Emitie Benson Knipe ij 3 PEG 'O THE RING "So Bee and Cousin John were married" PEG O' THE RING H fiDatt) of Benewoofc BY EMILIE BENSON KNIPE AND ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE Authors of "The Lucky Sixpence," "Beatrice of Denewood," etc. ILLUSTRATIONS BY C. M. RELYEA NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1919 Copyright, 1914, 1915, by THE CENTURY Co. Published, September, 1915 CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE i A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON 3 ii LADY WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND . . 15 in BEE'S WEDDING CAKE 22 iv GREAT CHIEF ! GREAT SQUAW ! . . . .40 v JACK GOES A-HUNTING 59 vi PEG TURNS TRAPPER 71 vn THE EAGLET 77 vni MAGIC 91 ix AN EXTRACT FROM BEE'S DIARY .... 102 x OUT OF THE FRYINGPAN 120 xi A PAIR OF KNAVES 132 xii INTO THE FIRE 153 xin AN UNEXPECTED SITUATION 167 xiv MY WORD OF HONOR 184 xv AN ANCIENT ENEMY 199 xvi FRIEND OR FOE 218 xvn PYRAMUS AND THISBE 232 xvm STOP T'IEF 247 xix A STOLEN HORSE . 262 CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE xx CLARINDA RUNS AWAY 277 xxi AN UNEXPECTED RETURN 293 xxii A HUNT FOR THE RING 305 xxin A QUESTION OF STRATEGY 323 xxiv CROSS PURPOSES 339 xxv A RING WITH A RESON 351 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS "So Bee and Cousin John were married" . Frontispiece PAGE "Nay!" cried Allan McLane. "This is the knife!" 37 Stretching out his arm, he looked at Bee and Cousin John standing side by side 55 "The heart of the Eaglet is one with the heart of Tiscoquam" 87 "Are they found?" I cried 115 "Nay, there's a fortune in the ring!" protested the old man 135 "For the moment, I could neither see nor speak" . .155 "Where are you taking me?" I demanded . . . 177 "Nay, be not so short with a man who would do you a service," he answered 211 "It is Blundell !" I cried. "Quick, Monsieur !" . . 257 "Oh, Mis' Mummer, Ma'am!" she sobbed, falling at the old housekeeper's feet 289 "See, Tiscoquam, will you give me the boy in ex- change for this?" 301 "And now may I proceed upon my journey?" he asked 315 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE In a moment Bee was off her horse and we were in each other's arms 337 "I leaned forward to do his bidding" 355 Coming towards us, we made out Mark Powell, accompanied by Jacky 369 PEG O' THE RING PEG O' THE RING CHAPTER I A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON "'T^HEN they '11 b-be m-m-m-married at Dene- JL wood after all," I stuttered in my excite- ment, breaking in upon Mrs. Mummer as she finished Bee's letter. "Aye, that they will, praise be!" she replied heartily, and then read again the news that had gladdened our hearts. It has been thought best not to have the wedding at Mt. Vernon on account of a death in the family; but Lady Washington will keep me in countenance at Dene- wood. His Excellency plans to be in Philadelphia in a fortnight and the wedding must take place almost at once. Mrs. Mummer bounced out of her chair, all a-bustle. "In a fortnight !" she exclaimed. " 'T is well J 'took time by the forelock/ as Mummer says, 3 PEG O' THE RING and began making ready against their coming." She was across the room, hurrying toward the kitchens ere she finished speaking. "It 's g-g-good I 'm here to h-h-help you," I cried, skipping along behind her ; but in my eager- ness I bumped into her, for she had stopped abruptly, struck by a new thought. "And what of her plenishings, child?" she asked in dismay, looking at me, as if I could an- swer such a riddle. "C-c-can't she g-g-get her d-dresses at M-M-Mt. Vernon?" I suggested, but Mrs. Mum- mer shook her head emphatically. "Nay, there are no shops there to supply her fittingly, and, what 's more, her outfit will be the last thing Miss Bee will be thinking of." "T-then we m-m-must e'en d-do it f-f-for her," I declared. "We c-couldn't have Bee w-w-wedded in d-dimity." "That we could n't, Peggy dear," Mrs. Mum- mer agreed. "I wouldn't have her dressed in aught but what was most elegant, and what does an old housekeeper like me know of fashions?" This was true enough, for although Mrs. Mummer was full of needle wisdom, she had no 4 A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON knowledge of the latest modes, and I was but a child of nine years, who could be of little help. "Beside," Mrs. Mummer went on, "with all that must be done, 'twixt now and their coming, I shall have few moments to spare on mantua- makers. Yet she must have her plenishings." "I h-h-have it," I cried, an idea popping into my head. "W-w-we'll send for P-Polly and B-B-Betty. They kn-kn-know naught e-else b-but what is f-f-fashionable." Mrs. Mummer clapped her hands at this sug- gestion. "The very thing!" she exclaimed. "As Mum- mer says, 'All creatures have their use in this world;' though I never thought to seek help of those two girls," and without more words she went to the great desk in the library. Laboriously, with her quill grasped in a hand that was little accustomed to it, Mrs. Mummer