The Flower of Gala Water V Ery Much
THE FLO WER O F GALA WATER .
N ovel fl .
M S AME L V R . I A E BAR R , ’
“ ” “ A u th o r o Girls o a Feath er T/ze Beads o f f , f ” “ ” Tasmer Frien d O livia etc , , .
B WI TH I L L U S T A T I ON S B Y o . K EN DR I CK . Q/
N EW YO R K
BE B E ’ S S O N S R O R T O N N R ,
P U BL I SHERS .
m
N N O . 1 10 “8 0 5 0 MO NTHLY. S U MORI PTIO N P R I CZ S I ! DO LL RS P K G N U AL OHO IO! OK R I I O , A A
‘ ’ N "l. “A7YI R . ( 74 75 0 5 0 AT I Hl N EW YO RK N . Y . FOOT O 'P IC! AO S ECO D O L O. Al J A NUA RY 1 , , , A
The Flower of ala Water G .
T CHAP ER I .
FL W O F G L W THE O ER A A ATER.
W an water fro m th e B o rder h ills
ear v o ce fro th e o ld ears D i m y ,
Th d stant m usic lu lls and st lls y i i , And o ves t o u et tears m q i .
A mist o f m em o ry bro o ds and flo ats Th e B o rder W ate rs flo w ;
air i ullo f ballad n o t Th e s f es, ” o f lo n a B o rn o ut g go .
6 6 HAVE a friend . Her name is Katherine ” J an farie . In these words Jessy T elfair usually an sw e re d any remark about the solitude of her
[ 7 ] "
8 Tk e Flo wer of Gala Wafer.
o an o u fo r home . It was nly apparent s lit de ,
’ Jessy knew the laird s fine house w as just o ver
th e w t the nearest hill , and that there s eetes — maid o f Tweedside dwelt her friend , Katherine
Jan farie She was talking this morning to a stranger w h o was w aiting to see her father . But many strangers called upon the minister of Kirtle
o hope , for he was a famous angler , and the l nely manse among the hills by Gala Water w as well kn o wn t o the bro thers of the ro d and reel .
c o o f Su h visitors , h wever , had usually been
o middle age , dressed for their intentions in r ugh
- gray tweed and well greased boots , with a long , light waterproof and creel slung acro ss their
w as sh o ulders . But this caller fashionably clad
o in the nattiest of travelling suits more ver , he was o -b y ung , and had the air of a high red and
tho roughly assured gentleman .
n Standing by the wi dow of the manse parlor,
he loo ked up the winding valley that led t o the
sources of the river in the heart of the hills . 7718 lo w er o Gala Water . F f . 9
Th e slopes were co vered with sheep and lambs — hundreds o f hidden hollo ws were full o f them—and their bleating and the murmur of G W ala ater, hurrying down through archipel
ago e s of bowlders and flashing over tiny water d falls , were all the soun s that broke the still
t o ness o f the lonely place . So he turned Jessy
then , and made some remark about the solitude , and she answered him
i s I have a friend . Her name Katherine ” J an farie . T here was a childlike abruptness and co n fi
f o dence , a sense of su ficiency in this asserti n ,
which was very attractive . It was evident also
e n that sh wished to be entertaini g , and that she
co uld think of no subject more delightful than
o her friend . Yet far as the eyes c uld see in
every direction , the hills and valleys were set to
o so ng and story . Names that lilt thr ugh the — noblest ballads in the wo rld that sanctify the
m o st desperate struggles fo r religio us liberty
that are fo rem o st in th e ch ro nicles o f valo r and Wafer 1 0 7726 Flo w er of Gala .
scien c e are its familiar names . But Jessy thought of none of them she said only , when the stranger spoke of the loneliness of the famous
“ land I hav e a friend . Her name is Kath
” erine J an farie .
Then he looked into the pleasant fac e o f the speaker . He had been expecting to hear of the — Douglas and Bu c c le u gh o f the Elliots and
Armstrongs C rac k sp e ar and Out -with - the
Sword ; or , at least , of the Covenanters and
c Erskine and Chalmers , prea hing on the heath
v v c o n ery heights to ast , unbonneted , re erent gre gatio n s but Miss T elfair did not mention of any these heroes . Her heart was with her friend , and she smiled as her lips made the
c o f h musi her name . Per aps if she had c o nsid ered the matter she could not have been more
n entertaining , for the you g man waiting for the minister knew all about the roman c e of the past ; it w as the ro man c e o f the present he desired ;
“ ” an d Katherine Jan farie fell upon his ears
like the preluding of music . Ti mFlawer o Gala PValar‘ f . 1 1
Is your friend pretty enough to deserv e her P” pretty name he asked . Pretty ? Katherine is beautiful Katherine is the Flow er of Gala Water !’ On all Tweed ’ ” side there is none like her .
T v t o hen I hope she li es near you .
v c an She lives just o er the hill . I sit h ere
an d w atch her come into sight . If she does not
th e see me , when she gets to the little burn by
t o I garden gate she begins sing , and then run
t o meet her . — So me o n e is coming o v er the hill now but
an fari it is n o t Miss J e . m Jessy lo o ked up and s iled .
T R ab h im hat is the minister Hays is with .
’ o n e Rab is of the duke s men , and is worth the
e knowing . Rab went out with the Fr e k i rk e rs , and when father asked him what the ’ d duke would say to that , he answered Indee ,
’ I ; I 0 minister , dinna ken but must think the
’ Th e w illn a Day 0 Judgment . duke answer for
’ th e ste o me o n that day . If Rab sees mini r g ing 1 2
‘ ’ to t o d the hills , he is sure aunder up the water
N o w o to meet him . I must go and welc me 1 father h o me . He would think it strange if did not .
Th e minister entered the fro nt d o or as Jessy
stepped into the hall . He called to her cheer
fully , and patting his creel , said
Th e burns are a perfect Piccadilly w ith an
le rs o fe w g , Jessy , but I have g tten a fine fel ” o l ws .
T o . hen Jessy peeped int his creel , and an sw e re d
“ T o o here are a d zen fine fell ws , at least , ” father .
so o h fo r w Maybe ; but , lassie , the days hen
o a man could fish d wn stream , and yet fill his c reel and h is cap and his p o uches with speckled ” tro ut l T here is a gentleman in the parlor . He i s
t o o u waiting see y . Here is the card with h is
o n name printed it . I never heard o f the man ” befo re . /z a W fer I T e Flo w er of Gal a . 3
Th e w minister anted his dinner , and he did n o t want to see strangers at that hour . He took
c . the ard reluctantly , read and then reread it
T . here is a kind of familiarity , he muttered W Richard Mowbray , Mowbray Hall , estmore T o . land . His br ws went together hen his
To face brightened . be sure , Jessy , he said ,
M o wbray ! I kn o w the man We w ere at ” Edinburgh College together .
o w n o t o This Mr . M bray is very much lder
” th an I am .
’ “ so n Then it is Reginald Mowbray s . Dear
! o me How the days go by Lo k to the dinner,
Jessy the young man will eat it w ith us . I will
o u . give y half an hour , my dear
Jessy was glad of the interv al . She carried
t o t the tro ut to the kitchen be broiled , and hen ran t o her room to change the gray winsey she wo re fo r something pretty in silk and plush . f Sh e made her black hair a trifle more flu fy and pinned h e r go ld bro o ch in h e r lace at her thro at .
And w ith h er brighter garment s she put o n a f I 4 T/ze Flower of Gala Wa er.
o and brighter spirit , a more h spitable manner
intent . Yet through all her toilet she was think — ing of Katherine wishing she wo uld come
o f wo ndering what Mr . Mowbray would think her—speculating as to what Katherine would think of him—inventing a little romance in which a certain Jamie Win t o u n interfered c o n sid e rabl — t o y and feeling , a large extent , all the excitement of her imaginatio ns .
Then sh e ~ h aste n e d downstairs and fo und the dinner on the table , and her father and Mr .
w - T Mo bray just entering the dining ro om . hey were talking politics , and the elder man was
c quite ex ited .
“ an d T o M r. You are just a deaf blind ry ,
” “ o Mowbray , he said , and y ur father was one
o before you . You cann t discern the signs of the times any better than the To ries o f two
o thousand years ago could . G to Galashiels and
o . bide am ng the weavers a wee . They w ill give ” you something t o think abo ut .
I t t o fo r o h t o see is ma ter en ugh th ug t , sir, T/ze lo w er o G l 1 F f a a Water . 5 the men who ‘ marched ’ the Border for cen
t o o tu rie s take a lo m and shuttle . But I cannot understand h o w it was possible to make Radi . cals and Socialists o ut of them .
Man , they were aye that and nothing else .
Generations ago their forefathers anti c ipated the pleasant th e o ries of Mr . George and Mr .
Hyndman , and had a persuasion that all prop e rt o f y was common by law nature , and was
’ th e refo re liable to be appro priated by them . h In fact , the Border men ave always favored the goo d o ld plan that
h e sh o uld ta e wh o h ave th e o wer T y k p , ’ n And th e y sh o uld k ee p wh o c a .
And the minister , smiling , helped himself to
Th e another goodly portion of broiled trout .
c sentiment alled for an example , and he gave it .
So the wo rdy warfare went on thro ughout
d inner until the quiet , dreamful old manse had
- - the aura o f a town hall at electio n time . All the p o litical and so cial struggles o f the day and hour -
1 6 Tae Flo w er of Gala Waler .
filled the little room , and Jessy heard , as afar o ff u G , such stim lating , irritating names as lad b stone , Salis ury , Parnell , Labouchere , until this restless atmosphere of the present was s uddenly in v aded by a v o ic e from the restless atmosphere
—a c of the past lear , sweet voice singing an old
B o rder lilt
’ ’ a an a h a Fo r a th t, d t t , ’ And tw c e as uch as a th at i m , ’ h a h c attle an d alt and ra n W e 11 rry t e m g i , An d o ve r th e B o rd er h am e agai n
At the first line there was a sudden silence ,
’ and a smile flashed over t h e minister s disputa
c . tious fa e Jessy looked at him , and she , too , was smiling . Mowbray glanced from father to
c daughter , interested and urious , and the merry
c c an d v oi e ame nearer nearer . In a few mo
d n ments the oor of the room ope ed , and Kath
an farie c c erine J stood in its pla e , like a pi ture
Th e in a frame . song was yet upon her lips and
c the musi of it on her fac e .
o Mowbray felt his heart leap , and he r se to his feet . It was an unconsc i o us and i n v o lu n
T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 1 7
tary homage , for the girl was marvelously beau
e tiful , an exquisite little creature , with a fac
- e fresh and radiant as a new blown flow r , eyes
like two stars , and lips that were made to kiss .
Some fine instinct had taught her to ro be her
self. t his spring d ay in the very colors of t h e
A - spring . darkish green dress of softish cash
bu t mere fell straight to her feet , the plaited
- vest was of pale primrose silk . She had in her
hands a little basket of rushes , filled with fresh
primroses , and she looked like an angel of the
flowers .
But the lov eliness wo rds d e sc ribe ' so tediously
was an instant revelation to eyes and hearts , and Katherine had not crossed the room ere
Richard Mowbray was consc ious of some new
c T eleme n t in his existen e . hrough all his being the full tide of lov e swept like a fateful fire with
e and w as irresistibl surge and flow , he carried — — o ff his feet far beyond his reason by its u n
v fo reseen impetuo sity . E en when the minister
o h e w as Sp ke her name to him , and conscious fer I 8 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa . that she was at his side and looking into his
c c o fa e , he was not able to ollect or contr l his
Th e out ward manhood . fire she had kindled in
an d his heart radiated from his eyes , she dropped a her eyes beneath their gaze , and was v guely troubled and yet pleased by the mysterious shock they gav e her . A moment or two of embarrassment followed
c v the meeting , but the minister qui kly relie ed
c c it with a v ery ommonpla e remark .
h ad I thought you a new pony , Katherine
b e he said , and I was sure you would just dis
c him tra ted to ride o v er here .
n e w h at c I had also a , sir , and the hat arried d the ay . Then she took it from her head and turned it b a out on her hands , and smiled at Jessy , and was quite un c ons c ious that the re v elation of her
v c fair , bright hair wa ing and urling around her
c brow was a fresh en hantment .
“ You see , it is a sailor hat , she said , and one c ould not be so impossibly absurd as t o wear
a a Wate 2 0 Tfie Flo w er f G l r . , o
His father was at Edinburgh University with — T w o r . my father . hey ere friends enemies I
Th e d am n o t sure which . elder Mowbray ied
o Th e last Christmas and left father a t ken . young man bro ught it to him . ” A o f P token what , Jessy
- It might b e a love to ken . Father put it in his vest pocket and never said a w o rd .
“ Only think o f Minister T e lfair h aving a ro ! mance Such a nice , comfortable , middle aged gentleman w ith a lo ve -to ken i n his vest ” p o cket !
I did n o t say that it was c ertainly a lo ve
o t ken , Katherine .
But let us think it was . I have an idea there
o f d o is a great deal hid en r mance in life . And
w o o please Jessy , here d es the y ung man co me fro m — Over the Bo rder so mewhere in Westm o re ” land .
w as o n th e n e w t n Jessy trying hat , ilti g it this " wa sh e n o 1 11 y and that , and was t as interested Toe lo w er o Gala Water 2 1 F f . the questio n as Katherine tho ught sh e might have been .
Y u . o e t Never mind the hat , Jessy can g
o G t o - o an ther just like it in alashiels morr w .
But the yo ung man co uld n o t be matched at
o sa — w o all , I sh uld y unless we ent ver the Bor
o W o t o der s mewhere in estm reland , find his marrow
Do yo u think him so handsome P
Do y o u not think him so handso me P
He is n o t t o be co mpared with Jamie Win ” t o un .
n o t o Perhaps , if the c mparison be made by
i nches . But then Mr . Mowbray is all alive .
His hand was h o t its clasp went straight to my
- fin e r . o heart his very g tips tingled I kn w, for
Wi n to u n o f I to uched them . Jamie is made — clay yo u never do ubt it .
’
w o . Mr . Mo bray is als made of clay
Info rmed w ith spirit .
o f ‘ Jamie has so me spirit . He is a bit a lag
“ n h e d o s gard , truly , but , generally speaki g, e Wafer 2 2 T/Ze Flo wer of Gala .
what h e wants to do . Mr . Mowbray is only a bird of passage he is here tod ay and t o -morro w he will be gone .
o c Katherine did not c ntradi t this prophecy ,
She walked to the window and lo o ked o u t over the green desert and up to the gray fi rm am e n t above it .
It will rain at sunset , Jessy , she said . Let ’ T us hasten the m inister s argument . his bird of passage will want somewhere to sleep . Are you going t o ask him to stop at the manse ?
Father has said nothing to me . I will speak
” v to him as we walk o er the hill .
Perhaps it was the supposed need for obtain ing this information which led Jessy t o range
’ s her elf at her father s side and , with a smiling
o c o m vement , indi ate to Mr . M wbray that his
’
o . duty was to be Katherine s esc rt It seemed ,
v r howe er , the most natural of positions neithe
’ o f them felt a moment s surprise at their sudden
o T c mpanionship . hey sauntered through th e
o f o garden , which was full early fl wers , and Tao lo w er o Gala Water 2 F f . 3
Katherine pointed out the sweet freedo m and
demo c ratic friendships that were permitted
there .
v Pansies are e erywhere you see , she said ,
‘ ” and the rose -t re e s h av e no upper beds to grow in , and the lilies are not too saintly to mingle with the gadabout honeysuckle - v ine and the very worldly poppies .
c n o w b Yet the pla e is pretty , and it will dou t
o v less gr w more lo ely with the summer . My
a gardener has but one idea , and th t is to make geometrical shapes and fill them with c olored leaves or blossoms . “ ! Ah , the poor little flowers Set out so
c primly , they must feel as if they were at s hool , and not enjoy themsel v es at all . If I was a
o I h b o fl wer , would rat er be a luebell and gr w
- d o ut on the mountain side just where I please .
v L v - But we ha e a fine garden at e ens hope , and the house is old enou gh to have stories abo ut its T rooms and queer dreams in all its chairs . here — is e v en a gh o st in t h e lo n g corridor not one o f r 2 4 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wate .
o f s ch o lo i the modern scientific ghosts , full p y g
c al o — s s suggesti ns but a plain , imple , traight ” o forward gh st .
? Hav e you ever seen it
T o Very often in the twilight . here is n th
o ing that fears me in the harmless , melanch ly
wraith . “ d Some unhappy lady of former ays , I sup pose P”
“ ! A v o Ah , no bra e y ung laird of Levens
o c D . o o u hope , who foll wed Prin e Charlie y see
yonder narrow road winding acro ss the moun
tain - breast southward ? Th e Highland host
W Brath o u s w as took it , and young alter with
. them He was only twenty years old then , and
c —i n he never ame home again the flesh . His
i s i n picture the corridor , a gay , hands o me
c looking boy , with the unlu ky white rose of
v . an farie s t o o Stuart o er his heart All the J , , have been men of the sword . My own father died at the head of his company in t h e o ns et o f
battle . ‘ Tee lo w er o Gala Waler 2 F f . 5
T here did n o t seem t o be any answer proper
t o t and o this s atement , M wbray did not attempt a platitude yet he made Katherine feel that he
was interested and sympathetic . Indeed , his
wh o le nature was in a conditio n o f happy tur
n o t o moil , and he could c mmand the words he
w . ished It was as if a door of his soul , hitherto
closed , had been suddenly opened by Kath
’ c erine s hands , and he was onfused and amazed
Th e and under a kind of enchantment . green
hills on which he w alked with her were n o t
earthly h ills ; the air he breathed with her had
‘h e r so me . o in it diviner element Her low v ice ,
et ri swe , ppling laugh , the sway of her garments
against him , the miraculous light in her eyes ,
threw him into a delightsome trance , in which
v 1 s1o n o o he saw the of L ve , like unt Katherine and all his so ul an d all his senses were su bj u l gated by the sudden splendo r of the reve ation .
w o And Katherine kne that this lumin us , still serenity had n o thing whatever t o do w ith insen .
o w as sibility . She underst od intuitively that it the - natural expression of feeling that had no t
f c o n yet learned how to speak . She hersel was Sh s c ious of so me emotion new and strange . e
c c h e r talked about a s ore of idle things , be ause instin c t told her that silence would be indis c re e t w . She was a little fearful , and she kne not of what she was afraid! Her lips vo iced pleasantly all the proprieties that guard every day life ; but below her lips her heart was ask ing with a persistent iteration questions whi c h as yet she answered o n ly with a peremptory Hush
Th e minister and Jessy walked a few yards T behind them . hey were talking of the enter t ain m e n t v to be gi en to the stranger .
He is welcome a day or two at the manse ,
c T c c said Do tor elfair , but without mu h ordiality .
“ You know , Jessy , there are always my ser
. v mons to write , and the thought of a isitor is the thought of the burns and the fish in them
’ l w m cl and you ll a lo , y ear , that there is not ” c a w u mu h spiritu lity bet een tro t and sermons .
a Water 2 8 Tee Flo w er of Gal .
h o young man favors his father , t ugh he is not h andso me .
Katherine appears t o be pleased with him . Katherine should keep mind of her mani
w o o fest destiny . She ould be a f lish girl to h bring complic ation s into it . I see Brat o u s is coming to meet us ; so I will just step forward ‘ h im with M o wbray and introduce .
m an He did so , and , with the young at his
c side , walked briskly toward the advan ing laird ,
o while Katherine waited until Jessy j ined her .
T o m hey b th watched the eeting with interest , fo r bo th knew the un c ertain dispositio n of the
f - B o o . o rath o u s laird Levens h pe F rtunately , was in a very go od hum o r . He had just re c e i v e d an American reaper and some fine Jersey
n cattle , and he was ready to welcome any o e
who was ready to admire them . But , apart
v from this fa orable condition , he was pleased with his visitor ; pleased with the memories he c o h alled f rth , and pleased wit his gentlemanly appearance and quick appreciatio n of the seien T/ze lo w er o Gala Wafer 2 F f . 9 tifi c farming whic h was the special pride of the
- laird of Lev ens hope .
Katherine and Jessy watc hed the three men t - n urn toward the barns and the farm buildi gs , an d they understood what would be sure to follow . For an hour at least their talk will be of b c disa ullo ks , said Katherine , with an air of p p o intment . Let us go into the house and sit
An d with my mother . yet what a perfect after noon it is for a walk T hey were at the wide entrance gate , and at
’ Katheri ne s tone of regret both turned and looked bac k over the mountain -path they had
e just trod . It was flushed with the most delicat
T s tints of green . here were tufts of primrose where the meadow was the dampest , and the air was full of fragrance from the yellow blosso ms
Th e an d of the broom . wan cold water flashed rippled with translucent tints in the bursts o f
Th e o e sunshine . ousels were flitting fr m ston
o an d to st ne , the linnets lilting in every bush 7 ler 30 me Flo w er of Gala 1Va . all o ver the grassy parapets by the gates t here w as a mist of bluebells nodding i n the soft wind
Th e w t o . a elcome spring loveliness , freshness and the sweetness o f the scene went forever
’ o n c into Katherine s mem ry , blendi g itself magi ally w ith the face an d v oi c e of the stranger w h o had w alked by her side . Slowly the girls went through the garden
o w together , stopping to admire the white p
dered auriculas and the budding lilacs , and lin b gering long y the pond , that was shadowed by
u the large white thorn , for it was j st breaking Th into a wonder of snowy blossom . e house of
- Levens hope stood in the midst of the garden .
- t o It was built of rough , weather beaten s nes , w touched here and there ith moss , and it was old enough and lo nesome enough to be th e hab
’ it at io n of all the ghosts and dreams Katherine s
c . fan y gave it . But the interior had an air o f
o ld - o o m o e w h heavy , fashi ned c f rt , brighten d it
o many modern elegancies , making it alt gether s f atis ying and e ven picture sque . T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 3 1
T h e girls went leisurely to a parlor on the
c w i n se ond floor , a long , low room with many
dows and a bright fire on the hearth . Here
Brath s they found Mrs . o u . She was s itting in
c a comfortable wicker hair , with a basket of
tangled silks and worsteds on her lap . As the girls entered she smiled and pointed to
them .
o c I wish I had been born a good , meth di al d “ , , I creature , she sai with a long sigh for
would nee d to be a very saint t o unrav elthis
w eary tangle and keep my temper the while .
c Have you finished your s reen at last , Mrs .
Brath o u s asked Jessy .
d a . I I have , my dear Some y also will finish
’
b . my co o king ook You say at last very wisely ,
fo r Jessy , little duties must give way to great
o r ones , and the writing of a book the working of a screen are things that can keep , but waste ful servants require to be watched and guided
o u every h o ur o f the day . Did y meet the laird
” as yo u came thro ugh the garden ? t 32 Tae Flo w er o f Gala Wa er .
‘ He is go ne with the minister and an Eng lishman t o see the Jersey co w s . An English gentleman P”
l c Yes the so n o f an o d college a quaintance .
Then I must set by my wo rsteds and look t o
- - the cake basket and the pantry shelves .
She ro se w ith the words and began to p u t
o away her sewing materials . Katherine l oked
o o w as l vingly after her m ther , who an exceed i n l g y pretty woman , small and plump , and very beco mingly dressed in a plum - co l o red silk gown and a little white -lace cap tipping the abundant
f - coils o her dark brown hair .
' Y o u o n a might put lighter frock , Kath
“ Win t o u n said . Jamie will be sure ,
o w o r o s me ay someh w , to find himself here , and then there w ill be four pairs o f feet fo r a reel o r
H two .
But th o ugh Katherine w ent to her ro o m o sten sibl o n o t y for this purp se , she did fulfill it .
Y o u n o t o o o could l k l velier , Katherine , said
Jessy . T/t e Flo w er o G fer f ala Wa . 33
c c And Katherine tou hed the ashmere softly , and remembered that she had put it on that
o s aftern on fresh and new . And dresse have their destinies . In this one she had spent the
an d most wonderful hour of her life , she would
o not alter a ribbon or add a bro ch . Neither would she reason with herself as to the “ why
Th e be o f this resolve . dress had had a happy
T o u ginning . make q estion about it might spoil all .
It just suits you , Katherine , continued
’ Jessy . It jumps to the eyes , as your gowns
’ f c usually do . So di ferent to Clara Heriot s , whi h
-h n always have a second a d look . Let us go into
W e c n th e the garden . a saunter about in sun m ” shine until the laird and the others c o e to us .
an d So Katherine replaced the sailor hat ,
o c an d threw ar und her shoulders a little red loak , e as they went out togeth r , Jessy said
T o here must be p ets around taking notes , for it was but yesterday I read a verse that w as
o u surely inspired by y , Katherine Waler 34 T/ze Flo w er of Gala .
rst a s allclo a o f fad ed red Fi , m k ; Th en a so ft d ress o f laurelgree n ; Th e n a belo ved b ro w n - rippled h ead ’ W th fa r swe et face th e c u rls betw ee n . i i ,
I wonder if I made it up myself ; for I tell you , K atherine , you turn every one either into a poet ” o r a lover . T hen Katherine would have kissed her friend , bu t the laird suddenly came round a private
t o d hedge , and the minister called his aughter , i and Mowbray stepped to the side of Kather ne . T hus they went through the garden together ,
o f talking many things , smiling , laughing , touching hands as they swayed downward the '
branches of the budding trees , almost touching c heeks as they bent their faces among the h o t
house flowers , full of intoxicating scents and
- dreams of love laden blossoms .
Here they lingered a little behind the party , w ’ and Mo bray , looking suddenly into Katherine s face , asked in a low voice
“ o w o u How long have I kn n y , Miss Jan farie P”
Water 36 T/ze Flo w er of Gala . lost Pleiade found again the star of all his future life .
A fe w steps brou ght them out o f the warm perfumed air into the c ool freshness of the n mountai breeze . Jessy was waiting at the door
h t - of the o house .
“ I dare not enter it , she said , the heat and
c n o t s ent always give me a headache . I am
from the tropics , that is evident . She was astonished to find Katherine and
“ Mowbray so quiet . She wonde red if anything had been said . Being herself yet of the unin itiat e d c , she did not understand that silen e is the first speech of hearts in v aded by the melan c h l o y and mystery of love .
Th e v mirth of the e ening was a discord . T h e laird was in that riotously happy mood whi c h was the next disagreeable thing to his unreason ~
- ably ill tempered mood . He made jokes with the minister and snubbed Katherine and s c olded his servants , and imagined himself to be very
c u e o ne imposing, be a s every remembe red h e T/ze lo w er o Ga a Wate F f l r . 37 .
‘ n was their host and tolerated him . Duri g the
v W i n t o u n Brath o u s e ening Jamie , as Mrs . had
“ c d predi te , found himself present ; and then she c arried out the rest of her plan and played
c h some merry reels , whi Katherine taught Mow
b c . c ray how to dan e It was a harming lesson , for
Win t o u n - c was one of those fair , tall , long ne ked youths who are always glad to be ac c o m m o d ating and happy to make others happy .
Also he had more influen c e over his unc le
c e than any other mortal , and he suc eed d in par tially subduing the offensiv e prominen c e of t hat
gentleman . For he had not , as yet , the least
jealousy of Mowbray . He had known Kath erine nearly all his life . He had no more fear of losing her than he had fear of his estate slip W ping away from him . hen Katherine was twelv e years old and he was eighteen they had been told they were destined to marry eac h o ther at the pro per time Katherine had made no obj ection then and no activ e one sin c e .
s m Th erefore Winto ua loo ked fo rward to hi ar o w er o Gala Water 3 8 Tee Fl f .
riage with the Flower of Gala Water v ery much
as he had anti c ipated the coming of his major
ity . Both e v ents were the ordained blessings
Wi n t o u n - - of the heir of Lands and Lawers Moss .
’ About ten o c lo c k the minister said T here is light now of moon and stars , laird , and I will be moving home with my daughter
and my guest .
T hen the laird was spe c ially e ff usive ; he
wanted all to remain he wanted Mr . Mowbray
to stay a few days , a few weeks if he liked . It
was hard for Win t o u n to make him see the im
’ propriety of asking the minister s guest to re
’ v b mo e to his house . But Mow ray s serenity
threw an air of propriety ov er all mistakes and
enabled him in his short adieu to gi v e Kath
c c erine , at on e , both the assuran e and the hope
Th e he desired . laird and Win t o u n c on v e y ed
the party to the gates , and Katherine took the
t o opportunity slip away to her room . She stoo d in the dark and wat c hed the three figures
like th e e h a o w Th rs . r s d s disappear . en M . Brath T/ze lo w er o Gala Wafer F f . 39
ous spoke to her , and Katherine turned and
saw her mother at the open door .
“ Th e c laird bids you ome downstairs , Kath
erine .
- m c . I annot come down to night , amma
Th e laird will be angry
W h o c ? He is neither king nor kaiser . ares Katherine
n Indeed , mamma , darli g , I am in revolt .
‘ ’ And if you would dare him only on c e he
- n o t would creep into a m o use hole . I am going
n o r to answer his summons this night , any
w . night again , unless I ish to do so I will fol
‘ lo w an farie o do w the J mott , and my ill and
fear not . He will rage round and make every one miserable .
G - Jamie will not let him . ood night , mam ma and she took her mother ’s cheeks between her hands and kissed her face many times , say i ng between the kisses Y o u are such a dar — — lin g mamma such a l o vely mamma I cann o t Water 4 0 l e Flo wer of Gala . tell how you ever stooped t o pick up my dis — agreeable stepfather young as I am , I could
c — I c l find a better and ni er man am sure I ou d .
G - ! - An d a m ood night and good night , m m a , do make up your mind to do your will and fear
no t . Then she turned the key and stood still to
’ listen to her mother s retreating footsteps . She feared the laird would come blustering to her
s door , and she tood ready to do her will ,
h e r every nerve at high tension , her head lifted ,
—a n eyes gleaming , her lips parted little woma
w o all on fire ith sudden and just rebelli n .
T n o o v here was challenge , h we er , and grad u ally the expression of her face softened into
m c s iles and tender re ollections . She sl o wly u n e fastened her green and primros gown , and let
. T it fall to her feet hen , with infinite neatness , she folded and laid it away in a wardrobe smell
v T ing of iolets and lavender . his common ac t of daily life soothed and calmed her unusual
. feelings She sat down in her snowy skirts , T/é e lo w er o Gala Wafer 1 F f . 4
o o a lifted her small right f t , and beg n very
o s slowly to unbutt n her boot . At every little
s fo r button she pau ed , she was full to the lips of sw eet thoughts and sweet hopes and dreams of happiness .
” He called me Katherine Katherine ! s h e ! whispered . Indeed , I think he calls me now
But it was o nly the strong vibration of her heart that struck upon her ear .
She ro se and she sat do wn . She rubbed her pink palms with pleasure she sighed she smiled and all alike for very joy . All that
c Mowbray had looked and spoken she re alled , and then musing she thought of what she would say when he returned . And she was troubled because with every c hange of words some th i ng seemed to be lo st . Mowbray also was at this hour as little fit for W human companionship . ith many excuses he
’ declined Do c tor T e lfai r s further h o spitality at
“ w h o o that time . He said the man dr ve him
t o re to Kirtle - ho pe fro m Galash iels expected W te 4 2 Tae Flo w er of Gala a r .
w turn that night , that his own valet was aiting
t in Edinburgh for him , and tha he had urgent
c business in that ity on the following day . In reality he felt the same need for solitude as Katherine felt . He wished to rid himself of all ne c essity to c onsider any mortal but the b e loved one . He was glad when all ne c essity for
v d courtesies was o er , glad to obtain the solitu e of his own dreams .
Go d he be thanked he said , as recalled his v c isit , but espe ially those few rare minutes in
c v the o nser atory .
G o d be th an ed th e eanest o f h is creat ure k , m s B o asts t wo so ul- sides ; o n e t o fac e th e w o rld w ith
’ O n e t o sh o w a w o an th at h e lo ve h m s er.
And his whole co untenance brightened and
v c Wat flushed to the last line Dri e qui ker ,
v c Forster , he said Dri e qui ker . Th e wind
‘ ’ . begins to whistle It is really getting up .
’ o o Let us hear the music of the h rse s h ofs .
And Watty sent them beatin g t o an old bo r
CHAPT ER II .
BETWEEN TH E P RI MRO SE AN D TH E RO SE .
B eau ty fo rm ed
H r fa e h er h eart delt . e c ; , Fi i y Q
W e sh ap e o u rselves th e j o y o r fe ar
O f wh c h th e c o m n lfe is m ad e i i g i , ’ An d fillo u r fut u re s atm o sph ere
W th su n sh ne o r w th sh ad e —R a bael i i i . p .
Th e first dawn of love is to any fine c harac ter a mystic polarization and n o woman whose
c fa e has reflected for one instant the luminous , ardent gaze of such a lover as Ri c hard Mow
c s . i n bray could es ape this re ult Katherine ,
deed , was not one of those foolish souls who are
r t c foreve ques ioning their own cons iousness , yet she was aware of som e distinct change—though
(44 1 T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 4 5 only as a butterfly migh t realize had it su ddenly arrived at wings or a bud that it had be c ome a rose .
No one else perceiv ed th at Katherine had
“ crossed that line where the brook and riv er
Th e meet . laird was going to a magisterial
meeting , and was , therefore , in a judicial and
Brath o u s auth o ritativ e temper ; and Mrs . was far too much occ upied with his wants and orders t o d f c etect a di ference in her daughter , whi h was
Th e rather to be felt than seen . girl kissed her
o t o m ther , bowed slightly her stepfather , and
- silently took her plac e at the breakfast table .
c She expected a reproof for her disobedien e . but the laird said nothing until h e was j ust T ready to take the road . hen he called her to him . She answered the summons promptly .
He was standing o n the broad flag at the open
Brat h o u s w as . door and Mrs . at his side
“ “ I o u Katherine , he said , when sent for y last night you refused to c ome . I shall look o t e f t h t w o u r ver h aul t is ime , but I arn y neve aler 4 6 T/ze Flo w er of Gala W .
to attempt su c h rudeness in my house again . T G . ood morning , my dear Helen ell Robert to go to Stowe for the new gardener . I shall be h an d ome this afternoon , he whipped the team into a gallop before Katherine had an o pp o rt u
it n y to say a word .
o But she looked at her mother , and the lo k n Brath o u an eeded no interpretation . Mrs . s s e re d c w it at on e .
He is very angry with you , Katherine and
you must remember he is your guardian , and c an c c send you ba k to s hool if he wishes . He
” was saying that this morning .
Wh y was I wanted so parti c ularly last ? night Surely , I may go to sleep when I am ” sleepy . He has meddled with everything else . — He says you totally neglected Jamie an d
at that is true also , that you paid unnecessary tention to Mr . Mowbray .
m — Jamie is not in t e re sti n g h e tries to b e b u t f ” I am so tired of his e forts .
He is to be your husband , Kath erine . Tile lo w er o Gala Waler F f . 4 7
So d my guar ian says . But the will of Alex
n Brath o u s a der is not Fate . I hav e a w ill ” o als .
Yo u ! You can o nly obey the decision of
v f those who ha e your a fairs in their hands .
Your o wn father wished you to marry Win t o u n
n f in order t o bring back the land to the Ja arie s .
It is the will of your dead father , and it is not
to be set aside for a fancy .
If my father were aliv e I am sure he would
T h e n o w will differently . dead do not know W how men and things change . hen you were
v my age , mamma , would you ha e given up
” Captain Jan fari e for the Win t o u n lan ds ?
an farie c There is no Captain J in your ase ,
‘
Katherine , and therefore no question of give
’ o up , and y ur marriage with Jamie has been part of your education . Yes , indeed , I may say ” part o f your very life .
I w o u o t Mamma , dear , arn y that ab u my marriage I shallfo llow the Jan farie rule and
n t do my will and fear o . 4 8 J ae Flo w er of Gala Water .
Brath o u s n o t . w Mrs . did answer She kne that m o st peo ple have to submit to the fo rce o f
t o circumstances . She said herself
“ Th e d o ays and weeks will g by , and the
w o v wedding ill be ann unced , and the in itations
sent out , and the presents and dresses will
v v o arri e , and e ery congratulati n will be a fresh rivet ; and at the last Katherine w ill take the
o go d fortune provided for her and be thankful .
Win t o u n o and For Jamie is a kind , go d lad , she
” o might g farther and fare worse .
So she went about her househ o ld d uties and
’ did not wo rry herself co ncerning Katheri ne s ” will . She heard her playing marches and
mazurkas with a vehement rapidity , and she
smiled a little and then sighed . She w as think ing how futile were the petulant rebellions of
o h o w o o y uth , and s n the emotio nal girl would
c v learn to ac ept calmly the ine itables of life , and B make the best of them . ut she did not leave
o t o o an d her d mestic duties m ralize , at dinner there w as a new so up and a n e w servant t o dis T/ze lo w er o Gala W f F f a er . 4 9
o cuss , and the subject of matrim ny seemed t o
o ff be alien and very far .
