Andrew the glad

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Title:AndrewtheGlad
Author:MariaThompsonDaviess
ReleaseDate:October9,2004[EBook#13679]
Language:English
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AndrewtheGlad
ByMARIATHOMPSONDAVIESS
AuthorofMissSelinaLue,RoseofOldHarpethTheMeltingofMolly,etc.
1913


TOLIBBIELUTTRELLMORROW

CONTENTS
CHAPTER

ITHEHEARTTRAP
IITHERITUAL
IIITWOLITTLECRIMES
IVACCORDINGTOSOLOMON
VDAVID'SROSEANDSOMETHORNS
VITHEBRIDGEOFDREAMS
VIISTRANGEWILDTHINGS
VIIITHESPELLANDITSWEAVING
IXPURSUINGTHEPOSSUM

XLOVE'SHOMEANDANDREWSEVIER
XIACROSSTHEMANYWATERS


ANDREWTHEGLAD


CHAPTERI
THEHEARTTRAP

"Therearesomewomenwhowillbrewmysteryfromthedecoctionofevena
verysimplelife.Matildaisoneofthem,"remarkedthemajortohimselfashe

filledhispipeandsettledhimselfbeforehishigh-piled,violet-flamedlogs."It
waswaxingstronginherthismorningandanexcitementwillarriveshortly.
NowIwonder—"
"Howdy,Major,"cameinamockinglylugubriousvoicefromthehall,andDavid
Kildareblewintotheroom.Helookeddisappointedlyaround,droppedintoa
chairandloweredhisvoiceanothernote.
"SeenPhoebe?"hedemanded.
"No,haven'tyou?"answeredthemajorashelightedhispipeandregardedthe
manoppositehimwithalargesmileofwelcome.
"Notforthreedays,hand-running.She'sbeenovertoseeAndywithMrs.
Matildatwice,andI'vemissedherbothtimes.Now,how'sthatforluck?"
"Well,"saidthemajorreflectively,"inthetermsofmodernparlance,you

certainlyareupagainstit.Anddiditeveroccurtoyouthatamanwiththreeribs
brokenandadislocatedcollar-bone,whohaswrittenaplayandasprinkleof
poems,islikelytointerestPhoebeDonelsonenormously?Thereisnothinglike
poetrytoimplantadivinepassion,andAndrewisundoubtedlyofpoeticstamp."
"Oh,poetry—hang!It'smoreAndy'sthreeribsthananythingelse.Hejustlooks
paleandsmilesatallof'em.Healwaysdidhaveyellowdogeyes,thesadkind.
I'dliketosmashalltwodozenofhisribs,"andKildareslashedathisownsturdy
legswithhiscrop.Hehaddroppedinwithhisusualmorning'staleofwoeto


confidetoMajorBuchanan,andhehadfoundhim,asalways,readytohandout
anincendiarybrandofsympathy.

"Heoughtnottohavemorethantwenty-three;oneontherightsideshouldbe
missing.Somewoman'sgotit—maybePhoebe,"saidthemajorwithdeadly
intent.
"Nothingofthekind.I'mshyaribmyselfandPhoebeisit.Don'tIgetapainin
mysideeverytimeIseeher?It'stherealpsychicthing,onlyshedoesn'tseemto
getholdofherendofthewirelikeshemight."
"Don'ttrusther,David,don'ttrusther!YouseehisbeinginjuredinPanama,
buildingbridgesforhiscountry,whileyousathereidlyreadingthenewspapers
aboutit,hashaditsappeal.Iknowit'sdangerous,butyououghttowantPhoebe
tosoothehisfeveredbrow.NothingistoogoodforaherothissideofMasonand
Dixon's,myson."Themajoreyedhisvictimwithcalculatingcoolness,gaging
justhowmuchmoreofthebaitinghewouldstand.Hewasdisappointedtosee

thatthetrainofexplosiveshehadlaidfailedtotakefire.
"Well,he'sbeinghandedoutachoicebunchofMason-Dixonattentions.They
aregivinghimthecheer-upalldaylong.WhenIleft,Mrs.Shelbywasupthere
talkingtohim,andMrs.CherryLawrenceandTomhadjustcomein.Mrs.
Cherryhadbroughthimseveralfresheggs.ShehadgotthemfromPhoebe!I
sentthemtoherfromthefarmthismorning.Rodeoutandcoaxedthehensfor
themmyself.Now,isn'tabrainstormuptome?"
"Well,Idon'tknow,"answeredthemajorinajudicialtoneofvoice.
"Youwouldn'thavethemneglecthim,wouldyou?"
"Well,whataboutme?"demandedDaviddolefully."Ihaven'tanygreeneyes,
'causeI'mtrustingAndy,notPhoebe;butneglectisjustwitheringmyleaves.I
haven'tseenheralonefortwoweeks.SheisalwaysovertherewithMrs.Matilda

andtherest'soothingthefeveredbrow.'Say,Major,giveMrs.Matildathehint.
Thechumpisn'treallysickanymore.Hintthatalittleless—"
"David,sir,"interruptedthemajor,"ittakesmorethanahinttostopawoman
whenshetakesanotiontonurseanattractiveman,asickliononeatthat.And
dependuponit,itisthepoetrythatmakesthemhoverhim,nottheribs."
"Well,youjuststopherandthat'llstopthem,"saidDavidwrathfully.


