Part 31 (1/2)
No strange new element invaded dwelling or grounds; the same brown hand that gave her ”hot-water tea” when she sat in her high chair now placed her chocolate before her, and she missed only old Hector, who had followed his master to happier hunting grounds, and King Herod, gone, doubtless, to share the punishment of his namesake. The thoroughbred horses and silver-grey Jerseys were fine as she remembered them, and though they now seemed smaller, the white game fowls were as beautiful as of yore, when she toddled after her grandmother to feed them in the enclosure to which they were restricted.
Years had made no alteration, save that a fond, trusting child came back a sadly anxious woman, fronting the world with calm defiance, but s.h.i.+vering silently under a numbing shadow of brooding dread that time might deepen, but could not dispel.
CHAPTER XVIII
After prolonged residence in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Was.h.i.+ngton, New York, and continental Europe, it was inevitable that returning absentees should find the restricted environment of Y---- stiflingly provincial; and, despite the rapid growth of the town, consequent upon construction of new railways and erection of furnaces and cotton mills, its limitations were apparent. There was no lack of individual brains or culture, but Eglah missed keenly the effectively ma.s.sed mental activity that shrewdly focussed all lights on national questions, political policies, and diplomatic legerdemain in Was.h.i.+ngton; and especially the stimulating intellectual ozone, the sharpening friction of perpetual debate in congressional circles. An exalted official career at the Capitol lured her like a baleful witch, and transition from brilliant public life to comparatively secluded domesticity in a Southern country home strained her patience.
Gentlemen who composed the most fas.h.i.+onable club in Y---- gave an elaborate german to welcome the chatelaine of Nutwood. The small Kent coterie invited the judge and his daughter to several dinners, that were promptly repaid, while, now and then, Eglah was requested to appear at ladies' luncheons, and to a.s.sist at five o'clock teas; but more and more she realized and resented keenly that among the proud old families she was tolerated simply because of the powerful hereditary Maurice prestige. Noting the social discrimination against her father, and in some quarters the far from fervent, though courteous acceptance of herself, her few invitations to Nutwood dinners were confined to those who had welcomed him to their board and fireside. By degrees an element of haughtiness, at variance with her youthful grace and beauty, invaded her manner, and her frigid politeness hastened the diminution of the circle revolving about her, and reduced social hospitalities to merely formal visiting. Complete abandonment of the contemplated _fete champetre_ resulted from the arrival of the mail one morning, three weeks after Judge Kent's return from Was.h.i.+ngton--a journey to which no one ever alluded.
Leaning back in her low wicker rocking-chair, in a shaded angle of the colonnade, Eglah listlessly watched Eliza's white Angora cat, stretched on the floor and following with avid green eyes the coquettish manoeuvres of two brilliant red birds that flashed from a tangle of Belgian honeysuckle vines--brocaded with pale-pink satin cl.u.s.ters--to the quivering covert of a neighboring acacia, swinging its long, flowery fringes of vivid yellow.
Of the town, nearly two miles distant, church spires and factory chimneys were visible; but beyond the roaring river and far away, rose against blue sky a battlement of hills, tapestried with that tender, purple mist woven only in the loom of distance. With less than usual interest, Eglah began to examine the papers and letters lying in her lap. One heavy envelope contained samples of sprigged muslin for curtains; in another, that was so light it seemed empty, she found a newspaper clipping carefully folded in a blank sheet of thin notepaper.
”Special Correspondence.
”Was.h.i.+ngton:
”From a source always well informed and usually accurate, it has been whispered that the sudden change of policy in a certain senator--whose resignation surprised his congressional colleagues--finds explanation in the menaced divulgement of some damaging facts connecting the ex-senator's votes with crooked syndicate dealings in the West. How this record was unearthed is not yet known, but it is rumored a blondined Circe of the lobby aeaea used her knowledge of it quite successfully in furtherance of the Bison Head bill that hung so long in committee room, and also to secure the senator's resignation in favor of a rival candidate for whom she shows deep sympathy.
Her threat to place her information at the service of the approaching Legislature of the inc.u.mbent's native State hastened his resignation some months prior to the expiration of his term, and he promptly 'left his country for his country's good,' to recuperate in foreign lands. Truly, 'G.o.d's fruit of justice ripens slow,'--but fate takes care to shake the tree.
