"HOME SWEET HOME."
Edward approached the hall that afternoon with misgivings. A charge had
been brought against him, denied, and the denial defended with his life;
but the charge was not disproved. And in this was the defect of the
"code of honor." It died not because of its bloodiness but of
inadequacy. A correct aim could not be a satisfactory substitute for
good character nor good morals.
Was it his duty to furnish proof to his title to the name of gentleman?
Or could he afford to look the world in the face with disdain and hold
himself above suspicion? The latter course was really his only choice.
He had no proofs.
This would do for the world at large, but among intimates would it
suffice? He knew that nowhere in the world is the hearthstone more
sacred than in the south, and how long would his welcome last, even at
The Hall, with his past unexplained? He would see! The first hesitancy
of host or hostess, and he would be self-banished!
There was really no reason why he should remain in America; agents could
transact what little business was his and look after Gerald's affairs.
Nothing had changed within him; he was the same Edward Morgan, with the
same capacities for enjoyment.
But something had changed. He felt it with the mere thought of absence.
What was it? As in answer to his mental question, there came behind him
the quick breath of a horse and turning he beheld Mary. She smiled in
response to his bow. The next instant he had descended from his buggy
and was waiting.
"May I ride with you?" Again the face of the girl lighted with pleasure.
"Of course. Get down, Jerry, and change places with Mr. Morgan." Jerry
made haste to obey. "Now, drop behind," she said to him, as Edward
seated himself by her side.
"You see I have accepted your invitation," he began, "only I did not
come as soon as I wished to, or I would have answered your kind note at
once in person. All are well, I trust?" Her face clouded.
"No. Mamma has become entirely blind--probably for all time. I have just
been to telegraph Dr. Campbell to come to us. We will know to-morrow."
He was greatly distressed.
"My visit is inopportune--I will turn back. No, I was going from The
Hall to the general's; I can keep straight on."
"Indeed, you shall not, Mr. Morgan. Mamma is bearing up bravely, and you
can help so much to divert her mind if you tell her of your travels." He
assented readily. It was a novel sensation to find himself useful.
"To-morrow morning," she continued, "perhaps I can find time to go to
the general's--if you really want to go--"
"I do," he said. "My German friend, Virdow, has a theory he wishes to
demonstrate and has asked me to find the dominate tones in a waterfall;
I remembered the general's little cascade, and owing him a visit am
going to discharge both duties. What a grand old man the general is!"
"Oh, indeed, yes. You do not know him, Mr. Morgan. If you could have
seen how he entered into your quarrel--" she blushed and hesitated. "Oh,
what an outrage was that affair!"
"It is past, Miss Montjoy; think no more upon it. It was I who cost your
father his seat in Congress. That is the lamentable feature."
"That is nothing," said the young girl, "compared with the mortification
and peril forced upon you. But you had friends--more than you dreamed
of. The general says that the form of your note to Mr. Royson saved you
a grave complication."
"You mean that I am indebted to Mr. Barksdale for that?"
"Yes. I love Mr. Barksdale; he is so manly and noble." Edward smiled
upon her; he was not jealous of that kind of love.
"He is certainly a fine character--the best product of the new south, I
take it. I have neglected to thank him for his good offices. I shall
call upon him when I return."
"And," she said in a low tone, "of course you will assure the general of
your gratitude to-morrow. You owe him more than you suspect. I would not
have you fail there."
"And why would you dislike to have me fail?" She blushed furiously when
she realized how she had become involved, but she met his questioning
gaze bravely.
"You forget that I introduced you as my friend, and one does not like
for friends to show up in a bad light."
He fell into moody silence, from which with difficulty only he could
bring himself to reply to questions as she led the way from personal
grounds. The Hall saved him from absolute disgrace.
In the darkened sitting-room was Mrs. Montjoy when the girl and the
young man entered. She lifted her bandaged eyes to the door as she heard
their voices in the hall.
"Mamma, here is Mr. Morgan," said Mary. The family had instinctively
agreed upon a cheerful tone; the great oculist was coming; it was but a
question of time when blessed sight would return again. The colonel
raised himself from the lounge where he had been dozing and came
forward. Edward could not detect in his grave courtesy the slightest
deviation of manner. He welcomed him smilingly and inquired of Gerald.
And then, continuing into the room, the young man took the soft hand of
the elder woman. She placed the other on his and said with that singular
disregard of words peculiar to the blind:
"I am glad to see you Mr. Morgan. We have been so distressed about you.
