IfMissSallywasreally——a——a——distractingelementtocontiguousman,itwascertainlysomethingtobeconsideredinamatterofbusinessofwhichshewouldtakeamanagerialpart。ItwastruethatChampneyhadsaidshewas\"notthatsortofgirl,\"butthiswasthetestimonyofonewhowasclearlyunderherinfluence。HeenteredthehousethroughtheopenFrenchwindow。Theparlorwasdeserted。Hewalkedthroughthefronthallandporch;noonewasthere。Helingeredafewmoments,aslightchagrinbeginningtominglewithhisuneasiness。Shemighthavebeenonthelookoutforhim。SheorSophymusthaveseenhimreturning。HewouldringforSophy,andleavehisthanksandregretsforhermistress。Helookedforabell,touchedit,butonbeingconfrontedwithSophy,changedhismindandaskedtoSEEMissDows。IntheintervalbetweenherdepartureandtheappearanceofMissSallyheresolvedtodotheverythingwhichhehaddismissedfromhisthoughtsbutanhourbeforeasill—timedanddoubtful。Hehadthephotographandletterinhispocket;hewouldmakethemhisexcuseforpersonallytakingleaveofher。
Sheenteredwithherfaireyebrowsliftedinaprettysurprise。
\"Ideclaretogoodness,Ithoughtyo’’driddenovertotheredbarnandgonehomefromthere。IgotthroughmyworkonthevinesearlierthanIthought。OneofJudgeGarret’snephewsdroppedinintimetohelpmewiththelastrow。Yo’needn’thavetroubledyo’selftosendupformeformerecompanymanners,butSophysaysyo’lookedsortof’anxiousandparticular’whenyo’askedforme——
soIsupposeyo’wanttoseemeforsomething。\"
MentallyobjurgatingSophy,andwithanunpleasantimpressioninhismindoftheunknownneighborwhohadbeenhelpingMissSallyinhisplace,heneverthelesstriedtocollecthimselfgallantly。
\"Idon’tknowwhatmyexpressionconveyedtoSophy,\"hesaidwithasmile,\"butItrustthatwhatIhavetotellyoumaybeinterestingenoughtomakeyouforgetmysecondintrusion。\"Hepaused,andstillsmilingcontinued:\"Formorethanthreeyears,MissDows,youhavemoreorlessoccupiedmythoughts;andalthoughwehaveactuallymetto—dayonlyforthefirsttime,Ihaveduringthattimecarriedyourimagewithmeconstantly。Eventhismeeting,whichwasonlytheresultofanaccident,Ihadbeenseekingforthreeyears。Ifindyouhereunderyourownpeacefulvineandfig—
tree,andyetthreeyearsagoyoucametomeoutofthethunder—
cloudofbattle。\"
\"Mygoodgracious!\"saidMissSally。
Shehadbeenclaspingherkneewithherlinkedfingers,butseparatedthemandleanedbackwardonthesofawithaffectedconsternation,butanexpressionofgrowingamusementinherbrighteyes。Courtlandsawthemistakeofhistone,butitwastoolatetochangeitnow。Hehandedherthelocketandtheletter,andbriefly,andperhapsalittlemoreseriously,recountedtheincidentthathadputhiminpossessionofthem。Butheentirelysuppressedthemoredramaticandghastlydetails,andhisownsuperstitionandstrangeprepossessiontowardsher。
MissSallytookthearticleswithoutatremor,ortheleastdeepeningorpalingofthedelicate,faintsuffusionofhercheek。
Whenshehadglancedovertheletter,whichappearedtobebrief,shesaid,withsmiling,half—pityingtranquillity:——
\"Yes!——itWASthatpoorChetBrooks,sure!IheardthathewaskilledatSnakeRiver。Itwasjustlikehimtorushinandgetkilledthefirstpop!Andallfornothing,too,——purefoolishness!\"
Shocked,yetrelieved,butuneasyunderbothsensations,Courtlandwentonblindly:
\"Buthewasnottheonlyone,MissDows。Therewasanothermanpickedupwhoalsohadyourpicture。\"
\"Yes——JoyceMasterton。Theysentittome。Butyoudidn’tkillHIM,too?\"
\"Idon’tknowthatIpersonallykilledeither,\"hesaidalittlecoldly。Hepaused,andcontinuedwithagravitywhichhecouldnothelpfeelingveryinconsistentandevenludicrous:\"Theywerebravemen,MissDows。\"
\"Tohavewornmypicture?\"saidMissSallybrightly。
\"TohaveTHOUGHTtheyhadsomuchtolivefor,andyettohavewillinglylaiddowntheirlivesforwhattheybelievedwasright。\"
\"Yo’didn’tgohuntin’meforthreeyearstotellME,aSo’th’ngirl,thatSo’th’nmenknowhowtofight,didyo’,co’nnle?\"
returnedtheyounglady,withtheslightestliftingofherheadanddroopingofherblue—veinedlidsinadivinehauteur。\"Theywerealwaysreadyenoughforthat,evenamongthemselves。Itwasmucheasierforthesepooahboystofightathingoutthanthinkitout,orworkitout。Yo’folksintheNo’thlearnedtodoallthree;
that’swhereyougotthegriponus。Yo’looksurprised,co’nnle。\"
\"Ididn’texpectyouwouldlookatit——quitein——in——thatway,\"
saidCourtlandawkwardly。
\"IamsorryIdisappointedyo’afteryo’’dtakensuchaheapo’
trouble,\"returnedtheyoungladywithapuzzlingassumptionofhumilityassheroseandsmoothedoutherskirts,\"butIcouldn’tknowexactlywhatyo’mightbeexpectingafterthreeyears;ifI
HAD,Imighthaveputonmo’ning。\"Shestoppedandadjustedastrayingtendrilofherhairwiththesharpcornerofthedeadman’sletter。\"ButIthankyo’,allthesame,co’nnle。Itwasrealgoodinyo’tothinkoftotingthesethingsoverhere。\"Andsheheldoutherhandfrankly。
Courtlandtookitwiththesickeningconsciousnessthatforthelastfiveminuteshehadbeenanunconscionableass。Hecouldnotprolongtheinterviewaftershehadsosignificantlyrisen。Ifhehadonlytakenhisleaveandkepttheletterandlocketforalatervisit,perhapswhentheywereolderfriends!Itwastoolatenow。
Hebentoverherhandforamoment,againthankedherforhercourtesy,andwithdrew。Amomentlatersheheardtherecedingbeatofhishorse’shoofsontheroad。
Sheopenedthedrawerofabrass—handledcabinet,andafteramoment’scriticalsurveyofherpictureinthedeadman’slocket,tosseditandtheletterintotherecessesofthedrawer。Thenshestopped,removedherlittleslipperfromherfoot,lookedatTHAT,too,thoughtfully,andcalled\"Sophy!\"
