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ANN S. STEPHENS.</span></div> + <div class='c002'><span class='small'>AUTHOR OF “THE GOLD BRICK,” “FASHION AND FAMINE,” “MARY DERWENT,” “THE OLD HOMESTEAD,” “THE REJECTED WIFE,” “THE HEIRESS,” “WIFE’S SECRET,” “SILENT STRUGGLES.”</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='blackletter'>Philadelphia:</span></div> + <div>T. B. PETERSON AND BROTHERS;</div> + <div>306 CHESTNUT STREET.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div><span class='small'>Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS,</span></div> + <div><span class='small'>In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Southern District of New York.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CONTENTS.</h2> +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr> + <th class='c006'>CHAPTER I.</th> + <th class='c007'>PAGE</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A Friend in Need</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_21'>21</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER II.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Preparing for the Fair</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_41'>41</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER III.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Old Maid</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Fair</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER V.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>An Unexpected Performer</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Soldier’s Death</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_88'>88</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Uncle Fleeced</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Brave Young Hearts</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER IX.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Newsboy</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_121'>121</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER X.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Robert Gets a Situation</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_127'>127</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>An Intruder</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_134'>134</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>An Eccentric Drive</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_148'>148</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>An Unexpected Meeting</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Love and Malice</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A Hard-hearted Villain</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>The Trail of the Serpent</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_206'>206</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A New Light</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XVIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A New Acquaintance</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_231'>231</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XIX.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A Declaration of Love</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_248'>248</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XX.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A Bold Stroke for a Husband</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_265'>265</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A Hungry Heart</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>A Mysterious Appointment</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_289'>289</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>An Engagement</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_297'>297</a></td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>CHAPTER XXIV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'><span class='sc'>Conclusion</span></td> + <td class='c007'><a href='#Page_315'>315</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span></div> +<div class='chapter ph1'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div>THE SOLDIER’S ORPHANS.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER I.<br> <span class='c010'>A FRIEND IN NEED.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>God help the poor who have ever known the refinements +of comfort! God help that little family, for it +had been driven first from comfortable apartments, +where many a tasteful object had rendered home cheerful, +to the garret rooms of a poor house in one of the +most neglected streets of Philadelphia. Upward, from +story to story, those helpless ones had been forced by +that hard task master poverty, till they found shelter at +last under the very roof. Their attic had only one +window, a small dormer one, which looked out upon +stacks of chimneys, grouped like black sentinels huddled +over uneven roofs, and down upon yards full of broken +barrels, old fragments of sheet-iron, scraps of oil-cloth, +piles of brick and broken stoves, rusted lengths of refuse +pipe, and all the odds and ends which scores of poverty-stricken +families had cast forth from their dwellings. +Above these, from window to window, swinging high in +the wind, lines, heavy with wet clothes, were fluttering +dismally, giving forth a sudden rush of sound now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>and then like broken-winged birds making wild efforts +to fly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>This was the scene upon which that quiet old woman +looked, as she sat in a low chair close by the window. +Not a scrap of green—not a tree-bough broke the coarse +monotony when her eyes turned earthward. But it was +near sunset, and over the house-tops came a flood of +burning light, bronzing the chimneys and scattering +rich scintillations of gold on the roofs; and this poor +old woman smiled thoughtfully as she saw it, praising +God in her heart that he gave the glory of sunset and +of the dawn alike to the poor and the rich. She was a +plain, simple, pleasant-faced old woman, with a cap of +soft, white muslin, harmonizing sweetly with the hair +folded back from her forehead, white as snow, and soft +as floss silk. Her dress, an old brown merino, had been +darned and patched, and turned in all its breadths more +than once; but it was so neat and fitted her dainty old +figure so perfectly, that you could not help admiring it. +Over this she wore an old-fashioned kerchief, cut from +some linen garment, which lay in folds across her +bosom, like the marble drapery sculptured around a +statue.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman had her spectacles on, and her withered +fingers were busy with a child’s shoe. They trembled +a good deal, and seemed scarcely able to force her +needle through the tough leather, which broke away +from her stitches with crisp obstinacy. Still she toiled +on, striving to close a great rent in the side of the shoe, +till a stronger pull at the thread tore the leather half +across the instep, and rendered her task utterly hopeless. +That good old creature dropped the shoe to her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>lap, sighed heavily, and, turning her eyes on the sunset, +softened into patient composure.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Just then two boys, the elder ten, the younger, perhaps, +seven years of age, came into the room very softly—for +those bare feet made no noise on the floor—each +carrying a quantity of freshly-opened oyster-shells in +his arms. The two children sat down in a corner of the +room, and began to sort over the shells with eager +haste.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here is one—here is one!” whispered the elder boy; +“not so very small either. Get me a knife.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The little fellow went to a pine table close by, took a +broken case-knife from the drawer, and ran back with +it to his brother, who held a huge oyster-shell in his +hand, to which was attached a tolerably sized oyster +still unopened. The elder boy snatched at the knife, +beat the oyster open, and, pressing the shell back, lifted +it greedily toward his lips; but when he caught the +wistful look of his half-famished brother, the generous +child withdrew the morsel slowly from his mouth, and +gave it up to the two little, eager hands held forth to +receive it. The moment his fingers closed on the shell, +this little hero sprang away with it to his grandmother’s +side.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here, grandma, grandma! take it quick—take it +quick!” he cried, breathless, with a spirit of self-sacrifice +that might have honored a strong man.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The grandmother turned her mild, brown eyes on the +little, famished face uplifted so eagerly to hers, and, +understanding all the heroism expressed there, gently +shook her head, while a sweet, patient smile crept around +her lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>“Eat it yourself, Joseph,” she said, patting him on +the shoulder with her withered hand. “There is only a +mouthful, and you are the youngest.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no, grandma! It is for you—for you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hollo, I have found another, two, three—one apiece; +and another left for Anna, when she comes in. Eat +away, grandma, there is enough for all. That man who +keeps the stand at the corner is a famous fellow; he +threw them in, I’ll be bound.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Little Joseph thrust the open oyster into his grandmother’s +hand, cut a caper with his bare feet, and rushed +back to the pile of shells in hot haste.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Save the biggest for Anna,” he shouted; “don’t +touch that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With that the two children huddled themselves down +among the shells; and Robert, the elder, opened the +two oysters that fell to their portion with great ostentation, +as if he delighted in prolonging his pleasure by +anticipation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now,” he said, “eat slow and get the whole taste. +It isn’t every day that we get a treat like this.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph did his best to obey, but the greed of protracted +hunger made short work with his morsel. Still +he smacked his lips and made motions with his mouth, +as if enjoying the treat long after it was devoured.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now,” said Robert, “let’s build a bridge across the +hearth; or a railroad, or something worth while.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A bridge—a pontoon bridge, such as Anna told us +of when father’s regiment crossed that river. Every +oyster-shell shall be a boat, and the hearth shall be a +river; and—and—but there comes Anna, walking so +tired, I know it by her step. Open that other oyster, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>Robert, for she hasn’t tasted a mouthful since yesterday; +be quick.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert seized his knife, and was using it vigorously +when his sister Anna came in, pale, weary, and so dispirited, +that the heaviness of utter despair seemed upon +her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! she is not at home. I have not +been able to collect one cent. What shall we do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young girl flung herself on a chair by the table, +and, covering her face, began to cry very noiselessly, but +in the deep bitterness of distress. “Not one cent, grandma, +and I worked so hard.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady arose from her place by the window, +where the sunset had kindled up her meek face like a +picture, and went quietly up to the weeping girl.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t cry, Anna,” she said, smoothing the hair back +from her granddaughter’s forehead. “We have all had +a little of something; and to-morrow will be a new day. +I suppose the lady is busy about the fair.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I had depended on it so thoroughly,” sobbed +the girl, looking drearily at the oyster-shells scattered +on the hearth. “I had promised the boys <em>such</em> a supper, +and now all is emptiness; their poor, bare feet, how +cold they look!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But we are not cold, we rather like it,” cried +Robert, forcing a laugh through the tears that quivered +in his voice. “Arn’t we learning to be tough against +the time that drummer-boys will be wanted?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna smiled so drearily that Robert had no heart to +go on. The old lady bent over her granddaughter and +asked, in a whisper, if any thing else had happened. +Anna was not a girl to give way like that for a single +<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>disappointment, dark as the hour was for them; and the +old woman knew it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There has been a battle. Extras are out, but I had +no money to buy one,” Anna replied, in a broken whisper. +“He may be dead!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no; don’t say that,” pleaded the old woman, +retreating to her chair. “God help us! We could not +bear it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert listened keenly; the knife dropped from his +hand; his very lips were white. He crept toward the +door and darted down stairs. Flight after flight he descended +at a sharp run, and then dashed into the street. +No newsboy ever hoped for custom in that neighborhood; +but around a far distant corner he saw one passing +with a bundle of papers under his arm. With the +speed of a deer Robert leaped along the pavement, +shouting after the newsboy as he went. His cry, so +shrill and desperate, arrested the lad, who paused for +his customer to come up.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh I give me a paper!—give me a paper! My father +was in the battle!” cried Robert, shaking from head to +foot under the force of his anxiety.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“All right,” answered the sharp boy—“all right; ten +cents, and hurry up.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I haven’t got the money; but my father was in the +battle, and my sister is breaking her heart to know——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hand over a five, then, and be quick.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I haven’t got a single cent; but my father is a +soldier.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nary a red, ha! and keeping me like this. Oh! you +get out. Business is business, and sogers is sogers; a +fellow can’t let his heart wear holes in his jacket.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>“But I want it so—I want it so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy tore himself away from Robert’s feeble grasp, +and went on shouting lustily for new customers, leaving +the soldier’s son shivering in the street, his eyes full of +tears, and his heart aching with pain. Robert stood a +moment looking wistfully at the newspapers flitting +away from him, and in his disappointment formed a new +resolution.</p> + +<p class='c012'>When his sister went out that morning, she had mentioned +the name and address of a lady, celebrated for +her energy in all charitable associations, and who was +now the leading spirit of a grand fair for the benefit of +the soldiers, which was soon to occupy fashionable +attention.</p> + +<p class='c012'>This lady might be at home. She owed his sister +money for fancy articles made up for this fair. He +would go and ask for enough to give them food; at any +rate, to get a paper, which might tell how bravely his +father’s regiment had fought.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Again the boy started off at a rapid run, and now his +course lay toward that part of the city which seems so +far lifted above all the cares and privations of life that +it is little wonder the poor are filled with envy when +they creep out of their alleys and garrets to behold its +splendor. They little know how many cares and heartaches +may be found even in this favored quarter; and +it is not remarkable that the outward contrast presented +to them should often engender bitter feelings, and even +intense hatred.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy had none of these thoughts. He was only +eager to get food for those he loved, and hear news that +might bring smiles back to the lovely face of his sister. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>He was naturally sensitive, and not long ago his father +had been among the most prosperous and respectable +of the working classes. At another time his naked feet +and worn cap, which but half concealed the bright waves +of his hair, might have checked his ardor, and sent him +cowering back to the concealment of his garret-home. +Now he forgot the chill that penetrated his feet from +the cold pavement, and went on his way, resolute to save +his sister from the sorrow that had wounded him to the +heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She hates to ask these grand people for her money,” +he thought. “I will do it for her. It is a man’s place +to take the brunt; and when father is fighting for his +country, I must try to be man enough to act as he did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With these thoughts, Robert mounted the marble steps +of a spacious white mansion, whose walls were like petrified +snow, and whose windows were each a broad sheet of +crystal limpid as water. Robert’s cold feet left their +tracks on the pure marble, as he mounted the steps, and +his little hand drew the silver knob with breathless terror +when he rang the bell.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A mulatto servant opened the door, saw the lad shivering +outside the vestibule, and drew back in a fit of +sublime indignation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How dare you? What brings you here?” he exclaimed, +eyeing the lad with august scorn. “This is no +place for vagrants or beggar-boys——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I am not a beggar-boy; and I don’t think I am +the other thing. If you please, I want to see the lady,” +said the boy, resolutely.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The lady! What lady can you have any thing to +do with?” demanded the servant.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>“Mrs. Savage, I think that is her name.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who told you that? What do you want of Mrs. +Savage?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I want some money.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I thought as much. Now tramp, I tell you; +and next time you come to a gentleman’s house, learn to +go to the back gate.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But no, no; pray don’t shut the door. My sister +has done work for the lady, and——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Very likely. Mrs. Savage is very likely to owe +money to any one. My young friend your story is getting +richer and richer. <em>She</em> owe you money, indeed!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed—indeed she does.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There, there, get out of the way. Don’t you see the +young gentleman coming up the steps? Make off with +yourself!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert turned, and saw a handsome young man spring +out of one of those light wagons sometimes used for +riding, in which was a pair of fiery young horses, black +as jet, and specked about the chest with flashes of foam. +He flung the reins to a groom as he stepped to the pavement +and mounted the steps, smiling cheerfully, as if +his drive had been a pleasant one.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is this? Stop a moment, my boy,” said the +young man, as Robert passed him on the steps with +angry shame burning in his face. “Did you want any +thing? Money to buy shoes with, perhaps; here—here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young man took out his porte-monnaie, and selecting +a bank-note from its contents, handed it to the +boy.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>“No, sir—no, sir. I did not come to beg; though he +says I did,” cried the boy, with tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then what did you come for, my boy?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The lady in yonder hired my sister to do some work +for a fair, and it is that I come about. We need the +money so much; and Anna is ashamed to ask for it. +She would rather go hungry.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, my mother owes money to a working-girl, +who hesitates to ask for it!—that must be from mistake +or forgetfulness. Is Mrs. Savage at home, Jared?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, sir,” answered the servant. “She is with the +committee, and will be till late.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young man turned to Robert again. The boy +was watching him with wistful attention. Tears stood +in those large blue eyes, and under its glow of new-born +hope the face was beautiful. No beggar-boy, immortalized +by Murillo, was ever more striking. Young Savage +had a kind heart, but his tastes were peculiarly fastidious; +and it is doubtful if a common boy, with bare feet +and poverty-stricken clothes, could have kept him so +long on those marble steps.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come,” he said, bending a kindly glance on the lad, +“if your home is not far from here, I will go with you +and settle this matter.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The lad hesitated, and cast down his eyes. He was +ashamed to take this elegant gentleman into his home, +or that his beautiful sister should be found in that place. +Young Savage mistook this hesitation for a less worthy +feeling. “The boy is a little impostor,” he said to himself. +“He has seen my mother go out, and hopes to +obtain something by this ridiculous claim. I will unearth +the little fox!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>“Come, come,” he said, laughing lightly, “show me +the way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert was a sharp lad, and read something of the +truth in that handsome face. He turned at once and +went down the steps. Savage followed him, interested +in spite of himself, and half amused at the idea of ferreting +out a deception. Robert did not speak, but +looked back, now and then, as he turned a corner, to be +sure that the gentleman was following him. The face +of young Savage grew more and more serious, as he +passed deeper into the neighborhood where low shanties, +and high, barren-looking tenement-houses were crowded +together. He passed whole families huddled together +in the entrance to some damp basement, cold as it was, +craving the fresh air that could not be found within. +Groups of reckless children, happy in spite of their visible +destitution, were playing in the twilight, which filled +the poverty of the street with a golden haze, such as +heaven alone lends to the poor. The sight pained him, +and he grew thoughtful.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here is the place, sir,” said Robert, pausing at the +door of a tall, bleak building, crowded full of windows +that turned coldly to the north. “If you please, I will +run up first and tell them you are coming.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no, that will never do,” answered Savage. “I +shall lose my way along this railway of stairs.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert saw that he was still suspected, and began to +mount the stairs without a pretext. Up and up he went, +followed by the young man, till they reached a place +where the stairs gave out, and they stood directly under +the roof.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here is the room, sir,” said Robert, gently opening +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>a door, and revealing a picture within the little apartment +which arrested young Savage where he stood. This was +the picture.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A young girl with raven black hair, so black that a +purplish bloom lay on its ripples, stood upon the +hearth, stooping over a delicate little boy, whose meagre +white face was uplifted to hers with a piteous look of +suffering. An old woman, in a low, easy-chair, sat close +by the child, who huddled himself against her knees, and +clung to her garments as if he had been pleading for +something. In the background was a lead-colored mantle-piece, +a hollow fireplace, and a few half extinguished +embers dying out in a bed of ashes. It was a gloomy +picture, yet not without warmth and beauty; for the +dying sunbeams came through the window, goldenly as +an artist would have thrown them on canvas; and the +pure, delicate face of the child was like a head of St. +John. Never on this earth did human genius embody +a more lovely idea of the Madonna than Anna Burns +made, with her worn dress of crimson merino, her narrow +collar and cuffs of white linen standing out warmly from +the sombre brown of the grandmother’s dress.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage unconsciously lifted the hat from his head, and +stood upon the threshold struck with a sort of reverence. +Anna was speaking to the child, and did not observe +him, or her brother. Her voice, saddened by grief, fell +upon his ear with a pathos that thrilled him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Wait a little—only a little while, darling,” she said. +“Don’t plead so, I will go again. You shall have something +to eat, if I beg for it in the street, only do not look +at me so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I am so hungry,” pleaded the child.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>“I know it—I know it! Oh, grandma! what can I +do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She changed her position, then, and wringing her +hands, went to the window, thus breaking up the picture, +and sobbing piteously.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Savage entered the room, then, reverently, as +if he were passing by a shrine.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam—young lady, I have come from—from my +mother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna turned, and saw this strange young man standing +before her, with his head uncovered, and his handsome +face beaming with generous emotion. She hastily +brushed the tears from her eyes, and, unconsciously, +smoothed her hair with one hand, ashamed of the disorder +into which her grief had thrown it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My name is Savage,” continued the young man, +while a faint smile quivered over his lips, as he observed +this little feminine movement. “I met this boy, your +brother, I think. I—I wish to settle my mother’s account. +Pray tell me how much it is?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I beg pardon. I am very, very sorry to trouble any +one so much. Indeed——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She didn’t do it. I went on my own hook,” broke +in Robert, who came forward with a glow on his face. +“She considers it begging to ask for her own, but I +don’t.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is right, my good fellow,” answered Savage. +“Business should be left to men. You and I can settle +this little affair.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, that is not necessary,” said Anna, smiling. +“It is so small a sum that a word settles it. Only I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>should like your mother to know how thankful I am to +her for giving us something to do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will this be enough?” said the young man, placing +a ten dollar note upon the window-sill.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Half of that—half of that, sir; but I have no +change.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young man blushed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You can give it me some other time, perhaps.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll run and get it changed,” broke in Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna handed him the bank-note.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! I insist!” said Savage, earnestly. “There +is no need of change. My mother—in fact I want more +work done. Let your brother come to me in the morning; +I shall have ever so many handkerchiefs to mark +with initial letters, which I am sure you embroider +daintily. Besides, I have a fancy to make my mother +a present of one of those worsted shawls—all lace-work +and bright colors—such as nice old ladies can knit +without injury to the eyesight. I dare say you could +do that sort of thing, madam?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes!” answered the old lady, brightening visibly. +“If I only had the worsted to begin with, and +needles, and——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is just what I leave the extra five dollars for. +Robert, remember, that is for grandma to begin her +work with. It would so oblige me, madam, if you could +have the shawl done by Christmas.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady broke into a pleasant little laugh. Little +Joseph, who had been listening greedily, pulled at her +dress and whispered:</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandma! Grandma! Can I have something now?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear, yes! only wait a minute.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>“But I am tired of waiting, grandma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush, darling, hush!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph nestled down to his old place, and, half hidden +by his grandma’s garments, watched the stranger +with his great, bright eyes, eager to have him gone.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young man saw something of this; but he had +never in his life encountered absolute want, and could +not entirely comprehend its cravings.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let us see about the colors,” he said, approaching +the grandmother. “White, with a scarlet border, just a +pretty fleece of soft, bright wool turned into lace.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know, I know!” said the old woman, nodding +pleasantly. “You shall see; you shall see.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now, that this is settled,” said the young man, balancing +his hat in one hand with hesitation, “we must +have a consultation, my mother and I, about providing +something a little more permanent.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are kind, very kind, sir,” said the old lady, +smoothing the kerchief over her bosom, with a soft +sweep of both hands. “When my son comes home +from the war, he will thank you. Anna, there, don’t +exactly know how to do it; and I am an old-fashioned +lady, fast turning back to my place among the children; +but my son, her father, you know, is a very smart man.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And brave as a lion,” shouted little Joseph, from +behind the shelter of his grandmother’s garments.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hurra! so he is! They made him a corporal the +first thing they did. By-and-by he’s going to be a lieutenant. +Then, won’t we live! Well, I reckon not; oh, +no!” responded the larger boy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Robert! Robert!” said the sister, in gentle reproof.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I couldn’t help it, Anna; can’t for the life of me. +Beg the gentleman’s pardon all the same, though.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>“Don’t ask pardons of me. I rather like it, my fine +fellow,” answered Savage. “But there has been a great +battle; I hope no bad news has reached you!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I do not know. That is what makes us so anxious. +If I could but see a paper.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Go and get one this moment,” said Savage, thrusting +some currency into Robert’s hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy darted off like an arrow; they could hardly +hear his feet touch the stairs. Directly he came back +again, breathless and pale, with the paper open in his +hand, which he searched eagerly for news.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They have been in the midst of it,” he cried. “The +regiment is all cut up; but I don’t see his name in the +list. Dear, how I wish the paper would hold still. +Anna, you try.” The girl held out her hand, but it +shook like an aspen leaf; and Savage took the paper.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is your father’s name?” he inquired.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Robert Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’m named after him, I am,” cried Robert, with an +outburst of pride.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage ran his eyes hastily down the list of killed. +The old woman left her chair and crept toward him, +white and still; while little Joseph crept after, forgetting +his hunger in the general interest. No one spoke; +there was not a full breath drawn. Savage looked up +from the paper, and saw those wild, questioning eyes, +those white faces, turned upon him with an intensity +that made his heart swell.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“His name is not here,” he said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Dry sobs broke from the women; but Robert shouted +out, “Glory! glory!” And little Joseph laughed, +clapping his pale hands.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>“But the wounded,” whispered Anna; “look there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“All right, so far,” answered Savage, running his +eyes rapidly down the list. “There is no Burns here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman dropped into her chair, and gathering +little Joseph to her bosom, covered his face with gentle +kisses; while Robert half strangled his sister with +caresses, and shook hands vigorously with Mr. Savage, +who was rather astonished to find his eyes full of tears, +which threw the whole room into a haze.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t forget to come in the morning,” he said, turning +toward the door.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of course I wont,” answered the boy, following his +new friend into the passage; “but that yellow chap, will +he let me in?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come and see. But, Robert, I say, you and I must +be friends—fast friends, you know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, when we know each other through and through. +But I’m in charge here when father’s gone, and haven’t +much time for anything else. Good-by, sir; I’ll be on +hand in the morning.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage went away, with his mind and heart full of the +scene he had just witnessed. How poor they were? +What barren destitution surrounded those two women: +yet, how lady-like they seemed. There was nothing in +their poverty to revolt his taste, fastidious as it was. +Neat and orderly poverty carried a certain dignity with +it. He thoroughly respected these two women; their +condition appealed to every manly feeling in his nature. +Though distrustful from habit and education, he had +faith in them, and went home full of generous impulses, +wondering how he could do them good. Meantime, +Robert went back to the room, radiant.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>“Here,” he said, thrusting a bun into Joseph’s hand, +“break it in two, and give grandma half; Anna and I +will wait awhile. Here is the money, sister; I got it +changed at the baker’s, where they wouldn’t trust us a +loaf yesterday. You didn’t know it, but I asked ’em. +Didn’t their eyes open when I took out that bill. How +does the bun taste, Josey? Why, if the fellow hasn’t +finished up his half already. Here, give me back some +of that money; I’m off for a supper. There is three +sticks of wood in the closet, and a little charcoal; just +throw them on the fire, and let ’em blaze away; who +cares for the expense! Hurra!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Away the boy went, bounding down the stairs like a +young deer, leaving Anna and the grandmother in a +state of unusual cheerfulness. They raked up the embers +into a little glowing pile, crossed the wood over +them, and filled the tea-kettle as a pleasant preliminary. +The hearth, clean and cold before, was swept again; +and as the darkness closed in, the end of a candle was +brought forth and lighted, revealing the desolate room +in gleams of dull light, that struggled hard against the +shadows.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How pleasant it is,” murmured the old lady, leaning +toward the fire, and rubbing her withered hands over +each other. “See, darling, how the firelight dances on +the hearth. Hark, now! the kettle is beginning to sing! +That means supper, Joseph.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you hungry, grandma?” asked the boy, looking +up to that kind, old face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear, a little.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you wouldn’t eat a bit of the bun.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That was because I liked to see you eat it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>“Oh, how nice it was! When will Robert come back +with more?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here I am!” cried Robert, dashing against the door, +and forcing it open with his foot. “Here I am, with +lots of good things. There’s a ring of sausages. Here’s +bread and butter, and a little tea for grandma, bless her +darling old heart; and just one slice of sponge-cake for +Anna—cake is awful dear now, or I’d have got enough +to treat all round. There’s a paper of sugar, and—and +here they go all on the table at once! Sort ’em out, +Anna, while I run for a pint of milk, and an apple to +roast for grandma. I forgot that. How she does like +roasted apples. Get out the frying-pan, and bustle +about, all of you. Isn’t that young Mr. Savage a splendid +fellow? How I’d like to be a drummer-boy in his regiment. +Hurry up, Anna, I’m after the milk!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Away the boy went again, with a little earthen pitcher +in his hands, happy as a lark.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna Burns brought forth the frying-pan, placed the +links of sausages in it, and surrendered them to grandma, +who smiled gently on little Joseph as they began to +crisp, and swell, and send forth an appetizing flavor into +the room. The kettle, too, sent forth gushes of warm +steam, hissing and singing like some riotous, living thing +held in bondage. Altogether, the little room grew +warmer and pleasanter every moment; and the bright +face of Anna Burns grew radiant as she moved about it, +setting out the table with a few articles of China left +from their former comfortable opulence, and spreading +it with a tablecloth of fine damask, so worn and thin, +that the pawnbrokers had rejected it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here we go!” cried Robert, coming in with the milk. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>“Hurra! all ready, and the sausages hissing! That’s +the time o’ day! Just get down that China teapot, +Anna, and let grandma make the tea. There, Joe, is an +apple for you; I reckon you can eat it without roasting. +I’ll put one down for grandma. Don’t she look jolly, +with the firelight dancing over her? Come, now, all’s +ready; bring up the chairs, Josey, that’s your part of +the job.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Little Joseph fell to work with great spirit, and +dragged up the chairs, while Anna was dishing the sausages +and cutting the bread. Then the old woman drew +up to her place nearest the fire, with the teapot before +her, ready to do the honors; and, with her hands folded +in meek thankfulness on the table, asked a blessing on +the only food they had tasted in two days.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Well, God did bless that food, common as it was; and +no Roman feast, where libations were poured out to +heathen gods, ever tasted sweeter than this humble meal. +There was quite a jubilee about that little, pine table; +and the old lady, who sat smiling over her teacup, was +by no means the least joyous of the little party. As +for Robert, he came out famously; talked of the brave +exploits his father must have performed in battle; told +stories; got up once or twice to kiss his grandmother; +and, altogether, behaved in a very undignified manner +for the head of a family, as he proudly proclaimed himself. +Even little Joseph came out of his natural timidity, +and burst into shouts of childish laughter more +than once, when Robert became unusually funny. And +as for Anna, she laughed, and smiled, and talked that +evening, till the boys fairly left their half-empty plates +to climb on her chair and caress her. That happy supper, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>and the pleasant evening that followed, was enough +to reconcile one with poverty, which, after all, is not the +greatest evil on earth.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II.<br> <span class='c010'>PREPARING FOR THE FAIR.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Young Savage went up those marble steps with a +light heart and a generous purpose. He would befriend +this unfortunate family. His mother should help him. +That girl, with the bright, brunette face, was too beautiful +for her friendless condition, and the burden of those +three helpless creatures who depended on her. He +could not get her picture, as she stood by the fireplace, +out of his mind.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where is my mother?” he inquired of the servant, +passing him at the door with a light step.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Up in her own room, sir. She has just come in.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Horace made his way up stairs, and entered one of +the most luxurious rooms of the noble mansion, in +which his mother was sitting, or, rather, lying, with her +elbow buried in the satin pillows of a crimson couch, +and her foot pressed hard upon an embroidered ottoman. +Horace opened the door without noise, and walking +across a carpet soft as moss, sat down on the foot of his +mother’s couch.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She was a handsome woman, this Mrs. Savage—large, +tall, and commanding. It was easy to see where the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>young man got those fine, grey eyes, and brilliant complexion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Horace! I am glad you have come! Such a +day as I have gone through!” cried the lady, fluttering +the white ribbons of her pretty dress cap, by the despairing +shake of her head. “Upon my word, I think +those women will be the death of me; such selfishness! +such egotism!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It must be very tiresome; but then I sometimes +think you like to be tired out on such occasions, +mother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But the cause, Horace, the great cause of humanity. +These poor soldiers toiling in the field, suffering, dying—and +their families. It is enough to break one’s +heart.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Horace looked at his mother in her costly dress, +trimmed half way up the skirt with velvet, and lace, and +fancy buttons, the cost of which would have fed old +Mrs. Burns for a twelvemonth; and, for the first time +in his life, a faint idea of her inconsistency broke upon +his filial blindness. The very point-lace of her tiny cap +would have given a month of tolerable comfort to the +soldier’s orphans. Yet, with all this wanton finery fluttering +about her, the woman really thought herself a +most charitable person, and mourned the dead and +wounded over each battle right regally, under moire +antique rippled with light, like a cloud in a thunderstorm, +at a cost of some ten dollars per yard.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But it is of no use dwelling on that part of the subject; +the proper course is to find a remedy, which we +have done in this fair. I tell you, Horace, the country +can produce nothing like it. It will be superb. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>only trouble is about the tableaux. Every lady of the +committee has some commonplace daughter that she +insists on crowding into the foreground. Thank heaven, +I have no daughter to push forward after this coarse +fashion. There is Mrs. Pope, now, insists that Amelia +shall stand as Rebecca, in the great Ivanhoe tableau, +when her eyes are a greenish-blue, and her hair a dull +brown; and I cannot reasonably object, for there is not +a passable brunette in the whole company. I was thinking +it over when you came in. The whole thing will be +spoiled for want of a proper heroine.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who stands as Beatrice?” asked Horace, with the +animation of a new idea.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Eustice, of course.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, of course?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Because she is fair as a lily, blue-eyed, and so exquisitely +feminine; and for another reason.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is that, mother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are to stand as Ivanhoe.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Horace saw the way open by which his idea might be +worked out at once, and it must be confessed, dealt +rather artfully with his mother.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not with an ugly Rebecca, though. I could not +stand that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But how can it be helped?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mother, I saw by accident, this evening, the very +person you want—a soldier’s daughter, perfectly lady-like, +and very beautiful.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of the right type of beauty? Would she make a +striking contrast to my favorite?” inquired Mrs. Savage, +eagerly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No contrast could be more decided.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>“But who is she?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A soldier’s daughter!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But is she presentable? Has she style, education?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She has everything that goes to form a lovely woman, +I should say.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where can I see her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Perhaps she would come to you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is a bold step; but I can afford that. As my +protegé, they will not dare to ask questions. Where +does the girl live? Could I see her to-night, or early +in the morning? I am so weary now. Upon my word, +Horace, you have helped me out of a most annoying +dilemma. To-morrow morning, before breakfast, I +must see this person. What is her name?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Burns, mother—Anna Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank you, Horace. Now, another thing. We +must have something national, patriotic, and all that. +A soldier’s family, for instance; but the dresses are so +plain and unbecoming, that our young ladies fight shy +of it. Could you manage something of the kind for me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Horace thought of the picture he had seen that night, +and answered that, perhaps, it would be possible, only +the whole thing must be managed with great delicacy; +and he, as a gentleman, must not be supposed to interfere +with it. His mother could write a little note to the +young person who had already done work for her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“For me? Anna Burns? It must have been for the +committee. I remember no such person; but that will +be an opening. Is she to form part of this tableau, +also?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The principal figure.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And the rest?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“Two children, for instance, barefooted, hungry, and +in clothes only held together with constant mending.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Excellent.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And an old woman?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Better and better! Nice and picturesque, of course.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Neat and dainty, with the sweetest old face.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It will be perfect! Oh, Horace! what a treasure +you are to me. Now, turn down the gas, dear. You +have set my mind at rest, and I mean to go to sleep till +your father comes home. Here, just put my cap on that +marble Sappho, and don’t crush it. Doesn’t she look +lovely, the darling! like the ghost of a poetess coming +back to life? Now draw the curtains; give me a quiet +kiss, and go away to your club, or the opera, or anywhere. +Only be sure to have the girl here in time.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Early the next morning, while Anna was dividing her +little store of money, and apportioning it toward the +payment of various small debts, she received a note, +asking her to call on Mrs. Savage at once, if quite convenient. +Anna was too grateful for delay. So, putting +on her shawl and a straw bonnet, kept neatly for great +occasions, she was on the marble steps, almost as soon +as the messenger who brought her note.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage was taking a solitary breakfast in her +own room. The sunlight came in softly through the +lace curtains, as if trembling through flakes of snow, +and turned the waves of maize-colored damask, that +half enfolded them in, to a rich gold color.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage was seated in a Turkish easy-chair, cushioned +with delicate blue, and spotted with the gold-work +of Damascus. She wore a morning dress of dove-colored +merino, and knots of pink ribbon gave lightness and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>bloom to her morning-cap of frost-like tulle. She looked +up as Anna entered the room, and her whole face +brightened. No peach ever had so rich a bloom as that +which broke over the girl’s cheek; no statue in her boudoir +could boast more perfect symmetry than that form. +Walter Scott had no finer ideal when he drew that masterpiece +of all his women, Rebecca.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come here, my child, and sit down close by me; I +want to look at you,” said the lady, beaming with satisfaction. +“You have been doing work for us, I hear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, madam,” answered Anna, with a grateful outburst, +“yes, madam; thank you for it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! it is nothing but our duty!” replied the lady, +forgetting to ask if the work had been paid for. “All +our efforts are in behalf of the poor soldiers’ families. +Now I want you to help us in another way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will—I will in any way!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We shall open the fair with tableaux—a room has +been built on purpose. Of course, the charge will be +extra; the pictures will be beautiful—you must stand +for two of them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I, madam?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Certainly; for you are really beautiful. By the way, +have you breakfasted? Here is a cup of coffee; drink +it, while I talk to you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna took the cup of delicate Sevres china, and +drank its contents, standing by the table.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You have a grandmother, or something of that sort, +I hear?” observed the lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes! the dearest in the world.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And some brothers?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, madam!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>“Picturesque, I am told; something like boys in the +pictures of that delicious old Spanish painter. We +must have them, too.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! my brothers?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes; and the old lady. That will be our grand +effort, and our secret, too. Not wanting outside help, +we can keep it for a surprise. Be ready when you are +called. I think they will come off on Monday. Never +mind the costumes; that dress will do very well for the +family tableau. As for Rebecca, I will take care of her. +My son says the boys and that old woman are perfect. +Don’t change them in the least; it would spoil every +thing. Oh! Mrs. Leeds, I am so glad to see you. Late +am I—the committee waiting?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This last speech was made to a little dumpty lady, +who came fluttering into the room unannounced, with +both her hands held out, and an important look of business +in her face. The ladies kissed each other impressively; +then Mrs. Savage glided up to Anna and whispered,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Run away now. She mustn’t get a good look at +you on any account. Don’t mind turning your back on +us. Good-morning. Remember, I depend on you as a +soldier’s daughter; it is your duty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna went out in some confusion, hardly knowing +whether she had been well received or not. Coming up +the broad staircase, she met young Savage, and he +stopped to speak with her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You have seen my mother?” he said, gently.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And will oblige her, I hope?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How can I refuse?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“That is generous. I thank you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is I who should give the thanks,” answered Anna +with a tremble of gratitude in her voice.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Horace smiled, and shook his head.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am afraid you will not let us do enough for any +claim to thanks,” he said. “But do not forget to send +that fine little fellow after my handkerchiefs. I shall +want them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna promised that Robert should be punctual, and +went away so happy, that the very air seemed to carry +her forward.</p> + +<p class='c012'>On the afternoon of the third day from that, close +upon evening, she stood in Mrs. Savage’s boudoir, again +contrasting its luxurious belongings with her simple +dress. Mrs. Savage was benign as ever. She had +driven her enemy out of the Ivanhoe tableau; and the +triumph filled her with exultation. From the boudoir +Anna was swept off to the temporary buildings erected +for the great fair, hurried through a labyrinth of festooned +arches, loaded tables, lemonade fountains, and +segar stands, into a dressing-room swarming with young +ladies, who took no more heed of her than if she had +been a lay-figure. Mrs. Savage was ubiquitous that +evening. She posed characters, arranged draperies, +grouped historical events, and exhibited wonderful +generalship; while Anna stood in a remote part of the +room, looking on anxious for the coming of her grandmother, +and the two boys, who were to find their own +way to the fair at a later hour.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady came in at last with her hood on, and +wrapped in a soft, warm blanket-shawl, which some one, +she hadn’t the least idea who, had sent to her just before +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>she started. Alone? no, indeed; she did not come alone. +Young Mr. Savage had happened to call in just as she +was ready, and offered to show her the way. He had +admired her shawl so much, and didn’t think the little +scarlet stripe at all too much for her, which she was +glad of; for it would be so much brighter for Anna +when they took turn and turn about wearing it. No, +no, it could <em>not</em> have been Mr. Savage who sent it, he +was so much surprised. The boys, oh! they were on +the way. Robert would take care of his brother, no +fear about that. But the fair, wasn’t it lovely? She +was so grateful to Mrs. Savage for thinking of her and +the boys; the very sight would drive them wild. Here +Anna was carried away from her grandmother, and +seized upon by two dressing-maids, who transformed her +into the most lovely Jewess that eyes ever beheld in less +than no time. Young Savage was called out from a +neighboring dressing-room, by his mother, to admire +her; and his superb dress seemed, like her own, a miracle. +The surprise and glory of it all gave her cheeks +the richness of ripe peaches, and her eyes were full of +shy joy. It seemed like fairy-land.</p> + +<p class='c012'>But the children, where were they? Amid all the excitement, +she found this question uppermost in her +heart. Poor little fellows! What if they got lost, or +failed to find an entrance to the fair? She whispered +these anxieties to Savage, who promptly took off his +costume and went in search of them, blaming himself a +little for having left them behind.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The little fellows were, indeed, rather in want of a +friend. They had been for days in a whirl of excitement +about the fair. More than once Robert had wandered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>off toward the building, and reconnoitered it on all +sides; he had caught glimpses of evergreens wreathed +with a world of flowers; had seen whole loads of toys +carried in, and made himself generally familiar with the +place. He had been very mournful when Mr. Savage +went off with his grandmother, and protested stoutly +that he could find the way for Joseph anywhere, and +would be on hand for the picture in plenty of time; and +to this end he set off about dusk, leading his little brother +by the hand, resolved to give him a wonderful treat +in the fair before the pictures came on, which he could +not understand, and was rather afraid of. So the two +hurried along, shabby and ill-clad as children could be, +but happy as lords, notwithstanding their naked feet. +It seemed to them as if they were going direct to Paradise, +where Anna and the old grandmother were expecting +them. They reached the entrance of the fair, +and were eagerly pressing in, when a man caught Robert +rudely by the shoulder, gave him a slightly vicious +shake, and demanded his ticket.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The ticket? mercy upon him! he had left it at home, +lying on the table. He wrung himself away from the harsh +hand pressed on his shoulder, and darted off, calling on +little Joseph to follow him. Joseph obeyed, crying all +the way with such sharp disappointment as only a sensitive +child can feel. Robert darted up stairs, and met +Joseph half way up with the ticket in his hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come,” he cried, brandishing it above his head; +“never say die! We’re time enough yet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>But Joseph had been sorely disappointed once, and +was down-hearted enough. He had no hopes of getting +in, and one rebuff had frightened him so much that he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>longed to run home and hide himself. But Robert was +not to be daunted. He threw one arm over his brother’s +shoulder and struck into a run, carrying the timid child +with him like a whirlwind. At last they came to the +entrance-door of the fair again, and then a panic seized +on Robert, also. What if it were too late? What if +the ticket was not good? What if the man drove him +away again? Joseph, more timid still, drew close to +him and hung back, afraid to advance, and equally afraid +to leave Robert and go back.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let’s go ahead,” cried Robert, all at once, holding +out his ticket and making ready to advance. “Who’s +afraid! Keep close to me, Josey, and never mind if the +fellow is cross.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Still Joseph hung back.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hurra!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This came in a low shout from Robert, who saw young +Savage coming toward them. He had been a little way +up the street watching for their approach. “All right, +my boys,” he said, in a clear, ringing voice, that made +little Joseph’s heart leap with joy; “grandmother is +waiting for you. Come along!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The next moment Robert and his little brother believed +themselves absolutely in Paradise.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III.<br> <span class='c010'>THE OLD MAID.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>“Miss Eliza?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, my sweet child?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Would you lend me your pearls for this one night?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My pearls, darling? <em>My</em> pearls? Oh, Georgie! +you cannot understand the associations connected with +these ornaments—the painful, the thrilling associations!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t! Pray, don’t! When you clasp your hands, +and roll up your eyes in that fashion, it gives me a chill—it +does, indeed!” cried Georgiana Halstead, really +distressed; for when Miss Eliza went into a fit of sentiment, +it was apt to go through many variations of sighs, +smiles, and tears, till it ended in hysterics.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A chill, Georgiana? What is a single chill, compared +to the agonies of memory that haunt this bosom?” +cried Miss Eliza, pressing one large and rather bony +hand on that portion of her tall person, for which her +dress-maker deserved the greatest credit. “Oh, child, +if you had but once listened to my history!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Couldn’t think of it! The first ten words would +break my heart into ten thousand splinters. Besides, I +never could endure mysteries,” cried the young lady, +letting down a superb mop of yellow hair, which shimmered +like sunbeams over her shoulders, and posing +herself before the mirror, as it revealed her lovely person +from head to foot.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My life,” moaned Aunt Eliza, “has both a mystery +and a history, which will be found written on my soul, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>when this poor body, once so tenderly beloved, is laid +in the dust.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Under the daisies would be prettier, I think,” replied +Georgiana, braiding her hair with breathless haste, +in two gorgeous bands, while Miss Eliza was talking. +“A great deal prettier. There, now, tell me if you like +this.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The fair girl had woven the heavy braids of hair +around her queenly head, forming a coronet of living +gold above a forehead white as snow, on which the delicate +veins might be traced like blue shadows. “This is +the way I intend to wear it, with the garland of pearls +in front. Won’t it be lovely?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No!” said Miss Eliza, shaking her head. “There +was a time——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes! I understand! The skirt will be white +satin, the tunic blue velvet, with a border of ermine so +deep.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza came out of her own history long enough +to notice that the ermine border would be at least six +inches deep; then she retired into herself again, and +sighed heavily; and, dropping her head on one hand, +fell into a mournful reverie.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Shall I wear a chain, or a collar of gold?” said +Georgiana.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, it was one chain of flowers,” murmured Miss +Eliza, exploring her life backward. “Such flowers as +only grow on the banks of Eden.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am afraid Rowena could have sported nothing but +wild flowers—a garland of hawthorn-blossoms, or a +bouquet of primroses,” said Georgiana, crossing some +<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>scarlet ribbons sandal-wise over her ankles, and regarding +the effect with great satisfaction.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Rowena! Rowena! I mentioned no such name. +Indeed, I never do mention names,” cried Miss Eliza, +arousing herself, and setting upright. “Heaven forbid +that I should ever be left to mention names.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old maid, for such I am pained to say, Miss Eliza +Halstead was, arose solemnly, as she said this, and +waving her niece off with a sweep of both hands worthy +of a wind-mill in full motion, began to pace up and +down the room with long and measured steps, that gave +a tragic air to the scene.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How about the pearls?” questioned Georgie, tying +the scarlet ribbon in a dainty little bow. “We haven’t +much time. It is getting dark, now, and one doesn’t +step out of a Waverly novel, in full rig, without lots of +preparation. Mine is the fourth tableau.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Tableau? Ah, yes! I remember you were going to +stand up as——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“As Rowena, in Ivanhoe.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Rowena! My dear child, you are not tall enough +by five inches, and lack the proper dignity. Mrs. +Savage must have done this—she always was my +enemy from her girlhood; that is—that is, from the first +time I dawned upon her life. Let me ask you a question, +Georgiana.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Be quick, then, please; for I want the pearls.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was Mrs. Savage aware that I was an inmate of +this house when she selected you to represent the most +queenly character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel. I particularly +wish to know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I should think it very likely,” answered Georgiana, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>driving a laugh from her lips which broke from +her eyes in a gush of mischief. “It is now six months +since you came here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She knew it, and yet invited another. This is life—this +is ingratitude! Has she no remembrance of the +time when we two—— But why should I dwell on +that painful epoch of my life? Georgiana, you shall +have the pearls. Let me complete this soul’s martyrdom. +Where is my trunk?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In the store-room, I think.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There again! Relics of the past huddled together +in a common store-room—and such relics!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing ever was more beautiful!” said the young +lady, proceeding with her toilet; “only do bring them +along!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza stalked out of the room with a key grasped +in her hands, measuring off her steps like Juno in a fit +of heathenish indignation. She returned directly, bearing +in her hand a faded red-morocco case, the size of a +soup-plate, and considerably battered at the edges. +Seating herself in an arm-chair, she opened the case, +and began to shake her head lugubriously over the +snow-white pearls that gleamed upon her from their +neat purple satin. Georgiana looked eagerly over her +shoulder.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Miss Eliza, I didn’t begin to know how beautiful +they were: so large, so full of milky light! No +wonder you prize them!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Alas! it is not their beauty,” sighed Miss Eliza. +“Here, take them, child; they were intended for a more +queenly brow, but I yield to destiny.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza rendered up the case as if it had contained +<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>flowers for a coffin, shrouded her features in a corner +of the lace anti-macassar which covered the maroon +cushions of her easy-chair, and allowed a touching little +sob to break from her lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! the associations that are connected with those +ornaments!” she moaned.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now I will render them doubly dear,” laughed the +young girl, laying the white spray on the golden braids +of her hair, and moving her head about like a bird +pluming itself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Destiny! destiny!” murmured Aunt Eliza.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Beautiful! beautiful!” responded Georgia; and, +running into a neighboring dressing-closet, she came +forth a lady of the olden times, that might have danced +with the lion-hearted Richard.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Aunt Eliza gave one glance at the radiant young +creature, rose from her chair, and left the room, wringing +her hands like a tragedy queen.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana took no heed, but framed her pretty +image in the glass, where she looked like a picture to +which Titian had given the draperies, and Rubens the +flesh-tints. As she stood admiring herself, as any +pretty woman might, the door opened, and a stately old +woman entered, rustling across the floor in a heavy +black silk, and with quantities of white tulle softening +her face and bosom.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Madam Halstead! I am so glad you’ve come! +Tell me if this is not perfect?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I never think you otherwise than perfect, child—who +could?” replied the sweet, low voice of the old lady. +“The very sight of you makes me young again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How handsome you must have been,” cried Georgie, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>throwing one arm around the old lady, and patting the +soft cheek, which had a touch of bloom on it, with her +dimpled hand. “How handsome you are now!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady shook her head, and a faint blush stole +over her face, and lost itself under the shadows of her +silver-white hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear, some few who loved me used to think so,” +said the old lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here comes Miss Eliza,” cried Georgiana, seizing +upon a large cloak of black velvet, in which she enveloped +her dress, and twisting a fleece-like nubia over her +head, cried, “Good-night! Good-night! Just one kiss! +Good-night!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Away the bright young creature went, sweeping out +of the room, and down the stair case, like a tropical +bird with all its plumage in motion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Good-night!” she repeated to Miss Eliza, who +loomed upon her from the extremity of the upper hall.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t be too late; I’ll send the carriage back!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With a toss of her lofty head, and a wave of her hand, +Miss Eliza seemed to sweep the young creature out of +her presence; then she entered the room where old +Mrs. Halstead was sitting in the easy-chair which her +daughter had so lately abandoned, and paused inside +the door, gazing upon that calm face with a look of +mournful reproach.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thus, ever thus, do I find the place I have left +filled,” she said; “but my own mother, this is too +much!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Is it that you want the seat, Eliza,” said the old +lady, gently lifting herself from the chair; “take it, I +have rested long enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>“Oh! my beloved parent, that you should make this +sacrifice for me!” sighed Miss Eliza, dropping into the +chair. “I know that your noble heart would be pained +if I did not accept it. I do—I do!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>That fine old lady had lived with her daughter too +long for any surprise at this wonderful outgush of gratitude; +she only moved to a couch on the other side of +the room, and sat down, with a low sigh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza began to mutter and moan in her chair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you ill? Is any thing the matter?” inquired +the old lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you see that child go out? Did you comprehend +the conspiracy which that wicked woman has organized +to keep me out of these tableaux? Did you +observe the impertinence of that flippant girl? Oh! +mother, these terrible shocks will break your child’s +heart!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Eliza! Eliza! this is all fancy,” answered the old +lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Fancy! fancy! What is fancy, pray?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That you have enemies; that persons wish to annoy +you. Why should they?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza sprang up from her chair, and turned upon +her mother.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No enemies! no enemies! What keeps me here, +then? Why is that silly child set up in the tableau +nature and cultivation intended me to fill? Madam! +madam! are you also joining in the conspiracy against +me?” Miss Eliza shook her long, white forefinger +almost in the grand old face of her mother, as she spoke. +“Is it by your connivance that all gentlemen are +excluded from my presence?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>“No one has ever been excluded, Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The word was prolonged into a sneer, which brought +a faint color into Mrs. Halstead’s face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“To think,” added Miss Eliza, wrathful in the face, +“to think of the pincushions, penwipers, and lamp-mats, +to say nothing of wax-dolls and little babies, that +I have made and dressed for this very fair—it’s enough +to break one’s heart. Not a stall left for me to attend; +every corner in the tableaux filled up with silly, pert +creatures that I wouldn’t walk over. This is justice—this +is patriotism. I might be direct from Richmond, +for any attention they give me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am sure, Eliza, the committee were very thankful +for your help,” said old Mrs. Halstead, soothingly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thankful, indeed! Oh, yes! it is easy enough to +simper, and shake hands, and speak of obligations. But +why didn’t they treat all us young girls alike? Why +am I left out of every thing?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Before Mrs. Halstead could answer, a servant entered +the room and informed Miss Eliza that the carriage had +returned.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I will assert my rights,” cried the lady, gathering +a rose-colored opera-cloak about her, and pluming +herself before the mirror. “You can go, Thomas; I +will be down in one moment.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A little deficiency of the toilet had struck Miss Eliza; +and searching in some pocket hid away in her voluminous +skirts, she drew forth a little pasteboard box, +turned her back squarely on the old lady, and occupied +herself, after a mysterious fashion, for some moments +close to the mirror.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>“Do not defend these women, mamma,” she said, with +angry emphasis. “I blush for them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There certainly did seem to be some truth in this assertion, +for Miss Eliza’s cheeks had flushed suddenly to +a vivid red; but then her forehead and around her mouth +had grown white in proportion, showing great intensity +of shame.