The married belle, or, Our red cottage at Merry Bank
page: 0Advertisement (TitlePage) [View Page 0Advertisement (TitlePage) ]NEW NOVELS BY JULIE P. SMITH. L -WIDOW GOLDSMITH'S DAUGHTER. I.-CHRIS AND OTHO. II --THE WUDOWER. IV. --THE MARRIED BELLE. V. -TEN O1D MAIDs. (In Preparation.) The novels by this author are of unusual merit, unoom- monly well-written, clever, and characterized by great wit and vivacity. They are growing popular and more popular eyery day." A11 published uniform with this volume, at 61.75, and sent freo by mail, on receipt a price BY G. IW. CARLETON & CO., Publishers, New York. N 'I THE MARRIED BELLE ORS OUR RED COTTAGE AT MERRY BANK A NOVEL. BY JULIE P. OSM ITH-, AUTHOR Or "Wwow GoLDsMIT's DAUGHTER, "CHRIS AND Omo," "TrE- WIDOWER," ETC., ETC. NEW YORK: G.. W. Carleton & Co., Publhshers. LONDON: S. LOW, SON & CO. M.DCCC.Lxxxr. i 1 d _ page: 0[View Page 0] a - -.s Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by G. W. CARLETON & CO., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. t2( 'dm~f2 I To My Good Friend, ARY 1T. oLJ M ES, I DEDICATE THIS STORY, WITH DEAR LOVE. 3z I's-, . u sc x # f Stereotyped at the WO MEN'S PRINTING H.OUSER 56, 58 and 6o Park Street, New Yorke dw'x -l t Ii lam' i .. S ' t :dl1 l 1 i * , ' page: 0 (Table of Contents) [View Page 0 (Table of Contents) ] CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1.--The Red Cottage . . . II.-The Sweet Singers of Israel III.-Henry's First Guest . IV.-" Where the Bee sucks there lurk'I" V.-Lord Feigning's Daughter VI.--"Yours truly, George Blair" . VII.-The Letter and the Picture . . VIII.-" Dies Fastus" IX.-Were you never in Love, Carlotta? X.-They that go b Ocwinggo ~owing XI. shall be a lady ever"": . XII.-Kitty visits the Quince hish . . XIJI.-The Ogress' Castle. ..-. XIV.-P i'nce Almanazar and Lady Delight. XV.-Carlotta dances a Quadrille. . XVI.-Making Love in the Ball-4oom. XVII.-Paul and Virginia, . XVIII.-Kitty learns her Catechism XIX.-=Aunt Elinor's Disappointment XX.-Kitty's First Offer PAGE . . . r, " " SII - 30 S.40 " . 48 - - 57 . 6. . .88 92 . . 110 . . . 119 . . . 142 . . . i68 . . . 179 . . . 194 S . .r212 . . . 234 . . .240- . . . 253 . . . 258 .iS . . . 260 h t j 0 s . _ , ;,, , " _ -' - - d' page: 8 (Table of Contents) -9[View Page 8 (Table of Contents) -9] CONTENTS CH APTER XXI.-Uvetinig Angds uaware}s XXII.-Basswood versus Hickoy. XXIII.-A Pean of Triumph . . XXIV.-r-Lord Feigning's Daughter. XXV.--Our Nutting Party. XXVI.-Ghosts on Rollers XXVII.-Young Love and Old Love . XXVIII.-One was taken, the other left XXIX.-Archie's Confession . THE LAsT.--Good-by to all -. .- * PAGE . 2. . .278 S. . . 281 . 0 . 290 - - - - 301 . . . 0 308 ." . .331 . . . 41 . . 5 * - - ~ 358 MY DEAR READERS: I GLANCED into the "Autocrat " this morning, and saw something. I liked so much that I thought I would speak a 'few words to yo in the same vein. I am not fond of flourishing ti say-so of other people, or trimming my actions and ideas to any- body's pattern. If a "store-clerk" interrupts my consideration of the dead black silk I am about to buy, by telling me, ''butiful piece of goods, ma'am; Mrs. Judge Sampson took a dress of it this morning," I am quite apt to toss away the fabric and say, "'Oh' indeed! if that be so, I won't take one." The say-so I had in mind was about writing to Au.- thors your opinion of their works. Many writers pro- nounce "'book letters " a bore and nuisance. I don't. I like.them. A young maid let me know that Sonsie Eagan's thoughts and doings inspired her with cour- age to fight fate and conquer caste ; a woman sent me 1* I , , I) r- .j Y .t .i ., e y ^' ii _ r A ,i. i _ a ': ., _' ,%; -t: page: 10-11[View Page 10-11] word that the busy usefulness of the Roaring River girls fired her with energy and resolution to fill her life with work; and one wrote to me how lie desired "truth, purity, delicacy, culture," more after walk- ing py the side of our Chris through her trials; and I must tell you that my very soul sang for gladness in gettingthese good messages. I thank you for the pleasant letters you have sent me. I treasure them all carefully. could bear dispraise, if it were honest. There is a small lassie who walks about my place, as straight as a reed, as merry and full of fun as tricksy Puck=-- often carrying a volume under her arm and when I come upon her in a cosey nook reading, I- say, "What is it to-day, Lux?" and she replies, "That nauseating attempt at a novel called 'Widow Gold- smith's Daughter," repeating the words of a California critic upon the first scribble I sent you. Lux is not reverent; she calls me " dear old woman," she finds Fault with my stories, catches me tripping in my uni- ties: ,but I don't mind ; it is easy to be kind to those who loverus. Do you remember the toast Tiny Tim gave at the great Crachet Christmas Dintier? I take leave of you in his very words, "God bless us every one." . JULIE P. SMITIL- I THE MARRIED, BELLE. CHAPTER I. THE RED COTTAGE. N ancient nursery called "Eden " has.some- times received favorable notice as a tolerably fine garden, although no catalogue of its col- lection has been preserved, which is a pity,. One John Milton mentioned a few 'sti4gards, such as " woodbine, ivy,,roses, myrtle," etc., but in so un, scientific, desultory a manner, as to be entirely ui- satisfactory to thorough. gardeners. We- all know a plant can give no solid pleasure to a trp4 e florist which has not a Latin 'name at least three syllables long, it being as indispensable as a pedigree t9 a horse, or a crested grandfather to a genteel family. , REJ c . 1to page: 12-13[View Page 12-13] THE RED C TTAGE. Eden bore no thorns or t istles,no weeds; and we are told by the aforesaid ilton that all work about the place consisted,-in "lo ping, propping; pruning, and binding." An exceed ng stupid, stale, flat state of affairs. Such a nursery may have suited Adam and Eve, those young people being but novices in the complex arts of hybridizing, forcing, dwarfing, and budding; but I would not be afraid to wager on the amount of satisfaction they got out of their la- bor, after 'they found diffic ties to grapple with, fa- tigues to be endured. Fancy Adam tugging might and main at a great, strong,, healthy burdock, for instance, whose long, yellow root is busy sucking jurces from the breast of its mother Earth, satisfied to dwell in seclusion, and labor in secret to support the children it has pushed up into the world, and which declines to be dragged -_into society it has no capacities for. What a jolly keel-over our excellent fore-daddie got, when at last heprevailed- and dragged the obstinate thing forth in his two fists ! How he and Eve laughed at the fun siting on the fresh -smelling mould, wiping from their brows the. honest 'sweat ! They probably talked it over: perlYaps our maternal parent was busy with the family sewing, her vegetable-ivory thimble on her round finger, and her devil's darning-needle merrily yflyig while she made becoming little aprons and things. The flaming sword was glancing and swing-. ing every which way in front of 'the old platation ; but bless you ! they'd got through lI g and THE RED COTTAGE. 'I3 propping -and lolling about in arbors. Their lives those later times were full of. steady work, and -no strikes. Weeds grow with ex-Eden .facility in the Red Cot- tage garden, but flowers grow there also lovingly, and' yield to our fostering care riches of beauty and sweets. Imagine that the shade has gone back on the dial- plate, and in place of breathing these sultry summer airs, think you feel upon your cheek the vigor-giving vernal breath of a clear May morning. The anemones and hyacinths are in full bloom, nodding and smiling in the gentle breeze, as they pour forth the complimepof the- season. 'It was the self-same Power Divine taught them to bloom and you to shine." The common mother is no step-l -dame to them. She embraces. them tenderly, and shelters their roots with the light touch you could wish when she enwraps your mortality in the. dim earth-house built for you ere.you were born. Among the borders and clumps tarries, trowel in hand, the lady Carlotta, fronr morn till dewy eve, on these fine spring days. She ardently loes her flowern pets; she says they know her, confide .in her, and communicate their inner life, their flowery -loes and joys; that she is on hand anddYoxglove terms with their Queen, who often consults her about "'Love in, a huddle,'" Love in idleness," "Love lies bleeding," asking advice touching her " Bachelor's Buttons'"-se prone to entangle among the "_Maiden's hair "--her Sweet Williams, her. Mourning Brides her "Johnny page: 14-15[View Page 14-15] THE RED COTTAGE.} Jumpups," too frisky and spry, and the "Jack" who desires to occupy a pulpit; her -"" Monk'Hoods," "Cardinals," "Hooped Petticoats," and 'Ladies' Eardrops," and divers other solicitudes, showing that the cares and responsibilities of the sovereign must be. many and perplexing. Between ourselves, I regard the above statement as a cheerful phantasy. I could not take my Bible oath, though, that it is not fact. No mortal can surely state the precise limit of another mortal's senses. Al-. though my dull airicles are not able to hear the tiny corn-blades springing dnder the ground, I couldn't undertake to aver that Fine Ear lies when he tells me the tinkling music is as vibrant a the' ringing of the fairy bells to his delicate perception. I don't deny anything : I only wish I was Fine Ear.- Carlotta looks extremely picturesque in her broad- brimmed .Canada hat of yellow wheaten straw, en- wreathed 'about with corn poppies. Maud Miller making hay was beautiful, I suppose, tfiough the pop- ular picture of her looks to my rustic eyes "like the most unprofitable sign of nothing." But Carlotta leaning on her spade would be a study of pith for a painter, and the homely hoe in her supple harids be.. comes a gracious implement. The spirit of our surroundings is so roomy, leisurely, and thought-permitting; that I believe I should leave off inditing good matter to you, my precious readers, andfall dreaming, wereit not for the chippering, hcppig, fluttering, and unrest of a g; -unrst-, f company of blue-birds upon the low roof of the old porch ,below my "crow's. nest,"' who ,have, thrust their vital, vivacious bird-life upon the serene stillness of country r@se. They are some while ago re- turned from southern travel, and have not nearly finished talking up their adventures among the rice- fields ,and sugar-cane. The big fellow perched on the eave-trough, dipping hither and thither in the sunlight, bringing- to -view his rich azure feathers with their purple reflections, his jetty black pens andtail, and the! ruddy chestnut of his shining sides, and pouring forth his voluble notes, has been 'in Washington. There is " doings. of Congress" and "human progress " in every toss of his plumed head, and every knowing glance of his bright eye, para= doxical as the connection may appear. Last year his mate reared a great cow-bird in the rustic'cottage planned and built for her use by Cariotta, with a jack-knife, from four ,pine shingles ; neglecting her own offspring to feed the intruder, feeling all the while that there was a screw loose, but not able to comprehend how it had come to passthat she had hasd such greatness -thrust upon her. Now that. he las fini hed his oration, amidst applause, and clapping of wing, he'and she are going away.to visit the old house, which; feels like home, still; -and plan s0me mode of defence ag4ist the pestilent Fringilla, who sits on a neighborin. bush, stretching her dark drab necks as glQoy pas a lady quaker's satinbonnet, and puffinig:out ,er violet b en, while she carefully e F' '. r i F}"r ' F1 :,. .,rit , F A 1 t j ' , , , i F r ' t 7 ' - ' ;s,% ",'1, 7.l ; ~ " - _ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~F l.t1 { t! ' k 1) ' , l ,,'(: ,} , tf , . ''i : ! f ' , _. , , E ti 61Yt 'itJ , 'Y - # ' iv ^ , : hy ' k = i y'# ra, a f . I4 THE READ COTTAGE* z5 I ! ti page: 16-17[View Page 16-17] THE RED CQTTA GE. amines the domicile, where she means to eve reared her great, hulking offspring. We will adopt no children of yours 'his year," says the sober-tinted wife. Not for Joseph, if he knows it; cl(,;es in the slangy, rollicking husband, or wordsto-tht effect. Cow, Cow," called out the Troppiai from her picket-bush; "now, now, don't make; a row "-still keeping her eye on the nest, and waiting her oppor- tunity. We have favorite flowers in our garden,. which we call our flowers of friendship.. A or instance, a clump of Scotch roses,, from. which ;vere gathered once. some modest blooms for, a n est fair maid, the only bride we have ever sent from the sold home; also a bunch of lilies, whicyielded their waxen beauties to be entwined among thg tresses of her pretty little bridesmaid. Then'thr . the Yew, a tall tree now, from whence our pet rAr $e Lawrie broke a tiny sprig for.a parting bouiet.; culled to bear him company on his journey when put loose from his old friends and started for college 'He fo ghM- orgo;, the posy after all, inthe absorbment of rple-sugar, flap-jacks, and leave-taking, and- Carlotta pinned it carefully up against the wall in-a cord er of the quiet old parlor. Perhaps-it was partly for her liking of the lad, partly in memory of the scolding she had ,.been sharply moved to give him thatlst day of his stay, for despoiling her little Irish green (she can point out the exact spot of the robbery), and a little THE RED COTTAGE. also or the good, hearty, boyish hug she got from the bonnie laddie. Though he has been four years gone, the dried flowers are all undisturbed; never profaned b unfriendly fingers, and bearing upon their faded, blonless remains..all the sacrednesst of a precious Ofr' flowers rejoice at merry-makngs ; they mourn fwierals;- they brighten sometimes the loly altar oft churchc, though Mrs. Deac Rotterdanm does not iike to see them there ; she says, it.looks pop- ish. Carlotta does not much care what anybody says, and though Mrs. ,Ramble took pains to bring he the full pith of Mrs. Rotterdam's opinions of her doings, she gathered her offerings just as' carefully, and with as unalloyed enjoyment, as if her labor of love had been smiled on. -She says flowers are God's beauties, and they shall adorn His sacred house, popish or no popish. Our garden-treasures also gladden the hearts of small children (they reach through the pickets and claw them out by handfuls, the young reprobates !), and they perfume our lives. They rest us ;when weary; they comfort our sadness, and inspire our dulness. T1-ere are but three of us, and we liv -as we list; we 'follow the fashions afar off, like spies;we sing when we feel merry, we scold when we are bilious, we laugh when we are hilarious, and we fill our homes with such occupations as suit us best,. Freedom and independence dwell with us; 'We =10 ago learnedto respect each other's good points.and page: 18-19[View Page 18-19] k / z8 THE RED'COTTAG. wink at each other's little foibles. Carlotta's wIk is the vyer inspiration of mischief, and tells more effec- tually than a loud laugh of mine. She i the 'cutest, sharpest, wittiest little female I happen to know. Going from home as I do sometimes, I. find other women insipidly wanting in flavor ; and it was not till I arrived at years of comparison, that I ascertained the reason to be this same Carlotta's piquant origin- ality; full of anecdote, of quips and quirks and funny gibes. Of course, being two women to one man, Henry occasionally finds himself in a miserable minority; and is fain to retire from contested fields, unlaurelled; but being like our Southern neighbors, who didn't know when they were whipped, he is l- ways ready to renew the tournament with undaunted cou ge and burnished weapons. Our Red Cottage garden is a famous place for studying nature; not only flower, bird, insect, and reptile, but the. real unadulterated hurhan in its Va- rious aspects"and phases. It was but the other day; we were working. The complete we includes Henry, Carlotta, and Serena ; good, honest names, bestowed by our excellent, and much revered parents, in Christian baptism, when they Ystood together at the font with as serious faces and prayerful hearts as the inopportune squalling of their hopefuls would permit. My' mother received but coldly the condolences of the good lady who bewailed our uproarious be- havior because, as she said," it was a had omen if a baby cried not when the water of christening THE RED COTTAGE. 19 touched its forehead, and theant short- life for it." As I was saying, we knelt among our 'wind-flowers (the feminine-we, Henry being at is office), weeding diligently, when an ancient dame appeared, of dried and shrivelled aspect, and red eyelids, as of a dweller in the vicinage of a smoky chimney, and wafting upon the cirturhambient air a mixed odor, harm-fat, dish- water, onions, cabbage, and snuff. We "knew her well; she looked with such a look, -and she spoke with such a tone," that we recognized Mrs. Ramble, the truckrnan's wife. The Merry Bank people hold persistently the opinion that she is fond of watching and prying among her neighbors' affairs'; and she certainly knows all, about everybody. She came, I say, and leaned her elbows on our low picket4ence, and surveyed us and our surroundings with a com- prehensive sweep of the visual sense, inventorying ur apparel, noting our attitudes and occupation. " Mornin', Carlotty !" said she; presently, in a dried-up, wiry voice) as hard as her face "I ain't goin' to stay a second hardly. Ye're diggin' away for dear 'life'!. folks say you're a dreadful sprycreatur' to work.~ You 'beat everybody to flatround. I' spousee you like the name on't; but I should think you'd ketch yer never-get-over, setting' on that damp ground. No ? well, you'll find out sore ay you ain't made of iron I I never could get tineforthat fooling' amongst posies. There's so many meetin's to go to; so many sinners out 'of the ark. Did y heat what Miss Squirmwell spoke in conference Last night page: 20-21[View Page 20-21] 20 ..THE -E COTTAGE. I see you want to meetin', any of ye. Oh, yes;.sh talked considerable about forgiveness. I expect some- body's been offendin' her. I guess as like as not it's you, Carlotty. You jes as lief tread on her toes as not. Sheprayed right out for you in female meetin' 'last week, I 'spose you know." Me ! " exclaimed Carlotta; '"how thoughtful of her ! that accounts for my feeling so remarkably good-explains the placid benevolence of my hu-. mor." "rThe land !.I believe you'd make fun if you was a-dyin' ! I hope you won't come to my funeral. I know you'd snicker if my'cap wa'nt on straight, or the ,pleats happened to get twisted in. my coffin. You little midget,- you! come, yank up some of them smoke-pipes. I'll carry 'em home to Alumzy Jane, to plant in her little bed ; she's desput fond of posies." Nay, dear Mrs. Ramble,. that is too rash a test of my benevolence; those are choice flowers. I can- not rise and give thee those, but here is a gay bunch of daffadowndillies she shall have, and welcome." She used her trowel to 'good purpose, and quickly lifted the roots fromtheir place, transplanted them to the dame's red cotton handkerchief, extended to re- ceive them ; and cutting short anaccount of a rife quarrel between Mrs. Pillhach'le and Mrs. Deacon' Rotterdam, embracing some strong opinions of Car-. gotta herself, exchanged during their last sword exer- sei she bespoke the assistance of young Mr. Top.. THE RED COTTAGE. 21 lofty, who was just passing the toll-gate, to .convey to her lares and penates the excellent Mrs. Ramble. "How lucky !" said she; "now you can be in prime season for the evening meeting, and save your strength for the hymns.' Mr. Toplofty drew rei4 ; he couldn't well do less; but he made a grimace at me behind his hand, which was wrong; and Carlotta winked at us both and laughed. Wherefore such lavish generosity with my daffo dils?" inquired I, as he drove away. We could" hear the dame's voice uplifted above the clatter' of resounding hoofs and revolving wheels. "And why did you ruthlessly forceFsuch unwelcome company upon that friendless, unprotected young man ? " Put away a froward mouth, and -perverse lips keep far from thee," is a command. "I took the readiest method, the swiftest .conveyance - which offered," replied Carlotta, resuming her labor; "did not you hear her say '1I ain't goin' to stay a second hardly'? She always stops to tea when she utters those fearful words. Smoke pipes, indeed . what sacrilege to so- misname. my true poet's lNiarcissus t The handsome boy couldn't have been more in love with his image, than am I with these creamy things. The horse-leech hath three daughters, crying 'GiveI give'-and that' horrible old- Rambler is one- of them. I believe this is the first time, in her life she ever turned her back on the place without borrowing something. page: 22-23[View Page 22-23] 22 -4TE RE2- C0T4gE Scarcely had Mr. Toplofty borne away his charge of mature virtue, and Carlotta was still in a ruffled stateof mind, when a man-stopped at the fence, and ~after tying his steed to a thrifty young maple, ust putting forth its pale green leaves, and which, of = course, the-animal cropped at its leisure, he: came through the=gate, leavingit ( ajar,oni. little, Ipray. you," and affording ingress to Jane Mallony's pig, who whisked his tail with delight as he followed in- the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor. His feet were. large (this coming man), and they throttled re- morselessly our lovely white pansies, took pitiless strides -across the mignonette, and effectually sup- pressed a young tiger-flower which was, getting courage to take its place amongst its peers. He held to his nose, en Passmet, a tulip plucked fromthe border, wherewith to refresh his sense as he walked, like Bunyan's pilgrim. It was named "Lady Mer- cer inthe catalogue, apple-scented and very choice.. When he had inhaled a satisfactory sniff of the per- fume, he jerked it towards us. "Have you got_ any of these roots to spare, maam ? I gin a piece, of garden tomy darters to plant their posies, and I thought, as I was riding' by, I'd stop and git a few little things to begin on. You've got a nice sprinklin' of 'em, and I reckon you won't miss 'em-- should like a couple of these holly- hocks well enough" (grabbing at an early althea beside him). Carlotta cut into halves a wire-worm she caught, THE RED COTTAGE. thieving into the heart of a hyacinth bulb; before she pushed off her boad-brii, and shot a glance at the intruder, which covered him and the flowers he held. "The tulip you have there is only a couple of months from Holland, and has never bloomed be- fore," said she severely. "4(I never pluck my tulips but upon rare occasions; as you have broken it, I will sell you theiulb." She had grown crafty by the frequency of such applications. The Red Cottage stands upon a much r travelled road, in immediate vicinage of a toll-gate, where all the budding beauty of her; pets shines temptingly-upon the travellers pausing to deposit their three cents, for the u'se of the planks, with the lame keeper. "Yes, yes ! - them's the diggers," exclaimed the flower-seeker, his eyes following anxiously the murderous slicing of the bright trowel, "and they're harder to kill'n a cat, ain't they.? well, how much 'd you tax for some of these red roses, pulling a full-cupped splendens from our best per- petual, and adding it to his collection. Though a trifle cast down at the idea of paying, he still re- solved to do the handsome things he had gone-so far. "I never did spend no money for such ginm- cracks, but Iwon't mind a sixpence or so to please my gals." "I cannot part with any more .of -my roses at any price," replied Carlotta, glowering, at the igst- and gone treasures, "but I will sell you that bulb for fiv dollars, and that is two less than it cost me." page: 24-25[View Page 24-25] 24 THE RED. COTTAGE. : Positively it was .as good as a play, the look of blank, amazed affright which stole over the sun-dried countenance of the father of the gals. "Five dollars!'" he, repeated so slowly that the last syllable died in a subdued gurgle; dropping the blossoms thus rudely snatched from their parent stems, that he might slap his pockets with both hands, and convince himself that he had not already gone and acted the proverb, the last clause of which . is "soon parted." No ! thank Midas !-the old leathern wallet was there all right and tight, and as fat as ever. He hustled off without a reply to Carlotta's bland "Good-morning,' sir." His horse, meantime, had not barked the pretty maple more than half around ; we tied it up, and hope it will live. Our stock of visitors was not exhausted, however, nearly so soon as our patience, because right away after the horseman had ,galloped off with spread elbows and bent knees, like Ichabod Crane riding to the fair Katrina, Mrs. Pillhackle pranced in, all brisk- ness, black garments, jet ornaments, and grief. She demanded "-something white and pure-looking " for the only little Pillhackle which had ever put forth from the parent stem, and after a:sob or two, and all the wriggles and unpleasant faces it knew how to execute, had retired from the scene and left the pair lamenting. Mrs. Pillhackle informed us, as if .the avowal were a proclamation of severe Spartan virtue,. that she had always kept a bouquet of :flowers on, baby's grave ever since she buried him ; a fact so F . , 1 w _ "_': , e. r i, - ' r . 4. ri . J, ;- t ,; i 4 s~r c K. i t ." !. _ z ' rr ' f" , i it : ,L, , 'zt ' 4.,,, t, . k' }; s;' - '; J',4 : ; t_ ,.# =-, ; .L ! ' . ' a I E; .t - « ' t !' t r b Y .f _4; 1' rJ '' THE RED COTTAGE. 25 patent to us, that she need scarcely have mentioned it, because we had been honored by being permitted to " furnish forth" the bouquet ever since that sad event. So there went the best of the white pansies, hyacinths, and snow-drops, to wither in the forlorn old burying-ground. "'There ." ejaculated Carlotta; "who next ?" "Egypt's royal qtieen, which the same is her name- sake," replied I, pointing out a smiling female of the colored variety, who requested, with the cheerful, soft- voiced alacrity peculiar to her race, to have '"a few posies for my husband's funeral; he's going' to be buried this afternoon, and wouldn't Miss Sereny lend me a black shawl fur to wear." .As Cleopatra, commonly called Pate, was our char- woman, who sometimes cut loose from her husbands without the ceremony of burying them, we were quite willing to encourage her attempts at decency, and we administered to her necessities. "Now I know there isn't any one else. to come," said Carlotta, as Pate departed,'brimful of the ap- proaching festivity in which she was to shine as chief mourner. "I know there can't be !" She was mistaken; a bevy of school-girls from Miss Stratton's "female Seminary" were already in sight, and came crowding through the gate, chatting, gig. gling, and skipping among the other flowers like animated rose-buds.. They wanted. specimensAo analyze in the botany clans, and Miss Carlotta was so good, and'had such pretty ones. I mustsay Ienjoy- page: 26-27[View Page 26-27] THE RED COTTAGE ed their fresh nonsense (I* do like young girls), and I supplied their wants with pleasure, It took about a peck of blossoms to ,meet the, demand, not including the handful of lilies of the valley I privately bestowed upon little Flora Cresswell for .her sweet similitude therewith, and I rather stood between them and Carlotta, whose replies 'began to wax short and sharp, like the snip of her pruning scissors ; and they were scarcely off before. she dashed down her gloves in despair. " Shut the door, good John," said she, " and say I'm gone to bed ; Oh, shut the door ! and say I'm sick, I'm dead!" She strode away leaving me to follow at my leisure, which I did just in time to catch an often request from Bill Ramble, who approached with a. basket on his arm-" S'Gorton, s'mapples?" I knew the meaning of the demand, being accustomed to his idiotic--I beg pardon-idiomatic use, of the vernacu- lar. It always reminded me of the old red school- house where the boys used .to pop up and say, Master, maint I g'-out-; t' git-s'mice to put'n my jacket t' keep ma nose from bleed'n?" After dispatching him to Winnie, I ascended to Carlotta's room, and entering- unbidden, I sat down by the window. "Good Gardener," said I, " I have come to read you my little bit of writing about our Red Cottage." Better indite a sonnet to the Harpies," replied she concisely.' ." On the contrary, you (know you enjoy extremely this pleasuregiving., and you would miss these daily visits and requests from your life, feeling as if your occupation was gone. What -,if Bianca Ashcroft were to fail coming for the geranium leaf and rose- bud at the next gathering'; or that forlorn, young. Frisbee) who eats your ginger-cakes, should show no more his dirty face,--how would you feel ?" "Well, well, Serena, go.on with your abuse-that is, with your poem," replied Carlotta, still ruffled in spirit ; "and let me get at something of import- ance. I was fain to proceed with .such encouragement as I got ; and I read in my best voice : OUR HOME. It is not a palace or castle hall With marble floor or ivied wall; And ancient parks of grand old trees Waving proudly in the breeze. Oh ro! our home"is a humble spot, The passer-by might mark it not, But there dwells love, Sweet love. The lowly roofris thick with moss, And vines;ofroses wind across Thi little porch ; And there in sweet, glad sum ir-ime, When all the flowers are in th prime, A little blue-bird builds her nt: She knows she is a welcome guest, For there dwells love, Rich lover Running comments by Carlotta during the reading! "Palace! no, I should say not; very far from it indeed." "Mark it not! I wish I could see such a passer-by : they all spot the place in a minute, and begin to-beg for posies,- "Yes-and it leaks like riddlee.1 " The roses are covered with slugs." "'Humph I blue-birds always build early, in the spring. THE RED COTTA CE. 26 27 page: 28-29[View Page 28-29] T11E PED COTTAGE. THE REtD COTTAGE. There's a little garden just below, Where hyacinths and daisies grow, And the bright anemone; And a gentle river runs along And sings a happy, gladding song. There grows the sweet forget-me-not : It tells a story to my heart, Of love, true love. The rooms within are low and small, One single picture deces the wall.-. Our mother's form. I've watched it when the sun went down, And te golden clouds grew dark and brown; I've fancied that the placid face, Where lingering love has left sweet trace, Has smiled on me: It looked all love. Dear love. "Yes, they would grow if people would. only leave them alone" "'River' I Gully Brook, I suppose : a muddy, galloping, trolloping thing, always full of chips and sticks, and bordered with pig-pens and hen coops, 'gladding song !?"' I noticed that Carlotta's stinging. comments sub- sided when'I came to the forget-me-nots[ and also that her fingers played restlessly with the little shell combs she held. I knew right well that she had a heart of her own, to which the smallmodest vergisz- meinnicht had never ceased to speak.. I watched her that day, before the Astor sailed. out in the garden, picking the little starry-eyed things; I saw her divide them into two clusters, and I know where her half are, still hidden-up in a queer old box; she didn't know I saw her;. I never told; her, but I won't reveal her secrets. That last verse is very nice, Serena," said she softly, after a brief silence. "Mother has got a saint's face, the poor blind mother I she used to call us her live senses. ' I love to think about it, and the boy Henry, crisp and impatient to us, was. always ready to read and talk with her and you, Serena; supplied the missing sight, so well, that she saw with your eyes, and I-ah ! I might have done better, but I loved her. I don't believe the youngest is ever good for much." "You make the richness and flavor of the place dear," said I; "our beloved is a garden of spices. "Thank you for your-two-sided compliment. ' . I was. a bit spicy to-day.over those 'rashly importu- nates.' There is a- nice dash of truth in your verses- Our old Red Cottage is a safe, quiet place-for some kinds of love." "I am glad you approve -ny poem, Carlotta, because I am thinking of sending it to the ' Crispy Onion' for publication." "Do, by .all means," Carlotta rose briskly; she heard the little gate clang, and her black eyes caught sight of a familiar .figure from the window. She ex- changed her mood of softened retrospect for a house- keeper's bustle. ."Heny is coming to dinner," said she, "with law-suits bristling all over him,'and the table is not laid. Come quickly, Serena; get out the jelly7- 28 r 29 , 4 ' . , _ page: 30-31[View Page 30-31] THE SWEE T SINGERS OF ISRAEL. CHAPTER II. THE SWEET SINGERS OF ISRAEL. OU will be pleased, my own readers, to- know. that we Red Cottageites belong to the Stone Church choir. Henry blows the flute and fills the chorister's chair, Carlotta leads the so- prano, and I- have the alto all to myself,. We take-great credit to ourselves, that we are al- wvays in our places of a Sunday, be it sunny or cloudy, wet or dry, cold or hot. Snowstorms are to us feathery delights ; we revel in them, we wrap our cloaks about us, and up we g 0--excelsior ! over the hill, over the canal bridge, pas the quiet stores, around corners, cleared for the day of loafing gentry; cleared of dozing old farm-horses, and dingy wagons, past saloons and beer-shops, from whence our holy r Sabbath has .turned forth their lounging tipplers, or hidden them in back places ; past village homes, right, to the church steps. Sure as the bell tolls we are there, in our places ; ready to rise into the very inspiration of psalmody, float in it, soaring on devotional wings. Do not for a moment suppose that we Red Cot- tageitesrconstitute the choral body ; on the contrary, many and many pretty maids come smiling in, bring- ing sunshine with them, at the call of the Sabbath bell, and with a rustle and a flutter settle behind the red curtain which shelters our sanctum from the pro- fane gaze ; and dimpled fingers, incased in fairy little gloves, agitate the leaves of the National Psalmody, when our pastor names the hymn, and young voices pour forth their fresh sweetness,-let us hope 'some- times acceptably, in orison-worship to our Heavenly Father. Besides these; on the bass side of our gallery, t4ere are, stalwart figures and thoughtful faces, the staple of our manhood, "praising God-and saying Halle- lujah'!" Among them for years and years, in fact long before I attained to the dignity of first alto, a stout-built, sturdy Dutchman has stood and - sung, firm as the everlasting hills, digging foundation deep 'for his heavy tones,. grinding them'hp by the card- not always to the chord perfectly regardless of the winks and nudges passing among his neighbors, or the, vehement adjurations of the afflicted chorister in rehearsals, or his stage whispers in hymn-time: "Piano ! Deacon Rotterdam; Pianissimo; affetuoso ! and do not beat time with your boot, if you please, Deacon Rotterdam." Carlotta says the good man 31. : page: 32-33[View Page 32-33] THE SWEE.7 SINGERS OF ISRAEL. THE SWEE T SINGERS OF ISRAEL. (f sings with the understanding also. Not a whit cares he; sometimes I think he really enjoys the nervous fid- gets his gritty grinding awakes in our sensitive Harry, and his frowning expression of the same. Indeed, he once said to a friend in confidence: "I don't b'lieve Gorton wants me to sing up gal- lery, and for that very reason I'm going' to sing." He is thoroughly orthodox, is Deacon Rotterdam, to the back-bone ; says he don't find any proof in his Bible that infants are saved, and is content to pin his faith to old John Calvin's coffin--burrowing in the' dark ages, and hugging the breme and ghastly belief. that they are all damned-probably, notwithstand ing he has young ones of his own pegetting around his hearthstone. I remember quite well how ashamed I used to feel for him, when, a little lassie, I had to sit and listen to his weekLy confessions of guilt in the evening conference ; and as I was just in the Decalogue for my Bible-lessons, I used to look at him, and, fit into him every commandment on the stone tablets, and wonder which he had last wickedly broken, and why he made a point of telling his fellow- sinners, instead of his God. Deacon Rotterdam looks askance at all innovations and improvements, even in the form of a contribu- tion-box, and stumps doggedly up and down the aisles, poking the long-handled money-chests under our noses, which our grandfathers contrived; he says, "they're just right, "good enough," and- though the little kists are battered and worn; he, won't hear of new ones. If a stray fiddle chance to find its way into'the alto seat, he anathematizes, it in good set terms, and advises, with a pious frown, to turn, out the irreverent interloper, neck and heels. Our worthy Rotterdam has never digested the good old Catholic doctrine, " in essentials, unity ; in non-essentials, lib- erty ; in all things, charity?' Any unlucky dog who happens to thrust, his pry- ing nose within the church-door 'during service is sure to attract the ever-watchful eye of the deacon, and he directly rises, clothed in majesty of office and squeaking boots, and kicks out the intruder, with no show of the Christian quality of mercy. His long swallow-tail keeps time to the motionof his heavy legs; his obstinate mouth dropped at the corners and his eyebrows threateningly gathered together are quite terrible to see, and poor Tray departs sniffling and whining, feeling perhaps that he might have kept better company. The small boys giggle and the little girls get pale,'and a diversion from the order of worship is created, and a few smiles, unbecoming the place, play about the composed faces of the older church-goers ; and the good man squeaks back to his pew, feeling that he has done holy service, and vindicated beyond all question the sacred solemnity of the consecrated house. Once, however, he drew upon himself an angry retort he little expected, from the owner of a smallish black puppy who had -"a turn for goin' to meetin'." He delighted to accom- pany his mistress, and when serion was about half over, would rise on his hind legs, place his fore paws r' ' . ,, 32 33- page: 34-35[View Page 34-35] 34 THE -SWEET SINGERS OF ISRAEL. on the seat-back, and .inspect the congregation with ludicrous gravity, and was quite likely to elevate his nose and his, voice during our psalmody with plain- tive, soul-harrowing howls; he would pit-pat through the aisles, and trot up and down the pulpit stairs, making the most of the larger liberty of animals.' Deacon Rotterdam disliked this dog: he wouldn't stay put, he wouldn't be quiet, and he bore down upon him horsewhip in hand; the lash overreached; but bringing up his corps de reserve--his Sunday boot-he sent him yelping, not out at the door, but in hiding behind the old gray skirt he knew he was always a welcome puppy to couch upon. She was an elderly maiden was the owner, and her dog was dear to her; she rose with puffed-out cheeks and fiery eyes glaring, and calling her injured pet over her shoulder, snapping her fingers and puckering her lips to say, "Pink,- Pink!" As she reached the door, Pink, close at her heels, she faced about, and jerked her chin at the deacon, who was awaiting her exit, with elbows squared and a ducked-in head, like a determined rhud-turtle, and exclaimed in an aggra- vated undertone, brought low by respect to the church, and concentrated. by rage at its officer, "Kick a daag, will ye! and a deacon, tu;" and so slamming the door she seemed to shake off the dust from her feet, for she never came to sit among us in heavenly places again. The Revere1 % metheus akepeace mildly reasoned with his official upon his overt acts, "interrupting the service," distracting the people, giggling tle children, "'twas throwing words THE SWEET SINGERS OF ISRAEL. 35 away," for "the deacon .still would have his will," and answered: "There's no use in dogs going to -meeting ; if they don't keep away, I'll lick 'em." We have gone on singing our hymns in our own fashion-, Sunday after Sunday, up in our choir, for years and- years. No ong has thought of invading our hallowed precincts, or calling us to account for our doings. When we acquitted ourselves well, the congregation' would smile blandly into their. hymn-books, approbatively beating time ; and when by any unlucky accident a tune got warped in our handling, they only made wry faces, sometimes going -so far as to cast reproachful glances at the red curtain ; but upon the whole, they looked up to us kindly, and respected our perform.- ances. But during all these speeding years there had been perfecting and maturing, among the majes- tic old trees of down-east Maine, a tall, lank Yankee, whose enterprise brought him one summer to refresh the dwellers of Merry Bank with the light of his re- markable presence. Squiirmwell was his name, and he and his equally tall and lank wife, did not approve our psalmody. Soon our true and tried adherents began to fall off, one by one. Faint whispers reached our ears, that somebody had told somebody else, that his brother's wife said that her uncle's mother-in-law had heard Judge Ashcroft say in the post-office that our music was behind the times ; and that Mr. Squirm well agreed with him that it did seem to be "dread- ful run deown, that's a fact, jest as true as you liver judge !-principal voices getting thin-and for my page: 36-37[View Page 36-37] 36 THE SWEET SINGERS OF ISRAEL. part, I don't think no great shakes of a flute in church, no way. Never had one in Shebunck, where I come from. I led the singin' there myself." As the new member was pretty busy heading com- mittees, blazing away at temperance meetings, and making himself, as-old Father Toplofty said, " amazing' conspicious everywheres," displaying ardent zeal, and also,,somewhiles, " the Roman infirmity of boasting ;" and his wife was quite as rampagious in her way, taking an active part in female prayer-meetings, as well as occasionally elevating her voice in promiscu- ous assemblies, in face of St. Paul's express prohibi- tion--we were at little loss to trace to its direct source the spreading disaffection. Before many months, Mr. and Mrs. Squirmwell be- came, by hook or crooks members of our choral body, he-executing the tenor, and she fending her vocal organs for the embellishment of the soprano. Though her rendering of the "neows and theous," was a little prominent on the high notes, still .e ac- cepted their services, and considered them helps in a general way ; in short, we looked upon their incursion with as much favor as could reasonably be expected be shown to " new uns" by old incumbents. But alas!1 we found ere, long to our cost that we were somewhat in the position of the youngusband, who -complamed to his father-in-law that his wife wouldn't be mistress of her own hooe- Oh yes, she will, I guess, Ben, if you'll let her," replied the old gentleman, THE SWEET SINGERS OF ISRAEL. 37 "No, she won't, darn her;! "- rejoined the tried spouse. "I tell you, .dad, she's determined to be master ! While our new stone church was in process of building, our choir were busy, after the manner of all choirs from time immemorial, talking and whispering in corners and by-places about the seats to be as- sumed by particular individuals; each claiming pre- cedence of somebody,; each stoutly declaring that he. or she wouldn't sing a note at any price, unless cer- tain coveted positions could be theirs, allotted beyond all doubt or question. Some of our body -carried their grievances to our minister, but he, like a wise and prudent pastor as he is, kept carefully aloof from all expression of opinion, intrenching himself behind "hums !" and " ah indeeds ! " as behind a wall. One Saturday evening at rehearsal, we were all quietly deposited behind the red curtain, except the Squirmwells. Henry named "Antioch " as the "morsel" for practice, and the little bustle caused by the rustling of our singing-book leaves, as we found-the page, had subsided. We all sat erect with our fore- fingers raised, and our lips in position to send.forth the "Joy," as soon as the clear ringing of the chor- ister's flute should herald it, when an uplifted voice in our rear proclaimed in accents so purely Yankee, that no throat in Merry Bank, except a Squirmwell,. could by -any possibility utter them. "'You'll hef to move along deown there ; my wife don't set in no seat in this gallery but the top seat." Y . Y page: 38-39[View Page 38-39] 38 27E SWEET SINGERS OF SIRAEL.T SIG All heads were instantly turned with this startling announcement, and- all mouths were a shade wider open than before with astonishment. There, to corro- borate the valiant assertion of her wedded lord, stood the female Squirmwell, in all the dignity of a new spring bonnet,. note-book in hand, quite ready and willing to, speak for herself. Directly before Carlotta the imposing figure reared its majestic height, "with head.uplift and eyes' that sparkling blazed," but as our little sister " showed no symptoms " of retiring, the forefinger of the determined intruder pushed sig- nificantly her plump shoulder. "What do you want?"' coolly inquired Carlotta. "Please set alongdeown." What for, pray?" So'st I can get in." "Impossible ! when I am thy captive, talk of chains, proud boasting cherub," was the reply .delivered in perfect sobriety, and a soft, quiet voice, which pro- yoked smiles from her neighbors, and entirely non- plussed Mrs. Squirmwell. As 'she was not able to shove out the speaker, however much she would have liked to do it, she wheeled about, and espying a va- cancy at the end of the bass row, she slid into it. "Never mind then ; this'll be head neow; he, he!" Her husband responded with a confirmatory "putty good, ho, ho !" and'removing her gloves with perfect aplomb, the lady turned with easy grace to me, who was looking on in mute wonder to see how she was making herself as much at home under our vine und fig-tree, as she could have done' in the distant 'forests of her native wilds. "What page is it, Sereny ? Oh I see ; tew thutty- tew, ahem-m-m ! " She had ample time to clear her tuneful throat, because I grieve to add that Henry so far forgot his dignity as chorister, as to fall back in his official chair, and laugh so long and so loud, '"that it looked doubtful whether his lips could ever again pucker sufficiently to meetthe embouchure of his instrument. He stopped at last, though, as did we all, Carlotta included, whom this episode more in- tensely tickled than any of us. If Mrs. Squirmwell had known the little woman as I know her, I think. she would have assumed a less boastful front. Carlotta is quite apt to pay her debts, and I for one felt that the newly acquired headship would prove no sine- cure to its proud incumbent. You ought to have seen Squirmwell swing into the tune, swaying his lank body about like a rock-maple in a: high wind; and heard him render the consoling words, " Kamfurt the we- ack ; drei thur taares" swelling and dying away in up and down strokes, like a writing-master's best flour- ishes. He rejoiced as a strong man who runs a race. I did not mention this little matter to you, my readers, because it is especially devotional-I don't for an instant pretend that it is'; nor was our Saturday- night rehearsal particularly promotive of worship in our Sunday orisons-but only to show you that we of the choir in the Merry-Bank stone church were after all much like our neighbors.: no worse-not much better. THE SWEET SINGERS - OF ISRAEL, 39 I r page: 40-41[View Page 40-41] 1 / HENR Y'S FIRST GUkeST.' CHAPTER III. HENRY'S FIRST GUEST. HAVE in my mind's eye a self-asserting lady, who has had considerable to say first and last about-" gala days-;'' but she was never at the Red Cottage, and consequently can-form no adequate conception of real gala days, such as we enjoyed. that summer when Kitty Clayton was with us, making glad our' earts by her joyous presence. I -must tell you how it came- about. The child's father was one of those migratory merchants, who do business in New Orleans, passing six or seven months- of each year among the mosquitoes and alligators, and the remainder in the North ; really living nowhere: keeping their families in some quiet nook, often the old homestead, and snatching brief intervals of do- mestic. pleasure with them--enough- to kep their hearts- warm, or make them sore, in the dreary inter- val of enforced absence. Paul Clayton's wife died while he was worrying his brain, taxing his energies, to make more money; and he dropped his uncompleted enterprises, and hurried home to Roaring River to find his hearthstone cold and. his dwelling empty, ; nothing left,, except the memory of household joys, of which she was the cen- tre and source ; and, hopes made almost certainties by the full assurance with which she had clung, to them. Oh yes, h ehad something left-alittle Mother- less girl, who had been his plaything and pet, but of whose needs for culture or care he had not the re- motest conception.; all that had been his wife's prov- ince. She was lying in the dead-house now, awaiting him in her coffin. He -took a look at the rigid face, which had not a smile for him. It seemed strange, so strange that his heart ached, and he could not help a shiver at the thought that her delicate limbs were cased in ice, and the kiss he took from the. frozen lips sent a dumb chill through him as if her- death had deadened his life. He, shut up the rooms to their -resounding emptiness ; locked the great hall-door, and never un- locked it again ; indeed, he sold the place afterwards to the Captain Slocum who married. Dulcet Petti- bone ; and after placing poor little Kitty at school, he went wearily back to his cotton press, a lonely, disappointed nan. He had been planning and work- ing for a' future - to be enjoyed in his native town, which he loved for its . beauty and its 'associations, with the wife for whom ie forswore the.society of all other women. U I I 4' page: 42-43[View Page 42-43] 42 HENRY'S FIRST GUEST. "Only one year more, dearest," said he, when he kissed her at the gate, that last autumn leave-taking. "gOnly one year more," he repeated to himselfas he drove away, still watching. the slender figure, and noting the sudden' dropping of the pretty head into the clasped' hands. He-knew how fast the tears were falling.-tears which had been bravely kept back, that' he might remember her last look in his face, a smiling one. " Only one year more," and. these miserable partings will be over forever. And they were over vt forever, and his labors vanity and vexation of spirit; out of his great wealth he could only build a marble tomb to hold her coffin. Though his name had syl- labled itself in the dying breath from her faithful lips, he was not there to catch the sound, which melted into thin air, and was lost. Nothing but blank emptiness left out of all his magnificent projects, his great ex- pectations. But what of it ? hundreds of such for- lorn and chilly hearts are-beating funeral marches all- around us. " Clayton. has lost his wife," said a gentleman at the.St. Charles dinner-table, when the news reached New Orleans.. " Yes ; poor fellow ! so i hear;" and that was all, though it is probable that some of the diners sent home a thought of dread among their own lares and penates. The' clatter of knives and forks went on; the political, argument was renewed, the last opera discussed; nobody.had sympathy to waste; all had their fortunes - to achieve, many with just such mo. tives as had pushed forward the widowed man they were discussing -so carelessly, and all pressed on in the eager chase. Paul Clayton too plodded on as usual. He had no especial incentive for changing his habits. It seemed much the same to him where he dined and slept ; life had got narrowed to extremely meagre limits- little daily treadmill in which he mechanically wrought ; and if his face grew paler and more worry and weary, he neither asked nor expected sympathy. Kittyhad never left Madame Devereaux's establish- ment in all the ten years which had elapsed since she was written motherless. She *had no near relations, her father being the last of the Claytons, and her mother an orphan. The Roaring River folks, the Bradshaws and Walsinghams, their old neighbors, paid her a few visits, and desired to fetch her away with them, but Madame declined to permit an absence unwarranted by her guardian, .and the child herself shrank from them as strangers. Her father though he lavishly supplied her with money, whia she as lavishly spent upon her whims and those of her school-mates, had 'ceased to express much fondness for his daughter in his infrequent calls ; and though she never forgot the old days of sweet petting, she left off expecting much, being one of those good little souls who drop easily into any niche, and accommo- date themselves to the inevitable. As she had no opportunity to measure her papa by;other papas, she accepted him as the general type of all father- 1 ENR Y'S FIRST GUEST. :3 page: 44-45[View Page 44-45] \. HENRY'S FIRST GUEST. hood, and his silence and reserve did not prevent her loving him truly, though it lost him a glance into the rich book of her affections, of which he never saw a leaf turned. A direct and urgent appeal -from Henry to Paul Clayton, his old friend, had effected this summer's release, and it was almost a happen so, because his meeting her at Madame Devereaux's was purely acci~ / dental. Going thither to place a ward (Henry has lots of wards of all sorts and sizes), he chanced to see Kitty on her pony ; and her sweet, childish face, and her equestrian grace, led him to inquire her name. He was utterly astonished to find her a daughter of the fellow he used to call "leetle Paul ; " and after a pleasant study of the fair maid, he desired to have her at the Red Cottage for, a season. Perhaps it was because he had known her parents, that Kitty's heart warmed toward the stranger;.or it might have been because he was nice, and kind, and genial ; but at any rate, she was glad to come away in his corppany -glad, even amidst the sorrow of turning her back upon the familiar faces ; and-she alighted among us one bright day like a merry sunbeam. Carlotta and I left everything to watch her. It seeded almost as if we were fifteen again, while we listened to tales of school-frolics "about the girls," about the parlor nights, and the horrid old Made- moiselle who called names in French she dared 'not utter in English, when she gut in a passion. We followed Kitty's dancing progress among our flowers; IR NRY'S FIRST GUEST. out in the orchard ; we showed her the pigs and chickens, and gathered for her whole'apronfuls of tulips and daffadowndillies, and Carlotta crucified her affections, in that she plucked a handful of her best and newest roses, which she offered to the guest as at a shrine. She was as sweet and natural as a peach-blossom. All the polishing-at Madame Dev- ereaux's finishing establishment for young ladies-- French, German, music, and everything extra-could not spoil Kitty. It was as much labor thrown away as t polish a white lily. She came from the hand of the good God so pure and perfect-so good and gentle-so overflowing with tenderness and dear love, that she could not be harmed by the most elab- orate system of boarding-school training in the vorld. She dropped into our quiet, country habits as easily as if she had been born under our roof-tree. We were never tired of watching her slight figure flitting about the old place, getting mirth, and amusement, and occupation out of everything. She followed Henry down among the pear-dwarfs, carrying on her plump arm his label-basket, and poking plenty of fun at his dilapidated garden hat, and rusty old coat, which Carlotta had long ago christened the "Peck- sniffian costume." She watched the process 'of budding the young, straight, lithe trees, slender and vigorous, like her own elastic youth, with the pret- tiest little puckered-up, dimpled mouth, - and the busiest eyes imaginable. Even Mrs. Ramble took to her. Mrs. Ramble-saidshe was a "real likely little 4 t page: 46-47[View Page 46-47] HENRY'S FIRST GUEST. creator," and told her upon her first visit that it would be a pity if such a nice, white skin should be scorched all up in everlasting torment, and exhorted her to get religion right away, and enforced her preachment with an encouraging stanza from her favorite hymn: "Behold the hardened sinner goes, Laden with guilt and heavy woes, Down to the regions of thedead, With endless curses on his head I The dust returns to dust again; The soul in agonies of pain Ascends to Heaven, not there to dwell, But hears her doom and sinks to Hell/ " As she sing-songed the time-honored rhymes, w hout taking her eyes off the blooming face, it naturally blanched a little under the Christian admo- n ion. We are told that there is a time for every- thing under the sun ; but Mrs. Ramble recognized all times as opportunities for talking goodie, goodie, which she called "laboring in the vineyard." She brought her knitting and -spent the day, soon after Kitty came ; though she announced, a she dropped her old bonnet with the horse-hair eve lastings upon the floor beside her, "that she couldn't stay a second, hardly." We always expect to see Mrs. Ramble's rusty bombazine at an early period, when new guests arrive at the Red Cottage; with the inevitable blue sock she .is always footing for the truckman, and 46 .- HENRY'S FIRST GUEST. 47 ,which, like Penelope's weaving, never seems any nearer completion. She says she " allus thinks it is jest as pleasant to visit folks when they've got com- pany, 'cause then she feels as if she warn't puttin' on 'em out any; n' as they've got to be sprigged up all the while, and have lots of little notions on hand to eat." Mrs. Ramble professes vehemently to despise creature-comforts, and being one of those " cold- potato Christians," whose religion consists in attend- ing all sorts of meetings, travelling from house to house, and exhorting to reform, especially in any pleasure she is incapacitated to partake of, her family have very few opportunities for experiencing any sur- feit of home enjoyments. Mrs. Squirmwell also approved of Kitty. She came and hugged her, and asked her divers questions, read ,a chapter with her, invited her to join her Sunday- school class, and told her Mr. Squirmwell wanted' to have her "come deown teown and take a dish of tea along of him "-we expected her also, because she drops her piety about promiscuously as- an ostrich does her eggs-and I laughed when Kitty came and said, 4"Oh Serena ! what an awful good woman 1" page: 48-49[View Page 48-49] CHAPTER IV. " WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK I." T is now several summers since we brought dur flower-garden to a -reasonable state of perfection, and being sure that it could hold no more " battle giants," "lady's delights," Baltimore Belles, or " parroquettes," we of the Red Cottage naturally bethought ourselves, that a few bee-hives would have an agreeable effect, scattered about among the low-branched apple-trees, besides paying us nobly with frequent caps of delicious honey. Kit North-peace to his ashes !--has said, "what is a cottage without bees ?" we, being fully of his opinion, decided in full conclave that a colony should be forthwith invited to domesticate themselves in our Arcadia, or, in other words, that we would brain them home and force them to stay as the Sabines did their wives so many years ago, when our old world was 3 If "WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE L URK I." young, and no " manuals of politeness " or " eti- quette of courtship " had been issued, before Carleton had got out the " Habits of Good Society." We selected to receive them .one of the greenest, shadiest spots in our whole domain, and erected:t ere a little temple dedicated to the Hivites ; not an of those pig-headed old heathen who were always giv g the descendants of Abraham so much trouble, cau ing them- to "pitch " here and there among the hills of Canaan, to the imminent risk of their patriarchal necks, but the industrious workers in wax of the tribe of Apis, who also number amongst them, as we found to our cost before summer ended, Hitites of the surest and most unerring aim. Our new ornaments looked so pretty and pictur- esque, so neat and white, showing above the green grass, and the busy inhabitants commenced to ply their trade from the very first with so much briskness and alacrity, flying hither and thither, with a sooth- ing, droning sing-song; saluting the apples-blossoms, diving into the honeysuckles, sipping at the violets, winging their way in select parties from successful excursions, filled with sweetness, loaded with yellow wax, that notwithstanding. we got inkling of some stormy debates going on in the house, of which we lobby-members failed to catch the significance, we still maintained a high state of satisfaction, and began already Barmecidially to enjoy the flavor of the deli- cate morsels we intended to roll under our tongues, and we beheld (also Barmecidially) great. masses of page: 50-51[View Page 50-51] 50 "WHERE THE BEE -SUCKS THERE LURK I." melting nectar upon the table, neighbored by Car- lotta's wondful biscuits, wherewith we meant to delectate ourselves and our friends. We were never tired of watching their labors, and purchased "Bevan on the Bee" and divers authors on the same topic, and studied them sedulously; found out all the curious habits of the family of Apis, how they lick and otherwise train up their young Queens - as a mother puss does her kitten. Car- lotta said that if some queens we read about got; more lickings in their childhood, their subjects would have better times under their reigns, probably, Henry made an especial journey to Toptown, that he might order a copy- of the wonderful old Antwerp book, 1648, entitled the-" Spring of the Honey Fly," and also the more venerable essay which is traced back to the age of Democritus, 46o years before Christ, called the "Portrait of the Honey Fly," showing how bees are "bred from the purest juice ex- haled from flowers in summer," and describing the superior or King bee as springing from a blossom more noble than _common flowers, and also noticing the second king of a season, as a false king or truant, calling him the usurping prince who plays the flute to divert the bees; and before long Carlotta and Henry sided off into factions, one swearing by Huber and.the other quoting Huish, and after the fashion of all intense people riding hobbies, they..waxed warm in argument, and used more interjections than areadmissible in polite society. " WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK ." 