\"MissSally?\"saidthegirl,reappearingatthedoor。
\"Areyousureyoudidnotmovethatladder?\"
\"I’claretogoodness,MissSally,Inevertechedit!\"
MissSallydirectedacriticalglanceatherhandmaiden’sred—
coifedhead。\"No,\"shesaidtoherselfsoftly,\"itfeltnicerthanwool,anyway!\"
CHAPTERIII。
Inspiteoftheawkwardterminationofhisvisit,——orperhapsBECAUSEofit,——Courtlandcalledagainattheplantationwithintheweek。ButthistimehewasaccompaniedbyDrummond,andwasreceivedbyMissMirandaDows,atall,aquiline—nosedspinsteroffifty,whoseold—timepolitenesshadbecomeslightlyaffected,andwhoseoldbeliefshadgivenwaytoahalf—cynicalacceptanceofnewfacts。Mr。Drummond,delightedwiththefarmanditsmanagement,wasnolessfascinatedbyMissSally,whileCourtlandwasnowdiscreetenoughtodividehisattentionsbetweenherandheraunt,withtheresultthathewasfarfromparticipatinginChampney’sconvictionofMissMiranda’sunimportance。Tothefreedmenshestillrepresentedtheoldimplacabletask—mistress,anditwasevidentthattheysuperstitiouslybelievedthatshestillretainedavaguepowerofoverridingtheFourteenthAmendmentatherpleasure,andwasonlytoberestrainedbythemediationofthegood—humoredandsensibleMissSally。Courtlandwasquicktoseethevalueofthisinfluenceinthetransitionstateofthefreedmen,andpointeditouttohisprincipal。Drummond’spreviousdoubtsandskepticism,alreadyweakenedbyMissSally’sfascinations,vanishedentirelyatthisprospectofbeneficiallyutilizingtheselingeringevilsofslavery。Hewasconvinced,hewasevenenthusiastic。Theforeigninvestorswerementobeboughtout;theestateimprovedandenlargedbythecompany,andthefairownersretainedinthemanagementandcontrol。Likemostprejudicedmen,Drummond’sconversionwassuddenandextreme,and,beingapracticalman,wasatonceactedupon。Atasecondandthirdinterviewthepreliminarieswerearranged,andinthreeweeksfromCourtland’sfirstvisit,theDows’plantationandpartofMajorReed’sweremergedinthe\"DrummondSyndicate,\"andplacedbeyondfinancialuncertainty。CourtlandremainedtorepresentthecompanyassuperintendentatRedlands,andwiththetransferoftheEnglishinvestmentsChampneyretired,ashehadsuggested,toasmallerventureofhisown,onaplantationafewmilesdistantwhichthecompanyhadbeenunabletosecure。
DuringthisintervalCourtlandhadfrequentinterviewswithMissSally,andeasyandunrestrainedaccesstoherpresence。Hehadneveragainerredonthesideofromanceoremotion;hehadneveragainreferredtotheinfelixletterandphotograph;and,withoutbeingobligedtoconfinehimselfstrictlytobusinessaffairs,hehadmaintainedaneven,quiet,neighborlyintercoursewithher。
Muchofthiswastheresultofhisownself—controlandsoldierlytraining,andgavelittleindicationofthedeeperfeelingthathewasconsciouslaybeneathit。Attimeshecaughttheyounggirl’seyesfixeduponhimwithamischievouscuriosity。Astrangethrillwentthroughhim;therearefewsituationssosubtleanddangerousastheaccidentalconfidencesandunderstandingsoftwoyoungpeopleofoppositesex,eventhoughthequestionofanysentimentalinclinationbestillinabeyance。CourtlandknewthatMissSallyrememberedthetooseriousattitudehehadtakentowardsherpast。
Shemightlaughatit,andevenresentit,butsheKNEWit,rememberedit,knewthatHEdid,andthispreciousknowledgewasconfinedtothemselves。Itwasintheirmindswhentherewasapauseintheirmorepracticalandconventionalconversation,andwasevenrevealedintheexcessivecarewhichMissSallylatertooktoavertattherightmomenthermischievouslysmilingeyes。Onceshewentfarther。Courtlandhadjustfinishedexplainingtoheraplanforsubstitutingsmallfarmbuildingsfortheusualhalf—
cultivatedgarden—patchesdeartothenegrofield—hand,andhadlaiddownthedrawingsonthetableintheoffice,whentheyounglady,leaningagainstitwithherhandsbehindher,fixedherbrightgrayeyesonhisseriousface。
\"Ivowandprotest,co’nnle,\"shesaid,droppingintooneofthequaintsurvivalsofanold—timephraseologypeculiartoherpeople,\"Ineverallowedyo’couldjustgiveyo’selfuptobusiness,soulandbody,asyo’do,whenIfirstmetyo’thatday。\"
\"Why,whatdidyouthinkme?\"heaskedquickly。
MissSally,whohadaSouthernaptitudeforgesture,tookonelittlehandfrombehindher,twirleditaboveherheadwithaprettyairofdisposingofsomeairynothinginapresumablymasculinefashion,andsaid,\"Oh,THAT。\"
\"IamafraidIdidnotimpressyouthenasaverypracticalman,\"
hesaid,withafaintcolor。
\"Ithoughtyouroostedratherhigh,co’nnle,topickupmanywormsinthemo’ning。But,\"sheaddedwithadazzlingsmile,\"Ireckonfromwhatyo’saidaboutthephotograph,yo’thoughtIwasn’texactlywhatyo’believedIoughttobe,either。\"
Hewouldhavelikedtotellherthenandtherethathewouldhavebeencontentifthosebright,beautifuleyeshadneverkindledwithanythingbutloveorwomanlyaspiration;thatthatsoft,lazy,caressingvoicehadneverbeenliftedbeyondthefiresideordomesticcircle;thatthesunny,tendriledhairandpinkearshadneverinclinedtoanythingbutwhisperedadmiration;andthatthegraceful,lithe,erectfigure,soindependentandself—contained,hadbeensatisfiedtoleanonlyuponhisarmforsupport。Hewasconsciousthatthishadbeeninhismindwhenhefirstsawher;hewasequallyconsciousthatshewasmorebewilderinglyfascinatingtohiminherpresentinaccessibleintelligenceandpracticality。
