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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9407-h.zip b/9407-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ef4085 --- /dev/null +++ b/9407-h.zip diff --git a/9407-h/9407-h.htm b/9407-h/9407-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..02ca318 --- /dev/null +++ b/9407-h/9407-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3635 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Little Colonel, by Annie Fellows Johnston + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Little Colonel, by Annie Fellows Johnston + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Colonel + +Author: Annie Fellows Johnston + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9407] +Last Updated: February 6, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LITTLE COLONEL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Annie Fellows Johnston + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1895 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S DEAREST LITTLE DAUGHTERS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + The Little Colonel + </h4> + <h5> + HERSELF--THIS REMEMBRANCE OF A HAPPY SUMMER<br /> IS AFFECTIONATELY + INSCRIBED + </h5> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + TABLE OF CONTENTS + </h2> + <p> + <a href="#linkCHAPTER_I.">I</a><br /> <a href="#linkCHAPTER_III.">II</a><br /> + <a href="#linkCHAPTER_III.">III</a><br /> <a href="#linkCHAPTER_IV.">IV</a><br /> + <a href="#linkCHAPTER_V.">V</a><br /> <a href="#linkCHAPTER_VI.">VI</a><br /> + <a href="#linkCHAPTER_VII.">VII</a><br /> <a href="#linkCHAPTER_VIII.">VIII</a><br /> + <a href="#linkCHAPTER_IX.">IX</a><br /> <a href="#linkCHAPTER_X.">X</a><br /> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + </h2> + <hr style="width: 25%;" /> + <blockquote> + <p> + <a href="#link0002.jpg">"'CAUSE I'M SO MUCH LIKE YOU,' WAS THE STARTLING + ANSWER".</a><br /> <a href="#link0003.jpg">"THE SAME TEMPER SEEMED TO BE + BURNING IN THE EYES OF THE CHILD".</a><br /> <a href="#link0004.jpg">"WITH + THE PARROT PERCHED ON THE BROOM SHE WAS CARRYING".</a><br /> <a + href="#link0005.jpg">"THE LITTLE COLONEL CLATTERED UP AND DOWN THE + HALL".</a><br /> <a href="#link0006.jpg">"SINGING AT THE TOP OF HER + VOICE".</a><br /> <a href="#link0007.jpg">"'TELL ME GOOD-BY, BABY DEAR,' + SAID MRS. SHERMAN".</a><br /> <a href="#link0008.jpg">"'AMANTHIS,' + REPEATED THE CHILD DREAMILY".</a><br /> <a href="#link0009.jpg">"SHE + CLIMBED UP IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR".</a><br /> <a href="#link0010.jpg">"THE + SWEET LITTLE VOICE SANG IT TO THE END".</a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + The Little Colonel + </h1> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_I." id="linkCHAPTER_I."></a>CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + It was one of the prettiest places in all Kentucky where the Little + Colonel stood that morning. She was reaching up on tiptoes, her eager + little face pressed close against the iron bars of the great entrance gate + that led to a fine old estate known as "Locust." + </p> + <p> + A ragged little Scotch and Skye terrier stood on its hind feet beside her, + thrusting his inquisitive nose between the bars, and wagging his tasselled + tail in lively approval of the scene before them. + </p> + <p> + They were looking down a long avenue that stretched for nearly a quarter + of a mile between rows of stately old locust-trees. + </p> + <p> + At the far end they could see the white pillars of a large stone house + gleaming through the Virginia creeper that nearly covered it. But they + could not see the old Colonel in his big chair on the porch behind the + cool screen of vines. + </p> + <p> + At that very moment he had caught the rattle of wheels along the road, and + had picked up his field-glass to see who was passing. It was only a + coloured man jogging along in the heat and dust with a cart full of + chicken-coops. The Colonel watched him drive up a lane that led to the + back of the new hotel that had just been opened in this quiet country + place. Then his glance fell on the two small strangers coming through his + gate down the avenue toward him. One was the friskiest dog he had ever + seen in his life. The other was a child he judged to be about five years + old. + </p> + <p> + Her shoes were covered with dust, and her white sunbonnet had slipped off + and was hanging over her shoulders. A bunch of wild flowers she had + gathered on the way hung limp and faded in her little warm hand. Her soft, + light hair was cut as short as a boy's. + </p> + <p> + There was something strangely familiar about the child, especially in the + erect, graceful way she walked. + </p> + <p> + Old Colonel Lloyd was puzzled. He had lived all his life in Lloydsborough, + and this was the first time he had ever failed to recognize one of the + neighbours' children. He knew every dog and horse, too, by sight if not by + name. + </p> + <p> + Living so far from the public road did not limit his knowledge of what was + going on in the world. A powerful field-glass brought every passing object + in plain view, while he was saved all annoyance of noise and dust. + </p> + <p> + "I ought to know that child as well as I know my own name," he said to + himself. "But the dog is a stranger in these parts. Liveliest thing I ever + set eyes on! They must have come from the hotel. Wonder what they want." + </p> + <p> + He carefully wiped the lens for a better view. When he looked again he saw + that they evidently had not come to visit him. + </p> + <p> + They had stopped half-way down the avenue, and climbed up on a rustic seat + to rest. + </p> + <p> + The dog sat motionless about two minutes, his red tongue hanging out as if + he were completely exhausted. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he gave a spring, and bounded away through the tall blue grass. + He was back again in a moment, with a stick in his mouth. Standing up with + his fore paws in the lap of his little mistress, he looked so wistfully + into her face that she could not refuse this invitation for a romp. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel chuckled as they went tumbling about in the grass to find the + stick which the child repeatedly tossed away. + </p> + <p> + He hitched his chair along to the other end of the porch as they kept + getting farther away from the avenue. + </p> + <p> + It had been many a long year since those old locust-trees had seen a sight + like that. Children never played any more under their dignified shadows. + </p> + <p> + Time had been (but they only whispered this among themselves on rare + spring days like this) when the little feet chased each other up and down + the long walk, as much at home as the pewees in the beeches. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the little maid stood up straight, and began to sniff the air, as + if some delicious odour had blown across the lawn. + </p> + <p> + "Fritz," she exclaimed, in delight, "I 'mell 'trawberries!" + </p> + <p> + The Colonel, who could not hear the remark, wondered at the abrupt pause + in the game. He understood it, however, when he saw them wading through + the tall grass, straight to his strawberry bed. It was the pride of his + heart, and the finest for miles around. The first berries of the season + had been picked only the day before. Those that now hung temptingly red on + the vines he intended to send to his next neighbour, to prove his boasted + claim of always raising the finest and earliest fruit. + </p> + <p> + He did not propose to have his plans spoiled by these stray guests. Laying + the field-glass in its accustomed place on the little table beside his + chair, he picked up his hat and strode down the walk. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Lloyd's friends all said he looked like Napoleon, or rather like + Napoleon might have looked had he been born and bred a Kentuckian. + </p> + <p> + He made an imposing figure in his suit of white duck. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel always wore white from May till October. + </p> + <p> + There was a military precision about him, from his erect carriage to the + cut of the little white goatee on his determined chin. + </p> + <p> + No one looking into the firm lines of his resolute face could imagine him + ever abandoning a purpose or being turned aside when he once formed an + opinion. + </p> + <p> + Most children were afraid of him. The darkies about the place shook in + their shoes when he frowned. They had learned from experience that "ole + Marse Lloyd had a tigah of a tempah in him." + </p> + <p> + As he passed down the walk there were two mute witnesses to his old + soldier life. A spur gleamed on his boot heel, for he had just returned + from his morning ride, and his right sleeve hung empty. + </p> + <p> + He had won his title bravely. He had given his only son and his strong + right arm to the Southern cause. That had been nearly thirty years ago. + </p> + <p> + He did not charge down on the enemy with his usual force this time. The + little head, gleaming like sunshine in the strawberry patch, reminded him + so strongly of a little fellow who used to follow him everywhere,--Tom, + the sturdiest, handsomest boy in the county,--Tom, whom he had been so + proud of, whom he had so nearly worshipped. + </p> + <p> + Looking at this fair head bent over the vines, he could almost forget that + Tom had ever outgrown his babyhood, that he had shouldered a rifle and + followed him to camp, a mere boy, to be shot down by a Yankee bullet in + his first battle. + </p> + <p> + The old Colonel could almost believe he had him back again, and that he + stood in the midst of those old days the locusts sometimes whispered + about. + </p> + <p> + He could not hear the happiest of little voices that was just then saying, + "Oh, Fritz, isn't you glad we came? An' isn't you glad we've got a + gran'fathah with such good 'trawberries?" + </p> + <p> + It was hard for her to put the "s" before her consonants. + </p> + <p> + As the Colonel came nearer she tossed another berry into the dog's mouth. + A twig snapped, and she raised a startled face toward him. + </p> + <p> + "Suh?" she said, timidly, for it seemed to her that the stern, piercing + eyes had spoken. + </p> + <p> + "What are you doing here, child?" he asked, in a voice so much kinder than + his eyes that she regained her usual self-possession at once. + </p> + <p> + "Eatin' 'trawberries," she answered, coolly. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you, anyway?" he exclaimed, much puzzled. As he asked the + question his gaze happened to rest on the dog, who was peering at him + through the ragged, elfish wisps of hair nearly covering its face, with + eyes that were startlingly human. + </p> + <p> + "'Peak when yo'ah 'poken to, Fritz," she said, severely, at the same time + popping another luscious berry into her mouth. Fritz obediently gave a + long yelp. The Colonel smiled grimly. + </p> + <p> + "What's your name?" he asked, this time looking directly at her. + </p> + <p> + "Mothah calls me her baby," was the soft-spoken reply, "but papa an' Mom + Beck they calls me the Little Cun'l." + </p> + <p> + "What under the sun do they call you that for?" he roared. + </p> + <p> + "'Cause I'm so much like you," was the startling answer. + </p> + <p> + "Like me!" fairly gasped the Colonel. "How are you like me?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm got such a vile tempah, an' I stamps my foot when I gets mad, an' + gets all red in the face. An' I hollahs at folks, an' looks jus' zis way." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0002.jpg" id="link0002.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="ctr"> + <img src="images/0002.jpg" width="60%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + She drew her face down and puckered her lips into such a sullen pout that + it looked as if a thunder-storm had passed over it. The next instant she + smiled up at him serenely. The Colonel laughed. "What makes you think I am + like that?" he said. "You never saw me before." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I have too," she persisted. "You's a-hangin' in a gold frame over + ou' mantel." + </p> + <p> + Just then a clear, high voice was heard calling out in the road. + </p> + <p> + The child started up in alarm. "Oh, deah," she exclaimed in dismay, at + sight of the stains on her white dress, where she had been kneeling on the + fruit, "that's Mom Beck. Now I'll be tied up, and maybe put to bed for + runnin' away again. But the berries is mighty nice," she added, politely. + "Good mawnin', suh. Fritz, we mus' be goin' now." + </p> + <p> + The voice was coming nearer. + </p> + <p> + "I'll walk down to the gate with you," said the Colonel, anxious to learn + something more about his little guest. "Oh, you'd bettah not, suh!" she + cried in alarm. "Mom Beck doesn't like you a bit. She just hates you! + She's goin' to give you a piece of her mind the next time she sees you. I + heard her tell Aunt Nervy so." + </p> + <p> + There was as much real distress in the child's voice as if she were + telling him of a promised flogging. + </p> + <p> + "Lloyd! Aw, Lloy-eed!" the call came again. + </p> + <p> + A neat-looking coloured woman glanced in at the gate as she was passing + by, and then stood still in amazement. She had often found her little + charge playing along the roadside or hiding behind trees, but she had + never before known her to pass through any one's gate. + </p> + <p> + As the name came floating down to him through the clear air, a change came + over the Colonel's stern face. He stooped over the child. His hand + trembled as he put it under her soft chin and raised her eyes to his. + </p> + <p> + "Lloyd, Lloyd!" he repeated, in a puzzled way. "Can it be possible? There + certainly is a wonderful resemblance. You have my little Tom's hair, and + only my baby Elizabeth ever had such hazel eyes." + </p> + <p> + He caught her up in his one arm, and strode on to the gate, where the + coloured woman stood. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Becky, is that you?" he cried, recognizing an old, trusted servant + who had lived at Locust in his wife's lifetime. + </p> + <p> + Her only answer was a sullen nod. + </p> + <p> + "Whose child is this?" he asked, eagerly, without seeming to notice her + defiant looks. "Tell me if you can." + </p> + <p> + "How can I tell you, suh," she demanded, indignantly, "when you have + fo'bidden even her name to be spoken befo' you?" + </p> + <p> + A harsh look came into the Colonel's eyes. He put the child hastily down, + and pressed his lips together. + </p> + <p> + "Don't tie my sunbonnet, Mom Beck," she begged. Then she waved her hand + with an engaging smile. + </p> + <p> + "Good-bye, suh," she said, graciously. "We've had a mighty nice time!" + </p> + <p> + The Colonel took off his hat with his usual courtly bow, but he spoke no + word in reply. + </p> + <p> + When the last flutter of her dress had disappeared around the bend of the + road, he walked slowly back toward the house. + </p> + <p> + Half-way down the long avenue where she had stopped to rest, he sat down + on the same rustic seat. He could feel her soft little fingers resting on + his neck, where they had lain when he carried her to the gate. + </p> + <p> + A very un-Napoleonlike mist blurred his sight for a moment. It had been so + long since such a touch had thrilled him, so long since any caress had + been given him. + </p> + <p> + More than a score of years had gone by since Tom had been laid in a + soldier's grave, and the years that Elizabeth had been lost to him seemed + almost a lifetime. + </p> + <p> + And this was Elizabeth's little daughter. Something very warm and sweet + seemed to surge across his heart as he thought of the Little Colonel. He + was glad, for a moment, that they called her that; glad that his only + grandchild looked enough like himself for others to see the resemblance. + </p> + <p> + But the feeling passed as he remembered that his daughter had married + against his wishes, and he had closed his doors for ever against her. + </p> + <p> + The old bitterness came back redoubled in its force. + </p> + <p> + The next instant he was stamping down the avenue, roaring for Walker, his + body-servant, in such a tone that the cook's advice was speedily taken: + "Bettah hump yo'self outen dis heah kitchen befo' de ole tigah gits to + lashin' roun' any pearter." + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_II." id="linkCHAPTER_II."></a>CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck carried the ironing-board out of the hot kitchen, set the irons + off the stove, and then tiptoed out to the side porch of the little + cottage. + </p> + <p> + "Is yo' head feelin' any bettah, honey?" she said to the pretty, + girlish-looking woman lying in the hammock. "I promised to step up to the + hotel this evenin' to see one of the chambah-maids. I thought I'd take the + Little Cun'l along with me if you was willin'. She's always wild to play + with Mrs. Wyford's children up there." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I'm better, Becky," was the languid reply. "Put a clean dress on + Lloyd if you are going to take her out." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman closed her eyes again, thinking gratefully, "Dear, faithful + old Becky! What a comfort she has been all my life, first as my nurse, and + now as Lloyd's! She is worth her weight in gold!" + </p> + <p> + The afternoon shadows were stretching long across the grass when Mom Beck + led the child up the green slope in front of the hotel. + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel had danced along so gaily with Fritz that her cheeks + glowed like wild roses. She made a quaint little picture with such short + sunny hair and dark eyes shining out from under the broad-brimmed white + hat she wore. + </p> + <p> + Several ladies who were sitting on the shady piazza, busy with their + embroidery, noticed her admiringly. "It's Elizabeth Lloyd's little + daughter," one of them explained. "Don't you remember what a scene there + was some years ago when she married a New York man? Sherman, I believe, + his name was, Jack Sherman. He was a splendid fellow, and enormously + wealthy. Nobody could say a word against him, except that he was a + Northerner. That was enough for the old Colonel, though. He hates Yankees + like poison. He stormed and swore, and forbade Elizabeth ever coming in + his sight again. He had her room locked up, and not a soul on the place + ever dares mention her name in his hearing." + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel sat down demurely on the piazza steps to wait for the + children. The nurse had not finished dressing them for the evening. + </p> + <p> + She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an illustrated weekly. + It was not long until she began to feel that the ladies were talking about + her. She had lived among older people so entirely that her thoughts were + much deeper than her baby speeches would lead one to suppose. + </p> + <p> + She understood dimly, from what she had heard the servants say, that there + was some trouble between her mother and grandfather. Now she heard it + rehearsed from beginning to end. She could not understand what they meant + by "bank failures" and "unfortunate investments," but she understood + enough to know that her father had lost nearly all his money, and had gone + West to make more. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman had moved from their elegant New York home two weeks ago to + this little cottage in Lloydsborough that her mother had left her. Instead + of the houseful of servants they used to have, there was only faithful Mom + Beck to do everything. + </p> + <p> + There was something magnetic in the child's eyes. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Wyford shrugged her shoulders uneasily as she caught their piercing + gaze fixed on her. + </p> + <p> + "I do believe that little witch understood every word I said," she + exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, certainly not," was the reassuring answer. "She's such a little + thing." + </p> + <p> + But she had heard it all, and understood enough to make her vaguely + unhappy. Going home she did not frisk along with Fritz, but walked soberly + by Mom Beck's side, holding tight to the friendly black hand. + </p> + <p> + "We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over the fence. + "It's not so long that way." + </p> + <p> + As they followed the narrow, straggling path into the cool dusk of the + woods, she began to sing. The crooning chant was as mournful as a funeral + dirge. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain.<br /> Fa'well, my dyin' + friends.<br /> I'm gwine to lie in the silent tomb.<br /> Fa'well, my + dyin' friends." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + A muffled little sob made her stop and look down in surprise. + </p> + <p> + "Why, what's the mattah, honey?" she exclaimed. "Did Emma Louise make you + mad? Or is you cryin' 'cause you're so ti'ed? Come! Ole Becky'll tote her + baby the rest of the way." + </p> + <p> + She picked the light form up in her arms, and, pressing the troubled + little face against her shoulder, resumed her walk and her song. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It's a world of trouble we're travellin' through,<br /> Fa'well, my + dyin' friends." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + "Oh, don't, Mom Beck," sobbed the child, throwing her arms around the + woman's neck, and crying as though her heart would break. + </p> + <p> + "Land sakes, what is the mattah?" she asked, in alarm. She sat down on a + mossy log, took off the white hat, and looked into the flushed, tearful + face. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, it makes me so lonesome when you sing that way," wailed the Little + Colonel. "I just can't 'tand it! Mom Beck, is my mothah's heart all + broken? Is that why she is sick so much, and will it kill her suah 'nuff?" + </p> + <p> + "Who's been tellin' you such nonsense?" asked the woman, sharply. + </p> + <p> + "Some ladies at the hotel were talkin' about it. They said that + gran'fathah didn't love her any moah, an' it was just a-killin' her." Mom + Beck frowned fiercely. + </p> + <p> + The child's grief was so deep and intense that she did not know just how + to quiet her. Then she said, decidedly, "Well, if that's all that's + a-troublin' you, you can jus' get down an' walk home on yo' own laigs. Yo' + mamma's a-grievin' 'cause yo' papa has to be away all the time. She's all + wo'n out, too, with the work of movin', when she's nevah been used to + doin' anything. But her heart isn't broke any moah'n my neck is." + </p> + <p> + The positive words and the decided toss Mom Beck gave her head settled the + matter for the Little Colonel. She wiped her eyes and stood up much + relieved. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you nevah go to worryin' 'bout what you heahs," continued the + woman. "I tell you p'intedly you cyarnt nevah b'lieve what you heahs." + </p> + <p> + "Why doesn't gran'fathah love my mothah?" asked the child, as they came in + sight of the cottage. She had puzzled over the knotty problem all the way + home. "How can papas not love their little girls?" + </p> + <p> + "'Cause he's stubbo'n," was the unsatisfactory answer. "All the Lloyds is. + Yo' mamma's stubbo'n, an' you's stubbo'n--" + </p> + <p> + "I'm not!" shrieked the Little Colonel, stamping her foot. "You sha'n't + call me names!" + </p> + <p> + Then she saw a familiar white hand waving to her from the hammock, and she + broke away from Mom Beck with very red cheeks and very bright eyes. + </p> + <p> + Cuddled close in her mother's arms, she had a queer feeling that she had + grown a great deal older in that short afternoon. + </p> + <p> + Maybe she had. For the first time in her little life she kept her troubles + to herself, and did not once mention the thought that was uppermost in her + mind. + </p> + <p> + "Yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah is comin' this mawnin'," said Mom Beck, the + day after their visit to the hotel. "Do fo' goodness' sake keep yo'self + clean. I'se got too many spring chickens to dress to think 'bout dressin' + you up again." + </p> + <p> + "Did I evah see her befo'?" questioned the Little Colonel. + </p> + <p> + "Why, yes, the day we moved heah. Don't you know she came and stayed so + long, and the rockah broke off the little white rockin'-chair when she sat + down in it?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, now I know!" laughed the child. "She's the big fat one with curls + hangin' round her yeahs like shavin's. I don't like her, Mom Beck. She + keeps a-kissin' me all the time, an' a-'queezin' me, an' tellin' me to sit + on her lap an' be a little lady. Mom Beck, I de'pise to be a little lady." + </p> + <p> + There was no answer to her last remark. Mom Beck had stepped into the + pantry for more eggs for the cake she was making. + </p> + <p> + "Fritz," said the Little Colonel, "yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah's comin' + this mawnin', an' if you don't want to say 'howdy' to her you'll have to + come with me." + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later a resolute little figure squeezed between the palings + of the garden fence down by the gooseberry bushes. + </p> + <p> + "Now walk on your tiptoes, Fritz!" commanded the Little Colonel, "else + somebody will call us back." + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck, busy with her extra baking, supposed she was with her mother on + the shady, vine-covered porch. + </p> + <p> + She would not have been singing quite so gaily if she could have seen half + a mile up the road. + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel was sitting in the weeds by the railroad track, + deliberately taking off her shoes and stockings. + </p> + <p> + "Just like a little niggah," she said, delightedly, as she stretched out + her bare feet. "Mom Beck says I ought to know bettah. But it does feel so + good!" + </p> + <p> + No telling how long she might have sat there enjoying the forbidden + pleasure of dragging her rosy toes through the warm dust, if she had not + heard a horse's hoof-beats coming rapidly along. + </p> + <p> + "Fritz, it's gran'fathah," she whispered, in alarm, recognizing the erect + figure of the rider in its spotless suit of white duck. + </p> + <p> + "Sh! lie down in the weeds, quick! Lie down, I say!" They both made + themselves as flat as possible, and lay there panting with the exertion of + keeping still. + </p> + <p> + Presently the Little Colonel raised her head cautiously. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, he's gone down that lane!" she exclaimed. "Now you can get up." After + a moment's deliberation she asked, "Fritz, would you rathah have some + 'trawberries an' be tied up fo' runnin' away, or not be tied up and not + have any of those nice tas'en 'trawberries?" + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_III." id="linkCHAPTER_III."></a>CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Two hours later, Colonel Lloyd, riding down the avenue under the locusts, + was surprised by a novel sight on his stately front steps. + </p> + <p> + Three little darkies and a big flop-eared hound were crouched on the + bottom step, looking up at the Little Colonel, who sat just above them. + </p> + <p> + She was industriously stirring something in an old rusty pan with a big, + battered spoon. + </p> + <p> + "Now, May Lilly," she ordered, speaking to the largest and blackest of the + group, "you run an' find some nice 'mooth pebbles to put in for raisins. + Henry Clay, you go get me some moah sand. This is 'most too wet." + </p> + <p> + "Here, you little pickaninnies!" roared the Colonel, as he recognized the + cook's children. "What did I tell you about playing around here, tracking + dirt all over my premises? You just chase back to the cabin where you + belong!" + </p> + <p> + The sudden call startled Lloyd so that she dropped the pan, and the great + mud pie turned upside down on the white steps. + </p> + <p> + "Well, you're a pretty sight!" said the Colonel, as he glanced with + disgust from her soiled dress and muddy hands to her bare feet. + </p> + <p> + He had been in a bad humour all morning. The sight of the steps covered + with sand and muddy tracks gave him an excuse to give vent to his cross + feelings. + </p> + <p> + It was one of his theories that a little girl should always be kept as + fresh and dainty as a flower. He had never seen his own little daughter in + such a plight as this, and she had never been allowed to step outside of + her own room without her shoes and stockings. + </p> + <p> + "What does your mother mean," he cried, savagely, "by letting you run + barefooted around the country just like poor white trash? An' what are you + playing with low-flung niggers for? Haven't you ever been taught any + better? I suppose it's some of your father's miserable Yankee notions." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0003.jpg" id="link0003.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="lft"> + <img src="images/0003.jpg" width="56%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + May Lilly, peeping around the corner of the house, rolled her frightened + eyes from one angry face to the other. The same temper that glared from + the face of the man, sitting erect in his saddle, seemed to be burning in + the eyes of the child, who stood so defiantly before him. The same kind of + scowl drew their eyebrows together darkly. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you talk that way to me," cried the Little Colonel, trembling with + a wrath she did not know how to express. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she stooped, and snatching both hands full of mud from the + overturned pie, flung it wildly over the spotless white coat. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Lloyd gasped with astonishment. It was the first time in his life + he had ever been openly defied. The next moment his anger gave way to + amusement. + </p> + <p> + "By George!" he chuckled, admiringly. "The little thing has got spirit, + sure enough. She's a Lloyd through and through. So that's why they call + her the 'Little Colonel,' is it?" + </p> + <p> + There was a tinge of pride in the look he gave her haughty little head and + flashing eyes. "There, there, child!" he said, soothingly. "I didn't mean + to make you mad, when you were good enough to come and see me. It isn't + often I have a little lady like you pay me a visit." + </p> + <p> + "I didn't come to see you, suh," she answered, indignantly, as she started + toward the gate. "I came to see May Lilly. But I nevah would have come + inside yo' gate if I'd known you was goin' to hollah at me an' be so + cross." + </p> + <p> + She was walking off with the air of an offended queen, when the Colonel + remembered that if he allowed her to go away in that mood she would + probably never set foot on his grounds again. Her display of temper had + interested him immensely. + </p> + <p> + Now that he had laughed off his ill humour, he was anxious to see what + other traits of character she possessed. He wheeled his horse across the + walk to bar her way, and quickly dismounted. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, now, wait a minute," he said, in a coaxing tone. "Don't you want a + nice big saucer of strawberries and cream before you go? Walker's picking + some now. And you haven't seen my hothouse. It's just full of the + loveliest flowers you ever saw. You like roses, don't you, and pinks and + lilies and pansies?" + </p> + <p> + He saw he had struck the right chord as soon as he mentioned the flowers. + The sullen look vanished as if by magic. Her face changed as suddenly as + an April day. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes!" she cried, with a beaming smile. "I loves 'm bettah than + anything!" + </p> + <p> + He tied his horse, and led the way to the conservatory. He opened the door + for her to pass through, and then watched her closely to see what + impression it would make on her. He had expected a delighted exclamation + of surprise, for he had good reason to be proud of his rare plants. They + were arranged with a true artist's eye for colour and effect. + </p> + <p> + She did not say a word for a moment, but drew a long breath, while the + delicate pink in her cheeks deepened and her eyes lighted up. Then she + began going slowly from flower to flower, laying her face against the + cool, velvety purple of the pansies, touching the roses with her lips, and + tilting the white lily-cups to look into their golden depths. + </p> + <p> + As she passed from one to another as lightly as a butterfly might have + done, she began chanting in a happy undertone. + </p> + <p> + Ever since she had learned to talk she had a quaint little way of singing + to herself. All the names that pleased her fancy she strung together in a + crooning melody of her own. + </p> + <p> + There was no special tune. It sounded happy, although nearly always in a + minor key. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, the jonquils an' the lilies!" she sang. "All white an' gold an' + yellow. Oh, they're all a-smilin' at me, an' a-sayin' howdy! howdy!" + </p> + <p> + She was so absorbed in her intense enjoyment that she forgot all about the + old Colonel. She was wholly unconscious that he was watching or listening. + </p> + <p> + "She really does love them," he thought, complacently. "To see her face + one would think she had found a fortune." + </p> + <p> + It was another bond between them. + </p> + <p> + After awhile he took a small basket from the wall, and began to fill it + with his choicest blooms. "You shall have these to take home," he said. + "Now come into the house and get your strawberries." + </p> + <p> + She followed him reluctantly, turning back several times for one more long + sniff of the delicious fragrance. + </p> + <p> + She was not at all like the Colonel's ideal of what a little girl should + be, as she sat in one of the high, stiff chairs, enjoying her + strawberries. Her dusty little toes wriggled around in the curls on + Fritz's back, as she used him for a footstool. Her dress was draggled and + dirty, and she kept leaning over to give the dog berries and cream from + the spoon she was eating with herself. + </p> + <p> + He forgot all this, however, when she began to talk to him. + </p> + <p> + "My great-aunt Sally Tylah is to our house this mawnin'," she announced, + confidentially. "That's why we came off. Do you know my Aunt Sally Tylah?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, slightly!" chuckled the Colonel. "She was my wife's half-sister. So + you don't like her, eh? Well, I don't like her either." + </p> + <p> + He threw back his head and laughed heartily. The more the child talked the + more entertaining he found her. He did not remember when he had ever been + so amused before as he was by this tiny counterpart of himself. + </p> + <p> + When the last berry had vanished, she slipped down from the tall chair. + </p> + <p> + "Do you 'pose it's very late?" she asked, in an anxious voice. "Mom Beck + will be comin' for me soon." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, it is nearly noon," he answered. "It didn't do much good to run away + from your Aunt Tyler; she'll see you after all." + </p> + <p> + "Well, she can't 'queeze me an' kiss me, 'cause I've been naughty, an' + I'll be put to bed like I was the othah day, just as soon as I get home. I + 'most wish I was there now," she sighed. "It's so fa' an' the sun's so + hot. I lost my sunbonnet when I was comin' heah, too." + </p> + <p> + Something in the tired, dirty face prompted the old Colonel to say, "Well, + my horse hasn't been put away yet. I'll take you home on Maggie Boy." + </p> + <p> + The next moment he repented making such an offer, thinking what the + neighbours might say if they should meet him on the road with Elizabeth's + child in his arm. + </p> + <p> + But it was too late. He could not unclasp the trusting little hand that + was slipped in his. He could not cloud the happiness of the eager little + face by retracting his promise. + </p> + <p> + He swung himself into the saddle, with her in front. Then he put his one + arm around her with a firm clasp, as he reached forward to take the + bridle. + </p> + <p> + "You couldn't take Fritz on behin', could you?" she asked, anxiously. + "He's mighty ti'ed too." + </p> + <p> + "No," said the Colonel, with a laugh. "Maggie Boy might object and throw + us all off." + </p> + <p> + Hugging her basket of flowers close in her arms, she leaned her head + against him contentedly as they cantered down the avenue. + </p> + <p> + "Look!" whispered all the locusts, waving their hands to each other + excitedly. "Look! The master has his own again. The dear old times are + coming back to us." + </p> + <p> + "How the trees blow!" exclaimed the child, looking up at the green arch + overhead. "See! They's all a-noddin' to each othah." "We'll have to get my + shoes an' 'tockin's," she said, presently, when they were nearly home. + "They're in that fence cawnah behin' a log." + </p> + <p> + The Colonel obediently got down and handed them to her. As he mounted + again he saw a carriage coming toward them. He recognized one of his + nearest neighbours. Striking the astonished Maggie Boy with his spur, he + turned her across the railroad track, down the steep embankment, and into + an unfrequented lane. + </p> + <p> + "This road is just back of your garden," he said. "Can you get through the + fence if I take you there?" + </p> + <p> + "That's the way we came out," was the answer. "See that hole where the + palin's are off?" + </p> + <p> + Just as he was about to lift her down, she put one arm around his neck, + and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Good-bye, gran'fatha'," she said, in + her most winning way. "I've had a mighty nice time." Then she added, in a + lower tone, "'Kuse me fo' throwin' mud on yo' coat." + </p> + <p> + He held her close a moment, thinking nothing had ever before been half so + sweet as the way she called him grandfather. + </p> + <p> + From that moment his heart went out to her as it had to little Tom and + Elizabeth. It made no difference if her mother had forfeited his love. It + made no difference if Jack Sherman was her father, and that the two men + heartily hated each other. + </p> + <p> + It was his own little grandchild he held in his arms. + </p> + <p> + She had sealed the relationship with a trusting kiss. + </p> + <p> + "Child," he said, huskily, "you will come and see me again, won't you, no + matter if they do tell you not to? You shall have all the flowers and + berries you want, and you can ride Maggie Boy as often as you please." + </p> + <p> + She looked up into his face. It was very familiar to her. She had looked + at his portrait often, unconsciously recognizing a kindred spirit that she + longed to know. + </p> + <p> + Her ideas of grandfathers, gained from stories and observation, led her to + class them with fairy godmothers. She had always wished for one. + </p> + <p> + The day they moved to Lloydsborough, Locust had been pointed out to her as + her grandfather's home. From that time on she slipped away with Fritz on + every possible occasion to peer through the gate, hoping for a glimpse of + him. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I'll come suah!" she promised. "I likes you just lots, gran'fathah!" + He watched her scramble through the hole in the fence. Then he turned his + horse's head slowly homeward. + </p> + <p> + A scrap of white lying on the grass attracted his attention as he neared + the gate. + </p> + <p> + "It's the lost sunbonnet," he said, with a smile. He carried it into the + house, and hung it on the hat-rack in the wide front hall. + </p> + <p> + "Ole marse is crosser'n two sticks," growled Walker to the cook at dinner. + "There ain't no livin' with him. What do you s'pose is the mattah?" + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_IV." id="linkCHAPTER_IV."></a>CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck was busy putting lunch on the table when the Little Colonel + looked in at the kitchen door. + </p> + <p> + So she did not see a little tramp, carrying her shoes in one hand, and a + basket in the other, who paused there a moment. But when she took up the + pan of beaten biscuit she was puzzled to find that several were missing. + </p> + <p> + "It beats my time," she said, aloud. "The parrot couldn't have reached + them, an' Lloyd an' the dog have been in the pa'lah all mawnin'. Somethin' + has jus' natch'ly done sperrited 'em away." + </p> + <p> + Fritz was gravely licking his lips, and the Little Colonel had her mouth + full, when they suddenly made their appearance on the front porch. + </p> + <p> + Aunt Sally Tyler gave a little shriek, and stopped rocking. + </p> + <p> + "Why, Lloyd Sherman!" gasped her mother, in dismay. "Where have you been? + I thought you were with Becky all the time. I was sure I heard you singing + out there a little while ago." + </p> + <p> + "I've been to see my gran'fathah," said the child, speaking very fast. "I + made mud pies on his front 'teps, an' we both of us got mad, an' I throwed + mud on him, an' he gave me some 'trawberries an' all these flowers, an' + brought me home on Maggie Boy." + </p> + <p> + She stopped out of breath. Mrs. Tyler and her niece exchanged astonished + glances. + </p> + <p> + "But, baby, how could you disgrace mother so by going up there looking + like a dirty little beggar?" + </p> + <p> + "He didn't care," replied Lloyd, calmly. "He made me promise to come + again, no mattah if you all did tell me not to." + </p> + <p> + Just then Becky announced that lunch was ready, and carried the child away + to make her presentable. + </p> + <p> + To Lloyd's great surprise she was not put to bed, but was allowed to go to + the table as soon as she was dressed. It was not long until she had told + every detail of the morning's experience. + </p> + <p> + While she was taking her afternoon nap, the two ladies sat out on the + porch, gravely discussing all she had told them. + </p> + <p> + "It doesn't seem right for me to allow her to go there," said Mrs. + Sherman, "after the way papa has treated us. I can never forgive him for + all the terrible things he has said about Jack, and I know Jack can never + be friends with him on account of what he has said about me. He has been + so harsh and unjust that I don't want my little Lloyd to have anything to + do with him. I wouldn't for worlds have him think that I encouraged her + going there." + </p> + <p> + "Well, yes, I know," answered her aunt, slowly. "But there are some things + to consider besides your pride, Elizabeth. There's the child herself, you + know. Now that Jack has lost so much, and your prospects are so uncertain, + you ought to think of her interests. It would be a pity for Locust to go + to strangers when it has been in your family for so many generations. + That's what it certainly will do unless something turns up to interfere. + Old Judge Woodard told me himself that your father had made a will, + leaving everything he owns to some medical institution. Imagine Locust + being turned into a sanitarium or a training-school for nurses!" + </p> + <p> + "Dear old place!" said Mrs. Sherman, with tears in her eyes. "No one ever + had a happier childhood than I passed under these old locusts. Every tree + seems like a friend. I would be glad for Lloyd to enjoy the place as I + did." + </p> + <p> + "I'd let her go as much as she pleases, Elizabeth. She's so much like the + old Colonel that they ought to understand each other, and get along + capitally. Who knows, it might end in you all making up some day." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman raised her head haughtily. "No, indeed, Aunt Sally. I can + forgive and forget much, but you are greatly mistaken if you think I can + go to such lengths as that. He closed his doors against me with a curse, + for no reason on earth but that the man I loved was born north of the + Mason and Dixon line. There never was a nobler man living than Jack, and + papa would have seen it if he hadn't deliberately shut his eyes and + refused to look at him. He was just prejudiced and stubborn." + </p> + <p> + Aunt Sally said nothing, but her thoughts took the shape of Mom Beck's + declaration, "The Lloyds is all stubborn." + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't go through his gate now if he got down on his knees and begged + me," continued Elizabeth, hotly. + </p> + <p> + "It's too bad," exclaimed her aunt; "he was always so perfectly devoted to + 'little daughter,' as he used to call you. I don't like him myself. We + never could get along together at all, because he is so high-strung and + overbearing. But I know it would have made your poor mother mighty unhappy + if she could have foreseen all this." + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth sat with the tears dropping down on her little white hands, as + her aunt proceeded to work on her sympathies in every way she could think + of. + </p> + <p> + Presently Lloyd came out all fresh and rosy from her long nap, and went to + play in the shade of the great beech-trees that guarded the cottage. + </p> + <p> + "I never saw a child with such influence over animals," said her mother, + as Lloyd came around the house with the parrot perched on the broom she + was carrying. "She'll walk right up to any strange dog and make friends + with it, no matter how savage-looking it is. And there's Polly, so old and + cross that she screams and scolds dreadfully if any of us go near her. But + Lloyd dresses her up in doll's clothes, puts paper bonnets on her, and + makes her just as uncomfortable as she pleases. Look! that is one of her + favourite amusements." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0004.jpg" id="link0004.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="rgt"> + <img src="images/0004.jpg" width="56%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel squeezed the parrot into a tiny doll carriage, and + began to trundle it back and forth as fast as she could run. + </p> + <p> + "Ha! ha!" screamed the bird. "Polly is a lady! Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + </p> + <p> + "She caught that from the washerwoman," laughed Mrs. Sherman. "I should + think the poor thing would be dizzy from whirling around so fast." + </p> + <p> + "Quit that, chillun; stop yo' fussin'," screamed Polly, as Lloyd grabbed + her up and began to pin a shawl around her neck. She clucked angrily, but + never once attempted to snap at the dimpled fingers that squeezed her + tight. Suddenly, as if her patience was completely exhausted, she uttered + a disdainful "Oh, pshaw!" and flew up into an old cedar-tree. + </p> + <p> + "Mothah! Polly won't play with me any moah," shrieked the child, flying + into a rage. She stamped and scowled and grew red in the face. Then she + began beating the trunk of the tree with the old broom she had been + carrying. + </p> + <p> + "Did you ever see anything so much like the old Colonel?" said Mrs. Tyler, + in astonishment. "I wonder if she acted that way this morning." + </p> + <p> + "I don't doubt it at all," answered Mrs. Sherman. "She'll be over it in + just a moment. These little spells never last long." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman was right. In a few moments Lloyd came up the walk, singing. + </p> + <p> + "I wish you'd tell me a pink story," she said, coaxingly, as she leaned + against her mother's knee. + </p> + <p> + "Not now, dear; don't you see that I am busy talking to Aunt Sally? Run + and ask Mom Beck for one." + </p> + <p> + "What on earth does she mean by a pink story?" asked Mrs. Tyler. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, she is so fond of colours. She is always asking for a pink or a blue + or a white story. She wants everything in the story tinged with whatever + colour she chooses,--dresses, parasols, flowers, sky, even the icing on + the cakes and the paper on the walls." + </p> + <p> + "What an odd little thing she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Tyler. "Isn't she lots + of company for you?" + </p> + <p> + She need not have asked that question if she could have seen them that + evening, sitting together in the early twilight. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd was in her mother's lap, leaning her head against her shoulder as + they rocked slowly back and forth on the dark porch. + </p> + <p> + There was an occasional rattle of wheels along the road, a twitter of + sleepy birds, a distant croaking of frogs. + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was stepping + briskly around. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Oh, the clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain.<br /> Fa'well, my + dyin' friends," + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + she sang. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd put her arms closer around her mother's neck. + </p> + <p> + "Let's talk about Papa Jack," she said. "What you 'pose he's doin' now, + 'way out West?" + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth, feeling like a tired, homesick child herself, held her close, + and was comforted as she listened to the sweet little voice talking about + the absent father. + </p> + <p> + The moon came up after awhile, and streamed in through the vines of the + porch. The hazel eyes slowly closed as Elizabeth began to hum an old-time + negro lullaby. + </p> + <p> + "Wondah if she'll run away to-morrow," whispered Mom Beck, as she came out + to carry her in the house. + </p> + <p> + "Who'd evah think now, lookin' at her pretty, innocent face, that she + could be so naughty? Bless her little soul!" + </p> + <p> + The kind old black face was laid lovingly a moment against the fair, soft + cheek of the Little Colonel. Then she lifted her in her strong arms, and + carried her gently away to bed. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_V." id="linkCHAPTER_V."></a>CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Summer lingers long among the Kentucky hills. Each passing day seemed + fairer than the last to the Little Colonel, who had never before known + anything of country life. + </p> + <p> + Roses climbed up and almost hid the small white cottage. Red birds sang in + the woodbine. Squirrels chattered in the beeches. She was out-of-doors all + day long. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes she spent hours watching the ants carry away the sugar she + sprinkled for them. Sometimes she caught flies for an old spider that had + his den under the porch steps. "He is an ogah" (ogre), she explained to + Fritz. "He's bewitched me so's I have to kill whole families of flies for + him to eat." + </p> + <p> + She was always busy and always happy. + </p> + <p> + Before June was half over it got to be a common occurrence for Walker to + ride up to the gate on the Colonel's horse. The excuse was always to have + a passing word with Mom Beck. But before he rode away, the Little Colonel + was generally mounted in front of him. It was not long before she felt + almost as much at home at Locust as she did at the cottage. + </p> + <p> + The neighbours began to comment on it after awhile. "He will surely make + up with Elizabeth at this rate," they said. But at the end of the summer + the father and daughter had not even had a passing glimpse of each other. + One day, late in September, as the Little Colonel clattered up and down + the hall with her grandfather's spur buckled on her tiny foot, she called + back over her shoulder: "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + The Colonel paid no attention. + </p> + <p> + "I say," she repeated, "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + "Well," was the gruff response. "Why couldn't he stay where he was? I + suppose you won't want to come here any more after he gets back." + </p> + <p> + "No, I 'pose not," she answered, so carelessly that he was conscious of a + very jealous feeling. + </p> + <p> + "Chilluns always like to stay with their fathahs when they's nice as my + Papa Jack is." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0005.jpg" id="link0005.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="lft"> + <img src="images/0005.jpg" width="50%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The old man growled something behind his newspaper that she did not hear. + He would have been glad to choke this man who had come between him and his + only child, and he hated him worse than ever when he realized what a large + place he held in Lloyd's little heart. + </p> + <p> + She did not go back to Locust the next day, nor for weeks after that. + </p> + <p> + She was up almost as soon as Mom Beck next morning, thoroughly enjoying + the bustle of preparation. + </p> + <p> + She had a finger in everything, from polishing the silver to turning the + ice-cream freezer. + </p> + <p> + Even Fritz was scrubbed till he came out of his bath with his curls all + white and shining. He was proud of himself, from his silky bangs to the + tip of his tasselled tail. + </p> + <p> + Just before train time, the Little Colonel stuck his collar full of late + pink roses, and stood back to admire the effect. Her mother came to the + door, dressed for the evening. She wore an airy-looking dress of the + palest, softest blue. There was a white rosebud caught in her dark hair. A + bright colour, as fresh as Lloyd's own, tinged her cheeks, and the glad + light in her brown eyes made them unusually brilliant. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd jumped up and threw her arms about her. "Oh, mothah," she cried, + "you an' Fritz is so bu'ful!" + </p> + <p> + The engine whistled up the road at the crossing. "Come, we have just time + to get to the station," said Mrs. Sherman, holding out her hand. + </p> + <p> + They went through the gate, down the narrow path that ran beside the dusty + road. The train had just stopped in front of the little station when they + reached it. + </p> + <p> + A number of gentlemen, coming out from the city to spend Sunday at the + hotel, came down the steps. They glanced admiringly from the beautiful, + girlish face of the mother to the happy child dancing impatiently up and + down at her side. They could not help smiling at Fritz as he frisked about + in his imposing rose-collar. + </p> + <p> + "Why, where's Papa Jack?" asked Lloyd, in distress, as passenger after + passenger stepped down. "Isn't he goin' to come?" + </p> + <p> + The tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, when she saw him in the + door of the car; not hurrying along to meet them as he always used to + come, so full of life and vigour, but leaning heavily on the porter's + shoulder, looking very pale and weak. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd looked up at her mother, from whose face every particle of colour + had faded. Mrs. Sherman gave a low, frightened cry as she sprang forward + to meet him. "Oh, Jack! what is the matter? What has happened to you?" she + exclaimed, as he took her in his arms. The train had gone on, and they + were left alone on the platform. + </p> + <p> + "Just a little sick spell," he answered, with a smile. "We had a fire out + at the mines, and I overtaxed myself some. I've had fever ever since, and + it has pulled me down considerably." + </p> + <p> + "I must send somebody for a carriage," she said, looking around anxiously. + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed," he protested. "It's only a few steps; I can walk it as well + as not. The sight of you and the baby has made me stronger already." + </p> + <p> + He sent a coloured boy on ahead with his valise, and they walked slowly up + the path, with Fritz running wildly around them, barking a glad welcome. + </p> + <p> + "How sweet and homelike it all looks!" he said, as he stepped into the + hall, where Mom Beck was just lighting the lamps. Then he sank down on the + couch, completely exhausted, and wearily closed his eyes. + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel looked at his white face in alarm. All the gladness + seemed to have been taken out of the homecoming. + </p> + <p> + Her mother was busy trying to make him comfortable, and paid no attention + to the disconsolate little figure wandering about the house alone. Mom + Beck had gone for the doctor. + </p> + <p> + The supper was drying up in the warming-oven. The ice-cream was melting in + the freezer. Nobody seemed to care. There was no one to notice the pretty + table with its array of flowers and cut glass and silver. + </p> + <p> + When Mom Beck came back, Lloyd ate all by herself, and then sat out on the + kitchen door-step while the doctor made his visit. + </p> + <p> + She was just going mournfully off to bed with an aching lump in her + throat, when her mother opened the door. + </p> + <p> + "Come tell papa good-night," she said. "He's lots better now." + </p> + <p> + She climbed up on the bed beside him, and buried her face on his shoulder + to hide the tears she had been trying to keep back all evening. + </p> + <p> + "How the child has grown!" he exclaimed. "Do you notice, Beth, how much + plainer she talks? She does not seem at all like the baby I left last + spring. Well, she'll soon be six years old,--a real little woman. She'll + be papa's little comfort." + </p> + <p> + The ache in her throat was all gone after that. She romped with Fritz all + the time she was undressing. + </p> + <p> + Papa Jack was worse next morning. It was hard for Lloyd to keep quiet when + the late September sunshine was so gloriously yellow and the whole + outdoors seemed so wide awake. + </p> + <p> + She tiptoed out of the darkened room where her father lay, and swung on + the front gate until she saw the doctor riding up on his bay horse. It + seemed to her that the day never would pass. + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck, rustling around in her best dress ready for church, that + afternoon, took pity on the lonesome child. + </p> + <p> + "Go get yo' best hat, honey," she said, "an' I'll take you with me." + </p> + <p> + It was one of the Little Colonel's greatest pleasures to be allowed to go + to the coloured church. + </p> + <p> + She loved to listen to the singing, and would sit perfectly motionless + while the sweet voices blended like the chords of some mighty organ as + they sent the old hymns rolling heavenward. Service had already commenced + by the time they took their seats. Nearly everybody in the congregation + was swaying back and forth in time to the mournful melody of "Sinnah, + sinnah, where's you boun'?" + </p> + <p> + One old woman across the aisle began clapping her hands together, and + repeated in a singsong tone, "Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + </p> + <p> + "Why, that's just what our parrot says," exclaimed Lloyd, so much + surprised that she spoke right out loud. + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck put her handkerchief over her mouth, and a general smile went + around. + </p> + <p> + After that the child was very quiet until the time came to take the + collection. She always enjoyed this part of the service more than anything + else. Instead of passing baskets around, each person was invited to come + forward and lay his offering on the table. + </p> + <p> + Woolly heads wagged, and many feet kept time to the tune: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Oh! I'se boun' to git to glory.<br /> Hallelujah! Le' me go!" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The Little Colonel proudly marched up with Mom Beck's contribution, and + then watched the others pass down the aisle. One young girl in a + gorgeously trimmed dress paraded up to the table several times, singing at + the top of her voice. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0006.jpg" id="link0006.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="rgt"> + <img src="images/0006.jpg" width="50%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + "Look at that good-fo'-nothin' Lize Richa'ds," whispered Mom Beck's + nearest neighbour, with a sniff. "She done got a nickel changed into + pennies so she could ma'ch up an' show herself five times." + </p> + <p> + It was nearly sundown when they started home. A tall coloured man, wearing + a high silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane, joined them on the way + out. + </p> + <p> + "Howdy, Sistah Po'tah," he said, gravely shaking hands. "That was a fine + disco'se we had the pleasuah of listenin' to this evenin'." + </p> + <p> + "'Deed it was, Brothah Fostah," she answered. "How's all up yo' way?" + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel, running on after a couple of white butterflies, paid + no attention to the conversation until she heard her own name mentioned. + </p> + <p> + "Mistah Sherman came home last night, I heah." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, but not to stay long, I'm afraid. He's a mighty sick man, if I'm any + judge. He's down with fevah,--regulah typhoid. He doesn't look to me like + he's long for this world. What's to become of poah Miss 'Lizabeth if + that's the case, is moah'n I know." "We mustn't cross the bridge till we + come to it, Sistah Po'tah," he suggested. + </p> + <p> + "I know that; but a lookin'-glass broke yeste'day mawnin' when nobody had + put fingah on it. An' his picture fell down off the wall while I was + sweepin' the pa'lah. Pete said his dawg done howl all night last night, + an' I've dremp three times hand runnin' 'bout muddy watah." + </p> + <p> + Mom Beck felt a little hand clutch her skirts, and turned to see a + frightened little face looking anxiously up at her. + </p> + <p> + "Now, what's the mattah with you, honey?" she asked. "I'm only a-tellin' + Mistah Fostah about some silly old signs my mammy used to believe in. But + they don't mean nothin' at all." + </p> + <p> + Lloyd couldn't have told why she was unhappy. She had not understood all + that Mom Beck had said, but her sensitive little mind was shadowed by a + foreboding of trouble. + </p> + <p> + The shadow deepened as the days passed. Papa Jack got worse instead of + better. There were times when he did not recognize any one, and talked + wildly of things that had happened out at the mines. + </p> + <p> + All the long, beautiful October went by, and still he lay in the darkened + room. Lloyd wandered listlessly from place to place, trying to keep out of + the way, and to make as little trouble as possible. + </p> + <p> + "I'm a real little woman now," she repeated, proudly, whenever she was + allowed to pound ice or carry fresh water. "I'm papa's little comfort." + </p> + <p> + One cold, frosty evening she was standing in the hall, when the doctor + came out of the room and began to put on his overcoat. + </p> + <p> + Her mother followed him to take his directions for the night. + </p> + <p> + He was an old friend of the family's. Elizabeth had climbed on his knees + many a time when she was a child. She loved this faithful, white-haired + old doctor almost as dearly as she had her father. + </p> + <p> + "My daughter," he said, kindly, laying his hand on her shoulder, "you are + wearing yourself out, and will be down yourself if you are not careful. + You must have a professional nurse. No telling how long this is going to + last. As soon as Jack is able to travel you must have a change of + climate." + </p> + <p> + Her lips trembled. "We can't afford it, doctor," she said. "Jack has been + too sick from the very first to talk about business. He always said a + woman should not be worried with such matters, anyway. I don't know what + arrangements he has made out West. For all I know, the little I have in my + purse now may be all that stands between us and the poorhouse." + </p> + <p> + The doctor drew on his gloves. + </p> + <p> + "Why don't you tell your father how matters are?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + Then he saw he had ventured a step too far. + </p> + <p> + "I believe Jack would rather die than take help from his hands," she + answered, drawing herself up proudly. Her eyes flashed. "I would, too, as + far as I am concerned myself." + </p> + <p> + Then a tender look came over her pale, tired face, as she added, gently, + "But I'd do anything on earth to help Jack get well." + </p> + <p> + The doctor cleared his throat vigorously, and bolted out with a gruff good + night. As he rode past Locust, he took solid satisfaction in shaking his + fist at the light in an upper window. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_VI." id="linkCHAPTER_VI."></a>CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel followed her mother to the dining-room, but paused on + the threshold as she saw her throw herself into Mom Beck's arms and burst + out crying. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Becky!" she sobbed, "what is going to become of us? The doctor says + we must have a professional nurse, and we must go away from here soon. + There are only a few dollars left in my purse, and I don't know what we'll + do when they are gone. I just know Jack is going to die, and then I'll + die, too, and then what will become of the baby?" Mom Beck sat down, and + took the trembling form in her arms. + </p> + <p> + "There, there!" she said, soothingly, "have yo' cry out. It will do you + good. Poah chile! all wo'n out with watchin' an' worry. Ne'm min', ole + Becky is as good as a dozen nuhses yet. I'll get Judy to come up an' look + aftah the kitchen. An' nobody ain' gwine to die, honey. Don't you go to + slayin' all you's got befo' you's called on to do it. The good Lawd is + goin' to pahvide fo' us same as Abraham." + </p> + <p> + The last Sabbath's sermon was still fresh in her mind. + </p> + <p> + "If we only hold out faithful, there's boun' to be a ram caught by the + hawns some place, even if we haven't got eyes to see through the thickets. + The Lawd will pahvide whethah it's a burnt offerin' or a meal's vittles. + He sho'ly will." Lloyd crept away frightened. It seemed such an awful + thing to see her mother cry. + </p> + <p> + All at once her bright, happy world had changed to such a strange, + uncertain place. She felt as if all sorts of terrible things were about to + happen. + </p> + <p> + She went into the parlour, and crawled into a dark corner under the piano, + feeling that there was no place to go for comfort, since the one who had + always kissed away her little troubles was so heart-broken herself. + </p> + <p> + There was a patter of soft feet across the carpet, and Fritz poked his + sympathetic nose into her face. She put her arms around him, and laid her + head against his curly back with a desolate sob. + </p> + <p> + It is pitiful to think how much imaginative children suffer through their + wrong conception of things. She had seen the little roll of bills in her + mother's pocketbook. She had seen how much smaller it grew every time it + was taken out to pay for the expensive wines and medicines that had to be + bought so often. She had heard her mother tell the doctor that was all + that stood between them and the poorhouse. + </p> + <p> + There was no word known to the Little Colonel that brought such, thoughts + of horror as the word poorhouse. + </p> + <p> + Her most vivid recollection of her life in New York was something that + happened a few weeks before they left there. One day in the park she ran + away from the maid, who, instead of Mom Beck, had taken charge of her that + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + When the angry woman found her, she frightened her almost into a spasm by + telling her what always happened to naughty children who ran away. + </p> + <p> + "They take all their pretty clothes off," she said, "and dress them up in + old things made of bed-ticking. Then they take 'm to the poorhouse, where + nobody but beggars live. They don't have anything to eat but cabbage and + corndodger, and they have to eat that out of tin pans. And they just have + a pile of straw to sleep in." + </p> + <p> + On their way home she had pointed out to the frightened child a poor woman + who was grubbing in an ash-barrel. + </p> + <p> + "That's the way people get to look who live in poorhouses," she said. + </p> + <p> + It was this memory that was troubling the Little Colonel now. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Fritz!" she whispered, with the tears running down her cheeks, "I + can't beah to think of my pretty mothah goin' there. That woman's eyes + were all red, an' her hair was jus' awful. She was so bony an' + stahved-lookin'. It would jus' kill poah Papa Jack to lie on straw an' eat + out of a tin pan. I know it would!" + </p> + <p> + When Mom Beck opened the door, hunting her, the room was so dark that she + would have gone away if the dog had not come running out from under the + piano. + </p> + <p> + "You heah, too, chile?" she asked, in surprise. "I have to go down now an' + see if I can get Judy to come help to-morrow. Do you think you can undress + yo'self to-night?" + </p> + <p> + "Of co'se," answered the Little Colonel. Mom Beck was in such a hurry to + be off that she did not notice the tremble in the voice that answered her. + </p> + <p> + "Well, the can'le is lit in yo' room. So run along now like a nice little + lady, an' don't bothah yo' mamma. She got her hands full already." + </p> + <p> + "All right," answered the child. + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later she stood in her little white nightgown with + her hand on the door-knob. + </p> + <p> + She opened the door just a crack and peeped in. Her mother laid her finger + on her lips, and beckoned silently. In another instant Lloyd was in her + lap. She had cried herself quiet in the dark corner under the piano; but + there was something more pathetic in her eyes than tears. It was the + expression of one who understood and sympathized. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, mothah," she whispered, "we does have such lots of troubles." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, chickabiddy, but I hope they will soon be over now," was the answer, + as the anxious face tried to smile bravely for the child's sake, "Papa is + sleeping so nicely now he is sure to be better in the morning." + </p> + <p> + That comforted the Little Colonel some, but for days she was haunted by + the fear of the poorhouse. + </p> + <p> + Every time her mother paid out any money she looked anxiously to see how + much was still left. She wandered about the place, touching the trees and + vines with caressing hands, feeling that she might soon have to leave + them. + </p> + <p> + She loved them all so dearly,--every stick and stone, and even the stubby + old snowball bushes that never bloomed. + </p> + <p> + Her dresses were outgrown and faded, but no one had any time or thought to + spend on getting her new ones. A little hole began to come in the toe of + each shoe. + </p> + <p> + She was still wearing her summer sunbonnet, although the days were getting + frosty. + </p> + <p> + She was a proud little thing. It mortified her for any one to see her + looking so shabby. Still she uttered no word of complaint, for fear of + lessening the little amount in the pocketbook that her mother had said + stood between them and the poorhouse. + </p> + <p> + She sat with her feet tucked under her when any one called. + </p> + <p> + "I wouldn't mind bein' a little beggah so much myself," she thought, "but + I jus' can't have my bu'ful sweet mothah lookin' like that awful red-eyed + woman." + </p> + <p> + One day the doctor called Mrs. Sherman out into the hall. "I have just + come from your father's," he said. "He is suffering from a severe attack + of rheumatism. He is confined to his room, and is positively starving for + company. He told me he would give anything in the world to have his little + grandchild with him. There were tears in his eyes when he said it, and + that means a good deal from him. He fairly idolizes her. The servants have + told him she mopes around and is getting thin and pale. He is afraid she + will come down with the fever, too. He told me to use any stratagem I + liked to get her there. But I think it's better to tell you frankly how + matters stand. It will do the child good to have a change, Elizabeth, and + I solemnly think you ought to let her go, for a week at least." + </p> + <p> + "But, doctor, she has never been away from me a single night in her life. + She'd die of homesickness, and I know she'll never consent to leave me. + Then suppose Jack should get worse--" + </p> + <p> + "We'll suppose nothing of the kind," he interrupted, brusquely. "Tell + Becky to pack up her things. Leave Lloyd to me. I'll get her consent + without any trouble." + </p> + <p> + "Come, Colonel," he called, as he left the house. "I'm going to take you a + little ride." + </p> + <p> + No one ever knew what the kind old fellow said to her to induce her to go + to her grandfather's. + </p> + <p> + She came back from her ride looking brighter than she had in a long time. + She felt that in some way, although in what way she could not understand, + her going would help them to escape the dreaded poorhouse. + </p> + <p> + "Don't send Mom Beck with me," she pleaded, when the time came to start. + "You come with me, mothah." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman had not been past the gate for weeks, but she could not + refuse the coaxing hands that clung to hers. + </p> + <p> + It was a dull, dreary day. There was a chilling hint of snow in the damp + air. The leaves whirled past them with a mournful rustling. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman turned up the collar of Lloyd's cloak. + </p> + <p> + "You must have a new one soon," she said, with a sigh. "Maybe one of mine + could be made over for you. And those poor little shoes! I must think to + send to town for a new pair." + </p> + <p> + The walk was over so soon. The Little Colonel's heart beat fast as they + came in sight of the gate. She winked bravely to keep back the tears; for + she had promised the doctor not to let her mother see her cry. + </p> + <p> + A week seemed such a long time to look forward to. + </p> + <p> + She clung to her mother's neck, feeling that she could never give her up + so long. + </p> + <p> + "Tell me good-bye, baby dear," said Mrs. Sherman, feeling that she could + not trust herself to stay much longer. "It is too cold for you to stand + here. Run on, and I'll watch you till you get inside the door." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0007.jpg" id="link0007.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="ctr"> + <img src="images/0007.jpg" width="50%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel started bravely down the avenue, with Fritz at her + heels. Every few steps she turned to look back and kiss her hand. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Sherman watched her through a blur of tears. It had been nearly seven + years since she had last stood at that old gate. Such a crowd of memories + came rushing up! + </p> + <p> + She looked again. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief as the + Little Colonel and Fritz went up the steps. Then the great front door + closed behind them. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_VII." id="linkCHAPTER_VII."></a>CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + That early twilight hour just before the lamps were lit was the lonesomest + one the Little Colonel had ever spent. + </p> + <p> + Her grandfather was asleep up-stairs. There was a cheery wood fire + crackling on the hearth of the big fireplace in the hall, but the great + house was so still. The corners were full of shadows. + </p> + <p> + She opened the front door with a wild longing to run away. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Fritz," she said, closing the door softly behind her, "let's go + down to the gate." + </p> + <p> + The air was cold. She shivered as they raced along under the bare branches + of the locusts. She leaned against the gate, peering out through the bars. + The road stretched white through the gathering darkness in the direction + of the little cottage. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I want to go home so bad!" she sobbed. "I want to see my mothah." + </p> + <p> + She laid her hand irresolutely on the latch, pushed the gate ajar, and + then hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "No, I promised the doctah I'd stay," she thought. "He said I could help + mothah and Papa Jack, both of 'em, by stayin' heah, an' I'll do it." + </p> + <p> + Fritz, who had pushed himself through the partly opened gate to rustle + around among the dead leaves outside, came bounding back with something in + his mouth. + </p> + <p> + "Heah, suh!" she called. "Give it to me!" He dropped a small gray kid + glove in her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's mothah's!" she cried. "I reckon + she dropped it when she was tellin' me good-bye. Oh, you deah old dog fo' + findin' it." + </p> + <p> + She laid the glove against her cheek as fondly as if it had been her + mother's soft hand. There was something wonderfully comforting in the + touch. + </p> + <p> + As they walked slowly back toward the house she rolled it up and put it + lovingly away in her tiny apron pocket. + </p> + <p> + All that week it was a talisman whose touch helped the homesick little + soul to be brave and womanly. + </p> + <p> + When Maria, the coloured housekeeper, went into the hall to light the + lamps, the Little Colonel was sitting on the big fur rug in front of the + fire, talking contentedly to Fritz, who lay with his curly head in her + lap. + </p> + <p> + "You all's goin' to have tea in the Cun'ls room to-night," said Maria. "He + tole me to tote it up soon as he rung the bell." + </p> + <p> + "There it goes now," cried the child, jumping up from the rug. + </p> + <p> + She followed Maria up the wide stairs. The Colonel was sitting in a large + easy chair, wrapped in a gaily flowered dressing-gown, that made his hair + look unusually white by contrast. + </p> + <p> + His dark eyes were intently watching the door. As it opened to let the + Little Colonel pass through, a very tender smile lighted up his stern + face. + </p> + <p> + "So you did come to see grandpa after all," he cried, triumphantly. "Come + here and give me a kiss. Seems to me you've been staying away a mighty + long time." + </p> + <p> + As she stood beside him with his arm around her, Walker came in with a + tray full of dishes. "We're going to have a regular little tea-party," + said the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd watched with sparkling eyes as Walker set out the rare old-fashioned + dishes. There was a fat little silver sugar-bowl with a butterfly perched + on each side to form the handles, and there was a slim, graceful + cream-pitcher shaped like a lily. + </p> + <p> + "They belonged to your great-great-grandmother," said the Colonel, "and + they're going to be yours some day if you grow up and have a house of your + own." + </p> + <p> + The expression on her beaming face was worth a fortune to the Colonel. + </p> + <p> + When Walker pushed her chair up to the table, she turned to her + grandfather with shining eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, it's just like a pink story," she cried, clapping her hands. "The + shades on the can'les, the icin' on the cake, an' the posies in the + bowl,--why, even the jelly is that colah, too. Oh, my darlin' little + teacup! It's jus' like a pink rosebud. I'm so glad I came!" + </p> + <p> + The Colonel smiled at the success of his plan. In the depths of his + satisfaction he even had a plate of quail and toast set down on the hearth + for Fritz. + </p> + <p> + "This is the nicest pahty I evah was at," remarked the Little Colonel, as + Walker helped her to jam the third time. + </p> + <p> + Her grandfather chuckled. + </p> + <p> + "Blackberry jam always makes me think of Tom," he said. "Did you ever hear + what your Uncle Tom did when he was a little fellow in dresses?" + </p> + <p> + She shook her head gravely. + </p> + <p> + "Well, the children were all playing hide-and-seek one day. They hunted + high and they hunted low after everybody else had been caught, but they + couldn't find Tom. At last they began to call, 'Home free! You can come + home free!' but he did not come. When he had been hidden so long they were + frightened about him, they went to their mother and told her he wasn't to + be found anywhere. She looked down the well and behind the fire-boards in + the fireplaces. They called and called till they were out of breath. + Finally she thought of looking in the big dark pantry where she kept her + fruit. There stood Mister Tom. He had opened a jar of blackberry jam, and + was just going for it with both hands. The jam was all over his face and + hair and little gingham apron, and even up his wrists. He was the funniest + sight I ever saw." + </p> + <p> + The Little Colonel laughed heartily at his description, and begged for + more stories. Before he knew it he was back in the past with his little + Tom and Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could have entertained the child more than these scenes he + recalled of her mother's childhood. + </p> + <p> + "All her old playthings are up in the garret," he said, as they rose from + the table. "I'll have them brought down to-morrow. There's a doll I + brought her from New Orleans once when she was about your size. No telling + what it looks like now, but it was a beauty when it was new." + </p> + <p> + Lloyd clapped her hands and spun around the room like a top. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm so glad I came!" she exclaimed for the third time. "What did she + call the doll, gran'fathah, do you remembah?" + </p> + <p> + "I never paid much attention to such things," he answered, "but I do + remember the name of this one, because she named it for her + mother,--Amanthis." + </p> + <p> + "Amanthis," repeated the child, dreamily, as she leaned against his knee. + "I think that is a lovely name, gran'fathah. I wish they had called me + that." She repeated it softly several times. "It sounds like the wind + a-blowin' through white clovah, doesn't it?" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0008.jpg" id="link0008.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="ctr"> + <img src="images/0008.jpg" width="60%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + "It is a beautiful name to me, my child," answered the old man, laying his + hand tenderly on her soft hair, "but not so beautiful as the woman who + bore it. She was the fairest flower of all Kentucky. There never was + another lived as sweet and gentle as your Grandmother Amanthis." + </p> + <p> + He stroked her hair absently, and gazed into the fire. He scarcely noticed + when she slipped away from him. + </p> + <p> + She buried her face a moment in the bowl of pink roses. Then she went to + the window and drew back the curtain. Leaning her head against the + window-sill, she began stringing on the thread of a tune the things that + just then thrilled her with a sense of their beauty. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, the locus'-trees a-blowin'," she sang, softly. "An' the moon + a-shinin' through them. An' the starlight an' pink roses; an' + Amanthis--an' Amanthis!" + </p> + <p> + She hummed it over and over until Walker had finished carrying the dishes + away. + </p> + <p> + It was a strange thing that the Colonel's unfrequent moods of tenderness + were like those warm days that they call weather-breeders. + </p> + <p> + They were sure to be followed by a change of atmosphere. This time as the + fierce rheumatic pain came back he stormed at Walker, and scolded him for + everything he did and everything he left undone. + </p> + <p> + When Maria came up to put Lloyd to bed, Fritz was tearing around the room + barking at his shadow. + </p> + <p> + "Put that dog out, M'ria!" roared the Colonel, almost crazy with its + antics. "Take it down-stairs, and put it out of the house, I say! Nobody + but a heathen would let a dog sleep in the house, anyway." + </p> + <p> + The homesick feeling began to creep over Lloyd again. She had expected to + keep Fritz in her room at night for company. But for the touch of the + little glove in her pocket, she would have said something ugly to her + grandfather when he spoke so harshly. + </p> + <p> + His own ill humour was reflected in her scowl as she followed Maria down + the stairs to drive Fritz out into the dark. They stood a moment in the + open door, after Maria had slapped him with her apron to make him go off + the porch. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, look at the new moon!" cried Lloyd, pointing to the slender crescent + in the autumn sky. + </p> + <p> + "I'se feared to, honey," answered Maria, "less I should see it through the + trees. That 'ud bring me bad luck for a month, suah. I'll go out on the + lawn where it's open, an' look at it ovah my right shouldah." + </p> + <p> + While they were walking backward down the path, intent on reaching a place + where they could have an uninterrupted view of the moon, Fritz sneaked + around to the other end of the porch. + </p> + <p> + No one was watching. He slipped into the house as noiselessly as his four + soft feet could carry him. + </p> + <p> + Maria, going through the dark upper hall, with a candle held high above + her head and Lloyd clinging to her skirts, did not see a tasselled tail + swinging along in front of her. It disappeared under the big bed when she + led Lloyd into the room next the old Colonel's. + </p> + <p> + The child felt very sober while she was being put to bed. + </p> + <p> + The furniture was heavy and dark. An ugly portrait of a cross old man in a + wig frowned at her from over the mantel. The dancing firelight made his + eyes frightfully lifelike. + </p> + <p> + The bed was so high she had to climb on a chair to get in. She heard + Maria's heavy feet go shuffling down the stairs. A door banged. Then it + was so still she could hear the clock tick in the next room. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time in all her life that her mother had not come to kiss + her good night. Her lips quivered, and a big tear rolled down on the + pillow. + </p> + <p> + She reached out to the chair beside her bed, where her clothes were + hanging, and felt in her apron pocket for the little glove. She sat up in + bed, and looked at it in the dim firelight. Then she held it against her + face. "Oh, I want my mothah! I want my mothah!" she sobbed, in a + heart-broken whisper. + </p> + <p> + Laying her head on her knees, she began to cry quietly, but with great + sobs that nearly choked her. + </p> + <p> + There was a rustling under the bed. She lifted her wet face in alarm. Then + she smiled through her tears, for there was Fritz, her own dear dog, and + not an unknown horror waiting to grab her. + </p> + <p> + He stood on his hind legs, eagerly trying to lap away her tears with his + friendly red tongue. + </p> + <p> + She clasped him in her arms with an ecstatic hug. "Oh, you're such a + comfort!" she whispered. "I can go to sleep now." + </p> + <p> + She spread her apron on the bed, and motioned him to jump. With one spring + he was beside her. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly midnight when the door from the Colonel's room was + noiselessly opened. + </p> + <p> + The old man stirred the fire gently until it burst into a bright flame. + Then he turned to the bed. "You rascal!" he whispered, looking at Fritz, + who raised his head quickly with a threatening look in his wicked eyes. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd lay with one hand stretched out, holding the dog's protecting paw. + The other held something against her tear-stained cheek. + </p> + <p> + "What under the sun!" he thought, as he drew it gently from her fingers. + The little glove lay across his hand, slim and aristocratic-looking. He + knew instinctively whose it was. "Poor little thing's been crying," he + thought. "She wants Elizabeth. And so do I! And so do I!" his heart cried + out with bitter longing. "It's never been like home since she left." + </p> + <p> + He laid the glove back on her pillow, and went to his room. + </p> + <p> + "If Jack Sherman should die," he said to himself many times that night, + "then she would come home again. Oh, little daughter, little daughter! why + did you ever leave me?" + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_VIII." id="linkCHAPTER_VIII."></a>CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + The first thing that greeted the Little Colonel's eyes when she opened + them next morning was her mother's old doll. Maria had laid it on the + pillow beside her. + </p> + <p> + It was beautifully dressed, although in a queer, old-fashioned style that + seemed very strange to the child. + </p> + <p> + She took it up with careful fingers, remembering its great age. Maria had + warned her not to waken her grandfather, so she admired it in whispers. + </p> + <p> + "Jus' think, Fritz," she exclaimed, "this doll has seen my Gran'mothah + Amanthis, an' it's named for her. My mothah wasn't any bigger'n me when + she played with it. I think it is the loveliest doll I evah saw in my + whole life." + </p> + <p> + Fritz gave a jealous bark. + </p> + <p> + "Sh!" commanded his little mistress. "Didn't you heah M'ria say, 'Fo' de + Lawd's sake don't wake up ole Marse?' Why don't you mind?" + </p> + <p> + The Colonel was not in the best of humours after such a wakeful night, but + the sight of her happiness made him smile in spite of himself, when she + danced into his room with the doll. + </p> + <p> + She had eaten an early breakfast and gone back up-stairs to examine the + other toys that were spread out in her room. + </p> + <p> + The door between the two rooms was ajar. All the time he was dressing and + taking his coffee he could hear her talking to some one. He supposed it + was Maria. But as he glanced over his mail he heard the Little Colonel + saying, "May Lilly, do you know about Billy Goat Gruff? Do you want me to + tell you that story?" + </p> + <p> + He leaned forward until he could look through the narrow opening of the + door. Two heads were all he could see,--Lloyd's, soft-haired and golden, + May Lilly's, covered with dozens of tightly braided little black tails. + </p> + <p> + He was about to order May Lilly back to the cabin, when he remembered the + scene that followed the last time he had done so. He concluded to keep + quiet and listen. + </p> + <p> + "Billy Goat Gruff was so fat," the story went on, "jus' as fat as + gran'fathah." + </p> + <p> + The Colonel glanced up with an amused smile at the fine figure reflected + in an opposite mirror. + </p> + <p> + "Trip-trap, trip-trap, went Billy Goat Gruff's little feet ovah the bridge + to the giant's house." + </p> + <p> + Just at this point Walker, who was putting things in order, closed the + door between the rooms. + </p> + <p> + "Open that door, you black rascal!" called the Colonel, furious at the + interruption. + </p> + <p> + In his haste to obey, Walker knocked over a pitcher of water that had been + left on the floor beside the wash-stand. + </p> + <p> + Then the Colonel yelled at him to be quick about mopping it up, so that by + the time the door was finally opened, Lloyd was finishing her story. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel looked in just in time to see her put her hands to her + temples, with her forefingers protruding from her forehead like horns. She + said in a deep voice, as she brandished them at May Lilly, "With my two + long speahs I'll poke yo' eyeballs through yo' yeahs." The little darky + fell back giggling. "That sut'n'y was like a billy-goat. We had one once + that 'ud make a body step around mighty peart. It slip up behine me one + mawnin' on the poach, an' fo' awhile I thought my haid was buss open suah. + I got up toreckly, though, an' I cotch him, and when I done got through, + Mistah Billy-goat feel po'ly moah'n a week. He sut'n'y did." + </p> + <p> + Walker grinned, for he had witnessed the scene. + </p> + <p> + Just then Maria put her head in at the door to say, "May Lilly, yo' + mammy's callin' you." + </p> + <p> + Lloyd and Fritz followed her noisily down-stairs. Then for nearly an hour + it was very quiet in the great house. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel, looking out of the window, could see Lloyd playing + hide-and-seek with Fritz under the bare locust-trees. When she came in her + cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air. Her eyes shone like + stars, and her face was radiant. + </p> + <p> + "See what I've found down in the dead leaves," she cried. "A little blue + violet, bloomin' all by itself." + </p> + <p> + She brought a tiny cup from the next room, that belonged to the set of + doll dishes, and put the violet in it. + </p> + <p> + "There!" she said, setting it on the table at her grandfather's elbow. + "Now I'll put Amanthis in this chair, where you can look at her, an' you + won't get lonesome while I'm playing outdoors." + </p> + <p> + He drew her toward him and kissed her. + </p> + <p> + "Why, how cold your hands are!" he exclaimed. "Staying in this warm room + all the time makes me forget it is so wintry outdoors. I don't believe you + are dressed warmly enough. You ought not to wear sunbonnets this time of + year." + </p> + <p> + Then for the first time he noticed her outgrown cloak and shabby shoes. + </p> + <p> + "What are you wearing these old clothes for?" he said, impatiently. "Why + didn't they dress you up when you were going visiting? It isn't showing + proper respect to send you off in the oldest things you've got." + </p> + <p> + It was a sore point with the Little Colonel. It hurt her pride enough to + have to wear old clothes without being scolded for it. Besides, she felt + that in some way her mother was being blamed for what could not be helped. + </p> + <p> + "They's the best I've got," she answered, proudly choking back the tears. + "I don't need any new ones, 'cause maybe we'll be goin' away pretty soon." + </p> + <p> + "Going away!" he echoed, blankly, "Where?" She did not answer until he + repeated the question. Then she turned her back on him, and started toward + the door. The tears she was too proud to let him see were running down her + face. + </p> + <p> + "We's goin' to the poah-house," she exclaimed, defiantly, "jus' as soon as + the money in the pocketbook is used up. It was nearly gone when I came + away." + </p> + <p> + Here she began to sob, as she fumbled at the door she could not see to + open. + </p> + <p> + "I'm goin' home to my mothah right now. She loves me if my clothes are old + and ugly." + </p> + <p> + "Why, Lloyd," called the Colonel, amazed and distressed by her sudden + burst of grief. "Come here to grandpa. Why didn't you tell me so before?" + </p> + <p> + The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her irresistibly to + him. It was a relief to lay her head on his shoulder, and unburden herself + of the fear that had haunted her so many days. + </p> + <p> + With her arms around his neck, and the precious little head held close to + his heart, the old Colonel was in such a softened mood that he would have + promised anything to comfort her. + </p> + <p> + "There, there," he said, soothingly, stroking her hair with a gentle hand, + when she had told him all her troubles. "Don't you worry about that, my + dear. Nobody is going to eat out of tin pans and sleep on straw. Grandpa + just won't let them." + </p> + <p> + She sat up and wiped her eyes on her apron. "But Papa Jack would die befo' + he'd take help from you," she wailed. "An' so would mothah. I heard her + tell the doctah so." + </p> + <p> + The tender expression on the Colonel's face changed to one like flint, but + he kept on stroking her hair. "People sometimes change their minds," he + said, grimly. "I wouldn't worry over a little thing like that if I were + you. Don't you want to run down-stairs and tell M'ria to give you a piece + of cake?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes," she exclaimed, smiling up at him. "I'll bring you some, too." + </p> + <p> + When the first train went into Louisville that afternoon, Walker was on + board with an order in his pocket to one of the largest dry goods + establishments in the city. When he came out again, that evening, he + carried a large box into the Colonel's room. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd's eyes shone as she looked into it. There was an elegant fur-trimmed + cloak, a pair of dainty shoes, and a muff that she caught up with a shriek + of delight. + </p> + <p> + "What kind of a thing is this?" grumbled the Colonel, as he took out a hat + that had been carefully packed in one corner of the box. "I told them to + send the most stylish thing they had. It looks like a scarecrow," he + continued, as he set it askew on the child's head. + </p> + <p> + She snatched it off to look at it herself. "Oh, it's jus' like Emma Louise + Wyfo'd's!" she exclaimed. "You didn't put it on straight. See! This is the + way it goes." + </p> + <p> + She climbed up in front of the mirror, and put it on as she had seen Emma + Louise wear hers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0009.jpg" id="link0009.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="rgt"> + <img src="images/0009.jpg" width="50%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + "Well, it's a regular Napoleon hat," exclaimed the Colonel, much pleased. + "So little girls nowadays have taken to wearing soldier's caps, have they? + It's right becoming to you with your short hair. Grandpa is real proud of + his 'little Colonel.'" + </p> + <p> + She gave him the military salute he had taught her, and then ran to throw + her arms around him. "Oh, gran'fathah!" she exclaimed, between her kisses, + "you'se jus' as good as Santa Claus, every bit." + </p> + <p> + The Colonel's rheumatism was better next day; so much better that toward + evening he walked down-stairs into the long drawing-room. The room had not + been illuminated in years as it was that night. + </p> + <p> + Every wax taper was lighted in the silver candelabra, and the dim old + mirrors multiplied their lights on every side. A great wood fire threw a + cheerful glow over the portraits and the frescoed ceiling. All the linen + covers had been taken from the furniture. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd, who had never seen this room except with the chairs shrouded and + the blinds down, came running in presently. She was bewildered at first by + the change. Then she began walking softly around the room, examining + everything. + </p> + <p> + In one corner stood a tall, gilded harp that her grandmother had played in + her girlhood. The heavy cover had kept it fair and untarnished through all + the years it had stood unused. To the child's beauty-loving eyes it seemed + the loveliest thing she had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + She stood with her hands clasped behind her as her gaze wandered from its + pedals to the graceful curves of its tall frame. It shone like burnished + gold in the soft firelight. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, gran'fathah!" she asked at last in a low, reverent tone, "where did + you get it? Did an angel leave it heah fo' you?" + </p> + <p> + He did not answer for a moment. Then he said, huskily, as he looked up at + a portrait over the mantel, "Yes, my darling, an angel did leave it here. + She always was one. Come here to grandpa." + </p> + <p> + He took her on his knee, and pointed up to the portrait. The same harp was + in the picture. Standing beside it, with one hand resting on its shining + strings, was a young girl all in white. + </p> + <p> + "That's the way she looked the first time I ever saw her," said the + Colonel, dreamily. "A June rose in her hair, and another at her throat; + and her soul looked right out through those great, dark eyes--the purest, + sweetest soul God ever made! My beautiful Amanthis!" + </p> + <p> + "My bu'ful Amanthis!" repeated the child, in an awed whisper. + </p> + <p> + She sat gazing into the lovely young face for a long time, while the old + man seemed lost in dreams. + </p> + <p> + "Gran'fathah," she said at length, patting his cheek to attract his + attention, and then nodding toward the portrait, "did she love my mothah + like my mothah loves me?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly, my dear," was the gentle reply. + </p> + <p> + It was the twilight hour, when the homesick feeling always came back + strongest to Lloyd. + </p> + <p> + "Then I jus' know that if my bu'ful gran'mothah Amanthis could come down + out of that frame, she'd go straight and put her arms around my mothah an' + kiss away all her sorry feelin's." + </p> + <p> + The Colonel fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair a moment. Then to his + great relief the tea-bell rang. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_IX." id="linkCHAPTER_IX."></a>CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Every evening after that during Lloyd's visit the fire burned on the + hearth of the long drawing-room. All the wax candles were lighted, and the + vases were kept full of flowers, fresh from the conservatory. + </p> + <p> + She loved to steal into the room before her grandfather came down, and + carry on imaginary conversations with the old portraits. + </p> + <p> + Tom's handsome, boyish face had the greatest attraction for her. His eyes + looked down so smilingly into hers that she felt he surely understood + every word she said to him. Once Walker overheard her saying, "Uncle Tom, + I'm goin' to tell you a story 'bout Billy Goat Gruff." + </p> + <p> + Peeping into the room, he saw the child looking earnestly up at the + picture, with her hands clasped behind her, as she began to repeat her + favourite story. "It do beat all," he said to himself, "how one little + chile like that can wake up a whole house. She's the life of the place." + </p> + <p> + The last evening of her visit, as the Colonel was coming down-stairs he + heard the faint vibration of a harp-string. It was the first time Lloyd + had ever ventured to touch one. He paused on the steps opposite the door, + and looked in. + </p> + <p> + "Heah, Fritz," she was saying, "you get up on the sofa, an' be the + company, an' I'll sing fo' you." + </p> + <p> + Fritz, on the rug before the fire, opened one sleepy eye and closed it + again. She stamped her foot and repeated her order. He paid no attention. + Then she picked him up bodily, and, with much puffing and pulling, lifted + him into a chair. + </p> + <p> + He waited until she had gone back to the harp, and then, with one spring, + disappeared under the sofa. + </p> + <p> + "N'm min'," she said, in a disgusted tone. "I'll pay you back, mistah." + Then she looked up at the portrait. "Uncle Tom," she said, "you be the + company, an' I'll play fo' you." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link0010.jpg" id="link0010.jpg"></a><br /> + </p> + <p class="ctr"> + <img src="images/0010.jpg" width="50%" alt="" /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Her fingers touched the strings so lightly that there was no discord in + the random tones. Her voice carried the air clear and true, and the faint + trembling of the harp-strings interfered with the harmony no more than if + a wandering breeze had been tangled in them as it passed. + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + Sing me the songs that to me were so deah<br /> Long, long ago, long ago.<br /> + Tell me the tales I delighted to heah<br /> Long, long ago, long ago." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The sweet little voice sang it to the end without missing a word. It was + the lullaby her mother oftenest sang to her. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel, who had sat down on the steps to listen, wiped his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "My 'long ago' is all that I have left to me," he thought, bitterly, "for + to-morrow this little one, who brings back my past with every word and + gesture, will leave me, too. Why can't that Jack Sherman die while he's + about it, and let me have my own back again?" + </p> + <p> + That question recurred to him many times during the week after Lloyd's + departure. He missed her happy voice at every turn. He missed her bright + face at the table. The house seemed so big and desolate without her. He + ordered all the covers put back on the drawing-room furniture, and the + door locked as before. + </p> + <p> + It was a happy moment for the Little Colonel when she was lifted down from + Maggie Boy at the cottage gate. + </p> + <p> + She went dancing into the house, so glad to find herself in her mother's + arms that she forgot all about the new cloak and muff that had made her so + proud and happy. + </p> + <p> + She found her father propped up among the pillows, his fever all gone, and + the old mischievous twinkle in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + He admired her new clothes extravagantly, paying her joking compliments + until her face beamed; but when she had danced off to find Mom Beck, he + turned to his wife. "Elizabeth," he said, wonderingly, "what do you + suppose the old fellow gave her clothes for? I don't like it. I'm no + beggar if I have lost lots of money. After all that's passed between us I + don't feel like taking anything from his hands, or letting my child do it, + either." + </p> + <p> + To his great surprise she laid her head down on his pillow beside his and + burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Jack," she sobbed, "I spent the last dollar this morning. I wasn't + going to tell you, but I don't know what is to become of us. He gave Lloyd + those things because she was just in rags, and I couldn't afford to get + anything new." + </p> + <p> + He looked perplexed. "Why, I brought home so much," he said, in a + distressed tone. "I knew I was in for a long siege of sickness, but I was + sure there was enough to tide us over that." + </p> + <p> + She raised her head. "You brought money home!" she replied, in surprise. + "I hoped you had, and looked through all your things, but there was only a + little change in one of your pockets. You must have imagined it when you + were delirious." + </p> + <p> + "What!" he cried, sitting bolt upright, and then sinking weakly back among + the pillows. "You poor child! You don't mean to tell me you have been + skimping along all these weeks on just that check I sent you before + starting home?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," she sobbed, her face still buried in the pillow. She had borne the + strain of continued anxiety so long that she could not stop her tears, now + they had once started. + </p> + <p> + It was with a very thankful heart she watched him take a pack of letters + from the coat she brought to his bedside, and draw out a sealed envelope. + </p> + <p> + "Well, I never once thought of looking among those letters for money," she + exclaimed, as he held it up with a smile. + </p> + <p> + His investments of the summer before had prospered beyond his greatest + hopes, he told her. "Brother Rob is looking after my interests out West, + as well as his own," he explained, "and as his father-in-law is the grand + mogul of the place, I have the inside track. Then that firm I went + security for in New York is nearly on its feet again, and I'll have back + every dollar I ever paid out for them. Nobody ever lost anything by those + men in the long run. We'll be on top again by this time next year, little + wife; so don't borrow any more trouble on that score." + </p> + <p> + The doctor made his last visit that afternoon. It really seemed as if + there would never be any more dark days at the little cottage. + </p> + <p> + "The clouds have all blown away and left us their silver linings," said + Mrs. Sherman the day her husband was able to go out-of-doors for the first + time. He walked down to the post-office, and brought back a letter from + the West. It had such encouraging reports of his business that he was + impatient to get back to it. He wrote a reply early in the afternoon, and + insisted on going to mail it himself. + </p> + <p> + "I'll never get my strength back," he protested, "unless I have more + exercise." + </p> + <p> + It was a cold, gray November day. A few flakes of snow were falling when + he started. + </p> + <p> + "I'll stop and rest at the Tylers'," he called back, "so don't be uneasy + if I'm out some time." + </p> + <p> + After he left the post-office the fresh air tempted him to go farther than + he had intended. At a long distance from his home his strength seemed + suddenly to desert him. The snow began to fall in earnest. Numb with cold, + he groped his way back to the house, almost fainting from exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + Lloyd was blowing soap-bubbles when she saw him come in and fall heavily + across the couch. The ghastly pallor of his face and his closed eyes + frightened her so that she dropped the little clay pipe she was using. As + she stooped to pick up the broken pieces, her mother's cry startled her + still more. "Lloyd, run call Becky, quick, quick! Oh, he's dying!" + </p> + <p> + Lloyd gave one more terrified look and ran to the kitchen, screaming for + Mom Beck. No one was there. + </p> + <p> + The next instant she was running bareheaded as fast as she could go, up + the road to Locust. She was confident of finding help there. The + snowflakes clung to her hair and blew against her soft cheeks. All she + could see was her mother wringing her hands, and her father's white face. + When she burst into the house where the Colonel sat reading by the fire, + she was so breathless at first that she could only gasp when she tried to + speak. + </p> + <p> + "Come quick!" she cried. "Papa Jack's a-dyin'! Come stop him!" + </p> + <p> + At her first impetuous words the Colonel was on his feet. She caught him + by the hand and led him to the door before he fully realized what she + wanted. Then he drew back. She was impatient at the slightest delay, and + only half answered his questions. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, come, gran'fathah!" she pleaded. "Don't wait to talk!" But he held + her until he had learned all the circumstances. He was convinced by what + she told him that both Lloyd and her mother were unduly alarmed. When he + found that no one had sent for him, but that the child had come of her own + accord, he refused to go. + </p> + <p> + He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend to step + aside one inch from the position he had taken. For seven years he had kept + the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to his daughter. He would + keep it for seventy times seven years if need be. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him perfectly bewildered. She had been so accustomed to his + humouring her slightest whims, that it had never occurred to her he would + fail to help in a time of such distress. + </p> + <p> + "Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously. Then her + whole expression changed. Her face grew startlingly white, and her eyes + seemed so big and black. The Colonel looked at her in surprise. He had + never seen a child in such a passion before. "I hate you! I hate you!" she + exclaimed, all in a tremble. "You's a cruel, wicked man. I'll nevah come + heah again, nevah! nevah! nevah!" + </p> + <p> + The tears rolled down her cheeks as she banged the door behind her and ran + down the avenue, her little heart so full of grief and disappointment that + she felt she could not possibly bear it. + </p> + <p> + For more than an hour the Colonel walked up and down the room, unable to + shut out the anger and disappointment of that little face. + </p> + <p> + He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words. She would + never come back. He never knew until that hour how much he loved her, or + how much she had come to mean in his life. She was gone hopelessly beyond + recall, unless--He unlocked the door of the drawing-room and went in. A + faint breath of dried rose-leaves greeted him. He walked over to the empty + fireplace and looked up at the sweet face of the portrait a long time. + Then he leaned his arm on the mantel and bowed his head on it. "Oh, + Amanthis," he groaned, "tell me what to do." + </p> + <p> + Lloyd's own words came back to him. "She'd go right straight an' put her + arms around my mothah an' kiss away all the sorry feelin's." + </p> + <p> + It was a long time he stood there. The battle between his love and pride + was a hard one. At last he raised his head and saw that the short winter + day was almost over. Without waiting to order his horse he started off in + the falling snow toward the cottage. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr style="width: 35%;" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + <a name="linkCHAPTER_X." id="linkCHAPTER_X."></a>CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + A good many forebodings crowded into the Colonel's mind as he walked + hurriedly on. He wondered how he would be received. What if Jack Sherman + had died after all? What if Elizabeth should refuse to see him? A dozen + times before he reached the gate he pictured to himself the probable scene + of their meeting. + </p> + <p> + He was out of breath and decidedly disturbed in mind when he walked up the + path. As he paused on the porch steps, Lloyd came running around the house + carrying her parrot on a broom. Her hair was blowing around her rosy face + under the Napoleon hat she wore, and she was singing. + </p> + <p> + The last two hours had made a vast change in her feelings. Her father had + only fainted from exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + When she came running back from Locust, she was afraid to go in the house, + lest what she dreaded most had happened while she was gone. She opened the + door timidly and peeped in. Her father's eyes were open. Then she heard + him speak. She ran into the room, and, burying her head in her mother's + lap, sobbed out the story of her visit to Locust. + </p> + <p> + To her great surprise her father began to laugh, and laughed so heartily + as she repeated her saucy speech to her grandfather, that it took the + worst sting out of her disappointment. + </p> + <p> + All the time the Colonel had been fighting his pride among the memories of + the dim old drawing-room, Lloyd had been playing with Fritz and Polly. + </p> + <p> + Now as she came suddenly face to face with her grandfather, she dropped + the disgusted bird in the snow, and stood staring at him with startled + eyes. If he had fallen out of the sky she could not have been more + astonished. + </p> + <p> + "Where is your mother, child?" he asked, trying to speak calmly. With a + backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of her own sight, + she led the way into the hall. + </p> + <p> + "Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door. "Come heah, + quick!" + </p> + <p> + The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it on the + floor, took an expectant step forward. There was a slight rustle, and + Elizabeth stood in the doorway. For just a moment they looked into each + other's faces. Then the Colonel held out his arm. + </p> + <p> + "Little daughter," he said, in a tremulous voice. The love of a lifetime + seemed to tremble in those two words. + </p> + <p> + In an instant her arms were around his neck, and he was "kissing away the + sorry feelin's" as tenderly as the lost Amanthis could have done. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Lloyd began to realize what was happening, her face grew + radiant. She danced around in such excitement that Fritz barked wildly. + </p> + <p> + "Come an' see Papa Jack, too," she cried, leading him into the next room. + </p> + <p> + Whatever deep-rooted prejudices Jack Sherman may have had, they were + unselfishly put aside after one look into his wife's happy face. + </p> + <p> + He raised himself on his elbow as the dignified old soldier crossed the + room. The white hair, the empty sleeve, the remembrance of all the old man + had lost, and the thought that after all he was Elizabeth's father, sent a + very tender feeling through the younger man's heart. + </p> + <p> + "Will you take my hand, sir?" he asked, sitting up and offering it in his + straightforward way. + </p> + <p> + "Of co'se he will!" exclaimed Lloyd, who still clung to her grandfather's + arm. "Of co'se he will!" + </p> + <p> + "I have been too near death to harbour ill will any longer," said the + younger man, as their hands met in a strong, forgiving clasp. + </p> + <p> + The old Colonel smiled grimly. + </p> + <p> + "I had thought that even death itself could not make me give in," he said, + "but I've had to make a complete surrender to the Little Colonel." That + Christmas there was such a celebration at Locust that May Lilly and Henry + Clay nearly went wild in the general excitement of the preparation. Walker + hung up cedar and holly and mistletoe till the big house looked like a + bower. Maria bustled about, airing rooms and bringing out stores of linen + and silver. + </p> + <p> + The Colonel himself filled the great punch-bowl that his grandfather had + brought from Virginia. + </p> + <p> + "I'm glad we're goin' to stay heah to-night," said Lloyd, as she hung up + her stocking Christmas Eve. "It will be so much easiah fo' Santa Claus to + get down these big chimneys." + </p> + <p> + In the morning when she found four tiny stockings hanging beside her own, + overflowing with candy for Fritz, her happiness was complete. + </p> + <p> + That night there was a tree in the drawing-room that reached to the + frescoed ceiling. When May Lilly came in to admire it and get her share + from its loaded branches, Lloyd came skipping up to her. "Oh, I'm goin' to + live heah all wintah," she cried. "Mom Beck's goin' to stay heah with me, + too, while mothah an' Papa Jack go down South where the alligatahs live. + Then when they get well an' come back, Papa Jack is goin' to build a house + on the othah side of the lawn. I'm to live in both places at once; mothah + said so." + </p> + <p> + There were music and light, laughing voices and happy hearts in the old + home that night. It seemed as if the old place had awakened from a long + dream and found itself young again. + </p> + <p> + The plan the Little Colonel unfolded to May Lilly was carried out in every + detail. It seemed a long winter to the child, but it was a happy one. + There were not so many displays of temper now that she was growing older, + but the letters that went southward every week were full of her odd + speeches and mischievous pranks. The old Colonel found it hard to refuse + her anything. If it had not been for Mom Beck's decided ways, the child + would have been sadly spoiled. + </p> + <p> + At last the spring came again. The pewees sang in the cedars. The + dandelions sprinkled the roadsides like stars. The locust-trees tossed up + the white spray of their fragrant blossoms with every wave of their green + boughs. + </p> + <p> + "They'll soon be heah! They'll soon be heah!" chanted the Little Colonel + every day. + </p> + <p> + The morning they came she had been down the avenue a dozen times to look + for them before the carriage had even started to meet them. "Walkah," she + called, "cut me a big locus' bough. I want to wave it fo' a flag!" + </p> + <p> + Just as he dropped a branch down at her feet, she caught the sound of + wheels. "Hurry, gran'fathah," she called; "they's comin'." But the old + Colonel had already started on toward the gate to meet them. The carriage + stopped, and in a moment more Papa Jack was tossing Lloyd up in his arms, + while the old Colonel was helping Elizabeth to alight. + </p> + <p> + "Isn't this a happy mawnin'?" exclaimed the Little Colonel, as she leaned + from her seat on her father's shoulder to kiss his sunburned cheek. + </p> + <p> + "A very happy morning," echoed her grandfather, as he walked on toward the + house with Elizabeth's hand clasped close in his own. + </p> + <p> + Long after they had passed up the steps the old locusts kept echoing the + Little Colonel's words. Years ago they had showered their fragrant + blossoms in this same path to make a sweet white way for Amanthis's little + feet to tread when the Colonel brought home his bride. + </p> + <p> + They had dropped their tribute on the coffin-lid when Tom was carried home + under their drooping branches. The soldier-boy had loved them so, that a + little cluster had been laid on the breast of the gray coat he wore. + </p> + <p> + Night and day they had guarded this old home like silent sentinels that + loved it well. + </p> + <p> + Now, as they looked down on the united family, a thrill passed through + them to their remotest bloom-tipped branches. + </p> + <p> + It sounded only like a faint rustling of leaves, but it was the locusts + whispering together. "The children have come home at last," they kept + repeating. "What a happy morning! Oh, what a happy morning!" + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Colonel, by Annie Fellows Johnston + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +***** This file should be named 9407-h.htm or 9407-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/4/0/9407/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Colonel + +Author: Annie Fellows Johnston + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9407] +Last Updated: August 30, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + +THE LITTLE COLONEL + +By Annie Fellows Johnston + +1895 + + +TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S DEAREST LITTLE DAUGHTERS + +The Little Colonel + +HERSELF--THIS REMEMBRANCE OF A HAPPY SUMMER IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'CAUSE I'M SO MUCH LIKE YOU,' WAS THE STARTLING ANSWER". +"THE SAME TEMPER SEEMED TO BE BURNING IN THE EYES OF THE CHILD". +"WITH THE PARROT PERCHED ON THE BROOM SHE WAS CARRYING". +"THE LITTLE COLONEL CLATTERED UP AND DOWN THE HALL". +"SINGING AT THE TOP OF HER VOICE". +"'TELL ME GOOD-BY, BABY DEAR,' SAID MRS. SHERMAN". +"'AMANTHIS,' REPEATED THE CHILD DREAMILY". +"SHE CLIMBED UP IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR". +"THE SWEET LITTLE VOICE SANG IT TO THE END". + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +It was one of the prettiest places in all Kentucky where the Little +Colonel stood that morning. She was reaching up on tiptoes, her eager +little face pressed close against the iron bars of the great entrance +gate that led to a fine old estate known as "Locust." + +A ragged little Scotch and Skye terrier stood on its hind feet beside +her, thrusting his inquisitive nose between the bars, and wagging his +tasselled tail in lively approval of the scene before them. + +They were looking down a long avenue that stretched for nearly a quarter +of a mile between rows of stately old locust-trees. + +At the far end they could see the white pillars of a large stone house +gleaming through the Virginia creeper that nearly covered it. But they +could not see the old Colonel in his big chair on the porch behind the +cool screen of vines. + +At that very moment he had caught the rattle of wheels along the road, +and had picked up his field-glass to see who was passing. It was only +a coloured man jogging along in the heat and dust with a cart full of +chicken-coops. The Colonel watched him drive up a lane that led to the +back of the new hotel that had just been opened in this quiet country +place. Then his glance fell on the two small strangers coming through +his gate down the avenue toward him. One was the friskiest dog he had +ever seen in his life. The other was a child he judged to be about five +years old. + +Her shoes were covered with dust, and her white sunbonnet had slipped +off and was hanging over her shoulders. A bunch of wild flowers she had +gathered on the way hung limp and faded in her little warm hand. Her +soft, light hair was cut as short as a boy's. + +There was something strangely familiar about the child, especially in +the erect, graceful way she walked. + +Old Colonel Lloyd was puzzled. He had lived all his life in +Lloydsborough, and this was the first time he had ever failed to +recognize one of the neighbours' children. He knew every dog and horse, +too, by sight if not by name. + +Living so far from the public road did not limit his knowledge of what +was going on in the world. A powerful field-glass brought every passing +object in plain view, while he was saved all annoyance of noise and +dust. + +"I ought to know that child as well as I know my own name," he said to +himself. "But the dog is a stranger in these parts. Liveliest thing I +ever set eyes on! They must have come from the hotel. Wonder what they +want." + +He carefully wiped the lens for a better view. When he looked again he +saw that they evidently had not come to visit him. + +They had stopped half-way down the avenue, and climbed up on a rustic +seat to rest. + +The dog sat motionless about two minutes, his red tongue hanging out as +if he were completely exhausted. + +Suddenly he gave a spring, and bounded away through the tall blue grass. +He was back again in a moment, with a stick in his mouth. Standing +up with his fore paws in the lap of his little mistress, he looked so +wistfully into her face that she could not refuse this invitation for a +romp. + +The Colonel chuckled as they went tumbling about in the grass to find +the stick which the child repeatedly tossed away. + +He hitched his chair along to the other end of the porch as they kept +getting farther away from the avenue. + +It had been many a long year since those old locust-trees had seen a +sight like that. Children never played any more under their dignified +shadows. + +Time had been (but they only whispered this among themselves on rare +spring days like this) when the little feet chased each other up and +down the long walk, as much at home as the pewees in the beeches. + +Suddenly the little maid stood up straight, and began to sniff the air, +as if some delicious odour had blown across the lawn. + +"Fritz," she exclaimed, in delight, "I 'mell 'trawberries!" + +The Colonel, who could not hear the remark, wondered at the abrupt pause +in the game. He understood it, however, when he saw them wading through +the tall grass, straight to his strawberry bed. It was the pride of his +heart, and the finest for miles around. The first berries of the season +had been picked only the day before. Those that now hung temptingly red +on the vines he intended to send to his next neighbour, to prove his +boasted claim of always raising the finest and earliest fruit. + +He did not propose to have his plans spoiled by these stray guests. +Laying the field-glass in its accustomed place on the little table +beside his chair, he picked up his hat and strode down the walk. + +Colonel Lloyd's friends all said he looked like Napoleon, or rather like +Napoleon might have looked had he been born and bred a Kentuckian. + +He made an imposing figure in his suit of white duck. + +The Colonel always wore white from May till October. + +There was a military precision about him, from his erect carriage to the +cut of the little white goatee on his determined chin. + +No one looking into the firm lines of his resolute face could imagine +him ever abandoning a purpose or being turned aside when he once formed +an opinion. + +Most children were afraid of him. The darkies about the place shook in +their shoes when he frowned. They had learned from experience that "ole +Marse Lloyd had a tigah of a tempah in him." + +As he passed down the walk there were two mute witnesses to his old +soldier life. A spur gleamed on his boot heel, for he had just returned +from his morning ride, and his right sleeve hung empty. + +He had won his title bravely. He had given his only son and his strong +right arm to the Southern cause. That had been nearly thirty years ago. + +He did not charge down on the enemy with his usual force this time. The +little head, gleaming like sunshine in the strawberry patch, +reminded him so strongly of a little fellow who used to follow him +everywhere,--Tom, the sturdiest, handsomest boy in the county,--Tom, +whom he had been so proud of, whom he had so nearly worshipped. + +Looking at this fair head bent over the vines, he could almost forget +that Tom had ever outgrown his babyhood, that he had shouldered a rifle +and followed him to camp, a mere boy, to be shot down by a Yankee bullet +in his first battle. + +The old Colonel could almost believe he had him back again, and that he +stood in the midst of those old days the locusts sometimes whispered +about. + +He could not hear the happiest of little voices that was just then +saying, "Oh, Fritz, isn't you glad we came? An' isn't you glad we've got +a gran'fathah with such good 'trawberries?" + +It was hard for her to put the "s" before her consonants. + +As the Colonel came nearer she tossed another berry into the dog's +mouth. A twig snapped, and she raised a startled face toward him. + +"Suh?" she said, timidly, for it seemed to her that the stern, piercing +eyes had spoken. + +"What are you doing here, child?" he asked, in a voice so much kinder +than his eyes that she regained her usual self-possession at once. + +"Eatin' 'trawberries," she answered, coolly. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he exclaimed, much puzzled. As he asked the +question his gaze happened to rest on the dog, who was peering at him +through the ragged, elfish wisps of hair nearly covering its face, with +eyes that were startlingly human. + +"'Peak when yo'ah 'poken to, Fritz," she said, severely, at the same +time popping another luscious berry into her mouth. Fritz obediently +gave a long yelp. The Colonel smiled grimly. + +"What's your name?" he asked, this time looking directly at her. + +"Mothah calls me her baby," was the soft-spoken reply, "but papa an' Mom +Beck they calls me the Little Cun'l." + +"What under the sun do they call you that for?" he roared. + +"'Cause I'm so much like you," was the startling answer. + +"Like me!" fairly gasped the Colonel. "How are you like me?" + +"Oh, I'm got such a vile tempah, an' I stamps my foot when I gets mad, +an' gets all red in the face. An' I hollahs at folks, an' looks jus' zis +way." + +She drew her face down and puckered her lips into such a sullen pout +that it looked as if a thunder-storm had passed over it. The next +instant she smiled up at him serenely. The Colonel laughed. "What makes +you think I am like that?" he said. "You never saw me before." + +"Yes, I have too," she persisted. "You's a-hangin' in a gold frame over +ou' mantel." + +Just then a clear, high voice was heard calling out in the road. + +The child started up in alarm. "Oh, deah," she exclaimed in dismay, at +sight of the stains on her white dress, where she had been kneeling on +the fruit, "that's Mom Beck. Now I'll be tied up, and maybe put to bed +for runnin' away again. But the berries is mighty nice," she added, +politely. "Good mawnin', suh. Fritz, we mus' be goin' now." + +The voice was coming nearer. + +"I'll walk down to the gate with you," said the Colonel, anxious to +learn something more about his little guest. "Oh, you'd bettah not, +suh!" she cried in alarm. "Mom Beck doesn't like you a bit. She just +hates you! She's goin' to give you a piece of her mind the next time she +sees you. I heard her tell Aunt Nervy so." + +There was as much real distress in the child's voice as if she were +telling him of a promised flogging. + +"Lloyd! Aw, Lloy-eed!" the call came again. + +A neat-looking coloured woman glanced in at the gate as she was passing +by, and then stood still in amazement. She had often found her little +charge playing along the roadside or hiding behind trees, but she had +never before known her to pass through any one's gate. + +As the name came floating down to him through the clear air, a change +came over the Colonel's stern face. He stooped over the child. His hand +trembled as he put it under her soft chin and raised her eyes to his. + +"Lloyd, Lloyd!" he repeated, in a puzzled way. "Can it be possible? +There certainly is a wonderful resemblance. You have my little Tom's +hair, and only my baby Elizabeth ever had such hazel eyes." + +He caught her up in his one arm, and strode on to the gate, where the +coloured woman stood. + +"Why, Becky, is that you?" he cried, recognizing an old, trusted servant +who had lived at Locust in his wife's lifetime. + +Her only answer was a sullen nod. + +"Whose child is this?" he asked, eagerly, without seeming to notice her +defiant looks. "Tell me if you can." + +"How can I tell you, suh," she demanded, indignantly, "when you have +fo'bidden even her name to be spoken befo' you?" + +A harsh look came into the Colonel's eyes. He put the child hastily +down, and pressed his lips together. + +"Don't tie my sunbonnet, Mom Beck," she begged. Then she waved her hand +with an engaging smile. + +"Good-bye, suh," she said, graciously. "We've had a mighty nice time!" + +The Colonel took off his hat with his usual courtly bow, but he spoke no +word in reply. + +When the last flutter of her dress had disappeared around the bend of +the road, he walked slowly back toward the house. + +Half-way down the long avenue where she had stopped to rest, he sat down +on the same rustic seat. He could feel her soft little fingers resting +on his neck, where they had lain when he carried her to the gate. + +A very un-Napoleonlike mist blurred his sight for a moment. It had been +so long since such a touch had thrilled him, so long since any caress +had been given him. + +More than a score of years had gone by since Tom had been laid in a +soldier's grave, and the years that Elizabeth had been lost to him +seemed almost a lifetime. + +And this was Elizabeth's little daughter. Something very warm and sweet +seemed to surge across his heart as he thought of the Little Colonel. He +was glad, for a moment, that they called her that; glad that his only +grandchild looked enough like himself for others to see the resemblance. + +But the feeling passed as he remembered that his daughter had married +against his wishes, and he had closed his doors for ever against her. + +The old bitterness came back redoubled in its force. + +The next instant he was stamping down the avenue, roaring for Walker, +his body-servant, in such a tone that the cook's advice was speedily +taken: "Bettah hump yo'self outen dis heah kitchen befo' de ole tigah +gits to lashin' roun' any pearter." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Mom Beck carried the ironing-board out of the hot kitchen, set the irons +off the stove, and then tiptoed out to the side porch of the little +cottage. + +"Is yo' head feelin' any bettah, honey?" she said to the pretty, +girlish-looking woman lying in the hammock. "I promised to step up to +the hotel this evenin' to see one of the chambah-maids. I thought I'd +take the Little Cun'l along with me if you was willin'. She's always +wild to play with Mrs. Wyford's children up there." + +"Yes, I'm better, Becky," was the languid reply. "Put a clean dress on +Lloyd if you are going to take her out." + +Mrs. Sherman closed her eyes again, thinking gratefully, "Dear, faithful +old Becky! What a comfort she has been all my life, first as my nurse, +and now as Lloyd's! She is worth her weight in gold!" + +The afternoon shadows were stretching long across the grass when Mom +Beck led the child up the green slope in front of the hotel. + +The Little Colonel had danced along so gaily with Fritz that her cheeks +glowed like wild roses. She made a quaint little picture with such short +sunny hair and dark eyes shining out from under the broad-brimmed white +hat she wore. + +Several ladies who were sitting on the shady piazza, busy with their +embroidery, noticed her admiringly. "It's Elizabeth Lloyd's little +daughter," one of them explained. "Don't you remember what a scene there +was some years ago when she married a New York man? Sherman, I believe, +his name was, Jack Sherman. He was a splendid fellow, and enormously +wealthy. Nobody could say a word against him, except that he was a +Northerner. That was enough for the old Colonel, though. He hates +Yankees like poison. He stormed and swore, and forbade Elizabeth ever +coming in his sight again. He had her room locked up, and not a soul on +the place ever dares mention her name in his hearing." + +The Little Colonel sat down demurely on the piazza steps to wait for the +children. The nurse had not finished dressing them for the evening. + +She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an illustrated +weekly. It was not long until she began to feel that the ladies were +talking about her. She had lived among older people so entirely that +her thoughts were much deeper than her baby speeches would lead one to +suppose. + +She understood dimly, from what she had heard the servants say, that +there was some trouble between her mother and grandfather. Now she heard +it rehearsed from beginning to end. She could not understand what +they meant by "bank failures" and "unfortunate investments," but she +understood enough to know that her father had lost nearly all his money, +and had gone West to make more. + +Mrs. Sherman had moved from their elegant New York home two weeks ago +to this little cottage in Lloydsborough that her mother had left her. +Instead of the houseful of servants they used to have, there was only +faithful Mom Beck to do everything. + +There was something magnetic in the child's eyes. + +Mrs. Wyford shrugged her shoulders uneasily as she caught their piercing +gaze fixed on her. + +"I do believe that little witch understood every word I said," she +exclaimed. + +"Oh, certainly not," was the reassuring answer. "She's such a little +thing." + +But she had heard it all, and understood enough to make her vaguely +unhappy. Going home she did not frisk along with Fritz, but walked +soberly by Mom Beck's side, holding tight to the friendly black hand. + +"We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over the fence. +"It's not so long that way." + +As they followed the narrow, straggling path into the cool dusk of +the woods, she began to sing. The crooning chant was as mournful as a +funeral dirge. + + "The clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends. + I'm gwine to lie in the silent tomb. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends." + +A muffled little sob made her stop and look down in surprise. + +"Why, what's the mattah, honey?" she exclaimed. "Did Emma Louise make +you mad? Or is you cryin' 'cause you're so ti'ed? Come! Ole Becky'll +tote her baby the rest of the way." + +She picked the light form up in her arms, and, pressing the troubled +little face against her shoulder, resumed her walk and her song. + + "It's a world of trouble we're travellin' through, + Fa'well, my dyin' friends." + +"Oh, don't, Mom Beck," sobbed the child, throwing her arms around the +woman's neck, and crying as though her heart would break. + +"Land sakes, what is the mattah?" she asked, in alarm. She sat down on a +mossy log, took off the white hat, and looked into the flushed, tearful +face. + +"Oh, it makes me so lonesome when you sing that way," wailed the Little +Colonel. "I just can't 'tand it! Mom Beck, is my mothah's heart all +broken? Is that why she is sick so much, and will it kill her suah +'nuff?" + +"Who's been tellin' you such nonsense?" asked the woman, sharply. + +"Some ladies at the hotel were talkin' about it. They said that +gran'fathah didn't love her any moah, an' it was just a-killin' her." +Mom Beck frowned fiercely. + +The child's grief was so deep and intense that she did not know just +how to quiet her. Then she said, decidedly, "Well, if that's all that's +a-troublin' you, you can jus' get down an' walk home on yo' own laigs. +Yo' mamma's a-grievin' 'cause yo' papa has to be away all the time. +She's all wo'n out, too, with the work of movin', when she's nevah been +used to doin' anything. But her heart isn't broke any moah'n my neck +is." + +The positive words and the decided toss Mom Beck gave her head settled +the matter for the Little Colonel. She wiped her eyes and stood up much +relieved. + +"Don't you nevah go to worryin' 'bout what you heahs," continued the +woman. "I tell you p'intedly you cyarnt nevah b'lieve what you heahs." + +"Why doesn't gran'fathah love my mothah?" asked the child, as they came +in sight of the cottage. She had puzzled over the knotty problem all the +way home. "How can papas not love their little girls?" + +"'Cause he's stubbo'n," was the unsatisfactory answer. "All the Lloyds +is. Yo' mamma's stubbo'n, an' you's stubbo'n--" + +"I'm not!" shrieked the Little Colonel, stamping her foot. "You sha'n't +call me names!" + +Then she saw a familiar white hand waving to her from the hammock, and +she broke away from Mom Beck with very red cheeks and very bright eyes. + +Cuddled close in her mother's arms, she had a queer feeling that she had +grown a great deal older in that short afternoon. + +Maybe she had. For the first time in her little life she kept her +troubles to herself, and did not once mention the thought that was +uppermost in her mind. + +"Yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah is comin' this mawnin'," said Mom Beck, the +day after their visit to the hotel. "Do fo' goodness' sake keep yo'self +clean. I'se got too many spring chickens to dress to think 'bout +dressin' you up again." + +"Did I evah see her befo'?" questioned the Little Colonel. + +"Why, yes, the day we moved heah. Don't you know she came and stayed so +long, and the rockah broke off the little white rockin'-chair when she +sat down in it?" + +"Oh, now I know!" laughed the child. "She's the big fat one with curls +hangin' round her yeahs like shavin's. I don't like her, Mom Beck. She +keeps a-kissin' me all the time, an' a-'queezin' me, an' tellin' me to +sit on her lap an' be a little lady. Mom Beck, I de'pise to be a little +lady." + +There was no answer to her last remark. Mom Beck had stepped into the +pantry for more eggs for the cake she was making. + +"Fritz," said the Little Colonel, "yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah's comin' +this mawnin', an' if you don't want to say 'howdy' to her you'll have to +come with me." + +A few minutes later a resolute little figure squeezed between the +palings of the garden fence down by the gooseberry bushes. + +"Now walk on your tiptoes, Fritz!" commanded the Little Colonel, "else +somebody will call us back." + +Mom Beck, busy with her extra baking, supposed she was with her mother +on the shady, vine-covered porch. + +She would not have been singing quite so gaily if she could have seen +half a mile up the road. + +The Little Colonel was sitting in the weeds by the railroad track, +deliberately taking off her shoes and stockings. + +"Just like a little niggah," she said, delightedly, as she stretched out +her bare feet. "Mom Beck says I ought to know bettah. But it does feel +so good!" + +No telling how long she might have sat there enjoying the forbidden +pleasure of dragging her rosy toes through the warm dust, if she had not +heard a horse's hoof-beats coming rapidly along. + +"Fritz, it's gran'fathah," she whispered, in alarm, recognizing the +erect figure of the rider in its spotless suit of white duck. + +"Sh! lie down in the weeds, quick! Lie down, I say!" They both made +themselves as flat as possible, and lay there panting with the exertion +of keeping still. + +Presently the Little Colonel raised her head cautiously. + +"Oh, he's gone down that lane!" she exclaimed. "Now you can get up." +After a moment's deliberation she asked, "Fritz, would you rathah have +some 'trawberries an' be tied up fo' runnin' away, or not be tied up and +not have any of those nice tas'en 'trawberries?" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Two hours later, Colonel Lloyd, riding down the avenue under the +locusts, was surprised by a novel sight on his stately front steps. + +Three little darkies and a big flop-eared hound were crouched on the +bottom step, looking up at the Little Colonel, who sat just above them. + +She was industriously stirring something in an old rusty pan with a big, +battered spoon. + +"Now, May Lilly," she ordered, speaking to the largest and blackest of +the group, "you run an' find some nice 'mooth pebbles to put in for +raisins. Henry Clay, you go get me some moah sand. This is 'most too +wet." + +"Here, you little pickaninnies!" roared the Colonel, as he recognized +the cook's children. "What did I tell you about playing around here, +tracking dirt all over my premises? You just chase back to the cabin +where you belong!" + +The sudden call startled Lloyd so that she dropped the pan, and the +great mud pie turned upside down on the white steps. + +"Well, you're a pretty sight!" said the Colonel, as he glanced with +disgust from her soiled dress and muddy hands to her bare feet. + +He had been in a bad humour all morning. The sight of the steps covered +with sand and muddy tracks gave him an excuse to give vent to his cross +feelings. + +It was one of his theories that a little girl should always be kept as +fresh and dainty as a flower. He had never seen his own little daughter +in such a plight as this, and she had never been allowed to step outside +of her own room without her shoes and stockings. + +"What does your mother mean," he cried, savagely, "by letting you run +barefooted around the country just like poor white trash? An' what are +you playing with low-flung niggers for? Haven't you ever been taught any +better? I suppose it's some of your father's miserable Yankee notions." + +May Lilly, peeping around the corner of the house, rolled her frightened +eyes from one angry face to the other. The same temper that glared from +the face of the man, sitting erect in his saddle, seemed to be burning +in the eyes of the child, who stood so defiantly before him. The same +kind of scowl drew their eyebrows together darkly. + +"Don't you talk that way to me," cried the Little Colonel, trembling +with a wrath she did not know how to express. + +Suddenly she stooped, and snatching both hands full of mud from the +overturned pie, flung it wildly over the spotless white coat. + +Colonel Lloyd gasped with astonishment. It was the first time in his +life he had ever been openly defied. The next moment his anger gave way +to amusement. + +"By George!" he chuckled, admiringly. "The little thing has got spirit, +sure enough. She's a Lloyd through and through. So that's why they call +her the 'Little Colonel,' is it?" + +There was a tinge of pride in the look he gave her haughty little head +and flashing eyes. "There, there, child!" he said, soothingly. "I didn't +mean to make you mad, when you were good enough to come and see me. It +isn't often I have a little lady like you pay me a visit." + +"I didn't come to see you, suh," she answered, indignantly, as she +started toward the gate. "I came to see May Lilly. But I nevah would +have come inside yo' gate if I'd known you was goin' to hollah at me an' +be so cross." + +She was walking off with the air of an offended queen, when the Colonel +remembered that if he allowed her to go away in that mood she would +probably never set foot on his grounds again. Her display of temper had +interested him immensely. + +Now that he had laughed off his ill humour, he was anxious to see what +other traits of character she possessed. He wheeled his horse across the +walk to bar her way, and quickly dismounted. + +"Oh, now, wait a minute," he said, in a coaxing tone. "Don't you want +a nice big saucer of strawberries and cream before you go? Walker's +picking some now. And you haven't seen my hothouse. It's just full of +the loveliest flowers you ever saw. You like roses, don't you, and pinks +and lilies and pansies?" + +He saw he had struck the right chord as soon as he mentioned the +flowers. The sullen look vanished as if by magic. Her face changed as +suddenly as an April day. + +"Oh, yes!" she cried, with a beaming smile. "I loves 'm bettah than +anything!" + +He tied his horse, and led the way to the conservatory. He opened the +door for her to pass through, and then watched her closely to see what +impression it would make on her. He had expected a delighted exclamation +of surprise, for he had good reason to be proud of his rare plants. They +were arranged with a true artist's eye for colour and effect. + +She did not say a word for a moment, but drew a long breath, while the +delicate pink in her cheeks deepened and her eyes lighted up. Then she +began going slowly from flower to flower, laying her face against the +cool, velvety purple of the pansies, touching the roses with her lips, +and tilting the white lily-cups to look into their golden depths. + +As she passed from one to another as lightly as a butterfly might have +done, she began chanting in a happy undertone. + +Ever since she had learned to talk she had a quaint little way of +singing to herself. All the names that pleased her fancy she strung +together in a crooning melody of her own. + +There was no special tune. It sounded happy, although nearly always in a +minor key. + +"Oh, the jonquils an' the lilies!" she sang. "All white an' gold an' +yellow. Oh, they're all a-smilin' at me, an' a-sayin' howdy! howdy!" + +She was so absorbed in her intense enjoyment that she forgot all about +the old Colonel. She was wholly unconscious that he was watching or +listening. + +"She really does love them," he thought, complacently. "To see her face +one would think she had found a fortune." + +It was another bond between them. + +After awhile he took a small basket from the wall, and began to fill it +with his choicest blooms. "You shall have these to take home," he said. +"Now come into the house and get your strawberries." + +She followed him reluctantly, turning back several times for one more +long sniff of the delicious fragrance. + +She was not at all like the Colonel's ideal of what a little girl +should be, as she sat in one of the high, stiff chairs, enjoying her +strawberries. Her dusty little toes wriggled around in the curls on +Fritz's back, as she used him for a footstool. Her dress was draggled +and dirty, and she kept leaning over to give the dog berries and cream +from the spoon she was eating with herself. + +He forgot all this, however, when she began to talk to him. + +"My great-aunt Sally Tylah is to our house this mawnin'," she announced, +confidentially. "That's why we came off. Do you know my Aunt Sally +Tylah?" + +"Well, slightly!" chuckled the Colonel. "She was my wife's half-sister. +So you don't like her, eh? Well, I don't like her either." + +He threw back his head and laughed heartily. The more the child talked +the more entertaining he found her. He did not remember when he had ever +been so amused before as he was by this tiny counterpart of himself. + +When the last berry had vanished, she slipped down from the tall chair. + +"Do you 'pose it's very late?" she asked, in an anxious voice. "Mom Beck +will be comin' for me soon." + +"Yes, it is nearly noon," he answered. "It didn't do much good to run +away from your Aunt Tyler; she'll see you after all." + +"Well, she can't 'queeze me an' kiss me, 'cause I've been naughty, an' +I'll be put to bed like I was the othah day, just as soon as I get home. +I 'most wish I was there now," she sighed. "It's so fa' an' the sun's so +hot. I lost my sunbonnet when I was comin' heah, too." + +Something in the tired, dirty face prompted the old Colonel to say, +"Well, my horse hasn't been put away yet. I'll take you home on Maggie +Boy." + +The next moment he repented making such an offer, thinking what +the neighbours might say if they should meet him on the road with +Elizabeth's child in his arm. + +But it was too late. He could not unclasp the trusting little hand that +was slipped in his. He could not cloud the happiness of the eager little +face by retracting his promise. + +He swung himself into the saddle, with her in front. Then he put his +one arm around her with a firm clasp, as he reached forward to take the +bridle. + +"You couldn't take Fritz on behin', could you?" she asked, anxiously. +"He's mighty ti'ed too." + +"No," said the Colonel, with a laugh. "Maggie Boy might object and throw +us all off." + +Hugging her basket of flowers close in her arms, she leaned her head +against him contentedly as they cantered down the avenue. + +"Look!" whispered all the locusts, waving their hands to each other +excitedly. "Look! The master has his own again. The dear old times are +coming back to us." + +"How the trees blow!" exclaimed the child, looking up at the green arch +overhead. "See! They's all a-noddin' to each othah." "We'll have to get +my shoes an' 'tockin's," she said, presently, when they were nearly +home. "They're in that fence cawnah behin' a log." + +The Colonel obediently got down and handed them to her. As he mounted +again he saw a carriage coming toward them. He recognized one of his +nearest neighbours. Striking the astonished Maggie Boy with his spur, +he turned her across the railroad track, down the steep embankment, and +into an unfrequented lane. + +"This road is just back of your garden," he said. "Can you get through +the fence if I take you there?" + +"That's the way we came out," was the answer. "See that hole where the +palin's are off?" + +Just as he was about to lift her down, she put one arm around his neck, +and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Good-bye, gran'fatha'," she said, +in her most winning way. "I've had a mighty nice time." Then she added, +in a lower tone, "'Kuse me fo' throwin' mud on yo' coat." + +He held her close a moment, thinking nothing had ever before been half +so sweet as the way she called him grandfather. + +From that moment his heart went out to her as it had to little Tom and +Elizabeth. It made no difference if her mother had forfeited his love. +It made no difference if Jack Sherman was her father, and that the two +men heartily hated each other. + +It was his own little grandchild he held in his arms. + +She had sealed the relationship with a trusting kiss. + +"Child," he said, huskily, "you will come and see me again, won't you, +no matter if they do tell you not to? You shall have all the flowers and +berries you want, and you can ride Maggie Boy as often as you please." + +She looked up into his face. It was very familiar to her. She had looked +at his portrait often, unconsciously recognizing a kindred spirit that +she longed to know. + +Her ideas of grandfathers, gained from stories and observation, led her +to class them with fairy godmothers. She had always wished for one. + +The day they moved to Lloydsborough, Locust had been pointed out to her +as her grandfather's home. From that time on she slipped away with +Fritz on every possible occasion to peer through the gate, hoping for a +glimpse of him. + +"Yes, I'll come suah!" she promised. "I likes you just lots, +gran'fathah!" He watched her scramble through the hole in the fence. +Then he turned his horse's head slowly homeward. + +A scrap of white lying on the grass attracted his attention as he neared +the gate. + +"It's the lost sunbonnet," he said, with a smile. He carried it into the +house, and hung it on the hat-rack in the wide front hall. + +"Ole marse is crosser'n two sticks," growled Walker to the cook at +dinner. "There ain't no livin' with him. What do you s'pose is the +mattah?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Mom Beck was busy putting lunch on the table when the Little Colonel +looked in at the kitchen door. + +So she did not see a little tramp, carrying her shoes in one hand, and a +basket in the other, who paused there a moment. But when she took up the +pan of beaten biscuit she was puzzled to find that several were missing. + +"It beats my time," she said, aloud. "The parrot couldn't have reached +them, an' Lloyd an' the dog have been in the pa'lah all mawnin'. +Somethin' has jus' natch'ly done sperrited 'em away." + +Fritz was gravely licking his lips, and the Little Colonel had her mouth +full, when they suddenly made their appearance on the front porch. + +Aunt Sally Tyler gave a little shriek, and stopped rocking. + +"Why, Lloyd Sherman!" gasped her mother, in dismay. "Where have you +been? I thought you were with Becky all the time. I was sure I heard you +singing out there a little while ago." + +"I've been to see my gran'fathah," said the child, speaking very fast. +"I made mud pies on his front 'teps, an' we both of us got mad, an' +I throwed mud on him, an' he gave me some 'trawberries an' all these +flowers, an' brought me home on Maggie Boy." + +She stopped out of breath. Mrs. Tyler and her niece exchanged astonished +glances. + +"But, baby, how could you disgrace mother so by going up there looking +like a dirty little beggar?" + +"He didn't care," replied Lloyd, calmly. "He made me promise to come +again, no mattah if you all did tell me not to." + +Just then Becky announced that lunch was ready, and carried the child +away to make her presentable. + +To Lloyd's great surprise she was not put to bed, but was allowed to go +to the table as soon as she was dressed. It was not long until she had +told every detail of the morning's experience. + +While she was taking her afternoon nap, the two ladies sat out on the +porch, gravely discussing all she had told them. + +"It doesn't seem right for me to allow her to go there," said Mrs. +Sherman, "after the way papa has treated us. I can never forgive him +for all the terrible things he has said about Jack, and I know Jack can +never be friends with him on account of what he has said about me. He +has been so harsh and unjust that I don't want my little Lloyd to have +anything to do with him. I wouldn't for worlds have him think that I +encouraged her going there." + +"Well, yes, I know," answered her aunt, slowly. "But there are some +things to consider besides your pride, Elizabeth. There's the child +herself, you know. Now that Jack has lost so much, and your prospects +are so uncertain, you ought to think of her interests. It would be a +pity for Locust to go to strangers when it has been in your family for +so many generations. That's what it certainly will do unless something +turns up to interfere. Old Judge Woodard told me himself that your +father had made a will, leaving everything he owns to some medical +institution. Imagine Locust being turned into a sanitarium or a +training-school for nurses!" + +"Dear old place!" said Mrs. Sherman, with tears in her eyes. "No one +ever had a happier childhood than I passed under these old locusts. +Every tree seems like a friend. I would be glad for Lloyd to enjoy the +place as I did." + +"I'd let her go as much as she pleases, Elizabeth. She's so much like +the old Colonel that they ought to understand each other, and get along +capitally. Who knows, it might end in you all making up some day." + +Mrs. Sherman raised her head haughtily. "No, indeed, Aunt Sally. I can +forgive and forget much, but you are greatly mistaken if you think I can +go to such lengths as that. He closed his doors against me with a curse, +for no reason on earth but that the man I loved was born north of the +Mason and Dixon line. There never was a nobler man living than Jack, +and papa would have seen it if he hadn't deliberately shut his eyes and +refused to look at him. He was just prejudiced and stubborn." + +Aunt Sally said nothing, but her thoughts took the shape of Mom Beck's +declaration, "The Lloyds is all stubborn." + +"I wouldn't go through his gate now if he got down on his knees and +begged me," continued Elizabeth, hotly. + +"It's too bad," exclaimed her aunt; "he was always so perfectly devoted +to 'little daughter,' as he used to call you. I don't like him myself. +We never could get along together at all, because he is so high-strung +and overbearing. But I know it would have made your poor mother mighty +unhappy if she could have foreseen all this." + +Elizabeth sat with the tears dropping down on her little white hands, +as her aunt proceeded to work on her sympathies in every way she could +think of. + +Presently Lloyd came out all fresh and rosy from her long nap, and went +to play in the shade of the great beech-trees that guarded the cottage. + +"I never saw a child with such influence over animals," said her mother, +as Lloyd came around the house with the parrot perched on the broom she +was carrying. "She'll walk right up to any strange dog and make friends +with it, no matter how savage-looking it is. And there's Polly, so old +and cross that she screams and scolds dreadfully if any of us go near +her. But Lloyd dresses her up in doll's clothes, puts paper bonnets on +her, and makes her just as uncomfortable as she pleases. Look! that is +one of her favourite amusements." + +The Little Colonel squeezed the parrot into a tiny doll carriage, and +began to trundle it back and forth as fast as she could run. + +"Ha! ha!" screamed the bird. "Polly is a lady! Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + +"She caught that from the washerwoman," laughed Mrs. Sherman. "I should +think the poor thing would be dizzy from whirling around so fast." + +"Quit that, chillun; stop yo' fussin'," screamed Polly, as Lloyd grabbed +her up and began to pin a shawl around her neck. She clucked angrily, +but never once attempted to snap at the dimpled fingers that squeezed +her tight. Suddenly, as if her patience was completely exhausted, she +uttered a disdainful "Oh, pshaw!" and flew up into an old cedar-tree. + +"Mothah! Polly won't play with me any moah," shrieked the child, flying +into a rage. She stamped and scowled and grew red in the face. Then she +began beating the trunk of the tree with the old broom she had been +carrying. + +"Did you ever see anything so much like the old Colonel?" said Mrs. +Tyler, in astonishment. "I wonder if she acted that way this morning." + +"I don't doubt it at all," answered Mrs. Sherman. "She'll be over it in +just a moment. These little spells never last long." + +Mrs. Sherman was right. In a few moments Lloyd came up the walk, +singing. + +"I wish you'd tell me a pink story," she said, coaxingly, as she leaned +against her mother's knee. + +"Not now, dear; don't you see that I am busy talking to Aunt Sally? Run +and ask Mom Beck for one." + +"What on earth does she mean by a pink story?" asked Mrs. Tyler. + +"Oh, she is so fond of colours. She is always asking for a pink or a +blue or a white story. She wants everything in the story tinged with +whatever colour she chooses,--dresses, parasols, flowers, sky, even the +icing on the cakes and the paper on the walls." + +"What an odd little thing she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Tyler. "Isn't she lots +of company for you?" + +She need not have asked that question if she could have seen them that +evening, sitting together in the early twilight. + +Lloyd was in her mother's lap, leaning her head against her shoulder +as they rocked slowly back and forth on the dark porch. + +There was an occasional rattle of wheels along the road, a twitter of +sleepy birds, a distant croaking of frogs. + +Mom Beck's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was stepping +briskly around. + + "Oh, the clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends," + +she sang. + +Lloyd put her arms closer around her mother's neck. + +"Let's talk about Papa Jack," she said. "What you 'pose he's doin' now, +'way out West?" + +Elizabeth, feeling like a tired, homesick child herself, held her close, +and was comforted as she listened to the sweet little voice talking +about the absent father. + +The moon came up after awhile, and streamed in through the vines of +the porch. The hazel eyes slowly closed as Elizabeth began to hum an +old-time negro lullaby. + +"Wondah if she'll run away to-morrow," whispered Mom Beck, as she came +out to carry her in the house. + +"Who'd evah think now, lookin' at her pretty, innocent face, that she +could be so naughty? Bless her little soul!" + +The kind old black face was laid lovingly a moment against the fair, +soft cheek of the Little Colonel. Then she lifted her in her strong +arms, and carried her gently away to bed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Summer lingers long among the Kentucky hills. Each passing day seemed +fairer than the last to the Little Colonel, who had never before known +anything of country life. + +Roses climbed up and almost hid the small white cottage. Red birds +sang in the woodbine. Squirrels chattered in the beeches. She was +out-of-doors all day long. + +Sometimes she spent hours watching the ants carry away the sugar she +sprinkled for them. Sometimes she caught flies for an old spider that +had his den under the porch steps. "He is an ogah" (ogre), she explained +to Fritz. "He's bewitched me so's I have to kill whole families of flies +for him to eat." + +She was always busy and always happy. + +Before June was half over it got to be a common occurrence for Walker +to ride up to the gate on the Colonel's horse. The excuse was always to +have a passing word with Mom Beck. But before he rode away, the Little +Colonel was generally mounted in front of him. It was not long before +she felt almost as much at home at Locust as she did at the cottage. + +The neighbours began to comment on it after awhile. "He will surely make +up with Elizabeth at this rate," they said. But at the end of the summer +the father and daughter had not even had a passing glimpse of each +other. One day, late in September, as the Little Colonel clattered up +and down the hall with her grandfather's spur buckled on her tiny foot, +she called back over her shoulder: "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + +The Colonel paid no attention. + +"I say," she repeated, "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + +"Well," was the gruff response. "Why couldn't he stay where he was? I +suppose you won't want to come here any more after he gets back." + +"No, I 'pose not," she answered, so carelessly that he was conscious of +a very jealous feeling. + +"Chilluns always like to stay with their fathahs when they's nice as my +Papa Jack is." + +The old man growled something behind his newspaper that she did not +hear. He would have been glad to choke this man who had come between him +and his only child, and he hated him worse than ever when he realized +what a large place he held in Lloyd's little heart. + +She did not go back to Locust the next day, nor for weeks after that. + +She was up almost as soon as Mom Beck next morning, thoroughly enjoying +the bustle of preparation. + +She had a finger in everything, from polishing the silver to turning the +ice-cream freezer. + +Even Fritz was scrubbed till he came out of his bath with his curls all +white and shining. He was proud of himself, from his silky bangs to the +tip of his tasselled tail. + +Just before train time, the Little Colonel stuck his collar full of late +pink roses, and stood back to admire the effect. Her mother came to the +door, dressed for the evening. She wore an airy-looking dress of the +palest, softest blue. There was a white rosebud caught in her dark hair. +A bright colour, as fresh as Lloyd's own, tinged her cheeks, and the +glad light in her brown eyes made them unusually brilliant. + +Lloyd jumped up and threw her arms about her. "Oh, mothah," she cried, +"you an' Fritz is so bu'ful!" + +The engine whistled up the road at the crossing. "Come, we have just +time to get to the station," said Mrs. Sherman, holding out her hand. + +They went through the gate, down the narrow path that ran beside the +dusty road. The train had just stopped in front of the little station +when they reached it. + +A number of gentlemen, coming out from the city to spend Sunday at the +hotel, came down the steps. They glanced admiringly from the beautiful, +girlish face of the mother to the happy child dancing impatiently up and +down at her side. They could not help smiling at Fritz as he frisked +about in his imposing rose-collar. + +"Why, where's Papa Jack?" asked Lloyd, in distress, as passenger after +passenger stepped down. "Isn't he goin' to come?" + +The tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, when she saw him in the +door of the car; not hurrying along to meet them as he always used to +come, so full of life and vigour, but leaning heavily on the porter's +shoulder, looking very pale and weak. + +Lloyd looked up at her mother, from whose face every particle of colour +had faded. Mrs. Sherman gave a low, frightened cry as she sprang forward +to meet him. "Oh, Jack! what is the matter? What has happened to you?" +she exclaimed, as he took her in his arms. The train had gone on, and +they were left alone on the platform. + +"Just a little sick spell," he answered, with a smile. "We had a fire +out at the mines, and I overtaxed myself some. I've had fever ever +since, and it has pulled me down considerably." + +"I must send somebody for a carriage," she said, looking around +anxiously. + +"No, indeed," he protested. "It's only a few steps; I can walk it +as well as not. The sight of you and the baby has made me stronger +already." + +He sent a coloured boy on ahead with his valise, and they walked slowly +up the path, with Fritz running wildly around them, barking a glad +welcome. + +"How sweet and homelike it all looks!" he said, as he stepped into the +hall, where Mom Beck was just lighting the lamps. Then he sank down on +the couch, completely exhausted, and wearily closed his eyes. + +The Little Colonel looked at his white face in alarm. All the gladness +seemed to have been taken out of the homecoming. + +Her mother was busy trying to make him comfortable, and paid no +attention to the disconsolate little figure wandering about the house +alone. Mom Beck had gone for the doctor. + +The supper was drying up in the warming-oven. The ice-cream was melting +in the freezer. Nobody seemed to care. There was no one to notice the +pretty table with its array of flowers and cut glass and silver. + +When Mom Beck came back, Lloyd ate all by herself, and then sat out on +the kitchen door-step while the doctor made his visit. + +She was just going mournfully off to bed with an aching lump in her +throat, when her mother opened the door. + +"Come tell papa good-night," she said. "He's lots better now." + +She climbed up on the bed beside him, and buried her face on his +shoulder to hide the tears she had been trying to keep back all evening. + +"How the child has grown!" he exclaimed. "Do you notice, Beth, how much +plainer she talks? She does not seem at all like the baby I left last +spring. Well, she'll soon be six years old,--a real little woman. She'll +be papa's little comfort." + +The ache in her throat was all gone after that. She romped with Fritz +all the time she was undressing. + +Papa Jack was worse next morning. It was hard for Lloyd to keep quiet +when the late September sunshine was so gloriously yellow and the whole +outdoors seemed so wide awake. + +She tiptoed out of the darkened room where her father lay, and swung on +the front gate until she saw the doctor riding up on his bay horse. It +seemed to her that the day never would pass. + +Mom Beck, rustling around in her best dress ready for church, that +afternoon, took pity on the lonesome child. + +"Go get yo' best hat, honey," she said, "an' I'll take you with me." + +It was one of the Little Colonel's greatest pleasures to be allowed to +go to the coloured church. + +She loved to listen to the singing, and would sit perfectly motionless +while the sweet voices blended like the chords of some mighty organ +as they sent the old hymns rolling heavenward. Service had already +commenced by the time they took their seats. Nearly everybody in the +congregation was swaying back and forth in time to the mournful melody +of "Sinnah, sinnah, where's you boun'?" + +One old woman across the aisle began clapping her hands together, and +repeated in a singsong tone, "Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + +"Why, that's just what our parrot says," exclaimed Lloyd, so much +surprised that she spoke right out loud. + +Mom Beck put her handkerchief over her mouth, and a general smile went +around. + +After that the child was very quiet until the time came to take the +collection. She always enjoyed this part of the service more than +anything else. Instead of passing baskets around, each person was +invited to come forward and lay his offering on the table. + +Woolly heads wagged, and many feet kept time to the tune: + + "Oh! I'se boun' to git to glory. + Hallelujah! Le' me go!" + +The Little Colonel proudly marched up with Mom Beck's contribution, +and then watched the others pass down the aisle. One young girl in a +gorgeously trimmed dress paraded up to the table several times, singing +at the top of her voice. + +"Look at that good-fo'-nothin' Lize Richa'ds," whispered Mom Beck's +nearest neighbour, with a sniff. "She done got a nickel changed into +pennies so she could ma'ch up an' show herself five times." + +It was nearly sundown when they started home. A tall coloured man, +wearing a high silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane, joined them on +the way out. + +"Howdy, Sistah Po'tah," he said, gravely shaking hands. "That was a fine +disco'se we had the pleasuah of listenin' to this evenin'." + +"'Deed it was, Brothah Fostah," she answered. "How's all up yo' way?" + +The Little Colonel, running on after a couple of white butterflies, paid +no attention to the conversation until she heard her own name mentioned. + +"Mistah Sherman came home last night, I heah." + +"Yes, but not to stay long, I'm afraid. He's a mighty sick man, if I'm +any judge. He's down with fevah,--regulah typhoid. He doesn't look to me +like he's long for this world. What's to become of poah Miss 'Lizabeth +if that's the case, is moah'n I know." "We mustn't cross the bridge till +we come to it, Sistah Po'tah," he suggested. + +"I know that; but a lookin'-glass broke yeste'day mawnin' when nobody +had put fingah on it. An' his picture fell down off the wall while I was +sweepin' the pa'lah. Pete said his dawg done howl all night last night, +an' I've dremp three times hand runnin' 'bout muddy watah." + +Mom Beck felt a little hand clutch her skirts, and turned to see a +frightened little face looking anxiously up at her. + +"Now, what's the mattah with you, honey?" she asked. "I'm only a-tellin' +Mistah Fostah about some silly old signs my mammy used to believe in. +But they don't mean nothin' at all." + +Lloyd couldn't have told why she was unhappy. She had not understood all +that Mom Beck had said, but her sensitive little mind was shadowed by a +foreboding of trouble. + +The shadow deepened as the days passed. Papa Jack got worse instead of +better. There were times when he did not recognize any one, and talked +wildly of things that had happened out at the mines. + +All the long, beautiful October went by, and still he lay in the +darkened room. Lloyd wandered listlessly from place to place, trying to +keep out of the way, and to make as little trouble as possible. + +"I'm a real little woman now," she repeated, proudly, whenever she was +allowed to pound ice or carry fresh water. "I'm papa's little comfort." + +One cold, frosty evening she was standing in the hall, when the doctor +came out of the room and began to put on his overcoat. + +Her mother followed him to take his directions for the night. + +He was an old friend of the family's. Elizabeth had climbed on his knees +many a time when she was a child. She loved this faithful, white-haired +old doctor almost as dearly as she had her father. + +"My daughter," he said, kindly, laying his hand on her shoulder, "you +are wearing yourself out, and will be down yourself if you are not +careful. You must have a professional nurse. No telling how long this is +going to last. As soon as Jack is able to travel you must have a change +of climate." + +Her lips trembled. "We can't afford it, doctor," she said. "Jack has +been too sick from the very first to talk about business. He always said +a woman should not be worried with such matters, anyway. I don't know +what arrangements he has made out West. For all I know, the little +I have in my purse now may be all that stands between us and the +poorhouse." + +The doctor drew on his gloves. + +"Why don't you tell your father how matters are?" he asked. + +Then he saw he had ventured a step too far. + +"I believe Jack would rather die than take help from his hands," she +answered, drawing herself up proudly. Her eyes flashed. "I would, too, +as far as I am concerned myself." + +Then a tender look came over her pale, tired face, as she added, gently, +"But I'd do anything on earth to help Jack get well." + +The doctor cleared his throat vigorously, and bolted out with a +gruff good night. As he rode past Locust, he took solid satisfaction in +shaking his fist at the light in an upper window. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The Little Colonel followed her mother to the dining-room, but paused +on the threshold as she saw her throw herself into Mom Beck's arms and +burst out crying. + +"Oh, Becky!" she sobbed, "what is going to become of us? The doctor says +we must have a professional nurse, and we must go away from here soon. +There are only a few dollars left in my purse, and I don't know what +we'll do when they are gone. I just know Jack is going to die, and then +I'll die, too, and then what will become of the baby?" Mom Beck sat +down, and took the trembling form in her arms. + +"There, there!" she said, soothingly, "have yo' cry out. It will do you +good. Poah chile! all wo'n out with watchin' an' worry. Ne'm min', ole +Becky is as good as a dozen nuhses yet. I'll get Judy to come up an' +look aftah the kitchen. An' nobody ain' gwine to die, honey. Don't you +go to slayin' all you's got befo' you's called on to do it. The good +Lawd is goin' to pahvide fo' us same as Abraham." + +The last Sabbath's sermon was still fresh in her mind. + +"If we only hold out faithful, there's boun' to be a ram caught by +the hawns some place, even if we haven't got eyes to see through the +thickets. The Lawd will pahvide whethah it's a burnt offerin' or a +meal's vittles. He sho'ly will." Lloyd crept away frightened. It seemed +such an awful thing to see her mother cry. + +All at once her bright, happy world had changed to such a strange, +uncertain place. She felt as if all sorts of terrible things were about +to happen. + +She went into the parlour, and crawled into a dark corner under the +piano, feeling that there was no place to go for comfort, since the +one who had always kissed away her little troubles was so heart-broken +herself. + +There was a patter of soft feet across the carpet, and Fritz poked his +sympathetic nose into her face. She put her arms around him, and laid +her head against his curly back with a desolate sob. + +It is pitiful to think how much imaginative children suffer through +their wrong conception of things. She had seen the little roll of bills +in her mother's pocketbook. She had seen how much smaller it grew every +time it was taken out to pay for the expensive wines and medicines that +had to be bought so often. She had heard her mother tell the doctor that +was all that stood between them and the poorhouse. + +There was no word known to the Little Colonel that brought such, +thoughts of horror as the word poorhouse. + +Her most vivid recollection of her life in New York was something that +happened a few weeks before they left there. One day in the park she ran +away from the maid, who, instead of Mom Beck, had taken charge of her +that afternoon. + +When the angry woman found her, she frightened her almost into a spasm +by telling her what always happened to naughty children who ran away. + +"They take all their pretty clothes off," she said, "and dress them up +in old things made of bed-ticking. Then they take 'm to the poorhouse, +where nobody but beggars live. They don't have anything to eat but +cabbage and corndodger, and they have to eat that out of tin pans. And +they just have a pile of straw to sleep in." + +On their way home she had pointed out to the frightened child a poor +woman who was grubbing in an ash-barrel. + +"That's the way people get to look who live in poorhouses," she said. + +It was this memory that was troubling the Little Colonel now. + +"Oh, Fritz!" she whispered, with the tears running down her cheeks, "I +can't beah to think of my pretty mothah goin' there. That woman's +eyes were all red, an' her hair was jus' awful. She was so bony an' +stahved-lookin'. It would jus' kill poah Papa Jack to lie on straw an' +eat out of a tin pan. I know it would!" + +When Mom Beck opened the door, hunting her, the room was so dark that +she would have gone away if the dog had not come running out from under +the piano. + +"You heah, too, chile?" she asked, in surprise. "I have to go down now +an' see if I can get Judy to come help to-morrow. Do you think you can +undress yo'self to-night?" + +"Of co'se," answered the Little Colonel. Mom Beck was in such a hurry to +be off that she did not notice the tremble in the voice that answered +her. + +"Well, the can'le is lit in yo' room. So run along now like a nice +little lady, an' don't bothah yo' mamma. She got her hands full +already." + +"All right," answered the child. + +A quarter of an hour later she stood in her little white nightgown with +her hand on the door-knob. + +She opened the door just a crack and peeped in. Her mother laid her +finger on her lips, and beckoned silently. In another instant Lloyd was +in her lap. She had cried herself quiet in the dark corner under the +piano; but there was something more pathetic in her eyes than tears. It +was the expression of one who understood and sympathized. + +"Oh, mothah," she whispered, "we does have such lots of troubles." + +"Yes, chickabiddy, but I hope they will soon be over now," was the +answer, as the anxious face tried to smile bravely for the child's sake, +"Papa is sleeping so nicely now he is sure to be better in the morning." + +That comforted the Little Colonel some, but for days she was haunted by +the fear of the poorhouse. + +Every time her mother paid out any money she looked anxiously to see how +much was still left. She wandered about the place, touching the trees +and vines with caressing hands, feeling that she might soon have to +leave them. + +She loved them all so dearly,--every stick and stone, and even the +stubby old snowball bushes that never bloomed. + +Her dresses were outgrown and faded, but no one had any time or thought +to spend on getting her new ones. A little hole began to come in the toe +of each shoe. + +She was still wearing her summer sunbonnet, although the days were +getting frosty. + +She was a proud little thing. It mortified her for any one to see her +looking so shabby. Still she uttered no word of complaint, for fear of +lessening the little amount in the pocketbook that her mother had said +stood between them and the poorhouse. + +She sat with her feet tucked under her when any one called. + +"I wouldn't mind bein' a little beggah so much myself," she thought, +"but I jus' can't have my bu'ful sweet mothah lookin' like that awful +red-eyed woman." + +One day the doctor called Mrs. Sherman out into the hall. "I have just +come from your father's," he said. "He is suffering from a severe attack +of rheumatism. He is confined to his room, and is positively starving +for company. He told me he would give anything in the world to have his +little grandchild with him. There were tears in his eyes when he said +it, and that means a good deal from him. He fairly idolizes her. The +servants have told him she mopes around and is getting thin and pale. He +is afraid she will come down with the fever, too. He told me to use any +stratagem I liked to get her there. But I think it's better to tell you +frankly how matters stand. It will do the child good to have a change, +Elizabeth, and I solemnly think you ought to let her go, for a week at +least." + +"But, doctor, she has never been away from me a single night in her +life. She'd die of homesickness, and I know she'll never consent to +leave me. Then suppose Jack should get worse--" + +"We'll suppose nothing of the kind," he interrupted, brusquely. "Tell +Becky to pack up her things. Leave Lloyd to me. I'll get her consent +without any trouble." + +"Come, Colonel," he called, as he left the house. "I'm going to take you +a little ride." + +No one ever knew what the kind old fellow said to her to induce her to +go to her grandfather's. + +She came back from her ride looking brighter than she had in a long +time. She felt that in some way, although in what way she could not +understand, her going would help them to escape the dreaded poorhouse. + +"Don't send Mom Beck with me," she pleaded, when the time came to start. +"You come with me, mothah." + +Mrs. Sherman had not been past the gate for weeks, but she could not +refuse the coaxing hands that clung to hers. + +It was a dull, dreary day. There was a chilling hint of snow in the damp +air. The leaves whirled past them with a mournful rustling. + +Mrs. Sherman turned up the collar of Lloyd's cloak. + +"You must have a new one soon," she said, with a sigh. "Maybe one of +mine could be made over for you. And those poor little shoes! I must +think to send to town for a new pair." + +The walk was over so soon. The Little Colonel's heart beat fast as they +came in sight of the gate. She winked bravely to keep back the tears; +for she had promised the doctor not to let her mother see her cry. + +A week seemed such a long time to look forward to. + +She clung to her mother's neck, feeling that she could never give her up +so long. + +"Tell me good-bye, baby dear," said Mrs. Sherman, feeling that she could +not trust herself to stay much longer. "It is too cold for you to stand +here. Run on, and I'll watch you till you get inside the door." + +The Little Colonel started bravely down the avenue, with Fritz at her +heels. Every few steps she turned to look back and kiss her hand. + +Mrs. Sherman watched her through a blur of tears. It had been nearly +seven years since she had last stood at that old gate. Such a crowd of +memories came rushing up! + +She looked again. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief as the +Little Colonel and Fritz went up the steps. Then the great front door +closed behind them. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +That early twilight hour just before the lamps were lit was the +lonesomest one the Little Colonel had ever spent. + +Her grandfather was asleep up-stairs. There was a cheery wood fire +crackling on the hearth of the big fireplace in the hall, but the great +house was so still. The corners were full of shadows. + +She opened the front door with a wild longing to run away. + +"Come, Fritz," she said, closing the door softly behind her, "let's go +down to the gate." + +The air was cold. She shivered as they raced along under the bare +branches of the locusts. She leaned against the gate, peering out +through the bars. The road stretched white through the gathering +darkness in the direction of the little cottage. + +"Oh, I want to go home so bad!" she sobbed. "I want to see my mothah." + +She laid her hand irresolutely on the latch, pushed the gate ajar, and +then hesitated. + +"No, I promised the doctah I'd stay," she thought. "He said I could help +mothah and Papa Jack, both of 'em, by stayin' heah, an' I'll do it." + +Fritz, who had pushed himself through the partly opened gate to rustle +around among the dead leaves outside, came bounding back with something +in his mouth. + +"Heah, suh!" she called. "Give it to me!" He dropped a small gray kid +glove in her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's mothah's!" she cried. "I +reckon she dropped it when she was tellin' me good-bye. Oh, you deah old +dog fo' findin' it." + +She laid the glove against her cheek as fondly as if it had been her +mother's soft hand. There was something wonderfully comforting in the +touch. + +As they walked slowly back toward the house she rolled it up and put it +lovingly away in her tiny apron pocket. + +All that week it was a talisman whose touch helped the homesick little +soul to be brave and womanly. + +When Maria, the coloured housekeeper, went into the hall to light the +lamps, the Little Colonel was sitting on the big fur rug in front of the +fire, talking contentedly to Fritz, who lay with his curly head in her +lap. + +"You all's goin' to have tea in the Cun'ls room to-night," said Maria. +"He tole me to tote it up soon as he rung the bell." + +"There it goes now," cried the child, jumping up from the rug. + +She followed Maria up the wide stairs. The Colonel was sitting in a +large easy chair, wrapped in a gaily flowered dressing-gown, that made +his hair look unusually white by contrast. + +His dark eyes were intently watching the door. As it opened to let the +Little Colonel pass through, a very tender smile lighted up his stern +face. + +"So you did come to see grandpa after all," he cried, triumphantly. +"Come here and give me a kiss. Seems to me you've been staying away a +mighty long time." + +As she stood beside him with his arm around her, Walker came in with a +tray full of dishes. "We're going to have a regular little tea-party," +said the Colonel. + +Lloyd watched with sparkling eyes as Walker set out the rare +old-fashioned dishes. There was a fat little silver sugar-bowl with a +butterfly perched on each side to form the handles, and there was a +slim, graceful cream-pitcher shaped like a lily. + +"They belonged to your great-great-grandmother," said the Colonel, "and +they're going to be yours some day if you grow up and have a house of +your own." + +The expression on her beaming face was worth a fortune to the Colonel. + +When Walker pushed her chair up to the table, she turned to her +grandfather with shining eyes. + +"Oh, it's just like a pink story," she cried, clapping her hands. "The +shades on the can'les, the icin' on the cake, an' the posies in the +bowl,--why, even the jelly is that colah, too. Oh, my darlin' little +teacup! It's jus' like a pink rosebud. I'm so glad I came!" + +The Colonel smiled at the success of his plan. In the depths of his +satisfaction he even had a plate of quail and toast set down on the +hearth for Fritz. + +"This is the nicest pahty I evah was at," remarked the Little Colonel, +as Walker helped her to jam the third time. + +Her grandfather chuckled. + +"Blackberry jam always makes me think of Tom," he said. "Did you ever +hear what your Uncle Tom did when he was a little fellow in dresses?" + +She shook her head gravely. + +"Well, the children were all playing hide-and-seek one day. They hunted +high and they hunted low after everybody else had been caught, but they +couldn't find Tom. At last they began to call, 'Home free! You can come +home free!' but he did not come. When he had been hidden so long they +were frightened about him, they went to their mother and told her he +wasn't to be found anywhere. She looked down the well and behind the +fire-boards in the fireplaces. They called and called till they were out +of breath. Finally she thought of looking in the big dark pantry where +she kept her fruit. There stood Mister Tom. He had opened a jar of +blackberry jam, and was just going for it with both hands. The jam was +all over his face and hair and little gingham apron, and even up his +wrists. He was the funniest sight I ever saw." + +The Little Colonel laughed heartily at his description, and begged for +more stories. Before he knew it he was back in the past with his little +Tom and Elizabeth. + +Nothing could have entertained the child more than these scenes he +recalled of her mother's childhood. + +"All her old playthings are up in the garret," he said, as they rose +from the table. "I'll have them brought down to-morrow. There's a doll +I brought her from New Orleans once when she was about your size. No +telling what it looks like now, but it was a beauty when it was new." + +Lloyd clapped her hands and spun around the room like a top. + +"Oh, I'm so glad I came!" she exclaimed for the third time. "What did +she call the doll, gran'fathah, do you remembah?" + +"I never paid much attention to such things," he answered, "but I +do remember the name of this one, because she named it for her +mother,--Amanthis." + +"Amanthis," repeated the child, dreamily, as she leaned against his +knee. "I think that is a lovely name, gran'fathah. I wish they had +called me that." She repeated it softly several times. "It sounds like +the wind a-blowin' through white clovah, doesn't it?" + +"It is a beautiful name to me, my child," answered the old man, laying +his hand tenderly on her soft hair, "but not so beautiful as the woman +who bore it. She was the fairest flower of all Kentucky. There never was +another lived as sweet and gentle as your Grandmother Amanthis." + +He stroked her hair absently, and gazed into the fire. He scarcely +noticed when she slipped away from him. + +She buried her face a moment in the bowl of pink roses. Then she went +to the window and drew back the curtain. Leaning her head against the +window-sill, she began stringing on the thread of a tune the things that +just then thrilled her with a sense of their beauty. + +"Oh, the locus'-trees a-blowin'," she sang, softly. "An' the moon +a-shinin' through them. An' the starlight an' pink roses; an' +Amanthis--an' Amanthis!" + +She hummed it over and over until Walker had finished carrying the +dishes away. + +It was a strange thing that the Colonel's unfrequent moods of tenderness +were like those warm days that they call weather-breeders. + +They were sure to be followed by a change of atmosphere. This time as +the fierce rheumatic pain came back he stormed at Walker, and scolded +him for everything he did and everything he left undone. + +When Maria came up to put Lloyd to bed, Fritz was tearing around the +room barking at his shadow. + +"Put that dog out, M'ria!" roared the Colonel, almost crazy with its +antics. "Take it down-stairs, and put it out of the house, I say! Nobody +but a heathen would let a dog sleep in the house, anyway." + +The homesick feeling began to creep over Lloyd again. She had expected +to keep Fritz in her room at night for company. But for the touch of the +little glove in her pocket, she would have said something ugly to her +grandfather when he spoke so harshly. + +His own ill humour was reflected in her scowl as she followed Maria down +the stairs to drive Fritz out into the dark. They stood a moment in the +open door, after Maria had slapped him with her apron to make him go off +the porch. + +"Oh, look at the new moon!" cried Lloyd, pointing to the slender +crescent in the autumn sky. + +"I'se feared to, honey," answered Maria, "less I should see it through +the trees. That 'ud bring me bad luck for a month, suah. I'll go out on +the lawn where it's open, an' look at it ovah my right shouldah." + +While they were walking backward down the path, intent on reaching a +place where they could have an uninterrupted view of the moon, Fritz +sneaked around to the other end of the porch. + +No one was watching. He slipped into the house as noiselessly as his +four soft feet could carry him. + +Maria, going through the dark upper hall, with a candle held high above +her head and Lloyd clinging to her skirts, did not see a tasselled tail +swinging along in front of her. It disappeared under the big bed when +she led Lloyd into the room next the old Colonel's. + +The child felt very sober while she was being put to bed. + +The furniture was heavy and dark. An ugly portrait of a cross old man in +a wig frowned at her from over the mantel. The dancing firelight made +his eyes frightfully lifelike. + +The bed was so high she had to climb on a chair to get in. She heard +Maria's heavy feet go shuffling down the stairs. A door banged. Then it +was so still she could hear the clock tick in the next room. + +It was the first time in all her life that her mother had not come to +kiss her good night. Her lips quivered, and a big tear rolled down on +the pillow. + +She reached out to the chair beside her bed, where her clothes were +hanging, and felt in her apron pocket for the little glove. She sat up +in bed, and looked at it in the dim firelight. Then she held it against +her face. "Oh, I want my mothah! I want my mothah!" she sobbed, in a +heart-broken whisper. + +Laying her head on her knees, she began to cry quietly, but with great +sobs that nearly choked her. + +There was a rustling under the bed. She lifted her wet face in alarm. +Then she smiled through her tears, for there was Fritz, her own dear +dog, and not an unknown horror waiting to grab her. + +He stood on his hind legs, eagerly trying to lap away her tears with his +friendly red tongue. + +She clasped him in her arms with an ecstatic hug. "Oh, you're such a +comfort!" she whispered. "I can go to sleep now." + +She spread her apron on the bed, and motioned him to jump. With one +spring he was beside her. + +It was nearly midnight when the door from the Colonel's room was +noiselessly opened. + +The old man stirred the fire gently until it burst into a bright flame. +Then he turned to the bed. "You rascal!" he whispered, looking at Fritz, +who raised his head quickly with a threatening look in his wicked eyes. + +Lloyd lay with one hand stretched out, holding the dog's protecting paw. +The other held something against her tear-stained cheek. + +"What under the sun!" he thought, as he drew it gently from her fingers. +The little glove lay across his hand, slim and aristocratic-looking. He +knew instinctively whose it was. "Poor little thing's been crying," he +thought. "She wants Elizabeth. And so do I! And so do I!" his heart +cried out with bitter longing. "It's never been like home since she +left." + +He laid the glove back on her pillow, and went to his room. + +"If Jack Sherman should die," he said to himself many times that night, +"then she would come home again. Oh, little daughter, little daughter! +why did you ever leave me?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The first thing that greeted the Little Colonel's eyes when she opened +them next morning was her mother's old doll. Maria had laid it on the +pillow beside her. + +It was beautifully dressed, although in a queer, old-fashioned style +that seemed very strange to the child. + +She took it up with careful fingers, remembering its great age. Maria +had warned her not to waken her grandfather, so she admired it in +whispers. + +"Jus' think, Fritz," she exclaimed, "this doll has seen my Gran'mothah +Amanthis, an' it's named for her. My mothah wasn't any bigger'n me when +she played with it. I think it is the loveliest doll I evah saw in my +whole life." + +Fritz gave a jealous bark. + +"Sh!" commanded his little mistress. "Didn't you heah M'ria say, 'Fo' de +Lawd's sake don't wake up ole Marse?' Why don't you mind?" + +The Colonel was not in the best of humours after such a wakeful night, +but the sight of her happiness made him smile in spite of himself, when +she danced into his room with the doll. + +She had eaten an early breakfast and gone back up-stairs to examine the +other toys that were spread out in her room. + +The door between the two rooms was ajar. All the time he was dressing +and taking his coffee he could hear her talking to some one. He supposed +it was Maria. But as he glanced over his mail he heard the Little +Colonel saying, "May Lilly, do you know about Billy Goat Gruff? Do you +want me to tell you that story?" + +He leaned forward until he could look through the narrow opening of the +door. Two heads were all he could see,--Lloyd's, soft-haired and golden, +May Lilly's, covered with dozens of tightly braided little black tails. + +He was about to order May Lilly back to the cabin, when he remembered +the scene that followed the last time he had done so. He concluded to +keep quiet and listen. + +"Billy Goat Gruff was so fat," the story went on, "jus' as fat as +gran'fathah." + +The Colonel glanced up with an amused smile at the fine figure reflected +in an opposite mirror. + +"Trip-trap, trip-trap, went Billy Goat Gruff's little feet ovah the +bridge to the giant's house." + +Just at this point Walker, who was putting things in order, closed the +door between the rooms. + +"Open that door, you black rascal!" called the Colonel, furious at the +interruption. + +In his haste to obey, Walker knocked over a pitcher of water that had +been left on the floor beside the wash-stand. + +Then the Colonel yelled at him to be quick about mopping it up, so that +by the time the door was finally opened, Lloyd was finishing her story. + +The Colonel looked in just in time to see her put her hands to her +temples, with her forefingers protruding from her forehead like horns. +She said in a deep voice, as she brandished them at May Lilly, "With my +two long speahs I'll poke yo' eyeballs through yo' yeahs." The little +darky fell back giggling. "That sut'n'y was like a billy-goat. We had +one once that 'ud make a body step around mighty peart. It slip up +behine me one mawnin' on the poach, an' fo' awhile I thought my haid was +buss open suah. I got up toreckly, though, an' I cotch him, and when I +done got through, Mistah Billy-goat feel po'ly moah'n a week. He sut'n'y +did." + +Walker grinned, for he had witnessed the scene. + +Just then Maria put her head in at the door to say, "May Lilly, yo' +mammy's callin' you." + +Lloyd and Fritz followed her noisily down-stairs. Then for nearly an +hour it was very quiet in the great house. + +The Colonel, looking out of the window, could see Lloyd playing +hide-and-seek with Fritz under the bare locust-trees. When she came in +her cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air. Her eyes shone +like stars, and her face was radiant. + +"See what I've found down in the dead leaves," she cried. "A little blue +violet, bloomin' all by itself." + +She brought a tiny cup from the next room, that belonged to the set of +doll dishes, and put the violet in it. + +"There!" she said, setting it on the table at her grandfather's elbow. +"Now I'll put Amanthis in this chair, where you can look at her, an' you +won't get lonesome while I'm playing outdoors." + +He drew her toward him and kissed her. + +"Why, how cold your hands are!" he exclaimed. "Staying in this warm room +all the time makes me forget it is so wintry outdoors. I don't believe +you are dressed warmly enough. You ought not to wear sunbonnets this +time of year." + +Then for the first time he noticed her outgrown cloak and shabby shoes. + +"What are you wearing these old clothes for?" he said, impatiently. "Why +didn't they dress you up when you were going visiting? It isn't showing +proper respect to send you off in the oldest things you've got." + +It was a sore point with the Little Colonel. It hurt her pride enough to +have to wear old clothes without being scolded for it. Besides, she +felt that in some way her mother was being blamed for what could not be +helped. + +"They's the best I've got," she answered, proudly choking back the +tears. "I don't need any new ones, 'cause maybe we'll be goin' away +pretty soon." + +"Going away!" he echoed, blankly, "Where?" She did not answer until he +repeated the question. Then she turned her back on him, and started +toward the door. The tears she was too proud to let him see were running +down her face. + +"We's goin' to the poah-house," she exclaimed, defiantly, "jus' as soon +as the money in the pocketbook is used up. It was nearly gone when I +came away." + +Here she began to sob, as she fumbled at the door she could not see to +open. + +"I'm goin' home to my mothah right now. She loves me if my clothes are +old and ugly." + +"Why, Lloyd," called the Colonel, amazed and distressed by her sudden +burst of grief. "Come here to grandpa. Why didn't you tell me so +before?" + +The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her irresistibly +to him. It was a relief to lay her head on his shoulder, and unburden +herself of the fear that had haunted her so many days. + +With her arms around his neck, and the precious little head held close +to his heart, the old Colonel was in such a softened mood that he would +have promised anything to comfort her. + +"There, there," he said, soothingly, stroking her hair with a gentle +hand, when she had told him all her troubles. "Don't you worry about +that, my dear. Nobody is going to eat out of tin pans and sleep on +straw. Grandpa just won't let them." + +She sat up and wiped her eyes on her apron. "But Papa Jack would die +befo' he'd take help from you," she wailed. "An' so would mothah. I +heard her tell the doctah so." + +The tender expression on the Colonel's face changed to one like flint, +but he kept on stroking her hair. "People sometimes change their minds," +he said, grimly. "I wouldn't worry over a little thing like that if I +were you. Don't you want to run down-stairs and tell M'ria to give you +a piece of cake?" + +"Oh, yes," she exclaimed, smiling up at him. "I'll bring you some, too." + +When the first train went into Louisville that afternoon, Walker was +on board with an order in his pocket to one of the largest dry goods +establishments in the city. When he came out again, that evening, he +carried a large box into the Colonel's room. + +Lloyd's eyes shone as she looked into it. There was an elegant +fur-trimmed cloak, a pair of dainty shoes, and a muff that she caught up +with a shriek of delight. + +"What kind of a thing is this?" grumbled the Colonel, as he took out a +hat that had been carefully packed in one corner of the box. "I +told them to send the most stylish thing they had. It looks like a +scarecrow," he continued, as he set it askew on the child's head. + +She snatched it off to look at it herself. "Oh, it's jus' like Emma +Louise Wyfo'd's!" she exclaimed. "You didn't put it on straight. See! +This is the way it goes." + +She climbed up in front of the mirror, and put it on as she had seen +Emma Louise wear hers. + +"Well, it's a regular Napoleon hat," exclaimed the Colonel, much +pleased. "So little girls nowadays have taken to wearing soldier's caps, +have they? It's right becoming to you with your short hair. Grandpa is +real proud of his 'little Colonel.'" + +She gave him the military salute he had taught her, and then ran to +throw her arms around him. "Oh, gran'fathah!" she exclaimed, between her +kisses, "you'se jus' as good as Santa Claus, every bit." + +The Colonel's rheumatism was better next day; so much better that toward +evening he walked down-stairs into the long drawing-room. The room had +not been illuminated in years as it was that night. + +Every wax taper was lighted in the silver candelabra, and the dim old +mirrors multiplied their lights on every side. A great wood fire threw a +cheerful glow over the portraits and the frescoed ceiling. All the linen +covers had been taken from the furniture. + +Lloyd, who had never seen this room except with the chairs shrouded and +the blinds down, came running in presently. She was bewildered at first +by the change. Then she began walking softly around the room, examining +everything. + +In one corner stood a tall, gilded harp that her grandmother had played +in her girlhood. The heavy cover had kept it fair and untarnished +through all the years it had stood unused. To the child's beauty-loving +eyes it seemed the loveliest thing she had ever seen. + +She stood with her hands clasped behind her as her gaze wandered from +its pedals to the graceful curves of its tall frame. It shone like +burnished gold in the soft firelight. + +"Oh, gran'fathah!" she asked at last in a low, reverent tone, "where did +you get it? Did an angel leave it heah fo' you?" + +He did not answer for a moment. Then he said, huskily, as he looked up +at a portrait over the mantel, "Yes, my darling, an angel did leave it +here. She always was one. Come here to grandpa." + +He took her on his knee, and pointed up to the portrait. The same harp +was in the picture. Standing beside it, with one hand resting on its +shining strings, was a young girl all in white. + +"That's the way she looked the first time I ever saw her," said the +Colonel, dreamily. "A June rose in her hair, and another at her throat; +and her soul looked right out through those great, dark eyes--the +purest, sweetest soul God ever made! My beautiful Amanthis!" + +"My bu'ful Amanthis!" repeated the child, in an awed whisper. + +She sat gazing into the lovely young face for a long time, while the old +man seemed lost in dreams. + +"Gran'fathah," she said at length, patting his cheek to attract his +attention, and then nodding toward the portrait, "did she love my +mothah like my mothah loves me?" + +"Certainly, my dear," was the gentle reply. + +It was the twilight hour, when the homesick feeling always came back +strongest to Lloyd. + +"Then I jus' know that if my bu'ful gran'mothah Amanthis could come down +out of that frame, she'd go straight and put her arms around my mothah +an' kiss away all her sorry feelin's." + +The Colonel fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair a moment. Then to his +great relief the tea-bell rang. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Every evening after that during Lloyd's visit the fire burned on the +hearth of the long drawing-room. All the wax candles were lighted, and +the vases were kept full of flowers, fresh from the conservatory. + +She loved to steal into the room before her grandfather came down, and +carry on imaginary conversations with the old portraits. + +Tom's handsome, boyish face had the greatest attraction for her. +His eyes looked down so smilingly into hers that she felt he surely +understood every word she said to him. Once Walker overheard her saying, +"Uncle Tom, I'm goin' to tell you a story 'bout Billy Goat Gruff." + +Peeping into the room, he saw the child looking earnestly up at the +picture, with her hands clasped behind her, as she began to repeat her +favourite story. "It do beat all," he said to himself, "how one little +chile like that can wake up a whole house. She's the life of the place." + +The last evening of her visit, as the Colonel was coming down-stairs he +heard the faint vibration of a harp-string. It was the first time Lloyd +had ever ventured to touch one. He paused on the steps opposite the +door, and looked in. + +"Heah, Fritz," she was saying, "you get up on the sofa, an' be the +company, an' I'll sing fo' you." + +Fritz, on the rug before the fire, opened one sleepy eye and closed +it again. She stamped her foot and repeated her order. He paid no +attention. Then she picked him up bodily, and, with much puffing and +pulling, lifted him into a chair. + +He waited until she had gone back to the harp, and then, with one +spring, disappeared under the sofa. + +"N'm min'," she said, in a disgusted tone. "I'll pay you back, mistah." +Then she looked up at the portrait. "Uncle Tom," she said, "you be the +company, an' I'll play fo' you." + +Her fingers touched the strings so lightly that there was no discord in +the random tones. Her voice carried the air clear and true, and the +faint trembling of the harp-strings interfered with the harmony no more +than if a wandering breeze had been tangled in them as it passed. + + "Sing me the songs that to me were so deah + Long, long ago, long ago. + Tell me the tales I delighted to heah + Long, long ago, long ago." + +The sweet little voice sang it to the end without missing a word. It was +the lullaby her mother oftenest sang to her. + +The Colonel, who had sat down on the steps to listen, wiped his eyes. + +"My 'long ago' is all that I have left to me," he thought, bitterly, +"for to-morrow this little one, who brings back my past with every word +and gesture, will leave me, too. Why can't that Jack Sherman die while +he's about it, and let me have my own back again?" + +That question recurred to him many times during the week after Lloyd's +departure. He missed her happy voice at every turn. He missed her bright +face at the table. The house seemed so big and desolate without her. He +ordered all the covers put back on the drawing-room furniture, and +the door locked as before. + +It was a happy moment for the Little Colonel when she was lifted down +from Maggie Boy at the cottage gate. + +She went dancing into the house, so glad to find herself in her mother's +arms that she forgot all about the new cloak and muff that had made her +so proud and happy. + +She found her father propped up among the pillows, his fever all gone, +and the old mischievous twinkle in his eyes. + +He admired her new clothes extravagantly, paying her joking compliments +until her face beamed; but when she had danced off to find Mom Beck, +he turned to his wife. "Elizabeth," he said, wonderingly, "what do you +suppose the old fellow gave her clothes for? I don't like it. I'm no +beggar if I have lost lots of money. After all that's passed between us +I don't feel like taking anything from his hands, or letting my child do +it, either." + +To his great surprise she laid her head down on his pillow beside his +and burst into tears. + +"Oh, Jack," she sobbed, "I spent the last dollar this morning. I wasn't +going to tell you, but I don't know what is to become of us. He gave +Lloyd those things because she was just in rags, and I couldn't afford +to get anything new." + +He looked perplexed. "Why, I brought home so much," he said, in a +distressed tone. "I knew I was in for a long siege of sickness, but I +was sure there was enough to tide us over that." + +She raised her head. "You brought money home!" she replied, in surprise. +"I hoped you had, and looked through all your things, but there was only +a little change in one of your pockets. You must have imagined it when +you were delirious." + +"What!" he cried, sitting bolt upright, and then sinking weakly back +among the pillows. "You poor child! You don't mean to tell me you have +been skimping along all these weeks on just that check I sent you before +starting home?" + +"Yes," she sobbed, her face still buried in the pillow. She had borne +the strain of continued anxiety so long that she could not stop her +tears, now they had once started. + +It was with a very thankful heart she watched him take a pack of +letters from the coat she brought to his bedside, and draw out a sealed +envelope. + +"Well, I never once thought of looking among those letters for money," +she exclaimed, as he held it up with a smile. + +His investments of the summer before had prospered beyond his greatest +hopes, he told her. "Brother Rob is looking after my interests out West, +as well as his own," he explained, "and as his father-in-law is the +grand mogul of the place, I have the inside track. Then that firm I went +security for in New York is nearly on its feet again, and I'll have back +every dollar I ever paid out for them. Nobody ever lost anything by +those men in the long run. We'll be on top again by this time next year, +little wife; so don't borrow any more trouble on that score." + +The doctor made his last visit that afternoon. It really seemed as if +there would never be any more dark days at the little cottage. + +"The clouds have all blown away and left us their silver linings," said +Mrs. Sherman the day her husband was able to go out-of-doors for the +first time. He walked down to the post-office, and brought back a letter +from the West. It had such encouraging reports of his business that +he was impatient to get back to it. He wrote a reply early in the +afternoon, and insisted on going to mail it himself. + +"I'll never get my strength back," he protested, "unless I have more +exercise." + +It was a cold, gray November day. A few flakes of snow were falling when +he started. + +"I'll stop and rest at the Tylers'," he called back, "so don't be uneasy +if I'm out some time." + +After he left the post-office the fresh air tempted him to go farther +than he had intended. At a long distance from his home his strength +seemed suddenly to desert him. The snow began to fall in earnest. Numb +with cold, he groped his way back to the house, almost fainting from +exhaustion. + +Lloyd was blowing soap-bubbles when she saw him come in and fall heavily +across the couch. The ghastly pallor of his face and his closed eyes +frightened her so that she dropped the little clay pipe she was using. +As she stooped to pick up the broken pieces, her mother's cry startled +her still more. "Lloyd, run call Becky, quick, quick! Oh, he's dying!" + +Lloyd gave one more terrified look and ran to the kitchen, screaming for +Mom Beck. No one was there. + +The next instant she was running bareheaded as fast as she could go, +up the road to Locust. She was confident of finding help there. The +snowflakes clung to her hair and blew against her soft cheeks. All she +could see was her mother wringing her hands, and her father's white +face. When she burst into the house where the Colonel sat reading by the +fire, she was so breathless at first that she could only gasp when she +tried to speak. + +"Come quick!" she cried. "Papa Jack's a-dyin'! Come stop him!" + +At her first impetuous words the Colonel was on his feet. She caught him +by the hand and led him to the door before he fully realized what she +wanted. Then he drew back. She was impatient at the slightest delay, and +only half answered his questions. + +"Oh, come, gran'fathah!" she pleaded. "Don't wait to talk!" But he held +her until he had learned all the circumstances. He was convinced by what +she told him that both Lloyd and her mother were unduly alarmed. When he +found that no one had sent for him, but that the child had come of her +own accord, he refused to go. + +He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend to step +aside one inch from the position he had taken. For seven years he had +kept the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to his daughter. He +would keep it for seventy times seven years if need be. + +She looked at him perfectly bewildered. She had been so accustomed to +his humouring her slightest whims, that it had never occurred to her he +would fail to help in a time of such distress. + +"Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously. Then her +whole expression changed. Her face grew startlingly white, and her eyes +seemed so big and black. The Colonel looked at her in surprise. He had +never seen a child in such a passion before. "I hate you! I hate you!" +she exclaimed, all in a tremble. "You's a cruel, wicked man. I'll nevah +come heah again, nevah! nevah! nevah!" + +The tears rolled down her cheeks as she banged the door behind her +and ran down the avenue, her little heart so full of grief and +disappointment that she felt she could not possibly bear it. + +For more than an hour the Colonel walked up and down the room, unable to +shut out the anger and disappointment of that little face. + +He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words. She +would never come back. He never knew until that hour how much he +loved her, or how much she had come to mean in his life. She was +gone hopelessly beyond recall, unless--He unlocked the door of the +drawing-room and went in. A faint breath of dried rose-leaves greeted +him. He walked over to the empty fireplace and looked up at the sweet +face of the portrait a long time. Then he leaned his arm on the mantel +and bowed his head on it. "Oh, Amanthis," he groaned, "tell me what to +do." + +Lloyd's own words came back to him. "She'd go right straight an' put her +arms around my mothah an' kiss away all the sorry feelin's." + +It was a long time he stood there. The battle between his love and pride +was a hard one. At last he raised his head and saw that the short winter +day was almost over. Without waiting to order his horse he started off +in the falling snow toward the cottage. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +A good many forebodings crowded into the Colonel's mind as he walked +hurriedly on. He wondered how he would be received. What if Jack Sherman +had died after all? What if Elizabeth should refuse to see him? A dozen +times before he reached the gate he pictured to himself the probable +scene of their meeting. + +He was out of breath and decidedly disturbed in mind when he walked up +the path. As he paused on the porch steps, Lloyd came running around the +house carrying her parrot on a broom. Her hair was blowing around her +rosy face under the Napoleon hat she wore, and she was singing. + +The last two hours had made a vast change in her feelings. Her father +had only fainted from exhaustion. + +When she came running back from Locust, she was afraid to go in the +house, lest what she dreaded most had happened while she was gone. She +opened the door timidly and peeped in. Her father's eyes were open. Then +she heard him speak. She ran into the room, and, burying her head in her +mother's lap, sobbed out the story of her visit to Locust. + +To her great surprise her father began to laugh, and laughed so heartily +as she repeated her saucy speech to her grandfather, that it took the +worst sting out of her disappointment. + +All the time the Colonel had been fighting his pride among the memories +of the dim old drawing-room, Lloyd had been playing with Fritz and Polly. + +Now as she came suddenly face to face with her grandfather, she dropped +the disgusted bird in the snow, and stood staring at him with startled +eyes. If he had fallen out of the sky she could not have been more +astonished. + +"Where is your mother, child?" he asked, trying to speak calmly. With +a backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of her own +sight, she led the way into the hall. + +"Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door. "Come heah, +quick!" + +The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it on the +floor, took an expectant step forward. There was a slight rustle, and +Elizabeth stood in the doorway. For just a moment they looked into each +other's faces. Then the Colonel held out his arm. + +"Little daughter," he said, in a tremulous voice. The love of a lifetime +seemed to tremble in those two words. + +In an instant her arms were around his neck, and he was "kissing away +the sorry feelin's" as tenderly as the lost Amanthis could have done. + +As soon as Lloyd began to realize what was happening, her face grew +radiant. She danced around in such excitement that Fritz barked wildly. + +"Come an' see Papa Jack, too," she cried, leading him into the next +room. + +Whatever deep-rooted prejudices Jack Sherman may have had, they were +unselfishly put aside after one look into his wife's happy face. + +He raised himself on his elbow as the dignified old soldier crossed the +room. The white hair, the empty sleeve, the remembrance of all the old +man had lost, and the thought that after all he was Elizabeth's father, +sent a very tender feeling through the younger man's heart. + +"Will you take my hand, sir?" he asked, sitting up and offering it in +his straightforward way. + +"Of co'se he will!" exclaimed Lloyd, who still clung to her +grandfather's arm. "Of co'se he will!" + +"I have been too near death to harbour ill will any longer," said the +younger man, as their hands met in a strong, forgiving clasp. + +The old Colonel smiled grimly. + +"I had thought that even death itself could not make me give in," he +said, "but I've had to make a complete surrender to the Little Colonel." +That Christmas there was such a celebration at Locust that May Lilly +and Henry Clay nearly went wild in the general excitement of the +preparation. Walker hung up cedar and holly and mistletoe till the +big house looked like a bower. Maria bustled about, airing rooms and +bringing out stores of linen and silver. + +The Colonel himself filled the great punch-bowl that his grandfather had +brought from Virginia. + +"I'm glad we're goin' to stay heah to-night," said Lloyd, as she hung up +her stocking Christmas Eve. "It will be so much easiah fo' Santa Claus +to get down these big chimneys." + +In the morning when she found four tiny stockings hanging beside her +own, overflowing with candy for Fritz, her happiness was complete. + +That night there was a tree in the drawing-room that reached to the +frescoed ceiling. When May Lilly came in to admire it and get her share +from its loaded branches, Lloyd came skipping up to her. "Oh, I'm goin' +to live heah all wintah," she cried. "Mom Beck's goin' to stay heah with +me, too, while mothah an' Papa Jack go down South where the alligatahs +live. Then when they get well an' come back, Papa Jack is goin' to build +a house on the othah side of the lawn. I'm to live in both places at +once; mothah said so." + +There were music and light, laughing voices and happy hearts in the old +home that night. It seemed as if the old place had awakened from a long +dream and found itself young again. + +The plan the Little Colonel unfolded to May Lilly was carried out in +every detail. It seemed a long winter to the child, but it was a happy +one. There were not so many displays of temper now that she was growing +older, but the letters that went southward every week were full of her +odd speeches and mischievous pranks. The old Colonel found it hard to +refuse her anything. If it had not been for Mom Beck's decided ways, the +child would have been sadly spoiled. + +At last the spring came again. The pewees sang in the cedars. The +dandelions sprinkled the roadsides like stars. The locust-trees tossed +up the white spray of their fragrant blossoms with every wave of their +green boughs. + +"They'll soon be heah! They'll soon be heah!" chanted the Little Colonel +every day. + +The morning they came she had been down the avenue a dozen times to look +for them before the carriage had even started to meet them. "Walkah," +she called, "cut me a big locus' bough. I want to wave it fo' a flag!" + +Just as he dropped a branch down at her feet, she caught the sound of +wheels. "Hurry, gran'fathah," she called; "they's comin'." But the +old Colonel had already started on toward the gate to meet them. The +carriage stopped, and in a moment more Papa Jack was tossing Lloyd up in +his arms, while the old Colonel was helping Elizabeth to alight. + +"Isn't this a happy mawnin'?" exclaimed the Little Colonel, as she +leaned from her seat on her father's shoulder to kiss his sunburned +cheek. + +"A very happy morning," echoed her grandfather, as he walked on toward +the house with Elizabeth's hand clasped close in his own. + +Long after they had passed up the steps the old locusts kept echoing +the Little Colonel's words. Years ago they had showered their fragrant +blossoms in this same path to make a sweet white way for Amanthis's +little feet to tread when the Colonel brought home his bride. + +They had dropped their tribute on the coffin-lid when Tom was carried +home under their drooping branches. The soldier-boy had loved them so, +that a little cluster had been laid on the breast of the gray coat he +wore. + +Night and day they had guarded this old home like silent sentinels that +loved it well. + +Now, as they looked down on the united family, a thrill passed through +them to their remotest bloom-tipped branches. + +It sounded only like a faint rustling of leaves, but it was the locusts +whispering together. "The children have come home at last," they +kept repeating. "What a happy morning! Oh, what a happy morning!" + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Colonel, by Annie Fellows Johnston + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +***** This file should be named 9407.txt or 9407.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/4/0/9407/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Little Colonel + +Author: Annie Fellows Johnston + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9407] +[This file was first posted on September 29, 2003] +[Most recently updated: May 28, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + +THE LITTLE COLONEL + +By Annie Fellows Johnston + +1895 + + + + + + +TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S DEAREST LITTLE DAUGHTERS + +The Little Colonel + +HERSELF--THIS REMEMBRANCE OF A HAPPY SUMMER IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'CAUSE I'M SO MUCH LIKE YOU,' WAS THE STARTLING ANSWER". +"THE SAME TEMPER SEEMED TO BE BURNING IN THE EYES OF THE CHILD". +"WITH THE PARROT PERCHED ON THE BROOM SHE WAS CARRYING". +"THE LITTLE COLONEL CLATTERED UP AND DOWN THE HALL". +"SINGING AT THE TOP OF HER VOICE". +"'TELL ME GOOD-BY, BABY DEAR,' SAID MRS. SHERMAN". +"'AMANTHIS,' REPEATED THE CHILD DREAMILY". +"SHE CLIMBED UP IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR". +"THE SWEET LITTLE VOICE SANG IT TO THE END". + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +It was one of the prettiest places in all Kentucky where the Little +Colonel stood that morning. She was reaching up on tiptoes, her eager +little face pressed close against the iron bars of the great entrance +gate that led to a fine old estate known as "Locust." + +A ragged little Scotch and Skye terrier stood on its hind feet beside +her, thrusting his inquisitive nose between the bars, and wagging his +tasselled tail in lively approval of the scene before them. + +They were looking down a long avenue that stretched for nearly a quarter +of a mile between rows of stately old locust-trees. + +At the far end they could see the white pillars of a large stone house +gleaming through the Virginia creeper that nearly covered it. But they +could not see the old Colonel in his big chair on the porch behind the +cool screen of vines. + +At that very moment he had caught the rattle of wheels along the road, +and had picked up his field-glass to see who was passing. It was only +a coloured man jogging along in the heat and dust with a cart full of +chicken-coops. The Colonel watched him drive up a lane that led to the +back of the new hotel that had just been opened in this quiet country +place. Then his glance fell on the two small strangers coming through +his gate down the avenue toward him. One was the friskiest dog he had +ever seen in his life. The other was a child he judged to be about five +years old. + +Her shoes were covered with dust, and her white sunbonnet had slipped +off and was hanging over her shoulders. A bunch of wild flowers she had +gathered on the way hung limp and faded in her little warm hand. Her +soft, light hair was cut as short as a boy's. + +There was something strangely familiar about the child, especially in +the erect, graceful way she walked. + +Old Colonel Lloyd was puzzled. He had lived all his life in +Lloydsborough, and this was the first time he had ever failed to +recognize one of the neighbours' children. He knew every dog and horse, +too, by sight if not by name. + +Living so far from the public road did not limit his knowledge of what +was going on in the world. A powerful field-glass brought every passing +object in plain view, while he was saved all annoyance of noise and +dust. + +"I ought to know that child as well as I know my own name," he said to +himself. "But the dog is a stranger in these parts. Liveliest thing I +ever set eyes on! They must have come from the hotel. Wonder what they +want." + +He carefully wiped the lens for a better view. When he looked again he +saw that they evidently had not come to visit him. + +They had stopped half-way down the avenue, and climbed up on a rustic +seat to rest. + +The dog sat motionless about two minutes, his red tongue hanging out as +if he were completely exhausted. + +Suddenly he gave a spring, and bounded away through the tall blue grass. +He was back again in a moment, with a stick in his mouth. Standing +up with his fore paws in the lap of his little mistress, he looked so +wistfully into her face that she could not refuse this invitation for a +romp. + +The Colonel chuckled as they went tumbling about in the grass to find +the stick which the child repeatedly tossed away. + +He hitched his chair along to the other end of the porch as they kept +getting farther away from the avenue. + +It had been many a long year since those old locust-trees had seen a +sight like that. Children never played any more under their dignified +shadows. + +Time had been (but they only whispered this among themselves on rare +spring days like this) when the little feet chased each other up and +down the long walk, as much at home as the pewees in the beeches. + +Suddenly the little maid stood up straight, and began to sniff the air, +as if some delicious odour had blown across the lawn. + +"Fritz," she exclaimed, in delight, "I 'mell 'trawberries!" + +The Colonel, who could not hear the remark, wondered at the abrupt pause +in the game. He understood it, however, when he saw them wading through +the tall grass, straight to his strawberry bed. It was the pride of his +heart, and the finest for miles around. The first berries of the season +had been picked only the day before. Those that now hung temptingly red +on the vines he intended to send to his next neighbour, to prove his +boasted claim of always raising the finest and earliest fruit. + +He did not propose to have his plans spoiled by these stray guests. +Laying the field-glass in its accustomed place on the little table +beside his chair, he picked up his hat and strode down the walk. + +Colonel Lloyd's friends all said he looked like Napoleon, or rather like +Napoleon might have looked had he been born and bred a Kentuckian. + +He made an imposing figure in his suit of white duck. + +The Colonel always wore white from May till October. + +There was a military precision about him, from his erect carriage to the +cut of the little white goatee on his determined chin. + +No one looking into the firm lines of his resolute face could imagine +him ever abandoning a purpose or being turned aside when he once formed +an opinion. + +Most children were afraid of him. The darkies about the place shook in +their shoes when he frowned. They had learned from experience that "ole +Marse Lloyd had a tigah of a tempah in him." + +As he passed down the walk there were two mute witnesses to his old +soldier life. A spur gleamed on his boot heel, for he had just returned +from his morning ride, and his right sleeve hung empty. + +He had won his title bravely. He had given his only son and his strong +right arm to the Southern cause. That had been nearly thirty years ago. + +He did not charge down on the enemy with his usual force this time. The +little head, gleaming like sunshine in the strawberry patch, +reminded him so strongly of a little fellow who used to follow him +everywhere,--Tom, the sturdiest, handsomest boy in the county,--Tom, +whom he had been so proud of, whom he had so nearly worshipped. + +Looking at this fair head bent over the vines, he could almost forget +that Tom had ever outgrown his babyhood, that he had shouldered a rifle +and followed him to camp, a mere boy, to be shot down by a Yankee bullet +in his first battle. + +The old Colonel could almost believe he had him back again, and that he +stood in the midst of those old days the locusts sometimes whispered +about. + +He could not hear the happiest of little voices that was just then +saying, "Oh, Fritz, isn't you glad we came? An' isn't you glad we've got +a gran'fathah with such good 'trawberries?" + +It was hard for her to put the "s" before her consonants. + +As the Colonel came nearer she tossed another berry into the dog's +mouth. A twig snapped, and she raised a startled face toward him. + +"Suh?" she said, timidly, for it seemed to her that the stern, piercing +eyes had spoken. + +"What are you doing here, child?" he asked, in a voice so much kinder +than his eyes that she regained her usual self-possession at once. + +"Eatin' 'trawberries," she answered, coolly. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he exclaimed, much puzzled. As he asked the +question his gaze happened to rest on the dog, who was peering at him +through the ragged, elfish wisps of hair nearly covering its face, with +eyes that were startlingly human. + +"'Peak when yo'ah 'poken to, Fritz," she said, severely, at the same +time popping another luscious berry into her mouth. Fritz obediently +gave a long yelp. The Colonel smiled grimly. + +"What's your name?" he asked, this time looking directly at her. + +"Mothah calls me her baby," was the soft-spoken reply, "but papa an' Mom +Beck they calls me the Little Cun'l." + +"What under the sun do they call you that for?" he roared. + +"'Cause I'm so much like you," was the startling answer. + +"Like me!" fairly gasped the Colonel. "How are you like me?" + +"Oh, I'm got such a vile tempah, an' I stamps my foot when I gets mad, +an' gets all red in the face. An' I hollahs at folks, an' looks jus' zis +way." + +She drew her face down and puckered her lips into such a sullen pout +that it looked as if a thunder-storm had passed over it. The next +instant she smiled up at him serenely. The Colonel laughed. "What makes +you think I am like that?" he said. "You never saw me before." + +"Yes, I have too," she persisted. "You's a-hangin' in a gold frame over +ou' mantel." + +Just then a clear, high voice was heard calling out in the road. + +The child started up in alarm. "Oh, deah," she exclaimed in dismay, at +sight of the stains on her white dress, where she had been kneeling on +the fruit, "that's Mom Beck. Now I'll be tied up, and maybe put to bed +for runnin' away again. But the berries is mighty nice," she added, +politely. "Good mawnin', suh. Fritz, we mus' be goin' now." + +The voice was coming nearer. + +"I'll walk down to the gate with you," said the Colonel, anxious to +learn something more about his little guest. "Oh, you'd bettah not, +suh!" she cried in alarm. "Mom Beck doesn't like you a bit. She just +hates you! She's goin' to give you a piece of her mind the next time she +sees you. I heard her tell Aunt Nervy so." + +There was as much real distress in the child's voice as if she were +telling him of a promised flogging. + +"Lloyd! Aw, Lloy-eed!" the call came again. + +A neat-looking coloured woman glanced in at the gate as she was passing +by, and then stood still in amazement. She had often found her little +charge playing along the roadside or hiding behind trees, but she had +never before known her to pass through any one's gate. + +As the name came floating down to him through the clear air, a change +came over the Colonel's stern face. He stooped over the child. His hand +trembled as he put it under her soft chin and raised her eyes to his. + +"Lloyd, Lloyd!" he repeated, in a puzzled way. "Can it be possible? +There certainly is a wonderful resemblance. You have my little Tom's +hair, and only my baby Elizabeth ever had such hazel eyes." + +He caught her up in his one arm, and strode on to the gate, where the +coloured woman stood. + +"Why, Becky, is that you?" he cried, recognizing an old, trusted servant +who had lived at Locust in his wife's lifetime. + +Her only answer was a sullen nod. + +"Whose child is this?" he asked, eagerly, without seeming to notice her +defiant looks. "Tell me if you can." + +"How can I tell you, suh," she demanded, indignantly, "when you have +fo'bidden even her name to be spoken befo' you?" + +A harsh look came into the Colonel's eyes. He put the child hastily +down, and pressed his lips together. + +"Don't tie my sunbonnet, Mom Beck," she begged. Then she waved her hand +with an engaging smile. + +"Good-bye, suh," she said, graciously. "We've had a mighty nice time!" + +The Colonel took off his hat with his usual courtly bow, but he spoke no +word in reply. + +When the last flutter of her dress had disappeared around the bend of +the road, he walked slowly back toward the house. + +Half-way down the long avenue where she had stopped to rest, he sat down +on the same rustic seat. He could feel her soft little fingers resting +on his neck, where they had lain when he carried her to the gate. + +A very un-Napoleonlike mist blurred his sight for a moment. It had been +so long since such a touch had thrilled him, so long since any caress +had been given him. + +More than a score of years had gone by since Tom had been laid in a +soldier's grave, and the years that Elizabeth had been lost to him +seemed almost a lifetime. + +And this was Elizabeth's little daughter. Something very warm and sweet +seemed to surge across his heart as he thought of the Little Colonel. He +was glad, for a moment, that they called her that; glad that his only +grandchild looked enough like himself for others to see the resemblance. + +But the feeling passed as he remembered that his daughter had married +against his wishes, and he had closed his doors for ever against her. + +The old bitterness came back redoubled in its force. + +The next instant he was stamping down the avenue, roaring for Walker, +his body-servant, in such a tone that the cook's advice was speedily +taken: "Bettah hump yo'self outen dis heah kitchen befo' de ole tigah +gits to lashin' roun' any pearter." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Mom Beck carried the ironing-board out of the hot kitchen, set the irons +off the stove, and then tiptoed out to the side porch of the little +cottage. + +"Is yo' head feelin' any bettah, honey?" she said to the pretty, +girlish-looking woman lying in the hammock. "I promised to step up to +the hotel this evenin' to see one of the chambah-maids. I thought I'd +take the Little Cun'l along with me if you was willin'. She's always +wild to play with Mrs. Wyford's children up there." + +"Yes, I'm better, Becky," was the languid reply. "Put a clean dress on +Lloyd if you are going to take her out." + +Mrs. Sherman closed her eyes again, thinking gratefully, "Dear, faithful +old Becky! What a comfort she has been all my life, first as my nurse, +and now as Lloyd's! She is worth her weight in gold!" + +The afternoon shadows were stretching long across the grass when Mom +Beck led the child up the green slope in front of the hotel. + +The Little Colonel had danced along so gaily with Fritz that her cheeks +glowed like wild roses. She made a quaint little picture with such short +sunny hair and dark eyes shining out from under the broad-brimmed white +hat she wore. + +Several ladies who were sitting on the shady piazza, busy with their +embroidery, noticed her admiringly. "It's Elizabeth Lloyd's little +daughter," one of them explained. "Don't you remember what a scene there +was some years ago when she married a New York man? Sherman, I believe, +his name was, Jack Sherman. He was a splendid fellow, and enormously +wealthy. Nobody could say a word against him, except that he was a +Northerner. That was enough for the old Colonel, though. He hates +Yankees like poison. He stormed and swore, and forbade Elizabeth ever +coming in his sight again. He had her room locked up, and not a soul on +the place ever dares mention her name in his hearing." + +The Little Colonel sat down demurely on the piazza steps to wait for the +children. The nurse had not finished dressing them for the evening. + +She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an illustrated +weekly. It was not long until she began to feel that the ladies were +talking about her. She had lived among older people so entirely that +her thoughts were much deeper than her baby speeches would lead one to +suppose. + +She understood dimly, from what she had heard the servants say, that +there was some trouble between her mother and grandfather. Now she heard +it rehearsed from beginning to end. She could not understand what +they meant by "bank failures" and "unfortunate investments," but she +understood enough to know that her father had lost nearly all his money, +and had gone West to make more. + +Mrs. Sherman had moved from their elegant New York home two weeks ago +to this little cottage in Lloydsborough that her mother had left her. +Instead of the houseful of servants they used to have, there was only +faithful Mom Beck to do everything. + +There was something magnetic in the child's eyes. + +Mrs. Wyford shrugged her shoulders uneasily as she caught their piercing +gaze fixed on her. + +"I do believe that little witch understood every word I said," she +exclaimed. + +"Oh, certainly not," was the reassuring answer. "She's such a little +thing." + +But she had heard it all, and understood enough to make her vaguely +unhappy. Going home she did not frisk along with Fritz, but walked +soberly by Mom Beck's side, holding tight to the friendly black hand. + +"We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over the fence. +"It's not so long that way." + +As they followed the narrow, straggling path into the cool dusk of +the woods, she began to sing. The crooning chant was as mournful as a +funeral dirge. + + "The clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends. + I'm gwine to lie in the silent tomb. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends." + +A muffled little sob made her stop and look down in surprise. + +"Why, what's the mattah, honey?" she exclaimed. "Did Emma Louise make +you mad? Or is you cryin' 'cause you're so ti'ed? Come! Ole Becky'll +tote her baby the rest of the way." + +She picked the light form up in her arms, and, pressing the troubled +little face against her shoulder, resumed her walk and her song. + + "It's a world of trouble we're travellin' through, + Fa'well, my dyin' friends." + +"Oh, don't, Mom Beck," sobbed the child, throwing her arms around the +woman's neck, and crying as though her heart would break. + +"Land sakes, what is the mattah?" she asked, in alarm. She sat down on a +mossy log, took off the white hat, and looked into the flushed, tearful +face. + +"Oh, it makes me so lonesome when you sing that way," wailed the Little +Colonel. "I just can't 'tand it! Mom Beck, is my mothah's heart all +broken? Is that why she is sick so much, and will it kill her suah +'nuff?" + +"Who's been tellin' you such nonsense?" asked the woman, sharply. + +"Some ladies at the hotel were talkin' about it. They said that +gran'fathah didn't love her any moah, an' it was just a-killin' her." +Mom Beck frowned fiercely. + +The child's grief was so deep and intense that she did not know just +how to quiet her. Then she said, decidedly, "Well, if that's all that's +a-troublin' you, you can jus' get down an' walk home on yo' own laigs. +Yo' mamma's a-grievin' 'cause yo' papa has to be away all the time. +She's all wo'n out, too, with the work of movin', when she's nevah been +used to doin' anything. But her heart isn't broke any moah'n my neck +is." + +The positive words and the decided toss Mom Beck gave her head settled +the matter for the Little Colonel. She wiped her eyes and stood up much +relieved. + +"Don't you nevah go to worryin' 'bout what you heahs," continued the +woman. "I tell you p'intedly you cyarnt nevah b'lieve what you heahs." + +"Why doesn't gran'fathah love my mothah?" asked the child, as they came +in sight of the cottage. She had puzzled over the knotty problem all the +way home. "How can papas not love their little girls?" + +"'Cause he's stubbo'n," was the unsatisfactory answer. "All the Lloyds +is. Yo' mamma's stubbo'n, an' you's stubbo'n--" + +"I'm not!" shrieked the Little Colonel, stamping her foot. "You sha'n't +call me names!" + +Then she saw a familiar white hand waving to her from the hammock, and +she broke away from Mom Beck with very red cheeks and very bright eyes. + +Cuddled close in her mother's arms, she had a queer feeling that she had +grown a great deal older in that short afternoon. + +Maybe she had. For the first time in her little life she kept her +troubles to herself, and did not once mention the thought that was +uppermost in her mind. + +"Yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah is comin' this mawnin'," said Mom Beck, the +day after their visit to the hotel. "Do fo' goodness' sake keep yo'self +clean. I'se got too many spring chickens to dress to think 'bout +dressin' you up again." + +"Did I evah see her befo'?" questioned the Little Colonel. + +"Why, yes, the day we moved heah. Don't you know she came and stayed so +long, and the rockah broke off the little white rockin'-chair when she +sat down in it?" + +"Oh, now I know!" laughed the child. "She's the big fat one with curls +hangin' round her yeahs like shavin's. I don't like her, Mom Beck. She +keeps a-kissin' me all the time, an' a-'queezin' me, an' tellin' me to +sit on her lap an' be a little lady. Mom Beck, I de'pise to be a little +lady." + +There was no answer to her last remark. Mom Beck had stepped into the +pantry for more eggs for the cake she was making. + +"Fritz," said the Little Colonel, "yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah's comin' +this mawnin', an' if you don't want to say 'howdy' to her you'll have to +come with me." + +A few minutes later a resolute little figure squeezed between the +palings of the garden fence down by the gooseberry bushes. + +"Now walk on your tiptoes, Fritz!" commanded the Little Colonel, "else +somebody will call us back." + +Mom Beck, busy with her extra baking, supposed she was with her mother +on the shady, vine-covered porch. + +She would not have been singing quite so gaily if she could have seen +half a mile up the road. + +The Little Colonel was sitting in the weeds by the railroad track, +deliberately taking off her shoes and stockings. + +"Just like a little niggah," she said, delightedly, as she stretched out +her bare feet. "Mom Beck says I ought to know bettah. But it does feel +so good!" + +No telling how long she might have sat there enjoying the forbidden +pleasure of dragging her rosy toes through the warm dust, if she had not +heard a horse's hoof-beats coming rapidly along. + +"Fritz, it's gran'fathah," she whispered, in alarm, recognizing the +erect figure of the rider in its spotless suit of white duck. + +"Sh! lie down in the weeds, quick! Lie down, I say!" They both made +themselves as flat as possible, and lay there panting with the exertion +of keeping still. + +Presently the Little Colonel raised her head cautiously. + +"Oh, he's gone down that lane!" she exclaimed. "Now you can get up." +After a moment's deliberation she asked, "Fritz, would you rathah have +some 'trawberries an' be tied up fo' runnin' away, or not be tied up and +not have any of those nice tas'en 'trawberries?" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Two hours later, Colonel Lloyd, riding down the avenue under the +locusts, was surprised by a novel sight on his stately front steps. + +Three little darkies and a big flop-eared hound were crouched on the +bottom step, looking up at the Little Colonel, who sat just above them. + +She was industriously stirring something in an old rusty pan with a big, +battered spoon. + +"Now, May Lilly," she ordered, speaking to the largest and blackest of +the group, "you run an' find some nice 'mooth pebbles to put in for +raisins. Henry Clay, you go get me some moah sand. This is 'most too +wet." + +"Here, you little pickaninnies!" roared the Colonel, as he recognized +the cook's children. "What did I tell you about playing around here, +tracking dirt all over my premises? You just chase back to the cabin +where you belong!" + +The sudden call startled Lloyd so that she dropped the pan, and the +great mud pie turned upside down on the white steps. + +"Well, you're a pretty sight!" said the Colonel, as he glanced with +disgust from her soiled dress and muddy hands to her bare feet. + +He had been in a bad humour all morning. The sight of the steps covered +with sand and muddy tracks gave him an excuse to give vent to his cross +feelings. + +It was one of his theories that a little girl should always be kept as +fresh and dainty as a flower. He had never seen his own little daughter +in such a plight as this, and she had never been allowed to step outside +of her own room without her shoes and stockings. + +"What does your mother mean," he cried, savagely, "by letting you run +barefooted around the country just like poor white trash? An' what are +you playing with low-flung niggers for? Haven't you ever been taught any +better? I suppose it's some of your father's miserable Yankee notions." + +May Lilly, peeping around the corner of the house, rolled her frightened +eyes from one angry face to the other. The same temper that glared from +the face of the man, sitting erect in his saddle, seemed to be burning +in the eyes of the child, who stood so defiantly before him. The same +kind of scowl drew their eyebrows together darkly. + +"Don't you talk that way to me," cried the Little Colonel, trembling +with a wrath she did not know how to express. + +Suddenly she stooped, and snatching both hands full of mud from the +overturned pie, flung it wildly over the spotless white coat. + +Colonel Lloyd gasped with astonishment. It was the first time in his +life he had ever been openly defied. The next moment his anger gave way +to amusement. + +"By George!" he chuckled, admiringly. "The little thing has got spirit, +sure enough. She's a Lloyd through and through. So that's why they call +her the 'Little Colonel,' is it?" + +There was a tinge of pride in the look he gave her haughty little head +and flashing eyes. "There, there, child!" he said, soothingly. "I didn't +mean to make you mad, when you were good enough to come and see me. It +isn't often I have a little lady like you pay me a visit." + +"I didn't come to see you, suh," she answered, indignantly, as she +started toward the gate. "I came to see May Lilly. But I nevah would +have come inside yo' gate if I'd known you was goin' to hollah at me an' +be so cross." + +She was walking off with the air of an offended queen, when the Colonel +remembered that if he allowed her to go away in that mood she would +probably never set foot on his grounds again. Her display of temper had +interested him immensely. + +Now that he had laughed off his ill humour, he was anxious to see what +other traits of character she possessed. He wheeled his horse across the +walk to bar her way, and quickly dismounted. + +"Oh, now, wait a minute," he said, in a coaxing tone. "Don't you want +a nice big saucer of strawberries and cream before you go? Walker's +picking some now. And you haven't seen my hothouse. It's just full of +the loveliest flowers you ever saw. You like roses, don't you, and pinks +and lilies and pansies?" + +He saw he had struck the right chord as soon as he mentioned the +flowers. The sullen look vanished as if by magic. Her face changed as +suddenly as an April day. + +"Oh, yes!" she cried, with a beaming smile. "I loves 'm bettah than +anything!" + +He tied his horse, and led the way to the conservatory. He opened the +door for her to pass through, and then watched her closely to see what +impression it would make on her. He had expected a delighted exclamation +of surprise, for he had good reason to be proud of his rare plants. They +were arranged with a true artist's eye for colour and effect. + +She did not say a word for a moment, but drew a long breath, while the +delicate pink in her cheeks deepened and her eyes lighted up. Then she +began going slowly from flower to flower, laying her face against the +cool, velvety purple of the pansies, touching the roses with her lips, +and tilting the white lily-cups to look into their golden depths. + +As she passed from one to another as lightly as a butterfly might have +done, she began chanting in a happy undertone. + +Ever since she had learned to talk she had a quaint little way of +singing to herself. All the names that pleased her fancy she strung +together in a crooning melody of her own. + +There was no special tune. It sounded happy, although nearly always in a +minor key. + +"Oh, the jonquils an' the lilies!" she sang. "All white an' gold an' +yellow. Oh, they're all a-smilin' at me, an' a-sayin' howdy! howdy!" + +She was so absorbed in her intense enjoyment that she forgot all about +the old Colonel. She was wholly unconscious that he was watching or +listening. + +"She really does love them," he thought, complacently. "To see her face +one would think she had found a fortune." + +It was another bond between them. + +After awhile he took a small basket from the wall, and began to fill it +with his choicest blooms. "You shall have these to take home," he said. +"Now come into the house and get your strawberries." + +She followed him reluctantly, turning back several times for one more +long sniff of the delicious fragrance. + +She was not at all like the Colonel's ideal of what a little girl +should be, as she sat in one of the high, stiff chairs, enjoying her +strawberries. Her dusty little toes wriggled around in the curls on +Fritz's back, as she used him for a footstool. Her dress was draggled +and dirty, and she kept leaning over to give the dog berries and cream +from the spoon she was eating with herself. + +He forgot all this, however, when she began to talk to him. + +"My great-aunt Sally Tylah is to our house this mawnin'," she announced, +confidentially. "That's why we came off. Do you know my Aunt Sally +Tylah?" + +"Well, slightly!" chuckled the Colonel. "She was my wife's half-sister. +So you don't like her, eh? Well, I don't like her either." + +He threw back his head and laughed heartily. The more the child talked +the more entertaining he found her. He did not remember when he had ever +been so amused before as he was by this tiny counterpart of himself. + +When the last berry had vanished, she slipped down from the tall chair. + +"Do you 'pose it's very late?" she asked, in an anxious voice. "Mom Beck +will be comin' for me soon." + +"Yes, it is nearly noon," he answered. "It didn't do much good to run +away from your Aunt Tyler; she'll see you after all." + +"Well, she can't 'queeze me an' kiss me, 'cause I've been naughty, an' +I'll be put to bed like I was the othah day, just as soon as I get home. +I 'most wish I was there now," she sighed. "It's so fa' an' the sun's so +hot. I lost my sunbonnet when I was comin' heah, too." + +Something in the tired, dirty face prompted the old Colonel to say, +"Well, my horse hasn't been put away yet. I'll take you home on Maggie +Boy." + +The next moment he repented making such an offer, thinking what +the neighbours might say if they should meet him on the road with +Elizabeth's child in his arm. + +But it was too late. He could not unclasp the trusting little hand that +was slipped in his. He could not cloud the happiness of the eager little +face by retracting his promise. + +He swung himself into the saddle, with her in front. Then he put his +one arm around her with a firm clasp, as he reached forward to take the +bridle. + +"You couldn't take Fritz on behin', could you?" she asked, anxiously. +"He's mighty ti'ed too." + +"No," said the Colonel, with a laugh. "Maggie Boy might object and throw +us all off." + +Hugging her basket of flowers close in her arms, she leaned her head +against him contentedly as they cantered down the avenue. + +"Look!" whispered all the locusts, waving their hands to each other +excitedly. "Look! The master has his own again. The dear old times are +coming back to us." + +"How the trees blow!" exclaimed the child, looking up at the green arch +overhead. "See! They's all a-noddin' to each othah." "We'll have to get +my shoes an' 'tockin's," she said, presently, when they were nearly +home. "They're in that fence cawnah behin' a log." + +The Colonel obediently got down and handed them to her. As he mounted +again he saw a carriage coming toward them. He recognized one of his +nearest neighbours. Striking the astonished Maggie Boy with his spur, +he turned her across the railroad track, down the steep embankment, and +into an unfrequented lane. + +"This road is just back of your garden," he said. "Can you get through +the fence if I take you there?" + +"That's the way we came out," was the answer. "See that hole where the +palin's are off?" + +Just as he was about to lift her down, she put one arm around his neck, +and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Good-bye, gran'fatha'," she said, +in her most winning way. "I've had a mighty nice time." Then she added, +in a lower tone, "'Kuse me fo' throwin' mud on yo' coat." + +He held her close a moment, thinking nothing had ever before been half +so sweet as the way she called him grandfather. + +From that moment his heart went out to her as it had to little Tom and +Elizabeth. It made no difference if her mother had forfeited his love. +It made no difference if Jack Sherman was her father, and that the two +men heartily hated each other. + +It was his own little grandchild he held in his arms. + +She had sealed the relationship with a trusting kiss. + +"Child," he said, huskily, "you will come and see me again, won't you, +no matter if they do tell you not to? You shall have all the flowers and +berries you want, and you can ride Maggie Boy as often as you please." + +She looked up into his face. It was very familiar to her. She had looked +at his portrait often, unconsciously recognizing a kindred spirit that +she longed to know. + +Her ideas of grandfathers, gained from stories and observation, led her +to class them with fairy godmothers. She had always wished for one. + +The day they moved to Lloydsborough, Locust had been pointed out to her +as her grandfather's home. From that time on she slipped away with +Fritz on every possible occasion to peer through the gate, hoping for a +glimpse of him. + +"Yes, I'll come suah!" she promised. "I likes you just lots, +gran'fathah!" He watched her scramble through the hole in the fence. +Then he turned his horse's head slowly homeward. + +A scrap of white lying on the grass attracted his attention as he neared +the gate. + +"It's the lost sunbonnet," he said, with a smile. He carried it into the +house, and hung it on the hat-rack in the wide front hall. + +"Ole marse is crosser'n two sticks," growled Walker to the cook at +dinner. "There ain't no livin' with him. What do you s'pose is the +mattah?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Mom Beck was busy putting lunch on the table when the Little Colonel +looked in at the kitchen door. + +So she did not see a little tramp, carrying her shoes in one hand, and a +basket in the other, who paused there a moment. But when she took up the +pan of beaten biscuit she was puzzled to find that several were missing. + +"It beats my time," she said, aloud. "The parrot couldn't have reached +them, an' Lloyd an' the dog have been in the pa'lah all mawnin'. +Somethin' has jus' natch'ly done sperrited 'em away." + +Fritz was gravely licking his lips, and the Little Colonel had her mouth +full, when they suddenly made their appearance on the front porch. + +Aunt Sally Tyler gave a little shriek, and stopped rocking. + +"Why, Lloyd Sherman!" gasped her mother, in dismay. "Where have you +been? I thought you were with Becky all the time. I was sure I heard you +singing out there a little while ago." + +"I've been to see my gran'fathah," said the child, speaking very fast. +"I made mud pies on his front 'teps, an' we both of us got mad, an' +I throwed mud on him, an' he gave me some 'trawberries an' all these +flowers, an' brought me home on Maggie Boy." + +She stopped out of breath. Mrs. Tyler and her niece exchanged astonished +glances. + +"But, baby, how could you disgrace mother so by going up there looking +like a dirty little beggar?" + +"He didn't care," replied Lloyd, calmly. "He made me promise to come +again, no mattah if you all did tell me not to." + +Just then Becky announced that lunch was ready, and carried the child +away to make her presentable. + +To Lloyd's great surprise she was not put to bed, but was allowed to go +to the table as soon as she was dressed. It was not long until she had +told every detail of the morning's experience. + +While she was taking her afternoon nap, the two ladies sat out on the +porch, gravely discussing all she had told them. + +"It doesn't seem right for me to allow her to go there," said Mrs. +Sherman, "after the way papa has treated us. I can never forgive him +for all the terrible things he has said about Jack, and I know Jack can +never be friends with him on account of what he has said about me. He +has been so harsh and unjust that I don't want my little Lloyd to have +anything to do with him. I wouldn't for worlds have him think that I +encouraged her going there." + +"Well, yes, I know," answered her aunt, slowly. "But there are some +things to consider besides your pride, Elizabeth. There's the child +herself, you know. Now that Jack has lost so much, and your prospects +are so uncertain, you ought to think of her interests. It would be a +pity for Locust to go to strangers when it has been in your family for +so many generations. That's what it certainly will do unless something +turns up to interfere. Old Judge Woodard told me himself that your +father had made a will, leaving everything he owns to some medical +institution. Imagine Locust being turned into a sanitarium or a +training-school for nurses!" + +"Dear old place!" said Mrs. Sherman, with tears in her eyes. "No one +ever had a happier childhood than I passed under these old locusts. +Every tree seems like a friend. I would be glad for Lloyd to enjoy the +place as I did." + +"I'd let her go as much as she pleases, Elizabeth. She's so much like +the old Colonel that they ought to understand each other, and get along +capitally. Who knows, it might end in you all making up some day." + +Mrs. Sherman raised her head haughtily. "No, indeed, Aunt Sally. I can +forgive and forget much, but you are greatly mistaken if you think I can +go to such lengths as that. He closed his doors against me with a curse, +for no reason on earth but that the man I loved was born north of the +Mason and Dixon line. There never was a nobler man living than Jack, +and papa would have seen it if he hadn't deliberately shut his eyes and +refused to look at him. He was just prejudiced and stubborn." + +Aunt Sally said nothing, but her thoughts took the shape of Mom Beck's +declaration, "The Lloyds is all stubborn." + +"I wouldn't go through his gate now if he got down on his knees and +begged me," continued Elizabeth, hotly. + +"It's too bad," exclaimed her aunt; "he was always so perfectly devoted +to 'little daughter,' as he used to call you. I don't like him myself. +We never could get along together at all, because he is so high-strung +and overbearing. But I know it would have made your poor mother mighty +unhappy if she could have foreseen all this." + +Elizabeth sat with the tears dropping down on her little white hands, +as her aunt proceeded to work on her sympathies in every way she could +think of. + +Presently Lloyd came out all fresh and rosy from her long nap, and went +to play in the shade of the great beech-trees that guarded the cottage. + +"I never saw a child with such influence over animals," said her mother, +as Lloyd came around the house with the parrot perched on the broom she +was carrying. "She'll walk right up to any strange dog and make friends +with it, no matter how savage-looking it is. And there's Polly, so old +and cross that she screams and scolds dreadfully if any of us go near +her. But Lloyd dresses her up in doll's clothes, puts paper bonnets on +her, and makes her just as uncomfortable as she pleases. Look! that is +one of her favourite amusements." + +The Little Colonel squeezed the parrot into a tiny doll carriage, and +began to trundle it back and forth as fast as she could run. + +"Ha! ha!" screamed the bird. "Polly is a lady! Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + +"She caught that from the washerwoman," laughed Mrs. Sherman. "I should +think the poor thing would be dizzy from whirling around so fast." + +"Quit that, chillun; stop yo' fussin'," screamed Polly, as Lloyd grabbed +her up and began to pin a shawl around her neck. She clucked angrily, +but never once attempted to snap at the dimpled fingers that squeezed +her tight. Suddenly, as if her patience was completely exhausted, she +uttered a disdainful "Oh, pshaw!" and flew up into an old cedar-tree. + +"Mothah! Polly won't play with me any moah," shrieked the child, flying +into a rage. She stamped and scowled and grew red in the face. Then she +began beating the trunk of the tree with the old broom she had been +carrying. + +"Did you ever see anything so much like the old Colonel?" said Mrs. +Tyler, in astonishment. "I wonder if she acted that way this morning." + +"I don't doubt it at all," answered Mrs. Sherman. "She'll be over it in +just a moment. These little spells never last long." + +Mrs. Sherman was right. In a few moments Lloyd came up the walk, +singing. + +"I wish you'd tell me a pink story," she said, coaxingly, as she leaned +against her mother's knee. + +"Not now, dear; don't you see that I am busy talking to Aunt Sally? Run +and ask Mom Beck for one." + +"What on earth does she mean by a pink story?" asked Mrs. Tyler. + +"Oh, she is so fond of colours. She is always asking for a pink or a +blue or a white story. She wants everything in the story tinged with +whatever colour she chooses,--dresses, parasols, flowers, sky, even the +icing on the cakes and the paper on the walls." + +"What an odd little thing she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Tyler. "Isn't she lots +of company for you?" + +She need not have asked that question if she could have seen them that +evening, sitting together in the early twilight. + +Lloyd was in her mother's lap, leaning her head against her shoulder +as they rocked slowly back and forth on the dark porch. + +There was an occasional rattle of wheels along the road, a twitter of +sleepy birds, a distant croaking of frogs. + +Mom Beck's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was stepping +briskly around. + + "Oh, the clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends," + +she sang. + +Lloyd put her arms closer around her mother's neck. + +"Let's talk about Papa Jack," she said. "What you 'pose he's doin' now, +'way out West?" + +Elizabeth, feeling like a tired, homesick child herself, held her close, +and was comforted as she listened to the sweet little voice talking +about the absent father. + +The moon came up after awhile, and streamed in through the vines of +the porch. The hazel eyes slowly closed as Elizabeth began to hum an +old-time negro lullaby. + +"Wondah if she'll run away to-morrow," whispered Mom Beck, as she came +out to carry her in the house. + +"Who'd evah think now, lookin' at her pretty, innocent face, that she +could be so naughty? Bless her little soul!" + +The kind old black face was laid lovingly a moment against the fair, +soft cheek of the Little Colonel. Then she lifted her in her strong +arms, and carried her gently away to bed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Summer lingers long among the Kentucky hills. Each passing day seemed +fairer than the last to the Little Colonel, who had never before known +anything of country life. + +Roses climbed up and almost hid the small white cottage. Red birds +sang in the woodbine. Squirrels chattered in the beeches. She was +out-of-doors all day long. + +Sometimes she spent hours watching the ants carry away the sugar she +sprinkled for them. Sometimes she caught flies for an old spider that +had his den under the porch steps. "He is an ogah" (ogre), she explained +to Fritz. "He's bewitched me so's I have to kill whole families of flies +for him to eat." + +She was always busy and always happy. + +Before June was half over it got to be a common occurrence for Walker +to ride up to the gate on the Colonel's horse. The excuse was always to +have a passing word with Mom Beck. But before he rode away, the Little +Colonel was generally mounted in front of him. It was not long before +she felt almost as much at home at Locust as she did at the cottage. + +The neighbours began to comment on it after awhile. "He will surely make +up with Elizabeth at this rate," they said. But at the end of the summer +the father and daughter had not even had a passing glimpse of each +other. One day, late in September, as the Little Colonel clattered up +and down the hall with her grandfather's spur buckled on her tiny foot, +she called back over her shoulder: "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + +The Colonel paid no attention. + +"I say," she repeated, "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + +"Well," was the gruff response. "Why couldn't he stay where he was? I +suppose you won't want to come here any more after he gets back." + +"No, I 'pose not," she answered, so carelessly that he was conscious of +a very jealous feeling. + +"Chilluns always like to stay with their fathahs when they's nice as my +Papa Jack is." + +The old man growled something behind his newspaper that she did not +hear. He would have been glad to choke this man who had come between him +and his only child, and he hated him worse than ever when he realized +what a large place he held in Lloyd's little heart. + +She did not go back to Locust the next day, nor for weeks after that. + +She was up almost as soon as Mom Beck next morning, thoroughly enjoying +the bustle of preparation. + +She had a finger in everything, from polishing the silver to turning the +ice-cream freezer. + +Even Fritz was scrubbed till he came out of his bath with his curls all +white and shining. He was proud of himself, from his silky bangs to the +tip of his tasselled tail. + +Just before train time, the Little Colonel stuck his collar full of late +pink roses, and stood back to admire the effect. Her mother came to the +door, dressed for the evening. She wore an airy-looking dress of the +palest, softest blue. There was a white rosebud caught in her dark hair. +A bright colour, as fresh as Lloyd's own, tinged her cheeks, and the +glad light in her brown eyes made them unusually brilliant. + +Lloyd jumped up and threw her arms about her. "Oh, mothah," she cried, +"you an' Fritz is so bu'ful!" + +The engine whistled up the road at the crossing. "Come, we have just +time to get to the station," said Mrs. Sherman, holding out her hand. + +They went through the gate, down the narrow path that ran beside the +dusty road. The train had just stopped in front of the little station +when they reached it. + +A number of gentlemen, coming out from the city to spend Sunday at the +hotel, came down the steps. They glanced admiringly from the beautiful, +girlish face of the mother to the happy child dancing impatiently up and +down at her side. They could not help smiling at Fritz as he frisked +about in his imposing rose-collar. + +"Why, where's Papa Jack?" asked Lloyd, in distress, as passenger after +passenger stepped down. "Isn't he goin' to come?" + +The tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, when she saw him in the +door of the car; not hurrying along to meet them as he always used to +come, so full of life and vigour, but leaning heavily on the porter's +shoulder, looking very pale and weak. + +Lloyd looked up at her mother, from whose face every particle of colour +had faded. Mrs. Sherman gave a low, frightened cry as she sprang forward +to meet him. "Oh, Jack! what is the matter? What has happened to you?" +she exclaimed, as he took her in his arms. The train had gone on, and +they were left alone on the platform. + +"Just a little sick spell," he answered, with a smile. "We had a fire +out at the mines, and I overtaxed myself some. I've had fever ever +since, and it has pulled me down considerably." + +"I must send somebody for a carriage," she said, looking around +anxiously. + +"No, indeed," he protested. "It's only a few steps; I can walk it +as well as not. The sight of you and the baby has made me stronger +already." + +He sent a coloured boy on ahead with his valise, and they walked slowly +up the path, with Fritz running wildly around them, barking a glad +welcome. + +"How sweet and homelike it all looks!" he said, as he stepped into the +hall, where Mom Beck was just lighting the lamps. Then he sank down on +the couch, completely exhausted, and wearily closed his eyes. + +The Little Colonel looked at his white face in alarm. All the gladness +seemed to have been taken out of the homecoming. + +Her mother was busy trying to make him comfortable, and paid no +attention to the disconsolate little figure wandering about the house +alone. Mom Beck had gone for the doctor. + +The supper was drying up in the warming-oven. The ice-cream was melting +in the freezer. Nobody seemed to care. There was no one to notice the +pretty table with its array of flowers and cut glass and silver. + +When Mom Beck came back, Lloyd ate all by herself, and then sat out on +the kitchen door-step while the doctor made his visit. + +She was just going mournfully off to bed with an aching lump in her +throat, when her mother opened the door. + +"Come tell papa good-night," she said. "He's lots better now." + +She climbed up on the bed beside him, and buried her face on his +shoulder to hide the tears she had been trying to keep back all evening. + +"How the child has grown!" he exclaimed. "Do you notice, Beth, how much +plainer she talks? She does not seem at all like the baby I left last +spring. Well, she'll soon be six years old,--a real little woman. She'll +be papa's little comfort." + +The ache in her throat was all gone after that. She romped with Fritz +all the time she was undressing. + +Papa Jack was worse next morning. It was hard for Lloyd to keep quiet +when the late September sunshine was so gloriously yellow and the whole +outdoors seemed so wide awake. + +She tiptoed out of the darkened room where her father lay, and swung on +the front gate until she saw the doctor riding up on his bay horse. It +seemed to her that the day never would pass. + +Mom Beck, rustling around in her best dress ready for church, that +afternoon, took pity on the lonesome child. + +"Go get yo' best hat, honey," she said, "an' I'll take you with me." + +It was one of the Little Colonel's greatest pleasures to be allowed to +go to the coloured church. + +She loved to listen to the singing, and would sit perfectly motionless +while the sweet voices blended like the chords of some mighty organ +as they sent the old hymns rolling heavenward. Service had already +commenced by the time they took their seats. Nearly everybody in the +congregation was swaying back and forth in time to the mournful melody +of "Sinnah, sinnah, where's you boun'?" + +One old woman across the aisle began clapping her hands together, and +repeated in a singsong tone, "Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + +"Why, that's just what our parrot says," exclaimed Lloyd, so much +surprised that she spoke right out loud. + +Mom Beck put her handkerchief over her mouth, and a general smile went +around. + +After that the child was very quiet until the time came to take the +collection. She always enjoyed this part of the service more than +anything else. Instead of passing baskets around, each person was +invited to come forward and lay his offering on the table. + +Woolly heads wagged, and many feet kept time to the tune: + + "Oh! I'se boun' to git to glory. + Hallelujah! Le' me go!" + +The Little Colonel proudly marched up with Mom Beck's contribution, +and then watched the others pass down the aisle. One young girl in a +gorgeously trimmed dress paraded up to the table several times, singing +at the top of her voice. + +"Look at that good-fo'-nothin' Lize Richa'ds," whispered Mom Beck's +nearest neighbour, with a sniff. "She done got a nickel changed into +pennies so she could ma'ch up an' show herself five times." + +It was nearly sundown when they started home. A tall coloured man, +wearing a high silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane, joined them on +the way out. + +"Howdy, Sistah Po'tah," he said, gravely shaking hands. "That was a fine +disco'se we had the pleasuah of listenin' to this evenin'." + +"'Deed it was, Brothah Fostah," she answered. "How's all up yo' way?" + +The Little Colonel, running on after a couple of white butterflies, paid +no attention to the conversation until she heard her own name mentioned. + +"Mistah Sherman came home last night, I heah." + +"Yes, but not to stay long, I'm afraid. He's a mighty sick man, if I'm +any judge. He's down with fevah,--regulah typhoid. He doesn't look to me +like he's long for this world. What's to become of poah Miss 'Lizabeth +if that's the case, is moah'n I know." "We mustn't cross the bridge till +we come to it, Sistah Po'tah," he suggested. + +"I know that; but a lookin'-glass broke yeste'day mawnin' when nobody +had put fingah on it. An' his picture fell down off the wall while I was +sweepin' the pa'lah. Pete said his dawg done howl all night last night, +an' I've dremp three times hand runnin' 'bout muddy watah." + +Mom Beck felt a little hand clutch her skirts, and turned to see a +frightened little face looking anxiously up at her. + +"Now, what's the mattah with you, honey?" she asked. "I'm only a-tellin' +Mistah Fostah about some silly old signs my mammy used to believe in. +But they don't mean nothin' at all." + +Lloyd couldn't have told why she was unhappy. She had not understood all +that Mom Beck had said, but her sensitive little mind was shadowed by a +foreboding of trouble. + +The shadow deepened as the days passed. Papa Jack got worse instead of +better. There were times when he did not recognize any one, and talked +wildly of things that had happened out at the mines. + +All the long, beautiful October went by, and still he lay in the +darkened room. Lloyd wandered listlessly from place to place, trying to +keep out of the way, and to make as little trouble as possible. + +"I'm a real little woman now," she repeated, proudly, whenever she was +allowed to pound ice or carry fresh water. "I'm papa's little comfort." + +One cold, frosty evening she was standing in the hall, when the doctor +came out of the room and began to put on his overcoat. + +Her mother followed him to take his directions for the night. + +He was an old friend of the family's. Elizabeth had climbed on his knees +many a time when she was a child. She loved this faithful, white-haired +old doctor almost as dearly as she had her father. + +"My daughter," he said, kindly, laying his hand on her shoulder, "you +are wearing yourself out, and will be down yourself if you are not +careful. You must have a professional nurse. No telling how long this is +going to last. As soon as Jack is able to travel you must have a change +of climate." + +Her lips trembled. "We can't afford it, doctor," she said. "Jack has +been too sick from the very first to talk about business. He always said +a woman should not be worried with such matters, anyway. I don't know +what arrangements he has made out West. For all I know, the little +I have in my purse now may be all that stands between us and the +poorhouse." + +The doctor drew on his gloves. + +"Why don't you tell your father how matters are?" he asked. + +Then he saw he had ventured a step too far. + +"I believe Jack would rather die than take help from his hands," she +answered, drawing herself up proudly. Her eyes flashed. "I would, too, +as far as I am concerned myself." + +Then a tender look came over her pale, tired face, as she added, gently, +"But I'd do anything on earth to help Jack get well." + +The doctor cleared his throat vigorously, and bolted out with a +gruff good night. As he rode past Locust, he took solid satisfaction in +shaking his fist at the light in an upper window. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The Little Colonel followed her mother to the dining-room, but paused +on the threshold as she saw her throw herself into Mom Beck's arms and +burst out crying. + +"Oh, Becky!" she sobbed, "what is going to become of us? The doctor says +we must have a professional nurse, and we must go away from here soon. +There are only a few dollars left in my purse, and I don't know what +we'll do when they are gone. I just know Jack is going to die, and then +I'll die, too, and then what will become of the baby?" Mom Beck sat +down, and took the trembling form in her arms. + +"There, there!" she said, soothingly, "have yo' cry out. It will do you +good. Poah chile! all wo'n out with watchin' an' worry. Ne'm min', ole +Becky is as good as a dozen nuhses yet. I'll get Judy to come up an' +look aftah the kitchen. An' nobody ain' gwine to die, honey. Don't you +go to slayin' all you's got befo' you's called on to do it. The good +Lawd is goin' to pahvide fo' us same as Abraham." + +The last Sabbath's sermon was still fresh in her mind. + +"If we only hold out faithful, there's boun' to be a ram caught by +the hawns some place, even if we haven't got eyes to see through the +thickets. The Lawd will pahvide whethah it's a burnt offerin' or a +meal's vittles. He sho'ly will." Lloyd crept away frightened. It seemed +such an awful thing to see her mother cry. + +All at once her bright, happy world had changed to such a strange, +uncertain place. She felt as if all sorts of terrible things were about +to happen. + +She went into the parlour, and crawled into a dark corner under the +piano, feeling that there was no place to go for comfort, since the +one who had always kissed away her little troubles was so heart-broken +herself. + +There was a patter of soft feet across the carpet, and Fritz poked his +sympathetic nose into her face. She put her arms around him, and laid +her head against his curly back with a desolate sob. + +It is pitiful to think how much imaginative children suffer through +their wrong conception of things. She had seen the little roll of bills +in her mother's pocketbook. She had seen how much smaller it grew every +time it was taken out to pay for the expensive wines and medicines that +had to be bought so often. She had heard her mother tell the doctor that +was all that stood between them and the poorhouse. + +There was no word known to the Little Colonel that brought such, +thoughts of horror as the word poorhouse. + +Her most vivid recollection of her life in New York was something that +happened a few weeks before they left there. One day in the park she ran +away from the maid, who, instead of Mom Beck, had taken charge of her +that afternoon. + +When the angry woman found her, she frightened her almost into a spasm +by telling her what always happened to naughty children who ran away. + +"They take all their pretty clothes off," she said, "and dress them up +in old things made of bed-ticking. Then they take 'm to the poorhouse, +where nobody but beggars live. They don't have anything to eat but +cabbage and corndodger, and they have to eat that out of tin pans. And +they just have a pile of straw to sleep in." + +On their way home she had pointed out to the frightened child a poor +woman who was grubbing in an ash-barrel. + +"That's the way people get to look who live in poorhouses," she said. + +It was this memory that was troubling the Little Colonel now. + +"Oh, Fritz!" she whispered, with the tears running down her cheeks, "I +can't beah to think of my pretty mothah goin' there. That woman's +eyes were all red, an' her hair was jus' awful. She was so bony an' +stahved-lookin'. It would jus' kill poah Papa Jack to lie on straw an' +eat out of a tin pan. I know it would!" + +When Mom Beck opened the door, hunting her, the room was so dark that +she would have gone away if the dog had not come running out from under +the piano. + +"You heah, too, chile?" she asked, in surprise. "I have to go down now +an' see if I can get Judy to come help to-morrow. Do you think you can +undress yo'self to-night?" + +"Of co'se," answered the Little Colonel. Mom Beck was in such a hurry to +be off that she did not notice the tremble in the voice that answered +her. + +"Well, the can'le is lit in yo' room. So run along now like a nice +little lady, an' don't bothah yo' mamma. She got her hands full +already." + +"All right," answered the child. + +A quarter of an hour later she stood in her little white nightgown with +her hand on the door-knob. + +She opened the door just a crack and peeped in. Her mother laid her +finger on her lips, and beckoned silently. In another instant Lloyd was +in her lap. She had cried herself quiet in the dark corner under the +piano; but there was something more pathetic in her eyes than tears. It +was the expression of one who understood and sympathized. + +"Oh, mothah," she whispered, "we does have such lots of troubles." + +"Yes, chickabiddy, but I hope they will soon be over now," was the +answer, as the anxious face tried to smile bravely for the child's sake, +"Papa is sleeping so nicely now he is sure to be better in the morning." + +That comforted the Little Colonel some, but for days she was haunted by +the fear of the poorhouse. + +Every time her mother paid out any money she looked anxiously to see how +much was still left. She wandered about the place, touching the trees +and vines with caressing hands, feeling that she might soon have to +leave them. + +She loved them all so dearly,--every stick and stone, and even the +stubby old snowball bushes that never bloomed. + +Her dresses were outgrown and faded, but no one had any time or thought +to spend on getting her new ones. A little hole began to come in the toe +of each shoe. + +She was still wearing her summer sunbonnet, although the days were +getting frosty. + +She was a proud little thing. It mortified her for any one to see her +looking so shabby. Still she uttered no word of complaint, for fear of +lessening the little amount in the pocketbook that her mother had said +stood between them and the poorhouse. + +She sat with her feet tucked under her when any one called. + +"I wouldn't mind bein' a little beggah so much myself," she thought, +"but I jus' can't have my bu'ful sweet mothah lookin' like that awful +red-eyed woman." + +One day the doctor called Mrs. Sherman out into the hall. "I have just +come from your father's," he said. "He is suffering from a severe attack +of rheumatism. He is confined to his room, and is positively starving +for company. He told me he would give anything in the world to have his +little grandchild with him. There were tears in his eyes when he said +it, and that means a good deal from him. He fairly idolizes her. The +servants have told him she mopes around and is getting thin and pale. He +is afraid she will come down with the fever, too. He told me to use any +stratagem I liked to get her there. But I think it's better to tell you +frankly how matters stand. It will do the child good to have a change, +Elizabeth, and I solemnly think you ought to let her go, for a week at +least." + +"But, doctor, she has never been away from me a single night in her +life. She'd die of homesickness, and I know she'll never consent to +leave me. Then suppose Jack should get worse--" + +"We'll suppose nothing of the kind," he interrupted, brusquely. "Tell +Becky to pack up her things. Leave Lloyd to me. I'll get her consent +without any trouble." + +"Come, Colonel," he called, as he left the house. "I'm going to take you +a little ride." + +No one ever knew what the kind old fellow said to her to induce her to +go to her grandfather's. + +She came back from her ride looking brighter than she had in a long +time. She felt that in some way, although in what way she could not +understand, her going would help them to escape the dreaded poorhouse. + +"Don't send Mom Beck with me," she pleaded, when the time came to start. +"You come with me, mothah." + +Mrs. Sherman had not been past the gate for weeks, but she could not +refuse the coaxing hands that clung to hers. + +It was a dull, dreary day. There was a chilling hint of snow in the damp +air. The leaves whirled past them with a mournful rustling. + +Mrs. Sherman turned up the collar of Lloyd's cloak. + +"You must have a new one soon," she said, with a sigh. "Maybe one of +mine could be made over for you. And those poor little shoes! I must +think to send to town for a new pair." + +The walk was over so soon. The Little Colonel's heart beat fast as they +came in sight of the gate. She winked bravely to keep back the tears; +for she had promised the doctor not to let her mother see her cry. + +A week seemed such a long time to look forward to. + +She clung to her mother's neck, feeling that she could never give her up +so long. + +"Tell me good-bye, baby dear," said Mrs. Sherman, feeling that she could +not trust herself to stay much longer. "It is too cold for you to stand +here. Run on, and I'll watch you till you get inside the door." + +The Little Colonel started bravely down the avenue, with Fritz at her +heels. Every few steps she turned to look back and kiss her hand. + +Mrs. Sherman watched her through a blur of tears. It had been nearly +seven years since she had last stood at that old gate. Such a crowd of +memories came rushing up! + +She looked again. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief as the +Little Colonel and Fritz went up the steps. Then the great front door +closed behind them. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +That early twilight hour just before the lamps were lit was the +lonesomest one the Little Colonel had ever spent. + +Her grandfather was asleep up-stairs. There was a cheery wood fire +crackling on the hearth of the big fireplace in the hall, but the great +house was so still. The corners were full of shadows. + +She opened the front door with a wild longing to run away. + +"Come, Fritz," she said, closing the door softly behind her, "let's go +down to the gate." + +The air was cold. She shivered as they raced along under the bare +branches of the locusts. She leaned against the gate, peering out +through the bars. The road stretched white through the gathering +darkness in the direction of the little cottage. + +"Oh, I want to go home so bad!" she sobbed. "I want to see my mothah." + +She laid her hand irresolutely on the latch, pushed the gate ajar, and +then hesitated. + +"No, I promised the doctah I'd stay," she thought. "He said I could help +mothah and Papa Jack, both of 'em, by stayin' heah, an' I'll do it." + +Fritz, who had pushed himself through the partly opened gate to rustle +around among the dead leaves outside, came bounding back with something +in his mouth. + +"Heah, suh!" she called. "Give it to me!" He dropped a small gray kid +glove in her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's mothah's!" she cried. "I +reckon she dropped it when she was tellin' me good-bye. Oh, you deah old +dog fo' findin' it." + +She laid the glove against her cheek as fondly as if it had been her +mother's soft hand. There was something wonderfully comforting in the +touch. + +As they walked slowly back toward the house she rolled it up and put it +lovingly away in her tiny apron pocket. + +All that week it was a talisman whose touch helped the homesick little +soul to be brave and womanly. + +When Maria, the coloured housekeeper, went into the hall to light the +lamps, the Little Colonel was sitting on the big fur rug in front of the +fire, talking contentedly to Fritz, who lay with his curly head in her +lap. + +"You all's goin' to have tea in the Cun'ls room to-night," said Maria. +"He tole me to tote it up soon as he rung the bell." + +"There it goes now," cried the child, jumping up from the rug. + +She followed Maria up the wide stairs. The Colonel was sitting in a +large easy chair, wrapped in a gaily flowered dressing-gown, that made +his hair look unusually white by contrast. + +His dark eyes were intently watching the door. As it opened to let the +Little Colonel pass through, a very tender smile lighted up his stern +face. + +"So you did come to see grandpa after all," he cried, triumphantly. +"Come here and give me a kiss. Seems to me you've been staying away a +mighty long time." + +As she stood beside him with his arm around her, Walker came in with a +tray full of dishes. "We're going to have a regular little tea-party," +said the Colonel. + +Lloyd watched with sparkling eyes as Walker set out the rare +old-fashioned dishes. There was a fat little silver sugar-bowl with a +butterfly perched on each side to form the handles, and there was a +slim, graceful cream-pitcher shaped like a lily. + +"They belonged to your great-great-grandmother," said the Colonel, "and +they're going to be yours some day if you grow up and have a house of +your own." + +The expression on her beaming face was worth a fortune to the Colonel. + +When Walker pushed her chair up to the table, she turned to her +grandfather with shining eyes. + +"Oh, it's just like a pink story," she cried, clapping her hands. "The +shades on the can'les, the icin' on the cake, an' the posies in the +bowl,--why, even the jelly is that colah, too. Oh, my darlin' little +teacup! It's jus' like a pink rosebud. I'm so glad I came!" + +The Colonel smiled at the success of his plan. In the depths of his +satisfaction he even had a plate of quail and toast set down on the +hearth for Fritz. + +"This is the nicest pahty I evah was at," remarked the Little Colonel, +as Walker helped her to jam the third time. + +Her grandfather chuckled. + +"Blackberry jam always makes me think of Tom," he said. "Did you ever +hear what your Uncle Tom did when he was a little fellow in dresses?" + +She shook her head gravely. + +"Well, the children were all playing hide-and-seek one day. They hunted +high and they hunted low after everybody else had been caught, but they +couldn't find Tom. At last they began to call, 'Home free! You can come +home free!' but he did not come. When he had been hidden so long they +were frightened about him, they went to their mother and told her he +wasn't to be found anywhere. She looked down the well and behind the +fire-boards in the fireplaces. They called and called till they were out +of breath. Finally she thought of looking in the big dark pantry where +she kept her fruit. There stood Mister Tom. He had opened a jar of +blackberry jam, and was just going for it with both hands. The jam was +all over his face and hair and little gingham apron, and even up his +wrists. He was the funniest sight I ever saw." + +The Little Colonel laughed heartily at his description, and begged for +more stories. Before he knew it he was back in the past with his little +Tom and Elizabeth. + +Nothing could have entertained the child more than these scenes he +recalled of her mother's childhood. + +"All her old playthings are up in the garret," he said, as they rose +from the table. "I'll have them brought down to-morrow. There's a doll +I brought her from New Orleans once when she was about your size. No +telling what it looks like now, but it was a beauty when it was new." + +Lloyd clapped her hands and spun around the room like a top. + +"Oh, I'm so glad I came!" she exclaimed for the third time. "What did +she call the doll, gran'fathah, do you remembah?" + +"I never paid much attention to such things," he answered, "but I +do remember the name of this one, because she named it for her +mother,--Amanthis." + +"Amanthis," repeated the child, dreamily, as she leaned against his +knee. "I think that is a lovely name, gran'fathah. I wish they had +called me that." She repeated it softly several times. "It sounds like +the wind a-blowin' through white clovah, doesn't it?" + +"It is a beautiful name to me, my child," answered the old man, laying +his hand tenderly on her soft hair, "but not so beautiful as the woman +who bore it. She was the fairest flower of all Kentucky. There never was +another lived as sweet and gentle as your Grandmother Amanthis." + +He stroked her hair absently, and gazed into the fire. He scarcely +noticed when she slipped away from him. + +She buried her face a moment in the bowl of pink roses. Then she went +to the window and drew back the curtain. Leaning her head against the +window-sill, she began stringing on the thread of a tune the things that +just then thrilled her with a sense of their beauty. + +"Oh, the locus'-trees a-blowin'," she sang, softly. "An' the moon +a-shinin' through them. An' the starlight an' pink roses; an' +Amanthis--an' Amanthis!" + +She hummed it over and over until Walker had finished carrying the +dishes away. + +It was a strange thing that the Colonel's unfrequent moods of tenderness +were like those warm days that they call weather-breeders. + +They were sure to be followed by a change of atmosphere. This time as +the fierce rheumatic pain came back he stormed at Walker, and scolded +him for everything he did and everything he left undone. + +When Maria came up to put Lloyd to bed, Fritz was tearing around the +room barking at his shadow. + +"Put that dog out, M'ria!" roared the Colonel, almost crazy with its +antics. "Take it down-stairs, and put it out of the house, I say! Nobody +but a heathen would let a dog sleep in the house, anyway." + +The homesick feeling began to creep over Lloyd again. She had expected +to keep Fritz in her room at night for company. But for the touch of the +little glove in her pocket, she would have said something ugly to her +grandfather when he spoke so harshly. + +His own ill humour was reflected in her scowl as she followed Maria down +the stairs to drive Fritz out into the dark. They stood a moment in the +open door, after Maria had slapped him with her apron to make him go off +the porch. + +"Oh, look at the new moon!" cried Lloyd, pointing to the slender +crescent in the autumn sky. + +"I'se feared to, honey," answered Maria, "less I should see it through +the trees. That 'ud bring me bad luck for a month, suah. I'll go out on +the lawn where it's open, an' look at it ovah my right shouldah." + +While they were walking backward down the path, intent on reaching a +place where they could have an uninterrupted view of the moon, Fritz +sneaked around to the other end of the porch. + +No one was watching. He slipped into the house as noiselessly as his +four soft feet could carry him. + +Maria, going through the dark upper hall, with a candle held high above +her head and Lloyd clinging to her skirts, did not see a tasselled tail +swinging along in front of her. It disappeared under the big bed when +she led Lloyd into the room next the old Colonel's. + +The child felt very sober while she was being put to bed. + +The furniture was heavy and dark. An ugly portrait of a cross old man in +a wig frowned at her from over the mantel. The dancing firelight made +his eyes frightfully lifelike. + +The bed was so high she had to climb on a chair to get in. She heard +Maria's heavy feet go shuffling down the stairs. A door banged. Then it +was so still she could hear the clock tick in the next room. + +It was the first time in all her life that her mother had not come to +kiss her good night. Her lips quivered, and a big tear rolled down on +the pillow. + +She reached out to the chair beside her bed, where her clothes were +hanging, and felt in her apron pocket for the little glove. She sat up +in bed, and looked at it in the dim firelight. Then she held it against +her face. "Oh, I want my mothah! I want my mothah!" she sobbed, in a +heart-broken whisper. + +Laying her head on her knees, she began to cry quietly, but with great +sobs that nearly choked her. + +There was a rustling under the bed. She lifted her wet face in alarm. +Then she smiled through her tears, for there was Fritz, her own dear +dog, and not an unknown horror waiting to grab her. + +He stood on his hind legs, eagerly trying to lap away her tears with his +friendly red tongue. + +She clasped him in her arms with an ecstatic hug. "Oh, you're such a +comfort!" she whispered. "I can go to sleep now." + +She spread her apron on the bed, and motioned him to jump. With one +spring he was beside her. + +It was nearly midnight when the door from the Colonel's room was +noiselessly opened. + +The old man stirred the fire gently until it burst into a bright flame. +Then he turned to the bed. "You rascal!" he whispered, looking at Fritz, +who raised his head quickly with a threatening look in his wicked eyes. + +Lloyd lay with one hand stretched out, holding the dog's protecting paw. +The other held something against her tear-stained cheek. + +"What under the sun!" he thought, as he drew it gently from her fingers. +The little glove lay across his hand, slim and aristocratic-looking. He +knew instinctively whose it was. "Poor little thing's been crying," he +thought. "She wants Elizabeth. And so do I! And so do I!" his heart +cried out with bitter longing. "It's never been like home since she +left." + +He laid the glove back on her pillow, and went to his room. + +"If Jack Sherman should die," he said to himself many times that night, +"then she would come home again. Oh, little daughter, little daughter! +why did you ever leave me?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The first thing that greeted the Little Colonel's eyes when she opened +them next morning was her mother's old doll. Maria had laid it on the +pillow beside her. + +It was beautifully dressed, although in a queer, old-fashioned style +that seemed very strange to the child. + +She took it up with careful fingers, remembering its great age. Maria +had warned her not to waken her grandfather, so she admired it in +whispers. + +"Jus' think, Fritz," she exclaimed, "this doll has seen my Gran'mothah +Amanthis, an' it's named for her. My mothah wasn't any bigger'n me when +she played with it. I think it is the loveliest doll I evah saw in my +whole life." + +Fritz gave a jealous bark. + +"Sh!" commanded his little mistress. "Didn't you heah M'ria say, 'Fo' de +Lawd's sake don't wake up ole Marse?' Why don't you mind?" + +The Colonel was not in the best of humours after such a wakeful night, +but the sight of her happiness made him smile in spite of himself, when +she danced into his room with the doll. + +She had eaten an early breakfast and gone back up-stairs to examine the +other toys that were spread out in her room. + +The door between the two rooms was ajar. All the time he was dressing +and taking his coffee he could hear her talking to some one. He supposed +it was Maria. But as he glanced over his mail he heard the Little +Colonel saying, "May Lilly, do you know about Billy Goat Gruff? Do you +want me to tell you that story?" + +He leaned forward until he could look through the narrow opening of the +door. Two heads were all he could see,--Lloyd's, soft-haired and golden, +May Lilly's, covered with dozens of tightly braided little black tails. + +He was about to order May Lilly back to the cabin, when he remembered +the scene that followed the last time he had done so. He concluded to +keep quiet and listen. + +"Billy Goat Gruff was so fat," the story went on, "jus' as fat as +gran'fathah." + +The Colonel glanced up with an amused smile at the fine figure reflected +in an opposite mirror. + +"Trip-trap, trip-trap, went Billy Goat Gruff's little feet ovah the +bridge to the giant's house." + +Just at this point Walker, who was putting things in order, closed the +door between the rooms. + +"Open that door, you black rascal!" called the Colonel, furious at the +interruption. + +In his haste to obey, Walker knocked over a pitcher of water that had +been left on the floor beside the wash-stand. + +Then the Colonel yelled at him to be quick about mopping it up, so that +by the time the door was finally opened, Lloyd was finishing her story. + +The Colonel looked in just in time to see her put her hands to her +temples, with her forefingers protruding from her forehead like horns. +She said in a deep voice, as she brandished them at May Lilly, "With my +two long speahs I'll poke yo' eyeballs through yo' yeahs." The little +darky fell back giggling. "That sut'n'y was like a billy-goat. We had +one once that 'ud make a body step around mighty peart. It slip up +behine me one mawnin' on the poach, an' fo' awhile I thought my haid was +buss open suah. I got up toreckly, though, an' I cotch him, and when I +done got through, Mistah Billy-goat feel po'ly moah'n a week. He sut'n'y +did." + +Walker grinned, for he had witnessed the scene. + +Just then Maria put her head in at the door to say, "May Lilly, yo' +mammy's callin' you." + +Lloyd and Fritz followed her noisily down-stairs. Then for nearly an +hour it was very quiet in the great house. + +The Colonel, looking out of the window, could see Lloyd playing +hide-and-seek with Fritz under the bare locust-trees. When she came in +her cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air. Her eyes shone +like stars, and her face was radiant. + +"See what I've found down in the dead leaves," she cried. "A little blue +violet, bloomin' all by itself." + +She brought a tiny cup from the next room, that belonged to the set of +doll dishes, and put the violet in it. + +"There!" she said, setting it on the table at her grandfather's elbow. +"Now I'll put Amanthis in this chair, where you can look at her, an' you +won't get lonesome while I'm playing outdoors." + +He drew her toward him and kissed her. + +"Why, how cold your hands are!" he exclaimed. "Staying in this warm room +all the time makes me forget it is so wintry outdoors. I don't believe +you are dressed warmly enough. You ought not to wear sunbonnets this +time of year." + +Then for the first time he noticed her outgrown cloak and shabby shoes. + +"What are you wearing these old clothes for?" he said, impatiently. "Why +didn't they dress you up when you were going visiting? It isn't showing +proper respect to send you off in the oldest things you've got." + +It was a sore point with the Little Colonel. It hurt her pride enough to +have to wear old clothes without being scolded for it. Besides, she +felt that in some way her mother was being blamed for what could not be +helped. + +"They's the best I've got," she answered, proudly choking back the +tears. "I don't need any new ones, 'cause maybe we'll be goin' away +pretty soon." + +"Going away!" he echoed, blankly, "Where?" She did not answer until he +repeated the question. Then she turned her back on him, and started +toward the door. The tears she was too proud to let him see were running +down her face. + +"We's goin' to the poah-house," she exclaimed, defiantly, "jus' as soon +as the money in the pocketbook is used up. It was nearly gone when I +came away." + +Here she began to sob, as she fumbled at the door she could not see to +open. + +"I'm goin' home to my mothah right now. She loves me if my clothes are +old and ugly." + +"Why, Lloyd," called the Colonel, amazed and distressed by her sudden +burst of grief. "Come here to grandpa. Why didn't you tell me so +before?" + +The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her irresistibly +to him. It was a relief to lay her head on his shoulder, and unburden +herself of the fear that had haunted her so many days. + +With her arms around his neck, and the precious little head held close +to his heart, the old Colonel was in such a softened mood that he would +have promised anything to comfort her. + +"There, there," he said, soothingly, stroking her hair with a gentle +hand, when she had told him all her troubles. "Don't you worry about +that, my dear. Nobody is going to eat out of tin pans and sleep on +straw. Grandpa just won't let them." + +She sat up and wiped her eyes on her apron. "But Papa Jack would die +befo' he'd take help from you," she wailed. "An' so would mothah. I +heard her tell the doctah so." + +The tender expression on the Colonel's face changed to one like flint, +but he kept on stroking her hair. "People sometimes change their minds," +he said, grimly. "I wouldn't worry over a little thing like that if I +were you. Don't you want to run down-stairs and tell M'ria to give you +a piece of cake?" + +"Oh, yes," she exclaimed, smiling up at him. "I'll bring you some, too." + +When the first train went into Louisville that afternoon, Walker was +on board with an order in his pocket to one of the largest dry goods +establishments in the city. When he came out again, that evening, he +carried a large box into the Colonel's room. + +Lloyd's eyes shone as she looked into it. There was an elegant +fur-trimmed cloak, a pair of dainty shoes, and a muff that she caught up +with a shriek of delight. + +"What kind of a thing is this?" grumbled the Colonel, as he took out a +hat that had been carefully packed in one corner of the box. "I +told them to send the most stylish thing they had. It looks like a +scarecrow," he continued, as he set it askew on the child's head. + +She snatched it off to look at it herself. "Oh, it's jus' like Emma +Louise Wyfo'd's!" she exclaimed. "You didn't put it on straight. See! +This is the way it goes." + +She climbed up in front of the mirror, and put it on as she had seen +Emma Louise wear hers. + +"Well, it's a regular Napoleon hat," exclaimed the Colonel, much +pleased. "So little girls nowadays have taken to wearing soldier's caps, +have they? It's right becoming to you with your short hair. Grandpa is +real proud of his 'little Colonel.'" + +She gave him the military salute he had taught her, and then ran to +throw her arms around him. "Oh, gran'fathah!" she exclaimed, between her +kisses, "you'se jus' as good as Santa Claus, every bit." + +The Colonel's rheumatism was better next day; so much better that toward +evening he walked down-stairs into the long drawing-room. The room had +not been illuminated in years as it was that night. + +Every wax taper was lighted in the silver candelabra, and the dim old +mirrors multiplied their lights on every side. A great wood fire threw a +cheerful glow over the portraits and the frescoed ceiling. All the linen +covers had been taken from the furniture. + +Lloyd, who had never seen this room except with the chairs shrouded and +the blinds down, came running in presently. She was bewildered at first +by the change. Then she began walking softly around the room, examining +everything. + +In one corner stood a tall, gilded harp that her grandmother had played +in her girlhood. The heavy cover had kept it fair and untarnished +through all the years it had stood unused. To the child's beauty-loving +eyes it seemed the loveliest thing she had ever seen. + +She stood with her hands clasped behind her as her gaze wandered from +its pedals to the graceful curves of its tall frame. It shone like +burnished gold in the soft firelight. + +"Oh, gran'fathah!" she asked at last in a low, reverent tone, "where did +you get it? Did an angel leave it heah fo' you?" + +He did not answer for a moment. Then he said, huskily, as he looked up +at a portrait over the mantel, "Yes, my darling, an angel did leave it +here. She always was one. Come here to grandpa." + +He took her on his knee, and pointed up to the portrait. The same harp +was in the picture. Standing beside it, with one hand resting on its +shining strings, was a young girl all in white. + +"That's the way she looked the first time I ever saw her," said the +Colonel, dreamily. "A June rose in her hair, and another at her throat; +and her soul looked right out through those great, dark eyes--the +purest, sweetest soul God ever made! My beautiful Amanthis!" + +"My bu'ful Amanthis!" repeated the child, in an awed whisper. + +She sat gazing into the lovely young face for a long time, while the old +man seemed lost in dreams. + +"Gran'fathah," she said at length, patting his cheek to attract his +attention, and then nodding toward the portrait, "did she love my +mothah like my mothah loves me?" + +"Certainly, my dear," was the gentle reply. + +It was the twilight hour, when the homesick feeling always came back +strongest to Lloyd. + +"Then I jus' know that if my bu'ful gran'mothah Amanthis could come down +out of that frame, she'd go straight and put her arms around my mothah +an' kiss away all her sorry feelin's." + +The Colonel fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair a moment. Then to his +great relief the tea-bell rang. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Every evening after that during Lloyd's visit the fire burned on the +hearth of the long drawing-room. All the wax candles were lighted, and +the vases were kept full of flowers, fresh from the conservatory. + +She loved to steal into the room before her grandfather came down, and +carry on imaginary conversations with the old portraits. + +Tom's handsome, boyish face had the greatest attraction for her. +His eyes looked down so smilingly into hers that she felt he surely +understood every word she said to him. Once Walker overheard her saying, +"Uncle Tom, I'm goin' to tell you a story 'bout Billy Goat Gruff." + +Peeping into the room, he saw the child looking earnestly up at the +picture, with her hands clasped behind her, as she began to repeat her +favourite story. "It do beat all," he said to himself, "how one little +chile like that can wake up a whole house. She's the life of the place." + +The last evening of her visit, as the Colonel was coming down-stairs he +heard the faint vibration of a harp-string. It was the first time Lloyd +had ever ventured to touch one. He paused on the steps opposite the +door, and looked in. + +"Heah, Fritz," she was saying, "you get up on the sofa, an' be the +company, an' I'll sing fo' you." + +Fritz, on the rug before the fire, opened one sleepy eye and closed +it again. She stamped her foot and repeated her order. He paid no +attention. Then she picked him up bodily, and, with much puffing and +pulling, lifted him into a chair. + +He waited until she had gone back to the harp, and then, with one +spring, disappeared under the sofa. + +"N'm min'," she said, in a disgusted tone. "I'll pay you back, mistah." +Then she looked up at the portrait. "Uncle Tom," she said, "you be the +company, an' I'll play fo' you." + +Her fingers touched the strings so lightly that there was no discord in +the random tones. Her voice carried the air clear and true, and the +faint trembling of the harp-strings interfered with the harmony no more +than if a wandering breeze had been tangled in them as it passed. + + "Sing me the songs that to me were so deah + Long, long ago, long ago. + Tell me the tales I delighted to heah + Long, long ago, long ago." + +The sweet little voice sang it to the end without missing a word. It was +the lullaby her mother oftenest sang to her. + +The Colonel, who had sat down on the steps to listen, wiped his eyes. + +"My 'long ago' is all that I have left to me," he thought, bitterly, +"for to-morrow this little one, who brings back my past with every word +and gesture, will leave me, too. Why can't that Jack Sherman die while +he's about it, and let me have my own back again?" + +That question recurred to him many times during the week after Lloyd's +departure. He missed her happy voice at every turn. He missed her bright +face at the table. The house seemed so big and desolate without her. He +ordered all the covers put back on the drawing-room furniture, and +the door locked as before. + +It was a happy moment for the Little Colonel when she was lifted down +from Maggie Boy at the cottage gate. + +She went dancing into the house, so glad to find herself in her mother's +arms that she forgot all about the new cloak and muff that had made her +so proud and happy. + +She found her father propped up among the pillows, his fever all gone, +and the old mischievous twinkle in his eyes. + +He admired her new clothes extravagantly, paying her joking compliments +until her face beamed; but when she had danced off to find Mom Beck, +he turned to his wife. "Elizabeth," he said, wonderingly, "what do you +suppose the old fellow gave her clothes for? I don't like it. I'm no +beggar if I have lost lots of money. After all that's passed between us +I don't feel like taking anything from his hands, or letting my child do +it, either." + +To his great surprise she laid her head down on his pillow beside his +and burst into tears. + +"Oh, Jack," she sobbed, "I spent the last dollar this morning. I wasn't +going to tell you, but I don't know what is to become of us. He gave +Lloyd those things because she was just in rags, and I couldn't afford +to get anything new." + +He looked perplexed. "Why, I brought home so much," he said, in a +distressed tone. "I knew I was in for a long siege of sickness, but I +was sure there was enough to tide us over that." + +She raised her head. "You brought money home!" she replied, in surprise. +"I hoped you had, and looked through all your things, but there was only +a little change in one of your pockets. You must have imagined it when +you were delirious." + +"What!" he cried, sitting bolt upright, and then sinking weakly back +among the pillows. "You poor child! You don't mean to tell me you have +been skimping along all these weeks on just that check I sent you before +starting home?" + +"Yes," she sobbed, her face still buried in the pillow. She had borne +the strain of continued anxiety so long that she could not stop her +tears, now they had once started. + +It was with a very thankful heart she watched him take a pack of +letters from the coat she brought to his bedside, and draw out a sealed +envelope. + +"Well, I never once thought of looking among those letters for money," +she exclaimed, as he held it up with a smile. + +His investments of the summer before had prospered beyond his greatest +hopes, he told her. "Brother Rob is looking after my interests out West, +as well as his own," he explained, "and as his father-in-law is the +grand mogul of the place, I have the inside track. Then that firm I went +security for in New York is nearly on its feet again, and I'll have back +every dollar I ever paid out for them. Nobody ever lost anything by +those men in the long run. We'll be on top again by this time next year, +little wife; so don't borrow any more trouble on that score." + +The doctor made his last visit that afternoon. It really seemed as if +there would never be any more dark days at the little cottage. + +"The clouds have all blown away and left us their silver linings," said +Mrs. Sherman the day her husband was able to go out-of-doors for the +first time. He walked down to the post-office, and brought back a letter +from the West. It had such encouraging reports of his business that +he was impatient to get back to it. He wrote a reply early in the +afternoon, and insisted on going to mail it himself. + +"I'll never get my strength back," he protested, "unless I have more +exercise." + +It was a cold, gray November day. A few flakes of snow were falling when +he started. + +"I'll stop and rest at the Tylers'," he called back, "so don't be uneasy +if I'm out some time." + +After he left the post-office the fresh air tempted him to go farther +than he had intended. At a long distance from his home his strength +seemed suddenly to desert him. The snow began to fall in earnest. Numb +with cold, he groped his way back to the house, almost fainting from +exhaustion. + +Lloyd was blowing soap-bubbles when she saw him come in and fall heavily +across the couch. The ghastly pallor of his face and his closed eyes +frightened her so that she dropped the little clay pipe she was using. +As she stooped to pick up the broken pieces, her mother's cry startled +her still more. "Lloyd, run call Becky, quick, quick! Oh, he's dying!" + +Lloyd gave one more terrified look and ran to the kitchen, screaming for +Mom Beck. No one was there. + +The next instant she was running bareheaded as fast as she could go, +up the road to Locust. She was confident of finding help there. The +snowflakes clung to her hair and blew against her soft cheeks. All she +could see was her mother wringing her hands, and her father's white +face. When she burst into the house where the Colonel sat reading by the +fire, she was so breathless at first that she could only gasp when she +tried to speak. + +"Come quick!" she cried. "Papa Jack's a-dyin'! Come stop him!" + +At her first impetuous words the Colonel was on his feet. She caught him +by the hand and led him to the door before he fully realized what she +wanted. Then he drew back. She was impatient at the slightest delay, and +only half answered his questions. + +"Oh, come, gran'fathah!" she pleaded. "Don't wait to talk!" But he held +her until he had learned all the circumstances. He was convinced by what +she told him that both Lloyd and her mother were unduly alarmed. When he +found that no one had sent for him, but that the child had come of her +own accord, he refused to go. + +He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend to step +aside one inch from the position he had taken. For seven years he had +kept the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to his daughter. He +would keep it for seventy times seven years if need be. + +She looked at him perfectly bewildered. She had been so accustomed to +his humouring her slightest whims, that it had never occurred to her he +would fail to help in a time of such distress. + +"Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously. Then her +whole expression changed. Her face grew startlingly white, and her eyes +seemed so big and black. The Colonel looked at her in surprise. He had +never seen a child in such a passion before. "I hate you! I hate you!" +she exclaimed, all in a tremble. "You's a cruel, wicked man. I'll nevah +come heah again, nevah! nevah! nevah!" + +The tears rolled down her cheeks as she banged the door behind her +and ran down the avenue, her little heart so full of grief and +disappointment that she felt she could not possibly bear it. + +For more than an hour the Colonel walked up and down the room, unable to +shut out the anger and disappointment of that little face. + +He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words. She +would never come back. He never knew until that hour how much he +loved her, or how much she had come to mean in his life. She was +gone hopelessly beyond recall, unless--He unlocked the door of the +drawing-room and went in. A faint breath of dried rose-leaves greeted +him. He walked over to the empty fireplace and looked up at the sweet +face of the portrait a long time. Then he leaned his arm on the mantel +and bowed his head on it. "Oh, Amanthis," he groaned, "tell me what to +do." + +Lloyd's own words came back to him. "She'd go right straight an' put her +arms around my mothah an' kiss away all the sorry feelin's." + +It was a long time he stood there. The battle between his love and pride +was a hard one. At last he raised his head and saw that the short winter +day was almost over. Without waiting to order his horse he started off +in the falling snow toward the cottage. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +A good many forebodings crowded into the Colonel's mind as he walked +hurriedly on. He wondered how he would be received. What if Jack Sherman +had died after all? What if Elizabeth should refuse to see him? A dozen +times before he reached the gate he pictured to himself the probable +scene of their meeting. + +He was out of breath and decidedly disturbed in mind when he walked up +the path. As he paused on the porch steps, Lloyd came running around the +house carrying her parrot on a broom. Her hair was blowing around her +rosy face under the Napoleon hat she wore, and she was singing. + +The last two hours had made a vast change in her feelings. Her father +had only fainted from exhaustion. + +When she came running back from Locust, she was afraid to go in the +house, lest what she dreaded most had happened while she was gone. She +opened the door timidly and peeped in. Her father's eyes were open. Then +she heard him speak. She ran into the room, and, burying her head in her +mother's lap, sobbed out the story of her visit to Locust. + +To her great surprise her father began to laugh, and laughed so heartily +as she repeated her saucy speech to her grandfather, that it took the +worst sting out of her disappointment. + +All the time the Colonel had been fighting his pride among the memories +of the dim old drawing-room, Lloyd had been playing with Fritz and Polly. + +Now as she came suddenly face to face with her grandfather, she dropped +the disgusted bird in the snow, and stood staring at him with startled +eyes. If he had fallen out of the sky she could not have been more +astonished. + +"Where is your mother, child?" he asked, trying to speak calmly. With +a backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of her own +sight, she led the way into the hall. + +"Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door. "Come heah, +quick!" + +The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it on the +floor, took an expectant step forward. There was a slight rustle, and +Elizabeth stood in the doorway. For just a moment they looked into each +other's faces. Then the Colonel held out his arm. + +"Little daughter," he said, in a tremulous voice. The love of a lifetime +seemed to tremble in those two words. + +In an instant her arms were around his neck, and he was "kissing away +the sorry feelin's" as tenderly as the lost Amanthis could have done. + +As soon as Lloyd began to realize what was happening, her face grew +radiant. She danced around in such excitement that Fritz barked wildly. + +"Come an' see Papa Jack, too," she cried, leading him into the next +room. + +Whatever deep-rooted prejudices Jack Sherman may have had, they were +unselfishly put aside after one look into his wife's happy face. + +He raised himself on his elbow as the dignified old soldier crossed the +room. The white hair, the empty sleeve, the remembrance of all the old +man had lost, and the thought that after all he was Elizabeth's father, +sent a very tender feeling through the younger man's heart. + +"Will you take my hand, sir?" he asked, sitting up and offering it in +his straightforward way. + +"Of co'se he will!" exclaimed Lloyd, who still clung to her +grandfather's arm. "Of co'se he will!" + +"I have been too near death to harbour ill will any longer," said the +younger man, as their hands met in a strong, forgiving clasp. + +The old Colonel smiled grimly. + +"I had thought that even death itself could not make me give in," he +said, "but I've had to make a complete surrender to the Little Colonel." +That Christmas there was such a celebration at Locust that May Lilly +and Henry Clay nearly went wild in the general excitement of the +preparation. Walker hung up cedar and holly and mistletoe till the +big house looked like a bower. Maria bustled about, airing rooms and +bringing out stores of linen and silver. + +The Colonel himself filled the great punch-bowl that his grandfather had +brought from Virginia. + +"I'm glad we're goin' to stay heah to-night," said Lloyd, as she hung up +her stocking Christmas Eve. "It will be so much easiah fo' Santa Claus +to get down these big chimneys." + +In the morning when she found four tiny stockings hanging beside her +own, overflowing with candy for Fritz, her happiness was complete. + +That night there was a tree in the drawing-room that reached to the +frescoed ceiling. When May Lilly came in to admire it and get her share +from its loaded branches, Lloyd came skipping up to her. "Oh, I'm goin' +to live heah all wintah," she cried. "Mom Beck's goin' to stay heah with +me, too, while mothah an' Papa Jack go down South where the alligatahs +live. Then when they get well an' come back, Papa Jack is goin' to build +a house on the othah side of the lawn. I'm to live in both places at +once; mothah said so." + +There were music and light, laughing voices and happy hearts in the old +home that night. It seemed as if the old place had awakened from a long +dream and found itself young again. + +The plan the Little Colonel unfolded to May Lilly was carried out in +every detail. It seemed a long winter to the child, but it was a happy +one. There were not so many displays of temper now that she was growing +older, but the letters that went southward every week were full of her +odd speeches and mischievous pranks. The old Colonel found it hard to +refuse her anything. If it had not been for Mom Beck's decided ways, the +child would have been sadly spoiled. + +At last the spring came again. The pewees sang in the cedars. The +dandelions sprinkled the roadsides like stars. The locust-trees tossed +up the white spray of their fragrant blossoms with every wave of their +green boughs. + +"They'll soon be heah! They'll soon be heah!" chanted the Little Colonel +every day. + +The morning they came she had been down the avenue a dozen times to look +for them before the carriage had even started to meet them. "Walkah," +she called, "cut me a big locus' bough. I want to wave it fo' a flag!" + +Just as he dropped a branch down at her feet, she caught the sound of +wheels. "Hurry, gran'fathah," she called; "they's comin'." But the +old Colonel had already started on toward the gate to meet them. The +carriage stopped, and in a moment more Papa Jack was tossing Lloyd up in +his arms, while the old Colonel was helping Elizabeth to alight. + +"Isn't this a happy mawnin'?" exclaimed the Little Colonel, as she +leaned from her seat on her father's shoulder to kiss his sunburned +cheek. + +"A very happy morning," echoed her grandfather, as he walked on toward +the house with Elizabeth's hand clasped close in his own. + +Long after they had passed up the steps the old locusts kept echoing +the Little Colonel's words. Years ago they had showered their fragrant +blossoms in this same path to make a sweet white way for Amanthis's +little feet to tread when the Colonel brought home his bride. + +They had dropped their tribute on the coffin-lid when Tom was carried +home under their drooping branches. The soldier-boy had loved them so, +that a little cluster had been laid on the breast of the gray coat he +wore. + +Night and day they had guarded this old home like silent sentinels that +loved it well. + +Now, as they looked down on the united family, a thrill passed through +them to their remotest bloom-tipped branches. + +It sounded only like a faint rustling of leaves, but it was the locusts +whispering together. "The children have come home at last," they +kept repeating. "What a happy morning! Oh, what a happy morning!" + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +This file should be named tlcol10.txt or tlcol10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, tlcol11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlcol10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Little Colonel + +Author: Annie Fellows Johnston + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9407] +[This file was first posted on May 28, 2004] +[Most recently updated: May 28, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +</pre> +<h3> +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger,<br> +and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders +</h3> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE LITTLE COLONEL</h1> +<h3>By Annie Fellows Johnston</h3> +<br> +<h4>1895</h4> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h3>TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S DEAREST LITTLE DAUGHTERS</h3> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h4>The Little Colonel</h4> +<h5>HERSELF--THIS REMEMBRANCE OF A HAPPY SUMMER<br> +IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED</h5> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> +<center>[<a href="#CHAPTER_I.">I</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_III.">II</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_III.">III</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_IV.">IV</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_V.">V</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_VI.">VI</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_VII.">VII</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_VIII.">VIII</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_IX.">IX</a>] +[<a href="#CHAPTER_X.">X</a>]</center> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<center><a href="#0002.jpg">"'CAUSE I'M SO MUCH LIKE YOU,' WAS THE +STARTLING ANSWER".