wrote a note to my sisters, summoning them from our home in Haddonfield. That done, she hung up her pen and despatched the letter immediately by Charley with instructions to waste no time upon the road. "And now to work !" she cried, as we watched '5 PEG O' THE RING the black boy disappear on the gallop; "there are a thousand things to be set to rights and I scarce know where to begin." "T-there 's the w-w-wedding c-c-cake," I sug- gested wisely. "Aye, I must get at that soon, and it shall be such a cake as was ne'er seen in Germantown," declared Mrs. Mummer. "And I '11 h-h-help seed the r-r-raisins !" I ex- claimed, dancing about ready to begin on the in- stant. "Nay, dearie," Mrs. Mummer returned quite seriously, "no hand but mine shall touch that cake or aught that goes into it." Though I protested somewhat at this decision of Mrs. Mummer's, she had made up her mind and held to it, so that until the great day I never saw the wedding cake. Nevertheless I had my fill of seeding raisins ; for there were vast quanti- ties of different cakes and sugared cookies baked, and I had my tasks as well as every other maid and man in the house. Inside and out, Denewood hummed with busy workers; but the kitchens were, of course, the scene of the greatest activity ; for not only would 6 A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON there be a vast company at the wedding itself but the neighbors for miles around would expect their share of the feast. It was not many days before all the cupboards were filled with pasties, fruit-pies, and dozens of other good things that would take no hurt for a little waiting. Polly and Betty came at once, all a-twitter over a wedding in the family, and monstrous set up at having so important a part in the preparations. Mrs. Mummer had already engaged the most famous mantua-maker in Philadelphia to attend to the dressmaking, and this woman had sent word that, as luck would have it, the fall ships were newly arrived from Europe with cargoes of fine goods, and that we should make our pur- chases at once. The housekeeper grudged the time she must lose at Denewood; but it was too good an opportunity to be missed, so the day after my sisters came, we started betimes in the great family chariot, seeing that the chaise would scarce hold the boxes and bundles we should bring back with us. Mrs. Mummer had another errand to do in the city of which she made something of a mystery ; but when I saw her slyly disappear into the shop 7 PEG O' THE RING of Mr. Twining, the silversmith, I guessed that her business was to buy the thimble and ring for the wedding-cake. But I said naught of my idea to Betty or Polly, who seemed vastly curi- ous, although they thought it beneath their dig- nity to show it. It was a most exciting day to me, and never did I know before that there could be so many differ- ent kinds of brocades, satins, laces, fine muslins, and chintzes as I saw then. Huge boxes and bales of dry goods were piled up on the pavements be- fore the wholesale stores, situate on Front Street between Arch and Walnut, and from whose very doors one could ofttimes catch glimpses of the great ships which had brought these cargoes over- seas. Clerks and apprentices were busy with sharp knives and claw-hammers ripping open the cases and carrying the stuffs indoors to be dis- played to the admiration of the eager retailers. Everywhere men and women were haggling over prices, some talking loudly and saying that the goods were naught but shoddy, though after long wrangling they bought, a fact that puzzled me mightily. "B-Betty," I whispered, pulling at my sister's 8 A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON cloak, " if the w-w-woman 1-likes it n-not, w-w-why does she p-pay eleven g-good g-guineas for it?" " Hush, child, don't be a nizzy," she answered ; ' 't is all in the way of business. 'T would never do to buy without cheapening a little." At this bargaining Mrs. Mummer was as good as the best, and I noted that in the end she mostly had her way; but she bought without stint, and when at last we were 'ready to return to Dene- wood there was scarce room in the coach. In- deed, so full was it of bundles that when the steps were folded up there was not one of us but had something in her lap as well as under foot. I was a little disappointed when Mrs. Mummer decided that Bee should wear naught more gor- geous than white at her wedding. I would have had her clad in yellow satin with an overskirt of blue mantua or, belike, purple velvet, for at that age I had a gay taste in colors; but Mrs. Mum- mer chose a petticoat of white satin veiled with silver tissue worked with silver flowers, and an overdress of silver brocade; and, though I mur- mured somewhat, when I saw the high-heeled brocade slippers (for which she said she had dia- 9 PEG O' THE RING mond buckles in the Denewood strong-box), I felt quite reconciled and could not but admit it would be most elegant and fashionable. For the bridesmaids, Betty and Polly had their choice, and they