Aft er dinner Katherine put o n her habit and
d t o ro e over the hills the manse . It had been a
o o fine morning , but before n n the clouds heaped
themselv es in watery folds over the highest
peaks , and everything was swathed in mist and T h v apor . en came the rain as it o nly can co me
o o o d wn am ng the m untains , and the wind drove
th e w o n sheet of ater her back , but the air was
so invigorating that she t ingled all over with
life and ro de up t o the manse door with her w et
face all alight with smiles .
th e Jessy was there to meet her , and then
damp clo thing was changed and the parlo r fire
o stirred to a blaze , and the girls kissed each ther
again and sat down befo re it .
G . Father has gone to alashiels , said Jessy
He do es not like to ride fast because it is not
t o 110 w n an d ministerial ga p , but I think this i d ” rain w ill whip his horse to his best trot .
“ h e i et Th e o u t t o o . o w laird is , I h pe ll g Wafer 50 T/ee Flo w er of Gala .
T t o -m o r w e t through . hen he will stay in bed row for fear of rheumatism .
Has he been sco lding again ? If I were you w I would get married . Jamie ill never say a cross word to you .
W o ? hen did your visit r leave , Jessy
in He went t o Galashiels last night . He is
n o o . Edinburgh ere this , d ubt
o ? Have you seen the t ken , Jessy
o o Father gave it t o me . L k here
A sapphire ring ! H o w l o vely ! I w o nder h ” w om it was bought for .
o o m v A w man wh my father lo ed .
W as the minister troubled much ?
No . He said that his life had been l o ng enough for the forgetting of sorro w . But he looked sadly at the ring . He told me he h ad bought it w ith many m o nths o f self - denial o f
m fo r all kinds , and that I ight wear it the sake
” Go d T of a good woman now with . hat was all .
’ W h a o e W hat d Mr . M wbray s fath r to d o i th
e w e o f 52 Te Flo r f Gala Wa er.
strength of her own nature for help . In a few minut es she said
He may possibly find m o re fashionable
c c pla es , but where will he find a ountry so inter esting as Tweedside ? Our hills and dales and tro ut streams are not mere earth and water ; — they have a kind of humanity they have so many heroes and events linked with them that k they are like story boo s . A good angler likes a liv ing land to fish in .
A good angler thinks of nothing at all b u t
c fish . Father would cat h trout in a canal and father said Mr . Mowbray had no proper respect
v for fishing . If Mr . Mowbray e er does c ome bac k to Gala Water it will n o t be for fish of any kind he will come seeking the Flower of Gala
Water ; and I for one do not want any English .
c v man to arry her o er the border . Are you
m e‘ d ? going to read to to ay , Katherine Then Katherine lifted a book and Jessy took
v o n up the long , hea y fishing st cki g she w as w knitting , and hile her nimble fingers fle w in l e lo w er o a te F f Gal Wa r . 53 and out between th e bright steel and the gray w a c ool , Katherin e re d aloud the sweet poeti
T h e rhapsodies of Lalla Rookh . rain beat
upon the windows , and the wind shrieked around
tw o the house , but these maidens sat smiling in that
’ f ro s s b Bende meer s st ream B o w er o e y , listening with soft sighs and sympathy t o the
’ poet s praise of love , and quite sure that they ,
c too , ould
h all lls and lo ve o n t llth e d ed L o ve o n t h ro u g i , i y i ; co ntented to believe that if there was
u m o n earth An Ely si , ” th s it was th s ! I t was i , i
About four o ’clock the minister came back
b th e from Galashiels , and the scents of Ara y Blest and the love dreams behind Persian lat tices vanish ed before his homely wants and c o mplainings .
Reading Lalla Ro o kh - Ro ses and w ater ! l 54 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wa er.
v Lo e and water Perfect nonsense he cried , with that tou c h of dialect he fell into when
“ c u e v ents troubled him . A p of hot tea and a bite of mountain mutton will b e more wiselike
th e W at this hour of day , Jessy . hat do you ? ” . o and say , Mr Bull and he st oped stroked the dog whi c h had been his companion through the
c storm , and whi h was now stretched on the rug
“ before the blazing fire . W e are both wet and hungry , Bull , and these girls are reading about
v W Lo e and Roses . hat do you think of such foolishness T b hen Katherine urst into hearty laughter , as all must do who take the trouble to notice the irony in the lifted eyelids of a dog when it hears
any person reproved .
c Look at the reature , she said . If he could only talk , minister , what a lecture poets
and young women who read poetry would get .
But he is like you , sir , and prefers mutton .
n o t c b u t Bull is an exa ting dog , he does ex p e ct his little personal c omforts to be attended ” Tae lo w er o Gala Wafer F f . 55
a — to . H ve a drink of tea , dearie and then gal
c c an lop home as qui k as you . It is an east
n - wi dy , west windy storm the east wind has
about done its worst , and when the sun sets the
c an west wind will show us what it do . I As long as it is light like the storm , she
Th e answered . rain is full of life , and the
S fi rm a wind is full of life , and the pirit of the
ment thrills my spirit , and there is nothing bet
c ter than a gallop through wind and rain , ex ept
it be a plunge into the summer sea .
t h e But laird will be home before you , and
o then he will fret himself and y ur mother, and
hurry and worry the whole household .
“ Th e laird will go straight to his bed . He
will call for blankets and herb teas , and watch
w for t inges of rheumatism , and send for mamma e v ery ten minutes . Minister , what of your guest ?
He went away last night , Katherine . Here ,
n o w and is yo ur p o ny finish your tea , loiter no lo nger . Wate 56 T/ze Flo w er o f Gala r .
Jessy was helping her with her boots and
habit as he spoke , and as soon as the last button was in plac e Katherine drew h e r c rimson R o b
Roy c ap tight o v er her brows and went singing
T at into the rain . hey stood a few minutes the open door and wat c hed her headlong rac e
v through the swirling wreaths of apor , her
V ivid -crimson c ap the only point v isible in the gray banks ; yet for those few moments they heard her voi c e as some higher note pierced the
wet shroud in which she was enveloped . Will no one tell me what she sings ? ’ quoted the minister , as he turned pleasantly to his fireside ; and Jessy took U p the verse and
finished it .
e rh a s th e la nt ve n u mbe rs flo w P p p i i , ro m o ld u nh a far- o ff th n F ppy i gs,
An d battles lo n g ago .
Jessy was partially right , but it was not Kath
’ erine s nature to sing sad songs . Besides , the
wind and the rain made her happy , and her heart refused to belie v e that Ri c hard Mowbray
o had gone away f rever . Tee lo w er o Gala Waler F f . 57
d o c People not ome into a life for nothing ,
“ she argued , and it was into my life he was
T h e sent . old ring and the old friendship were just the onlyintroduction Fate could manage . And it is far more likely he came for my weal
v than for my woe . At any rate , I will belie e this .
T o c u e xh ilar su h tho ghts , mingled with the
c - ating storm , she rea hed Levens hope in high
spirits . Her habit was waterproof , and she
o ff v flung it with a laugh , and then remo ing her
ca . p , she shook her hair free again Her cheeks
were rosy , and the raindrops lay like dew upon
d m w as them . Her eyes sparkle , her outh
u curved with smiles , and she bro ght the very spirit of youth and v ital joy into the room with
W in t o u n her . Jamie was sitting by the window
c pretending to read . He was really wat hing for
Katherine . “ l” “ W W h . y , Jamie she said ill any kind of a sto rm keep you away from Levens - hope
“ o u . N o ne, while y are here , Katherine I Gala Waler . 58 T/ze Flo w er of
[ hav e been so uneasy but I knew you would be annoyed if I came to meet you . “ Indeed I should ! T his lonely ride to the
’ manse is the last shred of liberty left me . I do
' v not know what I sh o uld d o without it . E ery other hour of the day is , in some way or other , ” c under his c ontrol and surveillan e .
’ Un c le s words are always worse than his in
” tents , I think . He says he is going to send me back to
school .
W v ? hat ha e you been doing , Katherine
c v n o t I was , it seems , too i il to a guest , and
” attentiv e enough to you .
Win t o u n c d olored painfully , but he replie , with a great deal of spirit
Un c le Brath o u s is too interfering in my per
ff c sonal a airs . I have not omplained of your
. v treatment , Katherine E en if I had cause for c omplaint , I should not ask him to interfere .
And Jessy was quite as attentive to Mr . ” Mowbray as I was .
Water . Tae Flo w er of Gala few momen ts she returned t o the fireside said
He has gone to Edinburgh . ” But he will return .
How c an you tell that ? Did he say so t o m you , Ja ie
My heart tells me so . He admired you very
n o t . much , Katherine . I do blame him for that
W h o c ould help it ?
e Yet my guardian blames me for it , Jami . ” You will not let him send me back to s c hool ?
G v r c ! i e me the right to p ote t you , dearest
T v hen no one shall e er say a word to cross you . “ ed Always that is the way she cri , with
c tears in her eyes and voi e . I am to become your wife in order to escape my stepfather ’s dic
i n b e tat o . It would simply a c han ge of mas ters . Now no one can be generous because n o one is unselfish .
n Do not be so u just , Katherine . I will not ask you to be my wife one hour befo re you are
so w . D a e o e o u so h illingly e r st , I l v y truly t at T/ze lo w er o Gala lVale 6 1 F f r .
I c an live without you and yet liv e for
you .
He came toward her as he spoke , and
c illu m i Katherine , looking into his fa e , saw it
n at e d by his generosity of unselfish lo v e . At
c that moment the tall , ungra eful youth was
almost handsome ; and she ga ve him her hand
: and said , simply T hank you , Jamie
T -t r hen a footman brought in a tea ay , and
Brath o u s . Mrs . came downstairs She was flushed
an d and worried , said
“ Th e laird has taken c old and fears a
fever .
c Win t o un made some sympatheti remark , but
Katherine was lost in thought , and the meal was
w as c not a plea san t one . It scar ely finished l when the aird sent for his wife , and Katherine ,
casting about for something to p ass the ev ening
which would not p ermit Wi nt o u n too mu c h o p
o rtu n it fo r n v o f p y co ersation , bethought her a
o o f r muSiC sh e o o ed new b k o bo rde ; and. pr p s fer . 6 2 T/z e Flo w er of Gala Wa that they should learn some of the songs to
gether .
h e Win t o u n was delighted . He knew that d coul sing , and to mingle his voice with Kath
’ So erine s v oi c e was a rare pleasure . they
W i n t o u n loo ked through the book , and struck boldly out with :
M arch M arc h Etterick and Tevio tdale
He played the stirring notes with spirit and
b c T . decision . heir voices lended harmingly And the room seemed suddenly full of mount ing troopers and the stir and bustle of galloping T horses . here was no weak note under Win
’ Th e toun s fingers . men of Eskdale and of
T w ist d ale n s n an d we t flying pa t to bugle to es , they were just c allin g musically one to the o ther
” Allth e blue b o nn ets are o ver th e B o rd er !
Brath o u s o when Mrs . entered the r om , with a worried face and a lifted hand .
i t K ath eri ne ! Jamie Sh e cried You m ust T/ze lo w er o Gala Waler F f .
stop playing to night ! Th e laird is very nerv
. ous He says it excites him , and he has some fever already . He thinks both of you are very unkind and he insists on the piano being c losed
c at on e .
c Of ourse , he was obeyed , and Katherine then
c c suggested a game of hess . But a hill had fallen upon her sunny mood . She was distrait
c v c and dis ouraged , and she mo ed her pie es
Wi n tou n n o w ithout consideration . had wish
C to heckmate her . He played as badly as she did . At last Katherine stood hastily up . She
v laid her hands o er the board , looked steadily
c at her antagonist , and said , in a voi e whose tone was authoritativ e and de c isiv e
“ Jamie , we are both playing a false game .
Let us withdraw before either of us has to say , I have lost !’
t h e c She then swept pie es into their box ,
Th e c closed the lid , and put them away . a tion
' a re sc ie n c e had a kind of prophetic fatefulness , p unforeseen and unplanned , endue d with some 6 4 Tee Flo wer of Gala Wafer .
f c u W in t o u n what of omnipoten c e . Its e fe t pon was alm o st that of a sign from heaven . He did
n not doubt it , or analyze its meeti g , or ask
” h ? f c W y it a fe ted him so . He only felt that in a moment all had c han ged for him . A sud den despair in v aded his heart . He knew that he had lost Katherine! He might reason him s c flatt e r elf ba k to hope , but at the end all her
ing tales would vanish , he was sure . A pitiless truth had been flashed upon his c onsciousness
h e ; that hour , and could not dispute it W h Katherine was annoyed at herself . y had she said those words ? Wh y had she suddenly sto pped their play ? She felt in the silen c e that
l t fol owed a strange regret tha she had spoken ,
h ad and that he understood . For once her e v er ready thought failed her . She c ould not find a
c — senten e no , nor a word to say . She stirred
v b the fire and mo ed the small ta le aside , and
Win t o u n then almost unwillingly looked at . And her eyes opened on him like a Book of Rev elation .
T/ze lo w er o Gala l/Valer 6 6 F f .
o means in a c nciliatory temper , and the sight of th e unreasonable , imaginary invalid was an irri
tating one . His head , large and oblong , had
the hoariness of yellow mixed with gray . His
sheep eyes were watery and furtive . His tongue always too big for his mouth—was the organ
c au th o rit a of a voi e hollow , querulous , and yet
. b e d tive He was sitting up in , with a large
tartan plaid over his shoulders . You see what a man gets who serves the ” ! c public he ried . Little hon or and no sym pathy ! You and Kat herine were singing away as if the laird of Lev ens -hope was in the very
” c height of perfe t health .
Have you sent for me in order to quarrel , uncle
Quarrel Quarrel ! W h o speaks of quar
? T W in reling hink shame of yourself , James tou n ! I sent for you because I want you and
Katherine Jan farie to tie yourselves together as soon as may be . I am tired out with so much
v - lo e making in my house . I have finished my T/ze lo w er o Gala Water 6 F f . 7
o w n S hare of that silly business , and it is not
pleasant to have song - singing and reel -danci ng
and such like havers night after night .
“ I cannot marry Katherine until she giv es
. ” me permission .
o ! Permissi n , indeed I wonder who is her
o gu ardian ? I hav e giv en you permission . G
bac k an d tell her I will allow her to c hoose any
day between this and Mi c haelmas .
“ o . I will tell her n thing of the kind , sir I
doubt if Katherine and I will evermarry . I do
v not think she lo es me , and I do not wish to
marry her unless she does .
d Win t o u n ? Are you gone clean aft , James ! You will marry Katherine . Of course you will
I intend t o see to that . Do you think I will hav e dead folk worried out of their grav es and
’ live folk wo rried into them for Katherine s non sense
’ Katherine s feelings are to be consulted .
’ Katherine s feelings ! Heard o n e ever the
b h o o th at h as no t co me like ? A it o f a sc lgirl , 6 8 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Waler . to her feelings any m o re than she has come t o her reaso n ! I will remind yo u that I h o ld a
Win t o u n mortgage on lands , and that you are
’ looking to Katherine s money to pay me .
“ I am doing nothing of the kind , sir . I wo uld not marry Katherine for her m o ney . I do not c are that for her money ! And Win toun snapped his fingers passionately almost in
’ c his uncle s fa e .
! Th e You are a born fool , then man of this day w h o does not care for money can go out of date and break his heart if he likes to . Out of
c v my presen e , anyway , sir You ha e made me
a great deal worse , and likely as not I shall bide awake all night for yo ur ridiculous nonsense
T c hen he rang the bell furiously , and alled out at the same m o ment Helen Helen Come
r ! c ! you he e Helen , send for Do tor Musgrave
o o ! Peter Symington , ride for the d ct r I have had a chill I ' ll be having a fever next What
” ? so Win t o kept you , Helen And on , until u n w as glad to escape the rasping, unreaso nabl e Tae lo w er o Gala Wate 6 F f r . 9
T h e voice . chill wind and the drifting vapors
were more kindly and comfortable c ompau
ions .
T h e c next morning the laird was still si k , and
the house was wretched , but the mist was so thick Katherine did not dare to go over the
i c c hills . And th s ondition ontinued for four
T u days . hen Sabbath came , and she fo nd her
t o c bu t way chur h , and afterward to the manse
Th e there was no great comfort in either plac e .
c c v minister was preo upied , and Jessy ne er
v named Mowbray . Moreo er , she treated Kath
’ erine s one question about him as if the subje c t bored her .
v c He has forgotten our ery existen e , I dare
n o t say , Katherine ; and we need worry our
selv es about his . He was seeking pleasure , and w e made an hour or two for him . I am quite sure that he will just mingle us up with the fine v - n iews , the driving , the fishing , the sight seei g and the other bonnie l assie s th at h e w ill dance
” w h o r reel it . er 70 Tae Flo w er of Gala PVal .
T am . hen I real sorry , Jessy I liked him
more than that , and I will even tell you so .
o ? Dear, why sh uld you Men are never to
t w o trust o . Father said this one uld be dan
” 9 e ro u s g .
e o o Oh , J ssy , if you w uld l ve me a little
’ T o o o hen Jessy underst d her friend s tr uble , and she talked sensibly n o longer . She turned
t o her tongue and began praise Mr . Mowbray .
She said the like of him in lo oks had never been
o n T seen weedside , and that a blind man might hav e known that he gave his heart away the moment he looked at Katherine .
“ ” Yes , dear , she said , as he sat there and
n you stood at the ope door , he got a wound he will never get over .
c It was not that Katherine onfessed her love .
v t It was that Jessy di ined it , and tha , with the u n se lfish n e ss o f a true friend , she hastened to — give the o nly sympathy that is of value the assurance o f wh a ever we wi h to e h t s b lieve . T is Tae lo w er o Gala Wafe 1 F f r. 7
o v c nversation began before the morning ser ice ,
and was continued in the noon interv al . Kath erine ’s heart was full of her small d omestic
c troubles, and she ould no longer restrain her c c - onfiden e . She told Jessy how ill tempered and
v tyrannical the laird was to e ery one , but espe c i ll a y to herself .
“ c I am at his mer y , she said , and he m c c akes me feel it every hour . If I pra ti e my
f c v . music , the piano a fe ts his ner es If he finds
me with a novel , he asserts that it is improper
o f reading and takes it away . P etry o fends him still more deeply .
Father says the laird is very n arrow and bigo ted about literature . He thinks Robert
Burns covers the ground .
Yesterday I put a pie c e of heliotrope at my
v . throat , and he made me remo e it He said the scent of the thing made him hav e a faintness .
c I point ed out several pie es in the vases , and he answered if I would wear a vase full of ot her
w h h e n flo w ers it heliotrope , he might per aps Gala Waler 72 l e Flo wer of .
o c dure it . He makes the same bje tion to any other flo wer I c hoose . He takes dislikes to all
w the go ns I look well in , and I really can only dress myself in a gray winsey or a Galashiel ’s
c tartan with any omfort . All my friends are in
T h e some way obje c tionable . Heriots are
fligh ty ; the Netherby girls are extravagant ; the Hi slo ps are v ulgar ; the Fenwicks are be yond bearing for their pride and so on and so w on . If it was not for the minister , he ould ff ” cross you o my visiting list also .
Wh y does he do su c h things
n Only because he is a atural tyrant . He
S loves to how his power , and I am completely in
it . Until lately I did not mind him very much .
o I had mamma and you , and everything utside
w gave me joy . I ore my pretty dresses when I
w as came here , and played and sang when he
n v out of the house , and carried my o els and poetry to my own room and as long as I could
V T c o th e isit Jessy elfair , I ared n thing for o Heriots or for anyb dy else .
74 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Waler .
V éry likely I do invent some . Every woman has t o invent fo r the man she loves her ideal
virtues . Not one in a thousand has them nat u rall y . On these topics they talked w ith an ever in
Th e - th e creasing interest . kirk bell rang , and
o n minister prayed and preached , and the c gre
atio n o g scattered ver the hills , and Katherine
’ still lay upon Jessy s bed , with a headache and
a heartache , telling her griefs and despairs , and
o o lit listening to hopes and likelih ds , angry a
tle , weeping a little , but with all , finding great
’ comfort in Jessy s reasonable and unreaso nable friendship .
When Docto r Telfair came back fro m the afternoon service , Jessy boldly defended her
’ c own and Katherine s delinquen y .
“ s “ Katherine is really ick , she said , and I
o o t o stayed at h me with her . And you ught go h t e o o . and give laird a go d sc lding , father He
o t is simply an utrage o us domestic tyran . h h i He t inks e is do ing h s duty . T/ze lo w er o Gala PValer F f . 75
v He knows he is o erdoing his duty . And it
o o h im is the verd ing that delights . What was Katherine crying about ? Crying ? ” b . 1 Yes , I heard her so bing Poor little lass e ! What was she crying for ? ”
For the moon , I think .
You mean for that Mr . Mowbray she met here ?
Yes that is what I mean .
Jessy , you are a wise wee body , and I will
tell you something . You must judge whether
to speak or to be quiet . I have had three news
- i p apers from the young man . His name is n all
n o of them . I have doubt they were intended
for Katherine . He was sure I would tell you , and equally sure that you would c arry the mes sage to Katherine . W ? Wh here are the papers , father y did you not tell me before ? A Babylonish S ignet would have been more wisely read by you than ” o o a ro undab ut l ve message . 76 Tee Flo wer of Gala Wafer.
I am not altogether without a sense of the d tender passion , Jessy . I live yet , my aughter , f in a shadow o the bygone . But I was thinking
Wi n t o u n v of , who is a ery pleasant young man
and liv ing within my own bou nds and parish .
Katherine will ne v er marry Jamie W i n
’ t o u n f
Th e laird will make her .
She is beyond his make now . h Not until S e is of age . Pshaw ! She came of age the day she met
Richard Mowbray . Father , you are ten times greater than the laird . Stir yourself up for poor Katherine , who is likely to be driven dis
” Brath o u s W in t o u n tracted between and .
“ c a A word in su h matter . Jessy , is like a
a mustard seed and may grow into great tree , and with all my c ollege learning and soul wis dom , I might be put to the wall by two bits of
lassies not out of their teens yet . I am not e v en v ery sure if I ought to let you hav e the new s ” papers . T/ze lo w er o la Wate F f Ga r . 77
v b I ha e taken your first word on that su ject ,
v father , and so I will ne er heed your second ,
c o h M sie whi h is n t ing but a doubt , anyway . y
v will gi e you a good tea . I looked well to it . ’ W Mine has gone upstairs with Katherine s . e
wo uld only be talking u n - Sabbathlike if we c ame b down and , esides , you would feel it to be your
- duty to forbid us looking at the papers to day , ” and that would be a dreadful trial . An involuntary glance at the papers when
Doctor Telfair first spoke of them had rev ealed T their situation to Jessy . hey were on a book
shelf , and she took possession of them with a
nod and a smile , and ran upstairs with the fleet
f Th e v n m feet o lov e . e eni g eal had been set w by the windo , and Katherine had risen and
was p o uring the boiling water u pon the leav es
Th e re of the tea as Jessy entered . peculiar
freshing odors of Peko e and young Hyson filled
o u the r om , and there was a wan smile pon Kath erine ’s face for the young have to be v ery de s airin o s o f p g, indeed,bef re the ucculent juices o w er o Gala Waler 78 me Fl f .
flesh and luscious sweetness of creams fail to in t e re st T h e them . idea of a good meal had been acc epted by Katherine at first with the resigna
~ h tion whic a sense of personal duty inspires , but it was fast becoming a pleasurable anticipa tion .
’ Jessy s face flashed t o her h o pe and expecta
o K t h e ti n , and atherine put down little brass
kettle and looked at her friend , with breathless interest . Selfish people like to play with good d news , to make rid les and surprises and please m the selves , but Jessy shut the door and said promptly :
t MO W Dear , if you wan to know about Mr .
are bray , here three newspapers with his name
in them . He sent them to father . Of course ,
o he knew they w uld be given to you . Love has
many strange postmen . Only think of him
— o T sending the minister D ctor elfair himself , and no less
o n e She was turning over paper as she spoke .
’ o w and the thers ere in Katherine s hands . . A Tae lo w er o Gala Wa er F f t . 79
pencil mark quickly directed their attention t o
o the pr per lines .
Here is the first notice , said Jessy . Bal
moral Hotel , Edinburgh , Richard Mowbray ,
’
W o . Mowbray , estm reland How the name
stands out am o ng a sco re of o ther names
o He l oked at it , said Katherine , and the
o r w ds caught light from his eyes . Here is the
second notice Perth , Richard Mowbray ,
’ W o W i Mowbray , estm reland . hat is he do ng i n ? Perth , Jessy Did he speak of Perth before I came
t T th e n o . I think his is latest paper , May
’
W c a o . 1 . 5 i k , Caledoni n H tel
Wick Whate v er has he gone to Wic k for ?
’ ’ — It is alm o st at John O Gro at s at the last foot o f Sco ttish ground .
“ w w h o I think I kno . He spoke of an aunt
Th e lived in the Orkneys . next paper , I dare ”
. say , will come from Kirkwall
’ Katherine s heada c he and heartache were
’ ’ o o w o ff O Gro at s far awa no w g ne , bl n John , y me lo w er o Gala Waler 80 F f .
over the great No rth ern Sea . It was charming to see how brightly and swiftly the co lor c ame back to her cheeks and the light t o her eyes .
Sh e She was hungry then , and poured out the
m o tea , and enjoyed her slice of untain mutton , and v ery much enj o yed her tarts and tinctured
cream ; the while she talked softly , and smiled
and dimpled , and was as happy as she had been
Th e n o w . miserable . laird was a nonentity
She felt even a trifle belligerent toward him .
’ o Wi nt o u n s absence was no l nger annoying . Jessy promised to see the young man and find out what was the worst o f the trouble there .
And after a delicious , delightful meal , Kath erine rode slowly and hopefully home betw een
the two lights , with three little scraps of news
paper in her silk purse . As for the purse , it was hidde n away safely close to her heart !
r Water 82 Tae Flo w er of Gala .
’ With out actual kn o wledge of Mowbray s char ac ter she had assured herself that he w as the
mate of her soul , and that it would be a kind of sin to hesitate in her allegiance . She had seen
Win t o u n Mowbray but a few hours . had been
b u t n o o her familiar for years , doubt had tr u
Win o u n bled her decision against t . Almost with out consideratio n or without co nscio us i n tent she had made her old lover understand that Sh e had decided against him ; and Win
n o t toun , usually quick to apprehend , had been d positive of this decision , though the wor s which had enlightened him admitted o f an o ther c onstruction .
’ His un c le s temper had suddenly forced h im
to take a position which he had not considered ,
and which on reflection he regretted . He had ,
ro u dl ' an d o in fact , spoken more p y chivalr usly
Th e c than he felt . next morning he ould not
o f endure the thought resigning Katherine .
To give her up implied the unsettling of all h is
h e w h s life , and was a yo ung man hose appines ' Tae lo w er o Gala Wa er F f l . 83
o c depended up n its being fixed and methodi al . Unusual events and emotions disturbed his
equilibrium , threw him out of his orbit , and he
c felt like som e forlorn astaway . Katherine was
o l vely and lovesome , and he had got the habit
o f loving her . In tearing herself from him she
c f infli ted a wound , and su fering of any kind was
n e w W in to u n . a sensation to He resented it , and his un c le had been the first re c ipient of his
resentment .
- f But his heart su fering w as not all . Kath erine ’s desertion would wound his personal and
family pride in the keenest manner . He could imagine ho w y o ung Heriot an d Jac k Netherby
c and Harry Forster would ondole with him .
He was aware that he had peacoc ked about
’ Katherine s lov e for h im and his alliance with
“ the Flo wer of Gala Wate r in a w ay to merit the sympathizing retaliation whi c h was sure to
co me . How they would twit him with the Eng
’ lish m an s triumph ! H o w they wo uld co ndole w ith him because he lived three hundred years 84 Tee Flo w er of Gala Waler . to o late and could n o lo nger ride into VV e st
’ moreland and lift Mowbray s cattle and co rn
’ and carry o ff Mowbray s w ife Not n aturally a
o very bright young man , his imaginati n had at
i th1 s cri s s a terrible vi v idness .
Nor could he afford to be quite obli v ious of
’ c Brath o us his un le s threat . It was true that had part of his estate in paw n . He had been
made fatherless at an early age , and his mother had not been equal to her position as guardian of a large landed estate . She had left it in dif
fi c ultie s w hich Brath o u s had assumed and h ith erto managed with great skill ; but in financial
matters , if his uncle went against him , what co uld he do ?
T c ro hese refle tions , added to a severe cold , p d u c e d a fever which kept him at home fo r a week . Katherine thought she was to blame fo r
Th e his absence . laird was sure his nephew was brooding o v er the angry words he had said
-both w ere blaming themselves somewhat and
w o t o f D both ere anxi us be riends again . uring Tae lo w er o Gala Wafer F f . 85
h ad that week there been hours , if he had known
” them , when he might have gre atly influenced both his love and his credito r ; for it is not in
any life opportunity is wanting ; it is the soul , alas ! that is either ignorant of its “ hour or
c else too fearful to laim it .
c W in t o u n In any ase , let it slip , and every
day took it farther away . Katherine received the h o pe whi c h had been sent to her through a the vagrant newspapers , and after that S bbath day she felt no m o re compunctio ns about Win toun .
Her rapturo us joy in the peradventure messages o v ercame su c h weak and transitory regrets and doubts as had assailed her in her loneliness .
I will hav e the blessedness of loving as well
be i n lo v e d as of g , she said to herself , as she went home with the three bits o f paper in her
o possessio n . Jamie may l ve me , but I do not love him and even Jamie has the habit of lov ing m o re th an the divine passio n o f th e co ndi l l/Valer 86 Tee Flo w er of Ga a .
n o . tio . I will wait for Richard M wbray He is
sure to come . She was then sorry that Jessy had promise d
i n t o n to say a conciliating word to W u . She wished she had told her to leave affairs as they
’ ’ Th at ah were . e laird s anger his nephew s
’ sence wo uld b e easier to bear than Jamie s re
p ro ac h ful eyes and the frightened att empts to
please her which he would be certain to make .
She hoped so me good fate would pre v ent Jessy
seeing Win t o un until she co uld c ontradict her
. desire . But Jessy was no lukewarm friend .
She persuaded her father to take her to Win
toun House early on Monday morning , and
while the minister went t o talk with a si c k plowman Jessy took the unhappy lover seriously
t o task .
Ru nning away even before your ri v al is on d Wi the ground I am ashame of you , Jamie n
toun ! Th e man may never come near Gala W ater again . He may have seen some other pretty girl as he w ent thro ugh th e Sco ttish Tee lo w er o Gala Wate F f r . 87
land . He may have a sweetheart in Eng
land .
o He is sure to c me back here . I feel it .
’ o T No ne s feelings are to trust to . hey are
S imply the most unreliable of eviden c e . Sup
pose he does c ome back ! What the n ! Lord
T an d aunton admired Katherine , came back
and back , and then went his way and married another wo man .
o w Mr . M wbray fell in real love ith Kath
erine . I know he did .
What d o yo u kn o w o f real l o ve
k w . I thin I kno all about it , Jessy
o u o You do not . If y were in real l ve would yo u sto p away from Katherine for anything or any one ? No . You would press your case
morning , noon and night . You would get Kath
’ erine s m o ther o n your side . You would seek
’ yo ur uncle s active help , for if he set himself to wo rry Katherine Sh e wo uld marry or drown — herself to get beyond him and if yo u had a thimbleful o f go od sense you w o uld be coaxing fe 88 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wa r . me this very minute t o say the go o d w o rds yo u
o t o have not Spirit en ugh say for yourself .
Wint o u n o Jamie , rder your best horse and put on your best coat and away over to Levens - h o pe and ask for what was pro mised you ! and then see to it that you let u p one say No .
He looked at the pretty , bright girl standing
before him , and he could not help admiring
. o her . He also liked her lecture It br ught a
flush of color to his c heeks and a very pleasant
o warmth to his heart . She was the incarnati n
of hope and resolution and her trig tweed suit ,
her soft derby , with its one erect eagle feather , and her glo v ed hands seemed to express to him
—o f o o the idea of enterprise s mething to be d ne .
ac t v I will in whate er way you think best ,
” w Jessy , he said that is , I will do as ell as I can . I do not know how Uncle Brat h o u s will
c . o take my all He told me to leave his h use ,
” and he has not sent for me again .
Are you waiting for a gracious w o rd fro m
‘ ‘ this so n o f N abal He h as no t su ch a th ing
Waler Tee Flo w er of Gala .
w somer . He has bro n eyes and you have blue he has black hair and you have brown . You
are both slender , and you are the taller . It is a
matter of taste . Most women would think you
b o u the etter looking . I am sure y have the best m heart and the best te per . I dare say also , if it c omes to the main argument , you have the long
- . o w er purse It is not lady like to bet , you kn ,
i Jam e , or I would bet on you . h ’ I oug t to wait for the minister s return .
It is not necessary . I will make a pro per
t o T o m T excuse for you . Father will talk ytler
o for an hour if they get to s cialism , and some
o d how even the Bible leads men there n wa ays .
I can amuse myself with the piano ; and she
gave him a bright nod of dismissal , and began to o sing , with a m cking lamentation
’ O h o ve o u ve been a v lla n s n c e th e da s o f ro , L , y i i , i y T y and H ele n W h en o u c aused th e fall o f ar s an d o f v er an y P i , y m y m o re
t He went away laughing at her impeachmen , T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 9 1
and Jessy did not finish the verse . Her face m . o grew so ber , even sad She lifted a bo k ,
o pened it upside down , and pretended to read .
Th e agitation of self- con sciousness made her
unco mfortable and she knew that Sh e had been
playing a part .
I do not care much for Jamie myself, she
said ; then she suddenly flung down the book
Th e and went into the garden . tone of her own
voice frightened and informed her , for there
was undo ubtedly in it that curiously u n satis
factory ring whi c h may always be heard in the
c c renun c iation of the una epted .
As S h e walked restlessly to and fro she saw
Wi n t o u n go out of the c ourt - yard on his finest
S h e c h im horse , and stood still and wat hed ride
at a steady gallop o v er the hills . “ He is a good man and he has a sensible
v c mind , though he is ne er in the louds , she
h o t ought . Po r Jamie If he only had wings
and a little sacred fire , then Katherine might
h at h as M w t h e h as no t ? lo ve h im. W o bray tha 9 2 me Flo w er of Gala Water .
Just that sacred fire that glo w s and warms and
’ makes a wo man s heart like wax before its
am o — flame . I glad he did not lo k at me nor — sigh for me maybe I would have c aught love
from him , too .
E v idently Win t o un had n o t this sacred flame
o to impart to Katherine indeed , Jessy had ften
n o ticed that he was co ld and ill at ease in the
presence of Katherine . And this morning he
w as c c subje ted to pe uliarly adverse influence .
Th e c n u laird , indeed , wel omed him with mis
v takable pleasure , but the laird had been ery unpleasant to his wife and stepdaughter all the
’ W i n t morning , and both of them regarded o u n s
unexpected v isit as a golden opp o rtunity for re
’ v c enging his un le s bad temper .
They therefore re c eived the young man with
w c a formal politeness hi h was chilling . Mrs .
Brath o u s asked after his cold and his lungs , and
’ then be c ame absorbed in Katherine s e m bro id ery . Katherine gave him her hand and a few sympathetic platitudes and returned to h e r c o n~ T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 93
ultatio n o T s ab ut colors with her mother . hen the laird made some c ontemptuous remarks
Brath o u s about women , and Mrs . left the room , while Katherine bent lower over her work , and
Win t o u n was miserably c onscious of his u n fo r t u n at e situation . Somehow he felt also that the ladies had tacitly relegated him to the position of the
’ laird s friend and nephew . He understood why he was being thus punished , and was angry at his uncle for bringing h im into su c h disfav or ; and yet he kne w that a quarrel with Brath o u s W was a quarrel with all his opportu nities . hat then c ould he do but submit to c irc umstan c es he found himself unable to c ontrol ? Because it was only in s ubmission he could find o ppo r t u nity to retrieve himself .
- He was , unfortunately , thirty six hours too
. late , and it might as well have been a lifetime
’ Had he sought Katherine s presen c e on Satur
o f v day , instead Monday , he might ha e found
i s l h er i n that m o od o f despair wh ich gratefu . 94 T/ee Flo w er of Gala PValer .
f c o for a fe tion but Sunday had br ught her hope ,
Sh e and was sanguine and happy , and far more inclined t o look forward to her new lover than t o enter into sentimental conversation with her
old one .
