MARK HAS A RIVAL
It was in September when Mark returned from his last trip. He was so
thin and pale that Mr. Chittenden insisted on his taking a few weeks of
absolute rest. These weeks were the happiest, as well as the most
miserable, that Mark had ever spent. Happy because he was thrown
continually in the company of Grace, miserable because he felt a great
love springing up in his heart which must never be spoken.
A thousand times he resolved to flee. It would be so easy for him to go
on one of his secret missions and never return. But he kept putting off
the evil day; it was so near heaven to be near her, to see her every
day. He believed he would be content if he could only live as he was
always. In his imagination he had invested Grace with more than human
attributes, and worshipped her from afar, as he would some angelic
being.
Did Grace know the feeling Mark Grafton had for her? The eyes often
speak more eloquently than words, and Mark's eyes told her the story of
his devotion a hundred times a day. But this knowledge, instead of
drawing Grace to him, piqued her. If he loved her why did he remain
silent? In all the books she had read, lovers were not backward in
telling of their love. But after all, she was glad he was silent, for
she was doubtful of her father's approval, and there was that mystery
that hung over him, a mystery she had not solved as yet.
"Mark, you are deceiving us," she said boldly one day. "You are not what
you pretend to be."
Mark started, but soon recovered his composure. "What makes you think
so, Grace?" he asked quietly.
"Because you have represented yourself as a poor, friendless, private
soldier. Now, I know you were raised a gentleman. You need not deny it."
"Is that all? I thought--" he stopped.
"Thought what?" asked Grace.
"Nothing, only I am sorry you have such a poor opinion of me, Grace. In
saying I am poor and friendless I have not deceived you. I am as poor
and as friendless as I have represented."
"But in other things you are silent. You have never told me a word of
yourself, of your early life. You only say you are an orphan. Mark, you
are not what you pretend. You are holding back something, and I don't
like it. Mark, what is it? You can surely trust me as you would a
sister."
A look of pain came over Mark's face. "Grace, don't think evil of me,"
he faltered. "Think of me as a friend, a friend who would willingly die
for you, but never anything more than a friend."
He turned away and left her confused, confounded. She saw that he was
suffering, but she was angry. He had refused to confide in her. He had
even hinted she might think more of him than was wise.
That night as she lay in bed thinking of what he had said, tears of hot
anger filled her eyes, "Would die for me," she whispered, "but would
never be more than a friend. Who asked him to be more? He is nothing but
a presumptuous boy and should be punished." For the next two or three
days she was decidedly cool to Mark.
By the first of November Mark felt he had fully recovered his health,
and except for his arm he was as well as he ever would be. He told Mr.
Chittenden so, and that it was not right for him to stay longer. But Mr.
Chittenden asked him not to go, as he had some work he could help him
in. He had orders to gather all the provisions and forage possible. A
train was coming from Arkansas to get it. Then, some time in the month,
a body of recruits from the northern part of the State were expected.
Supplies must be gathered for them.
Mark promised to stay, but the change in Grace cut him to the heart. He
thought she was angry because he had refused to tell her his secret.
Little did he think he had uttered words which cut more deeply.
It was hard for Grace to think the cause of Mark's reticence was that he
had fled for committing some criminal act, but what else could it be?
She resolved more firmly than ever to discover his secret.
It is not to be supposed that such a girl as Grace had lived to be
nineteen years of age without admirers. There was not a young man in the
Ozarks but what would have been her slave if she had given him the least
encouragement, but she was such a lady, so far above them, that they
were content to worship from afar. They well knew they could be no mate
for her. But there was one exception, a young man called Thomas Hobson,
known as Big Tom.
Big Tom was a splendid specimen of the human animal, tall, broad
shouldered, thick chested, and he had the strength of a giant. If the
world had been looking for a perfect physical specimen of man it would
have found it in Big Tom. There was also an animal beauty about him that
captivated and charmed.
