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EUSTIS 
 
 A NOVEL 
 
 BY 
 
 ROBERT APTHORP BOIT 
 
 iw 
 
 > J J :> J J 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY 
 
 1884 
 

 Copyright, 1884, 
 By Robert Apthorp Boit. 
 
 All Rights Reserved. 
 
 • • • • 
 
 •••••• *• 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGB. 
 
 I. Southward Bound 5 
 
 II. Captain Lee 14 
 
 III. Tlic Southeaster 26 
 
 IV. At Anchor 34 
 
 V. TheEustises 45 
 
 VI. At the Polls 59 
 
 VII. Madge .74 
 
 VIII. The Oaks 82 
 
 IX. The Dinner 97 
 
 X. Deer-Hunting . .... 113 
 
 XI. Home-life and the New Regime . . . 136 
 
 XII. Mr. Brown's views of Florida ... 151 
 
 XIII. At School 158 
 
 XIV. Confidences 171 
 
 XV. Christmas— "The Point" . . . .179 
 
 XVI. The Old Nurse 187 
 
 XVII. The Ball 198 
 
 XVIII. An Evening Call 217 
 
 XIX. A Ride 235 
 
 XX Colonel Richard Shorter .... 247 
 
 XXI. On the Porch . . . . . .260 
 
 XXII. Advice .270 
 
 XXIII. An Encounter 281 
 
 XXIV. An Explanation 292 
 
 XXV. Midnight 303 
 
 XXVI. Morning 315 
 
 XXVII. Leave-takings 328 
 
 XX!VIII. Down the River— Beachgrove— Epilogue . 339 
 
 ivi?^21f>33 
 
EUSTIS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 SOTJTHWABD BOUND. 
 
 TN the autumn of 1868 I was called home from 
 •^ Europe, where I had been travelling in search 
 of pleasure, by the sudden death of my mother. 
 She had lived for many years with my only sister 
 and her children, at our old family place in the 
 neighborhood of one of the pleasantest of New 
 England cities. 
 
 My father, Henry Strong, after whom I was 
 named, had died when I was a mere lad, and the 
 settlement of a large estate, left in trust to my 
 mother during her lifetime, devolved upon me at 
 her death. 
 
 The whirl of business into which I was at once 
 plunged, and for which I was entirely unprepared 
 by experience, served an excellent purpose in dis- 
 tracting my mind at a distressing time. 
 
 But although I succeeded, with the assistance of 
 my brother-in-law, in arranging our affairs more or 
 less to my satisfaction, I develojied no taste for 
 
6 EUSTIS, 
 
 work of this nature, and was very glad to be able 
 at last to leave my interests in his hands and shake 
 myself free from business. 
 
 As good fortune would have it, just at this time, 
 and in the autumn of the second year after my 
 return to America, I received a cordial letter from 
 my old classmate, James Eustis, asking me to pass 
 the winter with him in the South. The invitation 
 could not have come more opportunely. I seized 
 upon the idea with delight, and made my prepa- 
 rations for a speedy departure. 
 
 According to the old custom of the Southerners, 
 Eustis had been educated at the North. We had 
 first become schoolmates at fourteen, and soon such a 
 strong intimacy grew up between us, that when we 
 entered college we became " chums," and lived to- 
 gether as long as he remained at the university. 
 But, when the civil war broke out, our pleasant com- 
 panionship came to an end, for Eustis felt obliged 
 to return to the South, where, shortly afterwards, 
 he entered the Confederate army. 
 
 In our schooldays, my sister Alice had been very 
 fond of Jim, who seemed, indeed, almost like a 
 second son in my mother's house ; and now she 
 heartily rejoiced with me at the thought of our 
 meeting again. Yet, at the same time, if I remem- 
 ber aright, she did not abstain from mingling her 
 sisterly farewells and messages to the Eustises with 
 certain admonitions against the wiles of southern 
 women, whom, for reasons best known to herself, 
 she appeared to regard with considerable distrust. 
 
EUSTIS. 7 
 
 I left home early in !N"ovember, and having en- 
 gaged my passage by a steamer that was to sail 
 from New York, I was obliged to stop there over- 
 night, and in the morning, after a late breakfast at 
 one of the best restaurants in the world, and with 
 still an hour or so to sj^are, I took a carriage for the 
 pier. 
 
 As I drove down the principal thoroughfare of 
 the city, watching with interest the endless flow of 
 vehicles and humanity on either side, my reflections 
 upon this turbulent river of life were arrested by 
 the sudden stoppage of my carriage. At the same 
 time, I heard an unintelligible volley of shouts and 
 oaths, and on looking out of the window for the 
 cause of the disturbance, found that the street was 
 blocked, and that all the vehicles near me were 
 wedged hopelessly together, and had, like my own, 
 come to a standstill. 
 
 Just in front of me, and where the torrents of Bil- 
 lingsgate rained fiercest, I saw a carriage that had 
 been struck and half upset by a heavily loaded 
 dray. Its occupants, who were evidently travellers, 
 were clambermg out to the sidewalk, as best they 
 could, with their shawls, umbrellas, and portman- 
 teaus. 
 
 As there seemed no immediate prospect of the 
 block giving way, I got out, and, led by curiosity, 
 pushed my way through the crowd to where the 
 unfortunate party now stood, looking helplessly at 
 the wreck. In the centre of the group was an elder- 
 ly and distinguished looking man. He was stout. 
 
8 EU8TI8. 
 
 erect, and somewhat above the average height. His 
 features were clear cut, and his complexion ruddy. 
 His eyes and eyebrows were black, in striking con- 
 trast to his long gray moustache. 
 
 The faces of the two ladies with him were con- 
 cealed by heavy veils; but their general air and 
 similarity of dress and figure seemed to suggest that 
 they were mother and daughter. Behind them 
 stood a negro maid, weighed down with their many 
 wraps. 
 
 As I drew near, I heard the gentleman say, — 
 
 " Well, my dear, we seem to be in a rather un- 
 fortunate predicament. The steamer sails in half 
 an hour, and I see no chance of getting another car- 
 riage in time to catch it ; so we must make the best 
 of it and remain here for another week, unless you 
 can be induced to go by rail." 
 
 " No," replied the elder of the two ladies, rather 
 fretfully, " I do not feel equal to the fatigue of the 
 journey by land. But I should think something 
 might be done. It is too provoking to be stopped 
 in this way ! " 
 
 I listened for a few moments to their discussion, 
 and then, agreeing with the lady that the case was 
 a hard one, I stepped slightly forward and said to 
 the gentleman, — 
 
 " Excuse me, sir, for intruding upon you, but my 
 carriage is just at hand, and I should be most happy 
 to have you use it. It will not put me to the least 
 inconvenience." 
 
 After considerable hesitation on his part, and 
 
IJUSTIS, 9 
 
 many assurances on mine, he finally transferred his 
 traps to my carriage, and by that time the police 
 had succeeded in extricating the vehicles from their 
 confusion, and the noisy stream was again in motion. 
 
 As the gentleman was about to enter the carriage, 
 into which I had already helped the ladies, he 
 stopped and said', — 
 
 " By the way, sir, will you kindly favor me with 
 your card ? I should be much pleased to know to 
 whom I am indebted for this kindness," and at the 
 same time he handed me his own. 
 
 I did as he requested, and, as I closed the door of 
 the carriage after him, the younger lady raised her 
 veil, and, for an instant before they drove away, gave 
 me a glimpse of an attractive face. 
 
 I had not a moment to spare, so I hailed the first 
 stage that would take me to the neighborhood of the 
 pier from which the steamer was to sail, and suc- 
 ceeded in reaching it just in time, for I had scarcely 
 gained her deck before the hawsers were cast off, 
 and the vessel backed slowly out into the stream. 
 
 With some anxiety as to whether my luggage 
 had arrived — which I had forwarded before break- 
 fast from the hotel — I went at once to my state- 
 room, where I was relieved to find it all safely 
 packed away as I had ordered. 
 
 After a hasty survey of my nan'ow and rather un- 
 savory quarters, I lighted a cigar and strolled up on 
 deck to enjoy the sail down that beautiful bay with 
 which I was not altogether unfamiliar. It was a 
 perfect November noon ; the air as clear as a bell. 
 
10 EUSTIS. 
 
 The sails and rigging of the vessels, and the out- 
 lines of the forts and headlands, stood out sharp and 
 well-defined against the deep blue sky, that gave its 
 color to the water ; and the little waves glittered 
 and danced, as they rose to the northwest wind. 
 
 I had been standing for some time by the rail on 
 the quarter-deck, lost in the scene about me, when I 
 heard a voice at my shoulder say, with an exclama- 
 tion of surprise, " Why, Harry Strong ! you here ? " 
 and turning, I discovered it to be that of Frederick 
 Brown, an old schoolmate of mine, but a man whom 
 I had seldom met of late years. He had been born 
 and bred in the village near our country place, and, 
 although we had never been intimate, I had known 
 him all my life. 
 
 "Well, this is good luck!" he said; "I was 
 afraid I should find no one I knew on board. As 
 soon as I arrived I went to the passenger list to read 
 the names, and I wondered if the "H. Strong" 
 might not possibly be you ; so I was on the lookout 
 for you, and I thought I saw all the people come up 
 the plank, but somehow I missed you. When did 
 you come ? Where are you going ? " Upon my ex- 
 plaining the cause of my arrival at the last moment, 
 he went on. "Well, that's the reason, then, for 
 when the bell rang I went to look after my things ; 
 I was afraid, you know, some one might run ashore 
 with them just as the steamer was leaving. So you 
 
 are going to ? Well, I am also, if this old 
 
 craft ever manages to get there, for I don't think 
 she looks very new and strong, do you ? " 
 
EUSTI8. 11 
 
 « To tell you the truth," I answered, " I have not 
 thought much about it. I should judge, however, 
 that she is seaworthy enough." 
 
 " Well," he replied, " I must say I don't much 
 like her looks. Then the staterooms and the berths 
 are so small, and it smells so downstairs ! But that 
 does not so much matter, for I shall pass most of 
 my time on deck. This is my first experience of the 
 sea, you know, and, in fact, I was never before even 
 inside of one of these steamei'^. I almost wish now, 
 I had gone by land, but I wanted to try the life, you 
 see ; and, besides, the doctor thought the sea air 
 might do me good. It was the doctor, you know, 
 who ordered me to go South, or I never should have 
 done it, for I don't like either the country or the 
 people — to be sure I have met very few Southern- 
 ers — but, then, I understand just what they are." 
 
 " Perhaps," I put in, as he paused to take breath, 
 ''l^erhaps, you will change your mind when you 
 come to know them better." 
 
 "O no, I shan't," he replied. "1 know them 
 through and through. I haven't read the papers for 
 the last ten years for nothing ! Still, I intend to 
 judge for myself and entirely without prejudice, and 
 I expect to take very careful notes of all I see and 
 hear. I hope I shall have the good fortune to meet 
 some rebel generals, for I should like so much to 
 hear what they have to say about our march to the 
 sea, and our taking of Vicksburg and Richmond ! I 
 think they cannot fail to have a certain amount of 
 admiration and respect for both Sherman and Grant, 
 
12 EUSTI8, 
 
 don't you ? Halloo ! we're almost out to sea, aren't 
 we ? I say, Strong, do you suppose it will rock a 
 great deal more than this, when we get out of sight 
 of land ? I don't believe I shall be sick, though, do 
 you ? Yf hy, I have been out rowing sometimes 
 when it was really very rough, and I didn't mind it 
 in the least. I think I'll go downstairs now, and 
 look for my pipe, but I'll be back in a few minutes." 
 And so my loquacious friend left me. 
 
 Fred Brown was a man of about my own age ; 
 tall and slight, and with rather sloping shoulders. 
 His complexion, hair, and moustache were all of a 
 like neutral yellow tint; his forehead was high, 
 but narrow ; his features sharp 5 and the eyeglasses, 
 that he habitually wore, added to his general air of 
 inquisitiveness. He and I had gone to the same 
 school when we were boys, but in early life our 
 paths had separated, and now I suspected that there 
 must be as little sympathy between us in our thoughts 
 and tastes, as there had been similarity in our lives 
 and surroundings. 
 
 Fred, after graduating with honors from our 
 Normal School, had obtained a good position as 
 teacher at an Academy in one of the neighboring 
 towns ; but, as I learned from him afterwards, the 
 sedentary life had undermined his naturally some- 
 what weak constitution, until his doctor had in- 
 sisted upon the necessity of rest and a winter in a 
 milder climate. Thus his days had been passed, 
 until now, in a small provincial circle, and his mind 
 had had every opportunity to sink deeper and deeper 
 into its narrow ruts. 
 
EUSTIS. 13 
 
 He had always been a hard worker, and when a 
 boy at school had often, at trying times, helped me 
 with my arithmetic, in which I was backward for 
 my age. I had not forgotten it, and still felt a cer- 
 tain sense of gratitude towards hlxr., for having saved 
 me from many an hour of confinement after school, 
 and more than one sound flogging. 
 
14 EUSTIS, 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CAPTAIN LEE. 
 
 TN the mean time we had left far astern the last 
 points of land that guarded the harbor's mouth, and 
 were racing with the following waves and winds for 
 the ojjen sea. The foresail was set to speed the ves- 
 sel on; and she rose and fell with easy motion to the 
 ground-swell that rolled in from the eastward, pos- 
 sibly the forerunner of a storm. 
 
 When at length I arose from my seat to stroll 
 about the deck, I recognized at a distance the 
 gentleman to whom, in the morning, I had given 
 my carriage. He was standing near the wheelhouse, 
 looking out over the vast plain that stretched away 
 to the southward and eastward. I was not sur- 
 prised to see him, for, without giving it much 
 thought, I had felt instinctively that we should 
 meet again. 
 
 When we parted I had been so much absorbed in 
 the idea of making my own connections, that I had 
 thrust his card hastily into my pocket, and now, with 
 a slight feeling of curiosity, I drew it out to look at 
 it. It read. Captain George Lee — and the name did 
 not sound unfamiliar, though at the moment I could 
 not remember where I had heard it. 
 
 Meanwhile, the captain had turned from his con- 
 
EUSTIS. 15 
 
 templation of the sea, and came towards me. When 
 he drew near, he recognized me at once, and stopped 
 to speak. 
 
 " Well, sir " he said with pleasant dignity, " I am 
 surprised and pleased to meet my good Samaritan 
 so soon again, and to have the opportunity of 
 thanking him for his kindness this morning ! " 
 
 " Don't mention it " I replied, " I am happy to have 
 been of service to you." 
 
 *'I see by your card," he continued, "that your 
 name is Henry Strong. Is it possible you are the 
 son of Harry Strong of Ingleside ? " 
 
 Upon my answering in the affirmative, his face 
 lighted up with unfeigned interest. 
 
 " Well, then, I am truly delighted to meet you. 
 Your father and I were great friends some thirty or 
 forty years ago. I was a young lieutenant in the navy 
 and stationed at Washington, where, as you know, 
 he passed several years in his official capacity. We 
 saw much of each other and became fast friends. 
 He was one of the best fellows, and most honorable 
 gentlemen, I ever met. Why, did you never hear 
 him speak of me ? " 
 
 " My father died when I was very young, I said, 
 " perhaps you did not hear of it ? " 
 
 " O yes, I did, poor fellow, but time flies by on 
 such swift wings with us old people, that I did not 
 realize it could have been so many years ago. He 
 was about your age, or younger, when I first knew 
 him, and a fine manly looking fellow. You may 
 well be proud, sir, to have inherited something of his 
 
16 EUSTIS. 
 
 expression and figure, though, perhaps, not his perfect 
 regularity of feature," and the old gentleman looked 
 at me so critically and gravely, that I felt somewhat 
 abashed. " He was a great favorite among us naval 
 officers, and was equally favored by the ladies. We 
 were both young and unmarried then, you know. 
 Perhaps you never heard that I acted as his second 
 in that little difficulty of his with Labouchere, 
 of New Orleans. No? Duelling was not common 
 even then among Northerners, and I am glad to 
 think it is going out of fashion everywhere in these 
 days. But there may be circumstances under which 
 it is unavoidable, and if ever a man acted with honor 
 and dignity your father did, sir ! The young lady, 
 however, was much to blame, as is so often the 
 case ! Ah, there's the loud tocsin sounding the alarm ! 
 We must secure our places at the table. It will 
 give me great pleasure, after dinner, to present you 
 to Mrs. Lee and my daughter." So we separated 
 at the foot of the staircase, the captain going in 
 search of his ladies, and I to my stateroom. 
 
 The captain's face and manner had greatly pre- 
 possessed me. I felt much interested in his conversa- 
 tion, as in everything that touched my father and 
 his life, whose memory I had from boyhood inter- 
 woven with virtue and honor, and every manly grace, 
 and now my feelings warmed towards the man whose 
 affectionate reminiscences tallied in a measure with 
 my ideal. 
 
 After dinner, I went again on deck in search of 
 my new friend. I espied Brown leaning over the 
 
EUSTI8, 17 
 
 rail near the gangway, watching the mate counting 
 the knots as the sailors drew in the log-line, and 
 was not sorry to escape his notice ! 
 
 I soon found Ca^^tain Lee and his party, comfort- 
 ably seated in wraps and sea-chairs. When he saw 
 me, he got up and introduced me to his wife and 
 daughter, and drawing to his side a vacant chair 
 bade me to be seated. 
 
 " This is our friend of the morning, Mrs Lee, and 
 as good luck Avould have it, the son of Henry Strong, 
 of whom you so often have heard me speak. Sit 
 down and let me offer you a cigar. The ladies are 
 quite used to it, I assure you. In fact, they like it." 
 
 I always do smoke at sea, and though the after- 
 dinner cigar is the pleasantest of the day, on this 
 occasion I denied myself the luxury, whether from 
 politeness, or the desire of making a good impression 
 on the ladies, I am not prepared to say. 
 
 Mrs. Lee was an aristocratic looking woman ; with 
 regular features that showed signs of beauty in her 
 youth. Her eyes were good and her smile, though 
 rare, was pleasant and disclosed a set of white and 
 perfect teeth. But there were careworn wrinkles 
 about her face, and its expression in repose was re- 
 served and melancholy. 
 
 As to her daughter, how shall I describe her? I 
 cannot with justice. Her eyes were brown and 
 fringed with long dark lashes ; her nose was straight 
 and delicate ; and her mouth well shaped, not small, 
 but ever varying in its expression. Her complexion 
 was almost that of a brunette, but the brown in her 
 
18 EUSTIS. 
 
 cheeks changed softly to a snowy white at throat 
 and temples. Her hair, too, was brown, and fell in 
 waves above her broad white forehead. She was 
 above the average height, and her figure, rather 
 slight than stout, was simply perfect; well de- 
 veloi^ed, but still having lost nothing of its childish 
 grace. 
 
 After the usual commonplaces that follow an in- 
 troduction, giving time for that first survey of face, 
 dress, voice, and attitude, from which deductions of 
 character are often so erroneously drawn, Mrs. Lee 
 said, — 
 
 " I suppose, Mr. Strong, you are going to Florida 
 for the winter. It is becoming more poj^ular with 
 Northerners every year." 
 
 " So I have heard," I answered, " and perhaps I 
 shall get a chance to run down there for a while, but 
 
 now I am on my way to , I expect to pass the 
 
 winter with a friend of mine who has a rice plantation 
 near there, — James Eustis, perhaps you may have 
 heard of him?" 
 
 " Jim Eustis ! " exclaimed the captain, " why, his 
 plantation is next to ours, in Churchill County. 
 Know Jim! We have all known him from the 
 cradle up, haven't we Mary ? " 
 
 " Well, hardly that," answered Miss Lee smiling. 
 
 "Jim and I are great friends," continued the 
 captain, " he is one of the best fellows that ever lived. 
 Many's the good hunt we have had together, and will 
 have still, I hope. Do you remember, Mary, that mag- 
 nificent buck we brought home last Christmas morn- 
 
IJUSTIS. 19 
 
 ing ? — O no ! I forgot, you were away at school — ^but 
 your mother remembers. It was one of the largest 
 ever shot in the county. It weighed, dressed, forty 
 pounds to the quarter. His antlers were perfect. 
 Why, when Jim and I hauled him by a rope up 
 into a tree, to keep him from the hounds till the cart 
 came, he looked as large as one of our native cows ; 
 and we shot him, too, within half a mile of The Oaks ! 
 He came out of the thicket within twenty yards of 
 me, right in the ' open ' — and I gave him a regular 
 •broadside ! He bounded away like a shot from a 
 cannon and did not fall till just after passing Jim ; 
 but, bless you ! I couldn't have missed him ! Jim 
 didn't say so — but I saw he thought he did the kill- 
 ing! However, he is, perhaps, just the least trifle 
 conceited about his shooting ! It's natural enough, 
 you know ! He's young, and certainly an excellent 
 shot ! Well, sir, if you are fond of sport, we will 
 give you some fine hunting and fishing before you 
 leave us." 
 
 I expressed my liking for sport of all kinds, 
 but, at the same time, my doubts as to the result of 
 my inexperience in an unfamiliar country ; and on 
 this and kindred subjects, the captain and I talked 
 for half an hour or more. Sport was evidently a 
 theme he loved, but I judged from his conversation, 
 that, although an ardent, he had not been an alto- 
 gether successful huntsman. 
 
 At length we were interrupted by Mrs. Lee, who 
 claimed the captain's services to unlock a refractory 
 trunk and they left us, having first asked me to 
 
20 EUSTI8. 
 
 arrange a blanket shawl which they insisted their 
 daughter must add to the burden of her wraps. 
 The task was not an unpleasant one, and in retalia- 
 tion for a little laugh on her part, at my clumsiness, 
 I securely pinioned both her hands and feet in its 
 generous folds. 
 
 " You have indeed made me your prisoner," she 
 said, looking up at me with a smile. 
 
 " Then I should, no doubt, consider myself very 
 fortunate," I answered lightly. Her smile vanished 
 as I spoke, and fearing that she thought my remark 
 impertinent, I added soberly, — 
 
 " I will set you free at once, if you wish me to." 
 
 " Oh, no ! " she replied, " I am very comfortable. 
 Is not the sunset lovely ? " 
 
 " Yes,^ I said, looking at the brilliant tints in sea 
 and sky. " It seems to me at this moment that I 
 never before saw a more beautiful one ; but within 
 a month I shall, no doubt, think the same of half a 
 dozen others, and the colors in the sky to-night will 
 be forgotten." 
 
 " Do they make so little impression upon you ? " 
 
 " No, they delight me while the colors last, but I 
 cannot remember them, even for their beauty, if 
 that is all ! The thoughts and feelings with which 
 they are in unison, or contrast, alone imj)ress them 
 upon my mind. Free from associations, like songs 
 without words, though 23erhaps beautiful in them- 
 selves, I soon forget them ! " 
 
 " You are very poetical ! " she said, turning from 
 the sky and glancing mischievously at me. 
 
EUSTIS, 21 
 
 " No," I replied, a little disconcerted, " I have no 
 aspirations in that direction." 
 
 " Ah ! then I was mistaken ? " she said softly, as 
 she turned to the sky again. 
 
 I felt provoked, as one does when the expression 
 of a sober thought meets suspected ridicule, al- 
 though I was aware that I had laid myself open to it. 
 
 Neither spoke for a few moments. At length 
 she said, — 
 
 " So this is your first visit to the South, Mr. 
 Strong?" 
 
 "Yes ; and I have looked forward to it with the 
 greatest pleasure. It will have all the novelty of a 
 visit to a foreign country, with the additional advan- 
 tage of being able to use one's own tongue." 
 
 " I suppose you expect to find a land of barba- 
 rians?" 
 
 " Oh, no ! " I said laughing. " Some of my best 
 friends have been Southerners, and they were much 
 like the rest of the civilized world. I suppose I 
 shall find many customs and peculiarities that may 
 or may not please me ; but then, you see, whatever 
 I like I shall call American, and what I disapprove, 
 Southern ! " 
 
 "Then I shall always look for compliments in 
 your disapprobation," she answered, smiling at me 
 over the top of her blanket shawl. 
 
 " Of course you will never merit it," I said. 
 
 "Which?" she asked quickly, "the compli- 
 ments or the disapprobation? With your assist- 
 ance I will leave you now. Will you carry some 
 
22 EUSTIS. 
 
 of these things below for me ? Thank you," she 
 said, as I unwound the shawl and she arose. *'I 
 shall have to trouble you to give me your arm, the 
 vessel is rolling so ! " And with steps worthy of 
 Bacchanals we crossed the deck to the companion- 
 way. 
 
 " I know you will be very glad to leave me," she 
 added, as we parted at the foot of the staircase. 
 " Now you can smoke your cigar in peace, and you 
 have just time before tea. I suppose," she con- 
 tinued, hesitating for a moment, "you could not 
 get a seat at the captain's table ? " 
 
 " I shall certainly do my best to secure one to- 
 night," I replied, feeling flattered by her apparent 
 interest. 
 
 " Yes, do," she said, " and please take the seat 
 just opposite mine, for a German sat there at 
 dinner, and distressed me by trying to commit 
 suicide with his knife ! " and with an amused smile 
 she left me. 
 
 I lighted my cigar and went on deck again, to 
 think over my new friends. My thoughts centred 
 on the youngest of the party, and I found myself 
 dwelling upon the fulness of her voice and the 
 sweetness of her southern accent. Her ease of 
 manner and her grace, struck me as strange in a 
 young girl, and there was a touch of satire, or 
 coquetry, perhaps, in her words that piqued and at 
 the same time interested me. 
 
 After much idle speculation, I concluded that I 
 should find no pleasanter occupation for the next 
 
EUSTIS. 23 
 
 few days, than to study this new and beautiful 
 creation. How many have spent the best years of 
 their lives far less distractingly, and to as little pur- 
 pose ! 
 
 That evening, although the German's seat was 
 empty, I did not avail myself of the opportunity, 
 but took my place at the lower end of the saloon. 
 
 Outside of my few friends, the ship's company 
 was not an interesting one, composed chiefly of 
 German Jews, travelling salesmen, and consump- 
 tives in every stage of the disease, in search of that 
 which many of them had never lost, and few would 
 ever find. Nor was the ship's "cuisine" out of 
 keeping with her company. There was no lack in 
 the number of the dishes, but they were unsavory 
 to the palate, as unappetizing to the eye. 
 
 After supper, I returned to the upper deck. It 
 was a starlight night with scarce a breath of air 
 stirring. The steamer rolled lazily along, leaving a 
 snowy wake on the black surface of the water. As 
 I strolled about the deck, smoking, I saw Brown in 
 the wheelhouse, immersed in the charts or compasses. 
 I left him undisturbed, and having caught a glimpse, 
 in the darkness, of my Southern friends sitting near 
 the stern I joined them. 
 
 The Captain did his full share of the talking that 
 night, for the rest of our little party was in a quiet 
 mood, induced by the starlight overhead, and the 
 easy sway of the vessel. I enjoyed listening to his 
 many stories of adventure. How narrowly he had 
 escaped in the dead of night, in swift blockade 
 
24 EUSTIS. 
 
 runners, through the ironclad fleets that guarded 
 the Southern coast, and how once, in broad daylight, 
 on finding a squadron stationed at the mouth of the 
 harbor which he was about to enter, he had hoisted 
 the Union Jack, put on a full head of steam, made 
 straight for the Flag Ship, run close under her port 
 guns, " And, by jove, sir ! you would hardly believe 
 it, but I had passed into the harbor and reached 
 the cover of the forts, before they had sufficiently 
 recovered from their surprise to give me a parting 
 shot ! " 
 
 It needed only an occasional word to lead him on, 
 and this I was ever ready to supply. 
 
 At length, however, as the night wore on and the 
 deck was deserted by all but ourselves, the Captain 
 said, turning to his daughter, — 
 
 "Now, Mary dear, give us a little song before 
 we turn in for the night." 
 
 " Perhaps Mr. Strong does not care for singing, 
 papa," she replied. 
 
 " Try me," I said, " and see if I am not a good 
 listener." 
 
 She did not answer, but shortly after began to 
 sing, in a full mellow mezzo-soprano voice, — 
 
 " When stars are in the quiet sky." 
 
 It was an old song, familiar to me from child- 
 hood, but I had never before heard it sung so 
 sweetly. When she had finished, I waited a mo- 
 ment, and then said, " I am very fond of those old- 
 time songs. Won't you sing again ? " 
 
EUSTIS. "26 
 
 " Certainly, if you wish it," she answered simply, 
 and again her sweet voice filled the night air. This 
 time she sang the old love song, — 
 
 " I do not love thee ! No, I do not love thee ! 
 But yet when thou art absent — I am sad, 
 And envy e'en the bright blue sky above thee, 
 Whose quiet stars may see thee — and be glad. 
 
 ** I do not love thee ! Yet, when thou art gone, 
 
 I hate the sound, though those who speak be dear, 
 That breaks the lingering echo of the tone 
 Thy voice of music leaves upon mine ear ! 
 
 " I do not love thee ! Yet, I know not why, 
 
 Whate'er thou dost seems still well done to me, 
 And often in my solitude I sigh, 
 That those I do love — are not more like thee ! '* 
 
 Her voice was not, perhaps, very highly cultivated, 
 but rich and sympathetic ; one that once heard 
 could not be easily forgotten. 
 
 " Bravo, Mary ! " said the Captain, " you sing 
 almost as well as your mother did at your age ! 
 Come, now, we must all go below or we shall have 
 to get to bed in the dark, for they turn the lights 
 out at ' five bells.' " 
 
 Little else was said. I helped them with their 
 shawls down the companion-way, and retired to 
 my stateroom with the music still ringing in my 
 ears I 
 
26 EUSTIS, 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE SOUTHEASTER. 
 
 T PASSED many hours of the next day with my 
 new acquaintances, and by sunset we had be- 
 come almost like old friends, such, at least, was the 
 case with the Captain and myself. As it is so apt to 
 be with officers of the navy, he was genial and talk- 
 ative, and with a large fund of general information 
 gathered from experience and ready observation. 
 His anecdotes and reminiscences, and his broad 
 views, the result of a long and varied intercourse 
 with men and countries, made him an agreeable 
 companion. 
 
 Mrs. Lee I found it difficult to know, as she was 
 quiet and reserved, but Mary and I rapidly estab- 
 lished ourselves upon a friendly footing, as young 
 people so naturally do when thrown together on 
 shipboard. She had left school the previous spring, 
 and had passed the summer travelling about the 
 North. The coming winter was to be her first in 
 society, and she was full of girlish anticipations. 
 
 Thus far our passage had been smooth, with light 
 following winds, but during the second night we 
 doubled Cape Hatteras, and came into the teeth of 
 a southeaster. The good ship plunged fearlessly on, 
 rocking and pitching greatly to the discomfort of 
 
EUSTIS. 27 
 
 her passengers ; and late on the following moraing 
 I found Fred Brown still m his berth. He had not 
 "turned out," though it was nearly noontime, and 
 was in a most pitiable and helpless condition. 
 What little it was possible to do for him, I did, and 
 promising to return again in the course of an hour 
 or so, I went in search of the Lees. 
 
 Mrs. Lee was in lier stateroom, Avith the Captain in 
 attendance, from whom I learned that Mary was on 
 deck. Thinking that it might be of use I took from 
 my stateroom a double blanket shawl, and went to 
 find her. The vessel was rolling heavily as I made 
 my way along the slippery deck to the leeward of 
 the wheelhouse where Miss Lee was sitting alono, 
 watching the gray sky and the foaming waves as 
 they rushed past. Excitement had heightened the 
 color in her cheeks, and the smoke of the south- 
 easter had gathered in tiny drops upon the waving 
 hair above her forehead. At times the jealous wind 
 swept in among her shawls as if determined to tear 
 them from her ; but she only clasped them more 
 tightly about her, and, with lips compressed, looked 
 defiantly into the storm. 
 
 " You are having quite a little battle with the ele- 
 ments this morning. You are very brave," I said, 
 when I reached her side. She had been loo busily 
 engaged to see me coming, but when I spoke she 
 turned to me with a quick smile, — " You must use 
 my shawl," I continued. " You are not properly 
 protected from these blasts of wind and rain," and 
 I becran to wind it around her. 
 
28 ELfSTIS. 
 
 " I will not take it all, Mr. Strong, you must uso 
 the rest, I insist upon it," she expostulated, before I 
 had done. I did not require to be urged, and drawing 
 \ip a chair I sat down beside her, and held the re- 
 jected end about me. After all a storm at sea may- 
 have its bright side. What a pleasant talk we had ! 
 The wildness of the elements quieted us both, and 
 our conversation took that meditative tone that 
 seems to draw people near together. I caught little 
 glimpses of her inner life and mind, and feared lest 
 some inadvertent word might break the gentle cur- 
 rent of her thoughts. At length she said in a low 
 voice, — 
 
 " Were you very bitter against the South during 
 the war?" 
 
 " Plow could I have been, with some of my best 
 friends in the Southern army? No, I supposed it 
 a social crisis that sooner or later must inevita- 
 bly be reached. I deprecated the causes that led 
 to it, and forced the settlement to one of arms. 
 But when arbitration was no longer possible, I 
 naturally desired the success of the Northern 
 armies. The whole thing was terribly sad to me, 
 and the South fighting as they did, or thought 
 themselves to be, for their homes and constitutional 
 rights, were never without my sympathy. We both 
 have much to forgive, but your part is far the 
 hardest ! " 
 
 " Perhaps, then, after all we can be friends," she 
 said quietly. 
 
 " Why do you doubt it for a moment ? " 
 
EUSTIS. 29 
 
 " I have always said I could never like a ISTorth- 
 erner, and those that have come among us since the 
 war have not lessened my prejudices." 
 
 "Believe me," I answered warmly, and with a 
 touch of satire, "there are many good and consci- 
 entious gentlemen north of Mason and Dixon's 
 line ! " 
 
 " I do not doubt it, but their ideas and education 
 are. so different from ours, that we seem to have no 
 common ground to stand upon." 
 
 "We have at least the common ground of all hu- 
 manity, truth and honor! and what is more, the 
 same religion, and the same blood ! " 
 
 " Yes, but when I remember all the sufferings of 
 our people, I find it hard to believe there can be 
 anything good in those who brought them upon us ! " 
 
 " Well," I said, turning it off with a smile, " let 
 us not discuss it. It is useless. Forget that I am 
 a Northerner ; or, if that is asking too much, try to 
 think that one of them, at least, may not be so very 
 horrid and wicked. Will you not promise to try to 
 be my friend ? " 
 
 " No, I shall make no rash promises — I shall treat 
 you simply as you deserve." 
 
 " Then I am confident you will become very fond 
 of me before the winter is over ! " said I laughing. 
 
 " You take altogether too much for granted ! " she 
 answered with some spirit. 
 
 " Not at all, for whether I deserve it or not, you 
 shall like me before the winter is over, if I wish you 
 to ! " I replied with quiet impertinence. ^ 
 
30 EtlSTia, 
 
 " Your present tone, certainly, is not likely to in- 
 crease my admiration ! " 
 
 " Then the simple truth is distasteful to you ! " I 
 coolly answered. 
 
 "No, I like to hear the truth when I can recog- 
 nize it as such, but your presumption is most dis- 
 agreeable ! " 
 
 I saw the rising flush upon her cheek but could 
 not resist the temptation to continue, — 
 
 "You are unjustly severe. I simply said " 
 
 " I do not wish to hear what you said ; it was 
 not worthy of repetition ! " 
 
 " There again you are unjust, for I am certain it 
 was no presumption on my part to say, that if I 
 wished, I could make you like me ! I really have 
 hardly tried to make myself agreeable yet, you 
 know, and still I think already you rather fancy 
 me!" 
 
 " I hate you ! " she exclaimed, turning upon me 
 with flashing eyes, and at the same time trying to 
 rise from her seat. 
 
 "Wait a moment" I said with imperturbable 
 gravity and slowly freeing my end of the shawl, " I 
 hope you will give me full credit for my gallantry 
 in releasing you ! " 
 
 " I shall give you full credit for your impertinence, 
 sir, you may be sure ! " she answered, drawing her- 
 self up with angry dignity, " I am ashamed of hav- 
 ing listened to you so long. No I thank you " she 
 added, rejecting my proffered arm, " I can manage 
 very well for myself," and with hesitating, unsteady 
 
EUSTIS. HI 
 
 steps, she started towards the companionway. I 
 followed near at hand, but without speaking. She 
 had almost reached it when the vessel gave a sud- 
 den lurch, and in an instant she had lost her bal- 
 ance. I sprung forward, and bracing myself as best 
 I could, caught her in my arms, saving her from an 
 ugly fall against the bulwarks. For a moment her 
 face was close to mine, and her hair touched my 
 cheek ! She hurriedly disengaged herself and re- 
 gained her feet. 
 
 " I suppose I must say thank you," she said turn- 
 ing her flushed face towards me, and with a look in 
 her eyes that spoke of anything but thanks. 
 
 "Don't mention it." I answered "it must be 
 so very disagreeable to feel under an obligation to 
 a man you hate ! " 
 
 "It is, I assure you," she said with much as- 
 perity. " I would infinitely rather have fallen ! " 
 
 Her eyes were brimming with tears of indigna- 
 tion as she spoke. 
 
 " Very well, on the next occasion I will be more 
 considerate of your feelings," I answered as she 
 turned away. We had now reached the compan- 
 ion-way and there we parted without another word. 
 
 When left to my own reflections I was not par- 
 ticularly proud of the part I had acted ; in fact, I 
 went so far as to call myself names. Yet, still, 
 there lurked within, that certain satisfaction which 
 the evil-minded feel on having been successfully 
 aggravating. Then, too, her beauty in her anger 
 harmonized so well with the grandeur of the angry 
 
32 EUSTIS. 
 
 sea! Plowever, what had it profited me ? The dislike 
 of an attractive woman; the loss of an agreeable 
 companion, and much introspection not altogether 
 flattering to my self-esteem. 
 
 In penance 1 23assed the remainder of the day in 
 the lugubrious company of my friend Brown, who 
 had not sufficiently recovered to leave his stateroom, 
 and I was rewarded before nightfall by drawing him 
 into a talkative and cheerful frame of mind. 
 
 " By the way. Strong," he asked, " who are those 
 people I have seen you with so much ? " 
 
 " Well," he continued after my reply, " the Captain 
 is a fine looking man and his daughter is certainly a 
 beauty; but they all look awfully proud; did they 
 own slaves ? Two or three hundred ! I wonder if 
 they used to sell them and divide up their families 
 like a herd of cattle ? It is really dreadful to think 
 how they treated those poor creatures, breaking up 
 their homes and domestic ties without pity ; selling 
 their wives and daughters naked in the market- 
 place ; and separating the fathers and mothers from 
 their children, just as if they had no human affec- 
 tions. I should be much obliged if you would in- 
 troduce me to Captain Lee. I should like to ask 
 him a few questions about slavery. If he is a man 
 of sense, I think I could persuade him how bad the 
 system was and how fortunate it was for the honor 
 of the country that the North took the cause of 
 the persecuted negro in hand." 
 
 " I think, perhaps, you would waste your sjm- 
 pathy, on those that belonged to the Laptain, at 
 
JEUSTIS. 33 
 
 least, for he tells me nearly all his old slaves are 
 still with him." 
 
 " Then it is only because they were brought up 
 in too much ignorance to appreciate liberty when 
 they got it." 
 
 " Perhaps, on the other hand, it was because they 
 had sufficient sense to appreciate the comforts of 
 their old home, and the kindness of their master." 
 
 " I doubt it," said Brown, with a sagacious shake 
 of his yellow head. , 
 
 " Well, I will give you a chance to talk the matter 
 over with the Captain to-morrow, if I can get you 
 on your feet again, and now the best thing for you 
 is a long night's rest. The wind is going down, and 
 1 hope for fair weather by sunrise." 
 
 "I trust you are right, for they say to-morrow 
 evening we may get in. I woidd not, for anything, 
 miss seeing the coast and harbor, and especially the 
 old fort at its mouth. They say our batteries just 
 knocked it all to pieces." 
 
 " Good night. I will look in in the morning and 
 see how you are getting on. Don't try to read any 
 more to-night. Sleep is the medicine you need, and 
 the biijirer the dose the better." 
 
 That evening Miss Lee did not appear on deck. 
 The Captain told me she was not feeling well, and 
 insisted upon sitting with her mother. He, too, 
 turned in early, and as the solitude of the dark 
 night and wet decks depressed me, I, soon after, 
 flung my damp cigar into the phosphorescent sea 
 and betook myself to a land of disquieting dreams. 
 
84 EU8TIS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 AT ANCHOR. 
 
 f\^ the following morning the sun rose in a clear 
 ^^ sky, as I had hoijed. There were more strag- 
 glers on deck than during the previous day, but the 
 sea was still too rough to tempt the timid from 
 below. 
 
 The seagulls followed us, now high in air and 
 again swooj^ing down into our smooth wake. 
 
 I was standing well aft, with several other men, 
 watching their graceful flight, when Brown sug- 
 gested shooting at them ; so I offered them the use 
 of my rifle, and brought it from my stateroom. 
 
 There was much joking and laughing over the 
 frequent failures of the party, till at last Brown, 
 who had missed a gull that was floating very near 
 us on the water, said, handing the rifle to me with 
 an expression of disgust, — 
 
 " Come, Strong, take your old gun and show us 
 how to use it." 
 
 K )W I was, or thought myself, a good shot, and 
 this WCLS my pet Winchester, so taking it with some 
 confidence, I said, — 
 
 " Very well, gentlemen, I'll wager the cigars that 
 I can bring down that large dark fellow, flying just 
 above the others ! " 
 
EUSTIS, 35 
 
 " Taken ! " exclaimed two or three voices at 
 once. 
 
 I threw the rifle to my shoulder and was on the 
 point of firing, when I was stopped hj a light touch 
 upon my arm and a woman's voice saying, — 
 
 " Please don't, Mr. Strong." 
 
 "Certainly not, if you object," I answered, at 
 once lowering my rifle, as I recognized Miss Lee, 
 and before I could say more, she had thanked me 
 quickly and crossed the deck, to where she and her 
 mother had been sitting unobserved. 
 
 My companions, disconcerted at this sudden in- 
 terruption of their sport, stood gazing rather blankly 
 and in silence at each other and the gulls. " Well, 
 gentlemen," I said, laughing, "I certainly owe you 
 the cigars," and after a few words more I left the 
 group, to return the ill-used Winchester to its case. 
 
 When I was going below, Brown reminded me 
 of my promise to introduce him to Captain Lee, 
 and added, — 
 
 " I say. Strong, why do you suppose Miss Lee 
 stopped our shooting ? " 
 
 " I have no idea," I replied, " but perhaps you 
 will have a chance to ask her yourself this after- 
 noon." 
 
 So, after dinner, as I happened to see the Lees sit- 
 ting together, I hunted up Brown and having warned 
 him not to be too severe in his comments on the 
 past, I gave him, with some misgivings, the intro- 
 duction he desired. 
 
 The captain shook Brown cordially by the hand, 
 
36 EUSTIS. 
 
 and said he was glad to meet any friend of mine. 
 The ladies too received him kindly. 
 
 I felt doubtful how Miss Lee would treat me 
 after yesterday's little passage at arms, and, think- 
 ing it best to be on the safe side, I conferred the 
 pleasure of her society upon Brown, and tried to give 
 my own attention to her parents. 
 
 However, after awhile, I could not help listening 
 to the talk of the younger people and I heard Brown 
 say, — " Well, Miss Lee you spoiled some good shoot- 
 ing this morning." 
 
 " Did I ? " she answered smiling, " I really was 
 not aware of it." 
 
 " You are undoubtedly right," he replied, " if you 
 judge only by the results. But two of those men 
 are regular out-and-out sportsmen. Really their 
 stories of hunting experiences are awfully interesting. 
 They tell me they have shot no end of buffaloes, 
 and that sort of thing, out West." 
 
 " Probably they were not used to such small 
 game as that of to-day ! " 
 
 " I guess you must be right," he answered reflec- 
 tively, and added, " I suppose you don't approve of 
 sport ! " 
 
 " O yes, I do, my father is a devoted sportsman. 
 I have grown up in the midst of it." 
 
 " Then, why did you stop us this morning ? " 
 
 "01 do not consider that sport at all, simply 
 to kill for diversion, with no hope or desire of re- 
 covering your game ! " 
 
 " Then, I suppose, you take the ground that noth^ 
 
EUSTIS. 87 
 
 ing should be killed unless for self-protection or for 
 food," he answered, waxing argumentative, " now 
 I think I can show you there are other politico-econ- 
 omical reasons, even stronger than those you have 
 mentioned." 
 
 "Pardon me, Mr. Brown," she said, laughing 
 good-humoredly, "I mentioned no reason. In fact, 
 I doubt if I have any. I am not at all logical, but 
 some things strike me instinctively as cruel. I will 
 grant that I am entirely wrong and unreasonable, 
 rather than argue the point. I feel certain I should 
 have the worst of it, and you know when women 
 are argued down they become very dangerous and 
 fly to their only safe refuge, — personalities." 
 
 " Certainly we won't discuss it, if you don't wish 
 to, but I heard a very interesting lecture on that 
 subject, and thought I might give you one or two 
 rather good hints about it." 
 
 " Well hints have never been good friends of 
 mine — for, do you know, whenever I have felt in- 
 clined to give them, I have found the mind that 
 provokes the hint is incapable of understanding it." 
 
 "Yes, I think I agree with you," he replied. 
 
 "And few hints, on any subject, are of themselves 
 of value, only the mind that diligently pursues the 
 subject can make good use of them as stepping- 
 stones or signposts. Without previous education 
 the hint falls on the sterile mind, like seed upon 
 stony ground." 
 
 " Yes, undoubtedly," she answered, with a 
 twinkle of amusement in her eye, " and by the way, 
 
38 EUSTIS. 
 
 Mr. Brown, speaking of signposts, it is time our sign- 
 post, the lightship off the shoals, should be in sight, 
 is it not?" 
 
 "01 had forgotten about it ! Why, yes," 
 looking at his watch, " it ought, by the purser's time, 
 to have been in sight for the last half hour. 
 Please excuse me," he added, rising hastily. "I 
 must go and see about it at once ! " And with an 
 air of importance that augured ill for the keeper of 
 the lightship if he did not bring his vessel in sight 
 at the appointed time, he bustled away towards the 
 wheelhouse. 
 
 At the same time,. the Captain and Mrs. Lee went 
 forward to watch a pilot boat that was bearing 
 down upon us, and Mary and I were left alone to- 
 gether. I felt heartily ashamed of my yesterday's 
 conduct and would gladly have begged forgiveness, 
 if I had not feared my overtures might be repulsed. 
 Thus for a few minutes we sat in silence, Mary 
 looking down into her lap, and I gazing absently out 
 over the water. 
 
 At length I turned towards her, and blushing and 
 smiling she raised her eyes to mine. In a moment 
 I had moved my chair to her side, and had besought 
 the forgiveness that I knew was mine without the 
 asking. 
 
 It is rather pleasant to abase ourselves at times, 
 if only for the sake of being told that we really are 
 not quite so bad as we choose to paint ourselves, 
 and especially is this the case, when a pretty and 
 forgiving woman consents to raise us from humilia- 
 
EUSTIS. 39 
 
 tion to the level of our usual self-esteem ! However, 
 it is a pastime on no account to be indulged in, 
 without sufficiently strong grounds for thinking 
 that the helping hand will indeed be offered, and 
 that we shall not be left to brush off, unaided, the 
 mud with which we have bespattered ourselves. 
 
 At length I said, " Will you give me your hand 
 in pledge of your friendship ? " 
 
 " Yes," she answered, holding it out frankly. 
 
 I took the little outstretched hand in mine. It 
 was so white and perfect, that I could not resist 
 bending hurriedly down, and pressing it to my lips. 
 
 She drew it hastily away, and with flushed face 
 and sparkling eyes, said, " Why will you always say 
 or do something disagreeable at the very time I 
 think I almost like you ? " 
 
 " If your hand itself is not excuse sufficient, I 
 have none to offer. Indeed," I added, " you must 
 not make me unhappy. Do not be angry with me 
 so soon again. I meant no hann, but it struck me as 
 a very fitting seal for our compact of amity. Now, 
 you see, it is signed, sealed and delivered, and all in 
 your own hand ! " 
 
 " Yery well," she said, smiling again ; " I will try 
 you once more, but I have very grave doubts as to 
 how long our friendship will last. You are too 
 changeable, I fear. I like to have my friends al- 
 ways the same, and at the very least consistently 
 polite." 
 
 " I promise from this moment to be everything 
 you desire. Never disagreeable, provoking, nor 
 
40 EU8TI8. 
 
 angry, always placid and even-tempered, and while 
 you favor me by watching this glorious transforma- 
 tion, you may, at the same time, attribute it all to 
 your own iJnvarying example ! " I answered. 
 
 By this time the sun was setting, and the low 
 coast line was clearly visible on our starboard bow. 
 
 Captain Lee, passing in his perambulations, told 
 lis we should make the river's mouth by eight 
 o'clock, but owing to the tide could not run up to 
 the city before morning. Though he seemed an 
 noyed at the necessity of passing another night 
 on board, I could not respond very heartily to his re- 
 grets. In fact, it would not have worried me to 
 have been told aiir voyage must last another week. 
 
 As Mary and I sat in the twilight, I asked her 
 many questions about our mutual friend, Eustis, and 
 his family. 
 
 " You will not find him changed," she said. " He 
 is the same bright, energetic, merry fellow he has 
 always been. I am sure, after you have been with 
 him an hour you will feel as if he left you only yes- 
 terday." Then she added thoughtfully, after a mo- 
 ment's pause, " He is so kind and good to his sis- 
 ters ! " 
 
 " His elder sister, Kate, is a widow, is she not ? " 
 I asked. 
 
 " Yes, and both she and Margaret have lived with 
 him ever since their father and mother died. To be 
 sure, Mrs. Jackson has a house in the city, but she 
 passes most of her time at the plantation. Madge 
 is just my own age. She is an intimate friend of 
 
EUSTIS. 41 
 
 mine. How strange you should know Jim so well, 
 and yet never have met his sisters ! " 
 
 " I did know Mrs. Jackson years ago," I answered. 
 " While Jim and I were at school together, she 
 stayed with my sister one winter. I only recollect 
 that she was very lively and full of fun. They said 
 she was a great belle, and received no end of atten- 
 tion. Two or three men were supposed to be heart- 
 broken when she left us. But Jim and I were too 
 much absorbed in our own pursuits, then, to take 
 much interest in such things. What a fine manly 
 fellow he was ! " 
 
 This seemed to be a pleasant subject to us both, 
 and I recounted many of our youthful escapades, in 
 which Jim was always the leader. There was nothing 
 too daring and venturesome for his high spirits and 
 youthful prowess. Quick and hot-tempered, but al- 
 ways ready to repent and ask forgiveness, or ac- 
 cept apology. Wai-m in manner, and true at 
 heart ! 
 
 And as we sat there talking, how vividly I re- 
 called the scenes of the night before he left us ! A 
 dozen or more friends had met together in our col- 
 lege rooms to bid him good-by, and, in honor of the 
 occasion, a supper was spread that, to our not over 
 fastidious appetites, seemed worthy of Epicurus 
 and his disciples ! Their wines might have been 
 purer, but they did not have our Jim to mix and 
 sweeten them into that insidious punch, pronounced 
 by all the crowning effort of his life. That night he 
 was, as ever, the brightest and liveliest of our party. 
 
42 EUSTIS, 
 
 How merrily the jests went round ! Followed, per- 
 haps, by gloomy speculations of what the war might 
 bring, to be in their turn banished by the wild joke 
 and ringing laugh ! 
 
 The next day, in the gray morning, I went to the 
 railway station to see him off, and we had never 
 met again. Occasionally we had heard from one 
 another, and after the close of the war had kept up 
 a desultory correspondence. But friendship may 
 live, though correspondence dies, and my affection 
 for his warm-hearted, impulsive nature remained as 
 strong as when we parted. 
 
 At the expected time the steamer entered the 
 river's mouth, and dropped anchor in the quiet bay 
 to await the returning tide. 
 
 The few hours left were precious to me ; and, 
 after supper, Mary and I went on deck again, to 
 walk up and down in the starlight. The absence 
 of the sound of paddle-wheels and engine, which 
 for the last few days had been incessantly thudding 
 in our ears, intensified the stillness of the night. 
 There was scarce a ripple on the surface of the bay, 
 and the great beacon on the headland threw its 
 path of yellow light across the water to our feet. 
 The silence was unbroken, save by an occasional 
 bugle call from the fort hard by, or the cry of the 
 sentinel marsh-hen warning her fellows of our 
 late and mysterious arrival. 
 
 We talked long and low, not wishing to break 
 the spell of the quiet night, and once more in semi- 
 confidential utterances, dangerous to one's peace 
 
EUSTIS. 4S 
 
 of mind at all times, but oh ! how much more so, 
 when nature encourages the folly with her most 
 seductive influences. 
 
 The time flew by unheeded, and it was nearly 
 twelve before Captain Lee came to remind us of 
 the hour. But when he left us, with Mary's 
 promise to go below, we still lingered for a little 
 while. It seemed a pity that the moonlight should 
 be wasted upon the deserted decks. 
 
 At length she arose to go, and I said, half 
 jestingly, "This is the pleasantest voyage I ever 
 made. I wish it had never begun or might last a 
 lifetime." 
 
 "Unless the lifetime were very short indeed, I 
 fear you would tire of it," she answered, handing 
 me her shawl to carry. 
 
 " I hardly think so," I replied, " though, of course, 
 you may be right. However, you should have too 
 much confidence in yourself to say so ! " 
 
 "O no," she said, as we walked slowly along, 
 "it is not that, but because I have so little confi- 
 dence in man." 
 
 "I should hardly think your experience could 
 have been exhaustive," I answered. 
 
 "Perhaps not — and yet," she added seriously, 
 after a little pause, " I have little faith in their con- 
 stancy to anything, except to themselves? Their 
 professions are too ready and profuse to be sin- 
 cere ! " 
 
 "If you were forty, single, and soured, your 
 doubts might be natural enough," I answered, as we 
 
44 EU8TIS. 
 
 reached the companion-way, " but as it is they must 
 arise simply from wilfulness or inexperience ! Ah I 
 what a lovely night," I added, looking out over the 
 sparkling water, " will you not give me something 
 to remember it by ? you know my memory is very 
 poor, and I should like to remember to-night ! " 
 
 "Yes," she answered, "I will, though you are 
 not flattering ! But you must promise to return it 
 to me, if I ever ask for it," and unfastening a little 
 confederate coin from her watch chain, she handed 
 it to me, " you must not lose it," she continued, as 
 I attached it to mine, " I have had it for years and 
 years." 
 
 " I shall not lose it until I lose your friendship. 
 When you ask me to give it back, I shall know that 
 you have ceased to be my friend ! How long shall 
 I keep it?" 
 
 "No doubt longer than you deserve!" she 
 answered, holding out her hand, and bidding me 
 good night. 
 
 After she left me I stayed on deck to smoke a 
 last cigar. I felt unaccountably cheerful and 
 happy, notwithstanding the pleasant voyage was at 
 an end. I did not care to scrutinize my feelings 
 too closely — content to leave the future to itself. 
 
EU8TIS, 45 
 
 CHAPTER y. 
 
 THE EUSTISES. 
 
 TXT HEN in the morning I made my rather tardy 
 ^ ^ appearance, everything on board was in a state 
 of great disorder. The saloon was blockaded with 
 traps and luggage of every description, disgorged 
 from the adjoining staterooms. 
 
 The passengers, many of whom I had not seen 
 during the voyage, were rushing aimlessly about, 
 calling to one another and the waiters, or sitting be- 
 wildered in the midst of the confusion. 
 
 I made my way, as best I could, to the upper deck 
 and just in time to see the Lees to their carriage on 
 the wharf. 
 
 " Well, Strong," said the Captain, as he bade me 
 good-by "is there anything I can do for you?" 
 
 " Nothing, thank you," I replied, " I suppose Jim 
 will come to town in the course of the day, and look 
 me up. I shall wait for him at the hotel." 
 
 "Won't you come and breakfast with us," he 
 asked, " and let him follow if he makes his appear- 
 ance ? " 
 
 " Thank you," I answered, glancing at Mary for 
 a word of encouragement, but as she said nothing, I 
 continued, " I have so many things to attend to, it 
 will be imj)ossible this morning." 
 
46 EUSTI8. 
 
 "Well, I am sorry," he said, "but we shall soon 
 meet again. We are going out to the plantation in 
 a few days. Good-by ! Tell Jim not to make any 
 plans for hunting, without consulting me. Now 
 Moses, drive on ! " and with a smile but not a word 
 from Mary they were gone ! 
 
 As I stood watching the unfamiliar scene about 
 me, Fred Brown came rushing past, with more lug- 
 gage than he could well manage. " Halloo, Brown ! " 
 I called after him. "What's your hurry? Let 
 me take some of that burden from your over- 
 taxed shoulders ! Where are you going at such a 
 pace ? Is it the returning appetite, anxious to make 
 up for its long inaction ? " 
 
 " Thank you, Strong," he gasped, " If you will 
 just take one or two of these things to the 'bus 
 for me. No, I am off for Florida, and have just time 
 to catch the train. It is a perfect nuisance having 
 to hurry off in this way. I had laid out the entire 
 day to be spent here, but find, what with the boat up 
 the river from Jacksonville and the trains from here, 
 I can't manage it. But I shall be back after a while 
 to spend a month or more. I can't stop now, with- 
 out wasting my excursion ticket. Jove ! I wish 
 you were coming with me to the land of the palm 
 and the crocodile ! Good-by ! " 
 
 There was no object in my waiting idly on the pier 
 after my friends had gone, especially as I had had 
 no breakfast and was growing uncomfortably hun- 
 gry, so I returned to my stateroom to put up the 
 few things still unpacked. I had just strapped my 
 
EUSTI8, 47 
 
 portmanteau, when there was a knock at the door, 
 and before I could say, " Come in," a great, hand- 
 some, black-bearded man rushed in and seized me 
 by both hands. " Halloo, old man ! Is it really you, 
 at last ? Why it's good for ' sore eyes ' to look at 
 you again ! And not so very much changed either ! 
 Barring moustache, and — ' weeijers ' did we use to 
 call them? and some twenty pounds of flesh, you 
 are just the same dear old fellow I left fifty years 
 ago ! By Jove ! " he exclaimed, standing back and 
 looking at me with an expression full of happiness 
 and welcome. " This is just the j oiliest thing out ! 
 But come, let's get out of this spooky hole into the 
 fresh air ! Here, David, take Mr. Strong's things 
 to the carriage. I'm glad to see you've not forgotten 
 your guns ! There, let me cany this case for you. 
 It feels like a rifle. Winchester is it ? Well we'll 
 try to worry up something for you to shoot ! " 
 
 I was not disappointed. He was just as of 
 
 old, and, infected with his good spirits, I felt as 
 
 young again, as when in the spring mornings at 
 
 home we chased each other through the fields and 
 
 woods at hare and hounds ! 
 
 The carriage took us from the street that skirted 
 the quays, where the tall buildings cast their deep 
 cool shade, up through a granite-walled cut in the 
 Bluff to the surface of the plateau upon which 
 the city was built. 
 
 It was odd to see the buildings, whose five or six 
 stories towered up so high above the wharves on the 
 river-side, dwindle to rather mean proportions upon 
 
4B EUSTIS. 
 
 the higher level of the broad street on which they 
 faced. 
 
 On we went, over the rattling pavement, past 
 endless lines of mule-drawn drays, loaded with cot- 
 ton, until, leaving the business part of the city be- 
 hind, we turned into a sandy street whose great 
 shade trees on either side lapped their branches 
 above our heads. On past many picturesque little 
 parks and squares (the "lungs" of the city, Jira 
 called them), each with its flow^crs, its monument 
 or fountain, its w^idespreading trees, and grouj^s of 
 children playing in the shade. 
 
 "Well, Jim," I said, pointing to the throng of 
 youngsters, "There's apparently little danger of 
 your city's becoming depopulated." 
 
