Author: Marah Ellis Ryan
Category: Western
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CHAPTER XIX.
"Hurrah! Hurrah! for Southern rights Hurrah! Hurrah! for the bonney blue flag, That bears the single star!"
Evilena was singing this stirring ditty at the top of her voice, avery sweet voice when not overtaxed, but Dilsey, the cook, put bothhands to her ears and vowed cooking school would close at once if that"yapping" was not stopped; she could not for the life of her see whyMiss Lena would sing that special song so powerful loud.
"Why, Dilsey, it is my shout of defiance," explained the girl,stirring vigorously at a mass in a wooden bowl which she fondly hopedwould develop into cookies for that evening's tea, when the party fromLoringwood were expected. "It does not reach very far, but I comfortmyself by saying it good and loud, anyway. That Yankee general who hasmarched his followers into Orleans fines everybody--even if its alady--who sings that song. I can't make him hear me that far off, butI do my best."
"Good Lawd knows you does," agreed Dilsey. "But when you want to singin this heah cookhouse I be 'bleeged if yo' fine some song what ain'tgot no battles in it. Praise the Lawd, we fur 'nough away so thatYankee can't trouble we all."
"Madam Caron saw him once," said the amateur cook, tasting a bit ofthe sweetened dough with apparent pleasure, "but she left Orleansquick, after the Yankees came. Of course it wouldn't be a place for alady, then. She shut her house up and went straight to Mobile, and Ijust love her for it."
"Seems to me like she jest 'bout witched yo' all," remarked Dilsey;"every blessed nigger in the house go fallen' ovah theyselves when herbell rings, fo' feah they won't git thah fust; an' Pluto, he like tobe no use to any one till aftah her maid, Miss Louise, get away, hejest waited on her, han' an' foot."
Dilsey had heretofore been the very head and front of importance inthe servants' quarters on that plantation, and it was apparent thatshe resented the comparative grandeur of the Marquise's maid, andespecially resented it because her fellow servants bowed down and paidenthusiastic tribute to the new divinity.
"Well, Dilsey, I'm sure she needed waiting on hand and foot while shewas so crippled. I know mama was mighty well pleased he was soattentive; reckon maybe that's why she let him go riding with MadameCaron this morning."
"Pluto, he think plenty o' hisself 'thout so much pamperen," grumbledDilsey. "Seem like he counted the whole 'pendence o' the family sinceMahs Ken gone."
Evilena prudently refrained from expressing an opinion on the subject,though she clearly perceived that Dilsey was possessed of a fit ofjealousy; so she proceeded to flatter the old soul into a more sunnyhumor lest dinner should go awry in some way, more particularly asregarded the special dishes to which her own little hands had addedinterest.
She was yet in the cookhouse when the guests arrived, and doffing thehuge apron in which she was enveloped, skurried into the house,carrying with her the fragrance of cinnamon and sweet spices, while adust of flower on curls and chin gave her a novel appearance, and theconfession that she had been cooking was not received with theacclamation she had expected, though there was considerable laughterabout it. No one appeared to take the statement seriously exceptMatthew Loring, who took it seriously enough to warn Margeret he wouldexpect her to supervise all dishes _he_ was to partake of. His mealswere affairs not to be trifled with.
Margeret and Ben had accompanied the party. Others of the morereliable house servants of Loringwood, were to commence at once workat the Pines, and Gertrude was almost enthusiastic over the change.
"You folks really _live_ over here," she declared to Mrs. McVeigh,"while at Loringwood--well, they tell me life used to be very gaythere--but I can't remember the time. It seems to me that since theday they carried papa in from his last hunting field the place hasbeen under a cloud. Nothing prospers there, nobody laughs or sings; Ican't be fond of it, and I am so glad to get away from it again."
"Still, it is a magnificent estate," said Mrs. McVeigh, thoughtfully;"the associations of the past--the history of your family--is sointimately connected with it, I should think you would be sorry topart with it."
"I should not!" said Gertrude, promptly, "the money just now would dome a great deal more good than family records of extravagance whichall the Lorings but Uncle Matthew seem to have been addicted to; andhe is the exact opposite, you know."