5 Carlotta also hunted up poetic scraps bearing upon her new fancy, and recited- "My banks they are'furnished with bees, Whose murmgs Wwite me to sleep." To wnich Henry added, How doth the little busy" -and we squinted a good deal under the corners of the hive, and through the glass windows, in hope to get a view of- the imperial majesty who queens it right royally over her subjects. It is true 'Carlotta sometimes scolded concerning the sad havoc these Hymenoptera made amongst her flower-pets, tearing the delicate blossoms quite to rags, opening prematurely the, rose-buds, pulling off the Turk's caps ; but Henry opened a discourse on a "garrulous Honey Eater," so named on account of its singularly talkative propensities, and remarked reflectively that it was really curious how well she answered its description. "The coloring of this bird is sober, but pleasing, the top of its head is black, the face dun, brown, and the eyes deep hazel." Carlotta replied that to'be a bee or not to be a bee was a question she should settle in her next metempsychosis, taking comfort in.the fact that it is the females alone who are able to sting their enemies: Our Hivites wre in the main good-natured. If we ventured "too lose, they would-dart .out with an admonitdry "phiz "-and sometimes Jim, our big Maltese, cat, woul come prancing across the iooms; 11 page: 52-53[View Page 52-53] (, 52n" WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK I." through the door upon the floor, spitting and growl- ing over his shoulder at his winged pursuers, rolling over and over and pawing his ears; then we said quietly to-each other: "Poor Jim! the bees are after him." As midsummer approached, and the sun poured down hot and-hotter, and their corps of fanning-mills could not keep the hive cool, it became quite another affair; none of us could go near the hive, but half a score of angry workers of the "K.m. dm Ghallager " persuasion would pounce upon us, their stings in battle array ; evidently the mandate had been buzzed out by the licked Queen, "sting 'em-settle 'em "-and we learned to keep at a respectful distance from their quarter, in our walks around our half acre, and we much sympathized with the torments of the mis- guided cat, who could not leave them alone. One hot day in July-the hottest of the season-I was busily collecting the materials for building a double-decker apple-pie, and thinking of the cool spring where the Persian Prince filled his drinking- cup-in the leafy wood, and of the little ripples around the bank which musically kept time to the sportive splashes of "Nymphs bathing," in a picture I was fond of up at the Quince Bush, and wishing for a Russian ice-palace, or a little Esquimaux snow-hut, or--when Carlotta rushed in, trowel in hand;.and quiteout of breath. --- "For gracious sake ! " she burst out, "do run!" "What is the matter? " I inquired, pushing the pie " WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK 1." 53 into the cupboard. "Is the toll-gate on fire, the canal running out, or is Mrs. Ramble coming to spend the day?" "Nothing of the sort!" she replied, gesticulating frantically, with the earth-stained implement she held ; "the bees are swarming!" "Oh, is that all; I am delighted. to hear it; I'll finish my double-decker and take a look at them." "But I tell you the ungrateful wretches, the Huishites, are making for the woods !-we are going to lose the whole posse, and their name is legion!" "No, no, that won't begin to do," said I, hurriedly restoring the much vexed pie to its seclusion ; " we must stop them ; we will distract them with discord- ant sounds, which they cannot bear ; hard noises mix their wits. That was not the original -reason, though, why tin pans were used in pursuing vagrant honey-flies-you see the Anglo-Saxons had a law that any person going ott of the highway into pri- vat. property without blowing a horn was liable to punishment, but as--" "Well, Serena, to hear you ambling on with your honey-flies .and horns, when the pestilent bees are making tracks, verily you let your moderation be known to all men." "I had to wash my hands of the double-decker; but I am through now." There they were, sure enough ! "thicker than the 'autumnal leaves which strew the brooks in Vallombrosa," and heading, as well as I could make out, for Gully Brook, and the * page: 54-55[View Page 54-55] 54 -"WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK Z" dim wild-wood, as fast as their gauzy wings could carry them. So I ran out and hailed a promiscuous boy who happened to be looking over the garden fence close to the waxen lilies, so close, in fact, that one dirty paw was pushed through the pickets in the act of grasping the stalk of a fair er. I promised him a basket of early apples, ditt of pears, and a fist- ful of roses, if he would run. u to Henry's office with the important'intelligence. Then Carlotta and I armed ourselves with a great basin apiece, and an iron spoon, with which we outdid the gongs on a' Joss day, and gave chase to the recreant host. It became evident that the Queen was of the "new-de- parture " party, and was determined to found a king- dom of her own, all under the greenwood tree ; all- our drumming and shouting were of no avail. They soared al9ft, a solid phalanx of. buzzing wings; they would not be persuaded by otir musical performances; they were deaf to the voice of the charmers. Luckily, before we were quite' melted, Carlotta bethought herself to throw cold water on their plans, and she turned- the whole force of the hydraulic ram among them. This caused a panic, and. the Queen ordered a halt in a branch of an apple-tree to con- sider the situation. By the time Henry arrived they, were all there ; the branch was black with them, hanging, they only knew how, one, from another. We brought out our best hive, rubbed it well with sweet thyme, as Bevan advises insuch a case ; that is, I did it, while the Hubers and uishites were disput- uIhtswrelipt "WHERE -THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK I." 55 ing over the proper herb to use, one insisting on majoram, and the other asserting that sage was the only rubber. Our "patent glass ventilated" being duly placed on a table under the tree, the next step was to persuade the Hymenoptera to descend and take possession. " Now, .then,- Henry ! " said Carlotta, her arms akimbo, expectantly. "Now, then, run under and give them a shake, and there we are all safe." " Hui-yes, all safe, of course, that is the proper course to take; but you see the rascals always sting a fellow without mercy," replied he, squinting doubt- fully up at the pendant kingdom. He had taken the precaution to protect his'face with a long green veil tied around the brim of his stove-pipe, and which draped fantastically about his masculine shoulders, ludicrously out of keeping with his office-coat, etc., and had incased his hands in gloves. { Urged by the impatient Carlotta, he rushed desperately in, and giv-s ing the loaded limb a quick shiver, down they came, not as we hoped, in solid content, housed and homed in their .inverted hive;' but a buzzing, surging, an ry mass, "a gust of rugged wings," even to the middle bee, the centre -of the community. The outsiders quickly detached themselves, and gave us chase, with a suddenness and precision of purpose which fully avouched their resolution to do and die. Obeying Lady Macbeth's directions to her guests, e stayed not upon the order of our going we-went: at once, running like mad, fighting unseen foes, page: 56-57[View Page 56-57] 56 "WHERE THE BEE SUCKS THERE LURK I" striking out blindly at our pursuers, dodging the smoke-house, circling round the hop-poles, like happy peasants on a May day:. Henry, leaving a keepsake of his green veil on every bush and twig which claim- ed such token, fill a greedy buck-thorn took ,the remainder,. hat and all included, leaving his head ex= posed to the enemy, and showing his eyes- in fine frenzy rolling. In and out, and around about, we fought and raced and plunged and scampered, taking refuge at last down cellar among the apple-bins and cider-barrels, and even there one or two followed us. Jim was close at our heels, green-eyed and enormous ; whether he believed us out on a midsummer-mad frolic, or appreciated the situation, he kept pace with our erratic flights, and jumped the last ditch-pork- barrel ahead of us all. We did not see each other clearly for many days, and disposed as soon as possible of our sticky pets to a bee-master, who could impunibly lift the wretches by the handful Huber and Huish were shelved, and we walked where we liked, without the danger of trespassing on Tommy Tiddler's ground and finding TQmmy Tiddler at home. 4 -I CHAPTER V. LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. VERYBODY is liable to change of opinions; and I have observed that where once a hobby has been trotted into a life, it is pretty sure to amble insinuatingly, back at intervals, although kicked out ever so ignominiously. Carjotta declared some while ago that she couldn't abide bees ; she would never again harbor the unpleas- ant, pilfering, vindictive wretches about the place ; but she was the very one to-propose restoring the hives. She said she missed the honey from her cakes, the spiced metheglin from her drinks, the wax front her stores. I privately. think she missed the pleasant occupation of watching the workers, and their- dron- ing sing-song from her-summer music; at any rate the reinstatement of the Apis family under our trees was a thing accomplished, through the medium of a newspaper, the very summer of Kitty Clayton's coming. Carlotta read one morning in a_" Courant,' 8* "WI N page: 58-59[View Page 58-59] 9 LORD FEIGNING'S DAtIGHTER. which somehow found its way to our breakfast table, that a " small swarm of bees, enough for seed, was recently sent by mail from Lancaster.to Washington. The.means employed for their transit was a block of wood, about six inches in length, four inches wide and an inch and a quarter thick. Four holes, an inch in circumference, were bored through the block with ax auger, in each of which were confined a queen bee and half a dozen workers, the germ of a colony. Each end of the orifice was protected by a wire screen, affording ventilation; the postage amounted to twenty-one cents. Instantly, Carlotta was fired with enthusiasm to get such a nucleus from Lancas- ter, and wrote that very day to Washington for infor-. mation. She got it ; and before we had really made up our minds to a repetition of our well-remembered, annoyances, behold Tommy Tiddler was at home once more, and Huber and Huish in full blast again. The auger-hole family was neighbored by half a dozen households in swinging hives, all as busy as bees. The tribe dwelling under the strawberry apple threat- ened to swarm, and, we were sitting with Kitty, as near as safe to them, armed with tin utensils and porridge sticks in order to anticipate .any disposition they might show pour prendre congs, when Henry came' quickly down the garden-path, his veil in one' hand, and an open letter in the other. I observed that the serenity of his usually benign countenance was somewhat clouded under a mist of perplexity. "Oh, by the way, girls," he commenced, apropos LORD FEIGNING'S -DA UGHTER. 59- to nothing, and leaving, in the midst of a' bar, the doleful tune he was humming-he is always hum- ming a tune, and we discern his moods by the plain- tive or uproarious melodies he makes choice of- "oh, girls,- Belle Brandon is coming to make us that visit very soon." "Us!" exclaimed Carlotta; "speak for yourself, Mr. Gorton, if you please ; you invited 'her, and though I shall not follow the fashion of a lady I know, who locks up the' china and -stores when her husband has guests; and bids him entertain them as he can, I mean you shall have all the trouble as well as pleasure of'the job you have planned." 4" Now, Carlotta, do not be unpleasant ; I wish you had a husband to keep you in order ; I could give him a few hints "-he went on pretending 'not to hear her running commentary, "Bachelors' wives, etc."-" No woman- should lock up my - china twice. I certainly shall do -my. best to make our pleasant old home agreeable to the coming lady. I can't make puddings and pies; I've got some prec- ious little women-folks. who excel in that vocation, fortunately. This girl comes of a good family-the Vernon Brandons, you know ; and she is an uncom- monly stylish, attractive: person, one whose stay you will find pleasurable, if you do not incase yourself in foolish prejudice beforehand, woman-fashion-have all your opinions prejudged. Her form is fair, fqr plastic nature worked with pleasure on her stature, and sI e is as bright as a button." . is page: 60-61[View Page 60-61] LORD FEIGNING'S DAV'GHITER. Although Henry replied quietly, I saw he was nettled at Carlotta's mischievous, unbelieving face; and I.would have made an effort to suppress herif I had not known, from long experience, that it was a thing impossible. If I ever trod on her toes, hoping to stop a speech, she would turn on me and say, "Now what do you mean, Serena, by stepping on my corns? You know quite well that I never learned the deaf and dumb language of the feet;" and so bring me to open confusion. And, therefore, I cut inrather uncivilly with a common-place remark "Quite true, Henry; as you say a remarkably i ce family. Three brothers came over with Wil- liam the Conqueror, and landed on Bunker Hill in the ' Mayflower,''where their descendants have lived ever since on the top of the Monument-taking care of the Beacon light-and I, for one, shall be im- mensely glad to see this merinber of it. I only hope she won't be a t1-ifle, just a trifle-a hint of a tint of. a shadow of a shade out of place amongst as unvar- nished folks."a I glanced somewhat ruefully up at'the old Red Cot- tage which snugged itself cosily enough, it is true, amongst its roses and posies and-greenery, but which was all corners and odds and ends, with its wood- house and well-house and dilapidated old barn, where the soft-soap was stowed away side by side with the garden-tools; and where Henry's Peckspif. ran costume fluttered from a ruty spike, agitated by each "wi'stlin wind," "We can eat the stylish creature well enough, but the puzzle is, where we are to sleep lher,' said Car- lotta; "of course the arks she calls trunks will gorge the spare chamber, and certes she must abide among them, or share the pig-pen with Willie Winkie." "Most assuredly she, shall be put in the spare chamber; that point admits of no, discussion,", re- plied Henry, with extreme promptness. Now we have but two, guest places in the Red Cottage: one, of them small, low, plain, with furni- ture vhich has been there always ; the other, named "Blue Corner," a fanciful boutade of Henry's, and always devoted to his choicest friends. Of course, Kitty Clayton inhabited it at present, and her pretty belongings adorned it, and her dainty trifles scattered about it pleased me mor than the primrnest order. It is built in an odd angle,.finished quite up to the high-peaked roof, and the ceiling is curiously frescoed with, tropical flowers on a deep-blue ground. A little Egyptian lamp, which Henry broughtback whenhe let his beard grow, and went lotus-eating swings from an azure cord in the centre, where all the carved beams meet. In one corner stands a Pompeian brasier, which in summer serves as vase to great flower-bunches, and winter, for burnngthe odorous cones of the cucumber-tree, of whose sei perfume Carlotta.-is exceeding foid. The narrow pointed windows are hung with blue damask_ and white lace; the carpet is a magical sprinklig ofpa golden corn-poppies upon an azure bed;:and the f + 6o LORD , FEIGNING'. DA UGHTER. k page: 62-63[View Page 62-63] LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. dainty furniture of clear, curly maple, so finely, deli- cately coigred, that the bunches of painted field- flowers scattered over them seen floating on a bed of liquid amber. Henry suffers none but. pretty maids to inhabit the Blue Corner ; masculine habili ments have never desecrated its hallowed precincts; masculine snores have never resounded within its -delicious interior, Kittyhad listened to our debate with a in pan in her lap ready for action, in which Jim lay 'circularly icoled,, his Maltese tail softly waving, and his eyes blinking at the birds who were- restless fluttering in and out of their rustic habitation at the top of a hop pole hard by the smoke-house. "Dearest people," said she, "please tell me some- thing: who is Belle Brandon, and why do you make such a coil about her coming? I hope you did not sit in familycouncil over me in such a dreadful fashion. If I thought it, .I would want to go away directly." Indeed, but we did then," replied Carlotta quite candidly, "'and I assure you I much dreaded the in-. troduction.'of a boarding-school miss into our quiet house. Henry, it is true, painted the pretty child in glowing hues, but Henry sometimes blunders where Women are in question ; all is gold that glitters, to his eyes, as witness this. Saratoga belle of many seasons he is about to quarter upon us. There! don't curl your sweet lip, honey; You are my own darling, my comfort, my blessing. He did not blunder that once,' but wrought by inspiration thrice inspired." Carlotta punctuated each epithet with a kiss and a small hug. Kitty's face cleared, and she listened to the remainder of our confabulation in amused content. "You see, Kitty, Miss Brandon laid siege to- Hen- ricus last year at Niagara. I believe she confessed to a violent impulse to make-a headlong plunge into the seething current under Goat Island bridge, and was only restrained from the rash, fatal act by his strong, manly embrace, and her emotions, poetic, beautiful, interesting, culminated in a burst of tears on his shoulder." "Don't be absurd, Carlotta," cut in Henry in an an- noyed tone; "luckily we are ckez nous, or you might give me a reputation. You certainly earn one of dili- gent spinner of yarns." Our gardener went easily n as though her talk had been continuous. "Yes, the dashing, stylish beauty fished for her man, like St. Peter; she. angled for an invitation here, ,though "hy she desires te bury her charms in this out of-the- way place, I cannot divine. She was bewitching and Henry was bewitched, and behold the result! a fash- ionable woman, a hackneyed belle, domesticated in our old-fashioned corner, where she will be. as much in keeping as a bird of paradise in a hen-coop: all our independent ways must be infringed ; our privacy invaded; we must pick our words, mince, speak small, trim our motions to manner, be interviewed in season and out of season, treated to a rehash of re- -ected lovers for dinner and supper. I shouldn't be a mite sur ised. if she made a rule to dine at six I I: 62 LORD FEIGN NG'S -.DA UGHTER. 63 i _ _ , _ _J "e a_ page: 64-65[View Page 64-65] LORD FEIGNINGS DAUGHTER. I'd like uncommonly much to have her try it on; and who is to do the fancy cooking ? She sings, we are told-look out for squalls about these days; she sits up-late, of course. I shall shut the house at half-past nine, just as the clock strikes." Now look how Carlotta is putting herself in a nice preparatory fume. You may as well take pa- tience and, be good-tempered," replied Henry, with his usual mannish way of finishing a debate,. "She is coming anyhow. One swallow doesn't make a sum- mer, but, one will serve to gulp down your wrath. You will survive her visitamong other shocks of time, and if you approach the lady in a proper spirit you will find her a delightful companion. I assure you I did.": "Proper spirit! interjected Carlotta. "Ap- proach the lady!" "By the foot of Plutarch ! there she blows !" ex- claimed our lawyer, beating out a ",rum te dum tidi dum" withhis tin pan and iron spoon, and printing to a dense body all wings and stings, which was gath- ering in the air above us. "Strike the cymbals, ladies, while I take the veil." Nimbly darting hither and thither, we forgot the coming guest in the spirit and variety of his remarkable evolutions and the ab- sorbing interest of hiving our bees, which we accom- plished successfully. CHAPTER VI. "YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." IME is the nurse and breeder of all events," and time brought forth the day of Belle Brandon's arrival. Carlotta and I had been stewing ourselves all the morning over the kitchen stove, getting up custards, tipsy cake, and other trifles. Kitty had picked and shelled the early tom- thumbs. Uenry had been diligently churning, his masculine proportions elegantly draped in a protect. ing table-cloth, and the never-failing old hat resting upon his curly pate ; and the longer he wielded the dasher, the more rakishly it tilted to one side, and the more ruefully discontented he looked. Our law- yer hated above all things to be asked to churn; anl though he rarely refused, he made our lives a bur den to us by constantly flapping up the lid to insect probabilities of coming butter, and spattering cream V^ .£ .l :F f 4 i _i r i -, ti 64:. ,'",i page: 66-67[View Page 66-67] ( f " w ,'lam - t+ - _ }" _ YI 66 clots all over the place, glibly analyzing the lacteal fluid into 'its constituent elements, so that I was out, of conceit of the compound, hating to feel that I was dining and supping off salts and gases. ~The .wry faces he executed under our jokes were an honor to his head as well as his heart ; but his help was quite likely to be as much plague as profit, because he rarely had patience to await the consummation of his labor, and we were often obliged to drop whatever we had in .'hand and complete his unfinished job. /.As the tall kitchen clock struck elevenour dairyman 'hastily cast off his disguise, as Achilles 'arose from spinning amongst the women with the first blast of Ulysses' trumpet; and wiping away theplen- tifu sprinkling of incipient butter from his cheeks and beard, he started to array himself for meeting the guest at the station. Look here! is that churning done? what o'clock. is it? " inquired Carlotta from the pantry, where she was up to her elbows in the fancy cooking shehad so solemnly abjured. "Bythe foot of Plutarch [Henry was fond of swear- ing;Bobadil's'favorite' oath]yIl see no reason why thou shouldst be so superfluousas to demand the time of ay; as to the game of rumble-de-thump I shall play it no longer; you must call in Winnie; I must away to youth and beauty and;jocund smiles" And, array edin his attiest' hat and coat, al.d carying under his. arm the little }e he cut with hi owi jack-knife from the cedars'. of Lebanon, he whisked through the gate, and, sauntered up the plank-walk, drawing at his gloves, and h untming his gayest air. He had an uninvited companion' too, in his walk, because, the moment our Alderney heard the snap of the wicket, and discovered her master's voice discoursing mgsic, she trotted after him, beg- ging, with outstretched neck for the apple he was* accustomed to bestow. He took her attendance easily, being well used to it, till he met Bianca Ash- croft and Jerusha Peacock, who performed screams of terror at the idea of a little dun sea-cow onthe sidewalk; and he spoke so sternly to. his petted favorite, that she stopped short, casting reproachful glances from her Juno eyes, and finally wheeled about with a parting .loo, and reti'rned, her head lowered, brooding evidently upon the mutability of human friendships, and took her stand by the barn- door, chewing the cud'of sweet 'and bitter fancies. When the lumbering old stage stopped at our door, and Belle Brandon alighted politely assisted by Henry with the "very Jacob's staff of complimen," her magnificent beauty, ripe as he.rvest, had a bewil- dering charm, which struckeven me, who am not easily impressed by flesh and blood perfections, and I fell to studying her blue eyes and blonde curls, noting how she coolly appropriated her escort'sat tensions, making no scruple of piling hisa.rs wih he multitudinous shawlsbags, books, et also obsryingliow she exhibit her sharp, hitteethi fascinating smiles hich setout her dimipleswhen e " YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." 67 t "YO (IRS TR UL a , GROZ E .FLAIR. page: 68-69[View Page 68-69] YOURSS TRUL GORGE BZR " 4 was presented to us; though with a' covertly super- cilous glance at our=calico gowns and heated faces. She closely scanned Kitty Clayton in her fresh white : muslin, her smoothly shining hair floating over her white shoulders, and took instant note of the exquis- ite chain and ornaments around her neck, and the blue enamelled watch in her belt, and Etruscan brace- let,.ffine cutting spanning her small, round'wrists. While throwing-off her hat and duster in our spare chamber, where.we politely left her that she might say her prayers,*arrd render thanks for her safe voyage, she glanced over the homely furniture with curling lip_ " An antediluvian old-affair," she muttered, our- ing some water into the room basin 'of brown edgewood which came down to us from our great- great grandmother, andwhich we prized above rubies. " Well, I wouldn't hae. believed that Harry Gorton's hone could be such a place as this. Ye powers!what abedstead! .'Ihope theyprovide a ladder for.the ascending and'descenlding angels; I, for one, couldnever scale unheled so'dangerous a height. It =is indeed a lbfty toerof refuge; and behold also. wonders of art upon-thewalls'She burst into.'a realnatural' en ing laugh, as, she scanned 'my mother's , 'cvre. A weeing willow berding over a atone and a neeing gre beneath: it shadoW' and her:,name-Grace Srlig-wre n aelss on the tie.y#419ie4 mar gin;the lines are y awry and hecc rs are " YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." I 69 peculiar, but there is nothing about the old place we prize more highly, except the marvellous rug before the bed of cut rags'sewn with patience into shapesof impossible- animals, and the counterpane of d locate quilting, all the work of ,the precious mother i her sweet youth, before her pretty eyes had lost sight±of her children. There isn't the least doubt that-the things are grotesque and queer; in fact,;our meddling friends do advise their banishment to the garret,.and Belle Brandon of course knowsnothing of their 'his: tory-so after all she was not to blame'for he r.laugh,, Which was at- any rate brimming with mirth, and as natural a .thing as she aid during her whole 'stay at the Red Cottage. " I hope I may be so blessed as to make my stop short here," said she, drying her dimpled.fingers on the towel.; ' dare say they mightn't'be ovr' pleased to know that the visit-is of the:sort vulgarly called Jackwat-a-pinch;' I could not afford.to'pay my board Aunt Isadore wasgruffuand impractica= ble, andall my other invitationsame to nothing see they are not rich butthey are a reteable old family.2 The Irish.Gortons andtheEglisal n dons need not*fear raking up their -antecedeits,..th fortune. Illtry to make it"payrnesomehow cha summer quarters,if noting r save my bring my good look AEh howhuny I am.! these quet county houses?'are famous places for good eating; I wonder what t diner." 5 . ,. . , - . ; - page: 70-71[View Page 70-71] a ' .70 "YOURS TRULY, G4QRGE BLAIR." Raving performed"her ablutions, the next thing she did was to draw back theniuslin curtain, and with a handglass she _took from her travellxg bag, carefully to inspect.her complexion, fearful of'freckles. As she turned to the same recetacle fra healing lotion she believed remedy for=those beauty-kill ers, she displacedand knocked down from the dres- sing;table. a little cigar holder of Campeachy wood, carved with a Dhole's head. Miss Walsingha;m, of the Quince Bush, gave it to me, and I thinkishe got it from.n Craigenfeis. Upon the stem wa's cut in up- right characters made brilliant with carmine= "Yours truly, George Blair." The workmanship was delicate, and the. rich veining. of the, dark wood ,was rare enough to make the trifle a bij9u; but it was something more which fastened the steely eyes of the blonde upon it, somethingmore which suffused er creamy heeks withaflood of crimson. The f is, she had seen the toygbefore, at a very critical timeihcareer, when se. had been the eve of mriae with rich old felon who unselfishly de- redtoenderherlife happy; andnrete name she a ig bongedto g t handsome giantwhom sh had come as, near to loving aseer she had been inthe whole of her flirting course. She had bey' ;a 'gil f sxtenthenand he:. anohe wma'shus- ;but tha hd not indered the spadig of h er w and usingall hr hre to e i She failed, however-.signally failed, The .iant was ue beyond her' power enmtaon nd h lost "YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAR." also the rich husband. She opened a drawer;and hastily thrust the bauble out of sight. If I believed in omens," said she, "whiciek- ily I don't, I should feel sure that ray coming:to this house was ill-fated. I must find out the history of' that unpleasant thing, and also the compass and capacity of the debonairGorton's acquaintance.:I wonder \if he numbers that blacksmith a umong his friends I don't care about going over thosedays, even in thought; although I make it apoint toinore all failures .and unlucky occurrences. One fact-is; patent : I am twenty-seven: -years old; and n'nearer being married than I was then; not so near, I think I wouldn't have believed it could have come out so. I may live to regret not taking old soap-fat,'the grease collector, whom Aunt Isadore pressed upon me. How I should like to be sixteen once nmore!_ would try to be good? no, to be'rich-money is tl - most useful goodness I know. Peradventure there is some 9ld patty here-I must as ertain. 'ours truly, George 3lair.' Wha a ha nidsm felwhie was-! If there had not been a rpingad misnin agement somewhere, he must have' been ffuet lover-my olden spouse:' Hweiho! what ashe' had!" Her reflections had not hindered her m inga. splerid toilette, and now she rustled out throghthe narrow hall, and glanced inlit the half-open door=of the Blue Corner whereKityt sway ca beck and forth in her-little r kinghair; her ull ' ...4"j ' page: 72-73[View Page 72-73] "YOWS TALY1, GEORGE BW!?." Jn roses and lilies, which she was leisurely ar- ngigin vases designed for Belle's apartment hose ro s thi pray said the bnde, zither rudely pushing wide the portal and advancing u bidden. " eine, replied 1 itty pleasantly isn't it a beauty?l3lue Cprner we callit. Come ! get down, Jim; etheadythe arm-chair. I never saw such a cat ! where do youkeep your manners? youwere not taught inmysehol eaways rosep before our elder and rs-hat's right! jump on my bed; now I hope youfeel qeuitcornf5dtable" dTheseiadioiitinswere addressed to our big Mal- tese cat,mho-assistedataall Kitty's occupations, and Shothughonearythe size of a Marguay, graciously pitted her to worker sweetwill withi him; hd was skedb our ,oldfriend Rainbow, and inherited the paalduble paws,-indomitable courage and ei- nent' oial qualities, and hadbebrougt tohisi pres- entheaven ain a hand-basket by Miss Walsinghm, in ,andtearly stake of kitteood arnd 1estowedtpon us asanesp dal treasure . }- ; d ousyabut and a lowering coud of discontent settled uponhrhnsm etrs der handsome features " itea'leach bowerrally; one wuld ntu- rly pp hi the cdnayroorni of the tis," ans r ycompsedly arrain er pace hIth as much." ' .YOUR RF .GOR GE BLAJkY 'T No,. I do not," spoke up the pretty child ic Lam sory to say that I have no rights in this fa except such asI ,get from:' my good friends' kind- ness wish it was iy home; F'I'love to sta {,re always. InstantlyFBelle established Kitty's position fro mer ownstandpoit. She has a lover here," she thought. "It can'rtbe Hery Gotn? "How old are you, Miss Kathleen-I thi}k they called you ? " My name is Kitty; I amnfifteen andahalf" Belle eyed her, sharply; she wondered howma uh was concealed beneath this amazing simplicity. She herself, in her most artless rdie, qtldn't have looked more transparently candid aOh dear Ihowstui I didhope I shld hd somiebody herecapable of beinga companion Swishoup ighta sure," repliled.1r tty wth unruffled ogoodnature ; but I on't eto teum o or-age frhtpose, even __to oblige you. Vou will have to make friends with rotax or Bianca Ashcroft-she is twenty-f his Though' she ,had','got her changequite copltely she wast1 ernhthe itame fr a SThandkou for-the sgestion;-YOUeY self, a sumer-gues, cclud e.'I wonde it}1any,: oneels invitede" mo4 , ef , :_ ,, .' ' r; 'I _ R n, .Y ipi - , ;,' - - _ -'t' page: 74-75[View Page 74-75] 74 70YURS TRLI GEORGE BAR2 _ . hope not," answered Kitty;' y-we have been so comfortable, and had suchnicetimes;she stped shot and center he d among her flowers.Miss ellefinished forher the sentenceand laid it away inher memory for future use. "ou don't dress your hair for dinner, I see; well, itis nonsense where there's nobody worth the trouble; tht style is dnot at all becoming, though You must letme show you how to put it up ina comb; you ul look three years older, much more stylish, with braids and a coil. What Is the good of trying to look old? I arm onlya child. I like being a littlegirl," replied Kitty, nettledl by Belle's manner. Gentlemen are quite apl to smile at and perhaps look down upon females who affect the missish style, and call'them chits and peaches, and those things." She-did t give Kitty time for the piqued reply h rose to her lips at being accused of affecting something, and also perhaps at the new notion offered hat option young men might hold of her and her oings;tbut asked carelessly, "These Gortons are not rich people I take 't ?" I haven't an idea," answered Kitty, looking her astonishmnt"I never thought about it; they are good worksany how they read .all sorts of boosad sig all Sorts of music, and henry.plays thedflute we belong tothe ehoi erhap they ill Soi. They arthe nicest peple evkne allthe money intheworld o tIdntke thei any o'YOURS' TRULY Z 7 RG LZR" 75. nicer. I don't see any use in being rich, as long we have everything we want." Kitty stopped to take a.thread in her teeth d ing it about the stems of her flowers, and M Bran don studied her attentively. While she mu fire burned, the dinnerwas cooked, and the ti n nie knocked at the 'door to announcethat it as o the table' The afternoon passed pleasantly enough entry went' up to his office ; Carlotta i.rlderlfoth old lounge with "little Becky for compiiion, while she rested from her arduous kithei labors and I set out for along country walk,' to v st my friend Miss Elinor Walsing ant. I wasresolvedalt to allow the new-comer to interfere either'fthrinmy" business or m-y pleasure. Belle set her facultiesto' the task -of finding out all about Kitty Clayton which was not'at all dificult,-for' the dear chil4,;.3L as transparent as daylight, and as chaty as a r The woman of the world, who had passethrough strange experiences, andylived a life attempts played recklessly aniong emotion a passions, and had forgotten more exciting passage eand hair-breadth escapes fro actuagi, would be possible for our Kitty todreao, stood'just how to ada t herself to the candid purity shewa handlingandwas so and ery th atcthebild leased to rebr the eaginelyr unpleasant dpres nF, she hadi*rived, before 'inner, and bestowed' meitl ursre page: 76-77[View Page 76-77] YO( ' 1s4y 6O A G 4 RSO confidence ; and before tea-time the blonde had learned nearly all she cared to ascertaim- was per- w ctyposted as to: her futre course. Aste sun declined in the west, " what time the w grayfyids her sultry horn," Henry-returning fromhis h face to lis .vening "chores," after seeking Kity in the great apple-tree which was, ind bya staircase, and furnished with seats fo a party an hich was a favorite rest of he-rs in the swinging hammock beneath the pines, and other resorts-caledout at the stair foot that hea going to feed the pigs. se evenng "chores" were a source of ever fresh and ever new-delight to Kitty, and she always as ssteditfthem with' joyous glee; and afforded a daily amusementto Henry,.who brushedall law and equfity rne from his tired brain under its ifhuence; ad y migh hear the case-worked lawyer laugh- ing,_and see him running races, playing tricks all a tthep lace, like anienfranchisedsichooioydgn a hal.holiday.F irt there was a tomiic turkey- e hunted out fr secretnooksand unheard-of roostinaesi hed hom "Jadnever takentheieinto his stupid old head, that t w asl' odutyroostinourbau nike re stablendomestic fowand'e uttered a reionstr g g e at each rlant stepof his ugly feet pandot ,blueliandpurpleallcthe a thereas the litl to ik Kit feltgay when fhe had sofar con:u d her ti m ydty YQOURS RULYT GE61GE B1 tfR 'a as to have a lesson in bringing the rich yellowstre~m soutin~g into the bright pail, and koved the svaet ' whiffs of cow-breath she got, as the gentle creature turned her head and- contemplated her on the iik- ing-stool, gazing quietly out of her soft,"liquid F eyes' And there were the bantams to be' gathered'up n counted and fed, and the cocks. and -the hens, Wh came caclingg and flying from all directions, at her call, and eagerly picked up the shining yellow corn, tur ing bright glances at the pretty donor, ad noisily thanking her with their' merry '". clck, cluck, choroo.;" last, but not least, there were the 'porcine Willie Winkies to be treated to delicacies, and Ahe pulled up the long brittle stalks of fresh-smellngpg- weed, and it was rich delight to her to watch them champ its juiciness, and suck in the clotted milk, jst ling, crowding, and squeaking, with their fee n h trough, as eager arnd self-apptfopriatinlgas Christans in W all Street. Though ten yearstshut outfroitio oatlah h, such enjoymnents and occupations~ Kitty was ather a frhcountry lads andsmoreover she hada liking for her co-Worker,and at the first call cheeryvoice se jumped joyfullyleavriig Belle i t intensegart of a boatnug-party i which she h ceived two offreis of narnrage, and seized her sun bonnet. Oh! there's Henry-I, must run ickly; d me to elle; its such fun ;, we are going nt do the che s. lens Brando very nearly laughed in the page: 78-79[View Page 78-79] 7$ ORS NRUY,'GRE ALM ?." face,,not but she could have entered with beautiful zeal nto the occupation if she had been furnished th a sufficient motive. Under. the present cireum- stances she thrust out her kid boot as an excuse. "The grass is damp, you darling little Phyllis; I am forced to take care of mny health, and my cape bonnet isat the bottom of my trunk. You shall see me outdo you in country joys; but this evening, as yout will desert me, I'll run to my packing which your delightful talk has.made me forget. With a gushing kiss, she dismissed the good-na- tured Kitty, who flitted away, calling mas se flew, and left the lady possessor of the Blue Corner. Abandoned to her own devices, that person took a thoughtful survey of the furniture, which she seemed to fid much to her taste. And she was fastidious in her surroundings, liking everything as elegant as possible, and what she liked she made it a p6int to get, if-managemernt and ingenuity could compass it. There was one little item which had eluded her ardent pursuit: she had failed to get a husband. She had. been very near, often, to wearing the plain gold ring; but somehow, even while she was reaching out her hand, ugly disappointments had arisen and pushed it aside. Miss Belle was an orphan indebted to an uncle for her 'brilliant education, Whose fashionable wife disliked her for her good looks, and yet more for her untoward behavior. She also made bitter moan at the expense of supporting her; and after being obliged to bringher outand keep her 'on three or four sea- YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BtJ4R." 79 4A sons without getting her established, notwithstand- ing her magnificent beauty, her display of shoelders and dimples at erery place of fashionable resort where such possessions are traded, she had managed to make 'the orphan feel so provokingly that she was de trop in-her splendid house, and declined so persist ently to supply her extravagant demands, that after numberless family squabbles, in every one of-which the good, easy-going uncle was victimized by the"twe women, and driven to the brink of despair e'md a private bargain with his niece to give her an alfw dance and let her keep herself where she pleased which Belle consented,-because she naturally decide that she could come- at more moneythatwvay than under Aunt Isadore's pryintg eyes ;besides,'sh had small wish to tarry longer amongst her aldis appointments, where the younger girls coming began to look upon her- as an old mai&E Herlow ance though tolerably liberal, was too small for hr lavish tastes; she had many years ago become ceedingly expert in eking it by presentsdiplomati- cally pr-ocured among her, friends, andshe managed for herself invitations to houses where were eligible matches, and used all her arts to settle herself n'-life. She could play'chess, and had sttudied every positi f her dimpled fingers in moving the' pieces' 'She had learned billiards at Rqsenbloom when' a school- girl,. and her opponent often forgot to watch am, in admiring her graceful pose'; she aa perfc horse--woman, an elegant dancer, a brilliant muksiane L , yiT. Teri- :lt ,) _ '_ page: 80-81[View Page 80-81] ; of * "YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." but still she constantly saw plainer girls chosen; "two worgen were grinding in the mill, one was taken and the other left;" the, good chances slipped through her net, and, almost weary with angling, she found herself at 'twenty-seven an unclaimed-maiden still. And she aspitefully reflected that her beauty could-ot last for- ever, which galling -certainty rather took sweetness from1her naturally haughty, imperious disposition. Always having an eye to the main chance, and an- scrupulously using, everybody, made shprt friendships fir her; and despite her artful artlessness, her gushing wmarth,' she rarely achieved a second invitation.. Every One. of her honeyed words, every display of her pearly teeth; every toss of her blonde curls were meant to tell, and somehow people "got the hang of it," and'rit spoiled the effect. Though her coming to the Red Cottage was a resort dernier, now that she was there, housed with the pliable Kitty, who had the two things she lacked, a rich father -and no end in-money, she found profit front the monotonous seclusion; and dim visions already floated in hr scheming' brain of an establishment in New'Orleans to which our little pet rpiglit be the stepping-stone. the first essential to .her comfort was possession of the Blue Corner, which little nook was worthy of her warmest admiration, Perfectly ridiculous to waste such a bijou upon that unformed chit ! I should suppose it would be reserved for elegant guests; any place would suit her well enough, such a hoyden as she is! If anything should " YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAT?."8 come out .of this plan Miss Kitty would be speed trimmed into proper shape. Miss Kitty's mamma: to be, abhors romping. On her knees in that white muslin! wasteful little witch;j . real India too-her hands full of nasty weeds, and that ridiculous monster of a cat at her heels. Fu! Miss Kitty, a little tonng down will be awesome, h. Mr. Ijenryseems devoted, watches her foolish antics, and smiles upon her--a simple country pair-quite Arcadian--I wonder now, could he-they say there's. no fool like an old foolI-4- must observe--the chit i- good-natured.; wilr take joyfully the spoiling of her goods. It ' really re- markable how often I fall in with people ofher stamp. It must be a kind arrangement of Providence to sup- -ply my needs." She turned away from the window, and ran her eyes, over the cabinet-pictures, medallions, thk small case of rare coins, the marble Stella on her pedestal the. Undine rising from her native river; and she felt it a positive necessity of her being, to' he installed amogthis pretty garniture without delay. "'Aston ishing how such'a bower dropped out of thisold-tune domicile, which looks as if it had stood stili since the flood- I should have as soon expected to see the- great.Rosy Diamond blazing on that malapert 1VMss Carlotta's neck. I foresee a. bout with=that young woman before we part, .sharp as she thinks. herself. It may be she considers a Gorton the only:person capable of reading character. Poh! I have been through more emotions and queer places in.one yea 446 I. : _ -'1$ - 5 4 _ '1 page: 82-83[View Page 82-83] 82 "YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." of my eventful existence than all the old fogies in this God-forsaken corner ever thought of." While her thoughts were thus busy, Miss Brandon's, hands were not idle; she was turning over the con- tents of Kitty's bureau, and her blue eyes got bluer, examing'the fine laces, gloves, handkerchiefs, and kick-.knacks. She smelled-at the perfume boxes and scent bags, and critically pronounced upon a point- bertha in its dainty case, crossed and recrossed wthpink ribbons. In all her glory she had achieved nothinglike it; she had barely time to replace it in the drawer and busy her hands among her long curls, gazing innocently at them in the mirror, when Kitty rushed in, all flushed and rosy, and smelling de- cidedly of pig-weed. "You little breathless Hebe! you palpitating rose- bud! how this fresh country life suits you! I've been wasting my precious minutes watching your aerial flights and earthy gambols. I longed to de- scend and join them. I also can frolic. Ab I if I had but your robust health: I am delicate ;-I suffer terribly~tormenting headaches--I hope the room I am to occupy is quiet. I cannot bear any noise--- last summer, Mr. Gossamer had sawdust spread above the gravel, about my windows. I sometimes really wonder why people are so fond of making me comfortable. Now sit down, cherie, and show me the pictures in this great album, and tell me who they may be." Kitty readily complied; first splashing her hot " YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." 83 cheeks. with cool water, and stopping a moment to inspect and bewail a few unlucky grass-stains the India muslin had acquired ; with a brush or so, she dismissed them. "Carlotta knows how to take them all outs" said she, easily; "she's. got some stuff in a bottle that blanches everything like a charm." 'I wonder .she does not try its magic on her nut- brown face," said Belle with a sraer. Though only a few hours in our little woman's society, she had conceived a violent dislike to her, acid I must ac- 'knowledge there was small love lost. Seeing Kitty's displeased pout, she made haste to laugh and say, t Only a bit of my fun; no disrespect to Miss Carlotta, whom I sincerely admire. "'And well you may," said- Kitty ; "she's just as nice; she can scold a blue streak, though. When I. am twenty-five, I am going to keep house like her." Whatever gifts or acquirements the child had hidden, her expression was absolute simplicity. Early hours' and quiet living had kept her face childish and her frame vigorous, while a frequent change of school associates had made it easy for her to put out tendrils of love, and clasp' and entwine those who came naturally in her way. All her habits prepared her to become fond of Miss Brandon, her devoted, useful friend, and to get great content out of such a state of - being, while the lady-leader was kind. Henry said 'Kitty was made to be a precious pet, and it really seemed as if that was her normal condition, she took f 1 I" H d, " 1 . . J_ 1 i i '- page: 84-85[View Page 84-85] 85 "'YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLAIR." to it so easily. Sheexpressed nor felt any surprise-at finding the blonde in the Blue Corner, instead of the 'spare room, busy among her trunks. In fact, she entirely forgot how that occupation had .been made the' excuse for remaining in-doors; and drawing her little easy chaiy close to the " perfection of comfort " in which her visitor was installed, she turned page after page-of the great album, and ran through the names, graces, virtues, etc., of the originals of the photographs, with an amusing volubility. Every one of "the- girls" -possessed some especial good gift: one was as "cunning as anything," another "just as e art as she could live," Cora Barker was "so hands e," Jenny Ashmead " full of fun," and "my dear oom-mate, Laura Gwin, the dearest, truest friend in the whole world." No faults were chronicled, no mistakes mentioned. Kitty's mind was of the type: which accretes no such rubbish; and while Belle listened with bland attention, waiting to achieve a piece of information, she observed this trait half curiously, half contemptuously. Her patience was rewarded at length; when Kitty placed her small finger-tip upon a card, and said proudly: "This is my papa! isn't he beautiful ? " It was' the picture of a middle-aged man, partly, bald, and prematurely bowed; the' face was all lied with care-marks, the cheeks thin, and the lips show- ing 'their habitual compression, even beneath'their shadowing mustache ; 'the dress evinced a methodic habit of attention to trifles, and a great solitaire IU brilliant on the shirt-frill. had been touched up and' brought out with the artist's, choicest skill. Evi- dently, to his mind it was the cream of the whole performance. Belle studied it closely ; especially the diamond pin. "You are your father's own child, cherie," said she, smiling'; "you have his eyes-but of course it does not look that way to-you; you are not afraid of him. I think he looks a little stern, and hard to please. Is it not so?" Kitty cast down her eyes, and busied her fingers with undoing the spring of a locket she wore on her bosom. Belle's words echoed her secret thoughts, but she had. not got far enough in her confidence with her new friend to let out her private griefs, if she had any. "Nobody ever said Iwas stern and hard to please, so it can't be that expression I have inherited," she replied. " This is papa in his youth, when his cheeks were red. I really do think I look a little like' this picture ; and this lady on the other side is my dear mamma." "Oh, indeed, how very pretty !" said Miss Bran- don ; and as she said so, she threw a glance into the mirror at her own superb loveliness: "not many women so beautiful as I am," she thought. "I must get things in train. ' In the morning sow thy seeds and in the evening withhold not thy hand,Jor thou knowest not' which shall prosper, whether this or that.'" Belle smiled inly at her sacrilegious apb '4 , _ - f , 'OURS TR (L Y. GEORGE BLAIR. [J4'- _, ,t page: 86-87[View Page 86-87] "YOURS TRULY, GEORGE BLA4I." *6 YOURS TRULY, GEORGE SLAIR." propriation of Scripture.. "I'll bless the fates if IT have lighted at last upon what I need ; meanwhile let' ne watch and prepare ; I shall hit upon a means if it really proves worth my while. If not--this Gorton --no ; too poor; I am too handsome to stoop yet, though I should rather enjoy outwitting and walking over that Miss Carlotta. There °may be other avail- abilities hereabouts-all these places have a little great man, who may be a widower or a bachelor- 27 are uncanny figures to stare opposite my name- Why stand we here idle,? what is it that gentlemen wish ! " While Kitty chatted merrily on, the worldly woman sat with her eyes upon the pictured faces which made the texts of the talk, and though she seemed to listen with pleased attention, her vagabond thoughts went rambling as we know-and they got busy among'some finished scenes of her life. There was a dark-browed Spaniard, whom she had held in thrall once, whose love-making had been a mixture of im- perfect English and very intense Castilian. She seemed to feel his caress-his warm breath upon her cheek. There was no stain-on her ripe mouth, which looked dewy and fresh as a vestal virgin's, although she had been engaged a dozen times. Othello, you may remember, had a little private rumination in this same strain. " I°found not Cassio's kisses on her lips," said the fond old. Moor. The poor boy Zam- brano went to the, bad-thanks to her-and mixed with his memory came a idble face crowned with grizzled hair. She had been very near marrying that man, and of all her lost chances this stung her most deeply-he was.so exhaustlessly rich. The closing scene of that drama was mortifying, and al- though, seven years had passed since it swept her like a storm from her almost accomplished desires, it bitterly stung her yet, and she shut the golden clasps of the great volume with a quick snap, put away the young owner,- and rising, almost rudely, she shut herself into her chamber. 11 0 87 86 I page: 88-89[View Page 88-89] THE LETTER AND THE PICTURE. 1? CHAPTER VII. THE LETTER AND THE PICTURE. ISS' BRANDON'S diligence and application, when she-had a scheme in hand, might have offered a bright example to many men of business. The next morning she proposed to Kitty that they should sit down together and get up their correspondence ; inviting her plumpness into the Blue Corner for that purpose, where she secured the "perfection of ,comfort," in the pleasantest angle, gaining a full-length view of herself in the long mir- ror. Kitty had no particular fondness for the occupa- tion, nor desire to pursue it at the moment, but Belle purred so insinuatingly that she consented,, and drew her chair to the opposite side of the table, and laid out her pretty French paper and her pens and her butterfly, and commenced: "My dearest papa," 89 and then waited while the blonde got ready her, materials. The easiest portion of her epistle having been completed, and the rest being arduous labor, she was quite willing to delay and listen to the talk of her friend, who seemed in no haste, but went on turning out scraps of poetry, love letters, and billet- doux fromher portfolio, and commenting upon each till she carelessly tossed down before the child a couple of photographs. "How do you like those frights ? are they ugly enough to be true ? " asked she, with a laugh. "'Oh, dear ! how perfectly lovely ! and just you- as'if you would speak ! I wish I could get good ones of me. Papa didn't like the last I sent im; it did look funny-the horrid blue light hur my eyes and squinted them all out, and the sun blazed down so, I couldn't see the old head he stuck on a pole- and he would insist on my holding up my hand with a lump of my shawl clutched in it, and it looked a perfect paw-; Miss Teazle said it was good, and should go. Laura Gwin said she was hateful ; she made faces at her. And I knew papa would think me a fright- this is pretty, but you are pretty too." "Thank you, cherie ; I wonder if your father would be of the same opinion? I see you are writing first to him, like a dutiful daughter. Wouldn't. it be a frolic if you were to send him the shadow of your friend ? I wish you could also convey to him the pleasant impression his. charming little Kitty has made upon me ; but words.cannot do that!" page: 90-91[View Page 90-91] THE LETTER AND E PICTURE. THE LETTER AND THE PICTURE. 90 The simple child flushed with pleasure. "How nice you are ! I should like ever so much to send this to papa ; and I must tell him all about you. ° I was wondering whatever I could put. into my letter. I- don't usually write but a page and.a half; but this time I have got something to say, and I mean to fill up the sheet." " That's right, cherie ; but if you intend giving a compendium of my character I shall bargain for a sight when finished." " Of course ; I don't need to tell about your face, because he will have that to look at, you know. He will think you very handsome. Why didn't you ever get married ?"- Belle smiled, and there came a very unpleasant glimmer through the deep blue of her eyes like burn- ing steel. Kitty so artlessly reminded her of the twenty-seven years, and that she considered her, if not passe, at least no more a young girl like herself. " Perhaps I may, some day, if I find a mran to suit me ; and cherie shall be my bridesmaid. Come ! we must begin to be industrious ; you have got no farther than 'Dearest Papa'--an excellent begin- fling; why don't you make him come on this summer and pay you a little visit ? If I had a good father I would make him stop with me altogether." ".He would not like me to urge him, I am afraid; I never do; he is so busy, and hates the trouble of travelling." " I shall really begin to think you do not desire his I company ; and you his only daughter ! Perhaps he feels hurt that you do not beg of him to come, and would be glad to get a nice, loving letter from his little girl ; really, I must scold you !" "Well, if you think so, I will try. I never looked that way at it. You shall tell me a little what to write, and I will put it down I do hate letters, it is so much nicer to look into people's eyes and talk ! " "Well, come! look straight into mine, Cherie ! Now ifit was my father, I would say all sorts of fond things." Without exactly -dictating the epistle, Belle man- 'aged to inspire the writer so that the missive dis- patched had certainly a new tone. It was full of pretty pleading and small nonsense ; and with the handsome woman's face .shut within, and a hearty eulogy upon that lady, it was sealed and addressed ; and then Miss Brandon seemed out of the humor of correspondence; for she declared herself tired, and threw up her arms and yawned, and proposed a walk to the post-office, where she kept careful watch of the missive till it was safely deposited in the care of good Uncle Sam. " " f o ^ ' i ? t " w M 4 THE LETTER AND THE PICTURE. ' . 91 page: 92-93[View Page 92-93] "DIES FASTUS." CHAPTER VIII. "DIES FASTUS." C ATURDAY in the country, and everything to do : sweeping, dusting, baking, brewing, boiling and stewing, besides cleaning up generally. I think the swift-rolling speed of' the days beats everything ; these dies fastus lap right together now; wr are not rested from the last till, behold! another is twirling away. I can remember when a week was a mentionable portion of time-not a flash.of the old mower's scythe ; heigho.! "All the labor- of a woman is for a man's mouth, and yet his appetite is not filled : " Ecclesiastes vi. 7. The. Red Cottage is a bit of a cottage, but it takes a mar- vellous deal of thinking and planning, to say nothing of hard work, to keep Henry's mouth full; and a great: many weary steps in the domestic treadmill to make the machine grind on steadily, so that there shall occur none of those ghastly hiatuses 'which pitch all comfort into chaos ; and I have known that wretched fellow to inquire in the most unfeeling manner, "Why, what. can you women-folks find to busy yourselves about ? " There was a time when I used to waste my breath in explaining some of the agreeable details of the menage, pointing out the motes in his sunbeams ; but I've got scornfully past all that; I pity his ignorance, and despise him. Saturday is, par excellence, our "working day ; " set apart exclusively to cleaning the engine, furbish- ing up the works, getting in fuel, and preparing for a fresh go ; though the process is wearing to bodies and souls, the emancipated condition of clean, easy quietude it brings out for the holy time approaching, is truly refreshing and delightsome. Henry is thankful in these seasons of hurry and worry for a "picked-up dinner ; " the bit of steak left from breakfast, eked out with a piece of apple-pie hot from the oven, and a cup of black tea, not set out with the mandarin china, but on an end of the great deal table, secure from the jostling of the workers ; a huge pan of doughnuts steaming under his "talented nose," defended by a great, brown cloth, which he modestly lifts and replaces with every fresh consump- tion ; the family bread, in process of rising, in a big wooden tray in the middle ; and the distant swishing of Winnie's scrubbing-brush mingling with the bub- bling and boiling on her kitchen stove. Winnie is the cleanest creature ; you, might eat your dinner off her floor ; and she has ways of disposing of her skirts which always remind me of 9)3 page: 94-95[View Page 94-95] I 94 "DIES FASTUS." Winifred Pice, who was tidy and clean, Her gown v+-s a flowered one, her petticoat green; Her buckles were bright as her milking cans, Her hair was brick-red, and cut like a man's. .Her little, gray eyes wei-e deep set in their socket-holes ; Her gown-tail was turned up, and tucked through the pocket-holes. A face like a ferret, betokened her spirit; To conclude, Mrs. Price was not over young, Had very short legs, and a very long tongue." If our factotum had sat foi' her portrait, she could not have been more aptly described ; and a more faithful, obliging soul, even in her tantrums, never wrought for Christians. Henry assimilates' his noonday repast on the dies fastus, I hope, with singleness of heart ; but not in- dulging in much light and cheerful conversation. Carlotta's replies are apt to be .a little more epigram.. matic than usual; and even I, Serena, do sometimes, mislay my placidity of equilibrum, under the pressure of fighting circumstances. The man, of the house is wont to seize his hat and walk away quickly, humming- some plaintive ditty, and comforting himself with an apple or a bunch of raisins ; and he has great reason for thankfulness if he is not hollowed back just as he turns the corner, with the announcement that the molasses is out ; the oil jug empty; or that some other of the multitudinous articles necessary to com- plete housekeeping are not, and must be replaced directly, or there will occur a general standstill. Jim keeps his distance from, the cottage on Satur- day, curling himself in the sweet-smelling hay in the "DIES FASTUS." 