BUSY PREPARATIONS AND THE CLIMAX--THE LOVERS--TOM TINKNOR'S
DISCOVERY--GENERAL REJOICINGS--THE IDOL DEFACED.
The next morning the cottage on the knoll presented a scene of busy
preparation, the climax of which brought forth Little Wolf rosy, and
roguish, wrapped in blankets and shawls, sufficient, we doubt not, to
have covered over more land than the nether garments of the famous Ten
Breeches.
She was now in readiness for her homeward journey. The long-wished-for
time had come, and with it, ten thousand joyous emotions, which, amid
all the changes of after life, she never forgot. Her heart had put
forth its life flower, and who ever forgot a like season of bloom.
Edward was here, there, and everywhere, arranging for her comfort, and
he looked very proud indeed when he handed, or rather lifted the lady
in blankets into the big wagon, and took his seat beside her.
They were to go alone, Antoinette having accepted a pressing
invitation to remain with her newly-found cousins. The driver of the
day before did not, as on a previous occasion, wait for orders. Before
the adieus were fairly spoken he cracked his whip and drove off at a
rate, which, in his cooler moments, he would have pronounced
absolutely ruinous to his carefully preserved establishment. The fact
that said establishment comprised all the earthly possessions of
honest Jacob, was of itself a sufficient guarantee for the safe
transportation of his employers. But when added to this was a natural
cautiousness and benevolence of disposition, which could not but be
observed on the most casual acquaintance, few could have lost their
assurance, even on the verge of a precipice, when he held the reins.
His extreme caution made him a favorite teamster, not only overland,
but especially on the Mississippi; when at certain seasons there was
danger in travelling on the ice. At such times, Squire Tinknor and Dr.
DeWolf had taken some pains to secure his services, when exchanging
family visits, and he had frequently been entrusted with the sole
charge of Little Wolf, when she was but a child, and delighted with
the long icy trip.
In those days, the little lady had completely won the heart of her
protector, and he had never before had occasion to be jealous of
attentions which she was pleased to receive from any of her friends,
except, indeed, when Daddy would sometimes infringe upon his rights,
by officiously lifting her in and out of his sleigh. Nor could he be
said to be jealous now. It was only the same disagreeable sensation
which affectionate sisters sometimes experience on the occasion of
the marriage of a favorite brother. Had Jacob been questioned on the
subject, he would have stoutly declared that he was glad of it; for
that was just what he tried to say to himself, when he saw Edward put
his dearly beloved pet into the wagon. But even his fine horses, which
he hurried off with such unseemly haste, ought to have known it was
not so.
"Why, what has got into the man? he has almost taken your breath
away," said Edward tenderly.
"A little more careful, sir," he said, as Jacob turned his head at his
loud exclamation.
"Yes, yes; I beg pardon, I was careless."
The speaker was evidently ashamed of his freak. A second look at the
happy couple, and a kind word from his pet, "Dear Jacob, I believe old
Grey and Bill remember how I used to want to go fast when we went so
much together," soothed his turbulent feelings and he went on quite
slowly, picking up some crumbs of comfort in default of the whole
loaf.
The loaf, be it remembered, had fallen into the hands of the voracious
couple just behind him, and if greedily devouring it during the entire
day would have made a finish of it, the deed would have been done. But
the more they fed on it, the larger and sweeter it grew, and, by the
time they had arrived at Squire Tinknor's, their loaf had grown to be
almost as much as they could carry.
Squire Tinknor, it will be remembered, was an old acquaintance of Dr.
DeWolf, and, as we have elsewhere stated, the two gentlemen were on
intimate terms. Having at one time been his partner in some extensive
land speculations, the Squire had, since that period, acted as the
doctor's financial agent and advisor. He was generally shrewd and
reliable in his business transactions, although his appetite for drink
occasionally got the better of his judgment. This known discrepancy of
character was tolerated in society rather as an amiable weakness, than
a vile habit, for none had the hardihood to frown openly upon a man of
Squire Tinknor's wealth and position.
His family consisted of a wife and one son. The latter, a handsome,
dashing young man, he had secretly desired to see attracted towards
the daughter of his friend, and in this had not been disappointed.
