There was as yet no post-office in Chillicothe, and no regular
mail. One came occasionally, brought by a man on horseback, and its
arrival was always an event fraught with deep interest to most of the
inhabitants.
This occurred during Kenneth's absence, for the first time in many
weeks. There was a letter for him from Glen Forest, of which Dale
took possession, paying the postage.
"When will your master be home?" he asked of Zeb, who was lounging
before the office door.
"Dunno, sah; he didn't say, sah."
"Where did he go?"
"Dunno, sah; said he gwine on a hunt; wouldn't be home for two or
three days."
"Two or three days! and he's been gone nearly a week," exclaimed
Dale, stepping into his office. "Nearly a week," he went on thinking
aloud, as he seated himself at his desk and laid the letter on it. "I
wonder if we shouldn't turn out in a body and hunt for him; he may
have met with an accident or--the treacherous savage!"
He frowned anxiously at the letter for a moment, then with
sudden recollection turned from it to busy himself with his own
correspondence. Several letters had come for him, and they must be
read, digested, and answered. They absorbed his attention for some
hours, then came the call to supper, and still Dr. Clendenin was
missing.
Dale was growing very uneasy; Kenneth had become as a brother to
him. "I must do something," he said to himself on his return to his
office, taking up the letter again and gazing earnestly at it. "What
can have become of him? Where can he have gone? If he isn't here
within an hour, I shall go and consult the major.
"Ah!" he went on musingly, still gazing at the missive in his hand,
"wouldn't he put spurs to his horse, if he knew this was here waiting
for him, that is, if he's alive and free? How eager he always is for
these letters, yet never opens one before anybody, never alludes to
their contents.
"And they always seem to increase that mysterious trouble that he
keeps so carefully to himself, and tries so hard to throw off, even
when he and I are quite alone together."
But at that instant there was a sound of horse's hoofs in the street
without, then a glad exclamation from Zeb, "Ki, massa doctah! thought
the Injuns got you dis time, suah!" and, throwing down the letter,
Dale rushed to the door to greet his friend.
Kenneth was in the act of dismounting, saying in a kindly tone to
Zeb, as he gave him the reins, "No; here I am quite safe. Has there
been any letter or message for me?"
"Yes; there was a mail to-day," Dale said, stepping forward and
grasping his friend's hand with affectionate warmth. "A letter for
you. Come in, I have it here. But," with a look of surprise and
concern at the haggard face and drooping figure, "you are ill, my
dear fellow!"
"Not at all, only somewhat weary and worn," Kenneth answered, with
a faint smile that had neither mirth nor gladness in it. "But the
letter, Godfrey! Is it from--"
"Glen Forest? Yes; the superscription, I noticed, is in the usual
hand, post-mark the same as on the others. Here it is. Take this
chair, and while you read I'll run over and tell Tiffin to see that
they get a hot supper ready for you."
Putting the missive into Kenneth's eager, almost trembling, hand, he
hurried away before the latter could utter a word of thanks.
For weeks Kenneth had been hungering for this letter, yet now that
he held it in his hand he seemed to have need to gather up courage
for its perusal. For a moment he sat with closed eyes, lips moving,
though no sound came from them; then he broke the seal and read; at
first eagerly, hastily, with bated breath, then, turning back to
the beginning, with more care and deliberation, dwelling upon each
sentence, while the shadow deepened on his brow, and again and again
his broad breast heaved with a heavy sigh.
At length, at the sound of approaching footsteps, he rose and
retreated to his own office, at the same time refolding the letter
and putting it in his pocket.
Dale had delayed purposely on his errand, stopping to chat now with
one, now with another, in the tavern, then in the street.
At his own door he was met by Major Lamar with the question, "Any
news of the doctor yet?"
"Yes, he's just back; looking quite worn out, too."
"Ah! I'm sorry to hear that. I can see him, I suppose?"
"Oh, yes; walk right in. I left him--why, no, he isn't here! Sit
down, major, and I'll hunt him up."
But here let us go back and tell of some occurrences of the previous
day in the major's family.
Early in the afternoon Tig was standing with elbows on the fence
and chin in hands, lazily watching the sports of the children as
they vied with each other in the agility with which they could leap
over stumps and logs, when Silvy's voice came sharply to his ears,
"Tiglath Pileser, you lazy niggah, what you doin' dar? Didn't I tole
you to clean de knives? Now Miss Nell is ready for to go ridin' and
you just go right 'long and fotch de hosses roun' soon's eber you kin
git dem saddled."
"Am I to go 'long, mother?" queried Tig, turning with alacrity to
obey; for the horses were the pride of his heart, a ride with Miss
Nell his greatest delight, especially when he was her sole companion
and protector; and to-day he thought he should be, as he knew of no
other escort.
His mother's reply confirmed his hopes. "Course you is; you always
gets dat honor when dar ain't no gentleman 'bout."
Tig made haste to the stable, saddled and bridled Fairy and a pony
belonging to the major with unaccustomed speed, and led them round to
the front door, where Miss Nell was waiting in riding hat and habit.