\"Iconfess,\"hesaid,lookingintohereyeswithavaguesmile,\"I
didnotexpectyouwouldbesoforgetfulofsomeonewhohadevidentlycaredforyou。\"
\"MeaningMr。ChetBrooks,orMr。JoyceMasterton,orboth。That’slikemostyo’men,co’nnle。Yo’reckonbecauseagirlpleasesyo’
sheoughttobegratefulallherlife——andyo’rs,too!Yo’thinkdifferentnow!Butyo’needn’tactuptoitquitesomuch。\"Shemadealittledeprecatinggesturewithherdisengagedhandasiftowardoffanyretaliatinggallantry。\"Iain’tspeakingformyself,co’nnle。Yo’andmearegoodenoughfriends。Butthegirlsroundherethinkyo’’reatrifletoomuchtakenupwithriceandniggers。Andlookingatiteveninyo’rlight,co’nnle,itain’tBUSINESS。Yo’wanttokeepstraightwithMajorReed,soitwouldbejustaswelltosquarethemajor’swomanfolks。TavyandGussieReedain’texactlypoisonous,co’nnle,andyo’mightseeoneortheotherhomefromchurchnextSunday。TheSundayafterthat,justtoshowyo’ain’tparticular,andthatyo’goinforbeingaregularbeau,yo’mightwalkhomewithME。Don’tbefrightened——I’vegotabettergownthanthis。It’sanewone,justcomehomefromLouisville,andI’llwearitfortheoccasion。\"
Hedidnotdaretosaythatthequaintfrockshewasthenwearing——
aplain\"checked\"householdginghamusedforchildren’spinafores,withitsribbonsofthesamepattern,gatheredinbowsatthesmartapronpockets——hadbecomeapartofherbeauty,forhewasalreadyhopelesslyconsciousthatshewaslovelyinanything,andhemightbeimpelledtosayso。Hethankedhergravelyandearnestly,butwithoutgallantryoreffusion,andhadthesatisfactionofseeingthemischiefinhereyesincreaseinproportiontohisseriousness,andheardhersaywithaffectedconcern:\"Bearup,co’nnle!Don’tletitworryyo’tillthetimecomes,\"andtookhisleave。
OnthefollowingSundayhewaspresentattheRedlandsEpiscopalChurch,andaftertheservicestoodwithoutwardcomposurebutsomeinwardchafingamongthegallantyouthwho,afterthelocalfashion,hadrangedthemselvesoutsidethedoorsofthebuilding。
HewassomewhatsurprisedtofindMr。Champney,evidentlyasmuchoutofplaceashimself,butlessself—contained,waitinginthecrowdofexpectantcavaliers。AlthoughconvincedthattheyoungEnglishmanhadcomeonlytoseeMissSally,hewasgladtosharehisawkwardisolationwithanotherstranger,andgreetedhimpleasantly。TheDows’pew,beingnearertotheentrancethantheReeds’,gaveupitsoccupantsfirst。ColonelCourtlandliftedhishattoMissMirandaandhernieceatthesamemomentthatChampneymovedforwardandrangedhimselfbesidethem。MissSally,catchingCourtland’seye,showedthewhitesofherowninabackwardglanceofmischievoussignificancetoindicatethefollowingReeds。Whentheyapproached,Courtlandjoinedthem,andfindinghimselfbesideMissOctaviaenteredintoconversation。Apparentlythesuppressedpassionandsardonicmelancholyofthatdark—eyedyoungladyspurredhimtoalighter,gayerhumoreveninproportionasMissSally’sgood—naturedlevityandsunnypracticalityalwaysmadehimserious。Theypresentlyfelltotherearwithothercouples,andweresoonquitealone。
Alittlehaughty,buttallanderectinherwell—preservedblackgrenadinedress,whichgavehertheappearanceofayouthfulbutimplacablewidow,MissReeddeclaredshehadnotseentheco’nnlefor\"acoon’sage,\"andcertainlyhadnotexpectedtohavethehonorofhiscompanyaslongastherewereniggerstobeelevatedorpaintedtolooklikewhitemen。ShehopedthatheandpawandSallyDowswerehappy!Theyhadn’tyetgotsofarastoputupaniggerpreacherintheplaceofMr。Symes,theirrector,butsheunderstoodthattherewassometalkofrunningHannibalJohnson——
MissDows’coachman——forcountyjudgenextyear!No!shehadnotheardthattheco’nnleHIMSELFhadthoughtofrunningfortheoffice!Hemightlaughatherasmuchasheliked——heseemedtobeinbetterspiritsthanwhenshefirstsawhim——onlyshewouldliketoknowifitwas\"No’th’nstyle\"tolaughcominghomefromchurch?
OfcourseifitWASshewouldhavetoadoptitwiththeFourteenthAmendment。But,justnow,shenoticedthefolkswerestaringatthem,andMissSallyDowshadturnedroundtolook。Nevertheless,MissOctavia’ssallowcheeknearestthecolonel——thesunnyside——
hadtakenafaintbrunette’sflush,andthecornersofherproudmouthwereslightlylifted。
\"But,candidly,MissReed,don’tyouthinkthatyouwouldprefertohaveoldHannibal,whomyouknow,ascountyjudge,thanastrangerandaNorthernmanlikeME?\"
MissReed’sdarkeyesglancedsidewaysatthehandsomefaceandelegantfigurebesideher。Somethinglikeasaucysmilestruggledtoherthinlips。
\"Theremightn’tbemuchtochoose,Co’nnle。\"
\"Iadmitit。Weshouldbothacknowledgeourmistress,andbelikewaxinherhands。\"
\"Yo’oughttomakethatpootyspeechtoSallyDows,she’sgenerallymistressaroundhere。But,\"sheadded,suddenlyfixinghereyesonhim,\"howdoesithappenthatyo’ain’twalkingwithherinsteadofthatEnglishman?Yo’knowthatit’sasplainasdaythathetookthatlandovertherejusttobenearher,whenhewasnolongeragent。\"
ButCourtlandwasalwaysmasterofhimselfandquiteateaseregardingMissSallywhennotinthatlady’spresence。\"Youforget,\"hesaidsmilingly,\"thatI’mstillastrangerandknewlittleofthelocalgossip;andifIdidknowit,Iamafraidwedidn’tbargaintobuyupwiththeLANDMr。Champney’spersonalinterestintheLANDLADY。\"
\"Yo’’dhavehadyourhandsfull,forIreckonshe’spootyheavilymortgagedinthatfashion,already,\"returnedMissReedwithmerebadinagethanspitefulnessinthesuggestion。\"AndMr。ChampneywasrunpootyclosebyaFrenchcousinofherswhenhewashere。
Yo’haven’tgotanyFrenchbookstolendme,co’nnle——haveyo’?
