by Charles King
CHAPTER XIX.
Later that lovely afternoon an open carriage whirled up St. CharlesStreet towards old Tivoli Circle. Its occupants were Miss Summers andKitty Carrington, Colonel Summers and myself. At the Circle we werejoined by another, in which were seated Mrs. Amory, Madame R----, andMajor Vinton. We were late, it seems, and the review had already begun,so there was no time for conversation between the carriage-loads; butsmiles and nods and waving hands conveyed cheery greeting, and Kitty'scheeks flamed; her eyes, half veiled as though in shy emotion, followedMrs. Amory's kindly face until their carriage fell behind; then,detecting me as usual in my occupation of watching her, she coloredstill more vividly, and looking bravely, saucily up into my face,remarked,--
"Well, Mr. Brandon, have you nothing to say to me? Are you aware thatyou have not even remarked upon the beauty of the weather thisafternoon?"
And this was from the girl whom, hardly two hours before, I had seenplunged in the depths of woe and dejection. Verily, there was nothing Icould say. Such alternations of smiles and tears, storm and sunshine,exceeded my comprehension; but it was not a tax upon even my poor powersof discernment to see that my little heroine was now blissfully,radiantly, joyously happy.
Suddenly our carriage slackened speed. Crowds began to appear on thesidewalks of the broad, dusty thoroughfare. We were off the pavementnow, and driving along the "dirtroad" of upper St. Charles Street. Icould hear a burst of martial music somewhere ahead, and presentlyPauline exclaimed, "Here are the cavalry!"
Kitty, sitting on the indicated side, had said never a word. The nextmoment we rode past the line of troopers sitting stolidly on theirhorses and looking blankly into space ahead of them. Then, ridingbackwards as I was, I saw Kitty's soft cheek flushing redder, andhappening to extend my left arm outwards at that instant, my hand almostcame in contact with the nose of a tall chestnut sorrel, much to thatsorrel's disgust, for he set back his ears and glanced savagely at me;but by that time, I had lost all interest in him and was gazing in amazeat his rider. For something absolutely incomprehensible, commend me tomilitary love-making! Less than two hours ago I had bolted out of a roomdown-town leaving that deliciously pretty young girl opposite me sobbingin the arms of Frank Amory, who, with all a devoted lover's tenderness,was striving to comfort her. Yet here she sat, apparently indifferent;yet there he sat on that very horse whose feelings I had outraged, andthough we--no, she--was right under his eyes,--so close that she couldstroke his charger's mane with her little hand,--he never so much asglanced at her. Mr. Frank Amory, as commanding officer of his troop onreview, actually disdained to look at his lady-love.
"_Now_ if at any time," thought I, "this little imp of coquetry willflash into flame and wither him when they meet,--perhaps flirt with me,_faute de mieux_, meantime," but to my utter amaze Miss Kitty took it asadmirably as did Pauline. Each gave him one quick, demure, satisfiedlittle look, as much as to say, "All right, Frank, I understand." Theyhad learned their tactics already, I suppose, and I--was an inferiorbeing, unable to appreciate the situation in the least.
The review went off all right, I also suppose. It was all a blank to me.The general and his aides rode down the line and our carriages had toget out of the way in a hurry. Then the troops marched over to CampStreet and down that thoroughfare, giving a marching salute as theypassed headquarters. We sat in our vehicles on the opposite side of thestreet, and I simply stared when Amory lowered his sabre in sweeping,graceful salute and positively looked away from us, and at his chief.Why! up to this time I had been ready to take his part, and upbraidKitty whenever there had been the faintest difference between them. Now,_now_, I actually wanted her to resent his conduct; and, with theunerring inconsistency of feminine nature, she did nothing of the kind.The instant the march was over, Frank Amory came trotting up besideus,--a glad, glorious light in his brave young eyes,--sprang from hissaddle and to her side. The others he did not appear to see at all. Hiseyes were for her alone, for her in all their boyish adoration, in alltheir glowing pride and tenderness. Tearing off his gauntlet, he claspedher hand before a word was said, and she looked shyly, yet steadfastly,down into his transfigured face.
"I shall be down right after stables; mother will come sooner," was allhe said. Then he condescended to notice the rest of us.
Right after stables indeed! Could you not even resent _that_, KittyCarrington? Were you already so abject that a newly-won lover dare tellyou that after his horses were seen to he would look after you? Are youalready falling into the cavalry groove? learning that unwritten creedthat puts the care of his mount as the corner-stone of a trooper'stemple?
