"Well, I reckon we kin fill up the house."
Clayton's heart sank at the ordeal of a wedding with such a master
of ceremonies. He was about to ask where Easter and her mother
were, when, to his relief, he saw them both in the path below,
approaching the house. The girl was carrying a bucket of water on
her head. Once he would have thought her picturesque, but now it
pained him to see her doing such rough work. When she saw him,
she gave a cry of surprise and delight that made Clayton tingle
with remorse. Then running to him with glowing face, she stopped
suddenly, and, with a look down at her bare feet and soiled gown,
fled into the cabin. Clayton followed, but the room was so dark he
could see nothing.
Easter! " he called. There was no answer, but he was suddenly
seized about the neck by a pair of unseen arms and kissed by
unseen lips twice in fierce succession, and before he could turn
and clasp the girl she was laughing softly in the next room, with a
barred door between them. Clayton waited patiently several
minutes, and then asked:
Easter, aren't you ready?
Not yit-not yet!" She corrected herself with such vehemence that
Clayton laughed. She came out presently, and blushed when
Clayton looked her over from head to foot with astonishment. She
was simply and prettily dressed in white muslin; a blue ribbon was
about her throat, and her hair was gathered in a Psyche knot that
accented the classicism of her profile. Her appearance was really
refined and tasteful. When they went out on the porch he noticed
that her hands had lost their tanned appearance. Her feet were
slippered, and she wore black stockings. He remembered the book
of fashion-plates he had once sent her; it was that that had
quickened her instinct of dress. He said nothing, but the happy
light in Easter's face shone brighter as she noted his pleased and
puzzled gaze.
Why, ye look like another man," said Easter's mother, who had
been looking Clayton over with a quizzical smile. "Is that the way
folks dress out in the settlemints? 'N' look at that gal. Ef she hev
done anythin' sence ye hev been gone but____" The rest of the
sentence was smothered in the palm of Easter's hand, and she too
began scrutinizing Clayton closely. The mountaineer said nothing,
and after a curious glance at Easter resumed his pipe.
You look like a pair of butterflies," said the mother when
released. "Sherd oughter be mighty proud of his first marryin'. I
s'pose ye know he air a preacher now? Ye oughter heerd him
preach last Sunday. It was his fust time. The way he lighted inter
the furriners was a caution. He 'lowed he was a-goin' to fight
cyard-playin' and dancin' ez long ez he hed breath."
Yes; 'n' thar's whar Sherd air a fool. I'm ag'in furriners, too, but thar
hain't no harm in dancin, n' thar's goin' to be dancin' at this weddin'
ef I'm alive."
Easter shrank perceptibly when her father spoke, and looked
furtively at Clayton, who winced, in spite of himself, as the rough
voice grated in his ear. Instantly her face grew unhappy, and
contained an appeal for pardon that he was quick to understand
and appreciate. Thereafter he concealed his repulsion, and treated
the rough bear so affably that Easter's eyes grew moist with
gratitude.
Darkness was gathering in the valley below when he rose to go.
Easter had scarcely spoken to him, but her face and her eyes, fixed
always upon him, were eloquent with joy. Once as she passed
behind him her hand rested with a timid, caressing touch upon his
shoulder, and now, as he walked away from the porch, she called
him back. He turned, and she had gone into the house.
What is it, Easter? " he asked, stepping into the dark room. His
hand was grasped in both her own and held tremblingly.
Don't mind dad," she whispered, softly. Something warm and
moist fell upon his hand as she unloosed it, and she was gone.
That night he wrote home in a better frame of mind. The charm of
the girl's personality had asserted its power again, and hopes that
had almost been destroyed by his trip home were rekindled by her
tasteful appearance, her delicacy of feeling, and by her beauty,
which he had not overrated. He asked that his sister might meet
him in Louisville after the wedding-whenever that should be. They
two could decide then what should be done. His own idea was to
travel; and so great was his confidence in Easter, he believed that,
in time, he could take her to New York without fear.