Day after day W in t o un went the same hope
Th e h less road . laird scolded and t reatened , b u t he c ould find nothing tangible to complain
v of , though he was quite sure there was e ery
c thing to omplain of . For , though Katherine rode and walked and t alked and sang with Win
c c toun very mu h after the usual form , all ould see that it was but a form—that the old girlish kindness and freedom which had been its spirit
r c o n were gone , and that though they were ve y stan tl y together , there was a wall of separation
im ass between them , transparent , but more p
able than adamant . It was in this daily veiled antagonism that the
o o laird first f und out the power of the maj rity . Katherine ’s womanhood had made her her
’ mo t er and Mrs . Brath o us t o Sh o w h s ally, began Signs o f restlessness and rebellion under the
’ laird s d o mestic auto cracy which amazed her
husband , and ought to have given him notice T that his reign of terror was over . here were
Wi n now two against one , and he was sure that
o toun w uld join the enemy , either on his first open disapproval or their first o pen favor . Then there would be three wills against his
w ill . In that case he doubted , and consequently he feared .
But the S pring grew to summer and the roses were blo wing in the rose - garden and the blue heaven and green earth and soft wind made the
- place around Levens hope a little bit of paradise .
o fo r Katherine , h wever , had been ten days rest
less and unhappy , for the laird , as a last annoy
h ad . ance , forbidden her visits to the manse
“ He said it w as because the hillsides were in:
‘ ’ ’ fe ste d with trippers and tourists whom ”
w h o . nobo dy knew , and were not to be trusted He gave his gamekeeper t h e strictest charges abo ut the w o o ds and the trout streams , and a fer 96 Tae Flo wer of Gal Wa .
“ vowed he w o uld be glad en o ugh if so me strav
’ - agers ro und Levens h o pe go t a shot o r tw o .
Katherine knew that he was h ittin g ' Mo w bray o o t o ver her shoulder , and she talked sc rnfully her mother about the coward wish . “ “ w Because , mamma , she said , he ill not
c Mo w have the ourage to utter one word to Mr . bray if he ever does come here again . He will w pretend to be delighted to see him . He ill c t o arry him the stalls to praise his prize oxen , and then wink at the gamekeeper to do his dastard will for him .
Brath o u s And Mrs . did not defend her hus b u and or invent exc ses for him , as she had been wont to . h However , Katherine knew t at if any news c v c i ame , or any e ent occurred whi h was of n t e re st , Jessy would be sure to let her know in
’
. some way Jessy s resources were infinite , though generally it was enough to move the
c minister to make all other moves su cessful .
’ So Katherine s heart beat fast one morning w hen
‘ aler lae Flo w er of Gala W .
h m e n w W en the two ere out of sight , Kath erine turned to her mother .
Never mind , Katherine , my dearie , said G that lady , cheerfully , I am going to alashiels
c an h this afternoon , and I leave you wit Jessy
” till I return .
Can you not go this morning , mamma
No . I wish I could . But I have the dairy
- o o o and linen r m to attend to this m rning , else we wo uld start immediately and make a day o f
w . it . But we can bring Jessy back ith us
o u Mamma , darling, you are as kind as y are
pretty , and that is saying a great deal and the pleasant wo rds and the kiss which went with
Brath o u s them sent Mrs . to her household duties with a light heart . It is such an easy thing to make people
” happy , she reflected , as she sat down with the dairy bo ok and began to count the quarts of
o f cream and the pounds butter it represented . m Meantime , Katherine had one of those war
c impressions , those instin tively sagacious pre Tae lo w er o Gala Wale F f r . 99 sentiments whi c h enable a sensitive soul to an tic ipat e events . She knew Ri c hard Mowbray Th c . e was oming soft , warm breeze told her so ; the birds sang the news to her the flowers nodded and waved and blushed their conscious ness of the event . Her heart beat with the sweetest tremors ; her eyes had in them that
- o ff c w o clear , far gaze whi h sho s the s ul to be on the lo okout . She was suddenly anxious about her appearance ; suddenly aware of being
as Sh e pressed for time , and she ran upstairs if had not a moment to lose .
A S imple little gown of finest lawn and white as light had just been laid upon her bed . She
put it on , she belted it with a white ribbon , she b h loo sened her raided air , she tied on her pink garden -hat and she took her rush basket and
- o . o scisso rs to the r se hedges A musk r se , pink
o and m ssy , looked at her , and she gathered it T and placed it in her girdle . hen she heard — — — foo tsteps voices a lo w laugh a merry strain o f so ng al W ter 1 0 0 me Flo w er o f G a a .
’ W lle o ster s ane to sea i i F g ,
S ller b uc les at h is nee i k k , ’ He 11 c o m e bac an d arr m e k m y , ” B o nnie Willi e F o ster !
She instantly d ivined the truth . Jessy was
o coming through the garden , and s me one was with Jessy . She knew who it was . All fear
was gone ; hope and love made glad her heart ,
o made bright her eyes , made r sy her cheeks ,
W i dimpled her mouth th smiles , illumined her face with that ultra - terrestrial charm whi c h b e
t ran sfi u re d longs to beauty g by the heart , not
by the intellect .
o o o ah She st od m ti nless , erect , every sense sorbed in listening . For one moment she had
’ t o o m o an impulse answer Jessy s s ng , the next m sh e o f ent felt it w uld be an o fense to destiny .
v M Lo e knew where she was waiting . If o w
o o t o bray held her fate , he , als , ught know . T here was a slight hesitation , a cessation of — human vo ices ; they were plucking a flo w e r she co se b ush trem l t its o ss and b uld, e the b e a l ; e
ter 1 0 2 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa . co uld find their way t o the h o use and take their leisure ab o ut it !
Both watched her out of sight , and then some how the little basket fell from Katherine ’s hands and Mowbray w as clasping both of them
in his own .
o Katherine , my beauty , he said , s ftly , you might have stepped out of the folded
- ! m leaves of the rose blossoms Katherine , y
” v o ! belo ed , say to me one word of welc me
T t h e hen she spoke , and roses nodded with
delight ; and the small , blithe wrens burst into a wild little jubilate at her answer .
M o wbray needed only this slight encourage
v ment . He ga e her no time to qualify it . He — woo ed her as men ought to w o o with an irre i tibl s s e . o will , with a passionate desire And l ve
is a magistrate in language . He taught Mow
’ bray words that unlocked the maiden s heart ; taught him words that swayed her there amon g
o - to w the lonely r se trees , as ora rs s ay multitudes in th e - market place . Th ey were often fo o lish T/ze Flo wer o Gala Wafe 1 f r . 0 3
n o words , with scholarly meaning , but they T touched her with a delicious intelligence . hey im were often nothing but a sweet , impulsive ,
et u o u s p iteration , but this iteration was as
c potent as the qui k , recurring blows of the ham
” mer on the anvil . If he said only Darling ,
a he said it twenty times , and each time it c me m hotter fro his heart and went closer to hers .
Such wooing makes an ugly man handsome ; it makes a handsome man but little lower than an angel . Mowbray had that beauty whic h
—a catches and charms the eyes graceful form ,
a winning manner , regular features , and , what
is much rarer , flesh of finest texture translucid
in its paleness , so much so that his brown , ex pressive eyes were n o t more lambent than the
t ran sfi u re d rest o f his face . And Love g him ;
w as d u he even physically ivine , nder the celes
o tial em tion .
Sw iftly went that w o nderful hour am o ng the — roses that delectable , exquisite hour that never
‘ o T w co mes t o any m o rtal but nce . here ere 1 0 4 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wafer.
o f tears rapture in their eyes when , at last , they
o ut o w turned of the fl ery labyrinth , pledged to
each o ther forever ! In their bliss they were assailed by a little of that weariness and melan
c h o ly which all mortals must experience who dare the only earthly joy which holds the gift
t o o of immortality . Katherine fled her r om and fell upon her knees and wept a little and prayed a little in th o se broken ejaculatio ns which are at once so childlike and so acc eptable
to the Divinity . Mowbray held his cup of happiness w ith a f steadier hand , but he was strangely a fected by
’ this sweet realization of man s c apacity for a
Fo r double existence . it was not so much that
o o s mething new had c me into his life , as that
o i to s meth ng old had been returned him . To
' love Katherine had been no fresh lesson ; he
S had found her at first ight familiar , and the sense of “ right in her had been the earliest sensation she inspired . Admirati o n and aff e c
o o ti n foll wed quickly , but he was certain the in
o Gala Water T/ze Flo w er f .
welcome guests w h o co me just at the right time .
Sh e Sh e t o made him feel that was glad see him ,
o and he lost not one m o ment in pening his case . He seated himself before her he spoke with an eloquence which denied all objections . In a few minutes he was holding her hands and beg ging her to stand . by Katherine and himself against all odds She was n o t very easily per su d Wi n t o u n a e d . She said had lo o ked on Kath
erine as his future wife for nearly seven years .
’ o e She sp k of the laird s long , unwavering deter
o t o tw o minati n unite the estates by marriage .
Win to u n For is his heir , she said and
Win t o u n - Lands and Levens - hope are n o m ean
’9
. o o o patrimony M wbray , h wever , had w rds far
beyond her reasoning he talked with his heart ,
S h e Th and grew silent . en the tears came to
o o her eyes , and at this fav rable m ment Kath erine entered the room and slipped within her mother ’s arm and laid her cheek against her
’ mother s breast .
B o o . rath o u s h e r Mrs st ped and kissed child . Tao lo w er o Gala Waler 1 F f . 0 7
v She had begun then to gi e way . And Mow
’ o o o f o bray s ad rati n the girl , his impetu sity , his
determinatio n to take no denial were irre sist
o w as ible . Undeniably , als , his beauty a silent
o but p werful friend , for there seemed to be a natural fitness in the marriage of a man so hand M rs . so me with a girl so lovely . At the last
Brath o u s su rrendered unconditionally .
“ ” h e S . It is enough , Mr . Mowbray , said I am convinced by something beyond your words .
My heart is with Katherine and you , and I will ” stand by you to the v ery uttermost .
Then she sto o ped forward and kissed the
o y ung man , and with the kiss took him fully to her love and trust . After this happy settlement the day went to
Love and to Love only , for the generous mother set the whole h o useh o ld to this happy key . While K atherine and Mowbray wandered in the
warm , sunny garden , she talked to Jessy of the
f o w n e a fair , and with her hands spread a mor
t t fes ive able . W ler 1 0 8 T/i e Flo w er of Gala a .
W e will let them have a day or t w o in para
“ fo r dise , Jessy , she said , the laird will pull
their happiness to pieces as so on as he finds it
ut 7, o .
But for on c e good fortune was on the side of
in t n the lovers . W o u went that very day to
Dalkeith to assist at the marriage of a friend ,
happily obli vious of th e stranger who was inter
meddling with his own marriage . And the
' theological fray was m o re h erce than had been
antic ipated before each man of b o th c lergy and d laity had said their say , four days had elapse ,
v t be and e en then re urn was a little delayed , c o G ause the laird had b ught a alloway pony , and a man was to hire who c ould ride it o ver t o
v - Le ens hope .
So it was Saturday evening when Brath o us reached home . He found nothing to mar the
peace and happiness of his return . Mowbray
had gone to Edinburgh to buy a betrothal ring , and he intended to remain ov er the Sabbat h in
th e . Win to un w as t h capital sitting wi Mrs .
o ala Water 1 1 0 l e Flo w er f G .
young people o ught to walk o v er to the manse
for Jessy ; and then they could dance a reel or ” two before supper .
Brath o u s n o t did like the proposition , but hav
- ing been so good natured hitherto , he could not
at once summon the necessary c ourage to c o n
test either the walk o r the dance . So Kath
b W i n t o u n v erine , with Mow ray and , went o er
c the hill for Jessy , and the result was pre isely B h rat o u s . what Mrs . anticipated Jessy and
Wi nt o u n k c wal ed ba k together , and Katherine and Mowbray turned aside into Leven ’s wood
’ to see a saint s well ; and then they were de layed by the roaring of a notoriously ill -tem
c c pered bull , and ould not rea h home until an hour later . For it had taken Mowbray all that extra time to put the c ircle of gems on Kath erine ’s finger and to tell her how long and d ’ dreary the two ays had been without her .
Th e v delay , howe er , made the laird very angry , and he did not scruple to scold Katherin e fo r it o n t their re urn . Tae low er o Gala Water F f . 1 1 1
’ w as n o t an farie s Si r It Miss J fault , , said
o M wbray , quickly . Pray do not let yo ur p o si
o tion as h st make you blame her in my place . I
’ an farie asked Miss J to show me the saint s well .
Neither o f us is respo nsible for the furious
- o animal you keep so near the high r ad , and — — which permit me t o say ought to be sh o t at
o nce .
. o o u o i Mr M wbray , y are a stranger . Y ur g
r n c e f n o a o o . o r is y ur apol gy As Katherine ,
o o o o and he l ked angrily at the girl , who st d
’ w ith her hand in Mowbray s hand .
’ Then M o wbray s dark eyes flashed a defiance which the laird might have quarreled with had
Brath o u s w n o t Mrs . stepped between them ith
her charming smile . “ f w o r o u . Mr . Mowbray , Jessy is aiting y
o u w Katherine , y are keeping Jamie aiting for
w t o o u o u . o u y And if y ant me play a reel , y h ad better make haste w hile I am in the moo d ” - o f being go o d natured .
In spite o f her merry w o rds th ere was a lo o k a W ter 1 1 2 Tee Flo w er o f Gal a .
o f o o w o h anxi us deprecati n in her eyes , hich b t
Katherine and Mow bray respected fo r sh e knew with what magical speed suspicio n grew
’ in her husband s mind . He had entertained a
o w o o o o d ubt , twenty uld f ll w , and confirmati n
o e . So o be cl se b hind , th ugh her fingers struck o u t o f the tingling notes , and the light feet the
t o h o happy dancers kept time t em , she c uld see
’ the anger and dislike bro o ding in her lo rd s w white , eak face and when he suddenly left the parlo r she knew he had gone t o his ro o m t o w alk himself into a passio n of in jury .
I t h e r to was upo n the s rm fell . !” Near midnight he cried , when she entered
o the r o m . A woman of your age dafli n g and dancing till such ho urs
“ Wh y n o t scold the minister ? He th o ught n o o f o u r daffin harm g and dancing .
’ He didn t ? Then he ought to have a re pri t ” mand , and I will see tha he gets it .
o o u I h pe y will .
1 1 4 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wafer .
for yo ur bad manners every time we h ave c o m
T n snifflin . i to pany here is no use s rming and g,
Alexander .
I will n o t have that Englishman in my house
o again . I w ill order the servants t turn h im ”
o ut .
“ Y o u o , y urself , asked him here . If any
s n o ut erva t turns him , I will turn the servant
after him .
“ o ! A nob dy An adventurer Oh , dear me !
What a dreadful thing it is t o hav e a kind heart !”
Y o u so n o said he was the of y ur friend . If
t o he is an adventurer , wha right had y u t o in t ro du c e him to my daughter ? A fine guardian
o u ! o y are And as for your kind heart , no n e
o r T ever was ever will be better of it . here is n o S v use itting up to worry , Alexander . E ery o ne t o in the house is asleep , and I am going my ” o r om .
n o t w H I shall sleep a ink . o w can I with s uch go ings o n ? T/ze lo w er o Gala Waler 1 1 F f . 5
m You will sleep well enough . You ight as
. well Nobody will mind your staying awake .
- Good night .
i n h e n o t c But reality did sleep mu h . He
’ was troubled and anxious about W in t o u n s
ff Brath o u s re a airs , for , after Alexander , he
garded James W in t o u n as the person of most
’
o . imp rtance He was his sister s son , and he
o looked up n him as his own heir . His marriage
w c ith Katherine was the pet proje t of his life ,
’ fo rKatherine s money would redeem Win to u n s Lands , and beside this Katherine was of the
best blood of the Border , and her beauty and grace would be suitable adjuncts to his nephew ’s
wife . But there was another reason , and though b he seldom gave it , even to himself , it was y far
the most potent . He had taken the mortgage
’ Win t o u n e on with some of Kath rine s money , and if Katherine did not marry James Win
v toun , he would ha e to replace this money when she cam e of age an d demanded an account of
w a h is stewardship . And the sum s so large l e 1 1 6 Tee Flo w er of Ga a Waf r. that he c ould only do so by mortgaging Levens ho pe .
I t m o see ed to him , therefore , that it w uld be an o utrageous wrong to permit t h e fancy o f a mere girl to make v oid all his plans t o save two — fine estates estates whi c h in the end w ere to
belong to her and her children . In fact , he told himself that he would not and could n o t have any interferen c e with a pro ject so wise and so beneficial for all concerned .
Nobody had interfered yet , but he had a sus
ic i o n o f p Mowbray , for he noticed that the Kath erine who talked and danced with W in t o u n w as but a colorless shadow of the Katherine w h o
talked and danced with Mowbray . She was
o c t o Wi n t o n sweet and p lite and old u . She was m light and life and fla e with Mowbray . If
Win to u n said lovi ng words to her they fell like snow -flak e s on steel ; if Mowbray but looked at her , his look lightened her eyes and burned in
her cheeks and flashed in smiles her answer .
h e T l o vers had told themselves they would be
Wafe 1 1 8 Tee Flo w er of Gala r.
e rati v e S h e p order . Indeed , delayed so long that she found the laird standing impatiently
o o o o w at the open d r of the r m , aiting for her approach .
W h o ? y do you not c me quicker , Helen he
o o u asked , fretfully . I sent you w rd that y
t o were come in haste .
W h u I was talking to Katherine . y did y o send fo r me to com e to this ro om ? Are y o u
really , at last , going to get a new carpet for it ?
No , madam . I am not likely to have money
c c for new arpets . I hose this room because I
o u n o t w h want to talk seriously to y , and I did is ” v h the ser ants to ear us .
c She smiled s ornfully , and asked Pray what is the matter now ?
Matter enough W h y did you deceiv e me ?
! W ere you not afraid to ask a stranger to my house while I was away ? One would think you were trying to make a match between him and — K ath erin e trying to ruin bo th K ath erine an d Tee lo w er o Gala W fer 1 1 F f a . 9
o ourselves . I am alm st beside myself with the
news . “ Will you remember that it was you who asked him when he was here last ? You who f said , with your usual ridiculous e fusiveness
t . o On your re urn , Mr Mowbray , c me and stay
— ’ a fe w days a fe w weeks if you wish ? If I had
h im o o u o not made welc me , y w uld have asked
Ho w I dared to turn one o f your invited guests
’ — ? - away As for match making that , it seems ,
is yo ur business . You have been planning to
marry my p o or little girl ever since yo u had the
fo r charge o f her . It has been your one care
Katherine . I was planning for her happiness and wel
fare .
Y o u w ere planning for your nephew .
Jamie Winto u n may n o t appear to Katherine
n o t all th at h e appears t o yo u . Katherine may think it a supreme joy and privilege to use her — m o ney to release Wint o un - Lands to Spare your
- o ! c m o rtgaging Levens h pe Oh , I have rea hed 1 2 0 Tee Flo w er of Gala Waler .
o f Brath o u s ! the bottom your plans , Under stand this I will not have m y daughter sac ri .
fi c e d to carry out your plans .
I understand that you are going to ruin yo ur ” Wh o P daughter . is this Mowbray ” You said yo u knew him .
I will tell D o ctor Telfair w hat I think of
t o him . I will that What right has he bring the fello w to my home ?
“ t o o T e ! Speak Doct r elfair , by all m ans He
o u o will tell y some truths you ught to hear .
n o n Quarreling with you is pleasure . I shall o t ” o c ntinue it .
I am go ing t o send Katherine back to ” school .
. w Mr Mowbray ill feel much obliged to you . D Bolts and bars cannot keep out love . o you
’ ’ imagine the Rules of a ladies sch o ol w ill be more successful ? ”
You will see what I will do Do you think
I shall permit a co uple of silly w o men t o break ” my plans to p ieces ?
CHAPTER IV .
“ I MU ST SEE MY BROTHER .
' Th is earth wh ereo n we d ream ’ I s o n all sides o ersh ado wed by th e h igh ’ o nt a ns o f ec ess t U no erleap ed M u i N i y,
Spari ng u s narro wer m argin th an we d eem .
o h t o an end N o j y so great but runnet , n N o h ap so h ard but may in tim e ame d .
Tw o letters arrived at the manse very early
Br h o o . at o u s next m rning . One was fr m Mrs to Mr . w n o t Jessy , asking her to request Mo bray to
- visit Levens hope for two or three weeks . She
” “ was , she said , fully resolved to stand by the promise she had made h im with regard t o Kath
t o o erine , but she must have time c nsider the ” t o kindest and best way manage the future .
[ 1 2 2 ] Tae lo w er o Gala Wat F f er . 1 2 3
u c In tr th , the lady was mu h troubled and per l e xe d . c p She had , perhaps , a more affe tionate feeling toward the laird than Sh e was really
w c c e r a are of ; at any rate , she did re ognize a tai n loyalty to his interests as in c umbent upon i her . Also Jamie W n t o u n had some c laim to be considered . He had won a large share of
i n her liking . She could not remember one stan c e i n which he had been thoughtless of her
h T o feelings or negle c tful of er wishes . injure him both in his affe c tions and his estate did seem a little too bad but she was in hopes that if time was taken to look at the S ituation rea so n abl c v y , some finan ial arrangement fa orable
Win t o u n . c h to could be made Hen e , she wis ed
c Mowbray to keep out of sight , sin e the laird
c would only be irritated by his presen e .
Th e other letter was a v ery intemperate one
n fro m the laird to the mi ister .
D EAR S I R : I h o p e yo u willu se th e p o wer gi ven yo u t o He is an o f fro ala W ater. ge t th e m an M o wbray aw ay m G m s h t - and ear an d h e h as been see n fense to y ig my , ki g er 1 2 4 Tee Flo w er o f Gala Wat .
’ n f o m e th n K ath erine s lo ve with o u t w o rd o r w arra t r m . I i k m n ster t o ee eac e i n fa les an d it is y o ur d uty as a i i k p p mi i , I ’ th e bo rd er t o h is o w n h o m e expec t yo u t o get th e man o e r , d au h te r lest sh e m a e o n and also t o lo o k we ll after yo ur g k ud m e nt an d d o m o re ill m eddle in m att ers b eyo nd h er j g .
full w o f. es e c t th an eith e r yo u o r sh e o ts R p y , R H ” A L E! AN D E R B AT O U S .
Th e minister , who was a man of fiery spirit ,
t w o answered this letter promptly with words ,
which are better not printed , especially as Jessy
Th e pretended not to hear them . second reply
bu t . was more elaborate , j ust as truthful
EAR AIRD : h ave o u r let t e r and am so rr fo r D L I y , I y
i h ere is n o e c use fo r su ch a bit o f r d cu lo us w r t n . t . T x i i i i g w ra n u and o wn ala W ater is n h Mr. M o b y go i g p d G o t e ’ n s h h w a and h e h as as m u c h r h t th e re as o u o r ki g ig y , ig y an o t h a As fo r m d u t if fa li n it th e r er m n . esb y y y , I i , P y ’ r l a w am u n t e y wi lask m e th e re so n h y. I p ut der n ei th er la rd n r aster An d w ll be leave to re m n i o m . I i g i d yo u o f o ur o wn sh o rtc o n s fo r if all o o d eo le w h o ff n y mi g , g p p o e ded y o u r e yes and y o u r ears w ere t o be ban ish ed fro m G ala W ate r uld o u r elf i n a r o u w o find s dese t . Y , y y o u are ill t o
lease la rd and th at is th e tru th and if th e t ru th h u rt p , i , ; s yo u ’ am o nl d o n art o f th at du t o u re nd m e f As I y i g p y y mi o . fo r t h e lo wer o f ala W at er se e n o h arm in an F G , I y go o d entle m an adm r n h er sweet b eau t an d t r n t o w in h g i i g y yi g er.
K ath er ne an farie is a w o an an d is th e refo re n i J m , , , o t bey o n d
w o o n an d w n n n . beleve in lo ve arr a l e s a rd . i g i i g I i m i g , i I h in th n o o f r i t f t k e u i n h ea ts s bet er than that o urses. p And,
‘ fer 1 2 6 me Flo w er of Gala Wa .
- v fully toward Levens hope . He was ery happy .
h im ~an d He knew that Katherine loved , he did not spoil his joy by questioning and qualifying
it . He was going to see her , and the sweet air , the bright sunshine and the spirit of summer
Th e were going with him . prodigious dis
f v quietude o a selfish lo er he knew nothing of .
c He was arrying his soft hat , and the fresh
T h e wind was blowing his hair . bridle lay loosely in his grasp ; he was humming softly to
v himself a little lo e song . When the minister joined him he alighted
v ar from his horse , threw the bridle o er his m and walked by his side T here was a little b S rown wren inging on the whin bushes , and they stood still to wat c h its body in c line toward
c the sun , its head thrown ba k , its breast swell l c ing with e stasy .
v He is singing to his lo e , said Mowbray .
Th e bird is en c hanted ! See how his wings flutter “ W ! W ! ings ings cried the minister . T/ze lo w er o Gala lValer 1 2 F f . 7
Wi n gs t h at o ur h e arts m ay rest ’ ’ I n th e radi ant m o rni n g s breast !
Oh , that I had wings like a dove
His fac e was sad ; he was already sorry for
w the letter hich he had written . b I have een angry this morning , Mr . Mow
am v bray , he continued , and I out of fa or w ith myself for I c an tell yo u that the moment a man feels angry he has c eased striving for the
T t o ruth and he has begun strive for himself .
t I think y o u had better ride o the manse . Miss
Te lf i a r will hav e a word or two to say to you .
As for me , I must talk with my own heart for an hour . Then Mowbray understood that there was ’ b some annoyance , and the laird s ehaviour on the previous night gave him the key to it . So he thanked Doctor Telfair and rode rapidly for w v i ard , his joy ha ng been suddenly turned into anxiety . In the meantime the laird had been making every one at Levens as unhappy as possible . W fer 1 2 8 Tee Flo w er of Gala a .
He w as sco lding abo u t the strawberry beds be
fore breakfast , and nothing at that meal satis
Th e w as fi e d . o him oatmeal half b iled , the h d ff c ops were burned , the rolls col , the co ee
o o o n muddy . He kept the f tman a trot between the breakfast parlor and the kitchen most of the
t o time , and it gratified him see the young man
w as in a state of tears and trembling . For he
Brath o u angry at the silent dignity of Mrs . s
o and Katherine . He felt that his c mplaints T ought to have been indorsed by them . heir
non - interference was a tacit disappro val o f his
o c nduct .
After the disagreeable meal was over , the
d re la ies were leaving the room together . He called them in what he intended t o be a very
Brat h o authoritative manner ; but Mrs . u s de t e ct e d in it that to ne of bluster w hich is always w the sign of co ardly timidity , and she asked promptly
“ W do o u h hat y want wit us , Alexander ?
I have something very imp o rtant to say to
l e Flower o Gala Waf 1 2 f er. 9
. o Katherine C me here , miss . You will be
2 th b ’ married on the 9 of Septem er . It is Jamie s
birthday , and he may as well make it his mar
ria e d a g y .
v You are going beyond bounds on e ery side , ” w B h . rat o u s d au h laird , ans ered Mrs for her g
ter . It is the right of the bride to c hoose her
- wedding day , and her. husband also . And I doubt if you have word or warrant from Jamie
for what you say . You may be Laird of Le v ens
0 b h pe , but Katherine is eyond your ordering .
It is high time that I took matters in hand . Girls that are as good as married playing shut
’ l c o c k re t e with two men s hearts It , is not
e . spe c tabl . I am not able to bear it I did not
S w leep ell last night , and to lose my sleep is as
am mu c h as my life i s worth . I so nervous this f morning it is really pitiful . I will not su fer in
’ flirt this way for any girl s vanity . Flirt , flirt ,
ing , morning , noon and night
Y o u w . Alexander , take heed hat you say ” are slandering my daughter . o w er o Gala PValer 1 30 l e Fl f .
I say Katherine is a flirt ! She is all the
’ s same as Jamie s wife , yet I saw her making eye
at t hat Englishman and whispering in corners !” with him . I saw her
It is not the truth .
Is she not betro thed to James Win t o u n ?
No .
Helen Brath o u s !
‘ ’ I say No , not unless she desires the mar
e riag . A promise made at twelve years o f age
c o uld hardly be binding on a woman of nine
if c teen , even it had been an un on ditional promise . Katherine nor I e v er regarded it as — v if Win anything but pro isional she liked , if
” toun liked , if we were both of the same mind . W ! v ell , women beat all I will ha e no m o re
to say to either of you . But the wedding w ill take place . So you may make ready for it o r
s . not , just as it please you It is no longer a
’ question of wom en s likes o r dislikes . I will
take the law to my side . Just understand that , will you ? For behind Alexander Brath o u s
le 1 3 2 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa r .
W o f . ater , and blooming her life away in them
And as sure as my name is Alexander Brat h o u s
1 will let no English body transplant t he Flower
W T h e h it of Gala ater . man t at tries will never c ross the border hame again
That is all gasc onading and braggadocio
You swagger like Pistol , and always eat the leek
” at the end of it . Madam Madam I will
You do . You know you do . Come , Kath erine ; and though the laird stood up and
c b c v stru k the ta le with his losed hand , and e en
c mildly swore a little , the ladies went almly out
c v t S of his presen e , lea ing him withou a ingle
v v promise , and with a ery positi e sense of
defeat . But the opportunity to explain and defend
c himself was an absolute ne essity of his nature , and he was sorry n o w that he had written to b the minister . It was a ov e all things desirable
o h i s that he sh uld have good word and support .
“ o w er e o l H e h e m nt n l e . v , ally c c ud d , I wil Tee Flo w er of Gala Wafer; 1 33
v just ride o er to the manse . I will go on my m Barbary are , with my man in the Le v ens liv n T ery behi d me . elfair will giv e in a bit to — I - that , and when the Laird of Levens hope
say a few words with a ring of apology in them ,
the minister will be glad enough to put the o f
\ fe n se away with a w h aff of the hand or a p o lite
o w rd or the like of that . For it is tru e as Go s pel that the minister is just a nobody without
the laird beh ind him .
He put on his tightest - fi ttin g riding-coat an d
- v m his Dent saddle glo es , called his Barbary are
m an c and his Ar hibald , and rode proudly down
m c bi the ain avenue . Before he rea hed the g
’ gates he met the minister s man with the m i n
’
iste r s . th e letter It was blow second , and rather
’ harder to meet than his w ife s defiance .
“ ” S u c h a like letter ! he muttered when h e
Th e had read it through . man writes to me
Th e h u mili as if I w as a v ery sinner . comely y o f a Presbyter indeed A more prelatic spirit
co a co uld no t be fo und in a High Epis p l . I am 1 r a Wafe 34 T/ze Flo w e of Gal r .
- o just distrac ted with the insult . Levens h pe in
his parish and S piritual jurisdi c tion ! Humph
’ — ’ m f m f and snorting out his defian c e of
this truth , he turned his finely caparisoned ani
mal to W in t o u n House . He found Jamie in precisely the mood he de
Th e sired . young man was feeling hurt and
’ w wronged , and his uncle s sympathy was s eet
and his promises comforting . d It is all in your own han s , Jamie , he said ,
the woman you lo v e and the estate which it
would break both o u r hearts t o see ro uped and
sold .
I will do anything reasonable , uncle , but I
do not like t o gi v e Katherine pain or annoyance
of any kind .
“ o o w n Katherine does not kn w her mind .
n o She has idea of what is good for her . No girl at her age has . Fathers and mothers and guardians hav e to watch them as if they had the death fever . At nineteen years o f age the wh o le gen eratio ns o f w o men go demented abo ut
a 1 36 me Flower of G la Wafer.
n her for a wedding trip . Send her ri gs and
Get brooches of all kinds . the whole country side talking of your marriage ; most wome n w ould rather die than have people say their
o ff wedding was broken . Man , Jamie If you
w b let that fello , Mow ray , steal your wife , you may just as well give him your estate ; and if
Wi n t o u n S you let lip , I am not likely to trust
- you with Levens hope .
“ c Do not threaten , un le ; I need neither threats nor promises where Katherine is con ” c erned . Then why are you whimpering h ere instead of being at Levens ? And if the ladies tell you
I gav e them the scolding they deserved this
m v v - orning , I gi e you lea e to talk as they talk . You may say I am a perfect Bluebeard if it will
f rie an a . d help you to win Katherine J And min ,
you are to fight for the wedding in September .
th i n s i m o ssible Promise all g p , the moon and the stars , if she wants them . I did that way with
o her m ther . I had to . And sometimes I wonder T/ze lo w er o rGala Water 1 F f . 37
i n s at the courage I showed those day . But I
. feel it now I lost my sleep last night , and
nothing touched my palate this morning , and
v my heart beats too fast , I am ery sure , and all
c c this trouble for that on eited , meddlesome ! Englishman If it was not sinful to swear , I
have a mouthful of bad words waiting for him . As the morning went on t hey visited the
c o ; sto k and walked int the fields , and looked at " fo r th e the grass now ready the mowing , and at T grow ing wheat and barley . hen they had a
o go d lunch , and the laird supplemented it by a
S . long , comfortable leep He was in hopes that his absence would cause some uneasiness to his — wife that she might perhaps fear something
” Win t o u n t o had happened , and send to House
e inquire after him . He awoke about thre
’ o clock , and asked if she had done so , and Jamie
” e f . answ red , No , with the utmost indi ference
h bu t This want of interest rat er troubled him , there was no -c omfortable c ourse o pen but that o f returning h o me in th e mo st o rdin ary manner . ter 1 38 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa .
t o He asked Jamie go with him , and Jamie
o T h e said he had been waiting to do s . ride W was a rather silent o n e . hen all was said and
Win t o u n done , felt very like a puppet in his
’ c n un le s hands ; and he resented the positio . There had been moments that day when he had longed to tell the laird that he did not wonder
Katherine had resolv ed to choose a lover wh o m
he could not order or interfere with .
T Brath o u s hey found Mrs . and Jessy Telfair
on a little lawn near the rose garden . It was
S furnished with heltered seats and a table , and
Br on fine afternoons Mrs . ath o u s frequently had
v . tea ser ed there She smiled at her husband , and made ro om for him on the rustic couch by
- removing her work basket . He was not able t o
c v c resist this harming ad an e , and seeing that
Win to u n was talking to Jessy , he kissed the
white hand that had prepared his place , and said
Oh , Helen How could you be so cross this
? h e h ad o st w e h morning I av a m r tc ed day .
1 4 0 Tee Flo w er of Gala Waler .
He is handsome and capti v ating ; what chance have I against h im ? I have n othing t o
/ put beside his p e rso n al ad v an tage s .
Wi n t o u n Oh , Jamie You have a heart of go ld You are t h e most unselfish soul that e v er d live , and at the last Katherine must find out
” h o w c aptivating this noble nature makes you . Before he could answer they saw the lovers standing under the green roof of the meeting
fl u tin hazel boughs . A blackbird was g above them , recapturing again and again his few de lic io l o us o o . y impl ring n tes M wbray , with lifted
arm face , was trying to imitate them , his was
around Katherine , her head was against his
shoulder , and the bright sunshine sifting through
o the green trees fell all over her fair , br wn hair
- and sn o w white dress .
' T e r-a- tene T e r- a- tene ! T e r-a-tene he whistled so ft and c lear but Katherine said
Y o u o have not quite underst od . I kn o w w hat he says .
“ st ! Then tell me , deare ‘ ’ T/ze lo w er o Gala W l r 1 F f a e . 4 1
m I learnt the secret fro the shepherds , and
the angels may have told them . For shepherds out on the hills all night do hear and see w o n d e rfu l v things . And they ha e known for hun dreds of years what is the sweet entreaty the
c bla kbird makes e v ery night and morning . “ ? ” And now , will you tell me
o w sh e Listen , then and in low , mell thirds
’ chanted the blackbird s mass .
’ M agdalen at Mi ch aels gate
rled at th e in Ti p , ’ Th e blac b rd san o n o se h s th o rn k i k J p , Let h er in ! Let h er i n
Th e tender little prayer with its m o urnful caden c e blended with the pensive n o tes of the
bird , and when it was finished Mowbray kissed the lovely m o uth that had made it .
“ ’ Win to u n . I will go back , Jessy , said ” will wait by the raspberry bushes for you .
She understood and made no objections , and so lifting herself the old world rhyme , she went singi n g it toward Katherine .