"DavidKildare,"answeredthemajordryly,"I'vebeenmarriedtohernearlyforty
yearsandI'veneverstoppedherdoinganythingyet.Stoppingawifeisoneof
thebride-notionsamanhadbettergiveupearlyinthematrimonialstate—ifhe
expectstoholdthebride.Andbride-holdingoughttobethelife-jobofaman

whoisrashenoughtoundertakeone."
"DoyouthinkPhoebeandbridewilleverrhymetogether,Major?"askedDavid
inatoneofdeepestdepression."Ican'tseemtohearthemeverjingle."
"Yes,Dave,theAlmightywillmeteritouttohersomeday,andIhopeHewill
helpyouwhenHedoes.Ican'tmanagemywife.She'samodernwoman.Now,
whatarewegoingtodoaboutthem?"andthemajorsmiledquizzicallyatthe
perturbedyoungmanstandingontheruginfrontofthefire.
"Well,"answeredKildarewithasparkinhiseyes,ashefleckedabitofmud
fromhisbootswhichweresplashedfromhismorningride,"whenIgetPhoebe
Donelson,I'mgoingtowhipher!"Andverybroadandtallandstrongwasyoung
Davidbutnotintheleastformidableastoexpression.
"Dave,myboy,"answeredthemajorinatoneofthedeepestrespect,"Ihopeyou

willdoit,ifyougetthechance;butyouwon't!Thirty-eightyearsagolast
summerIfeltthesameway,butI'vehadalongtimetomakeupmymindtoit;
andIhaven'tdoneityet."
"Anyway,"rejoinedhisvictim,"there'sjustthistoit;shehasgottoacceptme
kindly,affectionatelyandinaladylikemannerorI'mgoingtobethevillainand
makesomesortofaroughhousetofrightenherintoit."
"David,"saidthemajorwithemphasis,"don'tcountonfrighteningawomaninto
acomplianceinanaffairoftheaffections.Don'tyouknowtheywillriskhaving
theirheartssuspendedonahair-linebetweenheavenandhellandenjoyit?Now,
mywife—"
"Oh,Mrs.Matildanevercouldhavebeenlikethat,"interruptedDavidmiserably.
"Boy,"answeredthemajorsolemnly,"ifIweretogiveyouasuccinctaccountof

thewrithingsofmysoulonesummeroveraCaliforniaman,theagonyyouare
enduringwouldseemtheextremityofinsignificance."
"Heavenlyhope,Major,didyouhavetogoupagainsttheothermangame,too?


IseemtohavebeenstandingbywithabasketpickingupchipsofPhoebe's
loversforalonglifetime;Tom,Hob,Payt,widowersandflocksofnewfledges.
ButIhadanideathatyoumusthavebeenafirst-and-onlywithMrs.Matilda."
"Well,itsometimeshappens,David,thattheindividualityofallofawoman's
firstlovesgetsomergedintothatofthelastthatitwouldbedifficultforherto
differentiatethemherself;anditisbesttokeepherhappilyemployedsoshe
doesn'ttry."

"Well,allIcansayforyou,Major,"interruptedKildarewithalaugh,"isthat
yourfortyyears'workshowssome.YourMrs.BuchananiswhatIcallafinished
productofawife.I'llneverdoitintheworld.Icangetupandtalkajuryinto
seeingthingsmyway,butIgetcross-brainedwhenIgotoputthingstoPhoebe.
Thatremindsme,thatcaseonoldJimCrossforgettingtangledupwithsome
fussyhensinLatimer'shen-houseweekbeforelastiscalledforto-dayattwelve
sharp.I'mduetoputtheoldbodythroughandpaythefineandcosts;onlythe
thirdtimethisyear.I'mthinkingofbuyinghimahenfarmtosavemyself
trouble.Good-by,sir!"
"David,David,"laughedthemajor,"bewareofyourgrowingresponsibilities!
CapHobsonreportedthatsensationofyoursbeforethegrandjuryoverthat
negroandpolicemantrouble.Thedarkieswillputupyourportraitbesidethatof

FatherAbeonEmancipationDayandyouwillbeindangerofpassingdownto
posteritybythepublic-spirit-famechute.Yourrecordwillbeintheannalsofthe
cityifyoudon'tmind!"
"Notmuchdanger,Major,"answeredDavidwithasmile."I'mjustagladman
withnotbalanceenoughtoruntherailofanykindofheavytrackaffairs."
"David,"saidthemajorwithasuddensadnesscomingintohisvoiceandeyes,
"oneofthegreatestmenIeverknewwecalledthegladman—theboy'sfather,
AndrewSevier.WecalledhimAndrew,theGlad.Somethinghasbroughtitall
backtometo-dayandwithyourlaughyouremindedmeofhim.Thetragedyof
itall!"
"I'vealwaysknownwhatasorrowitwastoyou,Major,anditisthebitterness
thatiseatingtheheartoutofAndy.Whatwasitallaboutexactly,sir?Ihave

alwayswantedtoaskyou."Davidlookedintothemajor'ssternoldeyeswith
suchadepthofsympathyinhisyoungonesthatabarriersuddenlymeltedand


withthetoneofbestowinganhonortheoldfire-eatertoldthetaleofthesorrow
ofhisyouth.
"Gamingwasinhisblood,David,andweallknewitandprotectedhimfrom
highplayalways.Wewereimpoverishedgentlemen,whowerebuildingfences
andrestoringwar-devastatedlands,andweplayedinourshabbyclubwitha
minimumstakeandamaximumzestforthesport.Butthatnightwehadno
controloverhim.HehadbeenplayinginsecretwithPetersBrownforweeks
andhadlostheavily.Whenwehadclosedupthegame,hecalledforthediceand

challengedBrowntosquaretheiraccount.Theythrewagainandagainwithluck
onthesamegrimside.Isawhimstakefirsthishorses,thenhisbankaccount,
andlose.
"HayesDonelsonandIstartedtoremonstratebuthesilenceduswithalook.
ThenhedrewahurriedtransferenceofhisUpperCumberlandpropertyandput
itonthetable.Theythrewagainandhelost!Thenhesmiledandwithasteady
handwroteaconveyanceofhishomeandplantation,thelastthingshehad,as
weknew,andlaidthatonthetable."
"No,Major,"exclaimedDavidwithpositivehorrorinhisvoice.
"Yes,itwasmadness,boy,"answeredthemajor."Brownturnedhisivoriesand
weallheldourbreathaswereadhisfour-three.AmadjoyflamedinAndrew's
faceandheturnedhiscupwithasteadywrist—androlledthrees.Wenoneofus

lookedatBrown,amanwhohadledanothermaninwhoseveinsranamadness,
whereinhisranice,ontohisruin.WefollowedAndrewtothestreettoseehim
rideawayinagraydrizzletoagambledhome—andawifeandson.
"Thatmorningdeedsweredrawn,signed,witnessedanddeliveredtoBrownin
hisoffice.Then—then"—themajor'sthin,powerfuloldhandsgraspedthearm
ofhischair—"wefoundhiminthetwilightundertheclumpofcedarsthat
crownedthehillwhichoverlookedDeep-meadFarm—broadacresoflandthat
theSeviershadhadgrantedthemfromVirginia—dead,hispistolunderhis
shoulderandasmileonhisface.Justsohehadlookedasherodeattheheadof
ourcrackgrayregimentinthathell-reekingchargeatPerryville,anditwassuch
asmilewehadfollowedintothetrenchesatFranklin.Stalwart,dashing,joyous
Andrew,howwehadalllovedhim,ourman-of-smiles!"