 "No," he answered, laughing, "we are doing our 
 best to make up for the ravages of war." 
 
 At length we drew up in front of a large white 
 house facing one of the parks. It was not white 
 after the manner of fresh paint, but rather of a soft, 
 grayish color, losing all garishness from the uneven 
 surface of the material with which it was built, 
 called "coquina," and quarried on the Sea Islands 
 near by. 
 
 In front of the house, and enclosed by an iron 
 railing from the street, was a garden with well or- 
 dered flower beds, and many shrubs whose names I 
 did not know, although, among them I recognized 
 the long drooping leaves of the banana. 
 
 The path through the garden, diverging near the 
 
EUSTIS. 49 
 
 gate, led to the steps on either side of a pillared 
 porch that shaded the front entrance. We passed 
 from the fragrant air up into a marble hall that 
 ran through the centre of the house, and through 
 the open door at the rear I caught sight of still 
 another garden, and a jet of water sparkling in the 
 sun. 
 
 " This is Mrs. Jackson's town house, Harry. She 
 is at the plantation, but I thought we had better 
 breakfast here before driving out, as it is twenty 
 miles or so. Bring in breakfast at once, Sam." 
 
 It is needless to say I did full justice to the 
 tempting repast that was spread before me. But 
 we had little time to waste, and within an hour 
 were on our way to the jDlantation in Jim's buggy, 
 and behind a sturdy looking horse. 
 
 We drove through the shady streets, past brick 
 and stucco houses, with piazzas often running 
 to the second story, all shut in with green blinds, 
 and with yards surrounded by solid eight-foot 
 walls, useful in old times for imprisoning the slaves 
 after the evening hour, but not ornamental in the 
 eyes of the new civilization ; then past clusters of 
 shanties, and plats of stunted grass and sand, the 
 playgrounds of the negro children; past the dirt 
 and squalor that gather on a city's outskirts, to the 
 more open country beyond, where, here and there, 
 white houses with little flower gardens in front, and 
 well kept market farms around them, besj^oke much 
 thrifty labor and frugal comfort. 
 
 " This old mound," said Jim, " with the stagnant 
 
50 EUSTIS. 
 
 pool below it, is part of the wall thrown up for the 
 defence of the city. If you look across the fields 
 you will see it rising there at intervals as far as the 
 eye can reach, but the ploughshare has done good 
 work, and before long not a vestige will remain. 
 In old times the forest came pretty well up to 
 where we are, but this half-mile or more was cleared 
 when the city was invested." 
 
 Presently we left the open land and entered the 
 shade of the forest which did not again desert us 
 for many a mile, unless at the clearing of some squat- 
 ter, or some negro hamlet, or at the crossing of 
 some dark river with its adjacent rice-fields diked 
 and ditched in great quadrangles. The dead-level 
 of the country, and the seemingly endless forests, 
 that for an hour at a time enclosed us, gave a 
 welcome charm to the occasional glimpses of broad, 
 sunny marsh that lay along these river banks. 
 
 At length we came to an opening in the woods, 
 where, near the roadside, stood a long, low shanty, 
 and before it a team of mules and open wagon in 
 which I recognized my luggage. 
 
 " Halloo ! " said Jim, " confound that January ! 
 He has stopped to get a drink at Isaac's. These 
 Jew grocery stores are the pest of the county. 
 They ruin the negroes with bad whisky ! I wish we 
 could run them out of the place ! Halloo ! January, 
 I say ! Halloo there ! " and as he shouted an, old 
 darkey hurried out of the shop, climbed to his seat 
 on the wagon, gathered up the reins and started the 
 mules without looking at us. 
 
EUSTIS. 61 
 
 "Halloo, January ! " cried Jim, "what were you 
 up to in there ? " 
 
 "Halloo, Massa Jim! youthar!" said the negro, 
 turning towards us with well feigned astonishment. 
 "De troof ob de matter is, Massa Jim, de off 
 mule, she seem berry fursty. I jes' done fetch de 
 bucket into de shop. Miss Katie and Miss Mar- 
 garet gone by heah about free minutes ago ! " 
 
 "Well, January, you know this is against orders. 
 You promised me last week never to go to Isaac's 
 again. All is, if I catch you at it after this, you'll 
 have to find your meat where you get your drink." 
 
 " 'Fore de Lord, Massa Jim ! I'se nebber touch an- 
 udder drop ! But de troof is, dat ole gray mule, 
 Massa Jim, she jes' put her hoofs in de san' an' 
 won' go by Isaac's till she ketch her bref ! " 
 
 "Well, don't waste yours, January, and mind 
 what I say, for I mean it," and he added as we 
 drove on, " Poor old fellow ! he can no more help 
 taking in whiskey than the sea the Altamaha! 
 By the way, Harry, do you see those fields of 
 stubble over there ? Well, you would be amused 
 at the strange vagaries some of your shrewd fellow- 
 countrymen have indulged in down here, since the 
 war! That was a cotton plantation, and a good 
 one too in its day. It lies next to • Palmetto Grove,' 
 the Lees' place. It was bought a few years ago by 
 a man named Gore, from your State, who in a 
 couple of seasons exhausted his capital in the ex- 
 periment of raising cotton under glass ! He aban- 
 doned the place last year and has returned to his 
 
52 JSUSTIS. 
 
 native town very thoroughly disgusted, I am told, 
 with this part of the country. Ah, there are the 
 ladies on the hill near the gate. Don't you see 
 them ? " 
 
 And in the distance down the straight road I 
 descried an object or objects, that, to my inexperi- 
 enced eyes, might have been anything, from a 
 horse to a house. 
 
 " Yes, I think I see something. But where's the 
 hill, Jim ? " I said, looking along the dead level be- 
 fore me. 
 
 " Why man ! " he answered laughing, " there at 
 the gate of ' The Oaks,' where they are stopping ! 
 Don't you see how the land rises from the hollow 
 yonder ? We are very proud of that hill ! It is the 
 Mont Blanc of the county ! " 
 
 We soon reached the gate, and turned into the 
 shady driveway. Through the long vista of oak-trees, 
 whose moss-hung branches were interlaced above 
 us, we could catch a glimpse of the old white house. 
 These old oaks, which had given the place its 
 name, were magnificent ; their girth of trunk and 
 limb told a tale of sturdy growth through cen- 
 turies of storm and sunshine. 
 
 The place had belonged to the Eustises for more 
 than a hundred years, and this avenue of oaks was 
 their especial pride. Several generations of youth 
 and maiden had passed up together, hand in hand, 
 beneath their cool shade, with all the joyousness of 
 life's maytime; in turn, at length, to pass down 
 again one by one under the weeping moss on their 
 last solitary journey ! 
 
EUSTIS. 53 
 
 Yet the old oaks lived on in their defiant stren^^h, 
 untouched by time, and gathering to themselves the 
 life of the more ephemeral nature around them, 
 lengthened, year by year, their giant limbs, and 
 pushed out their fresh green leaves with each re- 
 curring spring. Behind them, on either side, 
 was a belt of pine woods, and beyond lay open 
 farming land. 
 
 It was a grand old avenue ; and yet I was glad 
 to leave its spectral looking moss and chilly shade, 
 for the warm sunlight again, as we drew up in front 
 of the picket-fence, that surrounded the garden be- 
 fore the house. 
 
 Goats, and poultry of all kinds, were running 
 wild about the half-dozen acres of open land, in the 
 centre of which stood the house and garden ; and, 
 under the trees on the outskirts of the clearing, 
 lean, high-backed swine were grubbing in the leaves 
 and underbush. 
 
 We heard the hounds baying in their distant 
 kennels at our approach, and as Jim alighted and 
 hitched the horse to a picket of the fence, two or 
 three black and tan-colored pups, with short legs, 
 long bodies and drooping ears, entangled themselves 
 about his feet with whines and awkward demon- 
 strations of affection. 
 
 " Well, Harry, my boy ! " he said, " here we are 
 at last ; and there are the girls waiting for us on 
 the piazza ! Down, Jack ! down sir, I say ! Halloo, 
 Bill ! '* as a stalwart negro boy came from behind 
 the house, grinning, and touching his brimless hat, 
 
54 EUSTI8. 
 
 " give Charley a good grooming when you take him 
 out. Hear? And when January comes, help him 
 take Mr. Strong's things to his room. Leave the 
 gun cases in the smoking-room. Hear? Well, 
 come on, Harry ! " 
 
 We passed through a garden, full of rose 
 bushes and japonica trees, and up the steps to a 
 broad piazza which, supported by brick columns, 
 ran along the front of the house above the high 
 brick basement. 
 
 Two ladies were sitting there, and, as they arose 
 to meet us, I saw at a glance that both were pretty, 
 and that one had the advantage of greater youth 
 and was the taller of the two. 
 
 " Wei], girls, we've captured Harry, at last ! " ex- 
 claimed Jim, as we came up the steps. 
 
 " I am delighted to see you again, Harry ! " cried 
 Mrs. Jackson. " It was so nice of you to come to 
 us. I do not dare to think how many years ago I 
 stayed with you all at ' Ingleside ' ! and how is Alice ? 
 and how are the little ones ? We drove down to 
 meet you this evening, but you were later than we 
 expected. This is my sister Margaret, Harry. I 
 believe you have never meet." 
 
 As I shook the shapely hand, so cordially extended, 
 I said, " I should have known you anywhere from 
 your likeness to Jim, although your coloring is so 
 different." 
 
 " Would you like to go at once to your room ? " 
 continued Mrs. Jackson; " or will you sit down and 
 rest after your long drive ? Please move the chairs 
 
EUSTIS. 55 
 
 to the end of the piazza, Jim ; there is a nice breeze 
 there. Now, Harry, take that smoking-chair, and 
 make yourself at home, and tell me all about every- 
 thing." 
 
 " Won't you come and take a little something 
 first, Harry ? just to lay the dust," said Jim, coax- 
 ingly, and laying his hand on my shoulder, " What 
 say you, now, to a drop of the light wine of the 
 country ? " 
 
 "No, thank you," I answered, looking up into 
 his handsome sun-browned face, " not just now ; I 
 am altogether too comfortable to move at present." 
 
 And thus with easy cordiality they welcomed me. 
 How could I help feeling at home in such cheerful, 
 home-like company ? And half reclining in a long, 
 low chair, with swinging canvas seat and back that 
 seemed to afford relief to every muscle, I drank in 
 the odor of the pines, watched the sunlight play 
 with the shadows under the trees, and enjoyed the 
 pleasant consciousness of being a welcome guest. 
 
 As we sat talking and laughing, old January 
 with his mule team came slowly up the avenue, and, 
 shortly after, the sound of the dinner bell called me 
 to my room 
 
 That evening, when we were sitting together 
 on the piazza, in the breeze and starlight, Jim said, — 
 
 " Perhaps you did not know, Harry, that to-mor- 
 row is election day ? Wouldn't you like to drive 
 down with me in the morning to the ' Corner ? ' It 
 will give you a chance, by the way, to see the 
 
56 EUSTIS. 
 
 great privilege of the country in the hands of our 
 peers from the rice-fields." 
 
 " Yes, thank you," I answered, " I will go with 
 pleasure. But I did not supjjose that here, where 
 you held the entire control, the negroes were allowed 
 to vote — at least, not freely." 
 
 " O yes ! " he replied, " they vote as they 
 please, as you will see to-morrow." 
 
 "O, Jim tells me, Harry," said Mrs. Jackson, 
 changing the subject, "that you came out on the 
 steamer with the Lees. Did you like them ? I hope 
 so, for we are near neighbors and thrown much 
 together. The Captain is just as nice as he can be, 
 and Mrs. Lee is perfectly lovely, one of the best and 
 sweetest of women ; then, you know, she has suffered 
 so much on account of her son's death. He was 
 killed in the war, and in such a sad way, too ! And 
 as for Mary ! Well, we must ask Jim his opinion 
 of Mary ! But, no ! I am afraid he is too pre- 
 judiced. Have you seen her yet, Jim? What, 
 not seen her, and a whole morning in the same 
 city ? Ah ! I am afraid you are losing your one 
 redeeming quality of truthfulness ! Well, tell me, 
 Harry, what did you think of Mary ? " 
 
 "I really do not think I know, myself," I an- 
 swered. 
 
 " Nonsense," she exclaimed, " of course you know ! 
 Well, did you not think her pretty ? " 
 
 " Yes, rather," I replied, doubtfully, yet knowing 
 that I thought her the loveliest of women ! 
 
 " Has she not a sweet voice ? " she asked. 
 
EUSTIS. 57 
 
 " Not so sweet as her mother's at her age," I an- 
 swered, laughingly, as I recalled the opinion of the 
 Captain. 
 
 "Are not her eyes lovely?" she rejoined, "and 
 her figure simply perfect? Well, if you don't 
 admire Mary, you must be very hard to please ! " 
 
 " But," said I, " perhaps she did not try to please 
 me." 
 
 " There ! now, I suspect you are coming nearer 
 the truth ! Do you know, Mr. Harry, I have a dim 
 suspicion she must have piqued you ! You are 
 the first person I ever met, who did not, at least, 
 allow that she was handsome ! But she feels ex- 
 ceedingly bitter against the Korth, and 2>i*obably 
 something you said annoyed her ; and she can be 
 very severe if she likes," she said, half inquiringly. 
 
 " O no ! we got along very amicably, but then, 
 really, you know, the sea is not famed as a beautifier, 
 beautiful as it is itself ! " I answered, hypocrite that 
 I was ! For while I spoke, the vision of a face with 
 flashing eyes, and hair sparkling with the sea mist, 
 swept through my mind ! 
 
 After a moment I added, "I thought them all 
 exceedingly pleasant, and I liked the Captain espe- 
 cially, he seemed so kindly and whole-souled ! " 
 
 " They are coming out here in a day or two," 
 said Margaret, as she rose to go into the house, 
 "and you shall reverse your opinion of Mary, Mr. 
 Strong." 
 
 " Don't call Harry — Mr. Strong — ^Madge, I won't 
 have it," exclaimed Jim, 
 
58 EUSTIS, 
 
 " Well, good night, Harry, if you will let me call 
 you so ! " she answered, hesitating and smiling as 
 she held out her hand to me. " Come, sister." 
 
 And Mrs. Jackson rising bade us good night, and 
 followed her into the house, warning Jim, as she 
 left us, that breakfast would be at eight, and that 
 I required a good night's rest after my journey. 
 
EUSTIS, 59 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AT THE POLLS. 
 
 T CAME down next morning much refreshed by 
 -■- a good night's sleep, and finding that I had half 
 an hour to spare before breakfast, I concluded to 
 improve the opportunity by becoming better ac- 
 quainted with my surroundings. 
 
 It was a large square house, of the old-fashioned 
 style found so frequently in all parts of our coun- 
 try. The broad piazzas at front and rear, and the 
 wide hall running through the centre of the house, 
 into which opened on either side, the library, draw- 
 ing-room, morning-room and dining-room, might 
 have been copied from a hundred such in our New 
 England villages. The billiard and smoking-rooms 
 were in the high brick basement which was, per- 
 haps, the one exceptional feature of the building. 
 
 It was a bright November morning, and when I 
 stepped out upon the back piazza, attracted by the 
 many sounds that reached me, I came upon a scene 
 busy with life. The picket-fence encircling the 
 garden at the front continued its way to the rear 
 of the house, forming there a large enclosure, at the 
 further end of which were half a dozen low wooden 
 buildings occupied by the servants. On my left, 
 and nearer to the house, was a similar building used 
 
60 EUSTM, 
 
 as a kitchen, and from its chimney the smoke 
 floated lazily up into the hazy air. On my right, 
 and opposite the kitchen, stood the granary, raised 
 upon brick pillars at its four corners, and the smoke- 
 house, which completed the little settlement within 
 the enclosure. Like the main house and fence, all 
 were painted white, contrasting, not unpleasantly, 
 with the dark foliage of four great live-oak trees 
 that cast their shadows over the yard. 
 
 Negro children, of all sizes, were playing near 
 the doorsteps of the cabins. Flocks of ducks, 
 geese and turkeys were marching and counter- 
 marching to quack and cackle in ever changing 
 orders. 
 
 A couple of young setters were barking and chas- 
 ing each other about ; now and then, in their awk- 
 ward gambols, throwing the ranks of the j^oultry 
 into wild confusion, or driving them with flapping 
 wings into the pool near the centre of the 
 yard; while, just outside the fence, a venerable 
 sow with snout between the palings, grunted 
 her disapproval of such levity. Negro men and 
 women were passing to and fro, with merry 
 laugh and chatter, in pursuance of their various 
 avocations, and the whole place seemed instinct 
 with morning life. As I stood, leaning against 
 the piazza railing, lost in the diverting scene, Madge's 
 voice saluted me from the doorway of the hall, — 
 
 "Good-morning, Mr. Harry," she said. "You 
 seem to be an early riser," and as she came forward 
 and shook me by the hand, she continued, " Won't 
 
EUSTIS. 61 
 
 you come into the garden, or do you prefer to keep 
 an eye on the kitchen door? But don't despair, 
 breakfast will soon be ready, and I should like you 
 to see some of our last roses. I think they look so 
 much prettier when the dew is upon them." 
 
 She looked very fresh and lovely in her light 
 morning dress, that fitted to a nicety her tall and 
 graceful figure. 
 
 We passed together through the hall, and out 
 
 . into the front garden, where the late roses were 
 
 still in bloom. She picked a little nosegay while I 
 
 held back her skirts from the wet box border that 
 
 enclosed the beds. 
 
 " There now, let me reward you," she said, select- 
 ing a bud for me. " If you will keep still a moment, 
 I'll put it in your buttonhole." And with deft, 
 slender fingers she fastened it to the lapel of my 
 coat. Then raising her eyes cuddenly to mine, she 
 asked, "Well, do you like our southern roses?" 
 
 "You must remember my experience has been 
 very brief," I answered. " Those I have thus far 
 seen appear surpassingly lovely — but I have not yet 
 felt their thorns. It is one thing to admire, and an- 
 other to gather ! " 
 
 She looked into my face a moment longer, as if 
 to discover whether there was anything implied be- 
 yond the simple meaning of my words, then turning 
 away, she said, — 
 
 " To me the risk of being stung adds to the pleas- 
 ure of gathering them. I think there is little fun in 
 this world without a spice of danger." 
 
62 EUSTI8. 
 
 " Well, Miss Madge, when you have arrived at 
 my years of discretion " 
 
 "I hate discretion," she interrupted, "it just 
 spoils everything ! The man who had the audacity 
 to couple it with valor, must have been reared in a 
 calculating and unromantic community ! " 
 
 " Very well," I answered laughing, " you must 
 let me sit at your feet and learn the folly of discre- 
 tion ! " 
 
 " Madge, breakfast is ready ? " called Mrs. Jack- 
 son from the piazza above us, and as we returned 
 to the house in answer to her summons, I said, — 
 
 " Now, Miss Madge, pleasure would incline me to 
 remain here with you in the garden, but discretion 
 bids me hasten to the breakfast table ! " 
 
 " While common sense might possibly suggest," 
 she added gayly, " that you would remain here by 
 yourself." 
 
 " Well, Harry," said Jim, after kissing Madge 
 and shaking hands with me, as we entered the 
 breakfast room, " a night's sleep in the piney woods 
 has done you good. Depend upon it, there's noth- 
 ing like it. Why, you look as fresh as the rose in 
 your buttonhole ! Not much of a rose, by the way, 
 though it is Madge's favorite. It does very well in 
 the bud, gives good promise, but does not open up 
 well — all hollow inside. I don't like that style, 
 either in the vegetable or animal kingdom, do you ? 
 Though, by the way, that is rather applicable to my 
 own feelings just at present ! 
 
 " Nero, have ' Buckshot ' and the wagon at the 
 
EUSTIS. 63 
 
 door at nine sharp. Hear ? " And turning to me 
 again, he continued, " I suppose you have not 
 changed your mind about going to the polls with 
 me this morning ? " 
 
 " O no ! " I replied, " I am anxious to see the 
 sport ! " 
 
 " Well, in point of fact," he said, " it amounts to 
 little else, for, of course, you know, most of niy 
 negroes vote as I tell them to, and the same with 
 those of the other gentlemen about here. It should 
 be so, for our interests are identical. You might 
 as well take your 'Winchester' along with you, for 
 we may get a crack at an alligator on the way, 
 January told me he saw one at the bridge last 
 night." 
 
 After breakfast we lighted our cigars and went to 
 the garden gate, where a spirited looking thorough- 
 bred, harnessed to an open wagon, was waiting for 
 us, with* Nero at his restless head. Jim jumped 
 into the wagon and I after him, rifle in hand. 
 
 " Now, Nero, give him his head ! " cried Jim, and 
 with a rear and a plunge away we sped, out of the 
 sunlight and down the shady avenue at a breakneck 
 pace ! 
 
 " He's a little lively this morning," said Jim, 
 puffing away complacently at his cigar and without 
 making an effort to restrain his running thorough- 
 bred. His remark hardly seemed to call for a reply ; 
 so I said nothing, but clung firmly to the seat, 
 expecting at any moment to be flung into the un- 
 derbrush ac the side of the avenue. 
 
64 EUSTIS. 
 
 He did, however, check the beast for an instant, 
 with a firm hand, as we swept out of the gate and 
 down the long straight road through the forest. 
 
 " He will tire himself out in a couple of miles or 
 so," he said, indifferently, " and be as gentle as a 
 lamb the rest of the morning." 
 
 Jim evidently knew his horse, for after another 
 ten minutes of anxiety on my part, he came down, 
 panting, to a quiet trot, and I was free to settle my- 
 self in comfort, relight my neglected cigar, and enjoy 
 tho coolness and fragrance of the woods. 
 
 " This is the place where January saw the alliga- 
 tor," said Jim, at length drawing in his horse, as we 
 neared a wooden bridge, over a small stream ; and 
 through the underbrush on my left, I could see the 
 glinting surface of a boggy-looking pond. 
 
 " Now, get your rifle ready, and keep very quiet. 
 By Jove ! there he is ! " whispered Jim, as we 
 stopped at the end of the thicket, next to the bridge. 
 
 I followed the direction of his eyes and there 
 upon the black trunk of a tree that had fallen across 
 the swamp some thirty yards away, lay, at full length, 
 the brown monster, basking in the sun. 
 
 " Strike him just behind the shoulder," whispered 
 Jim, as I raised my rifle. 
 
 I took deliberate aim and fired. 
 
 " Bravo, Harry ! well done ! " shouted Eustis, as 
 with a sweep of his great tail, the beast plunged 
 into the black water, and sank out of sight. 
 
 " I'm afraid I missed him," I said, feeling rather 
 chagrined at this sudden disappearance. 
 
EU8TIS. 65 
 
 « Not a bit of it, old fellow ! His hunting days 
 are over. Didn't you see him swing his arm up 
 over the water as he went down ? That is their way 
 of saying good-by to the world. It's a sure sign the 
 shot was fatal." 
 
 "Will he not come to the surface again? I 
 should like to get a nearer view of him ; he must 
 have been ten feet long." 
 
 " All of that," answered Jim, " he may come up 
 in a couple of hours or so ; but we could never reach 
 him through the swamp." 
 
 " It seems a pity, though, to leave him to go to 
 pieces so near the road," said I, as we drove on, 
 thinking of the unpleasant probability of passing that 
 way again in the course of a week or two. 
 
 " O, no ! " replied Jim, as we started on ; " the 
 buzzards will soon scent him out and make short 
 work of him." 
 
 As we neared the spot where the vox 2Jopuli was 
 about to manifest itself, we passed, from time to 
 time, groups of rough and ragged-looking negroes, 
 plodding quietly along in the same direction as our- 
 selves. 
 
 Both in dress and physiognomy, these rice-field 
 negroes were more uncivilized and wretched-looking 
 than any of the race I had hitherto seen, and, as I 
 afterwards learned, it was impossible for one not 
 brought up among them to understand their pecu- 
 liar jargon. But though a sulky, surly-looking set, 
 1 noticed that, with few exceptions, they smiled 
 pleasantly as they touched their hats in answer to 
 
66 EUSTIS. 
 
 Jim's morning greeting. How he recognized them 
 all, addressing each by name, seemed marvellous 
 to me, in whose eyes they differed only in their 
 dress and size. 
 
 At length we came to a white picket-fence, sur- 
 rounding the poultry yard and kitchen garden of a 
 long, low building with its back towards us, and 
 facing on an opening, where the crossing of two 
 roads gave the Corner its name. 
 
 The building, which served for dwelling, post- 
 office, grocery store and polling station was raised 
 from the ground on wooden posts, thereby afford- 
 ing shelter to many swine. 
 
 Covered piazzas, with delapidated steps ran the 
 entire length of the building, on the front and rear. 
 Glass and window sashes there were none, but the 
 openings for air and ventilation were protected by 
 wooden shutters against the cold and rain. 
 
 We drove up to the end of the fence, where Jim 
 hitched "Buckshot" to one of the palings; and 
 then, after warning me of the light fingers of the 
 negroes, we proceeded with whip and gun in hand, 
 down the road to " the Corner." 
 
 On turning the end of the house, what was our 
 astonishment to find ourselves confronted by an 
 encampment of two hundred or more negroes. 
 They were lying about in groups upon the grass, 
 with muskets stacked near by, while here and there 
 fires of fagots were burning, with gipsy kettles 
 hung above them upon tripods. 
 
 " What the devil does all this mean ? " exclaimed 
 
EUSTI8. 67 
 
 Jim, as a tall, thin, swarthy, red-nosed man ap- 
 proached us. whose long black hair fell below the 
 collar of his coat. 
 
 " They're a bad lot, Mr. Eustis ! " answered the 
 man, whom I afterwards found to be the postmaster. 
 " They came over from the next county before day^ 
 break and say, they'se going to carry the 'lection 
 to-day, anyhow." 
 
 " Why didn't you send the rascals home, Jones, 
 with a couple of loads of buckshot in them ? " 
 asked Jim. 
 
 "Well, you see," replied our postmaster, in a 
 monotonous drawl, " there's only me and Ned, and 
 they'se rather too many for us, with that man 
 Armstrong to lead um. He'd beat the devil him- 
 self ! And there's scarce a nigger among um would 
 dare act contrary when he's around! Some of 
 your boys is with um, Mr. Eustis, but mostly they 
 kep' out of the way." 
 
 " I'll soon put a stop to that," said Jim excitedly, 
 " Halloo, Sam ! " he called to a negro sitting on the 
 steps, near by, " go down among those rascals and 
 tell my boys to go home at once, or I'll cut off their 
 rations from Mr. Jones for the next month, and tell 
 Tom Armstrong I've just a word to say to him ! " 
 
 Most of the negroes were some little distance 
 from AvherG we were standing, and though, perhaps, 
 they could not catch the words, the sound of Jim's 
 voice raised in excitement, aroused them to sullen 
 watchfulness. They were an unpleasant-looking 
 set, and, feeling that Jim was in no mood to calm 
 
68 :EUSTI8, 
 
 the troubled waters, even if he did not actually 
 imperil our safety, I suggested quietly that, perhaps, 
 our best course would be to go home and let the 
 courts, or other higher authorities see that justice 
 was done to the county. 
 
 He looked up at me with quick suspicion and 
 said, — 
 
 "Very well, Harry, you go back to the wagon 
 and unhitch the horse. I will not keep you waiting 
 long." 
 
 I did not think it necessary to reply, and stayed 
 with him to see the issue. 
 
 A moment later, a large, powerful-looking negro, 
 gun in hand, approached us from the crowd. He 
 came steadily on with a swinging, shuffling gait. 
 The brim of his felt hat was drawn close down upon 
 his shaggy brows, and from beneath their ugly 
 scowl, shone a pair of small, beady black eyes. He 
 was a shade or two lighter in coloring than most of 
 his fellows, and his high cheek-bones and com- 
 paratively straight nose, suggested a slight admix- 
 ture of Indian blood. His army-blue trousers, 
 hung several inches short of his long ankles and 
 ponderous ill-clad feet. His flannel shirt, half open 
 to the waist, disclosed a thick, muscular neck and 
 hirsute breast ; and the remnants of an old black 
 coat, whose sleeves, scarcely reaching below the 
 elbows, left bare his sinewy wrists and arms, com- 
 pleted his attire. A creature not pleasant to con- 
 template as a peer and equal ; nor one to be chosen 
 as a companion for a dark night in the forest ! 
 
EU8TIS. 69 
 
 The negroes, who had hitherto been sitting or 
 lying on the grass, now arose, unstacked their arms, 
 and drew a trifle nearer. 
 
 "Well, Armstrong," said Jim, when the negro 
 reached us, and stood leaning upon his gun, with 
 both hands crossed upon its muzzle, " What do you 
 mean by bringing a crowd of armed men into the 
 county ? " 
 
 " What do we mean, Misser Jim ? " he retorted, 
 with an insulting sneer, " Why, we mean to carry 
 de 'lection, Misser Jim, dat's what we mean, and 
 we'se gwine to do it, too. We'se gwine to hab our 
 rights ! " 
 
 I saw the color rising to Jim's face, but he re- 
 plied with composure. 
 
 "Why, Armstrong, this is all nonsense, your 
 votes will amount to nothing here, they will all be 
 thrown out, and you and those poor devils you have 
 brought over with you, will stand in danger of the 
 chain-gang." 
 
 '^ What you took me f o', Misser Jim. You can't 
 come ober dis colored man. Guess we knows our 
 rights. White man wore de breeches long enough ! 
 But deys better go home and look arter de chick- 
 ens, now ! " 
 
 " Well, you're a fool, Armstrong, and you'd best 
 look out for yourself after this. If you're caught 
 again in this county, it will be as much as your 
 life's worth, and the buzzards will get some poor 
 pickings ! " said Jim, turning angrily away. 
 
 " Hold on, Misser Jim. Don't try to talk big like 
 
70 EUSTIS. 
 
 dat. De bottom rail 's on top. All de bnckra in de 
 county can't keep dis nigger away ! I'se like to see 
 um try. I'se not scared o'you or any udder white 
 trash!" 
 
 " You black hound ! " cried Jim, turning upon 
 him with eyes all ablaze ; and quick as a flash ho 
 dealt him a stinging blow with his whip, full across 
 the face. 
 
 The negro stepped backward with a howl of pain 
 and rage, and in a moment had covered Jim with 
 his musket. 
 
 The instant Jim struck the blow, the other ne- 
 groes, with a wild yell, came rushing down upon us. 
 
 It was only the work of a second, and I had 
 knocked up Armstrong's gun and placed the muzzle 
 of my Winchester close against his head, 
 
 " Drop your gun or I'll blow your head off, you 
 scoundrel ! " I shouted. 
 
 The touch of the cold steel upon his cheek seemed 
 to bring him at once to reason, and he obeyed me. 
 
 This sudden change in the aspect of affairs, and the 
 somewhat precarious position of their leader, brought 
 the negroes to a standstill within a dozen yards of 
 us, and I succeeded in quieting them still further, 
 by explaining, with such emphasis as I had at com- 
 mand, that besides the ball for Armstrong, there 
 were sixteen more in my rifle for them if they dared 
 to move. 
 
 In the mean time Jim had picked up the negroe's 
 discarded blunderbuss, and Jones, who at the first 
 sound of approaching strife had rushed to the house, 
 
EUSTIS. 71 
 
 now returned with his son, 'Ned, both armed with 
 long, dangerous-looking rifles. With mine still at 
 his head, I ordered Armstrong to move on, while 
 Jim kept a sharp lookout for any movement on the 
 part of the threatening mass of blacik men in our 
 rear. 
 
 In this manner we proceeded to the wagon, and, 
 as we turned the corner of the house, the negroes 
 gave vent to their feelings of anger and defeat in a 
 burst of wild yells and shouts. However, they did 
 not follow us. 
 
 We made our burly prisoner seat himself on the 
 floor of the wagon behind us, and, having carried 
 him a mile or more up the road, dropped him by the 
 wayside, after imparting some sound and wholesome 
 advice, which he received in dogged silence. 
 
 As we were about to drive on, he raised for an in- 
 stant his brutal face, and fixing his eyes on Jim, 
 said, — 
 
 " You'll hear of me again, Misser Jim ! " 
 
 " Yes," Jim answered, " I expect to, right soon, 
 and in the chain-gang. But, mind, Tom, what I 
 told you about coming this side of the river ! " and 
 with that we left him by the roadside, where he 
 stood motionless until we were out of sight. 
 
 " Well, Jim, rather a narrow escape," said I to 
 my companion, who had been silent for an unusual 
 length of time. 
 
 " Yes," he said, " and if it had not been for you, 
 we should have been carried up under the Oaks, feet 
 foremost to-night." He spoke quietly, and, from his 
 
72 EUSTIS. 
 
 manner, I savr that something was weighing on his 
 mind. Suddenly, he looked up at me, with moist 
 eyes, and, in his impetuous way, went on, — 
 
 " By Jove, old fellow ! you must forgive my 
 doubting you for one moment. I ought to have 
 known you too well." 
 
 "Nonsense, man," I said, interrupting him with a 
 hearty slap on the back. " Mind your horse, or 
 you'll have us both in the ditch." 
 
 We said little after this, each being occupied with 
 his own thoughts. 
 
 To me this outburst of lawlessness on the part of 
 the blacks was most surprising, for I had read much 
 of their oppression, and how, with an iron hand, they 
 were held in bonds more terrible than those of 
 slavery. 
 
 My conversations with Southerners had led me to 
 believe that there was nothing to be feared from the 
 blacks, and I had shared, in a measure, their con- 
 tempt for them, as physical antagonists. I had 
 thought them an utterly servile race, and here, 
 almost upon our first acquaintance, they had shown 
 themselves free in action, insolent in bearing, and 
 not devoid of courage. 
 
 In fact, I found them more unruly and dangerous 
 than I had supposed ; and it seemed to me it could 
 be hardly safe to live in these country districts, sur- 
 rounded by their largely outnumbering population, 
 until they should have reached a higher state of 
 civilization. 
 
 Jim dropped me at the gate of the Oaks, and con- 
 
EUSTIS. 73 
 
 tinned on his way to another polling place of the 
 county, where his vote was properly recorded. 
 
 When he came home to lunch, he said that 
 after telling of our adventure to the men at the 
 Polls, he had great difficulty in dissuading them 
 from riding down in force to the comer, and driving 
 the negroes over the border. 
 
 It will, however, be a matter of satisfaction to my 
 readers to know that the fraudulent vote was, in 
 due course, very properly rejected by the higher 
 powers, and the county returned with an over- 
 whelming white majority ! 
 
74 EUSTIS. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MADGE. 
 
 TIM had to attend to matters of importance on his 
 ^ plantation that afternoon, and Mrs. Jackson 
 had letters to write, so it was arranged that Madge 
 and I should go to drive. 
 
 My companion j^roved as agreeable as she was 
 pretty. She had much of her brother's liveliness 
 of disposition, and seemed to be fairly brimming 
 over with coquetry ; while her naivete and inno- 
 cence of speech often betrayed her youth and inex- 
 perience. 
 
 She was more than pretty, and she naturally 
 knew it. Her face was as changeful as that of the 
 sea on a sj^ring day, when the shadows chase the 
 sunlight over it ; one moment grave, and the next 
 smiling mischievously up at you out of her bright 
 gray eyes ! Dangerous eyes and a dangerous smile. 
 Miss Madge, for the unwary I 
 
 On our return we passed the avenue of Palmetto 
 Grove, and learned from a negro boy who was 
 swinging on the gate, that the Lees were expected 
 home that night. 
 
 As we drove on again, Madge said, — 
 
 " Now, Harry, you will have a great rival in Jim's 
 
EUSTIS. 75 
 
 affections ! What a pity it is, you did not like 
 Mary ! It would have been such fun to have seen 
 you and Jim at swords' points ! He would become 
 perfectly wild if he thought he had a really dan- 
 gerous rival ! What a delightful little romance we 
 might have had this winter, if you had not taken 
 this unaccountable prejudice ! " 
 
 The j^icture was not a pleasant one, but I did not 
 think it necessary to set my fair companion right. 
 
 Presently she continued, "I believe you have 
 been abroad for several years, have you not? O 
 how much I should like to go ! Do you know, I 
 have never been out of this State since I was a 
 child ? " 
 
 " And how many years ago was that ? " I asked. 
 
 " You need not laugh at me, sir ! " she answered, 
 *' I am really getting very old. I was eighteen last 
 May, and my grandmother was only fourteen when 
 she was married." 
 
 " I had no idea you were such a Methuselah ! " I 
 rejoined, " have you learned to look forward with 
 equanimity to maidenhood during your declining 
 years?" 
 
 " That can only come from my declining men, I 
 assure you," she retorted, and then after a moment's 
 pause went on, " Men are so silly ! They seem to 
 be always falling in love and offering themselves ! 
 They are ready to swear everlasting devotion to 
 girls they have not met a dozen times ! The fun- 
 niest part is that I think they really believe what 
 they are saying, at the time, and sometimes almost 
 
76 EUSTIS. 
 
 persuade us to believe it too ! They rant and rave 
 until they have reduced us to a terrible state of 
 agitation and remorse, and within a week after 
 they have left us, some other girl says to us, ' O, 
 my dear, I had such a scene yesterday with Mr. 
 so-and-so ! I feel very badly about it too, for I 
 think he really cares for me ; but what could I 
 say ? ' The joke of the matter is, that the men 
 most given to that sort of thing, are the very ones 
 who could not afford to marry, if we should say 
 yes ! " 
 
 " Why, then, do they do it, if it can lead to noth- 
 ing?" I asked. 
 
 " Why do they do it ? " she replied, with a little 
 laugh, as she poised her head slightly on one side, 
 and looked up at me, " Who can tell ? Really I am 
 unable to enlighten you ! However, perhaps, they 
 like the excitement of scenes ! Thrilling love scenes 
 without the audience ! Then, too, I do not think 
 they would object to being engaged, even if they 
 could not marry ! " 
 
 "I can imagine little pleasure in that." I an- 
 swered, prosaically. 
 
 " Ah ! what charming innocence ! " said she, with 
 a quizzical smile, " How utterly devoid of imagina- 
 tion you Northerners are ! You must, as you said, 
 be the personification of discretion ! And yet, do 
 you know, I thought discretion was the result only 
 of experience." 
 
 " No ! " I replied, " you do me more than justice, 
 I assure you, I fear discretion with me, has been 
 
EUSTIS, 77 
 
 merely lack of temptation. But, honestly, I cannot 
 imagine offering one's self without being thoroughly 
 in earnest." 
 
 " Oh ! they all are that," she said, " but I do trust 
 that nothing will happen this winter to disturb the 
 beauty of your philosophy. I shall warn all my 
 friends not to lead you into temptation. It would 
 be a terrible pity to spoil such an excellent young 
 man ! " 
 
 " Such certainly does not appear to be your in- 
 tention," I answered laup'hing. 
 
 " You would not have me, would you ? " she said, 
 looking up again into my face. But at this moment 
 we drew up at the garden gate, where Jim stood 
 waiting for us, and nothing more was said. 
 
 Jim drove the horse to the stable, and, as I 
 followed Madge through the garden, she sto23ped 
 to pick a rosebud and then turning to me, said — " I 
 see you have kept the flower I gave you this morn- 
 ing, so you shall be rewarded with a fresh one." So 
 saying she took the faded rose from my coat and 
 put it in her hair. 
 
 Then in a hesitating tone she added, while she 
 fastened the fresh bud in my buttonhole, "But 
 perhaps you do not care for it ? " 
 
 " How can I do otherwise ? " I answered. 
 
 " Very well, then," she replied, " as long as I 
 consider you sufficiently polite and attentive, I shall 
 keep you well supplied ; but remember, I am very 
 exacting ! " and with that she ran lightly up the 
 steps and into the house. 
 
78 EUSTI8. 
 
 That evening, on the piazza, after dinner, Mrs. 
 Jackson said, " I am worried about this trouble of 
 yours with Armstrong, Jim." 
 
 " Why so, my sweet sister ? I think Harry 
 and I taught him a lesson to-day he will not soon 
 forget." 
 
 " Well, I am afraid of him, Jim ! He is such a 
 desperate character. He is not a man to forget 
 what he considers an injury and would hesitate at 
 nothing to avenge it. I am confident he will at- 
 tempt something in retaliation ! Do take good care 
 of yourself, Jim. You know, as well as I do, how 
 dangerous he is." 
 
 " Don't let your anxiety get the better of your 
 good sense, my dear girl," said Jim, " He knows 
 after what I told him, that it will be as much as his 
 life is worth to venture on this side of the river. He 
 is, no doubt, an insolent, daring, fellow enough, but 
 still, he has some appreciation of the value of his 
 black hide !" 
 
 " Has he ever done anything before ? " I asked. 
 
 " O, yes," said Mrs. Jackson, " for the last ten 
 years there has been no piece of rascality committed 
 in the county, in which he has not taken part. He 
 used to belong to the Lees and was supposed to 
 have shot their overseer, against whom he bore a 
 grudge. But it was never proved, and he escaped 
 the hanging he, no doubt, richly deserved. After 
 that, he was- sold to some one in Alabama, but 
 eight or ten years ago, he wandered back to his old 
 haunts. If your rifle had been accidentally dis- 
 
EUSTIS. 79 
 
 charged to-day, it would have freed the County of 
 a great pest ! " 
 
 " By the way, Madge," said Jim, changing the 
 subject, " your friend, the Major, is coming up to- 
 morrow to dine and pass the night. Now don't 
 flirt with the poor fellow ! I warn you ! We 
 should prefer not to have him shooting wild on 
 Friday, as we are going to the " ten acre drive," 
 where the stands are at best rather uncomfortably 
 near each other ! 
 
 " What do you mean by flirting, Jim ? " asked 
 Madge, looking up at her brother with innocent 
 composure, as he stood beside her chair. 
 
 " You little goose ! " he answered laughing, "ask 
 any of the half-dozen men you have seen in the last 
 six months." 
 
 " Really, if you wish me to mind you, I think you 
 might tell me what you mean. Now, when, for in- 
 stance, you say awfully sweet little things to Mary, 
 do you call that flirting ? " 
 
 " Do not tempt me to box your ears and send you 
 to bed. Miss Impertinence," said Jim, laying a hand 
 on each of her shoulders, and, at the same time, 
 bending down his smiling face to hide his blushes. 
 
 " Well, I think I understand you, Jimmy," she 
 rejoined, " and I promise not to say any sweet little 
 things to the Major ; but you must be equally good 
 to Mary, or I shall not ask her to dinner to- 
 morrow." 
 
 "Why, when are they expected?" he asked 
 quickly. 
 
80 EUSTIS. 
 
 " They arrived to-night. So Scipio told us at the 
 gate." 
 
 As the twilight deepened into night, Jim retired 
 to attend to some business in his study, and shortly 
 after, the ladies went into the house, leaving me 
 alone with my reflections and cigar. 
 
 I had much to think of, for to-morrow I should, 
 in all 23robability, see Miss Lee again ; and the many 
 hints let fall since my arrival at the Eustis's showed 
 me plainly how delicate my position would become, 
 if I allowed my admiration for her to grow into 
 a deeper sentiment. 
 
 If I had been actually in love the problem 
 would have been altogether different, and, to my 
 mind, capable of but one solution ; but, as I told 
 myself, I, very fortunately, had not yet arrived at 
 that point, and was, therefore, free to forward the 
 interests of my host. And, in view of these plain 
 facts, why could I not dismiss the matter ? Why 
 should I feel a vague depression at the thought 
 of my friend's good luck? Well, perhaps it is 
 always rather hard to part with any romantic pos- 
 sibility of life, even if it is first recognized when we 
 must give it up. 
 
 I assuredly had not been in love, and yet there 
 had been a certain sentiment — a sympathy — a some- 
 thing indefinable in our intercourse, that made the 
 recollection of our voyage very pleasant to me ; and 
 now, for the first time, I realized with how much 
 interest I had looked forward to the renewal of our 
 acquaintance. 
 
EUSTIS. 81 
 
 It was fortunate — most fortunate — that I had dis- 
 covered the state of the case in time. Not of course 
 that I should have become Eustis's successful 
 rival, but I might, at least, have made my own life 
 wretched. And when, for the hundredth time, I 
 had come to this sage conclusion, I retired for the 
 night to dream of a girlish face, blushing at the rude 
 kiss of the southeaster. 
 
82 EU8TIS. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE OAKS. 
 
 rpHE next day, before breakfast, while Madge and 
 I were' chatting together on the front piazza, we 
 saw Jim come riding up the avenue at a canter on 
 his thoroughbred, " Dangerous," and soon after he 
 joined us. 
 
 " Why, Jim," said Madge, when he had kissed 
 her, "where have you been at such an early 
 hour?" 
 
 " I went over to ' Palmetto Grove ' to arrange 
 with the Captain for the hunt to-morrow." 
 
 " O, you went to see the Captain, did you ? " 
 she asked, in a half-bantering tone. 
 
 " Why, child, who else should I have been likely 
 to see at this time in the morning ? " And then, 
 turning to me, he continued, " We shall probably 
 have Major Barnwell, Colonel Shorter and Mr. 
 Holland with us to-morrow, and that, with the Cap- 
 tain, will make six in all ; so we shall cover the ' ten- 
 acre drive ' well. It will be somebody's fault, I 
 expect, if we don't bring home some good venison." 
 
 "Yes, but Jim," persisted Madge, "are you 
 quite sure you saw nobody but the Captain ? " 
 
 " No, I saw Peter. He held my horse. By the 
 way, speaking of Peter, Harry " 
 
EUSTIS. 83 
 
 " I was not speaking of Peter, Jim, nor of Harry, 
 either," she said, laughing. "Who else did you 
 
 see 
 
 9" 
 
 Mrs. Lee, for a moment, and she asked me 
 
 "And Mary?" interrupted Madge, determined 
 not to be driven from her point. 
 
 " And Mary, confound it ! " he assented, laugh- 
 ing, " yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes ! and look- 
 ing as bright and fresh as a rose in the morning ! 
 Now please let me alone, you plague ! you good for 
 nothing tease!" he continued, patting her gently 
 on the cheek, as she looked saucily up into his face. 
 
 " Fresh as a rose in the morning ! " she repeated. 
 " O, that reminds me, I have not given Harry his 
 rose to-day ! " and with that she ran gayly down the 
 piazza steps, while Eustis and I went to the break- 
 fast room. 
 
 A moment later she returned with a bright flush 
 upon her face. 
 
 " Why, Jim ! " she exclaimed, " there is not a 
 good rose left upon my bush, and I saw at least 
 twenty there last night ! Who can have taken 
 them?" 
 
 " Probably, Jim thought the bush needed prun- 
 ing," said Mrs. Jackson, demurely. "I saw him 
 wasting a good deal of his valuable time in the gar- 
 den, before he set off this morning ! Perhaps he 
 took the clippings to Mrs. Lee, she is so fond of 
 flowers, you know ! " 
 
 The guilty color betrayed Jim's ill-concealed 
 
S4 EUSTIS. 
 
 little secret. But he said nothing, and received 
 Madge's expostulations with a half-conscious smile, 
 which seemed to say that he had no reason and, in- 
 deed, no longer the desire to defend himself from 
 her attacks. 
 
 Did I envy him his canter to " Palmetto Grove ? " 
 Well, yes, perhaps I did, a trifle, for the day was 
 fair, and the woods cool and fresh in the early 
 morning ! 
 
 After breakfast, Jim and I rambled about The 
 Oaks, but, as the day promised to be a warm one, 
 the ladies did not join us. 
 
 We visited the stables, with their half a dozen 
 well stalled horses, and perhaps as many mules. 
 
 We inspected the kennel, with its pack of short- 
 legged, long-eared, sleek, sullen-looking hounds. 
 Dogs that could be trained to follow the trail either 
 of deer or man. Their enclosure was surrounded 
 by a high picket-fence, with rails sunk a foot or 
 more into the ground, to prevent them from bur- 
 rowing out, and in the centre stood a low, roughly 
 built shed, by the side of a sluggish brook that 
 made its way through the yard. 
 
 Near by was the old log cabin of the huntsman, 
 its chimney built of laths and clay against the 
 gable end. An oak-tree cast its shadow on the 
 mossy roof, and at the door sat Pompey, adjusting 
 a leathern thong to his hunting horn. He arose at 
 our approach and touched his hat. He was a tall, 
 thin, white-headed old man, with bright clear eyes, 
 and erect, vigorous carriage. He had acted as 
 
EUSTIS. 85 
 
 huntsman at the Oaks for two generations, and was 
 familiar with every swamp and brier patch in the 
 County. 
 
 " We are going to try the * Ten-acre Drive ' to- 
 morrow, Pompey, and shall start at six in the 
 morning. There will, probably, be six of us, 
 Captain Lee, Major Barnwell, Colonel Shorter, Mr. 
 Holland, Mr. Strong, and myself. I shall take the 
 stand on the Schoolhouse Road, and shall place 
 Mr. Strong by the three trees in the woods on my 
 right, where I shot that doe last spring. Has 
 * Spotted Tail ' come back yet ? " 
 
 " Yes, Massa Jim, ums come in las' night — all use 
 up and fag out. I'se hea' um barkin' in de woods 
 yesday. Guess ums arter de rabbits. Ums no 
 good, Massa Jim. Better shoot de old bitch ! " 
 
 "Well, leave her in the kennel to-morrow. Be 
 on hand sharp at six, Pompey. Hear ? " 
 
 " Yes, Massa Jim." 
 
 " By the way, here's a plug of tobacco, Pompey. 
 It will keep that old pipe of yours full for a day or 
 two." 
 
 Leaving the old man and the hounds, we strolled 
 on down the woodland path for a quarter of a mile 
 or more to the bank of the river which separated, 
 with its dark current. The Oaks proper from the rice 
 plantation. 
 
 From the bluff, on which, after emerging from 
 the woods, we stood, some twenty feet above the 
 river, we looked down upon the rice-fields, and the 
 marshes stretching away for many miles beyond, to 
 
86 EUSTIS. 
 
 where a narrow strip of blue told us they ended in 
 the sea. 
 
 Along the belt of open land upon the bluff, both 
 to the right and left of us, was a row of cabins, 
 some twenty or thirty in number, facing the river, 
 and backing upon well-tilled kitchen gardens. 
 
 This was the plantation settlement, and as there 
 was but little work in progress at this season, 
 most of the negroes, men, women, and children* 
 were sitting and lying about in the sunshine before 
 their cabins, doing absolutely nothing; although a 
 few, more energetic than the rest, were fishing in a 
 lazy way from flat-bottomed boats anchored in the 
 stream below the bluff. 
 
 The first cabin to the right was larger than the 
 others, and boasted the additional luxury of a 
 covered piazza, entirely surrounded by a high rail- 
 ing, with access by a gate above the steps. 
 
 This, Jim informed me, was the nursery, and 
 thither, when in busy times the men and women 
 were alike called into the fields, all the little 
 children of the settlement were carried in the 
 morning, and left in charge of some old crone 
 whose working days were over, to be again dis- 
 tributed among their parents when they returned 
 in the twilight from their labors. 
 
 Poor youngsters ! 1 did not envy them their 
 quarters ! And I pitied, even more, the unfortunate 
 old woman whose lot it was to keep watch over 
 this squalling, turbulent throng, through the long 
 hot hours of a midsummer's day ! 
 
EUSTIS. 87 
 
 They were a rough, unkempt community, scantily 
 and raggedly dressed. The women wore colored 
 calico dresses, with skirts falling just below the 
 knee, and gaudy turbans, mostly red and yellow, 
 which gave a certain picturesqueness to their ap- 
 pearance ; and some of the men, in lieu of coats 
 and shirts, wore burlaps, with slits for head and 
 arms, and with the brands of the grain or fertilizer 
 for which they were originally intended, still 
 legible upon them. 
 
 We hailed a boat and, crossing the river, walked 
 for a time over the long straight dikes. I examined 
 the rude dams and sluice ways, and gathered some 
 information as to the method of flooding and drain- 
 ing these vast fields, and of drawing up and nurturing 
 the sprouting rice under the gentle influence of a 
 gradually deepening irrigation, until it should have 
 gained sufficient size and strength to withstand, un- 
 aided, the scorching summer heat. A method of 
 culture requiring careful handling, but rewarding 
 with its magnificent results all the attention it 
 demands ; and haj^py is the man who, spared by the 
 dreaded autumnal flood, gathers the well-earned 
 crop into his cribs and mill. 
 
 We returned home in time for lunch, having heart- 
 ily enjoyed our morning ramble and very sharp-set 
 for the mid-day meal. 
 
 After lunch as I was sitting on the piazza, smok- 
 ing and -glancing through the columns of a local 
 newspaper, the blinds of the parlor window near 
 me were thrown open and Madge, leaning out upon 
 the window sill, interrupted my reading. 
 
88 EUSTIS. 
 
 " What do you find so absorbing in that old paper, 
 Harry?" she asked. 
 
 " I had just finished," I replied, " this glowing 
 obituary upon Mr. Dibbles and a brilliant description 
 of Miss Elmira Tompkins and her wedding, and was 
 wondering whether all the men about here are as 
 wonderful and the women as beautiful as these 
 two!" 
 
 " Of course our men are great and our women 
 beautiful," she exclaimed, " you must see that your- 
 self ! " 
 
 " I suppose, at any rate, I shall have to admit the 
 latter," I answered. 
 
 She waited a moment before answering, and then 
 said, hesitatingly, — 
 
 " I am going to ask a great favor of you, Harry ! 
 Do you feel very tired this afternoon ? 
 
 " That dejDends somewhat upon the extent of 
 your demands. Miss Madge ! Now, if you wish an 
 egg from the nest at the top of that old pine down 
 there, I may be obliged to plead fatigue, for the sun, 
 you know, was very hot on the rice-fields this morn- 
 ing. But if, on the other hand, you ask me to stroll 
 with you down the avenue, or through the woods 
 to the river, you will find me possessed " 
 
 " You do talk as if you were possessed ! " she cried, 
 interrupting me. " No, I am not going to require 
 anything so adventurous or delightful as you 
 suggest ! But it seems Jim forgot to ask the Lees 
 to dinner to-night, and now he has been sent for to 
 go down to the plantation, and sister and I are both 
 
EUSTIS. 89 
 
 busy this afternoon. Would you mind going over 
 there with a message for me ? " she asked, as if 
 half doubting my reply. 
 
 I felt my face flush, but restrained the alacrity with 
 which I was about to answer, and said, quietly, — 
 " No, certainly not, if you wish it." 
 
 She evidently mistook my expression and added, 
 as if to lighten an unwelcome task, " You know, you 
 need not stay. But I have no doubt you will find 
 them very pleasant. They are always kind and 
 hospitable. You don't really mind going, do 
 you?" 
 
 " O, not in the least, I assure you. It is just a 
 pleasant walk," 
 
 " You can ride if you prefer." 
 
 " No, thank you, I would rather walk this after- 
 noon." 
 
 " Very well, then, I will bring you a note in a 
 moment. I am ever so much obliged," she said, 
 with a smile as she closed the blind. Presently, 
 she returned and I started on my way. When I 
 reached the garden gate I turned for a moment 
 to look back. Madge was still standing, upon 
 the piazza leaning against the railing, and, as she 
 waved her hand, she said, " When you come home, 
 Harry, I will try to reward you for your good 
 nature." 
 
 I walked down the avenue and along the public 
 road until I came to a footpath diverging into the 
 woods on my right, which, I had been told, would 
 lead me by a short cut to Palmetto Grove. 
 
90 EUSTIS. 
 
 It was a pretty winding path with the under- 
 brush growing thick and green on either side, and, 
 as I strolled slowly on, my thoughts were so full of 
 the coming meeting and of Jim's attachment for my 
 fair travelling companion, that I was not altogether 
 pleasantly surprised, on emerging suddenly from the 
 woods, to find myself at the end of my walk. 
 
 An acre or more of rose garden lay before me 
 with well-trimmed box borders around beds of every 
 shape and size, and across it stood a long, low, white 
 house with its broad piazza closed in with vines. 
 Behind the house rose the dark background of 
 forest pines, while to the . left and half shut out 
 by the shrubs bordering that side of the garden, 
 was the universal white picket-fence of the back- 
 yard. 
 
 The afternoon sun lay bright on house and garden. 
 Not a soul was in sight, and scarce a sound dis- 
 turbed the peaceful stillness of the scene, as I stood 
 for a moment in the shadow of the woods to enjoy 
 its quiet beauty. Suddenly the silence was broken 
 by the notes of a piano coming from the open win- 
 dows of the house, followed by the music of a voice 
 whose sweet full tones I could not mistake. I knew 
 the song. It was " Waiting," and as I listened to 
 the pensive expression of its opening bars, for a mo- 
 ment I felt that it might be sung for me. It was 
 only for a moment, and then smiling at the absurd- 
 ity of the thought I left the woods and went quickly 
 up the garden path. 
 
 The last cadence had died away upon the air be- 
 
EUSTIS. 91 
 
 fore I reached the house. I ascended the steps, 
 and walked along the piazza to an open window at 
 the end, making at the same time, sufficient noise 
 to give warning of my approach. On reaching it, I 
 looked in and saw Miss Lee sitting at the piano op- 
 posite and just across the room. As if to ascertain 
 who the intruder might be she had turned half 
 round and faced the window. She uttered a famt 
 exclamation of surj^rise, and came forward to meet 
 me with smiling face and outstretched hand. 
 
 " Why, Mr. Strong ! I am very glad to see you," 
 she said. " It seems a long time since we took our 
 sea voyage together, does it not ? " 
 
 " Yes," I re})lied, " it is impossible for me to re- 
 alize that I have been here such a little while, the 
 Eustises have managed to make me feel so thor- 
 oughly at home ! " 
 
 "1 knew you would like the girls ! Is not Madge 
 as pretty as I told you ? " she asked. 
 
 "I think her handsome, rather than pretty," I 
 answered, " and altogether one of the most attrac- 
 tive girls I ever met. And such a flow of si)irits ! " 
 
 " Yes, she is always bright and pleasant," she said, 
 motioning me to a chair near the open window. " I 
 am sorry my father and mother are out driving this 
 afternoon, they will be so disaj^pointed not to have 
 seen you ! " 
 
 " By the way, that reminds me of Miss Madge's 
 note," I said, handing it to her. "They hope 
 you will all come over to dinner this evening. I 
 believe Jim forgot to deliver the message." 
 
92 EUSTI8. 
 
 "Yes? he is rather forgetful, but you must for- 
 give him this time, for he was too much interested 
 in telling of your adventure at the polls yesterday 
 to think of anything else ! " 
 
 " Well, I am very ready to forgive anything that 
 gave me the opportunity of coming here ! But tell 
 me," I added, to change the subject, " why is your 
 place called ' Palmetto grove ? ' " 
 
 " If you are not too tired for a little stroll, I will 
 show you" she said, and in answer to my prompt 
 reply she left me to get her hat. 
 
 It was a pretty parlor in which I sat — low-stud- 
 ded and cozy ; furnished in an old-fashioned way, 
 and free from the bric-a-brac, old-curiosity-shop, 
 appearance of the modern drawing-room. Old por- 
 traits, more or less good, hung upon the walls, and 
 among them I recognized one by Copley of some 
 ancestral grandmother, taken in the prime of 
 womanhood. The square, low-cut black silk dress 
 displayed to full advantage the marble neck and 
 swan-like throat ; while one wrist resting on the 
 corner of a table, near which she sat, gave ample 
 opportunity for those gentle curves of arm and 
 drooping hand that the artist loved so well. On 
 the mantel-shelf stood a miniature by Malbone, in a 
 velvet frame, of a young man with long black wavy 
 hair and incipient beard. The complexion was 
 clear and ruddy, and the bright piercing eyes 
 seemed to look with the expression of life, frankly 
 and fearlessly into your own. It was painted with 
 all the delicacy and strength of the master's hand, 
 
EUSTIS. 93 
 
 and was, no doubt, a portrait of the Caj^tain's father, 
 taken during the great and gentle artist's sojourn in 
 the South. 
 
