any furnished house for my tribe. However, -they insisted on making it all right for us. They told me -where to find you, Hay; and then when I said I must go -back to the hotel to pick up Judy, Mrs. Walling insisted on -going with me to see her old schoolmate and dear friend, -and she went with me. Well, in brief, when she met my -wife, nothing would do but she must take her and all the -girls home to her own house to stay until we can find a -home for ourselves. I and the boys remain at the hotel. -Judy is to join Mrs. Moseley and the girls at the Wallings’.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, then, Judy is to do nothing of the sort. Judy is -to stay here with me. I am her natural protector under the -circumstances,” said little Palma, drawing herself up with -an assumption of matronly dignity that was very amusing -to the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, my dear lady. It shall be as you please, or -as Miss Judith pleases; only, I do not know how I shall -face Mesdames Walling and Moseley without taking her to -them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will write a note and relieve you of responsibility in -the matter,” exclaimed Palma, rising and going toward a -little writing-desk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you have not consulted Miss Judith,” said the -colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I know she will stay with us,” exclaimed Palma, -going toward the girl and putting her arms around her -neck and murmuring:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will stay with us, will you not, dear Judy? I may -call you Judy, may I not? I have known you as Judy, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>loved you as Judy, before I ever saw you. Shall I call you -Judy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sure and ye may, ma’am!” exclaimed the girl with -cordial impetuosity; but then, catching herself up suddenly, -she blushed and added softly: “If you please, ma’am, I -should like you to call me so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma smiled, kissed her forehead, and then went to her -tiny desk and wrote the note to Mrs. Moseley.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The colonel had but little time to stay, and soon arose to -say good-night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By the way,” he said, “I had almost forgotten. I am -the bearer of an invitation for you all to come and dine with -us at Mrs. Walling’s to-morrow, at seven.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma looked at her husband, understood his eyes, and -answered for both:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Love to Mrs. Walling, and we will go with much -pleasure.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Col. Moseley shook hands all around, like the plain, old-fashioned -soldier that he was, and then went away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There remained Ran and Judy, sitting on the sofa, and -Cleve and Palma at the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The lovers were comparing notes, giving in their experience -of the time while they were separated, speaking in -subdued tones that presently sank so low as to be quite inaudible -to any other ears than their own; so it might be -surmised that Ran was imparting to Judy his new scheme -of life for the future.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The married pair at the table with the truest politeness -ignored the presence of the just reunited lovers, and took -up their occupations that had been interrupted by the visitors. -Cleve opened his book and resumed his reading, but -now in a lower tone, quite audible to Palma, but not disturbing -to Ran or Judy. He was reading Marmion, the scene -of the meeting between the pilgrim and the abbess on the -balcony. But Palma, knitting mechanically, could not -listen. She was seized with a terrible anxiety that filled her -mind and crowded out everything else. She had, from the -impulse of a warm heart, invited Judy to stay, and Judy -was staying.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But where on the face of the earth was she to put Judy? -They had in their doll’s house of a flat but four tiny rooms—parlor, -kitchen and two bedrooms. What was to be done? -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>How could she listen to the story the abbess was telling the -pilgrim, and the minutes passing so rapidly, and bedtime -coming on, and no bed to put her invited guest in? And -there was Cleve utterly unconscious of her dilemma, although -he knew as well as she did the extent—or rather -limits—of their accommodation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve finished the canto and closed the book in complacent -ignorance that Palma had not heard a word of it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The clock on the mantel struck eleven. It was a cheap -clock and it struck loudly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran arose to bid good-night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I really ought to beg your pardon for keeping you up. -But you will excuse me for this once,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, certainly! Certainly! Don’t go yet. We shall -not retire for hours. Oh, pray! pray! don’t go yet!” pleaded -Palma with her curly hair fairly stiffening itself on end; -for, when Ran had left, what, in the name of Heaven, was -she to do with Judy? Take the girl in with herself and -Cleve? Or lay her over Mrs. Pole on that narrow slab of a -cot that could not hold two side by side?</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma had got into a terrible dilemma which she feared, -by the creepy coldness of her scalp, was going to turn her -hair white!</p> - -<p class='c009'>She would have been very much relieved if—after the old-fashioned -New England style—the betrothed lovers should -sit up all night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, do, do, do stay longer!” she still pleaded, looking -beseechingly at Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Ran was looking at his sweetheart, and replied -gravely:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are very kind! Too kind! And I thank you so -much! But, even for Judy’s sake, I ought to go. She is -very tired from her long journey. Good-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And he turned to go, Judy following him to the door of -the parlor, where, of course, they lingered over their adieus.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Stuart got a chance to speak apart with Palma. He -looked into her dismayed face and broke into a little, low -laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! what in the name of goodness shall I do?” she exclaimed, -clasping her hands and gazing appealingly up into -his face.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he pitied her evident distress and answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>“Why, dear, you will have to share your own bed with -Miss Judy and give me a rug on the sofa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her face brightened.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cleve!” she exclaimed, “you are an angel of light in -a cutaway coat! You have saved my life—or reason!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then suddenly growing grave she added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But the little sofa is so short, and you are so long!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now don’t look so distressed, dear. The inconvenience -is nothing at all. And it is only for one night. To-morrow -I will see the janitor and try to get a room for our little -friend contiguous to our own, so that she may remain with -us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart spoke of incurring this additional expense with apparent -cheerfulness, although his small funds were nearly -exhausted, and his efforts to procure employment were quite -fruitless.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he said no more then, for Ran, who had lingered at -the door over his last words with Judy, now kissed her -good-night and went away, and the girl rejoined her friends -in the little parlor.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER IX<br> <span class='large'>PALMA’S NEW FRIEND</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>“I will leave you for half an hour to make your arrangements,” -said Stuart to his wife; and he left the room -and went downstairs and out upon the sidewalk to take -the air.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy had thrown herself into an easy-chair and stretched -out her feet to the bright little fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma pushed the small sofa back against the wall, and -then went into the bedroom, from which she brought a cushion -and a rug. When she had arranged the sofa into a -couch she turned and looked at her guest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy was nodding.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma went and laid her hand on the sleeper’s shoulder -and gently aroused her, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Whenever you wish to retire, dear, your room is ready.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! sure, I thank ye, ma’am. Any time as shutes yourself -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>will shute me,” replied Judy with a wide gape, waking -up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, then,” said Palma, and she led the sleepy and -half-bewildered girl into the pretty little bedchamber, where -she had laid out a dainty night dress for her guest. Judy -waked up fully in the process of disrobing, and then her -hostess said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To-morrow you shall have a better accommodation, but -to-night you will share my room. I hope you won’t -mind it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Och, no, ma’am. Sure and haven’t I been used to pigging -in itself?” began Judy brightly, but she suddenly -checked herself and amended her phraseology—“I mean, -ma’am, I have been accustomed to close quarters in the -mining camp, and this is a palace compared to any place I -have ever seen before.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a pretty little doll’s house as one could wish, for -dolls,” replied Palma with a laugh. “Not quite spacious -enough, however, for one who loves space.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Which side am I to sleep on, ma’am?” inquired the girl -when she was ready for bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Any side you wish, dear. But, Judy, please don’t call -me ‘ma’am.’ If you do I shall be obliged to call you ‘miss,’ -and I should not like that, and I do not think you would -like it, either.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Fegs and I wouldn’t! Oh! that is to say, no, ma’am, -I should not. I should feel it to be cold and unkind of you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then, Judy dear, do as you would be done -by.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will, ma’am,” said the girl, getting into bed and lying -down on the side next to the wall and squeezing herself -against it to take up as little room as possible, “and indeed, -ma’am, since it displeases you, I will try to remember—never—to -call—you ma’am—again.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The last word was scarcely audible, for as soon as Judy’s -head dropped on the pillow her eyes closed and she fell -fast asleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma returned to the parlor, drew the easy-chair to the -fire, and seated herself to wait for Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He came in at length and dropped himself into the larger -easy-chair by Palma’s side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Judy is fast asleep. She dropped asleep first in this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>chair here, and afterward, when I got her to bed, she fell -asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow,” Palma told -him with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you?” inquired Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I am not at all sleepy. I feel too much elated by -the arrival of all these people. I wonder what Mrs. Pole -will think when she finds out that we have a visitor staying -with us?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Doesn’t she know, Palma?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, no, Cleve. She went to bed before the colonel -left us, and how could she know that the girl remained behind? -And I wonder what she will say?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Palma, I think she will disapprove.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you don’t, Cleve?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all, dear. I am glad you took the girl in. We -will find a room for her to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The clock struck twelve, yet still the young couple sat -talking to each other like a pair of lovers loath to say good-night, -as any young “courting couple” could possibly be; -for, in fact, they were now sweethearts. Palma, we know, -had always loved Cleve; but only since their marriage had -Cleve been growing every day more in love with his wife. -So they sat and talked, or sat in silence over the fire, until -the clock struck two.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, my dear, you must really go to bed, even if you are -not sleepy,” said Stuart, rising and standing up, as much -as to say, “Here I shall stand until you go.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You turn me out, then?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I turn you out!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma stood on tiptoes to kiss him good-night. He lifted -her in his arms and kissed her again and again, and then -set her down, and she vanished through the damask portières -into the little bedroom.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart threw off his coat and lay down on the sofa. It -was a short sofa with a low back and two arms. Cleve’s -head lay upon one arm and his legs dangled over the other. -The discomfort of the position would have kept him from -sleep even if the apartment had been quiet, which it was -not.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma’s entrance had waked Judy. The girl had had -three hours’ sound sleep and had waked up refreshed in -mind and body, delighted to find herself in such a rare, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>beautiful little room and with such a lovely companion. -She felt no inclination to sleep more just then—but to talk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A kindly yet indiscreet question from Palma set her -tongue going, and she talked on and never stopped until she -had told her whole story.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As there was nothing but the red damask portières that -separated the little chamber from the little parlor, Stuart -heard the whole of that story; he could not help hearing it. -Once or twice he hemmed to let the narrator know that he -was awake and listening; but that made no difference to -Judy. She had no secrets. “All the birds of the air” were -welcome to hear her history. It was near daylight when -at length she had talked herself to sleep. As for Palma, she -had dozed through the narrative, though Judy had not suspected -it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>With the first glinting of the rising sun’s rays through -the slats of the parlor blinds, Stuart gladly arose from his -uncomfortable couch and went into the little bathroom to -make his morning toilet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When he had finished it, in returning to the parlor he -passed by the open door and saw that Mrs. Pole had risen, -tidied up her kitchen and got breakfast well under way. -He stepped in to tell her about their guest and send her -into the parlor to set the room to rights. Then he went -downstairs to take the air on the sidewalk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole passed into the parlor to hoist the window, replenish -the fire, and restore the place to order before setting -the breakfast table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her movements awoke the two sleepers in the next room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They arose laughing and talking, dressed themselves -quickly and came out into the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole turned from the window she was just closing -to look at the stranger.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma laughingly introduced the two.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is our friend, Miss Judith Man, Poley. And, -Judy, darling, this is our dear Mrs. Pole, who is like a second -mother to me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The elder woman wiped her clean hands on her clean -apron, and then gave the stranger a close clasp and a warm -welcome.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, Poley, dear, you can go and look after the breakfast, -and we will set the table. Miss Judith is quite at home -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>with us, and knows as much about housekeeping as we do,” -said Palma brightly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole made no objection, but left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Palma—and Judy following her example—began -to take the books off the center table and pile them in a -corner. Then they folded the table cover and laid it upon -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma went to the prettiest little doll’s corner cupboard -that ever was seen, opened a drawer in the lower part of it, -and took out a white damask cloth which she spread upon -the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she handed out the china, piece by piece, which -Judy took and arranged on the cloth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see, dear, what a little casket we live in,” said -Palma when the table was ready and the cupboard closed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sure, darlint, ye are a precious jewel yerself, and where -would ye be stored but in a casket itself?” demanded Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently Stuart came up from below and greeted the -two young women cordially.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole brought in the breakfast and they sat down to -the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were scarcely seated when Ran entered, shook hands -all around, and took the fourth place at the table, which had -been prepared for him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The conversation grew lively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When shall we see Mike?” inquired Ran at length.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! to-day, I hope,” replied Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Does he know where to find us?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He didn’t yesterday! No more did we! And he wint -with his friends—friends to a chape—cheap boarding-house -before the colonel found you out. But sure he will know -where we are by this time! The colonel will have told -him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While they were yet speaking in walked the colonel with -Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All the company arose from the table to receive them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Mike closed hands cordially at once, while the -colonel was shaking hands with Stuart, Palma, and Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Ran introduced Mike to his cousins, who received -him heartily.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, now, won’t you both sit down and take some -breakfast with us?” inquired Stuart and Palma in a breath.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>“Oh, thank you! I just got up from my breakfast to -bring Man here,” said the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And meself finished before I wint to his honor,” said -Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But do not let us disturb you. Pray, go on with your -own breakfast,” said Col. Moseley.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, we have done!” replied Stuart, while Palma rang -the bell for Mrs. Pole to come and take away the service.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A few minutes later they were all seated in the little parlor, -which the company of six nearly filled.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And how is the misthress this morning, sir?” inquired -Judy of the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! she has quite recovered from her fatigue and has -gone house-hunting with Mrs. Walling.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And the childher?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! well and delighted with the great city,” replied -Col. Moseley; and as Judy asked no more questions he -turned to Ran and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I find that you have had very little difficulty in prevailing -on the Messrs. Walling to recognize your rights, Hay!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“None whatever, sir; thanks to your strong letter!” replied -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thanks to your strong proofs, rather. Who could withstand -such overwhelming evidence? But, Hay, in none of -your letters did you tell us who the rival claimant was, although -I asked you to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I never got your letter containing such a request, sir, -or I should have complied with it. The reason why I never -volunteered the information was because the subject was a -painful one. And, by the way, has not Mr. or Mrs. Walling -told you who that impostor was?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No. I have not had five minutes’ private conversation -with them yet. Mrs. Walling may have told my wife by this -time.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, colonel, the claimant was, not my Uncle James’ -son, as I suspected, but a fraudulent adventurer whom we -have known as Gentleman Geff.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Gentleman Geff! Why, I thought he had been quite -killed by the same parties that half killed you, and that his -bones were buried in the old fort cemetery!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So did I. So did we all. But we were mistaken. The -body buried in the cemetery for Gentleman Geff’s was not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>his, but that of some poor victim of border ruffianism, whose -identification we shall, perhaps, never discover, and Gentleman -Geff is alive and flourishing in stolen plumes on the -continent of Europe.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tell me all about it!” exclaimed the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Ran went over the story of Gentleman Geff’s crimes, -already so well known to our readers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Col. Moseley listened with grave interest; Mike with -open-mouthed wonder, Judy in stupefaction.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not know why one should ever be surprised at anything -that happens,” mused the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Bedad, meself is only shurprised that I nivir had the -sinse to shuspect it,” remarked Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And he that particular about his clane linen! Sure, I -nivir less would have belaived it av sich a jintleman!” -sighed Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is the scoundrel now?” inquired the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Somewhere in Europe on his bridal tour,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“On his bridal tour?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then he told the story of Gentleman Geff’s felonious -marriage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A fine account he will have to settle!” exclaimed the -colonel. “Two assaults, with intent to kill, one bigamy, -divers forgeries and perjuries, to say nothing of the fraudulent -claim of a name and estate to which he has no right.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I shall not take a single step toward prosecuting him,” -said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! you won’t! By the way, do you really sail on -Saturday?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, colonel, really. And, moreover, I mean to take -Judy with me. Yes, indeed, sir. She is more than wealth, -and rank, and culture, and every other worldly good. -Sooner than part again, with half a sphere between us, we -will get married first and go to school afterward,” said -Ran, taking Judy’s hand within his own and keeping a close -hold of it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Whe-ew! And what does Miss Judy say to that?” inquired -the colonel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sure, thin, sir,” began Judy—but her face flamed and -she mended her speech—“indeed, sir, I have consented to do -as Ran wishes. Why should I not? Absence has tried us. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>He has graived—suffered, that is. And as for myself, sir, -there was many a time when I could have started to walk -clear across the continent to go to him just as I walked -through the wilderness to find him when he was wounded, -only it would not have been—been—right, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And so you mean really to marry this young fellow and -go to Europe with him?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis—yes, if you please, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you said out there at the fort that you would not do -it until—something or other, I have forgotten what.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Until he had seen something of the world, sir, to be sure -of his own mind—that is what I mint—meant. And now -it is not as if Ran and myself had only met lately at a party -and took a sudden fancy to each other. We have known -each other for years.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, sir,” said Ran, “you must not think that we have -given up the plan of education; for we have not. I have -talked it over with my Cousin Cleve here, and settled upon -a plan, to which Judy has agreed. We will marry, as I -said, before we sail for England. After we have visited -Haymore we will go to London, as being the place of places -where we can live in the strictest retirement, unknown and -untroubled, until education shall have fitted us to mingle -with society. After which we will go and settle at Haymore. -This is the best plan I can think of to keep us -united. And I will not entertain any plan that is to part -this dear, true girl from me, even for a season.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Bravo, my boy! Even if I had a right to set up any -opposition to your wishes, I should not do it. And what is -to be done with Mike?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mike is my brother,” replied Ran. “He shall share with -me in any way he likes. He shall go to England and live -with us if he likes. Or stay here, and enter into any business -that he may choose and be fit for.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Col. Moseley looked at Ran, and thought him the most -unselfish, the most unworldly individual he had ever seen in -all the days of his life.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so Ran was.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The colonel soon took leave, expressing his pleasure in -the prospect of meeting his friends at Mr. Samuel Walling’s -that evening.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, young man, that I have shown you the way to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>your sister’s abiding-place, you will not need my guidance -any longer. Good-day to you,” he said to Mike as he left -the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-day, and many thanks for your shivility, sir,” returned -Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It occurred to Ran then that perhaps Mike, in the simplicity -of his heart, was staying longer than was convenient -in the narrow quarters of his cousins; so very soon he -asked him:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where are Longman and old Dandy staying? I should -like to see them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, they are at Markiss’, away down on Water Street. -They’d be proud to see you, Ran. Come with me, and I -will take ye straight to them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was exactly what Ran wished. He arose and bade -the two young women good-morning, and left the house -with his friend.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma and Judy began to think of making preparations -for the family dinner party at Mrs. Walling’s.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma took out her crimson cashmere dress and gave it -to Mrs. Pole to be brushed and shaken, sponged and pressed, -and looked over her small stock of lace and gloves.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy looked down on her own brown traveling dress and -said ruefully:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This will never do to wear this evening. I have got a -pretty dark blue French merino; but it is in my trunk at -the hotel, and sure it might as well be in Aigypt—Egypt, -that is.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Col. Moseley will be sure to send the trunk to you,” suggested -Palma. And even while she spoke a noise was heard -outside and a knock came to the door, and the janitor entered -the parlor, followed by a porter with the girl’s trunk -on his shoulders. When he put it down on the floor Stuart -paid and discharged him, and shortly after left the house -on his daily hopeless search for employment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That evening Stuart, Palma, Hay, Judith, Col. and Mrs. -Moseley, Mr. James and Miss Betty Moseley met at dinner -at Mr. Samuel Walling’s. A happier party never gathered -around a table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After dinner the ladies withdrew to the drawing-room, -leaving the gentlemen to their wine.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>In the drawing-room Mrs. Moseley introduced the subject -of Ran and Judy’s proposed marriage. She said to Judy:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, we are all friends here—intimate friends, indeed—so -it is quite proper that I should speak plainly. My -young favorite, Mr. Hay, has taken counsel with me concerning -his wish to marry you and take you to Europe with -him. Am I right in supposing that this is your wish also?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis—yes, madam,” replied Judy, modestly lowering her -eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, dear, are you willing that Mrs. Stuart and myself -should make all the arrangements for you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should be very grateful to you, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look here! I am not going to be left out in the cold!” -exclaimed Augusta Walling, laughing and joining the circle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course you are not! How should you be, when we -are hoping that the wedding breakfast will be served right -here in your house on Saturday morning next?” said Mrs. -Moseley, well knowing that she might take a much greater -liberty than that with her old schoolmate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will be perfectly delightful!” exclaimed Mrs. -Walling. “I adore a wedding breakfast at home, and never -expected to enjoy one until my own daughter, now at -Vassar, grows up and gets married. Miss Judith, shall this -be so? Will you place yourself in my hands?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sure and”—brightly exclaimed Judy, and then she -stopped suddenly, blushed and amended her speech—“I -should be glad and grateful, ma’am,” she answered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Mrs. Walling turned to Palma, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you will give me back your guest in time? You -are rather too young a matron to chaperon a bride-elect,” -she added with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As you and my cousins please, dear Mrs. Walling. I -should myself be very happy to serve them, but I will not -stand in the way of another who can do so much better,” -replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That’s a dear, unselfish angel!” exclaimed Mrs. Walling. -And then the four women formed themselves into a committee -of ways and means, and discussed wedding breakfasts, -trousseaus and so forth, treating Judy with as much -freedom, tenderness and liberality as if she had been their -own child, until the gentlemen came in and the subject was -dropped.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>The evening passed so pleasantly that it was late when -the party broke up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart, Palma, Ran and Judy returned to their flat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart had not been able to find a room for Judy. All -the rooms were in suites. One more night he had to sleep as -well as he could on the short sofa, while Judy shared -Palma’s bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But the next day, toward the afternoon, Mrs. Walling -came for Judy, to take her to the Walling home to make -preparations for her marriage on Saturday.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Moseleys,” she said, “have secured a fine old manor -house at Fort Washington, about fifteen minutes by rail -from New York. It is completely furnished and in perfect -readiness for occupation. The family are in Europe, and -the house has been left in the care of an agent, who has -just kept it in perfect order. They leave us to-night; so -you see we have room for a score of young girls, if we could -find them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma made no objection to the departure of Judy, but -kissed her an affectionate good-by; and Mrs. Walling took -the girl and the girl’s little trunk away with her in the -luxurious family carriage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Ran forsook the Stuarts and spent that evening with -the Wallings, returning quite late to his suite of rooms on -their flat. But, under the circumstances, his cousins forgave -him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER X<br> <span class='large'>A WEDDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Stuart and Palma were both very glad and very grateful -that Mrs. Walling had undertaken all the responsibilities -of their cousin’s wedding. They knew that her means -were ample, and that Walling & Walling were advancing, -and would continue to advance, any sum that Randolph or -Judith might require for their personal preparations. They -knew also that Mrs. Walling was sincerely delighted with -the idea of the wedding celebration at her own house; -whereas, had it been settled to come off at the Stuarts’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>apartments, Stuart, from impecuniosity, and Palma, from -inexperience, would have been very much embarrassed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling was in her element selecting a proper trousseau -and outfit for Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She came in her carriage every morning to take Palma -out shopping with her and Judy. Mrs. Moseley could not -accompany the party; not because she was a little way out -of town, for the cars ran all the time and would have -brought her in in fifteen minutes, but because she was “up -to her eyes in business” settling her large family in their -new home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So Mrs. Walling, Palma, and Judy went out together -every day, until all the shopping was completed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy’s outfit was a very complete but not a very costly -one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You know, dear,” Mrs. Walling explained to Palma, -“that our little friend is not going at all into society for two -or three years to come. The young pair will live very quietly -somewhere, to advance their education, before they show -themselves to their neighbors at Haymore; and so she will -really need little more than a schoolgirl’s ‘kist.’ Her wedding -dress, of course, must be a pretty one, and her traveling -dress must be very nice, but the others plain and simple -and inexpensive.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma agreed to the prudence of all this. And Judy -said never a word. She left her affairs entirely in the hands -of her two friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While the lady shopped for Judy she shopped for herself -as well. But, after a day or two, she could not but notice -that Palma bought nothing; that she let all the tempting -goods, so pretty and so cheap, pass under her admiring eyes -unpurchased.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the matter with the young one?” inquired Augusta -of herself. “Doesn’t she care for dress at all?” Then -she remembered that she had never seen Mrs. Stuart in but -two dresses, and very inexpensive ones at that, namely, an -India muslin, sometimes, in her evenings at home, and a -fine crimson cashmere for visiting. And then it occurred -to Augusta Walling that the Stuarts might be in straitened -circumstances; and her heart was touched with sympathy -for the beautiful young woman who saw so many -attractive articles of adornment pass under her eyes or be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>bought by others without being able to buy one of them. -And she wondered how she might make Palma a pretty -present without giving offense.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I hate the rôle of a pretended benefactress. I should -shrink from such an imputation. Lovely little creature! -how elegant she would look in a ruby velvet, with duchess -lace! And she shall have it! Yes, that she shall! And I -will take the risk of being snubbed and stood in a corner for -my impertinence.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The outcome of the lady’s resolution was this: After she -had set down Palma at the Stuarts’ apartments, and taken -Judy home to the Walling house, she set out on a second -shopping expedition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The same night, while Stuart was taking his usual walk -up and down the pavement before the house, and Palma sat -in her little room stitching fresh edges on frayed collars and -cuffs, one of Lovelace & Silkman’s young ladies arrived at -the apartment home, followed by a boy with a large bandbox, -and asked for Mrs. Cleve Stuart. She was brought up -in the elevator and ushered into the presence of Palma, who -arose to receive the unexpected visitor, staring a little. The -stranger merely nodded to the lady, then, without any preface, -she took the bandbox from the boy, set it on a chair, -untied, unwrapped and opened it, and took from it a glorious -suit of dark, bright blue damassé velvet, trimmed with -satin, and spread it over a chair, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If it is convenient, I would like to have you try it on -now, ma’am, so that I may make any alterations that may -be necessary before I leave.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I——” began the wondering Palma, when she was -suddenly interrupted by the dressmaker exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I beg your pardon! I forgot!” And she handed a -note addressed to Mrs. Cleve Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma took it in perplexity, opened it, and read:</p> -<p class='c012'>“Beauty to the beautiful! To Palma Stuart, with the -true love of Augusta Walling.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Palma was touched, melted, delighted all at once. She -had never had, nor ever expected to have, so superb a dress. -She was but a child in some things. She could not speak -for surprise, gratitude and embarrassment.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>But the matter-of-fact young woman from the suit department -of Lovelace & Silkman’s went on to say:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We were very sorry that we had not a ruby velvet made -up, but the lady who gave us your order said that there -would be no time to make up one, and she selected this; -and I really think, madam, that this shade of mazarine blue -will be quite as becoming to your brunette style as garnet -or ruby.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is beautiful! It could not be more beautiful!” exclaimed -Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you try it on now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma arose and the dressmaker helped to relieve her of -her cashmere dress and induct her into the velvet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But slight alteration was necessary—the front breadth -shortened, the sleeves shortened, the side seams of the waist -taken in—that was all.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The young dressmaker laid off her hat and her wraps, and -took from her little hand-bag needle, sewing silk, scissors -and thimble, and sat down to work.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Palma, having nothing else to occupy herself with -while the dressmaker sat there, began idly to rummage -among the silver tissue paper in the bottom of the big bandbox, -and there she found another box—a smaller one—which -she took out to examine. It had her name on it. She -opened the box and found a fichu and pocket handkerchief -of duchess lace, a pair of the finest white kid gloves, a lovely -fan, and a little turban of velvet and satin to match her -dress.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The dressmaker soon finished her task, folded the dress, -returned it to the box, and took her leave.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Palma started up, like the delighted child that she -was, opened the box again, took out the elegant dress, -spread it all over the sofa to display its beauties to the best -advantage, and called in Mrs. Pole to admire it; and when -that good woman had risen to as much enthusiasm as she -was capable of—for a suit—and returned to her own dominions, -Palma still left it there, that Stuart might be regaled -with the vision when he should come in.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Cleve did come in and was shown the present and -the note that came with it he looked rather grave; he did -not like presents, would much rather that his pretty little -wife had continued to wear her shabby red cashmere, rather -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>than be indebted to any one for a sapphire velvet; but it -was too late to prevent her acceptance of it now, so he quickly -cleared his brow and admired the dress to her heart’s content.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On that same evening Ran was, as usual, spending the -hour with Mrs. Walling and Judy. There was no other -company. Ran had a secret source of distress, and it was -this—his humble, faithful friends down at Markiss’ Hotel, -in the lower part of the city. They certainly did not belong -to the Walling “set.” Conventionally, they were a long, -long way below that set; yet Ran wanted them to be present -both at his wedding and at the wedding breakfast, and -that wedding was to be celebrated at one of the most “fashionable” -churches in the city; and that wedding breakfast -was to be given at Mrs. Walling’s. How could Ran ask -that very fine lady to invite his humble friends? And, -on the other hand, how could he slight those faithful -friends? Mike, his brother-in-law expectant, must come, of -course; that was to be taken for granted, and then Longman, -who had rescued him on the night when he was shot, -and who had actually saved his life—Longman ought certainly -to come. And, finally, poor old Andrew Quin ought -not to be left—the only one—“out in the cold.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While Ran was turning these matters over in his mind -he was not noticing what Mrs. Walling was doing. That -good lady sat at a small writing-desk busy with note paper -and envelopes. Presently she said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Randolph, dear, give me the address of those good -friends of yours.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Friends, madam!” exclaimed Ran, the more taken by -surprise that he had been just thinking of them. It seemed -to him that the lady must have read his thoughts.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, those old friends of yours who came on with Judy -and the Moseleys and are boarding somewhere down in the -city while waiting for their steamer.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! yes, madam! You mean Samson Longman and -Andrew Quin? They are with Michael at Markiss’ on -Water Street. I do not know the number.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is not necessary. I am sending them invitations -to the wedding and the breakfast; for though, of course, -such a hasty affair as this is will not admit of much ceremony -and elaboration, yet they must be present. There will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>be the Moseleys, the Stuarts, ourselves and your friends -from Markiss’.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should tell you beforehand that those friends of mine -come from a mining camp, and though good and true as -men can be, they are rough and plain.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear boy, I have told you who is coming, and -so you may know that these friends will meet no one in our -house who will be so silly as to look down upon them for -being rough and plain. Really, Ran, dear, it ought not to -be necessary for me to say this,” concluded the lady.</p> - -<p class='c009'>For all answer, Randolph Hay went to her side, raised -her hand and pressed it to his lips with reverential tenderness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy looked up in her face with eyes full of tears and -murmured:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Lord in heaven bless you, sweet and lovely lady!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling smiled deprecatingly at this effusiveness -and patted Judy gently on the head. Then she turned to her -writing-desk and wrote her informal notes. These were the -only invitations the lady had written. The few others to the -members of the two families more immediately concerned -had been verbal ones.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When she had finished directing the envelopes she handed -them over to Ran, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The letter box is directly on your way home; will you -mind dropping them in?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will take charge of them with pleasure,” said Ran, and -as the hour was late he arose, said good-night and left the -house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Ran did not drop the notes in a letter box. He -walked over to Sixth Avenue, hailed a car, boarded it and -rode down as far as that car would take him, then got out -and walked to Markiss’; for he was anxious that his friends -should get their bids as soon as possible. He found Mike, -Longman, and Dandy all sitting smoking in the grimy back -parlor behind Markiss’ bar.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He entered and sat down among them. There happened -to be no other guests in the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, boys, did you think I had forgotten you?” inquired -Ran, really remorseful for not having sought them -out before.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>“If we did we excused you, under the circumstances,” -replied Longman, speaking for the rest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I suppose Mike has told you that I am to marry his -sister on Saturday morning—that is, the day after to-morrow?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ay! trust Mike for that!” cried old Dandy with a -little giggle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I have come to-night to bring you invitations to -be present at the ceremony in the church and afterward at -the breakfast at the house. And, boys, you must be sure -to come.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And where am I to get the widding garment proper for -the occasion? Sure, there’s no time to be cutted and fitted -and made dacint to appear in sich grand company, though I -thank the lady all the same,” said Andrew Quin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Dandy! Don’t you know that you are in New -York, where you can be fitted out for a wedding or a funeral -or an Arctic expedition in five minutes—more or less?” -laughed Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; it’s more or less, I’ll allow. But I do reckon I can -get a ready-made suit of clothes raisonable enough here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly you can! But you must let me see to that, -Dandy. I will be down here again to-morrow. And, lest -I should forget to tell you, I must do so now. On Saturday -morning you must let Mike bring you to the church. He -knows where it is.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All right, Misther Hay,” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, Longman, you have not promised, but you will -come, I am sure. My friends uptown wish to make the acquaintance -of the Nimrod who saved my life.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Mr. Hay!” laughed the giant deprecatingly. “But -I shall be proud to come to your wedding,” he added.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Ran bade them good-night and went home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next day—Friday—was the last before the wedding -and the sailing. There were yet a few articles to be purchased, -and so Mrs. Walling got ready to go on her usual -morning shopping round. She asked Judy to put on her -hat to go with her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She did not intend to call for Palma on this occasion; a -feeling of delicacy withheld her from going into the way of -her thanks.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But while the carriage was standing at the door, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>while Mrs. Walling was waiting in the parlor for Judy to -join her, Mrs. Cleve Stuart was announced and entered the -room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma went straight up to Mrs. Walling with outstretched -hands and glowing eyes and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How shall I thank you for the rich, beautiful dress—the -soft, lovely, caressing dress—that folds me around with -the feeling of a friend’s embrace—your embrace?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>For answer the lady drew the speaker to her bosom and -kissed her, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I want you to know,” continued Palma, “that I feel -more comfort in this than I should if I had bought it myself -out of boundless riches.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again Mrs. Walling kissed her, laughing this time.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Every time I put it on I shall feel your love around -me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The elder lady pressed both the younger one’s hands and -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We are going out to try to find a suitable sea cloak for -Judy. We must find an extra heavy one. It will be terribly -cold crossing the ocean at this season. They will be on the -banks of Newfoundland in the first days of December. -Will you go with us?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“With pleasure,” said Palma. And as Judy now entered -the room, ready dressed for the drive, they arose to go out. -But just at that moment Mrs. Duncan was announced and -came in.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Both Mrs. Walling and Palma received her as cordially -as if she had not interrupted their departure. Mrs. Walling -then introduced:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My young friend, Miss Judith Man.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How do you do, my dear? I am glad to see you,” said -the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy bowed and smiled.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are going out. Don’t let me detain you. I was on -my way down to Fourteenth Street to do a little shopping -and just dropped in here to tell you a piece of news; but -I can take another opportunity,” Mrs. Duncan explained.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no! Pray do not! We should die of suspense! -Pray, sit right down and open your budget. Our errand -can wait as well as yours. It is only shopping. And when -you are ready for yours you would oblige us by taking the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>fourth seat in our carriage, so that we can go together,” -Mrs. Walling pleaded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Duncan laid down her muff and shopping bag and -seated herself in one of the luxurious armchairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling rang a bell and gave an order:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Bring coffee into this room.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And presently the four women had tiny china cups in -their hands, sipping hot and fragrant Mocha, three of them -listening while the fourth told her news.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is about Jennie Montgomery, the true wife of the -counterfeit Randolph Hay——” began the speaker.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes! yes!” eagerly exclaimed Mrs. Walling and Palma -in a breath, while Judy looked up in eager curiosity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You know, without any one’s planning—unless fate be -some one—that Jennie and her child were passengers on the -same steamship, and even in the same cabin, with her fraudulent -husband and his false bride?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes! yes!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I said when I discovered that complication that those -elements were as explosive as dynamite. Neither could -have expected the presence of the other on the steamer, and -so I was really anxious to hear what happened when Miss -Leegh and her ‘bridegroom’ met his lawful wife and child -on the ship, on the ocean, whence neither could escape without -jumping into the sea.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, have you heard?” impatiently demanded Mrs. -Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; I have just received a long letter from Jennie, -dated November 15th. She had been at home four weeks -before she found time to write to me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And——” breathlessly exclaimed Mrs. Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She met her husband on the deck of the steamer. She -was as much astonished as he was confounded. But I had -better read her letter to you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the visitor drew a thickly packed envelope, with a -foreign stamp, from her pocket, and read the pages describing -Jennie’s voyage, her meeting with her husband and Miss -Leegh on the <em>Scorpio</em>, and her arrival at home in her -father’s new vicarage, as these events are already known to -our readers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To think of Jennie’s self-control and forbearance!” -concluded Mrs. Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>“And to think of Lamia Leegh’s insolence in trying to -patronize her, the real wife of her own ‘brevet’ bridegroom!” -exclaimed Mrs. Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And to think of the man’s assurance in carrying off matters -with such a high hand!” remarked Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Och, sure, and himself had always the impidince av the -divil, had Gintleman Geff!” exclaimed Judy, surprised into -her dialect; then, suddenly aware of her “backsliding,” she -clapped her hand to her mouth a minute too late and looked -frightened; but as she saw that neither of her friends were -in the least disturbed she felt relieved, while the visitor -evidently thought that the brogue had been humorously assumed -for the occasion, for she replied in kind:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ay, has he—the thaif av the worruld!” Then, turning -to Mrs. Walling, she continued: “What an active fate there -seems to be at work here! Did you see the significance of -the latter part of Jennie’s letter?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, of course; her father has left Medge, in the south -of England, and is in temporary charge of Haymore vicarage, -in the north of England,” replied Mrs. Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And our Gentleman Geff of the many wives and aliases, -in trying to escape his one real wife and avoid her father -by getting off the steamer at Queenstown will unwittingly -rush into their power again the moment he sets foot within -his stolen estate at Haymore. Now, if his lawful wife had -been anybody else there might be a chance for a show of -fight. But the daughter of the Vicar of Haymore!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah!” exclaimed Mrs. Walling, drawing her breath hard.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie writes of the great preparations they are making -at Haymore to receive the usurping squire, who is now expected -to arrive with a large party of invited friends for -the Christmas holidays, little knowing that he will there -meet his lawful wife and her avenging, priestly father.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And confront the lawful heir of Haymore with the more -terrible family solicitors,” laughed Mrs. Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then Mr. Randolph Hay is really going over at once to -take possession of his estates?” inquired the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; he sails on Saturday; but not alone—he takes his -wife with him. He will be married on Saturday morning -and embark in the afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, indeed! That is news. I had heard no rumor of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>his being engaged, or even attentive to any of our girls. -Who is she?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My young friend here,” replied Mrs. Walling, pointing -to Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Duncan jumped up and kissed the girl with effusions -and congratulations.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy blushed and smiled and bowed, but did not venture -to speak again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The wedding is to be quiet. We don’t want a second -edition of the ‘princely nuptials’ of ‘Mr. Randolph Hay’ -and Miss Lamia Leegh. They, we think, have done enough -in that way ‘for the honor of the family.’ Our wedding -must be very plain. There are ‘no cards.’ I will not say -there will also be ‘no cake, no nothing.’ So, as you are interested, -if you will drop in, ‘promiscuously,’ at the ‘Little -Church Around the Corner’ about ten o’clock to-morrow -morning, you will witness one of the happiest, though not -one of the grandest, weddings on record.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I shall do myself that pleasure without a doubt,” replied -Mrs. Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then she arose and took up her muff and hand-bag to -intimate that she was ready to go.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the four ladies entered the close carriage that was -waiting at the door and went on their shopping expedition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was perfectly successful, even to the sea cloak, a heavy -cloth one, reaching from head to heel, having long sleeves -and hood, and lined throughout with fur.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They took Mrs. Duncan to her door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is one thing I would rather see than the wedding,” -said Mrs. Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And what is that?” inquired Augusta Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The circus at Haymore Court when Mr. Randolph Hay -and his wife arrive there and meet Gentleman Geff and -Miss Lamia Leegh.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XI<br> <span class='large'>A BLITHE BRIDAL</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>It was a splendid winter morning. The snow, which had -fallen thickly during the night, was now frozen hard on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>ground, the housetops and the trees, and sparkled like -frosted silver sprinkled with diamond dust in the dazzling -sunshine.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling’s household was astir. They were to have -an early family breakfast before dressing to go to church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling and her young protégée met in the breakfast -room. Judy was pale and nervous.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, my dear. Do you see that the clouds -have gone with the night? A good omen for you, according -to the folklore—‘Blessed is the bride that the sun shines -on,’” said the lady as she drew the girl to her bosom and -pressed a kiss on her brow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am, I have prayed the Lord to bless the day for -Ran’s sake, but my heart misgives me, ma’am,” sighed -Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is very natural, but in your case very unreasonable, -my child. I never knew nuptials more promising for future -happiness than are yours and Randolph’s.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, but, ma’am, am I a fit wife for a gentleman?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not for every gentleman; for there are not so many -gentlemen who would be as worthy of you as Randolph Hay -is. But why should you think that you are not fit for him?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am, I am only a poor, ignorant girl, and, with -all the pains you and Mrs. Moseley have taken with me, I -have not been able to improve much. Only yesterday I forgot -my manners before the strange lady.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You mean that you fell for a moment into the sweet dialect -of your childhood? That did no harm, Judy. And, -besides, when you go to London you will soon drop it altogether.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We are to live in retirement, to be sure, until we are -both trained for society, I know. But still, for all that, I -fear I am doing Ran a wrong to marry him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look here, Judy! You and Randolph were engaged to -be married to each other, I think, while you were both in -the miners’ camp—you a miner’s sister; Ran a miner and -the partner of your brother. You, neither of you, dreamed -of any higher position or better fortune than luck in the -mines might bring you. Is it not so?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then. Now suppose that it had been to you, -instead of to Randolph, that the unexpected fortune had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>come? Suppose that some nobleman of high rank and -wealth had suddenly come forward and claimed you as his -lost child and heiress, would you then have broken off with -poor Ran, because he was only a poor miner?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No! No! No!” cried Judy with flashing eyes and rising -excitement. “I nivir could a bin such a baste av the -wurruld!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she suddenly stopped and clapped her hands to her -lips.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But if Randolph had taken it into his head that he, a -poor miner, was no fit husband for you under your changed -circumstances, what would you have done?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should have broken me harrt entirely!” exclaimed -Judy, falling again into dialect, as she always did when -strongly moved.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And yet you can talk about not being a fit wife for -Randolph, just because, since his engagement to you, he -has come into a fortune. My dear, you should consider -your betrothal so sacred that no change of fortune could be -able to affect it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I see it, ma’am! I see it! And I will say no more -about it,” said Judy, smiling through her timid tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now we will have breakfast,” said Mrs. Walling, -rising and ringing the bell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The tray was brought in at one door, while Mr. Walling -came in at the other, and the three sat down to breakfast, -the master of the house merely greeting the guest with a -kindly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, my dear,” as he took his seat at the -table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As soon as breakfast was finished they separated to dress -for church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>I would like, also, to give my reader a glimpse of the -young bridegroom-expectant on this the morning of his -wedding day, in his temporary home in the apartment house -occupied by Stuart and Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three young people breakfasted together in the little, -elegant parlor of the Stuarts’ suite of rooms, Mrs. Pole -waiting on them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran’s face shone with joy that he could not hide; Cleve’s -and Palma’s were bright with sympathetic smiles.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran had entreated Mike Man to come and share his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>rooms at these flats until the wedding day and the embarkation -for Europe, but Mike had steadily refused, declaring -that, well as he loved his brother-in-law, he would be out of -place among Ran’s fine friends, and that he would feel more -at home “along wid Samson and Dandy.” Mike had decided -to accompany these old friends to Europe, in the second -cabin of the same steamer on which Ran had taken a -stateroom in the first cabin for himself and his bride. These -three miners were going home to the old country to settle -there. Different motives actuated the three. Old Dandy -wished to spend his declining years among old friends. -Longman wanted to return to his aged and widowed mother. -Mike could not stay behind all his friends, and must go with -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>What each was to do on the other side of the ocean was -not very clear, even to themselves. Each had a little money -saved up. Dandy thought he would sink his savings in a -life annuity. Longman hoped to get a gamekeeper’s place -on some estate. Mike wanted to go to school for a little -while. He was really nineteen years old, but so small and -slender that he might easily have passed for a schoolboy. -But he meant to keep near his mining “pards,” so as not to -“inthrude” on Ran and Judy and their fine friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Vainly had faithful Ran combated this resolution. Mike -had been firm, and Ran had to yield the point.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now, as Ran sat at table with Stuart and Palma, the -latter said to him:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You and Judy will be married as Cleve and myself -were—without bridesmaid or groomsman.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said Ran; “but it is not my fault or Judy’s. I -wanted Judy’s brother, my old partner, Mike Man, to be -my groomsman, which would have been right enough; but -Mike stoutly refused. If Mike had consented to stand up -with me, then Judy might have had a bridesmaid in one of -the Moseley young ladies. But, no; Mike was as stubborn -as a mule. To be sure, I know that Mr. Jim Moseley and -Miss Betty Moseley would have kindly stood up with us, -but Judy said no; and so we must stand up alone.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is just as well. And now, my dear,” said Palma, -rising from her seat with a pretty little matronly air of -authority, “as you have finished your breakfast, you had -better go and dress yourself. Your carriage was ordered -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>at half-past nine, I think. When you have finished, come -to me that I may put the last touches on your toilet—twirl -the curls and mustache, and pin the boutonnière, as you -have no valet. Though, I suppose, you will set up some -Monsieur Frangipanni as your personal attendant and -dresser.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, Cousin Palma. Never! Never! I should -be too much in awe of such a grand dignitary,” said Ran, -laughing, as he left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What a happy dog he is, my dear,” exclaimed Stuart to -his wife as they also retired to dress for the wedding.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, at this same hour, in an upper room at -Markiss’ Hotel on Water Street, another scene of preparation -was going on.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Samson Longman, Andrew Quin, and Michael Man were -dressing for the wedding.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three men were fresh from the bath and the barber. -Longman had his hair cut and his fine, flowing beard -dressed, and, with his strong, regular features and his clear, -blue eyes, looked a very handsome colossus, indeed. He wore -a fashionable dress suit of black cloth, with a vest of black -satin, a small white tie, a tea rose in his buttonhole, white -kid gloves and patent leather boots.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He looked every inch a gentleman, as he really was.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy had had his red hair and side whiskers trimmed -and dressed. He also wore a dress suit of exactly the same -style of Longman’s, even to the little details of the white -tie, tea rose, kid gloves and patent leathers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike, with his short, dark, curly hair neatly arranged, his -fresh face, innocent of beard or mustache, and his slight -figure in a dress suit proper to the occasion, looked like -a boy got up for a birthday party, or a freshman ready for -his first college exhibition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, Mike! Stop admiring yourself and hurry up. -Dandy, come! It is nine o’clock, and time to start if we -are to reach the church and get seated in time to see the -wedding party come in,” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Eh, Lorrd! But me courage has sunk down into the -bottom av me boots! What would ail me to be pushing -meself amongst gentlefolk, anyway?” exclaimed the nervous -old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because it is my own Ran and Judy’s wedding, sure, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>and you are invited. And they would feel hurt by your -absence,” replied Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Eh, Lorrd, I wouldn’t mind the church so much. Sure, -ivirybody’s free to go into a church. But it’s the breakfast. -Sure, an’ I nivir sat down to the table wid gentlefolks in -all my life, and wouldn’t know more’n the babe just born -how to behave myself, Lorrd! and if all tales be thrue, -gentlefolks’ ways at table is that diffunt from our’n!” -sighed Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I suppose they eat, and drink, and talk, and laugh pretty -much as other people do. Take courage, Dandy, old man. -Just look at yourself in the glass! Why, you might be a -Wall Street millionaire, or a college professor, or a United -States Senator, to look at you,” laughed Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know!” exclaimed Dandy with a self-satisfied smirk -after glancing at the mirror. “Sure, ‘fine feathers make -fine birds!’ And it is not how I look, at all, at all, but how -I’m to behave, what I’m to say, and what I’m to do. That’s -what bothers me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, bosh! You needn’t do anything nor say anything -unless you like to. As for behaving, just watch other people -and behave as they do.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, that’s a first-rate idea o’ your’n, Longman—first-rate. -And I’ll jist be guided by that. I’ll watch the gentry, -and behave jist as they do, and thin I can’t do amiss!” -exclaimed Dandy, brightening up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A very dangerous rule, with many unsuspected exceptions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now put on your overcoats and draw your woolen -mittens over your white kids, and come along, you two, or -we shall be late,” said Longman, who had already put on -all his outer garments and stood ready to march.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the three men were quite ready they went downstairs -together, walked over to the Fourth Avenue cars, -boarded one and rode uptown; got out at Blank Street, and -walked to the church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no sign about the building to indicate a wedding -for that morning. The doors were closed, and there -was not a carriage nor a human being near the sacred -building.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The truth is that the Wallings and all concerned in the -affair had kept the intended wedding not only out of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>papers but out of all gossiping circles. They did not want -to have a sensational supplement to the magnificent pageantry -of the grand Hay-Leegh wedding. And their reticence -had even extended to a firm refusal to indorse any -journalistic report of the appearance of the rightful claimant -to the Haymore estate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t you think we hev bin afther making a mistake in -the place, Mr. Longman?” inquired Dandy, looking mistrustingly -up to the closed and silent building.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; we’re the first that’s come, that’s all. Walk in.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so saying he led the way, opening first the great -black walnut outer door and then the red cloth inner door -and entering the church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There they found the sexton, who asked them for cards.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman produced the three informal notes written by -Mrs. Walling, and the sexton, after looking at them, marshaled -the three men up the aisle, between empty pews, to -seats near the altar, where they sat down.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they had become accustomed to the “dim religious -light” of the interior, they perceived that they themselves -were the only persons in the church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see that we are early,” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, sure, thin, I’m not sorry. I can compose the -narves av me,” replied Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They drew off their overcoats, folded them, and put them -under the seats, shoved their silk hats after the coats, and -then took off their woolen mitts, rolled them up, and put -them in their pockets, and posed themselves for the scene -expected.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently the door opened and quite a large party entered, -and were led by the sexton to the front row of pews -before the chancel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s the bowld Col. Moseley and his tribe, sure,” said -Mike in a low voice to his companions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy looked up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was the tribe, indeed. The colonel, his wife and ten of -his girls and boys. The two youngest children had been -left at home on account of their tender age. The colonel’s -wife wore her Sunday suit of brown satin, with a brown -velvet bonnet and a rich old India shawl that had been an -heirloom in her family, having come down to her from her -great-grandmother. Her many daughters wore plain cardinal-red -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>or navy-blue dresses, with plush coats and felt -hats to match.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Next entered a single pair, unknown to Longman and -Dandy, but not to us. They were Mr. and Mrs. Cleve -Stuart. Palma wore her lovely suit of navy-blue demassée -velvet, with turban to match.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were provided with seats to the left of the Moseleys.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A few minutes after them came a lady alone. She was -Mrs. Duncan, in a plum-colored satin dress and a sealskin -coat and cap.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Finally, just as the organ began to peal forth a magnificent -wedding march, streamed in two processions from two -opposite points.</p> - -<p class='c009'>First, out from the vestry door came two white-robed -clergymen, with open books in their hands, followed by the -bridegroom, in evening dress, with a white rose in his buttonhole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, thin, see till our broth av a b’hoy! Sure, don’t his -face shine like the morning starr itself?” whispered Dandy -to his companion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman looked and saw Ran, with his brow radiant with -frank happiness which he did not think of suppressing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Whish! Look down the aisle itself! There comes me -swate swishter! Och! what an angel!” murmured Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman looked and smiled.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy turned his head and caught his breath. He had -never in all his life seen anything half so lovely as little -Judy in her bridal array. And yet her dress was simple -enough. She wore a plain white silk, trained; a white tulle -overskirt, looped with sprays of orange buds; a white tulle -veil, fastened above her curly, black hair with sprigs of -orange buds; and on her neck and arms a set of pearls given -her by Ran. Her eyes were cast down until their long, -sweeping, black lashes lay on her slightly flushed oval -cheeks. She came slowly, leaning on the arm of Samuel -Walling, who was to give her away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No doubt her brother would have been asked to perform -this service, but that he was under age. And, besides, he -would have shrunk from the honor of taking so conspicuous -a part in the ceremony, since he would not even officiate -as groomsman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Behind them came Mrs. Samuel Walling, in a superb suit -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>of ruby brocaded velvet, with turban to match. She was -leaning on the arm of her brother-in-law, Mr. William -Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The two clergymen advanced to the altar railing with -open books in their hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The bridegroom met the bride and took her hand; both -bowed to the officiating ministers, and then knelt down on -the hassocks before the altar.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Their immediate friends drew around them. The company -in the pews stood up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike bent eagerly, breathlessly forward.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The ceremony began. It continued amid a breathless silence, -unbroken except by the voices of the officiating ministers -and responses of the kneeling pair before them, and -the short reply of the “church father” in bestowing “this -woman” upon “this man.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the benediction was pronounced friends crowded -around the newly wedded young pair with congratulations -that were not merely conventional, but earnest, heartfelt.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike crept out of his pew, glided easily through the -crowd, and stood before his sister and brother-in-law, mute, -unable to speak, still looking like a very shy schoolboy at -his college exhibition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Ran seized his hand and shook it heartily, and held -it fast while he said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mike—dear boy—we were always brothers in heart, and -now we are brothers in reality! Are you not going to embrace -your sister? She is not less your sister because she -is my wife, but more so, for she has married your bosom’s -everlasting brother.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike then turned to Judy, who opened her arms and -folded him to her heart in a warm embrace.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman and Dandy hung back for a little while, and -then the old man stood up and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I can’t stand it at all, at all! Sure, I must go and spake -to the darlints!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And out of the pew he went, and up to the chancel, where -“fine” friends were still surrounding the young pair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They made way for the eager old man as he pushed -through the group and confronted Ran and Judy, offering -each a hand and crying with emotion:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’ve come to wish ye the blissing av the Lord and all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>His holy saints, me brave bhoy and gurrul—I mane Misther -and Misthress Randolph Hay av Hayti!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Judy took each a hand of the old miner and -said something inarticulate in kindly thanks. Then, seeing -Longman standing behind and towering above Dandy, Ran -held up his hand and the colossus came forward and offered -his congratulations, which both Ran and Judy received -with much hearty feeling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not forget, Longman, that I never should have -lived to see this happy day but for you,” said Ran, warmly -pressing his hands, while Judy’s smile expressed all that she -also would have said if she could have spoken.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, my young friends,” said Mr. Samuel Walling, -approaching the group, “we must not keep the reverend -gentlemen waiting; we must go into the vestry room and -sign the register.” And he drew Judy’s arm within his -own and carried her off, followed by Ran and the rest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When this form was completed the small company left -the church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were but two carriages waiting before the door. -One was Mrs. Walling’s, in which she had brought the bride -to the church; the other was Ran’s, in which he was going to -take his wife back.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Walling stood until she had seen Ran hand Judy -into the clarence and take his seat beside her, when she -turned to William Walling and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well! I would like to give you a seat back to the house; -but I want to take in Mr. and Mrs. Stuart. Go up in the -street car—that is a good fellow! And while you are at it -see after those poor fellows from the mines. Get them into -the same car with yourself, so that they won’t miss their -way.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All right!” exclaimed good-humored Mr. Will. “Where -are the bears?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There they are!” she said, nodding toward the three -men coming from the church door. “Go and introduce -yourself to them, and then you will be capable of bringing -them up to the house and presenting them to your brother -and myself. They are great friends of Ran, you know. One -of them saved his life! They came with the colonel’s family -and Judy from California. Now be off!” added the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>lady as she saw her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, approaching, -and went to meet them, saying to Palma:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, I have been waiting for you to come out. I -have two vacant places in my carriage. I should be much -pleased if you and Mr. Stuart would take them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you very much. You are very kind,” said -Palma, accepting the offer as frankly as it was given.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart bowed—there was nothing left for him to say or -do. The “ladies” had made the arrangement! That was -enough for the Southern gentleman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They entered the carriage with Mr. and Mrs. Walling -and were driven rapidly uptown.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The colonel’s large family crowded into a street car.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will Walling, Longman and Dandy found seats in another -car.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so the wedding guests went their way to the Walling -house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Arrived there, the ladies and children, only nine in all, -were shown into an upper room to lay off their bonnets and -wraps and add bouquets and white kid gloves to their -toilets.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The gentlemen, ten in all, were shown into another room -for light changes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And after half an hour’s performances they all filed -down to the drawing-room, where they found their host -and hostess, and the bride and groom, waiting to receive -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here also the wedding presents were on view for a short -time, before being packed and dispatched to the steamer, -which was to be effected while the company should be at -table. There was a silver tea service from Mr. and Mrs. -Walling; a silver salver from Mr. Will; a gold watch and -chain from Col. and Mrs. Moseley; a box of fine handkerchiefs -from Cleve and Palma Stuart—this was the same -box that had been given by Cleve to Palma months before, -but not a handkerchief had been disturbed, and having -nothing else to give she gave it now, with Cleve’s consent. -There was a gold chain and cross from Mike; a pretty hand-bag -from Longman, a workbox from Dandy, and various -dainty trifles, mostly of their own manufacture, from the -Moseley girls and boys.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>A little later the butler slid back the rolling portières and -announced breakfast, which was laid in a long rear room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The wedding party—host and hostess, bride and groom, -and guests, filed in and seated themselves at the table—nine -on each side, host and hostess at the head and foot. Ran -and Judy sat on the right side of Mrs. Walling, Col. and -Mrs. Moseley on her left. Below Judy sat Mr. and Mrs. -Cleve Stuart. Below Mrs. Moseley sat Mr. William Walling -and Mrs. Duncan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman sat on Mr. Walling’s right hand, and Dandy -on his left. Other guests, chiefly the young people of the -colonel’s family, filled all the other seats. Mike sat halfway -up on the right side of the board.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Two waiters, in black dress suits, white satin waistcoats -and kid gloves, served the guests.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Tea, coffee or chocolate was offered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy took tea—in what a little, fragile eggshell of a -cup! How different from the massive, yellow bowl from -which he used to gulp great draughts of that rare luxury, or -something made up to imitate it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was afraid to touch this chrysalis for fear he should -crush it. He left it on the table before him, and following -Longman’s given rule, watched to see how other people -handled their cups; as a matter of detail, he watched Col. -Moseley, who stood, in his estimation, for the most perfect -gentleman he knew.</p> - -<p class='c009'>By this precaution he avoided the mistake of pouring -his tea into his saucer, which otherwise he would surely -have done; for what on earth else were saucers made for -anyhow?</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently came around the boned turkey and the chicken -salad.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy chose the salad. But where was the knife with -which to shovel the delicious compounds into his capacious -mouth? Clearly the waiter had neglected his duty in providing -a knife, for there was nothing beside his plate but -a silver instrument with four fine prongs. In despair he -looked in the direction of his model, the colonel, and saw -that gentleman eating with the silver thing, holding it in -his right hand. All the others round the table were doing -the same thing!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Old Dandy shook his head, saying within himself:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>“Sure, and I don’t like these newfangled ways; they -ain’t Irish, nor ’Merican, nor they ain’t natural, nuther! -But it’s a baste I am to be finding fault at Ran’s wedding, -so it is.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then Dandy ate his salad as well as he could with -his unaccustomed instrument.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The fest went on, and delicacy after delicacy was served. -Plates were often changed, dishes were changed. Tea, coffee -and chocolate gave place to tokay, champagne and -johanisberg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy, following what he considered a safe rule, but -which was soon proved to be anything else but safe, did as -he saw other people do, and got through the feast very -creditably until at length Col. Moseley arose in his place -and called the attention of the company in a neat little -speech, which he concluded with:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to -propose the health of the bride and groom.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Up jumped Dandy to do as other people—notably his -model colonel did, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Me, too, ladies and gintlemin! I purpose the good -health of the bride and groom!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Consternation fell for a moment on the company, but the -colonel had suffered more than one “surprise” in the course -of his military life, and he was equal to the occasion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir, in the name of our friends,” he said -gravely, bowing to Dandy. “Then, gentlemen, fill up your -glasses.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The toast was honored. And no one felt more satisfied -with himself and with all the world than did Dandy Quin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Other toasts were offered and equally honored, Dandy -taking a conspicuous part in every one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was twelve o’clock when the guests sat down to the -table. It was two when they arose and withdrew to the -drawing-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Judy went upstairs to change her light bridal dress -for the heavy green cloth suit that was to defend her from -the wintry winds of the open sea.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At her earnest request no one was to go down to the -steamer to see them off.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because I shall behave badly. I know I shall. I shall -cry. And it is so awful to cry in public!” said Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>All her effects had been packed and sent on the steamer, -except the one little trunk into which her last belongings -were to go, and which was to be put into the carriage with -her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So as soon as she was dressed for the departure—cloth -suit, fur-lined cloak, beaver poke and all—she came down, -into the drawing-room, where all her friends were assembled, -and there she bade them all good-by. She kissed, -embraced and wept over her friends, one after the other; -but when she came to Mrs. Moseley she clung to her as if -she could never leave her, weeping as if her heart would -break.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At last it was that tender lady herself who gently unwound -the girl’s arms from around her neck, and stooping, -whispered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look at Ran, dear. See how distressed he is. He must -not see you grieve so!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy hastily wiped her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Moseley beckoned Ran, who came forward and received -the girl from the lady’s arms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Ran, dear,” sobbed Judy, falling into her dialect, -“don’t ye moind me crying. Sure it’s a cowld-harrted craychur -I’d be not to graive, parting with the loikes av her, a -rale highborn leddy as has ben sich a mother to me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My own dear Judy!” whispered Ran. And that was -all he could say.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike had taken leave of all his friends and had gone -on before. But there were two more whom Judy thought -she must bid good-by to.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is Misther Longman and Uncle Dandy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here we are, Misthress Hay!” answered old Dandy -from the hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I must bid ye good-by, dear frinds!” said Judy, -holding out her hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nivir a bit of it, hinny. Sure we’re all in the same boat! -That is, the same stamer! We go wid ye across the say! -On’v ye’s go in the grand first cabin, and we go in the -second. Our duds went on board this morning, and Mike’s -gone down to the tovvurn to pay our score. And, sure, he’ll -join us on the stamer!” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I knew Mike was to go with us, but didn’t know -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>you were. I am so glad you are going with us!” exclaimed -Judy, drying her last tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Ran was hurrying her into the carriage that was to -take them to the steamer. When he had placed her in her -seat he returned to speak to the two men.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Since you are going in the same ship, ride down with -us. There are two vacant seats in our carriage,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Couldn’t think of such a thing!” exclaimed Longman, -laughing. “What! intrude on a bride and groom! We appreciate -your magnanimity and thank you mightily, but we -couldn’t think of it!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And though Ran urged his invitation, Longman steadily -refused it, much to Dandy’s disgust, who would willingly -have enjoyed the luxury of a ride in that elegant clarence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We will go down in the horse cars and get there before -you. You’ll find us on deck when you arrive. Come, -Dandy!” said Longman, and raising his felt wide awake, he -walked away, carrying off his unwilling little old friend.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran entered the carriage and gave the order to the coachman. -And they started for the steamer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A half-hour’s drive brought them to the crowded pier, -and five minutes’ struggle through the confusion transferred -them to the deck of the <em>Boadicea</em>, where they found Will -Walling, Mike, Longman, and Dandy waiting for them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No more partings here, dear Judy. Here are meetings!” -said Ran with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>An hour later the <em>Boadicea</em> sailed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At that same moment Mrs. Duncan, taking leave of Mrs. -Walling, repeated her words:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! won’t there be a circus when Mr. and Mrs. Randolph -Hay confront Gentleman Geff and Miss Leegh at -Haymore! How I would like to be there!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XII<br> <span class='large'>DARKEST BEFORE DAY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Stuart took his wife home from the wedding breakfast. -It was four o’clock, and the wintry sun was low on the -western horizon.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>Mrs. Pole had a good fire burning in the little grate when -they entered the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“See, Poley! I have brought you a piece of the wedding -cake to dream on, you know!” said Palma, offering a pretty -little box done up in silver paper.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, my dear! My dreaming days are long past! long -past!” sighed the old woman, as, nevertheless, she took the -box.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What a prosaic old fogy you are, Poley, to be sure. For -that matter all our dreaming days are over after we are -married, I reckon.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, honey, until we begin to dream for our children.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma blushed and sank into sudden silence. She was -beginning to dream sweet dreams of motherhood, but that -was her own precious secret, she imagined, not suspecting -that Mrs. Pole knew as much about it as she did herself, and -perhaps more. To cover her confusion she laughed and -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Poley, if you do not care to dream on the cake -yourself you can give it to some young friends of yours, to -one of your many cousins or nieces; they will be glad to -have it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she threw off her turban and her wraps, drew off -her gloves and sank into an easy-chair before the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“After all, it is good to be quiet at home, is it not, Cleve? -I love this little snuggery of ours. We can live very happily -here until next May, and then flit to the woods and -mountains again. I think I like our simple way of life. -Cleve, quite as well, if not better, than if you spent all -the revenues of your Mississippi plantation in living in the -grand style of some of our friends. What do you think, -Cleve?” she inquired, stretching out her pretty feet to the -grateful warmth of the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He did not answer in words—he could not; he laid his -hand tenderly on her curly, black hair and turned slowly -away and went out of the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma received the caress as a full assent to all that she -had said, and smiled to herself as she gazed into the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve Stuart went downstairs and out upon the sidewalk, -and paced up and down before the house. This was his -nightly promenade ground, where he came to smoke his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>cigar. But this evening he had no cigar, nor even the -wherewithal to get one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yes, it had come to this—Cleve Stuart was absolutely -penniless. He had paid out his last dime on the horse cars -that brought himself and his wife from the wedding breakfast. -This was Saturday, the second of December. On -Monday, the fourth, their month’s rent would be due, and -there was not a penny to meet it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>What should he do?</p> - -<p class='c009'>If all his remaining earthly possessions were pawned they -would not bring money enough to meet the demand of their -landlord.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nor could he hope for any forbearance from that quarter. -The terms of the contract were strict, and amounted, in -brief, to this: “Pay or go.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nor could he bring himself to the shame, not to say the -dishonesty, of trying to borrow money which he could foresee -no way of paying.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was the pass to which his marriage with Palma had -brought him! Did he regret his marriage?</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No,” he said to himself, “though I proposed to her, first -of all, under the diabolical influence of the beautiful fiend -who had me in her power, and for mercenary purposes that -were to serve us, the two conspirators, yet for one redeeming -event I do thank Providence—and that is that I discovered -Palma to be penniless as well as invalided before I -married her. Then I kept faith with her; I married her; I -saved her precious life, and I have grown to know her and -to love her above all things on earth. And to whatever -straits I may be reduced, and however much I may suffer, -I will, so far as possible, shield my beloved one from knowing -them or sharing them. But in the meantime what in -the name of Heaven am I to do? And what is to become -of her? Men in such straits as mine have been driven, are -daily driven, to commit suicide. We read such cases in -almost every paper, and often with the concluding comment: -‘No motive could be discovered for the desperate -deed.’ I suppose, now, if I were to be so lost to a sense of -justice as to end my trouble with a shot to-night, it would -be said to-morrow: ‘He had just come from a wedding -breakfast, where he appeared among the happiest of the -guests. No motive can be surmised for his desperate deed.’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>As if men paraded their perplexities to all and sundry, in -season and out of season, and wore their motives and intentions -pinned on their sleeves—especially such motives and -intentions. Pah! nothing could drive me to such a deed. -I must live and brave my fate, trusting in Heaven, doing -my duty! But all the same, sweet little Palma, if it were -Heaven’s will, I think it would be well if you and I should -fall asleep to-night and never awake again in this world!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>So deep, so painful, so absorbing was his reverie that he -did not perceive the approach of the postman, who ran -against him in the dark, begged his pardon and passed on -until he reached the main entrance of the apartment house, -went in, came out, and hurried on again out of sight up -the street.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart had scarcely noticed him, beyond muttering, “Not -at all,” when the other had said, “Beg pardon, sir.” And -now he thought no more of the incident, but continued his -walk for an hour, as if by wearying his body he might -relieve his mind.