Part 38 (1/2)

Even Mr. Vosburgh, at the moment, felt much of Marian's repulsion as he looked at the tall youth, with his superb physique, who spoke of severe battles and offered ”money.” ”Truly,” he thought, ”she must be right. This man will part with thousands rather than risk one drop of blood.”

But he was too good a patriot to reveal his impression, and said, earnestly: ”You are right, Mr. Merwyn. There will be heavy fighting soon, and all the aid that you can give the Sanitary and Christian Commissions will tend to save life and relieve suffering.”

Under the circ.u.mstances he felt that he could not use any of the young man's money, even as a temporary loan, although at times the employment of a few extra hundreds might aid him greatly in his work.

Merwyn went away chilled and saddened anew, yet feeling that his reception had been all that he had a right to expect.

There had been no lack of politeness on Mr. Vosburgh's part, but his manner had not been that of a friend.

”He has recognized that I am under some secret restraint,” Merwyn thought, ”and distrusts me at last. He probably thinks, with his daughter, that I am afraid to go. Oh that I had a chance to prove that I am, at least, not a coward! In some way I shall prove it before many weeks pa.s.s.”

At dinner, that evening, Mr. Vosburgh smiled significantly at Marian, and said, ”Who do you think called on me to-day?”

”Mr. Merwyn,” she said, promptly.

”You are right. He came to offer--”

”Money,” contemptuously completing her father's sentence.

”You evidently think you understand him. Perhaps you do; and I admit that I felt much as you do, to-day, when he offered his purse to the cause. I fear, however, that we are growing a little morbid on this subject, and inclined to judgments too severe. You and I have become like so many in the South. This conflict and its results are everything to us, and we forget that we are surrounded by hundreds of thousands who are loyal, but are not ready for very great sacrifices.”

”We are also surrounded by millions that are, and I cast in my lot with these. If this is to be morbid, we have plenty of company.”

”What I mean is, that we may be too hard upon those who do not feel, and perhaps are not capable of feeling, as we do.”

”O papa! you know the reason why Mr. Merwyn takes the course he does.”

”I know what you think to be the reason, and you may be right. Your explanation struck me with more force than ever to-day; and yet, looking into the young fellow's face, it seems impossible. He impresses me strangely, and awakens much curiosity as to his future course. He asked if he could call as usual, and I, with ordinary politeness, said, 'Certainly.' Indeed, there was a dignity about the fellow that almost compelled the word. I don't know that we have any occasion to regret it. He has done nothing to forfeit mere courtesy on our part.”

”Oh, no,” said Marian, discontentedly; ”but he irritates me. I wish I had never known him, and that I might never meet him again. I am more and more convinced that my theory about him is correct, and while I pity him sincerely, the ever-present consciousness of his fatal defect is more distressing--perhaps I should say, annoying--than if he presented some strong physical deformity. He is such a superb and mocking semblance of a man that I cannot even think of him without exasperation.”

”Well, my dear, perhaps this is one of the minor sacrifices that we must make for the cause. Until Merwyn can explain for himself, he has no right to expect from us more than politeness. While I would not take from him a loan for my individual work, I can induce him to give much material help. In aiding Strahan, and in other ways, he has done a great deal, and he is willing to do more. The prospects are that everything will be needed, and I do not feel like alienating one dollar or one bit of influence. According to your theory his course is due to infirmity rather than to fault, and so he should be tolerated, since he is doing the best he can.

Politeness to him will not compromise either our principles or ourselves.”

”Well, papa, I will do my best; but if he had a particle of my intuition he would know how I feel. Indeed, I believe he does know in some degree, and it seems to me that, if I were a man, I couldn't face a woman while she entertained such an opinion.”

”Perhaps the knowledge that you are wrong enables him to face you.”

”If that were true he wouldn't be twenty-four hours in proving it.”

”Well,” said her father, with a grim laugh, and in a low voice, ”he may soon have a chance to show his mettle without going to the front. Marian, I wish you would join your mother. The city is fairly trembling with suppressed disloyalty. If Lee marches northward I shall fear an explosion at any time.”

”Leave the city!” said the young girl, hotly. ”That would prove that I possess the same traits that repel me so strongly in Mr.

Merwyn. No, I shall not leave your side this summer, unless you compel me to almost by force. Have we not recently heard of two Southern girls who cheered on their friends in battle with bullets flying around them? After witnessing that scene, I should make a pitiable figure in Captain Lane's eyes should I seek safety in flight at the mere thought of danger. I should die with shame.”

”It is well Captain Lane does not hear you, or the surgeon would have fever to contend with, as well as wounds.”

”O dear!” cried the girl. ”I wish we could hear from him.”