His magnificent body was all he had to recommend him. He was a bully by
nature, and used his great strength by imposing on others. He was
inordinately vain and conceited, and was continually boasting of his
prowess. He was thought brave, for no man in the Ozarks dared to stand
up against him in a fight, but at heart he was a coward.
During the first year of the war he was active in driving out and
maltreating Union men. Living quite a distance from Mr. Chittenden, he
had never seen Grace until the time she went to the rescue of Mr.
Osborne. He was one of the hanging party. When Grace so unexpectedly
appeared on the scene, her excitement and fierce wrath only heightened
her beauty, and Tom gazed at her in admiration. He had been one of the
most violent in demanding the death of Mr. Osborne, but now he suddenly
changed sides and demanded that he be let go.
Much to Grace's disgust he persisted in paying her attention, and at
length proposed. Much to his surprise he was not only refused but
refused with scorn and contempt. This aroused every evil passion of his
nature.
"You will regret this, Grace Chittenden," he cried furiously. "I 'spose
you reckon you be too good for me, but I will give you to understand
that there is not a gal in the Ozarks, except you, but would jump at the
chance to be my wife."
"Go and make one of them jump, then. I want none of you," replied Grace
sarcastically, as she slammed the door in his face, leaving him swearing
and cursing.
When Mr. Chittenden was informed of what had occurred he sent word to
Tom never to set foot on his premises again.
Mr. Chittenden was too big a man for even Tom to defy. But the affair
got out and Tom, when he was not present, became the butt of the county
over his presumption in aspiring to the daughter of Judge Chittenden.
Tom knew of the merriment it caused and his pride was so hurt that he
disappeared and was not heard of for over a year. In the fall of 1862 he
suddenly appeared in the Ozarks at the head of a band of guerrillas.
The band numbered about fifteen, and he concluded that with this force
he would show Judge Chittenden that he was not afraid of him, and that
he was as big a man as he was. Therefore, he rode boldly up to the
house. He was mounted on a magnificent horse, an immense plume floated
from his hat, and he was decked out in all the grandeur of a bandit
chief.
Mr. Chittenden was surprised, but concluded that under the circumstances
it was policy to treat him with courtesy. Tom had learned to be polite.
He did not mention past differences, or ask to see Grace. He had much to
say of his prowess in the field, and of the number of Yankees he had
killed, and boasted he held a commission as captain signed by General
Price. The main object of his visit seemed to be to impress on the Judge
his importance. When he learned Mr. Chittenden was engaged in gathering
supplies for the Confederate army he proffered his services to help,
which the Judge thought best to accept.
He became quite a frequent caller at the house, and as he did not force
his attentions on Grace, she thought it best to do nothing to anger him,
but saw as little of him as possible.
"Who is this fellow hanging around here?" asked Tom one day of Mr.
Chittenden.
"Do you mean Mark Grafton? He is a Confederate soldier who was cruelly
wounded at Pea Ridge, and found his way here. Since then he has rendered
valuable services as a courier."
Tom did not rest until he had learned all about Mark that he could, and
then growled: "A likely story. He never saw Pea Ridge; he was shot in
some brawl. He is simply hanging around here to try and work his way
into the good graces of your daughter. Look out for him. I have been
watching the fellow; he is a sneak."
"Please keep my daughter's name out of your conversation," replied Mr.
Chittenden, angrily, "or you and I will have a settlement. As for Mark,
he can take care of himself, and if you know when you are well off you
won't pick a quarrel with him."
"What! I skeered of that chap! Why, I could crush him with one finger.
But no offence, Mr. Chittenden, only you will find I am right."
From that time on Tom became insanely jealous of Mark. What Tom was
saying came to the ears of Mark, and a look came into his face which
boded no good to Tom.
One day Mark met Tom alone, and as he was about to pass him with a
scowling face and no recognition, Mark hailed him with, "Hold on,
Hobson, a word with you."
With a growl Tom wheeled his horse and as he did so his hand went to his
revolver.
"Hands up! None of that!" And Tom saw Mark had him covered. He also saw
a look in his eyes that made him tremble. Death lurked there.