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently, thinking that this was their dinner hour, -though he had little appetite for dinner just now, he turned -and entered the hall. He did not ring up the elevator, but -he walked heavily up the five flights of stairs. It was a -mental relief to fatigue himself to faintness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He entered the little parlor and found not dinner, but -the tea table spread.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma was sitting behind the urn and waiting for him. -The fire was very bright, the parlor very snug, and the little -wife very happy. If this could only continue!</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thought, after a wedding feast at two o’clock, that tea -would be better than dinner at six. So I told Poley. Do -you mind, Cleve?” inquired Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear; indeed, I prefer tea; it will be more refreshing,” -he replied, trying to overcome the heaviness of his -soul so that it should not appear in his look or tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And Poley has made some of her delicious, light, puffy -muffins. I never saw any so nice anywhere as she can make. -I tell you, Cleve, dear, if our riches should suddenly ‘take -unto themselves wings and fly away,’ Poley and I would -open a bake shop with a specialty of these tea muffins. -Poley should make them. I would stand behind the counter -and sell them and you should keep the accounts, and we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>should all three make our fortunes and divide the profits,” -said Palma as she poured out the delicate Japan tea.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart smiled as he took a cup from her hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I forgot to tell you. There’s a letter for you! It -came while you were out. I put it on the corner of the -mantelpiece. Will you look at it now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear; I know what it is. It is only the bill for the -month’s rent. The landlord always sends it on the third of -the month, and as the third comes on Sunday this time, he -has sent it on Saturday, a day earlier.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Try a muffin, Cleve. You don’t know how nice they -are.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He took one to please her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she chatted on about the wedding they had just -attended, and the young pair who had just sailed for -Europe.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They are so anxious that we shall go and visit them at -Haymore as soon as they shall be settled there, Cleve. And, -indeed, I did promise to use all my influence with you to -persuade you to take me over next summer. Why, Cleve, it -would be ever so much pleasanter than to go to Lull’s again, -even! And yet I used to think Lull’s was just Paradise! -What do you think, Cleve?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think, my dear one, that it would be very delightful -to spend the summer with our friends at Haymore. As -much as I have traveled, I have never been in Yorkshire.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then you think we may go?” eagerly demanded Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Providence permitting, yes, my dear,” he replied.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She perceived no evasion in this answer. Indeed, the -phrase was her own habitual formula whenever she fully -intended to do any certain thing, “Providence permitting.” -She took his words for consent and answered gleefully:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will be something to look forward to during the -winter.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart smiled. Ah! how hard to keep up that cheerful -countenance and light tone when his heart was so heavy -and his mind so dark.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They lingered long at the tea table, because Palma was -full of life and of the enjoyment of all life’s blessings, in -possession and in anticipation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they arose at last and the table was cleared of the -tea service, and the books and magazines replaced on it, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>Palma took her workbasket and Cleve a book, and she -sewed at mending gloves, he read aloud “The Annals of a -Quiet Neighborhood.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The letter on the mantelpiece, confidently believed to be -the rent bill, was not looked at, or even thought of. There -it lay, and was fated to lay, until Monday morning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The young pair retired at their usual hour; but only -Palma slept. The vulture of anxiety, gnawing at his heart, -kept Stuart wide awake.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Sunday dawned clear, bright and beautiful.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The young couple arose and breakfasted and went to -church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They walked all the way, not because Cleve had not a -dime to pay car fare—though he had not—but because -Palma never wished to tax the horses on the Sabbath day -except in cases of absolute necessity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because,” she urged, “the merciful command of the -Lord provides for the rest of the beast as well as of the man, -and these horses work hard enough all the week to rest on -Sunday.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Stuart had always yielded to her scruples in this -respect.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The organ was pealing forth a fine voluntary when they -entered the church and took their seats. The music ceased -and the service began. Palma entered into it with all the -loving devotion of her heart and soul. Cleve could not concentrate -his thoughts on worship, though he tried to do so.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After a little while, in due course, the first hymn was -given out, and the first line fell like a trumpet blast, calling -the Christian soul to hope and courage:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Give to the winds thy fears!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Hope and be undismayed!</div> - <div class='line'>God hears thy sighs and sees thy tears,</div> - <div class='line in2'>God shall lift up thy head.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The words thrilled him, aroused him; all the black shadows -of grief, shame, despair and desperation, which had -bowed and cowed his spirit with the sense of helplessness -and humiliation, rolled away as before a rising sun. It -seemed wonderful, miraculous, a memory of divine intervention -that never left him in all his after life. He had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>always worshiped God as the supreme ruler of the universe; -but never had known Him as the Heavenly Father. But -from this hour he knew, or rather he felt, that “the God of -the universe, the God of the race, was the God of the individual -man,” the giver of life, the giver of heaven, the giver -of the daily bread as well.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sermon which followed was from the text: “Are not -two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall -not fall on the ground without your Father.... Fear -not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sermon that followed was almost worthy of the -text, not quite, for no man’s nor angel’s words can add to -the Word of the Lord; but it was faithfully, lovingly and -practically applied, and it did good service.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At the end of the worship Stuart, as well as Palma, came -out into the sunlight refreshed and comforted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That morning Stuart, in his dark mood, had shrunk from -the exertion of going to church. What would be the use? -he had thought in his secret heart; and he had tried to -excuse himself to Palma, but she, from a feeling of duty, -had persuaded him to go.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now as they walked uptown through the sunny air he -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad we went to church to-day, dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So am I. We got our daily bread, our heavenly manna -there, did we not?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>They reached home and found their pleasant little parlor -aglow with the bright fire in the grate, and inviting with -the neatly spread table and the simple midday meal of the -Sabbath.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole had also been to church at a much nearer point, -and had got home before them in good time to lay the cloth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dinner over, they spent the afternoon in reading.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They had an early tea, and then went out to church for -the evening service, walking there and back again. They -reached home after ten o’clock, for the way was long. They -were revived in spirit and wholesomely fatigued in body, so -that they soon retired to rest and slept well. Even Stuart -slept, though he believed that this night ended their last -day in their pretty home, and that the next morning would -send them adrift, bereft of all their effects, except the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>clothes they wore, and Heaven only knew whither! But—they -would be in their Father’s world! No one could turn -them out of that. So they slept in peace.</p> - -<p class='c009'>I have been particular in describing these last two days -of Stuart’s and Palma’s experience, for they were ever after -memorable in their lives.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Monday morning they arose early, as usual. It had -been Stuart’s daily custom to go out after breakfast in -search of employment. He had continued this under all -discouragements.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yet this morning he stayed at home to see the landlord’s -collector, who always arrived the day after the bill had come -by mail. As the bill had arrived on Saturday, and the collector -could not come on Sunday, he would certainly put in -an appearance on Monday, and Palma must not be left -alone to receive him—under the circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma took her knitting—a pair of mittens for Mrs. Pole—and -sat down to work near the window, from which she -could look below upon the housetops and above to the glorious -December sky.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart took a book and threw himself into a rocking-chair -by the table, but he did not read. He was waiting—for -what? He did not know.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The door opened and “the boy” came in, silently laid a -letter on the table, and went out again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart took it up and opened it. Palma looked up from -her work.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why—this is the rent bill. I thought it came Saturday. -Where is that letter that came?” Stuart inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“On the corner of the mantelpiece. I’ll get it for you,” -said Palma; and she arose and handed him the letter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He took it and gazed at it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t know the handwriting at all,” he said meditatively, -“and it is postmarked ‘Wolfswalk, West Virginia.’ -I should think it was intended for some one else, if my -name was not such an uncommon one, and certainly there is -no one else in this house that bears it.” And he turned it -over and over and scrutinized it after the strange manner of -people who receive a mysterious letter and play with their -own curiosity by delaying to open it. At length he broke -the envelope and unfolded the letter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>First of all he turned to the signature, which was at the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>bottom of the fourth page, so that he did not happen to -open the sheet and find what lay between the leaves.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘John Cleve!’” he exclaimed. “Why, dear Palma, this -is from my old bachelor great-uncle, who, I thought, had -been gathered to his fathers ages ago. He must be at least -eighty years old.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cleve, read it to me! I never knew you had an -uncle,” said Palma, dropping her work and coming and -leaning over the back of his chair so that she could look at -the open letter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve read as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Wolfswalk, West Virginia</span>,</div> - <div class='line in12'>“November 25, 186—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>My Dear Grand-nephew</span>: You will be surprised to -get a letter from me, of whom you can have but little -memory, as you have not seen me since you were a babe of -three years old, when your dear mother—my dear and only -niece—brought you to my house.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“Since her lamented death, in Mississippi, I had completely -lost sight of you, thinking of you as in the hands of -competent guardians during your minority, and of leading -a prosperous life as an active planter on your estate since -your majority. I thought of writing to you, but neglected -to do so. How families do get separated in this world, to -be sure, neglecting each other, forgetting each other, like -aliens!</p> - -<p class='c013'>“Several circumstances have occurred to bring you -forcibly to my mind of late. First, the fact that my two -grand-nephews, Frank and James, sole descendants of my -only nephew, Charles, fell on the field of Cold Harbor, -fighting for their native State. They died unmarried. -This leaves you my sole heir.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“As soon as I learned this fact I wrote to you in Mississippi, -but failed to get a letter from you. I wrote to the -postmaster of your post office there, and learned from him -that you had been an absentee from home for many years.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“Then I thought of advertising for you, but so hated the -plan that I delayed putting it in execution.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“At length chance favored me and gave the information I -desired. A neighbor of mine went off on a business trip and -was in Washington City last week, and met there a friend -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>of yours—a Mr. Walling, of New York. By the merest -accident your name came up—neither of the gentlemen -knowing of how much importance it was to me—and Fairfax -heard that you were in New York City, and, in fact, -much about you which it is not necessary to repeat here, but -all of which he told me. Therefore, I write you this letter.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“And now, since you are not bound down to your Mississippi -plantation, and since you are my sole heir, and I am -old and feeble, and cannot last long, I ask you to be a -good boy, and a dutiful nephew, and to come and bring your -wife and live with me on the farm.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“I have not suffered, as so many have, by the war. It -did not sweep over my land, but gave it a rather wide berth.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“My negroes have remained with me at fair wages, but -whether they do fair work is something else.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“I have an overseer to look after the negroes, but, my boy, -I require some one to look after the overseer. Will you -come?</p> - -<p class='c013'>“As breaking up and traveling is always expensive, and -as I do not know your financial condition, I inclose a check -for five hundred dollars, merely as an advance to my heir. -Give my love to your wife. Let me hear from you as soon -as possible, and believe me, my dear Cleve, now and ever, -your affectionate grand-uncle,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>John Cleve</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank God!” fervently ejaculated Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But where is the check?” curiously inquired Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart opened the leaves of the letter again, then his face -fell and he murmured:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My uncle must have forgotten to put it in!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No,” said Palma, “here it is!” And she picked it up -from the carpet, to which it had slipped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank God!” said Stuart again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, I am glad, very glad, that you have heard from -your uncle. But you, Cleve! I have never in all my life -seen you so strongly moved. What is it all about?” exclaimed -Palma, amazed at his extreme agitation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My darling, when this providential letter came we were -on the brink of ruin!” he answered, telling her the truth -at last.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Ruin!’ You! Cleve Stuart!”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>“Yes, my beloved.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But your vast wealth?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A fond imagination of yours.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And your rich Mississippi plantation?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A blasted wilderness.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cleve! Cleve! How have we lived?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By the gradual disposal of all my useless effects.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cleve! Cleve!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The last dime was spent on Saturday, dear, and this -morning I looked for nothing else but a distrain for rent -and ejection from these premises.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you never told me! You never told me!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why should I have distressed you, dear one?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I could have worked, Cleve. But I didn’t know! -I didn’t know! I thought you were rich. And I thought, -sometimes, that you were too prudent, too saving, especially -when you did not get a dress coat to go to Ran’s wedding. -And all the time you were poor, and struggling on the very -brink of ruin! Oh, Cleve!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never mind, dear heart, we are ready for the landlord, -or for any other demand. Tell me, darling, shall you like -to go to this mountain farmhouse in West Virginia, and -keep house for the old man, and be mistress, doctress, -teacher and everything, to his horde of darkies?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes—a thousand times, yes! I shall -be delighted, Cleve!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then. As it all depended upon you, I will -answer the old man’s letter and accept his offer; then go out -and change this check.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, no; first of all, dear Cleve,” said Palma, gravely, -“let us kneel and return thanks to our Heavenly Father -that we are saved.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XIII<br> <span class='large'>SAFE AT HOME</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>We left Jennie Montgomery sleeping in her mother’s -arms, with her babe safe beside them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie would have talked all night till broad daylight; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>but her mother, knowing how tired the young traveler must -be, discouraged all conversation by pretending to be sleepy, -by replying only in monosyllables, or even answering at -random, until at length the talker herself gave up in despair, -grew tired, then stupid, and then fell fast asleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The consequence of her exhausted strength and her long -vigil was that she slept long and deeply and late into the -next morning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When at last she awoke she found herself alone in the -room, with the morning sunlight stealing through the slats -of the window shutters, and gilding bright lines on the -white window curtains and on the light gray ground of the -carpet and the light gray color of the walls. She saw all -this through the festooned white curtains at the foot of her -bed. She raised herself up, and then she saw something -through the same opening—a bright little coal fire burning -in the grate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her mother was gone and her baby was gone. Evidently -Jennie had slept so soundly that she had not heard their -uprising and departure, and she had continued to sleep on -until she knew not what hour of the day.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She thought she would get up and dress herself quietly -before any one should discover that she was awake.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She slipped out of bed, and the first thing that she saw -was her large sea trunk, that had been packed with undiscovered -treasure of clothing by the benevolent women -who had taken such a warm interest in her welfare, and who -had given her an outfit as well as a first-class passage home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The key of her trunk was in her <i><span lang="fr">portemonnaie</span></i>, in the -pocket of her traveling dress. She got it out, unstrapped -and unlocked the treasure chest, and lifted the lid.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But just then she heard the voice of her baby crowing -loudly in response to another cooing voice that she recognized -as her mother’s.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were having a grand circus together in the parlor, -that young grandmother and the baby.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie snatched up the first garment fitting to wear from -the top of the trunk, and then dropped the lid and hastily -washed and dressed herself, putting on a pretty blue cashmere -princess wrapper, trimmed with blue satin ribbons. -Then, while still buttoning up, she hastily opened the dividing -door and entered the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>Her mother was there, sitting in a low rocker, holding -the baby across her lap. Beside her, on the hob of the grate, -stood the bowl of “infant food” from which she had been -feeding the child.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no one else in the room, nor did there need to -be to make it very lively there, for the baby was crowing -with all the strength of her lungs, while laughing up in the -pretty, smiling face, with the cooing voice, bending over -her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, mamma, darling! why didn’t you wake me?” exclaimed -Jennie, coming up before Mrs. Campbell perceived -her presence in the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Jennie! Up and dressed, my pet? Why didn’t -you ring for some one to help you?” inquired the mother -in her turn.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You haven’t answered my question yet, and told me why -you did not wake me when you got up and dressed baby,” -said Jennie as she stooped and kissed her mother and the -child.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I was so well satisfied to see you sleeping off your fatigue -that I would not have disturbed you for a great deal,” said -Mrs. Campbell, returning her daughter’s caress.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, now, the reason I didn’t ring for any one was because -I didn’t want any one. And when I heard you and -baby in such earnest conversation, I hurried with my dressing -and came in. I thought baby would be hungry.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She was hungry; but I sent to the chemist and got this -‘infant food’ for her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! she never was fed with that before!” exclaimed -Jennie, in some doubt of its good effects.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t be afraid, my dear. It is used in all the royal -nurseries. See, the royal arms are on the label,” said the -lady.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course, mamma, darling, if you give it, it is all right. -I think your judgment quite as good as that of all the royal -family put together.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tut! tut! my pet! Your visit to America must have -turned you into a republican. But what a lovely wrapper -you have got on, Jennie!” she said, perhaps to turn the -conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is it not? And I have got another one just like it in -mauve, which has never been on my back, and which you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>must have, dear mamma. Those angel women in New York -have given me that huge trunk full of beautiful clothing, -and I shall never wear one-half of it out, but my greatest -pleasure in it will be to divide it with you, my dear, darling, -beautiful mamma.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Jennie!” was all the curate’s wife found to say to -that, for she did not mean to take any of her daughter’s -pretty clothes, if she could help it, nor did she want to vex -the girl by refusing them just then.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is papa?” inquired Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Gone out to make some sick calls; he will be home by -noon. But here I am chatting away and forgetting that you -have had no breakfast. We breakfasted two hours ago!” -laughed Mrs. Campbell as she put her hand out to the bell -rope and rang.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth Longman came in, smiled and nodded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, ma’am,” to Jennie, and then went to -work to lay the cloth for her breakfast. It was soon spread -upon the table—good coffee, rich cream, muffins, fresh -butter, grilled ham and poached eggs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Campbell gave the baby to Elspeth and sat down to -pour out the coffee for her prodigal daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, mamma! You remember our old feeling, yours and -mine, that a draught poured out by beloved hands has the -power of life-giving to the spirit as well as to the body,” -said Jennie as she received the cup from her mother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And the same may be said of work gifts, my dear. -Your little Shetland veil that you knit for me years ago, -always seemed full as it could hold of your dear love, and -its touch on my face like your caress,” replied Mrs. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While they sat at table Elspeth Longman stood at one of -the windows with the baby in her arms, tapping on the -panes to make the child look out on the blue sky and the -evergreen trees.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I shall stop calling baby ‘Baby’ now, mamma. She is -going to be named after you—Esther. It is too grown up -a name to call a little baby in common. And we can’t call -her Hetty, because that is your pet name. Now what shall -we call her for short?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Essy,” replied the young grandmother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Essy, then, it shall be. Mind, Mrs. Longman. Our -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>baby is to the christened Esther, after mamma, and we are -to call her Essy for short.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, ma’am; it is a pretty name,” said the woman -at the window.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And we will have her christened on Sunday, mamma. -We must wait for Sunday, because I remember papa’s preference -for christening babies on Sunday, unless there should -be some pressing necessity to perform the ceremony on a -week day.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There’s grandpa!” exclaimed Elspeth to the baby, tapping -on the window. And the next instant, the Rev. James -Campbell—otherwise familiarly and affectionately in his -own family called “Jimmy”—entered the house and walked -into the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He kissed his daughter good-morning, and then took his -stand on the rug, with his back to the fire, looking so grave -that his wife grew anxious, but forbore to question him in -the presence of their newly returned daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And perhaps, after all,” she reflected, “it is nothing -very personal. He may have just returned from the deathbed -of a parishioner. Such scenes always affect him, more -for the sake of those left behind than for the departed, for -he has too much faith to fret after the freed soul.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While Mrs. Campbell was turning these thoughts over in -her mind, and Mr. Campbell was standing in silence on the -rug, Jennie finished her breakfast and arose and took her -crowing baby from the arms of Elspeth, that the latter -might clear off the table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When this was done, and the woman had left the room, -and Jennie had put her baby to sleep in the pretty berceaunette -that had been provided by her mother that very -morning, and the father, mother and daughter were seated -around the fire, both these women with needlework in their -hands, the curate said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, my dear, if you will, you may give us the explanation -you promised. Hetty!” he said, suddenly turning to -his wife, “did she tell you anything last night?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not a word. I would not let her talk. I made her go -to sleep.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That was right. Well, we know from her letter that -she, daughter of a minister of the church of England, -though a very humble one, and the wife of an ex-officer in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>her majesty’s service, though a most unworthy one—that -she, a lady by birth and by marriage, was brought to such -extremity as to be confined in the pauper ward of a public -hospital, and to depend on private charity for her outfit and -passage home to us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thanks be to the Lord that we have her and her child -safe and sound in mind and body, however they came to -us!” fervently exclaimed Hetty Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I say we know all this from our child’s letter. But we -do not know why all this should have happened in this way; -nor why she never mentioned her husband’s name in her -letter; nor why she comes to us with her child alone; nor -why, when I asked her for an explanation, she replied to -me that the kindest act he ever did for her was—to leave -her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, my Jennie! Oh, my dear Jennie!” exclaimed -Hetty in a tone of pain.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, mamma; it is true. The kindest thing he ever did -for me was to leave me. I am not heartbroken over it. I -have nothing, not the least thing, to reproach myself with -in all my conduct toward him. Mamma, when I made -Capt. Kightly Montgomery’s acquaintance I</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘Foregathered wi’ the de’il.’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Jennie—my daughter!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is hard fact, mamma, as you will know when you -have heard the story I am going to tell you. Is there any -danger of any one coming in?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear. There is no one in the house besides ourselves -except Elspeth, and as this is baking day she is very -busy in the kitchen, and will not come in here unless she -should be called,” said Hetty. Nevertheless, she got up and -turned the keys in both doors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, then, my dear,” she said as she resumed her seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a long story, and a painful one; yet, for every reason, -I feel that I must tell you the whole of it without -reservation, because I shall have to seek your counsel and -be guided by it as to my future course,” said Jennie, turning -to her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; tell every word you know,” replied Jimmy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Jennie told the whole horrible story—of her secret -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>marriage—of which her parents had heard before—of the -many devices by which her husband had kept her away -from her parents, even after they had received her penitent -letter, and forgiven her, and invited her and her bridegroom -to visit them; of their wanderings through Europe, stopping -at the great gambling centers; of his abandonment of her; -or her pursuit of him over land and sea; of their meeting at -night in the streets of New York, just when he was on the -eve of marriage with another woman; of his fright at her -appearance, his instant repudiation of her, and their bitter -altercation, which ended in his stabbing her and leaving her -for dead on the sidewalk of the deserted street,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“In the dead waste and middle of the night.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>At this point of the story Mrs. Campbell screamed and -flung her hands up to her eyes as if to shut out the horrible -vision her imagination had conjured up from the words of -Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then there followed a pause in the narrative until Hetty -had recovered herself. Meanwhile the curate sat in grim -silence, like a man who resolves but does not mean to speak.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was Jennie who broke the spell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is the very worst, mamma. I have nothing to tell -worse than this—no, nor half as bad—and you see that it -did not kill me. And now what I have to tell you is mostly -a pleasant experience; for when I recovered consciousness, -which was after many hours, I found myself on a nice, white -bed in a pleasant room, with the sweetest, kindest woman’s -face, like an angel’s face, bending over me, and my new-born -baby lying beside me. Yes; my wound had been in the -flesh of my left breast, shocking me into a swoon, but not -fatal—as he had supposed it to be—and not even dangerous. -Under some anæsthetic—I suppose, though I do not know—my -wound had been dressed, and my baby born, and I -awoke in such a heaven of peace and good will, with my -precious baby by my side, and with angels of mercy all -about me, that, mamma, every vestige of anger against my -husband for all his wrongs to me vanished from my bosom; -although there remained a shrinking from the thought of -ever meeting him again, and a horror of him that I feel can -never be overcome in this life. As soon as I was well enough -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>to bear the ordeal I was questioned as to my assailant; but -I would not tell who he was. The police searched my room -on Vevay Street, and found his miniature; but it happened -to be the one which had been taken when he was in the -army, in his regimental uniform, and with his military -mustache, and it bore his monogram, K. M. They brought -it to me, but I would have nothing to say to it; nor was it -available to trace Montgomery, for he now wore a citizen’s -dress, had grown a full, long beard, and he bore another -name—a name supported by documentary and direct evidence—a -name which it will surprise you to hear—but let -that pass for the present.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why not tell us now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Wait, mamma, dear. I am following the narrative as -the facts came to my knowledge. The miniature was photographed -and distributed to aid in the identification and -arrest of the suspected party. It did not lead to Montgomery’s -arrest, but to that of an unlucky gentleman who -bore some resemblance to the photograph, especially in the -matter of the martial mustache. This hapless person was -brought before me for identification. The likeness struck -even me at first, and startled me into a compromising exclamation; -but a second glance assured me that I had never -seen the man before in my life; and I told them so. They -did not believe me. And afterward it took the evidence of -several substantial citizens to convince the magistrate before -whom he was brought that the accused man was quite a distinct -individual from Capt. Kightly Montgomery, my supposed -assailant. I say my supposed assailant, dear mamma; -for they could not know him for such, since I would not -give him up to justice; for I wish him no harm, though I -never want to see him in this world.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never!” breathed Hetty with all a mother’s intense -sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I told you in my letter of the great goodness of those -angel women in New York to me, and how, as soon as I -was able to leave the hospital, one of them, dear Mrs. Duncan, -took me home to her own house, where she cared for -me and my baby as—as you do, sweet mamma.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“God bless them!” exclaimed Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I stayed with her while the ladies were preparing my -outfit, and until I took passage on the <em>Scorpio</em>.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>“And you saw no more of that——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The conscientious minister hesitated at a word that any -other man, under the circumstances, would have pronounced -with vim.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie understood him, and answered promptly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, dear papa. I saw no more of him until I was eight -days out at sea. Then we came face to face on deck.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Face to face on deck!’” exclaimed Hetty in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Face to face on deck!’ Then he was actually coming -over on the same ship with yourself?” said the curate, losing -much of his self-control.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa. Yes, mamma. He was coming over on the -same ship with myself. Coming over under his new name, -with his new, deceived bride. They had been married with -the greatest <i><span lang="fr">éclat</span></i> in one of the most wealthy and fashionable -houses in New York. And they were on their wedding -tour.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Jennie gave a detailed account of the meeting between -the recreant husband and the wronged wife on board -the <em>Scorpio</em>. She described his fright, awe, horror on meeting -one whom he believed to be in a pauper’s grave in potter’s -field, with the stigma of suicide on her name, and then -his slow acceptance of the fact that it was herself in the -body, and not an optical illusion created by <i><span lang="la">delirium tremens</span></i>, -that was there before him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I had not dreamed of meeting him there, or anywhere -else on earth,” said Jennie; “but when I saw him before -me, so unexpectedly, I was calmer than he was. I bade him -leave me and avoid me, and told him that I should not -trouble him while we were, unfortunately, on the ship together, -but that I should tell you my whole story and take -your advice as to my future course.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You did wisely so far,” said the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I told him you were to meet me at Liverpool.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He had taken tickets for Liverpool, but he got off, with -his party, at Queenstown.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah!” breathed the curate, “that was prudently done. -But now, my child, tell me the alias under which this man -is now traveling, and which you said would surprise us very -much?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dear papa, first of all, will you please to tell me how -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>much you learned of Kightly Montgomery’s true history -when you undertook to investigate the antecedents of the -young officer who had run off with your daughter?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear. There was no mystery about him. I -went to the colonel of his regiment, and learned that he -was the son of the late General the Honorable Arthur Montgomery, -who was so distinguished in the Indian war, the -grandson of the late and the nephew of the present Earl of -Engelmeed, and a disgrace to his ancestry and relatives; -and that he had held a commission in the—Regiment of -Foot, but had been court-martialed and dismissed the service -for ‘conduct unworthy of an officer and a gentleman.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you are sure that he is really Kightly Montgomery—that -that is his real name?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As sure as that James Campbell is my own,” said the -curate. “And now, will you tell me what name he passed -under in America, and why he dropped his own?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, papa; the name under which he passed in New -York; the name under which he claims the richest estate in -Yorkshire; the name under which he married Miss Lamia -Leegh, of New York; the name under which he sailed in -the <em>Scorpio</em> for Liverpool, is——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes? Well?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Randolph Hay, of Haymore!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Great Heaven, Jennie!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good Lord, Jennie!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>These exclamations burst simultaneously from the lips of -Jimmy and Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, mamma! Yes, papa! It is true as truth. Your -landlord and patron, the new Squire of Haymore, for whose -home-coming with his bride all these gorgeous preparations -have been made, is no other than my husband, your son-in-law, -ex-captain of Foot, Kightly Montgomery, who metaphorically -fled from before your face by landing at Queenstown, -to avoid meeting you at Liverpool.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Hetty! Hetty!” said the curate, appealing to his -wife, “what is this world coming to?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To judgment one of these days, Jimmy, according to -your own preaching! ‘Reck your own read,’ Jimmy. And -take comfort, as I do, that whatever has been, or is, or is to -be, we have our darling daughter and her babe safe at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>home!” paid Hetty, closing her arm around Jennie’s waist -and squeezing her fondly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And what a complication! The scoundrel—Heaven -forgive me, the word slipped out!—the man slunk off the -steamer at Queenstown for fear of meeting me at Liverpool, -and now he is walking unaware into my very arms!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I don’t believe that your arms will fold him in a -very fond embrace!” exclaimed Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If they had but the strength I fear it would be in the -grizzly bear’s hug, or the boa constrictor’s crush!” exclaimed -the curate, gasping.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But the mad audacity of his coming here, where you -are! I don’t understand it,” said Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, he does not dream that I am here! How -should he? He thinks that we are all at Medge, on the -south coast, with the length of England between us and -Haymore!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So! I forgot that! What shall you do, Jimmy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nothing at present; but wait for his coming; then I -will confront him and expose him to the lady he has deceived -and feloniously married. Meanwhile, Hetty and -Jennie, my dears, breathe not a word of this secret to any -one, whoever he or she may be. The effrontery of the man -in calling himself Randolph Hay, and claiming the Haymore -estates, is nothing less than insanity! And the credulity -of lawyers in allowing his claim is past belief!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, but, my dear father, he had piles and piles of documents, -and no end of direct testimony besides! I heard all -about Mr. Randolph Hay’s appearance and claim to the -Haymore estates, and his engagement to Miss Leegh from -Mrs. Duncan, before I ever discovered that the claimant -and bridegroom-elect were identical with my own recreant -husband.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Forged or stolen documents, Jennie. And suborned and -perjured witnesses! That is the story of his claim, Jennie. -But breathe not a word to any one of this affair! Let the -tenants and the villagers go on with their preparations for -a grand fête. Let Capt. Kightly Montgomery and his bride -come on in triumph to enjoy it! The higher the flight the -heavier the fall for him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But the poor lady! She was one of those who helped -me, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>“I am sorry for her! But, even for her sake, the man -should be exposed and punished. She must not live with -him in sin!” said the curate. Then, after a pause, “I cannot -comprehend how he dares to come to England! One -would think that he would be afraid of being recognized. It -is true that he believes this family to be on the south coast. -True, also, that he knows the regiment to which he lately -belonged to be in India, so that there is no danger of his -meeting with any of his late fellow officers, but still it is -always possible that he may be recognized and exposed.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa, you do not know what a change the full beard, -and a difference in the parting of his hair, has made in -him,” said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, besides, did we not hear that the new squire does -not intend to reside in England for some years to come? -Did not some one say that he was only coming here to make -a sort of triumphal entry upon his paternal land, and then, -after liberally treating all his tenants and the villagers, he -was to leave on extended travels?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! yes! I believe we did hear something of the -sort. I suppose the fellow thinks he can safely come here -with his bride to gratify his pride and vanity, by exhibiting -her and himself in a triumphal entry, after the manner of -royal personages! I dare say he thinks himself secure in -doing that. But he does not know the Nemesis that is waiting -for him! He does not dream that he will exchange triumph -for shame, luxury for torture, and Haymore Hall and -fox-hunting for Portsmouth Isle and penal servitude!” exclaimed -the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then rising, he said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I must go and write my sermon. And this has given me -some new ideas for it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And when he left the room Hetty and Jennie both knew -that the sermon in question would be likely to deal more -with the terrors of the law than with the mercies of the -Lord.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XIV<br> <span class='large'>COMING EVENTS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The autumn days passed calmly at the parsonage of Haymore. -The curate had his own care, but he kept it to himself. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>On that morning succeeding Jennie’s arrival, when -Hetty had observed traces of unusual disturbance on the -brow of her Jimmy and had ascribed it to the effect of -some distressing deathbed scene of some parishioner -and therefore had forborne to question him, the cause of the -curate’s uneasiness was just this: He had, by that morning’s -mail, received a letter from his rector at Cannes, -speaking hopelessly of his own illness and predicting an -early and fatal issue.</p> - -<p class='c009'>James Campbell would not disturb his wife and daughter -with this news, though it troubled him deeply and for more -reasons than one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the first place, he felt a warm affection for the venerable -rector who had been his father’s classmate at Oxford, -and who had remembered him when he could do him a -service and put him into his present position.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the second place, should the rector die soon, his successor -would be appointed by the Squire of Haymore and -would naturally dismiss him, James Campbell, from his -curacy. And he and his family would have to go forth in -the world, homeless, moneyless and almost friendless, in -midwinter. What prospect lay before the three but destitution -and indebtedness—practically, first, to go into the -cheapest lodgings they could find; then to go into debt for -their daily food as long as he might be able to get credit.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And after that—what?</p> - -<p class='c009'>He did not know.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Of course, he would try to get work again—another curacy, -or a tutorship, or a secretaryship. But Jimmy knew -by all his past experience and observation how difficult, how -almost impossible it was for a man in his position, once out -of employment, ever to get in again. If he could only know -who was to be the successor of his dying rector, he might, -at a proper time, try to gain his favor to be made his curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Well—he thought—“while he preacheth to others he -must not himself be a castaway.” As Hetty had told him, -he must “reck his own read.” He must do the best he could -and leave the result to divine Providence. If he could only -hold his present position. What a commodious house he had -for his dear ones! What an affluent garden! What a -spacious glebe! What a lovely home, taken altogether! -What a paradisal one for his family! If he could only retain -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>it by any amount of work—by doing double duty, tenfold -duty in the parish! He would not shrink from any -labor, any hardship, to retain this refuge for his beloved -ones, he thought. Then his conscience reproached him—he -was thinking too much of his own, too little of his parish; -and besides, the idea of remaining in this sweet home was -but a dream, for if even the successor of his dying rector -should favor him so far as to retain him in the curacy, he -could not continue to reside in the rectory—where, of -course, the new rector would take up his abode—but would -have to find a small house in the village suitable to his small -salary as a curate. But even this last favor was highly improbable. -The new rector would have some young clerical -friend whom he would take as his curate. They always did, -he remembered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is there much sickness or suffering in the parish, Jimmy?” Hetty -asked one day when they happened to be alone -in the parlor together, Jennie being in her bedroom with -her baby, and Elspeth in the kitchen over her cooking.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sickness? Why, no! Why do you ask?” inquired the -curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is there any distress, then?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, no! They are all unusually well just now, and -very hilarious over the prospect of the arrival of their new -squire and his bride and all the high jinks of their reception. -Why did you ask such questions, Hetty?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because, Jimmy, you always look as solemn as a -hearse!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do I? Well, in view of coming events, I cannot be expected -to look very merry, can I, Hetty?” he inquired, -rather evasively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You refer to the expected arrival of the fraudulent -claimant and bigamous husband, and your duty to strike -him down,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘Even in his pitch of pride.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>But I don’t see why that should make you look so solemn. -And Jennie home, too! And the dear baby! Oh, Jimmy, -if you cannot appreciate the blessings around you and be -grateful and happy in the midst of them, the Lord help -you! though He certainly has a discouraging job of you, -just now!”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>“I preach to my people and weary them, no doubt. You -preach to me and—avenge them!” laughed the Reverend -James.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I am glad to see you laugh, even if it is at my -expense,” said Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What are you two quarreling about?” inquired Jennie, -who had put her baby to sleep and now entered the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As to which is the best preacher, your mother of myself,” -answered the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, mamma! out and out! I have often wished I could -hear her in the pulpit!” laughed Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That settles it! Hetty, you have gained the point!” -said the Rev. James, as he strolled out of the parlor into -his study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His wife’s words had not been without their effect. He -was just now surrounded with such bright blessings, living -in such an atmosphere of love, peace, health, comfort, and -happiness that nothing could be added to their blessedness; -yet their very perfection troubled him, lest they should not -be permanent. He could not enjoy this blessed time, because -next month or next year might bring a change which -might be for the worse.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Why, what base thanklessness and faithlessness was this! -While he “preached to others” he was himself “a castaway.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he resolved that he would reform all this. He would -take no anxious care for the future. He would do the best -he could and leave the rest to the Lord.</p> - -<p class='c009'>From that day he presented a more cheerful aspect to his -family.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The leading parishioners began to call on his daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Partly from hearsay and partly from inference, they had -got a mixed opinion about the status of the young woman. -She was the wife—so they Lad heard—of one Capt. Kightly -Montgomery, son of the late General the Honorable Arthur -Montgomery, and grandson of the late and nephew of the -present Earl of Engelwing; that the captain was now, of -course, with his regiment in India, and that his young wife -had come home with her infant on a long visit to her father, -because the climate of India was so fatal to young children -of European parentage.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>Under these mingled impressions of truth and error they -called to pay their respects to their pastor’s daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>From the village there came Mrs. and the Misses Leach, -the doctor’s wife and daughters; Mrs. Drum, the lawyer’s -mother, and the Misses Lesmore, the draper’s sisters, and -several widows and maidens living on their annuities. From -the country came Lady Nutt, of Nuttwood, the widow of a -civil engineer who had been knighted for some special merit -by the queen; the three Misses Frobisher, “ladies of a certain -age,” co-heiresses of Frobisher Frowns, a queer and -gloomy mansion on the moor, which stood against a bank -crowned with dark evergreen trees that bent over the roof -of the house, like towering brows on a human face—thence -I suppose the quaint if not forbidding name.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These were all. Others of the county gentry belonging to -that neighborhood were absentees.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie as well as her mother was much pleased with the -hearty, homely, cordial manners of these Yorkshire country -people. But the better she liked the more she dreaded them!</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, mamma!” she said, “I fear they cannot know my -real position here! They cannot know that I am a forsaken -wife! Why, yesterday old Lady Nutt patted my head and -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘I can feel for you, my dear. I had a niece in the H. E. -I. C.’s service, and she had to come home with her young -children and leave them here with their grandmother while -she went back to him. Do you intend to stay here with your -child, or leave it here with your parents and join the captain -in India?’</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, mamma, in all innocence the dear old lady asked -me that question! And my cheeks burned like fire as I answered -her the truth and said, ‘I intend to stay here with -my baby, my lady.’ She said, ‘That is right,’ and kissed me -and went away before you came in.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She is a good old soul,” was Hetty’s only comment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, mamma, but you have missed the point I wished to -make. It is so embarrassing to have people call on me and -make remarks that I must either correct by telling them -plainly how I am situated, or else that I must pass unnoticed, -as if they were true, and so, as it were, silently indorse -a false view.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, I don’t see how you can help yourself. You -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>cannot blow a trumpet before you proclaiming to all and -sundry the wickedness of your husband in deserting you, -his lawful wife, and marrying, feloniously, another woman! -You cannot even tell that to your visitors in confidence. It -would not become you to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, mamma, dear, I cannot; but some day some visitor -will innocently ask me some straightforward, plain question, -which will require an answer, involving a confession -of my real position. Oh! what shall I do in such a case?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear child, wait until that day comes and that question -is asked. That will be time enough to worry about it. -Jennie! the secret of peace is the practice of faith. Do your -present duty, bear your present burden, enjoy your present -blessings, and leave the future to the Lord. You have nothing -to do with it. For you it has not even an existence,” -said Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Early in December news came in a letter from Mr. Randolph -Hay, in Paris, to his bailiff, Mr. John Prowt, announcing -the return of the squire, with his wife and a party -of friends, to spend the Christmas holidays at the Hall. -The house was to be made ready for them by the fifteenth of -the month.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again all the estate, all the village and all the surrounding -country were agog with anticipations of the free festivities -that should glorify the triumphal entry of the new -squire upon his paternal estate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Every one who came to call at the rectory talked of nothing -but the expected event.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the next Sunday morning the Rev. Mr. Campbell -preached an awful warning from the text:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit -before a fall.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And in the afternoon he preached a similar jeremiad -from another text:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading -himself like a green bay tree.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yet he passed away, and lo! he was not; yea, I sought -him, but he could not be found.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the course of the week there came dire news to the -parish. A telegram from his attendant physician in Cannes -announced to Mr. Campbell the death of his rector, the -Rev. Dr. Orton, and added that his body would be brought -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>to the rectory to be interred under the chancel of the Haymore -church.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Rev. James Campbell had been prepared for this -blow for many weeks, or at least he thought he had been so; -yet when it fell it nearly overwhelmed him. He was grieved -for the loss of his friend and he was perplexed for his -household. At first he did not know what to do at all. He -was not a man of resources. Should he immediately vacate -the rectory with his family, and go to the village tavern, -horrid, beery place, with a bar and taproom, or should he -seek lodgings in the village, dreadful, little, stuffy rooms, in -such a place, or should he remain at the rectory until the -arrival of the family with the remains of the deceased?</p> - -<p class='c009'>At the church he must remain, of course; but at the rectory -when the family of the late rector were returning with -his remains.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The family of the late rector, by the way, consisted of an -aged widow and a maiden daughter, both of whom were -with him at Cannes, and two unmarried sons, one a professor -at Oxford, and the other a popular preacher in London. -The curate consulted his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Telegraph the widow and know her will before you take -any step,” was Hetty’s advice, and Jimmy acted upon it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In a few hours came a courteous answer from Miss Orton, -saying, in effect, that Mr. Campbell was by no means to disturb -himself or his family. That the delicate condition of -the widow’s health must prevent her from leaving a sunny -climate for a frosty one at this severe season; that the -daughter would stay with her mother; that the remains of -the deceased rector would be accompanied by his two sons, -and taken directly from the train to the chancel of the -church, where the second funeral services would be held on -Friday, at 4 P. M. (the first having been held at Cannes), -immediately after which the sons would leave for London -and Oxford. So the curate’s family need not be disturbed -in the rectory until the appointment of the new rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Until the appointment of the new rector!’ How long -reprieve would that be?” inquired the curate. And then he -blamed himself for his selfishness in thinking so much of -his own and his family’s interests, when he should be thinking -only of his departed friend.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Friday morning the parish church at Haymore was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>decked in solemn funeral array to receive the remains of its -rector. The pulpit, altar and chancel were draped with -crape. Places of business and schools were all closed for -the day, and all the parishioners filled the church, many in -deep mourning, and all the others with some badge of -mourning on their dresses.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The wife and daughter of the curate sat in the rectory -pew. There, later, they were joined by the two sons of the -deceased rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate, in full vestments, waited the arrival of the -casket, and, book in hand, went to meet it at the church -door, through which, upon a bier of ebony, covered with a -pall of black velvet, it was borne by six bearers, and marshaled -it up the aisle and before the chancel, repeating the -sublime words of our Lord:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am the resurrection and the life. He that liveth and -believeth on me shall never die. And he that believeth on -me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the bier, with the casket, was set down before the -altar, and the chief mourners—the two sons of the deceased, -who had followed it—had taken their seats in the rectory -pew, then the funeral services, conducted by the curate, -went on to their solemn ending.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At the close the parishoniers came out of their pews in -an orderly manner, and passing on from the right to the left -before the casket, took their last look at the mask of their -deceased pastor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At last the door of the crypt below the chancel was -opened, and the pallbearers bore the casket down the narrow -stairs and laid it in the leaden coffin and lifted it to the -stone niche prepared to receive it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the “dust to dust” was spoken, and the minister -came up again, went to the altar, pronounced the benediction, -and so dismissed the congregation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As the two sons of the late rector came out of their pew -they met and shook hands with the curate, but declined his -invitation to the rectory, saying that they were about to -return immediately to Cannes, to remain with their widowed -mother for the few days in which they would absent -themselves from their professional duties.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So they took leave of the curate and his wife and daughter, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>entered a carriage that was waiting, and drove off to -their train.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate, leaving his parishioners talking together in -groups in the churchyard, while the sexton was closing up -the church, followed his wife and daughter through the gate -in the wall that divided that cemetery from the rectory -grounds.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He went directly to his study to compose himself before -joining his wife and daughter in the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But what he found there did not tend to his composure. -A letter, with a Paris postmark, was lying on the table. He -dropped into a chair and took it. At first he thought it -must be from Kightly Montgomery, whom he knew to be -flourishing in Paris under the name of Randolph Hay; but -a moment’s reflection assured him that the false claimant -was not likely to know of the accident of James Campbell’s -temporary charge of the Haymore parish.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He opened the letter, glanced at the signature, and saw -that it was not a stranger’s, and then read as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Paris</span>, December 13, 187—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>Reverend and Dear Sir</span>: I learned with extreme grief -a few days ago of the lamented death of the late honored -rector of Haymore. I immediately came over to the city to -see my brother-in-law, Mr. Hay, and apply to him for the -living which is in his gift. He has been pleased to bestow -it on me. My induction will date from the first of January -next. I do not wish to inconvenience you, but I should be -obliged if you could vacate the rectory in time to have the -house prepared for my reception. Mr. Randolph Hay and -his wife will be going to Haymore Hall for the Christmas -holidays with a party of friends, of which, at his invitation, -I have the happiness to make one. We shall, therefore, soon -meet at Haymore. With best respects to Mrs. Campbell, I -remain, dear sir, very truly yours,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Cassius Leegh</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, my beloved helpless ones! What will become of you -now?” moaned the curate, covering his eyes.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XV<br> <span class='large'>THE CURATE’S TROUBLE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>After brooding over this disastrous letter for a long -hour the curate summoned enough courage to arise and go -to his wife and take counsel with her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was, indeed, a trouble that he dared not keep from -her, even to spare her from anxiety; for it was absolutely -necessary that they should take immediate measures for removal -from the rectory and settlement in lodgings somewhere -in the town before the arrival of the new incumbent; -or, so at least it seemed to the curate in his dismayed state -of mind.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He went directly into the back parlor, where the fire was -burning cheerfully in the grate, the tea table was set, and -Hetty resting in her low rocking-chair on the rug.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is Jennie?” inquired the curate, dropping into -another chair beside his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In her bedroom, putting her baby to sleep,” replied -Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I am glad the child is not here just now. I have -bad news to tell you, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Eh? Bad news? What is it, Jimmy? But, dear me, -don’t look so dreadfully cast down! It cannot be such awfully -bad news, since you, I, Jennie and the baby are all -safe and sound in the house. But what, then, is your bad -news?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have lost my position here, and we shall have to leave -the rectory,” replied Mr. Campbell in a tone of despair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let me take a look at you?” said his wife, rising, giving -him her hand, helping him to his feet, and surveying him -all around. “Well, I don’t see that you have lost a limb, or -any mental or bodily faculty, that you need look so woebegone! -As for losing your position, of course you lost that -when the old rector died; and as for leaving the rectory, we -all knew that we should have to do that.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, but not so soon. We shall have to vacate by the -first of January.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, that gives us plenty of time to choose new lodgings. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>I would not ‘fash my beard’ about that, if I were -you, Jimmy! But why must we move by that time?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because my successor, or rather Dr. Orton’s successor, -is appointed.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Already!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, already.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Upon my word, there has been but little time lost! And -you have received notice to quit?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, in a letter from the new incumbent, which I found -lying on my study table when I came in from the church.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who is he, then?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Who is he?’ That is the very worst of all. Do you -remember that fellow, Cassius Leegh, who used to come to -Medge parsonage long ago and fasten on us for weeks?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should think so!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He was the son of a small shopkeeper in the borough, -London, studied for the ministry as a matter of pride and -ambition; but, morally and spiritually, as unfit for the pulpit -as a man can well be! I do not know how he has contrived -to get himself inducted into this living, except upon -the basis that he and the new squire are birds of a feather!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Stop!” exclaimed Hetty as a sudden light dawned on -her mind—“I understand it all perfectly now! Don’t you -know that this man, this so-called new squire of Haymore, -married in New York a young lady by the name of Leegh?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I paid no attention to the name of the lady,” replied -the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, naturally I did, being a woman, you know. And -the bride’s name was Leegh! And surely you have heard -Cassius Leegh speak of his beautiful sister Lamia, who was -taken up by a wealthy New York family?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why—yes—certainly!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is it, then. This man Leegh, no doubt, sought out -his brother-in-law and put in his plea for the living, even -before Dr. Orton was dead, and so he has secured it, and -lost no time in warning you out. But I wonder if he happened -to mention your name to the ‘squire,’ for if so, the -said squire, finding out that you were here, would scarcely -venture to set foot within the place until you should be -gone.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No,” said Mr. Campbell emphatically; “knowing the -man as well as I do, I can say most positively that he has -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>never mentioned my name to his patron, or even alluded to -the fact that the late Dr. Orton left a temporary substitute -to fill his pulpit, when he himself went away for his health, -lest, you see, the knowledge of this fact should cause the -squire to take more time in appointing Dr. Orton’s successor. -Don’t you see?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes. To leave the absent squire to believe that the parish -of Haymore was entirely destitute of a pastor, would, of -course, hasten the patron, who wishes the good opinion of -his people, to appoint an incumbent, and the most natural -thing would be to appoint his brother-in-law. I wish he -were a better man.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So do I, with all my heart!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well! we are in Heaven’s hands. And as we must clear -out by the first of January, and get into new lodgings somewhere -or other, I will go out the first thing after breakfast -to-morrow morning to look them up,” said Hetty cheerfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Lodgings in this town!” ruefully grunted the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They needn’t be in this town. There are, no doubt, -plenty of farmhouses in the surrounding country where we -may get them very cheap, and very wholesome and pleasant.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; but how are we to pay, even for the cheapest?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jimmy Campbell! You a minister of the gospel, and -have no more faith than to ask such a question! If you -have lost your position here, and if we must leave the pleasant -rectory, still we are three able-bodied people, who, if -we do the best we can, and work at any honest thing our -hands may find to do, will be helped by the Lord, and will -do very well and pay our way.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Hetty, my dear, you have had no experience in a -bitter struggle with the world!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If I have not, it is well, perhaps, that I should have. -And I am ready to engage in the struggle, though I do not -see why it need be a bitter one, but just a healthful one.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You have a healthful nature, dear, that is certain. As -for me, I sometimes think I am falling weak in body and -in mind,” sighed the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, no, dear Jimmy; not weak, only overworked and -weary. Why, you have not had a vacation for eighteen -years, to my certain knowledge. So long a strain might -have made an idiot or a ‘damp, unpleasant corpse’ of any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>man less strong and brave than yourself,” said the wife with -affectionate fervor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It helps me to see your faith in me, dear,” he sighed as -he took her hand and pressed it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As for me, Jimmy, I am glad that you will be obliged -to rest for a few weeks or months. Don’t doubt. You must -rest. It is our turn now. Mine and Jennie’s. We must -work.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You! What in this world could you do?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A good many things. We—Jennie and I—could teach -English and French, music and drawing, to young ladies, or -A B C’s to little children. Failing that, we could take in -dressmaking or plain sewing. Failing that, I could go out -as sick nurse, and Jennie could do up fine laces.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hetty, you talk wildly.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all. Unless you preach wildly. I am only -going to put into practice what you preach. You tell the -artisans and agricultural laborers that work is worship.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I would not mind your teaching——” slowly began the -curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course you would not,” promptly assented his wife; -“and I should prefer it. Teaching is, conventionally, considered -a very ‘genteel’ occupation for a poor lady. And -for that, and a few other unworthy reasons, I would rather -teach than do anything else. But if I cannot get teaching to -do I hope I am Christian enough to take whatever work I -can get, whether it should be dressmaking, plain sewing, -sick nursing, or—washing and ironing. There! Even -that! I am ashamed of myself for even preferring a ‘genteel’ -occupation to an humble one which is equally useful. -But I won’t let my feelings govern me in this; and so sure -as you have to leave your situation here, you shall take a rest -after twenty years’ hard labor, and Jennie and I will go to -work at whatever we can get to do.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hetty, you amaze and distract me! You do, indeed!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look here, Jim. I have not kept my eyes shut all my -life, and this is what I have seen—many unsuccessful professional -‘gentlemen and ladies,’ who have not talent enough -to climb where ‘there is more room higher up,’ or even to -keep their footing on the level where they were born, but -yet who will struggle, slip, flounder, suffer and sin where -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>they are rather than take a step ‘lower down,’ as they would -consider it, but where there is also ‘more room.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t quite follow you, Hetty.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is what I mean: Take an illustration. A man -may be an unsuccessful lawyer, but his knowledge of law -would make him so much better a clerk that his chances of -employment in that capacity would be much greater than -those of other competitors. Another man may fail as a minister, -but he might make all the better schoolmaster. A -woman may fail as a teacher, but succeed as a nurse. And -what I would both inculcate and practice is this: That -when man or woman fails in the line of life they have been -born into or chosen for themselves, and when they have -neither the power to rise above the level or to keep their -footing upon it, let them not give up in despair or struggle -in vain, but step frankly down to an humbler and honester -position. There is always some work of some sort to be got. -He who said ‘Six days shalt thou labor’ will give work to -every hand willing to take it, though it may not be the kind -of work their pride would like best. As for me and my -daughter, whatever our ‘hands find to do, we will do it with -our might,’ whether we like it or not.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, my dear, do you really not care about leaving this -beautiful home?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Under the circumstances, I should not care to stay, even -if we could. Should you? Reflect. The new squire will be -here in a few days. You will have to denounce him as an -impostor, a fraudulent claimant, a bigamous bridegroom. -But it would take time to prove these charges. Could you -stay in the parish and preach in the church during that -time with any sort of peace to us all? No. Better -that we should go away, and the sooner we go the -better.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, I shall easily prove the fellow to be a bigamist; -but as his crime was committed in the United States -of America, I cannot prosecute him for it here in England. -Neither can I prove him to be a fraudulent claimant. I -have been turning that matter over in my mind, and I do -not even know that he is one.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What!” exclaimed Hetty with wide-open eyes. “You -do not know him to be a fraudulent claimant when you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>know that his name is Kightly Montgomery, and that he -calls himself Randolph Hay?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“See here, my love. I know nothing of the conditions of -inheritance that rule this estate. I know nothing of the -history of the family or their intermarriages with other -families. How should I, coming here a stranger from the -south of England?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should think it could not require much experience to -teach you that when a man’s name is Kightly Montgomery -and he calls himself Randolph Hay, he is a liar, swindler -and an impostor.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But consider, dear, he may he next of kin and heir-at-law, -and his name now have been legally changed as the -condition of his inheritance. His mother or his grandmother -may have been born a daughter of Hay, of Haymore. -The estate may have ‘fallen to the distaff,’ as it is called—that -is, to the female line, and so the heir through that line -might be obliged to take the family name as the condition -of his heirship. Now do you see?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I see what you mean. But your theory has so -many ‘mays’ that it won’t do. As for me, I prefer to think -the villain a fraudulent claimant as well as a bigamous -bridegroom.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were interrupted by a ring at the doorbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell went to answer it. It was his custom always, -when at home, to do so, to save the steps of the rectory’s -one elderly servant-woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was a hanging lamp in the little hall between the -parlor and the study that gave but a subdued light. They -had no gas, and oil was dear, and economy necessary.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell opened the door, expecting to see no one -but the little old sexton. He saw, instead, the tallest and -finest looking athlete he had ever seen in or out of a circus; -but he could not distinguish his features.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Rev. Mr. Campbell?” said the stranger interrogatively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is my name. What can I do for you?” inquired -the curate, who, now that his eyes had got used to the obscurity, -saw that the collossus was clothed from head to heel -in an outlandish costume of dressed buckskin trimmed with -fur, and that his stature was heightened, and his face -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>shortened by the tall fur cap he wore pulled low down over -his forehead and ears, for the night was cold.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My name is Longman—Samson Longman, at your service, -sir. I have been directed by the people at Chuxton to -come to you, sir, for information concerning one Elizabeth -Longman, widow——” The speaker’s voice trembled and -broke.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your mother!” said the curate gravely. “She is well -and happy as she can be, without the son she is always -pining for and praying for.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Heaven be praised for that! And may the Lord forgive -me. Where is she, sir, if you please?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“With us here in the house, our cherished housekeeper, -almost our mother——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank the Lord! Can I see her, sir, now, at once? I -have come a long way to ask her forgiveness at last, and to -stay with her forever.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come into my study. We must prepare her for the sight -of her son, for although she seems to be always expecting -you, yet the sudden meeting might be too much for her,” -said the curate as he closed the front door after the entrance -of his visitor and led the way into the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, Mr. Longman, sit down here at my desk and write -a letter to your mother. It need be only a line or so, to -give me the means of breaking the glad tidings safely to -her ears,” said Mr. Campbell as he turned up the light of -the study lamp and placed a chair for the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman obeyed like a child, and sat down and wrote his -letter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will that do?” he inquired as he put the sheet of paper -into the curate’s hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes! that will do very well. Now put it into an envelope -and seal and direct it regularly,” said the curate -when he had read and returned the letter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again Longman obeyed like a child, and when he had -sealed the letter, arose and placed it in the hands of the -curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Resume your seat and wait for my return,” said Mr. -Campbell as he left the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He went first into the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty was still sitting there alone. Jennie was still with -her baby in the bedroom.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>“Who was that, Jim? A man come to serve you with a -writ of eviction?” inquired Hetty mischievously.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hardly, my dear. But I am sure you will be happy to -hear who it was.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who was it, then?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Elspeth Longman’s prodigal son returned.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh-h-h, Jim!” exclaimed Hetty, jumping up, her face -perfectly radiant with benevolent delight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear. And now, if you please, I will take you to -see him in the study, where you can talk to him while I go -and break these ‘glad tidings of great joy’ to the poor, long-suffering -mother.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! I would love to go! What is the boy like?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Boy?’ ‘Like?’ He is like the Apollo Belvedere, or -like the Colossus of Rhodes. A superb, a stupendous fellow. -But all dressed in hides like a North American Indian, or -a prehistoric Norseman. But come and see!” said Mr. -Campbell, leading the way to the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty followed, now half anxious, half afraid to see the -savage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As they entered Longman, seeing the lady, arose, bowed -and handed a chair with so much ease, dignity and grace -that Mrs. Campbell was surprised, pleased and reassured.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Longman, this lady is my wife. She will entertain -you while I go to your mother,” said the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman bowed more profoundly than before, and murmured -something to the effect that he was most honored -and grateful to be permitted to make the lady’s acquaintance; -but the hunter was always shy in the society of gentlewomen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Mr. Campbell, knowing that Hetty could give the -prodigal son more satisfactory information about his mother -in five minutes than any other creature could in five years, -went out and left them together.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He passed through the parlor and opened the kitchen -door. He saw Elspeth sitting before the stove, knitting, -while she waited for her muffins to bake.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you come into the parlor for a moment? I wish to -speak to you, Mrs. Longman,” said the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir,” replied the woman, rising and untying her -kitchen apron, which she took off and hung over the back -of her chair. Then she went into the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>“Take Mrs. Campbell’s rocking-chair while we talk. Save -your back whenever you can, Mrs. Longman.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, sir, it better becomes me to stand in your reverence’s -presence.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pray, sit down. No, but I insist upon it. I have something -to say to you which cannot be said in a minute.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The widow sighed profoundly and sank into the easy-chair. -She thought she knew what was coming. Without -the least intention of eavesdropping, she had heard enough -of the conversation that had that evening passed between -the minister and his wife—and which, by the way, had never -been intended to be concealed—to know that they expected -to leave the rectory under such reverse of fortune as would -compel them to use the closest economy in their domestic -arrangements.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Therefore Elspeth thought that she had been summoned -to the parlor to receive her “warning” or her discharge. -And she felt not so sorry for herself in the prospect of losing -a good home as for the curate and his wife on having to -dispense with her services. She was turning over in her -meek mind the question of how, without seeming presumptuous, -she could offer to remain with them and serve them -without wages, just so long as her strength and also her -clothes and shoes should last, and if they could afford to -keep her even on such easy terms as her board and lodging.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell broke gently in upon her troubled thoughts -by asking her:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Have you ever received any letter from your son since -he has been away, Mrs. Longman?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not one, sir, though I feel sure in my mind that he has -writ to me, maybe many letters, and they have all gone -astray; and then what hurts me worst of all is that he may -think I must have got some of his letters and as I was too -mad at him and too unforgiving to answer any of them. -And I don’t even know where to write to tell him any -better.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But when at last you meet, face to face, then you can -tell him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, sir. And I know that we shall meet again. He -who raised the widow’s son from his bier will hear the poor -old widowed mother’s prayer, and bring her boy back. -Though it seems long! Oh, it seems long! But all the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>while it comforts me to think that if I don’t know where he -is, the Lord does! If I can’t see him, the Lord can! And -I may pray to the Lord for my boy and He will hear me!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How old are you, Mrs. Longman?” was the curate’s next -seemingly irrelevant question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Forty-three, sir; will be forty-four on the thirty-first of -December. But I must look full sixty, my hair is so white, -and my face so thin and wrinkly.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, you have good health, and you Yorkshire people -are long-lived. You may live forty years longer yet—forty -happy years with your son.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, minister! what does your reverence mean? Have -you heard anything? Have you got anything to tell me?” -inquired the mother, startled by something in the curate’s -tone or look, and speaking with repressed eagerness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, something has come. Have you anybody who -would be likely to write a letter to you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nobody in the world, sir, except my boy, and I have -never had a letter from him, as I told you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, a letter has come for you. I did not give it at -first, for fear it might startle you. I think it must be from -your son.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, give it to me, sir, please!—now, this moment!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate handed the letter. The woman seized it, held -it under the light of the lamp and devoured the superscription -with ravenous eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! It is his writing! It is his own! Oh, thank -the Lord! Oh, thank the Lord!” she cried, falling on her -knees and sinking her head in the cushion of the chair. -But she soon arose and drew her spectacles from her pocket -and opened the letter and tried to read it; but the words ran -together in dark lines before her disturbed vision, and she -could not decipher them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, sir, be so kind! Read it for me! Please do!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“With pleasure,” said Mr. Campbell. And he took the -letter, and omitting date, read as follows:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘<span class='sc'>My Beloved Mother</span>——’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The darling boy!” ejaculated Elspeth in rapture.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘I have crossed the sea and come back to England——’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is in England! In England! Oh, thank Heaven! -Thank Heaven! Go on, sir! Please go on!” impatiently -exclaimed Elspeth.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>The curate smiled at her impetuosity and continued:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘To see your dear face again, and to beg your forgiveness, -which I know you will grant me, though I know I do -not deserve it——’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, hear the noble fellow! Taking all the blame on -himself, though I was more in fault nor him! But go on, -sir! Pray go on!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘I long to be with you, to stay with you all the rest of -our lives; to work for you, and to try to make you happy -and comfortable, and so atone for all the trouble I have -caused you——’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! the grand son! the noble boy! He will stay with -me all the rest of my life! Oh, that will be joyful!” exclaimed -Elspeth, clapping her hands and breaking into a -camp meeting revival hymn, very appropriate, it is true:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘Oh! that will be joyful!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Joyful! Joyful! Joyful!</div> - <div class='line'>Oh! that will be joyful,</div> - <div class='line in2'>To meet and part no more!’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“It will be like heaven, sir! like heaven! to have my boy -with me all the rest of my life! But do go on, sir! Forgive -a poor mother’s impatience, and read me what else he -says!” she cried, ready to turn from rapture to tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is not much more,” said Mr. Campbell. “Only -this:</p> - -<p class='c013'>“‘Please, dearest mother, if you can pardon me, let me -know when I can come to see you. And believe me your -sincerely penitent and evermore loving and dutiful son,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘<span class='sc'>Sam</span>.’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh! the darling of darlings! the angel of angels! Oh, -please, dear minister, write for me directly, for I never can -hold a pen in the hand that is trembling for joy and blessedness -and gratitude, and tell him to come immediately. But, -no! I will go to him! Where is he? I’ll get the Red Fox -carryall and start for the station immediately. Truly, -where shall I go? Tell me, minister, dear! Look at the -letter! Where is it dated from?” she eagerly demanded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will not have far to go. He is in this village,” said -Mr. Campbell, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>“In this village! Oh! then he is at the Red Fox! Let -me get my bonnet and cloak!” she cried, rising to her feet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is nearer to you than that,” said the minister. Then -he drew the woman’s arm within his own and led her into -the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mother!” exclaimed Longman, starting up and striding -toward her with outstretched arms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, my darling! my darling!” cried Elspeth, and she -fell fainting on his bosom.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So much for the careful breaking of the news.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But she did not swoon to unconsciousness. She almost -immediately recovered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Longman seated her in the large armchair, and -placed himself on the hassock at her feet. She put her arms -over his shaggy head and smiled through her tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come!” said Hetty, laughing. “You and I are <i><span lang="fr">de trop</span></i> -in a room with such a pair of lovers as these!” And she -slipped her hand through her husband’s arm and dragged -him from the room without the reunited pair—so absorbed -in their meeting—seeing them go.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XVI<br> <span class='large'>THE SQUIRE’S ARRIVAL</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Hetty drew her husband back into the cozy parlor, where -they found Jennie waiting alone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I have put the baby to sleep at last! Little witch! -she wanted to laugh and crow and kick all night. Such a -time as I had getting her quiet! But where have you two -been? You look—just as if you had come from a circus!” -said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So we have! or rather from a domestic drama!” exclaimed -Hetty, laughing; and then she told her daughter all -about the sudden return of Samson Longman, and the joy -of his mother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie listened in sympathetic delight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, my dear, you may come in the kitchen and -help me to bring in the tea. Elspeth has forgotten that -there is any such thing as tea in the world. And who can -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>blame her!” exclaimed Hetty as she left the room attended -by her daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was, indeed, nearly an hour beyond their usual tea -time.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The tea was drawn too much, and the muffins were baked -too dry; nevertheless, father, mother, and daughter enjoyed -the refreshment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was a good-sized dining-room in the rear of the -house on the other side of the hall, but for reasons of economy -it was not used in cold weather, as it would require another -fire, the meals being served in the family sitting-room -or parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now, however, as soon as the curate and his family arose -from the tea, his wife said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jimmy, we must be kind. The kindlings and coal are -all laid in the grate of the back room ready for lighting a -fire when required. Do, dear, go and start it; and Jennie -and I will clear off this tea table, and set another in there -for Elspeth and her big boy to take their tea comfortably; -for it is not every day that a prodigal son returns.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you just know how it is yourselves, don’t you, papa -and mamma?” inquired the prodigal daughter, tenderly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, we do; and I will go right off and do as you wish,” -exclaimed the curate merrily as he left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty and Jennie went eagerly to work, and soon cleared -away their own table, and then went and set one in the -dining-room, where the curate had already kindled a good -fire in the grate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty brought out from all the treasures of pantry and -cupboard, and in addition to the substantial fare of cold -beef and ham, cheese, bread and butter, she laid out cake, -honey and sweetmeats.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When all this was done she made a large pot of fresh tea -and set it to draw. Finally she returned to the parlor and -sat down with her husband and daughter in pleasant expectancy -for developments from the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She had not to wait long. Very soon came Elspeth into -the parlor, her eyes shining with happiness, and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you please, sir, Samson—that is my boy—would like -to thank you and say good-evening before he goes away.” -Then noticing for the first time that the tea table had been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>cleared away, she started with a little look of dismay, and -before anybody could speak again, she said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I am so sorry! I clean forgot! I——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t say another word, dear woman. It is all right—quite -right. Jennie and I did all that was necessary, and -took pleasure in doing it. And as for your boy saying -good-night and going away before he has broken bread with -you, that cannot be permitted on any account. There! -take him into the dining-room, where you will find a fine -fire, and a tea table, and a pot of tea simmering on the hob.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am, but you are too good!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nonsense! I’m delighted—we are all delighted! And, -Elspeth, when you have had your tea, bring your boy in to -us while you go upstairs and make him up a bed in the little -spare room next to your own. Do you hear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, ma’am, you are too good! Whatever shall I do to -repay your kindness!” exclaimed the grateful creature, with -eyes full of tears, as she lifted Hetty’s hand and pressed it -to her lips.