Maid Sally

by Harriet A. Cheever

  CHAPTER XI.

  FACE TO FACE

  It was but a few days later that Goodman Kellar banged lustily on thedoor, asking to see Mistress Brace. He had a fine setting of duck's eggsto sell.

  Sally was in the keeping-room mending, but she called Mistress Bracedown from her room. Then began a long parley about the eggs and someother produce.

  Then Sally had an errand to her tiny room, and as she passed MistressCory Ann's door, she saw that a queer little trunk, all hair on theoutside, and with rows of great brass-headed nails along the edges, wasstanding open by the bed.

  Sally had often seen the little trunk, which was always kept underMistress Brace's bed tightly locked. She must have made a great mistakein leaving it open, Sally thought.

  She felt for a moment that it would not be quite right to take a peepinside the trunk.

  "It does not seem proper," said the Fairy.

  "I will take but a peep," Sally replied.

  She was so afraid the good Fairy might try to stop her that she hurriedover to the bed and stooped down.

  Ah, what a delicate, tasteful muslin cape was folded away! And therewere letters in one corner. Sally spelled them over, and thought theymade a name, but if so it was a strange one. There lay a letter.

  "Oh, no, no!" cried the Fairy, as Sally took it in her hands.

  "I will take but a teeny-weeny peep, good Fairy," said Sally, "but Ifeel as though it might be as well for me to see some things that I willnever be told of."

  But the letter gave no light to Maid Sally. Only toward the end sheread: "I have done my best, but my health is failing. Should I not livethere will be something for the one I leave." Then there was thatstrange name again at the very end, the same as was on the cape. Sallyspelled it over and over, merely because it was so curious.

  Goodman Kellar was moving away, and Sally ran softly to her room.

  "Such a queer jumble of letters," she said to herself, still amused overthe name, that, if it really was a name, Sally could not havepronounced. They still grouped themselves in her mind.

  "Put them on paper," said her Fairy.

  "I will," cried the merry maid, and with a pin she pricked the letterson a piece of paper. This she put in a box where she kept a few childishtreasures, not any of them worth much.

  Then came another great day that Sally knew all about. She had heard ittalked of at the store, and the hired men had mentioned it.

  The _Belle Virgeen_ was coming up to the quay,--they called it"kee,"--and a gay company was to meet, and a fine supper to be servedon the green at Ingleside, after the proud vessel arrived, bringingback her Fairy Prince.

  Sally had made up her mind not to go over by the hedge when the suppershould be spread. She would be near the quay as the ship came in, andperhaps would get a look at her Fairy Prince, but something held herback from trying to see or hear anything that night at Ingleside.

  "I am twelve years old now," she said to herself.

  A neatly clad child watched eagerly as the _Belle Virgeen_ came slowlysailing in. Caps flew into the air, old straw ones going high aloft, andcries and cheers went up, as strong ropes made the vessel fast to thequay.

  What! was that tall young man the Fairy Prince? He was tall when he wentaway, but now, at seventeen, he looked almost a man as he stepped ashoreand was immediately seized upon by glad, loving hands.

  Again the Lady Gabrielle was not in the throng. She would greet her boyin the retirement of home, but others from the Ingleside household wereon hand to give welcome.

  And after a few moments a rolling figure limped forward, and Lionel heldMammy Leezer's dark hands and looked smilingly down into her face whileshe told how "done lonesome" she had been without her "babby."

  Maid Sally did not know how she herself had grown during the year past.Her splendid hair had been brought into fluffy order, which was all thatwas really needed. Her face had filled out a little, and the dimples inher brown cheeks were deeper. Her chin was rounding to a finer curve,and the cleft grown more decided. Her eyes were like stars and her teethperfect.

  Dame Maria Kent had one day given her a little brush, telling her totake it to the spring each day and use it on her teeth. And Sally wassurprised to see what a small brush and clean water would do for amaiden's teeth. And Sally forgot nothing she once learned in the way ofa useful lesson.

  The maid was changing in a way. She was growing more and more shy ofbeing seen by those she felt were above her. It was just as great a joyto catch a sight of her day-dream-Prince as it had ever been, but shewould run away or hide anywhere sooner than risk meeting him or havinghim really see her.

  One sweet morning she had gone to the pines, her beloved history in herhands. Back from the other trees, and on the other side of what hadbecome a forest path, was a queer gnarled oak, that stood a solitarytree of its kind. And not far up was a complete seat, formed by thecrossing of two large boughs. But so thick was the foliage that nimbleSally could be completely hidden, while learning her history by heart.

  She was repeating again, with the usual pleasure, all about thediscovery of America, when voices and hoof-beats smote upon her ear. Andshe sat like an image as Lionel Grandison and Rosamond Earlscourt camecantering along, their eyes bright with exercise and the horses tossingtheir fine manes as if enjoying the merry run as much as their riders.

  "WHEN VOICES AND HOOF-BEATS SMOTE UPON HER EAR."]