” “ “ o Sh e and Th e laird is h me , said , he is o w er o Gala Waler 1 4 2 me Fl f .
asking for yo u . And Jamie is by the raspberry
tw o o bushes , and you must c me out of Paradise
and be just common mortals again . T hey came out with a sigh , though her kindly
imperativeness took away so me of the senti
mental regret . And then she so managed the
S ituation as to place Katherine and W in t o u n
o w Sh e t gether , hile rather ostentatiously
’ Th e walked at M o wbray s S ide . laird saw them
c c approa hing , and his loose mouth pu kered and his eyes sought some explanation from his
w . ife She was arranging the tea cups , and
and fro as her hands moved to , she said , sweetly
N o w l , A exander , you must not be less than a gentleman . Mr . Mowbray has c o me to bid
’ o u - b y good y . You gave him welcome for his
’ father s sake d o not sp o il your kindness at the
last hour .
had n c He no time to rebel agai st the harge .
’ Mr . Mowbray s perfe c t manner and courteous w o fo r w rds asked the same return , and ith h is
e o e o Gala Water 1 4 4 T/e Fl w r f .
’ re father s oldest friend . I cannot neglect his
’ ”
s o . quest , and must ay farewell at nce
Wint o u n He bowed to , thanked the laird for
n . his hospitality , and the turning to Mrs Brath ous gav e one hand to her and one to Katherine .
There was not a word uttered by Kath erine .
Brath o Mrs . u s spoke some hurried sentences
that meant nothing at all , and at the same time answered his entreating eyes with a l o ok that meant all he asked . His last glance was for
i w as Kather ne , and he turning rapidly away , when Jessy said
W S w ill you not hake hands ith me also , Mr .
Mowbray ? I thought I w as one of your fav or
-b ! . Go ites od y Be sure and write to us . Father G W will want to know if you forget ala ater .
She gav e a meaning to this injunction whi c h he understood and answered an d then he was
v th gone , and the tea had lost all fla or , and e laird was gruff and injured and had not hing to
’ say ; an d the girls stole o ff to K ath e rln e s room to t o t th e o ver and th e te alk ab u l legram . Tae lo w er o Gala W f r 1 F f a e . 4 5
n o t c He did look mu h troubled , said Jessy .
e P ople do not , as a rule , worry about their
’ r a - fathe s friends . You will get letter to mor
- ! ro w . A love letter Oh , Katherine , a love letter !
T h e girls lo o ked at each other with shining
eyes , and then sighed for the very joy of antici T patio n . hey took a map and a railway guide and followed the line Mowbray would be likely t o take ; and Katherine said over the names of T the stations softly and musically . hey were
c w little stations on a rowded map , but they ere clear and vivid to her eyes . She speculated as to the moment at which her lover would pass each of them .
c And he will rea h Mowbray about sunrise , I
” should think , Jessy , she said .
o He reac hed it in that still , chill h ur before sunrise ; the village was asleep ; the sheep on the mountain Slopes were asleep ; the silen c e
o v and mystery o f sleep bro oded er everything ,
’ h u e Mr. Hewett s animate and inanimate . o s le 1 4 6 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa r .
f o . was on the outskirts the place , a pretty stone
r- Mo w d w elling in the midst of a flo w e garden .
bray opened the gate and , with swift steps , passed the flagged walk to the doo r . It stood
’
Mo w bi a . wide open . y knew Mr Hewett s room ,
S and he went there . He found his friend itting by the open window and evidently suffering .
“ n I saw thee comi g , Richard , he said .
am o I s rry , Mr . Hewett ; I am very sorry , indeed .
n a ! o Nay , y, Richard I have had my h ur , and done my work . I am ready to go as soon T as I have a bit of a talk with thee . ake thy
c W h pen il and write down what I say . y , man
v T Ne er look so scared . here is noth ing to hurt
’ thee . I hav en t murder or theft o r anything w c i ked to tell thee .
I am not fearing for myself .
I know . I hav e heard tell . I can fancy a — f . an arie bit more A b o nny lass a J beauty .
T v Th e an fari e s here ha e been many of them . J are a h a d o m lo t o f men and o n s e w men . Well
G la W te 1 4 8 me Flo w er of a a r .
n W E glish gentleman . hen he was eighteen he was allowed t o travel wherever his fancy led
' him . Your father hoped t o weary out his
v n o n o o ro i g temper } the c ntrary , it c nfirmed it . He came back with the w ild life of California and Colorado and Texas in the middle o f his
T w o v heart . here was no life rth li ing but that of an Indian or a c o w bo w . He talked to the squire until even he sometimes felt as if he must
bo to sell Mowbray and go with his y the prairies . But the wish was only in the squire ’s imagina ’ ’11 tio n and it was his son s blood . I say this the lad could not help it . It was his nature .
And at last his father understo od that h e could no more make an English squire out of Th omas
M owbray then he could make a plow - horse out T of a red deer . hey did not quarrel or an grify
T c about it . hey talked the ase sensibly over in my presence , and the young man was glad t o take five th o usand pounds as his portio n and go o ff with it to the West to make his o w n ~ life an d
” o w n be his master . ‘ T/ze lo w er o Gala Water 1 F f . 4 9
S w T h e A painful ilence follo ed this story .
h f c u lawyer breat ed with di fi lty , and had been
c obliged to rest frequently during its re ital .
c Richard sat with a troubled fa e . He needed no one to point ‘ out to him t h e unfortunate i n
flu en c e this position would have on his relations
T h e v with Katherine . laird would ery justly refuse to sanctio n an alliance while his soc ial standing was so undetermined . He looked
’ x ask éd an iously into the lawyer s face , and
“ W as n o t this agreement formally au th en ti c ate d
“ c Certainly . I put it down myself in bla k
u . and white , and yo r brother signed it
T c hat is , he relinquished all laims on Mow bray for five thousand pounds ” Yes .
T h en my title to Mowbray is c lear enough .
Your father th o u ght so until just before his
o h is death , when I was g ing through papers T with him . hen the real condition of the agree th eu t s truck h im : Th o mas M o wbray Was not of fer 1 50 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wa .
c age when he S igned it . A minor ould not
Th e alienate his rights . transaction had been
” con c luded three days too soon . “ And you did not know this ? W Certainly I did not . hether your father had mistaken the date of his son ’s birth or whether he o v erlooked the co ndition alto gether
o c I do not know . I confessed that it never curred to me to question the majority of Th o mas
w n v Mo bray , for travel had give him a ery ma
c ture appearan e . Had you not known h im all his life ?
o t By no means . Until y ur bir h , Squire
c v Mowbray s arcely e er lived at Mowbray .
T v His son homas was ne er here , to my knowl
c edge , but on the one oc asion when he freely resigned his right in the property for five thou
sand pounds . I doubt if the villagers knew of
Th e i n c c his existence . action was a ord with r his own ea nest desire , and there was nothing
’ but affection in your father s willingness to ac
t o n o cede it . He went with his so t Liverpool
1 52 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wafer .
making any formal mem o randum o f the agree
’ o d o o ment . He said it l oked like a ubt of his s n s
W T o o t word . hen h mas signed the paper , he g
up and went to the window and loo ked at n o th
o ing rather than see him d o it . He always th ught
’ o for other people s feelings that way , did y ur
father .
“ n ? And , after all , the agreeme t is valueless
Quite so .
What w o uld yo u advise me to do ?
o You might g on as your father did .
N o —h e —o r had a surety , at least , he thought
. o . he had one I know I have n ne Besides , I cannot marry Miss J an farie i n a character which ” n o t may be mine .
Is Miss J an farie marrying the Squire of
Mowbray or is she marrying Richard Mo w bray “ T hat is a question by itself . She supp o ses f o o . I am the owner M wbray Her guardian ,
o i o t o T o even in that p sit n , objects me . ask for h er h and in any lo w er o ne is to subje ct myself The low er o Gala Wale 1 F f r. 53
to the rudeness of a very vulgar and ill -natured man .
W do ? hat will you , then T I must see my brother . hough he wish ed t o let his own right slip , he may now have sons d and aughters , whose rights he will feel bound
c . to onsider I must see him , though I go to
Texas to do so . Have you any more certain address ? ” G La uadalupe and San Antonio are enough , ”
w . I should think . I kno none other ” Texas is a large State . “ T a From what I saw of homas Mowbr y , I
i n should say it would take a very large State ,
deed , to lose him in it .
Then I shall find him if he is alive . I must
find him .
“ o f . Yes . I am much your mind But go at
’ - c d . on e , and on t dilly dally about it
I wi ll stay with you as lon g as you need me .
n . I want no one with me . I have lived alo e
‘ W Go d I will die alone hen says , Abraham l aler I 54 Tee Flo wer of Ga a W .
’ d ! Go . Hewett , come I wish to be alone with
My dear lad , at the last hour no human creature
‘ c an T keep you company . here is none then "f T like unto Him I hav e told thee all . h e case is in thy own hands now . Do what is right w ” ith it .
Can you give me any further advic e in the matter
o I sh uld say trust thy brother . I think th o u
’ may do so . I do , indeed He had his father s
. o great heart His wild nature was in his bl od , and came through his mother a very noble
’ creature , I heard thy father call her . Yes ,
Richard , I heard him whisper her name on his
’ deathbed . She was Squire Reginald s first love . And there is a deal of something everlasting in
”
. ? first love You are a bit put about , I see
“ Yes , I am , Mr . Hewett . It is news I never expected .
. n I know that But it will turn middli g well ,
ere ah 6 J mi , x : .
T CHAP ER V .
D L P AN D G L W GU A A U E A A ATER .
' Allh is w o rds b r stle d w th ass o nat e th reats —P hwaus i i p i .
S o m e m e n c an m o re e asily h o ld fire in th ei r m o u th s th an
ee a sec re t . W h at ev er th e h ear e ts abro ad an d e c tes k p y g , x i
' t h e r w o rld w th sudd e n re o rt —P tro m as A rbite i i p s. e r.
’ Mowbray left his friend s death - room in a
v mood of mingled sorrow and stress of e ents .
A great and sudden c loud had c ome over his
v hopes , and all the lo er in him was angry at the false position which his father ’s blind trustful s ness or carelessne s had induced . He drov e
‘ h is o th e be a tif very rapidly to h me , and u u lpark and stately building loo ked mo re desirable th an [ 1 56 1 Th e lo w er o Gala Wafer 1 F f . 57
they had ever done before . Only yesterday his sole thought with regard to Mowbray had been
how best to adorn and furnish it for his bride . All through his midnight journey he had been
planning new de c orations ; and now he c ould
c not even feel as if it was ertainly his home .
T c v his unseen , unknown brother might yet o et
and take possession of it . During the next two hours he fought a great battle with himself . For a little while the meaner m an within him pleaded for his own
“ : W way . He said hat your father did , you
To may surely continue . attempt to alter what
c he arranged is tantamount to a c using him .
’ Your brother s right must hav e lapsed he has
c on e been fully paid for it , and as for yourself ,
’ you hav e always been your father s ack n o w l edged heir . No one could blame you for keep ing what has been so long given to you . Amid such pleadings it w as so me time befo re the braver and n o bler so ul co ntending for th e right
o u d O ta h n c l b in a eari g. aler 158 Th e Flo w er of Gala PV .
b At last , however , Mow ray rose like a m an who has made a good de c ision .
“ I will go and see Katherine , he said . I will tell he r e v erything ; if she will wait until I hav e found my brother and we have settled per m an e n tl c c y the su ession of Mowbray , I shall be
h er v . all the happier for this proof of lo e But , e T wh ther or no , I must see homas Mowbray ; I must find out whether I be really Squire Mow
’ c w bray , or only Ri hard Mo bray , the squire s brother .
He spent the day in gi v ing instructions to his steward ; in prov iding himself with funds for his proposed searc h in securing an early pas sage , and in ordering his house for a few
’ c T months absen e . here were papers to destroy
v and papers to write , for he belie ed it to be proper to leav e behind h i m the story of his father ’s first marriage and the probable resi
m c c dence of the heirs fro it , in ase of any ac i
dent to himself .
Whe n all du ties were perfo rmed h e left at
w o Gal ter 1 6 0 The Flo er f a Wa .
f o r w o e ss s. Ho ever , sir, y ur course is quite c c o f lear . You annot ask the Laird Levens
d an fari e hope for the hand of his war , Miss J , until your right in Mowbray is absolute and u n
b W c ? dou ted . hen do you leave for Ameri a
“ T o zm o rro w S afternoon , if I can peak with
an farie t o Miss J in time catch the steamer . I
t o T expected see Miss elfair . I have been dis appointed .
‘ d at v - My aughter is Le ens hope . She w ill
’ return about eleven o clock . Katherine w ill be
to o v h sure c n ey her part of the way h o me . W y not go and meet them ?
I will , sir . You had better leave your horse here and
take the upper road .
io He nodded pleasantly to the suggest ns , and
T h e followed both . upper road was very pri vate ; he would not be likely to meet any one
was on it , unless it a shepherd c ounting his
flo c k or a little child going a message for its m ammy . And from its elevation he co uld see The Flo w er o Gala Wafer f . 1 6 1
v v the girls lea e Le ens hope , and so arrange
c matters as to des end to their le v el at the most.
v fa orable point .
v All happened as well as he could ha e desired .
Just before reac hing the stile by whi c h Leav ens
wood was entered the girls began to linger ;
v then they stood still , and it was e ident Kath
erine was hesitating about her return , and
equally e v ident that Jessy was urging her to go
b c a k , for the midday sun was very hot , and
S there was no hade after the wood was passed , the road then being a bare path over the moun b tain reast .
w He foresa that Jessy would gain her way , and that he might meet Katherine at the stile e leading into the wood . So he hurri d through
the timber and across the pat ches of moss -be r
c c ries , and when he rea hed the stone wall whi h
saw a enclosed the plantation , he K therine rest
ing beneath it . She sat upon the grass , a large
tree overshadowed her , and she was almost up t o t h e chin in purple foxglove bells . 1 6 2 Th e Flo w er of Gala Waler.
c He alled her , and she stood up , eager , all
Th e mo h . attent , all radiant wit smiles next ment his arm was around her and his face
c o against her fa e , and they were laughing s ftly
together .
I knew you were coming , she whispered .
o u I felt sure y were near me . For a few moments their rapture had the per fe c tio n of all that is spontaneous . In them Mowbray forgot his anxiety and Katherinefor
h e r T got fears and her position . hen co nsider ation c ame and forc ed them to realize that they
c were yet bound by mortal onditions .
’ c W You must ome with me to the Saint s ell ,
’ my sweet Katherine , said M owbray . I have
something important to tell you , and there it is
” not likely we shall be disturbed .
c So , still full of hildlike happiness , they went
v h hand in hand o er the stile , and throug the wood to the glen where the well dripped into
- its fern bordered basin . Here there was a nat ural seat formed by the ro cks and carpeted with
1 6 4 The Flo w er of Gala Water .
— distance to presume nothing o n the past or t o
take no advantage fro m it . He had withdrawn
a little from her side , with his face slightly
dropped toward his folded hands .
c c But as he pro eeded , Katherine went lose to
him she took one an d then both his hands in
hers ; she laid her head against his shoulder ,
c h e and as he finished his onfession S kissed him .
“ ” o You are d ing quite right , she said . And ,
pray , what does it matter whether you are Squire Mowbray or not ? You are Richard Mowbray
that is enough for me .
I shall be c omparativ ely a poor man if my ” c brother asserts his laim .
“ W e v S c . W e ha e enough and to pare , Ri hard
c are ri h . Is it any matter whi c h of us has the ? ’ money If I were the minister s daughter , with
a c ti o out penny of to her , I am sure yo w uld gladly marry me
Go d o kn ws I would , most gladly . m Do you think , then , that I a l ess u nselfi sh
—« Yo ur guardian a Th e lo w er o Gala V ler 1 6 F f P a . 5
W c ill make trouble under any c irc umstan es .
Win to u n He says that if I do not marry Mr . by
c the end of September , he will send me to s hool
or make me a chancery ward , or do some other b impro able or disagreeable thing . I am not
f c c c afraid of him ; yet I must a fe t to a quies e , or
else face a sea of troubles and annoyances . Can
” you b e bac k before that date ?
v c . If I am ali e , I will be ba k
I shall then be within Sixteen months of my
c I S eman ipation . sixteen months too long a
bridal trip in c ountries where he c annot follow
” an d interfere with us ?
My lo v e My lov e How happy you make me
? u You understand , then I will be yo r wife
c when yo u return . I do not are whether you
are squire or master . I do not care for a splen
did wedding . Jessy and I and you and the min
e h e r ister are enough . Mamma will giv us
c onsent and her blessing , and the blessing or
Brath o us w ma e no ff e nc . banning of Mr . ill k di er e w r o a Waler 1 6 6 Th e Flo e f Gal .
c o Do your part , dear Ri hard , do it h norably ,
o u as you wish to do it , and whether it leaves y h m c w e . ri or poor , you ill be just as welcome to
“ b v o You dear , ra e girl I feared you w uld
o u o No , Richard , y did not fear I w uld fail
you in the least . You know better . As for
S fo r Mowbray , if it is yours , I hall be glad your
sake . If it is not , we will buy a lovely site and
build up a far finer home . Be true to me ,
darling ; that is all I ask .
They lingered until mid - afternoon i n the
l v v onely wood , saying o er and o er the same
fond words ; giv ing again and again the same
strong assurances . But at last Mowbray knew T that they must part . here w ere no tears and
no lamentations Katherine was c heerful to t h e
S h e h im last moment , and sent away with a
heart tuned to sweetest accord with her own .
And all things n o w seem ed possible and all w things endurable , for he felt sure that hatever he
o might lose , Katherine was his own f rever . She h ad heard h is sto ry with o ut one doubt ; Sh e h ad
he lo wer o Ga a aler 1 6 8 T F f l W .
ideas expanded , his mind enlarged he searched his mem o ry c o ntinually for new w o rds to ex
press his emotio ns . But when he breathed at
w o W T last the ondr us air of estern exas , and
o tasted the freed m of its life , he had not a doubt or fear left; For his wish had be c ome an i n dif
e ferenc .
T o If homas d es want Mowbray , he thought , he can have the place and all that belongs to T it . Katherine and exas would be joy enough
W e for one mortal . will make our bridal trip
here and choose some noble location , with wide
horizons and lofty skies , and so build in para G W dise . Oh , how the Flower of ala ater would blo om o n the borders of these honeysu c kled
creeks , pontooned over with lilies And the idea so enamored h im that he almost hoped his brother would hav e a hankering for
the gray old house of Mowbray , with its homely — air of Northern lands wo uld remember fondly the little riv er flashing past it in swirls o f broken w ater full of go o d bull trout ; and the ro unde d Th e lo w er o Gala Waler 1 6 F f . 9
hills on whi c h the plaided shepherds w atched
c patiently their flo ks of wandering sheep .
In San Antonio he found his first diffi culty . T No one knew a Mr . homas Mowbray , and peo
ple sm iled when they were asked t o remember some one whose latest record there dated back
se v enteen years . d Our population rifts a good deal , said the
“ - G hotel keeper , but I would trust to the uada
c c lupe Valley , for if he on e lived there , I re kon
’ you couldn t get him t o live long anywhere
else . So Mowbray rode into the rich upper v alley
of the S parkling Guadalupe . He could not
c avoid the feeling that he was again in Gree e .
Th e sky was the same , the climate was the
same , and when he passed Kerrville he was sure
it ought t o have been called Athens . At four different farms he called and asked after his
o f bro ther . But the name Mowbray seemed
o w as quite unfamiliar . One wner a Spanish d gentlem an, an d h e co uld n o t w ell say the wor o Ga a Water 1 70 Th e Flo w er f l .
G Mowbray ; another was a erman , who gave
c c it an unpronounceable a cent . A S otchman at
“ ” the third farm said he didna ken the man . “ i‘l An American at the fourth , reckoned Se or T omaso at the next farm might remember , as
o he was the ldest settler in the valley . So Mowbray rode forward to the house pointed
t o out him . In the clear atmosphere it looked c c lose at hand , but it was really a distan e of six miles .
’ o u o I d ask y to stay till m rning , stranger , ’11 said his director , but you get better quarters
’ ’ lf at the se or s . He is always ready for company ,
” v and set up beyond e erything with a stranger . Just before sunset Mowbray reached the
’ e s fi o r s . v c house It was a ery handsome pla e , with deep latti c ed galleries and a tangle of
sweet herbs and shrubs all around it . A negro boy took his horse and showed him a little path
c that led to the prin ipal entrance . As he fol lo w ed it he heard the tinkle o f a guitar and the f et nd e a vo ices o f c h ildre n playi ng o n th e
G la Waler 1 72 The Flo w er o f a .
Mowbray rose and looked at the ad v an c ing
n c c e r man . Nothing in this home i di ated any
tainty of information , and yet he felt as if he
was on the verge of the information he wanted .
T h e c S senor was oming through the hrubbery ,
and it was nearly dark , but he could see a tall , st out figure that walked leisurely and lifted his head expe c tantly as he began to mount the T piazza steps . hen two little children rushed
forward to meet him , and he seemed satisfied .
He delayed a moment to kiss them , and came
c into the house holding a hand of ea h .
Th e candles were lit as he entered the parlor ,
c and his hat had been left in the hall . Ri hard
’ looked at him , and without a moment s hesita tion put out his hand and said Brother Brother T homas
W h Go d e c y , bless my soul , this is littl Di k !
Dic k ! Dic k ! If an angel from heav en had c alled I c ould not be more surprised and de
! h . ! c T lig ted Dolores Dolores , ome here his
‘ ’ o Y o u is my br ther . never heard o f him ? I The lo w er o Gala Waler 1 F f . 73
w n ot kno you did . But it is Dic k . I am sure
it . W h c is y , you are the very pi ture of our
c ! father , Di k
Nature had instantly spoken for eac h . Richard
felt a strong drawing toward this brother , who looked at him in such a fatherly way and Thomas was not ashamed to take the handsome
youth to his breast and kiss him .
c I am old enough to be your father , Di k , and I hav e never been able to think of you ex cept as the pretty boy whose pi c ture father sent
’ me . He sent your mother s , also .
n She is dead lo g ago . Father died last
Christmas .
o d G give them peace fore v er . And you hav e thought of me and c ome all this way to see
o ? W h c y ur prodigal brother y , Di k , it is the
” best news I cou ld ever have .
T n he he called together all his family , and with marked pride introduced his eldest dau gh
w as ter , Jesuita . It her guitar Mowbray had
b t th e o f h er heard , u sight a stranger had sent 1 74 Th e Flo w er of Gala Waler. away until sh e understood herself to be the nie c e of the Splendid youth who dared t o kiss her c heek with such very E n glish p re su m p tion .
No lov elier type of a mixed rac e c ould have been found in all the South than Jesuita Mow
c c a bray . Her un le wat hed her with delighted
o c curiosity . She was so ind lently gra eful that her movements had a rhythm like music .
Nev er before had he seen a c omplexion so like a — - c su lily leaf blushing to dazzling armine ch large , — Slumbrous dark eyes su c h purple blac k hair
c — c su h full red lips su h small , dimpled hands suc h languors and su c h c oquetries ! A woman
c more ompletely the antipodes of the bright , h fres , alert Katherine it would be impossible to
Th e . c imagine one was like a tropi al jasmine ,
v c S v hea y with s ent , white with hade , lo ing the moonlight and the passionate songs of the
c b Th e mo king irds . other was like the blue
o f n bells the Norther mountains ; elegant ,
o f mobile , responsive to every breath the fresh
1 76 The Flo w er of Gala Waler/
Then it is all right yet Tho m as Mowbray
fell frequently into silences which he suddenly
broke with a forced laugh o r j o ke and as soon
as supper was ov er and the ladies and children
had gone to their apartments , he took his brother
t o an upper gallery apart from the other gal
le rie s m , and only approached through a roo
ic c wh h he lo ked behind them .
T o here was a glorious full moon , and the l vely
o ff land lay bathed in its light . Far the
moc king birds were singing in the woody b v elt that followed the ri er , and from the
c abins there c ame the e c hoes of a banjo or a mandolin .
“ c Sit down , Di k , he said , pointing to a rude but c omfortable chair ; and then he brought another from a S hady c orner and plac ed himself
” c . ? lose to his brother Smoke , Dick he asked ,
c c c and Di k nodded and took out his igar ase . Thomas lit a pipe and put his feet into a com fo rtable . position Now , my boy , we can talk .
What brought yo u t o see me ? Sh o w m e T ruth Th e lo w er o Gala Water 1 F f . 77
’ v and I don t mind how ugly she is . I will gi e her a fair hearing .
v I ha e told you that our father is dead . I am supposed now to be Squire Mowbray . I am not . You are the squire .
T f c homas pu fed his pipe a little qui ker , and said ” Wh o ? Well ? Go on . told you so
Lawyer Hewett .
If any stranger knows anything about it , he does .
“ Yes , but I did not know until last month ,
Thomas . Indeed , I did not know of your exist
en c e until then . So I am not to blame if I usurped your right .
“ I sold my right . Father bought my birth
c right . I was a son of Ishmael ; he ould not make an English gentleman of me .
But the sale was not legal . Hewett told me it was made while you were a minor . It amounts
” to nothing .
to Go d in h eave n It amo un ts all I signed
” it fo r. 1 78 Th e Flo w er of Gala hValer.
Th e Do n o t T o . be angry , h mas question is to come before a man who knows nothing of
you , and who hates me . Then Mowbray told his brother about Kath
an farie T o erine J and her guardian , and h mas
o grasped the situ ation at nce .
I understand , he answered . Dick , I was
o at M wbray last May . You were in Scotland at —I the time . Some one suppose it was Hewett sent me the newspaper which contained a
’ c o noti e of my father s death , and I just to k a
v W run o er to see the old place . hen I got there
Th e I did not feel as if I belo nged to it at all .
only spot of land that claimed me was my
’ v father s gra e . I stayed at the inn in Mowbray — v illage for three days and no o n e kne w me not
v w e en old He ett . “ T Yet the place is legally yours , homas .
I have sworn it is not . I may have a right
to a place in the Mowbray vault . I have no
o t T h . e her right place is yours , Dick ; and I will go with you t o San Antonio and make it
1 80 Th e Flo w er of Gala Waler.
Look north and south , east and west , and the
c an T land is mine farther than you see . his
v c di ine sky , this heavenly limate , this life of indi v idual freedom and national liberty are
! b h - mine I uilt t is fair , wide spreading house , and no one but myself and my wife and children
v hav e li ed in it . Its rooms have no sad mem o rie s— o n no writings the wall against us .
l i s n o t v Death forespoken for us , nor e il fate by
v w s o wraiths lingering for their re enge . I a p pressed by the spiritual influen c e of t h e MO W «
c brays in their ancient home . I ould not live in
it . I do not belong to the family . Neither does
n o Th e England please me w . rains and fogs
and wailing winds made me wretched . I was hungry for sunshine that had life and glory in
it . My boy , I am sorry for you . I wish you had an inheritan c e in T e a - v irgin fields and an unhaunted house . But e v ery man must dree his destiny .
c an I be happy anywhere with Katherine .
T S T o - hat is the right pirit . morro w wew ill Th e Flo w er o Gala Waler f .
i go nto San Antonio , and I will quit myself and m fc re v e r b c y children of the Mow ray pla e . It
W e . n is not ours have no atural right in it .
c t Come loser , bro her , for I must not lose you
W e again . had the same good father . Are you
c happy now , Di k
“ T o - Very happy . morrow I will begin to go
c . T ba k to Katherine But , homas , I will bring
W e c her here to see you . will turn our fa es to the Guadalupe as soon as we are married . I think
Alexander Brath o u s will not followus to Texas .
T h c ree men kept this secret , Di k , for thirty
o years . I wonder how l ng three women could ” hav e kept it .
“ Th w . ree women , I think , kno it now I told d Katherine , and aske her to tell her mother , and
I am sure she would also tell her friend , Jessy
T T e elfair . h re is no reason why our relation
S c . hip should not be a knowledged For my part ,
I W i sh your h o n o r and u n selfish n e ss t o be widely
o o f made public . I am pr ud such an elder ” o br ther . er 1 82 Th e Flo w er of Gala Waf .
T t o m hese are fine words , and I like hear the
m c . fro you , Di k And to have foun d you just su c h as you are is better than to find a fortune .
I am proud of you . Not every young fellow would hav e trav elled nearly five thousand miles
to be sure he was right .
T o - w morro , then , I may begin to go home .
You know why withou t apologies .
T o - - u w morrow , by sun p , we ill turn to the
e east . W may be delayed some days in San h . T e n o t Antonio man I want may be there , or
c b d he may be si k or usy , or not in the moo for B . u t business we must do the thing right , and
then it will not be to do again . Do you fear what three wome n may do or say in your ab ” sen c e ?
No . None of the three will say a word
. n o t more than truth I do fear the truth . But it was not necessary for any of the three
women to speak a word to set trouble brewing .
Th e e o tel gram fr m a dying lawyer , and Mow
’ b o t o d h e ray s hurried resp nse it inflame t sm all .
Water 1 84 Th e Flo w er of Gala .
Yet he heard the story o f the telegram w ith some interest . If the lawyer was dying he didna send for
f n the lad without good and su ficient reaso , he
“ o said . But the reas n isna bound to be a bad
’ c one be ause it is the outcome of a lawyer s mind .
o o u However , laird , I will go to M wbray if y
o u t n wish , and find it , if so there be anythi g to — find out . Of course there will be expenses my
so . time and fares and hotel bills , and forth
If yo u find o u t anything to build a wall be
’ tween Miss Jan farie and that y o ung ne er- d o
o o r weel , I will not c unt a few pounds here there , ” Langton .
“ ’ 0 w o And I will gie you a bit advice , ith ut c - : harge , this time , laird dinna call a man a
’ ’ - - c ah v ne er do weel unless you pro e the count .
Th e word may not be actionable , but juries are
o n kittle cattle , and b rder juries di na like ill T names . hey will pass by a few hard knocks readier .
’ o o n o D n t you trouble y urself , La gt n . I w ill Tee lo w er o Gala Wafer 1 8 F f . 5
t c c jus all my enemies what I like to all them .
I can pay for all the bad words I c hoose to ” say .
’ Do o tle ss , laird ; and you ll pay bad words T easier than you pay bad blows . ake your ’ ’11 guinea s worth of them if you want to . I go and see what I c an find out against the hand — some lad for he is handsome , and that is no
” lie . Y o u need not say so in my presence .
’ ’ I 11 say the truth in any man s presence . ” If nobody pays you to lie .
Just sae , laird . I say the truth to please
’ mysel . I lie to please my clients , and they pay me for it . At the lang end the great Judge w illn a mak much difference between lawyer
' c and lient , and in the meantime I hae the
S . iller He laughed softly to himself, and
to c . d began pa k a valise Now , lair , for the
’ T o b expenses . his is a very uncertain j ; I ll give no credit fo r expenses .
So the laird drew o u t his long silk purse and 1 86 T/ze Flo w er of Gala counted out tw enty pounds and very black and
, ugly he was about it .
e Brath o us K ath e A week aft rward Mrs . and r ine were together in the large parlor opening
- into the rose garden . Katherine was dressed
’ o for her pony , and she stood by her m ther s
- side , with her soft riding hat in her hand . Mrs .
Brath o u s was patc hing bits of many - col o ured
satins together , and the medley of rich tints lay
la o n T on her p and the carpet at her feet . hey w ere talking about Mowbray , and of the earliest date at which a letter fro m New York might be
. T lo w expected heir , pleasant laughter fell
’ upon the laird s ears as he opened the door .
Then he pursed up his lips and tried to lo ok at once mysteriously angry and mysterio usly im portant .
n o t Katherine , he said , you need leave the
o T ro m when I enter it . hat is a very rude habit
o f - yours , and must be amended . And to day
T t o o you cannot go to the manse . here is far T much nonsense between you and j essy elfair .
r 1 88 Tee Flo w er of Gala Wafe .
Ho w do you know he is n o t ?
Simon Langton has been to Mowbray . He got there just after the funeral of the lawyer
Th e so - c who telegraphed for Mowbray . alled squire had not e v en the decen c y to wait for his
’ friend s death . He heard what Mr . Hewett had
v h . to say , and left that ery nig t for America W ’ m P hat do you think of that , ma a
I think he had good reasons for all he did . id To be sure he d . Langton rubbed the
’ h v innkeeper s memory wit a so ereign , and the man reme mbered that an Ameri c an had been there in the spring- h e was sure he was an
c — v w as Ameri an but whoe er he , he went to the
’ v c v dead squire s gra e more than on e , and ga e
T fi v e Dabby horn , the housekeeper , a matter of
v pounds for lea e to go through the house . What ’ m P” do you think of that , ma a
w as It all right and natural enough .
! ’ Natural I should say so . It is Langton s
belief that he was the real heir . He found an o ld o m n t i n th e sun h n w h w a kni ting s i e , o told ‘ T/ze lo w er o Gala PVazer F f . 1 89
him she recolle c ted the dead squire bringing
c home a very handsome lad , who alled him
’ v c father , before e er this Ri hard Mowbray was
born . Langton has gone to Edinburgh to i n
v e sti ate b g the life of Squire Reginald Mow ray .
v I ha e sent him . I remember that when we
were youths at c ollege Mowbray had a bad name m W about wo en . hat did that ring mean he ? b sent the minister It is a lac k business . I
hav e no doubt this young Mowbray knew all
b bu t c o ff a out it , he thought Ameri a was too far
” to giv e him trouble .
’ v Do not , for hea en s sake , Alexander , make yourself a bigger fool than nature has already
Brath o u s made you said Mrs . , rising and put
c c Wh s ting aside her satin ir les . y hould you rake among the ashes of the dead for presumed wrongs P Paying good money to that s c oundrel
Langto n to disc ov er se c rets that ne v er were
se c rets at all .
Brath o u s Mrs .
N o nse nse W h y did yo u pay good money o r o Ga a 17Valer 1 90 T/ee Fl w e f l . for su c h c ontemptible inquiries ? I f you h ad
‘ c ome with your qu e stio n s t o me or to Katherine
or to the minister or to Jessy , we , any of us , c ould ha v e t old you what y o u hav e been digging
c like a very ghoul to find out . Bla k busi
! n ness indeed Katheri e , my dear , go and
W h di sa take your ride . y should you be p pointed
c Katherine annot go .
Katherine , do as I tell you .
T d c hen , as the oor losed , she laid her hand
’ upon her husband s arm , and said with a still passion that he always respe c ted
“ Brath o u s , sit down and be quiet , or I will leav e your house this hour Then you will hav e the whole c ountry side talking of you and Simon
Langton . Before going to America Mr . Mow bray c ame here he saw Katherin e and told her the whole train of c irc umstan c es whi c h made it
n proper for him to take the jour ey . He told d c T . an them to Do tor elfair also Katherine I ,
D o T oct r elfair and Jessy , have talked them over
Water 1 9 2 Tae Flo wer of Gala .
T o hen he began to whimper , and the st rm
v was o er .
Brath o u s o A dead silence follow ed . Mrs . t ok
c w up her satin pie es again , but in a eary , de
o n pressed fashi n , and the laird sat sulki g and
Sighing in his big c hair by the open win dow . He had the curiosity of a peasant and the sen sitiv e pride of a small , conceited nature . He h im wanted his wife to tell the secret , and she
u n sat silently matching bits of satin . She was
touched by his air of injury , and not to be led
c v into onversation by any irrele ant remark . At last he was fully conquered and ready to c a itiilate p . Silence w as the one thing he c o uld not endure .
Helen , he said , you know it is your duty
to tell your own husband everything . — I know my duty , Alexander duties vary
with husbands . “ W ? hat is the secret , my dear I ought t o i t . o know Now , ught I not ?
afer 1 94 T/ze Flo w er of Gala W . family likely to be allied with her o Wn ; and she
’ judged that the minister s influence wo uld be sufficient to make her husband prudent until
c the time ame to speak . So she finally said When did Langton go to Edinburgh P” ” This morning .
t o u at o If you will telegraph him ret rn nce , and make him keep absolutely quiet abo ut Kath
erine and Mr . Mowbray , I will tell you all .
Th e pledge was readily given and the pro mise
Th e fully performed . laird had a delightful afternoo n discussing the c ircumstances with his f wi e . He even felt a sort of temporary kind ness for the young m an so suddenly fac ed with
c Brath su h a calamity . For o u s co uld really hardly c on c eiv e of a greater misfortune coming to any one than t o be in a moment dep o sed from
c so n o the elder to the se ond , and thus fall fr m a
t o o n . landowner a plain , perhaps a po r gentlema b Yet in spite of his professed sympathy , e was c o o mforted by t h e situation . F rtune had never dared t o play the laird o f Levens -h o pe such a Tao lo w er o Gala Wafer F f .
fo r trick , and several hours he tossed his head
both at fortune and the poor , disinherited squire
Br th o . a o u of M wbray He talked with Mrs . s until he was tired , and then the d esire to talk w ith some one else was irresistible . He said he would just walk over and see the minister
- o about the new psalm b oks , and his wife an sw e re d
“ - t o . Y o u Keep the psalm books , Alexander
a v know wh t you ha e promised me . And see that yo u go to Galashiels and send the telegram to Langton .