In a state of daze I drove homeward with the ladies. Nobody talkedmuch. Everybody was happy except my perturbed self. Pauline and Kittysat hand in hand. We reached the lodgings, and were but a few moments inthe parlor when Vinton appeared at the door ushering Mrs. Amory. Kittywas at the window arranging some flowers, but turned instantly, and,blushing like one of her own rosebuds, walked rapidly across the room,looking shyly up into the elder lady's face. How could I help seeing themoistened eye, the slightly quivering lip, when Mrs. Amory bent and,with one softly-spoken word, "dear," kissed the bonny face.
We masculines took ourselves off for a while. It was plain the women hadmuch to talk about, and when they have, the sooner husbands, brothers,and lovers leave, the better for all concerned.
"Mr. Brandon," said the major, as we settled ourselves on the backveranda, "it looks as though your prognostication had come true. OurSandbrook Ku-Klux affair has brought its romance with it."
"Two of them, major! Two of them! We might call them, in view of yourmodest estimate of army attractions, 'Miss Summers' Sacrifice' and,and----"
"Kitty's Conquest," said Harrod.
* * * * *
Swiftly through a tawny waste of whirling waters a great steamerploughs its way. From towering smoke-stacks volumes of smoke stream backalong the tumbling wake and settle on the low-lying shores. Breastingthe torrent, we have rushed past crowded levee, past sloop, and ship,and shallop, past steamers of every class and build, ocean cruisers,river monarchs, bayou traders, swamp prowlers. Lordly up-stream packetslead or follow; churches, domes, chimneys, cotton-presses, elevators,warehouses, give way to low, one-storied, whitewashed cottages, ordeep-veranda'd frame homesteads on the one side, to flat and openplantations on the other. Eastward there is naught to span the horizonbut one far-reaching level of swamp or trembling prairie. Westward, twomiles back from the river-bank, bold barriers of forest, dense, dark,and impenetrable, shut off the view. In front lies the eddying,swirling, boiling bosom of the Mississippi,--the winding highway to theNorth,--sweeping in majestic curve through shores of shining green.Behind us, nestling along the grand arcs of its doubling bend, NewOrleans and Algiers, close clinging to the mighty stream that at oncethreatens and cajoles. The river is master here, yet dreams not of hispower.
Precious freight our steamer bears this bright and balmy eve. Proud ofits strength and grace, it surges ahead, rumbling in the vast cavernsof its seething furnaces, panting in the depths of its powerful lungs,straining with muscles that glory in their task, hurling aside fromiron-shod beak the burdened billows of the opposing river. Black asErebus the clouds of smoke from towering chimneys, white as snow thescreaming steam-jets, deep and mellow the note of signal-bell, clear,ringing, rollicking the farewell chorus of our swarthy crew. Boom! goesthe roar of saucy little field-piece in parting salutation to the sun,redly sinking through the forest to our left, and then, from the lowerdeck, what unaccustomed sound is that? A trumpet, a cavalry trumpetsounds the final tribute to departing day, and a moment later a youngofficer comes springing from below and joins our group upon thehurricane-deck.
Here enjoying the scene, the gliding rush of our gallant craft, thebalmy softness of the Southern air, we are seated, an almost silentparty of seven. We are Mrs. Amory, Miss Summers, and Kitty; MajorVinton, Mr. Amory, Harrod, and myself. We are fellow-passengers for theevening o
nly. The troop, men and horses both, is billeted below, andunder command of its young lieutenant goes through to St. Louis, thenceup the Missouri to its new sphere of duties in the far Northwest. Vintonis a passenger as far as Memphis, where escorting Mrs. Amory, he takesthe train to Washington. The rest of us, Pauline, Kitty, Harrod, and I,go only up to Donaldsonville, where we arrive late at night, and takethe local packet back to the city. In all the excitement andperturbation consequent upon the sudden departure of the troop; in allthe hurry of preparation, requiring as it did the attention of bothofficers, there was no time for the interviews, the fond partings, the"sweet sorrows" incident to such occasions. An unusual thingoccurred,--a bright idea struck Mr. Brandon. He proposed that thequartette should accompany the troop a short way up the river and theredrink with them the stirrup-cup; and at last a proposition of Mr.Brandon's was regarded worthy of acceptance. So it happens that we arehere together.
Evening comes on apace, and while Harrod is smoking somewhere forward,and our cavalrymen are paired off and slowly promenading the deck withthe ladies of their love, Mrs. Amory and I are chatting quietly in thebrilliant saloon, and we are talking of Mars. Her voice is soft andtremulous; her face is full of trust and peace; her eyes fondly followhim and the sweet, girlish form that hangs upon his arm as they strollforward again after a few loving words with her.