95 old barn, only sallying forth 'at distant intervals tp reconnoitre, and ascertain how soon he may reason- ably expect to be welcome within doors. He has learned to calculate chances equal to Hoyle; and when he hears the last splashes of Winnie's wash- house. inundation, and the flipping of her wet broom against the post, he knows that the cleaning is fin- ished, and the cat no longer in danger of being kicked out as a" nasty, pothrin' body, getting under foot," and he may safely resume the cushion of his favorite chair. No walks in the garden, no loitering admiration of flowers, no glee-singing or book-talks are in season. The flute stands idly in its corner. The old "Pleyel" is shut up ; my flageolet breathes not a strain. The sterner realities of the dins fastus crowd out all holiday indulgence, and still achieving, still pursuing-we learn to labor and to wait. On this particular Saturday we were unusually overwhelmed. Having dispatched the evening be- fore, per cars, an invoice of cousins, on the Norberry side, embracing almost as many children as that in- teresting household, whose history is feelingly set forth in the New England Primer, ''nine small chil- dren, and one out of breath," and we had barely time to take-a small dose of ''Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," before the hurrying minutes pitched us right into the thick of our work. Orpha Ann Norberry had been billeted upon Kitty, who cuddled up to her and had a merry, good time, and Miss Brandon had 4 , . {' }' it , page: 96-97[View Page 96-97] 96 " DIES FASTUS." been obliged to harbor Keziah, and the Red Cottage was in a state of irresponsible chaos. Though our ex- cellent kindred had tarried but a night, like respectable pilgrims, they had .caused a general uprooting of things, which neededpatience to lick into shape again. Especially the leavings of that scamp of a pestilent young Norberry, who played horse with everything movable, and left all our chairs tied together like prisoners of war, in whose midst he had fought an army, pelting them with the knick-knacks, shells, books, and other trifles he could lay hands on. While Aunt Melinda rejoiced in his sprightliness, and said he was "mamma's man if he broke everything all to bits." Miss Brandon complained of headache consequent upon broken rest, and was shut into the spare cham- ber, attended by willing Kitty, who had already run the value of half a dozen miles with ice-towels, hot tear and other remedies suited to. the case and occa- sion. I had tied up my hair in a red handkerchief that I might not feather out in process of sweeping,. and encased my digits-in a pair of Henry's old driv- ing gloves, minus a couple of fingers, and was skir-_ mishing about, trying to get up the needful enthusiasm which avails to explore the corners and ferret out the tucking places-when somebody knocked. The door stood invitingly open, and the person seeking admit- tance seemed to think it unnecessary to wait a bidding .to enter ; for before I could get rid of my hand-shoes, or relieve my hair from its picturesque . "DIES FASTUS:" 97 adjustment, Mrs. -Ramble had entered and taken possession of the rocking-chair. Her bonnet, adorned with iron-gray everlastings of bristling horse-hair, as if her own grizzled locks had budded like Aaron's rod, was tilted back, and its crushed .and crumpled strings tied under her wrinkled chin, with marks of' haste, which I ascribed to a pressure of unshed :news on the dame's mind, of which I was certain to get the benefit. "Oh, Mrs. Ramble I good-morning. Busy as a bee you find us--Saturday is a trying epoch to house- wives, is it not?" " I don't make no such hidelo over it ; I don't see no use in scrubbing and rubbing every Saturday, I ain't going to stay a second hardly. IMrs. Toplofty's got her some new war-musses and a bunnet; he fetched 'em from the city yesterday ; I thought I'd run down and see 'em. She's dreadful apt to dress too much for a church-member, and I feel as if I ought to use my influence,. and kinder lift up my voice ; last sum- mer she had a sky-blue hat, with streamers. as long as your arm ; company ain't gone yet, be they ?" "Yes ; they left us last evening." " What ! gone! I thought they. was goin' to spend the summer, but I must say I'm glad, that Belle Brandon's cleared out-I didn't think no great shakes of her-too stuck up for my use ; but Kitty was a likely little creatur'-I took quite a notion to Kitty-i.-went off kinder sudden, didn't they? no rumpus, I hope ?" :, l qq31 lf i ; I . t - . , ,, t -' r' y, : $ _ ,_ ;" ' . . . r - , ,k { i e, ' _ !,1 _ ' page: 98-99[View Page 98-99] ) 98 "DIES 'FASTUS." "°Miss Brandon and Kitty are still our guests ; I thought you referred to the Norberry's, who spent yesterday with us." "Law ! they been here and I didn't find it out ! I'd a gin anything to see 'em. How's Moses gettin' along now? I heard he'd gin up preachin' and gone to York to be a cricket on a newspaper. Is it a fact ?" "Cousin Moses has taken an editor's chair there, I believe." " Ves--much the same thing, I s'pose-where's Carlotty?" "In the kitchen, Mrs. Ramble; this is baking day, and she is exceeding busy." " Oh, well, I ain't goin' to stay a second hardly ; I won't hinder her none. She needn't mind me." Seeing that she was determined to see the baker,, I opened the door, and there she stood beating eggs for dear life, and up to her elbows in flour, her face ornamented here and there with little white patches, showing well upon the clear brown ground, as I have seen ladies spinetimes who made too liberal use of meen 'fun or pearl powder. She intimated to me by sundry nods and becks not interspersed with wreathed smiles, that I was to shut the door directly, and say she couldn't and wouldn't come ; but as I knew Mrs. Ramble to be of a jealous turn of mind, and that she would be raspingly disagreeable to me in such a base, I expressed as much in pantomime as, animated as her own, the immediate vicinity of 'D21 !S FAS277.", A9 our visitor precluding the use of speech ; so she frowningly dropped, not to say dashed, down the egg-beater, and advanced to the door. " Oh, mornin', Carlotta ; I heard about your tiff with Mr. Squirmwell; you gin him fits, didn't you ? Well, I declare I was clean done out with that Jeru- sha Peacock last night at conference meetin', Ser- ena. You see, Deacon Rotterdam got up to make his speech, and just as soon as ever he' got to the place, 'When Skipio went into Africa,' she giggled right out, he stopped and gin her a look, and she kinder choked in as red as a beet ; but when he began again, 'When Skipio went into Africa,' away she went laffin' right out., And that warn't the worst don't: the girls all round her snickered, and the minis- ter had to hide up his face, and the deacon he sot down." Very wicked youths, Mrs. Ramble," remarked Carlotta. "'Yes, but the deacon says you smiled a contempt- able smile, and he is coming' down this afternoon to wait on you-he's gritty, I tell you." "You mean contemplative, don't you ? like this "-. drawing out her lips and eyes like a Chinaman. "You little midget, you ! If you don't look as wicked as a fox--better wink at him that 4way; he'd haf to laffi What's ye making' smells so good ? " Mrs. Ramble took a sniff, and advanced into our kitchen, undertaking a critical review of our resources and preparationrs for Sunday in the eating line. 1' 1 , } , 1 _ ir. ~ j4 j f j f y,(- 4 "5 page: 100-101[View Page 100-101] N " DIES FASTUS." -" DES F AS TUS." " Oh ! corned beef ind such--biled pot, we used to call it when I was young. Ain't you extravagant to have two kinds -of meat ? I should think them pig- eons 'd be too muchh; do for Monday, I s'pose. Well, I declare for't!I wher'd ye get yer sweet corn?. didge dry it' yerself ? looks proper nice. You've got a lot more in the bag, haven't ye ? better gi' me some; 't'll all get wormnf if you keep it over, and 't'll soon be finie for new ; yes, you put merlasses into yer baked beans, don't ye tastingg them]; I do, too, and a little speck ofsallyratus ; makes 'em tender. Mrs. Squirm- well was telling how they bake beans in Boston, in little stone pots, sittin' up all night to keep filmi' on 'emn up with water ; they ain't a mite better'n ours, but them kind of folks think they're the clear cream-. I can't stay a second hardly. I run in this morning to bid you -to the mite s'ci'ty ; I'm goin' to have it to my house next time, and I want to borry your forks and spoons and plates, and I didn't know but what you'4 bile me some of your beautiful crullers; five or six dozen will do ; -I don't never have no luck,-and everybody says Carloty Gorton makes- the- best pickles they ever eat ; T must~ buy or borra some of 'em. My vines didn't seem to bear, and the vine- gar et up all I got of Mrs.~ Deacon Rotterdam; 'tain't no vinegar no how, nothing but 'scorbutic acid, and I *kinder felt as if Serena 'd whack up a batch of tarts ; it's such an everlasting' job,'I hain't got no patience-to fiddle with the pesky things." I read a story when I was a child, something like this: a"I've broke your rotten old wheel-barrow usin' on't, and-I want you to get it mended, 'cause I want to borra it agin this arternoon." The owner of the dilapidated vehicle was a quiet Quaker, who calmly replied : " Friend ! it shall be repaired and sent to thee." It was'in this meek spirit that I promised cbmpli- ance with Mrs. Ramble's request. While she talked, Carlotta fidgeted about, holding up her doughy hands, till finally, losing all patience, she departed to her pantry, and left the~ whole task of entertaining to me, It was not an onerous one, so far as talking went, for having returned -to her rocking-chair, she treated me to a full and particular account of the quarrel over the new pew-cushions. How Mrs. .Squirmwell had taken away Mrs. Pillhackle's, and said she used to have it in the old -church for jen years, adding, " I de- clare, Serena, it must have wore like the Israelites' close in the wilderness, for 'tain't no ways ragged now." 'She dished up the deacons'and their wives, the minister and his family, in an original pot-pourri. Whenever I tried to insinuate a remark, she waved me off, holding all the while a pinch of snuff in her thumb and finger, and raising her voice a little louder, and pushed forward as volubly as ever. At length I took dexterous advantage of a pause sihe was forced to take, while she enjoyed her- macaboy, and slipped in a question by way of turning'the cur- rent of her thoughts. gig "Is your husband really gito California, Mrs. Ramble ?" roo0 I0I page: 102-103[View Page 102-103] .'DIES FASTUS." "DIES FASTU(S" "I don't know nothin' 'bout it; one day he says he will, and another'day he says he won't ; he keeps me as flipperty fussy as an old settin' hen that's had her nest broke up. Folks has. tried to make out that me and Ramble don't live happy, but 'tain't so ; we've scooted along as slick as a kitten's ear; he's a kinder shiftless coot, always was ; -but I've got used to him ; I shall be .drefful lonesome ef he duz go'; I expect I shall be' cuttin' round to the neighbors putty often;~and that makes me think, you hain't showed me your new parlor carpet ; let's see how it looks." Rising, Mrs. Ramble admitted herself to the apart- ment, without giving me- the trouble even to turn the knob for her, and going down on her knees, she proceeded to a careful. inspection of the fabric, in- quiring the price, if the thread and binding were thrown in., informing me that it was down crooked, and advising me to have it "took up and stretched right away," Time never stays, and three mortal hours had drib- bled through the old hour-glass, while Mrs. Ramble knit and rocked, and yet she showed no "symp- toms " of departure, though she still reiterated her commencing statement, " I' can't .stay a second hardly." Dinner-time drew on;. I thought, it would be hardly decent to allow the old -lady to depart, after so much exhausting discourse, unfed,. and I invited her to-stop and dine ; taking care, however, to forewarn her that she would not. be surfeited with a' good things ; as I might have foreseen, the dear old fish rose to the bait at once. "Well, I don't know but what I might as well," said she, "as I've sot so long. Mr. Ramble can pick himself up a dinner somehow ; he's kinder used to a buttery-nibble, and don't mind style." Report said that the forbearing man usually got his own breakfast before going to his work in the: early morning, while his helpmate still slumbered and slept, and not -unseldom his supper also, while she was attending all the prayer-meetings, societies, and mothers'-bands far and near. Poor man ! though he drove his truck early and late, he-never seemed to drive it into much prosperity. There is a homely proverb: "a woman cani throw out with a teaspoon faster than a man can pour in with a shovel," which I am afraid had a bearing upon the Rambles' home. However, the knitter adjusted her spectacles, andher needle in its goose-quill sheath, and clicked away quite comfortably after having dismissed the respon- sibility of her good-man's dinner. Just as I was slipping out, thinking to. finish my sweeping before Henry's arrival, she arrested me by remarking: Have you heard how mean Alumzy Jane's hus- band treated her, just cause she bought a few things to the store, and had 'em charged without his know- ing it? Law! you'd a thought the sky was a failin', to hear him jaw, as if it wasn't a man's business to provide. What's the use of husbands if taintt to make a livin'? .The nasty, stingy critter !' I give 102 y 103. page: 104-105[View Page 104-105] 04"DIES FASYTUS." "DIES FASTUS." him a piece of my mind ; I'declare he ought to be hung on Haman's gallowses, but I tell you, Serena, the right sort of folks is as scarce as hens' teeth:." She was still agog with Alumzy Jane's wrongs when Henry arrived, but she faced about and in- terviewed him immediately. "Good-day, square ; I guess, as I'm here, I may as well get a little law; I 'spose, you don't charge nothing for advising' the ladies." I left her detailing a long affair about a pig which had come to a sad end, through malice prepense of some -marauding boys, and got the dinner on the table as fast as possible, but as I felt certain that Mrs. Ramble would never forgive me any sins of omission, though she lived in a most slip-shod way herself, I was obliged to lay the table in state. When Carlotta appeared all glowing and rosy with, working like a little beaver, I noticed the guest's eyes settle on her with an expression which boded some- thing disagreeable to be uttered presently (she has a knack at saying such things, and calls it "blunt frankness"), though she profited largely by her kitchen labors, eating voraciously of the juicy - broiled ham, fresh, warm apple-pie, and relishing little potato-balls, baked in cream, supping noisily the coffee-and if I do say it, you might go far to. find such pure, clear, amber-colored, aromatic coffee as we serve to ourselves and friends at-the Red Cot- tage. It was quite evident she had an affront to settle, A viz., the neglecting her presence for such a bagatelle as the Saturday's cooking. We have an old aunt in Bordentown, whom I am fond of visiting, and I can invariably tell the esti- mation in which she holds her guests by her way of entertaining. She says, " I always cook stuff for folks I don't care anything about ; but when I have real friends come, I- can't bear to leave them a min- ute." Carlotta is never taken aback ; her larder is. as sure to be full as a squirrel's-and visitors who drop in "are certain of nice food as well as piquant conversation." "Seems to me, Carlotta," began Mrs. Ramble,. squinting at the gold beads our little woman has never removed from her neck since they were clasped there by the poor blind mother-" seems to me you wear a great deal of gold for a chirch-member; I've heard folks say you was dreadful fond of dress." " Who are folks, most delightful generalizer?" demanded Carlotta, blandly. "Oh, I ain't going' to give no names, but I must say I wonder you don't have a ring in your nose too ; I think it would be just as. proper. "I am not given to rooting, and I don't need any-" "Well, you'd much better sell them tinkling or- naments, and give the money to the heathing. I wouldn't have the dingle-dangle things flopping round my ears; I wouldn't be seen with them." Carlotta glanced mischievously at the pious old 5* 'og :l - I64 page: 106-107[View Page 106-107] 1Io6 "DIES FASTUS." lady's snuff-stained nose, and wrinkled, weather- beaten, skinny neck. "No, Mrs. Ramble," said she, "neither would I-if I. were you." Well," replied the guest, tossing, the remains of her coffee about in her cup, preparatory to a finish of it--" well, they don't look Christian, nor becom- ing to Christian women. I've borne my testimony,. and that is all I can do. You don't seem very soci- able, square ! what's the matter?" " I agree with Varien, madam; people at dinner should be neither loquacious nor mute. Eloquence. is for the forum, silence for the bedchamber." " I want to know-don't you never think about get- ting married, square?" "'Oh, yes, madam; "I to the world am like a drop of water That in the ocean seeks another drop."'a "'Is that so ? You have a great flow of language , when you do let it. out, haven't you,? Now, square, if I may make so bold, how old are you:.?" Henry, who has a- lawyer's horror of direct ques- tions, replied to: this home-thrust: "By the foot of Plutarch, I was so very young: when I was born: that I don't thi k I caught the exact date, even if I heard it mentio ed, which is not. likely. Now, Mrs. Ramble, I'll ask you a question: what is the first mention of bitters in the Bible?" "I don't know,.sqttare; I don't believe in such rid. DIES FASTUS." tO7 dies, making fun of Holy Writ: but what is it? I'm kinder curus to hear." "The waters of Marah, which were bitter, weren't they ? "That's so, square ; bitter? yes, as true as you live; but the folks grumbled at themer e "Yes, ,I know they did, until they were sweetened; same way with us, we use sugar with ours." "Now,-square, I declare you are too bad-'cute, though, ain't it." Belle Brandon, meanwhile, had not been idle; with Kitty ministering to her, she had done a good deal of moaning and groaning. ",Oh, dear, my head! how it aches; I know it was the dumplings and cream yesterday. I never could eat such stuff." "Stuff! " echoed litty; "they were elegant, as light and nice as puffs ; my head doesn't ache, and I ate ever so much." "You have such robust health, child, you might eat nails like a camel." "Well, I, like that, Belle, when I saw you swallow a whole lemon last night." "That was a tonic, Cherie. It may have been the dreadful cousin who made me ill, she talked such fearful twaddle." "Orpha Ann and I had a joyous time, though ; we fold fairy stories," answered Kitty, laughing "Sweet innocent, you have the very nature tobe pleased with a rattle and tickled with a straw. Ah . page: 108-109[View Page 108-109] 0 i0o8 "DIES FASTUS." there goes another wagon ! it seems as if they all, rolled on the top of my head. If this room was only as, nice and quiet as yours--the horrid old plank- road gives me agonies ; I know just how much toll that lame wretch took last night ; I heard him count it. You ought to be thankful to be out of the sound of it; but you can sleep anywhere': I wish I could." Kitty reproached herself that she had not thought of offering the invalid her Blue Corner, so cool and still, and made haste to insist on immediate transfer, wet towels, ice-water, and all; and being dismissed by the i ew incumbent, who languidly hoped she could sleep-she came down rosy and satisfied, just as Mrs. Ramble had swallowed the last crumb of her dinner and put her last question to the lawyer. "Well, I declare fort, I must eat and run as the beggars do, or I shan't make out to get a sight of Mrs. Toplofty's warmusses; here comes Kitty-.do you know what my old father used to say to me ? he used to say, ' Late to breakfast, late to heaven;' and that makes me think, what would you answer if I was to tell you how Mrs. Squirmwell allows that you down here, are pretty likely to walk into conference after meetin's begun?°" "I should call her a frisky Sapphira, Mrs. Ram- ble." "Pretty good, square ; I s'pose you know she had a brother that was a noted pugilist; but he gin up fighting, lately; he found it was bad for the eyes ; "DIES FASTUS." I09 where's Miss Brandon? does she have her vituals sent up to her-?-" "She's got a headache. I just left her in iny room; she's going to try to sleep." "In your room, Kitty! what's that for?" "The rolling of the carts and things hurt her head ; my dear Blue Corner is the quietest nook, you know." The shrewd old woman looked sharply at the child : "You didn't ought. to let her in there, Kitty," said she. " It won't be easy to get her out again, I can tell you-don't you let the sun go down on her, the 'cute old one ! I can see through a grin-stone when there's a hole in it." "Cow-bird," muttered Carlotta; "Pestilent Frin- gilla." "Now, then, Carlie," laughed Henry, "unclasp the' purple leaves of war." Seeing that Mrs. Ramble was sagaciously observant of us all, we, with one consent, ceased all conference upon our private affairs, and she left us to inspect Mrs. Toplofty's new warm- usses." page: 110-111[View Page 110-111] CHAPTER IX. WERE YOU NEVER IN :LOVE, CARLOTTA.? HE sociable young people of Merry Bank, with' whom Kitty was an. immense favorite, called upon Miss Brandon, who impressed themall more or less' by her elegant dresses, and air of fashion andstyle. Picnics and sociables were the order of the' day, and'though the blonde often ridiculed-her hospitable entertainers, she accepted their invitations, arid when she felt in humor, or saw anything to be gained, she knew how to suit herself to any set of tastes or circumstances. She speedily ascertained to her satisfaction the status of every prominent family in town, and the prospects, matrimonial or otherwise, which the place afforded. She singled out for a particular display of the shoulders and dimples, a middle-aged, almost elderly banker, who-had recently come among us, of whom little good was known. He was a returned Californian, and was reputed ex- WERE YO( NVER IN LovE, CARLOTTA? 11 haustlessly rich ; but.whether heobtained his wealth in honest digging, r skilful shuffling of the " devil's leaves," was not clearly understood. Of course all sorts of tales wer rife, all or none of which might be true;-. He wa a widower, twice bereaved, ex- tremely fond of horses, of which he drove the showi- est, an excellent' judge of female beauty, and had a brotherly, fatherly, protective, friendly way of address ing women, which, with his, lavish use of money, good-natured proffers of his spanking grays, high bred saddle-horses, and his ready willingness to pro- mote any frolic, or merry-making, glossed over his sporting talk, his frontier coarseness: and swagger, and gained him favor in houses from which poor, seedy blacklegs would' have been ignominiously ejected. His face told a tale of him, which our friend Chaidy Goldsmith used to put in' the form of a conune- drum, "Who hath redness of eyes-? he that tarrieth" long at the wine. The fact that Mr. John Nickson had shown marked admiration of Kitty Clayton's sweet ways; and' fresh, young: face, added zest to tell's secret exultation' that she could draw him''to her side, by one melting glance of her steely blue eyes, one witching display of the matchless dimples, and who can blame her for a little ill-nature, when Kittyso' artlessly expressed her joy to be rid of' him and his attentions ? While keeping another project in mind, Miss Brandon' be- gan to revolve seriously 'the question whether it would not be for her advantage to fold her' tired wings, a page: 112-113[View Page 112-113] 112 WERE YOU NEVER IN LOVE, CARLOTTAP domestic dove, in Mr. Nickson's experienced bosom, and ceasing her wandering quest on restless pinions roaming, to bestow the much-hawked-about shoul- ders, the often-tossed blonde curls, and what battered -remains of a heart she could patch together, upon the banker, as soon a§ he could be brought to begfor them, which sweet pleading she had many minds to hasten to a climax. She had already discerned the faintest outline of an incipient crow's-foot under her left eye, and a couple of freckles'on her nose. Death gave three warnings to his victim before he took him into custody; .Belle felt that she had got two-that there was no time to lose before entering the holy estate of wedlock. Kitty daily expected a reply to her letter contain- ing the pictured beauty, and was fond of talking about it and the surprise such an inclosure must have been to her dear papa, and discussing the probabNities of his coming ; Belle also looked out anxiously ; it might change her plans: It was the second week, I think, after her arrival at the Red Cottage, that Carlotta one morning discov- ered Kitty sitting quite disconsolate in a huddled at- titude, looking out of the window, over the tops of the flowers, without seeing anything. "Why, pet ! what's gone cris-cross -? has Jim for- sakedi his little mistress ? have the ducks forgot to quack ? has the cow-bird been unpleasant, that you hang metaphorically your harp upon the willow and ~abandon yourself to desolation, your head bowed WERE YOU NEVER IN LOVE, CARLOTTA? 113 down like a bulrush? Come here till I hold you a little, and you whisper your woes into my ear. "Oh, there's nothing the matter, Carlie; only I was thinking," replied Kitty from her favorite resting- place on her friend's breast. She had a pleasant, cud- dling little way like a soft kitten, which made. cares- ses the most natural thing to bestow and .receive. Nothing in the world, but I should like to ask you one question." "Well, sweet, what is it?" "Were you never in love, Carlotta?" "Oh, yesI" replied the woman-friend quietly, though her pulse sickened, and her black eyes emit- ted an unconscious flash ; " oh, yes, of course ; I am twenty-five years old, and I don't suppose you could find many females of that ripeness who have not been silly over some fool or other." Tell me about it," said Kitty, nestling closer. There isn't much to tell, pet;- I wasn't crossed in love: Iwas onlyseparated from the young person." "But he made you an offer of marriage; he was a real lover. "Oh yes, he did--I suppose he loved me i a way -as much as could be expected. It wasn't that he loved Caesar less, but Rome more." "What do you mean ? who was Caesar? " Only 'an old Roman, much used for pointing a moral." " Oh, something out of a book. But, Carlie, did his hair curl? I page: 114-115[View Page 114-115] 114 .WERE YOU NEVER IN LOVE, CARLOTTA? "Let me consider-to the best of my recollection, it did." "That was right ; what became of him ?" " He took a voyage to China." "And never came'back, nor sent you any word?" "Oh yes, he wrote to ie for a twelvemonth or so, and sent me a lot of rubbish, which I've got tucked away upstairs somewhere." "Well, Carlotta, please go on; I want to hear all, about it ; what did he say ? how did he act?" "He talked nonsense, acted like a fool ; he under- took to lecture me ! to tell me what he expected in his wife, and all that, and I just cut him short-told him it was evident we were not intended for each other, and if he was so positive about the pattern he meant to cut his wife to, he had better look elsewhere, because I had no idea of being trimmed and fashioned out of my individuality to suit any- body." "Why, Carlie, how could you ? wasn't you afraid of making him angry ?" "Afraid ! no, child-I have yet to see the person I am afraid of-I told hin the truth. I meant to. I had one more letter,, dated Siam; he said he had burned all my former epistles, but would keep that one to discuss in full when he came home." .Anddid hekep it ?" "I don't know, child, nor care; he hasn't come home yet; he went for three years, and tiey are not up till July. I don't know anything about the arro- WERE YOUV NEVAR IN LOVE, CARLOTTA? 1ir gant pest. I never trouble my head about him-any to speak of." " But you have not forgotten him; I see that in your eyes ; they glimmer and glisten ; when he returns he will come here. I hope I shall see him." "Pho! child; he will be mighty shy of hunting me out. I am too sharp for a comfortable sweetheart. I must say my say." "Oh yes, he will come, Carlotta, and you will make up, and be married, and I will see you; I wish it was July now." "Silly Kitty ; but what has all this trumpery to do with my pet's pensiveness, when I found her like Cathleen O'Moore, who sat in the door one cold afternoon, to hear the wind blow and to look at the moon." "Well, I'll tell you-I don't see why I don't have any lovers ; I'm not so very ugly, am I? Belle has had cords and cords of them; she's got a book where she keeps a list of her offers-=I want -to have one." " What, an offer-book ! so you shall; we'll go up' town and buy a beauty, all bound in blue and gold, and I'll sharpen you a canary quill to write down the first one ; let's see, who shall it be ?-there's--Bascom Peacock ; but no:: his hair is too straight ; come, get your hat and we'll hunt the volume first." "No, no, I don't want that; I want a real lover, such as you had." "Such.as. I had-Heaven forbid! you are quite too nice to be toned down aid primmed up; oh you page: 116-117[View Page 116-117] 116 WERE YOU NEVER IN LOVE, CARL7OTTA ? simple little fresh rose-bud ! a lover! you are crying for a lover, as the baby cried for the moon ; come, moony ! moony ! come, lovery, lovery ! " "I don't a bit care if you do make fun of me; Belle is so unpleasant about it, all the time vaunting herself; it seems as if I was no account, and truly, Carlie, it must be ever so nice--a proud, handsome fellow, with friendly eyes and curly hair, thinking about one all the while-just devoted, you know." ''"You will sample the pleasantness all in good time, Pet; don't let that cow-bird fill your innocent noddle with her unwomanly ambitions. When you do acquire a lover I hope he will make a husband; and that is what Belle has not, found for all her offer- book. By the way, Kitty, you promised to take possession of the Blue Corner this week ; I shall have to interfere if you don't hold to your mind ; I would have done so long ago if you had not begged me with-tears in your eyes to keep quiet." "Oh Carlotta, don't make a fuss, please; Belle will be angry ; I don't mind; I like the spare chamber just as well-no, not quite so well, but I am comfort- able enough there, and I can't bear to hurt her feel- ings. She is accustomed to nice things, and you know our rooms at school were just as plain as they could be, so I haven't got what she calls ' Luxurious habits.'" "Luxurious habits !' I'll put an end to that trash, she shall march this very day.," "But, Carlotta, I don't see how you can help WERE YOU NEVER IN LOVE, CARLOTTA ?117 yourself now, because," said. Kitty,'hesitating and blushing, "she has moved all my clothes and things and put hers up for good." "What! and you let her ! Why didn't you call me?" " You weren'tA1ere, dear woman-friend. It was yesterday, when you were all at the flower-show. I couldn't say a word, it seemed so selfish of me ; and she was very pleasant about it-really funny. I had a good laugh, and she danced a hornpipe--tihe pret' tiest you ever saw-and whistled the tune.' I must say I felt a little bad, because Henry put me in there, and said it was my fairy bower. Do you mind the poem he recited, and the ridiculous gestures ? Kitty laughed at the recollection, and left her place to rehearse the scene from memory ; and Carlotta, looking at her, muttered, Nasty cow-bird ! I hope Henry will get enough of Lord Feigning's daughter when he has finished this episode." Of course there was nothing to be done without having what our lawyer calls a." row," of which he has a devout horror ; though we discussed the topic at large downstairs, and he hummed his dolefullest tune, while he listened and ejaculated," By the foot of Plutarch;" and he commenced a fresh ditty of the most bewailing minorness, when the beautiful blonde descended to supper, with her creamy arm around her dupe's neck, and her melodious laugh musically dropping upon our ears. Floating up to Carlotta, I I I page: 118-119[View Page 118-119] I1$ WERE YOU NEVER IN LOVE, CARLOTTAF she offered a gushing hug, and she was not a whit abashed when she got the cut direct. "Why are you so brash, beauty ? " said she. "There is a time to embrace." "And also a time to refrain from embracing," re- plied Carlotta, curtly; "and this is the exact period spoken of." Henry rushed desperately out, and presently re- turned in the last strain of his doleful utterance, holding out some lovely scarlet strawberries of a new sort just fruited for the first time, which Miss Bran- don gracefully appropriated to herself. "Oh, thank you ! " she exclaimed gushingly. "How delicious! Come, Miss Carlotta, let us share, like the babes in the wood, and stain our fingers and our lips." " By no means," answered Carlotta; "I never touch meat which has been offered to idols." I Ik CHAPTER X. '4J f f Ai f THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWIlNG. NE fine day, the two girls, in their cool mus- lins, strolled up to Lamode's shop to look at worsteds. At the door Mr. -Nickson met them, and preferred a request that the young ladies, including both, but fixing his eyes upon Miss Bran- don, would drive out with him in the cool of the evening to Sandy Creek-a famous country resort on the old ridge road. Kitty declined, pleading an en- gagement with Henry, viz.: "the chores.'' Belle loftily accepted. The shopkeeper, who had been standing behind his counter with an air of deferential waiting, while the gentleman completed his little arrangement and.bowed himself off,'now brought forth a handkerchief, tempt- ingly displayed in a highly ornamented box) on the cover of which a young female in high and low 4nc- page: 120-121[View Page 120-121] I20 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. ing costume, with flaming cheeks and captivating smile, was performing a pas-seal in the presence of a fountain. Holding up the airy fabric, she stuck her head, adorned with a false front and horn side-combs, on one side, and shut up one eye tight while she fas- tened the other ecstatically upon the bit of goods she meant to sell. "Did you ever see anything, ladies, so beautiful as, that ? It isn't often I venture to bring -such costly things here to Merry Bank, .there are so few ladies willing to pay for them ; but directly I saw this lovely handkerchief (I gotihome from Toptown last night), I said to Miss Snuffandbark, I'm just going to-show that to Miss Brandon; she is a real judge, and I do enjoy having such ladies look at my goods-we don't ask anything for showing our laces-and the very first time she ever set foot in my store, I said, says I, there is a lady that knows the worth of laces. Now do you drop everything and wait on that lady whenever she comes in. Those are the very words I spoke. Isn't it a beauty ! real lace, .1d so cheap. -There, Miss Kitty, a little bird whispered in my ear there's to be a grand party in town soon. If you take this I can duplicate it in a day and a half. There's just one more like it. I don't mention any names, but it's so. o" How much is it ?" inquired-Belle, coolly, not in the least moved by all the shop-talk, while Kitty felt uncomfortable, and as if she ought to purchase at THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SQRROWING. 121 once, or at any rate double her worsted order, and try to think of something else she needed. "Only fifty dollars. It couldn't be imported for seventy-five now; and such a lovely pattern. And I've some point collars for you. Just your style--so delicate and genteel." "Oh, thank you ; I never wear those things," re- plied Kitty, feeling that she would have to buy if urged. " Madame Devereaux:does not permit us." Belle made a side griniace as the. 'voluble shop- woman, mounted some steps to fetch down a box from a high shelf. "The mouchoir is a pretty thing eough, and not dear either; smuggled, probably. I' certainly have it if I had my quarter; unlucky, that I am impecunious, isn't it ? I might display it this evening with a killing flourish to Mr. Nickson's admiring gaze. I dare say he is as good a judgeof laces as of horse-flesh and women." Belle Brandon was a handsome person, but she did not look lovely with such a bitter, haughty, soulless sneer on her red lip. Kitty laughed. "Oh, don't mind the money, Belle, said she, easily, "I have plenty. "Thank you, Mignonne ; but I couldn't think of borrowing,"-...which seemed airather remarkable an. announcement, considering her. usualfashion of supply ing her needs. After a little pressing on Kitty's part, and pretended reluctance on hersshenali consented to accept-a loan. " Well then, Cheri, since yo . will insist, I m s 6 { '1 I F. page: 122-123[View Page 122-123] i 2 TE THAT GO BORROWNG GO SORROWING. pleasure you; I shall get my quarter next week at the latest.". Do by all means, said innocent Kitty, opening er purse and taking Qut a roll of bills. Really a most absurd transaction, but shows what a good little heart you have. I shall always inkf you every time I carry the thing-almost as fitwe agift. It is so very sweet to have pleasant occasions ieds' faces associated with one's be- longingsa don't you think so?" CA tbs onversation had been carried on n a low side between te twoell-assorted fiends; while amoe pretended to be entirely engrossed i rrang gher bQof laces, and ostentt'ously bivous of their presence. Belelenedcressgly over Kitty ~and watched her moving ngers out of ergreedy blueeyes while she purred in her earn She ob- served that beside the roll of bank-notes the purse contained- nothing else except afew ile eces and some pennie.The bilIS counted out were just the sum needed-fifty dollars. She did not hesitate to leave "Cherie"'without a farthing ;she never hesta- ted when shehhada gratify r a project to accomplish, and reallthe azif seemed a e ut trifles make destin y Anwon't you take the cllar, Miss Kitty, asked Lamode peqsuagiey. sNst to-day," replied the child "My finances are at too low an ebb." 'hargeit; your credit is good." i 'At A THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. 123 'I mean to keep it good,". spoke up Kitty with a decision quite noticeable in her. 'I never made a bill in my life, and I should not know how to begin now." The shopkeeper replaced the laces without another word, and Belle carried off the coveted bit of gossa- mer, in a high state of satisfaction, after some little time spent in matching the-worsteds for the smoking- cap of wondrous pattern which ,Kitty was working for Henry, and which took all her remaining silver, and the dog's-head slippers which Belle had' com- menced for a party unknown. The blonde was in an expansive humor walking homeward, and Kitty pleased and happy, though her little purse was quite empty ; and. after they were out of ear-shot, Lamode said in confidence to Miss Snuffandbark, "I'll give you my opinion of that girl, free, gratis, for nothing.; I won't charge a red ! she's first cousin to the'Mac- Takes, and no kin at all to the MacGives; and she's fooled the innocent lamb out of her money." The next morning our guests were seated on the back stoop, busily engaged in winding. their bright- colored wools, and making numberless pretty tab- leaux of themselves in their flowing robes and .easy attitudes, their white arms glancing here and there in the stray sunshine which flickered amongst the grape leaves, Jim in attendance, ready to chase any wandering ball into unknown corners, busy little Car lotta, the Martha of our household, stepping-briskly about in-doors on kitchen cares intent. I was leaning (g ,;, ; t x . T" t, ' a'r . . t. y,_ ,3 ' i C r a ,f :r ; S xrM ri .S 1 i S ;y' 4f " 4'' , E (3 ,, j , n iTi 64 r } f r T1j YYYYYY }r + t 6l , w y " Jrf - lr s + -. i i 7 LI J 1 ' i f1 _ r r page: 124-125[View Page 124-125] 4 124 .THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORRO WING. lazily against the trellis, listening to Belle, who de- tailed to Kitty the particulars of her last evening's drive ; unmercifully ridiculing the elderly roue, whom she was spreading her choicest lures to entrap into her matrimonial net ; caricaturing his jockey driving, horse-talk; imitating his tones and gestures, with such ludicrous fidelity, that Kitty laughed whether she would or no; and I, the outsider whom she did not regard, could look upon her-beautiful, accomplished, fascinating, as I was forced to see her-with no eyes of favor, and said inlyr.- "Her sphere is the stage-the circus-anything but our old-fashioned home; and I heartily wish-" What I wished never found voice, for there came such an astonishing rat-a-tit upon our-brass knocker as must have wakened every sleeper of the seven, if they had made a dormitory of our sitting-room. Winnie being busy, in her usual abbreviated fashion of skirts, among her poultry, I made haste to open the door, and Mr. Nickson's smart colored servant delivered into my care some cards of invitation from a basket- fuilhe carried in his white-gloved hand. Mr. Nickson boasted much of choice bachelor quartersie revelled in at the Folly, an elegant place just outside of Merry Bank village, which had ruined its 'builder, and which he was very fond of enlarg.' ing upon. "I got it for a' song," he would say.' ' Mirrors, gimcracks, and all; you see the fellow had t sell and I'ot the whip-hatid of hin fools build-houses and wise men live in then." r4 C s 9% - s, . , ~.,' Y v r '[ 7 "1 '' -r j'YMyy"jj _ Rf E R ! 1= _ t } 1 it i [ ' x _ - i1 , t'1 % ;4 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, 'O SORROWING. 125 Occasionally, people going' thither of an evening would find hanging about the place a horsey, turfy, sport named Knox, who made it his -home, whether as friend or defendant of the -owner, was not exactly clear,; but as he tarried much in the stables, lady- visitors seldom encountered him.- There were, be- sides, three or four others of his stamp, who certainly were cronies of the banker, which gentleman. was extremely chary of appearing with them' in public. And. sounds of revelry by night were sometimes audible to belated travellers, in which was _no psalm- singing--and this conviviality centred in the Folly.,. Mr. -Nickson frequently promised the young peo- ple an entertainment,_ which he declared should "take the rag off anything ever heard of in this old rat-hole of a place "--meaning our- flourishing vil- lage., He resolved, also, to dazzle the blue- eyes of Miss Brandon, whqse practised manners kept him .in a tittilation of uncertainty as to the.state of her affec- tions, despite his horses, one of which he had named in her honor, and his polite assiduities. 'This "feety champeter,'" as he styled his party, he, decided should be the crowning charm, nd ,he also turned over in his mind the, feasibility of a proposal, then and there Of course, all Merry Bank was on the gui vive, and gala-dresses were furbished up, glovescleaned, 'and curls baked for the occasion. Susan Dusenbury went herself to Toptown, and brought thence a spick and span' nea silk for the occasion, andjerusha Pea. cock -nearly. sewed off the end off her fore-fingerto 4" k 'r ..t i 't i . ( ' Z V Y t 3 .TL L I t i l - 4 Y { ' a .F; .I s; page: 126-127[View Page 126-127] 126 THEY THAT GO BOROWING, GO SORROWING. complete a green tarlatan, ruffled to the waist. Mrs. Squirmwell was tormented by somethingon the end of her nose which she called "an excrescence," and which Mrs. Ramble said was nothing in the world but a pimple. Mrs. Ramble, who was full of congenial occupation, going from house to house and .asking questions, and she and Mrs. Pillhackle quarrelled like Ferrex and Porrex over the uses and abuses of amusements, and 'Mrs. Deacon Rotterdam waited on the minister, as soon as she found her girls were not likely to get invitations, and requested him to preach a sermon "agin dancing "-and frequent visits were paid to Lamode's shop, and golden was the harvest she reaped during the week of grace the host had kindly placed between thelhidding' and the festival. Even our -lawyer was in a- high state of delectation, though not on account of the approaching, gala-day. His old favorite and pupil in Greek, which dry dust he had imbibed like hi mother's milk-Archie Lau- rie-was coming hoite, on the very day appointed for the Folly, after an sence of four years. He was a great favorite in Merry Bank, where he had lived as a boy with his rich maiden aunt, at ~her place, the Quince Bush, whose charming grounds, choice con- servatories, ferneries, graperies, etc., were the admi- rration of the country round. Many were the tales Henry had already told his guests, especially Kitty, of his young paragon's goodness, his pleasant wit, his skill in all manly sports, his overflowing fun and jollity. Of course, the village girls were counting' )1 ?. , I ,n - ', , ' '1 ,_ , : '" 1 ' . :} THEY THAT GO B9RRO WING, GO SORROWING. i 27 upon the return of the finished gentleman, who had been so merry and useful amongst them as a rosy cheeked youngster; and speculations were rife as to. the change years might have effected in his person and his heart. Belle Brandon flashed up her blue eyes when she heard the news, glancing triumphantly in the mirror. She threw back her perfect shoulders, and practised the artless toss of her- blonde curls, mentally calcu- lating her chances for a handsome, young husband, before she settled irrevocably down with 1Vr. Nick son, whose ugly, old, brdwny-red. face, marked with crows'-feet, seamed with wrinkles, nearly made her shudder every time she looked at it. One drawback tormented her : she had brought to Merry Bank no party-dresses: and half the effect of her beauty, as she well knew, depended upon her attire. The momentous question, "What shall we wear?" was on the tapis in the Blue Corner, the day of the invitation. "I'm sure I don't know what I'm to do," said Belle sourly; she could be sour now and then, ever to Mignonne. "I didn't expect parties in this out-of- the-way place, and of course I didn't ihmber upimy trunk with useless apparel." "I didn't either, for I had none to briig," replied Kitty merrily; "ewe are not allowed su\ follies at school, except parlor nights, and we never had any gentlemen, only the old teachers ; and the em- broidered muslin my papa sent me, with that point- I. page: 128-129[View Page 128-129] f- 128 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. lace bertha in the drawer, and which I wore (the dress, I mean) at our last examination reception, is the onlyething Iave at all like a society-gown; and that stupid Mr./lowfoot, who taught us Hebrew-at least he-taught some of the girls; I never could learn a word of it-set his heel through it, and made a horrid tear in the skirt, and the mice ate up my white glove' for the ice-cream on them, and I gaveAmy sash tp Laura Gwin, who begged me for it i I shall have to hurry up to Lamode's, and try what I can find; maybe she will have some bargains for me, this time."° Kitty stopped short, and her gleeful face elongated as she remembered that almost for the first time in her life she had no money. She flushed scarlet as she met Belle's glance, whose mind during Kitty's prattle had been attentively working out the prob- lem of her own toilette. Recalled by the closing re- mark and the child's blushing cheeks, her thoughts now posted in the same direction, and she began charac- teristically to count the chances of kitty's declining the invitation to the Folly, in which case she might borrow some of her best things and shine unrivalled. "However," she said encouragingly, "muslin is well enough for you, Mignonne; your style don't need much dress.; and as for the tear,. Carlotta will be delighted to exercise her skill upon it,; and really, gloves are not indispensable, if one has a pretty hand [glancing at her own dimpled digits], especially in an out-of-the.way corner like this ; I dare say half these, 4 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. 129 country Chloes will appear nude-handed, like frogs on .a log ; as for me, I must replait my ashes-of- roses brocade ; I wish you could sew a little better, I would let you help me ; at any rate, you may take my knife and rip the seams; that will expedite matters somewhat; and mind you don't cut the fabric, while I put almond paste on my face ; I am certain I see a freckle; that odiosi s sun shone straight into my eyes last night nearly all the time I was driving ; and such talk as I listen d to and grinned at-it sets my teeth on edge now ! "Then why do you listen, Belle; you know quite well- how to shake people off. I think he is horrid," replied the straightforward Kitty. " When you know more you won't utter nonsense, and propound ridiculous questions," answered Belie, shortly, taking up her hand-glass and giving careful attention to her complexion. "Be,, in with the back breathss" "But I promised Henry to go berryingwith him this afternoon, down by Gully Brook ; wouldn't to- morrow do as well?") said Kitty, who hated ripping, and was loath to lose her promised ramble in the sweet-smelling woods. " Do leave my dress alone, then !" spoke up Belle crossly; "I'll take care how I ask you to help me again. I do despise selfishness, above ground ! " Kitty lifted the brocade without another word, though she could not keep down a soft sigh, as she looked out on the green fields, beyond which she I I' , page: 130-131[View Page 130-131] 130 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. seemed to see Gully Brook dashing and splashing over its rocky bed; and she cut away in silence for some time at the close, fine threads, which required the nicest care, Belle never moving or looking in her direction. Kitty occasionally felt her friend's yoke a-little heavy, but had no courage to cast it off. It was so necessary to her comfort to be on good terms with all around her; she couldn't bear to have even Winnie scowl at her ; which, to say true, the old creature rarely did, no matter how nimbly rampageous were her tantrums. She had stolen many side-looks- at the blonde, and was just making up her mind to say something good-humored and mollifying, when there came a brisk, lively knock at the door, and she sprang up, glad of any event to break up the situ-a- tion, and ,any excuse to slip away from the hateful ripping to her dear woman-friend and comforter. Henry stood on the landing like a benignant "slave of the lamp," bearing a huge square box in his arm, which he deposited on the floor, taking off his-hat and bowing low to Kitty. "Remember the porter, miss," said he ; "for by the foot of Plutarch, 'tis a warm day to be toting bundles-here's a package all the way from New Orleans, and here also is a pair of sharp black eyes peeping over my shoulder, as full of curiosity as they are of mischief, and the woman who manages them is, all impatience to inspect and-pronounce upon these contents. Oh, I see ; you are entertaining company in your Blue Corner, which is hospitable of you-- 4 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. 131 Miss Brandon, your servant-comes-vous-portizes- lous ? tres-beans. Belle replied with a musical laugh and very perfect French to his Anglo-Franco salutation';. though she perfectly comprehended his marked manner. She also understood the legal maxim, " Possession is nine points of the law," and wa not a whit abashed, and she secretly and adroitly h id her pounce-box and wiped her anointed face on her handkerchief. Kitty dropped on her knees' at once, clapping her hands joyfully. " How good of you to bring it ! from papa, dear, kind papa!" Her eager fingers were alltoo trembling to undo the stiff cords, and she glanced about for the knife she had dropped in such a hurry. "Not so fast! young lady," remarked Henry quietly, catching her hand; " not so fast, if you please; those stout strings are just the things for my grape- vines; therefore we will not waste them. I'll spare your fingers." He mischievously took time to untie all the hard knots, enjoying Kitty's pokings and impatience While we were all guessing, wondering, and exclaim- ing, who should walk into the Blue Corner but Mrs. Ramble ; as usual, without the ceremony of knocking; and seating herself with her customary aplomb, she took.out her snuff-box, and pulling down her specta- les from their resting-place amongst the ragray everlastings, she remarked, as she peered curiously: at the lawyer's occupation: Y _1 page: 132-133[View Page 132-133] s 132 7TIEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. "I declare for't, Carlotty! it seems as if that mgst be Pandora's band-box you've got there by the hub- bub you make over it. All of you was talking to onct, so I 'sped you didn't hear. me knock ; mebbe I did ,rap light. New Orleans, Adams Express Co." [spelling out the address.] Miss Kitty Clayton; oh! from her pa, I see ; well, I'm'.kinder glad I hopped' over. I dessay there's somethin' nice inside ; I don't know. as there's any harm in lookin' at putty things ; you'd as soon I'd see 'em as not, hadn't you, Kitty ? you're a dear little creatur ; you'll be an old woman yourself bimeby. You mustn't set your affections on the perishable, beggarly elements of this fleeting world. ' Remember the days of darkness,. for they shall be many.' I opine that Mrs. Ramble must have seen the arri- val of the box, and had hastened over to the opening ; I'm strengthened in this belief by the fact that little ever came into the Red Cottage which she did not see ; and that reminds me, it was only last week that she dispatched her son Bill with a wash-hand basin to our front door, with this enigmatical request: "Mother wants some of that ere what come home in the bag." Moreover, on this occasion, her snuffy hands presented a parboiled appearance; and she was odorous of dish-water,as if she had dropped a neces- sary domestic occupation in a hurry. At last the stubborn knots yielded ; the cover was lifted, ad;d the first thing which caught Kitty's eye was 4 letter, which she eagerly seized and kissed, her .3I( r I '3 4 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING 133 cheeks flushing, and her eyes filling. Mr. Clayton said: "As his daughter was staying withhis old friend, he wished her to do him credit in her appearance, as well as conduct; and he had selected some finery, such as he supposed girls loved, and he. hoped she would enjoy it, and be happy, before the days when she should have to say, ' I have no pleasure in them ;' and enjoined upon her to be always the true, honest, faithful girl he believed her, for the sake of her dead mother ;" then leaving off abruptly, he signed himself, " your father, Paul Clayton," and underneath, in a postscript., as if an after-thought, .he added a few scrawled words : " I ani glad you have found a friend whom you like; she seems a handsome woman, much older and ought to be much wiser than my simple Kitty; and so you love your old father ; well, I am glad of it. Sometimes I think I will come on and fetch you 'away. I have thought of you often, since I read your last, sitting by me. at table, fetching my slippers, sewing on my buttons,; but I could not take, care of a girl. I should -not .know what to do with you. You are best off where you are. Perhaps next year I'll come and see you ; but not now ; I cannot leave ; my business wil. not permit ; -e a good child." Kitty hid the note in her bosom, .ith a little sob, and sat quietly by, with her thoughtful face in her hands ; while Carlotta laid out, one by one, the hand- some gifts so 'opportunely arrived. Jim came purring along with his tail in the air, and rubbed his head sympathetically against her. She seized upon him and page: 134-135[View Page 134-135] 134 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. hugged him close in her arms; she longed to pour out her Love in caresses-her pent-up love, which her father had never sought. Is the nice papa coming to his little girl ?" inquired Belle in a~ lotr voice, while the others were busy about the- box; she .had been eagerly watching the child, and determined to know. at once, because if he proposed to appearron the scene she might find rea- son to shape quite differently her conduct. "What does he say about the bit of ugliness we dispatched to him by post-?" "Not much," answered Kitty unconcernedly. In fact, she had not given special attention to the part of the missive of most importance to her friend. "There are no secrets,; you can read, if you like. He is not coming this year. I didn't believe he would; and he won't." "So it seems," replied Belle, tossing back the letter after a hasty perusal ; and she looked queerly, at Kitty, while she mentally added, "'Much older !' You shall pay me for that, cherie; and I must 'inadvertently marry the banker.'" There were two dresses-one of blue satin, the other- of white crape, soft and rich, like wrinkled cream; a box of gloves, a pearl and parchment fan, a set of elegant handkerchiefs, a silver bouquet-holder set'-.with turquoises, and a very fanciful mouchoir ring-a tiger's claw, which sprang upon its prey and held it fast; beneath the whole lay a small casket of, purple morocco,- which Carlotta put into Kitty's THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SOXRROWING. I35 hand, with a little finger squeeze. She knew for certain that it contained something precious. She opened it, and lo ! a sparkling diamond, in foreign setting, and bearing within the shank the letters "P. C. to my wife." Her mother's ring ! she had often' seen it upon her father's finger, and now it was hers-her very own. " Oh ! my dear papa!" she exclaimed raptur ously, "how nice! how kind !" And she put it on, feeling as if she had gained a talisman--a token of great good. Oh ! how many times she pressed it to her lips in the after days, when her heart was heavy, and troubles shut out joy. It was like a message of love and strength from her mother in heaven. Mean- while Miss Brandon was darting envious glances from 'her blue eyes at the costly fabrics Kitty had almost forgotten in her single-hearted joy. Her mouth es, pecially watered at the shining satin of cerulean tint, whose heavy softness quite fascinated her. She had worn such a robe one night to Wallack's, when she met there Mr. Cragenfels, whom she did not. marry. " I would fain know of Heaven," she muttered, "why yon fool should wear a suit of satin ?" and with the words there came also a memory of a merry-hearted youngster named Chandy, who was accustomed to take large liberties with Billy Shakes. She threw off the whole train of disagreeable reflec- tions, and fixed- a spiteful glance upon the little Kit- ty's' childish face and drooping figure, sitting on her page: 136-137[View Page 136-137] 136 TIfEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING.. low stool so absently, with her ring at her lips, and her eyes gazing afar off with their look of sorrowful, yearning. "Superb enough for a duchess-or for me ! and to be cut down to that snip! Reductio ad absurdum ! Icould put it on and look as if it had been woven expressly for me; but that child ! Paugh ! a ridicu- lous misfit and shameful misbestowal ! She shall never go to the Folly dressed out in all this finery, and me in my old ashes-of-roses--never ! - I won't' bear it ! Evidently some good gifts are gone astra I must plan a way to bring them back into their proper channel." She frowned. upon her offending brocade, which was handsome enough, as were sundry others in her collection, and pushed it out of sight in disgust.. "That's a real putty little foot of your'n," said Mrs. Ramble, who. was shrewdly watching the im- patient tap-tap of said foot on the carpet; "real small, but I 'spose you pay just as much for your shoes as other folks." " Oh !" replied.Belle, with superb modesty, with- drawing it not from 1Mrs, Ramble's eyes, but Hen- ry's, which she became aware were, directed upon it, "I was not conscious that my slipper was in society, or that there was a chiel among us takin' notes.! ",. She rose and stood by the bed upon which. Car- lotta had placed the things. "This is a pretty ma- terial, Kitty," said she, taking up the satin. "What a pity it is got rose-color-bring out your charming THEY 771AT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. -17 blushes so effectively. It seems to a looker-on in Venice as if satin might be a trifle old and heavy for your style ; you are such a little fairy, you aught to. be always floating about in white gauze. Light fab- rics are the only fabrics for angels and sixteen ; better stick to them while you can. Satin goes with majesty," throwing a look at her shoulder and well- developed stature reflected in the mirror behind her, and a merry glance. at those about her, as if she acknowledged and despised her own vanity ; which pretty tableau I privately considered meant for Henry alone. " We and us are the only ones who may ap- propriately array ourselves in the garb of royalty." Carlotta turned her eyes quizzically upon- the speaker, but for once she agreed with her. She took the blue Lustrina from her hands, folded it carefully, and restored it to its brown-paper wrapping. "Kitty, you shall wear the crape first, with your point bertha. It will be the perfection of rare sim- plicity. As Belle very judiciously puts it, satin is rather heavy for your salad days. She and I are ripe enough for it, but we haven't got it. You have. There will come a time when it will be just the thing, As a part of your trousseau,,,for instance: it would be proper for a recepLion dress," she added, ,reflectively, "with-a--pearls-; and I hope I shall have the pleas- ure of arraying you ! "A long look ahead ; longer than A. S. Roe's," said Kitty, sighing, and making a rosy mouth. "I r'ust get a lover first. You shall take it, Carlie ; and page: 138-139[View Page 138-139] 138 THEY THAT GO BORRO LVG, GO SORROWVG. when the sailor comes home;" whispered Kitty, with her armsabout her woman-friend. "Nonsense-! me! Did you ever see a thunder cloud walking round ? Well, wait till you see me in blue' garment. I've got through lovering. . You haven't begun ; therefore lay aside the pretty'stuff till curly-head appears," replied Carlotta in the same tone=. "Law!" said Mrs. Ramble, "Kitty! why she's just the girl tp get one real good, stick-tight of a fel- lar. Some girls has beaux enough, but they don't seem to have the -knack of turnin' any on 'em into a husband. Do they, Belle?" Miss Brandog appeared not to hear. Point lace is rather ancient for Cherie, n'estpas? Don't you think a fall of'blonde would better suit a schogirl?. s.