He promised all things positively , and she had not much doubt that his c onfiden c e wo uld be
r t rest ic ed to the minister , who was very well able to take care of what had been c ommitted to
him . And she did think the withdrawal of
’ Langton from his scru tiny of the late S quire s youthful life was a thing Mr . Richard Mowbray T wo uld be grateful for . here might indeed be
n o thing to reveal , and again there might ; few m e n wo uld care t o h ave the days of their first Wate 1 96 Tae Flo w er of Gala r . entrance into life set in the searchlight o f public
o Brath o u s w o o o pinio n . S ent to call up n D cto r
T o t h e elfair , and after a slight inquiry ab ut new
- psalm books , plunged at once into the subject
pressing upon him .
I kn o w what t o ok young M o wbray t o Amer ” o u d o t o o ica , doctor , and I presume y , , he said , with an air of mystery .
W w e n o t o f ell , then , will talk the matter ,
rd. d o lai It is not yet the time to so . When
c t o the young man comes ba k I am ready speak .
’ And the doctor s face was so final and his voice so imperative that Brath o us felt himself
v retired beyond contro ersy . But as he ro de G to alashiels to send his telegram , he tasted in
v c ad an e the triumph it would bring him .
o First , he mused , Langt n will have to
~ o v fo r e x e n se s an d refund the m ney I ga e him p ,
v c he hates to gi e money ba k . Second , I shall
a o m ke him feel his shortc mings . I shall say
o h o o ut Langt n , I ave f und with my o w n go o d se nse and p o we r o f p utting this and that to
T CHAP ER VI .
H E D P P T O L R O O S E .
Th e ro m anc e we lo ve is th at wh i ch w e w rite in o ur o w n ” h a e rt . ” Th e E n w r wn r de e live in is in o u o h ea t .
In the morning the laird felt the necessity fo r a further discussion of the remarkable family
c in ident to be still more pressing ; and Mrs .
Brath o u s was so provokingly indifferent that he was sure he had a justifiable excuse for going
in t to W o u n House . He dallied with his c o n
w a science , however , all the y there , assuring it
’ that he would not say a w ord o f M o wbray s
t o affairs , unless he saw they were going inter
o o fere with his own , a provis which pened the
o o f o door for any am unt g ssiping .
[ 1 98] ’ Tae lo w er o Gala I/V ze 1 F f a r. 99
Wi n to u n , who was a fine musician , was at his
o pian , and the laird could hear him singing, as h e c o approa hed the h use , singing loud and clear
o e in h er su n nv e es d o es bas n la L v y ki g p y .
c I used to sing that song myself on e , the l aird complacently reflected . Jamie has not a
c very commanding voi e . I sing better yet than
” h e does .
n t n But he did not tell W i o u this . He talked to h im o a little about b rder ballads , saying T hey are very romantic and stirring , Jamie , and if one co uld have an acc ompaniment o f gal
er loping horses to them , they would be just p
e c an am ie ' th e re fe t but I tell you , J , is more romance in every - day life if you happen to come
” its way . I have never happened on anything but the
” c most prosaic existen e , answered Jamie , so I am glad t o sing Th e Braes of Yarrow or the
‘ March ! March ! of Ett e rick and Teviot Men te z o o Tao Flo w er of Gala Wa r .
Tu t T u t ! That is the roman c e of bygone
days , not of the same material nor the same
o o c lor as this life , and so n thing but a bright
N o . w patch on it , there has been a strange
o story right under y ur eyes lately , Jamie , and
” yo u never read a line of it .
A strange sto ry under my eyes P
Yes ; but it took the penetratio n of a far seeing m an like myself to read that fellow Mow bray .
’ Win t o u n s o an bright face cl uded , and he sw e re d in a to ne that was alm o st sulky
I w ould rather y o u choose so me other sub
‘ e c t fo r o j our c nversation , uncle .
I have so mething particular to tell you about ” the man .
w o I ould rather hear nothing at all ab ut him .
n o t His life does concern me .
’
But it concerns me as Katherine s guardian .
u c I never liked Mowbray , and my s spi ions abo ut
u o ut t o him have t rned be correct . He w ill get some plain words fro m me the next time he
' l r 2 0 2 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa e .
d t fo r Sorry , in eed It is a grand hing a girl to be taken out of the temptation of such a
like scoundrel . I hope he will stay his lifetime T in America . here is now nothing between
o u o o u y and Katherine , Jamie , and the so ner y
” are married the better .
Jamie did not an sw e r a word .
Do y o u not think so
No . I am sure I might as well live between the devil and the deep sea as between you and
o Katherine . Neither of you kn ws your own
i m nd two days together .
’ Katherine s mind is my mind . Can I marry
? . her against her desire No , sir I will not , upon my honor ! I am tired of the w hole sub e c t j . Tired of Katherine ? e o u so . t Yes , if y like to tak it I am ired of
c being le tured and advised and planned for .
Y o u have n o right t o i n te rfere between Kath erine and myself . It is a piece of meddleso me T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 2 0 3
’ 1 m e rtin e n c e p to fix any one s wedding- day for
. them If Katherine and I never marry , it is
your fault , entirely , uncle . Katherine would have married you if that
o sc undrel Mowbray had not come this way .
Confound the man ! And c onfou n d the min
ister for bringing him to Levens - h o pe !
“ S w ear at your enemies to their fac es and not behind their backs—that is the way of the d bor er . I w ish the subject of my marriage to be dropped . I will not hav e it spoken of in my house again until it can be discussed in a differ
ent spirit .
Perhaps you would rather dis c uss the sub j e c t of your ov erdue mortgage on Win t o u n House
“ Yes , I would . Let me know the worst of
the matter . I am tired of that threat , also . How soon do you intend to foreclose ? I will roup my whole estate and go to India with the residue rather than be hectored and threatened ” by you any lo nger . fer 2 0 4 Tae Flo w er of Gala Wa .
W ell , sir , I will threaten no more ; I will
That is a threat also .
You will find out . If I did right I would take my walking- stick and give yo u the beating
I ought to have given yo u pretty often when
o u w o . y ere a po r , silly , friendless boy
Jamie smiled and lo oked at the blac kthorn
’ shaking in his uncle s hand . He had no fear of that threat , and he did not notice its futile bra
o o o vado . He opened the parl r d or and , b wing
o n p litely , a swered When you can visit me in a more reasonable
c temper , un le , I will gladly receive you . Silly
I have often been but nev er p o or or friendless ; and that I have not many more friends is e n ” t ire l y your fault .
Do you order me out o f t h e house ? What do you mean , sir , by standing with the open d o or in your hand ? Shameful ! Shameful
W e o will both of us go out of the h use , uncle .
o o w t o Y ur h rse is ai ing , and a gallop ver th e h ills
te 2 0 6 T/ze Flo w er of Gala Wa r .
- n l hi rn to decide for him . Choosi g was a ways f a di ficult mental exercise , and his hesitation
d W i n t o u n was real and painful . Indee , Jamie was one of those men for whom it is “ not good
b e v to alone . A quiet sit with his own heart ga e him no help he longed for some one to talk to . T And his first thought was Jessy elfair . He knew that he c ould tell her all that troubled
Sh e him . lo v ed Katherine and she understood
v c him , and he resol ed after lun h to go to the
w manse and ask Jessy to take a alk with him .
As they strayed about the hills Jessy would gi v e
v c him the best ad i e about Katherine , for he was tired of trying to think out the puzzle by him self . He had gi v en it up and was ready to be
c informed and dire ted .
Just as he was s itting d o w n to lun c h an old gentleman distantly related to the VVi n t o u n s c b alled upon him , and Jamie was bound , both y
his inclinations and his interest , to be h o spi
table and attentive to him . So he was much de
w as layed by the visit , and the afternoon well T/ze lo w er o ala Water 2 F f G . 0 7
Win t un Be advanced when he left o House . t it ween and the manse there was a little wood ,
an d , as the day was sunny , he took the path
w as thro ugh it . It a path absolutely private
and only used by the family and friends of
Brath o u s so o f , he had no fear meeting strangers
there and yet it was most likely t o be the road
taken by Jessy if she was going to or co ming
- from Levens hope .
Half w ay through the wo od he saw Katherine
- sitting under the gro up of pine trees . Her pink
dress made a rosy flush in the green shadows ;
h e r her hat , with its white ribbons , lay beside her bright brown hair was braided in a coronal
n o t abo ve her hrows . Jamie could resist the
o pportunity fate had provided . He went to her
side with the eagerness of a man w h o ’ h as a h im pleasant surprise . Katherine smiled a w elco me .
“ I am waiting for Jessy , she said . She
’ Th e w as t o meet me here about five o clo c k .
w fo r and minister is go ing a ay a few days , Jessy G la W ter 2 0 8 Tae Flo w er of a a .
w . o u ill stay with me Jamie , y have been quar
o reling with your uncle again . He came h me
m o in an awful te per . You quarreled ab ut me , ” t o w . o . It makes me retched W He is so interfering . hat right had he to
fix our wedding-day
’ T w as h here a minute s silence , and t en Kath erine said
“ o o ur f o o u r Jamie , supp se we take a fairs int o w n o hands . Supp se we agree this h o ur t o be abso lutely truthful with each other ? m It will ake me happy , Katherine . Uncle to ld me Mowbray had gone o ff t o America ; he — inferred he had been fo rced to go that he was
' e not the man he pretended to b . Are these things so ?”
th e w I will tell you hole story , Jamie and sitting erect and loo king her old lover full in
c e x l i n e d t o the fa e , she p him the circum
n c c v T sta es whi h had taken his ri al to exas . ? ” Did he do right , Jamie she asked .
e s t o Y , he did wha I sh uld have expected
r 2 1 0 Tao Flo w er of Gala Wate . toun H o use by rhymsters making silly d o g gerel verses like
wn a a e Winto u n U p and d o g es J mi , d and h a h e we elm a be P ro u ppy y , T o win th e F lo wer o f G ala W ater ; Beauty and bo ast o f th e N o rth C o u n tree
v o but e en if you were pr ud and happy , you never lo ved me .
o u ? Have y resolved , then , not to marry me
Yes . And to marry Richard Mowbray ? ” Yes .
T o o u hen Jamie l oked sad and tr bled . He f believed himself to be su fering very much . He
v w f had some remote , ague , s i t passing idea of
o taking her rather roughly to task , and v wing never to giv e her up . But it was an idea w ith
T h e m o rtifi c atio n out vitality . He let it go . of her desertion was the th ought that made him
flush and nervously bite his under lip bu t even this had some c ompens ation . His uncle wo uld suffer in the public go ssip far more th an he w ould . Tae lo w er o Gala Wafer F f .
You are thinking of what pe ople will say ?
inquired Katherine .
Yes , there will be talk without end . I do
’ ’ s not care much . It no one s business but yours ” and mine .
“ v c Jamie , ha e you ourage to take the horns — of this dilemma in yo ur own hands to be my
— ’ — friend to be Ric hard s friend to help us e s
’ ” cape your uncle s interferen c e ? Then she took
c his hand , and said , oaxingly Jamie I need
T . your help . hink that I am your little sister For my sake will you try and like Rich
? c o ard He is su h a noble , gener us , truthful
man . f I ne v er said or thought di ferent . But it is
t h e not fair , Katherine , to ask me to like man who has stolen your lov e from me . W ? Let that pass . ill you help us No one
” n can help us as mu c h as you c a . “ ? What do you want me to do , Katherine
Make up your quarrel with my stepfather .
Let h im suppose you are w illing that the prep . P ler 2 1 2 Tae Flo w er of Gala Va .
~
aratio n s for our marriage shall go o u . Richard ” w ill be back b e fore the end of September .
, w But as you will not marry me , hat good ” can c ome from that attitude to either of us ?
“ I shall be allowed to remain at h o me with
c o mamma until dear Ri hard c mes back . But if
‘ o ff the laird knows our marriage is broken , I
b e w shall sent to school , I kno not where per
haps to France or Germany . And in the mean
time e v ery day will be a terro r full of threats
and reproaches . You know how w retched he
” can make the whole house .
“ And when Mr . Mowbray does c ome bac k ? What then
W e shall be married .
Your stepfather will not permit it . He w ill
e n d o f c raise no obje tions . And until y o u are
c of age you annot marry without his consent .
“ ’ o I have mamma s consent ; that is en ugh .
I shall marry the man I love , and no other .
o o f Have you , then , th ught running away to be married ?
Wafer 2 1 4 T/ze Flo w er of Gala . be both his noblest revenge and his clearest
c justifi ation . And when Jessy joined them , she was not long in pointing out how e ffectually such a move would take the sting out of all his
’ c T o u t friends ondolences . hey would be of
date , tame and unnecessary .
T v i alking o er the matter , they l ngered in the
v wood until the sun set , and e en then it kept
o f c presenting new views or unf reseen di fi ulties .
Jessy put them all aside . She was full of re sourc es for Katherine and c omfortable w ords for Jamie and he felt her kind smiles and the tou c h of her sympathetic hand to be a great c onsolation . At the garden gate they saw the laird stand ing . Win t o u n went frankly to him and said
c o I am sorry we had ross w rds this morning ,
- n . c u cle Ex use my ill temper .
And the laird , after a proper hesitation , looked v f o er the o fense . Katherine then undertook
the propitiation , and succeeded well with it .
Brath o u s She made no promise , and yet under T/ze lo w er o Gala Water 2 1 F f . 5
to t o o s od hat she preferred marriage to sch l , and
he to o k all else for granted .
Jamie walked behind them , with Jessy at his
Th o side. ey sto d a moment before a bed of
e sup erb pansies , and J ssy stooped and gathered
- o n e and gave it to Jamie .
’ - Heart s ease she said softly .
o o c And Jamie l ked in her heerful , pretty face ,
and felt that it w o uld be delightful to kiss her smili ng mouth .
so . I am miserable , Jessy , he said
o u t o an But y ought be happy , Jamie , she
e d . sw e r . You have been grandly unselfish
Katherine does not love me . She says she
n o t . n ever has loved me . I am handsome
“ o u m Yes , y are handsome , and a ost perfect
v gentleman . No old knight ever beha ed more
chivalrously than yo u have done the last h o ur
o u o r two . And I think y deserve more love than Katherine can give you .
Then he lo o ked affectio nately d o wn at h is
arm o t o little comfo rter , and pressed her cl ser l afer 2 1 6 Tfie Flo w er of Ga a W .
h is n o t a side , and felt that life was altogether blank .
So the next few weeks went o nward with a
o f Th e kind o f dull acceptance events . laird advised Jamie t o have h is h o use put in m o re
o n fo r m der order his bride , and Jamie eagerly entered int o h is suggestio ns and sent t o Edin
o o u burgh for dec rat rs and fine furnit re ; in fact ,
’ o rather verdid his uncle s ideas . But the young — man w as beginning to nurse a n e w h o pe o n e w t o hich Katherine had revealed him , and w hich his heart accepted with a thrill of de lightful amazement . It became a common afternoon event for the ladies to ride over to
Wi n t o u n w c rk m e n and see what the were doing .
w Brath And al ays Mrs . o u s and Katherine wan
Win t dered away together , and always o u n and
Jessy were left to lo ok after their own amuse ment , wh ile almost insensibly W in t o u n grew confidently happy and rather overbearing in
o his pinions , and Jessy quieter and m o re beau tiful vet n o one could say just when this ch an ge
e 2 1 8 Tae Flo w er of Gala Waf r.
Brath o u s o o tember, Mrs . was sitting in her r m , despondent and wo rried to an extreme degree .
Her easy , sanguine disposition had led her , thus
far, in the daily anticipation of something
happening , for she had a supreme reliance upon that good fortune which looks after people wh o
’ o e trust their affairs to it . But in five days a no aemenz o must come , which would be a s cial
Win shock up and down Gala Water . And if T toun deserted her daughter for Jessy elfair ,
o and Mowbray , for any reas n , did not keep his m appoint ent , she felt that the chagrin would be
’ t intolerable , and her husband s anger so just tha for once s h e would be unable to meet h im with w her usual eapons . One of those sudden sick fears that frequently attack the heart just before all reaso n for fear is
taken away , had smitten her in the night , and she had anticipated the looks and words of all
c her a quaintances , the gossip , true and untrue ,
o n t o that w uld ri g from house house , the pas sio n o f rage that w o uld kn o ck Brath o u s against l e lo w er o Gala Water F f . 2 1 9
’ ev ery human creature ; the minister s c alm re
ro ac h e s — p regarding his own daughter really ,
that morning she w as feeling as if she might be
c a very wi ked woman . And Katherine did not
appear at breakfast . She had gone for a
Br h o u . at s walk , her maid said and Mrs grati
fi e d her lord by a very sin c ere anger at the girl
v and her uncon entional way .
Drabbling her skirts and shoes in the dew ,
- like a milking maid , she said , fretfully . It is absurd w G W My dear , she is the Flo er of ala ater l “ Brath o u s . said , satirical y , and needs the dew
’ Th e remark turned the lady s wrath upon the
speaker , and , after a disagreeable meal , she had
v retired to her room to think things o er , until
finally she felt half in c lined to make a clean
. f breast of the w hole a fair .
’ About ten o c lo c k Katherine entered the room
as like a streak of sunshine from Iran . She w
- dressed exquisitely in pale blue , with white
h e r w t aste rs in her h at and at ais . Her starry a W ter 2 2 0 Tae Flo w er of Gal a .
u c h e r eyes , her delightf l smile , her rosy fa e , air
e c n of p rfe t happi ess , were , for a moment , irri tating .
Br th . a o u s Oh , Katherine cried Mrs ; but she got no further . Katherine was kissing the ff complaint o her lips . “ !” . We He has come , mamma she cried
Ge t m are going to see him dressed , mam a ; I will help you He is waiting to see me Every moment is an hour
“ c Do be sensible , hild . Do you mean that
Ri c hard Mowbray has c ome ? Where is he ?
Wi n t o n W He is staying with Jamie u . ill ? you please believe that , of all things Jessy got Jamie t o meet him at the train and take him
Win to u n to as his guest .
Katherine , what a shame
be o No Jamie and Richard have to br thers ,
h w c and t ey may as ell begin at on e . Jessy an d I could not h av e o ur h usbands h ating each
h e o t r .
‘ ter 2 2 2 Toe Flo w er of Gala Wa . laird was astonished to see his wife c ome down stairs in the sweetest of moods and dressed for
a drive .
W e are going t o ride over to Win t o u n ” G Alexander , she said , and we may go to ala
u s . shiels , so do not wait for
And Brath o u s answered
“ Very well , my dear ; but as soon as the
ponies had passed the gates , he turned to the house for his own horse . Galashiels he ! muttered . Galashiels If you are going
there , I am going , too . All three women looked
v too happy not to ha e some mischief on hand .
“ ‘ Brath o u s k . fle c e d Now , said Mrs , as she
her whip for emphasis , the laird will away to
G c an alashiels as fast as St . Serge trot him
v Win there , and we can ha e some comfort at
’ t o u n f
In less than half an hour they arri v ed at W in
t toun , and there they found Jamie and his gues T in the breakfast parlor . hey were smoking
’ h h e l as n st s and c atting in t p e a t e manner . Jamie ‘ T/ze lo w er o Gal I/V 2 2 F f a aler . 3
o o laugh was their welc me as the do r opened ,
and then what a delightful co mmotion there
’ w as ! w as o Katherine in M wbray s arms , Jessy
Win t o u n and were clasping hands , and Mrs .
Brath o u s f was e fusively thanking Jamie , and thus committing herself deeper to all that these
o - four l ve sick young people might , propose
t o d o .
u n And what thought was there of a selfish ,
reaso nable old guardian when there was such a yo ung man as Richard M o wbray present ? His
- love darting eyes , his handsome face , his caress
‘ w ing manner, won him his will , hatever he w wanted . He took Katherine into the dra ing — roo m and put his heart into her h ands h e wo oed
her as if she was the o nly woman in the world
t o he left their friends talk of trains and trunks ,
and all the lets and bars , which even lovers
t W t o h ad have to submit o . hat he had say — co nditions of alm o st divine eloquence m o n o — syllables and silences flash in g intelligences — beyo nd w o rds kisses that were eternal pro m W ter 2 2 4 Tae Flo w er of Gala a . — ise s the clasping hands and the mingling o f
so ft black h air w ith tresses like the daw n .
Brath o us w In the meantime Mrs . discussed ith
Jessy and Jamie a plan they had arranged fo r
’ e scapihg the laird s interference .
Y o u must have a bride party at Levens -h o pe
Br h o o o u t o . at o u s as s n as y can , said Jamie Mrs
“ and during its pro gress Katherine will j o in
o T . M wbray . hey will come here I have already
t o o spoken a y ung minister from Innerleithen .
He kn o ws n o thing but that the marriage is
o o o proper and h n rable , and appr ved by those
w h o have the right to appro ve it ; and this I
o o f o Th certified by my w rd h n o r . e servants
th e m can be called as witnesses at mo ent needed ,
and so w ill not have time t o talk or t o give any W informatio n . hen the first tumult o f the dis c o v e r w t o Win to u n y is over , I ill return and
t o Th drive them myself Symington . e laird will be sure they have taken the train either t o
Edinburgh or Carlisle ; he will never think o f th o t o B eir g ing Glasgow . ut fro m Glasgo w they
2 2
think that he had any re membrance of Mow bray or any suspicion that Katherine m ight
have written to him , or that he could in any way
Win t o n interfere with her marriage with u . He thought that by ignoring the d anger he might
annihilate it . He had satisfied himself that the
Englishman w as not at any o f the inn s in Gala fi . n d shiels He had called at the manse , and ,
o ing the d ctor out had bluntly asked , If they
o had any c mpany , and been . quite assured by
’ the servant s negative . And yet there w as
so mething abo ut Katherine and her m o ther he
o d But h o w c uld not understan . can a man
complain o f a feeling so vague th at it is u n d e fin able
Br . ath o After Jamie and Jessy had left , Mrs us
t o seemed inclined talk , and the laird gladly
humored her .
to o o ut o She is sure let s mething , he th ught .
Jamie says we ought to have a party , a little dance and supper befo re the wedding t o re h earse the cerem o ny and intro duce pe o ple t o T/ze lo w er o Gala Water F f . 2 2 7
one another , was her first remark . What do ? you think , Alexander
c c I think it will ost too mu h money .
I will pay all the c ost out of m y priv ate i n
c . ome Jamie wants it . Some of his people are strangers here . “ T hen let Jamie pay for it . Your doing so
bb i is only ro ng Peter to pay Paul . Katherine b has been no end of expense lately . I shall e glad en o ugh when sh e is away to her own
” home .
And he loo ked so sour and ill - natured that
Brath o u s c Mrs . answered qui kly
) So shall I I am sure nobody c an wish to stay in your home that c an help it !
n I am sorry enough for my ephew . He will have his hands full with his ‘ Flower of Gala W ’ ater , and she will wither and fade just like the rest of us . “ T hink shame of yourself , Alexander , for saying such unkind words . If Jamie has a drop
o i h im h e w o g. Qf y bl od n , ill make a p or hu e Gala Wafe 2 2 8 Tee Flo w r of r .
n o t m band for any girl . My daughter need ake
you sorry for him . If I had taken her into the
v world for a season , she would ha e bettered
o u your nephe w a thousandfold . If y are sorry
m at c . for Ja ie , stop the wedding on e Katherine will be glad to hav e it stopped .
W c I dare say she will . hat does she are for the shame and the talk I would have to meet up hill and down dale and in the market - plac e ?
c She ould then marry that runaway Englishman .
Bu t I dare say she would be glad . I am not
going to pain and shame Jamie to please her . Poor Jamie
e ! o u v Poor Jamie , inde d Alexander , y ha e
c T h a bad tongue . But take are e bad tongue eventually says some words that pay for all the others .
o She lifted her ball of w ol , threw her knitting
- passionately into her work basket , and left the
’ parlor . It was to Katherine s room she went .
T h e i n - girl was sitting her night dress , reading
o w h a song M bray had written to her , and e r
a a Water 2 30 Tee Flo w er of G l .
‘ : W in t o un is pretty certain to say and Jessy , — and you an d I and Mowbray one and all of us
’ v c did right . Do not gi e yourself a are about
me , Katherine , my darling daughter . I shall want something to break the blow when you are
v gone from me , and I shall ha e the fight with
n your guardia at hand . At any rate , it will be pleasant to remind him that he has n o longer
D ” o any ccasion to pity his poor nephew . T CHAP ER VII .
THE Y O U N G D I SP S O E .
Th e h a ness o f h e r ch ld is h c ro wn o f a m o th r ppi i t e e . “ Lo ve and h o p e lay encamp ed be fo re th e gates o f th e
fut ure .
Th e - bride dance was not further discussed , but the yo ung people of the neighbourhood were
all bidden to it , and in the interval , while the
’ laird was away one day , Katherine s trunks were
n v . sent to the Northwester Hotel , Li erpool T here was telegraphing to and fro , and riding
v here and there , and nobody had e er seen Jamie
W i n t o u n so busy ; but then , when a man is to bemarried in a day or two , anything is ordinary and expedient . o lo w er o Gala Wafer 2 32 Ta F f .
r v Fo tunately , Monday was one of those lo ely days which are the charm of the dyin g sum
mer , and the night , though moonless , was
c bright with stars and only pleasantly ool . A large c ompany of young men and maidens was
- T gathered at Levens hope . hey trooped through the halls and ran up and down the stairs and dan c ed in the parlours and flirted in the green
Th e ff houses . laird was important and e usive
Brath o u s s Mrs . was playing waltzes and inging songs and finding partners and sending servants T here and there and everywhere . here were
fid dle rs in the large hall , and they were dan cing the Lancers there .
n c f Katherine , in a gow whi h had the ine fable
- c softness of pale primrose silk , overed with
Valenciennes , was a wonderful picture . Her
beauty was so harmonious , so radiant with love , so etherealized by the emotions filling her heart , that even Jessy was amazed at her trans
figuration . She danced continually . She had a kind w o rd for everyo ne ; she appeared
afer 2 34 T/ze Flo w er of Gala W .
m e Darling mamma , kiss me Bless I am
going , mamma . Oh , bless me , mamma , and kiss
me again And , mamma , dear , if you can play something and get Jamie to sing—Jamie makes ev erybody listen to him . ’ c A tight , linging clasp of her child s hand , a
- v gaze full of mother lo e and blessing , and then
Br h . at o u s Mrs , trembling , almost fainting , put w aside , with a strong heart , her own sorro , and c alled , cheerily
W in t o u n Come here , Jamie , and sing us a song .
Without a purport or intention she O pened
“ ’ c the book at Jo k o Hazledean , and Jamie ,
smiling at the apropos sentiment , sang with c harming spirit how the lo vely bride of the chief
’ ” n c of Erringto wept for Jo k o Hazledean . Some one was looking for Katherine as the first words of the song rang through the par lours . Some one said they had seen her go
o w as int the greenhouse . She called but an sw e r d n e o t . T hen Jessy was missed . ’ ‘ Tae lo w er o Gala Waler 2 F f . 35
Th ey are doubtless together , said Mrs .
Brath o u s v , between erses .
Th e t o lit le sough of w nder grew , and , finally ,
c fi ddle s dan ing stopped in the hall , and the
were quiet , and every one was asking
Where is Katheri ne J an farie and Je ssy T e l fair ? ”
Br th o c i Mrs . a u s prolonged the aden c es and n t e rv als v c , and Jamie sang the third erse twi e
” o w ver , and the sense of something rong
Th e flashed like thought from mind to mind . musi c began to sound strange Jamie sang as if
' Brath o u s he had to sing , and Mrs . played with hysteric al restlessness . But the tiresome song
went droning on , while guests wondered , and
’ the uneasy feeling spread to the sm oking- room and brought the laird out in a fuss and in a
’ flurry . And when he entered the parlour , Jamie s
c voi e had a telling fatefulness in it , for, as he
’ c c v caught his un le s glan e , he in oluntarily sent t o his ears and c ons c iousness the last singularly propheti c w ords of th e song ' W fe 2 36 7he Flo w er of Gala a r.
’ T h e y so u gh t h e r b o th in bo wer and h a T h e lad y was n o t see n ; ’ ’ ’ Sh e s o er th e bo rd er and aw a
’ ’ W i Jo c k o H az eldean
Br h at o u s went angrily to his wife .
“ W e “ h re is Katherine he asked . She is W not to be found , I hear . hat nonsense is this , ma ’am P”
“ She is with Jessy , I suppose . Both are
T v missing for awhile . hey ha e a good reason , ” no doubt .
’ o v I d n t belie e it . Then he sent the servants flying through
o every r om of the house . He searc hed the gar
- den himself, the hazel walk and the green
Th ~ . e w houses two girls ere not to be found .
Wi n t o u n c - was questioned and ross questioned . w . He kne nothing He had been singing .
Katherine was present when - h e began ; that
w - . Br was all he kne Mrs . ath o u s fled to her roo m to avoid the sympathy and questions o f
. Brath o u s the curious At length said , passio n ately
T w e / le 2 38 he Flo r of Gala U a r.
n edge that they had see the young ladies , and
though the strange minister was in the very ac t of marrying Katherine and Mo w bray as the
Win t o u n laird and his friends passed House , no
one had a suspic io n of what was going on within
o it , for the windows of the lighted parl ur were
shuttered and draped , and the whole building
had a dark and deserted appearance .
‘ T w e n t t o hen he the manse , and was told that
c T Do tor elfair was in Stirling . He would not
believe it . Win t o u n said You are unreason
” b c a le , un le , and was called in answer a poor ,
c miserable laggard of a lover , a few words whi h
gav e the young man the exc use he desired for
retiring to his o w n house .
By midnight the searc h had been practi c ally
Th e abandoned . laird was raging at every
one . He had seen smiles that were an in sult to him . No n e of his friends had shown the least
c v interest in the re o ery of the runaway bride .
Hays and C an fe r had sneaked o ff at the first
’ turning . Harribe e had laughed at the lasses Th e lo w er o Gala Wafer F f . 2 39
pluck and Scott had plainly told him that the
day for giv ing women away in marriage had
Brath o u s gone far by . , man he added ,
the lasses just giv e themselves away these
days , and a fine thing it is for good men that ’ll they should do so . I warrant Katherine Jan
farie has taken care of herself , and the minis
’ ter s clever daughter will not be far behind her .
Let them alone and they will c ome home all o f which comfort Brath o u s felt to be like the Z w ords o f Eliphaz and Bildad and ophar .
’ Brath o u s On Mrs . fell the residue of the laird s
V wrath and fears . He went to her room ibrating
- w ith passion and wounded self esteem .
“ - This is a shameful to do , Helen , he cried .
This is a most o utrageous insult ! There
- never wasa more ill used man . I am demented with the shame that has come to me . And you ,
Helen ! There you sit as c alm as a sucking
baby , while that ungrateful girl of yours is hrin gi n g disgrace on me and mine . I always
h K anfarie w as le t o ld yo u w at atherine J , a litt fe 2 4 0 Th e Flo w er of Gala Wa r .
d au h snake in the grass . Just think of your g ter running away fro m home and friends and good name .
“ T c . ake are , Alexander
’ It is too late to take care , ma am . I wish he may marry her ! I only wish he m ay ! I am
t o o t feared he will have much sense a li tle , de c e itful huzzy . T ’ hen the mother s patience failed , and she w said , ith a sincere satisfaction Katherine was not deceitful—not in the
! “ least I knew all about her marriage . Jamie
n k ew all about it . Jessy knew all about it . All
v of us ha e helped Katherine and Mowbray . T ’ hey were married at Jamie s house . You must hav e passed the door while the minister from
m an Innerleithen was making them and wife . T Jamie is going to marry Jessy elfair . He has
v an d been in lo e with Jessy for a long time ,
v Jessy was in lo e with him . Katherine and I
— ' a h o n e st lo - made that match sweet , v e match
s e e was. N o w e n l a v r , Al xa der , that is a labout
Th w er o Ga a afer 2 4 2 e Flo f l W .
o himself of you . He has ch sen a clever wife ,
’ and yo u may make up your mind to let Jamie s f a fairs alone for the future .
’ v Y o u v You have decei ed me , ma am ha e deceived me Th e wh o le co u ntry - side shall know of it
“ Th e whole c ountry - side will take you for
their laughter . Now , Alexander , you have said
n enough and too much . If you do o t behave yourself, I will make you sorry that you e v er
. were born I am tired , and want to go to sleep . i ’ Kather ne is away o er the border by this time .
W o hat cannot be cured must be endured . G to
. o bed and sleep You are fit for n thing else .
I will go to the minister . I will give him ” the plain truth .
And you will get it also . I advise you to T let Doctor elfair alone . H e knew nothing ” about the matter .
It is all his planning .
n o t . T It is I planned it . here w as n o plan ” . to ne b da ning Events just grew ripe ss day y y . I never heard of such treatment of a hus
v ! band . Ne er Ne v er ! I t i s sh am e fu l! Shame ful !
Go to bed , sir .
. c I will not I want some omfort . I will speak my mind .
And thus the wretched night went on , full of
c turmoil and reproa hes , but the mother com forted herself with the thought of her child ’s
happiness . And she hoped that the morn
ing would bring Jamie and good news , nor
‘ d i in sh e sa o t e d . c was pp Jamie ame about noo n .
He was shining with satisfaction . He had seen the minister , and his own marriage was ar
ranged for . Fortunately for him , he had been delayed long enough to allow the laird to speak
o to the minister first . In fact , the utraged
Brath o u s had entered the manse parlour while
’ Jessy was smilingly po u ring out her father s coffee .
Ho w T ? did you get here , Miss elfair asked the laird , angrily . ala Wafer 2 4 4 The Flo w er of G .
Th e minister fro m Innerleithen brought me home .
Hu m ff—ff And when did you get home , sir ? Or were you hiding last night fro m me
“
. o I hide from no man , laird I got h me half
” o ? an hour ago . Is it any of y ur business
Yes , it is .
T o o hen the laird t ld his st ry , and told it with
very angry additions and interje ctions , and in the very midst of the passionate recital Jamie
Win t o u n came in and explained his share in the
c o o f matter , and this necessitated the onfessi n his love for Jessy and the asking of her hand
m an d fro her father . He was constantly wrath
W in to u n fully interrupted by his uncle , but at this hour was manly enough . He said firmly
“ o T I love your daughter , D ctor elfair , and with your c onsent we think it best to be married
this afternoon .
o It is a base plot , all thr ugh , cried the laird ,
o T o and you , D ctor elfair , are at the bott m of it ! A fine thing fo r yo ur to ch erless lass to be
2 4 6 The Flo w er of Gala Waler.
But when he had taken her to his study he looked at her with anger and said
“ Y o u v ha e done very wrong , Jessy , and you have c aused me to do wrong and to make a foolish promise that I might right you in the
’ ’ laird s and other people s eyes . And I will tell T you , Jessy elfair , that the whole circumstance
is a shame , and no one on the earth but three foolish wo men w ould have had anything to d o
with it .
c — t Ex ept three men three foolish men , fa her
Jamie and Mowbray and the minister fro m
Innerleithen .
Then Do c tor Telfair shrugged his shoulders
and tossed his sermon paper about but finally.
. he kissed Jessy , though he shook his head re
ro ac h fu ll did p y ere he so .
o o G As the laird had f reseen , the st ry set ala
Water in a commotion from the lo nely farms in
Mo o rfo o t the Hills northward to Dalkeith , and southward through all the h o mes of Te v io t dale .
w o re But time does nders , and the laird acted p Th e lo w er o Gala Wat r F f e . 2 4 7
c ise l B h . rat o u s y as Mrs anticipated he wo uld .
c He blustered a little in public , and omplained
and even cried a little to his lawyer and m o re
intimate friends ; but priv ately he went do wn o n t o his knees his wife , and in that excellent discipline was gradually led to see things as she saw was o them . He first reconciled to D ctor
T . o elfair , and then he forgave Jamie C ntrary
to all expectations , Jessy was not tocherless , and her little fortune set Win to u n lands and Win
’ An d o on w as to un s master free . as s as this
Brath o u s o f o the case , made a merit f rgiving
Jamie . “ w He is my nephe , after all , Helen , he
o h im o f said , and I cann t give the back my ”
o . hand , th ugh he well deserves it
Then he began t o be curious abo ut Mowbray an d Katherin e , Lo ng and frequent letters
o o w as came fro m vari us c untries , and it a trial to see his wife enj o ying them all by her
al o t V i i o o t self . He heard her s elling s t rs ab u
o G Te xas , Calif rnia , Japan , India , reece and W f 2 4 8 Th e Flo w er of Gala a er .