"Cananythingevermakeituptoyou,Major?"askedDavidsoftly.Ashespoke


herefilledthemajor'spipeandhandedittohim,notappearingtonoticehowthe
leanoldhandshook.
"Youdo,sir,"answeredthemajorwithasparkcomingbackintohiseyes,"you
andyourgladnessandtheboyandhis—sadness—andPhoebemostofall.But
don'tletmekeepyoufromyourhen-roostdefense—Iagreewithyouthatahen
farmwillbethecheapestcourseforyoutotakewitholdCross.Givehimmy
respects,andgood-bytoyou."Themajor'sdismissalwasgallant,andDavid
wenthiswaywithsympathyandadmirationinhisgayheartfortheoldfire-eater
whoseasheshadbeensostirred.

Themajorresumedhiscontemplationofthefire.Heartyburninglogsmake
goodcompanionsforaphilosopherlikethemajor,andsuchtimeswhenhis
depthsweretroubledhewaswonttotrusttothemforcompanionship.
Butintoanymoodofabsorption,nomatterhowdeep,themajorwasalways
readytowelcomeMrs.Matilda,andhisexpectationsonthesubjectofher
adventureshadbeenfullyrealized.Asusualshehadbegunhertaleintheexact
centeroftheadventurewithfulllibertyleftherselftoworkbacktothebeginning
orforwardtotheclose.
"Andthemysteryofitall,Matilda,isthemysteryoflove—warm,contradictory,
cruel,humanlovethattheAlmightyputsintheheartofamantodrawthe
unreasoningheartofawoman;sometimestobruiseandcrushit,seldomtokillit
outright.MaryCarolineonlyfollowedhercall,"answeredthemajor,responding

toherrandomleadpatiently.
"Iknow,Major;yes,Iknow,"answeredhiswifeasshelaidherhandonthearm
ofhischair."MaryCarolinestruggledagainstitbutitwasstrongerthanshewas.
Itwasn'tthelovingandmarryingamanwhohadbeenontheotherside—so
manygirlsdidmarryUnionofficersassoonastheycouldcomebackdownto
getthem—butthekindofenemyhewas!"
"Yes,"saidthemajorthoughtfully,"itwouldtakeawidergarmentofloveto
coveramanwithacarpetbaginhishandthanasoldierinaYankeeuniform.A
conquerorwholookedaroundashewasfightingandthencamebacktotradeon
thenecessitiesoftheconqueredcutsbutasorryfigure,Matilda,butasorry
figure!"
"AndMaryCarolinefeltittoo,Major—butshecouldn'thelpit,"saidMrs.

Buchananwithacatchinhervoice."Thenightbeforesheranawaytomarry
himshespentwithme,foryouwereawayacrosstheriver,andallnightwe
talked.Shetoldme—notthatshewasgoing—buthowshecared.Shesaidit
bitterlyoverandover,'PetersBrown,thecarpetbagger—andIlovehim!'Itried
tocomfortherasbestIcouldbutitwasuseless.Hewasathieftostealher—just
achild!"TherewasabitternessandcontemptinMrs.Matilda'susuallytender
voice.Shesatupverystraightandtherewasasparkleinherbrighteyes.
"Andthegirl,"continuedthemajorthoughtfully,"wasbornashermother
died.He'dneverletthemothercomebackandheneverbroughtthechild.
Nowhe'sdead.Iwonder—Iwonder.We'vegotaclaimonthatgirl,

Matilda.We—"
"And,dear,thatisjustwhatIcamebackinsuchahurrytotellyouabout—Ifelt
itso—Ihaven'tbeenabletosayitrightaway.IbeganbytalkingaboutMary
Carolineand—I—I—"
"Why,Matilda!"saidthemajorinvaguealarmatthetrembleinhiswife'svoice.
Helaidhishandoverhersonthearmofhischairwithawarmclasp.
"It'sjustthis,Major.YouknowhowhappyIhavebeen,weallhavebeen,over
thewonderfulstatuethathasbeengiveninmemoryofthewomenofthe
Confederacywhostayedathomeandfedthechildrenandslaveswhilethemen
fought.Asyouadvisedthem,theyhavedecidedtoputitintheparkjusttothe
leftoftheTempleofArts,ontheveryspotwhereGeneralDarrahhadhislast
gunfiredandspikedjustbeforehefellandjustasthesurrendercame.It's

strange,isn'tit,thatnobodyknowswho'sgivingit?Perhapsitwasbecauseyou
andDavidandIweretalkinglastnightaboutwhatheshouldsayaboutGeneral
Darrahwhenhemadethepresentationofthesketchesofthestatueoutatthe
openingoftheartexhibitionintheTempleofArtsto-night,thatmademedream
aboutMaryCarolineallnight.Itisallsostrange."AgainMrs.Buchananpaused
withahalfsobinhervoice.
"Why,whatisit,Matilda?"themajoraskedasheturnedandlookedather
anxiously.
"It'sawonderfulthingthathashappened,Major.Something,Idon'tknowwhat,
justmademegoouttotheTemplethismorningtoseethesketchesofthestatue
whichcameyesterday.IfeltIcouldn'twaituntilto-nighttoseethem.Oh,they

aresolovely!Justatallfearlesswomanwithababyonherbreastandaslave
womanclingingtoherskirtswithherownchildinherarms!
"AsIstoodbeforethecaseandlookedatthemthetragedyofallthelongfight
camebacktome.Icaughtmybreathandturnedaway—andtherestoodagirl!I
knewherinstantly,forIwaslookingstraightintoMaryCaroline'sownpurple
eyes.ThenIjustopenedmyarmsandheldherclose,callingMaryCaroline's
nameoverandover.Therewasnooneelseinthegreatroomanditwasquiet
andsolemnandstill.Thensheputherhandagainstmyfaceandlookedatme
andsaidintheloveliesttenderestvoice:
"'It'smymother'sMatilda,isn'tit?Ihavetheolddaguerreotype!'AndIsmiled
backandwekissedeachotherandcried—andthencriedsomemore."