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now I am going, mamma; but first give me your +blessing.” Miss Eliza dropped one knee to her mother’s +foot-stool, bent her tall form before the grand old lady, +and seemed waiting for a solemn benediction; but the +sensible old lady put back the mass of false curls that +fell swooping over her daughter’s waterfall, and fastened +them in place with a hair-pin from her own silver-white +hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That will do, my dear. I see nothing else out of +the way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza arose with a slight creak of the joints, and +a look of mournful reproach.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thus it is,” she said, “that one’s most sensitive feelings +are thrown back upon the heart. My own mother +refuses me her blessing; but I can define the reason—the +hidden, mysterious reason.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This intensified female gathered the opera-cloak +around her as if it had been a Roman toga, and sailed +out of the room with the sweep of a wind-mill. Mrs. +Halstead shook her handsome old head, and sighed +faintly when Eliza disappeared.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will she never comprehend our position?” she murmured. +“Never remember that the bloom of girlhood +does not run through mid-age? How good they are to +overlook all this.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV.<br> <span class='c010'>THE FAIR.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>An old man sat alone in one of those large, old-fashioned +houses, which have been almost driven out of +existence by the march of commerce into the haunts +of fashion. The rooms were broad, deep, and well +lighted; for there was plenty of land around the old +house, which was half occupied by the remnants of an +old-fashioned garden, in which two or three quince trees +might be seen from the side windows, covered with +plump, orange-tinted fruit in the late autumn, but +gnarled and knotted old skeletons, as they appeared to +their owner that frosty afternoon.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The room in which this man sat was large, old-fashioned, +and gloomy enough. A Brussels carpet, +worn in places till the linen foundation broke through +the faded pattern, was stretched upon the floor without +quite covering it, and a breadth of striped stair-carpeting +eked out the deficiency, running along the footboards +in meagre imitation of a cordon.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A ponderous old sideboard of solid mahogany, which +contained a multitude of drawers and shelves for every +thing, stood in a recess by the fireplace. On this were +decanters with silver caps; and tiny silver shields hung +around their necks, telling what manner of spirits was +imprisoned within, bespeaking the old-fashioned hospitality +of forty years ago; and over the sideboard +hung a picture from some Dutch artist in which bunches +of carrots, heads of cabbages, birds, newly shot, and +fish ready for the pan, were heaped together in sumptuous +<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>profusion. It was a fine appetizing kitchen scene, +in which a few marigolds and hollyhocks had been +thrown, as tasteful market-men sometimes cast a handful +of coarse flowers on a customer’s basket. Some +mahogany chairs, with well-worn horse-hair seats, stood +against the wall; and a stiff, spindle-legged sofa, covered +with the same useful material, occupied a recess near +the fireplace, like that filled by the sideboard.</p> + +<p class='c012'>This old man, who seemed a part and parcel of the +room, sat at a round table, old-fashioned as the sideboard, +on which the remnants of his solitary dinner +still remained. A decanter, full of some ruby-tinted +liquor, stood before him; but the glasses were empty, +and not a drop of liquid had as yet stained them. With +both elbows on the table, and both hands bent under +his chin, he sat gazing on the Dutch picture; but apparently +seeing something far beyond it, which filled +his eyes with gloom, and bent his brows with heavy +thought. At last he moved heavily in his chair, and +pushed the decanter away toward the centre of the +table.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why should I think of him now more than at another +time?” he muttered. “The fellow is safe enough, +I dare say; very likely isn’t in the army at all. Am I +a man to grow moody over a dream, or a bit of nightmare? +I wouldn’t have believed it if any one had told +me so; but, spite of myself, I do feel shaky, and tons +of lead seem to be holding down my heart. Hark! I +heard the patter of feet running swiftly; now a cry. +There is news from the army. Tush! what is that to +me? I have no one to mourn or hope for again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man started from his chair and went swiftly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>into the hall, crying out, in a hoarse voice, as he flung +the door open,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Boy, boy! I say—boy, a paper, quick!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The newsboy broke up a shrill cry and came clamping +back, selecting a paper from the bundle under his arm +as he moved.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Great battle, sir; list of killed and wounded a yard +long! Ten cents; thank you! Can’t stay to give +change. Most of our fellers ’ed stick you with a week +older, and take the money at that. But I mean ter have +yer for a general customer. Hallo! there comes another +chap yelling like blazes; bet yer a copper, old +boy, that I get round the corner fust.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Away the sharp, young rogue darted down the street, +with the clatter of his thick shoes beating the pavement +like a pair of flails, and his shrill, young voice cutting +the frosty air with a shrill clearness that made the old +man on the door-step shiver.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is very cold,” he said, buttoning his coat over his +chest with trembling fingers. “Yet I could see the +wind whistling through that little fellow’s hair, and he +did not seem to mind it, or think that his voice is a +death-cry to so many. Why did I get this? What do +I care who lives or dies?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man went into the house as he spoke, and +sat down on the spindle-legged sofa, unfolding his damp +paper in the light of a window behind it. It was the +first time he had interested himself in the war news +enough to purchase an extra. Now his breath came +quickly, and his hands shook with something beside +cold.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy had spoken no more than the truth. Column +<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>after column of names filled up the dead-list; and that +was followed by so many names of the wounded and +missing, that the most eager affection would tire in +searching them. But the eyes of this weary old man +seized upon each name, and dropped it with the quickness +of lightning. He had so long been accustomed to +adding up columns of intricate figures, that names of +the dead glided by him like shadows. One column was +despatched, and then another.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What folly,” he said, looking up from the paper. +“Why should a dream set me to searching here? Ha! +Oh! God, help me! It is here!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The paper dropped from his hold; his head fell forward. +Besting an elbow on each knee, he supported +that drooping head with two quivering hands. After a +time he arose from the sofa, and began to walk slowly +up and down the room with his arms behind him, and +his fingers interlocked with a grip of iron.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Her only son—her only hope.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This hard, perhaps we may say, this bad man, had +been so shaken by a dream that had seized upon his +conscience in the night, that he was almost given up to +regrets; for the dream was reality now—that paper had +told him so.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why should I have bought that?” he said, starting +from the paper which rustled against him as he walked. +“Just as I was thinking to search him out, too. Oh, +me! it is hard—it is hard!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>It is an old man I am writing about—a hard, stern +man, self-sufficient, and above such small human weaknesses +as grow out of the affections; but his whole nature +was broken up for the moment. Some plan of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>atonement, generosity, or ambition, had been overthrown +by the reading of that one name among the killed of a +great battle.</p> + +<p class='c012'>These thoughts crowded on the lonely man so closely, +that he felt suffocated even in that vast room, and went +into the hall, beating his breast for the breath that was +stifling him. But even the cold hall seemed without +atmosphere. So the old man seized his hat, put on an +overcoat that hung on the rack, and went into the street. +He had no object, save that of finding air to breathe, +and wandered off, walking more briskly than he had +done for years, though his cane had been left behind. +For more than an hour the old man wandered through +the streets, so buried, soul and sense, in the past, that +he scarcely knew whether it was night or day. At last +he came opposite the great fair. Around the entrance +a crowd was gathered, and people were passing through +in groups, as if some special attraction carried them +there.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man remembered at once that he had been +applied to for contributions to this fair, and, being in a +crusty mood, had refused to contribute a cent. Now, +when the effect of that name in the death-list was upon +him, he groaned at the remembrance of his rudeness; +and forcing his way with the crowd, purchased a ticket +and went in.</p> + +<p class='c012'>This old man was not much given to amusing himself; +and the beautiful scene before him had more than the +charm of novelty. The flags, wreathed among flowers +and heavy evergreen garlands, made the enclosure one +vast bower, haunted with lovely women, ardent, generous, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>and radiant with winning smiles. The lights, twinkling +through gorgeous draperies and feathery-fine boughs, +almost blinded him as he came in from the dark street. +The life, the hum of conversation, the laughter that now +and then rang up from some stall, or group, fell upon +him strangely. These people seemed mocking the +heavy, dead weight of sorrow that lay upon his soul. +At another time he would have gone away in disgust, +muttering some sarcasm, and escaping out of the brightness +with a sneer. But he was just then too wretched.</p> + +<p class='c012'>He had refused money when it was asked of him; +but now—now, when conscience was crowning his soul +with thorns, he would be liberal. Fortunately, there +was plenty of money in the breast-pocket which almost +covered his heart—that should redeem him from his +own reproaches. He would buy any amount of pretty +nothings, and, for once, fling away his money like dirt—why +not? It was his own, and no one in this world had +a right to question him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>With these new thoughts in his mind, the old man +paused before one of those fairy-like enclosures, which, +in such places, seem to have drifted out of Paradise. +It was one mass of evergreens, living ivy, and creeping +plants, rich with blossoms; back of the little bower this +wealth of foliage was drawn back like the drapery of a +window, and through its rich green came the gorgeous +warmth of hot-house plants in full flower. Fuchsias, +with a royal glow of purple at heart, and rich crimson +folding it in, drooping over a Hebe vase of pure white +alabaster, whose pedestal was planted among azalias +white as clustering snow, pink as a summer-cloud, or +blood-red, in great blossoming clusters, that fairly set +<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>the atmosphere ablaze with their gorgeousness. Behind +all this was some tropical tree of the acacia species, +drooping like a willow over the whole, and laden with +raciness of delicate golden blossoms. Around the pedestal +of the vase was a wreath of fire, composed of +tiny jets of gas, trembling up and down like jewels half +transmuted into the atmosphere, which shed a tremulous +brilliancy into the cups of the flowers, and over the +greenness of the leaves.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In the midst of this lovely spot stood a young girl, +with a fleecy white nubia twisted around her head, and +a heavy velvet sacque shrouding her under-dress from +head to foot—or, rather, so far as her person was visible. +She had evidently only stepped into the stall to supply +the place of its usual occupant, and looked a little bewildered +when the old man came up and inquired the price +of a wax-doll.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This,” said Georgiana Halstead, seizing the doll, +which gave out a little, indeed, sullen shriek, as her hand +pressed its bosom, “this lovely little lady in full ball +costume, with a flounce of real lace, and this heavenly +sash. Well, really, sir, I should think—let me see,” +here Georgiana cast a side glance at her customer—“I +should think, twenty, or—yes, twenty-five dollars—thirty, +say——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The nature of the man arose above his sorrow. He +cast a withering glance at the fair young face turned +upon him, and withdrew his hand from under his vest, +where he had half thrust it in search of his pocket-book.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thirty dollars for that thing?” he growled.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“For this thing! this loveliest of lovely little ladies! +<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>Why, one blink of her eyes is worth the money. Just +see her fall asleep,” cried Georgiana; and with a magic +twist of her finger, the doll closed its blue eyes in serene +slumber. “Thirty dollars—I am astonished at myself +for asking so little.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A grim smile stole over those thin lips, and the old +man’s eyes sparkled through their gloom, as he looked +on that cheerful face dimpling with mischief, turned now +upon him, now upon the doll. The scarlet ball-dress, in +which the mimic fashionable was arrayed, sent a flush +down the white arm that held it up for admiration, and +from which the velvet sleeve had fallen loosely back, +revealing a bracelet of pure gold, formed of two serpents +twined together, and biting each other. The old +man’s face became suddenly of a grayish white as he +saw the ornament.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where—where did you get that?” he questioned, in +a low, hoarse voice, touching the bracelet with his finger.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That, sir,” cried Georgiana, lowering the doll till her +sleeve fell to its place again, and speaking with sudden +dignity, “why should you ask?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Because I have seen one like it before, and only one. +Do not be angry, young lady. I have no wish to be +rude; but tell me where you got those twisted snakes?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They belong to Mrs. Halstead, my father’s stepmother,” +answered Georgiana, impressed by the intense +earnestness of the man.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mrs. Halstead! I do not know the name; but I +should like those serpents. If this Mrs. Halstead is +one of your benevolent women, who are willing to fling +their ornaments into the national fund, I will pay her +handsomely for them—very handsomely.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>“Of course, grandmamma is as charitable as the day is +long, and would give almost any thing to help those +who suffer for our country; but I don’t know about +these pretty reptiles. She may have a fondness for them—some +association, as Miss Eliza says.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no, that cannot be! they have no connection +with her. She must have bought them at some pawnbroker’s +sale. They can have no value to her, except as +a curiosity. Ask her if she will sell them for ten times +their weight in gold!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I will ask her, if you wish it so much; but she +will think it strange.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No matter—ask her. And now, to show you that I +am in earnest, here is thirty dollars for that bit of satire +on womankind, which you may hand over to the first +little girl that comes along. Ah! here is one now, looking +meek and frightened. Little woman, would you +like a doll?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The little girl thus addressed turned her great, brown +eyes from the old man to the doll, shrinking back, and +yet full of eager desire.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Is it for me?—for me?” she said at last, as the glorious +creature was pressed upon her. “Please, don’t +make fun of me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He isn’t making fun, indeed he isn’t, my little lady,” +cried Georgiana, delighted with the whole proceeding. +“I dare say he hasn’t any little girl of his own, and +wants to do something nice by the little girl of somebody +else. Take it in your arms, dear, and don’t forget +the good gentleman when you say your prayers.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I won’t, indeed, sir. I’ll put you into the long +prayer, and the short one, too, special,” cried the little +<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>creature, dimpling brightly under her happiness, and +huddling the great doll up in her arms as if she had +been its mother. “Aunt, aunt, see here!” Away the +little creature darted toward some woman, who was so +mingled up with the crowd that her bonnet only could +be distinguished.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is one person made happy by your thirty dollars, +sir,” said Georgiana, brightly; “to say nothing of +those who will receive your money. Any thing more +that I can show you? Here comes a couple of little +boys barefooted, and looking so poor.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man turned toward the two boys, who had +wandered away from some inner room, and were gazing +around them with eager curiosity. Something in their +faces seemed to strike him, for his countenance changed +instantly, and he took a step forward to meet the children, +who paused before the stall where Georgiana presided, +lost in admiration.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What would you buy here, if you had plenty of +money?” asked the old man, laying one hand on the +elder lad’s shoulder.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I had plenty of money?” repeated the boy, staring +into the dark face bending over him. “I—I don’t know. +I never had plenty of money.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you would like to buy some of these nice +things?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! yes, I would.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, what is there here that you like?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The lad took a swift survey of the brilliant articles +arranged in Miss Halstead’s stall.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’d buy one of them caps for grandma,” he said; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>“and that shawl, with the red and white border, for +sister Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! buy ’em a whole heap of candy, and cakes, +and oranges, and peanuts,” cried the younger child, +pulling at his brother’s coat.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come here,” said the old man, in a tone of compassion, +“let me look in your face.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The elder lad turned frankly, and lifted his eyes to +those of the old man. That was a frank, honest young +face, full of life and purpose, notwithstanding the pallor +which spoke of close rooms and insufficient food.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“These are thin clothes for winter,” said the old man, +grasping Robert’s shoulder almost roughly. “What is +your father doing, that you have nothing better than +these things?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My father went to fight for his country,” answered +the lad, bravely. “It isn’t his fault.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It isn’t his fault,” repeated the younger boy, creeping +behind his brother as he spoke, dismayed by his own +voice.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No shoes!” muttered the old man.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A soldier’s boys know how to go barefooted,” said +Robert. “It don’t hurt us—much.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come with me! come with me! I saw some things +round here that may be worth something!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man strode away as he spoke, followed by the +two boys, who ran to keep up with him. He stopped +at a less showy stall than that he had left, and spoke to +the rather grave female who presided there.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Take a good look at these children, and fit them +out with warm, decent clothing. You can supply +something fanciful in the way of a hat or cap for the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>little fellow with the curls. Let the boots be thick and +strong. Leave nothing out that will make them comfortable +for the winter. Make them up in two bundles; +they’ll find strength to carry them, I dare say.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes, yes!” almost shouted the boys in unison.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We know how to carry carpet-bags and bundles, +don’t we?” continued Robert, addressing Joseph, who +was shrinking away from the sound of his own voice.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You do,” whispered the little fellow; “you do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come along with me,” said the old man, who had +cast off half the weight of his sorrow since these children +had approached him. “There is something to eat +around here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, my!” exclaimed Joseph, with a sigh of infinite +delight; “oranges, maybe, or peanuts.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sir,” said Robert, lifting his clear eyes, bright with +thankfulness, to the old man’s face, that was so intently +regarding him, “would you just as leave let me stay +behind, and take grandmother and sister Anna? They’d +like it so much.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! come along! I’ll give you something for +them. We can’t have women about us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He spoke peremptorily, and the children obeyed him, +almost afraid.</p> + +<p class='c012'>All sorts of delicious things broke upon the lads +when they entered that portion of the fair which was +used as a restaurant; and these half-famished young +creatures grew wild with animal delight when cakes, +pies, and oranges were placed in their hands.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man sat down, and, leaning his elbows on a +table, watched these happy children as they eat the food +he had given them. In years and years he had not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>tasted pure joy like that. Any one, to have watched +him then, would never have believed him the hard old +fellow that he was. His eyes sparkled, and he chuckled +softly when little Joseph hid away an orange in his +pocket, thinking how nice it would be for grandma; and, +after a little, he fell to himself, and began to eat with +relish. The very sight of those children enjoying themselves +so much had given him an appetite.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The bundles were all ready when this strange group +returned for them.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now for the red and white shawl, and that cap,” said +the old man. “Here are lots of candies, and the other +things in this paper, which we will roll up in them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will you, though?” said Robert, taking a bundle +under each arm. “I say, sir, won’t you let me hold +your horse and run errands for all this? I’ll do it first-rate.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man looked down kindly upon him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Perhaps, who knows,” he said, answering some idea +in his own mind rather than what the lad was saying. +“Here is the stall, but the lady is gone.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>True enough; another person had taken the place of +Georgiana Halstead, of whom the shawl and cap were +bought.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man was keenly disappointed, for he had intended +to learn something more about the serpent-bracelet. +But the young lady in charge had no knowledge +of the lady who had preceded her temporarily.</p> + +<p class='c012'>While the old man was questioning this lady, a young +girl came hurrying through the crowd, eagerly looking +for some one in eager haste. She saw the boys, and +came breathlessly up.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>“Oh! I am so glad to have found you, boys!” she +cried, addressing them in haste. “The ladies are waiting +for you!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Anna! he has been so kind! You wouldn’t believe +it!” cried Robert, looking down at his bundles. +“Such clothes!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Such cakes and candies,” chimed in Joseph.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And something for you. Such a shawl—there it +lies; and a cap for grandma!” said Robert. “Thank +him, Anna; I cannot do it half!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t understand—I am in such haste. The time +is up, sir; but I think you have done something very +generous, that my brothers want me to thank you for. +I do it with all my heart. But we must go.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not till you have taken these,” said the old man, +hastily rolling up the paper of bon-bons in the shawl, +which he had just paid for. “It is a present from this +fine lad; wear it for his sake.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll carry it for her, and the cap, too,” cried Joseph, +seizing on the carelessly-rolled bundle.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Good-night, sir! I wish I had time to thank you,” +said Anna, earnestly. “Good-night!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Good-by, sir!” said Robert, with a faltering voice; +for he was near shedding tears of gratitude.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Good-by! I wish I could do something for you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Away the three went, after uttering their adieus, passing +swiftly through the crowd.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man followed them at a distance till they led +him into that portion of the building devoted that evening +to tableaux, when they disappeared through a side +door.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>“A dollar extra, here!” said a man stationed near the +door. “The seats are almost filled!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man took some money from his pocket, and +went in, feeling interested in the persons he had befriended, +and resolved to find them again if possible. +He sat down on a bench near the door, and waited. +The room was full, the light dim, and a faint hum of +whispering voices filled the room.</p> + +<p class='c012'>At last a bell rang. Some dark drapery, directly +before him, was drawn back, and then appeared before +him those boys huddled together near an old lady, in +poverty-stricken garments, with a yawning fireplace in +the background, and a young girl brightening the tableau +with her beauty.</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was breathless stillness in the room—for the +picture was one to touch the heart and fire and refine +the imagination. No one stirred; and every eye was +bent on that living picture of misery. But, all at once, +some confusion arose near the door; an old man was +pressing his way out so eagerly that he pushed the doorkeeper, +who was leaning forward to see the picture, so +rudely aside, that he almost fell.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V.<br> <span class='c010'>AN UNEXPECTED PERFORMER.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Twice Anna Burns had changed her costume, first to +satisfy Mrs. Savage, that it would be all that she desired +for the Ivanhoe tableaux; and again, that no detail of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>poverty should be wanting to that picture which, alas! +has been so often duplicated in real life, “The Soldier’s +Destitute Family.” As she was putting on a Jewish +garment a second time, in the little drawing-room, a +rather heavy hand was laid on her shoulder, and a voice +that made her start, from the deep tragedy of its tones, +sounded in her ear.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you the young person?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I—— What young person?” faltered Anna, +turning crimson under the touch of that hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mrs. Savage has a dependent or protegé, here, who +is to stand in the Ivanhoe picture. Are you that person?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna turned suddenly, and looked her tormentor in +the face. She was a tall, angular person, with a complexion +that seemed washed out and re-dyed, pale blue +eyes, full of impatient ferocity, and a mouth that was +perpetually in motion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you that person?” she repeated, giving the +shoulder she pressed a slight shake.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I came here at the request of Mrs. Savage, if that is +what you to wish to know,” answered Anna Burns, stepping +back with a gesture of offended pride.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you are her Rebecca?” answered Miss Eliza +Halstead, shaking out her laced handkerchief, and inhaling +the perfume which it gave forth with a proud elevation +of the head. “So she is determined to monopolize +every thing. Has Miss Georgiana Halstead arrived +yet?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I do not know the lady.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not know her, and she is to be your foil—your rival. +When you go off the stage she will come on, robed in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>azure velvet, crowned with pearls—my pearls; while +I——but never mind, there is blood in my veins which +can protect itself. Oh! here she comes. Say nothing; +be secret as the grave! You will see! You will see!” +Miss Halstead put one long finger to her lips, and glided +backward out of the room just as Georgiana Halstead +came in by a side entrance.</p> + +<p class='c012'>For a moment these two young girls stood looking at +each other; one with a rosy blush on her cheeks and a +smile on her lips; the other shy, pale, and shrinking. +She felt like an intruder there.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana was the first to speak.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I suppose, from that dress, that you are Miss +Burns,” she said, with graceful cordiality. “There is +no one here to introduce us; but I am Miss Halstead, +as the dear, delicate, stupid Rowena, who is to get +Ivanhoe away from you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A flush of scarlet came over Georgiana’s face, as she +became conscious of her own light speech, and felt the +strange look which Anna turned, unconsciously, upon +her; but she turned this embarrassment off with a +sweet laugh; and throwing aside her velvet sacque, +stood out in the dim room a picture in herself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How beautifully you are dressed,” she said, scanning +Anna’s costume with an admiring glance. “That +crimson velvet tunic, with its warmth and depth of +color, has singular richness. And the diamond necklace, +how the light quivers over it. Upon my word, Madam +Savage has exhibited a taste for once. The whole effect +is wonderful.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is her taste; I had nothing to do with it,” said +Anna, glancing at her own loveliness in the glass. “The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>diamond necklace, if it is diamonds, belongs to her. +Indeed, I scarcely know myself in this dress or place.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I hope to know you, and intimately, some day,” +answered Georgiana, with prompt admiration. “But +here comes the madam, with a train of committee-ladies, +ready to give us inspection. Don’t let them change a +fold of that turban, or a single thing about you. Remember, +those who have the least taste will be the first +to interfere.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here they are all ready, and looking so lovely,” +cried Mrs. Savage, sweeping into the room, followed +close by half a dozen associates, whose silken dresses +rustled sumptuously as they moved. “Isn’t she perfect, +dear child? But when is she otherwise?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Mrs. Savage stooped and kissed Georgiana’s +white neck with a glow of natural fondness, which the +girl felt in her heart of hearts, and became radiant at +once.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And Miss Burns, too. How completely she has followed +out my idea. Isn’t she the most fascinating little +Jewess that ever lived? Ah! are they ready? Come, +Georgie, child, you are wanted. Ladies, hurry back to +your seats. I would not have you lose this tableau for +any thing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A little storm of exclamations followed this speech. +Then the silks began to rustle violently again, while the +committee made a rush, and, with a confusion of whispers, +diffused itself in the audience, which was soon enveloped +in darkness. A bell tinkled; the dark curtain +swept back, and through a screen of rose-colored gauze +Ivanhoe and Rowena were seen surrounded with rich +draperies, heavy carvings, and all the appointments of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>a feudal picture. Rowena was looking down overpowered +by the love-light in Ivanhoe’s glance; a soft, +rosy bloom lay on her cheek; a smile hovered about her +lips; no flower ever drooped more modestly in the sunshine +that brightened it. The young creature did not +move, but you could see the slow heave and fall of her +bosom. There was no acting there; the presence of +love, pure and vital, made itself felt, though it might +not have been thoroughly understood. Ivanhoe gazed +down upon her with admiration, and it may be that +more tender feelings called forth the bright smile on his +face. But young Savage was thinking of the character +he was to maintain—she was thinking only of him. A +single minute this noble picture defined itself before the +crowd; then the curtain fell, and all was dark again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The tableau was one which had been designed to repeat +itself by a change of position in the characters. +While the applause was loudest, and young Savage +stood behind the curtain holding Georgie’s hand; while +he described the position she was to assume, a rather +impatient voice from behind the scenes called for Miss +Halstead. The young lady, who was blushing and +shrinking under the careless touch of his hand, ran out, +and found one of the servant-girls in attendance, who +said that she must come at once and speak with Mrs. +Savage before the curtain rose again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie followed the girl in haste, and the moment +she disappeared a figure came out from one of the dark +corners and entered upon the stage, which was but +dimly lighted from behind the scenes. Savage saw the +glitter of her dress, and without looking closer spoke in +eager haste.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>“Just in time. They are getting impatient. There, +stand there, with your head averted, as we arranged it: +now your hand.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage dropped on one knee as he spoke, took the +hand which dropped lovingly into his, and lifted his fine +eyes to the but half averted face. A start, which brought +him half up from his knees; a quick ringing of the bell, +and every face in the audience was turned in amazement +on Miss Eliza Halstead, whose tall, gaunt form +was arrayed in blue satin, surmounted by a tunic of +maize-colored velvet; a band of pointed gold girding +her head like a coronet, and from under it flowed out a +mass of dull brown curls, wonderful to behold. Her +head was turned aside; one hand was half uplifted, as +if to conceal the blushes that lay immovable on her +cheeks; and a simper, which had a dash of malicious +triumph in it, gave disagreeable life to her face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Savage had sunk back to his lover-like position +as the bell rang, and went through his part with +a hot flush on his cheek, and a quick sense of the +ridiculous position he filled quivering around his handsome +mouth. But though master of himself, he heard +the bell ring with a sense of infinite relief, and instantly +sprang up, uttering what I am afraid would have been +a very naughty exclamation had it been allowed to go +beyond his breath.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah! I thought you would be surprised,” cried Miss +Eliza, beaming upon him in the twilight of the stage. +“Believe me, dear Mr. Savage, I never suspected that +you had any share in the conspiracy to keep me in the +shade. But I have defeated them for once; and I saw +<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>by that flush on your cheek how completely you triumphed +with me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage struggled to keep from laughing, and submitted +to the pressure which Eliza gave his hand between +her two palms with becoming philosophy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I suppose they will expect us to give place to the +next tableau,” he said, quietly releasing his hand. +“This way, if you are going to the dressing-room.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza took his arm, and marched triumphantly +off the platform. At the first step she met Georgiana +coming back breathless.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is over,” said Miss Eliza, solemnly; “the evil +machinations of my enemies has, for once, been defeated; +tell Mrs. Savage and her crew this, with my +compliments. The audience out yonder can tell you +that, for once, they have seen a genuine tableau, truthful, +artistic, rich in passionate silence. Mr. Savage here +can tell you how it was received with touching and intense +stillness; then a ripple of admiration; then a buz +of admiring curiosity. We came away to avoid the +outburst of enthusiasm, which was no doubt overwhelming.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is this about? What does it all mean?” said +Georgiana, bewildered. “Am I too late? After all, it +seems that no one really sent for me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed!” exclaimed Miss Eliza, with a toss of the +head. “Have you just found that out?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The tableau is over,” said young Savage, laughing +in spite of himself. “Miss Halstead has honored me +by taking your place.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana was dumb with angry astonishment; a flood +of scarlet rushed over her face and neck. She even +<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>clenched her little hand, and, for once, made a fist of it +that would have done great credit to a belligerent child +ten years old. Then she burst into a laugh, musical as +a gush of bird songs in April.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You didn’t do that, Miss Eliza. Oh! it is too, too +delicious. Savage on his knees, you ——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Again she burst forth into a musical riot of laughter, +while Eliza stood before her frowning terribly. I am +afraid Savage joined her; but the two voices harmonized +so well that Miss Eliza never was quite certain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana Halstead, I hate you!” she cried, with a +sweep of the right arm.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I can’t help it,” pouted the young girl, pressing +a hand hard against her lips; “the whole thing is so +comical. What will Mrs. Savage say?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana might well ask, for Mrs. Savage had been +in front, and sat aghast during the whole performance, +which only lasted a few minutes. After which she went +into something as near rage as well-bred women permit +themselves; and absolutely tore a handkerchief made +of gossamer and lace into more pieces than she would +have liked to confess even to herself. A half-suppressed +giggle, which came from that portion of the room where +the committee was clustered, brought the proud lady to +her composure; and leaning toward her most inveterate +rival, she whispered confidently,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It went off tolerably, after all, just as I expected.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh!” said the lady rival, smiling sweetly, “then you +arranged it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana Halstead was so kind. It quite annoyed +her to have Miss Halstead cut out so entirely. Such a +lovely disposition. Then there is great power in contrast, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>you know; and my young friend, who comes +next, is directly opposite to Miss Halstead. Contrast, +contrast, my dear, is every thing. You’ll see that I am +right. How splendidly Savage bore himself. But I +knew that we could trust to him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>During this long speech, the lady to whom Mrs. Savage +addressed herself, took an occasion to whisper to +her next neighbor, who bent toward the person who sat +next her; this swelled into a buz, which ran through the +committee, and beyond it, checking all laughter as it +went.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Then Mrs. Savage rose with dignity, and went back +of the scenes, rustling her silks like a green bay-tree, +and biting her lips till they glowed like ripe cherries. +She met Miss Halstead sailing majestically toward her +carriage, still clinging to the arm of young Savage with +desperate pertinacity.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here comes your mother, sir, my bitterest enemy. +As a defenceless female, I claim your protection,” cried +that lady, pausing suddenly, and clasping both hands +over his arm, as Mrs. Savage came up.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My dear Miss Halstead, how beautifully you did it. +I came at once to thank you. Fortunate, wasn’t it, that +my messenger overtook you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage said this, smiling blandly, and with her +gloved hand held forth with a cordiality perfectly irresistible.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Messenger, Mrs. Savage,” said Eliza Halstead, drawing +herself up with an Elizabethian air. “I do not +understand!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not understand, and yet acted the part so well. +Oh, Miss Halstead!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>Eliza Halstead was eccentric and headstrong; but +she was not quite a fool. In fact, few people possessed +so much low cunning. She had all the craft and calculation +of a lunatic, without being absolutely crazy. It +flashed across her mind instantly that she would do well +to accept at once the doubtful invitation hinted at, and +thus escape the odium of a rude intrusion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah, my dear Mrs. Savage, you are so good,” she +cried, bowing her head, but still keeping both hands +clapsed over that reluctant arm. “Still I was but just +in time. I am <em>so</em> glad you were pleased; Mr. Savage +here was delighted.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The whole thing was charming,” answered Mrs. +Savage, setting her teeth close and turning away. +“The ladies are all delighted. Horace, pray make haste +and escort Miss Halstead to her carriage, if she <em>must</em> +go; the ladies are dying to thank you for this surprise. +How prettily Georgiana entered into our little conspiracy. +Good evening, Miss Halstead; be careful and +not take cold. Adieu!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What a charming woman your mother is—so +queenly, so gracious,” whispered Eliza, leaning toward +her companion. “So magnificently handsome, too. +Never in my life did I see a son and mother resemble +each other so much. Thank you, Mr. Savage! thank +you! If I remember rightly, Rowena gave Ivanhoe her +hand to kiss—ungloved, I fancy—there, this once.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Halstead leaned out of the carriage, and held +forth her hand, beaming gently upon young Savage, who +took the hand, pressed it, bowed over it, and laid it +gently back into Miss Halstead’s lap.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I dare not presume! I have not the audacity!” he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>said. “Adieu! adieu! Believe me, I shall never forget +this evening!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, heavens! nor I!” exclaimed Miss Eliza, kissing +her own hand where he had touched it, with infinite +relish. “Of all the nights in my life this is my fate!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Savage was at a safe distance when Miss +Eliza uttered this tender truth; but, as she declared +afterward, “Her soul went with him, and joined its +home forever more!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>As Horace Savage returned, he met Anson Gould, a +young man about whom all uppertendom raved, as the +most splendid creature that ever lived; so rich, so distinguished, +so talented, and so on.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hollo! Gould! what are you doing here, wandering +about like a lost babe in the woods? Searching for my +mother, eh?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No,” answered Gould, laughing; “I am in search +of what is called the gentlemen’s dressing-room. Your +mother has booked me for Bois Guilbert, with a Rebecca +that she promises shall be stunning—a Miss +Burns. Tell me who she is, Savage. I do not remember +the name in our set.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage felt a hot glow coming to his cheek. His +light, off-handed way of mentioning that young girl +annoyed him exceedingly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Burns is a friend of my mother’s—not in +society yet, I believe,” he answered, quietly. “But I +keep you waiting; that is the way to your dressing-room.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Gould moved on, and, for the first time, young +Savage remarked how wonderfully handsome he was. +I think he congratulated himself somewhat by remembering +<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>that the Templar was also a splendid specimen +of a man, and yet Rebecca could not be persuaded to +love him. Still the young gentleman’s spirits became +somewhat depressed from that moment, and, forgetting +that he had promised to make himself generally useful +in his mother’s behalf, he crept away into a corner of +the audience-chamber, and there, half of the time in +semi-darkness, watched the curtain rise and fall, dismissing +each picture presented with something like +angry impatience.</p> + +<p class='c012'>At last the bell sounded with a vim, and the audience +were all on the alert. The noise of more than usual stage +preparations had whetted curiosity; and it had been +whispered about that something superb was coming, in +which Anson Gould would be a principal character—Anson +Gould, the greatest catch of the season. No +wonder there was a buzz and rustle, as if summer insects +and summer winds were playing among forest-boughs +in that portion of the room where young ladies most +prevailed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>As I have said, the bell sounded with a vim; the curtain +swept back, and there was a picture worth seeing. +Just a little scenery had been introduced into the background. +An antique window, showing glimpses of +a battlement beyond, and, poised on this battlement, +with one foot strained back, ready for a spring, and her +face turned back, with a gesture of passionate menace, +stood one of the most beautiful girls that eyes ever +dwelt upon. She was superb in her haughty poise; +superb in that proud outburst of despair which had +sent her out on that dizzy height, choosing destruction +rather than dishonor. Her dark eyes, like those of a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>stag at bay, were bent on the kneeling Templar, whose +face and form would have won the general attention +from any one less gloriously beautiful than that girl.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Savage started to his feet, and leaned forward, +absorbed. His heart stood still for the moment, and a +strange feeling of pain came upon him. By what right +did that man gaze upon her with such passionate admiration. +It was real; the wild love-light in those eyes +knew no dissembling. Young Gould was his rival—yes, +his rival! There was no use in attempting to deceive +himself, he was in love—really in love—for the first +time in his life—and with whom? He remembered that +low garret—the old woman—the child; and that young +creature bending with such sad, loving pity over them +both. He remembered the pile of oyster-shells in the +chimney-corner, and all the poverty-stricken appointments +of the room with a strange thrill of passion. His +love should lift her out of those depths. Gould should +never have an opportunity of kneeling to her again—even +in the seeming of a picture. But then his mother, +his proud, aristocratic father—what of them?</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage came up to her son where he stood, and +laid one of her white hands on his arm. “Was there +ever a success like that?” she said, looking back upon the +tableau with enthusiasm. “It sweeps away that absurd +scene with the old maid. How did that happen, Horace? +Don’t tell me now, some of them may be listening. +Oh! I see you admire this as I do. It is the great triumph +of the evening.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mother,” said Horace Savage, rather abruptly, +“why did you cast Gould in that piece?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In order that you might stand with Georgiana, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>Horace. I thought you understood,” answered Mrs. +Savage, a little surprised.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes; I understand. It was very kind. See, +they are clamoring for a second sight. I don’t wonder. +How confoundedly handsome the fellow is!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The curtain was drawn aside at the demand of the +audience, and once more Rebecca was seen ready to seek +death rather than listen to unholy vows, which could +only bring dishonor. The room was still as death; not +a whisper sounded; scarcely a breath was drawn. The +picture was more lifelike, more replete with silent passion +than before; while the breath stood still on every +lip, and all eyes were turned on the beautiful girl, a +deadly white settled on her face; her lips parted with a +cry that prolonged itself into a wail of pain that thrilled +through and through the crowd, and the poor creature +fell headlong into the darkness, carrying the mock +battlement with her.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI.<br> <span class='c010'>THE SOLDIER’S DEATH.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>It was the voice of a child that had struck the life +from that young heart; a voice so changed and lost in +anguish that it seemed to cleave its way through her +whole being.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna—sister Anna—come down! Our father is +killed! He is dead—he is dead!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>As the last syllable trembled on the boy’s lips, his +sister fell upon the floor at his feet, white, cold, and insensible. +He thought the news had killed her. Down +he went upon his two knees, and strove to lift up her +head, around which the turban gathered like a mockery.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! lift her up! Take off these things,” pleaded +the poor boy, lifting his agonized face to those who +crowded around him. “She is dead, too! I killed +her—it was me! Take them off—take them off; they +look so hot and bright—she so cold. Won’t she move? +Try and make her look up. See how limp her hand is. +Anna, Anna! Oh, sister Anna! must you go, too?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert fell down by the side of his sister, shaking in +all his limbs, and moaning in piteous sorrow. It did +seem as if his cry had killed that fair young creature, +who lay there under those rich vestments like a pure +white lily in the glow of a warm sunset.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy lay with his arms on the floor, and his face +buried on them, sobbing piteously.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The noise of his grief reached that benumbed heart. +Anna moved, and lifting her arm feebly, laid it over her +trembling brother. He started up with a cry, and +rained tears and kisses on her face till she, too, rose up, +clinging to him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was it you—was it you, Robert, that said it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Anna! Don’t cry; don’t break down again. +I could not help telling you; my heart was breaking. +Oh! Anna, Anna! my heart is all broken up!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna sat upright on the floor. Her hands wandered +upward and took the hot turban from her head.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! if these things were put away—if I had my old +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>dress on! How shall we get home, Robert, I—I am so +weak?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come with me,” said a sweet voice, “come with me. +Your dress is all ready; I will help you put it on.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was Georgiana Halstead, whose pretty face, all +anxiety and tender compassion, bent over her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come with me, Anna, for I am so sorry for you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna looked up piteously. “My father is dead!” +she answered.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know—I know. There, lean on me; the dressing-room +is close by.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana was crying softly as she spoke; and she +wound her arm around that poor girl, supporting her +tenderly as Robert followed them to the dressing-room +door. Patiently, and with tears stealing down his face, +the boy waited for his sister. She came out directly in +her brown dress and modest bonnet.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They want me to wait for a carriage, Robert; but I +cannot—I cannot. You and I will go alone.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No,” said a voice at her elbow. “Come, both of +you, I have a carriage ready.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna looked up, and Savage caught a glimpse of her +face. It was white and quivering, like a white rose wet +with rain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My poor child, this is terrible!” he said, folding the +thin shawl around her; “but you shall not bear it alone, +you have friends.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna gave him a grateful look through her tears, +and fresh sobs broke to her lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It may be possible that there is a mistake in the +record,” said Savage, making a desperate effort to comfort +her.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>Anna looked up suddenly with a gleam of light in her +eyes; but her head drooped on the moment, and she +answered sadly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I feel that he is dead! If he were alive, there would +be some warmth <em>here</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A carriage waited near the entrance of the fair, and +young Savage lifted her in. Then he made way for +Robert, and when the lad hesitated, took him up bodily +and landed him on the front seat. It was a gloomy +ride; few words were spoken, and those were lost in +sobs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How can I tell her? Oh! it will kill my grandmother. +He was her only son—all she had in the wide, +wide world.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage took the two hands which Anna clasped in +her lap, and pressed them between his.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Shall I tell her for you?” he said, gently.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; that would be cruel.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I will do it,” sobbed Robert, who was huddled up +in a corner of the carriage. “It is my place, for I am +all the man left to take care of her. When there is any +thing hard to do, I must do it; and I will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is a brave boy,” said Savage.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, sir, I’m not brave. I tremble all over at the +thought of telling her; but I’ll do it,” sobbed the boy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poor little Joseph, too; how he will feel when he +knows how it is. Oh, sir! you’d be sorry for little +Joseph, if you knew how miserable this will make him. +He won’t eat a morsel for days and days. He’s so delicate—Joseph +is—like a girl.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Robert, I can understand that,” said Savage.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>“It is all very pitiful; but, remember, your father died +for his country!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! I wish it had been me—I wish it had been me,” +cried the boy, with a fresh outburst of grief.</p> + +<p class='c012'>They were at the door now, close by the gloomy +entrance of that tenement-house, which was darker than +ever to those unhappy young creatures. Savage went +with them to the door. There he hesitated, reluctant +to leave them. He feared to intrude on their grief.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Shall I bid you good-night?” he said, addressing +Robert rather than Anna.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let us go up alone,” said the boy, shivering. “Good-night, +sir; Anna and I had better go up alone. We thank +you all the same.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Savage watched them sadly as they went up +the dark staircase, hand-in-hand, slowly and mournfully, +like criminals mounting a gallows. The young man’s +heart went with them every step; and he returned home +with strange tenderness brooding in all his thoughts.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Up one flight of stairs after another those two young +creatures crept, pausing more than once to cling together +and comfort each other. At last they reached the door +of the room, and stood there breathless, without daring +to turn the latch. A glow of light came through the +crevices, and they could hear the childish voice of little +Joseph chatting to his grandmother with unusual glee.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hark! I think I hear ’em; something stirred outside,” +they heard him saying. “I’ll open the door—I’ll +open the door.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>They heard the quick patter of his feet coming that +way, and turned the latch.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There, didn’t I say so? Here they are! Look, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>Anna! look at grandma in her new shawl. I made her +put it on; and the cap, too. Isn’t she grand? Isn’t +she just the handsomest, darlingest old grandma——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Joseph, dear,” said the old lady, “hush! hush! or +we’ll never let you go out again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But isn’t she splendid?” cried the boy; “and just +look at me. A pocket here, and here, in the trousers, +too; bright buttons everywhere. Oh! how I love that +old man! Why, we’ve got a pint of peanuts left! +Don’t she look like a lady?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was, indeed, a bright contrast from the dark staircase, +and from the usual gloom of the apartment. +Joseph had lighted two tallow-candles, and kindled a +good fire, by which he had been a full hour admiring his +grandmother, who had the soft worsted shawl over her +shoulders, and a cap of delicate lace on her head. She +did, in truth, look like a lady, every inch of her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph, also, was resplendent in his new clothes; the +very buttons seemed to illuminate the poverty of the +room with gleams of gold.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I tell you what we’ll do,” said the happy child, +pointing to his old garments piled on a chair, with the +frontless cap lying on the top. “We’ll give those things +to some poor boy that hasn’t got friends to take him to +fairs and put him in pictures, like us. We mustn’t be +mean, if we are rich.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert went away to a corner of the room, and pretended +to be very busy untying the bundle which held +his own old clothes; but his hand shook so violently +that he gave it up, and stood looking mournfully at his +grandmother, with no heart to speak.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna was a long time in taking off her shawl and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>bonnet. She was afraid of revealing the sorrow that +seemed to have turned her face into marble. Robert +saw how she shrank away and shivered when those kind +old eyes were turned upon her. He was, in truth, a +brave boy, even with that terrible sense of desolation +upon him. Lifting up his young head, and choking +back the sobs that swelled in his throat, he went up to +that dear old woman.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother,” he said, laying one hand on her +shoulder, and bending his face to meet her startled +glance, for his voice troubled her, “grandmother, let +me put my arms around you and lay your head on my +shoulder. It reaches high enough. I am almost a man +now. Let me kiss you, grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She lifted up her sweet, old face, and the boy kissed +it, his lips quivering all the time.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, darling!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is the matter, Robert? This has been such a +pleasant night; but you seem troubled—what is it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy fell down upon his knees, and cried out in a +wild burst of grief. “Oh, Anna, Anna! tell her that +our father is killed! I cannot do it. Oh, I cannot!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna came forward and fell on her knees by his side; +but she said nothing, the mournful truth had struck +home in the passionate words which Robert had uttered. +The old woman clasped her withered hands quickly, +and held them a moment locked and still. Then her +head fell back, her meek eyes closed, and two great +tears broke from under the lashes, and quivered away +among the wrinkles on her cheeks. Her lips moved +<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>faintly; and the children, who knelt with their awe-stricken +faces lifted piteously to hers, knew that she +was praying.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Little Joseph crept close to his grandmother, and +stole his arm around her neck. She bent down her +head and rested it against his, praying still.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Never, in this world, was grief so intense, and yet so +noiseless. At last the old woman unlocked her hands, +and laid them on the young heads bowed before her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Children,” she said, in her meek, low voice, “God +knows best what is good for us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother!” cried Robert, “shall we ever +see him again?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“All—all; and I very soon,” answered the old lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandma! don’t talk so; we could not live without +you,” said Anna, in a burst of tender grief.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Remember, my darlings, when death divides a +family, it is not forever. How lonely it would be if no +one we love were on the other side of the grave to meet +us when we go there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“All the brave soldiers that died on that battle-field +will bear him company,” said Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And mother—will she be there to meet him?” said +little Joseph, in a low voice. “I remember her so well!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna lifted her face from her grandmother’s lap, and, +reaching up her lips, kissed the child.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Joseph, dear, they are together now. It is +only their poor children who are lonely.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And grandmother!” said Joseph.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother can live or die, as God wills,” answered +that meek, old woman. “Here, she has three dear, +dear grandchildren. There, she has them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>The children had almost stopped weeping. There +was something almost holy in the calm of that gentle +woman’s grief that subdued theirs into sadness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He died for his country!” said Robert, with a gleam +of pride. “Died bravely, I know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How glad mother must have been when he came,” +whispered Joseph. “I wonder if they thought of us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They will never cease thinking of us, darlings,” +said Anna. “God help us! we are not alone. Thousands +of helpless children are made orphans with us, +all mourning as we do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! how sorry I am for them!” cried Robert. +“Some may be little babies, with no brother that can do +things to take care of them. You are better off than +that, grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I dare say a great many are in a worse condition +than we are, child. Some have no friends. Let us be +thankful and patient.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, grandmother, we will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now go to bed, boys, and try to sleep.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“May we say our prayers here—the closet is so +dark?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will he know it? Will he hear us?” whispered +Joseph.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, darling, I think so; I am sure of it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is almost like having him here,” was the gentle +answer.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He is here,” said Anna, smiling through her tears, +“my heart is so still and quiet. It seems as if a +dove were brooding over it.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII.<br> <span class='c010'>THE UNCLE FLEECED.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Two young men sat in the parlor of the Continental. +It was after dark, and the chandelier was lighted over a +small, round dinner-table, spread elaborately, at which +the two young men had just completed a sumptuous +repast.</p> + +<p class='c012'>They had both taken segars, as a luxurious conclusion +to the meal; and, leaning back in the coziest of Turkish +chairs, were chatting socially together, while clouds of +thin purplish smoke curled and eddied lazily over the +rich confusion of the table, where fruit glowing in silver +baskets; claret jugs cut into sharp ridges of light like +splintered ice; tiny glasses, amber-hued, green, or ruby +red, half full of rich wines from many a choice vintage, +were crowded close and huddled together like jewels on +a queen’s toilet. Here and there the glossy whiteness +of the tablecloth was stained, like a map, with a little +sea of pink champagne, or oceans of claret, proving that +there had been some unsteadiness of the hand at the +latter portion of the banquet. Indeed, the cheeks of +these two young men were hotly flushed with scarlet, +which glowed through the smoke as it curled from their +lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So you are at last taken in and done for?” said one +of the men, flirting the ashes from his segar with a little +finger, on which a small diamond glittered like a spark +of fire. “I don’t believe you are in earnest yet, and +shan’t till you’ve slept on it at least forty-eight hours. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>What kind of an angel is she—blonde, or brunette, +<em>petite</em>, or queenly?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No matter about that, Ward. I have no taste for +showing up a woman’s points as if she were a racehorse. +She is beautiful, and that should satisfy you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But who is she?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is the question. She is somebody that Madam +Savage chooses to patronize without deigning to make +explanations.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did she introduce you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, hardly. She just named us to each other, and +hurried us off into a tableau, where I found myself +kneeling to one of the loveliest creatures you ever saw, +whose duty it was to scorn and avoid me with a tragic +threat of throwing herself down a battlement of pasteboard +at least six feet from the floor. Upon my soul, +Ward, she was so beautiful in that position that I could +have knelt forever, just to keep her in that one graceful +poise; but in the midst of my enchantment away she +plunged over the battlement, breaking up the picture in +a twinkling, and leaving me on my knees startled out +of my wits. The curtain fell, and all was confusion for +a time. Before I could get out of the darkness, the girl +was gone. I waited half an hour about the scene, hoping +that she would appear again. She did come at last, +but young Savage was with her, looking confoundedly +handsome and tender. I could have knocked the fellow +down with a will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you see where they went?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Into a carriage—the madam’s own carriage—no +hack. There was a boy with them, too.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That looks respectable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>“But her dress, when she came out, was poor; a +brown merino, or something of that sort, with a straw +bonnet, pretty, but out of fashion.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you wish to know something of this girl?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will know something of her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why not ask Savage?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I tell you, the fellow loves her himself. I saw it in +his eyes as he looked under that outre little bonnet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t question me in that way, Ward. Of course, +I’m deucedly in love with her. You must find her out +for me by some means.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That would be easy, if I were intimate with Mrs. +Savage’s coachman. He would of course know where +he drove the party.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, get intimate with the fellow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will think about it; but now to other business. +You haven’t a check for a thousand about you—or two +five hundred notes in greenbacks? That was about the +amount of your losses the other night.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, was it so much? I had no idea of it. No, +my bank account has run down to nothing; and as for +ready money, I dare not trust myself with it. This +filmy paper is so handy to light segars with. One does +that sort of thing occasionally. I did the other night. +But I’ll tell you what, Ward, instead of paying you the +thousand, I’ll introduce you to a fellow that’s throwing +away his money like wild-fire, thousands on thousands +in a week. One of those petroleum chaps, with wells +that gush up fortunes in a day.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And what is the fellow doing here?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Spending his money.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>“Thank you for the offer of an introduction; but +Gould, upon my word, I am in want of ready money.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My dear fellow, so am I.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I must have it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, I hope you will not be disappointed.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould leaned back as he spoke, rested his head on +the crimson curve of his cozy chair, and emitted a soft +curl of smoke from his finely-cut lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now, Gould, this is too bad,” said Ward, impatiently. +“Remember, this is a debt of honor.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Can’t help it, my dear fellow! Haven’t got ready +cash enough to pay for these segars; to say nothing of +the wine, and so forth, that a fellow must have.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But there is your uncle. He refuses you nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hark! that is his step; speak of—— Ah! my +dear uncle, I am so glad to see you. Called at the +house this morning, but you were out.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The person who entered to receive this greeting, was +the old man whom we have seen at his dinner in that +solitary house, and who afterward gave so much happiness +to the soldier’s orphans in the fair. He entered +the room with a grim smile on his face, and stood near +the door a moment with his brows bent, and his sharp +eyes turned upon the sumptuous disarray of that dinner-table. +The smile on his thin lip turned to a sneer as he +took in the picture. Tiny birds, with their bones half +picked; fragments of a delicious dessert; and all that +rich coloring of half-drained wine-glasses, gave an idea +of satiety at a glance, which brought out the disagreeable +points in the old man’s character, and brought the color +to Gould’s face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Take this seat, uncle,” cried Gould, starting up, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>eager to divert the old man’s attention from the debris +of his little feast. “You will find it comfortable. Let +me take charge of your hat and cane.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man looked at his nephew with a sharp gleam +of the eye, and drawing a chair to the table, laid his hat +and cane on the carpet. Then he took up the glasses, +one after another, and tasted their contents with great +deliberation, occasionally pouring a little from the bottles +and decanters, while he muttered to himself, “Champagne, +Burgundy, sherry, claret, old Madeira, and the +Lord knows what, with roasted canary birds, and peaches +of ice by way of substantials. Wholesome eating for a +young man.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould pushed his chair away, and came to the table; +all his indolent composure gone, and with the hot-red +of a school-boy on his handsome cheeks.