Mrs. McVeigh did know. She remembered hearing of him as a one-timegamester long ago in New Orleans, a man without the conviviality ofhis father or his brother Tom; a man who spent money in dissipationspurely selfish, carrying the spirit of a speculator even into hispursuit of social enjoyment. Then, all at once, he came back toLoringwood, settled down and became a model in deportment andplantation management, so close a calculator of dimes as well asdollars that it was difficult to believe he ever had squandered apenny, and a great many people refused to credit those ancient Orleansstories at all. Kenneth's father was one of them.
"I don't believe I am very much of a Loring, anyway," continuedGertrude with a little sigh. "They were a wild, reckless lot so farback as I can learn, and I--well, you couldn't call me wild andreckless, could you?"
Mrs. McVeigh smiled at the query and shook her head. "Not the leastlittle bit, and we are glad of it." She walked over to the windowlooking across the far fields where the road showed a glimpse ofitself as it wound by the river. "I thought I saw some one onhorseback over there, and every horseman coming our way is of specialinterest just now. I look for word from Kenneth daily--if not from theboy himself; he has had time to be home now. His stay has already beenlonger than he expected."
Gertrude joined her and gave her attention to the head of the road.
"It may be your visitor from France, Evilena said she had gone riding.Of course you know we are all eager to meet her. Dr. Delaven sings herpraises to us until it has become tantalizing."
"We should have driven over to see you but for that accident to hermaid--the poor thing, except a few words, could only speak her ownlanguage, and we could not leave her entirely to the servants. MadameCaron seemed quite impressed with the brief glance she got ofLoringwood, and when she heard it was likely to be sold she asked agreat many interested questions concerning it. She is wealthy enoughto humor her fancies, and her latest one is a Carolina plantation nearenough to water for her yacht, which Mobile folks say is the mostbeautiful thing--and the Combahee would always be navigable for sosmall a craft, and the Salkahatchie for most of the year."
"She certainly must be able to humor any sort of fancy if she keeps ayacht of her own; that will be a new departure for a woman inCarolina. It sounds very magnificent."
"It is; and it suits her. That is one reason why I thought she mightbe the very best possible purchaser for Loringwood. She wouldresurrect all its former glories, and establish new ones."
Matthew Loring entered the sitting room, moving somewhat haltinglywith the help of a cane. Gertrude arranged a chair near the window, inwhich he seated himself slowly.
"Do you feel tired after the ride, Uncle?"
"No," he said, fidgetting with the cushion back of his head, andfailing to adjust it to suit him, either let it fall or threw it onthe floor. Gertrude replaced it without a word, and Mrs. McVeighsmiled quietly, and pretended not to see.
"I think I can promise you a pleasant visitor, Mr. Loring," sheremarked, turning from the window. "A gentleman just turned in at ourgate, and he does look like Judge Clarkson."
Gertrude left the room to join the others who were talking andlaughing in the arbor, a few steps across the lawn. Mrs. McVeighbusied herself cutting some yellowing leaves from the plants on thestand by the window. Loring watched her with a peculiar peering gaze.His failing sight caused him to pucker his brows in a frown when hedesired to inspect anything intently, and it was that regard he wasnow directing toward Mrs. McVeigh, who certainly was worth looking atby any man.
The dainty lace cap she wore had tiny bows of violet showing among thelace, and it someway had the effect of making her appear more youthfulinstead of adding matronliness. The la
wn she wore had violet linesthrough it, and the flowing sleeves had undersleeves of sheer whitegathered at the wrist. The wide lace collar circled a throat scarcelyless white, and altogether made a picture worth study, though MatthewLoring's view of it was rather blurred because of the failure ofvision which he denied whenever opportunity offered; next to paralysisthere was nothing he dreaded so much as blindness, and even to Delavenhe denied--uselessly--any tendency in that direction.
"Hum!" he grunted, at last, with a cynical smile; "if Gid Clarksonkeeps up his habit of visiting you regularly, as he has done for thepast ten years, you ought to know him a mile away by this time."
