Part 83 (1/2)
”Yes, he have; he want you to come right up to de house and fetch de farm books, so he can see how the 'counts stands.”
”Very well; they're all right!” said Reuben confidently, as he arose from the table, put on his hat, took two account-books from the shelf, and went out followed by Sam.
Ishmael as usual went into the garden to work, and tried to keep his thoughts from dwelling upon Claudia.
At dinner-time Gray returned, and Ishmael met him at the table. And Gray could talk of nothing but the improvement, beauty, and the grace of Miss Merlin.
”She is just too beautiful for this world, Hannah,” he concluded, after having exhausted all his powers of description upon his subject.
After dinner Ishmael went upstairs to his books, and Hannah took advantage of his absence to say to Gray:
”Reuben, I wish you would never mention Miss Claudia Merlin's name before Ishmael.”
”Law! why?” inquired Gray.
”Because I want him to forget her.”
”But why so?”
”Oh, Reuben, how dull you are! Well, if I must tell you, he likes her.”
”Well, so do I! and so do everyone!” said honest Reuben.
”But he likes her too well! he loves her, Reuben!”
”What! Ishmael love Judge Merlin's daughter! L-a-w! Why I should as soon think of falling in love with a royal princess!” exclaimed the honest man, in extreme astonishment.
”Reuben, hus.h.!.+ I hate to speak of it; but it is true. Pray, never let him know that we even suspect the truth; and be careful not to mention her name in his presence. I can see that he is struggling to conquer his feelings; but he can never do it while you continue to ding her name into his ears foreverlasting.”
”I'll be mum! Ishmael in love with Miss Merlin! I should as soon suspicion him of being in love with the Queen of Spain! Good gracious!
how angry she'd be if she knew it.”
After this conversation Reuben Gray was very careful to avoid all mention of Claudia Merlin in the hearing of Ishmael.
The month of August was drawing to a close. Ishmael had not once set eyes on Claudia, though he had chanced to see the judge on horseback at a distance several times. Ishmael busied himself in seeking out a room in the neighborhood, in which to open a school on the first of September. He had not as yet succeeded in his object, when one day an accident occurred that, as he used it, had a signal effect on his future life.
It was a rather cool morning in the latter part of August when he, after spending an hour or two of work in the garden, dressed himself in his best clothes and set off to walk to Rushy Sh.o.r.e farm, where he heard there was a small schoolhouse ready furnished with rough benches and desks, to be had at low rent. His road lay along the high banks of the river, above the sands. He had gone about a mile on his way when he heard the sound of carriage wheels behind him, and in a few minutes caught a glimpse of an open barouche, drawn by a pair of fine, spirited gray horses, as it flashed by him. Quickly as the carriage pa.s.sed, he recognized in the distinguished looking young lady seated within it--Claudia!--recognized her with an electric shock that thrilled his whole being, paralyzed him where he stood and bound him to the spot! He gazed after the flying vehicle until it vanished from his sight. Then he sank down where he stood and covered his face with his hands and strove to calm the rising emotion that swelled his bosom. It was minutes before he recovered self-possession enough to arise and go on his way.
In due time he reached the farm--Rushy Sh.o.r.e--where the schoolhouse was for rent. It was a plain little log house close to the river side and shaded by cedars. It had been built for the use of a poor country master who had worn out his life in teaching for small pay the humbler cla.s.s of country children. He rested from his earthly labors, and the school was without a teacher. Ishmael saw only the overseer of the farm, who informed him that he had authority to let the schoolroom only until Christmas, as the whole estate had just been sold and the new owner was to take possession at the new year.
”Who is the new owner?” inquired Ishmael.
”Well, sir, his name is Middleton--Mr. James Middleton, from St. Mary's County: though I think I did hear as he was first of all from Virginia.”
”Mr. Middleton! Mr. James Middleton!” exclaimed Ishmael, catching his breath for joy.
”Yes, sir; that is the gentleman; did you happen to know him?”
”Yes: intimately; he is one of the best and most honored friends I have in the world!” said Ishmael warmly.