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Shall I ring, uncle? Will you try one of these birds +served hot? They are very fine.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; thank you, nephew; they are too expensive +eating for an old fellow like me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Too expensive for you, uncle—the idea amuses me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Remember, young gentleman,” said the old millionaire, +with grim pleasantry, “that I have no rich uncle +to depend on. A moderate glass of port, or claret, now +and then, is as much as I can afford. But, then, it is so +different with you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould bent over the old man’s chair, and whispered +with deprecating humility,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Uncle, don’t be so hard upon me before my friend.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Your friend!” repeated the old man, aloud. “So +this is one of your friends. Let me take a good look at +him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>With cruel deliberation he took out a pair of gold +spectacles, fitted them to his eyes, and searched Ward +from head to foot with one of his sharp, prolonged +glances. The young fellow colored, winced, and at last +turned fairly around in his chair, muttering, “Hang the +old fellow! his eyes seize on me like a pair of pincers.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Gould,” said the uncle, folding up his glasses, and +shutting them in their steel case with a loud snap of the +spring, “Gould, I congratulate you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What for, uncle?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That this exquisite young gentleman is your friend. +He does credit to your choice—great credit. Such +honors do not often drop into our humble way. Sir, I +am your servant.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old satirist arose, and making a profound bow, +sat down again, where he could see Ward’s face burning +like fire.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I found your note at the counting-house, Gould, +speaking of the serious nature of your illness, and came +up to see if a consultation of doctors would be necessary.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That was written this morning when I was seriously +ill. You remember, Ward?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes! Upon my honor, sir, Gould was desperate +with—with a—that is, neuralgia in the head. You +would have been quite concerned about him. We tried +chloroform—a great thing that chloroform. Did you +ever try it, sir?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So the chloroform cured my nephew. I am delighted +to hear it. That is it upon the mantle-piece, I +dare say. Give me a little.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old tormentor pointed to a flask of Bohemian +<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>glass, dashed with gold, that stood on the mantle-piece.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That, uncle? Oh! that is extract of violet. It +sometimes serves to carry off a headache better than +any thing else. Will you try it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man held out his hand for the bottle; took a +great red silk handkerchief from his pocket, and emptied +half the extract into its folds, scenting the room like a +violet bank in May.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Your note, Gould, asked for money—an unusual +thing; so unusual, that I brought the check in my +pocket.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>At the mention of a check, Ward started round in his +chair, and fixed a hungry glance on that hard, old face. +A check! His thousand dollars might not be so very +far off, after all.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould bent eagerly over his uncle’s chair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are too good, uncle. I—I——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! not at all, Gould. You deserve all that I am +going to do for you—richly deserve it. Give me a light +while I sign the check; thank you. There now, see +how careless. You haven’t a stamp about you, I fear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes!” cried Ward. “Here is one.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He reached over in handing the stamp, and caught a +glance at the amount.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“By Jove! it’s for two thousand!” he said, inly. +“Gould shall go halves before I leave him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man smiled one of his iron smiles as he +pressed the stamp in its place. Then he signed the +check, with a broad, old-fashioned flourish under the name.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will that do?” he asked, lifting his face to that of +his nephew, who bent over his shoulder delighted.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>“Is the figure large enough?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, uncle! It is more than I dared hope for.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not at all, Gould. Remember, I filled it in thinking +you ill. No, no! do not put out the taper yet. What +a pretty stand you have for it; filigree gold, as I am a +miserly old sinner. That makes a pretty blaze, doesn’t +it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould made a snatch at the check, but it was in a +light blaze; and the old man held it till it burned down +to his fingers, and fell in black flakes over the taper, and +the daintily warm gold that held it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward jumped up from his chair with an oath on his +lips. Gould turned white, and staggered back.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Uncle, uncle! I owed every dollar of that money,” +he cried out. “My honor is at stake.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man picked up his hat and cane with silent +deliberation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sir. Sir, I say! Gould owes me half the money; +and, by Jove! I must have it,” cried Ward.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Owes you! What for?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This curt question made the young gambler start and +bethink himself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What for? What for? Why for money I lent him +the other night for the Soldier’s Fair. That nephew of +yours, sir, is one of the most benevolent, tender-hearted +fellows that the sun ever shone on. That night he met +me in front of the fair, really distressed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Ward,’ said he—my name is Ward, sir. Gould +forgot to present me, but Ward is my name—‘Ward,’ +said he, ‘I’ve just done a foolish thing. You’ll say so, +when I tell you what it is——’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Said I, interrupting him, ‘I’ll lay five to one that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>you’ve been at your old tricks—emptying both pockets +to help some miserable soldier’s family out of trouble. +But it’s in you, this tender-heartedness; and all I can +say will never drive it out.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘No,’ says Gould, ‘you’re wrong there. It is no +family this time; but you know a draft has been made.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Yes, I know,’ said I, ‘and you have been drawn.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Wrong again,’ says your nephew. ‘But every man +owes a life to his country. I cannot serve; it would +break my dear uncle’s heart should I be killed; and he +is too good a man for me to give him one moment’s +pain.’ I beg your pardon, Gould, for saying this; but +truth will out, and your uncle will forgive me.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Well, what have you done?’ said I.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Simply this,’ replied Gould, blushing like a girl. +‘I’ve given every cent that I have on hand to a brave +fellow to take my place in the ranks and fight my battles. +It’s a mean way of doing things; but I could not +leave my uncle, not—not even for my country; and +Burns was determined to go.’”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who? What name did you say?” cried the old +man, grasping his cane hard.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Burns, sir. Burns was the name I used.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A man who left two boys, a young girl, and an old +woman behind to suffer while he fought? Was that the +person?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir; no doubt of it. Gould would never tell +you of it; but these were the facts.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How long was this ago?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I—how long was it, Gould? I know when you +told me, but it was before that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>“I cannot say. All this is unauthorized, sir. I never +dreamed that he would tell this story. Indeed——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I cannot say the exact time,” cut in Ward; “and +he won’t. But it was long enough ago to keep him in +hot water month after month. You have been very liberal +to him, I know, sir; but it has all gone that way. +‘Soldiers’ widows, soldiers’ children—they must be fed,’ +he argues. ‘What if these things do plunge me in +debt; if my uncle knew, he would not condemn me.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Then tell him,’ said I; ‘tell him at once, and relieve +yourself from all embarrassment.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘No,’ he said, ‘that would be making him responsible; +that would be forcing my charities on him. Only +help me, as a friend should, and I will find my way out +of this trouble. He is generous—munificent—this good +uncle of mine, let men say what they please. Some day +he will give me all the money I want; and while he +thinks that I spend it in extravagance, perhaps, I shall +have the satisfaction of knowing where it goes, and who +it helps.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The very day that your nephew told me this I lent +him a thousand dollars; five hundred of that sum went +for subscriptions in less than an hour. The rest would +have been given to a family that composed the most +touching picture of distress that I ever saw—but I prevented +it. I would not let him go home penniless.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was it a tableau within the fair? Did an old woman—a +lady, every inch of her—sit in the picture? +Was there a young girl, and two boys—bright, handsome +little fellows—crouching at her feet?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man asked these questions eagerly. His +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>hand worked around the top of his staff; his eyes kindled +under those bent brows.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir. Yes, that is the very family.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you gave the father of this family a thousand +dollars when he went to the wars, Gould?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould shook his head. “I did not say so, uncle. +I never would have told you so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward broke in upon him with breathless haste.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But he did it, sir—he did it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I saw this family. I was at the fair that night,” +said the old man, with a touch of pathos in his voice. +“Can you tell me where they live?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, I cannot. Doubtless they have been moving +from place to place since then, as poverty sent them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But with that money they should not have been so +poor,” said the old man with a return of keen intelligence.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But it did not go to them, sir,” said Ward, hastily. +“This man Burns was deep in debt, and the money +went to clear him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ward! Ward!” exclaimed Gould, starting up; +“this is too much. I will not permit it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Be silent, Gould!—be silent! I ought to know this. +You should have told me yourself; perhaps I should +have been glad to help you,” interposed the uncle, with +strange gentleness in his voice. “I may condemn such +extravagance as this. I do condemn and repudiate it +utterly. Extravagance is always wicked, coarse, unbearable. +I was angry——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not with your nephew, I trust, for that which is +altogether my fault,” interposed Ward. “I confess to +it, my tastes are ruinously luxurious. Gould would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>never have thought of any thing so absurd; but I was +lonely, and asked leave to share his parlor awhile. The +unfortunate dinner was served by my order, and at my +expense. As for the pretty gimcracks, it is my fancy. +I like to have such things around me. But, my dear +sir, you must not think me effeminate and worthless, +for all that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man’s face brightened wonderfully after this +speech. He dropped his cane and placed his hat on the +carpet once more.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Bring back the pen and ink! Give me another +stamp! Here, Gould, take that. But, remember, find +out where this family lives. I wish to know—I must +know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould took the check, which rattled like a dead leaf +in the old man’s hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Uncle! uncle!” he said, “I ought not to take this; +I have no right.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man snatched up his hat and cane, while these +honest words were on his nephew’s lips, and left the +room.</p> + +<p class='c012'>When he was gone, Ward snatched the check from +Gould, and leaping on the seat of his chair, brandished +it on high.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What author ever got so much for a single romance, +I wonder!” he cried. “I say, Gould, I must turn my +attention to literature, or the stage. Did ever a lie out +of whole cloth tell so famously. Pour out bumpers, my +fine fellow, and let us drink the old fellow’s health!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Be silent, sir!” Gould’s voice trembled with passion. +There was too much good in him for a relish of +such companionship, when it took that form of broad +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>dishonesty. “Be silent, sir! if you would not have me +hate you, and myself also.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With these hot words the young men parted.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII.<br> <span class='c010'>BRAVE YOUNG HEARTS.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>The orphan brothers sat together under the shadow +of a garden wall, talking with earnest energy, as if +their young lives were in the subject under discussion. +A tender sadness lay on their faces; tears now and +then broke through their words; and more than once +their small hands clasped lovingly, as if companionship +gave sweetness even to grief. A carriage drove by as +they talked, scattering drops of mud on the sleeve of +Joseph’s jacket. Robert brushed it off with great care, +and patted the child on his shoulder in finishing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now you see how it is, Joe, you and I are the men +of the family. Grandma is splendid at mending and +darning, and making things go a long way; but she +can’t earn money. So it all comes on sister Anna. +Isn’t she a beautiful darling? Wasn’t she stupendous +that night in the turban and red velvet jacket?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She’s always good and handsome,” said Joseph, +with touching simplicity; “but I like her best in that +brown dress and the straw bonnet. She didn’t quite +seem like our sister in the other things.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But she outshone every one of them, Joseph.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>“Yes, I know; but yet she wasn’t exactly like our +sister Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I was proud of her. It did me good to walk by her +side. I tell you, Joseph, Anna was born for a lady.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So was grandma. She <em>is</em> a lady.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She’s a dear, old blessed grandma, she is!” cried +Robert. “If it hadn’t been for her my heart would +have burst. It was wonderful how she quieted us all +down. I wonder if the angels are more still and sweet +than she is? Oh, Joseph! it isn’t many soldiers’ children +that have a woman like that to comfort them when +bad news comes; but we came out here all alone to have +a sort of private convention about things in general. +As I was saying, Anna is too pretty for a working-girl; +men turn round and look at her in the street when she +goes out. I’ve seen it, and it made me so mad that I’ve +longed to knock them down. Once I did stamp on a +big fellow’s boots, and it did me good to hear him cry +out, ‘Oh!’ He never knew why it was done; but I +knew, and his Oh! made me dance with joy on the pavement. +What business have strangers to be looking at +her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She doesn’t mind ’em—she doesn’t know it herself,” +said Joseph, lifting his soft eyes appealingly, as if some +one had been blaming him. “She never looks up, nor +seems to notice.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know that. Of course, she doesn’t. I’m not saying +she does; but she’s very, very pretty, Joseph—too +pretty for a poor man’s child; and now that she’s only +a poor soldier’s orphan, who will take care of her, if we +don’t?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I am so small, I shouldn’t even dare to stamp +<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>on a big fellow’s boots. It isn’t her fault if she’s so +pretty, you know, Robert. I dare say she’d help it if +she could.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This isn’t exactly an idea of mine,” answered Robert. +“I never should have had the sense to think of it, +but I heard father grieve about Anna being so handsome +before he went away to that glorious death of his! +It troubled him then—and it troubles me now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Still I like to see her so pretty,” said Joseph, smiling, +“it makes my heart swell here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph put one hand on his breast, and sighed, as +sensitive people will, over a remembrance of beauty in +any thing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, brother, it is natural. I love grandma for +her beauty, too. Other people, I dare say, think her a +little, old woman; but I know there is something more +than that, just as I feel when a rose is near by its scent. +How lovely she looked that night when we knelt around +her! Anna is pretty—but grandma looks so good. +Her beauty seems to have turned to light, which shines +from her eyes and makes her old mouth so lovely. I +can’t just say what I mean, Joseph, but there is something +about grandma that is sweeter than beauty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph had lifted his young face to that of his more +ardent brother, with a look of tender interest in all that +he was saying that seemed beyond his years.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” he said, with a sigh, “I feel that when grandma +looks at me. Besides, she never hurts one. Her +hand is so soft and light, it seems like a bird’s wing +brushing you. Then she steps so softly. Dear, old +grandma!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boys looked into each other’s faces, and saw dimly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>though unbidden tears, of which the elder was instantly +ashamed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Joseph, this is children’s play. We came here +to talk like men, not whimper like babies. Wipe up—wipe +up! that’s a brave little fellow, and let us go to +business at once.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, I’m ready,” answered Joseph, wiping his eyes. +“What shall we say next?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Joseph, these two lovely women—for they are lovely, +we both agree on that—have got to live. All hopes +from our brave father is dead and gone.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it! Oh! I know it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t cry, Joseph—that is, if you can possibly help +it; but listen. You and I must support the family.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You and I? Oh, Robert! think what a little shaver +I am!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yet, I’ve thought of that over and over again; but +in this world there is something that every one can do. +Think how soon little chickens begin to scratch up worms +for themselves.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Robert; but then the worms are about, and +they know where to find ’em.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So is money about, and we must learn how to find +it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But what can I do? Studying double lessons won’t +bring money, or I’d get them every night of my life.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No,” said Robert; “we can have no more school.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No more school?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Both of us must go to work in earnest.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will be in earnest—but how?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Joseph Burns, I’m going to make a newsboy of +you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>“A newsboy of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph was absolutely frightened, his eyes grew large, +his lips trembled. “Of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, little brother. It must be a splendid business. +I saw one of those chaps with a whole jacket full of +money; besides, it’s a healthy occupation, and leads into +a literary way of life.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I would try it, Robert, if I only knew how to +begin,” faltered the gentle child, with tears in his eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Begin! Why you’d learn in no time.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Would I?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of course; why not?—and bring home your fifty +cents a day, clear profit, in less than no time.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I’ll try, of course. I’ll do my best.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, how you shake! Do keep that poor little +mouth still. Nobody’s going to hurt you, Joseph, +dear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But—but have I got voice enough?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Voice! You little trooper, I should think you had. +Can’t you yell, oh! no?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph laughed through his tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’d like to do it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, that’s settled. As for the schooling, grandma +is a lady, and could teach, if they ever let old ladies +do that. Why, she’s grand in figures, and writes beautifully. +You shall study with her night and morning—so +will I. Work shall not cheat us out of our education, +you know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph began to brighten up considerably after this +suggestion. He had his dreams, poor boy, and loved +books with a passionate longing. The very idea that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>boys sold a species of literature, went far to reconcile +him with their noisy pursuit.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” he said, cheerfully, “that would be almost +like school.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Besides all that,” persisted Robert, “a boy that has +learned to read and write, who can cipher a little, and +so on, must be a poor creature if he can’t teach himself. +Reading and spelling is the key which unlocks every +thing else.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Besides, I can read the newspapers at odd times,” +said Joseph.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Certainly you can. But I tell you what, Joe, if +there comes news of a battle, and any poor boy looks +at you longingly, hand out a paper for nothing. I know +what it is—I know what it is.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’d do that—you know I would. But, Robert, I +wish you were going along. How we would make the +streets ring.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’m thinking of something else, Joseph. If that +fails, perhaps I shall take the lead with you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What are you thinking of, brother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You know that old man, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I know—how can you and I ever forget him?” +answered Joseph, glancing proudly down at his new +clothes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I mean to offer myself at his place of business as +an errand-boy, or something like that. I think he +rather liked us, Joseph.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, he did; I’m sure of that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, I shall only ask for work.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So I would, Robert; and I’ll come down every day +with the papers, you know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>“That’ll be jolly. Hark! there comes a fellow along. +What a voice he has! Splendid business for the lungs. +I’ll make a man of you, Joe.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The newsboy came up the side-walk, calling out his +papers, and looking lazily from window to window. +He had nothing very special that day, and was taking +the world easy, scorning to lay out all his powers for less +than a battle of fifty thousand strong. He came opposite +the two boys, who were watching him so earnestly, +and, thinking that they might be in want of a paper, +crossed over to where they sat.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Want a paper—morning Ledger?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! we were only talking about papers; not in +the least wishing to buy them,” said Joseph, blushing +crimson.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! that’s all,” said the boy, settling the bundle of +papers under his arm, and resting one shoulder against +the wall. “Seen you afore, haven’t I, my jolly rover? +Wanted me to sell you a paper for half price one night? +I remember them eyes of yourn. Jerusalem, didn’t +they look wild!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I was so anxious, so——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t talk about it. I feel the blood biling into my +face only with the thought. I never was so mean before, +and don’t expect to be agin. Will you take half a +dozen Ledgers now, and make up? I went back to +give you one. You won’t believe me, but I did—you’d +gone, though. Didn’t get a wink of sleep that night, +I felt so mean. ‘What if his father was in that battle?’ +says I to myself. ‘What if he wanted to look over the +list, and hadn’t got another copper? You’re a beast,’ +said I to myself; ‘a brute beast of the meanest kind! +<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>A generous Newfoundland dog, now, would a given that +boy the paper without a cent; but you—oh! get away, +a kennel is too good for you!’ That was the way I +pitched into myself all night long; but I got over it. +Business was good, and it drove sich idees out of my +head. But the sight of you here, huddled agin the wall, +like two rabbits in a box, riled me up agin myself +again. If you don’t want the paper, suppose we go +round the corner and pitch into a pile of oysters. +Sales are slack, and a feller may as well enjoy himself. +Besides, I shall feel amost friendly with myself again +if you’ll let me treat once. Precious nice mince-pies to +be had if oysters don’t suit that little shaver, and sich +peanuts.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert got up and took Joseph by the hand. “Yes, +we will go,” he said. “My brother, here, is thinking +of the literary business for himself; and I’d like to talk +with some one who understands it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The what?” asked the newsboy, opening his mouth +in vague astonishment. “What business did you say +he was thinking of?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Selling newspapers.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That delicate little trooper, with eyes like a girl’s, +and lips that tremble if you look at him. He’d never +do!—never!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But he is strong; runs like a deer, and shouts like +any thing,” said Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The newsboy faced Joseph squarely, and examined +him with keen attention.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Handsome as a picture,” he muttered; “and looks +as if he could run. Just give a holler, my boy; I want +to know how far a gentleman could hear you if he was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>shut up and shaving himself for church on Sunday +morning.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph stood up, half frightened to death, and gave +out a dismal cry, while his face turned from crimson to +white in the attempt.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t be afraid, we ain’t a college faculty, we aint. +There’s voice enough in the little codger’s chest, if he +wasn’t too scared to let it out. Now let’s see your fist +clenched—savagely, remember.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph clenched his right hand into as formidable a +fist as he could make of the delicate material, and held +it out.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Whew!” exclaimed the newsboy, with a comical +glance at the tiny fist. “Wouldn’t knock down a +canary bird; but mine will—so what’s the use talking.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It’s small, but I’m strong,” Joseph burst forth. +“Ask Robert if I haven’t pummelled him splendidly. +If anybody was to hurt him, now, wouldn’t I fight!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It ain’t to be expected that you could do a great +deal among the boys; but they’re generous, as a common +thing, and only pitch into fellers that can pitch back; +besides, I’m on hand, and they know me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you’d be kind to him?” said Robert. “He’s +all the brother I’ve got; and you see what a tender, +nice little fellow he is. We’ve got a sister and a grandmother +to support, and we mean to do it, Joe and I do. +Don’t we Joe?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph lifted his flushed face and sparkling eyes to +the tall newsboy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, we mean to do it, and we will,” he said, with +gentle firmness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The tall boy threw up his bundle of papers, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>caught it again as it whirled downward, in evidence of +his warm approval.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s the time o’day! Here’s the right sort of +stuff done up in little parcels,” he shouted. “Now look +here, you feller,” he added, turning to Robert, “I’ll +enter into a sort of partnership with you, and we’ll join +hands on it at once. I’ll take this little chap under my +wing, and set him a going in the business. How much +money can you put in?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Three dollars,” answered Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That isn’t a stunning capital; but then I began and +set myself up on fifty cents—but that was in specie +times. What I was going to say is this, I’ll stand by +this little feller tooth and nail. I’ll take him down to +the press-rooms myself, and get his stock put up; and +if any of the old stagers attempt to hustle him, or sich +like, because he wears bright buttons, and looks like a +gentleman’s son, let ’em try it, that’s all. They’ve felt +the weight of these mud-grapplers afore this, and know +how much there is in ’em. Why, I’ve been in the business +three years; but these extra times is a wearing me +out, and my run grows longer and broader every day. +He shall have a part of it—all the fancy work. Why +them eyes, looking up to the windows where ladies sit +in their muslin dresses and ribbons in the afternoon, +would set ’em to beckoning you up the steps like fifty. +They don’t take to tall fellows like me, as women ought +to. Yes, yes! I’ll give you the fancy work, and no mistake. +My! what purty girls I’ve seen looking out of +the parlor doors when some gentleman has beckoned +me into the hall. Molly! they’d let you go right in—shouldn’t +wonder a bit!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>“I—I should rather not,” said Joseph, shrinking modestly +from this magnificent idea. “Excepting grandma +and Anna, I don’t know much about ladies.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Live and learn! Live and learn! I only wish them +eyes and that face belonged to me, wouldn’t I make ’em +bring in the coppers and five cent greenbacks. But +then you are a little fellow, and don’t know the value +of such things.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I only want to earn money for them,” said Joseph. +“I’m little, and don’t know a great deal; but if you +will be kind enough to let me run with you a day or +so, then, perhaps, I might learn.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And what are you going into?” asked the newsboy, +addressing Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I was thinking of going into the mercantile way,” +answered Robert, blushing crimson; “an errand-boy, +or something of that sort.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Know how to read?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Fine print, and all?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, all kinds of print.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You don’t say so. Next thing you’ll be telling me +that you can write.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Write? Of course I can! Don’t I look old +enough?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Old enough? Why I’m twice your size.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And can’t write?” inquired Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not a pot-hook; tried once, but broke down on the +z’s—couldn’t curl ’em up to save my life; but I can +count, and read headings—and that’s enough for the +business. But you’re bound to be a gentleman, anybody +can see that; sich an edecation isn’t to be flung +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>away on the street. What if I know the place what +would suit you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, you don’t say that?” cried Robert, beaming +with hope.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I do, though. Gould & Co. wants a boy. I’ve +got acquainted with the old gentleman within the last +few days. He buys lots of papers—every extra. +Anxious about somebody, I reckon. The other day +he came after me full chisel, with his hat off, and the +wind whistling through his gray hair like sixty. The +way he snatched at my papers and pitched a dollar bill, +into my hand, was exciting. Wouldn’t stop for the +change—a thing I never knew of him in my whole +life—but hurried back, and shut the door of his great, +dark house with a bang.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poor man!” said Robert, mournfully; “perhaps he +had a son, or some one, in the army, that he loved.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Just as likely as not,” continued the newsboy, “for, +as I was going round the block a second time, he came +out of his house looking as white as a ghost. I saw +his face plain by the street lamp; and he went off +almost upon a run, like a crazy man. Something had +struck him right on the heart, I’m sure of that. But +come along, if you have a mind to try your luck with +the old feller. I’ll trust this little shaver with my papers +till we come back.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX.<br> <span class='c010'>THE NEWSBOY.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Little Joseph received the bundle of newspapers +offered to him, flushing crimson under the trust—and +the two lads went off together.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t go off the block,” said the newsboy, looking +over his shoulder. “Walk up and down, and who knows +but a little business may drop in.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph nodded, smiled, and settled the bundle of +papers under his arm; at which the boy gave an encouraging +flourish of the hand, and disappeared around +the corner; while Robert paused a moment, and sent +more than one anxious glance back upon his brother.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph waited till they were both out of sight, then +gathered up his courage and began marching up and +down the side-walk with a bold step, but stopped still, +and turned his eyes away in dread if any one approached +him. Once or twice he attempted to cry out, +but that was when no one was within hearing. Even +then the voice fell back in his throat, and he looked +around half frightened to death, terrified lest some customer +should come upon him suddenly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, dear! I shall never do it! There is no use in +trying!” he muttered, disconsolately. “If it was only +play, now, what a shout I could give. Goodness! there +comes a man! If grandmother was only here, I do believe +I Should hide behind her dress. But there isn’t +a place, and he comes on so fast. Dear me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The man was, indeed, walking fast, and seemed a +good deal excited. Joseph made a brave attempt at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>boldness, and marched toward him, blushing at his own +audacity.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ledger! Dispatch!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The words broke from his lips in a frightened cry; +he trembled all over, and stood still, terrified by the +sound, faint and hoarse as it was.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The very singularity of his cry drew the young man’s +attention, and he turned quickly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Give me a paper,” he said, taking some money from +his pocket-book. “Any one—I have no choice. Why, +what a young thing it is—so well dressed, too! Selling +newspapers must be a prosperous business, my little +man?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I haven’t got a cent of change. What shall I +do?” cried Joseph, looking wistfully at the twenty-five +cents which loomed before him. “Please, sir, I never +did this before, and don’t know how.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Never did it before,” cried the young man, smiling +upon the lad. “I thought you looked above the business. +Then you are such a mere baby; keep the money. +By the way, you seem a sharp little fellow, and I can +put you in the way of earning twice that amount.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Can you, sir? I’m glad of that. What shall I do?” +cried the boy, all in a glow of delight.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing very difficult. Just keep along this garden wall, +turn the corner, and you will see the house it belongs +to. Watch the door till a young lady in a brown +merino dress and straw bonnet comes out; follow her +where she goes. Be sure you take the papers, that she +may not think it strange; take sharp notice of the house +she enters; then come back here at dusk, and I will give +you a dollar bill.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>“A greenback, sir?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; a new greenback, with Mr. Chase’s picture on +the end.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph gathered up his papers in breathless haste; +his cheeks glowed, his eyes sparkled with delight.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll do it—I’ll do it!” All at once his countenance +fell, and his small figure drooped in abject disappointment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, I can’t,” he said, with tears in his eyes. “These +papers belong to another boy, and he told me not to +leave the block.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s unfortunate,” said the young man, smiling at +Joseph’s evident distress. “But you can stand at the +corner and tell me which way she turns?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I can do that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Better still,” cried the young man, struck by a sudden +idea. “She had a parcel in her hand, and appears +as if she took in work. Speak to her as she comes out; +tell her that you know a person who wants some fine +sewing done, and ask her where you shall bring it to. +She’ll trust that face, no fear about that. So you shall +earn the money, and keep that promise about leaving +the block.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I should be a little ashamed to speak to a strange +lady, sir.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, nonsense! She isn’t exactly a lady, you know, +only a sewing-girl. So there need be no trouble about +speaking to her; I shouldn’t hesitate to do it myself. +Just find out where she lives; but not a word about me, +remember, and the dollar is yours.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I’ll try, sir,” was the faltering answer.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>“That’s a brave fellow! Come here, just at dark, tell +me all about it, and get your money.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young man passed on as he spoke, leaving the +money in Joseph’s hand, forgetting, also, to take his +paper.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is mine, all mine; he gave it to me,” thought +the boy, gazing upon the money. “What a splendid +man he is—and yet his eyes. I don’t like his eyes, they +seem so tired. I wonder is he sick, or can’t he sleep at +night? It looks like that. I wish he hadn’t asked me +to do that other thing. How shall I speak to her? +Not a lady because she sews! Why, grandma patches +and mends, and turns, and washes, too; but I know +she’s a lady, every inch of her. Then there’s sister Anna—isn’t +she a lady, I wonder? I don’t like that man. +He hasn’t the least idea what a lady is; I know he +hasn’t.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph moved along the garden wall as these thoughts +filled his mind, and found himself at the corner in view +of a large white marble house, with a good deal of ornamental +ground lying around it. A flight of marble steps +led to the side-walks, and scrolls of carved work ran +down each side white as drifted snow.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert would have recognized this house at once; but +little Joseph had never seen it before, and stood gazing +upon the steps, wondering if the lady, who was not a +lady, because she took in sewing, would ever come out.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy had been watching, perhaps ten minutes, +when a female came gliding down those marble steps, +in a brown dress and straw bonnet, that seemed strangely +familiar to him. He started forward and, uttering a +glad cry, met his sister Anna face to face.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>“Why Joseph, is it you? Dear child, how flushed +his face is! What are you doing with all these papers, +dear? Why, you look like a little newsboy!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So I am, Anna—that is, I’m going to be, and earn +lots of money. I’ve hollered out papers once, and it +didn’t frighten me very much. Some day, Anna, I’ll +come and call out, ‘Ledger! Ledger!’ right under your +window; that is, when I can do it without shaking so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna’s face had brightened beautifully when she first +saw the boy; but you could see that tears lay close to +her eyes as he ceased speaking.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poor child! poor, dear child!” she said, laying one +hand on his shoulder, “perhaps we may come to this; +but I hope not—I hope not.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“See! I have got twenty-five cents already,” cried +the lad, holding up the tiny note. “A gentleman gave +it to me, and forgot to take his paper; and—and—oh, +sister! I forgot; he wants to find out where you live, +and has got lots of fine work for you. He is in such a +hurry to have it done, that he offered to give me a dollar +only to find out where to send it. Only think! +But then he didn’t know that I was your brother. A +dollar for finding you out! Isn’t that splendid, Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Joseph, dear, what are you talking about?” said +Anna, a little startled by this intelligence. “No gentleman +can want me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes! there does. Only—only, now I think of it, +he said you wasn’t a lady; and I know you are, and +will tell him so to his face; that is, I would, only I am +such a little boy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poor darling! It is of no consequence what any +one thinks about us—so don’t let it fret you; but tell +<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>me, what was this man like? Did you ever see him +before?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, indeed, sister Anna, I never did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not on the night when we made pictures?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; he wasn’t there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is strange,” muttered the young girl, a little +troubled. “What could any one want of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He said that it was work he wanted done,” answered +the boy, earnestly. “Perhaps Mrs. Savage has told +him how nicely you stitch, and embroider, and hem +handkerchiefs.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think not,” said Anna, quite seriously. “Was he +a tall man, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; not near so tall or large as Mr. Savage. But +there he come—there he comes.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna looked across the street, and saw a rather small +young man, with marks of age on his features; which +years had never given them; and those heavy, dim +eyes, which grow out of sleepless nights and unsettled +habits of life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is a stranger; I never saw him before,” said +Anna, in a low, frightened voice. “Come home with +me, Joseph—come away at once. He looks this way, +as if he were coming over.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, he won’t. He’s walking on; don’t be frightened, +Anna. He’s a very nice gentleman, and only +wants some work done.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! Come with me, child!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I mustn’t till Robert and the boy comes back; the +papers are not mine, you know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“True, true; but come home the moment you can, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>dear; and tell that man nothing about me. I am afraid +of him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I won’t tell a word, Anna; nothing shall make me. +There, he’s coming back again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna caught one glance of the man and walked on.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The moment she was out of sight, the young man +came across the street, taking out his port-monaie as he +approached the boy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Here is your money,” he said. “Now tell me +where the young lady lives—where I can send the +work?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She doesn’t want any work, sir!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Won’t you take the money, my boy?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, sir!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why not?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Because that young lady is my sister, and told me +not.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X.<br> <span class='c010'>ROBERT GETS A SITUATION.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Robert Burns and his new friend made their way +into the business part of the city. They entered a +large warehouse, and passed through it into a back +room—found a young man writing notes at one of the +desks. He looked up, saw the two boys, and suspended +his writing long enough to question them with his +eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is a boy that I want Mr. Gould to engage, sir. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>Where is the old gentleman?” said the newsboy, designating +Robert by a wave of his not over-clean hand. +“True as steel, sir, and honest as a morning paper, sir. +Where’s the boss?—perhaps you don’t know,” he added, +eyeing an antique seal ring on the gentleman’s white +hand. “New feller in these premises, any way. I +never see you afore.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young man went on with his writing, and took +no apparent heed of this rather elaborate address. His +pen ran over a sheet of note-paper with a quick and +noiseless motion, that filled the newsboy with admiring +astonishment. Then the note was folded, and something +placed with it in the long, narrow envelope, which +rustled under the touch of those fingers, silkily, like a +bank-note. Then a wax taper, coiled up like a garter-snake, +was lighted, a drop of pale green wax fell from +it to the note; and while the young man stamped the +seal with his antique ring, he seemed to become suddenly +conscious that the boys were gazing on him with +no common curiosity.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well,” he said, smiling down upon the seal as he +examined the impression he had made, “what is it? +Did you want something, boys?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir, that is just it. We want to see the old +boss!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The old what?” cried the young gentleman, with a +look of comic astonishment—“the old what?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The boss, sir; the old gentleman who runs this ere +machine!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! you mean the governor. Too late; sailed for +Europe yesterday.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But he told me I might look up a boy for him the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>very last time I brought the weeklies here; and I’ve +found just the chap.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! the errand-boy. So the governor commissioned +you—just like him. We do want a handy lad, +I think. I say, Smith.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Smith came in from a little den of a room at the left, +with a pen behind his ear.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you call, sir?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did the governor say any thing about engaging a +boy?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir. He was particularly anxious to get a good +one, smart and honest.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With all my heart, if he can find the paragon. +Well, what do you think of that little fellow?” The +young man pointed his pen carelessly at Robert without +troubling himself to look that way.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Smith looked at the boy keenly, who blushed crimson +under his gaze.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He seems modest, at least, and looks intelligent,” +was the kind answer.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you like him? Come here, sir, and answer +me a few questions.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert moved up to the desk, and lifted his honest +eyes to the young man’s face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How old are you, my fine fellow?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Twelve, sir, and going on thirteen.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Rather young, isn’t he?” said the gentleman, appealing +to Smith.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That will not matter so much, Mr. Gould. He +seems healthy, and is intelligent.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You like him, then?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>“Thank you, sir,” said Robert, with tears in his eyes. +“I’m much obliged, and—and——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That will do—take him on, Smith; but stay a minute. +Are you acquainted with the city?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Pretty well, sir.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Can you read writing?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And write yourself?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I can write.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“See if you can read that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould handed the note he had just directed, and +Robert read the address.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“J. Ward, Girard House.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That will do. Now, your first duty will be to carry +that note.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am ready, sir.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of course he’s ready,” cried the newsboy, rejoicing +over his friend’s success; “but hadn’t you better do +things a little ship-shape? About the wages, now. +This young gentleman has got a mother——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother,” whispered Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Just so. A grandmother and sister to support; +and money is money to him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould laughed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How much did we give the last fellow?” he said, +addressing Smith in careless good humor.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Three dollars a week.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Give this one four. I’ll be responsible to the governor. +With an old grandmother, and all that sort +of thing, it won’t be too much.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, sir! I am so glad—so very, very glad!” cried +Robert, crushing his hat between both hands in a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>paroxysm of grateful feelings. “I wish you could see +her; she would know how to thank you, I don’t.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He’s young and green—don’t mind him,” cut in the +newsboy, drawing the sleeve of his jacket across his +eyes. “Consarn the dust, how it blinds a fellow! By-and-by +he’ll take things like a man.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I only wish I was a man; oh, sir! how I would +work for you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould got up from his seat and laid his white hand +on the boy’s shoulder.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Boy! boy! I would be a child again, could that +give me back the feeling which fills those eyes with +tears. Oh, Smith! how much we men lose in hardening +ourselves. It is only the pure and good who can be +really grateful. Heavens! how I envy this boy!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Me, sir?” said Robert; “envy me. But then it is +something to earn so much money; and more yet, to +know that your father died for his country, fighting in +the front ranks. I’m all they have to depend on, sir. +You haven’t any idea how rich this four dollars a week +will make us. But I’ll earn it! I’ll earn it—see if I +don’t!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of course you will!” exclaimed the newsboy, who +was getting rather tired of the scene. “But here comes +another gentleman—hadn’t we better make ourselves +scarce till to-morrow?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>As the lad spoke, a strange gentleman came into the +counting-room, and shook hands with Gould.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, I’ve been on the war-track, with some success, +too,” he said eagerly. “Saw her going into that +house——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What house, Ward? What house?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>“Why——” here Ward broke off, and took young +Gould aside, to whom he spoke in a low, eager voice for +some minutes. The young man listened with a little +impatience; and more than once his face flushed angrily. +At last he came away from the window, where they had +been conversing, with a sparkle of indignation in his +fine eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Take no unworthy means,” he said; “I will neither +sanction or take advantage of any thing forced or dishonorable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward laughed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What has come over you?” he said. “Capricious +as ever; carried off by some other pretty face, I dare +say?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, there you mistake.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, well! you will join us to-night?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; I promised my uncle to give all that sort of +thing up.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You did?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; God bless the dear old fellow! He came +down so handsomely—without a word, too; asked no +promise—found no fault.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you made a promise and a very silly one.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Possibly—time will show; at least I will be neither +false nor ungrateful, if I can help it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Ward’s eyes fell upon the note, with its dainty +seal—and he laughed a little maliciously.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! Ha! I understand! A new flame,” he cried.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You can look at the address,” said Gould, quietly; +“and read it, if you like.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward took up the note, and looked surprised.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>“This lad would have brought it to you in half an +hour,” said Gould.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward tore the note open, and a thousand dollar bill +dropped out. He picked it up, glanced at the amount, +and then at Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you would have intrusted this to that child—who +is he?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Our new errand-boy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But his name?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I really don’t know it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And without knowing his name, you would intrust +him with this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, or ten times as much.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But what do you know about him?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who recommended him?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I recommended him,” broke forth the newsboy. +“What have you to say against that, I want to know?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward measured the indignant newsboy with his scornful +eyes, folded up the treasury-note, and left the counting-room +a good deal crest-fallen and annoyed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert and his literary friend followed him, and, I +regret to say, the latter put both hands up to his face, +and ground an imaginary coffee-mill with vigor during +the moment in which Ward turned to look upon him +as he passed round the nearest corner. As for Robert, +he did not clearly comprehend the movement, for old +Mrs. Burns had kept him in-doors a great deal of the +time, and his education, in some particulars, was incomplete.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI.<br> <span class='c010'>AN INTRUDER.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>When Anna Burns left her little brother near the +garden wall, she turned down the next street, and met +young Savage coming from an opposite direction. His +face flushed pleasantly, and his eyes brightened as he +saw her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Burns, how happy I am to have met you,” +he said, turning back and walking by her side. “I +would have called, but was afraid of intruding upon +your sorrow. How is the dear old lady?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna had been flushing red and turning white, like +the sensitive, modest creature she was, till he looked +kindly down into her face, and asked this question; +then she lifted her eyes and answered him with a smile +that made his heart leap.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank you very much! Grandmother is well, and +happier than any of us. She is so good that even grief +seems to make her more and more gentle. I never +heard her complain in my life.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Still, this must have been a terrible blow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It was! it was! But she yields—bends; resists +nothing that God sees fit to inflict.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>His voice was full of tender compassion. His eyes +brought tears into hers.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I cannot be so good, my heart will ache; my very +breath is sometimes painful! Oh, sir! you cannot tell +how I loved my father!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He must have been a superior man,” said Savage, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>gently; “a very superior man, to have brought up a +family so well, under what seems to me great difficulties.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He was a——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna broke down here—tears drowned her voice.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forgive me! I am cruel to wound you so; but it is +not meant unkindly,” said Savage.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know—I know!” faltered Anna, behind her veil; +“but you cannot think how noble he was—what beautiful +talent he had. I think Joseph takes after him; he +begins to draw pictures even now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was your father an artist, then?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; a designer on wood. He was just beginning +to make himself known. But he could do many things +beside that. We all loved him so—and now he is dead!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna drew her veil close, and, for a time, the young +pair walked on in silence, unconscious of the course they +were taking. They were aroused by a carriage dashing +past, in which a lady sat alone. She leaned forward, revealing +an eager face, surmounted by a bonnet of lilac +velvet, with masses of pink roses under the narrow +front. The horses moved so rapidly that Savage scarcely +recognized the face of Miss Eliza Halstead as she swept +by; but Anna saw it clearly, and shrunk within herself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Halstead had recognized Savage with a killing +smile on her lips; but when she saw his companion, the +smile withered into a sneer, and she seized the checkstring +in fierce haste.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Drive round the block again, fast at first, then +slower,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The man obeyed, and dashing round the block, came +upon the young couple again at a slower pace. Now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>Miss Eliza leaned out, kissed her hand to Savage, and +searched Anna’s face through the veil that shaded it +with her vicious eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I thought so—I thought so!” she muttered, biting +the fingers of her canary-colored gloves till the delicate +kid was torn by her teeth. “It’s that creature, not +Georgiana, who stands in my way. Oh! I have made +a discovery! It’s her! It’s the same girl that I +saw at the fair. Some poor seamstress or sewing-machine +operator, or I’m dreadfully mistaken.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The carriage moved slowly on as Eliza registered +these convictions in her mind; and before it was out of +sight, Savage had forgotten its existence, so deeply was +he interested in the conversation of the young girl who +walked so modestly by his side—so completely did the +feelings of the moment carry him away.</p> + +<p class='c012'>They parted at last not far from Anna’s dwelling. +Her hand was in his for an instant; her eyes met his +ardent glance as he whispered farewell; and warm, red +blushes dried up the tears that had been upon her cheek.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will see you again—I must see you again,” he said, +while her hand trembled in his; “without that hope, I +should not care to live.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>These words, sincere and impassioned, were enough +to flood her face with blushes, and set her to wondering +why the heart that had seemed so heavy, rose and +throbbed like a nightingale startled on its nest by the +song of some kindred bird.</p> + +<p class='c012'>With a light step and beaming face, the young creature +turned into the dark paths of her every-day life, and +climbed the stairs which led to her garret-home, lightly +as angels tread a rainbow. The old lady looked up +<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>when she saw her grandchild coming, and smiled meekly, +feeling that she would need such comfort; but she was +surprised when Anna smiled back, and, taking off her +bonnet, turned a face that was almost radiant upon her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is it, love? What has happened, that you +should look so bright, so happy?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Happy? Am I happy, grandmother? No, no! +It was but last night I told you that nothing on earth +could ever make me happy, now that he was dead.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, child; but God does not permit eternal grief +to the young.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother,” said Anna, leaning over the old woman’s +chair, that her face might not be seen, “have you +not always told me that God is love?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, darling, God <em>is</em> love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then, grandmother, all love must be divine—born +of heaven?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, child, all love is born of heaven.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, my dear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did any one ever love you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady’s hands fell into her lap, and clasped +themselves tightly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I thought so once,” she said, in a low voice. +“Yes, I thought so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you ever love any one, dear grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did I ever love any one? God help me, yes, I +have; I——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna flung herself on her knees before the old woman, +struck to the heart by her own cruelty. The poor +old lady was trembling from head to foot; her lips +quivered like those of a grieved child; her heart was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>troubled as the earth stirs when a lily has been torn +up by the root.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother, forgive me!” cried the young +girl; “I did not mean it. Can love last so long? Is +it rooted so deep in the life?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A quivering smile stole over that gentle face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do you think that love is only given to the young? +That it is mortal like the body? That it leaves the +soul because bright hair turns to silver on the head? +No, no, my child! Love is the one passion which time +deepens holily, but cannot kill. The soul, when it seeks +eternity, carries that with it. There is no real life to +the woman that does not love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! how solemnly you speak.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The love of an old woman is always solemn.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And of a young woman—what is that grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With her, my child, it is the blossom which precedes +the fruit,—bright, delicate, heavenly,—perishing, sometimes, +with the first frost, or under a warm burst of +sunshine; but when the blossom falls only to shrine its +shadow in the core of the fruit that springs from it, +changing itself only to meet the sweet changes of +womanhood; then, and not till then, can the soul know +how faithful, how true, how immortal love is.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna bent her head and listened to that sad, low +voice, which spoke of love with such sweet solemnity. +The blossoms of a first love seemed opening in her +heart, then, and flooding it with perfume.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! how beautiful life is!” she said, +with a deep sigh, which had no pain in it. “I think the +whole earth brightens every day.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>“Anna,” said the old lady, gently.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How long is it since the world has become so beautiful +to you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! I don’t know; but it seems to me forever.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Still it is but a little time since we heard that my +son—your father——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I know—I know. For a time all the universe +was dark as night to me; but now it seems as if my +father had come back, and brought glimpses of the +heaven he inhabits with him. Oh, grandmother! why +is it that I am not unhappy? I know he is dead; +I know that we are poor and helpless; that this is a +miserable room, with nothing lovely in it but this +precious old face, yet it seems like a paradise to me. I +could sing here as nightingales do among the roses.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, my child, I fear this is love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Love, grandmother!” cried the girl, in a quick, +startled voice. “No, no! not that! I never thought +that it was really love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>That bright, young face turned white as she spoke; +and Anna’s eyelids drooped suddenly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! what makes you say that?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did not say it unkindly, darling.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You never do say any thing unkindly, dear grandmother—but +this frightens me. Am I doing wrong?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Doing wrong! There can be no wrong in an honest +affection; but there may be, and is, great danger.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Danger, grandmother—how?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I cannot explain—cannot even point out the danger; +but this young man is rich, proud, highly educated. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>His parents are said to be ambitious for him beyond +any thing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, grandmother, I suppose they are; and I am +so lowly, so very poor; so, so——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The poor girl’s eyes filled, and her sweet lips began +to quiver with the tenderness of new-born grief.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did not think of them. I never thought of any +thing, only——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She broke off and covered her face with both hands.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Only that he loved you. Has young Mr. Savage +told you this, Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t know. Yes, it seems to me as if he had. +How dark every thing is growing. This room is black +and shabby. I wonder he could ever come here. I +remember, now, the boys were playing with oyster-shells +when he came in, and they had no shoes on, poor, +little fellows! He never would have said those things +to me here. Never, never!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna buried her face in the old lady’s cap, and that +little, withered hand began to smooth her hair with +gentle touches of affection, that went directly to the +young heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Be quiet, be patient, my dear child. What have I +said that you should sink into such despair?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna lifted her head, and put the hair back from her +eyes with both hands.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! what do you mean?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Only this, my dear. If the young man loves you, +the obstacles which I have pointed out will be overcome; +for as there is nothing on this earth so pure as love, +neither is there any thing so powerful. Through the +strong affection which a mother feels for her son, even +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>that proud lady may yield. Do not let the poverty of +this room, or of your dress, weigh too heavily upon +you. It is well that he should have seen you thus at +first; and remember, a modest, good girl, well informed, +and well-mannered, is the match of any man in a country +like ours.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Dear grandmother!” exclaimed Anna, gratefully.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now tell me,” said the old lady, “what did this +young man say to you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, indeed, I cannot tell. Every word is in my +heart; but I could as soon give you the perfume from a +rose as repeat them understandingly. I know that it +is true; but that is all.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And enough, if it, indeed, prove true. But listen, I +think it is the boys coming home.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Yes, it was Robert and Joseph rushing up stairs with +unusual impetuosity. You might have known by their +deer-like leaps up the steps, and the joyous struggle to +outstrip each other, that there was good news on their +lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! we’ve done it! We’re men of +business, both of us. Four dollars a week for me, and +Josey unlimited, but magnificent. He’s got a voice. I +wish you could hear him. Twenty-five cents, clear cash, +in an hour. That newsboy wouldn’t touch a cent of it. +Oh! he’s a capital fellow, a gentleman every inch of +him—that is, in heart. He got me that place; he’s +been a benefactor to me, a prince, a first-rate fellow! +Kiss Joe, grandmother, I’m getting a little too large; +but, but—no, I’m not. I shall die and shake up if +somebody don’t kiss me. Only think, four dollars a +week. Hurrah!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>Robert flung his new cap up to the ceiling, and +leaped after it with the spring of an antelope. Joseph +had both arms around his grandmother’s neck, and was +pressing the twenty-five cent note upon her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It’s all mine, every cent. You and Anna can spend +it between you; buy new dresses with it, or shawls, or +a pretty bonnet for Anna. Don’t be afraid, I can earn +more—lots and lots more. He’s going to give me some +of the papers that have pictures on them to sell; perhaps +father’s pictures may be among them. He didn’t +think that I should ever sell the beautiful things he +made, did he? But I shall, and it will make me so +proud to see people admiring them. Kiss me, grandma, +and say that you’re glad.