selected a peach color and white changeable mantua with lace, that would be be- coming to all. This entirely satisfied me, for heretofore I had worn but the simplest of mus- lins so that I was quite set up at the thought of Mistress Margaret Travers in such elegancies. We would all have been ready to lie late the next morning, but this in no wise suited Mrs. Mummer, who routed us out ere the sun had fairly risen. "Up ! Up !" she cried, coming into each of our rooms in turn. "Up ! Up ! I '11 have no slug-a- beds in this house. The time is all too short for what we have to do." And so began another busy day with no rest nor shirking till all was accomplished. As the fortnight drew to a close I was impa- tient for the hour to come when I should see my darling Bee again. She, too, was a Travers, but of the English branch of the family, and had ar- rived in America just at the beginning of our 10 A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON war with the Mother Country five years before. She had come a stranger to a strange land, but had soon won all hearts by her courage and loy- alty to the home of her adoption; while to me, who was scarce more than a babe when first we met at Denewood, she was all the world. When Mrs. Mummer, returning alone from Virginia, brought word that Cousin John Travers was to marry with Beatrice, I was at first much surprised. Soon, however, I came to see that this was the nicest thing that could have hap- pened and felt certain that a lucky sixpence Bee had brought with her from England had played its part in bringing it about. No wonder that I could not sit still on the morn- ing of their coming. Bill Schmuck, Cousin John's body-servant, had arrived the evening be- fore with a message that the party would stay the night in Philadelphia, where Mr. Chew's house had been put at their disposal, but would reach Germantown early the following day. And at last they came. A big chariot with four horses led the way, General Washington upon the one hand and Cousin John upon the other, while behind them were Major McLane, ii PEG O' JHE RING my brother Bart, Mark Powell, and many of his Excellency's train whom I knew not. It was a gay cavalcade, but I saw naught save the great coach, and was dancing before the door ere the steps were let down. "Bee ! Bee !" I cried, and in a moment she was out and had me in her arms, hugging me tight. "My own little Peg," she whispered, kissing me; and I could only repeat, "Bee! Bee! Bee!" again and again, while I fair sobbed with excite- ment. After that Bee went to greet Mrs. Mummer and to say a word to the servants and black boys who stood about grinning with delight to see her back again, while Cousin John picked me up and kissed me. "Y-you d-d-don't 1-look as if y-you 'd b-b-been losted," I told him. At which every one laughed, but in truth he looked happier than I had ever seen him. "Nay, 'tis we who worried about him who are but shadows," cried Allen McLane, "and we get no sympathy for it," he added, as he brought his great bulk down from his horse. I wriggled in Cousin John's arms, wishing to 12 A LETTER FROM MT. VERNON go to Major McLane, who was a particular friend of mine, but Cousin John, setting me on the ground, still held my hand. "You must welcome his Excellency and Lady Washington," he said, for in my excitement I had clean forgot our distinguished visitors. Holding wide my petticoat I made my deepest curtsey to the General, and he in his turn bowed low to me as he might have to a great lady, for indeed he was the most elegant of gentlemen. But when I turned to salute Madam Washing- ton, who, though scarce taller than I, stood very dignified and straight, she came quickly to me. "Nay, child, this would be more suitable than a formal scrape," and with that she kissed me on both cheeks. I vow it was easy to understand how the first lady in the land had won all hearts, but I was too surprised even to stutter a reply. Then I was free to greet my old friends, and Allen McLane set me on his shoulder and carried me into the house behind the others. Oh, how good it was to have Bee and Cousin John back and Denewood full of people again, as in the old days before the war had come so close to us. And what a gay table it was when we all 13 PEG O' THE RING sat for dinner; Bee, at its head, in spite of her protests that Cousin John should have that honor. "Nay, Bee," he insisted ; " 't is you saved Dene- wood and it is yours." And so with his Excellency on her right hand and me on her left, Beatrice Travers once more played hostess to the guests of Denewood. But though I longed to have her to myself for a minute and could scarce wait for all the ques- tions I had to ask her, it was not till night that Bee and I were alone together. She slipped into my bed, which had been set up for the time being in the day-nursery next her room. " Oh, Peggy dear, it wasn't so after all !" she whispered, referring to the past, when all save she and I had believed Cousin John dead. For answer I kissed her and snuggled into her arms. "T-t-tell me all a-about it, Bee," I murmured, and straightway she recounted the adventures that had befallen her since she had left Denewood many weeks before. 