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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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