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am very glad that you come home so happy, my +children—but what is it all about?” said the grandmother, +kissing Joseph on his pure white forehead, +while she reached forth her hand to Robert.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! it’s just this. I’m engaged as an errand-boy +in a first-rate house for four dollars a week; and Joseph +there—who’d believe it of the little shaver—has got a +newspaper route ready for him; and he’s ready for it. +Between us we mean to support you and Anna first-rate, +and dress her up till she looks like a pink. I mean +to get her a velvet cloak, like that Miss Halstead had +on at the fair, the very first thing, and long, gold earrings, +and—and every thing. Indeed, I do. Don’t we, +Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s just what I told grandma when I gave her +that twenty-five cent bill,” said Joseph, magnificently. +“Said I, get dresses and shawls with it. Didn’t I, +grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>The grandmother smiled tenderly, smoothed his hair +with her palm.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And who is it that you are engaged with, Robert?” +she said; “you have not told us any thing yet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, I haven’t. I wonder what’s the matter with me? +It’s with Gould & Co. Splendid, I can tell you. Warehouse, +as they call it, a hundred feet long. Oh, Anna! +I wish you could see the young gentleman—he is splendid. +But grandma, what is the matter with you? How +white you are! How your poor hands shake! Dear +me, what is the matter?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady’s head had fallen forward on her bosom; +the borders of her cap quivered like a white poppy in +the wind. She grasped some folds of her dress with +one hand, as if to steady its trembling.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandma, what is the matter?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady lifted her wan face, and looked at the +eager boy bending over her vaguely, as if she did not +quite know him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! grandma, grandma! what is the matter?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing—nothing!” gasped those thin, pale lips. +“Never, never mind me, children, I am not—not very +well.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna, who had taken off her bonnet and shawl, came +forward now, and, taking the old woman in her arms, +laid her head on her bosom.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is tired, Robert; your good news has taken her +unawares. Grandmother is not strong.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I didn’t mean to hurt her,” said Robert, penitently. +“Who would have thought it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You have not hurt me, dear,” answered the faint old +voice. “See, I am better now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>“Wouldn’t a cup of tea do her good?” whispered +Joseph. “It almost always does.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s a bright idea,” cried Robert. “Fill the tea-kettle, +Joe, while I make a fire. Dear, me, who’s that, +I wonder?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A knock at the door had startled the little group, +for such sounds seldom interrupted them in their garret-room.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert opened the door, and a young man, whom +Joseph recognized at once, stepped into the room, lifting +his hat as he entered.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I beg pardon,” he said, glancing around the apartment; +“but chancing to see my young friend there—pointing +to Joseph—enter this house, I ventured to +follow. We entered into a little negotiation regarding +some fine sewing, which I am anxious to complete. Is +this young lady the sister you spoke of, young gentleman?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph retreated slowly toward his grandmother, and +stood looking at the stranger, turning white and red, +like the frightened child he was.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is my sister,” cried Robert, flinging down a +handful of kindling wood on the hearth, and coming +forward. “But just now I can support her handsomely +myself, on what Mr. Gould pays me. He wouldn’t +have followed me home like that. We are very much +obliged; but sister Anna has all the fine work she can +do, and never takes any thing of the kind from gentlemen—at +any rate, unless they are very particular friends, +indeed,” added the boy, with a blush, remembering that +Anna had done some work of the kind for young Savage, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>and seemed to enjoy the doing of it very much, +indeed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then your sister does, sometimes, accept such work +as I offer?” said the young man, bowing to Anna. “I +am glad to hear that; it saves me from feeling quite like +an intruder. May I hope, young lady, that you will +make me one of the exceptions?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She don’t want any work,” interposed Robert, coloring +crimson. “I’ve got an idea above that for her, and +I mean to carry it out, too. Our Anna, sir, is a lady, +if she does live up here under the roof.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No one could doubt that for a moment,” answered +Ward, casting a glance of warm admiration on the young +girl.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here the old lady arose, still pale, but gently self-possessed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will you be seated,” she said, with quiet dignity, +“and let us understand what it is that you desire of us? +My grandson seems to have met you before.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, grandma, I saw the gentleman at Gould & +Co.’s, and he seemed as if he would like them not to +take me; hinted that I wouldn’t carry a lot of money +from one person to another honestly, and hurt my feelings, +generally. I don’t know what he wants to come +here for.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Joseph gave his grandmother’s dress a pull, and +whispered, as she bent toward him, “It was he who paid +me the twenty-five cents. Give it back to him—give it +back to him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady patted his head, and turned to the +stranger.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I understand, you wish to have some sewing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>done, and thinking my grandchild wants work, bring it +to her. We are much obliged; but she is very busy +just now, and it will be impossible for her to undertake +any thing more than she has on hand.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But at some future time, madam,” said the young +man. “I can wait.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It will be impossible to promise for the future,” answered +the old lady; “as the persons who employ my +child now must always have the preference. Perhaps +we had better think no more about it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward did not rise; but sat balancing his hat by the +rim between both hands. He evidently wished to prolong +the interview; but the old lady stood quietly as if +she expected him to go, and he could not muster hardihood +enough to brave her even with a shower of extra +politeness. All this time, Anna had not spoken a word; +but sat by the window, looking out like one in a dream. +Even the intrusion of this strange man could not drive +her from the heaven of her thoughts.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward arose, almost awkwardly, for the gentle breeding +of that sweet old lady had been a severe rebuke +to the audacious ease with which he had entered the +room.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then I will take leave,” he said, glancing at Anna, +who was far away in her first love-dream, and did not +even see him. “Of course, I am disappointed; but will +hope better success when I call again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>No one answered him; and the young man went his +way crest-fallen and bitterly annoyed. He had certainly +found out where the young girl lived, still nothing but +humiliation had come out of it. Gould, too, had almost +snubbed him that morning. The thousand dollar note +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>was some compensation for that; but these people in +the garret, poor and proud—how should he avenge himself +on them? How debase the pride that had so humbled +him? As he went down stairs, a paper on one +side of the outer door attracted his attention. A room to +let—that was all; but it struck the young man with a +most wicked idea.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Inquire in the front room, first story,” he muttered. +“Yes, I’ll do it now; that will give me a right to go in +and out when I please.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He went into the front room, first story, and came +out with a key in his hand, remounted the stairs, and +entered a room directly beneath that occupied by the +Burns family. It was a mean room, scantily furnished, +looking out on the chimneys and back yards, which have +already been described. But the glimpse of blue sky +and a rich sunset, which could be obtained from the +upper window, was broken up by flaunting clothes-line +and bare walls here. A more lonely place could not +well have been found.</p> + +<p class='c012'>But young Ward cared nothing for this. A paltry +lie had secured him a legal foothold in the house. +How he would use that privilege would be developed in +the future. He had vague ideas, but no plans. The +people up stairs had attempted to freeze him from the +house, and he would teach them that it could not be +done. That was about all he calculated on at the time.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward went back into the front room, first story, +where he found a tall, gaunt woman seated in a Boston +rocking-chair, working vigorously on some woollen garment +which she called slop-work. She wore no hoop, +and her scant dress fell short at the ankles, revealing a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>pair of men’s slippers, which had once been red-morocco, +and a glimpse of coarse yarn stockings.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well,” she said, pressing the side of her steel thimble +against the eye of her needle, as she took a vigorous +stitch, “suited with the premises, or not? Would a +gone up with you, only hadn’t time. Ten cents apiece +for a blouse like this don’t give a woman many play +spells.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I like the room, and will pay two months’ rent in +advance,” said Ward, taking out his porte-monnaie.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then that’s settled,” answered the woman, nodding +her head as he laid the money down. “Good-day! +Good-day!”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII.<br> <span class='c010'>AN ECCENTRIC DRIVE.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Miss Eliza Halstead was very eccentric in her drive +about town that day. She had some shopping to do, +but forgot it entirely, for the first time in her life. Miss +Eliza had a taste for that especial amusement; and it +must have been an absorbing passion that could have +drawn it from her mind. As it was, Chestnut street +saw but little of the Halstead carriage that day; but it +appeared in parts of the town where such equipages seldom +presented themselves; threaded cross-streets, and +drove slowly by tenement-houses, astonishing the children +that played on the doorsteps, and chased each +other along the unswept side-walks. Once or twice Miss +<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>Eliza left her carriage and examined the numbers of +these houses herself, rather than trust the coachman to +leave his horses. This singular conduct disturbed the +serenity of this high potentate, who muttered his indignation +to the air, and lashed little boys with his whip, +as if they had been to blame for bringing him into a +neighborhood which revolted every aristocratic sense +of his nature. Miss Eliza, too, held up her skirts as +she crossed the pavements, and threaded the side-walks +with an air of infinite disdain; but comforted herself by +reflecting that the people who saw her would believe +that some noble purpose of charity had brought her +there; and, to strengthen this idea, she took a showy +porte-monnaie from her pocket, and tangled its gold +chain in her gloved fingers, which was suggestive of +unbounded benevolence searching in the highways and +hedges for objects of charity.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza was a good deal puzzled by all the numbers, +which she found contradicting each other along +the battered doors, and was about to abandon the exploration, +when she saw a young man leave one of the +houses, and walk down the block, as if in haste to leave +the neighborhood.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is young Ward, I’ll stake any thing,” said +Miss Eliza, leaning out of the carriage she had just +entered. “What on earth can he be doing there?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Ward did not notice her, but turned a corner +and disappeared; but Eliza had taken a correct survey +of the house, and ordering the coachman to drive slowly +by it, took the number in her memory.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She came down this block and darted into a door +somewhere close by this very place, I’ll be sworn to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>that,” muttered the spinstress. “Savage kept by her +side almost to the corner. They must have walked +together a full hour, and he with his head bent half the +time—the artful creature. I wonder if he knows that +she left him to meet this handsome young gambler in +that place? Oh! it’s all true! That boy in the door +is her brother, one of the barefooted creatures who +stood in the picture of ‘a soldier’s home.’ There is no +mistake about the thing now. Jacob! I say, Jacob! +You may drive home!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Jacob muttered heavily under his breath, and, seeing +a long space of broken pavement, avenged his outraged +dignity by driving through it so roughly that the carriage +rocked and toiled in the ruts like some ship in a +storm. Liking the faint screams that came from within +the carriage, Jacob resolved to give his lady the full +benefit of the neighborhood she had forced him into; so +he lost his way, and drove around in a circle, where the +squalid children were thickest along the side-walks, and +women with naked arms, sometimes dripping with soapsuds, +thrust their heads from the windows, wondering +at the splendor of her equipage. But Jacob revolted +himself at this amusement, after a little, and drove back +to a level with aristocracy again, after which he condescended +to take a tolerably straight line for home.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza went into her step-brother’s house in a +state of sublime exaltation. Two distinct tints of red +flushed her cheeks; her pale blue eyes darkened and +gleamed. Up the steps she ran, and into the house, +eager to unbosom herself of the secret that possessed +her. Some feline instinct carried her directly to the +little room in which Georgiana Halstead spent her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>leisure hours, and where she then was somewhat lonely +and dispirited. Georgie had kept much by herself +during the last few days, for a gentle sadness had fallen +upon her, such as loving hearts know when locked up +with anxious suspense.</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was a beautiful room which the girl occupied, half +library, half boudoir, warmed with the mellow sunshine +and bright with tasteful ornaments. The walls were +wainscoted with black walnut, enriched with gilded +beading, and the ceiling was crossed with beams of the +same dark wood, giving an antique air to the whole. +The floor was also of polished walnut, which a Persian +carpet, bright with scarlet and green, left exposed at the +edges. Turkish chairs, and a pretty couch, all cushions +and crimson silk, gave warmth to the dark shades of the +wall, while crimson curtains imparted to them a double +richness when the sun shone through them. Mosaic +tables blended these commingling shades harmoniously. +A harp, that seemed one net-work of gold, stood in one +corner. A guitar, around which clustered a wreath of +gold and mother-of-pearl, lay upon the couch; and +superbly bound books were scattered on the tables. +But all these had given no happiness to pretty Georgiana, +who lay huddled together in one of the Turkish +chairs, pale as a lily, and with soft, bluish shadows +deepening under her eyes. Whoever the man was that +she grieved about, I think he never could have resisted +so much tender loveliness, had he seen Georgie then, +with her hair disturbed and rippling, half in ringlets, +half in waves, shading her face here and revealing it +there, absolutely rendering her one of the most interesting +creatures in the world. A morning dress of very +<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>pale green merino, with some swans’-down about the +neck and sleeves, lay in soft folds around her. She +had been crying, poor girl! and the dew of her tears +hung on those long, curling lashes, which were brown, +and several shades darker than her golden hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie heard Miss Eliza’s step, and wiped the tears +away quickly with her hand, starting up and holding +her breath, like a white hare afraid of being driven +from its covert, as the rustle of silk drew nearer and +nearer.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, you are here yet! I fancied so,” cried Miss +Eliza, flinging open the door, and sweeping into the +room with a rush and flutter which always accompanied +her movements; “and in that morning dress, too, intensely +interesting. But do you know it is almost dinner-time?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I was not going down to dinner, Aunt Eliza,” +answered Georgie; “my head aches a little, I think.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! have your dinner sent up? Why, child, this +is putting on airs.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, I am not putting on airs, Aunt Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Aunt Eliza! How often am I to tell you that I detest +the title; besides, it does not belong to me. I am +aunt to no one, certainly not to a person who has not a +single drop of my blood in her veins.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am sorry to have used the word; excuse me,” said +Georgie, with childlike sweetness. “I never wish to +offend you, Miss Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No one wishes to offend me; and yet—but no matter, +I came to tell you something, but I dare say it will +only set you off into hysterics, or something of that kind. +I have made a discovery, a painful, heart-rending discovery. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>It ought not to concern you, but you have a +woman’s heart, and can sympathize with me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, what has happened?” cried Georgie, sitting +up, and turning her eyes full upon Miss Eliza. “Nothing +very serious, I hope.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That depends,” answered the spinster, sitting down +on the floor with a swoop of her garments that raised a +little whirlwind around them, and leaning her elbow on +Georgiana’s lap. This was a favorite position with Miss +Eliza when the spirit of extreme youthfulness grew +strong within her. “That depends on the susceptibility +of the heart that is wounded. Oh, child! may you never +be gifted with those exquisite feelings which make up +that heavenly thing called genius in a human soul; but +without that you can never know how I suffer, how the +pride of suppressed tenderness struggles in this soul!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana had heard these intense rhapsodies before, +and knew what trifling occasions could bring them forth. +She closed her eyes wearily, and laid her head back on +the cushions of the chair, waiting in weary patience for +the explanation that might be long in coming.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No wonder you sigh; no wonder the lids droop over +your eyes. My own are full of unshed tears. But I +must be brave. I will be brave, and struggle against +the destiny that threatens me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana sighed a little wearily and moved back in +her seat, for Miss Eliza’s arm pressed heavily upon her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Is there—is there a man on earth that may be +trusted, who is not ready to break the heart that confides +in him?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana shrunk back from the prying glance fixed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>upon her, and strove against the thrill of pain that +passed over her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Whom are you speaking of, Miss Eliza?” she inquired, +in a faint voice.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of the man whom you, weak, silly thing, have loved +vainly; and I—oh! too well!—too well! He is faithless, +like the rest—cruelly, cruelly faithless—I saw it +with my own eyes. After that scene in the carriage, too, +when my hand rested in the firm clasp of his; when his +eyes met all the maidenly tenderness that flooded mine. +Oh, Georgiana! that was a heavenly moment; but the +earthquake has come; the tornado is passed, and my +heart lies a wreck under his feet.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘He may break—he may ruin the vase, if he will,</div> + <div class='line'>But the scent of the roses will cling to it still.’”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Here Miss Eliza took out her cobweb of a handkerchief, +and wiped some mythical tears from her pale, +gray eyes. Then grasping the handkerchief tightly in +her hand, she cried out, “But you cannot feel. He +never loved you, never encouraged your love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana started up, and shook the arm from her +lap with some impatience.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who are you talking about? What does all this +mean?” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It means,” said Eliza, gathering herself up from the +floor, “that the man you love to idolatry—but who +loves me in spite of every thing—is fascinated with that +girl who played Rebecca in that hideous tableau. I +saw them walking together a whole hour this very day, +his face bent to hers, her hand clasping his arm.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana sunk to her chair again, white and faint.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>“Aunt Eliza, please let me rest a little, I am not well, +you know.” Tears were in her voice, tears trembled on +her eyelashes. Eliza was satisfied, and went out of the +room.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII.<br> <span class='c010'>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>“What are you doing, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The child did not answer at first; the bright red +came into his innocent cheeks, and he gave a little +laugh of mingled confusion and glee as he trotted out +of the corner, and came toward his grandmother.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady had paused for a second in her work; +but she could not afford to forget herself into stopping +completely, and her wasted fingers began moving as +assiduously as ever.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I thought you were trying to fly,” said she, smiling +in her sweet, patient way, the sort of smile that human +lips only wear when they have been purified by great +and patient suffering. “I didn’t know but you had a +pair of wings hid away under your jacket.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I wish I had!” exclaimed Joseph, impetuously. +“Oh! I wish I could fly, grandma!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, what would you do, Joey?” she asked, looking +almost wonderingly down at his eager face all aglow +with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’d fly away to heaven and bring father back,” he +whispered, nestling close to her side.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman dropped her work, and folded her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>arms close about him; while one dry sob, that takes the +place of tears with the aged, shook her breast.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’m afraid the angels wouldn’t let you come back,” +she whispered; “grandma couldn’t lose her boy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! I’d come back,” he said, eagerly; “and I +would just tell father how we want him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The good Father of all knows best, Joseph,” she +answered, with sweet submission. “You mustn’t wish +anybody back that has gone over the black waters.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Only we need him so, grandma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, deary; but you don’t forget your little hymn. +We ain’t alone, you know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, grandma! Oh! if I was only a big man!” he +cried, with immense energy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Were you trying to stretch yourself into one?” she +asked, bringing herself back to ordinary reflections; +for she had learned, poor soul, in those years of trial, +how dangerous it is to give way to yearning thoughts +after the dear ones who have gone forward to the eternal +rest.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, grandma,” said the boy, bursting into a laugh +at his own performance—such a merry, rippling laugh, +that it made the old woman think of the sound the +mountain brooks made among the wild country scenes +she had so loved in the days when life was still an +actual pleasure.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, not quite that, grandma,” he added, in his +scrupulously truthful way. “But I was trying to see +if I hadn’t got up above the mark sister Anna made for +me in the corner.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you couldn’t stretch yourself to satisfy you? +It’ll come soon enough, my boy—soon enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>“I think it’s very slow work, grandma; and the +birthdays are so far apart. What a great while a year +is, grandma, aint it? It don’t seem as if it ought to +take many of them to make eternity.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The smile was quite gone from her face now. She +had forgotten the work that must be done; her face +was uplifted, and the shadowy eyes looked eagerly out, +as if the tired soul were trying to pierce the mists that +lay between it and its haven of rest.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy looked at her wonderingly; then her silence, +and her strange, far-off look filled him with a vague +trouble. He slid his little hand into hers and pulled +her toward him, exclaiming,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandma! grandma!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear,” she answered, dreamily.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! don’t look as if you were going away!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Truly, his innocent words, whose import he himself +so dimly comprehended, was the most perfect translation +of that look which words could have found.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What were you thinking about, grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thinking? Ever so many things—so many!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t the years seem a great way apart to you, +grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So short; and such ages and ages to look back on,” +she answered; but replying more to her own thoughts +than seeking to make her words plain to his childish +understanding.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, you don’t have birthdays any oftener than I, +do you?” he asked, somewhat jealously; perhaps afraid +he was being defrauded of his rightful dues in regard +to the number and frequency of those blessings that +grow such very doubtful ones as the years get on.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>“It’s only that they seem to come closer and closer, +Joey,” she answered, brushing his hair back from his +handsome face. “When anybody gets old, little boy, +the years grow very short in passing, and so long to +look back on.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I guess I don’t quite understand it yet, grandma,” +he said, with a somewhat puzzled look.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Time enough, little Joseph. Don’t you try to hurry +things; you’ll understand soon enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will I?” and he gave a sigh of relief—the promise +and the anticipation were almost as consoling as any +reality—the anticipations of childhood are so golden in +the light of the future.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph nestled close to her feet on the little stool, +and, resting his thoughts on the promise she had made, +brought himself back to safer themes, both as regarded +his mental capacities and the old lady’s peace.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is just the morning for a good long talk, ain’t +it, grandma?” he said, in his quaint, old-fashioned way, +that was so pretty and original.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Almost any morning seems just the one for you and +me,” she answered, pleasantly, taking up her work again, +and proceeding to make amends for lost time with great +energy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, so it does,” said Joseph, after considering the +matter for a little. “You and I don’t seem to get +talked out very easy, do we, grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not very, dear; you have a tolerably busy tongue +of your own.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sister Anna says, sometimes she’s afraid you find it +most too long,” said Joe, honestly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There isn’t any danger of that, my boy; it’s as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>sweet to your old grandmother as the birds’ songs used +to be.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Only not like that parrot in the baker’s shop,” +amended Joseph, with a laugh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“More like the wood-thrushes I used to hear up in +Vermont,” she said; for his laughter brought back again +the memory of the brooks, and the beautiful summers +that lay so far off behind the shadows of all those later +years.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How does a wood-thrush sing?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Then there had to be an elaborate explanation; at the +end of which he must ask, in great haste:</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you live in Vermont, grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, dear; but I spent a summer there once—so +long, long ago.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you have forgotten about it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forgotten, child? Oh! I couldn’t forget it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was it so very pleasant, grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The feeling that surged up in her heart was like a +glow from her perished youth, so warm and powerful +was it; the soft wind from that summer of the past blew +across her soul and made her voice sweet as a psalm.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So pleasant, Joey—so pleasant!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was grandpa with you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; he was there part of the time.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think I should like to hear about it,” said Joe; +“it sounds like a story.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>So it was—the story every youth knows, varied according +to individual experience; but the old story +still, that is always so beautiful.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Won’t you tell me about it, grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, dear, there is nothing to tell! It was like +<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>a story to me, because I was so very, very happy, and +the birds sang as I don’t think they ever have sung +since; and I haven’t heard any thing, either, like the +sound of the brooks, only your dear voice; and it was +such a beautiful time of rest.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She was far beyond little Joe’s comprehension now; +but the unusual look in her face interested him, and her +voice sounded like a blessing, it was so soft and caressing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What makes you think the birds haven’t sung so +since?” he asked, with that tendency to be direct and +practical, which children show in so odd a way when +they are perplexed by a conversation that makes new +echoes in their untrained souls.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That was only grandma’s foolish fancy,” she said, +trying to come back from the phantom world, where her +thoughts had wandered. “Dear boy, the birds never +stop singing! Never forget that as you grow older, +and troubles begin to weary you. Even if you can’t +hear them for a time, they are singing still; and so are +God’s blessed angels, too, and sometime we shall hear +both clearly again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Up in heaven,” said Joe, gravely and thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Up in heaven!” repeated the old woman, and her +voice was a thanksgiving.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy caught her hand and held it fast. There was +an expression of such trust and hope, making her face +young again, that a vague fear shot into his mind that +she was just ready to float away from his sight forever.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t, grandma!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, dear?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>“Did you hear ’em sing?” he whispered, in a sort of +awe-stricken way.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What do you mean, little one?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You looked as if they were calling you—the angels, +you know. You won’t go away!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They will call sometime, my boy, and your poor, +old, tired grandma will go to her rest. Only we must +have patience, Joey—a little patience.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t want you to go,” said Joe, stoutly; “and I +don’t think I like the angels either!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Joseph!” said the old lady, startled into a +practical view of things by the expression of a sentiment +so dreadfully heterodox. “What do you mean? +Not like the angels that live up in heaven? Just think +a little.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, they’re always taking folks away,” he replied, +rebelliously; “and I wish they wouldn’t! I’m sure +they can’t love you as well as I do, for I’ve known you +all my life; and they’re only strangers, after all.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joe spoke as solemnly as if his little existence had +endured several scores of years; and grandma, in spite +of feeling it her duty to impress a proper orthodox lesson +on the child’s mind, could not help a smile at the +idea of the angels being considered interlopers, and unjustifiably +inclined to meddle with human affairs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They love us, Joey,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; but not so well as we love each other, I guess.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They come to take us home,” she added.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then I want ’em to take us all together,” retorted +Joe. “They might have a family ticket, as they had at +the fair,” he added, briskly, after meditating a little; +and he looked quite delighted at his brilliant suggestion.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>“Oh, Joe!” said the old lady; but grandma’s devotion +was of a very sweet and loveable kind, and, certain +that the child had meant no irreverence, she could not +quite feel it her duty to give him a serious lecture upon +the enormity of giving expression to such proofs of +total depravity.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That wasn’t wicked, was it, grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You didn’t mean it to be, dear,” she answered, softly. +“But you must remember the angels do love us, +and they wont be strangers to us when we see them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joe did not attempt to dispute a point that his grandmother +stated so distinctly; but he remained sufficiently +doubtful to make him desirous that the unseen visitants +should not hasten their coming; and he still held fast +to his grandmother’s hand, giving a long breath of satisfaction +when he saw the glow of exaltation die slowly +out of her face, and the every-day look of patience and +resignation settle down over its pallor.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are making me very idle,” said the old lady, +shaking his little fingers gently off her hand; “and we +both forgot you haven’t said any lesson this morning, +little boy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll get my book,” said Joe, rising with his usual +prompt obedience, rather glad to get his mind back to +safer and firmer ground. “I’ll say a good long one, +grandma, to make up.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s my good boy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>So the lesson was gone through with great earnestness, +and with the most entire satisfaction on both +sides; for Joe was as quick at his book as with his +queer fancies that made him so pleasant a companion +to the old lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>“There’s somebody coming up stairs,” said Joe, as +he closed his book after receiving a kiss of approval. +“Oh! it’s Anna,” he added, as the door opened, and the +girl entered.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, I didn’t expect you home so soon, dear,” said +the old lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I brought the work to do it here,” she answered, +laying her bundle on the table.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am glad of that; it’s always pleasant to have you +at home.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But grandma wasn’t lonesome,” added Joe, hastily. +“We have had one of our good old talks, haven’t we, +grandma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And I said my lesson splendid, Anna,” he continued, +too eager to be quite grammatical.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am glad of that,” she answered, a little absently, +and passed on into the little room she called her own, +closing the door behind her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She was not accustomed to lose much time in dreaming +or idling; but then she sat down on the bed, and +threw her bonnet wearily away, as if her head ached +even under its light weight.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She looked weary and disheartened—the look so painful +to see in a young face; so sad to feel that life’s iron +hands settle too heavily over all the youthful dreams +and hopes that ought to make youth joyous and beautiful.</p> + +<p class='c012'>There she sat quiet, and absorbed in her thoughts till +the tired look wore away; and if there had been any to +see, they might have told accurately by the expression +of her face, and the new light in her eyes, how her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>thoughts stole, gradually, from the stern, harsh reality +into the realm of some beautiful dream-land, whose +flower-wreathed gates no care or trouble could pass.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She was so young and so lovely—ah, let her dream +on! The stern reality lay just outside; the brightness +of elf-land might only make its coldness more bleak +when she was forced to return; but I would have hesitated +to take from her the ability to wander away among +her glorious visions.</p> + +<p class='c012'>There comes a time when we can dream no longer—you +and I know it. But would we lose the memory of +the reason when such reveries were more real than the +details of the untried existence about us?</p> + +<p class='c012'>I think not. I am sure not; and since care and suffering +must come, and every human heart learn its appropriate +lesson, I would not deprive the young of any +share of the glow and brightness which belongs to that +feverish season; and you and I both know that its chief +sunshine comes from that ability to weave golden visions, +and sit in breathless ecstasy under their light. And +then Joseph’s voice called outside the door,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna—sister Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear; I am coming.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The dream-world vanished; the rose-clustered portals +closed, and she came back to the real life—came back, +as we all must. But, oh! woe for the day when the fairy +gates close with a dreary clang, and we know that never +for us can they open again “till these hearts be clay.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She passed into the outer room, where Joseph was +very busily engaged in helping, or hindering his grandmother +to array herself in the worn shawl and bonnet, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>which had so long before done duty enough to have entitled +them to pass out of service.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandma and I are going for a little walk, Anna,” +he said, in his quaint way. “I think it’ll do her good.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Dear boy,” said the old lady, with her sweet smile; +“there never was such a thoughtful creature.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am sure it <em>will</em> do you good, grandmother,” Anna +said; “but you must put my shawl on under yours; the +wind blows cold.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph ran off to get it, and the pair wrapped the old +lady up with a fondness and attention which many a +rich woman would give all her India shawls, and diamonds +to boot, to receive from her children.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Then Joseph led her carefully down the stairs, and +Anna brought her pile of work to the fire, and sat down +in her grandmother’s chair. She could not afford to +waste the precious moments with so much dependent +upon her exertions; but fast as her fingers flew, still +faster travelled her young, unwearied thoughts; and +that they were pleasant ones one could have told by the +smile that stole every now and then, like a ray of sunlight, +across her mouth, brightening her beauty into +something positively dazzling.</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was a quick knock at the door, but supposing +it to be some of the neighbor’s children on an errand, +Anna did not pause in her work, calling out dreamily,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come in.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The door opened hesitatingly, and Anna added, “Is +it you, little Alice Romaine?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is not little Alice; but may I come in?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna sprang to her feet in astonishment and turned +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>toward the door, and stood confronting Georgiana Halstead.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Excuse me,” Georgiana said, hastily, in her graceful, +childlike way. “I thought Rowena might come to +see Rebecca. You are not vexed, are you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>In spite of her retired life, Anna was too truly a lady +to feel either confusion or embarrassment; not even +shame at the exposure of their dreary poverty, but one +of those flashes of thoughts, which travel like lightning +through the mind, struck her painfully as she looked at +Georgiana Halstead standing there in her beautiful +dress, like the goddess of luxury come to look poverty +in the face, and find out what it was like.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have been wanting to come so much,” continued +the girl, going up to Anna and holding out her hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are very kind,” she answered, pleasantly +enough; and the momentary bitterness died in cordial +admiration of her visitor’s loveliness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>They made a beautiful picture as they stood, and the +contrast only added to the charms of either. Had a +painter desired models for the patrician descendant of +Saxon kings, and the dark, passionate-eyed Jewess, he +could not have found more perfect representatives, at +least of his ideal.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will you sit down?” Anna said. “It was very kind +of you to come.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Her composure was quite restored, brought back +more completely, perhaps, by a pretty little hesitation +in Georgiana’s manner, such as a petted child might +betray when venturing upon some step for which it +feared reproval.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank you; ah! it’s nice of you not to be offended,” +<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>said Georgiana, sitting down by the fire. “Mrs. Savage +gave me your address; and ever since the tableau +I have been so wanting to come.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In what way can I serve you?” Anna asked, with a +proud humility.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, now! if you are going to be stately, you will +frighten me off altogether,” cried Georgiana; “so +please don’t, for I’m not at all stately myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna smiled as a queen might have smiled at a +spoiled child. Ah! the spell of wealth and station may +be ever so strong, there is a power in nature’s patents +of nobility which is stronger still.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t think I know much about being stately,” +she said, with one of her rare laughs, which were so +musical. “Certainly it would be a poor way of showing +my thanks for your kindness in even remembering me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“As if anybody could forget you! Why, the whole +city has been raving about you ever since that night!” +exclaimed Georgiana; “and the men have done nothing +but beg Mrs. Savage for another sight of the queen of +beauty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Such words would have been very pleasant to a young +girl whose life was golden as youth ought to be; but to +Anna, oppressed with care and daily anxieties, they +brought only a bitter pain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Dear Mrs. Browning has told us in her passionate +way—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“How dreary ’tis for women to sit still,</div> + <div class='line'>On Winter nights, by solitary fires,</div> + <div class='line'>And hear the nations praising them far off.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'>And more than one woman’s heart has ached to feel its +truth; but truly, for a woman to hear that her beauty is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>the theme of idle tongues, while she sees those dear as +her own life almost hungering for bread, is a bitter comment +still on the vanity of human life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So I thought I would come,” continued Georgiana; +“and I want you to do me a favor.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I can,” Anna said; “but don’t ask me to take +part in any more such exhibitions. I can’t, indeed I +can’t.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no!” returned Georgiana, hastily; “I wont. +You shall not be bothered. But I’ll tell you what I +wish you would do. Now do you promise?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think I may,” Anna replied, with her lovely +smile. “You don’t look as if you could ask any thing +very terrible.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed I wont!” cried she, in her enthusiastic way. +“I like you so much; don’t be vexed. I don’t want to +be patronizing or snobbish. I hate it so; but——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am sure you don’t. Please go on.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, I’m such a sad, idle creature, and I thought +if you would come to me, sometimes, and help me get +through a perfect pyramid of embroidery, and work +that has been accumulating since the year one, I should +be so delighted.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I shall be very glad of the work, Miss Halstead, and +I thank you heartily for remembering me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! don’t speak that way. It’s I that ought to +thank you! Why, it will be a perfect treat just to sit +and look at anybody as beautiful as you are.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And I shall have that satisfaction over and above +the satisfaction of getting the work, of which I am so +very, very glad.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was an earnestness in her voice which sobered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>the volatile creature who listened. Her life had been +such a fairy dream that it was difficult for her to realize +there were such evils as care and poverty in the world. +It seemed so inexplicable to her that this beautiful girl +could come, day after day, in actual contact with them.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will try and make it pleasant for you,” she said, +more gravely than she often spoke. “I am a spoiled, +selfish girl, but I mean to be good.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think you would find it difficult to be any thing +else,” Anna said, heartily.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! you don’t know. Aunt Eliza reads me the +most frightful lectures; by the way, she is a sad, catty +old maid; but don’t you mind her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Then she began talking with her accustomed volubility; +and it was as bewitching to poor, lonely Anna +as the Arabian Nights are to children. It seemed so +strange to have these glimpses at a young life so widely +separated from the clouds that hung over her own youth.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana Halstead never did things by halves; and +in her usual headlong way, she had plunged into a violent +interest for this lovely stranger, and sat there talking +to her as freely as if she had known her half a life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I must be going!” she exclaimed, at last. “Oh, dear +me! I have been out ages; and Aunt Eliza is waiting +for the carriage; how she will scold me! Then you’ll +come, miss? Mayn’t I call you Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed you may.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thanks! I like you so much. You are like a picture, +or a poem. Now, please like me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Just as a prisoner might the sunlight!” exclaimed +Anna, with unconscious earnestness.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>Georgiana gave her a hearty kiss, and a cordial pressure +of the hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come to-morrow,” she said. “Now wont you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Before Anna could answer, there was a knock at the +door, which startled them both—they had been so completely +absorbed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who is that?” Georgiana asked.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Only some of the neighbors, probably,” Anna +answered. “Come in, please.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The door opened. The girls turned simultaneously +toward it, and there stood Horace Savage.</p> + +<p class='c012'>He advanced without any hesitation, saying,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Excuse my intrusion, Miss Burns. Ah, Miss +Georgiana, this is an unexpected pleasure.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The girl’s brow contracted slightly; her quick glance +went from one to the other.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And to me, also,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>There had been one vivid burst of crimson across +Anna Burns’ cheek; then it faded, leaving her paler +than before; but she stood there perfectly quiet and +self-possessed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will you sit down, Mr. Savage? If Miss Halstead +will wait a moment she wont have to go down our dark +staircase alone.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Halstead never waits,” returned Georgiana, +laughingly; but the childlike glee had forsaken both +voice and face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My errand is a very brief one,” said Horace. “I +only wanted to inquire after my little pets, the boys. I +hope Miss Burns will not consider me impertinent.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I thank you,” Anna said; “they are, both of them, +out now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>“Dear me, it is very late,” said Georgiana. “Good-by, +Miss Burns. You wont forget?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>But the voice was colder, and Anna noticed it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I shall be at Miss Halstead’s command,” she said, +gravely.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And I shall do myself the honor of seeing her safely +down the stairs,” said Horace.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She did not seem to hear him, but ran away through +the passage. He stood a second irresolute. Anna’s +grave face did not change; and after a few confused +words he followed Georgiana Halstead down the stairs.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV.<br> <span class='c010'>LOVE AND MALICE.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Savage walked home with Georgiana Halstead, but +there was little conversation between them. She was a +good deal excited, and walked with a quick, almost impetuous +step, while her eyes brightened, her lips parted, +and a warm red came into her cheeks. She said nothing, +and seemed almost to wish the handsome young fellow +by her side far away; his presence annoyed her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage was grave, anxious, and so pre-occupied that +he did not observe this change in the graceful young +creature whose friendship had always been so dear to +him. When they reached Mrs. Halstead’s residence +he hesitated a moment, lifted his hat, and said, with a +smile,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“May I go in, Miss Georgie?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>“Certainly, of course; how rude I was,” she answered, +and the color on her cheeks flushed over her whole +face in a scarlet cloud. “They will all be glad to see +you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I would rather see you alone, just for once, +in your own pretty room—is it quite inadmissible?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In my room? Well, why not? Come this way. I +only hope Aunt Eliza won’t be looking over the bannisters.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie laughed, in spite of all the painful feelings +that swelled her young heart, when she looked upward, +with her foot upon the first stair, and saw the long face +of Miss Eliza peering down upon her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage, too, caught a glimpse of the restless female, +and joined Georgie in her sweet, low laugh, but decorously +pretended not to see that tall figure as it drew +back and darted away.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The young people entered Georgie’s little sitting-room. Savage placed his hat on one of the mosaic +tables, Georgie placed her bonnet beside it, and threw +her India shawl across a chair, unconsciously forming +a sumptuous drapery which swept the carpet.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Upon my word,” she said, shaking her bright curls +loose, and pressing them back from her flushed cheeks +with both hands, “this seems romantic. I wonder what +Aunt Eliza will say?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Never mind what she says.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! but you would mind, if she lived in the house +with you; but there is dear, old grandmamma to help +me out if she bears down too hard—so find yourself a +chair. The fire is delightful after our cold walk. What +a change it is from that room to this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>Georgiana had seated herself in the Turkish chair, +and sat nestled in its cushions, with the firelight glimmering +over her as she made this remark. Savage drew +a low ottoman to her side, and sat down upon it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You were thinking of that garret-room in the tenement-house?” he said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, and thinking, too, how thoughtless and ungrateful +I am for all this comfort, for which I have done +nothing, while——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie broke off, and her eyes filled with tears, softly +and brightly as violets gather dew.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“While that poor girl is compelled to toil for the +bare necessaries of life; that’s what was in your heart, +I know,” said Savage, taking her hand gently in his. +“I—I would speak to you about her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“To me—and about her?” said Georgie, drawing her +hand away. “I scarcely know her. She is a nice girl, +I dare say; but why should any one wish to talk to me +about her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Because you are good and generous; because she +is helpless and beautiful.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Beautiful!—is she? I did not particularly observe +it. A brunette, isn’t she? Some people like that style. I—I—but +you had something to say, and I interrupted you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Miss Halstead! you could be of such service to +this sweet girl.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I of service to her?” said Georgie, lifting her head +with a little fling of pride. “I thank you for the idea. +What does she want of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, Anna Burns? Nothing. Poor girl! she is +not one to ask help; but knowing you so good and gentle, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>I thought to interest you in her behalf. She is a +lady.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes! she is nice and very lady-like, I admit +that; and good as she is beautiful. That means nothing, +Mr. Savage. When beauty lies in the fancy of the +beholder, we cannot measure other qualities by it,” said +Georgie. “Please go on and tell me what I can do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You can do every thing for this young girl. She is +so lonely, so isolated in that comfortless place.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, it is terrible,” cried Georgie, shivering among +her cushions. “Yet you did not seem to find it so very +disagreeable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No place where she is can be disagreeable to me,” +answered Savage, with deep feeling.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie turned white, and shrunk back in her chair, +as if some one had struck her. Her voice scarcely rose +above a whisper when she forced it into words,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You love this girl, then?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Love her, Georgie? Yes, better than my life—better +than all the world beside!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was silence for a moment. Georgie’s lovely +face grew cold and white as marble. She seemed to +wither up like a flower cut at the stalks. The very lips +were pale. At last an almost noiseless sob broke +through them, and she started into life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Does she love you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I hope, I think so. She has said as much.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And then?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! my sweet friend, it is for her I want your help. +I know how difficult it will be to reconcile my mother; +she has such lofty expectations regarding me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who has not?” murmured Georgie.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>“Do you know,” cried Savage, laughing, and patting +her hand as if it had been a pet bird he was playing +with, so much occupied that he did not feel its marble +coldness, or read the agony in those shrinking eyes, +“do you know she has set her heart on making a +match between you and me; as if people who have +played together in childhood ever fell in love with each +other; but she will not give up this hope without a +struggle, though I have told her fifty times that we like +each other too well for love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are right, we do,” said the lovely young creature, +sitting upright, and putting the hair back from her +throbbing temples. “What an idea!” and a laugh broke +from her which startled him a little; there was such a +ring of pain in it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is so fond of you, Georgie. Indeed, who could +help it? Then we have been a good deal together. I +got a habit of coming here somehow, and it wasn’t so +very strange, after all; only it seems absurd to us, who +never thought of such a thing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, very absurd,” cried Georgie, with another +laugh, which brought fresh tears into her eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And now, when I am in such deadly earnest, when +I would give the world to make Anna Burns my wife, +even this foolish idea comes up as an obstacle.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you have told your mother that there is nothing +in it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, fifty times; but she will not believe me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She will believe me when I tell her it is impossible—ridiculous!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Poor Georgie, she caught her breath, and broke up a +great sob before she could utter the word ridiculous; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>but carried it off with a laugh, which the blind young +fellow passed over without a thought of the pain which +made it sound so unlike her usual silvery outgushes of +merriment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will you do this, Georgie? Say that you never +fancied me in that light, that nothing would induce you +to marry me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But she—she will hate me forever after,” said +Georgie, mournfully; “and I think she did like me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! it will not last a month; and I—I shall love +you so dearly for this help. Anna, also, you cannot +think how much she admires you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am sure she is very kind.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Kind—no! She is only the most appreciative creature +in the world. Then you are my friend?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie shrunk from all this praise, which was bitter +when mingled with that of another so much more beloved +than she ever was, and desperately changed the +subject.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But there was something else; you had more than +this on your mind.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I shall oppress you with my selfishness.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, that you cannot. I—I shall only be too happy +in serving you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is my old, dear friend,” cried the young man, +looking brightly into her face, which must have struck +him as strangely pallid but for the firelight that fell +upon it. “Do you know, Georgie, that something in +your way of receiving my confidence has almost chilled +me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, it is because you cannot read my heart—that +is not cold; try it and see.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“I am trying it,” answered Savage, quite unconscious +of the cruel truth he spoke. “Last night, as I thought +all this over in my room, I said if there is a creature on +earth that I can trust, heart and soul, it is Georgiana +Halstead.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And so you can,” cried Georgie, holding out both +her trembling hands, which he clasped eagerly. “I am +not very strong, and sometimes I have felt pain; but I +will be your faithful friend.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And hers, Georgie?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, and hers,” answered the young creature, +bravely. “Now tell me what more can I do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will, Georgie. This girl, Anna Burns, you know, +is very poor. Her father was an artist, and, I think, +must have been educated as a gentleman, for his children +have received great care; but he died in the army, and +left his family helpless, even more destitute than you +saw them to-day.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Dear me,” murmured Georgie, glad of any excuse to +weep, “that seems scarcely possible.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How kind you are; so tender-hearted, so good—do +not cry. How you sob! There, there! the worst of +this suffering is over now. A little help will make them +comfortable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie buried her face in both hands, and gave way +to the grief that had been struggling in her heart till it +was almost broken.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage rose, and bent over her, smoothing her bright +hair caressingly with his hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Dear, tender-hearted girl,” he said, full of self-reproach: +“and I thought her cold, unsympathizing. +Georgie, can you forgive me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>“Forgive you! forgive you!” repeated the poor girl, +removing her hands, and lifting those deep, troubled +eyes to his face. “Oh, yes! I am sure to forgive you; +but what a child I have been, crying about troubles that +are nothing. Now tell me what it is that I can do for +these people. It is a shame that any man who has died +fighting for his county should leave suffering to his +family.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But many a soldier’s family have suffered, and will, +notwithstanding the people’s gratitude. This is what I +desire of you. This family are even now suffering great +privation. It is terrible for refined and educated persons +to be crowded, as they are, under the roof of a +house crowded with low families. You saw how pale +they were; what a look of weariness lay even on the +faces of the children. They need neat, airy apartments, +pure air, wholesome food. All this it would be easy to +give; but I cannot do it in my own person.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why not?” inquired Georgie, in her innocence.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage smiled, and began to smooth her hair again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Simply for this reason, dear friend: that nice old +lady would not take a dollar of my money for any purpose; +nor would Anna, I am certain. But from you it +would be different. Let me find the money, and you +shall be my agent—the fairest and sweetest that ever +served a friend.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I understand now. Yes, you are right; they could +not receive benefits from you; but I am different. Let +me once reach their hearts, and all will be easy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you will do this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why should you ask me? Have I not promised? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>But I only ask one privilege; let me tell grandmamma. +She will help me as no one else can.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But will she consent? Will she keep our secret?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, grandmamma? Of course she will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here a knock at the door disturbed the young people. +Savage drew back and leaned against the mantel-piece, +while Georgie bade the intruder enter.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A servant came in with Miss Eliza Halstead’s compliments, +and she trusted Mr. Savage would give her a +few moments’ conversation up stairs before he left the +house. Miss Eliza had something very particular, indeed, +which she wished to communicate.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mr. Savage sent word that he should be delighted to +pay his respects to Miss Eliza, and would do himself +that honor in a few minutes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The servant closed the door. Then Savage, with ardent +thanks, that went to the young girl’s heart like +arrows tipped with flame, took his leave of Georgiana, +and left her alone with her wounded life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza had been in a state of wild commotion +from the moment she saw young Savage enter the house +from her stand-point over the banisters. She, too, had +her boudoir, which, however, was half dressing-room, +into which she made a plunge with a breathless determination +to convert the confusion, which usually reigned +there, into a state of picturesque elegance, suggestive +of her own poetic mind. To this end she hustled a pile +of paper-covered books, two or three pairs of old slippers, +a faded bouquet, and a dilapidated dressing-case +into the next room; dusted the tables with a fold of her +morning-wrapper, in which she had been indolently +reading, and then took a general survey of the apartment. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>Over the small centre-table, which she had just +dusted, hung a basket of artificial flowers, somewhat +faded and dusty, but in good preservation, considering +that they had done duty for more than one season on +Miss Eliza’s head. Over this, apparently plunging +downward, as if intent on burying himself in the flowers, +dust or no dust, was a moderately-sized cupid, +white as snow, suspended to the ceiling by an invisible +wire, and holding his arms out toward the flowers which +that envious wire permitted him to contemplate, but +forbade him to reach.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza glanced up at the cupid with a simpering +smile, made a dash at the basket with her handkerchief, +which set both that and the cupid in motion, and made +another application to the table necessary; then scattering +some books over it in picturesque confusion, she +took a volume of Tennyson, laid it open, with the leaves +downward, on the edge of the table, drew an easy-chair +into position, and hurried into her bed-chamber.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza never allowed any person to witness the +mysteries of her toilet, so I cannot describe what took +place in the inner room. But after a time she came +forth, radiant, in a white merino dress, ruffled half a +yard deep with convolutions of blue ribbons. Long +streamers of the same color fell from the clustering +bows on her shoulders, and another ribbon was drawn, +snood fashion, through a mass of crimped hair lifted +high from her temples, and floated off airily with a +mass of curls that fell from the back of her head.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza rang the bell, turned up her eyes with a +devout look, which made the little cupid tremble on his +wire, and sunk into her easy-chair, smiling upon the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>folds of her dress as they settled around her with statuesque +effect. Then a new idea seized upon her. A +gardiniere, full of plants, stood in one of the windows. +In eager haste Miss Eliza gathered therefrom two or +three sweet-scented geranium leaves, and a half-open +rose; these she placed on her bosom, and returned to +her seat beneath the cupid, and sat waiting with her +hand upon the volume of Tennyson, and one foot +pressed upon an ottoman, as if she had been sitting for +a portrait.</p> + +<p class='c012'>I am certain she heard that light footstep the moment +it touched the stairs, thick as the carpet was, for a soft +flutter of delight stirred her garments as if they had +been the plumage of a bird; and starting suddenly, she +stood a moment on the ottoman, flirting her handkerchief +upward till the cupid went off in an ecstasy of +motion, and seemed quite unable to contain itself. Then +she settled down again, and cried out softly, “Come in,” +when Savage knocked at the door.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Mr. Savage! how long you have been in +coming,” she said, reaching forth her left hand with a +motion which threw the sleeve back from an arm that +had once been round and white, but keeping her seat +all the time, not caring to destroy the effect of her +position. “Indeed, you are too bad, I have quite +thrilled myself with Tennyson waiting for you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have but just got your summons, Miss Halstead,” +said Savage.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed! but there are moments in life when moments +seem like ages.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! don’t talk of ages, Miss Halstead, it makes one +feel so old!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>Miss Eliza waved her head with a gentle smile, and +looked upward, which assured her that the cupid was +softly vibrating above her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah, Mr. Savage! there ever will exist persons who +cannot grow old!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage bowed, and answered that it needed no words +to convince him that she spoke truly. The young man +laid his hand on the back of a chair as he spoke; but +removing her foot from the ottoman, she motioned him +to sit there.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forgive me, I dare not presume,” he said. “Once +at your feet, I might never be able to leave them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza looked down modestly, and a sigh disturbed +the geranium leaves on her bosom.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You sent for me, Miss Halstead?” said Savage, a +little embarrassed by these gentle demonstrations.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sent for you? Oh, yes! But let us waive the +subject a little longer; it will be soon enough for the +serpent to creep into our paradise when it cannot be +kept out.” She glanced upward, and Savage, following +her eyes, saw the god of love hovering over them. Spite +of himself a smile broke all over his face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza had reached a phase in her programme +which required a drooping of the eyelashes, and she +lost the smile while performing her part.