PawsaysyoureadaheapofFrench,andIfinditmightyhardtokeepupMYpracticesinceIlefttheConventatSt。Louis,forpawdon’tknewwhatsortofbookstoorder,andIreckonhemakesawfulmistakessometimes。\"
Theconversationhereturninguponpoliteliterature,itappearedthatMissOctavia’sFrenchreading,throughashy,proudinnocenceandanimperfectknowledgeofthewickedsubtletiesofthelanguage,wassomewhatbroadandunconventionalforayounglady。
Courtlandpromisedtosendhersomebooks,andevenventuredtosuggestsomeAmericanandEnglishnovelsnotintensely\"No’th’n\"
nor\"metaphysical\"——accordingtotheacceptedSouthernbeliefs。A
newrespectandpityinginterestinthissullen,solitarygirl,crampedbytradition,andbruisedratherthanenlightenedbysadexperiences,cameoverhim。Hefoundhimselftalkingquiteconfidentiallytotheliftedhead,archedeyebrows,andaquilinenosebesidehim,andeventhinkingwhatahandsomehigh—bredBROTHERshemighthavebeentosomeone。Whentheyhadreachedthehouse,incompliancewiththefamiliarcustom,hesatdownononeofthelowerstepsoftheveranda,whileshe,shakingoutherskirt,tookaseatasteportwoabovehim。Thisenabledhim,afterthelanguidlocalfashion,toleanonhiselbowandgazeupintotheeyesoftheyounglady,whileshewithequallanguorlookeddownuponhim。ButinthepresentinstanceMissReedleanedforwardsuddenly,anddartingasharpquickglanceintohisveryconsciousnesssaid:——
\"Andyo’meantosay,co’nnle,there’snothingbetweenyo’andSallyDows?\"
Courtlandneitherflushed,trembled,grewconfused,norprevaricated。
\"Wearegoodfriends,Ithink,\"herepliedquietly,withoutevasionorhesitation。
MissReedlookedathimthoughtfully,\"Ireckonthatisso——andnomore。Andthat’swhyyo’’vebeensoluckyineverything,\"shesaidslowly。
\"Idon’tthinkIquiteunderstand,\"returnedCourtland,smiling。
\"Isthisaparadox——oraconsolation?\"
\"It’stheTRUTH,\"saidMissReedgravely。\"ThosewhotrytobeanythingmoretoSallyDowslosetheirluck。\"
\"Thatis——arerejectedbyher。Isshereallysorelentless?\"
continuedCourtlandgayly。
\"Imeanthattheylosetheirluckineverything。Somethingissuretohappen。AndSHEcan’thelpiteither。\"
\"IsthisaSibyllinewarning,MissReed?\"
\"No。It’sniggersuperstition。ItcamefromMammyJudy,Sally’soldnurse。It’spartoftheirregularHoo—doo。ShebewitchedMissSallywhenshewasababy,sothateverybodyisboundtoHERaslongastheycareforher,andsheisn’tboundtoTHEMinanyway。
Alltheirluckgoestoherassoonasthespellisonthem,\"sheaddeddarkly。
\"IthinkIknowtherest,\"returnedCourtlandwithstillgreatersolemnity。\"Yougatherthebudsofthewitch—hazelinAprilwhenthemoonisfull。Youthenpluckthreehairsfromtheyounglady’srighteyebrowwhensheisn’tlooking\"——
\"Yo’canlaugh,co’nnle,foryo’’relucky——becauseyo’’refree。\"
\"I’mnotsosureofthat,\"hesaidgallantly,\"forIoughttoberidingatthismomentovertotheInfirmarytovisitmySundaysick。Ifbeingmadetopleasantlyforgetone’stimeanddutyisasignofwitchcraftIamafraidMammyJudy’senchantmentswerenotconfinedtoonlyoneSouthernyounglady。\"
Thesoundofquickfootstepsonthegravelpathcausedthembothtolookup。Asurlylookingyoungfellow,ostentatiouslybootedandspurred,andcarryingaheavyrawhideriding—whipinhisswinginghand,wasapproachingthem。Deliberately,yetwithuneasyself—
consciousness,ignoringthepresenceofCourtland,henoddedabruptlytoMissReed,ascendedthesteps,brushedpastthembothwithoutpausing,andenteredthehouse。
\"Isthatyo’rmanners,Mr。Tom?\"calledtheyoungladyafterhim,aslightflushrisingtohersallowcheek。TheyoungmanmutteredsomethingfromthehallwhichCourtlanddidnotcatch。\"It’sCousinTomHigbee,\"sheexplainedhalfdisdainfully。\"He’shadsomeuglinesswithhishorse,Ireckon;butpawoughttoteachhimhowtobehave。And——Idon’tthinkhelikesNo’th’nmen,\"sheaddedgravely。
Courtland,whohadkepthistemperwithhisfullunderstandingoftheintruder’smeaning,smiledashetookMissReed’shandinparting。\"That’squiteenoughexplanation,andIdon’tknowwhyitshouldn’tbeevenanapology。\"
YettheincidentleftlittleimpressiononhimashestrolledbacktoRedlands。Itwasnotthefirsttimehehadtastedthedregsofformersectionalhatredinincivilityanddiscourtesy,butasitseldomcamefromhisoldpersonalantagonists——thesoldiers——andwasconfinedtothecallowyouth,previousnon—combatantsandpoliticians,hecouldaffordtooverlookit。HedidnotseeMissSallyduringthefollowingweek。
CHAPTERIV。
OnthenextSundayhewasearlyatchurch。Buthehadperhapsaccentedtheoccasionbydrivingthereinalightbuggybehindafastthoroughbred,possiblyselectedmoretothetasteofasmartcavalryofficerthananagriculturalsuperintendent。Hewasalreadyinasidepew,hiseyesdreamilyfixedontheprayer—bookledgebeforehim,whentherewasarustleatthechurchdoor,andathrillofcuriosityandadmirationpassedovertheexpectantcongregation。ItwastheentranceoftheDowsparty,MissSallywelltothefore。Shewasinhernewclothes,thelatestfashioninLouisville,thelatestbuttwoinParisandNewYork。