 At one end of the room was an open fireplace, 
 with brass andirons and fender, on either side of 
 which stood large Chinese vases of white and blue. 
 
 Most of the furniture was of mahogany inlaid 
 with brass. Some old-fashioned, straight-backed 
 chairs were placed here and there against the wall, 
 but to better accord with the more luxurious fashion 
 of the present generation several heavily uj^holstered 
 easy-chairs were scattered about the room. 
 
 The entire arrangement of the parlor bespoke a 
 refined and homelike taste, while the books and 
 papers on the centre-table showed plainly that this 
 was the general " living-room " of the family. 
 
 On a little table, near the garden window, was a 
 vase of roses like those with which Miss Madge had 
 made me familiar, and I did not doubt that they 
 were the spoils of Jim's morning depredation. 
 
 Miss Lee soon returned and we went out together 
 into the grove of pines, on the opposite side of the 
 house from the rose garden, and on emerging from 
 it found ourselves standing near the edge of a 
 bluff some thirty or forty feet above the river and 
 its marshy banks, and with an extended view to 
 north and east and south. 
 
 It was a landscape with which I was rapidly 
 becoming familiar. The only type of scenery in 
 this level land which could boast the attraction ot 
 distance, and, perhaps, on this account, it had already 
 
94 EUSTI8. 
 
 found much favor in my sight, who had been 
 accustomed to a hilly country with its comprehensive 
 views. 
 
 The broad river wound in and out among the 
 marshes and in the middle of the stream, a quarter of 
 a mile or more away, was a little island covered with 
 a dense growth of trees and shrubs reaching to the 
 very water's edge in tropical luxuriance. The western 
 sun fell full upon it, and it rose high above the vast 
 expanse of marshes around it, like an oasis in the 
 desert. Many birds were skimming through the air 
 above it in circling and uncertain flight, and as I 
 looked a large white heron rose from amongst the 
 verdure on its banks, and winged its way across 
 the marshes until lost to sight in the soft hazy dis- 
 tance. 
 
 There was a rustic bench beneath the shadow of 
 the pines and we sat down together to enjoy the 
 view. A gentle breeze came in from the sea, laden 
 with the peculiar odor of the salt marsh. How 
 long we sat there I do not know, nor do I remember 
 what was said, probably nothing of importance in 
 itself. But we drifted half idly on from thought to 
 thought in pleasant sympathy, forgetful of the hour, 
 until at last we were warned by the lengthening 
 shadows and arose to return to the house. 
 
 As we walked back through the pine grove, it was 
 flooded with a golden light, that seemed to fill 
 all the air above and around us, and — a sensation 
 rarely experienced elsewhere — we appeared to be 
 not simply looking at the sunset, but absolutely 
 
EUSTIS. 95 
 
 standing in the midst of its bewildering bright- 
 
 ness 
 
 " How beautiful this is ! " I said as we left the 
 woods and approached the house, " I never saw 
 such a deluge of golden light ! Do you remember 
 what a fine sunset we had at sea, the first day I met 
 you?" 
 
 " O yes," she answered " and how you said you 
 should not remember it ! " 
 
 " JS'o, not that exactly," I replied, " I think I 
 said I should not remember it simply for itself. But 
 I do remember it well ! " 
 
 " Then, I suppose, you must have had a particu- 
 larly good supper that evening ! " 
 
 " Yes, that was probably it ! " I returned laugh- 
 ing. 
 
 " Have you heard from your friend, Mr. Brown, 
 since he went to Florida ? " inquired Mary. 
 
 "No." I answered, "but I hardly expect to hear 
 from him. We have never corresponded. I hope 
 the change of climate will do the poor fellow good 
 and, no doubt, this trip will at least widen his men- 
 tal horizon." 
 
 "Why, do you think him wanting in intelli- 
 gence ? " she asked. 
 
 " No, not at all ! But this is his first experience 
 of the outside world, and it will probably remove 
 some of his provincial prejudices." 
 
 " I think papa took rather a fancy to him," she 
 said. " He considered him original, and altogether 
 a character ! He has asked him to stop with us 
 when he leaves Florida." 
 
m EUSTI8. 
 
 " Has he ? That was very kind of him ! " 
 
 " O, not at all," she answered. " He likes to meet 
 new people, and especially young people." By this 
 time we had reached the piazza steps, and, as I held 
 out my hand to bid her good-by, I said, — 
 
 " By the way, you have forgotten to show me 
 the Palmetto Grove. I shall reserve it for my next 
 call." 
 
 " Very well," said she, " I will not be so remiss 
 when you come again ! Tell Madge she may ex- 
 pect us at dinner. Good-by, for the present ! " 
 
 I shook her hand and left her standing there in 
 the deepening light. The vines so full and green 
 trailing up the lattice at her side and waving their 
 sprays above her head, seemed a befitting framework 
 for the sweet face and graceful form, thrown out in 
 strong relief by the dark shadow of the piazza. If 
 I had been an artist I should have passed many an 
 hour in striving to reproduce the picture, and, no 
 doubt, in the vain endeavor should have sacrified 
 the vividness of the impression that now remains 
 upon my mind. 
 
EUSTIS. 97 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE DINNER. 
 
 nnilE twilight settled clown rapidly into night, 
 and when I reached home it was almost dark. 
 The lights were burning in the parlor, and Madge 
 was sitting by the centre-table reading. I delivered 
 my message through the open window, and sat 
 down on the piazza for a few moments to rest. 
 
 Presently, I heard Mrs. Jackson enter the parlor, 
 and say, — 
 
 "Did you have a pleasant walk with Harry, 
 Madge ? " 
 
 " No, we did not go," she answered, very quietly. 
 
 " Why, Madge, I thought when I saw you put- 
 ting on your hat, you said you were going out to- 
 gether." 
 
 " Well, we did not," she replied, with some little 
 impatience. 
 
 There was a short pause, and then I heard Mrs. 
 Jackson say, inquiringly, — 
 
 " Surely, you have not been quarrelling, Madge ? " 
 
 " What perfect nonsense, sister. Of course not. 
 Harry went over to the Lees for me, and did not 
 return in time, that was all." 
 
 I arose and went to the open window. 
 
98 EUSTIS. 
 
 " Madge," I said, " why did you not tell me you 
 expected me back to walk with you ? " 
 
 "Really, it was not of sufficient consequence," 
 she answered. 
 
 I saw that she was not in an altogether amiable 
 mood, and, thinking it best to say nothing more, I 
 went to my room to get ready for dinner. I re- 
 membered Madge's promise to reward me for my 
 errand, and supposed she was provoked at being 
 thwarted in her kindly intention by my delay. It 
 seemed, however, rather unjust to make me the 
 victim of her displeasure, when she had given me 
 no intimation of her plans. 
 
 "Well," I thought to myself, as I finished my 
 toilet. " Although I do not pretend to understand 
 the caprices of woman, certain I am that you, for 
 one. Miss Madge, shall not take up arms against me 
 on such slight provocation as this." 
 
 As I descended from my room, a light buff over- 
 coat and a spick-and-span sole leather portmanteau 
 in the hall, told me of the arrival of Mr. Amsterdam 
 Holland, of New York. Mr. Holland had, like my- 
 self, come South for the winter in search of pleasure. 
 He was of an excellent family, and reputed to be 
 rich. He had brought letters to Jim, and had, in 
 consequence, been asked to spend a week at " The 
 Oaks." As, however, he has little to do with my 
 story, it will be enough to state that he was a youth 
 of medium height, light hair and sandy whiskers, 
 and distinguished principally by the perfection of 
 his dress, which impressed me deeply, even in the 
 
EUSTIS. 99 
 
 momentary glimpse I had of it, before Jim can*ied 
 him off to make his preparations for dinner. 
 
 Soon after I had entered the parlor, Major Barn- 
 well and Colonel Shorter arrived, who, after their 
 introduction to me, seated themselves on either 
 side of Madge at the further end of the room, thus 
 leaving me at liberty to speak to Mrs. Jackson, 
 and learn from her something of their history. 
 
 " That Major Barnwell, Harry " she began. 
 
 " Which Major Barnwell ? " I asked. 
 
 " There is only one, you stupid fellow, the stout, 
 thickset one, with a pleasant face." 
 
 " Ah ! yes, I see. It is a pleasant face, and par- 
 ticularly pleasant in its expression of devotion to 
 Madge." 
 
 " Well, between you and me, Harry, he is very 
 attentive to her. He would offer himself in a min- 
 ute if she gave him the slightest encouragement, 
 and she might do far worse." 
 
 "Why? Is he rich?" 
 
 " I might have known you would ask that. All 
 you Northerners are so mercenary. No, not par- 
 ticularly — but riches are not everything. 
 
 " True, but they can procure everything." 
 
 "Well, perhaps they can at the North. I am 
 quite ready to believe you. But, thank goodness, 
 we have not been educated up to that, yet, in this 
 part of the country, the young men and women of 
 the South—" 
 
 " Now, excuse me, sister Kate, for interrupting 
 you," I said laughing, " but you really must not de- 
 
100 EU8TIS, 
 
 prive me of the pleasure of personal discovery, by a 
 summary of their virtues ; besides, I am interested 
 to hear more of the gallant Major." 
 
 " Well, there is not much to tell you about him — 
 he is not rich, he is not particularly bright, nor par- 
 ticularly handsome, nor particularly anything; but, 
 nevertheless, he is an excellent man. He owns a 
 rice plantation some three or four miles from here, 
 at least his family used to own it, but he was obliged 
 to mortgage it very heavily to run it after the war. 
 He had a hard time at first to make the ends meet, 
 but was careful and energetic, and is doing much 
 better now, they say. Colonel Shorter is staying with 
 him, and for that reason is here to-night, for to 
 tell you the truth, I do not like the Colonel. I 
 think him a dangerous man. He has been in ever 
 so many scrapes and shooting affairs ; not all of 
 them very reputable." 
 
 " He is rather handsome," I said, looking at this 
 sprig of Southern chivalry with growing interest. 
 
 " O yes, he is good looking enough. He con- 
 siders himself a great lady-killer, and, I regret to 
 say, he has had more success in that direction than 
 he deserves. Many women think him very fascinat- 
 ing and romantic." 
 
 "He does not appear to exert himself to be 
 especially attractive just at present," I said. 
 
 He was leaning back lazily in a low chair near 
 Madge, taking no part in and apparently indifferent 
 to the conversation between the Major and herself. 
 
 " O no," replied Mrs. Jackson. " He is what one 
 
EUSTIS. 101 
 
 might call a tete d tete man. It is then only that he 
 displays his wonderful powers. He never wastes 
 his light upon general conversation. I hardly know 
 why I have taken such a dislike to the man. Have 
 you noticed how cold his eyes are ? " 
 
 ** :N"o, I have not. What does he do ? " 
 
 " He is a merchant, or factor, or something of the 
 kind, in the city. He sells rice for all the planters, 
 you know. I believe he lent the money to the 
 Major to enable him to begin planting. Why! 
 there are the Lees. I must go out to meet them," 
 and so saying she arose hastily and hurried from 
 the room, followed by Madge. 
 
 I was very glad to meet the Captain again, with 
 his cheerful, whole-souled way. He seemed to dif- 
 fuse his sunny nature through the room, until every- 
 body caught and reflected back a portion of its 
 genial rays. I could not but feel flattered by his 
 apparent interest in me, and his affectionate manner 
 which arose, no doubt, from the recollection of his 
 early intimacy with my father. 
 
 Mary wore that evening a white muslin gown, 
 cut open and pointed in front, showing to advan- 
 tage her snowy throat and neck. I had never seen 
 her look so lovely. She had on no jewelry nor or- 
 naments, with the exception of a single rosebud in 
 her hair, which I recognized as one of Madge's fa- 
 vorites. 
 
 Mrs. Lee was, as usual, in black, and, as usual, si- 
 lent and dignified, 
 
 Mr. Holland, who niade his appearance presently 
 
102 EUSTIS. 
 
 with Jim, was in full dress, and, no doubt, pleased 
 to think himself the only suitably dressed gentle- 
 man in the room. After a few minutes passed in 
 general introductions and handshaking, dinner was 
 served, and we filed into the dining-room, led by 
 Captain Lee and Mrs. Jackson. Jim went in with 
 Mrs. Lee, Mr. Holland with Madge, and I had the 
 good fortune to be allotted to Miss. Lee, while 
 Major Barnwell and Colonel Shorter were left to 
 take care of themselves, or of one another, as they 
 might prefer. 
 
 The table was well lighted by silver candela- 
 bra, and. in the centre, stood a handsome epergne 
 of flowers. Usually, the minutias of the great event 
 of the day make but little impression upon me. I 
 rise from dinner pleased or otherwise by its tout 
 ensemble^ but if called upon to give a reason for 
 the feeling, find myself utterly unable to do so. 
 The present occasion, was, however, an exceptional 
 one, and, contrary to my custom, I do remember 
 it well ; the delicious white stew of terrapin, with 
 which the dinner began ; (had I not in the morn- 
 ing, watched them basking in the sun, on a barrel 
 head that lay beside the pool in the back-yard ?) 
 and the royal wild turkey, roasted to a turn before 
 the kitchen fire, and running with juice at the first 
 touch of the carving-fork ; the melting slice of home- 
 cured ham that imparted such a relish to the roast ; 
 — what well-bred sideboard in the South is igno- 
 rant of its spiced fat and pantaletted bone ? — the 
 small game birds; the ivory palmetto cabbage, signal- 
 
EUSTIS. 103 
 
 ling the death of a forest tree ; the profusion of vege- 
 tables with every course ; the tempting and insidious 
 dessert, made from some great grandmother's re- 
 cipe, an heirloom in the family ; the smooth, fra- 
 grant Madeira, of three voyages and a hundred 
 years, that by some special dispensation had escaped 
 the eager eyes and thirsty lips of the invader ; — 
 such a dinner as is seldom seen nowadays, except 
 in Southern country houses. 
 
 The conversation soon became general, turning 
 ujDon the latest local news, the expected gayeties of 
 the coming winter, the domestic affairs of people 
 with names unfamiliar to me, the prospects of the 
 coming crops, and, finally, ujjon the elections, and 
 thence, naturally, to our adventure at the polls. 
 Many questions were asked about it, and to my an- 
 noyance most of them were addressed to me ; nor 
 was my embarrassment lessened when I heard Jim 
 exclaim, in an animated voice, — 
 
 "Yesterday was the second time that Strong 
 saved my life. If it had not been for him I should 
 never have pulled through the winter I was im- 
 prisoned at Johnson's Island." 
 
 Almost for the first time in my life I felt thor- 
 oughly provoked with him ! I tried to catch his 
 eye, but could not ; and every inquiry that his re- 
 mark drew forth was answered by him in full, thus 
 drawing upon me the attention of the entire com- 
 pany. 
 
 As a rule I am not troubled with diffidence, but, 
 at this moment, I had not a word to say, and sat 
 
104 EUSTIS. 
 
 there in silence, and apparently with the modest 
 blush of conscious merit on my face. 
 
 My position was indeed absurd ; for I felt that it 
 must be evident to all, that, on the occasion referred 
 to, I had merely sent him a few trifles to soften the 
 hardships of imprisonment, for which he was over- 
 grateful, from the fact, no doubt, that he had found 
 it so pleasant to be remembered at all at such a 
 time. However, before I had sufliciently recovered 
 my self-possession to speak, the subject was changed, 
 and the opportunity lost. 
 
 Although I cared comparatively little what others 
 might think, I wished, if possible, to set myself right 
 with Miss Lee. I would not have her do me the in- 
 justice to suppose I gave undue weight to such a 
 trivial act of friendship. 
 
 So when at length a general discussion arose as 
 to the relative merits of fox and deer hunting, I 
 turned to her and said, — 
 
 " I do wish Jim had held his tongue about that 
 Johnson's Island affair." 
 
 "Why?" she asked. 
 
 " Because it is absurd to make so much of such a 
 trifle ! " 
 
 " Do you think it a trifle to have saved his life ? " 
 
 " No. But I did not. If I helped him at all, 
 which I doubt, I am very glad of it. But what 
 merit is there in any act without at least a touch of 
 self-sacrifice, and there was none in that ; it cost me 
 nothing ! " 
 
 " I do not suppose, when he spoke of it to-night, 
 
EUSTI8. 105 
 
 that Mr. Eiistis was thinking of the pecuniary- 
 obligation ! " she answered dryly. 
 
 " I believe you wilfully misunderstand me ! " I 
 exclaimed with indignation. " I am sorry you 
 should think me capable of such a consideration ! " 
 
 "If I was unjust I beg your pardon," she an- 
 swered quickly, looking up at me. " But how 
 should I know ? I do not understand you North- 
 erners, and always expect to find something about 
 them that I do not like. I wish I were not so sus- 
 picious. I cannot help it. I am very sorry." 
 
 I felt at once disarmed and reproved by her 
 earnestness and simplicity, and, anxious to make 
 amends for my over hastiness, I replied in a low 
 tone, — 
 
 " You see how much I dislike to be misjudged by 
 you. Miss Lee. I hardly know why I care so much 
 for your esteem, but such is the fact, and I beg you 
 not to be so ready to think ill of me. Like, or dis- 
 like me if you must, for myself, and not because I 
 am a Northerner. Do not begin by suspecting me 
 — but trust me until I prove myself unworthy of it 
 — even then do. not condemn me without a hearing. 
 Will you not promise me this ? " 
 
 While I was speaking the ladies had risen from 
 the table, and as Mary arose she turned to me with 
 a slight flush and said, — 
 
 " I will try — , yes, I will promise ! " 
 
 At the same moment Madge approached us. 
 
 " Why, you look as guilty as two conspirators ! " 
 she exclaimed. " Don't trust Mr. Strong, May, he 
 
106 EUSTIS, 
 
 never keeps his promises or his engagements. I 
 have found him altogether unreliable ! " and with a 
 laugh and a discarding sweep of the hand, she 
 linked her arm in Miss Lee's, and they passed to- 
 gether out of the room. 
 
 Before they were out of hearing I heard Madge 
 say,— 
 
 " I am very glad to see you and Mr. Strong get 
 on so well together. I was afraid " 
 
 After the ladies had left us, we sat for half an 
 hour over our wine, making arrangements for the 
 coming day's hunt. 
 
 " What horses will you and Harry ride to-morrow, 
 Jim ? " asked Captain Lee. 
 
 " I shall ride ' Dangerous ' and Harry ' Gray Bess.' 
 The mare is not handsome, as you know, but she is 
 a very comfortable hunting nag. Then I thought 
 Mr. Holland might ride ' Beauty,' she is working 
 very well this fall." 
 
 " Beauty gone carse ur shoe to-night, Massa Jim," 
 said David, a mulatto, who acted either as Jim's 
 body servant, coachman, or waiter, in which last 
 capacity he was at present filling Col. Shorter's 
 glass with Madeira. 
 
 " Is that a fact ? Well I'm sorry to hear it," said 
 Jim, then after a moment's reflection, he added, " I 
 don't see, then, but that Mr. Holland must make 
 his choice between the pony and 'Vixen,' and 
 'Vixen 'has not been ridden much lately. I am 
 afraid she might be up to some of her old tricks." 
 
 " Then, let me ride her, by all means," said Mr. 
 
EUSTIS, 107 
 
 Holland, cheerfully. " I like a good lively horse ! 
 I always say to my riding-master in New York, 
 * Riddle, give me one of your right down runaways.' 
 I hate a horse that just goes walking along the street 
 as if he took no interest in anything. Give me a 
 horse with some life about him ! " 
 
 " Very well, then, David, Mr. Holland will ride 
 ' Vixen,' but put the curb on her. Do you remem- 
 ber that day, Captain Lee, when she pitched me over 
 her head into the brook, while you stood by laugh- 
 ing, as if it were a good joke ? " 
 
 " Ah, ah ! " shouted the Captain, as he recalled 
 the scene, " It was enough to make a saint laugh ! 
 When you dragged yourself out on to the bank, 
 what with mud and water, you were a sorry sight, 
 Jim ! And there stood * Vixen,' staring at you 
 with a reproachful air, as much as to say she was 
 mortified to think her master could not keep 
 his seat better than that ! You lost a great deal, 
 Jim, by not seeing it as I did." 
 
 " I hope you will give me a chance some day, 
 Captain," returned Jim, laughing. 
 
 It was settled that the Captain should join us at 
 Tha Oaks, and that we should start at six in the 
 morning. 
 
 Barnwell and Colonel Shorter were to ride their 
 own horses, which were already standing in Eustis's 
 stables. 
 
 When we joined the ladies in the drawing-room, 
 Madge and Mary were sitting on a sofa near the 
 
108 EUSTIS. 
 
 open window, and Major Barnwell and I, who were 
 talking together as we entered, crossed the room to 
 join them. 
 
 After chatting for a few moments, the Major 
 asked Madge to show him some fancy-work that 
 she was doing, and as they left us to examine 
 it near the light, I took the seat that Madge had 
 left by Mary's side and settled myself for a talk. 
 But my hope was not to be fulfilled, for a moment 
 later Mrs. Jackson asked Mary to sing, and without 
 hesitation, she arose and crossed the room to the 
 piano. 
 
 Much as I regretted the interruption, I could not 
 fail to admire the grace with which she complied. 
 
 "Do you not object to sing before so many 
 people ? " I asked, as I opened the piano. 
 
 " Yes," she answered, with decision. 
 
 " I should never have guessed it from your man- 
 ner," I said, and then added, as she turned over the 
 music for a song she knew, " Please don't sing any 
 of the songs you sung at sea." 
 
 "Why? Did you not like them?" she asked, 
 stopping and looking up at me with an expression 
 of surprise. 
 
 " Yes, every one of them," I said, " and so well 
 that I do not wish to hear them again now. I would 
 rather remember them as I heard them first." 
 
 She looked down at the music again while I was 
 speaking, but did not answer me. 
 
 I would willingly have recalled the words a mo- 
 ment after they were spoken, for I felt that I had 
 
EUSTIS. 109 
 
 overstepped the bounds within which, I had per- 
 suaded myself, it was my duty to keep. I was 
 provoked at having done so, and, at the same time, 
 provoked to think I was not free to speak my 
 mind. Thus it happened, that when Mary asked 
 me to turn the pages of her music while she sang, I 
 answered thoughtlessly and almost rudely, — • 
 
 " No, if you will excuse me, I will listen to you 
 from the piazza." 
 
 I did not wait for her reply, but turned away, 
 and walked slowly out of the room, pausing just 
 long enough at the door to see Eustis join her at 
 the piano. I did not catch his words, but I saw the 
 bright, frank smile with which she greeted him, as 
 she began the prelude to her song. 
 
 For one who considered himself a philosopher I 
 felt very thoroughly disturbed. I sat down alone 
 on the piazza and lighted a cigarette. I called my- 
 self "fool" and "idiot," and by other names of 
 equal severity; but even this failed to afford the 
 customary relief ; partly, no doubt, owing to a lack 
 of sincerity in my self-condemnation, and partly to 
 the combined influence of the sad, sweet-voiced 
 song within the house, and the blackness of the 
 night without into which I was looking. 
 
 At length the sound of the singing ceased, and in 
 its place arose the chatter of many voices. 
 
 Presently, Madge's tall figure appeared in the 
 lighted doorway, and after standing a moment 
 in silence, she asked, turning towards me, — 
 
 " Is it you smoking there, Harry ? " 
 
110 EUSTIS. 
 
 " It has a disagreeably strong likeness to me, Miss 
 Madge. Won't you come and amuse me for awhile ? " 
 I replied, getting Up and moving a chair for her 
 near my own. " You know you promised to re- 
 ward me for my gallant services this afternoon." 
 
 "Well;" she answered, with a tone of resigna- 
 tion, as she sat down beside me. "But I don't 
 think you deserve it at all after breaking your en- 
 gagement with me." 
 
 " I had no idea you intended to go to walk." 
 
 " You should have known," she said with sever- 
 ity. 
 
 " How, pray ? " I asked. 
 
 " By — ^by intuition." 
 
 " Well," I answered, " I fear my intuitive facul. 
 ties are very imperfectly developed. Please don't 
 make ' intuitive engagements ' for me in the future. 
 It really is hardly fair ! Suppose a young woman 
 should put a ring on her own finger, and then 
 hold a man guilty of breach of contract unless 
 he offered himself. What a predicament he would 
 be in ! " 
 
 "You need not have the least fear of that, I 
 assure you." 
 
 " O, I beg your pardon. I should not be uncivil 
 enough to make the application personal, even in 
 thought. I was only speaking of girls in general." 
 
 "And so was I," she exclaimed, with a hearty 
 laugh ; and then we made it up, if our little misun- 
 derstanding deserved the importance the words 
 " make up " imply. 
 
EUSTI8. Ill 
 
 We chatted on for awhile to the accompaniment 
 of several duets by Miss Lee and Jim who sung very 
 pleasantly together. Jim had a good baritone voice 
 and used it well ; nor was singing his only musical 
 accomplishment; for with a natural aptitude, as 
 pleasant as it is rare, he could play upon various 
 instruments, and if not with great skill, yet with 
 sufficient taste to give pleasure to all but the most 
 critical. He played altogether by ear, but with so 
 much vigorous sentiment and spirit, that his occa- 
 sional liberties with the music could be forgiven. 
 
 By the time the duets were finished, and Madge 
 and I went into the house, the loquacity of my com- 
 panion had restored my spirits. On entering the 
 parlor, we found the party on the point of breaking 
 up, owing to the early start expected for the 
 morrow's hunt. 
 
 I saw Mrs Lee to her carriage, which was waiting 
 at the garden gate, and after she and the Captain 
 had taken their seats, as Mary did not come, I went 
 at their request to look for her. 
 
 I met her walking slowly down the garden path 
 with Jim. . The shrubbery concealed me from them, 
 and they were so deeply absorbed in conversation 
 that they did not notice me until I spoke. I heard 
 Jim say, " To-morrow night, " and her answer 
 spoken in a tone full of entreaty. — " Ah, Jim ! 
 please don't, I beg of you!" 
 
 " Your mother asked me to look for you. Miss 
 Lee," I said, as I approached them ; and they both 
 
112 EUSTIS. 
 
 started at the sound of my probably unwelcome 
 voice. 
 
 " Oh, I am so sorry to have kept her waiting ! 
 Good night, Mr. Strong ! " said she, and she hurried 
 past me toward the gate. 
 
 Jim followed her and I returned to the piazza 
 thinking of her pleading tone, and wondering what 
 her words had meant. 
 
 Shortly after the departure of our guests, the men 
 went down to the smoking-room to take a last pipe 
 aii5 nightcap. I, however, did not join them^ 
 wishing to secure an additional hour's sleep against 
 the fatigue of the c( ming day. 
 
 I took a few turns up and down the piazza, and 
 then entered the house on my way to bed. I 
 stopped for a moment at the drawing-room door to 
 bid the ladies good night. Madge was sitting in a 
 recess at the further end of the room talking with 
 Colonel Shorter, who stood leaning against the win. 
 dow near her. The Colonel was evidently in his ele- 
 ment and to judge from Madge's animated face, was. 
 whispering to not unwilling ears. They appeared 
 to be so much engrossed, I thought it best not to 
 disturb them, and as Mrs Jackson was not there, I 
 passed on without entering the room and retired 
 for the night 
 
EUSTIS. 113 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 DEER-HUNTING. 
 
 rpHE morning of the hunt broke bright and clear. 
 -^ I was up and dressed before the gray light in 
 the east had given place to the streaks of red and 
 gold that followed it. 
 
 I am fond of early rising, and often have I crept 
 noiselessly from the house in the obscurity of the 
 dawning, to watch in the growing light, from some 
 near height, the mists in the valleys and the rosy 
 tints on the hilltops. 
 
 How vigorously the grand old monarch rises 
 from his couch, with beams of light and life and 
 hope for all mankind ! 
 
 As we watch him, the pulse quickens, and the 
 ambitions rise ! We feel a restless desire for action ; 
 a longing to begin at once upon our allotted tasks. 
 
 Full of new-born strength and energy we hasten 
 home to our breakfast, newspaper, and cigar, and then 
 — well, then we relapse into our ordinary, easy going 
 selves, and get through our daily troubles as best 
 we can. 
 
 Must we attribute this pitiable result to inherent 
 
114 EUSTIS, 
 
 weakness, an inborn lack of power for continuous 
 effort ? or do the fumes of the tobacco rob us of our 
 manly aspirations ? 
 
 Whatever it is that cuts clown these shoots of 
 ambition in their early growth, it is, at least, pleasant 
 to have felt them sprout, if only for an hour ! 
 
 With some such fancies in my mind, I descended 
 from my room and passed through the garden, in- 
 tending to steal a short morning walk before the 
 others had made their appearance. 
 
 My hand was already on the gate latch, when a 
 window was thrown open and Eustis, in his shirt 
 sleeves, called out to me that it was nearly break- 
 fast time. So I returned to the house, and went to 
 the smoking-room to put my rifle in order and fill 
 my belt with cartridges. Shortly after, the men 
 came dropping in, and by half-past five breakfast 
 was announced. 
 
 Our meal of rolls, eggs, and coffee was a hurried 
 one, for all our little party were under the pressure 
 of excitement, and anxious to be off and away. 
 
 I said all, but should have excepted Colonel 
 Shorter, who seemed entirely unruffled, and con- 
 tinued to eat his breakfast with perfect equanimity, 
 even when the sound of the horns and the baying 
 of the hounds in front of the house, had caused the 
 rest of us to leave the table and hurry to the scene 
 of action. 
 
 It is always provoking to see apathy in others 
 when we are excited ourselves, and especially when 
 our excitement is of a healthy character, and one in 
 which those about us should naturally sympathize ; 
 
EUSTIS. 115 
 
 and certainly Colonel Shorter's nonchalance, on the 
 present occasion, prejudiced me against him. 
 
 There are, no doubt, times when calm self-control, 
 amid scenes of extreme agitation, marks the great 
 mind ; but, on the contrary, it is a sign of a mean 
 intellect to be conspicuously selfish and unsympa- 
 thetic in the little excitements of daily life ; and 
 such a man might be the first to lose his self-posses- 
 sion in the event of a great crisis. Yet, strange as 
 it is, men will pride themselves upon this lack of 
 impressibility, and will, with those about them, 
 mistake it for coolness and depth of character. 
 
 What a lively, bustling scene was now taking 
 place! Old Pompey, the huntsman, was there, 
 mounted upon a small, angular-looking mule, and 
 surrounded by a pack of a dozen or more howling, 
 whining hounds, which, by dint of horn and voice 
 and lash he managed with difiiculty to keep to- 
 gether. 
 
 Three or four negro boys were walking back and 
 forth with the horses we were about to mount. 
 
 The horses themselves seemed to share in the 
 general excitement, and their capers and antics gave 
 the boys in charge all they could do to keep them 
 from going a-hunting by themselves. 
 
 I noticed that " Vixen " was particularly lively, 
 and taxed to the utmost the powers of the groom 
 at her head. She was a handsome thoroughbred ; 
 and while I admired her graceful movements, her 
 bright eyes and distended nostrils, I thought to 
 myself that a day in the woods might be jjassed 
 more comfortably on a less ambitious animal. I 
 
116 EU8TI8, 
 
 turned to see whether Holland appeared to be 
 pleased with the prospect before him, and saw that 
 none of the excited movements of the horse escaped 
 his notice. At that moment Eustis approached 
 him and said, — 
 
 " I think, Mr. Holland, I will first try ' Vixen ' 
 myself this morning." 
 
 I had gone to the horse that I was to ride and 
 was adjusting the stirrups when my attention was 
 arrested by Barnwell's voice, crying, — 
 
 " Take care, Jim, slack your rein, or she'll be over 
 with you ! " 
 
 I looked up over the pommel of my saddle and 
 saw that Jim had mounted " Vixen," and was doing 
 battle with her in dead earnest. She was plunging 
 and rearing so viciously that I expected her to fling 
 him over her head, or fall backwards with and upon 
 him. But he stuck to her like a man, and when she 
 found her efforts to dislodge him in this way futile, 
 she began to buck, and, jumping with all four feet 
 from the ground together, she arched her back, and 
 sent her rider up into the air a foot or more from 
 the saddle. Nothing but good luck settled him 
 upon her again, but his feet were out of the stirrups* 
 and before she could buck again he had wound them 
 under her, clinging like grim death. He looked cool 
 and determined, but I think the rest of us felt 
 anxious for his safety. 
 
 By this time Colonel Shorter had joined us and was 
 leaning indolently back against the fence near by, 
 with a supercilious smile upon his face. 
 
EUSTI8. 117 
 
 " Yixen " had done her best in vain, but, not yet 
 disheartened, she gathered herself together for one 
 final effort, and with a rear and a plunge away she 
 shot down the avenue like an arrow from its string ! 
 As they rapidly diminished in the distance, we saw 
 Jim sitting as if welded to her. " I trust she will 
 not throw him at the gate," whispered Barnwell at 
 my elbow. No, out of the gate they swept and 
 down the road, and before we finally lost sight of 
 them in the forest, we could see Jim laying on the 
 jash with every jump! "He's all right now," said 
 Barnwell, " He'll be back in ten minutes or so, 
 He's a fine rider and afraid of nothing." 
 
 " There's not much to fear in that horse," inter- 
 posed Shorter. " Had she been mine I would have 
 thrown her at once and then have beaten her into 
 submission. All this is very pretty to look at, but 
 I don't think it worth our while to waste any more 
 time over it. We might as well start at once." 
 
 As no one opposed the Colonel's proposition we 
 all mounted ; Holland riding " Dangerous," and 
 I carrying Jim's rifle across my saddle; and to 
 the sound of much discordant music (for each horse- 
 man seemed to think it necessary to test the horn 
 that was slung across his back) our little cavalcade 
 proceeded down the avenue. 
 
 As we rode slowly along we heard the notes of 
 other horns, in answer to our own, and at the gate 
 met Eustis with Captain Lee who had joined him 
 on the road. 
 
 A short delay ensued, while Jim exchanged horses 
 
118 EUSTIS. 
 
 with Plolland and took his gun from me, and at the 
 same time arranged the different stands we each 
 should take at the " Drive." 
 
 How lovely was the morning as we strayed off, 
 now in single and again in double file, through the 
 woods. The very atmosphere to breathe and live 
 in ; so cool and fresh and fragrant. The light haze 
 was fast dissolving before the slanting sunbeams 
 that had already found their way to the feet of the 
 pines, and the merry horns waked echo after echo 
 in the distant and more distant cloisters of the 
 forest. 
 
 With what distinctness the leaves rustled as the 
 hounds went nosing along through the underbrush, 
 and how sharply the dry twigs snapped beneath the 
 horses' feet. And see, through the woods, in the 
 shallow pool to the right, that tall white heron. 
 How majestically erect he stands, poised on one 
 foot, as motionless as a marble statue ! Wondering, 
 no doubt, what noisy company dares thus invade his 
 sacred solitude at this early hour. Let us not waste 
 a bullet on the beautiful bird — but see ! as if sus- 
 picious of the thought, he loses suddenly that 
 haughty dignity of bearing, and with lowered and 
 outstretched neck, with awkward skips and strident 
 voice, he takes his flight, the sunlight playing with 
 his snowy wings as he soars upwards through the 
 pines ! 
 
 On we went through the woods, until at last we 
 came out upon a broad, straight road, stretching in 
 either direction as far as the eye could reach. This 
 
EUSTIS. 119 
 
 road, I was told, bordered one side of the " Drive," 
 and here Captain Lee and Mr. Holland dismounted 
 to take their stands. 
 
 The huntsman, with the hounds, continued up the 
 road to enter the woods half a mile to windward, 
 while I followed Jim down a bridle-path that ran 
 into the woods at right angles to the road. Some 
 forty rods from the place where we had left the 
 Captain, we halted at the foot of three tall j^ines. 
 Jim bade me dismount, and showed me in what 
 direction I must look for the deer, and, then, after 
 one or two parting injunctions, he kept on down the 
 almost imperceptible bridle-path, to a point some 
 distance to my right. 
 
 Barnwell and Shorter were beyond Jim, and pro- 
 tected, so I was told, the third side of the quadri- 
 lateral. 
 
 When Jim had disappeared in the woods, I led 
 my horse back twenty or thirty yards from my 
 stand, and hitched him to a sapling near a copse of 
 dwarf palmetto, that effectually concealed him. 
 Then I returned to my jDOst, and took a survey of 
 my surroundings. 
 
 On my left were the open woods, through which 
 I had come from the main road. In front of me, 
 with, perhaps, thirty yards of "open" intervening, 
 was an apparently impenetrable thicket running off 
 indefinitely in either direction. This was the thicket 
 that the hounds and huntsman were about to beat ; 
 around "t had our party formed, and within it lay 
 the hope of the day's sport. 
 
120 EUSTIS. 
 
 To my right, toward the spot where I supposed 
 Eustis to be standing, the woods were comparative- 
 ly open, but with clusters of underbrush here and 
 there to intercept the view. 
 
 Behind me the trunks of the pines rose clear and 
 free from undergrowth, with the exception of the 
 palmetto thicket, where my horse was tied. 
 
 I stood for awhile, leaning against one of the 
 three pines, listening to the silence of the forest. 
 I could not hear a sound, save an occasional 
 movement of my horse. 
 
 But, hark ! Yes ! I hear the huntsman's horn, 
 blown at intervals, and growing fainter and fainter 
 at each repetition, until I lose it altogether. 
 
 Again silence reigns about me, but still I listen 
 on intently. I stand up and listen, until I tire of 
 standing. I sit down and listen, until the rough 
 trunk of the j^ine at my back drives me again to 
 my feet. Standing or sitting, I continue most per- 
 sistently to listen, but nothing meets the ear but 
 the creaking of the branches above me, the falling 
 of the leaves from a withered tree near by, and the 
 infrequent neighing of my horse. 
 
 But one cannot listen intently to nothing forever. 
 The counting of falling leaves becomes monotonous, 
 and the number of times a horse can neigh in the 
 bushes, ceases to be amusing. 
 
 So I lean my gun against a tree and light a cigar- 
 ette. I begin to ask myself how long I have been 
 standing here, and mentally reply, " Well, at a guess, 
 I should say forty minutes." I look at my watch, 
 
EUSTIS. 121 
 
 and find to my astonishment that it is half-past ten. 
 And, as we started at six and were on the ground 
 before seven, I find I must have been standing at 
 my present post for at least three hours ! 
 
 What has become of the huntsman ? Where are 
 the hounds ? Have my companions gone home and 
 forgotten me, or are they following the chase in 
 some distant part of the forest ? Well, I certainly 
 cannot stay here doing nothing and hearing nothing 
 all the day long, and yet, as I dislike extremely to 
 give it up and go home alone, I decide to remain 
 where I am until eleven o'clock. 
 
 I have scarcely formed the determination when I 
 hear distinctly the crackling sound of breaking 
 twigs in the thicket before me, as of some animal 
 forcing his way through it. 
 
 I seize my rifle, and stand ready at my post. 
 
 The next moment, the loud blast of a horn re- 
 sounds within a hundred yards of me, and then the 
 deep voice of a single hound, followed in an instant 
 by the music of the whole pack as they open wild- 
 ly on a fresh trail ! Away they go under full cry, 
 waking the echoes with their mad war song ! 
 
 I see absolutely nothing, but that magic 
 music sends the blood coursing through my veins, 
 and I feel the strong throb of every pulse in my 
 body ! O, for one shot at the deer that leads the 
 pack ! But away they go — away they go ! Now 
 nearer, and now farther off, as he doubles and re- 
 doubles on his track, but never again so near as 
 when they first broke in upon the dead silence of 
 the forest. 
 
122 EUSTIS. 
 
 Hark ! That was a rifle shot. It must be Jim 
 or Shorter, for only we three have rifles. But hark 
 again ! Another rifle shot, and still another. They 
 must be doing brave work in the woods beyond me ! 
 
 As I turned in the direction of Jim's stand, 
 whence the reports had come, I caught sight, for 
 an instant, of a figure disappearing behind one of 
 the clusters of underbrush that lay in that direction, 
 and not a hundred yards away. 
 
 I expected to see it emerge from the opposite 
 side of the thicket, but no, whoever it was, he had 
 evidently come to a standstill behind it. I whistled 
 repeatedly but received no answer. I could not, 
 surely, have been mistaken, and to satisfy my curi- 
 osity I walked rapidly to the spot. I passed round 
 the thicket. Nobody was there, and nobody was in 
 sight beyond. I called and whistled, but still there 
 was no response. Had a man passed either way 
 from the place I must have seen him, unless, in- 
 deed, he had retreated in a direct line from the spot 
 where I had been standing, thus keeping the thicket 
 between him and me ; but this appeared hardly pos- 
 sible, for at fifty yards from it in that direction, the 
 land fell away into a dense swamp. I went down 
 to its edge and examined it. The underbrush looked 
 impenetrable, and I could see the water glistening 
 through the leaves. I was greatly perplexed, but 
 felt myself finally forced to the conclusion that I 
 must have been mistaken after all, and that my eyes 
 had deceived me. So, having taken my little walk 
 for nothing, I returned slowly to my stand. 
 
. EUSTIS, 123 
 
 In the mean time the sound of the hounds and 
 horns grew more indistinct, and at last died away 
 altogether, but, inasmuch as after the first shots I 
 had heard others at a greater distance, I had hopes 
 that some of the party, at least, had been more 
 fortunate in their hunting than I. 
 
 Thinking now that, so far as I was concerned, the 
 hunt was virtually over, I unhitched my nag from 
 the sapling, and throwing the rein over my arm, 
 sauntered up the path to the road where we had 
 left Captain Lee and Mr. Holland. There I found 
 them sitting together on a bank in the shade (for 
 the day had grown warm) smoking their pipes. 
 
 "Well, Harry, what luck?" called out the Cap- 
 tain as I approached. I explained that my only 
 luck had consisted in hearing the hounds open near 
 me, and added, — 
 
 " But that in itself was worth waiting an hour or 
 two to hear." 
 
 "Yes, my boy," replied the Captain, "it is as 
 thrilling as the bugles in a cavalry charge. But I 
 am right down sorry you did not get a shot ! We 
 heard the rifles banging away there and supposed 
 you were in the thick of it. But, between you 
 and me, I rather suspect these excellent young hunts- 
 men of sometimes shelving new comers like you, 
 and old fogies like myself. They tickle our ears, you 
 know, with the music, and our palates with the ven- 
 ison they have shot. But they tell us we must have 
 made a noise, or been smoking at the wrong time, 
 or that the wind changed. They have a thousand 
 
124 EUSTI8. 
 
 good reasons to account for the one Inevitable result 
 —that the deer run right away from us and on to 
 them ! Well, a morning in the woods is pleasant, at 
 any rate," he added, as he rose from his mossy seat 
 and shook the ashes from his pipe. " But I think 
 we've had about enough of it for one day, and so, 
 gentlemen, if you feel disposed to leave the field to 
 our more cunning competitors, we may as well go 
 home to lunch." 
 
 Before leaving, the Captain gave two or three 
 long calls upon his hunting horn, but their echo was 
 the only answer, and we concluded that the rest of 
 the party had probably deserted their stations and 
 joined in following the dogs. 
 
 When, half an hour later, we entered the gate of 
 Palmetto Grove, we saw a lady walking slowly up 
 the avenue ahead of us. 
 
 " Why, there is Mary ! " cried the Captain, and 
 forthwith blew a loud blast upon his horn. She 
 turned at once and waited for us, waving her para- 
 sol as we approached. 
 
 "Well, father, what luck have you had?" she 
 asked, at the same time greeting us, each in turn, 
 with a i^leasant smile. 
 
 " We have had the good luck, my dear," replied 
 the Captain, "to get home in time for lunch, and 
 with no innocent blood upon our heads. I am sorry 
 we could not give these gentlemen a personal in- 
 troduction to our game, but I tell them that next 
 time the best stands are allotted them, they must be 
 too polite to accept them. If you will show them 
 
EUSTIS. 125 
 
 the way to the house, Mary, I will hurry on and 
 order lunch." 
 
 When the Captain left us we both dismounted, 
 and walked by Miss Lee's side. She looked 
 very lovely in her well-fitting walking dress and 
 broad-brimmed hat, that shaded her eyes and wavy 
 hair. But then she always looks well, I said to my- 
 self with almost a feeling of impatience at the 
 thought ! 
 
 I had not forgotten my rude behavior of the 
 night before, and knowing it could not be easily ex- 
 plained my position embarrassed me and, in conse- 
 quence, I felt that my manner was constrained and 
 cold. Mary, however, did not appear to notice it 
 and treated us both with the same sunny serenity. 
 But, from some inexplicable contrariness of disposi- 
 tion, this very sweetness itself rather piqued and 
 annoyed me. 
 
 At the door of the house, a negro was in waiti'ng 
 to take our horses to the stable, and we went in to 
 lunch. Owing to some slight indisposition, Mrs. Lee 
 did not come down and Mary presided in her stead. 
 
 After an excellent hincheon, we retired to the 
 piazza that overlooked the rose garden at the back 
 of the house, and presently the Captain took Mr. 
 Holland away to show him the stables and the view 
 from the pine grove, and Mary and I were left to- 
 gether. 
 
 For awhile we spoke on subjects very foreign to 
 my thoughts, but, at last, what was uppermost in 
 my mind would find utterance, and I said, — 
 
126 EUSTI8. 
 
 " I beg your pardon for leaving you so abruptly last 
 night," and then, as she did not reply, I added in- 
 quiringly, " but, perhaps you did not notice it ! " 
 
 " Why, yes, I think I noticed it," she answered 
 slowly 
 
 " Did you think it rude ? " I asked. 
 
 " It certainly was not very flattering, but I attri- 
 buted it to Northern manners." 
 
 *' You must, then, think them very bad ? " 
 
 " I have not wholly made up my mind, but they 
 do apj^ear to be very uncertain, to say the least," 
 she answered. 
 
 " Would you have us always the same ! With 
 emotions so completely under control as never to 
 indicate them by word or act ? " 
 
 " If they must take the form of rudeness, I can- 
 not see the advantage of expressing them ! " 
 
 What more could I say ? I could not mend the 
 matter ! Why had I so stupidly referred to it ? I 
 had only strengthened her impression of my inciv- 
 ility by acknowledging that I was aware of it, and, 
 at the same time, unable or unwilling to explain it. 
 
 How gladly would I have told her that she had 
 caught a glimpse, not of my feelings, but of the 
 strong curb with which they were controlled ! The 
 temptation was great, but after a moment's hesita- 
 tation, I simply said, — 
 
 " Yes, no doubt you are right. I only trust you 
 will never again be called upon to pardon such an 
 exhibition of my boorishness ! " 
 
 At this moment the Captain returned with Mr. 
 
EUSTIS, 127 
 
 Holland and, declining the cordial invitation of our 
 host to stay to dinner, we ordered our horses and 
 started for home. 
 
 About four o'clock we reached The Oaks and 
 found, grouped at the garden gate, Mrs. Jackson, 
 , Madge, and Major Barnwell, together with the hunts- 
 man and hounds. The latter had just returned 
 from the chase and had brought home two good- 
 sized does as the result of their day's sport. They 
 were examining their prizes and explaining to the 
 ladies, who had come out to meet them, the directions 
 taken by the fatal shots. 
 
 " Well, Harry, where is your share of the spoils ? " 
 asked Mrs. Jackson turning to me. 
 
 " The fact is, Mr. Holland and I were so utterly 
 famished, that we ate our two bucks in the forest, 
 where they fell ! " I answered. 
 
 " Did Jim kill anything to-day ? " 
 
 "I don't know. Indeed I have not seen him 
 since we first took our stands. But I heard his 
 rifle just after the hounds opened. What luck did 
 Jim have. Major Barnwell ? " 
 
 " I don't know," said the Major, " We supposed 
 him to be with you. We saw nothing of him after 
 we left him at his stand. Has not Master Jim 
 come home ? " he asked, turning to Jim's body-ser- 
 vant, David, one of a group of negroes who had 
 now gathered round the deer. 
 
 " No, sir, I hasn't seen um." 
 
 " See if his horse is in the stable." 
 
 " No, Massa Tom, I jes' done come from dar." 
 
128 EUSTIS. 
 
 " Isn't he with Colonel Shorter ? " asked Madge. 
 
 "No," replied the Major, " Shorter and I followed 
 the hounds together — and, by the way, when I left 
 him at the gate just now, he asked me to make his 
 apologies for not coming up to the house to say 
 good-by. He was obliged to go to town to-night 
 and did not have a moment to spare." 
 
 Madge looked up with an expression of surprise 
 while Barnwell delivered his message, but the only 
 comment made upon it by either of the ladies was 
 an almost inaudible, " O, I'm so sorry ! " from 
 Mrs. Jackson ; a painful effort of good breeding on 
 her part. 
 
 " Probably he went over to the Lees', " suggested 
 Madge. 
 
 "No, Mr. Holland and I lunched at the Lees' 
 and have just come from there," I said. 
 
 " I wonder where he can have gone then ! " she 
 exclaimed. 
 
 " No doubt he has ridden down to the Corner 
 for the mail and then to the plantation settlement," 
 Mrs. Jackson answered, and added, " Well gentle- 
 men, as you must be hungry after your long day in 
 the woods, we will have dinner at five. It is half 
 past four now. Jim will undoubtedly be back by 
 that time," and with that she and Madge left us 
 and went into the house. 
 
 Mr. Holland retired to his room, and Major Barn- 
 well and I, thinking we had a few minutes to spare, 
 went to the smoking-room to take a short pipe to- 
 gether and clean our guns. 
 
EUSTI8. 129 
 
 After chatting awhile on matters of little moment, 
 the Major said, "I don't know what got into 
 Shorter to-day ! He must have gotten out of bed 
 with the wrong foot foremost. I did not like to 
 speak of it before the ladies, but he and Jim had a 
 fuss this morning. Did you not notice his ill tem- 
 per before we started ? " I answered affiraiatively, 
 and he continued. " Well, nothing seemed to please 
 him ! First he wanted us to go to a different drive, 
 then he was dissatisfied with the place where the 
 hounds were put in, and finally found fault with 
 the stand allotted him. He was altogether in an 
 ugly mood. We stopped at Jim's stand and when 
 he came up Shorter took him to task. Jim bore it 
 as good naturedly as possible, but this only seemed 
 to make Shorter more provoking than ever, till at 
 last Jim lost his temper and gave him a piece of 
 his mind in very plain language ; if I had not been 
 there to quiet them down there might have been 
 serious trouble. I was sorry for it — but I must say 
 it was entirely Shorter's fault. That is the reason 
 he did not return to the house. It will probably 
 all blow over but he is very ugly when he once gets 
 the bit between his teeth ! " 
 
 At this moment David entered the room, and 
 said, — 
 
 " January's jes' done come from de corner, Massa 
 Tom ; say he see nuffin' of Massa Jim ! and I'se 
 been to de settlement and Peter tell me he ain't 
 gone dar all day ! " 
 
 The Major looked perplexed and puffed away at 
 
130 EUSTIS. 
 
 his pipe for a few moments without speaking. At 
 length he said, — 
 
 "David, get out the horses for you and me and 
 Mr. Strong at once, and lead them down to the 
 thicket at the end of the Avenue ; keep quiet about 
 it, for you might disturb the ladies," and, as David 
 hurried off on his errand, he added, — 
 
 " I think, upon the whole, we had better hunt 
 Jim up ! I heard him fire just after the hounds 
 struck the trail and I remember thinking it odd, 
 that when the deer got by us, and Shorter and I 
 decided to follow, he did not join us, for we called 
 him several times, and he isn't the man to lag at 
 such a moment ! At first I supposed that he must 
 have taken some short cut, to head the deer, for he 
 knows the woods almost as well as they do ; but as 
 he did not turn up, after all, I came to the conclu- 
 sion that he had gone back to you and Mr. Holland. 
 We had better ride first directly to the stand and 
 see if we cannot get track of him there." 
 
 In the mean time we had left the house and hur- 
 ried to the spot where David was to meet us with 
 horses. He was there a moment later, and vrithout 
 a word we vaulted into our saddles and swept down 
 the road at a quick gallop. 
 
 It was not far to the hunting ground and in a 
 few minutes we were entering the woods at the 
 point where we had left Captain Lee in the morning. 
 We passed the three tall pines where I had kept 
 watch so many hours and proceeded more slowly 
 down the scarcely visible bridle-path. 
 
EUSTIS. 131 
 
 A hundred yards or so further on, the Major, who 
 was in front, drew up his horse,and said, — 
 
 "He must have taken his stand somewhere about 
 here," and at the same moment, we heard the neigh 
 of a horse and the rustling of the leaves, as he 
 pulled and twitched at the saplings to which he 
 was tied. We turned our horses at once in the 
 direction of the sound, and found "Dangerous" 
 hitched in a thicket near by. 
 
 He seemed very restless. His saddle had slipped 
 from his back and was hanging under him, and he had 
 gnawed half through the slender trunk, round which 
 the bridle rein was knotted. We dismounted in 
 silence, and, after hitching our horses to the trees, 
 followed Major Barnwell still further into the 
 woods. 
 
 The Major, who was a little in advance, had not 
 gone a dozen yards, when, as he was passing a low 
 clump of scrub palmetto, he suddenly stopped and 
 exclaimed, in a low, suppressed voice, — 
 
 " My God ! here he is — and shot ! " 
 
 I sprang forward to where he stood, and bent 
 down with him over the prostrate form at our feet. 
 He was lying on his right side, with his right arm 
 stretched at full length above his head. His face 
 had dropped forward on the ground. His bare left 
 arm told the story. A rifle ball had passed through 
 it just above the elbow, and the red stains upon his 
 arms and hands and clothing, showed how freely 
 the blood had flowed. He was without coat 
 or hat. He had torn the shirt sleeve from the 
 
132 EUSTIS. 
 
 wounded arm, and just above the bullet hole had 
 wound and tied his handkerchief as best he could) 
 and its ragged corner marked, how, with his teeth, 
 he had striven to draw tight the knot. 
 
 We saw his gun, coat, and hat, together with the 
 remains of his shirt sleeve, some dozen yards from 
 where he lay, and between them and him the ground 
 bore evidence of his having dragged himself along 
 in a desperate attemj^t to reach his horse before his 
 strength failed him. 
 
 We took little note of all these details, however, 
 until later on, for, at first, our only thought was to 
 discover, if possible, some sign of life. From the 
 appearance of the wound, we judged that the blood 
 must have stopped flowing several hours before we 
 found him. 
 
 We raised his head and laid him gently on his 
 back, and as I held his wrist, I felt an almost im- 
 perceptible beating of the pulse. Oh ! what a thrill 
 of joy it gave me ! For a moment, I scarcely dared 
 to breathe lest that gentle throbbing might cease ! 
 
 " He is still alive ! " I whispered, looking into 
 Barnwell's livid face. " Have you any whisky with 
 you?" 
 
 He drew a flask from his jiocket, and handed it 
 me without speaking, and I, placing the boy's head 
 in my lap, poured a few drops of the spirit between 
 his tightly clenched teeth. 
 
 " Go, get a wagon, David," I said, turning to the 
 negro, who had been standing by with clasped 
 hands, the picture of misery. And as he hurried off 
 
EUSTIS. 133 
 
 to his horse, I added, " Wait a minute. Fill the 
 bottom of the wagon with straw, and mind to 
 send some one you can depend upon to the city for 
 a doctor, without a moment's delay, and, if possible, 
 don't raise any alarm up at the house." 
 
 "I'se get de wagon from Isaac's store. Mister 
 Harry, and send um down heah. Den I'se ride 
 right on to de town, and I'se fetch de doctor." 
 
 "That's good; now be quick; don't waste a 
 second. How soon will the wagon be here ? " 
 
 " Quarter an hour, sir." 
 
 " Well, make the best time you can. Remember, 
 don't spare the horses." 
 
 Almost before I had done speaking, he had gal- 
 loped out of the wood. 
 
 It seemed hours that we waited with our uncon- 
 scious friend. We spoke little, but listened intent- 
 ly for the sound of coming wheels. Barnwell, how- 
 ever, did say to me in an undertone, " He must have 
 shot himself." And I had answered, " No, I think 
 not ; you see the ball entered on the outside of the 
 arm." But neither felt inclined to continue the 
 conversation, though, no doubt, both were busy 
 with conjectures. 
 
 At length the welcome sound of the approaching 
 cart was heard, as the dry leaves crackled beneath 
 the wheels, and presently, to our relief, old January 
 appeared with the mule team. 
 
 He drove close up to where Jim lay, and we 
 gently raised him from the ground, and laid him 
 upon the straw in the open wagon. 
 
134 EUSTIS. 
 
 "We gathered ii}^ his gun and coat and hat, and 
 placed them beside him. 
 
 Barnwell unhitched the restless "Dangerous," 
 and led him by the bridle, and having again 
 mounted our horses, our sad little procession, with 
 the wagon in advance, filed slowly out of the woods. 
 
 How I dreaded that home-coming, and the break- 
 ing of the news ! But before we reached the gate of 
 The Oaks, I had made up my mind that the un- 
 pleasant task should be mine. So I spoke a word 
 to Barnwell, and cantered on alone down the dark 
 avenue. 
 
 I will not describe the scene that followed in the 
 brightly lighted drawing-room, where Mrs. Jackson 
 and Madge were waiting for their tardy guests. 
 
 They did not give way to useless lamentations, 
 but, as soon as they had recovered from the first 
 shock, set themselves to work, like the thoughtful, 
 loving sisters that they were, and hastened to get 
 everything in readiness for Jim's reception. 
 
 How their practical good sense and forethought 
 warmed my heart towards them ! It was far more 
 affecting to me than if, as I had expected, they had 
 given way to their feelings. 
 
 Thus when the wagon an-ived and, with the 
 assistance of Mr. Holland and January, we carried 
 Jim to his room and laid him upon his bed, every 
 possible preparation had been made for his comfort. 
 I lingered yet a little while to help them in re- 
 bandaging the wounded arm, and then left him to 
 their tender care. By the time the doctor came 
 
EUSTIS, 135 
 
 it was ten o'clock, and meanwhile Jim had re- 
 gained his consciousness and taken a little nourish- 
 ment. As the doctor ordered him to be kept 
 perfectly quiet, I did not see him again that night. 
 
 Holland, Barnwell and I sat till a late hour in the 
 smoking-room, discussing the pros and cons of the 
 affair, but arrived at no very satisfactory conclusion. 
 According to the best infomiation we could obtain 
 from the negroes, Armstrong, towards whom our 
 suspicions tended, had not been seen in the 
 vicinity since election day and was supposed to have 
 left that part of the country altogether. If the 
 suspicion crossed my mind that Shorter might 
 be in some way implicated, it was set at rest by the 
 fact that according to Major Barnwell's statement 
 they had been together for the greater part of the 
 day. 
 
 Hence it was evident that we must wait until 
 Jim had sufficiently recovered to throw some light 
 upon the matter himself. 
 
136 EU8TI8. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 HOME LIFE AND THE NEW REGIME. 
 
 TIM passed a comfortable night and the doctor 
 ^ told us, at breakfast, he was doing so well that 
 his own services would be no longer needed. Rest, 
 nourishing food, and good nursing he must have, and 
 would have, and with these, in all probability, he 
 would be himself again in three weeks' time. But 
 he must avoid excitement or exertion of any kind, 
 and obey implicitly the instructions that had been 
 left with his sisters. 
 
 The ball had passed entirely through the arm, but 
 fortunately had not touched the bone. 
 
 The doctor who was a brusque but good-natured 
 and withal a loquacious man, monopolized the con- 
 versation at breakfast, as we were glad to have him. 
 It was wonderful what a sunny effect his dogmatic 
 manner had upon us, and he left us in an altogether 
 more cheerful frame of mind. Upon his getting 
 into his gig, Holland, Barnwell and I vied with each 
 other in plying him with cigars, and as he drove off 
 down the avenue Barnwell turned to me and said, — 
 
 " I reckon there ain't many better doctors than 
 that, anywhere. He knows just what he wants to 
 
EUSTI8, 137 
 
 say, and doesn't waste much time saying it either ! " 
 
 I assented, feeling at the moment that he must 
 indeed be a remarkably clever physician or surgeon 
 or both. 
 