Thomas Tinknor had, from a boy, bestowed his choicest attentions upon
the young lady, and when she was carried off, he had sworn to bring
her back, or "die in the attempt." To this end he had faithfully
mounted his horse each day since her disappearance, and had ridden
several miles into the woods, always going out in high spirits, and
returning somewhat dejected.
It was in this condition that he might have been seen approaching his
father's house just as Jacob Mentor drew up before the gate. His heart
beat quickly, for he instantly recognized the toss of that little
head, enveloped as it was in hood and veil. He was not slow in
extending to Little Wolf a warm welcome. So warm indeed, was it, and
of such vapory stuff is comfort made, that Edward's ponderous loaf
evaporated, leaving only a small fragment such as could be drawn from
a stolen glance of the eye, while she was being carried into the
house, and transported from the arms of Mr. Tinknor the younger, to
the arms of Mr. Tinknor the elder, and lastly, affectionately folded
in the embrace of Mrs. Tinknor.
"You see everything I have on is borrowed," said Little wolf, as Mrs.
Tinknor was assisting her in undoing her wrappings, "but I hope to be
at home in a day or two."
"Home in a day or two!" interrupted Tom, "Not in a month or two, if I
can prevent it."
"I intend to be at home to-morrow, provided the steamers are still
running," said the young lady decidedly.
"O, now, you are too bad to treat us so shabbily," said Tom,
coaxingly, "do stay until the river freezes, and I'll take you down on
the ice."
"Thank you, Mr. Tinknor, I must go to-morrow."
Tom Tinknor, knew from past experience that to attempt further
persuasion was entirely useless, and he said no more, silently
indulging the hope that the ice would blockade the river before
morning. His desires were in part gratified. The next day it was
ascertained that no steamers would venture forth among the floating
ice cakes, and Tom was exultant.
In this mood he determined to give Little Wolf a surprise party, and
thus alleviate, in some degree her disappointment. His parents
heartily co-operated in his project, and the trio immediately set
about making preparations for the entertainment of a large circle of
friends.
It was decided that Edward should be initiated into the secret, and
the task of hoodwinking their prying and discontented young guest, was
assigned to him. By ways and means known only to a masterly hand,
Edward contrived on that eventful day to perform the feat, in which,
no doubt, the whole Tinknor family combined would have failed.
For when evening came on, and the company were assembled, Little Wolf
most unexpectedly found herself in the midst, an object of universal
interest. A more beautiful object could scarce have been found. At all
events, so thought Edward Sherman, as he mingled in the throng, great
billows of gladness surging in his soul. His cup of joy was large and
full. He was holding it with a firm hand, and he said in his heart, "I
shall never be moved."
The evening was drawing to a close, but the feasting and toasting was
still kept up. The wine went round, and the adventures of our heroine
continued to be commemorated in appropriate sentiments. While the
guests still lingered, a shade of anxiety might occasionally be traced
on many a fair face, as husband or brother, or "that other," exhibited
unmistakable signs of an overheated brain.
Little Wolfs cheek grew pale, as from time to time she observed the
rising flush on Edward's brow. He was exceedingly susceptible to the
use of stimulants, and was rapidly thrown into a highly exhilarated
condition, making him for a time brilliant, but finally entangling
his talk in a labyrinth of meaningless and silly words. When in the
latter condition which was not observable until just before the party
broke up, he conceived the unlucky idea of urging upon Little Wolf a
glass of his favorite drink. "Permit me," said he, stepping, or rather
swaggering up to where the lady stood, "to--to--," and suddenly
appearing to notice the extreme pallor that overspread her
countenance, he stammered, "to bring the blushes to those cheeks."
It was enough. The heart at once threw its crimson mantle upon her
face, but alas! it was dyed in shame. Poor Little Wolf had no words at
command. There, before her, stood the man in whom, a few hours before
she had felt so much pride and confidence. Her heart's best feelings
had gone out to him, and here was her idol horribly defaced, and he
knew it not. He even held invitingly towards her the instrument that
had done the mischief, and, while the cup still shook in his trembling
hand, he began to wonder at her silence.
She once or twice moved her lips, as if to speak, but the words died
away. She was not faint or weak, but was for the moment paralyzed.
When the quick reaction came, on fire with indignation she acted with
characteristic energy and decision, and all heard the crash of the
goblet, as with one rapid sweep of her little hand she dashed it to
the floor, and fled from the room.
Did she forgive him? She said in her heart she would not.