Part 55 (1/2)

There had been panic that morning in the city, and she had caught the contagion in a characteristic way. She had had no thought of hiding and cowering, but she had been on the eve of carrying out rash impulses. She had given way to uncontrollable excitement; and if her father should learn all she feared he would send her from the city as one not to be trusted. What should she think of that silent, motionless sentinel at the window? Suppose, after all, she had misunderstood and misjudged him,--suppose he HAD come for her protection. In view of this possibility which she had now to entertain, how grossly she had insulted him! If her father came and approved of his course, how could she ever look one so wronged in the face again? She must try to soften her words a little. Woman-like, she believed that she could certainly soothe a man as far as she deemed it judicious, and then leave the future for further diplomacy.

Coward, or not, he had now made her afraid of him.

”Mr. Merwyn,” she began.

He made no response whatever.

Again, in a lower and more timid voice, she repeated his name.

Without turning, he said: ”Miss Vosburgh, I'm on guard. You interfere with my duty. There is no reason for further courtesies between us. If you are sufficiently calm, aid Mrs. Borden in packing such belongings as she actually needs. She must leave this house as soon as possible.”

”What!” cried the girl, hotly, ”send this faithful old woman out into the streets? Never.”

”I did not say, 'out into the streets.' When your father comes one of his first efforts will be to send her to a place of safety. No doubt he has already warned her son to find a hiding-place.”

”Great heavens! why don't you explain?”

”What chance have I had to explain? Ah! come here, and all will be plain enough.”

She stood at his side and saw a gang of men and boys' chasing a colored man, with the spirit of bloodhounds in their tones and faces.

”Now I'se understan', too, Ma.s.s'r Merwyn,” said the trembling colored woman, looking over their shoulders.

”Go back,” he said, sternly. ”If you were seen, that yelling pack of fiends would break into this house as if it were paste-board.

Obey orders, both of you, and keep out of sight.”

Awed, overwhelmed, they stole to the back parlor; but Marian soon faltered, ”O Mr. Merwyn, won't you forgive me?”

He made no reply, and a moment later he stepped to the door. Mr.

Vosburgh hastily entered, and Marian rushed into his arms.

”What, Merwyn! you here? Thank G.o.d my darling was not alone! Well, Merwyn, you've got to play the soldier now, and so have we all.”

”I shall not 'play the soldier';” was the reply, in quick, firm utterance. ”But no matter about me, except that my time is limited.

I wish to report to you certain things which I have seen, and leave it to your decision whether I can serve you somewhat, and whether Miss Vosburgh should remain in the city. I would also respectfully suggest that your colored servant be sent out of town at once.

I offer my services to convey her to New Jersey, if you know of a near refuge there, or else to my place in the country.”

”Good G.o.d, Merwyn! don't you know that by such an act you take your life in your hand?”

”I have already taken it in my hand, an open hand at that. It has become of little value to me. But we have not a second to lose. I have a very sad duty to perform at once, and only stayed till you came. If you have learned the spirit abroad to-day, you know that your household was and is in danger.”

”Alas! I know it only too well. The trouble had scarcely begun before I was using agents and telegraph wires. I have also been to police headquarters. Only the sternest sense of duty to the government kept me so long from my child; but a man at Was.h.i.+ngton is depending on me for information.”

”So I supposed. I may be able to serve you, if you can bring yourself to employ a coward. I shall be at police headquarters, and can bring you intelligence. When not on duty you should be in the streets as little as possible. But, first, I would respectfully suggest that Miss Vosburgh retire, for I have things to say to you which she should not hear.”

”This to me, who listened to the story of Gettysburg?”

”All was totally different then.”

”And I, apparently, was totally different. I deserve your reproach; I should be sent to the nursery.”