Part 38 (1/2)

”Rufus g.a.y.l.o.r.d.”

She started.

”g.a.y.l.o.r.d!”

How her thoughts flew! What a sweep over they took in that intervening moment of silence!

”Is your father's name Hudson g.a.y.l.o.r.d?”

”No; he is my uncle. Do you know him? I thought you were a Northerner!”

”I know him only by reputation. Where is he?”

”Down in Richmond, _talking_ about arming the n.i.g.g.e.rs, I reckon”; was his answer, while a sneer curled his lip. ”Beechwood is only a few miles from here and I want to be taken back to it as soon as I can ride so far, as Mother does not know where I am.”

Here was an opening to the cloud; should she enter it? How she trembled at the thought.

”Is your aunt at Beechwood?” she found breath to inquire at last.

”No, she is in Boston, and Uncle Hud says will stay there until the army leaves Virginia. I don't reckon she cares how long she stays though, for she has her girl back again, every one thought was drowned, and----”

”Her adopted daughter! did you say?”

”Well, y-e-s! But what do you know about her? I'll be hanged if I shouldn't think you were her sister; I never saw eyes more alike. She is splendid, and I am glad she has come to life again”; and in spite of a deep wound in the shoulder, and the presence of a bullet somewhere in the chest, his cheek flushed with boyish admiration as he talked of his foster cousin, and Lillian did not fail to discover the cause of the deepening blush.

”Are you sure of what you have been saying?”

”Sure that Aunt Nell is in Boston, and that she has Lily with her; but not quite sure as to you being her sister.” In spite of her emotion, Mrs. Hamilton smiled at the ingenuity of this remark. Her resolution was taken. She would return to Was.h.i.+ngton, and, as soon as possible, go to Boston, and find this girl who bore such a striking resemblance to herself. She arose to answer a call and found that her trembling limbs refused to do her bidding. As she reseated herself the boy said kindly.

”I reckon you are not feeling very well. I would rest a bit, for it must be dreadful taking care of such a lot!”

True to her purpose, within a week she had communicated with Colonel Hamilton and obtained a leave of absence, and was on her way to Philadelphia. A little breathing spell was necessary; she would stop and tell auntie all about it!

It was night when she reached the city, and, taking a carriage, she was soon in Race street. Stopping at the corner, she had a fancy to go alone to look in upon the peaceful home-scene, if perchance the curtain was left up at the side window. Was auntie thinking of her? She would give her a pleasant surprise.

How little we know what is to fill the next moment that sweeps through our eventful lives! The curtain was left up, as she had imagined, and sitting by the table in the center of the room were two ladies, instead of the one she had expected to find alone. The gas shone directly upon the face of Mrs. Cheevers, but the head of the other was turned away.

Still there was no mistaking that imperious posture and stateliness of form, or the braids of jetty hair. It was her mother! They were talking, but she could not distinguish a word. What caused that guilty mother to move so uneasily in her chair, and turn towards the spot where her daughter stood trembling in the shadows? Had conscience touched a note of warning?

”I must enter,” thought Lillian, and pa.s.sing around to the front door, rang the bell. Mrs. Cheevers answered it in person. ”Do not speak, Auntie; it is I,” she said, hurriedly, as the door opened. ”My mother is in there; I saw her through the window. How shall I meet her?”

”Promptly and boldly, my child. Come right in.”

She led the way, while her visitor followed trembling in every limb.

”What has brought you back at this time?” she went on cheerfully to ask.

”You said nothing about it in your last letter.” Mrs. Belmont arose as they approached, and stood pale and haggard before her injured child.

”My mother!” Lillian exclaimed, with outstretched arms. ”How I have wanted to meet you! Why did you flee from me?”

”You wanted to see me? Lillian, is that true?”