USA > Kentucky > Livingston County > Chronicles of a Kentucky settlement > Part 26
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" Now-now, no more of that !" exclaimed Adair, earnestly. " You don't stand in the way. Rather than give up you and the 'chicks ' I'd take a vow, without hesitation, never to get married. Besides, I don't know that I could get married if I wanted to. I never asked any young lady to be my wife ; and, more than that, I never told one that I loved her."
The sister was silent for several moments. Joseph's assertions were so positive that for a time she thought she might be mistaken. But, with the known per- sistence of her sex in such circumstances, she could not be satisfied to remain in doubt-she must know more, must go to the bottom of the matter, even if she found a deposit of hidden sorrows which would add to her own unhappiness. "Joseph, my brother," she at last said, " I do not doubt a word of what you have said. But, excuse me, what you have said does not answer my question-does not tell me what I desire to know for your sake."
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Adair was almost nettled by his sister's persistence ; but he did not believe her to be actuated by an idle curiosity, and gave her credit for an honest desire to subserve his interest and promote his happiness ; con- sequently he manifested no petulance in his reply.
" Why should you wish a more direct reply ? " he asked. "Have I not told you I would vow never to get married rather than have you and your children leave me ? But," he smilingly continued, "if you really wish to know, I will confess that I have been in love ; at least I suppose that was what was the matter with me, and, of course, about that time, I did think, more or less, of getting married ; but I did n't, you see."
" Brother Joseph," she replied, and her voice be- trayed some emotion, " I fear you have misunderstood my motive in questioning you. It was no desire to pry into your secrets. I believe that you would vow never to get married-that you would sacrifice your chance to secure the fullest measure of happiness this life can afford, if it were necessary to enable you to discharge what you regard as a duty to the widow and children of your lost brother. But, if you were in my place, would you be satisfied to remain passive ? Would you have me appear so ungrateful to yourself ? Would you not have me want to do something-try to do something, to make you happy ? And, O brother, think of it ! it is not you and I alone, nor my little ones, nor your father and Daniel ! May there not be-is there not another who may be rendered unhappy ? "
Her voice had, as she proceeded, become more tremu- lous, and there were tears in her eyes. Her brother had never heard her make so long a speech, or such a
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forcible appeal. But he wished to dry up her tears rather than add to them, and so he assumed a cheer- fulness he was far from feeling.
"Come, come, sister !" he said. "On my word, I never doubted your good motives in questioning me. I'm sure, too, you are anxious to promote my happi- ness in every way you can. But I don't exactly under- stand what it is you would have me do. You surely - don't want me to rush off and get married. And who is the young lady who will be disconsolate if she does n't get me ? "
"Ah, brother," she answered, with an effort at pleasantry, but there were still traces of tears, "I see how it is, and will question you no further. You know I would not have you rush off and get married. What I wish is that you may feel free to get married, if you so desire. Nor do I certainly know who the young lady is who would be 'disconsolate,' but I could probably guess."
Men have passed through a battle unscathed and then been wounded by a stray shot or a spent ball ; others have tripped and fallen just before finishing what would otherwise have been a successful race. So it was on this occasion. Adair had parried his sis- ter's questions-had done so from the purest and most disinterested motives, and now, after the struggle was over-after she had said "I will question you no further," that stray shot-that she "could probably guess "-struck him. He did not wish his sister to feel that he had withheld his confidence because of any distrust ; he wished the subject-matter laid aside with some show of pleasantry and good humor. If he had not been the grave and earnest man for which
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he had credit, we might suspect there was a germ of that peculiarly feminine quality known as " curiosity," excited by the sister's closing remark. But be this as it may, he laughingly rejoined : " Well, give us all idea at your skill at guessing." No sooner, how- ever, had he uttered the words than he wished he had not done so.
The sister's reply was prompt : ''Miss Laura How- ard would be my first and my only guess."
Adair was at first surprised, then thoughtful, and finally-it must be confessed-curious. "Why, sis- ter," he at last said, "what can you have seen or heard to have put such an idea into your head ? "
" Oh, now you would question me !" she answered, and there was something like pleasantry in her tone ; and one of her long disused smiles lit up her pale face and made it look younger. "But," she continued, " you must first tell me if I have guessed correctly."