"Oh!"--Mrs. McVeigh was refastening her brooch before the mirror, "notten years, quite."
"Well, long enough to be refused three times to my certain knowledge;why, he doesn't deny it--proud to let the country know his devotion tothe most charming of her sex," and he gave an ironical little nod forwhich she exchanged one of her sweetest smiles.
"Glad you looked at me when you said that," she remarked, lightly;"and we do depend on Judge Clarkson so much these days I don't knowwhat I ever would do if his devotion dwindled in the least. But Ifancy his visit this morning is on your account instead of mine."
At that moment the white hat of Clarkson could be seen above theveranda railing, and Mrs. McVeigh threw open the glass doors as heappeared at the top of the steps with an immense boquet held withespecial care--the Judge's one hobby in the realm of earth-grownthings was flowers.
He bowed when he caught sight of the mistress of the Terrace, whobestowed on him a quaint courtesy such as the good nuns of Orleanstaught their pupils thirty years before, she also extended herhand, which he kissed--an addition to fine manners the nuns hadomitted--probably they knew how superfluous such training would be,all Southern girls being possessed of that knowledge by right ofbirth.
"Good morning, Judge."
"Mistress McVeigh!" Loring uttered an inarticulate exclamationwhich was first cousin to a grunt, as the Judge's tone reached hisear, and the profound bow was robbed of its full value by theJudge straightening, and glancing sideways.
"My delight, Madame, at being invited over this morning is only to beexpressed in the silent language of the blossoms I bring. You willhonor me by accepting them?"
"With very great pleasure, Judge; here is Mr. Loring."
"Heartily pleased to see you have arrived," and the Judge moved overand shook hands. "I came within bowing distance of Miss Gertrude as Ientered, so I presume she has induced you to come over to the Pinesfor good. Your position, Mr. Loring, is one to be envied in thatrespect. Your hours are never lonely for lack of womanly grace andbeauty in your household;" he glanced at Mrs. McVeigh, who wasarranging the flowers in a vase, "I envy you, sir, I envy you."
"Oh, Gertrude is well enough, though we don't unite to spoil eachother with flattering demonstrations," and he smiled cynically at theother two, and peered quizzically at Mrs. McVeigh, who presented himwith a crimson beauty of a rose, for which he returned a verygracious, "Thank you," and continued: "Yes, Gertrude's a very goodgirl, though it's a pity it wasn't a boy, instead, who came into theLoring family that day to keep up the old name. And what about thatboy of yours, Mistress McVeigh? When do you expect him home?"
"Very soon, now. His last message said they hoped to reach Charlestonby the twentieth--so you see the time is short. I am naturallyintensely anxious--the dread of that blockade oppresses me."
"No need, no need," and Loring's tone was decided and reassuring. "Wegot out through it, and back through it, and never a Yankee in sight;and those men on a special commission will be given double care, youmay be sure."
"Certainly; the run from Nassau has kept the mail service open almostwithout a break," assented Clarkson, "and we have little reason foranxiety now that the more doubtful part of the undertaking has beensuccessfully arranged."
"Most successfully; he writes that the English treat our people withextreme consideration, and heartily approve our seceding."
"Of course they do, and why shouldn't they?" demanded Loring. "I tellyou, they would do much more than give silent sympathy to our cause ifit were not that Russia has chosen to send her warships into Yankeeharbors just now on guard against the interference of any of ourfriends, especially against Great Britain's interference, which wouldbe most certain and most valuable."
"Quite true, quite true," assented the Judge, with a soothing tone,calculated to allay any combative or excited mood concerning that orany other subject; "but even their moral support has been a wonderfulhelp, my dear sir, and the securing of an important addition to ournavy from them just now means a very great deal I assure you; once letus gain a foothold in the North--get into Washington--and she will bethe first to acknowledge us as a power--a sovereign power, sir!"