</a><br> +<a href="#0003.jpg">"THE SAME TEMPER SEEMED TO BE BURNING IN THE +EYES OF THE CHILD".</a><br> +<a href="#0004.jpg">"WITH THE PARROT PERCHED ON THE BROOM SHE WAS +CARRYING".</a><br> +<a href="#0005.jpg">"THE LITTLE COLONEL CLATTERED UP AND DOWN THE +HALL".</a><br> +<a href="#0006.jpg">"SINGING AT THE TOP OF HER VOICE".</a><br> +<a href="#0007.jpg">"'TELL ME GOOD-BY, BABY DEAR,' SAID MRS. +SHERMAN".</a><br> +<a href="#0008.jpg">"'AMANTHIS,' REPEATED THE CHILD +DREAMILY".</a><br> +<a href="#0009.jpg">"SHE CLIMBED UP IN FRONT OF THE +MIRROR".</a><br> +<a href="#0010.jpg">"THE SWEET LITTLE VOICE SANG IT TO THE +END".</a></center> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h1>The Little Colonel</h1> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I."></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<br> +<p>It was one of the prettiest places in all Kentucky where the +Little Colonel stood that morning. She was reaching up on tiptoes, +her eager little face pressed close against the iron bars of the +great entrance gate that led to a fine old estate known as +"Locust."</p> +<p>A ragged little Scotch and Skye terrier stood on its hind feet +beside her, thrusting his inquisitive nose between the bars, and +wagging his tasselled tail in lively approval of the scene before +them.</p> +<p>They were looking down a long avenue that stretched for nearly a +quarter of a mile between rows of stately old locust-trees.</p> +<p>At the far end they could see the white pillars of a large stone +house gleaming through the Virginia creeper that nearly covered it. +But they could not see the old Colonel in his big chair on the +porch behind the cool screen of vines.</p> +<p>At that very moment he had caught the rattle of wheels along the +road, and had picked up his field-glass to see who was passing. It +was only a coloured man jogging along in the heat and dust with a +cart full of chicken-coops. The Colonel watched him drive up a lane +that led to the back of the new hotel that had just been opened in +this quiet country place. Then his glance fell on the two small +strangers coming through his gate down the avenue toward him. One +was the friskiest dog he had ever seen in his life. The other was a +child he judged to be about five years old.</p> +<p>Her shoes were covered with dust, and her white sunbonnet had +slipped off and was hanging over her shoulders. A bunch of wild +flowers she had gathered on the way hung limp and faded in her +little warm hand. Her soft, light hair was cut as short as a +boy's.</p> +<p>There was something strangely familiar about the child, +especially in the erect, graceful way she walked.</p> +<p>Old Colonel Lloyd was puzzled. He had lived all his life in +Lloydsborough, and this was the first time he had ever failed to +recognize one of the neighbours' children. He knew every dog and +horse, too, by sight if not by name.</p> +<p>Living so far from the public road did not limit his knowledge +of what was going on in the world. A powerful field-glass brought +every passing object in plain view, while he was saved all +annoyance of noise and dust.</p> +<p>"I ought to know that child as well as I know my own name," he +said to himself. "But the dog is a stranger in these parts. +Liveliest thing I ever set eyes on! They must have come from the +hotel. Wonder what they want."</p> +<p>He carefully wiped the lens for a better view. When he looked +again he saw that they evidently had not come to visit him.</p> +<p>They had stopped half-way down the avenue, and climbed up on a +rustic seat to rest.</p> +<p>The dog sat motionless about two minutes, his red tongue hanging +out as if he were completely exhausted.</p> +<p>Suddenly he gave a spring, and bounded away through the tall +blue grass. He was back again in a moment, with a stick in his +mouth. Standing up with his fore paws in the lap of his little +mistress, he looked so wistfully into her face that she could not +refuse this invitation for a romp.</p> +<p>The Colonel chuckled as they went tumbling about in the grass to +find the stick which the child repeatedly tossed away.</p> +<p>He hitched his chair along to the other end of the porch as they +kept getting farther away from the avenue.</p> +<p>It had been many a long year since those old locust-trees had +seen a sight like that. Children never played any more under their +dignified shadows.</p> +<p>Time had been (but they only whispered this among themselves on +rare spring days like this) when the little feet chased each other +up and down the long walk, as much at home as the pewees in the +beeches.</p> +<p>Suddenly the little maid stood up straight, and began to sniff +the air, as if some delicious odour had blown across the lawn.</p> +<p>"Fritz," she exclaimed, in delight, "I 'mell 'trawberries!"</p> +<p>The Colonel, who could not hear the remark, wondered at the +abrupt pause in the game. He understood it, however, when he saw +them wading through the tall grass, straight to his strawberry bed. +It was the pride of his heart, and the finest for miles around. The +first berries of the season had been picked only the day before. +Those that now hung temptingly red on the vines he intended to send +to his next neighbour, to prove his boasted claim of always raising +the finest and earliest fruit.</p> +<p>He did not propose to have his plans spoiled by these stray +guests. Laying the field-glass in its accustomed place on the +little table beside his chair, he picked up his hat and strode down +the walk.</p> +<p>Colonel Lloyd's friends all said he looked like Napoleon, or +rather like Napoleon might have looked had he been born and bred a +Kentuckian.</p> +<p>He made an imposing figure in his suit of white duck.</p> +<p>The Colonel always wore white from May till October.</p> +<p>There was a military precision about him, from his erect +carriage to the cut of the little white goatee on his determined +chin.</p> +<p>No one looking into the firm lines of his resolute face could +imagine him ever abandoning a purpose or being turned aside when he +once formed an opinion.</p> +<p>Most children were afraid of him. The darkies about the place +shook in their shoes when he frowned. They had learned from +experience that "ole Marse Lloyd had a tigah of a tempah in +him."</p> +<p>As he passed down the walk there were two mute witnesses to his +old soldier life. A spur gleamed on his boot heel, for he had just +returned from his morning ride, and his right sleeve hung +empty.</p> +<p>He had won his title bravely. He had given his only son and his +strong right arm to the Southern cause. That had been nearly thirty +years ago.</p> +<p>He did not charge down on the enemy with his usual force this +time. The little head, gleaming like sunshine in the strawberry +patch, reminded him so strongly of a little fellow who used to +follow him everywhere,--Tom, the sturdiest, handsomest boy in the +county,--Tom, whom he had been so proud of, whom he had so nearly +worshipped.</p> +<p>Looking at this fair head bent over the vines, he could almost +forget that Tom had ever outgrown his babyhood, that he had +shouldered a rifle and followed him to camp, a mere boy, to be shot +down by a Yankee bullet in his first battle.</p> +<p>The old Colonel could almost believe he had him back again, and +that he stood in the midst of those old days the locusts sometimes +whispered about.</p> +<p>He could not hear the happiest of little voices that was just +then saying, "Oh, Fritz, isn't you glad we came? An' isn't you glad +we've got a gran'fathah with such good 'trawberries?"</p> +<p>It was hard for her to put the "s" before her consonants.</p> +<p>As the Colonel came nearer she tossed another berry into the +dog's mouth. A twig snapped, and she raised a startled face toward +him.</p> +<p>"Suh?" she said, timidly, for it seemed to her that the stern, +piercing eyes had spoken.</p> +<p>"What are you doing here, child?" he asked, in a voice so much +kinder than his eyes that she regained her usual self-possession at +once.</p> +<p>"Eatin' 'trawberries," she answered, coolly.</p> +<p>"Who are you, anyway?" he exclaimed, much puzzled. As he asked +the question his gaze happened to rest on the dog, who was peering +at him through the ragged, elfish wisps of hair nearly covering its +face, with eyes that were startlingly human.</p> +<p>"'Peak when yo'ah 'poken to, Fritz," she said, severely, at the +same time popping another luscious berry into her mouth. Fritz +obediently gave a long yelp. The Colonel smiled grimly.</p> +<p>"What's your name?" he asked, this time looking directly at +her.</p> +<p>"Mothah calls me her baby," was the soft-spoken reply, "but papa +an' Mom Beck they calls me the Little Cun'l."</p> +<p>"What under the sun do they call you that for?" he roared.</p> +<p>"'Cause I'm so much like you," was the startling answer.</p> +<p>"Like me!" fairly gasped the Colonel. "How are you like me?"</p> +<p>"Oh, I'm got such a vile tempah, an' I stamps my foot when I +gets mad, an' gets all red in the face. An' I hollahs at folks, an' +looks jus' zis way."</p> +<a name="0002.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0002.jpg" width="60%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>She drew her face down and puckered her lips into such a sullen +pout that it looked as if a thunder-storm had passed over it. The +next instant she smiled up at him serenely. The Colonel laughed. +"What makes you think I am like that?" he said. "You never saw me +before."</p> +<p>"Yes, I have too," she persisted. "You's a-hangin' in a gold +frame over ou' mantel."</p> +<p>Just then a clear, high voice was heard calling out in the +road.</p> +<p>The child started up in alarm. "Oh, deah," she exclaimed in +dismay, at sight of the stains on her white dress, where she had +been kneeling on the fruit, "that's Mom Beck. Now I'll be tied up, +and maybe put to bed for runnin' away again. But the berries is +mighty nice," she added, politely. "Good mawnin', suh. Fritz, we +mus' be goin' now."</p> +<p>The voice was coming nearer.</p> +<p>"I'll walk down to the gate with you," said the Colonel, anxious +to learn something more about his little guest. "Oh, you'd bettah +not, suh!" she cried in alarm. "Mom Beck doesn't like you a bit. +She just hates you! She's goin' to give you a piece of her mind the +next time she sees you. I heard her tell Aunt Nervy so."</p> +<p>There was as much real distress in the child's voice as if she +were telling him of a promised flogging.</p> +<p>"Lloyd! Aw, Lloy-eed!" the call came again.</p> +<p>A neat-looking coloured woman glanced in at the gate as she was +passing by, and then stood still in amazement. She had often found +her little charge playing along the roadside or hiding behind +trees, but she had never before known her to pass through any one's +gate.</p> +<p>As the name came floating down to him through the clear air, a +change came over the Colonel's stern face. He stooped over the +child. His hand trembled as he put it under her soft chin and +raised her eyes to his.</p> +<p>"Lloyd, Lloyd!" he repeated, in a puzzled way. "Can it be +possible? There certainly is a wonderful resemblance. You have my +little Tom's hair, and only my baby Elizabeth ever had such hazel +eyes."</p> +<p>He caught her up in his one arm, and strode on to the gate, +where the coloured woman stood.</p> +<p>"Why, Becky, is that you?" he cried, recognizing an old, trusted +servant who had lived at Locust in his wife's lifetime.</p> +<p>Her only answer was a sullen nod.</p> +<p>"Whose child is this?" he asked, eagerly, without seeming to +notice her defiant looks. "Tell me if you can."</p> +<p>"How can I tell you, suh," she demanded, indignantly, "when you +have fo'bidden even her name to be spoken befo' you?"</p> +<p>A harsh look came into the Colonel's eyes. He put the child +hastily down, and pressed his lips together.</p> +<p>"Don't tie my sunbonnet, Mom Beck," she begged. Then she waved +her hand with an engaging smile.</p> +<p>"Good-bye, suh," she said, graciously. "We've had a mighty nice +time!"</p> +<p>The Colonel took off his hat with his usual courtly bow, but he +spoke no word in reply.</p> +<p>When the last flutter of her dress had disappeared around the +bend of the road, he walked slowly back toward the house.</p> +<p>Half-way down the long avenue where she had stopped to rest, he +sat down on the same rustic seat. He could feel her soft little +fingers resting on his neck, where they had lain when he carried +her to the gate.</p> +<p>A very un-Napoleonlike mist blurred his sight for a moment. It +had been so long since such a touch had thrilled him, so long since +any caress had been given him.</p> +<p>More than a score of years had gone by since Tom had been laid +in a soldier's grave, and the years that Elizabeth had been lost to +him seemed almost a lifetime.</p> +<p>And this was Elizabeth's little daughter. Something very warm +and sweet seemed to surge across his heart as he thought of the +Little Colonel. He was glad, for a moment, that they called her +that; glad that his only grandchild looked enough like himself for +others to see the resemblance.</p> +<p>But the feeling passed as he remembered that his daughter had +married against his wishes, and he had closed his doors for ever +against her.</p> +<p>The old bitterness came back redoubled in its force.</p> +<p>The next instant he was stamping down the avenue, roaring for +Walker, his body-servant, in such a tone that the cook's advice was +speedily taken: "Bettah hump yo'self outen dis heah kitchen befo' +de ole tigah gits to lashin' roun' any pearter."</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II."></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<br> +<p>Mom Beck carried the ironing-board out of the hot kitchen, set +the irons off the stove, and then tiptoed out to the side porch of +the little cottage.</p> +<p>"Is yo' head feelin' any bettah, honey?" she said to the pretty, +girlish-looking woman lying in the hammock. "I promised to step up +to the hotel this evenin' to see one of the chambah-maids. I +thought I'd take the Little Cun'l along with me if you was willin'. +She's always wild to play with Mrs. Wyford's children up +there."</p> +<p>"Yes, I'm better, Becky," was the languid reply. "Put a clean +dress on Lloyd if you are going to take her out."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman closed her eyes again, thinking gratefully, "Dear, +faithful old Becky! What a comfort she has been all my life, first +as my nurse, and now as Lloyd's! She is worth her weight in +gold!"</p> +<p>The afternoon shadows were stretching long across the grass when +Mom Beck led the child up the green slope in front of the +hotel.</p> +<p>The Little Colonel had danced along so gaily with Fritz that her +cheeks glowed like wild roses. She made a quaint little picture +with such short sunny hair and dark eyes shining out from under the +broad-brimmed white hat she wore.</p> +<p>Several ladies who were sitting on the shady piazza, busy with +their embroidery, noticed her admiringly. "It's Elizabeth Lloyd's +little daughter," one of them explained. "Don't you remember what a +scene there was some years ago when she married a New York man? +Sherman, I believe, his name was, Jack Sherman. He was a splendid +fellow, and enormously wealthy. Nobody could say a word against +him, except that he was a Northerner. That was enough for the old +Colonel, though. He hates Yankees like poison. He stormed and +swore, and forbade Elizabeth ever coming in his sight again. He had +her room locked up, and not a soul on the place ever dares mention +her name in his hearing."</p> +<p>The Little Colonel sat down demurely on the piazza steps to wait +for the children. The nurse had not finished dressing them for the +evening.</p> +<p>She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an +illustrated weekly. It was not long until she began to feel that +the ladies were talking about her. She had lived among older people +so entirely that her thoughts were much deeper than her baby +speeches would lead one to suppose.</p> +<p>She understood dimly, from what she had heard the servants say, +that there was some trouble between her mother and grandfather. Now +she heard it rehearsed from beginning to end. She could not +understand what they meant by "bank failures" and "unfortunate +investments," but she understood enough to know that her father had +lost nearly all his money, and had gone West to make more.</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman had moved from their elegant New York home two +weeks ago to this little cottage in Lloydsborough that her mother +had left her. Instead of the houseful of servants they used to +have, there was only faithful Mom Beck to do everything.</p> +<p>There was something magnetic in the child's eyes.</p> +<p>Mrs. Wyford shrugged her shoulders uneasily as she caught their +piercing gaze fixed on her.</p> +<p>"I do believe that little witch understood every word I said," +she exclaimed.</p> +<p>"Oh, certainly not," was the reassuring answer. "She's such a +little thing."</p> +<p>But she had heard it all, and understood enough to make her +vaguely unhappy. Going home she did not frisk along with Fritz, but +walked soberly by Mom Beck's side, holding tight to the friendly +black hand.</p> +<p>"We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over +the fence. "It's not so long that way."</p> +<p>As they followed the narrow, straggling path into the cool dusk +of the woods, she began to sing. The crooning chant was as mournful +as a funeral dirge.</p> +<blockquote>"The clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain.<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends.<br> +I'm gwine to lie in the silent tomb.<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends."</blockquote> +<p>A muffled little sob made her stop and look down in +surprise.</p> +<p>"Why, what's the mattah, honey?" she exclaimed. "Did Emma Louise +make you mad? Or is you cryin' 'cause you're so ti'ed? Come! Ole +Becky'll tote her baby the rest of the way."</p> +<p>She picked the light form up in her arms, and, pressing the +troubled little face against her shoulder, resumed her walk and her +song.</p> +<blockquote>"It's a world of trouble we're travellin' through,<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends."</blockquote> +<p>"Oh, don't, Mom Beck," sobbed the child, throwing her arms +around the woman's neck, and crying as though her heart would +break.</p> +<p>"Land sakes, what is the mattah?" she asked, in alarm. She sat +down on a mossy log, took off the white hat, and looked into the +flushed, tearful face.</p> +<p>"Oh, it makes me so lonesome when you sing that way," wailed the +Little Colonel. "I just can't 'tand it! Mom Beck, is my mothah's +heart all broken? Is that why she is sick so much, and will it kill +her suah 'nuff?"</p> +<p>"Who's been tellin' you such nonsense?" asked the woman, +sharply.</p> +<p>"Some ladies at the hotel were talkin' about it. They said that +gran'fathah didn't love her any moah, an' it was just a-killin' +her." Mom Beck frowned fiercely.</p> +<p>The child's grief was so deep and intense that she did not know +just how to quiet her. Then she said, decidedly, "Well, if that's +all that's a-troublin' you, you can jus' get down an' walk home on +yo' own laigs. Yo' mamma's a-grievin' 'cause yo' papa has to be +away all the time. She's all wo'n out, too, with the work of +movin', when she's nevah been used to doin' anything. But her heart +isn't broke any moah'n my neck is."</p> +<p>The positive words and the decided toss Mom Beck gave her head +settled the matter for the Little Colonel. She wiped her eyes and +stood up much relieved.</p> +<p>"Don't you nevah go to worryin' 'bout what you heahs," continued +the woman. "I tell you p'intedly you cyarnt nevah b'lieve what you +heahs."</p> +<p>"Why doesn't gran'fathah love my mothah?" asked the child, as +they came in sight of the cottage. She had puzzled over the knotty +problem all the way home. "How can papas not love their little +girls?"</p> +<p>"'Cause he's stubbo'n," was the unsatisfactory answer. "All the +Lloyds is. Yo' mamma's stubbo'n, an' you's stubbo'n--"</p> +<p>"I'm not!" shrieked the Little Colonel, stamping her foot. "You +sha'n't call me names!"</p> +<p>Then she saw a familiar white hand waving to her from the +hammock, and she broke away from Mom Beck with very red cheeks and +very bright eyes.</p> +<p>Cuddled close in her mother's arms, she had a queer feeling that +she had grown a great deal older in that short afternoon.</p> +<p>Maybe she had. For the first time in her little life she kept +her troubles to herself, and did not once mention the thought that +was uppermost in her mind.</p> +<p>"Yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah is comin' this mawnin'," said Mom +Beck, the day after their visit to the hotel. "Do fo' goodness' +sake keep yo'self clean. I'se got too many spring chickens to dress +to think 'bout dressin' you up again."</p> +<p>"Did I evah see her befo'?" questioned the Little Colonel.</p> +<p>"Why, yes, the day we moved heah. Don't you know she came and +stayed so long, and the rockah broke off the little white +rockin'-chair when she sat down in it?"</p> +<p>"Oh, now I know!" laughed the child. "She's the big fat one with +curls hangin' round her yeahs like shavin's. I don't like her, Mom +Beck. She keeps a-kissin' me all the time, an' a-'queezin' me, an' +tellin' me to sit on her lap an' be a little lady. Mom Beck, I +de'pise to be a little lady."</p> +<p>There was no answer to her last remark. Mom Beck had stepped +into the pantry for more eggs for the cake she was making.</p> +<p>"Fritz," said the Little Colonel, "yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah's +comin' this mawnin', an' if you don't want to say 'howdy' to her +you'll have to come with me."</p> +<p>A few minutes later a resolute little figure squeezed between +the palings of the garden fence down by the gooseberry bushes.</p> +<p>"Now walk on your tiptoes, Fritz!" commanded the Little Colonel, +"else somebody will call us back."</p> +<p>Mom Beck, busy with her extra baking, supposed she was with her +mother on the shady, vine-covered porch.</p> +<p>She would not have been singing quite so gaily if she could have +seen half a mile up the road.</p> +<p>The Little Colonel was sitting in the weeds by the railroad +track, deliberately taking off her shoes and stockings.</p> +<p>"Just like a little niggah," she said, delightedly, as she +stretched out her bare feet. "Mom Beck says I ought to know bettah. +But it does feel so good!"</p> +<p>No telling how long she might have sat there enjoying the +forbidden pleasure of dragging her rosy toes through the warm dust, +if she had not heard a horse's hoof-beats coming rapidly along.</p> +<p>"Fritz, it's gran'fathah," she whispered, in alarm, recognizing +the erect figure of the rider in its spotless suit of white +duck.</p> +<p>"Sh! lie down in the weeds, quick! Lie down, I say!" They both +made themselves as flat as possible, and lay there panting with the +exertion of keeping still.</p> +<p>Presently the Little Colonel raised her head cautiously.</p> +<p>"Oh, he's gone down that lane!" she exclaimed. "Now you can get +up." After a moment's deliberation she asked, "Fritz, would you +rathah have some 'trawberries an' be tied up fo' runnin' away, or +not be tied up and not have any of those nice tas'en +'trawberries?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III."></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<br> +<p>Two hours later, Colonel Lloyd, riding down the avenue under the +locusts, was surprised by a novel sight on his stately front +steps.</p> +<p>Three little darkies and a big flop-eared hound were crouched on +the bottom step, looking up at the Little Colonel, who sat just +above them.</p> +<p>She was industriously stirring something in an old rusty pan +with a big, battered spoon.</p> +<p>"Now, May Lilly," she ordered, speaking to the largest and +blackest of the group, "you run an' find some nice 'mooth pebbles +to put in for raisins. Henry Clay, you go get me some moah sand. +This is 'most too wet."</p> +<p>"Here, you little pickaninnies!" roared the Colonel, as he +recognized the cook's children. "What did I tell you about playing +around here, tracking dirt all over my premises? You just chase +back to the cabin where you belong!"</p> +<p>The sudden call startled Lloyd so that she dropped the pan, and +the great mud pie turned upside down on the white steps.</p> +<p>"Well, you're a pretty sight!" said the Colonel, as he glanced +with disgust from her soiled dress and muddy hands to her bare +feet.</p> +<p>He had been in a bad humour all morning. The sight of the steps +covered with sand and muddy tracks gave him an excuse to give vent +to his cross feelings.</p> +<p>It was one of his theories that a little girl should always be +kept as fresh and dainty as a flower. He had never seen his own +little daughter in such a plight as this, and she had never been +allowed to step outside of her own room without her shoes and +stockings.</p> +<p>"What does your mother mean," he cried, savagely, "by letting +you run barefooted around the country just like poor white trash? +An' what are you playing with low-flung niggers for? Haven't you +ever been taught any better? I suppose it's some of your father's +miserable Yankee notions."</p> +<a name="0003.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="lft"><img src="images/0003.jpg" width="56%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>May Lilly, peeping around the corner of the house, rolled her +frightened eyes from one angry face to the other. The same temper +that glared from the face of the man, sitting erect in his saddle, +seemed to be burning in the eyes of the child, who stood so +defiantly before him. The same kind of scowl drew their eyebrows +together darkly.</p> +<p>"Don't you talk that way to me," cried the Little Colonel, +trembling with a wrath she did not know how to express.</p> +<p>Suddenly she stooped, and snatching both hands full of mud from +the overturned pie, flung it wildly over the spotless white +coat.</p> +<p>Colonel Lloyd gasped with astonishment. It was the first time in +his life he had ever been openly defied. The next moment his anger +gave way to amusement.</p> +<p>"By George!" he chuckled, admiringly. "The little thing has got +spirit, sure enough. She's a Lloyd through and through. So that's +why they call her the 'Little Colonel,' is it?"</p> +<p>There was a tinge of pride in the look he gave her haughty +little head and flashing eyes. "There, there, child!" he said, +soothingly. "I didn't mean to make you mad, when you were good +enough to come and see me. It isn't often I have a little lady like +you pay me a visit."</p> +<p>"I didn't come to see you, suh," she answered, indignantly, as +she started toward the gate. "I came to see May Lilly. But I nevah +would have come inside yo' gate if I'd known you was goin' to +hollah at me an' be so cross."</p> +<p>She was walking off with the air of an offended queen, when the +Colonel remembered that if he allowed her to go away in that mood +she would probably never set foot on his grounds again. Her display +of temper had interested him immensely.</p> +<p>Now that he had laughed off his ill humour, he was anxious to +see what other traits of character she possessed. He wheeled his +horse across the walk to bar her way, and quickly dismounted.</p> +<p>"Oh, now, wait a minute," he said, in a coaxing tone. "Don't you +want a nice big saucer of strawberries and cream before you go? +Walker's picking some now. And you haven't seen my hothouse. It's +just full of the loveliest flowers you ever saw. You like roses, +don't you, and pinks and lilies and pansies?"</p> +<p>He saw he had struck the right chord as soon as he mentioned the +flowers. The sullen look vanished as if by magic. Her face changed +as suddenly as an April day.</p> +<p>"Oh, yes!" she cried, with a beaming smile. "I loves 'm bettah +than anything!"</p> +<p>He tied his horse, and led the way to the conservatory. He +opened the door for her to pass through, and then watched her +closely to see what impression it would make on her. He had +expected a delighted exclamation of surprise, for he had good +reason to be proud of his rare plants. They were arranged with a +true artist's eye for colour and effect.</p> +<p>She did not say a word for a moment, but drew a long breath, +while the delicate pink in her cheeks deepened and her eyes lighted +up. Then she began going slowly from flower to flower, laying her +face against the cool, velvety purple of the pansies, touching the +roses with her lips, and tilting the white lily-cups to look into +their golden depths.</p> +<p>As she passed from one to another as lightly as a butterfly +might have done, she began chanting in a happy undertone.</p> +<p>Ever since she had learned to talk she had a quaint little way +of singing to herself. All the names that pleased her fancy she +strung together in a crooning melody of her own.</p> +<p>There was no special tune. It sounded happy, although nearly +always in a minor key.</p> +<p>"Oh, the jonquils an' the lilies!" she sang. "All white an' gold +an' yellow. Oh, they're all a-smilin' at me, an' a-sayin' howdy! +howdy!"</p> +<p>She was so absorbed in her intense enjoyment that she forgot all +about the old Colonel. She was wholly unconscious that he was +watching or listening.</p> +<p>"She really does love them," he thought, complacently. "To see +her face one would think she had found a fortune."</p> +<p>It was another bond between them.</p> +<p>After awhile he took a small basket from the wall, and began to +fill it with his choicest blooms. "You shall have these to take +home," he said. "Now come into the house and get your +strawberries."</p> +<p>She followed him reluctantly, turning back several times for one +more long sniff of the delicious fragrance.</p> +<p>She was not at all like the Colonel's ideal of what a little +girl should be, as she sat in one of the high, stiff chairs, +enjoying her strawberries. Her dusty little toes wriggled around in +the curls on Fritz's back, as she used him for a footstool. Her +dress was draggled and dirty, and she kept leaning over to give the +dog berries and cream from the spoon she was eating with +herself.</p> +<p>He forgot all this, however, when she began to talk to him.</p> +<p>"My great-aunt Sally Tylah is to our house this mawnin'," she +announced, confidentially. "That's why we came off. Do you know my +Aunt Sally Tylah?"</p> +<p>"Well, slightly!" chuckled the Colonel. "She was my wife's +half-sister. So you don't like her, eh? Well, I don't like her +either."</p> +<p>He threw back his head and laughed heartily. The more the child +talked the more entertaining he found her. He did not remember when +he had ever been so amused before as he was by this tiny +counterpart of himself.</p> +<p>When the last berry had vanished, she slipped down from the tall +chair.</p> +<p>"Do you 'pose it's very late?" she asked, in an anxious voice. +"Mom Beck will be comin' for me soon."</p> +<p>"Yes, it is nearly noon," he answered. "It didn't do much good +to run away from your Aunt Tyler; she'll see you after all."</p> +<p>"Well, she can't 'queeze me an' kiss me, 'cause I've been +naughty, an' I'll be put to bed like I was the othah day, just as +soon as I get home. I 'most wish I was there now," she sighed. +"It's so fa' an' the sun's so hot. I lost my sunbonnet when I was +comin' heah, too."</p> +<p>Something in the tired, dirty face prompted the old Colonel to +say, "Well, my horse hasn't been put away yet. I'll take you home +on Maggie Boy."</p> +<p>The next moment he repented making such an offer, thinking what +the neighbours might say if they should meet him on the road with +Elizabeth's child in his arm.</p> +<p>But it was too late. He could not unclasp the trusting little +hand that was slipped in his. He could not cloud the happiness of +the eager little face by retracting his promise.</p> +<p>He swung himself into the saddle, with her in front. Then he put +his one arm around her with a firm clasp, as he reached forward to +take the bridle.</p> +<p>"You couldn't take Fritz on behin', could you?" she asked, +anxiously. "He's mighty ti'ed too."</p> +<p>"No," said the Colonel, with a laugh. "Maggie Boy might object +and throw us all off."</p> +<p>Hugging her basket of flowers close in her arms, she leaned her +head against him contentedly as they cantered down the avenue.</p> +<p>"Look!" whispered all the locusts, waving their hands to each +other excitedly. "Look! The master has his own again. The dear old +times are coming back to us."</p> +<p>"How the trees blow!" exclaimed the child, looking up at the +green arch overhead. "See! They's all a-noddin' to each othah." +"We'll have to get my shoes an' 'tockin's," she said, presently, +when they were nearly home. "They're in that fence cawnah behin' a +log."</p> +<p>The Colonel obediently got down and handed them to her. As he +mounted again he saw a carriage coming toward them. He recognized +one of his nearest neighbours. Striking the astonished Maggie Boy +with his spur, he turned her across the railroad track, down the +steep embankment, and into an unfrequented lane.</p> +<p>"This road is just back of your garden," he said. "Can you get +through the fence if I take you there?"</p> +<p>"That's the way we came out," was the answer. "See that hole +where the palin's are off?"</p> +<p>Just as he was about to lift her down, she put one arm around +his neck, and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Good-bye, +gran'fatha'," she said, in her most winning way. "I've had a mighty +nice time." Then she added, in a lower tone, "'Kuse me fo' throwin' +mud on yo' coat."</p> +<p>He held her close a moment, thinking nothing had ever before +been half so sweet as the way she called him grandfather.</p> +<p>From that moment his heart went out to her as it had to little +Tom and Elizabeth. It made no difference if her mother had +forfeited his love. It made no difference if Jack Sherman was her +father, and that the two men heartily hated each other.</p> +<p>It was his own little grandchild he held in his arms.</p> +<p>She had sealed the relationship with a trusting kiss.</p> +<p>"Child," he said, huskily, "you will come and see me again, +won't you, no matter if they do tell you not to? You shall have all +the flowers and berries you want, and you can ride Maggie Boy as +often as you please."</p> +<p>She looked up into his face. It was very familiar to her. She +had looked at his portrait often, unconsciously recognizing a +kindred spirit that she longed to know.</p> +<p>Her ideas of grandfathers, gained from stories and observation, +led her to class them with fairy godmothers. She had always wished +for one.</p> +<p>The day they moved to Lloydsborough, Locust had been pointed out +to her as her grandfather's home. From that time on she slipped +away with Fritz on every possible occasion to peer through the +gate, hoping for a glimpse of him.</p> +<p>"Yes, I'll come suah!" she promised. "I likes you just lots, +gran'fathah!" He watched her scramble through the hole in the +fence. Then he turned his horse's head slowly homeward.</p> +<p>A scrap of white lying on the grass attracted his attention as +he neared the gate.</p> +<p>"It's the lost sunbonnet," he said, with a smile. He carried it +into the house, and hung it on the hat-rack in the wide front +hall.</p> +<p>"Ole marse is crosser'n two sticks," growled Walker to the cook +at dinner. "There ain't no livin' with him. What do you s'pose is +the mattah?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV."></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<br> +<p>Mom Beck was busy putting lunch on the table when the Little +Colonel looked in at the kitchen door.</p> +<p>So she did not see a little tramp, carrying her shoes in one +hand, and a basket in the other, who paused there a moment. But +when she took up the pan of beaten biscuit she was puzzled to find +that several were missing.</p> +<p>"It beats my time," she said, aloud. "The parrot couldn't have +reached them, an' Lloyd an' the dog have been in the pa'lah all +mawnin'. Somethin' has jus' natch'ly done sperrited 'em away."</p> +<p>Fritz was gravely licking his lips, and the Little Colonel had +her mouth full, when they suddenly made their appearance on the +front porch.</p> +<p>Aunt Sally Tyler gave a little shriek, and stopped rocking.</p> +<p>"Why, Lloyd Sherman!" gasped her mother, in dismay. "Where have +you been? I thought you were with Becky all the time. I was sure I +heard you singing out there a little while ago."</p> +<p>"I've been to see my gran'fathah," said the child, speaking very +fast. "I made mud pies on his front 'teps, an' we both of us got +mad, an' I throwed mud on him, an' he gave me some 'trawberries an' +all these flowers, an' brought me home on Maggie Boy."</p> +<p>She stopped out of breath. Mrs. Tyler and her niece exchanged +astonished glances.</p> +<p>"But, baby, how could you disgrace mother so by going up there +looking like a dirty little beggar?"</p> +<p>"He didn't care," replied Lloyd, calmly. "He made me promise to +come again, no mattah if you all did tell me not to."</p> +<p>Just then Becky announced that lunch was ready, and carried the +child away to make her presentable.</p> +<p>To Lloyd's great surprise she was not put to bed, but was +allowed to go to the table as soon as she was dressed. It was not +long until she had told every detail of the morning's +experience.</p> +<p>While she was taking her afternoon nap, the two ladies sat out +on the porch, gravely discussing all she had told them.</p> +<p>"It doesn't seem right for me to allow her to go there," said +Mrs. Sherman, "after the way papa has treated us. I can never +forgive him for all the terrible things he has said about Jack, and +I know Jack can never be friends with him on account of what he has +said about me. He has been so harsh and unjust that I don't want my +little Lloyd to have anything to do with him. I wouldn't for worlds +have him think that I encouraged her going there."</p> +<p>"Well, yes, I know," answered her aunt, slowly. "But there are +some things to consider besides your pride, Elizabeth. There's the +child herself, you know. Now that Jack has lost so much, and your +prospects are so uncertain, you ought to think of her interests. It +would be a pity for Locust to go to strangers when it has been in +your family for so many generations. That's what it certainly will +do unless something turns up to interfere. Old Judge Woodard told +me himself that your father had made a will, leaving everything he +owns to some medical institution. Imagine Locust being turned into +a sanitarium or a training-school for nurses!"</p> +<p>"Dear old place!" said Mrs. Sherman, with tears in her eyes. "No +one ever had a happier childhood than I passed under these old +locusts. Every tree seems like a friend. I would be glad for Lloyd +to enjoy the place as I did."</p> +<p>"I'd let her go as much as she pleases, Elizabeth. She's so much +like the old Colonel that they ought to understand each other, and +get along capitally. Who knows, it might end in you all making up +some day."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman raised her head haughtily. "No, indeed, Aunt Sally. +I can forgive and forget much, but you are greatly mistaken if you +think I can go to such lengths as that. He closed his doors against +me with a curse, for no reason on earth but that the man I loved +was born north of the Mason and Dixon line. There never was a +nobler man living than Jack, and papa would have seen it if he +hadn't deliberately shut his eyes and refused to look at him. He +was just prejudiced and stubborn."</p> +<p>Aunt Sally said nothing, but her thoughts took the shape of Mom +Beck's declaration, "The Lloyds is all stubborn."</p> +<p>"I wouldn't go through his gate now if he got down on his knees +and begged me," continued Elizabeth, hotly.</p> +<p>"It's too bad," exclaimed her aunt; "he was always so perfectly +devoted to 'little daughter,' as he used to call you. I don't like +him myself. We never could get along together at all, because he is +so high-strung and overbearing. But I know it would have made your +poor mother mighty unhappy if she could have foreseen all +this."</p> +<p>Elizabeth sat with the tears dropping down on her little white +hands, as her aunt proceeded to work on her sympathies in every way +she could think of.</p> +<p>Presently Lloyd came out all fresh and rosy from her long nap, +and went to play in the shade of the great beech-trees that guarded +the cottage.</p> +<p>"I never saw a child with such influence over animals," said her +mother, as Lloyd came around the house with the parrot perched on +the broom she was carrying. "She'll walk right up to any strange +dog and make friends with it, no matter how savage-looking it is. +And there's Polly, so old and cross that she screams and scolds +dreadfully if any of us go near her. But Lloyd dresses her up in +doll's clothes, puts paper bonnets on her, and makes her just as +uncomfortable as she pleases. Look! that is one of her favourite +amusements."</p> +<a name="0004.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="rgt"><img src="images/0004.jpg" width="56%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>The Little Colonel squeezed the parrot into a tiny doll +carriage, and began to trundle it back and forth as fast as she +could run.</p> +<p>"Ha! ha!" screamed the bird. "Polly is a lady! Oh, Lordy! I'm so +happy!"</p> +<p>"She caught that from the washerwoman," laughed Mrs. Sherman. "I +should think the poor thing would be dizzy from whirling around so +fast."</p> +<p>"Quit that, chillun; stop yo' fussin'," screamed Polly, as Lloyd +grabbed her up and began to pin a shawl around her neck. She +clucked angrily, but never once attempted to snap at the dimpled +fingers that squeezed her tight. Suddenly, as if her patience was +completely exhausted, she uttered a disdainful "Oh, pshaw!" and +flew up into an old cedar-tree.</p> +<p>"Mothah! Polly won't play with me any moah," shrieked the child, +flying into a rage. She stamped and scowled and grew red in the +face. Then she began beating the trunk of the tree with the old +broom she had been carrying.</p> +<p>"Did you ever see anything so much like the old Colonel?" said +Mrs. Tyler, in astonishment. "I wonder if she acted that way this +morning."</p> +<p>"I don't doubt it at all," answered Mrs. Sherman. "She'll be +over it in just a moment. These little spells never last long."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman was right. In a few moments Lloyd came up the walk, +singing.</p> +<p>"I wish you'd tell me a pink story," she said, coaxingly, as she +leaned against her mother's knee.</p> +<p>"Not now, dear; don't you see that I am busy talking to Aunt +Sally? Run and ask Mom Beck for one."</p> +<p>"What on earth does she mean by a pink story?" asked Mrs. +Tyler.</p> +<p>"Oh, she is so fond of colours. She is always asking for a pink +or a blue or a white story. She wants everything in the story +tinged with whatever colour she chooses,--dresses, parasols, +flowers, sky, even the icing on the cakes and the paper on the +walls."</p> +<p>"What an odd little thing she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Tyler. "Isn't +she lots of company for you?"</p> +<p>She need not have asked that question if she could have seen +them that evening, sitting together in the early twilight.</p> +<p>Lloyd was in her mother's lap, leaning her head against her +shoulder as they rocked slowly back and forth on the dark +porch.</p> +<p>There was an occasional rattle of wheels along the road, a +twitter of sleepy birds, a distant croaking of frogs.</p> +<p>Mom Beck's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was +stepping briskly around.</p> +<blockquote>"Oh, the clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain.<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends,"</blockquote> +<p>she sang.</p> +<p>Lloyd put her arms closer around her mother's neck.</p> +<p>"Let's talk about Papa Jack," she said. "What you 'pose he's +doin' now, 'way out West?"</p> +<p>Elizabeth, feeling like a tired, homesick child herself, held +her close, and was comforted as she listened to the sweet little +voice talking about the absent father.</p> +<p>The moon came up after awhile, and streamed in through the vines +of the porch. The hazel eyes slowly closed as Elizabeth began to +hum an old-time negro lullaby.</p> +<p>"Wondah if she'll run away to-morrow," whispered Mom Beck, as +she came out to carry her in the house.</p> +<p>"Who'd evah think now, lookin' at her pretty, innocent face, +that she could be so naughty? Bless her little soul!"</p> +<p>The kind old black face was laid lovingly a moment against the +fair, soft cheek of the Little Colonel. Then she lifted her in her +strong arms, and carried her gently away to bed.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V."></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<br> +<p>Summer lingers long among the Kentucky hills. Each passing day +seemed fairer than the last to the Little Colonel, who had never +before known anything of country life.</p> +<p>Roses climbed up and almost hid the small white cottage. Red +birds sang in the woodbine. Squirrels chattered in the beeches. She +was out-of-doors all day long.</p> +<p>Sometimes she spent hours watching the ants carry away the sugar +she sprinkled for them. Sometimes she caught flies for an old +spider that had his den under the porch steps. "He is an ogah" +(ogre), she explained to Fritz. "He's bewitched me so's I have to +kill whole families of flies for him to eat."</p> +<p>She was always busy and always happy.</p> +<p>Before June was half over it got to be a common occurrence for +Walker to ride up to the gate on the Colonel's horse. The excuse +was always to have a passing word with Mom Beck. But before he rode +away, the Little Colonel was generally mounted in front of him. It +was not long before she felt almost as much at home at Locust as +she did at the cottage.</p> +<p>The neighbours began to comment on it after awhile. "He will +surely make up with Elizabeth at this rate," they said. But at the +end of the summer the father and daughter had not even had a +passing glimpse of each other. One day, late in September, as the +Little Colonel clattered up and down the hall with her +grandfather's spur buckled on her tiny foot, she called back over +her shoulder: "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow."</p> +<p>The Colonel paid no attention.</p> +<p>"I say," she repeated, "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow."</p> +<p>"Well," was the gruff response. "Why couldn't he stay where he +was? I suppose you won't want to come here any more after he gets +back."</p> +<p>"No, I 'pose not," she answered, so carelessly that he was +conscious of a very jealous feeling.</p> +<p>"Chilluns always like to stay with their fathahs when they's +nice as my Papa Jack is."</p> +<a name="0005.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="lft"><img src="images/0005.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>The old man growled something behind his newspaper that she did +not hear. He would have been glad to choke this man who had come +between him and his only child, and he hated him worse than ever +when he realized what a large place he held in Lloyd's little +heart.</p> +<p>She did not go back to Locust the next day, nor for weeks after +that.</p> +<p>She was up almost as soon as Mom Beck next morning, thoroughly +enjoying the bustle of preparation.</p> +<p>She had a finger in everything, from polishing the silver to +turning the ice-cream freezer.</p> +<p>Even Fritz was scrubbed till he came out of his bath with his +curls all white and shining. He was proud of himself, from his +silky bangs to the tip of his tasselled tail.</p> +<p>Just before train time, the Little Colonel stuck his collar full +of late pink roses, and stood back to admire the effect. Her mother +came to the door, dressed for the evening. She wore an airy-looking +dress of the palest, softest blue. There was a white rosebud caught +in her dark hair. A bright colour, as fresh as Lloyd's own, tinged +her cheeks, and the glad light in her brown eyes made them +unusually brilliant.</p> +<p>Lloyd jumped up and threw her arms about her. "Oh, mothah," she +cried, "you an' Fritz is so bu'ful!"</p> +<p>The engine whistled up the road at the crossing. "Come, we have +just time to get to the station," said Mrs. Sherman, holding out +her hand.</p> +<p>They went through the gate, down the narrow path that ran beside +the dusty road. The train had just stopped in front of the little +station when they reached it.</p> +<p>A number of gentlemen, coming out from the city to spend Sunday +at the hotel, came down the steps. They glanced admiringly from the +beautiful, girlish face of the mother to the happy child dancing +impatiently up and down at her side. They could not help smiling at +Fritz as he frisked about in his imposing rose-collar.</p> +<p>"Why, where's Papa Jack?" asked Lloyd, in distress, as passenger +after passenger stepped down. "Isn't he goin' to come?"</p> +<p>The tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, when she saw him +in the door of the car; not hurrying along to meet them as he +always used to come, so full of life and vigour, but leaning +heavily on the porter's shoulder, looking very pale and weak.</p> +<p>Lloyd looked up at her mother, from whose face every particle of +colour had faded. Mrs. Sherman gave a low, frightened cry as she +sprang forward to meet him. "Oh, Jack! what is the matter? What has +happened to you?" she exclaimed, as he took her in his arms. The +train had gone on, and they were left alone on the platform.</p> +<p>"Just a little sick spell," he answered, with a smile. "We had a +fire out at the mines, and I overtaxed myself some. I've had fever +ever since, and it has pulled me down considerably."</p> +<p>"I must send somebody for a carriage," she said, looking around +anxiously.</p> +<p>"No, indeed," he protested. "It's only a few steps; I can walk +it as well as not. The sight of you and the baby has made me +stronger already."</p> +<p>He sent a coloured boy on ahead with his valise, and they walked +slowly up the path, with Fritz running wildly around them, barking +a glad welcome.</p> +<p>"How sweet and homelike it all looks!" he said, as he stepped +into the hall, where Mom Beck was just lighting the lamps. Then he +sank down on the couch, completely exhausted, and wearily closed +his eyes.</p> +<p>The Little Colonel looked at his white face in alarm. All the +gladness seemed to have been taken out of the homecoming.</p> +<p>Her mother was busy trying to make him comfortable, and paid no +attention to the disconsolate little figure wandering about the +house alone. Mom Beck had gone for the doctor.</p> +<p>The supper was drying up in the warming-oven. The ice-cream was +melting in the freezer. Nobody seemed to care. There was no one to +notice the pretty table with its array of flowers and cut glass and +silver.</p> +<p>When Mom Beck came back, Lloyd ate all by herself, and then sat +out on the kitchen door-step while the doctor made his visit.</p> +<p>She was just going mournfully off to bed with an aching lump in +her throat, when her mother opened the door.</p> +<p>"Come tell papa good-night," she said. "He's lots better +now."</p> +<p>She climbed up on the bed beside him, and buried her face on his +shoulder to hide the tears she had been trying to keep back all +evening.</p> +<p>"How the child has grown!" he exclaimed. "Do you notice, Beth, +how much plainer she talks? She does not seem at all like the baby +I left last spring. Well, she'll soon be six years old,--a real +little woman. She'll be papa's little comfort."</p> +<p>The ache in her throat was all gone after that. She romped with +Fritz all the time she was undressing.</p> +<p>Papa Jack was worse next morning. It was hard for Lloyd to keep +quiet when the late September sunshine was so gloriously yellow and +the whole outdoors seemed so wide awake.</p> +<p>She tiptoed out of the darkened room where her father lay, and +swung on the front gate until she saw the doctor riding up on his +bay horse. It seemed to her that the day never would pass.</p> +<p>Mom Beck, rustling around in her best dress ready for church, +that afternoon, took pity on the lonesome child.</p> +<p>"Go get yo' best hat, honey," she said, "an' I'll take you with +me."</p> +<p>It was one of the Little Colonel's greatest pleasures to be +allowed to go to the coloured church.</p> +<p>She loved to listen to the singing, and would sit perfectly +motionless while the sweet voices blended like the chords of some +mighty organ as they sent the old hymns rolling heavenward. Service +had already commenced by the time they took their seats. Nearly +everybody in the congregation was swaying back and forth in time to +the mournful melody of "Sinnah, sinnah, where's you boun'?"</p> +<p>One old woman across the aisle began clapping her hands +together, and repeated in a singsong tone, "Oh, Lordy! I'm so +happy!"</p> +<p>"Why, that's just what our parrot says," exclaimed Lloyd, so +much surprised that she spoke right out loud.</p> +<p>Mom Beck put her handkerchief over her mouth, and a general +smile went around.</p> +<p>After that the child was very quiet until the time came to take +the collection. She always enjoyed this part of the service more +than anything else. Instead of passing baskets around, each person +was invited to come forward and lay his offering on the table.</p> +<p>Woolly heads wagged, and many feet kept time to the tune:</p> +<blockquote>"Oh! I'se boun' to git to glory.<br> +Hallelujah! Le' me go!"</blockquote> +<p>The Little Colonel proudly marched up with Mom Beck's +contribution, and then watched the others pass down the aisle. One +young girl in a gorgeously trimmed dress paraded up to the table +several times, singing at the top of her voice.</p> +<a name="0006.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="rgt"><img src="images/0006.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>"Look at that good-fo'-nothin' Lize Richa'ds," whispered Mom +Beck's nearest neighbour, with a sniff. "She done got a nickel +changed into pennies so she could ma'ch up an' show herself five +times."</p> +<p>It was nearly sundown when they started home. A tall coloured +man, wearing a high silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane, +joined them on the way out.</p> +<p>"Howdy, Sistah Po'tah," he said, gravely shaking hands. "That +was a fine disco'se we had the pleasuah of listenin' to this +evenin'."</p> +<p>"'Deed it was, Brothah Fostah," she answered. "How's all up yo' +way?"</p> +<p>The Little Colonel, running on after a couple of white +butterflies, paid no attention to the conversation until she heard +her own name mentioned.</p> +<p>"Mistah Sherman came home last night, I heah."</p> +<p>"Yes, but not to stay long, I'm afraid. He's a mighty sick man, +if I'm any judge. He's down with fevah,--regulah typhoid. He +doesn't look to me like he's long for this world. What's to become +of poah Miss 'Lizabeth if that's the case, is moah'n I know." "We +mustn't cross the bridge till we come to it, Sistah Po'tah," he +suggested.</p> +<p>"I know that; but a lookin'-glass broke yeste'day mawnin' when +nobody had put fingah on it. An' his picture fell down off the wall +while I was sweepin' the pa'lah. Pete said his dawg done howl all +night last night, an' I've dremp three times hand runnin' 'bout +muddy watah."</p> +<p>Mom Beck felt a little hand clutch her skirts, and turned to see +a frightened little face looking anxiously up at her.</p> +<p>"Now, what's the mattah with you, honey?" she asked. "I'm only +a-tellin' Mistah Fostah about some silly old signs my mammy used to +believe in. But they don't mean nothin' at all."</p> +<p>Lloyd couldn't have told why she was unhappy. She had not +understood all that Mom Beck had said, but her sensitive little +mind was shadowed by a foreboding of trouble.</p> +<p>The shadow deepened as the days passed. Papa Jack got worse +instead of better. There were times when he did not recognize any +one, and talked wildly of things that had happened out at the +mines.</p> +<p>All the long, beautiful October went by, and still he lay in the +darkened room. Lloyd wandered listlessly from place to place, +trying to keep out of the way, and to make as little trouble as +possible.</p> +<p>"I'm a real little woman now," she repeated, proudly, whenever +she was allowed to pound ice or carry fresh water. "I'm papa's +little comfort."</p> +<p>One cold, frosty evening she was standing in the hall, when the +doctor came out of the room and began to put on his overcoat.</p> +<p>Her mother followed him to take his directions for the +night.</p> +<p>He was an old friend of the family's. Elizabeth had climbed on +his knees many a time when she was a child. She loved this +faithful, white-haired old doctor almost as dearly as she had her +father.</p> +<p>"My daughter," he said, kindly, laying his hand on her shoulder, +"you are wearing yourself out, and will be down yourself if you are +not careful. You must have a professional nurse. No telling how +long this is going to last. As soon as Jack is able to travel you +must have a change of climate."</p> +<p>Her lips trembled. "We can't afford it, doctor," she said. "Jack +has been too sick from the very first to talk about business. He +always said a woman should not be worried with such matters, +anyway. I don't know what arrangements he has made out West. For +all I know, the little I have in my purse now may be all that +stands between us and the poorhouse."</p> +<p>The doctor drew on his gloves.</p> +<p>"Why don't you tell your father how matters are?" he asked.</p> +<p>Then he saw he had ventured a step too far.</p> +<p>"I believe Jack would rather die than take help from his hands," +she answered, drawing herself up proudly. Her eyes flashed. "I +would, too, as far as I am concerned myself."</p> +<p>Then a tender look came over her pale, tired face, as she added, +gently, "But I'd do anything on earth to help Jack get well."</p> +<p>The doctor cleared his throat vigorously, and bolted out with a +gruff good night. As he rode past Locust, he took solid +satisfaction in shaking his fist at the light in an upper +window.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI."></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<br> +<p>The Little Colonel followed her mother to the dining-room, but +paused on the threshold as she saw her throw herself into Mom +Beck's arms and burst out crying.</p> +<p>"Oh, Becky!" she sobbed, "what is going to become of us? The +doctor says we must have a professional nurse, and we must go away +from here soon. There are only a few dollars left in my purse, and +I don't know what we'll do when they are gone. I just know Jack is +going to die, and then I'll die, too, and then what will become of +the baby?" Mom Beck sat down, and took the trembling form in her +arms.</p> +<p>"There, there!" she said, soothingly, "have yo' cry out. It will +do you good. Poah chile! all wo'n out with watchin' an' worry. Ne'm +min', ole Becky is as good as a dozen nuhses yet. I'll get Judy to +come up an' look aftah the kitchen. An' nobody ain' gwine to die, +honey. Don't you go to slayin' all you's got befo' you's called on +to do it. The good Lawd is goin' to pahvide fo' us same as +Abraham."</p> +<p>The last Sabbath's sermon was still fresh in her mind.</p> +<p>"If we only hold out faithful, there's boun' to be a ram caught +by the hawns some place, even if we haven't got eyes to see through +the thickets. The Lawd will pahvide whethah it's a burnt offerin' +or a meal's vittles. He sho'ly will." Lloyd crept away frightened. +It seemed such an awful thing to see her mother cry.</p> +<p>All at once her bright, happy world had changed to such a +strange, uncertain place. She felt as if all sorts of terrible +things were about to happen.</p> +<p>She went into the parlour, and crawled into a dark corner under +the piano, feeling that there was no place to go for comfort, since +the one who had always kissed away her little troubles was so +heart-broken herself.</p> +<p>There was a patter of soft feet across the carpet, and Fritz +poked his sympathetic nose into her face. She put her arms around +him, and laid her head against his curly back with a desolate +sob.</p> +<p>It is pitiful to think how much imaginative children suffer +through their wrong conception of things. She had seen the little +roll of bills in her mother's pocketbook. She had seen how much +smaller it grew every time it was taken out to pay for the +expensive wines and medicines that had to be bought so often. She +had heard her mother tell the doctor that was all that stood +between them and the poorhouse.</p> +<p>There was no word known to the Little Colonel that brought such, +thoughts of horror as the word poorhouse.</p> +<p>Her most vivid recollection of her life in New York was +something that happened a few weeks before they left there. One day +in the park she ran away from the maid, who, instead of Mom Beck, +had taken charge of her that afternoon.</p> +<p>When the angry woman found her, she frightened her almost into a +spasm by telling her what always happened to naughty children who +ran away.</p> +<p>"They take all their pretty clothes off," she said, "and dress +them up in old things made of bed-ticking. Then they take 'm to the +poorhouse, where nobody but beggars live. They don't have anything +to eat but cabbage and corndodger, and they have to eat that out of +tin pans. And they just have a pile of straw to sleep in."</p> +<p>On their way home she had pointed out to the frightened child a +poor woman who was grubbing in an ash-barrel.</p> +<p>"That's the way people get to look who live in poorhouses," she +said.</p> +<p>It was this memory that was troubling the Little Colonel +now.</p> +<p>"Oh, Fritz!" she whispered, with the tears running down her +cheeks, "I can't beah to think of my pretty mothah goin' there. +That woman's eyes were all red, an' her hair was jus' awful. She +was so bony an' stahved-lookin'. It would jus' kill poah Papa Jack +to lie on straw an' eat out of a tin pan. I know it would!"</p> +<p>When Mom Beck opened the door, hunting her, the room was so dark +that she would have gone away if the dog had not come running out +from under the piano.</p> +<p>"You heah, too, chile?" she asked, in surprise. "I have to go +down now an' see if I can get Judy to come help to-morrow. Do you +think you can undress yo'self to-night?"</p> +<p>"Of co'se," answered the Little Colonel. Mom Beck was in such a +hurry to be off that she did not notice the tremble in the voice +that answered her.</p> +<p>"Well, the can'le is lit in yo' room. So run along now like a +nice little lady, an' don't bothah yo' mamma. She got her hands +full already."</p> +<p>"All right," answered the child.</p> +<p>A quarter of an hour later she stood in her little white +nightgown with her hand on the door-knob.</p> +<p>She opened the door just a crack and peeped in. Her mother laid +her finger on her lips, and beckoned silently. In another instant +Lloyd was in her lap. She had cried herself quiet in the dark +corner under the piano; but there was something more pathetic in +her eyes than tears. It was the expression of one who understood +and sympathized.</p> +<p>"Oh, mothah," she whispered, "we does have such lots of +troubles."</p> +<p>"Yes, chickabiddy, but I hope they will soon be over now," was +the answer, as the anxious face tried to smile bravely for the +child's sake, "Papa is sleeping so nicely now he is sure to be +better in the morning."</p> +<p>That comforted the Little Colonel some, but for days she was +haunted by the fear of the poorhouse.</p> +<p>Every time her mother paid out any money she looked anxiously to +see how much was still left. She wandered about the place, touching +the trees and vines with caressing hands, feeling that she might +soon have to leave them.</p> +<p>She loved them all so dearly,--every stick and stone, and even +the stubby old snowball bushes that never bloomed.</p> +<p>Her dresses were outgrown and faded, but no one had any time or +thought to spend on getting her new ones. A little hole began to +come in the toe of each shoe.</p> +<p>She was still wearing her summer sunbonnet, although the days +were getting frosty.</p> +<p>She was a proud little thing. It mortified her for any one to +see her looking so shabby. Still she uttered no word of complaint, +for fear of lessening the little amount in the pocketbook that her +mother had said stood between them and the poorhouse.</p> +<p>She sat with her feet tucked under her when any one called.</p> +<p>"I wouldn't mind bein' a little beggah so much myself," she +thought, "but I jus' can't have my bu'ful sweet mothah lookin' like +that awful red-eyed woman."</p> +<p>One day the doctor called Mrs. Sherman out into the hall. "I +have just come from your father's," he said. "He is suffering from +a severe attack of rheumatism. He is confined to his room, and is +positively starving for company. He told me he would give anything +in the world to have his little grandchild with him. There were +tears in his eyes when he said it, and that means a good deal from +him. He fairly idolizes her. The servants have told him she mopes +around and is getting thin and pale. He is afraid she will come +down with the fever, too. He told me to use any stratagem I liked +to get her there. But I think it's better to tell you frankly how +matters stand. It will do the child good to have a change, +Elizabeth, and I solemnly think you ought to let her go, for a week +at least."</p> +<p>"But, doctor, she has never been away from me a single night in +her life. She'd die of homesickness, and I know she'll never +consent to leave me. Then suppose Jack should get worse--"</p> +<p>"We'll suppose nothing of the kind," he interrupted, brusquely. +"Tell Becky to pack up her things. Leave Lloyd to me. I'll get her +consent without any trouble."</p> +<p>"Come, Colonel," he called, as he left the house. "I'm going to +take you a little ride."</p> +<p>No one ever knew what the kind old fellow said to her to induce +her to go to her grandfather's.</p> +<p>She came back from her ride looking brighter than she had in a +long time. She felt that in some way, although in what way she +could not understand, her going would help them to escape the +dreaded poorhouse.</p> +<p>"Don't send Mom Beck with me," she pleaded, when the time came +to start. "You come with me, mothah."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman had not been past the gate for weeks, but she could +not refuse the coaxing hands that clung to hers.</p> +<p>It was a dull, dreary day. There was a chilling hint of snow in +the damp air. The leaves whirled past them with a mournful +rustling.</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman turned up the collar of Lloyd's cloak.</p> +<p>"You must have a new one soon," she said, with a sigh. "Maybe +one of mine could be made over for you. And those poor little +shoes! I must think to send to town for a new pair."</p> +<p>The walk was over so soon. The Little Colonel's heart beat fast +as they came in sight of the gate. She winked bravely to keep back +the tears; for she had promised the doctor not to let her mother +see her cry.</p> +<p>A week seemed such a long time to look forward to.</p> +<p>She clung to her mother's neck, feeling that she could never +give her up so long.</p> +<p>"Tell me good-bye, baby dear," said Mrs. Sherman, feeling that +she could not trust herself to stay much longer. "It is too cold +for you to stand here. Run on, and I'll watch you till you get +inside the door."</p> +<a name="0007.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0007.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>The Little Colonel started bravely down the avenue, with Fritz +at her heels. Every few steps she turned to look back and kiss her +hand.</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman watched her through a blur of tears. It had been +nearly seven years since she had last stood at that old gate. Such +a crowd of memories came rushing up!</p> +<p>She looked again. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief as +the Little Colonel and Fritz went up the steps. Then the great +front door closed behind them.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII."></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<br> +<p>That early twilight hour just before the lamps were lit was the +lonesomest one the Little Colonel had ever spent.</p> +<p>Her grandfather was asleep up-stairs. There was a cheery wood +fire crackling on the hearth of the big fireplace in the hall, but +the great house was so still. The corners were full of shadows.</p> +<p>She opened the front door with a wild longing to run away.</p> +<p>"Come, Fritz," she said, closing the door softly behind her, +"let's go down to the gate."</p> +<p>The air was cold. She shivered as they raced along under the +bare branches of the locusts. She leaned against the gate, peering +out through the bars. The road stretched white through the +gathering darkness in the direction of the little cottage.</p> +<p>"Oh, I want to go home so bad!" she sobbed. "I want to see my +mothah."</p> +<p>She laid her hand irresolutely on the latch, pushed the gate +ajar, and then hesitated.</p> +<p>"No, I promised the doctah I'd stay," she thought. "He said I +could help mothah and Papa Jack, both of 'em, by stayin' heah, an' +I'll do it."</p> +<p>Fritz, who had pushed himself through the partly opened gate to +rustle around among the dead leaves outside, came bounding back +with something in his mouth.</p> +<p>"Heah, suh!" she called. "Give it to me!" He dropped a small +gray kid glove in her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's mothah's!" she +cried. "I reckon she dropped it when she was tellin' me good-bye. +Oh, you deah old dog fo' findin' it."</p> +<p>She laid the glove against her cheek as fondly as if it had been +her mother's soft hand. There was something wonderfully comforting +in the touch.</p> +<p>As they walked slowly back toward the house she rolled it up and +put it lovingly away in her tiny apron pocket.</p> +<p>All that week it was a talisman whose touch helped the homesick +little soul to be brave and womanly.</p> +<p>When Maria, the coloured housekeeper, went into the hall to +light the lamps, the Little Colonel was sitting on the big fur rug +in front of the fire, talking contentedly to Fritz, who lay with +his curly head in her lap.</p> +<p>"You all's goin' to have tea in the Cun'ls room to-night," said +Maria. "He tole me to tote it up soon as he rung the bell."</p> +<p>"There it goes now," cried the child, jumping up from the +rug.</p> +<p>She followed Maria up the wide stairs. The Colonel was sitting +in a large easy chair, wrapped in a gaily flowered dressing-gown, +that made his hair look unusually white by contrast.</p> +<p>His dark eyes were intently watching the door. As it opened to +let the Little Colonel pass through, a very tender smile lighted up +his stern face.</p> +<p>"So you did come to see grandpa after all," he cried, +triumphantly. "Come here and give me a kiss. Seems to me you've +been staying away a mighty long time."</p> +<p>As she stood beside him with his arm around her, Walker came in +with a tray full of dishes. "We're going to have a regular little +tea-party," said the Colonel.</p> +<p>Lloyd watched with sparkling eyes as Walker set out the rare +old-fashioned dishes. There was a fat little silver sugar-bowl with +a butterfly perched on each side to form the handles, and there was +a slim, graceful cream-pitcher shaped like a lily.</p> +<p>"They belonged to your great-great-grandmother," said the +Colonel, "and they're going to be yours some day if you grow up and +have a house of your own."</p> +<p>The expression on her beaming face was worth a fortune to the +Colonel.</p> +<p>When Walker pushed her chair up to the table, she turned to her +grandfather with shining eyes.</p> +<p>"Oh, it's just like a pink story," she cried, clapping her +hands. "The shades on the can'les, the icin' on the cake, an' the +posies in the bowl,--why, even the jelly is that colah, too. Oh, my +darlin' little teacup! It's jus' like a pink rosebud. I'm so glad I +came!"</p> +<p>The Colonel smiled at the success of his plan. In the depths of +his satisfaction he even had a plate of quail and toast set down on +the hearth for Fritz.</p> +<p>"This is the nicest pahty I evah was at," remarked the Little +Colonel, as Walker helped her to jam the third time.</p> +<p>Her grandfather chuckled.</p> +<p>"Blackberry jam always makes me think of Tom," he said. "Did you +ever hear what your Uncle Tom did when he was a little fellow in +dresses?"</p> +<p>She shook her head gravely.</p> +<p>"Well, the children were all playing hide-and-seek one day. They +hunted high and they hunted low after everybody else had been +caught, but they couldn't find Tom. At last they began to call, +'Home free! You can come home free!' but he did not come. When he +had been hidden so long they were frightened about him, they went +to their mother and told her he wasn't to be found anywhere. She +looked down the well and behind the fire-boards in the fireplaces. +They called and called till they were out of breath. Finally she +thought of looking in the big dark pantry where she kept her fruit. +There stood Mister Tom. He had opened a jar of blackberry jam, and +was just going for it with both hands. The jam was all over his +face and hair and little gingham apron, and even up his wrists. He +was the funniest sight I ever saw."</p> +<p>The Little Colonel laughed heartily at his description, and +begged for more stories. Before he knew it he was back in the past +with his little Tom and Elizabeth.</p> +<p>Nothing could have entertained the child more than these scenes +he recalled of her mother's childhood.</p> +<p>"All her old playthings are up in the garret," he said, as they +rose from the table. "I'll have them brought down to-morrow. +There's a doll I brought her from New Orleans once when she was +about your size. No telling what it looks like now, but it was a +beauty when it was new."</p> +<p>Lloyd clapped her hands and spun around the room like a top.</p> +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad I came!" she exclaimed for the third time. +"What did she call the doll, gran'fathah, do you remembah?"</p> +<p>"I never paid much attention to such things," he answered, "but +I do remember the name of this one, because she named it for her +mother,--Amanthis."</p> +<p>"Amanthis," repeated the child, dreamily, as she leaned against +his knee. "I think that is a lovely name, gran'fathah. I wish they +had called me that." She repeated it softly several times. "It +sounds like the wind a-blowin' through white clovah, doesn't +it?"</p> +<a name="0008.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0008.jpg" width="60%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>"It is a beautiful name to me, my child," answered the old man, +laying his hand tenderly on her soft hair, "but not so beautiful as +the woman who bore it. She was the fairest flower of all Kentucky. +There never was another lived as sweet and gentle as your +Grandmother Amanthis."</p> +<p>He stroked her hair absently, and gazed into the fire. He +scarcely noticed when she slipped away from him.</p> +<p>She buried her face a moment in the bowl of pink roses. Then she +went to the window and drew back the curtain. Leaning her head +against the window-sill, she began stringing on the thread of a +tune the things that just then thrilled her with a sense of their +beauty.</p> +<p>"Oh, the locus'-trees a-blowin'," she sang, softly. "An' the +moon a-shinin' through them. An' the starlight an' pink roses; an' +Amanthis--an' Amanthis!"</p> +<p>She hummed it over and over until Walker had finished carrying +the dishes away.</p> +<p>It was a strange thing that the Colonel's unfrequent moods of +tenderness were like those warm days that they call +weather-breeders.</p> +<p>They were sure to be followed by a change of atmosphere. This +time as the fierce rheumatic pain came back he stormed at Walker, +and scolded him for everything he did and everything he left +undone.</p> +<p>When Maria came up to put Lloyd to bed, Fritz was tearing around +the room barking at his shadow.</p> +<p>"Put that dog out, M'ria!" roared the Colonel, almost crazy with +its antics. "Take it down-stairs, and put it out of the house, I +say! Nobody but a heathen would let a dog sleep in the house, +anyway."</p> +<p>The homesick feeling began to creep over Lloyd again. She had +expected to keep Fritz in her room at night for company. But for +the touch of the little glove in her pocket, she would have said +something ugly to her grandfather when he spoke so harshly.</p> +<p>His own ill humour was reflected in her scowl as she followed +Maria down the stairs to drive Fritz out into the dark. They stood +a moment in the open door, after Maria had slapped him with her +apron to make him go off the porch.</p> +<p>"Oh, look at the new moon!" cried Lloyd, pointing to the slender +crescent in the autumn sky.</p> +<p>"I'se feared to, honey," answered Maria, "less I should see it +through the trees. That 'ud bring me bad luck for a month, suah. +I'll go out on the lawn where it's open, an' look at it ovah my +right shouldah."</p> +<p>While they were walking backward down the path, intent on +reaching a place where they could have an uninterrupted view of the +moon, Fritz sneaked around to the other end of the porch.</p> +<p>No one was watching. He slipped into the house as noiselessly as +his four soft feet could carry him.</p> +<p>Maria, going through the dark upper hall, with a candle held +high above her head and Lloyd clinging to her skirts, did not see a +tasselled tail swinging along in front of her. It disappeared under +the big bed when she led Lloyd into the room next the old +Colonel's.</p> +<p>The child felt very sober while she was being put to bed.</p> +<p>The furniture was heavy and dark. An ugly portrait of a cross +old man in a wig frowned at her from over the mantel. The dancing +firelight made his eyes frightfully lifelike.</p> +<p>The bed was so high she had to climb on a chair to get in. She +heard Maria's heavy feet go shuffling down the stairs. A door +banged. Then it was so still she could hear the clock tick in the +next room.</p> +<p>It was the first time in all her life that her mother had not +come to kiss her good night. Her lips quivered, and a big tear +rolled down on the pillow.</p> +<p>She reached out to the chair beside her bed, where her clothes +were hanging, and felt in her apron pocket for the little glove. +She sat up in bed, and looked at it in the dim firelight. Then she +held it against her face. "Oh, I want my mothah! I want my mothah!" +she sobbed, in a heart-broken whisper.</p> +<p>Laying her head on her knees, she began to cry quietly, but with +great sobs that nearly choked her.</p> +<p>There was a rustling under the bed. She lifted her wet face in +alarm. Then she smiled through her tears, for there was Fritz, her +own dear dog, and not an unknown horror waiting to grab her.</p> +<p>He stood on his hind legs, eagerly trying to lap away her tears +with his friendly red tongue.</p> +<p>She clasped him in her arms with an ecstatic hug. "Oh, you're +such a comfort!" she whispered. "I can go to sleep now."</p> +<p>She spread her apron on the bed, and motioned him to jump. With +one spring he was beside her.</p> +<p>It was nearly midnight when the door from the Colonel's room was +noiselessly opened.</p> +<p>The old man stirred the fire gently until it burst into a bright +flame. Then he turned to the bed. "You rascal!" he whispered, +looking at Fritz, who raised his head quickly with a threatening +look in his wicked eyes.</p> +<p>Lloyd lay with one hand stretched out, holding the dog's +protecting paw. The other held something against her tear-stained +cheek.</p> +<p>"What under the sun!" he thought, as he drew it gently from her +fingers. The little glove lay across his hand, slim and +aristocratic-looking. He knew instinctively whose it was. "Poor +little thing's been crying," he thought. "She wants Elizabeth. And +so do I! And so do I!" his heart cried out with bitter longing. +"It's never been like home since she left."</p> +<p>He laid the glove back on her pillow, and went to his room.</p> +<p>"If Jack Sherman should die," he said to himself many times that +night, "then she would come home again. Oh, little daughter, little +daughter! why did you ever leave me?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<br> +<p>The first thing that greeted the Little Colonel's eyes when she +opened them next morning was her mother's old doll. Maria had laid +it on the pillow beside her.