" There is no getting around it now." So at first thought Adair, nevertheless he would try. " Of course," he replied, "I think a great deal of Miss Howard, as I do of every member of my old friend's family. In fact I know of no young lady for whom I have a higher regard. But why you should so link my name with hers is more than I can understand."
" Because of what you, yourself, said to me, or in my presence, in the olden happy days, the memory of which was revived and vividly recalled last evening when you were telling your little tale to the children. Brother ! you cannot have forgotten William's repeated allusions to the ' baby,' and your trip to Knoxville ?"
In a moment Adair recalled the fact that, years before, when he had passed so much of his time in the
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pleasant little cottage home of his brother William and his fair young wife, he was often questioned about get- ting married. And William (who was, like his father, the Dashing Tom Adair of old, full of fun and jollity) had liked to joke his younger brother, and often spoke of and laughed over Joseph's romantic attachment to the Howard "baby " ; of the long trip he, Joseph, had made to Knoxville to see the Howard family, and to get another peep at and possibly another kiss from that " dear blessed baby." And then he, Wil- liam, would tell his young wife of how he had found Joseph in Knoxville, and of what a long, lean, sad face he had because he missed his "baby." He, Joseph, now also recalled how his sister had always tried to shield him from William's jokes, by telling him he must hunt up that little girl, and that she was sure he would find her some day, and his constancy be rewarded. The memory of those olden days, that fond, cheerful brother, that happy young wife, those pleas- ing, trusting, confiding chats, came back to him like strains of soft, sweet music from afar borne across deep and quiet waters. Then, too, he and his sister had of late often spoken of the Howards, and she knew that this was the same family he had known and loved so much in boyhood ; and that it was to the Squire's he had gone, as to a home, after his long illness. There could then no longer be any disguise. And the brother told the story of his love, his hopes, fears, struggles, resolutions, and silence. And the sister listened with deep and kindly interest, and ere they parted for the night she said :
"I knew I had a kind and good, but never before what a noble brother I have. And a load has been
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taken from my heart. I want to see you as happy as you richly deserve to be. I have seen Miss Laura, and I like her very-very much. I know that Mrs. How- ard regards you almost like a son ; and I know that the daughter greatly esteems, and I hope loves you. Win her heart and hand if you can, my brother, and may God speed you ! Get me a little cottage that I and the children may be near you ; and Daniel, when here, can make his home with me for company and protection ; and you and Laura can retain this house. When my health has improved, I can teach school and be less of a burden to you."
And Adair, the grave, resolute, but compassionate man and brother, replied : "I don't know ! I don't know ! Even such a parting from you and the chil- dren would be painful to me. I will think about it ; but there must be no school for you to teach."
And after a warm grasp of the pale, thin hand, and a kiss of sincere affection, he said, " Good-night," and was gone.
CHAPTER XXVI.
How Time Flies-Adair at Squire Howard's-Ada's Humor- Adair and Miss Laura's Drive to the Meeting-house-They Meet Miss Wilson and her Father - Comments of the Crowd-Mr. Pennyman-Rev. Simon Wright-James Wil- son and his Daughter.
T IME flies only when the heart is light and joyous :
for then we make no note of its unvarying march of sixty minutes to the hour, and twenty-four hours to the day. It oftener seems to move with " measured step and slow," and lag as if 't were weary with the never ceasing strain. But it takes no note of joy or sorrow, of patience or impatience, and only obeys the standing order: "Steady ! forward, march !"
To Joseph Adair time seemed to drag until that Sunday, to which he looked forward with impatience not unmixed with anxiety, at last came round. The day came bright and beautiful. There was no bald and brazen sky ; the cerulean background was dashed here and there by cirrus and cumulus clouds, which floated so gently on the wings of the wind as to form a gorgeous panorama.
Adair, as he drove Ben Simon in the buggy from Salem to Squire Howard's, had much to think about,
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and he did think, and think seriously ; for he realized that the day might prove an epoch in his life. And yet the more he thought the more in doubt he seemed to become. He certainly had no settled purpose to tell Miss Howard the story he had so long kept secret from her. He remembered what Duncan and what his sister had said ; but, in a matter of such importance, he felt that he should be governed by his own convictions of duty. But what served more than all else to darken his pathway and render his steps uncertain, were the doubts he still entertained as to the nature of Miss Laura's feelings for him. She had ever been so timid, so reserved when in his company alone, that he could not rid himself of his old impression that she dreaded lest he should make a declaration which would be use- less and sorrowful to them both.
