A CONFERENCE OF SPINSTERS CONCERNING A RUNAWAY DAMSEL.
Five years have passed since the Claghorn reunion at Heidelberg. The
Professor and philosopher have journeyed to that world concerning which
one of the two claimed certain knowledge, and which the other regarded
as unknowable. Thither we cannot follow them, but since men do not live
for a day, but for all time, we shall doubtless come upon indications
that the lives of these two, the things they said and did, are forces
still. Meanwhile, we must concern ourselves with the living, and of
those with whom we have to do, no one is more noteworthy than Achsah
Claghorn.
Miss Claghorn was, as the representative of an ancient and very
theological family, a citizen of no little note in Easthampton, the
shady and quiet suburb of the city of Hampton. Her spotless white house
was large; its grounds were, compared with those of her neighbors,
large; the trees in the grounds were very large; the box-plants were
huge of their kind. Miss Achsah herself was small, but by reason of her
manner, which was positive and uncompromising, impressive. She lived as
became her wealth and position, comfortably and without undue regard for
conventionalities. She could afford so to live and had been able to
afford it for many years; ever since she had shared with her brother,
the Reverend Eliphalet, the bounty left to them by that other and
younger brother who had died in California. On the receipt of that
bounty she had retired from her position as schoolmistress, had bought
the large, white house, and, together with Tabitha Cone, had undertaken
to live as she pleased, succeeding in so doing more satisfactorily than
is usual with those fortunate enough to be able to make similar
resolves. Perhaps this was because her desires were more easily
attainable than the desires pertaining to such conditions usually are.
The position of Tabitha Cone was nominally one of dependence, but, with
a praiseworthy desire to rise superior to such a status, Tabitha
persistently strove to rule her benefactress, which attempts were met
with frequent rebellion. Miss Achsah was, at least intermittently,
mistress of her own house; and both ladies had a lurking consciousness
that she, Achsah, to wit, had reserves of strength which would enable
her to become so permanently, if she were to develop a serious intention
to that end. Both ladies, however, shrank from a struggle with that
possible termination, much enjoying life as they lived it, and with no
desire to terminate an invigorating and pleasing warfare.
For the rest, Miss Claghorn permitted no slurs to be cast upon her
companion, except such as she herself chose to project. "Tabitha Cone
and I sat on the same bench at school; together we found the Lord. I
knew of no difference between us in those days; I know of none now,
except that I had a rich brother."
"I am sure, Miss Claghorn, I quite agree with your view," observed
Paula, to whom the words were addressed.
"Which I hope is a satisfaction to you," replied the lady, her manner
indicating complete indifference as to the fact. "If that is so, why do
you object to my consulting Tabitha Cone about this letter?" looking
over her spectacles at the pretty face.
"I hoped that my plan would meet your views, and then such consultation
would perhaps be unnecessary, and--and----"
"And?" echoed Miss Achsah in an uncompromising tone, and regarding her
visitor still more sharply.
"You know, Miss Claghorn, you sent for me, and were kind enough to say
you desired my advice----"
"Information, not advice."
"Don't you think Tabitha Cone will derive a wrong impression if she
reads that letter?" continued the persistent Paula, "Is that quite
fair?"
"Tabitha Cone understands English--even Ellis Winter's--he says plainly
enough that the girl is an atheist----"
"Not that, Miss----"
"A heathen, then--a damned soul" (Paula started palpably). "Splitting
hairs about terms don't alter the essential fact."
"Nobody can deplore the truth more than I; but to risk its being made a
subject of gossip----"
"Tabitha Cone is not given to tattle. She may gossip with Almighty God
about this matter. She has known Him for many years."
Paula shuddered. To know Omnipotence in this blunt fashion grated on her
nerves. "I have humbled myself many times and sought her eternal welfare
in prayer," she said.
"I hope your condescension may ultimately benefit her," snapped the old
lady. "I can't say I have noticed any change, certainly no change for
the better."
"I referred to Natalie."
"Oh, and so that is the way to pronounce the outlandish name. My nephew
Eliphalet's mother's name was Susan; my own name has been in the family
two hundred years--well, and if Ellis Winter is right, your humblings
seem to have done but little good. Perhaps those of the despised Tabitha
Cone may have more effect, even if unaccompanied with flummery----"
"Miss Claghorn, you are not generally unjust."
"Never. But I get tired of millinery in religion. Ah! if only you would
humble yourself--but there! I suppose you intone the prayer for your
daily bread. Pah!"
Paula rose majestically.
"Sit down, child; I didn't mean to offend you. (The Lord has infinite
patience and pity, and so for imbeciles, I suppose)" she said
parenthetically and in a subdued tone, which was not heard by the
visitor, who sat down, having an object in being both meek and
persistent, a fact of which Miss Claghorn was aware. It was a sore
temptation to let Paula have her wish, but, all the while she knew she
must finally resolve to do her duty. It was that knowledge which gave
acrimony to her speech.
"Paula," she said, "I ought not to have asked you to come here about
this matter. I knew what you would desire and hoped you would be able to
persuade me; I ought to have known myself better. I must do my duty; she
must come to me."
"But, dear Miss Claghorn----"
"She is a Claghorn, and--dreadful as it is--a heathen as well, and alone
in the world. I must do my duty; it is not easy, I assure you."