Itwasovertwentyyearsago。Ishallnotimperiltheeffectofthatlovelyvisionbyrecallingtotheeyeofto—dayafashionofyesterday。Enough,thatitenabledhertosethersweetfaceandvaporygoldenhairinahorseshoeframeofdelicateflowers,andtoliftherovalchinoutofabewilderingmistoftulle。Nordidacertainlightpolonaiseconcealtheoutlinesofhercharmingfigure。Eventhosewhowereconstrainedtowhispertoeachotherthat\"MissSally\"must\"benowgoingontwenty—five,\"didsobecauseshestillcarriedtheslendergracesofseventeen。Theorganswelledasiftowelcomeher;asshetookherseatarayofsunlight,thatwouldhavebeencruelandsearchingtoanyothercomplexion,driftedacrossthefaintpinkofhercheeks,andnestlinginhernebuloushairbecameitselftransfigured。Afewstained—glassVirtuesonthewindowsdidnotcomeoutofthiseffulgenceastriumphantly,anditwassmallwonderthatthedevotionaleyesoftheworshiperswanderedfromthemtothefaceofSallyDows。
Whentheservicewasover,asthecongregationfiledslowlyintotheaisle,Courtlandslippedmutelybehindher。Asshereachedtheporchhesaidinanundertone:
\"Ibroughtmyhorseandbuggy。Ithoughtyoumightpossiblyallowmetodrive\"——Buthewasstoppedbyadistressfulknittingofhergoldenbrows。\"No,\"shesaidquickly,butfirmly,\"youmustnot——
itwon’tdo。\"AsCourtlandhesitatedinmomentaryperplexity,shesmiledsweetly:\"We’llwalkroundbythecemetery,ifyoulike;itwilltakeaboutaslongasadrive。\"Courtlandvanished,gavehurriedinstructionsandadollartoaloungingnegro,andrejoinedMissSallyasthedelightedandproudfreedmandroveoutofthegate。MissSallyheavedaslightsighasthegallantequipagepassed。\"Itwasamightypootyturnout,co’nnle,andI’dhavejustadmiredtogo,butitwouldhavebeenratherhardontheotherfolks。There’stheReedsandMaxwellsandRobertsonsthataretoopooahtokeepbloodhorses,andtooproudtoridebehindanythingelse。Itwouldn’tbetherightthingforustogowhirlingby,scatteringourdustoverthem。\"Therewassomethingsosubtlypleasantinthisimpliedpartnershipofresponsibility,thatCourtlandforgottheabruptrefusalandthoughtonlyofthetactthatpromptedit。Nevertheless,hereaspellseemedtofalluponhisusuallyreadyspeech。Nowthattheyweretogetherforthefirsttimeinadistinctlysocialfashion,hefoundhimselfvacantly,meaninglesslysilent,contenttowalkbesidethischarming,summerypresence,brushedbyitsdelicatedraperies,andinhalingitsfreshness。Presentlyitspoke。
\"ItwouldtakemorethanathousandfeetoflumbertopatchupthecowshedsbeyondtheMoseleypasture,andanentirelynewbuildingwithanimproveddairywouldrequireonlyabouttwothousandmore。
Alltheoldmaterialwouldcomeingoodforfencing,andcouldbeusedwiththenewpostandrails。Don’tyo’thinkitwouldbebettertohaveanout—and—outnewbuilding?\"
\"Yes,certainly,\"returnedCourtlandalittleconfusedly。Hehadnotcalculateduponthispracticalconversation,andwasthemoredisconcertedastheywerepassingsomeoftheothercouples,whohadpurposelylingeredtooverhearthem。
\"And,\"continuedtheyounggirlbrightly,\"thefreightquestionisgettingtobeaprettyseriousone。AuntMirandaholdssomesharesintheBriggsvillebranchline,andthinkssomethingcouldbedonewiththedirectorsforanewtariffofchargesifsheputapressureonthem;Tylersaysthattherewassometalkoftheirreducingitonesixteenthpercent。beforewemovethisyear’scrop。\"
Courtlandglancedquicklyathiscompanion’sface。Itwasgrave,buttherewasthefaintestwrinklingofthecorneroftheeyelidnearesthim。\"Hadwenotbetterleavetheseseriousquestionsuntilto—morrow?\"hesaid,smiling。
MissSallyopenedhereyesdemurely。\"Why,yo’seemedSOquiet,I
reckonedyo’mustbefullofbusinessthismorning;butifyo’
prefercompanytalk,we’llchangethesubject。Theysaythatyo’
andMissReeddidn’thavemuchtroubletofindonelastSunday。
Shedon’tusuallytalkmuch,butshekeepsupapowerofthinking。
Ishouldreckon,\"sheadded,suddenlyeyinghimcritically,\"thatyo’andshemighthaveaheapo’thingstosaytoeachother。
She’sagooddealinyo’fashion,co’nnle,shedon’tforget,but\"——
moreslowly——\"Idon’tknowthatTHAT’SaltogetherthebestthingforYO’!\"
Courtlandliftedhiseyeswithaffectedconsternation。\"Ifthisisinthelightofanothermysteriouswarning,MissDows,Iwarnyouthatmyintellectisalreadytotteringwiththem。LastSundayMissReedthrilledmeforanhourwithsuperstitionandCassandra—likeprophecy。Don’tthingseverhappenaccidentallyhere,andwithoutwarning?\"
\"Imean,\"returnedtheyoungladywithherusualpracticaldirectness,\"thatTaveReedremembersagoodmanyhorridthingsaboutthewahthatsheoughttoforget,butdon’t。But,\"shecontinued,lookingathimcuriously,\"sheallowsshewasmightycutupbyhercousin’smannertoyo’。\"
\"IamafraidthatMissReedwasmoreannoyedthanIwas,\"saidCourtland。\"Ishouldbeverysorryifsheattachedanyimportancetoit,\"headdedearnestly。
\"AndYO’don’t?\"continuedMissSally。
\"No。WhyshouldI?\"Shenoticed,however,thathehadslightlydrawnhimselfupalittlemoreerect,andshesmiledashecontinued,\"IdaresayIshouldfeelashedoesifIwereinhisplace。\"
\"ButYO’wouldn’tdoanythingunderhanded,\"shesaidquietly。Asheglancedatherquicklysheaddeddryly:\"Don’ttrusttoomuchtopeoplealwaysactinginyo’fashion,co’nnle。Anddon’tthinktoomuchnortoolittleofwhatyo’hearhere。Yo’’rejustthekindofmantomakeagoodmanysillyenemies,andasmanyfoolishfriends。AndIdon’tknowwhichwillgiveyo’themosttrouble。