An hour's drive brought him to the Squire's house. He never was more cordially received. Miss Laura had never looked so beautiful ; her rapidly beating heart had given a warmer coloring, a richer tint, to lips and cheeks.
As for Ada, never before was she in a more humor- ous and teasing mood. "It was very kind of you," she said, addressing Mr. Adair, " to come out and take sister Laura a-driving ; but if you had brought a buggy with seats for three, and taken me along, it would have been a great deal nicer."
" What ! would you like to go? If so, we might wedge you in," replied Adair.
" No, thank you," Ada answered, "that buggy seat looks hardly wide enough for two ! Besides, I'm not grieving on my own account, but only for you and sis- ter. Everybody knows you two don't know how to be
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entertaining when you are alone together ; and I'd only like to be along so as to wind you both up and keep you ticking."
"Oh," said Miss Laura, blushingly, "you don't know how much we talk when you are not present to distract us with your rattle."
Ada's only reply was a merry little laugh, and then, "Oh, look yonder !" she exclaimed, pointing to a lunch basket which was to be put in the buggy. "That basket," she went on, " contains enough pro- visions to last you two for a week, but you are not expected to wander around and remain away until you eat it all. No, you young and giddy folks" (indicat- ing Mr. Adair and Laura by a movement of her head and eyes) " must remember that there are other people in the world besides yourselves, and that most of them require some substantial victuals. So, when the preach- ing is over and the eating begins, you can reserve a pickle and a chicken wing apiece, and divide out the remainder. And, Mr. Adair," she added, with mock gravity, "you must pay marked attention to the preacher, and not let your mind go skipping around about Betsy, Jane, and Susan."
" I will remember your instructions," replied Adair, "and do my best to follow them. But should my mind get to skipping around, as I fear it may, I hope there will be no harm in my thinking of you."
" Oh, none whatever," answered Ada, " provided you don't let sister Laura know anything about it."
"Oh, you tease !" exclaimed Miss Laura, good- humoredly.
"And you may rely on my discretion," rejoined Adair.
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When Adair and Miss Laura were seated in the buggy, and Mrs. Howard and Ada standing near, "Oh, Mr. Adair," said Ada, " you must be exceed- ingly careful in driving-keep your eyes looking ahead, and not over your left shoulder ; for, should any acci- dent happen to that sister of mine, I would never for- give myself for having permitted her to go on such a venturesome trip with you. And now, good-by, my children, and don't forget that my heart will be all in a flitter-flutter until you are safely restored to my arms. Oh ! that is, one of you."
" And which one?" shouted Adair, as soon as his laughter subsided ; but it was too late to get an answer, for Ada had bounded away towards the house.
It must be confessed that Miss Laura Howard and Mr. Joseph Adair were slightly embarrassed as they drove off ; but they both did their best to hide it by talking at first of the weather, the roads, and then of Ben Simon. After a little while, however, their seats were properly adjusted-they got the swing of the buggy, got used to the situation generally, and less apprehensive of any damage from slight bumpings of the shoulders ; for, really, the seat of the buggy was rather narrow.
When their embarrassment, or perhaps, more prop- erly speaking, their agitation or perturbation had in a measure subsided, Miss Laura ventured to remind Mr. Adair of the Duncan-Wilson case.
" Ah ! Mr. Adair," she said, "you will remember that I got only a very brief account of that fortunate visit of yours, and that I warned you I would have a hundred questions to ask you to-day."
" Yes," he replied, " but you will no doubt see Miss
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Catherine to-day, and she can tell you all much better than I can."
"Oh, I can accept no such excuse. I may not see Catherine ; but if I do, there may be no chance for pri- vate conversation. Besides, you were entrusted by her with a message to deliver to me, and you have not fully discharged that duty. Furthermore, there are certainly some parts of the story with which you are much better acquainted than she ; and I am sure you can tell the story as I wish to hear it told."
After such a pleasing little speech, Adair could only say, " Well, then, question away, and I will answer you the best I can."
''Nay-nay !" she rejoined, " that is not the way to proceed. You begin at the beginning, and tell me the entire story ; and if, as you proceed, there is any- thing I do not understand, or wish to know, I will then question you."