= much lighter and more gossamer." In fancy she saw the exquisite bertha about her own shoulders over the coveted blue satin. Not at all," replied Carlotta, with projt deci- sion; ":especially as Kitty happens to possess the one-very handsome; and can't get the other with- out useless trouble. I don't suppose Lame-has a yard of real blonde in her shbp;and if she had loads of it, it would not signify; Kitty should wear what' her papa has sent hem Won't you, pet ?." Kitty smiled, as did we alleven Mrs. Ramble, at Carloita's brisk, positive way, and the little spice of hasty brashness her contact with the blonde was quite stare to bring out. THEY ,THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING.l 3* " Hadn't you better order a cap and spectacles to complete the costume ? " sneered Belle. "You out- of-the-way people do have the most antediluvian ideas. 0 tempora / 0 mores / as we used to say at school." "Esto guod else videris, as we used to say. I'll translate, if you wish." "Oh, thank you ; it isn't necessary ; we learned all those trite things out of the great dictionary, where, I suppose, you found them," replied Belle, whose temper was likely to get the better tof her in Carlotta's neighborhood, if anywhere. Carlotta was fond of saying, "Human nature is sure to caper if you poke it ;" and she did poke it pretty often when such characters as Miss-iBraxklbn's were-thrust in her way s Mrs. Ramble's sharp eyes had taken in the whole. ""Ha! ha 1" laughed she. "Carlotty is enough for you. You don't get ahead of her none.i' dot pretend to understand'your hog-Latin, but I know she's enough for you. .,You wouldn't shirk the hand} some lace if you saw your way clear to wearin' don't I'll-be bound."' Belle particularly disliked Mrs.amble--her snuffi" ness, her pious talk, and her inquisitive cunning, which" keeked through ;ivr other folkwi' nicead sly inspection." She always- gave-her the cut direct when she could. She turned haughtily on her now glad ofsomebody upon whom to wreak her diap- pointment and envious vexation. I '4 page: 140-141[View Page 140-141] 140 THEY THAT GO BORROWING, GO SORROWING. "If you are addressing me, madam, my name is Miss Brandon; and you will oblige me by making no more remarks upon my affairs.' It is simply ridicu- Slous fpr you to pretend to discuss topics of which you know nothing. Neither dish-washing n r scandal are on the tapis, consequently you must bd entirely out of your latitude." "Law!. dIu tell ! massy me ! hadn't' you better get up in a chair? Well, what queer eyes you got ! They make me think of the old wolf that et up Goody- two-shoes; and hyenas and smoke that goeth up out of the pit ; andfire and brimstone. . Ain't it queer now? I went to ee that Potter woman, that pizened all her relations, and I vum if she didn't have just such a shine deep down in her eyes as you got? You make me feel kinder chilly--you do so." She took off her spectacles and replaced them in her shagreen case. " Good-by, Kitty," said she. "I've enjoyed see- ing your pretties. I seem to feel glad you've got em; they'll become you,-young, and sweet, and good. I guess if anybody ought to get what they like, it's such as you; 'for behold thou art fair-thou art pleasant.' 'Tain't a good plan to be sassy to no- body. You never are. We are all poor, dependent critters. I've a great notion to run up to the Folly jist a purpose to ,seyou sprigged out ; you'll look so spry. Well, I can't stay a second -hardly. I'm goin' down in the shank of the evenin' along to Miss Rotterdam's. I'll fetch you one of their new ban- 0 THEY TIIAT GO BORROWING, GO SOR OWING. '141 tams; they promised it to me, and I'l gie it to. you; you kniow how to treat folks. The :wic ed. stand on ylppr knolaces. She'll get a plumpin' all, sometime, you see" The closing remarks were a confidence, as Miss Brandon had loftily withdrawn from the neighborhood of the rusty bombazine, and was looking out of the window with her back to us all, though whether she Was digesting Mrs. Ramble's unvarnished: opinion'of her visual organs, or ruminating upon ways and means, I am unable to say. o i 1 L I page: 142-143[View Page 142-143] "i SHALL DB A LADY FOREVER." CHAPTER XI. " I SHALL BE A LADY FO EVER." "Full busjgy Arachne weaved wos To knit her nettes and her wobbis slie - Therewith to catch a silly little midge or flie." LL the rest of the day Belle was moody and snappish. When' Kitty.offered to resume the ripping,.be - aat the dress out of her hand, and threw it under the bed; and turning her back upon the astomshe girl, and shaking fretfully her shoulders, she curled herself in a discontented heap on the.sofa, and said: "Do go along and leave me alone." Kitty colored, and an angrf speech rose to her lips, but she checked it in time : her life train- ing had practically taught her "least said soonest .mended;" and going quickly frpm the Blue Corner, she shut the door, ran downstairs, out through the kitchen, ' never stopping till she reached that haven of peace, the barn, where she came upon Henry, assum- ing the Pecksniffian costu me, preparatory to his rural labors, and after obliging Jim to jump through her hands about fifty times, which feat he always accom- plished with flattened ears and a scowling countenance,, she entered heartily into the "chores, and soon for- got all causes of annoyance, The next morning Bellemet Kitty at her door. She was faultlessly-attired in the sheerest and clearest of muslins; iand her.handsome features were radiant with gushing innocence. She kissed dear Migiionne on- both cheeks, and descended the stairs with'one beautiful arm around her waist. At breakfast she was gossipy, witty, amusing, delightful. That deal happily over, she enticed Kitty up to the Blue Corner, and shut carefully the door. "Cherie," she com- menced, winding the child's curls around her fingers "how abundant your hair is ! positively, it ia thep& cise color of that Miss MacKenzie's, who was so run after in Newport last year. Everybody raved over her graces, and she had no end of verses;written;in her praise. Your tresses are her very shade, let me see! [poising her head. admiringly one side] I rely must fabricate for you a garland for the fete. %'A-rosy crown 'll twine for thee, of Flora's-richest treasure: for Flora read Carlotta, who has some darling garden sweets which it will-be a pleasure for;ine to .ullshnsna with some of her shining ivy leaves FIl transforn y Mignonne into a Hebe." Playing thus with the long ringlets, and smoothly ,.F" 14.3 r page: 144-145[View Page 144-145] nI '. - X44 "P SHALL DE A LADY FOREVER." purring, she came at length to the business of the time. /'jDo you know, Cherie, I've been thinking perhaps Ihad better offer to take that satin off your' hands; you will look like your, great-grandmother in it, if you ever attempt to put it on ; and as to laying it aside, perfect fudge I with your-father's wealth and munificence, and the quantities of things he is perpet- ually sending you. The standing mystery to me is, that I did not have a beneficent parent of my own; I could makedone so useful. It;seems that all the good gifts are bestowed o inconsequent recipients who can't put them to proper service. Just think, Kitty I I am an orphan--nobody to love . me, nobody to send me anything." Kitty was very sorry for her, not so much for the words as. the hopeless, dejected manner of them, :and she really felt as if there must be a great wrong in getting so much, when poor Belle needed everything; and she put her arms around her neck and kissed her. *I can't seg what ever induced your papa to post on such an old-time piece of goods; nobody wears satins now." Kitty'took away her arm. "My father always sends me handsome things. The girls said so. There weren't such pretty organdies and linens in tire whole scheolas mine. I remember particularly how much, ILurGin liked my silk stockings ; they just fitted her4' Intent as 'Belle was upon an object, full of guile, she. could not help a real honest laugh at this unconscious I SHALL BE A LADY FOkEVER." 145 revelation of Kitty's careless innocence, in which the child gleefully joined, happy to reflect anybody's good-humor without taking trouble to hunt out the joke. "I can readily believe it, Cherie; but in this. in- stance you must confess he has a little misjudged.4 Carlotta, the self-elected arbitress of your affairs, said, you know, that it was not suitable, and folded it villy-.i nilly outt of your sight ; and she did wisely. The crape is perfection, and' Ilong to see my Mignonne ar- rayed in it: full, low body, and Marie Louise sleeve, and my garland of ivy'and flos adonis. Therefore, if it 'suits you, perhaps I had. better take the heavy fabric. I couldn't get- anything decent here if I should try. I know my good Kitty would not feel right to go fie to Lanagan's ball, and have her poor Belle shabby. I judge others by myself. 1 could not endure such a though-, but it is a weakness of mine to lavish too much sympathy on my friends. I feel pretty sure the satin will fray, but I will make it with a cord, and I can get three or four good wears otit of it, always provided some Merry Bank Slow- foot does -not, tread on it. I have laughed half a dozen tines at your description of that contrete.s. I should have liked to see your scathing indignation and his downcast shamefacedness. I suppose we have settled our little business, haven't we, preciousP and vrai ed / I look upon the manner of our'prep. aration f } this "'Folly as it Flies ' as aii especial in- terpositi-n of Providence." 7' I'.1 page: 146-147[View Page 146-147] N .-, 146 "I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." Notwithstanding Belle's soft purring, with all her claws in velvet, Kitty hesitated.. Even she, simple- ton as she was, could not be insensible to the richness of the, costly satin, although she knew as little as a girl could of money values ; her abundant allowance was disbursed for trifles, and quite as often for her friends', including her chum Laura Gwin, as for her own pleasure ; and the clothing bills were made up and forwarded with the others by Madame Devereaux. She reflected that Carlotta would not approve such a disposition of her papa's gifts; it seemed like slight- ing his kindness, but then it was only a dress, after all; there .were plenty more where that came from; Belle would look lovely in it ; she liked seeing her friends look lovely, and as artfully put before her, it would be selfish to refuse, and she had no funds. What a pity there had not been also a cheque in the box! then Belle could have the satin in welcome, and n t ing disagreeable to be said about it. Some coax in of Carlotta-oh yes, Carlotta certainly would cold her-she must try to make her see that it could not be helped, and-ah! now came the rub !-her heart rose up in hei throat and choked her, while she faintly brought forth the words, looking down and blushing like a culprit: "I must ave some money, you know,, Belle, and if you could pay me a little directly. It is non- sense to lay it up for the great occasion Carlie talks about, when I have got no lover; .so if you will give me enough to do for now"- " I SHALL BE A ._L ADY FORE VER." "4 The blonde, had been eagerly watching -and impa- tiently awaiting her decision, while she mused;and she hastily seized the goods which they had had spread out on the bed side by side with the wrinkled cream, and folding it hurriedly, she stepped quickly and thrust it into her trunk, which shelocked, and brought away the key in her pocket. "'There: that is consummated!" exclaimed she, airily; "who says we are not business women.? You should thank me for putting the stuff to use- you and I must make a sensation dancing in the same set, of course we shall enter the room together; we will illustrate for- the benefit of these country folks' the two styles of beauty, the petite and the queenly; and just fancy me twirling in the. mazy (i suppose I can't get through the evening without it), encircled by the arm of the graceful, gallant Nickson. I hope Ae will wear gloves,! his hands make me creep: files and graters are silky-satin compared to them. By the way, Mignonne, don't mention our private matters to anybody, Carlotta especially. I should like to sur- 'prise her.; a' capital joke, you see ; and besides, she might make unpleasant remarks to you, thoughVcertes I don't perceive 'any reason for it. But there's Rno telling what she may do ; rules and conventionalities don't fetter her free-soul. -How you can laugh when. you see her round eyes as she espies 'us ! =I feelthat we shall be gorgeous. Blue is my color," etc. Coaxing, wheedling, purring, she managed a ,rom- ise from foolish Kitty to keep her secret, and then a' page: 148-149[View Page 148-149] 148. "I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." dismissed her with droll talk; merry laughter, and a little practice of some fancy steps she had shone in long ago, when her rose-colored slips scarcely reached her knees, and which she executed with as lithe a grace as if the far-off childhood were a yesterday ; but never' a word of money. "Base is the slave who pays," and Belle Brandon was innocent of such baseness. An hour or two afterward, she came downstairs, dressed for a walk, with a brown-paper package under her arm. "Where .are you going?" asked Kitty, who was nursing Jim on the door-steps, trying to feel suite that although she hal not gotten her money, she certainly should get it directly, notwithstanding the fact that in h9r superabundant fun the handsome debtor had forgotten it. Up to the dress-maker's, Mignonne;" Bellepassed hurriedly on. Kitty hastily pushed Jim out of her lap and/followed to the gate " Belle,'' faltered she, looking and feeling as if she were committing a crime, but nerved up- to the utterance by dire necessity; "Belle, I wish you would pay me, at least a part., before you go; I must also get my dress made." " But I cannot, Mignonne: I am impecunious, abso.. lutely a pauper I You must not seize on your fellow.. itrwasnthe ickd elo hoit htadCei servant, saying, 'pay me what thou owest,' because it Was the -wicked, fellowwodi htadChre has not the heart to be wicked." How cant that be? y said your quarter was due ; and I have been waiting." 4 r , I " I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." I "How long, pray ?-,an eternity has not passed since the transaction ; and besides, the cheque isn't always punctual to a minute ; just as soon as it ar- rives, my precious Kitty shall surely come into her own again, like .Bonnie Prince Charlie." " But, Belle, forgive me ; I am qtiite certain I saw the cheque .in the letter Henry handed you-at dinner. You opened it, remember, the bit, of paper dropped out, I picked it up and. restored it. to you. I am sorry, dear Belle, to be troublesome, but I don't see how I am to get ready for the party without- it; a little will do ; I don't value the money--you know that ; I am not stingy; and if I could help it, I would never ask- you ; you might keep it all, and. welcome; I know papa will send me enough before long;, but you see I can't go if I don't have some now." Belle actually blushed, and for an instant. looked almost ashamed: but it was only an instant.; she had so long ago contracted a habit of strangling her good impulses in the birth., that they gave her- little trouble now. She hated to part with money at-any time; she believed Kitty would not betray her ; if she could not get the dress made, she would, of course, stay at home and leave the field clear, and finally she justified her conduct by the thought that the child might obtain all she needed, by applying to the Red Cottage' folks ; and if they dared mention the, transaction to her, which was not likely, why then, "business, necessity'"-and: that was all there was about it. 4 page: 150-151[View Page 150-151] 00 : I SH4LL BE A LADY FOREVER." "That cheque ! oh, that 'was a mere bagatelle-- gone. immediately, ,lie the sparks which fly upward, or the spirit of the beast, which goeth downward, You 'nust wait, child ; I actually have no money;- besides, I expect to make a bill with that hideous Snuffandbark, and why can't yodo go and do likewise; that is the command, you know." A bill ! with a perfect stranger ! ask to be trusted ! I couldn't do it." "Well, then, ask dear Heinrich'; he will 'give you the key of his chest if you will marry him, him,. him," hummed Belle, provokingly. "I would stay at home forever, first ! " burst out Kitty, her eyes- filling; "you are}unkind to speak of such a horrid thing! " " I don't see the barbarity, Cherie, but if you are so monstrously delicate, I. am afraid I cannot propose any way out of your dilemma.MI had supposed I. was to be clapped on the shoulder, like a thief by the- sheriff, I would never have offered to take the trum - pery. If you are sorry for your excellent bargain and wish to have it back, say so, and there's an end ; of course it is of no consequence to you whether or no Igo to the party ; you can have your good time. "4 Belle, you are too cruel ! I. don't care about the money now-you need not pay me-no ! never !--in the wide world ! I wouldn't touch it !" Bursting into tears, Kitty leaned over the post, and,°covered her face with her hands, and Miss Bran- don shut -the gate with a wicked little slam-bang, I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." I t and walked gracefully away ; and " Mignonne " re- turned pretty soon, very slowly, and sat down again, and took up Jim, who bore no malice for his hasty dismissal, but pure his loudest, and rubbed his head sympathetically against her hot cheeks. Her fit'of passion was over; it subsided into a sorA feeling of injury, a friendless, outside, chilly, comfortless state of mind, which most of us can remember to have ex- perienced at some time in our lives, as I suppose there are few who have not been outwitted by some clever one, and laughed at. During dinner Henry made some joking 'allusion to the approaching festivity. Kitty colored up and said, " I'm not going to the frolic, Henry; I've con- cluded not." Our lawyer looked closely at her, took note of her red, swollen eyes, and scarlet cheeks. He kept his thoughts to himself, 'but though we were at table, and he had a tempting morsel of chicken on his fork, he laid it down and commenced humming "Why should we mourn "-tune'"China," as if it had been a funeral occasion. Carlotta, brisk, little black-eyed Carlotta, ex- claimed in astonishment,' Not 'going, Kitty ! when you have such beautiful things lying upstairs beg- ging to be worn ; what has taken the child~! I never heard such nonsense ; my pet develop whims!1 Oh no ; leave them to cow-birdg-who will exhaust the supply. Carlotta had been flying about all the morning like r }': i -. . f2 _ r.° s , irr ; , . j :1: page: 152-153[View Page 152-153] s 152 "Z SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." a little honey-bee, and hadn't taken time yet even to look at Kitty, so busy was she in pouring out tea. We always have with our dinner green tea at the Red Cottage, one sniff of which would put life into a_ dying woman, to say nothing of its exquisite flavor, which soothes, exhilarates, and brings out all the fine points of our nature; we are never so chatty and con- versable as at dinner. Mrs. Ramble is fond of bor- rowing our tea. "jKitty, my love," said she, setting down the old-fashioned silver teapot with a heron engraved upon it-" Kitty! you've been crying; tell me directly what is the matter." " Now, Carlotta,. don't speak cross," burst out- Kitty, going round and falling upon her woman- friend's neck, whose tone had been a little curt, but with the child in her mind only as sufferer, her thoughts indignantly covering Belle Brandon's hand- some self as the actor. "Now you don't know how bad you make me feel; I think I am very unhappy." So what could Carlotta 'do, but push away her chair from the table, take her darling into her arms, and comfort her, then and there, and Henry went off in a hurry, without waiting for dessert. , We heard him away beyond the gate humming the consoling strains of a "doleful dump; " and also the lowing of the little sea-cow, who failed to attract his .ttention. Of course Carlotta set herself1to find out £he cause of the hidden grief. Kitty refused to confess, and as all her pressing only added to her misery, without any other effect than the little head-shake, and " I i i . i~ ' , "I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." 153 promised not to tell, Carlie, so 'don't nake me," she dried her pet's tears, and hushed her like- a baby. After seeing her comfortably busy with sorMe red berries, tiny shells and mosses, and a cross -f card- board, in which dainty work sloe was exceeding skilful, our Martha went up town on her round of er- rands. Stepping into Lamode's, that gossipy shop- keeper asked her how she liked the beautiful handker- 'chief Miss Brandon had got of her, "such a bargain; adding, "Miss Clayton is a charming young lady,. and so free with her money. 'Tisn't everybody would lend fifty dollars as easily; just pulling it out and throw- ing it into her friend's hand, like nothing at all.' But they say her fathertis awful rich ; so I suppose it comes as easy as it goes ; well, it must be nice to have what you want without stitching it out of your poor fin- gers." 'As very- little was elicited by her information, she went on another topic. "What a beautiful dress it is that Miss Brandon has got for the great party, to be sure ! she had. it here this morning; in fact, she is stairs now with Miss Snuffandbark." Carlotta knew in an instant what it was, and she replied carelessly, "Ah! the blue satin?" "Yes, indeed,'and so particular as she is about the fit; she is alittle bothersome to work for on account, of knowing so much herself ; but she's got a beautiful bust; my head-woman is hard at work, and you may be sure we shall do our prettiest to please any c . i page: 154-155[View Page 154-155] .J. i54 " 1 SHALL BE A -LADY FOREVERR" towers you send us ; we know what real gentlefolks are. Won't you take those tidies, Miss Gorton ? they're cheap.as dirt, and a perfect'*imitation of Hon- iton." After Carlotta had gone, Lamode said to Miss Snuffandbark, "I was determined to let them know about that handkerchief, because you mark my words, that fifty dollars will never get back into the little fool's purse, if the other one can get rid of paying it. She's an old hand, she is ; I must keep the right side of her-if she's going, tcy marry Nickson; maybe a good customer, I wonder what the proud' thing 'd say if she knew he spent. half his evenings here amongst my girls, as sociable as old cheese-he isn't proud." "Kitty," said Carlotta, after admiring the com-. pleted cross, which was indeed very artistic, "let's take another look at your pretties. It is time to set about making up your dress-at least to decide which of the-two you will choose ; of course you need not take my say-so about it." ".Oh ! I'm going to wear the crape, if I go-but I shan't go." "Don't make that silly remark again, unless you wish to vex'1 me," answered Carlotta. "I shall not hear of your staying at home. Have you forgotten your desire for a lover ? no ? I thought not. You needn't hang your pretty head and pout. I've made' a privatearrangement with the fates to have you find one in that ball-room I expect to introduce you to. "I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." I 155 my male pet, Archie. I hope he won't fail to come." Still talking, and pretending riot to notice Kitty's flushing cheeks or her unwillingness, she put one arm around her, and drew her upstairs, the poor child feeling as if she was about to be- executed, but hav- ing no power to cross hwo an-friend's strong will. Upon opening the bureau wer, only the crape was there. Carlotta nade no remark, but taking it out as if it was the sole object of her attention, she laid it in attractive folds upon the bed, and fetching the bertha, she placed it gossamer-fine' upor it; then the fan and handkerchief; the bouquet-holder ; a pair of tiny white, gloves. The child watched her motions silently, her flushing color coming and going, while her breath wafted unevenly through her parted lips; finally diving into the bottom of the drawer, she fished up the little porte-monnaie, saying gayly:. "Shakespeare advises, 'put money in thy purse. It appears that you have been taking it out of yours. It is as lean as hungry charity." ' "I know it," rejoined Kitty, trying to laugh ; "' who steals my purse steals trash,' but I shall have it full again before long." "Excuse me, darling, but I should like to know what you have done with all your money ; I know you had plenty when you came, and you have bought no expensive articles here." "Now,' Carlie, it's no -use asking me," replied Kitty, resolutely shaking her small head and pursing I } r ' Fi - 'S -n i w " _ .i page: 156-157[View Page 156-157] 156 S[" SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER," her lips ; " I cannot tell you, at least I'd rather not ; and I know my dear woman-friend won't make me, when she sees that it pains me. It's gone, and, there is an end -of it." -. A little silence ensued, and Carlotta stood thought-" fully -smoothing the folds of the wrinkled cream., Suddenly shesaid: "EKitty, you shall tell me one thing : Did Belle- Brandon beg, borrow,- buy, or steal your blue satin?" The child, astonished out of her senses, answered, "'Why, Carlie, who told you she-had got it?" "Oh, I heard of it ;. a bird of the air carried the. matter, and.as I do. know -it, you are absolved from your promise of secrecy ; and you shall tell me how she managed it." With the weight off, Kitty most gladly confided the whole story to her woman-friend, adding, "II shall never mention it 'to her again ; I wouldn't take any money of hers, not if she was to go down on, her kneefMd beg me ! " "Well, .child, I won't gainsay you; I see it would be torture to you if I should interfere, so let her keep her ill-gotten gains, and Heaven grant we may - be soon rid of her ! I feel like praying the prayer the old deacon offered for his scolding wife, 'Oh, Lord, let her be speedily and geritly removed.' She is . angling for a queer. fish--such as it is, I think she will get it. One thing. is certain sure, if she does, she receives full reward for all her evil deeds. That "Z SHALL BE A LADY FORE VER."' 15'g Nickson is a wretch, if thereis one unhung ; I don't pity her or envy her. You have been a foolisli child,, but it is a sort of folly born in you, and it will beautify your life. I couldn't love you so much if you were less innocent, and more selfish and if that cow-bird can afford to flaunt her borrowed feathers, we can afford to let her. You are not going to be cheated out of this party; I really believe that is just, what the pestilent Fringilla would like, and that is precisely what she can't have; I shall give her to understand "-shaking her hand threateningly-" that other people can manouvre as well as she. Now mind you.say no word pro. nor con about it, and she won't ask, you may be certain. She'll watch , let, her ! all she finds out, I'll present to her with my compliments. I'm going to get up this robe myself. I'm a famous dressmaker. I've often thought of going into that line. I will not permit you to carry it out of the house, and we will have all the fun to our- selves." Kitty, who had been much. moved, by Carlotta's,, home-thrusts (she did not spare her pet, but lectured roundlyand bade her take care in future, notwith- standing her characteristic wind-up.), now threw her arms around her' neck, relieved of her heavy load; and though she shed some tears, her spirits rose in" proportion to her late depression. "I've been. so. unhapp'y.-you. can't think," said she. "I felt as if people were so wicked." " I'eople have been behaving like a ragingewolf to i 4 page: 158-159[View Page 158-159] 158 *II SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER"- my precious lamb; there is not the shadow of a ques- tion about that ; but the sheep-d6g has waked up now, andwe'll see-who comes out best ; shine up your eyes, darling ; if you had persisted in sobbing and cry- iig so, I should have gone distraught. We must con- sult about the crape. Let me see:- what do you think of baby waist and duchess sleeve ? I wonder how many gores we had better put in the skirt ! hum--- hum-4f an ox gore a man or woman, he shall be-put to death; but there is no law against goring skirts. There is a creature-the first letters of her name are cow-bird,'--' who has gored the gentle bosom of peace with pillage and robbery.' I've a notion she is coaxing up a future for herself that with bloodless stroke, her soul shall gore;- that old Nickson is a dreadful goer, yea, one of the go-ats of the party who go the pritprose way to the everlasting bonfire ; but never mind that pair now. We'll forget and forgive. Good, ny mouse of virtue, answer me : how shall ve fashion the frills ? beauty's a flower ; therefore smile again, my bonny lassie." Kitty followed the talk of her woman-friend with amused attention, thinking "how smart she is," and she soon forgot her vexations in the momentous dis- cussion, and before she knew it she had laughed heartily at Carlotta's .drollery, her grimaces and hum-hums;" and they got as merry as grigs long ere replacing the pretties in their hiding for the night. It was after the candles were lighted that 'Belle I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." 159 Brandon returned ; she threw herself. wearily dkwn upon the sofa, and tossing off her hat, she said: "I wonder i( Winnie will give me some supper ; I haven't eaten anything since morning, and I am as faint as death." Pray) where have you been all day ? asked Carlotta, rising to give the order. .I began to think we should have a - dreadful occasion,' or a clandes- tine marriage in the Merry Bank Scalpel, to-rnor- row morning, as a relish for our breakfast.'" "Nothing clandestine for me, thank you, Miss Gor- ton. When I take the vow, it will be with a flour- ish of trumpets ; I think the eclat and the trousseau, the presents and the grand tour, are the cream of the performance ; and after that, Newport, Saratoga, and the Metropolis; no love in'a cottage for me"; thank Heaven ! I am not romantic." "Very pleasant, all that, and not to be despised ; but don't you think a little love for your husband: would be advisable to fall back upon, in case of sick- ness, poverty, or old age? There rnghit come a time when you would need sympathy and tenderness,- said Carlotta, with an unwonted softness in her tone, and an involuntary yearning toward this self-willed' manager, so resolutely marching on her chosen path. Kitty looked up in surprise, and. I must say I was astonished, although ]I knew all about Carlie, her pe- culhar views as to the sacredness of the marriage-vow, and the needs and must-haves for .its assumption. She was generally so curt to Belle, and declined so -k i page: 160-161[View Page 160-161] ": I B BE 4 LADY FOREVER} A utterly to manifest any interest in her feelings. or her proceedings. Iut I had forgotten that the anniver- sary of PitkiA Sterling's departure was close at hand a-- daywhich she always observed in, a way charac- teristically her own. "Don't preach! pray don't! you make me sick," said Belle, playing restlessly with her hat-strings., When I do take a husband, I shall provide against any possible poverty.; and for the-rest, I must accept my chance as other people do."' Something was stirring within her, for a blank weariness came ,over her handsome face, a dreary look of trouble and dread., But she' pushed off her curls presently, and with them. pushed away also. her? thoughts, whatever they were, and poured for herself a cup of the fragrant tea Winnie set before her on a. little round table, and began to eat her buns and raspberries; in a quick, determined manner, as if she disclaimedthe idea of softness or wavering. But you haven't told us where you have spent the day," said I. "Bianca Ashcroft was here asking for you. Belle glanced swiftly at Iitty, who was bending over her saucer of berries and mosses. " I wonder - if the chit has prattled," was her thought; but as the child's curls shaded her face, and she did not look up, she replied aa,. venture, "Only at the troublesome dress-maker's, getting. my bodice. fixed." Kitty raised bethead in quick astonishment, but. "I SHALL BE A LADY FORE VER." 16 Belle met her gaze with collected quiet, and her color never changed; a bitter thought burned in her heart, though. "Here sits this innocent thing, adored, petted, sheltered, like a bird in a nest, and I am alone, out- side ; she will get a loving young husband. I must take that hideous wretch, or fight poverty, and be an old maid, ugly, wrinkled." " By faint degrees voice, lute, and pleasure ceased ;.no azure vein wandered on her clear-hued temples, no soft bloom misted the cheek, no passion to illume the deep-recessed vision; all was blight." Belle smiled grimly as Mrs. Ramble opened the door. "It was this horrid old witch which inspired my musing," thought she, "not my speeding future. Time past and time to come are not ; The time present is my only lot.'" The truckman's wife announced that she couldn't "stay a second hardly," and began to talk about the party, forewarning, us in what holiday apparel we should meet our acquaintances. I 'spose you know where. Nickson come from, don't you ?" As Carlotta snapped her eyes, and nobody replied,, I made haste to cover the gap by a negative. "'Why, Roaring. River! leastways he lived there before he went to Californy; he married for his second woman Mary Ann Williams, my sister's darter ; I never found it oat til a little while ago, A ., _ } _ t , _ _ " t , . , ! W C page: 162-163[View Page 162-163] 162 '"Z SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER."S that he was the same one; me and sister Williams hain't been on-the best of terms for quite a spell, .and I didn't go to the weddin' and I didn't go to the funeral; but when Alumzy Jane, was to Toptown, she met her Cousin Payson to Brother Baalam's, and somehow or another she .got hold of the whole story. His first wife was a Wapping from Winchester, and she tried to kill herself three times before they finally found her in the barn hanging to a log chain, her long hair streamin' down behind her, and her eyes sot-and theygot her down just in time to save her from being tried for suicide, and she didn't. live but a couple of days afterwards-and you might know he and poor Mary Ann didn't live a mite happy: they say he beat her ; and anyhow she took her new-born baby and went off one dark night, and she wasn't found till she was as black as your hat, and a'most all to pieces ; and he took leg-bail between two days, or the folks would have mobbed him. I knew all about the poor thing's death before, though they hushed it up ; and now I'm putty ,sure this Nickson is the identical fellar-in fact, I know he is-I meafl to put it to him the very first'chance I get ; they do say he goes by another name. That Knox has been heard to call him Jack Frippon. I can't say nothing about that;, but I do know if he was made of gold and dimuns he ain't no kind of a man to be tied up to., It's just as true as you live, Belle Brandon.; you'd better let him alone if you know when you're well off. Ramble says I'd better hold my tongue or I'll get took up for slander, but I ain't a mite afraid. He dassent do a thing." Belle was as pale as ashes. Mary Ann Williams had been a schoolmate 'of hers, and there was a, good deal mixed up with her and those' times which was exceedingly disagreeable, and she wondered what portion of her previous history was includedin Payson's gossip ; reflecting that the. fellow was a mere child at the time, she hoped she had escaped mention. How much of the banker's" story she knew before, or whether this was her first information of ' his connection with her former friends, I never ascertained. I think it quite likely, from her penetra- tion' and -sharpness, that a part of it at least was no news to her. At any rate she haughtily resented Mrs. gamble's interference, and took care to let her know it. "Oh, well: I've done my duty," said the old "lady. " If you want to have a black-leg, pu-gel-ist, hypo-, crite, and what-all, go ahead ; there ain't nobody got no objections; but I tell you if you do, the time'll come when you'll cry right out : 'Oh, that mine head was waters, and mine eyes a fountain of, tears, that I might weep day and night.' You'll rue the day ; mark my words. . As for me, I'd just as soon see you in the Folly as anybody. I was kinder afraid one time that this pretty'-Kitty 'd get took ir, but thank the Lord, He meant her for, better things; what you goin' to wear, little rose-bud, hey? is it the white or the blue?" "r -1 SHALL. BE A LADY FOREVER*" 163 I page: 164-165[View Page 164-165] 64 "i SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." It was really remarkable how the old lady's eyes twinkled whenever they rested on our precious blossom, and what a kindly grin stretched her mouth, displaying: her toothless gums ;. she never had any unpleasant "tells " for her, fruitful js she was in such productions for other people. I think of putting Kitty into Japanese mourning for a want she knows of,'' said Carlotta. "The land sake ! what's that, pray-.--pepper and salt?" "Black and yellow, Mrs. Ramble'; the color of the crow-foot in the meadow or on the banker's face; the hue of the pirate's flag,. 'never say die.' " "How you -do talk, Carlotty; the dog can't make nothing on't out. Oh, good-evening, Mrs. Squirm- well; gain' to prayer-meetin'?" While the others were busy, I had admitted the singing woman, who speedily bore down upon her errand. " I've come in on. purpose to see you, Carlotta. Preparatory lecture is Friday night, and I want to ask your forgiveness, "Indeed, what for--been skipping into my place. somewhere ? " "No, not at all. I know I haven't noticed you as much as I ought to lately, and I want to speak about it before communion, and beg your pardon." "Oh, is that the occasion of your contrite spirit! Well, you may take away my blessing; I assure you I had felt no want of politeness.' *I SIALL BE A -LADY FORE .EP." Whatever reply she might have made was hindered by Winnie, who bounced into the room, forgetting all proprieties, with her cheeks and nose extremely in flamed and the tale of her gown belligerently tucked through her pocket-hole. ' Your nasty boy, he's most killed my pig, and you let him, just because he got his poor head catched in your fence," said she, shaking her fist at Mrs. Squirm- well. " Do you expect ever to go to heaven ? if yoi do, I hope the leetle hog '11 go on your back and say ' que, que, que !' all the way." "Why, Winnie, Winnie ! you forget yourself; go out of the room immediately," said I, rising to enforce my command. "I can't help it, Miss Serena. I don't abide that Woman. If she be not the devil, she's the devil's sis- ter. She's always droppin' and floppin' down on her knees in the kitchen and everywheres, prayin' :up to everybody." "Wouldn't you like to be forgiven before you go, good woman? "- spoke up Mrs. 'Squirmwell in an ex- alted frame of mid ; " stop a minute, till I offer -a short petition for you." " No, no ! petish yourself, if you feel like it! petish for my leetle pig. I don't want any-of your long graces; " and Winnie bounced out as she wildly had bouncedin. We sing a hymn at our led Cottage before we exchange good-night kisses, and read a little in the Holy Bible = We are not wont to speak much to- V , page: 166-167[View Page 166-167] i166 9 I SHALL BE A LADY FOREVER." gether afterwards; we. like to -take to our pillows whatever of sweetness or pith we have found, each for herself, in the sacred utterance. The blind mother loved this gathering time, and I notice that the songs we sing oftenest are those she hallowed by her tune- ful voice. Her spirit is among us, I am fond of think- ing; and her heavenly orisons blend with our earthly ones- I happened to be looking at Belle Brandon that evening, while Henry was reading the Scripture les- son. " And thou saidst, I shall be a lady forever, and thou didst not lay these things to heart; neither didst thou consider the latter end of it ; these two things shall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loss of children and widowhood. . They shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sor- ceries and for sthe great abundance of thy enchant- ments." Belle was not over given to deep listening to the Bible-readings, nor self-applications of their promises or threatening ; but this evening her mind was turbid. It sent up the mire and dirt of past follies, sins, trials, mortifications, disappointments--the fruit* of un- worthy actions. When she was sixteen she had a curi- ous experience. Sitting opposite a girl named Chris- tabel Goldsmith, whom she had much tormented, and as deeply wronged as she could, with her opportu- nities, now as then a shudder ran through her veins ; for one instant the present vanished, and she saw her- self in those clear, brown eyes, as in a, mirror; an old, -"I SHALL BE A .,LADY FOREVER." i67 ugly, guilt-stained hag;, a polluted creature. Per- haps her guardian angel showed her once more the vision, to save her from the ruin her trickery and false- hood must bring; perhaps it foreshadowed the dreary end: who can say? Now as then she shook herself restlessly, and sent a searching glance into the sur- rounding faces ; she felt as if we 'must have also seen Belle Brandon "no more called tender and delicate, but sitting among the mill-stones grinding the meal," neglected, ashamed, dragged through dirty ways. If Belle Brandon had a guardian angel he had certainly a most unsatisfactory charge on his hands ; for there never lived a woman who turned more persistently away from all good impulses and holy aspirations, using with obstinate diligence the muck-rake amongst trifles and tricks and sordidness ; she couldn't have seen a crown if.he had held one above her head; and the heavenly glory of a celestial circlet would have attracted none of her regards. b ,,t;& r' {.. , .,, ° page: 168-169[View Page 168-169] KITT Y TSITS TIlE QUINCE BUS?. 169 4, CHAPTER XII. KITTY VISITS THE QUINCE BUSH. HAT night, after Kitty had gon, to sleep in her white bed, with her pretty curls all tossed on her pillow, Carlotta went softly upstairs, fetched away the crape, and after shutting herself in- to her room, she measured the breadths, and com- menced operations. All the time she could make. from her household duties she .put upon it, and the morning of the party it was ready to try on. Kitty, who enjoyed the secrecy and mystery of the affair hugely, gayly obeyed a signal from her woman-friend to come up from bftakfast andiinally pronounce upon the fit. So, having carefulylocked the door, she was speedily inducted theieir;i aid Went into raptures, and hugged and kissed the maker some scores of times. ",Do you know, Carlie," said she, looking thought- fully down at the half-finished, sleeveless garment, with' its basting-threads and ravelled-edges ; " I had such a funny dream last night: I thought I went with you to the party ; I wore a new .dress, but it was the blue satin, and I had curious flowers and ornaments, and I went through long rooms, more beautiful than any- thing I ever beheld; and there, in a great ball-room filled with people, I found a lover, such a pretty fel- low, with curly hair ; and I was so full of joy, and I looked around for you that I might show him to you, and you were gone ; and he also had disappeared,-and there came a man, and said, Why do you weep ? I do not like children who have red eyes. Carlotta is mine ; I have brought her up to my standard, and now I shall take her ; and I was afraid,-and then my papa came, and looked so cross, and scolded me, and Belle Brandon stood close by him, and I tried to tell him something which she hindered me from speaking ; she would not let me look at him, and I awoke, trem- bling; and I could not get rid of it, it seemed so' real and true. -I like nice dreams, but those pokey ones are awful, aren't they?" "You need not trouble yourself to fix up any such destiny for me in the watches of the night. That comes of the stuff I was so silly as to tell you .one day : there won't anybody. bring ine up to any standard ; you see, you had a nightmare, and of course, that cow-bird had to 'thrust herself into it. Heaven forbid such a juxtaposition! What on earth put that into your .head ? has she been. asking you questions about your father?" inquired Carlotta sus- -piciously. 8 V j .r .t t j ji _ /, t , -., -, , i _ , ', ; ' a' i - ?A i page: 170-171[View Page 170-171] 17Q KITTY VISITS THE QUINCE BUSH. "Oh yes; we have talked a good deal, and I sent him her picture when she first came." "Her picture! what for, pray ?" " Oh nothing : she told me to, and I asked him to come on this summer ; I knew he wouldn't, for all she thought I could coax him; and he won't," said Kitty sorrowfully. " Good Lord, deliver. us from all these---cow- birds.! " ejaculated Carlotta not very reverently. Her utterance was something difficult, too, for she had-her mouth full of 'pins. "I only hope I can get this skirt to hang," she added, frowningly twitching it. "He had better stay where he is, if he knows when he's well off." " What do you mean, Carlie ? why do you say hem of my crape." "A confusion of genders consequent upon my French studies," answered Carlotta. It is such fun getting ready on the sly, isn't it?' And Belle thinks I will stay, at home ; won't she look astonished when I come_ in leaning on my woman- friend's arm ? Oh' Carlie, I wish we could find -our lovers up there ; I want a lover ; don't you ? " "No ! child, no ! of course not; what should I do with a dangling fool?" "Why, marry him, pet him, kiss him, like this and thlis." Well, child, that may suit your salad days. I'm no longer green in judgment. I forswear all such Pinipery; doii't hinder now ; take your pretty arm off' KITTY VISITS TIE QUINCE BUSM. 171 my neck. I shall have to work like steam to get fin- ished in season, and I want to make time to wash my best collar, which Henry brought me from Brussels, and to clean my gloves." " Let mne wash your collar, Carlotta." " Nonsense! pet ! as if I would trust you. I don't believe laundry-work was taught at your school ; go and find Jim, and have a little romp, and keep your bright looks, or you may miss the pretty fellow, which would be a pity." " You shall wear- a. pair of my gloves, any way ; promise that, or I won't stir. See, your hand fits mine, finger to finger; only your first and middle ones are just the same length, and that is a sign you will rule your husband. Laura Gwin told me so, oh Carlie!" " Well, I have as full a right to rule as be ruled, if it comes to that," answered Carlotta; "you must go now, pet," she added quickly. " Not till you promise," persisted Kitty; "no gloves, no g " As you please, precious," said Carlotta, kissing the sweet face raised to her. Putting her favorite ,from the room she locked the door. I' believe she sewed many thoughts into the dress that morning-. thoughts kindled by Kitty's artless prattle. I feel sure of it, because when I visited her room seeking a brooch of mine, I found her busy with a box of let- ,ters-so busy that I had to knock thrice- before she admitted me-; and there was a certain exaltation v page: 172-173[View Page 172-173] 172 KJkTY VISITS TIE QUINCE BUSH. KITTY VISITS TIlE QUINCE BUSH. about her face, a lithe grace to her motions, which I remembered well in the old days of her friendship with. Pitkin Sterling: and moreover, she had turned her raven tresses back in deep braids, and pierced them with the golden arrow. Once a year she did this. I cannot tell how I knew, but I did know, she had worn it thus the evening when he had asked her to marry him. I loved her too well to intrude any com- ments upon actions on which she desired to keep silence; but she is one~-of those rare creatures one cannot help studying, all whose phases are full of interest. Our lawyer was at court. I was presiding over Winnie's currant jelly, and-too busy to dine, and Carlotta took her green tea, salad, and rolls in her apartment, being pressed for time, and also perhaps choosing her own thoughts to any society. So the two girls sat down to the table by themselves. They had hardly spoken together since the talk at the gate. In fact, Miss; Brandon had passed most of her time in Miss Snuffandbark's workroom, going out each morning with a little basket on her arm directly after breakfast, and returning late: She did not dare in- trust her costume to the tender mercies of the country artist, but directed and planned Ahe whole toutedn scramble" (to use a favorite phrase of the dress-- maker), and assisted with her own fingers, made skilful b'y adroit practice. So we had our Red Cot- tage very much to ourselves. Little Kitty had done her best to forget and for- give, but, she did not feel like being especially so- ciable, and as for the blonde, she looked down on "the chit," as a means, an instrument, wholly devoid of interest, except so far as she could be made available, "a poor, spiritless little tool "-and as she had not yet gotten all she needed out of the "tool," she was glad of the opportunity the solitary dining gave her to achieveher design. "I declare, Mignonne," .she broke out, "I do feel so annoyed ! I have the greatest mind not to go to the party, after.all. "Why not? " replied Kitty, pleasantly, in whom the familiar tones and epithets awakened the old train of feeling. "Because I cannot find a decent thing to put on my head in this dull town, Robin Gray. I wanted marabouts, and there isn't one to be had for love nor money. I do think after all the unpleasant feelings I have been through, and the trouble and worry, and the misunderstandings with my dear friend--'' "Why not wear flowers ? Carlotta will give you plenty ; make a wreath." " You 'dear,. unsophisticated innocent! do you suppose .I would appear in garden flowers at a full- dress party? Certainly not ! Kitty looked amazed, remembering Belle's offer to construct a garland for her use from the despised blossoms, but did not say anything. "I suppose you wouldn't like to do me a favor, Kitty, if I should ask it ? You have hardly spoken i73 } , e' page: 174-175[View Page 174-175] 174 KITTY VISITS THE QUZNCE BUSI. or looked at me this whole week" (this in a gushing, tender tone). "You can't know how unhappy you have made me ! If I had for a moment supposed such a trifle could have broken our friendship, I would have jumped into the Dead Sea before I would have touched that dress ; and I was so fond of you: I never met a girl in whom I took so warm an interest. The ants don't prize their aphides more than I prize you." (Belle laughed inside ; she knew she was safe in simple Kitty's "Natural History.") "I hoped we. should be life-friends. I am the most unlucky-creat- ure ! always saying and doing outri things. I do think it is too hard. I don't see what I was born for!" If Belle had put her exclamation into the form of a riddle, Kitty might have replied as. did the boy to a certain lady-lecturer: "Gives that up ; ask some more hard questions ; " .but seeing that the blonde's handkerchief was at her eyes, and she was getting up quite a rush of sobs, the poor child felt as if she must be personally accountable, and wickedly to blame somehow for' the torrent of grief, and made haste to speak such words of comfort as she could sum- mon in her.embarrassment ; and was finally induced, by half ejaculations, and incomplete confessions, to inquire what was the favor she desired, but feared to name ; going mentally, at the same time, over such possessions of hers as she thought it probable Belle might be-most likely to beg or borrow. Oh, nothing now t' replied that person, in a KITTY VISITS THE QUINCE BUSH. 1750 spirit and expression of martyr-meekness, wiping her eyes and sweetly smiling. "I did wish very much to have some cape jessamines for my hair.; but it is of no consequence. I did think, as you were not going to this stupid Foll.--though I must say I consider you too hasty in t at decision" (she speeded on as she noticed an an ry flush mounting in Kitty's cheek ; and it was no part of her plan to provoke her now), "and you are ;so fond of country rambles-quite a walkist, in fact, you might enjoy a stroll up to Miss Walsingham's to bring me some. Her place is look- ing beautifully now ; and I know she has plenty, be- cause Bianca Ashcroft told me so this morning. If you were .going, I could make a lovely breast-knot for you." . Kitty, in her astonishment, cane near.-letting out Carlotta's grand secret, and declaring that she was going ; but she checked herself in time, "Miss Walsingham's ! " she exclaimed. "Why, Belle,,you are surely wild. It is one o'clock now ; I don't believe I could go and get back in time ; it must be a good two miles. Besides, her nephew is ex- pected. I shouldn't like to meet him, all dusty and red ; the sun is melting : and as- for asking for hot- house flowers, I am sure I never could get up cour- age. I don't know Miss Walsingham. I am afraid of strangers. They say she is very outspoken. Anything else I can do for you, Belle?" She finished falteringly, because the blonde's blue eyes were getting deeper and more glittering with I ,I page: 176-177[View Page 176-177] 176 KITTY ' VISITS THE QUINCE BUST. each word, and the child felt that she was behaving in a perfectly selfish, unprincipled manner under their Geraldine influence. Oh, do pray stop there ; don't prolong the agony needlessly. You are determined to be disobliging, and that is the upshot of it. 'Anything else !'-but there isn't anything else. I am resolved not to stir one-step to that party unless I have some cape jessa- mines. I should hate to feel that I had spoiled a friend's pleasure just for.paltry laziness ! " ( Pushing -away her chair, she fell on to the sofa, in a state of mind, and buried her head in its cushions, and moaned andsobbed. " Oh dear me !