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We were speaking of age,” she said, dreamily; “not +that it is a subject which can, as yet, interest either of +us; but I sometimes think that the lightness of selfish +enjoyment and surface life of mere youth is more unendurable +than age itself. There is my niece down stairs +now——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! Georgie? She is the very embodiment of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>all that is sweet and lovable in youth. You cannot say +more in her praise than I will indorse heart and soul,” +cried Savage, whose heart was brimful of gratitude for +the young creature who, all unknown to him, was weeping +so bitterly in the room below. “If you wish to depicture +all the grace and bloom of youth in its perfection, +a lovelier object could not be found.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza moved restlessly in her chair, clasped her +hand fiercely in the folds of her dress, and choked back +the venom that burned for utterance with the resolution +of a martyr.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You—you think so? Well, yes; the same roof shelters +us, and magnanimity is always a virtue. Georgiana +is, as you say, very lovely; and no one can dispute that +she is young—verdantly so, I fear. Why, Mr. Savage, +you would hardly believe it, but she—in her innocence, +I will not say obstinacy—is always doing the most extraordinary +things. Why, this very day she has been in +one of the most extraordinary neighborhoods, absolutely +disreputable, and visiting a house—really, I cannot tell +you how low her associates sometimes are. I expostulated +with her, reasoned with her; but it was of no +earthly use; go she would, and go she did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But where did she go? I do not understand.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You remember that night when you first knelt at +my feet before an admiring multitude. Oh! shall I ever +forget it! There was a young person admitted into +social communication with the choice few, by what influence +we will not now wait to question, who was absolutely +raked up from the very dregs of society—a poor +sewing-girl. Worse than that, a creature brought up +<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>in one of those loathsome dens called tenement-houses; +a low bred——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam—Miss Halstead!” cried Savage, while his +face wore one flush of indignation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I do not wonder that you are astonished,” persisted +Miss Eliza. “It was an insult; no amount of prettiness +could excuse it—not that I think the creature +pretty, far from it. Well, this girl, after standing up in +one of the most vulgar, poverty-stricken pictures you +ever saw, in her real dress, and character, too, flaunted +herself in velvet, and gold, and jewels, as Rebecca, in a +gorgeous tableau, with young Gould as the Templar. +This was directly after our exquisite representation, +and, I dare say, intended to rival it. Well, somehow, +Georgiana, who is always doing childish things, got acquainted +with the girl then and there, behind the +scenes, I believe, where the artful thing had pretended +to faint.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! Miss Halstead, this is too much!” exclaimed +Savage, starting up with anger in his eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I thought that you would feel this keenly, knowing +how nearly Georgiana, foolish child, is related to myself,” +resumed Miss Eliza, with great self-complacency. +“And this generous indignation touches me to the +heart. Oh! it is so sweet to be thoroughly appreciated. +But this is not all; Georgiana was full of this girl’s +praises, pitied her, raved about her beauty-beauty, +indeed! but that was to annoy me—the silliness of youth +is often very malicious; and at last went off to the horrid +place where this creature lives, in defiance of my +wishes, in absolute scorn of my opinion. This very day +<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>she visited this disreputable creature in her garret, as +if she had been an equal.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Disreputable!” repeated Savage, starting up, pale +with suppressed wrath. “Miss Halstead, I cannot listen +to this. I, too, have visited the young lady you condemn +so bitterly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Young lady, Mr. Savage! and to me!” faltered +Miss Eliza, with a flame of natural color overpowering +the permanent roses of her cheek. “Great heavens! +to me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Miss Halstead, I said lady; and that Miss +Anna Burns certainly is, if one ever lived.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza grew livid about her mouth and forehead; +even her hands turned coldly white.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A lady, and live in that house!” she said, with a +snarling laugh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, madam; even there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam! You call me madam—you!” cried the +spinster, burying her face between both hands. “Has +it come to this, and for her sake?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poverty, undeserved poverty does not change a refined +nature. That girl, madam, is good, gentle, intelligent. +Her presence would make any place beautiful.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! oh! my heart, my heart!” cried Miss Eliza, +pressing both hands to her side, and rocking to and fro +in her chair. “These words pierce me like a poisoned +arrow!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forgive me; I do not wish to be harsh; but this +young girl is so unprotected.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forgive you! Alas! this poor heart has no choice,” +cried the lady, reaching out her arms with touching impulsiveness. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>“Its fibres are too delicate; the touch of +woe wounds it. With me, forgiveness is a sweet duty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A smile quivered over the young man’s lip, spite of +anger; at which Miss Eliza drew in her arms, and +clasped her hands, with a deep, deep sigh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! how grieved you will be when the whole is told +you,” she said, seating herself on the chair he had resigned, +and clasping her fingers over the hand which +still rested on its back. “You have been in that house? +Horrible desecration! I shudder to think of it. How +you have wronged me. It was not this creature’s poverty +that shocked me so, but her depravity.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Depravity!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Her artfulness! her duplicity! Do not look at me +so sternly. I, too, have been in that tenement-house.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You, Miss Eliza?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, even that I have endured, in hopes of saving +our Georgiana from a dangerous acquaintance. I have +seen the woman who keeps the house—a coarse, vicious +creature, buried to her knees in slop-work, who eyed me +like a terrier when I went in, and would hardly stop +working while I inquired about the people up stairs. +A weak person might have been driven away by this +rudeness; but I had a duty to perform, and that thought +gave me courage. I took out my porte-monnaie and +laid some money in her lap; then she told me all—all!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage, spite of himself, grew interested; for now +Eliza spoke naturally, and seemed really in earnest; +her dull eyes lighted up with venomous fire. She was +eager as a snake when it charms a bird to destruction.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And what did she tell you?” he said, ashamed of +the question as he uttered it.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>“Mr. Savage, I had seen this girl more than once in +the street, talking with gentlemen.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage blushed crimson.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With gentlemen, Miss Eliza? I know that you saw +her once with me, coming from my mother’s.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I saw it. Oh! God forgive you the pang the +sight gave me—but that was not all. I said <em>gentlemen</em>.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You saw her with some one else, then?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did, and who—a gamester—a blackleg—a hotel-lounger—that +Ward, who is so much with young +Gould.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! Ward? And you saw him walking with +Anna Burns?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Worse than that; I saw them standing together on +the public pavement, conversing earnestly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But that might have been innocent enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; but was it quite so innocent when he followed +her home an hour after?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage laid his hand almost fiercely on the spinster’s +shoulder.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Woman, is this the truth?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do you question it? I saw him with my own eyes +enter the house. Georgiana’s infatuation about the +girl made me vigilant.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But this was only once,” said the young man, desperately. +“I cannot believe she encouraged him in this +impudence.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This was the first time; but he went there again +and again—I know it—I am sure of it; the woman +told me so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage clenched his teeth hard, and, going up to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>gardiniere, tore a branch from the geranium and flung +it angrily from him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is impossible—I will not believe it,” he said, with +passionate violence. “There is some combination +against her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What combination could have induced this gambler, +Ward, to hire a room and become an inmate in this +squalid house?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And is this so?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The woman herself showed me his chamber—a miserable, +shabby room, for which he had paid the rent in +advance, she stated.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Great heavens! this is terrible! Woman, woman, I +charge you, tell me the truth! Is there no mistake in +this?” His lips quivered, his eyes were bright with +pain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Go to the woman yourself if you doubt me,” was +the answer. “Then say if I am not right in forbidding +our Georgiana ever to enter that place again. She may +be obstinate enough to insist; but I shall have done my +duty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza folded her hands over each other, and +rubbed them gently as she spoke. Savage looked at +her with no pleasant expression in his eyes. Up to this +time she had amused him by her ridiculous affectation; +but now he began to hate her, for he saw under all her +extravagance a vein of bitter malice, subtle as the +venom of a serpent. He could not altogether disbelieve +her, but detested her the more for that. We never +love, and seldom forgive, those who destroy our illusions.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>Miss Eliza took the half-open rose from her bosom, +blew a kiss into its leaves, and gave it to him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We have wasted some precious minutes on this +worthless girl,” she said, “let this compensate for the +annoyance.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage took the rose and crushed it ruthlessly in his +hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“As I could crush her!” he muttered, turning away +and leaving the room before Eliza had time to stop him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She started up and ran to the door, calling out, “Mr. +Savage! Mr. Savage!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He heard her, and muttered something between his +teeth, which was neither a compliment nor a blessing. +That moment he was opposite the door of Georgiana’s +room.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I ought to go in and release her from that kind +promise; but not yet—not yet. I have not the courage +to tell her yet. Besides, it may be false—it may be +false! Georgiana, herself, did not seem more innocent +than she was; and the old woman, too—was all her +sweetness put on? I have heard of such things—seen +them, too. The meekest looking woman I ever saw had +murdered two husbands, and was caught looking out +for a third. If mother Burns is one of that sort, no +wonder her grandchild is mistress of her art. But it +is not true—I cannot believe it. So sweet, so gentle, +so——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With a gesture of passionate grief Savage turned +from the door of Georgie’s room, which he had almost +opened, and hurried down stairs. Miserable, jealous, +and burning with fierce indignation, he followed a passionate +instinct, and went directly into the neighborhood +<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>where Anna Burns lived. He had formed no +positive design, but went blindly to work, fearing that +every step he took would tear that dear image from his +heart, yet eager to seize upon the bitter truth. Following +the scent of fried ham, which came to him on the +stairs, he knocked at an ill-fitting door, through which +a hissing sound bespoke the fair progress of some meal, +and was told by a loud voice to come in.</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was the room which we have once described, and +the same coarse, repulsive woman presided in it. But +this time she was busy over a cooking-stove, turning +some slices of ham in a short-handled frying-pan, where +they hissed and sent off steam, as if she were torturing +them with her knife. A basket, crowded full of slop-work, +stood in one corner of the room, and a little side-thimble +lay upon the narrow window-sill, close by a +cushion of scarlet cloth, bristling all over with coarse +needles and crooked pins.</p> + +<p class='c012'>When Savage entered the room, the woman turned +her face, which flamed out, hot and red, from its cloud +of steam, and stood, with her knife half suspended, +waiting for him to speak.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam, are you the mistress of this house?” he +said, lifting the hat from his head.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I believe they generally call me so,” she answered, +bending the point of her knife against the stove. “Wont +you walk in and help yourself to a chair?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, thank you. I come to inquire for a gentleman +who has a room here, I think—Mr. Ward.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! that’s it, is it?” exclaimed the woman. “Didn’t +know but it might be another big-bug struck with a +liking for the house. Suppose it must be because they’ve +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>took sich a fancy to me all at once. Anna Burns has +nothing to do with it. Oh, no!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here the woman thrust her knife under a slice of +ham and turned it over with emphasis, laughing a low, +disagreeable laugh, and shaking her head, as if greatly +enjoying her own words.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You want to see Mr. Ward?” she said at last, coming +out of her laugh. “Jest mount the next stairs, +and you’ll find his room on the left, right under their’n. +I shouldn’t wonder if he ain’t at home, though. Never +had a more uncertain person under this roof. But then +I never had a genuine big-bug afore. Wait a minute, +and I’ll show you the way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, thank you, I can find it,” answered Savage, turning +away white and faint. Until that moment he had +hoped that something might arise to refute Miss Eliza’s +slander—but bitter confirmation met him at every step. +He made no effort to see Ward; indeed, had no intention +of meeting him from the first. His name had only +been used as an excuse for questioning that fiery-faced +woman, who was cross and coarse, but not bad at heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If you want a room, or any thing of that sort, I +may as well out with it, and say that it can’t be had,” +cried that female, standing up resolutely with the knife +in her hand. “It don’t set easy on my conscience letting +in that other chap. There’s something mean and +underhanded about his coming here, or I don’t know +good from bad. The fact is, I offered him his money +back, and would a put up with the loss; but he said he +had got friends in the house, and couldn’t think of it. +This riled me more than any thing, for I had a liking +for that old woman and the girl, to say nothing of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>little boys, that are worth their weight in gold, going +up and down stairs chattering and laughing so bright; +and I told him it was a shame to come here just to unsettle +a poor young cretur’s head that had got trouble +enough already. At which he laughed and hitched up +his shoulders, and woke up my temper till I could a +boxed his ears, and gloried over it like sixty, if it +hadn’t been for the law, which makes sich things salt +and battery, and six months in the penitentiary; which +I shouldn’t like, being respectable, and working for one +of the best clothing houses in the city, besides hiring +this house on speculation; and a purty speculation it’s +been, one month in advance, and then three dunning for—and +obliged to turn ’em out at last; except that +family in the top, I never dunned them, poor creturs! +and wouldn’t anyhow, knowing that they would starve +rather than not pay, if they had it. Poor girl! Poor +girl! I feel as if I’d helped to hunt her down, somehow, +and it sets hard here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The woman placed her hand, knife and all, against +her right side, solemnly impressed with an idea that +her heart lay in that direction; and a heavy sigh was +lost in the hissing which rose from the frying-pan.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! I’ll have nothing to do with tenants that +come here with kid gloves and coral studs in their +bosom. It isn’t for me, a hard-working woman, to put +temptation in the way of my own sect. So, if You’d just +as lieve, I’d rather you wouldn’t come here no more. +I’ve seen you more an once going up to the top of the +house, and it kinder made the heart ache in my bosom.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage listened to all this with an aching heart and +changing countenance. The coarse, hard honesty of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>the woman enforced his respect; and he stood with his +hat off gazing upon her with strange interest.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is not likely that I ever shall come again,” he +said, with a pang at his heart, laying his hand on the +door-knob.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It was that live-folks picture that did it,” said the +woman; “afore that time no living creature ever went +to see them. Now it is ladies in their flounces and with +lace parasols; and gentlemen in broadcloth, cutting up +and down all the time. I wish they’d a let the poor +soul alone.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And so do I,” answered Savage, with deep feeling. +“It was kindly meant. But I will bid you good-day, +madam. If I should ever come here again, pray believe +that it is with no unworthy motive. I cannot permit +you to think otherwise in common self-respect.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, then, don’t come again, and I’ll believe you. +In fact, I do now. There’s a difference between gentlemen +and gentlemen. I only wish the other chap had a +face that could turn red and white like yours. The long +and the short of it is, I wish he was straight out of my +house; that poor child don’t seem like the same cretur +since he came here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage did not stay to ask in what this change consisted, +the subject had become altogether too painful; +so, with a bend of his head, he went out. One moment +he paused upon the staircase; his heart turned with +passionate longing toward that lonely upper room. +Even in her unworthiness, he yearned to look upon +Anna’s face once more; to hear her sweet voice proclaim +the innocence he never could believe in again. +But he thought of Ward, the gambler and convenient +<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>toady, whom so many men used in his scoundrelism, +and despised, as they used him, with a sensation of +such intense loathing, that it turned his very compassion +away from the young creature he had loved with +such self-sacrificing truth.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Had it been any one else,” he muttered through his +shut teeth, “I could have borne it better; but this +paltry wretch, this miserable hound! Great heavens! +and she, so gentle, so exquisitely pure! It is beyond +belief. Never till now did I believe in the utter duplicity +of the sex. Poor girl! Poor, wrecked girl! Could +she have known how I loved her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With these thoughts, which broke in half-formed +words against his shut teeth, the young man went down +stairs, and into the poverty-stricken neighborhood beyond, +feeling, for the first time, in all its force, how +squalid and offensive it was. Scarcely had his foot +touched the pavement, when he saw Anna Burns coming +down the side-walk with a small parcel in her hand. Her +face lighted up as she saw him, her cheeks dimpled, and +a warm love-glow came into her eyes. Savage stood +motionless, looking at her with his stern eyes on fire, +and his lips set.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She did not see the expression of his face, for, after +the first glad recognition, her eyelids had drooped in +shame at her own eager joy, and she came up to him +shrinking and covered with blushes—came up and held +out her hand; for was he not her declared lover, this +brave, handsome young fellow, whom any lady of the +land would have gloried in.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage did not touch that eager little hand, but lifting +his hat with haughty coldness, walked on, leaving her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>chilled with dismay. She turned and looked after him +with a cry of surprised pain, scarcely kept back from +the parted lips which closed slowly, and seemed freezing +into marble as his stern, unyielding footsteps bore him +further and further away. Then, just as he was turning +a corner, the cry broke from her, “Oh, come back! +Come back!” and turning wildly, she ran a few steps +after him, till she was checked on the pavement, her +face so wildly pale, coming suddenly opposite that of +young Ward, who seized one of her hands, and asked +what it was that had frightened her so.</p> + +<p class='c012'>That moment Savage turned the corner and looked +back.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV.<br> <span class='c010'>A HARD-HEARTED VILLAIN.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Ward attempted to draw Anna’s hand through his +own, but she resisted him, and at last tore it away in +passionate anger.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Ward,” she said, “this is unkind—it is rude. +You have no right to take such liberties with me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was fire enough in those eyes, then, and a +world of scorn on the lovely mouth. She turned one +look in the direction which Savage had taken, saw that +he was gone, and turned fiercely upon Ward again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are wicked—you are cruel!” she said. “Knowing +how helpless I am, you persecute me horribly!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I persecute you, sweet one—the idea! Is it in this +way you mistake my adoration?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>Anna’s red lips curved with scorn; her eyes flashed, +her whole form trembled.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Great heavens!” she exclaimed, “I never knew what +a terrible thing poverty was before. But for that you +could not have forced yourself under the same roof +with a poor, helpless girl; but for that you dare not +have spoken to me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not accuse poverty for the acts which spring out +of love, sweet one.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna heard no more; but gathering her shawl about +her with the haughty grace of an empress, she turned +away from him and walked quickly into the house. The +young gambler followed her, laughing; the excitement +of her anger charmed him. Quickly as he walked, +Anna had mounted the third flight of stairs before he +entered the passage. He just caught a glimpse of her +dress on the upper landing, and that was all. But he +went up stairs, smiling to himself and humming a tune, +conscious of his power to see her almost when he +pleased.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Old Mrs. Burns was busy darning the only tablecloth +in that poor establishment, when Anna came in, +all on fire with wounded affection and outraged pride.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother,” she said, “we must move; this +house is no place for us. Let us go to-night—this +hour!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady was holding up the tablecloth between +her eyes and the light, searching for more broken +threads. She dropped it suddenly as her granddaughter +spoke, and gazed at her a moment in anxious wonder.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is it, Anna? Who has troubled you, dear?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That young man in the room below. I haven’t told +<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>you of it before, grandmother, but he is always in my +way. I cannot go up or down stairs that he does not +say things to me which seem insulting, situated as we +are.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My poor child! poor, dear, little Anna!” said the +old lady, going up to the excited girl and smoothing +the rich waves of her hair as if she had been a child. +“Perhaps the young man means no harm. What sort +of a person is he?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A dandy; a pitiful——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Anna’s anger flowed out, and she burst into +tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There, there! Don’t cry so, child! What did the +young man say to you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Say—say? I don’t remember, grandma. Nothing, +I think; only he held my hand so close, and <em>he</em> saw +it——Oh! it is too bad—it is too bad!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Be tranquil, Anna. I cannot think what has come +over you. Why, your eyes are full of smothered shame; +your lips tremble, you are giving way altogether. Sit +down quietly, and tell me what it is all about.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will, grandmother. I know it is a shame to take +on so, but that man is enough to drive one mad. What +is he doing in this house? Robert says that he is a +gentleman, and a great friend of young Mr. Gould’s. +He can have no honest business here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady sat down in her rocking-chair, and sat +thoughtfully gazing in Anna’s face. She was a timid +woman, and poverty had fastened its depressing influence +on all her faculties. But there was moral force +asleep in her nature yet; the color came and went in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>her old cheek; her soft, brown eyes grew resolute in +their expression.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is no one to protect us—no one to say a word +in our behalf,” said Anna, with a fresh outburst of tears. +“Robert is too young. Oh! what can we do—what can +we do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady arose from her chair, and going up to a +tiny looking-glass which hung on the wall, smoothed +the gray hair under her cap with two little withered +hands that shook like aspen-leaves. Then, with a look +of gentle resolution on her face, she softly opened the +door and went down stairs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Young Ward was lying upon his bed with a segar in +his mouth. He lay prone on his back, and sent up +clouds of smoke with a vehemence which seemed to +have filled his moustache and hair with smouldering fire. +He turned lazily as the old lady knocked, and emitting +a fresh volume of smoke, called out,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come in! Why the deuce don’t you come in?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns came gently through the door, and stood +a pace inside the threshold gazing at him. Ward started +up, flung his feet over the side of the bed, and looked +his astonishment at this intrusion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How do you do, ma’am? Glad to see you. Take a +seat. This seems neighborly. Excuse my dressing-gown; +free-and-easy in my room here. Did not expect +the honor of a lady’s company, but glad to have it. Sit +down.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns took a chair near the bed, and, folding +both hands in her lap, turned her eyes full upon the +flushed face turned upon her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Ward—I believe that is your name?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>“Certainly. Nothing could be more correct,” answered +Ward, thrusting his foot into an embroidered +slipper trodden down at the heel, which had dropped +to the floor; “delighted that you remember it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Ward, we are two helpless creatures—my +grandchild and myself; one from age, the other because +of her youth. A more helpless family, in fact, does not +exist. We have nothing in the wide world but our good +name, and the work of our hands to live on. Unhappily! +most unhappily! my granddaughter, Anna, is so +pretty that men turn to look at her in the street; and +even ladies think much of her on that account.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They are deuced jealous of her, I can tell you that,” +burst forth young Ward, puffing away at his segar, +which was half extinguished. “And no wonder; she +cuts into them all hollow. Of course, men turn to look +at her in the street; they don’t see a figure and face like +that often, I can tell you. Then her instep, one sees it +now and then coming up stairs, you know, when her +dress is looped up—and it’s Spanish, absolutely +Spanish, I can tell you. My dear madam, you have got +a treasure of beauty in that girl—you have, indeed; I +give you my honor upon it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have come,” said the old lady, ignoring this +speech, though a flush of red came across her withered +cheek, and the hands moved restlessly in her lap, “I +have come to tell you how unprotected we are, and how +hard it is for us to get a living. I have come to ask a +great favor of you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! want money? All right. I thought it would +come to that! How much? I’ll stand a pretty heavy +pull; hang me, if I wont.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>Ward flouted his slipper on the floor, and, drawing a +porte-monnaie from one of his pockets, took out a +roll of treasury-notes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>This time the color in the old woman’s face burned +into scarlet.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did not mean that, young man—I did not mean +that. The favor I want is more important to us than +all the money you possess.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward put the roll of bills slowly back into his porte-monnaie, +and closed it with a loud snap.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not want money? Then in the name of Jupiter! +what is it you are after?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I wish you to give up this room and leave the +house. This is no place for a rich man like you. It is +injuring us cruelly—my granddaughter most of all.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Ward fell back upon the bed and laughed aloud.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is splendid!” he cried. “Give up my room! +Why, you precious old thing, I like the room—it’s a +capital place to hide away in. Besides, I am one of the +fellows who think your granddaughter handsome. No +harm in that, I hope. Like to see her going up and +down stairs; steps like a fairy; lifts her head like a +princess. Smoke at ease here; admire beauty at my +leisure. Why should you wish to break up these little +innocent enjoyments? It is inhuman—I would not +have thought it of you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Your presence under the same roof with my girl is +sure to injure her. People will not know that we cannot +prevent it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I know it. I, at least, do ample justice to the +subject. You can no more force me to leave this pleasant +room than you can change the moon.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>“I do not hope to force your absence, but come in all +kindness to say how much your stay here is injuring us. +I come to entreat, implore you not to force us away +from the only shelter we have. Here the woman of +the house is kind to us, and that makes it seem like +home. My son died fighting for his country—perhaps +you did not know that. When he was with us we were +very comfortable, and <em>so</em> happy. Now, the children +have no one but me; and I am only a weak old woman; +but my child’s good name must not be lost. We were +getting a little comfortable, just now; but if you will +stay, we must go.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Go!” exclaimed Ward, in sudden excitement. “You +really don’t mean that, old lady?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is hard. I am an old woman, and age shrinks +from change. We had got used to the rooms; but if we +must go, we must! Heaven help us!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns arose as she spoke, and stood with one +hand on the chair, looking sadly on the floor. At last +she lifted her brown eyes mournfully to his, and turned +away. Poor thing! She did not know how to struggle, +but she was patient to endure.</p> + +<p class='c012'>I think the young man was a little disturbed by the +expression of those eyes, for the fire went out from his +segar, and he flung it away half consumed, muttering +something between his teeth that sounded like an exclamation +of self-loathing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll go and see Gould,” he said, throwing his dressing-gown +across a chair, and thrusting his arms into a +coat. “No, I wont, either! Hang it all, I’m getting +too fond of the girl myself; half tempted to marry her, +and get religion. That sweet old woman, now, would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>be like a sermon in one’s house. If one only had a nice +little fortune—income sure? How easy it is for rich +men to be good. But we fellows that live by our wits, +find ‘Jordan a hard road to travel.’ I wish that old lady +had stayed away. I can stand the girl’s haughty airs, for +anger fires up her beauty into something wonderful; but +that sweet, low voice; those poor little hands, trembling +like birds in the cold; and those eyes, take a fellow’s +spirit out of his bosom. I think they reminded me of +my own mother. Well, I’ll think about going away, +poor, old woman; if it was only her, I’d quit at once—I +would, indeed!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns heard nothing of this; she had left the +room, and was knocking faintly at her landlady’s door.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come in.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns obeyed the summons, and entered the +room with which our readers are acquainted. The landlady +sat on a low chair, with her foot on the round of +another chair, and the seam of a coarse jacket pinned +to her knee. She looked up, holding her thread half +drawn, and pushing the chair on which her foot rested, +asked her tenant to sit down, a little roughly—for she +was not quite satisfied with the aspect of things with +the family up stairs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns sat down, and the landlady bent to her +work again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Any thing stirring?” she inquired, pressing the +needle through a thick double-seam with the side of her +steel thimble. “A good deal of going up and down +stairs lately—tramp, tramp! nothing but tramp! Getting +to have lots of genteel company in your story? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>Silks a rustling, and patent-leather boots a cracking all +the day long. How’s Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is not very well. We are in a little trouble just +now, and that’s what brings me here. I think we shall +have to move.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Move! Mrs. Burns! Has it come to that? These +premises ain’t genteel enough for you, I dare say. It’s +all that girl’s doings, I’ll bet. Expected it from the +minute that young fellow came into the house! Scamp!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is the reason we must go. We haven’t had a +happy minute since he came here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you want to get away from him—is that it?” +cried the landlady, fixing her greenish-gray eyes on the +sad face turned so innocently toward her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; that is the only reason we wish to go. People +will think something wrong of it if a man who +dresses so well, and spends so much money, is seen +often with a girl like my Anna. And he will insist on +walking by her if she goes out. She came home crying +only a few minutes ago, because he stopped her in the +street.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Scamp!” exclaimed the landlady, jerking her needle +out with snappish vigor. “Deserves to be kicked into +the middle of next week!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have just been to his room.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The landlady dropped the heavy work down into her +lap, overcome with astonishment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I asked him to go away; told him how much we +had become attached to the rooms; how hard it would +be for us to break up—but it did no good.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He wouldn’t go himself, and having received two +<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>months’ rent in advance, I can’t make him. There’s +the worst of it, or he’d go out neck and heels, quicker +than you ever saw a fellow go down stairs in all your +born days, Mrs. Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The landlady thrust her needle in and out so vigorously +as she spoke, that it plunged into her thumb at +the termination of this sentence.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Serves me right!” she said, thrusting her thumb +into her mouth. “Serves me right, for letting the +stuck-up creature in. But I’ll make the house too hot +for him; see if I don’t—boil cabbage and fry onions +every day of my life, with the fireboard up and the door +open. Just as like as not his night-key won’t fit some +day when he wants to come in. Will have the lock +changed as sure as I live. I’ve offered the fellow his +money back, and he won’t take it. Well, we’ll see. But +you’re not going away, Mrs. Burns; rather than that +I’ll go in and out with Anna myself. Owe her that +much for thinking she could like the fellow. I’d like to +see him, or anybody else, speak to her when I’m on +hand. Standing down by the door to look at her feet +as she goes up stairs. I’ve seen him do it. If he wants +to look at anybody’s feet, let him look at mine.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am afraid we must move,” said Mrs. Burns, sadly +enough. “You have been so kind to us, it seems almost +like a funeral to go away.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You shan’t go! That is the long and short of it. +Wait a little, and if the cabbage and onions fail, I’ll +think of something else; for go he shall, and go you +shan’t—there!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns arose, irresolute. She loved the humble +rooms which had sheltered her deepest affliction; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>her heart yearned toward the semblance of home they +gave her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Wait a few days,” said the landlady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I will wait. You are very good; but then +everybody is so good to us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Goodness breeds goodness. I don’t believe there is +a creature on earth bad enough to be hard with you, +Mrs. Burns. I try to be like you sometimes, but it +isn’t in me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is in you to be considerate and kind to those who +most need kindness,” said Mrs. Burns, with tears in +her eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, but I’ve got such a way of doing it—rough as +a chestnut-burr; but I don’t mean any harm to a living +creature—quite the contrary.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You have done nothing but good to us,” said Mrs. +Burns, opening the door in her soft, quiet way; “and +God will bless you for it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s the kind of woman that people call the salt +of the earth,” muttered the landlady, as her tenant went +out; “her very look makes me a better woman. Yet +I was thinking hard of her only a few minutes ago. +Well that was the old native Adam in me. I wonder +how she managed to drive him out. Going to prayer +meeting won’t do it. I’ve tried that; but then she is +so different.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI.<br> <span class='c010'>THE TRAIL OF THE SERPENT.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Miss Eliza Halstead was not a person at all likely +to leave any stone unturned which lay in the path of her +love. She knew something of the power which beauty +has over a young heart, and feared Savage might seek +some explanation that would exculpate Anna Burns +from the evil that she had imputed to her—for so powerful +is genuine innocence that even prejudice feels its +influence, let circumstances be ever so much against it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Scarcely had Savage left the house, when Miss Eliza +put on her lilac bonnet, with its crush-roses and point-lace. +Carefully she smoothed the strings, and puffed +out the bows with her long fingers, leaving pink shadows +all around her face, almost as effective as the bloom of +youth. When she had sufficiently elaborated this portion +of her toilet, she wrapped a costly shawl around +her, and stole softly out of the house, resolved to keep +her visit and its object a secret.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage was at home; and would she walk directly +up stairs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Yes. Miss Eliza swept her trailing silks up the broad +staircase, settling her shawl as she went—for she was +forever arranging and rearranging her dress, in-doors +and out. Twice she paused before a mirror, impanneled +in the wall, and examined the flow of her long skirt, +over both shoulders, before she entered the room in +which Mrs. Savage was waiting, with Miss Eliza’s card +in her hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What can she mean?” murmured the lady, reading +<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>over some writing in pencil above the name. “Something +to communicate of the utmost importance to the +honor of the family—but here she comes. My dear +Miss Halstead, I am delighted! How good of you to +come. Sit down here; you will find it more comfortable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>No. Miss Eliza preferred to sit with her back to the +light. It took her some minutes to compose her drapery; +but at last she settled down in the crimson easy-chair, +like some tropical bird in its nest, and was ready +for the occasion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lovely weather, isn’t it?” observed Mrs. Savage, +with her blandest smile. “What a color the air has +given you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” answered Miss Eliza, tightening her glove. +“My complexion is so exquisitely sensitive, that a +breath of air brings the bloom to my cheeks.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage smiled a graceful acquiescence to this +self-praise, and hoped Miss Eliza would never feel, as +she did, any lack of youthful bloom.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“When the time comes,” Miss Eliza said, with a +smile of conscious superiority, “I must submit, like +others. But, Mrs. Savage, I came on a painful and humiliating +errand; excuse me, if I am compelled to give +you pain; but, after your great kindness in throwing +me into the same picture with your son, I feel like a +traitor till you know all.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage bent her stately head, and replied that +she was listening with attention.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“After that evening, which seemed to give a dawning +hope of union between the houses of Savage and Halstead, +you will imagine, dear lady, that my thoughts, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>hopes, prayers, were all hovering around your son. +Knowing well that our mutual passion had maternal +sanction, I allowed the pent-up feelings of a too ardent +nature to gush forth, till I fear your noble son saw too +clearly into the state of my affections. I strove to conceal +the rush of tender emotions that awoke to the +sound of his very footstep; but there are souls so +transparent, that a child can read them. For a time, +dear lady, all was hope, all was happiness; true as the +needle to the pole myself, I had profound confidence in +your son. For a time his conduct was all that the most +devoted heart could desire—I was his ideal, his love, +his divinity. Though he was too delicate to say all +this, I felt it, madam, in the very core of this heart.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Miss Eliza pressed a fold of a shawl that covered +her bosom, and went on.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then came a frost—a killing frost! Oh! my dear +madam—mother, may I not call you? that girl—that +creature—who received your bounty but to betray it, +has broken in upon my pure dream of happiness. Your +son has, for some time, left the refinements which circle +around my home, and, regardless of breaking the heart +that has learned to adore him, has given his time and +his attentions to that creature.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What!” exclaimed Mrs. Savage, starting up from +her elegant apathy, her face flaming with passion, her +plump hand clenched, “my son—my son, Horace Savage, +visiting Anna Burns! Miss Halstead, you are +crazy with jealousy; stung to death in your vanity, to +say such things of him. Why, he is proud as I am, +honest as his father. I do not believe this!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Eliza Halstead was rather pleased with this outbreak. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>She saw in it a sure termination of the attachment which, +in her belief, certainly existed. That which she had +failed to do, that haughty woman would accomplish, +she felt certain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are severe, unkind, to doubt me so,” was her +pathetic rejoinder. “I have seen them together in the +street.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is nothing, of course; he would speak to her +or any other person, poor and dependent. A Savage is +too proud for arrogance. If that is all the proof you +have, permit me to say that your absurd jealousy has +outrun all common sense.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam!” exclaimed Miss Eliza—and the angry red +outflamed the permanent color on her cheek—“Madam, +I have seen him enter the low house where she lives, +not once, but half a dozen times. I have seen him walking, +block after block, with her down such streets as +you never entered in your life.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you were there, it seems.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A woman’s heart will take her anywhere when she +suspects the object of her love.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Halstead—but it is useless arguing with you, +utterly useless; there is no fool like an old fool!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This very trite adage was muttered under the lady’s +breath; but Miss Eliza had sharp ears, and caught the +word fool.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What did you say, madam?” she demanded, sharply.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, nothing! only that I was an old fool, to believe +any thing alleged against my son.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Believe what you like, think what you like,” answered +the spinster, who was not so easily deceived; +“I have done my duty—a painful, sad duty. All that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>I ask of you, his mother, is silence—secrecy; profound +secrecy as to my part in the affair. Owing all loyalty +to him, I have come here to betray him to his own +mother. It breaks my heart; do not, I pray you, +madam, add one pang to those which rend it now. +Remember the relations which may one day unite us, +and be faithful to the trust I have reposed in you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage was by this time pacing up and down +her sumptuous sitting-room, trampling upon the flowers +in its map-like carpet as a tigress treads upon the grass +of its jungle. She was dreadfully annoyed; all the +pride and unbounded affection which she had lavished +on her son, rose in revolt against the tidings Miss Eliza +had brought her. Now that her suspicions were aroused, +she remembered many little circumstances calculated to +confirm Miss Eliza’s statement. As this belief grew +strong upon her, the color left her face, and she sat +down in her chair, stern and cold, doubting, unbelieving.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are sure of this thing?” she said, speaking in +a slow, still voice. “This is no phantasy of a jealous +imagination?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza drew close to the woman whom she had +come deliberately to wound, and took her hand. She +dearly loved to create a sensation of any kind, and took +the pallor and distress in that proud face as a personal +compliment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not distress yourself, sweet friend, my almost +mother; but have faith, as I do, in the immutable truth +of love. He may wander away from me; he may have +one of those fleeting fancies for another which sometimes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>disturb the most faithful heart, but in the end he +will return; he will be mine—all mine!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A smile quivered around Mrs. Savage’s mouth, spite +of her distress; but it passed away, leaving a stern expression +there. The evil was too serious not to sweep +away all sense of ridicule in her mind.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now tell me quietly, and in as few words as possible, +exactly what you have seen or know about this +affair. Excuse me if I have seemed rude; but you took +me by surprise. Now let me know the whole.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have told you all, sweet friend—that is, all as +regards your son; but as for that artful young person, +Burns, really, as a young girl, hedged in from such +knowledge by all sorts of refinement, I cannot tell you, +without burning blushes, how unworthy she is.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage half started from her chair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You surprise, you astonish me,” she said. “If ever +innocence was depicted in a face, I thought it was in +hers.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is artful enough to deceive you. She has deceived +your son. Even Georgiana will believe nothing +against her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If she is what you say, there is little danger for +Horace; there is too much refinement and discrimination +in his character for a deception of that kind to last +long with him,” said the mother.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza instantly took the alarm. She saw that +Mrs. Savage had too much faith in her son’s principles +for any fear of a person who could shock them, and with +crafty adroitness sought to undo the impression she had +made.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Perhaps I have gone too far,” she said, retreating +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>gracefully. “My own love of truth is so profound, that +the least deviation seems to me like a crime. She professes +to be every thing that is meek and good, yet I +cannot believe in it. Without some falsehood, some +deception, she could not have won such influence over a +heart that is, in reality, all mine, as those who saw him +kneeling at my feet that night must have felt.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let that pass,” broke in Mrs. Savage, with a gesture +of impatience. “You really know nothing against +this girl, except that she is beautiful and lovely?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I never said she was beautiful,” cried Miss Eliza. +“Never!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I know that she is, and, to all appearance, a +modest, well-bred girl. Seeing all this, I was an idiot +to introduce her as I did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I thought so all the time,” said Miss Eliza, demurely. +“Not that I think of her as beautiful or well-bred—far +from it; but those artful young creatures do fascinate +men some way quite unaccountably. I cannot bear +to think of it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are sure that he visits her house?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sure as I am of my own life.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And that he walks with her in the street?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have seen him join her not a block from your own +door, and never leave her till she reached that which +leads to her rooms in the garret of a tenement-house +where she now resides.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where is this house?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza reluctantly gave the street and number +where Anna Burns lived.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank you,” said Mrs. Savage; “you have done me +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>a great service. I will think what steps had best be +taken in the matter.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you will keep my visit a secret? Situated as +we are, he might think it indelicate for me to interfere.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will not mention your name in the matter,” answered +Mrs. Savage, wearily.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza arose, shook out the drapery of her dress, +kissed Mrs. Savage with elaborate affection, and left the +room, well satisfied with the work she had done.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage was a proud, impetuous woman, well +calculated for a leader in social life, and in all respects +the mistress of her own house. Such women are usually +ardent in their attachments; willing to die for those +they love; ready to turn the world over in their behalf; +but well disposed to regulate and control the happiness +they are so earnest in securing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was no being in the world to whom young Savage +was so much attached as his mother. There was +something chivalric in his admiration of her talent, and +in the loving pride that he felt in her womanliness. He +saw her by the graceful force of a superior will governing +other women, and charming strong men into her +service. He knew that she was grand in her magnanimity +when it was once aroused; but sometimes more +disposed to be generous than just, when the tide of her +strong prejudices set in against the truth. She was, +indeed, a woman of whom any son might well have been +proud—full of faults, and rich in magnificent virtues. +For the world he would not have given this woman +pain; for he, above all others, knew what a cruel thing +pain was to her. For this reason he had, perhaps, unconsciously +kept his knowledge of Anna Burns a secret +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>from her until quite assured that this feeling, which +seemed so like love, was an enduring passion; he would +not disturb his mother by confessing it. There was +nothing like domestic treason in this. The young man +was not quite sure of himself. Refined, fastidious, and +over-educated as he was, the feelings which sprang up +in his heart regarding this girl were a wonder to his +own mind. They were so opposed to all his relations +in life that he could not believe in them; yet they were +there strong as his life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>About the time that he learned of Ward’s residence +in the same house with Anna Burns, he had resolved to +open his heart to his mother, and tell her all. Savage +had at this time resolved to make Anna Burns his wife. +The first step he took in that direction was to seek +Georgiana Halstead, and ask her aid in removing the +object of his love to a less revolting home, and in surrounding +her with associates kindred to her character +rather than her position. This done, he fully intended +to make that proud mother his next confidant.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A single hour had swept all these honorable projects +from his mind. He had listened with scornful incredulity +to the charges made against the lady of his love by +Miss Eliza. But his own eyes were not to be disbelieved; +the evidence of that roughly honest landlady +had been complete. He had been about to sacrifice himself +to an artful, unprincipled girl, who could share love, +true and generous as his, with a creature like that Ward. +He had seen them together; he had seen her hand in +his. He knew that they dwelt under the same squalid +roof. It was enough. Never, in this world, would he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>mention that girl’s name to his mother. She had +wronged him too cruelly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage, stung to the soul with these feelings, sent a +note to his mother that he was going into the country +for a few days—and went away, in what direction he +neither knew nor cared. He had been humiliated, +wounded in his love and in his pride beyond bearing; +so much as he had been willing to give up for the sake +of that girl’s love—and she knew it. The infatuation +must have been coarse and deep which could have led +her from the prospects his love would have secured, to +the evil fortunes of that gambler.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage received her son’s note just after Eliza +Halstead left the house. She was glad to know that he +had left town. In her present state of feeling she could +not have met him with the equanimity which her pride +demanded. While he was gone, she would see this girl, +and sweep away the temptation that had beset him, if +eloquence or money could do it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was honorable to the mother, and most honorable +to the son, that Mrs. Savage never once imputed a dishonorable +thought to the visits that had been described +to her—proud, generous women like her are not apt to +think the worst of human nature. She would have felt +as much degraded by an immoral or dishonorable act in +her son, as if it had fastened upon her own person.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I do not prevent it, he will marry this girl,” she +said; “and I, fool that I was, have cast her in his way. +There is poor Georgiana wronged and deserted. Not +that he ever said much to her; but I had so set my +heart on it, that every word I said to the dear child was +a promise. Heaven bless that vicious old maid for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>warning me in time! What a character she is—how +silkily she kept down the venom of her tongue. I wonder +Halstead can endure her in the house.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Thus Mrs. Savage wandered in her thoughts as she +closed her son’s note. She had received a hard blow, +but women like her do not spend much time in recrimination +when work is to be done.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will go at once,” she thought. “This may be +nothing serious, after all; Horace is so generous, and +he knew of their poverty. This may only be one of his +private charities, which the old maid has tortured into +a love romance.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage followed out these thoughts by ringing +for her maid, and ordering her shawl and bonnet to be +brought down; but the girl had hardly left the room +when a servant came from the hall, and inquired if Mrs. +Savage could spare a minute to the young person who +came so often about the fine sewing?</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let her come up—let her come up,” answered the +lady, in eager haste. “Mary, you need not get the +things; I shall not go out just now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna Burns came into the room softly as a tear falls. +She was pale, and a sad sweetness made her face touchingly +lovely.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have brought the work home,” she said, laying a +roll of embroidered muslin on the table, and leaning +against the marble for support. “And—and I have +come to say that grandmother does not think it best +that I should take any more.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna’s voice shook, and the woman who listened knew +that it trembled through suppressed tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>“Why do you give up work?” she inquired, with unconscious +sympathy in her voice.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I——Because grandmother thinks it best. +Carrying home the work takes me a good deal into the +street, and she does not think that good for me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Your grandmother is a prudent woman. But how +are you to live without work?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t know. Perhaps I can find something to do +that wont take me away from home just at present, at +least.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage took up the roll of work and began to +examine it. Woman of the world as she was, something +gentle and good about that girl prevented her speaking +out as she had proposed do. The sad, wistful look +turned upon her bespoke too much sorrow for ungentle +handling.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sit down,” she said, gently, as if she had been addressing +a naughty child, “I wish to speak with you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna sat down with a frightened look, and trembling +a little as the lady could see.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You know my son, Anna Burns?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; yes, madam, a little—that is, I did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He has been to your house?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“To our rooms you mean, lady? Yes, he has been +there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“More than once?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes! more than once. We—we did not think +there was any harm in it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna’s eyes were filling with tears; her lips quivered +like those of a grieved child just before it bursts into a +cry.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did he help you——”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>“Madam!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did he give you money? Was it for that he came?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Money? Oh! he would not do that. Grandmother +is a lady; and no one ever offers her money, most of all, +Mr. Savage.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was no deception here. Those eyes were +lifted to the proud woman’s questioning, clearly and +purely as the stars of heaven shine on earth. Mrs. +Savage hesitated and looked down, there was too much +of the woman in her heart not to shrink from the task +she had imposed on herself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>At last she took the girl’s hand in her own, and felt +that it trembled there like a frightened bird.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna Burns, has my son ever said that he loved +you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna struggled to free her hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, madam! Oh, lady! this is punishing me too +much!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Answer me, Anna, I mean nothing unkind; but I +must know. Has my son ever said that he loved you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna sat upright. Her face had been scarlet a moment +before; now it was white as snow.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” she said, with gentle firmness. “He has said +that he loved me more than once.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you believed him?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Believed him? Oh, yes!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“One question more, Anna. Do you love him?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lady, I am a very young girl, and hardly know +what love is. But I hope God will forgive me if it is +wrong to think so often and so much of Mr. Savage!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is very sad,” murmured the lady; and she held +the little hand in hers closer when she spoke again.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>“Has he ever said any thing about marrying you, +Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think so. It seemed to me that it was what he +meant; but that was before—”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Before what, Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t know. I would rather not talk any more +about it, madam, if you please.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, let me talk seriously with you. There is a +great distinction between you and my son.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it—I know it. Grandmother said exactly +those words.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He cannot marry you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! madam.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You must save him from the ruin such a step would +bring upon him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ruin?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, ruin! I, his mother, never would consent. +He would lose his high place in society. He would regret +the step within a month after it was taken.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna grew paler and paler, the quivering of her lips +became convulsive.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is the reason—that is why he would not speak +to me. Oh! madam, my heart is breaking.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Better the pain now than when it is too late, child. +Give him up—give him up, and I will see that neither +you nor yours shall ever want.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is too late—too late, lady. He has given me up. +I understand it all now. Let me go home. I am faint—so, so fain——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The sentence died out in a murmur on those white +lips. Anna had fainted at the proud woman’s feet.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII.<br> <span class='c010'>A NEW LIGHT.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>When Anna Burns awoke from that deathly fainting +fit, Mrs. Savage was leaning over her, with pain and +sorrow in her fine features. The unhappy girl looked +so white and broken in her insensibility that it touched +her to the heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poor child! it is a sad pity,” she murmured, lifting +Anna’s head to her lap. “But these things, happily, do +not prove fatal. She should not have lifted her eyes to +my Horace. Dear fellow! no wonder he thinks her +pretty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let me go home, lady! Let me go home!” said +Anna, drearily. “I will do any thing you say, only let +me go home!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Wait a little, my child; take a glass of wine, it will +make you strong. I want to say a few words now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will wait,” said Anna; “but no wine; grandmother +will make me some tea when I get home.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I wished to say a word more about my son.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, madam, I will try and listen.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have said that it would be his total ruin if——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If he married me. Yes; I know—I know; please +do not say it over again, it kills me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think, Anna Burns, you love him well enough to +save him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I love him well enough for—for almost any +thing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is but one thing you can do for him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna lifted her large, questioning eyes to meet those +<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>of Mrs. Savage—and that look made speech unnecessary.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Your eyes ask me what it is you can do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes.” The words fell faintly from those white lips, +as they began to quiver again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Keep out of his way. Leave the place you live in—I +will supply the means. Move to some other city. +Go into the country; do any thing but see him again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Again Anna lifted those eyes to the proud woman’s +face; and this time the fine, blue eyes of the lady fell +under her glance.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Is there no other way?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“None in the world. Listen, child. You are pretty, +I admit—lady-like, refined, surpassingly so; but my +son has a position to maintain, a career of ambition +before him. We have no other child, and have founded +high hopes on him. This marriage, if he, indeed, thinks +of it, would destroy them all. His father never would +be brought to sanction it; he never would recognize +you. As for me, I should forgive him, perhaps, but you, +never!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It will not happen, lady. I shall never need your +forgiveness. You did not know that Mr. Savage had +thought better of it already—that he does not speak to +me in the street. That——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna stopped, for a quick rush of tears was choking +her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed! Is this true?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, indeed it is, lady!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And what is the reason?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Perhaps he is obeying your command, lady?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>“No, I have never spoken of this—never heard of it +till this morning.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then he must have been angry with me about——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, about what?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“About Mr. Ward.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Ward—what of him? Is it the Ward I know—the +great friend of young Gould?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I think so. He has been cruel to me; he would +come to live in the house.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Live in the same house with you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, he would do it. We did not know about it +at the time. Then he contrived to meet me on the stairs, +and follow me into the street. Mr. Savage saw him +there one day. It was then he did not speak to me. +But I was not to blame. Oh, lady! pity me a little; +for since then, I have been so miserable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It will not last. I give you my experience that it +will not last. I will inquire about young Ward. He +has no family or connections to speak of. There could +be no objections to that match, if he really fancies you, +I should suppose. Come, come, cheer up; the other is +out of the question, you know; but if young Ward +comes forward, I should not in the least mind giving +you a wedding outfit, and a neat little sum of money. +Take these things into consideration, like a good girl. +This fancy for my son will soon exhaust itself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna stood up firmly now, and drew the shawl, that +had partly fallen off, about her person with a proud +grace that astonished the woman who had wounded +her so.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lady, be content; I will not, if possible, see your +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>son again; but to speak of another, especially that man, +is worse than cruel, it is insulting.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The red flush of a haughty spirit, ashamed of itself, +swept over the lady’s face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did not mean to wound or insult you,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, lady; you only forgot that a poor girl who +works hard for her living may have a little pride, and +some shadow of delicacy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, I do not forget any thing of the kind; but +I am anxious to save my son from a step that I honestly +believe he would repent of, and have frankly asked +you to help me. Another woman would have taken +different and harsher means; I stoop to entreat, implore +you to give him up.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lady, I have—I do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This fact about young Ward will, if you manage it +wisely, be a great assistance. My son is proud and +peculiarly sensitive. If he supposed that you encouraged +this young man, it would go far to cure him of his +folly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What do you mean, lady?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This. He now thinks, doubtless, that you have encouraged +young Ward to come under the same roof +with you. He has already seen him with you in the +street. Do not undeceive him—that will be his cure.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But what will he, what can he think of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No matter what he thinks. You will never meet +again; and if you should, all this foolish passion will +have been swept away on both sides. Then you can +inform him with safety.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lady, do not ask me to act in this way. I can give +up his love, but not his respect.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>“Not for a time? If it will restore him to himself—to +the parents who love him better than themselves?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I could not force myself to do that, madam.