 It is strange how readily we confound good or 
 evil tidings with the bearer of them, however in- 
 nocent in the matter he may be. If they provoke 
 the frown, we frown directly upon him; if they 
 awaken smiles, he is the centre of them. So it is 
 with our physician : when he banishes our hopes, we 
 distrust him and his skill ; when he allays our fears, 
 words fail to express our admiration for him and our 
 confidence in his ability ! 
 
 Soon after the doctor's departure, Barnwell told 
 us that he, too, must return home at once, and 
 ordered his horse to be saddled and brought to the 
 gate. This was done, but the animal stood, hitched 
 to the picket, for nearly an hour, while the good 
 Major still lingered, walking up and down the 
 piazza, or sitting upon the railing tapping his long 
 boots with the end of his whip. 
 
 Guessing at the cause of his delay, at length I 
 took pity upon him and went in search of Madge. 
 She had not come down that morning, but, as good 
 luck would have it, I met her in the upper hall carry- 
 ing a tray of breakfast things from Jim's room. 
 
 " Good morning, Madge ! How does Jim seem to 
 be?" I asked. 
 
 "He is getting on splendidly, Harry. He has 
 eaten some breakfast and has just fallen asleep. 
 But you don't know how thin and pale he looks ! I 
 
138 EUSTIS. 
 
 should never have supposed such an accident could 
 have altered his appearance so suddenly and com- 
 pletely," she answered, rather mournfully. 
 
 " Well, Madge," I returned, cheerfully, " I have 
 the utmost confidence in your ministrations, and 
 expect to see Jim down on the piazza in a couple of 
 days at farthest. You must lend him a little of the 
 coloring you use, to brighten up his cheeks. You 
 cannot make me believe you sat up with him all 
 last night ! " 
 
 " I shall not try," she answered. 
 
 "You must, at least, allow you took just a few 
 winks of beauty sleep ! " 
 
 " You are very saucy, sir, this morning ! " she 
 said, smiling brightly at me, as she turned away to 
 carry the tray downstairs. 
 
 " O, stop a moment, Madge ! " I called after 
 her. " I forgot to tell you that the Major ordered 
 his horse an hour ago, but evidently cannot tear 
 himself away, until he has said a word to you." 
 
 " What does he wish to say ? " she asked in a tone 
 of impatience. 
 
 "Really, he has not taken me into his confidence; 
 but probably — good-by ! " 
 
 " Well, I have no time for such nonsense this 
 morning," she answered, petulantly, " and you can 
 tell him so." 
 
 " O, that would be too cruel after all this wait- 
 ing ! Why, he would be in such ill humor, that 
 when he reached home, he would order all his 
 darkies out and flog them in a row ! " 
 
EUSTI8, 189 
 
 " Well, I will see," she replied, doubtfully, " but 
 I do wish he would show some sense ! " 
 
 " I think he shows a great deal ! " I exclaimed 
 laughing, and leaning over the banisters to watch 
 her as she went downstairs. 
 
 I returned to the piazza and found the Major still 
 pacing the quarter-deck, watch in hand, and a 
 moment later Madge made her appearance. 
 
 When he saw her, his troubled face lighted up at 
 once. 
 
 " Good morning," he said, advancing towards 
 her, and then added, hesitatingly, "I am going 
 home now and wish to say good-by." 
 
 " Good-by ! " she answered, looking at him, with- 
 out a smile. 
 
 He still stood there for a moment in silence, and 
 then asked, with some embarrassment of manner, — 
 
 " Is there anything I can do for you ? I may be 
 going to town in a day or two ; perhaps I can get 
 you something." 
 
 " No, I thank you," she answered with perfect un- 
 concern. " I can send for anything I need." 
 
 " Well, then, good-by," he said, coming to where 
 she stood. 
 
 " Good-by," she answered icily, as he took her 
 hand, and then added more cordially, as if conscious 
 that she had been a trifle too discourteous, " I hope 
 you will come to see Jim when he is able to sit 
 up." 
 
 " Oh, yes, thank you," he replied, his face again 
 brightening. " I shall come often." 
 
140 IIUSTIS, 
 
 Poor fellow ! I pitied him ; his whole manner 
 showed so plainly that he was in love. Ah, my 
 good Major, you cannot hope to win it in return 
 until you have learnt how to control yourself — no 
 matter how deserving love may be, the ill-advised 
 expression of it is never acceptable. 
 
 I was provoked, too, at Madge's treatment of the 
 Major, for I liked what I had seen of him, and the 
 events of the day previous had afforded me no 
 little insight into his character. He was a manly, 
 straightforward fellow, not over bright, perhaps, 
 but full of good feeling, and I was sorry to see the 
 trouble in his face as he mounted his horse to start 
 for home. 
 
 Mr. Holland only remained at The Oaks for a day 
 after the accident. He probably found our country 
 life rather dull, and, perhaps, feared that his pres- 
 ence might be a burden to the ladies of the house 
 while so much of their time was required in the 
 sick room. 
 
 At first Jim regained his strength slowly, and it 
 was not until about the middle of December that 
 he was well enough to leave his room and join us 
 downstairs. But from that time his recovery 
 was rapid, and a week later he was almost himself 
 again. 
 
 In the mean time, the Lees were unremitting in 
 their attentions, and hardly a day passed that did 
 not bring from them some act of kindness. A 
 mould of jelly or some fruit, brought by Mary 
 to tempt the palate of the invalid, or a brace of 
 
EUSTI8. 141 
 
 birds (shot or bought, probably the latter), by 
 the good Captain, who also took it upon himself to 
 attend to the affairs of Jim's plantation, coming 
 every morning for his orders, and doing it all in 
 such a simple, matter of course way, that it was im- 
 possible to believe he thought for an instant he was 
 conferring a favor. 
 
 Nor was he less thoughtful of me, and under his 
 tutelage, during Jim's convalescence, I acquired a 
 very general knowledge of the methods of rice and 
 cotton culture, the social polity of plantation settle- 
 ments, at present and in times past, and the diffi- 
 culties that planters had been obliged to overcome 
 at the introduction of the new regime. 
 
 " It was very hard at first upon the negroes," the 
 captain said to me one day, " for their main ideas of 
 freedom, were freedom of motion and freedom from 
 work, and it took a heavy dose of privation and 
 suffering to cure them ; to bring them back to scenes 
 and occupations in which alone they are fitted and 
 able to keep the wolf from the door ; and to make 
 them understand that by work alone could freedom 
 from work be attained. It was a hard lesson to learn, 
 but they have at least partially done so, and are fast 
 settling down into a quiet and useful peasantry. It 
 is not unnatural, however, that until the negroes 
 fully appreciate the fact that the planters interests 
 and their own are identical, they should occasion- 
 ally,, under the influence of bad men, break out into 
 exhibitions of lawlessness and folly such as you wit- 
 nessed the other day at the polls. It is a mere ques- 
 
142 EUSTIS. 
 
 tion of time, however, and I am certain that all will 
 come right in the near future. 
 
 " There are, no doubt, some excejitions, but I 
 venture to say the vast majority of my fellow plan- 
 ters will bear me out in pronouncing the new sys- 
 tem an immense relief. No, sir, we would not re- 
 turn — if we could — to the old order of things. 
 
 " There is no use denying that slavery gave op- 
 portunities for cruelty, it is patent on the face of it ; 
 and no doubt at times they were taken advantage 
 of, but on the other hand it opened the door to lib- 
 erality, kindness, and a deep personal affection such 
 as seldom exists in any other relationship between 
 master and man. 
 
 " Why, our own slaves, for instance, were devot- 
 edly attached to Mrs. Lee and she to them. Many's 
 the night I've known her to pass in their cabins ad- 
 ministering comfort by the death-bed of some old 
 crone, or helping some mother to watch with her 
 sick child ! And she was by no means the only 
 planter's wife who made herself a slave to her own 
 slaves ! " 
 
 Alas ! that the thought of self-interest should 
 inevitably attach itself to stories such as these in 
 the minds of those who have been born and bred 
 without the pale of slavery. How difficult for them 
 to attribute such acts of kindness to purely disinter- 
 ested motives ! Nothing but close intimacy with 
 characters differing so much in thought and educa- 
 tion from their own, will set their suspicions at rest, 
 and enable them to mete out impartial justice. 
 
EUSTIS. 143 
 
 From time to time Eustis' friends came out from 
 the city to see how he was doing and to pass a day 
 or two at The Oaks ; and on several of these occa- 
 sions we went hunting under the lead of Barnwell 
 or Captain Lee, and had some very successful days 
 in the woods. 
 
 Barnwell frequently rode over from his plantation 
 on one pretext or another, and rarely came without 
 some little tribute, a bunch of flowers or a box of 
 candy, to be offered at the shrine of his inamorata. 
 
 Sometimes Madge would receive his attentions 
 with good grace and would almost warm in her 
 manner towards him ; but then again she would 
 hardly notice him and would preserve in his pres- 
 ence a quiet indifference that took all the light out 
 of the good fellow's face. It was painful even to me, 
 a mere looker on, to see how closely he watched her 
 every look and movement, endeavoring to divine her 
 thoughts and wishes, and how in his eagerness to do 
 what might prove acceptable, he overshot the mark 
 and covered himself with embarrassment and morti- 
 fication. 
 
 As already said, I had taken a liking to the man 
 and his frank, blunt manners, and, from the close 
 companionship into which we had been thrown by 
 Jim's accident, had rather expected our intimacy to 
 grow stronger ; but such was not the case, for I soon 
 observed, without suspecting the cause, that al- 
 though courteous and polite, he treated me with a 
 marked reserve that seemed foreign to his character. 
 
 Who shot Jim still remained a mystery, and as 
 
144 EUSTIS. 
 
 Mrs. Jackson said that he was very unwilling to talk 
 about it, the subject was avoided in the sickroom 
 during the first few days of his convalescence. 
 
 Subsequently, however, while sitting with him one 
 evening, I told him of my success that day in killing 
 the first Churchill County deer that had given me a 
 shot, and seeing how much he was interested, I ex- 
 claimed, — 
 
 " How I wish you could have been with us ! I 
 thought of you so often while we were in the woods ! 
 I cannot tell you how sorry I have been about this 
 unfortunate affair. In fact " 
 
 " O, never mind, old fellow ! " he broke in, evi- 
 dently to stop me. " Accidents will happen, you 
 know. Besides it makes no difference now, for you 
 see I'm getting on splendidly, and shall be as well 
 as ever in the course of a week or two." 
 
 There was something so peculiar in Jim's manner 
 that I suspected at once that he knew more than he 
 was disposed to tell, and I continued earnestly, — 
 
 " I really think, Jim, you ought to tell us all you 
 know or suspect about this affair." 
 
 " But I don't care to talk about it," he answered, 
 emphatically. 
 
 " I can see no possible good in concealment," I 
 replied. " If it was simply an accident you can and 
 should explain it, and if not, you should tell us what 
 you know, to prevent us from suspecting perhaj^s 
 those who are innocent." 
 
 He was still very stubborn but finally acknowl- 
 edged, to my utter astonishment, that he attributed 
 
EUSTIS. 145 
 
 his misfortune to my own carelessness or misdirected 
 zeal ! He believed me to be ignorant of the mis- 
 chief I had done, and intended to let me remain 
 
 so 
 
 How heartily I laughed at my quixotic friend ! It 
 did not take me long to undeceive him and to show 
 him how unworthy I was of such consideration ! 
 But when we had talked the matter all over we were 
 no nearer the truth than ever, and could hit upon 
 no satisfactory solution of the mystery. Inquiries 
 set on foot by Captain Lee and others corroborated 
 the former statements of the negroes, that the man 
 Armstrong had quitted his old haunts and gone no 
 one knew whither. Of course, the place had been 
 carefully examined where, on the day of the hunt, I 
 thought that I saw a man disappear into the swamp, 
 but no traces were to be found ; and as our suspi- 
 cions pointed in no other direction, we were obliged 
 for the present to let the matter rest. 
 
 Meanwhile, I was becoming day by day more in- 
 timate with Mrs. Jackson and Madge. 
 
 The former treated me with all the kindness and 
 familiarity of an elder sister. She was a most chann- 
 ing hostess and always unobtrusively mindful of my 
 happiness and comfort. With rare tact and the 
 true spirit of hosi)itality, she left me entirely my 
 own master, yet with the consciousness that I was 
 never neglected nor forgotten. 
 
 She had been pretty as a girl and still retained a 
 fair portion of her good looks and figure ; but her 
 complexion had lost its freshness at an age, when, 
 
146 EUSTIS. 
 
 in a colder climate, the roses would have lingered 
 still in her cheeks. Early in life she had married a 
 gentleman of her own State, who, dying shortly af- 
 ter, left her a rich and still young widow. 
 
 As she had always been, more or less, a woman 
 of the world and a favorite in society, her friends 
 had expected her to marry again, but although the 
 days of her widowhood had long since past and 
 there were said to have been many suitors for her 
 pretty hand, she remained single and devoted her 
 life to the care of Madge. 
 
 As for Madge, she and I generally got on very well 
 together. She was a high-strung girl, with a temper 
 rather varialle at times, but withal full of kindly 
 impulses and feelings. Her very changefulness lent 
 her a certain charm, especially as it seemed to lie 
 altogether on the surface of her girlish and coquet- 
 tish nature. 
 
 One rainy morning, which she and I were trying 
 to while away over a desultory game of billiards, 
 I asked, — 
 
 " Why has sister Kate never married again 
 Madge ? " 
 
 " O, don't interrupt me, sir, just as I am go- 
 ing to hole your ball ! There ! " she exclaimed as she 
 made a fluke, pocketing her own ball instead and 
 giving me the game, "it is all your fault, but I 
 shall take my revenge by miaking you play another 
 with me." 
 
 " If that is the worst punishment you can inflict. 
 I shall keep on beating you all the morning, if I 
 
EUSTI8. 147 
 
 can ! " I answered, arranging the balls. " But you 
 have not answered me," 
 
 " How should I know why my sister does not 
 marry ? Probably because she is a sensible woman ! 
 Besides, what would Jim and I do without her ? " 
 
 " Get married too ! " 
 
 " Perhaps Jim might. In fact, I suppose he and 
 Mary will arrange matters before long, if she can 
 only tell her own mind ! But think what a forlorn 
 position that would leave me in ! " 
 
 " Possibly some one might take pity on you, — the 
 Major, for instance," I suggested. 
 
 " Please don't, if you love me ! " she said, with a 
 comically beseeching expression. 
 
 " Of course I love you ! " I answered with mock 
 solemnity. " But, all the same, I am certain you will 
 marry the Major ! " 
 
 " Never ! Not if he were the last man on earth," 
 she replied emphatically, and then added lightly, — 
 " There now isn't he just the man for sister ? She 
 admires him so much, you know ! " 
 
 She was standing with her back to the door and 
 before she had done speaking, who should appear 
 but the very gentleman whose hand we had been 
 disposing of so freely! He wore a faded gray 
 velveteen coat cut short and fitting close to his solid 
 figure. His corduroy trousers and spurred top- 
 boots, that reached above the knee, bore unmistak- 
 able evidence of the miry condition of the roads. 
 In his hand he carried his black sombrero and short- 
 lashed whip. His face was broad, ruddy and clean- 
 
148 EU8TI8. 
 
 shaven, and as he stood there in the doorway, he did 
 not look unlike an English country squire. 
 
 " Good morning. Major," I said. At the sound of 
 my words, Madge turned suddenly from the table 
 and faced him. The color mounted to her cheeks 
 and with marked embarrassment she exclaimed, as 
 he took her hand. 
 
 " Why, Major Barnwell ! I had no idea you were 
 here. When did you come ? Have you seen Jim ? " 
 
 The Major could not have failed to observe her 
 heightened color and confused manner, but appar- 
 ently mistook the cause. 
 
 " I came only a few minutes ago," he answered^ 
 with a bright cheerful smile that made his face for 
 the moment almost handsome. " I had a little time 
 to spare and thought I would ride over and see how 
 Jim was. I have just come from his room and am 
 glad to find him so much stronger and better ! " 
 then stopping short, he took a little bunch of flow- 
 ers out of his hat and added, hesitatingly, — 
 
 " There are a few violets, Miss Madge, not very 
 pretty — the first I have had from my garden this 
 winter — but they are very fragrant. I thought you 
 might like them." 
 
 " Thank you ! " she said, as she held them to her 
 face. " They are lovely and so sweet ! " 
 
 " I am so glad you like them ! " he replied looking 
 very happy. "I shall have much better ones before 
 long. And now I must — I must say good morn- 
 
 in<r I 
 
 I " 
 
 Why, surely you will stop to lunch ! " 
 
EUSTIS. 149 
 
 " No, thank you. I wish I could, but I must 
 get back home at once. Good-by, — good-by Mr. 
 Strong," and he was gone. 
 
 She looked very bewitching as she stood there 
 facing him, with one hand on her cue and the other 
 pressing the flowers to her lips, and I doubt if 
 the good major recovered his senses till his horse 
 floundered in the first bog on his way home. 
 
 After he had gone, she turned to me and said in 
 a serious tone, — 
 
 " I hope he did not hear what I said of him, 
 Harry." 
 
 *' If he had he would not believe it now." I ans- 
 wered. " I am very glad I am not in that poor fel- 
 low's shoes ! " 
 
 *' Why, what do you mean ? I thought I was 
 particularly polite and nice to him." 
 
 " Yes, too much so, if you really meant what you 
 said to me ten minutes ago." 
 
 " I certainly did mean every word of it ! " 
 
 " Well, then, I pity the poor fellow. However, 
 it's no business of mine ! " 
 
 " You are perfectly right in that ! " she answered, 
 looking at me with sparkling eyes. " If I had been 
 rude to him you would have said the same thing. 
 You are very disagreeable this morning, — I shall 
 not stay here any longer to be found fault with," 
 and without taking any further notice of me, she 
 laid her cue upon the table and sailed out of the 
 room. 
 
 I indulged in whistling to myself and knocking 
 
150 EU8TIS. 
 
 the balls about in a purposeless way for awhile, and 
 then retired to my room to write. 
 
 I sent a long letter to Alice that day, and in reply 
 to some sisterly inquiries contained in her last, I 
 wrote : " Madge is certainly an interesting and at- 
 tractive girl, but I assure you, my dear sister, that 
 there is not the least danger of her becoming too 
 fond of me. Of course, we have seen much of one 
 another since Jim's accident, and I have become 
 sincerely attached to her, but regret to say she does 
 not seem to return my regard and at times, I think, 
 almost dislikes me. It is fortunate, however, for 
 your peace of mind that it is so, for if she had seen 
 fit to weave her enchantments around me, as she has 
 about some of her unfortunate countrymen, I would 
 not answer for the consequences. 
 
 " Do you remember my writing you of the Lee 
 family who came out in the steamer with me ? They 
 live near us here in the country and Jim is engaged 
 to Miss Lee, or is about to be engaged to her, — that 
 is, there is an understanding between them. It is 
 an excellent match. You know what I think of 
 Jim, and she is very lovely both in face and charac- 
 ter. I wish you could see her ! " 
 
 And here I rather abruptly closed my letter. 
 
 Ah, how I wished I could keep that fair young 
 face out of my mind ! But it was impossible ! I 
 thought of her constantly, although well aware of 
 the folly of this self-indulgence. 
 
EUSTI8, 161 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 f\^ a beautiful bright Monday, about a week be- 
 ^^ fore Christmas, Eustis, Madge and I were 
 sitting on the front piazza, reading and talking to- 
 gether at intervals. Although in the middle of 
 December the day was warm and sunny, with just 
 a slight chill in the air, to remind us that it was 
 not summer. 
 
 Jim had recovered his wonted ajjpearance of ro- 
 bust health, although his strength had not yet wholly 
 returned, and he still was obliged to make conces- 
 sions to his weakness that were chafing to a man of 
 his energetic nature. 
 
 He had been to the plantation that morning, 
 and after walking about the rice-fields, had come 
 home completely tired out. He was reclining in a 
 low easy-chair with swinging canvas back, and was 
 amusing us by the half comical way in which he 
 stigmatized himself and his worthless condition, 
 when our attention was called to two figures in the 
 distance, coming up the avenue. From where we 
 sat we looked directly down the long vista under 
 the Spanish moss, to the gate a quarter of a mile 
 away, and as the visitors drew nearer, now in deep 
 
152 EUSTIS. 
 
 shade and again for a moment in a shimmer of sun- 
 light, it was easy to recognize the lady as Miss Lee, 
 although the identity of the gentleman continued 
 to puzzle us until they reached the garden gate, 
 when to my surprise I recognized my friend and 
 fellow-townsman. Brown. 
 
 " Why, Brown," I exclaimed (after the necessary 
 introductions had taken place), "I had no idea you 
 would be able to tear yourself away from the palm 
 and orange groves so soon ! " 
 
 " Well, Harry, it doesn't take more than a month 
 or six weeks to do up Florida pretty thoroughly. 
 There's not much to be seen down there, except St. 
 Augustine and the St. John's River, and ten miles of 
 that are just as good or better than a hundred ! Why, 
 man, there isn't a hill or a pretty place anywhere 
 along it ; nothing but palms, pines and cypresses on 
 either side for miles and miles ; the most dismal and 
 monotonous scenery I ever saw. Things are bad 
 enough on board the boats, but when you land it is 
 worse still. Green Cove, Magnolia, and all that 
 sounds very pretty," he continued, contemj^tuously, 
 " but what does it amount to ? — a few rows of shan- 
 ties, that the Irish would refuse to live in in our part 
 of the country, and full, too, of consumptives and 
 fleas. The fleas are the more fortunate of the two for 
 the consumptives get nothing to eat, and it is no won- 
 der so few of them manage to drag themselves back 
 to civilization at the end of the winter. And then, 
 as for musquitoes and sandflies, I certainly never 
 saw anything like it ! No, it is all very well to 
 
EUSTIS. 153 
 
 have been there, for I think a man ought to see all 
 he can of the world, but one visit is enough for 
 me!" 
 
 When Brown began, I observed a puzzled look 
 on Madge's face, but before he ended it had given 
 place to an expression of amusement. 
 
 " I hope you found St. Augustine more attractive 
 than the St. John's, Mr. Brown," she said. 
 
 " Well, yes," he replied, " it was rather nice when 
 I once managed to get there, but it took half a day's 
 journey through the woods in an old horse-car 
 drawn by mules. Why, if the horse-cars up in our 
 village didn't make better time than that, the people 
 would be up in arms in a twinkling." 
 
 " That the people were up in arms so long in 
 Florida, probably accounts for their having such 
 poor travelling facilities," suggested Madge. 
 
 " Really, they are such a lazy-looking set," he 
 answered, " I can hardly believe they ever were in 
 arms since they were babies ! " at which we all 
 laughed except Fred, who continued quite earnestly, 
 " and I can't imagine what they had to fight for ! " 
 
 " Their homes," said Madge, sententiously. 
 
 " It doesn't seem to me they were worth it." 
 rejoined Brown. " If I hadn't a better home than 
 that, I should be glad to lose it. St. Augustine, 
 however, was rather an interesting place on account 
 of its history. I read up a good deal about it while 
 I was there, and expected to find out something 
 from the natives themselves, but though I questioned 
 them about the state of their society and their 
 
154 EUSTIS. 
 
 schools and politics, etc., they were too ignorant or 
 too lazy to answer me. I could make no headway 
 with them at all ! " 
 
 Thinking it as well to change the subject, I said, 
 " Well, Brown, I am glad to see you looking so 
 much better than when I left you. You must have 
 gained ten or fifteen pounds, even if they did starve 
 you!" 
 
 " Why, yes, I am better, thank you," he replied. 
 " And I have certainly gained in weight, but I'm in 
 a perfect quandary as to where the flesh came from." 
 
 Jim was much amused at Brown's garrulity and 
 his quaint way of looking at things, and the young 
 ladies apparently did not know exactly what to 
 make of him. As they told me afterwards, they 
 could not understand whether he was speaking in 
 jest or seriously, and on this point I was unable to 
 enlighten them ; for Brown was one of those men 
 who always appear to speak in dead earnest, and 
 never to ajjpreciate the humor of their own speech. 
 
 The visitors stayed to lunch with us, and after- 
 wards Madge and Jim and I went with them as far 
 as the gate on their way home. As we walked back 
 Madge said to me, — 
 
 " What an extraordinary little man Mr. Brown 
 is ! What a comical contrast he and Mary made. 
 It reminded me (excuse my saying it of such an in- 
 timate friend of yours, Harry), but it did remind 
 me of ' Beauty and the Beast.' " 
 
 " You do him great injustice I assure you," 
 I answered, "there is very little of the beast 
 
EUSTIS. 155 
 
 about Brown. He is eccentric, but his mind has 
 altogether the upper hand." 
 
 *' Well," she continued, gayly, " of course I did 
 not mean that he really was. But did you ever 
 knew anybody so inquisitive? And such funny 
 questions as he asks, and such queer things as he 
 says ! One scarcely knows how to treat him. Among 
 other things he inquired about the schools I had 
 been to ; what was taught in them ; what books I 
 had studied and read. Then he advised me to con- 
 tinue my education, pointing out what I had better 
 take up next and so on ; and ended uj) by remarking, 
 in the coolest manner possible, that it was a great 
 pity there were no good schools at the South ; I 
 should certainly have been angry with him, if he 
 had not talked all the time in such an innocent way." 
 
 " I hope you tried to impress upon him, by your 
 own edifying conversation, that he was entirely 
 mistaken," I said. 
 
 " Not a bit of it," she answered laughing, " on 
 the contrary, I tried to appear just as ignorant as 
 possible, and asked him all the most stupid questions 
 I could think of ! I told him we girls were too busy 
 hunting and shooting to have much time for study ; 
 that I could hit the buckle of my belt at fifty yards 
 with a rifle ; and that Jim often called upon me to 
 break his horses for him. You should have seen him 
 open his eyes ! It was too funny for anything. I believe 
 he was taking notes of it all, and I only hope Mary 
 will not undeceive him." 
 
 Mrs. Jackson had been passing the day in the 
 
156 EUSTIS. 
 
 city, and so missed the opportunity of meeting our 
 visitors. 
 
 During Jim's illness, I had, on several occasions, 
 gone home to lunch or dine with Captain Lee. At 
 first, I refused his invitations under various pre- 
 texts, but at length yielded to the temptation, and 
 though in so doing I recognized my folly, I gradu- 
 ally became a frequent visitor at his house. 
 
 But as Jim grew better, we usually went over to 
 Palmetto Grove together, and from that time my 
 pleasant chats with Mary came to an end. For 
 Jim, with easy grace and the familiarity resulting 
 from long intimacy, would monopolize her attention 
 either by practising duets with her at the piano, or 
 by coaxing her out of the house for a stroll in the 
 garden. If out of politeness she remonstrated 
 against leaving me, as once or twice she did, he 
 would only say, — 
 
 " O, never mind Harry ! he and your father are 
 busy discussing the affairs of past generations." 
 
 I would hear the words, and without looking up 
 feel that they had gone; and then my thoughts 
 would wander with them from the house and the 
 Captain's inexhaustible anecdotes ! 
 
 Jim's affaire de coeur seemed to be progress- 
 ing as favorably as even he could wish, and evident- 
 ly met with the entire approbation of Mary's 
 parents. Sometimes even Mrs. Lee would unbend 
 at his light-hearted jests ; and she always appeared 
 to feel the affectionate solicitude of a mother in 
 his plans and doings. 
 
EUSTIS, 157 
 
 What was my own state of mind at this time ? 
 Changing every hour! At one moment full of 
 sympathy for my friend ; at another crowded with 
 emotions that daily were taking stronger and 
 stronger hold upon me. Sometimes, forgetting 
 Eustis altogether, I allowed my thoughts to wander 
 on and on through mazes of fascinating possibilities, 
 to be, perhaps, suddenly and roughly awakened again 
 to the realities that faced me ! 
 
 Ah ! better never to discover the essence of our 
 life's happiness, than at the same time learn we 
 are debarred from it forever ! 
 
158 EUSTIS, 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 AT SCHOOL. 
 
 /CHURCHILL County boasted of a negro school, 
 ^-^ which was supj^orted by the contributions of 
 the planters who lived in the vicinity. It had been 
 started shortly after the close of the war by Cap- 
 tain Lee in the face of considerable opposition ; but 
 owing to his earnest and continued efforts, it had 
 been placed at last upon a firm footing in the com- 
 munity. 
 
 The former teacher had absconded with a small 
 sum of money given him for the purchase of school 
 books ; and after much trouble an intelligent mu- 
 latto woman had been secured to fill his place. 
 
 For a year or more she had worked faithfully 
 and economically in the discharge of her duties ; and 
 now, anxious to display the results to her patrons, 
 she announced that on a certain evening before 
 Christmas an exhibition would be held, and she 
 begged them " to honor and encourage it with their 
 presence." 
 
 It was consequently arranged that our household 
 should dine on that day at Palmetto Grove, and 
 that after dinner we all should drive together to 
 the schoolhouse. 
 
EUSTI8, , 159 
 
 When the day came, however, Mrs. Jackson was 
 slightly indisposed and decided to remain at home. 
 So Jim and Madge and I drove over to the Grove 
 without her. 
 
 The Captain and Jim were both in the best of 
 spirits that evening and kept the table in a constant 
 state of merriment. Even Brown was less serious 
 than usual and, for the time, yielded awkwardly to 
 the prevalent frivolity. 
 
 The exhibition was to begin at eight, and shortly 
 after seven the carriages were ordered to the door. 
 Just as we were about to leave the house, Jim came 
 to me and said that, as Mrs. Lee was not going, the 
 Captain had offered him the spare seat, and he 
 wished I would drive Madge over to the school. 
 
 " Certainly," I replied, adding to Madge who was 
 standing near, " if you will trust yourself with me." 
 
 " I'm afraid I must, whether I wish to or not," 
 she answered. 
 
 By the time we were ready to start, the Captain's 
 carriage had disappeared in advance and we were 
 left to follow at our leisure. 
 
 It was a beautiful night, with the moon almost at 
 the full. In the plot before the house it seemed as 
 bright as day ; and as we drove slowly along, the 
 white light came streaming down through the pines 
 and casting their dark images sharp and well de- 
 fined across the road. Through the open forest on 
 either side the moonbeams glistened and shimmered, 
 playing strange pranks with the stately trunks and 
 moss-draped branches of the trees. What a night 
 
160 EUSTIS. 
 
 for fairies to revel in the recesses of the forest and 
 ride the fallow-deer in swift races through the 
 checkered glades ! There was a fascination in peer- 
 ing into those mysterious depths, half hidden, half 
 revealed by the soft lights and shadows: and at 
 every little opening, where the tall pines stood back 
 to let the moonlight fall, one half expected to catch 
 a glimpse of elfin sports or hear their cry of warn- 
 ing and alarm as they took fright and vanished at 
 our coming ! 
 
 Neither of us had spoken for some time, until at 
 last I said, almost with a sigh, — 
 
 " What a depressing influence the beauties of Na- 
 ture have upon us ! Why should they make us sad, 
 instead of filling us with joy to think what a lovely 
 world we have to live in ? " 
 
 " They do not sadden me," she answered gently. 
 " I feel very happy and contented." Then, after a 
 moment's pause she added, turning towards me, 
 " Does anything in particular worry you to-night, 
 Harry?" 
 
 " Yes, many things," I answered moodily, " Both 
 in the past and future." 
 
 " Of your past, of course, I know nothing," she 
 said ; " but why should you worry about the future ? 
 You seem to me to have everything a man can de- 
 sire." 
 
 " And yet what I desire most of all is beyond my 
 reach ! " I replied, hardly thinking what I said. 
 
 " What do you mean ? " she asked earnestly. 
 
 " My peace of mind," I answered, cutting the dry 
 
EUSTIS. 161 
 
 leaves from the underbrush with my whip as we 
 passed. 
 
 " Why, Harry ! " she exclaimed cheerfully. " How 
 very gloomily you talk this evening ! Tell me 
 what has happened to destroy your peace of mind ? 
 If you would only make me your confidante, per- 
 haps I might help you ! ", and then as I remained 
 silent, she added presently, " Surely, you are not in 
 love?" 
 
 She was leaning slightly forward, and as she 
 raised her face to look up into mine the moonlight 
 fell full upon it. Almost unconsciously I dwelt for 
 a moment on its loveliness, and as I withdi-ew my 
 eyes, I answered, — 
 
 " That I cannot tell, myself." 
 
 " Well, Harry," she said very quietly and turn- 
 ing from me. " If you yourself do not know what 
 the matter is, of course I cannot help you." 
 
 I was so entirely absorbed in my own thoughts, 
 that I did not at the time lay any weight upon our 
 words, but long afterwards they came back to me 
 with a new meaning. 
 
 For awhile both of us were silent; and when 
 Madge spoke again it was in her usual tone. 
 
 " I heard you say you were going to Florida in 
 January, with Jim," she said, " you know, we move 
 to town next week for the winter, and I hoped you 
 would come with us to see something of our city so- 
 ciety." 
 
 " I should think you might have had enough of 
 mine already," I replied. 
 
162 EUSTI8, 
 
 " I shall not answer you ! " she rejoined smiling. 
 " But the next month will be our gayest season and 
 it would be a pity for you to lose it ! " 
 
 We had just drawn up in front of the school- 
 house, and as I got out of the wagon, I said, — 
 
 " If it would really make any difference to you, I 
 will not go. I can run down to Florida later, if I 
 care to, just as well as now." 
 
 " Ah, thank you, Harry. I know you will not re- 
 gret it ! " she answered, pressing my hand lightly 
 as I helped her down. 
 
 " Well," cried the Captain, who stood waiting for 
 us, " we thought you must have lost your way. 
 Why, we have been here for fifteen minutes or more. 
 Come on, they are only waiting your arrival to begin 
 the ceremonies." 
 
 " The night was so lovely, we drove very slowly, 
 to get the full benefit of it ! " I answered, as we fol- 
 lowed him into the building. 
 
 The schoolhouse was a log cabin with its gable 
 end facing the road. When we first entered, it 
 seemed darker than the night without, so dim was 
 the light of the three kerosene lanterns (its only 
 means of illumination) hung against the wall at the 
 further end of the long, low room. 
 
 We followed the captain between the rows of 
 wooden benches, filled with negroes, to those in 
 front, which, being near the little platform under 
 the three lanterns, had been reserved for the white 
 guests. Besides our own party, we found there a 
 dozen or more ladies and gentlemen from the 
 
EUSTIS. 163 
 
 neighboring plantations, among whom I recognized 
 Major Barnwell. Somebody made room for us, and 
 the few minutes of solemn silence that ensued, for 
 all was as still as a graveyard, gave me a chance to 
 study the quaint scene. 
 
 At one end of the platform sat the colored school- 
 mistress, a spare, sharp-featured little woman, whose 
 keen black eyes wandered restlessly over the faces 
 of the people before her. 
 
 In the centre of the same platform, on a throne 
 of state, sat a well-favored young yellow girl, dressed 
 in a white tarleton gown drawn in at the waist with 
 a broad yellow sash, and all bedecked and bedewed 
 with spangles. On her head she wore a broad tiara 
 of tinsel pasteboard, and in her right hand she 
 held, with one end resting on the floor, a long staff, 
 wound spirally with variegated tissue papers and 
 crowned at the top with a huge rosette of green 
 and yellow. 
 
 She sat there motionless as a statue, with head 
 erect and eyes fixed straight before her. 
 
 The exact place which she filled in the educa- 
 tional system I was unable to discover. 
 
 I hardly think her exalted position could have 
 been a tribute to her scholarship, for her utterances 
 later on did not seem to warrant the supposition. 
 Possibly she was selected as the favorite of the 
 school, or the belle of the colored community. I 
 incline, however, to the opinion that she was simply 
 placed there as a vision on which to feast the eyes 
 during the interludes, a metaphorical drop-curtain. 
 
164 EUSTIS. 
 
 Indeed, she was a fine specimen of yellow woman- 
 hood with the composure and dignity of a queen at 
 Court. 
 
 Behind me the room was almost hidden in dark- 
 ness, but out of the shadows, here and there peered 
 the shining faces and white teeth of the negroes. 
 
 Suddenly the silence was broken by the voice of 
 the schoolmistress exclaiming in a clear, command- 
 ing tone, — 
 
 " Shadrach Houston, My breeches ! " 
 
 The order was altogether startling and I half 
 expected, for a moment, to see our preceptress don 
 the masculine attire and favor us with a genuine 
 breakdown ! But, instead, a negro youth arose from 
 one of the back benches ; shambled down the aisle ; 
 made a quick bow and scrape with his foot to the 
 audience on either side ; and then, turning his back 
 upon them, he faced the goddess on the platform, and 
 began, in a clear, mellow sing-song, the story with 
 which Dr. Holmes has made us familiar, of an inex- 
 perienced youth upon whom one of our ordinary 
 New England equinoctials made such a profound 
 .impression. His voice grew stronger as his woes 
 increased, and the closing lines were delivered with 
 considerable dramatic energy, but he never for a 
 moment lost his strong musical accentuation of the 
 metre. When he had finished he turned quickly 
 round, paused for a moment, made another jerk of 
 the head and scrape of the foot and shuffled rapidly 
 away into the obscurity, amid the loud clapping of 
 our hands. 
 
EUSTIS. 165 
 
 After this, young people of both sexes and of all 
 sizes, treated us to various recitations, gay or pathetic, 
 as the case might be. In fact the innocence and 
 simplicity with which they were uttered gave a 
 touch of pathos to them all. A dialogue between 
 the queen and another girl of about her own age 
 especially struck me. The latter held out the 
 temptations to a marriage fop wealth, luxury, and 
 social position, which the queen rejected in words 
 expressive of the loftiest sentiments, in favor of a 
 union for true love's sake in a lower sphere. A 
 trite old story and commonplace enough to ears 
 familiar with it from infancy ; the moral of many 
 a nursery tale ; the favorite gag of the circus clown ; 
 the threadbare topic of the family circle ; the last 
 gasp of ballroom conversation ; yet clothed with a 
 new and touching charm when discussed in earnest 
 tones by these ignorant negroes for whom the situa- 
 tion could only exist in imagination. 
 
 Toward the close. Miss Josephine Polite was 
 called to the front. She was a tiny little four year 
 old, with face as black and shiny as a lump of can- 
 nel coal. She wore a low-necked, short-sleeved 
 gown of yellow tarleton, and the broad green ribbon 
 round her head bound down her short crisp wool. 
 She was a comical-looking little figure with her 
 gaudy dress, bright eyes and quiet self-possession. 
 
 She curtsied to the schoolmistress, she curtsied 
 to the queen, she curtsied to the company, and 
 then, with eyes fixed straight before her down the 
 aisle, and without an expression on her face, she 
 
166 EUSTIS. 
 
 threw back her head, opened wide her month and 
 sang ont at the top of her lungs, in a shrill, piping 
 voice, but tuneful withal, the following verses, — 
 
 "01 have a beaa, mamma, mamma, 
 O I have a beau, but don't you tell pa. 
 For he wouldn't like it, you know, mamma ! 
 
 " He kissed me last night, mamma, mamma, 
 He kissed me last night, but don't you tell pa, 
 For he wouldn't like it, you know, mamma I 
 
 * ' He gave me a ring , mamma , mamma , 
 He gave me a ring, but don't you tell pa, 
 For he wouldn't like it, you know, mamma ! 
 
 " To-morrow he'll marry me, dear mamma, 
 To-raorroAV we'll marry, so you can tell pa, 
 For then he won't mind it, you know, mamma ! " 
 
 This was the climax of the evening and the little 
 vocalist was greeted with long continued applause. 
 
 At the close of the exercises, the captain called 
 up the performers in turn and gave to each a silver 
 dollar and after complimenting the teacher in ap- 
 propriate words on the progress and proficiency of 
 her scholars, he announced that the exhibition was 
 over. 
 
 As we filed out of the building, Major Barnwell 
 made his way to Madge's side and I heard him ask 
 her, in a low voice, if he might not drive her home. 
 " No, I thank you, Major," she said, " I am going 
 with Mr. Strong. Am I not, Harry ? " 
 
 " I depend upon it," I answered, and he left us, 
 without another word. 
 
 At the first sign of the breaking up of the enter- 
 
EUSTI8. 167 
 
 tainment the negroes had hurried out, and when we 
 reached the door, we found they had lighted a large 
 bonfire in the woods near by and were preparing 
 for some of their songs and games. So after we 
 were seated in our carriages, we all remained awhile 
 to watch them. 
 
 In the uncertain mingling of the moon and fire- 
 light it was difficult to make out the points of the 
 games that they played, but with joined hands they 
 circled round and round, and their rich voices rung 
 out loud and clear in time to their solemn-measured 
 tread. 
 
 What an uncanny ring they are ! Now lost in 
 deep shade, and now again with the firelight 
 blazing full upon their black faces and sparkling 
 eyes ! 
 
 Listen to the flute-like notes of the soloists, as in 
 turn they sing apparently impromptu rhymes ! 
 With what full harmony the chorus follows with 
 the oft repeated, dirgelike refrain ! Hark to that 
 deep bass breaking in upon them all in syncopated 
 time, so unexpected, yet so invariably true ! 
 
 I sat there watching them, silent and fascinated, 
 until Madge suddenly recalled me to myself by say- 
 ing,— 
 
 "Don't you think we had better start? The 
 others left some time ago." 
 
 I had been too much absorbed in the unusual 
 spectacle to notice the departure of the rest of the 
 party, but at Madge's words I slowly gathered up 
 the reins and started on our way home. 
 
16S EUSTIS. 
 
 Madge was in one of her gayest moods, laughing 
 and running on about the recitals we had heard, the 
 odd dresses of the negro girls, and the expression of 
 Mr. Brown's face when the teacher asked Shadrach 
 for her breeches ; and I drove along in the moon- 
 light listening to her merry talk, and oblivious to 
 the thoughts that for the past few days had worried 
 and depressed me. 
 
 The air had grown colder as the night advanced, 
 and drawing out from under the seat a shawl that 
 I had persuaded her to take when we left home, 
 and putting it round her shoulders, I said, " There, 
 Madge, you see it has come into use after all ! " 
 
 " Yes, " she answered, " I must admit that you 
 were very pleasantly thoughtful, to-night." 
 
 " Why, am I not always thoughtful ? " 
 
 " Yes, always thoughtful ; too thoughtful at times, 
 but not always pleasantly so." 
 
 " What do you mean, Madge ? I do not under- 
 stand you," I stupidly asked. 
 
 " Well, forgive my saying so, but perhaps you 
 are, you know, just the least bit apt to find fault 
 about trifles. Don't you think so ? " she said, 
 glancing up at me demurely, " it seems to me you 
 are very hard to please." 
 
 " No, I do not think so," I replied, " at all events 
 I am quite sure T have been pleased to-night, for 
 when we left home I was thoroughly blue and low- 
 spirited, and now — well — now I should be very 
 happy to drive on till the moon sets ! No, I never 
 find fault with peoj^le unless I like them ; but when 
 
EUSTIS. 169 
 
 I imagine my friends are not doing themselves jus- 
 tice, I find it very hard not to speak." 
 
 "01 am so glad to know, then, that at least 
 you like me ! " she responded laughing. 
 
 *' I shall not answer you," I said, smiling in re- 
 turn. 
 
 " No, I don't believe you ever i}aid a compliment 
 in your life, Harry ! you are the most matter-of-fact, 
 prosaic man I ever knew ! " 
 
 "What is the use of paying comi^liments to avo- 
 men? It only makes them more conceited and 
 exacting. I do not care to tickle their vanity by 
 repeating what a dozen men have, no doubt, said 
 to them before. O no, handsome women do not 
 need to be told of their own attractions, they 
 are sufficiently * early discoverers ' themselves. If 
 I were to tell you, for instance, that you were 
 pretty and fascinating, it would only incite you to 
 brighten up your armor a trifle, or waste a moment 
 more before your mirror ! If I should say you were 
 always charming, it would not be the truth ; but if 
 I said you always had the power to charai — well, I 
 should be encroaching upon the Major's rights and 
 prerogatives ! " 
 
 " Nonsense, Harry, you know the Major has no 
 rights ! However, I shan't accuse you again of 
 never saying pretty things. Poor man, I only wish 
 it came a little easier to you ! You should take 
 a course of lessons in the art ! " she said, laughing 
 at me mischievously. 
 
 She was quite right, and, though I joined in her 
 
1 70 EUSTIS. 
 
 laugh, I felt a little abashed that she should have 
 detected so easily the effort of my unusual at- 
 tempt at gallantry. 
 
 When we reached home we found Jim awaiting 
 us in the garden. He was walking up and down 
 the path, in the broad moonlight, smoking, and 
 seemed very happy, with a quiet self-contained 
 happiness, that spoke of some pleasant thought 
 lying near the heart. 
 
EUSTI8, 171 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 COXFIDEXCES. 
 
 /CHRISTMAS came on a Friday, and on Thursday 
 ^^ the household was busy with preparations for 
 the approaching holiday. 
 
 Nevertheless, Madge found time, at Mrs. Jack- 
 son's suggestion, to take a canter with me through 
 the woods in the morning- She was an excellent 
 horsewoman, and never looked prettier than in her 
 riding-habit and with the flush of exercise upon her 
 cheeks. 
 
 We rode that day to one of the headlands on the 
 coast, and on our way home made a long circuit 
 through the forest, that we might stop at the corner 
 for the mail. 
 
 Soon after we had left the post office, and as we 
 were cantering on again (or " loping," as Madge 
 would have called it), we overtook, at a bend in the 
 road, a horseman ambling leisurely along on a quiet 
 looking nag. It proved to be Colonel Shorter on 
 his way to Major Barnwell's, and as his road lay 
 past The Oaks, he joined us. I had not seen the 
 Colonel since the day of the hunt, nor had Madge. 
 On the present occasion he appeared to be in a good 
 humor and made himself more agreeable than when 
 I had last met him. Still, from his asking nothing 
 
172 EUSTIS. 
 
 about Jim, I concluded that he had not yet for- 
 gotten their little difficulty. 
 
 " You have not been to see us for a long time, 
 Colonel Shorter," Madge said as we were parting 
 from him at the gate. 
 
 " No," he answered, " I have been too busy lately 
 to leave the city, but I am looking forward to your 
 coming to town after Christmas, for such is your in- 
 tention, I trust ? " 
 
 " Yes, we shall be at sister Kate's next week, and 
 I shall depend upon your coming to see us." 
 
 " You may be sure I shall not deny myself that 
 pleasure," he replied, and making a low bow, he 
 put spurs to his horse and galloped down the road. 
 
 " I don't like that man, Madge," I said as we 
 turned into the avenue. 
 
 " Why not ? " she asked. 
 
 "I cannot give an exact reason. I feel as Kate 
 does about him. It is, perhaps, more a matter of 
 feeling than anything else, but, to my ear, he does 
 not ring true. I dislike both his manners and his 
 face." 
 
 " There I cannot agree with you. I think him 
 d^-^cidedly handsome, and as for his manners, they 
 are charming. He can say the very prettiest things 
 in jusi^ the nicest way possible ! Why, Harry, he is 
 the man of all others you should take lessons from ! 
 lie is exactly your opposite. If he did not care in 
 the least for \a woman, he could make her believe he 
 did, while you — well, you — " 
 
 She stopped nnd looked saucily up at me. 
 
EUSTIS. 173 
 
 " Go on, ungrateful woman ! " I exclaimed, laugh- 
 ing, and as she turned away without speaking I 
 continued, " You see I was brought up in a different 
 school. I fear I am too old now to leam over 
 again. However, as you are so quick to see my 
 failings, I hope you will be equally ready to forgive 
 them." 
 
 Jim had passed the early jiart of the morning at 
 Palmetto Grove, and after lunch, while he and I 
 were sitting together before the log fire in the 
 smoking-room, he broached the subject that filled 
 his thoughts. I had previously noticed his restless 
 and preoccupied manner, so that when at last he 
 spoke, I was not altogether unprepared for his dis- 
 closures. 
 
 " Harry," said he, getting up from his chair and 
 poking the fire in a purposeless way, " of course you 
 have heard the girls tease me about Mary Lee, and 
 though I have never spoken to you on the subject, 
 I daresay you may have suspected that I was in 
 love with her." 
 
 " Well, yes, Jim," I answered with a smile. " It 
 would not have required a very powerful pair of 
 lenses to make that discovery ! " 
 
 " Well, I have asked Captain Lee's consent this 
 morning, and he has given it," he said, turning from 
 the fire and facing me, 
 
 *' I congratulate you with all my heart," I ex- 
 claimed, jumping up from my seat and shaking him 
 wai'nily by the hand. 
 
 ii Thank you, Harry," he said, returning the pres- 
 
174 EUSTIS, 
 
 sure, with an embarrassed smile, " but I don't know 
 yet whether I am to be congraulated or not." 
 
 " Don't know ! Why, what do you mean ? " I 
 asked. 
 
 " Well, I haven't spoken to Mary," he replied, 
 blushing like a girl ; and as he stood there, almost 
 the perfection of manhood, I felt that he need have 
 little doubt of winning, wherever his heart was 
 fixed. 
 
 After pausing for a moment he went on quietly. 
 
 " I believe I loved her when she was a little girl, 
 and I taught her to ride her first pony, and my 
 affection has grown stronger and stronger as she 
 has changed from a child into a woman (how could 
 it have been otherwise — she is so good and lovely), 
 until now I feel there is nothing else in life worth 
 living for. And yet," he continued, seating himself 
 again and stretching out his feet towards the fire, 
 *' and yet, now that the time has come at last, I 
 dread to speak, for I have been very happy, and my 
 first words may ruin it all." 
 
 " She can give but one answer, Jim," I said with 
 confidence, " for, surely, she must know your feel- 
 ings towards her." 
 
 " Yes, I think so, and yet I cannot tell, for I have 
 never told her that I cared for her." 
 
 " But she could not be ignorant of what is so 
 plain to every one about her. If she had not liked 
 you she would have shown it in a thousand ways ; 
 I do not believe she is the woman to lead a man 
 on and then desert him at the crisis." 
 
EUSTIS. 175 
 
 "O no, she would never do that, I am certain — 
 quite certain," he repeated as if to reassure himself, 
 " But we have always been so intimate — such good 
 friends — that she may never have expected more to 
 come of it, and have accepted my attentions as a 
 matter of course. Besides, after all, a woman can- 
 not tell a man she does not care for him, until he 
 gives her a chance ; in fact, she often does not even 
 know it herself." 
 
 " Come, come, Jim, this is altogether unlike you ! 
 You do yourself injustice. Cheer up, man. I wish 
 I had half the chance of ever being as happy as you 
 will be in the course of a day or two. What did 
 the Captain say ? " 
 
 " He was very kind and said both Mrs. Lee and 
 he had always wished this to come about, but even 
 if they should have the good fortune to welcome 
 me as a son-in-law, it could hardly increase their 
 affection for me ! He could not answer for Mary, 
 but, of course — ^he added with a smile — ^he thought 
 I ought to be able to do that. O, the old people 
 are all right, as far as good wishes go ! " He said, 
 brightening up and speaking more cheerfully again. 
 
 After this we talked the matter over and over^ 
 for an hour or more, until at last he regained his 
 usual hopeful frame of mind. 
 
 He was to see Mary on Monday and until then 
 would not go to the Grove. 
 
 He told his sisters how matters stood and they 
 were both as full of sympathy and excitement as 
 they were certain of Mary's answer. 
 
176 EU8TI8. 
 
 In the afternoon Jim and I took a long ramble. 
 We went first to the plantation settlement and 
 then for a mile or two followed the winding 
 course of the river towards the sea, now along 
 the pine-capped bluffs and now across the level 
 springy surface of the marsh. The air was cool and 
 clear and the dark hummocks of the Sea Islands, on 
 the horizon, rose in bold outlines against the sky. 
 
 Of course there was still but one topic of conver- 
 sation, Jim's plans and speculations for the future. 
 The doubts that had harassed him in the morning 
 gave way to the natural buoyancy of his disposition. 
 He ran on as gayly as a schoolboy, and with such 
 utter confidence in my sympathy that I could not, 
 at that moment, have betrayed it, even by a passing 
 thought. All selfish considerations were scattered 
 to the winds and I entered heart and soul into his 
 projects. In fact, before we reached home, his 
 good spirits had infected me to such an extent, 
 that I felt as if to my own lot some great blessing 
 was about to fall. 
 
 On my way to my room that night I found, in 
 the upper hall, a miscellaneous assortment of wear- 
 ing apparel of every shape and size, piled upon the 
 tables and chairs and floor. There were dresses and 
 under-garments, coats and trousers, boots and shoes, 
 large and small, bright colored neckerchiefs and 
 bandanna turbans, in endless profusion, and in the 
 midst of the confusion Madge and sister Kate, busy 
 as bees, assorting and labelling the different 
 articles. I paused a moment to watch them at 
 
EU8TI8. 177 
 
 their work and said, " Well, Kate, do you intend to 
 clothe the whole County to-morrow ? " 
 
 " Not quite that, Harry," she replied, getting up 
 from her knees, " but we do like to have just some 
 little things for the negroes at the settlement. So 
 much was made of the day in old times, that we 
 cannot now let it pass by altogether unnoticed. I 
 should hate to have one of them come to the house 
 to-morrow and go away empty-handed ! Each must 
 have something, if it is only a plug of tobacco. But 
 you must leave us, Harry, or we shall not get to 
 bed to-night. By the way, it is growing cold, is it 
 not ? " and upon my answering in the affirmative, 
 she continued "I told David to light a fire in your 
 room and to leave plenty of wood there. I think 
 we are abput to have a cold snap and you don't 
 know yet how severe one of our cold snaps can 
 be!" 
 
 "Many thanks, my thoughtful hostess. I may 
 safely defy the elements while in your hospitable 
 keeping," and turning to Madge, who had not al- 
 lowed her work to be interrupted by my presence I 
 said, — 
 
 " Good night, fair Madge ; will there be a mistle- 
 toe bough in the house to-morrow ? " 
 
 And without awaiting her reply, I took my candle 
 from a pile of blankets where I had put it and be- 
 took myself to bed. 
 
 No — not to bed — but to a seat before the fire 
 that blazed and crackled upon my hearth where, 
 undisturbed, I could think ot all that Eustis had 
 
178 ■ EU8TI8. 
 
 told me and of the life so soon to become a part 
 of his. 
 
 Had I already forgotten the one short romance of 
 my own life ? In Jim's presence I had believed so ; 
 but alone, in the silence of the night, thoughts 
 arose that I could not fight off single-handed, and 
 the first hours of the Christmas morning found me 
 still in my chair before the dying embers. 
 
EUSTIS, 179 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 rpHEY may talk of the severity of our Northern 
 -^ winter climate ; but for downright bodily dis- 
 comfort give me the southern country-house during 
 one of their periodical " cold-snaps ! " 
 
 How the wind hisses and whistles through the 
 cracks of the loose-jointed rattling windows ! With 
 what audacity it attacks the very sides of the house, 
 and forcing its way through floors and wainscotting 
 puffs up the carpets into great balloons ! 
 
 The flames from the logs in the open fireplaces 
 blaze and roar in their hopeless effort to impart 
 warmth to the waves of frosty air that sweep through 
 the rooms. 
 
 We revolve and revolve before the fire, in the 
 vain attempt to warm ourselves all round at once, 
 but no sooner have we thawed out the tingling frost 
 on one side than circulation ceases on the other ! It 
 is a useless task. There is no such thing as com- 
 fort " within doors ; " (there is satire in the words 
 themselves for they are never shut ;) but, for out of 
 door exercise, no weather can be more perfect than 
 this keen, frosty air with the thermometre at 20^ 
 Fahrenheit. 
 
180 EUSTIS. 
 
 Such a morning was that of the Christmas on 
 which I awoke to the crackling of a bright log fire 
 that David had rebuilt for me ; but when I arose I 
 found that my pitcher and the pail of water for my 
 bath were frozen solid, and had been placed by the 
 fire to thaw. So, nothing loath, I returned to my 
 bed for another nap. 
 
 When, at length, I came down from my room it 
 was very late, and the house was astir with life and 
 bustle. There was a swarm of negroes on the back 
 piazza and in the yard, among whom Mrs. Jackson 
 and Madge were busily engaged in distributing their 
 Christmas gifts. Bows, scrapes, courtesies, and 
 " merry Christmases " were to be seen and heard on 
 all sides, and I stood there for the half hour before 
 breakfast, which had been delayed for the occasion, 
 watching the happy faces of the negi-oes and listen- 
 ing to their caustic wit. 
 
 After breakfast Jim ordered the wagon and drove 
 me down to the plantation settlement. His pocket 
 was filled with coppers, and as we passed slowly 
 along the road between the cabins, he scattered them 
 to right and left for the children to scramble for. 
 They evidently had expected him and were out in 
 full force for the occasion. It was very amusing to 
 see the little imps with their grinning faces and 
 wide-open eyes, rushing, pushing and tumbling 
 heels over head in their eagerness to get possession 
 of the shining coins! Of course the big boys had 
 the advantage of the little ones in this rough sport. 
 But Jim's quick eye took in the situation at a glance, 
 
EUSTIS. 181 
 
 and, thanks to his adroitness, a fair portion of the 
 spoils fell to the lot of even the most diminutive 
 and clumsy. 
 
 We drove, at a walk, through the settlement and 
 back again, followed by the noisy crowd, and when 
 we finally left them, they gave expression to their 
 gratitude in a parting yell ! 
 
 Barnwell was to pass the day and take his Christ- 
 mas dinner with us, and so from the settlement we 
 drove down through the woods to his house for 
 him. 
 
 He lived three or four miles from The Oaks, and 
 although we were well muffled up and the sun had 
 taken much of the f rostiness out of the air, we found 
 it still very cold in the depths of the forest, and the 
 pools and swamps covered with thick ice. 
 
 At the end of our drive we drew up at a rickety 
 gate, that gave entrance to a field or clearmg of 
 twenty or more acres, surrounded by a Virginia 
 fence. The land was uncultivated, with the excei> 
 tion of a half acre or so, which showed signs of hav- 
 ing been used as a flower and kitchen-garden. A 
 couple of native cows and a lean horse were taking 
 a constitutional together around the enclosure, while 
 here and there flocks of poultry scratched and 
 pecked at the brown stubble and sandy soil. 
 
 In the centre of the field, under the shadow of a 
 solitary live oak, stood a small, weatherbeaten, one 
 story, pitched-roofed house, resting upon wooden 
 posts. 
 
 Near it, in the rear, were a couple of still smaller 
 
182 JEUSTIS. 
 
 buildings, used for the kitchen and servant's quar- 
 ters, and farther off, the stables and the cabins for 
 the farm hands. 
 
 The side of the cleared land oj^posite the gate 
 skirted an irregular bluff, and, as we drew near the 
 house, a view of the salt marshes and the blue 
 waters of the sound stretched away as far as the 
 eye could reach. 
 
 When we alighted at the stei:)S, some sullen look- 
 ing hounds got up from where they lay basking in 
 the sun, and with surly growls slunk off behind the 
 house. 
 
 At the same moment, Barnwell came out and 
 greeted us most cordially, and then after calling 
 long and loud, but in vain, for " Jerry," jumped 
 into the wagon himself, and drove to the stable, 
 while we entered the house to warm ourselves at 
 the fire. 
 
 Within, the house was as desolate and unattrac- 
 tive as without, its accommodations consisted of two 
 sleeping-rooms, and the one in which we were 
 standing, which was evidently used by its bachelor 
 owner for all other purposes. A few old prints in 
 tarnished gilt frames adorned the unpainted and 
 unpapered walls, and over them^ as well as over all 
 the doors of the room, were fastened antlers of every 
 size and shape. 
 
 The floor was covered with musty straw matting, 
 and in one corner stood a rifle and a double bar- 
 relled shot gun, while beside them lay, in a disor- 
 dered heap, powder horns, shot flasks, tin canisters 
 and other hunting paraphernalia. 
 