14 CHAPTER II LADY WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND DIRECTLY after breakfast next morning the men went away in attendance upon General Washington, and we stood for a moment in the portico to watch them. 'T-t-t is well they 're g-g-go,ne," I said gravely, to Madam Washington. "W-w-we w-women have our h-h-hands full w-w-without them." Why she and Bee laughed so immoder- ate at this I could not fathom, for to my mind it was no jest. The tasks still before us seemed innumerable when one remembered that on the following day "at candlelight," as the invitations read, the wedding would take place. First of all Bee's plenishings must be inspected. She gladdened Mrs. Mummer's heart by the sur- prise and delight she showed in all her finery, insisting that the old housekeeper was too good to her. "Nay, Miss Bee, there 's naught this house af- 15 PEG O' THE RING fords could be too good," Mrs. Mummer replied, and meant every word of it. When the wedding-dress was tried on, and I saw how beautiful Bee looked in it, I was recon- ciled to the choice of white. Madam Washing- ton, too, was most complimentary, declaring the taste was perfect. "Indeed, my dear, I could n't fail to admire," she said to Bee, "seeing that 't is most similar to the choice I made for my own wedding." Bee thanked Polly and Betty for their share in the work, vowing she could think of naught that would be an improvement, which pleased my sis- ters mightily ; and indeed even the fit of the gown was well nigh perfect and, save for a seam or two which could be run up in a minute, the bridal outfit was complete from lace veil to brocade slip- pers. But it was not quite finished that day, for Mrs. Mummer saw to it that there should be a few stitches to set on the morrow as 't is well known that ill luck follows if the wedding-gown is com- pleted ere the wedding day. There had been talk of having the ceremony at Christ Church in Philadelphia; but, rather than take the long ride to the city, it was finally de- 16 LADY WASHINGTON IN COMMAND cided that they should wed at Denewood, which was large enough to accommodate all the invited guests. It was a question, however, just where the bridal party should stand during the service. Polly and Betty had spoke for the dining-room with the great bow-window at one end as the most fitting place, and Mrs. Mummer too was in- clined to such an arrangement, but there were objections to this, and the drawing-room being thought too small, no decision so far had been reached. When the subject was broached anew, Madam Washington made short work of the matter. She marshaled us all into the great hall and pointed to the first stair-landing which was but a step or two up. "The parson shall stand there," she declared. "We will place some growing plants, or if we can do no better at this time of the year, a bank of green boughs on either side. 'T will make a most tasteful bower." "Aye, that 's true enough," agreed Mrs. Mum- mer, though she still shook her head dubiously. "In that way," continued Lady Washington, "we shall gain the upper gallery for guests as well 17 PEG O' THE RING as the hall itself, and thus we can accommodate more than in the drawing-room and still have the dining-room free." "But, Lady Washington, ma'am," said Mrs. Mummer anxiously, "if so be we have guests in the gallery, how will Miss Bee ever win down the stair without crushing her finery ?" "She must not come down those stairs," Lady Washington asserted with decision. " I like not to look at a woman as she bobs from step to step, and in the face of so great a company it would be most awkwardish. Nay, she shall seek her maids in the dining-room by way of the back stairs. I Ve seen such before lined with clean sheets to save the bride's ruffles." "Now that 's well thought of," exclaimed Mrs. Mummer, and then, with a little toss of her head, "but, begging your Ladyship's pardon, there will be no need of sheets. My back stairs are as white as my front." "Aye, that I 'm well assured of, Mrs. Mum- mer," came the quick reply. "You 're too notable a housewife to make so slovenly an expedient nec- essary." 18 LADY WASHINGTON IN COMMAND It was so quickly and gracefully done that Mrs. Mummer glowed at the compliment. "I thank your Ladyship," she murmured, "and I 'm sure the arrangements you have suggested will be perfect." "Yes, 't is the best plan, I 'm certain," Madam Washington went on, with a nod and a smile to us all. "Once in the dining-room the great doors may be set wide, the bridesmaids will enter the hall in front, and last the bride herself, with eyes as they should be, modestly cast down, leaning upon his Excellency's arm." For General Wash- ington was to stand in place of a father to Bee, she having no near relatives outside of England and her own father being dead since she was a baby. So it was agreed, and when that evening we spoke of the arrangements to General Washing- ton, telling him how his lady had solved our diffi- culties, he chuckled thoughtfully to himself. "Eh, now, 't is her Ladyship who should have been the General," he declared, with pride. " 'T is a most suitable arrangement. I like well the strategy of taking the guests upon the flank, 19 PEG O' JHE RING rather than braving their fire from the front. What say you, Mistress Beatrice?" Bee laughingly assented, but truth to tell she assented to everything and would have said, "Aye," had they wished her to wed in the kitchen. There was no doubt Bee was happy. 