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do just as she tells you, Mrs. Longman. And say to -your son that we should be pleased to have him remain -here with you until after Christmas. He shall be most cordially -welcome to us all,” added Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“God bless you, sir, for your great kindness; for indeed -it will be a great joy to me to have my boy under the very -same roof with me for a few days, now that he has come -back,” said Elspeth, her wintry face in an April aspect of -smiles and tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, of course, it is a delight to us to be able to contribute -to your happiness, you know,” said Mr. Campbell -cheerily.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth dropped her old-fashioned courtesy and went out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And very soon the three remaining in the parlor heard -the mother and her son going down the passage to the rear -dining-room that was behind the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty and Jennie took their needlework, and Mr. Campbell -picked up the morning paper, which no one had had -time to look at all day long, and began to read to them -items of news.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So an hour passed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The reunited mother and son lingered long in the dining-room, -but at length they came out and entered the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>Longman went at once up to Mr. Campbell and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sir, I thank you very much for the hospitality you have -so kindly proffered me, and which, for my mother’s sake, -I am very happy to accept.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t mention it, Mr. Longman. Have a seat. This -is my daughter, Mrs. Montgomery,” said the curate, rising -and handing a chair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman bowed profoundly to the young lady, and then -dropped into his seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Elspeth was speaking to Mrs. Campbell:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Which room did you say, ma’am, he might have?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Any vacant one you please. The little room next to -your own you might prefer, perhaps,” returned Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, ma’am, I would, thanky, ma’am,” said Elspeth, and -she left the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When did you reach England, Mr. Longman?” inquired -Hetty, to make conversation and set the embarrassed colossus -at his ease.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Only about twenty-four hours since, ma’am. And I -had the honor of traveling in company with the new Squire -of Haymore and his bride, expected by the people in this -neighborhood,” replied Longman, looking down on his own -folded hands, so that he failed to see the effect of his words; -for Mr. Campbell started, Hetty gasped, and Jennie turned -pale.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the conversation that followed was all at cross-purposes, -for Longman came to speak of Randolph Hay, the -only true Squire of Haymore, and his wife, Judith, and of -their crossing the Atlantic Ocean together; while the curate -and his family spoke of Kightly Montgomery, the fraudulent -claimant, and his deceived bride, Lamia Leegh, and of -their crossing the English Channel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Squire of Haymore and his lady are in England, -then?” was the remark with which the curate reopened the -conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir. I had the honor of coming over in the same -steamer with them. We landed yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you left them in London?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Beg pardon, sir, no. We traveled from London together. -We reached Chuxton this afternoon about sunset. We had -to wait there for a conveyance hither, and while we waited, -and Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay and their party took -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>luncheon, I went in search of my dear mother, expecting to -find her there where I had left her, but I heard instead that -she was living at the rectory with your family. So then I -told Mr. Randolph Hay, and he very kindly offered me a -seat in his carriage, and so brought me on here. I rode to -the Hall with them, and there left them and walked on -here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And do you mean to say that the squire and his lady -are now really at the Hall?” demanded the astonished curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir, as I said, or should have said, they arrived -to-night a little after dusk.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But,” continued the deeply perplexed curate, “I don’t -understand. The squire and—his lady were to have sent a -telegram from London announcing their approach, and -were expected to make quite a triumphal entry by daylight, -amid the ringing of bells and singing of children, and flinging -of flowers, and all the parade and pageantry that this -season would permit. Prowt, the bailiff, has had his orders -to be in readiness for weeks past, and for days has been -waiting a telegram.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t know how that is, sir. I know that Mr. and -Mrs. Randolph Hay came home very quietly indeed,” replied -Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But was it not a great surprise, not to say shock, to the -servants at the Hall? And were they at all ready for the -squire and—his lady?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think so, sir. I know Mr. Randolph Hay sent a dispatch -to the housekeeper at the Hall, with instructions to -have rooms aired and fires built, dinner prepared, and everything -in readiness to receive himself and his wife this evening. -I know it, sir, for I carried the dispatch to the telegraph -office myself,” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The people will be very much disappointed at missing -the pageantry,” remarked the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not think Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay cared for -display. I am a little surprised that it should have been -thought of in connection with them,” said Longman, reflectively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, man alive, it was by the squire’s own orders, without -the slightest suggestion from anybody here!” laughed -the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>“It was not like him. A more modest and unpretending -gentleman I do not know anywhere in this world!” persisted -Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate repressed an inclination to utter a long, low -whistle; but he did say to himself: “So much for the blindness -of prejudice.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I have just thought of it! I will tell you why I -think the triumphal entry was abandoned!” exclaimed -Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why?” inquired her husband.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, on account of the death of the rector.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! to be sure! that was it; though it was a more -gracious thought than I should have given the man credit -for,” added Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At this moment Elspeth came in, smiling. She had been -absent much longer than they had expected her to be; for -she had not only prepared the little spare bedroom for her -son, but she had washed up all her dishes and done all her -usual evening work. She carried a lighted candle in a low, -broad brass candlestick. She courtesied to the ladies and -gentleman, as was her custom, and then she said to her boy:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, Sam, the room the kind master has given you -is all ready, and I will show it to you if you will come.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Longman arose, bade good-night to his hosts, and -turned to leave the room, when Mr. Campbell said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But perhaps you would like to join us in our evening -service.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman bowed in silence, and resumed his seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said Elspeth brightly. “Every night and morning -since I have been in this house has the minister prayed -for my wandering boy’s return, and now that he has come -we will give thanks.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie arose and got the Bible and prayer book and laid -them before her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the evening service began.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the course of it Mr. Campbell did return “earnest and -hearty thanks” for the restoration of the widow’s son, and -prayed that all wanderers from the spiritual fold of the -Lord might likewise be brought back.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the service was over, Elspeth, after bidding good-night -to her friends, took up her candle and showed her boy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>the way to his bedroom. And soon after the minister and -his wife and daughter retired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next day was one of those benign autumn days that -sometimes revisit us even late in December, to encourage -and help us through the winter. The sky was radiantly -clear and the sun dazzlingly bright. The many evergreen -trees around the parsonage had something like the fresh -verdure of early spring upon them. It was a day that any -healthy person might have enjoyed the outdoor air without -much extra clothing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After breakfast Longman went over to the Hall to see -his friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, standing together at the door, -watched him walking down the walled road that led to the -park gates.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is astonishing,” said the curate, “that so honest a -man as Longman should have such a respect for that villain -Montgomery as he appears to have.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I suppose the young fellow has never seen the villain’s -cloven foot, and men have no intuitions to guide them as -we have, you know,” replied Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then, though the splendor of the day invited them to -remain outdoors, they went inside, each to his or her own -work.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister went to his study to work on his next Sunday -morning’s sermon. Hetty to her linen closet to look -over her stores for mending. Jennie, well wrapped up, to -take her baby, also warmly clad, through the garden walks. -Elspeth to her kitchen to wash up the breakfast service.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister, however, had scarcely got under way with -his manuscripts before the doorbell rang, and he sprang up -to answer it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Prowt, the bailiff of Haymore, stood there.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Could I speak to your reverence a moment, sir?” he -inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly. Come in,” replied Mr. Campbell, and led the -visitor into the study.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, minister,” said the bailiff, as soon as they were -both seated at the writing-table near the window, “it has -come at last. I have got a dispatch from the squire, announcing -his immediate arrival with his bride and his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>brother-in-law, though not with the expected party of -friends.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The curate started, and then passed his hand across his -forehead, as if to clear away a cloud of perplexity. Had -not Longman told him that the squire and his lady had -arrived the night before? And he could not have made a -mistake, because he came with them, and left them at the -Hall. And now the bailiff tells him that he has received a -dispatch, announcing the immediate arrival of the squire -and his party. What did all this mean? At length an explanation -suggested itself, and he spoke upon it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Has not that dispatch been delayed? Should it not have -come yesterday?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, sir! It was dated this morning, and came an -hour ago!” exclaimed the bailiff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Have you got it about you? Would you mind letting -me see it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here it is, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The bailiff drew the paper from his vest pocket and put -it into the hands of the minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell opened it and read:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Langham’s Hotel, London</span>,</div> - <div class='line in12'>“December 15, 18—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>To Mr. John Prowt</span>, Haymore Lodge, Haymore, -Yorkshire: I shall arrive with my wife and brother-in-law, -the Rev. Cassius Leegh, by the one-thirty train, at Chuxton. -Send one comfortable carriage to meet us.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Randolph H. Hay.</span>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell returned the slip of paper to the bailiff and -fell into silence. He could make nothing of it. He was -dumfounded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So you see it is all right, sir,” said the bailiff. “I shall -send the open barouche, as the day is so fine, and with two -footmen, besides the coachman. I suppose they will enter -this town about half-past two o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well,” said the dazed curate, “what do you wish me -to do?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you would give orders to the bell ringers, sir, to be at -their post, and also have the parish school children drawn -up each side the road leading to the park gate——”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>“It is rather an unfavorable season—December—for -children to be parading outdoors,” suggested the minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course, sir, the kids can’t wear the white frocks and -pink sashes and wreaths of flowers on their bare heads, as -they could have done three months ago; but they can wear -their picturesque winter uniform of red cloaks and hoods, -and black woolen stockings and gloves; and as the weather -is so remarkably fine, and the hour just after noon, in the -warmest part of the day, I do not think the exposure will -hurt them. Do you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“N-oo! I do not suppose it will.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then will you kindly see to it, sir, that they are drawn -up in proper array, to sing their songs of welcome and throw -their flowers before the bridal pair?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where will they get flowers at this season of the year?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh!—a—from the conservatories of the Hall, if from -no other place. I will see that they are sent over to the -schoolroom. I think, also, that many of the cottagers have -a few late flowers in their gardens, such as chrysanthemums -and dahlias and——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And do you think, Mr. Prowt, that because a newly married -pair happens to be happy and prosperous, that living -and blooming flowers should be torn from their warm conservatories -and sunny gardens, to be thrown down in the -dirt to perish under carriage wheels, in their honor? I -don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, minister, I never heard of such an objection!” -said the astonished bailiff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, you hear it now. And it might be well for you to -think of it. The custom is a barbarous one, suitable only -to prehistoric savages.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The bailiff stared.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, Mr. Prowt, I wish to say this to you—with -the kindest feelings toward yourself, and with sincere regret -that I must disappoint you—that I cannot and will -not allow the church bells to be rung, or the parish children -to parade, or any single movement to be made in honor -of this incoming bridal pair which it is in my power to -prevent,” said the minister, all the more firmly because so -quietly.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>The bailiff stared in silence, too astonished to speak for -a minute. Then he demanded:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But why, in the name of Heaven, reverend sir, would -you put such an affront upon the new squire and his bride?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I put no affront upon them. I simply decline to show -them any honor whatever, or to allow any one under my -authority to do so,” emphatically responded the minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But this is most amazing, sir. Why, if you please, do -you refuse to honor them?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because I cannot and must not.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yet, about three months ago, when there was first a talk -of the new squire bringing home his bride, there was no one -more interested than yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is true. But since that date circumstances have -come to my knowledge that have changed all my views, and -must change all my actions, toward the incoming squire and -his—lady; circumstances that quite justify me in my present -course of conduct.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“May I ask your reverence what those circumstances -are?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not yet, Prowt. I cannot tell you. To-morrow or next -day the whole parish may know.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I am perplexed. But, reverend sir, I must at least -do my duty, and go over to the Hall to give directions there -for the proper reception of the new squire, and send the -carriage and servants to meet them. It is nine o’clock now, -and they really ought to be off. I hope you do not blame -me, sir, for doing my part.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly not. You must do your duty by your employer,” -said Mr. Campbell kindly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, sir,” said the bailiff, taking up his hat -to go.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-day, Mr. Prowt,” replied the minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Even when the visitor was gone and the curate was alone -he could not return to his manuscript sermon. It was impossible -to concentrate his thoughts on the subject.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, well,” he said at last, “I shall have to take out one -of my old Medge sermons for Sunday morning. It will be -new to these parishioners at least.” And then he closed his -desk, sat back in his armchair and gave himself up to the -problem that was disturbing his mind.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>The dispatch from the squire lay on the table before him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The bailiff had inadvertently left it behind him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell took it up, again read it carefully, and -again passed his hand slowly over his forehead to clear away -the thick cloud of confusion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The situation seemed inexplicable.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no doubt that this dispatch, dated this morning, -signed Randolph Hay, and announcing the arrival of -the squire and of his wife and brother-in-law on this day, -was a perfectly genuine article and a very hard fact.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no doubt, either, that another Randolph Hay, -with his wife and friends, had arrived at Haymore Hall in -company with the indubitable traveling companion and eyewitness -who had reported the fact to the minister’s family.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now what on earth did it all mean?</p> - -<p class='c009'>One Squire of Haymore and his wife at Haymore Hall, -and another Squire of Haymore and his—lady on their way -there!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Would the two parties meet to-day, and if so, what then?</p> - -<p class='c009'>The only possible theory of the situation, as it presented -itself to the minister’s mind, was this, upon which he finally -settled—that the Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay who had arrived -on the preceding evening and were now at the Hall -were the real lord and lady of the manor, and that the so-called -Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay who were expected to arrive -to-day were the fraudulent claimants whom he had taken -them to be.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He had not breathed a syllable of the first arrival to the -bailiff, preferring to keep the matter to himself until he -should see Samson Longman, who had walked over that -morning to Haymore Hall, but would return to the rectory -by midday.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But the backwoodsman came in a little sooner than he -had been expected. He came at once to the study door and -rapped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell bade him enter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman’s face was radiant with merriment, and in his -hand he carried a letter, which he fondled playfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Longman, you have been to see your friends at -the Hall?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Please sit down and tell me all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>Longman settled himself in the largest leather chair, put -his fur cap down on the floor beside him and fondled his -letter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You found the young squire and his wife quite well -after their journey?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite well, sir. And also very much delighted with -their new home, which they saw for the first time by daylight -this morning.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Longman, you are sparkling all over with repressed -amusement. What is the matter with you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Anticipation of an entertainment at the Hall to-day, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think I understand. Do your friends know that there -is another Mr. Randolph Hay and his—lady expected at the -Hall to-day?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, sir,” exclaimed the giant, now bursting into a -storm of laughter, which had to have its full vent before he -could go on with his words. “Yes, sir. The bailiff came -there an hour ago, full of importance, to announce the fact. -He was somewhat amazed to find the young squire and his -wife already in possession. But they are quite ready for -the reception of the newcomers, sir, and that is the entertainment -I anticipate. Here, sir, is a letter the young -squire has intrusted to me to hand you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister took the missive, broke the seal and read:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Haymore Hall</span>, December 15, 18—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>To the Rev. James Campbell</span>, Reverend and Dear -Sir: Although I have not the honor of your personal acquaintance, -yet I have heard enough of you to engage my -sympathies and compel my respect. Therefore, I hope that -you will forgive me for asking you to do me the favor to -come this evening to the Hall to discuss with me the subject -of the living of Haymore, which it is my privilege and -pleasure to offer you, in the hope that you may do me the -honor to accept it. May I presume, also, to ask you to waive -ceremony, and bring your wife and daughter with you on -this occasion? I have a special reason for this request, -which, when you shall have heard from me, you will find -to be perfectly satisfactory.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“I have the honor to be, reverend sir,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Very respectfully yours, <span class='sc'>Randolph Hay</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>The curate rushed out of the study and into the room -where his wife sat sewing in an avalanche of infirm linen -and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hetty, we need never leave the rectory! I have got the -Haymore living! Read that, and thank the Lord!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XVII<br> <span class='large'>A MEMORABLE JOURNEY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Yes, it was true! Randolph Hay, the rightful heir, was -in full possession of Haymore. He had also entered into -his estate with much more ease than could have been anticipated -either by himself, his friends or his lawyers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>To explain how this happened, a brief summary of events -is necessary.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It will be remembered that Ran Hay, with his young -bride, Judy, and a small party of friends, sailed on November -the 29th from New York by the steamship <em>Boadicea</em>, -hound for Liverpool.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran, Judy and Will Walling had staterooms in the first -cabin; Mike, Dandy and Longman had berths in the second -cabin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This arrangement, on the part of the three last mentioned, -was much against the will of Ran, who would gladly -have provided his brother-in-law and his two friends with -the best accommodations the ship afforded, but that from -very delicacy of feeling toward them he could not offer to -do so. Besides, he knew that all three of these men had -money enough to pay for a first-class passage each, had -they desired it, but that for prudential reasons Dandy and -Longman did not choose to squander their savings in that -needless manner, and that Mike cast in his lot with his two -friends; and so their little party voyaged in the plain but -clean and wholesome second cabin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There could not, however, be much communication between -the three in the first cabin and the three in the second, -though they met occasionally on the common ground of the -forward deck.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here Ran had long talks with his friends, and learned -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>much more of the past history of Dandy and Longman than -he had ever known before.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here, Judy, wrapped from head to heel in her heavy -fur cloak, would often join them, for the weather continued -fine. “Wonderful!—just wonderful!” was the verdict of all -the ship’s passengers; the oldest “salt” declaring that never, -at this season of the year, had he known such weather in -crossing the Atlantic.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Not one of our party suffered from seasickness. The only -effect the voyage seemed to have upon them was an increase -of health, vigor and appetite.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Their ship was rather a slow one, that was all.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a splendid winter morning about the seventh day -out. The sky, of a clear, deep blue, without a single cloud, -and on fire with a sun too dazzling to be seen, overhung a -sea whose waves were like molten sapphires. The ship, with -all her snowy sails spread and filled, was flying on before a -fresh, fair wind.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the forward deck, grouped together, were Ran, Judy, -Mike, Dandy and Longman. The hunter had been telling -his story for the first time to Ran and Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And so you are from Chuxton! Is not that a strange -coincidence? Haymore Hall and hamlet is in the neighborhood -of Chuxton, I think,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“About ten miles off, sir. Chuxton is the nearest market -town and railway station to Haymore,” replied Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, my dear fellow, as you say you would never have -left your native country if you could have obtained employment -to suit you——” Ran said in a modest and hesitating -way.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Among guns and game,” Longman interjected with a -laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Exactly—’among guns and game?—I do earnestly hope -that it may be in my way to suit you. Longman, I know -nearly nothing of my patrimonial estate, but I have heard -my father say that there was no such place for game in all -the North Riding. I hope and trust and pray,” added Ran, -with boyish earnestness, “that I may be able to make you -head gamekeeper at Haymore without injustice to others.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I would not take another man’s place to his hurt, sir,” -said the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know that, good fellow. Nor would I offer you such -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>an effront. But it will hurt no one to make you an extra -keeper at a good salary.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There, now, Longman! D’ye moind that? Isn’t it jist -what I was afther tilling ye!” exclaimed Mike. “Didn’t I -say if Ran, or bigging his honor’s pardin, Misther Hay, -hadn’t a place riddy made to shute ye, he’d crayate one? -D’ye moind?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Something like that,” replied the hunter, laughing. -“But I really do not wish Mr. Hay to make a place for -me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Friends,” said the young squire, “we will leave that -question until we get to Haymore. But in the meantime -don’t distress me by calling me Mr.—anybody! I am Ran -to all my old companions.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ouns! But whatever would the gintry round Haymore -be thinking to hear the squire called be his Christian name, -with divil a handle to it, be the loikes av us?” demanded -Mike, with a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not care what they think! They will soon know -that I and my Judy and my friends came from the mining -camps in the backwoods and mountains of North America, -and that they must not expect more polish from us or more -politeness than neighborly, loving kindness inspires. And -now, Dandy, old friend, what do you intend to do when we -all reach England?” inquired Ran of the old man, who -seemed to have been left out, or to have withdrawn himself -from the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, then, I don’t know, sir! I hevn’t a living soul -belonging to me in the old country except it is my brother’s -orphan child, my niece, Julia Quin. When I left England -she was a good-looking young wench, some seventeen years -old, and was at service in a parson’s family down in Hantz. -She’ll be married by this time, I reckon, with no end of -kids! But, anyways, I’ll look her up, sir, if she is to be -found.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Have you ever heard from her since you left England?” -inquired Judy, breaking into the conversation the first time -for the last half hour, and interested the moment another -woman was brought upon the tapis.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Lor’, no, Miss Judy!—which I beg your pardon. Mistress -Hay; but I do be forgetting sometimes. Neither me -nor mine was ever any great hand at letter writing. And -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>she was doing well at the vicarage, I knowed. And I was -wandering about, seeking of my fortin, which I never yet -found, though I might have found it the very next blow of -my pick, for aught I know, if I had had the parsaverance -to stay, which I couldn’t have after the boys here left, and -so for twenty years I haven’t heard a word of my niece. She -may be dead, poor wench; for death is no respecter of -persons, though she was a fine, strapping, strong wench, -too. Yes, that is so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I hope not. I hope she is alive and well for your sake. -Where did you say you left her at service?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“At the vicarage, ma’am, in my native town, ma’am.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And what town was that?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Medge, ma’am. In Hantz, on the south coast, where I -was born and riz.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy had started at the first mention of Medge. Now -she hastily inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What was the name of the vicar?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“One Rev. Mr. Campbell, ma’am; the Rev. Mr. James -Campbell. He came from Scotland, horridonally; but settled -into the south coast of England. Yes, that was so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>By this time Ran was listening with the deepest interest -to the words of old Dandy, but leaving Judy to sustain the -conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Mr. Quin, we know who he is,” she gayly exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you know, ma’am? Indeed, and how, if you please?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Mr. Quin, it is too long a story to tell you how -now; and besides, it concerns other people that I would -rather not talk about; but this I can tell you, that the Rev. -Mr. Campbell is not now at Medge, but——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is he then, ma’am, if you please to tell me that -I may know where to seek for him? For I shall go to him -first of all to ask after my niece.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is quite at the opposite end of England. He is at -Haymore Rectory, where we are all going.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Lord be good to us! Is that so?” exclaimed Dandy -joyfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, yes! And now, Mr. Quin, if you wish to hear -news of your niece, Julia, you will have to go all the way -to Haymore with us. And I am so glad that we will not be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>separated. It will be so pleasant for us all to go together -to Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, Dandy, old boy, and you must stop with me, you -know, until you find your niece,” added Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And will I see the Rev. Mr. James Campbell himself?” -inquired Quin in some doubt.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course you will. And as servants don’t change places -as often in the old country as they do in the new, it is more -than likely you will find your niece at the rectory, unless she -is married,” said Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Or—dead, poor wench!” added Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, indeed. She’s not dead! I’m certain of it,” exclaimed -Judy, with good-natured but inexcusable presumption.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’ll take that for a prophecy, anyways, ma’am, and believe -into it. Yes, that is so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you will come with us to Haymore, Dandy?” said -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you kindly, sir; I will.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pray, Mr. Quin, stop calling me sir. You are an old -man and I am a young one, almost a boy, and it is not fitting -for you to call me sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Hay, I was brought up into the Church of England, -and teached to be content with that station of life into -which the Lord had called me; likewise, to respect my -pastors and masters, and to honor my sooperioors. And -twenty years’ wandering among the mines haven’t made me -forget them airly lessons, nor yet my good manners, sir,” -said Dandy, with a ceremonious bow, as he lifted his fur -cap from his bald head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Judy, can’t you bring them to reason?” inquired Ran, -with a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sorrow a worrd they’ll listen to meself!” exclaimed -Judy, backsliding into dialect, as she frequently did.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, do as you please, or I’ll make you!” laughed Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And from that hour it was understood that the whole -party should keep together until they should reach Haymore, -instead of separating at Liverpool, as had been first -intended.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The weather continued very fine, though very cold.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the morning of the tenth they reached Queenstown.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There Mr. Walling went on shore and telegraphed to his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>London correspondents, Messrs. Sothoron & Drummond, -Attorneys-at-Law, Lincoln’s Inns Fields, that his client, Mr. -Randolph Hay, and himself would be in London on the -afternoon of the twelfth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The run from Queenstown to Liverpool was as fine as any -preceding part of the voyage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They reached port in the early dawn of the morning -on the twelfth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Without lingering longer in the city than was necessary -to get their baggage through the customhouse and fortify -themselves with a substantial early breakfast at the -“Queen’s,” they took the first mail train for London, where -they arrived in the middle of the afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Will Walling, an experienced traveler, who had been -in London several times before, became the guide of the -party, and took them from Euston Square down to Morley’s -Hotel, Trafalgar Square, where they secured a comfortable -suite of apartments on the second floor front.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike, Dandy and Longman went to find cheaper quarters. -Again Ran would gladly have entertained them at Morley’s, -but could not offer to do so without affronting their spirit -of independence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Even Mike, to whom Ran ventured an invitation, declined -his brother-in-law’s hospitality, and cast in his lot with his -two old mining friends. But he promised to look in again -in the evening to let Ran and Judy know where he and his -companions had found quarters.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After a hasty dinner in the private parlor of the Hays, -Mr. Will Walling left the young pair still over their dessert -and went out and called a cab and drove to Lincoln’s Inns -Fields to call on Messrs. Sothoron & Drummond.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They had been the solicitors of the Hays, of Haymore, -for many years, and were, of course, deeply interested in -all that concerned them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Much correspondence had already passed between the -London and New York firms, bearing on the recent appearance -of the undoubted lawful heir of Haymore in opposition -to the fraudulent pretender, so that there was already a -perfect understanding of the case established between them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was now a little after business hours, but Mr. Will -Walling felt sure that, having received his dispatch announcing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>his visit, one or both members of the firm would -remain at their office to receive him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In fact, he found both gentlemen there. The case was -considered much too important to admit of neglect or indifference, -and being after office hours, they were quite at -leisure to give their whole attention to the business in hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Walling spent four hours with Messrs. Sothoron & -Drummond, and together the three gentlemen went through -the mass of documents, all together constituting indisputable, -immovable proof of Randolph Hay’s identity as the -only lawful heir of Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>I will not weary my reader with any of the lawyers’ talk, -but hasten on to its results.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was nearly nine o’clock when the three gentlemen, having -brought their interview to an end, left the office together -and separated, to seek their several destinations—Sothoron -to his home on Clapham Common, Drummond to his club -on Regent Street, and Walling to his friends at Morley’s.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Will found Ran and Judy seated at the front window -of their parlor, in which the gas had been turned down low -to enable them to see out into the street, for they were -gazing down on the panorama of the night scene on Trafalgar -Square.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well!” exclaimed Mr. Will, as he entered the room, -flung his hat across the floor and dropped into a large easy-chair -near the two young people, “are you ready to set out -for Yorkshire and Haymore by the first mail train to-morrow -morning?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you mean?” inquired Ran, looking around, -rather startled by the abrupt entrance and action of his -lawyer, while Judy also wheeled her chair and raised her -eyes inquiringly to the first speaker.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Just what I asked. Are you ready to start for Haymore -Hall by the first train to-morrow morning?” repeated -Mr. Will.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the use of your asking that, Walling, when -you know there is ever such a law fight to go through first. -And even after I have won my suit, as of course I shall win -it, there must be writs of ejectment, and the Lord knows -what all, before we can get that villain out of my house: -for ‘possession is nine points of the law,’ you know, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>you may depend he will contest the tenth point to the bitter -end,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all!” heartily exclaimed Will Walling; “there -will be no fight. The fellow will not fight; he’ll fly. And -though ‘possession is nine points of the law,’ he has never -had possession. What do you think of that?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think your words are more incomprehensible than -ever. I do not understand them in the least,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nor do I,” added Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, then, listen, both of you. I have been three or -four or more hours closeted with Sothoron & Drummond.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And we have been over, together, all the documentary -proofs of your identity as Randolph Hay, the only lawful -heir of Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, every document connected with the case has your -name, that is, Randolph Hay, as the heir and now the owner -of Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you, and you only, are Randolph Hay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Undoubtedly. But there is another who has taken my -name and estates.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He has taken your name and stolen and squandered a -good deal of your money during the last few months; there -is no doubt about that. Nor will you ever get a penny of -that lost money back; there is no hope of that. These -moneys he has obtained by fraud from your bailiff, John -Prowt, of Haymore, and from your family solicitors, Sothoron -& Drummond, at Lincoln’s Inns Fields. But, my dear -sir, for all that, he has never been in possession of your -estate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why not, when——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But he is not Randolph Hay, in whose name all the -documents are made out.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But he is at Haymore Hall now. And it will require a -legal process to get him out, for he will fight every inch of -the ground.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all! He is not at Haymore Hall, nor has he ever -been there. His fraudulent presence is not known there. If -he were there now, or ever had been there, or if his person -were known there under his stolen name of Randolph Hay, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>then, I grant you, in that case we might have to meet some -trouble and confusion, yet not much. And as it is, we shall -have no trouble at all.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But this is strange. How is it that he has never been -to Haymore?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because, it seems, he prefers to squander the revenues -of the estate in Paris. But let me tell you what I have -this afternoon learned of the fellow from Messrs. Sothoron -& Drummond.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, pray do,” said Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It seems, then, that when he first brought his—lady over -here, he intended to go to Haymore, and even had grand -preparations made there for their reception; but from some -caprice, he changed his mind and went to Paris, where he -has been with his—lady ever since, squandering money just -as if he knew it did not belong to him, and deferring his -return from time to time, and drawing large sums from—your -bankers.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“From what I know of Gentleman Geff, I should think it -hard to draw him from the saloons of Paris to the seclusion -of a Yorkshire country house,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; but now it seems he is really coming with a party -of friends to spend Christmas at Haymore Hall. He has -sent down orders for the house to be prepared to receive -himself and—lady and guests by the fifteenth. Now then, -the servants at the Hall are preparing to receive Mr. and -Mrs. Randolph Hay, whom they have never seen. Now -you and your wife are Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, what do you advise?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, man alive, your course is as plain as daylight. -You and your wife take the first train to-morrow and speed -to Yorkshire and to Haymore Hall, where you will arrive -early in the evening, where you will, no doubt, find everything -ready for you and be joyfully received by your servants. -To be sure, you will arrive rather earlier than you -were expected; but that will not matter much, especially as -it will give you time to get well rested before you will be -called upon to receive Gentleman Geff and his distinguished -party.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, that will be the most delicious fun!” exclaimed -Judy, clapping her hands with glee; “and we will have, -besides Ran and myself, Mike, Dandy and Longman all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>drawn up in a line to welcome him. He will think all -Grizzly Gulch has come to Haymore Hall.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“For his guilty soul it would seem</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘Birnam forest come to Dunsinane.’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>said Will Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There would be an awful row,” exclaimed Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all. There would be a surprise, a panic and a -flight. That is, if you let the villain go. I am not sure -that you ought not to have a warrant and an officer ready -to arrest him. Or rather, I am sure that you ought.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I would rather not, if he will leave quietly,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you must make no terms with a criminal. That -would be ‘compounding a felony,’ a serious offense against -English law.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, is it settled? Shall we go to-morrow morning?” -inquired Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear; certainly,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I will go down to the office and find a Bradshaw -and see about our train,” said Mr. Will, picking up his hat -and hurrying out of the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He had scarcely disappeared when the door opened and -Mike, Dandy and Longman entered the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy ran forward to welcome them, while Ran turned -up the gas.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We have been sitting in the dark to watch the scene in -the square below,” Judy explained.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, boys, have you found comfortable quarters?” inquired -Ran, as soon as they were all seated.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Illigant; and chape enough, too, be the same token, close -by in the Strand; a very ginteel, dooble-bidded bidroom. -Longman, being av a giant fit for a circus, do hev one bid -all to himsilf. And Dandy and me, being av little fellows, -do have the ithir to oursilves,” Mike explained.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While they were still talking Mr. Will Walling returned -to the room with a Bradshaw in his hand. He greeted the -three visitors pleasantly, dropped into a chair and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, there is a train that leaves Euston Square Station -at six in the morning and reaches Chuxton at three in the -afternoon. After that there is no other parliamentary train -until twelve noon, which would make it nine in the evening -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>when it stops at Chuxton, and would be too late to go on -to Haymore the same night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, then, we will leave by the earlier train, if Judy has -no objection,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I? Why, I never minded getting up early!” exclaimed -Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you say, boys?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The sooner the better for us, sir,” replied Dandy, speaking -for the rest, who promptly assented.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then, as the hour was late, the visitors bade good-night, -and the party left behind separated and retired to -rest, to be ready for their early rising.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XVIII<br> <span class='large'>AT HAYMORE HALL</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The whole party were up in the double darkness of a -London winter morning before sunrise. They dressed and -breakfasted by gaslight, and then entered a large carriage -and drove to Euston Square Railway Station, where they -were met by Mike, Dandy and Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Had you not better telegraph to your housekeeper before -we start to let her know that we shall certainly be at -Haymore to-night so that there may be no mistake, and -she will be sure to have beds aired, fires built and dinner -ready for us when we get there?” suggested Mr. Walling, -who was always directly on the lookout for his own personal -comforts, and, incidentally, for those of others.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran immediately acted on the suggestion, saying, when -he rejoined his friends after sending the dispatch:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She will think the message comes from the other fellow -in Paris and that he is in London on his way to Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She will think, or rather she will see, that the telegram -comes from Mr. Randolph Hay, and that will be enough,” -replied Mr. Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When the other fellow comes on the fifteenth with his -friends and finds us in possession——Well! I can’t help -anticipating a rink, a circus, a hippodrome, a spectacular -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>drama, an earthquake, a conflagration and the day of judgment -all rolled into one!” said Randolph, with a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And there will be nothing of the sort. Only at most a -panic and a total rout. Come, we must take our seats,” exclaimed -Will Walling, as he led the way to the waiting train, -where a guide showed them into the middle compartment -of a first-class carriage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike, Dandy and Longman had taken tickets for the -second class.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now is it not too bad that Ran cannot get our friends -in here with us, Mr. Walling?” demanded Judy, as she -settled herself in the luxurious corner front seat of their -compartment and noticed that there were just six seats.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear Judy,” muttered Ran, “your brother and his -companions are able to take these three vacant seats with -us if they please, but for prudential and very praiseworthy -reasons they choose to economize and take the second class. -I could not offer them a worse offense than invite them -to take these seats at my expense.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I do think there is a great deal of false pride in -the world,” Judy pouted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So there is, darling; but we cannot cure it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a wonder their high mightinesses consent to go -with you to Haymore and be your guests there.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is a different affair.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t see that it is.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But they do,” laughed Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The train started, and the conversation dropped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was still in the darkness before day that they left the -station and sped off into the open country, where the world -was scarcely beginning to wake up. In London the world -seems never to go to sleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Our three travelers had had but little rest in the last -twenty-four hours; and so, between the darkness of the -hour, the motion of the train and their own weariness, they -dozed off into dreamland, where they lingered some hours, -until they were called back by the sudden stopping of the -train, for an instant only, for before they were fully awake -it was off again, flying northward as if pursued by the -furies.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy shook herself up and looked out of the window on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>her right hand to see the eastern horizon red with the coming -of the wintry sun above the moorland.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At noon they reached Liverpool, where they left their -seats, got lunch and then changed their train for the Great -Northern for York.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Late in the afternoon they entered the great cathedral -city, where again they left their seats, took tea and a little -later took train for Chuxton.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was nearly sunset when they came to the end of their -railway journey at the little market town.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no carriage waiting to take them to Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then it occurred to Ran for the first time that by -some strange oversight no carriage had been ordered by him -or his attorney to come from the Hall to meet them at the -station.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were several vehicles around the place, but all -seemed to be engaged by other parties.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Our friends walked together to the Tawny Lion Tavern, -where Ran ordered refreshment and inquired for a conveyance -to Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Tawny Lion boasted but one—a large carryall drawn -by two stout horses—but that was then engaged, and would -not be available to our travelers for perhaps two hours.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These were passed by Ran and Judy, after they had finished -their meal, in sauntering about the quaint, old-fashioned -town and making acquaintance with its streets and -houses.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here’s where we shall have to come to do our country -shopping, you know, darling,” said Ran; “for I have been -told that there is but one general shop at Haymore, where, -though they keep everything to sell, from a second-hand -pulpit to a soup dish, you can get nothing very good.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I shall encourage the home trade, and deal at Haymore -all the same,” replied Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Mr. Will Walling spent his time of waiting -over the fire in the inn parlor, with a bottle of port wine -and a stack of cigars on the table beside him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Longman, accompanied by his shadows, Dandy and -Mike, walked out in the direction of the Old Heath Farm -to make inquiries about his mother, and, naturally, the -nearer he came to the scene of his boyhood’s home the keener -and the more intense became his anxiety. It had never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>seemed to him that his buxom, healthy, hearty mother -could have sickened and died; nor had it seemed more than, -barely possible that she might have married again. He -rather hoped to find her where he had left her five years -before, living on the farm. Still, as he turned from the -Chuxton highroad and went into a narrow lane, overhung -by the branches of the leafless trees that grew on each side -the path leading to the farmhouse, all the dread possibilities -of life seemed to threaten him ahead. He could not now -speak of his feelings. He hurried on. The giant was as -weak as a child when he passed through the farm yard and -went up to the house. A man was approaching from another -direction.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman leaned against the side of the house for support -as he faltered forth a question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Eh?” demanded the farmer, looking fixedly at the -stranger, as if he suspected him of being top heavy through -too much drink. “Is it the Widow Longman ye’re asking -about? No, she dun not bide here now. She hasn’t been -here for these five years past.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Another faint, almost inaudible question from the weak -giant, which the farmer had to bend his quick, sharp ear to -hear at all.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is she living, do you arsk? Oh, ay, she’s living good -enough. She’s keeping house for the parson at the rectory, -Haymore, about ten miles to the norrard of this.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank the Lord!” ejaculated Longman, lifting his cap, -almost overcome by the sudden collapse of highly strung -nerves.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“See here, my man, what’s the matter with you? You -look to be used up! I thought it was drink when I first -saw you. But now I see it isn’t. You look to be faint for -want of drink, not heavy from too much of it. Come in -now and take a mug o’ beer, home brewed. ’Twill do ye -good,” urged the farmer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, thank you. No, really. You are very kind, but -I must get on,” said Longman, rising, and now that his -tension of anxiety was relieved, gaining life with every -breath he drew.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I wouldn’t wonder now if you was that son o’ hern who -went to sea long years ago and never was heerd on since?” -said the farmer, calling after him.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>“Yes, I am her son, and I am going to Haymore now to -find her. Thank you, and good-day to you,” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’m dogged glad on it! One widdy’s heart will sing -for joy this night, anyhow! Well, good-day, and good -luck to you, my lad!” were the last words of the kind-hearted -farmer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Longman rejoined his two friends, who he had left -waiting for him at the farm gate, his happy face told the -“glad tidings” before his tongue could speak them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hooray! It’s good news ye’re afther hearing!” cried -Mike, throwing up his cap and catching it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I thank the Lord!” replied Longman reverently.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then, as they walked down the lane and out upon -the highroad leading to Chuxton, Longman told them all -that he had heard from the farmer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So she’s housekeeper at the rectory itself! That’s where -your niece, Miss Julia, will be at service, Mr. Quin!” exclaimed -Mike; “that is, if she’s not married,” he added.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Or dead, poor wench!” sighed old Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, bother that! Nobody’s dead, or going to die just -yet, is there, Samson, man?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I hope not, Mike.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Anyways, we shall hear when we get to Haymore. Yes, -that is so,” said Dandy, with an air of resignation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was not nearly so anxious to hear from his niece as -Longman had been to get news of his mother. He did not, -indeed, care much about her now, whatever he might come -to care after he should have renewed his acquaintance with -her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they reached Chuxton and turned into the street -leading to the “Tawny Lion,” they saw the huge carryall -drawn up before the door, with a crowd of idlers, mostly -boys, gathered around it to see it start.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman and his companions went into the parlor, where -they found the Hays and Will Walling waiting for them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why have you stayed for us, Mr. Hay? This is really -too kind!” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Kind to myself, friend! I did not want to go without -you. Even if I had, Judy would not have allowed it. I -see by your face that you have good news of your mother. -I congratulate you,” said Ran, offering his hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir, thank Heaven!” replied the hunter. And then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>in a few words, as they walked to the carryall, he told all -he heard at the farm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is splendid!” exclaimed Judy with enthusiasm, -as she was lifted into the carryall by Ran and placed in the -sheltered back seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dandy must sit back there with you, darling. He is -old, and then the drive over the moor will be a very cold -one. You won’t mind it, will you, Judy?” he inquired, as -he settled her among the cushions and tucked her fur cloak -well around her feet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, no, of course not. Especially if you will sit right -in front of me so I can lean my head forward on your -shoulder sometimes,” Judy replied.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Ran helped Dandy in and made him sit by Judy. -The others followed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Will Walling sat immediately in front of Judy -and Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike and Longman on the third seat forward. The -driver, a stout Yorkshireman, on the box.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The strong draught horses started at a moderate pace, -such as might well be kept up during the whole journey -across the moor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a dark, cold night, and the two glass lanterns, -fixtures, on each side above the driver’s seat, did little better -than make “darkness visible.” But the road was as safe -as a road by night could be, and the horses knew it as well -as they knew the way to their own cribs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Two hours of jog trot, safe and steady driving brought -them to a great mass of dense shadows, like black mountains -and forests against a dark gray northern sky.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The driver drew up his horses before this mystery and -announced that they had reached the great wall of Haymore -Park.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How far from the lodge gates?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“About half a mile, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Drive on then.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you please, Mr. Hay, I would like to leave the carryall -at the point nearest Haymore hamlet and rectory,” said -Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course! Of course! Naturally you must hasten first -of all to your dear mother. But remember, friend, you are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>my guest at the Hall, and bring your mother also if you -can persuade her to come,” heartily responded Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, do, Mr. Longman. And I will go to see your -mother just as soon as ever I can,” warmly added Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you both very much,” replied Longman, but he -gave no promise.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Remember, Longman, that you saved my life. But for -you—under the Divine Providence,” said Ran, reverently -lifting his hat, “I should not be here now.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, nor I, either, for that matter,” added Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We both owe you a debt that we can never repay, Longman,” -said Ran, with emotion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never, except in love and gratitude. And we would -like to put ‘a body’ in our sentiments to make them ‘felt,’ -Mr. Longman. You will come and stay with us at the -house, will you not?” pleaded Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You make too much of my service, a service that any -man worthy of the name would have done for any other. -I do not know what my plain old mother would say to -you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am plain myself,” said Judy; “a child of the people. -Less than that, for I never knew father or mother—a child -of the planet only! My only worth is being the wife of my -dear Ran here!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam, you are the wife of Mr. Randolph Hay, of -Haymore. You are the lady of the manor. And in this -country a social abyss divides you and yours from me and -mine as deep, as impassable as that ‘great gulf’ that lay between -Dives and Lazarus,” said Longman solemnly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is not so! It shall not be so! I will not have it! -Nothing but the will of Heaven shall divide us from our -dear friends!” said Judy passionately.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No!” added Ran with earnest emphasis. “No social -gulf shall separate us, Longman, dear old boy!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here we be at the lodge gates, sir. And this is the -nearest point we pass to the rectory. We turn in here to go -by the elm avenue up to the Hall. And the road continues -right straight on under the park wall up to the rectory and -the church, which is on the other side of the road,” the -driver explained, drawing up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Longman, I should like you to go on to the house -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>and dine with us, but I know it would be wrong to ask -you,” said Ran, as the hunter got up to leave the carryall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will see you early in the morning, sir,” said the giant. -And then he shook hands all around, jumped from the -carryall and strode on up the road to the rectory on that -visit to his mother which we have already described.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A woman came out of the porter’s lodge on the right-hand -side, swung open both broad leaves of the gate and stood -courtesying as the carryall rolled through.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The old porter’s daughter—a worthy dame,” said the -driver, in answer to a question from Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The carriage rolled on through an avenue shaded by great -oaks, whose branches, however, were now bare. In the -turns of this drive they caught glimpses of the house -through the trees, with lights sparkling here and there from -the many windows into the darkness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After several sweeping turns the avenue passed in front -of the house, and the carriage drew up before a huge, oblong -gray building, with turrets at each corner, bay windows on -the first floor and balconies above.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As the carriage stopped the hall door was flung wide, -and several men and women servants appeared in the -lighted hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The butler stood in the door. Two footmen came down -the steps to attend their master and mistress.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran lifted Judy from the carriage, whispering:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Welcome home, my darling,” and led her up the steps -and into the hall, followed by his friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The butler, with a low bow, made way for them to pass.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The housekeeper, a very aged woman, dressed in a brown -satin gown and a lace cap, came forward to meet them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Welcome home, sir and madam. We have waited for -you long, and greet you gladly,” she said in a tone of exaggerated -reverence and with a deep courtesy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran held out his frank hand, and Judy said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, Mrs.—Mrs.——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Basset, madam, and been in the family all my life, as -mother and father were before me. Your old butler, sir, -is my son, getting older every day, but not yet past service, -either of us, I thank Heaven. Will you go to your room -now, madam?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>“Yes, if you please,” said Judy. “I would like to take -off my bonnet and cloak.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Basset looked all around, and then said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not think that your maid has come in yet. Shall -I send one of the men out to hurry her? I suppose she is -busy with the parcels in the carriage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I—I—I—have no maid—yet,” replied Judy, blushing -deeply, for she was rather afraid of this fine ruin of an old-time -housekeeper, even though the aged woman was evidently -falling a little into her second childhood.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I see! I beg your pardon, ma’am. You will be -waiting to take some good girl from the estate. That has -been the way with the ladies of Hay from time immemorial.” -She paused suddenly in her babble and looked -fixedly, though still very respectfully, at Mr. Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now Ran was just a little sensitive about his personal -appearance. He was not a handsome, soldierly blond, but -a beautiful, dark brunette; graceful as a leopard, sinuous -as a serpent. He was in the habit of humorously stigmatizing -himself as “a little nigger.” So when the aged housekeeper -regarded him with her wistful gaze, he thought she -was saying to herself, how little like he was to any of the -Hays. He laughed a little and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You do not find much resemblance in me to my tall and -fair forefathers, Mrs. Basset.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sir,” she replied solemnly, “you are the living image -of your honored grandmother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The young man burst out laughing, and was joined by -Mike and Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But their mirth ceased as the aged housekeeper added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She died at twenty-three years old. She was the best, -the brightest and the most beautiful being that my eyes -ever beheld! And, yes, she died at twenty-three years old! -And you are her living image, as nearly as it is possible -for a gentleman to be. That was the reason why I looked -at you so, sir. I beg your pardon; I forgot myself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t speak of it, Mrs. Basset,” said Ran kindly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir. You can see the portrait in the picture -gallery to-morrow and judge for yourself—or even to-night -if you will,” said the housekeeper.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you; not to-night; we are too tired. To-morrow -you shall show us over the whole house, if you will.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>“That I will with pride and pleasure, sir. And now, -madam, shall I attend you to your room?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, yes, please,” said Judy; and she followed -her conductress up the broad staircase to a vast upper hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The housekeeper opened a door near the head of the -stairs and admitted her charge into a spacious, sumptuous -bedchamber, upholstered in ebony and old gold, and in -which burned a fine open coal fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The aged woman, much against Judy’s will, insisted upon -waiting upon her; took off her heavy cloak and hat and -hung them in the wardrobe, drew a luxurious easy-chair to -the fire and seated her in it, and hovered around her with -affectionate attentions until Mr. Hay came in, when, with -one of her quaint courtesies, she withdrew from the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again Ran took Judy in his arms, folded her to his heart, -kissed her fondly and welcomed her home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And to-morrow, my darling, we shall have to prepare -to welcome Gentleman Geff and his—lady. I shall send in -the morning for Mr. Campbell and his daughter, that the -villain may be confronted with his wronged wife, as well as -his betrayed friend,” said Ran, as he gave his arm to Judy -to take her down to the dining-room, where dinner waited.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XIX<br> <span class='large'>WAITING THE ISSUE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>In the morning Ran and Judy woke up to look, for the -first time, by daylight on their new home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran opened the windows and let in the light of the -December day upon their bedchamber, a vast, peaceful, -slumberous room, upholstered throughout in olive green -and gold, and looking out upon a park, full of sunny glades -and shady groves, even now in winter when the light of day -shone down on burnished dry grass in the glades and evergreen -trees in the groves.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The young couple, though lord and lady of the Manor -of Haymore, had as yet neither valet nor maid. So Ran -rang no bell, but from a hodful of coal at the chimney -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>corner, with his own hand, replenished the fire in the grate -and then went to make his toilet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy lay still, with her eyes looking through the large -windows on two sides of the spacious chamber, out upon the -sunny and shady park until Ran had finished dressing and -left the room. Then she arose and took her bath and opened -her large sea trunk to find a dress suitable for her morning -wear.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She finally selected a plain suit of dark gray velveteen, -with crimped linen ruffles at the throat and wrists. She -put it on and went downstairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the hall below she found the wide doors open in front, -admitting the winter sunshine, and a great coal fire burning -in the broad fireplace in the back; and between the two, -near the front of the stairs, Ran, Will Walling, Mike and -Dandy standing in conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy was the spokesman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I did think,” he was saying, “that Longman would -have come back last night to bring me news of Julie. But, -Lord, I do suppose he got so wrapped up into his mother -that he clean forgot me and mine, or else, maybe, he could -not well get away.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That was it, Dandy,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Same time, if, as how I had thought it might be so, -myself would have gone to the rectory with him. And ’deed -I’d agone, anyhow, only I didn’t like to be intruding into -a strange place.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I can’t understand,” said Will Walling, speaking for the -first time, “how you fortune-seekers can bear to stay away -for years from your native country without hearing a word -from any of your friends at home, and then, when you make -up your mind to return, and once set foot in your native -land, you straightway get into a fever of anxiety and impatience -to meet them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No more do I, but so it is!” confessed Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis,” added Mike. “Sure it was the very same wid -Mister Longman himself when he was gitting nigh onto the -ould farrum where he left his mother. It is curious.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see, if I only knowed she were alive and well,” -said Dandy apologetically.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, you may be sure of that,” cheerfully exclaimed Ran, -“but I don’t think she is at the rectory.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>“Why don’t you then, sir?” inquired Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because if she had been Longman would have seen her -and told her about you, and she would certainly have run -over last night or early this morning to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So she would! So she would! And yet I dunno—I -dunno! Even darters in these days ain’t none too dutiful -to feythers, let alone nieces to uncles, ’specially when they’ve -been parted twenty years,” said Dandy, shaking his bald -head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t think she is at the rectory, or, under the circumstances, -she would have run over here to see you,” said -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I dunno! I dunno!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is most likely she is married and away.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Or dead and buried, poor wench,” sighed Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, come, don’t be so downhearted. Longman will -be here soon. He promised to come early this morning, -and no doubt he will bring good news of your niece. Now -here is Judy, and we will go in to our breakfast,” concluded -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy, stepping from the bottom stair to the hall floor, -greeted Will Walling, Mike and Dandy with a cordial good-morning -and led the way to the breakfast room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was just under the bedchamber Judy had left, and -had the same outlook from windows on the east and north -of sunny glades, of burnished dry grass and shady groves -of Scotch firs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The table was laid for five, and the old butler was in attendance; -not that His Importance, Mr. Basset, the butler, -ever waited at any other meal except dinner, and then only -at the sideboard; but on this particular occasion of the first -breakfast of the bridal pair at Haymore he thought proper -to volunteer his attendance in their honor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The consequence was that Mike, Dandy and even Judy -were almost afraid to speak, lest they should expose their -ignorance of high life to this imposing personage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The five sat down to table under the cloud of the butler’s -greatness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But soon the fragrant Mocha, the luscious waffles and the -savory venison steaks and other appetizing edibles combined -to dispel the gloom and enliven their spirits.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>After breakfast Judy sent for the housekeeper, and -claimed her promise to show them through the building.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Basset was only too willing to oblige. The five -friends, led by their conductress, went first up the grand -staircase that led from the lower to the upper halls on every -floor to the top of the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We had better go to the top first, ma’am, while we are -fresh, else we might find the stairs hard to climb,” said -Mrs. Basset.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Judy, as she knew that the old woman spoke chiefly -in the interests of her own infirmities, answered promptly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You know best, Mrs. Basset. Suit yourself, and you -will suit us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>They went upstairs to the low-ceiled rooms under the -roof, which Mrs. Basset described as servants’ bedrooms—storerooms -for furniture out of season, boxes, etc.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then to the next below, all extra bedrooms, and to the -next below that, all family suites of apartments; and down -to the next, on which were the long drawing and the ballroom, -which, with the broad hall between them, took up -the whole flat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lastly, they came down to the first floor, on which were -the long dining-room, the breakfast room, the parlor, the -library and the picture gallery, which was the last place -to be inspected.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The family portraits were arranged in chronological order, -beginning with the Saxon ancestor of the eighth century, -who, with rudest arms and in rudest clothing, resisted -the first invasion of the Danes, and whose “counterfeit presentment” -here was probably but the work of the rough -artist’s imagination, executed, or rather perpetrated, at a -much later date.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then in regular order came the barons who had rallied -around Hereward in his last desperate stand against the -usurper, William of Normandy; the iron-clad knights who -had followed Richard of the Lion heart to the Holy Land; -the barons who had taken up arms in support of the House -of York against that of Lancaster; the plumed cavaliers -who had insanely flocked with all their retainers to the -standard of the Stuarts in every mad attempt of that unhappy -family to regain their lost throne; periwig-pated -courtiers of the Georgian dynasty; and, lastly, the swallowtail -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>coated and patent leather booted gentlemen of the Victorian -age, as represented by the late squire and his three -sons.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The ladies of the chiefs were all there, too, each by the -side of her “lord,” and dressed in costume of her time, or -in what was supposed to be such, for there is little doubt -that many of the earlier portraits were merely fancy pictures.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Before the group of the late squire and his family Judy -suddenly caught her breath and clasped her hands and stood -stock-still, gazing on the full-length picture of a beautiful -dark girl.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is like, isn’t it now, ma’am?” inquired the housekeeper.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Like! Why, the picture might be taken for his portrait -if it were not for the dress!” exclaimed Judy, gazing at her -husband.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is still more like my Cousin Palma,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, so it is,” assented Judy; “and does not need -change of dress to make it perfect. The hair of that lady -in the picture is worn exactly as Palma wears hers, and -that costume of dark blue is not unlike the dress Palma -wore to our wedding in color and make.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is indeed a wonderful likeness to Mrs. Stuart,” remarked -Mr. Walling. “Who is the lady?” he demanded, -turning to the housekeeper.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The last Mrs. Hay, of Haymore, the grandmother of -the young squire here. She died at the age of twenty-three, -leaving three boys, of one, two and three years of -age—to give the figures in round numbers,” replied Mrs. -Basset.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I know she was the wife of the late squire; but -whose daughter was she?” persisted Will Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The housekeeper was silent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Faix, Misther Walling, is it in the coorthoose ye are, -with Misthress Basset intil the witness box, that ye would -be cross-examining herself?” demanded Mike.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will Walling turned a deprecating, apologetic glance -upon Ran, who quietly replied:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She was the daughter of a gypsy chief. Her name was -Gentyl Tuinquer.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah!” exclaimed Mr. Will. Then, feeling rather uncomfortable, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>he added, to cover his confusion. “How beautiful -she must have been!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And how much more beautiful she must be now!” exclaimed -Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The lawyer stared at her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Up there in heaven, I mean; for, of course, she is in -heaven, for you may see by her face how good she is,” added -Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The housekeeper sighed. All the ladies of the long line -of Hays had been “angel born” before this gypsy girl from -the tents came into the family. And though the woman -could not help loving the memory of the lovely young creature, -she equally could not help suffering in her own pride -at any mention of the gypsy birth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran kissed the hand of the pictured lady and then turned -with his party to leave the gallery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On stepping out into the hall a footman met him, and -with a respectful salute said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you please, sir, there is—a—person waiting to see -you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A person? Who? What sort of a person?” demanded -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A foreign-looking tall man, sir; might be a Patagonian, -only he can speak English.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Show him in here.” And with these words Ran crossed -the hall and entered a morning parlor on the same floor. -Then looking back he saw that, though his footman had -gone on his errand, his friends lingered in the hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come in, all of you. It is only Longman. You will -all want to see him, especially will Mr. Quin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do want to see him. Yes, that is so,” assented Dandy, -as they all followed Ran into the parlor, where they found -quite a variety of comfortable chairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were scarcely seated when Longman entered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran sprang up and met him; but Dandy pushed between -them, his round, bald head, as well as his face, glowing red -with excitement as he demanded:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Have you seen my Juley? Is she well and happy? Is -she still in the service of the minister?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She is well and happy, but no longer in service anywhere. -She is married to John Legg, the greengrocer of -your native village, Medge. So I have not had the pleasure -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>of making her acquaintance,” Longman replied, with a -laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Lord above us! Well, I did sort of hope she was an -old-maid woman as would have been a housekeeper and a -daughter to myself in my old days. Well, and now she is -married, and, I do dare say, with a baker’s dozen of children. -Yes, that is so,” said Dandy, with a heavy sigh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, but it isn’t so. She only married a few months ago, -when she was over forty years old, and John Legg, the -widower, who took her for his second wife, over fifty; so -she has no baker’s dozen of children as yet.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I’s warrant he has a house full o’ young uns for -her to be stepmother to! And that will be a heap worse -than if the wench had a score of her own! It is as bad as -if I had found her dead! Yes, that is so,” sighed Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, it isn’t so. You are all out again. John Legg has -no children at home. He has a son and daughter, and gave -them both a grand education above his means, and to repay -him they did all they could to break his heart. They had -worldly ambitions above their state, and despised the calling -of their father. The son took ‘holy orders,’ not for the love -of the Lord or the neighbor, but for love of self and the -world. He became a professional preacher only, not a minister -of religion. Mr. Hay,” said the speaker, suddenly -turning toward Ran, “I shall presently have something to -say to you in reference to this man, in which you have an -especial interest.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, Longman. I will remember to remind you -of it,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now will you please go on telling me about the family -my niece married into?” said Dandy impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly!” smiled Longman, good-humoredly. “The -son utterly ignores his father and hangs on the skirts of -influential people; but as yet has had but little success. -The daughter went out as a governess, less it seems to be -of service to children than to seek her own fortune, through -her beauty, among the rich and noble. She also ignores -her father. Both these hopefuls are ‘married and settled,’ -to use the common phrase. And the newly-wedded, middle-aged -couple are alone.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And what could have tempted my gal to agone and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>married of a old widdyman, whose son and darter had -showed sich bad blood?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, to get out of service, perhaps; to have a house -and home and a good husband, whom she could love, in -this John Legg.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t memorize the name of no John Legg at Medge, -though, to be sure, I have been away from them parts for -twenty years—yes, that is so!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, you can’t remember him. He was not a Medge -man. He came from the borough in London about two -years ago. After his wife died, broken-hearted, it is said, -by the conduct of his children, he sold out his business in -London and came down to Medge, where he had a married -sister and many nieces and nephews, his only relatives, except -his undutiful son and daughter. He had enough to -live on in retirement, but could not enjoy himself in idleness. -So he took the first chance to go into business again. -It happened that the only greengrocer in the place, an aged -man, wanted to sell out and go to live with his married -daughter, who was the wife of a farmer in the neighborhood.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“More fool he!” exclaimed Dandy. “I saw the play of -‘Lear’ once.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But there was a <em>Cordelia</em> in it, you know, Dandy!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; go on.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“John Legg bought out the old greengrocer, shop, stock, -house, furniture and good will. The rectory people dealt -with him, as why not when he was the only greengrocer in -the village? And so he made the acquaintance of their -servant, Julia Quin, and soon proposed to marry her, and -as she did not wish to leave Medge and go with the rector -and his wife to Haymore, she accepted honest John Legg. -And I hear that they make a very comfortable couple.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How do you know all this here you are a-telling me of -so confident like?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because in your interests I made very minute inquiries -into all the circumstances, and Mr. Campbell was so good as -to give me all the particulars,” replied Longman. “And, -Dandy, will you let me speak to my other friends—they -are waiting, you see?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sartinly, Mr. Longman. Who’s a-hindering on you? -I myself am going into the town to send a telescope message -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>to my niece,” replied the old man, and with a low bow, -intended for all the company, he turned and left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran hastily shook hands with Longman, then leaving -him with the others, hurried out after his old friend, whom -he found on the drive.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dandy! Dandy, I say! Please stop!” he called.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Mr. Hay, what’s your will, sir?” the old fellow -demanded, turning to face his host.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You must not walk into the village. Take the dogcart.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are very kind, Mr. Hay, sir; but——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will have my way. Come down with me to the stables. -I have not seen them yet. But I know there is a dogcart, -because Mr. Walling, who is always wide awake, took a -drive in it this morning to get an appetite for his breakfast -before we were up,” said Ran, as he turned into a footpath -leading through the grounds to the rear of the hall, far behind -which were the stables.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy followed him, if the truth is to be told, not unwilling -to spare his old limbs by riding instead of walking -to the village.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The stable yard occupied full a square quarter acre of -ground, walled in by massive stone buildings, consisting of -stables proper, carriage houses, harness rooms, coachman’s -and groom’s quarters and kennels.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was full of activity on this morning; for all the fourlegged -creatures there, horses and hounds, seemed spoiling -for a run, and were venting their impatience of restraint—the -horses by neighing and kicking and the hounds by howling -and scratching.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yo’ ought to have a good hunting party of gentlemen -down here for a few weeks, sir, to take the devil out of the -brutes,” said the old head groom, touching his hat to his -master.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All in good time—a——Tell me your name.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hobbs, sir, at your sarvice.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Hobbs, if you have a steady-going horse, have -him put to a dogcart, and find a careful boy to drive Mr. -Quin to the village.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir. Old Dick will be the hoss and Young Sandy -the driver. I’ll go and give the order.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The groom went across the yard on his errand, while Ran -and Dandy walked off to the kennels to look at the dogs.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>“Not one on ’em to be compared to your Tip or my Lion, -Mr. Hay, in my poor opinion!” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“These cannot excel ours in courage, or affection, or -fidelity, I am sure,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And both men gave deep sighs to the memory of the faithful -creatures they had been compelled by circumstances to -leave behind them at the fort, where, it is true, the two dogs -were sure of the kindest treatment from their new owners—Surgeon -Hill, who had adopted Tip, and Adjutant Rose, -who had taken Lion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you think we will ever see them again, Mr. Hay?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I do. In this world or the next.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The next! Mr. Hay, sir!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why not? I believe the creature that once lives, lives -forever. Especially the creature capable of love, courage, -fidelity and self-sacrifice, as so many of the quadrupeds are, -must be immortal.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>What Dandy would have said in reply was arrested on his -lips by the approach of the dogcart, driven by one of the -under-grooms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran helped his old friend upon the seat, tucked the rug -well over his knees and then inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where do you wish to go?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To the telescope office in the village.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Drive this gentleman to the telegraph office,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Beg pardon, sir; but there is no telegraph office in the -village, and none nearer than Chuxton,” said the young -groom, touching his hat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! Chuxton is ten miles off! Where we left the train -last night you know, Mr. Quin,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I know! Well, let him drive me there, then! That -is if you can spare the carriage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course I can! All day, if you want it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“’Cause, you see, I don’t feel aquil to traveling all the -way back to the south of England, after having come all -the way up to the north, and I do want to see my niece very -bad. And I mean to send a telescope as will be sartin to -fetch her. Yes, that is so.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then. Drive to Chuxton telegraph office, and -then wherever Mr. Quin wishes to go. You are at his -orders.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>The boy took the reins and drove off, and Ran turned -again to question the old groom.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Has there been much sport about here?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“None at all, sir. Since the young squire were killed, the -old squire never had no heart for nothing as long as he -lived.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! How are the preserves?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, sir, the game is increasing and multiplying to -that degree for the want of sporting gents among ’em to -thin ’em out, that for once in a way poachers is a blessing.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poachers! Why, what is the gamekeeper about, to permit -poachers to trespass?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, sir, there ain’t no gamekeeper here, nor likewise -been none since the old squire died. The last gamekeeper -went off to Australia to seek his fortune.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank Heaven!” breathed Ran with fervency, not loud -but deep, that now he could put his friend in office without -hurting any one’s feelings.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see, it was this a way, sir. When Kirby went to -foreign parts, the old squire was too ill to be bothered about -his successor, and after he died the place was left without -one. But surely, sir, Mr. Prowt wrote to you about all -these matters, for he sartinly told me as you had wrote back -how you would wait till you come down here in person to -see the place before you would appoint aither gamekeeper -or coachman.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What! has the coachman gone too?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Surely, sir, Mr. Prowt wrote and told you that, too! He -left to better himself, so he said—took sarvice along of the -Duke of Ambleton.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What wages do you get as groom here, Hobbs?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Head groom, sir, and twenty pund a year and my keep, -and bin in the famberly, man and boy, fifty years, and hope -to continuate in it for fifty more, I was gwine to say, but -anyways as long as I can work, and that will be as long as I -live, for I’d scorn to retire.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Excellent, Hobbs. Have you a family?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Wife, sir, keeping house for me in the cottage there,” -said the old man, pointing to a little stone cottage built in -the wall next the stable, “and one son, sir—boy that driv -the dogcart. Steady lad, sir, though his feyther says it; and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>one darter, sir, upper housemaid at the Hall—good girl, -sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are blessed in your family, Hobbs.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thanks be to Heaven, sir!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, then, you said your wages as head groom were -twenty pound a year. How much did the coachman get?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Just twice as much, sir, forty pound a year, and a good -sound house over his head, and his livery and his beer. And -left all that, sir, for ten pund more, and gold lace on his -coat, and the honor of driving a duke. May the de’il fly -away with him!—begging your pardon, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t mention it,” laughed Ran. “But you would not -have left Haymore under the same circumstances?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Me!—why, sir, I never had the chance, so what would -be the use of boasting? But, indeed, I don’t think I would.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hobbs, can you drive?