EUSTIS. J83 
 
 A three «helf bookcase hanging upon the wall ; 
 a mahogany sideboard, with wine glasses and, 
 a half-empty decanter upon it ; a round table ; 
 half-a-dozen delapidated cane-bottomed chairs; a 
 black horsehair rocking-chair, and brass andirons in 
 the fireplace, — completed the furniture of the room. 
 
 Its appearance was by no means cheerful and 
 might itself, in the absence of stronger induce- 
 ments, have furnished a sufficient excuse for its 
 master's frequent visits to The Oaks. 
 
 The family homestead had been burnt during the 
 war — and this house, so Jim told me, had been oc- 
 cupied formerly by the overseer. "The Point," 
 was Major Barnwell's home thoughout the year, for 
 situated, as it was, on the " Salts," or salt marshes 
 near the sea, it was considered perfectly healthy, 
 even through the torrid summer months. 
 
 Forlorn as the place seemed to me, I found that 
 the good Major regarded it with considerable pride 
 and spoke enthusiastically of the sea breezes, the 
 view, the oyster beds, and the unequalled fishing 
 in the creek below the bluff. 
 
 " Not a stylish place you know," he said to me, 
 "but rather cosy and comfortable, everything, in 
 fact, that a bachelor needs. Take care Mr. Strong, 
 that chair has only three legs, try the rocker ! It 
 is always cool on the piazza even in the hottest 
 weather. There's no use going North in summer, 
 when a man has such a place as this to come to. I 
 don't know anything pleasanter in life, than to lie 
 there in my hammock on a summer's evening, and 
 
184 EU8TI8, 
 
 look off over the marshes to the sound, with a cool 
 breeze blowing, and a net over me to keep off the 
 mosquitoes and sand-flies." 
 
 Not being to the manor born, I could not fully 
 appreciate his ardor, especially in view of the un- 
 tidiness and shiftlessness about me. It seemed 
 strange to see such utter indifference to all things 
 that render the interior of a house comfortable and 
 attractive, in a man who was not cut off from them by 
 absolute poverty. As I became better acquainted 
 with the people among whom I was stopping, I 
 found the Major's case by no means an exceptional 
 one, but that, not infrequently, men kept their thor- 
 ough-breds at the expense of hall carpets and well- 
 furnished drawing-rooms ; and I accounted for it, 
 on the supposition, that the out of door lives of the 
 people lessened, to some extent, their interest in 
 matters of domestic comfort. 
 
 The Major was full of hospitality, and insisted 
 upon our trying his favorite brands of whiskey and 
 tobacco, while we waited for him to make a hurried 
 toilet. He soon appeared again, and the wagon 
 was brought to the door in answer to his loud calls 
 from the jjiazza, whither the hounds had returned 
 to their corners in the sun. 
 
 " Jerry," said Barnwell to the coachman, a half- 
 grown colored youth, dressed in a superabundant 
 old coat of his master. " Come over for me, with the 
 sorrel mare at ten o'clock, and mind you shut the 
 gate after you — ^hear?" 
 
 " Yes sir ! " 
 
EUSTI8. 185 
 
 " Maria ! " he called to a slatternly-looking yellow 
 girl who put her head out of the kitchen door, as 
 we drove past, " don't forget to feed the hounds at 
 one." She only answered with a sullen nod, and 
 stood there looking after us till we were out of 
 sight. 
 
 As the Major reseated himself, after getting out 
 to open and shut the pasture gate, he said, — 
 
 " I am sorry you didn't have a pleasanter day to 
 see my place, Mr. Strong ; it isn't looking its best 
 just now. You must come and spend a few days 
 with me in the spring, when my roses are in bloom. 
 It looks very pretty here then." 
 
 I thanked him, and congi-atulated myself 
 that probably duty would not compel me to ac- 
 cept his invitation. 
 
 We reached home in time for lunch, and found 
 the ladies awaiting us in the drawing-room and 
 resting after their labors of the morning. We all 
 passed a pleasant afternoon and evening together? 
 although forced, perhaps, by the requirements of 
 the day, into slightly overstrained hilarity. 
 
 The Major created some amusement, from the 
 fact, that he had secreted about him a box of candy 
 for Madge, upon which he unfortunately had seated 
 himself during the drive to The Oaks, much to his 
 own chagrin and Jim's delight, who let the cat out 
 of the bag at the dinner table, and brought down 
 upon the bashful Major a storm of merriment from 
 Madge and Kate ! 
 
 He strove most gallantly, however, to take his 
 
186 SU8TIS, 
 
 revenge under the mistletoe that Jim had hung in 
 the centre of the hall ; but was thwarted and only- 
 succeeded in getting his ears very soundly boxed ! 
 His attempt, however, was so thoughtless and 
 awkward that he richly merited his punishment. 
 
 Now perhaps I speak from the conscious superi- 
 ority of a successful tactician and perhaps from my 
 recollection of the whispered suggestions of the fay 
 in the mistletoe ; but if, let me ask, when all were 
 about to retire for the night, he had handed her her 
 lighted candle, and asked her also at the same time 
 to hold his own for a moment, could she have re- 
 fused ? Well — yes — perhaps she could. 
 
 Would she have refused? Ask the fairy con- 
 spirator in the mistletoe bough ! Alas I I cannot 
 tell you 1 
 
EUSTI8, 187 
 
 CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 THE OLD NURSE. 
 
 TTTITH one of those sudden changes so common 
 ' * in the South, on the following Sunday even- 
 ing the weather moderated, and at midnight a heavy 
 thunder-shower passed over us, startling me from my 
 sleep, with a strange feeling of confusion and sur- 
 prise. The blinds rattled, the rain beat furiously 
 against the window panes, the lightning flashed 
 into the room making it as bright as day — and above 
 all the thunder rolled and crashed, shaking the house 
 to its foundations. Was it indeed mid-winter, or 
 had I been only dreaming that this was the night 
 after Christmas ! 
 
 For a time I was utterly bewildered ; but little 
 by little I began to realize the situation, and lis- 
 tened with mingled curiosity and pleasure to the 
 wild tempest, counting the seconds between the 
 flashes and the discharges of musketry, and iKjping 
 that each successive peal might be louder than the 
 one before. But the storm was as short as it was 
 severe and passed away as rapidly as it had arisen. 
 Yet, though the wind and rain ceased and the thun- 
 der grew fainter and fainter in the distance, the 
 first wild outburst had so thoroughly aroused me, 
 that I could not sleep again, and, as on Christmas 
 
188 EU8TIS. 
 
 Eve, my mind called up the experiences of my short 
 Southern life and passed them again and again in 
 review before it — with one fair image ever floating 
 in and out among them. 
 
 How exquisitely sensitive we become to the influ- 
 ence of our thoughts in the darkness and silence of 
 the night ! How resistlessly and completely do our 
 joys or sorrows take possession of us — while the 
 mind self-centred panders to the most extravagrant 
 emotions of the heart ! I don't know how long I 
 lay awake, but think the light was already glimmer- 
 ing in the east, when, for the second time, I fell 
 asleep. 
 
 The morning came in warm, sunny and spring-like 
 and soon after breakfast Jim's thoroughbred was 
 brought saddled to the garden gate. A few minutes 
 later Jim himself joined me on the piazza, where I 
 was walking up and down with my cigar. 
 
 He wore a dark blue, doubled-breasted coat, cut 
 short and square, corduroy trousers fitting close to 
 the shapely legs, long cavalry boots with shining 
 spurs clinking at either heel, and a military hat of 
 soft black felt ; and over his arm hung a hunting 
 whip. 
 
 He stopped to speak to me for a moment while 
 he drew on his leather gauntlets. His handsome 
 face was somewhat flushed and his eyes bright with 
 suppressed excitement. He was, indeed, a goodly 
 specimen of manhood — with his intelligent face, 
 faultless physique, and erect, graceful carriage. 
 
 " Well, Jim," said I, looking upon him with an 
 
EUSTIS. 189 
 
 affectionate admiration, " may the small god with 
 the bow and arrows guide you safely to-day ! " 
 
 "Ah, but when the blind lead the blind, you 
 know ! " he answered smiling, and looking up from 
 the glove that he was buttoning. 
 
 "Yes, but in point of fact," I answered, "I give 
 you credit for seeing much better than you pretend. 
 It is my private opinion that you need no guidance 
 whatsoever, and are fully capable of finding your 
 way by yourself. However," I continued, laying 
 my hand on his shoulder, "my blessing goes with 
 you, my son, notwithstanding your hypocrisy, and 
 my best wishes for the happiness you so little de- 
 serve." 
 
 He laughed and shook my hand, and then de- 
 scended the steps into the garden, where he paused 
 before the rose bushes to pick a bud for his button- 
 hole. 
 
 "Which would you take, white or pink?" he 
 asked, turning towards me with an air of uncer- 
 tainty as grave as if the decision were a matter of 
 moment. 
 
 "Red, by all means," I answered promptly, "this 
 is no day to show the white feather." He followed 
 my sage advice with apparent hesitation, and hav- 
 ing mounted " Vixen," kissed his hand to me and 
 cantered slowly down the avenue. It is strange, 
 said I, musingly, how the mind, when overburdened 
 will seek relief in trifles, upon which, if untrammelled, 
 it would not bestow a second thought ! 
 
 That morning I took a walk with Madge down to 
 
190 EUSTIS. 
 
 the settlement, to visit an old negro woman who had 
 been her nurse when she was a child. She had 
 been confined to the house for several years with 
 an incurable disease, and Madge often went to read 
 to her, or to carry her some little delicacy from The 
 Oaks. 
 
 I waited for my companion at the gate of the lit- 
 tle garden, in front of the cabin, and when she 
 again appeared the old nurse came with her to the 
 door, supporting her bent and heavy frame upon 
 two stout canes. 
 
 "Good morning, mauma," I said, "you should 
 leave your front door open to catch a breath of this 
 spring-like air." 
 
 " Huddy, massa," she replied, " it's too late now 
 for de air to do good or ill to dis ole woman ; but 
 it's no doubt good for dem dat likes it." And then 
 speaking to Madge in a half " aside," but keeping 
 her eyes fixed on me, she muttered, " Is dis the 
 gemmun dey was tellin me 'bout? de gemmnu 
 what Massa Jim gone to school wid ? He ain't got 
 Massa Jim's smile, has he, miss? But he ain't so 
 bad looking neither — ^for a Yankee ! Well, honey, 
 mebbe you might ha' done wuss arter all ! " Madge 
 blushed, and hastily kissing the old woman good- 
 by, rejoined me at the gate. When we were out of 
 hearing of the old mauma, who still stood watch- 
 ing us from her cabin door, — 
 
 "Well, Madge," said I, laughing, "your nurse 
 seems to draw speedy conclusions, doesn't she ? 
 How do you like being settled for life without an 
 
EUSTIS. 191 
 
 opportunity of expressing yourself on the sub- 
 ject?" 
 
 "Isn't she queer, Harry?" she replied without 
 answering directly. " The negroes about here con- 
 sider her a sort of witch, and would no more dare 
 to rob her hen-roost than a graveyard at night. 
 She has been devoted to me as long as I can re- 
 member. She was mother's nurse, too. I am very 
 fond of the poor old thing, with all her peculiarities." 
 
 When we reached home it was lunch time, but as 
 Jim had not returned we waited for him, sitting on 
 the piazza in the sun, where Mrs. Jackson joined 
 us. Lunch was put off for an hour, but still he did 
 not come, and just as we had concluded that he 
 would probably pass the afternoon at the Grove, 
 we saw him turn in at the gate and gallop rapidly 
 up the avenue. A moment later he drew up at the 
 garden fence and dismounted. 
 
 The steam was rising from Vixen's back, and her 
 chest and legs and flanks were spattered with foam 
 and mud. The jaded beast hung down her head, 
 and gave every indication of a long, wild run 
 through the heavy roiads. Jim threw the rein over 
 a picket, and walked slowly up the garden path 
 with eyes bent upon the ground. He, like his horse, 
 was covered with mud from head to foot. He did 
 not see us sitting on the piazza until he reached the 
 top of the flight of steps, when, with apparent ef- 
 fort, he straightened himself up, and with a forced 
 smile on his haggard face, and a painful attempt at 
 cheerfulness, he said, — 
 
192 EUSTIS. 
 
 " Well, girls, it's all up ! " 
 
 " Why, Jim, what do you mean ? " they asked, in 
 astonishment. 
 
 " Just what I say, my dears. It is over ! I was 
 mistaken, that's all ! " he answered quietly. 
 
 " Well, then," exclaimed Madge with vehemence, 
 jumping up from her chair, " all I can say is, she is 
 a heartless flirt ! " 
 
 *' It's false ! " he cried, turning angrily upon her 
 v/ith flashing eyes, the hot blood rising to his pallid 
 cheeks. " You are unworthy to be mentioned in 
 the same breath ! How dare you speak so of her ? " 
 " O Jim ! " she uttered in a low^ beseeching 
 tone, her eyes fixed intently upon him and her right 
 hand extended as if to ward off a blow. 
 
 He turned slowly away and without another 
 word strode heavily into the house. 
 
 She stood there for a moment as he had left her, 
 staring into vacancy. Then she covered her face 
 with both her hands and walked, sobbing, to the 
 end of the piazza. 
 
 Kate was at her side in an instant, and putting 
 her arms around her neck, she drew her head down 
 upon her shoulder. 
 
 " There, my darling," she said tenderly, " do not 
 cry. He did not know what he was saying. Pity 
 him, Madge. The poor boy is beside himself ! " 
 
 I left them by themselves and went up to my 
 room, where I threw myself into a chair, in front of 
 the empty fireplace. But I had not sat there long, 
 staring at the heap of white ashes and the half- 
 
EUSTIS. 193 
 
 burnt back-log, before there was a knock at the 
 door and David entered with a tray of luncheon. 
 
 He put it on the table, kindled some sticks of 
 wood upon the hearth and left me. 
 
 As it would have seemed ungracious to leave un- 
 tasted what Kate had so thoughtfully provided, I 
 went to the table and tried to eat, but it was im- 
 possible. I had no appetite and soon returned again 
 to my seat by the fire, full of conjectures as to the 
 result of this blow to Jim and its effects upon the 
 little colony of friends whose interests had become 
 so thoroughly my own. 
 
 I remained in my room till nearly twilight and 
 then went out for a walk before dinner. As I passed 
 the open door of the drawing-room, I saw Jim and 
 Madge sitting together on a sofa in the embrasure 
 of the window. She was nestled close to his side, 
 and looking up into his face. His arm was round 
 her waist, and bending down his head he gently 
 touched her forehead with his lips. What an effect 
 this little tableau had upon my spirits ! It was like 
 lifting a weight from off them. It was in keeping, 
 too, with Jim's hot-headed affectionate disposition ; 
 and as I had felt keenly his injustice of the morning, 
 so now my heart proportionately warmed towards 
 him at this exhibition of tender repentance. 
 
 I admire this quick, impulsive character, too ready, 
 perhaps, to take offence, but equally prompt to ask 
 forgiveness — a nature that cannot find itself in the 
 wrong without instantly striving to set itself right 
 again ! 
 
194 EUSTIS. 
 
 Dinner, that evening, was a very quiet meal, 
 although, I believe we all exerted ourselves to make 
 it cheerful. Jim was not himself. He strove to 
 appear the same as usual, but scored a signal failure. 
 
 Both he and Kate disappeared at an early hour 
 and Madge and I were left for a while by ourselves 
 in the drawing-room. 
 
 Madge was sitting opposite to me, near the centre- 
 table, crocheting from a blue pyramid of worsted, 
 that lay upon her lap. I had been glancing over the 
 columns of a home paper, but put it down at length, 
 and said, — 
 
 " Madge, I can hardly tell you how glad I was to 
 see that you and Jim had made up again so 
 quickly." 
 
 " It was the first time in my life he had ever 
 spoken harshly to me; and I was so sorry you 
 should have heard him," she answered. " I did not 
 mean to provoke him. I would not have hurt his 
 feelings for the world, he has always been so sweet 
 and good to me ! But I was so astonished and in- 
 dignant, that I could not helj^ saying what I did. 
 Even if she could trifle with other men, as some say, 
 Jim never deserved such treatment at her hands. 
 She knows his character too well to think he can 
 take it lightly, poor fellow ! It makes me hot to 
 think of it ! " she exclaimed, " I cannot understand 
 it, can you ? " 
 
 " Indeed, I cannot," I replied. 
 
 " If I were he I should not give it up so easily," 
 she went on, somewhat inconsistently. " I am sure 
 
EUSTIS. 195 
 
 she does not care for any one else, and she has 
 known Jim all her life and always seemed to like 
 him so much ! I cannot believe her answer was 
 final ; but Jim feels differently about it and won't 
 even listen to such a suggestion ; and when he has 
 once made up his mind there is no use trying to 
 argue with him. At any rate, I am glad he is going 
 to Florida. It may bring her to her senses, and the 
 change will no doubt do him good and help him to 
 get over it, for, after all, men's hearts are not easily 
 broken." 
 
 " Are women's ? " I asked. 
 
 " I have read of instances, but I never knew one," 
 she answered, sagely. " I cannot imagine a sensible 
 woman allowing herself to care for a man until she 
 is certain he is in love with her." 
 
 " And it is equally absurd," said I, " for a sensible 
 man to fall in love and offer himself to a woman 
 until she has given him very evident and ample 
 encouragement ! So, for sensible men and women, 
 at least, we seem to have very effectually obstructed 
 the paths to matrimony ! " 
 
 " The case is different with men. They should be 
 free and independent as air. An occasional mistake 
 cannot hurt them very much, " she replied, " but a 
 conscientious woman must act with caution, you 
 see ! If she likes a man — without being in love with 
 him — of course she must give him just a little 
 encouragement, or she would never really know him ; 
 and if she likes him better as he becomes more 
 attentive, she can continue to encourage him little 
 
196 EUSTI8. 
 
 by little and so on ; and, on the other hand, if at any- 
 time she likes him less, she can stop, and any 
 sensible man will understand her ; don't you see ? " 
 
 " O yes, I see the sophistry of the coquette ! " 
 I answered laughing. " Allure him to the edge and 
 then topple him over ! Alas ! poor Barnwell ! " 
 
 " Why will you always bring up Major Barnwell, 
 Harry?" she replied, the color mounting to her 
 cheeks ; " you know he is nothing to me ! You only 
 do it to annoy me ! " 
 
 "It is very becoming to you, to look annoy- 
 ed!" I said, "but you would not be so if you 
 didn't feel some slight interest in him ! There, 
 don't go ! " I added, as she arose as if about to 
 leave the room, " I will promise not to tease 
 you again. I know it is very impertinent. I am 
 astonished that you put up with me at all." She 
 hesitated a moment and then sat down again. 
 
 " Madge," I said, after, a short silence, " I really 
 think you are very sweet and forbearing with me. 
 I wrote my sister Alice about you, the other day." 
 
 " What did you say to her ? " she asked, looking up 
 from her work. 
 
 " Much in praise and nothing against you," I re- 
 plied. " Still, I think I had better not repeat it, for 
 even the truth does not always bear repetition." 
 
 "Ah, yes, do tell me!" she said, with a pretty 
 affectation of interest, leaning slightly forward, her 
 hands clasped across the feathery pile of worsted in 
 her lap. 
 
 " Well," said I with a slight smile, " I wrote her 
 
EU8TIS. 197 
 
 how fortunate it was for me, that you had not tried 
 to include me in your list of victims ; and how kind 
 and hospitable you always were, notwithstanding a 
 dislike that you evidently found it hard, at times, 
 to struggle against ! " 
 
 While I was speaking, she rose and went to a 
 table at the side of the room, in which she kept her 
 work, and when I stopped, she said quietly and with 
 her back toward me. 
 
 " I must go now, Harry, good-night." 
 
 " Wait a moment ! " I called to her before she 
 reached the door. " Tell me, did I not write the 
 truth?" 
 
 She faced me, with a bright crimson flush upon 
 her face. " Yes, I do dislike you," she said emphati- 
 cally, and then closed the door and left me to my- 
 self. 
 
 These were plain words, but I had only myself to 
 thank for them ; and although I had suspected the 
 truth before, I realized now what an unpleasant 
 difference there was between a mere suspicion and 
 the actual knowledge of the fact. 
 
 However, I determined henceforth to do all in 
 my power to make amends for the j^ast. I did not 
 feel piqued, nor was my vanity wounded by what 
 she had said, for I was conscious that my conduct 
 had justified her dislike ; but, at the same time, I 
 could not allow any unpleasantness to exist between 
 such an important member of Jim's family and 
 myself without at least an attempt on my part to 
 dispel it. 
 
198 EUSTIS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE BALL. 
 
 "PiURIKG the following week our pleasant house- 
 -^ hold at The Oaks was broken up. Mrs. Jack- 
 son and Madge moved to town, and Jim started on 
 his trip to Florida, The latter, however, before he 
 went, established me in rooms at the best hotel in 
 the city, put my name down at the Club, and did all 
 he could to make me comfortable until his return. 
 
 He was rather disappointed at my not accompany- 
 ing him ; but left me with the understanding, that, 
 if I grew tired of city life, I should join him later 
 in the winter ; although he hardly expected me to 
 do so, as he thought I would find Southern society, 
 under the guidance of Kate and Madge, preferable 
 to travelling alone with him under the present cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 My rooms, although not well furnished and with 
 unmistakable signs of Southern shiftlessness about 
 them (for the negro servant in room-cleaning always 
 " circles the square"), were cheerful and sunny, 
 with a pretty outlook on one of the many city 
 parks. 
 
 The hotel was tolerably well kept and the table 
 
EUSTIS. 199 
 
 good ; but what struck the New England mind as 
 especially odd in such a warm climate was the 
 absence of all bathing facilities within its walls. 
 
 My rooms were conveniently near the Club, where 
 I usually spent an hour or so after breakfast in 
 reading the papers, or talking with the affable set of 
 rice-planters, who frequented it in the morning. 
 
 The Lees also had moved to town and I often met 
 Fred Brown, who was still stopping with them, 
 either at the Club or in the street, when he and I 
 would go off together for a walk about the city or a 
 drive through its environs. 
 
 One day as we were walking in the park I said to 
 him, " Well, Fred, have you changed your mind 
 about the Southerners yet ? " 
 
 " I can't thank you enough," he answered, " for 
 having introduced me to the Lees. Otherwise I 
 might have passed the winter here without really 
 knowing the people. There is nothing like living 
 in the same house for getting to understand people 
 thoroughly. Yes, I have changed my views of them 
 in some respects. I always thought them awfully 
 down on Yankees, but I find they are just as kind 
 and hospitable as possible. Still they are exceed- 
 ingly prejudiced, and I have to be very careful what 
 I say. For instance they don't much like compari- 
 sons with the North. I suppose they are sensitive 
 because they're so far behind us, and know it's their 
 own fault ! The Captain is always ready to discuss 
 anything, but when he and I were talking about 
 slavery the other night, Mrs. Lee gave me rather a 
 
200 EUSTIS. 
 
 setting down ! I didn't know she was listening and 
 was sorry she took it so hard." 
 
 "Why, what did she say?" I asked. 
 
 " Well," he replied, " I was comparing the pro- 
 gress of our two States, and I believe I said that no 
 State had worked like ours against slavery, and that 
 with a sort of poetical justice, no State had become 
 80 prosperous ; whereat Mrs. Lee flared up and said 
 something about our State having given up slavery 
 only when it was found to be unprofitable, and her 
 grandfather's having bought his first slaves from one 
 of these exemplars of high morality ; or words to 
 that effect ! I was not quite satisfied, but as she 
 seemed rather excited, I didn't exactly like to ques- 
 tion her further about it and so let the matter drop. 
 To be sure. Miss Lee took it pleasantly enough and 
 was inclined to laugh it off ; but, still, I see that la. 
 dies can't look at these things in the perfectly reas- 
 onable and dispassionate way that men can. They 
 seem to fly out when one least expects it. However," 
 he concluded meditatively, " I really think they 
 have a good many fine points about them, don't 
 you?" 
 
 " Well, yes," I replied. " When one comes to 
 look at it seriously, I think perhaps they have ! " 
 
 I called upon the Lees shortly after their arrival, 
 and to call once was to be asked often by the Cap- 
 tain either to dine or sup with them, and his invita- 
 tions were seldom declined. 
 
 Then, too, through the influence of Mrs. Jackson 
 and the Lees, I went very generally into society, and 
 
EUSTI8, 201 
 
 was treated everywhere with great consideration, 
 the hostesses taking care that I should know the 
 most attractive women in the rooms, and the hosts 
 plying me with old and rare Madeiras. 
 
 Many houses to which I went were scantily fur- 
 nished and shabby looking in the extreme, and ex- 
 cepting at Mrs. Lee's and Mrs. Jackson's very little 
 of modern art and modem taste was to be seen. 
 They were, indeed, but relics of a past generation. 
 But where could one find more delicious dinners, or 
 more tempting suppers, and served with such whole- 
 souled, lavish hospitality ! They were not French, 
 they were not English, they were not even fashion- 
 able, but they were broad-smiling, generous repasts 
 that cheered the heart and made glad the inner 
 man ! 
 
 Mrs. Jackson had begged me to use her house as 
 if it were my own, and it was understood that she 
 and Madge were to command my services at all 
 times. 
 
 They had brought their horses to town and Jim 
 had placed Vixen at my disposal ; so Madge and I 
 took frequent rides together in the frosty mornings 
 and glowing afternoons. Thus we saw much of each 
 other, and in the course of a few weeks I succeeded, 
 or thought I had succeeded, in establishing our rela- 
 tions on a thoroughly friendly footing. I gave up 
 teasing her almost with a sigh, and did what I could 
 by my brotherly attentions to disabuse her mind of 
 its unfavorable impressions. Her manner toward 
 me became easier, and her temper — if I may use the 
 
202 EUSTIS. 
 
 word — more even, and I knew by many signs that 
 she was not unobservant of my good conduct. I 
 was naturally pleased at the change, which in truth 
 I had scarcely expected, for I knew that in trying to 
 dispel dislike one was only too apt to strengthen it. 
 
 " Why, Harry," she said to me one evening when 
 I gave her some flowers for a party to which we were 
 going, "you have grown so polite of late that I 
 should hardly know you ! " 
 
 " You see," I replied, " I have not forgotten 
 what you said to me that night at The Oaks. Will 
 you not take it back ? " 
 
 " No, sir ! " she answered, as she stooped to gather 
 up her train, " I cannot trust you yet. I am afraid 
 you might return to your old ways ! " 
 
 The party that evening was an assembly given by 
 the Terpsichore Club, and Mrs. Jackson, who was one 
 of the patronesses, went with us. The hall was ex- 
 tremely plain and bare, and the walls and ceilings ab- 
 solutely innocent of the decorator's art. But the gas 
 was bright, the floor was good, and the music, fur- 
 nished by a German band, was, to say the least, loud 
 enough to be heard without difficulty. But the es- 
 sential elements of every pleasant ball were there, 
 in groups of pretty young women and well-favored 
 men, in light hearts and feet, and merry voices ; and 
 had the dresses been the costliest that Worth 
 or Macdonald could devise, the general effect would 
 not have been better than that of the clouds of 
 simple tarleton and muslin that floated about the 
 room. 
 
EUSTI8. 203 
 
 When we entered the baUroom Madge was seized 
 upon and whirled away to the music of a Strauss 
 waltz. The hall was already crowded, but Mrs. 
 Jackson and I managed to secure seats where we 
 could watch the people undisturbed, and as far as 
 possible from the music. I was to dance the Ger- 
 man with Madge, but until then had no engagements. 
 My companion told me about the people as they 
 passed before us, with running, sometimes spicy, 
 comments impressing upon me the salient points in 
 their lives and characters. 
 
 " I do wish Colonel Shorter would let Madge 
 alone ! " she said as he passed with Madge upon 
 his arm. " Ah ! there, Harry, who is that with 
 Mary Lee? O I need not ask, for although I 
 have never seen him before, I ani certain it is your' 
 friend Mr. Brown. Who could mistake his being 
 a Yankee ! " 
 
 '* Xo one would wish to, Kate ; you could not 
 pay him a higher compliment." 
 
 " Nonsense ! I can't agree with you, at least not 
 in the way I mean. Just see ! " she continued, 
 still watching Brown as he promenaded with Miss 
 Lee, " how he stares through his eyeglasses at every- 
 thing and at everybody, as if he were studying a col- 
 lection of curiosities ! Meanwhile he seems to have 
 quite forgotten Mary. He is evidently collecting 
 items, jottings, for his family circle or some news- 
 paper at home, and nothing will escape his exhaus- 
 tive observation. He looks the very personifica- 
 tion of inquisitiveness. I do believe that mnn must 
 have been born with a question in his mouth ! " 
 
204 EUSTIS. 
 
 "What?" Tasked. 
 
 " Am I a boy or a girl ? " she answered laughing- 
 ** I should think he might almost ask the same 
 to-day." 
 
 " If you knew him you would not speak so ! 
 However," I added, " I have no doubt it is only be- 
 cause he has never sought an introduction." 
 
 " Not at all," she replied decisively, " I have no 
 wish to know him. I do not like to be catechized, 
 and 1 feel sure he would question me about slavery 
 and the war. He looks fully capable of it ! And 
 there are no subjects I so much dislike. I should 
 probably lose my temper and send him home with a 
 strong impression of the urbanity of Southern wo- 
 men. Well, I believe I do cordially detest these 
 •Yankees ! " 
 
 " You surely forget yourself or me, Kate ! " I ex- 
 claimed, feeling a little nettled by the sincerity with 
 which she spoke. 
 
 " O, but I don't call you a Yankee, Harry ! " 
 she cried quickly. 
 
 " But I assure you I am one, heart and soul, Mrs. 
 J., so beware how you arouse the sleeping lion ! ' 
 
 "Codfish, did you say?" she asked laughing, 
 with a thrust at one of New England's indus- 
 tries, and then continued more soberly, " You 
 need not try to be angry with me, for I shall not 
 permit it ; besides, you know perfectly well what I 
 mean. Well-bred people are pretty much the same 
 the world over, but there is a class that I call Yan- 
 kees of whom I should take Mr. Brown to be a fair 
 
EUSTIS. 205 
 
 example. They come here ill-disposed towards us 
 in the first place, and then condemn everything in 
 which we and ours differ from them and theirs. It 
 irritates me beyond measure to see them walking 
 about our streets with their hats on the backs of 
 their heads, leaning over our front railings, prying 
 into our back yards and, occasionally, even taking 
 roses and japonicas from our very gardens ! They 
 seem to have no modesty ; nothing escapes their 
 open-eyed curiosity, and I cannot tell you what a 
 relief it is, when spring takes them away with their 
 boxed alligators and Florida beans ! " 
 
 " Why, Kate," said I, " I had no idea that you 
 could be so venomous. How indignant you would 
 become if I should abuse you Southerners in this 
 way ! But I shall set you an example in good man- 
 ners by restraining myself and leaving Brown to 
 vindicate his fellow-countrymen." 
 
 At this moment I rose to speak to Miss Lee and 
 Brown who were passing, and then turning to Kate, 
 I said, " Mrs. Jackson, allow me to introduce my 
 friend, Mr. Brown." 
 
 As I left them with Miss Lee, Kate gave me a 
 look as much as to say, " You shall pay for this, 
 young man ! " 
 
 I had not spoken to Mary before, that evening, 
 and, in fact, since Jim's refusal, although I had 
 seen her often, we had seldom been alone together. 
 For some reason I found it difficult of late to 
 talk with her. Either her suspicion of my knowl- 
 edge of that affair, or my own consciousness of it, 
 
206 EUSTIS. 
 
 was a constraint upon us. There was one sub- 
 ject constantly present to our minds, and al- 
 ways to be avoided in our conversation. Then, 
 moreover, owing to this unexpected turn of af- 
 fairs, I had suddenly become free to act accord- 
 ing to my impulses, and with the possibilities had 
 come also the responsibilities of freedom, which for 
 a time kept me in an uncertain, vacillating state of 
 mind, that found expression only in embarrassed 
 words or still more awkward silence. 
 
 When we stopped walking I looked over Mary's 
 card and found that there was but one more dance 
 before supper. 
 
 " May I have the last half of this next dance ? " I 
 asked. 
 
 " Thank you, no, I am engaged to Mr. Benjamin. 
 Why, is not his name down?" she asked, glan- 
 cing quickly over her card. " Your eyes must have 
 failed you, Mr. Strong ! " 
 
 " Surely," I answered, looking quietly into her 
 face, " surely, you cannot think that I asked you be- 
 cause I saw you were engaged. No, I only hoped 
 that I might take you to supi3er. I wanted to talk 
 with you ! " 
 
 " Why ? " she asked, looking at me, almost anx- 
 iously ; and it flashed across me that she expected 
 me to speak of Jim ; perhaj^s thought I had some 
 message for her. 
 
 " Why do you ask the question ? " I replied. " I 
 simply wish to speak to you, but have nothing in 
 particular to say." 
 
EUSTIS. 207 
 
 " O really I cannot, Mr. Strong," she said, after 
 a rnoment's hesitation. "Mr. Benjamin expects 
 to take me to supper. Ah, here he is ! " she 
 added, as that gentleman came up and claimed his 
 dance. 
 
 I stood for a while watching them as they wound 
 in and out among the dancers, and then made my 
 way back to Mrs. Jackson. She had been joined 
 by Madge ; and Mr. Brown, who was still in attend- 
 ance, was calmly and complacently exposing him- 
 self to a volley of light artillery from that young 
 lady. 
 
 Presently we went into the supper-room to- 
 gether, and, after Brown had left us, I congratulated 
 Kate upon having kept her temper with the Yankee. 
 " O yes ! " she replied, " he was altogether pleas- 
 anter than I had expected ; decidedly bright, I should 
 say. He made himself extremely agreeable till 
 Madge came and interrupted us. And you never 
 heard such nonsense as she talked ! She is perfectly 
 irrepressible ! Why, the poor man scarcely knew 
 whether he was on his head or his heels ! " 
 
 " O he is such fun, Harry ! " Madge broke in, 
 laughing gayly. " I have been trying to persuade 
 him to go snipe-shooting with me. I told him I 
 had a regular outfit for that kind of work — bloomer 
 costume, and long boots ! He said it seemed to him 
 rather unfeminine for ladies to shoot, but I told him 
 it was the only recreation we countrywomen al- 
 lowed ourselves during the war. He said he had 
 supposed that young ladies were too tender-hearted 
 
208 EUSTI8, 
 
 to kill things merely for amusement ; he had heard 
 them say so." 
 
 " He was thinking of what Miss Lee said on our 
 passage out ! " I exclaimed, hastily recalling her 
 words. 
 
 " Oh ! " said Madge, looking up at me, as if struck 
 with the earnestness of my manner; "judging from 
 her treatment of Jim she must have greatly changed," 
 and then returning to her subject she continued, 
 " O, then Mr. Brown asked me, if, when I saw the 
 little birds fall fluttering and wounded at my feet^ 
 my conscience did not reproach me ? ' In the first 
 place, Mr. Brown,' I said, ' it is very seldom that my 
 shot is not immediately fatal, but when I am so 
 unfortunate as only to wing a bird, Jim has taught 
 me how to bite it in the neck so as to produce in- 
 stantaneous death. It is not pleasant at first, you 
 know, but one soon gets used to it, and then it puts 
 the poor little thing out of suffering so quickly ! ' His 
 eyes opened until they were the size of his glasses. 
 I think he regarded me as a sort of amateur canni_ 
 bal . I wish you could have seen his face, Harry 
 it was as good as a poor play ! " 
 
 " It is my private opinion, Madge," said Mrs. 
 Jackson, " he is not half as foolish as you think 
 him. It would not surprise me one bit, if all that 
 innocence of manner were put on, simply to draw 
 you out." 
 
 " O nonsense, sister ! " exclaimed Madge with some 
 warmth. "He is just as verdant as he can be!" 
 But evidently the suggestion did not please her, for 
 
EUSTIS, 209 
 
 she dropped the subject and for a time became un- 
 usually silent. 
 
 After supper the German began. Kate decided 
 not to stay for it, but to leave her sister in my 
 charge. So I saw her to her carriage and promised 
 to bring Madge safely home before daybreak. 
 
 I will not enter into the details of the German, 
 which were the same here as everywhere. The 
 same favors, trinkets, ribbons, flowers, and figures, 
 the same success of the few and disappointments of 
 the many, the same disconnected talks and long 
 lapses in the conversation, the same suppressed 
 yawns and lengthening faces as the hours drew on, 
 the same torn and tattered skirts, and the same 
 weariness of mind and body. 
 
 My partner was a general favorite and seldom off 
 the floor. In fact, she and Mary and a Madame 
 Alvari, a gay and pretty widow from Florida, di- 
 vided the honors of the evening. 
 
 Colonel Shorter had no partner, and, to my an- 
 noyance, asked Madge to dance on every possible 
 occasion, and was to be seen at all times hovering 
 about her. He was unquestionably a handsome 
 man, and his devotion was not thrown away upon 
 my partner, who coquetted with him to his heart's 
 content. 
 
 I had heard enough of Richard Shorter and his 
 life from men at the Club, to despise him thoi-- 
 oughly ; and it worried and provoked me beyond 
 measure to see Madge receive and encourage atten- 
 tions, which, in view of the existing difliculty be- 
 
210 EUSTIS. 
 
 tween him and her brother, appeared to me almost 
 in the light of an insult. 
 
 She had just left me for the twentieth time to 
 dance with her admirer, when Miss Lee crossed the 
 room to me and offered me a ribbon. 
 
 " Will you take it ? " said she, holding out her 
 hand. 
 
 " What ? — your hand ? " I asked smiling, as I arose 
 to meet her. 
 
 " No — only the ribbon," she answered. " Is not 
 that enough ? " 
 
 " No," I said, as we began to dance, " for whatever 
 some give, only makes us desire more. They should 
 give everything or nothing ! " 
 
 " You are very ungrateful, Mr. Strong, especially 
 when — " But she did not finish her sentence. 
 
 " You have danced so much you must be dread- 
 fully tired," I said, after we had taken a short turn. 
 " Won't you come out upon the piazza ? " 
 
 On one side of the ballroom the windows opened 
 to the floor upon a broad verandah that was closed 
 in with awnings from the night air and lighted dimly 
 by Chinese lanterns. As we entered it, the only 
 couple that were there arose and went into the 
 room, and we were left alone. We took several 
 turns up and down and then seated ourselves upon 
 a bench, near one of the open windows ; the cool 
 air and half light were refreshing after the heat and 
 glare of the ballroom, while distance lent harmony 
 to the music of the band and the noise of the merry 
 voices within. 
 
EUSTIS. 211 
 
 For a few moments we were silent, but at last I 
 said, — 
 
 " I feel as if I had not seen you for ages." 
 
 "Why we met at the Izards' and Houstouns' 
 last week, and you dined with us night before last, 
 did you not ? " she asked, with an expression of 
 feigned surprise. 
 
 " True. But I mean it is an age since we have 
 had a talk together. To meet you with others is 
 simply an aggravation." 
 
 " You must be easily provoked," she answered. 
 " I am afraid good temper is not your strong point. 
 But tell me, has it not been your own fault ? If I 
 had not too good an opinion of myself to suppose it 
 possible, I should have thought at times you had 
 avoided me. 
 
 " You are right, always right. I cannot tell you 
 how hard I have striven to keep away from you ! " 
 I exclaimed excitedly. 
 
 " I do not quite understand you, Mr. Strong, but 
 certainly you are not very flattering," she said, tap- 
 ping her hand lightly with her fan. " Have I then 
 made myself so very disagreeable ? One might 
 almost suppose you were afraid of me ! " 
 
 " I believe I am of you and of myself. I hardly 
 know which I fear the most." 
 
 " Then you are cowardly as well as ill-tempered. 
 What a charming picture you draw of yourself ! " 
 
 " If it is cowardly to fear soft eyes, or the sweet- 
 ness of a voice ; if it is cowardly to fear disappoint- 
 ment and regret, I am indeed a coward ! " 
 
212 EUSTIS, 
 
 Mary was looking down upon the fan that she 
 was slowly opening and shutting in her lap. The 
 light from the lanterns fell full upon the dazzling 
 whiteness of her neck. I had moved close to her 
 and was bending forward to catch the expression of 
 her face, when I was suddenly startled by the un- 
 welcome sound of Madge's voice. 
 
 "Why, Harry," she exclaimed, "1 have been 
 looking for you everywhere. It is our turn to 
 dance, and they are waiting for us." 
 
 I knew that she was standing at the open window 
 near us, but, without turning, I bent still lower 
 down and picked up Mary's handkerchief that had 
 fallen on the floor at her feet. Then slowly rising 
 I answered with forced composure. 
 
 " I beg your pardon for keeping you waiting, 
 Madge. I will be with you in a moment." 
 
 Then turning to Mary who had also risen from 
 her seat, I offered her my arm, and we re-entered 
 the ballroom together. 
 
 Perhaps after all the interruption was well timed, 
 for I had completely lost my self-control. I seemed 
 to have forgotten everything but the surpassing 
 loveliness of the woman beside me, when Madge 
 recalled me to my senses. Yes — no doubt it was 
 most fortunate ; what grounds, indeed, had I for 
 hope? None whatever, and yet, — if she had only 
 waited one moment longer, that I might have 
 caught the expression of those downcast eyes ! 
 
 By this time the German was nearly over, and 
 shortly afterwards the ball broke up. 
 
EUSTIS. 213 
 
 While I was waiting hat in hand in the hallway 
 for Madge, Mary came down the stairs with her 
 partner. Her cloak was white, and a white nubia 
 was wound lightly about her head and throat. 
 
 " Allow me to leave you here a moment, Miss 
 Lee, while I call your carriage," said Mr. Benjamin. 
 
 I had been partially concealed by the shadow of 
 the staircase, but when her companion left her, I 
 crossed the hall to where she was standing. 
 
 As I approached, her eyes were bent upon the 
 ground and I thought that her face wore an expres- 
 sion of distress. 
 
 When she raised her eyes and saw me a slight 
 flush suffused her cheeks, and she said, with an ex- 
 clamation of surprise, — 
 
 " What ! have you not gone yet, Mr. Strong ? " 
 
 " No, I am v/aiting for Madge," and after a mo- 
 ment's pause, I added, " I am afraid you are tired 
 to-night." 
 
 " O no ! " she answered looking up. " Why 
 should you think so ? " 
 
 "I thought, as I came up, that you looked so." 
 
 " O no," she said, turning away her face, " you 
 imagined it. I do wish Mr. Benjamin would find 
 my carriage ! What can have become of him ? " 
 
 " Shall you be at home to-morrow evening. Miss 
 Lee ? " I asked, without answering her. 
 
 "Papa and Mr. Brown dine at Mr. Hazeltine's 
 to-morrow." 
 
 " That is not what I asked." 
 
 " Yes," she answered, hesitatingly, " I suppose I 
 
214 EUSTIS. 
 
 shall ; that is, mamma and I will probably be at 
 home." 
 
 " Then I shall come to call," I said, " if you will 
 let me." 
 
 " Of course you may, if you wish, that is — O, 
 here is Mr. Benjamin at last! Good night, Mr. 
 Strong ! " and she was gone. 
 
 Her last words, which sounded most unflatter- 
 ingly like an exclamation of relief, provoked me, 
 and, as is usually the case when anything happens to 
 annoy one, my ill-humor was soon to be still further 
 aggravated ; for a few minutes after her depar- 
 ture, Madge came down into the hall with Colonel 
 Shorter, and when I joined them, the Colonel asked 
 me in a tone better suited to one of his servants, — 
 
 " Is Miss Eustis's carriage at the door ? " 
 
 " Yes^,"' I answered, curtly, and then, turning to 
 Madge, I said, — 
 
 " Let me carry your things, Madge, so that you 
 can hold up your skirts." 
 
 " You need not trouble yourself, Mr. Strong," 
 broke in the Colonel, in the same overbearing style, 
 " for I shall see Miss Eustis home." 
 
 " That is a pleasure, sir, that I have no intention 
 of yielding to any one," I replied, turning full upon 
 him. " Come, Madge," I added, placing her arm in 
 mine, " I am afraid you will take cold, standing here 
 with nothing on your head." 
 
 I heard Shorter say something to the effect that 
 it was for Miss Eustis to decide, but without 
 noticing him further, I led Madge out to her car- 
 
EUSTIS. 215 
 
 riage, and taking my seat beside her, closed the 
 door. He had followed us half way down the steps, 
 and then without uttering a word of good night 
 even to Madge, turned suddenly on his heel and 
 strode back again into the hall. 
 
 " Well, Harry," said Madge, laughing rather 
 nervously, as we drove away, " that was one way of 
 doing it ! You certainly took forcible possession, 
 didn't you? How dreadfully angry the Colonel 
 will be, won't he ? " 
 
 " I neither know nor care, but he certainly is the 
 most insolent coxcomb I ever met," I said. 
 
 " O, what fun, Harry ! Why, I never saw you 
 provoked before." 
 
 "Do you think it funny, Madge ? I think it very 
 disagreeable. But, perhaps you are right, for after 
 all there is, no doubt, something ludicrous about it. 
 Do you know, I consider myself rather good tem- 
 pered as a rule, but I must confess I cannot stand 
 that man's manners ! Still, I must beg your pardon 
 for acting so hastily." 
 
 " O," she cried, " I assure you I have nothing to 
 forgive ! I am only too glad you insisted. I told 
 him I was going home with you, but he would not 
 take ' no ' for an answer, and he was so persistent 
 that I could do nothing with him. I believe I am a 
 little afraid of him sometimes." 
 
 The drive was a short one, and when we reached 
 home Madge asked me to go with Kate and herself 
 on the following evening to a reception at a Mrs. 
 Latham's. 
 
216 EUSTIS. 
 
 " Thank you," I said, " but I shall not be able to 
 go with you to-morrow night." 
 
 According to the custom of the place, I had 
 opened the front door for her with her latch key 
 and was standing in the hall, ready to put out the 
 light when slie should have gone up stairs. 
 
 " O, why not ? " she asked in a disappointed 
 tone. 
 
 " I am sorry, but I really cannot. You know I 
 am not used to such continual dissipation," I added, 
 laughing, "and besides, I have another engage- 
 ment." 
 
 "Give it up, then," she persisted. "I don't 
 believe you have any engagement. It is nothing 
 but an excuse. I think it very unkind, when I ask 
 it as a special favor. Ah, do come, Harry ! Won't 
 you?" 
 
 " No, you must forgive me, for indeed I cannot 
 go. Good night ! " 
 
 " Good night ! " she answered as she turned and 
 went upstairs. " I shall never ask a favor of you 
 again. Good night ! " 
 
 I shut off the gas and closed the door. The car- 
 riage was still waiting, but I dismissed it, prefer- 
 ring to walk home in the cool morning air. 
 
EUSTI8. 217 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 AN EVENING CALL. 
 
 rriHE next morning, while I was sitting by the 
 fire in the reading-room of the club, glancing 
 through the files of the morning papers, Fred 
 Brown dropped in upon me. I knew it would be 
 useless to try to continue my reading, so I laid my 
 paper down upon the table and lighted a fresh 
 cigar. 
 
 "Well, Fred," said I, "the sun is bright, the 
 skies are fair, what do you say to a stroll to the end 
 of the bluff?" 
 
 " Yery well," he answered, " I'm with you. I 
 need a little exercise this morning. You can sit up 
 all night, I suppose, with impunity, but I'm not 
 used to that sort of thing, you know, and these late 
 hours don't agree with me." 
 
 It was a fine, clear winter noon, and we strolled 
 down the broad street that skirted the top of the 
 bluff along the river. 
 
 The masts of the vessels lying at the wharves 
 rose high above the blocks of stores between them 
 and the street, and from the mastheads flags of 
 many nationalities flapped la^iily in the light breeze 
 from the east. Endless lines of cotton loaded drays 
 were rattling along over the uneven cobble stones, 
 
218 EU8TI8. 
 
 or descending, at intervals, through the cuts in the 
 bluff to the wharves below. Saddle horses were 
 hitched here and there to the posts and railings in 
 front of the offices, under the sparse shadows of 
 gnarled and sickly-looking trees with which the 
 street was lined. Clusters of business men were 
 standing idly in the doorways, or sitting in the 
 sun on the office steps, smoking, whittling, and dis- 
 cussing the price of the great stajDle, the past and 
 future of the markets, or national politics. Lean 
 goats wandered about the streets and gutters in 
 search of food, or struggled with each other for the 
 possession of some bit of oily rag or paper. Negroes 
 were everywhere at work or asleep in the sun. 
 
 We left the stores and the noisy business portion 
 of the street behind us, and continued on until we 
 reached a broad plateau which commanded a view 
 of the winding river, the salt mai*shes, and a ribbon 
 of blue, ten miles away, where lay the great Atlan- 
 tic ; and here we sat down on the stubbly grass, 
 near the edge of the bluff, in the j)leasant noon-day 
 sun. 
 
 Just below u«, a little tug, with a foreign barque 
 in tow, was struggling for mastery with the yellow 
 current of the river, while further on, a black-hulled 
 steamer was winding her way among the marshes 
 to the sea; and in the dim distance we could just 
 descry the masts and sails of vessels lying in the 
 outer port. 
 
 " How should you like to be on your ^ay home 
 in that steamer, Fred ? " I asked. 
 
EUSTI8. 219 
 
 " Well, I suppose it's time for me to be going 
 back to work," he answered, " but I am so well here, 
 I hate to leave. Then, to tell the truth, I have 
 learned to like the people. Of course they are very- 
 different from what I have been accustomed to. 
 Most of them are a shiftless set and absurdly con- 
 ceited about nothing. Do you suppose they really 
 think that they are the only men in the world that 
 possess personal courage ? However, with all their 
 faults I like them, although I am not yet ready to 
 allow that being good horsemen and good shots, 
 and wearing small boots, more than makes up for 
 the want of education, as some of them seem to 
 think. But what I especially like is the ladies. 
 They have surprised me most. Why, I always 
 imagined that Southern women did nothing but lie 
 around in hammocks and easy-chaii-s all day — read- 
 ing novels, drinking lemonade and eating candy. 
 But I have found that some of them at least lead 
 useful lives and know what it is to work. Take 
 Miss Lee, for instance, hardly a day passes without 
 her going down to the negro quarter of the city to 
 visit the poor or do some act of charity ; and every 
 Sunday she has the little children from the back 
 yard up in her room and reads to them, and to any 
 of the older ones that choose to come, and she 
 teaches them too. She never speaks of it herself, but 
 I questioned Nero the other day while he was brush- 
 ing my coat and found out all about her doings. 
 She's a thoroughly Christian young woman, you can 
 depend upon it, and she's a stunner to look at, isn't 
 
220 EUSTIS. 
 
 she ? It's no wonder if her head's a little turned by- 
 all the flattery these Southerners give her. From 
 what I have overheard them say to her, I guess they 
 understand flirting pretty well," he said, shaking 
 his head sagaciously. " However," he continued, 
 " I suppose it does not have much effect upon her, 
 because, you know, she's dead in love with your 
 friend Eustis." 
 
 " Indeed, what makes you think so ? " I asked, 
 beginning to take an interest in his chatter. 
 
 "Why, everybody is talking about it," he an- 
 swered. " I often hear it said that he is engaged. 
 Nero don't know about that, but he says they have 
 been in love ever since they were children. He told 
 me that, when Eustis bade her good-by, just before 
 he went to Florida, she was crying, and he saw him 
 kiss her. What do you think of that ? " 
 
 " Think, Brown," cried I, springing suddenly to 
 my feet. " You should be ashamed to listen to such 
 gossip from a servant! I am astonished at your 
 simplicity or ignorance ! " 
 
 " Well," he replied, quite crestfallen, " I don't see 
 why you should take it so seriously. What am I 
 to do ? how can I help it, I should like to know, if 
 Kero will talk about such things?" 
 
 *" Help it, man ! Why, kick the insolent rascal 
 out of the room." 
 
 " It's all very well," he answered, " to talk about 
 my kicking him out of the room, but I'd rather not 
 try to kick Nero." 
 
 " Well," I said, " I will not discuss it with you. 
 
EUSTIS. 221 
 
 If your own instinct has not taught you what is due 
 to your host and his family, I cannot hope to en- 
 lighten you. But come, it is time to go home." 
 
 I was disgusted with Brown's want of gentle- 
 manly feeling ; but what good could it do to discuss 
 the principles and obligations of good breeding with 
 one who did not seem aware even of their existence? 
 However, when my first indignation had subsided, 
 I could not but feel sorry for him, he seemed to 
 have taken what I had said so much to heart. He 
 was very quiet, and I saw that he was mortified at 
 his conduct and the construction I had put upon it. 
 After all, thought I to myself, if you are so sensitive 
 as this, there may be some hope for you yet. And 
 upon the whole I was not sorry that I had spoken as 
 I did. 
 
 I knew that he had sterling merit, notwithstand- 
 ing his solecisms in manners, but feared that at any 
 moment the latter might endanger his friendship 
 with the Lees. Caj)tain Lee had taken a fancy to 
 him, and had showed him much kindness, while he 
 on his part was giving valuable assistance to the 
 veteran in some articles that he was preparing for 
 publication under the title of " Reminiscences of 
 the Southern Navy," looking up facts and dates, 
 which demanded a larger amount of research than 
 the Captain would have undertaken by himself. 
 Brown never thought of personal trouble, and 
 entered upon the work of those he liked as if it were 
 his own ; and yet, in a measure counterbalancing 
 these good qualities that he possessed, there was this 
 
222 EUSTIS. 
 
 painful want of tact, of delicacy, of decency even, 
 that occasionally amused, but more often morti- 
 fied me, for — having introduced him to my Southern 
 friends — I felt in a measure answerable for his be- 
 havior. 
 
 When I reached the hotel I found a note awaiting 
 me from Jim. 
 
 He had now been in Florida for several weeks, 
 and I was glad to see from the tone of his letter, 
 that he was more cheerful than when he left us. 
 Among other things, he wrote, " I am off to-morrow 
 with a hunting party to the Everglades, where we 
 look for good sport. I shall probably be out of 
 reach of the mails for a week or two, and then shall, 
 without doubt, come directly home, for I cannot 
 afford to lose any more of your visit. As it is, it 
 seems rather rough to have gone off and left you 
 so long, but I felt I must make a change, and knew 
 you would forgive me imder the circumstances. 
 Nothing like plenty of work in the open air for 
 restoring one's equilibrium. Take good care of 
 the girls, and please remember me to Miss Lee if 
 you see her." 
 
 That evening, at eight o'clock, I was on my way 
 to the Lees, as I had proposed. I went with no 
 settled purpose, for I was still in doubt as to the 
 course I should pursue, though more than willing 
 to subject myself to the influence of Mary's pres- 
 ence. 
 
 In answer to my ring the veritable Nero appeared 
 and ushered me across the tiled hall to the room in 
 
EUSTI8. 223 
 
 which the family usually gathered in the evening. 
 It opened into a drawing-room of stately ^proportions 
 by folding doors which, in cold weather, were usu- 
 ally drawn to, as on the present occasion. Its heavy 
 curtains were dark-brown and crimson, and many 
 of the chairs were covered with the same material, 
 or in colors that harmonized with the quiet tone of 
 the room. Over the polished floor, a Persian rug 
 and soft deep mats were spread. The centre-table 
 (on which was a vase of flowers), the escritoire and 
 bookcase were of inlaid rosewood, like the upright 
 piano that stood at the end of the room with some 
 of Mary's music open upon it. The hickory logs 
 were burning brightly on the broad hearth. On 
 one side of the fire sat Mrs. Lee, reading by the light 
 of an astral lamp placed on a small table near at 
 hand ; and opposite to her sat Mary, in a low chair, 
 busily engaged upon a piece of fancy work, with the 
 firelight flickering on her gown and upturned face. 
 
 With the recollection of our last interview fresh 
 in my mind, I entered the room with some mis- 
 givings, but Mary's manner was so cordial, so dif- 
 ferent from that of the night before, that it soon 
 placed me at my ease. 
 
 After paying my respects to Mrs. Lee, I sat down 
 between them before the fire ; for Mary had already 
 reseated herself, and her slender fingers were again 
 busy with the intricacies of her work ; while the 
 diamond of the solitary ring she wore glanced in 
 and out among the meshes of soft worsted. The 
 open sleeves fell slightly back, revealing, now and 
 
224 EUSTIS. 
 
 then, the small wrist and round white arm. What 
 a subtle fascination there is in the expressions and 
 motions of a perfect hand ! Woman's greatest beauty 
 as it is the last to fade ! We may possibly even 
 forget the features of a face we have loved, but time 
 can never steal from us the memory of a hand that 
 we have watched, admired and caressed. As the 
 lengthening network fell softly into Mary's lap 
 that night, her fairy fingers seemed to be forging 
 chains to bind me heart and soul forever. 
 
 " Were you not asked to the Latham's to-night, 
 Mr. Strong ? " said Mrs. Lee, placing a ribbon in 
 the book she had been reading and laying it down 
 upon the table beside her. 
 
 " Yes," I answered, " but I have been out so much 
 lately, I did not care to go." 
 
 " You ought to have gone," she said, " their par- 
 ties are always pleasant, I am told, and Lent is so 
 near at hand that all the gayeties will soon be 
 over." 
 
 At this moment Nero opened the door and an- 
 nounced Mr. Benjamin. I for one was sorry enough 
 to see him ; but my fears were soon set at rest, for 
 he was going to the Latham's, and had only called on 
 his way to ask Mary to drive with him on the 
 following afternoon. 
 
 He was a gentlemanly fellow, and although a 
 Hebrew, as his name and features indicated, he was 
 a leader in society, and appeared to be an especial 
 favorite with the Lees. I had met him frequently 
 of late and liked him, for he had always treated me 
 
EUSTIS. 225 
 
 with marked courtesy ; but none the less was I 
 happy to hear that on this occasion his visit was to 
 be a short one. 
 
 " Why, Mr. Strong," he exclaimed, as he was 
 taking his leave, " aren't you going to the Lathams' 
 to-night ? They spoke to me yesterday of you and 
 said they depended upon seeing you. I understood 
 Miss Eustis, too, to say that you were going with 
 her?" 
 
 " I did intend to, but your late hours at the ball 
 last night made me change my mind." 
 
 " I am sorry to hear it, sir ; they will be much 
 disappointed," he replied. 
 
 After he had gone our conversation drifted on 
 from one thing to another, until at last it settled 
 ui^on the old subject of the war, still ever uppermost 
 in the mind of Mrs. Lee. She was more communi- 
 cative that night than usual, and related many 
 incidents and episodes of their own lives during 
 those stirring times, that I had not heard before, 
 although I had gathered from others much of their 
 family history. 
 
 Mary said very little, but sat quietly working in 
 her corner by the fire, only occasionally looking up 
 to ask a question or to add a word in explanation 
 of her mother's stories. 
 
 Captain Lee, before the war, had held a commis- 
 sion in the United States navy, where his genial 
 and manly character had made him one of the most 
 popular men in the service ; while his heroism, when 
 in command of the merchantship " Albatross " (to 
 
226 EUSTIS. 
 
 which he had been assigned while on furlough), 
 brought him prominently to the notice of the govern- 
 ment, and in fact to that of the whole country. 
 
 She was (as many may remember) wrecked on 
 Cape Hatteras in the winter of 1851, with a full 
 cargo of freight and passengers, but through the 
 signal courage and presence of mind of her captain 
 not a life was lost. It is unnecessary to give the 
 details of an affair that was so fully discussed in the 
 papers of the day. Suffice it to say, that he became 
 in consequence a consjjicuous officer with a brilliant 
 future before him. 
 
 Thus when, in 1861, his native State seceded from 
 the Union, which he had served for many years so 
 faithfully, it was a terrible blow to him, and it was 
 only after long and anxious deliberation that he 
 yielded to what he considered his first duty, sent in 
 his resignation to the government, and gave up his 
 2)osition to follow the uncertain fortunes of his 
 State. 
 