'Twas plain to all who saw her, but now and then I caught a wistful look in her face as if perchance she longed for something she could in no wise at- tain. I taxed her with it that night as she sat on the edge of my bed. "Nay, now, -Peggy," she protested, " 'tis your imagination. I 'm the happiest girl in America. Sure, no others see aught else in my face." "T-there 's n-no one 1-1-loves you as I d-d-do, Bee," I answered. "I think 't was m-my h-h-heart t-t-told me." At that she took me in her arms and held me close. " 'T is not that I 'm sad, Peg, dear," she be- gan, "but but I can't help thinking now and then of Granny, and of Horace and Hal, my brothers, far away in England. They don't even know yet that I am to be married and and a maid 20 LADY WASHINGTON IN COMMAND can't help wishing that one of her own family was by upon her wedding-day." I had no words to comfort her. Indeed I scarce understood, seeing that her brothers could not love her better than we at Denewood ; but, to show my sympathy, I nestled close to her and so we stayed a moment or two in silence. Then I said, a little hurt, perhaps : "Is n't a c-c-cousin a p-p-piece of the f-f-f am- ily, Bee?" at which she gave a low laugh. "Your old Bee is an ungrateful girl," she cried. "I feel ashamed to be wishing for the impossible when I have so much. Let us speak no more of it," and a little later, with a good-night kiss, she left me. 21 CHAPTER III BEE'S WEDDING CAKE I AWOKE next morning to find Mrs. Mum- mer standing at my bedside, looking down at me with a smile upon her face. "Is the d-d-day f-f-fair?" I asked anxiously, for it had looked cloudy the night before. "Aye," she answered contentedly. 'T is fair, and 'happy is the bride the sun shines on/ as Mummer says." But I wanted to see for myself, so, jumping up, I pattered to the window in my night-rail to look out. The sky was blue, with scarce a cloud in it, and it was so warm and sunny that it seemed like a day in June rather than early December. " 'T is f-f-fine enough even for Bee's w-w-wed- ding," I stuttered, with a sigh of satisfaction. " T is none the less possible to catch cold, walking the floors in bare feet." 'T was Bee who spoke, and we turned to see her standing in the doorway, dressed in her striped Persian 22 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE morning gown, kenting handkerchief and apron, just as if she were not to be wedded that very afternoon. "Oh, Miss Bee!" exclaimed Mrs. Mummer in dismay, "did I not tell you to lie abed till you were called?" "Aye," laughed Bee, running across the room and throwing her arms about the old housekeeper, "but did I say I would do it?" "Nay, do not blandish me," retorted Mrs. Mummer, half turning away. 'T is a good scolding you deserve." " 'T is Peg should be scolded," answered Bee, looking down at me with pretended severity. "Not even a moccasin upon her feet." Then turning to Mrs. Mummer, "And you smiling at her. Think you I want a bridesmaiden with a red nose ?" "Nay, Bee," I answered, in all seriousness, "t-there 's s-s-small d-danger of t-t-that, s-seeing that m-m-my n-nose never r-r-reddens for at 1-least two d-d-days when I have the s-s-s-snuf- fles." Notwithstanding I hurried to clothe my- self. "Make yourself fine," said Bee, watching me. 23 PEG O' THE RING "Have I told you of the girls at Mt. Vernon who ventured to the dinner-table with their hair in curl-papers ? In the midst of the meal we heard a party of French officers arriving, and they would have run in haste; but Lady Washington bade them stay, 'What is good enough for his Excellency is good enough for any one/ she said." "And she never spoke a truer word/' declared Mrs. Mummer with heat, "though 't is in my mind you but told the tale to wean me from the subject of your resting." There was a laugh at this, but Mrs. Mummer was not to be put off and still insisted that Bee keep to her room. "But, please/' Bee pleaded, "there are a thou- sand things to be done. I want to take Lady Washington her chocolate, I want to arrange the flowers, I want " "Then 'want must be your master/ as Mum- mer says," Mrs. Mummer interrupted. "Nay, dearie," she went on, her voice dropping to an imploring tone, "attend upon Madam Washing- ton with her chocolate, if so be your mind is set on it, but leave the flowers to Miss Betty and 24 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE Miss Polly. Sure they have a pretty taste in such matters and for the rest, trust your old servant, Elizabeth Mummer. 