- I'm perfectly miserable ! all alone in this unfeeling world. I wish - I was dead and buried out of everybody's way ! " Crushed as she was, with grief, Lord Feigning's daughter managed to lift her face enough 'to get a peep at Kitty's countenance. The sorrowful conster- nation painted there looked encouraging, and she continued: Oh, Kitty, Cherie! I don't feel as if I was long for this world" (" only five feet sixinches," she inly interpolated); "and I have had a hard time ; I have a presentiment that I shall die young. I am not strong, but.I should like to know that somebody would think about yme after I am gone. Will you drop a tear to poor 'Belle's memory ? One tear is all I ask (I am sure that is modest of me). Think of her who loved you, Mignonne, when you are happy." " Pray don't, Belle ! " said Kitty, starting up ner- vously. "I'll go ; if cape jessamines will keep you alive, you shall have some." Kitty could not- help laughing in spite of her.distress ; but the merriment was so hysterical, that tears would have come just as easily. She tied on her sun-bonnet and looked at the clock. She was a'good walker;- but she dreaded the burning sun, which was pouring down its hottest on the dustyjroad. " I'll just run up and tell Carlotta- where I am going ; she might want me." Belle. raised her head and said quite sharply, for one so crushed by grief, "Ifyou mean to proclaim it on the house-top, I had rather you didn't go at ill. I do despise such a fuss about every trifle ! " Kitty, who had her hand on the knob, feeling her- self thus hemmed' in, turned back without another word. When Belle saw her safely through the gate, the pink sun-bonnet which Carlotta had manufac- tured amidst much mirth, to accompany the Peck- sniffian costurne, drawn over her face, she laughed a laugh of mean, selfish triumph. "There goes the most miserable fool ! I wonder if there could be an inducement offered to me, which would take me out two miles under this broiling sun, to oblige my best-that is, my most useful friend. There is a species. of humanity created on- purpose for the use of the clever ones. The fates be praised .for them ! That chit Will be sure to get the flowers, though, with her sweet, soft ways. That old frump of a Walsingham wouldn't give me a blossom to save DITTY VISITS THE QUINCE BUSH: V7 page: 178-179[View Page 178-179] 178 KITTY VISITS TIE QUINCE BUSH. my soul. I came exceeding near being a relation of hers once ; heigho ! I am really getting old ! " Suddenly starting up, she ran nimbly after her messenger, who was speeding on her way, "Stop one instant, Mignonne; let me speak one word." Kitty turned about without looking up, and waited for her. "As. you are not going this evening, I may as well borrow your fan and other things. God bless you, Cherie ! I shall never forget how kind you are to me. My head feels better already. Maybe it will be my turn one of these fine days. I'll have you up to the Folly to spend the summer, when I marry the banker. There ! hurry on for your own Belle!" Giving "the chit " a little push and a kiss, she ran back to the house with her handkerchief over her face. Though -the heat was so oppressive, and the scorched roadway deep in hot, red dust, she felt no pity, but floated up to the Blue Corner, humming "Angels ever bright and fair," which she did so exquisitely-in such delicate, thrilling voice, rich in pathos, tender in purity, that Carlotta opened her door to listen, and Winnie crossed herself in the kitchen, and muttered an "Ave," feeling that there must be a need for a little extra praying; and was not quite at ease-till the fair warbler had hushed her notes, having concentrated her attention upon putting. her complexion into almond paste, to enhance its brilliance for t1e evening. CHAPTER XIII. THE OGRESS' CASTLE. ITTY plodded along with tearful eyes. Her cheerful, forgiving nature rose up afresh against Belle ; she felt, though she could not resist, all her exactions and extortions. As for the_ party, she would have given it up altogether, if Car- lotta had not taken so much trouble about it. Then remembering her dress, and the good times they had enjoyed during its fabrication, and her odd dream, she fell to speculating about the dancing, and won- dered whom she would have for partners; what she would wear in her bosom, and how she should look ; what Henry- would think ; what the wonderful Archie would say to her, and if his hair curled ; if he really would be there ; and by the time' she reached the Quince Bush, her elastic spirit was bright again, and her pretty face was serenely cleared of all shadow. page: 180-181[View Page 180-181] 180 THE OGRESS' CASTLE. THE OGRESS' CASTLE. It was a lovely spot. Though dead level, like all the surrounding country, it had been brought into such a state of perfect cultivation, and so tastefully laid out, that. the eye felt no want in looking over it; and Kitty took off her bonnet and sacque, and sat down upon the broad door-stone to admire and get cool, before she -asked admittance. Her hair fell in damp curls all over her plump neck, so fair and full ; and her flushed cheeks, and dimpled, round arms crossed over her lap in a pretty, old-fashioned, child- ish way, made her as bonnie a picture as you might see on a summer's day. A couple of very youthful puppies of the Retriever family, who in their baby- hood showed the marks of their parentage, having the wide Newfoundland muzzle, and long, silky ears, and well-lined face of the Irish setter mother ; and the thick, glossy, black fur, long and curly, so neces- sary to a perfect Retriever, were rolling over each other on the lawn, and Kitty laughed heartily at their clumsy gambols ; which laugh suddenly subsided as the hall-door opened, and a stout woman in rustling silk, who had been attentively watching. her from the, window, accosted her in a full voice, as if she had always lived in the open air, and taken in no end' of oxygen or ozone, or some other vitalizer, which made Kitty start quickly to her feet. She just glanced upward, meeting bright, black, penetra-. tive, eyes, which seemed to search her inmost soul, and made her drop her own, culprit-fashion, upon the ground. " Are you trying to catch a cold and a fever, child, that you sit there unsacqued, with the wind blowing on your bare arms ?" " Oh no,. indeed, ma'am ; I was watching the dogs," replied Kitty, hurriedly. "And have you come. to Quince Bush to admire my dogs ? they ought to feel flattered by the atten- tion. You see their mother is doing her best to show her gratitude. If her chain were not a strong one, she would be thrusting her cold nose against that hot-cheek of yours, and that would frighten you." " I am not afraid of dogs," replied Kitty with marked emphasis, still looking down. "Oh, and you are afraid of me, for instance-and yet you have invaded my domain." " Yes, ma'am, I had to-I have come begging- and. I may as well get it over first as last. I want some flowers." She preferred her request in a timid voice, with bowed head, and her small hands tightly clasped together: had she been suing for .a brother's life, another Isabella, she-could not have sembled a more trembling suppliant. Miss Elinor Walsingham, for it was our old friend, looked down at the child in a curious, admiring, amused way ; but when she spoke, it was in the same full-volumed voice. - "Do you suppose, little one, that I grow hot- house flowers to supply all'Christendom, that you come and batter at my door so boldly, and demand them?" page: 182-183[View Page 182-183] 182 THE OGRESS' CASTLE. She smiled to herself at the idea of boldness, in the modest, shrinking figure before her. "Indeed, I do not," replied poor Kitty, ready to drop ; "I could not .bear to ask for your jessamines; I never ask for anything. I told Belle I should be horribly afraid of you, but she would make me come ; she said she should die; she always does make me do what she wishes, Ican not help it, and I am glad it is over with, and I'll go right home. I ought not to have sat down on your door-steps, but I was so hot and tired, and I just wanted to rest and look at the puppies." She hurriedly picked itp her sun-bonnet and sacque, and turned away. Aunt Elinor burst into a laugh loud and hearty, and'full of good humor. " You're a cunning little sprite,"'said she, "and as pretty a child asI have seen for many a day." Kitty raised her eyes at the pleasant sound, and looked in the face of the laugher. " You are not angry, then, after all; I thought you. meant to scold meIfor intruding, and send me off.- and such a walk as I have had!" "And did you take me for an ogress, who eats children, that you trembled and blushed at such a rate? Do I look like one ? Come, that's right, full. and frank; I like faces that will bear daylight, yours is as clearas a crystal brook ; so you, told Belle that' you would be afraid of me ; am I so awesome a sight ? " "Now you are laughing at me, Miss Walsingham; but you spoke so loud ; I always am afraid of people who talk loud." ":Come, then, I'll whisper mild as a sucking dove ; I can't have such a tender little chick afraid of me." She reached down and softly took Kitty's hand, and drew her inside, and shut the door; "no, not even, when a close- prisoner in my keep? You see an, ogress is good-humored, when she isn't hungry, and I shall not eat you ; I am not like the con- verted feejee Islander, who desired, when very ill, to partake of a bit of baked pickaninny-I prefer chickens.1" " How. horrid!" exclaimed Kitty; "I suppose pickaninny means baby-dreadful old -cannibal ! " "Yes; the ruling- passion strong in death, you know-do you tremble severely ? " "Don't make fun of a poor stranger," said Kitty ; "I like you very much-you are merry, and I think you are handsome, and ever so friendly." "Oh, do you ? very,, well then ; sit here in the breeze and. get cool, and we will have in some iced lemonade, and sponge' cakes, while we talk about this jessamine ,business ; so you hated to come, did you ? I should think so, through this burning heat ; it was enough to wilt such a little blushing bud. How far have you. walked ? from the village, I sup- pose ; I thought I knew all the lasses about me, but your fresh, dear, charming face is a new one." "I do not live at Merry Bank. I am a visitor with the-Gortons." I THE OGRESS' C'14S?'LE 183 5 T page: 184-185[View Page 184-185] TilE OGRESS', CASTLE. THE OGRESS' CASTLE. "The Gortons! ah--indeed ! and what is your name, my dove?" Just then a huge cat jumped in at the window ; and Kitty seized upon her before she answered. "I am called Kitty Clayton, but I believe my true name is Katrina Augusta." A quick change passed over the hostess' face, a spasm of pain, and she silently observed they little figure before her. The bent head so childish fair; the soft, dimpled hands, busy with caressing motions. When she was young and beautiful, she rejected lovers for this maid's father, and because she could never, root out from her breast his image, she had lived single and alone all these years, and she looked yearningly at the child ; but soon rising briskly, she brushed back her - memories as she did her silken skirts. "I hate to cut my flowers ; they are only for my friends, and the friends of my friends' friends-" I was sure you would," broke in Kitty. "I would. wear dandelions in my hair before I would ask such a favor ; but Belle would make me come." "tAnd you love Belle very much?" " No, I do not love her; but she knows how to win her way. She got my Blue Corner ; she gets all she wants." "She is not7 your sister, or you would not so frankly confess to a want of affection-who ,then is she ? " "She is Belle Brandon." " Belle Brandon? I have heard that name before. I wonder if it is the same ; how does she look ? " " Oh, beautiful ; long curls and blue eyes." How old is she ? " - "I don't know-pretty old ; I should think as much as twenty-two / Aunt Elinor laughed. "Do you call that old ? Why I am forty-seven. "Oh, I mean old for a girl." "But I am a girl." " No. .You are a woman." "But when does a maid cease to be a girl, and commence her womanhood, according to your idea ?" " When she leaves off wishing for lovers, and set- ties down to her life with something to do, and thinks no longer- about being married. ^Carlotta says she isn't a girl any more, and she told me that was the reason. Has your cat got any name ? He's a hand- some fellow, like a lion, with his yellow stripes and pale eyes, golden as the ochre we used to have among our paints at school." "He is named Lion-you have hit the nail on ,the head with your little hammer. He knows who he likes, and why he likes ; here comes our lemonade. Now 'drink, pretty creature, drink.' " "Thank you," said Kitty. " I used to say those verses at Madame Devereaux's." "And so you are Paul Clayton's daughter! Do you know, my pretty one, you might have been my '1v 184 185 4 page: 186-187[View Page 186-187] 6THE OGRESS'- CASTLE. daughter ? I knew your papa when I was a wee lassie ; he carried my dinner-basket when I went to school. I left off being a girl, according to your reck- oning, when I was nineteen, and have been an old dame ever since. You are like your father, too. I should think I would have known you ; you have his eyes. Ah ! how well I remember that look." She rose and walked out' of the room, and when she came back, her nose was red ; and she held a great bunch of jessamines carefully tied in wet paper. " These are all for you ;. mind, they are for Paul Clayton's daughter. You may give them away, if you choose ; but I cut them because you asked me." "Oh, yes ; I must give them to Belle; she sent me out here, you know ; and besides, I am to wear some of Carlotta's ivy this evening." "Very well; just as you like ; but you must stop awhile and talk to me, to pay me for cutting them." Kitty, nothing loath, curled comfortably into the sofa corner, and coaxed Lion to make a ball of him- self in her lap... She began to prattle in her quaint fashion, while her hostess sat erect in front of her, drinking in her looks and words with admiration for her, and many thoughts of her own lost youth ; see- ing herself 'in Kitty's bright eyes as in a mirror-at gay little maid like her, fresh, careless, and loving. In answer to her hostess' questions, Kitty gave a simple account of herself; her school life, her visit at the Red Cottage; and finally branched off on to the party, and confided to her amused listener that one great reason she hated coming to the Quince Bush, was a fear that she might meet Archie Laurie, of whom she had heard so much. " Do you know, ma'am ?" said she confidentially, curling Lion's tail. "Aunt Elinor, darling; I want you to take me for your auntie," said Miss Wilsingham leaning for- ward, and giving to the bright-colored face a little squeeze. "How nice to have an auntie ! I shall like that. There wasa girl at our school who was so queer ; one day she came along with an open letter in her hand, and smiled, and said, 'My aunt is dead ;' and wecould not help laughing, because she announced the news as if she were speaking of a fete, and then a little while after we found her crying bitterly in a corner, and when we asked her 'why ?' she said, 'Oh dear, my poor aunt was only ninety-five ;- I don't see why she couldn't have -lived to be a hundred. I did so want an aunt that was a hundred ; and now I haven't -a single one left, except six of papa's sisters.'" " Kitty, Kitty, you are a bit of a rogue, I see ; you mustn't make fun of people's foibles ; it is a bad habit." "I don't, auntie, never. I don't like it myself-I think it hurts." "Yes, and it hurts the fun-maker more than the subject of the ridicule. What was it you were-about to ask me if I knew?" S"Oh, was going to ;say -I had an idea Archie i86 TIC'S OGRESS' CASTLE. 187 . page: 188-189[View Page 188-189] 711E OGRESS' CASTLE. 189 188 THE OGRESS' CASTLE. Laurie must be something like Prince Almanazar in 'Brazen-Gates."' Is that so, my dear," asked Miss Walsingham, with a little laugh, and a side glance at the open window'; " and why, pray? " "Because I think about him as .Cousin H4enry speaks of him ; his good heart, his bravery and s'wveet- ness. The Prince was that way, you know ; but per- haps you don't read fairy stories." " Not often in these old dame days; but there are a few that-are worth the trouble ; nd this little tale happens to be by a dear friend, so of course I have. read it from cover to cover." " Don't you think he was a nice lover? I want a lover; Belle has had ever so many, and I haven't had a single one yet." Miss Walsingham cast a sharp glance at the child after this speech, wondering how much there might be under this simple surface. Kitty was looking in her eyes, and; her sweet, clear-cut face was so child-- ishly frank and pleasant, that she cast away what- ever thought of guile or boldness had been obtruding itself, and answered her in almost the same words Carlotta had used :' "Oh, wait a bit, darling; you'll get plenty." "Yes, perhaps so. That's what they all say ; but I don't see any coming about." 'll give you leave to take Archie, if he develops as well as you anticipate." " Has he come? Is he here? Will he be there ?" "He is not visible to the naked eye, you see ; he. arrived in town this morning. You need not flutter like a little dove-you are safe from him at present. I think he will be at the party, though. I shall cer- tainly give him his invitation, and instructions.". "That will be nice. I am ever so glad I came. I'm cool now. I'll come up and spend the -day ; can't I ? It was lucky I did not meet Archie; which road will he take ? I should hate to be seen in this crumpled muslin, and my curls all frizzed up. I hope he will ask me for the first dance. Does he know all the girls ? I hope I shall see him ,before Belle.does. Don't you tell, will you? I should like to show you my dress. It is lovely." Here followed a full and particular description of the crape, its style and fit; to all of which her hostess lent pleased ears, bending toward her from time to time for a little pat of the round cheek, or a caress of the abundant hair, her manner full of lovingness. "But how does it happen, dear auntie, that I have not seen you at the Red Cottage, since you are such a friend of the Gortons ?" "I have been at Bladen Springs, my dear; I only returned last Friday. Serena came to see me the day I left. I remember she spoke of guests; but she could not' have mentioned your name. I should surely have noted that. " I believe I. knew you were gone, too, auntie, but I didn't think about it, because I had not adopted you then. You could not go away now without asking . G , 4 L ; y, 1' page: 190-191[View Page 190-191] THE OGRESS' CASTLE. It my consent, like a dutiful relation, could you ? and you will be at the frolic this evening, and see me fine, won'tyou ? " "Me, child'! with my rheumatism ? my dancing days are over." "Yes, I suppose so; but mine are not, and I must have all my people to smile and -look pleasant. I haven't got any real people, auntie, except papa. That's why I am so glad of you. It used to be dreary at school when all the girls got piles of letters and:I never had any. Will you *rite to me when I go back ? ". "What if I were to keep you here always, and -get a cross governess, and make you study and work and milk cows and feed pigs ?" " Here, auntie ! with you ! why, I never heard of such a thing!" Miss Walsingham laughed. " We won't go beyond the party now--sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.", "And willArchie come all alone without you." "-I believe him equal to such an emergency, though I am quite fond of mothering him. Cords and bands could not hold him when -there is a merry-making in progress; he will be sure to be there." She raised her voice a trifle and cast a look out of the window. " I must forewarn yo Kitty, this Archie is no hero; he is only a great wi ul boy, who desires his own way, thinks he knows everything, and sets up to be mighty independent of his old aunt, who loves him a great deal better than he deserves." Aunt Elinor finished her speech with a frown; she was evidently talking, not to Kitty, but herself, and possibly to a third person, who did not appear. On the soft grass beneath the window lay lazily stretched at full length a well-knit, healthy, hearty fel- low, who glanced merrily houseward and smiled before resuming his occupation, viz.: watching the fleecy, sailing clouds, and puffing a long cigar. "Why don't you mother your boy harder, auntie, and make him mind you and behave ?" asked Kitty, smiling. She felt the abundant sweetness and strength which enveloped the'lady like an atmosphere, and the native way in which she showed it mightily pleased Miss Walsingham. " An excellent suggestion, dear. I shall certainly adopt it." Kitty was just about to put a very important ques- tion. She was going to ask, "Is Archie handsome? dpes his hair curl?" but the great hall clock tolled out five, and in such sonorous, commanding tones as to compel attention, and.she jumped up in a mighty hurry, and pushing away Lion, began to tie on her bonnet. "Oh dear I! how late it is ! I have stopped too long ; how I. do wish I could fly, or go home in a fairy chariot, or a balloon; any way to. get rid of that aw- ful walk in the hot." " Perhaps you would like to meet Prince Almana- zar on'-his winged horse." "No, I don't know as I should ; he loved Lady I I; I t 1 i - , , / . q , TIDE. OGRESS' CASTLE. X90 19' i page: 192-193[View Page 192-193] THE OGRESS' CASTLE. '93 Delight. I am only simple Kitty. I must have a lover who isn't too wise for me.'! "One who can batter down the brazen gates, hey ? I know a young puppy who -is' full of conceit that he* is able to accomplish anything. Well, let him go ahead and try ; I've-got through talking." "Now, auntie, I-know you mean Archie, but don't old me, please. You know I hate to have my peo- ple talk loud. When he comes he must do as you want4Ito have him. I shall help you keep him in order." Miss Walsingham laughed and gave the maid a good squeeze. '"My pretty dove," said she, ''I am glad you came; you have done me good. You'shall have the key of the Ogress' castle ; it isn't every child I'd have pattering about my place, but I love you. I gave up general society long ago. I live nowadays amongst my pigs and poultry. I hadn't the remotest idea of going to that festin this evening, but now that you have told me so much about it, I seem to smell the battle afar off, and I think I will don 'my war paint and 'feathers,' and appear in the arena. I must make an effort ; you know Fanny Dombey died for want of an effort. Look out sharp for the lover, Prince Almanazar or Archie; and, my darling, I am going to send you a nice bouquet ; you shall accept it for the sake of Paul Clayton, who used to carry my- dinner-basket. Now don't walk too fast, and don't get run over by any wild lads driving by." i t Kitty kissed her hostess in her fond, nestling fash- ion, and with many thanks for her kindness, she started on her homeward way, delighted with her new auntie and her visit. A THE O ?ESS' CASTLE. 192 : ' _ ,r w page: 194-195[View Page 194-195] CHAPTER XIV. PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. HE burning air seemed to simmer. The -breeze had died entirely away when Kitty reached' the brook, about a quarter of a mile walk ; she felt too tired to go on, and quite overcome by the heat, seating herself under the spreading beech-tree, which stretched its long arms half way across the merry stream, she bathed her hot face and hands in the cool, rippling water, and then leaning back against the 'rough tree trunk, she 'began to go musingly .over the events of her afternoon. She gazed dreamily out of half-shut eyes at the fiery scar- let dragon-flies and royal purple demoiselles, flitting and darting hither and. thither over the stream, and listened to the locusts singing above her, and the frogs croaking among the rushes, until somehow the PRINCE -ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT 195 bunch of flowers dropped from her limp grasp, her eyelids fell, and pretty, foolish Kitty Clayton was fast asleep upon the king's highway. A sound of wheels crunching the gravel aroused her; and a young man with clear, ruddy face, which just now wore a look of amused admiration, seemed to have been watering his horse in the ford, for he stood beside the animal adjusting its harness. I do believe I have been asleep ! " exclaimed Kitty, starting up, surprised into the exclamation, and scarcely knowing where she was. " I am quite sure of it," replied the young gentle- man, as if the remark was addressed to him, and de- manded a reply. " When I drove down the road just now, you were as fast as little Bo-peep when she lost her sheep, you remember ? " " Oh yes, I know all about the small shepherdess; she was an early friend of mine," replied Kitty, laugh- ing with easy frankness, and picking up the fallen flowers, while she shaded her eyes with her hands. " Dear ! how low the sun is! I shall have to hurry dreadfully ; and how cross Belle will be ! " "Perhaps you will allow me the distinguished honor of setting you down at home, as I am going your way." " Oh are you, indeed ! pray how do you happen to know which way I am going? you may take me, though, if you are passing through Merry Bank. Your horse heads that way, I see; I am sure I am tired enough to be carried." page: 196-197[View Page 196-197] 196 PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. "That is omniurn in totem; then please. come up into the chariot, etc." " Do I want to, be toted? yes ; haven't, I just in- sinuated as much?" Both laughed good-humoredly; he assisted' her to her place in the light carriage, and carefully adjusted the linen duster over her muslin skirts. She glanced petulantly at the soiled crumples, and hoped he would not perceive them; and then listened to his opening remark, which was admiration of her jessamines. " I am afraid they will be wilted, though," said she, holding 'them up ; " and that would be a sad pity, because I have taken a good deal of trouble to obtain them ; they are going to the Folly this evening." "-So I supposed ; the fame of the fete has travelled far. I heard of it miles away. I take it these sweet things came from a green-house; you must have a friend among the flower-growers." Thus started, communicative little Kitty told him whence they came, and all about her visit to the Quince Bush ; mentioned the expected advent of the coming man, Archie Laurie ; the Red Cottage, and the interesting chores; and before the first mile was passed (he said it was too warm to trot his horse very fast), they were on the chattiest of terms, and the young man had confided to his companion a good deal of valuable information -concerning fly fishing ; and had gone entirely through a moose hunt, from the first springing of the shy game, to the final shot, between the two balls of fire, in the black midnight. PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND. LADY DELIGHT. I Suddenly Kitty burst into a merry laugh. "Might 'F venture to inquire what amuses you?" "Certainly ; I was thinking what Miss Walsingham said about Prince Almanazar,. and how funny it is that I have a ride home, after all." "Very delightful for me, I assure you. I shall also imform you, that I am wondering if you are not the Lady Delight. If these were water-lilies in your hand, I should feel quite sure of it." Kitty opened round eyes at him. "So you know the story; I thought boys never read fairy tales." " I don't know about boys-I read them, from Arabian Nights down to Alice in Wonderland, and the Grimm books. Itow would I do for Prince Al- manazar ? in a tableau, for instance ? " " Only so-so," replied Kitty candidly. "He was a tall, yellow-haired youth, with sparkling eyes. your hair isn't quite yellow, but it might pass, with a lit- tle gold powder. Where do you live, sir?" " I am a citoyen du 7nonde." "Mercy save us ! how learned ! I know some of that myself; I studied French at school. It's my turn now. Calypso se pouvait se consoler pour le depart d' Ulisse. She often walked herself alone,; no, that is the English of it-elle se promenait seul. Now what is next ! well, I could say more, but I won't." He listened attentively, and lhe also wondered if, under her extremely simple exterior, she were quiz.. zing him; but the doubt melted when she raised her eyes, brimming with fun, which belied the primly [I- page: 198-199[View Page 198-199] 198 PRINCE ALMAiNAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. tucked corners of her mouth; keeping in the merry laugh which desired to ripple forth, and when he burst out she leefully joined. " Now if I were only one of these Merry Bank youngsters, I might be of your party, and dance with Miss Belle. Would I get a refusal from the Lady Delight if I should aspire to the honor of a waltz, think you ? " " Meaning me?-" asked Kitty, dropping her fringed lids with a deep blush, beneath his look of unqualified admiration, and also beneath a thought which flitted through her mind : "What nice eyes he has got for a lover !" "None other, I assure you." "I wish you were going to be there," she answered, frankly, "I should like you for one of my partners very much ; I don't suppose I'll have very many. Archie Laurie is going to dance with me if he comes in time. His aunt said so." " Lucky fellow ! he should have some nice points that you single him out for favors ; and you have never .seen him, you say ?" " No ; but I know a good deal about him. He's got friends where I live; lie is witty, and good, and brave, and handsome." "Handsome ? what is your idea of a handsome man. Where would you class me, for instance?" "Not among the beautiful sheep. Your hair doesn't curl." "So that is the chiefest element in manly beauty, is. PRINCE ALMANAZAR ND LADY DELIGHT. 199 it? I'll go home and put my locks in curl papers to- night,-if that will do the business for me." "But it won't. I only spoke of that particular be- cause I happened to think of it." "A hopeless case, I see, in your eyes. Well, I am. coming this way to-morrow,'and'I should like to call upon you, and inquire how you enjoyed the party, Could I, do you think?" "As you have been so kind as to fetch me out of the dust, and have talked so nicely, I think you might." ", Thank you ; I wish it had been twenty miles, in- stead of-two." "Look at your horse'! he is turning right up to the Red Cottage gate. How did he know where to stop?" "A remarkable case of animal instinct. He saw you looking that way, and discerned immediately his duty and destination." Kitty sprang lightly to the ground, and gayly thanking her escort, she turned away. " Stop one moment, please ; won't you give me. one of your jessamines before you leave me ? I should like a souvenir of this short drive, which I have won- derfully enjoyed." Kitty looked full in his face an instant, and then down at her flowers. "I am so sorry my hair doesn't curl," said he, smiling; "don't let that blemish harden your heart against me." 9 page: 200-201[View Page 200-201] 200 PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT She selected a blossom, and offered it to him with- out a word. She began to feel as if she had perhaps: said too much to a.stranger. "Many thanks, Lady Delight," he answered, tak- ing it from her hand, and bowing deeply. "You are quite welcome, Prince Almanazar," said she quickly, running inside the little gate. As she shut it, of course she turned her head for a last look. Curiously enough, he turned at the same moment, for the same purpose, and the child's cheeks were like scarlet when he took off his soft hat, and gave her a. parting salute. She sprang lightly up the stairs with her flowers, only reserving a single blossom, a mate to the one she had given away, which she placed carefully in water, smiling to herself as she did so, and scarcely owning her motive to her secret thoughts. Belle's room was locked. In answer to Kitty's gay summons she opened it a little and peeped out, but when she made sure who it was, she closed it again hastily. "You cannot come in now, Kitty," she called froii within. ' I am busy." -" I don't wish to come in, you may be sure ; here are ypur jessamines. I really hope you will enjoy wearing'them." Surprised at her lively tone, Belle opened the door' again, and took a look at her. Then she reached out one anointed, begloved hand and pulled them into her, as Noah pulled in the ~ dove, saying curtly, " Thank you." PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT- 201 "Have you got the bloody ke' in the Blue Corner, that you are so wonderfully secret?" Belle muttered something about being in a hurry, and shut the door again and locked it. "Coolness is nothing to her," ejaculated Kitty ; "but fortunately, I don't care," and in the highest spirits she danced away up to her woman-friend, where she dashed in like a sportive breeze. " Oh, Carlottal" she exclaimed, dropping into a chair.. "I've had the most elegant, time." "Time, child ! what have you been about ? I didn't hear you anywhere, and I made up my mind that you had retired to the square chamber, and on downy pillows soft reposing were laying an extra stock of beauty for this evening. Cow-bird has been in her stolen nest, after the manner of her kind, all the after- noon. I have heard her chanting triumphant strains from time to time, so I conclude she is satisfied with her conduct and her prospects." "Carlie ! guess what ! I've been up to Miss Wal- singham's !" "What ! where ! how ! when ! " exclaimed Car- lotta, dropping her work and staring. "Those are all adverbs that you are firing off like minute guns; they qualify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs ; it says so in Green's Grammar." 1' You are getting qualified for a straight jacket, I believe." "Not at all; I mean what I say, and I say what I mean ; I have paid a visit to the Quince Bush, and 9*. page: 202-203[View Page 202-203] 202 PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT, made acquaintance withits mistress, who is to be my auntie forever and ever; amen." " Expound, child," commanded Carlotta shortly. Kitty gave a spirited account of her accomplished mission, her falling asleep so 'oddly under the tree, and wound up with ecstatic praises of her charioteer, and her delightful drive home- "How selfish of Belle ! " was Carlotta's first com- ment, " to poke you offythere in the hot sun just for a whim ;,how could you let her treat you so ? you must learn to resist evil better than this. I shall feel obliged to mention this topic to the cow-bird." " No, don't ! dear Carlie; I have the best of it as it is, because I made a new friend, my papa's friend ; I am to go to her for a visit, I am to have a. choice bouquet for the, evening ; and besides, that person who fetched me home was an exceeding nice person." " Was the fellow handsome, pet ? " "He wasn't a fellow, Carlie; he was a gentleman. He was not handsome, I believe." She smiled as she added : " His hair did not curl, and he had a long nose ; but his eyes were nice, and he looked strong and :friendly, and he was as 'cute as anything. I laughed ever so at his fun." "!What did he say?)" "Oh, I don't know; I can't tell it so as to make it sound;as he did;. but he looked pleasant and gay, and we had a real merry time; we talked about Prince Almanazar and Lady Delight.". A quick 'blush suffused (Kitty's cheeks. Carlotta PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT 203 was inly amused, but she thought proper to put in a slight admonition. " A trifle imprudent, w sn't it, pet, to, talk and jest so freely with a perfect stranger?" "Now, Carlie, don't you say that," answered Kitty, feeling a little alarm lest it must be so, since her woman-friend also'saw it in that light. " I didn't mean to, and I don't believe it was ; I was tired to death and as hot as fire, and 'he had a carriage and asked me to ride, which I am sure was very polite of him, and you wouldn't have me sit mum and glum, because I didn't happen to know who his grandfather was. I can't help it, anyhow. I had a real good time, and I think he enjoyed it too." "Well, pet, I -didn't go to scold. I know quite well my dear Kitty would never do anything wrong, so don't look so troubled ; but come and see tie dress. Isn't it a beauty? Run now, and bring your bertha; you made me forget the hour with your prattle. Come ! fly-before I begin curling your locks," said Carlotta, laying out the hair-pins and brushes. Kitty danced off to her room, humming a gay waltz. She heard the hall door clang together as she crossed the upper passage, and paused a minute to listen to a dialogue between Henry and Winnie. "Look a here, Winnie, what a target-board you've made of my white vest! By the foot of Plutarch'! you might fire a pistol right at me five.paces, and the ball would dodge as if I was an iron-clad." "Yes, sir ; I seen ye were getting a trifle stoop- page: 204-205[View Page 204-205] 204 PRINCE' ALMANAZAR AND 'LADY DELIGHT. shouldered, and I thought you might like bracing up a bit; all for your good, sir." "Tremendously kind ! I've wriggled myunder jaw out of joint, so that it will be lame for a week trying to button the thing." "tOut of joint, is it, sir ? sure it wags all right, sir, and as nimble as a flea in June." Finding he was making no headway; Henry whisked into his room, muttering: " By the foot of Plutarch ! a man has no chance here at all ; these women's tongues are hung in the middle." Kitty laughed ; and thinking how she would amuse Carlotta with the little fracas, she hurried into the square chamber, pulled out the drawer, and took thence the paper box. No bertha : the pink ribbons were there, the tissue paper was left, though draggled and torn, and nothing mote. In a flutter of eager- ness, and with a sobered face, she looked further ; her bouquet holder and fan were also missing. In disordered haste, she ran into the Blue Corner; and. commenced breathlessly: "Why,~Belle "-she was talking to empty air. The cast-off garments of the blonde were flung upon the chairs ; the almond-paste box, and a pair of torn gloves on the bed ; a few jessamines scattered about the toilette,,diffused their sweetness in forlorn neglect, among brushes, combs, and cosmetiques.;- but the handsome plotter was gone. Winnie at this moment came by with a pair of patent-leather shoes she had been sent to fetch, and .Kitty called out to her:S PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. 205 " Where's Miss -BelleWinnie ?-" " Oh, she be in the thick of the good times afore this, my fairy ; I laced her up half an hour ago, and most beautiful she was, indeed : blue do become Miss Belle like grand lady to home." "But d she go alone ?" "No, Miss Kitty, darlin', she was fetched in Mr. Nickson's own carriage, her and Miss Ashcroft; I heard them speak something of fixing the flowers up at the Folly. It should be a rare fine party. Ye must let Winnie see her bonnie fairy when ye are 'smarten'd. Ye'll not be as cross as yon kelpie'; she glowered and snapped all the while I was running the feets off me ; she was in that scurry to be off. Indeed, I was near tellin' her I hoped she 'd never make as great haste to be out of the place, as she was anxious to be in; she's over proud, and stomachful, and she looks down on most, but she's seeking a fate that would scare an honest girl." "Winnie, Winnie," called Henry impatiently, "where are my shoes ? " "I'm. a coming' ; God love ye, Mr. Henry, sure ye hain't the patience of a squirrel." The parting remark made by the blonde, when she got her kids and push that day, now flashed across Kitty'; she' had not much heeded it in her soreness of heart, a4d subsequent events had quite driven it from her memory; she felt bitterly hurt; quite crushed, ad child-like, as there was nothing better to be done, she dropped into: a chair, and began to page: 206-207[View Page 206-207] 206 PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. cry. Carlotta, who was waiting her reappearance, hair-brush in hand, all ready to plunge into the busi- ness of dressing, got impatient with her long stay, ~ and after calling twice or thrice, sallied forth to find what had become of her. . tetchy remonstrance died on her lips as she espied the poor little girl, and listened an instant to the heart-breaking sobs which were convulsing her. One- searching glance into the tossed-up drawer, and its disordered contents, showed her the cause. Ah, that pestilent Fringilla that blessed cow- bird !thought she; "I devoutly pray that Henry Gorton will get enough of stylish women this. time. How a sensible man can be so hoodwinked and bam- boozled, and led by the nose, I can't contrive ! Why, she shows her hand just as she does her teeth, every time she opens her mouth ; I wouldn't ask -over five seconds to make her out. Come, pet," she said, taking Kitty in her arms, " I see how it is-but don't you mind. I'm equal to fifty cow-birds ; come and be dressed." Kitty let herself be drawn by the bands of her woman-friend's love. She was always easily com forted and consoled by friendly words ; and she pas- sively followed, but with one pretty 'arm over her eyes, like a grieved child. Now, now ! " said Carlotta briskly, " look, look ! " she brought out of her press a brass-bound box, which she opened with a tiny key:.i sitting down beside Kitty, she took hold of one of her wrists, and N - I } PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. 207 pulled the arm around her neck, and laid out on the pillow a fall of old lace, a necklace, brooch, earrings, and bracelets of orient pearls, a rare ivory fan, strung on silken threads, and the prettiest, quaintest cluster of rose-buds, made of feathers so delicate and truly tinted, that the perfume they shed might have been bred -in their hearts. Kitty watched her in silence-; the quivering breath and a deep sob betraying the gust of passion which had swept over her, and -her soft eyes were still heavy with tears ;- she somehow understood, all unlearned in emotional lore. as she was, the half unwillingness with which Carlotta touched the pretty things, and she laid softly a sin- gle finger upon the busy ones working .for her, and said: "Dear Carlie, this. is the P'rubbish ' that was -sent to you from beyond the sea." "\Well, what if it is ? as ,it can't talk, it will tell no tales; you won't feel the touch of any hand upon it but mine'; and you love me!.' Rare andiprecious, you see ; worth the sending, and worth the wearing ; in truth, they will become you; what is the matter?" Kitty hesitated, and fastened her eyes upon the precious things which she felt were locked out of sight, like' faded hopes, and never meant' to see the light again, and while her color went and came in rosy splashes, she feared to speak her thoughts, and shrank away timidly, "self-folding, like a flower that faints into itself at shut of even." " I must say it, dear Carlie," she broke out at last; . } t page: 208-209[View Page 208-209] -2O8 PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. "don't be' angry, but I cannot put on these pretties. I never could wear any of the girls' trinkets at school. Please let me god plain. Now, dear woman-friend,, don't look so ; I knew I should vex you ; please don't. I am grateful, but I am only Kitty Clayton. I haven't .got any holes in .my ears, anyhow. I should not know myself in jewels; give me one fresh rose-bud and a couple of geraniums, and don't mind the. bertha,. I like my dress best without ; it looks simple, like me." Carlotta snatched the despised ornaments a .little brashly, and huddled them back into their casket. "Lie there," said she grimly, "till you are wanted, which will be never ; come on, child ; time flies ! " "Now, Carlie, I don't want to go," sobbed Kitty; "you are angry, and I can't have any good time at all. I'll stop at home." Carlotta was ashamed of her injustice instantly, and made haste to repair it. "No, no, pet ; I am notan- gry, only in a hurry ; you shall be dressed just as you please; you are quite right: those gauds don't suit you, a little fresh blossom; they never suited anybody that I know of." But are you sure you have forgiven me?" per- sisted Kitty. "Quite," laughed Carlotta; " look at that tear! why, it is larger than the largest of the unfortunate pearls." "Will you do me a favor, Carlie.?" "A thousand, darling." Even, Kitty was sharp r r . PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY PELIGHT; 209 enough to know that the time to get favors from Car- lotta was after she had shown herself unkind, just, or selfish. "Will you wear the pearls and the flowers, and the bertha to-night, over your black satin ? " " Me! put on those things ! " Carlotta looked at the questioner, and then at her own reflected face in the mirror.. " And why not ?" questioned the black eyes ; "you are passably comely ; you are able to please, if you wish it." "Belle Brandon says you are awful old, Carlotta," insinuated Kitty with a cunning unworthy her simplic- ity-" too, old for anything." " She does ! well, child, I can tell you, I never saw the family Bible that carries her record, but I know well enough she was walking. before I began to breathe ; but that doesn't matter in the least: what's cow-bird to me, or I to cow-bird ?" "I want to see you dressed fine ; I have often thought of you so,- with many friends around you, and lovers, and you smiling and gracious, and win- some and beautiful; you are beautiful, Carlie. Do just please me ; you said you would." "Yes, but to assume that rubbish, it would look as if my heart was full of something which isn't there. Pitkin Sterling gave me those things." " I know it, Carlie," answered Kitty softly, " and that is why I want to see you in them just once." A- fresh train of old emotions and desires came trooping up among the woman-friend's- thoughts, an f - .,i , : ; ; ,: _1 ; 1 1 A41 _ t ,y f ,'Y j' - , ; , ; ..k.. i e i 't: _ 1 s _ ' i , a 2i a _ .i # , t- t . t ,i ' .a 1 rte. e ,- : 3 1 ' i ,S A '1 ,l W t T ' y" Y l , } S r f . $ c page: 210-211[View Page 210-211] S10 PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. impulse to prove to Belle that she had powers of pleasing, that she could shine, year outshine, if she chose-a curious wish to try again the attractions which had been so praised by one who, notwithstand- ing them, had wished to remodel her to his own ideas, also, a fancy to gratify her pet, and she answered quite sheepishly for her: "I've as good a right to be a fool as anybody, and I'll don the motley to please you; so waste no more moments. I will show you what expedition is. I always said I could dress to be mar- ried in fifteen minutes." "Thanks, dear Carlie. Now if we but find lovers up there !" The robing progressed smoothly and swiftly. Nothing could be prettier than the wrinkled cream, even though the only ornaments were fresh rose-buds, shining ivy leaves, and one little jessamine; You wouldn't have noticed 'it: you only knew it was there when you looked. close enough to get a breath of its fragrance. Carlotta surveyed her work with satisfied countenance. " Dear woman-friend," said Kitty, when she had inspected herself, turning about and, about before the mirror, " Belle is welcome to my things ; she has not spoiled my pleasure. Ah!" she added, espying the face over her shoulder and wheeling rapturously,." I knew I was right ; you are wonderful ! superb,!" Carlotta had plaited her tresses, pierced them with the golde arrow, and shining' above her -forehead were the geat pearls. A new spirit seemed to pos- 0 ,, a ' PRINCE ALMANAZAR AND LADY DELIGHT. 211 sess her with this assumption. a, certain ,radiance enveloped her with the satin folds, and she moved swiftly, almost eagerly. T "Come ! let us be gone !1" said she. " I hear the voice of the enchanting chanter;- his tune is lively ; therefore I know he only waits for his women-folk." Gathering her skirts she passed down the old stair- case, and there indeed was our lawyer walking up and down, much braced by his" iron-clad," and sing- ing, "Come over the sea, maiden; visit me." You^ may be sure he felt, reasonable pride in his beautiful charge, as he wrapped her in her fleecy mantle, and led her to the carriage, which had been swearing before our gate for at least half an hour. "What, Belle gone already ? " he asked ; "well, 'tis the early applicant that catches the widower." - Just as we were about to drive off, a person on horseback handed in at the window a bouquet, in a holder of old golden filigree work, richly set with rubies. "From Miss Walsingham, for Miss Clay- ton," said he, and galloped swiftly away. "Who was that young man?" demanded Kitty, coloring up. "I am asking myself that very question,"-replied Henry ; "the voice was as 'familiar as 'Dundee' or 'Old Hundred;' but I fail to place it." A kind of half suspicion which had glimmered in Kitty's mind died as quickly as it had. lighted, though she-kept quiet all the way to the Foly. : C . ' i' rh M ' { ' S' 4 page: 212-213[View Page 212-213] CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. CHAPTER XV. CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. E found the grounds of the villa lighted after the most approved manner, with Chinese lanterns hung amongst the lofty branches. A triumphal arch, bearing a festal. inscription, com- manded the gravel entrance ; and the broad veranda Was already filled with gay groups chatting and walking; and rippling laughter and bright, pleasing, youthful voices mingled-the deep tones with the gay trebles, and- the stirring strains of the village band invited to enjoyment. It was evident that the host had left nothing undone which ought to be done in the matter of festive arrangements ; and it was quite as evident that he must have been aided and abetted. bya well-skilled female' mind in carrying out his' designs. Some of the girls caught sight of Kitty under her hood, as the smart servant marshalled us 'I 'I Z I up the wide staircase, flower-lined, and ;came flutter- ing about her with joyful greeting. In the empty dressing-room we slhook out once more the folds of her exquisite dress, and gave a last loving touch to the floating hair, with rapturous pride in the child's beauty. When Henry received her on his arm, and proceeded up the long drawing-room, he looked as proud as a king, and I believe he accepted the mur- mur of admiration she excited, with his chin in the air, as a tribute justly his due ;- feeling himself a pub- lic-spirited person to indulge them in a sight of so much loveliness. The first group they encountered had Belle Bran- don for its centre ; she was radiant -and magihificent in the blue satin, which -I must confess suited her style and presence exactly. With Kitty's point-lace bertha shading her ~ shoulders, Kitty's pearl and parchment fan waving gracefully in her hand, Kitty's silver bouquet holder, filled with choice flowers,,a gift of the enamored host, conspicuous in his primrose- gloved digits; he grasping the elegant trifle with an air of obsequious devotion, as though it had been the best piece of plate, won at the best race. Evidently he was quite far gone;. drunk with the blue eyes' bewitchment.: The long sprays of cape jessamine trailed among her blonde curls, and fell in perfumed profusion over her white shoulders, which with the teeth, dimples, and so forth, were on full exhibition, set out to allure. There was a strange hitter, though, in her 'steely orbs, which might have affrighted a I r Af , r'3 ' t r'T } t 8jy 2i3 i 1 _ page: 214-215[View Page 214-215] 2t4 CARLOTTA DANCES A Q UADRZLLR. close observer, a certain power of will and cruel des- peration. " Her head was serpent, but ah ! bitter sweet, She had a woman's mouth with all its pearls complete; And for her eyes, what could such eyes do there But gaze on Nickson, what could he do, but stare ? " The banker was not a close observer of such hint- ings as concerned the inner life ; he had been drink- ing too, his eyes were bloodshot, and his tongue was a little thick already. On the right of the blonde, and listening with polite attention, looking also, as in duty bound, at what was paraded for such looks, stood a young man, with straight hair, a ruddy face, and wearing in his button-hole -a .single blossom of the cape-flower. She was trying ,for him .some of her brilliant talk; and it was curious to observe how easily she managed her smiles, and how warily she preserved the atten- tion of all who approached her, and how coolly she stood the fire of their admiring glances. Kitty felt the hot blood surge over her face, when her eyes met those of the wearer of the jessamine. Instantly Henry seized upon him joyfully and pre- sented him, "My dear friend Archie Laurie "-- "Prince Almanazar, if you please!" replied he, bowing low,'and offering his hand, while Henry came near commencing a tune in his astonishment. Kitty ventured another look from beneath her dropped'lids, and catching the infectious, quizzical good-nature, t H CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 215 with which his face was brimming, she echoed softly his laugh. Still holding the hand he had taken, he said in a low tone: I ought to beg pardon for not making myself. known to-day, but really it was too good fun; I saw you hadn't the ghost of an id who I was; and enjoyed your innocent praises too much to cut them short. Don't lay it up against me-I won't do so any more. The Lady Delight gave me a flower ; it matches one I espy upon her bosom; will she also ac- cept me for her knight this evening ? just a rehearsal of the part ; I am all ready to tilt at the Brazen Gates, having her colors in my crest: metaphorically speak- ing, of course. "'No other favor will I weal, Till this sweet token shall decay, And, wilted, hef to be thrown away.' "Take my arm, please, while I make sure of all the waltzes on your programme. You promised me that much, you know, in the chariot. I see a long line of fellows swarming up to ask you." "You labor under a delusion, an illusion, and so on," answered Kitty,-gayly. " I don't remember any such promise; indeed, it is impossible, because I did not know you would be here. I supposed I had seen the last of you. I will keep one for you, though, and I will introduce you to a partner who is nice: there she goes ! Jerusha Peacock -he- name is, Doesn't she galop well ?" - . ' - _ ; ; ,; : , " . ji F s t / T T .. .1 page: 216-217[View Page 216-217] 6 CARL OTTA DANCES 4 Q UADRJLLE. "Truly, the dancing of the girl is to be commended, for she answereth the music handsomely ; but I hope to -trip it with the fair maid who sleeps under trees." Well, there is one ; the next I am not engaged for, unless Cousin Henry wants me. Oh, there ! he is going to stand, up with Carlotta. How nice ! " "Extremely nice.. There it is: Mr. Archie Lau- rie, No. 3." Mr. Laurie was of the style of young men called chatty, whose subjects are exhaustless.; and the merry talk flowed on as between old friends. He evidently enjoyed.it very much too, because his eyes got bright and his cheeks reddened to as rich a glow as Kitty's- own. Miss Brandon's surprise became something like fury, whf h deepened in intensity, as she surveyed the " chit's" perfect-toilet in its charm- ing detail ; and an . ugly. sneer curled her handsome lip as she said, seeking the first opportunity of speak- ing aside, and she spoke in an unpleasant, under- tone: "I thought you were not coming, Mignonne. I had no idea 'we were playing comedy." " I have finished playing or being played with," said Kitty, very quietly. " I am in sober earnest now, Belle. I bear no malice. I have been your willing slave, but you can't make me fetch and carry any more ; your charm is broken. You are untrue, un- kind, and selfish; and' I will not call such a woman my friend. You need.not look at me that way. You dare not hurt me. I am not afraid of you. You CARLOT'TA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 217 need not fear that I shall tell what I know of you, You need not think I shall ever mention any money obligations. You are welcome to what you have got, but you will get no more;. although the things' you meanly carried off this evening are costly, although they are my father's gifts, you may keep them. I would not touch them again at any price you could offer me. I should not like to be reminded of trickery, lying, meanness, as I 'would certainly be every time they came in my sight. I am not angry. I don't hate you. I only despise you." Kitty finished as she had begun, very quietly. Her firm, composed attitude, and clear, decided ac- cents gave a, glimpse of. power underlying her soft, baby ways, which might upon occasion develop a self-sustaining "poise of which the owner never dreamed. Belle was thoroughly astonished as well as enraged. Just then Mr. Laurie came, in his character of Prince, to claim the hand of Lady Delight ; and as with a cool, departing nod, she walked away on the arm of the young man Belle had just taken some trou- ble to enchant, I could not.tell what rage and bitter- ness, envy, malice, and all uncharitableness, filled the soul of the handsome woman in the blue satin. One thing is certain : it would be-a pity if an opportunity ever presented itself to act out any of the wicked wishes which crowded her mind and glittered through her blue eyes' steely light;. should such chance ever culminate, poor Kitty would need her wits about her. The blonde broke off her meditons to smile ravish- 10 1 i r , _ ,; , K, r' ,' ~ r ti, - , -, .k I P .. page: 218-219[View Page 218-219] 21 S CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. ingly upon Mr. Nickson, who begged the honor of the first quadrille. "Shall we enter the ring for a cup, Miss-Brandon? I don't know but I may make a few false starts, being a little down in my training ; but I expect we shall come ,in on the home stretch. As. soon as we arm warm in harness-we can step out with a long stride." It was bitter, for after all Belle was born and bred a lady and hated coarseness. Of all her many lovers,, this was the lowest, the meanest. She had. played with noble hearts in her time. She had lost lovers fit for rulers ; and to stoop to this old, battered, dis- sipated, worthless, gambling jockey! Needs must, though, when poverty and. pride spur on ; and the dreadful old-maid future loomed right before her-- just at hand. She forced herself to smile graciously, and with pleasing dignity she took her place in the same set with Kitty, who had already forgotten her and her doings. And while the blonde seemed en- grossed with the deep devotion of her elderly aspi- rant, and his horsey, frontier talk, she found oppor- tunity covertly to watch the gay couple opposite, and to feel rage at their lively conversation, and evident pleasure in each other. Meanwhile she was also cal- culating her chances. Had there been a ghost of a probability that Mr: Clayton would come on, she would have waited for him with a new motive--the pleasure of humbling his daughter. But that was a foregone conclusion. It would be a gratification to entrap the youth Archie. She never doubted her CARL OTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 2r9 power to do so with sufficient opportunity ; and she reflected that a few words called the" Marriage vow" would be no hindrance to such pastime; and she re- solved to finish her fate there and then. Even her blutred and warped consciousness perceived that-she could not remain much longer an inmate of the Red Cottage, especially with Kitty Clayton under the same roof; and while she shot killing glances,. and danced with voluptuous grace; she never forgot for a moment' to feel cruel spite at the child for her recent, plain speaking, her 'sweet beauty, her utter uncon- sciousness of her neigh orhood, her engrossmentin her ruddy-faced partne , and her simple enjoyment of the dancing. Of course, the two elegant girls in their costly array, worn with such easy unconsciousness, crossing- each other in the changes of the quadrille, were the won- der and admiration of all Merry Bank there assem- bled, and I am afraid some of the young ladies in their tarlatans, with which they had been so eminently pleased, became envious at the eclipse they suffered. I know Susan Dusenbury feltthat her time and money were thrown away on the cerulean-blue 'silk, and Jerusha Peacock's green tarlatan was a failure. Poor unconscious Kitty lost popularity, and became the ob- ject of some cutting, remarks, on account of the marked attentions of the bienvenue, who had been the coming man round whom expectations had centred. Belle.'also' was not spared, was well-watched, and severely commented upon 'by the wall-flowers arid 11 i page: 220-221[View Page 220-221] a CARLO TTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. / single young women, aspirants to the holy estate of mat imony. But Kitty was oblivious, and Belle too much engrossed in her pressing business to waste a thought upon the Merry Bankers, whp were to be- come her townspeople and everyday critics, most of whom she regarded as the small dust of the balance at best. Henry, who happened to pass her where she stood after the Lancers, waiting an ice, which her attentive partner had flown on the wings-or love to procure-or to be a little less flowery and more truthful, had gone on legs a trifle unsteady,'owing to frequent imbibement of his own liquors-was attracted by the -fan she was displaying, in one of her carelessly elegant attitudes. Now Henry is a very close observer of women and their apparel, and had greatly admired the choice trifles which Kitty's box had contained. In the hlurry and bustle of court-week, he had missed the plotting and counter-plotting among the inmates of the Red Cottage. Still he remembered his pet Kitty's swollen eyes at the dinner-table, and some random words he had caught from time to time, and which had chimed in curiously enough with the divorce-case he was work- ing up. Now the whole meaning dawned upon him at a glance. After provokingly scanning the recherclde toilette of his stylish guest a moment, with his hands behind his back, he began to hum a doleful lay, but stopped short in it to say: "Belle, you make me think of one of theold fables in my Latin reader, called 'the Jackdaw.' It is ex- 221 feeding lucky you are not that jackdaw, because in your case all the plucking must be done by a tender little dove, so you are quite safe ; all your borrowed plumes may securely .flaunt. But by the foot of Plutarch! what queerities women are ! I thank God I am not a woman, to be touched with so many giddy offences as He hath generally taxed their whole sex withal." A slight tinge of heightened color upon her practised cheek was all the blonde suffered to become visible, as.with a welcoming smile she greeted Mr. Nickson's reappearance,. and gracefully accepting the ice he brought, she turned her back upon her tormentor. "I have not the least idea," she replied.(" her eye- lids opened bland)," " what you are talking about, but I know it must be something interesting, and I want to find the sense, if possible ; as soon as I get through my round of engagements, I'll sit down somewhere in a corner and you shall explain." She quite fascinated our lawyer's eyes with her strange expression of face. "Her throat was ser- pent, but the words she spoke came as through bub- bling honey.'' He could have sworn he had done her wrong, her voice had such a clear ring, "warn1, tremu- lous, devout, psalterean." Not so Mrs. Ramble, whose low, malicious laugh sounded in Belle's ears a§ she fin- ished her speech. Wheeling quickly about, she con- fronted that snuffy lady, who was edging here and there amongst the crowd, arrayed in her best bomba-- zine, having her folded handkerchief across her arm, 220 " " ' 0 page: 222-223[View Page 222-223] 222 ZLOTTA DANCES A~ QUADRILLE. and the spectacles, with which'she had been examin- ing all the dresses, in her fingers. Had Miss Brandon been wise, she would have restrained the contempt- which curled her haughty lip, and allowed her enemy to go unaccosted on her way ; but Henry's speech, and the. consciousness that this old woman had heard, and enjoyed it, piled over all her other, causes of an- noyance, exasperated her so, much that she was glad of a victim. "How comes this pre-Adamite here ? " she ex- claimed, drawing away from the neighborhood of the bombazine ; " of course she is not an invited guest;' and it is too- soon for the gathering of the cold pieces!" Mr. Nickson did not hear the remark, being called off to attend to the forming of the -sets ; but Mrs. Ramble heard it well, and she stopped, eager for an- encounter with her foe in this fair field; and she launched a preparatory affront out of her watery, deep-set eyes. "Why, Belle Brandon!" she began in a high-keyed voice, pinching the blue skirt, and holding it fast; "why, massy me ! how beautiful you do look in Kitty's satin frock ! Did you buy it, or borrow it, or steal it, hey? How you have got your hair rigged up! She's .a kind-hearted little creature, isn't she ? My land ! if that ain't her fan you're flirting round so genteel; and her bokay bottle, or whatever you call that thing-a-ma-jig. Why, you've got on all Kitty's things that come in the box the other day from New CARLOTTA .DANCES A QUADRILLE. Orleans. You. do beat the Dutch; and you know who the Dutch beat, don't you ? Kitty's here, ain't she? Oh, yes; .I see her over there, jest as putty as a sweet pea. I heard tell about her lending you that fifty dollars up to Lamode's. Is this the han- kercher ? du 'let's look at it; I never seen a 'nose- wiper that cost fifty dollars ; I'm glad to get enough on 'em for fifty cents. '.She seized the filmy bit of lace, and spread .it in her fingers. "Well, you do take the tuck out of the whole ! Kitty's ring onto it ! I must run round and see what the child has left. I should have thought she'd a-been clean stripped." Then advancing her wrinkled face close to the creamy ear of the handsome blonde, who stood upon the rack hemmed in by many listeners, she added,in a stage whisper, "You remember, I degsay, what I told you and you told me that day up in the blue- -room ! I thought -as like as not I'd make you re- member it. I rather expect I'm even with you now." A giggle from Susan Dusenbury, and the two Miss Standbys, the elderly twins who had never been sep- arated a day in their lives-who had also been victims of Belle's sarcasms on previous occasions-showed how keenly they relished her position. It was really wonderful what a facility the had for making enemies among her own sex. During a. pause in the dancing, Kitty, who had had plenty of partners and waltzed herself weary, discovered Miss" Walsingham upon, a sofa. That 'z22. 