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“None better in the world, sir, though I say it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then you shall be my coachman at the same wages that -your predecessor now gets from his new master,” said Ran, -smiling benignly down on the stupefied face of the man -before him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, sir! sir! but this is too much, too much for poor -me! Such a permotion as to be coachman! I can hardly -believe it, sir! I can’t, indeed! And at a rise of wages, -too! I can’t hardly believe it!” droned Hobbs, fairly dazed -by his good fortune.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go and tell your wife, then. And begin to see about -your livery, and fix up the coachman’s cottage—at my cost, -Hobbs. All that will help you to believe it. Good-day.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>With these words the gracious young master left the -stable yard and walked back to the Hall, happy in the feeling -of having made others so, yet grave and thoughtful in -the recognition of his responsibilities for all who were dependent -on him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XX<br> <span class='large'>THE NEW RECTOR</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>When Ran entered the morning room, where he had left -his friends, he found them all there, but now gathered in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>a wide circle around the glowing sea coal fire in the large -open grate, listening to Longman, who was giving a detailed -account of his visit to the rectory and his evening with his -mother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran drew a chair, sat down among them and made one -of the audience.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the speaker had finished his story Ran turned to -him and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, Longman, if you are ready you may tell me what -you meant when you said that you had something to report -in reference to that undutiful son of worthy John Legg,” -said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir. He has taken ‘holy orders,’ the more effectually -to serve the devil, I fear. And he has been appointed -by his brother-in-law to the living of Haymore parish, -worth six hundred pounds, besides the rectory and glebe—all -of which is in your gift, Mr. Hay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed! And who the mischief is the gentleman’s -brother-in-law?” demanded Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who but the fraudulent claimant of Haymore? Gentleman -Geff, or whatever his real name may be?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah!” exclaimed Ran, drawing his breath hard. “The -plot seems to thicken! So the deceived wife of our Gentleman -Geff, the young lady upon whom we have all wasted -so much sympathy, is really no other than the pretty adventuress -who left her father to seek her fortune! But I -think we heard of her as Lamia Leegh.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well,” said Longman, “it would appear that when -brother and sister left honest John Legg, their shopkeeping -father, they must have changed the spelling of their names -from plain Legg to mystic Leegh. The latter has a more -aristocratic sound, you know. At any rate, their name was -Legg; yet you heard of the girl as Leegh, and certainly the -letter of the man to Mr. Campbell was signed Leegh—Cassius -Leegh.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What did the fellow write to Mr. Campbell about?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, to warn him to leave the rectory, as he himself had -been appointed to the living and should enter upon his office -in January, after which he should not require the assistance -of a curate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed!” again exclaimed Ran. “I think the fraudulent -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>claimant is giving away the Haymore patronage in a -very reckless way!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman laughed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let us see now how the case stands. The plot thickens -so fast that it requires a little clearing. The Rev. Mr. -Campbell was called to Haymore to fill the pulpit of the -late Dr. Orton during the absence of the latter at Cannes, -and remains in the office at a low salary until a rector is -appointed to the living. And my substitute, the fraudulent -claimant, has appointed his unworthy brother-in-law, who -has warned the good curate to leave. Have I stated the -case correctly?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite so,” said Will Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then. And we expect the three worthies, -Gentleman Geff, Miss Legg and the Rev. Mr. Legg, calling -themselves Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay and the Rev. Cassius -Leegh, all in full feather, here this evening! We must -be prepared for them. Gentleman Geff must be confronted -with the wife he deserted and the friend he assassinated. -Oh, that Miss Legg might be met by her forsaken father! -That is barely possible if John Legg should take the train -for Chuxton immediately on the receipt of Dandy’s telegram, -and come with his wife! And the Rev. Mr. Leegh -shall be received by—the rector of Haymore! But that last -item necessitates prompt action. Longman, come into the -library with me, will you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The hunter arose and followed Ran upstairs and into the -library, where they sat down at a table on which stood pen, -ink and paper.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Longman,” said Ran, “would it suit you to be gamekeeper -of Haymore?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Mr. Hay, it would make me the happiest man on -earth! But I really would not wish you to give me the -place at another man’s expense.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never fear; it will be at no man’s expense in the sense -you mean. There has been no gamekeeper at Haymore for -a year past. The last one left to seek his fortune in Australia, -and no successor has yet been appointed. The place -is yours if you will have it. Indeed, you would please me -much by taking it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, then, I will take it, sir, with many thanks,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>exclaimed the hunter warmly, his whole face glowing with -the sincere delight he felt.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then that is settled. Get the keys from the bailiff and -examine the cottage and have it fitted up for yourself and -your mother in the most comfortable manner and send the -bills to the bailiff.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will, Mr. Hay. You have made me very happy, for -my mother’s sake as well as my own. We both owe you -hearty thanks!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t speak of thanks again, Longman. The man who -saved my life can never owe me thanks for anything that I -may have the happiness of doing for him. Now to speak -of another matter. Will you kindly take a letter for me to -the Rev. Mr. Campbell?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly, sir, with great pleasure.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Take a book, then, or amuse yourself in any way you -please, while I write it,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman arose and roamed about before the bookcases, -reading the titles of the imprisoned volumes until he was -tired of the amusement. None of the books attracted him. -He was not a bookman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have finished my letter now, Longman, if you are -ready to take it,” said Ran, folding and sealing the note in -which he had invited Mr. Campbell to come with his wife -and daughter to dine with himself and Mrs. Hay that evening -and confer about the reverend gentleman’s appointment -to the living of Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am quite ready, sir,” said Longman, and he took the -letter and put it in his breast pocket and left the library.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He had scarcely gone when a footman entered and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you please, sir, the bailiff, Mr. Prowt, is here, asking -to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let him come in here,” said Ran with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A moment later the bailiff entered, took off his hat, bowed -profoundly to the young squire, and stood waiting.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Take a seat, Mr. Prowt, if you please. You wished to -see me, I am told,” said Ran pleasantly, though hardly able -to control the smile that lurked in the corners of his eyes -and lips.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir,” replied the bailiff, sitting down and placing -his hat on the floor between his feet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well?” inquired Ran after an awkward pause.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>“Well, squire, if there is anything amiss I hope you will -excuse it. I really did not expect you down last evening, -and made no preparations to meet you. I am told by the -head groom that there was no carriage sent to the station at -Chuxton.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It does not matter in the least, Mr. Prowt,” said Ran -with a boyish twinkle in his eyes that he could not suppress.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, begging your pardon, squire, but it matters -very much. I wish to set myself right with you, sir. I wish -to tell you that it was all the neglect and carelessness of -them telegraph people in Chuxton not forwarding your dispatch -in time. You must, in course, sent it yesterday morning -to announce your arrival in the evening, but I never got -it until this blessed morning, when I thought that it was -this evening you were coming. And I did not know any -better until I came over here and stopped at the stable to -tell Hobbs to be sure to send the chariot to meet you. And -he told me that you were already here—that you had arrived -last night. I don’t think I ever was so knocked over -in my life. And no one to meet you! And no ceremonies -befitting the reception of the Squire of Haymore and his -bride!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is all right. Don’t trouble yourself,” said Ran, now -laughing outright. “Come and dine with me this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Prowt stared for a moment before answering. Never in -the memory of man had a bailiff been invited to dine with a -squire of Haymore. Then he reflected that the young heir -had been found in America, and that America was a very -democratic and republican part of the world, and that would -account for the free and easy ways of the new squire. Only -the bailiff was afraid Mr. Hay might be going to ask the -butler and the head groom to dine with him, also; and that -the bailiff could not stand. If he had never dined with the -squire, neither had he ever dined with butler or groom. -While he hesitated, Ran, misunderstanding his perplexity, -said kindly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An informal dinner, Prowt. Only the clergyman and -his wife and daughter, my solicitor, my brother-in-law, two -friends from America, Mrs. Hay and myself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Prowt drew a deep sigh of relief.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir,” he said. “You do me great honor. -When shall I bring my books for your examination?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>“Not this week, Prowt. This is Thursday. No business -until Monday.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Just as you please, sir,” said the bailiff, picking up his -hat and rising.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And without more words he bowed himself out of the -library.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran went downstairs and rejoined his friends in the -morning room, and entertained them with an account of his -interview with the bailiff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My chief reason for asking him to dinner,” concluded -the young man, “was that he might be present this evening -to assist us in receiving Mr. and Mrs. Gentleman Geff and -their esteemed brother and brother-in-law.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>At this moment the luncheon bell rang, and the whole -party went across the hall to the small dining-room.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXI<br> <span class='large'>TWO SCENES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Could any member of the party gathered at Haymore -Hall have been gifted with clairvoyance, he or she might -have witnessed in succession two scenes on that morning of -December the 15th, distant, indeed, in space, but near in -interest to the household.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The first scene was in a greengrocer’s shop in Holly -Street, Medge.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A tall, spare, gray-haired and grave-looking man, of fifty -years or upward, stood behind his counter waiting for -morning customers, for it was still early.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A blue-coated telegraph boy hurried in, put a blue envelope -in his hand, and laid an open book on the counter, -saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A dispatch, Mr. Legg; please sign.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The astonished John Legg, who had never received a -telegram in the half century of his whole life, and now -feared that this one must herald some well-merited misfortune -to his unloving and undutiful but beloved son or -daughter, nervously scrawled his name in the boy’s book -and tore open the envelope and read:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>“<span class='sc'>Haymore, Chuxton, Yorkshire</span>,</div> - <div class='line in16'>December 15, 18—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>To Mr. John Legg</span>, Medge, Hantz: I have just come -from America; want to see my niece; am not able to travel. -Let her come to me immediately. It will be to her advantage.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Andrew Quin.</span>”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>With a gasp of relief that this message was no herald of -misfortune, but rather possibly of good fortune, honest John -hurried with it into the back parlor, where his wife—a red-cheeked, -blue-eyed, brown-haired, buxom woman of forty or -more—sat sewing, and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here, Juley! Read this! What does it mean? Who is -Andrew Quin?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And he thrust the dispatch into her hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her eyes devoured it, and then she answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, it is from my dear old Uncle Dandy. He went -out to the gold fields in California about twenty years ago, -and we have never heard from him since. And now he has -just come back, and rich as Croesus, of course! And I am -the only relation he has in the whole world! And he wants -to see me. And he isn’t able to travel. And he may be at -death’s door, poor, dear old fellow. John Legg, when does -the next northbound train stop here?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, I believe there’s a parliamentary stops here at—let -me see—nine o’clock,” answered the greengrocer, slowly -collecting his ideas, that had been scattered by the intense -excitement of his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then we must go by it!” exclaimed Mrs. Legg, jumping -to her feet and beginning immediately to lock up cupboards -and set back chairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What!” cried John Legg, aghast at this impetuosity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We must go by it, or he may be dead before we get -there, and his hospital left to fortunes!” exclaimed Julia in -such trepidation that she reversed her words and never perceived -that she did so, nor, in his bewilderment, did John.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But we haven’t half an hour to get ready in!” he -pleaded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We must get ready in less time!” cried Mrs. Legg, -turning to run up the stairs that led from one corner of -the back room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What’ll I do about the shop?” called John in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>“Leave it to the boy a day or two,” replied Julia from -the head of the stairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Everything will go to rack and ruin!” cried the greengrocer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“John Legg!” demanded his wife, rushing down the -stairs fully equipped for the journey with bonnet and big -shawl, an umbrella and bag in hand—“do you mean for the -sake of a paltry, two-penny-ha’-penny shop, not worth fifty -pounds, to risk an immense fortune, that will make you a -millionaire, or a silver or a gold king, or a brown answer -(bonanza?), or something of the sort?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,’ my dear,” -said the man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jedehiah Judkins, come here and bring your master’s -overcoat! And, Jed, do you mind the shop well while we -are gone, and get Widow Willet’s Bob to come and help -you, and I’ll pay him and give you half a sovereign if we -find all right when we come back Saturday night,” said -Mrs. Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The boy, who had just come in with his empty basket -from delivering vegetables about the town, hastened with -big eyes into the back room to obey his mistress’ orders.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg submitted. He always did. Julia went about -fastening doors and windows, and lastly raking out and -covering up the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then leaving only the key of the front door with “the -boy,” the pair left the house and hurried to the station, -where they were just in time to buy their tickets and jump -into a second-class carriage. And before John Legg had -time to recover his routed and dispersed mental faculties -they were whirled halfway to London.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are the most energetic woman I ever saw in my -life, Julia!” he said, trying to understand the situation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Need to be when there is a brown answer fortune, and -a silver kingdom, if not a gold one, in the question—yes, -and a dear, dying uncle, too!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I wonder if the boy will remember to take that celery to -the vicarage when the market gardener brings it this afternoon?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, bother the celery, and the vicar, too! Think of the -silver and gold kingdom—and—yes, of course, the poor, -dear, dying uncle!” said Julia. And onward they flew -<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>northward toward Yorkshire, unconscious that they were -destined to take a part in a very memorable drama to be -enacted at Haymore Hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The other scene connected with the same drama, and -which the clairvoyant might have looked in upon, was the -elegant private parlor at Langham’s Hotel, where the counterfeit -Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay and the Rev. Mr. -Cassius Leegh sat at an early breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The personal appearance of Gentleman Geff and his -“lady” are familiar to our readers. That of the Rev. Cassius -Leegh may be described. He resembled his sister. -Nature had given him a very handsome form and face, but -sin had marred both.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On this morning both men looked bad; their faces were -pallid, their eyes red, their hands shaky, their voices husky, -their nerves “shattered,” their tempers—infernal!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff had plunged into the gulf of dissipation -to drown remorse. And the last two months of lawless -deviltry in the French capital had made of him a mental -and physical wreck.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His “reverend” brother-in-law was not far above him in -the path that leads down to perdition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Gentleman Geff was as well as serene, and as beautiful -as it was possible for her to be under her adverse circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But then, being the woman that she was, she had much -to console her. She had come from Paris enriched with -Indian shawls, velvet and satin dresses, laces and jewels -which might have been the envy of a duchess.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She wore her traveling suit of navy-blue poplin, for they -were to take an early train for Yorkshire immediately after -breakfast. She performed her duties as hostess at breakfast -with perfect self-possession, though often under great -provocation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When you are settled at the rectory you will, of course, -bring down Mrs. Leegh and the children. I am quite longing -to make the acquaintance of my sweet sister-in-law and -her little ones,” said Lamia softly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t know,” sulkily replied her brother. “It’s a bad -time—in midwinter—to move children from the mild climate -of Somerset to the severe one of York.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look here!” angrily and despotically exclaimed Gentleman -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>Geff. “I won’t have it! You’ve got to bring ’em, -climate or no climate, or you’re no parson for my parish! -It was well enough when you were rollicking and carousing -’round Paris to leave your wife and kids with your father-in-law -in Somerset, but when you’re settled in Haymore -rectory you have got to have ’em with you. It would be -deuced disreputable to have you, the pastor of a parish, -living in one place and your wife and children in another. -And I don’t want any reverend reprobates around me, I can -tell you that much!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You shall have no cause to complain, Mr. Hay,” replied -Cassius Leegh, controlling his temper and speaking coolly, -though his blood was boiling with rage at the insult, for -which he would have liked to knock his “patron” down.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think it is time to go.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff arose, muttering curses at all and sundry -persons and things, flung his pocketbook at Mr. Leegh and -told him to go down to the office and settle the bill and -order a cab.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Half an hour later Gentleman Geff and his companions -were seated in a compartment of a first-class carriage, flying -northward as fast as the mail train could carry them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>My gentleman’s valet and my lady’s maid traveled by the -second class of the same train.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff made himself as disagreeable to his fellow -travelers as shattered nerves and bad temper could drive him -to be, and as the hours passed he became so unendurable as -to tax to the utmost the forbearance of his victims, who rejoiced -when the day of torture drew to a close and their -train steamed into the station at Chuxton and stopped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They all go out and stood on the platform. The train -started again and steamed northward. Gentleman Geff -looked around for his state carriage and four. There was -none visible. He began to curse and swear.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come into the waiting-room, dearest,” said Lamia -sweetly. “No doubt your carriage will be here in a few -moments.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It should be here now, waiting. I’ll be —— ——!” -(with a terrible oath) “if I don’t discharge every —— —— -of them as soon as I get to Haymore!” he added as he led -the way into the building and sat down, not to please Lamia, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>but to rest himself, for bodily weakness was one other of -the bad effects of his intemperance.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were but two other passengers besides Gentleman -Geff’s party who got out at Chuxton.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These were a middle-aged couple, who walked arm in arm -to the Tawny Lion Tavern, engaged the only carriage there, -and drove on to Haymore Hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These were, of course, Mr. and Mrs. John Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff and his friends waited and waited, the -maid or the valet going out at intervals to see if the carriage -from Haymore Hall had come, or was coming, Gentleman -Geff cursing and swearing freely in the interim.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At last he burst out with a fearful oath, adding:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We can’t wait here all night, Leegh—and be —— to -you! Be off with yourself to the Black Lion, or the Brown -Bear, whatever the beastly tavern is called, and see if you -can get a fly.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Rev. Cassius, glad enough to get out of sight and -hearing of his worthy brother-in-law and patron, hurried -off to the Tawny Lion, and made such haste that he soon returned -with the fly, which had already taken Mr. and Mrs. -John Legg to Haymore Hall and had just come back to -the inn.</p> - -<p class='c009'>With many threats, sealed by terrific oaths, of extirpation -of all the domestic establishment at the Hall, Gentleman -Geff entered the carriage with his party and drove off to -meet Nemesis at Haymore Hall.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXII<br> <span class='large'>AN ARRIVAL AT HAYMORE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>When the curate burst into his wife’s sitting-room with -the joyful news that he was to be the Vicar of Haymore, -his impetuous delight was not inspired by family affection -alone, although he was deeply sensible of the benefits his beloved -ones would derive from the commodious house and -grounds and the liberal income attached to the living; but -he was relieved and satisfied to know that his new flock, in -whom he had already become interested, would not be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>turned over to the wolf in sheep’s clothing he knew Cassius -Leegh to be.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Campbell received his news with a stare of stupefaction.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you mean?” she inquired at length.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I mean that Mr. Randolph Hay—the real Mr. Randolph -Hay—the real Squire of Haymore—has offered me the living -of Haymore, which is in his gift, and has invited me to -dine with him this evening to talk over the affair, and -begged me to waive ceremony and bring my wife and daughter -with me to meet his wife and friends. And this he asks -as a particular favor, for particular reasons which shall be -explained when we meet, he adds. Of course I shall go, and -you will both accompany me,” he concluded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course we will,” readily responded Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa!” exclaimed Jennie in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What are you afraid of, my dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nothing. But, oh, papa, if I might only remain at -home!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie, dear, would you disoblige a man who is about -to confer a great benefit upon you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not for the world, papa. I will go if you think my failure -to do so would displease Mr. Hay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not think it would ‘displease’ him in the sense of -angering him, my dear; for, by Longman’s account, he is -one of the most amiable and considerate of men; but I do -think, from the tone of his note, that it would disappoint -him, for evidently he has a very strong motive for wanting -our presence at Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then certainly I will go. But have you any idea, papa, -what that motive can be?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think I have, my dear. You know that he who is now -in possession is the rightful squire. But surely you have -not forgotten that the fraudulent claimant has been daily -expected for a week past.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh!” exclaimed Hetty and Jennie in a breath.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, he is certainly on his way to the Hall this afternoon, -and without a suspicion that the rightful owner of -Haymore is in possession.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Jim!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa!”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>These exclamations broke simultaneously from the lips -of mother and daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, my dear ones; the felon, when he shall enter the -Hall to take possession, as he will think, of his stolen estate, -will be confronted by the friend he treacherously assassinated -and plundered and left for dead to be devoured by the -wolves of the Black Woods in California, eight months ago.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Jim!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a terrible story, my dear ones, as Longman has told -it. But retribution is at hand.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And do you think, Jim, that Mr. Hay also wants the -bigamist to be confronted by his forsaken wife?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear, I think he does.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa! papa!” cried Jennie, turning pale.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, you met the man on the steamer when you -were alone and you were not afraid of him. If you meet -him at Haymore you will be on my arm,” said the curate in -a reassuring tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And on your arm I shall fear nothing, papa, dear! And -now I will not distress you any more by my nervous fancies. -I will go, papa, and behave as well as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is my good, brave girl!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And—I know—Mrs. Longman will take good care of -baby while we are gone,” said Jennie in a tone of confidence, -but with a look of doubt.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course she will! There can be no mistake there! -She will take better care of little Essie than you or I could -with our best endeavors. ‘Why?’—do you ask?—because -she is an experienced nurse and a conscientious woman—and -a tender mother! Are those reasons enough?” demanded -Hetty, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie nodded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The proposed visit to Haymore Hall had for its suspected -object a very grave and important matter. Yet these two -women began immediately to think of the trifling items—what -they should wear!</p> - -<p class='c009'>It is always so! Whether a woman is to be married or -executed, her toilet seems to be an affair of the most serious -consideration.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mary Stuart’s dress was as artistically arranged for the -block as ever it had been for her bridals.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>Jennie’s big trunk was unlocked and invaded. She had -several dresses, gifts from her generous friends in New -York, much handsomer than Hetty had ever possessed; and -mother and daughter were near enough of a size to make -any dress in the collection fit either.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty, having her choice, selected a mazarine blue satin, -trimmed with deep flounces of Spanish lace, which very -well suited her fair, rosy face and sunny brown hair. Jennie -chose a ruby silk, trimmed with fringe of the same color, -which well set off her rich brunette complexion, dark eyes -and dark hair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On ordinary occasions of neighborly visiting for so short -a distance as that between the parsonage and the Hall the -curate and his wife and daughter would have walked, but -with such—to them—grand toilets, the two women required -a carriage, which now, with his improved prospects, Mr. -Campbell could well afford.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So a passing boy was called from the road and dispatched -to the Red Fox to engage Nahum with his mare “Miss -Nancy,” and the nondescript vehicle called by the proprietor -a “fly,” by the curate a “carryall,” and by the village boys -a “shandy-ray-dan.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>At precisely six o’clock this imposing conveyance was at -the gate of the parsonage waiting for the parson and his -party.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, at Haymore Hall, preparations were completed -for the reception of the most incompatible company -that ever could be gathered together.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Let us take a look at the people in the house and at the -guests they were expecting</p> - -<p class='c009'>First, as to the inmates, there were Ran and Judy—Mr. -and Mrs. Randolph Hay—their solicitor, Mr. Will Walling; -their brother, young Michael Man; the hunter, Samson -Longman, and the old miner, Andrew Quin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three last-mentioned men—Man, Longman and Quin—could -all swear to the identity of the squire in possession -as the real Mr. Randolph Hay, and to the fraudulent claimant -as an adventurer known to them by the name of Geoffrey -Delamere and the nickname of Gentleman Geff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>To this party was coming Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and -their daughter, Mrs. Montgomery, who could all testify to -the identity of the same fraudulent claimant and bigamous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>bridegroom, as an ex-captain of foot in her majesty’s service, -whom they had known and who had married Jennie -Campbell under his real name of Kightly Montgomery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And also Mr. and Mrs. John Legg, who could certainly -point out the deceived “bride,” the so-called Mrs. Randolph -Hay, once called Miss Lamia Leegh, as their daughter, -Lydia Legg, and the clerical impostor, the Rev. Cassius -Leegh, as their son Clay Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All these hosts and guests would make up the receiving -party who, at eight o’clock that evening, would be waiting -to welcome Gentleman Geff, his lady and her brother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At six o’clock the resident party in the Hall were gathered -in the drawing-room in full evening dress, waiting for -their guests.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy wore her wedding dress of cream-colored silk, -trimmed with duchess lace, but without the veil or orange -flowers, and with pearl jewelry instead. It was the prettiest, -if not the only proper dress for the occasion that she possessed, -her wardrobe being but a schoolgirl’s outfit.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran also wore his wedding suit, because—but will this -be believed of the young squire of Haymore?—it was the -only dress suit with which the careless young fellow had as -yet thought to provide himself!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike, Dandy and Longman wore, also, each his “marriage -garment,” which had been provided for Ran’s and -Judy’s wedding, and for the like reason—that they had no -others for full dress occasions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will Walling, being the dude of dudes in society, had a -choice among a score of evening suits, so much alike that -none but a connoisseur could have seen any difference between -them. He wore one of these.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sort of ser’ous time, Mr. Walling,” said old Dandy, who -found himself seated next to Mr. Will near the great open -fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t see why it should be for you, Mr. Quin,” said Will -Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No? Don’t ee, now? Well, I allus did hate a furse.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Fuss? Why, there will not be any.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran, Judy, Mike and Longman, who were standing in -the front bay window looking out upon the drive and chatting -together, now came sauntering up to the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>“What is the matter with Dandy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is afraid there will be a ‘furse,’” gravely replied -Will Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran burst out laughing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Before the peals of his mirth subsided, heavy, rumbling, -tumbling wheels were heard on the drive, and the “shandy-ray-dan” -drew up before the Hall door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The mirthful group composed themselves to receive their -first guests.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The door was opened by a footman, who announced:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Rev. Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Montgomery.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the party from the parsonage entered the drawing-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Judy went to meet them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The Rev. Mr. Campbell?” said Ran interrogatively as he -offered his hand to the curate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell bowed assent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to see you, sir. Mrs. Campbell, I presume? -And Mrs. Montgomery, also? Ladies, I am very -happy to make your acquaintance. Permit me to present -you to Mrs. Hay,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And when this and all the other introductions were over -and they were seated near the great open fire that the chill -of the December evening made so welcome as well as so -necessary, Mrs. Campbell, observing Judy’s painful, blushing -shyness, and attributing it all only to her extreme youth -and inexperience, and not at all to the conscious ignorance -that she did not expect in the young bride, addressed conversation -to her and tried to draw her out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Judy blushed and fidgeted and answered only in -monosyllables. She was so absurdly afraid of falling into -that dialect which some of her friends thought one of the -quaintest, sweetest charms about her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You have lived most of your life in America?” said -Mrs. Campbell, rather as stating a fact than putting a -question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, ma’am,” breathed Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have never seen America, but my daughter here spent -several months over there, and I think she was very much -pleased with the country and the people—eh, Jennie?” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>inquired Mrs. Campbell with the intention of drawing Mrs. -Montgomery into the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I was, indeed. Everybody was so kind to me,” replied -the young woman so heartily that Judy felt immediately -drawn toward her, and thenceforth the intercourse of -the three became easier.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell, to promote a good, social understanding, -also contrived to introduce the subject of mining in the gold -fields of California. And here all his companions were, so -to speak, at home. Every one, except the curate’s party, had -something to contribute of instruction upon this matter. -Even Judy forgot her fear of falling into dialect, and was -led to speak freely of home life in the mining camps and -woman’s work and mission there.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The whole company was on a full flow of conversation -when the butler opened the door and announced dinner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran immediately arose, offered his arm to Mrs. Campbell, -and begged Mr. Campbell to take in Mrs. Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Will Walling, with one of his most lady-killing -glances, offered his arm to Mrs. Montgomery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And they all went to the dining-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But neither in the drawing-room nor at the dinner table -was the slightest allusion made to the real motive of their -gathering.</p> - -<p class='c009'>An hour later, when the whole party had returned to the -drawing-room and the talk had wandered from the silver -mines of Colorado to those of Siberia, a footman entered -the room and spoke to his master apart, and in a low voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Two persons to see Mr. Andrew Quin?’ Show them in -here, Basset. Or, stay!—Mr. Quin!” exclaimed Ran, turning -to his old friend.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy came up in a moment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here are two people inquiring for you. They may come -upon private business with you. I don’t know, of course. -So, shall they come in here, or should you prefer to meet -them first?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I know who they are! They are my niece and -nevvy from Hantz. I’ll go and meet them!” said Dandy in -a delighted tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And then bring them in here and introduce them to -me,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Dandy followed the footman out into the hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>There he found a tall, thin, gray-haired man clothed in -an ulster from head to heel, holding in his left hand a warm -cap, and on his right arm a stout, rosy, handsome woman in -a black velvet bonnet and a gray plaid shawl that nearly -covered the whole of her black silk dress.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You—you—you are—my niece—Julia Quin—as was?” -inquired old Dandy, moving doubtfully toward the smiling -woman and holding out his hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed; that is, you are Uncle Andrew,” the visitor -exclaimed, taking the offered hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, to be sure I am!” he cried, drawing her up and -kissing her heartily. “And would you believe it, my wench, -but this is the first time I have kissed a ’oman for more -than twenty years! And now interdooce me to your hubby.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is hardly need; he knows who you are! Shake -hands long o’ your nephy,” she answered, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The two men simultaneously advanced and met.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am proud to make your acquaintance, sir,” said John -Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So am I yours,” answered Dandy, cordially, if a little -incoherently.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you didn’t know me, Juley, did you, now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not by sight, Uncle Andrew. You have changed some,” -replied Mrs. Legg, smiling and showing all her fine teeth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So have you! So have you! And a deal more ’n I -have! I left you a tall, slim, fair wench under twenty, and -I find you a broad, stout, rosy woman over forty. If that -ain’t a change I’d like to know what a change is!” said -Dandy triumphantly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, your change! When you left us to seek your fortune -in the gold fields of California you were a stout, broad-shouldered, -red-faced and red-headed man of forty. Now -you are a thin, pale, silver-haired old gentleman over sixty,” -retorted Julia, artfully mingling flattery with truth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, that is so; that is so,” meekly assented old Dandy; -and then, meditatively, he added: “And I like it to be so. -I like to think a good deal of my body wasting away in the -sweet, sunshiny air while still I am able to walk about in -it; so as when, I leave it there’ll be only skin and bone to -lay in the ground—or very little more.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Uncle Dandy, don’t talk that a way! You can’t be -much over sixty, and you may live to be over eighty or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>ninety—that is twenty or thirty years for you to live in -this world.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘What for?’ Why—why, to be a comfort to your dear -niece who loves you,” replied Mrs. Legg, not consciously -hypocritical, but self-deceived into the notion that she was -sincere.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah!” grunted Dandy in a tone which left his niece in -doubt whether he disbelieved her or not.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Suddenly the old man, feeling himself fatigued by standing -a few minutes, remembered that he had impolitely, even -if unintentionally, kept his relatives in the same position.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, excuse me! Take seats! take seats!” he said, waving -his hands wildly around the hall among the oaken and -leather-cushioned chairs with which it was furnished.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. and Mrs. Legg seated themselves on two of the -nearest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy drew a third up before then and dropped into it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You’ll come home ’long of us and stop for good, Uncle -Andrew, I hope,” said Mrs. Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Before the old man could reply Mr. Legg took up the -word.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir, we should be proud to have you a member of -our family for the rest of your life! And may it be a long -and happy one!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do thank ye, niece and nephy! I do, indeed! But I -don’t know ’bout going home ’long of you now! You see, -I’m stopping here ’long o’ my young friend, Mr. Randolph -Hay, and wisiting of him, am sort o’ at his orders——” -began Dandy, but his niece interrupted him hastily, almost -indignantly, with:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You don’t mean to say, Uncle Andrew Quin, that while -ever you have got a ’fectionate niece and nephy ready to -share their last crust ’long o’ you as you have gone at your -age and tuk service at the Hall?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Lord! No, wench! What are ye talking on? Didn’t I -tell ’ee that Mr. Randolph Hay was a friend of mine? And -didn’t I tell ’ee I was a-visiting on him? What be ye -a-thinking on?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, then, what did you mean by being at his orders?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! just to give my testimony onto a certain matter in -case of need. And I say I can’t give you any answer to your -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>invitation until I see how things be gwine to turn out at -the Hall!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! how long will that be?” demanded Mrs. Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Maybe a few hours, if it don’t go into court; maybe a -few centuries if it do. And in the last case, I sha’n’t be here -so long.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Uncle Dandy, you speak in riddles.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I must do that at the present moment, my dear. But in -a few hours, or a few centuries, if you haven’t guessed them -in that time, I will give you the answers to them riddles.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Uncle Andrew, we thought by your sending a telegram -to us to ‘come at once,’ that you were very ill.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, my wench, I thank you and him for coming so -very prompt. I do, indeed! So much prompter than I -could expect! Really, I didn’t think you would get here -until some time to-morrow. But I’m glad and thankful as -you’re here to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you are not ill, Uncle Dandy. You are very well, -thank the Lord!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I never said I was ill, Juley. I said I wasn’t able to -travel. No more I ain’t. And no more I wasn’t. I’m a -feeble old man, wench.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tut! tut! ‘Feeble old man,’ indeed! You are a ‘fine -old English gentleman,’ as the song says. And now you -have come home to old England so well off and so well-looking -you will be getting married and putting some -blooming young aunt-in-law over our heads!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Blooming young’ fiddlesticks!” giggled old Dandy, not -displeased at the words of his niece.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But what made you telegraph us in such hot haste?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“’Cause, after being away so long and coming so far, I -got into a sort of fever to see my kin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And we were in a fever to see you, you dear uncle, from -the moment we got your dispatch. And we thank you now -for sending it, although it did frighten us nearly to death -on your account.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Isn’t it strange you should have cared so much for an -old uncle you hadn’t seen nor heerd tell on for twenty years -or more?” demanded Dandy with a twinkle in his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Strange or not, it was so. But is it stranger than that -you should have cared so much for me as to send a telegram -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>and be in a fever to see me? Come, Uncle Dandy! You -know ‘blood is thicker than water.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is so! Yes, that is so!” muttered the old man -meditatively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, Julia! I think that we must go. You see, Mr. -Quin——Or may I call you Uncle Quin?” inquired John -Legg, interrupting his own speech.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Uncle Quin, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Dandy—whichever -you please,” cordially replied the old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, Uncle Quin, I must tell you that we are very glad -to find you in such good health. We are sorry, though, that -you cannot go home with us at once. We shall have to return -to Medge to-morrow. To-night, however, we shall -have to find quarters in the village here, and will see you -again in the morning before we leave. Shall we say good-night -now?” said John Legg, offering his hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, stay! stop! I forgot! Mr. Randolph Hay wishes -to see you both—wants to make your acquaintance—and -made me promise to bring you into the drawing-room. -Come!” said Dandy, taking the offered hand of his nephew -and trying to draw him toward a door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg hesitated, looked at his wife, and then inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who’s in there?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Squire and wife, and brother-in-law and lawyer, parson -and wife and daughter, and a backwoodsman—all plain people -as you needn’t be afraid on; I ain’t.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We would rather not go in. We are not exactly dressed -for company, right off a railway journey, and a very long -one at that, as we are. Can’t you step in and persuade the -young squire to come out and speak to us? You can tell -him how it is.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I’ll go and try,” said Dandy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And he returned to the drawing-room, went up to Ran, -and whispered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Hay, my niece and nephy be plain folk and a bit -shy. They want to pay their respects to you, but don’t like -to face the company in the drawing-room. Will you please -come and speak to them in the hall?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly,” replied Ran, rising; and then turning to his -friends he added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am called out for a moment. Will you excuse me?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>Smiles and nods from every one answered him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He followed Dandy to the hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Randolph Hay, sir,” said the old man with solemn -formality, “will you have the goodness to allow me to interdooce -to your honor my niece and nephy, Juley and John -Legg?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia stood up and dropped her rustic, housemaid’s courtesy. -John took off his hat and bowed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran held out a hand to each, saying cordially:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad to see you. Your uncle is one of my -oldest and most esteemed friends; so that any friends of his -own shall always be most heartily welcome. You are just -from Hantz?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Straight, sir. Arrived by the train that reached Chuxton -at six o’clock this evening,” answered John Legg.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXIII<br> <span class='large'>ANOTHER ARRIVAL</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Now that was the train by which Ran had expected -Gentleman Geff and his suit, and this was about an hour -beyond the time when they were due at Haymore. So his -next question was the inevitable one:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Did any other passengers leave that train for Haymore?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then John Legg stopped to laugh a little before he answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! yes, sir. There were two gentlemen and a lady. I -didn’t see their faces nor hear their names, but they seemed -to belong to some seat in the neighborhood, for the tallest -of the gentlemen seemed to have expected the family carriage -to be there on the spot to meet the party. And when -he found that it was not, well, sir, I don’t think as in all my -long life I ever heard such a vast amount and choice variety -of cursing.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Gentleman Geff all over!” muttered Dandy to himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What became of them?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t know, sir. We left him there cursing land and -water, sun, moon and stars, so to speak, and threatening the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>destruction of the earth, or words to that effect, if his carriage -and servants failed to appear within the next five -minutes. We walked to the Tawny Lion Inn and secured -the only conveyance to be found and came on here while the -gentleman waited for his coach and four, or whatever it -might have been.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And is waiting there still, probably, and will have to -wait until your ‘conveyance’ returns.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, sir, that will not be long. Julia and myself are -about to say good-night,” said John Legg respectfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Good-night,’ indeed! By no means! What do you -mean? Come two hundred miles or so to see your uncle -here at Haymore Hall, and after an hour’s visit say good-night? -Not at all! You and Mrs. Legg will, I hope, give -us the pleasure of remaining with us during your stay in -Yorkshire,” said Ran heartily.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are very kind, sir, and we thank you very much, -but——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg paused and looked at his wife, who did not -help him by a word or a glance.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I will take no denial. Where shall I send for your -luggage?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We have nothing but hand-bags, sir, and they are in the -carryall outside. You see, we came directly from the Chuxton -station to this house, and have all we carried in the -vehicle with us. We intended to return in it, and to put up -at the Red Fox Inn in your village here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you will do no such thing. You will get your hand-bags -out of the carriage, send it back to Chuxton—where -the swearing gentleman is waiting, swearing harder than -ever, no doubt—and you will remain here with us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you say, Juley?” said John Legg, appealing to -his wife. “Come, woman, can’t you help a fellow a little?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you say, Uncle Dandy?” inquired Julia, appealing -in turn to her old relative.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You stop here! Both on you stop! You take Mr. Hay -at his word! Ran Hay means every word that he speaks. -If he says he wants you to stop here he does want you to -stop here! And as he does, you ought to do it to please him -as well as yourselves, which you will be sure to do, I know. -That’s all I have got to say!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While Dandy was speaking and his niece and nephew -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>listening, Ran beckoned a footman to follow him, and -stepped out of the front door and went up to the driver of -the carryall, who stood by the horses’ heads, clapping his -thickly gloved hands and stamping his heavily shod feet to -keep warm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You came from Chuxton?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir, and been waiting here for more’n an hour for -the parties I fotch, and myself near frozen, spite of my piles -of clothes and——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Charles,” said Hay, turning his head and speaking in a -low voice to the footman, “go in and get a large mug of -strong ale and bring it out to this man.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The footman vanished on his errand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The driver continued as if he had not been interrupted:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Horses like to catch their death of cold, spite o’ two -heavy blankets apiece laid o’ top of them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am sorry I can do nothing for your horses, but if you -think any of the grooms might, just let them do it,” said -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, sir. There can’t nobody do nothing for ’em here. -And nothing will help them but a brisk trot back to Chuxton -and a warm mash and good bed when they get there.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The footman came out with a pewter quart measure of -strong, foaming ale and handed it to the driver.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The latter took it with a “thanky” to the server and a -bow to the master, and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir. This saves my life. Here’s to a long -and happy one for you and yours. Is the party inside ready -to go back, if you please, sir?” inquired the driver after he -had taken one long draught of the ale and stopped to draw -a deep sigh of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They are not going back. Charles, get the bags and -other effects out of the carriage and carry them into the -house.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The footman obeyed, loading himself with two heavy -bags, two rugs and a large umbrella, and took them into -the hall while the driver was taking his second long pull at -the ale.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How much is your fare?” inquired Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The man stopped to recover breath with another devout -inhalation of enjoyment, and then answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ten shillings, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>Ran took out his purse and gave the man half a sovereign -and half a crown.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir,” said the driver, touching his hat, not -for the fare, but for the “tip.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he took the blankets off his horses, folded and put -them under his box and mounted to his seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You had better drive as fast as you can, not only for -the sake of warming the blood of the horses, but for that -of cooling the temper of the gentleman who is waiting for -you with his party at the station.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Another fare to-night, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, so I hear from the people you have just brought.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then the master won’t only have to find fresh horses, -but a fresh driver, sir; for I’m just dead beat. Any more -commands, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not any.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-night, then, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The driver took up his “ribbons” and started his horses -in a brisk trot.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran turned to re-enter the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was met by John Legg running out bareheaded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What’s the matter?” demanded Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The man has gone off without his fare.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, go in the house—you will catch your death of -cold; but you can’t stop him now. He is through the lodge -gates by this time,” said Ran, playfully taking John Legg -by the shoulders and turning him “right face forward” to -the ascending steps.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They re-entered the house together.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Legg had already taken off her heavy shawl and -bonnet, and had arranged her hair before the hall mirror, -and stood in her neat plain dress, with fresh <i><span lang="fr">crêpe lis</span></i> ruches—which -she had taken from the flap pocket outside her bag—around -neck and wrists, and her only ornaments a gold -watch and chain and a set of pearls, consisting of brooch -and earrings, which had been her husband’s wedding present -to herself and which she always carried about her when -traveling for fear, if left at home, they might be stolen. -These she had now taken from her pocket and put on.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Altogether she was quite presentable in that drawing-room. -And as, with all, she was a “comely” matron, her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>husband looked upon her with pardonable pride as well as -love.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But while furtively glancing at his wife he was putting -off his ulster and speaking to his host all at the same time.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I hadn’t a notion what you were about,” he was saying, -“until your man came in loaded down with our luggage. As -soon as I saw that and found out what you had done I -hurried out to pay the fare, but the carryall had gone.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is all right,” said Ran. “Come in now and let me -introduce you to my friends.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Please, Mr. Hay, let me brush his hair and put a clean -collar and bosom on him first. I won’t be two minutes,” -pleaded Mrs. Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran yielded, and the man’s toilet was made in the hall, -as the woman’s had been a few minutes previous.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Ran took Mrs. Legg on his arm and led the way -into the drawing-room, followed by old Dandy and John -Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hay presented his new visitor first to his wife and then -to all his guests. And the plain pair, it is almost needless -to say, were as cordially received by the cultured people -from the English rectory as they were by the border men -from the Californian mining camp.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When this little ripple in the circle had subsided all settled -again into small groups.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The four women found themselves temporarily together, -and fell to talking of the weather, servants, children and -the approaching Christmas holidays.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Campbell and her daughter sat one on each side of -Julia and made much of her. No word from Hetty or Jennie -revealed the fact that Mrs. John Legg had once been in -their service.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Julia made no secret of it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I was housekeeper at the rectory of Medge, ma’am, in -the old lady’s time, three years before his reverence was -married.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She means in my grandmother’s days,” put in Mr. -Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And for eighteen years afterward; making twenty-one -years in all that I lived with the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. -I held that child, Miss Jennie—Mrs. Montgomery -that now is—on my lap when she wasn’t twenty-four hours -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>old. And nursed her and took care of her from the time -of her birth until that of her marriage,” said Julia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Jennie, who was holding her hand, raised and -pressed it to her own breast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; and I have lived with them ever since, up to the -time when they left to come up here to Yorkshire. Then -I took Mr. Legg’s offer and married him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I hope you have been very happy,” said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am as happy, dear, as I can be parted from you all. -We came to Haymore to see Uncle Dandy. And we intended -to go to-morrow and see you. We little expected to -find you here. I haven’t seen his reverence since the day he -married John and me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That was the last ceremony he ever performed in Medge -parish church,” said Mrs. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While they talked in this manner of strictly personal and -domestic matters, the rector himself was one of a group -gathered around Mr. Will Walling, who was another Gulliver -or Munchausen for telling fabulous adventures of -which he himself was the hero.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The inevitable subject of mining had suggested to Mr. -Will the story of the horrors of penal serviture in the silver -mines of the Ural Mountains, and he was telling it as if the -false charge, the secret conviction, the exile, the journey, -the life in the mines, the escape and flight through the snow -and ice of Siberia, and all the attendant awful sufferings -had been in his own personal experience. And all his audience -listened with the fullest faith and deepest interest—that -is, all except two—Ran, who had heard the story told -before to-night, and John Legg, who had very recently read -it in a dilapidated old volume bought for threepence at a -second-hand book stand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran was bored, and could hardly repress the rudeness of -a yawn; and he saw, besides, that John Legg looked incredulous -and sarcastic.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he thought of the party of sinners who were by this -time on their way to Haymore and to judgment. And then -that their coming would bring pain and shame to more than -one of that party. But all—even poor Jennie—had been -prepared for the event except John Legg. Then it occurred -to him that he must warn the poor father of the shock that -might otherwise overwhelm him.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>He stopped and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Legg, will you favor me with a few minutes’ conversation -in the library?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Surely, sir,” replied the greengrocer with alacrity as -he arose to accompany his host.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Friends, will you excuse us for a few moments?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, if we must,” replied Will Walling, answering for -the company; “but, really, you know, it is a shame to go -before you have heard the end of the story.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I have heard you tell it many times,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; but Mr. Legg hasn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I have done better than that. I have been through -it. Why, man, I was the very Enokoff who helped Wallingski -to make good his flight across the frontier. Only my -real name was not Enokoff, but Legginoff, or Legenough, if -you like it better,” said the greengrocer as he followed Ran -from the drawing-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will Walling started, but could make nothing of the -answer; yet to his circle of listeners he said in explanation:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Too bad of Hay to have anticipated me and told that old -fellow the end of the story while they were pretending to -listen.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Ran had led his companion to the library, -where both sat down on a leathern armchair, on opposite -sides of a narrow table, on which they leaned their arms, -facing each other.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, then, sir, I am at your service,” said Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you smoke?” inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Only occasionally; when I need a sedative and philosophy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Exactly. I smoke semi-occasionally for the same reasons. -Will you take an exceptionally fine cigar now? It is -an Isabella Regina.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran produced a case and matches. They lighted their -weeds and began to smoke.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran let a few minutes elapse to allow the sedative to take -some effect upon his guest, and then broke the subject for -which he had brought the old man there.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Legg, I hope you will pardon me for asking a question -that may seem to be an unpardonable liberty,” he said -in a low voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>“Ask me what you please, sir. I am sure it will not be an -offensive liberty, since you could not possibly take one,” -gravely replied the old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, when did you hear from your son and your -daughter?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have no son or daughter, sir. The young man and -woman to whom you may allude forsook our humble way of -life as soon as we had finished educating them above their -position, each taking his or her way. Yet I am often sorry -for them and anxious about them, for they were once my -children, though they discard and despise me, for I know -that for that very reason they must come to grief and shame -in this world as well as in the next, if they do not repent -and reform. For, look you, Mr. Hay, I am an old man, and -all my long life I have noticed this one thing—that a man -may break every commandment in the decalogue, except -one, and he may escape punishment in this world, whatever -becomes of him in the next. I say he may, and he often -does. But if he breaks the Fifth Commandment—called -the Commandment with Promise—his punishment, or his -discipline of pain and failure, comes in this world. However, -upon repentance, he may be forgiven in the next. -This is the fruit of my observation and experience of men. -I cannot answer for those of other people.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, Mr. Legg, I fear your opinion is about to be sustained -in the fate of the young people. They are both about -to come to grief; and I am glad for the girl’s sake that you -are here to-night, for I am sure you would stand by your -daughter in her trouble,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The old man stared at the earnest young speaker and -then said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So it was for this, Mr. Hay, that you made old Andrew -Quin bring me here by telegraph.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No! Heaven knows I had nothing whatever to do with -bringing you to Haymore. That was entirely Mr. Quin’s -own idea.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then it was old Andrew that worked to bring about my -visit here in the interest of my undutiful daughter.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No! Again you are wrong. Andrew Quin knew nothing -whatever of your chance of meeting your son or daughter -at Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then the present crisis is accidental.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>“Providential, rather.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I stand corrected. Where are these people now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They are on their way to this house. They will be here -in one hour from this time.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My wretched son and daughter?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, Mr. Legg. Your son and daughter, and the man -that she believes to be her husband.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The man that she believes to be her husband! Believes -only! Heaven and earth! has she fallen as low as that?” -groaned the father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not knowingly. Not guiltily. Neither state, church -nor society will hold her guilty of a deep wrong that she -has suffered, not committed. Hers was not an elopement. -Not a clandestine marriage. Her courtship was open. Her -engagements approved by all her friends. Her wedding -was public, and the reception that followed was the social -event of the season.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yet the man is not her husband?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How so?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because he was and had been a married man for two -years previous to his meeting with your daughter. Because -he was and is a bigamist. More than that, he is a forger, -a perjurer, a swindler, a highway robber and a midnight -assassin!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Great Heaven! Great Heaven!” groaned the wretched -father, covering his face with his hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In a word, this man may be called the champion criminal -of his age,” continued Ran, unmercifully “piling up -the agonies.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And how is it that he is at large?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because his crimes have only recently been brought to -light.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And this man has betrayed my poor girl!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It was not her fault.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes—ah, me!—it was. Her pride, beauty and ambition -have brought her to ruin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No! You may still help and save her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I doubt it. But tell me all about it,” said poor John -Legg, sinking back in his chair and covering his working -features with his open palms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran began and told the whole story of the connection of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>Gentleman Geff, Lamia Leegh, Jennie Campbell and himself, -comprised within the last year.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And in the room there,” he concluded, “gathered to -meet and confound the great criminal are the witnesses of -his crimes, the testifiers to his identity, and, more terrible -than all, his victims, raised as it were from the dead against -him. Among them Jennie Montgomery, the daughter of -James Campbell, the girl who was nursed and brought up -for sixteen years by your good wife, and who was married, -then deserted, and finally stabbed by that felon. Among -them, too, myself, Ran Hay, the friend who shared his -cabin and his crust—nay, his heart and soul—with him, -and yet whom he shot down from behind at midnight in the -Black Woods of California. Among them, too, will be the -wronged father of that unhappy girl——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No! no! No! no! Oh, Mr. Hay! I cannot be present -at that scene! The sight of me would add to her suffering. -No! When it is all over, and the man who has spoiled her -life has been exposed, then take care of her for a few hours -and afterward let her know of her father; that, however his -heart may have been hardened against his vain, haughty, -disdainful daughter, it is softened by his humbled, grieved -and suffering child. Let her know that her father’s arms -and her father’s home are ever opened to his daughter. But -I cannot see her to-night, Mr. Hay. I am very grateful to -you, sir. I understand you now. But please leave me and -send Julia to me. She knows how to deal with me better -than any one else.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will do so at once. And, Mr. Legg, please use this -house and the servants just as if they were entirely your -own. Call for anything you may like, and do exactly as you -choose,” said Ran as he took the old man’s hand, pressed it -kindly, and left the library.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then John Legg dropped his head upon his folded arms -on the table and burst into tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Other arms were soon around him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He looked up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia stood there.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He told her all in fewer words than Ran had taken to -tell the story.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She drew a chair and sat down beside him, took his hand -and held it while she said:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>“Well, don’t cry no more. The girl has had her lesson; -but the shame of her marriage is not hern or ourn. We will -take her home and give her love and comfort and peace, if -we cannot give her happiness. I will be as true and tender -a mother to her as if she were my own hurt child. And -her own mother looking down from heaven will see no cause -to blame me. At Medge her story need never be known. -She will be the Liddy Legg of her youth. She went for to -be a governess in a rich American family—she has come -home now for good. That is true, and it’s all of the truth -that need be known at Medge. The writing between the -lines need not be read there. And there is Uncle Dandy, -who is just as kind as he is rich. He will surely be good to -the poor gal.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Suddenly Julia paused and fell into deep thought.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While she had been comforting her husband in his sorrow -over his miserable daughter her own better nature was -aroused, and when finally she had occasion to allude to her -old uncle she felt ashamed of the selfish and avaricious -spirit that had inspired her to run after him for his imaginary -wealth and to covet its inheritance, and she secretly -resolved to try, with the Lord’s help, to put away the evil -influence and think of the old relative as a lonely old man -whose age and infirmities it should be not only her duty but -her pleasure to cherish and support.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then the spirit of avarice departed for the time -being, at least; for a devil cannot endure the presence of an -angel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While this change was silently passing within her she -still held her husband’s hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length she spoke again, slightly varying the subject.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What about the boy?” she inquired, referring to his son.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The man, you mean; for he is twenty-eight years old. -I don’t know! I hope he will never get a pulpit, for I know -this much, that he is totally unfit for one; yes, and the -bishops, whose boots he is always licking in the hope of -preferment, know it, too! He got the promise of the living -here at Haymore from the fraudulent claimant who has -ruined us all, or tried to do so; but that goes for nothing -at all, for Mr. Randolph Hay has already given it to the -Rev. Mr. Campbell, a good man and worthy minister. So -my vagabond will also have to meet with humiliating disappointment -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>along with his felonious patron and wretched -sister.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Think no more on it, except to do the best you can and -leave the rest to the Lord,” said Julia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At this moment the door opened and a footman entered -with a large tray laden with tea, bread and butter, game -pie, cakes, sweetmeats and other edibles. He put it down -on the tables between the two people and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My mistress thought, sir, that you might like refreshments -after your journey. And would you prefer a bottle -of wine, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, thank you; nothing more whatever. You need not -wait,” replied Mr. Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The man touched his forehead and left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy had remembered what Ran, with all his goodness of -heart, had forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But, then, it is almost always Eve, and seldom or never -Adam, who is</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“On hospitable thoughts intent,”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>in the way of feeding at least.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia poured out tea for her husband and filled his plate -with game pie and bread and butter, and made him eat and -drink and set him a good example in that agreeable duty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the meantime the company in the drawing-room were -getting a little weary of waiting.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Hay had contrived to draw the curate aside, where -they could settle the affair of the living. It was but a short -conference, for Mr. Campbell was glad and grateful to accept -it. At the end of their talk the minister said very -sincerely:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The utmost that I dared to hope for was the curacy -under the new rector, whoever he should be! But the living! -It is more than I ever dreamed of or deserved! Yet -will I, with the Lord’s help, do my utmost for the parish.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>What Ran might have replied was cut short with some -sudden violence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>First by the heavy rumbling and tumbling of some clumsy -carryall over the rough drive as it drew up to the front of -the Hall and stopped; then by loud and angry tones of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>voice; then by a resounding peal of knocks on the door -which seemed to reverberate through the entire building.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The arrival was an embodied storm that threatened to -dash in the entire front of the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the library John Legg sprang up and bolted the door -against the uproar, and then sat down by his trembling -wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the drawing-room all was excitement and expectation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s him!” exclaimed old Dandy, with his few spikes of -white hair rising on end around his bald crown. “It’s him! -Straight from the pit of fire and brimstone, and possessed -of the devil and all his demons!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the hall the frightened footmen hastened to throw -open the front door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff burst in, cursing and swearing in the -most appalling manner, and threatening every one in his -house with instant discharge, death and destruction, for having -kept him waiting at Chuxton so many hours and not -having sent his coach and four and mounted servants to -meet him!</p> - -<p class='c009'>So, raving like a madman whose frenzy is heightened by -<i><span lang="la">mania a potu</span></i>, he broke into the drawing-room in the midst -of the assembled company.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran Hay arose and advanced down the room to meet him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXIV<br> <span class='large'>AT BAY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Randolph Hay advanced to meet the violent intruder.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff was still raging and threatening.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How do you do, Mr. Geoffrey Delamere?” coolly inquired -Ran, calling the man of many aliases by the name by -which he had known him in California.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff stopped suddenly and drew himself up -with drunken arrogance.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the quiet, low-voiced, well-dressed young gentleman -who stood before him, with clear, pale complexion, neatly -trimmed hair and mustache, who wore light kid gloves, and -had a rosebud in his buttonhole, he did not recognize the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>rough, rollicking, sunburned and shock-headed lad who had -befriended him at Grizzly Gulch, and whom he himself had -shot down, robbed and left for dead, to be devoured by -wolves in the Black Woods of the gold State, and whose -name and inheritance he had stolen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who in thunder and lightning are you, you villain? -And what the fire and brimstone are you doing here, in -my house, you rascal?” he fiercely demanded, and without -waiting for an answer he fell to cursing and swearing in the -most furious manner, ending with: “If you don’t get out -of this in double-quick I’ll have you kicked out of doors and -into the horse pond, you scoundrel!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Perhaps if you give yourself the trouble to look up in -my face you may recognize me, as well as my right to be -here,” said Ran calmly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff stared.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You should remember me. It has not been so long; -only since the second of last April that we parted company -in the Black Woods of California,” continued Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the criminal’s face blanched, his jaw fell, his eyes -started, he stared with growing horror for a moment, then -reeled, and must have fallen but that he was caught in the -strong arms of Longman, who supported him to a high-backed -armchair and sat him down in it, where he seemed -to fall into a state of stupefaction. The awful shock of this -meeting had not sobered him—he was too far gone in drunkenness -for that; but it had reduced him to a state of imbecility.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Mr. Cassius Leegh, who had been engaged -outside doing all the duties of his patron, seeing to the -luggage, paying off the carryall, and even taking care of his -sister, now strutted into the room with the lady on his arm, -his head thrown back, his nose in the air, and altogether -with a fine manner of scorn.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was not so drunk as his patron; he was only drunk -enough to be a very great man, indeed; but not to be a very -violent one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the meaning of this irregularity?” he loftily -demanded. “We did not expect company!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We did,” said Ran with a touch of humor in his tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pray, who are you, sir?” demanded Leegh, throwing up -his head.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>“Ask your companion there,” replied Ran with a wave of -his hand toward the panic-stricken object in the armchair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hay!” exclaimed Leegh, turning to his patron. “What -in the dev—what on earth does all this mean? Who are all -these people?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff opened his mouth, gasped, rolled his eyes -and sank into silence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Can’t you speak, man? What the dev—what is the matter -with you? And what is all this infer—this confusion -about?” angrily demanded Leegh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff gasped two or three times, rolled his eyes -frightfully and replied:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is the day of judgment! And the dead—the murdered -dead—have risen to bear witness against me!—have -left their graves to cry ‘blood for blood’!” he shrieked; and -then his eyes stared and became fixed, his jaw fell and his -face blanched.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poor idiot!” exclaimed Mr. Leegh in extreme disgust. -“I never saw his so drunk as this. If he goes it at this -pace he will soon come to the end of life. I find I must take -command here and clear the house. Have I your authority -to act for you, sister?” he inquired in a whisper of the -woman on his arm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes—yes,” she faltered faintly; “but take me first to a -chair or sofa. I feel as if about to faint. Oh, what does is -all mean?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It means that our friend here,” he replied, pointing to -the collapsed criminal in the chair, “has delirium tremens. -And ‘has ’em bad,’ as the old costermonger used to say of -his cousin,” he added as he placed his sister in a large, -cushioned armchair, into which she sank exhausted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he glanced over the scene, taking stock of the company -preparatory to his work of clearing the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nearest to him, on his right hand, stood the young colossus, -Samson Longman, leaning over the chair of poor old -Dandy, who sat with his bald head dropped and his withered -face hidden in the palms of his hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These two men were both strangers to Mr. Leegh, who -did not feel inclined to commence his work of expulsion -with the giant or his immediate protégé.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A little further off, on his left, stood a group of three—Ran, -Mike and Will Walling—talking together. These -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>were also strangers to Mr. Leegh, who did not feel disposed -to begin with them either.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Still further off, straight before him, at the other end of -the room, was another group, each individual of which he -recognized. These were the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, -and their daughter, Jennie, whom he had often visited at -their parsonage in Medge; and to Mr. Campbell he had but -lately written, as the reader may remember, warning him -to leave the rectory, to which he himself—Leegh—had been -appointed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here, then, was his opportunity. He would begin with -these.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector—as we must call him now, since his induction -into the Haymore living by Mr. Randolph Hay—was seated -on a corner sofa with his wife and daughter, the latter sitting -between her father and her mother, with her distressed -face hidden in that mother’s bosom. Yet Leegh had instinctively -recognized her as well as her parents.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He went up, nodded to Mr. Campbell and offered his -hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector bowed in return, but did not take Leegh’s -hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am surprised to see you here this evening, sir. How -do you do, Mrs. Campbell? I hope Miss Jennie is quite -well,” said Leegh in an offhand way, not choosing to notice -the rector’s coolness, not knowing or suspecting that he was -the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am here at the invitation of Mr. Randolph Hay,” said -Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My daughter is quite well, thank you, Mr. Leegh,” said -Mrs. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Both the husband and the wife answering his careless -greeting simultaneously.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am glad to hear of Miss Jennie’s good health. She is -only tired, then, perhaps, or sleepy? Did you say you were -here at the invitation of the squire, Mr. Campbell?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir; of Mr. Randolph Hay,” calmly replied the -rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then he must have been even drun—I mean, more incomprehensible -than he is now. Pray, did he also invite all -these other people I see here?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>“I think not. He did not invite you, or your sister, or -Capt. Montgomery,” replied Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Didn’t invite me or my sister! Why, my sister is his -wife, man, and I am his brother-in-law! And he brought -us down with him to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think not,” said the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You think not! Why, here we are, anyway. Here am<a id='t235'></a> -I. There is my sister in that armchair, somewhat prostrated -and disgusted, to be sure. And there is her husband on that -high-back throne, somewhat ‘disguised,’ as one might say.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think you are mistaken in all that you have said,” -quietly remarked Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think that everybody in the room, except myself, is -drunk or demented, or most likely both!” exclaimed Leegh, -losing his temper and now speaking recklessly, for he was -not yet quite sober.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell made no reply to these words.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you be good enough to explain yourself?” rudely -demanded Leegh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have no explanation to make about myself. For any -other questions you would like to ask I must refer you to -Mr. Randolph Hay himself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is in a fine condition to answer questions, is he not, -now? Look at him!” said Leegh, pointing to the abject -creature in the chair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector looked and sighed to see the human wreck.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, then, will you explain?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; I must still refer you to Mr. Randolph Hay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Confound your insolence!” between his grinding teeth. -And then, aloud: “You got my letter, I presume?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Warning me to vacate the rectory?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course. What else should I have written to you -about?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I got your letter.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I hope you are ready to go. Because I shall certainly -enter into possession on the first of January,” said -Leegh rudely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The rectory is even now quite ready for the new incumbent.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am glad to hear it, though I shall not care to take possession -until the first of January. And now, Mr. Campbell, -excuse me for reminding you that the hour is late, and suggesting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>that, as this is the evening of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph -Hay’s arrival, it would be in good form for visitors -to retire.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you: but I must speak to my host and hostess -first.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>At this moment Judy came up from some obscure part of -the big room in which she had been lurking like a frightened -kitten.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell made room for her, and Judy sat down -beside her friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who is this young lady? Will you introduce me to -her?” said Leegh with one of his lady-killing smiles.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Excuse me, sir. I would rather not do so,” said Mr. -Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then turning to Judy, who had looked up with surprise -and pity, for she could not bear to see any one pained -or mortified, he added in explanation:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, my dear; I cannot do it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then, with a smothered imprecation, Leegh turned on his -heel and sauntered down the room to rejoin his sister, and -feeling as if he were in a very weird and ugly dream.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the meanwhile, however, Ran, Mike and Will Walling -had been taking counsel together, and often glancing -from the stupefied figure of Gentleman Geff, who still sat -with blanched face, dropped jaw and starting eyes, staring -into vacancy, to that of Lamia Leegh, who reclined on her -chair with closed eyes and in a half-fainting condition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length Ran from the pity of his heart said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Walling, I cannot bear to expose that poor woman to -the awful humiliation of hearing the whole of that fellow’s -villainies exposed. I will go into the library and persuade -her poor father to receive her in there and save her from -this trial. And do you go to her and break the news of Mr. -Legg’s presence in the house. You need tell her no more -as yet. The worst need not be told until later.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, I will do as you say. There is her precious -brother talking to Mr. Campbell. I wonder what he is saying,” -said Will Walling as he went up and stood beside the -chair of Lamia Leegh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She never moved or opened her eyes. She did not seem -to have perceived his presence. He wished to address her, -but hardly knew what name to call her. If he should call -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>her by her real name, or even by the name she bore in New -York before her marriage, it would startle and offend her. -It would seem a deliberate insult. If he should call her by -Ran’s name it would be by a false one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The last alternative, however, was the one on which he -decided to act. It could do no harm, he thought, to humor -her delusion by calling her by the name she honestly supposed -to be hers by right of marriage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He laid his hand lightly on the back of her chair, stooped, -and said softly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mrs. Hay!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She started, opened her eyes, sat up and gazed at him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have startled you. I am sorry,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Walling! You here! In England! At Haymore!” -she exclaimed, gazing at him as if she could not turn away -her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, as you see!” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And we did not know you were coming. At least, I did -not. And, oh! what brought you here? I don’t mean to be -rude, though the question seems a rude one.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a most natural one. I came—for a change,” replied -Will Walling evasively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And when did you arrive?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In England? Tuesday.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And when did you come to Haymore?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Late last night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You came straight here, then, expecting to find us at -home, and found no one to receive you—except the servants, -of course. I hope they made you comfortable. And, -of course they told you that we were to be home to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, of course, thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am so glad you are here. And, oh, Mr. Walling, since -you are here, will you please to tell me who all these strangers -are and why they are here, and what, oh! what has reduced -my husband to that condition? He looks as if he -were struck with idiocy,” said Lamia with ill-concealed -scorn and hatred.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will Walling thought within himself that she would have -little to suffer from wounded affections, whatever she might -have to endure from humbled pride. Still, he pitied her, -and answered gently:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That group on the sofa, to whom your brother is speaking, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>consists of the Rev. Mr. Campbell, his wife and daughter, -who are quite old friends of Mr. Leegh.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia had never heard the name of Jennie Montgomery’s -parents. She scrutinized the group, and then remarked:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That girl who is leaning on the elder woman’s shoulder -reminds me strongly of some one whom I have seen somewhere, -but I cannot remember where, for I cannot quite see -her clearly at this distance. And who are the other people -in the room?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They are all friends of Mr. Randolph Hay who knew -him in California, before he came into his estate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, how interesting! And they came here to see him?