'T would break my heart to see you a jaded bride and that 's what you '11 be if I let you do all the work of Denewood this morn/' Most of the day I was busy, scurrying here and there upon errands for Mrs. Mummer, and was but half aware of the many arrivals at Dene- wood. All the wedding-party was on hand, that I knew, and the Rev. William White of Christ Church, who was to read the service ; for the rest I had little concern, though once or twice I re- member running into Major McLane, who would have stopped me, vowing I was forgetting old friendships. It must have been nigh time for me to be put- ting on my own finery when Mrs. Mummer sent me off with a message for the head gardener. " T is the last of your duties this day, Peggy dear," she said, patting my shoulder lovingly; "indeed I know not how I should have fared had you not been here to help me," and with that praise in my ears I sped quickly to do her bid- ding. 25 PEG O' THE RING On my way back I was tempted by a glint of red in the wood bordering the roadway, and thinking that some bright leaves might add to the show of flowers, which were none too plentiful at that season, I hurried to investigate. I was disappointed with what I found, for though at a distance they seemed fresh enough, a closer in- spection showed them rusty and withered. I was about to go back to the house, which was hidden by the trees and might have been a mile away for all one could see, when a hail from the road turned me sharp about. And there, drawn up, was a cart half filled with boxes. The driver held the reins listlessly as a tired man will, looking discon- solately at his jaded horse, while between us stood a young man fashionably dressed, albeit very dusty. "Can you tell me if there is a place called Dene- wood near ?" he asked, politely enough. "W-w-why, i-it 's r-r-right h-h-here," I an- swered, stuttering more than was my wont be- cause I addressed a stranger. "Right here!" he exclaimed joyfully. "Now indeed that is good news. I thought 1 5 d never come at it." Then for an instant he looked at 26 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE me quizzically. "On my life I believe 't is Peggy !" he burst out finally. Now to be greeted with such a lack of cere- mony by a dusty youth off the road did not suit my taste, and I made as if to leave him. I "Hold on," he cried, vaulting the wall and step- ping before me; "you are Peg, are n't you?" "I w-w-waste no w-w-words on s-s-saucy c-c-c-chance-m-met s-s-strangers," I declared, with my nose in the air in imitation of Bee's haughtiest manner. "Your pardon," he murmured, giving me the compliment of his hat, which was vastly soothing to my dignity. "I 'm Hal Travers, Bee's brother, just arrived out of England. Has n't she told you of me? She never tired talking of you." "You Hal Travers ?" I nigh shouted in my de- light and surprise. "Oh ! I 'm s-s-so g-glad. You 're just in t-time for the w-w-wedding !" "The wedding !" he exclaimed, surprised in his turn. "Whose wedding?" "W-w-why Bee's, of c-c-course," I explained. "She w-w-will be m-m-married at c-c-candle- light, and y-y-you m-m-must h-h-hurry." "Hold on," he remonstrated, glum on the in- 27 PEG O' THE RING stant. "I like not this sudden news of Bee's mar- riage. She 's a great heiress since her cousin John Travers died and left her his estate." "B-b-but he is n't d-d-dead," I told him. " T is John Travers s-she is to w-w-wed. Now w-w-will you h-h-h-hurry ?" Hal was for hearing more of the wedding and was eager with a hundred questions, but I knew there was no time to be lost and begged him to curb his curiosity. Already a plan to surprise Bee had formed in my mind. "Have y-you a w-w-w-wedding s-suit?" I asked anxiously. "Nay, I never so named it," he answered, with a glance at the boxes in the cart, "but I have a plum-colored velvet of the latest cut that might serve, if the affair is not too fashionable." " T will e'en h-have to d-d-do," I told him, "t- though the w-w- wedding is m-m-monstrous fashionable." Then having instructed the carter how to find the entrance a hundred yards or so down the road, and to drive to the stables at once, I led Hal through the trees to the back of the house. He followed me obediently, ready to enter into 28 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE my plans, and I was sure I was going to like him for his own sake as well as Bee's. I sent at once for Bart, who came promptly, dressed in his parade uniform and jangling his sword as he hurried. He looked so handsome in his blue and buff that I was very proud as I in- troduced them. "This is Bee's brother Hal, just out of Eng- land," I explained, but I was not in the least pre- pared for Bart's cold salutation and the stiff little bow he gave. 