4 page: 224-225[View Page 224-225] 224 CARL OTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. stately lady drew back her velvet dress, and smilingly beckoned for the little girl to come and sit beside her. "A few minutes among the wall-flowers will be good for you, my love, after so much admiration." The - affectionate glance accompanying her words showed how thoroughly she enjoyed Kitty's triumph. "Pray, how do you find Prince Almanazar ? I hope he is up to the part. Let me see--good, sensible, brave, and kind.'" Kitty blushed scarlet. "I think I have been through the whole chapter of blunders to-day-. a perfect blunderbuss ; but you must not laugh at me ; you promised to be my friend-and friends are always sympathetic and charitable. I-paid well for my silly gabble to-night, in the shame- and con- fusion I felt when-I was presented to Mr. Laurie." Aunt Elinor laughed, as she tap ed the round cheek turned toward her, with her black fan. "Had you a pleasant ride home ?" asked she. "Oh, delightful ! I suppose you heard all-how I went to sleep like a little goose ; and I expect I should have slept till this time, if he had not wakened me up. Really, now, don't laugh, auntie, but it was a little like the Prince and the water-lily;- wasn't it? ". "Well, not so very much ; you are vastly more like a fresh rose-bud, or a-sweet violet, than a color- less water-lily; and" as for the boy Archie, you mustn't go to work'and glorify him, woman-fashion ; CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 225 t because he is only a jolly, good-tempered youngster, o nearer perfection than you are." Kitty sent a swift, shy look at the gentleman who was standing up with Bianca Ashcroft, and another into the eyes of the stout lady who advised her. All alike ! " thought Aunt Elinor ; " well, 'There's nothing half /so sweet in life as Love's young dream;' so let her enjoy it. Pity it fades so soon ! " "I was glad Mr. Laurie happened along just as he did, for I was horribly tired, and never in the world could have reached home in time to dress." "Happened ! you precious little simpleton ! I sent the youth. after you, as soon as Flora could be put into harness, which took time, as she was in the pasture, and objected to being caught. It would have been much more sensible and old-dameish to have kept you, but I have whims as well as other people; and as you had put Prince Almanazar into my head, I thought I would send the flying horse in pursuit ; and fortunately, your charming little fashion of folding your hands, shutting your eyes, opening your mouth, and dozing off at the foot of a green tree, like, a maid in a pastoral, made it all come right.: I assure you, Archie went-into many raptures over your picturesque pose, and bitterly regretted the lack of genius which hindered his conveying to canvas the 'one warm- flushed moment,' which he declares he can never-never forget!" " ButI don't believe I slept with my mouth open.; 10* page: 226-227[View Page 226-227] 226 CARLOTTA .DANCES A.QTADRILLE. I am sure I never do ; such a figure ! " replied Kitty, not at all pleased with the picture., " So sayeth the witness. Do you see that horrible old woman over there ? well, she has been sitting by me, giving me a full and particular account of Miss Brandon's outfit. Though ,I happen to know some- thing of her ancient achievements in her peculiar line, I must say she has out-Brandored Brandon this time. Now .I must also scold you, silly child ; are you going to let every designing person prey upon you ? Don't you know the world i full of Harpies and Gorgons ? You must learn' to . do battle for yourself-stand! 'The - ground's your own, my brave!" "But I don't feel comfortable so, auntie ; I like peace and pleasantness. After all, what does it mat- ter for a few paltry wearables, if they must- be kept at the price of prickles and stings and claws ? They are not essential to salvation ; I an just as well off, without those things, and with them Belle is achiev- ing a triumph." " Kitty, Kitty ! there are two sides to you'; you are both hilly and wise. I was about to say you' must get a lover to take care of you ; but I believe, on the contrary, that you would be able to take care of a lover, if need be." "Thank you, dear auntie," replied Kitty, quite soberly. "I mean to be wise like the- serpent, and harmless like the dove." She laid a soft hand upon the hearty one of her new friend, who felt the quiet power under the baby ways-as I had done often-and she took the fingers within her own with:a kind pressure. "You. have got the right end of it, darling-the true secret of happiness. Poor Belle! " Yes ; I wish Mrs. Ramble would not go talking about what does not in the least concern her. I 'am very happy. It is good to have friends-see my pretty flowers ! "I am glad you like the bauble, darling. - You. have a precious right to it ; for Paul Clayton gave it to me when I was a young lassie like you ; now I return it to you,, and you can't help thinking of a stout old woman every time you carry it; that pleases me." "You loved rmy papatwhen he was young," said straightforward Kitty, with an intuitive perception of the case. "Why then did you not marry 1him?" "I had a sort of liking for the lad," replied Aunt Elinor. "He never knew it. I thought one while that he liked me, but as it turned out, he didn't." "How I wish he would come now, and make you my mamma !" "Nonsense, child ! I haven't seen him for, twenty years. I'm -old and stout, and I dare say ,I shouldn't know him if ILmet him," replied Aunt Elinor with a little flutter she was heartily ashamed of. " Look f look ! " she added briskly, " at the Ranble ! she is as busy as a honey-bee or a yellow-jacket over her mor- sel of gossip. Observe the sly loQks,. the wins, the . at trF. 3 yu Z CEIRLOT.rA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 227 I page: 228-229[View Page 228-229] CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRIYLE. CARL OTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. whispers, the covert laughter. which are levelled at that handsome plotter. Don't you think she is get- ting her pay ? verily, the way of the transgressor is hard. Every female in the room knows that each article of her beautiful costume is borrowed or begged -and of course every married male will know all about it before- to-morrow morning. Purgatory is nothing to her state of mind at this moment. But it won't cure her !" "Too bad, auntie : what do people want to be so ill-natured for? There isn't surely any person so un- kind as to carry Mrs. Ramble's talk to her ears." "It doesn't need words, my dear ; look at her face-did you ever see rage and mortification better veiled? admire that gushing smile into Mr. Nickson's eyes, after a baleful dart, shot from her blue orbs, at the snuffy old-woman. If an eyebeam were a dag- ger, how fatal would that one prove ! verily she had gossiped her, last this night. Upon my word, that girl is a wonderful creature ! . If she only had a heart, what a woman she would be!" Yes, indeed, auntie; she can be very charming ; and she is the"'handsomest girl here, isn't she? what beautiful hair she has ! " " Hair! yes, but those crisped, snaky, golden locks, which make such wanton. gambols with the wind, upon supposed fairness, are often known ,to be the dowry of a second head; the skull that bred them lying barely in- the sepulchre," replied Aunt Elinor, grimly. ( "Now you wrong Belle, auntie ; those floating curls are all her own." "Yes, it appears so ; that is, she bought, and I hope she paid for them." " No, no ; but they grew there," persisted Kitty, laughing. "I wouldn't swear to that, my dear ; unless you have tried them hair by hair. Belle Brandon's ways are too wonderful for you, simple Kitty." Their talk was interrupted by Jerusha Peacock, to whom the party was an utter failure. - "I hate such fandangos," said she wearily. "The starch is all out of my tarlatan; I've spent half the evening looking at that brush-heap" (pointing to a moss-basket) " and counting the braids in Jane Potter's chignon; she sat down right in front of me. And -then Harold Ashcroft brought up that lean owl; they always bring up all the forlorn young men to me ; and when I asked him for a biscuit, he fetched it on a fork, and then he came with chicken-salad and a teaspoon, and after everybody was gone out of the room, he came back and found me looking at some gold- fish, and he said, 'He ! he ! there you are : the last one-what are you going to do now?' And I marched off saying,.' I shall join my friends immedi- ately.' I think. parties are a bore." Just at this instant Tom Larkins convoyed an as- pirant for an introduction to Miss Clayton, and leav- ing poor Jerusha to Aunt Elinor's kindness, which was quite equal to the occasion, Kitty took her place I 229 228 page: 230-231[View Page 230-231] 230 CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. in a quadrille just as Carlotta advanced upon the arm of young Laurie, whom she had been used to pet as a boy, and for whom she retained her full liking. Her face was all unlocked, cheery, and winning ; her holiday good-hum'or suited her attire. I had been admiring her-all the evening, and Henry and I had proudly compared- notes on the completeness of our garden of spices. Kitty and her partner took the head, Carlotta stood on the right, and the opposite place was empty till just before the quadrille com- menced. Then a gentleman talking with Bianca Ashcroft came and took the vacant " fourth." Kitty happened to 'be looking at her woman-friend in her pearls and satin, and she started at sight of the quick change which passed upon her features. Her eyes were fixed upon her vis-d-vis, and her face was white as death, and Kitty could almost hear her heart-throbs, and she knew instantly that Pitkin' Sterling had come home. She forgot to be polite to her partner in watching the couple so long separated and so unex- pectedly brought close together again. It seemed like a tale out of a story book. Only bows and quiet salutations were exchanged through the dance, and at its close Kitty ran breathless back to Miss Wal- singham with the news. "Carlotta's lover has come! look, they are speak- ing together now ! Oh! I hope they will make up di- rectly." Meanwhile Carlotta stood- composedly still under the questioning looks, of the returned sailor who had Id . z ' CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 231 desired to mould her to his model. She had gotten back all her senses, and was ready to hear whatever he would say. "I have your last letter in my pocket, Carlotta, which I will discuss with you if you give me leave to come and see you." " Certainly I will give you leave. I, for one, have not forgotten our compact to talk together on your return, no matter what we might find expedient to say. I demand as my right the fulfilment of that pledge." Mr. Sterling smiled. "I could believe that I'took leave of you last evening out by the Scotch rose hedge; you have not changed in the least, either in voice or manner."~ " I don't intend to change, sir. I am quite .satis- ~ fied with my identity as I know it." "Oh ! I am entirely aware of that ; you expended. some pains to let me distinctly understand that impor- tant and perfectly self-evident fact." S "I hope I made it clear, sir ; such was my en- deavor." "Don't be sharp., Carlotta! look a little bit sweet at a poor sailor boy, who hasn't had a surfeit of sweet looks for a couple of years." " Oh, certainly, 'both men and women belie their nature when they are not kind,' sayeth 'Festus,' your favorite." "And sayeth well. I am glad that you wear my pearls sometimes, they rarely become you. I haven't seen such eyes as yours since I lost sight of. a lady page: 232-233[View Page 232-233] _ 232 CARLOTTA DANCES A QUADRILLE. V CARLOT7TA DANCES A QUADRILLE. 233 standing amoiig the roses. Won't you wink once for me?" "Nonsense. No. I haven't so much as looked at this trumpery for an age, sir. It is a mere happen-so that I have it on to-night. I unearthed the ,rubbish to please a child, whose whims cropped out in this direction unexpectedly." Trumpery! rubbish ! Carlotta, and yet an em- press wears poorer jewels.. How, then, about the golden arrow ? was that hidden up also ? " " No, sir ; I have put it on once each year, on the return of the day on which you asked me to be your wife. I have worn it, and have enjoyed thinking of you as you ought to have been, and of myself as I might have been if you had been less pragmatical and more satisfactory.". "Don't provoke me, Carlotta! I have come with a heart full of tenderness, willing to take you at your own valuation." "You think so ; on the contrary, I see that you be- lieve yourself all in all, and I am only a woman. 'I could.endure chains nowhere patiently, and chains at home, where I am free by birthright, not at all;' therefore it is my belief that you will take your heart away again. "aYes, I want to be all in all; .I mean to be, Iam resolved to be ; come, dance with me, and don't quarrel any more this evening; we'll have a grand pow-wow to-morrow morning, and read over your horrible letter together; or I will recite to- you; I have it verbatim et literatim. You haven't shaken hands with an old friend yet'; you can afford me that much, I am sure ; I won't presume on your affable- ness to cut short any arguments." Carlotta laughed, and put her hand into the one' he offered. I don't believe she would, though, if she had counted on such a hearty squeeze as she got; but she did get it; and it was over, and she made no comments. Everybody who loved her knew that she was happy.; she could not help the radiance and glory of her love from shining through her, any more than' a cactus bloom could fold its petals. over its heart in the glowing sunlight. I must say I was re- joiced; I wanted her to get married to this good fellow ; and Henry and I walked away arm in arm to talk secretly over the opening future we both desired. e z A page: 234-235[View Page 234-235] MAKING LOVE IN THE BALL-ROOM 235 CHAPTER XVI. MAKING LOVE IN THE BALL-ROOM. ELLE BRANDON .carried herself loftily through' all the disagreeables of the night- among all the titters and sneers and scornful looks; they came from the women, and. she never greatly regarded the opinions of her; own sex. Meet- ing-Kitty now and then chatting with Archie Laurie, she did wish for "a little time to carry him offfrom her ; but she could not in the present #ositi'on of affairs afford to wait. Mrs. Ramble's ridiculous tales might reach masculine ears, and redound to her pre- judice, even with the banker. "I ought to have, a tall, good-looking husband ; I always meant to have one with black hair to set off my fairness, hanging on hisarm. Ah ! poor Henriques; he was a handsome bruno," she thought, as she watched the merry pair. "Eh ! that horrible cat! -I could choke her. with pleasure!" She closed her soft, dimpled fingers viciously over her flowers, as an 'aggravating cackle reached her from Mrs. Ramble. "Bah! how my feet ache ! how stupid it all is ! how weary I am of it! -I wish I was a gray mouse in a wainscot." Just then Mr. Nickson appeared with Jerusha Peacock on his arm, whose face was quite shortened and chirk, and who giggled vivaciously in apprecia- tion of some titbit 'of wi uttered by the host, and Belle turned her thought steadily toward him. He must answer, he was so rich ! He could give her a table to sit at, and she resolved to occupy the head, even though she must look at him opposite her every day for the rest of her life. She deliberately made up her mind to ignore the ugly tales of his former ex- ploits, which were, thanks to Mrs. Ramble's industry, beginning to be rife in Merry Bank-his jockeying, gambling, his coarse falseness to' women; his dead wife, her old friend, beaten, distracted, heart-broken; the whole terrible scene had been portrayed to her-, the cruel blows, the dreary wandering through the dark night-the dismal hiding in the old school-house --the terrible finding of the two bodies, the mother and child-the mad uproar of the town-the secret flight of the wicked man. -'She put them all behind her, but they were strange thoughts which flitted through her brain-strange for a woman who looks in her lover's face, and it was a hard, col glitter which gleamed in her blue eyes. A vision of possi- ble -scenes in her wedded life arose before her, and I page: 236-237[View Page 236-237] MAKING LOVE IN THE BALL-ROOM. she set her sharp, white teeth, and pushed on her Way. It needed but one alluring eyebeam, one melting, gushing look, and he was at her side. Her splendid, luscious beauty kindled his sensual nature, and his eyes, which had a mean fashion of turning aside while honest people regarded them, gloated upon her charms ; she endured his bold gaze without the falling of an eyelid ; nay, she courted it. In the deep bay-window with the cool night-wind blowing back her curls, scattering sweetness from her-wreath of jessamines ; the noise of the music, and the meas- ured tread of .the dancers, and the hum of young voices vibrating on the air; shut in to privacy by the trailing curtains, innocence and youth outside-he offered.to her his battered old heart, all shrunk and withered long ago ; his shaking hand, foul with many a cheating act; -his deadened, degraded manhood, reeking with debauch, dragged through vile scenes and dirty ways ; and she, knowing it all, suffered him to draw toward him her stately head, beautiful as Juno, With its perfumed crown, and to lay it against his spotless waistcoat, and did not shudder nor shrink from his rapturous embrace, though her sweet maiden-breath mingled with his, all rank with the reek ofdrunkenness.*ithe young, handsome, proudwoman, with intellect enough to make a .name, industry enough to keep it ; with health, vigor, and versatile accomplishments, was aboutto surrender them all to a master, was about to barter them all for money! And her white bosom swelled with triumph when she glanced at the glittering circlet spanning her finger, the pledge and .token of success. It was a costly thing, rare and choice, worthy of the hand it adorned. To say trdly, the happy man had been carrying it about in this vest, waiting for this culminating moment. At last he would be rich, independent, splendid ! No. more miserable managing and plotting, no more sneaking, despicable necessities. She sent back a thought to some former scenes of her life, when she had said the same words to herself with infinitely. brighter prospects, and had lived long enough to prove them but idle breath. This last chance must be the victorious winning. True, she did just once glance at the lanky hair, the bloodshot, cunning eyes, the purple, hairy, shaking old hand grasping hers, so white and dimpled ; all so drearily different from the husband she would like, from any of the many she had thought to have. "George Blair!" Ah! there came a bitter pang; her soul died within her, but only for one brief moment. Gathering her- self together soul and body, with a haughty gesture she pushed resolutely away all such thoughts, and walked proudly down the rooms, and stood among the guests, with the husband she would take, " to love, honor, obey, till death them should part." Poor Belle ! after all, she had scarcely a fair chance ; no loving, judicious mother to guide and govern her wayward spirit, to point an aim for her ambition, to root out her selfishness, and curb her towering pride, !I 237 236 MAA7NG LOVE IN THE BALL-ROOM. page: 238-239[View Page 238-239] MAKING LOVE IN THE BALL-ROOM. 239 to lead her affections -softly among domestic virtues. Marriage, the only object of pursuit and attainment; thrust before her from babyhood up. Money, gran- -deur, style, fashion, the highest types of life-the coveted possessions. Little account of genuine man- hood was made in the practical instructions she re- ceived. Small vices were winked at ; great ones ignored ; and no reckoning whatever upon truth, honesty, rectitude ; so the exterior was polished, at- tractive; and golden..' Belle Brandon might have been as good as the average, hedged in by proper influen- ces. Circumstances make as many good people as inborn virtues. Absence of temptation keeps as many correct lives as native love of purity. .Belle Brandon had no such thoughts as these in her mind at this epoch in her affairs. Her prime object attained, she lent her energies to the next stepin her pathway, viz.: the securing a refuge and safe retreat till the day other wedding. She was resolved not to go to New York ; not to show herself there till after the ceremony. She hid no desire to flaunt Mr. Nickson as a betrothed ; as a husband-appendage it would' be different. Her uncle was in Europe, and she knew quite well nothing could be effected with Aunt Isa- doi-e, and she meant to remain at the Red Cottage till she became a br-ide. It was a delicate thing to manage ; but she rose equal to the occasion. By ob- taining a private conference with our lawyer ; by tears, penitence, grief, and loveliness, she won upon his sympathy, inspired his pity, and gained her point. Three weeks after the f6te at the Folly, Mr. Nickson took her from among us a wife, making short woo- ing that he might exhibit his prize at Saratoga, New- port, and other marts, before the season should be finished, and the great American show closed for the year. j , ' . _ 7c. jf ... - J i it- * Y 23Q 8 A AKING LOVE IN THE BALL-R O ©M .,. 1 i -- - F i page: 240-241[View Page 240-241] PAUL AND VRGLNIA.; CHAPTER XVII. PAUL AND VIRGINIA. HE wonderful party over, and Belle Brandon Nickson gone, the rest of the summer flew evenly and pleasantly away. Mr. Archie Laurie availed himself of Kitty's permission, and not only called the next morning after that festive occa- sion, but several other mornings; and Aunt Elinor also kept her promise, coming in her handsome carriage, and taking Kitty away to the Quince-Bush, nothing loath, for a long visit. The old love for Paul Clayton found -a new spring of tenderness in his pretty daughter, and the stout lady manifested the great- est possible interest in her sayings and doings, and listened to her childish prattle and sensible talk (our Kitty could be soberly sensible upon occasion, in a grave, quiet, old-fashioned way) ; and she told her many tales of her youth, her trials and.victories; her journeying in foreign lands, and the strange peoples she had seen, in rich, racy language, as strong and vigorous as her full-flowing voice, and her personable, independent self. Best of all, Kitty loved the boy- and-girl frolics, where " Paul" was the hero ;- the Roaring River life, among the breezy hills ; and through the raconteur she made acquaintance with many of our old favorites, who would, have been her friends, butfor the peculiar accidents of her life which isolated her from the people and places known and loved-by the last of the Claytons. Aunt Elinor -read and studied with the child- guided her taste by her own rare cultivation. Ear- nest and indefatigable, as in her flower-growing and stock-raising, she made the visit a rich harvest for Kitty, who, though never an enthusiastic scholar or great bookworm, still took in much good knowledge,,. and lived long enough to thank the tireless teacher for a beginning, of which she reaped the fruits in her whqle after life. We were. the more willing to have her leave us because we had our hands full of Belle Bran- don, and we did not wish our sweet flower to come in further contact with that arch plotter. Carlotta was full of her own life; and it was strange how a rekindling of her smouldering love softened her towards the woman for whom her sweet- est word had been "cow-birdr" or "pestilent Fri la.' Carlotta was beautiful in her happiness. ma and piquant still, full of pithy, pungent owed a de1icte willingness to cov r with };, f _.. +: ;r .' j . - e 11 " __, - '. li 4, ;, ._ _' . ; _ 4 . i i- _ _ ( . , _ ,. " I! ' t , - 1 ti ' - , i .it _ f, , _ {t lr' . ' it" , . ' ; ' ' "E - F , - M a34= , A i 24! Ya _ i t - i i page: 242-243[View Page 242-243] -I PAJL AND VIRGINIA. 243 S242 PAUL AND VIRGINIA. a mantle of charity poor Bell 's faults and sins.. And Henry came off vastly better than he expected in'his confession of the extorted permissionhe had accorded for her prolonged sojourn, and its avowed consumma- tion. And though she did not duplicate the kiss of peace and forgiveness gentle Kitty Clayton left upon the handsome bride's lips at parting, she pleasantly, assisted' in the preparations-fancy cooking, jellies, black cake, 'and so on-and bade her "good-by, and every happiness ; " and what is quite as worthy of mention, she refrained from all cutting speeches and provoking taunts, when our 'lawyer discovered that he Ihad-fallen heir to a long list of dress-makers' and other bills, bequeathed to him by the departed blonde. As for Archie and Miss Kitty, they were as happy as children '-together. 'They made no secret of their fondness fQr each other; the young fellow's manly proportions had not outgrown his boyish jollity, and the two fished in the creek, rode the ponies, ran races, and frolicked, like the light-hearted youths they were, He even taught the lassie to play the classic game of "mumbleAhe-peg," and-insisted that she should draw out the stick driven into 'the ground with four right strokes of the knife-blade, according to time-immemorial usage:; which feat she accom polished to the' peril of her little white teeth, amidst much merry jesting, Aunt Elinor presiding as umpire to see fair play., Kitty learned to row on the pond, and originated with Miss Walsingham's help-who entered warmly 1"r}-f ' _ r into the affair, and did all the stitching on her' " Singer," as if she wzre governing a rebel-a costume for their fishing and woodland.excursions. A broad- brimmed Leghorn hat d la Wateau, ornamented with pale-blue and delicate rose-tints, which blend so del- icately in that old painter's pictures ; and a dress of graystuff slashed and trimmed with bands of violet ; dainty little high-heeled, thick-soled boots; gauntlets of buck-skin with tassels ; and thus jauntily arrayed, you wouldn't believe how -lovely she was., She quite upset poor Archie, who wasn't good for anything for gazing at her. They were out in the boat one .day, she pulling the oars, and he enjoying otium cum dignitate-puffing his cigar and looking at the-rower. "Kitty," said he, between the whiffs, "'let's go and get our pictures taken together." "Together," she replied, doubtfully; I don't know as that would be proper." "Why not? brothers and sisters often sit that way." "Oh, yes; if I hada 'brother I could; but as I haven't any, I'don't care about it." Archie watched her little pout, looking askance at the water, and admired afresh the rosycolor in' her cheeks, and her curls floating about. " You won't be my little sister, then?. I haven't any, you know." "-No, I will not; brothers take too.great liberties -scolding and finding fault-I can't bear to be found fault with; I had enough of that at school. If ,- h r ' I ' , :i . I - ' 't-, page: 244-245[View Page 244-245] 0 44 PAUL AND. VIRGINIA. "I wouldn't find fault, Kitty ; I have io talent of discovery, and it would need a painstaking person- to pick flaws out of perfection. Come, say 'yes' to the picture ; it would please Aunt Elinor so much." "'Why, if auntie wishes it, perhaps I might ; 1pt in those double things one is sure to be ugly. I doh't want to be the one, and you can't afford it." "Thank you-; I shall try to look my best.", "How I wish your hair would curl-it is so straight' " "I'll have it shaved, and then you won't notice the terrible fault. Luckily, yours curls enough for two-so we will give our pictures to Aunt Elinor to hang in our parlor. Let's be taken in costume. .1 detest those stiff things apropos to nothing. The operators seem to have but one round of ideas : with a. book in one hand, with a pillar on one side, or bolt upright, and staring. Now we will be somebody in particu- lar. We'll be shepherds, we'll be medieval, we'll be Corydon and Phyllis. What do you say to that?"a "Who are Corydon and Phyllis ?" asked'Kitty in- nocently.: Archie, vexed to lose what he considered a deli- cately pointed allusion to their own future, replied petulantly, " I thought everybody knew that ; haven't. you read Milton?" "Oh, yes," answered Kitty; "that is, some of it; we used to parse out of ' Paradise Lost' at school- horrid stuff." You don't like poetry,.then ? " PAUL AND VIRGINIA.2 Oh, yes, I like poetry well enough, but I don't call that pokey reading poetry!" "Indeed, what do you call it ? " "I call it preaching done into feet." "Master minds have thought well of the work, however." "I can't help it ; I haven't got a master-mind-I'm a weaker vessel. Why not choose something nice, say 'Paul and Virginia.' " I never read 'Paul and Virginia,'" -replied Archie, sheepishly; "don't know -who they are." "Master minds-. have thought well of the work, however;" echoed Kitty. Archie had, a great mind to be -angry, but thought better of it, and Miss.Walsingham, who highly ap- proved the schetne, settled the point by proposing Prince Almanazar and Lady Delight ;. and they got down Brazen Gates, and _ after studying the story carefully, they decided that as Christabel Goldsmith had not dealt largely in dress-stuffs in her descrip-' tion of her favorites, they might wear anything they liked, so they-carried the distinguishing flowers. Selecting a clear, sunny morning, Aunt Elinor drove in to. Merry Bank, intending to superintend the,,attitudes. Kitty drew close around her the shel- tering watt-proof which hid her dress from the ob- servation of the curious, of which class there are always plenty in our . good village. In fact, it is a chronic wonder to me from 'whence come the groups of idlers which gather around all the -groceries, and page: 246-247[View Page 246-247] PA UL AND VIRGINIA. haunt the sidewalks ; and how they can afford the tiiefor so much idleness in this work-a-day world. Alighting before the great sign, " Photographic rooms," emphasized by a -hand whose very fat fore- finger points uncompromisingly upward; they. mounted the stairs and stood in the presence of a loose-jointed, lanky youth, who looked 'a trifle aston- ished when he surveyed Kitty's fantastic- attire. " Doyou think you can give us a good picture?" asked Aunt Elinor sharply. - "I, rather expect I can ;- we do mostly.. I sot a woman with a pair of twins standing this morning, and she-said they looked like angels." "We' don't want to look like angels," answered Archie dryly, not especially pleased with the ,stare of the red eyes upon Miss Kitty's loveliness. "Where's your master ? " "My master! I never seen him yet.; I never seen your'n'neither, but I know jest how he looks-.-hoofs and horns, and a tail; smells of brimstone." Aunt. Elinor was vastly amused with the ready change her nephew had got for his airs, and made haste to resume the conversation, "Don't be offended, my good fellow; it was but a figure of speech. This gentleman has been sojourn- ing for years among people Who feel the ,term no af- front ; we simply wish to inquire for Mr Hathaway;- will he be here this morning ? " "No, ma'am, he most probably won't ; but it don't make a mite. of difference : I can do your work just ( as well as he can. I do take more than half the pic.- tures in this establishment myself. I profess to be a dab at the' business." "Oh, if that is the case, we had better get to work. This morning sun is too favorable to lose. The lanky one was still more dumbfounded when Archie came forth from the masculine robing-room, in short velvet trousers, edged with lace, a' brigand hat and long white plume, and a jaunty, close-fitting jacket of sky blue. Miss Walsingham had costumes enough to fit out a fancy-dress party in her old ward- robes. Kitty was as much surprised as the others; and they both burst out laughing, which mirthful jollity, together with their youth, beauty, and care- less high-breeding, accustomed to ease and plenty, neither'df which he had ever known, were especially aggravating to the lanky one ; and he began throw- ing the books' about, kicking the pillar, and boxing the deaf ears of the stuffed squirrel who was accus- tomed to do duty in. infant-sittings-(" Look-a-here, baby! see! see ! . whew! whew ! hop, scamper- there, now he.is going-to fly.! oh, watch him " The attention of the youthful candidates being thus solicited)-to the imminent peril of his inside sawdust. " You'd better go into t'other room, ma'am " said he sourly to Miss Walsingham. You'll make 'em laff," as he-stalked gloomily.away to fetch the plates. "Now, how shall we fix ourselves-?" asked Kitty, enjoying the fun and striking a variety of fancy atti- tudes. Et .' _. t ' f.. fjE F ; ,K r t+ ! t! a{j .t. T. '} . _ta:5 y iy , , e x ;ftn l ' K ;z+ 'tl S 1A fi a .i x S t . F, S i' J Yi K fi .t ° F T .f J iy .. , F r r d s : ' , , 246 PAUL -AND VIRGINIAS 247. page: 248-249[View Page 248-249] PAU AND VIRGINIA. "I should lketo fix myself here," replied Archie, dropping on one knee, and clasprig his hands in a troubadour position. "You have no warrant for that in the story,"spoke up Kitty, blushing a little, and rather liking it too. "You must keep to your part. Musn'the, auntie ? ' " I think it would be the death of that poor young man inside if he were to discover you," said Aunt Elinor. "Do get up, please'; he's coming!" entreated Kitty hurriedly. "Puppy!" grumbled Archie, ho had conceived the most violentaversion to the p or operator. "lHe had better give his undivided attention to his busi- ness, or I shall feel obliged to offer him a striking* proof of my esteem." After much posture-making, and divers arrange- ments of the water-lilies so necessary to tricky Johnny and the peerless Lady Delight; after sundry tiltings up Kitty's chin with his damp and rather dirty hand by the lanky one, who was chewing some- thingf and smelled of mutton (he seemed ,taking his breakfast by odd mouthfuls, as he could snatch it, in some secret hole behind the blue screen, and his face cleared'apace as his'stomach filled and he chewed the cud with- relish,; perhaps after all it was over-work which made him so crusty and glum), "You cross one foot over t'other, the toe down so," said he to Kitty, adjusting his own lean legs to illustrate the po- sition. "And you straighten back a little,'-to t " " A/ Archie, who moved not the fraction- of a" hair.. "Well, if you want to be took as crooked as a ram's horn, it is immeticular to me- Now, I'm all ready," he con- cluded, pulling his head out from under the black cloth. "Look as pleasant as you can, and wink 'as often as you please!" Kitty tried her best, but it would come,; the water- lilies nodded in her fingers, her lips parted, and an uncontrollable gust of merriment burst forth. "There, ma'am ! I told you you'd make 'em laff," expostulated . the lanky one, glowering on Aunt' Elinor, who had caught the contagion, and was join . ing heartily; "you'll have to leave, or we shan't get a picture all day." "Oh! you. consider fme a subject of 'ethereal mirth.' Well, I will retire, and take with me 'jest and jocund jollity, quips, and cranks, and wilful wiles, nods and becks, and wreathed smiles." 'And trip it lightly as you go, on the light, fantas- tic toe,'" said Archie, springing forward, and waltz- ing the stout lady out of the room. "I wonder if these folks came out of a crazy house," grumbled lanky. "I never see such a packof lunie; whenever you get through prancing round,I'nready to try again. I've got an appointment with a min- ister to-day. Now then, see ifFyou can look right here, sir," sending a little bit of tin up on.a pole, aid placing it at a convenient distance: " But I'tl rather look here," replied Archie, turning towards Kitty. 11* "R" yi J All- 'z w P''J 4 - ,i ., t y PAUL AND VIR GINZA. .48 249 R r X "' , , ' J , _ 'r. - "i; . ,; - - - r : 3 $ , ~ .- _ _' " page: 250-251[View Page 250-251] 2PAUL AND WVIRGINIA. g51 " I -can't take your eyes .so. - "I, don't think you could take my eye any way," answered Archie, insolently facing about, much dis- pleased with the tone, and also the evident admira- tion of the lanky one shown for his fair partner. The operator bristled up, and made a feint of cour- age, enough to- frighten simple Kitty; but eying over the broad :shoulders and powerful fists, which the young gentleman knew quite well how to use, he changed his mind, and subsided into internal swearing. It was a Work of patience. At each removal of the plate to the secret hole, came a voice from the depths, "both moved ; one moved," and.that, too, when each felt sure of having been still to a rmnuscle ; till Kitty got tired of standing on one foot, and 'wanted to give it up altogether, when Mr. Hathaway appeared upon the scene, and brushing. aside the lanky one, took the business into his own hands, and having an artist's eye, as well as powers of execution, quickness, adaptation, precision, and other traits necessary to his profession, he soon gave them a pic- ture which he pronounced a success. Aunt Elinor knewthe gentleman wellkand liked him; she had watched his toward course, his artist-struggles,.had bought hisspictures, and given him a sitting for her face in oils, andl while. they were waiting for the neg- ative she entered into conversation with him, watch- ing his dark, rathermelancholy face. with its soft, black eyes, and.,thoughtful mouth, with interest in what he was saying. V Sy 7 s :250 - - PW UZ ..4ND YIRGIIVI.4. "To Rome ! " said she, "and leave this lucrative business to study art ? " "I dream of it-sometimes," he answered sadly, "but I believe I shall never see Rome till: I look down upon it from heaven." . " When you study the celestial pictures, you will fil your sodlso full of beauty, that old Rome will be forgotten," answered the lady ; and while- she spoke she turned over in her mind the feasibility"of dis- patching this ardent art-lover to the land of his dreams, and resolved to consult Archie: about it as soon as they reached home. Aunt Elinor, with her sympathetic woman's heart, knew well the ecstatic delight of fulfilling the desires of people who are worth the trouble ; and after summing up all the uses of money, what investment pays so well ? " Now that you are here," she concluded briskly, " I shall have~a little ivory-type for myself. Take off that hat, child, and smooth your curls. . I like my friends, as I know them best. Now, .Mr. Hartaway, do your prettiest ; I have provided a nice little sitter, and I expect per- fection in the semblance." "He'll have to. go out, sir," suggested the lanky one, determined to have a last fling at Archie'; "he makes 'em laff."-= The first trial was a glorious success ; sweet, pure, and lovely she looked at them. Kitty at Kitty's prettiest and best. 9"I'll come privately, and carry that off," said page: 252-253[View Page 252-253] 25. PAUL AND VIRGINIA. Archie; "it=is too, much='like the girl I found asleep under the beech-tree- "By the rushy-fringed bank Where grow the willow and the osier dank,' to be owned by any other person." The lanky one overhearing, muttered:' You may het your sweet life you don't! I'll have one, though, and keep it in my room, and look at it just when I've a mind to-; there now-.-" "If the group proves good," said Miss Walsing- ham in her ,prompt business manner, "I shall want it finished in oils, and I yill leave it in my will to one of you, mayhap to both,"'she ended in Kitty's ear, at which the -conscious maid blushed red as a rose, and said, " Novw, ahuntie ! how can you ?" The lanky one coughed a rasping, barking cough, which sounded like a growl, and shuffled off to the dark hole, where he commenced splashing something in water, and turning a wheel, which was like Ixion's. to him, for'aught we can tell., j ('. I CHAPTER XVIII. KITTY LEARNS HER CATECHISM. UNTIE," said Archie one morning, when he and Kitty came in to breakfast, after a long gallop on the breezy ridge road, "this little girl doesn't know her catechism: don't you think she .ought to learn it directly?" "If she likes, as a memory-trial; but as she recites ten verses 'of the New Testament to me every even- ing, I don't care any great about that musty old stuff. She is getting'her creed straight from the Fountain- head. I prefer Christ's say-so, to lany old church dogma, myself." "Why, auntie ! it is lucky the day of fagots and stakes has gone by, 'or you would have a chance to be sent to heaven in a smoke-wreath. I see I shall. be obliged to prosecute this duty without your assist- ,r a. - "" 1 ' x page: 254-255[View Page 254-255] ~,_ s- , ,1. , 1 , s KITTY LEARNS HER CATEcHISM. ance:.Now,Kitty, I'll give you a gaygold ring if you will rcmit thewhole this week, beginning who was thejfirst man?'" "Ring ! I don't care for rings, only this one which was mamma's [kissing her diamond]; they are always slipping off into the wash-basin, and getting lost'everywhere' I shan't study for rings." ' "What would you like, then ? name the treasure-- the half of my kingdom shall. be yours. I feel so anxious to see your feet safely planted on the, Say- brook platform." "Where's that?" demanded Kitty innocently. "-Here's a little heathen for you ! " exclaimed Archie; "poor, neglected infant." "Calling names isn't Christianity," retorted Kitty. "Answered like a woman. I shall keep to the text hereafter, 'what do ye lack ?' like a Scotch pedler." " I want to ride Dandy ! jur'np him over the five- bar, where you 'went this morning ; he was- so mean, auntie ! he leaped over, and made me wait till he had opened the gate, before I could go through." "Yes, you wanted to break your neck, and as it is toshort to join again, -I objected, from motives of economy."g "Well, I won't learn the catechism unless you will give me a ride on Dandy." Shall I risk it, auntie ? " "Why not? Kitty rides wel, and Dandy is a good jrnper." " Very well, I shift all responsibility, and you shall try your skill just as soon.as you are perfect." "" ut if1 I miss two questions," said-Kitty, turning over the leaves of the yimer Archie presented heit; " that used to be perfect at school." "I'll make it one. I don't want, to be -a hard master," replied Archie blandly. " I'll be ready by four o'clock, and have the ride this evening." " At blushing shut of day-.agreed." All the morning Kitty studied the questions, and conned over the answers; and flushed with triumph she presented her book to the young catechist before the hall clock struck four. " I've got 'them all," said she. "Very well, we'lr'see-who was the first man?" " Adam." "Who killed Cain?" " Abel." " One miss! take your book and study" (very severely). " You' shan't count that, Archie ; you didn't ask the question right ; it is who was the first murderer?" "So it is--.well, I will excuse that failure-; now who was the strongest man ;" and so. on : they advanced' swimmingly, till Archie propounded the query, "Who, was the last man-?" ".Now you are too bad to skip about so, and.ask the very one I didn't learn;" said Kitty, quite cast down and discouraged. KITTY LEARNS HER CATEcHISM z55 -. 54 a, . ,I page: 256-257[View Page 256-257] KITTY LEARNS HER CATECHISM. A hearty laugh from Aunt Elinor set the faithful pupil thinking. "There isn't any last man," ex- claimed she, clapping her hands gleefully, "and I'll have my ride on.Danday." "I can convince you that you are, mistaken," re- plied Archie, fetching a-volume of Campbellfrom the library. "I've "got the ipse (dixit of a fellow who pretends to know., 'I saw a vision in my sleep That gave my spirit strength to sweep Adown the vale of time. I saw the last of human mould That shall creation's death behold, As Adam saw its prime.'" The young man finished the poem, to which Kitty listened with fixed attention. "There I Miss Kitty," asked he, shutting the book ; " what do you think of that ?-" " It makes me creep a little," said Kitty, shiver- ing; "but I like it ; it sounds like a grand anthem- like solemn church music-it is like a gorgeous paint- ing. I'd rather learn that than your stupid old cate- chism." "Well, I give up ! " exclaimed Archie. " I ex- pected you would class it with Milton as 'horrid stuff.'" " You can't sometimes almost always tell these young maidens' thoughts, thou man. Elegance for- give the. use of your own boyish slang,". saidAunt Elinor, laughing and patting Kitty's cheek. "They don't admire and reject by rule and pummet, but are quite apt to be a law unto themselves. Go and get ready for your ride, darling ; enjoy the pleasure you have earned. And you, Archie, see if you can be as careful a guardian as you are accurate a theologian." KNs j 9 I APITT Y LEARNS ,HER. CA TEC.II $IW. 257 256. 0 page: 258-259[View Page 258-259] I CHAPTER XIX. AUNT ELINOR'S DISAPPOINTMENT. ERHAPS the pleasantest times this couple enjoyed were the long talks over the career. Mr. Laurie was to make ; a something great glorious, in which they had joint interest; which amwas discussed in all its bearings, and admired in the prophetic gloty of its magnificent results. Miss Walsingham took infinite comfort, watching, petting, lecturing, and helping. She made them work, too, doing her best to interest her nephew in the manage- ment and capabilities of her Quince Bush; and in- sisted that he should assume direction of her work- people; and she plied him early and late with en- treaties to remain and superintend the property- making that his business. "It will all be yours, Archie," she said. "You should look after your own. What more noble and I, AUNT ELINOR'S DISAPPOINTMENT. 259 useful life than dwelling onyour owi acres, and making the people about you happy? "But, -dearest auntie, you raised me for a lawyer; I have always meant to be one. I mean to show the world that rara avis-an honest barrister. I am just ready to. practise ; I want to'make a career. I am determined'to test my powers, and prove what there is in me. I-want to earn my living in the sphere to which you have educated_ me. - I must be acknowl- edged a man among men, before I ask a woman to take and trust me for life." a Miss Walsingham met an unexpected rebuff; for, on confiding her. troubles to Kitty, that .little maid blushingly, but quite firmly, owned that "she agreed with Archie ; she thought he was just right." So good Aunt Elinor was obliged to give in at last, withmany sighs over her lonely home, where she dreaded to miss the presence of the gay young peo- ple at her table, so splendid and solitary, that even her cat was an acceptable companion, and she re- solved to keep Kitty just as long as she could. page: 260-261[View Page 260-261] kITTY'S FIRST OFFER. 6 CHAPTER XX. ° KITTY'S FIRST OFFER. AMBLING together one evening beneath the golden harvest moon, chatting and enjoying themselves after their usual fashion, Archie broke out suddenly- " Kitty, I've had an offer." "An offer !" replied Kitty, quite mystified. "Yes, and 'I want your advice ; shall I or shall I not pounce upon it?-" " I would do just as I thought best, Archie." "You provoking little bo-peep! why don't you ask me some questions?" Oh, I can wait;' if you have anything to tell, I shall get it fast enough." I have something to tell, Kitty. Iam about'to leave you." "Leave me !" echoed Kitty, faintly. "Ah! I thought I could surprise you. I hate to go. I hate to disoblige Aunt Elinor. I hate to in- terrupt our pleasant life, like a dream of Arcadia; but I don't feel like abandoning my life's design. The career must be made ! Such an excellent op-, portunity offers now, that I can't think it right to give it the go-by. You will miss me, won't you, Kitty? We've had nice timeshaven't we ? I must speak this evening to Aunt Elinor." After waiting a little while in a silence which Kitty could not find voice to break, Archie said, " Do-you know, Kitty, I almost wish I was rich." "Why so, Archie ? " she answered softly. "Because if I had money of-my own we might get married right away, and make the career together af- terward. Wouldn't that be pleasant? I declare I am sorely tempted to give in to my aunt's wishes, and settle down and let the old career go. hang ! You would take me without any fame, wouldn't you ? Esquire Laurie doesn't sound much better than Mis- ter, does it?" "You are taking a great deal for granted, Mr. Archie Laurie. You seem quite sure of me. You needn't be, for I am not at all sure of myself." " Oh, yes, you are. I beg pardon ; you must be; because I am Prince Almanazar and you are Lady Delight. You taught me that with your own sweet lips ; and are not we two hanging in one frame in auntie's parlor ? " "But Prince: Almanazar had to do brave and noble deeds ; batter at the Brazen Gates and prove well his page: 262-263[View Page 262-263] KITTY'S FIRST OFFER. XITTY'S FIRST .OFFER. manhood, before he won his love for his," said Kitty with kindling face. Thank you, little preacher; you recall me to my- self.. I also must fall to work and lose no time. I must make a hammer of the law, and strike with might. and main good,, strong, lusty, honest blows for. my water-lily. I shall be successful, of course, and when I have made all things ready to occupy the castle, may I come and takesweet Kitty home ?," Dropping the gay, bantering tone he had been using, he looked seriously down into her face. The swift blushes chased each other over her cheeks, and her true eyes dropped beneath his earnest look. Al- though he felt quite sure of her, he wished ;to hear hervoice and begged for a word, which she gave him. "Archie, I love you dearly. I will be ready when-. ever you are ready to take me." The harvest moon looked smilingly down upon this youthful pair, and the whispering trees told each other how good and fair was she, and how honest and trusty was her lover.. But," said Kitty, "what if papa should not ap- prove ? You must find that out first. I am only. sixteen, you know, A silly, little wife I'll be, I am afraid. I must beg Carlotta to teach me housekeep- ing.' +I shall try to forgive your extreme youth, especi-- ally as I'm only twenty ,myself.. We don't want gray heads .on green shoulders. I expect we shall make no end of mistakes. I know I shall. I'm always, 262 _ _ i f , "' '' 'i . I ,l 263 diving into blunders. I shall look to you to be very loving and forgiving, and we shall come all right after a while. As to the father---I have na fears now that I am sure of your heart." " You were rather sure of that all the while,I think, considering how modest you are." "I am making love in my character of Prince, you understand. " Oh, yes;, I see ! Well, I accept you in the character of Lady Delight." "My darling ! my darling! -Don't, mind Kitty; don't run off. I won't, do so any more. You shall see how I will work. I am so proud of your love and your goodness." " Archie, I want to ask you one question. Sup- pose you should meet some fine woman, handsome, and learned, and witty-"-I am not any of those. I am only simple Kitty. Do you think she could coax away your heart from me, and make you forget your love,? When you are out in the world you will see hosts of them, and they will all wish to have you." " Now, Kitty-but I won't swear. Oaths are mere words. The Lauries are true men. I am a Laurie." "Thank you, Archie. I feel sure of you, because I love you. I don't know why I should have asked you such a question. - Just to show you how silly I can be,.I suppose." " I might return your compliment, Miss Clayton, but I refrain. Ali ! how nice this is! I don't see how people live who are not engaged." ,, o ,, _ page: 264-265[View Page 264-265] MEETING ANGELS UNA WARES. CHAPTER XXI. MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES. T was a brilliant morning when Archie Laurie walked into the law office in Toptown (the county seat, where we have our court-house, jail, insane-retreat, poor-house, and all sorts of civi- lizative conveniences), which was to'be the theatre of his bold attempts to achieve greatness. It was a brilliant morning,and his pulse-beats kept joyous time to his jubilant mood. Blessed with high health and an untouched constitution his young blood ran sparkling through his veins like agne wine. He.st epped off'his walk of five miles from t e team- boat landing, like an athlete in full training. He. ad written to Kitty, in his' cramped, little-state-roo, annoIncing his arrival in a strain of exhilarated glad- ness, which kept her singing for very joy for days afterward. A little time of steady attention to his new business sufficed to put him au courant in its detail. The position was an excellent one. The old- est house in town had offered him a partnership, and with diligence and industry his much-talked-of " career " was sure to be achieved. . He settled ab- sorbedly to his work. Richard Roe and John Doe with their never-ending disputes could not disgust him. He read-voraciously, and wrote reams upon reams of dry cases, as though it were mere pastime. In short, he battered away at the Brazen Gates with sounding blows which made them reel again. Alas ! for the chances and changes in this ever- whirling world. Man proposes, but it seems as if the disposing came from down below, sometimes ; at any rate, an evil spirit presented herself in the'garb of an angel of light. Strolling one evening into the long dining-room of the hotel where he boarded, he sat down to table, and had just finished helping himself to a huge saucer of late peaches, and was carefully sifting them with sugar, thinking about a law-suit of which he was writing up the evidence, when, with a silken rustle, and a faint breath of heliotrope floating about her, Mrs. Nickson, nee Brandon, seated herself at his elbow. She was alone, and looking radiantly beautiful. Her steely eyes glimmered when they lighted upon her neighbor, who greeted her with pleased eagerness. Had he not met her on that blissful occasion-that rapturous evening, every re- membrance of which was thrice blessed, now that he was separated from the only girl to speak of, in the 12 ,4 4 265 :' - , page: 266-267[View Page 266-267] yj- s- a1 MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES. Brandon for sweepstakes. chosen set, he was leading Surrounded by a very fast life. 266 MEETING ANGELS UNA WARES. , world ? They soon sailed.into pleasant seas of talk: of the grand party, the wedding, Merry Bank peo- ple, the Red Cottageites ; and, tea over, what more natural than that he should accompany the handsome, charming lady, the brilliant. causeure, who was in some sort an old acquaintance-almost a friend-- into the parlor, where, to say truth, he spent the en- tire evening listening to her sparkling conversation ; perhaps unconsciously admiring and wondering at her rare beauty-which was set in array for his bene- fit. Of ,course Mrs., Nickson sang. Archie didn't consider himself a great enthusiast in music, but those songs thrilled through his soul. He begged for one more, and one more, long after all loungers had deserted the parlor, and they two were left alone. He thought a dozen times about going, but she had a little more to say, and .she looked so handsome saying it, that he forgot the flight of time in listening, and his watch showed him the small hours before he undid its guard-chain and adjusted its key for the winding ; and her face was before him; her entertaining talk, her musical voice lingered about his thoughts till the image of death locked fast his senses. Poor little Kitty went to sleep that night with- the joyous, loving letter from her betrothed under her white pillow, first praying a prayer for him, and she slept a sweet and dreamless slumber. Mrs. Nickson's jockey husband had gone to the Brooklyn races, where he had entered the Belle marriage had no controlling.. power over him-they say reformed rakes make the best husbands; don't you believe it, girls ; it can't be- so ; mended china isn't so good as unbroken china ; mended manners are not so trustworthy as life-long purity. But John Nickson was not reformed-had no idea of being-and his handsome, wife did not in the least trouble herself about his morals, so long as he gave her plenty of banknotes. The Folly was undergo- ing a thorough burnishing before it could receive its splendid mistress, who meant to have the full value- of her " most filthy bargain " in everything that money could buy ; and here she was at the hotel, with noth- ing in hand, till the banker's return. Only a few weeks married, and she had hours of hearty disgust with her wedded life-and she bitterly regretted what she was now disposed to consider over-haste in her decision ; and she vainly wished that she had stayed for one more chance. The time had already gone by when she was at the least pains to conceal how disgusting was her husband to her; how abhor- rent his habits. All the horse-talk to which she afore- time so llandjy listened was received with cold shoulders and open sneers. His chosen companions she would none of, and they dared not come into her presence. She. had already proved, to her ex- treme surprise, that there could be weariness and ennui in spending money. The golden apple she I, 267 his His II' _ , page: 268-269[View Page 268-269] jri.. c _ f ' ' L ~ S { 3 J t f R !' i r rte. - F 1 i 4 had plucked so eagerly was turning to ashes in her hand, and a whole, long life yet before her. Of course, she willingly seized upon Archie Laurie for occupation, and he, poor fellow,' with his' high trust in woman, had not the ghost of a chance to resist her wiles. A few adroit conversations made her perfectly au fait as to the state of his heart. He easily confided all his plans, and she led him on and drew him out by the beautiful sympathy she manifested, and the fervent praises of" dear, sweet Kitty." The handsome plotter remembered with bitter re- sentment every event of the great party where she had suffered such unbearable mortifications, though she had so gushingly gone over its delights with him on the first evening of their meeting ; and shere-' solved to captivate this young fellow-half for the pleasure of resuming her favorite amusement, which she called "flirting," and partly 'to punish Kitty Clayton for everything she had suffered while in that innocent maid's society. She busied herself making natural opportunities to meet Archie, and to bring him to her side. She flattered him by showing in- tense interest in his business, his plans, his future. While she praised Kitty, she thrust her .own beauties and graces upon his attention, so that he'could not help being impressed with them. She set off her at- tractions by brilliant toilettes. She smiled her ador- able smiles, and breathed out her perfumed breath in pretty sighs, while-she bewailed the lottery of life. "So many draw blanks,'" she said, and shook her head with its floating curls, and sang to him a plain- tive song which thrilled to his heart's core. She talked trippingly-laughing threaded melody, while he held her bright-colored worsteds. He could, not help observing her round arms and charming dimples, as she supplely bent hither and thither in the wind- ing. She paraded her graces, practised the allure- ments it had been her life-work to make perfect, and she threw a cruel glamour over the lad before he knew that he'was in danger. She rejoiced wickedly when she saw how the image of sweet Kitty was obscured in her gorgeous .presence. No respect for herself r held her in check. She had never followed her avo- cation with richer zest or fuller enjoyment. It was more than flirting now ; it was also revenge, and she gloried in the -'sorrow she was brewing for Kitty, whom she hated in exact proportion to the favors she had received from her hands. As for Archie Laurie, his latter years had .been passed among his own sex, engrossed in his studies, his sports, his travels-which had left him neither time nor opportunities to study women. Thus put- ting a wide gap between his school-boy life at Merry Bank, when, girls were -only girls and nothing more, and now, when womeri were mostly angels without wings. Every hour the infatuated youth could command, he passed by the side of the Married Belle. Every thought was claimed by her, without any design to 8 MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES. MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES, 268 269 . - page: 270-271[View Page 270-271] 270 MEETING ANGELS (YNA WARES. 