Onlydon’tyo’underrateEITHER,orholdyo’headsohigh,yo’
don’tseewhat’scrawlin’aroundyo’。That’swhy,inacopperheadswamp,ahorseisbittenoftenerthanahog。\"
Shesmiled,yetwithknittedbrowsandsuchaprettyaffectationofconcernforhercompanionthathesuddenlytookheart。
\"IwishIhadONEfriendIcouldcallmyown,\"hesaidboldly,lookingstraightintohereyes。\"I’dcarelittleforotherfriends,andfearnoenemies。\"
\"Yo’’reright,co’nnle,\"shesaid,ostentatiouslyslantingherparasolinamarveloussimulationofhidingapurelyimaginativeblushonacheekthatwasperfectlyinfantineinitsunchangedpink;\"companytalkismuchpootierthanwhatwe’vebeensaying。
And——meaningme——forIreckonyo’wouldn’tsaythatofanyothergirlbuttheoneyo’’rewalkingwith——what’sthematterwithme?\"
Hecouldnothelpsmiling,thoughhehesitated。\"Nothing!butothershavebeendisappointed。\"
\"AndthatbothersYO’?\"
\"ImeanIhaveasyethadnorighttoputyourfeelingstoanytest,while\"——
\"PoorChethad,yo’weregoingtosay!Well,hereweareatthecemetery!Ireckonedyo’wereboundtogetbacktothedeadagainbeforewe’dgonefar,andthat’swhyIthoughtwemighttakethecemeteryonourway。Itmayputmeinamoreproperframeofmindtopleaseyo’。\"
Asheraisedhiseyeshecouldnotrepressaslightstart。Hehadnotnoticedbeforethattheyhadpassedthroughasmallgatewayondivergingfromtheroad,andwasquiteunpreparedtofindhimselfontheedgeofagentleslopeleadingtoabeautifulvalley,andbeforehimalongvistaoftombs,whitehead—stonesandlowcrosses,edgedbydroopingcypressandtrailingfeatheryvines。
Somevineshadfallenandbeencaughtinlongloopsfromboughtobough,likefuneralgarlands,andhereandtherethetopsofisolatedpalmettosliftedaclusterofhearse—likeplumes。Yetinspiteofthisdominanceofsombrebutgracefulshadow,thedroopingdelicacyofdark—tasseledfoliageandleafyfringes,andthewavingmourningveilsofgray,translucentmoss,agloriousvivifyingSouthernsunsmiledandglitteredeverywhereasthroughtears。Thebalmofbay,southernwood,pine,andsyringabreathedthroughthelongalleys;thestimulatingscentofrosesmovedwitheveryzephyr,andthecloserodorsofjessamine,honeysuckle,andorangeflowershungheavilyinthehollows。ItseemedtoCourtlandlikethemourningofbeautifulandyouthfulwidowhood,seductiveeveninitsdissemblingtrappings,provocativeinthecontrastofitsownstillstrongvirility。Everywherethegrassgrewthickandluxuriant;thequickearthwasteemingwiththegerminationofthedeadbelow。
Theymovedslowlyalongsidebyside,speakingonlyofthebeautyofthespotandthegloryofthatsummerday,whichseemedtohavecompleteditsperfectionhere。Perhapsfromtheheat,theoverpoweringperfume,orsomeunsuspectedsentiment,theyoungladybecamepresentlyassilentandpreoccupiedashercompanion。Shebegantolingerandloiterbehind,hoveringlikeabutterflyoversomefloweringshruborclusteredsheafoflilies,until,encounteredsuddenlyinherfloatingdraperies,shemighthavebeentakenforasomewhatearlyandfartoobecomingghost。Itseemedtohim,also,thatherbrighteyeswereslightlyshadowedbyagentlethoughtfulness。Hemovedclosetohersidewithanirresistibleimpulseoftenderness,butsheturnedsuddenly,andsaying,\"Come!\"movedataquickerpacedownanarrowsidepath。
Courtlandfollowed。Hehadnotgonefarbeforehenoticedthatthegravesseemedtofallintoregularlines,theemblemsbecamecheaperandmorecommon;woodenheadandfootstonesofonemonotonouspatterntooktheplaceofcarvedfreestoneormarble,andheknewthattheyhadreachedthatpartofthecemeteryreservedforthosewhohadfalleninthewar。Thelonglinesdrawnwithmilitaryprecisionstretchedthroughthelittlevalley,andagainuptheoppositehillinanoddsemblanceofhollowsquares,ranks,andcolumns。AvaguerecollectionofthefatefulslopeofSnakeRivercameoverhim。ItwasintensifiedasMissSally,whowasstillprecedinghim,suddenlystoppedbeforeanisolatedmoundbearingabrokenmarbleshaftandapedestalwiththeinscription,\"ChesterBrooks。\"Afewwitheredgarlandsandimmortelleswerelyingatitsbase,butencirclingthebrokenshaftwasaperfectlyfresh,unfadedwreath。
\"Younevertoldmehewasburiedhere!\"saidCourtlandquickly,halfshockedattheunexpectedrevelation。\"WashefromthisState?\"
\"No,buthisregimentwas,\"saidMissSally,eyingthewreathcritically。
\"Andthiswreath,isitfromyou?\"continuedCourtlandgently。
\"Yes,Ithoughtyo’’dliketoseesomethingfreshandpooty,insteadofthosestaleones。\"
\"Andweretheyalsofromyou?\"heaskedevenmoregently。
\"Dearno!Theywereleftoverfromlastanniversarydaybysomeoftheveterans。That’stheonlyoneIputthere——thatis——IgotMr。
Champneytoleaveithereonhiswaytohishouse。Helivesjustyonder,yo’know。\"
Itwasimpossibletoresistthisinvinciblenaivete。CourtlandbithislipasthevisionarosebeforehimofthisstillmorenaifEnglishadmirerbringinghither,atMissSally’sbidding,thetributewhichshewishedtoplaceonthegraveofanoldlovertopleaseaTHIRDman。Meantime,shehadputhertwolittlehandsbehindherbackinthesimulatedattitudeof\"agoodgirl,\"andwassayinghalfsmilingly,andheeventhoughthalfwistfully:——
\"Areyo’satisfied?\"
\"Perfectly。\"
\"Thenlet’sgoaway。It’smightyhothere。\"
