MATTERS AT SPRING BANK
It had been a bright, pleasant day in March, when 'Lina was expected
home, and in honor of her arrival the house at Spring Bank wore its most
cheery aspect; not that any one was particularly pleased because she was
coming, unless it were the mother; but it was still an event of some
importance, and so the negroes cleaned and scrubbed and scoured,
wondering if "Miss 'Lina done fotch 'em anything," while Alice arranged
and re-arranged the plainly-furnished rooms, feeling beforehand how the
contrast between them and the elegancies to which 'Lina had recently
been accustomed would affect her.
Hugh had thought of the same thing, and much as it hurt him to do it, he
sold one of his pet colts, and giving the proceeds to Alice, bade her
use it as she saw fit.
Spring Bank had never looked one-half so well before, and the negroes
were positive there was nowhere to be found so handsome a room as the
large airy parlor, with its new Brussels carpet and curtains of worsted
brocatelle.
Even Hugh was somewhat of the same opinion, but then he only looked at
the room with Alice standing in its center, or stooping in some corner
to drive again a refractory nail, so it is not strange that he should
judge it favorably. Ad would be pleased, he knew, and he gave orders
that the carriage and harness should be thoroughly cleaned, and the
horses well groomed, for he would make a good impression upon his
sister.
Alas, she was not worth the trouble, the proud, selfish creature, who,
all the way from Lexington to the Big Spring station had been hoping
Hugh would not take it into his head to meet her, or if he did, that he
would not have on his homespun suit of gray, with his pants tucked in
his boots, and so disgrace her in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Ford, her
traveling companions, who would see him from the window. Yes, there he
was, standing expectantly upon the platform, and she turned her head the
other way pretending not to see him until the train moved on and Hugh
compelled her notice by grasping her hand and calling her "Sister
'Lina."
She had acquired a certain city air by her sojourn in New York, and in
her fashionably made traveling dress and hat was far more stylish
looking than when Hugh last parted from her. But nothing abashed he held
her hand a moment while he inquired about her journey, and then
playfully added:
"Upon my word, Ad, you have improved a heap, in looks I mean. Of course
I don't know about the temper. Spunky as ever, eh?" and he tried to
pinch her glowing cheek.
"Pray don't be foolish," was 'Lina's impatient reply, as she drew away
from him, and turned, with her blandest smile, to a sprig of a lawyer
from Frankfort, who chanced to be there too.
Chilled by her manner, Hugh ordered the carriage, and told her they were
ready. Once inside the carriage, and alone with him, 'Lina's tongue was
loosened, and she poured out numberless questions, the first of which
was, what they heard from Adah, and if it were true, as her mother had
written, that she was at Terrace Hill as Rose Markham, and that no one
there knew of her acquaintance with Spring Bank?
Yes, he supposed it was, and he did not like it either. "Ad," and he
turned his honest face full toward her, "does that doctor still believe
you rich?"
"How do I know?" 'Lina replied, frowning gloomily. "I'm not to blame if
he does. I never told him I was."
"But your actions implied as much, which amounts to the same thing. It's
all wrong, Ad, all wrong. Even if he loves you, and it is to be hoped he
does, he will respect you less when he knows how you deceived him."
"Hadn't you better interfere and set the matter right?" asked 'Lina, now
really aroused.
"I did think of doing so once," Hugh rejoined, but ere he could say
more, 'Lina grasped his arm fiercely, her face dark with passion as she
exclaimed:
"Hugh, if you meddle, you'll rue the day. It's my own affair, and I know
what I'm doing."
"I do not intend to meddle, though I encouraged Adah in her wild plan of
going to Terrace Hill, because I thought they would learn from her just
how rich we are. But Adah has foolishly taken another name, and says
nothing of Spring Bank. I don't like it, neither does Miss Johnson.
Indeed, I sometimes think she is more anxious than I am."
"Miss Johnson," and 'Lina spoke disdainfully, "I'd thank her to mind her
own business. Hugh, you are getting a ministerial kind of look, and you
have not sworn at me once since we met. I guess Alice has converted you.
Well, I only hope you'll not backslide."
'Lina laughed hatefully, and evidently expected an outburst of passion,
but though Hugh turned very white, he made her no reply, and they
proceeded on in silence, until they came in sight of Spring Bank, when
'Lina broke out afresh.
Such a tumble-down shanty as that. It was not fit for decent people to
live in, and mercy knew she was glad her sojourn there was to be short.
"You are not alone in that feeling," came dryly from Hugh.
'Lina said he was a very affectionate brother; that she was glad there
were those who appreciated her, even if he did not, and then the
carriage stopped at Spring Bank. Mrs. Worthington was hearty in her
welcome, for her mother heart went out warmly toward her daughter. Oh,
what airs 'Lina did put on, offering the tips of her fingers to good
Aunt Eunice, trying to patronize Alice herself, and only noticing Densie
Densmore with a haughty stare.