</p> +<p>It was beautifully dressed, although in a queer, old-fashioned +style that seemed very strange to the child.</p> +<p>She took it up with careful fingers, remembering its great age. +Maria had warned her not to waken her grandfather, so she admired +it in whispers.</p> +<p>"Jus' think, Fritz," she exclaimed, "this doll has seen my +Gran'mothah Amanthis, an' it's named for her. My mothah wasn't any +bigger'n me when she played with it. I think it is the loveliest +doll I evah saw in my whole life."</p> +<p>Fritz gave a jealous bark.</p> +<p>"Sh!" commanded his little mistress. "Didn't you heah M'ria say, +'Fo' de Lawd's sake don't wake up ole Marse?' Why don't you +mind?"</p> +<p>The Colonel was not in the best of humours after such a wakeful +night, but the sight of her happiness made him smile in spite of +himself, when she danced into his room with the doll.</p> +<p>She had eaten an early breakfast and gone back up-stairs to +examine the other toys that were spread out in her room.</p> +<p>The door between the two rooms was ajar. All the time he was +dressing and taking his coffee he could hear her talking to some +one. He supposed it was Maria. But as he glanced over his mail he +heard the Little Colonel saying, "May Lilly, do you know about +Billy Goat Gruff? Do you want me to tell you that story?"</p> +<p>He leaned forward until he could look through the narrow opening +of the door. Two heads were all he could see,--Lloyd's, soft-haired +and golden, May Lilly's, covered with dozens of tightly braided +little black tails.</p> +<p>He was about to order May Lilly back to the cabin, when he +remembered the scene that followed the last time he had done so. He +concluded to keep quiet and listen.</p> +<p>"Billy Goat Gruff was so fat," the story went on, "jus' as fat +as gran'fathah."</p> +<p>The Colonel glanced up with an amused smile at the fine figure +reflected in an opposite mirror.</p> +<p>"Trip-trap, trip-trap, went Billy Goat Gruff's little feet ovah +the bridge to the giant's house."</p> +<p>Just at this point Walker, who was putting things in order, +closed the door between the rooms.</p> +<p>"Open that door, you black rascal!" called the Colonel, furious +at the interruption.</p> +<p>In his haste to obey, Walker knocked over a pitcher of water +that had been left on the floor beside the wash-stand.</p> +<p>Then the Colonel yelled at him to be quick about mopping it up, +so that by the time the door was finally opened, Lloyd was +finishing her story.</p> +<p>The Colonel looked in just in time to see her put her hands to +her temples, with her forefingers protruding from her forehead like +horns. She said in a deep voice, as she brandished them at May +Lilly, "With my two long speahs I'll poke yo' eyeballs through yo' +yeahs." The little darky fell back giggling. "That sut'n'y was like +a billy-goat. We had one once that 'ud make a body step around +mighty peart. It slip up behine me one mawnin' on the poach, an' +fo' awhile I thought my haid was buss open suah. I got up toreckly, +though, an' I cotch him, and when I done got through, Mistah +Billy-goat feel po'ly moah'n a week. He sut'n'y did."</p> +<p>Walker grinned, for he had witnessed the scene.</p> +<p>Just then Maria put her head in at the door to say, "May Lilly, +yo' mammy's callin' you."</p> +<p>Lloyd and Fritz followed her noisily down-stairs. Then for +nearly an hour it was very quiet in the great house.</p> +<p>The Colonel, looking out of the window, could see Lloyd playing +hide-and-seek with Fritz under the bare locust-trees. When she came +in her cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air. Her eyes +shone like stars, and her face was radiant.</p> +<p>"See what I've found down in the dead leaves," she cried. "A +little blue violet, bloomin' all by itself."</p> +<p>She brought a tiny cup from the next room, that belonged to the +set of doll dishes, and put the violet in it.</p> +<p>"There!" she said, setting it on the table at her grandfather's +elbow. "Now I'll put Amanthis in this chair, where you can look at +her, an' you won't get lonesome while I'm playing outdoors."</p> +<p>He drew her toward him and kissed her.</p> +<p>"Why, how cold your hands are!" he exclaimed. "Staying in this +warm room all the time makes me forget it is so wintry outdoors. I +don't believe you are dressed warmly enough. You ought not to wear +sunbonnets this time of year."</p> +<p>Then for the first time he noticed her outgrown cloak and shabby +shoes.</p> +<p>"What are you wearing these old clothes for?" he said, +impatiently. "Why didn't they dress you up when you were going +visiting? It isn't showing proper respect to send you off in the +oldest things you've got."</p> +<p>It was a sore point with the Little Colonel. It hurt her pride +enough to have to wear old clothes without being scolded for it. +Besides, she felt that in some way her mother was being blamed for +what could not be helped.</p> +<p>"They's the best I've got," she answered, proudly choking back +the tears. "I don't need any new ones, 'cause maybe we'll be goin' +away pretty soon."</p> +<p>"Going away!" he echoed, blankly, "Where?" She did not answer +until he repeated the question. Then she turned her back on him, +and started toward the door. The tears she was too proud to let him +see were running down her face.</p> +<p>"We's goin' to the poah-house," she exclaimed, defiantly, "jus' +as soon as the money in the pocketbook is used up. It was nearly +gone when I came away."</p> +<p>Here she began to sob, as she fumbled at the door she could not +see to open.</p> +<p>"I'm goin' home to my mothah right now. She loves me if my +clothes are old and ugly."</p> +<p>"Why, Lloyd," called the Colonel, amazed and distressed by her +sudden burst of grief. "Come here to grandpa. Why didn't you tell +me so before?"</p> +<p>The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her +irresistibly to him. It was a relief to lay her head on his +shoulder, and unburden herself of the fear that had haunted her so +many days.</p> +<p>With her arms around his neck, and the precious little head held +close to his heart, the old Colonel was in such a softened mood +that he would have promised anything to comfort her.</p> +<p>"There, there," he said, soothingly, stroking her hair with a +gentle hand, when she had told him all her troubles. "Don't you +worry about that, my dear. Nobody is going to eat out of tin pans +and sleep on straw. Grandpa just won't let them."</p> +<p>She sat up and wiped her eyes on her apron. "But Papa Jack would +die befo' he'd take help from you," she wailed. "An' so would +mothah. I heard her tell the doctah so."</p> +<p>The tender expression on the Colonel's face changed to one like +flint, but he kept on stroking her hair. "People sometimes change +their minds," he said, grimly. "I wouldn't worry over a little +thing like that if I were you. Don't you want to run down-stairs +and tell M'ria to give you a piece of cake?"</p> +<p>"Oh, yes," she exclaimed, smiling up at him. "I'll bring you +some, too."</p> +<p>When the first train went into Louisville that afternoon, Walker +was on board with an order in his pocket to one of the largest dry +goods establishments in the city. When he came out again, that +evening, he carried a large box into the Colonel's room.</p> +<p>Lloyd's eyes shone as she looked into it. There was an elegant +fur-trimmed cloak, a pair of dainty shoes, and a muff that she +caught up with a shriek of delight.</p> +<p>"What kind of a thing is this?" grumbled the Colonel, as he took +out a hat that had been carefully packed in one corner of the box. +"I told them to send the most stylish thing they had. It looks like +a scarecrow," he continued, as he set it askew on the child's +head.</p> +<p>She snatched it off to look at it herself. "Oh, it's jus' like +Emma Louise Wyfo'd's!" she exclaimed. "You didn't put it on +straight. See! This is the way it goes."</p> +<p>She climbed up in front of the mirror, and put it on as she had +seen Emma Louise wear hers.</p> +<a name="0009.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="rgt"><img src="images/0009.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>"Well, it's a regular Napoleon hat," exclaimed the Colonel, much +pleased. "So little girls nowadays have taken to wearing soldier's +caps, have they? It's right becoming to you with your short hair. +Grandpa is real proud of his 'little Colonel.'"</p> +<p>She gave him the military salute he had taught her, and then ran +to throw her arms around him. "Oh, gran'fathah!" she exclaimed, +between her kisses, "you'se jus' as good as Santa Claus, every +bit."</p> +<p>The Colonel's rheumatism was better next day; so much better +that toward evening he walked down-stairs into the long +drawing-room. The room had not been illuminated in years as it was +that night.</p> +<p>Every wax taper was lighted in the silver candelabra, and the +dim old mirrors multiplied their lights on every side. A great wood +fire threw a cheerful glow over the portraits and the frescoed +ceiling. All the linen covers had been taken from the +furniture.</p> +<p>Lloyd, who had never seen this room except with the chairs +shrouded and the blinds down, came running in presently. She was +bewildered at first by the change. Then she began walking softly +around the room, examining everything.</p> +<p>In one corner stood a tall, gilded harp that her grandmother had +played in her girlhood. The heavy cover had kept it fair and +untarnished through all the years it had stood unused. To the +child's beauty-loving eyes it seemed the loveliest thing she had +ever seen.</p> +<p>She stood with her hands clasped behind her as her gaze wandered +from its pedals to the graceful curves of its tall frame. It shone +like burnished gold in the soft firelight.</p> +<p>"Oh, gran'fathah!" she asked at last in a low, reverent tone, +"where did you get it? Did an angel leave it heah fo' you?"</p> +<p>He did not answer for a moment. Then he said, huskily, as he +looked up at a portrait over the mantel, "Yes, my darling, an angel +did leave it here. She always was one. Come here to grandpa."</p> +<p>He took her on his knee, and pointed up to the portrait. The +same harp was in the picture. Standing beside it, with one hand +resting on its shining strings, was a young girl all in white.</p> +<p>"That's the way she looked the first time I ever saw her," said +the Colonel, dreamily. "A June rose in her hair, and another at her +throat; and her soul looked right out through those great, dark +eyes--the purest, sweetest soul God ever made! My beautiful +Amanthis!"</p> +<p>"My bu'ful Amanthis!" repeated the child, in an awed +whisper.</p> +<p>She sat gazing into the lovely young face for a long time, while +the old man seemed lost in dreams.</p> +<p>"Gran'fathah," she said at length, patting his cheek to attract +his attention, and then nodding toward the portrait, "did she love +my mothah like my mothah loves me?"</p> +<p>"Certainly, my dear," was the gentle reply.</p> +<p>It was the twilight hour, when the homesick feeling always came +back strongest to Lloyd.</p> +<p>"Then I jus' know that if my bu'ful gran'mothah Amanthis could +come down out of that frame, she'd go straight and put her arms +around my mothah an' kiss away all her sorry feelin's."</p> +<p>The Colonel fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair a moment. Then +to his great relief the tea-bell rang.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX."></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<br> +<p>Every evening after that during Lloyd's visit the fire burned on +the hearth of the long drawing-room. All the wax candles were +lighted, and the vases were kept full of flowers, fresh from the +conservatory.</p> +<p>She loved to steal into the room before her grandfather came +down, and carry on imaginary conversations with the old +portraits.</p> +<p>Tom's handsome, boyish face had the greatest attraction for her. +His eyes looked down so smilingly into hers that she felt he surely +understood every word she said to him. Once Walker overheard her +saying, "Uncle Tom, I'm goin' to tell you a story 'bout Billy Goat +Gruff."</p> +<p>Peeping into the room, he saw the child looking earnestly up at +the picture, with her hands clasped behind her, as she began to +repeat her favourite story. "It do beat all," he said to himself, +"how one little chile like that can wake up a whole house. She's +the life of the place."</p> +<p>The last evening of her visit, as the Colonel was coming +down-stairs he heard the faint vibration of a harp-string. It was +the first time Lloyd had ever ventured to touch one. He paused on +the steps opposite the door, and looked in.</p> +<p>"Heah, Fritz," she was saying, "you get up on the sofa, an' be +the company, an' I'll sing fo' you."</p> +<p>Fritz, on the rug before the fire, opened one sleepy eye and +closed it again. She stamped her foot and repeated her order. He +paid no attention. Then she picked him up bodily, and, with much +puffing and pulling, lifted him into a chair.</p> +<p>He waited until she had gone back to the harp, and then, with +one spring, disappeared under the sofa.</p> +<p>"N'm min'," she said, in a disgusted tone. "I'll pay you back, +mistah." Then she looked up at the portrait. "Uncle Tom," she said, +"you be the company, an' I'll play fo' you."</p> +<a name="0010.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0010.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>Her fingers touched the strings so lightly that there was no +discord in the random tones. Her voice carried the air clear and +true, and the faint trembling of the harp-strings interfered with +the harmony no more than if a wandering breeze had been tangled in +them as it passed.</p> +<blockquote>Sing me the songs that to me were so deah<br> +Long, long ago, long ago.<br> +Tell me the tales I delighted to heah<br> +Long, long ago, long ago."</blockquote> +<p>The sweet little voice sang it to the end without missing a +word. It was the lullaby her mother oftenest sang to her.</p> +<p>The Colonel, who had sat down on the steps to listen, wiped his +eyes.</p> +<p>"My 'long ago' is all that I have left to me," he thought, +bitterly, "for to-morrow this little one, who brings back my past +with every word and gesture, will leave me, too. Why can't that +Jack Sherman die while he's about it, and let me have my own back +again?"</p> +<p>That question recurred to him many times during the week after +Lloyd's departure. He missed her happy voice at every turn. He +missed her bright face at the table. The house seemed so big and +desolate without her. He ordered all the covers put back on the +drawing-room furniture, and the door locked as before.</p> +<p>It was a happy moment for the Little Colonel when she was lifted +down from Maggie Boy at the cottage gate.</p> +<p>She went dancing into the house, so glad to find herself in her +mother's arms that she forgot all about the new cloak and muff that +had made her so proud and happy.</p> +<p>She found her father propped up among the pillows, his fever all +gone, and the old mischievous twinkle in his eyes.</p> +<p>He admired her new clothes extravagantly, paying her joking +compliments until her face beamed; but when she had danced off to +find Mom Beck, he turned to his wife. "Elizabeth," he said, +wonderingly, "what do you suppose the old fellow gave her clothes +for? I don't like it. I'm no beggar if I have lost lots of money. +After all that's passed between us I don't feel like taking +anything from his hands, or letting my child do it, either."</p> +<p>To his great surprise she laid her head down on his pillow +beside his and burst into tears.</p> +<p>"Oh, Jack," she sobbed, "I spent the last dollar this morning. I +wasn't going to tell you, but I don't know what is to become of us. +He gave Lloyd those things because she was just in rags, and I +couldn't afford to get anything new."</p> +<p>He looked perplexed. "Why, I brought home so much," he said, in +a distressed tone. "I knew I was in for a long siege of sickness, +but I was sure there was enough to tide us over that."</p> +<p>She raised her head. "You brought money home!" she replied, in +surprise. "I hoped you had, and looked through all your things, but +there was only a little change in one of your pockets. You must +have imagined it when you were delirious."</p> +<p>"What!" he cried, sitting bolt upright, and then sinking weakly +back among the pillows. "You poor child! You don't mean to tell me +you have been skimping along all these weeks on just that check I +sent you before starting home?"</p> +<p>"Yes," she sobbed, her face still buried in the pillow. She had +borne the strain of continued anxiety so long that she could not +stop her tears, now they had once started.</p> +<p>It was with a very thankful heart she watched him take a pack of +letters from the coat she brought to his bedside, and draw out a +sealed envelope.</p> +<p>"Well, I never once thought of looking among those letters for +money," she exclaimed, as he held it up with a smile.</p> +<p>His investments of the summer before had prospered beyond his +greatest hopes, he told her. "Brother Rob is looking after my +interests out West, as well as his own," he explained, "and as his +father-in-law is the grand mogul of the place, I have the inside +track. Then that firm I went security for in New York is nearly on +its feet again, and I'll have back every dollar I ever paid out for +them. Nobody ever lost anything by those men in the long run. We'll +be on top again by this time next year, little wife; so don't +borrow any more trouble on that score."</p> +<p>The doctor made his last visit that afternoon. It really seemed +as if there would never be any more dark days at the little +cottage.</p> +<p>"The clouds have all blown away and left us their silver +linings," said Mrs. Sherman the day her husband was able to go +out-of-doors for the first time. He walked down to the post-office, +and brought back a letter from the West. It had such encouraging +reports of his business that he was impatient to get back to it. He +wrote a reply early in the afternoon, and insisted on going to mail +it himself.</p> +<p>"I'll never get my strength back," he protested, "unless I have +more exercise."</p> +<p>It was a cold, gray November day. A few flakes of snow were +falling when he started.</p> +<p>"I'll stop and rest at the Tylers'," he called back, "so don't +be uneasy if I'm out some time."</p> +<p>After he left the post-office the fresh air tempted him to go +farther than he had intended. At a long distance from his home his +strength seemed suddenly to desert him. The snow began to fall in +earnest. Numb with cold, he groped his way back to the house, +almost fainting from exhaustion.</p> +<p>Lloyd was blowing soap-bubbles when she saw him come in and fall +heavily across the couch. The ghastly pallor of his face and his +closed eyes frightened her so that she dropped the little clay pipe +she was using. As she stooped to pick up the broken pieces, her +mother's cry startled her still more. "Lloyd, run call Becky, +quick, quick! Oh, he's dying!"</p> +<p>Lloyd gave one more terrified look and ran to the kitchen, +screaming for Mom Beck. No one was there.</p> +<p>The next instant she was running bareheaded as fast as she could +go, up the road to Locust. She was confident of finding help there. +The snowflakes clung to her hair and blew against her soft cheeks. +All she could see was her mother wringing her hands, and her +father's white face. When she burst into the house where the +Colonel sat reading by the fire, she was so breathless at first +that she could only gasp when she tried to speak.</p> +<p>"Come quick!" she cried. "Papa Jack's a-dyin'! Come stop +him!"</p> +<p>At her first impetuous words the Colonel was on his feet. She +caught him by the hand and led him to the door before he fully +realized what she wanted. Then he drew back. She was impatient at +the slightest delay, and only half answered his questions.</p> +<p>"Oh, come, gran'fathah!" she pleaded. "Don't wait to talk!" But +he held her until he had learned all the circumstances. He was +convinced by what she told him that both Lloyd and her mother were +unduly alarmed. When he found that no one had sent for him, but +that the child had come of her own accord, he refused to go.</p> +<p>He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend +to step aside one inch from the position he had taken. For seven +years he had kept the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to +his daughter. He would keep it for seventy times seven years if +need be.</p> +<p>She looked at him perfectly bewildered. She had been so +accustomed to his humouring her slightest whims, that it had never +occurred to her he would fail to help in a time of such +distress.</p> +<p>"Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously. +Then her whole expression changed. Her face grew startlingly white, +and her eyes seemed so big and black. The Colonel looked at her in +surprise. He had never seen a child in such a passion before. "I +hate you! I hate you!" she exclaimed, all in a tremble. "You's a +cruel, wicked man. I'll nevah come heah again, nevah! nevah! +nevah!"</p> +<p>The tears rolled down her cheeks as she banged the door behind +her and ran down the avenue, her little heart so full of grief and +disappointment that she felt she could not possibly bear it.</p> +<p>For more than an hour the Colonel walked up and down the room, +unable to shut out the anger and disappointment of that little +face.</p> +<p>He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words. +She would never come back. He never knew until that hour how much +he loved her, or how much she had come to mean in his life. She was +gone hopelessly beyond recall, unless--He unlocked the door of the +drawing-room and went in. A faint breath of dried rose-leaves +greeted him. He walked over to the empty fireplace and looked up at +the sweet face of the portrait a long time. Then he leaned his arm +on the mantel and bowed his head on it. "Oh, Amanthis," he groaned, +"tell me what to do."</p> +<p>Lloyd's own words came back to him. "She'd go right straight an' +put her arms around my mothah an' kiss away all the sorry +feelin's."</p> +<p>It was a long time he stood there. The battle between his love +and pride was a hard one. At last he raised his head and saw that +the short winter day was almost over. Without waiting to order his +horse he started off in the falling snow toward the cottage.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X."></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<br> +<p>A good many forebodings crowded into the Colonel's mind as he +walked hurriedly on. He wondered how he would be received. What if +Jack Sherman had died after all? What if Elizabeth should refuse to +see him? A dozen times before he reached the gate he pictured to +himself the probable scene of their meeting.</p> +<p>He was out of breath and decidedly disturbed in mind when he +walked up the path. As he paused on the porch steps, Lloyd came +running around the house carrying her parrot on a broom. Her hair +was blowing around her rosy face under the Napoleon hat she wore, +and she was singing.</p> +<p>The last two hours had made a vast change in her feelings. Her +father had only fainted from exhaustion.</p> +<p>When she came running back from Locust, she was afraid to go in +the house, lest what she dreaded most had happened while she was +gone. She opened the door timidly and peeped in. Her father's eyes +were open. Then she heard him speak. She ran into the room, and, +burying her head in her mother's lap, sobbed out the story of her +visit to Locust.</p> +<p>To her great surprise her father began to laugh, and laughed so +heartily as she repeated her saucy speech to her grandfather, that +it took the worst sting out of her disappointment.</p> +<p>All the time the Colonel had been fighting his pride among the +memories of the dim old drawing-room, Lloyd had been playing with +Fritz and Polly.</p> +<p>Now as she came suddenly face to face with her grandfather, she +dropped the disgusted bird in the snow, and stood staring at him +with startled eyes. If he had fallen out of the sky she could not +have been more astonished.</p> +<p>"Where is your mother, child?" he asked, trying to speak calmly. +With a backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of +her own sight, she led the way into the hall.</p> +<p>"Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door. +"Come heah, quick!"</p> +<p>The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it +on the floor, took an expectant step forward. There was a slight +rustle, and Elizabeth stood in the doorway. For just a moment they +looked into each other's faces. Then the Colonel held out his +arm.</p> +<p>"Little daughter," he said, in a tremulous voice. The love of a +lifetime seemed to tremble in those two words.</p> +<p>In an instant her arms were around his neck, and he was "kissing +away the sorry feelin's" as tenderly as the lost Amanthis could +have done.</p> +<p>As soon as Lloyd began to realize what was happening, her face +grew radiant. She danced around in such excitement that Fritz +barked wildly.</p> +<p>"Come an' see Papa Jack, too," she cried, leading him into the +next room.</p> +<p>Whatever deep-rooted prejudices Jack Sherman may have had, they +were unselfishly put aside after one look into his wife's happy +face.</p> +<p>He raised himself on his elbow as the dignified old soldier +crossed the room. The white hair, the empty sleeve, the remembrance +of all the old man had lost, and the thought that after all he was +Elizabeth's father, sent a very tender feeling through the younger +man's heart.</p> +<p>"Will you take my hand, sir?" he asked, sitting up and offering +it in his straightforward way.</p> +<p>"Of co'se he will!" exclaimed Lloyd, who still clung to her +grandfather's arm. "Of co'se he will!"</p> +<p>"I have been too near death to harbour ill will any longer," +said the younger man, as their hands met in a strong, forgiving +clasp.</p> +<p>The old Colonel smiled grimly.</p> +<p>"I had thought that even death itself could not make me give +in," he said, "but I've had to make a complete surrender to the +Little Colonel." That Christmas there was such a celebration at +Locust that May Lilly and Henry Clay nearly went wild in the +general excitement of the preparation. Walker hung up cedar and +holly and mistletoe till the big house looked like a bower. Maria +bustled about, airing rooms and bringing out stores of linen and +silver.</p> +<p>The Colonel himself filled the great punch-bowl that his +grandfather had brought from Virginia.</p> +<p>"I'm glad we're goin' to stay heah to-night," said Lloyd, as she +hung up her stocking Christmas Eve. "It will be so much easiah fo' +Santa Claus to get down these big chimneys."</p> +<p>In the morning when she found four tiny stockings hanging beside +her own, overflowing with candy for Fritz, her happiness was +complete.</p> +<p>That night there was a tree in the drawing-room that reached to +the frescoed ceiling. When May Lilly came in to admire it and get +her share from its loaded branches, Lloyd came skipping up to her. +"Oh, I'm goin' to live heah all wintah," she cried. "Mom Beck's +goin' to stay heah with me, too, while mothah an' Papa Jack go down +South where the alligatahs live. Then when they get well an' come +back, Papa Jack is goin' to build a house on the othah side of the +lawn. I'm to live in both places at once; mothah said so."</p> +<p>There were music and light, laughing voices and happy hearts in +the old home that night. It seemed as if the old place had awakened +from a long dream and found itself young again.</p> +<p>The plan the Little Colonel unfolded to May Lilly was carried +out in every detail. It seemed a long winter to the child, but it +was a happy one. There were not so many displays of temper now that +she was growing older, but the letters that went southward every +week were full of her odd speeches and mischievous pranks. The old +Colonel found it hard to refuse her anything. If it had not been +for Mom Beck's decided ways, the child would have been sadly +spoiled.</p> +<p>At last the spring came again. The pewees sang in the cedars. +The dandelions sprinkled the roadsides like stars. The locust-trees +tossed up the white spray of their fragrant blossoms with every +wave of their green boughs.</p> +<p>"They'll soon be heah! They'll soon be heah!" chanted the Little +Colonel every day.</p> +<p>The morning they came she had been down the avenue a dozen times +to look for them before the carriage had even started to meet them. +"Walkah," she called, "cut me a big locus' bough. I want to wave it +fo' a flag!"</p> +<p>Just as he dropped a branch down at her feet, she caught the +sound of wheels. "Hurry, gran'fathah," she called; "they's comin'." +But the old Colonel had already started on toward the gate to meet +them. The carriage stopped, and in a moment more Papa Jack was +tossing Lloyd up in his arms, while the old Colonel was helping +Elizabeth to alight.</p> +<p>"Isn't this a happy mawnin'?" exclaimed the Little Colonel, as +she leaned from her seat on her father's shoulder to kiss his +sunburned cheek.</p> +<p>"A very happy morning," echoed her grandfather, as he walked on +toward the house with Elizabeth's hand clasped close in his +own.</p> +<p>Long after they had passed up the steps the old locusts kept +echoing the Little Colonel's words. Years ago they had showered +their fragrant blossoms in this same path to make a sweet white way +for Amanthis's little feet to tread when the Colonel brought home +his bride.</p> +<p>They had dropped their tribute on the coffin-lid when Tom was +carried home under their drooping branches. The soldier-boy had +loved them so, that a little cluster had been laid on the breast of +the gray coat he wore.</p> +<p>Night and day they had guarded this old home like silent +sentinels that loved it well.</p> +<p>Now, as they looked down on the united family, a thrill passed +through them to their remotest bloom-tipped branches.</p> +<p>It sounded only like a faint rustling of leaves, but it was the +locusts whispering together. "The children have come home at last," +they kept repeating. "What a happy morning! Oh, what a happy +morning!"</p> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<pre> +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +This file should be named tlcol10h.htm or tlcol10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, tlcol11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlcol10ah.htm + + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Little Colonel + +Author: Annie Fellows Johnston + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9407] +[This file was first posted on September 29, 2003] +[Most recently updated: May 28, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + +THE LITTLE COLONEL + +By Annie Fellows Johnston + +1895 + + + + + + +TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S DEAREST LITTLE DAUGHTERS + +The Little Colonel + +HERSELF--THIS REMEMBRANCE OF A HAPPY SUMMER IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'CAUSE I'M SO MUCH LIKE YOU,' WAS THE STARTLING ANSWER". +"THE SAME TEMPER SEEMED TO BE BURNING IN THE EYES OF THE CHILD". +"WITH THE PARROT PERCHED ON THE BROOM SHE WAS CARRYING". +"THE LITTLE COLONEL CLATTERED UP AND DOWN THE HALL". +"SINGING AT THE TOP OF HER VOICE". +"'TELL ME GOOD-BY, BABY DEAR,' SAID MRS. SHERMAN". +"'AMANTHIS,' REPEATED THE CHILD DREAMILY". +"SHE CLIMBED UP IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR". +"THE SWEET LITTLE VOICE SANG IT TO THE END". + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +It was one of the prettiest places in all Kentucky where the Little +Colonel stood that morning. She was reaching up on tiptoes, her eager +little face pressed close against the iron bars of the great entrance +gate that led to a fine old estate known as "Locust." + +A ragged little Scotch and Skye terrier stood on its hind feet beside +her, thrusting his inquisitive nose between the bars, and wagging his +tasselled tail in lively approval of the scene before them. + +They were looking down a long avenue that stretched for nearly a quarter +of a mile between rows of stately old locust-trees. + +At the far end they could see the white pillars of a large stone house +gleaming through the Virginia creeper that nearly covered it. But they +could not see the old Colonel in his big chair on the porch behind the +cool screen of vines. + +At that very moment he had caught the rattle of wheels along the road, +and had picked up his field-glass to see who was passing. It was only +a coloured man jogging along in the heat and dust with a cart full of +chicken-coops. The Colonel watched him drive up a lane that led to the +back of the new hotel that had just been opened in this quiet country +place. Then his glance fell on the two small strangers coming through +his gate down the avenue toward him. One was the friskiest dog he had +ever seen in his life. The other was a child he judged to be about five +years old. + +Her shoes were covered with dust, and her white sunbonnet had slipped +off and was hanging over her shoulders. A bunch of wild flowers she had +gathered on the way hung limp and faded in her little warm hand. Her +soft, light hair was cut as short as a boy's. + +There was something strangely familiar about the child, especially in +the erect, graceful way she walked. + +Old Colonel Lloyd was puzzled. He had lived all his life in +Lloydsborough, and this was the first time he had ever failed to +recognize one of the neighbours' children. He knew every dog and horse, +too, by sight if not by name. + +Living so far from the public road did not limit his knowledge of what +was going on in the world. A powerful field-glass brought every passing +object in plain view, while he was saved all annoyance of noise and +dust. + +"I ought to know that child as well as I know my own name," he said to +himself. "But the dog is a stranger in these parts. Liveliest thing I +ever set eyes on! They must have come from the hotel. Wonder what they +want." + +He carefully wiped the lens for a better view. When he looked again he +saw that they evidently had not come to visit him. + +They had stopped half-way down the avenue, and climbed up on a rustic +seat to rest. + +The dog sat motionless about two minutes, his red tongue hanging out as +if he were completely exhausted. + +Suddenly he gave a spring, and bounded away through the tall blue grass. +He was back again in a moment, with a stick in his mouth. Standing +up with his fore paws in the lap of his little mistress, he looked so +wistfully into her face that she could not refuse this invitation for a +romp. + +The Colonel chuckled as they went tumbling about in the grass to find +the stick which the child repeatedly tossed away. + +He hitched his chair along to the other end of the porch as they kept +getting farther away from the avenue. + +It had been many a long year since those old locust-trees had seen a +sight like that. Children never played any more under their dignified +shadows. + +Time had been (but they only whispered this among themselves on rare +spring days like this) when the little feet chased each other up and +down the long walk, as much at home as the pewees in the beeches. + +Suddenly the little maid stood up straight, and began to sniff the air, +as if some delicious odour had blown across the lawn. + +"Fritz," she exclaimed, in delight, "I 'mell 'trawberries!" + +The Colonel, who could not hear the remark, wondered at the abrupt pause +in the game. He understood it, however, when he saw them wading through +the tall grass, straight to his strawberry bed. It was the pride of his +heart, and the finest for miles around. The first berries of the season +had been picked only the day before. Those that now hung temptingly red +on the vines he intended to send to his next neighbour, to prove his +boasted claim of always raising the finest and earliest fruit. + +He did not propose to have his plans spoiled by these stray guests. +Laying the field-glass in its accustomed place on the little table +beside his chair, he picked up his hat and strode down the walk. + +Colonel Lloyd's friends all said he looked like Napoleon, or rather like +Napoleon might have looked had he been born and bred a Kentuckian. + +He made an imposing figure in his suit of white duck. + +The Colonel always wore white from May till October. + +There was a military precision about him, from his erect carriage to the +cut of the little white goatee on his determined chin. + +No one looking into the firm lines of his resolute face could imagine +him ever abandoning a purpose or being turned aside when he once formed +an opinion. + +Most children were afraid of him. The darkies about the place shook in +their shoes when he frowned. They had learned from experience that "ole +Marse Lloyd had a tigah of a tempah in him." + +As he passed down the walk there were two mute witnesses to his old +soldier life. A spur gleamed on his boot heel, for he had just returned +from his morning ride, and his right sleeve hung empty. + +He had won his title bravely. He had given his only son and his strong +right arm to the Southern cause. That had been nearly thirty years ago. + +He did not charge down on the enemy with his usual force this time. The +little head, gleaming like sunshine in the strawberry patch, +reminded him so strongly of a little fellow who used to follow him +everywhere,--Tom, the sturdiest, handsomest boy in the county,--Tom, +whom he had been so proud of, whom he had so nearly worshipped. + +Looking at this fair head bent over the vines, he could almost forget +that Tom had ever outgrown his babyhood, that he had shouldered a rifle +and followed him to camp, a mere boy, to be shot down by a Yankee bullet +in his first battle. + +The old Colonel could almost believe he had him back again, and that he +stood in the midst of those old days the locusts sometimes whispered +about. + +He could not hear the happiest of little voices that was just then +saying, "Oh, Fritz, isn't you glad we came? An' isn't you glad we've got +a gran'fathah with such good 'trawberries?" + +It was hard for her to put the "s" before her consonants. + +As the Colonel came nearer she tossed another berry into the dog's +mouth. A twig snapped, and she raised a startled face toward him. + +"Suh?" she said, timidly, for it seemed to her that the stern, piercing +eyes had spoken. + +"What are you doing here, child?" he asked, in a voice so much kinder +than his eyes that she regained her usual self-possession at once. + +"Eatin' 'trawberries," she answered, coolly. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he exclaimed, much puzzled. As he asked the +question his gaze happened to rest on the dog, who was peering at him +through the ragged, elfish wisps of hair nearly covering its face, with +eyes that were startlingly human. + +"'Peak when yo'ah 'poken to, Fritz," she said, severely, at the same +time popping another luscious berry into her mouth. Fritz obediently +gave a long yelp. The Colonel smiled grimly. + +"What's your name?" he asked, this time looking directly at her. + +"Mothah calls me her baby," was the soft-spoken reply, "but papa an' Mom +Beck they calls me the Little Cun'l." + +"What under the sun do they call you that for?" he roared. + +"'Cause I'm so much like you," was the startling answer. + +"Like me!" fairly gasped the Colonel. "How are you like me?" + +"Oh, I'm got such a vile tempah, an' I stamps my foot when I gets mad, +an' gets all red in the face. An' I hollahs at folks, an' looks jus' zis +way." + +She drew her face down and puckered her lips into such a sullen pout +that it looked as if a thunder-storm had passed over it. The next +instant she smiled up at him serenely. The Colonel laughed. "What makes +you think I am like that?" he said. "You never saw me before." + +"Yes, I have too," she persisted. "You's a-hangin' in a gold frame over +ou' mantel." + +Just then a clear, high voice was heard calling out in the road. + +The child started up in alarm. "Oh, deah," she exclaimed in dismay, at +sight of the stains on her white dress, where she had been kneeling on +the fruit, "that's Mom Beck. Now I'll be tied up, and maybe put to bed +for runnin' away again. But the berries is mighty nice," she added, +politely. "Good mawnin', suh. Fritz, we mus' be goin' now." + +The voice was coming nearer. + +"I'll walk down to the gate with you," said the Colonel, anxious to +learn something more about his little guest. "Oh, you'd bettah not, +suh!" she cried in alarm. "Mom Beck doesn't like you a bit. She just +hates you! She's goin' to give you a piece of her mind the next time she +sees you. I heard her tell Aunt Nervy so." + +There was as much real distress in the child's voice as if she were +telling him of a promised flogging. + +"Lloyd! Aw, Lloy-eed!" the call came again. + +A neat-looking coloured woman glanced in at the gate as she was passing +by, and then stood still in amazement. She had often found her little +charge playing along the roadside or hiding behind trees, but she had +never before known her to pass through any one's gate. + +As the name came floating down to him through the clear air, a change +came over the Colonel's stern face. He stooped over the child. His hand +trembled as he put it under her soft chin and raised her eyes to his. + +"Lloyd, Lloyd!" he repeated, in a puzzled way. "Can it be possible? +There certainly is a wonderful resemblance. You have my little Tom's +hair, and only my baby Elizabeth ever had such hazel eyes." + +He caught her up in his one arm, and strode on to the gate, where the +coloured woman stood. + +"Why, Becky, is that you?" he cried, recognizing an old, trusted servant +who had lived at Locust in his wife's lifetime. + +Her only answer was a sullen nod. + +"Whose child is this?" he asked, eagerly, without seeming to notice her +defiant looks. "Tell me if you can." + +"How can I tell you, suh," she demanded, indignantly, "when you have +fo'bidden even her name to be spoken befo' you?" + +A harsh look came into the Colonel's eyes. He put the child hastily +down, and pressed his lips together. + +"Don't tie my sunbonnet, Mom Beck," she begged. Then she waved her hand +with an engaging smile. + +"Good-bye, suh," she said, graciously. "We've had a mighty nice time!" + +The Colonel took off his hat with his usual courtly bow, but he spoke no +word in reply. + +When the last flutter of her dress had disappeared around the bend of +the road, he walked slowly back toward the house. + +Half-way down the long avenue where she had stopped to rest, he sat down +on the same rustic seat. He could feel her soft little fingers resting +on his neck, where they had lain when he carried her to the gate. + +A very un-Napoleonlike mist blurred his sight for a moment. It had been +so long since such a touch had thrilled him, so long since any caress +had been given him. + +More than a score of years had gone by since Tom had been laid in a +soldier's grave, and the years that Elizabeth had been lost to him +seemed almost a lifetime. + +And this was Elizabeth's little daughter. Something very warm and sweet +seemed to surge across his heart as he thought of the Little Colonel. He +was glad, for a moment, that they called her that; glad that his only +grandchild looked enough like himself for others to see the resemblance. + +But the feeling passed as he remembered that his daughter had married +against his wishes, and he had closed his doors for ever against her. + +The old bitterness came back redoubled in its force. + +The next instant he was stamping down the avenue, roaring for Walker, +his body-servant, in such a tone that the cook's advice was speedily +taken: "Bettah hump yo'self outen dis heah kitchen befo' de ole tigah +gits to lashin' roun' any pearter." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +Mom Beck carried the ironing-board out of the hot kitchen, set the irons +off the stove, and then tiptoed out to the side porch of the little +cottage. + +"Is yo' head feelin' any bettah, honey?" she said to the pretty, +girlish-looking woman lying in the hammock. "I promised to step up to +the hotel this evenin' to see one of the chambah-maids. I thought I'd +take the Little Cun'l along with me if you was willin'. She's always +wild to play with Mrs. Wyford's children up there." + +"Yes, I'm better, Becky," was the languid reply. "Put a clean dress on +Lloyd if you are going to take her out." + +Mrs. Sherman closed her eyes again, thinking gratefully, "Dear, faithful +old Becky! What a comfort she has been all my life, first as my nurse, +and now as Lloyd's! She is worth her weight in gold!" + +The afternoon shadows were stretching long across the grass when Mom +Beck led the child up the green slope in front of the hotel. + +The Little Colonel had danced along so gaily with Fritz that her cheeks +glowed like wild roses. She made a quaint little picture with such short +sunny hair and dark eyes shining out from under the broad-brimmed white +hat she wore. + +Several ladies who were sitting on the shady piazza, busy with their +embroidery, noticed her admiringly. "It's Elizabeth Lloyd's little +daughter," one of them explained. "Don't you remember what a scene there +was some years ago when she married a New York man? Sherman, I believe, +his name was, Jack Sherman. He was a splendid fellow, and enormously +wealthy. Nobody could say a word against him, except that he was a +Northerner. That was enough for the old Colonel, though. He hates +Yankees like poison. He stormed and swore, and forbade Elizabeth ever +coming in his sight again. He had her room locked up, and not a soul on +the place ever dares mention her name in his hearing." + +The Little Colonel sat down demurely on the piazza steps to wait for the +children. The nurse had not finished dressing them for the evening. + +She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an illustrated +weekly. It was not long until she began to feel that the ladies were +talking about her. She had lived among older people so entirely that +her thoughts were much deeper than her baby speeches would lead one to +suppose. + +She understood dimly, from what she had heard the servants say, that +there was some trouble between her mother and grandfather. Now she heard +it rehearsed from beginning to end. She could not understand what +they meant by "bank failures" and "unfortunate investments," but she +understood enough to know that her father had lost nearly all his money, +and had gone West to make more. + +Mrs. Sherman had moved from their elegant New York home two weeks ago +to this little cottage in Lloydsborough that her mother had left her. +Instead of the houseful of servants they used to have, there was only +faithful Mom Beck to do everything. + +There was something magnetic in the child's eyes. + +Mrs. Wyford shrugged her shoulders uneasily as she caught their piercing +gaze fixed on her. + +"I do believe that little witch understood every word I said," she +exclaimed. + +"Oh, certainly not," was the reassuring answer. "She's such a little +thing." + +But she had heard it all, and understood enough to make her vaguely +unhappy. Going home she did not frisk along with Fritz, but walked +soberly by Mom Beck's side, holding tight to the friendly black hand. + +"We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over the fence. +"It's not so long that way." + +As they followed the narrow, straggling path into the cool dusk of +the woods, she began to sing. The crooning chant was as mournful as a +funeral dirge. + + "The clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends. + I'm gwine to lie in the silent tomb. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends." + +A muffled little sob made her stop and look down in surprise. + +"Why, what's the mattah, honey?" she exclaimed. "Did Emma Louise make +you mad? Or is you cryin' 'cause you're so ti'ed? Come! Ole Becky'll +tote her baby the rest of the way." + +She picked the light form up in her arms, and, pressing the troubled +little face against her shoulder, resumed her walk and her song. + + "It's a world of trouble we're travellin' through, + Fa'well, my dyin' friends." + +"Oh, don't, Mom Beck," sobbed the child, throwing her arms around the +woman's neck, and crying as though her heart would break. + +"Land sakes, what is the mattah?" she asked, in alarm. She sat down on a +mossy log, took off the white hat, and looked into the flushed, tearful +face. + +"Oh, it makes me so lonesome when you sing that way," wailed the Little +Colonel. "I just can't 'tand it! Mom Beck, is my mothah's heart all +broken? Is that why she is sick so much, and will it kill her suah +'nuff?" + +"Who's been tellin' you such nonsense?" asked the woman, sharply. + +"Some ladies at the hotel were talkin' about it. They said that +gran'fathah didn't love her any moah, an' it was just a-killin' her." +Mom Beck frowned fiercely. + +The child's grief was so deep and intense that she did not know just +how to quiet her. Then she said, decidedly, "Well, if that's all that's +a-troublin' you, you can jus' get down an' walk home on yo' own laigs. +Yo' mamma's a-grievin' 'cause yo' papa has to be away all the time. +She's all wo'n out, too, with the work of movin', when she's nevah been +used to doin' anything. But her heart isn't broke any moah'n my neck +is." + +The positive words and the decided toss Mom Beck gave her head settled +the matter for the Little Colonel. She wiped her eyes and stood up much +relieved. + +"Don't you nevah go to worryin' 'bout what you heahs," continued the +woman. "I tell you p'intedly you cyarnt nevah b'lieve what you heahs." + +"Why doesn't gran'fathah love my mothah?" asked the child, as they came +in sight of the cottage. She had puzzled over the knotty problem all the +way home. "How can papas not love their little girls?" + +"'Cause he's stubbo'n," was the unsatisfactory answer. "All the Lloyds +is. Yo' mamma's stubbo'n, an' you's stubbo'n--" + +"I'm not!" shrieked the Little Colonel, stamping her foot. "You sha'n't +call me names!" + +Then she saw a familiar white hand waving to her from the hammock, and +she broke away from Mom Beck with very red cheeks and very bright eyes. + +Cuddled close in her mother's arms, she had a queer feeling that she had +grown a great deal older in that short afternoon. + +Maybe she had. For the first time in her little life she kept her +troubles to herself, and did not once mention the thought that was +uppermost in her mind. + +"Yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah is comin' this mawnin'," said Mom Beck, the +day after their visit to the hotel. "Do fo' goodness' sake keep yo'self +clean. I'se got too many spring chickens to dress to think 'bout +dressin' you up again." + +"Did I evah see her befo'?" questioned the Little Colonel. + +"Why, yes, the day we moved heah. Don't you know she came and stayed so +long, and the rockah broke off the little white rockin'-chair when she +sat down in it?" + +"Oh, now I know!" laughed the child. "She's the big fat one with curls +hangin' round her yeahs like shavin's. I don't like her, Mom Beck. She +keeps a-kissin' me all the time, an' a-'queezin' me, an' tellin' me to +sit on her lap an' be a little lady. Mom Beck, I de'pise to be a little +lady." + +There was no answer to her last remark. Mom Beck had stepped into the +pantry for more eggs for the cake she was making. + +"Fritz," said the Little Colonel, "yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah's comin' +this mawnin', an' if you don't want to say 'howdy' to her you'll have to +come with me." + +A few minutes later a resolute little figure squeezed between the +palings of the garden fence down by the gooseberry bushes. + +"Now walk on your tiptoes, Fritz!" commanded the Little Colonel, "else +somebody will call us back." + +Mom Beck, busy with her extra baking, supposed she was with her mother +on the shady, vine-covered porch. + +She would not have been singing quite so gaily if she could have seen +half a mile up the road. + +The Little Colonel was sitting in the weeds by the railroad track, +deliberately taking off her shoes and stockings. + +"Just like a little niggah," she said, delightedly, as she stretched out +her bare feet. "Mom Beck says I ought to know bettah. But it does feel +so good!" + +No telling how long she might have sat there enjoying the forbidden +pleasure of dragging her rosy toes through the warm dust, if she had not +heard a horse's hoof-beats coming rapidly along. + +"Fritz, it's gran'fathah," she whispered, in alarm, recognizing the +erect figure of the rider in its spotless suit of white duck. + +"Sh! lie down in the weeds, quick! Lie down, I say!" They both made +themselves as flat as possible, and lay there panting with the exertion +of keeping still. + +Presently the Little Colonel raised her head cautiously. + +"Oh, he's gone down that lane!" she exclaimed. "Now you can get up." +After a moment's deliberation she asked, "Fritz, would you rathah have +some 'trawberries an' be tied up fo' runnin' away, or not be tied up and +not have any of those nice tas'en 'trawberries?" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Two hours later, Colonel Lloyd, riding down the avenue under the +locusts, was surprised by a novel sight on his stately front steps. + +Three little darkies and a big flop-eared hound were crouched on the +bottom step, looking up at the Little Colonel, who sat just above them. + +She was industriously stirring something in an old rusty pan with a big, +battered spoon. + +"Now, May Lilly," she ordered, speaking to the largest and blackest of +the group, "you run an' find some nice 'mooth pebbles to put in for +raisins. Henry Clay, you go get me some moah sand. This is 'most too +wet." + +"Here, you little pickaninnies!" roared the Colonel, as he recognized +the cook's children. "What did I tell you about playing around here, +tracking dirt all over my premises? You just chase back to the cabin +where you belong!" + +The sudden call startled Lloyd so that she dropped the pan, and the +great mud pie turned upside down on the white steps. + +"Well, you're a pretty sight!" said the Colonel, as he glanced with +disgust from her soiled dress and muddy hands to her bare feet. + +He had been in a bad humour all morning. The sight of the steps covered +with sand and muddy tracks gave him an excuse to give vent to his cross +feelings. + +It was one of his theories that a little girl should always be kept as +fresh and dainty as a flower. He had never seen his own little daughter +in such a plight as this, and she had never been allowed to step outside +of her own room without her shoes and stockings. + +"What does your mother mean," he cried, savagely, "by letting you run +barefooted around the country just like poor white trash? An' what are +you playing with low-flung niggers for? Haven't you ever been taught any +better? I suppose it's some of your father's miserable Yankee notions." + +May Lilly, peeping around the corner of the house, rolled her frightened +eyes from one angry face to the other. The same temper that glared from +the face of the man, sitting erect in his saddle, seemed to be burning +in the eyes of the child, who stood so defiantly before him. The same +kind of scowl drew their eyebrows together darkly. + +"Don't you talk that way to me," cried the Little Colonel, trembling +with a wrath she did not know how to express. + +Suddenly she stooped, and snatching both hands full of mud from the +overturned pie, flung it wildly over the spotless white coat. + +Colonel Lloyd gasped with astonishment. It was the first time in his +life he had ever been openly defied. The next moment his anger gave way +to amusement. + +"By George!" he chuckled, admiringly. "The little thing has got spirit, +sure enough. She's a Lloyd through and through. So that's why they call +her the 'Little Colonel,' is it?" + +There was a tinge of pride in the look he gave her haughty little head +and flashing eyes. "There, there, child!" he said, soothingly. "I didn't +mean to make you mad, when you were good enough to come and see me. It +isn't often I have a little lady like you pay me a visit." + +"I didn't come to see you, suh," she answered, indignantly, as she +started toward the gate. "I came to see May Lilly. But I nevah would +have come inside yo' gate if I'd known you was goin' to hollah at me an' +be so cross." + +She was walking off with the air of an offended queen, when the Colonel +remembered that if he allowed her to go away in that mood she would +probably never set foot on his grounds again. Her display of temper had +interested him immensely. + +Now that he had laughed off his ill humour, he was anxious to see what +other traits of character she possessed. He wheeled his horse across the +walk to bar her way, and quickly dismounted. + +"Oh, now, wait a minute," he said, in a coaxing tone. "Don't you want +a nice big saucer of strawberries and cream before you go? Walker's +picking some now. And you haven't seen my hothouse. It's just full of +the loveliest flowers you ever saw. You like roses, don't you, and pinks +and lilies and pansies?" + +He saw he had struck the right chord as soon as he mentioned the +flowers. The sullen look vanished as if by magic. Her face changed as +suddenly as an April day. + +"Oh, yes!" she cried, with a beaming smile. "I loves 'm bettah than +anything!" + +He tied his horse, and led the way to the conservatory. He opened the +door for her to pass through, and then watched her closely to see what +impression it would make on her. He had expected a delighted exclamation +of surprise, for he had good reason to be proud of his rare plants. They +were arranged with a true artist's eye for colour and effect. + +She did not say a word for a moment, but drew a long breath, while the +delicate pink in her cheeks deepened and her eyes lighted up. Then she +began going slowly from flower to flower, laying her face against the +cool, velvety purple of the pansies, touching the roses with her lips, +and tilting the white lily-cups to look into their golden depths. + +As she passed from one to another as lightly as a butterfly might have +done, she began chanting in a happy undertone. + +Ever since she had learned to talk she had a quaint little way of +singing to herself. All the names that pleased her fancy she strung +together in a crooning melody of her own. + +There was no special tune. It sounded happy, although nearly always in a +minor key. + +"Oh, the jonquils an' the lilies!" she sang. "All white an' gold an' +yellow. Oh, they're all a-smilin' at me, an' a-sayin' howdy! howdy!" + +She was so absorbed in her intense enjoyment that she forgot all about +the old Colonel. She was wholly unconscious that he was watching or +listening. + +"She really does love them," he thought, complacently. "To see her face +one would think she had found a fortune." + +It was another bond between them. + +After awhile he took a small basket from the wall, and began to fill it +with his choicest blooms. "You shall have these to take home," he said. +"Now come into the house and get your strawberries." + +She followed him reluctantly, turning back several times for one more +long sniff of the delicious fragrance. + +She was not at all like the Colonel's ideal of what a little girl +should be, as she sat in one of the high, stiff chairs, enjoying her +strawberries. Her dusty little toes wriggled around in the curls on +Fritz's back, as she used him for a footstool. Her dress was draggled +and dirty, and she kept leaning over to give the dog berries and cream +from the spoon she was eating with herself. + +He forgot all this, however, when she began to talk to him. + +"My great-aunt Sally Tylah is to our house this mawnin'," she announced, +confidentially. "That's why we came off. Do you know my Aunt Sally +Tylah?" + +"Well, slightly!" chuckled the Colonel. "She was my wife's half-sister. +So you don't like her, eh? Well, I don't like her either." + +He threw back his head and laughed heartily. The more the child talked +the more entertaining he found her. He did not remember when he had ever +been so amused before as he was by this tiny counterpart of himself. + +When the last berry had vanished, she slipped down from the tall chair. + +"Do you 'pose it's very late?" she asked, in an anxious voice. "Mom Beck +will be comin' for me soon." + +"Yes, it is nearly noon," he answered. "It didn't do much good to run +away from your Aunt Tyler; she'll see you after all." + +"Well, she can't 'queeze me an' kiss me, 'cause I've been naughty, an' +I'll be put to bed like I was the othah day, just as soon as I get home. +I 'most wish I was there now," she sighed. "It's so fa' an' the sun's so +hot. I lost my sunbonnet when I was comin' heah, too." + +Something in the tired, dirty face prompted the old Colonel to say, +"Well, my horse hasn't been put away yet. I'll take you home on Maggie +Boy." + +The next moment he repented making such an offer, thinking what +the neighbours might say if they should meet him on the road with +Elizabeth's child in his arm. + +But it was too late. He could not unclasp the trusting little hand that +was slipped in his. He could not cloud the happiness of the eager little +face by retracting his promise. + +He swung himself into the saddle, with her in front. Then he put his +one arm around her with a firm clasp, as he reached forward to take the +bridle. + +"You couldn't take Fritz on behin', could you?" she asked, anxiously. +"He's mighty ti'ed too." + +"No," said the Colonel, with a laugh. "Maggie Boy might object and throw +us all off." + +Hugging her basket of flowers close in her arms, she leaned her head +against him contentedly as they cantered down the avenue. + +"Look!" whispered all the locusts, waving their hands to each other +excitedly. "Look! The master has his own again. The dear old times are +coming back to us." + +"How the trees blow!" exclaimed the child, looking up at the green arch +overhead. "See! They's all a-noddin' to each othah." "We'll have to get +my shoes an' 'tockin's," she said, presently, when they were nearly +home. "They're in that fence cawnah behin' a log." + +The Colonel obediently got down and handed them to her. As he mounted +again he saw a carriage coming toward them. He recognized one of his +nearest neighbours. Striking the astonished Maggie Boy with his spur, +he turned her across the railroad track, down the steep embankment, and +into an unfrequented lane. + +"This road is just back of your garden," he said. "Can you get through +the fence if I take you there?" + +"That's the way we came out," was the answer. "See that hole where the +palin's are off?" + +Just as he was about to lift her down, she put one arm around his neck, +and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Good-bye, gran'fatha'," she said, +in her most winning way. "I've had a mighty nice time." Then she added, +in a lower tone, "'Kuse me fo' throwin' mud on yo' coat." + +He held her close a moment, thinking nothing had ever before been half +so sweet as the way she called him grandfather. + +From that moment his heart went out to her as it had to little Tom and +Elizabeth. It made no difference if her mother had forfeited his love. +It made no difference if Jack Sherman was her father, and that the two +men heartily hated each other. + +It was his own little grandchild he held in his arms. + +She had sealed the relationship with a trusting kiss. + +"Child," he said, huskily, "you will come and see me again, won't you, +no matter if they do tell you not to? You shall have all the flowers and +berries you want, and you can ride Maggie Boy as often as you please." + +She looked up into his face. It was very familiar to her. She had looked +at his portrait often, unconsciously recognizing a kindred spirit that +she longed to know. + +Her ideas of grandfathers, gained from stories and observation, led her +to class them with fairy godmothers. She had always wished for one. + +The day they moved to Lloydsborough, Locust had been pointed out to her +as her grandfather's home. From that time on she slipped away with +Fritz on every possible occasion to peer through the gate, hoping for a +glimpse of him. + +"Yes, I'll come suah!" she promised. "I likes you just lots, +gran'fathah!" He watched her scramble through the hole in the fence. +Then he turned his horse's head slowly homeward. + +A scrap of white lying on the grass attracted his attention as he neared +the gate. + +"It's the lost sunbonnet," he said, with a smile. He carried it into the +house, and hung it on the hat-rack in the wide front hall. + +"Ole marse is crosser'n two sticks," growled Walker to the cook at +dinner. "There ain't no livin' with him. What do you s'pose is the +mattah?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +Mom Beck was busy putting lunch on the table when the Little Colonel +looked in at the kitchen door. + +So she did not see a little tramp, carrying her shoes in one hand, and a +basket in the other, who paused there a moment. But when she took up the +pan of beaten biscuit she was puzzled to find that several were missing. + +"It beats my time," she said, aloud. "The parrot couldn't have reached +them, an' Lloyd an' the dog have been in the pa'lah all mawnin'. +Somethin' has jus' natch'ly done sperrited 'em away." + +Fritz was gravely licking his lips, and the Little Colonel had her mouth +full, when they suddenly made their appearance on the front porch. + +Aunt Sally Tyler gave a little shriek, and stopped rocking. + +"Why, Lloyd Sherman!" gasped her mother, in dismay. "Where have you +been? I thought you were with Becky all the time. I was sure I heard you +singing out there a little while ago." + +"I've been to see my gran'fathah," said the child, speaking very fast. +"I made mud pies on his front 'teps, an' we both of us got mad, an' +I throwed mud on him, an' he gave me some 'trawberries an' all these +flowers, an' brought me home on Maggie Boy." + +She stopped out of breath. Mrs. Tyler and her niece exchanged astonished +glances. + +"But, baby, how could you disgrace mother so by going up there looking +like a dirty little beggar?" + +"He didn't care," replied Lloyd, calmly. "He made me promise to come +again, no mattah if you all did tell me not to." + +Just then Becky announced that lunch was ready, and carried the child +away to make her presentable. + +To Lloyd's great surprise she was not put to bed, but was allowed to go +to the table as soon as she was dressed. It was not long until she had +told every detail of the morning's experience. + +While she was taking her afternoon nap, the two ladies sat out on the +porch, gravely discussing all she had told them. + +"It doesn't seem right for me to allow her to go there," said Mrs. +Sherman, "after the way papa has treated us. I can never forgive him +for all the terrible things he has said about Jack, and I know Jack can +never be friends with him on account of what he has said about me. He +has been so harsh and unjust that I don't want my little Lloyd to have +anything to do with him. I wouldn't for worlds have him think that I +encouraged her going there." + +"Well, yes, I know," answered her aunt, slowly. "But there are some +things to consider besides your pride, Elizabeth. There's the child +herself, you know. Now that Jack has lost so much, and your prospects +are so uncertain, you ought to think of her interests. It would be a +pity for Locust to go to strangers when it has been in your family for +so many generations. That's what it certainly will do unless something +turns up to interfere. Old Judge Woodard told me himself that your +father had made a will, leaving everything he owns to some medical +institution. Imagine Locust being turned into a sanitarium or a +training-school for nurses!" + +"Dear old place!" said Mrs. Sherman, with tears in her eyes. "No one +ever had a happier childhood than I passed under these old locusts. +Every tree seems like a friend. I would be glad for Lloyd to enjoy the +place as I did." + +"I'd let her go as much as she pleases, Elizabeth. She's so much like +the old Colonel that they ought to understand each other, and get along +capitally. Who knows, it might end in you all making up some day." + +Mrs. Sherman raised her head haughtily. "No, indeed, Aunt Sally. I can +forgive and forget much, but you are greatly mistaken if you think I can +go to such lengths as that. He closed his doors against me with a curse, +for no reason on earth but that the man I loved was born north of the +Mason and Dixon line. There never was a nobler man living than Jack, +and papa would have seen it if he hadn't deliberately shut his eyes and +refused to look at him. He was just prejudiced and stubborn." + +Aunt Sally said nothing, but her thoughts took the shape of Mom Beck's +declaration, "The Lloyds is all stubborn." + +"I wouldn't go through his gate now if he got down on his knees and +begged me," continued Elizabeth, hotly. + +"It's too bad," exclaimed her aunt; "he was always so perfectly devoted +to 'little daughter,' as he used to call you. I don't like him myself. +We never could get along together at all, because he is so high-strung +and overbearing. But I know it would have made your poor mother mighty +unhappy if she could have foreseen all this." + +Elizabeth sat with the tears dropping down on her little white hands, +as her aunt proceeded to work on her sympathies in every way she could +think of. + +Presently Lloyd came out all fresh and rosy from her long nap, and went +to play in the shade of the great beech-trees that guarded the cottage. + +"I never saw a child with such influence over animals," said her mother, +as Lloyd came around the house with the parrot perched on the broom she +was carrying. "She'll walk right up to any strange dog and make friends +with it, no matter how savage-looking it is. And there's Polly, so old +and cross that she screams and scolds dreadfully if any of us go near +her. But Lloyd dresses her up in doll's clothes, puts paper bonnets on +her, and makes her just as uncomfortable as she pleases. Look! that is +one of her favourite amusements." + +The Little Colonel squeezed the parrot into a tiny doll carriage, and +began to trundle it back and forth as fast as she could run. + +"Ha! ha!" screamed the bird. "Polly is a lady! Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + +"She caught that from the washerwoman," laughed Mrs. Sherman. "I should +think the poor thing would be dizzy from whirling around so fast." + +"Quit that, chillun; stop yo' fussin'," screamed Polly, as Lloyd grabbed +her up and began to pin a shawl around her neck. She clucked angrily, +but never once attempted to snap at the dimpled fingers that squeezed +her tight. Suddenly, as if her patience was completely exhausted, she +uttered a disdainful "Oh, pshaw!" and flew up into an old cedar-tree. + +"Mothah! Polly won't play with me any moah," shrieked the child, flying +into a rage. She stamped and scowled and grew red in the face. Then she +began beating the trunk of the tree with the old broom she had been +carrying. + +"Did you ever see anything so much like the old Colonel?" said Mrs. +Tyler, in astonishment. "I wonder if she acted that way this morning." + +"I don't doubt it at all," answered Mrs. Sherman. "She'll be over it in +just a moment. These little spells never last long." + +Mrs. Sherman was right. In a few moments Lloyd came up the walk, +singing. + +"I wish you'd tell me a pink story," she said, coaxingly, as she leaned +against her mother's knee. + +"Not now, dear; don't you see that I am busy talking to Aunt Sally? Run +and ask Mom Beck for one." + +"What on earth does she mean by a pink story?" asked Mrs. Tyler. + +"Oh, she is so fond of colours. She is always asking for a pink or a +blue or a white story. She wants everything in the story tinged with +whatever colour she chooses,--dresses, parasols, flowers, sky, even the +icing on the cakes and the paper on the walls." + +"What an odd little thing she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Tyler. "Isn't she lots +of company for you?" + +She need not have asked that question if she could have seen them that +evening, sitting together in the early twilight. + +Lloyd was in her mother's lap, leaning her head against her shoulder +as they rocked slowly back and forth on the dark porch. + +There was an occasional rattle of wheels along the road, a twitter of +sleepy birds, a distant croaking of frogs. + +Mom Beck's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was stepping +briskly around. + + "Oh, the clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain. + Fa'well, my dyin' friends," + +she sang. + +Lloyd put her arms closer around her mother's neck. + +"Let's talk about Papa Jack," she said. "What you 'pose he's doin' now, +'way out West?" + +Elizabeth, feeling like a tired, homesick child herself, held her close, +and was comforted as she listened to the sweet little voice talking +about the absent father. + +The moon came up after awhile, and streamed in through the vines of +the porch. The hazel eyes slowly closed as Elizabeth began to hum an +old-time negro lullaby. + +"Wondah if she'll run away to-morrow," whispered Mom Beck, as she came +out to carry her in the house. + +"Who'd evah think now, lookin' at her pretty, innocent face, that she +could be so naughty? Bless her little soul!" + +The kind old black face was laid lovingly a moment against the fair, +soft cheek of the Little Colonel. Then she lifted her in her strong +arms, and carried her gently away to bed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Summer lingers long among the Kentucky hills. Each passing day seemed +fairer than the last to the Little Colonel, who had never before known +anything of country life. + +Roses climbed up and almost hid the small white cottage. Red birds +sang in the woodbine. Squirrels chattered in the beeches. She was +out-of-doors all day long. + +Sometimes she spent hours watching the ants carry away the sugar she +sprinkled for them. Sometimes she caught flies for an old spider that +had his den under the porch steps. "He is an ogah" (ogre), she explained +to Fritz. "He's bewitched me so's I have to kill whole families of flies +for him to eat." + +She was always busy and always happy. + +Before June was half over it got to be a common occurrence for Walker +to ride up to the gate on the Colonel's horse. The excuse was always to +have a passing word with Mom Beck. But before he rode away, the Little +Colonel was generally mounted in front of him. It was not long before +she felt almost as much at home at Locust as she did at the cottage. + +The neighbours began to comment on it after awhile. "He will surely make +up with Elizabeth at this rate," they said. But at the end of the summer +the father and daughter had not even had a passing glimpse of each +other. One day, late in September, as the Little Colonel clattered up +and down the hall with her grandfather's spur buckled on her tiny foot, +she called back over her shoulder: "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + +The Colonel paid no attention. + +"I say," she repeated, "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow." + +"Well," was the gruff response. "Why couldn't he stay where he was? I +suppose you won't want to come here any more after he gets back." + +"No, I 'pose not," she answered, so carelessly that he was conscious of +a very jealous feeling. + +"Chilluns always like to stay with their fathahs when they's nice as my +Papa Jack is." + +The old man growled something behind his newspaper that she did not +hear. He would have been glad to choke this man who had come between him +and his only child, and he hated him worse than ever when he realized +what a large place he held in Lloyd's little heart. + +She did not go back to Locust the next day, nor for weeks after that. + +She was up almost as soon as Mom Beck next morning, thoroughly enjoying +the bustle of preparation. + +She had a finger in everything, from polishing the silver to turning the +ice-cream freezer. + +Even Fritz was scrubbed till he came out of his bath with his curls all +white and shining. He was proud of himself, from his silky bangs to the +tip of his tasselled tail. + +Just before train time, the Little Colonel stuck his collar full of late +pink roses, and stood back to admire the effect. Her mother came to the +door, dressed for the evening. She wore an airy-looking dress of the +palest, softest blue. There was a white rosebud caught in her dark hair. +A bright colour, as fresh as Lloyd's own, tinged her cheeks, and the +glad light in her brown eyes made them unusually brilliant. + +Lloyd jumped up and threw her arms about her. "Oh, mothah," she cried, +"you an' Fritz is so bu'ful!" + +The engine whistled up the road at the crossing. "Come, we have just +time to get to the station," said Mrs. Sherman, holding out her hand. + +They went through the gate, down the narrow path that ran beside the +dusty road. The train had just stopped in front of the little station +when they reached it. + +A number of gentlemen, coming out from the city to spend Sunday at the +hotel, came down the steps. They glanced admiringly from the beautiful, +girlish face of the mother to the happy child dancing impatiently up and +down at her side. They could not help smiling at Fritz as he frisked +about in his imposing rose-collar. + +"Why, where's Papa Jack?" asked Lloyd, in distress, as passenger after +passenger stepped down. "Isn't he goin' to come?" + +The tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, when she saw him in the +door of the car; not hurrying along to meet them as he always used to +come, so full of life and vigour, but leaning heavily on the porter's +shoulder, looking very pale and weak. + +Lloyd looked up at her mother, from whose face every particle of colour +had faded. Mrs. Sherman gave a low, frightened cry as she sprang forward +to meet him. "Oh, Jack! what is the matter? What has happened to you?" +she exclaimed, as he took her in his arms. The train had gone on, and +they were left alone on the platform. + +"Just a little sick spell," he answered, with a smile. "We had a fire +out at the mines, and I overtaxed myself some. I've had fever ever +since, and it has pulled me down considerably." + +"I must send somebody for a carriage," she said, looking around +anxiously. + +"No, indeed," he protested. "It's only a few steps; I can walk it +as well as not. The sight of you and the baby has made me stronger +already." + +He sent a coloured boy on ahead with his valise, and they walked slowly +up the path, with Fritz running wildly around them, barking a glad +welcome. + +"How sweet and homelike it all looks!" he said, as he stepped into the +hall, where Mom Beck was just lighting the lamps. Then he sank down on +the couch, completely exhausted, and wearily closed his eyes. + +The Little Colonel looked at his white face in alarm. All the gladness +seemed to have been taken out of the homecoming. + +Her mother was busy trying to make him comfortable, and paid no +attention to the disconsolate little figure wandering about the house +alone. Mom Beck had gone for the doctor. + +The supper was drying up in the warming-oven. The ice-cream was melting +in the freezer. Nobody seemed to care. There was no one to notice the +pretty table with its array of flowers and cut glass and silver. + +When Mom Beck came back, Lloyd ate all by herself, and then sat out on +the kitchen door-step while the doctor made his visit. + +She was just going mournfully off to bed with an aching lump in her +throat, when her mother opened the door. + +"Come tell papa good-night," she said. "He's lots better now." + +She climbed up on the bed beside him, and buried her face on his +shoulder to hide the tears she had been trying to keep back all evening. + +"How the child has grown!" he exclaimed. "Do you notice, Beth, how much +plainer she talks? She does not seem at all like the baby I left last +spring. Well, she'll soon be six years old,--a real little woman. She'll +be papa's little comfort." + +The ache in her throat was all gone after that. She romped with Fritz +all the time she was undressing. + +Papa Jack was worse next morning. It was hard for Lloyd to keep quiet +when the late September sunshine was so gloriously yellow and the whole +outdoors seemed so wide awake. + +She tiptoed out of the darkened room where her father lay, and swung on +the front gate until she saw the doctor riding up on his bay horse. It +seemed to her that the day never would pass. + +Mom Beck, rustling around in her best dress ready for church, that +afternoon, took pity on the lonesome child. + +"Go get yo' best hat, honey," she said, "an' I'll take you with me." + +It was one of the Little Colonel's greatest pleasures to be allowed to +go to the coloured church. + +She loved to listen to the singing, and would sit perfectly motionless +while the sweet voices blended like the chords of some mighty organ +as they sent the old hymns rolling heavenward. Service had already +commenced by the time they took their seats. Nearly everybody in the +congregation was swaying back and forth in time to the mournful melody +of "Sinnah, sinnah, where's you boun'?" + +One old woman across the aisle began clapping her hands together, and +repeated in a singsong tone, "Oh, Lordy! I'm so happy!" + +"Why, that's just what our parrot says," exclaimed Lloyd, so much +surprised that she spoke right out loud. + +Mom Beck put her handkerchief over her mouth, and a general smile went +around. + +After that the child was very quiet until the time came to take the +collection. She always enjoyed this part of the service more than +anything else. Instead of passing baskets around, each person was +invited to come forward and lay his offering on the table. + +Woolly heads wagged, and many feet kept time to the tune: + + "Oh! I'se boun' to git to glory. + Hallelujah! Le' me go!" + +The Little Colonel proudly marched up with Mom Beck's contribution, +and then watched the others pass down the aisle. One young girl in a +gorgeously trimmed dress paraded up to the table several times, singing +at the top of her voice. + +"Look at that good-fo'-nothin' Lize Richa'ds," whispered Mom Beck's +nearest neighbour, with a sniff. "She done got a nickel changed into +pennies so she could ma'ch up an' show herself five times." + +It was nearly sundown when they started home. A tall coloured man, +wearing a high silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane, joined them on +the way out. + +"Howdy, Sistah Po'tah," he said, gravely shaking hands. "That was a fine +disco'se we had the pleasuah of listenin' to this evenin'." + +"'Deed it was, Brothah Fostah," she answered. "How's all up yo' way?" + +The Little Colonel, running on after a couple of white butterflies, paid +no attention to the conversation until she heard her own name mentioned. + +"Mistah Sherman came home last night, I heah." + +"Yes, but not to stay long, I'm afraid. He's a mighty sick man, if I'm +any judge. He's down with fevah,--regulah typhoid. He doesn't look to me +like he's long for this world. What's to become of poah Miss 'Lizabeth +if that's the case, is moah'n I know." "We mustn't cross the bridge till +we come to it, Sistah Po'tah," he suggested. + +"I know that; but a lookin'-glass broke yeste'day mawnin' when nobody +had put fingah on it. An' his picture fell down off the wall while I was +sweepin' the pa'lah. Pete said his dawg done howl all night last night, +an' I've dremp three times hand runnin' 'bout muddy watah." + +Mom Beck felt a little hand clutch her skirts, and turned to see a +frightened little face looking anxiously up at her. + +"Now, what's the mattah with you, honey?" she asked. "I'm only a-tellin' +Mistah Fostah about some silly old signs my mammy used to believe in. +But they don't mean nothin' at all." + +Lloyd couldn't have told why she was unhappy. She had not understood all +that Mom Beck had said, but her sensitive little mind was shadowed by a +foreboding of trouble. + +The shadow deepened as the days passed. Papa Jack got worse instead of +better. There were times when he did not recognize any one, and talked +wildly of things that had happened out at the mines. + +All the long, beautiful October went by, and still he lay in the +darkened room. Lloyd wandered listlessly from place to place, trying to +keep out of the way, and to make as little trouble as possible. + +"I'm a real little woman now," she repeated, proudly, whenever she was +allowed to pound ice or carry fresh water. "I'm papa's little comfort." + +One cold, frosty evening she was standing in the hall, when the doctor +came out of the room and began to put on his overcoat. + +Her mother followed him to take his directions for the night. + +He was an old friend of the family's. Elizabeth had climbed on his knees +many a time when she was a child. She loved this faithful, white-haired +old doctor almost as dearly as she had her father. + +"My daughter," he said, kindly, laying his hand on her shoulder, "you +are wearing yourself out, and will be down yourself if you are not +careful. You must have a professional nurse. No telling how long this is +going to last. As soon as Jack is able to travel you must have a change +of climate." + +Her lips trembled. "We can't afford it, doctor," she said. "Jack has +been too sick from the very first to talk about business. He always said +a woman should not be worried with such matters, anyway. I don't know +what arrangements he has made out West. For all I know, the little +I have in my purse now may be all that stands between us and the +poorhouse." + +The doctor drew on his gloves. + +"Why don't you tell your father how matters are?" he asked. + +Then he saw he had ventured a step too far. + +"I believe Jack would rather die than take help from his hands," she +answered, drawing herself up proudly. Her eyes flashed. "I would, too, +as far as I am concerned myself." + +Then a tender look came over her pale, tired face, as she added, gently, +"But I'd do anything on earth to help Jack get well." + +The doctor cleared his throat vigorously, and bolted out with a +gruff good night. As he rode past Locust, he took solid satisfaction in +shaking his fist at the light in an upper window. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The Little Colonel followed her mother to the dining-room, but paused +on the threshold as she saw her throw herself into Mom Beck's arms and +burst out crying. + +"Oh, Becky!" she sobbed, "what is going to become of us? The doctor says +we must have a professional nurse, and we must go away from here soon. +There are only a few dollars left in my purse, and I don't know what +we'll do when they are gone. I just know Jack is going to die, and then +I'll die, too, and then what will become of the baby?" Mom Beck sat +down, and took the trembling form in her arms. + +"There, there!" she said, soothingly, "have yo' cry out. It will do you +good. Poah chile! all wo'n out with watchin' an' worry. Ne'm min', ole +Becky is as good as a dozen nuhses yet. I'll get Judy to come up an' +look aftah the kitchen. An' nobody ain' gwine to die, honey. Don't you +go to slayin' all you's got befo' you's called on to do it. The good +Lawd is goin' to pahvide fo' us same as Abraham." + +The last Sabbath's sermon was still fresh in her mind. + +"If we only hold out faithful, there's boun' to be a ram caught by +the hawns some place, even if we haven't got eyes to see through the +thickets. The Lawd will pahvide whethah it's a burnt offerin' or a +meal's vittles. He sho'ly will." Lloyd crept away frightened. It seemed +such an awful thing to see her mother cry. + +All at once her bright, happy world had changed to such a strange, +uncertain place. She felt as if all sorts of terrible things were about +to happen. + +She went into the parlour, and crawled into a dark corner under the +piano, feeling that there was no place to go for comfort, since the +one who had always kissed away her little troubles was so heart-broken +herself. + +There was a patter of soft feet across the carpet, and Fritz poked his +sympathetic nose into her face. She put her arms around him, and laid +her head against his curly back with a desolate sob. + +It is pitiful to think how much imaginative children suffer through +their wrong conception of things. She had seen the little roll of bills +in her mother's pocketbook. She had seen how much smaller it grew every +time it was taken out to pay for the expensive wines and medicines that +had to be bought so often. She had heard her mother tell the doctor that +was all that stood between them and the poorhouse. + +There was no word known to the Little Colonel that brought such, +thoughts of horror as the word poorhouse. + +Her most vivid recollection of her life in New York was something that +happened a few weeks before they left there. One day in the park she ran +away from the maid, who, instead of Mom Beck, had taken charge of her +that afternoon. + +When the angry woman found her, she frightened her almost into a spasm +by telling her what always happened to naughty children who ran away. + +"They take all their pretty clothes off," she said, "and dress them up +in old things made of bed-ticking. Then they take 'm to the poorhouse, +where nobody but beggars live. They don't have anything to eat but +cabbage and corndodger, and they have to eat that out of tin pans. And +they just have a pile of straw to sleep in." + +On their way home she had pointed out to the frightened child a poor +woman who was grubbing in an ash-barrel. + +"That's the way people get to look who live in poorhouses," she said. + +It was this memory that was troubling the Little Colonel now. + +"Oh, Fritz!" she whispered, with the tears running down her cheeks, "I +can't beah to think of my pretty mothah goin' there. That woman's +eyes were all red, an' her hair was jus' awful. She was so bony an' +stahved-lookin'. It would jus' kill poah Papa Jack to lie on straw an' +eat out of a tin pan. I know it would!" + +When Mom Beck opened the door, hunting her, the room was so dark that +she would have gone away if the dog had not come running out from under +the piano. + +"You heah, too, chile?" she asked, in surprise. "I have to go down now +an' see if I can get Judy to come help to-morrow. Do you think you can +undress yo'self to-night?" + +"Of co'se," answered the Little Colonel. Mom Beck was in such a hurry to +be off that she did not notice the tremble in the voice that answered +her. + +"Well, the can'le is lit in yo' room. So run along now like a nice +little lady, an' don't bothah yo' mamma. She got her hands full +already." + +"All right," answered the child. + +A quarter of an hour later she stood in her little white nightgown with +her hand on the door-knob. + +She opened the door just a crack and peeped in. Her mother laid her +finger on her lips, and beckoned silently. In another instant Lloyd was +in her lap. She had cried herself quiet in the dark corner under the +piano; but there was something more pathetic in her eyes than tears. It +was the expression of one who understood and sympathized. + +"Oh, mothah," she whispered, "we does have such lots of troubles." + +"Yes, chickabiddy, but I hope they will soon be over now," was the +answer, as the anxious face tried to smile bravely for the child's sake, +"Papa is sleeping so nicely now he is sure to be better in the morning." + +That comforted the Little Colonel some, but for days she was haunted by +the fear of the poorhouse. + +Every time her mother paid out any money she looked anxiously to see how +much was still left. She wandered about the place, touching the trees +and vines with caressing hands, feeling that she might soon have to +leave them. + +She loved them all so dearly,--every stick and stone, and even the +stubby old snowball bushes that never bloomed. + +Her dresses were outgrown and faded, but no one had any time or thought +to spend on getting her new ones. A little hole began to come in the toe +of each shoe. + +She was still wearing her summer sunbonnet, although the days were +getting frosty. + +She was a proud little thing. It mortified her for any one to see her +looking so shabby. Still she uttered no word of complaint, for fear of +lessening the little amount in the pocketbook that her mother had said +stood between them and the poorhouse. + +She sat with her feet tucked under her when any one called. + +"I wouldn't mind bein' a little beggah so much myself," she thought, +"but I jus' can't have my bu'ful sweet mothah lookin' like that awful +red-eyed woman." + +One day the doctor called Mrs. Sherman out into the hall. "I have just +come from your father's," he said. "He is suffering from a severe attack +of rheumatism. He is confined to his room, and is positively starving +for company. He told me he would give anything in the world to have his +little grandchild with him. There were tears in his eyes when he said +it, and that means a good deal from him. He fairly idolizes her. The +servants have told him she mopes around and is getting thin and pale. He +is afraid she will come down with the fever, too. He told me to use any +stratagem I liked to get her there. But I think it's better to tell you +frankly how matters stand. It will do the child good to have a change, +Elizabeth, and I solemnly think you ought to let her go, for a week at +least." + +"But, doctor, she has never been away from me a single night in her +life. She'd die of homesickness, and I know she'll never consent to +leave me. Then suppose Jack should get worse--" + +"We'll suppose nothing of the kind," he interrupted, brusquely. "Tell +Becky to pack up her things. Leave Lloyd to me. I'll get her consent +without any trouble." + +"Come, Colonel," he called, as he left the house. "I'm going to take you +a little ride." + +No one ever knew what the kind old fellow said to her to induce her to +go to her grandfather's. + +She came back from her ride looking brighter than she had in a long +time. She felt that in some way, although in what way she could not +understand, her going would help them to escape the dreaded poorhouse. + +"Don't send Mom Beck with me," she pleaded, when the time came to start. +"You come with me, mothah." + +Mrs. Sherman had not been past the gate for weeks, but she could not +refuse the coaxing hands that clung to hers. + +It was a dull, dreary day. There was a chilling hint of snow in the damp +air. The leaves whirled past them with a mournful rustling. + +Mrs. Sherman turned up the collar of Lloyd's cloak. + +"You must have a new one soon," she said, with a sigh. "Maybe one of +mine could be made over for you. And those poor little shoes! I must +think to send to town for a new pair." + +The walk was over so soon. The Little Colonel's heart beat fast as they +came in sight of the gate. She winked bravely to keep back the tears; +for she had promised the doctor not to let her mother see her cry. + +A week seemed such a long time to look forward to. + +She clung to her mother's neck, feeling that she could never give her up +so long. + +"Tell me good-bye, baby dear," said Mrs. Sherman, feeling that she could +not trust herself to stay much longer. "It is too cold for you to stand +here. Run on, and I'll watch you till you get inside the door." + +The Little Colonel started bravely down the avenue, with Fritz at her +heels. Every few steps she turned to look back and kiss her hand. + +Mrs. Sherman watched her through a blur of tears. It had been nearly +seven years since she had last stood at that old gate. Such a crowd of +memories came rushing up! + +She looked again. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief as the +Little Colonel and Fritz went up the steps. Then the great front door +closed behind them. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +That early twilight hour just before the lamps were lit was the +lonesomest one the Little Colonel had ever spent. + +Her grandfather was asleep up-stairs. There was a cheery wood fire +crackling on the hearth of the big fireplace in the hall, but the great +house was so still. The corners were full of shadows. + +She opened the front door with a wild longing to run away. + +"Come, Fritz," she said, closing the door softly behind her, "let's go +down to the gate." + +The air was cold. She shivered as they raced along under the bare +branches of the locusts. She leaned against the gate, peering out +through the bars. The road stretched white through the gathering +darkness in the direction of the little cottage. + +"Oh, I want to go home so bad!" she sobbed. "I want to see my mothah." + +She laid her hand irresolutely on the latch, pushed the gate ajar, and +then hesitated. + +"No, I promised the doctah I'd stay," she thought. "He said I could help +mothah and Papa Jack, both of 'em, by stayin' heah, an' I'll do it." + +Fritz, who had pushed himself through the partly opened gate to rustle +around among the dead leaves outside, came bounding back with something +in his mouth. + +"Heah, suh!" she called. "Give it to me!" He dropped a small gray kid +glove in her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's mothah's!" she cried. "I +reckon she dropped it when she was tellin' me good-bye. Oh, you deah old +dog fo' findin' it." + +She laid the glove against her cheek as fondly as if it had been her +mother's soft hand. There was something wonderfully comforting in the +touch. + +As they walked slowly back toward the house she rolled it up and put it +lovingly away in her tiny apron pocket. + +All that week it was a talisman whose touch helped the homesick little +soul to be brave and womanly. + +When Maria, the coloured housekeeper, went into the hall to light the +lamps, the Little Colonel was sitting on the big fur rug in front of the +fire, talking contentedly to Fritz, who lay with his curly head in her +lap. + +"You all's goin' to have tea in the Cun'ls room to-night," said Maria. +"He tole me to tote it up soon as he rung the bell." + +"There it goes now," cried the child, jumping up from the rug. + +She followed Maria up the wide stairs. The Colonel was sitting in a +large easy chair, wrapped in a gaily flowered dressing-gown, that made +his hair look unusually white by contrast. + +His dark eyes were intently watching the door. As it opened to let the +Little Colonel pass through, a very tender smile lighted up his stern +face. + +"So you did come to see grandpa after all," he cried, triumphantly. +"Come here and give me a kiss. Seems to me you've been staying away a +mighty long time." + +As she stood beside him with his arm around her, Walker came in with a +tray full of dishes. "We're going to have a regular little tea-party," +said the Colonel. + +Lloyd watched with sparkling eyes as Walker set out the rare +old-fashioned dishes. There was a fat little silver sugar-bowl with a +butterfly perched on each side to form the handles, and there was a +slim, graceful cream-pitcher shaped like a lily. + +"They belonged to your great-great-grandmother," said the Colonel, "and +they're going to be yours some day if you grow up and have a house of +your own." + +The expression on her beaming face was worth a fortune to the Colonel. + +When Walker pushed her chair up to the table, she turned to her +grandfather with shining eyes. + +"Oh, it's just like a pink story," she cried, clapping her hands. "The +shades on the can'les, the icin' on the cake, an' the posies in the +bowl,--why, even the jelly is that colah, too. Oh, my darlin' little +teacup! It's jus' like a pink rosebud. I'm so glad I came!" + +The Colonel smiled at the success of his plan. In the depths of his +satisfaction he even had a plate of quail and toast set down on the +hearth for Fritz. + +"This is the nicest pahty I evah was at," remarked the Little Colonel, +as Walker helped her to jam the third time. + +Her grandfather chuckled. + +"Blackberry jam always makes me think of Tom," he said. "Did you ever +hear what your Uncle Tom did when he was a little fellow in dresses?" + +She shook her head gravely. + +"Well, the children were all playing hide-and-seek one day. They hunted +high and they hunted low after everybody else had been caught, but they +couldn't find Tom. At last they began to call, 'Home free! You can come +home free!' but he did not come. When he had been hidden so long they +were frightened about him, they went to their mother and told her he +wasn't to be found anywhere. She looked down the well and behind the +fire-boards in the fireplaces. They called and called till they were out +of breath. Finally she thought of looking in the big dark pantry where +she kept her fruit. There stood Mister Tom. He had opened a jar of +blackberry jam, and was just going for it with both hands. The jam was +all over his face and hair and little gingham apron, and even up his +wrists. He was the funniest sight I ever saw." + +The Little Colonel laughed heartily at his description, and begged for +more stories. Before he knew it he was back in the past with his little +Tom and Elizabeth. + +Nothing could have entertained the child more than these scenes he +recalled of her mother's childhood. + +"All her old playthings are up in the garret," he said, as they rose +from the table. "I'll have them brought down to-morrow. There's a doll +I brought her from New Orleans once when she was about your size. No +telling what it looks like now, but it was a beauty when it was new." + +Lloyd clapped her hands and spun around the room like a top. + +"Oh, I'm so glad I came!" she exclaimed for the third time. "What did +she call the doll, gran'fathah, do you remembah?" + +"I never paid much attention to such things," he answered, "but I +do remember the name of this one, because she named it for her +mother,--Amanthis." + +"Amanthis," repeated the child, dreamily, as she leaned against his +knee. "I think that is a lovely name, gran'fathah. I wish they had +called me that." She repeated it softly several times. "It sounds like +the wind a-blowin' through white clovah, doesn't it?" + +"It is a beautiful name to me, my child," answered the old man, laying +his hand tenderly on her soft hair, "but not so beautiful as the woman +who bore it. She was the fairest flower of all Kentucky. There never was +another lived as sweet and gentle as your Grandmother Amanthis." + +He stroked her hair absently, and gazed into the fire. He scarcely +noticed when she slipped away from him. + +She buried her face a moment in the bowl of pink roses. Then she went +to the window and drew back the curtain. Leaning her head against the +window-sill, she began stringing on the thread of a tune the things that +just then thrilled her with a sense of their beauty. + +"Oh, the locus'-trees a-blowin'," she sang, softly. "An' the moon +a-shinin' through them. An' the starlight an' pink roses; an' +Amanthis--an' Amanthis!" + +She hummed it over and over until Walker had finished carrying the +dishes away. + +It was a strange thing that the Colonel's unfrequent moods of tenderness +were like those warm days that they call weather-breeders. + +They were sure to be followed by a change of atmosphere. This time as +the fierce rheumatic pain came back he stormed at Walker, and scolded +him for everything he did and everything he left undone. + +When Maria came up to put Lloyd to bed, Fritz was tearing around the +room barking at his shadow. + +"Put that dog out, M'ria!" roared the Colonel, almost crazy with its +antics. "Take it down-stairs, and put it out of the house, I say! Nobody +but a heathen would let a dog sleep in the house, anyway." + +The homesick feeling began to creep over Lloyd again. She had expected +to keep Fritz in her room at night for company. But for the touch of the +little glove in her pocket, she would have said something ugly to her +grandfather when he spoke so harshly. + +His own ill humour was reflected in her scowl as she followed Maria down +the stairs to drive Fritz out into the dark. They stood a moment in the +open door, after Maria had slapped him with her apron to make him go off +the porch. + +"Oh, look at the new moon!" cried Lloyd, pointing to the slender +crescent in the autumn sky. + +"I'se feared to, honey," answered Maria, "less I should see it through +the trees. That 'ud bring me bad luck for a month, suah. I'll go out on +the lawn where it's open, an' look at it ovah my right shouldah." + +While they were walking backward down the path, intent on reaching a +place where they could have an uninterrupted view of the moon, Fritz +sneaked around to the other end of the porch. + +No one was watching. He slipped into the house as noiselessly as his +four soft feet could carry him. + +Maria, going through the dark upper hall, with a candle held high above +her head and Lloyd clinging to her skirts, did not see a tasselled tail +swinging along in front of her. It disappeared under the big bed when +she led Lloyd into the room next the old Colonel's. + +The child felt very sober while she was being put to bed. + +The furniture was heavy and dark. An ugly portrait of a cross old man in +a wig frowned at her from over the mantel. The dancing firelight made +his eyes frightfully lifelike. + +The bed was so high she had to climb on a chair to get in. She heard +Maria's heavy feet go shuffling down the stairs. A door banged. Then it +was so still she could hear the clock tick in the next room. + +It was the first time in all her life that her mother had not come to +kiss her good night. Her lips quivered, and a big tear rolled down on +the pillow. + +She reached out to the chair beside her bed, where her clothes were +hanging, and felt in her apron pocket for the little glove. She sat up +in bed, and looked at it in the dim firelight. Then she held it against +her face. "Oh, I want my mothah! I want my mothah!" she sobbed, in a +heart-broken whisper. + +Laying her head on her knees, she began to cry quietly, but with great +sobs that nearly choked her. + +There was a rustling under the bed. She lifted her wet face in alarm. +Then she smiled through her tears, for there was Fritz, her own dear +dog, and not an unknown horror waiting to grab her. + +He stood on his hind legs, eagerly trying to lap away her tears with his +friendly red tongue. + +She clasped him in her arms with an ecstatic hug. "Oh, you're such a +comfort!" she whispered. "I can go to sleep now." + +She spread her apron on the bed, and motioned him to jump. With one +spring he was beside her. + +It was nearly midnight when the door from the Colonel's room was +noiselessly opened. + +The old man stirred the fire gently until it burst into a bright flame. +Then he turned to the bed. "You rascal!" he whispered, looking at Fritz, +who raised his head quickly with a threatening look in his wicked eyes. + +Lloyd lay with one hand stretched out, holding the dog's protecting paw. +The other held something against her tear-stained cheek. + +"What under the sun!" he thought, as he drew it gently from her fingers. +The little glove lay across his hand, slim and aristocratic-looking. He +knew instinctively whose it was. "Poor little thing's been crying," he +thought. "She wants Elizabeth. And so do I! And so do I!" his heart +cried out with bitter longing. "It's never been like home since she +left." + +He laid the glove back on her pillow, and went to his room. + +"If Jack Sherman should die," he said to himself many times that night, +"then she would come home again. Oh, little daughter, little daughter! +why did you ever leave me?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +The first thing that greeted the Little Colonel's eyes when she opened +them next morning was her mother's old doll. Maria had laid it on the +pillow beside her. + +It was beautifully dressed, although in a queer, old-fashioned style +that seemed very strange to the child. + +She took it up with careful fingers, remembering its great age. Maria +had warned her not to waken her grandfather, so she admired it in +whispers. + +"Jus' think, Fritz," she exclaimed, "this doll has seen my Gran'mothah +Amanthis, an' it's named for her. My mothah wasn't any bigger'n me when +she played with it. I think it is the loveliest doll I evah saw in my +whole life." + +Fritz gave a jealous bark. + +"Sh!" commanded his little mistress. "Didn't you heah M'ria say, 'Fo' de +Lawd's sake don't wake up ole Marse?' Why don't you mind?" + +The Colonel was not in the best of humours after such a wakeful night, +but the sight of her happiness made him smile in spite of himself, when +she danced into his room with the doll. + +She had eaten an early breakfast and gone back up-stairs to examine the +other toys that were spread out in her room. + +The door between the two rooms was ajar. All the time he was dressing +and taking his coffee he could hear her talking to some one. He supposed +it was Maria. But as he glanced over his mail he heard the Little +Colonel saying, "May Lilly, do you know about Billy Goat Gruff? Do you +want me to tell you that story?" + +He leaned forward until he could look through the narrow opening of the +door. Two heads were all he could see,--Lloyd's, soft-haired and golden, +May Lilly's, covered with dozens of tightly braided little black tails. + +He was about to order May Lilly back to the cabin, when he remembered +the scene that followed the last time he had done so. He concluded to +keep quiet and listen. + +"Billy Goat Gruff was so fat," the story went on, "jus' as fat as +gran'fathah." + +The Colonel glanced up with an amused smile at the fine figure reflected +in an opposite mirror. + +"Trip-trap, trip-trap, went Billy Goat Gruff's little feet ovah the +bridge to the giant's house." + +Just at this point Walker, who was putting things in order, closed the +door between the rooms. + +"Open that door, you black rascal!" called the Colonel, furious at the +interruption. + +In his haste to obey, Walker knocked over a pitcher of water that had +been left on the floor beside the wash-stand. + +Then the Colonel yelled at him to be quick about mopping it up, so that +by the time the door was finally opened, Lloyd was finishing her story. + +The Colonel looked in just in time to see her put her hands to her +temples, with her forefingers protruding from her forehead like horns. +She said in a deep voice, as she brandished them at May Lilly, "With my +two long speahs I'll poke yo' eyeballs through yo' yeahs." The little +darky fell back giggling. "That sut'n'y was like a billy-goat. We had +one once that 'ud make a body step around mighty peart. It slip up +behine me one mawnin' on the poach, an' fo' awhile I thought my haid was +buss open suah. I got up toreckly, though, an' I cotch him, and when I +done got through, Mistah Billy-goat feel po'ly moah'n a week. He sut'n'y +did." + +Walker grinned, for he had witnessed the scene. + +Just then Maria put her head in at the door to say, "May Lilly, yo' +mammy's callin' you." + +Lloyd and Fritz followed her noisily down-stairs. Then for nearly an +hour it was very quiet in the great house. + +The Colonel, looking out of the window, could see Lloyd playing +hide-and-seek with Fritz under the bare locust-trees. When she came in +her cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air. Her eyes shone +like stars, and her face was radiant. + +"See what I've found down in the dead leaves," she cried. "A little blue +violet, bloomin' all by itself." + +She brought a tiny cup from the next room, that belonged to the set of +doll dishes, and put the violet in it. + +"There!" she said, setting it on the table at her grandfather's elbow. +"Now I'll put Amanthis in this chair, where you can look at her, an' you +won't get lonesome while I'm playing outdoors." + +He drew her toward him and kissed her. + +"Why, how cold your hands are!" he exclaimed. "Staying in this warm room +all the time makes me forget it is so wintry outdoors. I don't believe +you are dressed warmly enough. You ought not to wear sunbonnets this +time of year." + +Then for the first time he noticed her outgrown cloak and shabby shoes. + +"What are you wearing these old clothes for?" he said, impatiently. "Why +didn't they dress you up when you were going visiting? It isn't showing +proper respect to send you off in the oldest things you've got." + +It was a sore point with the Little Colonel. It hurt her pride enough to +have to wear old clothes without being scolded for it. Besides, she +felt that in some way her mother was being blamed for what could not be +helped. + +"They's the best I've got," she answered, proudly choking back the +tears. "I don't need any new ones, 'cause maybe we'll be goin' away +pretty soon." + +"Going away!" he echoed, blankly, "Where?" She did not answer until he +repeated the question. Then she turned her back on him, and started +toward the door. The tears she was too proud to let him see were running +down her face. + +"We's goin' to the poah-house," she exclaimed, defiantly, "jus' as soon +as the money in the pocketbook is used up. It was nearly gone when I +came away." + +Here she began to sob, as she fumbled at the door she could not see to +open. + +"I'm goin' home to my mothah right now. She loves me if my clothes are +old and ugly." + +"Why, Lloyd," called the Colonel, amazed and distressed by her sudden +burst of grief. "Come here to grandpa. Why didn't you tell me so +before?" + +The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her irresistibly +to him. It was a relief to lay her head on his shoulder, and unburden +herself of the fear that had haunted her so many days. + +With her arms around his neck, and the precious little head held close +to his heart, the old Colonel was in such a softened mood that he would +have promised anything to comfort her. + +"There, there," he said, soothingly, stroking her hair with a gentle +hand, when she had told him all her troubles. "Don't you worry about +that, my dear. Nobody is going to eat out of tin pans and sleep on +straw. Grandpa just won't let them." + +She sat up and wiped her eyes on her apron. "But Papa Jack would die +befo' he'd take help from you," she wailed. "An' so would mothah. I +heard her tell the doctah so." + +The tender expression on the Colonel's face changed to one like flint, +but he kept on stroking her hair. "People sometimes change their minds," +he said, grimly. "I wouldn't worry over a little thing like that if I +were you. Don't you want to run down-stairs and tell M'ria to give you +a piece of cake?" + +"Oh, yes," she exclaimed, smiling up at him. "I'll bring you some, too." + +When the first train went into Louisville that afternoon, Walker was +on board with an order in his pocket to one of the largest dry goods +establishments in the city. When he came out again, that evening, he +carried a large box into the Colonel's room. + +Lloyd's eyes shone as she looked into it. There was an elegant +fur-trimmed cloak, a pair of dainty shoes, and a muff that she caught up +with a shriek of delight. + +"What kind of a thing is this?" grumbled the Colonel, as he took out a +hat that had been carefully packed in one corner of the box. "I +told them to send the most stylish thing they had. It looks like a +scarecrow," he continued, as he set it askew on the child's head. + +She snatched it off to look at it herself. "Oh, it's jus' like Emma +Louise Wyfo'd's!" she exclaimed. "You didn't put it on straight. See! +This is the way it goes." + +She climbed up in front of the mirror, and put it on as she had seen +Emma Louise wear hers. + +"Well, it's a regular Napoleon hat," exclaimed the Colonel, much +pleased. "So little girls nowadays have taken to wearing soldier's caps, +have they? It's right becoming to you with your short hair. Grandpa is +real proud of his 'little Colonel.'" + +She gave him the military salute he had taught her, and then ran to +throw her arms around him. "Oh, gran'fathah!" she exclaimed, between her +kisses, "you'se jus' as good as Santa Claus, every bit." + +The Colonel's rheumatism was better next day; so much better that toward +evening he walked down-stairs into the long drawing-room. The room had +not been illuminated in years as it was that night. + +Every wax taper was lighted in the silver candelabra, and the dim old +mirrors multiplied their lights on every side. A great wood fire threw a +cheerful glow over the portraits and the frescoed ceiling. All the linen +covers had been taken from the furniture. + +Lloyd, who had never seen this room except with the chairs shrouded and +the blinds down, came running in presently. She was bewildered at first +by the change. Then she began walking softly around the room, examining +everything. + +In one corner stood a tall, gilded harp that her grandmother had played +in her girlhood. The heavy cover had kept it fair and untarnished +through all the years it had stood unused. To the child's beauty-loving +eyes it seemed the loveliest thing she had ever seen. + +She stood with her hands clasped behind her as her gaze wandered from +its pedals to the graceful curves of its tall frame. It shone like +burnished gold in the soft firelight. + +"Oh, gran'fathah!" she asked at last in a low, reverent tone, "where did +you get it? Did an angel leave it heah fo' you?" + +He did not answer for a moment. Then he said, huskily, as he looked up +at a portrait over the mantel, "Yes, my darling, an angel did leave it +here. She always was one. Come here to grandpa." + +He took her on his knee, and pointed up to the portrait. The same harp +was in the picture. Standing beside it, with one hand resting on its +shining strings, was a young girl all in white. + +"That's the way she looked the first time I ever saw her," said the +Colonel, dreamily. "A June rose in her hair, and another at her throat; +and her soul looked right out through those great, dark eyes--the +purest, sweetest soul God ever made! My beautiful Amanthis!" + +"My bu'ful Amanthis!" repeated the child, in an awed whisper. + +She sat gazing into the lovely young face for a long time, while the old +man seemed lost in dreams. + +"Gran'fathah," she said at length, patting his cheek to attract his +attention, and then nodding toward the portrait, "did she love my +mothah like my mothah loves me?" + +"Certainly, my dear," was the gentle reply. + +It was the twilight hour, when the homesick feeling always came back +strongest to Lloyd. + +"Then I jus' know that if my bu'ful gran'mothah Amanthis could come down +out of that frame, she'd go straight and put her arms around my mothah +an' kiss away all her sorry feelin's." + +The Colonel fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair a moment. Then to his +great relief the tea-bell rang. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +Every evening after that during Lloyd's visit the fire burned on the +hearth of the long drawing-room. All the wax candles were lighted, and +the vases were kept full of flowers, fresh from the conservatory. + +She loved to steal into the room before her grandfather came down, and +carry on imaginary conversations with the old portraits. + +Tom's handsome, boyish face had the greatest attraction for her. +His eyes looked down so smilingly into hers that she felt he surely +understood every word she said to him. Once Walker overheard her saying, +"Uncle Tom, I'm goin' to tell you a story 'bout Billy Goat Gruff." + +Peeping into the room, he saw the child looking earnestly up at the +picture, with her hands clasped behind her, as she began to repeat her +favourite story. "It do beat all," he said to himself, "how one little +chile like that can wake up a whole house. She's the life of the place." + +The last evening of her visit, as the Colonel was coming down-stairs he +heard the faint vibration of a harp-string. It was the first time Lloyd +had ever ventured to touch one. He paused on the steps opposite the +door, and looked in. + +"Heah, Fritz," she was saying, "you get up on the sofa, an' be the +company, an' I'll sing fo' you." + +Fritz, on the rug before the fire, opened one sleepy eye and closed +it again. She stamped her foot and repeated her order. He paid no +attention. Then she picked him up bodily, and, with much puffing and +pulling, lifted him into a chair. + +He waited until she had gone back to the harp, and then, with one +spring, disappeared under the sofa. + +"N'm min'," she said, in a disgusted tone. "I'll pay you back, mistah." +Then she looked up at the portrait. "Uncle Tom," she said, "you be the +company, an' I'll play fo' you." + +Her fingers touched the strings so lightly that there was no discord in +the random tones. Her voice carried the air clear and true, and the +faint trembling of the harp-strings interfered with the harmony no more +than if a wandering breeze had been tangled in them as it passed. + + "Sing me the songs that to me were so deah + Long, long ago, long ago. + Tell me the tales I delighted to heah + Long, long ago, long ago." + +The sweet little voice sang it to the end without missing a word. It was +the lullaby her mother oftenest sang to her. + +The Colonel, who had sat down on the steps to listen, wiped his eyes. + +"My 'long ago' is all that I have left to me," he thought, bitterly, +"for to-morrow this little one, who brings back my past with every word +and gesture, will leave me, too. Why can't that Jack Sherman die while +he's about it, and let me have my own back again?" + +That question recurred to him many times during the week after Lloyd's +departure. He missed her happy voice at every turn. He missed her bright +face at the table. The house seemed so big and desolate without her. He +ordered all the covers put back on the drawing-room furniture, and +the door locked as before. + +It was a happy moment for the Little Colonel when she was lifted down +from Maggie Boy at the cottage gate. + +She went dancing into the house, so glad to find herself in her mother's +arms that she forgot all about the new cloak and muff that had made her +so proud and happy. + +She found her father propped up among the pillows, his fever all gone, +and the old mischievous twinkle in his eyes. + +He admired her new clothes extravagantly, paying her joking compliments +until her face beamed; but when she had danced off to find Mom Beck, +he turned to his wife. "Elizabeth," he said, wonderingly, "what do you +suppose the old fellow gave her clothes for? I don't like it. I'm no +beggar if I have lost lots of money. After all that's passed between us +I don't feel like taking anything from his hands, or letting my child do +it, either." + +To his great surprise she laid her head down on his pillow beside his +and burst into tears. + +"Oh, Jack," she sobbed, "I spent the last dollar this morning. I wasn't +going to tell you, but I don't know what is to become of us. He gave +Lloyd those things because she was just in rags, and I couldn't afford +to get anything new." + +He looked perplexed. "Why, I brought home so much," he said, in a +distressed tone. "I knew I was in for a long siege of sickness, but I +was sure there was enough to tide us over that." + +She raised her head. "You brought money home!" she replied, in surprise. +"I hoped you had, and looked through all your things, but there was only +a little change in one of your pockets. You must have imagined it when +you were delirious." + +"What!" he cried, sitting bolt upright, and then sinking weakly back +among the pillows. "You poor child! You don't mean to tell me you have +been skimping along all these weeks on just that check I sent you before +starting home?" + +"Yes," she sobbed, her face still buried in the pillow. She had borne +the strain of continued anxiety so long that she could not stop her +tears, now they had once started. + +It was with a very thankful heart she watched him take a pack of +letters from the coat she brought to his bedside, and draw out a sealed +envelope. + +"Well, I never once thought of looking among those letters for money," +she exclaimed, as he held it up with a smile. + +His investments of the summer before had prospered beyond his greatest +hopes, he told her. "Brother Rob is looking after my interests out West, +as well as his own," he explained, "and as his father-in-law is the +grand mogul of the place, I have the inside track. Then that firm I went +security for in New York is nearly on its feet again, and I'll have back +every dollar I ever paid out for them. Nobody ever lost anything by +those men in the long run. We'll be on top again by this time next year, +little wife; so don't borrow any more trouble on that score." + +The doctor made his last visit that afternoon. It really seemed as if +there would never be any more dark days at the little cottage. + +"The clouds have all blown away and left us their silver linings," said +Mrs. Sherman the day her husband was able to go out-of-doors for the +first time. He walked down to the post-office, and brought back a letter +from the West. It had such encouraging reports of his business that +he was impatient to get back to it. He wrote a reply early in the +afternoon, and insisted on going to mail it himself. + +"I'll never get my strength back," he protested, "unless I have more +exercise." + +It was a cold, gray November day. A few flakes of snow were falling when +he started. + +"I'll stop and rest at the Tylers'," he called back, "so don't be uneasy +if I'm out some time." + +After he left the post-office the fresh air tempted him to go farther +than he had intended. At a long distance from his home his strength +seemed suddenly to desert him. The snow began to fall in earnest. Numb +with cold, he groped his way back to the house, almost fainting from +exhaustion. + +Lloyd was blowing soap-bubbles when she saw him come in and fall heavily +across the couch. The ghastly pallor of his face and his closed eyes +frightened her so that she dropped the little clay pipe she was using. +As she stooped to pick up the broken pieces, her mother's cry startled +her still more. "Lloyd, run call Becky, quick, quick! Oh, he's dying!" + +Lloyd gave one more terrified look and ran to the kitchen, screaming for +Mom Beck. No one was there. + +The next instant she was running bareheaded as fast as she could go, +up the road to Locust. She was confident of finding help there. The +snowflakes clung to her hair and blew against her soft cheeks. All she +could see was her mother wringing her hands, and her father's white +face. When she burst into the house where the Colonel sat reading by the +fire, she was so breathless at first that she could only gasp when she +tried to speak. + +"Come quick!" she cried. "Papa Jack's a-dyin'! Come stop him!" + +At her first impetuous words the Colonel was on his feet. She caught him +by the hand and led him to the door before he fully realized what she +wanted. Then he drew back. She was impatient at the slightest delay, and +only half answered his questions. + +"Oh, come, gran'fathah!" she pleaded. "Don't wait to talk!" But he held +her until he had learned all the circumstances. He was convinced by what +she told him that both Lloyd and her mother were unduly alarmed. When he +found that no one had sent for him, but that the child had come of her +own accord, he refused to go. + +He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend to step +aside one inch from the position he had taken. For seven years he had +kept the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to his daughter. He +would keep it for seventy times seven years if need be. + +She looked at him perfectly bewildered. She had been so accustomed to +his humouring her slightest whims, that it had never occurred to her he +would fail to help in a time of such distress. + +"Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously. Then her +whole expression changed. Her face grew startlingly white, and her eyes +seemed so big and black. The Colonel looked at her in surprise. He had +never seen a child in such a passion before. "I hate you! I hate you!" +she exclaimed, all in a tremble. "You's a cruel, wicked man. I'll nevah +come heah again, nevah! nevah! nevah!" + +The tears rolled down her cheeks as she banged the door behind her +and ran down the avenue, her little heart so full of grief and +disappointment that she felt she could not possibly bear it. + +For more than an hour the Colonel walked up and down the room, unable to +shut out the anger and disappointment of that little face. + +He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words. She +would never come back. He never knew until that hour how much he +loved her, or how much she had come to mean in his life. She was +gone hopelessly beyond recall, unless--He unlocked the door of the +drawing-room and went in. A faint breath of dried rose-leaves greeted +him. He walked over to the empty fireplace and looked up at the sweet +face of the portrait a long time. Then he leaned his arm on the mantel +and bowed his head on it. "Oh, Amanthis," he groaned, "tell me what to +do." + +Lloyd's own words came back to him. "She'd go right straight an' put her +arms around my mothah an' kiss away all the sorry feelin's." + +It was a long time he stood there. The battle between his love and pride +was a hard one. At last he raised his head and saw that the short winter +day was almost over. Without waiting to order his horse he started off +in the falling snow toward the cottage. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +A good many forebodings crowded into the Colonel's mind as he walked +hurriedly on. He wondered how he would be received. What if Jack Sherman +had died after all? What if Elizabeth should refuse to see him? A dozen +times before he reached the gate he pictured to himself the probable +scene of their meeting. + +He was out of breath and decidedly disturbed in mind when he walked up +the path. As he paused on the porch steps, Lloyd came running around the +house carrying her parrot on a broom. Her hair was blowing around her +rosy face under the Napoleon hat she wore, and she was singing. + +The last two hours had made a vast change in her feelings. Her father +had only fainted from exhaustion. + +When she came running back from Locust, she was afraid to go in the +house, lest what she dreaded most had happened while she was gone. She +opened the door timidly and peeped in. Her father's eyes were open. Then +she heard him speak. She ran into the room, and, burying her head in her +mother's lap, sobbed out the story of her visit to Locust. + +To her great surprise her father began to laugh, and laughed so heartily +as she repeated her saucy speech to her grandfather, that it took the +worst sting out of her disappointment. + +All the time the Colonel had been fighting his pride among the memories +of the dim old drawing-room, Lloyd had been playing with Fritz and Polly. + +Now as she came suddenly face to face with her grandfather, she dropped +the disgusted bird in the snow, and stood staring at him with startled +eyes. If he had fallen out of the sky she could not have been more +astonished. + +"Where is your mother, child?" he asked, trying to speak calmly. With +a backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of her own +sight, she led the way into the hall. + +"Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door. "Come heah, +quick!" + +The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it on the +floor, took an expectant step forward. There was a slight rustle, and +Elizabeth stood in the doorway. For just a moment they looked into each +other's faces. Then the Colonel held out his arm. + +"Little daughter," he said, in a tremulous voice. The love of a lifetime +seemed to tremble in those two words. + +In an instant her arms were around his neck, and he was "kissing away +the sorry feelin's" as tenderly as the lost Amanthis could have done. + +As soon as Lloyd began to realize what was happening, her face grew +radiant. She danced around in such excitement that Fritz barked wildly. + +"Come an' see Papa Jack, too," she cried, leading him into the next +room. + +Whatever deep-rooted prejudices Jack Sherman may have had, they were +unselfishly put aside after one look into his wife's happy face. + +He raised himself on his elbow as the dignified old soldier crossed the +room. The white hair, the empty sleeve, the remembrance of all the old +man had lost, and the thought that after all he was Elizabeth's father, +sent a very tender feeling through the younger man's heart. + +"Will you take my hand, sir?" he asked, sitting up and offering it in +his straightforward way. + +"Of co'se he will!" exclaimed Lloyd, who still clung to her +grandfather's arm. "Of co'se he will!" + +"I have been too near death to harbour ill will any longer," said the +younger man, as their hands met in a strong, forgiving clasp. + +The old Colonel smiled grimly. + +"I had thought that even death itself could not make me give in," he +said, "but I've had to make a complete surrender to the Little Colonel." +That Christmas there was such a celebration at Locust that May Lilly +and Henry Clay nearly went wild in the general excitement of the +preparation. Walker hung up cedar and holly and mistletoe till the +big house looked like a bower. Maria bustled about, airing rooms and +bringing out stores of linen and silver. + +The Colonel himself filled the great punch-bowl that his grandfather had +brought from Virginia. + +"I'm glad we're goin' to stay heah to-night," said Lloyd, as she hung up +her stocking Christmas Eve. "It will be so much easiah fo' Santa Claus +to get down these big chimneys." + +In the morning when she found four tiny stockings hanging beside her +own, overflowing with candy for Fritz, her happiness was complete. + +That night there was a tree in the drawing-room that reached to the +frescoed ceiling. When May Lilly came in to admire it and get her share +from its loaded branches, Lloyd came skipping up to her. "Oh, I'm goin' +to live heah all wintah," she cried. "Mom Beck's goin' to stay heah with +me, too, while mothah an' Papa Jack go down South where the alligatahs +live. Then when they get well an' come back, Papa Jack is goin' to build +a house on the othah side of the lawn. I'm to live in both places at +once; mothah said so." + +There were music and light, laughing voices and happy hearts in the old +home that night. It seemed as if the old place had awakened from a long +dream and found itself young again. + +The plan the Little Colonel unfolded to May Lilly was carried out in +every detail. It seemed a long winter to the child, but it was a happy +one. There were not so many displays of temper now that she was growing +older, but the letters that went southward every week were full of her +odd speeches and mischievous pranks. The old Colonel found it hard to +refuse her anything. If it had not been for Mom Beck's decided ways, the +child would have been sadly spoiled. + +At last the spring came again. The pewees sang in the cedars. The +dandelions sprinkled the roadsides like stars. The locust-trees tossed +up the white spray of their fragrant blossoms with every wave of their +green boughs. + +"They'll soon be heah! They'll soon be heah!" chanted the Little Colonel +every day. + +The morning they came she had been down the avenue a dozen times to look +for them before the carriage had even started to meet them. "Walkah," +she called, "cut me a big locus' bough. I want to wave it fo' a flag!" + +Just as he dropped a branch down at her feet, she caught the sound of +wheels. "Hurry, gran'fathah," she called; "they's comin'." But the +old Colonel had already started on toward the gate to meet them. The +carriage stopped, and in a moment more Papa Jack was tossing Lloyd up in +his arms, while the old Colonel was helping Elizabeth to alight. + +"Isn't this a happy mawnin'?" exclaimed the Little Colonel, as she +leaned from her seat on her father's shoulder to kiss his sunburned +cheek. + +"A very happy morning," echoed her grandfather, as he walked on toward +the house with Elizabeth's hand clasped close in his own. + +Long after they had passed up the steps the old locusts kept echoing +the Little Colonel's words. Years ago they had showered their fragrant +blossoms in this same path to make a sweet white way for Amanthis's +little feet to tread when the Colonel brought home his bride. + +They had dropped their tribute on the coffin-lid when Tom was carried +home under their drooping branches. The soldier-boy had loved them so, +that a little cluster had been laid on the breast of the gray coat he +wore. + +Night and day they had guarded this old home like silent sentinels that +loved it well. + +Now, as they looked down on the united family, a thrill passed through +them to their remotest bloom-tipped branches. + +It sounded only like a faint rustling of leaves, but it was the locusts +whispering together. "The children have come home at last," they +kept repeating. "What a happy morning! Oh, what a happy morning!" + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +This file should be named tlcol10.txt or tlcol10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, tlcol11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlcol10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Little Colonel + +Author: Annie Fellows Johnston + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9407] +[This file was first posted on May 28, 2004] +[Most recently updated: May 28, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +</pre> +<h3> +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger,<br> +and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders +</h3> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE LITTLE COLONEL</h1> +<h3>By Annie Fellows Johnston</h3> +<br> +<h4>1895</h4> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h3>TO ONE OF KENTUCKY'S DEAREST LITTLE DAUGHTERS</h3> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h4>The Little Colonel</h4> +<h5>HERSELF--THIS REMEMBRANCE OF A HAPPY SUMMER<br> +IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED</h5> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> +<center>[<a href="#CHAPTER_I.">I</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_III.">II</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_III.">III</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_IV.">IV</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_V.">V</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_VI.">VI</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_VII.">VII</a>] [<a href= +"#CHAPTER_VIII.">VIII</a>] [<a href="#CHAPTER_IX.">IX</a>] +[<a href="#CHAPTER_X.">X</a>]</center> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<hr style="width: 25%;"> +<center><a href="#0002.jpg">"'CAUSE I'M SO MUCH LIKE YOU,' WAS THE +STARTLING ANSWER".</a><br> +<a href="#0003.jpg">"THE SAME TEMPER SEEMED TO BE BURNING IN THE +EYES OF THE CHILD".</a><br> +<a href="#0004.jpg">"WITH THE PARROT PERCHED ON THE BROOM SHE WAS +CARRYING".</a><br> +<a href="#0005.jpg">"THE LITTLE COLONEL CLATTERED UP AND DOWN THE +HALL".</a><br> +<a href="#0006.jpg">"SINGING AT THE TOP OF HER VOICE".</a><br> +<a href="#0007.jpg">"'TELL ME GOOD-BY, BABY DEAR,' SAID MRS. +SHERMAN".</a><br> +<a href="#0008.jpg">"'AMANTHIS,' REPEATED THE CHILD +DREAMILY".</a><br> +<a href="#0009.jpg">"SHE CLIMBED UP IN FRONT OF THE +MIRROR".</a><br> +<a href="#0010.jpg">"THE SWEET LITTLE VOICE SANG IT TO THE +END".</a></center> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h1>The Little Colonel</h1> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I."></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<br> +<p>It was one of the prettiest places in all Kentucky where the +Little Colonel stood that morning. She was reaching up on tiptoes, +her eager little face pressed close against the iron bars of the +great entrance gate that led to a fine old estate known as +"Locust."</p> +<p>A ragged little Scotch and Skye terrier stood on its hind feet +beside her, thrusting his inquisitive nose between the bars, and +wagging his tasselled tail in lively approval of the scene before +them.</p> +<p>They were looking down a long avenue that stretched for nearly a +quarter of a mile between rows of stately old locust-trees.</p> +<p>At the far end they could see the white pillars of a large stone +house gleaming through the Virginia creeper that nearly covered it. +But they could not see the old Colonel in his big chair on the +porch behind the cool screen of vines.</p> +<p>At that very moment he had caught the rattle of wheels along the +road, and had picked up his field-glass to see who was passing. It +was only a coloured man jogging along in the heat and dust with a +cart full of chicken-coops. The Colonel watched him drive up a lane +that led to the back of the new hotel that had just been opened in +this quiet country place. Then his glance fell on the two small +strangers coming through his gate down the avenue toward him. One +was the friskiest dog he had ever seen in his life. The other was a +child he judged to be about five years old.</p> +<p>Her shoes were covered with dust, and her white sunbonnet had +slipped off and was hanging over her shoulders. A bunch of wild +flowers she had gathered on the way hung limp and faded in her +little warm hand. Her soft, light hair was cut as short as a +boy's.</p> +<p>There was something strangely familiar about the child, +especially in the erect, graceful way she walked.</p> +<p>Old Colonel Lloyd was puzzled. He had lived all his life in +Lloydsborough, and this was the first time he had ever failed to +recognize one of the neighbours' children. He knew every dog and +horse, too, by sight if not by name.</p> +<p>Living so far from the public road did not limit his knowledge +of what was going on in the world. A powerful field-glass brought +every passing object in plain view, while he was saved all +annoyance of noise and dust.</p> +<p>"I ought to know that child as well as I know my own name," he +said to himself. "But the dog is a stranger in these parts. +Liveliest thing I ever set eyes on! They must have come from the +hotel. Wonder what they want."</p> +<p>He carefully wiped the lens for a better view. When he looked +again he saw that they evidently had not come to visit him.</p> +<p>They had stopped half-way down the avenue, and climbed up on a +rustic seat to rest.</p> +<p>The dog sat motionless about two minutes, his red tongue hanging +out as if he were completely exhausted.</p> +<p>Suddenly he gave a spring, and bounded away through the tall +blue grass. He was back again in a moment, with a stick in his +mouth. Standing up with his fore paws in the lap of his little +mistress, he looked so wistfully into her face that she could not +refuse this invitation for a romp.</p> +<p>The Colonel chuckled as they went tumbling about in the grass to +find the stick which the child repeatedly tossed away.</p> +<p>He hitched his chair along to the other end of the porch as they +kept getting farther away from the avenue.</p> +<p>It had been many a long year since those old locust-trees had +seen a sight like that. Children never played any more under their +dignified shadows.</p> +<p>Time had been (but they only whispered this among themselves on +rare spring days like this) when the little feet chased each other +up and down the long walk, as much at home as the pewees in the +beeches.</p> +<p>Suddenly the little maid stood up straight, and began to sniff +the air, as if some delicious odour had blown across the lawn.</p> +<p>"Fritz," she exclaimed, in delight, "I 'mell 'trawberries!"</p> +<p>The Colonel, who could not hear the remark, wondered at the +abrupt pause in the game. He understood it, however, when he saw +them wading through the tall grass, straight to his strawberry bed. +It was the pride of his heart, and the finest for miles around. The +first berries of the season had been picked only the day before. +Those that now hung temptingly red on the vines he intended to send +to his next neighbour, to prove his boasted claim of always raising +the finest and earliest fruit.</p> +<p>He did not propose to have his plans spoiled by these stray +guests. Laying the field-glass in its accustomed place on the +little table beside his chair, he picked up his hat and strode down +the walk.</p> +<p>Colonel Lloyd's friends all said he looked like Napoleon, or +rather like Napoleon might have looked had he been born and bred a +Kentuckian.</p> +<p>He made an imposing figure in his suit of white duck.</p> +<p>The Colonel always wore white from May till October.</p> +<p>There was a military precision about him, from his erect +carriage to the cut of the little white goatee on his determined +chin.</p> +<p>No one looking into the firm lines of his resolute face could +imagine him ever abandoning a purpose or being turned aside when he +once formed an opinion.</p> +<p>Most children were afraid of him. The darkies about the place +shook in their shoes when he frowned. They had learned from +experience that "ole Marse Lloyd had a tigah of a tempah in +him."</p> +<p>As he passed down the walk there were two mute witnesses to his +old soldier life. A spur gleamed on his boot heel, for he had just +returned from his morning ride, and his right sleeve hung +empty.</p> +<p>He had won his title bravely. He had given his only son and his +strong right arm to the Southern cause. That had been nearly thirty +years ago.</p> +<p>He did not charge down on the enemy with his usual force this +time. The little head, gleaming like sunshine in the strawberry +patch, reminded him so strongly of a little fellow who used to +follow him everywhere,--Tom, the sturdiest, handsomest boy in the +county,--Tom, whom he had been so proud of, whom he had so nearly +worshipped.</p> +<p>Looking at this fair head bent over the vines, he could almost +forget that Tom had ever outgrown his babyhood, that he had +shouldered a rifle and followed him to camp, a mere boy, to be shot +down by a Yankee bullet in his first battle.</p> +<p>The old Colonel could almost believe he had him back again, and +that he stood in the midst of those old days the locusts sometimes +whispered about.</p> +<p>He could not hear the happiest of little voices that was just +then saying, "Oh, Fritz, isn't you glad we came? An' isn't you glad +we've got a gran'fathah with such good 'trawberries?"</p> +<p>It was hard for her to put the "s" before her consonants.</p> +<p>As the Colonel came nearer she tossed another berry into the +dog's mouth. A twig snapped, and she raised a startled face toward +him.</p> +<p>"Suh?" she said, timidly, for it seemed to her that the stern, +piercing eyes had spoken.</p> +<p>"What are you doing here, child?" he asked, in a voice so much +kinder than his eyes that she regained her usual self-possession at +once.</p> +<p>"Eatin' 'trawberries," she answered, coolly.</p> +<p>"Who are you, anyway?" he exclaimed, much puzzled. As he asked +the question his gaze happened to rest on the dog, who was peering +at him through the ragged, elfish wisps of hair nearly covering its +face, with eyes that were startlingly human.</p> +<p>"'Peak when yo'ah 'poken to, Fritz," she said, severely, at the +same time popping another luscious berry into her mouth. Fritz +obediently gave a long yelp. The Colonel smiled grimly.</p> +<p>"What's your name?" he asked, this time looking directly at +her.</p> +<p>"Mothah calls me her baby," was the soft-spoken reply, "but papa +an' Mom Beck they calls me the Little Cun'l."</p> +<p>"What under the sun do they call you that for?" he roared.</p> +<p>"'Cause I'm so much like you," was the startling answer.</p> +<p>"Like me!" fairly gasped the Colonel. "How are you like me?"</p> +<p>"Oh, I'm got such a vile tempah, an' I stamps my foot when I +gets mad, an' gets all red in the face. An' I hollahs at folks, an' +looks jus' zis way."</p> +<a name="0002.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0002.jpg" width="60%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>She drew her face down and puckered her lips into such a sullen +pout that it looked as if a thunder-storm had passed over it. The +next instant she smiled up at him serenely. The Colonel laughed. +"What makes you think I am like that?" he said. "You never saw me +before."</p> +<p>"Yes, I have too," she persisted. "You's a-hangin' in a gold +frame over ou' mantel."</p> +<p>Just then a clear, high voice was heard calling out in the +road.</p> +<p>The child started up in alarm. "Oh, deah," she exclaimed in +dismay, at sight of the stains on her white dress, where she had +been kneeling on the fruit, "that's Mom Beck. Now I'll be tied up, +and maybe put to bed for runnin' away again. But the berries is +mighty nice," she added, politely. "Good mawnin', suh. Fritz, we +mus' be goin' now."</p> +<p>The voice was coming nearer.</p> +<p>"I'll walk down to the gate with you," said the Colonel, anxious +to learn something more about his little guest. "Oh, you'd bettah +not, suh!" she cried in alarm. "Mom Beck doesn't like you a bit. +She just hates you! She's goin' to give you a piece of her mind the +next time she sees you. I heard her tell Aunt Nervy so."</p> +<p>There was as much real distress in the child's voice as if she +were telling him of a promised flogging.</p> +<p>"Lloyd! Aw, Lloy-eed!" the call came again.</p> +<p>A neat-looking coloured woman glanced in at the gate as she was +passing by, and then stood still in amazement. She had often found +her little charge playing along the roadside or hiding behind +trees, but she had never before known her to pass through any one's +gate.</p> +<p>As the name came floating down to him through the clear air, a +change came over the Colonel's stern face. He stooped over the +child. His hand trembled as he put it under her soft chin and +raised her eyes to his.</p> +<p>"Lloyd, Lloyd!" he repeated, in a puzzled way. "Can it be +possible? There certainly is a wonderful resemblance. You have my +little Tom's hair, and only my baby Elizabeth ever had such hazel +eyes."</p> +<p>He caught her up in his one arm, and strode on to the gate, +where the coloured woman stood.</p> +<p>"Why, Becky, is that you?" he cried, recognizing an old, trusted +servant who had lived at Locust in his wife's lifetime.</p> +<p>Her only answer was a sullen nod.</p> +<p>"Whose child is this?" he asked, eagerly, without seeming to +notice her defiant looks. "Tell me if you can."</p> +<p>"How can I tell you, suh," she demanded, indignantly, "when you +have fo'bidden even her name to be spoken befo' you?"</p> +<p>A harsh look came into the Colonel's eyes. He put the child +hastily down, and pressed his lips together.</p> +<p>"Don't tie my sunbonnet, Mom Beck," she begged. Then she waved +her hand with an engaging smile.</p> +<p>"Good-bye, suh," she said, graciously. "We've had a mighty nice +time!"</p> +<p>The Colonel took off his hat with his usual courtly bow, but he +spoke no word in reply.</p> +<p>When the last flutter of her dress had disappeared around the +bend of the road, he walked slowly back toward the house.</p> +<p>Half-way down the long avenue where she had stopped to rest, he +sat down on the same rustic seat. He could feel her soft little +fingers resting on his neck, where they had lain when he carried +her to the gate.</p> +<p>A very un-Napoleonlike mist blurred his sight for a moment. It +had been so long since such a touch had thrilled him, so long since +any caress had been given him.</p> +<p>More than a score of years had gone by since Tom had been laid +in a soldier's grave, and the years that Elizabeth had been lost to +him seemed almost a lifetime.</p> +<p>And this was Elizabeth's little daughter. Something very warm +and sweet seemed to surge across his heart as he thought of the +Little Colonel. He was glad, for a moment, that they called her +that; glad that his only grandchild looked enough like himself for +others to see the resemblance.</p> +<p>But the feeling passed as he remembered that his daughter had +married against his wishes, and he had closed his doors for ever +against her.</p> +<p>The old bitterness came back redoubled in its force.</p> +<p>The next instant he was stamping down the avenue, roaring for +Walker, his body-servant, in such a tone that the cook's advice was +speedily taken: "Bettah hump yo'self outen dis heah kitchen befo' +de ole tigah gits to lashin' roun' any pearter."</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II."></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<br> +<p>Mom Beck carried the ironing-board out of the hot kitchen, set +the irons off the stove, and then tiptoed out to the side porch of +the little cottage.</p> +<p>"Is yo' head feelin' any bettah, honey?" she said to the pretty, +girlish-looking woman lying in the hammock. "I promised to step up +to the hotel this evenin' to see one of the chambah-maids. I +thought I'd take the Little Cun'l along with me if you was willin'. +She's always wild to play with Mrs. Wyford's children up +there."</p> +<p>"Yes, I'm better, Becky," was the languid reply. "Put a clean +dress on Lloyd if you are going to take her out."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman closed her eyes again, thinking gratefully, "Dear, +faithful old Becky! What a comfort she has been all my life, first +as my nurse, and now as Lloyd's! She is worth her weight in +gold!"</p> +<p>The afternoon shadows were stretching long across the grass when +Mom Beck led the child up the green slope in front of the +hotel.</p> +<p>The Little Colonel had danced along so gaily with Fritz that her +cheeks glowed like wild roses. She made a quaint little picture +with such short sunny hair and dark eyes shining out from under the +broad-brimmed white hat she wore.</p> +<p>Several ladies who were sitting on the shady piazza, busy with +their embroidery, noticed her admiringly. "It's Elizabeth Lloyd's +little daughter," one of them explained. "Don't you remember what a +scene there was some years ago when she married a New York man? +Sherman, I believe, his name was, Jack Sherman. He was a splendid +fellow, and enormously wealthy. Nobody could say a word against +him, except that he was a Northerner. That was enough for the old +Colonel, though. He hates Yankees like poison. He stormed and +swore, and forbade Elizabeth ever coming in his sight again. He had +her room locked up, and not a soul on the place ever dares mention +her name in his hearing."</p> +<p>The Little Colonel sat down demurely on the piazza steps to wait +for the children. The nurse had not finished dressing them for the +evening.</p> +<p>She amused herself by showing Fritz the pictures in an +illustrated weekly. It was not long until she began to feel that +the ladies were talking about her. She had lived among older people +so entirely that her thoughts were much deeper than her baby +speeches would lead one to suppose.</p> +<p>She understood dimly, from what she had heard the servants say, +that there was some trouble between her mother and grandfather. Now +she heard it rehearsed from beginning to end. She could not +understand what they meant by "bank failures" and "unfortunate +investments," but she understood enough to know that her father had +lost nearly all his money, and had gone West to make more.</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman had moved from their elegant New York home two +weeks ago to this little cottage in Lloydsborough that her mother +had left her. Instead of the houseful of servants they used to +have, there was only faithful Mom Beck to do everything.</p> +<p>There was something magnetic in the child's eyes.</p> +<p>Mrs. Wyford shrugged her shoulders uneasily as she caught their +piercing gaze fixed on her.</p> +<p>"I do believe that little witch understood every word I said," +she exclaimed.</p> +<p>"Oh, certainly not," was the reassuring answer. "She's such a +little thing."</p> +<p>But she had heard it all, and understood enough to make her +vaguely unhappy. Going home she did not frisk along with Fritz, but +walked soberly by Mom Beck's side, holding tight to the friendly +black hand.</p> +<p>"We'll go through the woods," said Mom Beck, lifting her over +the fence. "It's not so long that way."</p> +<p>As they followed the narrow, straggling path into the cool dusk +of the woods, she began to sing. The crooning chant was as mournful +as a funeral dirge.</p> +<blockquote>"The clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain.<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends.<br> +I'm gwine to lie in the silent tomb.<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends."</blockquote> +<p>A muffled little sob made her stop and look down in +surprise.</p> +<p>"Why, what's the mattah, honey?" she exclaimed. "Did Emma Louise +make you mad? Or is you cryin' 'cause you're so ti'ed? Come! Ole +Becky'll tote her baby the rest of the way."</p> +<p>She picked the light form up in her arms, and, pressing the +troubled little face against her shoulder, resumed her walk and her +song.</p> +<blockquote>"It's a world of trouble we're travellin' through,<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends."</blockquote> +<p>"Oh, don't, Mom Beck," sobbed the child, throwing her arms +around the woman's neck, and crying as though her heart would +break.</p> +<p>"Land sakes, what is the mattah?" she asked, in alarm. She sat +down on a mossy log, took off the white hat, and looked into the +flushed, tearful face.</p> +<p>"Oh, it makes me so lonesome when you sing that way," wailed the +Little Colonel. "I just can't 'tand it! Mom Beck, is my mothah's +heart all broken? Is that why she is sick so much, and will it kill +her suah 'nuff?"</p> +<p>"Who's been tellin' you such nonsense?" asked the woman, +sharply.</p> +<p>"Some ladies at the hotel were talkin' about it. They said that +gran'fathah didn't love her any moah, an' it was just a-killin' +her." Mom Beck frowned fiercely.</p> +<p>The child's grief was so deep and intense that she did not know +just how to quiet her. Then she said, decidedly, "Well, if that's +all that's a-troublin' you, you can jus' get down an' walk home on +yo' own laigs. Yo' mamma's a-grievin' 'cause yo' papa has to be +away all the time. She's all wo'n out, too, with the work of +movin', when she's nevah been used to doin' anything. But her heart +isn't broke any moah'n my neck is."</p> +<p>The positive words and the decided toss Mom Beck gave her head +settled the matter for the Little Colonel. She wiped her eyes and +stood up much relieved.</p> +<p>"Don't you nevah go to worryin' 'bout what you heahs," continued +the woman. "I tell you p'intedly you cyarnt nevah b'lieve what you +heahs."</p> +<p>"Why doesn't gran'fathah love my mothah?" asked the child, as +they came in sight of the cottage. She had puzzled over the knotty +problem all the way home. "How can papas not love their little +girls?"</p> +<p>"'Cause he's stubbo'n," was the unsatisfactory answer. "All the +Lloyds is. Yo' mamma's stubbo'n, an' you's stubbo'n--"</p> +<p>"I'm not!" shrieked the Little Colonel, stamping her foot. "You +sha'n't call me names!"</p> +<p>Then she saw a familiar white hand waving to her from the +hammock, and she broke away from Mom Beck with very red cheeks and +very bright eyes.</p> +<p>Cuddled close in her mother's arms, she had a queer feeling that +she had grown a great deal older in that short afternoon.</p> +<p>Maybe she had. For the first time in her little life she kept +her troubles to herself, and did not once mention the thought that +was uppermost in her mind.</p> +<p>"Yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah is comin' this mawnin'," said Mom +Beck, the day after their visit to the hotel. "Do fo' goodness' +sake keep yo'self clean. I'se got too many spring chickens to dress +to think 'bout dressin' you up again."</p> +<p>"Did I evah see her befo'?" questioned the Little Colonel.</p> +<p>"Why, yes, the day we moved heah. Don't you know she came and +stayed so long, and the rockah broke off the little white +rockin'-chair when she sat down in it?"</p> +<p>"Oh, now I know!" laughed the child. "She's the big fat one with +curls hangin' round her yeahs like shavin's. I don't like her, Mom +Beck. She keeps a-kissin' me all the time, an' a-'queezin' me, an' +tellin' me to sit on her lap an' be a little lady. Mom Beck, I +de'pise to be a little lady."</p> +<p>There was no answer to her last remark. Mom Beck had stepped +into the pantry for more eggs for the cake she was making.</p> +<p>"Fritz," said the Little Colonel, "yo' great-aunt Sally Tylah's +comin' this mawnin', an' if you don't want to say 'howdy' to her +you'll have to come with me."</p> +<p>A few minutes later a resolute little figure squeezed between +the palings of the garden fence down by the gooseberry bushes.</p> +<p>"Now walk on your tiptoes, Fritz!" commanded the Little Colonel, +"else somebody will call us back."</p> +<p>Mom Beck, busy with her extra baking, supposed she was with her +mother on the shady, vine-covered porch.</p> +<p>She would not have been singing quite so gaily if she could have +seen half a mile up the road.</p> +<p>The Little Colonel was sitting in the weeds by the railroad +track, deliberately taking off her shoes and stockings.</p> +<p>"Just like a little niggah," she said, delightedly, as she +stretched out her bare feet. "Mom Beck says I ought to know bettah. +But it does feel so good!"</p> +<p>No telling how long she might have sat there enjoying the +forbidden pleasure of dragging her rosy toes through the warm dust, +if she had not heard a horse's hoof-beats coming rapidly along.</p> +<p>"Fritz, it's gran'fathah," she whispered, in alarm, recognizing +the erect figure of the rider in its spotless suit of white +duck.</p> +<p>"Sh! lie down in the weeds, quick! Lie down, I say!" They both +made themselves as flat as possible, and lay there panting with the +exertion of keeping still.</p> +<p>Presently the Little Colonel raised her head cautiously.</p> +<p>"Oh, he's gone down that lane!" she exclaimed. "Now you can get +up." After a moment's deliberation she asked, "Fritz, would you +rathah have some 'trawberries an' be tied up fo' runnin' away, or +not be tied up and not have any of those nice tas'en +'trawberries?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III."></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<br> +<p>Two hours later, Colonel Lloyd, riding down the avenue under the +locusts, was surprised by a novel sight on his stately front +steps.</p> +<p>Three little darkies and a big flop-eared hound were crouched on +the bottom step, looking up at the Little Colonel, who sat just +above them.</p> +<p>She was industriously stirring something in an old rusty pan +with a big, battered spoon.</p> +<p>"Now, May Lilly," she ordered, speaking to the largest and +blackest of the group, "you run an' find some nice 'mooth pebbles +to put in for raisins. Henry Clay, you go get me some moah sand. +This is 'most too wet."</p> +<p>"Here, you little pickaninnies!" roared the Colonel, as he +recognized the cook's children. "What did I tell you about playing +around here, tracking dirt all over my premises? You just chase +back to the cabin where you belong!"</p> +<p>The sudden call startled Lloyd so that she dropped the pan, and +the great mud pie turned upside down on the white steps.</p> +<p>"Well, you're a pretty sight!" said the Colonel, as he glanced +with disgust from her soiled dress and muddy hands to her bare +feet.</p> +<p>He had been in a bad humour all morning. The sight of the steps +covered with sand and muddy tracks gave him an excuse to give vent +to his cross feelings.</p> +<p>It was one of his theories that a little girl should always be +kept as fresh and dainty as a flower. He had never seen his own +little daughter in such a plight as this, and she had never been +allowed to step outside of her own room without her shoes and +stockings.</p> +<p>"What does your mother mean," he cried, savagely, "by letting +you run barefooted around the country just like poor white trash? +An' what are you playing with low-flung niggers for? Haven't you +ever been taught any better? I suppose it's some of your father's +miserable Yankee notions."</p> +<a name="0003.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="lft"><img src="images/0003.jpg" width="56%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>May Lilly, peeping around the corner of the house, rolled her +frightened eyes from one angry face to the other. The same temper +that glared from the face of the man, sitting erect in his saddle, +seemed to be burning in the eyes of the child, who stood so +defiantly before him. The same kind of scowl drew their eyebrows +together darkly.</p> +<p>"Don't you talk that way to me," cried the Little Colonel, +trembling with a wrath she did not know how to express.</p> +<p>Suddenly she stooped, and snatching both hands full of mud from +the overturned pie, flung it wildly over the spotless white +coat.</p> +<p>Colonel Lloyd gasped with astonishment. It was the first time in +his life he had ever been openly defied. The next moment his anger +gave way to amusement.</p> +<p>"By George!" he chuckled, admiringly. "The little thing has got +spirit, sure enough. She's a Lloyd through and through. So that's +why they call her the 'Little Colonel,' is it?"</p> +<p>There was a tinge of pride in the look he gave her haughty +little head and flashing eyes. "There, there, child!" he said, +soothingly. "I didn't mean to make you mad, when you were good +enough to come and see me. It isn't often I have a little lady like +you pay me a visit."</p> +<p>"I didn't come to see you, suh," she answered, indignantly, as +she started toward the gate. "I came to see May Lilly. But I nevah +would have come inside yo' gate if I'd known you was goin' to +hollah at me an' be so cross."</p> +<p>She was walking off with the air of an offended queen, when the +Colonel remembered that if he allowed her to go away in that mood +she would probably never set foot on his grounds again. Her display +of temper had interested him immensely.</p> +<p>Now that he had laughed off his ill humour, he was anxious to +see what other traits of character she possessed. He wheeled his +horse across the walk to bar her way, and quickly dismounted.</p> +<p>"Oh, now, wait a minute," he said, in a coaxing tone. "Don't you +want a nice big saucer of strawberries and cream before you go? +Walker's picking some now. And you haven't seen my hothouse. It's +just full of the loveliest flowers you ever saw. You like roses, +don't you, and pinks and lilies and pansies?"</p> +<p>He saw he had struck the right chord as soon as he mentioned the +flowers. The sullen look vanished as if by magic. Her face changed +as suddenly as an April day.</p> +<p>"Oh, yes!" she cried, with a beaming smile. "I loves 'm bettah +than anything!"</p> +<p>He tied his horse, and led the way to the conservatory. He +opened the door for her to pass through, and then watched her +closely to see what impression it would make on her. He had +expected a delighted exclamation of surprise, for he had good +reason to be proud of his rare plants. They were arranged with a +true artist's eye for colour and effect.