7 ' ME E TING ANGELS UNA WARES. 271 be false to his love. She had slid insensibly into the background, out of sight ; lie nearly forgot to write to her. In fact, Mrs. Nickson did not give him time. One evening she came upon him reading Chatterton. He laid down the volume to converse with her ; in fact, hehad only been beguiling the tedium of wait- ing for her appearance. She did not ask him-what occupied him, but took an opportunity to steal a glance at the title, and the next morning she rose early and fetched the works of "the marvellous boy, the sleepless soul that perished in his pride."-and at their -next sitting she adroitly led the talk toward him, and showed herself so thoroughly conversant with his stormy life and its strange work, that Archie was impressed with her erudition, and paid her many compliments upon acquirements not common among women, and when she repeated the whole hymn be- ginring "Almighty Framer of the skies," so melo- diously and with such true devotion, he could have knelt at her feet. If Belle had taken as much trouble to minister to the tastes and-enjoyments of her hus- band, as she did to study and fascinate this youth, she might have lived comfortably 'with him, -and perhaps have kindled within him some new desires after home pleasures, some-notions-of refinement and manliness. I say, perhaps, but she had no such leaning-no such intention. Things had'been going on thus for weeks, when one evening after tea Archie was sitting on the bal- cony of his hotel enjoying his segar and the autumnal ,{ - coloring on the distant woods. He was alone for a wonder;- Mrs. Nickson was shopping. , He pulled - out his handkerchief, and with it came a tiny glove, smelling of heliotrope. He had stolen it from the Married Belle the evening before, on their return from a concert, at which time she had been bewilderingly bewitching. The faint perfume reminded him of 'her in her floating robes-of her sweeping curls, her won- derful eyes, rosy mouth, sharp white teeth, and beau- tiful dimples; of her, leaning on his . arm,- walking with easy, springing grace by his side home through the quiet street ; of her sitting at the piano-of the air she had warbled in his'charmed ears. The liquid melody of her glorious v ice still lingered about him like enchantment ; unc nsciously he hummed the- words of her song : ."In earth or air, a thing so fair, I have not seen as thee." A servant approached. and handed him a small package. "By express, sir ; fifty cents." Archie took it, paid the charge, and after turning it over in-his hands a moment, as everybody does a bundle or a letter, for some unexplained reason, he opened it, with his cigar in the corner of his mouth and his head much on'one side, to shirk the smoke which wreathed about his half-shut eyes, not greatly inter- ested in what he was doing, and still dreaming vaguely of the glea ing glances. A little;ivory picture met page: 272-273[View Page 272-273] MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES. MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES. his gaze when the last wrapping was removed. He dropped it from his hands, appalled and conscience-. stricken. The words of the enchantress' song died on his lips. "My God !" he exclaimed. "Can this be Archie -aurie ?" It was nothing frightful, however, that fixed his look, only a sweet, pure, little, childish face, shaded by soft curls and lighted by loving, trustful eyes. He turned sick and. cold. Well, he had to face a very unpleasant verity : here was a good young fellow, who had always lived on the best terms with himself, ac- customed to feel infinite respect and complaisance for his manhood, as he acknowledged it, rather fallen away from the narrow path of rectitude ; rather slipped loose from candid honor; he who had so loftily denied all possibility of change or forgetfulness when asked a simple question by a simple girl, speaking in proud haste and assured certainty, was suddenly brought up with a round turn by a little picture that he was obliged to lift again and hold in his hand, and which he could not take his eyes off of, and couldn't look at without blushing. Kitty Clayton, in her precious youth, gentle, winning, tender, leaning on his breast under the yellow harvest moon, came back into his. thoughts, stole back softly,: where she had a right to be : all her quaint prettiness and fresh innocence was there. Her lovely presence care once again, flutter-- ing and fearful, into his soul. He dashed down the perfumed glove, softly hid away the picture, and cov- cred his face with his hands. Some persons were talking together in coarse tones within the tree-shaded nook below him, where they were lounging and smoking in arm-chairs. "I say, Knox, what a luscious piece of flesh old Nick has got for a mate this time! she beats the -others by a long stride." "He ought to be a judge of the article. By hokey! he's had experience enough among the fillies." "I'll bet on this one against the field, she won't hang herself or cut her throat, as t'others did. I re- member the night he first seen her; 'twas to a fair; he left a fiver in the box on her table for a cup of coffee he drank :. he was just mad to wait then and see her again. I didn't think the cards would ever turn .up such a trick as they did, though ; she's a match for the devil in his brimstone clothes, any day in the week." "Oh ! not so bad as that, you know. I call her a confounded fine. woman ; you mustn't lash out be- cause she turned- the cold shoulder on you ; haw ! hai! They will do that sort of thing, you know; those high-strung ones are devilish apt to snap, at a raw hand." "Blast her shoulders ! I hate her ; she told me with her nose in the air that she did not wish to en- tertain any of Mr. Nickson's jockey associates. She wasn't- fond of stable odors, and I'm blessed. if the impudent jade didn't put her handkerchief to her nose and-turn her back upon me. By Judas ! she'll 'come down a peg yet; old Nick is betting like thun- 0 "e 273 272 page: 274-275[View Page 274-275] _jy 274 MfEETING ANGELS U/NA WARES. der; and I'm just the fellow that won't say 'whoa.' Let him spin.; silks and satins look fine on my.hand- some dame but I should like to see how rags would become her." "Splitting fun to watch what a fool she is making of that young lawyer. It is as good as a play the way she leads him by the nose, like a tame bear. Golly ! wouldn't I like to be round when old Nick gets wind of Ijer goings on." "Oh! he knows all about her. I was at Newport when they was, and he was as proud as a peacock of his new bargain; didn't she dress, though ! There wasn't a woman there that could hold a candle to her, and she flirted day in and day out, riding here, driv- ing there, with a train of men around her as long as a flock of wild geese." " I don't care nothing about that. I tell you, Knox, she'd better mind her eye; if Nick gets down on anybody, they had as good say their prayers." Poor Archie ! fallen from his high estate to be a byword and 'a laughing-stock to 'keys and gam- blers! A handsome carriage and pair drew up before the hotel. The tall coachman pulled' in his high-step- ping-bays with a jerk, to the admiration of the crowd of smokers and loungers. The Married Belle sat in her purple-lined phaeton, in perfect costume, her blonde curls floating beneath a jaunty hat, whose long white, plume covered her shoulder ; her velvet basque fitted perfectly her beautiful figure, and a certain air of con- MEETING ANGELS UNAWARES. 275 fident triumph showed in her graceful pose. When she caught sight of the foolish lad she had spent so many enchantments to make wretched, she smiled at the bowed head and exulted. "lHe is in a fit of ten- der musing, of which Iam the sun and glory; " so she thought as she spoke to her coachman. ' "Alphonse, you may give the reins to Mr. Laurie ; he is.fond of driving my horses. You must get new rosettes for this harness to-morrow, and a fresh pair of lines. I will have nothing pass or dingy about my turn-out." Alphonse swung his legs to the ground and stood ready to resign his charge, but he: listened to the orders of his handsome mistress with a careless, inso- lent indifference, which showed that he did not like her service. The men in the arm-chairs were weigh- ing her, add boldly staring-she, with her haughty disregard of.those beneath her in the social scale, en- tirely ignored their existence, and called out to Archie in her subdued, musical voice, as if they had not been within hearing: "Come, Mr. Laurie ! just the time for a drive; be quick, please, the bays are so impatient ; " and she nodded and smiled as she gathered up her rich robes to give him room beside her. Yesterday the boldness of the -action might have passed for gushing simplicity, and he would have ac- cepted. the invitation so unblushingly offered, and have heartily enjoyed managing the spirited steeds, and listening to the brilliant conversation of the mag, page: 276-277[View Page 276-277] 276 MEETING ANGELS UNA WARES. nificent woman beside him, as he had done often and often before; but to-day ! her spell was broken: with a sudden waking as from a dream, he beheld her as she was,. a bold, unscrupulous woman, obstinately seeking her own pleasure in open defiance of all right and honor, and he shrank from her with loathing. The handsome plotter felt instantly that her prey had slipped out of her net. She saw it in his averted, unsmiling face, herd it in his changed tones, even before he had finished putting his refusal into words; but she sat an instant looking at him with Geraldine eyes, and the Scripture-reading in the old Red Cot.. tage sounded in her ears like a sentence of condem- nation. "Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou tentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair. Thy lovers will despise thee. And thou saidst, I shall be a lady forever., For thou hast trusted-in thy wickedness; thou hast said, None seeth me. Therefore shall evil come upon thee, and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly." Archie had turned from her and disappeared through the long window before a suppressed "haw! haw!" from the jockeys and gamblers in the arm- chairs brought her back from the unpleasant, profit- less past, home to the doleful, unsatisfactory present, and a queer: look in the eyes of her showy coachman gave it force and fire, proving how keenly he appre- ciated and, enjoyed his mistress' position. MEETING ANGELS UNA WARES. 277 It was a terrible glance that Belle gave the man. "All was blight; Lamia, no longer fair, sat there, a deadly white." Her pale lips hardly- seemed to form the words of her order,:and the glitter of her sharp teeth through the livid cleft was uncanny enough to make you turn chilly. "Drive on, fool. Are you taking root, that- you cannot leave- the place ? Do you hear me ? drive on." " Where, ma'am ? " "To the lake, to the glen, to the church-yard." "Yes, ma'am," replied Alphonse, and mutteringly added: "Post to the devil everywheres." r * 0 . page: 278-279[View Page 278-279] Fll ilk CHAPTER XXII. BASSWOOD VERSUS HICKORY. S for Mr. Archie Laurie, he walked rapidly down toward his officein that most unenvia- ble of all states for a noble-minded man, proud of his strength, when he is forced to. feel himself weighed in the balance and found wanting. He blushed all alone when he reviewed the miserable in- fatuation of the past weeks. "Paugh!" he exclaimed, trying to twist himself away from his thoughts ; "how can a man be such a dishonest fool?" He tried hard walking, and made a circuit of a couple of miles, but with the pleasant persistence^ that style of reflections are sure to excite; they pursued him like avenging furies. At the door-of the office his senior met him in an angry bustle: "What the deuce kept you so long to- night, Laurie ? of all nights in the year; you're fooling " Vii,, , i , \ Jti'. . ."., "t '" .? ti . r BASSWOOD VERSUS HICkORY. 279 away too much of your time, my boy ; it won't do. You'll have to chop short round or there'll be a fuss in the family. I don't-mince matters, and I tell you it won't do, and I mean it." "You shall not have occasion to say that to me again, Mr. Bradbu'ry," replied Archie, in still excite- ment. "I intend to be all business hereafter." " Humph," ejaculated the old lawyer, tilting up his glasses and curiously eying the young man. "All business, hey ? well, let me tell you, my young friend, the office is a safe place for you, but I've got a'safer; you must post directly off amongst the lumbermen; old Basswood-has sent for me to come and take testi- mony in his great saw-mill case, 'Basswood versus Hickory,' and the very best thing I can do for you is" to send you up immediately." "Thank you, Mr. Bradbury,''replied Archie, flush- ing under the clear penetrating eyes which were read- ing him, ".I should like nothing better." "That's right, my lad. Fresh frontier life will take the taste out of. your mouth ; help you to throw off the yoke, hey ;'" he slapped poor Archie on the shoulder: "I don't want my. office brought up to notice in a 'crim. con.' case, in which my junior shall figure. Don't say a word. I believe you are a-right- minded lad ; but I'm -afraid you haven't cut your eye- teeth yet. 'I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence,' you understand." The - angry blood surged up through Archie's heart, and tingled at his fingers' ends; he haughtily page: 280-281[View Page 280-281] 'c ' r 1. t Y:' t f F f_ } , f' f* ; r' yo BASSWOOD VERSUS HICKORYV. '1 withdrew his shoulder from his mentor--his tormen- tor ; and his first impulse was to knock' him down. But the sickening feeling, that his folly had fastened such suspicion on him, made him a mark 'for ,men's wagging tongues, kept him silent, and he stood with dropped eyes, looking and feeling intensely foolish. "Come, come, my boy; don't break down under it. You are not the first fine fellow by a many, who has made a slide ; start again, that's all, and be sure and keep the straight path next time. Pack up your traps, and look sharp ; the cars leave in an hour; your papers are all ready for you, and good luck at- tend your fishing. There are wild folks amongw4e woodsmen, and you will have to rough it ; b do you good. There .is one thing about it ; the precious few women up there, and, I will venture to affirm that you won't find a married belle among them." With a good-natured chuckle, the old lawyer shook Archie heartily by the hand, and left him to facilitate his preparations for speedy departure. We too will leave him to the tender mercies of the uncouth lum- bermen and his own avenging reflections. HEN Belle returned from her drive, she went straight to her, room, and throwing away her hat, she tore off her ornaments and cast them aside, and pushing back her curls from her burning cheeks, she sat down at the table and leaned her face wearily in her clasped hands. Utter abhor- rence of herself and her life oppressed her soul and weighed her to the earth. It ,was one of those avenging hours which will sometimes sweep'over the most blunted and selfish natures, when the past looks loathly and the future a dreary nothingness. Her jewel-casket stood before her, and after a while she opened it and fingered the rich gems it contained-a part of her bargain. But they had -no charm, and with a bitter, scornful laugh she pushed them away and bent again to her unwelcome thoughts. During her solitary drive she had-.been CHAPTER XXIII. A PEAN OF TRIUMPH. 5F 280 page: 282-283[View Page 282-283] 4 282 A PEAN OF TRIUMPH. regretting her past, purposeless, flirting, despicable, cheating, heathen life? Oh no, not at all ; but her over-haste in jumping into matrimony thus, losing another opportunity to be added to the thousand and one good chances she had pursued after; 'angry, enraged that it was too late to have Archie Lauri9 for her husband ; angry also that, from sorne unexplained cause, he wished to sunder the chains she had taken such pains to forge. -3- While she sat thus thinking her wicked, unwifely thoughts, her, wedded lord entered her room. She saw his hated figure reflected in the mirror before her, but she did not move. A young, honest, trusty face was in her mind, and she shuddered at the first glimpse she caught of this degraded humanity. He had been drinking, and his voice-was thick when he addressed his lady wife: "Mrs. Nichson, I've got home; I wish to speak to you." He steadied himself against the tall, carved bed- post, and looked at her with drunken gravity out of his bloodshot, sensual eyes. " Do you hear, Mrs. Nickson ? I've got home. I want to speak to you." She turned about for an instant, and took into her consciousness his coarse, hardened face, bloated and red, his swaying figure, with his hands plunged deep in his-pockets, and his tall hat (which was Knox's hat, picked up at random, and vaguely appropriated, and all too large for his bullet head) set tipsyly on one A PEAN OF TRZIUMIP 283 side. She turned away with sick impatience.; even the drunken man perceived the disgust in her face, and it angered him. "You are a devilish fine woman, Mrs. Nickson," he said, running all his words together: "devilish fine; and I've spent a pool of money on you. Those showy ones are always -'spensive. I'm too old a coon to be fooled. I met Jim Knox coming up; he made a joke and a deuced haw-haw about you and your goings on with that stuck-up puppy of a Laurie. I say you're a devilish fine woman, Mrs. Nickson ; but that kind of thing won't go down. I've married you, and I mean to keep you in order. I'll drive the bays myself, hereafter; if Dolph won't serve your turn." Belle never moved, nor gave the least sign of having heard the drunken voice at her elbow-except a curl of her haughty red lip. Her husband pulled out, after some purposeless fumbling, a- handful of crum- pled papers from his pocket, and threw them down on: the table before her. "I've paid some swinging long bills, but you shall hold up now. Your namesake, curse her! has run me behind, and I'm out of pocket, and you won't waste any more on kickshaws; you've kept it up pretty well since you. got hold of my purse-strings, but, by Jove! you'll stop." The beautiful wife sat as still as a statue ; the bob- bing hand and the winking eyes, stupidly trying to be stern and dignified, concerned her not at all. Her silence enraged him; and he raised his voice: p page: 284-285[View Page 284-285] A PEAN OF TRIUMPH 285 284 A PEAN OF TRIUMPH. "Do you hear me, madam ? Your lord and master is speaking to you." " Yes, I hear you ; I must be deaf indeed not to hear such a roar as zyou are executing. It does credit to your lungs; I could understand you better; perhaps,'if your utterance was something clearer." "Then why don't you answer when I talk? By thunder ! my wife shall speak when I choose-; you can chatter glib as a magpie, when you take a fancy ; you'd better not stir me up, unless you want to see a cloven foot.' She turned her head with careless scorn. "You will oblige me by leaving my apartment ; I can't talk to a drunken man.". " Can't you? hal ha! pretty good ; why, you hand- some fool, you belong, to me ; I have bought and paid for you ; your blue eyes and your round arms and your dimples and all the beauties you were so fond of showing off to me are mine / and hereafter you will keep them for me. I'll have no stuck-up young puppies dangling after my wife." Your own life is so irreproachable !" she said disdainfully.. "That s neither here nor there. I shan't ask any woman's leave to do -as I please ; it's your business to trot in the path I point out, and you'd better go easy or it will be the worse for you. I've tamed a woman before you." b oShe haughtily rose, and. pushed back her chair. Words fail to express the superb insolence of her manner. "Since you seem to fancy my apartments, I will leave them to you. I will recommend you to try to sleep off the brandy you are so odorous of; when you are. less like a brute and more like a man, perhaps I will listen to you." He laughed savagely. "Sit down ! I tell you, sit down. Your grand airsare fine, but they are out of time just now ; keep them till.I want them." She wheeled about and looked him'full in the face; such a look ! such glittering eyes, such sharp white teeth ! "If you could know," she said, in a steady, even voice, which never lost its musical ring-'"if- you could but be made to feel how I loathe and despise you at your best, and how disgusting and abomina- bly repulsive you are to me now, in your vile, drun- kenness, you would not wish me to stay where every sense recoils from your hated presence. I could tear my heart out and trample on it when I look at the vile wretch I must hear called my husband-" Her speech was stopped suddenly, for beside him.. self, fired with rage by her taunts, her contempt, her overbearing pride, which scornfully ignored him, he. struck her, when she stood confronting him, and still indignantly, provokingly. apart-such a cruel blow, upon her creamy dimpled cheek, as left the prints of all his horny fingers in livid marks upon the tender flesh. For one instant she was still, except a thrill of rage which shivered -through, her ; her red lips parted in a page: 286-287[View Page 286-287] 286 A PEAN OF TRIUMP. smile ; the devil within her intensified her ferocious, savage beauty'; with one undulating motion she darted toward him, and with a blow of her clenched fist she knocked the big hat down over his face, and catching off her long crimson scaif, she wound it round and round his arms, plunged helplessly into his pockets, and drew it fast with all the strength of her quivering fingers. Almost before the mocking laugh had died from his lips he was bound as firmly to the bedstead-as ever prisoner to the stake. Then taking a costly cashmere long-shawl, one of her hus- band's gifts in the first pride of possession, from the chair where she had carelessly tossed it, when she came in from her drive, she deliberately wound it about him from chin to heel, kneeling before him, and making it firm and sure ; and he stood swathed like a mummy. Then seizing his hat in 'her two hands she dragged it ruthlessly off, regarding no whit his long nose, which suffered cruelly in the transit ; she placed it at his feet on the floor, then stepping back-. ward and spreading her voluminous skirts of rustling silk, she performed an elaborate curtesy. "Perhaps my noble lord and master will think twice the next time between the impulse and the blow; I crave leave to retire and bathe my wounded cheek. I kiss my hand to you. May your shadow never be less ! In fact it couldn't well be, except you were shrouded, for your coffin." Turning with her serpentine glide, she floated eas- ily out of the room, leaving the door open, and sa ed A PAAN Ox TRIVMPZ. down the wide staircase ; her white shoulders thrown back, and her superb head haughtily erect, with a desperate, wicked, regal grace; soon the full tones of her splendid voice swelled out rich and clear from the. parlor below, where stood the concert grand' piano, and her skilful fingers played a jubilant aca, companiment to her pean of triumph. Poor Nickson, left alone, gave vent to his feelings in curses. not loud but deep, and writhed in futile efforts to free himself from his inglorious bonds; but. he could not move a finger. The partner of his joys and sharer of his sorrows had done her work too well. He was . a helpless prisoner, and wad fain to squeal for help; the ties of love began to be painful; so excruciating, in fact, that the agony quite sobered him.. His chum and fellow jockey, Knox, happened to be passing in the hall, and hearing an odd noise, peeped in at the door, to see, as he said, "what's the row." Discover- ing his comrade in such distressful plight, wriggling his head from side to side, goggling his eyes, and gurgling strange oaths, the sight seemed so fraught with mirth, that heedless of his .short-breathed en- treaties for help, he staggered and reeled and shouted and stamped in a frenzy of laughter. "Poor old Nick," he wheezily exclaimed as soon as he could find breath. . " He is turned into a mummy, by the everlasting hokey! real Egyptian ; beats Barnum all hollow. Say, didst thou walk the streets three thousand years ago ? thou hast a tongue, mummy; let us hear its tune!" 'I fl f page: 288-289[View Page 288-289] A PEAN OF TRIUMPH- A PEAN OF TRIUMPH. "Come, just quit that, and unwind these cursed things," gasped the victim; "don't you see I am suffering tortures, you infernal Guinea-pig ." Fair and soft, Jacky Frippon; fair and soft. If you call names, I leave you to choke, or get out as you can. You must promise me an extra thousand before I go to work ; my services are worth double the money ; but I'll do the job cheap; say a thou- sand." Not a dime ! you've had your living out of me long enough; you're all the while begging; not a dime." "Oh, very well; just as you please ; I rather like this; quite an entertainment. Ah ! madam's shawl: that explains, a little matrimonial scene ; Cupid among the roses; haw! hawI!" The eyes-of the men met, and the hilarious laugher felt that perhaps it was as well that his friend's hands were not free that instant and armed ,with a knife. "Make it a thousand, Nickey, and I'll unwind the mummy. The poor sufferer stood it as long as humanity _= .might, but he came to Esau's state of mind at last, and promised the money ; and- then Knox quite leisurely undid his bonds, and he did not tarry long in the society of his chum after his, release. As soon as he had let one arm free, he got his money, and took good care to give the scarf an extra twist on the other, while the enfranchised hand counted out the bills; and he quite plumed himself upon his modera- tion in not asking for more ; but as his silence was not bought, he made such a tale out of the scene, and told it with so rich action among his confreres, that the banker and he came -to blows about it one night at a drinking-match, which gave them each black eyes and generally smashed-up countenances; and the deep hatred bred between them blossomed into such fruit as bears murder in its core. 13 ',I 288 289 page: 290-291[View Page 290-291] LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER- 291 CHAPTER XXIV. LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. ALF an hour had not elapsed since her scene upstairs, and Belle's song was still unfinished, when an elderly man, a little stooping in the shoulders and somewhat bald, whose face showed the wrinkled yellow tinge common to dwellers be- neath the burning tropical sun, entered the long parlor and sat down on a distant chair, where he could enjoy the'music as well as command a view of the singer's face. A gleam of recognition shot from his eyes, and he rose as soon as the jubilation was ended, and approached the piano. ' "I believe I am speaking to Miss Brandon," said he. Belle knew him instantly. "And this is Mr. Clay- ton," she replied, offering her hand ; "how is my dear Kitty?" I have not seen her yet; in fact, I am on my way to Merry Bank now ; neither have I communicated to my daughter my intention. to pay her a visit. It was an impulsive start which projected me on 'my northward-journey, with which, permit me to. say, Miss Brandon had something to do. You perhaps remember a picture which Kitty sent me, a most speaking likeness! T must have known you any- where. The accompanying letter was also very pleasant. If my little girl had always been so frank, I believe I should have been unable to resist her pleading; and perhaps it would have been better for me ; at any rate the successive visions which she conjured before me, of youth, beauty, accomplish- ments, and social joys, made my thankless life' drearier by contrast, and at last k I resolved to pay you all a visit, to try what my native'air would do for me, endeavor to get out of my club-house rut, and into the old channel of home influence." The conversation, indefinitely _prolonged, made Belle acquainted with several useful points. Mr. Clayton was a thoroughly refined and presentable gentleman. Mr. Clayton did not know she was married, was not enlightened upon certain money transactions in which Kitty was a sufferer ; his trip North was quite as much to see her--Belle-as the simple chit at the Red Cottage ; and while she sat listening and bril- liantly talking, she revolved some plans in her fertile brain which needed immediate execution. She was page: 292-293[View Page 292-293] LORD FEIGNING'S DA UGITER. 293 I not one to let time waste between the projection and completion of her schemes ; and as she ,stood before the gentleman to say good-night she also offered her hand with her most-confiding gushingness. I am so glad you are here, Mr. Clayton; I want a .friend. I feel sure none could be safer than Kitty's papa. I see you do not precisely understand my position. I cannot explain to-night ; it is too long a- tale : but to-morrow, if you will permit me-"' A beautiful gush of tears--'" Belle was- so lovely in* tears "--finished her sentence, and she turned away in graceful haste. " Stop one moment ! I implore you, Miss Bran- don." "Not to-night, sir. I must not ; I cannot. See ! the people have all left the parlor ; we are quite alone," murmured the blonde ; " to-morrow, may I speak to you here ? I must speak to some friend who will advise me, I am so unhappy." With one fair hand extended, with averted head, and her handkerchief to her eyes, leaving to be seen the -delicate rose of her creamy cheek flushed with grief (she-kept carefully the bruised one in shadow), she floated away, leaving Mr. Glayton quite over- whelmed, and so filled and possessed with her mag- nificent loveliness that no other thought found room in his heart. On reaching her room she discovered the door fast, which was nothing unusual. A feeling, half- amusement, half-dread, made her loiter; thinking of the odd sight she had left there, and which had been quite driven from her mind by stress of later thoughts and new projects, she knocked, and got no answer. A chamber-maid passed. "Please open my door, Jane," said she carelessly ; " I believe Ihave lost my key-oh ! thank you." She waited till the girl was out of sight before she turned the knob. The room was perfectly still and dark ; she moved warily to the match-safe, struck a light, and faced the bed. The crimson scarf she had used in her strange work lay in a glowing heap on the carpet, some loose papers were scattered about, but the prisoner was gone. She remembered then that she had left the door wide open, and she smiled 'as she wondered who had been a witness to her hus- band's flight, and how he had procured his release. She approached the table. The thought flashed upon her 'that she had left there, in her absorbing passion, her jewel-casket, and unlocked-a thing which had never happened before. Even the banker was ignor- ant of its contents. Besides rare jewels purchased with his money, there were the accumulations of years ; gifts from former lovers ; a ruby, for instance, which a young man, named Jan Vedder, gave her when she was only sixteen, of fire and hue like the great talisman worn by the Moorish Sorceress of 'the Alhambra; a string-of rare pearls, won by strategy from Aunt Isadore, of much value ; a set. of tur- quoises, the gift of a fond old 'fellow who had wished to have her for his wife; opals from Zambrano. LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. 292 page: 294-295[View Page 294-295] 294 _ ORD FEZGNING'S DAUGHTER. These were only a few of the costly things she had hoarded. She kept them secret-kept then, as a re- source; something to fall back upon. The casket was gone. It was only a plain, wooden box, brass- bound, very strong, and triple locked ;- nothing about the exterior to attract cupidity. She flew to her trunks, searched them hastily : no vestige of it. Also the India cashmeres she had wound about her mummy were missing. The banker's valise, over- coat, and the like, were not to be seen. She palpi- tated as she became certain that he had gotten pos- session-; but it might be the spoil of some other thief, and, she ran hurriedly down to the office to seek in- formation. "A square box, with brass corners ! yes, ma'am, Mr. Nickson took it in his hand when he left here an hour ago. I saw it when he was buying his Chicago tickets. It's all safe, ma'am ; but I wouldn't trust much things of value in your room ; better get them locked up in the Herrick." Belle stooped down to search for something on the floor. She desired to hide her white face and to veil her eyes from the observation of the smiling clerk. She felt what a raging devil there was glaring through her wondrous beauty, and phe wheeled about without lifting her head, and with a well-managed "thank you, sir." She passed a horrible night ; cruelty, hatred, re- venge struggled for mastery of her. The very spirit of evil raged within her soul, ansl so profaned its wonderful temple, that, sitting with clasped hands and staring, wicked eyes, she looked capable of fiend- ish deeds. The gray light of morning found her where she had thrown herself upon entering her apart- ment, and she rose and took a look at her face, and was ashamed that she had so allowed passion to get empire over her as to forget her best power, and bathing her eyes, and schooling her muscles to at- tractive graces, she swallowed an opiate (she kept them always by her latterly), and slept. At the'ap- pointed hour she descended to meet her new adviser, quite collected, and mistress of herself. She examined the livid finger-marks upon her cheek, glad to find them even more distinct than the evening before. She meant to make them her evidence in the tale she was about to tell. Mr. Clayton was impatiently awaiting her ; and you may believe she went through her part charmingly. "Married ? oh yes ; alack for pity ! to a wretch ; look at the marks of his cruelty. I refused to sing for his drunken friends ; that earned me this painful blow ; not the first, either. Ah ! it is'terrible beyond belief. Only a few weeks a wife, and' all my hopes cast down, dragged in the dirt, my life wrecked ! " After a silence, during which the handsome plotter bent her regal head and dropped quiet tears which fell like pearls, Mr. Clayton ventured to propound .an inquiry, quite delicately, as it might sound like a reflection upon the taste and judgment of the be- witching sufferer: L ORD FEIGNING'S DA UG.HTER. 2955 page: 296-297[View Page 296-297] 2ORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. 297 How could you make such a choice ?" Ah, indeed! how could I; but I was alone in the world, Mr. Clayton. He seemed so honest and of such good, kind heart, and to love me so very dearly. The. coarseness I tried to forget'; my friends urged. me ; I was weary of being dependent. It is a hard life, sir; he promised so fairly-a-I feel now how wicked I have been, for i did--not-love him." The last words were an almost inaudible murmur, and the modest embarrassment of the speaker was like the shrinking, sensitive plant. With such texts she amplified' dexterously, and before the close of the conference she had elaborated her plan. Mr. Clay- ton had promised to take rooms at the Folly for hir self and daughter. It is a great place ; quite too lare for my simple habits. I shall be so lonely there. I must have my sweet Kitty to bear me company ; and I know dearly well how joyfully she will receive the summons to come to me-she loves me more than I deserve." Mr. Clayton could not see how that could well be, and expressed as much in his looks and words. She was going home in a few days, and Mr. Clay- tQn would wait and accompany her ; he would not communicate with his daughter, but give her the full benefit of the double surprise. There were few hours of the intervening time which were not passed in the company of the Married Belle, insomuch that the lookers-on sneered, and said, "the young lover had gotten an old successors" de- lightfully passed in varied occupation-music, chess, driving, conversation. The beauty was equally sat- isfactory everywhere, and understood quite well how to avoid monotony in her entertainments. Mr. Clay- ton could not have told whether the idea of a divorce originated with this "splendid creature tied to 'a brute," or was the offshoot of his own desires; but it is certain such an idea had not only presented it- self to him,, but had been talked over between the two, gradually, of course, before they left the Man- sion House. People thrown together in the Bohe- mian life of a great hotel, cut off from home influences and home restraints, make- intimacies. with intense rapidity ; and Mr. Clayton and- Mrs. Nickson were excellent friends before setting out for Merry Bank. Mr. Clayton had also gotten a good many new opinions concerning boarding-schools ; their perni- cious training ; their promotion of selfishness, vanity, deceit, and headstrong will; so that without any actual allusion to Kitty, he felt as if her education might have been.a failure, and her unpruned charac- ter overgrown with divers faults. ''Sweet Kitty got in such a pet !" " Mignonne flew into a 'terrible rage." "Cherie really made me scold her, she was so obstinate." These and the like were bits of infor- mation she industriously compiled, and artlessly in- termingled with her amusing recitals of their Red Cottage life ; we also came in for our share. "I actually felt obliged to remonstrate with Carlotta, she was so injudicious--.flattery is not good for children. 13* Lw LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER, 296 page: 298-299[View Page 298-299] LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. If I had daughters, Mr. Clayton, they should be re. spectful and obedient. Mr.-Gorton encourages the dear girl to be such a sad romp ; you've no idea of the queer things they permit her to do. It may be all right, but I was brought up with such very pecu- liar ideas of refinement and maidenly, delicacy. I dare say I am foolishly afraid of boisterous hoydens." The gentleman frowned much during these naive ,revelations, and felt that his daughter must be taken in hand-must be put under proper influence, and-. "Ah ! Mrs. Nickson is so perfect a character-if she should obtain a divorce-she certainly is eminently calculated to make a man happy." It was'so many years since this widower had come wit in the sphere of woman's influence-since he had bestowed a thought upon any possibility of a domestic life for himself-that once the idea found lodgment in his mind, it persisted in stopping there, despite all pro- priety-fighting, and while he felt too much respect for the handsome martyr to hint at such a consummation, he pondered it in secret, and fed it by constant ob- servation of her multiform graces and attractions. On the last morning she came to him in a becom- ing travelling dress, and looking resplendently lovely, but extremely shamefaced and disheartened. "Mr. Clayton, how shall I tell you ? "' said she, stepping so close to him that he caught the he- liotrope odor from her floating curls. " What is it, my dear Belle ? "-she begged him to call her "Belle," saying, " the name she was forced to bear was so, utterlyodious to her," as well it might be. "This absurd hotel-keeper ! I don't know how to find words, it is so dreadful-such a shameful indig- nity ! " it took a little pressing to bring out the truth, which came at last in the sweetest of low voices, and amidst the most charming blushes. " My trunks- all detained ! the bills not paid. Oh, dear ! what a fate is mine ! " " Give yourself no uneasiness,. my dearest Belle ; don't think of it for a moment ! I will attend to the matter. I heartily trust the time approaches when you will have suffered the last of these unpleasant ex- periences-when you will be free from this monster who is so reckless of your happiness, so unworthy of the infinite treasure he has gained. You have my warmest sympathy ; trust the whole to me." "Sympathy is akin to pity, pity akin to love," thought Belle, as she lifted her eyes, swimming in grateful gushingness. (" Deai-, what a pity he is so very sallow, and so bald ! ") " Ah," said she, "how can I thank you enough ? You cannot know how in- expressibly sweet it is to me, so long shut up in myself, to find a safe friend upon whom I may lean for com- fort. My dreadful husband has money enough, and, of course, he will make it right on his return ; but how unfeeling to desert me in such a manner ! Ah ! if he would but stay out of my sight till I could be free from his insults,. safe from his brutality. Words I w3 298 299, page: 300-301[View Page 300-301] 300 LORD FEIGNING'S DAUGHTER. cannot express my humiliation-to be beaten like a dog! She shuddered and shivered and looked so utterly heart-broken, that Mr. Clayton made haste to take her hands in his and to squeeze them a little, while he spoke such words of consolation as suggested themselves ; and he had the greatest mind in the world to kiss off a tear which filtered through her dropped eyelid; and after just .touching her cheek, the hue of a blush rose, dropped, a round pearl, upon his hand. Fortunately, he was so much out of practice that it took some courage for violent love- making, and he hastened away to assume the neces- sary preliminaries for their departure. 'I CHAPTER XXV. OUR NUTTING PARTY. HE summer was all gone long ago ; June had scattered her roses; August had left the sweetness of her perfumed breath upon the ripe hay, before she gathered up her gossamer robes for departure. The woods were gay with their red and golden leaves; and the acorns lay piled beneath the great oaks, and the chestnut burrs were open, and lying hid away among the shining brown foliage, waiting till the boys'and girls should, hunt them out, with many a shout, with frisky springing and jocund singing. Henry, accompanied by Pitkin Sterling, drove a livery span up to the door of the Red Cottage, and politely invited us to come out nutting. Of course, we dropped .all our occupations in a hurry, though we were deep in the mysteries of cider-apple sauce. page: 302-303[View Page 302-303] 302 OUR NUTTING PARTY. Carlotta swung off the crane from whence depended the four-pailed brass kettlein which the sweet juice was bubbling and steaming, and bade Winnie "watch it for her life during her absence." Kitty set down the basket of "pumpkin-honeys " she was coreing, and vanished upstairs ; and almost before we knew where she had flown, she came dancing down, ar- rayed in a spick and span fresh dress, and stood in the open doorway, taking leave of Jim, and drawing on her little gloves, and ready for a start. With sundry last charges and warnings to our faithful old factotum, Carlotta and I came forth ; and we all piled into the four-wheeled vehicle called a Landau, and bowled merrily along the plank-road with spirits ready for any adventure. It was one of those perfect Fall days when earth and sky look their best, and the air is deliciously cool and invigorating. We turned off into the sweet-smelling woods, where the slender brakes gave out grateful odors with every pressing footstep ; where the woodchucks peeped at us from their holes, and the gray squirrels basked among the high branches, and the carrion-crows wheeled and cawed over our heads. We filled the moments with jest and song, and our baskets with glossy stores, and forgot our years and dignities, and made children of ourselves just for a little while. There came near being a fuss, though, because Mr. Sterling thought proper to ask Carlotta if she had read "John Halifax," and after getting an affirma- tive, he extended his inquiry upon very dangerous ground-asking if she thought she could make such a wife as Ursula, adding, "She is my idea of a life- mate. o They were sitting apart, eating amicably out of the same basket. I knew .directly that something had gone amiss, because Carlotta jumped up so sharp as to overset the receptacle, and send the contents spinning. "A stupid, unreasoning nobody-look how she treated that poor girl ! no, I flatter myself I never- could ! I should be sorry to think I could let a day pass without saying or. doing something sensible ; and as for John Halifax, I consider. him a priggish, obstinate mule !~- If you are building such a couple- ship with me in it, you may pull it to pieces at your leisure. I'll none. of it ! Once for all, I'm not going to make such a wife as anybody ! I don't want such a husband as anybody! If you can't leave off study- ing models, comparing and measuring, you'd better go back to China." "Yes, ny dear Carlotta, I'intend to return to the Celestial Empire when the necessary preliminaries are adjusted-such as a wedding-ring, trousseau, etc. I think it will make a unique bridal-trip, just enough out of the common to suit my very rarely endowed bride. Then you think you can't make an Ursula ? " " Can't ! I didn't say that-I could do anything I liked-I won't ! "Very well, I won't urge you-Carlotta suits me tolerably--only don't spap my" head off. -On the OUR NUTTING PARTY. 3p3. page: 304-305[View Page 304-305] 304 OUR NUTTING PARTY. whole, I don't believe I shouldn't like Ursula for a wife." Seeing that we were all laughing at her, the lady flounced down and ,began gathering together the scattered spoil. They made it up somehow after we. left them, because they were excellent friends, and Carlotta as sweet as a rose the rest of the day. I never saw Kitty Clayton look prettier. A sort of cloud had been hanging over the dear child. The lover she had gotten was' a care and an anxiety to her. Her firm trust in him was not precisely shaken, but there was something she could not understand. In all the weeks which had elapsed she had received but a couple of letters: the first full of merry plans for their future, of success against the Brazen Gates, whimsical lamentations because his hair would not curd, and of fond praises of Lady Delight. She put it away with the sprig of jessamine and a wild columbine he had given her that happy evening be- neath the yellow harvest moon, when she had prom- ised to be his-wife. The .next, short, speaking only of business, constant occupation, etc. We never mentioned the subject to her ; with all her simplicity there was a certain reticence about her which hedged securely her secret emotions. -When ,Aunt Elinor scolded and threatened, she only said: "Now, don't, auntie ; I will not be a bugbear ; he shall do as he likes: If he has changed his mind, he shall not be hauled up and pounced upon. I am only a simple, little, childish thing, not half fit for a wife. If he has OUR NUTTING PARTY. 305 . found it out, and regrets what he has done, let it pass ; you shan't frown at me, auntie ; you shall not persecute him-I won't have him scolded. It was a cunning little dream; I enjoyed it, and if I have to wake up out of it, all you could do or say wouldn't help me any.". It was after such a conversation that Miss Walsing- ham privately enclosed and dispatched the ivory- type ; and she had felt ever since as if she had done the girl an injury; though she sternly said, " If there is.anything amiss; and that face does not set- it right, I shall be disappointed in my boy, and what's more, I'll stay disappointed the rest of my life." To-day the exhilarating air, the merry party, and the wild-wood frolic, which Kitty dearly loved, in- spired her. Doubts and fears fled away-like mists before sunbeams, and her glad life and cheerfulness made us very happy. On- our return home we'stopped at the 1Merry Bank post-office for the family mail, and Henry ran in for it, while Kitty made great show of holding in -the ferocious beasts of livery hacks during his ab- sence. He tarried three or four minutes, and when he came out he took the reins from the laughing girl without speaking to or looking at her. The re- mainder of the distance he seemed absorbed in painful thought, making no reply to his favorite's sprightly nonsense, except a pitying glance at her sometimes.. When we reached, she sprang lightly to the ground. L . page: 306-307[View Page 306-307] OUR NUTTING PARTY. 307 "I declare! there is that tiresome old gobbler on the gully fence, waiting for me to chase him home, I suppose ; well, I'll soon realize his expectations, I will chase him!" She started off with springing step. " Oh, Kitty! here's a letter for you !" (poor dear!) Henry added, under his breath. He had received one by the same mail from his old college chum, Bradbury (in fact, it was through our lawyer that Archie Laurie had obtained his excellent position), of the firm of Bradbury & Laurie, making.- pretty full mention of his junior's late escapade, and his present absence amongst the lumbermen. Kitty wheeled swiftly about. The wild wind sported with her curls, blowing them all over her rosy cheeks, and her eyes danced through their meshes with innocent glee. She caught sight of Henry's half- averted face, and her own dropped directly 'and the red color faded out of her face, the gay sparkle from her glance. "You have bad news there," said she ; " my father is ill." "It is not from New Orleans," replied Henry, busy- ing his hands with the harness. She tore it open, standing there in the clear .sunset, and hurriedly read it. Mr. Sterling walked away, not wishing to be a witness of what he foresaw would be unpleasant. She made no moan, but turning to Carlotta, she buried her pitiful face in her bosom, and clasping close the woman-friend, she hushed her grief and sorrow, silent- ly struggling. " Come. away, pet, to my room; let's talk," whis- pered Carlotta. She complied without a word ; and thrust the letter into the hand which sought hers. "I wish I could take a little cry," said she ; " I feel so choked, so hurt; so ashamed. The tears did come at last ; great bursts of sobbing swept over her slight frame, leaving her quivering and exhausted. Carlotta held her quietly, not knowing what to say to her ; she had not calculated on the cap- acity for suffering in this delicately strung nature ; and she was forced to look on, nearly powerless to offer aid in this, her first trouble. Words would not touch it, and endurance in a solitary state, which knows no neighbors. 306 OUR NUTTING PfIRrI'Y. page: 308-309[View Page 308-309] CHAPTER XXVI. GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. T was the. time in the' waning day ere the evening lamps are lighted, etc. We all sat to- gether before the sociable wood-fire, which chippered softly among its ruddy blazes, each one si- lent and thoughtful... Kitty sat on a low stool ; her scarlet wools and-her crochet pins lay unused in her lap, and she was leaning her head, like a weary child, against Carlotta's knee, her idle fingers interlocked and pressed together, and her mournful eyes gazing into the changing' coals. Archie's letter was a manly one ; he had not spared himself in the least, but there was.a little hitch. In his self-blame he had confined his epistle to statements of facts, and left them naked and uripalliated: not asking to be forgiven, or speaking of the future, and Kitt felt sure, and the more she pondered it, surer, GHOSTS ON ROLLERS 309 that Belle Brandon was still in his thoughts, or that her simple self was too simple and childish and insuf- ficient to fill avoid left by such gorgeousness, variety, and diverse attractions-it is -a 'ty sometimes that souls cannot communicate with t poor words ; it would save so many heart-aches and misunderstand- ings-while Archie, proudly leaving everything to her, not asking even for a reply to his letter, was waiting to hear her verdict, she, brooding over probabilities and undervaluing her own powers, had no intention to shorten the distance she imagined he had placed between them, and was silently striving to forget him and leave him out of her life. It seemed as if she had suffered enough, but there was more to come-the bitterness of unfeeling tongues, which wound like daggers. Merry Bank is a little village, and the ris- ing up and sitting of its inhabitants are well known to each other ; and what is not fully known is guessed out, and everything is commented upon by everybody, and the town is quite likely to side off into violent partisanship, over very immaterial occurrences, and hard words are bandied and sharp sayings fired off by picked combatants, who become personally aggrieved and often bitter enemies, on- account of events which concerned them not in the remotest degree. My eyes were fixed upon Kitty; and my thoughts busy about her. I could not help a sigh as I studied her drooping little figure, so buoyantly able to express light-heartedness-the flickering fire-shine playing over her patient face, so gentle sweet in its sadness. I L I " page: 310-311[View Page 310-311] 310 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. Mrs. Squirmwell had been to see. Kitty, and told her "at to mind what folks said, for Mr. Squirmwell thought everything of her ; and to come into her Sunday-school class, and that there was as go fish in the sea as ever was caught out, and that fames Peacock thought she had beautiful eyes ; and to pick up another feller," and had gone home, feeling highly puffed up by the tone and spirit of her consolations, and left our poor child, who had been quite speech- less, while the visitor held her hand. in her damp, clammy one, and entirely powerless-to resist the fare- well kiss she had got from the rather moist lips of the singing woman; humbled in the dust, and ashamed to look in our faces, or let us look in hers. Miss Walsingham had ,come down and carried her, off almost by force, to spend a day. She.shrank es- pecially from this full-voiced, hearty woman, who had lived down and conquered her own small foibles; who knew all about her lover, and her happiness, and who-would wound her by scolding and calling him hard names. She had shown his last letter to his aunt, who would not be denied, but she did it under protest ; and she also hung on her neck, refusing to let her go except she promised not to interfere by word or deed. " If Archie wishes to make up, he will come and say so ; if he doesn't, he will stay away. I never will take one step towards him. I am not like Belle Brandon to run after people, and I shall let him un- derstand it." "But, my child, you ought to write to him ; you owe him an answer to his letter ; it is- your plain duty." " No, auntie; he did not ask me ; he treats our engagement as a thing of the past, and it is, I think. I shall die Kitty Clayton. I have had my wish ; I got a lover and I lost him ; and there is the end of the whole." And Kitty returned in the evening to us, very weary, and glad to be left alone with her sorrow, among friends who let her work out her life without any obtrusive thrusts of advice. As I was saying, while we sat around our fire, the house-door opened without any warning, and like a ghost on rollers came Mrs. Ramble among us. "Why, laws-a-me!" she exclaimed, untying her bonnet, and letting up the horse-hair everlastings from among her grizzled frizzles as she pushed back the head-gear. "Laws-a-me ! how dreadful pleasant it does look here ! I can't stay a second hardly; I just run in. I always tell our folks there ain't nothing so cheersome as a good bright fire-place, and Carlotta keeps her hand irons so proper clean too ; mine won't stay yaller ; I rub 'em up every once in a while with salt and vinegar, but they will turn kinder grim and, green. You use rottenstun an' ile, don't you? Well, I reckon 'tis the best, but it takes such a lot of elbow grease, an' I declare my arms give out ; it's such a-heatin' job. If I had a Winnie to -do all mr dirty work, I'd shine too. Ramble will have that-old dum- GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. 31r i page: 312-313[View Page 312-313] 312 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. betty of- a stove stuck right into the middle of the sittin'-room ; he says the fire is allus goin' out in the fire-place so that he can't toast his feet nights- 'tis monstrous apt to, I .have to be away so much to prayer meetin's aiid such. I can't bear to neglect the means.of grace, 'specially when they meet to the neighbors round. I most usually hear and see kinder curus things. I tell Ramble 'tain't so much conse- quence about critter-comforts, so long as there's a fire kindled on the altar." By the time she had got thus far she was comfort- ably seated in-the big rocking-chaii, which Jim 'most unwillingly vacated for her occupancy, spitting and growling most inhospitably as she pushed him out, and vindict'vely eying her afterwards. Having taken out the ble sock, and adjusted' her needle in its goose- uill sheath, she clicked along with her knitting' and her remarks, while her sharp eyes sought out and peered into everything around her. "I had quite an accident this morning. You see Ramble got kinder belated, and the fire wouldn't go very brisk, and I hauled out a handful of straw out of the bed to'kindle with, and as true as you live, I burnt up Ramble's silver watch that his pa give him when he died. I didn't find it out till I took up the ashes, and there it was, sure enough,, asblack as the chimbly._ I don't know what he'll say; I don't care no great; he no business, to tucked it in there. That sort o' makes you laugh, don't it, Kitty? Kitty's kinder, pimpin' lately, ain't she.? I heard about your gettin' GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. .31 yer pictures took that time. $am Sheepshanks, that did the job, he boards to my house; he's kinder settin' up to my -Melinda Maria. He didn't think no great shakes of that Archie ; he said he put on too many airs, ad he was a good mind to lick him. I tellyou, Kitty, it's the folks that turns the wheels and grinds the axes that fills up the chinks in this world, that is the best judges of dispositions. They see un- derside, you know; 'tain't no object to be pretty to them." Henry began Ioudly to hum " Win'dham," suddenly breaking out, as if his feelings were too many for him; but Mrs. Ramble, though she paused a moment, and beat time with her knitting-needle,scratching her head with the point .of it afterwards, was not a whit dis- turbed. "I dunno as you've heard the news ! That Belle Brandon, what a rig she's been runnin' down to the city, goin' round the stores, dressed to fits, and buy- in' everything she could lay claws on. I thought I'd run in neighborly like, and tell you, because Belle- was such a friend of yourn, and .it was through you that she' got her rich husband and all ; and Iknew you'd like to hear what a fool she's makin' of herself, and she ain't the. only one either; Archie Laurie, he's been waitin' on -her; she's just the one to have a lot of men round, and- be singing and makin' eyes, and flirtin' with 'em. They say Archie rode 'out, and walked out, and kept after her, and her husband come 'and got mad, and they had an awful muss,.and 14 a ~1 313 page: 314-315[View Page 314-315] 314 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS '- he struck her so as she carried the marks on her cheek for a week ; and Archic, he went away ; some says he had'to leave 'twixt two days ; I don't know nothin' about that ; 'tenrate, 'twas ridiculous ; he hadn't no business foolin' after that stuck-up peacock, and she ,a married woman. .Yes, Archie's a fine fel- ler ; -I always liked Archie; but that's just the way with men. I tell Ramble wouldn'tt make a mite of difference if they had an angel from heaven for a wife-not a mite ! " Kitty tightened her clasp upon Carlotta's fingers, and her frame quivered, but she never moved nor took her eyes from the changing coals. The old knocker gave out a sharp rat-a-tat, and.Winnie, in a fierce condition of tucked-up gown, ushered, in Belle Nickson and Mr. Clayton-the lady all gushingness, smiles, and beauty, and the gentleman following in her wake, perfectly satisfied with her companionship, and quite alive to the new class of emotions she in- spired in his breast. She floated up to Carlotta and seized bothher hands, but she did not keep them long; and thence to Henry, who rose up aghast to receive her compliments ; then she seized upon Kitty, who had sprung to her feet and stood pale and trembling, looking from the gentleman to the lady in fear and amazement.. Her own papa.! and in such company!,- on such friendly terms ! My sweet Mignonne, here we are ! Now you owe me a thousand kisses; look what I have brought you: GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. And you are to come right away with us to my home, where you are to stay, oh ! forever, I hope. Is she not, Mr. Clayton ? " Then pretending to observe in wonder, Kitty's embarrassment, she gave her a little push: "Why, Cherie, you ungrateful child, what's the matter-are you not glad to see your papa?" "Yes," stammered Kitty, feeling that her father was sternly, critically regarding her. "How do you do, papa?" said she faintly, sidling toward him and scarcely daring to look up. -Belle burst into a laugh musical-and unpleasant. " What a funny little midge it is! 