"Ihaven'tadoubtofthosetears,"answeredthemajorinasuspiciouslygruff
voice."Butwhere'sthegirl?Whydidn'tyoubringherrightbackwithyou?She
isours,Matilda,thatpurple-eyedgirl.Whenisshecoming?CallTempieandtell
hertohaveJanegetthosetwosouth-wingroomsreadyrightaway.IwantJeffto
fillupthedecanterswiththefifty-sixclaret,too,andtoput—"
"Butwait,Major,Icouldn'tgethertocomehomewithme!Wewentoutintothe
sunshineandforalongdriveintothecountry.Wetalkedandtalked.Itisthe
saddestthingintheworld,butsheisconvincedthathermother'speoplearenot
goingtolikeher.Shehasbeentaughtthatwearesoprejudiced.Ithinkshehas
foundoutaboutthecarpetbagging.Sheissosensitive!Shecamebecauseshe
couldn'thelpit;shewantedjusttoseehermother'scountry.She'sonlybeenhere
twodays.Sheintendstostealawaybacknow,overtoEurope,Ithink.Itriedto

makehersee—"
"Matilda,"saidthemajorsternly,"gorightbackandtellthatchildtopackher
dimityandcomestraightheretome.Carpetbagging,indeed!—MaryCaroline's
girlwithpurpleeyes!DidoldBrownhaveanypurpleeyes,I'dliketoknow?"
"Imadeherpromisenottogountiltomorrow.Ithinkshewouldfeeldifferently
ifwecouldgethertostayalittlewhile.Iwanthertostay.Sheissolonely.My
littleboylovedMaryCarolineandgrievedforherwhenshewentaway.IfeelI
musthavethischildtocomfortforatimeatleast."
"Ofcourseshemuststay.Didshepromiseshewouldn'tslipawayfromyou?"


"Yes,butI'muneasy.IthinkIwillgodowntoherhotelrightnow.Doyoumind

aboutbeingaloneforlunch?DoesTempiegetyourcoffeeright?"
"Shedoesprettywellconsideringthatshehasn'tbeentastingitforthirtyyears.
Butyougogetthatchild,Matilda.Bringherrightbackwithyou.Don'tstopto
arguewithher,I'llattendtoallthatlater;justbringherhome!"
AndasMrs.Buchanandepartedthemajorroseandstoodatthewindowuntilhe
sawhergetintohercarriageandbedrivenoutofsight.Lookingdownthevista
ofthelongstreet,hiseyeshadafarawaytenderlight,andasheturnedandtook
uphispipefromthetablehisthoughtsslippedbackintotheprovinceof
memory.Hesettledhimselfinhischairbeforehisfiretomuseabitbetweenthe
whiffsofhisheart-leaf.
AndMaryCarolineDarrah'sgirlhadcomehome—hometoherown,hemused.
Therewasmysteryinit,themysterythatsometimesbrandstheunborn.Brown

hadneverletMaryCarolinecomebackandthefewlettersshehadwrittenhad
toldthemlittleofthelifesheled.Theconstrainthadwrunghiswife'syearning
heart.Onlyaletterhadcomewhensomehowthenewshadreachedherofthe
deathofMatilda'sboy,andithadbeenwildandsweetandathrobwithherlove
ofthem.Andinitspagesherownhopesforthespringwereconfessedina
passionofdesiretogiveandclaimsympathy.Herbabyhadbeenbornandshe
wasdeadandburiedbeforetheyhadheardofit;twenty-threeyearsago!And
Matilda'sgriefforherownchildhadbeenalwaysmingledwithloveandlonging
forthemotherless,unattainableyoungthingacrossthedistance.Brownhadkept
thegirltohimselfandhadneverbroughtherback—becausehedarednot.
Themajor'spowerfuloldhandswrithedaroundthearmsofhischairandhis
eyesglowedintotheemberslikelivesparks.Itwasyears,nearlythirtyyearsago

—but,God,howthetragedyofitcameback!Thehotbloodbeatintohisveins
andhecouldfeelitandseeitall.Wouldthepicturealwaysburninhisbrain?
Nearlythirtyyearsago—
Thelogscrashedapartinthehearthandwithastartthemajorrosetohisfeet,a
teardashedasideunderhisshaggyoldeyebrows.Hewouldgobacktohis
Immortals—andforget.PerhapsPhoebewouldcomeinforlunch.Thatwould
makeforgettingeasier.
Wherehadthegirlbeenforthelastfewdays?Hesmiledashefoundhimselfin


somethingofDavid'sdismayatnothavingseenthebusyyoungwomanforquite
atime.

Anditwasperhapsanhourlaterthat,ashesatinthebreakfastroompartaking
ofhislunchinsolitarycomfort,losttotheworld,hiswishforherbroughtits
materialization.Hehadthemorning'spaperproppedupbeforehimandan
outspreadbookrestedbyhisplate,whileheheldalargevolumebalancedonhis
knee,whichhepausedoccasionallytoconsult.
Mrs.Buchananhadtelephonedthatshewouldbehomewithherguestatfive
o'clockandhismindwasfilledwithpleasantanticipation.Buttherewasnevera
timewiththemajor,nomatterhowfilledthelifewasaroundhimwiththe
excitementofevents,withtheechoofjoyorwoe,theclashofsocialstrifeorthe
turmoilofvasterinterests,whenhefailedtobeabletoplungeintohisbooksand
losehimselfcompletely.
Hewasintheactofconsumingaremnantofacornmuffinandadraftfromhis