'T is scarce a good year for Britishers," he growled, and I looked for a resentful answer from Hal, but was agreeably surprised. "Sure 't is a bad policy not to welcome a Brit- isher who thinks the Colonies have the right of it in their fight with the King," he said easily, hit- ting on the instant the cause of Bart's ungracious- ness. "If that 's how the matter stands, you 're thrice welcome !" cried Bart, holding out a hand to him. 'T is an explanation I Ve had to make many times since I ventured out of New York," Hal laughed; "which seemed strange to me, seeing that ere I left London it was out of style to side PEG O' THE RING with the Ministry against the Colonies. And after this battle of Yorktown I '11 wager Charles Fox looks to it that no more troops are sent against you." "Now that 's right good news," exclaimed Bart cordially, "but, I warn you, we like not the word Colonies here." 'To be sure," Hal replied, apologetically; "I was forgetting. You are the independent States of America now." "Aye, now and henceforth," declared Bart sol- emnly. How long those two boys might have talked their politics I don't know, but I soon showed them there were more important matters to be considered. The cart had arrived by this time with Hal's boxes, among which I noted a huge packing case, which seemed strange luggage for a dandy, but I was too busy explaining my plans to give much thought to it. Bart was to take Hal to his room to dress, after which we were to meet near the dining-room door, just a few minutes before the ceremony. This being understood, I ran off to 30 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE make ready, scarce able to contain myself, so ex- cited was I at the prospect before me. Mrs. Mummer was too busy with Bee's appar- eling to note how long I had been upon her er- rand, and, moreover, Clarinda was to help me, so my absence had gone unremarked. As it happened, I was almost late, for the music had begun as I ran down the stair to meet Hal at the place appointed. He was there, wait- ing unnoticed among so many strangers, though in truth he looked elegant enough in his plum- colored velvet to have attracted attention at any other time. I took his hand and led him to the dining-room where the bridal party was already assembled. As I opened the door I heard Bee's voice. "Where is Peg?" she asked. "We can't start without her." By this I was in the room and, still holding Hal's hand, I went directly to her ; but it was the first time I had seen her fully dressed for her wedding and she looked so beautiful in her white veil that I forgot everything else and stood dumb, staring at her, and she in turn, astounded at the PEG O' THE RING sight of her brother, could make no sound ; while the others, seeing that something unforeseen had happened, ceased to talk and so, for a space, there was silence in the room. Then I found my tongue. " 'T-t-t is the w-w-wedding g-gift you w-w-wanted, Bee," I whispered, and at that every one began to talk again, but I had eyes only for the bride. "Hal !" she cried, taking a step toward him ; "is it really you?" "Aye," he answered, "and Granny sends her love to you, as does Horrie." "And they 're well ?" asked Bee, a little anx- iously. ''Never better," he answered. "I 'm so glad you 're here," she murmured, "I 've naught left to wish for !" And with a nod and a happy smile at me, she stepped back to his Excellency's side, for it was high time we were starting and further greetings had to wait. "Now, Peggy," some one said, putting a basket of flowers in my hand and setting me in front. Then the doors were opened and, 'mid a burst of music, I led the bridal party out of the room. 32 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE There was, however, another surprise in store for the bride. As we looked into the great hall, there, hanging on the wall above the turn of the stair, was a portrait of Bee, so like her that it seemed as if she were walking to meet herself. This was a picture painted by Sir Joshua Rey- nolds when Bee was in England, and it had been in the huge case I had noted among Hal's boxes. He had spoken of it to Bart, who forthwith had it unpacked and hung, to every one's delight. Had Hal planned to win a welcome from Cousin John he could not have hit upon a better scheme, and he told us afterward he had been at some trouble to get the canvas into the country by way of Holland, and indeed, had only succeeded through the help of an uncle, a Mr. Van der Heist. So Bee and Cousin John were married, but memory plays us queer tricks, and from the time I entered the hall until we were seated at dinner listening to toasts to the bride and groom, all is vague. I can still bring back Cousin John, who faced us as we entered, with eyes for none but Bee, and beside him Allen McLane, standing stiff and straight as if on parade; but of the brilliant as- 33 PEG 0' [THE RING semblage of gaily dressed ladies and gentlemen I have small recollection. Perhaps some will find a reason for my remem- bering so little of the wedding itself in that I was but a very young child, though I thought myself quite grown up. The truth is, once the service was over, my whole mind centered on the cutting of the