'how do you do, papa?"' mimicking her tone and manner. "Why don't you rush into his arms, hug him ! kiss him !" She folded her own rapturously-and suggestively. "Here he has come all these weary miles to see you ; I have been impatient to arrive that I might witness your joy; and all you have for him is a cold 'how do you do, papa?'" With his daughter's shrinking manner thus dis- agreeably thrust upon his notice, Mr. Clayton looked stern and forbidding, and felt thathe was being very ill-treated by an ungrateful child -; and after a chilly kiss upon her cheek, he put the poor thing from him and turned toward us, explaining his route, and talking generalities without bestowing any further attention upon her. An inexpressible constraint shadowed all our attempts at cordiality ; and with Belle in front of her, Carlotta got crisper every moment, and said such sharp things that I felt sure page: 316-317[View Page 316-317] 3 16 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. Mr. Clayton must regard her as a shrew and a vixen, and I--attempted to rally, and be cheerful and polite; and then Belle came and whispered in my ear, "That's right, Serena ; a great catch ; first impressions, you know-I'll help you," which of course effectually quenched me; and added to her joyousness. In fact, she was perfectly radiant, and talked and laughed, and appeared to Mr. Clayton in a state of rich ex- pansiveness and beaming beauty, unparalleled in his previous experience. "Come, Cherie," said she, rising at length, "get your hat, please : we must go home." Kitty drew back and looked imploringly at Car- lotta. Mr. Clayton also rose and fixed his eyes upon his daughter, disapproving of her 'utterly. "What have you been doing to Cherie ?" asked Belle merrily. "She is as vite as a primrose; why will you not let me touch your hand, child? I am not a basilisk that I should blight you. Look, Mr. Clay- ton, doesn't she appear as if we were hailing her to prison and the judgment ?" "Do you wish Kitty to accompany you this even- ing?" asked Henry soberly; "it seems rather sudden, and is also a trifle late," "I have taken rooms in Mrs. Nickson's house, by a great kindness of hers, during my stay in town,-and- of course I expected Miss Clayton to occupy them, but after some trouble and inconvenience to myself, I perceive I am not very welcome, and certainly shall not insist upon her sharing my quarters." GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. " Oh yes, papa," stammered Kitty ; "I am coming with you, but I was so surprised." "And so delighted," laughed Belle. "Mr. Clayton," said Carlotta, turning her back upon the blonde, whose eyes got the color of tempered steel, "I wish you would consent to leave Kitty with us; she is not well, she is at home here, we love her, and cannot bear to part with her." "I shall not compel her to accompany me," an- swered Mr. Clayton, stiffly. " Where's your husband now, Belle ? " spoke up Mrs. Ramble, who had kept unusually silent thus far, watching all parties, and congratulating herself upon her good luck in happening round just in the nick of time. " Gone horse-racing ? Law me ! you kinder ignore him so, folks forget you've got one.; you must forget it yourself sometimes,^don't you ? We heard all how you tied him up to the bedstead. I said it served him right, if he couldn't take a joke. You train him, I'll be bound. He'll find out the differ- ence between wine -and winegar afore he dies." " Kitty," said Belle, hurriedly turning her back upon her ancient enemy, and, as it were, wiping her out of the group; " Kitty, Cherie, I really must hurry you; I am a housekeeper now. I have a couple of new servants up at the Folly, awaiting my orders ; we must hasten home and tell them about breakfast. What shall we have? . Waffles ! I see it in your eyes. I know what Cherie loves: peaches and cream, and omelette. Won't it be fun to have what we like? page: 318-319[View Page 318-319] GHOSTS ON ROLLERS.3 We must beg Carlotta to teach us housekeeping. I invite you Red Cottageites, every one, to dine and sup off our good things." Kitty listened-to her pleasant words dropping like honey, and looked at her father-who stood apart, in an- offended attitude-sidled out, feeling awkward and embarrassed, and generally of small importance.. I followed her, and she threw herself into my arms. "Why, Kitty, darling, don't take on so! " I said,; "you will make your papa think you are not glad to see .him ; and you know how often and often 'you liave longed for his coming. You will have beautiful times up there ; and you must brighten up, and you must show him what a sweet, dear daughter he has."' " I cannot act like myself with her by !'" sobbed she; "I wish I could stay here. I am afraid ! oh, dear.! what shall I do?", I let her cry a little, and then made her bathe her face. "She *will not dare to be disagreeable ; I don't think she will wish to," said I, trying to believe my own statement; "and we will run~ up often. I don't see any help for it. If I could find any way to keep you without offending your father ; but it can't be done.", Kitty hung back. "But I met Archie there. I had a lovely time that night ; better than I can ever have again ; and now it is so different. How strange it seems ! like an ugly dream-for my papa to walk in with Belle Brandon !-Why couldn't she stay away?. I don't want to go and live in-her house; I don't like her; I hate her! What if Archie should come up there ? I should die if I had to see them together. I wish I dared tell papa how he has be- haved. I can't go ; I won't go I I will stay here ; you'll let me, won't you ? " Putting her hastily from me, I ran downstairs. I .am a shy person-a poor talker ; but I spoke firmly: " Mr. Clayton," said I, " please let us 'have Kitty to-night ; the poor child is not well ; a night's- rest will refresh her and set her all right. As I have undertaken to be her physician I desire to keep her where I can see the effect of my medicines." "Cherie has a great deal of will," said Belle, shaking her head. sadly; " a great, .deal; she has taken an unaccountable whim about this; I can't understand it, but I really do not think you ought to encourage her." "She - has not a stubborn will," said, Carlotta ; "she is only too heavenly, kind, and patient, and gentle. Come, be careful, now, Madame Belle ! I am reasonably forbearing, but I will say something if you provoke me." Belle laughed innocently. " Oh, no doubt of that, Carlotta ; all who have been so happy as to live ,in the same house with you know quite well how fast. you can talk ; I am sure I have no objection. It seems-very kind of you, to wish to shelter Kitty and conceal her faults, but I do not think it is right; and I am too outspoken 'to do it. I think it is her plain duty to obey her father, -as it ought to be her r GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. 3a8 31I9 page: 320-321[View Page 320-321] 320 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. pleasure, and would be under different influence.. You see, Mr. Clayton, it is just as I toldyou." I saw and felt that for some reason of her own Belle wished to make a breach between us ; and I determined she should not get her will. "I have always given you credit for amazing sharpness, 'Belle," said I, pleasantly;. "and you must be endowed with wonderful penetration if you can discover any blemishes in our dear, sweet child; but we will take them all for granted. The point in debate just now : shall we be permitted to keep her for this night? Only say'' yes', Mr. Clay- ton, please." ''"Why, Serena ! how very coaxing you can be.! What a pity you had not begun earlier ! Say 'no,' sir. You must be deaf to the voiceof the charmer. Kitty needs a father's authority, and this is a good point to make. I really cannot consent to the mar- ring of all our beautiful plans-we'll stop on the way and buy baby a sugar-plum." Tell my daughter I desire her to descend di- rectly,." said Mr. Clayton, in freezing tones. .' Thank you, sir ; i only needs-a little firmness on your part, and all will e well. Carlotta, you are the efficiency in this ho sehold, and I leave it with you to see that the child's trunks are packed and dis-- patched to the Folly early to-morrow'." Kitty came, pale and uncomfortable, and when the blonde took her father's proffered arm, she followed as best she might. She did not speak a word during the walk, and Mr. Clayton seemed quite engrossed by the sprightly nothings of the handsome plotter, who exerted herself to be delightful. "Since you are an invalid, Cherie, you had better retire immediately," said Belle, when they reached her" home. '"I hope you will rise in good trim to- morrow, because I shall need your assistance in ar- ranging our new furniture ; we must teach Cherie to be useful, must we not, Mr. Clayton?" "Certainly; I hope the life she is about to com- mence will develop new qualities. I am sure it must, under such guidance. "Thank you,.sir ;" I believe I have rather a special- ty, which, is training young maidens to industry. It seems a pity to be idle in a world where there is so much to accomplish-for me ; - I shall be only too glad to fill my hours." Kitty's room was opposite her father's, and she went in without a good-night kiss; Mr. Clayton felt very angry, considered ,her very ungrateful ; uncon- sciously, the leaven Belle had been so busily dropping into his mind was leavening the whole lump. Oh! what a sore heart our poor, friendless darling took to her couch that night ! She lay awake. long, trying-to make out what it all meant ; how it had come to pass-she in the power of the woman who had done her best to wreck her happiness. After thinking till her head ached, and praying some fervent prayers, she slept at length ; her last thought a resolu- tion to speak with her papa in the morning, and get N I "1 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS, 32I. page: 322-323[View Page 322-323] 322 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. near enough to let .him know how dearly she loved and wished to please him.I She rose betimes, dressed herself carefully,.and knocked at the opposite door., She knocked hur- riedly, and with a fluttering heart; she heard in the distance the clear voice of the hostess, who sang a morning hymn, and she almost resolved to enter un- bidden, so.much did she dread her coming. While she stood irresolutely with the knob in her fingers, Belle floated up to her, and Mr. Clayton came out just in time to surprise an affecting tableau, viz., his naughty child in the arms of her forgiving friend,-who beamed upon them both in a cherubic manner, as she uttered her musical good-morning. Not only was the opportunity lost, but Kitty felt- ashamed of her cow- ardice, which had not repulsed caresses she abhorred, and so left her in a false position even more difficult than ever. "Come, Cherie," said Belle, as they rose from the breakfast table, at which she had presided with grace- ful elegance, looking "like Mopsa, the queen of curds and cream," while our darling sat by, silent, con! strained, and uncomfortable ; the. good-morning sa- lute she had offered her father having been coolly re- "ceived, and her red eyes and unhappy face having been severely noted and disapproved of. "Come, I want you to try my new piano, and show your father how well you can play." "I cannot," faltered she; ''"you know, Belle, I have not the least bit of execution."' x GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. 323 "Nonsense, child ! Now don't go into one of your perverse fits. If you do, I shall feel it my'duty to scold you ; just sit down and dash off something; we are not hard critics to willing children; are we, sir ? " '" Papa ! do you wish it ?" asked Kitty desper- ately. ''I will do anything for you that I can ; - but I have-no talent for music ; never could learn it." ''I do not expect to find my daughter disobliging," answered Mr. Clayton; "Ihate missiness and nonsense. You have been taking piano lessons-at least I have paid' for them, and I expect you to show some signs of proficiency." "I'l do my best, papa,". replied Kitty' humbly; "but my best is very poor indeed." She sat down, and commenced a school piece ; but the keys blurred beneath her swimming eyes, and her fingers refused to go right, and 'after half a dozen fu- tile attempts to rally, she burst. into tears, and laying her pretty head on the instrument, she cried ready to break her poor little heart. " You must not blame our dear Cherie," purred Belle apologetically; "she has been so petted and 'spoiled, any crossing of her .whims or rigorous re- straints are extremely disagreeable to her. She will soon rise above all such childishness, under your firm, judicious hand. Don't you feel like trying again, Mignonne? it is a pity to leave such an impression upon your good father; he will excuse you if you really make an effort. Play that little polka Archie Laurie was so fond of." f page: 324-325[View Page 324-325] 324 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. Goaded to desperation, Kitty sprang to her feet: "Don't you dare to mention that name to me, you wicked woman-you wretch-you fiend ! Oh, papa, you do not know how cruel she is to me. Don't let her plague me--so; do pity me." "Go to your room," replied her father. "I am displeased, disappointed, disgusted. Such offensive, unladylike behavior, such coarse epithets ; ungrateful, too, to a lady who kindly endeavors to assist you to appear at your best ; selfish in your stubborn refusal to comply with my wishes. Go to your room." " Do not be hard upon Cherie. I assure you, I long ago ceased to mind her little tempers ; you see they do not move me, answered the blonde, in a beautiful gushing attitude ; "forgive her this once as I do, freely ; I will answefor her in future." She went up to Kitty and attempted to pass an arm around her waist, but the child shrank from her. approach as from a deadly reptile ; she tried hard to control her emotions and realize her position. "Papa, papa ! " she cried, "will you not listen to me ! I am not bad, I am not wilful, nor disobedient. I love you dearly, only let me tell you the truth; let me speak to you, when her dreadful eyes.are noton me. Ah, papa, you do not know Belle Brandon; dearest papa, don't frown ! don't turn away! __I am your child, your little Kitty ; oh, ask Carlotta if I am bad. Oh ! do not kill me with such looks ; oh ! my heart will break !" Mr. Clayton's eyes were fixed upon the face of the blonde, who used all her baleful power to enchant them, and he saw his daughter through the glamour she threw about her. He had been ,well: prepared for any delinquencies on the part of the child, and the words he used were somehow inspired in his mind by her arch cunning, somehow given him to speak ; and when she lowered her superb head, and dropped her creamy countenance into her mouchoir, sending him a waft of heliotrope and. a martyr- glance, he sternly commanded Kitty to leave him, adding, " Stay till I recall you; I must put an end-to this sort of thing ; I hope it is not too late." "Do not be harsh, sir," murmured the belle, as Kitty left them: "Cherie will think so hardly of poor me, who love her dearly, and only wish to see her lit- tle faults corrected. Pray, permit me to carry to her your kind forgiveness." "You are too good, Mrs. Nickson--quite too for- bearing ; she must first learn what it is to.displease a father, to brave his anger." "Let me implore you, sir, consider her unfortunate training; I beseech you to remit your severity, and smile on the child. Your frowns are too terrible to bear ; the weight of your displeasure too crushing." . " Since you condescend to interest yourself -so charmingly in my unworthy daughter, I will relent ; but she must fully understand to whom she owes her forgiveness; and must-humbly beg your pardon." As Belle knew something of the strength un- derlying Kitty's childishness, and did not wish to GHOSTS ON ROLLERS,' 3 page: 326-327[View Page 326-327] 326 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS.. have her shut up when there was dusting and run Wing to do, she made no mention of terms in h summons, and also managed so adroitly, that the wise papa was satisfied of her contrition. But no-sooner were they seated at dinner than he cropped out in fresh desires to pursue investigations upon the unfortunate maid's educational attainments ; whether self-prompted or set on by the blonde, I cannot tell; and' he opened upon her with a variety of examination questions. If any of my young read- ers have ever been thus suddenly and unexpectedly brought up to such searching tests of scholarship, they may comprehend the absolute vacuity of Kitty's mind, from which scurried away everything she ever knew, hiding in unfindable corners, leaving, her over- whelmed with confusion and mortification. "What and where is Malta, Miss Clayton?" Kitty seemed to know that Jim was a Maltese cat, and almost remembered hearing Henry say his love of olives and raisins came from his birthright; and she felt that something must be said, the silence was so dreadful; so she falteringly replied, "A city of Athens, I think, papa." "An excellent commencement," replied her father grimly. "Now then, what is Gibraltar, andto whom does it belong?" Kitty remembered the yellow streak on the map which located the thing, and reasoned that it must naturally belong to one of its two neighbors, so she said: GHOSTS OAT ROLLERS. 327 " It is a fort, sir, belonging to Spain-or Portu- gal." " Remarkable, upon my word ! Well, what is thunder?" " An awful noise," stammered Kitty. " Dangerous, I suppose?" "Yes, sir, very ; kills people." "We will turj the science of arithmetic ; I dare say you are equally proficient there. If A. doeg a piece of work in four days and B. does it in eight days, how long would it take them both?" Kitty wet her parched tongue as well as she could, and having added the two numbers together, gave it as her opinion that twelve was the result ; but on being asked sharply, "twelve what? " was uncertain whether it might be twelve days, twelve men, or twelve pieces of work. " Upon my soul, this is refreshing," said Mr. Clay- ton; " you also learned, I presume, spelling." " Yes, sir, a little." " Let me hear you spell Nebuchadnezzar." Kitty, commenced and put in so many letters and jumbled them so hopelessly that finally Belle finished for her "'t-i-o-n-shun t-y ty," and laughed heartily. Poor Kitty hid her face in her 'napkin when her fa- ther joined his hostess in her contagious mirth, and silently wept. "Boarding establishments are rather uncertain in their results," said Belle. "If I might venture to advise, I would recommend a good grounding insti- page: 328-329[View Page 328-329] 4, 328 GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. tution for our dear Mignonne ; it would be of infinite service, and luckily there is an excellent one close at hand, the district school hard by the Red Cottage." " An admirable suggestion," acquiesced Mr. Clay- ton. "I will immediately act upon it. Kitty, prepare yourself to enter directly,' and I hope you will en- deavor to make up for lost time." "Oh, papa ! don't send me there among those dirty_ -boys and girls. I can't go, indeed; let me study by myself. I will be industrious." "As you /ave been, probably. No, Kitty, you deserve a punishment for such a waste of your op- portunities, and I consider this a proper sentence. You need not attempt to reason with me ; it is useless. You will obey me." Kitty rose and hastened away. "You will not feel all this care too much, I trust, Mrs. Nickson," said the gentleman considerately, as they rose from the table. " Ah ! that hateful name," murm-ured Belle, sink- ing down upon a sofa; "how much longer must I bear it.?" Mr. Clayton came,, over and sat down beside her and took her hand in his. " My poor girl needs a mother sadly," said he.Ir "In any other circumstances I should think it a crime to speak what I am going to utter, but thrown in your society, studying your transparent goodness, I can- not hold my peace. If I am able to procure free- dom for you to form new ties, may I hope that after GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. 329 a suitable time elapses I may be so blessed as to call you mine." Belle trembled, quite shook, in fact ; he, holding her beautiful dimpled fingers, felt the tremor and pitied her. "I can never face the terrible ordeal, the publicity, the shame. I fear I must try to fare on to the end. I sometimes think it will come soon." " Do not speak thus, I pray you. It is easily got- ten over, a mere form of law. Your wrongs are so self-evident. I apprehend no trouble. I will take the whole management of the business, only promise me what I ask." "But it seems so wicked to speak of such a thing. I am hij wife. I cannot think further than to desire my freedom from his hateful power. "I will not press a subject from which I see you shrink. Dear Belle, perhaps I am hasty. Indeed, you convince me that I am, and permit me to. say I respect your scruples, and will forbear to intrude any further arguments." The blonde stole a little peep, at his face in adjust- ing her mouchoir, she feared having said too much for her purpose., " Thank you," she replied, returning his hand-squeeze; "and you will not leave me till it is over ? " "Leave you! no, indeed. You must accompany me to Toptown, and the sooner we go the better." That was precisely Belle's opinion, because her un- certain renegade of a, husband might take it into his page: 330-331[View Page 330-331] GHOSTS ON ROLLERS. blundering head to return at any inopportune mo- ment, and she sweetly assented to his proposition to get off early'in the week, only delaying long enough to receive and set up the costly new furniture she had purchased for the Folly. " Ought I not to have a lawyer to attend to the settlements, or maintenance, or whatever dreadful word they use ? " asked she, innocently. "No, madam, I cannot consent that you should touch a penny of this wretch's money. I have plenty, and in any event I will make you an equal sharer with Kitty in my fortune, of whom I hope you will never lose sight.' It was a pity, but could not be helped; and Belle dared not seem anxious to keep the wealth of the man she was about to cut loose from, however much she hated to let it slip through her grasping fingers. Mr., Clayton looked too firm, and, after all, what did it matter since he could bestow all she desired, and she very sweetly expressed her thanks, and promised to be a dear friend and adviser to darling Mignonne, with tears in her eyes. CHAPTER XXVII. YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. ISS WALSINGHAM had been absent in Roaring River, and she heard on her .return the news of the unexpected arrival and its attending circumstances. How Paul Clayton had appeared,.in Mrs. Nickson's company, and carried off Kitty to dwell at the Folly. If Carlotta had been the raconteur, I will not answer for any scathing, comments she might have added upon the deportment of the two new allies-but I am proverbially mild, and I contented myself with bare facts. I also advised Miss Walsingham to pay the child a visit immediately. I had been twice to the Folly, but had failed to see her either time, her ex- cuses being made in the blandest manner by the affable hostess: "Cherie was practising; ,Mignonne was putting up ferns." And Mr. Clayton's behavior, ell 330 v 4 page: 332-333[View Page 332-333] though courteous, was so extremely distant that I felt myself unwelcome. The stout lady was quite ready to go-setting out immediately to see her young : darling, and also, perhaps, to get a glimpse of her old one, though such a wish was not confessed to herself. All the way up she was thinking of him, and the pleasant school- days, of the sweet-faced boy in roundabouts, the ruddy youth, the" handsome young man, who had never loved her, but who had been so precious and so worthy that she had preferred his memory to any other love ; and she pulled in her horses with a jerk when she came, upon Kitty, muffled in a shawl, sit- ting under a great elm, whose few brown leaves were whiffling . and whirling on the -high boughs above her, while she silently dropped great tears, looking toward the Red Cottage, even as the Israel- ites wept when they remembered Zion-" when there was lamentation generally upon the housetops, and their hearts sounded for Judah like pipes wherein is no pleasure." She could discern our chimney-stacks, and sheltering evergreens, but had been refused pe- mission to run down and see us for a little while, sternly refused ; we being represented to Mr. Clay- ton as arch plotters, and improper advisers for his daughter. Why, Kitty, child ! what is the matter?" Perhaps it was not quite right; yet who can blame the. little maid, so straightened, hedged about, and hemmed in as she was, that she impulsively, joy- 333 fully threw herself into the arms of her true friend, who possessed the sympathy she longed for, the love she craved, the tenderness she needed, and poured her complaints, her trials, her sufferings into her bosom. She climbed eagerly into the car iage and snuggled close, and spoke in a whisper, half afraid of what she was doing-afraid that it was disloyalty to her papa-but wholly unable to keep back the words which must come and the tears which would flow. Miss 'Walsingham listened in amazement. "The district-school ! nonsense-absurdity ! Is the man mad? Come with me till I see what he looks like." "It was not papa, auntie; he did not think of it ; it was Belle. I cannot blame papa. He asked me questions I could not answer-he frightened me so- he thinks I do not know anything-I am not wise- but I think if he had been a little softer with me, and she had not been there looking at me so dreadfully, I could have done better. Oh, auntie, what a pity she met papa at the hotel! If I could only have seen him first--oh I am so unhappy !-I don't -know what to do." "If that young scapegrace, Archie, had been worth a dump, I could see my way clear. What is it that men find in this woman so irresistible ? I don't consider her charming in the least," grumbled the stout lady.' "Come along, darling," she added, aloud. "' Maybe I can straighten some of the tan- gles;' I'll try, anyhow. Well, who could have fore- 332 YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. I r' - . ;,, . __ - ,. t ,- ,,, -. : ,t ,'. _° L, page: 334-335[View Page 334-335] UG VAND OLD LOVE.OUNG LOVE AND OLD 334 seen such a coil as this ? 'Satan came also,' sure enough." "-Let me, out, please, auntie; I don't want to go in. I keep out of the way as, much as I . can-I'd rather wait here for you. I hope Carlie or some of them will come ; I think they are cruel to stop away so." Aunt Elinor gave her her wish, determined to- bring matters to a crisis with Mrs. Nickson, and put an end to the sort of persecution Kitty was undergo- ing. In five minutes' time, the romance of a life was scattered like chaff before the wind. Usheredinto the presence of a stoop-shouldered, bald-headed, yellow-faced person, she looked aghast, trying vainly to discover any likeness to her young, fresh, fair, beautiful Paul; and she sourly regarded him as she propounded her queries. "You have grown stout, Elinor," said Mr. Clay- ton, not admiringly. "Humph, you haven't; but you have grown old ; I never should have known you--don't know. you now-there isn't a trace of your youth left." " You are disposed to be complimentary, I see ; you always were outspoken, I remember, and time has evidently not softened that characteristic; years are tolerably sure to leave marks. I believe I must own that you resemble little the slender beauty I used to carry over Bradshaw's brook, and lift from one mossy stone to another at Petrifying Spring, in. our bread-and-butter days. I fear I should not dare attempt the feat now." " I-ho.pe not. Well ! I feel as if I had been to a funeral." "With little Paul for the corpse, I understand-I buried little Elinor long ago." "There ! that will suffice ; let by-gones be by- gones. You are a shrewd business man, I suppose ; a successful one, I know ; and can grasp a subject completely. What I want to talk about now is this school-scheme. I won't hear of Kitty's being shut in among those rough animals. It is the most ridiculous project ever originated." "I cannot agree with you, Elinor. I am deter- mined to have her make a beginning. She is igno- rant to a miracle." "Stuff and nonsense ! She knows plenty. You jumped at her like a wolf, like a spider ! and fright- ened her out of her senses. She is intelligent enough for-a woman, and as good as she is pretty-a daughter any man might be proud of." "Perhaps any man might; but I assure you I am very far from being proud of Miss Kitty; on the con trary, I am exceedingly disappointed in'her ; she has neither accomplishments nor learning." " Why have you not looked after the poor lamb in all these years, when you have kept yourself nobody knows where ? and she has wept her silly heart out over your indifference and neglect, and now you gal- lop in all at once, and stab her with hard questions, lock her out of your confidence, and make her life a burden ! What kind of a father do you call your- self ? " I If .- YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. 335 page: 336-337[View Page 336-337] 336 YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. A shocking bad one,, Elinor. I've been over that same ground myself, I acknowledge it. I had a sort of idea that women grow like roses by the sweet juices within them ; and I must say I was shocked by 'the notion that Katrina's daughter could be faulty and unpleasant, to say nothing 'of ignorance. You see I am speaking quite freely, as to an -old friend. I hope it is not too late to remedy the defects and re- form the faults in my wayward girl's character." "Paul Clayton, you don't know what you are talk- ing about. You have evidently had your opinions premade for you. by one who is no friend to Kitty. I am not in the habit of decrying my sex to yours ; but I am going to.speak plainly now. I see quite clearly what this all means-though I confess I don't see any object to be gained-it must be pure malice -devilish wickedness. I am in Mrs.. Nickson's house, but I shall not let that hinder my speaking the truth about her-a dangerous, lying, cheating, tricky, dishonest creature-who dislikes Kitty, and has wronged, and distressed, and misused her in a thou- sand ways, and is doing her best to turn you bitter toward her.. If you have a spark of wisdom, you will take your daughter away from her-take yourself away-don't you know she is a flirt, a Married Belle?" "Oh, Miss Walsingham! how delighted I ani to welcome you at My Folly." "Your folly, indeed," muttered Aunt Elinor, who had risen to her feet at the first sound of her hostess' YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. voice ; and almost felt as if she had done wrong in her plain speaking under this roof. "I trust we may be excellent neighbors. I am fortunate, you perceive, in my first guests. I have been looking for you. I knew you couldn't long stop away. Such an acquaintance as yours with Mr. Clay- ton is quite likely to seek renewal. I used to hear our Roaring River friends say that you were lovers once-childish lovers-and [With an arch look] I'm going to tell it all, Miss Walsingham. I know you won't mind now : they said that Elinor Walsinghani loved so very dearly Paul Clayton that she refused everybody else." " What is your object, Mrs. Nickson, in pouring out this folly ? " said Aunt Elinor, quite white. "Oh, nothing ! I had no idea you would care, at your age. I thought old women outlived all emo- tions of that sort." "You are right for once ; they do. I have outlived any such youthful folly I may have had, entirely." Mr. Clayton stood silent, while the blonde floated up to the stout lady, laughing musically, and seized her hand j she brought her creamy beauty in sharp contrast with the middle-aged face, settled into lines, and she rejoiced inly when she saw that he was un- consciously comparing them in his mind. "Forgive me," said she, in her most gushing man- ner ; "it was only a little fun. I did not mean to tease. I am matronly and sober now, staid and ad- visable. I have buried youthful follies. I am going 15 : page: 338-339[View Page 338-339] 38 -YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. to begin a new life. I. mean~ to make a good man happy." Though Aunt Elinor had snatched away her hand, she did not take her.eyes from those of the hand- some speaker. She also felt the magnetic -power this Lamia exerted-'" this palpitating snake ;" and, she had half a mind to disbelieve the past, and regard this lady bright-this full-blown beauty, ripe and ex- quisite-as an angel of light. It was not till she saw' Mr. Clayton watching intensely the blonde,drinking in her words, that she got back all her' senses, and uneasily felt that there must be more than met the ear in her smooth speech. "Belle," exclaimed she, half-sorrowfully, " if you took half the pains to be, that you squander upon 'to seem,' what a woman you would make ! I know what I am saying, Mr. Clayton, quite well. I am no slanderer. I am able to substantiate all my asser- tions. I only make them for Kitty's sake-" Oh, you are speaking of our new plan for Kitty. I am the instigator of that. I claim the credit, and I am willing to take a good deal of trouble to perfect the result. Believe me, you must soon acknowledge me right." "Mr. Clayton," continued Aunt Elinor, ignoring the interruption, "let me have the child. Let me teach her. Come, I am a lonely woman-I love Kitty -I'll adopt her ; take her off your hands directly !" Such a consummation suited not at all the blonde, Who in her projected future saw great use for a pair YOUNG LOVE AND OLD LOVE. 339 of willing hands and .ready feet, and had no wish to, helpKitty to such a life of ease and luxury, and Mr., Clayton replied with his eyes upon the enchantress' face: "Do not compel me to be rude, Elinor. I cannot alter my plans, even to please an old friend, although I heartily thank you." "That is clever of you, sir. I feared you. might be tempted to disappoint me of a pleasure I have set my heart, upon-Cherie's company.- Ah ! by the way; Miss Walsingham, what do you hear from Mr. Laurie ? I saw a good deal of him in Toptown; he stopped at my hotel; he is quite a presentable youth. I rather entered him on my list of friends." "I'll see you again, sir," replied Aunt Elinor hur w riedly, "and give you one more opportunity to prove yourself '.a man ; of sense and judgment. If I stay any longer now I shall lose my temper." Belle's ringing 1augh floated after her as she stalked away, grumbling, "Well, if anybody had told me I could ever in my life have such a scold with: Paul 'Clayton, I couldn't have' believed it. Dear, dear ! what a world this is!" "A very eccentric woman, Mr. Clayton," said the blonde; "that sort of personality grows out of a sel- fish life, I suppose, sir, with masculine pursuits. She rears pigs and calves. I've heard her talk about them with such-odd language " (he smiled at her lovely, hor- rified face, wide-open, blue eyes, and thought how handsome she was, -how complete in womanhood !) page: 340-341[View Page 340-341] 340 YOtUV L0T7 AND OLD LOIE. I heard her calling me names just now, but I freely forgive her she was disappointed that I could not f:I in love with the gawky nephew ; I never could admire salad greenness. Kitty was awaiting Aunt Elinor under the tree. "Don't give up, child," she finished, after announcing her ill-success. "I'll pull through yet-I've the great- est mind to carry you off now. Come, jump up and I'll turn my back on them, and keep you in spite of them." " Oh na, auntie. I must obey papa; I'm not go= ing to be unhappy any more if I can help it: I will do niy best, and -maybe he will see after a while that I nean to be good, and get to like me." Aunt Elinor touched up her horses with a short goodaby she couldn't bear the patient, sorrowful tes- ignationi of the child, and she drove home full of in- dignation against Archie, "not worth a dump," and Paul Clayton who had dared to outgrow his youth and leave hei. nonee to love."- ap CHAPTER XXVIII. ONE WAS TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT. ONDAY niorning came, and Kitty was bidden to make ready for the district school. She had also by Belle's directions been habited in a dark calico dress and check gingham apron, as suitable apparel, but if the blonde meant to humble or annoy her by such a choice, shefailed utterly, for the simple, childish clothing suited her, and she looked as pretty as a pink. She sat alone in her room, leaning her face in her hands, waiting for half-past eight, when she must set off. Nobody can tell how she dreaded it, but she was quietly trying to make the best of it, and fully determined to study hard, to please her father; and as she heard him pacing up and lown his room opposite, she wished she dared go in and tell him so, and was fluttering- with the thought, hen her door opened and he walked in. Mr. Clayton, infatuated as he was, had. had some 46s w page: 342-343[View Page 342-343] ONE WAS TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT. 341 hours of sober reflection since Miss Walsingham's visit. Carlotta also had waylaid the man and persisted in adding her say-so to that of his old .friend; elabor- ating her opinions of our darling, her purity and good- ness ; and really, in going over her conduct he began to fear that he might have been too severe. He could not help seeing, that she had been uniformly gentle, patient, and obedient since his coming, though most of the time unpleasantly tearful and drooping. In face of the step he was about to take he had passed a wake- ful night. The old-time feelings, the habits of a life- time, would not be thrust aside withoutia final strug- gle ; the memories of poor Katrina had thronged around him during the still hours, and some regretful tenderness for the child she had borne him, some dis- agreeable, remorseful suggestions, " he had not made her happy, had shown her no fatherliness," and he wished to speak a few words before he left her, to let her know that he did not mean to be harsh or unkind ; the fact that he desired to do so'secretly, 'might have proved to hin, if he had been at the trouble to analyze the impulse, how much and' what sort of power the Married Belle. had-over him. Kitty started to her feet at his voice, and after one look in his eyes, she sprang to hisheart. " Oh, papa, you will love me," pleaded she. "I will try so hard to be wise. I am not bad, papa, believe me ; and I am so lonely. I have got nobody in the wide world but you, if you will only try to forgive my faults." Sitting down, and taking her on his knee, half ashamed of the fond action, he looked at her, and un- derstood the still strength which was keeping back her tears, because she knew he disliked them ; and the pa- tient smile she showed him, and her beseeching eyes, were too much : he put his arms around her with a good, fatherly hug, mentally resolving that whatever he might do, this child should not be made to suffer any more. He talked a long time, assuring her of his love, and real interest, in_ low, kind tones, and his wishes for her best good, and though she hardly spoke a word in reply, he left her the happiest girl in the world. Though he returned to his room and she de- scended the stairs alone, Belle was astonished at her beaming face. It was the appointed day for the Toptown journey, and the blonde was habited foi a start "pacing si- lentty about in pale, contented sort of discontent." Kitty accepted her good-by kiss, and oh ! how glad she was afterward that she had parted kindly with her! how devoutly thankful for the reconciliation, and pre- cious hour she had enjoyed with her papa ! and she set off to the old sc1 ool-house with a light heart. As Mr. Clayton had foreseen, the divorce business was a mere form; what God hath joined together is put asunder with perfect facility nowadays. And the instant the judge set eyes upon Mrs. Nickson, he felt that such beauty, grace, innocence, and sweet- ness must not remain married to any wretch incapa- ble of appreciating them, and he gave his decision 342 ONE WAS TAKEN, 'THE OTHER LEFT. page: 344-345[View Page 344-345] 344 NE WAS TAKEN, THE OTfER LEFT with a flourish and a compliment, and Belle Brandon was herself again. There was a long time to wait, and somehow the blonde felt uncomfortable in the hotel where she had sat about with Archie Laurie, where she had gotten a blow from her husband, and she begged for a drive. Her perfect organization stood her in good stead, and she threw away the gloom which desired to enshroud her, the presentiments' of evil; and after a long drive, a choice dinner, a couple of glasses of champagne, she was in radiant humor ; whatever forebodings, doubts, or misgivings the gentleman had felt, were entertained no longer ; they vanished' like ugly shadows in the bright presence of this gifted creature he was going to marry. The train was late, and the short autumn twilight was long passed, and the night darkness had long settled over all objects, before the great red eye of their speeding engine glared upon Graceville, the last' station before Merry Bank. Some people entering the car brought dripping umbrellas and streaming water-proofs among the passengers, and a general exclamation, "What a sudden storm!" passed from mouth to mouth. Flashes of vivid lightning illumi- nated the landscape just an instant, and left darkness that might be felt, and heavy rolling thunder pealed above them. Belle was leaning on Mr. Clayton's arm with a new sense of security ; he was talking to, her, picturing a life with her for its queen and glory; and while she silently listened, perhaps a glimmering ONE WAS TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT. 34 desire 'lighted the r cesses of her soul, inhabited by selfishness, craft, lies, dishonesty, to realize the ex- pectations of this upright man, to be a good wife to him, wondering if it were possible. I say perhaps, because there were interfoldings of Belle 'Brandon's character I never could safely pronounce upon with all my careful study; at any rate she looked as sweet and nice as woman could. Mr. Clayton thought so: "her opened eyes, where 'he was mirrored small in Paradise," were as blue as a summer heaven, and her ripe' lips parted in a contented smile 'showed all the dimples. After the train left Graceville, he rose, putting her gently from him, to look out of an opposite window ; she followed him with her glance. When he with- drew his caressing arm, what meant the '-strange emotion .which passed through her with a chilly shiver, as if everything true was gone forever, and her day of grace shut down by throbbing darkness -a sharp, crashing sound-smote her ears, and before she could breathe, something fearful tore the car to atoms; she saw it crushing the seats, splintering' them to fragments ; she saw it strike Paul Clayton, dashing him down ; he' fell at her very feet, splash- ing her with his blood. Everything human around her was mangled, lacerated, despoiled of God's image, promiscuously dishonored among rubbish. In the universal wail and terrible pang which cleft .the dark- ness, rising above the storm, quenching the noise of the rushing train, petrifying the inhabitants of the shut-up page: 346-347[View Page 346-347] 346 ONEL WAS -TAKEN, THE OTHRR LEFT. houses, she Was alone ! All other souls Were divorced and fled. Then a terrible arrest, a violent shock, a grinding, leaping overthrow. The train off the -track and nothing left but chaos. A loose rail had been lifted by a stone, and so propped that the revolving wheel tore it higher and higher, and sent it through the car.- A discharged workman was tried for the deed afterward, but as nothing could be proven he was set loose. Belle let go her hold upon the cross- bar which she had instinctively clutched, add climbed out over ghastly things, through pogls of blood yet warm from human hearts ; she saw many lights, a crowd surging and swaying ; nobody observed her, and she stepped away, stumbling on through the storm. 1 CHAPTER XXIX. ARCHIE'S CONFESSION. HE first day in the old school-house was over, and like the man who, on being asked how he enjoyed the concert, replied, ' Well, I didn't suffer as much as I expected" Kitty told us she had got through quite nicely; told us over our garden fence, because the prohibition against visiting us was not removed, and she dutifully returned to the Folly, feelinga sort of responsibility there in the absence of its mistress. After conning- her lessons.(Kitty meant to make thorough work now), and practising her exercises, she felt tired, and strolled into the great drawing-room where she had first seen Archie that fateful evening, standing in the very spot where she had danced the first quadrille, and she dropped down upon the soft carpet among the roses and posies, and she buried herself in her page: 348-349[View Page 348-349] ARCHIE'S CONFESSION. 349 thoughts so absorbingly that she did not hear the door-bell, nor the approach of a-step on the thick piled tapis. " Kitty," said a well-beloved voice, "Kitty, I heard that you were alone, but I did not expect to find you so much alone that I must make my own way to you like the Prince entering the castle in search of Lady.Delight; will you rise, and bid me welcome?" She sprang up and looked in his eyes. He was smiling, but rather shamefaced, not to say sheepish; he' evidently felt the discomfort of his position as much asthe angriest mistress could desire.. "I have made a great fool of myself, Kitty," said be, ".a great fool." "I know it, Archie," she replied frankly. "Dearest Kitty, how pale you are !" "4Yes, Archie; I have suffered a good deal since. you saw me last." "Did you receive the letter I wrote you up among the lumbermen? "" " Yes." "Why did you not answer it? were you too an- gry?" You did not ask me, and I did not feel like forc- ing a letter upon you.". "I expected it, though. I looked, and watched, and waited."S You should have said so, then ; I never run after people:."' a " Can youforgive my ridiculous folly, Kitty? I have suffered ; I deserved to suffer, You can never know the bitter humiliation it was, to be forced to own such madness as mine. I don't think half so much of Archie Laurie as I did six months ago." Kitty made no reply, but moved the toe of her boot among the petals of a great red poppy in the carpet, and did not look up either, though her color flickered and her lips trembled. "Kitty, I don't deserve any grace ; but be merci- ful ;,don't cast me off. If you do, Iam afraid I shall go to the devil-no, I won't say that. I have been as near to one as I ever mean to come ; but--I wish you could look at me ; at least, say you'forgive me before I leave you. You cannot ! I see it; you shrink from my presence ; well, I can't blame you ; I de- spise myself. Good-by, Kitty ; dear Kitty.; pre- cious Kitty; I must say so just once. I won't trou- ble you any more, but I'll tell you, if you was a poor fellow who came to me for forgiveness.and consola- tion, I wouldn't treat you as you treat me : I'd be kind, and say 'Dear Archie, yes, yes, of course I for- give you-come here and kiss me directly." The whole-hearted sorrow, mixed with humor and bravado, were too much for Kitty, who, burst into a laugh; " I do forgive you, Archie,"' said she.. "I forgave you long ago, but "--she faltered again-" I trusted you so thoroughly.", " Then' trust me once more and forever. God knows I will-neverprove unwrthyiL " He reached out 9 C ; 348 ARCHIE'S CONFESSION. l page: 350-351[View Page 350-351] 350 ARCIE'S CONFESSION.RC his hands, taking a -step towards her ; she laid her soft-fingers into them, and he. grasped them eagerly, and she rested her poor tired little head where she- had thought never to place it again. All the past was as if it had never been ; fearlessly and fondly she gave her happiness into his keeping. . Kitty dear?." Yes, Archie." You know the picture you sent me?" "I did not send it, Archie; did not know you had it till you wrote me. It was Aunt Elinor did that ; she wished to recall you to your duty. I felt very bad when I found it out." "I suppose so. I felt bad when I got it; I wouldn't live that time over for anything in this world."- ".Not even to get forgiven again, Archie?" " No, ma'am ; I am very happy, but I should be happier if I had not tripped." "Oh well, Archie, it-is all past now; I shall. not think of it any more." "Thank you, Kitty; I haven't dared kiss the lovely face; I would not without your permission. May I kiss it now--may I kiss you ? " "Yes, Archie,,you may ; " she raised her head and looked-trustingly into his eyes. " There ! " she said, smiling; "now you are Prince Almanazar." "Now you are my Lady Delight." Neither spoke for a moment, but Kitty put her hands withinhis strong arm, her support from this time, and clasped them contentedly, leaning against his shoulder. "Kitty!" "Well, Archie!" "Do you mind because my hair won't curl?" She laughed one of her old merry, ringing melo- dies-soon checking herself, though. "But, Archie, I have a great deal to tell you. My papa is here." " I know all about it, dearest. This is Mrs. Nick- son's house; I hated to enter it, but I heard that you were alone. Carlotta told me, and bid me come di- rectly and make my peace. I am glad I found you in this very spot, because I nearly know you were thinking about me ; honest, now, weren't you ?" "Of course I was ; I remembered how you kicked up your heels in that polka. But, Archien my papa-" "Yes, darling, I know ; he has gone to Toptown with Belle to get a divorce, and he means ,to marry her. I 'am glad to take you away from them. I ani going to give up the law ; I don't like it ; it brings too many knaves and fools about me. I feel as if I had been in shocking bad company ; and I'm going to settle down on Aunt Elinor's farm, and make a career where there won't be a dirty taste all the while in my mouth. I've talked it all over with her this evening, and she is just pleased." " Oh Archie, a divorce ! 'interrupted Kitty, as pale as a ghost-she had heard nothing else of all he was saying-" and to marry Belle Brandon! '.' 4 f ! 4 4 .j y i . . iF _ ARCHIE'S CONFESSION 30 ,r page: 352-353[View Page 352-353] 352 AR CHr'S CONFESSION. Yes, darling; you may ,as well look it in the face ; it's coming as sure as fate. I don't blame her for wishing to be free ; that Nickson is a nasty scamp. I can't think of her becoming a tyrant to my little Kitty, though; you must promise not to let them, separate you frmn me." "'I could never disobey papa, Archie ;I don't think he will object:;'he was too good this morning. I have felt very unhappy. I thought he did not care for me at all,; I know better now ; I've had a talk with him. I shall never be afraid of him again." "He is under the influence of a dreadful woman;, he cannot, see things as, they are, but only as she shows them to him. Don't-I know all about that?" said Archie, grimly. "The .quickest way to disen- chant him will be to let him go ahead and marry her." "Oh, Archie! I hope nothing so terrible as that will ever happen. Poor papa ! he is only just begin- ning to he nice to me; and she will make him cross if she can-' Don't let's think about it this evening , Kitty; let's be happy; it is my private opinion that she, won't be Mrs. Clayton very long anyhow, There will be another divorce case in court. Perhaps some kind providence may stop it; don't borrow trouble. Come! when shall we two be made one? I am all ready to settle down. Auntie is impatient. Let's' get married when Carlotta does." While they were pacing slowly back and forth ARC HIE'S CONFESSION. :1 through the length of the great room, who should walk in but the house-master, Mr. Nickson. He had on his overcoat, and a slouched hat from which the water dripped in little rivulets, and carried in his bony hand a stout riding-whip, with which he im- patiently, almost savagely, beat the air as, he ap- proached. For a wonder he was perfectly sober ; but there was a sense of still excitement over him- a cruel, vindictive look in his haggard face-t dan- gerous savageness. " You ! in my house, Mr. Archie aurie ! (e n- found your impudence,") he mutt ed under s breath ; "waiting to see the madam, I suppose !" "No, sir," answered Archie, ignoring the inso lence of his manner, and pausing in front of him with Kitty on his arm, who shrank fearfully away; "I am conversing with my affianced syife, who was brought here by her father. Permit me to present you! " "Ah, Miss Kitty! she. is an old flame of mine ! Wasn't you, my little dear? I congratulate you- upon my soul I do. I wish everybody vyas as lucky. I am glad you are here, both of you. I just as lives have witnesses. I expect a lady soon-Mrs. Nickson that was-Miss Brandon that is!" He struck out with the lithe whip, and laughed so discordantly, that Archie felt that it would be a -pity if a defenceless woman should have come into his power in that mood, and was-glad he was there ; and wondered how he heard the news, and if Belle would return alone or in Mr. Clayton's company. ,r page: 354-355[View Page 354-355] 354 AlRCHIE'S CONFESSION. ARCHIE'S CONFESSION. 355 Folks think they have stole a march on me ; but, Lord bless you, I've been watching.; I could have stopped the game if I'd a wanted----" A slight noise made them turn, and Belle was stand- ing alone upon the threshold. Her dark dress was drabbled with mud, her hat crushed and-broken, and dripping with Water, and her face splashed with blood-stains, her eyes hollow, and her lips colorless. What are you- here for, madam ? How dare you enter my house !" " I have come home ! " she replied, in a still, faint voice ; "home to rest! I am very weary." "Rest here ! you? No, by Judas! not an hour- not a minute-a divorced thing! You have cut loose from me ! glad of it ; saves me the trouble and ex- pense. I am tired to death of the sight of you. It was the plumiest thing you ever did. Your new lover is waiting outside, I suppose ; go find him.. I wish him joy of you ; go ! Do you hear'? before I do you a mischief.. It's my turn now. Doyou think I shall ever forget the trick you served me? how you made me.a laughing-stock--eh ? How I hate you ! Come!' tramp! get out of this ! You may thank these friends, if you ever get off without the beating you deserve.". "I will not stir out again in this storm ! You do not know to whom you ; are talking. I have been through a terrible scene ; as soon as the morning comes I wish to :go. I must rest. I must think.. I must prepare." She passed her bloody. hand across her forehead, and staggering, leaned against the ivall. " I am ill." ''No,'you don't. I know all your tricks. If you was dying you should go. Do you suppose I'could ever feel any pity for you? My best wish for you is that you may rot on a dunghill ! I've had three styles of wives ; and you are the most abominable of the whole ! Now I'm going to get a good, steady woman to- keep my house, save my money, and make me comfortable in my old age. Do you see the door ? " Out in this storm ! I will not be driven out ! I tell you I am too ill to stand. Keep your hands off ! Oh!" " Mr. Nickson ! " exclaimed Archie, stepping for- ward, "do not ! something fearful has occurred ; see ! your wife's face is streaked.with blood." . "Blood ! there will be more blood ! " shouted the furious man. A sharp blow had fallen upon the creamy fleshs-another and another. Archie used all his strength to overpower the raging devil, who held the defenceless woman in his grasp, and to wrench away his whip. The three-struggled on through the great hall, whose door stood wide open, and into which was beating the fierce rain, borne on wild, wailing wind-gusts. The helpless beauty ceased to struggle, and was pushed passively out; and Archie, trying to undo the ferocious clutch which gripped her so fast that. the horny hands bruised and tore the tender flesh, stumbled on the brink of the broad Jr. page: 356-357[View Page 356-357] 1' 356 ARCHIE'S CONFESSION. staircase leading upon the lawn, and narrowly es- caped. plunging down with the banker and the blonde, who fell from the top to the bottom in a mad plunge. When Archie picked himself up with a cut in his forehead from the sharp post which had stopped him, he felt dizzy ; and he heard a musical, terrible laugh, which rung piercingly on the air, swept toward him by the blast; and then came a stillness like: the grave. The heavy portal slammed together ; : and Archie vainly tried to undo the spring-lock which barred him from poor Kitty, alone. inside with all this horror. A persistent pull of the bell brought a shared servant at last, who peered fear- fully out. He pushed pastier, and rushing forward, he found Kitty unconscious on the floor. Pressing the white-lipped female into his service, he carried her to her room and left her, while he set out to search for the others.- -The banker was stretched helpless upon the flags, completely stunned, but no bones broken; and after a. good deal of effort, was gotten to his apartment, from which he did not go out for many weeks. All search for the blonde was vain. Archie pro- cured a lantern and looked up and down everywhere. As he was slowly seeking through the avenue, flash- ing his light hither and thither, he came'upon a sight which stopped his heart-beats. Upon the gravel, "-cirque-couchant, sat a palpitating snake of dazzling hue, sapphire green and amethyst," her crested head raised proudly in the midst of her graceful coils, ARCIZIE'S CONFESSION. 357 r , r i a , 4 5 d T %. C i S .: Yt x 2: i [t rt r""r, : 4 4' } .f it F ' $ r eul+rs . i i and her eyes, he would have sworn as he bent, and closely held his light, that her eyes were blue as tem- pered steel. While he looked, motionless, she low- ered her luminous crest and slowly undulated in wavy glides. out of his sight, among the dead leaves ; and was it imagination ? or did he really hear, borne on the night wind, that musical, terrible laugh, clear, ring- ing, and penetratingly vibrant:? and he lifted from the ground the necklace of golden scales which the Mar- ried Belle had clasped around her white throat that very morning. The next day Aunt Elinor came, and 'carried off Kitty, and broke to her the terrible news. I will not dwell on her sufferings, which she bore with the uii- derlying, composed power that sort of womanhood is apt to bring to the inevitable, and she often went over the last hour with her father, getting great com-' fort from its lovingness. a T_ Fem. A 1 page: 358-359[View Page 358-359] GOODBY TO ALL. CHAPTER THE LAST. GOOD-BY TO ALL. RCHIE LAURIE made an excellent farmer, but not a better than Pitkin Sterling. We had a double wedding at the Red Cottage. Mrs. .Pillhackle, Mrs. Rotterdam, and others, made remarks about Kitty's tting married in mourning., Mrs. Ramble, for o ce, was on our side, whether from genuine goo eeling for Kitty (she always did like the child), or certain looking forward to good things to be borrowed, or long visits- when she couldn't "stay a second hardly," I can't determine. At any rate, she was the only one of the; three who was present at the ceremony, and she stayed not for an invitation, but came promiscuously, and there were tears in her red eyes when she went up- and kissed our brides, one of whom came down in a dress of crape like wrinkled cream, and the other in lustrous satin. Carlotta always said no other fabric should enrobe her for her bridal. Though there was little merriment among us, we were sedately happy. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling purchased the Folly, which they rechristened "Scotch Roses," with the farms belonging; and we did not lose. them. Carlotta is a more ardent Huishite than ever, and her banks are hummi ng with bees. Of course these occurrences were the talk of the town for a while, and some fierce opinions were in- terchanged, till a runaway match took up public at- tention, and we dropped back into primeval ob- scurity. If any of my readers desire to hear more of Belle Brandon, I will chronicle the fact that Carlotta and Kitty met her once afterward at the St. James. She was sitting at table with a gentleman; she was not married, because her- maiden name was on the regis- ter. If she saw them, she made no sign ; and though her beauty was faded and paled, she evidently forgot that her charming dimples had elongated into wrin- kles, and still smiled to show them off; and though streaks of gray had mingled with her blonde, curls, she still practised the artless toss, and continued her plotting and scheming to secure a husband, THE END. I i/ v - 3t9g $ 1 . ,r, r z ', .,. .;: -, - -, , s e y t a 'h - : ,; ' " r" 5 2 $ i ._ f . - L. } ,'+ -