 It was a great trial, to one of his keen sense of 
 honor, to be thus called upon to decide between 
 allegiance to the flag under which he had sailed, and 
 his duty to his kindred and his State. The associa- 
 tions, honors, hopes of a lifetime were not to be cast 
 aside without a terrible struggle. But the decision 
 once made, he entered heart and soul into the cause 
 he had espoused, and offered his services to the 
 Confederate Government. He was at once given a 
 high command in their navy, and served with fidelity 
 and distinction to the end of the war. 
 
EUSTIS. 227 
 
 The Cq^tain's only son, a young man of twenty, 
 followed his father's example and enlisted as a pri- 
 vate in a Southern cavalry regiment, having, shortly 
 before joining the army, become engaged to a 
 young cousin, to whom he had been attached 
 from boyhood. By decimation of the ranks, and 
 his own bravery he arose, stej) by step, until he be- 
 came at length colonel of his regiment. 
 
 On the eve of the battle of Okolonee Swamp, 
 only three days after he had received his last com- 
 mission, and nearly three years since he had left 
 home, the news reached him of the death of his be- 
 trothed ; and when, on the morrow, his regiment 
 made that hopeless, but gallant dash, he led the 
 charge, and although his men were repulsed and 
 driven back, he kept right on to his death in the 
 midst of the enemy. 
 
 A letter was found in his tent written the night 
 before to his mother. Its contents were never dis- 
 closed, but, undoubtedly, its burden was despair. 
 
 The Eustises and Mary had told me his story, 
 but I had never heard Mrs. Lee mention his name. 
 In fact, she had cherished this grief in secret until 
 her mind had become unnaturally morbid on the 
 subject of the war, and of all connected with it. 
 
 During those dreary years, Mrs. Lee and her 
 little daughter lived at Palmetto Grove, surrounded 
 by their slaves. 
 
 At long intervals the Captain would make his ap- 
 pearance among them, and gladden their hearts with 
 his affectionate and hopeful spirit. But his vessel 
 
228 EUSTIS. 
 
 was seldom in port and his visits necessarily short, 
 so that often months at a time would 'pass without 
 a white man crossing the threshold of their door. 
 Their slaves, however, proved trustworthy and faith- 
 ful to the end. 
 
 In the hot summer months, Mrs. Lee would take 
 Mary to some little village in the interior of the 
 State to return again to the Grove with the first 
 black frost. 
 
 Occasionally, during the long winters, the mono- 
 tony of their lives was enlivened by a visit to the 
 city, where a state of constant excitement prevailed ; 
 for although far from the seat of war, the home 
 camps, the frequent departure of fresh recruits to 
 the front, and the return of the sick and wounded, 
 made work for one and all, and filled the streets 
 with bustle and commotion. 
 
 In strange contrast, society ran mad with gayety. 
 While parades, public meetings, relief clubs, sewing 
 societies, and hospital attendance filled every mo- 
 ment of the day — Germans, sociables, parties, balls 
 and masquerades came off night after night in rapid 
 succession. Occupation for every waking hour — 
 little time for rest — no time for thought ! 
 
 Often when the dance was at its height a 
 rumor from some distant battlefield would find its 
 way in among the gay assemblage to blanch the 
 cheek, and change the laugh into a cry of anguish ! 
 It was a mad life indeed. Unbridled gayety waltz- 
 ing in the arms of death ! 
 
 What wonder that the excitements and horrors of 
 
EUSTIS. 229 
 
 such times as these should have left their indelible 
 impressions ? 
 
 And when at last all hope had fled ; when the 
 troops came straggling back to their desolated 
 homes, barefooted, ragged, sick and dying ; the cause 
 which they had regarded with religious enthusiasm 
 lost utterly and forever, was it strange that the 
 hearts of the Southern women should have hard- 
 ened? Was it strange that for the time they 
 should have hated their successful enemies with a 
 hatred too intense to be concealed ? 
 
 Many of the Northern officers — to their honor be 
 it said — who were stationed among this distressed 
 people treated them with the utmost gentleness — 
 avoiding with tact the open wounds, and endeavor- 
 ing to aid them both by word and deed. Would 
 that all had been animated by the same spirit of 
 forbearance, the same manly good nature, the same 
 kindliness of heart ! But some men are born crentle- 
 men and some born brutes, and the role of conqueror 
 brings out each character in its strongest light. 
 
 Upon these and kindred subjects Mrs. Lee talked 
 for an hour or more,recounting her own participation 
 in the sufferings and emotions of those unhappy 
 times, and bringing them nearer home to me, by her 
 earnestness, than they had ever been brought before. 
 
 With me bygones soon became absolutely by- 
 gones, and it both excited and depressed me, to find 
 the past with all its passions and prejudices so pres- 
 ent and vivid to the mind of Mary's mother. With 
 each succeeding reminiscence she seemed to be add- 
 
230 EUSTIS. 
 
 ing a stone to the barrier she was consciously or 
 unconsciously raising between her daughter and me. 
 
 From my first acquaintance with the latter, I had 
 tried to measure the influence of the past on her 
 mind, but had never until now given it sufficient 
 weight. Though I had known full well how wholly 
 our early lives differed in their associations and sur- 
 roundings, never before had the natural consequences 
 of that difference so strongly impressed me. Xow 
 I felt the strength of the invisible enemy, that 
 through all her short life had been working against 
 me, and was unable to cope with it. Love alone 
 could blot out the past, but to inspire it in the face 
 of life-long prejudice seemed indeed a hopeless task^ 
 
 When Mrs. Lee had brought her story to an end, 
 she was called from the room by one of the servants, 
 and Mary and I were left alone together. Then I 
 said, — 
 
 " Do you remember, when I first knew you, how 
 indignant you were one day, at my saying I could 
 make you care for me if I chose ? Although I spoke 
 in jest, I more than half believed it then. It seems 
 strange now how little I realized the deep-rooted 
 prejudices that must stand between every Southern 
 woman and me. In fact I never thoroughly under, 
 stood them before to-night." And after a pause 
 which Mary did not interrupt, I added with some 
 bitterness, — " The outward cordiality with which I 
 have been received deceived me. It gave no warn- 
 ing of the strong undercurrent that must, in reality, 
 be always setting against me. Now I see it all. It is 
 
EUSTIS. 231 
 
 natural enougli, no doubt. I only wish I had dis- 
 covered it sooner. New it is too late." 
 
 " But we — but people here do like you, Mr. 
 Strong," she said, and then looking up from her 
 work, she added, " You must at least believe in 
 our sincerity." 
 
 " How can I, when your dislike has been so clearly 
 shown in every word your mother has just spoken ? 
 If you were to tell me with your own lips you liked 
 me, I should almost doubt it now." 
 
 I had risen in my excitement, and with one arm 
 resting on the mantelpiece, stood looking down upon 
 her. 
 
 She had stopped working. Her hands were 
 clasped tightly in her lap, and her eyes fixed upon 
 the fire. 
 
 " And yet, fool that I am ! " I exclaimed, almost 
 fiercely, " I would give ten years of my life to hear 
 you say so." 
 
 Did the color deepen in her cheeks ? Or was it 
 only the light from the sudden blazing of the log 
 upon the hearth ? 
 
 How still it- seemed when T stopped speaking! 
 
 At last she said with a slight tremor in her voice. 
 
 " It is not worth the sacrifice, Mr. Strong. But 
 have I ever given you reason to doubt my friend- 
 ship?" 
 
 " No, never in words, of course, nor in act. Like 
 all your people you have too much courtesy for 
 that," I answered bitterly, growing harber and 
 harder as I went on. " It is that very thing that I 
 
232 EUSTI8. 
 
 condemn. You are always civil to us, even more 
 so than to your own friends, for this you think a 
 requirement of hospitality ; but at the very same 
 time you are steeling your hearts against any sen- 
 timent or sympathy in common with us." 
 
 " Have we not the sentiments common to all hu- 
 manity, truth and honor, as you yourself once 
 said to me ? " she asked, with a faint smile, attempt- 
 ng to turn the current of my thoughts. But I had 
 become too earnest to unbend, and I answered in 
 the same uncompromising tone. 
 
 " I should not be willing to deny it now, but I 
 believe they can be warped and twisted by preju- 
 dice almost beyond recognition. And so although 
 in truth bitter and relentless, you do not hesitate to 
 make us believe you like us, or at least skilfully 
 conceal your hatred. And what is the result ? The 
 natural and inevitable one, and you may well be 
 proud of it. It is no doubt the Southern women's 
 revenge ! " 
 
 " T shall not dispute what you say. I do not con- 
 sider it necessary for me to defend them." 
 
 " I shall not dispute what you say. I do not 
 consider it necessary for me to defend them," she 
 answered quietly, but with a hot flush upon her 
 face, " but even granting, for the moment, that we 
 dislike and deceive you, as you say, would you have 
 us treat you with incivility? Would that have 
 made your winter among us any the pleasanter ? " 
 
 " Yes, a thousand times ! Better than to have 
 found out, as I have to-night, that what I have 
 
EUSTIS. 233 
 
 taken part in, and believed to be earnest and real, 
 was nothing but a sham, a hollow farce ! That I 
 have been the only puppet on the stage, even my 
 fellow-actors, spectators ! I despise deceit, whether 
 I am its dupe or not, but I must confess there is 
 something unique in a combination of sham hospital- 
 ity and patriotic coquetry ! " 
 
 I had spoken with more and more bitterness and 
 excitement, and when I stopped Mary looked up at 
 me with a face as white as the worsted in her lap. 
 
 " There is but one way of accounting for your ill- 
 nature," she began. 
 
 "No, thank Heaven!" I exclaimed, somewhat 
 inconsistently, catching at her meaning ; " I have 
 not been made a fool of by any woman ! But, until 
 to-night, I thought there was one, at least, as far 
 above hypocrisy as " 
 
 Before I could finish, she rose from her seat, her 
 tangled work dropping from her lap upon the floor, 
 and with tears in her eyes, and her voice trembling 
 with emotion, she said, — • 
 
 ^"If you have come here to insult me, sir, I will 
 not submit to it. You are cruel ! You are unjust ! 
 No, do not speak ; I will not listen to you ! " and 
 she turned hurriedly away to leave the room. I 
 sprang to her side, and seized her hand in both of 
 mine. 
 
 "O forgive me, forgive me, my darling!" I 
 cried, raising it to my lips and kissing it passion- 
 ately, " I love you with all my heart and soul ! I 
 did not know what I was saying. I was beside my- , 
 
234 EUSTIS, 
 
 self ! I was crazy with disappointment ! I did not 
 wish to hurt your feelings ! I know I am a brute, 
 but never thought you would care for what I said. 
 Speak to me, Mary, speak to me, and tell me you 
 forgive me ! " 
 
 I laid my hand gently upon her shoulder, and 
 drew her to me. Her eyes were turned from me, 
 and she had covered her face with her handkerchief 
 to stifle the sobs that shook her frame like the reg- 
 ular pulsations of the heart. 
 
 Suddenly, I heard the rustling of a dress, and 
 turned in the direction of the sound. 
 
 Mrs. Lee was standing in the doorway, looking 
 fixedly at us. 
 
EU8TI8, 235 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 A RIDE. 
 
 TITRS. LEE was drawn up at her full height. 
 ^'-*- Her arms were crossed, and her expression 
 was one of astonishment and indignation. 
 
 As I released Mary, she glided past her mother 
 out of the room, and Mrs. Lee advanced to the op- 
 posite side of the centre-table near which I was 
 standing. 
 
 " It is hardly necessary to ask you for an explana- 
 tion of the scene I have just witnessed," she said, 
 haughtily. 
 
 " No," I answered, impetuously, before she could 
 say more. " Only one explanation is possible, Mrs. 
 Lee, and that is, that I love your daughter with my 
 whole heart. I have loved her ever since we first 
 met, but never told her so until to-night. I hardly 
 dared hope " 
 
 " That is sufficient, sir," she said, interrupting me 
 in an icy tone. " I believe I have already said no 
 explanation is necessary. But before you go I 
 must command you never again to speak on this 
 subject to my daughter. It is extremely distasteful 
 to me, and I have sufficient confidence in her good 
 
236 EUSTI8. 
 
 judgment to feel sure that when she has had time 
 for reflection, it cannot be otherwise than painful 
 to her." 
 
 " I am sorry that I cannot obey you, Mrs. Lee," I 
 answered, in my turn amazed and indignant at 
 her tone. "On the contrary, I tell you frankly, 
 I will not stop trying to win your daughter, until I 
 know from her own lips that it is hopeless ! " 
 
 " I am surprised," she replied, scornfully, " that 
 after what I have just said, you have not sufficient 
 pride to save yourself from a very humiliating posi- 
 tion. I supposed it would be sufficient for me to 
 tell you that I should never sanction your atten- 
 tions to my daughter ; but, if you insist upon the 
 additional mortification of being refused by her own 
 lips, you can have it, sir. Still, I hope, after thinking 
 it over, you will see the uselessness and folly of such 
 a course." 
 
 " You are mistaken if you think I can be disposed 
 of in this summary way," I answered, excitedly. 
 "My mind is already made up. Much as I regret 
 your opposition, it will not alter my course. I 
 would not give up hope — not if she herself said 
 * No ' — unless fully satisfied it was the expression 
 of her own feelings, and not the result of pressure 
 or misrepresentation. Not even her own mother 
 has the right to control her freedom of action. I 
 should indeed be unworthy of her, if I obeyed 
 you." 
 
 Her air of calm superiority overcame all thoughts 
 of prudence, and I could not restrain myself, 
 
EUSTIS. 237 
 
 although I knew that every word I uttered made 
 her more and more my enemy. 
 
 "You appjtrently forget, sir, the arrogance of 
 your assumption," she replied, without any per- 
 ceptible change in the expression of her cold face. 
 " I do not admit what you have said, but I may say, 
 that we have intentions for our daughter that are 
 agreeable to us, and, I believe, acceptable to her. 
 Even granting for a moment that she did return 
 your affection, to speak ^ as frankly to you as you 
 have to me, I would rather see her in her grave 
 than married to a Northerner! However, inas- 
 much as I cannot shut her up, or prevent you from 
 seeing her if you persist, — as you so courteously 
 suggest, — I trust you will see fit to accede to one 
 last request I have to make, which is, to give my 
 daughter sufficient time for deliberation, and not to 
 attempt to address her for at least a month to 
 come." 
 
 *' It is too much to ask," I exclaimed, " when 
 every influence " 
 
 " We will not renew the discussion," she inter- 
 rupted. " Surely a month is not an unreasonable 
 time. Will you give me your promise ? " 
 
 After a moment's reflection I reluctantly con- 
 sented. I hardly saw how I could refuse her request, 
 and felt that under the circumstances some conces- 
 sion on my part was absolutely necessary. 
 
 " Thank you," she said, when I had given my 
 promise, " and now, Mr. Strong, as there is nothing 
 further to be said, I will bid you good evening." 
 
238 EUSTIS, 
 
 I bowed and was about to leave the room, but at the 
 door I stopped and looked back. She was standing 
 motionless by the table where I had left her ; but 
 when she heard my voice she turned her head to 
 listen. 
 
 " If in my excitement I have spoken rudely, I beg 
 your pardon, Mrs. Lee," I said. " If you knew how 
 dearly I love your daughter, you would understand 
 how painful your words have been." 
 
 " I know nothing against you personally," she 
 said, checking me with a slight gesture of her hand, 
 " and shall no doubt forget your incivility ; but I 
 think I have made my own feelings sufficiently clear 
 to render no further explanation on the subject 
 necessary. Good evening, sir," and with a haughty 
 inclination of her head she dismissed me. 
 
 Before returning to my room I took a long walk 
 in the starlight through the quiet streets and parks. 
 I tried to review my 2)osition in every aspect, and 
 although distressed at the result of my interview 
 with Mrs. Lee, I found consolation in the glimpse 
 that I had caught of Mary's feelings, and the 
 thought that my own line of action was now clearly 
 defined. But a month seemed a long time to re- 
 main in this suspense, and if even then Mary should 
 prove willing to marry me against her mother's 
 wishes, the scenes that might follow and the unnat- 
 ural relations in which we might be placed, were 
 not pleasant to contemplate. However, it seemed 
 hardly natural to suppose that if she should accept 
 me, her mother would continue an opposition 
 
EUSTIS. 239 
 
 founded simply upon prejudice; but if the worst 
 should come to the worst, I might take Mary 
 to the North or abroad, until separation should 
 soften her mother's heart. 
 
 I entertained no fears of the Captain. His kind 
 and generous nature would regard alone his daugh- 
 ter's happiness. He was not the man to thwart her 
 where her heart was fixed. Besides, I knew he 
 liked me, and that, even if disa])pointed at her choice? 
 he would cheerfully make the best of the inevi- 
 table. 
 
 On the following morning I wrote a full account 
 of my affairs to Alice, who had always been my con- 
 fidante, but as yet knew nothing of my attachment 
 to Mary, and, in fact, very little of the Lee family. 
 
 Then, too, I had to write to Jim and tell him 
 frankly of my position. He would hear of it sooner 
 or later, and better that it should reach him through 
 me than others. What effect the disclosure might 
 have ui)on our mutual relations I could not tell, but 
 I felt that it must be made, however hard the task, 
 and after two or three unsatisfactory beginnings, I 
 wrote him, briefly and affectionately, all that had 
 come to pass. 
 
 In the afternoon I was to ride with Madge, and 
 the api3ointed hour found me at Mrs. Jackson's 
 door, mounted on Vixen. 
 
 The hostler was walking Madge's horse up and 
 down before the house, and Madge herself was 
 already standing in the portico, whip and gauntlets 
 in hand. 
 
240 EUSTIS. 
 
 She waved them at me as I stopped, and then ran 
 lightly down the steps and through the little garden 
 where the violets were in bloom, pausing a moment 
 to pick a little bunch of them as she passed. 
 
 " You are late," said she, as she joined me on the 
 sidewalk ; for I had dismounted. 
 
 " No, I think not," I answered, looking at my 
 watch, which vouched for my punctuality. 
 
 " Then I am early," she said gayly, " but it is such 
 a lovely evening, I could not wait patiently in the 
 house. I hated to lose a moment of it. Come, 
 will you help me ? " she asked, placing her slender 
 foot in my hand. " Gently ! Beauty ! Be care- 
 ful, Harry ; IN'ow ! there ! " and with a light spring, 
 she seated herself in the saddle. A moment later I 
 was at her side, and we cantered slowly through the 
 sandy streets in the shade of the evergreens, that 
 had not yet cast off their last year's dingy leaves. 
 On we passed beyond the outlying settlements and 
 into the thickly wooded country. 
 
 It was, indeed, a lovely evening, just cool enough 
 for gentle exercise. There was scarcely a cloud in 
 the deep blue sky, and the sun, within an hour of 
 the horizon, threw long shadows over the road and 
 sheets of light through the woods on either side. 
 The spring foliage was not yet out, but the swollen 
 buds betokened life Avithin, and the grand carnival 
 of nature, now so near at hand. 
 
 We rode for a long time through the cool wood- 
 land roads, seldom speaking, sufficiently content to 
 breathe the life-giving air. 
 
EUSTIS. 241 
 
 By and by we came out upon a little settlement 
 that followed the windings of a bluff along a 
 narrow inlet, that made its way up through the salt 
 marshes from the sea. It seemed to be principally 
 a fishing village ; and huge banks of oyster shells 
 reaching from the water's edge to the top of the 
 bluff — a monument to good taste — gave evidence of 
 one of the chief pursuits of the hamlet. But here 
 and there little cottages with shrubs and flower beds 
 in front, and market-gardens in the rear, and an 
 occasional restaurant with its broad piazzas and long 
 line of sheds showed that it was also, more or less, 
 a place of resort for people from the city. 
 
 The houses stood some distance back, and the road 
 passed between them and the edge of the bluff. 
 The moss-grown oaks that lined the way cast their 
 shadows far out over the marsh, that lay golden red 
 in the sunlight beyond. The stream flowed smoothly 
 and silently along at our feet without a ripple on 
 its inky surface, and, making a deep cove near by, 
 it mirrored leaf by leaf the dark, overhanging foliage. 
 It was a hushed and peaceful scene. We paused 
 under a live-oak to watch some negroes, in their 
 narrow " dugouts," drawing in their nets, and al- 
 though they were far distant, we could hear the words 
 of the man directing their work ; so clear was the 
 air, so silent was all about us. 
 
 At length, remembering Mrs. Jackson's dinner 
 hour, we turned our horses' heads towards home. 
 Shortly after leaving the bluff, and as we wound our 
 way through the wood, whom should we meet at a 
 
242 EU8TIS. 
 
 bend of the road but Mr. Benjamin driving Mary- 
 Lee. 
 
 We came upon one another so suddenly that we 
 were obliged to pull up our horses to make way, 
 though we did not actually stop. 
 
 The delay, however, gave me time to mark the 
 embarrassment in Mary's face at our unexpected 
 meeting ; nor did it, I had reason to believe, escape 
 the notice of my companion. 
 
 We cantered on for a while after this without 
 speaking, but presently, when we had brought our 
 horses down to a walk, Madge tui-ned to me and 
 said, — 
 
 " So you passed last evening at the Lees, Harry ? " 
 and as I did not instantly reply she added, — 
 
 " Why do you not answer me ? You need not try 
 to deceive me, for Mr. Benjamin told me he met 
 you there." 
 
 " Really, Madge,'* I answered, " I had no inten- 
 tion of deceiving you. Why should I ? " 
 
 " O of course I know no reason why you should ; 
 but I think it was very unkind not to have gone to 
 the Lathams with me, when you had no better rea- 
 son than that." 
 
 " I am very sorry," I answered, " but I could not 
 break my engagement." 
 
 " It can hardly be called an engagement simply to 
 say you will call. You know you might have gone 
 any other night just as well. I did not think you 
 would refuse me the first favor I ever asked, and 
 for such a trifle," 
 
EUSTI8, 243 
 
 I was completely nonplussed at being thus unex- 
 pectedly called to account, and hardly knew what to 
 say, especially as Madge's tone and manner indi- 
 cated that she was very much in earnest. 
 
 " Believe me, Madge," I answered warmly, " I 
 would do anything in my power to oblige you, and 
 in any way. I am exceedingly sorry to have offended 
 you. It is the last thing in the world I should wish 
 to do." 
 
 " I hardly believe you," she answered slowly, and 
 then, speaking with some hesitation and with her 
 eyes lixed straight before her, she went on, — " You 
 know, Harry, that we have seen very little of the 
 Lees since Jim's refusal — and Mary certainly did 
 treat him most abominably — and to speak candidly, 
 considering your intimacy with him, I have been 
 rather surprised at your going so often to their 
 house. Do you think it seems quite true to him ? " 
 
 Her question surprised me, for I knew Jim had 
 particularly requested his sisters not to allow his 
 mishap to break up the friendship that had always 
 existed between the families. Besides, leaving my 
 personal feelings out of the question, I should have 
 thought it impertinent on my part to have shown 
 even by my manner that I was aware of what had 
 happened. 
 
 " Why, yes, Madge," I replied slowly, " I think 
 Jim would not have had me do othei-wise. The 
 Lees, as you know, have been exceedingly kind to 
 me, and it would have looked very rude to have sud_ 
 denly avoided them. Surely you would not have 
 
244 EUSTIS. 
 
 me make a display of my knowledge of their family 
 secrets ? Jim would have been the last to wish it." 
 
 " Perhaps you are not aware," she continued 
 without answering me, " that people say you are 
 yourself very devoted to Mary." 
 
 " No ! you astonish me ! " I exclaimed, the tell- 
 tale blood rushing to my face. 
 
 " Then it is not true ? " she demanded. 
 
 " Why, Madge," I answered, becoming more and 
 more confused, " you know yourself how much, or 
 rather how little, I have seen Miss Lee since we 
 came to town." 
 
 " You have not answered my question," she said, 
 in the same quiet tone. " You do not deny it,then ? " 
 
 "Deny what?" I asked, plunging deeper and 
 deeper into the slough of embarrassment. 
 
 " Deny that you are very attentive to her." 
 
 What could I do ? What could I say ? A certain 
 feeling of loyalty restrained me from a flat denial. 
 With any one I had known and liked less well than 
 Madge, I should not have hesitated. In fact, no 
 one who had known me less intimately would have 
 asked me such a question. But why should I not 
 make her my confidante and confess to her the 
 whole affair ? The thought flashed through my mind, 
 and under the impulse of the moment I was about 
 to speak, when she stopped me with a gesture of 
 her hand. For the first time she had turned towards 
 me, her face was very pale, her lips firmly set, and 
 her eyes glittered almost fiercely as she riveted them 
 on mine. 
 
EUSTIS. 245 
 
 '* You need not speak," she cried, in a low, con- 
 strained voice, " you cannot tell me more than I 
 already know, and a lie will not deceive me. Idiot ! 
 Fool that you are ! She will never have you ! Thank 
 God, she will never have you ! " 
 
 I was struck d\imb by the vehemence of her pas- 
 sion. For a moment more she looked piercingly 
 into my face, then, turning away with a loud, scorn- 
 ful laugh that echoed through the woods, s"he lashed 
 her horse's flank with her short riding-whip and 
 dashed down the road at a mad gallop ! There was 
 nothing for me, but to follow. What a wild race we 
 ran through the deserted roads in the shadowy 
 twilight ! On and on, mile after mile, without a 
 break in the pace ! I did not dare to overtake her, 
 but kept " Vixen " well in the rear. A thousand 
 thoughts were surging in my mind. Words and 
 looks, that had made little or no impression upon 
 me at the time, and had since been utterly forgotten, 
 came trooping up into the light one after another, 
 " Idiot, fool that you are ! " rung in my ears, mark- 
 ing time to " Vixen's " steady springs. Yes, idiot, 
 fool that you are ! You can do nothing now. You 
 can say nothing now. It is too late ! Explanation 
 means insult. Regret means insult. The friendship 
 you have striven so blindly to win is in ashes. Love 
 you do not — love you cannot ask ! 
 
 At last we reached the nearest of the hamlets 
 that drew their cordon round the city. Should we 
 continue our headlong flight through the streets of 
 the town ? No ; Madge slowly curbed her smoking 
 
246 EUSTIS. 
 
 horse into a walk, and I again joined her. But 
 neither of us spoke, and it was, no doubt, a great 
 relief to both when we, at last, reached home. 
 I at once dismounted to help her down, but before 
 I could reach her side she sprang lightly from her 
 saddle and hurried into the house without a word. 
 It had grown quite dark, so that I could not see her 
 face, but I thought that she was crying. 
 
 " Well, Massa Strong," said David, who had been 
 waiting for us, and who now stood stroking the 
 horses, " I guess youse been runnin a race. Miss 
 Madge's a great han' for runnin. It takes a heap o' 
 pluck to keep along wid ur sometime." 
 
 " Yes, we had rather a lively time of it for a while. 
 You'd better see that the horses are well rubbed 
 down." 
 
 " Ain't you gwine to ride down to de hotel, Massa 
 Harry ? " 
 
 " No, I'll walk, thank you. Have « Vixen ' at 
 the door at four to-morrow. Good-night." 
 
EUSTI8, 247 
 
 CHAPTER XX, 
 
 COLONEL RICHARD SHORTER. 
 
 TT is not my purpose to speak at length of the many 
 -^ questions that filled my mind at this time ; al- 
 though the practical dilemma in which I was placed 
 by the events of the last few days cannot be passed 
 over without a word. 
 
 If I were to continue my visits to the two families 
 with whom I had hitherto been most intimate, it 
 must be with the unpleasant consciousness that, to 
 at least one member of each, my presence would be 
 unwelcome, if not actually painful. 
 
 Yet, on the other hand, I could not give up 
 going as usual to Mrs. Jackson's, for any change on 
 my part would be remarked at once by her, and, 
 no doubt, frankly questioned ; while explanation 
 would be impossible. 
 
 I, therefore, concluded with regard to the Eustises 
 to behave as if nothing whatever had happened ; 
 and as to the Lees, that it would be best to base my 
 own line of action upon the conduct of the Captain 
 towards me. 
 
 This last question was soon definitely settled, 
 for shortly afterwards I saw Captain Lee at the 
 Club. He met me with unchanged cordiality, and 
 
248 EUSTIS. 
 
 insisted upon my going home to dine with him. 
 His manner satisfied me that he either knew nothing 
 of what had taken place, or was determined to 
 ignore it altogether, most probably the former, for 
 his frank nature seemed incapable of concealment. 
 
 I managed on this first occasion to plead some 
 satisfactory excuse, but, as he continued to ask me 
 from day to day, at length I was obliged to accept, 
 wondering in what manner I should be received by 
 Mrs. Lee, and not without embarrassment at the 
 thought of meeting Mary during this period of my 
 enforced silence. 
 
 If, as was apparently the case, Mrs. Lee had not 
 confided in her husband, was it probable that she 
 had spoken to her daughter and told her of the 
 promise she had extracted from me ? If not, what 
 must Mary think of my absence ; of my delay in 
 again seeking her after what I had already said ? 
 
 But the doubts that perplexed me, as I rung the 
 Captain's door-bell one Wednesday afternoon, just 
 as the town clock was striking the dinner hour, 
 speedily were set at rest by the simplicity of my 
 reception by the family. As for Mrs. Lee, her man- 
 ner could never have been accused of over-effusive- 
 ness, but on this occasion I could not pei*ceive that 
 the atmosphere about her was either more or less 
 chilly than usual. 
 
 Our conversation that evening, both during din- 
 ner and afterwards, was general, and although I 
 said little directly to Mary, I was conscious of the 
 fact that we were constantly speaking to each other 
 
EUSTIS. 249 
 
 through our conversation with those about us. 
 Once, as I looked up suddenly, I caught her eyes 
 fixed upon me with an expression that sent the 
 blood coursing to my temples. 
 
 She turned instantly away, but I had seen the ex- 
 pression and could not forget it. What did it mean ? 
 "Was she troubled about the past or anxious for the 
 future ? or was it simply coquetry ? What would 
 I not have given for the right to demand an ex- 
 planation on the spot ! 
 
 During the evening she was asked to sing, but 
 although her father urged her — ^for he was palpably 
 proud of his daughter's accomplishments — she gently 
 but persistently refused. 
 
 This was the first of many dinners that I went to 
 during the next few weeks, at the Captain's invita- 
 tion, and I was amply repaid for going, for although 
 Mary's face and manner often puzzled me, it was 
 an infinite pleasure to be near her, even if I must 
 not speak my mind. 
 
 Often I met other society men there, but most fre- 
 quently of all Mr. Benjamin, who was both a pro- 
 nounced admirer of Mary and on terms of peculiar 
 intimacy with the rest of the family ; and I must 
 confess to having felt piqued, occasionally, at the 
 easy familiarity with which she treated him, while 
 our own relations were so constrained and im- 
 natural. 
 
 I continued also to go as often as ever to Mrs. 
 Jackson's, and was soon satisfied that in this I had 
 done wisely, for she was evidently ignorant of 
 
250 EUSTIS. 
 
 Madge's and my falling out ; or even if, as I some- 
 times suspected, she saw that all was not right be- 
 tween us, she kept discreetly silent and let matters 
 take their course. 
 
 Major Barnwell, having lately come to town, was 
 constantly at the house, and his devotion to Madge 
 rendered my own services unnecessary and their 
 absence unnoticed. Madge received his attentions 
 with apparent indifference, but, nevertheless, ac- 
 cepted them, which of itself was sufficient to keep the 
 ardor of the good Major at fever heat. 
 
 Colonel Richard Shorter also called several even- 
 ings while I was there, and it struck me that he was 
 obtrusively uncivil to Madge, hardly noticing her 
 and addressing himself solely to Kate, to whom he 
 evidently strove hard to make himself agreeable. 
 
 Ilis labor, however, was utterly thrown away, for 
 I remember one evening after he had been talking 
 to her for an hour or more, she said to me, — 
 
 " I do hate that man, I cannot believe one word 
 he says ! All the good in him would not fill this 
 thimble ! I could almost make up my mind to tell 
 him what I think of him, if it would prevent his 
 ever coming to the house again." 
 
 Soon after this I went one night to a little Ger- 
 man given by Mrs. Alvari, where I met Madge 
 and Colonel Shorter and Major Barnwell. Madge 
 ostensibly danced with the latter, but, in point of 
 fact, passed most of the evening on the piazza w^ith 
 the colonel. This surprised me exceedingly, after 
 what I had seen at Mrs. Jackson's. 
 
EUSTIS. 251 
 
 As for poor Barnwell he looked very forlorn at 
 this open desertion of his partner; but a taste of 
 comfort was in store for him, for when the dance 
 was over, they walked home together under the 
 bright starlight ; and then, no doubt, she soothed his 
 ruffled spirits as she could always do by a word or 
 look, for when he dropped in at the Club an hour 
 later, he was fairly beaming with smiles and good 
 nature and as happy as an accepted lover. Kick 
 and abuse your dog to your heart's content, and at 
 the first softening of the voice or patting of the 
 hand, he bounds about you delirious with joy ! 
 
 But though Shorter's conduct on the evening of 
 the German had surprised me, surprise gave place to 
 anxiety when I discovered that this was not a single 
 instance, a mere whim of the moment, but that he 
 was becoming, week by week, more and more con- 
 spicuously attentive to Madge. Until, at last, where- 
 ever she went he might be found near her, talking 
 to no one unless to her, standing in the doorways 
 watching her when she was with others, or sitting 
 with her by the hour in the dim light of the balco- 
 nies. 
 
 She appeared to like his open admiration and 
 evidently encouraged him. He was, as I have said, 
 thought fascinating by many women, and perhaps 
 the mystery that attaches to a man of questionable 
 character added to his attractions. But it aston- 
 ished me beyond measure that Madge, who had 
 heard her sister speak so strongly against him and 
 
252 EUSTIS. 
 
 knew how much he was disliked by Jim, should per- 
 mit his constant attendance upon her. 
 
 Of course such a state of affairs could not long es- 
 cape remark, especially in a small and gossiping 
 community, and they soon became the common talk 
 of society. 
 
 At this time Shorter seldom called at the house, 
 and when he did he prudently continued his old 
 habit of taking little notice of Madge, and, as Mrs. 
 Jackson went rarely into company, it happened for 
 a while, that she neither saw, nor heard anything 
 of it. 
 
 But at last, through hints let droj) by some lady 
 friend, with mock inadvertency, the news did reach 
 her ears, and one morning when I was calling upon 
 her she broached the subject. 
 
 " Harry," she began " I am very much worried 
 about Madge ; but come," she added, getting up and 
 looking out of the window at her victoria, which had 
 that moment drawn up at the door. " I am going 
 to visit one of our old servants, who lives just out 
 of town, and, if you will drive with me, I can talk 
 over my troubles on the way." 
 
 I readily assented ; and, after she had left me to get 
 her things, Madge opened the door and came into 
 the room. 
 
 " Sister ! " she exclaimed gayly, and then seeing 
 me, her whole manner changed, and she continued 
 with almost contemptuous indifference. 
 
 " O, I beg your pardon Mr. Strong, I did not 
 know you were here. Where is sister Kate ? " 
 
EUSTIS. 253 
 
 " She has just gone to put on her things ; she is 
 going out to drive." 
 
 " Are you going with her ? '* 
 
 " Yes," I answered, " she asked me, but if you 
 will take my place, I shall be only too hajipy to 
 have you." 
 
 " No," she said in the same indifferent tone, " I 
 have no desire whatever to drive this morning," and 
 then pausing for a moment, and, tapping the table 
 with the fan she carried, she asked, " Where are you 
 going?" 
 
 " I believe to visit an old servant of yours on the 
 Springlake road, Martha, I think your sister called 
 her." 
 
 " On the Springlake road," she repeated absently, 
 and as if speaking to herself. 
 
 "Are you sure, Miss Eustis, there is nothing we 
 can do for you ? " I asked. 
 
 My voice seemed to recall her to herself, and she 
 answered coldly. 
 
 "No. Nothing. Good morning, Mr. Strong," 
 and she closed the door. 
 
 In a short time Kate returned and we started out 
 together. 
 
 It was a cold, blustering day ; the sun shone fit- 
 fully through the heavy clouds that came chasing 
 each other in rapid succession up from the north- 
 west. But we were well wrapped up, and, when 
 once out of town and rid of the clouds of dust that 
 swept through the city streets, we found the wind 
 fresh and bracing. 
 
254 EUSTIS. 
 
 As we drove rapidly along the level country- 
 road, Mrs. Jackson returned to the subject that 
 was naturally uppermost in her mind. 
 
 " As I was saying, Harry," she began, " I am very 
 much worried about Madge, I have been told of 
 Colonel Shorter's increasing devotion to her. At 
 the same time, she has never spoken to me about it 
 herself, and I am utterly at a loss what to do. I 
 don't like to be the first to speak, for fear it should 
 have just the wrong effect upon her. She has not 
 seemed at all like herself lately. She is preoccupied, 
 indifferent, and when she does speak, is apt to say 
 sharp, severe things, so utterly unlike her. I can- 
 not understand it ! But, you know, from a child she 
 has always been rather wayward, and I really do not 
 dare to come to an open issue with her, while she 
 is in this strange frame of mind. If Jim were only 
 here it would be different, for though she is very fond 
 of me, he has alwavs had the stroncjest influence over 
 her, and I think she would listen to him. He could 
 make her see the folly of allowing her name to be 
 coupled with that of such a man as Colonel Shorter. 
 The insolence of his behaving in this way in Jim's 
 absence, and when they are scarcely on speaking 
 terms, is most aggravating! Besides I really fear 
 something serious may come of it when Jim returns. 
 I know when he hears how far it has gone, and how 
 much it is talked about (as he certainly will if it is not 
 put a stop to), he will be simply furious. What can 
 I do Harry ? Can't you help me ? " 
 
 She seemed to feel it very keenly, and I wished 
 
EUSTIS. 255 
 
 with all my heart that I could help her as she asked. 
 Such advice as I could give, she should have ; but 
 advice to one in actual distress always sounds luke. 
 warm, no matter how sincere our sympathy. As it 
 was, I said, " I think you must speak to Madge, 
 Kate, whether she likes it or not ; for if all that I 
 hear of Shorter is true, I would never let a sister 
 of mine marry him. You must appeal to her good 
 sense, to her love for you, to her fear of making 
 trouble between this man and Jim. Explain to her 
 the actual danger to Jim, and the scandal that might 
 follow. I believe your sisterly love can devise a 
 thousand ways to move her, that would never occur 
 to me or to any man. As for myself, Kate, if any 
 emergency should arise, do not hesitate to call upon 
 me at once ; and if there is anything on earth that I 
 can do for you, I will do it with all my heart. 
 
 " Thank you, Harry," she answered, " I believe you 
 thoroughly and 1 shall not forget what you have said. 
 But I see plainly that, for the present, there is noth- 
 ing — no — nothing that you can do." 
 
 As she stopped speaking, we drew up at a little 
 clearing in the woods, where stood two or three 
 small log cabins with half tilled plots of ground 
 behind them, wherein even rows of hillocks told 
 of coming crops of melons and sweet potatoes. All 
 were enclosed by a rude, zigzag, Virginia fence. 
 Perhaps there were, in all, a couple of acres of 
 cleared land lying in the sunlight and shadow, and 
 protected by the tall pine forest that surrounded it. 
 A few pine stumps peered up here and there 
 
256 EU8TI8. 
 
 through the rich soil, and on the top of one of them 
 a little fire of fagots, covered with earth, was 
 smouldering; probably an altar of incense to un- 
 known Gods. Swine were grubbing in the under- 
 brush near by, and half a dozen hens sprung up from 
 the middle of the road where they lay half buried in 
 the sand, and scrambled under the fence at our 
 rapid approach. 
 
 Negro children were playing about the doorsteps ; 
 and one or two old men and women were work- 
 ing in the garden. A large, hulking-looking negro 
 stood leaning against the side of one of the cabins, 
 with his back towards us, but when we stopped before 
 the enclosure, he cast a rapid glance at us, and then 
 slunk behind the house and out of sight. There was 
 something about the man that struck me as familiar 
 even in the momentary glimpse I had of hira, though 
 I could not remember where I had seen him. 
 
 When old January, who was standing at the 
 gate, came out to the carriage door, I asked him 
 who the man was. He looked up quickly at my 
 question, and then after a moment's hesitation, re- 
 plied that it was " Cousin Jonah from Cal-lina." 
 But there was an expression of anxiety in his face 
 that aroused my suspicion, and though I saw no 
 reason why he should wish to deceive me, I felt sure 
 that for some cause best known to himself, he had 
 not spoken the truth. 
 
 Presently, at Mrs. Jackson's request, he went to 
 one of the cabins to call out his daughter Martha, 
 with whom the old man usually stopped when the 
 
EUSTI8. 257 
 
 Eustises left The Oaks ; and, as she lived near town, 
 this enabled him to come daily to Mrs. Jackson's 
 for orders. In a moment Martha appeared, and came 
 out to us to receive the little package that Kate 
 had brought her. 
 
 She was a small woman with jet-black face, and 
 clean, bright turban bound about her head. On 
 her arm she carried a little baby, apparently some 
 few months old, and too busily engaged in secur- 
 ing its midday meal to take any notice of its visi- 
 tors. 
 
 " Well, Martha," asked Mrs. Jackson, " how are 
 you getting on ? " 
 
 " Pretty well, Miss, seeing as Andrew's dun bin 
 gone dis las' munf, an' I has de gardin' work to do." 
 
 "And the baby?" 
 
 " O, de baby's well nuff, but um's jes' so bad, 
 dey's no doin' nuffin wid um. Ums took arter de 
 old man. I sj^ecs I'se dun got my bans full, Miss, 
 to keep um away fum de whiskey bottle ! " 
 
 " What have you named it Martha ? " 
 
 " Schuyler Colfax, Miss." 
 
 " That's very good." said Kate smiling, " but if 
 you wished to be thoroughly patriotic, you should 
 have called him Abraham Lincoln." 
 
 " Lor, Miss Kate ! " she exclaimed with an ex- 
 pression of mingled surprise and reproof, " Ums a 
 
 " O, of course that alters matters ! Good-by," 
 Kate replied with a perfectly sober face, while I 
 discreetly turned away my head. 
 
258 EUSTIS. 
 
 "Good-by, Miss Kate," she answered; "please 
 tell Miss Madge huddy for me." 
 
 After leaving the settlement, I proposed that we 
 should drive to a little cemetery situated on the 
 outskirts of the town, and somewhat noted for its 
 monuments and trees. It was out of our way but, as I 
 had never seen it and we had an hour to spare be- 
 fore lunch, Kate assented, and gave the necessary 
 directions to the coachman. 
 
 It was indeed a picturesque place, with its wind- 
 ing alleys, tall box hedges and shady trees, with 
 here and there a great live-oak, spreading its mas- 
 sive and moss-hung branches above the white- 
 slabbed graves. A month later, spring foliage and 
 blossoming flowers might take something from its 
 gloom, but to-day its appearance was oppressively 
 sombre and sad. 
 
 " This is a favorite place for engaged couples," 
 said Kate. 
 
 " It seems to me," I answered, " that I would 
 rather take the last, than the first walk here, with 
 the woman I loved ! " 
 
 " There is a couple now down the side path yon- 
 der, who, apparently, are not of your opinion, Harry. 
 How slowly they are walking, and how absorbed 
 they seem to be. See, he is trying to take her 
 hand ! Why, good heavens ! " she cried, half 
 rising from her seat, " It is Madge and Col. Short- 
 er ! " 
 
 Yes, she was right. They were at some distance, 
 but coming toward us. They moved slightly apart 
 
EUSTI8. 259 
 
 and stood gazing at us as we passed the end of the 
 path. It was clear that they had recognized us. 
 
 " O Harry," exclaimed Kate, fairly crying with 
 vexation and chagrin, " this is, indeed, too bad ! 
 What shall I do ! What shall I do ! I would stop 
 and insist on Madge's coming home with us, but I 
 do so hate scenes, and perhaps she would not come 1 
 What will be the end of it all ? O why, why will 
 not Jim come home ? I will write to him this very 
 day!" 
 
 We drove rapidly back to town and on the way 
 I strove, as best I could, to allay Kate's fears ; but, 
 after all, there was little to be said, for that there 
 were good grounds for all her sisterly anxiety, 
 seemed evident to me. 
 
 Nor was my mind any the less troubled, when, on 
 returning to my room that night, I found a short 
 note from Jim, in which he said, "We have just re- 
 turned to Palatka for a day, and to-morrow shall 
 take a run up the Ocklawaha. We may be gone 
 ten days or a fortnight, at the outside, and then I 
 shall come directly home. Many things have hap- 
 pened to change my plans since I last wrote, which 
 I will explain when we meet. Your letter reached 
 me safely, my dear Harry; forgive me if I was 
 astonished at what you wrote, but believe me — 
 whatever happens — your devoted friend, 
 
 "James Eustis." 
 
260 EUSTI8, 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 ON THE PORCH. 
 
 TT was a warm, summerlike evening towards the 
 -^ end of March. 
 
 One of those scorching waves of heat had passed 
 over the city during the day, which, occasionally, 
 in the early spring, burst upon the South, as if the 
 sun had suddenly thrown open his furnace doors, 
 to rake down the banked fires and rebuild them for 
 the summer. The air had fairly quivered in the 
 noontide heat. 
 
 All but the negroes and those whom imperative 
 duties called abroad, had remained within doors, 
 with windows shut, close drawn blinds, and in such 
 light attire as individual ideas of decency admitted, 
 and had devoted the long day to the hopeless task 
 of keeping cool. 
 
 In the business portion of the city, men, ordinarily 
 of dignified appearance, might have been seen in 
 their shirt sleeves and bareheaded, fighting the sun 
 with umbrellas and taking advantage of every hand 
 breadth of shade that fell from tree, or post, or 
 building, upon the blistering pavement. 
 
 The dust in the streets seemed deeper than ever, 
 and the sidewalks harder and more uneven. Shoes 
 
EU8TIS, 261 
 
 that were too loose in the morning pinched, tight 
 and dry, at noon. Not a cloud was in the sky, not 
 a breath of air stirring, and the fiery sun poured 
 down relentlessly his deluge of unobstructed heat. 
 
 For the innumerable bar-rooms this had been, in- 
 deed, a gala day. For it would have required 
 nothing short of the cold blood or the virtue of a 
 Joseph Andrews to have withstood the seductive 
 clinking of the ice behind the green baize doors. 
 
 Uptown, the streets had been absolutely deserted. 
 Even the pretty parks usually teeming with children, 
 were, for the time, forsaken, and the fountains 
 threw up their feathers of spray, unseen, into the 
 sunlight. 
 
 Such a foretaste of approaching summer had been 
 the day. 
 
 But toward sunset a breeze came floating in from 
 the sea, soft and delicious and laden with the scent 
 of the salt marsh ; and again existence became en- 
 durable. 
 
 It was a month ago to a day that I had made my 
 promise to Mrs. Lee ; and about a week since my 
 drive with Mrs. Jackson. 
 
 I supped alone that evening at my hotel and 
 afterwards, in common with the rest of the city's 
 suffering population, went out into the streets for a 
 stroll in the breezy twilight. 
 
 Now that the time had come at last when I 
 might speak, I could not detennine whether to go 
 at once to Mary, or to wait for some chance meeting. 
 Not that my love had flagged during the past few 
 
262 EU8TIS. 
 
 weeks, but my doubts had more than kept pace 
 with it. If I had spoken a month ago I believed 
 she would have answered " Yes " ; but since then 
 what influences might not have been brought to 
 bear, what persuasions, even threats, might not have 
 been used to turn her from me. 
 
 Perhaps those strongest arguments of all to a 
 sensitive and loving daughter, the grief and disap- 
 pointment that the match would bring upon her 
 family ; or still worse, a separation forever from a 
 mother to whom she was devotedly attached. 
 
 I walked slowly on through the darkening streets 
 until I reached the small park or square on the fur- 
 ther side of which Captain Lee's house, with its 
 narrow strip of garden, fronted. The moon had 
 just risen and its light fell full upon the portico and 
 steps. 
 
 " Surely some one is sitting there ! " I said to 
 myself as I drew gradually nearer, to see whether 
 or not my eyes had played me false in the uncertain 
 light. No ; I was right ; they had not deceived me ; 
 there was a lady, by herself, upon the steps. I did 
 not for an instant doubt whom it might be, and on 
 the impulse of the moment crossed the park and 
 entered the little garden. 
 
 " Good evening, Mr. Strong," she said, smiling 
 brightly and holding out her hand as I advanced to 
 meet her. " Won't you come in ? I came out here 
 to get a breath of fresh air after this terrible day. 
 Papa and mamma and Mr. Brown are in the draw- 
 ing-room. Won't you come in ? " 
 
EUSTIS, 263 
 
 " O no, I thank you ! " I replied. " It is pleas- 
 anter here. It would be the basest ingratitude to 
 waste such a night as this." 
 
 " I quite agree with you, but I thought you might 
 like to see them." 
 
 "No," I answered monosyllabically, and some- 
 what forgetful of the demands of politeness. " Let 
 me arrange that rug for you." 
 
 She reseated herself upon the rug, that I had 
 spread near one of the pillars in the moonlight, and 
 I sat down at her feet. She wore a muslin gown, 
 gathered in at the throat and with loose wide sleeves ; 
 a soft white shawl was thrown about her shoulders. 
 A little spray of yellow jessamine was fastened in 
 her bosom, and a single rosebud in her hair. 
 
 For a few moments, neither of us spoke. 
 
 She looked bewitchingly lovely, as she sat there 
 gazing up into the night, with her head resting 
 lightly on her hand ; and I longed to tell her of all 
 that had filled my heart during this month of silence, 
 yet dreaded to begin. 
 
 At last, I said, looking up into her face. 
 
 " Did you expect me, to-night? " 
 
 " No, I did not expect you, and yet," she added 
 slowly, " and yet I thought that you might come." 
 
 " Why did you think so ? " I asked. 
 
 " I cannot tell. For no reason. I only felt that 
 you might." 
 
 " It is something that you even thought of me," 
 I said in a low voice, and leaning slightly forward 
 to catch her expression. " May I not believe, too, 
 that you wished to have me come 9 " 
 
264 :eustis. 
 
 While I spoke, her face grew very grave, and 
 turning it away from me, she answered quietly, — 
 
 *' Yes, I am glad you came." 
 
 " Thank you," I said ; " you do not know what 
 a struggle it has been to keep away from you these 
 last few weeks, or to be near you, and feel that I 
 could not speak." 
 
 " I do not understand you," she answered, glanc- 
 ing up again, and then added with a faint smile, 
 " but, then, as I have often told you, I suppose I 
 never shall." 
 
 " Why, surely, you know the reason. Your 
 mother must have told. you." 
 
 "No, Mr. Strong, mamma has told me nothing. 
 What do you mean ? " she asked, looking anxiously 
 into my face. 
 
 I was so astonished that for a moment I had not a 
 word to say. Then, after all, her mother had not 
 spoken. Could it be that she had felt too sure of 
 Mary to think it necessary; or, was it possible 
 that her own mind had changed ? 
 
 However, I would not conceal what had passed 
 between her mother and me, whatever the result 
 might be, and so I answered as steadily as I could, 
 " When your mother interrupted us a month ago, 
 she was very indignant with me. She would 
 scarcely listen to me. She declared she would 
 rather see you dead than married to a Northerner. 
 She was unjust and cruel. She tried to drive me 
 from you without another word, but finding that 
 impossible, she made me promise not to speak to 
 
EUSTIS. 265 
 
 you again till now. And now "^I went on in a 
 low tone, feeling my pulses quicken and my heart 
 beat — " and now, I have come to tell what I have 
 80 often longed to say." 
 
 " Oh ! do not speak so, Mr. Strong, please do not 
 go on ; I cannot listen to you ! " she cried, in a 
 trerablinof voice, looking? down at me with a face as 
 white as the moonlight itself. 
 
 " Yes, my darling, you must listen to me," I an- 
 swered firmly and quietly. " You must listen to me, 
 though there is little left to say that you do not 
 know already — that my whole heart is yours — that 
 your love alone " 
 
 " O do not say so ! do not say so ! You must 
 not. It is impossible ! " she cried, holding out her 
 hands as if to stop me. 
 
 I felt myself trembling from head to foot, but 
 tried to control my voice and answer quietly, — 
 
 " What is impossible ? Not that I love you, I 
 know. Not that you care a little for me, I be- 
 lieve." 
 
 " I do not love you. You are wrong ! " she ex- 
 claimed. " What do I know about you ? I do not 
 understand you. We should never understand 
 each other. We have been brought up so differently. 
 O no ! I do not love you. Do not speak of it 
 again. O do not speak of it again ! " 
 
 She turned her face away to hide her tears. Her 
 hands were clasped across her knees. I disengaged 
 them softly and held them in both of mine. 
 
 " Indeed, dearest," I said, " it is true, you do 
 
266 EUSTI8. 
 
 know very little of me. A little while ago we had 
 never heard of one another, and yet, I think you 
 must believe me, when I tell you that I love you, 
 and shall love you always, whatever happens. Look 
 in my face and tell me if you do not believe me." 
 
 " Oh ! I cannot tell," she answered, raising for one 
 moment her glistening eyes, " I supi:)ose what you 
 say is true, or that you think it is ; but I do not 
 care for you, at least not in that way. If I loved 
 you, I should be willing to give up everything for 
 your sake, but I cannot — I will not — Do not ask 
 me. It is impossible ! " 
 
 " I will not worry you any more to-night," I said, 
 raising her hands to my lips. " But won't you give 
 me a little hope before I go ?" 
 
 " I have none to give," she answered slowly and 
 sadly as she withdrew her hands from mine. "It 
 would be cruel, if you love me as you say, for I 
 know I shall never change my mind, and you will 
 forget about it all when you have gone away." 
 
 "You do not yourself believe what you are say- 
 ing, Mary. If I went North to-morrow and were 
 never to see you again, I should never forget the 
 sweetness that has stolen into my life since I first 
 knew you ! " While I was speaking we had both 
 arisen and I was standing on the step below her. 
 
 " Are you going ? " she asked, as I held out my 
 hand, and then added in a hesitating voice, " But — 
 but — you will not think unkindly of me ? We may 
 still be friends?" 
 
 " Friends ! " I cried passionately, losing for the 
 
EUSTIS. 267 
 
 moment all self-control. " Don't speak of friends to 
 me. I hate the word ! I shall never love you less 
 than I do to-night. You must — you shall love me ! 
 No, my darling, I will never give you up ! " 
 
 We stood confronting one another. The moon 
 shone full upon her face, touching with silver the 
 clusters of her wavy hair. 
 
 There was a startled expression on her slightly 
 parted lips and in her sparkling eyes as they looked 
 straight into mine. 
 
 I seized her in my arms and pressed my lips 
 passionately to hers. 
 
 "O stop, stop this instant! How dare you?" 
 she cried, struggling to free herself from my close 
 embrace and, tearing herself away, she fled into the 
 house. 
 
 Half bewildered, I stood and watched her as 
 she sped like a gleam of moonlight across the 
 shadows of the hall and vanished at the turning of 
 the staircase. Then stooping down I picked up 
 the spray of jessamine that had fallen upon the 
 steps, and gently kissed it. 
 
 I passed through the garden and out into the 
 street. I was intoxicated with excitement. I still 
 felt the thrilling touch of her lips and the throbs 
 of her pliant form as I pressed her for a moment to 
 my heart. Her very tones of anger rung like sweet 
 music in my ears ! 
 
 I passed up the street and into the deserted park, 
 neither knowing nor caring where I went, so that I 
 might only be alone. On and on I wandered, now 
 
268 EU8TI8. 
 
 in this direction, now in that ; through the wind- 
 ing paths among the shrubbery, under the tall 
 pines, or across the open lawns. 
 
 What with the exercise and the night air, little 
 by little I regained composure and drew in the 
 reins of my excited imagination. Slowly, but clearly, 
 the words that she had said came back to me, 
 and with them, in the reaction, misgivings and un- 
 certainty. 
 
 At last I sat down upon a bench in the shadow 
 of a clump of shrubbery. How long I had re- 
 mained there dreaming, I do not know, when my 
 attention was suddenly arrested by a woman's voice 
 close by ; one that I could not mistake. Its tones 
 were excited and low, but I heard the words dis- 
 tinctly. 
 
 "You will make me hate you if you say such 
 things. What has he ever done to you ? It is a 
 cowardly threat, but I think you must have said it 
 only to frighten me ! Come, I have listened to you 
 too long already." 
 
 Then a man's voice answered inaudibly, and the 
 first voice spoke again, — 
 
 " If you loved me as you say you do, you would 
 never ask it. I tell you I cannot, I will not do it. 
 Come, I must go at once ! " Almost Mary's words 
 to me and yet how different. 
 
 They had evidently paused a moment on the 
 other side of the thicket behind me. 
 
 I had arisen, and as they stopped speaking they 
 came out into the moonlit path in front of me, face 
 
EUSTIS. 269 
 
 to face. It was Madge and Colonel Shorter. 
 Neither of us spoke. 
 
 Excepting for one quick glance, Shorter took no 
 notice of me whatever, and not a muscle of his face 
 changed. Madge started slightly back, and then, 
 with a haughty inclination of her head, she took his 
 arm, and they passed down the path together out 
 of sight. 
 
 I went slowly back to the hotel, absorbed in 
 thought. What could it mean ? I believed in 
 Madge, in her pride as well as in her purity. But, 
 alas ! what indiscretion, if nothing more ! 
 
 To what scandal would it not give rise, if it were 
 known that she had been seen in the Park, at such an 
 hour of the night, with a man of Richard Shorter's 
 questionable rej^utation. 
 
 Something should be done, and done quickly, to 
 bring the poor girl to her senses ; but how, and by 
 whom? Certainly not by me. 
 
270 EUSTIS, 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 ADVICE. 
 
 T TOOK occasion on the following morning to call 
 on Mrs. Jackson just before lunch, as I knew 
 from experience that she was usually at home, and 
 often alone at that hour. 
 
 I found her in her morning-room, writing at her 
 Davenport in some neat little red-covered books 
 (everything about Kate was sweet, fresh and neat) 
 making up her accounts, she said. 
 
 I begged her not to let me interrupt her, but she 
 insisted upon putting her books away and coming 
 to the sofa where I had seated myself. 
 
 I was still full of last night's meeting, and, in 
 fact, had come to-day to discover how far she wa8 
 aware of Madge's continued intimacy with Shorter, 
 and, if possible without alarming her, to put her 
 on her guard. 
 
 To Jim I should have spoken plainly, as men 
 can, when necessary, speak to one another without 
 fear of being misunderstood. But I felt keenly 
 alive to the difficulty of dealing with a woman, as 
 well as to the delicacy of my own position. 
 
 "I suppose you have not heard from Jim lately? " 
 I asked, when she had seated herself beside me. 
 
 " No, not a word since you told me he was going 
 
EUSTIS. 271 
 
 up the Ocklawaha. I do so wish he would come 
 home. You know what good reason I have to 
 wish it ! " she said with emphasis. " But then, too, 
 I wish he would come for your sake. It would be 
 so much pleasanter for you if he were here. There 
 is little that I can do for you now. You must find 
 it very dull." 
 
 " No ! not a bit of it. I have enough to keep 
 me busy, in one way or another, though I should 
 rejoice with all my heart to see Jim back again for 
 both our sakes. Still, with this delicious spring air 
 to breath and live in, and you to welcome me from 
 time to time, I have nothing to complain of but the 
 shortness of the winter, and the fact that my visit 
 is so rapidly drawing to a close." 
 
 " Ah, but surely you will soon come back to us 
 again, now that you have found the way here." 
 
 "I cannot tell," I answered, almost with a sigh. 
 "As we cannot see a day ahead, I try never to 
 worry myself over plans for the future. Perhaps 
 I may come again next winter ; perhaps in twenty 
 years ; and just as likely never. Who can tell? " 
 
 " Well, at all events, do not talk about it in that 
 horrid way, Harry. I hate to think beforehand of 
 my friends leaving me. It is bad enough when the 
 time comes. Thank fortune, you are not going 
 to-day nor to-morrow, nor next week, nor the week 
 after, so we will drop the subject if you please. 
 In a short time our out of door parties and picnics 
 will begin, and then, if you do not desert us, I think I 
 myself shall take up society again for a while." 
 