paperatthesametime,whenheheardamerryvoiceinlaughinggreetingtoJeff,
andtherosedamaskcurtainsthathungbetweenthebreakfastroomandthehall
parted,andPhoebestoodframedagainsttheirheavyfolds.Shewasthefreshest,
mostradiant,tailor-madevisionimaginableandthemajorsmiledalargejoyful
smileatthesightofher.
"Comein,comein,mydear;youarejustintimeforahotmuffinandafried
chickenwing!"heexclaimedasheroseanddrewhertothetable.Theold
volumecrashedtothefloorunheeded.
"Oh,no,Major,thankyou,Icouldn'tthinkofit,"exclaimedPhoebe."I'm
lunchingonaglassofmaltedmilkandaraweggthesedays.Ilostapoundand
three-quarterslastweekandIfeelsoslimandgraceful."Asshespokesheran
herhandsdownthecharminglinesofhertallfigureandturnedslowlyaround

forhimtogetthefulleffectofherloss.Shewasmostbeautifullysetupandthe
longlinesmeltedintocurveswheregraciouscurvesoughttobe.
"Nonsense,nonsense,PhoebeDonelson!"exclaimedthemajor."Everypoundis
anaddedcharm.Sitherebesideme."Andhedrewherintoachairatthecorner
ofthetable.
InatwinklingofherblackeyesTempiehadservedherwiththegoldenmuffins
andcrispchicken.WithalongsighofabsoluterapturePhoeberesignedherself


totheinevitablecrashofherresolutions.
"Ah,Ineverwassomiserableandsohappyinallmylifebefore,"shesaid."I'm
sohungry—andI'msostout—andthesemuffinsarewickedlydelicious."

"Phoebe,"saidthemajorsternly,"insteadofstarvingyourselftodeathyouneed
tolieawakeatnightwithlovers'troubles.Why,thesummerIcourtedMatildaI
couldhavewrappedmybeltaroundmetwice.Ihaveneverbeenportlysince.It's
lovingyouneed,good,hard,miserableloving.Didn'tyoueverhearofa'lean
andhungrylover'?Yourconductispositively—haveanothermuffinandthis
littlesliceofupperjoint—Isaypositively,unwomanlyinhuman.Arethereno
depthsofpityinyourbreast?Isyourbosomofadamant?Whendidyousee
DavidKildare?Heisinamostpitiablecondition.Heleftherenotanhourago
andIfelt—"
"Don'tworryoverDavid,please,Major,"saidPhoebeasshepausedwithabitof
butteredmuffinsuspendedonthewaytoherwhiteteeth."Heisthemost
riotously—thankyou,Tempie,justonemore—happyindividualIknow.What

hewantshehas,andheseestoitthathehaswhathewants—towhichadda
mostgloriousleisureinwhichtowantandhave."
"Phoebe,DavidKildarehasanachingvoidinhisheartthatweighsjustone
hundredandthirty-sixpounds,lackingnowIbelieveoneandthree-quarters
poundsplusthreemuffinsandahalfchicken.Howcanyoubesoheartless?"
Themajorbentabenignlysternglanceuponherwhichshereturnedwiththe
utmostunconcern.
"Hedidnotseeyouallofyesterdayorthedaybeforeandonlyonceon
Monday,andthenyou—"
"Thatsoundslikeoneofthoserhymingcalendars,mydearMajor.
"MondayIamgoingfaraway,
TuesdayI'llbebusyalltheday,

WednesdayisthedayIstudyFrench,
Thursdayisthe—"
andPhoebehummedthelittlenonsensejingletohiminamostbeguiling
manner.


Themajorlaugheddelightedly."Phoebe,somedayyouwillbeheldresponsible
forDavidKildare's—"
"But,mydearMajor,"interruptedPhoebe,"howcouldIbeexpectedtoworkall
dayforraimentandfood,withmaltedmilkandeggsatthepricetheyarenow,
andthenberesponsibleforsuchaperfectlyirresponsiblepersonasDavid
Kildare?Why,justyesterday,whileIwaswritinguptheFarrelldébutantetea

withthedevilwaitingatmyelbowsforcopyandthecomposingroominastew,
hecalledmetwiceoverthewire.Heknewbetter,butdidn'tcare."
"Still,mydear,stillit'slove,"saidthemajorashelookedatherthoughtfullyand
droppedthebanterthathadbeeninhisvoicesinceshehadcomein."Aboy's?
Perhaps,butIthinknot.You'llsee!It'sacall,acallthatmustbeansweredsome
time,child—andamystery."Foramomentthemajorsatandlookeddeepinto
thegrayeyesraisedtohisinquickresponsivenesstothechangeinhismood.
"Don'ttriflewithlove,girl,it'sGodAlmighty'sdowertoawoman.It'shers;
thoughshepaysabitterpriceforit.It'sawonderandaworkerofwonders.Ithas
allcomehometometo-dayandIthinkyouwillunderstandwhenItellyou
about—"
"Major,"interruptedTempiewithabroadgrinonherblackface,"Mr.

Dave,hedonetelephonedferyouterkeepMissPhoebetillhegitshere.
Hesayshe'llholdyouandme'sponsible,sir."
AquickflushrosetoPhoebe'scheeksandshelaughedasshecollectedher
notebookandpinneddownherveilallatthesametunewithaviewtoinstant
flight.ShegaveneitherthemajornorTempietimeforremonstrance.
"Good-by!"shecalledfromthehall."IonlycameintotellMrs.MatildathatI
wouldmeetherattheCantrellteaatfive-fifteenandafterwardwecouldmake
thatvisittogether.Themuffinsweredivine!"
"Tempie,"remarkedthemajorashelookedupatheroverthedevastatedtable
withanimperturbablesmile,"Ihavedecidedpositivelythatwomenarejusthalfbreedangelswithdevilmarkingsallovertheirdispositions."
Andhavingreceivedwhichadmonitionwiththedeepestrespect,Tempie
immediatelyfellintoaperfectwhirlwindofguestpreparationswhichinvolved

thepompousJefferson,herhusband,andthemeekJane,herdaughter.Themajor
issuedhernumberless,perfectlyimpossiblebutsolicitousordersandthenretired


tohislibrarychairwithhismindateaseandhisbooksathand.
Anditwasinthevioletflamedduskashesatwithhisimmortalfriendsranged
aroundthatMrs.Matildabroughtthetreasurehometohim.Shewasavery
lovelything,afragrantflowerofawomanwiththetendershynessofachildin
hermannerasshelaidherhandsinhisoutheldtoherwithhiscourtlyold-world
grace.
"Mydear,mydear,"hesaidashedrewherneartohim,"here'sawelcomethat's
beenreadyforyoutwentyyears,youslipofagirlyou,withyourmother'seyes.