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, and to give him a reception in his own house,” said -Will Walling, not quite truly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, how interesting! And, Mr. Walling, who is that -pretty young woman who has just gone up to the clergyman’s -party?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Some friend of the family. Here comes your brother. -He has just left the group. And before he comes, my dear -Mrs. Hay, I must tell you that there are others, or rather, -there is one other person in this house in whom you are -more intimately interested than in all the rest,” said Will -Walling very gravely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia looked a little disturbed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who can that be?” she inquired in a low, faltering -voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Can you not surmise? Think what near relatives you -have living.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I—have no near relatives living—except my brother, -and—my father.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your father is here, longing to see his only daughter.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My father here? What has he come for?” demanded this -Goneril in so sharp a tone of displeasure and annoyance -that Will Walling lost all pity for her and spoke near his -purpose when he answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is waiting here in fatherly love and compassion, to -be a shelter to his only daughter in the hour of her utmost -need.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia turned deadly pale and sick. The words of the -lawyer, taken together with the awful exclamation of her -husband before he fell into his stupor, warned her that -some terrible revelation was at hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>“Oh! this is some horrid nightmare!” she muttered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At this crisis the sauntering and unsteady steps of Mr. -Leegh brought him up to his sister’s side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now!” he exclaimed, “what is all this? And who -the dev—deuce—mischief are you, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cassius!” cried Lamia in great excitement. “This -is Mr. Walling, of the firm of Walling & Walling, New -York, of whom you have heard us speak. There is something -dreadful the matter that has gathered all these people -here. He tells me that our father is here also——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The old man! What is the—what has brought him -here?” demanded Leegh in as sharp a tone as his sister -had used.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will Walling was as much disgusted with the one as with -the other. He answered the question:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your father is here, Mr. Leegh, to succor his daughter -in her distress. Presently I shall ask you, her brother, to -lead her to your father’s presence.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is my husband. My beast of a husband! What has -he been doing! Oh, Heaven! I heard him say something -about murder, and I thought it was only his drunken raving. -Has he committed murder, then, and will he be -hanged? If so, I will never show my face in England or -New York again!” exclaimed Lamia, losing all decent self-control -and becoming hysterical, not from anxious affection, -but from alarmed pride.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Compose yourself, madam. There is no murder on his -hands. There is nothing but what you may get over in the -peace of your father’s house,” said Will Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why cannot you tell me what it is, then?” demanded -Lamia, breaking into sobs and tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes! why the mischief can’t you speak out?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because I gave my word not to do so. Because, in any -case, I would not do so. Because it is not even proper that -I should. And, finally, because it is best that your sister -should hear what she must from her father.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a nightmare! A horrid, hideous nightmare!” cried -Lamia, sobbing violently.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When are we to hear this news, whatever it may be—this -mystery, this calamity—from the old gentleman?” -roughly demanded Leegh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When the gentleman who is with him now comes out to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>tell us that your father is ready to receive you,” replied -Will Walling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By ——! Upon my honor, you are very cool, sir,” -sneered Leegh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a nightmare! A ghastly, deadly nightmare!” -wailed Lamia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It it the day of doom, and the quick and the dead rise -in judgment!” groaned a deep, hollow voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was that of Gentleman Geff. His rolling eyes had -fallen upon a group composed of Mike, Dandy and Longman, -and he sat staring in horror upon them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That drunken idiot ought to be carried up to bed, -Lamia,” said Leegh in strong disgust.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will not have him touched,” replied the woman, with -a shudder.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the meantime Randolph Hay had crossed the hall and -turned the knob of the library door. He found it locked. -Then he rapped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who is there?” inquired the quavering voice of John -Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is I, your friend, Hay,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The door was instantly opened by Julia Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Please excuse us and come in, Mr. Hay. We only locked -the door to keep that terrible man from bursting in upon -us,” said Julia apologetically.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite right,” replied Ran, good-humoredly, as he entered -the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He found John Legg still sitting at the narrow table -from which the little supper had not yet been removed. The -poor man looked pale, haggard, anxious and many years -older than he had seemed a few hours before.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran also took the precaution to lock the door before he -came and seated himself at the table opposite John Legg. -Julia drew a chair to the side of her husband, sat down -and took his hands in hers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You look troubled, Mr. Hay. You have something more -to tell me about my poor girl, and you shrink from telling -it. But speak out, sir. I can bear it,” said John Legg, -with stoical resignation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, indeed, my friend, it is nothing more that I have -to communicate of her; at least, nothing ill. I came in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>here only, to plead for a little change in our plans,” said -Ran soothingly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is it, dear sir? Your kind will should be our -law.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By no means!” earnestly exclaimed Ran. “But the -change I wished to make is this: You remember that you -proposed to keep out of your daughter’s way until she -should have heard the worst that she must hear of her real -position?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes. I shrank, and still shrink, from adding to her -pain and mortification by my presence,” sighed the unhappy -father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, my dear Mr. Legg, consider for one moment. She -has not yet heard the humiliating facts, but it is absolutely -necessary that she should hear them to-night. Now is it -not better that she should hear them from your lips than -from mine or from my lawyer’s? Would she not suffer less -to have the truth told her gently here, in private, by the lips -of her father, than out there, in public, by the lips of a -stranger?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While Ran spoke John Legg sat with his gray head bowed -upon his hands in deep, sorrowful reflection, and when Ran -ceased to speak the poor father made no reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you think about this, Mr. Legg?” gently persisted -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t know! I don’t know!” moaned the old man in -a heartbroken tone. “What do you say, Julia?” he piteously -inquired, raising his head and appealing to his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She took his hand again, and looking tenderly in his troubled -face, answered gravely:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think, John, indeed, I think, that you had better do -as Mr. Hay advises. It would be dreadful for that poor -girl to hear of her misfortune facing all those people in -there! And you know the man who betrayed her and committed -countless other crimes must be exposed in public -and then expelled from the house.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia Legg spoke as she thought, but, in fact, Ran had no -intention of turning the wretch in question out of doors in -this freezing winter night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Julia, my dear, I have such confidence in your judgment -that I will do as you say,” replied John Legg in a -low voice. Then turning to Ran, he said:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>“Mr. Hay, I am deeply grateful to you for all the aid -and comfort and counsel you give me. You may, sir, if -you please, bring or send my poor child to me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will do so at once,” said Ran, and he arose and left -the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I will stand by you through all, John. I will be -as good a mother to your unhappy girl as I am a true wife -to you,” said Julia, still holding his hand in hers.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXV<br> <span class='large'>FATHER AND DAUGHTER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>And so they waited in suspense for a few moments until -the door opened and Mr. Leegh entered, as usual, with his -head thrown back, his nose in the air, and his sister on his -arm. His head was bowed upon her breast, and her face -was pale and her eyes red and swollen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg arose and went to meet her with trembling -nerves and outstretched arms. He was but a little over -fifty years of age, yet for the last few hours he looked to be -over seventy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, dear Lyddy! My own poor child!” he said, -drawing her to his breast and holding her there, while he -put out his hand to his son and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How do you do, Clay?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am well, sir, thank you. How do you do yourself?” -inquired the dutiful son in an offhand, nonchalant manner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As you see me, Clay. Not very well,” replied the -grieved father, as he sank into a large cushioned chair that -his wife had pushed up to him, and drew his daughter down -upon his lap with her head against his shoulder, where she -lay sobbing her soul forth in pride and anger—not in love -or sorrow. She had not spoken one word as yet since she -entered the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Clay Legg, as we must henceforth call him, because -it is his only right name, threw himself into another armchair -and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am told, sir, that you have something to communicate -to us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>“Yes, I have, Clay. Do not cry so. Lyddy, my dear. I -will stand by you. Your father will stand by his daughter, -and love her and comfort her, and shelter and protect her -against all the world,” he said, turning away from his insolent -son and bending over his wildly hysterical daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, sir,” said Mr. Clay Legg, “since you have something -to communicate, hadn’t you better communicate it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied his father, with a sigh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But first,” exclaimed Clay Legg, “here is a stranger -present. Are we to discuss private family affairs before a -stranger? And who is that person, anyway?” he demanded, -jerking his thumb in the direction of Mrs. Legg, who had -retired to a short distance and where she sat down.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I ought to beg her pardon! For the moment I forgot. -Julia, my love, will you step this way?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Legg came promptly at her husband’s request, and -stood before the group.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear Julia, this young man here is my son, Clay, -whom you have never seen before. Clay, this is Mrs. Legg, -my wife, your new mother. I hope you will be the best of -friends!” pleaded the husband and father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, I hope so, too!” earnestly responded the new -wife, as she held out her hand with hearty good will to her -stepson.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He drew himself up stiffly and bowed, ignoring her -offered hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg noticed his manner and frowned with pain, -not anger, and to cover the awkwardness, said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And this weeping girl on my bosom is my daughter, -Lydia! She cannot speak to you yet, my dear. She has -not even spoken to me, her father, whom she has not seen -before for the last three years! But she will be better presently, -and then I feel sure that you and she at least will be -good friends.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed, John! I know we shall!” heartily responded -Julia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now sit down, my dear, and make yourself comfortable. -You already know that I have a painful revelation to make -to my son and daughter here; but as the misfortune to be -spoken of was caused by no conscious complicity of theirs, -it should not cause either of them too much grief, I think.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>“No, indeed! It was not their fault, so they should not -mourn over it,” warmly assented Julia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“See here, sir! Are you going to discuss private family -matters in the presence of this person?” demanded Clay -Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘This person,’ sir, is my beloved wife. I have no secrets -from her. She already knows as much as I do myself, and -as much as I have to tell you,” replied John Legg, speaking -for the first time with some severity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tell me one thing, if you please, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is that?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Am I personally concerned in what you are about to -communicate in the presence of a stranger?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, not personally—not at all interested except through -your sister.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then that is her concern. If she choose——” And he -turned on his heel and left his sentence unfinished.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You had better let me go, John, dear, if the young -people object to my presence during this interview,” said -Julia gently.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My daughter, do you object to my wife’s presence here -while I make the revelation of which she knows the whole -nature?” whispered John Legg to the agonized girl on his -bosom.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! why should I object to anything? I know—before -you tell me—that your dreadful news—concerns some crime -of my wretched husband! If not a murder, that would -hang him, then a forgery or some other felony that will -send him to penal servitude, and will, in any case, be known -all over England to-morrow. Let whom you like hear the -horrid story,” replied the woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When she first began to speak she gasped and panted, -but as she went on she gained more command over her voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia Legg was full of pity for this ungracious creature, -and she came and knelt down beside her husband’s chair, -and took his daughter’s hand in hers and kissed it, murmuring -softly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Believe me, oh! believe me! I will do all in my power -to lighten any trouble you may have, and to make you comfortable -and contented, if not happy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia—as we must continue to call her because that is -the name by which the reader has known her from the first—Lamia -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>drew her hand away from the kindly hands that -clasped it, and Julia Legg, with a sigh, arose and resumed -her seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My own dear daughter, before I tell you anything more -I must remind you again that in my heart and in my home -you have a haven of peace and love, of rest and safety from -all the storms of life. Do you not know and feel this, my -daughter?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes; you are my father, and that is understood,” -she answered coldly, as if a parent’s boundless love, pity -and forgiveness were such mere matters of course that they -needed no recognition. “But I wish you would tell me at -once, and be done with it. What has my miserable husband, -Randolph Hay, done?” she demanded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg sighed deeply. He did not think “how -sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless -child,” because he had never seen the lines, but he sighed -more than once as he answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In the first place, my daughter, your miserable husband, -as you call him, is not Randolph Hay, and has not a shadow -of a right to that name or to the estate of Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia started up and looked her father in the face.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who and what is he, then?” she fiercely demanded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An adventurer with many aliases; a fraudulent claimant -of the Haymore estates, who has sustained his false position -by robbery, forgery and perjury, but who has been recently -detected, and who is about to be exposed and punished.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am not surprised! I am not surprised! I expected -something like this! I did! I did! Tell me, does Mr. -Will Walling know anything about it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He knows all about it. His business in England is to -bring that man to justice.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia sprang from her father’s arms, throwing him suddenly -back by the violence of her motion, and began to -walk wildly up and down the floor, exclaiming and gesticulating -like a maniac, and thinking only of herself and of -her own interests, and of no one and nothing else under the -sun.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To bring me to this! Oh, the villain! the villain! But -I will have nothing more to do with him! I will never -speak to him again! I will never look on his face again! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>Do you hear me, papa?” she cried, suddenly pausing, with -flashing eyes, before her father’s chair. “Do you hear me, -I say? I will never live with that felon again—never speak -to him—never look at him!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My child, you are quite right in your resolution. It -would be wrong and even criminal in you to do otherwise,” -said John Legg, gently drawing his daughter into his arms -again and adding sorrowfully, “for I have something more -to tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You could not tell me anything more shameful than -you have already told me! Even if you should prove that -that villain had been a murderer, as well as a robber, forger -and perjurer, it would not be worse, since hanging is no -more disgraceful than penal servitude. To be the wife of -a felon—the wife of a convict! But I will not be! I will -be separated by law! I will be divorced!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>This she repeated over so often and with so much excitement -that at last her father said to her:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My poor child, you will not need to appeal to the law.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you mean?” she demanded, impressed by the -solemnity of his manner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will not require a divorce,” he replied.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is just, in effect, what you said before. Why will -I not require a divorce? The man is not dead, nor going -to die! He will not commit suicide. No, indeed, trust him -for that! He is too great a coward! And he is in no -danger of being hanged. How, then, should you say that -I will not require a divorce, since death is not likely to relieve -me of my felon husband—ugh!” she exclaimed in -strong disgust.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, the man has never been your husband,” he -said slowly and distinctly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What?” she cried, aghast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The man has never been your husband!” he repeated -firmly and solemnly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are mad! We are all mad together, I think! -What—under—heaven—do you mean?” she cried, staring at him -with starting eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This man, under his true name of Kightly Montgomery, -married Jennie Campbell, the daughter of the curate of -Medge, in Hantz, more than two years before he ever saw -your face. His wife is living now. She is in the drawing-room -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>across the hall. My wife Julia here knows all about -this first marriage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While John Legg spoke his daughter stared as if her -eyes would have started from out their sockets. Then suddenly -she sprang up and rushed across the room to the side -where her brother sat with one leg crossed over the other, -his head thrown back, and his hands clasped above it, his -face wearing a cynical expression.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She paused before him, her eyes flaming.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Cassius!” she said in a voice half choked with raging -hatred and longing revenge. “Cassius, do you hear what -papa has said? Do you hear that your sister has been deceived, -betrayed by the basest of dastards and criminals! -Cassius, kill that man! kill him! kill him! kill him!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Clay Legg burst into a low, cynical laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t let us be tragic, whatever we are, Lyddy. It is a -pity you have been such a fool as to be so easily taken in. -A greater pity that you should have brought discredit on -your family. But you are not the first woman who has ever -been fooled and laughed at. But as for me getting into a -broil with the fellow on your account—no, thank you! It -would be unbecoming to the cloth, and get me into trouble -with the bishop. And as to killing him! Do you really -think I propose to do murder and get myself hanged for -your folly? No, thank you, I say again! You had better -go and hide yourself down in the greengrocer’s shop at -Medge along with papa and stepmamma, while I shall leave -the country where my sister’s conduct has made it impossible -for me to hold up my head and look honorable men in -the face.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While this brutal brother spoke his sister stood before -him pallid, staring and biting her lip until the blood flowed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Shame on you, dastard, to speak to the unhappy girl in -such a manner! Leave the room, sir!” said John Legg, -rising and opening the library door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I did not want to come in here at first, and I am very -glad to get out,” retorted Clay Legg, with an insulting -laugh, as he walked off.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg shut the door after him and then turned to -his miserable daughter. She had thrown herself down on -a sofa, where she lay with her face in her hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>He kneeled beside her and laid his hand on her head, -murmuring softly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You must content yourself with our love and our poor -home. These are yours forever. You have tried other love -and found it fail you. Paternal love never fails,” he continued, -and while he spoke he did not cease to smooth and -caress her head with his hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And to think,” she moaned in a muffled voice, with her -face downward and hidden with her hands; “to think it -was his deserted wife that I shopped for in the last days -before my marriage with him—that it was his deserted wife -with her child—his child—that came over in the same -steamer with him and myself on our bridal trip! Ah! now -I know why he got off the ship at Queenstown! It was to -get out of her sight and to avoid encountering her father -who was to meet her at Liverpool. She was his lawful wife, -and knew it, and she knew then that I was—what was I?—what -am I? Oh! I shall go mad! mad! mad!” she shrieked, -flinging off her fathers hand, springing from the sofa, -clasping her head between her palms and walking wildly -up and down the floor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, dear child, don’t go on like this! Come and -sit down. Try to compose yourself,” pleaded poor John -Legg, walking after his daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, hold your tongue! Let me alone! Don’t I know -what you are thinking in your heart all this time? You are -saying to yourself that this is just what you always expected! -Just what I deserved! You are glad of it in your -heart! Glad to see me punished! Glad to see me mortified!” -she cried fiercely, angry with her father because she -was angry with herself, her betrayer and all the world.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear Lyddy! My darling girl! I know you are not -accountable for what you say now. I blame you for nothing, -child, not even for your words. I could not have the -cruelty to do it. But try to compose yourself and believe -that we love you and will serve you and comfort you! -Lyddy, my daughter, we cannot offer you the wealth and -grandeur and luxuries that you have been lately used to, -but, my dear, a safe home and solid comforts, and peaceful -days and family affection you shall not lack, my girl—you -shall never lack,” pleaded her father; and while he -spoke he followed her up and down with outstretched arms -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>ready to infold her, up and down, pleading with her, turning -when she turned until at length she whirled around -upon him and hissed at him through her set teeth, her hard -words dropping like leaden bullets from the mold:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will—you—mind—your—own—business? I am of -age! I thought I was Mrs. Randolph Hay, of Haymore! -Lady of the manor here! I entered this house as its lawful -mistress! For what? To find myself deceived, betrayed, -entrapped! Now what am I! Something that must not -even be named to respectable ears like yours!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, my dear child! To me you are my wronged and -blameless daughter! Well, rave on! I cannot help it, -though it cuts my heart like a sword! Maybe it relieves you -to talk like this. But presently I hope you will take thought -and come home with me to be comforted,” pleaded John Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia burst into a cruel, sarcastic laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The greengrocer’s house on Market Street, Medge, of -course, would be a perfect paradise to me! I can imagine -the back parlor full of the fragrance of onions, leeks and -other garden stuff from the shop, and enlivened with the -music of the bell every time a customer opened the door! -Not any for me, please! I may go on the stage, or on the -street—why should I care where I go, what I do, or how I -end—after this—so that I enjoy the pride of life in my -prime?” she demanded, looking at the plain, good man before -her with a cruel, sarcastic sneer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He held out his arm to her, with a prayer in every look -and gesture. He even ventured to lay his hand on her in -tender compassion, but she broke away from him and resumed -her wild walk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he sank into an armchair beside him—he could follow -her no further—and dropped his head upon his hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His wife Julia came to his side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She has longed to go to him while he was following and -pleading with his daughter, and getting nothing from her -but insult for love. She had longed to lead him away from -the ungracious and unseemly strife with evil and to say to -him: “Leave the thankless and reckless woman to herself -to recover her senses, if she ever had any, and come with -me and rest.” But—she was a stepmother only to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>willful girl, and she must not interfere between father and -daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But now that he sat alone in the collapse of despair after -fruitless effort, bowed down, down with sorrow and wounded -affection, she came to him, put her hand on his shoulder, -laid her cheek lightly on his gray head and murmured -words of comfort.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You have been very, very patient with her, dear, and -you were so right! She has had a terrible blow to her -pride, such as even the best of women could not bear with -patience. How then should she?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Cruel words from one’s child, my dear! Cruel words!” -said the suffering father, shaking his head without lifting it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She was crazed by grief and shame. She did not mean -what she said. She did not even know what she said—did -not know it rightly, I mean! When she comes to her senses, -John, she will be more sorry and ashamed of her conduct to -you than she is now of her downfall, and she will be grateful -for your love and Christ-like patience with her. Her -present mood is hysteria—frenzy! Give her time!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She threatened to go on the stage or on the street!” exclaimed -John, uttering the last three words with a deep -groan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She does rave worse than any other hysterical woman I -ever heard, to be sure, for, as a rule, they only threaten to -‘go mad’ or to ‘kill’; but it is all raving! there’s nothing in -it! You have been very patient and forbearing with your -willful and provoking girl in this time of her suffering and -excitement. Continue to be so, and you will have your reward -in her penitence and affection. Believe it, dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” quoted John Legg. -“Come and draw a chair and sit by me, Julia, my dear. -Your presence alone is very calming, even when you do not -speak, though your words are always good and comforting -and your voice sweet and pleasant.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia Legg seated herself beside her husband and took his -hand in hers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia, having exhausted herself by her fury, fell down -again upon the sofa and buried her face in the cushions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And now in the silence that ensued John Legg became -conscious of a growing disturbance in the drawing-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This might have been going on some time unnoticed by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>the three persons in the library, who were absorbed in their -own trouble; but now the disturbance on the opposite side -of the hall was too evident to be ignored.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sound of angry voices, hurrying steps and struggling -forms reached their ears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia started up from her sofa and sat with her head -bent forward, staring in the direction of the noise and -listening intently, with a look of demoniacal satisfaction -and expectancy on her face.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Julia cowered and clung for protection to the husband -whom she herself had just been comforting.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He patted her head to reassure her, and then said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There, let me go, dear, and see what is the matter in -there,” gently trying to release himself from her clasp.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, no!” cried Julia, clinging closer than before. -“Pray, don’t leave us, John! Don’t go into that room! -Something dreadful is going on there.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>At that moment a piercing shriek rang through the air, -followed by a heavy fall that shook the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I cannot stand this! Julia, I cannot stand it! I tell you -I must run and prevent mischief if I can!” he urged -earnestly, trying to free himself from her strong arms, but -finding that he could not do so without using force and -violence that must hurt her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The confusion arose to uproar. A loud crash shivered on -the floor, and a peal of fiendish laughter resounded through -the building, and a woman’s agonized cry went up to heaven -for help!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Lamia, sitting on the sofa, leaning forward, listening intently, -now broke into a low, demoniacal chuckle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Julia!” exclaimed John Legg, breathing hard through -excitement. “I hate to hurt you, but I must prevent murder.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And he wrenched her arms from around his neck, threw -her back in the armchair and rushed from the library to the -drawing-room.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXVI<br> <span class='large'>A TERRIBLE SCENE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>We must now explain the cause of the parlor storm. It -came on in this way:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>All the guests of Haymore Hall—with the exception of -the Legg family in the library—were still assembled in the -drawing-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Campbell party, father, mother and daughter, still -occupied the obscure sofa against the rear wall of the back -division.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy and Will Walling were seated near, talking with -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dandy, Mike and Longman were standing on the rug before -the fire, exchanging confidences on the affairs of the -evening.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff reclined, stupidly staring, on a divan in -the recess of the front bay window, and occasionally drew -from his pocket a large flask, which, with trembling hands, -he uncorked and put to his lips.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran walked about from one group of friends to another, -trying to seem at ease, but too surely in a state of intense -anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently he took heart of grace and went up to the group -on the sofa, touched the Rev. James Campbell on the shoulder -and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come with me, please, reverend sir; I wish to consult -you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector arose and drew the arm of his host within his -own and walked away with him. They did not leave the -drawing-room, but went slowly up and down its length for -the first few minutes in silence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran did not seem to know how to open the subject he had -on his mind. So it was the rector, after all, who, probably -divining the nature of his friend’s difficulty, was the first -to speak and to speak to the point.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The hour is late, and something should be done with -that——” He paused, unwilling to use the words that -arose to his lips, and he indicated the inebriate by a movement -of his thumb.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said Ran, “that is what puzzles me. It was of -that I wished to talk with you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go on then! Let me have your views. It is late, as I -remarked before, and I should have taken my wife and -daughter home an hour ago, but that I did not wish to leave -you until something should be settled in regard to this -man.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>“But you will not leave us to-night? Rooms have already -been prepared for you!” exclaimed Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear young friend, I thank you heartily, for myself -and my womenkind, but we must return to the rectory to-night. -My daughter has left her young babe there,” replied -the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But it is so late.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But the distance is so short.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do oblige us by staying, Mr. Campbell.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear Mr. Hay, don’t you see it is impossible, much as -I thank you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I am sorry. So will Judy be.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now about the disposition of this—Montgomery?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” sighed Randolph Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you intend to do?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not know, sir. I want you to tell me, if you please. -I might send for a constable to take him to the lockup -house, as they call it here; but I do not like to do that. I -might send him in a carriage to the village tavern, but I -think he would drink himself to death there; or I might -give him a bed here for the present, and indeed this is what -I would rather do.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Eh—what? Keep the fellow here?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“For the present, yes.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And in the name of common sense—why?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, to keep him out of harm’s way.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My good young friend, you did well to take counsel with -me. You would have done well to take counsel of any sane -man on such a subject.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, what do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I begin to suspect that you need a trustee for your -estate and a guardian for your person!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t understand you!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Listen, then! That fellow deserves to go to prison. He -might be sent to the village inn. But, my friend, he must -not be allowed to spend so much as one night under your -roof. To let him do so would be an act of insanity.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But why?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“For more reasons than one. In the first place, he is the -fraudulent claimant of your name and estate, though his -claim will not bear an instant of light, a ray of truth, let -in upon it; yet your allowing him to remain in the house -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>to which he came as its pretended master, would seem, to -him at least, to be giving some color to his pretensions. Do -you see?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I see what you mean, but I am not afraid of anything -he, poor wretch, may think or say or do. Is there any other -reason why he should not be sheltered here?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes—not so strong a reason, to be sure; but a most -decent one.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is a bigamist. He came here bringing a cruelly deceived, -falsely married woman, who was never, therefore, -wife or bride. She, not ‘Mrs.’ anybody, but Miss Legg, is -here in your house under the charge of her parents, who are -your guests. Therefore it would be unseemly—to use the -mildest term—for him to remain under the same roof. Do -you see now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, I see. How oblique one’s vision is at times, -however. Well, Mr. Campbell, you have told me what I -must not do with him; will you now tell me what I may?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly. If your merciful spirit shrinks from passing -him over into the hands of the law, you can have him put -into a carriage and taken to the village inn—‘The Red Fox,’ -Giles Scroggins, host.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will do so, and hold myself responsible for his expenses -there,” said Randolph Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then both men looked toward the divan in the front -bay window, on which lolled Gentleman Geff, very drunk -and getting drunker every instant, for he now had the big -flask turned up to his mouth, with his head thrown so far -back that he was evidently draining the last drop of its contents. -When he had done so, he made a futile attempt to restore -the empty flask to his pocket, but instead let it fall to -the floor, while he dropped back into his lolling position.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was at this moment that Clay Legg strode into the -drawing-room, fresh from his humiliating interview with -his father, smarting under the disclosure of his sister’s dishonor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He strode past all the guests in his way, and straight up -to the side of his late friend and patron, Gentleman Geff, -struck his hand heavily on the drunkard’s shoulder, shook -him roughly and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>“Do you know, you brute! you devil! what is before -you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff opened his heavy red eyes and stared in -a deep stupor, through which fury began to kindle slowly, -like flame from under a thick smoke.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Answer me, you beast!” demanded Legg, with another -and rougher shake of the wretch under his grasp. “Do you -know what is before you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No! nor care!” roared the madman, with a perfect -stream of profanity and obscenity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then listen to me!” said Legg, when at length the torrent -from Tartarus was stayed. “What is before you is -first a trial for bigamy, with fourteen years of penal serviture, -with hard labor, bread and water, ball and chain, dark -cell and frequent flogging thrown in!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff answered this by a glare of hatred and -defiance and another inundation from the River of Styx.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Legg waited until that flood was exhausted and then -added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nor is that all! For when your first term of penal servitude -shall be served out, another indictment will await you -for conspiracy, perjury, forgery and fraud, by which you -sought to gain possession of the Haymore estate, and another -fourteen years, at least, of imprisonment, hard labor, -stripes, chains and the rest!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again Gentleman Geff opened his lips in a way that made -his mouth seem the opening of the pit of fire and brimstone -for the blasting curses that issued from it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And again Legg waited in sarcastic silence until the -smoke and flame had sunk down, and then he added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you should live through your second term you will -have served twenty-eight years and you will be near sixty -years of age—a very hoary-headed sinner, indeed! And yet, -at the end of that time, the United States will want you on -a charge of highway robbery and attempted murder, and -will get you under the international extradition treaty. -And you will pass the remainder of your guilty life in an -American prison, where not only are the strong and rebellious -criminals compelled to labor, but the aged, the -infirm, and the invalids are scourged and driven to hard -work, until they drop dead (if all tales be true). ‘Do you -like the picture?’”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>A blast of fury, profanity and indecency, more diabolical -than all that bad preceded it, stormed from the mouth of -the madman, and raved like a whirlwind around the ears of -the listener.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When this had died of its own frenzy, Legg spoke again -and for the last time.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do you know, you fiend, who are here? I will tell you! -The witnesses who will convict you of every crime known -to mankind. There on the sofa, at the opposite end of this -room, a little in the shadow, sits your wife, Jennie Montgomery, -whom you married, deserted and afterward stabbed, -and left for dead in the streets in New York. There she -sits between her mother and father, all three bent on prosecuting -you to the full extent of the law! Look attentively -and you will see them! There, talking with Lawyer -Walling, is Randolph Hay, your benefactor, who saved you -from starving and shared his hut with you in the mining -camp of Grizzly Gulch, and whom you robbed, tried to murder -and left for dead in the Black Woods of California so -that you might claim his name and place with impunity! -He will be compelled to prosecute you! And across the -hall, in the library with her father, is the woman you deceived -into a false marriage. She will prosecute you with -all the vim, venom and virulence of a proud, outraged and -revengeful woman. That is, if she does not prefer to execute -you with her own hands.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Clay Legg should have known the dangerous wild beast -he was goading to madness, yet he went on with a strange -fatuity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff had followed with his eyes the index of -Clay Legg to the distant sofa, on which sat the wronged -wife, Jennie Montgomery, between her father and her -mother. He had slowly but surely recognized her, stared -at her in stupid dismay until he was again stung to fury -by the insulting words of Clay Legg, when he turned his -kindling eyes on the face of the man who was drawing such -a degrading picture of his fate. It seemed then that it -only needed the cessation of the sound of the speaker’s voice -to break the spell that held the demoniac; for no sooner had -it ceased than he sprang to his feet with a terrible roar -and hurled himself toward Legg.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But the latter saw his peril with the speed of lightning -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>and fled away, leaving others to brave the storm he himself -had raised.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In an instant the maniac was raging in the midst of “the -goodlie company,” and all was fear, panic and confusion.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Little Mike, unhappily, was nearest to the madman and -first to attempt to pacify him. But the demon caught up a -heavy astral lamp from the table nearest to him and shivered -it upon the head of the willing peacemaker, who fell -like a slaughtered sheep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy’s shrieks of agony rang out upon the air, and -brought the terrified servants to the drawing-room doors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The demoniac sprang upon the table and seized a heavy -chair, which he whirled around his head, threatening all -who approached.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Longman sprang upon the table and threw -themselves upon him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was at this moment that John Legg, startled by the -screams of the women, entered the drawing-room, through -the side door leading from the hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yes, it was pandemonium that met the horror-stricken -eyes of the man. Can I possibly show you the scene as he -beheld it?</p> - -<p class='c009'>As he stood in the doorway, on his left, near the bay -window in the upper end of the room, high on the table -stood the athletic form of the demoniac, raging and foaming, -cursing and threatening in the frenzy of <i><span lang="la">mania a potu</span></i>, -swinging aloft the heavy chair which he whirled around -his head with the swiftness and velocity of a windmill. On -the same table stood Samson Longman and Randolph Hay, -struggling to master the maniac, who seemed possessed of -the strength of seven devils.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the floor, near the middle of the room, lay Michael -Man, stunned by a wound in his head, prostrate and insensible. -Near him were scattered the fragments of the astral -lamp that had evidently been the instrument by which his -skull had been fractured. Beside him sat Judith Hay, with -his wounded head on her lap. She was weeping and wailing, -giving full vent to her grief and horror after the manner -of her warm-hearted, impulsive race. Beside him on -the opposite side knelt the Rev. Mr. Campbell, with a bowl -of water and a napkin, washing the blood from the cut.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Away back in the lower end of the long room, on a shady -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>sofa, sat Mrs. Campbell and her daughter, Jennie Montgomery, -clasped in each other’s arms, with their heads hidden -on each other’s shoulders, too much shocked, horror-stricken, -terrified to help, to speak or even to move. From -under the same sofa peered the pallid face and staring eyes -of Dandy Quin, who had evidently sought that lowly refuge -“as the safest place at the crack of doom” for a poor little -old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Neither Clay Legg nor Will Walling were to be seen anywhere.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All this, which has required some time to describe, was -taken in at one view by John Legg. And for one instant -he stood in doubt where first to offer help; whether to jump—but -no; honest John’s jumping days were over—whether -to scramble up on the table and help to subdue the maniac -possessed of a legion of devils, or to kneel down by the side -of the minister to serve if he could the wounded man. In -another moment the doubt was decided for him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran succeeded in getting both his hands around the -throat of the demoniac, which he held as in the grip of -death, while Longman wrenched and twisted the heavy, -murderous missile from his hands and dropped it on the -floor and then closed with him in a conquering clasp. But -it took all his strength, as well as all of Ran’s, to hold the -infuriate, now that his arms were free.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Feeling sure that the maniac was conquered, John Legg -turned his attention from the scene of conquest on the -table to the scene of suffering on the carpet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is the young man dangerously wounded?” he inquired -in a low tone of Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We hope not. We hope this may be only a scalp wound. -But it will be impossible to tell until there is a surgical examination,” -replied the minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Has a doctor been sent for?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; Mr. Walling has gone out to dispatch a servant for -Mr. Hobbs, the village practitioner.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, me poor Mike!” cried Judy, breaking afresh into -sobs and tears and dialect. “Me poor, dear, darlint bhoy! -Sure he was born to have the head av him broke. Sure, it’s -not the first time, though it’s the worst. But, afther all, -it is not so bad broke as me own dear Ran’s was, be the -same token, and be the hands av that same murthering thaif -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>av the wurruld! Oh! wirra! wirra! It was not enough -that he kilt me dear Ran intirely, but now he must kill me -poor Mike!” wailed Judy until her words were drowned in -a flood of tears.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell gazed in astonishment for a moment. In -this wild Irish girl, giving full swing to her emotions and -her brogue, he could scarcely recognize the quiet gentlewoman -he had known now for some hours as Mrs. Randolph -Hay. But he quickly recovered himself, and atoned for his -involuntary rudeness by withdrawing his gaze and offering -the gentlest words of consolation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the meantime the struggle on the table was continued -in grim silence. The opponents saving all their wind for -their strife until, as they swayed back and forth, the equilibrium -of the board was overbalanced, and table and men -fell together to the floor with a loud crash that called forth -shrieks from the women.</p> - -<p class='c009'>For one moment the three men rolled together in a knot -on the carpet, and the next Gentleman Geff lay flat on his -back, with Longman’s knees on his chest and hands around -his throat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ran!” exclaimed the hunter, “take my handkerchief out -of my coat pocket and tie the feet of this wild beast!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran immediately tried to obey. He drew the large red -bandanna from Longman’s pocket, found it strong enough -for its purpose, and went around and took hold of the feet -of the prostrate madman, but he immediately received a -shower of kicks upon his chest that knocked him breathless.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Seeing that, Longman raised his voice again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Legg, come here! We haven’t got a man to deal -with, but a devil, and a rum-maddened devil at that!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Legg immediately rushed to the rescue.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Have you got a scarf or a handkerchief? A good strong -one. All right! Tie this brute’s fore paws together while -I hold him down. Samson, my namesake, what amazing -strength rum and madness gives a brute!” panted Longman, -when he had finished his labor and arose to his feet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The conquered demoniac lay bound and gagged on the -floor, his murderous limbs helpless, his blasphemous tongue -speechless. Yet still he writhed, tossed and floundered like -some huge, stranded sea monster.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The distressed group gathered around Michael Man were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>obliged to wait in quietness for the arrival of the doctor, -for they dared not even move the wounded man lest they -should do him a fatal injury.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dr. Hobbs came at last, and being a country practitioner, -he brought his medicine chest as well as his surgical case -with him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was a tall, lank, red-haired young Yorkshireman, -fresh from the London colleges, who had lately succeeded to -the practice of his father, an aged, retired physician of the -place.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He found two patients to be treated, one in as dire need -as the other.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But after hearing a brief account of the occurrence from -Mr. Randolph Hay, he gave his first services to the youth, -Michael Man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The bleeding wound in his head was of itself bringing -back the consciousness of the wounded lad.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dr. Hobbs knelt by his side and made a careful examination -of his injuries, and then he told the anxious friends -that they were not dangerous, only a deep scalp wound and -a very slight fracture of the skull.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He washed and dressed the wound there on the spot, and -then directed that the youth should be taken to his room, -undressed and put to bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A narrow mattress was brought by two menservants, who -laid it on the carpet, lifted the wounded youth tenderly, laid -him on it and so bore him out of the drawing-room and up -the grand staircase to his chamber on the third floor, followed -by Dr. Hobbs and Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>By the time Michael Man was carefully undressed and -comfortably settled in bed he recovered his faculties sufficiently -to recognize the situation and speak to those around -him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t ye be frighted, Judy, darlint,” he murmured -feebly to his pallid, distressed sister, who was bending anxiously -over him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sure, and I’m not, Mike, dear. Yourself will be all -right soon,” she replied, putting much constraint upon herself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Troth, and I’m all right now. So the redskins did come -and attack the fort, afther all. But the colonel was aquil -to the blackguards,” he added.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>And then the doctor perceived that he was becoming delirious, -and he administered a sedative. When the patient -had grown quiet again the doctor left him, with his sister -Judy sitting by his bed, and went downstairs to the drawing-room -to attend to the other case waiting for his treatment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There he found the demoniac still lying on the floor, -bound hand and foot. Longman, Dandy and Mr. Campbell -were standing around him. They had taken the gag from -his mouth, but he was breathing heavily. He had suffered -the usual reaction in <i><span lang="la">mania a potu</span></i>, from violent frenzy to -deep coma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The men around him made way for the young doctor, -who knelt down beside him, looked into his face, felt his -pulse and his heart, and even lifted the heavy, half-closed -lids of his swollen eyes. Then he rose and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think you may unbind him with safety now; he will -not be in a condition to assault any one or do any harm for -many days to come, if he ever should.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>At this moment Ran re-entered the drawing-room and reported -Mike as sleeping quietly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then, in the kindness of his heart toward his fallen foe, -he stooped and examined the condition of Gentleman Geff, -whom Longman had just unbound and straightened out, -and who was now lying relaxed and limp on the carpet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, Mr. Campbell,” said Ran, standing up, “you see -that we have no alternative than to put this poor wretch to -bed in the house here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not so,” said the rector. Then turning to the doctor, -he inquired: “Will it be safe to remove this man immediately -to my house—to the rectory, that is? The distance -is short, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It will be perfectly safe, sir,” replied the physician.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, Mr. Hay, I shall be much obliged to you for the -use of a spring wagon or cart and a mattress with pillows -and proper covering to convey this man to the rectory,” -said Mr. Campbell, turning to his host.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, my dear sir, do you think of what you are about -to do?” demanded Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; my duty.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But your daughter?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She need never see or speak to him or be troubled by -him. Jennie is a very sensible, practical young woman; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>always was so, like her dear mother. And her misfortunes—the -result of her one act of imprudence—have made her -even more so. Jennie will be no hindrance.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But why should you take so much trouble, make such -a sacrifice, assume such a responsibility as to carry this -stupefied madman to your quiet house?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because, as I said before, it is my duty. I am a minister -of the merciful Gospel, however much below that sacred -calling, and must set an example of charity—practice some -little of what I preach. The man is my daughter’s husband, -however unworthy of her; my own son-in-law, however discreditable -to me; and I must do my duty by him, however -disagreeable to us all. My dear wife and daughter will give -no trouble. There will be no scenes, no hysterics. They -are good, true, strong women, and will sustain me in my -action. But they need not go near the man. Longman, his -mother and myself can take care of him. And now, my -friend, will you order the conveyance?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>With a sigh and a gesture of deprecation, Ran went out -to give the necessary directions.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There had been some delay caused by this discussion; but -it did not matter to the unworthy subject of it; he was lying -on the carpet in a dead stupor, and for himself was as well -there as anywhere else: so there was no hurry.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In less than half an hour a light spring cart, such as is -used by expressmen, was brought around from the stables. -It was drawn by two horses and furnished with comfortable -bedding, and to this receptacle Gentleman Geff was conveyed -in the arms of four men.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector and the doctor rode on the seat with the driver, -and they took the road to the rectory.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Campbell and her daughter, declining all Mr. and -Mrs. Hay’s pressing invitations, set out in one of the Hall -carriages for their home. Longman rode on the box with -the coachman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Walling, old Dandy and the Legg family were the -only remaining guests at the Hall, and these declined to retire -to bed.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXVII<br> <span class='large'>CLEARING SKIES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>It was of no use to go to bed. The sun was rising.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy, leaving Mike fast asleep, came downstairs, summoned -the housekeeper and gave directions for an early and -ample breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she went into the library to look after the Leggs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She found Lamia lying on the sofa with her face buried -in the cushions. She lay perfectly still, so that she might -be asleep, ashamed or only sulky.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Legg lay back in her easy-chair, fast asleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg sat in the great leathern armchair, with his -hands clasped upon his knees and his chin bent upon his -chest; he was awake, as deep sighs showed him to be.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Clay Legg was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy was so calm and reassured now that, without once -falling into dialect, she addressed herself to the old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Legg, there have been bedrooms at the disposal of -yourself and family all last night. I hope the servant, -whose duty it was to do so, has not failed to let you know -this or to offer to show you to your apartments?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, madam, thank you. No one has failed to execute -your hospitable orders; but who could go to bed in such a -night as has been passed? No, madam; just as soon as my -wife and daughter are a little rested we shall bid you good-by -and take our leave of your hospitable home.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am sorry that such is your resolution; but as soon as -Mrs. and Miss Legg shall awaken I hope you will ring a -bell and a servant shall show you to your rooms, where, at -least, you may have the refreshment of the toilet service before -breakfast,” concluded Judy, pleased with her victory -over the brogue.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are very kind, madam, and we will avail ourselves -of your offer,” said John Legg, with a bow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy smiled and left the library.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No sooner had the door closed behind her than Lamia -reared her head like a serpent from the sofa and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, then, ring the bell now. I am awake, at any -rate, and I should like a bath and then breakfast to my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>room. I shall not go down to the breakfast table to face -a sneering pack of hypocrites.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Legg sighed and rang the bell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The commotion waked up Mrs. Legg, who yawned, rubbed -her eyes and looked about her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where are we? What place is this? How came we -here?” she muttered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then she suddenly recollected the situation and circumstances -and added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s well I’m strong. John Legg, how have you stood -it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“As well as man could, Julia, I hope. But here is a -young woman come to show us to our rooms, where we can -wash our faces before breakfast,” he added, as a housemaid -appeared at the door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three arose and prepared to follow the girl, who led -them up the first flight of stairs to one of the best suites of -rooms in the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When John Legg and Julia Legg had made their simple -and hasty toilet, they went downstairs and into the drawing-room, -where they found Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay, Mr. -Will Walling and Dandy Quin awaiting them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They greeted the party, and then John Legg apologized -for the absence of his daughter as best he could.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy excused herself for a moment and went out immediately -to speak to the housekeeper and order an excellent -breakfast sent up to Miss Legg in her room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she returned to her guests and conducted them to -the breakfast parlor, where the morning meal was already -laid.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Legg took leave, and with -old Dandy, who wept at parting with his friends, and with -their daughter, closely veiled and silent, left Haymore Hall -in a carriage proffered by Ran and drove to Chuxton, where -they took the train for London, en route for Medge.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Clay Legg had not been seen since he had fled from before -the face of the frenzied Gentleman Geff. He was afterward -heard of in Wales, as a hanger-on to his father-in-law, under -whose protection his wife and children had lived for some -time past.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Michael Man’s good constitution, excellent health and -temperate habits were all so much in his favor that in a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>few days he began to get well, and before the week was out -he came downstairs and joined the family at their meals.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector came over every day to inquire after Mike and -to bring reports of Gentleman Geff, who was at death’s door -with brain fever and not expected to recover. Longman, -the colossus, was established in the sick-room as his constant -attendant. Elspeth remained at the rectory for the -present. She would not leave the family under present circumstances. -Meanwhile Randolph Hay had given orders to -his bailiff, Prowt, to have the gamekeeper’s cottage put in -complete repair and refurnished for the Longmans.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Christmas came, and the young couple at the Hall sent -invitations to their few intimate friends to come and spend -the sacred festival with them. They were loyal to the humblest -among these. They really invited not only Mr. and -Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Montgomery and Dr. Hobbs, but -old Dandy from Medge and Longman and Elspeth from the -rectory. Will Walling and Michael Man were still staying -in the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The young doctor, the rector and his wife and daughter -accepted the invitation, but Elspeth and Longman declined -it on the ground that she would have to stay at home to -mind the baby and he to attend to the sick man; but these -were not the only reasons; they both felt that their presence, -as even Christmas guests at the Hall, would be a social solecism; -for as Elspeth said to her son:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“These generous young people from the woods of a foreign -country don’t know what they are a-doing of when -they invite you and me to dinner, Samson! It might do -well enough in the mines of the backwoods. But here! -Why, bless ’em, if they go on in this way not a single soul -among the country families will have a thing to do with -’em, if they are the lord and lady of the manor! But they’ll -find out better.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman fully agreed with his mother, and so he wrote -his excuses for both.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Old Dandy Quin also wrote from Medge and begged to -be excused on two pleas: the first that he was not able to -make the long journey from one end of England to the -other twice in ten days; and the second was that he wanted -to eat his Christmas dinner with his new-found relatives. -He added the information that he did not mean to carry out -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>his first intention of buying an annuity with his savings, -but that he should go into partnership with his nephew, and -that in the spring they should move into a larger house and -increase their business.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He concluded with a piece of news that made Ran, Judy -and Mike break into one of their shouting Grizzly Gulch -laughs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He wrote that poor Miss Lyddy Legg—and just think of -the queenly and beautiful Lamia Leegh being called “poor -Miss Lyddy Legg!”—was very broken-hearted, though she -need not be, for it was not her fault that she had been -taken in by a false marriage; and that everybody was as -kind to her as kind could be, and that he himself—Dandy -Quin—had so much respect and sympathy for her that he -offered to marry her out of hand and make an honest woman -of her and leave her all his property at his death! but that -the poor, misguided and demented young woman, who did -not know what was for her own good, had refused him with -scorn and insolence. There!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Think of the vain and haughty Lamia Leegh receiving an -offer of marriage from Dandy Quin!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Notwithstanding, or perhaps because of these “regrets,” -Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay enjoyed their Christmas with -the few friends who gathered around them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the morning they walked to the village church in company -with Will Walling and Mike. They heard a good -Christmas sermon from the Rev. Mr. Campbell and listened -to some really fine music from the organ and grand anthems -from the choristers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the service they shook hands with the rector and -his wife and daughter and with Elspeth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman was at the rectory keeping guard over the dying -man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That evening Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay entertained at -dinner the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Montgomery, -Dr. Hobbs, Mr. Will Walling and Mr. Michael Man. And -the festival passed off pleasantly, nor did Judy, nor even -Mike, once fall into dialect.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the Christmas holidays were over, Mr. Will Walling, -having seen his friend and client, Mr. Randolph Hay, -in quiet and undisputed possession of Haymore, prepared -to take leave of the Hall and return to New York.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>A few days before his expected departure he called Ran -and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, what are your plans?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We shall not leave Haymore until the spring,” replied -Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, give me half an hour in the library alone with -you. I have something to talk about.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran followed his guest to the room of books and gave -him a chair and took another.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then, however, instead of seating himself, Mr. Will Walling -went to one of the book shelves and took down a large, -heavy volume bound in red cloth and gold.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This,” he said, as he laid it on the table and turned over -the leaves, “is the last year’s edition of ‘Burke’s Landed -Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well?” carelessly inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And this,” continued the lawyer, as he paused at an -open page, “is the genealogy of the Hays, of Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well?” again inquired Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I want you to look at it with me. I don’t wish to bore -you to go over the whole history, with its marriages, births -and deaths, but only to notice this fact that runs through -the whole, from your first known ancestor, Arthur Hei, who -married Edda, a daughter of Seebold, Earl of Northumberland, -down to your grandfather, the late squire, who married -Gentil, daughter of Pharoah Cooper, of Esling. Moor, -Yorkshire.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She was a gypsy, and the child of a gypsy,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; still she is set down here as the daughter of a certain -somebody. All your ‘forebyes’ have married the daughters -of certain somebodies, from dukes down to gypsies.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, but what does all this talk tend to?” demanded -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To this: It is too late for your name as Squire of Haymore -to appear in this year’s edition of the ‘Landed -Gentry’; the volume is probably already issued. But before -long the <em>Herald College</em> will be getting up next year’s edition, -and you will receive letters or messengers inquiring for -authentic statistics concerning your succession, marriage -and so on.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, they can have them,” said Ran indifferently.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>“Yes, but I am afraid there will be some awkwardness for -you on one point.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Which point?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That of your marriage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How should that be?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, in this way—listen. The items of entry in your -case will be something like this:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Hay, Randolph; born July 15, 184—; succeeded his -grandfather as tenth squire, March 1, 186—,’ (for you know -that your succession will date from the day of his death); -‘married December 2, 186—, Judith, daughter of ——’ -Whom? There’s where the awkwardness would come in.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I would say simply—Judith Man,” replied Ran Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well—Judith Man, daughter of—whom? The -<em>Herald’s College</em> are very precise in these matters. You -will have to find a father for her.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. Walling! If you were not my friend and my guest, -I should be very angry with you. My sweet wife is a child -of the Heavenly Father! but for an earthly parent of either -sex I do not know where to look.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Look here then, Hay, to me. I didn’t mention the difficulty -without having a remedy for it. I am a childless -widower, as you know. And though it would be straining -a point of probability to represent a man of thirty-seven -as the lawful father of a woman of nineteen, still I would -like to adopt your wife as my daughter, that she may be -entered in the Red Book as Judith, daughter of William -Walling, Esq., attorney-at-law, New York City. Come, -Hay, my friend, you know I mean the best by you and by -her. Now what do you say to accepting me as your father-in-law?” -inquired Will Walling, with a laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Randolph Hay paused before he replied. He was more -pained than pleased. Yet he appreciated the lawyer’s good -intentions, and was grateful for them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length he answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you from my heart, Mr. Walling, for your intended -kindness; and I feel grieved that I cannot accept -your gracious proposal, since not to do so must seem so very -ungracious as well as ungrateful to a friend whom I love -and esteem as much as I do you. And yet I cannot accept -it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But why not?” inquired the lawyer.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>“I—do not know. I cannot tell. I have a feeling against -it which I am unable to define or analyze.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I am not. I know the cause of your reluctance. It -is because it would not be strictly true. That is it. You -need not answer, Ran, my boy. But you must allow me to -tell you that you are a little too scrupulous for a practical -world, though I do not like you the less on that account,” -said Will Walling, with his usual little laugh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I hope my scruples, as you call them, will not affect -our friendship?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have just told you that they will not. There, let the -matter drop!” concluded the lawyer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy never heard of the offer Mr. Will Walling had made -to adopt her as his daughter for the sake of giving her a -good antenuptial position, nor did she ever guess that there -would be any awkwardness in the record of her marriage -in the Hay, of Haymore, item of “The Landed Gentry of -Great Britain and Ireland.” She was not troubled on that -subject.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All the affairs of the Hays were so satisfactorily settled -now that the young couple were only waiting for the departure -of Will Walling to leave Haymore for London, -where they might live in retirement in that great city until -they should have fitted themselves to mingle with the more -critical of their Yorkshire neighbors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Early in the new year pleasant letters came from America. -They were from Cleve and Palma Stuart, and brought -news of the change of fortune that would take them to the -mountain farm of West Virginia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Judy were pleased, yet puzzled.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should have thought, if they left New York, they -would have gone to that fine plantation in Mississippi,” said -Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So should I, and not to what must be a poor farm on -the mountain,” added Ran. And then turning to Walling, -he added:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see you will have to take the documents, putting -Palma in possession of the property I have made over to -her, all the way to West Virginia.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will do that with pleasure. I have never yet seen -the Alleghany Mountains,” replied Will Walling, who was -always ready to travel over any new ground.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>It was nearly the first of February that Will Walling at -length reluctantly made up his mind to take leave of his -friends at Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In bidding them farewell he said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I cannot help regretting that you would not accept me -for your father-in-law, Hay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran only laughed in reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What did he mean by asking you to be his father-in-law?” -inquired Judy, after the dogcart that was taking Will -Walling to the station had rolled away from the door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, only his nonsense. You know, of course, that, as I -have no mother nor he any daughter, he could never have -been my father-in-law,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So Judy never suspected how it was.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But before many months Judy and Mike were claimed by -a father with a pedigree which the most heathenish worshiper -of rank might have been proud to acknowledge.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXVIII<br> <span class='large'>HOPE AND LIFE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>“Poley, dear darling, will you go with Cleve and me to -West Virginia to live?” exclaimed Palma, running into the -cabinet kitchen of her flat, where good Mrs. Pole was busy -over the fire, baking those very muffins in which she so excelled.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve had gone out to change the bonanza check to pay -the rent and to give up the flat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Poley paused, with a spoonful of batter held in her hand, -halfway between the bowl on the table and the muffin rings -in the pan on the range.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is that you said, my dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma repeated her question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will I go with you to Vest Wirginny? That’s the furrin -nation we was to war with, ain’t it?” inquired Mrs. Pole, -going on to fill her muffin rings.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t mention the war, Poley. I cannot bear to talk -of it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>“Well, I won’t. But that Vest Wirginny—where is it? -In New Orleenes?” inquired Mrs. Pole, whose ideas of -geography were so vague that she once asked Palma if -Africa was in the United States. And Palma, to spare the -good woman’s self-esteem, answered that Africans, or their -descendants, had been in America for a couple of centuries. -Whereupon Mrs. Pole had added that, of course, she knew -that America was in the United States. Palma had not set -her right, but ruminated in her own mind on the fact of the -future when our national New Jerusalem would not make a -part of the Western continent, but the Western continent -would be only a part of the grand republic of the planet -Earth. But this is a digression. Now to return.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“West Virginia is much nearer than New Orleans,” replied -Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole filled the last of her muffin rings and set the -pan containing them on the range before she spoke again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you and Mr. Stuart be going there to live, ma’am, -you say?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, yes—and very soon, too.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole put the bowl of batter in the cupboard, covered -it over with a clean napkin and sat down, “to save her -back,” while her muffins were baking.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“For good?” she inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed, for good in every sense of the word, I do -hope and believe. I will tell you all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole jumped up and ran into her little bedroom adjoining -the kitchen, and brought out a small, low-backed -rocker, saying to her little lady:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There! Sit ye down while you talk. You have often -enough told me to ‘spare my back’ whenever I could lawfully -do so. And now I tell you to spare your own.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma laughed and dropped into her chair, and when -Mrs. Pole had looked at her muffins and seen that they were -doing well, and taken her own seat on a cane chair, Palma -began:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will tell it to you as Cleve told it to me, for it is like -a story, Poley. Here goes!</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Once upon a time there was an old man—a very rich -old man—who lived in an old stone house at the foot of a -mountain, called Wolfscliff, and the woods that clothed the -side of the mountain were called Wolfswalk, because, when -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>the land was surveyed and the first house was built there -was neither sleep by night nor safety by day, for the wolves. -They carried off hens and geese and sheep and calves, and—horror -to relate!—even the little negro babies. This was -how the place received its name. The wolves were worse -than the Indians. They could neither be fought off nor -bought off, but had gradually to die off, like the Indians.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So the name came down the generations to the time of -Jeremiah Cleve, the old man with whom my story commenced, -and who lived in an old stone farmhouse in the -woods at the foot of the mountain—a house many times -larger than the log cabin of his first American ancestor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This Jeremiah had married an heiress in his own neighborhood, -and so had doubled his fortune.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They had three sons.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“John, the eldest, was, according to the law of primogeniture -then prevailing in Virginia, heir to the landed estate -of his father. This John, when he was but twenty years -of age, became engaged to be married to the beautiful -daughter of the man who owned the nearest plantation to -Wolfswalk. It was a long engagement, on account of the -young fiancée’s extreme youth; but just when they were -going to be married, when he was twenty-five and she was -eighteen, she caught a severe cold while out sleighing with -him, and died within a week of inflammation of the lungs. -She was buried in her bridal dress, on her wedding day. It -is said that on her deathbed he solemnly vowed himself to -her, lover and husband, for time and eternity. That was -seventy years ago, and he has kept his faith. He is now a -lonely old man of ninety-five, the solitary master of Wolfscliff, -waiting for the Lord to call him to join his bride in -heaven.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The younger sons, Charles and James, were, by the -terms of the marriage settlements of their parents, co-heirs -of their mother’s estate; and if there had been ten, they -would have all been equal co-heirs, and each portion small; -as there were but two, each portion was considerable.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Charles was the first of the family to marry. He wedded -a young woman of family and fortune, and went to live on -his mother’s plantation. They had two sons. When these -boys were old enough to be sent to college their mother -sickened and died of typhoid fever, how contracted no one -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>ever could tell. Their father never married. His house -was well managed by a capable young mulatto woman, who -made it homelike to the boys when they came there to spend -the vacation. At length, when the young men were relatively -twenty-two and twenty-four years old, their father -also died, and the young men lived on the farm like true -brothers until the Civil War broke out, when they entered -the Southern army. Ah! poor, dear, brave boys! One fell -at Fredericksburg, the other at Cold Harbor. Truly ‘The -glory of this world passeth away.’</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I come now to the youngest of old Jeremiah’s sons—James, -who was Cleve’s grandfather—his mother’s father. -He had a passion for the military life, and he entered the -army. When he had gained his commission as second lieutenant -of infantry, he married Molly Jefferson, a relation -of the illustrious Thomas.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By this time the aged couple, Jeremiah and Josephine -Cleve, had passed on to a higher life, and John, their eldest -son, a man passed middle age, reigned at Wolfscliff in their -stead.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“John, a lonely man, invited the young couple to make -their permanent home with him, and they did so until the -Mexican War broke out, when the young lieutenant had to -follow Gen. Scott to Mexico. His young wife would gladly -have accompanied him ‘even to the battlefield,’ but she was -then nursing her first—and only—child, a baby girl not a -month old, when the young husband and father went away -to the war, from which he never came back again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The tidings of his death in the battle of Chepultepec -came to Wolfscliff as a death blow to the youthful widow. -She pined and died within the year, leaving her infant -daughter, Cara, to the charge, yes, rather to the heart of -John Cleve. He brought up and educated the orphan and, -when she was grown, went out into the world for her sake.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In a winter they passed in Washington they met young -Mr. Stuart, of the Cypresses, Mississippi. A mutual attachment -between the young people was approved by John -Cleve. And the next summer Mr. Stuart, of Mississippi, -and Miss Cleve, of Virginia, were married at Wolfscliff. -They went on an extended wedding tour which filled up all -the summer and autumn months, and only returned to the -husband’s home in Mississippi in time for the Christmas -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>holidays, when they were joined by John Cleve, of Wolfscliff, -who came at their—not invitation only, but prayer—to -spend the winter with them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That was his first and last visit—not that he had not -enjoyed it, nor that he ceased to love his dear niece, but -that after her marriage he grew more and more of a recluse, -a student and a dreamer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And she visited him all the more frequently that she -could not induce him to leave his home. Instead of going -to a gay summer resort when she migrated to the North -every summer, she would go to Wolfscliff, until at length, -when years passed and children came every year, and sickened -every year, and she had to take them to the seaside, -her annual visits to Wolfscliff were discontinued.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Cleve, the youngest child, and the only one who survived -his parents, was taken to Wolfscliff when he was -about three years old. That was the first and last time he -ever saw his grand-uncle. Of the tragic fate of Cleve’s -father and mother you have heard me tell, Poley.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes,” answered Mrs. Pole; “they were fatally hurt -on the wreck of the <em>Lucy Lee</em>, I remember.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And after that, do you know that the aged John Cleve, -of Wolfscliff, who sank deeper and deeper into solitary study -and reverie, utterly lost sight of his grand-nephew, whom -he was contented to think of as at school under the supervision -of his guardian, Judge Barrn, or at college, or traveling -in Europe, or on his Mississippi plantation, not knowing -that the latter was a charred and blasted ruin and desert -until the death, in battle, of his last nephew left him without -an heir bearing the name of Cleve. Then he instituted -inquiries for his grand-nephew, Cleve Stuart, but without -the least effect.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Accident at last revealed Cleve’s residence in New -York. Mr. Sam Walling went to Washington on legal business -and fell in with a Mr. Steele, of Wolfswalk, the nearest -town to Wolfscliff, and, in the course of conversation, mentioned -the sage of Wolfscliff and his vain quest for his -nephew and heir, Cleve Stuart. Then Mr. Walling gave -information, and the West Virginian went back to the -mountains with the news the hermit was pining to hear.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“John Cleve immediately wrote the letter inviting Mr. -Stuart and myself to come and make our home with him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>“And you are going?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I told you so. Will you come with us?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To the end of the world. To the jumping-off place. -And even there, if you should take the leap in the dark, I’ll -jump down after you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dear Poley, I am so glad!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And why should I stay behind? And why should I not -go? I have nieces and cousins here, to be sure; but they -are all doing well. And though I love them, I think I love -you more, for you do seem more like a child of my own than -any of them do; and you seem to want me more than they -can.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do want you more, Poley, darling. And Cleve is so -anxious for you to go with us for me. Though I am now in -excellent health, he seems to think I require a nurse to look -after me as much as if I were a sick baby.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And so you be, my dear, for this present time, and will -be for some time to come,” Mrs. Pole replied, nodding -wisely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I am so glad you will come, Poley, dear. And listen. -When I get settled at Wolfscliff next summer you can invite -any of your relations, or all of them, as many as the -house will hold, to come and stay with you. It will be such -a pleasant, healthful change for them, from the crowded -city to the fine, open mountains.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It would be heaven for them to see it only for a day. -Why, we all went up the North River and saw the hills only -from the deck of the steamer, and they thought that was -paradise, and longed to be in it. What would they say to -staying a week among the mountains?” exclaimed Poley.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then they shall come. They shall all come,” responded -Palma delightedly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, my dear child, what would the old gentleman say?” -demurred Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Poley, you don’t know the Southern people. Neither -do I, for that matter, except upon Cleve’s showing. But I -am sure I can guarantee you and yours a welcome at Wolfscliff. -And mind, we won’t have to send to market for meat, -poultry and vegetables, nor to the grocer’s for flour, and -meal, and lard, and eggs, and such things. Nearly everything, -except tea and sugar, pepper and salt, and such, are -produced on the farm, and cost next to nothing,” said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>Palma, speaking as she believed and proving how little she -knew of the cost of labor or the worth of time on a farm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Mrs. Pole, who was as ignorant of such a life as was -her youthful friend, received every statement in good faith, -and anticipated good days to come.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She looked once more at her muffins, made the tea, and -then went into the parlor to set the table for luncheon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma went into her bedroom to overhaul trunks and -bureau drawers, to see what she could make of her scant -wardrobe, in view of appearing among strangers in West -Virginia. She had but three suits—the superb velvet dress -given her by Mrs. Walling, which she thought could only -be worn on grand occasions, and must be quite useless in -the mountain farmhouse; the well-worn crimson cashmere -now on her back, and in its very last days; the fine India -muslin, now fairly embroidered, not with unnecessary fancy -work, but with needful darns. These were all the dresses -Palma owned, if we except the old, faded blue gingham -wrapper in which Cleve had first found her in her garret.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I must get Poley to sponge and press the crimson cashmere, -and then that will do to travel in, and with care it -may last the rest of the winter,” she said patiently, as she -locked her trunk and her bureau drawers and returned to -her little parlor, where she sat down to work on a doll’s -dress, or what might have passed for such.</p> - -<p class='c009'>While thus engaged she sang a sweet nursery song that -was a reminiscence of her own infancy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently Cleve came in, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, dear,” he said, “I have paid the rent and given up -the rooms, though I had to pay another month’s rent in -lieu of a month’s warning; and I have settled every other -outstanding bill except the milkman’s. I could not find -man or bill if I tried, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; there is no bill. We buy tickets, and pay cash, and -we have seven tickets left.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then the man can have the benefit, for we go away to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“From the city?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; from the flat. We will go to a hotel to-night, and -go to Washington to-morrow, en route for West Virginia. -Can you pack up in that time?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I can pack up in an hour,” replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>As she spoke the hall boy knocked and entered the room, -showing in a man with a bundle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! that is all right, thank you—that will do,” said -Stuart as the man set down the box and went away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is my new business suit for winter wear in the mountain -farmhouse. What do you think of it, Palma?” he inquired, -cutting the twine and unpacking the box and shaking -out a suit of brown beaver cloth, consisting of double-breasted -coat, vest and pantaloons.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! I think it is excellent. Such a rich, deep color, and -such soft, thick, warm material,” said the young wife appreciatingly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, so it is—all that,” added Mrs. Pole, who was setting -the tea urn on the table. “But, la! what a blessing it -is that women’s clothes grows on ’em, like feathers do on -to a bird, so they never has no trouble nor expense to buy -any.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart dropped his suit on the floor and looked at his -wife in dismay, noticed her faded, shabby cashmere dress, -and became contrite for his thoughtlessness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Lunch is ready, ma’am,” and hurried out of the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t mind Poley, Cleve, dear. She is full of queer sayings, -you know,” said Palma conciliatingly. “Come now, -and sit down to luncheon. Here are some of her nice muffins.” -And she took her seat at the table and began to pour -out the tea.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have been an idiot, and a very selfish idiot at that! -providing myself with a first-rate suit of clothes, and even -displaying them to your admiration, without once remembering -that you also would require raiment. I am obliged -to the woman for bringing me to my senses,” said Stuart -as he took his seat opposite his wife and helped himself to -a muffin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nonsense, Cleve! I have got a tongue in my head, and -if I had wanted anything would have asked you for it without -hesitation,” replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I fear you would not have recognized any want, my -dear; and I fear it is true that some men are so thoughtless -that they act as if women’s clothes grew on them like the -petals of a flower, and cost neither money nor effort to renew. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>But I see now. Yes, dear rose of my life, I see your -petals are fading.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>No more was said until after luncheon, when Cleve put a -fifty-dollar note in Palma’s hand and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go out and get what is necessary for your comfort, my -dear; and take some lady friend with you, for I fear you -have very little experience in shopping.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, Cleve,” replied Palma, laughing; “but I -shall take Poley. She will be a better judge of what I need -than any of our fine lady friends.