Theyturnedaway,anddescendingtheslopeagainre—enteredthethickershadeofthemainavenue。HeretheyseemedtohaveleftthesterneraspectofDeath。Theywalkedslowly;theairwasheavywiththehotincenseofflowers;theroadsinkingalittleleftagrassybankononeside。HereMissSallyhaltedandlistlesslyseatedherself,motioningCourtlandtodothesame。Heobeyedeagerly。Theincidentofthewreathhadtroubledhim,albeitwithcontendingsensations。ShehadgivenittopleaseHIM;whyshouldHEquestionthemanner,ortormenthimselfwithanyretrospectivethought?Hewouldhavegivenworldstohavebeenabletoacceptitlightlyorgallantly,——withanyothergirlhecould;butheknewhewastremblingonthevergeofapassionatedeclaration;themagnitudeofthestakewastoogreattobeimperiledbyalevityofwhichshewasmoreamistressthanhimself,andheknewthathissentimenthadfailedtoimpressher。Hispridekepthimfromappealingtoherstrangelypracticalnature,althoughhehadrecognizedandacceptedit,andhadevenbeguntobelieveitanessentialpartofthestrongfascinationshehadoverhim。Butbeingneitheracowardnoraweak,hesitatingidealist,whenhedeliberatelytookhisseatbesideherheasdeliberatelymadeuphismindtoaccepthisfate,whateveritmightbe,thenandthere。
Perhapstherewassomethingofthisinhisface。\"Ithoughtyo’
werelookingalittlewhite,co’nnle,\"shesaidquietly,\"andI
reckonedwemightsitdownaspell,andthentakeitslowlyhome。
Yo’ain’taccustomedtotheSo’th’nsun,andtheairinthehollowWASswampy。\"Ashemadeaslightgestureofdenial,shewentonwithaprettysisterlysuperiority:\"That’sthewayofyo’No’th’nmen。Yo’thinkyo’candoeverythingjustasifyo’wererearedtoit,andyo’nevermakeallowancefordifferentclimates,differentblood,anddifferentcustoms。That’swhereyo’slipup。\"
Buthewasalreadyleaningtowardsherwithhisdarkearnesteyesfixeduponherinawayshecouldnolongermistake。\"Attheriskofslippingupagain,MissDows,\"hesaidgently,droppingintoherdialectwithutterlyunconsciousflattery,\"IamgoingtoaskyoutoteachmeeverythingYOUwish,tobeallthatYOUdemand——whichwouldbefarbetter。Youhavesaidweweregoodfriends;Iwantyoutoletmehopetobemore。IwantyoutooverlookmydeficienciesandthedifferencesofmyraceandletmemeetyouontheonlylevelwhereIcanclaimtobetheequalofyourownpeople——thatoflovingyou。Givemeonlythesamechanceyougavetheotherpoorfellowwhosleepsyonder——thesamechanceyougavetheluckiermanwhocarriedthewreathforyoutoputuponhisgrave。\"
Shehadlistenedwithdelicatelyknittedbrows,thefaintesttouchofcolor,andahalf—laughing,half—superiordisapprobation。Whenhehadfinished,sheutteredaplaintivelittlesigh。\"Yo’
oughtn’ttohavesaidthat,co’nnle,butyo’andmearetoogoodfriendstoletevenTHATstandbetweenus。Andtoproveittoyo’
I’mgoingtoforgetitrightaway——andsoareyo’。\"
\"ButIcannot,\"hesaidquickly;\"ifIcouldIshouldbeunworthyofevenyourfriendship。Ifyoumustrejectit,donotmakemefeeltheshameofthinkingyoubelievemecapableofwantontrifling。Iknowthatthisavowalisabrupttoyou,butitisnottome。Youhaveknownmeonlyforthreemonths,butthesethreemonthshavebeentometherealizationofthreeyears’dreaming!\"
Assheremainedlookingathimwithbright,curiouseyes,butstillshakingherfairheaddistressedly,hemovednearerandcaughtherhandinthelittlepalelilacthreadglovethatwas,nevertheless,toowideforhersmallfingers,andsaidappealingly:\"ButwhyshouldYOUforgetit?Whymustitbeaforbiddentopic?Whatisthebarrier?Areyounolongerfree?Speak,MissDows——givemesomehope。MissDows!——Sally!\"
Shehaddrawnherselfaway,distressed,protesting,herfairheadturnedaside,untilwithaslighttwistandnarrowingofherhandshesucceededinslippingitfromtheglovewhichsheleftaprisonerinhiseagerclasp。\"There!Yo’cankeeptheglove,co’nnle,\"shesaid,breathingquickly。\"Sitdown!Thisisnottheplacenortheweatherforhuskingfrolics!Well!——yo’wanttoknowWHYyo’mustn’tspeaktomeinthatway。Bestill,andI’lltellyo’。\"
Shesmootheddownthefoldsofherfrock,sittingsidewaysonthebank,onelittlefoottouchingtheroad。\"Yo’mustn’tspeakthatwaytome,\"shewentonslowly,\"becauseit’sasmuchasyo’
company’swo’th,asmuchasOURproperty’swo’th,asmuchmaybeasyo’life’swo’th!Don’tliftyo’comb,co’nnle;ifyoudon’tcareforTHAT,othersmay。Sitstill,Itellyo’!Well,yo’comeherefromtheNo’thtorunthispropertyformoney——that’ssquareandfairbusiness;THATanyfoolherecanunderstand——it’sNo’th’nstyle;itdon’tinterferewiththesefools’familyaffairs;itdon’tbringintotheirbloodanyNo’th’ntaint;itdon’tdividetheirclannishness;itdon’tseparatefatherandson,sisterandbrother;andevenifyo’gotafootholdhereandsettleddown,theyknowtheycanalwaysoutvoteyo’fivetoone!Butletthesesamefoolsknowthatyo’’recourtin’aSo’th’ngirlknowntobe’Union’
duringthewah,thatgirlwhohaslaughedattheirfoolishness;letthemevenTHINKthathewantsthatgirltomixupthefamilyandtheraceandthepropertyforhim,andthereain’tayoungoroldfoolthatbelievesinSo’th’nisolationasthepriceofSo’th’nsalvationthatwouldn’triseagainstyo’!Thereisn’tonethatwouldn’tmakeshipwreckofyo’rsyndicateandyo’rcapitalandtheprosperityofRedlandsforthenextfouryearstocome,andthinktheyweredoingright!Theybegantosuspectyo’fromthefirst!