DidyouthinkyoucouldgetawayfromMatildaandmewhenwe'vebeen
waitingforyouallthistime?"
"Imayhavethoughtso,butwhenIsawherIknewIcouldn't;didn'twantto
even,"sheansweredhiminalowvoicethathintedofclose-lyingtears.
"Child,Matildahashadahearttrapreadyforyoueversinceyouwereborn,in
caseshesightedyouintheopen.It'sbaitedwithasilverrattle,dollbabies,sugar
plums,theashesoftwentyyears'roses,thefragranceofeveryvioletshehas
seen,andlatelyanaggregationofeveryeligiblemasculineheartinthispartof
thecountryhasbeenadded.Shecaughtyoufair—walkinandhelpyourself;it's
allyours!"

CHAPTERII
THERITUAL

"Well,it'sasensationallright,Major,"saidDavidashestoodinfrontofthe
major'sfireearlyinthemorningaftertheceremoniesofthepresentationof
sketchesofthestatueoutattheTempleofArts."Mrs.Matildatoldmethenews
andhelpedmesandwichitintomyspeechbetweenthattimeandtheopen-up
talk.Peoplehadaskedsooftenwhowasgivingthestatue,laiditonsomany
differentpeople,andwonderedoverittosuchanextentallfallthattheyhadgot
tiredandforgotthattheydidn'tknowallaboutit.WhenIpresenteditinthe
nameofCarolineDarrahBrowninmemoryofhermotherandhergrandfather,
GeneralDarrah,youcouldhaveheardapindropforafewseconds,thenthe

applausewasalmostasob.Itwasasdramaticathingashasbeenhandedthis
towninmanyaday.Stillitwasabitsky-rockety,don'tyouthink—keepingit
likethatand—"
"David,"interruptedthemajorquickly,"sheneverintendedtotellit.Shehad
donethebusinesspartofitthroughhersolicitors.Sheneverwantedustoknow.
Ipersuadedhertoletitbepresentedinhername,myself,justbeforeMatilda
wentoutwithyou.Sheshrinks—"
"Waitaminute,Major,don'tgetthetwosidesofmybraincrossed.You
persuadedher—sheisn'tintownisshe?—don'ttellmeshe'shereherself!"And
Davidruffledhisauburnforelockwithagestureofperplexity.
"Yes,"answeredthemajor,"CarolineDarrahBrownishereandis,Ihope,going
tostayforatimeatleast.IwantedtotellyouaboutityesterdaybutIhadn'tseen

herandI—"
"And,Daviddear,"interruptedMrs.Buchananwhohadbeenstandingbywith
shiningeyeswaitingforanopeningtobreakinonKildare'sastonishmentwith


someofthedetailsofherhappinessoverherdiscovery."Ididn'ttellyoulast
nightforthemajordidn'twantmeto,butsheissolovely!She'syourinherited
friend,foryourmotherandhersweredevotedtoeachother.Idowantyouto
loveherandeverybodyhelpmetomakeherfeelathome.Don'tmindabouther
fatherbeinga—youknowa—acarpetbagger.ThreeofherDarrahgrandfathers
havebeengovernorsofthisstate;justthinkaboutthemanddon'ttalkabouther
fatheroranycarpet—youknow.Pleasebegoodtoher!"

"Begoodtoher,"exclaimedDavidheartily,"justwatchme!Iamlovingher
alreadyformakingyousohappybythisdown-from-the-skydrop,Mrs.Matilda.
Andwe'llallbecarefulaboutthecarpetbags;won'tevenmentionarug;lotsof
talkcanbegotoutofthedeadgovernorsI'mthinking.Mywelcome'sgetting
moreenthusiasticeverymoment.WhencanIhandittoher?"
"She'srestingnowandIthinksheoughttobequietforto-day,becauseshehas
beenunderastrain,"answeredMrs.Buchananassheglancedtenderlyata
closeddooracrossthehall."Oh,I'msogladyouthinkyouaregoingtoloveher
inspiteof—of—"
"TheBrowngraftontheDarrahfamilytree?"finishedDavidquizzically.His
eyesdancedwithdelightedamusementacrossherpuffsatthemajorasheadded,
"Musthavebeensilversmithsdanglingonmostofhisancestralbranches,

judgingfromhispropensityformakingdollars;amillionortwo,stocks,bonds,
anykindofflimflam,—eh,Major?"
"Yes,"answeredthemajorasheblewaringofsmokeintotheair,"yes,just
aboutthat;anykindofflimflam.AndIcannotconceiveofPetersBrown
rejoicingathavingthirtythousandofthosedollarsputintoanInMemoriamto
thewomenwhosniffedathimandhiscarpetbagsforagoodtwentyyearsafter
thewar.Butthechilddoesn'ttakeanyofthatin.Thoseweretwentyrichyears
heputininreconstructingus,butwhenhetookthosesameheavycarpetbags
NorthhetookMaryCarolineDarrah,theprettiestwomaninthecountywith
him.Thisgirl—asIhavesaidbefore,isn'tloveastrangething?Andyousaythe
populacewasastonished?"
"Almosttothepointofparalyzation,"answeredDavidashefilledastraypipe

withsomeofthemajor'smostchoiceheart-leaftobacco."Butwemanagedto
openupthepictureshowallright.Theentirehiveofbusyart-beeswasthereina
queerkindofclothes;butproudofit.Theyactedasifweweredirtundertheir


feet.Theysmiledonthewholeglad-crowdofuswithpityandletusraveover
thewrongpictures.TheportraitofMrs.PeytonKendrickbythegreatSusie
CarrieSnowis—er—well,alittlemoreofitshowsthanseemsnaturalaboutthe
leftoffarm,butit'saSusieCarrieallright.Yououghttohavegone,Major,you
wouldtakewiththeart-gang,butwedidn't;weweretooafraidofthem.After
wehadbeenshooedinfrontofmostofthepicturesandtoldhowtoseethingsin
themthatweren'tthereatall,HobCaperssaid:

"'Let'sallgodowntotheUniversityClubandgetdrunktoforget'em.'
That'swhyMrs.Matildacamehomesolate."
"AndIwantHobsontobenicetohertoo,"continuedMrs.Buchananasifshe
hadnotbeeninterruptedinplanningforherguest."AndTomandPeyton
Kendrick.I'llaskthemtocomeandseeherrightaway."
"Don't!Waitabit,Mrs.Matilda,"exclaimedDavid."Hobsawamysteriousgirl
inanorchidhatoutintheparkdaybeforeyesterday.Hesayshisheartcreaked
withexpansionatjusttheglimpseofachinhegotfromunderherveil.Suppose
she'sthegirl.Lethimhavefirstinnings."
"David,"remarkedthemajor,"flagthesun,moonandstarsintheircoursesand
signaltimetoreverseadayorayear,butdon'ttrytoturnasideamakerof
matchesfromhermachinations."

Davidlaughedasthemajor'swifeshookherheadathimingentlereproof,and
heaskedinterestedly:
"Whenmaywecometocall,madam?Ijudgetheladyisunderyourroof?"
"Soon,dear.Sheisverytiredto-day,andIfeelsureyouwill—"
"MissMatilda,"calledTempiefromthehall,"MissPhoebeisholdin'thephone
feryou.She'satMis'Cantrell'sandshewantsterspeakwithyourightaway."
"Wait,wait,don'tanswerherrightnow—ringheroff,Tempie!Ifshehastrouble
gettingyou,Mrs.Matilda,andyoukeephertalkingIcancatchher.Letmegeta
goodstartandthenanswer.Good-by!Keeptalkingtoher!"Andwith
determinationinhiseyesDavidtookhishurrieddeparture.
"Good-by,goodluck—andgoodhunting!"calledthemajorafterhim.

AndwiththegreatestskilfulnessMrs.BuchananheldPhoebeinhandforenough
minutestoinsureDavid'scapturebeforeshereturnedtothelibrary.
"Major,"shesaidassherubbedhercheekagainsthisvelvetcoatsleeve,"whydo
yousupposePhoebedoesn'tloveDavid?Ican'tunderstandit."
"Matilda,"answeredthemajorasheblewalittlecurloveroneofthesoftpuffs
ofherwhitehair,"youwereborninadaywhenwomenwereallrunintoalovemold.Theyarepouredintootherassortedfancyshapesinthesetimes,butheat
fromtherightsourcemeltsthemallthesame.WecantrustDavid'sardor,I
think."
"Yes,Ibelieveyouareright,"sheansweredjudicially,"andPhoebeinherits
lovingnessfromhermother.Ifeelthatsheismoreaffectionatethansheshows,
andIjustgoonandloveheranyway.Sheletsmedoitveryoften."

AndfromthedepthofherunsophisticatedheartMrs.Buchananhadevolveda
courseofactionthathadgonefarincomfortinganumberofthelonelyyears
throughwhichPhoebeDonelsonhadwaded.Shehadbeenyoung,andhighspiritedandintenselyproudwhenshehadbeguntofightherownbattlesinher
sixteenthyear.Manylovinghandsofhermother'sandfather'soldfriendshad
beenheldouttoherwithabountyofprotection,butshehadgonehercourseand
carvedherownfortune.Hersocialpositionhadmadethingseasyforherina
wayandnowhersocietyeditorshipoftheleadingjournalhadbecomeaposition
fromwhichshewieldedmuchpoweroverthegayworldthatdelightedinherwit
andbeauty,tookherautocraticdictumsinmostcases,andfollowedhervogue
almostabsolutely.
Herindependencepromptedhertolivealoneinasmartdown-townapartment
withheroldnegromammy,butheraffectionsdemandedthatshetakerefugeat

alltimesundertheshelteringwingsofMrs.Buchanan,whokeptadaintynest
alwaysinreadinessforher.
ThetumultuouswooingofDavidKildarehadbeengoingonsinceherearly
teensunderthedelightedeyesofthemajor,whointurnbothfurtheredand
hinderedthesuitbyhisextremelyphilosophicaladvice.
Phoebewasthecrystallizationofaninfusionofthebloodofmanycultured,
high-bred,haughtywomenwhichhadbeenmeltedintheretortofastern
necessityandhadcomeoutaratherbrilliantspecimenofthemodernwoman,if


abithard.Viewedinsomewaysshebecameanalarmingauguryofthefuture,
buttherearealwayspotentcounter-forcesatworkinlife'slaboratory,andthe

kindofforcesthatDavidKildarebroughttobearinhiswooingwerenever
exactlytobecalculatedupon.Andsothemajorspentmuchtimeinthe
contemplationoftheproblempresented.
Andwhenshehadcomeinafteralatelunchtocallupontheirguest,ithadbeen
intenselyinterestingtothemajortoregardtheeffectofthemeetingofPhoebe's
andCarolineDarrah'spersonalities.Caroline'slovely,shychild'seyeshad
meltedwithdelightunderPhoebe'sstraight,gray,friendlyglancesandher
fascinationforthetall,strong,radiantwoman,whosatbesideher,hadbeenso
obviousthatthemajorhadchuckledtohimselfunderhisbreathashewatched
themmakefriends,underMrs.Matilda'spoorlyconcealedanxietythatthey
shouldatonceadoptcordialrelations.
"Andsoheconsentedtoundertakethecommissionforyoubecausehewas

interested?"Phoebewasaskingastheytalkedaboutthesketchesofthestatue.A
verygreatsculptorwasdoingtheworkforCarolineDarrahBrown,andit
interestedPhoebetohearhowhehadconsentedtoacceptsounimportanta
commission.
"Yes,"answeredCarolineinherexquisitevoicewhichshowedonlythefaintest
liquidtraceofhersoutherninheritance."Itoldhimallaboutitandhebecame
interested.Heisverygreat,andsimple,andkind.Hemadeiteasytoshowhim
howIfelt.Icouldn'ttellhimmuchexcepthowIfelt;butIthinkithassomething
of—that—in—it.Don'tyouthinkso?"Asshespokeshelaidherwhitehandon
thearmofPhoebe'schairandleanedforwardwithherdewytendereyeslooking
straightintothegrayonesoppositeher.
ForamomentPhoebereturnedtheglancewithaquietseriousness,thenhereyes