"You were very quick this time, Tig," she said with an approving
smile.
"Ki! Miss Nell," he answered, grinning from ear to ear, "no wondah;
I'se in a big hurry, les' some dem gentlemen mout be comin' 'long
'fo' we gets off."
"What gentlemen, Tig?" she asked, laughing, as she stepped upon the
horse-block and sprang lightly into the saddle.
"Oh, de doctah, or Mistah Dale, or some dem other gentlemen. 'Tain't
often dis chile gets a chance to take care ob you, Miss Nell."
"Do you think you can take care of her, Tig?" asked Mrs. Lamar,
coming to the door with a basket in her hand.
"Guess I kin, mistis, I ain't 'fraid no Injuns, nor b'ars, nor
painters!" cried the boy, straightening himself with an air of
injured dignity.
"Don't boast, Tig, till your courage has been put to the test,"
answered his mistress. "Here, take this basket and see if you can get
it full of ripe mulberries for tea. Nell, I really don't feel quite
sure that I ought to let you go without a better protector."
"Nonsense, Clare! I've done it before," returned the young girl, her
color rising. "And the responsibility is not yours, I'm old enough
to decide such matters for myself." And with that she touched Fairy
lightly with the whip and cantered off, Tig following close in her
rear. It was a lovely summer afternoon, the heat of the sun tempered
by a cool, refreshing breeze. Fairy had scarcely been out of the
stable for a day or two and was full of spirit, and Nell reveled in
the delight of dashing away at almost headlong speed through the
forest and over the prairies.
So enjoyable did she find the swift movement, with the sense of wild
freedom it gave her, the beauty of the landscape, the sweet scent of
the woods and wild flowers, that she went much farther than she had
at first intended, or, indeed, was aware of.
Then coming back she stopped with Tig under a cluster of mulberry
trees on the edge of a prairie, to fill the basket with fruit.
Not caring to stain her pretty fingers, she left the boy to fulfil
the task alone, while she wandered to and fro, gathering flowers.
The sun was getting low as they remounted.
"We must hurry, Tig," Nell said, glancing uneasily toward the west.
"I did not think we had been here so long."
They sped across the prairie and entered the wood that lay between it
and the town. Here it was already dusk, and Nell urged Fairy on, her
heart beating fast, while she glanced hither and thither, seeming to
see an Indian, a bear, wolf, or panther behind every tree.
Suddenly she caught sight of a pair of fiery eyes glaring upon her
from an overhanging branch, and the next instant, with a low, fierce
growl, something leaped upon the back of her horse, a huge paw was
laid on her shoulder, a hot breath fanned her cheek, while a wild
shriek from Tig rang in her ears, and Fairy reared and snorted with
fear.
Oh, the mortal terror that seized upon Nell, almost freezing the
blood in her veins! Closing her eyes she leant forward and threw her
arms about the neck of her pony, clinging to it in frantic terror for
what seemed an age of suffering, but was in reality scarcely a moment.
A bullet, sped by an unerring hand, struck the panther in the eye,
and it fell to the ground dead.
A horseman, hurrying from the direction of the town, put spurs to his
steed at sound of the report of the gun, and almost before its echoes
had died away, Nell was in her brother's arms.
He soothed and caressed her, she lying on his breast, sobbing and
speechless with fright.
"Ugh! big fellow!" grunted a voice near at hand, and Nell, looking
up, saw a tall Indian standing over the prostrate wild cat, the
outline of whose form could be dimly discovered in the fading light.
"Wawillaway," said the major, holding out his hand to the chief,
"you have saved my sister's life, and I can never fully return the
obligation! Come with us to Chillicothe. My house shall be your home
whenever you choose to make it so."
Wawillaway grasped the offered hand in one of his own, while with
the other he held the bridle of Fairy, who was shying at the dead
panther, and trembling and snorting with fear.
"Indian good gun," he said. "Indian go to white man's wigwam. Come,
white squaw very much 'fraid."
"Yes, Nell, we had better go; for it grows darker every moment. Can
you sit your horse now?"
"Yes," she whispered, "I must. But oh, Percy, keep close to me!"
"As close as I can. I will lead your horse," he answered, as he
placed her in the saddle. "But where is Tig? I thought he was with
you."
Tig had fled in overpowering terror, at the instant of the discharge
of Wawillaway's gun, and on reaching home they found him there,
telling an incoherent story of attacking Indians and wild cats, that
filled the household with alarm.
Great was their relief at the sight of the major and his sister,
though Nell was in a state of nervous prostration and excitement that
made it necessary to put her at once to bed and watch by her during
the night.
The next day she was but little better, and on her account her
brother had been anxiously looking for Dr. Clendenin's return, and
had now come in search of him.
Kenneth was not long in making his appearance. His manner was calm
and quiet as usual, and shaking hands with the major, who expressed
hearty satisfaction at seeing him again, he asked if the family were
all well.
"All but Nell," was the reply, "and I don't know that there's much
amiss with her. But I should like you to see her. She had a terrible
fright yesterday, and doesn't seem to get over it."