</p> +<p>She did not say a word for a moment, but drew a long breath, +while the delicate pink in her cheeks deepened and her eyes lighted +up. Then she began going slowly from flower to flower, laying her +face against the cool, velvety purple of the pansies, touching the +roses with her lips, and tilting the white lily-cups to look into +their golden depths.</p> +<p>As she passed from one to another as lightly as a butterfly +might have done, she began chanting in a happy undertone.</p> +<p>Ever since she had learned to talk she had a quaint little way +of singing to herself. All the names that pleased her fancy she +strung together in a crooning melody of her own.</p> +<p>There was no special tune. It sounded happy, although nearly +always in a minor key.</p> +<p>"Oh, the jonquils an' the lilies!" she sang. "All white an' gold +an' yellow. Oh, they're all a-smilin' at me, an' a-sayin' howdy! +howdy!"</p> +<p>She was so absorbed in her intense enjoyment that she forgot all +about the old Colonel. She was wholly unconscious that he was +watching or listening.</p> +<p>"She really does love them," he thought, complacently. "To see +her face one would think she had found a fortune."</p> +<p>It was another bond between them.</p> +<p>After awhile he took a small basket from the wall, and began to +fill it with his choicest blooms. "You shall have these to take +home," he said. "Now come into the house and get your +strawberries."</p> +<p>She followed him reluctantly, turning back several times for one +more long sniff of the delicious fragrance.</p> +<p>She was not at all like the Colonel's ideal of what a little +girl should be, as she sat in one of the high, stiff chairs, +enjoying her strawberries. Her dusty little toes wriggled around in +the curls on Fritz's back, as she used him for a footstool. Her +dress was draggled and dirty, and she kept leaning over to give the +dog berries and cream from the spoon she was eating with +herself.</p> +<p>He forgot all this, however, when she began to talk to him.</p> +<p>"My great-aunt Sally Tylah is to our house this mawnin'," she +announced, confidentially. "That's why we came off. Do you know my +Aunt Sally Tylah?"</p> +<p>"Well, slightly!" chuckled the Colonel. "She was my wife's +half-sister. So you don't like her, eh? Well, I don't like her +either."</p> +<p>He threw back his head and laughed heartily. The more the child +talked the more entertaining he found her. He did not remember when +he had ever been so amused before as he was by this tiny +counterpart of himself.</p> +<p>When the last berry had vanished, she slipped down from the tall +chair.</p> +<p>"Do you 'pose it's very late?" she asked, in an anxious voice. +"Mom Beck will be comin' for me soon."</p> +<p>"Yes, it is nearly noon," he answered. "It didn't do much good +to run away from your Aunt Tyler; she'll see you after all."</p> +<p>"Well, she can't 'queeze me an' kiss me, 'cause I've been +naughty, an' I'll be put to bed like I was the othah day, just as +soon as I get home. I 'most wish I was there now," she sighed. +"It's so fa' an' the sun's so hot. I lost my sunbonnet when I was +comin' heah, too."</p> +<p>Something in the tired, dirty face prompted the old Colonel to +say, "Well, my horse hasn't been put away yet. I'll take you home +on Maggie Boy."</p> +<p>The next moment he repented making such an offer, thinking what +the neighbours might say if they should meet him on the road with +Elizabeth's child in his arm.</p> +<p>But it was too late. He could not unclasp the trusting little +hand that was slipped in his. He could not cloud the happiness of +the eager little face by retracting his promise.</p> +<p>He swung himself into the saddle, with her in front. Then he put +his one arm around her with a firm clasp, as he reached forward to +take the bridle.</p> +<p>"You couldn't take Fritz on behin', could you?" she asked, +anxiously. "He's mighty ti'ed too."</p> +<p>"No," said the Colonel, with a laugh. "Maggie Boy might object +and throw us all off."</p> +<p>Hugging her basket of flowers close in her arms, she leaned her +head against him contentedly as they cantered down the avenue.</p> +<p>"Look!" whispered all the locusts, waving their hands to each +other excitedly. "Look! The master has his own again. The dear old +times are coming back to us."</p> +<p>"How the trees blow!" exclaimed the child, looking up at the +green arch overhead. "See! They's all a-noddin' to each othah." +"We'll have to get my shoes an' 'tockin's," she said, presently, +when they were nearly home. "They're in that fence cawnah behin' a +log."</p> +<p>The Colonel obediently got down and handed them to her. As he +mounted again he saw a carriage coming toward them. He recognized +one of his nearest neighbours. Striking the astonished Maggie Boy +with his spur, he turned her across the railroad track, down the +steep embankment, and into an unfrequented lane.</p> +<p>"This road is just back of your garden," he said. "Can you get +through the fence if I take you there?"</p> +<p>"That's the way we came out," was the answer. "See that hole +where the palin's are off?"</p> +<p>Just as he was about to lift her down, she put one arm around +his neck, and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Good-bye, +gran'fatha'," she said, in her most winning way. "I've had a mighty +nice time." Then she added, in a lower tone, "'Kuse me fo' throwin' +mud on yo' coat."</p> +<p>He held her close a moment, thinking nothing had ever before +been half so sweet as the way she called him grandfather.</p> +<p>From that moment his heart went out to her as it had to little +Tom and Elizabeth. It made no difference if her mother had +forfeited his love. It made no difference if Jack Sherman was her +father, and that the two men heartily hated each other.</p> +<p>It was his own little grandchild he held in his arms.</p> +<p>She had sealed the relationship with a trusting kiss.</p> +<p>"Child," he said, huskily, "you will come and see me again, +won't you, no matter if they do tell you not to? You shall have all +the flowers and berries you want, and you can ride Maggie Boy as +often as you please."</p> +<p>She looked up into his face. It was very familiar to her. She +had looked at his portrait often, unconsciously recognizing a +kindred spirit that she longed to know.</p> +<p>Her ideas of grandfathers, gained from stories and observation, +led her to class them with fairy godmothers. She had always wished +for one.</p> +<p>The day they moved to Lloydsborough, Locust had been pointed out +to her as her grandfather's home. From that time on she slipped +away with Fritz on every possible occasion to peer through the +gate, hoping for a glimpse of him.</p> +<p>"Yes, I'll come suah!" she promised. "I likes you just lots, +gran'fathah!" He watched her scramble through the hole in the +fence. Then he turned his horse's head slowly homeward.</p> +<p>A scrap of white lying on the grass attracted his attention as +he neared the gate.</p> +<p>"It's the lost sunbonnet," he said, with a smile. He carried it +into the house, and hung it on the hat-rack in the wide front +hall.</p> +<p>"Ole marse is crosser'n two sticks," growled Walker to the cook +at dinner. "There ain't no livin' with him. What do you s'pose is +the mattah?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV."></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<br> +<p>Mom Beck was busy putting lunch on the table when the Little +Colonel looked in at the kitchen door.</p> +<p>So she did not see a little tramp, carrying her shoes in one +hand, and a basket in the other, who paused there a moment. But +when she took up the pan of beaten biscuit she was puzzled to find +that several were missing.</p> +<p>"It beats my time," she said, aloud. "The parrot couldn't have +reached them, an' Lloyd an' the dog have been in the pa'lah all +mawnin'. Somethin' has jus' natch'ly done sperrited 'em away."</p> +<p>Fritz was gravely licking his lips, and the Little Colonel had +her mouth full, when they suddenly made their appearance on the +front porch.</p> +<p>Aunt Sally Tyler gave a little shriek, and stopped rocking.</p> +<p>"Why, Lloyd Sherman!" gasped her mother, in dismay. "Where have +you been? I thought you were with Becky all the time. I was sure I +heard you singing out there a little while ago."</p> +<p>"I've been to see my gran'fathah," said the child, speaking very +fast. "I made mud pies on his front 'teps, an' we both of us got +mad, an' I throwed mud on him, an' he gave me some 'trawberries an' +all these flowers, an' brought me home on Maggie Boy."</p> +<p>She stopped out of breath. Mrs. Tyler and her niece exchanged +astonished glances.</p> +<p>"But, baby, how could you disgrace mother so by going up there +looking like a dirty little beggar?"</p> +<p>"He didn't care," replied Lloyd, calmly. "He made me promise to +come again, no mattah if you all did tell me not to."</p> +<p>Just then Becky announced that lunch was ready, and carried the +child away to make her presentable.</p> +<p>To Lloyd's great surprise she was not put to bed, but was +allowed to go to the table as soon as she was dressed. It was not +long until she had told every detail of the morning's +experience.</p> +<p>While she was taking her afternoon nap, the two ladies sat out +on the porch, gravely discussing all she had told them.</p> +<p>"It doesn't seem right for me to allow her to go there," said +Mrs. Sherman, "after the way papa has treated us. I can never +forgive him for all the terrible things he has said about Jack, and +I know Jack can never be friends with him on account of what he has +said about me. He has been so harsh and unjust that I don't want my +little Lloyd to have anything to do with him. I wouldn't for worlds +have him think that I encouraged her going there."</p> +<p>"Well, yes, I know," answered her aunt, slowly. "But there are +some things to consider besides your pride, Elizabeth. There's the +child herself, you know. Now that Jack has lost so much, and your +prospects are so uncertain, you ought to think of her interests. It +would be a pity for Locust to go to strangers when it has been in +your family for so many generations. That's what it certainly will +do unless something turns up to interfere. Old Judge Woodard told +me himself that your father had made a will, leaving everything he +owns to some medical institution. Imagine Locust being turned into +a sanitarium or a training-school for nurses!"</p> +<p>"Dear old place!" said Mrs. Sherman, with tears in her eyes. "No +one ever had a happier childhood than I passed under these old +locusts. Every tree seems like a friend. I would be glad for Lloyd +to enjoy the place as I did."</p> +<p>"I'd let her go as much as she pleases, Elizabeth. She's so much +like the old Colonel that they ought to understand each other, and +get along capitally. Who knows, it might end in you all making up +some day."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman raised her head haughtily. "No, indeed, Aunt Sally. +I can forgive and forget much, but you are greatly mistaken if you +think I can go to such lengths as that. He closed his doors against +me with a curse, for no reason on earth but that the man I loved +was born north of the Mason and Dixon line. There never was a +nobler man living than Jack, and papa would have seen it if he +hadn't deliberately shut his eyes and refused to look at him. He +was just prejudiced and stubborn."</p> +<p>Aunt Sally said nothing, but her thoughts took the shape of Mom +Beck's declaration, "The Lloyds is all stubborn."</p> +<p>"I wouldn't go through his gate now if he got down on his knees +and begged me," continued Elizabeth, hotly.</p> +<p>"It's too bad," exclaimed her aunt; "he was always so perfectly +devoted to 'little daughter,' as he used to call you. I don't like +him myself. We never could get along together at all, because he is +so high-strung and overbearing. But I know it would have made your +poor mother mighty unhappy if she could have foreseen all +this."</p> +<p>Elizabeth sat with the tears dropping down on her little white +hands, as her aunt proceeded to work on her sympathies in every way +she could think of.</p> +<p>Presently Lloyd came out all fresh and rosy from her long nap, +and went to play in the shade of the great beech-trees that guarded +the cottage.</p> +<p>"I never saw a child with such influence over animals," said her +mother, as Lloyd came around the house with the parrot perched on +the broom she was carrying. "She'll walk right up to any strange +dog and make friends with it, no matter how savage-looking it is. +And there's Polly, so old and cross that she screams and scolds +dreadfully if any of us go near her. But Lloyd dresses her up in +doll's clothes, puts paper bonnets on her, and makes her just as +uncomfortable as she pleases. Look! that is one of her favourite +amusements."</p> +<a name="0004.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="rgt"><img src="images/0004.jpg" width="56%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>The Little Colonel squeezed the parrot into a tiny doll +carriage, and began to trundle it back and forth as fast as she +could run.</p> +<p>"Ha! ha!" screamed the bird. "Polly is a lady! Oh, Lordy! I'm so +happy!"</p> +<p>"She caught that from the washerwoman," laughed Mrs. Sherman. "I +should think the poor thing would be dizzy from whirling around so +fast."</p> +<p>"Quit that, chillun; stop yo' fussin'," screamed Polly, as Lloyd +grabbed her up and began to pin a shawl around her neck. She +clucked angrily, but never once attempted to snap at the dimpled +fingers that squeezed her tight. Suddenly, as if her patience was +completely exhausted, she uttered a disdainful "Oh, pshaw!" and +flew up into an old cedar-tree.</p> +<p>"Mothah! Polly won't play with me any moah," shrieked the child, +flying into a rage. She stamped and scowled and grew red in the +face. Then she began beating the trunk of the tree with the old +broom she had been carrying.</p> +<p>"Did you ever see anything so much like the old Colonel?" said +Mrs. Tyler, in astonishment. "I wonder if she acted that way this +morning."</p> +<p>"I don't doubt it at all," answered Mrs. Sherman. "She'll be +over it in just a moment. These little spells never last long."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman was right. In a few moments Lloyd came up the walk, +singing.</p> +<p>"I wish you'd tell me a pink story," she said, coaxingly, as she +leaned against her mother's knee.</p> +<p>"Not now, dear; don't you see that I am busy talking to Aunt +Sally? Run and ask Mom Beck for one."</p> +<p>"What on earth does she mean by a pink story?" asked Mrs. +Tyler.</p> +<p>"Oh, she is so fond of colours. She is always asking for a pink +or a blue or a white story. She wants everything in the story +tinged with whatever colour she chooses,--dresses, parasols, +flowers, sky, even the icing on the cakes and the paper on the +walls."</p> +<p>"What an odd little thing she is!" exclaimed Mrs. Tyler. "Isn't +she lots of company for you?"</p> +<p>She need not have asked that question if she could have seen +them that evening, sitting together in the early twilight.</p> +<p>Lloyd was in her mother's lap, leaning her head against her +shoulder as they rocked slowly back and forth on the dark +porch.</p> +<p>There was an occasional rattle of wheels along the road, a +twitter of sleepy birds, a distant croaking of frogs.</p> +<p>Mom Beck's voice floated in from the kitchen, where she was +stepping briskly around.</p> +<blockquote>"Oh, the clouds hang heavy, an' it's gwine to rain.<br> +Fa'well, my dyin' friends,"</blockquote> +<p>she sang.</p> +<p>Lloyd put her arms closer around her mother's neck.</p> +<p>"Let's talk about Papa Jack," she said. "What you 'pose he's +doin' now, 'way out West?"</p> +<p>Elizabeth, feeling like a tired, homesick child herself, held +her close, and was comforted as she listened to the sweet little +voice talking about the absent father.</p> +<p>The moon came up after awhile, and streamed in through the vines +of the porch. The hazel eyes slowly closed as Elizabeth began to +hum an old-time negro lullaby.</p> +<p>"Wondah if she'll run away to-morrow," whispered Mom Beck, as +she came out to carry her in the house.</p> +<p>"Who'd evah think now, lookin' at her pretty, innocent face, +that she could be so naughty? Bless her little soul!"</p> +<p>The kind old black face was laid lovingly a moment against the +fair, soft cheek of the Little Colonel. Then she lifted her in her +strong arms, and carried her gently away to bed.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V."></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<br> +<p>Summer lingers long among the Kentucky hills. Each passing day +seemed fairer than the last to the Little Colonel, who had never +before known anything of country life.</p> +<p>Roses climbed up and almost hid the small white cottage. Red +birds sang in the woodbine. Squirrels chattered in the beeches. She +was out-of-doors all day long.</p> +<p>Sometimes she spent hours watching the ants carry away the sugar +she sprinkled for them. Sometimes she caught flies for an old +spider that had his den under the porch steps. "He is an ogah" +(ogre), she explained to Fritz. "He's bewitched me so's I have to +kill whole families of flies for him to eat."</p> +<p>She was always busy and always happy.</p> +<p>Before June was half over it got to be a common occurrence for +Walker to ride up to the gate on the Colonel's horse. The excuse +was always to have a passing word with Mom Beck. But before he rode +away, the Little Colonel was generally mounted in front of him. It +was not long before she felt almost as much at home at Locust as +she did at the cottage.</p> +<p>The neighbours began to comment on it after awhile. "He will +surely make up with Elizabeth at this rate," they said. But at the +end of the summer the father and daughter had not even had a +passing glimpse of each other. One day, late in September, as the +Little Colonel clattered up and down the hall with her +grandfather's spur buckled on her tiny foot, she called back over +her shoulder: "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow."</p> +<p>The Colonel paid no attention.</p> +<p>"I say," she repeated, "Papa Jack's comin' home to-morrow."</p> +<p>"Well," was the gruff response. "Why couldn't he stay where he +was? I suppose you won't want to come here any more after he gets +back."</p> +<p>"No, I 'pose not," she answered, so carelessly that he was +conscious of a very jealous feeling.</p> +<p>"Chilluns always like to stay with their fathahs when they's +nice as my Papa Jack is."</p> +<a name="0005.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="lft"><img src="images/0005.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>The old man growled something behind his newspaper that she did +not hear. He would have been glad to choke this man who had come +between him and his only child, and he hated him worse than ever +when he realized what a large place he held in Lloyd's little +heart.</p> +<p>She did not go back to Locust the next day, nor for weeks after +that.</p> +<p>She was up almost as soon as Mom Beck next morning, thoroughly +enjoying the bustle of preparation.</p> +<p>She had a finger in everything, from polishing the silver to +turning the ice-cream freezer.</p> +<p>Even Fritz was scrubbed till he came out of his bath with his +curls all white and shining. He was proud of himself, from his +silky bangs to the tip of his tasselled tail.</p> +<p>Just before train time, the Little Colonel stuck his collar full +of late pink roses, and stood back to admire the effect. Her mother +came to the door, dressed for the evening. She wore an airy-looking +dress of the palest, softest blue. There was a white rosebud caught +in her dark hair. A bright colour, as fresh as Lloyd's own, tinged +her cheeks, and the glad light in her brown eyes made them +unusually brilliant.</p> +<p>Lloyd jumped up and threw her arms about her. "Oh, mothah," she +cried, "you an' Fritz is so bu'ful!"</p> +<p>The engine whistled up the road at the crossing. "Come, we have +just time to get to the station," said Mrs. Sherman, holding out +her hand.</p> +<p>They went through the gate, down the narrow path that ran beside +the dusty road. The train had just stopped in front of the little +station when they reached it.</p> +<p>A number of gentlemen, coming out from the city to spend Sunday +at the hotel, came down the steps. They glanced admiringly from the +beautiful, girlish face of the mother to the happy child dancing +impatiently up and down at her side. They could not help smiling at +Fritz as he frisked about in his imposing rose-collar.</p> +<p>"Why, where's Papa Jack?" asked Lloyd, in distress, as passenger +after passenger stepped down. "Isn't he goin' to come?"</p> +<p>The tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, when she saw him +in the door of the car; not hurrying along to meet them as he +always used to come, so full of life and vigour, but leaning +heavily on the porter's shoulder, looking very pale and weak.</p> +<p>Lloyd looked up at her mother, from whose face every particle of +colour had faded. Mrs. Sherman gave a low, frightened cry as she +sprang forward to meet him. "Oh, Jack! what is the matter? What has +happened to you?" she exclaimed, as he took her in his arms. The +train had gone on, and they were left alone on the platform.</p> +<p>"Just a little sick spell," he answered, with a smile. "We had a +fire out at the mines, and I overtaxed myself some. I've had fever +ever since, and it has pulled me down considerably."</p> +<p>"I must send somebody for a carriage," she said, looking around +anxiously.</p> +<p>"No, indeed," he protested. "It's only a few steps; I can walk +it as well as not. The sight of you and the baby has made me +stronger already."</p> +<p>He sent a coloured boy on ahead with his valise, and they walked +slowly up the path, with Fritz running wildly around them, barking +a glad welcome.</p> +<p>"How sweet and homelike it all looks!" he said, as he stepped +into the hall, where Mom Beck was just lighting the lamps. Then he +sank down on the couch, completely exhausted, and wearily closed +his eyes.</p> +<p>The Little Colonel looked at his white face in alarm. All the +gladness seemed to have been taken out of the homecoming.</p> +<p>Her mother was busy trying to make him comfortable, and paid no +attention to the disconsolate little figure wandering about the +house alone. Mom Beck had gone for the doctor.</p> +<p>The supper was drying up in the warming-oven. The ice-cream was +melting in the freezer. Nobody seemed to care. There was no one to +notice the pretty table with its array of flowers and cut glass and +silver.</p> +<p>When Mom Beck came back, Lloyd ate all by herself, and then sat +out on the kitchen door-step while the doctor made his visit.</p> +<p>She was just going mournfully off to bed with an aching lump in +her throat, when her mother opened the door.</p> +<p>"Come tell papa good-night," she said. "He's lots better +now."</p> +<p>She climbed up on the bed beside him, and buried her face on his +shoulder to hide the tears she had been trying to keep back all +evening.</p> +<p>"How the child has grown!" he exclaimed. "Do you notice, Beth, +how much plainer she talks? She does not seem at all like the baby +I left last spring. Well, she'll soon be six years old,--a real +little woman. She'll be papa's little comfort."</p> +<p>The ache in her throat was all gone after that. She romped with +Fritz all the time she was undressing.</p> +<p>Papa Jack was worse next morning. It was hard for Lloyd to keep +quiet when the late September sunshine was so gloriously yellow and +the whole outdoors seemed so wide awake.</p> +<p>She tiptoed out of the darkened room where her father lay, and +swung on the front gate until she saw the doctor riding up on his +bay horse. It seemed to her that the day never would pass.</p> +<p>Mom Beck, rustling around in her best dress ready for church, +that afternoon, took pity on the lonesome child.</p> +<p>"Go get yo' best hat, honey," she said, "an' I'll take you with +me."</p> +<p>It was one of the Little Colonel's greatest pleasures to be +allowed to go to the coloured church.</p> +<p>She loved to listen to the singing, and would sit perfectly +motionless while the sweet voices blended like the chords of some +mighty organ as they sent the old hymns rolling heavenward. Service +had already commenced by the time they took their seats. Nearly +everybody in the congregation was swaying back and forth in time to +the mournful melody of "Sinnah, sinnah, where's you boun'?"</p> +<p>One old woman across the aisle began clapping her hands +together, and repeated in a singsong tone, "Oh, Lordy! I'm so +happy!"</p> +<p>"Why, that's just what our parrot says," exclaimed Lloyd, so +much surprised that she spoke right out loud.</p> +<p>Mom Beck put her handkerchief over her mouth, and a general +smile went around.</p> +<p>After that the child was very quiet until the time came to take +the collection. She always enjoyed this part of the service more +than anything else. Instead of passing baskets around, each person +was invited to come forward and lay his offering on the table.</p> +<p>Woolly heads wagged, and many feet kept time to the tune:</p> +<blockquote>"Oh! I'se boun' to git to glory.<br> +Hallelujah! Le' me go!"</blockquote> +<p>The Little Colonel proudly marched up with Mom Beck's +contribution, and then watched the others pass down the aisle. One +young girl in a gorgeously trimmed dress paraded up to the table +several times, singing at the top of her voice.</p> +<a name="0006.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="rgt"><img src="images/0006.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>"Look at that good-fo'-nothin' Lize Richa'ds," whispered Mom +Beck's nearest neighbour, with a sniff. "She done got a nickel +changed into pennies so she could ma'ch up an' show herself five +times."</p> +<p>It was nearly sundown when they started home. A tall coloured +man, wearing a high silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane, +joined them on the way out.</p> +<p>"Howdy, Sistah Po'tah," he said, gravely shaking hands. "That +was a fine disco'se we had the pleasuah of listenin' to this +evenin'."</p> +<p>"'Deed it was, Brothah Fostah," she answered. "How's all up yo' +way?"</p> +<p>The Little Colonel, running on after a couple of white +butterflies, paid no attention to the conversation until she heard +her own name mentioned.</p> +<p>"Mistah Sherman came home last night, I heah."</p> +<p>"Yes, but not to stay long, I'm afraid. He's a mighty sick man, +if I'm any judge. He's down with fevah,--regulah typhoid. He +doesn't look to me like he's long for this world. What's to become +of poah Miss 'Lizabeth if that's the case, is moah'n I know." "We +mustn't cross the bridge till we come to it, Sistah Po'tah," he +suggested.</p> +<p>"I know that; but a lookin'-glass broke yeste'day mawnin' when +nobody had put fingah on it. An' his picture fell down off the wall +while I was sweepin' the pa'lah. Pete said his dawg done howl all +night last night, an' I've dremp three times hand runnin' 'bout +muddy watah."</p> +<p>Mom Beck felt a little hand clutch her skirts, and turned to see +a frightened little face looking anxiously up at her.</p> +<p>"Now, what's the mattah with you, honey?" she asked. "I'm only +a-tellin' Mistah Fostah about some silly old signs my mammy used to +believe in. But they don't mean nothin' at all."</p> +<p>Lloyd couldn't have told why she was unhappy. She had not +understood all that Mom Beck had said, but her sensitive little +mind was shadowed by a foreboding of trouble.</p> +<p>The shadow deepened as the days passed. Papa Jack got worse +instead of better. There were times when he did not recognize any +one, and talked wildly of things that had happened out at the +mines.</p> +<p>All the long, beautiful October went by, and still he lay in the +darkened room. Lloyd wandered listlessly from place to place, +trying to keep out of the way, and to make as little trouble as +possible.</p> +<p>"I'm a real little woman now," she repeated, proudly, whenever +she was allowed to pound ice or carry fresh water. "I'm papa's +little comfort."</p> +<p>One cold, frosty evening she was standing in the hall, when the +doctor came out of the room and began to put on his overcoat.</p> +<p>Her mother followed him to take his directions for the +night.</p> +<p>He was an old friend of the family's. Elizabeth had climbed on +his knees many a time when she was a child. She loved this +faithful, white-haired old doctor almost as dearly as she had her +father.</p> +<p>"My daughter," he said, kindly, laying his hand on her shoulder, +"you are wearing yourself out, and will be down yourself if you are +not careful. You must have a professional nurse. No telling how +long this is going to last. As soon as Jack is able to travel you +must have a change of climate."</p> +<p>Her lips trembled. "We can't afford it, doctor," she said. "Jack +has been too sick from the very first to talk about business. He +always said a woman should not be worried with such matters, +anyway. I don't know what arrangements he has made out West. For +all I know, the little I have in my purse now may be all that +stands between us and the poorhouse."</p> +<p>The doctor drew on his gloves.</p> +<p>"Why don't you tell your father how matters are?" he asked.</p> +<p>Then he saw he had ventured a step too far.</p> +<p>"I believe Jack would rather die than take help from his hands," +she answered, drawing herself up proudly. Her eyes flashed. "I +would, too, as far as I am concerned myself."</p> +<p>Then a tender look came over her pale, tired face, as she added, +gently, "But I'd do anything on earth to help Jack get well."</p> +<p>The doctor cleared his throat vigorously, and bolted out with a +gruff good night. As he rode past Locust, he took solid +satisfaction in shaking his fist at the light in an upper +window.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI."></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<br> +<p>The Little Colonel followed her mother to the dining-room, but +paused on the threshold as she saw her throw herself into Mom +Beck's arms and burst out crying.</p> +<p>"Oh, Becky!" she sobbed, "what is going to become of us? The +doctor says we must have a professional nurse, and we must go away +from here soon. There are only a few dollars left in my purse, and +I don't know what we'll do when they are gone. I just know Jack is +going to die, and then I'll die, too, and then what will become of +the baby?" Mom Beck sat down, and took the trembling form in her +arms.</p> +<p>"There, there!" she said, soothingly, "have yo' cry out. It will +do you good. Poah chile! all wo'n out with watchin' an' worry. Ne'm +min', ole Becky is as good as a dozen nuhses yet. I'll get Judy to +come up an' look aftah the kitchen. An' nobody ain' gwine to die, +honey. Don't you go to slayin' all you's got befo' you's called on +to do it. The good Lawd is goin' to pahvide fo' us same as +Abraham."</p> +<p>The last Sabbath's sermon was still fresh in her mind.</p> +<p>"If we only hold out faithful, there's boun' to be a ram caught +by the hawns some place, even if we haven't got eyes to see through +the thickets. The Lawd will pahvide whethah it's a burnt offerin' +or a meal's vittles. He sho'ly will." Lloyd crept away frightened. +It seemed such an awful thing to see her mother cry.</p> +<p>All at once her bright, happy world had changed to such a +strange, uncertain place. She felt as if all sorts of terrible +things were about to happen.</p> +<p>She went into the parlour, and crawled into a dark corner under +the piano, feeling that there was no place to go for comfort, since +the one who had always kissed away her little troubles was so +heart-broken herself.</p> +<p>There was a patter of soft feet across the carpet, and Fritz +poked his sympathetic nose into her face. She put her arms around +him, and laid her head against his curly back with a desolate +sob.</p> +<p>It is pitiful to think how much imaginative children suffer +through their wrong conception of things. She had seen the little +roll of bills in her mother's pocketbook. She had seen how much +smaller it grew every time it was taken out to pay for the +expensive wines and medicines that had to be bought so often. She +had heard her mother tell the doctor that was all that stood +between them and the poorhouse.</p> +<p>There was no word known to the Little Colonel that brought such, +thoughts of horror as the word poorhouse.</p> +<p>Her most vivid recollection of her life in New York was +something that happened a few weeks before they left there. One day +in the park she ran away from the maid, who, instead of Mom Beck, +had taken charge of her that afternoon.</p> +<p>When the angry woman found her, she frightened her almost into a +spasm by telling her what always happened to naughty children who +ran away.</p> +<p>"They take all their pretty clothes off," she said, "and dress +them up in old things made of bed-ticking. Then they take 'm to the +poorhouse, where nobody but beggars live. They don't have anything +to eat but cabbage and corndodger, and they have to eat that out of +tin pans. And they just have a pile of straw to sleep in."</p> +<p>On their way home she had pointed out to the frightened child a +poor woman who was grubbing in an ash-barrel.</p> +<p>"That's the way people get to look who live in poorhouses," she +said.</p> +<p>It was this memory that was troubling the Little Colonel +now.</p> +<p>"Oh, Fritz!" she whispered, with the tears running down her +cheeks, "I can't beah to think of my pretty mothah goin' there. +That woman's eyes were all red, an' her hair was jus' awful. She +was so bony an' stahved-lookin'. It would jus' kill poah Papa Jack +to lie on straw an' eat out of a tin pan. I know it would!"</p> +<p>When Mom Beck opened the door, hunting her, the room was so dark +that she would have gone away if the dog had not come running out +from under the piano.</p> +<p>"You heah, too, chile?" she asked, in surprise. "I have to go +down now an' see if I can get Judy to come help to-morrow. Do you +think you can undress yo'self to-night?"</p> +<p>"Of co'se," answered the Little Colonel. Mom Beck was in such a +hurry to be off that she did not notice the tremble in the voice +that answered her.</p> +<p>"Well, the can'le is lit in yo' room. So run along now like a +nice little lady, an' don't bothah yo' mamma. She got her hands +full already."</p> +<p>"All right," answered the child.</p> +<p>A quarter of an hour later she stood in her little white +nightgown with her hand on the door-knob.</p> +<p>She opened the door just a crack and peeped in. Her mother laid +her finger on her lips, and beckoned silently. In another instant +Lloyd was in her lap. She had cried herself quiet in the dark +corner under the piano; but there was something more pathetic in +her eyes than tears. It was the expression of one who understood +and sympathized.</p> +<p>"Oh, mothah," she whispered, "we does have such lots of +troubles."</p> +<p>"Yes, chickabiddy, but I hope they will soon be over now," was +the answer, as the anxious face tried to smile bravely for the +child's sake, "Papa is sleeping so nicely now he is sure to be +better in the morning."</p> +<p>That comforted the Little Colonel some, but for days she was +haunted by the fear of the poorhouse.</p> +<p>Every time her mother paid out any money she looked anxiously to +see how much was still left. She wandered about the place, touching +the trees and vines with caressing hands, feeling that she might +soon have to leave them.</p> +<p>She loved them all so dearly,--every stick and stone, and even +the stubby old snowball bushes that never bloomed.</p> +<p>Her dresses were outgrown and faded, but no one had any time or +thought to spend on getting her new ones. A little hole began to +come in the toe of each shoe.</p> +<p>She was still wearing her summer sunbonnet, although the days +were getting frosty.</p> +<p>She was a proud little thing. It mortified her for any one to +see her looking so shabby. Still she uttered no word of complaint, +for fear of lessening the little amount in the pocketbook that her +mother had said stood between them and the poorhouse.</p> +<p>She sat with her feet tucked under her when any one called.</p> +<p>"I wouldn't mind bein' a little beggah so much myself," she +thought, "but I jus' can't have my bu'ful sweet mothah lookin' like +that awful red-eyed woman."</p> +<p>One day the doctor called Mrs. Sherman out into the hall. "I +have just come from your father's," he said. "He is suffering from +a severe attack of rheumatism. He is confined to his room, and is +positively starving for company. He told me he would give anything +in the world to have his little grandchild with him. There were +tears in his eyes when he said it, and that means a good deal from +him. He fairly idolizes her. The servants have told him she mopes +around and is getting thin and pale. He is afraid she will come +down with the fever, too. He told me to use any stratagem I liked +to get her there. But I think it's better to tell you frankly how +matters stand. It will do the child good to have a change, +Elizabeth, and I solemnly think you ought to let her go, for a week +at least."</p> +<p>"But, doctor, she has never been away from me a single night in +her life. She'd die of homesickness, and I know she'll never +consent to leave me. Then suppose Jack should get worse--"</p> +<p>"We'll suppose nothing of the kind," he interrupted, brusquely. +"Tell Becky to pack up her things. Leave Lloyd to me. I'll get her +consent without any trouble."</p> +<p>"Come, Colonel," he called, as he left the house. "I'm going to +take you a little ride."</p> +<p>No one ever knew what the kind old fellow said to her to induce +her to go to her grandfather's.</p> +<p>She came back from her ride looking brighter than she had in a +long time. She felt that in some way, although in what way she +could not understand, her going would help them to escape the +dreaded poorhouse.</p> +<p>"Don't send Mom Beck with me," she pleaded, when the time came +to start. "You come with me, mothah."</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman had not been past the gate for weeks, but she could +not refuse the coaxing hands that clung to hers.</p> +<p>It was a dull, dreary day. There was a chilling hint of snow in +the damp air. The leaves whirled past them with a mournful +rustling.</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman turned up the collar of Lloyd's cloak.</p> +<p>"You must have a new one soon," she said, with a sigh. "Maybe +one of mine could be made over for you. And those poor little +shoes! I must think to send to town for a new pair."</p> +<p>The walk was over so soon. The Little Colonel's heart beat fast +as they came in sight of the gate. She winked bravely to keep back +the tears; for she had promised the doctor not to let her mother +see her cry.</p> +<p>A week seemed such a long time to look forward to.</p> +<p>She clung to her mother's neck, feeling that she could never +give her up so long.</p> +<p>"Tell me good-bye, baby dear," said Mrs. Sherman, feeling that +she could not trust herself to stay much longer. "It is too cold +for you to stand here. Run on, and I'll watch you till you get +inside the door."</p> +<a name="0007.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0007.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>The Little Colonel started bravely down the avenue, with Fritz +at her heels. Every few steps she turned to look back and kiss her +hand.</p> +<p>Mrs. Sherman watched her through a blur of tears. It had been +nearly seven years since she had last stood at that old gate. Such +a crowd of memories came rushing up!</p> +<p>She looked again. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief as +the Little Colonel and Fritz went up the steps. Then the great +front door closed behind them.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII."></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<br> +<p>That early twilight hour just before the lamps were lit was the +lonesomest one the Little Colonel had ever spent.</p> +<p>Her grandfather was asleep up-stairs. There was a cheery wood +fire crackling on the hearth of the big fireplace in the hall, but +the great house was so still. The corners were full of shadows.</p> +<p>She opened the front door with a wild longing to run away.</p> +<p>"Come, Fritz," she said, closing the door softly behind her, +"let's go down to the gate."</p> +<p>The air was cold. She shivered as they raced along under the +bare branches of the locusts. She leaned against the gate, peering +out through the bars. The road stretched white through the +gathering darkness in the direction of the little cottage.</p> +<p>"Oh, I want to go home so bad!" she sobbed. "I want to see my +mothah."</p> +<p>She laid her hand irresolutely on the latch, pushed the gate +ajar, and then hesitated.</p> +<p>"No, I promised the doctah I'd stay," she thought. "He said I +could help mothah and Papa Jack, both of 'em, by stayin' heah, an' +I'll do it."</p> +<p>Fritz, who had pushed himself through the partly opened gate to +rustle around among the dead leaves outside, came bounding back +with something in his mouth.</p> +<p>"Heah, suh!" she called. "Give it to me!" He dropped a small +gray kid glove in her outstretched hand. "Oh, it's mothah's!" she +cried. "I reckon she dropped it when she was tellin' me good-bye. +Oh, you deah old dog fo' findin' it."</p> +<p>She laid the glove against her cheek as fondly as if it had been +her mother's soft hand. There was something wonderfully comforting +in the touch.</p> +<p>As they walked slowly back toward the house she rolled it up and +put it lovingly away in her tiny apron pocket.</p> +<p>All that week it was a talisman whose touch helped the homesick +little soul to be brave and womanly.</p> +<p>When Maria, the coloured housekeeper, went into the hall to +light the lamps, the Little Colonel was sitting on the big fur rug +in front of the fire, talking contentedly to Fritz, who lay with +his curly head in her lap.</p> +<p>"You all's goin' to have tea in the Cun'ls room to-night," said +Maria. "He tole me to tote it up soon as he rung the bell."</p> +<p>"There it goes now," cried the child, jumping up from the +rug.</p> +<p>She followed Maria up the wide stairs. The Colonel was sitting +in a large easy chair, wrapped in a gaily flowered dressing-gown, +that made his hair look unusually white by contrast.</p> +<p>His dark eyes were intently watching the door. As it opened to +let the Little Colonel pass through, a very tender smile lighted up +his stern face.</p> +<p>"So you did come to see grandpa after all," he cried, +triumphantly. "Come here and give me a kiss. Seems to me you've +been staying away a mighty long time."</p> +<p>As she stood beside him with his arm around her, Walker came in +with a tray full of dishes. "We're going to have a regular little +tea-party," said the Colonel.</p> +<p>Lloyd watched with sparkling eyes as Walker set out the rare +old-fashioned dishes. There was a fat little silver sugar-bowl with +a butterfly perched on each side to form the handles, and there was +a slim, graceful cream-pitcher shaped like a lily.</p> +<p>"They belonged to your great-great-grandmother," said the +Colonel, "and they're going to be yours some day if you grow up and +have a house of your own."</p> +<p>The expression on her beaming face was worth a fortune to the +Colonel.</p> +<p>When Walker pushed her chair up to the table, she turned to her +grandfather with shining eyes.</p> +<p>"Oh, it's just like a pink story," she cried, clapping her +hands. "The shades on the can'les, the icin' on the cake, an' the +posies in the bowl,--why, even the jelly is that colah, too. Oh, my +darlin' little teacup! It's jus' like a pink rosebud. I'm so glad I +came!"</p> +<p>The Colonel smiled at the success of his plan. In the depths of +his satisfaction he even had a plate of quail and toast set down on +the hearth for Fritz.</p> +<p>"This is the nicest pahty I evah was at," remarked the Little +Colonel, as Walker helped her to jam the third time.</p> +<p>Her grandfather chuckled.</p> +<p>"Blackberry jam always makes me think of Tom," he said. "Did you +ever hear what your Uncle Tom did when he was a little fellow in +dresses?"</p> +<p>She shook her head gravely.</p> +<p>"Well, the children were all playing hide-and-seek one day. They +hunted high and they hunted low after everybody else had been +caught, but they couldn't find Tom. At last they began to call, +'Home free! You can come home free!' but he did not come. When he +had been hidden so long they were frightened about him, they went +to their mother and told her he wasn't to be found anywhere. She +looked down the well and behind the fire-boards in the fireplaces. +They called and called till they were out of breath. Finally she +thought of looking in the big dark pantry where she kept her fruit. +There stood Mister Tom. He had opened a jar of blackberry jam, and +was just going for it with both hands. The jam was all over his +face and hair and little gingham apron, and even up his wrists. He +was the funniest sight I ever saw."</p> +<p>The Little Colonel laughed heartily at his description, and +begged for more stories. Before he knew it he was back in the past +with his little Tom and Elizabeth.</p> +<p>Nothing could have entertained the child more than these scenes +he recalled of her mother's childhood.</p> +<p>"All her old playthings are up in the garret," he said, as they +rose from the table. "I'll have them brought down to-morrow. +There's a doll I brought her from New Orleans once when she was +about your size. No telling what it looks like now, but it was a +beauty when it was new."</p> +<p>Lloyd clapped her hands and spun around the room like a top.</p> +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad I came!" she exclaimed for the third time. +"What did she call the doll, gran'fathah, do you remembah?"</p> +<p>"I never paid much attention to such things," he answered, "but +I do remember the name of this one, because she named it for her +mother,--Amanthis."</p> +<p>"Amanthis," repeated the child, dreamily, as she leaned against +his knee. "I think that is a lovely name, gran'fathah. I wish they +had called me that." She repeated it softly several times. "It +sounds like the wind a-blowin' through white clovah, doesn't +it?"</p> +<a name="0008.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0008.jpg" width="60%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>"It is a beautiful name to me, my child," answered the old man, +laying his hand tenderly on her soft hair, "but not so beautiful as +the woman who bore it. She was the fairest flower of all Kentucky. +There never was another lived as sweet and gentle as your +Grandmother Amanthis."</p> +<p>He stroked her hair absently, and gazed into the fire. He +scarcely noticed when she slipped away from him.</p> +<p>She buried her face a moment in the bowl of pink roses. Then she +went to the window and drew back the curtain. Leaning her head +against the window-sill, she began stringing on the thread of a +tune the things that just then thrilled her with a sense of their +beauty.</p> +<p>"Oh, the locus'-trees a-blowin'," she sang, softly. "An' the +moon a-shinin' through them. An' the starlight an' pink roses; an' +Amanthis--an' Amanthis!"</p> +<p>She hummed it over and over until Walker had finished carrying +the dishes away.</p> +<p>It was a strange thing that the Colonel's unfrequent moods of +tenderness were like those warm days that they call +weather-breeders.</p> +<p>They were sure to be followed by a change of atmosphere. This +time as the fierce rheumatic pain came back he stormed at Walker, +and scolded him for everything he did and everything he left +undone.</p> +<p>When Maria came up to put Lloyd to bed, Fritz was tearing around +the room barking at his shadow.</p> +<p>"Put that dog out, M'ria!" roared the Colonel, almost crazy with +its antics. "Take it down-stairs, and put it out of the house, I +say! Nobody but a heathen would let a dog sleep in the house, +anyway."</p> +<p>The homesick feeling began to creep over Lloyd again. She had +expected to keep Fritz in her room at night for company. But for +the touch of the little glove in her pocket, she would have said +something ugly to her grandfather when he spoke so harshly.</p> +<p>His own ill humour was reflected in her scowl as she followed +Maria down the stairs to drive Fritz out into the dark. They stood +a moment in the open door, after Maria had slapped him with her +apron to make him go off the porch.</p> +<p>"Oh, look at the new moon!" cried Lloyd, pointing to the slender +crescent in the autumn sky.</p> +<p>"I'se feared to, honey," answered Maria, "less I should see it +through the trees. That 'ud bring me bad luck for a month, suah. +I'll go out on the lawn where it's open, an' look at it ovah my +right shouldah."</p> +<p>While they were walking backward down the path, intent on +reaching a place where they could have an uninterrupted view of the +moon, Fritz sneaked around to the other end of the porch.</p> +<p>No one was watching. He slipped into the house as noiselessly as +his four soft feet could carry him.</p> +<p>Maria, going through the dark upper hall, with a candle held +high above her head and Lloyd clinging to her skirts, did not see a +tasselled tail swinging along in front of her. It disappeared under +the big bed when she led Lloyd into the room next the old +Colonel's.</p> +<p>The child felt very sober while she was being put to bed.</p> +<p>The furniture was heavy and dark. An ugly portrait of a cross +old man in a wig frowned at her from over the mantel. The dancing +firelight made his eyes frightfully lifelike.</p> +<p>The bed was so high she had to climb on a chair to get in. She +heard Maria's heavy feet go shuffling down the stairs. A door +banged. Then it was so still she could hear the clock tick in the +next room.</p> +<p>It was the first time in all her life that her mother had not +come to kiss her good night. Her lips quivered, and a big tear +rolled down on the pillow.</p> +<p>She reached out to the chair beside her bed, where her clothes +were hanging, and felt in her apron pocket for the little glove. +She sat up in bed, and looked at it in the dim firelight. Then she +held it against her face. "Oh, I want my mothah! I want my mothah!" +she sobbed, in a heart-broken whisper.</p> +<p>Laying her head on her knees, she began to cry quietly, but with +great sobs that nearly choked her.</p> +<p>There was a rustling under the bed. She lifted her wet face in +alarm. Then she smiled through her tears, for there was Fritz, her +own dear dog, and not an unknown horror waiting to grab her.</p> +<p>He stood on his hind legs, eagerly trying to lap away her tears +with his friendly red tongue.</p> +<p>She clasped him in her arms with an ecstatic hug. "Oh, you're +such a comfort!" she whispered. "I can go to sleep now."</p> +<p>She spread her apron on the bed, and motioned him to jump. With +one spring he was beside her.</p> +<p>It was nearly midnight when the door from the Colonel's room was +noiselessly opened.</p> +<p>The old man stirred the fire gently until it burst into a bright +flame. Then he turned to the bed. "You rascal!" he whispered, +looking at Fritz, who raised his head quickly with a threatening +look in his wicked eyes.</p> +<p>Lloyd lay with one hand stretched out, holding the dog's +protecting paw. The other held something against her tear-stained +cheek.</p> +<p>"What under the sun!" he thought, as he drew it gently from her +fingers. The little glove lay across his hand, slim and +aristocratic-looking. He knew instinctively whose it was. "Poor +little thing's been crying," he thought. "She wants Elizabeth. And +so do I! And so do I!" his heart cried out with bitter longing. +"It's never been like home since she left."</p> +<p>He laid the glove back on her pillow, and went to his room.</p> +<p>"If Jack Sherman should die," he said to himself many times that +night, "then she would come home again. Oh, little daughter, little +daughter! why did you ever leave me?"</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII."></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<br> +<p>The first thing that greeted the Little Colonel's eyes when she +opened them next morning was her mother's old doll. Maria had laid +it on the pillow beside her.</p> +<p>It was beautifully dressed, although in a queer, old-fashioned +style that seemed very strange to the child.</p> +<p>She took it up with careful fingers, remembering its great age. +Maria had warned her not to waken her grandfather, so she admired +it in whispers.</p> +<p>"Jus' think, Fritz," she exclaimed, "this doll has seen my +Gran'mothah Amanthis, an' it's named for her. My mothah wasn't any +bigger'n me when she played with it. I think it is the loveliest +doll I evah saw in my whole life."</p> +<p>Fritz gave a jealous bark.</p> +<p>"Sh!" commanded his little mistress. "Didn't you heah M'ria say, +'Fo' de Lawd's sake don't wake up ole Marse?' Why don't you +mind?"</p> +<p>The Colonel was not in the best of humours after such a wakeful +night, but the sight of her happiness made him smile in spite of +himself, when she danced into his room with the doll.</p> +<p>She had eaten an early breakfast and gone back up-stairs to +examine the other toys that were spread out in her room.</p> +<p>The door between the two rooms was ajar. All the time he was +dressing and taking his coffee he could hear her talking to some +one. He supposed it was Maria. But as he glanced over his mail he +heard the Little Colonel saying, "May Lilly, do you know about +Billy Goat Gruff? Do you want me to tell you that story?"</p> +<p>He leaned forward until he could look through the narrow opening +of the door. Two heads were all he could see,--Lloyd's, soft-haired +and golden, May Lilly's, covered with dozens of tightly braided +little black tails.</p> +<p>He was about to order May Lilly back to the cabin, when he +remembered the scene that followed the last time he had done so. He +concluded to keep quiet and listen.</p> +<p>"Billy Goat Gruff was so fat," the story went on, "jus' as fat +as gran'fathah."</p> +<p>The Colonel glanced up with an amused smile at the fine figure +reflected in an opposite mirror.</p> +<p>"Trip-trap, trip-trap, went Billy Goat Gruff's little feet ovah +the bridge to the giant's house."</p> +<p>Just at this point Walker, who was putting things in order, +closed the door between the rooms.</p> +<p>"Open that door, you black rascal!" called the Colonel, furious +at the interruption.</p> +<p>In his haste to obey, Walker knocked over a pitcher of water +that had been left on the floor beside the wash-stand.</p> +<p>Then the Colonel yelled at him to be quick about mopping it up, +so that by the time the door was finally opened, Lloyd was +finishing her story.</p> +<p>The Colonel looked in just in time to see her put her hands to +her temples, with her forefingers protruding from her forehead like +horns. She said in a deep voice, as she brandished them at May +Lilly, "With my two long speahs I'll poke yo' eyeballs through yo' +yeahs." The little darky fell back giggling. "That sut'n'y was like +a billy-goat. We had one once that 'ud make a body step around +mighty peart. It slip up behine me one mawnin' on the poach, an' +fo' awhile I thought my haid was buss open suah. I got up toreckly, +though, an' I cotch him, and when I done got through, Mistah +Billy-goat feel po'ly moah'n a week. He sut'n'y did."</p> +<p>Walker grinned, for he had witnessed the scene.</p> +<p>Just then Maria put her head in at the door to say, "May Lilly, +yo' mammy's callin' you."</p> +<p>Lloyd and Fritz followed her noisily down-stairs. Then for +nearly an hour it was very quiet in the great house.</p> +<p>The Colonel, looking out of the window, could see Lloyd playing +hide-and-seek with Fritz under the bare locust-trees. When she came +in her cheeks were glowing from her run in the frosty air. Her eyes +shone like stars, and her face was radiant.</p> +<p>"See what I've found down in the dead leaves," she cried. "A +little blue violet, bloomin' all by itself."</p> +<p>She brought a tiny cup from the next room, that belonged to the +set of doll dishes, and put the violet in it.</p> +<p>"There!" she said, setting it on the table at her grandfather's +elbow. "Now I'll put Amanthis in this chair, where you can look at +her, an' you won't get lonesome while I'm playing outdoors."</p> +<p>He drew her toward him and kissed her.</p> +<p>"Why, how cold your hands are!" he exclaimed. "Staying in this +warm room all the time makes me forget it is so wintry outdoors. I +don't believe you are dressed warmly enough. You ought not to wear +sunbonnets this time of year."</p> +<p>Then for the first time he noticed her outgrown cloak and shabby +shoes.</p> +<p>"What are you wearing these old clothes for?" he said, +impatiently. "Why didn't they dress you up when you were going +visiting? It isn't showing proper respect to send you off in the +oldest things you've got."</p> +<p>It was a sore point with the Little Colonel. It hurt her pride +enough to have to wear old clothes without being scolded for it. +Besides, she felt that in some way her mother was being blamed for +what could not be helped.</p> +<p>"They's the best I've got," she answered, proudly choking back +the tears. "I don't need any new ones, 'cause maybe we'll be goin' +away pretty soon."</p> +<p>"Going away!" he echoed, blankly, "Where?" She did not answer +until he repeated the question. Then she turned her back on him, +and started toward the door. The tears she was too proud to let him +see were running down her face.</p> +<p>"We's goin' to the poah-house," she exclaimed, defiantly, "jus' +as soon as the money in the pocketbook is used up. It was nearly +gone when I came away."</p> +<p>Here she began to sob, as she fumbled at the door she could not +see to open.</p> +<p>"I'm goin' home to my mothah right now. She loves me if my +clothes are old and ugly."</p> +<p>"Why, Lloyd," called the Colonel, amazed and distressed by her +sudden burst of grief. "Come here to grandpa. Why didn't you tell +me so before?"</p> +<p>The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her +irresistibly to him. It was a relief to lay her head on his +shoulder, and unburden herself of the fear that had haunted her so +many days.</p> +<p>With her arms around his neck, and the precious little head held +close to his heart, the old Colonel was in such a softened mood +that he would have promised anything to comfort her.</p> +<p>"There, there," he said, soothingly, stroking her hair with a +gentle hand, when she had told him all her troubles. "Don't you +worry about that, my dear. Nobody is going to eat out of tin pans +and sleep on straw. Grandpa just won't let them."</p> +<p>She sat up and wiped her eyes on her apron. "But Papa Jack would +die befo' he'd take help from you," she wailed. "An' so would +mothah. I heard her tell the doctah so."</p> +<p>The tender expression on the Colonel's face changed to one like +flint, but he kept on stroking her hair. "People sometimes change +their minds," he said, grimly. "I wouldn't worry over a little +thing like that if I were you. Don't you want to run down-stairs +and tell M'ria to give you a piece of cake?"</p> +<p>"Oh, yes," she exclaimed, smiling up at him. "I'll bring you +some, too."</p> +<p>When the first train went into Louisville that afternoon, Walker +was on board with an order in his pocket to one of the largest dry +goods establishments in the city. When he came out again, that +evening, he carried a large box into the Colonel's room.</p> +<p>Lloyd's eyes shone as she looked into it. There was an elegant +fur-trimmed cloak, a pair of dainty shoes, and a muff that she +caught up with a shriek of delight.</p> +<p>"What kind of a thing is this?" grumbled the Colonel, as he took +out a hat that had been carefully packed in one corner of the box. +"I told them to send the most stylish thing they had. It looks like +a scarecrow," he continued, as he set it askew on the child's +head.</p> +<p>She snatched it off to look at it herself. "Oh, it's jus' like +Emma Louise Wyfo'd's!" she exclaimed. "You didn't put it on +straight. See! This is the way it goes."</p> +<p>She climbed up in front of the mirror, and put it on as she had +seen Emma Louise wear hers.</p> +<a name="0009.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="rgt"><img src="images/0009.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>"Well, it's a regular Napoleon hat," exclaimed the Colonel, much +pleased. "So little girls nowadays have taken to wearing soldier's +caps, have they? It's right becoming to you with your short hair. +Grandpa is real proud of his 'little Colonel.'"</p> +<p>She gave him the military salute he had taught her, and then ran +to throw her arms around him. "Oh, gran'fathah!" she exclaimed, +between her kisses, "you'se jus' as good as Santa Claus, every +bit."</p> +<p>The Colonel's rheumatism was better next day; so much better +that toward evening he walked down-stairs into the long +drawing-room. The room had not been illuminated in years as it was +that night.</p> +<p>Every wax taper was lighted in the silver candelabra, and the +dim old mirrors multiplied their lights on every side. A great wood +fire threw a cheerful glow over the portraits and the frescoed +ceiling. All the linen covers had been taken from the +furniture.</p> +<p>Lloyd, who had never seen this room except with the chairs +shrouded and the blinds down, came running in presently. She was +bewildered at first by the change. Then she began walking softly +around the room, examining everything.</p> +<p>In one corner stood a tall, gilded harp that her grandmother had +played in her girlhood. The heavy cover had kept it fair and +untarnished through all the years it had stood unused. To the +child's beauty-loving eyes it seemed the loveliest thing she had +ever seen.</p> +<p>She stood with her hands clasped behind her as her gaze wandered +from its pedals to the graceful curves of its tall frame. It shone +like burnished gold in the soft firelight.</p> +<p>"Oh, gran'fathah!" she asked at last in a low, reverent tone, +"where did you get it? Did an angel leave it heah fo' you?"</p> +<p>He did not answer for a moment. Then he said, huskily, as he +looked up at a portrait over the mantel, "Yes, my darling, an angel +did leave it here. She always was one. Come here to grandpa."</p> +<p>He took her on his knee, and pointed up to the portrait. The +same harp was in the picture. Standing beside it, with one hand +resting on its shining strings, was a young girl all in white.</p> +<p>"That's the way she looked the first time I ever saw her," said +the Colonel, dreamily. "A June rose in her hair, and another at her +throat; and her soul looked right out through those great, dark +eyes--the purest, sweetest soul God ever made! My beautiful +Amanthis!"</p> +<p>"My bu'ful Amanthis!" repeated the child, in an awed +whisper.</p> +<p>She sat gazing into the lovely young face for a long time, while +the old man seemed lost in dreams.</p> +<p>"Gran'fathah," she said at length, patting his cheek to attract +his attention, and then nodding toward the portrait, "did she love +my mothah like my mothah loves me?"</p> +<p>"Certainly, my dear," was the gentle reply.</p> +<p>It was the twilight hour, when the homesick feeling always came +back strongest to Lloyd.</p> +<p>"Then I jus' know that if my bu'ful gran'mothah Amanthis could +come down out of that frame, she'd go straight and put her arms +around my mothah an' kiss away all her sorry feelin's."</p> +<p>The Colonel fidgeted uncomfortably in his chair a moment. Then +to his great relief the tea-bell rang.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX."></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<br> +<p>Every evening after that during Lloyd's visit the fire burned on +the hearth of the long drawing-room. All the wax candles were +lighted, and the vases were kept full of flowers, fresh from the +conservatory.</p> +<p>She loved to steal into the room before her grandfather came +down, and carry on imaginary conversations with the old +portraits.</p> +<p>Tom's handsome, boyish face had the greatest attraction for her. +His eyes looked down so smilingly into hers that she felt he surely +understood every word she said to him. Once Walker overheard her +saying, "Uncle Tom, I'm goin' to tell you a story 'bout Billy Goat +Gruff."</p> +<p>Peeping into the room, he saw the child looking earnestly up at +the picture, with her hands clasped behind her, as she began to +repeat her favourite story. "It do beat all," he said to himself, +"how one little chile like that can wake up a whole house. She's +the life of the place."</p> +<p>The last evening of her visit, as the Colonel was coming +down-stairs he heard the faint vibration of a harp-string. It was +the first time Lloyd had ever ventured to touch one. He paused on +the steps opposite the door, and looked in.</p> +<p>"Heah, Fritz," she was saying, "you get up on the sofa, an' be +the company, an' I'll sing fo' you."</p> +<p>Fritz, on the rug before the fire, opened one sleepy eye and +closed it again. She stamped her foot and repeated her order. He +paid no attention. Then she picked him up bodily, and, with much +puffing and pulling, lifted him into a chair.</p> +<p>He waited until she had gone back to the harp, and then, with +one spring, disappeared under the sofa.</p> +<p>"N'm min'," she said, in a disgusted tone. "I'll pay you back, +mistah." Then she looked up at the portrait. "Uncle Tom," she said, +"you be the company, an' I'll play fo' you."</p> +<a name="0010.jpg"></a><br> +<p class="ctr"><img src="images/0010.jpg" width="50%" alt=""></p> +<br> +<p>Her fingers touched the strings so lightly that there was no +discord in the random tones. Her voice carried the air clear and +true, and the faint trembling of the harp-strings interfered with +the harmony no more than if a wandering breeze had been tangled in +them as it passed.</p> +<blockquote>Sing me the songs that to me were so deah<br> +Long, long ago, long ago.<br> +Tell me the tales I delighted to heah<br> +Long, long ago, long ago."</blockquote> +<p>The sweet little voice sang it to the end without missing a +word. It was the lullaby her mother oftenest sang to her.</p> +<p>The Colonel, who had sat down on the steps to listen, wiped his +eyes.</p> +<p>"My 'long ago' is all that I have left to me," he thought, +bitterly, "for to-morrow this little one, who brings back my past +with every word and gesture, will leave me, too. Why can't that +Jack Sherman die while he's about it, and let me have my own back +again?"</p> +<p>That question recurred to him many times during the week after +Lloyd's departure. He missed her happy voice at every turn. He +missed her bright face at the table. The house seemed so big and +desolate without her. He ordered all the covers put back on the +drawing-room furniture, and the door locked as before.</p> +<p>It was a happy moment for the Little Colonel when she was lifted +down from Maggie Boy at the cottage gate.</p> +<p>She went dancing into the house, so glad to find herself in her +mother's arms that she forgot all about the new cloak and muff that +had made her so proud and happy.</p> +<p>She found her father propped up among the pillows, his fever all +gone, and the old mischievous twinkle in his eyes.</p> +<p>He admired her new clothes extravagantly, paying her joking +compliments until her face beamed; but when she had danced off to +find Mom Beck, he turned to his wife. "Elizabeth," he said, +wonderingly, "what do you suppose the old fellow gave her clothes +for? I don't like it. I'm no beggar if I have lost lots of money. +After all that's passed between us I don't feel like taking +anything from his hands, or letting my child do it, either."</p> +<p>To his great surprise she laid her head down on his pillow +beside his and burst into tears.</p> +<p>"Oh, Jack," she sobbed, "I spent the last dollar this morning. I +wasn't going to tell you, but I don't know what is to become of us. +He gave Lloyd those things because she was just in rags, and I +couldn't afford to get anything new."</p> +<p>He looked perplexed. "Why, I brought home so much," he said, in +a distressed tone. "I knew I was in for a long siege of sickness, +but I was sure there was enough to tide us over that."</p> +<p>She raised her head. "You brought money home!" she replied, in +surprise. "I hoped you had, and looked through all your things, but +there was only a little change in one of your pockets. You must +have imagined it when you were delirious."</p> +<p>"What!" he cried, sitting bolt upright, and then sinking weakly +back among the pillows. "You poor child! You don't mean to tell me +you have been skimping along all these weeks on just that check I +sent you before starting home?"</p> +<p>"Yes," she sobbed, her face still buried in the pillow. She had +borne the strain of continued anxiety so long that she could not +stop her tears, now they had once started.</p> +<p>It was with a very thankful heart she watched him take a pack of +letters from the coat she brought to his bedside, and draw out a +sealed envelope.</p> +<p>"Well, I never once thought of looking among those letters for +money," she exclaimed, as he held it up with a smile.</p> +<p>His investments of the summer before had prospered beyond his +greatest hopes, he told her. "Brother Rob is looking after my +interests out West, as well as his own," he explained, "and as his +father-in-law is the grand mogul of the place, I have the inside +track. Then that firm I went security for in New York is nearly on +its feet again, and I'll have back every dollar I ever paid out for +them. Nobody ever lost anything by those men in the long run. We'll +be on top again by this time next year, little wife; so don't +borrow any more trouble on that score."</p> +<p>The doctor made his last visit that afternoon. It really seemed +as if there would never be any more dark days at the little +cottage.</p> +<p>"The clouds have all blown away and left us their silver +linings," said Mrs. Sherman the day her husband was able to go +out-of-doors for the first time. He walked down to the post-office, +and brought back a letter from the West. It had such encouraging +reports of his business that he was impatient to get back to it. He +wrote a reply early in the afternoon, and insisted on going to mail +it himself.</p> +<p>"I'll never get my strength back," he protested, "unless I have +more exercise."</p> +<p>It was a cold, gray November day. A few flakes of snow were +falling when he started.</p> +<p>"I'll stop and rest at the Tylers'," he called back, "so don't +be uneasy if I'm out some time."</p> +<p>After he left the post-office the fresh air tempted him to go +farther than he had intended. At a long distance from his home his +strength seemed suddenly to desert him. The snow began to fall in +earnest. Numb with cold, he groped his way back to the house, +almost fainting from exhaustion.</p> +<p>Lloyd was blowing soap-bubbles when she saw him come in and fall +heavily across the couch. The ghastly pallor of his face and his +closed eyes frightened her so that she dropped the little clay pipe +she was using. As she stooped to pick up the broken pieces, her +mother's cry startled her still more. "Lloyd, run call Becky, +quick, quick! Oh, he's dying!"</p> +<p>Lloyd gave one more terrified look and ran to the kitchen, +screaming for Mom Beck. No one was there.</p> +<p>The next instant she was running bareheaded as fast as she could +go, up the road to Locust. She was confident of finding help there. +The snowflakes clung to her hair and blew against her soft cheeks. +All she could see was her mother wringing her hands, and her +father's white face. When she burst into the house where the +Colonel sat reading by the fire, she was so breathless at first +that she could only gasp when she tried to speak.</p> +<p>"Come quick!" she cried. "Papa Jack's a-dyin'! Come stop +him!"</p> +<p>At her first impetuous words the Colonel was on his feet. She +caught him by the hand and led him to the door before he fully +realized what she wanted. Then he drew back. She was impatient at +the slightest delay, and only half answered his questions.</p> +<p>"Oh, come, gran'fathah!" she pleaded. "Don't wait to talk!" But +he held her until he had learned all the circumstances. He was +convinced by what she told him that both Lloyd and her mother were +unduly alarmed. When he found that no one had sent for him, but +that the child had come of her own accord, he refused to go.</p> +<p>He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend +to step aside one inch from the position he had taken. For seven +years he had kept the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to +his daughter. He would keep it for seventy times seven years if +need be.</p> +<p>She looked at him perfectly bewildered. She had been so +accustomed to his humouring her slightest whims, that it had never +occurred to her he would fail to help in a time of such +distress.</p> +<p>"Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously. +Then her whole expression changed. Her face grew startlingly white, +and her eyes seemed so big and black. The Colonel looked at her in +surprise. He had never seen a child in such a passion before. "I +hate you! I hate you!" she exclaimed, all in a tremble. "You's a +cruel, wicked man. I'll nevah come heah again, nevah! nevah! +nevah!"</p> +<p>The tears rolled down her cheeks as she banged the door behind +her and ran down the avenue, her little heart so full of grief and +disappointment that she felt she could not possibly bear it.</p> +<p>For more than an hour the Colonel walked up and down the room, +unable to shut out the anger and disappointment of that little +face.</p> +<p>He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words. +She would never come back. He never knew until that hour how much +he loved her, or how much she had come to mean in his life. She was +gone hopelessly beyond recall, unless--He unlocked the door of the +drawing-room and went in. A faint breath of dried rose-leaves +greeted him. He walked over to the empty fireplace and looked up at +the sweet face of the portrait a long time. Then he leaned his arm +on the mantel and bowed his head on it. "Oh, Amanthis," he groaned, +"tell me what to do."</p> +<p>Lloyd's own words came back to him. "She'd go right straight an' +put her arms around my mothah an' kiss away all the sorry +feelin's."</p> +<p>It was a long time he stood there. The battle between his love +and pride was a hard one. At last he raised his head and saw that +the short winter day was almost over. Without waiting to order his +horse he started off in the falling snow toward the cottage.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr style="width: 35%;"> +<br> +<br> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X."></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<br> +<p>A good many forebodings crowded into the Colonel's mind as he +walked hurriedly on. He wondered how he would be received. What if +Jack Sherman had died after all? What if Elizabeth should refuse to +see him? A dozen times before he reached the gate he pictured to +himself the probable scene of their meeting.</p> +<p>He was out of breath and decidedly disturbed in mind when he +walked up the path. As he paused on the porch steps, Lloyd came +running around the house carrying her parrot on a broom. Her hair +was blowing around her rosy face under the Napoleon hat she wore, +and she was singing.</p> +<p>The last two hours had made a vast change in her feelings. Her +father had only fainted from exhaustion.</p> +<p>When she came running back from Locust, she was afraid to go in +the house, lest what she dreaded most had happened while she was +gone. She opened the door timidly and peeped in. Her father's eyes +were open. Then she heard him speak. She ran into the room, and, +burying her head in her mother's lap, sobbed out the story of her +visit to Locust.</p> +<p>To her great surprise her father began to laugh, and laughed so +heartily as she repeated her saucy speech to her grandfather, that +it took the worst sting out of her disappointment.</p> +<p>All the time the Colonel had been fighting his pride among the +memories of the dim old drawing-room, Lloyd had been playing with +Fritz and Polly.</p> +<p>Now as she came suddenly face to face with her grandfather, she +dropped the disgusted bird in the snow, and stood staring at him +with startled eyes. If he had fallen out of the sky she could not +have been more astonished.</p> +<p>"Where is your mother, child?" he asked, trying to speak calmly. +With a backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of +her own sight, she led the way into the hall.</p> +<p>"Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door. +"Come heah, quick!"</p> +<p>The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it +on the floor, took an expectant step forward. There was a slight +rustle, and Elizabeth stood in the doorway. For just a moment they +looked into each other's faces. Then the Colonel held out his +arm.</p> +<p>"Little daughter," he said, in a tremulous voice. The love of a +lifetime seemed to tremble in those two words.</p> +<p>In an instant her arms were around his neck, and he was "kissing +away the sorry feelin's" as tenderly as the lost Amanthis could +have done.</p> +<p>As soon as Lloyd began to realize what was happening, her face +grew radiant. She danced around in such excitement that Fritz +barked wildly.</p> +<p>"Come an' see Papa Jack, too," she cried, leading him into the +next room.</p> +<p>Whatever deep-rooted prejudices Jack Sherman may have had, they +were unselfishly put aside after one look into his wife's happy +face.</p> +<p>He raised himself on his elbow as the dignified old soldier +crossed the room. The white hair, the empty sleeve, the remembrance +of all the old man had lost, and the thought that after all he was +Elizabeth's father, sent a very tender feeling through the younger +man's heart.</p> +<p>"Will you take my hand, sir?" he asked, sitting up and offering +it in his straightforward way.</p> +<p>"Of co'se he will!" exclaimed Lloyd, who still clung to her +grandfather's arm. "Of co'se he will!"</p> +<p>"I have been too near death to harbour ill will any longer," +said the younger man, as their hands met in a strong, forgiving +clasp.</p> +<p>The old Colonel smiled grimly.</p> +<p>"I had thought that even death itself could not make me give +in," he said, "but I've had to make a complete surrender to the +Little Colonel." That Christmas there was such a celebration at +Locust that May Lilly and Henry Clay nearly went wild in the +general excitement of the preparation. Walker hung up cedar and +holly and mistletoe till the big house looked like a bower. Maria +bustled about, airing rooms and bringing out stores of linen and +silver.</p> +<p>The Colonel himself filled the great punch-bowl that his +grandfather had brought from Virginia.</p> +<p>"I'm glad we're goin' to stay heah to-night," said Lloyd, as she +hung up her stocking Christmas Eve. "It will be so much easiah fo' +Santa Claus to get down these big chimneys."</p> +<p>In the morning when she found four tiny stockings hanging beside +her own, overflowing with candy for Fritz, her happiness was +complete.</p> +<p>That night there was a tree in the drawing-room that reached to +the frescoed ceiling. When May Lilly came in to admire it and get +her share from its loaded branches, Lloyd came skipping up to her. +"Oh, I'm goin' to live heah all wintah," she cried. "Mom Beck's +goin' to stay heah with me, too, while mothah an' Papa Jack go down +South where the alligatahs live. Then when they get well an' come +back, Papa Jack is goin' to build a house on the othah side of the +lawn. I'm to live in both places at once; mothah said so."</p> +<p>There were music and light, laughing voices and happy hearts in +the old home that night. It seemed as if the old place had awakened +from a long dream and found itself young again.</p> +<p>The plan the Little Colonel unfolded to May Lilly was carried +out in every detail. It seemed a long winter to the child, but it +was a happy one. There were not so many displays of temper now that +she was growing older, but the letters that went southward every +week were full of her odd speeches and mischievous pranks. The old +Colonel found it hard to refuse her anything. If it had not been +for Mom Beck's decided ways, the child would have been sadly +spoiled.</p> +<p>At last the spring came again. The pewees sang in the cedars. +The dandelions sprinkled the roadsides like stars. The locust-trees +tossed up the white spray of their fragrant blossoms with every +wave of their green boughs.</p> +<p>"They'll soon be heah! They'll soon be heah!" chanted the Little +Colonel every day.</p> +<p>The morning they came she had been down the avenue a dozen times +to look for them before the carriage had even started to meet them. +"Walkah," she called, "cut me a big locus' bough. I want to wave it +fo' a flag!"</p> +<p>Just as he dropped a branch down at her feet, she caught the +sound of wheels. "Hurry, gran'fathah," she called; "they's comin'." +But the old Colonel had already started on toward the gate to meet +them. The carriage stopped, and in a moment more Papa Jack was +tossing Lloyd up in his arms, while the old Colonel was helping +Elizabeth to alight.</p> +<p>"Isn't this a happy mawnin'?" exclaimed the Little Colonel, as +she leaned from her seat on her father's shoulder to kiss his +sunburned cheek.</p> +<p>"A very happy morning," echoed her grandfather, as he walked on +toward the house with Elizabeth's hand clasped close in his +own.</p> +<p>Long after they had passed up the steps the old locusts kept +echoing the Little Colonel's words. Years ago they had showered +their fragrant blossoms in this same path to make a sweet white way +for Amanthis's little feet to tread when the Colonel brought home +his bride.</p> +<p>They had dropped their tribute on the coffin-lid when Tom was +carried home under their drooping branches. The soldier-boy had +loved them so, that a little cluster had been laid on the breast of +the gray coat he wore.</p> +<p>Night and day they had guarded this old home like silent +sentinels that loved it well.</p> +<p>Now, as they looked down on the united family, a thrill passed +through them to their remotest bloom-tipped branches.</p> +<p>It sounded only like a faint rustling of leaves, but it was the +locusts whispering together. "The children have come home at last," +they kept repeating. "What a happy morning! Oh, what a happy +morning!"</p> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<pre> +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LITTLE COLONEL *** + +This file should be named tlcol10h.htm or tlcol10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, tlcol11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlcol10ah.htm + + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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