Theysuspectedyo’whenyo’neverwentanywhere,butstuckclosetothefahmandme。That’swhyIwantedyo’toshowyourselfamongthegirls;theywouldn’thavemindedyo’flirtingwiththemwiththechanceofyo’breakingyo’heartoverTaveReedorLympyMorris!They’refoolsenoughtobelievethatasnuborajiltfromaSo’th’ngirlwouldpaythembackforalostbattleoraruinedplantation!\"
ForthefirsttimeMissSallysawCourtland’scalmbloodflytohischeekandkindleinhiseye。\"YousurelydonotexpectMEtotoleratethisblindandinsolentinterference!\"hesaid,risingtohisfeet。
Sheliftedherunglovedhandindeprecation。\"Sitstill,co’nnle。
Yo’’vebeenasoldier,andyo’knowwhatdutyis。Well!what’syo’dutytoyo’company?\"
\"Itneitherincludesmyprivateaffairsnorregulatesthebeatingofmyheart。Iwillresign。\"
\"AndleavemeandAuntMirandaandtheplantation?\"
\"No!Thecompanywillfindanothersuperintendenttolookafteryouraunt’saffairsandcarryoutourplans。Andyou,Sally——youwillletmefindyouahomeandfortuneNorth?Thereisworkformethere;thereisroomforyouamongmypeople。\"
Sheshookherheadslowlywithasweetbutsuperiorsmile。\"No,co’nnle!Ididn’tbelieveinthewah,buttheleastIcoulddowastostandbymyfolksandsharethepunishmentthatIknewwascomingfromit。Idespisethisfoolishnessasmuchasyo’,butI
can’trunawayfromit。Come,co’nnle,Iwon’taskyo’toforgetthis;mo’,I’llevenbelieveyo’MEANTit,butyo’’llpromisemeyo’won’tspeakofitagainaslongasyo’arewiththecompanyandAuntMirandaandme!Theremustn’tbemore——theremustn’tevenSEEMtobemore——betweenus。\"
\"ButthenImayhope?\"hesaid,eagerlygraspingherhand。
\"Ipromisenothing,foryo’mustnotevenhaveTHATexcuseforspeakingofthisagain,eitherfromanythingIdoormayseemtodo。\"Shestopped,releasedherhand,ashereyesweresuddenlyfixedonthedistance。Thenshesaidwithaslightsmile,butwithouttheleastembarrassmentorimpatience:\"There’sMr。
Champneycomingherenow。Ireckonhe’slookingtoseeifthatwreathissafe。\"
Courtlandlookedupquickly。HecouldseethestrawhatoftheyoungEnglishmanjustabovethemyrtlebushesinapathintersectingtheavenue。Afaintshadowcrossedhisface。\"Letmeknowonethingmore,\"hesaidhurriedly。\"IknowIhavenorighttoaskthequestion,buthas——has——hasMr。Champneyanythingtodowithyourdecision?\"
Shesmiledbrightly。\"Yo’askedjustnowifyo’couldhavethesamechanceheandChetBrookshad。Well,poorChetisdead,andMr。Champney——well!——waitandsee。\"Sheliftedhervoiceandcalled,\"Mr。Champney!\"Theyoungfellowcamebrisklytowardsthem;hisfacebetrayedaslightsurprise,butnodiscomfiture,asherecognizedhercompanion。
\"Oh,Mr。Champney,\"saidMissSallyplaintively,\"I’velostmyglovesomewherenearpooahBrooks’stombinthehollow。Won’tyougoandfetchit,andcomebackheretotakemehome?Theco’nnlehasgottogoandseehissickniggersinthehospital。\"Champneyliftedhishat,noddedgeniallytoCourtland,anddisappearedbelowthecypressesontheslope。\"Yo’mustn’tbemad,\"shesaid,turninginexplanationtohercompanion,\"butwehavebeenheretoolongalready,andit’sbetterthatIshouldbeseencominghomewithhimthanyo’。\"
\"Thenthissectionalinterferencedoesnottouchhim?\"saidCourtlandbitterly。
\"No。He’sanEnglishman;hisfatherwasaknownfriendoftheConfederacy,andboughttheircottonbonds。\"
Shestopped,gazingintoCourtland’sfacewithaprettyvagueimpatienceandaslightpoutingofherlip。
\"Co’nnle!\"
\"MissSally。\"
\"Yo’sayyo’hadknownmeforthreeyearsbeforeyo’sawme。Well,wemetoncebeforeweeverspoketoeachother!\"
Courtlandlookedinherlaughingeyeswithadmiringwonder。
\"When?\"heasked。
\"Thefirstdayyo’came!Yo’movedtheladderwhenIwasonthecornice,andIwalkedalleveryo’head。And,likeagentleman,yo’neversaidawordaboutit。IreckonIstoodonyo’headforfiveminutes。\"
\"Notaslongasthat,\"saidCourtlandlaughing,\"ifIrememberrightly。\"
\"Yes,\"saidMissSallywithdancingeyes。\"I,aSo’th’ngirl,actuallysetmyfootontheheadofaNo’th’nscumofaco’nnle!
My!\"
\"Letthatsatisfyyourfriendsthen。\"