Old Densie had for the last few days been much in 'Lina's mind. She had
disliked her at Saratoga, and somehow it made her feel uncomfortable
every time she thought of finding her at Spring Bank. Densie had never
forgotten 'Lina, and many a time had she recalled the peculiar
expression of her black eyes, shuddering as she remembered how much they
were like another pair of eyes whose gleams of passion had once thrilled
her with terror.
"Upon my word," 'Lina began, as she entered the pleasant parlor, "this
is better than I expected. Somebody has been very kind for my sake. Miss
Johnson, I'm sure it's you I have to thank," and with a little flash of
gratitude she turned to Alice, who replied in a low tone:
"Thank your brother. He made a sacrifice for the sake of surprising
you."
Whether it was with a desire to appear amiable in Alice's eyes, or
because she really was touched with Hugh's generosity, 'Lina
involuntarily threw her arm around his neck, and gave to him a kiss
which he remembered for many, many years. At the nicely prepared dinner
served soon after her arrival, a cloud lowered on 'Lina's brow, induced
by the fact that Densie Densmore was permitted a seat at the table, a
proceeding sadly at variance with 'Lina's lately acquired ideas of
aristocracy.
Accordingly that very day she sought an opportunity to speak with her
mother when she knew that Densie was in an adjoining room.
"Mother," she began, "why do you suffer that woman to come to the table?
Is it a whim of Alice's, or what?"
"Oh, you allude to Mrs. Densmore. I couldn't at first imagine whom you
meant," Mrs. Worthington replied, going on to say how foolish it was for
'Lina to assume such airs, that Densie was as good as anybody, or at all
events was a quiet, well-behaved woman, worthy of respect, and that Hugh
would as soon stay away himself as banish her from the table because she
had once been a servant.
"Yes, but consider Dr. Richards when he comes. What must he think of us?
At the North they recognize white niggers as well as black. I tell you I
won't have it, and unless you speak to her, I shall."
'Lina ate her supper exultingly, free from Densie's presence, caring
little for the lonely old woman whose lip quivered and whose tears
started every time that she remembered the slighting words accidentally
overheard.
Swiftly the days went by, bringing callers to see 'Lina; Ellen Tiffton,
who received back her jewelry, never guessing that the bracelet she
clasped upon her arm was not the same lent so many months ago. Ellen was
to be bridesmaid, inasmuch as Alice preferred to be more at liberty, and
see that matters went on properly. This brought Ellen often to Spring
Bank, and as 'Lina was much with her, Alice was left more time to think.
Adah's continued silence with regard to Dr. Richards had troubled her at
first, but now she felt relieved. 'Lina had stated distinctly that ere
coming to Kentucky, he was going to Terrace Hill, and Adah's last letter
had said the same. She would see him then, and if--if he were
George--alas! for the unsuspecting girl who fluttered gayly in the midst
of her bridal finery, and wished the time would come when she could
"escape from that hole, and go back to dear, delightful Fifth Avenue
Hotel."
The time which hung so heavily upon her hands was flying rapidly, and at
last only one week intervened ere the eventful day. Hugh had gone down
to Frankfort on some errand for 'Lina, and as he passed the
penitentiary, he thought, as he always did now, of the convict Sullivan.
Was he there still, and if so, why could he not see him face to face,
and question him of the past?
Three hours later and Hugh Worthington was confronting the famous negro
stealer, who gave him back glance for glance, and stood as unflinchingly
before him as if there were upon his conscience no Adah Hastings, who,
by his connivance, had been so terribly wronged. At the mention of her
name, however, his bold assurance left him. There was a quivering of
the muscles about his mouth, and his whole manner was indicative of
strong emotion as he asked if Hugh knew aught of her since that fatal
night, and then listened while Hugh told what he knew and where she had
gone.
"To Terrace Hill--into the Richards family; this was no chance
arrangement?" and the convict spoke huskily, asking next for the doctor;
and still Hugh did not suspect the magnitude of the plot, and answered
by telling how Dr. Richards was coming soon to make 'Lina his wife.
Hugh was not looking at his companion then, or he would have been
appalled by the livid, fearful expression which for an instant flashed
on his face. Accustomed to conceal his feelings, the convict did so now;
and asked calmly when the wedding would take place. Hugh named the day
and hour, and then asked if Sullivan knew aught of Adah's husband.
"Yes, everything," and the convict said vehemently, "Young man, I cannot
tell you now--there is not time, but wait a little and you shall know
the whole. You are interested in Adah. The wedding, you say, is Thursday
night. My time expires on Tuesday. Don't think me impudent if I ask a
list of the invited guests. Will you give it to me?"
Surely there was some deep mystery here, and he made no reply till
Sullivan again asked for the list. The original paper on which Hugh had
first written the few names of those to be invited chanced to be in his
vest pocket, and mechanically taking it out he passed it to the convict,
who expressed his thanks, and added: "Don't say that you have seen me,
or that I shall be present at that wedding. I shall only come for good,
but I shall surely be there."