"I don't understand the political reasons of things," confessed theirhostess, "but I fear Kenneth has imbibed the skepticism of the agesince these years of military associations; he suggests that England'smotive is really not for our advantage so much as her own. I disliketo have my illusions dispelled in that respect; yet I wonder if it isall commercialism on their part."
"Most assuredly," said the Judge. "England's policy has always beenone of selfishness where our country was concerned. We must not forgetshe was the bitterest foe of our fathers. She has been sent home fromour shores badly whipped too often to feel much of the brotherly loveshe effects just now for her own purposes. We must not expect anythingelse. She is of help to us now for purposes of revenue, only, and wewill have to pay heavy interest for all favors. The only thought ofcomfort to us in the matter is that our cause is worth paying thatinterest for."
Loring acknowledged the truth of the statements, and Mrs. McVeighsighed to think of the duplicity of the nation she had fanciedsingle-hearted. And to a woman of her trustful nature it was a shockto learn that the British policy contained really none of the sweetlydomestic and fraternal spirit so persistently advertised.
To change the conversation the Judge produced a letter justreceived--a proposal for Loringwood at Mr. Loring's own price.
"Already?" asked Mrs. McVeigh; and Loring, who realized that his ownprice was a remarkably high one, showed surprise at the readyacceptance of it.
"The offer is made by a law firm in New Orleans, Hart & Logan,"continued Clarkson. "But the real purchaser is evidently some clientof theirs."
"Well, I certainly hope the client will prove a pleasant personage ifhe is to locate at Loringwood," remarked Mrs. McVeigh. "Some one inNew Orleans? Possibly we know them."
"I am led to believe that the property is desired for some educationalinstitution," said Clarkson, handing the letter to Loring, who couldnot decipher two lines of the fine script, but refrained fromacknowledging it.
"I must say the offer pleases me greatly." He nodded his head anduttered a sigh of satisfaction; "a school or seminary, no doubt, Ilike that; so will Gertrude. Speak to her, and then write or telegraphthe acceptance, as they prefer. This is remarkably quick work; Ifeared it would be a long while before a purchaser could be found.This is most fortunate."
"Then I congratulate you, Mr. Loring," said Mrs. McVeigh, who wasgrateful to the Judge for bringing news likely to make the entertainmentof the invalid an easier affair. "But your fortunate offer from NewOrleans dispels a hope I had that my friend, Madame Caron, might buyit. She seemed quite impressed with it. I was just saying so toGertrude."
"Yes, we've all been hearing considerable about this charmingforeigner of yours, who is daring enough to cross to a war-riddencountry to pay visits."
"She owns a fine property in New Orleans, but left there in disgustwhen the Yankees took possession. I was delighted to find her inMobile, and persuaded her to come along and see plantation life in ourcountry. We met her first in Paris--Kenneth and I. He will bedelightfully surprised to find her here."
"No doubt, no doubt," but Loring's assent was not very hearty; heremembered those first comments on her at Loringwood. "Dr. Delaven,also, was amo
ng her Parisian acquaintances, so you will have quite aforeign colony at the Terrace."
"I was much pleased with that fine young fellow, Dr. Delaven,"remarked the Judge, "and really consider you most fortunate to securehis services--a very superior young man, and possessed, I should say,of very remarkable talent, and of too gay a heart to be weighed downwith the importance of such special knowledge, as is too often thecase in young professional men--yes, sir; a very bright young man."
Mrs. McVeigh, hearing laughter, had stepped out on the veranda, andsmiled in sympathy with the couple who appeared on the step. The verytalented young man just mentioned was wreathed in blossoms and wildvines; he carried Aunt Sajane's parasol, and was guided by reinsformed of slender vines held in Miss Evilena's hands; the hat he worewas literally heaped with flowers, and he certainly did not appear tobe weighed by the importance of any special knowledge at that moment.At sight of the Judge, Evilena dropped her improvised lines and ran tohim.
"Oh, Judge, it is right kind of you to come over early today. AuntSajane is coming, she was down to the river with us; she laughed toomuch to walk fast. We were getting wild flowers for decorating--andhere is Dr. Delaven."