" Well, I am in for it," said Mr. Adair, jocularly, "and so here goes !" Then followed a detailed account of his visit to Mr. Wilson's, so far as it referred to Mr. Duncan and Miss Catherine. He, however, omitted any mention of the indirect influence of the Rev. Simon Wright in shaping the course of events. And there were many questions asked, and some of these opened up other topics or side issues, and thus the conversation went on with a free and easy flow. And there was some talk about Mr. Rudolph, and Mr. Brantley, and Miss Wilmot ; and so it happened that the two hours occupied in driving to the Big Spring Meeting-house passed very swiftly.
When they came in sight of the square log building and saw the horses hitched to the lower branches of 26
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many of the surrounding trees, and the gathering crowd around the Meeting-house, they both felt that they wished the distance had been greater ; for theirs had been a communion both of mind and heart. They had talked not only about persons and personal matters, but their conversation had occasionally flowed into graver channels, and there had been a frank and free expression of views, feelings, and sentiments. Long and intimately as they had known each other, they never before had talked so freely and unreservedly. And, it is but truth to say, each had risen in the other's estimation ; for theirs had been companionship of the highest, purest order, in which mind and heart had whetted and sharpened mind and heart, and brought out all the charms of social intercourse.
After alighting from the buggy, Adair proceeded to unfasten the traces and take his horse from the shafts. No special precautions were necessary in hitching Ben Simon, for he had none of the special vices of many country horses, such as breaking or slipping their bridles, and leaving their owners to return home on foot. This done, Adair looked around and saw Miss Wilson approaching ; for she knew the road by which he would doubtless come, and had been on the lookout for him and her friend Laura. The young ladies were soon in each other's arms and exchanging greetings and kisses. Then Adair came in for his proper share of Miss Wilson's greetings.
" One little message," Adair half-whispered in Miss Wilson's ear, "from George ! He will be at your father's house on Tuesday next, about II o'clock A.M., to see you."
" And is he well ? " she blushingly asked.
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"Yes, well, and the happiest man south of the North Star !" he answered.
"And you, Mr. Adair, you have had a pleasant drive, I hope?" . And this Miss Wilson said quite loud enough to attract Miss Howard's attention.
" I have been told," he answered, "that the distance from the Squire's here is ten miles, but, really, it has not seemed, at least to me, half that far."
"And you, Lattra," said Miss Catherine, addressing her friend, and giving her a peculiar glance, which was doubtless well understood, "what think you of the distance from your father's house here ? "
"That the road was so smooth, and my drive so very pleasant, I neither took note of time nor miles," was Miss Laura's prompt and pleasing answer.
" My thanks, then," responded Adair, " to the road, Ben Simon, and the buggy."
"And mine," rejoined Miss Laura, " more particu- larly to the driver. But," she continued, addressing Miss Catherine, " do you know whether brother An- drew and sister have arrived ? "
"Yes ; they are down near the Meeting-house."
" And your father, is he here ? " Laura asked.
" Yes; that is he standing alone under yonder tree," answered Catherine ; and, as she pointed to the lone man, a shade of sadness passed over her face.
" Then you must introduce me ; for I have never seen him before."
This seemingly natural and simple request of Miss Laura's caused Adair the liveliest pleasure, and Miss Catherine was deeply touched by it ; and, with some emotion, replied, " Thank you, Laura, for giving me so much pleasure."
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Mr. Wilson was alone. There were many men and women near him, but none with or speaking to him. Many a furtive glance was directed at the erect and portly man, who stood apart, his hands clasped behind his back, and his eagle eyes roaming somewhat rest- lessly from one group to another. He had not observed his daughter's approach until she was near enough to speak.
"Father !" she said, "this is my friend, Miss Laura Howard, who has kindly asked me to introduce her."
There was an immediate softening of the stern out- lines of his burly face, a more humane expression about those deep-set gray eyes, as he extended his hand and said, slowly and distinctly repeating the name interrogatively, " Miss Laura Howard ? I thank you for the honor you have done me. I am glad to see you ; glad to know you. I have long wished to thank you for your great kindness to my daughter."
" Mr. Wilson, in your daughter I have found a friend and congenial companion ; and I have as much reason as she to be thankful that we know each other so well," was the calm, frank, and kind reply.
" And you, too, Mr. Adair, you here ?" said Mr. Wilson, grasping with much warmth the extended hand. " Well, this is an honor and a pleasure."
" Yes, sir," answered Adair, "and I am glad to meet you again. I had the pleasure of driving down with Miss Howard."