lightedasecond,weresuffusedwithaquickmoisture,andwithaproudgesture
shebentforward,layingbothhandsonCaroline'sshouldersasshepresseda
deepkissonthegirl'sredlips.
"Idothinkso,"sheansweredwithalowlaughasshearosetoherfeet,drew
CarolineupintothebendofherarmandfacedMrs.Buchananandthemajor."I
knowthelovelinessinthestatueiswhatthegreatmangotoutoftheloveliness
inyourheart,andthemajorandMrs.Matildathinkso,too.AndI'mgoingquick
becauseImust;andI'mcomingbackassoonasIcanbecauseI'mgoingtofind


youhere—thatispartly,Major,"andbeforetheycouldstophershehadgoneon
downthehallandtheyheardheranswerJeff'sfarewellasheletheroutthedoor.

"That,CarolineDarrahBrown,wasyourfirstandmostimportantconquest,"
observedthemajor."Phoebehasawhiterockheartbutacrystalcracked
therefromisapttoturnintoajewelofprice.Hersisablood-rubyfriendshipthat
paysforthewearingandcherishing.Butit'stimeforthenapMrs.Matilda
decidesformetotakeandImustleaveyouladiestoyourdimitytalk."With
whichhebetookhimselftohisroom,stillplainlypleasedattheresultof
Phoebe'scallonthestranger.
Thetwowomenthuslefttotheirowndevicesspentadelightfulhalf-hour
wanderingoverthehouseanddiscussingitsfurnishingsandarrangements.Mrs.
Buchanannevertiredofthedelightsofhertownhome.Thehousewasvery
statelyandold-world,withitstreasuresofrareancestralrosewoodand
mahoganythatshehadbroughtinfromtheSevenOaksPlantation.Theroomsin

thecountryhomehadbeensocrowdedwithtreasuresofbygonegenerationsthat
theywerescarcelydismantledbythefurnishingofthetownhouse.
Shewasinhergloryofdomesticity,andasshepassedfromoneroomtoanother
shetoldCarolinebitsofinterestinghistoryaboutthispieceorthat.Inhernaiveté
sheletthegirlseeintothelonghardyearsthathadbeenahand-to-handstruggle
forherandthemajorontheirwornfarmlandsoutinthebeautifulHarpeth
Valley.
Thecroppingoutofphosphateonthebarefieldshadbroughtacomfortable
fortuneinitstraintotheoldsoldierfarmerandtheyhadmovedintothistown
housetospendthewinteringreateraccessibilitytotheirfriends.Herown
particularlittleworldhadwelcomedherwithdelight,andCarolinecouldsee
thatshewastakingasecondbellehoodasifithadbeenanuninterruptedreign.

Mostofthefinanciersofthecitywerethemajor'soldfriendsandtheymanaged
enormouslyadvantageouscontractswithminingcompaniesforhim,andhad
takenhimintotheschemesofthemightywiththemostmanifestcordiality.
Hisstudybecamethesceneofmuchimportantplotandcounter-plot.Theyfound
inhismindthequalitywhichhadledthemtooutwitmanyanenemywhenhe
scoutedaheadoftheirtatteredregiment,stillavailablewhentheenemyappeared
undercommercialorcivicfront.Alsoitnaturallyhappenedthathislibrary


graduallybecamethehunting-groundsforMrs.Matilda'syoungpeople,who
wereirresistiblydrawnintothecircleofhiseverreadysympathy.
ThewholetaleanditstellingwasabsorbinglyinterestingtoCarolineDarrah

Brownandshelistenedwithenrapturedattentiontoitall.Sherepeatedcarefully
thenamesofhermother'sfriendsastheycameupintheconversation;andshe
waspatheticallyeagertoknowallaboutthisworldshehadcomebackinto,
from,whatalreadyseemedtoher,herbirthinastrangeland.Twodaysinthis
countryofhermother,andtheenchantmentoftraditionsthathadbeengivento
herunbornwasalreadyatworkwithitsspell!
Andsotheyrambledaroundandtalked,unheedingthetimeuntiltheearly
twilightbegantofallandMrs.BuchananwassummonedbyJefftoa
consultationinthedomesticregionswiththeautocraticTempie.
Lefttoherself,CarolineDarrahwanderedbackagainthroughtheroomsfrom
oneobjecttoanotherthatinspiredthestories.Itwaslikefairy-landtoherand
shewasinalongdreamofpleasure.Outoftheshadowssheseemedtobe

drawingherwistfulyoungmother,andhandinhandtheyweregoingoverthe
pasttogether.
Whenitwasquitedeepintothetwilightshesaunteredbacktothecrackling
comfortofthemajor'sfragrantlogs.AdiscussionwithJeffoverhistoilethad
delayedthemajorinhisbedroomandshefoundthelibrarydeserted,but
hospitablewithfirelight.
Howlongshehadbeenmusingandcastle-buildinginthecoalsshescarcely
knew,whenasteponthepolishedfloormadeherlookup,andwithalittle
exclamationsherosetoherfull,slim,youngheightandturnedtofaceaman
whohadcomeinwiththeunannouncedsuretyofamemberofthehousehold.
Hewastall,broadanddark,andhisknickerbockersweresplashedwithmudand
coveredwithclingingburrsandpine-needles.Onearmwaslashedtohisside

withasilkslingandheheldahugebunchofglowingredberriesinhisfree
hand.Theywerebranchesofthered,coral-strungbuckbushesandCarolinehad
neverseenthembefore.Theirgorgeousnessfairlytookherbreathandshe
exclaimedwiththeingenuousdelightofachild.
"Howlovely,howlovely!"shecriedasshestretchedoutherhandsforthem."I
neversawanybefore.Dotheygrowhere?"