272 EUSTIS. 
 
 Here seemed to be an opening not to be lost, and 
 I asked rather abruptly. " You go nowhere now, 
 do you ? Were you at home last night ? " 
 
 " Yes. Why do you ask ? " 
 
 " I thought of coming to see you," I answered, 
 surprised at my own mendacity. 
 
 " Yes, I was at home and alone. I wish you had 
 come. Why didn't you ? " 
 
 " Well, it was so long since I had been to the 
 Lees', I decided to call there instead." 
 
 " Why, Madge went there to supper, too, last 
 evening," she exclaimed, " so you must have seen 
 her. How strange she should not have mentioned 
 it!" 
 
 "Yes, I did meet her," I said slowly, fairly 
 staggered by Madge's duplicity ; or had she been 
 there and left before I called? But Kate went on 
 without noticing me. 
 
 " We were both asked ; but I have not taken a 
 meal at the Lees' since Jim's trouble, and could not 
 make up my mind to go. I bear no ill will to Mary, 
 for I do not suppose she deliberately went to work 
 to deceive him ; but of all flirts, preserve me from 
 those innocent girls who are always in earnest! 
 Don't you agree with me?" and without waiting 
 for a reply she continued, " However, I persuaded 
 Madge to go, for I was afraid they might feel hurt 
 if we both refused. I have an idea that your comical 
 friend, Mr. Brown, walked home with her." 
 
 Before she had done speaking the young lady 
 herself, in her hat and walking dress, entered the 
 
EUSTIS. ^ 273 
 
 room. The door had been standing half open, so 
 that she must at least have heard Kate's last words, 
 and how much more I could not tell. She paused a 
 moment on the threshold, and as she looked up 
 from the glove she was drawing on, she blushed 
 crimson. 
 
 " Sister," she said, " I am going shopping." 
 
 " Shall you be back to lunch ? " 
 
 " No, don't wait for me. Good-by." 
 
 I had risen to speak to her, but she looked straight 
 by me and turning abruptly, left the room without 
 another word. 
 
 Fortunately, Kate had crossed the room to ring 
 the bell for lunch, and having her back toward us, 
 lost this little pantomime. Most fortunately, I 
 thought; for otherwise, no doubt, Kate's questions 
 would have brought on a distressing scene. 
 
 After Madge had gone, she returned to her seat 
 beside me, and said, — 
 
 " I believe I must be a great coward, for, do 
 you know, I have never yet dared to speak to 
 Madge. I have tried a dozen times to approach 
 the subject, but I cannot come to the point. There 
 is something about her that perplexes me — some- 
 thing that I do not understand — an expression in 
 her face sometimes that makes me almost afraid of 
 her ; and yet I long to throw my aiTns about her neck 
 and beseech her to tell me what is the matter. She 
 is very much changed — oh, so much 1 Do you 
 not see it, Harry ? " 
 
 " Possibly," I said, indeed not knowing what to 
 answer. 
 
274 EUSTIS. 
 
 " I feel as if something must have happened to 
 her. What, I cannot tell. However," she con- 
 tinued, with a long drawn breath, "I lay awake 
 thinking about it all last night, and fully made up 
 my mind to have a plain talk with her this even- 
 ing, whatever comes of it." 
 
 Poor Kate ! I could not warn her of her sister's 
 deceit and folly. I could not tell her that if Madge 
 went to the Lee's at all, she must have left 
 there very early in the evening ; and that I had met 
 her late at night with Shorter, in the park. And 
 yet I felt, more strongly than ever, the necessity of 
 overcoming her weakness and timidity. 
 
 " You are right, my dear sister," I said earnestly, 
 " you must not delay another day. In fact, I wish 
 you to give me your word that you will speak to- 
 night, without fail." 
 
 " What do you mean ? " she asked, looking up 
 quickly and suspiciously into my face. " You know 
 more than you have said. What is it ? Tell me, 
 what do you mean ? " 
 
 " I know nothing," I answered, quietly and de- 
 cidedly. " But you must remember how you told 
 me long ago, that you should speak, and yet you 
 have not. I know you believe it should be done, 
 and I know, too, it will hel}) you, if you promise me. 
 That is all." 
 
 " Well, I will promise, Harry," she answered, 
 with a dreary sigh. 
 
 I stayed with her awhile after lunch to smoke my 
 cigar upon her shady balcony. And, at last, I left 
 
EUSTIS. 275 
 
 her in better spirits, and returned to the hotel to 
 get ready for my ride ; for every afternoon before 
 dinner, I took a canter through the woods on 
 "Vixen;" sometimes to one of the little hamlets on 
 the " Salts," and sometimes back into the slowly 
 blossoming country. 
 
 The day after my talk with Kate, I dined with 
 the Lees. None but the family and Fred Brown 
 were there. Fred had been so busy for the last few 
 weeks, revising and correcting the Captain's " Rem- 
 iniscences of the Confederate Navy," that I had 
 seldom met him. He was one of those men, who, 
 when once interested in their work, give their un- 
 divided energies to its completion, with little rest 
 and no thought of time. 
 
 Even if this fixedness of purpose does not in itself 
 insure success, it is, at least, the spade, the pickaxe 
 and the powder that can alone make ready for the 
 culminating spark. But avoid such men when the 
 fit is on them, for, from a social standpoint, they 
 are worse than useless ; even their presence is a 
 damper upon society, no matter how agreeable they 
 may be at other times. 
 
 And so it was with Brown on the night in ques- 
 tion ; but soon after dinner, to the relief of all, he 
 retired to the study. 
 
 "Where," as the Captain sympathetically re- 
 marked, " the poor fellow has passed the greater 
 part of the day. But he has a wonderful power of 
 setting things straight, and bringing out new points 
 in my book — points that I should never have dis- 
 
276 EUSTIS, 
 
 covered by myself. Why, you would scarcely re- 
 cognize my manuscript now ! He has cut and al- 
 tered it from its fatigue dress into full regimentals ! 
 Really, I had no idea there was so much in it (in 
 fact, between ourselves, there wasn't), but now you 
 may expect to see my name and writings an author- 
 ity ! I don't know what I should have done with- 
 out him." 
 
 After dinner we took our coffee on the verandah. 
 Thus far I had found no opportunity to speak alone 
 with Mary, but at last her father called upon her to 
 sing, and after some hesitation she yielded and arose 
 to go into the house. 
 
 " Let me open the piano for you," I said, joining 
 her. 
 
 " O no," she answered, stopping hesitatingly at 
 the window ; " do not trouble yourself to come. ' I 
 do not need you." 
 
 However, I was not to be stopped by a word, and 
 followed her into the room. The gas was not 
 lighted. She did not wish it. The light from the 
 hall was enough. She should sing without her 
 notes. 
 
 As I opened the j)iano, I said, speaking low and 
 rapidly,— 
 
 " Mary, I hope you can answer me to-night." 
 
 " You must not call me Mary, Mr. Strong," she 
 said, without raising her eyes from the pile of music 
 over which she was bending. "I thought I an- 
 swered you plainly before. I shall not change my 
 mind. What more can I say ? " 
 
EUSTIS. 277 
 
 " But I did not believe you. I do not believe 
 you now. I am sure you cannot mean it. Tell 
 me, my " 
 
 "Stop, Mr. Strong," she said, stepping slightly 
 back as I approached her. "Do not come a step 
 nearer, I command you. I will not have a re- 
 petition of the disgraceful scene of the other night ! 
 Your pretended respect for me should have re- 
 strained you. I tell you plainly, once and for all, 
 that I do not love you, and I never shall. If you 
 value my friendship, you must never, never speak 
 to me in this way again." 
 
 I could not see the expression of her face in the 
 uncertain light, but the sound of her voice was 
 quiet and firm, and I believed that what she said, 
 she meant. If my ear had caught the slightest tremor 
 I would have stayed to fight it out, but as it was, I 
 turned away without a word and retraced my steps 
 to the verandah. 
 
 I was completely baffled, for it seemed that, after 
 all, my hopes must have been entirely groundless, 
 and yet I could not wholly believe that I had so 
 deceived myself. 
 
 " Isn't Mary going to sing ? " asked her father, 
 after I had taken my seat beside him again. 
 
 " O yes, I think so," I replied, " I believe she is 
 looking for her music." 
 
 The Captain went on chatting in a desultory way, 
 and I did my best to answer him, while every 
 faculty of my being was listening for the sound of 
 her voice. But at last my inattention must have 
 
278 EUSTIS, 
 
 attracted his notice, for he stopped talking, and I 
 was conscious of having made some mistake, and 
 unable to rectify it. So we sat for some time in 
 silence, until he suddenly exclaimed, — 
 
 " Why, I wonder what has become of her ! " and 
 stepping to the window, he called, — " Mary ! Mary I 
 aren't you going to sing to us ? Our patience is 
 almost exhausted ! " 
 
 " Yes, jDapa, in a moment," she answered from 
 within ; and shortly after she struck some stray 
 chords on the piano and then began the plaintive 
 song. 
 
 " Out on the meado-ws fair, 
 Flowers scent tlie summer, air." 
 
 I had often heard her sing it, and sing it well ; but 
 now, when she came to the last verse, which is 
 particularly sad, her voice entirely failed her, and 
 after trying to go on twice in vain, she came to 
 the window and said, with evident embarrassment, — 
 
 " I am very sorry, papa, to make such a failure, 
 but my voice has deserted me." 
 
 The Captain laughed it off good-naturedly, and 
 made her draw a chair close to his own and sit 
 down beside him. 
 
 " I don't care about your singing, my dear, unless 
 you feel like it. The voice, I find, can never be 
 depended upon, except when we stub our toes ! 
 Strong, here, has heard you too often to doubt 
 either your good-nature or ability." 
 
 I did not speak to Mary again that night, and I 
 left at an early hour, with a feeing of hopelessness 
 that can be readily imagined. 
 
EUSTIS. 279 
 
 Oddly enough it happened that, on the morning 
 after this, I received a long and affectionate letter 
 from Alice. She wrote : 
 
 " Of course, my dear brother, you would not take 
 the step that you propose without having thought 
 it all over thoroughly. I have no doubt Miss 
 Lee is as lovely as you say she is ; but you should 
 not forget how totally different is the bringing up 
 of these Southern girls from what you have been 
 accustomed to, and how entirely their ideas of every- 
 thing must differ from yours. I know they are said 
 to be attractive and fascinating in society, but 
 that is not all a man wants in a wife, and especially 
 you. So I am only afraid you may live to be dis- 
 appointed, my dear brother ; for although coquetry 
 and flirtation and that sort of thing may be excusable 
 in young girls, they are not, according to my ideas, 
 becoming in married women, no matter what people 
 may say, and I am certain they must lead to un- 
 happiness. Of course, after passing a winter among 
 them you ought to be the best judge, but men are 
 so stupid about such things ! I have often heard, too, 
 that they are lazy and idle, and grow up without 
 any fixed object in life, although possibly this 
 may be exaggerated ; but you must forgive me 
 for putting you on your guard, my dear brother, 
 because I do love you so very much. But I must 
 say that I have met some few of them myself, and 
 have always found their views so diametrically 
 opposed to ours, that I cannot help being surprised 
 that a man of your good judgment should fall in 
 
280 JEUSTIS. 
 
 love with one of them, when there are so many nice 
 girls left in your own city — ones, too, that we know 
 all about, and of our own way of thinking. If you 
 were still a boy it would not strike me as so strange. 
 However, I do not say all this to influence you, if 
 you have really taken the step, but simply wish you 
 to consider everything, and not to decide hastily. 
 I was dreadfully sorry I was not at home when your 
 letter first came, so that I could have answered it at 
 once. Of course, my dearest brother, if you offer 
 yourself to Miss Lee, I shall do everything in my 
 power to make her love me as a sister. I am crazy 
 with excitement about it, so do not fail to let me 
 know as soon as it is settled, so that I can write and 
 congratulate her without delay. Perhaps you had 
 better telegraph me, arid remember to send me her 
 photograph by the very next mail." 
 
 Notwithstanding my unhappiness, I could not 
 help smiling grimly at Alice's letter. Even a sus- 
 picion of the possibility of my failure had never en- 
 tered her mind. To her prejudiced affection there 
 could be no question of my success ; I had only to 
 woo to win ! 
 
 I put her letter in my pocket, feeling in no mood 
 to write to her, but inclined rather to take flight by 
 the first northern bound steamer, and answer her in 
 person. 
 
 But the next morning found me still undecided. 
 I could not make up my mind to leave without again 
 seeing Jim, and before the day was out events took 
 place that settled the question, and forced me to 
 remain. 
 
EUSTIS. 281 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 AN ENCOUNTER. 
 
 TT was a bright, clear day ; and with it dawned 
 upon me the conviction that what I most need- 
 ed was vigorous exercise. So after breakfast, I 
 started forth and walked through the outlying 
 country to a little village on the " Salts," some 
 eight or ten miles away. 
 
 The trees were rapidly pushing out their leaves, 
 and the scent of early flowers was in the air. Birds 
 of gay plumage flashed across my path or twittered 
 their love songs in the neighboring thickets. 
 
 The sights and sounds of spring acted upon me, 
 as I had hoped, like a healthful tonic, and my spirits 
 rose and steps grew more elastic, as I left the city 
 with its cares farther and farther behind me ; and 
 when at last I reached my destination, my troubles 
 were for the time being scattered to the winds, and 
 my appetite keen for the lunch of fish and fresh 
 boiled crabs, that was served up to me in the shady 
 dining-room of an inn, whose windows overlooked 
 the marshes. 
 
 After lunch I took possession of a hammock 
 swung across the end of the broad piazza, and lay 
 
282 EUSTIS, 
 
 there ' sniffing ' the cool salt air, that came creeping 
 inland from the sea, until the shadows began to 
 lengthen and I was obliged reluctantly to turn my 
 face again towards the town. 
 
 At home, a walk like this would have been 
 nothing to me, but now I began to feel the effects of 
 the enervating climate, and on my way back the road 
 seemed to draw itself out to twice its actual length, 
 and by the time I reached the hotel I was pretty 
 thoroughly ' done up.' However, after a good bath 
 and my dinner the effects passed off and left me all 
 the better for my exercise. 
 
 In the evening I went out with the intention of 
 calling upon Mrs. Jackson, whom I had not seen for 
 the last two days, but on the way I bethought my- 
 self that Madge would probably be at home, and, 
 therefore, I had better put off my visit until the 
 following morning. So I retraced my steps for a 
 block or two and turned into the broad street that 
 led to the Club. 
 
 The night was dark, but the gaslight burning over 
 the entrance to the Club, showed me, as I approached, 
 three men standing on the sidewalk just in front 
 of it, earnestly talking together. 
 
 At first I did not recognize them, but, as I was 
 about to enter the open doorway, one of them 
 stepped forward and touching me on the shoulder, 
 said, in a low tone, — 
 
 " I have a word to say to you, sir." 
 
 Turning back, I saw that it was Colonel Shorter. 
 
 His whole bearing told me at once that something 
 
EUSTIS. 283 
 
 serious was " up." Although his manner was cool 
 and quiet, the intonation of his voice warned me 
 that his intentions must be other than friendly. 
 
 His companions, whom I now recognized as friends 
 of his, but not of mine, stood some half a dozen 
 steps off, watching us. 
 
 " Well, sir, say what you have to say, I am listen- 
 ing," I answered, provoked at his aggressive manner, 
 but determined, if possible, to keep my temper. 
 
 " I want you to understand, then, sir, once for all, 
 that I will put up with no interference from you in 
 my affairs. You have dogged my footsteps too 
 long already. I have had enough of your in- 
 solent " 
 
 " Stop," I said, interrupting him, " if you cannot 
 speak with decent courtesy you shall not speak at 
 all. Your affairs are not in themselves of the 
 slightest consequence to me, but if they involve my 
 friends, it may be different. As to my time, it has 
 not yet become worthless enough for me to waste it 
 in dogging your uncertain footsteps. You are flat- 
 tering yourself, Mr. Shorter ! " 
 
 I felt the blood boil within me. I hated the man. 
 I was in no mood to brook his insulting tone, and 
 with great difficulty restrained myself. 
 
 " How dare you speak so to me ! I will hold you 
 strictly to account for this," he cried, stepping 
 nearer to me with clenched hands, and hissing the 
 words into my face. 
 
 My first impulse was to strike him, but it flashed 
 across me that any trouble between us might drag 
 
284 EUSTIS. 
 
 Madge's name before the public ; so that I must, if 
 possible, avoid open hostilities. 
 
 " Come, I think, we have had enough of this non- 
 sense," I answered, with forced composure. " It 
 would be a pity to make fools of ourselves for noth- 
 ing, and I trust you will not compel me to it." 
 
 As I spoke, I stepped back a pace or two, but 
 my words and movement seemed only further to 
 exasperate him ; for before I had stopped speaking 
 he advanced rapidly ui^on me with dilated eyes and 
 voice hoarse with fury. 
 
 " You miserable Yankee dog ! you liar ! you cow- 
 ard ! you shall — ," he cried, and a moment later he 
 was lying on his back in the middle of the street. 
 
 " By Heaven, you have killed him ! " shouted 
 one of his friends, as they ran to his assistance, for 
 he lay motionless. 
 
 " My God ! I hope I have ! It would serve him 
 right ! " I cried, infuriated by Shorter's insults, and 
 ready for hot work, now my hand was in. 
 
 They bent over him, unfastened his shirt collar, 
 and raised him slowly to his feet. He was apparently 
 faint or dizzy, and did not speak ; in fact, could 
 hardly walk. His friends muttered to one another, 
 but I could not catch their words, and they did not 
 again address me. I stood upon the curbstone and 
 watched them, as they carried him down the street, 
 and disappeared in the darkness. 
 
 Notwithstanding my excitement, a smile of grati- 
 fied pride stole over my face at the very clean 
 sweep I had made, and the appreciation of my sue- 
 
EUSTI8. 285 
 
 cess quickly restored my equanimity. It had indeed 
 been a " stinger," and my knuckles still ached ! I 
 had cross-countered him, and was altogether too well 
 satisfied at finding my early training still service- 
 able, to consider, at the time, the probable results 
 of the encounter. 
 
 I took a turn up and down the sidewalk to satisfy 
 myself that I was perfectly cool, and then went into 
 the Club. 
 
 In the reading-room, I found half a dozen men, 
 and among them Major Barnwell, who arose, and 
 crossed the room to speak to me. 
 
 " Have you seen Jim Eustis, Mr. Strong ? " he 
 asked. 
 
 " Why, no. Major, what do you mean ? Jim has 
 not returned, has he ? " I exclaimed in surprise. 
 
 " Yes, indeed he has. He got back last night. I 
 saw him to-day, and he told me he had been looking 
 everywhere for you." 
 
 " I have been out of town, but I did not expect 
 him for a week or two yet. Do you happen to 
 know where he is to-night ? " 
 
 " I think he said he should pass the evening at 
 home." 
 
 " I am much obliged to you Major ; I shall hunt 
 him up at once. Good night," and so saying I left 
 the Club and hastened to Mrs. Jackson's. 
 
 When I reached the house, Jim was just com- 
 ing out, and had stopped on the steps to light a 
 cigar. 
 
 " Well, old boy," I cried, as he seized me by the 
 hand, " this is a surprise indeed. I am delighted to 
 
286 EUSTI8. 
 
 see you back again. Why didn't you look me up 
 last night ? " 
 
 " I did not get in till late, and then", I was too busy 
 to leave the house. I have been looking for you, how- 
 ever, all day, and was just now going to inquire 
 for you at your hotel. But come into the library; 
 Kate and Madge have gone to bed, so we shall not be 
 disturbed, and I have much to say to you. You 
 people seem to have kept things pretty lively here 
 since I went away. Where have you been all 
 day ? I have hunted for you high and low ! " 
 
 In the meantime we had entered the library and 
 seated ourselves in the dark, by an open window. 
 
 " Well, you must be j^retty well tired, after such 
 unusual. exertion," he said, when I had told him of 
 my walk to the " Salts." Here, put this chair under 
 your legs, and make yourself comfortable. Take a 
 fresh cigar. There now, this seems quite like old 
 times again," he added, as he reseated himself in an 
 armchair opposite to me. He was evidently in 
 better spirits than when he went away, and I re- 
 joiced to hear something of the old hearty ring in 
 his voice. 
 
 " Harry," he began again, "I have so much to say 
 I don't know where to begin." 
 
 "Well, then," I replied, "suppose you let me 
 ask you two questions, and perhaps they may lead 
 you to the point. First, why did you stay away so 
 long ? and second, why did you come home so un- 
 expectedly ? " 
 
 "You already know my only answer to your first 
 
EUSTIS. 287 
 
 question, Harry," he said very gravely ; and after 
 a short pause he went on, — "The answer to your 
 second involves a rather unpleasant family matter ; 
 perhaps I should not mention it, but I understand 
 from sister Kate, that she has already spoken to 
 you about it." 
 
 He stopped a moment as if expecting me to speak, 
 but as I said nothing he went on. 
 
 " Just after writing you last, our party was de- 
 layed for a couple of days at Palatka, one of the 
 men was taken ill, nothing serious, and on the very 
 morning that we were ready to start again, I got a 
 letter from Kate, telling me about this fellow 
 Shorter. So I gave up my trip and took the next 
 steamer down the river. I missed connections at 
 Jacksonville and had to 'lay over' there another 
 day and so did not arrive here till last night. I 
 was a good deal worked up about this affair, 
 Harry, for Madge had better have never been 
 born than marry such a scoundrel. I have always 
 known him and the profligacy of his life. He has 
 no right to ask any decent woman to marry him. 
 And then the insolence of his paying such attention 
 to her in my absence, and after what had passed 
 between himself and me. "When I think of it, I can 
 scarcely contain myself ! " he exclaimed with knit 
 brows, jumping up from his seat and starting rest- 
 lessly up and down the room. " However," he 
 said more quietly, coming back at last and sit- 
 ing down again. "I have put a stop to it now, 
 I think. But it was most fortunate I came home 
 
288 EUSTI8. 
 
 before it had gone any farther. I had a long 
 talk with Madge last night. She was very indig- 
 nant with me for interfering. I have never seen 
 her so provoked before. But after a while I man- 
 aged, I trust, to bring her to her senses and enable 
 her to see the man in his true colors. I did not 
 mince matters, for I saw I could not move her 
 without telling her the whole truth about the fellow. 
 It was bad work, but there seemed no help for it, 
 so I laid the case before her without paint or white- 
 wash. Gad! when I stopped she was livid with 
 passion ! and then burst into a flood of tears. 
 Poor girl! I cannot tell you how badly I felt. And 
 do you know," he continued after a pause, " from 
 first to last she hardly uttered a single word. I 
 suppose she could not believe it. Well, it did seem 
 cruel enough to. speak so to her. But, by Jove, sir, 
 she's a wonderful girl ; for although she cut up so 
 very rough last night, she came down in the morn- 
 ing, after a good night's rest, almost herself again. 
 She looked as if she had cried her eyes out, but 
 she was as sweet as she could be. And all day 
 to-day it has seemed as if she couldn't do enough 
 to make up for her folly and the anxiety she has 
 given. After breakfast, I wrote a note to Shorter. 
 I did not say much, but I flatter myself it was to the 
 point. I swear, Harry, if that man ever crosses 
 my path again, I cannot answer for the conse- 
 quences ! " he cried fiercely, and then added more 
 calmly, " but after what I have written him to-day 
 I doubt if he ever troubles me again." 
 
EUSTIS. 289 
 
 I had never known Eustis so thoroughly wrought 
 up and I saw that his feeling towards Shorter was 
 no longer one of simple dislike, but of settled hatred, 
 which, if once roused into action, would hesitate at 
 nothing that is supposed to become a gentleman. 
 
 Jim's explanation fully accounted for Shorter's 
 attack upon me that evening. It was natural enough 
 that knowing my intimate relations with the family, 
 and recalling the times when I had interrupted his 
 interviews with Madge, he should have suspected 
 me of acting the spy and informer, and of being, in 
 all probability, the cause of his troubles. 
 
 In Jim's present state of mind, I did not -think it 
 prudent to tell him of my difficulty with Shorter, 
 fearing lest, on the impulse of the moment, he might 
 do something rash. Of course, sooner or later, he 
 would be sure to hear of it, but in the meantime 
 his own feelings might change, and, at least, the 
 immediate danger of his suspecting that Madge was 
 the cause of our quarrel might be averted. We 
 talked on for an hour longer, chiefly of Jim's ex- 
 periences in Florida and when at last I rose to go he 
 said, — 
 
 " I cannot speak to you to-night, Harry, about your 
 own affairs. We must keep them for another time. 
 But I would like to ask you one question before you 
 go. Of course you must answer it or not as you see 
 fit. You remember what you wrote me — have you 
 prospered ? " 
 
 As he spoke, he looked earnestly into my face. 
 
 "No, Jim, I have not," I answered quietly, 
 
290 EUSTIS. 
 
 "I might have expected it, if I had not been a 
 fool I" 
 
 " What ! Has Mary refused you ? " he exclaimed 
 with undisguised astonishment, and then seeming to 
 reflect awhile, he added, " I cannot understand it ; 
 you surprise me very much. I must take time to 
 think of this." 
 
 " Perhaps, after all, my dear fellow," I said puz- 
 zled by his manner and laying my hand upon his 
 shoulder, " perhaps, after all, it will prove to be your 
 gain, and if it should, you must believe me when I 
 say I shall still rejoice with you — none more." 
 
 " No, no, my boy, that will never be ! " he an- 
 swered almost with a smile. That was a dream never 
 to be realized — a very, very pleasant one — my dream 
 for years, and one that will always be the sweetest 
 of my life, but nothing more. However," he went 
 on more cheerfully, " we will talk this all over to- 
 moiTOw or next day. If you are to be in your 
 rooms at about twelve to-morrow I will drop in and 
 lunch with you. I have some business to attend to 
 just after breakfast, and, in the afternoon, I must 
 drive out to The Oaks and pass the night there." 
 
 So it was arranged that we should lunch together 
 the next day and having bade him good-night I 
 started for home. 
 
 As I turned the first street corner, I almost ran 
 into two men coming in the opposite direction, and 
 we stopped short to let each other pass. We haj) 
 pened to be under a gaslight, and I recognized old 
 January as one of them, and spoke a word to him 
 
EUSTI8. 291 
 
 in passing. The man with him was near the wall 
 and more in shadow, so that I could not see his face, 
 but there was something about his gigantic size and 
 shuffling gait that struck me as familiar, although I 
 could not remember at the moment where I had come 
 across him. It flashed across me presently, however, 
 that it was Armstrong, or one who bore a striking 
 resemblance both to him and to the man I had seen 
 the day I drove to Martha's with Mrs. Jackson. 
 
 I had never met Armstrong face to face but 
 once, that time at the polls so long ago. But he 
 had made too strong an impression upon me to be 
 easily forgotten, and, I felt convinced that I was 
 not now mistaken in the man. 
 
 But why should he be in com23any with one of 
 Jim's servants ? Certainly for no good purpose. 
 
 I stojjped, with the half formed intention of re- 
 turning to tell Jim and put him on his guard. But, 
 after all, was it worth while to disturb him again 
 to-night? I might possibly have been mistaken, 
 and if not, I reflected, my meeting them would, in 
 itself, be sufficient to put a stop, for the present, to 
 any evil scheme they might have been brewing. 
 
 So determining to tell Jim what I had seen, when 
 he should lunch with me on the morrow, I kept on 
 to my hotel and to bed. 
 
292 EUSTIS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 AN EXPLANATION. 
 
 TT was the morning of Friday the 27th of 
 March ; and floods of warm sunlight were pour- 
 ing into my room when I arose. I looked at my 
 watch and, finding it already half-past ten, decided 
 to put off my breakfast until twelve, the hour that 
 Jim was to lunch with me ; so I dressed leisurely, 
 and having ordered a cup of coffee, sat down to 
 answer my last letter from Alice. 
 
 But Jim proved better than his word, and 
 before I had fairly begun writing, came rushing 
 into my room. I saw at once from his expression 
 and the excitement of his manner, that there was 
 something, " in the wind ; " nor did I have to await 
 an explanation any longer than was neccessary for 
 him to get his breath, after running up the two 
 flight of stairs to my rooms. 
 
 "Why, Harry," he exclaimed, flinging himself 
 into an armchair by the open window, " why the 
 devil didn't you tell me last night about your row 
 with Shorter ? When was it ? what does it mean ? 
 how did it happen ? " 
 
 " One at a time, young man," I said, smiling at 
 his impetuosity, " keep cool ! — Really, you bewilder 
 
EUSTIS. 293 
 
 me. Suppose you try a cup of that coffee to re- 
 store your equanimity. Shall I tie a cold-water 
 bandage round your head ? " 
 
 " No, thank you," he answered, smiling faintly 
 and holding up his hand, as I dipped the end of a 
 towel into the water pitcher. " But really this is 
 no joking matter. The men at the Club tell me, 
 and in fact it is all over town, that you gave Dick 
 Shorter a terrible thrashing last night, and that he 
 challenged you. Why even the girls at home knew 
 of it before I did this morning. When did it hap- 
 pen ? After you left me ? " 
 " No, early in the evening." 
 
 "Then, as I said before," he burst out again, 
 " why on earth didn't you tell me of it ? " 
 
 *' Well, I thought you had enough on your mind 
 last night, without bothering about my affairs. 
 Besides, you are wi-ong ; no challenge has passed ; 
 the thing was not of any great importance." 
 
 "Nonsense, Harry, challenge or no challenge, 
 you will find .before long it is of the utmost im- 
 portance ! " 
 
 " Well, then, only to me at any rate, you must 
 allow," I said quietly. 
 
 " I cannot be so sure of that until you have told 
 me what led up to it." 
 
 "A very bad pass on his part led up to it, my 
 boy. One that you as a favorite disciple of our old 
 friend Hercules B. would never have been guilty 
 of " I rattled on. "He just gave himself away at 
 the first * go off,* or rather * come on.' " 
 
294 EUSTIS. 
 
 " Come, Harry," he said gravely, interrupting 
 me, " do talk seriously, I beg of you. This is in- 
 deed no time for jesting, and I am quite in earnest 
 when I say I wish to know all about it." 
 
 In point of fact, I had been " beating about the 
 bush," to give myself time to consider how much or 
 how little it would be right and necessary for me 
 to say. I could not tell him the whole truth and, 
 I argued to myself, a part would be worse than 
 none. So I logically decided to tell him none, and 
 replied with gravity equal to his own, — • 
 
 " The fact is, Jim, that Shorter and I were stand- 
 ing by the Club, talking together, when he said 
 something I could not pretend to endorse, and 
 I told him so. Thereupon he took upon himself to 
 speak to me in a tone that I considered sim23ly in- 
 sulting. You know his manner. It is unnecessary 
 for me to explain it to you. Probably, the same 
 kind of aggressive impertinence led to your first 
 difficulty with him. I gave him to understand that 
 he was a trifle too overbearing, and I was not in 
 the habit of allowing myself to be ridden over, 
 rough shod. He was apparently too obtuse, how- 
 ever, to appreciate the force of my remarks, and 
 grew more insolent than ever. Well I can't re- 
 member now exactly what followed, but one thing 
 led to another, until at last he called me a 'damned 
 Yankee,' or words to that effect, and I knocked 
 him down. That is the whole story." 
 
 " Are you sure that is all, Harry ? " he asked 
 dubiously. 
 
EUSTIS. 295 
 
 "Isn't that enough? Why, man, what more 
 would you have had me do ? Would you have had 
 me beat him after he was down ? Or desecrate your 
 native soil by jamming his impudent face into it ? 
 Enough ? " I went on mockingly, " even you 
 would have thought so, you sanguinary man, if you 
 had seen his condition when his friends picked him 
 out of the gutter, to carry him home ! " 
 
 I saw he was watching me closely, as if he 
 half doubted my excellent story, and when I stopped 
 speaking, he looked away without a smile, and sat 
 gazing fixedly out of the window, beating the devil's 
 tattoo upon the sill. 
 
 Presently, however, he turned to me again and 
 said, still seriously, — 
 
 "Well, you know of course what the conse- 
 quences will be ? " 
 
 " Really, as yet, I have not dwelt upon them. I 
 am not in the habit of worrying myself about 
 troubles till they actually confront me." 
 
 " He will undoubtedly challenge you to-day or to- 
 morrow," he continued, in the same impressive 
 tone. 
 
 " Will he really ? " I asked, raising my eyebrows 
 and looking down into his sober face. 
 
 " Confound it ! " he exclaimed, jumping up from 
 his chair, " I do wish you would consider this like a 
 sensible man. You provoke me with your pretend- 
 ed indifference. What will your answer be ? You 
 know he is a dead shot." 
 
 " I neither know, nor care anything about him," 
 
296 EUSTIS. 
 
 I answered seriously at last ; " when his challenge 
 comes it will be time enough to decide." 
 
 " Shall you accept it ? " 
 
 " Probably ; if there is no square way out of it. 
 Though it seems hardly worth while to risk one's 
 life for such a miserable hound." 
 
 For some minutes he paced up and down the 
 room with his head bent and his hands clasped be- 
 hind his back, but suddenly he stopped short in 
 front of me, and asked abruptly, — 
 
 "Then I am to understand, Harry, you have 
 fully made up your mind to fight him ? " 
 
 " As I said before," I answered, " I have thought 
 very little about it. I don't believe in duelling, and 
 I can certainly gain nothing by it in this case. 
 Still, if Shorter demands satisfaction, I am afraid 
 (such is the influence of this semi-civilization of 
 yours) I shall hardly have the moral courage to 
 refuse." 
 
 " No, I suppose not, and there is no doubt what- 
 ever of his action in the matter," he answered 
 rather to himself, than me ; and then continuing his 
 walk, apparently in deep thought, he went on, — 
 
 " By the way, Harry, I find I cannot lunch with 
 you this morning ; I have more to attend to than I 
 had expected ; I must go out to The Oaks and back 
 again to-day ; I shall not pass the night there, as I 
 had intended, for you may need me. I will drop 
 in on you some time this evening and see how mat- 
 ters stand. 1 cannot tell at what hour, but you 
 may depend upon my coming. I do wish you 
 
EU8TIS, 297 
 
 would pass the evening with Kate and Madge," he 
 said, pausing with one hand on the door knob, 
 " but no, I forgot, they are both going to Mrs. 
 King's party to-night. Well, perhaps it is just as 
 well. Good-by, old fellow, God bless you ! " and 
 stepping forward he shook me strongly by both 
 hands and rushed from the room as hastily as he 
 had entered it. 
 
 His whole manner throughout the interview 
 struck me afterwards as strange and unnatural, but, 
 at the time, I hardly observed it, attributing any- 
 thing unusual in his conduct to his anxiety about 
 me. 
 
 At the beginning of our talk, I had feared that he 
 suspected the true cause of my difficulty with Shorter, 
 but my explanation had seemed to satisfy him. 
 I should have been wretched indeed if he had dis- 
 covered that Madge was at the bottom of it all. 
 
 What I had told him was in a great measure 
 true, that I felt very little pei*sonal anxiety. I did 
 not realize, nor did I try to realize the dangerous 
 possibilities of the case. I should have enough 
 time for that when the challenge was actually 
 received ; and meanwhile there was nothing but 
 the sudden departure of my friend to interfere with 
 my enjoyment of the excellent luncheon that had 
 been so long delayed. 
 
 An hour afterwards I left my room and went to 
 the Club to read the morning papers. Several 
 men, whom I knew but slightly, were sittting in the 
 reading-room chatting together, and, as I entered,! 
 
298 EUSTIS. 
 
 thought I heard my name mentioned. Whatever 
 they were saying, they suddenly stopped when they 
 saw me, and at once arose and came forward to 
 shake hands ; a flattering piece of poUteness on 
 their parts, and as unusual as it was unnecessary. 
 Nor did their cordiality stop there. They sur- 
 rounded me. They were effusive. They insisted 
 upon my drinking with them; upon my trying 
 their cigars. Wouldn't I play a game of billiards 
 or a rubber at whist. In fact, they quite over- 
 whelmed me with their attentions, and seeing that 
 what I had in view was utterly out of the question, 
 I beat a retreat as soon as I could do so with de- 
 cent civility. 
 
 I took my usual canter through the woods that 
 afternoon, and as I passed Captain Lee's, on my way 
 home, I saw Mary sitting in her victoria at the gate 
 and pulled up for a moment to speak to her. When 
 I was about to go on again I asked, — 
 
 " Shall I see you at Mrs. King's to-night ? " 
 
 " No, I am not going. Are you ? " she replied 
 quite unconcernedly. 
 
 " No, I am not ; though a moment ago I might 
 have answered differently." 
 
 As I spoke, a quick blush suffused her face, but 
 she looked up at me out of her serious eyes, and 
 answered earnestly, — 
 
 " I am very sorry indeed to hear you say so, Mr. 
 Strong." 
 
 At that moment I saw Mrs. Lee coming down 
 the steps to join her, so I merely bade her good-by 
 
EUSTIS, 299 
 
 and cantered on again down the green arched street 
 to my hotel. 
 
 How I loved that woman ! Her beauty, her 
 voice, her expression ; her every movement. They 
 came flitting in and out among my thoughts, at all 
 times and in all places. I could have worshipped 
 the ground she trod on — have kissed the dust be- 
 neath her feet. 
 
 But how should I win her ? If ever she had felt 
 a little liking for me, — perhaps unacknowledged and 
 scarcely realized — had I not destroyed it in a mo- 
 ment of ungoverned passion ? If so, how could I 
 regain her confidence and make her believe in me 
 again. Of what value are protestations? After 
 distrust has taken root, they are unavailing, before, 
 they are unnecessary. 
 
 Gifted with insinuating speech or that power of 
 giving weight to sentiment that some possess, I 
 might still have hoped. But one cannot from boy- 
 hood repress the expression of emotion and think at 
 my age to deliver himself successfully in rhapsodies. 
 If spoken from the heart, what can sound truer, 
 stronger, sweeter, than the simple words, " I love 
 you ? " Does not each syllable added to these weaken 
 them? To me it does; beyond them I cannot go. 
 Yet I have heard of — yes known men — to whom 
 they were but the j^rel-ude to lovemaking, the mere 
 beating of time with the foot before the waltz. 
 
 How well I recollect that Friday, the 27th of 
 March, Each little incident is chiselled sharp and 
 clear upon my mind. 
 
300 EUSTIS. 
 
 I can recall a thousand accessories trifling and 
 unimportant in themselves, having little or no con- 
 nection with the " grand motif " of the picture and 
 yet as vividly remembered as its central figures. 
 What a relief it would be to deal with them alone, 
 or indeed to stop here altogether ! But it is too late 
 to draw back ; we must go on ; and no matter how 
 warm and j)leasant the summer sun upon our 
 shoulders ; no matter how cold and deep the water 
 at our feet ; we must take the plunge ; and the 
 longer we delay, the more difficult our task. 
 
 That evening after dinner I lounged about the 
 portico of the hotel, until I had finished my cigar, 
 when, attracted by gay voices above me, I went up 
 stairs and sat for awhile on the open verandah just 
 over the street, where half a dozen young people, 
 tourists on their way home from Florida, were 
 laughing and frolicking together in the cool shadows. 
 
 But I w^as singularly restless and uncomfortable, 
 and instead of being amused, I soon tired of their 
 rather noisy company, and left them to go to my 
 room to write. 
 
 I got out my 2:)en, ink and paper to finish the 
 letter to Alice that I had begun in the morning and 
 settled myself deliberately to my work. But it was 
 useless. Even the half congealed ink at the bottom 
 of the bottle flowed more freely than my thoughts. 
 
 I was obliged to give it up ; and pushing my 
 letter aside and driving the pen hard into the old 
 pine-topped table, where it stood quivering on end, 
 I sprung from my chair and walked nervously up 
 and down the room. 
 
EUSTIS. 301 
 
 How should I pass the evening ? Should I go to 
 the King's ? I was expected and should be sure to 
 meet Kate and Madge there. Lent was just over, 
 and this was to be the last ball of the season. 
 
 Yes, I would go, if only for an hour. It could 
 not prove less amusing than my own company. 
 
 I was in the act of taking out my clothes, but 
 was stopped by the thought of what I had said to 
 Mary, and threw them back into the trunk. 
 
 Well, perhaps, after all, I had better give it up 
 and wait in my room for Jim. He would, probably, 
 come in the course of an hour or so. 
 
 There was a half-read novel lying on my centre 
 table. I picked it up, drew my armchair to the 
 light, and sat down to read. I mechanically turned 
 the pages, but that was all ; they might have been 
 written in Sanscrit for all their meaning to me ! 
 
 Where was Jim ? It was nearly ten o'clock, and 
 still he did not come. Where was the challenge ? 
 Jim had seemed to feel so sure I should receive 
 one, that I, too, had at last expected it. Was 
 Shorter ill? or had he decided to let the matter 
 drop ? Its non-appearance was almost a disappoint- 
 ment to me in my restlessness. I began to feel 
 curious to see a genuine challenge. How would it 
 be worded? I soon found myself composing one 
 and wondering whether it would conform to the 
 regulations of the code. 
 
 I threw my neglected novel on the table and re- 
 lighting my cigar, went to the open window and 
 with elbows on the sill, looked out into the night. 
 
302 EUSTIS. 
 
 It was cool and clear. The sky was full of stars, 
 and the moon had just risen above the housetops 
 across the square. The streets were quiet, and de- 
 serted, and the gaslights flickered here and there 
 among the trees below me. What a still and peace- 
 ful night ! Was that a policeman standing in 
 shadow at the nearest corner. Yes, for I heard the 
 thud of his club as he tapped it on the pavement 
 and then walked slowly away. 
 
 There ! in the hurry of Jim's morning visit I had 
 forgotten to speak of my meeting with January and 
 his suspicious looking companion. I must remember 
 without fail to tell him of it. Where could he be ? 
 I looked at my watch for the fiftieth time. It was 
 after eleven, and still no signs of him. Suddenly 
 I heard footsteps hurrying rapidly along the hall, 
 followed by a loud knocking at my door. 
 
EU8TI8. 303 
 
 CHAPTER XXY. 
 
 MIDNIGHT. 
 
 '*/^OME In .' " I called out, facing about from the 
 
 ^-^ window where I had been standing. 
 
 One of the negro porters of the hotel entered 
 hastily and handed me a letter. 
 
 *' Is there any answer, sir ? " he asked, as I glanced 
 at the address and then tore it open. 
 
 " Who brought this ? " 
 
 " A colored man, sir." 
 
 " No, only tell him — tell him, I will come." 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 He slammed to the door and was gone. 
 
 The note was from Kate and evidently wi'itten 
 in great haste. It ran thus, — " Dear Harry, come 
 to me at once. Yours, C. J." "At once" was 
 doubly underscored. What could it mean ? I read 
 it over and over, seeking in vain for some clue in the 
 simple words. Then I seized my hat and cane and 
 rushed from the hotel through the deserted streets 
 to her house. When I rang at the door, Kate her- 
 self, in her ball-dress, opened it for me. 
 
 " Come in," she said, in a low voice and without 
 another word, rapidly led the way back through the 
 dark hall into her morning -room. I followed in 
 
304 EUSTIS. 
 
 silence. She closed the door softly and turned 
 towards me, and then, for the first time, I saw her 
 face. Her haggard expression and wild eyes, ac- 
 tually startled me. It seemed as if ten years had 
 been added to her life since I saw her last. 
 
 " Madge has gone ! " she whispered, her frightened 
 eyes fixed fast upon mine, and trembling from head 
 to foot as she approached me. 
 
 " Gone ? Gone where ? What do you mean ? " 
 I asked. 
 
 " She's gone, gone, gone ! How should I know 
 where ? We must find her. I'm all alone. Quick, 
 quick ! Why don't you speak ? " she went on 
 madly, coming close up to me. " We must not lose 
 a moment or we may be too late. Why do you 
 wait ? I tell you, you must help me. Why were 
 you so long? O Harry, what shall I do? what 
 shall I do ? " and with a wild cry of anguish she 
 threw herself sobbing upon my breast. 
 
 I led her gently to the sofa and made her sit down 
 beside me. She was utterly unnerved and hyster- 
 ical. 
 
 From the little she had said, I saw that there 
 must be necessity for immediate action, but, of 
 course, could do nothing until she had recovered 
 sufiiciently to explain what had happened. I did 
 my best to soothe and reassure her, until she gradu- 
 ally became more tranquil and her sobbing ceased. 
 
 I felt there was danger of her becoming excited 
 again, if I questioned her, but as fifteen minutes or 
 more had been already wasted, I did not dare to 
 
EUSTIS. 305 
 
 delay any longer, and so ventured to say as gently 
 as I could, — 
 
 " Now, my dear sister, you must tell me quietly all 
 about it ; so that we may know just how to act." 
 
 To my relief, I found my fears were groundless. 
 She could control herself at last, and when she 
 answered me, although her words came slowly and 
 tremulously, they were coherent ; and her voice 
 gathered strength and steadiness as she went on. 
 
 Her story was a simple one. It seemed that Jim 
 had gone to The Oaks in the afternoon, as he had 
 intended, taking with him January and the express 
 wagon, but had not yet returned, according to his 
 promise. 
 
 Madge had been urgent to go to Mrs. King's party 
 that night, and, after much persuasion, Kate had 
 finally consented to chaperon her. They were to 
 have gone at half-past nine, but, when the carriage 
 came Madge was not ready ; some trouble with her 
 dress or hair. Might not Kate help her? No, if 
 she would go down stairs, she would join her 
 directly. Kate did as she was asked, and after she 
 had been for some time in the drawing-room, Madge, 
 instead of coming down, sent word to her not to 
 wait any longer, but to go on without her and send 
 the carriage back. So Kate went alone to Mrs. 
 King's and ordered the coachman to drive home again 
 for Madge, as she had been requested. At a quarter 
 after ten Madge had not appeared, and still Kate 
 thought little or nothing of it ; but, when it got to 
 be half an hour later, and neither Madge nor any 
 
306 EUSTIS. 
 
 message from her came, she grew alarmed, fearing 
 that something had gone wrong — that perhaps she 
 had been taken suddenly ill ; for now she recalled 
 the fact that Madge had been looking far from well 
 that afternoon. Fortunately she found a carriage 
 without delay, and pleading her own indisposition, 
 left the party abruptly and drove directly home. 
 
 It was then eleven o'clock. The house was all 
 dark excepting a low light in the hall. The servants, 
 evidently had gone to bed, and she could see from the 
 street that there was no light in Madge's room. She 
 opened the front door with her pass-key and with 
 faltering steps ascended the stairs. The door of 
 Madge's room was locked and she could hear no 
 sound within in answer to her knocking. Remem- 
 bering in a moment that both Madge's and her own 
 room opened on the same balcony, she passed quickly 
 out upon it, and half dead with fear entered Madge's 
 by the open window. 
 
 She lighted the gas and looked about her. Madge 
 was not there. Her room was in a state of great 
 confusion. Her ball dress was thrown upon the 
 bed. Some flowers for her hair were lying, already 
 half faded, upon her dressing-table. The wardrobe 
 door stood open ; the drawers of the bureau had 
 been pulled half out and left so, and their con 
 tents scattered here and there about the room. 
 " What could it all mean ? " she asked herself, and 
 as she stood there gazing vacantly about her, the 
 truth gradually dawned upon her ! She rushed to 
 the closet where she knew Madge kept her portman- 
 
EUSTIS. 307 
 
 teau. It was gone ! Now she saw it all ; and though 
 she hardly needed further confirmation of her fears, 
 she searched the house from top to bottom, but of 
 course in vain. What should she do ? Wake 
 the servants in the outbuildings across the yard. 
 Ah, no ! she could not do that. They could not 
 help her, and their prying curious eyes would 
 drive her mad. They should never know of it from 
 her ; no one should know of it so long as she had 
 power to prevent it. Yet how could she act with- 
 out assistance ? To whom should she turn ? Sud- 
 denly she thought of David, Jim's body-servant. 
 He had been brought up with them from a child. 
 He was devoted to Madge. She herself could trust 
 thoroughly in his fidelity. He lived over the stable, 
 and there was a bell in his bedroom connected with 
 the house. She went to her morning-room and 
 rang for him. In a few minutes he came, and in the 
 meantime she had run upstairs and put Madge's 
 room in order (so thoughtful was she even in her 
 distress). 
 
 "Had David seen Miss Madge at anytime during 
 the evening?" No, he had not. But shortly 
 after Mrs. Jackson went out, he had heard her 
 coming down the stairs, and just caught a glimpse of 
 her as she opened and shut the front door. A 
 few minutes later, Mrs. Jackson's carriage had re- 
 turned and he told the coachman there must have 
 been some mistake, for Miss Madge had already gone. 
 To make sure of it, in fact, he had walked out upon 
 the pavement and looked up at her window. But, 
 as he had expected, her room was dark. 
 
808 EUSTIS. 
 
 Then Kate had sent him for me. We neither of 
 us questioned the cause of Madge's flight. We both 
 knew there could be but one answer. And this, too, 
 explained why I had not heard from Shorter. I 
 took up the evening paper and glanced rapidly- 
 over the time tables. No steamboat left the city 
 that night, but I found that a northern bound train 
 would leave at a little past midnight. Kate was 
 still sitting on the sofa eagerly watching me. " Is 
 David at hand ? " I asked, — 
 
 " Yes, he is in the dining-room waiting." 
 
 " Tell him to get out the carriage at once and wait 
 for us at the back gate." 
 
 She jumped up and left the room to give the 
 order, while I thought hurriedly over the course we 
 should pursue. When she came back, I said. 
 
 " The Northern train leaves at quarter past twelve. 
 No doubt they intend to take it, and we have not a 
 moment to lose. Go up and change your dress 
 and wrap yourself up warm, for it will be chilly 
 in the woods to-night." 
 
 " But shall we not go directly to the station ? " 
 
 " No, they would not take the train from here. 
 We must go to the first station out of town." 
 
 " Why could we not go to Ocassee by the train ? 
 then we should be sure not to miss them," she 
 asked, still standing at the door. 
 
 " No ; we should be recognized at the station 
 here, and, if possible, we must let no one see us. 
 We can still reach Ocassee by the road if no time 
 is lost. 
 
EUSTI8. 309 
 
 Without another word she left the room, and be- 
 fore I had time to put on a heavy shawl of Jim's, that 
 I found in the hall, she joined me again. 
 
 We stole noiselessly from the house to the back 
 gate, where David was already waiting for us with 
 the carriage. I quickly explained to him where we 
 were to go. It was about five miles to Ocassee, and 
 we still had nearly half an hour before the train 
 was due there. 
 
 " All right, sir, we can do it if nothing breaks," 
 he said, starting up the horses, while I jumped into 
 the victoria beside Kate, and pulled the rugs about 
 us. 
 
 Away we go at a tearing pace, sweeping through 
 the city streets with scarce a sound except that of 
 the wheels as they hiss through the loose sand, or now 
 and again, with the roar and rattle of distant mus- 
 ketry, rush over the uneven pavement of the street 
 crossings. 
 
 The moon was high and clear and the night grew 
 cooler, almost cold, when we reached the woods. 
 
 In places where the road ran down to the edges of 
 the swamp, a sickly vapor lay upon the stagnant 
 pools among the cypresses on either side — and agues 
 and malaria seemed to be lurking about us in the 
 penetrating air. 
 
 We, spoke but little and disconnectedly, as the 
 horses lagged at some slight ascent, or rushed on 
 again in answer to the whip. At one such time 
 Kate said to me. " O Harry, if you had only seen 
 how loving Madge has been to me to-day. Like 
 
310 EUSTIS. 
 
 her own sweet self again. But how could I have 
 known ? Kow, I see it all, my poor child, my poor 
 child!" 
 
 Poor Kate ! As she sunk back, relaxed and help- 
 less into the corner of the carriage, with eyes fixed 
 straight before her, she was indeed the very picture 
 of heart-broken misery. Her face was worn and 
 haggard, and the teardrops sparkled in the moon- 
 light as one by one they chased each other down 
 her white cheeks. 
 
 We had left the town perhaps a couple of miles 
 behind us, when David suddenly drew up the 
 horses. 
 
 " What's the matter ? " I asked, leaning out to 
 see why he had stopped. 
 
 "Daa's a carriage, sir, jes' ahead, drawed up on 
 de side o' de road, as if dey's waitin' for suffen." 
 
 " Stay here, Kate," I said, springing out of the 
 victoria ; " don't be alarmed, I must see what it is ; 
 it will only take a moment," and I walked rapidly 
 away under the flickering shadows of the trees. 
 
 As David said, some fifty yards beyond us, at a 
 crossing of the roads, a carriage was standing. 
 
 As I drew near and before I could speak, a lady 
 leaned forward from the door and called to me in a 
 low and agitated voice, — 
 
 " O Colonel Shorter ! is it you at last ? I began to 
 think you would never come ! " and then, as I 
 stepped from the shadow into the moonlight at her 
 side, she started back and cried out in bewilderment 
 and anger, — 
 
EUSTIS. 311 
 
 "What IS it? "Why have you followed me? 
 what do you want? How dare you come here? 
 Leave me this instant ! If he should find you 
 here ! " 
 
 " Hush, Madge ! Listen to me. I am not here 
 alone. I have come with your sister. .She is wait- 
 ing for you." 
 
 " What did you say ? " she gasped in a startled 
 whisper and peering into my face. 
 
 " Your sister Kate, Madge, is here ; she is wait- 
 ing for you. She has come to take you home," I 
 answered gently. 
 
 " O heavens, it is too late ! I can never go home 
 again, never! O, I could not stand it ! " and then 
 with sudden suspicion, she exclaimed, " You are 
 deceiving me — it is false — my sister is not 
 here ! How dare you watch me ? How dare you 
 follow me ? It is cruel, base, contemptible of you ! " 
 She suddenly stopped, and then, as if with great 
 effort controlling herself, she went on in a con- 
 strained, defiant tone, " If you have any sense of 
 decency or manhood left, you will leave me this 
 instant, sir. Tell my coachman to drive on." 
 
 " Stop ! " I said, as she leaned forward to give 
 the order herself, " you do not know what you are 
 saying. Let me call Kate ; but here she is herself," 
 I added, for Kate was already by my side, and be- 
 fore either of us could speak, she had opened the 
 carriage door and thrown herself into Madge's 
 arms. 
 
 " O Madge ! my darling, my darling ! what have 
 
812 EUSTIS. 
 
 you done ? what have you done ? " she cried in 
 broken accents. 
 
 I turned away and walked back to the victoria, 
 with a very dusty feeling in my throat, and an im- 
 pression that the moon and all the stars had been 
 suddenly merged into one great " milky way." 
 
 What passed between the sisters during that 
 next fifteen minutes (among the longest of my life) 
 I never knew ; but at last they came slowly down 
 the road, Kate leaning upon Madge's arm as if for 
 support, and without speaking they took their seats 
 in the victoria. Madge's face was cold and rigid ; 
 and her bearing calm, erect, and defiant ; while 
 Kate was in tears and utterly broken down. 
 
 I brought Madge's things from the carriage, took 
 the coachman's name and address, paid his fare, and 
 mounting the box beside David, ordered him to 
 drive as fast as possible back to the city. 
 
 David knew the man and assured me that he 
 would see him immediately after his return to town, 
 and that there would be no difficulty in purchasing 
 his secrecy. 
 
 So far, then, we had been successful ; and now, if 
 only Jim had not returned during our absence, we 
 might hope to keep the unhappy doings of the 
 night unknown ; and in this too we were fortunate, 
 for when we reached Mrs. Jackson's there were no 
 signs of Jim. He had evidently concluded to pass 
 the night at The Oaks. 
 
 When we stopped, Madge alighted first, and 
 
EUSTIS. 313 
 
 "without a word walked straight across the broad 
 sidewalk, and into the garden gate. 
 
 I helped Kate out, and, as I held her hand, said* 
 in a low voice, — 
 
 "I suppose there is nothing more that I can do 
 for you to-night. Only remember, Kate, no one on 
 earth will know of this if you and Madge are silent. 
 Not even Jim." 
 
 " Yes, Harry, I will remember what you say," she 
 answered, tremulously. " But, oh ! I am afraid it is 
 not all over yet. May God give me strength to 
 move her ! How can I thank you, Harry, for all 
 that you have done ? " 
 
 " Stop ! Don't thank me. You do not know " — I 
 began excitedly, and then, checking myself, said, 
 " Good-night, my dear sister. Be brave ! you have 
 accomplished much to-night. Depend upon it, your 
 love will, in the end, set everything right again." 
 
 I left her, and sauntered slowly back to the hotel 
 and to bed; but I could not sleep. Again and 
 again the exciting scenes of the evening kept pass- 
 ing through my mind. The contemptuous tones of 
 Madge's voice haunted me. I could see her defiant 
 bearhig and im]>assive face, as she came down the 
 moonlit road, with Kate leaning for support upon 
 her arm. O, how different from her bright coquetry 
 of a few months ago ! What a change from the 
 light-hearted girl to the stern self-contained woman ! 
 
 And that expression, — did it spring from de- 
 fiance or from innocence ? Whatever its origin, 
 how grand she had looked in her proud scorn. 
 
314 EUSTIS. 
 
 And where was Shorter ? Why had he deserted 
 her at the last moment? What could have hap- 
 pened to turn him from his purpose ? Had a sud- 
 den compunction, or merely some lucky chance, 
 withheld him from the ruin of a young girl's life ? 
 
EUSTIS. 315 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 MORNING. 
 
 f\^ Saturday morning, I came down to a very 
 ^^ late breakfast, as might have been expected 
 after such a night. 
 
 I had not been long in the great barren dining, 
 room of the hotel (which at this hour was entirely 
 deserted), when Fred Brown appeared at the door, 
 and, seeing me, came hurriedly across the room to 
 where I was sitting. 
 
 " Well," he exclaimed, taking the seat opposite to 
 me at the table, " so you are still alive, are you ? " 
 
 " As much as a man ever is before breakfast. It 
 seems to surprise you," I said, observing that his 
 face wore a peculiarly perplexed expression. 
 
 " You are right," he continued ; " I have heard 
 all sorts of reports about you this morning, and, 
 though I didn't half believe them, this ocular demon- 
 stration of their falsity is a great relief, I can assure 
 you." 
 
 "Why, what have you heard ?" I asked, wonder- 
 ing whether it was possible that rumors of our last 
 night's doings had got abroad. 
 
 " I heard that you and Colonel Shorter had 
 fought a duel early this morning, and that you 
 were either killed or mortally wounded." 
 
316 EUSTIS. 
 
 " That is indeed a terrible piece of news," I an- 
 swered, laughing and feeling greatly relieved. 
 "Where did you pick up this astounding piece of 
 information ? " 
 
 " General Houstoun came in this morning while 
 we were at breakfast, and told us about it. His 
 butler told him, and another darkey told the 
 butler, and coming so straight it put us all, or 
 rather the Captain and me (for Miss Mary left the 
 room just after the General began his stol*y), into a 
 state of great excitement. Although we did not 
 entirely credit it, the Cai)tain said there must be 
 something in it ; so I thought I'd just run round 
 here and hunt you up, if, indeed, you were still in 
 the land of the living. In point of fact, I myself 
 pooh-poohed the whole thing from the beginning. 
 I maintained that no man from our part of the 
 country would be fool enough to get himself into 
 such a scrape." 
 
 " You were quite right, you see, as far as I am 
 concerned ; but I am heartily ashamed of myself 
 for depriving the community of such a sweet little 
 morsel of scandal. If they had only given me warn- 
 ing, I might at least have kept out of sight for a 
 day or two." 
 
 " Well, I am glad to find you safe, all the same, 
 and now I must leave you," said Fred, taking up 
 his hat, " I promised the Captain I would report at 
 once, and it wouldn't do to let the old gentleman 
 worry any longer about nothing. I shall probably 
 see you later. Good-by," and so he left me. 
 