cake, and that operation is still fresh in my memory after all these years. The great confection was set at the top of the table reserved for the bridal party, and never be- fore or since did I see so monstrous a cake. Mrs. Mummer had kept her word. None such had ever been baked in Germantown. I could scarce eat for keeping my eyes upon it, while I wondered where lay the ring, the thimble, and the silver piece, and who would get them. At length, after what seemed like hours of wait- ing, my patience gave out. "Oh, Bee," I sighed, "m-m-must m-m-more h-h-healths be d-drunk ? S-s-sure I 'd think you and Cousin John w-w-would be the h-h-healthiest p-p-people in the world a-a-already." "What is it you want, dear?" Bee asked, smil- ing and leaning toward me. 34 BEE'S WEDDING CAKE "Isn't it m-m-m-most time t-to c-c-cut the c-c-cake ?" I implored, and as if I had given a sig- nal, every one at the table seemed to cry, "Cut the cake!" But before it could be done Mrs. Mummer had to be called to point out the portion that had been reserved for the bridal party and in which the talismans were placed. She came in, looking very important, albeit a little flustered at the com- pliments paid her cookery, and having shown Bee where to cut, she stepped back to watch, remark- ing with satisfaction, "There 's not a maid in miles but will dream of her true love to-night on a bit of that cake passed through the wedding-ring." Bee picked up the huge knife used to carve out great barons of beef, but ere she set to work Al- len McLane stopped her. "Nay," he cried, making a long arm and pluck- ing Cousin John's sword from its scabbard, "this is the knife for a soldier's wife," and he brought it to her. Bee took it with a smile of thanks, held it aloft a moment, and then made the first cut. Polly and Betty my sisters, Sally Wister, 35 PEG O' JHE RING Fanny Morris and Mary Rawle, the other brides- maidens, were served first, and when my turn came I saw that Bee skipped a slice ; but I scarce heeded that fact then, for, with a sinking heart, I heard Sally say she had bit on something hard. Alas for Sally! It was the thimble she had found, dooming her to spinsterhood ; and my spir- its rose, for 't was the opposite of that I wished for. Then Mary Rawle held up a silver thrippenny bit, foretelling riches for her; and still I hoped. But just as I was about to bite into my own slice, Betty, mantling prettily, showed the golden ring. I felt myself nigh to tears, for 't was that I had longed for ; and I put my portion down un- tasted, sore disappointed. "Look in your slice, Peg," whispered Bee. "I 'm sure I felt something as the sword cut through." "Nay," said Mrs. Mummer, " 't is impossible. There 's naught else in it save good plums." But, made hopeful by Bee's words, and so scarce heeding Mrs. Mummer, I picked up my cake and bit into it, my teeth meeting at once on metal. 36 "Nay!" cried Allan McLane, "This is the knife!" BEE'S WEDDING CAKE In a moment I had it in my hand and was stut- tering violently in my excitement. "Oh, Bee !" I cried. "I Ve g-g-got the r-r-ring ! I Ve g-g-got the r-r-ring !" "Nonsense, child, how could that be, when Betty has it?" asked Polly. "H-hers c-can't be the r-r-right one," I main- tained stoutly, holding up a massive jeweled cir- cle on my outspread pink palm. "Now, however came that in the cake?" cried Mrs. Mummer, eying it suspiciously, and her as- tonished exclamation brought all the company about my chair. "Did you not put it in, Mrs. Mummer?" in- quired Cousin John. "Nay, Master John," she asserted, "I ne'er laid eyes on it before, and, what's more, no hand but mine touched aught that went into the dough." "Ho, ho !" laughed Cousin John, "here 's a fine mystery. How came that ring into the cake ?" "And what meaning hath it for the child?" asked Mrs. Mummer, with a worried shake of her head; but there was no answer to either question. 39 CHAPTER IV GREAT CHIEF! GREAT SQUAW! THE curious ring I had found formed the chief topic of conversation for some time after its discovery. No one could doubt Mrs. Mummer, who vowed again and again that she herself had prepared all that went into her won- derful cake, reminding me of the fact that she had even refused my offer to seed the raisins. " 'T is nigh witchcraft," she declared. "Ex- cept that I had seen it with my own eyes I could never have believed it possible." Nor did an examination of the ring itself bring the mystery any nearer solution. Rather was it deepened, for 't was no common ornament such as might be come by at any goldsmith's shop. A number of costly jewels were set into the wrought gold, all cut in an odd fashion which proclaimed their antiquity. " T is no ordinary ring," said his Excellency, 40 GREAT CHIEF! GREAT SQUAW! General Washington, mounting great horn- rimmed spectacles, through which he examined it, "and I should say that he who had it last lacked a good conscience, since he parted with it at all." He handed it to Lady Washington, who, with her head on one side, regarded it curiously. "