. u e Italy , etc , and he heard j st enough to mak
him restlessly curious . One day he said
o n o w Helen , my dear, I think I ught to for
give Katherine and her husband . I supp o se
o m o n o t they will be h e s on , and I do approve of ” quarreling in families .
t t o Mowbray expec s go into Parliament , and
he is hurrying h o me for the election . I think f ” o go ing to M o wbray Hall next week .
w o w o t o I ill go with y u . I kno all ab u electi n
o u r -i n - a business . I can give son law valuable d
m o . o a vice And I h pe I a go d Christian , Helen ,
o and kn w how to fo rgive a wro ng . It w ould be a pity for the two yo ung things t o feel my anger — — though it w as just anger a shad o w in their
o h me .
There was no shado w in M o wbray Hall wh en
Br h . at o u s c the laird and Mrs rea hed it . There
fo r is no shadow likely to be there , love made a
constant glory in the fine old mansion . And
so Katherine was happy and so beautiful , and
o w so o M bray happy and busy , and M wbray Hall
2 50
You are aye jesting at me , Helen , he said .
What are you loo king at so pleased like ?
Then her glance directed him t o Katherine T and Mowbray . hey were in the sunny garden
standing together with clasped hands and u n
o c vered heads under a large laburnum tree . Its golden rain of yellow blossoms made a glory
T w n . a d on their faces hey ere talking happily , heart was answering heart and eyes answering si eye n lo ve and laughter .
o u How happy they are , Alexander Are y ” n o t glad they ran away to be so happy ? asked B h . rat Mrs o u s .
It is an extrao rdinary exception Helen ! Extraordinary ! I hope it may last ! answered
Brath o u s . For in all my sixty years I never
yet knew a happy runaway marriage . Never one And I hav e always seen th at the girl
’ w h o goes for her husband with o ut her parents blessing goes for d o ol and sorro w and sh ame
’ e n o ugh f
’ h ad But Katherine her parents blessing . I Th e lo w er o Gala Wafer F f . 2 51
v ga e her my blessing from the first hour . And
’ v an farie s I ga e her Charlie J blessing also . I
knew that Charlie would appro v e Ric hard Mow
T h T c bray . ey are both ories and Chur h of
—at c England men least , Charlie was and Ri h
- ard is . Charlie liked fishing and fox hunting as
much as Richard does ; and as for the c lassic s and literature of all kinds !” the lady lifted up
her white dimpled hands to express the admir ation that she had for Mowbray ’s and the de
’ an fari e s c ceased J intelle ts .
c Th e laird was not mu h dashed . He con
tin ned
I kne w Charlie Jan farie as w ell as you did .
c . He was a ni e , ordinary young man I dare say
Mowbray would be about his le v el . I look a
i n little abo v e their mark . I stood by Mowbray — o m p litics for your sake , Helen y own opinions — are a go od deal in advan c e of his and I won
n his seat fo r him . But for my influe ce he would
’ n o w be biting his thumbs o er his unprofitable — o il s es e s h e w o n m Sh o ul sleeti n b lz Y y ; ent y Wafer 2 52 Th e Flo w er of Gala .
o - o ders to the House of C mmons , and that nob dy ! can deny Fishing I have no opinion of at all .
Any bit o f a boy c an put a string at the end of
c a stic k and cat h a trout . And I would think shame of myself if I could bear to be one of a big crowd of men and horses c hasing a p o or d og
fox , forbye that half the time the fox gets the
c o better of them . As for the lassics , I sto d well T enough in them when I was at college . here c is a time and a pla e for the classics , and the
Laird of Le v ens -hope knows better than to mix
c his farming up with Hora e and Virgil . I am
o about two th usand years ahead of them , Helen .
an farie Charlie J was my friend . He left his
c daughter in my are . “ You mean he left her money in your
’ c are l
o Charlie thought a deal of my wisd m , and I
’ thought a deal of Charlie s good , easy temper . For his sake I hope Katherine may be happier
i s than likely .
Sh e . Sh e is happy is very happy .
MA I GNOL A.
A R o m an c e o f W e st e rn Te xas .
CHAPT ER I .
OME o f the blo odiest battles of Texan b o rder
warfare hav e taken place in those wild stretches of prairie between the Nueces and
T n o f the Rio Grande . here , upo miles meadow ,
’ the rarzeh ero s cattle feed .
f th c areless re n Wh ile b ro wn o aoaeros wi i ,
r th e la n D ash in g m adly o ve p i , Swi n g reatas o n restle ss steed ;
c , an d there , as a natural consequence the fier e
o . an d clever Apache is a frequent visit r [ 2 55] Ma no lia 2 56 g .
Th e days when Mexi c o disputed th ese glo rio us
T th e mead o w s with exas are past . At muzzle o f o o w - the rifle and at the p int of the b ie knife ,
they have been cleared of banditti and Indians , and prepared by hero es for a dw elling- place for
- o o Liberty . But when the battle gr und c vers
o f hundreds miles , the fight is long and scatter
at ing, and oft renewed . Even this day the
o great plains of the Pec s and Presidio , and the counties stretching from Z apata to Co nch o are
o under the c nstant watch of the rangers . But twenty-fiv e years ago the co nstant watch was a
o - c nstant warfare , and the bravest men that ever pulled a trigger waged ceaselessly the great
o f battle of humanity , the strife civilization
th e o f against savage , the strife liberty against
priestcraft and political tyranny . T T rue , exas had then won her independence and had voluntarily be c ome a member of the
United States ; but horse - thie v es and cattle
and thieves , Mexicans Indians , still disputed the
t W fer ile prairies of the far est , and the rich val
’ Ma n o lia g . 2 57
c leys where , under forests of pe ans and mul
berries , the thin , languid waters of the Concho
slipped along , pontooned over with lilies , while G the narrow , dusty bottoms of the Rio rande ,
b u t c naked , in alculably fertile , were to fight for , o v er and over again .
G v v radually , howe er , the land was di ided into
counties , and small county towns sprang up and
c c T became c enters of justice and ommer e . hey
had a general resemblance , and were often
pretty places on the edge of a wood or prairie ,
fe w containing a church , a jail , a stores , a great
b ar- c - many rooms , and ozy , rambling log houses , the populatio n being a c urious mixture of idle
m I n looking gentle en , Jewish traders , rangers ,
. dian spies , and Mexican peons
o Su c h a little t wn was Fair Play , in the year
1 86 1 ; b u t being in a v ery southern latitude , it
. nestled in an almost tropical wealth o f foliage .
Early in April the china -trees were full of their
c - m ; pale , lilac , ri hly scented bloo s and the hum
o d , ming birds , int xicated with elight darting in 2 6 0 Magno lia. tened for a co nversatio n that no one in the
c c P e tr l o . a t o st re seemed inclined to ommen e , hoping to hear someth ing of the route the next
v Cac h ise great cattle dro e would take ; , in his c apacity of spy for the United States troops at
c c c i n fo r Nigrita Pass , ready to at h any se ession
f r ffic mation o the o ers stationed there .
’ C ach ise s information c ame from an u n e x
c t d T e e c . c p sour e here had been a long silen e , when a young ranger straightened his tilted chair , and said
’ ’ There s Bowie s little rac e -horse I know its ” step .
an d He strolled to the door looked out . Evi d e n tl y in accord with his expectations , a girl
“ was riding it . She came at a rapid lope up
’ the street and stopped at Le v i s . Not e v ery
v one would ha e called her handsome , but to the
' d h e r b e au t few who coul feel y , she was wonder
- . a fully so She was dark haired girl , slim as a
- palm tree , with soft , large eyes and a white , low
forehead . For the rest , she was a woman with
2 6 0 Magn o lia. tened fo r a co n v ersation that no o n e in the
c P e tr l o c c . a t store seemed in lined to ommen e , hoping to hear something of the route the next
v C ach ise great cattle dro e would take ; , in his c apac ity of spy for the United States troops at
c c c in fo r Nigrita Pass , ready to at h any se ession mation fo r the offi c ers stationed there .
’ C ac h ise s inform ation c ame from an u n e x
e c te d c T c p sour e . here had been a long silen e , when a young ranger strai ghtened his tilted
chair , and said
’ ’ There s Bowie s little race -horse I know its ” step .
an d He strolled to the door looked out . Evi d e n tl y in accord with his expectations , a girl
“ was riding it . She came at a rapid lope up
’ the street and stopped at Levi s . Not e v ery
v one would ha e called her handsome , but to the
c d few who oul feel her beauty , she was wonder
- . a fully so She was dark haired girl , slim as a
- palm tree , with soft , large eyes and a white , low
forehead . For the rest , she was a woman with Ma n o g lia. 2 6 1 vigo rous griefs and joys ; a woman of the day
c o f v time , apable a great lo e , ready to do and to bear .
“ ” c ! Oh , Ja k she cried , and her clear, pale
“ ! c o . c heeks flooded with crims n Oh , Ja k T Texas has left the Union . ony came home
u this morning . He was in A stin , and saw the
c Ordinance of Se essio n passed . It was passed
’ at ten o clock at night , and the streets were
c o m crowded until daylight . You must raise a — — — pany here o f our own men at once t o day l”
a If you are set on that , M gnolia , of course ,
’ ’ I ll do my part . I d rather shoot Indians on
’ c m e n ll general prin iples than white , but I be
’ n h — w i o and you bet I ill , if there s any fight ng
” to be done .
C ach i se appeared to be untying his mustang ,
’ t o bent forward nearly the animal s neck , he was riding away at his utm o st speed . 2 6 2 Magn o lia .
Jack Hayes watc hed him with an un c omfort able feeling .
’ - s That dog go n e d spy is o ff to the Pass . He
c got eyes and ears all round his head . If I ould
- raise the men to day , surprising them is out of
” the question now .
Magnolia alighted and went into the store .
‘ Hayes walked up to the group of T exans .
G o . entlemen , we must get the boys t gether T s exas has gone into the quarrel , and we mu t
’ v help our own side now . It wo n t do to ha e them fellows from the Pass c ome down on us
su dd e n t - like .
Th e news mo v ed them like a rifl e - shot at mid
. a v night In moment they were alert , igilant ,
c c c W ready and eager to fa e the o asion . hile
v v c they were talking , Le i had ad anced the pri e
- of all his goods twenty per cent . , and if Magnolia
c c v di sc o v had ounted her hange , she would ha e ered that she had been made to pay well for the h news she had broug t . But she was thinking
— v of other things her father , her lo er , her two
2 6 4 Magnolia.
Magn o lia ? Jack
If I raise a co mpany and fight fo r the Con
federacy , what reward shall I have What reward does a man want for fighting for his mother State
“ W o u ? T ill y love me , Magnolia hat is what
I mean .
She reined in her p o ny and stoo d qu ite still
- o w W among the knee deep grass and fl ers . ith all her so ul in her eyes she looked steadfastly at
o d him a few m ments , and then bending forwar , she put her hands in his hands and kissed him .
Hayes was deeply moved .
o t o o u T o t o I bel ng y and to exas fr m his h ur , he answered .
“ c Dear Ja k , I knew I could trust you when
N o w -b the hour came . say good y , for father
’ is in one of his bad ways . He won t want t o see you . Hayes went back to Fair Play full of a new h appiness and a new purpose . He had chosen Ma n o li 2 6 g a. 5
o c o e u his side , and with the ch i e had c me the th u siasm o f a partisan . Without bein g very c lear as to the various items of the quarrel , he
Th e had espoused it for life or death . woman
o v he l ed had kissed him , and though he under sto o d that the kiss was as much a co nsecration of him t o his State as a token of personal affe c
o c o n ti n , he knew that Magnolia meant it as a
T h e v d itio n al promise . ele ation of the moment
remained with him . He stood upon a little hill t o see old Earth laugh and leap as if she was young again his heart warmed t o the beautifu l
o c land , and he t u hed the pistols in his belt and silently vowed to do his duty . But the warm splendor which h ad for a few
’ m oments almost t ran sfigu re d Magnolia s face
h v . left it as s e left her lo er A thoughtful , — anxious expressio n to ok its place a loo k not quite
c o n devoid of anger . Un ertainty walked both
sides o f her . She could not tell which side her
o n o r e t father and elder brother would esp use , y h o w the war which must fo llo w the action o f 2 6 6 Mag n o lia .
I t o Texas wo uld alter her own life . was p ssible the Rio Grande territory might be c ome a great
-fie ld v battle again , and if so , it would be tra ersed d by hostile armies , by In ians , Mexicans , run
v v away negroes and thie es of e ery description , and would sc arc ely be a plac e for any woman to
dwell in . She looked with a new interest at the home
v t o —a she might soon ha e abandon spreading , two - story mansion built of w ood and painted
. n white Both stories had wide verandas , festoo ed
v v c e erywhere with ines , whi h threw a flowery
v c c mantle o er all ar hite tural deformities . In ’ b Magnolia s eyes it was eautiful . She walked her pony through the grov e of mulberries by
which it was approached , purposely keeping in the sunlight whi c h sifted down through the leaves , for she loved warmth and dreaded the c o f hill shadow .
T h e shadow was on the threshold w hen she
o Th e cr ssed it . elder Bowie and his so n T o ny sat u s n r o e j t within the ope doo , B wie half sle p
2 6 8 Magn o lia .
’ n o w -o ff Not much ! There s thro in me , but these fellows are o nly playing a game of blufi’ . “ You will find that they are very much in earnest .
“ T o w o hen , said B ie , passi nately , so much the w orse fo r them and for us and for every T ’11 body . hey get an almighty whipping ; and
’ ’ that s all they ll get
“ W fo r hen men fight liberty , father , they ” always win .
Do ? N o w o o o f they Magn lia , I want n ne
- T t . your top lofty alk hen he rose , and carried
o f his chair into a shady corner the veranda . T ony sat still . Magnolia stood looking at him .
t o o He ought have been a very hands me man , but he was not . His fine features were scarred w - ith old cuts . His dark eyes , deep set and w icked . His belt was garnished with pistols
- o f c arr and a bowie knife , and he had a trick v
o ing his hand in the bos m of his vest , where his derringer lay ready . Ma n o i g la . 2 6 9
T n c o y , whi h side are you going to take ?
’ ’ My own . I ain t very p artic lar whether I
t h go Nor or South . If I only knew which way
’ c d our Rex and Ja k Hayes were for , I take the
” other way , you bet .
How can y o u be so wicked
’ s It not very hard to do . Say now , you
v ne er mind what a lot of fools are doing . Have
’ my saddle -bags got ready ; I m going away ” again .
t o She longed know where he was going , but Tony was not the man to tell any one the thing they asked him . She took her sewing into the wide hall , and was soon as busy with it as if there were n o men mustering for battle around
T h e n c her . gulf breeze , blowi g unche ked
through it , fluttered her white dress and tossed about the stray curls whic h had escaped the silk net in whi c h they had been c o nfined . And
T e ony noticed her beauty , with a vagu feeling of pleasure in the bro therly pro prieto rship he
had in it . She was humming Dixie , making f n o lia 2 70 Jrag .
c c her hair ro k to the cheerful rhythm , and
though the melody annoyed him , he concluded
h e r to let sing it out , indemnifying himself by
“ w histling Th e Star - Spangled Banner in a
v peculiarly demonstrati e manner , as he carried
’ c his his hair beside father s on the veranda .
They soon fell into an engrossing c onversa
tion , and Magnolia heard enough to understand
that a United State s man -o f- war was expected T at Indianola , to take from exas all United States soldiers who remained faithful to their
flag . She knew this was important information , and ought to be made known to them at Fair
Play . If her brother Rex would only c om e !
For , though without any definite knowledge of
v his mo ements , she was quite sure that he had
c joined the Confederate ause . She knew his
o n W T heart by her w . hen ony passed her a again , she sked him
“ When did you leav e Rex ?
’ c I don t arry Rex Bowie at my belt , Mag nolia . When I saw him last he was in San
l 2 72 Magn o ia .
—a been cut out of stone speechless , motionless
h c a flo o d world , lig ted up with su h of moonshine as would hav e been un c anny were it not for
- the passionate soliloquies of the mo c king bird . Footsteps on such a night are easily heard but
Magnolia was aware of nothing , until the Indian
C ac h ise pushed aside the jasmine v ine at h e r
w . windo , and laid a slip of paper on the sill
c His appearan e startled her , but he laid his
c hand a ross his mouth , and she understood at
c th e once that silence was ne essary . She took
message into the broader moonlight , and easily
read it . Her heart beat gladly it was from her brother Rex ; he was waiting to see her . She
v Cach i se s ga e a written mes age , and then it struck her to wonder how he had reached the
— c upper balcony the doors being all lo ked . Ere
Cac h ise d she could take in the thought , had sli
v - c v a down one of the ine o ered pill rs . He made n o w as more noise than a bird , and out of sight
as so on as he reached the ground .
’ o In half an h ur she was in her brother s arms . lV/a 2 gn o lia . 73
!” d Ah , Rex she whispered , as they wandere
t v ar farther in o the shade of the a enue . De
” ! c Rex , how proud I am of this and she tou hed
the gray uniform and the sword at his side .
“ ” W h y are you here in it ?
I am ordered to surprise Nigrita Fort , if pos sible . My men are resting a mile away . I
C ac h ise ed wanted to see you , and happen to ” co me into camp .
C ac h ise t . canno be trusted , Rex As soon as
c o ff he heard me speak of se ession , he was with
c w n t o o . o the news the f rt Did he turn ba k , I ” der ? W h y is he here ? He has probably met some Indian whom he c ould trust with the news , and has returned f himself for further info rmation . He o fered to
v c o u r c . sell his ser i es to amp He is false , of
C ourse .
Do v o u kn o w th at there is a man -o f-war at
Indianola waiting to take away th e tro ops from Nigrita
Are yo u sure o f that ? 2 74 Magn o lia .
Tony told father so ; and he has left home
- to night . I really think he has gone to the fort
c with the information , in ase the messenger
c c from the ship fails to rea h them , whi h is
” W n ? likely enough . hat is that oise b It was a rapid footstep , and efore either Rex
c c or Magnolia ould de ide what to do , Colonel
Bowie stood before his c hildren . For a moment h im b d his passion made dum . He lai a heav y n hand upo Magnolia , and turned her toward the house . She did not dare to remain within his
sight , but she hid herself among the shrubbery
0 and waited , in the h pe of seeing her brother again . “ W d ? hat are you oing here , sir And why — — did you not c ome into the house ? Oh h h I
” ! d sc o rn fu l lau h see he a ded , with a g , as he
’ “ c tou hed Rex s uniform . So y o ii are a full grown rebel I re c ko n you were asham ed to be s W een in daylight . hat in thunder do y o u ” m e n b ? a y it , sir
a m a c I me n to do y duty , f ther , to my ountry .
a 2 76 Magn o li .
’ Well ? Wh y don t you speak ?
I do not wish t o .
Where is he go ing ? Ho w many ro o ls are with him ?”
I have no right to tell .
o u Right or wrong , y had better tell me , I ” reckon .
“ I should be a traitor if I did . I will never ” be that . ’m See here , now I going with the North ,
’ To and ny is going with the North , and I ll have no Secesh on this place . If your brother Rex
’ o c mes here again , I ll send him a priso ner to
the next United States fort .
“ ’ o o Y u ll have to send him N rth , then . I
’ don t belie v e there w ill be a United States fo rt
o in the State no , nor in the whole S uth , many days longer .
! o o Oh , I see He is g ne to the f rt , is he ?
” Ho w many men had he with him ?
T Cac h ise ony and are spies . It is their place t o find out . 2 77
’ m Look here , Magnolia You re a wo an , but
’ ’
. v e don t try me too far As for Rex , I a Long
’ ’ acc ount to settle with him . He s gone bout — long enough the most c ontemptible fellow be tween the Colorado and the Rio Grande
Except Tony . And as for your account
R e x b n with , father , you have always ee settling
w it . I do onder what makes you hate him so
mu c h
acrist ie c S he said , fier ely , and turned away
with a still deeper oath .
T here are always more c auses than one for
c c c any existing ir umstan es , and the reasons for Colonel Bowie ’s dislike to his youngest son had W h their root in years long passed . en a very
im ru youn g man he had been guilty o f some p
den c e whi c h c ompelled him t o leav e England
N e w for aw hile . He landed in York just when
the c ity was in a fe v er of enthusiasm regarding
‘ T the war between exas and Mexico , and when
wild young Spirits of all natio ns were eagerly T enlisting in the exas Brigade . When inde 2 78
e n d e n c e w o n v p had been , he had no wish to lea e
m i the land for which he had fought . He arr ed m a beautiful wo an , whom he loved with an ff adoring a ection , and who died in giving birth
t o o . her sec nd son , Rex
If the innocent c hild had been ac tively to
v blame , the father could hardly ha e disliked
t h im more . For months he refused o see his
. Th e face Nothing in his growth pleased him . b ’ boy resem led a brother of Bowie s , a brother wh o m he thought himself to have just c ause
w was for hatred . Rex also had a nature hich a c onstant reproac h to those who were n o t like minded . He could not tou c h liquor he had no
taste for gambling . He was a great favorite with men who disliked and feared his father an d brother . If Tony went east with a drove of cattle , he generally picked up as many mav
9G e ric k s as paid the expenses of the j o u rney . If
Rex were sent he wo uld n o t see a maverick if it
walked into his herd . In fact , he was a stray
Stra unb ran d d o u n y , e y g c at tle .
2 80 Magn o lia.
ate sympathy was unexpected . And they gav e her no credit for any genuine patriotism .
” was c T It all Ja k Hayes , ony said and Bowie
believed it , and hated Hayes accordingly . If
Hayes would hav e giv en him half an excuse fo r
“ v it , he would ha e dropped him with the very greatest pleasure .
But he so on perc eived that he was in an u np o pu
lar position . Fair Play had endorsed , as a unit , Th the action of the State Legislature . e town
o f was full men sworn to the Confederacy , and
t o who were very apt argue with their rifles .
His age and his past serv i c es procured h im a
o c T t o cold t leran e , but ony found it prudent av oid the suspic ious looks and sc ornful words
c that he ould only answer in one way .
v - c o n Besides , the pro ost marshal and the
c f c s ripting o fi er were soon busy , and m en c ould
no longer halt between two opinions . T hen
T c c c ony , with a s ore of men of his own hara ter ,
-w fled to the head aters of the Atascosa . He was by no means a co ward fighting was as natural Ma n o lia g . 2 81 as breathing to him but he would fight only
“ for his own hand and his own interests . North and South were equally indifferent to
T h e f him . war o fered him a c han c e for a law b m less , profita le life , and he was deter ined to make the most of it . He had never had clear ideas as to the ownership of cattle ; he per c e iv e d that the c ongregating of great bodies of men in the lo c ality would make cattle of great v c alue , and that turning sto k into gold would be a most profitable business .
His plans were soon organized , and the ranks of the c ompany whic h he formed for this pur pose were soon filled by men flying from their
c homes in order to av oid military serv i e . From
c Eagle Pass to Brazos , Santiago , he had se ret
stations , and at these stations the cattle stolen fro m the Mexican side of the river were hidden
c and defended , until they ould be turned into
c h i s gold . His communi ation with father was
n o f consta t . Magnolia was aware men , wild and
unkempt , who stole in and out of the house , and 2 82
’
o . o o s for wh m , in Mr B wie s r om , there was alway a meal of jerked beef and whisky .
In the meantime , the transport lying at In di an o la had b een taken and carried into Galves G ton harbor , and eneral Houston , amid jeers
and hisses , had spoken his last words for the
v t Union . Ci il war , in its bit erest aspects , was
T o d o f ov er the land . here were th usan s fami lies so div ided that they w ould not eat at the same table and su c h men as had not yet put on “ the gray were met wherever they turned by
’ c some woman s s ornful look or taunting word .
As yet , nothing but success had followed the
Confederate arms , and Magnolia went singing
i about the house in a tone of tr umph . Yet war b T had rought her many deprivatio ns . heir
s v o negro er ants had all fled , and Bowie w uld buy
no more , and the work of the household fell
v G b c hea ily upon her . radually it e ame harder
. o and harder Candles , s ap and other necessities
that had always been bought , were now to make ,
and with the rudest materials . Her strength
2 84 Magn o lia.
o w o n times btained the latest and , as time ent , the most disastro us news .
One night , in a time of peculiar hopelessness , she sat musing in her room at midnight . She had already slept , and was refreshe d and wake
Th e o ful . night was still , and rather c ld , and m the c asement was shut . Her ind was specially
active . She was thinking of Rex and Jack ,
v t whom she belie ed o be in Arizona . Suddenly a trumpet blast seemed t o fill all the spaces of
v —a o f earth and hea en blast infinite sadness , that
t o made her rise her feet , with clasped hands
and beating heart . It died gradually away , and was not repeated ; but as she sto o d listening
o with all her soul , she heard footsteps , and s me
o one tapped at her do r .
Magnolia , it is I .
’ Th e v oice was her father s but was strangely m unlike his usual hard , so ber tone . She lifted
her lamp and opened the door . He stood look
ing at her , white and trembling . Wh ? ” at is it , father Ma n 2 g o lia . 85
Did you hear it ?
Yes .
c o He staggered to a hair and sat d wn , mut tering
Wh o o ? blows it , that has f und me out here Am I called What is going to happen ?
t o lo w w o She spoke him in , gentle rds ; spoke
o f Him whom all powers obey ; but the m o rtal
terrors marc hing and countermarc hing acro ss
’ the man s soul she c ould not dispel . He sat speechless wh ile the forgotten and the dead d ’ called him , and hardly heard his aughter s
wo rds . At length he rose drearily and went to
o w n o . e his r om He was scarc ly there , when
To fo r ny knocked admittance . His father was
T no t unusually glad to see him . hey had met
n T ’ for mo ths , and ony s influence was just what
he needed t o help him to fling o ff the uncanny tremor that was dominating him .
T m o . ony brought i p rtant news Rex , with a
- t o body guard of fifty men , was on his way the
o o capital o n so me special business , and the f ll w 2 86 Mag n olia.
’ ing day would be likely to pass h is father s
ach ise o T house . C had inf rmed ony that they T were greatly in need of money , and ony th o ught it likely they would le v y a contribution on the ri c h ranchmen and planters on their
v route . Bowie was known to ha e made a great
c deal of money by the sale of attle and cotton , and Tony ad v ised him t o div ide and co nceal it
f c in sev eral di ferent pla es .
Bowie was easily alarmed where h is gold was
c v c oncerned . He onfessed to ha ing a large su m in the secret drawer of his desk , and a still greater T su m hidden about the house . ony suggested that the latter should be hidden u nder different d trees in the neighborhood , and Bowie promise
to attend to the matter at break of day . During
v n c o n sum the con ersatio , there was the usual p
and tion of beef whisky , and gradually Bowie threw o ff the influe n ce of that weird m idnight T blast . He said nothin g of it to ony ; he had
n no mi d to meet his scornful incredulity and ,
indeed , as daylight came on , he began to
2 88 Magn o lia.
large sums fo r the arming o f men specially de
fending his o w n fro ntier . He was prepared for ’ m Rex s demand , and deter ined to resist it .
o He said nothing to Magn lia ; for gradually , d uring the last three years , the girl had become l his master . Her mora purity , and the unselfish
elevation of her m o tives disco ncerted and
o im humiliated him . He had long f und it p o ssi
ble t o c o w her with brutal wo rds the slave o f
o w n o o o his vices , he unconsci usly b wed bef re
w h o o the girl had risen ab ve herself .
v o o Before lea ing him the next night , she st d
at his side a moment , and asked
” Do ? you feel better , father
b t o He knew what she meant , u he w uld not permit himself to open such a subject
again .
’ I m well enough , he answered ; and then
o f he stooped and shook the ashes out his pipe ,
in order to hide his changing fac e from the c lear d eyes rea ing it . If he had only known It was
the last appeal of his angel , and when Magnolia Ma no i g la. 2 89
c turned away with a sigh , the pla e was ready
for the evil that was to come to him .
Bu t Bowie was watching his gold e v ery care w as t T los in that one . hat the day was over did not release h im from anxiety he had been called during th e night often to answer the requisitions o f marching tro o ps . Yet when he reached his room he was sufficiently u nder the terro r of the previous night to look at the length
t o o of his candle , and res lve to keep it burning .
e - w It was only a hom made tallow dip , with a ick
o o of twisted c tton thr ugh it , but it made a dim
light in the large , bare , shadowy room .
He did n o t undress . He lay do w n up o n his bed to watch . At first the numberless insects and
o moths annoyed him . There w as o n e large m th
’ o f w the species called Death s Head , hich did
fle o o n so particularly . It w r und and r u d the
flame , and never seemed to receive any injury .
He c ould n o t rid himself o f the idea that it was w atching him maliciously with its uncanny , pro
tube ran t eyes . He rose as softly as if some lbf ia 2 90 agno l .
c one was to be de eived by his movements , and
put the candle inside the glass lantern . Still
the creature darted at it with a kind of fi e rée
persistence that became unendurable . He got
t o up again , now quite determined kill it ; but
Th e the creature always eluded him . chase ,
o me trivial as it was , became a thing of p sitive
c e ssit y to him . He had shot many an Indian
without feeling such hatred as he felt to ward
the irritating insect .
Suddenly a n o ise in th e garden attracted h is
o . o o b attenti n He lay s ftly d wn , trem ling all
n Th e o over with a e w apprehension . n ise con
n n tin ed at intervals . It was stealthy and u o er h tain , but he was sure that it was a uman foot
h ise as im . o C ac w step He th ught first of , and
T n o mediately o n the alert . here was better
o w w Indian fighter than B ie , and ith the thought
c o f w ame a vigilance every sense , hich defied
surprise .
His bed was in th e northwest co rner of the
o o o ro m , and quite in shad w ; his desk , c ntain
n o lia 2 9 2 Mag .
Th e at o nce for the hidden drawer . m o ney
o f was tied up in rolls gold pieces , one hundred dollars in a roll . He let the robber put three i n ac t his pocket , the fourth was in the of trans
o f fer . He could endure the angry strain his
n o . passions longer , and he fired
Th e shot cut the still ai r W i th a reverberating
c sound , and ere it had eased , Bowie was aware of the same trumpet blast that he had heard the
previous night , only infinitely more sad and
—a wailing , and far away very shadow of sound ,
yet thrilling all his soul with a dreadful fear .
He leaped to his feet , and at the same moment
Magnolia stood within the door . Her v ery lips
c were blan hed , her whole attitude that of ex
c treme horror . Ere he ould realize her pres
c en e , her hand was on the pistol , and she had gasped out :
! W v ? Father , father hat ha e you done
Rex w as robbing me I hav e shot him
Not for a moment did she believe the ac cusa t n but turn t w ard th e r sh e ce io ; ing o fi gu e , noti d Ma n o lia 2 g . 93
. W a the gray uniform ith hurried steps , she p
ro ach e d Th e p it . robber had fallen partly upon
‘
. st o o e d an d his face She p gently turned him .
A last excru c iating throe of pain forced an oath
m the fro the bloody lips , and Magnolia knew v c T c oi e . here was little need for the sho ked girl to fetc h a c andle and cast its si c kly glare
- c c upon the fast setting fa e . Bowie adv an ed
c it with her , and for ed himself to look upon
c v the fa e of his eldest son , his belo ed and
d T ! T m e t truste ony heir eyes in one short , awful glan c e of everything that was unav ailing .
v v Magnolia , lea ing the dead and li ing to
c c gether , went to the quarters to all two Mexi an
c c peons who slept there . As she ame ba k . she saw C ach ise leaning against a tree . He must
have heard the pistol , and at a motion from W n . Mag olia , he followed her hen they entered
- the death room , Bowie had stripped the gray
u niform from his son , and laid him upon his
T h e bed . clothes lay in a pool of blood by the
‘ a h se t . t o i . n he o t c plundered desk He poi ted m u C , 2 94 Magn o lia.
c but remembering the gold in the po ket , went and removed it .
Th e c Indian omprehended all , and there
was a flicker of pleasure in his gleaming , black
eyes . But when he saw Bowie removing the
l w in te n gold , he aid his hand on the coat ith an tion not to be mistaken .
Mine , he said all mine clothes and gold too !”
Th e men w ould hav e settled their dispute
b ut with the knife for Magnolia . She finally
c h im v indu ed to gi e up the bloody garments ,
o for he was alm st exhausted with emotion , and the Indian ’s explanation of the affair was the
last blow he was able to endure .
C ach ise said he had stolen the uniform from T Rex Bowie for ony to commit the robbery in .
He c al c ulated on accomplishing the deed with
i n out disturbing his father , who usually , the
o f early part the night , fell into the deep slum
o o T ber c mmon to tr pical climates . hen the
Co nfe derate co at an d cap were to be left beside
Ma n o lia 2 96 g .
m n fo r a bie r lashed together so e gree branches ,
o and they laid the c rpse up o n it . Bowie followed in a maze of horro r and grief Magn o lia walked beside him , and when the turf was packed tight
’ sh e o over the dreadful mound , t ok her father s h im hand and led back to the house .
w o No man uld blame him , but he blamed himself . He knew the murder that was in his
heart , and the fiendish joy with which he had pulled the tri gger when he had supp o sed it was
w as . Th o re Rex he slaying at last repr achful ,
’ m o rse ful o T o , despairing lo k in ny s eyes was
o ever befo re him . He sat h ur after h o ur with
w o his head in his hands , letting it rk to mad ness in his brain .
And n o w came the hardest year o f the strug Th . e o gle . Hope had fled C nfederates w ere
fighting their enemies with so mething of the despairing persistence w ith w hich a physician
fights a cancer w hich he kno ws will in the end
o pr ve mortal . Fair Play was full o f maimed and disapp o inted men ; the co untry w as full o f Ma n g o lia. 2 9 7
“
desperate characters of all kinds . Property was
at their mercy ; homes and lives were held at
their will or pleasure . Magnolia lived in a c o n
- o f o f stant fearful looking for robbery and fire ,
o o murder and utrage , w rse than death .
She entreated her father t o remove to San
Antonio until the end came , and sometimes he
promised to do so ; but the next h o ur he had
o w forgotten the pr mise , and probably ans ered
any allusion t o it in language which made the
- heart sick girl tremble . For it was evident that
Reason was fast lo sing her d o minion over the
’ old man s fierce passions and fierce despair .
Political e v ents had ceased to make any impres
sion upon him . He sat for hours with dropped
S c eyes , pee hless , motionless or he kept up until
exhausted that monotonous to - and - fro walk which in some measure st u pe fi e s the v ital ener
S gies . Dead leeps alternated with nights of
S frigh tful restlessness ; ilence , with passionate
exe c rations . His eyes got a haunted look ; he h ad the face o f a man driven by an irresistible Ma no lia 2 98 g .
o w as o o o ag ny , and he visited by v lcanic m ds , in which he w as dangero us t o appro ach .
Th e end o f it all came at last . One night in
“ ” o —a January , when there was a wet n rther
o o c ld , bitterly c ld night , when the cattle had
fled to the timber and the wo lves were h o wling
o o o S with hunger , Magn lia aw ke fr m a dead leep w T h e w ith a sense of impending disaster . ind
o sobbed and roared about the h use , and the
w o w freezing , pitiless rain b eat against the ind s .
To be out in these wet no rthers is a matter o f life and death , and government and emigrant
o n e so trains are often decimated by , fatal is the piercing severity of the wind .
sera e h t o She threw a p around her , astened the
o u t windows , and looked , listening intently to T every sound . he n Sh e remembered h o w u n likely it was that any human bein g w o uld be
i out dur ng such freezing weather . She wo uld
im ssi go to bed and listen there . But it was p o ble fo r . n h her to rest Cryi g softly , partly wit
t o w mental err r, partly ith the real physical pain go o
' lie v e d the second blast to be his own summon
He had asked himself over and o v er W h o blew h im it , and How they had found out on that
- lonely , far west prairie
v S h e Shi ering even by the blazing cedar logs ,
dressed herself , replenished the fire , and then
walked , in her restless anxiety , to the window . Her eyes fell upon the live oak that over ’ h shadowed Tony s grav e . Very rarely did s e
t o allow them rest there , but at this moment the
h e r tossing tree fascinated . Its great branches
c o waved and ro ked and b wed , and appeared to
AS h e . S beckon her in a horrible manner gazed , the moon plunged o u t of a black cloud and
“ T w as shone full upon the tree here a long,
S black hadowy figure swaying with it .