Now and then we have proof in public life that '_Dieu paie, mais il ne paie pas tous les Samedis._'”
The name of the paper did not appear in the clipping and date and signature had been erased. The envelope bore postmark of a Colorado town, and the address was type-written. It was not from the State represented in the Senate by the Hon. Rufus Higginbottom, but Eglah's intuitions a.s.sured her the extract had been sent by the hand of Miss Ethelberta. Doubtless it had appeared while they were in Europe, but whether the press circulated it freely she was now barred from investigating.
A moan she could not repress escaped her usually well guarded lips, and she s.h.i.+vered as if a freezing wind swung her to and fro.
A stealthy hand creeping around the dial had reached that predestined hour she so vaguely dreaded, and its strokes sounded the knell of her life's dearest hope.
Was it merely a party libel--one of the scandalous personalities used in retaliation for some stinging blow her father had dealt Democracy--a foul partisan aspersion such as political opponents hurl with shameful recklessness?
Two years ago she would have hurried to her father for denial, and published proofs that his hands were clean; but to-day, for some moments after the shock, doubt seemed the only land of promise where she could dwell with any semblance of peace. Looking back over all that made their last two months in Was.h.i.+ngton so painful to her, recalling the inexplicable nervousness that was invariably exhibited when American letters and papers reached them at Aix les Bains, she connected incidents that formerly had no visible relation, and filial faith began to rock and drift from its life-long moorings. Yet with obstinate tenacity she swung back to the only comforting supposition--that political hatred and the unscrupulous ambition of a rival candidate had combined to fabricate this atrocious calumny. Were it possible for Judge Kent to vindicate himself, why had he failed to do so promptly in print?
Again and again she read the clipping, carefully committing to memory the entire article, and when quite sure it was literally indelible, she tore the paper into innumerable fragments and tossed them to the wind singing through the venerable tree tops.
A different nature might, perhaps, have utilized the printed statement as a bridge over the chasm gaping between her father and herself, but intense pride and yearning love prompted her to s.h.i.+eld him from the great shame of knowing she had read the blistering libel. That the burned telegram related to this publication, was an explanation of his reluctance to acquaint her with the contents, that appealed now to her tenderness, and her eyes softened in a pa.s.sionate longing to throw herself into his arms, as in happier days.
Doubtless the press in Y---- had copied this a.s.sault upon his political integrity, his many enemies were gloating over it, and henceforth she would make no attempt to level the bristling hedge of social distrust.
As one who s.n.a.t.c.hes from the grave some beloved dead, and battles in frantic hope of resuscitation, she grappled closer, to warm at her heart the wan, fading remains of loyal filial confidence. It was an hour of exceeding bitterness, of intolerable humiliation, but undaunted by the severity of a blow smiting her where most vulnerable, she girded herself to struggle in defence, faintly cheered by a vague yet obstinate hope that in coming years her Biography might avail to rehabilitate the character so unjustly a.s.sailed.
Before her lay isolation, hidden heartache, the silent surrender of her dearest ambition, and the acceptance of life robbed of all rosy plans.
Remembering how firmly Mrs. Maurice's slim hands had held the reins of government, Eglah followed precedent in all details of domestic management that did not conflict with her father's wishes. While he had amused himself with viticulture and the erection of new gla.s.s houses, she was interested in extending and refitting the conservatory, but Mrs.
Mitch.e.l.l's frequent and increasing sojourns at her small farm, many miles distant, disquieted her foster-child, who finally rebelled.
”No, Ma-Lila, it is out of the question. I can not let you go and spend a week. What do you suppose would become of me? You may as well stop packing your trunk.”
”O, dearie, you are perfectly well, and your father is always here. It is March and I must go.”
”Yes, I am fortunate in having father, but I want to keep you where I can touch you whenever I wish. Ever since I could crawl you have slain my bugaboos, and as I have not outgrown the cowardice of covering my face with the sheet, I find the sight of that prim black head of yours is necessary to my peace of mind. I am jealous of that little den down by the old mill, and if you will sell out and give it up I should be glad to pay double its value. Then you could buy bonds and cut your coupons, and keep your hands white and soft as they ought to be, instead of delving with b.u.t.ter, eggs, honey, and pickles.”
”Sell Dairy-Dingle! I would almost as soon sell my husband's grave.