"Yes, I'm one of the things she's been decorating," and he enteredfrom the veranda, shook hands with Clarkson, and stood for inspection."Don't I look like a lamb decked for the sacrifice? But faith it wasthe heart of a lion I needed to go into the moccasin dens where shesent me this day. The blossoms desired by your daughter were sure togrow in the wildest swamps."
"I didn't suppose a bog-trotter would object to that," remarked thegirl, to Loring's decided amusement.
"Lena!" and at the look of horror on her mother's face she fled to theveranda.
"Ah--Mrs. McVeigh, I'm not hurt at all, but if she had murthered meentirely your smile would give me new life again; it's a guardianangel you are to me."
"You do need assistance," she replied, endeavoring to untwine thevines twisted about his shoulders, "now turn around."
He did, spinning in top fashion, with extended arms, while Evilenasmiled at the Judge from the window. His answering smile grew somewhatconstrained as his hostess deliberately put her pretty arm half wayaround the young man's shoulder in her efforts to untangle him.
"I say, Judge, isn't it in fine luck I am?--the undoing of Delaven!"
But the Judge did not respond. He grew a trifle more ceremonious as heturned from the window.
"Mistress McVeigh, I shall step out on the lawn to meet my sister andMiss Loring, and when you have concluded your present task, would youpermit me to see the autumn roses you were cultivating? As a lover offlowers I certainly have an interest in their progress."
"Autumn roses--humph!" and Loring smiled in a grim way onlydiscernible to Delaven, who had grown so accustomed to his sardoniccomments on things in general that they no longer caused surprise.
"Of course, Judge; I'll show them to you myself," and Mrs. McVeigh letfall the last of the vines and joined him at the window--"so charmingof you to remember them at all."
"Don't you want to go along and study the progress of autumn roses?"asked Evilena, peering around the window at Delaven, who laughed atthe pretended demureness and timidity with which she invested thequestion.
"Not at this moment, my lady. Autumn roses, indeed!--while there's awild flower in sight--not for the O'Delavens!"
And the O'Delaven's bright Irish eyes had so quizzical a smile in themthe girl blushed and was covered with confusion as with a mantle, andgathering the blossoms in her arms seated herself ostentatiously closeto Mr. Loring's chair while she arranged them, and Delaven mightcontent himself with a view of one pink ear and a delicious dimple inone cheek, which he contemplated from the lounging chair back of her,and added to his occupation by humming, very softly, a bit of the oldsong:
"Ten years have gone by and I have not a dollar; Evilena still lives in that green grassy hollow; And though I am fated to marry her never, I'm sure that I'll love her for ever and ever!"
"For ever and ever! I say, Miss Evilena, how do you suppose the fellowin the song could be so dead sure of himself, for ever and ever?"
"Probably he wasn't an Irishman," suggested the girl, bending lowerover the blossoms that he might not see her smiling.
"Arrah, now, I had conjured up a finer reason than that entirely; ithad something to do with the charms of your namesake, but I'll not betelling you of it while you carry a nettle on your tongue to stingpoor harmless wanderers with."
His pondrous sigh was broken in on by her laughter, and the beat ofhoofs on the drive. While they looked at each other questioningly thevoice of Judithe was heard speaking to Pluto, and then humming therefrain of Evilena's favorite, "Bonnie Blue Flag," she ran up to theveranda where Mrs. McVeigh met her.
"Oh, what a glorious gallop I had. Good morning, Judge Clarkson. Howglad I am that you came right over soon as you got home. You are to usa recruit from the world whom we depend on to tell us all about doingsthere, and it is so good of you."
"It argues no virtue in a man, Madame, that he comes where beautygreets him," and the Judge's bow was a compliment in itself.
"Charming--is it not, Madame McVeigh? Truly your Southern men are themost delightful in the world."
"Ah, Madame," and Delaven arose from his chair with a lugubriouscountenance, "for how am I to forgive you for adopting the fancy thatIreland is out of the world entirely?"
Judithe laughed frankly and put out her hand; she was exceedingly gayand gracious that morning; there was a delightful exhilaration in hermanner, and it was contagious. Matthew Loring half turned in his chairand peered out at the speaker as she turned to Delaven.