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, perhaps you are right,” admitted Stuart, and the -discussion ended.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Mrs. Pole had cleared away the table and taken her -own luncheon Palma invited her to go on a shopping expedition; -and they put on their bonnets and outer garments -and started. Palma’s was only the plush jacket that belonged -to her cashmere suit, and she shivered so much as -she walked that Mrs. Pole said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The very first thing that you must buy must be a heavy -cloth coat. You can get one for twenty dollars. I should -prefer a Scotch plaid shawl, but young people don’t wear -such things now, only neat-fitting coats, or sacques, or dolmans.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>They went down on Broadway and into store after store, -trying where they could find at once the cheapest and the -best.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length Palma was suited with a close-fitting heavy -cloth coat that not only satisfied herself but also Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, then, as you like it so well, keep it on, child, and -have your plush jacket done up in a parcel and I will take -it home,” said the good woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And this was done.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But then they went to the suit department, where Palma -selected an olive-green pressed flannel dress for herself, and -had to take off her coat to try it on. Then she bought a -beaver bonnet and a leather hand-bag, and her shopping was -complete.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole, who had saved up the wages she had received, -bought a very heavy tartan shawl, two pairs of thick yarn -stockings, a pair of stout goat-skin boots, a pair of warm -woolen gloves, and a thick green berege veil, and felt herself -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>provided for defense against the winter on the mountain -farm.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they reached home they found Stuart waiting for -them. He said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pray do not trouble to get dinner this evening, as we -can dine at the hotel where we are to spend the night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad of that, on Poley’s account for she is -very tired. She insisted on bringing home all our purchases -herself, and just look how she has loaded herself -down!” said Palma, laughing, though, in fact, the two -heaviest items of the purchases, namely, Palma’s beaver -cloth coat and Poley’s tartan shawl, were worn home on the -shoulders of the respective owners.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I must beg you to pack up as soon as possible, and -I will help you, if you will show me how,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That would be an awful hindrance, sir! Just let me -get my breath for a minute and I’ll be all right. I am not -tired one bit. And we’ll get through the packing in a jiffy! -It’s very easy to move when there’s no furnitur’, and nothing -but one’s clothes and things to pack,” said Mrs. Pole, -sitting down on the first chair, dropping her bundles on the -floor, and untying the broad plaid ribbon strings of her big -black straw bonnet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She kept her word, for in five minutes she was on her feet -again, and in less than an hour the trunks were packed, -locked and strapped.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart wrote the labels and pasted them on the tops, and -they stood ready for the expressman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the three put on their outer garments and turned to -leave their flat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma paused and looked back half regretfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-by, pretty little home,” she said. “We have been -very happy in you, but you must not mind our going away. -We shall have to go away from our bodies some of these -days! But I hope you will have very pleasant tenants always. -Good-by.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart did not laugh at her, but Mrs. Pole did, and said -as they went to the elevator:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If I didn’t know you as well as I do, child, I should -really sometimes think you were crazy!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Poley! don’t you know there is a soul in places and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>in things, as well as there is in all other living creatures?” -she answered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole did not reply, but thought within herself: “I -do suppose as there be some of the sensiblest people crazy -in spots.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>They went down in the elevator; and what a misfit of -words there is in that sentence!</p> - -<p class='c009'>They found the janitor waiting in the office to see them -off. Mr. Stuart gave him the key of the vacated apartments, -and they all shook hands with him and left, with the request -that he would see to the delivery of their trunks to the -expressman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then they walked down the street to the corner of the -avenue where the cars passed. Mr. Stuart hailed the first -down one, and they boarded it. They rode about the length -of twenty blocks, got off and walked across town to Broadway, -and entered the office of the hotel that Stuart had -chosen for their sojourning place that night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were easily provided with rooms.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Palma had taken off her bonnet in her chamber -Mrs. Pole, who still stood up in her street costume, said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, ma’am, if you please, I must leave you for a little -while.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What, Poley dear! Is there any more shopping to do? -Have you forgotten anything?” demanded Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, my child! But as we are to start to-morrow morning -I must go and take leave of my kinfolks to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Poley! And they live away downtown somewhere! -And—you can never go alone!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why not, child? I have been used to go alone all about -the city all the days of my life, even when I was a young -woman, and nothing ever happened to me, or even threatened -to happen to me! And if nothing didn’t in my youth, -nothing ain’t like to do it in my age! Don’t be uneasy, -child! I’ll be back by ten o’clock, and one o’ my nephies -will see me here safe.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But won’t you wait until after dinner? Cleve says they -keep a sumptuous table here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I hope you will get the good of it, my dear, but -as for me, I must hurry away. I’ll make up for missing of -my dinner by eating a hearty supper when I come back.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Take care, you must not risk a return of those horrid -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>nights you had at Lull’s, you know,” said Palma, with a -sudden recollection of the sleep-walking and magpie-hiding -propensities that had been features of those disturbed -nights, though features that happily Mrs. Pole had never -suspected.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, don’t you be afraid! It was the cold, heavy pastry -that did it at Lull’s! There was no basket beggars to -carry off the cold pie crusts and puddin’s, and me and the -girls used to eat ’em all up at night to keep ’em from being -wasted on. And I never heard of their hurting anybody but -me, either. But don’t you be afraid. I shall eat nothing -but the very best of nutericious and digesterable food, like -stewed oysters and sich.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, Poley. Eat what you will, so it shall agree -with you. And now don’t fail to invite your relations in -my name as well as in your own to come to Wolfscliff to -see you next summer.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, ma’am, for reminding me again. Now I -know you are in airnest and I’ll be sure to invite them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Poley, I am always in earnest.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To be sure, I know you are, ma’am, dear child,” answered -Mrs. Pole, divided in her style of address, between -her respect for her mistress and her tenderness of her pet.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then again she took leave and went out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve came out and escorted Palma down to dinner, -where the many and slow courses occupied them for more -than an hour.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At ten o’clock Poley punctually made her appearance, -and ate a hearty supper of stewed oysters and brown stout -with her nephew.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At eleven o’clock the whole party retired to rest.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXIX<br> <span class='large'>TO THE MOUNTAIN FARM</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>They rose early in the morning, breakfasted and drove -down to Cortlandt Street ferry to take the boat for Jersey -City.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They caught the eight-thirty train in good time and without -hurry.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>Stuart found their baggage all right, waiting for them, -checked it to Washington, and then entered with his companions -into the ladies’ car, and the express train started on -its Southern flight. Their journey was quick, pleasant and -uneventful.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Early in the evening of that day they reached Washington.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Leaving their trunks in the baggage room at the depot, -and taking only their hand-bags, they went to one of the -best hotels, where they dined and engaged rooms for the -night and the next day.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was Palma’s first sight of the capital of her country, -and Cleve determined to linger a few hours to show her the -public buildings.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next morning Stuart engaged a hack and took his -two companions for a long, circuitous drive, which should -include visits to the White House, the State, War, Navy and -Treasury Departments and the Capitol. But these visits -were necessarily short. There was no time to pay their respects -to the President in the Executive Mansion, or to -listen to the debates in the Senate Chamber or in the House -of Representatives, or to the cases in the Supreme Court. -They had to get back to lunch and then to take the train for -West Virginia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Two o’clock in the afternoon found them again seated in -the cars and flying westward.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Up to this hour the day had been clear and mild, but -now the sky began to cloud over, and when they reached -Alexandria the snow began to fall, and as they left the old -town behind them and the short winter afternoon drew to a -close, the storm thickened, if that could be called a storm -in which there was no wind, but a cataclysm of snow falling -directly, silently and continuously upon the earth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Strange scenes were traced on the window panes without, -weird, beautiful, fantastic scenes—cities, palaces, gardens, -trees—all drawn in frosted silver. They fascinated the imagination -of Palma, who was never tired of gazing and -dreaming. Little or nothing could be seen through the -storm of the country over which they were flying.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They reached Oaklands, on the Alleghanies, late at night. -They had taken through tickets to the end of their railway -journey, and the train was going on that night; yet, as the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>storm continued, they determined to lay over until the next -morning. Leaving their trunks on the baggage car to go on -to their destination, they took their hand-bags and walked -through the thickly falling snow to the hotel, where they -were comforted by clean rooms, glorious hickory wood fires, -and a delicious supper of venison steaks, broiled ham, buckwheat -cakes, hot rolls, tea, coffee, and rich cream, and butter, -and honey such as is seldom found anywhere.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It had been a fatiguing day, and as they could see nothing -of the country for the snowstorm, they all went to bed and -slept the sleep of the just.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next morning they rose to a new life.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The storm had ceased. The sky was clear, and the sun -was shining over a splendid, a magnificent, a dazzling world -of mountains, valleys, fields and forests, all arrayed in white -and decked with diamonds.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! Cleve,” cried Palma, looking out from the upper -window of her bedroom, “does it seem possible that only -yesterday we were in a crowded city, not two hundred miles -away, and that now we find ourselves in this magnificent -scene? Why, Cleve, yesterday seems to be a thousand years -behind, and this to be another planet!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her rhapsodies were interrupted by the breakfast bell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And for all answer Cleve smiled, drew her arm within his -own and led her down to the breakfast table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There were some few other wayfarers present in the -room, and these men were standing around the great, roaring -wood fire and talking politics or crops. But they soon -left their position and sat down at the board. Mrs. Pole was -there, too, ready to join her friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Did you ever dream of such a world as this, Poley?” -whispered Palma as the three sat down in a row, Palma -being in the middle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, never in all my life! I never even ’magined as there -could be such a place as this! And, oh! ain’t it cold, -neither?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Cold, but such a fine, pure, healthy cold. And the hot -coffee will warm you, Poley.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The breakfast was in many respects a repetition of the -supper, and in all respects equal to it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Seems to me I eat twice as much at every meal as I -ever eat before in my life, and yet I feel hungry in an hour -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>after I have finished. I do believe if I was to live up in -these regions I should have such an appetite I should think -of nothing but eating and drinking from morning till night, -and dreaming of nothing but eating and drinking from -night till morning!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I wonder how long that would last?” queried Palma, -but Mrs. Pole did not answer. She had turned her attention -the the venison steaks.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As soon as breakfast was over the three put on their outer -garments and walked through the main street of the mountain -town to the railway station, where they had to wait -for nearly half an hour for the Eastern train to come in. -Then they took their seats on board of it, and were once -more flying westward through the magnificent mountain -world in its splendid winter garb of ice and snow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All day long our travelers reveled in the glorious panorama -that flew past the windows of their car, until night -closed in and hid the scene from their vision.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was quite dark when they reached the little way station -of Wolfswalk, where they left the train, which stopped -half a minute and then sped on westward.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was too dark for our party to see anything but the few -glimmering lights at the station and in the stable yard of -the village tavern on the opposite side of the road, and the -ghostly forms of the mountains looming through the obscurity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is now seven o’clock, and we are three miles from -Wolfscliff Hall. I shouldn’t wonder if we have to spend -the night at the inn here,” said Cleve Stuart as he drew the -arm of his wife within his own and prepared to cross the -country road, or village street, as you may prefer to call it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If the inn is anything like that of Oaklands I shall not -be very sorry. Come on, Poley. Keep close behind us,” -said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“’Scuse me, marster; is you Marse Cleve Stuart?” inquired -a voice from the darkness at his elbow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes. Who are you?” demanded Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“’Sias, sah, old Marse John Clebe’s man f’om Wolfskif; -yas, sah, dat’s me,” replied the invisible.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you have been sent to meet us, eh? Come in here. -Let us take a look at one another,” said Cleve with a laugh, -as he led the way into the lighted station.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>The negro was a man of middle age, tall, stout, strong -and very black, and clothed in a warm suit of thick, heavy -homespun cloth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You have been sent to meet us?” again suggested -Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yas, sah! along wid de ox cart, to fetch you an’—de -ladies, do’ I did’n know as dere wasn’t no more’n one lady; -but, laws! de more de better, I say, marster, and my name’s -’Sias, old Marse John Clebe’s man f’m Wolfskif Hall—yas, -sah.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Did you say you had brought the ox cart for us?” inquired -Stuart in some dismay as he thought of his dainty -wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yas, sah! I has fetched the ox cart, wid Baron an’ -Markiss yoked on, an’ dey is de best beasts on de plantation, -kind and gentle as new milk, ’specially Baron, to fetch you -an’ de ladies and de luggage, all at de same time, an’ dere’s -a-plenty o’ hay for de ladies to sit on jes’ as clean an’ as -dry n’s sweet as wiolits.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But was there no carriage in my uncle’s stables?” inquired -Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Plenty. But, Lor’, marster, dey was one an’ all so ole -an’ rusty, an’ flip-floppy, an’ ramshakelly, dat dey couldn’t -be trusted on good roads in good wedder by daylight, let -alone bad roads in bad wedder by night. An’ wot is -true ob de kerridges mought be said ob de hosses, likewise. -Dey wouldn’ be sho-futted on sich roads in sich wedder at -night. De ox cart is de mos’ safes’ an’ de oxes is de mos’ -sho-futtedes’. An’ yo’ wouldn’ like to hab de ladies’ necks -broke for de sake ob pomps an’ wanities in kerridges! -Would yo’ now?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve laughed, but Palma put in her word:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cleve, I’m delighted! It is so new! such fun! to -ride on the hay in an ox cart! It seems so of a piece with -all our strange experiences! Yes! this is some new planet! -Not our old familiar earth!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How did you happen to be here to meet us? We are a -day and a half behind time,” inquired Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ole Marse John Clebe, ob Wolfskif Hall—an’ I am his -own man ’Sias, wot nebber would ’mancipate him in de ole -ages ob his onnerrubble life fur all de President an’ -Con’gess might say—telled me to come yere to meet yer an’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>stay for de las’ train till you ’rove, an’ dis is de mos’ secondes’ -day as I hab been yere to meet yo’! An’ now, young -marse, ef yo’ll listen to me, yo’ll put de ladies in de cart an’ -we’ll jog off.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All right, ’Sias. Show us the way to the chariot,” -laughed Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The negro set his lantern down in a chair, took from it a -bit of candle, which he lighted by a match and replaced, -and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now I shows the way, young marster,” and walked out -of the station, followed by Stuart, Palma and Poley.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He led them to the lower end of the platform near which -the ox cart stood, with its floor thickly carpeted with layers -of hay, and with its yoke of oxen standing and pawing in -the cold night air. Their heads were turned away from the -town, as if all ready for their jog across the country.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart put Palma upon the cart, and she settled herself -in the hay with childish delight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he helped Mrs. Pole to a seat beside her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, Marse Glebe, ef yo’ will jes’ git up dar on -dat bench, in front ob de two ladies, yo’ll obleege dis compinny! -’Caze, yo’ see, I’s got to walk at the head ob de -creeturs to keep ’em straight on to de road.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is that necessary?” inquired Stuart as he climbed to his -place and settled himself comfortably.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘N’essary?’” exclaimed ’Sias. “Why, la, bress yer soul, -Marse Clebe! dere’s places ’long dis road w’ere ef dis yere -nigh beast was to make a misstep, we’d all go ober down -free fo’ hunderd feet to the rocks below. No, sah! I’s -gwine walk at dis creetur’s head and carry my lantern, too,” -concluded ’Sias as the oxen moved slowly and heavily onward -as was their manner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The lantern might have been, and probably was, a help -to the vision of ’Sias and so to the safety of his party, but -it could show only a small section of the road immediately -under the feet of the conductor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nothing could be seen of the surrounding country except -that it consisted of densely wooded mountains, whose skeleton -trees were faintly outlined against the ground of snow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When their eyes grew accustomed to the darkness the -travelers in the cart could see, to their horror, that they -were plodding along a rough and narrow road between a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>high rise of rocks on their right and a deep fall on their -left; but the cautious negro guide with his lantern walked -by the heads of the oxen between them and the precipice, -keeping them out of the terrible danger. For an hour their -way lay along this road, and then began slowly to descend -a gradual slope, and finally turned to the right and entered -a thick wood.</p> - -<p class='c009'>’Sias heaved a deep sigh of relief and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Peoples sez, w’en dey gits out’n dif’culty an’ danger, as -dey’s ‘out’n de woods.’ But, la! I allers feels as if I wasn’t -safe until I was offen dat dar debbil’s shelf, up dar, an’ got -down yere in dese woods.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How far are we from the house, ’Sias?” inquired Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“On’y ’bout a mile, young marster. Get dere werry soon -now. Dis yere is all ole Marse John Clebe’s lan’.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! is it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yas, sah. An’ dis woods usen to be called Wolfswalk -in de ollen times, I’s heern says, ‘cause dar was mos’ as -many wolfs as trees, an’ de station ober yonder was just -named arter dese yer woods, an’ dats de trufe for a fac’.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>They jogged through the dark, mysterious-looking woods -for some time in silence, Palma only once murmuring:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is like a dream, or a scene in a fairy tale. I feel as -if we should come upon something soon—an ogre’s castle, -an enchanted beauty’s palace, or something. Don’t wake -me up, please, anybody.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>What they did come upon very soon was a glimmering -light, that seemed to shoot here and there through the thick, -leafless trees like a firefly, had it been summer instead of -winter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s a lamp in de big hall; it shines right froo de fanlight -ober de front do’, an’ it seems to flit about so ’caze -sometimes de trees sho’ it an’ sometimes dey doan’t,” ’Sias -explained. And as he spoke the ox cart slowly and clumsily -drew up before a large, oblong building of the simplest and -plainest style of architecture common among the wealthier -class of that region at the time the house was planned.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Though the travelers could not, at that time of night, -discern its features, yet this seems the best time for their -historian to describe it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The house was built in the rude, strong, plain style of the -best old colonial mansions, of rough-hewn gray rocks of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>every variegated shade of red, blue, green, yellow, purple -and orange, which gave a mosaic aspect to the walls. It was -an oblong double house, with a broad double door, having -two long windows on each side of the first floor, and five -windows on the second floor, surmounted by a steep roof, -with five dormer windows, and buttressed by four huge -chimneys, two at each gable end. There were many old oak, -elm and chestnut trees around the dwelling, and there were -smaller houses, of rude construction, in the rear.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the ox cart stopped before the door Stuart got off -his seat and lifted down his wife and her attendant. He -tucked Palma’s hand under his arm and led her up the few -steps that went up to the front door. That door was open -and full of light from a large lamp that hung from the -ceiling of the spacious hall, and within the door stood the -master of the house to welcome his coming relatives.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was a man of middle height—the thinnest, whitest, -most shadowy living man they had ever seen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are welcome to Wolfscliff, my dears,” he said, giving -a hand each to Palma and to Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We are very glad to see you, uncle,” said the two in -one breath.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And this lady?” said the old-fashioned gentleman, with -native courtesy as he held out his hand to Mrs. Pole, of -whom he had just caught sight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Our friend, Mrs. Pole, who never leaves Palma, uncle,” -explained Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! I am glad to see you, ma’am,” said Mr. Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir. I am only Mrs. Cleve Stuart’s housekeeper -and attendant,” said Mrs. Pole, who would not consent -to seem a half an inch above her real social position.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! And a very trusted and esteemed friend, also, I -have no doubt,” replied the old gentleman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She is, indeed, sir, like a mother to my delicate Palma,” -assented Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad she consented to accompany you here,” -said Mr. Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the moment they stood there talking Palma took in -with her eyes the whole of the spacious hall. It ran from -front to back through the middle of the house, with double -doors at each end, four doors on either side and a broad -staircase going up from the midst. A hat rack and half a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>dozen heavy oak chairs were the only furniture. There was -no carpet on the polished oak floor, no pictures on the -paneled wall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you come into the parlor, or would you prefer, first, -to go to your rooms?” inquired the old gentleman, opening -a door on his right.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Which would you rather do, Palma?” inquired Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, go into the parlor! You see, uncle, we have not -come through dust, but through snow, and we are as clean -as when we had washed this morning,” replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The old man led the way into a large, square room, with -paneled walls, polished floor, heavy walnut chairs and -tables, and a broad, open fireplace, with brass andirons, on -which was piled about an eighth of a cord of blazing hickory -logs. Around this was a brass fender; above it, on the wall, -a handsome carved oak mantelpiece surmounted by a broad -mirror, and down before it on the floor a rich old Turkey -rug. Two large armchairs stood in each chimney corner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, my dears, and you, ma’am, make yourselves comfortable -and be quite at home. Supper will be ready in a -few minutes,” said Mr. Cleve as he sank into one of the -armchairs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Palma saw how fragile he really was—his transparent -face was as white as ashes, his thin hair and thin -whiskers were like floss of silver, his hands were the longest, -thinnest, fairest hands ever seen. He was clothed in a dark -blue dressing-gown which he folded double over his knees, -and the bald spot on the top of his head was covered with -a much worn old blue velvet skullcap. His aspect suggested -frost, cobweb, chrysalis. Only his deep-set, soft brown eyes -shone warm and bright with the fire of life, light and love -from the true soul, so slightly held by the fragile frame -and almost ready to fly.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXX<br> <span class='large'>THE MOUNTAIN HOME</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Mr. Cleve stretched out his hand and pulled the bell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>An elderly colored woman came in.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Serve the supper in here, Polly. The dining-room is -too cold, I think,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>“Yes, marster,” the woman replied and went out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is in the northwest angle of the house, and has four -large windows—two north and two west—which shake and -rattle, and let in the wind when it blows, as it does now, -from that quarter; and also sends the smoke in volumes -down the chimney. So I think it will be more comfortable -for us to eat supper here,” Mr. Cleve explained as he bent -forward and spread his thin, fair hands to the fire.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am sure there could not be a pleasanter room than -this,” said Palma from her low rocker as she basked in -the warm glow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah-h-h!” added Stuart with a sigh of deep satisfaction -as he rubbed his hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The woman soon came back with faded felt crumb cloth -in her arms, which she went on to lay down on the shining -oak floor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She was followed by a colored girl with the table damask -in her hands. Between them they set the table, adorning it -with rare old china and antique silver. And then a good -supper, in honor of the new arrivals, as well as in consideration -of the weary and hungry travelers. There was tea, -coffee and chocolate, milk, cream and butter, rolls, waffles -and cakes, ham, poultry and game, eggs, cheese and fruit—variety, -without superabundance.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Cleve arose and invited his relatives to take their -seats, and himself led Palma to the head of the table, saying -pleasantly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is your place henceforth, my child—a place that -has not been filled since my dear niece, your husband’s -mother, married and left me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma raised and kissed the pale hand that led her, and -then sat down before the tea tray.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The old gentleman sat opposite to her at the foot, Stuart -on the right and Mrs. Pole on the left side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The venerable master of the house asked the blessing, and -the feast began. The two colored women waited on the -table—the elder one stood beside Palma to hand the cups; -the younger beside Mr. Cleve, to pass the plates. Varied -and appetizing as was the supper, the host partook but -daintily, contenting himself with a cup of cocoa and a -wafer. But Cleve and Palma had healthy young appetites, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>and so delighted the hearts of the waiting women with their -appreciation of the good things set before them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the meal was over and the table cleared of the service -the elder woman set a lamp upon it; then brought the -family Bible and laid it open where the place was kept by -her master’s spectacles as a book mark.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, my dear children, let us draw near to Our -Father,” said the patriarch. And once more they gathered -around the table, on this occasion for worship.</p> - -<p class='c009'>John Cleve read the first chapter of the Sermon on the -Mount; then made a pause, that all might reflect on the -divine lesson; next led in the evening thanksgiving and -prayer, offering up on this occasion especially grateful acknowledgments -for the dear children sent to be a comfort -to his declining days, and prayers for their spiritual and -eternal welfare. Then he pronounced the benediction, and -the evening service was over.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As soon as they arose from their knees the elder colored -woman, whom her master had called Polly, came up to -Palma and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Please, ma’am, if you would like to go to your room now -I am ready to wait on you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you. I should like to retire,” replied wearied -Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An’ de oder lady, likewise,” added the woman, nodding -toward Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I’m sure she would. She is even more fatigued -than I am—than either of us,” replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“W’ich it is her age-able years, ma’am, of coorse. She -can’t be as young as she used to be,” said the woman -gravely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Probably not,” admitted Palma with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The waiting woman lighted two short sperm candles, in -short brackets, and, with one in each hand, prepared to -lead the way.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Shall we bid you good-night, uncle, dear?” inquired -Palma, going to the side of his easy-chair and bending over -him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You may, my dear, and your friend; but I must have -ten minutes’ talk with your husband here before I let him -go. I will not keep him longer than that,” replied the old -gentleman benignly.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>“Good-night, then, uncle, dear,” she said, raising his delicate -hands to her lips.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“God bless you, my love,” he responded, drawing her to -him and leaving a kiss on her forehead.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-night, sir,” said Mrs. Pole with a formal bow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-night, ma’am,” replied Mr. Cleve, lifting his -skullcap and bending his head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma and Poley followed the colored woman out of the -parlor into the big, bare hall, up the broad stairs to the -upper hall, which was quite as big and as bare.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was bitterly cold. With a heavily wooded country, with -forests of pine, oak, cedar, hickory, chestnut, poplar and -other timber, on the slopes and in the valleys, and with -mines of coal among the rocks and caverns, it seemed yet -impossible to keep a country house of that region warm in -winter. You might keep certain rooms within it warm, -but not the halls and passages, not the whole house, for the -reason that they had no system of furnaces, registers, heat -pipes and so forth; but then they were considered all the -more wholesome on that account.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nevertheless, Palma shivered and shook as with an ague -when she stepped upon the upper landing of the second -floor hall. It was almost exactly like the hall below; four -bedroom doors flanked it on each side, and there was a large -window at each end, corresponding to the front and back -door of the under one.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Polly led them about halfway up the hall toward the front -of the house, and paused before a door on the right hand, -about midway, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here is yer room, ma’am, and the most comfortablest -one in the whole house, ’ceps ’tis ole marster’s, which is -downstairs, on t’other side ob de hall, behine de parlor, an’ -befo’ de kitchen, and ‘tween ’em bofe, is sort o’ fended an’ -warmed, and purtected by bofe sides habbin’ ob a big fire -into it, bofe day an’ night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She opened a door and showed them into a spacious chamber, -warmed and lighted by a great fire of hickory logs in -the ample chimney, which was directly opposite the door by -which they had entered. Tall brass andirons supported the -blazing logs, an antique brass fender and crossed fire-irons -secured the rich Turkey rug and the polished oak floor -from danger by falling brands or flying sparks; a carved -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>oak mantelshelf surmounted the fireplace and supported an -oblong mirror, with a tall silver candlestick at each end. -There was a high window on each side of the fireplace, but -both were closed now, sash and shutter, and the snowy -dimity curtains were dropped. At the end of the room -nearest the front of the house stood a large, four-post bedstead, -with high-tented tester, from which hung full, white -dimity curtains festooned and looped from ceiling to floor. -Beside this white “marquee” lay a small Turkey rug.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A chest of drawers, a walnut press, a corner washstand -and two easy-chairs draped with white dimity completed -the furniture.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That little door, ma’am,” said Polly, pointing to one in -the wall opposite the foot of the bed, though a good distance -from it, “leads into a d’essin’-yoom, where you can -also keep yer extry clothes and fings as yer wouldn’t like to -clutter up yer bedroom wid.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you,” said Palma, dropping into one of the easy-chairs -and beginning to unbutton her own boots.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Wait, ma’am. Let me. Please let me. I’ll just show -this lady here to her yoom, and then come and take off your -shoes for you!” exclaimed Polly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she put one of her candles on the chest of drawers, -and retaining the other, turned to Mrs. Pole and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, ma’am, please I’ll take yer to your yoom. It’s -just across the hall yere, right opposide to dis.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thanky,” replied Mrs. Pole. “I’ll go and find out -where it is, and much obleeged to you. But then, dear, I -will come back and stay long o’ you until Mr. Stuart comes -up.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite right, Poley, dear,” replied Palma, who by this -time had got her boots off and her slippers out of her hand-bag -and onto her feet, and was sitting before the fire with -her toes on the top of the fender.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Polly took Mrs. Pole across the hall to the opposite room, -which as to size, windows and fireplace, was exactly like -that of Palma’s, except that it had a northern instead of -a southern aspect, and was, therefore, somewhat colder. It -was also upholstered in curtain calico instead of white dimity, -and had a picture of the Washington family, instead of -a handsome mirror over the mantelpiece. But there was a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>fine fire burning which filled the room with light and -warmth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, ma’am, if yer want anything as I can get -you——” began Polly; but Mrs. Pole interrupted and dismissed -her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; thank you. Good-night,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Polly left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Pretty soon Mrs. Pole recrossed the hall and re-entered -Palma’s apartment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Has the colored woman gone at last?” she inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, Poley. But what is the matter, dear? I do believe -you are jealous of that poor creature,” said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, I am not; but I don’t like to be waited on and -fussed over so much. I don’t myself! It is all wrong and -on false grounds. They treat me here just as if I was a -lady and——” began Mrs. Pole, but she in her turn was -interrupted by Palma, who said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poley, dear, they treat you as a respectable woman, and -as they treat all respectable women—that is, all respectable -white women. You are to be our housekeeper and, as such, -one of the family. Don’t ‘kick against the pricks,’ Poley, -dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I kick against anything? If you knew the stiffness of -my joints through sitting so long in the cars you wouldn’t -be talking of me and kicking in the same breath,” said -Mrs. Pole with an injured air.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ringing steps, attended by shuffling feet, were heard coming -along the hall, and then the voice of Cleve Stuart saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will do, ’Sias! Thank you. Good-night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the shuffling feet went back and the ringing steps -came on, and the door opened and Cleve Stuart entered -the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, good-night, dearie, I’m gone. Good-night, Mr. -Stuart,” said Mrs. Pole. And rising from the second easy-chair -into which she had thrown herself she nodded and left -them, regardless of Stuart’s good-natured protestations that -she must not let him drive her away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All our tired travelers “slept the sleep of the just” that -night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As for Palma, she knew nothing from the time her head -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>touched her pillow until she opened her eyes the next -morning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The room was dark, or lighted only by the red glow of -the hickory wood fire, and it was silent but for an occasional -crackle of some brand that was not of hickory, but of some -more resinous wood that had found its way in among the -harder sort.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart was not by her side, nor anywhere in the room. -Evidently he had got up and dressed and left while she still -slept soundly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma crept out of bed and crossed the floor to open the -window, but as she did so the chamber door was opened -and the younger of the two negro women came in.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Mornin’, ma’am,” she said brightly, smiling and showing -her teeth. “I was jes’ waitin’ outside o’ de do’ fo’ yo’ -to wake up, to come in an’ wait on yo’.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You must have good ears,” said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Middlin’. But w’en I heerd de planks in de flo’ creak, -den I knowed yo’ was walkin’ across. I did brung up a -pitcher o’ hot water fo’ yo’ an’ put it on de ha’rf—dar it is, -ma’am,” said the girl, and she stooped and took up the -pitcher and carried it over to the washstand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Tell me your name,” said Palma softly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Hatty, ma’am,” replied the girl, smiling brightly. And -when she smiled it was with a brilliancy unequaled in -Palma’s experience of faces. Hatty’s face was of the pure -African type. There was not a drop of Caucasian blood in -her veins; but she was of the finest African type, with fine -crinkling, silky, black hair, with glowing black eyes, so -large, soft and shining that, with varying phases they might -be called black diamonds, black stars, or—when half closed -with smiles or laughter, and veiled with their long, thick, -curled, black lashes—sunlit, reed-shaded pools. Her nose -was flat; her lips large and red, and her teeth white as -ivory. And when she laughed she seemed to be a natural -spring of mirth all by herself. And she was almost always -laughing, often silently. Few could look on the happy face -of the child without smiling in response.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, then, Hatty, I am afraid I am late. I hope I have -not kept anybody waiting.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The girl, who had gone to open the windows, turned and -answered shortly:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>“Oh, Lor’, no, ma’am! De birds deirselves—w’ich it is -de snowbirds, I mean—ain’t been long up, an’ de sun hese’f -hasn’ showed ’bove de mount’in, dough he’s riz. See, -ma’am!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She had drawn back the curtains and pulled up the shade, -and now she threw open the shutters.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma came to the window and looked out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Oh! what a glorious sight! Yet, to be graphic, I must -compare great things to small, or at least illustrate the -former by the latter. The house from which she looked -seemed now to be situated in the bottom of a vast, deep, -bowl-shaped valley, its colors now, in midwinter, dark green, -with gleams of snow-white, the whole canopied by deep -blue, flushed in the east by opal shades of rose, gold, violet, -and emerald. The mountains loomed all around in a circle -of irregular peaks, all thickly covered with pines, cedars, -spruce and other evergreen trees, which grew closest at the -base and thinnest near the tops, which were mostly bare, -and now, in December, covered, with snow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Looking from the front window of her room Palma could -see but half the circle—the eastern half, made beautiful now -by the rising sun. The sun had not yet come in sight; but -even as Palma gazed he suddenly sparkled up from behind -the cliffs, gilding all the opal hues of morning with dazzling -splendor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, what a happiness to live in a home like this!” she -said to herself; “how good one ought to be to become half -worthy of it! Oh, my! oh, my!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>She heard voices speaking below her window. In the -clearness of the atmosphere she recognized them as her husband’s -and his uncle’s.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The former was saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, they are not a bit afraid of you! They seem to -know you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes! they do.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the speakers became silent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It’s ole marse, a-feedin’ ob de snowbirds,” Hatty explained. -“Ole marse is jes’ a angel, ma’am! He’s good to -eberybody an’ eberyfing.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You love your master very much, then, Hatty?” said -Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Lub him? Dat ain’t no word for it! ’Cause, yo’ see, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>ma’am, I lubs so many bodies an’ so many fings, too, even -down to red ribbins an’ cakes! But I puffickly ’dores ole -marse!” said the girl, smiling until her eyes closed and all -the lines of her features were horizontal.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma had gone to the washstand, where now the sound -of splashing water prevented the hearing of any talk. Then, -while she was drying her face and neck, she said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Run, Hatty, and take my traveling dress from the hook -in the closet, and carry it out and shake it, and brush it, -and bring it back to me. I won’t take time now to unpack -my trunks to get another.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Almost before she ceased to speak the girl, glad to serve -her, had darted into the closet, seized the dress, and was -running off with it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>By the time Palma had dried her skin and dressed her -hair Hatty was back with the dark blue flannel suit, looking -as fresh as when it came out of Lovelace & Silkman’s establishment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As soon as Palma finished her toilet she hurried downstairs -and was met at the foot by the aged master of the -house, who had just come in from his bird feeding.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He wore a faded, dark blue dressing-gown, thickly -wadded, and wrapped closely about his fragile form. He -looked, if possible, fairer, frailer and more of a mere chrysalis -than ever.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, my dear,” he said. “You have slept -well, I know, and have risen to a beautiful day.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear uncle, and opened my eyes upon a beautiful -scene! Ah! what a happiness it is to live in such a lovely -place! How much I thank you for bringing us to such a -heavenly place!” said Palma, taking and kissing the pale -hand that he had laid in silent blessing on her head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How much I thank you for coming, dear child!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank us for coming into paradise?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not paradise even in summer, when it is almost a -Garden of Eden in the dip of the mountains! But I hope -it will be a very happy home to you and yours. Remember -that you are mistress here, of a house that has not had a -mistress for more than thirty years, when my dear niece, -your husband’s mother, married and left it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, but I am your servant, uncle—your servant and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>daughter, whose duty and delight will be to wait on you and -minister to your comfort,” murmured Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Breakfast is ready, ma’am,” said Polly, the elderly negro -woman, opening the parlor door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, my dear,” said Mr. Cleve, drawing Palma’s arm -within his own and leading her to the room, where the table -was waiting and a splendid fire was burning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where is Mr. Stuart and Mrs. Pole?” inquired Palma, -looking around.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go find them, Hatty,” ordered the master. But as he -spoke Cleve entered the room by the side door and laughingly -greeted his wife with the ironical question whether -she was really “up for all day?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You should have waked me,” said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, no, he should not. I hold with the Koran and -‘never awaken a sleeper’ unless, indeed, the occasion is sufficiently -important, which it was not this morning,” said -Mr. Cleve as they all sat down to breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole came in, convoyed by Hatty, who had found -her upstairs setting Palma’s room in order, and had taken -upon herself to instruct the good old woman that “age-able -ole white ladies didn’t make up no beds when there was -colored young girls to do it for ’em.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Mrs. Pole had greeted the company and taken her -seat the master of the house asked the blessing and breakfast -went on.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the morning meal was ended and the table cleared -away Mr. Cleve said to Palma:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, my dear, when you feel disposed call Polly to -show you all over the house. And you will make any alterations -you see fit, choose any rooms that you may prefer -for your private apartments, and make a list of any furniture -or household utensils that you may need or may -like, and they shall be bought. There is a good sleigh in the -carriage house. If you would like to take a drive, send -Hatty to the stables to tell Josias to clean it out and harness -the horses. Do whatever you like, my child.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, dear uncle. I wish I knew what you would -like, and that I would do.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I would like you to be happy, my child.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, then; thank you, uncle, I will,” exclaimed -Palma with a light laugh as she danced out of the room -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>and tripped upstairs to her own chamber to begin the work -of unpacking and putting away her own and her husband’s -wardrobe, in which she was to be assisted by Mrs. Pole, -who soon entered the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Never in her life had Palma been so happy, so lighthearted, -so contented with the present, so careless of the future. -Even in her bridal days, sickness and the shadow of -death had been about her and had sobered, if it had not -darkened her delight. But now every cloud was lifted; the -present was full of joy, the future full of glad promise, and -her own soul overflowing with thankfulness to the Lord.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole was almost equally enchanted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, Poley, we have both reached a haven of peace and -safety that is like a heavenly rest. Let us be good and -obedient children to our Father and Lord. That is all we -can do to show our gratitude,” said Palma, who was kneeling -by the side of her great sea trunk, taking out clothing -piece by piece and handing them to her attendant, who was -standing before the bureau and who folded each article in -turn and put it away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Darling,” answered Mrs. Pole, “I do not think as ever -I did such a good and altogether profitable day’s work as I -did that precious day when I found you too ill to get out -of bed and not a single soul to take care of you; and when -I said to myself as the week’s washing at Wilton’s would -have to go with my week’s wages into the bargin, and to-morrow -would have to take thought for itself, according to -Scripture, for once, for I was bound to stop long o’ you -an’ nuss you. Lor’, child! I haven’t too often walked by -faith instead o’ by sight, but I did it that once, and lo and -behold! what’s come outen it! We have never parted from -that day to this, and here I am in my old age not only -comfortable, but luxurious pervided for.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You ‘cast your bread upon the waters and after many -days it has returned to you,’” said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, please the Lord, for the futur’ I do mean to try -to be a better woman,” said Mrs. Pole very earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When their task was completed and everything was in -order, Palma dropped into an easy-chair, drew a deep -breath, and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now, Poley, it is but eleven o’clock, and there are three -hours before Uncle Cleve’s early dinner at two, so, if you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>like, we will send for Aunt Polly—all the colored women -who are past their youth are aunts, you know; everybody’s -aunts, Cleve says—we will send for Aunt Polly and get her -to show us all over our new little kingdom, this big, old -house—its dining-room, kitchen and pantry, its storerooms, -china and linen closets, its chambers, attics and cuddies, and -all. Will you come, Poley, dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you tired to death and out of breath now? No, -my dear. No. You must not exert yourself one bit more -to-day. Now mind what I tell you, honey. It is for your -good and Its!” replied Mrs. Pole, with a solemn warning -shake of her head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, Poley, I will obey you. Cleve and uncle are -shut up in the parlor, talking business, I suppose, so I will -sit here and sew until dinner time, or until I am called,” -said Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole got up and went to the shelf in the closet and -returned with Palma’s workbasket, in which her sewing -was already neatly arranged, and set it down on the floor -beside its owner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Palma selected a tiny, half-finished garment that -might have fitted a medium doll, and began to sew some lace -edging on it. And soon, in the gayety of her heart, she -began to sing at her work.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole got her own basket of infirm socks and stockings -and began to darn.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXI<br> <span class='large'>UNCLE AND NEPHEW</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>While they were so occupied Mr. Cleve had closed the -parlor door, shutting himself in with his nephew for a long -talk over their past and present lives and future arrangements—though -the earthly future of the aged man would -necessarily be very brief.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The old gentleman wished rather to hear than to talk, -and so he only briefly reverted to the main events of his -own life—his early disappointment in love when his betrothed -bride was taken ill and died a few days before their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>intended marriage, and was buried in her bridal dress on -her wedding day.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yet, no; she was not buried, only her left-off body was -buried. She lived! Oh! how vividly! how blessedly! how -potently she lives! And I shall soon see her again! After -seventy years, my boy! after seventy years! But what are -they, in view of the life everlasting?” said the aged man in -conclusion of this reminiscence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve Stuart made no reply, but pressed his uncle’s hand -in reverential silence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the old man spoke of the nephews who had borne -his own name and expected to inherit his estate, but who -had both died, unmarried, of wounds received in battle. -Then he spoke of his long, vain search of his niece’s son, -Cleve Stuart, and of the chance by which he found him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, my boy, that I have found you, let me say -that I find you all that I could wish, and your young wife—charming! -But tell me about her, Cleve. Who is she?” he -inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Palma is the daughter of the late James Jordan Hay -and the granddaughter of the late John Hayward Hay, of -Haymore, in the North Biding of Yorkshire, England,” -replied Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why—indeed! I knew the old squire. When I went to -Europe in my young manhood I reached England in the -autumn, and through a letter of introduction got an invitation -to Mr. Storr’s, of Hoxton, where I stayed for the -Melton hunts and met Mr. Hay, of Haymore. Yes, the -Hays, of Haymore, are an ancient, historical, almost, I -might say, an illustrious family. I congratulate you, my -boy, but more on the personal merit of your young wife than -on her family connections. Who represents the house now -at Haymore? Which of the three lads I found there?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart, as briefly as possible, gave him the later family -history.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What a fatality! All these fine boys to pass away in -early manhood! And the son of Cuthbert, the second -brother, you say, inherits the manor. I remember Cuthbert -well. He was intended for the church. They called him -Cuddie. Now, tell me how you came to meet Palma. She -was the daughter of the youngest brother, James, you say.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; and after the death of her parents she was adopted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>by Judge and Mrs. Barrn, who were my guardians. I met -Palma in their house when I first went there to live, and so -knew her from her infancy up. I won her pure affection -then, and never afterward lost it, thank Heaven.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“An excellent knowledge and a blessed beginning. Now, -tell me how it was you lost your Mississippi plantation.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have not lost it. It is legally mine, but of no more -use to me than would be so many acres of waste land in -the<a id='t302'></a> Sahara. The land is, indeed, a desert, and the buildings a -mass of charred ruins.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Through the war?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, of course. Mansion house, stables, barns, mills, -negroes’ quarters fired and burned to the ground; stock all -driven off; negroes conscripted. The place is a ruin and a -wilderness; it would take many thousand dollars to reclaim -it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The old man sighed, but made no reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Stuart told him frankly of the desperate straits to -which he had been reduced at the time when his uncle’s -letter came to him so opportunely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Cleve was shocked.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If I had known! If I had only known!” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But in all his narrative Stuart never mentioned the name -or existence of either Lamia Leegh or Gentleman Geff. It -was bad enough, he thought, to trouble the old gentleman’s -calm spirit with the tale of want; but it would have been -far worse to have darkened and depressed it with the story -of falsehood and treachery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The early dinner bell brought the family together, and -around the table were only happy faces. All the painful -past was for the time forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The afternoon was beautiful.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The large old sleigh was brushed out, lined with buffalo -skins and blankets, and brought around to the front door by -two swift horses. And the four—Mr. Cleve, Mrs. Pole, -Stuart and Palma—took a ride; the first pair seated on the -back seat, the second on the front seat, and Josias, the -coachman, on the box.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They took the road that skirted the base of the mountains, -on the inside, and went in a circle around the plantation. -On this road, under the shelter of the mountains, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>stood the negroes’ quarters—log huts, large and small, from -one room to two, three or even four, according to the necessities -of the occupants. The men and boys were all away at -such farm work as the season permitted, and the women -were engaged in washing, ironing, cooking, or carding and -spinning wool. Their open doors showed their occupations, -and showed also the bright pine wood fires that so warmed -their huts as to permit these open doors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sleigh passed too swiftly for the party in it to return -half the nods and smiles with which their passage was -greeted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Uncle,” said Palma, “you appear to me like a patriarch -of old living among his tribe.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, dear child, with this exception—the patriarchs -were men of large families, with many sons and daughters, -and sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and innumerable -grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the third and -fourth generation, to rise up and call them blessed. And -I—have none.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! uncle, dear, you have us. We love you; indeed, we -do. And we will serve you as tenderly and devotedly as -any children could.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know it, my dear; I know it. And I thank the Lord -for sending you to me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I thank the Lord that you let us come. And, oh! -uncle, I wish we could multiply ourselves into a tribe of -many generations to serve and bless you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All in good time, my little love; all in good time,” said -the old man with a twinkle in his glowing brown eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The three miles’ circuit of the road was completed, and -they reached the house just as the winter sun was winking -out of sight behind the western peak.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The first day the ground will admit of walking I shall -go on foot to make the acquaintance of all your interesting -people, Uncle Cleve. I liked the glimpses I got of them as -we flew by,” said Palma as she gave her hand to her husband -and sprang out of the sleigh.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, my child, so you shall,” replied the old man as he -in his turn alighted with the assistance of both Stuart and -Palma. “So you shall, my dear. And there are some few -neighbors and some distant relatives of ours with whom you -must soon make acquaintance.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>“Who are they, uncle, dear?” inquired Palma as she entered -the house on the old man’s arm, followed by Stuart -and Mrs. Pole, while ’Sias drove the sleigh around to the -stables.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will tell you presently, dear,” replied Mr. Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the hall Palma laid off her fur cloak and hood and -gave them to Hatty to take upstairs. Stuart helped his -uncle off with his overcoat and muffler.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they had all returned to the oak parlor, where the -great fire had been replenished, and were seated around the -hearth enjoying the glow, and while Polly was passing in -and out setting the tea table, Mr. Cleve said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“We have no very near relations left in this world. We -who sit here are the nearest of kin to each other. Still, you -know, Virginians are as clannish as highlanders.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed. I remember that much of my beloved -mother. No matter how distant the relationship or how -humble or even unworthy the individual, my dear mother -always held sacred the claims of kindred. My poor father, -who was not so clannish, used to laugh at her a little and -ask:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Why do you not take in all the human race at once, -since all are Sons and daughters of our first parents, and -brothers and sisters of ourselves?’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, he was right,” commented the old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But excuse me for interrupting you, uncle. You were -speaking of our kindred in this country, and we are anxious -to hear of them.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, my boy, there are the Gordons, of Gordondell; -they are our third cousins, and live about seven miles south -of this on the Staunton road. They are a large family of -three generations, living in one house; but they are all -Gordons. Then there are the Bells, of the Elms; only two, -a bachelor brother and maiden sister, living on their little -place just beyond Wolfswalk. And the Clydes, my dears, -who live in the village, and keep a general store. There is -a young father and mother and half a dozen children. That -is all. They are all more or less injured by the war, and -are poor, and—some of them—somewhat embittered by -their losses; but they are our kindred, and we must have -them all here to meet you in the coming Christmas holidays.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>“Tea is on the table, ma’am,” said Polly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the party left the fireside and gathered around the -table.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sleigh ride had given them all fine appetites, and -they enjoyed their repast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After it was over, and the evening worship was offered -up, the little family separated and retired to rest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so ended the first day at Wolfscliff; the first, also, -of many happy days.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The cousins did not wait to be invited. The news of the -new arrival at the Hall was soon spread through the neighborhood -by the negroes, and neighbors and relatives lost no -time in calling on the young pair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And yet these were not so truly calls as visits, for when -any one came to the house they arrived in the morning to -stay all day and take dinner and tea. They expected this, -and it was also expected of them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The very first to come were the Gordons, who arrived -early in the morning a few days before Christmas. They -came in a big ox cart, and filled it. There was old Mr. and -Mrs. Gordon, an ancient couple nearly ninety years of age, -bowed, shriveled and white-haired, yet, withal, right merry; -and their bachelor brother and maiden sister, Mr. Tommy -and Miss Nancy Gordon, as aged and as merry as themselves; -then there was the son and daughter, Col. and Mrs. -George Gordon, both stout, rosy and full of the enjoyment -of this life, and their middle-aged bachelor brother and -maiden sister, Mr. Henry and Miss Rebecca Gordon. And -there were seven young men and three young women between -the ages of fifteen and twenty-seven. But, really, it -would take up too much time and space to tell you all their -names and ages and characters. They were a happy, rollicking -set of young people.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They had not been much hurt either in mind, body or -estate by the war, and were neither depressed nor embittered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then came the two old folks from the Elms. And, finally, -the Clydes, from the village.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And besides these, neighbors came; old families who had -been in the land, as the Cleves had, from the first settlement -by the English—the Hills, the Ords, and the Balls—all -of whom lived within ten miles of Wolfscliff.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>And all of these kinsfolks and neighbors were warmly -welcomed at Wolfscliff, and well liked by Cleve and Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Christmas brought its usual festivities at the home, but -also a snowstorm that commenced on the morning of Christmas -Eve and continued all day and all night and all the -next day, covering the ground two feet deep, and toward -the close of the second day, when the wind rose, drifting in -places several yards deep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This made it impossible for the families at Wolfscliff to -leave the house; but Mr. Cleve held service in the large -drawing-room, where all his people from the plantation, as -well as the members of his household, were collected.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And when the service was over Christmas gifts were distributed, -mostly in articles of clothing, to the servants. To -Palma he gave a casket of pearls and rubies that had been -his mother’s; to Stuart he gave a fine horse, with new saddle -and bridle, that he had within a few days past purchased -from a neighbor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve and Palma gave to him an olive-green velveteen -dressing-grown and skullcap to match, which they had purchased -for this very purpose; and to the servants each they -gave a piece of gold coin, having nothing else to offer them. -And then the congregation dispersed joyfully.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The snowstorm continued, with a high wind. The contemplated -dinner party for the twenty-seventh had to be -given up. The state of the road made travel impossible for -several days.</p> - -<p class='c009'>One of the first expeditions abroad was made by Josias, -who, mounted on a stout mule, tried to reach the post office -at Wolfswalk. It took him all day to go and come, but he -succeeded, and late in the evening brought back letters and -parcels that had been forwarded from New York to the -Stuarts—letters and parcels that bore the London and the -Haymore postmarks. The first were from the London solicitors -of the Hays, of Haymore, and contained the information -that certain railway, mining and manufacturing -shares had been transferred from the name of Randolph -Hay to that of Palma Hay Stuart, and were at her disposal, -and included the bonds—for, after all, self-indulgent Will -Walling had decided not to take the long journey to the -mountains of Virginia in the midst of winter, but to forward -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>the documents by mail, and without even an explanatory -letter from himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think you will have no trouble in finding the funds for -the reclamation of your Mississippi estate,” said John Cleve -with a smile as he received the information which Stuart -seemed proud and glad to give him. “Your wife’s cousin -is a noble, generous fellow. Whom did he marry?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve Stuart was for a moment dumfounded by the question. -He had not so far risen above conventionality as not -to feel much embarrassment in replying.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Miss Judith Man, of California,” answered Palma, on -seeing that Stuart had found nothing to say.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! Who was she?” next inquired Mr. Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The best, the noblest, the loveliest girl I ever met with -in my life!” warmly responded Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! that is well, very well! Of what family was she?” -persevered the old gentleman, who was completely unconscious -of the embarrassment his questions were causing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I really do not know, uncle, dear,” answered Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not think we ever inquired,” replied Stuart, speaking -at last.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! well, it does not matter, so that she is a good, true -girl, worthy of the noble young fellow,” said Mr. Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She is all that, uncle,” said Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma and Stuart then opened their letters. They were -from Ran and Judy, telling them of their arrival at Haymore, -their reception of Gentleman Geff and his “lady,” -and, indeed, of all the events that transpired in the first few -days of their stay at the Hall, and of which our readers -are already informed; making no mention of the transfer -of stocks from Ran to Palma; but renewing and pressing -their invitation that the Stuarts would visit them in England -during the next summer. Of course, Ran and Judy at -the time of writing their letter had not heard of Cleve and -Palma’s removal to West Virginia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma was so little a worshiper of Mammon that she was -much more delighted with the faithful affection revealed in -these letters than with the accession of fortune that accompanied -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She flew upstairs to answer them. She was earnest in her -thanks for Ran’s magnanimity in giving her so noble a -share in their grandfather’s fortune; but she was even more -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>earnest in her appreciation of Judy’s friendship and their -mutual invitation to herself and Cleve. She had, however, -to explain why neither of them could take advantage of the -offered opportunity of visiting their friends in England, by -telling them of her own and her husband’s change of residence -and new-found happiness in the country home of -their aged uncle, and of the impossibility that they should -leave him while his presence on earth should be spared to -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve Stuart also answered Ran’s letters in very much -the same strain, giving the same thanks with much deprecation, -and offering the same explanations.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These letters were all taken to the post office the next -morning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In another week the weather moderated and the snow -melted. But traveling was, if possible, more difficult than -before, for the roads were sloughs of mud.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But within doors, at Wolfscliff, all was pleasant, comfortable -and happy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Only Mrs. Pole complained of having too little to do. -But her special grievance did not last very long, for——</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the morning of the fourteenth of February Palma -Stuart received from Above, in trust for earth and heaven, -a most precious valentine, in the form of a pair of twins, -a fine boy and girl. And no more grateful and delighted -mother dwelling on the “footstool” that day raised her -heart in prayer and thanksgiving to the Throne.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No prouder father lived than Stuart, no happier uncle -than John Cleve, nor more important nurse than Mary -Pole. She had enough to do now, both day and night, to -nurse mother and babes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the very first visit Stuart was allowed to make at the -bedside of his wife, when he had kissed her with deep feeling, -and had admired the twins to his heart’s content, she -said to him:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Cleve, dear, of course our boy must be named John -Cleve, after dear uncle and yourself. But our little girl? -Will you please ask uncle if he will let us call her Clarice, -after his own dear angel love?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well thought of, darling. I know he will be pleased. -I will ask him as soon as I go downstairs,” warmly responded -Cleve Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>“And you must go now, sir, if you please. She must be -quiet and go to sleep if she can,” said Mrs. Pole from the -eminence of her new authority.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart meekly bowed his head and obeyed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The result of Palma’s proposal was this: Early in the afternoon, -when she had had a good sleep, had awakened and -taken refreshment, and was resting in peace and bliss, the -old gentleman came quietly into the room, sat down beside -her, and said softly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you, my dear. May the Lord bless you, and -may He bless your dear babes—little Clarice and John.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXII<br> <span class='large'>AN EARTHLY PARADISE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Spring opens early on the southwestern section of Virginia, -and leaves, flowers and birds come soon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma and her babies were out with the violets and the -bluebirds. And no one could have more enjoyed the beautiful -weather in this glorious scene than the city-bred girl.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Even in April, the cup-shaped vale, shut in by green-wooded -mountains, seemed a Garden of Eden, or the fairy -“Valley of Calm Delights.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart had taken to agricultural life as to his native element, -and often declared his delight in it, and expressed his -wonder how he, the descendant of a hundred generations of -farmers, could have been contented to live in a city.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Directly after breakfast every morning he mounted his -horse and rode out afield to look after the laborers. Certainly, -much of the theory and practice of farming he had -to learn from his uncle; but he was an apt pupil. So apt, -he said to Palma, that his learning seemed to him more -like the recollection of forgotten knowledge than the acquisition -of new ideas.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma, for her part, loved to put her two babies in the -double perambulator that had been brought from the nearest -town for their use, and, attended by Hatty, wheel them -out to the road that ran around the vale and was dotted with -the log huts and little gardens of the negroes on the side -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>next to the mountain. This was like a royal progress. -Everywhere the young mother and children were greeted -with joy by the colored women and girls in the cabins.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On week days none but women and children could be -found there; all the men were afield.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Sunday they would all, or nearly all, go to church; -and it was a strange thing that a little community, numbering -less than one hundred, men, women and children all -counted, should include so many religious sects; for here -were to be found Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, -Methodists and Baptists. I think that was all; for of finer -sub-divisions of doctrine or opinion they knew nothing, and -a more Christian community than the people of this plantation, -notwithstanding their sectarian differences, could scarcely -be found anywhere. And this was owing, in a great -measure, to the teachings and example of their master—a -pure Christian.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was accustomed to say to them:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By whatever sectarian name you choose to call yourselves -matters little; be Christian. ‘The disciples were called -Christians first at Antioch.’ ‘For there is no other name -under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved -but that of Christ.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Old ’Sias being asked one day by a stranger as to his -religious faith and experience answered that he was Christian, -and his law of life was love of God and his neighbor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The people loved their master well. Not one left him -when emancipation was proclaimed. Even the young men, -who longed to see life, would not leave old master while he -should live on earth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Old Cleve was the friend, teacher and patriarch of his -people.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Never in his life, however, had the old man been so -happy as at present. The society of Stuart, Palma and their -babies opened new springs of joy in his heart and home. -He loved to spend hours reclining in his easy-chair on the -piazza, with the young mother seated near him and the -infants in their pretty basket cradle beside her, while Mrs. -Pole would be looking after household affairs within, and -Stuart would be supervising agricultural matters afield.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The twins were little more than two months old when -John Cleve saw, or thought he saw, a growing likeness between -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>the tiny Clarice and the angel for whom she was -named. As for him, he was waiting the call to come and -rejoin his own Clarice in one of the many mansions of our -Father’s house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nor was the summons long delayed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a lovely morning in May.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The vale was more like than ever to a Garden of Eden. -It was a chalice full of bloom, fragrance and music lifted -up in offering to Heaven.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart was absent on horseback, riding from field to field, -overlooking the workmen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All the other members of the family were gathered on the -front porch.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole, with a pair of shears in her hands, was walking -about the place, carefully clipping a few dead leaves from -the rose vines that climbed about the pillars. She had taken -to gardening with as much enthusiasm as Stuart had taken -to farming.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma sat on a little, low chair, busy with her needlework. -At her feet stood the pretty basket cradle in which -lay the twin babes, sleeping.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Near them sat John Cleve, reclining in a large resting-chair. -His hands were folded before him, and he was -gazing out upon the scene with a face illumined by reverence -and serene rapture. Not a word had he spoken since -the babies went to sleep. Now he murmured:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! the beauty and the glory of Thy sunlit earth and -heavens, our Father.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The words seemed to issue involuntarily from the lips of -the speaker in the midst of the deep silence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh! the loveliness of Thy celestial angels!” he murmured -in a lower and a slower tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma looked up from her sewing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He did not speak again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She turned around to look at him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He had sunk back in his chair and shrunken together. -His hands lay folded on his knees, his head bowed on his -chest, and his silver hair shining in the morning sunlight. -His face could not possibly be whiter than it had always -been since she had known him, but something else in his -aspect startled and alarmed her.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>She sprang up and went to him, bent over him, and laid -her hand on his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Uncle! Uncle!” she said softly but eagerly, anxiously—“Uncle!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t distress—yourself, dear—it is all right—bless -you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>These were his last words. His whole slight frame seemed -to collapse and shrink closer together, his head sank lower, -his hands slipped apart and dropped down by his sides.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Mrs. Pole, startled by some sound, hurried to the -spot, she found Palma in a panic of grief and amazement -too deep for utterance, standing over the lifeless body of -the good old man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole in great emergencies had but little self-possession.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She threw up her hands in horror, and then ran wildly -in and out of the house, shrieking:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Polly! Hatty! ’Sias!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And as the frightened servants came running at her call, -the women from the kitchen, the man from the lawn, they -found the young mistress down on the floor at the feet of -the dead master, with her hands clasped around his knees -and her head bowed upon them, sobbing as if her heart -must break. Tears had come and broken the trance of -sorrow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Run for the doctor! Run for Mr. Stuart! Run all of -you!” cried Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the servants ran in all directions to spread the news -or to bring efficient help.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole went to Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Get up, my dear child! Let me help you up.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Don’t—don’t,” gasped Palma in a smothered tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, come with me,” persisted the woman, taking hold -of her arm and trying to lift her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Leave me! Leave me!” cried the mourner, clinging the -closer to her dead, and continuing obdurate to all entreaty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve Stuart, found and summoned by ’Sias, soon came -galloping up to the house, threw himself off his horse and -hurried up on the porch.</p> - -<p class='c009'>One look of awe, sorrow and reverence to the changed -face of his uncle showed him what had happened. Then he -looked on his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>“Make her get up, sir. Do make her get up. I can’t -get her to move from that!” sobbed Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When did this happen?” inquired Stuart in a low tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not twenty minutes ago, I reckon, though I’m not sure. -It was as quick as lightning. One moment he was talking -bright and cheerful, and the next moment he was gone like -a flash! Oh! make her get up, sir. She will kill herself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Palma, dear, you must let me take you in,” he said, laying -his hand gently on the bowed head of his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But sobs were her only reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Palma, we will have to take him in and lay him on his -bed. Come with me first.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>But she only wept and sobbed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>With gentle force he took her arms from around the dead, -lifted her, bore her into the parlor, laid her on the sofa and -called Polly to attend her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He returned to the porch, told Mrs. Pole to look after the -babies and leave everything else to him, and called the grief-stricken -’Sias to help him to carry the dead into the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a very light weight for so tall and broad-shouldered -a man, but, then, it was but little more than skin and -bone, a human chrysalis.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They bore it to the chamber in the rear of the parlor on -the ground floor, that had been John Cleve’s sleeping-room. -Here they laid it on the bed to await the arrival of the -family physician. The latter could do no good, but all the -same he must come.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Not until afternoon could the busy country doctor, whose -practice extended over many miles, be found and brought to -Wolfscliff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was conducted by Stuart to the room of death.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A death from old age, pure and simple,” was the verdict -of science.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Did you ever see a body more thoroughly consumed by -the life of the spirit? I have known Mr. Cleve all my life, -as my father and my grandfather knew him before me, and -I never knew of, or heard of, his having a day’s illness,” -concluded Dr. Osborne as they sat together beside the bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He was a saint prepared for heaven,” reverently replied -the young man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then they arose, and standing on each side of the bed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>drew the sheet up over the calm, cold face and left the room -together.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor went away, kindly offering to transact any -business that was now required for the family and for the -deceased at Wolfswalk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart went to inquire about the condition of his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Polly had put her to bed, and Mrs. Pole had laid her -sleeping infants in with her, the one on her right side and -the other on her left. They were the best sedatives, for the -tender mother was obliged to control herself for fear of -disturbing them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole, now as quiet and decorous as in the morning -she had been noisy and turbulent, sat in a large easy-chair, -watching the three.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As Stuart softly opened the door she raised her finger -in warning, and then silently arose and went to him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“She has just fallen asleep herself. I wouldn’t speak to -her now, if I was you. She is sleeping very quiet,” she -said in a low tone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank Heaven! Take care of her, Mrs. Pole,” murmured -Cleve in a low tone as he withdrew.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole closed the door and went back to resume her -watch.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Three days later the mortal body of John Cleve, of Wolfscliff, -was borne to the family burial ground on the plateau -on one of the hills that looked up to the sky. It was followed -by a great concourse of people, consisting of kindred, -friends, servants and neighbors from far and near.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The services were concluded there, with these few words -of such divine love and truth that I quote them here for the -comfort they may give to all sorrowing souls who grieve -because they think, and think wrongly, that they have laid -their loved ones in the grave.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘And now, having performed the last service of love to -our dear brother by laying his body in the earth from which -it came, we leave it there, as he has left it, to follow him -by faith to his eternal home.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Will my readers note the use of the pronouns there? -There is deep meaning in that.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the obsequies, life went on very calmly at Wolfscliff.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>Stuart and Palma wrote every week to their friends in -England, and quite as often got letters from them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again Ran and Judy urged Stuart and Palma to come -and visit them, as there was nothing now to keep the latter -at Wolfscliff. They wrote that they had given up their plan -of leaving Haymore Hall to study in London. That the -attractions of the country and the home were so great that -they could not tear themselves away from it. That they -had formed attachments not only to the place, but to the -people. That they should remain there, and that the Rev. -James Campbell had undertaken to direct their studies, and -they expected to derive quite as much—if not more—benefit -from his instructions as they could from professional -teachers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The correspondence resulted in a promise from the -Stuarts to run over to England after the wheat harvest -should be gathered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was while Stuart was thinking of setting a certain day -for their embarkation and purchasing their tickets that a -strange visitor arrived at Wolfscliff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was a glorious day in the latter part of June.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart was afield, looking after the wheat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma was seated on the front piazza, with her babies -placed face to face in their cradle on her right hand, and -her workbasket, overflowing with work, on her left.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She was singing to herself in a low key when she heard -the sound of wheels on the gravel walk.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Looking up, she saw the hack from the Wolfshead tavern, -at Wolfswalk, approaching. It drew up before the porch.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The coachman got off his box and went to the carriage -door and opened it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A gentleman got out—a tall, thin man of about forty -years of age, with dark, reddish-brown hair and beard.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma laid aside her work and stood up to receive the -visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He came up the steps of the piazza, stopped, raised his -hat, and as he looked at the childlike young matron before -him, said with some hesitation:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mrs.—Stuart? Have I the honor of speaking to Mrs. -Stuart?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is my name, sir,” replied Palma politely.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>He bowed and handed her a card, on which she read: -“The O’Melaghlin, Carrick Arghalee, Antrim, Ireland.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you come into the house, sir? Mr. Stuart is not -here at present, but he is not far off, and I will send for -him at once,” said Palma, leading the way into the hall -and touching a call-bell as she passed a stand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, madam,” said the stranger, following her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She conducted him into the drawing-room, gave him a -seat and turned to speak to Hatty, who had come in answer -to the bell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ask Mrs. Pole, please, to go to the children on the -piazza. Then send ’Sias to look for Mr. Stuart, to tell him -that there is a gentleman here waiting to see him, and give -him this card,” said Palma, putting the slip of pasteboard -into the girl’s hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is ’Sias for to gib dis to young marster?” inquired -Hatty, dubiously.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, certainly. Go away now and do your errands. Go -to Mrs. Pole first,” said the anxious young mother. And -then she sat down near the front window, through which, -from time to time, she could glance out and see that no -harm should come to the babies until the arrival of her relief -sentinel, Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma was not very well versed in the ways of the world, -yet she felt it incumbent on her to entertain the stranger, -but she did not exactly know how to do it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are recently from Ireland. I have some very dear -friends of that country. Indeed, my nearest kinsman married -a young girl of that nation.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes; I am aware of that fact. Mr. Randolph Hay married -Miss Judith Man—that brings me here to-day. But -as for myself, I have not seen Ireland for twenty-one years,” -said the stranger.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma looked up in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have been in California, Colorado, Australia, Tasmania, -Cape Colony—everywhere else but in my native -land,” continued the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma looked up inquiringly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I came last from California,” concluded the -stranger.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma suddenly remembered that it was rude to stare in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>silence at any one, especially at a visitor in one’s own house; -so she dropped her eyes and said demurely:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am glad you knew Judith Man, Mrs. Randolph Hay, -of Haymore, my cousin by marriage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I don’t know her at all. All the same, she is my daughter—my -only daughter—and I hope to find her soon, with -your assistance, and to make her acquaintance. It is for -that purpose that I am here,” said the stranger.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now Palma stared in right good earnest, without once -thinking whether she was rude or not. Moreover, she committed -another breach of good manners—she echoed his -words:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your daughter!” she exclaimed in astonishment and incredulity. -“I never did hear of such a thing!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Perhaps not,” said the visitor, laughing good-humoredly; -“but it is true, nevertheless. And, besides, there -are a great many million</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘More things in heaven and earth’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>than you ever did hear of, or ever will hear of, my dear -young lady.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I beg your pardon, sir; but indeed I was so taken by surprise!” -said Palma, apologetically, and with a pretty blush.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not at all!” exclaimed the stranger, rather irrelevantly. -“Say no more about it; but tell me something of my son -and my daughter. You said nothing about my son, yet I -have been told that they are both equally and intimately -well known to you and to your excellent husband. What -are these young people like, madam, if you please?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mike and Judy? They are both lovely! Just lovely!” -warmly responded Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is exceedingly complimentary, and would be highly -satisfactory, only it is not quite exact enough. A rose is -lovely, so is a pearl, so is a fawn, so is a baby.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes!” exclaimed the young mother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So many things are lovely, you see, that to say they are -lovely gives me no clear idea of them. Be more precise, -dear lady.