Quick as her terror and the cold wind wo uld
o allow her to move , she tottered al ng the garden
road , and although blown hither and thither ,
Sh e reached at length the fateful tree . Her
w as h e father hanging from it . S drew the
o w - f o o b ie knife rom his b t , and instantly cut th e Ma n o lia 1 g . 30
o Th e dangling r pe but it was far too late . corpse was frozen hard . Cold and s trangula
c tion had sent the tortured soul , through ra k and tempest , to its own place .
c She was at on e aware of her position . To call the Mexi c ans was to let them know that she
was alone and defenseless . Yet the poor , frozen
c wreck of humanity ould not remain there , the f S o o w . p rt the inter storm In after years , the memory o f how S h e managed her terrible task grew partially c lear to her but at the time of b the ordeal , she was raised far a ove the material
W Sh e aids to it . hen had laid the body upon the
’ dead man s b e d and c overed it with the blanket
o which had been his pr tection on many a long ,
m c dangerous ar h , she locked the door and went t o her o w n ro o m . o Cr uching over the fire , praying , sobbing ,
d a suffering , she passed the lonely hours until y
Th e light . cold and wind moderated at sunrise
and , without a word to the peons , she rode into
T t o Fair Play . here were pitiful hearts there 30 2 [ Mag n o lia
’ an d w as i n d u c e d w help her , she , hen she had
v seen a party of men lea e for the Bowie ranch , to submit herself to the imperative need of
Sleep and warmth .
When Sh e came to any sense of outward life
again , the trees were budding , the birds sing
w sun sin e o ing , and the arm fl oding the renewed
T h e c world with glory . war was pra tically
c over . Rex was at the Bowie ran h , and Jack
Hayes , with the last handful of men , fighting
Colonel Branson at the mouth of the R io m h G . a o n t rande But afterward , in the midst
” c of a fight , the order ame to cease firing .
Th e war was ended ; and Jack sheathed his
v sword fore er in that quarrel .
o Exactly three years afterward , Magn lia was
standing one evening at the door of her home , G S by the mystical ila , looking down the anta
v t Cruz Valley , wa ing with wh ea so rich and yel
it low that makes bread like gold . A stranger
o was sitting at the open d or , a man who looked w eary and discontented , and who talked to her
30 4 who had been so long in possessio n of the estate
“ “ Now , wife , he said , you may be a great
” lady in your own right , if you want to be one .
I would rather be the wife of Jac k Hayes
t and live in the San a Cruz Valley .
T S i r o here , , you have your answer, I reck n .
’ ’ I 11 just drop a line to Magnolia s co usin and tell him he need be noways afraid of either Rex Bowie or Jack Hayes making any claim for the
’ — place he s been squatting on so long long
o enough , I take it , to make his right g od . If
’ you ll look down the valley and up the hills ,
stranger , as far as you can see , the land is mine
’ ’ ’ and Magnolia s ; and I m thinking there isn t in any to beat it the whole wide world . W e are contented and happy . Could we be better than
’ t t ? ! 11 v ha No , sir So Magnolia and I , we just li e
die i f and in the Santa Cruz Valley , so it please
o d to le h f r ! G t us ave such avo fro m. Him T H E
Romance of Cradock Manor .
o is S my st ry a true story , and as I am a
- o f- t o matter fact person , and like have my
c S lo c alities corre t , I hall have to introduce my
readers to that quiet , homely portion of England
c alled Norfolk . I wish I could have made it
W o r c c ales , the S ot h Highlands or the Lake
District ; but the people I am going to write
v about lived in Norfolk , and I ha e neither power n o r wish to separate them fro m their
atu a o n r l surr undings . ’ Man o 30 6 R o mance of Craao eh r .
I may as well admit at once that the Co unty
o o of No rfolk is unkn wn t fame . Artists and summer tourists never go there and it has no subterranean w ealth to enrich it on the fiendish co ndition o f breathing an atmosphere o f diluted
o - so t and coal dust . But it has compensations all — its own strange , haunting beauties , which ,
v o o o f ha ing nce taken p ssession any heart , fill it at intervals ever afterward w ith a sweet re m e mbran c e o that is almost h mesickness .
d a o I can see to ay , as I saw thirty years g , the
o great , wide stretches of level pasturages , d tted with rich farms and lonely windmills and lo w
[ thatched cottages the marshes fringed w ith
u t o yellow and purple flags , standing p their chins in water ; the great ditches intersecting
- them , white with water lilies the high belts of
an d o v natural turf , used instead of fences , er all ,
c for weeks together , a sunshine to whi h the white lights o f the opera were shad o ws .
Th e little market - to wn o f Cradoc k was in the — center of such a district a very quiet little
’ ao oh Ma o 30 8 [ f o rn an oe of Cra n r.
t o o honorable to watch her S ister . If S h e S h o uld
o o tell her , very g d ; if not She would not follow out this thought , but laid her work in the
basket and began to dress for dinner .
Presently there was a light footstep , a gentle
rustle of sweeping robes , and Brida entered . A
o kind of radiance came in with her , came fr m
- her large , fair loveliness , from the glow in her
m c eyes , fro the fresh , sweet fa e that looked as
o if made out of a rose , and fr m the warm lights
- about her pale golden hair . “ W h ? y , Brida , where have you been You look almost t ran sfigu re d .
- Down the garden , Kitty with the trans
” fi re r gu .
Captain M o ntane - eh
You are a good diviner .
I S it w ise ? Sir Charles m ay be here any hour . — I S it delightful is it enchanting ? AS for e ’ Sir Charl s , I don t think , Kitty , you need speak
of disagreeable subjects until you are obliged to . R o man ce o Gr aelo ch Man or f . 30 9
Kitty shrugged her shoulders , and looked
half - admiringly and half - reprov ingly at her
sister .
I do wish our family c ould fall in love sen ibl s y . W ell , Kitty , that is a thing the Crado cks
- it never have done , and never will do is their
one redeeming point . Papa married in Italy — to please himself did anybody kno w mamma ?
’ v ri rn a ao nna I ha e heard she was a famous p ,
’ really on the stage , said Brida , lowering her
n voice , and the laughing merrily . “ And do you mean to please yourself and marry Captain
st rai h tfo r Oh , Kitty , why do you ask such g
w ? . ard questions It is a dreadful habit , dear
It pleases me to live for the present twenty - fo ur ” o - h urs . T o m o rrow w ill be an o ther d ay .
Have you th o ught ab o ut yo ur dress for to m o rrow
T d o n e i hat , in eed , is th ng in advance that
c t t o . interests me . I have not a de ent hing wear ' or 3 1 0 R o man ce of Craao ch Man .
S c It is a hame of papa to ask ompany , and yet give us no money Brida ’s handsome brows wrinkled there was a cumbrous old oaken c hair near ; Sh e drew it into the sunshine and sat down to think . Kitty
w o went to the lattice and , thro ing it open , st od
o o v lo king with wistful eyes far er the garden , to the brown world and the placid w aters o f the
broad . — No money that was the Skeleto n o f Crad ock Hall . Yet it stood far away from the busy
u world , in the midst of a wonderf l old garden ,
S w o i n hady , s eet and still ; always earliest f und
w as spring by birds and bees . It encircled by
- fen and pasture lands , and protected by miles ” and miles of creeks and cuts and “ deeks —it was Cradock Man o r as far as one would care t o
o walk in any directi n . Yet , for all that , the want of money made itself seen and felt in every
o m o f o ld o e ro the gray mansi n , an d in very h eart within them .
Th e C w n o ' o ne auses ere many , and far back ;
’ o r 3 1 2 Ro man ce of Cr aao ch Man . bee n easy for him to please both father and
wife .
She died in Floren c e in the third year of their
Th e union . older servants still remembered the return of the squire with his two daughters , and still Spoke with a kind of wonder of the bitter mourning master had made fo r the foreign woman . But ere long the deeper family traits asserted
o themselves . He settled down into the h spitable ,
hunting squire , and when his father died , and
o f he became master Cradock , adopted all the traditions of his c aste .
Among these traditio ns was the the o ry that the women of a c ounty family were born thralls
v c to its interest and con enien e . If Squire C rad
so n ock had had a , he would have grumblingly
’ allowed the boy s right to c hoose his own wife but it nev er entered his mind that his d aughters might desire the same latitude . Neither did he take into c onsideratio n the admixture o f quick
So uthern blo o d and the broader views o f life ’ R o man ce o Graao ch Man o r f . 3 1 3
whi c h were theirs by the simple fac t of the
general ad v an c e in ed u c ation and i n t elli
c gen e .
So he made no c eremony in announ c ing to his
daughter Brida the expe c ted arriv al of Sir W l Charles ickham , and his desire that she wou d
c v re ei e him as her lover .
c He does me too mu h honor , sir , said Brida
c dropping angrily , one by one , the red urrants
Sh e was eating upon her plate .
W e c f annot a ford to be humble , miss . You
will now tell Mrs . Pearson to get the east rooms
9 T w c ready hen , ith that final manner whi h is
c so embarrassing , he pushed away his hair and
walked Slowly out of the ro o m .
‘ But Brida kept her place . She seemed to be o nly arranging red currants in all sorts of fan tastic Sh e shapes , but was in reality coming to the first great decision of her life .
w a th e I suppose , in some occult y , currants
S h e v helped her , for mo ed them hither and
thither , sometimes thoughtfully , sometimes ir ’ o 3 1 4 R o mance of Cr aao ch Man r.
ritabl Sh e o bu t y , until finally pushed them sl wly
c de idedly away , saying , as she rose I —will—not—do—it
She had it all her own way with the currants ;
Kitty was harder to manage . Kitty thought Sir ” Charles not at all bad . He was rich , and we ” are so poor , Brida , she said , dolefully , tapping w ith her foot the faded carpet of their ro o m .
w t o o o ! Oh , dear , I onder if it is wicked be p r
’ T t o o d o to here is Louis , , can t a thing he wants do o . , just because he has n thing but his pay w Kitty sighed , and went diligently on ith her sew ing . Brida lifted her hat and w ent th o ught
B i n . ut S h e m fully out ca e , as Kitty said ,
t ran sfi u re d g , and with a light in her eyes , and a settled con fiden c e in her manner that
’ Th e o argued ill fo r Sir Charles s suit . questi n of dress brought her t o the level o f daily life .
“ n o t t o o o I do want l k a fright , Kitty , she a n s id , after a thi k in the old oaken chair that
s had held o many Crado ck beauties .
’ Man o r 3 1 6 R o man ce of C raao ch .
— ! ’ Brida, dear dear Brida Don t sing in
that way , please . Oh , what a wonderful voice !
” See , you have made me cry , too .
“ Yes , Kitty , answered Brida , walking to the open latti c e and looking dreamily into the
o o o . h rizon , it is a w nderful v ice It calls me
v in my heart , and I remember strange li es I
v never saw . Ha e I been somebody else , I
o r wonder , does the present project itself into the future
’ Dear Brida , don t begin speculating when it
- t c is dinner time . See , here is papa oming
v through the shrubbery , and I do belie e that Sir Charles is with him or is it Captain Montane
b e Kitty Cradock , you ought to ashamed of yourself . Does Louis Montane hav e straw c b olored hair , and legs too long for his ody ?
Does he need a c ane in order to entertain his
o r c hands , look on the ground when he ould just as well lo o k straight before him ? That is
c Sir Charles , of ourse , and I hope I shall lo o k
” s t n t as a ugly o igh I fe el. ’ Ro man ce o Ma 1 f C r aao ch n o r . 3 7
’ Yet Brida s first care , after this remark , was her personal appearan c e and if Kitty had been
- v s u n e n e r ill natured , she might ha e said ome g
b h e ous things a out the pains S took with it . For if
v Sh e she desired to look ugly , ne er had looked s more beaut ifu l . Sir Charle had seen her in her riding - hab it at various times but this white
robed beauty , with roses in her hand , was a de li c io u s astonishment to him .
v Before dinner was o er , he had almost de c ided to release Crado c k Manor entirely from
the mortgage he held , rather than lose any c han c e of making Brida his wife . One song in the sweet e v ening gloaming de c ided him . He
’ was v ery fond of musi c Brida s v oi c e ov erc ame — him it was more en c hanting than her beauty .
He had nev er before felt so generous and so
kindly .
’ “ c Squire , he said , as they held ea h other s
“ “ hands in the good night courtesy , I feel how little I c an do to Show my sense of obliga m tio n to yo u for your ac c eptan ce of y proposal ’ o r 3 1 8 R o man ce of C raao ch Man .
c W but the day Miss Crado k is Lady ickham ,
c o n your manor will be free , as far as I am
” c erned .
Any one may imagine n o w the progress of
events . Sir Charles went out riding and walk
ing with Brida , sauntered with her through the s shady garden , held her ba ket while she gath ered strawberries and cut flowers or hung e u
Sh e c tranced over the piano when hose to sing . It would be foolish and unnatural to say that
Sh e found only annoyan c e in this companion ship . No woman is indifferent t o honest ad mir
ation besides , there was the piquant pleasure ,
when Captain Montane joined them , of satisfy ing the real lov er without arousing the su spi c ions of the rival .
’ c So little pleasure had ome into Brida s life , — that e v en this uncertain current leading her — she knew not whither was irresistible .
AS o n for Captain M ntane , he kept his sere e
’ face and cheerful manners ; the baronet s priv ile e s no t m o h i g did see to ann y m.
m M or 32 0 R o ance of Graclo ch an .
d m an Squire Cra ock was not a suspicious , but a conversation he listened to between Brida and the latter young lady made him so .
Bash o o le Miss p , being an old playmate and
o girlish friend , had c me early in the day , and ,
c t o with the young ladies of Crado k , retired a
little parlor , long disused and seldom visited , fo r a go o d co nfidential talk . T hey did not re
n o r member , did they know , that it looked into a part of the garden devoted by the squire t o
horticultural experiments , in which he took great interest . He had gone there that morn — ing to examine his tomato - plants then rare enough in Norfolk to excuse his pride in them — and , being tired with stooping in the hot sun , w sat down on a stone bench beneath the windo ,
ic the lattice of wh h was open . He heard many things there which made him smile and plan little S peeches to astonish the w f girls with his kno ledge of their a fairs . He heard Brida ’s complaints of his stinginess about
’ c - their dresses and po ket money , Kitty s ideas ’ Ro man ce o C r aao ch llf a no r f . about the way in which wom en were generally
“ ” ’ s Bash o o le s kept down in Norfolk , and Mis p
v frank opinions about her numerous lo ers .
o Up n the whole , the old gentleman spent a
’ d c very pleasant hour listening , an it never on e entered his head to be ashamed of himself
o alth ugh , if it had been a party of men discuss
h o o ing t eir bets and am urs , he w uld have con sid e re d it highly dishon o urable to listen to their f a fairs .
But listeners so o ner or later hear something
unpleasant , and he had his dream regarding
’ Brida s satisfaction with th e destiny he h ad pro v id e d for her rudely broken fo r at last he heard
Miss Bash p o o le say
o u How do y like Sir Charles , my dear , and
” whe n is the affair t o come o ff ?
d o I not like Sir Charles at all , answered
“ f o o ff Brida , and the a fair is never to c me
R eally l R ealy .
—“ Captain M o ntane eh ? ’ M o r 3 2 2 R o man ce of Cr aao ch an .
! d - n Hush Fanny , ear , to ight you must do W me a very great favour . hen your carriage
o comes , you will prefer to walk h me and take
Sir Charles as your escort .
o d But have you c nsi ered , Brida , that I shall do my very best to captivate him ? I co uld not
- w as help it , dear no , not if I put under bonds for goo d behav iour
’ d o o I wish you w ould . If you n t c mpare
o n o t so him with any ther man , Fanny , he is very bad . He has been terribly heavy o n my hands for two weeks ; will insist on taking
’ ’ e T things an g rana ser i nx . hat is one fault in
stupid men . Another is , when you try to enter
t h e let o u do it b e tain them , y y ; they actually lieve you feel all the interest in them yo u pre
o t o tend to do , and never think they ught try and amu se you a little .
W S o u ell , dear , I hall try and relieve y ; for
o f W my part , I think the lordship ickham man tle large enough t o cov er a multitude o f per Th sonal imperfections . en there w as so m e
’ 3 2 4 R o m an ce of C r aao ch Man o r .
’ S o n de d t o c p readily Miss Fanny s advan es , held her teacup , turned her music , walked with her o n i n the esplanade , and , fact , played back the card the two girls had S hown him with an u n conscio us S implicity c h arming t o the fair plo t ters .
’ W Bash o o le s hen Miss p carriage arrived , she
’ obeyed Brida s directions , and turning to Sir
“ e n Charles , said he had been so delightfully t e rtaini n t o g, she was going allow him to walk
S home with her . She would how him the sweet
u est little lane , lined with wild roses and ha nted
” by nightingales , etc . , etc .
“ Sir Charles declared he needed no in duce ment but her c ompany and the little c o n spir
o u o -b at r actually bid Sq ire Cradock g od y ,
’ c leaning on her vi tim s arm . He wanted to tell her what he thought about
strai h t fo r her, but he could find nothing but g
o h w ward , blundering w rds , t at he knew ould be
’ ‘ i n stantly demolished by Fanny . Bash p o o le s
- S o h e p nl S h s rapier pointed sentences _ w y hook i ’ Ro m ance o f C r aao ch Man r o . 3 2 5
w c o head at her in a way hi h made her w nder ,
c for a se ond or two , whether he was falling in
love with her , or whether he had taken an extra
” quantity of port that night . But the squire was neither in love nor in
wine he had been unusually Sparing at dinner
time , and was considerably wider awake than he
i n th e had been morning . He declined Captain
’ t o Montane s invitation smoke , said he was tired , and bid Brida and Kitty go away and get their
beauty sleep , as good English girls ought to do .
For these Norfolk S quires belie v ed the n in early
’ h o urs ; and befo re ten o c lock th e house was So still that he heard the great clock in the kitchen T answer the great clo ck in the hall . here was n o noise in the garden , either , but a nightingale
S inging , in some leafy seclusion , his hymn of
m n o v . i passio ed , imp ssible lo e
But the squi re h ad learned that day to distrust
c s o w appearan e , and he determined to walk sl ly
d own a little path windin g all round the garden ,
th “ a e se an d which w as called e Hazel L n , becau 32 6 Ro man ce of Craclo ch llf an o r .
planted o n each side with tho se deli c io us nuts .
There were seats and arb o rs all thro ugh this
w alk . Secluded and quiet , it was just the place
v h e for lo ers , and there , as he had suspected , found a pair .
They did not attempt to evade him .
I shall not run , Brida , said the captain .
I am d o ing nothing wrong ; and this explana tion must co me sooner or later .
Brida attempted to speak ; the squire would not listen to her , but ordered her home with such bitter wo rds that Captain Montane angrily requested h im t o remember he was speaking
‘ o c to Miss Crad k , a lady whom he intended to
” make his wife .
Never I hav e promised her to Sir Charles
W G S ickham , and , by eorge , she hall marry him !”
Quarrels are not pleasant things t o write
o o n e ab ut ; this was a very angry . Unpardon
o n able words were said both sides . Captain
n a h o to th e t h is Mo t ne , wever , asserted las right
’ M o 3 2 8 Ro man ce of C raao ch an r .
t o d e sc ri b friends , written letters far and near
’ i ng Brida s wonderful beauty and the strange
c c harm of her S inging . He ould not h e ar their i nquiries and condolences . He had ann o u n c ed m in his club his approaching arriage , and he T could very well imagine what ownley , Vesey , and a lot o f o ther fellow s would have to say abo ut
! W v his disappointment . No , indeed hate er W the result , Brida must become Lady ickham . These thoughts passed rapidly through his mind as the squire spoke , so that his answer was
“ t o o really w ith o ut hesitation . He thought much imp o rtance had been placed on a very
’ trifling affair young ladies alw ays h ad a senti mental attac hment either to the c lergy or the
—it t o military never amounted anything . He
’ was quite sure that he possessed Brida s heart , and really he could not mu c h grudge his poor c ousin Montane a few kind words to break his disappointment . For one moment the fathomless complaisance o f the young man struck Squire Crado c k as con ’ Ro man ce o C r h M aao c an o r . f 3 2 9)
t e m tibl p e but the next he remembered the;
W c c im o ssi lands of i kham , and re ognized the p
’ bility of any girl preferring a captain s pay t o
. c them As for personal onsiderations , he really
thought it a spe c ies of indelic ac y for a woman
m n v . e v t to ha e them Both agreed , howe er , tha
an early marriage was desirable , and both readily enough entered upon a discussion of the n e c e s sary settlements and business .
Neither of them was sensible of an y odour o f human sac rifi c e in these brutal arrangements ; neither of them felt any pang of c ompun c tion W for the v ictim of their selfishness . hile their
c talk was of pounds sterling , and a res , and
’ - la dower house , Brida y moaning in Kitty s arms ,
u S c c and Lo is , hurried by a pe ial dispat h , was ! hastening south w ard to his tr0 0 p . Poor fellow
If Cradock Hall had been an empty grave , he c o uld scarcely hav e turned his bac k on it with a
sadder heart . Life had suddenly become to him a S imple weight .
a o . Brid kept her r om Kitty came to the table ’ an o r 330 Ro man ce of C raao ch M . with red eyes and flushed cheeks ; Sir Charles indulged his geological tastes by watching t h e draining of a famous m arsh on an adjoining e s tate the squire took an executi v e fit and rated the hostlers about their treatment o f the hunters and the quantity of oats u sed .
T v here was an uncomfortable , re olutionary
c feeling all through the house , and ook said
“ ’ Drat the men ! They couldn t e v en go a c ourting without making everybody miserable . W ’ hen Brida , after a week s seclusion , reap
e are d ff o f p , Sir Charles made her a formal o er
his hand . It was , both of them knew , a mere ceremony , like the rendering of a bill after a bargain has been made but still it was a n e c e s
sary ceremony .
Brida co uld find n o thing obje c tionable in the manner of its performance he Spoke with great
c deli acy and a great deal of earnestness . Her
S o pallor and ilence , and the mournful lo k in her eyes to uched and yet irritated h im but he h ad
o w set his heart upon this w man , of all the omen
’ 33 2 R o man ce of Graao ch Mano r.
T one a separate h u rt . here were only five feet
n o t o f Kitty Cradock , but there was a weak spot
o f in them . She was the soul serene daring ,
c c c generous and plucky , and very mu h a ustomed perso nally to break all the laws Sh e did not like .
’ c r o Don t y , Brida , darling I am g ing down
an d v to papa , I shall make him gi e me a hear ing .
c She met the squire oming upstairs , with his candle in his hand .
n Papa , said Kitty , will you please retur to h u t e parlour ? I want to speak to yo .
- To o . late to night , Kitty I suppose it is
’ Bash o o le s u about Fanny p party . I will give yo
fo r - o m o ney new dresses to m rrow .
He tried to pass her with a i sm ile and a shake o f the head , but she held him with her eyes .
“ b - e o . t It will too late to morr w , papa I mus — Speak with you to - night now
Kitty , you are a little torment . I ought to h a a o ve broken your temper twenty years g . I s o o w o u o r d o w h o upp se I must g ith y , it ut ’ Ro man ce o Cr aao ch Ma f no r . 333
S to leep ; and the squire returned , grumbling ,
the parlour .
W o u a \ c ell , miss , y will need good ex use for ” v - your beha iour to night .
is I could not have a better , papa , than my S
’ c S b ter . I ame to peak to you a out Brida s b ” tro u le . Brida ’s trouble ? — W Yes Sir Charles ickham , you know .
o w o n o t I do not kn ; and , what is m re I do
’ n profess to know , any woman s riddli g .
- Papa , I am a plain speaking girl .
Deu c edly so and he gave her a look which was a singular mixture of anger and admi r ation . 0
“ W . ell , I get that from you I think it is one
T h e c b . of my est points fa t is , Sir Charles
o h asked Brida to marry him , t nig t .
I know . I gave him permission to do so .
” Brida will ac c ept him .
w as I think not , sir . At least , if I her, I
o t w o uld n . ’ - Man r 334 R o mance of Craao ch o .
W e ell , Kitty , if you will have the truth , her
o it i s : Brida m ast marry Sir Charles . He h lds
v o n h is n o t a hea y mortgage Cradock , and is
the only one , either . Now , I hav e made ar rangements w ith him which w ill enable m e t o ” c leave Crado k a clear estate to yo u and Brida .
o If I was a father , I w uld sell every acre o f o o Cradock bef re I w uld sell my o w n child .
o u You can strike me if y like , papa ; I am but
o f a little bit a creature .
“ . o o to Kitty , you are too bad You pr v ke me
u S o a q arrel , and then helter yourself behind y ur ” weakness .
“ t o o o n e Papa , you ought have s me to tell
o u o n t o y the truth . Brida has no e but me
plead for her , unless , indeed , you remember
’
. n o t Brida s mother She does love Sir Charles , and Sh e does love Captain Montane ; I think she has loved him S ince they were bo th chil
. h im dren It would break her heart to deceive .
Sh e m If arries Sir Charles , she may , perhaps , leave Crad o ck but she w ill live a great deal in
’ lf o r 336 Ro man ce of C r aao ch l an .
’ o u d o u m Crying won t help y now , Bri a ; y ust
” do dare t o .
w d o ? But hat must I , Kitty
tw o You have alternati v es . You must either h marry Sir Charles or leave Crad o ck . W ich will you do
“ v t o t o . Lea e Cradock , if I knew where go
t o Dear Kitty , this alternative is not strange
” me . I could be a governess .
Nonsense Papa wo uld find you out . If yo u
l o t o eave here , you must g Italy and study For the stage ?”
Yes .
h o w o u m “ Oh , Kitty , did y get at the botto of m y heart ? W hat height or depth is there , dear , that
lov e c annot to u c h But the money ?
I have thought of that . If they will not
S treat us like reasonable beings , we will how
h m - t e we can be crafty ones . T o m o rrow m o rn
o u c as ing y must accept Sir Charles , and a cede ’ Ro man ce o C r aao ch M 4 an o r . f 0 37
’ c heerfully as possible to all papa s arrange
” ments . He will have t o giv e us m o n e y fo r yo ur
S ? wardrobe , and I hall persuade him that only in
o c an u v L ndon we s itably pro ide what you need .
c c On e there , our further ourse is plain enough .
n Only mi d , if you begin this thing , Brida , you
” must go through with it . ff Brida did not need to a irm, Kitty saw far
more in her face than any words c ould hav e ex plained .
In the morning Sir Charles re c ei v ed a mu c h
c c kinder ac eptan e than he had hoped for, and the squire took Brida into his fullest fav our
u n n e c again . He ev en joked Kitty about her c e sar S y how of fight , and Kitty took her defeat amiably
c Sh e Finding the squire in su h a merry mood , made a mu c h more extrav agant demand on his purse tha n S h e had originally intended . Her
o VVi c k proposal , als , to fit out the future Lady
Th e h am in London met with a ready assent . squire was glad enough fo r an excuse to v isit ’ h 338 Ro man ce of Cr aao c Man o r . the metro politan stables and his o ld sp o rti ng haunts again . Then Kitty said that two months was short
mo difi es time for milliners and , and they must leav e Crado c k at on c e . In some mysterio us
fi v e way the squire found money , and intrusted
’ hundred pounds to Kitty s management .
“ c It is not mu h , Brida , darling , but I have read of women who have done wonders w ith
’ le ssf She pushed forward preparations with such dispatc h that there was no time for u seless re
re t s g or idle wishing . She would not even allow Brida the sentimental pleasure of taking
l S a farewel of the hady haunts and still , old
c rooms of Crado k .
“ Keep them in your heart with the mem o rie s that belong to them dear , she said .
n Last looks are unfair o es .
So in less than a w eek they h ad changed the ro o my stillness of Crado c k for the bustle of a
d an d Lon on hotel , settled their daily routine .
’ man G ao h M n o r 34 0 R o ce of ra c a .
affian c e d o f h English girl , the bride Sir C arles W ickham .
Th e description of the distress of her father and lover seemed to giv e her an odd kind of sat i sfac tio n Sh e because , as said to herself,
t v no doubt they are bru es , and deser e it ; but “ T her face saddened immediately . hey do not
o n e name the little , the poor little sister Mary ,
o o f o ! comf rter des late women , help her In the misery and excitement that followed
’ the discovery of Brida s flight , no one thought of blaming the real originator of it . Kitty had
an d o faithfully ordered dresses b nnets , as well
o as made the more imp rtant arrangements . T here was no proof that the days had not been
’ spent in silk magazines and milliners .
Brida disappeared o n a Saturday ; the night before the whole party had been together to a
summer theatre , and had retired at a much later hour than usual . ! Kitty did not appear to breakfast she had ” a h s eadache , explained Brida ; and the quire ’ R o man ce o Gr aao ch Mhn 1 f o r . 34
b grum led at the late hours , and said , No won
“ o der , and that Brida , too , l oked pale and mis e rable u , and q ite unlike herself . About noon Brida said that Kitty was st ill m unable to rise , and she ust go to Madame De
’ la b - mo s a out her travelling suit , and would papa order a c arriage
Papa did so , and said he would ride with her as far as the Carleton Club . She expressed only
satisfaction , and ran upstairs to put on her bon
T c net . hen she lo ked the door , threw herself
’ S into her ister s arms , and said ! ! I must go now , darling Oh , Kitty Kitty Kitty l”
o n Kitty c ould not Speak . She put her hands
’ Brida s shoulders , gazed longingly into the beau
c tiful fa e , and then threw herself on her knees in passionate prayer . So Brida left her !
n o w I am ready , papa , she said , and they
c entered the carriage . She left Squire Crado k
’ u o t o Delam o s. at th e cl b , and dr ve Madame o 34 2 R o mance of Craclo ch Man r.
’ You will go t o Th o rnton s for a package o f
o . books , and be here again in two h urs
Th e man touched his hat and drove away .
t o Brida walked the next street , hired a passing
a d o cab , n dr ve to the steamer in which her pas sage was secured .
an Before y real alarm was felt , she was nearer the Fren ch than the English co ast ; eve n then
n o o f the alarm had suspicion the truth .
’ Th e squire at o nce connected Brida s disap
e aran c e w in p with Louis Montane , and ent a
o towering passion to seek him at his r oms . He w as on duty , had been on duty ever since he left
c o Crado k , had not been out of the c mpany of o ne -o ffic e rs or other of his brother all day . His grief and astonishment w ere so genuine that the un happy father could not doubt his in n o f . C o cence Sir harles fered large rewards , ran do wn to Crad o ck to cro ss - questio n Miss Bash
- t S poole , haunted police s ations , and pent his
s day with detectives , until every hope died , and t n w o he he ent abroad to hide his disapp intment .
’ h Man o r 34 4 Ro man ce of C r aao c .
o m n and was s etimes , in her loneli ess , in clined
c f t o f n to a cuse Brida of indi ference her a fectio .
Squire Cradock had managed to preserve his ,
’ anger at Brida , because something in Kitty s . manner the first year assured him that Kitty knew Brida was alive but as month after month
passed , and another winter shut them up in
c o Crado k Hall , he grew more and m re miser
able .
’ T i n d e fin able c hat expression on Kitty s fa e ,
c whi h had so long sustained him , had gradually faded out a hopeless pathos dimmed her bright
b . Sh e S eauty sat hour after hour ilently sewing .
In t h e se c ond summer she asked permission
Bash o o le to go with Fanny p . to London for a
’ week s shopping .
“ She was not well she said , and wished to see a good p h ysi c ian . Whatever physician she saw certainly worked
t o a miracle , for Kitty came back Cradock the
old , merry , scolding , bustling little woman .
Th e o o at « squire l ked earnestly her , as if he ex Ro man ce o Gr aelo ch Ma o f n r . 34 5
ec t e d Sh e o o h e r p news , but nly sh ok head and
kissed him with unusual tenderness .
Somehow, he understood her to mean that i Br da was dead . After this he was very gentle t o everything and every one asso c iated with her m emo ry . Kitty even saw h im tou c h gently the little b o n r w garden hat which she had worn . — Another winter long , rainy days , all the l p easant wold under water , the garden bare and b S b S b rown , the Hall ha bier and ha bier , money m c c ore and more s ar e , even the old generous
S - v t able Showing igns of fast increasing po erty .
n o w Letters came frequently , far too often ,
e c o for very letter meant trouble , and ntained
m s clai there was no possibility of satisfying .
T h e - Crad long dreade d day arrived at last . o ck Manor was in the market for sale . All they c ould n o w hope was that it might realize enough t o a ffi p y all claims , and leave them su cient to li “ ve on in some continental town .
One aftern oon in the early spring Kitty saw a stranger tryi n g to mak e his way fro m Cradock ’ Man o r 34 6 Ro mance of Craao ch .
t village to the Hall . He seemed well acquain ed w ith the road , but ignorant that many paths safe in summe r w ere dangerous at this season . Twice he had barely escaped from the treacher o us o m ss .
T r n o w he e were but four servants at the Hall ,
all m e n w o and they were old and men . If she
sh e o would do him any service , must g herself h im and guide . It was not a pleasant pro spect
o bu t sh e to face the flying rain and damp c ld ,
Sh e o t did it , and g her reward .
Th e stranger was Sir Charles Wi c kham ; he had taken the fe n road expressly to draw her
t o so attention his approach , and he looked earn e stl Sh e y in her face that said , instantly
Y o u have found Brida h ” I ave . Where is she ?
He to ok a paper from his pocket and pointed — to a name o n it a name familiar to the w h o le
civilized world .
She and Brida are one .
’ 34 8 R o mance of C raao ch Man o r . he w o uld n o t name either Brida o r th e troubles that had gathered round Cradock .
c Th e himneys were filled with dry logs , the table c o v ered with whate v er the farm - yard and c ellar c ould yet afford . Kitty had not seen so happy a meal in Crad
h Th e - ock for t ree years . squire listened like a
’ v an d boy to Sir Charles s travels and ad entures , when the old butler cleared away the dinner table and left the party gathered with their nuts
and wine round the blazing hearth , there was a tone in Kitty ’s laugh and the squire ’s hearty v oi c e that the oaken rafters had long been strangers to .
Suddenly a silen c e fell on the party ; Kitty
saw Sir Charles put his hand in his pocket , and ’ T S . he in she stole to her father s ide squire , v f c b v oluntarily a fe ted by oth mo ements , looked anxiously at his visitor . Sir Charles did the — best thing possible h e plunged right into the
u s bject .
m n d Squire , y dear frie d , I un erstand that ’ R o man ce o C raao ch Man r f o . 34 9
Crado c k is in the market for the paltry sum of ’ T h S ix thousand pounds liabilities . e place is — w orth ten times as much . A friend some one
v v v c o u who lo es you ery , ery learly , sends y a ” c he c k for ten thousand pounds .
T h e squire turned deathly pale , and Kitty softly stroked his hand and whispered
d . Courage , ear papa ; it is all right
t w o In a moment or he said , with emotion
I hav e no friend capable of this magnificent generosity but yourself , Sir Charles .
But your daughter Brida , sir .
’ T here was that in the baronet s face which c o n
firmed better than any words this almost im p o s
Th e sible hope . squire knew that his child — li v ed more at present he c ould not take in i n
n o f deed , his next emotio was one bitter anger
at her . He blamed her for all the sorrow and c are he had borne for the past three years and now that he knew she was within the reach of
v in his wrath or of his forgi eness , he was well
B n n o c lin e d to hold out a littlelonger . ut o o e c uld ’ 350 R o man ce of Craao ch Man o r .
’ so well have pleaded Brida s cause as Sir
o Charles , for the squire allowed him to have als been greatly wronged by this rebellious w o man and it weighed mu c h with him that Sir Charles took all the blame on himself, and admired and
absolved Brida .
’ He told Brida s story with wonderful path o s — and power her flight into Italy , her struggles
c and dis ouragements , and final triumph in her profession . He described her appearances in
Milan and Paris and Vienna ; the c rowds that waited on her ; the enormous sums she realized the spotless name S h e had preserv ed through Th . e all her temptations and fame old man , at
v o first stern and impassi e , so n began to be pro
’ fo u n dl f c b y a fe ted , to remem er Brida s mother
c and her triumphs , to ompare the charac ters
c r c c they assumed , and to iti ise and dis uss . For an hour or two he renewed the enthusiasms of
his own youth . At last Kitty spoke—for a singular idea had taken possession o f her
’ h Ma o 352 Ro mance of Craao c n r .
an d o r defied the superstiti n , and p oved the wis d o m f w o of his aith by carrying a ay fr m it , in t h e e o f w o p rson s eet Kitty Crad ck , the fair e st bride that ever bo re the name of Wick h am . ’ Poll Derenz s Broth y y er.
HAVE before me a small portfo lio o f ro ugh
- c T o w ater colo r Sket hes . hey w ere d ne one
o happy summer , many a l ng year ago , in that
is c harming spot , the Isle of Man . It not with out a tender memory that I turn o ver views of ” ” a c Castletown Bay , Sc rlet Ro ks , Rushen
” in Castle , etc . but I pause with a far deeper t e re st o ver a little scrap o f tinted c artridge paper h o lding the faded similitude of a wo n der
’ — fully beautiful girl s face lovely Polly De re n z y
[ 353] ’ e 354 P o lly D erenzy s Bro th r.
—the bewitching daughter o f an o ld W aterlo o major .
Castletown was th en a little military place there was always a large garrison there , and it
- was a v ery favorite retreat o f offi cers o n half pay .