I spent a wretched day and night thinking of your worry and danger."
"They are all over now, madam; but it is pleasant to know that my
friends were holding me up all the time. Naturally I was somewhat
lonesome," he said, forcing a smile, "until the general came to my
rescue." Then recollecting himself, he added: "But those hours were as
nothing to this, madam. You cannot understand how distressed I was to
learn, as I have just now, of your illness." She patted his hand
affectionately, after the manner of old ladies.
"Oh, yes, I can. Mary has told us of your offer to take us to Paris on
that account. I am sure sometimes that one's misfortunes fall heaviest
upon friends."
"It is not too late," he said, earnestly. "If the colonel will keep
house and trust you with me, it is not too late. Really, I am almost
obliged to visit Paris soon, and if--" he turned to the colonel at a
loss for words. That gentleman had passed his hand over his forehead and
was looking away.
"You are more than kind, my young friend," he said, sadly: "more than
kind. We will see Campbell. If it is necessary Mrs. Montjoy will go to
Paris."
Mary had been a silent witness of the little scene. She turned away to
hide her emotion, fearful that her voice, if she spoke, would betray
her. The Duchess came in and climbed to grandma's lap and wound her arms
around the little woman. The colonel had resumed his seat when Mary
brought in from the hall the precious violin and laid it upon the piano,
waiting there until the conversation lagged.
"Mamma," she said, then, "Mr. Morgan has his violin; he was on his way
through here to the general's when I intercepted him. I know you can
rely upon him to play for us."
"As much and as often as desired," said Edward heartily. "I have a
friend at home, an old professor with whom I studied in Germany, who is
engaged in some experiments with vibration, and he has assigned me
rather a novel task--that is, I am to go over to the general's and
determine the tone of a waterfall, for everything has its tone--your
window glass, your walking stick, even--and these will respond to the
vibrations which make that tone. Young memories are born of vibration,
and old airs bring back old thoughts." He arose and took the violin as
he talked.
If the presence of the silent sufferer was not sufficient to touch his
heart, there were the brown, smiling eyes of the girl whose fingers met
his as he took the instrument. He played as never before. Something went
from him into the ripe, resonant instrument, something that even Virdow
could not have explained, and through the simple melodies he chose,
affected his hearers deeply. Was it the loneliness of the man speaking
to the loneliness of the silent woman, whose bandaged forehead rested
upon one blue-veined hand? Or was it a new spring opened up by the
breath, the floating hair, the smooth contour of cheeks, the melting
depths of brown eyes, the divine sympathy of the girl who played his
accompaniments?
All the old music of the blind woman's girlhood had been carefully bound
and preserved, as should all old music be when it has become a part of
our lives; and as this man with his subtle power awoke upon that
marvelous instrument the older melodies he gave life to the dreams of
her girlish heart. Just so had she played them--if not so true, yet
feelingly. By her side had stood a gallant black-haired youth, looking
down into her face, reading more in her upturned eyes than her tongue
had ever uttered; eyes then liquid and dark with the light of love
beaming from their depths; alas, to beam now no more forever! Love must
find another speech. She reached out her hand and in eloquent silence it
was taken.
Silence drew them all back to earth. But behind the players, an old
man's face was bent upon the smooth soft hand of the woman, and eyes
that must some day see for both of them, left their tender tribute.
Edward Morgan linked himself to others in that hour with strands
stronger than steel. Even the little Duchess felt the charm and power of
that violin in the hands of the artist. Wondering, she came to him and
stretched up her little hands. He took her upon his knee then, and,
holding the instrument under her chin and her hands in his, awoke a
little lullaby that had impressed him. As he sang the words, the girl
smiled into the faces of the company.
"Look, gamma," she said gleefully; "look!" And she, lifting her face,
said gently:
"Yes, dear; gamma is looking." Mary's face was quickly averted; the
hands of the colonel tightened upon the hand he held.
The Duchess had learned to sing "Rockaby Baby" and now she lifted her
thin, piping voice, the player readily following, and sang sweetly all
the verses she could remember. Mary took her in her arms when tired, and
Edward let the strains run on slower and softer. The eyes of the little
one drooped wearily, and then as the player, his gaze fixed upon the
little scene, drifted away into "Home, Sweet Home," they closed in
sleep. The blind woman still sat with her hand in her husband's, his
head bent forward until his forehead rested upon it.