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, then, they are so good, so sweet—but I think I had -better show you their photographs,” said Palma, with sudden -inspiration.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>“The very thing!” exclaimed the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma sprang up and ran like an eager child to the other -end of the drawing-room and to an <em>etagere</em> that stood in -the corner, and took from it a large-paged but thin photograph -album, with which she returned to her visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This book,” she said, “contains only the pictures of our -dearest friends. There are not more than thirty-three pictures -in the collection; but then there are in some cases -several of each person. I will show you Mike’s and Judy’s.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No!” exclaimed the visitor. “Pray let me have the -book and see if I can find them for myself. I have never -seen them. You are naturally amazed to hear me say that, -but you shall know the reason of the fact in good time,” -said The O’Melaghlin, as he received the book from Palma, -who, having placed it in his hands, resumed her seat, -watched him as he turned over the leaves, and speculated -with much interest whether he would be able to identify the -pictures of his son and daughter, whom he had never seen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Presently his face lighted up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here they are!” he exclaimed, pointing to the open -pages that presented full-length cabinet photographs of -Mike and Judy—the former being on the left-hand page -and the latter on the right.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, you are right,” replied Palma in surprise; “but -how could you tell?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because this,” he replied, laying his finger on Judy’s -picture, “is a perfect likeness of my dear lost Moira; and -this,” he added, indicating Mike’s, “is as like her as a youth -can be like his mother.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They are faithful likenesses of the twin brother and -sister,” replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now tell me, my dear young lady, about my boy and -girl.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your daughter, I have said, is sweet and good and very -dear to us all who know her. To say that she is married -to one of the wealthiest land owners of one of the oldest -families in Yorkshire would be true, but it would not be -so much as to say that her husband is one of the best, the -truest, the most generous and most magnanimous of men.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your praise is enthusiastic, therefore extravagant.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It could not be. Ask Judy herself.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ask a young woman still in love! She would be a very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>impartial witness, no doubt,” laughed The O’Melaghlin. -“But now about my boy?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is altogether worthy of his sister and his brother-in-law. -I could not say any more for him than that.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Which is to say that he is good, true and brave.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, he is all that.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But his objects in life?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To be of the best use to any whom he may serve; and -the better to do this, he wishes to get a good education.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite right! And he is young enough still to go to -college, not being quite twenty years of age.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I am so glad for his sake that you have come forward; -because Michael has that spirit of independence that -he shrinks from being indebted to his good brother-in-law -for his college fees.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Quite right is that also. He is a true O’Melaghlin, and -I am proud of him! And now, my dear young lady, you -may be wondering how I discovered yourself and your husband -and your connection—happy connection for them—with -my children.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It has been equally happy for us, sir, indeed. Michael -and Judith are among our most esteemed friends.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am glad to hear you say so, dear madam.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXIII<br> <span class='large'>THE KINGLY O’MELAGHLINS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>At this moment Cleve Stuart so quietly entered the room -that Palma was not aware of his entrance until he stood -before her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Mr. O’Melaghlin—Mr. Stuart,” she said, presenting the -gentlemen to each other.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The visitor arose and both bowed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I bring a letter of introduction for you, sir, from the -Messrs. Walling, of New York,” said The O’Melaghlin, -drawing from his breast a neat, open envelope and handing -it to Mr. Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve took it with a bow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On the envelope, besides the superscription—“To Cleve -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>Stuart, Esq., Wolfscliff, W. V.,”—there was written between -brackets, in the corner: “To introduce The O’Melaghlin, -Carrick Arghalee, Antrim.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now, the use of the definite article as the prefix of a -man’s surname had been a puzzle to Palma, and even a surprise -to Cleve, though he remembered that in the north of -Ireland, as well as in Scotland, it was affected by certain -heads of families among the landed gentry of ancient lineage, -and considered to outrank either plain “Mr.” or -“Squire.” O’Melaghlin, therefore, must be recognized as -The O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“With your permission,” said Stuart, with a bow, as he -opened the letter, which was as follows—and rather more -than sarcastic in its peculiar style, as Cleve thought when -he read it, though he hoped and believed that the bearer -of the letter had not—if he had read the words—perceived -the sarcasm:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Office of Walling & Walling</span>, Att’ys, Etc.</div> - <div class='line in16'>“New York, May 8, 187—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>Cleve Stuart, Esq.</span>, Wolfscliff, W. V.: I have the great -honor to present—you—to The O’Melaghlin, of Carrick Arghalee, -Antrim, Ireland.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“The O’Melaghlin is of the most ancient Irish, royal -lineage, being directly descended from the O’Melaghlins, -monarchs of Meath, whose kingdom was ravaged by Henry -the Second, A. D. 1173, and given to one of his thievish -followers, a disreputable carpet-bagger, called Hugh de -Lacy.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“The O’Melaghlin hails now from Antrim because his -ancestor, Patricious O’Melaghlin, in the reign of Edward -the First, 1285, married Mona, sole child and heiress of -Fergus of Arghalee, and subsequently became lord of Carrick -Arghalee, in right of his wife. From this illustrious -pair, representing a royal and a noble family united, The -O’Melaghlin is directly descended.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“It would be highly impertinent in so humble an individual -as myself to write of this gentleman’s merits and accomplishments. -Should he honor you with his acquaintance, -you will discover them for yourself. You will also hear -from him in what manner you can have the distinction of -serving him.</p> - -<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>“With compliments and congratulations to yourself and -Mrs. Stuart on the present proud occasion, I remain, your -faithful servant,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>William Walling</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“Will Walling is a scamp, and merits a kicking for his -impudence,” was Stuart’s half-earnest, half-jesting mental -criticism on this letter and its writer. He thought he knew -the reason for Will Walling’s sneers; he thought it was more -than likely that The O’Melaghlin had repelled the genial -Will and “kept him at a distance.” He folded the letter, -put it in his pocket, and once more offered his hand to the -visitor, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very happy to see you here, sir, and shall be very -much pleased if I can serve you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you, Wolfscliff!” exclaimed The O’Melaghlin, -giving his host his territorial title as if they had been in Antrim. -“I thank you, sir. You have given me the hand of -a friend, and although you may not at this moment recall -the fact, you have given me the hand of a kinsman! Yes, -sir, I am proud to say of a kinsman!” and he gave that -hand a grip that crippled it for a week.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A kinsman, O’Melaghlin!” exclaimed Cleve—he would -have given great offense if he had addressed his guest as -Mr. O’Melaghlin—“I am very much flattered, but I do not -understand!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, then, Wolfscliff, is not your family name Stuart?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And have you not a lawful right to that name?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Undoubtedly.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And do you not spell it S-t-u-a-r-t?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then you are my kinsman on the distaff side! Yes, -there is but one root of the tree of Stuart, and that is the -old royal root that grew fast in Scottish ground, and every -one who lawfully bears the name of Stuart is a leaf of that -same tree.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Granted,” said Cleve, with perhaps a faint leaven of sinful -pride, “granted that my ancestor seven generations back -was Charles Stuart, called the Young Pretender, how should -that make us kinsmen?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am afraid, young Wolfscliff, that you do not keep yourself -<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>well posted up in your family genealogy,” said The -O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed I do not,” replied Stuart, with a laugh. “I fear -I know little or nothing with certainty of my family on -either side the house previous to their emigration to America. -Why, O’Melaghlin, do you know if I could become a -candidate for the highest office in this country, and knew -who was my grandfather, it would be a grave objection to -me in the minds of this democratic and republican people—unless, -indeed, I could prove that he was a tramp, a -gypsy, or, at the very best, a day laborer!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin stroked his long, rusty red beard and -slowly shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The human race is going to ruin,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But will you kindly explain how it is that we are of kin, -sir?” said Palma hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Surely, my dear young lady—surely. The facts are -these: From prehistoric ages, in the dark before the dawn -of time or of its record, to which the memory of mankind -goeth not back. The O’Melaghlins were monarchs of -Munster.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And lived in caves, and dressed in skins, and when a -young king wanted a wife he walked into the next kingdom -with his club on his shoulders, knocked down the first young -girl he saw and brought her away on his back. Was it not -so?” archly suggested Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Faith! I think you are right, ma’am. Since the -O’Melaghlins go back to the darkest of days, they must -have had the manners of the same,” said the chieftain, good-humoredly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, please go on. I will try not to interrupt you -again.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The O’Melaghlins were monarchs of Meath for unnumbered -generations before the Christian era, and for eleven -centuries and a half after. Somewhere about the year 1160 -Henry the Second—bad luck to the beast!—made the conquest -of Ireland, ravaged the kingdom of Meath, and gave -the land to a thieving carpet-bagger of his own, Hugh de -Lacy by name. Ah! but The O’Melaghlins, turned out of -their own, made short work of the usurper and murdered -him in his stolen castle of Thrim. It was of no avail. His -<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>successors came after him, backed up by the power of the -Saxon. The O’Melaghlins were scattered far and wide.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“One of the tragedies of history,” said Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“True for you, O’Wolfscliff! The next memorable apoch -in the history of that r’yal family fell in the reign of -Edward the First, in the year 1270, more than a century -after the conquest of Meath. Then the young head of the -family—The O’Melaghlin of that apoch—married the Lady -Mona, sole child and heiress of Fergus of Arghalee, surnamed -the Tiger, and in due time, in right of his wife, succeeded -to the chieftainship and became The O’Melaghlin of -Carrick Arghalee! That, sir and madam, was the first step -taken toward a union with the r’yal house of Scotland, from -which you, sir, descinded.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>(The chieftain, when interested or excited, sometimes -slipped into dialect.)</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed!” exclaimed Stuart, rather mystified, for he did -not as yet see the road to the royal alliance.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now then,” continued The O’Melaghlin, “that marriage -was the first step, as I said. Nearly two centuries passed -before the second step was taken. But then, centuries don’t -count for much with old historic families whose origin is -only lost in the ancient, prehistoric ages. It was in the year -1380, in the reign of Robert the Second, King of Scotland, -that Randolph of Arghalee married the Lady Grauch, -daughter of the Earl of Fife, who was the second son of the -reigning monarch. D’ye moind, that’s where the r’yal blood -comes in, and our kinship, more betoken! So shake hands -upon it, Wolfscliff.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart good-humoredly put out his hand, already half -crippled by O’Melaghlin’s first clasp, and received a second -crushing grip.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now will you kindly inform me how I can be of -service to you?” inquired the host.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, sir, certainly. I wish to find my children, -Michael and Judith. I was told by Mr. Walling that you -would be able to give me their exact address, which he said -was in London somewhere, but he could not tell where.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While The O’Melaghlin spoke Stuart stared and Palma -laughed. She felt a child’s delight at his astonishment in -discovering that The O’Melaghlin was the father of Michael -Man and Judith Hay.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>“Oh!” said the visitor, “you are surprised, sure, to hear -me say this, but they are my children, for all that I have -never set eyes on them in my life. It was not my fault, -but the fate made by circumstances, that kept us apart. It -is a painful story, sir, that I may tell you later at your convenience. -Now I wish to ask you where, in all the great -wilderness of London, I may find my children.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Nowhere in London. They are not there. They have -changed their plans, and will remain for some time to come -at Haymore Hall.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Surely I thought they were going to London for private -tuition.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They can obtain that better, perhaps, at Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ay?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Perhaps, O’Melaghlin, you would like to see your daughter’s -last letter to my wife,” kindly suggested Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ay, that I would, if Mrs. Stuart has no objections, and -it is very kind of you to offer to show it to me, and I thank -you, Wolfscliff,” heartily responded the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And before he had finished speaking Palma had darted -away in search of her letter box. She soon returned with -it, sat down, placed it on her lap, opened it and took out -a bundle of letters, from which she selected one to hand it to -the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He quickly snatched it, and with an almost greedy look, -so eager was the father to read the words of his unknown -daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He “devoured” the contents of that letter, though none -of its words could speak of him, who was equally unknown -to his daughter, and although they only told of household -and neighborhood news, and of their changed plans in regard -to the scene of their studies and the person of their -tutor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When he had dwelt on the letter as long as possible he -returned it to its owner with manifest reluctance and cast -covetous glances at the pile of letters from which it had -been drawn.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Would you like to read all your daughter’s letters? -You can, of course, if you wish it, sir,” said Palma kindly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, madam, if you would be so good as to let me do -so,” gratefully replied the father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here they are, then, about twenty of them in all, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>they are long letters. Take them and read them at your -leisure. Now there is the dinner bell. You will join us, I -hope.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, my dear madam; but I am just off a long -journey, and hardly presentable in a sitting-room, much less -at a dinner table,” said The O’Melaghlin, glancing down -at his dusty garments.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, never mind. We are plain country people,” said -Palma, with a smile; for having lived in a crowded city all -her life, with the exception of one short season at “Lull’s,” -she took pride in thinking of herself as a country woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you would like to go to a room to brush off a little, -I should be pleased to show you the way,” said Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, Wolfscliff, I think I would if it will not -delay your dinner or spoil your soup. Now speak frankly. -There should be candor among kinsmen.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It will spoil nothing,” put in Palma, knowing that -Cleve could not answer that question, “so, Mr. Stuart, -please show The O’Melaghlin to the oak room.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve turned with a bow to his guest and led the way -out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma rang the bell and gave orders that the soup should -be kept back for fifteen minutes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In due time The O’Melaghlin reappeared in the drawing-room, -and the small party went in to dinner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the course of that meal Stuart said to Palma:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear, The O’Melaghlin has kindly promised to remain -with us a few days, and has sent back his chaise to the -Wolfshead to fetch his baggage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very much pleased to hear this,” said Palma, turning -with a bright smile to the visitor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Thank you, madam! You may wonder, perhaps, why -I should have chosen to travel all the way down from New -York to West Virginia to get from you the London address -of my children, when I might have written to you and got -it by return mail.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; indeed, I never once thought of it in that manner.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, I may as well tell you how it was. When I learned -from Mr. Walling that my children were in London, I determined -to go there as soon as possible. And knowing what -a rush there is across the big pond at this season of the year, -I went to get my passage secured in the first available -<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>steamer. But, bless you! though I went to every office of -ocean steamers in New York, and wrote to every one in -Boston, I could get no sort of a passage in any one for the -next six weeks. The first one I could engage was for the -first of July, in the steamer <em>Leviathan</em> for Southampton.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why! Are you going by the <em>Leviathan</em>? We are going -by that ship!” impulsively exclaimed Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are!” cried The O’Melaghlin, appealing to Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed we are!” responded the latter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Delight upon delight! That is almost too good to be -true! Well, I am overjoyed to hear this! Now to resume -my explanation why I came to you instead of writing: -Finding that I had three weeks upon my hands I said to -myself: ‘I will not write to get meager news. I will go -down to West Virginia and see these near connections of my -unknown children, and I will talk with them and get from -them every detail of my son’s and daughter’s lives and characters.’ -And so here I am.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now that you are here, O’Melaghlin, we hope that -you will stay with us until the day comes when we must -all leave Wolfscliff for New York to embark on our voyage,” -said Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The visitor turned and looked inquiringly on the lady’s -face.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, do, Mr. O’Melaghlin. We should be so happy -to have you!” she exclaimed, in response to that mute appeal.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You do me much honor, sir and madam. And to be -frank with you, there is nothing on my part to prevent -my acceptance and enjoyment of your kindness and hospitality,” -replied The O’Melaghlin in modest words, but with -a pompous manner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma then withdrew and left the two men over their -claret, and went to put her babies to bed. When this sweet -duty was done she returned to the drawing-room, where she -was soon joined by Stuart and O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And there, later in the evening, the latter told his story. -It was the common story of a race of men and a fine estate -falling into decadence from generation to generation. This -The O’Melaghlin, in telling the tale, attributed to the misfortunes -of the family, and the persecutions of the Saxon. -But to those who could read between the lines, even of his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>version, it was self-evident that the downfall of the house -was due to the vice and folly of its representatives.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Few men in the position of The O’Melaghlin would tell -such a story with perfect frankness. Certainly he did not -so tell his. And therefore it seems necessary, in the interests -of truth, that it should be told by me.</p> - -<p class='c009'>With the exception of those absurd traditions of the prehistoric -period of which no one can know anything, the -proud family record of The O’Melaghlins, previous to their -degradation, was in the main true, as every student of Irish -history knows. But for a century past The O’Melaghlins -of Arghalee had been fast livers, hard drinkers and reckless -sinners. In every generation, every succeeding heir had -come into his patrimony poorer in purse, prouder in spirit, -and weaker in will to resist evil than any of his predecessors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length, about twenty-five years before the period of -which I write, young Michael O’Melaghlin, at the age of -twenty-one, came into the remnant of the grand old estate, -consisting then of the half-ruined castle of Arghalee and -a few acres of sterile land immediately around it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was the last of his family, and would have been alone -in the world but that he loved and was beloved by a good -and beautiful girl, well born, like himself; an orphan, like -himself; poor, like himself, and even poorer, since she had -not so much as a ruinous house and an acre of ground.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Moira MacDuinheld lived with distant relatives in the -neighborhood of Arghalee.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were not kind to her; they grudged her the cost of -her maintenance; and when young Michael O’Melaghlin -came courting her, they encouraged his suit that they might -get rid of their burden; and they let him marry her, although -they knew they were delivering her to poverty and -privation, if to nothing worse.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Michael then married Moira with the full consent of her -kindred, and took her home to his dilapidated, rat-infested, -raven-haunted, storm-beaten old donjon keep, which was all -that was left of the castle of Arghalee.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But soon the young pair began to suffer the bitterest -pangs of poverty. We cannot go into detail here. Let it -be sufficient to say that often they had not enough to eat, -even of the plainest food. But, although “poverty had come -in at the door, love did not fly out of the window,” for they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>loved each other more faithfully, because more pitifully, -for all their privations and sufferings. And here comes in -the insanity of pride. Both Michael and Moira were strong, -healthy, able-bodied young people, and could each have obtained -work in the neighborhood; Michael as a farm laborer, -if nothing more—and he could have done little more, for -he had but very little education, and Moira might have become -a laundress—a trade easily acquired. But for an -O’Melaghlin—a descendant of the ancient monarchs of -Meath—to work! No! In the narrow, one-idea mind of -the impoverished chieftain it was more noble to starve and -to see his young wife starve, or to accept alms, and deem the -bestower to be highly honored in being permitted to -minister to the needs of The O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But hunger is a mighty factor in the affairs of life. It -is said to have civilized the world. At least it exercised -a very powerful influence upon these two healthy young -people, who were almost always hungry, seldom having -enough of oatmeal or potatoes on any day to satisfy their -robust appetites. And when they had suffered this hunger -for several months, and saw nothing but hunger in all the -future, The O’Melaghlin suddenly resolved to sell all the -remainder of his land, except one acre upon which his -ruined tower stood—the oldest, as it was also the only part -of the great castle now in existence—and with the money -he might get for them go with his young wife to the gold -fields of California. There, in the far-off foreign land, -where he would not be known, he would seek for the gold -that should restore the fortunes of his family. Upon whomsoever -the gold fever fastens it fills with a furore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gold was The O’Melaghlin’s thought by day and his -dream by night. Gold seeking, he persuaded himself, was -not work—or at least it was not work for hire; and, besides, -he would be a stranger in a strange land; and no one at -home here in Antrim should ever be able to say that The -O’Melaghlin had ever soiled his hands or blotted his -‘scutcheon with labor!</p> - -<p class='c009'>He sold four acres of his land for little more than enough -money to take himself and his wife, by way of Glasgow, -to San Francisco. He was offered nearly twice as much -money if he would sell the remaining acre with the ancient -tower upon it.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>But at the proposal The O’Melaghlin grew furious and -insolent.</p> - -<p class='c009'>What! Sell the very donjon keep, the last stronghold of -The O’Melaghlins of Arghalee? Many a time had the -Saxons besieged the castle, and sometimes they had taken -the outworks, but never the donjon keep. And now he -would see their island scuttled in the midst and sunk between -its four seas, like the rotten old craft that it was, before -he would sell his tower and the last acre of ground on -which it stood.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Though why this jeremiad should have been uttered -against “the Saxon,” when it was an Irishman and a near -relative who wanted to buy his old owl roost, no one but -The O’Melaghlin himself could have explained.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His dream was to realize a fabulous fortune from the -gold fields and come back and restore the tower, rebuild the -castle and repurchase all the land sold by his forefathers -for generations past. To do all this would require a vast -fortune; but would he not make that fortune?</p> - -<p class='c009'>Heaven and earth! Did not many a common bit of -human clay without family or name of the least value make -a large fortune in the gold fields? When, then, The O’Melaghlin -stooped to seek the ore, would not the earth open -wide her bosom of uncounted treasures and lavish gold upon -him?</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin never doubted for an instant that she -would.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So in due time The O’Melaghlin and his wife sailed from -Glasgow, bound for San Francisco.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They went in the first cabin of the <em>Golden Glory</em>. Do -you think The O’Melaghlin would take second place in any -circumstances? No, he would die first!</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they reached San Francisco he took a room for -himself and wife at one of the very best hotels, which was -also, of course, one of the most expensive in the city.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He gave his name to the office clerk as:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The O’Melaghlin,” which that hurried and distracted -individual incontinently put down as:</p> - -<p class='c009'>T. O. Mannikin.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXIV<br> <span class='large'>PARENTAGE OF MIKE AND JUDY</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The young pair had been in the city only a few days -when, after diligent inquiries in all possible directions, -O’Melaghlin heard a rumor of a rich new field of gold in the -Black Rock Ridges, some fifty miles from the city, and of -a party of adventurers about forming to start for that point.</p> - -<p class='c009'>O’Melaghlin determined to join that expedition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His young wife, Moira, was much too delicate just at this -time to accompany him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He left her at the hotel with nearly all the little money -he had to bear her expenses during his absence, which he -promised should be as short as possible.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He said he would come back to see her about the time -she might be able to return with him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he went away, and Moira remained at the hotel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It seemed a cruel act so to leave a young wife, who was -expecting within four or five weeks to become a mother; -but The O’Melaghlin had the gold fever in its most malignant -form, and had even infected her with the fell disease.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She also had feverish and delirious hallucinations concerning -the imaginary golden days that were dawning upon -them, of which, indeed, her present elegant and luxurious -surroundings in this palace hotel seemed a prophecy and a -foretaste. Never in her life had Moira seen, dreamed or -imagined such magnificence as this public house presented -to her. And to make such a superb style of living their -own for life was worth some present sacrifice of each other’s -society for a little while. So she willingly let her husband -depart with the gold-seekers, and whenever she felt very -lonesome without him she just shut her eyes and called up -the inward vision of the gorgeous future.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yet there were moods in which she grew too deeply impressed -to look beyond the immediate, impending trial, -bringing certain pain and danger and possible death before -giving her, if it should ever give her, the crown of a woman’s -life—maternity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She had made some few pleasant acquaintances among -the ladies who were boarding at the hotel, and who were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>charmed by the artless and confiding manners of this beautiful -wild Irish girl—or child-woman. And when they discovered -her fears they laughed her into courage again, -telling her that such dark forebodings as hers were quite -an indispensable part of the program, and every mother -among them all had been through it. And they spoke the -truth, as every doctor knows.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But this hotel was a house patronized by travelers and -transient boarders only.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The ladies who had made Moira’s acquaintance and become -her friends one after another went their way, and she -was left alone.</p> - -<p class='c009'>True, others came. Every day they came and went. -Some stayed a few hours; some stayed a few days. Among -these were women who would have been very kind to the -lonely young stranger if they had had the chance. But -they had not. They never saw her, or saw to notice her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>With her increasing infirmities, the young wife, when -daily expecting to become a mother, grew very shy and -timid. She seldom went down into the ladies’ parlor—that -neutral ground upon which acquaintances are sometimes -made, and even friendships occasionally formed; and when -she did go for a little change, she would conceal herself -between the curtain and sash of some front window, and so, -hidden from the company, look out upon the brilliant life -of Sacramento Street until the utter weariness that now -so frequently overcame her strength compelled her to creep -away to the repose of her own private apartment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Toward the last of her life she gave up entirely going -to the ladies’ parlor, and confined her walk to the stairs -and halls between her bedchamber and the public dining-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This walk was her only exercise, her only change of scene, -and she continued it daily to the last day of her life.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She made no new acquaintances in place of those who -had gone away. She had no friend except an humble one -in the chambermaid who attended to her room. In many -respects she was worse off in this elegant and luxurious -house than she would have been in the rudest log cabin of -a mining camp, for here, though she had everything else, -she lacked what she would have got there—human companionship -and sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>Often she longed—wildly longed—to see or hear from her -husband, but knew that it was impossible for her to do so.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yet she had one great stay and comfort—her Christian -faith. She was devoutly religious and spent much time in -her room in reading the Bible, or some book of devotion, -or in prayer, or in singing in a low tone some favorite hymn.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So the time passed until about six weeks after The -O’Melaghlin had gone away to seek his fortune, when there -came a change. She fell too ill to go down to dinner that -evening.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The friendly chambermaid, who volunteered to bring her -a cup of tea, also offered to spend the night with her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Moira gratefully accepted these services.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Before midnight the girl had to call the night watchman -and get him to send a messenger out for the nearest physician, -who came promptly in answer to the call.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Moira saw the sun rise once more for the last time. Then -she died, leaving behind her a pair of healthy twins—a boy -and a girl.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her death was so sudden, so unexpected, that it seemed as -if a bright, strong torch had been instantly inverted and -extinguished.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then there was a commotion and a sensation in the hotel.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Where was the husband of the dead woman, the father of -the motherless babes?</p> - -<p class='c009'>The office book was searched to see who was the party -who had taken Room 777 seven weeks previous, and the -register showed the name of T. O. Mannikin and wife, Ogly, -Ireland. This was the manner in which the hurried clerk -of the hotel had heard and entered the name and address -of The O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The attendant physician gave his certificate as to the -natural cause of death, so that there was no need of a -coroner’s inquest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But there had to be a thorough search made through the -effects of the dead woman for clews to friends or relatives, -who should be notified of her decease.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nothing was found; not a letter, not even a line of writing -except those of the receipts, for she had paid punctually -every week up to the Saturday before her fatal illness. The -poor young pair had no correspondents anywhere.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nor was there any money found. Her very last dollar -<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>had been paid away for her last week’s board, and there -was nothing left to satisfy the claims of the doctor or the -nurse, to pay the funeral expenses or to provide for the -orphan twins.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no end of gossip in the house. Dress, fashion, -operas, even mining stocks were temporarily forgotten in -the discussion of this sad and strange event. It was then -decided among the worldly wise that the name Mannikin -was only an assumed one, that the husband had deserted the -wife, or more probably, the destroyer had abandoned his -prey.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Human nature, sinful as it is called, is nowhere quite -heartless.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A purse was made up among the people of the house to -defray the expenses of the young stranger’s funeral. And -on the fifth day after her death her remains were laid in the -Lone Mountain Cemetery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The motherless babes were taken in charge by the -monthly nurse, a Mrs. Mally, who, in a fit of benevolence -that did not last long, adopted them and carried them to -her own home.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The personal effects of the poor dead young mother, -which were not of much value indeed, but which might have -been detained by the proprietors of the hotel for the last -few days of unpaid board, were given by them into the -keeping of Nurse Mally, either for the benefit of the babes -or of any claimant who might prove to have the best right -to them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As for the ministering physician, like most of the men of -his humane profession, he waived all claim to remuneration -for his services.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Mally soon found the pursuit of her own regular -calling and the care of the orphaned infants too much for -her “nerves.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Sin is the outcome of so many causes—hereditary, taint, -faulty training, temptation and opportunity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Mally was affected by all these. She slowly made -up her mind to keep the dead mother’s wardrobe, trinkets -and books and to dispose of the babies. She would not hurt -them; not for the world! But she would put them in a -haven where, in truth, they would be much better taken care -of than by any poor, hard-working woman like herself.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>So one evening she dressed them in their very best clothes -and gave them each a dose of paregoric, not enough to endanger -their little lives—she knew her business too well for -that—but to put them into a deep sleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When it was dark she got a large market basket with a -strong handle, folded a clean cradle blanket and laid it in -the bottom of it, took another little blanket and laid it in -loose so that its edges came up over those of the receptacle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then she wrapped the sleeping babies up carefully, put -them in the bottom, laid comfortably at each end with their -feet passing each other in the middle, covered them over -with the double folds of the upper blanket, and so done up -like a pastry cook’s turn-over pie, she took them in the -basket on her arm and carried them out into the dimly -lighted back streets and off into the country to the infant -asylum of the Holy Maternity. She had not far to go. -When she reached the gate, which stood always open for -the reception of such piteous little human waifs as infant -outcasts, she went in and up to the gable end of the -building, where stood the cage to receive the poor, naked, -fatherless, motherless human birdlings. It was a large oriel -window, about breast high from the ground.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She rang the bell at the side of the window. It swung -open and around, bearing attached on its inner side a soft, -warm nest, or small cradle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Mally took the sleeping infants from the basket, one -by one, and placed them in the nest, tucked them snugly -in, put the two cradle blankets, folded, over them, and -then rang the bell again. The window-sash with the nest -swung round and inward, and so the abandoned babes were -received within the sheltering arm of the “Holy Maternity,” -and no questions asked. We know the rest of their lives -so far as they have yet lived.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Mally went home with her empty basket, and that -night missed the babes so much that she wept with contrition -and loneliness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next day she hunted up every article of infant wear -belonging to the twins, washed and ironed all that was -soiled, then packed them into the basket, and when night -came she went once more to the asylum and rang at the -receiving window. Again the nest swung outward, and she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>put into it, no baby, but a quantity of babies’ clothing, then -rang the bell again and the offering was swung inward.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then Mrs. Mally went home with the empty basket, relieved.</p> - -<p class='c009'>During all this time The O’Melaghlin lay ill of a long, -lingering fever in the mining camp under the shadow of the -great Black Rock Ridges.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He had not been utterly unsuccessful during the first days -of trial before he succumbed to the fierce onset of his disease. -He was as kindly cared for by his companions as circumstances -would permit. He had no orthodox medical attendance. -A Mexican Indian, an herb doctress, came and -nursed him. Her simple ministrations, with the aid of pure -air, pure water, nature and a good constitution, saved his -life.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But his great mental trouble of anxiety to see or hear -from his young wife, left alone in the city hotel, tended to -retard his recovery, which was very tedious.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His mates had prospered in their search for gold. The -mine promised to hold out, and not run out as so many did. -So, finding that the sick man’s anxiety to see his young -wife far outweighed his craving for the gold mine, they -made up a liberal purse among themselves to send him on -his way rejoicing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As soon as he was able to walk he set out on foot from -the mining camp. He was accompanied half a day’s journey -by a couple of his companions, who brought him as far -as a friendly Indian’s hut and there bade him good-by, leaving -him to rest for the afternoon and spend the night, while -they retraced their steps to the mining camp.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Early the next morning The O’Melaghlin resumed his -journey and dragged himself by slow stages of ten or fifteen -miles a day, stopping at night in miner’s, hunter’s or Indian’s -hut, according as either offered shelter near the close -of evening.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so at length he reached the city late one autumn -night, and went straight to the hotel where he had left his -young wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There he learned that she had been dead and buried for -more than a month past, and that the twins to which she -had given birth were in the care of the professional nurse, -Mrs. Mandy Mally, of Cyprus Lane.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>But he scarcely heard this last item of intelligence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The shock of the first fatal news, coming as it did after -the wasting of his long illness and the weariness of his long -tramp, quite overwhelmed The O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He fell senseless to the floor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was taken up and sent to the casual ward of a public -hospital, where he suffered a severe relapse that confined -him to his bed for many weeks.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Upon his second recovery, as soon as he was discharged -from the hospital he went in search of the monthly nurse -who had taken charge of poor Moira’s babes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He found the woman in a very small house in a very -narrow back street.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She looked scared when she was confronted with the -father of the children whom she had sent away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But she soon recovered her self-control. She told him -how she had disposed of the children, and excused herself -by calling his attention to the poverty of herself, her house -and her surroundings, and to the necessity of her going out -to work.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin accepted all her apologies. He did not -blame her in the least. He thought it best for the children -to be under the care of the Sisterhood of the Holy Maternity; -and he told her so.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He left the nurse, and went out to find some cheap lodgings -where he could hide himself and his misery for a few -days until he should be able to come to some understanding -with himself and strike out some plan for the future.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He wished to go and see his children at the asylum, and -yet he dreaded the trial; he could not get up resolution to do -so. They had been the cause—though the innocent one—of -their mother’s death, and so he shrank from looking upon -their infant faces.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Besides, the pride of The O’Melaghlin winced at the -thought of going and facing the Sisters of that house and -owning himself the father of those destitute infants, without -either taking them away at once or making some provision -for their support in the institution; and he could neither -take charge of them himself nor provide for them anywhere. -He was at this time too bitterly poor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No, he said to himself, he could do no better for the -children than to leave them there in that safe, happy and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>Christian home. He would keep track of them, he told -himself, and if ever he should be able he would take them -away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And without ever having looked upon the faces of his -children he left California for Australia, shipping himself -as a man before the mast on a large merchantman bound -from San Francisco to Sydney.</p> - -<p class='c009'>I must hasten over the remainder of The O’Melaghlin’s -story.</p> - -<p class='c009'>From the day of his embarkation for Australia he became -a wanderer over the face of the earth, chiefly among the -mines. His gold fever, suspended for a time by his grief -for the loss of his wife, revived with tenfold force, so that -“the last state of that man was worse than the first.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He visited Australia, Tasmania, the Sandwich Islands, -New Zealand, Cape Colony and other places, but finally -returned to Australia, where at last he found fortune.</p> - -<p class='c009'>By the mere accident of idly poking his staff in the -ground one day while sitting down to rest, on his way -through the bush, he struck ore—rich gold—that turned -out one of the greatest mines in that region.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It would be tedious to tell all the processes by which he -realized a colossal fortune, or by what slow degrees he returned -to the worthy ambition of his youth to restore the -fortunes of his family by repurchasing, at any advance of -price, their lost land, and rebuilding, at any cost, their -ruined castle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When he had renewed his resolution to do all this, he first -thought of getting married to perpetuate the house of -O’Melaghlin—although at this period of his life he was not -at all a marrying man, preferring “the free, unhoused condition” -of a bachelor. Then suddenly he recalled to mind -his deserted and almost forgotten children. If these were -living he had a son and a daughter to carry down his name -to the future; for should his son be dead and his girl living, -whoever should marry the heiress of The O’Melaghlin must -take the name of O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So, should either of his long neglected children be living, -he need not be driven to get married at all—which would -be a great relief.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He settled up all his affairs in Australia and sailed for -California.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>When he reached San Francisco he went immediately to -the asylum where his children had been received.</p> - -<p class='c009'>I need not follow the father in every step of the weary -search he had in tracing them from the asylum to their -places of apprenticeship; from these places—with the aid of -skilful detectives—to the mining camp of Grizzly Gulch, -from that to the fort and thence to New York.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In New York, from the Wallings, he heard the most satisfactory -news of both, but especially of the daughter, who, he -was told, had married a wealthy young Englishman of -ancient family and of large landed estate, and who had -gone to England with her husband, taking her brother -along with them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Walling could not give the inquiring father the address -of the young people, whom he believed to be somewhere -in London, living quietly, and pursuing their studies -to make up for their long neglected education.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he referred The O’Melaghlin to Mr. Cleve Stuart, of -Wolfscliff, West Virginia, who would be able to satisfy him -on every point.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin, having nearly four weeks of time on -hand before the sailing of the steamer, which was the first -on which he could secure a passage to Liverpool, resolved, -instead of writing for information from Mr. Stuart, to go -down to Wolfscliff and have a personal interview with the -parties who had been intimate with his son and daughter, -and who would be able to give him every particular of their -character, personal appearance and history.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And so, as has been seen, he came to Wolfscliff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin was deeply pleased with every circumstance -of his reception there; with the cordial welcome of -the young master and mistress of the house, with the discovery -which he honestly thought he had made of a worthy -kinsman in the person of Cleve Stuart, a descendant, as -O’Melaghlin himself claimed to be, on his mother’s side, of -the royal house of Scotland.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But more than all was he pleased with the account he -heard from his host and hostess of his long neglected son -and daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will be hearing from these young people every week, -will ye not, Wolfscliff?” he inquired that evening, after having -finished his story.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>“My wife hears from her cousin Judith by almost every -English mail,” answered Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you’ll be getting a letter in a day or so?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, most likely.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, of course, answering it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course! That is, my wife will! As I hinted before, -the correspondence of the two families is kept up by Palma -and Judith.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! So then you are the scribe, Mistress Stuart?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes,” answered Palma, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And you are thinking, ma’am, what a grand piece of -news you will have to tell your friend in your very next -letter.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed, I am thinking of just such a delight!” exclaimed -Palma, her eyes fairly dancing with anticipation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I am almost sorry to debar you from such a pleasure, -ma’am, but I must beseech you not to make known my -existence to my son and daughter until we meet them in -England face to face,” said O’Melaghlin solemnly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh!” exclaimed Palma, with a look of great disappointment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have good reasons for my request, and I will tell them -to you. Your husband, my friend Wolfscliff there, will understand -them. I wish to be introduced to the young ones -simply as The O’Melaghlin. They have probably never -heard that name before in all their lives. They can never -suspect its connection with themselves——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do I understand you really, O’Melaghlin? Do you wish -to be presented as a stranger to your own son and daughter?” -inquired Stuart in perplexity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is just exactly what I do wish,” replied the Irishman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But why?” inquired Stuart, while Palma looked the -same question with great, dilated eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In the first place, I wish to make a quiet observation of -them while yet they consider me a mere ordinary, uninteresting -stranger, with whom they can be at perfect ease, and -show themselves as they really are with perfect freedom.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But don’t you suppose they could do that with their own -father, knowing him to be their father who had come to -seek them out, to find them, to make up to them—and to -himself as well—for their long separation from him—don’t -<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>you suppose they could feel at ease and act with freedom -in the presence of such a father?” demanded Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, I don’t!” emphatically retorted The O’Melaghlin. -“Under the circumstances, I don’t believe they could either -feel easy or behave naturally. They would be so surprised, -so amazed——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But if they were carefully prepared for the meeting -beforehand,” suggested Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I doubt if you could prepare them for so strange a meeting. -But granting that you could, still they would be so -filled with wonder and curiosity, so anxious to do their duty, -so eager to make a good impression, that, as I said before, -it would be impossible for them to feel comfortably or behave -naturally. No, you must present me to your friends, -Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay, simply as your kinsman, The -O’Melaghlin of Arghalee. You may write and ask permission -to bring your kinsman to Haymore Hall,” concluded -the chieftain.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It would not be necessary to ask permission. Indeed, it -would hurt my friend Ran for me to do so. He would have -us all treat his house as our own and bring whom we -pleased, without ceremony, taking much more than his permission -for granted, even taking his delight to welcome any -of our friends, for granted,” replied Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah, then, sure he is a whole-souled, great-hearted fellow, -this husband of my Judy! This son-in-law of my own! -And I shall be proud to make his acquaintance. Troth, -he should have been an Irishman!” warmly exclaimed -The O’Melaghlin. “And now,” he added, turning suddenly -around to Palma, “do you understand, ma’am, why I wish -to meet my son and daughter as a stranger, and to observe -them for a whole day or an evening before making myself -known to them?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Perfectly, Mr. O’Melaghlin. And I think you are quite -right,” warmly responded Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you, ma’am, for your indorsement of my judgment. -And now, my dear young lady, will you oblige me in -one small matter?” he gravely inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“In anything, great or small, that lies within my power, -Mr. O’Melaghlin,” smiled Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, my dear young lady, will you graciously drop the -‘mister’ before my name?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>Palma looked up in questioning surprise.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will explain, my dear madam. The O’Melaghlins have -been The O’Melaghlins from time immemorial, as I had -the honor to tell you before. They were monarchs of Meath -for many centuries; but they were never ‘mister,’ like any -ordinary Smith, Jones, or Brown, or Anybody. So, my fair -kinswoman, you will please to oblige me by dropping that -little prefix to my old historic name.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But, Mr.—I beg pardon. But, sir, if I must not call you -‘mister,’ how shall I address you or speak of you?” inquired -the bewildered young woman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Simply as O’Melaghlin, or The O’Melaghlin. My dear, -how would you speak of or address Julius Cæsar, Marc Antony, -or Alexander the Great? Would you say ‘Mr.’ Julius -Cæsar? ‘Mr.’ Marc Antony? No, you would not. And -no more should you say Mr. O’Melaghlin. There are family -names, my dear lady, that outrank not only the little prefix -of ‘mister,’ but all titles, and such a name is that of The -O’Melaghlin,” solemnly concluded the chieftain.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, O’Melaghlin,” laughed Palma, “I will hereafter -always remember to call you O’Melaghlin, though, indeed, -it will make me feel like a very fast young woman, -and just as if I had a jockey cap on my head and a cigar -in my mouth.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I wish to be enlightened,” said Stuart, with a smile. -“You call me ‘Wolfscliff.’ Why, upon the same principle, -do you not call yourself Arghalee?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The chieftain drew himself up with a royal air and replied -majestically:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because, sir, The O’Melaghlin ranks the territorial title -of Arghalee, as it ranks every other title!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Does not the royal name of Stuart rank Wolfscliff?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It would; but there are thousands of Stuarts, and you -are only one of them, and derive your individual distinction -from your manor. You are Stuart, of Wolfscliff. There -is but one O’Melaghlin. I am The O’Melaghlin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And your son?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is Michael O’Melaghlin. When he succeeds me he -will be The O’Melaghlin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I see!” said Stuart, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But I doubt if he did see.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXV<br> <span class='large'>AN ANGEL’S WORK</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>The nest day Palma had a final and decisive talk with -Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In such high esteem was this good woman held by the -young Stuarts that they regarded her almost as a mother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the question of going to England that summer was -first mooted, the alternative was placed before Mrs. Pole, -and the choice given, her to accompany the young pair on -their voyage and foreign tour or to remain at Wolfscliff in -charge of the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the woman, on her part, had entreated Mr. and Mrs. -Stuart to tell her which they would prefer to have her do.</p> - -<p class='c009'>To which they replied that they wished her to do just as -she pleased.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This morning Palma came into the nursery, where Mrs. -Pole sat beside the cradle, watching the sleeping babies, -while she sewed on some plain needlework.</p> - -<p class='c009'>How for the last fortnight Mrs. Pole had been halting -between two opinions, divided between the affections for -Cleve and Palma and their children, that drew to go with -them, and her dread of the long voyage and love of quiet -that bound her to her home. Therefore, she wished them to -make the decision for her that she was incapable of making -for herself. And they would not.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But within a day or two it had been “borne in” upon the -mind of Poley that, although Mr. and Mrs. Stuart really -wished her to do as she pleased in this matter of going or -staying, yet that they would be better satisfied that she -should please to stay at Wolfscliff to take care of the house -than to go to Europe with them. Mrs. Pole and her young -friends were really secretly of one mind in this matter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So when Palma sat down beside her she was prepared to -meet the question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poley, dear, it is really time now that you should make -up your mind as to what you are going to do about going -to Europe with us or staying here. Because, if you should -decide to go with us, Poley, dear, we must begin at once -<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>to look out for some good and reliable woman to come and -take care of the house while we are away.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, my dear child, you needn’t trouble yourself to look -out for nobody. If it is all the same to you, I will my own -self stay here and look after the place while you are gone. -Will that suit you, ma’am?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Perfectly, Poley, dear. We would rather leave you in -charge of our home than any one else, if you are satisfied -to stay.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I am, dearie. I’m over elderly to be sailing on the -high seas, and nothing but my love for you all would ever -a-made me think of such a thing. And now, as I find I -can serve you better by staying here than going ’long o’ you, -why, ’deed, I’d heap liefer stay here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then it is all right, Poley. And now tell me, when -did you hear from your niece?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jane Morgan, you mean, ma’am?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Of course, Jane Morgan. I did not know you had any -other niece.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No more I hadn’t, ma’am. Well, I heard from her ’bout -two weeks ago. He have been out of work near all the latter -part o’ the winter, and they’ve been a-having of a very hard -time, ma’am, and that is a fact, with all the mouves they’ve -got to feed, too.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How many children have they, Poley?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Six, ma’am. The oldest nine years old, and the youngest -nine months. And he out of work so long, poor fellow!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You should have told me, Poley.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What for, ma’am? You couldn’t have helped it. I sent -’em a good part of my wages, and that kept ’em a-going.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poley, do you remember that I told you your niece -should come here and bring all her babies this summer to -see you and to get the benefit of this pure mountain air?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes, ma’am, indeed I do remember!” exclaimed Mrs. -Pole, brightening up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And have you written to your niece about it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, no, ma’am. As you never mentioned the subject -again after that first time, I didn’t know but what you had -forgotten it or changed your mind.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Poley! How could you? Well, now, look here. -Write to your niece and tell her to come and bring all her -children down here to spend the summer with you while we -<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>are gone to Europe. And I hope they will come, Poley. It -would do the little children so much good. And, oh! is Mr. -Morgan out of work now, Poley?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He was two weeks ago, ma’am, with no prospect of getting -any.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is his trade?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is a carpenter and builder, ma’am?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, then I do think we shall be able to do a good thing -for him. Such a good thing for him!” exclaimed Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole looked up in mute surprise and inquiry.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, this is it. You know there is ever so much carpenter’s -work wanting to be done on the place. I have heard -Cleve talking about it. The barn is to be almost rebuilt, and -the house here wants repairs. Cleve thought of getting a -carpenter down from Staunton. But now, you see, I shall -just ask him to send for Mr. Morgan. And then they can -all come down here—husband, wife and children! Won’t -that be glorious, Poley? And he will not lose his time, and -they will not be under expenses!” cried Palma in delight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That will be very fine indeed, ma’am, if so be it can -be managed,” replied Mrs. Pole.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then she began to compute how much it would cost -to bring Joseph and Jane Morgan and their family from -New York to West Virginia, and to count up her own -savings from her wages.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I can do it,” she said to herself. “I can do it! And -they can pay me afterward as they get on, and if they don’t -they needn’t bother about it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma went straight to Cleve and unfolded her views.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You see, dear,” she said, after she had duly introduced -the subject, “I did give Poley leave to ask her niece and -the children to come down here and stay with her while we -should be away in Europe; for, oh! only think how much -good it will do those poor little children! And now since -the husband and father is a carpenter and a skilled workman, -as Poley says he is, what could happen better for all -parties? You can engage him to do the work here that is -so much wanted. And it will be such a good thing for him -and his family as well as for us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My dear quixotic Palma, your benevolence carries you -into wild extravagance, I fear,” said Stuart, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I was only thinking of the poor man—a skilled mechanic, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>too, out of employment—and of his poor, overtasked -wife and their poor little children. I know it is an unusual -thing to do to bring down a whole family when one only -wants a carpenter. But then, you see, the circumstances are -also unusual, and——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And the little woman who plans the arrangements is not -only unusual, but—phenomenal!” Stuart said, interrupting -her, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Cleve, listen to me, dear, and be serious, for I am. -I said the circumstances were unusual, and so they are. -We are going to Europe, and this old house among the hills -would be nearly empty while we are gone, and Mrs. Pole -would be alone except for the negro servants on the place -unless we should let her have some one to stay with her. -Now these people are her nearest relations. I promised -her that they should come and visit her. They are in bitter -want of all that the change would bring them—and, oh, -dear me, Cleve!” she suddenly broke off, “we are not living -in this world all for ourselves! And don’t you think it -would be a sin, and we should be worse than the dog in the -manger to leave this big old house among the hills almost -empty when we go away instead of opening it to that poor, -half-starved and half-stifled tenement family whose children -would here have fresh air, pure water and good food, and -who would get health and strength and delight in this beautiful -place?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, Palma, dear, you talk to me as if I had to be -argued into consenting to this arrangement. It is enough, -love, that you wish to have it made,” said Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is very kind of you, Cleve; but I wished to convince, -not to coax you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A distinction without a difference in this case, dear. -Well, I will see to this.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The only hesitation Stuart felt was as to the character of -the man Morgan, of whom neither Palma nor himself knew -anything. But Mrs. Pole did know, and Stuart resolved to -have a talk with the woman, in whose honesty and judgment -he had equal and entire confidence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Later in the day he questioned Mrs. Pole, and when she -assured Mr. Stuart that “he”—she always referred to her -nephew-in-law by the pronoun instead of his name—“he” -was honest, temperate and industrious as a man could be, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>and his only fault was carelessness about saving money -when he had it, though he never wasted it on himself, but -on the young ones, even to the extravagance of an excursion -sometimes. But for that, “he” was as good and trusty a -man as ever wore shoe leather.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Upon this information Stuart acted, and wrote a letter -to Mr. Morgan offering him work for the summer, with -good wages and his expenses paid to West Virginia if he -should accept the terms. This business letter inclosed two -others, one from Palma to Mrs. Morgan, explaining circumstances -and asking her as a favor to come with Mr. Morgan -and bring all their children and stay at Wolfscliff with Mrs. -Pole for the whole summer and part of the autumn, while -Mr. Stuart and she (the writer) should be in Europe. The -last letter was from Mrs. Pole to her niece, imploring her -not to be “backward” in accepting the lady’s invitation, -which was made in good faith and in the earnest desire to -do them service.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These letters, inclosed in one envelope, were sent off by -that day’s mail.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Within seven days the answer came. One from Morgan -to Mr. Stuart, gratefully accepting the liberal terms offered -him; one from Jane Morgan to Mrs. Stuart, overflowing -with delight and thankfulness, and telling the lady, what -Palma appreciated best of all, that her children were “fairly -standing on their heads in delight at the thought of their -going into the country,” and one from the niece to her aunt, -breathing of gratitude to the Giver of all good gifts for -this blessing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart sent on his check to Morgan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole began active preparations for the reception of -her niece and the children.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The large bedroom on the ground floor which had once -been the private apartment of old Mr. Cleve, and two -smaller rooms in the rear of that were fitted up for the -family.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because,” said Palma, “these rooms all open upon the -back porch and the end porch, and will be so convenient for -the little children to run in and out without danger of falling -from any height or hurting themselves.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole was ready to cry with the feeling of the young -woman’s tender, thoughtful kindness.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>Palma was busy also with her own preparations. It was -no very easy matter to pack trunks for her husband, her -children and herself for a voyage to Europe. It would -have been a much harder task but that Cleve continually -reminded her that she really needed to take no more than -they might require on their voyage.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“To carry clothes to Europe is to ‘carry coals to Newcastle,’” -he said, quoting an old proverb.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hatty, to her great delight, was selected from all the -other servants to go with them as lady’s maid and children’s -nurse.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The last week of their stay at Wolfscliff came. And the -program for that week was all laid out.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Sunday they all went to church together.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Monday Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Stuart gave a dinner -party at Wolfscliff in honor of their guest, The O’Melaghlin, -and for which the invitations had been given out several -days previous. This was a great success. All the family -connections of the Stuarts and the Cleves were on hand, and -The O’Melaghlin was in great force, notwithstanding, or -perhaps just because, he had taken a great deal more wine -than was good for him. But in this respect he was kept well -in countenance by the elders of that dinner table; for up to -this time the total abstinence movement had not reached -that neighborhood, where the heads of old families kept up -the convivial habits of their forefathers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Tuesday, by appointment, Mr. Stuart sent the large -carryall and also the ox cart to Wolfswalk to meet the Morgans, -who were expected to arrive that afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After their dispatch the whole household of Wolfscliff -was in a state of expectancy much more delightful at the -anticipation of meeting the poor workman’s family of small -children who would be in such ecstasies at their visit than -they would have been in looking forward to the arrival of -the most distinguished party this country could afford.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But it was quite late at night when the two lumbering -vehicles drew up before the door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin had retired to rest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart had remained in the drawing-room under silent -protest, until Palma entreated, exhorted and commanded, -using all the forms of the potential mood in order to make -<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>him go to bed. Then he laughed and yielded, and Palma -and Mrs. Pole “stayed up” to receive the travelers.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They had a nice supper, also, ready for them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So when they heard the wheels grate on the pebbles before -the house both rushed out of the room just in time to -see old ’Sias, who alone of all the servants shared their -watch, unbolt and unbar the great double front door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the door was opened and the large party filed in.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma withdrew to the background to let Mrs. Pole offer -the first greetings to her relatives. First came Joe, with -one child fast asleep on his shoulder, and another, half -asleep, holding his hand by his side.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then came Jane, with the baby in her arms and two -little girls clinging to her skirts, and the eldest boy close -behind her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole received them one by one, kissing them in tears -of joy, and with disconnected, inarticulate words of welcome.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the midst of this little hubbub the carryall and ox -cart were heard to start again and roll away in the direction -of the barnyard.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Pole presented them all, one by one, to Palma, who -received each with great kindness, and took the baby to hold -in her arms, while its mother, father and all the other children -followed Mrs. Pole into the bedrooms to take off their -wraps and wash for supper.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then came the comfortable supper and the chat that accompanied -it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Palma felt fully compensated for her “quixotism.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>When they all bade her good-night and went to their -rooms on the ground floor Palma felt too joyful to retire; -so she stayed up talking to Mrs. Pole until midnight, and -then—even then—when she retired to bed, she was too happy -to sleep—too happy in the thought of the happiness she -witnessed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next morning must have reconciled a more hard-headed -man that Cleve Stuart to the quixotism of his wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The lawn resounded with the shouts and laughter of the -little children, who might have thought, if young children -ever think, that they had died in their tenement house and -waked up in heaven.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Stuart was as much pleased with the frank, honest face -<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>and manner of Joseph Morgan as Palma was with the true, -tender, motherly countenance and conversation of Jane -Morgan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Thursday morning the Stuarts, with The O’Melaghlin -and their servants, started for New York, en route for England.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They reached the city on Friday morning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They spent the day in making calls on the Wallings and -other friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Saturday the whole party sailed for Liverpool.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXVI<br> <span class='large'>GENTLEMAN GEFF’S FATE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Gentleman Geff was in a profound stupor when he was -taken to the rectory and put to bed in the best chamber of -the house—the parlor bedroom on the ground floor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He continued in this state for several days, faithfully -watched by Elspeth and Longman, and frequently visited -by Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, and daily attended by Dr. -Hobbs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie shrank from even going to look at him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he recognized no one, noticed nothing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Medicine and highly concentrated nourishment were -regularly administered to him by his nurses.</p> - -<p class='c009'>These he sometimes swallowed instinctively, mechanically, -and at other times choked over, and had to be raised in -bed and have his throat relieved and his mouth wiped like -a helpless baby; but all unconsciously on his part. He -never knew, or seemed to know, what he himself was suffering, -or other people were doing.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His spirit was away, away.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Where?</p> - -<p class='c009'>In Hades, most probably, judging from his antecedents.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will he die in this stupor, or come out of it, do you -think, sir?” inquired the rector of the doctor one morning -as the two men stood by the bedside of the patient.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dr. Hobbs never “shook his head;” doctors never do -<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>such stupidly disheartening things over a case, however -serious—story writers to the contrary notwithstanding.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This physician also had the courage to confess that he -was not omniscient, for he answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But if he should come out of this stupor, will he be -likely to live?” inquired the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do not know,” again replied the doctor. “I shall be -better able to judge when he recovers consciousness, if he -should ever recover it.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the physician wrote his prescriptions and instructions -for the treatment of the ill man and retired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Not one word of this talk entered the consciousness of -Gentleman Geff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Nine days he lay in this condition, and then there passed -over him a change.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He seemed to himself to be groping feebly out of nothingness -into vague consciousness of horror; but what the -horror was, or what he himself was, he did not even think. -The first effort to do so sent him back into the state from -which he had come.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After a few hours he came again out of utter oblivion -into some faint consciousness of himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But who was he? Where was he?</p> - -<p class='c009'>All was dark and still around him. Then came faint intelligence, -with imperfect memory, which mingled dreams -with distorted facts. He remembered faintly what he would -have called “a row,” but where, or under what circumstances, -he could not find; he thought it was a drunken -brawl over cards in a gambling saloon, and some one had -crushed in his brain and killed him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yes, that was it! He had been killed last night in a -drunken brawl over cards, in a gambling saloon, and now -he had come to life——</p> - -<p class='c009'>Where?</p> - -<p class='c009'>In that dark lower world, without sun, moon or stars; -without air, water or vegetation; that world of horror and -despair of which he had heard in childhood, but in which he -had never believed, and where he must wait with thieves -and murderers and miscreants like himself until the general -judgment day; and after that——</p> - -<p class='c009'>What?</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>The eternal life of torture in the lake of fire and brimstone -in which he had never believed, either in its literal or -in its metaphorical meaning.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And now he was too utterly debilitated in mind and body -to know or to feel anything very clearly or deeply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He relapsed into unconsciousness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When he came to himself the next time he was able to -think with a little more clearness, and to recollect with -more correctness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He remembered now that it was at Haymore Hall the -“row” had occurred, in which he still believed he had been -knocked down and had succumbed to his injuries, and had -now waked up in the world of darkness, horror and despair, -to wait for his final doom.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His final doom?</p> - -<p class='c009'>He moaned in his helplessness, not altogether from fear -of future hell, but from a feeling of present thirst, intolerable -even as the rich man suffered when he cried to -Father Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water -and cool his parched tongue.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When he had moaned a second time he felt the approach -of some huge, dark form. It stood by him, it bent over him, -put out a strong arm under his shoulders and lifted him, -and placed a glassful of a refreshing beverage to his lips.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He drank and breathed more freely.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ah! how delicious it was!</p> - -<p class='c009'>The attendant replaced his head on the pillow, smoothed -his bedclothes and withdrew to take away the glass.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In a moment he came back, bent over the still half-comatose -man and inquired softly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How do you feel, Capt. Montgomery?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I—I—I—feel——” muttered Gentleman Geff, and -then swooned into the slumber of weakness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Some one silently opened the door and came in. It was -the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How is your patient, Longman?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Sir, he has just swallowed more liquid than he has since -he has been ill; and he has spoken for the first time,” replied -the nurse.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Coherently?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What did he say?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>“Well, not much. I asked him how he felt, as an experiment, -you see, sir, and to find out whether he could understand -anything; and he did understand, for he began to -tell me, and he dropped off to sleep. You see he is sleeping -naturally, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I see. Well, Longman, it is one o’clock. Go to -bed. I will relieve your watch,” said the rector, sinking -into the large easy-chair beside the patient.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman made some resistance to this proposal, but Mr. -Campbell was firm, and sent off the wearied nurse to take -his much needed rest.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The ill man rested well for some hours, and then moaned -in his sleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The watcher gave him a cooling and strengthening beverage, -just as Longman had done, and the patient sank again -into sleep, muttering:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I can’t be in hell, after all, for in hell no one comes -from heaven to put a cool——” Then his words became -inaudible until he dropped into unconsciousness with the -last word—“purgatory”—on his failing tongue.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All the remainder of the night he slept well, only occasionally -muttering in his sleep:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not in hell, after all—only in purgatory—not such a -bad place.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the morning when the doctor came to make his daily -visit he found the ill man sleeping quietly and Mr. Campbell -and Longman sitting by his bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He examined the patient’s pulse and temperature without -waking him, and then took the two watchers’ report.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Took nourishment with a relish and spoke consciously—both -good signs, excellent signs! but I can say no more at -present.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor wrote out the formulas for the day and took -leave.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All that day Gentleman Geff remained in the same condition -without a sign of further improvement. All the following -night Longman had a repetition of the experience -of the preceding night. At dawn his mother, Elspeth, relieved -him and sent him to bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the family breakfast Mr. Campbell came in and -sent Elspeth out to get her own coffee and muffins. The -sick-room was still kept very dark by the doctor’s orders. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>Darkness, he said, was the best sedative for nerves and -brain in the condition of Capt. Montgomery.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the sick man showed by moaning and moving uneasily -that he was awake, the rector took some beef tea -that was kept hot over a spirit lamp, poured it into an invalid’s -feeding-glass and administered it to the patient.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff sucked it in with a relish, and then sank -back on his pillow with a sigh of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Mr. Campbell had put away the cup and returned -to his seat by the bedside he was startled by hearing the -patient inquire:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Who the devil are you, I wonder?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He answered calmly, however:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“One whom you should know, Capt. Montgomery. I am -James Campbell, rector of——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he was interrupted by an exclamation from Gentleman -Geff.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The devil you say! The curate of Medge in purgatory! -a parson in purgatory! When did your reverence die?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector paused a few moments before he replied, and -then he spoke very quietly:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am not dead, nor likely to die; nor are you in purgatory -as you seem to think.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What! are you living?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I thank Heaven.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And—I living also?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes! And I say thank Heaven for you also.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where are we, then?” questioned the man in a quavering -voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But before the rector could answer his question, and even -while the question was on his lips, Gentleman Geff had -fainted into forgetfulness.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In his struggling soul, striving back to consciousness from -his long stupor, the wretched man had been the victim of -three several hallucinations.</p> - -<p class='c009'>First, that he was dead and buried, and while in that -state he made no sign.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Second, that he was in hell, and then his wail for water and -the drink that was given him dispelled the illusion, -which was replaced by the fancy that he was in purgatory.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Now the meeting with the living James Campbell had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>cured him of that delusion also, and left him to one more -natural but not the less painful.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When next he awoke from temporary oblivion his brain -was clearer and his memory more accurate than either had -yet been since his illness; still, both were somewhat clouded, -so that they mixed up time and space, and dreams and realities -in weird phantasmagoria.</p> - -<p class='c009'>For instance, he remembered every detail of the two murders -he thought he had committed, but not an item of the -meeting with his two intended victims living to accuse him, -not of murder, but of attempted murder.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And without reflecting, or being now able to reflect, that -he could not possibly be hung in England for murders committed -in America, he now thought that he was in the condemned -cell of an English prison, waiting for speedy execution; -that the huge giant who loomed through the shadows -of the prison was his death watch, and that James Campbell -had come to him in his clerical capacity to prepare him for -death.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I will not allow him to worm any confession out of -me. I have been convicted on the frailest circumstantial -evidence, and they dare not hang me at the last. I will -have nothing to do with the parson. I won’t even know -him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was the most coherent thought that Gentleman Geff -had formed since he sank into stupor in the drawing-room -of Haymore Hall. But the instinct of self-preservation is -a wonderful stimulant to the brain.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So when James Campbell came next to him he turned -his face to the wall and would not notice him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When Longman came and gave him food and asked how -he felt he answered:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I want to see my lawyer. Send him here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman, who had been directed to humor all his whims, -replied:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Very well, sir. He shall be summoned immediately.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And don’t let that parson come near me again. I hate -parsons. And if he thinks he is going to nag me into confessing -crimes I never even dreamed of committing he must -be a much bigger fool than ever I took him to be. Send my -lawyer to me, do you hear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All right, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>“Well, then, why the devil don’t you do it? You needn’t -keep such an infernal sharp lookout on me. I am not going -to commit suicide, I tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman laughed and left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff turned with his face to the wall and tried -to remember the details of his supposed trial—what the -lawyers had said, what “his honor” said, how he, the prisoner -at the bar, had behaved; and then, failing to remember -anything of what had never occurred, his diseased brain -took to imagining a whole drama, in which he formed the -central figure.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor came in the same morning, felt his pulse and -asked him how he had slept.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“None the better for you and your quackeries,” was the -reply. “And if I am supposed to be sick enough to have a -physician, why the devil am I not sent to a hospital, and -not kept in this wretched hole?” he added, still believing -himself to be in the condemned cell of the Chuxton jail.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, don’t they treat you well here?” pleasantly inquired -Dr. Hobbs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Gentleman Geff disdained to reply and turned his -face to the wall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor rose to take leave.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think the man is getting along very well; much better -than I ever thought that he would.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think he is an ungrateful beast!” exclaimed Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, you must not judge him harshly. His head is not -clear yet. He does not know friends from foes,” replied the -doctor, who knew nothing whatever of Gentleman Geff’s -criminal career, so well had the secret been kept by those -who possessed it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman did not answer in words; but his grim silence -was sufficiently expressive.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now you may let a little more light in the room -and give him a more varied diet,” was the parting instruction -of the physician.</p> - -<p class='c009'>As soon as the latter had gone and the door closed behind -him Longman returned to the bedside of his charge.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff was sleeping, or seemed to be so.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman went and opened the shutters of one window, -but drew down the white linen shade and let fall the white -<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>lace curtains. This filled the chamber with a soft, subdued -light.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman was getting to be an experienced nurse, and -knew that it would not be well to startle the patient, who -had lived so long in shadows, with too bright a light.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When he had arranged the room to his satisfaction he resumed -his seat at the bedside, and fell into the reflection -that, notwithstanding all the unbelief and hardness of heart -that degrade this age of the world, there were still some -good Christian people who lived by the golden rule.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the midst of these reflections he was startled by seeing -Gentleman Geff turn over to the front of the bed and stare -out through the opening of his festooned white curtains. -His eyes took in the soft, dim outlines of a moonlight-looking -room, though it was now really midday, and the -white window shade and the white lace curtains produced -the lunar effect.</p> - -<p class='c009'>By this soft effulgence he saw that the room was very -spacious, and had four lace-curtained windows, and a lovely -lace-draped dressing-table, soft, white, dimity-covered chairs -and sofa, and pretty Turkey rugs upon a polished yellow -oak floor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The richly carved marble mantelpiece, with its large -mirror, Sèvres vases and terra cotta statuettes, and the polished -steel stove, with its glowing but flameless fire of hard -coal, was hidden from his sight by a tall Japan screen.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Everything in the apartment bespoke wealth, culture and -luxury.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff stared until his eyes stood out from their -sockets. Then he muttered to himself:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This is not a prison cell, nor yet any hospital ward; yet -this man sitting here must be the same Giant Despair who -was with me in jail. There can’t be two of that size in the -same country.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman stood up and stooped over him, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Can I do anything for you, Capt. Montgomery?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, it is you! I thought there couldn’t be two of you -in the same century, on the same planet.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What can I do for you, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Confound you! you can explain things, I suppose. You -can tell we where the devil I am now!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You are at the rectory of Haymore parish, sir, where -<span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>you were brought on the night of that unfortunate”—Longman -paused a moment for an inoffensive word, and then -added—“disturbance at Haymore Hall.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Disturbance—at Haymore Hall!” muttered the criminal, -growing pale as ashes and sinking back upon his pillow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No revelation yet had struck him so heavily as this. And -it brought back a more exact memory, though not yet a perfect -one, of the recent past.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman hurried to the other end of the room and returned -with a powerful restorative.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He held Gentleman Geff up on his left arm while he put -the draught to his lips with his right hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The criminal drained the last drop, and then sank down -upon his pillow, while Longman withdrew his arm and replaced -the empty glass.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff did not speak again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was possessed of a fear of talking, lest he should -“commit” himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he now reflected the more, though his deductions -were still confused.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No wonder I could not remember the details of my trial—a -trial that never occurred, but was only a dream of -fever. But all the same, if it has not yet come off, it is to -come, unless I go!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He laughed a little to himself at this poor joke, and then -he tried to recall the incidents of that “disturbance” at -Haymore Hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he could not think consecutively for many minutes -before his thoughts became entangled, and dreams were -mingled with realities, and false inferences deduced from -the union.