Fo r this there were many reaso ns besides th e delicious climate and picturesque country and
’ Th e v o w a people . go ernor s mansi n sthere and
o o f o r his petty court ; the H use Keys , Manx
Parliament ; and the garrison represented t o them just enough of the old stately , stirring life
c T o of ourt and camp . hey had recepti n days and parade days governor ’s levees and military b Th e f alls . retired o ficers c ould still w ear their
c o uniforms , and dis uss promoti ns and exchanges
’ c with the a tual , acting part of her majesty s de fenders . i Few of them were very r ch , and a great num ber had nothing but their pensio n but at this
Man xlan d v time paid no taxes , rents and pro i
lo w o w sions were incredibly , and a s vereign ent
’ a long way . But Polly s father was n o t o nly
’ 356 P o lly D erenzy s Bro th er . lov e with Po lly De re n z y the first time I saw
her . I was sitting at the open window , watch d ing the drill of a n e w regiment o n the Para e .
o She rode sl wly past with her father , and then ,
returning , reined in her horse and stood talking to our group of ladies .
Th e old major , with the courteous politeness h of that day , alighted and stood bareheaded , wit his funny little three - c ornered hat in his hand
o w but Polly sat her h rse like a throne , and ore
her beaver , with its long , drooping feathers , like
C w a ro n .
c v As they stood hatting , the go ernor rode up
th en e w . w as a o with colonel He a fair , h nds me
fellow , one of the finest types of Saxon physique
I ever saw ; his hair brown and curly , his eyes
n o blue as a gentia bell , his col r fresh and clear , and he was head and shoulders taller than an y m an o u t in his regiment , and strong en gh o
“ o o throw the wh le company in successi n .
He but glanced at Polly , and she but glanced
at him , and the mischief was done . No so o ner P o ll D er enz / Br o lh er y y s . 357
met but they l o oked ; no sooner l o oked but they
lo v ed and I think the major apprehended
something of the danger , for in a moment all h ispleasant railleries and courtesies were sus
v pended for a proud politeness , distinctly fla ored
with pride of family and military fame . Still ,
as he m o unted his h o rse to continue his ride
o with Polly , he asked the c lonel to call , and Polly seconded the invitation with such a glance
that I am quite sure any man would have
’ v o o called after it , e en if the maj r s h use had
- been a fort which he must take single handed .
w w e Then they rode slowly a ay , and all
watched them S ilently until the somber walls of
Rushen Castle hid them fro m view .
” “ What a beautiful girl ! said old Go vernor
Fitz h urst . , with a sigh
“ o Yes , she is quite pretty , replied C lonel
f o Sutcli fe , with a drawl , which he th ught an
c v e ffectual disguise . But if he de ei ed the gov
e rno r n . , he deceived no woma that was present ’ h d We all knewwh at havo c Po lly s eyes a made . ’ P o ll D erenz s Bro i h en 358. y y
I h m d , the meanti e , father and aughter rode
’ n a s quietly on . Polly did not u derst nd her father
Sh e sudden reserve and coolness , and said f Papa , I think you treated Colonel Sutcli fe ” very queerly .
’
D . . on t say that , Polly I am always polite
’ n I don t mea that you were rude , papa but
o u — w that y were not well , cordial , for ant of a better word .
Wh y should I be co rdial ? I know n o thing f — ’ of these Sutcli fes Saxon name . I must look
De bre th up before I make a friend of him .
’ W o n e Debre th ell , I , for , don t mean to ask
whom I must like and whom I m ust visit . I might just as w ell ask him whom I might or
might not marry .
o . Very pr per , too , Polly It is not to be sup
t o u e posed tha y , whos pedigree occupies three
o i n wh le pages of his peerage , will marry , for
o stance , some one wh se family is not even named ” in it .
“ ’ o Deb re th th e . I d n t see position , papa
’ r 36 0 P o lly D erenzy s Bro th e .
And these Norman men are all little , fussy ,
fie ry:
“ I I e ro e s !
” They say it .
o o Y T u o . o u ake care , P lly ; y hit h me are
o pure Norman , with ut a Saxon stain .
All the w o rse fo r me . I should have had a
decent co mplexio n if o u r N o rman ancesto rs had
married so me o f the Saxo n beauties they plu n
dered .
Do o u w t o o ? y ant quarrel , P lly
’ o u e I m not particular ; challenge me if y lik ,
’ ll fo r T o m De re n z t papa . I send Captain y o be
’ o w my second . You d look nice fighting yo ur n
daughter .
o t o o And the maj r lifted his hat Captain P lly .
She laughed merrily , and the two fell into a
o w gall p hich terminated in a race .
Th e w o n major , and was standing , hat in
t o hand , receive his daughter .
o u . o o I beat y , Polly I take it for a g d
a . omen , he said , pleas ntly P o / D er enz s Br at/t er {y y . 36 1
But it was an unfortunate remark . Po lly im mediately applied it t o the dispute about Co l c ff nel Sutcli e , and , as she pettishly dashed her
: hat on a chair , muttered
If papa thinks I am going to treat Colo nel
f o De bre th De re n z Sutcli fe acc rding to and y, he is mistaken . I have made up my mind to like
o f him , and I shall like him in spite
o And Polly set her lips , and t ssed her habit d o wn in a manner expressing unlimited capa
c bilitie s of resistan e . She soon had an opportunity of exercising them .
Maj o r De re n z y quickly disco vered that the
Sutcliffes were essentially plebeians . They
o m wh o th e were Y rkshire en , had farmed acres of Ripponden before the Saxo n Harold lo st the T fatal battle o f Hastings . hey had been farmers
c ever sin e , until the advent of steam called
o T them from the plow to the lo m . hen they
o became manufacturers , built mills , made br ad
o . cloths , and made m ney An upright , down 36 2 Pal/y D erenzy s
h ad s right, thrifty , busy family , that alway
known when t o take Occasion by the hand . So while many a noble family had been grow
ing poor , they had been growing rich , and now
’ o c f o f Col nel, Sut li fe s father was lord a large
estate , and had a seat in Parliament . But then
William the Conqueror had n o t kn o w n them !
they had not fought with the Plantagenets , nor
T o n o r fo r been enriched by the ud rs , quarreled T the Stuarts . hey had simply worked for their
v li ing as farmers and manufacturers , and there
n o t o o f was a dr p patrician blood in them .
“ o And the w rst of it is , Polly , said the
o maj r , who was detailing these things to his
t o daughter , the young man does not seem be
all at sensible of his deficiency . When I spoke
’ o ad v ant a e s o f ab ut the g a good family , in an
‘ incidental kind of way , he said he was not at
all sure about them ; that he knew families so
’ fo r good that they were good nothing .
Po lly laughed a queer little laugh that m ight
e n o r m an either asse t dissent , and just then a
b ’ B th e 36 4 I o /{y Derenzy s ro r. are talk ing abo ut ? Every o n e o f them is a n o bleman .
’ I don t care . I call them bad company fo r o ur To m ; and I call any company bad that
t o causes a man lead a shifty life , even if it was T ” the ro yal family . here 1 and Polly put do w n
’ her fo o t and lo o ked steadily in her father s face
’ Are th o se some o f Colo nel Sutcliffe s elegant
” s P entiments , Polly
’ o o f o t Papa , C l nel Sutcli fe is my friend ; I d n allo w anybody to speak slightingly of him .
Th e maj o r lo o ked at her w ith a kind of angry admiration .
o v ' Captain P lly , he answered , gi ing her a w military salute , I take it all back ; but hat is
” t o be done about T o m ?
To m T o . m must have the money , of course
o n e is my extravagance , and I like him to have a ’ h . im wh tever he wants Don t scold either , — papa only ask him to come and see us ; for I declare I shall think his company for a month
h o c eap at five hundred p unds . ’ o l/ D er enz s Br o i lzer 6 P y y . 3 5
So inverting the usual order of military disc i
’ o c pline , the maj r obeyed his aptain s order , and
T o m De re n z y , having paid his debts rather
t o fo r reluctantly , came thank his sister the money .
n r T o m All wome must have thei idol , and
’ w as his sister s idol; All her life long she had
c c - sacrifi ed her po ket money , her time , her wishes to him ; all her life long she had liked
T o m h is whatever liked , and indorsed all dis
’ likes with a woman s unreasonable antipathies .
T o m had had a silent suspi c ion that he was being defrauded of part of his dues , and this , as
c h im mu h as gratitude , took from London to t o . n o Castlet wn Polly had written so often , h e and th o ugh he seldom answered her letters ,
t o r liked o get them ; , at any rate , he did not w ish anybo dy else to get them . T hen , when she did write , she quoted Colonel
’ Sutcliffe s o pinio ns in w hat he th o ught an osten
“ ” s d . o tatio u , efying way Nob dy in his set knew the fello w he tho ugh t it might n o t be a , B m” 36 6 P 0 14} D erenzy s ra .
e w s bad id a to look after his pretty sister , who a
o w n . also , in her right , a very rich sister So ,
o t o also , it , might be well to pay some attenti n
in t o his father, who had it his power make him
c ri h also .
- But the deci si on was an after thought . He had written to say he could n o t co me until
n Christmas , whe he suddenly altered his mind , and followed his letter by the next mail .
w ~ Consequently , he arrived ithout expecta
Th e tion . No one was looking for him . major was dining with the govern o r ; his sister was walking in the garden w ith Colonel Sutcliff e
He bit his lip when he heard it; and refused to hav e her called ; he would go himself and find her ; and the first glance he had of his sister and Colonel Sutcliffe convinced him they w ere lov ers .
Fo r o o o numerous reas ns , n ne of which he t ok
T o m De r n z the trouble to define , e y hated at
first sight the man his sister loved . His c o m plexion and his inches bo th were an o ffense
’ 36 8 Po l/y D erenzy s Br am” .
To m h e o a Indeed , , w uld say , fter such a
o . c nversation , I believe you are right
o Of c urse I am . Can you imagine Miss
De re n z y i n lodgings and h o tels and th at so rt of
? W ’t thing on do , father , at all ; besides , the
o o fellow is a prig , and thinks n b dy knew any
thing about military tactics until his day .
W T o m P hat would you do , Polly is dread fully willful
Y o u All wome n are willful . just tell Co l
o n el f t Sutcli fe , in a plain , gentlemanly way , tha ” t o o you do not want him marry y ur daughter .
m e o But he has not asked for P lly yet , and
one cann o t refuse a man what he has not asked
for . ! No , the sneak He has come round steal ing it
T o m o u , let me advise y not to use that word
o o r o u ab ut a gentleman , y will get into
trouble .
“ ’ t o I ll use it , fa her , to wh ever I think de s v f o er es it and thenceforward , in a o lish bra Po l/y D er enzy/s Bro tfien 36 9
' o T o m o o o l o th e vad , t ok ccasi n a ways to c uple
t h e o adjective and colo nel t gether .
h im o ne It taught a bad habit , and day at the
i - o o f d nner table , during the temp rary absence
so o o e the servant , he far f rg t his usual prudenc
as to i n dulge himself with the expletive i n th e
presence of Polly .
w o Before the word was ell out of his m uth ,
Po lly had thrown her go blet of water in his
face .
” Go l Co ward ! she exclaimed . and cal him
that t o his face
Po lly Papa
’ Ask your brother s pardo n .
’ When he asks Colo nel Sutcliffe s pardo n n o t until
’ What is Col o nel Sutcliffe t o yo u ?
My intended husband .
De re n z n o o Then , Miss y , you are l nger my
sister .
“ To m o in a ch o kin Very well , , said P lly , g ’ / t 370 P 0 1@ Dérenzy s Bra /2 6 7 .
o u m e o ff n o t o o . u v ice Remember y threw , I y
n o u t w fo r and whe y wan your sister again , I ill ” give you .
’ T I ll n hank you sh a want yo u o m o re .
To m Y o o . u , sir , your sister is y ur best friend
c t t o annot affo rd o lose her . It is her you owe
that last five hundred p o unds. ’ T ’ — Papa , I won t buy om s love no , not if I could have it for a halfpenny and Polly went
sobbing fro m the ro om . T his quarrel brought matters to a crisis .
C o lonel Sutcliffe explained his position and ex
’ p e c tatio n s to the major an d asked his daughter s
n . o ha d He was p litely refused by the father ,
and pro udly and tenderly accepted bv th e w daughter . He had d o ne hat was right ; he
had the best of it ; he c ould affo rd to grant
’ “ Polly s request and wait for , Papa is a rea
c sonable reature , Harry , she said and when
To m has go ne back to his co mpany will doall I h im ask .
But To m Seemed to take an almost i nsane '
z raZ/zer 372 Po lly D eren ys B .
r o f had always had d eams a grand wedding , and was also quite aw are that her large property o ught n o t t o be carried fro m o n e state to the other without proper settlements and pro visio ns .
To d o c her lover justi e , he had no care about
’ o e Polly s m ney ; h loved her deeply , and would have been glad if she had only been so me p o o r gentlewoman w ithout family or fortune to em
f c barrass her a fe tions . But he had to take the
o ff o family and the f rtune with the a ecti n and ,
o f o in the present state of his l ve a fair , he f und
o b th an embarrassment .
Polly made no secret o f her engagement she
walked and rode publicly with her lover , and
being of age , the major did not feel called upon to interfere further ; especially as he had noth
’ ing to urge agai nst the match but his son s u h T ’ reaso nable dislike . om s visit had not proved wo rth the five hundred pounds Polly had paid f h e o r . S wi it was quite lling , indeed , to give h im another five hundred p o unds to go away again and leave h e r affairs to her o w n manage 7 f o / D er enz s Br at/t e r . {y y 3 73. men t ; but while she was contemplating enter
o o o To m ing into neg tiati ns for that purp se , , of
o f his own acc rd , brought a fairs to a crisis .
as o One evening , at sunset , she was sl wly rid
s ff To m and ing on the sand with Harry Sutcli e ,
c T o m his servant approa hed them . rode furi
/ o usl n th e lo v e rs , e v t y in betwee , and the s r an
o to o k up a po sitio n on the o ther side of P lly .
“ De re n z o I will see Miss y h me , Colonel Sut
“ c ff T o m . o li e , said , in an insolent manner Y ur escort i s dispensed with .
o o u I will not g with y , Polly replied
n d n t o a bei g a fine horse woman , she attempted
But w heel round and escape her double escort .
n o an d her bridle had been seized o b th sides , w u w as im o s itho t causing a public scandal , it p sible to free herself . — ” “ Harry darling Harry ! she cried . Keep — ’ m fo r o r m sake o t your te per , my sake f y D n speak ! As sure as I live I w ill m eet yo u at
’ o Y church to m o rrow m o rning at ten o cl ck . o u
fo r kn o w wh a t . ’ ‘ Po l/y Derenzy s Bro zfiefl
- Ti o b . ll then , g od y , sweet Polly I am deaf and dumb fo r your sweet sake .
’ T o o T his c nversation , carried on ab ve om s
o e xas brutal urging of the h rses , was the last
ti o n o f e ra . p Accidentally , or in the heat pas s o h i n , it mattered little w ich , he struck his
w a n o w be sister instead of her horse . Polly s yo nd speech she gave her brother a lo o k w hich
t o o w o ought have cut him w rse than hipc rd ,
o h o o o u t ‘ r de quietly me , s ught her father , and
falling , with passionate sobs and cries in his
o o . arms , t ld him the whole st ry
Ho w he blazed ! Y o u saw i n ' a m o ment the little hero who had led the forlorn hope at Sala
cut h i s w a o u o manca , and y thr gh a divisi n at
’ W o o o aterl . He kissed P lly s hands as if she h ad e o v n been a qu en , and laid her with l i g ten
o th e o T derness up n s fa . hen he rang the bell .
’ Th e Send Captain De re n z y s servant here .
“ man Y o u o ! came , trembling. sc undrel Pack
’ o t it h o u w y ur master s trunk and ake w ere y ill ,
376 P o lly D erenzy s Brat/zen
o o tw o o u leave this r m in minutes , I will give y just such a ho rsewhipping as I would give an impertinent servant .
Wh o struck first it wo uld be imp o ssible to
’ but To m De re n s o say , z y slight , nerv us frame ,
’ o h e e w as th ug quiv ring with rag , but an infant s
o f ff in the p o werful grasp Harry Sutcli e .
And Harry never for one moment l o st the perfect command o f himself he held T o m w ith
a o o e one h nd , and with sl w, keen , p w rful regu larit o w as y , administered such a fl gging as sufh
’ c ient t o humble ev en Tom s pro ud Norm an
. T o spirit hen taking him up as he w uld a child ,
o o he laid him d wn upon a l unge , and made him
o o f -an d - drink a g blet wine water .
Th e punishmen t had been so shamefully pro v o k e d , and had been given with su ch coo lness
c o t and de isi n , as well as rapidi y , that n o ne of
ffi n the o cers prese t had interfered . Harry n o w w o o alked to the do r and l cked it .
“ ” G m o entle en , he said , I am g ing t o marry th e t o f sis er that man . I do not believe h im a P o l/ D erenz s Br at/t er” y y . 3 77
t e w h bad man upon h hole , and I ave ac cepted his ample apology for all the insolence he has
. been guilty of I will feel obliged if , for my
o n sake , you pass your w rds of honor o t to name
w o hat has passed during the last half h ur .
Th e an d T o m promise was readily given ,
knew that unless he chose to pro claim his o wn
w as disgrace , he safe from public scorn . But
’ o w as o Harry s f rbearance , just at present , nly
o . o a fresh aggravati n He r se , and limping
o o w . t ward the d or , aited to be released
“ De re n z am o . I very s rry , Captain y You
fo rced this co urse upo n me . Perhaps you will
understand me better some day , said Colonel f Sutcli fe . i L o u s r. et I shall not try to understand y ,
me pass !
T o m o w h ad o t o s e , h ever , wit en ugh leave Ca tl
’ at tow n once , and he only learned his sister s
marriage by it s public announcement .
o f i s d o w o n d No ne h frien s , h ever , w dere at
o f o ff h is absence , for his hatred Col nel Sutcli e ’ 378 Po lty D er enzy s Bro t/zen
o o w was a fav urite t pic of conversation ith him , and he always sp o ke o f his sister having m ade a degrading marriage with a man of no family
o and , consequently , of no h nour .
Perhaps nothing that T o m co uld have do ne w o uld have so completely alienated his father H . e o o from him had paid his debts ver and ver ,
o winked at his irregularities , defended his vi lent — temper ; but t o strike a w oman t o strike his
o — - an n in daughter , ab ve all was u pardonable T m famy . o knew that n o thing but the m o st
o c abject humility w uld be ac epted , and that ,
w o even then , his name ould always be dish n
’ o u rably asso ciated in his father s mind ; so he
n o made submission .
Th e major read of him or heard o f him fro m
t o time time , but never favourably . He had plunged deeper and deeper into dissipatio n o f
k in d be cam e o f o every , a gambler equiv cal rep u tatio n r , and finally married a F ench opera
Singer .
In the meantime the elder Sutcliffe died and
’ 380 Po l/y D erenzy s Bro f/zer . the o nly thing left for h im w as to sell out and retire fro m his pro fession .
T w as hen his descent rapid , and very soon his name was a forbidden sound among those who had o nce loved him so clearly .
Only the heart of Po lly kept it in loyal aff e c
T o m tion whenever chose to come back to her , T her lo v e w as watc hing and waiting . hrough his wife ’s movements she kept some dim idea
’ of To m s w hereab o uts ; but it was a poor satis factio n to learn from a newspaper that Madame
De re n z o r y was singing in Vienna , Florence , or
an d o o London , to supp se , in c nsequence , that
To m was also there .
’ T hus many years passed away . Sons and daughters filled the pleasant old rooms and
’ o f ff o gardens Sutcli e Hall , and P lly s eldest boy was ready for Eto n . Time and silence had seemingly obliterated all mem o ries o f the erring so n and brother ;
o o yet , perhaps , nly seemingly , for P lly had
e t o h e r - o To m De re n z dar d call youngest b rn y , P o Z D er enz s Bram” Zy y . 38 1 and she n o ticed that the maj o r hung round h is
t o o cradle with a yearning , pa hetic l k that was in itself a prayer and a hope for his self-banished
so n .
One m o rnin g he came down to h is late break
fast , strangely silent and agitated , ate little , and w andered nervo usly abo ut . ” Do W e ? o . hat is the matt r , papa said P lly yo u know that yo u are not one bit like yo urself ? ” Harry is afraid y o u are sick .
at . Not all , child I have had a strange dream .
Wh o u You dream , papa y , y always laugh at dreams .
’ Yes , yes , Polly but I can t laugh at this
o h To m o n e . I wish I knew where y ur brot er was
Was it abo ut T o m
o u h o f Yes . Have y seen anyt ing that ” madame ’s proceedings lately ?
N o t fo r more than a year ; then she w as t o o if ill t o fulfill a London engagement . Perhaps ’ Po lly D ew nzy s 3 7 0 56 6 74 yo u wrote to the m anager of the Italian Opera m c T o . House , you ould find Oh , papa , he was
. o d my only brother If I have been a go , lov
t o T o m ing daughter you , let me see again
' ’ Polly was sobbing , and the maj or s brave lit tle heart was in a perfect fright if a woman
cried , more especially if that woman was Polly .
W se e t o ell , well , dear , we will ab ut it . I am go m g to talk to Jeffc ott about some change in ff . w my a airs He is shre d and prudent , and I
’ — will set him on Tom s track h e will kn o w what c an be safely done . T w hat same night , as Polly was alking in Sut c f c li fe Park with her three oldest hildren , they
v saw a boy , about twel e years old , peeping , with
o hungry , anxi us face , through the iron gratings
- of one of the side gates . He had a violin in his
w n o h i m hand , and , he P lly gave a shilling , he played an air with a grace and skill that was
wonderful .
T h e children listened with such delight that she called a servant to unlo ck the gate and admit
l ? /i ar 384 Po ll) D erenzy s Br at .
T o f Sutcli fe .
Wh o do yo u w ant t o see there ?
Th e lady at the hall .
Wh y her
o u I cannot tell y , madam . Pardon me .
o But I am the lady y u seek .
o . Pardon . I cannot kn w that
T o bo o u rue . You are a go d y will y tell m e
wh o yo ur m ammais ? “ ! Yes , indeed She is Madame Eugenie De
re n z y . My mamma is very good , and she can
sing ! Ah h o w she can sing w hen she is w ell
It is like an angel .
o n o t n o r n o r o P lly did start , turn faint , sh w
o f o . e any signs ast nishment In some subtle , p c uliar manner she had already imbibed the
’ co nvic tion that her brother Tom s child was
beside her . She only stooped down , and taking
the pale , pathetic face between her hands , a kissed it tenderly , and s id
am P My child , I your Aunt olly
’ Then the boy began t o cry with all a child s o l/ D erenz s Br am” P y y . 385
i abando n o pass onate , and thr wing herself on the
v grass , ga e up to the weariness , hunger and
care that oppressed him . f — Polly su fered him to weep nay , she sat down
beside him , and gathering him in her arms , wept with him until his passion of grief had
spent its forc e ; then she said “ What is your name ?” ” Victor , madame .
And you are born for conquest , dear boy ; who can resist you ? Now try to walk with
W e . o Aunt Polly home will go sl wly , and you shall tell me all your trouble as we go .
All my trouble Alas , dear madame , that
c is not possible . Papa is si k , and mamma is lo ng sic k and c annot sing ; and there are Au
c gustus , and Rollo , and Polly , and Ce ile , and
v they starve Madame , they star e Yet did I
d a s play all the yin the streets , and ing , though my heart was full of tears ; yet not enough for ! bread c ould I get . And my mamma oh , the
” goo d Go d knows how she suffers ! and here 386 Po l/y D erenzys
the boy , faint and weary with hunger and grief,
burst again into hysterical sobbing .
“ My poor Vi c tor ! but you need not weep
now . In a few hours I shall be with papa and
mamma with plenty of money .
“ w as Oh , you good aunt Papa said he sure
you would c ome if I c ould only see you
” first . It was none of Polly ’s habit to go round about
the bush in any matter ; and so now , taking
o the child just as he was , she set him bef re her
husband .
“ “ Harry , she said , impetuously , here is T ’ poor om s eldest son and , oh , Harry , they
c v ! are all si k and star ing , twenty miles away
I am going at on c e order the c arriage for me
” and see all right .
“ But , Polly , the road is lonely and danger
” ous , and it is dark . Let me go .
T c o n hat hild was it all last night . I m u st
go first , Harry ; in half an hour I shall be
” e r ady .
388 Po lly D erenzy/h r B¢0 ffi€7fi
c plenished his purse w ith gold pie es . In less than four hours they stopped before t h e miser able house where T o m and his wife had been
c compelled by exhaustion and si kness to stop .
o At midnight , when no one l oked for help , it
o came . And in that supreme moment of reuni n the major forgot the pride of birth and the pride
o of nati nality , and included the alien and the actress in his fo rgiveness and his lo ve .
N o r w hen he came t o examine more coo lly
o o f the gener sity his amnesty , was he inclined
De re n z to recall it . Eugenie y was , in the first
o place , a beauty of the highest rder , and the
o ld o major , as he was , ackn wledged with a sin cere loyalty the divine right of s o vereign T beauty . hen gradually he learned fro m his ’ s son s lip how much that son owed to her labours , her love and her fidelity .
She had supported T o m and her family she
had borne patiently , and even hopefully , his ex t rav a an c e g and dissipation , trusted in him when
t h e d. all world had forsaken him , nurse him te n P o ll D er enz s Br o tfier y y . 389
d e rl c y through much si kness , brought up her family in a manner beyond reproach—through
’ all the long years of Tom s reprobate c ourse ac t
- f ing with such love , long su fering and industry that the maj o r declared if Eugenie was no t
noble by birth , she had been made noble by the
c Go d gra e of , and quoted , in a sort of penitent apology
W h at no ble is m ay h o ld in sc o rn ” Th e m an wh o is b u t n o bly b o rn .
T o m came gladly enough to Sutcliffe Hall to be nursed well and have his future arranged for ;
c f h im c indeed , Harry Sut li fe met with su h
- im o ssi frank and honest good will , that it was p ble to affe c t anything but the gratitude he really
felt .
’ I dare not say that Tom s years of ad v ersity and knocking about the world had made a good
v and wise man of him , but he must ha e been a mere c lod o f earth to hav e li v ed fourteen years with su c h a noble woman as Eugenie , and not
o f imbibed so mething her sweet , honourable , 390 P o l/y D er enzy/fir Br at/zen
T c v generous nature . hat he was apable of lo ing her with such a faithful affe c tion showed that he was also c apable of rising to her le v el under fav ourable c ircumstan c es .
c These were now at hand . It was de ided that for a term of at least fi v e years T o m and G his family should return to some erman town , and there devote themselv es to the c are and
c c edu ation of their hildren , the major settling upon madame an annual sum suffic ient for an elegant and refined life in those prin c ipalities of
modest expenditures .
c And madame a ted very wisely . She knew that no m an c an be at on c e idle and good ; so
T o m she rented a small estate , and absolutely dis c ov ered that Nature had intended him for a farmer , and not a soldier .
His flocks and herds and c rops and v ineyards became of absorbing interest to h im ; he read
c and experimented , and be ame an enthusiast on
c c o f agri ultural subje ts , so that his father heard his succe sses and marv eled
/ 7 f/Z ’ 39 2 Po lly D erenzy S B 0 6 7 .
c finding his new vocation , he has dis overed his
o v c life , and amply rewarded the l ing patien e of his sister and the generous trust of his father . Surely there is no redeemer like a great and
o a true l ve .
THE EN D . I N THE C HI NA SEA .
8?
S EW A D W I —I O P K I R . N S ,
Autko r o Tw e Gentlemen o Haw az f f z, etc . , etc .
WI TH I L L U S TR A TI ON S 8 3 8 ” S HAR E H 7 P 0 AN D . ll.
‘
1 2 m o . 3 00 P a es H an s g . d o mely Bo u n d in Cloth . P rice,
” I n th e C hina ea a t o f h ac i as w h S is s o ry t e P fic C o t, h ere t e al o nd - e ed Mo n o lans h av ua ter ver c t wh enc m y g i e a q r in e y i y, e th e y c o mm unicate with th eir ki ndred o f th e Flo we ry K in gdo m ac ro ss th e ea Th w a s s. e sto ry d eals ith th e disappearance o f
beau t ful irl wh o is trac o n wh e e h e i g , ed to P o rtland, O reg , r s is e bar ed o n a stea er bo un r n h ere is an e c ti n m k m d fo Chi a. T x i g u rsu t and search fo h a t f r Th extrao dinar p i r t is be u i ul gi l. e y th n s wh ch h a en th e s h ts and eo le m et w th and d e i g i pp , ig p p i scr bed in deta ln t h s ursu and search rend er th s sto r o n e i , i i g i p it , i y
f f n O th e m o st i nteresti n g and exc i ti ng p ro d uc tio ns o m o dern fi ctio . “ ’ ” ’ I t w ill rank with K in g So lo m o n s Mines and Jules V erne s wo n derful narrat o ns An u n n o w n eo le o f stran e c usto m s i . k p p g , m ann ers an d a earan ce is n tro duc ed . reat w ar is started pp i A g , nclus o n Th e nvent o n O f th e c arri ed o n an d bro u gh t t o a c o i . i i
u h o m e s and th e nte rest O f th e reader is a t r see s t o be bo u ndl s , i stim ulated by th e n e w and wo nde rful d evelo pm e nts th at c ro wd
o n o n n ro c eeds u p e a o t h er as th e sto ry p .
Fo r sale b allbo o sellers and newsdealers o r se nt o st a d y k , , p p i o n rec e t o f r ce b th e ublsh ers ip p i , y p i , E E ’S S S ROB RT BONN R ON ,
L EET EW O C O R . WI L IAM AN D SP R U CE STR S, N Y RK . An E llen N ew N o l xce t ve .
VI SI BLE HANDS.
AFT ER TH E GE R MAN O F
V O Z O BE L TI TZ F N ,
E BO GGS ‘ S . . ,
T anslato r Tlze L ift/o Co u ntess etc. r of ,
WI TH I L U S TR A TI ON S B Y J AME S FA GAN .
1 2 m o . 3 2 a e . H in lo t h . ri c e 7 P g s an ds o m ely Bo un d C P ,
a er o v e r 50 e n t s . P p C , C
a l l Th e nc den ts are nat ural and Th is is m o st exc e len t n o v e . i i ro bable alth o u h u nc o mm o n an d t h e ad rable lo t is based p , g mi p o n transac t o ns i n erln and in tal bo th e r an and talan i B i I y, G m I i c h arac te rs u r n i it I t is rare t h at an th n so o we rfuland fig i g n . y i g p
f e r Th e sto r d ram at ic c o m es to u s in th e o rm O f G m an fi ctio n . y is nt en el nte rest n c o n st antl a n n as n ew c h arac te rs and i s y i i g, y g i i g f d e n r tr u e n h w o n - h resh i nc i ts a e i n o d c d i t e rki g o u t O f t e plo t . Th e c h arac t er O f th e I talian lawy er is w o rth y O f th e t i m es O f o f ac h a ll I t resen ts a lo vel ct ure O f r an fa l M i ve i . p y pi G e m mi y lfe an d th e fe ale c h arac ters re resent all th at i c h ar n in i , m p s mi g
rlh o o d and wo m anh o h i a o l h h r gi o d . T is s n ve w ic eve ybo dy can rea w th leasure an d i p d pro fit .
r o r sale b allb o o sellers an d n ewsdealers o r sent o st a d y k , , p p i , o n rece t O f r c e b t h e ublsh ers ip p i , y p i ,
E E ’S S S ROB RT BONN R ON , W L O R . L AM AN D SP U E T EET E C I I R C S R S, N W Y O RK .
A No v e l by Fan ny Le w ald .
t Mas k o f Beau y .
AFT ER T HE G E RMAN OF l Fan n y Lew a d ,
BY
l n . Mary M. P easa ts
W it h I llu st rati o n s b y F . A . C art e r .
1 11 1 3 4 0 a es . H an s o m el Bo u n in lo t h . ri c e 2 0 . P g d y d C P ,
a er o v er 50 en t s . P p C , C
F anny L ewald is o ne o f th e m o st c elebrated w riters O f G er H r O k a n ular t bu t few O f th em m an . e b O s h ve e o ed reat o y j y g p p i y,
b e t ransla e nto En l h h i a sto r o f ela a h ave e n t d s . s s i g i T i y H , en nsu a u tt n o u t nto th e alt c Sea O f wh c h an tz is th e p i l j i g i B i , i D ig h m a h n wh e are r nc al t o w n . T e d O f ela is a o o r o r a o s r p i ip i H p p , h O f e m a a Sh e is b red in a sh n beau t y is t e c ause h r n y t ri ls. fi i g e am o n a su erst t o us eo le fullO f c u r o s t an d so lated v illag g p i i p p , i i y, i
f a n l n Th e fro m h er n eigh bo rs by reaso n o h e r p arent ge a d re igi o .
t r is a m nu te an d realst c st u d o f c h arac te r I n an n eI s an d s o y i i i y ,
an o ut - f- th e - wa o rn r O f t w r Th e e a c u sto m s O f O y c e h e o ld . xt r
r n ar b eau t O f th e rlC at h er ne wh o se lfe h sto r o di y y gi i , i i y is n ar
at e d is m ade th e c au se O f e er m o rtan t s t u at o n an th r , v y i p i i d e
o th n n fi nalt rag edy O f th e n o vel. N i g c a be fin e r th an th e p ati ent an d lo v n art w t h wh ch th e au th o r h as d ev elo ed h er sub ec t i g i i p j , and exh ibited beau t y as th e m ask O f a p u re and beau tiful so ul n a u co nscio u s o f th e d n gero u s p o sse ssio n .
' o r sale b allbo o sellers an d n ewsde ale rs o r sent o st a d F y k , , p p i , o n rece t o f r ce b th e ublsh ers ip p i , y p i ,
’ ROBERT BON N ER S S ON S ,
r W illi Co . m n r re N a a d S p uce St et s , e w Yo rk . Tw o Ge nt le m e n
o f Haw ai i BY
S e w ard W . Ho k in p s , — “ ” A u th o r o f rt toe Coin oz S ea etc f , .
W it h I ll u st rati o n s b y M. C o li n .
1 2 m o . 2 4 4 a es . H an s o m l l t h rice P g d e y Bo un d in C o . P , a er o v er 50 en P p C , C ts .
h s n o veldeals w th th e revo lu t o n i h awai i an slan ds T i i i n t e H I . I t ta es th e art O f th e revo lu t o n sts I t ves a c o m lete k p i i . gi p acc o u nt O f th e e c t n eve nts b nn n w th h e d e o s t o n x i i g , e gi i g i t p i i o f
u een luo alan th e nst t u t o n O f th e ro v s o n al o ve rnm en t Q Li i k i , i i i p i i g u n d er P resid e n t D o le and th e O ffer O f th e islands t o th e U n ited
Stat es . I t is a th r lln c tu re f a er o d o f nt r u e a i i g pi o p i i ig , d n ger
and re vo lu t o n ar v l nc e o st O f th e ch aracte rs are m r i y io e . M A e i c an s c o n cern e d i h th e revo lut o n an d th e sto r is w r tten fro i , y i m t h e p o i n t O f v i ew o f a partisan w h o believ es th at th e p eac e and
ro r t o f th e slan ds ar bo u nd u w th th e new o vem n p sp e i y i e p i m e t .
I t is a lvel an d nte rest n t ale full o f sensat o n w th a v v d i y i i g , i , i i i pi c t u re O f th e sc e nery and life O f th e i slands and o f th e fatal
” a ffl c Th e t e rro rs o f le m alady w i t h wh ic h th e n ati ves re a i ted . p
a esc r be Th e su e rst t o ns o f th e slan ders an d th e ro sy re d i d . p i i I v o lc an ic e ru p tio n s o n th e I slan d O f Lanai fo rm a tragi c bac k At th n t w h e n u bl attent o n u n d t o h e sto r . e rese t e c g ro t y p im , p i i is e n a e d b th e e vents t rans r n in th ese slands th s no vel g g y, pi i g i , i
trac t ven h as an esp ec i alat i ess.
Fo r sale b allbo o sellers and n ewsdealers o r sent o st a d y k , , p p i , n rece t O f r ce b th e ublsh e rs o ip p i , y p i ,
’ ROBERT BON N ER S S ON S ,
r e S reet s N e w Yo rk Co r. W illiam and Sp uc t , . h e S h ad o w o f t h e Gu illo t in e .
BY
n S y lv a us Co bb, J r. , ” A mt/to r o T/ze Gu n maker o Mo sco w Toe f f , ” “ O u tcast o Milan Blan e/re o f , f ” Bu r u n d etc etc g y , .
W ith I llu st rati o n s b y W arr e n B. D av i s.
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