"Not out of the world of our hearts, Dr. Delaven, and for yourself,you really should not have been born up where the snow falls. Youreally belong to the South--we need you here."
"Faith, it was only a little encouragement I was needing, Marquise.I'll ask the Judge to prepare my naturalization papers in themorning."
"Other friends have arrived during your ride, Judithe," and herhostess led her into the sitting room. "Allow me to present ourneighbor, Mr. Loring, of the Loringwood you admired so greatly."
"And with such good reason," said Judithe, with gracious bend of herhead, and a charming smile. "I have looked forward to meeting you forsome time, Mr. Loring, and your estate really appealed to me--it ismagnificent. After riding past it I was conscious of coveting myneighbor's goods."
"It is our loss, Madame, that you did ride past," and Loring reallymade an effort to be cordial and succeeded better than might have beenexpected. He was peering at her from under the heavy brows veryintently, but she was outlined against the flood of light from thewindow, and it blurred his vision, leaving distinct only the graceful,erect form in its dark riding habit. "Had you entered the gates myniece would have been delighted to entertain you."
"What a generous return for my envy," exclaimed Judithe. "The spiritof hospitality seems ever abroad in your land, Mr. Loring."
He smiled, well pleased, for his pride in his own country, his ownstate, was very decided. He lifted the forgotten rose from the arm ofhis chair.
"I will have to depend on our friend, the Judge, to present you finephrases in return for that pretty speech, Madame; I can only offer asubstitute," and to Evilena's wide-eyed astonishment he actuallypresented the rose to the Marquise.
"She simply has bewitched him," protested the girl to Delaven, later."I never knew him to do so gallant a thing before. I could not havebeen more surprised if he had proposed marriage to her before usall."
Delaven confessed he, too, was unprepared for so much amiability, butthen he admitted he had known men to do more astonishing things thanthat, on short notice, for a smile from Madame Judithe.
She accepted the rose with a slight exclamation of pleasure.
"You good people will smother me with sweets and perfumes," sheprotested, touching her cheek with the beautiful flower; then, as shewas about to smell it, th
ey were astonished to see it flung from herwith a faint cry, followed by a little laugh at the consternation ofthe party.
"How unpardonable that I discover a worm at the heart of your firstfriendly offering to me, Mr. Loring;" and her tones were almostcaressing as she smiled at him; "the poor, pretty blossom, so lovely,and so helpless in the grasp of its enemy, the worm."
Pluto had entered with a pitcher of water which he placed on thestand. He had witnessed the episode of the rose, and picked it up fromwhere it had been tossed.
"Margeret told me to see if you wanted anything, Mr. Loring," he said,gently, and Mr. Loring's answer was decided, brusque and natural.
"Yes, I do; I want to go to my room; get my stick. Mistress McVeigh,if you have no objection to me breaking up your party, I would like tohave Judge Clarkson go along; we must settle these business matterswhile I am able."
"At your service, sir, with your permission, Madame," and the Judgeglanced at Mrs. McVeigh, who telegraphed a most willing consent as shepassed out on the veranda after Evilena and Delaven. Judithe stood bythe little side table, slowly pulling off her gauntlets, when she wasaware that the colored man Pluto was regarding her curiously, and sheperceived the reason. He had looked into the heart of the rose, and onthe floor where it had fallen, and had found no living thing to causeher dread of the blossom.
He dropped his eyes when she looked at him, and just then a bit ofconversation came to him as the Judge offered his arm to Loring andassisted him to rise.
"I certainly am pleased that you feel like looking into the businessmatters," Clarkson was saying, "and the Rhoda Larue settlement cannotbe postponed any longer; Colonel McVeigh may be back any time now, andwe must be ready to settle with him."
Loring made some grumbling remark in which "five thousand dollars" wasthe only distinguishable thing, and then they passed out, and Plutofollowed, leaving the Marquise alone, staring out of the window with acurious smile; she drew a deep breath of relief as the door closed.