"Tom Hobson, it's time you and I had a reckoning," said Mark. "I hear
you have been calling me a sneak and an impostor, but for that I care
nothing. I hear you have been linking my name with that of Miss
Chittenden. Now, I give you fair warning, if I ever hear of you taking
the name of that young lady on your foul lips I will shoot you like a
dog."
"So it's all settled between yo' uns?" Tom managed to stammer. "Beg
pardon, didn't know it had went that far." Looking into the muzzle of a
revolver made Tom very humble.
"Fool!" answered Mark. "Grace Chittenden is not for such as either you
or me. Neither of us is worthy to kiss the ground on which she walks.
Now ride away and don't look back. If you do you get a bullet."
Tom meekly did as he was bid, but in his heart there raged the passions
of a demon, and he swore Mark Grafton should die.
But what did Mark mean by saying Grace was for neither of them? Tom
pondered the question long. Light broke in upon him. It must mean that
Mark had proposed and been refused, and being jealous of him had taken
this way to scare him away. Perhaps Grace had been captivated by his
fine appearance after all, and was only waiting for him to propose.
Again was his vanity in the ascendency, and he resolved to propose at
the first opportunity. It came quicker than he had thought for. Near Mr.
Chittenden's house was a shady nook that overlooked the La Belle. It was
where the little river dashed and foamed and smote the rocks that would
bar its passage. Here Grace loved to sit and watch the conflict, and
here she was when Tom Hobson rode by. His heart gave a great bound, for
it was the first opportunity he had had of seeing and speaking to her
alone.
Reining in his horse, he dismounted, and making what he thought a most
courtly bow, he bade her good evening.
Grace arose, an angry flush on her face, and barely acknowledging his
greeting, turned to go.
Stepping in front of her he said, "Please don't go. I have been wanting
to speak to yo' un ever since I returned. Yo' un know what I told yo' un
when I went away. I'm of the same mind still, though I do be a capting
now, and expect to be a kernel befo' the war is over."
"Out of my way," exclaimed Grace, white with rage and trying to push
past him.
He caught her by the shoulder, "I reckon yo' un think that sneak of a
Mark Grafton loves yo' un, but he don't. He told me so," sneered Tom.
"You lie. Mark Grafton is a soldier and a gentleman and you are a
coward. Out of my way."
Her hand sought the bosom of her dress, but Tom did not notice. He was
white with rage.
"I'll hev' yo' un yet," he shouted. "All hell can't keep me from heven
yo'." He attempted to take her in his arms.
He drew back amazed. For the second time that afternoon he was looking
into the muzzle of a revolver, and the hand that held that revolver was
as firm and steady as the one that held the first.
[Illustration: He was looking into the muzzle of a revolver.]
"Mr. Hobson," said Grace, without a tremor in her voice, "if you do not
mount your horse and ride away before I count ten I shall kill you. One,
two--"
But Tom did not wait for her to finish; he sprang on his horse and
dashed away cursing.
About an hour later, as Mark was returning home, there came the report
of a rifle from a hillside and a ball tore away the crown of his hat.
All he could see was a little cloud of smoke on the mountain. Putting
spurs to his horse he was soon out of danger.
When he reached the house he found Mr. Chittenden in a towering passion.
He had just returned, and Grace was telling him of her encounter with
Big Tom.
"The wretch is too vile to live," he swore. "I will hunt him to earth,
if it takes me a year."
"I am with you," said Mark, showing his hat. "I got that only a few
moments ago, so you see I have an account to settle with him, too."
"Why should he shoot at you?" asked Mr. Chittenden, in astonishment.
"You must ask him," answered Mark, carelessly, but as he said it he
glanced at Grace. Her face was crimson, and then grew very pale. Had Big
Tom told the truth? Had Mark been talking about her to him?
That night it was agreed that the next day a posse should be organized
and Big Tom run down, but when morning came it was found Big Tom and his
gang had fled during the night.