Paula quite believed this, and the belief did not add to her hope of
success. When Miss Claghorn desired to do things which, in the eyes of
others, were better left undone, she was apt to see her duty in such
action. It was equally true that her duty being visible, she would do
it, even if disagreeable. But the duty now before her was, for many
reasons, very disagreeable, indeed, and strictly just as she was, she
was but human, and the righteous indignation she felt for her own
vacillation fell naturally in part upon Paula.
"At least do not let that letter prejudice you," urged Paula. "She is a
sweet girl, as good as gold."
"Very likely. Gold is dross. Good girls do not deny their Maker."
This was indisputable. Paula sighed. "I am very sorry we cannot have
her," was all she said.
Miss Claghorn looked at her thoughtfully and with some inward qualms at
her own harshness. There was an opportunity to seasonably drop a word
which for some time she had been considering as ready to be dropped, and
which, if heeded, might have some consolation for the girl before her.
"You can have her--on one condition. Come now, Paula!"
"What is that?" asked the girl, hope in her eyes; some misgiving, too,
for there was that in Miss Claghorn's expression which aroused it.
"Stop your shilly-shally with that little milliner-man, Arthur Cameril,
and marry him. Then Natalie can pay you a good long visit."
This was more than a Christian ought to bear. Paula could do her duty,
too.
"Miss Claghorn, Father Cameril has taken the vow of celibacy. The fact
is well known. I am contemplating the same. I wish you good-morning,"
and so Paula majestically sailed away.
"Hoity-toity!" exclaimed Miss Achsah, as her visitor let herself out of
the front door; and then, not disturbed, but in the belief that she had
performed another disagreeable duty, she commenced the re-perusal of a
letter in her hand. Which letter was as follows:
"Dear Miss Claghorn--Your grand-niece, Natalie, has arrived in
this country. She naturally at once communicated with me, and I
find her situation somewhat perplexing. To speak frankly, she
has run away from home. It was her father's wish that she
remain in the household of the Marquise de Fleury, and she has
lived with that lady since Mr. Claghorn's death. But it seems
that for some time past the guardian has tried to induce the
ward to marry against her inclinations.
"I think there can be no doubt that the influences brought to
bear on your grand-niece amounted to persecution, and I am
disposed to regard her action as justified, having received
from the Marquise (who was apprised of her destination by your
niece) a letter, written in such a tone as to leave no doubt in
my mind that the statements made to me by Miss Natalie are
correct.
"The plan of your grand-niece is to live independently in this
country. For the present this would be most imprudent. She is
very young, and though by no means inexperienced in the ways of
the world, is very foreign. She is quite resolute in her
determination, and is aware that her property, in my charge,
aside from some French possessions, is ample for her support.
Do not gather that she is not amenable to advice, or is
inclined to be obstinate. This is not the case, but she has
evidently had an unpleasant experience of guardianship, and is
quite resolved under no circumstances to permit any disposition
of herself matrimonially. This resolve is the foundation of her
intention to remain independent, an intention which no doubt
will be easily combated with her advance in knowledge of our
American customs in this regard.
"It would be unfair, having shown you the only shadows
connected with Beverley's daughter, were I to withhold the
commendation justly due her. With such acquaintance as I had
formed with her on the occasion of my visit to France, I
gathered a good opinion of one whom, indeed, I only knew as a
child. That opinion has been strengthened by occasional
correspondence and by the personal observation of the last
fortnight. She seems to be a charming girl, remarkably
beautiful, with a mind of her own, and, doubtless, a will of
her own; nevertheless, a person that would be an acquisition in
any household. Were I blessed with a domestic circle, I should
be well content to have Miss Natalie enter it; but, as you
know, I am not so fortunate.
"I hesitate to mention one other detail, yet feel that you
ought to be fully informed; and while I can, believe me,
appreciate the standpoint from which you will regard that which
I have to disclose, I beg you to take a charitable view of a
matter which, to one of your rooted and cherished convictions,
will be of transcendent importance. It is that your grand-niece
is in religion a free-thinker, and rejects the Christian faith.
"To you, as the representative of the Claghorn family, a family
which for generations has upheld the standard of purest
orthodoxy, this information will come as a shock. Yet when I
assure you that Miss Natalie's views (such as they are) are
probably held rather from a sense of filial duty and affection
than from conviction, the facts will, I am sure, appeal to your
compassion, as well as to that stern sense of duty and justice
so admirably exhibited in your life. For many years I have been
aware that the late Beverley had trained his daughter in
accordance with a theory which repudiated tenets sacred in your
eyes. My only reason for never imparting the fact to you was
because the knowledge could only be a grief to one who held the
Claghorn traditions in reverence. The interest you occasionally
displayed concerning one who had chosen to be an exile was, I
believe, always satisfied as far as in my power, except as to
this one particular. I regret now that I withheld a knowledge
which circumstances have made important. I did wrong, but I
need not ask you not to connect my wrong-doing with the claims
of your grand-niece.
"Kindly consider this letter carefully and let me hear from you
soon. Perhaps an invitation to spend a part or all of the
coming summer with you would lead to an easy solution of the
difficulties presented. Your grand-niece is at present staying
with my friend, Mrs. Leon, who will be pleased that she remain;
but I foresee that the young lady herself will object to that.
"With regards to Miss Cone, believe me,
"Respectfully yours, ELLIS WINTER."