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I remember now,” he said to himself, “something about -that row at Haymore Hall, though my illness must have -made some things seem vague to me on first recovering my -senses. But I remember now!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Even as he spoke the words and tried to marshal the facts -in their proper sequence, memory and imagination fled, and -left his mind a vacuum again.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Some hours later, after Longman had given him a bowl -of strong beef tea and a glass of fine old port wine, his -mental faculties rallied again, though feebly, and he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>thought he could form a correct theory; he would not try to -get help in doing this by asking any question. He was too -much afraid of compromising himself in some way.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do recall now,” he told himself, “the cause of that -row at Haymore Hall. Let me see——</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I had just arrived with my wife and my brother-in-law -at Haymore, to take possession, when I was met by officers -with a warrant for my arrest on the charge of murder——</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How was that, now? Let’s see—oh, yes! I was arrested -upon a warrant, issued under the extradition treaty -with the United States, charged with the murder of Randolph -Hay in California, and of Jennie Montgomery in -New York——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here the wretched man paused, shuddered and covered -his face with his hands. The horror of his crime overcame -him, as it had so often done, when it drove him to seek -oblivion in strong drink, and finally made him a drunkard.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was some time before he could resume his line of -thought.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know,” he mused at length, “that I denied the charge -and resisted the arrest, and that there was a fight. One of -the officers clubbed me—on the head—and I fell like an -ox, and knew no more. When I came to myself I was -lying here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He paused again, and seemed to labor to understand his -present position.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How came I to be here?” he inquired of himself; and -after a few minutes exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I know! I see it all now! I had given the living -of Haymore to my brother-in-law, Cassius Leegh—the -scoundrel! When I was brained by the club of that constable, -of course I was more a dead than a living man, and -in no condition to be carted off ten miles to the Chuxton -jail! So I was placed under arrest and brought here in -charge of constables. And here I am in my brother-in-law’s -rectory, guarded by officers, and particularly by that -Giant Gerion, who never leaves me, night or day—set fire -to him!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff moaned and groaned and tossed until -Longman brought him a glass of milk punch, which seemed -to soothe him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he resumed his self-communings:</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>“I wonder, since I am in his rectory, which was also my -gift to him, why I never see Cassius Leegh? And I wonder -where his sister, my bogus wife, is? And, more than all, -I wonder now—what brings James Campbell here?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He paused in distress, and then moaned to himself:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I give it up! I give it up! It is all past me! ‘Chaos -has come again.’ But one thing is clear, even in chaos—that -is, I must escape from this house. I must not wait to -be taken to jail, as I should be as soon as the doctor has -pronounced me well enough to be removed.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He thought as intensely as he was capable of thinking, -and then suddenly formed a plan.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will not get well enough to be removed while I stay -here, and I will escape from the house at the first opportunity.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>From this day the patient became a puzzle to his physician -as well as to his attendants. He did not seem to gain -in strength, but to grow weaker and more helpless every -day; notwithstanding that his appetite was good. At night -he was restless and delirious.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I confess that this case perplexes me,” Dr. Hobbs admitted -to Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But the case grew out of a misunderstanding between the -patient and his attendants.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff, not quite in his right mind yet, believed -himself to be under arrest with the prospect of a prison, a -trial and conviction before him; whereas there was no intention -on any one’s part of even making an accusation -against him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>His physician and watchers, not knowing the delusion -under which he silently and fearfully suffered, could not -suspect him of playing a part to prolong his sojourn at the -rectory and postpone his transfer to the prison.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This state of things continued for a week. There had -been in this time two opportunities for Gentleman Geff to -escape—for, after all, he was not watched as a criminal, but -only as an invalid. There had been two occasions on which -he had been left alone for an hour or two; but on both -these the weather had been terrific with wind, snow and -sleet, and he waited for weather and opportunity both to -favor him together.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But one morning, after he had eaten a good breakfast, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>lain back on his pillow, and pretended to fall into a stupor, -as usual, when the doctor was expected, something occurred -that frightened him and hurried his operations.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor came, accompanied on this occasion by Mr. -Campbell, who did not often intrude his unwelcome presence -into the sick-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor leaned over the bed and inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How are you, Capt. Montgomery?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>There was no response.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The doctor then laid his hand gently on the man’s shoulder -to enforce his attention and inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“How are you, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Still there was no answer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then the doctor examined his pulse, temperature and -respiration, and even lifted the eyelids and looked at the -eyes.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he turned to Mr. Campbell and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I feel like giving up the case. I honestly confess I can -make nothing of it. The man’s appetite, digestion and assimilation -are excellent. His pulse is strong, his temperature -normal, his respiration perfect, and yet he seems too -weak to leave his bed, and he falls into delirium or stupor -day and night.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pray do not give up the case, doctor. If there is any -one you would like to have called in consultation now——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector paused.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, yes, sir, there is. Sir Ichabod Ingoldsby, the -great authority on the diseases of the brain and nervous -system. And to get him from London to the North Riding -of Yorkshire would cost at least two hundred pounds, even -should his engagements permit him to come.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Never mind what it costs, we will send for him. The -young squire has specially enjoined me to spare no expense, -as he insists on footing all the bills. Give me Sir Ichabod -Ingoldsby’s address. I will telegraph him at once. If his -engagements will permit he may be here this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Scarcely this afternoon. He will have to make arrangements. -Besides, he always travels in the middle of the night -to save time. If all should go well we may see him to-morrow -morning. Here is his address,” said Dr. Hobbs, -and he tore a leaf from his tablets and handed it to the rector. -Then both gentlemen left the room.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXVII<br> <span class='large'>A FLIGHT FOR FREEDOM</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Gentleman Geff had heard every word spoken by the -doctor and the rector. He dared not wait the inspection of -the skilled London specialist, the great court physician, -who would be sure to detect the deception so successfully -imposed upon the simple country practitioner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The eminent Sir Ichabod Ingoldsby might arrive the next -morning. Then he—Montgomery—must escape this very -day or night, let the weather be what it might. Any risk -rather than the certainty of detection and of all the horrors -that must follow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the weather was simply awful—“Ragnarok”—“the -darkness of the gods.” The snow had fallen all the preceding -night and all that day. Although there were four windows -in the sick-room, and all the shutters were open, yet -such was the obscurity that the lamps had been lighted.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff was not alone until evening, when Longman, -having served an excellent supper to his charge and -left the latter comfortably laid back on his pillow, in what -the nurse supposed to be a safe and sound sleep, withdrew -from the room to take his meal and refresh himself by a -walk up and down the covered front piazza, and no one took -the watcher’s place.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was Gentleman Geff’s golden opportunity, not to be -lost.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He got out of bed on tiptoes and went and bolted the -door.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he went to the closet to search for clothes to put on, -if perchance he might find any.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He found his own suit that had been taken off him on the -night he was brought to the rectory and put to bed, and in -the pocket of his coat his <i><span lang="fr">portemonnaie</span></i>, well filled as it had -been.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They were all there, even to his boots, his socks, his ulster -and his hat. He began to dress himself in great haste, but -suddenly grew very tired, for though not nearly so weak as -he pretended to be, he was not strong.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He went to the buffet, where he knew Longman kept his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>wine and medicine, and found a bottle of good old port. He -unstopped it, put the mouth to his lips and took a long -draught, then a deep breath and another long draught, repeated -the process, and—thought he would take the bottle -along with him in his flight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He finished dressing himself without further fatigue, put -the bottle of wine in the pocket of his ulster, and went to -the window overlooking the back garden of the rectory.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Escape from the room was safe and easy, as this was the -parlor chamber on the ground floor of the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The window opened, but with a sudden thought he turned -back and put out the lights and locked as well as bolted the -door. These precautions he thought were necessary to delay -the discovery of his flight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he went back to the window and stepped through it, -closing it behind him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Where now?</p> - -<p class='c009'>To the Chuxton railway station and on to London, to -lose himself in that great wilderness of human beings until -he could take ship to some foreign country with which there -was no extradition treaty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But what a night it was! Dark as pitch but for the spectral -light of the snow. The snow was still falling heavily -as ever, but the wind had risen in mighty strength and was -driving not only the falling but the fallen snow into drifts.</p> - -<p class='c009'>If he had but a lantern! But that was an impossible convenience -to him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He drew the bottle from his pocket, took another long -draught from it, replaced it, and set out through “night and -storm and darkness” and bitterest cold on his flight for life.</p> - -<p class='c009'>More by instinct or accident than by light and knowledge -he found his way around the back wall of the rectory garden -to that country road which ran in front of the church, the -rectory and Haymore Park, and crossed the highroad at -about a mile distant.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The snow fell thicker and faster, the wind rose higher and -stronger, and the night grew colder and darker.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He plunged onward through the deepening snow, sometimes -almost smothered in the drifts, and requiring all the -strength he could muster to struggle out of them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He lost his way, as it was inevitable he should. Even -had it been day, instead of the darkest night that ever fell -<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>upon the earth, the highroad could not have been distinguished -from the meadows except by certain tall landmarks. -Now it was impossible to distinguish it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff knew that he had lost his way, had hopelessly -lost it, yet he floundered on through the black chaos -on the chance of coming to some place where he could find -shelter from the bitter cold, the beating wind, the bottomless -drifts and the tempest of driving snow that seemed to -be turned to a shower of ice spikes and stung like the sting -of wasps.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On and on he floundered and struggled, not daring to -stop, for to stop would be to die.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Again and again he applied himself to his bottle until -it was empty. Then he let it fall, for indeed his numbed -hands could scarcely hold it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He grew weaker and weaker; his limbs seemed too heavy -to lift, especially through deep snow; his brain grew dizzy, -his mind confused. He tried to keep his senses and his feet; -he felt that if he sank to the ground it must be into his -grave.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At length the crisis came; his brain reeled, his limbs gave -way, he lost consciousness and fell to the earth.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile, at the rectory, Longman took his supper with -his mother in their warm, bright sitting-room adjoining the -kitchen, everything around them looking so much more -comfortable in contrast to the storm raging without.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I pity any poor wayfarer abroad to-night,” said Elspeth -as she took the steaming coffee pot from the hob of the -glowing grate and set it on the table, little guessing that -the poor wretch they had been taking care of for two months -was just setting out to brave it at its worst.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, this is bad enough, but it is nothing at all to the -awful storms among the Sierra Nevadas,” said Longman as -he sat down to the table and took the cup of coffee his -mother had poured out for him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And on her expressing her surprise and wonder, he began -to entertain her with marrow-freezing stories of overwhelmed -trains of emigrant wagons and buried villages of -settlers among the snow mountains.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This delayed him at the supper table so much longer -than usual that he had but little time to take his “constitutional” -on the covered front piazza.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>So after a turn or two up and down he went into the -house and up to the door of the sick-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He turned the knob and pushed the door, but found it -was locked within.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What whim is this, I wonder?” he said. “I hope the -London doctor will order the beast to an idiot asylum. I -suppose they wouldn’t take him in with the apes at the Zoo. -Captain! Capt. Montgomery!” he exclaimed, rapping -loudly.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Not a sound from within.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he went around to the back piazza and looked -through the windows.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All as dark as pitch in the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What’s up now, I wonder?” he asked himself, and then -went back to the door and tried once more by rapping and -calling to bring some response from the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But now the noise reached the rector, who was seated at -his desk in his study writing his sermon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He laid down his pen and came into the hall, where he -found Longman still hammering and calling.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What is the matter now, Longman?” inquired the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“This door is fastened from within, sir, and I can neither -get into the room nor make him hear me,” replied the man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Of course, unreasonable as it was to try the experiment in -which the giant had failed, the rector said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let me try!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman gave way.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector rapped a little cannonade upon the door and -shouted:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Capt. Montgomery!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He might as well have shouted:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jupiter Tonnerres!” to the snowstorm for any good -effect.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Shall I burst the door open, sir?” inquired Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I wonder what the fellow is up to now!” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Heaven knows!” sighed the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will I break the door open, sir?” again asked Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, you may bring me a common table knife with the -thinnest blade you can find, and come with me to the back -piazza.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>They left the door, and a few minutes later met under -the very window by which the fugitive had made his escape, -after re-closing the shutters that fastened with a spring -catch behind him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now with this knife I know how to loosen the catches,” -said the rector; and he laid the blade of the knife flat on the -stone sill, slipped it under the catch, and so opened the -shutters. Then he slipped the knife between the upper and -lower sash of the window and turned the button and so -raised the sash.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is a very badly secured window in case of burglars,” -remarked Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, but you see there are no burglars around Haymore. -However, I do intend to have a bolt put on these shutters,” -said the rector, and he stepped through the window into -the room, closely followed by Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All was dark as pitch but for the dull glow of the coal -fire in the grate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They knew it was utterly useless to call, yet both at the -same moment cried out:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Capt. Montgomery! Where are you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>No answer came.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Longman took a match from the safe on the mantelpiece, -kindled it at the fire and lighted the astral.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The room was illuminated in an instant, and every nook -and cranny clearly visible. Yet no sign of the missing man. -Longman hastened to the bed, from which he drew the curtains. -It was vacant.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He has run away, sir. The fraud, who pretended to be -so helpless that he couldn’t hold a glass to his lips, has been -playing it on us all this time, as I suspected him of doing -all along, and now he has run away!” said Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I think not. Why should he deceive us? Why -should he run off? No one was going to harm him,” said -the rector, still peering around the room as if he expected to -find Gentleman Geff in some nook or corner.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He mightn’t have felt so sure of that, sir. A guilty -conscience, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I cannot think but what he has gone off in a fit of violent -mania.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, in that case, he would have gone in his night -clothes, just as he jumped out of bed; but here are the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>empty shelves and pegs, with every article of his wearing -apparel gone,” said Longman, coming out of the closet -which he had been examining. “And why should he take -pains to lock and bolt the door, and put out the light so as -to retard the discovery of his flight as long as possible?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I don’t know. Lunatics are well known to be very -cunning. But, Longman, he must be instantly followed and -found, if possible. Oh, heavens! Think of the man being -out on such a night as this! He will surely perish,” said -the rector. And he hurriedly unfastened the door, rushed -out into the passage, took his storm cloak from the rack -and his hat from its peg, and while he nervously prepared -himself to brave the tempest he called out again to the -hunter:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Longman! For Heaven’s sake get on your coat and -find a lantern and come with me. There is no one but you -and me to go in search of this wretched man, whom we must -not leave to perish in the snow.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Almost as soon as the rector had ceased to speak, Longman -was by his side, prepared for the expedition.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He must have escaped by that back window, which is -the only one that will close with springs. We must search -the road leading for the back gate of the garden. Come,” -said the rector, going before with the lighted lantern, which -he had taken from the hand of Longman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They issued through the rear door, passed through the -garden and out of the rear gate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Holding the lantern near the ground the rector moved -slowly and carefully through the white chaos.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The searchers had not groped many yards from the rectory -gate when Mr. Campbell saw something black upon -the white ground.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He stooped to examine it, and cried out:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Here he is, Longman; but whether dear or alive, poor -wretch, I do not know. Come and help me to lift him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He has not been lying here five minutes, or he would -be covered with snow. So he may not be dead.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Yes, they had found the body of Gentleman Geff within -fifty yards of the rectory wall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Through the dark night and blinding snow and distracting -wind he had lost his reckoning and wandered in a circle -until he had fallen down where they found him.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>They lifted him up and bore him into the rectory to his -own room, undressed him, wrapped him in blankets, and -put him to bed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was in the deep sleep that precedes death by freezing. -He only partially awoke while they were working over him; -but he did not speak.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They gave him warm spiced brandy and water, which he -swallowed mechanically.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All night long they watched and worked over him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>In the morning, when James Campbell left the sick-room -to make his toilet before going to breakfast, he left Gentleman -Geff in what seemed a good sleep.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But, while he sat at table explaining to his wife and -daughter why he had been out of his room all night, Longman -suddenly burst in upon them and said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come in, for Heaven’s sake! He is taken with a hemorrhage -that I think will carry him off!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Longman, run and fetch Dr. Hobbs. Mrs. Campbell -and myself will attend to Montgomery.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>The hunter fled out of the front door to fetch the physician, -while Mr. and Mrs. Campbell rushed to the help of -the sufferer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was an appalling spectacle!</p> - -<p class='c009'>The blood driven by the freezing cold to the lungs had -congested there, and notwithstanding all the means that -had been taken to restore his consciousness and save his -life, though these means had been thus far successful, yet -the congestion of the lungs had increased until it burst an -artery and the hemorrhage followed. It was not fatal all at -once, for Mr. and Mrs. Campbell called all their skill and -experience into service and succeeded in stopping the flow -before the arrival of the doctor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When the latter came to the bedside of the patient he -found him laid back on his bed, as pale as death, as weak as -a new-born infant, and scarcely breathing, his pulse scarcely -beating.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Dr. Hobbs approved all the rector had done, and then -inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Did you get an answer from Sir Ichabod Ingoldsby?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, by telegram. He cannot leave London at this -crisis.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, it does not matter now. This is a case that any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>country doctor or any old woman might understand and -treat.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What do you think of his chance of life?” whispered the -rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a poorer one than he has yet had,” replied the doctor, -looking at the pallid, wizen face, that seemed to have -shrunken to half its size since his terrible loss of blood.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hetty cried for pity.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If he has any relatives they should be informed, for I do -not think he will ever rise from that bed again,” said Dr. -Hobbs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I know of none, except the Earl of Engelmeed and the -Viscount Stoors—his uncle and his cousin. I will write to -the earl to-day,” said Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Engelmeed, of Engelwode, in Cumberland? That is -where typhoid fever is raging so fiercely,” remarked Dr. -Hobbs.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Here followed some talk of that pestilence, and finally -the doctor arose and took his leave, promising to return in -the afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell wrote to the Earl of Engelmeed, advising -him of his nephew’s dangerous illness, and posted the letter -that forenoon.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Two days later he got a reply, not from the earl, but -from the latter’s steward, announcing the death of the Viscount -Stoors and the extreme illness of Lord Engelmeed, -whose death was hourly expected.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Over this letter the rector fell into deep thought.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he put on his coat and hat, and taking the letter -with him, walked over to Haymore Hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He was shown into the library, where he found Ran -reading.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, Mr. Hay. Will you let me look at your -‘Burke’s Peerage’ for a moment?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Certainly. How do you do, Mr. Campbell? And how -is your family—and your patient?” inquired Ran as he -arose and shook hands with the rector, and then went to the -bookcase and took down the “Peerage.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The family is well. The invalid very low. I received -a letter from the steward of Engelwode this morning, in answer -to the one I wrote to the earl, informing me of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>death of the Viscount Stoors and the extreme illness of -Lord Engelmeed, whose demise was then hourly expected.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Indeed! Had they taken the fever?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes. It was madness for them to remain at Engelwode -during its prevalence. It is from hearing of these occurrences -that I wish to consult Burke. I think that since the -death of Lord Stoors, our wretch, Montgomery, is heir presumptive -to the title and estate,” said the rector as he took -the heavy red volume from the hands of the young squire, -laid it on the library table, and sat down to examine it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran resumed his seat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is as I thought. There is no other son. And Kightly -Montgomery, as the eldest son of the next brother, the late -Gen. Montgomery, is heir presumptive to the earldom, and -may even now be Earl of Engelmeed. Think of it!” exclaimed -the rector as he closed the book. “Wealth and rank, -for which the wretched man periled his soul and fatally -wrecked his life to obtain feloniously, now come to him -lawfully and honorably, but on his deathbed!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, it is terrible. If he had but waited! Now it seems -the iron of fate—this useless accession to fortune!” sighed -Ran.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXVIII<br> <span class='large'>WINDING UP</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Ran and Judy had planned to go to London in the -spring, to live in retirement and to pursue their studies under -private tutors. But as the season opened in all its -beauty they became so enchanted with their delightful -country home that they could not bear the thought of leaving -it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Couldn’t we have a resident tutor?” inquired Ran with -some hesitation as he and Judy were discussing the question -one morning, seated on a rustic bench under an old oak -tree in their lovely lawn.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘A resident tutor?’” repeated Judy dubiously.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, such as the gentry have for their children.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“For their children,’ of course, but not for grown people; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>not for themselves. No, Ran, dear, we could not have -a resident tutor for you and me. That would set the servants -to talking and the neighbors to gossiping; and they -would wonder where we had been brought up, perhaps laugh -at us, perhaps scorn us. I should not mind it for myself, -Ran, but I should mind it a great deal for you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“That is not the way I feel, Judy, dear, for I do not care -a fig what they say of me, but I could not bear to have them -criticise you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So, you see, Ran, we could not have a resident tutor.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I suppose we shall have to go and hide ourselves in -London to pursue our studies, Judy, dear.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said the young woman with a deep sigh, “but -mightn’t we put off going until winter? Oh, it is so hard -to leave this lovely place in the glory of the spring.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Judy, love, time is passing quickly, and our education is -very backward.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Especially mine,” sighed Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But I tell you what I will do!” exclaimed Ran with sudden -inspiration. “I will confide the whole matter to Mr. -Campbell, and take counsel with him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The very thing! And, oh, Ran!” exclaimed Judy, catching -inspiration in her turn, “might he not become our -tutor? Give us an hour three or four times a week?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran fell into thought, but did not reply.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I have so often heard of clergymen taking pupils. Even -taking them in their houses. But he need not do that. -Could he not come to us or let us go to him a few times -every week?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I declare, Judy, darling, that is a splendid idea of yours, -and I will ask him, and if he should consent to do as we -wish, why, then, we need not bother ourselves about going to -London to hide ourselves and look for teachers!” exclaimed -Ran in delight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And then there need be no gossip. No one need know -what brings the rector to our library or takes us to his -study,” concluded Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will go and see Mr. Campbell at once,” exclaimed Ran, -with boyish eagerness, as he sprang up, seized his hat from -the ground and set off in a brisk walk for the rectory.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But he met the rector full tilt at the lodge gate, as Mr. -Campbell was on his way to make a call at the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>They both burst out laughing as they came into collision, -and the minister took Ran’s arm, turned him about and -walked with him back to the rustic seat where Judy sat.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She rose to welcome the visitor and to make room for -him beside her on the bench.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Good-morning, ma’am,” he said, lifting his hat and taking -the offered seat. “We have lovely weather just now. It -must be lovely even in London. In fact, there is always delightful -weather in London during May, when the season -is at its height. Do you leave for town soon?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, I hope not. I never, never, never wish to leave -for town,” said Judy, with a genuine pout.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am sure I wish you never would,” laughed Mr. Campbell. -“But I thought you were daily expecting to start,” -he added, turning to Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“So we have been; but we have postponed our departure -from day to day, from reluctance to leave the country,” replied -the young man.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But the height of the season will soon be over. The -weather will grow warm and London intolerable. Much -as I should desire for my own sake to detain you here, I -should advise you not to delay your departure.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But we don’t want to go at all! And we were not going -for the sake of the season, anyhow. And it depends on you, -Mr. Campbell, whether we go or not!” exclaimed Judy, taking -the initiative and breaking right into the midst of the -matter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“On me, Mrs. Hay!” inquired Mr. Campbell, with a puzzled -air.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ran, tell him!” commanded Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then Randolph Hay confided to James Campbell the -story of his own and Judy’s neglected education, and their -plans for remedying their defects, and ended by diffidently -proposing that the minister should, if he pleased, become -the director of their studies.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I fear that my petition is a most presumptuous one, sir; -but I hope and trust that you will not consider it offensive. -If so, I pray you to pardon me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My young friend, on the contrary, your proposal is both -flattering and agreeable. I shall gladly and gratefully undertake -the task for which circumstances as well as, I hope, -college training, have fitted me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>“I thank you with all my heart, Mr. Campbell. You -have made everything smooth and pleasant for us,” heartily -responded Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy caught the minister’s hand, pressed it between both -hers, and so expressed her gratitude.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Later all the details of the engagement were arranged between -the minister and his pupils.</p> - -<p class='c009'>On Ran’s pressing entreaty, Mr. Campbell consented to -stay and dine with them that day. And it was during his -visit that the evening mail brought them foreign letters -from Cleve Stuart, with the news of his Uncle John Cleve’s -death.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“A good man gone to his rest,” was the comment of the -clergyman.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The news of death—even of the death of a stranger whom -we only knew by report—always casts a shadow, for a longer -or a shorter time, over the circle into which it is brought.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Bright Judy was the first to smile and dispel the cloud.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, Mr. Campbell, it is so well that you have consented -to take pity on us, for under present circumstances -we could not leave Haymore,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The minister raised his brows interrogatively.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Because we must write and ask our friends to come and -spend the summer with us here.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah! I understand,” said the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your patient lingers longer than any of us expected,” -remarked Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied Mr. Campbell, “his tenacity of life is -really wonderful, poor soul!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And he arose and bade his hosts good-night.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff lay slowly sinking at the rectory of Haymore.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The cold contracted on that fatal winter night of his attempted -flight had settled on his lungs, and in the deeply -inflamed condition of the whole system from alcoholism, -had fastened with fatal tenacity upon his system.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But with the change in the seat of the disease—which, -while it slowly destroyed his lungs, completely relieved his -brain—his mental faculties were perfectly restored, with -clear recollection of all that had transpired, so that he knew -his antecedents and his present surroundings quite as well -as our readers do. He knew also that he had no reason to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>fear prosecution. His only fear—a secret one—was of -death, “and after death the judgment.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>He had not been prosecuted for any of his felonies, which, -indeed, were surrounded by such circumstances as admitted -of their being ignored rather than compounded.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All the documents by which he had seemed to secure a -merely nominal possession of the Haymore estate concerned -the name of Randolph Hay, and for all the law or the public -knew, or need know, that name had been claimed only by -its real owner, the gentleman now in peaceable possession -of the Haymore estate, and never by the impostor who had -tried to take it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>So there was no legal obligation upon any one to bring a -criminal prosecution for fraud and forgery upon the dying -malefactor.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And as to his heavier crimes of bigamy, robbery and attempted -murder which had been committed in the United -States, there was not the least likelihood that his surrender -under the extradition treaty would ever be demanded by -that government to answer for them before an American -tribunal.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All whom he had so deeply injured, or tried to injure, -had freely forgiven him—all, that is to say, except Lamia -Leegh, who in her bitter humiliation was incapable of forgiving -him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector had to strive and pray for grace before he -could pardon the man who had wronged his daughter. But -after this grace was given, James Campbell spent many -hours beside the bed of the dying man, reading to him, -praying with him, persuading him to repentance, exhorting -him to faith.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff was despairing, and at times defiant in -his despair.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You needn’t talk to me, Mr. Campbell. I am as the -devil made me. As I ‘have sown’ I ‘must reap.’ If there -is anything that can give me satisfaction now, it is that, -after all, I have no blood on my conscience. Bad as you -may think me, I was never cut out for a murderer. No, -nor for a drunkard. Circumstances, temptation, opportunity—these -make destiny. I took to drink to drown remorse. -I was a fool for feeling it. Bah! how can a creature -<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>of destiny be responsible for anything he does? Yet I am -glad there is no blood on my hands.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell had spoken to Jennie, asking her if she -could not overcome her repugnance so far as to go in and -speak to Montgomery, now that he was in his senses.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But Jennie shuddered, as she replied:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Papa, he has never even asked to see me, and I am glad -he has not. I have forgiven him. Indeed, indeed I have! -And I pray for him. Indeed, indeed I do! Not only night -and morning, at the regular prayers, but through the day, -whenever I think of him, I pray for him earnestly, fervently. -I do! But, papa, I cannot even endure the thought -of seeing him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then, my child, you have not truly forgiven him. You -must pray for yourself, dear—for the gift of the grace of -charity,” gravely replied the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>No, Gentleman Geff had never asked to see his wife or -child: never even referred to either. Mr. Campbell was not -sure that the man knew they were in the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But one morning, when the rector was sitting beside him, -Montgomery suddenly said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I think it is a confounded shame that a sick man cannot -be permitted to see his wife and child.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you can be permitted to see them. Do you wish to -do so?” gently inquired the minister.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I should think I did. I have never even set eyes on the -boy, and he must be about nine months old by this time.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your child is not a boy, but a girl,” said the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Now there! I did not even know the sex of my own -child, who is nearly a year old, and has been under the same -roof with me for several weeks. And this a Christian household!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“If you feel equal to the interview, I will go and call -my daughter now and ask her to come and bring the little -girl.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No. Let her come alone the first time. One at a time -is all I can stand.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>James Campbell went down to the back parlor, where he -found his wife and daughter seated at their needlework.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie, my darling,” he said, gently laying his hand upon -her head, “Montgomery has just asked to see you. Will -you come to him?”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>“Oh, papa! I cannot! I cannot!” she replied, with a -shiver.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not come to a dying—yes, I must say it,” he added, -after a painful hesitation—“husband, when he sends for -you?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He has forfeited that name, papa,” very firmly replied -the wronged wife.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But you must forgive him, my child.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I do forgive him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, then, you must come with me to him.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa, I cannot! Indeed I cannot!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then you do not forgive him, although he is dying?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is he dying, papa?” she inquired in a pitiful voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not this moment, my dear. But Dr. Hobbs declares -that he cannot live many days in any case, and may not live -an hour if another hemorrhage should come on. Will you -come with me, my dear?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, papa, I cannot!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie, how can you be so hard-hearted?” demanded -her mother, now entering into the conversation for the first -time. “I am ashamed of you, and afraid for you lest you -be punished. After the man is dead and gone, and you can -never be kind to him again, you will be sorry. Go, at least, -and speak to him if you only stay one minute.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, Jennie,” said her father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then the young woman arose and followed the -clergyman to the sick-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She entered that room under protest; but when she saw -the ghastly, death-stricken face, the skeleton hand stretched -out to her, the hollow, sunken, unearthly eyes fixed upon -her, she uttered a low cry of horror and pity, and sank down -on her knees beside the bed, took his hand and dropped -her face upon it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector turned and left the room, closing the door -after him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There, there, don’t cry! What is the use? Jennie, I am -sorry that I ever hurt you in any way. That is what I -wanted to say to you, and that is why I sent for you,” he -said, speaking in a rather faint and faltering voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She did not reply, but sobbed in silence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Jennie, did you hear what I said to you?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I heard,” she sighed.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>“Well, I said I was sorry I hurt you. Well, Jennie?” he -asked, and then paused as if expecting some definite answer.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I, too, am sorry that you hurt me, or anybody else, or -yourself worse than all, Kightly. I am very sorry, and I -pray to the Lord for you daily, almost hourly. Do you pray -for yourself, Kightly?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, I don’t! What would be the use? ‘God is not -mocked.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“But ‘He is full of compassion,’ Kightly. He——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There, that will do!” said the sick man, interrupting -her. “You know nothing about it! Go now. I have said -what I sent for you to say to you. Now go, please. I can’t -stand much of this sort of thing,” he muttered in a weak, -petulant voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I will come again to you when you want me, Kightly,” -she said, rising.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“All right. And bring the youngster—but not to-day. -There, there—go along with you,” said the man, turning his -face to the wall and closing his eyes. Jennie left the room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The next day she took the baby in to see its father.</p> - -<p class='c009'>She sat down in a chair beside the bed, and sat the baby -on the top of the bed near its father’s head.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And there she watched it.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The man showed but very little interest in his child.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thought, of course, it was a boy,” he said; “but, poor -little devil, it is better that it should be a girl, for I have -no money to leave it, but being a girl, it can marry some -of these days and live on some other fellow’s money. Take -it away now, Jennie. I can’t stand much of it,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the mortified young mother took away the dazed and -depressed baby and afterward said to her own mamma:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I never knew Essie to behave so stupidly. You might -have thought she was a little idiot.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Poor baby! The dark room and the haggard man subdued -her spirits. It is a wonder she had not cried,” replied -the grandmother.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very glad she did not—that would have made him -worse,” said Jennie.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After this the sinking man declined daily.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie spent hours at his bedside, often having the baby -with her when he could bear it.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>Mrs. Campbell had been a daily visitor and an occasional -nurse from the time he was first brought to the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Longman never left him except for necessary rest -and refreshment.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The gamekeeper’s cottage was ready for occupancy, but -neither the mother nor the son would leave the suffering -sinner to take possession of its comforts and emoluments.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Ran heartily excused them both under the circumstances -and paid the man’s salary.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Gentleman Geff had never been told of the death of his -cousin, the Viscount Stoors. It was thought by his attendants -that the news of the decease of a relative that left -him, the dying sinner, heir presumptive of an earldom, -would be, if not too sorrowful, certainly too startling, too -exciting for the safety of an invalid, whose pulse must not -be hurried in the slightest degree lest it should bring on a -hemorrhage that must carry off the patient.</p> - -<p class='c009'>One day, about this time, Montgomery rallied, and -seemed so much better that the doctor allowed him to sit -up in bed, propped by pillows.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell sat by him, reading aloud the morning’s -paper, when Longman came in bringing a letter, which he -placed in the hands of the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was in a deep, black-bordered envelope, sealed with a -broad black seal and directed to</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>The Rev. James Campbell</span>,</div> - <div class='line in8'>Haymore Rectory,</div> - <div class='line in16'>Haymore, Yorkshire.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“Excuse me!” he said, and stepped quickly to the furthest -window lest the sick man should see the herald of death.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He opened and read the letter, which was from Abel -Stout, the steward of Engelwode, and was as follows:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Engelwode Castle</span>,</div> - <div class='line in8'>“May 28, 187—.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>“<span class='sc'>Rev. and Dear Sir</span>: It is my painful duty to announce -to you the decease of Charles-George-Francis-Henry, tenth -earl of Engelmeed, who expired at one-fifteen this A. M., -and of the succession of Capt. the Hon. Kightly Montgomery -as eleventh earl. I inclose a letter, which I beg you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>to be so kind as to hand to his lordship, if my lord is still -in your house, or to forward to his address if he should have -left, as the presence of his lordship here is imperatively -necessary. I have the honor to remain, reverend sir,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r c006'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Your obedient servant,</div> - <div class='line in4'>“<span class='sc'>Abel Stout</span>.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The inclosed letter was superscribed very formally in full -title to</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The Right Honorable</div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='sc'>The Earl of Engelmeed</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>James Campbell stared at this superscription and then -glanced at the wreck on the bed, who now bore the dignity -of an earldom.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He could not hesitate to deliver this letter, however it -might affect his patient. He must deliver it! He had no -choice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But what a shock! what a revelation! what a mockery it -would now be to him!—to him who had sinned for wealth -and rank, who had sold his birthright for a mess of pottage -and found the dish—poisoned!</p> - -<p class='c009'>The Earl of Engelmeed was dead. His son and heir-apparent -had died before him, and now—their next of kin, -their worthless relative, Kightly Montgomery, the penniless -adventurer, who had been driven by greed of gold and love -of luxury to crime and to death—the sinful, dying Kightly -Montgomery, was now master of Engelwode, with a rent roll -of twenty thousand pounds a year!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ah, if he had only been good and true, he would have -lived to enjoy the old title and the rich estate—more honors -than he could possibly have gained by all his crimes, even -though each one of them had been a complete success!</p> - -<p class='c009'>But now, what a cruel mockery of fate!</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mr. Campbell, reflecting on all these matters, felt really -sorry for the wretched criminal, to whom the unexpected -news of his succession to the earldom, coming to him in his -last hours, must truly seem the bitterest irony of fortune.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You have bad news there,” said the dying man, glancing -at the broad, black-edged envelope.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I fear so. It comes from Engelwode, in Cumberland, -where you have relatives, I think,” replied the rector -gravely.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>“Oh, yes, relatives!” sneered the new earl, who did not -even suspect that he was one.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“‘A little more than kin, and less than kind.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>There is no love lost between us, believe me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Hearing this, the rector did not consider it necessary to -be very cautious in breaking this news. Nevertheless, he -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let me give you your restorative before we say anything -more about the letter.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And he arose and poured out the draught, some powerful -tonic, compounded of beef, coca and brandy, and administered -it. Then he replaced the glass on the table and -said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The letter is for you, my lord.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What the devil do you mean?” demanded the new earl.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you take the letter and look at it? Have you light -enough? Shall I draw up the shades?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No,” said the patient, taking the letter and squinting -at it. “This is for my uncle, not for me. Though how it -should have come here I can’t imagine.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Your lordship’s uncle, the late earl, is dead, my lord,” -quietly replied the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dead!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dead! But there is Stoors.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He died before his father. But read your letter, my -lord,” said the rector, purposely ringing the changes on the -title that he would have too much good taste to bestow on -the heir of an earldom under ordinary circumstances, but -on this impenitent sinner, on this unpunished felon, on this -dying peer, he lavished the honor with unction in the very -bitterness of irony.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Read your letter, my lord.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I cannot! Oh, this is too terrible!” groaned the dying -earl, covering his face with his hands.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Did he mean, or did the rector for one moment believe -that he meant, the sudden death of his relatives, so near -together, was too terrible?</p> - -<p class='c009'>No, indeed. The man meant, and the rector knew that -he meant, to receive this rich and august inheritance just at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>the hour of death was indeed “too terrible”—was insupportable.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Poor wretch! he burst into tears and sobbed aloud, dropping -back on his pillow and turning his face to the wall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pray try to be calm, my lord. This emotion will do -you a mischief,” pleaded Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Go and bring my wife and child to me. Let me tell -them the news,” he exclaimed, and then burst into the most -sarcastic peal of laughter the rector thought he had ever -heard. He left the room and went to find his daughter, -whom he came upon, as usual, seated beside her mother and -engaged in needlework over the baby’s cradle.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come, my dear. Montgomery wants you. Bring the -little one along with you. And, Hetty, dear, you had better -come also,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Both women looked up anxiously, half expecting that this -was their final summons to the sick-room; that now “the -end of earth” for Kightly Montgomery was at hand.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is anything the matter, Jim?” inquired Hetty, while -Jennie’s eyes asked the same question.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“News of Montgomery’s relatives in Cumberland, that is -all,” replied the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What news?” demanded Hetty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He prefers to announce it in person.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Dear me! How mysterious we are! Come on, Jennie!” -said Mrs. Campbell, taking her husband’s arm and -leading the way.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie picked up her baby and followed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They entered the sick-room.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The sick man held out his hand to his wife, saying:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Come here, Jennie, my girl! You are Countess of -Engelmeed! Did you know it? And that doll in your -arms is Lady Esther Montgomery!—for a few hours only -while I draw the breath of life. Afterward you will only -be countess dowager, while she will be countess in her own -right. For the earldom of Engelmeed is not a male feoff -exclusively, but failing the male line which fails in me, will -‘fall to the distaff,’ as represented by that rag baby of yours. -So I think—you are com——” He paused in sudden pain -and prostration.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Do not speak again for the present, my lord. You will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>hurt yourself. Rest a while,” said the rector, while Jennie -looked at her mother in helpless dismay.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He is delirious again, my dear,” whispered Mrs. Campbell -in reply to that look.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Stoop down——” muttered the dying man in a low, -faint, husky voice.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie bent over him to catch his failing words.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will be—compensated—for all—you have gone -through—by being made—a countess—you ought——”</p> - -<p class='c009'>His voice suddenly ceased. A spasm of pain traversed -his face.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“My lord! my lord! Have mercy on yourself and keep -still,” pleaded the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was too late. A wild look flew into the eyes of the -dying man and fixed them on the rector’s face. A torrent -of blood gushed from his mouth. Gentleman Geff had -spoken his last words, and in a very few minutes he had -drawn his last breath.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Jennie threw herself sobbing into the arms of her father. -She was too young to have much self-control, but whether -now she wept from grief, horror or compassion, or all three -combined, she could not herself have told.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Her father took her babe to his bosom and led her to her -own room, where he made her lie down on her bed and -placed the child beside her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The rector went to his study and wrote a letter to the -steward at Engelwode, telling him what had happened.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Then he walked over to Haymore Hall to carry the news -to Mr. Randolph Hay and to confer with him on what was -next to be done.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Judy were both shocked and grieved at the fate -of their enemy—their enemy, however, only in so far as he -tried to wrong them primarily with the wish to benefit himself -rather than to injure them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The remains should be taken to Engelwode Castle and -placed in the family vault, of course,” said the rector. “And -as the last earl died without having had time to make a -will between his succession and his death, my granddaughter, -the little countess, will be a ward in chancery.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And no doubt the lord chancellor will constitute you, -sir, the guardian of her person and a trustee of her estate,” -added Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>“Perhaps—most likely, indeed; in which case they will -associate some other reliable man with me in the onerous -charge. And I should like you to be that man, Hay,” -pleaded the parson.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“With pleasure; if the lord chancellor will appoint me,” -answered Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Is Jennie much distressed, sir?” inquired Judy, sympathetically.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, madam. She is very much agitated.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“May I go to her? Could I do her any good?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I feel sure you could. I should feel very grateful to -you.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy hurried into the house and got her wraps, and -came out to join the rector in his walk homeward.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At the rectory door they were met by Mrs. Campbell, who, -after very gravely saluting Judy and thanking her for coming, -turned to the rector and inquired:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What was all that the wretched man was rambling -about in his last hour? Was there any foundation of truth -in it?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It was all truth, Hetty, from foundation rock—to carry -out your simile—to capping stone; and baby Essie is now -Countess of Engelmeed in her own right and a ward in -chancery.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Well, well, well! She doesn’t know it—Jennie, I mean, -of course. She thinks he was out of his head.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I saw she did; but it is true,” said the rector, as -they entered the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A week later the remains of the last Earl of Engelmeed -were laid in the vault of his forefathers, amid all</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c010'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The pride, pomp and circumstance”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>of funeral parade.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After the ceremonies the rector, with his wife, daughter -and grandchild, returned to the rectory, where they were -all to live during the minority of the infant countess.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran and Judy came back to their beloved home, but had -scarcely got settled there when they received letters announcing -the speedy arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Stuart, -with their children and a friend—Mr. O’Melaghlin, of -Arghalee, in Antrim.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>“I wonder who he is,” pondered Ran, as he took the letter -over to the rectory to show it to Mr. Campbell.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, I know the name and the place, but not the man. -I have been to Arghalee. All except the very ground on -which the ancient castle stands, and which the impoverished -O’Melaghlin would not sell under any stress of fortune, -forms a part of the duke’s estate. The castle is one of the -show places of the neighborhood; not for its parks, plantations -or picture galleries, by any means—for there are none—but -for the great antiquity of the ruins. The owner was -supposed to be traveling abroad. He is The O’Melaghlin -in question, of course. The guidebook to the ancient castle -shows the family to be lineal descendants from Roderick -O’Melaghlin, monarch of Meath, and more remotely from -Konn, a somewhat mythical king of prehistoric Ireland. -So, you see, you will have an illustrious guest, though he -may be as poor as ‘Job’s turkey.’”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No; the letter says he has made an immense fortune in -the gold mines of Australia, and is coming back to live on -his estate.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“When do you expect them?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“By the next steamer—for this letter was written from -New York the day before they were to start.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Ah!” said the rector.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And Ran, having communicated his good news, went -home to his Judy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c007'>CHAPTER XXXIX<br> <span class='large'>“ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL”</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c008'>Meanwhile, Cleve, Palma, their children, servant, and, -last and loftiest, The O’Melaghlin were coming over as fast -as wind and steam could bring them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>They had unusually fine weather for the whole trip. They -made some very pleasant acquaintances, and formed some -very fast friendships among their fellow passengers, with -whom they were all very popular.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The eccentricities of The O’Melaghlin were endless -sources of amusement to the passengers as to our own -<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>party, to whom they were also causes of frequent annoyance.</p> - -<p class='c009'>For instance, O’Melaghlin always addressed Mr. Cleve -Stuart as “Wolfscliff.” And not infrequently, when he -had had too much wine for dinner, the chieftain would hail -his friend from across the table as “O’Wolfscliff,” or speak -of him to another person as “The O’Wolfscliff.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Besides this, he would reiterate, in season and out of season, -his injunction that Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Stuart should -preserve, inviolate, the secret of his relationship to Mike -and Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Moind ye don’t let on to them,” he repeated. “I am -to be inthrodooced as a frind of your own, claiming, in -right of you, the hospitality of Misther and Misthress Randolph -Hay. And I am to have a week or tin days to observe -me childer before they suspect me. That will lave me find -them out as they are widout pritinces. Do ye moind?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, yes,” Stuart would reply, heartily tired, yet half -amused at the man’s persistence.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And yerself will not brathe a syllable that will lave -them suspict I’m anything to themselves, Misthress -Stuart?” he persevered, turning to Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not a syllable, O’Melaghlin,” she answered.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This funny persecution ceased for the time, to be renewed -as soon as they landed at Liverpool, and continued all the -way from that city to York, and from there to Chuxton.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Not a hint, not a breath, not a look, to bethray to the -childer that they behold in me the father of them, and a -discindint of the ancient kings of Meath,” he said, as the -train drew into the Chuxton station.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“‘Not a hint, not a breath, not a look’ from us shall -betray your secret, O’Melaghlin,” Cleve assured him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“No, indeed,” Palma added.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Be the powers, if ye bethray me, I nivir spake to aither -of yez again.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There,” said Stuart, as they all rose to leave the train, -“there is Mr. Randolph Hay himself come in the barouche -to meet us.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Where?” demanded The O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There, on the other side of the road. That gentleman -in the open carriage with the fine bays and the footman in -russet livery,” replied Cleve, pointing to the “turnout.”</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>“Be the club of Konn! That foine fellow the son-in-law -of meself!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The gintleman that married me Judy when she was a -nady orphan, and he didn’t suspict she could be the daughter -of a hundred kings?”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The very same.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Let me at him!” exclaimed The O’Melaghlin, pushing -to the front and passing through the crowd on the platform -to the side of the barouche, just as Ran got down from his -seat to welcome his friends.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I’m The O’Melaghlin, Misther Hay. And it’s proud I -am to make the acquaintance of ye. You’re a noble man, -that ye are—that ye are. Wolfscliff is behoind. I could not -wait for him to inthrodooce you. But I’m The O’Melaghlin, -and you are Misther Hay!” he exclaimed, seizing the hand -of Ran and shaking it to nearly dislocation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran was somewhat dismayed, not knowing how to account -for this overwhelming salute that almost deprived -him of the power to respond, and say:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I am very happy to meet you, Mr. O’Melaghlin.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Misther?” repeated the chief, prompt to take exception -to such a common title applied to himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But fortunately Stuart came up, shook hands with Ran -and then presented Palma, who was warmly welcomed by -her cousin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And now, Wolfscliff, will ye be afther inthrodoocing -Misther Hay to meself?” demanded Ran’s father-in-law.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Pardon, I thought you had,” said Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Divil a bit could I do that same to his intilligince,” replied -the other.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Then I will have that honor,” laughed Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And assuming the courtly dignity of a lord chamberlain -at a royal reception, he bowed to the descendant of Irish -kings, and with a wave of his hand, to indicate the inferior -person, said:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“The O’Melaghlin, of Arghalee, I have the honor to present -to you, sir, Mr. Randolph Hay, of Haymore.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Ran bowed very solemnly, conscious now that he stood -in the presence of an “eccentric.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And, sure, meself fales honored in the relationship—I -mane the acquaintanceship,” graciously replied The O’Melaghlin, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>feeling, however, that he had almost betrayed himself.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will you take seats in the carriage now? My servants -are here with the break and a van to bring your people and -luggage,” said Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Cleve bowed and handed Palma to a back seat, and The -O’Melaghlin to a place beside her. Then he took a front -seat, where Ran joined him, and the barouche started for -Haymore Hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The drive through the beautiful country, now in the -glory of early summer, charmed both Cleve and Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“It is a boundless Garden of Eden!” exclaimed the latter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But beauty and glory in nature was quite lost on The -O’Melaghlin, who employed the time in descanting to his -son-in-law upon the ancient royalty and grandeur of the -O’Melaghlins until the carriage turned into the park gate, -where Longman stood to welcome them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There, that was a foine sivin-footer—that retainer of -yours, Haymore. Jist such min me ancestor, Roderick -O’Melaghlin, last monarch of Meath, had for his bodyguard, -armed with spears and battle-axes, iviry man of them,” said -the chieftain, as the carriage rolled up the avenue toward -the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>When it drew up in front of the Hall, there stood Mike -and Judy, the beautiful young pair, as much alike in their -dark loveliness as twin brother and sister could possibly be. -Both in evening dress; Mike in the conventional black -swallowtail and patent leathers, with a sprig of shamrock -in his buttonhole in honor of the visitor. Judy in a dark -blue satin dress, trained, and with low body and short -sleeves, showing the plump neck and round arms, which -were now dimly veiled with fine lace and adorned with the -Haymore diamonds in honor of the guests.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Behind them stood an array of servants.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“There is your son and daughter, O’Melaghlin,” whispered -Palma in the ear of the chief, as he sat beside her.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He looked out and saw the beautiful pair, with their -lovely faces lighted up now with the joy of expectancy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“What! thim? You don’t mane thim!” he exclaimed, -gazing at them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes, I do. They are Mike and Judy.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Och! let me at thim—the angels!—the beauties! They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>are both the imidge of their mother, me sainted Moira! -Let me at thim!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>And with a bound The O’Melaghlin was out of the -barouche and tearing up the stairs to the presence of his -astonished children.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Forgotten were all his plans of secrecy and covert observation. -The father’s pride and joy in the Irishman’s warm -heart overbore all resolutions, and he fell upon his son and -daughter with ravenous delight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And so ye are me own childer—me Mike and me Judy! -And the jewels that ye are!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But it was Judy he clasped to his breast and covered with -kisses.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Oh, Mike! Mike! save me!” exclaimed the frightened -and distressed daughter.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Will ye be afther kapin’ yer hands to yerself?” exclaimed -Mike, who thought the stranger was a maniac, and -tried to separate him from the terrified victim. But Mike -was no match for The O’Melaghlin.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Aisy! aisy!” exclaimed the chieftain. “It’s jealous ye -are of me affection for the sister av ye! But your turn will -come nixt, me bhoy!”</p> - -<p class='c009'>Fortunately Ran, to whom Cleve had hastily communicated -the now open secret, came hurrying up the stairs, leaving -Stuart and Palma for the moment in the barouche.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Stop! stop! Mike, my lad! The gentleman is your -father. Yes, dear Judy, your father. Do not be afraid of -him,” he exclaimed, coming to the rescue with the explanation.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yis, darlint Judy, it’s the fayther av ye that’s pressin’ -ye to this throbbin’ heart av him! It’s the fayther av ye, -me foine Mike, that will make ye the lawful heir av the -oldest name and richest estate in ould Ireland! Yis, I -meant to have kept that same a secret till I had watched -the natures av ye both for a wake or two, but me affections -were too much for me.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>While he spoke he was kissing Judy, patting Mike on the -shoulder or embracing them both and holding them together -to his breast.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At last, quite overcome by his emotion, he sank down -upon the top step and covered his face with his hands to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>hide the tears that might have seemed a reproach to the -descendant of the warlike monarchs of Meath.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike and Judy raised him up with tender care and led -him into the hall and thence into the drawing-room, while -the old butler, without waiting orders, went and brought a -tray with a decanter of brandy and a glass.</p> - -<p class='c009'>The O’Melaghlin saw the elixir of life and revived at the -sight.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Meanwhile Ran returned to the barouche to conduct -Stuart and Palma to the house.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“He made me and my wife swear by all the saints in -Christendom that we would not betray his secret until he -himself should give us leave, and lo! he has blurted it out -himself,” laughed Stuart.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Yes. He seems a very eccentric person, this unexpected -father-in-law of mine. Yet I like what I have seen -of him,” replied Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“You will like him better. The longer you know him -the more you will esteem him. And if you will consider -the eccentricities of his fate and fortune, you will understand -and forgive the eccentricities of his character,” replied -Cleve.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And then they followed their host into the house and into -the drawing-room, where they found The O’Melaghlin -seated on a sofa between his son and daughter, with his left -arm around Judy’s waist, and in his right hand a wineglass -of brandy which he sipped at intervals, while Mike held the -decanter ready to replenish the glass when necessary.</p> - -<p class='c009'>But as soon as Ran came in with the Stuarts The O’Melaghlin -gave the glass to Judy to hold and went to meet -them.</p> - -<p class='c009'>He seized the hand of Ran, and shaking it again cruelly -and almost to dislocation, exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Me son-in-law! Me brave, good, thrue bhoy! I have -not yet greeted ye, nor wilcomed ye as me son-in-law! But -now I will do it, with the highest praise mortal man could -give ye. I will say: Haymore, sir, ye are worthy to be the -husband of me daughter Judy and the daughter of a thousand -kings.”</p> - -<p class='c009'>“I thank you, sir. I am sure that is the highest praise -you could give me. I hope it is true,” gallantly replied -Ran.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>Servants were at hand to show the guests to their apartments.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Mike did the honors to his father, and accompanied him -to the apartments prepared for him.</p> - -<p class='c009'>Judy attended Palma to the beautiful suit of rooms that -had been fitted up for Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and their -children.</p> - -<p class='c009'>There Judy for the first time made acquaintance with -Palma’s lovely children, whom she found already on the -nursery cot, asleep and attended by the faithful Hatty.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“Why, when did these beauties come? Why have I not -seen them before?” demanded Judy.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“They came in the second carriage with Hatty and Josias. -I would trust them with those two as confidently as with -myself and their father,” replied Palma.</p> - -<p class='c009'>“And I was so taken by surprise at the sudden meeting -with my father that I forgot even to inquire after the -darlings! I beg your little pardons!” said Judy, kneeling -by the side of the children’s cot and kissing their sleeping -faces.</p> - -<p class='c009'>At dinner the newly arrived visitors met the Rev. Mr. and -Mrs. Campbell, who had been invited to meet them. Jennie—the -Countess Dowager of Engelmeed—being in deep -mourning for her husband, did not go out or receive visitors.</p> - -<p class='c009'>A week of idleness on the part of all the family followed -at Haymore Hall.</p> - -<p class='c009'>After that questions of importance were taken up.</p> - -<p class='c009'>It was decided that The O’Melaghlin, with Mr. and Mrs. -Hay and Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and Mike, should set out on -an excursion to Arghalee Castle and find lodging at -Arghalee Arms, and from that vantage point investigate -the ancient ruins and see what could be done toward the -successful restoration of the castle, also open negotiations -with the duke’s legal steward if possible to repurchase all -the land that had once constituted the Arghalee estate.</p> - -<p class='c009'>All this was happily effected in the course of a few -months—for The O’Melaghlin stopped at nothing in his -eager desire to restore the ancient magnificence and splendor -of his house; and so he paid twice the worth of the -land to get it back, and fabulous sums to the antiquaries -and architects to restore the castle and the chapel in all -their pristine strength and glory.</p> - -<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>The Stuarts remained at Haymore until the last of the -summer and then bade affectionate adieus to the Hays and -returned to Virginia.</p> - -<p class='c009'>This was the first of many visits, which the Hays often -returned.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That autumn Mike was entered as Michael O’Melaghlin, -master of Arghalee, in one of the best preparatory colleges -in Glasgow.</p> - -<p class='c009'>That winter, when “Burke’s Landed Gentry” appeared, -under the name of Hay it contained this item:</p> - -<p class='c013'>Hay, Randolph, born January 1, 185—, succeeded his -father March 1, 187—, married December 2, 187—, Judith, -only daughter of Michael, The O’Melaghlin, Chief of -Arghalee, Antrim.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And the anxious soul of Will Walling, when he received -a copy of the book with the marked passage, was entirely -satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c009'>And New Year’s Day brought Ran and Judy a New -Year’s gift, in the form of a son and heir, which filled the -hearts of the parents with bliss.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c014'> - <div><span class='small'>THE END</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002'> -</div> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>BURT’S SERIES <em>of</em> STANDARD FICTION.</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c008'>RICHELIEU. A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. P. -R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, “Richelieu,” and was -recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft.</p> - -<p class='c013'>In this book he laid the story during those later days of the great cardinal’s -life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it was -yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic outbursts which -overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost wave of prosperity. -One of the most striking portions of the story is that of Cinq Mar’s conspiracy; -the method of conducting criminal cases, and the political trickery -resorted to by royal favorites, affording a better insight into the statecraft -of that day than can be had even by an exhaustive study of history. -It is a powerful romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling -and absorbing interest has never been excelled.</p> - -<p class='c008'>A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE. A story of American Colonial Times. By -Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson -Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of Revolutionary -scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one. It causes the true -American to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter, until -the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. The love story is a -singularly charming idyl.</p> - -<p class='c008'>THE TOWER OF LONDON. A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady -Jane Grey and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with -four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>This romance of the “Tower of London” depicts the Tower as palace, -prison and fortress, with many historical associations. The era is the -middle of the sixteenth century.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane Grey, -and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other notable characters -of the era. Throughout the story holds the interest of the reader -in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably over a -half a century.</p> - -<p class='c008'>IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A Romance of the American Revolution. -By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson -Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery, -and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of the -Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and we feel ourselves taking a -part in the exciting scenes described. His whole story is so absorbing -that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. As a love romance -it is charming.</p> - -<p class='c008'>GARTHOWEN. A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. Cloth, -12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare before -us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some strong points of -Welsh character—the pride, the hasty temper, the quick dying out of wrath.... We call this a well-written story. Interesting alike through its -romance and its glimpses into another life than ours. A delightful and -clever picture of Welsh village life. The result is excellent.”—Detroit Free -Press.</p> - -<p class='c008'>MIFANWY. The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. Cloth, -12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to -read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it is apparent -at once, are as true to life as though the author had known them -all personally. Simple in all its situations, the story is worked up in that -touching and quaint strain which never grows wearisome, no matter how -often the lights and shadows of love are introduced. It rings true, and -does not tax the imagination.”—Boston Herald.</p> - -<p class='c008'>DARNLEY. A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. -By G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. -Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>As a historical romance “Darnley” is a book that can be taken up -pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm which -those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James have claimed was -only to be imparted by Dumas.</p> - -<p class='c013'>If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial attention, -the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic “field of the cloth of -gold” would entitle the story to the most favorable consideration of every -reader.</p> - -<p class='c013'>There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author has -taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom history has -credited with having entertained the tender passion one for another, and -he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world must love.</p> - -<p class='c008'>WINDSOR CASTLE. A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII. -Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, -12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>“Windsor Castle” is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne -Boleyn. “Bluff King Hal,” although a well-loved monarch, was none too -good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and unwarrantable acts, -none was more discreditable than his divorce from Catharine, and his marriage -to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The King’s love was as brief as it -was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting maid on the Queen, attracted him, -and Anne Boleyn was forced to the block to make room for her successor. -This romance is one of extreme interest to all readers.</p> - -<p class='c008'>HORSESHOE ROBINSON. A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina -in 1780. By John P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. -Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical fiction, -there are none which appeal to a larger number of Americans than -Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only story which depicts -with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists in South Carolina -to defend their homes against the brutal oppression of the British -under such leaders as Cornwallis and Tarleton.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread -of the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning those -times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is never overdrawn, -but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared neither -time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love story all that -price in blood and tears which the Carolinians paid as their share in the -winning of the republic.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Take it all in all, “Horseshoe Robinson” is a work which should be -found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining -story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning the -colonists which it contains. That it has been brought out once more, well -illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to thousands who have -long desired an opportunity to read the story again, and to the many who -have tried vainly in these latter days to procure a copy that they might -read it for the first time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>THE PEARL OF ORR’S ISLAND. A story of the Coast of Maine. By -Harriet Beecher Stowe. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Written prior to 1862, “The Pearl of Orr’s Island” is ever new; a book -filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew each -time one reads them. One sees the “sea like an unbroken mirror all -around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr’s Island,” and straightway -comes “the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, like the wild -angry howl of some savage animal.”</p> - -<p class='c013'>Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which -came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel’s wings, -without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud blossomed? -Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the character -of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest, amid the -angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother’s breast.</p> - -<p class='c013'>There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that -which Mrs. Stowe gives in “The Pearl of Orr’s Island.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER. A Romance of the Early Settlers in the -Ohio Valley. By Zane Grey. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson -Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>A book rather out of the ordinary is this “Spirit of the Border.” The -main thread of the story has to do with the work of the Moravian missionaries -in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally the reader is given details of the -frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the wilderness for the planting -of this great nation. Chief among these, as a matter of course, is -Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and at the same time the most -admirable of all the brave men who spent their lives battling with the -savage foe, that others might dwell in comparative security.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian “Village -of Peace” are given at some length, and with minute description. The -efforts to Christianize the Indians are described as they never have been -before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders of the -several Indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be of interest to -the student.</p> - -<p class='c013'>By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid word-pictures -of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings of the beauties -of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests.</p> - -<p class='c013'>It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by it, -perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly braved -every privation and danger that the westward progress of the star of empire -might be the more certain and rapid. A love story, simple and tender, -runs through the book.</p> - -<p class='c008'>CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE. By Lieut. -Henry A. Wise, U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations -by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns -who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come through -the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea and those -“who go down in ships” been written by one more familiar with the scenes -depicted.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which -will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is “Captain Brand,” -who, as the author states on his title page, was a “pirate of eminence in -the West Indies.” As a sea story pure and simple, “Captain Brand” has -never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told without the usual -embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no equal.</p> - -<p class='c008'>NICK OF THE WOODS. A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By -Robert Montgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson -Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in -Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long out of -print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic presentation of -Indian and frontier life in the early days of settlement in the South, narrated -in the tale with all the art of a practiced writer. A very charming -love romance runs through the story. This new and tasteful edition of -“Nick of the Woods” will be certain to make many new admirers for -this enchanting story from Dr. Bird’s clever and versatile pen.</p> - -<p class='c008'>GUY FAWKES. A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison -Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. -Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The “Gunpowder Plot” was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament, -the King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of England, -was weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient scheme of -extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the Catholics. In -their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits concluded -to overthrow the government. Finally the plotters were arrested, -and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and the other prisoners with -royal vigor. A very intense love story runs through the entire romance.</p> - -<p class='c008'>TICONDEROGA: A Story of Early Frontier Life in the Mohawk Valley. -By G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four page illustrations by J. Watson -Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The setting of the story is decidedly more picturesque than any ever -evolved by Cooper: The frontier of New York State, where dwelt an English -gentleman, driven from his native home by grief over the loss of his wife, -with a son and daughter. Thither, brought by the exigencies of war, comes -an English officer, who is readily recognised as that Lord Howe who met his -death at Ticonderoga. As a most natural sequence, even amid the hostile -demonstrations of both French and Indians, Lord Howe and the young girl -find time to make most deliciously sweet love, and the son of the recluse has -already lost his heart to the daughter of a great sachem, a dusky maiden -whose warrior-father has surrounded her with all the comforts of a civilized -life.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The character of Captain Brooks, who voluntarily decides to sacrifice his -own life in order to save the son of the Englishman, is not among the least -of the attractions of this story, which holds the attention of the reader even -to the last page. The tribal laws and folk lore of the different tribes of -Indians known as the “Five Nations,” with which the story is interspersed, -shows that the author gave no small amount of study to the work in question, -and nowhere else is it shown more plainly than by the skilful manner in -which he has interwoven with his plot the “blood” law, which demands a -life for a life, whether it be that of the murderer or one of his race.</p> - -<p class='c013'>A more charming story of mingled love and adventure has never been -written than “Ticonderoga.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>ROB OF THE BOWL: A Story of the Early Days of Maryland. By John -P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. -Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>It was while he was a member of Congress from Maryland that the -noted statesman wrote this story regarding the early history of his native -State, and while some critics are inclined to consider “Horse Shoe Robinson” -as the best of his works, it is certain that “Rob of the Bowl” stands at the -head of the list as a literary production and an authentic exposition of the -manners and customs during Lord Baltimore’s rule. The greater portion of -the action takes place in St. Mary’s—the original capital of the State.</p> - -<p class='c013'>As a series of pictures of early colonial life in Maryland, “Rob of the -Bowl” has no equal, and the book, having been written by one who had -exceptional facilities for gathering material concerning the individual members -of the settlements in and about St. Mary’s, is a most valuable addition -to the history of the State.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The story is full of splendid action, with a charming love story, and a -plot that never loosens the grip of its interest to its last page.</p> - -<p class='c008'>BY BERWEN BANKS. By Allen Raine.</p> - -<p class='c013'>It is a tender and beautiful romance of the idyllic. A charming picture -of life in a Welsh seaside village. It is something of a prose-poem, true, -tender and graceful.</p> - -<p class='c008'>IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A romance of the American Revolution. -By Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson -Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The story opens in the month of April, 1775, with the provincial troops -hurrying to the defense of Lexington and Concord. Mr. Hotchkiss has etched -in burning words a story of Yankee bravery and true love that thrills from -beginning to end with the spirit of the Revolution. The heart beats quickly, -and we feel ourselves taking a part in the exciting scenes described. You -lay the book aside with the feeling that you have seen a gloriously true -picture of the Revolution. His whole story is so absorbing that you will sit -up far into the night to finish it. As a love romance it is charming.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002'> -</div> -<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c003'> - <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - - <ol class='ol_1 c014'> - <li>P. <a href='#t235'>235</a>, “Here am” inserted for illegible characters. 7 characters because - capital H and lower m are each nearly 2 characters wide. 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