Kenneth's look was anxious and inquiring.
"I supposed you had heard--" the major began, but Dale interrupted,
"No, no, he hasn't had time to hear anything yet, or even to eat; and
here comes Zeb with his supper. I told him to bring it over to your
office, doctor."
"Thank you," said Kenneth, "but it can wait. I will go with you at
once, major."
But the major would not hear of it.
"There is no hurry," he insisted. "Besides you ought to hear the
story of her fright before seeing her, and may as well do so while
breaking your fast."
Kenneth yielded, for he had not tasted food since early morning, and
felt in sore need of it.
"What can we do for her?" asked the major in conclusion.
"Divert her mind from the subject as much as possible," returned the
doctor. "Dosing is not what she needs."
"My opinion exactly," responded the major, "but I must crave your
assistance in applying your prescription."
"Certainly, my dear sir, I will do my best."
It was a fair summer evening, the sun just touching the treetops, as
Kenneth left his office in company with the major.
People were gathered about the doors of their dwellings or places
of business, the day's work done for most of the men, though the
busy housewives still plied the needle, sewing or knitting; thus
exemplifying the truth of the old adage, "Man's work is from sun to
sun, but a woman's work is never done."
Children played hide and seek among the trees, their glad voices
ringing out upon the quiet air in merry shouts and silvery laughter;
but many of them, on catching sight of Kenneth, left their sport to
run and take him by the hand, welcoming him with eager delight, and
asking him where he had been so long.
Older people, too, crowded about him with a like greeting and the
same question.
He parried it as best he might, not feeling disposed to be
communicative on the subject, returned the handshakings and kindly
greetings, and asked after the health of each family represented.
"You have won all hearts here, Dr. Clendenin," the major remarked,
when at length they had parted with the last of the friendly
interrogators and were drawing near his own door.
"Oh, I believe it is so!" Kenneth answered, with a glad lighting up
of his grave, almost sad face, "and I sometimes wonder how it has
come about."
"Love begets love, and so it is with disinterested kindness also,"
the major answered.
Mrs. Lamar, coming to meet them, caught the last words. "Quite true,"
she assented, holding out a hand to Kenneth, "and I know of no one
else in whose case we see such an exemplification of that fact as in
Dr. Clendenin's. Doctor, running away so suddenly and mysteriously,
you left many an anxious heart behind you."
She gave him a look of keen curiosity as she spoke. But he would not
take the hint.
"My friends are very kind and I would not willingly cause them a
moment's uneasiness," was all he said. It was gently spoken, but tone
and manner did not invite a further display of inquisitiveness.
Nell, seated in the doorway in a listless attitude, rose suddenly on
perceiving her brother's approach and who was with him, and, overcome
by an unaccountable fit of shyness, hastily retreated into the house,
her heart beating fast, the hot blood dyeing her cheek.
Then, much vexed with herself, she turned at the sound of Kenneth's
voice saying "Good evening," and gave him her hand with a murmured
"How do you do, doctor?"
He made her sit down, and drew up a chair for himself close to her
side.
"Don't be afraid of me because I come in my professional capacity,"
he said in a playful tone, again taking her hand and laying a finger
on her pulse.
"You needn't," she said with a little pout, and seeming half inclined
to jerk the hand away. "I'm not sick. I wonder what nonsense Percy's
been telling you."
They were alone; the major and his wife had wandered on up the
street; the children were sporting outside with their mates.
"None at all," he answered with his grave smile, "only that your
nerves have had a shock from which they do not find it easy to
recover."
"I'm not sick, and I won't be called nervous! I just wish people
would let me alone!" she cried angrily, bursting into tears in spite
of herself. "Oh dear! oh dear!" she sobbed, "I don't know what has
come over me! I never was so ill-tempered or so babyish before!"
"Don't be vexed with me for saying it is because you are not well,"
he answered soothingly. "Let the tears have their way and they will
relieve you greatly."
She cried quite heartily for a moment, then wiping away her tears,
said with half averted face, and in a tone of suppressed horror,
shuddering as she spoke, "Oh, I cannot forget it!--those fiery eyes
gleaming out at me in the darkness, the heavy paw on my shoulder, the
hot breath on my cheek! I seem to see and feel them all the time,
sleeping or waking. What shall I do?"
"Try to forget it," he said gently; "turn your thoughts as much
as possible to other things, and the effect of your fright will
gradually wear away."
"I cannot forget it," she answered sadly. "I shall always be afraid
to go into the woods now, and my walks and rides were the greatest
pleasures I had."
"Ah, well," he said, "the wild animals will soon be driven from
our immediate neighborhood; and in the meantime you must go well
protected. My dear Miss Nell," he added in lower, sweeter tones,
"you know there is One whose protecting care is over us at all times
and in all places. Try to trust in Him with a simple, childlike
confidence; such faith will do more to give you calmness and peace
than anything else can."
A moment's pause; then turning the conversation upon other themes,
he exerted himself for her entertainment till the major and his
wife came in, when he shortly took his leave; for there were other
patients requiring his attention.