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But he may return to you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna’s eyes sparkled through the tears that hung on +those curling lashes. Mrs. Savage saw the look, and +her own eyes flashed angrily.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You wish it. I see you wish it,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I do, it is because even a new pain would be +something like a relief to the dull ache here,” answered +the young girl, laying a hand on her heart. “You have +my promise, lady, not to see your son again, if I can +help it. After that, any conditions you may make are +of little importance. You are right; it does not matter +what he thinks of me. Do with me as you will, I cannot +be more wretched than I am.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna sat down in a chair, simply because she was too +weak for the upright position she had bravely maintained +till then; but her face was turned upon the +proud woman with a look that seemed to be making a +last plead for her life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I wish it could be avoided. Do believe me, I am +giving myself almost as much pain as you can feel; but +firmness here is mercy. Promise not to see my son +again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have—I have!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>These words were uttered in a cry of absolute anguish, +that drove the blood from Mrs. Savage’s face; +but she was firm as a rock, notwithstanding this strain +on her sympathy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Promise, if you should be forced to see him, that no +explanations shall be made. Let him keep his present +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>impression, injurious as it may be, regarding young +Ward.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Poor Anna Burns! These were hard conditions, +harder than she knew of; for, brought up by that pure +and gentle old woman, more carefully than most city +belles ever were, she had no idea that any one could +think worse of her than that she had encouraged the +honorable attentions of this man Ward. But that +thought alone was enough to make her young heart +swell with bitter humiliation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lady, he cannot believe it. He never will believe +that I could turn from him to that dreadful man,” she +cried, in a passion of resentment. “There is not a girl +on earth who could be so insane.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But it seems he does believe it,” answered the lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna’s uplifted hand fell heavily into her lap.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“True! true!” she repeated, in a heart-broken voice. +“He saw us together; he would not speak to me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She got up wearily now, and besought Mrs. Savage +to let her depart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have promised every thing,” she said. “There +is nothing more that you can want of me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I, too, have promised something.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Help, protection, money, if you need it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna turned upon her like a hunted doe, her cheeks +red with passionate pride, her eyes on fire.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam, I give you back your son, I do not sell +him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you reject kindness. You will accept +nothing?” faltered Mrs. Savage.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna did not answer, but walked quietly out of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>room, with her hand clenched under the scant shawl, +and her lips pressed firmly together. For the first time +in her life she was really in a passion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage, shocked by the surprise of this outbreak, +stood speechless till the girl had disappeared. +When she did find words, they came in a burst of admiration.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Upon my word, she is a splendid young creature! +I do not wonder that Horace is infatuated with her. +She absolutely makes me ashamed of myself. If it +were not for Georgiana——No, no! it never can be.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>As Anna was going home, stepping proudly, from +the pure force of such resentment, as few women could +feel and retain their dignity, she met little Joseph, with +a bundle of papers under his arm.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Please, will you buy a paper, Miss? Ledger! Telegraph! +Bulletin!” he said, with a rogueish little laugh. +“Only five cents!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna recognized this gentle pleasantry, and turning +upon him, tried to smile, but instead of the smile came +a burst of tears that seemed to freeze little Joseph in +his tracks.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Anna, what is the matter?” he said, laying his +papers on the side-walk, and clinging to her hand, which +was grasping the shawl hard in her anguish. “Why, +how it trembles! Poor little hand! Poor, darling +sister! what is it that makes you cry so? Stoop down, +Anna, and let me kiss you. Nobody is in sight. There! +There! Doesn’t that make you feel better?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, darling, yes!” faltered Anna, striving to hide +the ache at her heart with a smile that was so mournful +that it almost made the gentle boy cry too.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>“There is a man coming round the corner, or I’d give +you plenty of ’em! Indeed, I would!” he said, feeling +in his pocket and drawing forth some crumpled money. +“I’ve had pretty good luck to-day, Anna; only see! +Suppose we go out on a bender, and get a plate of icecream +between us?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna shook her head, and drew the veil over her +face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is that for? Don’t you see it is Mr. Savage.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna snatched her shawl from the boy’s grasp, and +hurrying past him, turned the next corner.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Horace Savage quickened his step as he saw the boy, +who had gathered up his papers, and stood looking after +his sister, surprised by her strange conduct.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah, ha! my little friend, is it you?” said Savage, +speaking with great kindness. “How is trade to-day? +Hand me out two or three papers, that’s a fine fellow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph forgot his usual alacrity, but stood looking +toward the corner where his sister had disappeared in +sad bewilderment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What did she run away for?” he said at last, appealing +to the young man. “Is she afraid of you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of whom are you speaking, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of sister Anna, to-be-sure.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I saw a lady going round the corner, but did not +observe her much—was that your sister?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes it was. Some one has been making her cry. +Who is it, I wonder?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How should I know?” answered the young man, +smiling a little at the boy’s earnestness. “Was she +really crying?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not at first; she was walking along as proud as a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>queen, with her head up, and her cheeks as red as two +peaches; but when I spoke to her and asked her to buy +some papers—all in fun, you know—she burst right out +a crying. I declare, sir, it was enough to break one’s +heart. If I hadn’t been a fellow in business, with property +to take care of, I should have burst out crying +with her. I don’t know what has come over sister Anna, +to go on as she does.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, how does she go on?” inquired Horace, +prompted to the question by the love which would not +be crowded out of his heart. “She ought to be very +happy, I should think.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But she isn’t, sir. She doesn’t eat as much as a +chipper-bird; and as for sleep, grandma says she don’t +close her eyes sometimes all night.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed! What can trouble her so, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll tell <em>you</em> what I think it is,” answered Joseph, +lifting his innocent young face toward that of the +young man, “I believe it’s that Mr. Ward’s being in +the house. He torments sister Anna, and she——Well, +I really do believe she can’t bear him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Can’t bear him, Joseph?” cried Savage, with a +sudden glow of the whole countenance.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, it’s almost that, wicked as it is. I’m sure of +it. Just as likely as not he has been following her out +again, and trying to make her walk with him. That +always makes her come back with red cheeks, and such +angry eyes, that one doesn’t hardly know her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you sure that she does not like him, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Like? Why, she hates him. Only sister Anna +can’t hate much, you know—it isn’t in her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>“But why does Mr. Ward follow your sister into the +street, when he could so easily visit her at home?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No he can’t, though. Anna goes into the bedroom +if he only knocks. As for grandma, why she sits up so +straight, and looks at him so steady, that he makes believe +to ask for something, and goes away mad enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then he is never welcomed in your room?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Welcomed! I should rather think not. Why, Mr. +Savage, he isn’t the least bit of a gentleman. When +grandma went down to his room and told him how inconvenient +and unpleasant it was to have him there, +and Anna so young, he almost laughed at her. Grandma’s +eyes were as bright as stars, I can tell you, when +she came up stairs again. She’s a real lady, is grandma, +and it isn’t often that any one dares to treat her +so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did your grandmother really ask Mr. Ward to go +away?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, she did, right to his face.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Joseph, I have been keeping you a long time, breaking +up business, and that isn’t fair. There is money +enough for your whole stock. I can’t carry it away, +you see; but sell the papers out at half price and go +home.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Joseph took the offered money, and insisted on forcing +some copies of his stock on Savage, who took them +in order to give a business air to the transaction.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t say any thing to your sister about what we’ve +been talking of, Joseph,” he said, a little anxiously. +“It might annoy her, you know, if she thought I knew +she had been crying in the street.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>“No,” said Joseph, confidentially. “I wouldn’t say +any thing to make her feel bad for the world.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you are quite certain of all you’ve told me, +little Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Certain? Of course I am. But, Mr. Savage, if +you’d just as lief call me Joseph without the little, I’d +rather. When a boy gets into business for himself, it’s +apt to hurt him in the way of trade to be called ‘little,’ +our Robert says. It isn’t me, remember—I don’t mind; +but our Robert is a capital business man, and he’s very +particular about it ‘in a commercial point of view’—these +are his very words.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, Joseph, I’ll be careful.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank you, sir; I hope you’ll be coming to see us +soon. Grandma is always glad to see you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And no one else, Joseph?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of course, we’re all glad,” answered the boy, instinctively +keeping his sister in the background; “Robert +and I, particularly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>I am not quite certain that Horace Savage felt so +grateful for this delicate reserve as he ought to have +been; but one thing is certain, he did not go out of +town that night, and was in better spirits, during the +day than had been usual to him for a week past. His +mother was greatly surprised to see him come home +that afternoon as usual; but received his excuses for +what seemed a capricious change of mind with great +good humor.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Fortunately,” she said to herself, “I saw the girl +before he relented. She will keep her word, poor thing, +though he may make it hard for her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was wonderful what confidence this woman of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>world placed in the young creature whose life she was +breaking up. Like a wise diplomat, she let her son +take his own way unquestioned.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br> <span class='c010'>A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>“Grandmother!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, my dear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna did not answer at first, but sat for a time lost +in thought. At last she spoke again, but in a voice so +constrained that the old lady looked at her with sudden +anxiety.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother, how long would it take us to move?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not long,” answered the old lady; “we have not +much to pack up. Two or three hours would get us +ready for the cart, if we all worked.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Could we go to-night, grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We could, certainly—but where?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have found a place. When Miss Halstead was +here the other day, she told me of a little house which +belonged to her grandmother, who did not care to rent +it just then, and wanted a nice, quiet family to take +charge of it. She had mentioned us to the old lady, +and we are just the kind of people she wants.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Have you seen the house, Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, grandmother; but Miss Halstead says it is +very comfortable and pretty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And the rent?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>“I told you, if you remember, that we were to take +charge of the house. It is furnished, and they must +have some one. There is no question of rent about it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is rather strange. Are you sure, Anna, that +Miss Halstead is not making this a charity in disguise?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It may be—I cannot tell; but one thing I do know, +if charity could be sweet from any one, that dear young +lady would make it so. She is good and lovely as an +angel!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is, indeed.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you will accept this offer, grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It seems too good to be true, Anna. But if we can +take a more comfortable house on such terms, it would +be wrong to refuse it. For many reasons, dear, I should +be glad to get you out of this place.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And I shall be so glad to move. It seems as if I +could not breathe here. Put on your shawl, grandmother, +and let us go look at the house. It is not so +very far away.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How impatient you are, Anna. We will look at +the house, and I will get ready; but as for moving, we +must give the landlady notice—she has been very kind +to us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So she has, grandmother, I had forgotten her. Indeed, +it seems to me as if I forget every thing but +myself. Of course, the boys must be consulted.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“They must, at least, be informed.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! how I wish it could be done at once; but if +that is impossible, we can, at least, go and see this new +house.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady put on a neat crape bonnet which Anna +<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>had made for her, and covered the darns in her dress +with an old black shawl, good in its time, but worn thin +as muslin in places. She looked neat, and like a perfect +gentlewoman; and would have appeared so in any dress, +for with her, innate refinement was independent of costume.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna had been sitting in her bonnet and shawl, for +she had taken a long walk after her interview with Joseph, +which ended in that call on Miss Halstead, during +which the business of the house had been settled. +Georgiana had received her with more than kindness. +There was something shy and tender in her manner +inexpressibly touching. It seemed as if she were accepting +a favor, rather than conferring one, when a +second offer of the house was made. Old Mrs. Halstead +had been called in to the conference, and seemed delighted +at the prospect of securing such unexceptionable +inmates for her house.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is a little box of a place in the edge of the town, +so small that I find it difficult to obtain a tenant that +suits me. Besides, I may sometimes wish to live in it +myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You! grandmamma?” exclaimed Georgiana.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes. When my pretty grandchild here gets tired +of petting me, or loves some other person enough to +leave me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That I never shall—never!” answered Georgie. +“Now it is impossible.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady laid a hand on her young head with a +queenly sort of tenderness, and said, “Hush, child, +hush! I do not like to hear you talk in this way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! do you want me to leave you?” answered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>Georgie, rallying her sprightliness; “that is very +unkind, grandmamma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was something sad and a little out of the common +way here, which Anna did not understand. Was +it possible that this beautiful young creature, living in +the very lap of wealth, could have her anxieties and +feel the heartache as she did? The thought made her +look on Georgie with more interest; a growing sympathy +was fast springing up between these two girls, so +far apart in the social strata, but so close together in +that refinement of heart and mind which makes high +natures kin.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If you can go to-day,” said Georgie, “I will meet +you at the house and do the honors.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>So it was arranged; and Anna went home, brightened +a little by this change in her existence, to consult her +grandmother, and prepare for the appointment she had +made.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns entered a street-car and sat down by Anna, +pleased with an event that had drawn her from the +eternal sameness of her garret-home. She was a mild, +sweet-faced old lady, for whom even the rude jostlers +of a street-car made room reverently. So she enjoyed +her ride, and thanked God in her heart that Anna +would soon be under a shelter where no bad, rude man +would dare to force himself upon her. The advent of +Mr. Ward into what had been to them always a safe +and peaceful dwelling, had distressed the old lady more +than her grandchildren had dreamed of. She had seen +enough of the world in her lifetime to understand that +to be domesticated with a young man, from any grade +in society, would bring reproach of some kind on her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>child. The cars stopped, and after walking a single +block, these two women found themselves in front of an +opening or park, encircled by a double crescent of small +three-story cottages, with verandahs of light wood-work +running along each story, all woven and draped with +climbing roses, honeysuckles, and Virginia creepers. +In fact, the front of these houses was one lattice-work +of flowers; and all the open ground inclosed in the two +crescents was broken up with guilder-roses, lilacs, spireas, +and a world of roses growing in rich masses, if not +always rare, exceedingly beautiful.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A street ran between the two crescents lined with +tall trees, which, here and there, tangled their branches +over it. In the grounds, too, were weeping-willows, +the paper-mulberry, and alanthus trees, drooping under +the weight of great clusters of vividly red fruit.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady uttered an exclamation, half delight, +half surprise. Was it possible? Could she again +gather her son’s children about her in a place like that? +To Anna it seemed a little paradise. The very breath +stopped on her lips as she paused to gaze upon it. +“There must be some mistake,” she said. “The number +was on one of those gates, truly; but it could not +be.” She stood before one of the rustic gates which +opened to a house in the very deepest curve of one of +the crescents, bewildered and uncertain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not attempt to open it,” said the old lady, restraining +her granddaughter’s hand as she was about +to unlatch the gate. “It cannot be here we are to live.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Poor old soul! She had lived so long in the close +rooms of that tenement-building, that these houses, very +simple and unpretending if divested of their grounds +<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>and flowers, seemed far too magnificent for her aspirations.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let us go on,” she said, “and search out the real +house; this place is as lovely as paradise, but it is not +for us. I wish you had not come this way, Anna, it +will make you dissatisfied with the reality.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Look, grandmother, look! It is the very house. +There is Miss Halstead in the door; you can scarcely +see her for the honeysuckles—but I should know her +face anywhere. She is coming forward, and looks so +pleased. Come, grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Through the gate they went, and along the broad +path lined with flowers on either hand. A rustic chair +stood in the lower verandah, close by an open French +window, which led into a pretty little parlor connected +by folding doors, always kept open, with one of the +cosiest little rooms you ever saw. This room was just +large enough to hold a small couch, an easy-chair, a +stand for flowers, and some books—just what it did +contain. Mrs. Burns sat down in the rustic chair, and +drop after drop trembled up into her dear old eyes. +Was this to be her home, even for a short season? +Would her children breathe the odor of these flowers, +and sleep in those neat rooms? She could not realize +it. Our readers know how this sweet, old creature had +bent and yielded to what was inevitable in adversity +without a murmur, and without shedding a single tear: +but she was childlike with gratitude now, and the tears +began to steal down her withered cheek in slow drops +of happiness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My dear,” she said, holding out her hand to Georgiana +Halstead, “come here and let the old woman kiss +<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>you, she is getting to be a child again; but a happy, very +happy child. Are we, indeed, to live here?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If you will, dear madam, my grandmother wishes +it; but she makes one condition.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is that? I am sure it will not be a hard one.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not very, I hope. While you stay in the house, you +and your family must occupy it entirely. Your own +furniture can be brought in, but you will find the house +tolerable without that. She wishes no reserve as to +room or furniture. Take possession when you please—the +sooner the better; that is all the condition my +grandmother makes.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Your grandmother is a kind woman, and I thank +her—that is all we can do. We are poor in every thing +but this gratitude, which is very sweet to feel.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let us see the house. It was pretty as a bird’s-nest +when I was here months ago. How fortunate it is that +grandmamma did not wish to let it. Come up stairs, you +will find a very pretty sitting-room there, one of the +most breezy, cheerful places you ever saw. Your bed-chamber, +Mrs. Burns, opens into that. Anna’s will be +on the third story. I have arranged it all. Come and +see.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Up stairs they went, into a room which Georgie had +described well as cheerful and breezy, for the two sash-windows +were open, and the whole chamber was swept +with perfumed air as they entered it. Two good-sized +book-cases were in this room, filled with pleasant reading. +The furniture was all excellent, but unpretending. Two +or three engravings hung on the walls; and one of +Wheeler & Wilson’s sewing-machines stood in a rosewood +case in one corner. In the balcony, which seemed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>like a little room—it was so festooned with vines—were +some rustic chairs, and a bird-cage, in which birds were +chirping.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is my little present,” said Georgie, promptly, +remarking the old lady’s look of surprise. “Here is a +rocking-chair, which grandmamma sent from her own +room. No one is to sit in that but Mrs. Burns, remember. +Now take a peep in here; comfortable, I think.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She opened the bedroom door and revealed a low +bed, white as snow, but simple as a bed well could be; +an easy-chair, covered with white dimity, stood near it, +and every thing that an old person could require for +comfort or convenience was there. Something more +than the common furniture of a house had certainly +been added here. Georgiana accounted for this frankly +enough.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmamma,” she said, “had more of these things +than she knew how to use, and would send them. She +does so like to make every thing complete.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Old Mrs. Burns had not been known to smile so frequently +as she did that day for years. There was an +absolute glow on her face all the time she stayed in that +cottage. She felt intuitively that some great kindness +was intended, but it gave her no pain—generous persons +can receive favors without annoyance; the very qualities +which induce them to give freely enable them to receive +gracefully. Here that good old lady had a double +pleasure, that of occupying a pleasant home, and the +intense gratitude which came out of it, which was exquisite +happiness in itself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Tell your grandmother that her kindness has made +<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>an old woman hopeful again. For my own sake, and +in behalf of my dear children, I thank her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>They stood by the gate looking back upon the grounds +when Mrs. Burns said this. Anna was a little apart, +silent, and with a dreamy sadness in her eyes. She had +said little while examining the house. What could a +change of place do for her? Indeed, I think the old +rooms under the roof of that tenement-house was dearer +to her than those open balconies, and all the flowers +that draped them, for there <em>he</em> had held her hand quietly +in his. There he had “looked, though he was seldom +talking of love.” She was glad for her grandmother’s +sake, and pleased that the boys, who worked so hard +and were so good, would be for a time, at least, made +more comfortable. As for herself, poor girl, her life +was broken up. But for those dear ones she would have +been glad to die, had God so willed it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana Halstead did not understand this. She +knew nothing of Anna’s interview with Mrs. Savage; +and deeming her possessed of a love for which she +would have given so much, was both surprised and disappointed +at a coldness which to her seemed want of +feeling. In the exaltation of a most generous nature, +she had found relief in carrying out the promise she +had given Horace Savage; but she had expected more +enthusiasm, more demonstrative happiness, from a girl +who had darkened her own life in attaining the love +which was so ready to lift her out of all that was disagreeable +in her life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana went home with Mrs. Burns. She was not +the girl to make half sacrifices, and thought that, perhaps, +her help or counsel might be of use. She would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>not be saddened by Anna’s silence, or disheartened in +any way. Horace had asked her to befriend these people, +and she would oblige him whether they wished it +or not.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Very much to the surprise of Mrs. Burns and her +visitor, Robert had reached home earlier than usual, +and was sitting in the room with young Mr. Gould, who +had just returned from Ward’s room, where a fiery +scene had passed between him and his old friend. That +morning Robert had appealed to the nephew of his employer +with frank earnestness, and besought him to get +the young man away from that house. He told Gould +how cruelly his presence annoyed sister Anna, and +added that the grandmother had appealed to him in +vain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould was terribly angry when he learned how meanly +Ward had seized upon his reckless hint to persecute a +helpless girl. Every generous impulse of his nature +rose up in repudiation of an act so base. Scarcely had +Robert told his story, when Gould seized his hat and +stood ready, so far as lay in his power, to correct the +evil his own rash folly had instigated. His transient +fancy for Robert’s sister had vanished long ago, and he +felt responsible for an act which might injure her, and +certainly debased the man he had once considered as +his friend.</p> + +<p class='c012'>I have said there was a stormy scene in Ward’s room +within ten minutes after Gould entered the house. We +do not care to give the particulars, as it was enacted at +the very time Mrs. Burns was going over her new +house—a much pleasanter subject. But the result was, +that an hour after young Ward gave up his key to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>landlady, and hurried out of the house with a portmanteau +in his hand, looking greatly flurried, and as mean +as an exquisite dandy could well look.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould went up stairs with Robert, resolved to set the +old lady and her charge at rest for the future; and, if +it could be done, offer them such help as might atone +for the trouble he had unwittingly occasioned them. +He had been angry, or at least excited with generous +indignation; and his very handsome face was lighted +up into something more striking than mere color or +form. He really was splendid while moving up and +down that little room, his face bright with noble feeling, +and his step lithe as the movements of a panther.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould stood in the middle of the room when the young +girls came in. I think at that particular moment it +would have been hard to find a more noble-looking fellow. +Anna started and turned crimson. She recognized +him at once as the Bois Guilbert of that Waverly +tableau that had terminated so disastrously. Georgie, +too, remembered him, and blushed in company with her +friend.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My dear madam,” said the young man, addressing +Mrs. Burns, “I beg ten thousand pardons for this intrusion; +and as many more that any person I have ever +known should have been its cause. My friend Robert +here—a boy to be proud of, madam—informed me of +the distress Ward had thrown you into, and I came up +at once to turn him out. He is gone; I saw him into +the street myself. You need have no further uneasiness +on his account.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are very good, very kind,” answered the old +lady, thanking him with her eyes all the time she was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>speaking. “It would have been a great service, and is; +but we are going to move.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! has the scoundrel really driven you out?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, not altogether that. We have found friends,” +said Mrs. Burns, looking significantly at Georgiana.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am heartily glad of that. Miss Halstead, I have +already had the pleasure of an introduction. I could +hardly have found it in my heart to forgive any one +else for preceding me. But my uncle and I will settle +our share with my young friend Robert.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Robert,” whispered Mrs. Burns, who seemed to be +trembling all over, “who is this young gentleman?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush, grandmother! it is only young Mr. Gould.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman dropped into a chair, and, clasping +her hands together, forced herself to sit still.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will go now,” said Georgie, seeing that nothing +could be done. “To-morrow I will come again, and +we will arrange things. Robert, are you very tired? +It is getting a little dark, I think.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert got up and took his hat from the table; but +young Gould took it gently from his hand and laid it +back again. “I am going by Miss Halstead’s residence. +Will she permit me to escort her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie smiled, twisted the elastic around her lace +parasol, as if it was of no further use, and prepared to go. +That splendid young fellow, with eyes so soft, and yet +so bright, was no mean escort for any girl—and +Georgiana was quite conscious of the fact. Indeed, of +the two, she could not but confess he was taller and +finer-looking than Savage. That was why he had been +selected to represent the magnificent Templar.</p> + +<p class='c012'>So Georgie went home, accompanied by Mr. Gould, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>with her pretty gloved hand resting on his arm lightly +as a bird touches the branch it nests on, yet sending the +pleasantest sort of a sensation through that arm, and +into the impetuous heart close by. If Georgie was conscious +of the mischief she was doing, the pretty rogue +gave no sign, unless a little heavier weight upon the +arm might have been deemed such; but upon the steps +of her father’s mansion she paused, after ascending +just far enough to bring her face on a level with his, +and such a warm, rosy smile met him that he longed to +kiss her then and there, as an excuse for going into that +house and demanding her on the instant of her father. +Gould had seen that provokingly handsome creature +many a time without any such feelings, and asked himself, +with supreme contempt, what he had been about +never to fall in love with her before.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“May you call?” said Georgie, putting the tip of her +parasol up to her mouth, and turning her head on one +side, as if she were brooding over the subject, “Yes, certainly, +if you have any business with papa—I think he +does that sort of thing with your house sometimes; or +if you have taken a fancy to know grandmamma. She’s +an old lady worth knowing, I can tell you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If you permit me, I certainly shall have business +with your father,” answered Gould, with a bright smile; +“and am so anxious to see this fine old lady, that to-morrow, +at the furthest, I shall claim that privilege.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I dare say she will be glad to see you. If she +should be indisposed, there is Aunt Eliza—you have +seen Aunt Eliza?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes, certainly! I have seen her, and shall be +delighted to resume the acquaintance.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>“Well, that being settled, good-night!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould lifted his hat, and went away. Georgie ran up +the steps, smiling like a June morning. The door was +opened, and she glided through singing in a low, happy +voice, “Spring is coming! Spring is coming!” when a +voice called to her from over the banisters. Miss Eliza +spent half her natural life leaning over those banisters—and +she was there, as usual, keeping guard.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who was it? Who was it you were talking to, +Georgiana?” she called out. “I heard a man’s voice. +I will take my oath I heard a man’s voice.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It was Mr. Gould,” answered Georgie, breaking off +her song.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Gould? What, the young gentleman who was +on his knees to that vile girl in the tableau? You don’t +mean to say it was him?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I do, Aunt Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where did you meet him, Georgie, dear? Tell me +all about it, that’s a sweet angel!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I met him at Mrs. Burns’, Aunt Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! in that garret? Is he bewitched by that +creature, too? I can’t believe it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t know about his being bewitched, but he certainly +was in Mrs. Burns’ room when we got there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We! Georgiana. Who are you talking about?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Old Mrs. Burns, Anna, and myself. We had been +up town on a little business, and——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana Halstead, have you been in the street +with those low people?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, if you will call them so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Without my permission?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I had that of grandmamma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>“My mother is an old—— My mother does not +know what she is about. I must inform her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is well informed, Aunt Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will make sure of that. But Mr. Gould—did he +inquire for me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He spoke of you, certainly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What did he say? Come up here this minute, and +tell me all about it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He said that he had been introduced to you, and +should like to renew the acquaintance.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes! I dare say he would! I saw clearly that +he was watching my Horace that night like a lynx, so +jealous that he could not conceal it, because he escorted +me to the carriage. So he has manifested himself at +last. Too late! Too late!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He spoke of calling to-morrow, Aunt Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed! That is serious. I will receive him courteously, +of course, and with tender dignity. If there is +any time when a lady should be considerate, it is when +she is compelled to suppress the love she has inspired. +Do not look at me, niece; I shall find myself equal to +the occasion, depend on that. But, after visiting that +creature, he cannot expect the reception I might otherwise +have given him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where is grandmamma, Aunt Eliza?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In her room. Go to her, child, and confess every +thing. She is kind, she is benevolent. Have no fear +to approach her; she may not possess my bland manner—but +that is the fault of early education. She is a +trustworthy person, and deserves to be treated well.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Afraid to approach my darling old grandmamma, +who knows so much more than all of us put together, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>and is worth a thousand people, if we count the heart +for any thing. Dear me! what a precious old goose +Aunt Eliza is. Ha! she is leaning over the banister +again. I hope she didn’t hear me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, Aunt Eliza.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“At what hour did Mr. Gould speak of calling?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He did not appoint any special time.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, it does not matter, one can dress early, and +the pleasures of anticipation are so exquisitely sweet, +that I shall quite revel in them,” muttered Miss Eliza +to herself. “I only wanted this to bring that proud +man to his knees. Let him fear to lose me once, and +we shall have an interesting crisis; depend on that, +Eliza Halstead.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Once more the banisters were left to their own support, +and Miss Eliza retired into the place she called +her boudoir, while Georgie went to her grandmother, +and told her all that had passed. When Georgie spoke +of Mr. Gould, the old lady seemed unusually disturbed, +and asked a good many questions with singular interest, +but said nothing against his coming, and smiled a +little, as nice old ladies will when they watch the workings +of a young girl’s heart in her innocent speech. +From that night Mrs. Halstead was less anxious about +the heavy eyes and pale cheeks of her pet. In fact, it +was not long before her cheeks wore the flush of wild +roses, and her eyes—— Well, it is of no use describing +Georgie’s eyes when she was happy—they were too +lovely for comparison.</p> + +<p class='c012'>It had been a chilly day, which made fires pleasant, +when Savage had that interview in the old maid’s room; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>but the weather was deliciously pleasant now, and Miss +Eliza came out in white muslin and blue ribbons, radiant +with expectation from breakfast time till noon, and from +noon till evening. Then Mr. Gould came, and, according +to her own private instructions, was taken up to her +room, where the Cupid was quivering over a basket of +real flowers, and Miss Eliza sat in position, with her +foot on the ottoman, and some innocent white flowers +in her hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Gould was not quite so much pre-occupied as Savage +had been, so he fell into the lady’s humor, complimented +her till she fluttered like a bird of paradise on its nest, +and began to think seriously of spurning young Savage +from the feet to which he was expected to fall. After +awhile Gould adroitly brought the conversation round +to the lady’s mother, and expressed an ardent wish to +know intimately any person connected with a person he +had admired so long. This desire was so promising +that Eliza took Gould into the family sitting-room, +where Mrs. Halstead sat with her beautiful grandchild.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In this fashion Gould introduced himself into the +family, where he soon became intimate as a son.</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was after this bold step that the roses came back +to Georgie’s face; and the young creature began to sing +again, like a bird that some great storm has silenced for +a time. The old lady smiled on all this, but at times +she would fix her eyes, with strange anxiety, on the +young man’s face, as if her thoughts were afar off, and +troubled with bitter memories.</p> + +<p class='c012'>As for Miss Eliza, it was very difficult to sweep an +illusion from her brain. Intense vanity like hers is not +easily warned.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX.<br> <span class='c010'>A DECLARATION OF LOVE.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>The night that Gould went home with Miss Halstead, +Savage presented himself in the tenement-house, resolved +to come to an explanation with Anna, and be +guided by the result. The boys had gone out on some +errand, and old Mrs. Burns had just stepped down +stairs to give their landlady notice of the removal; so, +for once, Anna was alone. She heard the step on the +stairs, and started up like a frightened fawn ready for +flight. But there was no place to flee to, except the +little bedroom, and that was so close to the room that +he might hear her breathe—for she was even then panting +with affright. What could she say to him? Had +he really thought that Ward was staying there with her +consent? He had reached the last flight of steps, when +she remembered, with a pang, her promise to Mrs. Savage, +“never, if she could help it, to see him again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Stung by this thought, she sprang for the bedroom; +but the doors of that house did not move with patent +springs; this one dragged against the floor, and, before +she could close it, Savage was in the ante-room. Was +she glad or sorry that the possibility of avoiding him +had escaped her? The tumult in her heart would have +forbidden an answer to this question had her conscience +been able to force it upon her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>He was in the room, his eyes caught hers as her hand +dropped from the door, and she stood on the threshold, +gazing wildly at him like an antelope frightened in its +lair.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>“Anna,” he said, yielding to a sudden rush of tenderness +which swelled in his heart at the very sight of +her; “Anna, was it from me you were striving to +escape?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She stood where he had first seen her, with drooping +eyes and a cheek of ashes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, speak to me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She looked up with such agony on her face, that the +very sight of it made him recoil a step backward.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, my poor, dear girl, what is this that has come +between us?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I don’t know. Ask—ask——No, you must not ask +any one. You and I must never speak to each other +again—never! never! never!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The voice broke off in a faint wail, so full of pain, that +it made the young man shiver.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But we can and will speak together. Who shall +prevent it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I must.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You, Anna? This is madness. Some trouble has +driven you wild.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, I am not wild, nor wicked enough to break a +sacred promise.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A sacred promise? Who exacted this promise?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“One who had a right?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“One who had a right! Who on earth has any right +over you, Anna Burns? Are you not in every thing +but words my betrothed wife?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I was—I was!” cried the poor girl, wringing her +hands in piteous distress. “But every thing is changed.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A flash of the old suspicion came over Savage; he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>strode across the room, and seizing Anna by the wrist, +drew her with gentle violence through the door.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Look me in the face, Anna Burns, and say, if you +have the courage, that this change is in yourself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She cast a piteous look into his face, and strove to +force her hand from his grasp.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Girl! Girl! Has your heart become so false that +it dares not look through your eyes?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is breaking! It is breaking!” she cried, desperately +yielding her feeble strength to his.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Breaking? For what—for whom?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You wound it so. Every one I meet gives it a +blow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I wound it? Girl! Girl! Two days ago I would +have died to save you an hour’s pain!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But now you hate, you despise me!” moaned the +poor young creature, giving him one look that went to +his heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why should you think so, Anna? If you have done +nothing to earn hate or contempt, how could the idea +enter your heart?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I cannot tell. I can tell you nothing, Mr. Savage, +only that I have made a promise, and must keep it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage grasped her hand so fiercely that it pained her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Girl, answer me. Was that promise made to Mr. +Ward?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Ward?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Her face became instantly crimson with flashing +blood.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Ward? Who told you? Who—who——‘</p> + +<p class='c012'>She remembered her second promise to Mrs. Savage +in time, and grew coldly white again.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>“Those who know him to be under the same roof +with you told me, Anna. If you could only know how +I have reproached myself for believing them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you must believe them,” she said. The words +fell from her lips sharp and cold, like hailstones on frozen +snow. She shivered under his eye, and made another, +wild effort to release herself. But he held her in an iron +grasp.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, do you love that man?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>His voice was low and hoarse; his eyes were full of +passionate pleading; all his pride was forgotten then. +He was a man pleading for the very life of his love.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do you love that man?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! let me go! I pray of you let me go!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not till you answer me, Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What was it you asked me to say?” she faltered, +humbly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I asked if you loved that man Ward?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I could not answer that question. I—I wonder +how you can ask it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Another, then—and for mercy’s sake, be frank. +Have you ceased to love me? Anna, is it so?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna would not tell a lie. She could be silent, and +so keep her promise; but to say that she did not love +that man, when every thought of her brain and pulse of +her being was drawing her soul into his, was a blasphemy +against love that she recoiled from.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Anna! is it all over between us?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She began to weep; great tears broke through those +drooping eyelashes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” she said, mournfully. “It is all over between +us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>“And you will marry that man?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No! No! He does not wish it. I—I——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She broke off, as if a shot had penetrated her heart; +for Savage had dropped her hand with a gesture of +sweet anguish, as only a proud man feels when the +woman he loves sinks into degradation. Fortunately +for her secret, she neither understood the gesture, or +the thought that made him turn so deadly white. She +had paused suddenly, because the words on her lips +were about to betray her. The next words that Savage +addressed to her made the heart in her bosom thrill and +ache as it had never done before.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, listen. I am going now, and you may never +hear my voice again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A sob broke on her white lips. She drooped before +him, white and still; but, oh! how miserable! ready for +the last killing words.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If—if this man should become weary of you——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Weary of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>There was pride on her lip, and fire in her eyes now; +but this only revolted Savage. It seemed to him like +the confidence of a vain woman, secure in her unhappy +position.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This may happen, Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, Mr. Savage, it never can.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But men do change sometimes,” he answered bitterly, +“almost as readily as women. When this time +comes, send to me. I shall never, of my own will, +speak to you again; but while I have a dollar you shall +never want.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna was weeping bitterly now. She strove to answer +him, but her throat gave forth nothing but sobs.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>“Do you promise, Anna, if any thing connected with +you could give me a gleam of pleasure, it would be a +certainty that you would send to me in your trouble or +your need?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will—I will,” she cried out.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And to no other person?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“To you, and no other.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now, farewell, Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She took his hand in hers; she pressed her lips upon +it again and again, covering it with tears and passionate +kisses.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is forever—it is forever!” she sobbed in despair. +“Do not hate me. Think kindly of me sometimes. Tell +your mother——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Tell my mother what, Anna? She will be sorry to +hear this. She has been kind to you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Kind! Oh, yes! very kind.” There was bitterness +in her heart, and it broke up through her sobs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But what must I tell her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will tell her nothing,” he answered sadly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>He made an effort to take away his hand, but it +brought a cry of such anguish from her that he desisted, +and strove to soothe her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And after what you have told me, it is only pain to +stay near you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it,” she said; “terrible pain!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>They were both silent now. She still clung to his +hand, but was growing calmer. The storm of tears was +ending in short, dry sobs; and she lifted her eyes to him +with a look of such yearning tenderness, such humble +deprecation, that his own eyes were flooded.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>“You will not hate me?” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, Anna. Heaven knows that is not in my power!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And sometimes, when you are married to some +lady——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I shall not marry for many a long year, Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is Miss Halstead!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush! That name on your lips wounds me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You will marry her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush!” he said, “I cannot bear that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And when you are happy, sometimes think kindly +of the poor girl who is not so very bad.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, I shall always think kindly of you. God forgive +you that I cannot mingle respect with kindness!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you think I have done very wrong?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; very, very wrong.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah, me! How can I help it? Which way shall I +turn? It is hard to be so young, with only a dear old +grandmother to show you the right way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is hard, poor child!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And I have tried to do my best—indeed, I have.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Tried and failed. Unhappy girl!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I am an unhappy girl—so unhappy that I sometimes +think there never was a creature so wretched. +Then I must not let her see it, or the boys—they have +so little pleasure, you know; but they are affectionate, +and will find me out; but not if I can help it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She said all this in a low, dreary voice, that would +have touched a heart of granite. Savage felt his resentment, +his pride and his strength giving away. He would +have given the world to take that young creature in his +arms and weep over her. But it could not be. Her +hands had fallen away from his unconsciously. She had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>covered her face with them. Savage turned from her +and softly left the room; he had no heart to attempt +another farewell.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna felt the silence, and, looking up, saw that he +was gone. She heard his footsteps going rapidly down +the stairs. Quick as thought she snatched up her +bonnet and shawl. She would not part with him so. +If the whole world dropped from under her feet she +would follow him. Down the stairs she went like a lapwing, +wrapping the shawl about her as she ran. He +walked swiftly, as men do when stung to quick motion +by pain. She soon came up with him; but that moment +a panic of shame seized her, and she lagged behind, +growing fainter and fainter each moment. An impulse +of self-preservation had sent her into the street. She +could not part with him so. That proud woman had no +right to ask it. She would follow him home. She would +demand a release from her promise from that haughty +woman in his presence, and tell him how she loathed +that man Ward; that a thousand thousand worlds +would not induce her to marry him. How could he believe +it of her, even though she told it herself?</p> + +<p class='c012'>Wild with these rash thoughts, she would have called +out for him to stop; but she was panting for breath, +and no sound came when she made a wild effort to utter +his name.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Then, with the faintness, came other thoughts. His +parents never would consent that he should marry her. +It would be ruin, utter ruin to him. What wild, wicked +thing was she about? After resisting her own love, +and his unhappiness so bravely, was she to destroy it +all and ruin him because of that awful heartache? But +<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>she was so tired, so completely worn out. A few moments +she would rest on that door-step, and then go +home. It did not matter much what became of her, +since he had gone, believing her a fickle, heartless girl, +capable of marrying that creature. No; it was of very +little consequence, for—for—for——</p> + +<p class='c012'>Unhappy girl, she had fallen into insensibility on +that door-step, and there she lay like a lost lamb, pale +and still.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna had scarcely rested on those cold stones five +minutes, when an old man turned from the street and +was about to mount the steps. He saw her lying there, +with the light from a street lamp blazing on her features. +They were so white that he thought at first she +must be dead. Stooping down, he found that she had +fainted, and rang the bell violently. A servant came +out, and lifting the insensible girl between them, master +and man bore her into that old-fashioned family mansion, +which I have described in the early part of this +story.</p> + +<p class='c012'>They laid her on a broad-seated old sofa in the front +room, and then, for the first time, that strange old +man recognized her as the girl he had seen in that +poverty-stricken home picture. He had been a voyage +to Europe since then, but those delicate features were +fresh in his memory yet.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Bring brandy, wine, every thing that can help her +out of this cold fit,” he said to the servant. “I know +the girl, and will take charge of her myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The wine and brandy were brought. With his old +hand shaking the glass unsteadily, the master poured +wine through those white lips. It was a simple case of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>exhaustion, and Anna soon felt a glow of life diffusing +itself through her frame.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Give me another glass—not the brandy, that is too +strong; but generous wine hurts no one. Take another +drink, child, and then tell me all about it. Remember, +I am your friend.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” said Anna, “I remember you were very good +to grandmother and the children once. We do not +forget such kindness.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But how happens it that you are here?” inquired +the old man, smoothing her hair with his hand. +“Come out on an errand, I suppose, or something like +that, and wilted down on my door-step. Singular, +wasn’t it? Do you know that your brother is in my +employ? Found the place out for himself; didn’t +know it was mine. Mean to make a man of that shaver, +I promise you. True as steel, and good as gold. Now +tell me all about yourself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! if I only could,” she said, looking earnestly in +his face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you can. Of course, you can.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Perhaps you might help me,” she said, rising to her +elbow. “Somehow I feel as if——but you couldn’t.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who knows? I have helped a great many people in +my lifetime.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But not young girls like me, who have troubles that +money cannot cure.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Little lady, permit me to doubt that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She rose higher on the sofa-pillows, and looked at +him with her great, earnest eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will fancy that you are my father, and tell you +every thing,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>“Do,” answered the old man, but his voice shook a +little; “do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna told him every thing, even to her love for +Horace Savage, for the old man helped her forward +with low spoken questions, and she could talk to him +with more ease than if it had been her grandmother, +with whom she was just a little shy about some of her +feelings. There may be things in the human heart +which we can confide to strangers more easily than we +can explain them to our dearest friends. At any rate, +Anna opened her innocent, young heart to that old +man, as if she had been saying her prayers before God. +With him she felt such a sense of protection that she +smiled in his face more than once through her tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Let the whole thing alone, child. Move into the +new house as soon as you like, and wait till I can think +every thing over. But, above all things, get a little sunshine +into those eyes; you shall never be sorry for +having trusted the old man. As for that young scamp, +Ward, Gould shall take care of him. But where do you +live?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna gave him the name and number of the house. +He seemed surprised.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, that house belongs to me; and you have been +paying rent in it all the time to this good-hearted +woman? I remember, my agent said that he had a +good tenant there. I wont forget that the woman has +been kind to you and your grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Most of all to her,” said Anna.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And this grandmother—does she bear her age +well?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>“Oh! you must ask some one else—to me grandma +is lovely.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And she was kind to you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Kind!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna’s fine eyes opened wide at the question.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I was foolish to ask that, of course—grandmothers +are always kind.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But she isn’t, like any other grandmother that ever +lived. She has petted us, worked for us, gone without +food that we might have enough. When my father was +alive——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush! hush! we need not speak of him. Robert +has told me all about that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man was a little excited, and seemed to +shrink into himself when Anna mentioned her father. +So she changed the subject, and said she must go home; +they would miss her and be frightened.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” the old man said, “perhaps they would. She +was looking natural again and might go; but it would +be as well not to say where she had been. No good in +talking too much, even if it was only to an old grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna promised not to say any thing about her little +adventure. It did really seem to her as if Providence +had taken away her strength at that door-step for some +kind purpose, with which it would be sacrilege for her +to interfere. She had a world of faith in that old man’s +power to help her, and went home, if not happy, greatly +comforted.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The very next morning young Gould sought an interview +with his uncle, and told him the whole story about +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>young Ward, and his own great fault regarding the +Burns family. He concealed nothing, either of his +former extravagant entanglements, or the last vile act +which this man had perpetrated under his patronage.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man listened in dead silence till Gould had +exhausted his subject. Then he looked him quietly in +the face, and spoke in his usual dry fashion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Had you succeeded in really injuring this girl, I +should have broken with you forever,” he said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I never thought of injuring her. It was only a +freak, a sudden fancy to know who and what she was. +I hope you believe me, uncle?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I did not, you would have little chance to convince +me, for I would not endure you in my presence +an hour. Let that pass. You were about to say something +more—ask something of me, I believe?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir, I was. Having given these people some +annoyance——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Driven them from their home, in fact,” broke in the +uncle</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, as you say, driven them from their home. I—I +should like, in short, to give them a better one.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But that is already secured to them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How did you know that, uncle? Oh! I see, you +have been questioning the boy. But there is something +about this new home that I do not like, uncle. I think +young Savage is at the bottom of that movement.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Very likely. He seems a generous young fellow +enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I cannot accept his generosity. No man shall +be permitted to pay the penalty of my fault.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>“No man? What if I choose to take that in, with +your other expenses?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah! that is another thing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Entirely! Well, now do not trouble yourself about +young Savage, if you love the girl.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I don’t. On the contrary, uncle, I am deuced +near loving another girl, if not quite in for it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is fortunate, because I could not permit you +to marry this one. She’s too good for you, fifty per +cent. too good.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, uncle, we wont quarrel about that. But the +new home. Either Savage or old Mrs. Halstead is providing +that, and I wont permit it. We must take this +on ourselves.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes. For what am I without you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man’s eyes glistened. He took young Gould’s +hand in his with a vigorous pressure.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“True enough—true enough! No man is sufficient +to himself. That which men call independence of our +fellow-creatures only brings loneliness. But about this +house, nephew? It belongs to me—I own all that +property, every foot of it, and better paying houses +can’t be found. Old Mrs. Halstead lived in one of ’em +before she took up her residence with her husband’s +son, and we’ve kept it on hand, thinking that she might +want to go back.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you know Mrs. Halstead?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A little. She was my tenant. Well, your suspicions +were right. Young Savage did want to make the +family more comfortable. He is an honorable young +fellow, Gould, and did not want to risk the girl’s good +<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>name by direct help—so he went to Halstead’s daughter.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What, Miss Eliza?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No. I think they call her Georgiana.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Confound his impudence!” muttered Gould.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What were you saying, nephew?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing, sir. But is Savage so intimate with the +Halsteads as that?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Decidedly. Mrs. Savage hints that there is an engagement +between her son and the young lady.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I don’t believe it, sir.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nor I. At any rate, this Georgiana consented to +act as his agent; and, thinking as you do, that old +people are worth something in an emergency, she went +at once to her grandmother for help. Her grandmother +came to me about the house, and I took the whole +affair off her hands, knowing what a scamp you have +been, and guessing that you would be wild to make +atonement.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Uncle!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, sir.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You are too good. I am unworthy of all this kindness.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Of course you are!” said the old man, looking at +him with eyes that twinkled as through a mist. “But +what about this little Halstead girl?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Uncle, since I saw her in that garret with that +family, I honestly believe I am getting in love with that +girl!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hem!” muttered the old man, pressing his thin lips +to keep them from smiling too broadly; “the second +<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>confession in twenty-four hours. I wonder if Miss Eliza +would lend me her flying cupid?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, what do you know about the cupid?” inquired +Gould, laughing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! the young lady sent for me, and I went. She +was in full state with that little winged imp dancing +over her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did she ask you to sit on the ottoman?” asked +Gould, going into convulsions of laughter.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; but I told her my joints were too rusty.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And she answered that ‘hearts never grow old.’ I +know all about it. Oh! uncle, beware! But what on +earth did she want of you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She wanted to make some inquiries about my +nephew.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How much he was worth in his own right, and if I +knew that his heart was touched.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If he would, in the end, be my heir; and if I intended +to divide with him before my death.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! ah, this is too much. Had the creature an +idea about Georgiana? Was I goose enough to let her +guess that?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana! Nothing of that; Miss Eliza was +speaking in her own behalf.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, uncle! that’s too bad; with all my faults, I do +not deserve that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is the solemn truth, though.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here the old man broke into a low, chuckling laugh; +and Gould, well-bred as he was, broke into a wild ecstasy +of fun.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>“She asked my consent.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! under the cupid?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Said she could not think of encouraging your devotion +without that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No! no! no! she didn’t do that!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Said that it was but right to confess that her first +maiden affections had, for a moment, wandered to another, +who might even then hold her in honor bound to +him; but her love, the pure, deep, holy, irresistible feeling +would forever turn to my nephew, though she might, +such was her fine sense of honor, be compelled to marry +another.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, uncle, uncle! do break off. I shall die—I shall +die with laughing. Have mercy, uncle.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am an indulgent old fellow, Gould, and I told her +that my consent should not be withheld, when you +asked it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You did—and then?