EUSTIS. 317 
 
 After I had finished my breakfast, I lighted a 
 cigar and walked up the street towards the Club. 
 I was not surprised at the report of a duel between 
 Shorter and myself, for, no doubt, every one had by 
 this time heard of our difficulty, and like many 
 another false report, it was probably false only in 
 as much as it was premature ; but at the first street 
 crossing I encountered Mr. Benjamin, who at once 
 threw new light on the matter and gave a serious 
 foundation for the rumor. 
 
 " Have you heard the news ? " he asked, after an 
 interchange of gi*eetings. 
 
 " Well, no, I think not. What is it?" I replied 
 with a slight smile, speculating in my mind whether 
 it would prove to be simply a revised edition of the 
 old story, or some absolutely fresh scandal. 
 
 " As yet, there is nothing definite ; but the air is 
 full of rumors this morning. I thought you might 
 have seen Eustis and learned the truth from him," 
 and as he spoke he looked at me narrowly. 
 
 "No, I have not seen him since yesterday at noon. 
 He passed last night at The Oaks ; at least, I think 
 he did." 
 
 " If he ever intended to, he must have changed 
 his mind, for there seems little doubt that he fought 
 Dick Shorter early this morning across the river." 
 
 " Good God ! what do you mean ? I have heard 
 nothing of it ! " I exclaimed in astonishment, a cold 
 chill creeping through my veins. 
 
 " Well, there are so many stories about, that it 
 is imjiossible to get at the truth yet," he began 
 
318 EUSTIS. 
 
 cautiously, and watching me closely as if still un- 
 certain whether or not 1 knew more than I was 
 willing to admit. " Some say that Eustis has killed 
 Shorter, and some that it is just the other way. I 
 trust with all my heart it is not, for Eustis was one 
 of the best fellows that ever drew breath. We can't 
 afford to lose such a man as that. And as for 
 Shorter, well, he has his points, but, — by the way, 
 they say you know something of Dick Shorter your- 
 self." 
 
 " I do not believe this can be true ! " I exclaimed, 
 without answering him directly, and feeling less 
 and less confidence in my assertion as I uttered the 
 words, for suddenly I recalled Jim's manner when 
 he left me in the morning, and Shorter's failure to 
 meet Madge last night. " Where did you hear 
 this? Who are said to have been the seconds? 
 Have any of the men returned ? " 
 
 " I don't know," he replied, " every one is talking 
 about it, though no one seems to have any authentic 
 information. It must have been kept very close, for 
 it is not even known who the seconds were ; although 
 as Barnwell was in town yesterday and cannot be 
 found to-day, I suspect he went with Eustis. The 
 only thing that seems certain is that something has 
 happened and somebody been hurt, though which of 
 the two. Heaven only knows. But such men as 
 Eustis and Shorter don't go out unless they mean 
 work, and, as you know, they have not been on 
 speaking terms ^since last autumn." 
 
 As Mr. Benjamin apparently, could, throw no 
 
Eusris. 319 
 
 further light upon the subject, I left him rather 
 abruptly and hastened up the street to Mrs. Jack- 
 son's. 
 
 David came to the door and in answer to my in- 
 quiries, stated that " Massa Jim " had not yet re- 
 turned from The Oaks. 
 
 What should I do, or where should I go next ? 
 In my present state of anxiety and excitement I could 
 not merely remain passive and await developments. 
 I must find some clue to the affair. I knew where 
 Barnwell lived when in the city, and went at once 
 to the house. The people had not seen him since 
 yesterday, and knew nothing of his movements ; but 
 just as I was turning away discouraged, a carriage 
 drove up to the door and Barnwell himself alighted. 
 His face was grim and distressed. His black 
 slouched hat was drawn down over his eyes, and 
 his clothes, unbrushed and creased, bore unmistake- 
 able evidence of having been worn all night. A 
 heavy blanket shawl was slung across his arm, and 
 among its folds I caught sight of a pistol butt. 
 
 " Where's Jim ? " I asked, as he met me on the 
 steps. 
 
 " I left him at home five minutes ago. He's all 
 right," he added, looking quickly up at me. 
 
 " Thank God ! " I exclaimed, " I was afraid he had 
 been " 
 
 " No, he's all right ! " he repeated solemnly. " He's 
 as sound as I am, but he had a narrow escape this 
 morning. Come to my room, if you will, while I 
 dress ; I'll tell you about it. We've had a bad time 
 of it to-day.'* 
 
320 EUSTIS. 
 
 Accordingly I followed him into his room, which 
 api^arently had been shut up for a day or two and 
 smelt musty and strong of stale tobacco smoke. He 
 threw up the window sashes and, bidding me be 
 seated, slowly recounted the adventures of the 
 night. 
 
 According to Barnwell, Jim had come to his room 
 at about two o'clock on Friday afternoon, within a 
 couj^le of hours of the time he had left me at the 
 hotel, and asked him to act as his second. He was 
 greatly excited and said he had just had a serious 
 difficulty with Shorter, which must be settled the 
 next morning at daybreak. He refused to give 
 any explanation of the affair further than that it 
 was a matter of life and death. Barnwell had said 
 what he could, in ignorance of the facts, to quiet 
 him and to dissuade him from fighting, but he was 
 thoroughly determined, and the only effect of Barn- 
 well's words was to make him threaten to look else- 
 where for a friend. So Barnwell, finding expostula- 
 tion useless, had taken the matter promptly in hand. 
 He found no difficulty in arranging a meeting at 
 the time proposed, for Shorter, whatever else might 
 be said against him, was not the man to hang back, 
 or temporize. In fact, he seemed almost more 
 anxious than Jim that they should meet at once. It 
 was not the first time that he had been in the field. 
 Either as principal or second he had taken part in 
 half-a-dozen duels, and report said that on one 
 occasion, at least, he had killed his man. Barnwell 
 had felt very anxious about it, for it was evident 
 from the bearing of both men that this was to be no 
 
EUSTIS. 321 
 
 play at duelling ; and Jim, though as brave as a lion 
 and a good shot, had never fought before. 
 
 It Avas agreed that the parties should meet at a 
 ferry some few miles above the city, at half-past 
 four in the morning, cross the river to the next 
 State, and fight at five o'clock. The surgeon was 
 to go with Shorter and his second. 
 
 Jim, in his light wagon, called for Barnwell dur- 
 ing the afternoon, ostensibly to drive out to The 
 Oaks, but they stopped about five miles from the 
 city, and within a couple of miles of the ferry, at a 
 small inn where they put up for the night. Jim 
 had ordered January to meet them there with the 
 express wagon. No doubt, the shrewd old darkey 
 had his suspicions, for he came fully prepared for a 
 night in the woods if necessary, and had put a bun- 
 dle of hay in the wagon, either to sleep on himself, 
 or to use in case of some more serious contingency. 
 
 " I don't exactly know why," said Barnwell, 
 " but it struck me as an evil omen, to see that old 
 man with his cart and bundle of hay. It reminded 
 me, I suppose, of the evening we carried Jim back 
 to The Oaks, from the * Ten Acre ' drive in that 
 very identical wagon." 
 
 They passed a most uncomfortable night at the 
 inn, with plenty of mosquitoes and sand-flies to 
 keep them awake, and fully alive to their own 
 serious reflections. Their breakfast was of cold 
 hoe cake and chicory coffee, and by four o'clock in 
 the morning, they were again on their way to the 
 ferry. 
 
322 EUSTI8. 
 
 Jim had been talkative and excited the evening 
 before, but this morning he seemed much altered. 
 He looked pale and worn. He scarcely uttered a 
 word unless spoken to, and then answered only in 
 monosyllables, but there was a quiet, determined 
 look in his eyes, and his lips were firmly set. 
 
 They found Shorter, his second and the surgeon 
 waiting for them at the ferry. They had already 
 roused the negro ferryman from his shanty near by. 
 It was very dark, for the moon had set, but a 
 faint light in the east heralded the day. The 
 ferry-boat, a "dugout," hollowed from the trunk 
 of a single gum-tree, was not large enough to carry 
 the entire party at once ; so they were forced to 
 cross the river in detachments. 
 
 Eustis and Barnwell went first, and, as the river 
 here was nearly half a mile wide, they were obliged 
 to wait for the others for some time after reaching 
 the shore. 
 
 Eustis had not spoken since they arrived at the 
 ferry, but as they two stood there waiting on the 
 oozy river bank, in the glimmering light, he turned 
 to Barnwell and said, — 
 
 " Major, if I don't go back to-day, I wish you to 
 take a message to Strong. My last request, my 
 last word to him is, not to take this matter up. He 
 must not follow in my footsteps. I know the man 
 well, and how hard it will be for him to resist the 
 impulse. But this is no affair of his, though he 
 would surely try to make it so. Beg him, for my 
 sake, and that of others, to let it end here." 
 
EUSTIS. 323 
 
 " I expect you to carry your own messages, Jim," 
 said Barnwell, " but I will remember what you say ; 
 and, if the worst comes to the worst, is there 
 nothing else I can do for you ? " 
 
 Then Jim sent some messages to his sisters and 
 others, that Barnwell forebore to repeat. 
 
 Presently the boat arrived on its second trip, the 
 men got out upon the bank, and the whole party 
 started forward. 
 
 By the time they reached the little path under 
 the trees that led to an open field beyond, where 
 the duel was to be fought, the light in the east had 
 strengthened, and threw a dusky haze across the 
 woods. It was very cold on that low land, level 
 with the river, and most of the party wore over- 
 coats to protect them from the unwholesome air. 
 Barnwell was wrapped in the folds of a heavy 
 shawl. Eustis and Shorter both wore army 
 cloaks reaching below the knee, and in the dim 
 morning light they did not look unlike one another, 
 being of nearly the same height and build ; although, 
 perhaps, Eustis was somewhat the heavier man. 
 
 The party walked slowly up the path, two by 
 two. Shorter and Barnwell in front, Eustis and 
 Ames (Shorter's second) a few paces behind, and 
 the surgeon bringing up the rear. 
 
 They were just emerging from the woods into the 
 " open," when Shorter stopped for a moment, ap- 
 parently with the intention of saying something to 
 his second, and thus separated himself from Barn- 
 
324 EUSTIS. 
 
 well, with whom he had been walking. He had 
 turned half round, and was on the point of speak- 
 ing, when suddenly the loud report of a gun, fol- 
 lowed by a fiendish yell, rang out from the thicket 
 near by, and echoed through the woods. Without a 
 word or a cry. Shorter sprang high into the air, and 
 fell, a shapeless, quivering heap in the middle of the 
 path. 
 
 For an instant the others stood back speechless 
 with horror, and then rushed to his side. 
 
 How strange for men who have deliberately 
 made up their minds to encounter death, to be 
 horrified at its appearance in an unexpected form. 
 But such has often been the case, as upon this oc- 
 casion. Even the would-be suicide by drowning 
 has been frightened from his purpose by the threat 
 to blow his brains out, if he should advance another 
 step toward the water. 
 
 There was no necessity for the surgeon to give 
 his verdict, for when they reached him, it was evi- 
 dent to all that Shorter had already passed to his 
 accounting. The heavy charge of buckshot had 
 bored its way straight through him just below the 
 shoulder blade. 
 
 The men were all armed, and without an instant's 
 delay, and scarce a word having passed between 
 them, started in hot pursuit of the unknown mur- 
 derer. 
 
 The thicket from which the shot had been 
 fired, was on the edge of a narrow belt of woods 
 full of underbrush, running down to the river bank, 
 
EUSTIS. 325 
 
 and skirted by the path on one side, and an open 
 field on the other. 
 
 Ames and the surgeon took the field. Barnwell 
 ran back along the path, and Jim S23rung through 
 the thicket and into the woods. 
 
 They had given the man or men fifteen or twenty 
 second's start, but as Jim dashed impetuously on, 
 nearing the river at every spring, he soon heard 
 the twigs and underbrush snapping and crackling 
 ahead of him, and a moment later distinguished, in 
 the uncertain light, the figure of a large man run- 
 ning at full speed across an opening in the woods, 
 some fifty paces in advance. 
 
 He shouted to him to stop and then fired, more 
 in the hope of checking than of actually hitting him 
 at such a distance ; but the man rushed precipitately 
 on, and in an instant disappeared behind the under- 
 growth on the river bank. 
 
 When Jim reached the spot a few seconds later, 
 he saw, just below him on the river, a small canoe 
 bottom up, with its oars floating lazily away upon 
 the tide, and some fifty feet beyond it a man in the 
 water striking out desj^erately for the other shore. 
 
 Again he shouted to him to come back, but it only 
 had the effect of making the swimmer put more 
 strength into his long j^owerful strokes. 
 
 Again he aimed and fired at the black head 
 above the water, but it was out of range and he 
 could see the splash as the ball struck the water in 
 his wake and ricochetted over and beyond him. For 
 an instant the swimmer turned to face his pursuer 
 
326 EU8TIS. 
 
 and in that instant Jim recognized Tom Armstrong. 
 
 Meanwhile the rest of the party, hearing Jim's 
 shouts and shots, came running through the woods 
 to join him. 
 
 " It's that scoundrel Armstrong ! " cried Jim, 
 " Barnwell, — ^you and Ames run down to the ferry 
 and follow him with the boat. The doctor and I 
 will wait here in case the rascal should turn back." 
 
 They followed his directions at once and in five 
 minutes were rowing lustily out across the river. 
 
 Armstrong was by this time a quarter of a mile or 
 more away, but of course they gained upon him 
 rapidly. He was swimming more slowly and 
 laboriously now. He was evidently losing strength 
 or courage, and kept looking wildly back at his 
 pursuers. 
 
 Suddenly, as they drew near to him, he threw up 
 his hands with a cry of despair, or fright, and sunk 
 at once out of sight. Barnwell and his companion 
 rowed into the centre of the widening circles where 
 he had disappeared, but he did not again rise to 
 the surface. They waited and watched about the 
 spot until satisfied that further delay was useless, 
 and then pulled slowly back to the landing, where 
 Jim and the surgeon were waiting for them. 
 
 " I think he must have been seized with cramp," 
 said Barnwell, " or it is just possible that Jim's 
 first shot in the woods struck him ; but I would not 
 suggest this to him, for he seems to be enough cut 
 up by the whole affair as it is, without making it 
 worse." 
 
EUSTIS. 327 
 
 " But why did Armstrong kill Shorter. Had 
 there been any trouble between them ? " I asked. 
 
 "None whatever, that I can find out," he re- 
 plied. 
 
 " Nevertheless, he appears to have been fully ac- 
 quainted with your movements, and to have laid 
 his plans well, except that I should hardly think he 
 could have hoped to escape." 
 
 " Well, I don't know about that," said Barnwell. 
 " If he had not capsized his canoe in jumping in, 
 I very much doubt whether we should ever have 
 caught him." 
 
 " And do I understand you to say that Jim is at 
 home now ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes, he has just gone home. We waited to 
 bring Shorter's body back to the city. Jim is 
 completely used up, poor fellow ! He feels it almost 
 as much as if he had shot Shorter himself. I hope, 
 with all my heart, I shall never have to go through 
 such a day's work again. As for Shorter, no doubt 
 he had his faults, but he was the soul of honor and 
 plucky to the last degree. He will be a great loss 
 to me in a business way, for he has always been 
 my factor. More than that, he has been my friend 
 and helped me through many a hard pinch. Well, 
 poor fellow, he is gone now," he ended with a deep 
 sigh, " and I, for one, shall never have a word to say 
 against him." 
 
328 EUSTIS, 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 LEAVE-TAKING. 
 
 A FEW days after Colonel Shorter's death, the 
 "^^ Eustises moved out from their town-house to 
 The Oaks. 
 
 Madge was ill. The excitement of that last week 
 and its fatal termination had proved too much for 
 her. Strong as she was both in health and will, 
 she had given way at last. 
 
 Jim could not stand the gossip with which the 
 city was fairly bubbling over, and to give society a 
 chance to talk itself out in his absence, decided to 
 return to the country for the remainder of the sea- 
 son, and until the rice-field malaria should drive 
 him away for the summer. 
 
 I stayed on in the city, but saw nothing of the 
 Eustises for several weeks, except an occasional 
 glimpse of Jim when he happened to come to town 
 on business. 
 
 From time to time, I dined or supped with the 
 Lees, and often met Mary at home, or at the little 
 picnics and boating parties that followed up the 
 spring. 
 
 As I did not urge my suit, our intercourse again 
 became friendly and unconstrained. If by chance 
 I did overstep the bounds of commonplace, I knew 
 
EUSTIS. 329 
 
 by her expression, or her silence, that I was on 
 dangerous ground, and drew back, however reluc- 
 tantly. 
 
 It was evident, (I argued,) that the prejudices of 
 birth and education could not be abandoned ; they 
 had grown too deep before we met for me to uproot 
 them now ; and why should I render us both wretched 
 by a hopeless struggle against them. If I must appeal 
 to her once more it should not be until the very end. 
 So, meanwhile, I kept back the words that often 
 rose to my lips, determined that no folly on my 
 part should mar the pleasure of our last meetings. 
 
 Colonel Richard Shorter had been buried with 
 such ceremonies as became an officer of one of the 
 popular military companies of the place, and 
 a man of social position. But one may doubt if 
 much honest sorrow was felt at his death ; unless 
 among his creditors, of whom there were a goodly 
 number ; for it turned out, to the surprise of all, 
 that his estate was utterly insolvent, and many of 
 his most intimate friends were the heaviest losers. 
 His books showed that for several years he had been 
 a wild speculator, and had not scrupled, when 
 pushed to the wall, to meet his private losses with 
 securities belonging to others and placed in his 
 hands for sale or safekeeping. 
 
 Greatly to my regret, I learned that poor Barn- 
 well was among the unfortunates, and that the sav- 
 ings of years of hard labor and economy were lost, 
 and that he was reduced again to the position in 
 which the war had left him. 
 
330 EUSTIS. 
 
 After the state of the Colonel's affairs became 
 known, he retired at once to his j^lantation, and 
 Jim, v\^ho often saw him, told me that he bore his 
 misfortune like a man, and could not be induced to 
 say a word in censure of his dead friend. 
 
 It was towards the end of April and within a 
 week of the time set for my going North, when 
 Jim came to town for me one morning, and, in the 
 warm summer-like afternoon, drove me out to the 
 Oaks to pass the night and bid the family good-by. 
 How natural seemed the long, level, pine-shadowed 
 road and the broad sunlit stretches of marsh 
 where we crossed the rivers ! How it carried me 
 back to the time when first I took this drive with 
 Jim ; when this same scenery, now so familiar, and 
 so full of associations, had seemed strikingly un- 
 interesting. 
 
 As we drove alonac throuech the forest, I asked 
 Jim about Kate's plans for the summer and his own 
 movements. I advised him to take some house at 
 the North, near us by the seashore, where he and 
 I could boat and fish together and Kate and Alice 
 renew the friendship of their youth. 
 
 " Well, Harry," he replied, " I wish with all my 
 heart we could, but I am afraid we shall have to 
 weather it out at the South this summer. How- 
 ever, I won't absolutely say no. You must talk it 
 over with Kate and see what she says. At one 
 time I thought we should have to send Madge away, 
 but, thank goodnecs, she will pull through now. 
 One could hardly believe her to have been so dan- 
 
EUSTIS. 331 
 
 ^erously ill, for she looks almost as well as ever again. 
 It seems strange she should have broken down so 
 completely. I always thought her as strong as an ox. 
 But society and late hours proved too much for her, 
 poor girl. And Shorter's death, too, must have 
 greatly shocked her. Not that I believe she ever 
 really cared for that man, but as their names had 
 been connected, she must naturally have felt it. 
 Barnwell was telling me this morning — and that 
 reminds me I shall be only too glad to take charge 
 of that loan ; with average luck he will pay back 
 the entire amount in the course of a few years." 
 
 " By the way," I asked, interrupting him, " What 
 has become of old January ? " 
 
 " O, he is still with us. Why, haven't I told 
 you about him ? " he answered with surprise. " Well, 
 some weeks ago, the old man was taken ill. He 
 thought his time had surely come to climb up 
 'Jacob's Ladder' ; so, one day in great distress he 
 sent for me. I went to his cabin and he told me, 
 very mysteriously, that he had a secret he could keep 
 no longer. I exj)ected some confession of the 
 whiskey bottle or old Isaac's store, but found it con- 
 cerned me more nearly than I had imagined. It 
 seemed, Armstrong had scared him so, that he hardly 
 dared call his soul his own. It was really extra- 
 ordinary how old January stood in dread of him ; for 
 although he knew the brute was dead and gone, he 
 would not utter his name above a whisper, and as he 
 told me his story lying on his mattrass, his wild, 
 frightened little eyes went dancing about from door 
 
332 EUSTIS. 
 
 to window and window to chimney-piece as if at any 
 moment he might see the grim visage of his tormentor. 
 From the time of our trouble at the polls Armstrong 
 had constantly haunted and threatened the old man ; 
 from him he learned about our hunting party, and 
 fired the shot that I laid at your door, young man. He 
 met him immediately after at Isaac's store, and told 
 him he had killed me, and from that time on, January 
 was in fear of his life, and kept Armstrong informed 
 of all my movements. No doubt, but for my trip to 
 Florida, the scoundrel would have shot me long ago. 
 It is strange how vindictive these brutes can be ! 
 After our baffling him that day, his sole thought 
 and aim seems to have been to avenge the insult, as 
 he considered it. How little I dreamt I was taking 
 my life in my hand every time I went into the woods 
 or into the streets at night ! And then to think that 
 poor Shorter " 
 
 " Why didn't you deliver January up to the 
 authorities ? " I asked, as he stopped short. 
 
 "I don't know. I never thought of such a thing. 
 What good would it have done ? No, as soon as he 
 had sifted his conscience he 'picked up' again, and 
 now he is going about as lively as a cricket. " 
 
 " But isn't he afraid of being arrested ? " 
 
 " Of course not. Why should he be ? Such an 
 idea would never enter his head. Besides, there is 
 no danger, for no one knows of his part in the affair 
 but myself and you." 
 
 Presently we entered the driveway to The Oaks. 
 The dark green leaves of the famous old trees were 
 
EUSTIS. 333 
 
 falling fast, to make room for a brighter foliage, and 
 a mere suspicion of green in the long tendrils of the 
 Spanish moss showed that it too had felt the vitaliz- 
 ing breath of spring. 
 
 Kate was on the piazza waiting to receive me, and 
 it so chanced that soon after my arrival she and I 
 were left together for a while. 
 
 Madge had gone to ride with Major Barnwell, and 
 Jim was called off by his overseer to examine a new 
 dyke that he was building. I made good my 
 oi^portunity to urge upon Kate what I had already 
 proposed to Jim, and sketched in glowing colors the 
 summer we might all spend together near some 
 picturesque New-England fishing village. 
 
 " Well, Harry, you certainly make it sound very 
 tempting," she said, after I had fairly exhausted my 
 powers of imagination. " But I cannot decide yet. 
 Perhaps we really may come, but (to tell you a 
 secret that you must not breathe to a living soul), 
 Major Barnwell has proposed to Madge, so you see 
 it must depend upon her. She has not accepted 
 him. She was to give him her answer to-day. I do 
 hope she will take him. He would make her such a 
 steady husband. He has been devoted to her all 
 through her sickness, and is as gentle and forbearing 
 as a woman with her. He puts up so sweetly with 
 her variableness, — and you know, she is just a little 
 uncertain at times ! I think they are exactly suited 
 to each other. Don't you ? " she asked, looking up 
 at me. 
 
 " Well, I can hardly go so far as that," I answered 
 
834 EUSTIS. 
 
 with hesitation ; for although I had expected this to 
 take place eventually, it was a surprise to me at 
 this time, coming so soon after Madge's affair with 
 Shorter, and in the midst of Barnwell's money 
 troubles. 
 
 " They are certainly very unlike in character ; still, 
 as you say, I have always thought he would make a 
 good husband, — ^but, is he in a position to marry ? " 
 
 " Perhaps not from your standpoint ; but from a 
 Southerner's he is," she answered with a little as- 
 perity. " He has his place, and has made a loan, 
 I hear, that will enable him to pay off his mortgages. 
 It does not cost so very much to live in this part of 
 the country, and at all events," she added emphati- 
 cally, " he is desperately in love with her." 
 
 " And she with him ? " I asked. 
 
 "Yes, of course she is," she answered, without 
 looking at me, " or, at least, I think she likes him. 
 I wish you would not be so disagreeable, Harry. 
 You are utterly unsympathetic. I thought you 
 would feel as I do about it." 
 
 I protested that I did ; and to the extent of gaining 
 an honest and faithful protector, the match would un- 
 doubtedly prove a good one for Madge. But yet it 
 did seem a thousand pities that such a brilliant girl 
 should be thrown away upon such a very common- 
 place fellow as this, and allowed to rust out — to 
 go gradually to pieces with his fences, and finally be 
 lost amidst the general dilapidation of his farm. 
 How often had I chaffed her about him and how 
 often had she declared she would not marry him, if 
 he were the only man on earth ! 
 
EUSTIS. 335 
 
 I had not seen her since I left her and Kate at the 
 garden gate of their town house after our midnight 
 drive, and I asked Kate whether she thought her 
 much changed. 
 
 " Yes," she answered quietly, " very, very much, 
 not in her face, for she looks as well as ever, but 
 her light-heartedness has all gone. O Harry ! " 
 she went on impulsively, " how could it be other- 
 wise with the poor child ? How can she ever forget 
 the past? She must have been sorely tried, poor 
 girl, I know she must have been ! Why, have I not 
 watched her day by day for years ? Have I not 
 known her through and through, marked every 
 change and phase of her character from childhood. 
 She was as pure and high-minded as any girl that 
 ever lived. O no ! this has been all, all wrong," she 
 cried, " and I shall never understand it. I will not 
 believe even the evidence of my own eyes and ears. 
 There is some mistake, that, I would lay my life, she 
 could explain." 
 
 " I wish, then, with all my heart she would ! " I 
 answered earnestly, and with the words upon my 
 lips, I turned and saw Madge standing at the parlor 
 window near us. I could not tell from her expres- 
 sion whether she had heard what we had been saying, 
 though it seemed hardly jDossible that the last few 
 sentences could have escaped her. 
 
 She had ridden home through the woods with 
 Barnwell, and he had left her at the gate behind 
 the house. She was in her riding-habit, always so 
 becoming to her shapely figure. I could discern no 
 
336 EUSTIS. 
 
 outward change except that perhaps she had grown 
 a shade more slender than when I saw her last, but 
 her fair complexion, slightly flushed with exercise, 
 her bright, clear eyes and elastic step, bore not a 
 trace of invalidism. However, as Kate had truly 
 said, her manner was subdued and softened. Her 
 old vivacity, rising at times to the verge of boister- 
 ousness in her excess of spirits, had vanished, and 
 there was something almost touching in the gentle 
 dignity that had replaced it. 
 
 She received me so simply and naturally that 
 I could scarcely realize all that had passed between 
 us. 
 
 I did not speak with her alone until the next 
 morning, half an hour or so before I left The Oaks ; 
 Then we happened to be standing together on the 
 front piazza looking down into the rose garden, as 
 we had done so often in the early days of our ac- 
 quaintance. 
 
 "Do you remember how indignant you were with 
 Jim when you found he had stolen all the roses 
 from your favorite bush ? " I asked, smiling to re- 
 call the scene in the breakfast room, on the morn- 
 ing after my arrival ; " if it were not for the profu- 
 sion of flowers in the garden now, I might, as I 
 stand here, almost imagine that I came last night." 
 
 " Could you ? It seems a long time ago to me," 
 she replied. 
 
 " And to me, too, unless by a slight effort, I shut 
 out what has gone between." 
 
 " That I cannot do," she answered simply. For 
 
EUSTIS, 337 
 
 a few moments we were silent, and then she began 
 speaking with hesitation and embarrassment. 
 
 " There is something I wish you to do for me. 
 Will you take this and promise me faithfully not to 
 open it until you are at sea ? I never expected to 
 ask a favor of you again, but this shall indeed be 
 the last. Will you promise me ? " 
 
 " Of course I will, Madge," I answered frankly and 
 earnestly as I took a sealed letter from her hand. 
 "Is that all?" 
 
 "Yes, that is all," she said, at the same time 
 turning quietly away. 
 
 These were our last words together, or, at least, 
 the last that we spoke alone. 
 
 She left my side and went down into the rose 
 garden. I did not follow, but stood with arms upon 
 the balustrade watching her from above. 
 
 The sun lay bright and warm upon the rose- 
 bushes, broad beds of violets, and the white paths 
 below me, and glittered among the dark, glossy 
 leaves of the camelias as upon rippling water. 
 
 The tall, fair girl with golden hair went in and 
 out among the shrubs and bushes and gathered 
 flowers into the skirt held up before her to receive 
 them, now bending low to the violets and again on 
 tiptoe for some sprig almost beyond her reach. It 
 was a scene to be remembered, — this bright patch 
 of parti-colored garden, encircled by the tall, dark 
 oaks and pines. 
 
 Jim was to drive me back to town, and presently 
 the horse and wagon were brought to the gate. 
 
338 EUSTI8. 
 
 I said my last few words to Kate and Madge 
 upon the piazza, and as I bade the former good-by 
 she whispered in my ear, — 
 
 " Perhaps, after all, if Jim will consent, you ijiay 
 see us at the North this summer. Are you glad to 
 hear it ? " 
 
 " I am truly delighted, Kate," I answered, heartily, 
 " it is the best news I have heard for many a day. 
 I shall set to work at once on my return, to hunt up 
 that little New England paradise that I described 
 to you yesterday. Believe me, I shall find the spot 
 if you will only come and people it." 
 
 And thus I bade my friends good-by — ^friends who, 
 in a few short months, had worked themselves into 
 the very centre of my life ; whose kind faces and 
 good cheer were never to be forgotten. Nor shall 
 I forget the old white house, standing there in 
 a deluge of spring sunshine, and the two figures 
 waving their handkerchiefs from the balcony as I 
 saw them last through the moss-hung vista of the 
 old oaks. 
 
EUSTI8, 389 
 
 CHAPTER XXYIIL 
 
 DOWN THE EIVEK BEACHGKOVE ^EPILOGUE. 
 
 OOON" after my return from The Oaks I -was 
 ^ asked to a picnic that was to take place on the 
 last Thursday in April, two days before the sailing 
 of the steamer by which I had engaged my passage 
 for the North. 
 
 The excursion was to Beachgrove, a line old 
 country seat on one of the sea islands within an 
 hour's sail from the city. 
 
 Beachgrove had for many generations belonged 
 to the same family, and in old slavery times, when 
 the great planters of the South had inexhaustible 
 bank accounts and balances in the hands of their 
 factors from year's end to year's end, money had been 
 lavished upon its walks and its drives, its fruit ^nd 
 flower gardens. 
 
 Nor was this, little principality, with its forty 
 miles or more of beach and bluff, its groves of cy- 
 press and palmetto, and pine, and oak, and nut trees, 
 without many natural advantages to the horticultu- 
 rist and landscape-gardener. The land rose gradu- 
 ally from the lagoons and salt marshes, that bounded 
 it on the west, to the centre of the island and then 
 fell away again towards bluffs and beach that faced 
 
340 EU8TIS. 
 
 the Atlantic. And what a beach was that ! Broad, 
 white, and level, except when furrowed and ploughed 
 up by the storms. The sand so fine and hard 
 that carriage tracks could not be traced along its 
 shining surface. Not a stone, nor a pebble, nor 
 even a bunch of seaweed upon it as far as the 
 eye could reach ; nothing to arrest the sight unless 
 where the ribs of some old wreck cropped up. A 
 grand j^arade that, with its fence of blue pines on 
 the one side and curbstone of foam on the other. 
 
 During the war and the few years that followed 
 it Beachgrove had not been kept uj) ; and although 
 the hedges were still well trimmed and the gardens 
 around the house still full of flower beds and flower- 
 ing shrubs, the outlying lands had fallen into disuse 
 with the exception of a few acres that supplied the 
 family with vegetables. 
 
 It was, no doubt, out of consideration for the 
 purse and larder of its present owner, Mr. Fleming, 
 that the excursion took the form of a picnic. Jim 
 had come to town for the occasion. Captain Lee 
 and Mary were there with Fred Brown, too, who 
 was to sail with me on the coming Saturday. 
 
 He had finished his work for the Captain and was 
 to arrange for its publication at the Korth. For 
 the rest, they were principally the set of people, 
 that I had met most frequently in society during 
 the j3ast winter. 
 
 It was a perfect morning when we boarded the 
 "Arrow" and steamed down the yellow river, 
 winding in and out for many a mile among the 
 
EUSTIS. 341 
 
 marshes. At last we left the river's month, and 
 with a short reach across the shallow bay or sound 
 that lay between the island and the mainland, made 
 Beachgrove at noonday. 
 
 The steamboat was run so close to the shore that 
 we landed from her guards upon the beach, where 
 Mr. Fleming was waiting to receive us; and we 
 followed him at once through the shady gravel 
 paths up to the house to pay our respects to the 
 hostess and her daughters. 
 
 On such a day as this, people could not be kept 
 within doors, and soon the drawing-rooms, though 
 cool, and teeming with flowers, were deserted for 
 the piazzas and gardens below them, where bright 
 dresses glanced in and out among the trees and shrub- 
 bery like butterflies in a rose bed. We had brought 
 musicians with us, and under the trees there was a 
 platform for dancing, but in the noonday heat few 
 of the young people were energetic enough to 
 use it. 
 
 In the morning, on the boat, Mary had agreed 
 to walk with me in the afternoon ; perhaps it would 
 be our last walk together, and I could think of 
 nothing else. I was restless and unsettled in mind, 
 and for a long time strolled about the place alone. 
 I examined the endless varieties of roses in the 
 gardens. I watched the dancers. I wandered 
 through the groves and alleys and took a peep at 
 the white beach and sea beyond, to whose care I 
 was so soon to commit myself, and at the sounding 
 of a gong returned to the house to lunch. I was 
 
342 EUSTIS. 
 
 nervous and excited. I could eat but little, and was 
 very glad when at last the long luncheon was over, 
 and the time that I had been waiting for so impa- 
 tiently arrived. 
 
 I joined her on the j^iazza and we passed together 
 through the gardens, along an avenue overarched 
 with the dark foliage of the orange, and out on to 
 the beach. The sun was hot, but a cool east- 
 erly wind was blowing in from the sea and tossing 
 the little blue ripples into diamonds at our feet. 
 We walked for awhile along the margin of the 
 water, just out of reach of the waves, and then took 
 a path that led to the top of the bluff, where, under 
 the shadow of the pines, we found a pleasant resting 
 place. 
 
 The Atlantic, blue as the Mediterranean, lay 
 spread before us to the horizon with here and there 
 a sail upon it, and below us the beach stretched 
 away in either direction, a long, white pathway 
 between the green and blue. 
 
 Our intercourse of late had been unusually free 
 and pleasant, and at times I believed I could not be 
 mistaken in thinking there was a touch of more than 
 friendliness in her tone and manner; but yet again 
 she would seem to guard herself with a reserve that 
 prevented any advances on my part. 
 
 I had intended to offer myself again before I left, 
 and wanted no better time than this, when I might 
 have her to myself for an hour without danger of 
 interruption. But now that I was actually about to 
 speak, my mind was filled with misgivings. I could 
 
EUSTIS. 343 
 
 think only of the little encouragement she had given, 
 and the prejudices ready to battle against me. I 
 dreaded the encounter and, though determined to 
 speak, felt that my fate was sealed. 
 
 Why, at the critical moment, 1 should have given 
 such weight to my doubts, I cannot understand, for 
 I am usually hopeful, and regard him who goes into 
 action with hesitation as already at heart a deserter. 
 But how often, from some strange perversity of 
 nature, does the one great chance of a lifetime escape 
 us ! An influence that we do not recognize, but be" 
 fore which we are powerless, puts on the brakes and 
 either reverses the wheels or blocks them altogether. 
 We are driven to speak and act as ^\e should not, or 
 neither to speak nor act at all. Sacrificed, perhaps, to 
 an eternal order, we still regard ourselves as the 
 victims only of our OAvn stupidity and folly, and, with 
 an example in itself based upon the very point in ques- 
 tion, think that we hold our own fate as firmly as the 
 die between the fingers, which we can place upon the 
 table with its one or its six uppermost. Well, let 
 us believe it, if we can, for, if only a conceit, it will 
 add somewhat to the pleasure and contentment of 
 our lives. 
 
 She had taken off her hat and was arranging some 
 wild flowers among its ribbons. I lay at her side 
 pushing the pine cones over the edge of the bluff 
 with my cane. Presently, she said, — 
 
 " So you are going on Saturday ? " 
 
 "Yes," I answered, without looking up. "I am 
 going on Saturday, unless you will ask me to stay." 
 
344 EUSTI8. 
 
 I stopped a moment to listen, but she did not speak 
 and I continued : " Will you send me away without 
 a word ? Ask me to come back to you in a month, 
 in a year, in ten years, and I will come, but do not 
 tell me it must all end now." 
 
 " Ah, please do not speak in that way ! " she said, 
 looking pleadingly into my face. " Why can we not 
 remain simple friends ? I have been so happy lately, 
 thinking that it might be so, and now — and now you 
 will make me very miserable. I would like, so much, 
 to be your friend always. Will you not take my 
 friendship ? " she continued, with a tremor in her 
 voice, and timidly holding out her hand toward me. 
 " Indeed, indeed, you will not ask me to give you 
 more." 
 
 How sadly and sweetly her words rang in my 
 ears. I heard them and yet I heard them not! 
 Heaven only knows how it could have happened, 
 unless because I so fully expected her refusal, but 
 I only heard her words and not the feelings that 
 their tone betrayed. I took no notice of her out- 
 stretched hand, and as it dropped again listlessly at 
 her side, I answered coldly : " That is not enough. 
 As I have said before, I must have all or nothing. 
 If you had said you cared for some one else, bitter 
 as it would have been, I would have left you without 
 a word " 
 
 "Indeed I do not," she cried, interrupting me, 
 "but " 
 
 "Then listen to me while I speak for the last 
 time," I continued in the same hard tone. " What 
 
EUSTIS. 345 
 
 I shall say will not be flattering nor pleasant ; but it 
 is the truth and shall be said before I go. Perhaps 
 you will withdraw the friendship you have offered 
 me just now; but what difference can it make? We 
 shall probably never meet again. I could almost 
 say I hope we may not, even though you have been 
 so much to me. You were the first woman I ever 
 cared for. For a long time I did not tell you of it 
 because — well — I could not speak in honor until the 
 night your mother interrupted us. Then I knew 
 you cared for me. Do you think I could have been 
 mistaken ? " I cried. " Not a bit of it. I knew it, 
 and nothing in the world can make me disbelieve it 
 now. But, fool that I was, I could not and would 
 not believe that love could remain the slave of pre- 
 judice. I thought that I could win you against 
 the teachings of a lifetime. That your affection 
 must in the end conquer your false pride. But I 
 was wrong, utterly wrong. With some women love 
 knows no obstacles, no barriers, no bounds, opposi- 
 tion only strengthens it. With you, well, you were 
 sorry — you are sorry to have me go — you care for me 
 enough for that. But you dare not stretch out your 
 hand to stop me. You dare not face the criticisms 
 of your people." 
 
 I had become more and more excited, stung to the 
 quick by the picture I had drawn. I was hopeless, 
 and reckless, and forgetful of everything but my own 
 grief and disappointment. 
 
 She had arisen to her feet. Her face was as 
 white as the muslin about her throat. Her gray 
 
346 ETTSTIS. 
 
 eyes shone like diamonds as they looked straight 
 into mine. 
 
 " Now, I believe, I do understand you," she 
 said in a low voice, with trembling lips. " Indeed, 
 indeed, how little have we ever known each other. 
 Thank Heaven, it is not too late ! " 
 
 " Sto}) ! " I cried, but she turned quickly from 
 me and walked rapidly down the path. I sprung to 
 my feet and followed her. Suddenly she paused 
 for a moment as if in doubt ; and looking along the 
 beach I. saw some people wave their handkerchiefs 
 at us and hurry away towards the house. 
 
 Then for the first time I noticed that half the sky 
 was already overspread with massive clouds, that 
 came rolling up from the north and west. We 
 neither of us spoke, but hastened side by side 
 along the narrow path, following the top of the 
 bluff, that we might not lose the shelter of the 
 jnnes. 
 
 I was too excited to speak. I believed, at the 
 moment, I had said nothing but the full, plain 
 truth. I knew that all was over, and yet knew not 
 why it was so, nor how I had hap])ened to give way 
 to such bitter feelings. I tried to recall and weigh 
 my words, but I could not. I could remember only 
 that T had spoken the truth strongly and harshly, 
 but still the truth ; and that all was over between 
 us ; that the end had come. 
 
 "We had just gained the broad piazza when the 
 great dro})s began to spatter up the dust on the 
 dry gravel walks, and a moment later down came 
 
EITSTIS. 347 
 
 the rain in a flood ; as if it would sweep everythirg 
 before it. 
 
 The musicians had been brought indoors, and the 
 dismantled parlors were already full of dancers, and 
 without delay the tireless round began. Waltz, 
 galop and polka succeeded each other, hour after 
 hour in rapid succession, to the accompaniment of 
 intermittent thunder and lightning, and ceaseless 
 torrents of rain. But the storm without did not 
 dampen the ardor of the gay party, and the dancing 
 grew faster and faster, and the talking and laughing 
 louder and gayer as the day drew to a close. 
 
 I, myself, remained on the piazza smoking, and 
 chatting with, or rather being chatted to by my 
 host, who was a talkative man, and relieved me 
 without apparent effort of the burden of the con- 
 versation. But, at last, to my relief, the time came 
 to leave Beachgrove, if we would reach the city 
 before nightfall ; and the elders of the party sto]>ped 
 the music at its height, and ordered the young peo- 
 ple to get ready to start at once, lest an ugly night 
 should overtake us on the river. 
 
 Very soon all was reported in readiness, and our 
 party, having declined the hospitable entreaties of 
 our hosts to pass the night with them, started for 
 the beach with the scanty protection of such shawls 
 and overcoats as they had brought with them in the 
 sunny morning. There was much huddling together 
 under umbrellas, and joking and laughing as they 
 left the house. All were in the best of humor, and 
 ready to accept, if necessary, a good ducking as a 
 joke. 
 
348 EUSTIS. 
 
 When 1 returned to the piazza, after bidding 
 good-by to the ladies of the house, I found Mary- 
 waiting near the steps for Jim, who was trying to 
 single out his own from a stack of umbrellas that 
 stood in the corner near by. 
 
 We came face to face, and the color mount- 
 ing to her cheeks as she turned away and looked 
 out* into the rain. For a moment I was undecided 
 whether to speak or not. It was only for a moment, 
 and then I stepped to her side and said in a tone 
 that could not be overheard, — 
 
 " Before I go, I must say one word. I owe it to 
 us both, though, no doubt, you think I have said too 
 much already. I suppose I had no right to speak 
 as I did to-day. I forgot myself. I beg you to 
 forgive me. I shall not forgive myself." 
 
 My voice sounded constrained and uncertain. I 
 stopped, for I felt I could not trust myself to speak. 
 
 " Do not think of it again," she answered ear- 
 nestly, without raising her eyes. " AYho knows, per- 
 haps we have both been unjust. And, as we must 
 part, it would be very foolish, — would it not — " she 
 said hesitating, and looking up with a tremulous 
 smile about her lips ; " it would be very foolish 
 not to part as friends." 
 
 " Well, here we are at last ! " cried Jim, suddenly 
 interrupting us. " Now, Miss Mary, is your skirt 
 Tip, so it won't get wet ? I wish this umbrella were 
 big enough for three, Harry ; but stoj), hold it your- 
 self, my boy, I can get along without it ; come, do 
 take it." 
 
EU8TIS. 349 
 
 " No, thank you, this coat of mine is waterproof, 
 I like the rain," I said, leaving them abruptly and 
 starting down the steps and along the path alone. 
 
 What a change had come over the face of nature 
 since we landed on the Island! How black the 
 heavens overhead ! How dark and gloomy the 
 path under the arching trees, where the sunlight 
 had flickered and shimmered in the morning ! The 
 rain had cut it into furrows and rills to feed the 
 red torrents that coursed along it on either side. 
 The wind wrestled fiercely with the trees, now and 
 again flinging their twigs and branches with a snap 
 and a crash to the ground. 
 
 When I reached the beach, the scene there was 
 still more wild and dismal. The steamer was lying 
 at anchor a hundred yards off shore, tossing about 
 in the heavy chop made by cross wind and tide. 
 There was not above a mile of shallow open reach 
 on this side of the island, so the waves rose short, 
 and high, and sharp ; foaming and sputtering in the 
 furious wind, and whipping themselves upon the 
 hard beach with the rattle of musketry. It was 
 ugly looking water ; and the clouds rushed wildly 
 over it, black, threatening and low. 
 
 Umbrellas were useless, and fortunate indeed 
 were the few who had provided themselves with 
 waterproofs ; for those who had not, found shawls 
 and overcoats of little avail against the driving rain, 
 and stood drenched, bedraggled, and shivering in 
 groups upon the sands, utterly forlorn and miser- 
 able. 
 
350 EUSTIS, 
 
 For myself, I was in no i)leasant mood, and 
 savagely enjoyed the scene. I caught the evil 
 spirit of the storm as it swept by me, and rejoiced 
 in its fury. It exhilarated, it excited me. I wel- 
 comed the fierce rain as it beat upon my face. I 
 could have shouted defiance at the loud blasts of 
 wind as I bent forward to meet them. I stood 
 alone, well back, upon the high crest of the beach, 
 and watched the manoeuvres of the people below me. 
 
 Barelegged negroes, wading waist deep into the 
 water, carried out the people one by one to a heavy 
 row boat that was plunging in the surf and attached 
 by ropes to the steamer directly to windward of us. 
 When the boat was loaded, those on the steamer 
 drew her slowly out alongside, and took the passen- 
 gers abroad. It was a slow process, and, self-ab- 
 sorbed though I was, its dangers did not escape my 
 notice. If the rope had slackened enough to let 
 the heavy laden boat swing round into the trough, 
 she would have filled at once. Many of the women 
 were frightened, as well they might have been ; and 
 and I heard their little hysterical screams and cries 
 as the negroes carried them through the water and 
 placed them in the tossing boat. 
 
 Presently there was a slight lull in the storm. 
 Already half a dozen loads had been hauled 
 out to the steamer in safety, and another, which I 
 had been watching with especial interest, was just 
 approaching her side, when to my horror, and from 
 some unseen cause, — the slackening of the hawsers or 
 a cross chop, — the boat suddenly swerved round into 
 
EUSTIS. 351 
 
 the trough of the sea, and a great wave broke com- 
 pletely over her ! 
 
 She was close to the steamer, and I saw Jim, who 
 was standing in the bow, lay hold of a rope that 
 was hanging from her side and swing himself up on 
 deck. Then a quick, piercing cry arose, followed by 
 men's shouts and women's screams. The boat was 
 bottom up, and the people struggling in the water. 
 
 Some seized the rudder chains, and ruddei*s of 
 the steamer. Some clung to the bottom of the up- 
 turned boat, which floated luckily close under the 
 steamer's guards. The men on deck set vigorously 
 to work, and by means of ropes and boards and oars, 
 and whatever they could lay their hands on, began 
 to haul the men and women one by one aboard, to 
 the embraces of their friends. 
 
 All at once to the left of the steamer, and at some 
 little distance from her, I caught sight of a wo. 
 man struggling with the waves. The tide was 
 bearing her swiftly out, and the short seas sweeping 
 over her. 
 
 " She's trying to swim, and making a bravefight 
 too, but without help a hopeless one ! " I muttered 
 between my teeth. At the same instant a man — 
 yes, it was Jim Eustis — sprang from the steamer's 
 deck into the water, and struck out manfully 
 towards her. I saw instantly, that, in that rough 
 sea, there was not a chance for them. Even if he 
 should reach her, they could never swim ashore 
 against the tide. I glanced rapidly about me for 
 help, and to my joy es2:)ied, drawn up into the long 
 
352 EUSTI8. 
 
 grass close at hand, a large flat-bottomed skiff with 
 oars and thole-pins in her. I sprung to her side, and 
 seizing her by the bow, with more than ordinary 
 strength, dragged her swiftly out of the marsh grass 
 and down the sands. 
 
 Before I reached the water's edge, a big muscular 
 looking negro, who also had taken in the situation, 
 came running down the beach to join me. We 
 quickly pushed the boat out through the surf, 
 jumped into her together, and without a word be- 
 gan pulling for dear life. How the gale blew 
 against us ! How the mad waves flew up and 
 struck our oars almost wrenching them from our 
 grasp ! How my heart grew sick as I looked over 
 the rough water between us and felt the tempest 
 hold us back ! But one of us was armed with the 
 strength of desperation, and the other of long train- 
 ing, and we did not fight in vain. Through the 
 wind and the rain and the rushing sea we reached 
 them and still in time. 
 
 I did not have to look into the unconscious face 
 that Jim held above the water to know that it was 
 Mary's. My God ! How white and drawn it looked. 
 How firmly the blue lips were clenched together ! 
 How cold the hands that afterwards I laid ujdou her 
 breast ! 
 
 "When at last we came ashore a small crowd had 
 collected to receive us, and drew in our boat. Mary 
 was taken gently out and laid upon the beach. 
 Two })hysicians of the party and her father bent over 
 her and applied the remedies at their command. 
 
EUSTIS. 353 
 
 The rest of us, in deep anxiety, kept back to give 
 them room. Jim, with a dazed expression on his 
 face, and trembling in every limb from excitement 
 and exhaustion, stood by me resting his arm upon 
 my shoulder for suj^port. The breathless suspense 
 was terrible. 
 
 At last the Captain looked up from his work with 
 a quick reassuring smile. 
 
 " Thank God ! " gasped Jim. His hand slipped 
 from my shoulder, and he fell unconscious at my 
 side! 
 
 In the meanwhile the steamer remained at her 
 anchor, for those who had come ashore to await 
 the result of the accident. Captain Lee decided 
 that he and his daughter and Jim must accept the 
 hospitalities of the Flemings for the night; and 
 both he and Mr. Fleming begged me to remain 
 with them. I declined, however, and after seeing 
 the invalids removed in safety to the house, took 
 leave of my host for a second time. 
 
 Captain Lee insisted upon walking down to the 
 boat with me, and with tears in his eyes thanked me 
 for the service I had done him. " I am sorry you 
 should have to put up with me to-night, Harry, in 
 place of Jim and Mary," he said as he shook me by 
 the hand for the last time. " They will no doubt 
 envy me this parting word. I am sorry from the bot- 
 tom of my heart to have you go. But now you will 
 always know the point of the compass to steer by 
 when you are in search of friends. You have made 
 
354 EUSTIS. 
 
 some warm ones here, and will not be forgotten. 
 Come early or late, my boy, we shall be ready to 
 receive you. Good-by, good-by ! God speed you 
 and bring you a quick return ! " 
 
 I can see, as if to-day, the sturdy old man stand- 
 ing there in the twilight under his umbrella on the 
 wet beach, waving his handkerchief to me as we 
 pulled out from shore. Good-by, my kindly friend. 
 Never have I met a more warm-hearted, generous 
 nature. Frank and simple, yet vigorous and strong. 
 
 As Fred Brown also concluded to remained at 
 Beachgrove overnight, the Captain asked me to 
 call on Mrs. Lee and explain to her why they had 
 not returned home. So, as soon as I landed, I 
 plodded up to their house through the wet, and gave 
 her an account of the accident, but without referring 
 to my own part in the affair. 
 
 When I had set her mind at rest, she thanked 
 me civilly for the trouble I had taken, and, as I 
 bade her good night, even went so far as to wish me 
 a comfortable passage North. But did she ask me 
 to return ? Did she express the hope that we might 
 meet again ? No, not she ; for she was as truthful as she 
 was unforgiving. She could not unbend even with 
 the full consciousness of victory. She received me 
 in the drawing-room where I had had my only bat- 
 tle with her, and there we parted with civility but 
 little kindly feeling between us. Heaven forgive 
 me; if at such a time I was uncharitable in my 
 judgment of her ! 
 
 How long and dreary the next day seemed to be. 
 
EUSTIS. 355 
 
 In the morning I took a walk, and in the afternoon 
 I dawdled about my room, and chafed at the delay ! 
 Alternately I packed and did nothing. With tire- 
 some pertinacity my thoughts returned again and 
 again to the scenes of yesterday, until at last, giving 
 myself up to them, I dropped into an armchair by 
 the window and gazed vacantly into the street. 
 
 I wished I had gone a week ago. Why had I 
 not ? For what had I stayed ? A last word and 
 last hope. The last word had indeed been said ; and 
 there was no longer hope. Could I lay my defeat 
 altogether at her mother's door ? How had I striven 
 to win her in the last half hour? What had my 
 own part been ? Simple, earnest and honest. Had 
 I gone forward like a man, stood frankly before her, 
 and offered her my confidence and love ? O no ; 
 how different had been my tone ; earnest enough, 
 perhaps too earnest, but suspicious and complaining. 
 Telling her she loved me, and in the same breath 
 doubting her. How could she in her pride have 
 stooped to prove her affection for a man who 
 already questioned it — who taunted her ? How for 
 one moment could I have dishonored with ungen- 
 erous doubt the woman I professed to love ? Fool 
 that I had been, could I ever undo my folly ? 
 
 I thought I saw it all plainly now, and believed I 
 had dealt the blow with my own hand. I would 
 not go to-morrow ; I would stay a week longer. I 
 must, yes, I must see her again ! 
 
 I sprung from my chair and peered out into the 
 gathering twilight, when suddenly the door of my 
 room opened and Brown entered. 
 
356 EUSTIS. 
 
 " Halloa Strong ! " he exclaimed, apparently in 
 high spirits, " caught you mooning, did I ? I didn't 
 suj)pose you were given to that sort of thing. I've 
 just arrived from the Island, had a fine row up this 
 afternoon, with the sun in my eyes, dead calm, and 
 a million sand-flies ; I came alone, Jim and Miss 
 Lee were neither of them very well " (he gave me 
 a knowing wink) " so the Captain thought best to 
 stay down there with them over Sunday. I sup- 
 pose you are all ready to start to-morrow? I must 
 say I think I'm about i:>repared to go now. I guess 
 on the whole, I shall look upon my native shores 
 again with equanimity, not to say pride, don't you ? " 
 "Well, yes. Brown," I answered, striving to 
 make up my mind as I spoke. " I shall be glad to see 
 'New England again, but, to tell you the truth, I 
 am not sure that I shall go at once. I am thinking 
 of remaining here for another week, I want very 
 much to see Jim about " 
 
 " Oh ! that reminds me," said Brown, thrusting 
 his hand into his coat pocket — " I have a letter for 
 you from Jim ; but I hope you don't seriously think 
 of leaving me in the lurch. I depended upon you 
 — O, here it is," he added, handing me the note. 
 " Come ! you must go to-morrow — I insist upon 
 it — I can't possibly get along without you," and 
 on he talked, but I did not hear him. 
 
 " My dearest old fellow — " the letter read — 
 " I believe you love me well enough to rejoice with 
 me when I tell you that I am engaged. I am almost 
 as surprised as you will be, but it is true, my own 
 
EUSTIS. 357 
 
 dear boy, and I am the happiest man on earth. I 
 am hardly strong enough to come up to-day to see 
 you off, but I cannot let you go without telling 
 you the news. God bless you, my old friend ! Believe 
 me, if you stood in my shoes to-day, I should not love 
 you less than I do now. I shall never forget what 
 you did for us yesterday, and the happiness you 
 placed within my reach. It is a debt that can never 
 be repaid. The Captain especially desires me to 
 send his love. You shall hear from me again very 
 soon. With heaps of love, 
 
 " I am ever your devoted friend, 
 
 " EUSTIS. 
 
 " Beachgrove, 
 ^'Friday afternoon.** 
 
 I stood looking out of the window, with the open 
 letter in my hand. 
 
 " Well, Strong, you haven't answered me. Shall 
 you go, or not? What are you looking at so 
 intently ? " 
 
 Fred's voice startled me. " O yes ; no, 1 beg 
 your pardon! I — yes, I shall sail with you to- 
 
 The sea had been like molten glass all day, and 
 in it the reflection of the hot sun a ball of fire. But 
 at last the tardy wind came pufling from the west^ 
 with a fragrance suggestive of land not far below 
 the crimson horizon. The red disk that had 
 shimmered and glared near the vessel's side for so 
 
358 EUSTIS. 
 
 many hours was shaken to pieces and sprinkled 
 over the myriad little waves that came chasing the 
 evening breeze over the water. The white awning 
 stretched above the hm-ricane deck, where I was 
 sitting alone, glowed in the light, and the few sails 
 in sight towards the east shone bright and strong 
 out of a purple sky. 
 
 The voyage had been hot and uncomfortable, 
 cloudless, and without a breath of wind, until this 
 of to-night, which, in its cool spring odor, seemed 
 like a message from home. And in four and twenty 
 hours at home again I should be, with Alice and 
 the children ; and then soon, perhaps very soon, the 
 last six months would have dropped out of my life 
 to be placed on the retired list of completed episodes ; 
 thereafter, perhaps, to be run across from time to 
 time and recognized, but not remembered over well, 
 and with no part nor place in the present. 
 
 " Ah, no ! " I thought to myself with a sigh, un- 
 consciously playing with a little confederate coin 
 that hung from my watch-chain. "Absurd! im- 
 possible ! What has passed is indeed no episode. 
 It is the fulness of life itself ; and the future, however 
 long or short it may be, however much or little it 
 may bring, must be the sequel." 
 
 I looked idly down upon our wake, that, with a 
 ready moral, grew whiter and whiter as the shadows 
 deepened about it, and then at the still radiant 
 west. 
 
 It was as beautiful as that sunset at sea so long 
 ago. 
 
EUSTIS, 359 
 
 I turned away and taking an unopened letter 
 from my pocket, broke the seal and read as follows: 
 
 ** Friday Morning, March 27. 
 " My dearest Angel : 
 
 " For, thank Heaven, I may call you so at last. 
 I have just received the answer for which I have 
 fought so hard and long. You know better than 
 any one how little I could have expected it. Brief 
 as it is — and cold to a man at fever heat, — it is 
 very sweet to me, even sweeter for the delay. 
 
 " At the very moment when there is nothing in life 
 to which I dare look forward but the satisfaction of 
 silencing our common enemy, your dear note comes, 
 and under its influence my private wrongs and 
 troubles, and they are many, are set aside, if not 
 forgotten. I can think only of the unspeakable happi- 
 ness that awaits me, and the devotion that shall in 
 time atone for your sacrifice. For, believe me, 
 dearest, I am not blind to what you must give up, 
 nor shall I ever be. Thus, although the time which 
 you have set must debar me from what yesterday I 
 held dearer than life, I shall not question it. 
 
 " I too am capable of sacrifice, and can lay what 
 fools call honor at your feet, as I would life itself. 
 
 "The world may censure us, while he whose in- 
 terference has driven us to flight must go unpunished. 
 The world itself will soon forget, but I shall not. 
 
 " However, this is no time for such thoughts as 
 these. 
 
 " I shall be at the appointed place punctually at 
 
860 EUSTIS. 
 
 twelve. Have courage, and do not fail me. Have 
 no fears. Trust everything to me, my dearest, and, as 
 I live, not a cloud shall dim the full sunshine of our 
 happiness. 
 
 " Until we meet to-night and forever, 
 
 " Your humble and devoted servant, 
 " Richard Shorter." 
 As I finished reading, a gust of wind blew the 
 open letter from my hand. I tried in vain to 
 catch it. For a moment it followed the ship, 
 whirling slowly round and round in the eddy of air 
 as it fell, until touching our wake it sped swiftly 
 down the white pathway towards the South. 
 
YCI034^U 
 
 M221633 ^^7" 
 
 JLXL^ 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UBRARY 
 f