" Well done !" responded Mr. Wilson. "Then you must have had a pleasant drive. But did you bring along that -- "
" That partner of mine ? " interposed Adair, observ- ing him to hesitate. " No, he did not come. But,"
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he added, after glancing at Miss Wilson, " he intends making you a visit on Tuesday next."
" I am glad to hear it," replied Mr. Wilson. Then, addressing Miss Howard, he added : "And you, Miss Howard, I suppose you know this partner of Mr. Adair's ? "
"Yes, Mr. Wilson," was the earnest answer, "I know Mr. Duncan well, and greatly esteem him as a gentleman and friend."
In the meanwhile many in the surrounding assembly were curiously noting our group of four.
" Why," said a town-looking young man with a very long upper lip and a cocked eye, "that 's Adair, the Deputy Sheriff talking to Jim Wilson ; seems to know him very well. Rather strange, I should say, to be seen publicly talking to such a man."
" Oh," said another, a loose-jointed countryman with a hare-lip-or what appeared such, but the slit may have been occasioned by the " kick " of a gun- " I s'pose the Depity don't want Wilson to have no grudge ag'inst him. He's kinder keepin' on the right side o' the old feller."
" And," said a third, a spruce young farmer, whose long foxy hair was profusely greased, or larded, or buttered, " who in the world is that tarnation sniptious- lookin' gal with the Depity ?"
"Oh," answered "liare-lip," "that's one o' the dar- ters o' Squire Howard, the celebrated survey'r what lives up jist this side o' Salem. An' she is sniptious an' no mistake ! "
"Should n't wunder," said " greasy-head," "if that Depity was kinder sotten up ter that bundle o' dry- goods. But, dash my hide, if I ever seed enny chap
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with sich black har' ! it kinder sets off his homely face."
"Ah," said "cock-eye," jocularly, "there 's 110 chance there- no chance there for you, with that ' bundle of dry-goods.' The black locks would beat yours any day."
" Well," was "greasy-head's" drawling rejoinder, " I aint sot in that direcshun ; I aint a-shootin' at that mark !"
"An' lor' bless yer !" said old Mrs. Martha Long- who was very short and fat-to her neighbor, the young widow Styles -- who was all smiles-" jist look at that Wilson gal ! Aint she rigged up? An' she hangs round that old brute, her fayther, as if she was proud o' him. An' that tuther one with her ? wunder who she is ; looks sorter nice, but she can't be much, bein' with that Wilson gal."
" Oh, Aunt Marthy," replied the smiling widow, " yer mus' n't be too hard on the girls for dressin' up ; they all likes ter do it. An' that black-haired man what's with 'um ? Wunder who he is ? "
" Yes ; I'll be bound fer you, Penelope," replied " Aunt Marthy," "it's the men, an' not the wimmin you 're arter."
The smiling widow's reply was interrupted, for at that moment public attention was attracted to Colonel Lovell and his wife, who were approaching the group of four. And there was soon such a hand-shaking and kissing among the ladies going on, that Jim Wil- son rose somewhat in public estimation ; for every one knew the quiet little Colonel, and had something to tell about his daring deeds as a soldier, or his works and quiet ways as a farmer and neighbor.
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But now the hour for preaching had nearly arrived, and, as the preacher had not yet come, every one was on the lookout for him. And soon the words went round : " He's come !" "That's him !" and " Thar he is ! "
Simon Wright, punctual almost to the minute, had come. He walked rapidly from where he hitched his horse to the Meeting-house, near the door of which he met Colonel Lovell, whom he greeted warmly ; and, after speaking a few words in an undertone, passed on into the Meeting-house and ascended into the small box-like pulpit ; after which he knelt for a few minutes in silent prayer. Then, rising, he took from his coat pocket a small Bible and a hymn-book, which he placed upon the ledge of the pulpit.
The congregation were in the meanwhile entering and finding seats on the rude benches with which the room was well filled. It was observed by many, particularly among the young men, that the beautiful Miss Howard took a seat beside Colonel Lovell and his wife, near to but on one side of the pulpit ; while Miss Wilson was seated by her father, and Mr. Adair immediately in their rear. As was customary, while the congregation were entering and being seated, some familiar hymn- for not one in twenty of those present had hymn-books -was " raised." This somewhat difficult and embar- rassing undertaking in most country churches was performed by one James Pennyman, a well-known character then and for many years afterwards.
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