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then she kissed my hand, slid down, with one knee +on the ottoman, and asked my blessing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you gave it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, Gould; an old man’s blessing is too sacred for +such trifling; but Louis the grand, never lifted a woman +from her knees more regally. She was delighted with +me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I wonder she did not put in a reversionary interest +in yourself, uncle.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She did, rather. I think she said, if her young +heart had not gone out to my nephew, it would still have +rested in the family.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Excuse me, uncle, but this is getting too funny; I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>have got a pain in my side already. Just let me off +awhile till I take breath.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But about Georgiana?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t uncle. I cannot bear to have that sweet girl +mentioned in the same day with that excruciating old +maid.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is right, Gould. We’ll talk of her another +time.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XX.<br> <span class='c010'>A BOLD STROKE FOR A HUSBAND.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Georgiana Halstead called on Mrs. Savage as she +had promised. She knew nothing of the change that +had come over Horace, and went with a heavy heart to +perform a painful task. Mrs. Savage received her with +more than her usual cordiality. She took off her bonnet +with her own hands, smoothed her hair caressingly, +and kissed her forehead before she allowed the girl to +find a seat.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And how is my pet of pets?” she said, smiling down +upon that lovely face. “It is a long time since you +have been here, child.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” said Georgie. “I have been so busy, so—that +is, I have not felt like going out.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah! I understand it all. Miss Eliza has been talking +to you; what a mischievous creature she is. But do +not believe a word of it, dear. Horace cares no more +about that Burns girl than I do.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I thought you liked her so much!” said Georgie +<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>faithful to her promise. “Why not, she is a good girl, +and <em>so</em> pretty?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Georgie, what has come over you? But, perhaps, +Eliza has been discreet for once.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, she hasn’t. Aunt Eliza don’t know what discretion +is. She told me a hundred cruel things about +that poor girl; but not one of them is true.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And, among the rest, something about my son. +Confess, dear, that she has?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, yes, I do not deny that. But, so far as relates +to him, I think it is the truth.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You think it is the truth, Georgie, and speak so +quietly about it? How can you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is a dear, sweet girl, Mrs. Savage; and I think +Horace loves her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Horace does no such thing, Georgie, and you know +it. His real love has always been for you, my own +child.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I hope not,” answered Georgie, demurely; “for I +can never love him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana Halstead!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is true, Mrs. Savage. I haven’t had the courage +to tell you so before, because your heart was set on it; +but, try as hard as we will, Horace and I cannot—that +is, I cannot marry Horace.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Poor child! how she struggled to shield her pride, +and yet speak the truth. She was trembling all over, +and yet smiled into Mrs. Savage’s astonished face, as +if it were the easiest thing in the world that she was +doing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana, I cannot think that you are in earnest.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, Mrs. Savage, you must think so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>“You are angry about the girl, and will not let me +know it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, I am not. In my whole life I never saw a +finer girl—she is worth a dozen of me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No human being could ever claim half so much, +dear little Georgie. Come, come, tell me the truth; +you are very angry with Horace, and no wonder—he +tries even my patience.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mrs. Savage, do believe me; I am not in the least +angry with any one. It is only that neither Horace nor +I wish to marry each other. We have always been good +friends; and I would so like to be related to you, but +without mutual love it would be wicked.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then you really do not love my son?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t, please, make me repeat it over and over! It +seems so harsh; but you must not expect any thing of +the kind.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage threw her arms around Georgie where +she sat, and laid her cheek against her hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Georgie, Georgie! you will not disappoint me +so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The woman was in earnest; her voice broke, and +tears fell upon the girl’s bright hair. Then Georgie +began to tremble, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Dear child, you are crying, too. I felt sure that you +could not persist in this cruel resolution. Come, child, +kiss me, and forget all that has been said.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no, dear friend. I—I am only crying because +it is impossible. Hearts are not to be forced.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But he loves you. Believe it, for he does!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am very sorry; but that can make no difference.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do you love any one else, Georgiana Halstead?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>A new thought had struck the proud woman; you +could tell that from the imperious tone in which she +spoke.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You must not ask me any thing more,” answered +Georgie. “I have said all that you will care to hear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I think you have all conspired to drive me frantic’” +said Mrs. Savage, throwing herself back in her chair: +“I thought every thing was settled so nicely. Now you +come to disturb me. But I will not give this match up. +It has been in my heart since you were children.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We must give it up. But do not love me less for +that, dear Mrs. Savage. If we could love according to +our own will, I would gladly be your daughter. But +from this hour we must never think of it again.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie flung her arms around Mrs. Savage, and +kissed her face, which had an expression upon it half +stern, half sorrowful. Then the two women burst into +tears, and clung to each other, sobbing.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is because I grieve to disappoint you!” said +Georgie, sweeping the tears from her eyes. “It breaks +my heart, for I do love you as if you were my own +mother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah! reconsider it, Georgie—I may be that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I could—if I could!” cried Georgie, hurrying on +her things. “Good-by—good-by. It is all my fault; +but I cannot help it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Poor Georgie. She had gone through her generous +task bravely, but she shook with agitation all the way +home; and, once there, locked herself into her own +little sitting-room, and cried herself into complete exhaustion, +huddled up in the easy-chair, in which she had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>suffered so terribly when Savage first made her his confidant.</p> + +<p class='c012'>That evening young Savage came to see her, looking +so miserably wretched that she forgot her own sorrow +in pity for him. “What had gone wrong?” she asked, +“he looked so ill.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing!” For the world he would not have told +her, or any one, of the broken hopes that had left him +so depressed. To have hinted at this would be a sacrilege +to the love that Anna Burns had forfeited. He +looked at Georgie earnestly. Sorrow had rendered him +sympathetic. Some vague idea of the disappointment +which had left the violet shadows, so deep and dark, +about her eyes, fell upon him; but he did not guess at +the whole truth, but took a misty idea that she, too, had +loved some one—young Gould, perhaps—and been disenchanted +as he was.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“After all, Georgie,” he said, “it would have been +better if you and I could have gotten up a grand passion +for each other. It would have pleased our parents, if +nothing more.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana smiled sadly enough.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But it was impossible,” she said, in a faint voice. +“That was what she had told his mother not three hours +before.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You told her this? Oh! now I remember! It was +I who asked you. But it was selfish. I had no right +to wound your delicacy so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But it was best. She had been cherishing a delusion. +Very soon you will tell her all.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage did not answer. He longed to make a confidant +of Georgiana, but his heart was too freshly wounded, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>he could not expose its misery to her. Besides, how +could he pain that pure heart with the story he had to +relate?</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We have found a house for Mrs. Burns,” said Georgie; +“such a pretty place, you would almost think yourself +in the country.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will they go? Does she accept it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, the old lady is delighted. Anna seems less +glad, but she accepts the change, and is grateful for it. +But some change has come upon her, more depressing +than poverty—that she bore well.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You noticed it, then? You saw how sadly she was +altered?” said Savage; “but did you guess the cause?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; how could I? Perhaps she has heard some of +the unkind things Aunt Eliza is saying of her, though +I cannot think how.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you talk with her? Will she tell you nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No; she said very little, but her voice was full of +tears. It broke my heart to see her look of suffering.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She does suffer, then, poor girl?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I should think so—but why? No doubt she is very +anxious. You have a little of the same look. Better +ask your mother at once; with so much happiness lying +beyond her consent, it is a pity to lose a day in doubt.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not yet. I shall not speak to my mother of this +yet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! that is what troubles Anna. But why?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not ask me, Georgie. The other night I could +tell you every thing, but now I am full of uncertainty +myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you love her; there is no doubt on that point?” +she asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>“No; unhappily. I wish——But what is the use +of wishing. Let us talk of something else—the house, +for instance.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! it is such a pretty duck of a house, half verandahs, +half little rooms, and the rest honeysuckles and +roses. Just the place for them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you will want money to pay for every thing. +Pray hand this to your grandmother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She will not take it. I asked her and she said no; +she had made all the arrangements about money.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage turned crimson, and held the envelope, which +he had extended to her, irresolutely.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana, be honest with me. Has Anna Burns +refused to accept this kindness? Has any other person +preceded me here?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! I am sure Anna accepted grandmamma’s +help gratefully enough; and the dear old lady would +not allow any person to help her if she refused you; +that is, any other young person. She is not rich; +grandpapa had but little when he died; but she can +afford to do this.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage put the envelope in his pocket, sighing +heavily. “So it seems I am to be put aside everywhere,” +he said.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not at all; only grandmamma thinks it best that no +young man should help pay for the home she has +selected for Anna Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She is right. You tell me that she has met Anna?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes! and liked her so much!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgie!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is it, Mr. Savage?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>“You will keep my secret? You will not mention +any thing that I said to you the other day?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How can you think I would?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“True, how could I?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Any thing else? You seem so anxious and strange +to-night.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, one thing more, Georgie. I have got you into +this affair——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Affair! Why, how you talk!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, let me express myself better. It was through +my mother you were introduced to Anna Burns. She +really knew very little of the family.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie opened her beautiful eyes wide, and sat upright +in her chair, staring at him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Horace Savage, are you turning against that +poor girl?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! God forbid!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then what is it you are trying to say and cannot?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing, only this; I shall never marry Anna +Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Mr. Savage, why?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She does not love me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>For one instant Georgie’s face was radiant, then it +slowly settled back to its former gentle sadness, and +she said, with firmness,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is terrible, for she loves you!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I tell you she does.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Still it can never be. All I ask is, Georgie, that +you will let this good grandmother care for this family +without—without interference on your part.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>“That is, you don’t wish me to have much intimacy +with Anna Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It would pain me to put it in that form.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But that is what you mean. Well, Mr. Savage, I +cannot consent to it. I have promised these people to +befriend them. They are no common objects of charity, +but refined, and gently bred as I am. You may forsake +them, but I never will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage gazed on the young girl with more admiration +than he had ever felt for her in his life before. How +was he to act? In what way could he warn the girl, +and keep her safe from evil associations, and yet protect +his knowledge of Anna Burns’ unworthiness?</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Poor Anna! Poor, dear girl! I know how to pity +her!” murmured Georgie, with tears in her eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“God bless you, Georgie! What a good heart you +have!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage sat down by her, and taking her hand, +kissed it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Georgiana Halstead, is this the way you +answer my messages?” The door of Georgie’s sitting-room +had been softly opened, and Miss Eliza stood on +the threshold in a dress of blue silk, and with natural +roses in her hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I did not receive any message,” answered Georgiana, +shivering.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I sent one, asking Mr. Savage to my room.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will see you presently, Miss Eliza,” said Savage, +coming to Georgiana’s aid. “The servant gave me +your message in the hall; Miss Halstead knew nothing +about it. I had a little special business with her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed! Then I will retire.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>Miss Eliza gave him an imperial courtesy, and gave +them both a fine view of her sweeping train as she passed +up the stairs.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do go,” said Georgiana, smiling in spite of all her +trouble; “she will give me no peace for a week to come +if you keep her waiting. Besides, she saw you kissing +my hand, and it would be an awkward subject at the +breakfast table before papa.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Rather!” answered Savage. “But, tell me, Georgiana, +what shall I do if she proposes to me outright? +She looked capable of it, on my word she did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do?” answered Georgie, brightening under the idea. +“Why, marry her; it will serve you right for asking +me to give up Anna Burns. I won’t do it, make sure +of that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What a thing it is to fear no evil. God bless the +girl! What if her answers were wiser than all my +worldly wisdom?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza was kneeling by her cozy chair, half prostrated +on the floor, over which the broad circumference +of her crinoline, and waves on waves of blue silk swept +in rustling waves. She was crying, partly from pure +vexation, and partly because tears would be extremely +convenient just at that moment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A light knock came to the door. She started, turned +over one shoulder, shook out the folds of her dress, and +bent to her grief again.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Another knock; a third, somewhat louder, and the +door opened.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did you tell me to come in?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza started from her knees, with a splendid +<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>sweep of her draperies, and turning away her head, +wiped the tears from her eyes with ostentatious privacy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Mr. Savage! I—I did not hear you. Pray be +seated; in a few moments I shall be more composed.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What has happened to trouble you, Miss Halstead?” +inquired Savage, looking innocent as a lamb.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! can you ask? That scene! That terrible enlightenment! +Horace! dear Horace——What am I +about! Has my sensitive nature lost its pride; all the +lofty feeling which hedges in the love of a woman’s +heart like—like——</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Like the bur around a half-ripe chestnut,” suggested +Savage. It was very impudent, truly; but the young +fellow could not have helped saying it to save his life—it +came into his mind and out on his lips so suddenly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do you mock my anguish? Load my desolate +heart with ridicule?” cried the lady, dashing back the +skirt of her dress like a tragedy queen in high agony. +“Has it come to this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I beg ten thousand pardons, Miss Halstead!” said +Savage, blushing for himself; “but you seemed at a +loss for some comparison, and that came into my mind—not +a bad one, either, when you reflect how those ten +thousand little thorns keep rude hands from the fruit, +guarding it sacredly till the burs open of themselves, +and let the nuts drop out.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Savage,” said Eliza, “I beg your pardon; it +was a beautiful idea; my heart feels all its poetry. +The thorns you speak of are piercing it, oh, how +cruelly! The bur has opened, the fruit has dropped +out, and you are treading it under your feet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I, Miss Eliza?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>“Yes, you; the betrothed of my soul! But it is all +over; never in this world can we be to each other what +we have been.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, Miss Halstead?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There it is; Miss Halstead—cold, cruel, Miss Halstead?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I do not understand.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And never, never will!” cried Miss Eliza, spreading +one hand over her bosom. “No common mind can +ever comprehend the anguish buried here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But what is this all about? I am quite unconscious +of having offended you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Offended! Does love take offence? Does despair +reveal itself in anger? Oh, Mr. Savage! it was not +three days ago that I received the most touching proposal—money, +position, manly beauty, every thing that +could tempt the heart from its allegiance to a beloved +object, or kindle the ambition. But I refused it, gently, +kindly—but I refused it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And why, Miss Halstead?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why? Great heavens! He asks me, why?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She turned her eyes upon him; she clasped her hands, +and sunk upon her knees, burying her face in the cushions +of that most convenient chair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He asks me, why! He asks me, why!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Her shoulders began to heave under the thin lace +that covered them; her head swayed to and fro in +spasms of grief. She crushed a little web of fine linen +and lace up to her eyes with both hands, and wet it +with her tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I tear you from my heart! I give you up!” she +cried. “Cold, hard man! you see me at your feet without +<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>pity! With my own eyes I have witnessed your +faithlessness; but you make no effort at consolation; +explain nothing!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What can I explain, madam?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Madam!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She arose slowly to her full height, and, pointing +her finger at his astonished face, said, with solemn emphasis,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Savage, did I not see you kissing Georgiana +Halstead’s hand?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage laughed, a little nervously, it must be confessed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is possible. Yes, I dare say you did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He owns it! He glories in his unfaithfulness!” she +cried out, wringing her hands. “Was ever treason like +this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Really, Miss Halstead, this scene is getting tedious,” +said Savage, losing all patience. “I am not aware of +ever having given you a right to address me in this +way.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sir,” answered the lady, “I am aware of my rights, +and will maintain them. To-morrow my brother shall +call upon you to decide between his sister and his +child.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Halstead, are you insane?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If I am, Horace, who drove me to it? Oh! this will +break your mother’s heart.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Halstead, sit down, and let me talk with you +reasonably. You know as well as I that this idea of +an engagement is an impossibility—that it never +existed.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>She had seated herself, and held that morsel of a +handkerchief to her eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If you have any thing to say in excuse for this +cruel treachery, I will listen,” she said, with broken-hearted +resignation. “Heaven knows my heart pleads +for you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have nothing to say, madam,” answered Savage, +completely out of patience, “except that this farce is +fortunate in having no other witnesses. The wisest +thing that you or I can do, is to forget it as soon as +possible.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza saw the quiet resolution in his face, and +went gradually out of the little drama that she had +acted so well. Her sobs were subdued; the morsel of a +handkerchief fluttered less frequently to her eyes. She +sat down, crest-fallen, with her two hands lying loosely +in her lap. Her grand <em>coup d’etat</em> had signally failed. +Savage neither soothed, promised, or admitted any +thing. All that was left to her was the most graceful +retreat she could make.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Savage,” she said, holding out her hand, “let +us be friends. If this artful girl has won you from me, +let us be friends, eternal friends. This proud heart +shall break in silence, if it must break. But there may +be a future for us yet—something that the angels can +look upon with pleasure.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c013'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“‘Is there no other tie to bind</div> + <div class='line'>The constant heart, the willing mind?</div> + <div class='line in3'>Is love the only chain?</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, yes! there is a tie as strong,</div> + <div class='line'>That hinds as firm, and lasts as long—</div> + <div class='line in3'>True friendship is its name.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c014'><span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>Mr. Savage, let us work out this beautiful idea. My +soul turns toward it for consolation. Mr. Savage, are +we friends?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage took the hand she held out, bowed over it, +and went away.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah!” said Miss Eliza, leaning back in her chair—for +high tragedy is exhausting—“Ah! how fortunate it +is that Mr. Gould presented himself in time. He wishes +to renew his acquaintance. With him a sure foundation +of a family compact exist—that interview with the old +gentleman was a masterpiece. If—if the young man +should prove treacherous, like the heart traitor who has +just left me, there is still this elderly person, rich as +Vanderbilt, almost, and not so very old. He admired +me greatly; I could see it in the twinkle of his eyes, in +the smile that flitted across his lips. But only as a +last resort—only as a last resort.”</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI.<br> <span class='c010'>A HUNGRY HEART.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>It was the last day of the Burns family in that tenement-house. +The landlady was breaking her heart over +their departure. She felt as if she had driven them +from beneath her roof, with unjust suspicions, and +lamented her fault with noisy grief, that distressed that +dear old lady, and brought the kindest assurance from +Anna, who came out of her own sorrows to comfort her +old friend.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>“I wouldn’t care about the rent, Mrs. Burns,” protested +the good woman. “You know as well as I do +that I could have got more money for the rooms, and +can now; but it was like home having you about me. +It was respectable; and them children, maybe I ain’t +made as much on ’em as I oughter; but it’ll be so lonesome +not hearing ’em going up and down stairs, especially +Joseph. I don’t say it to praise myself, but I +never saw a big, red apple in the market that I didn’t +buy it for that boy; and I’d have given you any thing, +when the tough times came on you, if I’d only known +how.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You were kind to us—very kind; we shall never +forget it,” said old Mrs. Burns. “The children love +you dearly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And will be agin, if you’ll let me. If these silk-gown +friends of yours should ever get tired of being +kind, I’m on hand here, just as good as ever. This +steel thimble ain’t more faithful to my finger than I +will be to you and yours.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here the good woman fairly broke down, and burying +her face in the sailor’s jacket she was making, sobbed +violently.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I wont let the rooms yet, though I am back in the +rent. Who knows what may happen?” she said, at +last, wiping the tears from her eyes. “This ain’t the +last time you’ll be under my roof. As for Joseph——Well, +I ain’t got words to express my feelings for him!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He will never forget you,” said the old lady, reaching +out her hand, which shook a little—for that hard-faced +woman had been a friend to her when she had no +other. “And I shall never think of you without a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>warmer feeling at the heart. But it is not far off. We +will come and see you often, and—and——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here the old lady found herself clasped in the landlady’s +arms, and lost her breath in that sudden embrace.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And I’ll come to see you. I hope it’s a palace you’re +going to; and then it wouldn’t be good enough.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns left that commonplace-room with tears in +her eyes. She did not know how dear it had been to +her. Anna, too, was very sad. She had heard nothing +from old Mr. Gould; and her life was so far removed +from that of Savage that he might have been dead, and +she ignorant of it. Georgiana Halstead was the only +human link between her and her lover; but that young +lady never even mentioned his name. She was just as +kind as ever; came to see them, and took a deep interest +in every thing about their little household; but the +name which Anna Burns so longed to hear never passed +her lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>So the last night had come; all their little effects +were packed up ready for moving. The boys had gone +over to the new house, which they had not yet seen. +Joseph had walked by the house with a bundle of newspapers +under his arm, and came home that night in +wonderful spirits, leaping up the stairs two steps at a +time. When Robert asked him what it was all about, +he answered,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Balconies, vines, garden, and snow-balls, with something +like a house back of it. Stupendous!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>So Robert had gone with his brother that evening, +with a candle, and box of matches, to see what was +behind the snow-balls and vines, leaving those two +females alone in the rooms.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>“Grandmother,” said Anna, sitting down by the old +lady, “you have been crying.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, child. She was so kind, and so sorry, I could +not help it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, darling?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do you think we shall ever be happy again? That +is, happy as we were before this prosperity came upon us?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you so very miserable, my darling?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, so miserable, so dreadfully miserable. Oh, +grandma, grandma! my heart is breaking.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My child! Anna Burns! There, there, lay your +head on my bosom. I thought it was hard to see you +hungry, dear; but this is worse, a thousand times worse.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! my heart is hungry, now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it; God help us, I know it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! what can I do? What can I do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Have patience, child.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have tried to have patience; but it is killing me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Pray to God, child—pray to God; he alone can feed +a hungry heart.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have prayed, but he will not hear me,” cried Anna, +giving way to a passion of grief.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Anna, he heard me when I cried out to him in +the depths of a sorrow deep as yours.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Deep as mine! Oh, grandmother! tell me what it +was. <em>Have</em> you ever suffered so?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will tell you, Anna; God forbid that I should keep +back even my own sorrow, if the telling will help you to +bear that which is upon you. I was older than you, +dear, some two or three years, when I was married to +your grandfather. How dearly I loved him no human +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>being will ever guess, Anna, dear. It was wicked to +love any one as I worshipped your grandfather; as I +worship him yet; for such feelings live through old age.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do they—do they? When love becomes a pain, +does it ache on through the whole life?” cried Anna, +trembling with agitation. “Does nothing even quiet it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, darling; God can turn pain into resignation.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But must I wait to be old for that, grandmother?” +cried Anna, bursting into tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush, darling, hush! I did not say that.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Go on, grandmother,” said Anna, drawing a deep +breath, “I will not interrupt you again. You were telling +about grandfather?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, dear. We had a son, your father. We were +not rich; but had enough, and were very, very happy. +I know he loved me, then, and I tried to be a good wife +and a kind mother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The best mother that ever lived; my father always +said that,” cried Anna.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns kissed her cheek and went on.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But your grandfather was ambitious. He had great +business talent, which was cramped and of little avail +in the old country, so he resolved to come to America +and build up a fortune here. My husband was afraid +to make his first venture burdened with a family. None +but very enterprising men left home for this new country +in those days; and few of them ever took their +families—it was considered too hazardous.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I and the boy were left behind. It was a great +struggle, for he loved us dearly. I know he loved us +with all his heart—nothing will ever convince me that +he did not. He divided his property, leaving us enough +<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>to live on for some years; the rest he took with him as +capital to aid in any new enterprise that might present +itself. I was very lonely after he went. The parting +from my husband took away half my life. But for the +boy, Anna, I think that I should have died.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Burns was interrupted by two trembling lips +upon her cheek, and a broken voice murmured, “Poor, +poor grandfather!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He wrote me by every vessel during the first year. +‘New York had not answered his speculations,’ he said, +but there was an opening for fur dealers in the West, +and he was thinking of that very seriously.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He went to that great indefinite place called the +West, and then his letters came less frequently—not +month by month, but yearly, and sometimes not then. +Seven years went by, Anna. I had heard nothing of +my husband during thirteen months, when a man came +to the town where we lived, and told me that he had +seen my husband in Philadelphia, where he had established +a lucrative business, and was prospering beyond +all his expectations. My husband had told him that he +had written to England for his wife and child, but had +received no answer to his letter. Anna, I had been +more than seven years separated from the man I loved +better than my own life when this news came. He was +waiting for me, he had written, and I had never received +his letter. In less than two weeks I had sold out every +thing, and was on my way to Liverpool. In two +months I landed in New York, after a wretched voyage, +which, it seemed to me, would last forever. From New +York I went to Philadelphia, and found my husband’s +warehouse without trouble. I went in quietly and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>inquired for him; they told me that he had gone West, +and would not be back for months. While I stood, sick +at heart, wondering what I should do next, a lady +entered the store—one of the handsomest women I ever +saw—she was richly dressed, and swept by me like a +queen.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘No letters, yet?’ she said, addressing the clerk. +‘He promised to write from every station.’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, madam, here is a letter—two, in fact. Those +western mails are so uncertain.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She fairly snatched at the letters, tore one open, +and then the other. I saw the handwriting. It was +my husband’s.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Madam,’ I said, in a low voice, for my throat was +husky, ‘who are those letters from? I, too, have friends +in the West.’”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She lifted her eyes from the letters, for both were in +her hand at once, and turned them on my face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Poor lady! I was anxious as you are half an +hour ago. Who is this letter from? My own husband. +He is safe—he is well. I hope you will have good news +also. But excuse, me, I must go. These letters will not +be half mine till I read them alone. Good-morning!’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘Who is that lady?’ I inquired of the clerk, breathless +with strange apprehension.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“‘That? Oh! she is Burns’s wife; lately married; +an English lady with whom he was in love years ago. +She followed him over, I believe—that is, he sent for +her. Splendid woman! Don’t you think so?’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did not answer. Every thing turned dark around +me, and I went out of the store like a blind woman. +What was I to do? How could I act? My husband! +<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>my husband! Oh, Anna! my heart is sore now, when +I think of the anguish which seized upon it then. He +was away, or I should have sought him out and +demanded why he had dealt with me so treacherously. +What had I done that his love and his honor should be +taken from me? I knew that both he and that proud +lady were in my power. But what was vengeance to a +woman who was seeking for love? ‘No,’ I said, in the +depths of my desolation; ‘though he gave her up and +came back to me to-morrow, through force or fear, it +would not be the same man, or the old love. He may +have wronged this lady as he has wronged me. She +looked too bright and loyal for a guilty woman. Then +why should I wound her as I have been wounded? His +child she cannot take from me. God help us both!’”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No wonder you are crying, Anna—I could not cry. +But now, now I am getting old, and the very memory +of those days makes a child of me. Don’t cry, Anna—don’t +cry.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady’s voice died off into sobs, and her tears +came down like rain.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmother! how sorry I am. But we love +you—love you better than all the world.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it—I know it. You see how much love can +spring out of a desert. I could not stay in the same +city with that woman. I left Philadelphia. My son +was ten years old. He had been delighted with the +thoughts of seeing his father; and we had talked our +happiness over so often that he seemed a part of my +own being. I would have kept the truth from him had +that been possible; but it was not—so I told him the +truth. His young spirit was terribly aroused, a feeling +<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>of sharp resentment possessed him. He could not understand +all the legal injustice that had been done us; +but he felt for me as no man could have felt. ‘Leave +him, mother,’ he said. ‘I am only a little boy, but I +will take his place, love you, work for you, worship you. +Indeed, indeed I will.’”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna was sobbing as if her heart would break. She +remembered her father’s parting with his mother when +he went to the wars to die. The old lady held her +close.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hush, darling! He is in heaven!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! if we were only with him, all of us—all of us!” +Anna cried out.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In God’s own time, dear. He knows best.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>After a few moments of quiet weeping Mrs. Burns +went on.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We went back to New York. I had a little money, +and opened a small store with the name of Burns on the +sign. We would not use his name—he had taken it +from us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did not the name of Burns belong to you, grandmother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It was my own mother’s maiden name.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then my——This, I mean your husband, has another +name?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; he has another name.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not tell it me, grandmother. I do not want to +hate him, or know him. My father did not wish it, or +he would have told us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, your father wished that name buried—and it +was. We never mentioned it, but lived for each other. +My business supported us and occupied my mind. My +<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>boy had a good education, you know that; and a better +man than he never breathed. He had the talent of an +artist, and, as the most direct way of earning money, +learned wood-engraving. Then he married your mother. +She was an orphan, pretty and good. I loved her +dearly; and when she died, her little children became +mine. We all lived together; I gave up my little store, +for your father earned money enough to support us. +We were content. Indeed, we were happy, in a way; +living so close together, loving each other so dearly—how +could we help it? Anna, dear, God always brings +contentment to the patient worker.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother, I understand; you mean this for +me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady’s feeble arms tightened around the girl, +and she went on.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Before your father went to the army, here the living +was cheaper; and, perhaps, he had some other reason. +It was his wish, and I made no opposition. We had a +hard life, darling; sometimes we were hungry and cold, +too. It came with cruel force on you children; I tried +to save you—tried to be all that your father was; but +a poor old woman has but little power. Still, still, look +back, child, and see how the good Lord has helped us; +so many friends—such bright, bright prospects; the +boys doing so well. Hark! they are coming. Wipe +your eyes, dear, they must not think we have been crying. +Here they come, so happy.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman wiped her tears away and looked +toward the door, smiling. Anna caught the sweet +infection, and she too looked bright and hopeful when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>the boys came in clamorous with praises of their new +home.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXII.<br> <span class='c010'>A MYSTERIOUS APPOINTMENT.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>Mrs. Savage was in a state of continual unhappiness. +When a really good-hearted woman swerves from the +right path, either from policy or interest, she is sure to +be the greatest sufferer of all the parties in interest. She +saw her son come in and go out with that restless, +dejected air which often follows a great disappointment. +He took no interest in his old pursuits; and all the +sweet confidence which had existed between the mother +and son was swept away from their lives. This sprung +mostly out of her own self-consciousness. She knew +that her own ruthless influence had broken up the best +hope of his young life; and remembering that cruel interview +with Anna Burns, would not look her son +squarely in the face, or soften his melancholy with sweet +caresses, as a good mother loves to give while comforting +her son. Horace felt this, and it made him feel still +more desolate. He congratulated himself that his +mother was ignorant of the humiliating attachment he +had formed, and gathered up all the strength of his +manhood to meet the life which lay before him divested +of half its bloom.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Better than he thought Mrs. Savage understood all +this. She saw that it was no capricious liking that her +son had to deal with; and, spite of herself, the sweet +<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>face of Anna Burns, in its sad, pleading humility, which +was, after all, more dignified than pride, would present +itself to her memory; and in spite of the intellect which +still protested that she had done right, the heart in her +bosom rose up against her, and called her a household +traitor, an unnatural mother, a hard woman, and some +other harsh names, that she would have been glad to +forget.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Then there was the certainty that Georgiana Halstead +never would be her son’s wife. Mrs. Savage had loved +this bright-faced girl with unusual tenderness; and this +conviction was a bitter disappointment. Altogether, +things were taking an unsatisfactory course with her—and +she was a most unhappy woman.</p> + +<p class='c012'>One day when Horace came in from business, and +was going, as usual, to his own room, Mrs. Savage +called to him with a quiver of suffering in her voice, +that made him pause half way up the stairs and turn +back.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Is there any thing the matter, mother?” he said, +entering her pretty sitting-room, stiffly, as if he had +been a stranger.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage remembered the time when he would +have come in with a laugh, thrown himself on the stool +at her feet, and with both arms folded on her lap, told +her of any thing that was uppermost in his heart. She +sighed heavily, and a weary look of pain came into +her eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Horace! why is it that we seem so strange to +each other?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Strange are we? I had not thought of it, mother.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He was surprised and touched by her manifest unhappiness. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>Absorbed in his own thoughts, he had +scarcely noticed that she was not as cheerful as usual.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Dear old pet,” he said, making a strained effort at +playfulness, “what has come over you? Is it because +her inhuman son has been making a wretch of himself? +Come, give him a kiss, he is sadly in want of it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage kissed him on the forehead with quivering +lips; and flinging herself back in the chair burst +into a passion of tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The startled son threw his arms around her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, mother, mother! what is the meaning of +this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Mrs. Savage, superior woman as she was, answered +like the most commonplace female in the world.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Horace! I am sure you hate me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hate you? Why, mother, what have I have done?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing! Nothing in the world! It is I that am +to blame!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But there is no blame between us. If all this is +about Georgiana Halstead, do understand, once for all, +she does not want me, and never cared for me in the +least, only as a playmate and sort of brother. In fact, +she is almost engaged to young Gould.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it, I know it! She told me. Every thing +goes wrong! I am the most unhappy woman in the +world!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Who makes you so unhappy, dear mother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She looked at him earnestly through her tears, gave +a hysterical sob, and sat upright in her chair, resolute +and proud of look as he had seen her of old.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Horace, do you love that girl, Anna Burns?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage started up, and his face flushed scarlet.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>“Mother!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I knew all about it almost from the first, Horace.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You? And said nothing. That was kind. Is it +this which has troubled you so much?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, it has troubled me—I am so sorry.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not reproach me, mother. It is the first time I +ever went against what I knew would be your wishes. +You are right, there can be no happiness in going +beneath our own grade in life; but she seemed so refined, +so innocent, and good. I think a wiser man than I ever +was would have been interested. I had hoped that this +little shame of my life would never reach you or my +father.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He does not know it; but I do—I do! Tell me, +Horace, for you have not answered my question yet. +Do you love this girl?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did love her dearly—better than my own life!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And now?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If you know all, mother, why wound me with that +question?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Because I wish to know—because I must know.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She has the power to give me terrible pain, mother; +beyond that I will say nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you did love her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have said so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And but for her unworthiness would love her yet?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We need not speak of what will be. There is misery +enough in what is.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Sit down, my son, in the old place, at my feet; then +turn your eyes away. I do not like you to look at me +so. Now say, if this girl were all you first thought her +to be, would you marry her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>“What! against your consent, mother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did not say that. Ask your own heart, Horace; +was the love you felt for this girl such as runs through +a man’s whole life; such as leads him to make all sacrifices +in its attainment?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; if ever a man loved honestly and devotedly I +did. But it is all over now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you are very unhappy?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Very.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Will you never forget her? Oh, Horace! will the +old times never come back to us?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I cannot tell, mother. When the heart has been +betrayed into giving itself up entirely, the reaction, if +it ever comes, must be slow and painful.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Horace!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mother!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I wish to see you happy. My heart aches for +you. I would do any thing rather than see you looking +so dispirited.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you can do nothing. Yes, yes; I should not +say that. Love me, and bear with me awhile; this cannot +last forever.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With you, perhaps, not; but with me it will last +forever. My son, it is your mother who has done this. +She is the person you ought to hate. Anna Burns is +guiltless as an angel. I, your mother, says this; and +you must believe it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mother, mother! are you getting insane?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, Horace; I heard of this attachment, and condemned +it. My pride was wounded, my ambition thwarted. +I thought Georgiana loved you, and that this girl +had come in her way to cause all sorts of unhappiness. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>I appealed to her generosity. I told her that nothing +on this earth should win our consent to your marriage +with her. She told me how young Ward had persecuted +her; and I, unwomanly, ungenerous woman that I +was, bade her leave you in doubt, that you might be +shocked out of your love. She pleaded, she wept, she +protested, but gave way at last, and pledged her word +to avoid you, and leave the suspicions in your mind to +rest there.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, mother, mother! this is terrible!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it, boy; but it is all true. God forgive me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Savage was standing before his mother, white as +death, but with a glow of deep thoughtfulness in his +eyes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And she is innocent?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“As an angel, I do believe. Innocent even of guessing +the evil thoughts you had of her. The worst she +dreamed of was, that you supposed her capable of +marrying that young scapegrace.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank heaven for that! She will not have felt the +insult so deeply! But I was cruel with her, the innocent +darling.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, it was I who was most cruel. I, who forbade +her to explain; I, who left her, broken-hearted, to struggle +against her honest affection, and the shame of which +she was unconscious. Can you ever forgive me, Horace?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forgive you! mother? Is that a question which you +should ask of your son? The question is, will Anna +Burns ever forgive me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She will—she must. I will go to her. I will humble +myself as is befitting one who has given way to her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>pride cruelly as I have. But first, Horace, say that you +will forget this, and love me in the old way?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Bright tears were in those fine eyes, the sympathetic +mouth worked with emotion. That look of yearning +entreaty went to the son’s heart; he knelt by her side, +kissed her hands, her forehead, and the eyes which were +still heavy with repentant dew.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Forget it? Oh, mother! how can I forget this nobility +of soul which gives back the bloom to my life. It +was love for me that made you, for a time, less than +yourself. That I will forget.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And love me dearly, as of old?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, and indeed, I will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This love of Anna Burns must not make you forget +me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The lady said this with a piteous smile. It was hard +to give him up.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mother, do you love my father less because of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! How should I?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Love, like mercy, is not strained, mother. The +heart that can feel it at all in its perfection, grows +larger and grander with each new object of affection.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The mother’s face became luminous with one of those +smiles which flood all the features with sunshine. She +fell forward upon her son’s bosom, sighing away the +last remnants of her unhappiness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“God bless you, my son! I will love Anna Burns +dearly for your sake!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“May I go to her now, mother?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not yet. Wait a little till I have prepared your +father. He knows nothing. When you see her again +it must be with full authority.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>“You are right, mother. I am happy and I can +wait!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>A servant opened the door, bringing in a card.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Gould—what can he want of me, I wonder?” +exclaimed the lady, looking at the card.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I will leave you to find out,” answered Horace, kissing +his mother’s hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Scarcely had the son disappeared from one door, +when old Mr. Gould came in through another. He was +grave and quiet, not to say stern, in his manner toward +the lady who came forward to receive him. With that +old-fashioned formality which is so pleasant in a gray-headed +man, he led Mrs. Savage back to the seat she +had left, and drew a chair close to it. Then he began +conversing with her in a low, earnest voice. She heard +him at first with a little surprise; then her interest +deepened, the hot color came and went in her face; and +more than once she broke out into exclamations that +seemed half pleasure, half disappointment. When the +old gentleman arose she gave him her hand, which he +bowed over with a reverence which was not without +grace.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I rejoice that you come too late,” she said, smiling +upon him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And so do I. Such things bring back one’s old +trust in human nature.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I, at least, ought to be thankful that all the atonement +in my power was made in time,” she said, graciously.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You will all be punctual. I am an old business +man, remember, and shall expect you at the moment.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You can depend on us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>They shook hands at the door with great cordiality, +and the old man smiled as he went down the steps.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br> <span class='c010'>AN ENGAGEMENT.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>The Burns family had moved into that pretty cottage, +and were all assembled in the little dining-room which +opened on the flower-garden, and from which it was festooned +in by a drapery of vines, which filled the balconies +with delicious green shadows. There was nothing +very splendid about this new home; but it was, for +all that, the prettiest little place you ever set eyes upon—and +the scene within that dining-room a picture in +itself. There sat the old lady, at the head of the table, +with a pretty china tea-set before her, and the whitest +of linen cloths falling from beneath the tray toward her +lap. Opposite her sat Anna Burns, looking pale and +sweetly sad, for the heartache never left her for a moment; +but with a smile always ready for little Joseph, +when he told her of some episode in his active young +life, or boasted, in his bright, childish way, of the papers +he had sold. Robert listened to him with a paternal +smile on his young lips; and the dear old lady had a +gentle word to say with every cup of tea that her little +hand served out so daintily.</p> + +<p class='c012'>While they were occupied at the tea-table, Georgiana +Halstead came up the garden-walk, treading lightly as +an antelope, and smiling to herself only as the happy +<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>can smile. She snatched at some of the flowers as she +passed, and came up to the window forming them into +a bouquet, with which she knocked lightly on the glass.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna arose from the table, and went out to meet her +friend with a wan smile on her lips, which seemed but +the shadow of that which beamed over Georgie’s whole +face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come this way, Anna, I have something to tell you. +Out here, where this pyramid of white roses can hide +us from the window. I would not have them think +there was any thing particular for the world.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The two girls went down the walk, and sheltered +themselves behind the rose-bushes as they talked together.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, I have something to tell you. Don’t look +frightened; it’s nothing bad—at least I don’t think it +is; but—but things will turn out so. You know about +young Mr. Gould, don’t you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes! He has been so good to our Robert. I +have seen him, too.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t you think him very—that is, rather handsome?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, I do—very handsome.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am glad; that is, I thought you would think so.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Georgie began to blush, and pluck at a branch +of the rose-bush with great energy. Anna saw that the +secret, whatever it was, struggled in her throat; and, +with that gentle tact which is the very essence of refinement, +went on with the conversation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Gould has been so very considerate about our +Robert. It was only yesterday he doubled his weekly +pay,” she said.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>“Oh! he’s generous as a prince! Look here, Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie took off her glove, and extended a little hand +which blushed to the finger-tips as it exhibited a ring, +in which was a single diamond limpid as water, and +large as a hazel-nut.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why, that is the engagement-finger!” exclaimed +Anna, surprised.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, it is the engagement-finger. He put it on!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna turned white as snow.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He! Who?—Mr. Savage?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She spoke with sharp agony, forgetting even that +young Gould had been mentioned.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Savage? No, indeed! He never cared a fig for +me. This ring—a beauty, isn’t it?—was put on my +finger last night by Mr. Gould.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And are you really engaged?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is exactly what I came to tell you. No one +else has been told as yet; but I could not exist without +having some one wish me joy—so I came to you. +Papa and dear old grandma will give consent this +morning.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are you certain of that?” asked Anna, with a sigh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, yes; every thing is right there. Asking is only +a form.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I am glad, very glad,” said Anna; but her voice +trembled, and she felt ready to burst into tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana looked at her earnestly. She had a vague +idea that something had gone wrong between her and +Savage, but was all in the dark regarding the particulars.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you look so sorrowful, Anna. I thought to give +you pleasure.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>“I am not sorrowful—at least not very. About you +and Mr. Gould I am glad as glad can be; indeed, indeed +I am! Only you know one gets a sorrowful look +after—after so much trouble.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But your troubles are all over now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Are they? Oh, yes! we are very well off. You +don’t know the difference. Sometimes, when I awake +in the morning and see such hosts of leaves trembling +about my window, it seems unbelievable. There is a +taria that has climbed up the balconies to the third +story, leaving wreaths of purple blossoms all the way. +Sometimes it seems impossible that such things can be +for us.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But they are, and better things are coming, I feel +sure of it; only get that sad look off your face, Anna. +I cannot bear to be so happy, and see you going about +like a wounded bird. Now kiss me, dear, and then we +will go tell grandma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna kissed the sweet mouth bent to hers, and the +two girls went into the house. One smiling like a June +morning, the other smiling, too, but with a look of suppressed +tears about the eyes. Mrs. Burns had left the +breakfast-table, and was waiting for their visitor in the +little parlor, framed in by the open window like one of +those delicious old German home-pictures, that seem so +real that you feel the poetry in them, but cannot for the +life of you, tell where it lies. She came forward to +meet Georgiana, with her hand held out, ready for the +good news so eloquent in that beautiful young face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know it is something pleasant,” she said, smoothing +the pretty hand that lay in hers, warm and fluttering; +“tell me, dear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>“Yes, grandma, I come for that; but—but how to +begin.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She laughed sweetly, blushed, and looked appealingly +to Anna. The secret was harder to tell than she +thought for.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother, she is going to be married; only it +is a secret with us, remember. It is to young Mr. +Gould.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Young Mr. Gould!” repeated the old lady. “What, +the young gentleman who came here? No, it was to +the other house.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, grandma,” said Georgie, smiling afresh amid +the crimson of her blushes, “I—I am sure you like him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, I do,” answered the old lady. “Why should +any one doubt it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She spoke seriously, and with a certain intonation +which surprised both the girls.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And he thinks so much of you,” cried Georgie. +“As for Robert, I really believe no brother ever loved +a little fellow better.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He is very kind,” answered the old lady, and, for +the first time in their lives, those two girls saw a shade +of sarcasm on that dear old face. It was very faint, but +they did not like it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I—I am almost afraid that you do not like him,” +faltered Georgie.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It would be unjust if I did not,” answered the old +lady, sadly. “He was not to blame.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not to blame, grandma?” repeated Georgie, amazed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did I say that? Well, of course, he is not to +blame for any thing, especially for loving our own home-angel!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>“There, that is a dear, blessed, darling old grandma +again! Why, you haven’t kissed me yet, or wished +me joy, or any thing?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I will—I do. There!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The soft lips of the old lady were pressed to Georgie’s +forehead, those old arms folded her close.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“God bless you, dear! God forever bless both you +and him!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank you, grandma—thank you a thousand times; +that was just what I wanted to make my joy complete. +Ah! here comes Robert, with his face all in a glow. +What! are those flowers for me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I should like to make them prettier; but time is up, +and I must be off. Here is some of grandma’s rose-geraniums, +and all the blossoms from my own heliotrope. +Good-by, Miss Georgie. Young Mr. Gould +raised my salary last week. Isn’t he splendid.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana caught his face between her two hands +and kissed him on the spot. It would be difficult to +decide which of those two young faces was the rosiest +when those hands were withdrawn. The truth was, if +Robert had an earthly divinity it was the young lady +who had just kissed him. So he went away with a glow +upon his face, and a warmer one in his heart, wondering +if there was another boy in all Philadelphia who could +have been so honored, and wishing the whole earth +were covered with rose-geraniums, heliotrope, cape jasmines, +and blush-roses, that he might scatter them +under her feet and catch the perfume as she walked +over them.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie, rather ashamed of herself, went home, wondering +what it was which gave that sad, wistful look to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>Anna Burns’s eyes; and coming generously out of her +own happiness, far enough to wish that every thing had +gone right with young Savage, that Anna might have +been married on the same day with herself. She wondered +if nothing could be done to bring this about. +Why was it that Savage had said nothing to her of late? +It saddened her to think that Anna was given up to +such depression of spirits when she was so happy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But it will not last,” she said to herself. “Only +think how miserable I was only a little while ago. Why, +it was like wrenching at my own heart when young +Savage came with his confidence, and wanted me to +help him. But there was a difference. He did not love +me, and he did love her. I wasn’t to go on adoring him +after that, it would have been wrong; and, after all, I +wasn’t exactly the girl to degrade myself in that way. +Now I really do wonder how it happened that I cared +for him so much. Certainly he’s handsome and gentlemanly; +but Mr. Gould—— Dear me! it’s fortunate +that I’m alone, or people might read what I think of +him in my face; but, as Robert says, he is splendid.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgiana went home with such thoughts as these +fluttering through her head, like humming-birds among +roses. In the hall she met Miss Eliza, who seemed in a +great flutter of excitement.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Come in here,” said the spinster, leading the way +into a half-darkened drawing-room. “What do you +think has happened? Old Mr. Gould is here closeted +with mother. What <em>could</em> it be about? Have you +any idea, Georgie? Just feel my hands how they +tremble. Isn’t it thrilling when a young girl like +me feels that two people are settling a destiny +<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>of love for her in a close room? Tell me, dear, +which is it do you think? Has the elder gentleman +struggled against the passion in his bosom, and resigned +me, with the wrench of the heart which will be felt +through his whole life, to the intense adoration of his +nephew—or has he come to plead for himself? Heavens, +how the doubt agitates me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Is old Mr. Gould with grandmamma now?” inquired +Georgie, glad that the half light concealed the expression +of her face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes! Hark! he opens the door; his tread is +in the upper hall—on the stairs. It comes nearer. Support +me, Georgiana.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza curved downward, and hid her face on +Georgie’s shoulder.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Georgie! do not let him come in. This emotion—this +wild, young heart will betray itself; and he +must not know how I adore him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Which?” questioned Georgie.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Which—which? Why, the one that has proposed. +How can you ask such questions? Thank heaven! this +heart has strength and breadth, and—and capacities; +but what is the use of talking to a child to whom love +is, as yet, a mystery folded in the bud—while with me +it is a full-blown flower? Ah, Georgie! congratulate me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Again Miss Eliza threw herself slantwise on to +Georgie’s neck, and heaved a billowy sigh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, Aunt Eliza, please! you are so heavy,” pleaded +the poor girl.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Heavy! When my whole being is one bright wave +of bliss; when this great love rises, full-fledged, from +my heart, like a bird of paradise, with all its golden +<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>plumage full of sunlight. Go, child, go! this full soul +must seek sympathy elsewhere. I will seek my mother, +kneel at her feet, and seek the maternal blessing, while +she tells me which it is.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Away Miss Eliza sailed into her mother’s room, +which she entered with clasped hands.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, mother! have you no news for me?” she cried, +falling on her knees before the old lady, who would +have been surprised, if any thing about Miss Eliza +could surprise her—“spare these blushes, and tell me at +once.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, Eliza, it can make no difference; though, perhaps, +it would have been best to have consulted with +your brother first.