  How grand and manly looked her Prince on his high mount; yet she saw ata glance that he did not ride Hotspur. And ah, how proud and handsomelooked the young Lady Rosamond as, with curls flying under her high,peaked hat, she sat the Lady Grace with stately air and held her with afirm, yet easy rein. But her fair face was turned smilingly toward hertall cousin.

  "She loves him," said Sally, "she loves him, and what a wonder would itbe if she did not! Her own face is a goodly one, fit to be loved indeed.And how beautifully she rides. Were I a maiden of quality, how gladlyand swiftly would I leap to the back of a good horse, and away, andaway! Ah, I say again, I should love it, I know."

  She sat dreaming after the two figures as they rode away, her youngheart swelling with admiration of them both. Somewhere, way down in thedepths of her soul, there was a little hurt as the winsome pair spedalong the far dim road. She was too young to know just what the prickmeant, but her good Fairy was at hand.

  "Back to your book, Maid Sally," it said, "and sit not gazing afterthose who can ride of a summer's morn, wishing in your silly young heartthat you too could ride. Your turn may come; who knows?"

  "It was not quite that I might also ride," answered Sally, "itwas--everything."

  "Yes, I know," said the Fairy. "You are quick to reach for that which isbeyond you. That is not strange. But keep to your studies and yoursinging; good things come slowly to the poor, but mind you--they maycome!"

  "Good Fairy, you do always hearten me," cried Sally, and back she wentto her book.

  But she did not forget the proud and happy face that the Lady RosamondEarlscourt turned upon the Fairy Prince.

  Then came another day long to be remembered, to be hidden in Sally'sheart of hearts and kept there.

  The morning broke so cool and sweet that Mistress Cory Ann had a mind togo into the town and buy meat and other things that would last forseveral days. Butter and meat could be put on the shelf in the well, andno fear of spoiling.

  After her morning's work had been cleverly done, Sally knew she could befree for a few hours. The men had gone far afield to work, taking theirdinners with them, and it would be well past noon before Mistress CoryAnn would return.

  Sally, from very youthful gladness of heart and joy of living, had amind to make herself fine before going with her book to the greatlyenjoyed seat in the large oak-tree.

  So she went to the keeping-room, and, standing before the mirror hangingon the wall, she pinned midst her mat of ruddy-gold curls clumps ofwhite strawberry blossoms, starry dogwood blooms, and a white rose ortwo.

  Some time before this, Mist
ress Brace had seen in a peddler's pack adecent piece of white lawn, and as it was the cheapest thing he had thatwould make a comely gown for Sunday wear, she bought it for Sally.

  The maiden sung now in the choir of a Sunday, and, because of theparson's keen eye, she must be seemingly dressed. But the gown wassoiled and must soon be done up. So in a spirit of sport Sally put iton, and at breast and waist she pinned great posies of buttercups,daffy-down-dillies, and sprays of fresh green leaves. Then she startedfor the pine woods and the oak-tree.

  The sweetness, sunshine, and melody all about so charmed her for a timethat the book for once lay idly in her lap.

  "Life is beautiful," she murmured.

  "Yes, life is beautiful!" echoed her Fairy; "it is but right that theyoung should enjoy it."

  "I feel so glad to-day," said Maid Sally, "I would I might always feelthis way."

  "You are learning," said the Fairy, "and life is getting fuller for youevery day."

  "Yes, life is getting fuller every day," said Maid Sally.

  At last she took up her book. The sun was growing very hot, but therewas a cool breeze, and the maiden in the tree was reading steadily whenagain there came the sound of flying hoofs. They came all too swiftly. Avery demon of a horse was tearing along the road, his mane flying, histail out straight, and his body almost to the ground. The rider couldnot be made out in the mad rush and whirl of the frightened animal.

  It was all over in a moment. Hotspur dashed into the woods, banged inhis blindness against a pine-tree, and on the instant his rider, seeinga chance to dismount, leaped from his back. But before he could reachthe ground, being so near the tree, up bounded the horse just in time tohurl his young master back to the edge of the saddle, from which he fellwith such force that he lay on the ground senseless, his fair hairstreaming back, his blue eyes closed, while the great hunter wentthundering on his way.

  Sally did not cry out nor lack for nerve. The finer part of her naturecame to her help, as it always will where it but exists, and she feltthe thrill of courage that is worth very much when prompt action isneeded.

  As she slipped from the tree the thought went through her mind:

  "If he is killed, straight I must go to the great house and tell what Ihave seen. If he is but stunned, then must I do what I can to help him."

  She bent over and could see that he was breathing. Like a flash shedarted across to the house, caught up a dipper and filled it from thewater-pail. Then back she sped and with hands that trembled bathedforehead and face, and dropped sprays of water into the parted lips.Then she rubbed his hands and again sprinkled his brow.

  Before long the eyes unclosed and fastened dreamily on the ministeringmaiden. But neither spoke. The eyes remained open, and began to rove alittle. Sally saw that speech would come in a moment more.

  But at that instant the sound of hurrying hoofs echoed in the distance,several of them, it seemed, and like a startled deer Sally turned, andbefore Bill, the groom, Corniel, and Sam Spruce rushed up to the spotwhere lay their young master, she was panting on her seat in theoak-tree.