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then it is positively true; he is to be consulted; +that point is settled. Oh, my heart! my heart! Forgive +me, mother. You said that he was to be consulted; +just have pity on a poor young creature, who sees her +fondest hopes vibrating in the balance, and tell me all. +Come now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is not much to tell, Eliza; nothing, indeed, +which you must not have expected.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I did—I did.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Gould came to ask my consent.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes. Go on.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How impatient you are, Eliza! He came to ask my +consent to the marriage of his nephew with Georgiana.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Miss Eliza fell forward, with her face in the old lady’s +lap. She shook her head violently, her shoulders +heaved, and smothered sobs broke out of all this commotion, +like gusts of wind in a storm. All at once she +started up and pushed the hair back from her face.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>“I see—I see,” she cried, “he has done this to clear +the path—to get rid of a dangerous rival. Noble man! +Splendid diplomacy! How could I have doubted him? +Dear mother, do not look so astonished. I understand +all this better than you can. Wait a little—wait a little, +and you will know all.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She arose, after delivering this mysterious speech, +and went into her own room, where the pendant cupid +was vibrating with sudden spasms of motion, as a current +of wind swept over it from an open window.</p> + +<p class='c012'> Do.n Miss Eliza sat in her cozy chair, and, clasping +her hands, looked upward, murmuring—</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes; I understand it all. He saw the devotion +of this young man, and sought to evade rather than +oppose the result. He knew that such feelings as +absorbed that young heart would endanger his own +domestic peace when we were once married; for how +could this young man look on me, the happy and fondly +cherished bride of another, and not allow his feelings of +disappointment and regret to break forth? Besides, +there must have been great dread of his success—not +that Mr. Gould, the elder, need have feared. My soul +always lifted itself above mere youth and good looks; +but he was wise to sweep this young man from his path. +Poor Georgiana! compelled to take up with the rejected +suitor of another! Of course, it will be a marriage of +convenience—the bridegroom will always have his memories; +but I will keep out of the way; far be it from me +to render him unhappy by forcing the contrast between +what he has lost and what he has married upon him. +As his uncle’s wife I will be forbearing, generous, and +dignified. If he should ever attempt to allude to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>hopes that his uncle has just quenched by this masterly +stroke of policy, I will assert all the womanly grandeur +of my nature, and wither him with a look half of pity, +half of indignation.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Here Miss Eliza leaned back in her chair, folded both +hands over her bosom, and, closing her eyes, fell into +one of those soft, sweet reveries, which poets have called +“Love’s Young Dream;” her feet rested on the ottoman +cushion which usually performed a prominent part in +these solitary tableaux. The cupid sailed to and fro +over her head; the crimson cushions of her chair would +have reflected the color on her cheeks but for a counter +tint, a little less vivid, but quite as permanent, which +baffled what might have been an artistic effect. In this +position we leave Miss Eliza rich in expectations, which +no disappointment could extinguish.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Meantime, Georgie ran up to her grandmother’s room, +threw herself into those outstretched arms and began to +cry, one would think just to be hushed and comforted +with those soft words, and soft kisses, which came from +the old lady’s lips like dew upon a flower.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What did he say, grandmamma?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Every thing that was sweet and kind, darling!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And you told him——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That I would ask my grandchild if she loved this +young man dearly with all her heart and soul.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With all her heart, and her soul of souls, tell him +she said that, grandmamma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And that she loves no one else?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No one, grandmamma, in this wide, wide world.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Shall I say that she has never loved any one else, +dear?”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>Georgie’s face was crimson when she lifted her head +and looked clearly into that rather anxious face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He will not ask that, because I told him all about it +myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady kissed that beautiful, honest face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is right, my dear.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And he did not care in the least; said the first love +of a girl was usually half fancy and half nonsense; that +a heart was sometimes like fruit, which is never really +ripe till the frost gives it a bloom; and a good deal more +which I cannot repeat, but love to remember.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then I have nothing to do but ask God to bless you +both!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you have told me nothing. Is the old gentleman +pleased?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, delighted. I never saw him so well satisfied +in my life.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You! Why, grandmamma, did you ever see him +before?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady smiled, but answered nothing to the +purpose. She only said, “Yes, indeed, he is greatly +pleased; and says that there is not a girl in Philadelphia +that he would have preferred to my little granddaughter.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Did he say that? How very kind of him! But, +grandmamma, what do you think Aunt Eliza——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah, yes! I know, my dear. She is so apt to make +these mistakes; but I have told her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, I am glad of that! Did she want to kill me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Far from that, Georgie; but we will not talk of her. +It makes me sad.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>“But you will not think of any thing which can do +that; for I want you to be splendid when, when——”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“When you are married?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, grandmamma.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>After the blushes had left Georgie’s face, a shade of +sadness stole over it, which the old lady observed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is the matter, darling?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing, grandmamma. Only I am so sorry for +Anna Burns.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed! What about her?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She seems so unhappy!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Why?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Ah! I had forgotten. It is not my place to talk +about Anna Burns; perhaps she is not so very unhappy, +after all. Only—only I do wish somebody who knows +how would comfort her; that is, advise with her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What if I call upon them in their new house, +Georgie? How would that do?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Splendid! I am sure she would tell you every +thing. When will you go?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, suppose we say to-morrow evening?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That is capital! I will go with you and talk with +Mrs. Burns, while you take up Anna.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That will do, perhaps. I shall invite a few friends +to visit them in their new house. What if we give them +a surprise party?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, how delightful!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Invite all their friends, and give them a little +feast!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, grandmamma! they haven’t but one friend in +the world beside us and the Savage family; and I’m +afraid it would be unpleasant for them to meet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>“Still we must invite them. I will send a note to +Mrs. Savage, and ask her to bring Horace.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It might do; but I should not dare myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Very likely. So leave that to me. Mistakes in an +old woman are soon forgiven!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I will leave it to you. Nobody ever did things +so nicely.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now about this other woman, for I suppose it is a +woman whom you speak of as their friend?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, of course, it is a woman. Such a strange creature, +too, I’m sure you would be surprised to see her, +knowing how good she is. When Anna and her grandmother +were so very poor, she let the rent run on, +month after month, never asking for it, but growing +kinder and kinder every day. More than that, she +seemed to find out by magic when they had nothing to +eat in the house, and sent up money and a wholesome +meal when they were almost crying with hunger.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana,” said Mrs. Halstead, “that was a good +woman. Invite her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But she is rough as a chestnut-bur.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No matter.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And used to scold them sometimes.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No matter.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She takes in slop-work.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“All the better.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And fries her own dinner on the little stove in her +room. I have heard it simmering twenty times.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But when these good people needed it, she divided +her dinner with them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, she did; though the agent was tormenting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>her about the rent all the time; and she is heavily in +debt to him now.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Georgiana, invite that woman—I admire her. I +respect her, coarse or not, ugly or handsome, I respect +her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And so do I, grandmamma. Only I thought it best +to tell you. Besides, she dresses so, and has such +coarse hair, that anybody but you might not see the +good through it all—Mrs. Savage particularly.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“She would. Mrs. Savage is a noble woman.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am glad to hear you say that for Anna’s sake.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And this person you speak of is a noble woman; +such people always get together somehow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I hope so. Of course, if you say it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There now, dear, go to this woman and give our invitation. +Here is money for the entertainment. Let it +be perfect. She will help you, I dare say. If any thing +is left, she must keep it, understand. Now good-morning. +Go at once.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie ran up stairs for her bonnet, and was soon in +the old tenement-house talking with the landlady, whom +she found hard at work, with a clothes-basket half full +of unfinished work by her side, and a heap of sailor’s +jackets piled up on the table close at hand. She had a +well-worn press-board lying across her lap, and was +pressing a stubborn seam upon it with a heavy flat-iron, +upon which she leaned resolutely with one elbow, while +she held the seam open with two fingers of her other +hand. This was hot work, and the perspiration was +pouring off her face as she worked.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes,” she said, with curt good humor, “hard at +work as ever; hot though, and dragging on the strength; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>especially when one sets at it steady from daylight till +eleven o’clock at night.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But why do you work so hard, there is only yourself +to support?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“That’s what every lady says; but, law, what do they +know about it? Debt cries louder than children; they +do give up sometimes, but agents never do, especially +them as let tenement-houses for men who are too refined +to crush out the poor with their own hands, but +take the money without asking how it has been wrung +out of our hard earnings, piling the extra per centage—which +pays the agent for oppressing his tenants—on us. +Then they talk about heavy taxes, as if we did not pay +them and all the rest with our hard work. When the +Common Council, and the State, or Congress, put taxes +on them, they sit still in their comfortable parlors, and +meet it all by raising the rents, which we pay like this.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The woman swept the perspiration from her forehead +with one hand, which she held out, all moist and trembling +from the pressure it had given to the iron. The +front finger was honey-combed by the point of her +coarse needle; the palm was coarse and hard from constant +toil.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“These are tax-marks,” she said, bitterly; “some of +our people don’t understand it—but I do; for, poor or +not, I will take the newspaper. It’s oppression—that’s +what it is. If the agent would have been a little easy +with me, I might have done a world of good in this +identical house; but it wasn’t in me to turn a family +out of doors when they couldn’t pay up to the minute; +and so, in trying to save them, I got in debt. If he +turns me out—and he threatened that this very morning—who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>will stand between him and the poor families +in my rooms? I tell you what, Miss, it wasn’t to make +money I took the house, but to keep it respectable and +help my poor fellow-creturs along. There never was +any profit in it; and now I’m likely to be turned out +myself. It’s hard, miss—it is hard!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Indeed, it does seem very cruel; but I suppose the +man who has money can be a tyrant if he likes, in spite +of the law. I’ll talk with grandmamma about this; perhaps +she can help you. Just now I come to ask, that +is, to invite you, to join us in a little party we are going +to give the Burns family.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! they give a party?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No—we; that is, grandmamma and a friend or two +are going to surprise them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Big-bugs—that is, gentlemen and ladies?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, I—I believe so,” said Georgie, with great +humility.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then I can’t go—I shouldn’t feel at home.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I want your help in getting things ready. +Grandmamma has left every thing for you and I to arrange. +Here is plenty of money, but I have no idea +how to go about spending it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! if that’s what you want of me, I’m on hand. +Haven’t had a play spell these ten years. It’ll do me +good.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I own it will—can you spare the time now?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’ll put on my things right off,” cried the landlady, +standing her press-board in a corner, and planting the +hot iron in a safe place. “Just wait a minute while I +comb out my hair and put on another dress.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With this, the good woman let down a hank of coarse +<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>hair, and hatcheled it vigorously with a coarse horn-comb; +then she gathered it up in a hard twist, and proceeded +to change her dress, for which she substituted a +gorgeous delaine, and a blanket-shawl warmed up with +stripes of scarlet.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now,” she said, tying the strings of an immense +straw bonnet, that stood up from her face like a horse-shoe, +“I’m ready for any thing you want of me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Georgie arose, took up her parasol of silk point-lace +and carved ivory, of which she felt a little ashamed, +and followed the landlady out.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is one thing,” she said, when they reached the +side-walk, “which you must help me arrange; while we +are making preparations in the house, they must be got +away.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! I’ll mange that easy enough,” answered the +woman. “I’ll tell them that I am obliged to go out, +and can’t spare the time from my work. They’ll both +offer to come round and help me through. It wont be +the first time—just leave that to me. I think they’ll +like to sit in the old room; some of their things are +there yet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>This being decided on, Georgie and her companion +entered upon the business in hand with great energy; +and the young girl went home at dusk perfectly satisfied +with the progress of things, as regarded the surprise party.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span> + <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br> <span class='c010'>CONCLUSION.</span></h2> +</div> + +<p class='c011'>The next day old Mrs. Burns sat in the little family-room +up stairs, quite alone, for Anna had gone round to +their old home to see their kind friend, and the boys +proceeded to their work, as usual, immediately after +breakfast. She was reading; for the necessity of constant +toil had been taken from her, and with this +pleasant home, many of her old lady-like wants had +come back, asking for a place in her life.</p> + +<p class='c012'>So the old lady sat reading near the window, looking +neat and tranquil, as if care had never visited her. +Quantities of soft, fine muslin were folded over her +bosom, and softer lace fell over her calm, old forehead, +from which the hair was parted in all its snowy whiteness. +Her dress of black alpaca, bright as silk, and of +voluminous fulness, swept down from the crimson +cushions of the easy-chair, and covered the stool on +which her foot rested. She formed a lovely picture of +old age, sitting in that cool light, with the leaves twinkling +their shadows around her, and softening the whole +picture into perfect quiet.</p> + +<p class='c012'>As she sat thus absorbed in her book, the gate opened, +and an old man came up the garden-walk. She lifted +her head and looked out, but her glasses were on, and +she could only see some figure moving through the flowers +with dreamy indistinctness. Then she heard the +door open, and a step in the hall—a step that made her +heart leap till the muslin stirred like snow on her bosom.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Who could it be? Not one of the boys, the step was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>too heavy for that; perhaps, that is, possibly, it might +be young Savage, coming to explain conduct that she +much feared was breaking poor Anna’s heart. The possibility +that it might be him kept her still. After neglecting +them so long, she would not compromise Anna’s +pride, by appearing eager to meet him; so she sat, with +book in hand, gazing wistfully at the door through her +spectacles.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The door opened slowly, and old Mr. Gould stood on +the threshold, where he paused a moment gazing on her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman answered the gaze with a half-frightened +look through her spectacles, then drew them slowly +off, as if that could help her vision, and stood up.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mary!” said the old man, coming toward her. +“Mary!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old woman sat down again, helpless and trembling.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mary, will you not speak to me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, James, yes. I—I wish to speak, but—but I +cannot.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And why, Mary? What have I done? What did +I ever do that should make you hate and avoid me so?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Hate! I never hated you, James. At the worst, I +never hated you!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you left me—hid yourself; kept my son from +me all his life. How could you find the heart to do +that?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady sat upright in her chair; a faint red +came into her face—she trembled from head to foot.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You speak as if I had done wrong, James; as if you +were an innocent man.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I speak as I feel, Mary—as I am. What fault had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>I committed which warranted the separation of a lifetime?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He questioned her almost sternly; but there was a +quiver of wounded tenderness in his voice which made +that gentle old bosom swell with gathering tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Was it nothing,” she said, faltering, in spite of herself, +“that you left me and married another woman?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mary Gould, are you a sane woman?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I saw her with my own eyes; heard her speak; +watched her when she read your letters. Nothing short +of that would have driven me from you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“You saw all this? When—how?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“At your warehouse in H——. She kissed your +letter; she told me that you were her husband—all the +time I held our boy by the hand; he heard it. What +could I do? Arraign my husband before the courts—disgrace +him? Kill an innocent woman, perhaps? I +loved you too well for that; so went away with my +child. I wished myself dead, but even wretched women +cannot die when they wish. I was young and healthy; +grief tortured me, but it could not quite kill the strong +life in my bosom. I had the boy, and struggled for his +sake. We went away into another State, and in the +heart of a great city buried ourselves. I gave you up. +I gave up your name and worked on through life alone. +But God kept my son, and gave me grandchildren; the +wound in my life was almost healed. Why come at this +late day to shake the last sands of a hard life with old +memories? I have forgiven you long ago, James—long +ago.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man listened to her patiently. Once or +twice he started and checked some eager words as they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>sprang to his lips; but he restrained himself and heard +her through. Then he reached forth a trembling hand +and drew a chair close to her side, bending toward her +as he seated himself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mary, did you believe this base thing of me?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Believe it? God help me, I knew it!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mary Gould, it is false, every word of it. I have +never loved any woman but you. I never had, and +never will have another wife.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The little old woman held out her two hands in pitiful +appeal.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, James, don’t! I am an old woman and cannot +bear it. Only ask me to forgive you, and I will. Indeed, +I will.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mary, my poor deceived wife, there is nothing between +us to forgive. I do not know how this terrible +idea has been fastened on your mind; but, as God is my +judge, no husband was ever more faithful to a wife than +I have been to you.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He held her two hands firmly. She lifted her eyes to +his and found them full of tears.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“James, James, is it I that have done wrong?” The +old woman fell down upon her knees before him, and +pressed her two withered hands on his bosom. “Have +I done wrong—and is it you who must forgive me? Oh, +my husband! I am so thankful that it is me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He lifted her back to the easy-chair, and drew that +sweet, old face, with its crown of snowy hair, to his +bosom; his tears fell over her; his hands shook like +withered leaves as they tenderly folded her to his +heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>She believed in his truth; and that sweet, solemn +love, which is so beautiful in old age, filled her heart +with a joy that no young bride may even hope to +know.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We are old and close to the end of our lives, Mary; +but God has given us to each other again, and the best +part of our existence will be spent together.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I have cast away our youth, trampled down +your mid-age; hid our son away from you, and now he +is dead—he is dead!” she cried, with anguish, the more +piteous because her utterance was choked by the tremor +of old age.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But you have suffered more than I have, for, during +all this time till the war commenced, I thought both +you and my son dead; while you, knowing me alive, +thought me a guilty man. Poor Mary! your unhappiness +has been greater than mine.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank God for that!” she said, meekly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And now it must be my pleasure to lead you down +the path which is lost in the valley and shadow. You +need me now more than ever, and I need you, Mary, as +we grow weaker and older; such companionship as you +and I can give each other becomes the sweetest and +most precious thing in life. Do not cry, Mary; but +rather let me see if the old smile lives for me yet.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She looked up, and the wrinkles about her mouth +softened into the sweetest expression you ever saw on +a human face.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“God has been very good to us,” she said; “but for +our son’s death I could, indeed, smile. Now I feel as +if I had robbed you of him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Never think that again. But remember that it is a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>good thing to have loved ones waiting for us on the +other side. I shall see our son; of that be certain.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, yes, we shall both see him; and his children—have +you seen them?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes; the lad Robert is with me—a fine little +fellow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Anna, too?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Pretty as you were long ago, and I think as good.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But Joseph, dear little Joseph, you must love him +above all; he is the very image of his father.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I have seen him, too. I saw you all sitting in a +picture together.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And recognized us?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“At the first glance; for then I knew that my wife +was alive. More—after our son went to the war, he +wrote to me, told me that his mother was living, and +besought me to find her, should he fall, and save his +family from want. He gave no name but his own—no +address; but referred me to a gentleman in New York, +who would tell me where to find you. This letter was +sent from the army, and met with the usual delays before +it reached me. Only two days before I saw you in +that picture did I know of your existence. I telegraphed +to the person who held your address, and was +answered that he was away from home. Then I saw +you for that one moment, and you were lost to me +again. I searched for you for days to no avail. Then +I went to New York; the man I sought had gone to +Europe. I followed him, learned the name you have +borne, and where you could be found—learned that our +grandchild was already under my care. But I am an +old man, Mary, and have learned how to wait. Did +<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>you know that this house is mine—that I sent you here; +that Anna is my friend; and that little Joseph has made +a small fortune in selling me papers?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know that I am this moment the happiest old +woman that ever lived.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am glad of that. If I can help it, Mary, you shall +never be unhappy again. We will enter on our second +childhood with tranquil hearts; knowing so well what +loneliness is, we shall feel the value of loving companionship +as few old people ever did. Now tell me +how it was that the terrible mistake which separated us +arose.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She told him all, exactly as she had related the facts +to Anna only a short time before.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I can understand now,” he said, thoughtfully. +“This lady was my brother’s wife; he had just come +over from England, and took the western trip with me. +The poor young man never came back, but died in the +wilderness. It was his wife you saw; his letters she +was reading.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, foolish, wicked woman that I was, so readily to +believe ill of you!” cried the old lady.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not blame yourself. The evidence, false as it +was, might have deceived any one. You did not know +that my brother was in the country, for he came on me +unannounced. It was a natural mistake, and you acted +nobly. It has cost us dear, but we will not spend the +precious time left to us in regretting it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thank heaven! I had no bitterness; it was for your +sake I hid myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Bitterness! No, no! It was for me—and when +you thought me unworthy. I shall never forget that. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>Now let us put all these things aside and think only of +the present.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! that is so beautiful!” she said, looking around, +but turning her eyes on him at last. “After all, James, +you do not look so very old.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He laughed gayly, and would have smoothed her hair +in the old fashion, but feeling the lace of her cap, desisted, +ending off his laugh with a little sigh, which she +heard with a sad sort of feeling, as if the ghost of her +youth were passing by.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This is a pleasant place,” said the old man, looking +out into the balcony, where gleams of sunshine were at +play with the leaves. “Do you know, Mary, I have +never seen a place that seemed so like home since we +parted in England.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She smiled pleasantly, and holding out her withered +little hand, and blushing like a girl, said,</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Then stay here with us. It is so pleasant here.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And my old castle is so gloomy. Yes, Mary, I am +coming home to help take care of the grandchildren. +But I must go now, or they will catch me here earlier +than I wish. Yes, yes; it is a pleasant little home.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>He went out suddenly, the old lady thought with +tears in his eyes, and she stole into the balcony to watch +him as a girl of twenty might. She saw him pick a rosebud +and put it into his buttonhole, smiling to himself +all the while. Then she stole away and went into her +bedroom; and there Anna found her, when she came +home, upon her knees, and with such benign joy on her +face that the young girl closed the door, and went off +on tiptoe, as if she had disturbed an angel.</p> + +<p class='c012'>After awhile the old lady came out; but judging of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>her husband’s wishes by that intuition which needs no +instruction, she said nothing of his visit, but waited for +him to explain, as best pleased him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandmother,” said Anna, “you and I are wanted +at the old house. Our friend is driven beyond any +thing with her work, but must go out especially this +afternoon. Will you go with me and help her sewing +forward. I have set out the boy’s supper.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old lady consented at once, and put on that soft +woollen shawl with a smile, knowing who it was that had +given it to her. It was rather warm for the season, but +she would not have gone without it for the world.</p> + +<p class='c012'>That night there was a great commotion in the cottage, +in which the boys joined, in high excitement, without +understanding any thing about it, except that a +surprise was intended for grandmamma and Anna. A +long table was spread in the dining-room; china, glass, +and silver, unknown to the house before, glittered and +sparkled upon it; flowers glowed up from the sparkling +glass, and flung their rich shadows across the snow-white +tablecloth; fruit lay bedded in the flowers, filling +the vases with a rich variety, which Robert and +Joseph kept rearranging every instant. Then came plates +full of plump little birds, partridges, and so many dainties, +that the boys got tired of naming them. But when +the table was entirely spread, the effect was so magnificent +that they danced around it, clapping their hands +in an ecstasy of delight. Up stairs the rooms were +radiant with flowers, and a rich perfume came up from +the gardens, scenting every thing as with the breath of +paradise.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Scarcely were the rooms ready when the company +<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>came in. First, Georgie greeted her stately grandmother, +Miss Eliza, and a fine-looking gentleman, whom +she introduced as her father. Then came another +stately-looking person, who walked in with Mrs. Savage +on his arm; and after them appeared Horace Savage, +natural and pleasant as ever, chatting merrily with +young Gould, with whom he walked up the garden arm-in-arm, +while Georgie was peeping at them from one of +the balconies. When these persons were all assembled, +our landlady of the tenement-house proclaimed her determination +of going home at once and bringing Mrs. +Burns and Anna up to their surprise. Just twenty +minutes from the time she left the door they were to +turn every light in the house down, except that in the +hall. Robert and Joseph were to take their posts in +the parlors and take charge of the chandeliers. In +short, every thing was ready, and the little parlors took +a festive aspect exhilarating to behold.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Just as Mrs. Burns and Anna came in sight of the +house, following the landlady, who insisted on seeing +them home, old Mr. Gould joined them, and quietly +gave his arm to the old lady. Anna was a little surprised, +but they were close by the gate, and she had +not much time to notice it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The boys have got tired of waiting and have gone +out,” she said, regretfully. “I wish we had come home +before dark.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>They were in the hall now, the house was still as +death. There seemed something strange about this, +which made Anna look anxious as she took off her +things.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Walk in,” she said, opening the parlor door, through +<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>which Mr. Gould led the old lady. That instant a blaze +of light broke over the room, revealing bewildering +masses of flowers, and a group of smiling faces all +turned upon the new-comers.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Robert and Joseph jumped down, after turning on +the light, and softly clapped their hands, unable to restrain +the exuberance of their spirits. But Anna saw +nothing of this. A voice was whispering in her ear; a +hand clasped hers with a force that sent the blood up +from her heart in rosy waves.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My mother has told me all; they have consented,” +he whispered.</p> + +<p class='c012'>She did not answer; for Mr. Gould had led her grandmother +into the midst of the room, and was welcoming +all these people as if the house had been his own.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“This lady,” he said, gently touching the little hand +on his arm, “is a little agitated just now, and leaves me +to welcome you; but first let me present her. She is +my wife, and has been rather more than forty years +These boys and that girl yonder are my grandchildren. +Their father, my only son, was killed in battle. For +many years, by no fault on either side, I have been +separated from my family. Thank God! we are united +now. Gould, come and kiss your aunt. Anna, have I +performed my promise?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Anna sprang toward him, and threw both arms +around his neck.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“My own, own grandfather!” she cried, lavishing +such kisses on him as fatherly old men love to receive +from rosy lips.</p> + +<p class='c012'>He returned her kisses, patting her on the head as he +gently put her away.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>“James, James, I have seen that face before. Who +is this lady?” said Mrs. Burns, clinging to his arm, as +old Mrs. Halstead came up with her congratulations.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, Mary, this lady was my brother’s wife—not +the mother of this young fellow. His father came over +later; but she is the lady whom you once saw.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“And one who hopes to see her many a time after +this; especially as she has been the means of reconciling +me with this unreasonable man, who never would +have forgiven me for marrying again, but for the +interest I took in this family. For years and years, +dear lady, we had been strangers to each other. This +is, in all respects, a family reunion.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With this little speech, the handsome old lady held +out her hand; but Mrs. Gould, remembering all she had +done for her, instead of shaking the hand reached forth +her arms, and the two old women embraced with tender +dignity, which filled more than one pair of bright eyes +with mist.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man stood by well pleased and smiling. He +saw that young Gould had retreated toward Georgiana; +and that Savage was bending over the chair to which +Anna had gone.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“There is no objection in that quarter, I fancy!” he +said, looking at Mrs. Halstead, and nodding toward the +young couple.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He already has our consent,” answered Mrs. Halstead, +smiling.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“As for these young people,” said the old man, approaching +Anna, “it is but just to say that Horace +Savage had his parents’ sanction to his marriage with +my granddaughter, before they knew that she would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>inherit one fourth of my fortune; the other portion +going in equal parts, to my nephew and grandsons. +Where have the little fellows hid themselves?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am here, grandfather,” said little Joseph, lifting +his beautiful eyes to the old man’s face, and stealing a +hold on his grandmother’s hand as he spoke; “and so +is Robert, only he’s so surprised.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I’m so glad, you mean,” said Robert, coming into +the light; “for now Josey can go to school; and Anna—hurra +for sister Anna!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>When the bustle, which followed this speech, died +away, it was followed by a hysterical sob, piteous to +hear, which came from a sofa in the little parlor, on +which Miss Eliza had thrown herself.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What is the matter?” cried half a dozen voices—and +the sofa was instantly surrounded. “What is the +cause of this?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh! leave me alone! leave me alone to my desolation!” +she cried; “the last link is broken; there is no +truth—no honor—no chivalry in the world!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Old Mr. Gould, as master of the house, felt himself +called upon to offer some consolation for the disappointment, +which he supposed had sprung out of her unreasonable +hopes regarding his nephew; but as he came close to +her, she sprang up and pushed him violently backward.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Touch me not, ingrate! household fiend! traitor! +You have broken my heart, trifled with the affections of +an innocent, loving, confiding, transparent nature. Do +not dare to touch me. Turn those craven eyes on the +antiquated being that you have preferred to my youth +and confiding innocence.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She sat down, panting for breath, still pointing her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>finger at the astonished old man; while her brother +stood appalled, and old Mrs. Halstead sat down in pale +consternation.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I do not understand this,” said old Mr. Gould, +looking dreadfully perplexed.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I do,” whispered the nephew, laughing. “It wasn’t +me, but another chap she was after.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Just then a sharp ring came to the door. Robert +opened it, and there stood his early friend, the newsboy, +with a torn hat in his hand.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Excuse me for coming when you’ve got company, +old fellow; but I’m awfully stuck—had my pockets +picked. Look a-there! lost every cent I’ve got in the +theatre jest as that new tragedy chap was a-dying beautifully! +Broke up, if you can’t lend me something to +start on in the morning.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy hauled out a very dirty pocket, and shook +its emptiness in proof of the reality.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I haven’t got a dollar myself.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Jest so. Can’t be helped. I’m up a stump this +time and no mistake. Good-night, old fellow.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Stop, stop a minute; I’ll ask my grandfather. Come +back, I say.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The boy came back, and stood with one hand in the +rifled pocket, waiting.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Grandfather! grandfather!” said Robert, breathless +and eager, “I want some of those funds of my quarter +in advance. I’ve got a friend out there in distress.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man laughed, everybody laughed except +Miss Eliza, who stopped sobbing to listen, and Joseph, +who said, “Oh, Robert! how can you! He hasn’t been +our grandfather more than an hour!”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>Robert heeded nothing of this, but drew his grandfather +to the door, and pointed out his friend.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He was good to me once, sir—good as gold. It was +he who took me to your counting-room, and recommended +me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man was feeling in his pocket. He recognized +the boy.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How much will do, my boy?” he said, in high good +humor.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Say five—that’ll set me up tip-top.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The old man handed him a bank-note.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Twenty dollars, by golly!” cried the boy, putting +his hat on with a swing of the arm. “Old gentleman, +you’re a trump, and he’s a right bower! Good evening! +I’m set up for life, I am!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>As Mr. Gould was turning to go in again, the mistress +of the tenement-house passed him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Every thing is right,” she said. “You wont want +me.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But I want you,” said Mr. Gould. “No woman +who has been the friend to my wife that you have, must +pass me without thanks. Tell me, what can I do for +you?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Nothing, sir; that is, nothing in particular; only +if you would just tell that agent of yourn not to be +quite so hard about the rent of that house. I shall +have to give it up if he is.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! do you live in a house of mine?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yes, sir; and have these six years.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Where is it?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She told him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What! that old tenement? Come to my office in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>the morning, and I’ll give you a deed for it. Don’t +forget.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, sir!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Don’t forget. You know the place.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Never fear, sir; I wont let her forget,” said Robert, +rejoicing in his heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Now, ladies and gentlemen,” said the old man, +entering the parlor, “let us see what the fairies have +brought us for supper. Mr. Halstead, will you take +Mrs. Gould? Your mother and I are good friends now—I +will take her.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Miss Eliza, shall I have the honor?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>It was young Gould, prompted by Georgiana.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No, no! I am faint—I am ill; pray leave me!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Oh, do come!” said Robert, who was everywhere +that night. “Such birds! Such partridges! Such +chicken-salad!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Mr. Gould, to oblige you, I will make an effort,” +said Miss Eliza. “Sometimes a mouthful of chicken-salad +brings me to when nothing else will. Forgive me +if I lean heavily.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>She did lean heavily; and beside that one mouthful of +chicken-salad, there was considerable devastation among +the birds in her neighborhood, to say nothing of the +breast of a partridge that disappeared altogether. Then +came champagne in large glasses, which gave light to +Miss Eliza’s tearful eyes, color to cheeks that did not +need it, and warmth to that poor heart, just broken for +the twentieth time. That is all I have to say on the +subject.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='small'>THE END.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div><span class='xlarge'>T. B. PETERSON <span class='fss'>AND</span> BROTHERS’ PUBLICATIONS.</span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='large'>NEW BOOKS ISSUED EVERY WEEK.</span></div> + <div class='c002'>Comprising the most entertaining and absorbing works published, suitable for the Parlor, Library, Sitting Room, Railroad or Steamboat reading, by the best writers in the world.</div> + <div class='c002'>☞ Orders solicited from Booksellers, Librarians, Canvassers, News Agents, and all others in want of good and fast selling books, which will be supplied at Low Prices. ☜</div> + <div class='c002'>☞ TERMS: To those with whom we have no monthly account, Cash with Order. ☜</div> + <div class='c003'>CHARLES DICKENS’ WORKS.</div> + <div class='c002'><em>Cheap edition, paper cover.</em></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>This edition is published complete in twenty-seven largo octavo volumes, +in paper cover, as follows:</p> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Our Mutual Friend,</td> + <td class='c007'>$1.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Great Expectations,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Lamplighter’s Story,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>David Copperfield,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do.bey and Son,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Nicholas Nickleby,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Pickwick Papers,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Christmas Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Martin Chuzzlewit,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Old Curiosity Shop,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Barnaby Rudge,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Dickens’ New Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Bleak House,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Joseph Grimaldi,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Sketches by “Boz,”</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Oliver Twist,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Little Dorrit,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Tale of Two Cities,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>New Years’ Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Dickens’ Short Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Message from the Sea,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Holiday Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>American Notes,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Pic-Nic Papers,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Somebody’s Luggage</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Tom Tiddler’s Ground,</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Haunted House,</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>ILLUSTRATED OCTAVO EDITION.</div> + <div class='c002'><em>Each book being complete in one volume.</em></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Our Mutual Friend,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, $2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Pickwick Papers,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Nicholas Nickleby,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Great Expectations,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Lamplighter’s Story,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Oliver Twist,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Bleak House,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Little Dorrit,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do.bey and Son,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Sketches by “Boz,”</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>David Copperfield,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Barnaby Rudge,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Martin Chuzzlewit,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Old Curiosity Shop,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Christmas Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Dickens’ New Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A Tale of Two Cities,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>American Notes and Pic-Nic Papers,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c007'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Black cloth, in eighteen volumes</td> + <td class='c007'>$44.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Full Law Library style</td> + <td class='c007'>53.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, sprinkled edges</td> + <td class='c007'>63.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, marbled edges</td> + <td class='c007'>68.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, antique</td> + <td class='c007'>78.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, full gilt backs, etc.</td> + <td class='c007'>78.00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>PEOPLE’S DUODECIMO EDITION.</div> + <div class='c002'><em>Each book being complete in one volume.</em></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Our Mutual Friend,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, $2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Pickwick Papers,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Nicholas Nickleby,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Great Expectations,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Lamplighter’s Story,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>David Copperfield,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Oliver Twist,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Bleak House,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A Tale of Two Cities,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Little Dorrit,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do.bey and Son,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Christmas Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Sketches by “Boz,”</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Barnaby Rudge,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Martin Chuzzlewit,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Old Curiosity Shop,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Message from the Sea,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Dickens’ New Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c007'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Black cloth, in eighteen volumes</td> + <td class='c007'>$44.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Full Law Library style</td> + <td class='c007'>50.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, sprinkled edges</td> + <td class='c007'>60.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, marbled edges</td> + <td class='c007'>65.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, antique</td> + <td class='c007'>72.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, full gilt backs, etc.</td> + <td class='c007'>72.00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>ILLUSTRATED DUODECIMO EDITION.</div> + <div class='c002'><em>Each book being complete in two volumes.</em></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Our Mutual Friend,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, $4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Pickwick Papers,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Tale of Two Cities,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Nicholas Nickleby,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>David Copperfield,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Oliver Twist,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Christmas Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Bleak House,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Sketches by “Boz,”</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Barnaby Rudge,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Martin Chuzzlewit</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Old Curiosity Shop,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Little Dorrit,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do.bey and Son,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 4.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c007'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'><em>The following are each complete in one volume.</em></td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c007'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Great Expectations,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, $2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Lamplighter’s Story,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Dickens’ New Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Message from the Sea,</td> + <td class='c007'>Cloth, 2.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in thirty-two volumes, bound in cloth,</td> + <td class='c007'>$64.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Full Law Library style</td> + <td class='c007'>80.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, antique</td> + <td class='c007'>125.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Price of a set, in Half calf, full gilt backs, etc.</td> + <td class='c007'>125.00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p class='c012'>☞ No Library is complete without a set of these Books, and either +Edition of Charles Dickens’ Works will be sent to any address, free of +transportation, on receipt of Retail Price.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='large'>MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS’ WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Gold Brick,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Silent Struggles,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Wife’s Secret,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Rejected Wife,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Heiress,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Fashion and Famine,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Mary Derwent,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Old Homestead,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>The above are in paper cover, or in cloth, price $2.00 each.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>FREDRIKA BREMER’S WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Father and Daughter,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Four Sisters,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Neighbors,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Home,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>The above are in paper cover, or in cloth, price $2.00 each.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Life in the Old World; or, Two Years in Switzerland and Italy, by Miss Bremer, in two volumes, cloth, price,</td> + <td class='c007'>$4.00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>MRS. E. D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH’S WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Fortune Seeker,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Allworth Abbey,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Bridal Eve,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Fatal Marriage,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Haunted Homestead,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Lost Heiress,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Lady of the Isle,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Two Sisters,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Three Beauties,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Vivia; Secret Power,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Love’s Labor Won,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Deserted Wife,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Gipsy’s Prophecy,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Mother-in-Law,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Missing Bride,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Wife’s Victory,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Retribution,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>India. Pearl of Pearl River,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Curse of Clifton,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Discarded Daughter,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>The above are in paper cover, or in cloth, price $2.00 each.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Hickory Hall,</td> + <td class='c007'>50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Broken Engagement,</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>MRS. CAROLINE LEE HENTZ’S WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Planter’s Northern Bride,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Linda; or, the Young Pilot of the Belle Creole,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Robert Graham. The Sequel to “Linda,”</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Courtship and Marriage,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Ernest Linwood,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Marcus Warland,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Rena; or, the Snow-bird,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Lost Daughter,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Love after Marriage,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Eoline; or, Magnolia Vale,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Banished Son,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Helen and Arthur,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Forsaken Daughter,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Planter’s Daughter,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>The above are in paper cover, or in cloth, price $2.00 each.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>WORKS BY THE VERY BEST AUTHORS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Flirtations in Fashionable Life,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Lost Beauty,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Rival Belles,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Lost Love,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Woman in Black,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Pride of Life,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Roman Traitor,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Saratoga. A Story of 1787,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Queen’s Favorite,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Married at Last,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>False Pride,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Out of the Depths. The Story of a Woman’s Life,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Coquette; or, Life and Letters of Eliza Wharton,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>A Woman’s Thoughts about Women,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Self-Love,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Cora Belmont,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Devoted Bride,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Initials. A Story of Modern Life. By Baroness Tautphœus,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Love and Duty,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Bohemians in London,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Man of the World,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>High Life in Washington,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Jealous Husband,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Self-Sacrifice,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Belle of Washington,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Courtship and Matrimony,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Family Pride,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Family Secrets,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Rose Douglas,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Lover’s Trials</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Beautiful Widow,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Brother’s Secret,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Matchmaker,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Love and Money,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>The above are in paper cover, or in cloth, price $2.00 each.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>The Story of Elizabeth. By Miss Thackeray. In one duodecimo volume, +full gilt back. Price $1.00 in paper, or $1.50 in cloth.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>MADAME GEORGE SAND’S WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Consuelo,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Countess of Rudolstadt,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>First and True Love,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Corsair,</td> + <td class='c007'>50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Jealousy, paper,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do. cloth,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Fanchon, the Cricket, paper,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do. do. cloth,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Indiana, a Love Story, paper,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> Do. cloth,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Consuelo and Rudolstadt, both in one volume, cloth,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>WILKIE COLLINS’ BEST WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Crossed Path, or Basil,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Dead Secret. 12mo.</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>The above are in paper cover, or each one in cloth, price $2.00 each.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Hide and Seek,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>After Dark,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Dead Secret. 8vo</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>Above in cloth at $1.00 each.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Queen’s Revenge,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Sight’s a-Foot; or, Travels Beyond Railways,</td> + <td class='c007'>50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Mad Monkton, and other Stories,</td> + <td class='c007'>50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Stolen Mask,</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Yellow Mask,</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Sister Rose,</td> + <td class='c007'>25</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>MISS PARDOE’S WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Jealous Wife,</td> + <td class='c007'>50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Confessions of a Pretty Woman,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Wife’s Trials,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Rival Beauties,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Romance of the Harem,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>The five above books are also bound in one volume, cloth, for $4.00.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class='c012'>The Adopted Heir. One volume, paper, $1.50, or cloth, $2.00.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The Earl’s Secret. By Miss Pardoe, one vol., paper $1.50, or cloth, $2.00.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>G. P. R. JAMES’S BEST BOOKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Lord Montague’s Page,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Cavalier,</td> + <td class='c007'>1 50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p class='c012'>The above are in paper cover, or each one in cloth, price $2.00 each.</p> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>The Man in Black,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Mary of Burgundy,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Arrah Neil,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Eva St. Clair,</td> + <td class='c007'>50</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>BEST COOK BOOKS PUBLISHED.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Mrs. Goodfellow’s Cookery as it Should Be,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Petersons’ New Cook Book,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Miss Leslie’s New Cookery Book,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Widdifield’s New Cook Book,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Mrs. Hale’s Receipts for the Million,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Miss Leslie’s New Receipts for Cooking,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Mrs. Hale’s New Cook Book,</td> + <td class='c007'>2 00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Francatelli’s Celebrated Cook Book. The Modern Cook. With Sixty-two illustrations, 600 large octavo pages,</td> + <td class='c007'>5 00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>CHARLES LEVER’S BEST WORKS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Charles O’Malley,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Harry Lorrequer,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Jack Hinton,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Tom Burke of Ours,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Knight of Gwynne,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Arthur O’Leary,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Con Cregan,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Davenport Dunn,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c007'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c009' colspan='2'>Above are in paper, or in cloth, price $2.00 a volume.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'> </td> + <td class='c007'> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Horace Templeton,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c008'>Kate O’Donoghue,</td> + <td class='c007'>75</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>☞ Books sent, postage paid, on receipt of the Retail Price, by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia, Pa.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div>GET UP YOUR CLUBS FOR 1867!</div> + <div class='c002'>THE BEST AND CHEAPEST IN THE WORLD!</div> + <div class='c002'><span class='xlarge'>PETERSON’S MAGAZINE.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>This popular Monthly contains more for the money than any Magazine +in the world. In 1867, it will have nearly 1000 pages, 14 steel plates, 12 double-sized +mammoth colored steel fashion plates, and 900 wood engravings—and all +this for only TWO DOLLARS A YEAR, or a dollar less than magazines of its class. +Every lady ought to take “Peterson.” In the general advance of prices, it is +<span class='sc'>the only Magazine that has not raised its Price</span>. It is, therefore, emphatically,</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div><span class='large'>THE MAGAZINE FOR THE TIMES.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>In addition to the usual number of shorter stories, there will be given +in 1867, <span class='sc'>Four Original Copy-righted Novelets</span>, viz:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>RUBY GRAY’S REVENGE, by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens.</div> + <div class='line in16'>A LONG JOURNEY, by the Author of “Margaret Howth.”</div> + <div class='line'>CARRY’S COMING OUT, by Frank Lee Benedict.</div> + <div class='line in16'>A BOLD STROKE FOR A HUSBAND, by Ella Rodman.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>In its Illustrations also, “Peterson” is unrivalled. The Publisher challenges +a comparison between its</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>SUPERB MEZZOTINTS & other STEEL ENGRAVINGS</div> + <div class='c002'>And those in other Magazines, and one at least is given in each number.</div> + <div class='c003'>DOUBLE-SIZE COLORED FASHION PLATES</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Each number will contain a double-size Fashion plate, engraved on steel and +handsomely colored. These plates contain from four to six figures each, and +excel anything of the kind. In addition, wood-cuts of the newest bonnets, hats, +caps, head dresses, cloaks, jackets, ball dresses, walking dresses, house dresses, +&c., &c., will appear in each number. Also, the greatest variety of children’s +dresses. Also diagrams, by aid of which a cloak, dress, or child’s costume can +be cut out, without the aid of a mantua-maker, so that each diagram in this way +alone, <em>will save a year’s subscription</em>. The Paris, London, Philadelphia and New +York fashions described, in full, each month.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><em>COLORED PATTERNS IN EMBROIDERY, CROCHET, &c.</em></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>The Work-Table Department of this Magazine <span class='sc'>Is Wholly Unrivaled</span>. +Every number contains a dozen or more patterns in every variety of Fancy work; +Crochet, Embroidery, Knitting, Bead-work, Shell-work, Hair-work, &c., +&c., &c. <span class='sc'>Superb Colored Patterns for Slippers, Purses, Chair Seats</span>, &c., +given—each of which at a retail store would cost Fifty cents.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>“OUR NEW COOK-BOOK.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>The Original Household Receipts of “Peterson” are quite famous. For 1867 +our “<span class='sc'>Cook-Book</span>” will be continued: <span class='sc'>Every One of these Receipts has been +Tested</span>. This alone will be worth the price of “Peterson.” Other Receipts for +the Toilette, Sick-room, &c., &c., will be given.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='sc'>New and Fashionable Music</span> in every number. Also, Hints on Horticulture, +Equestrianism, and all matters interesting to ladies.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>TERMS—ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<table class='table1'> + <tr> + <td class='c015'>1</td> + <td class='c008'>Copy, for one year.</td> + <td class='c016'>$2.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c015'>3</td> + <td class='c008'>Copies, for one year.</td> + <td class='c016'>4.50</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c015'>4</td> + <td class='c008'>Copies, for one year.</td> + <td class='c016'>6.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c015'>5</td> + <td class='c008'>Copies, (and 1 to getter up Club.)</td> + <td class='c016'>8.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c015'>8</td> + <td class='c008'>Copies, (and 1 to getter up Club.)</td> + <td class='c016'>12.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c015'>14</td> + <td class='c008'>Copies, (and 1 to getter up Club.)</td> + <td class='c016'>20.00</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p class='c012'><strong>A CHOICE OF PREMIUMS.</strong> Where a person is entitled to an +extra copy for getting up a club, there will be sent, if preferred, instead of the +extra copy, a superb premium mezzotint for framing, (size 27 inches by 20,) +“<span class='sc'>Washington parting from his Generals</span>,” or a <span class='sc'>Lady’s Illustrated Album</span>, +handsomely bound and gilt, or either of the famous “<span class='sc'>Bunyan Mezzotints</span>,” the +same size as the “<span class='sc'>Washington</span>.” <em>Always state whether an extra copy or one of +these other premiums is preferred</em>: and notice that for Clubs of three or four, no +premiums are given. <span class='sc'>In remitting</span>, get a post-office order, or a draft on Philadelphia +or New York: if neither of these can be had, send greenbacks or bank +notes.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><em>Address, post-paid</em>,</div> + <div>CHARLES J. PETERSON,</div> + <div>No. 306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>☞ Specimens sent to those wishing to get up clubs.</p> +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c004'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + + <ul class='ul_1 c003'> + <li>Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75522 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e (with regex) on 2025-02-11 05:47:58 GMT --> +</html> + |