"You have been a good friend to my boy, Mr. Brandon, and you will notforget him now on the distant frontier. It will be late in the fallbefore he can come East."
"So long as that! I had cherished some wild notion that we might have adouble ceremony, when the major and Miss Summers are married."
"No. That would be too precipitate. She is very young yet; so is Frankfor that matter, but he is thoroughly in earnest. It is not that Ianticipate any change of feeling, but it is best for her sake thereshould be no undue haste. She will spend the time with Miss Summersuntil that wedding comes off, then visit relations in the North duringthe summer. Then 'Aunt Mary' will doubtless claim her. You know that asyet 'Aunt Mary' has had no intimation of what has been going on. Indeed,but for their sudden orders for the field, I doubt very much if theyoung people would have settled their outstanding differences. She is alovely child at heart, and Frank has been a truthful and a devotedson,"--the dimmed eyes are filling now, and a tear starts slowly downthe warm cheek,--"but he is impulsive impetuous, quick, and sensitive,and, sweet as Kitty is, she has no little coquetry. It will not all besmiles and sunshine, 'bread and butter and kisses,' Mr. Brandon."
"Perhaps not, dear lady, perhaps not, yet I have no fear. He is true andbrave and stanch as steel, and she is loving. God bless them!"
"Amen."
Late at night. The lights of Donaldsonville lie over our larboard bow.The broad river glistens in the glorious sheen of silvery light from themoon aloft. We are gathered in the captain's cabin on the texas and ourglasses are filled. Moet and Chandon sparkles over the brim.
"My charger is jangling his bridle and chain, The moment is nearing, dear love, we must sever, But pour out the wine, that thy lover may drain A last stirrup-cup to his true maiden ever."
Mr. Brandon has the floor, and eloquence, forensic, judicial, social, isfled. His idea is to say something stirring and appropriate, but hisheart fails him. He can only stammer, "_Bon voyage_, boys, and safe andspeedy return!" Then he slinks out into the shadow of the hugepaddle-box, a vanquished man.
What a thundering uproar is made by the signal-whistle of theseMississippi steamers! The boat fairly quivers from stem to stern inresponse to the atmospheric disturbance created by the long-drawnblasts. For two minutes at least, in protracted, resounding, deepbellowing roar, that immense clarion heralds our approach to drowsyDonaldsonville. Three long-drawn blasts of equal length, and while theydin upon the drum of the sensitive ear, not another sound can be heard.I clasp my hands to my head and shudderingly cling to the guards. Allother sensations are deadened. Quick light footsteps approach, but Ihear them not. Two young hearts are painfully beating close behind me,but I know it not. Clasping arms and quivering lips are bidding fondfarewell so near that, could I but put one hand around the corner of thenarrow passage-way, it would light on a cavalry shoulder-strap (theright shoulder, for the other is pre-empted), but I see it not. Notuntil the deafening uproar ceases with sudden jerk, am I aware of whatis going on almost at my invisible elbow. I hear a long-drawn sibilantsomething that is not a whistle, is not a hiss, yet something like; Ihear a plaintive sob; I hear a deep, manly voice, tremulous in itstenderness. And again the miserable conviction flashes over me that I'mjust where I ought not to be,--am not supposed to be,--and yet cannotget out without ruining the impressive climax. Forgive me, Kitty!Forgive me, Frank! For years I've kept your secret. For years you neversuspected that you were overheard. Nearly all your story was jotted downthat very spring, but not this part, not this; and now that the briefchronicle is wellnigh closed,--now that "this part" is as old a story asthe rest, and as the rest would be utterly incomplete without just sucha finale, can you not find it in your hearts to forgive me for hearingyour sweet and sad and sacred farewell? It was hard, it was bittertrial; it was so sudden, so brief. Yet my heart went out to you,gallant and faithful young soldier, when I heard these words, "Five longmonths at least, my darling. You _will_ be true to me, as, God knows, Iwill be to you?"
And you, Kitty, rampant little rebel Kit, you whom I had seen allcoquetry, all mischief, all tormenting, _was_ it your voice, low,tremulous, fond as his own, that I heard murmur, "Yes, even if it wereyears."
A few moments more and four of us are standing on the wharf-boat, whilethe steamer, a brilliant illumination, ploughs and churns her way outinto the broad moonlit stream. Pauline is waving her handkerchief to thegroup of three standing by the flag-staff over the stern. Kitty, leaningon my arm, trembles, but says no word. Tears still cling to the long,fringing lashes. Lovely are the humid eyes, the soft rounded cheek, theparted lips. She throws one kiss with her little white hand, and, as thegallant steamer fades away in the distance, her myriad lights blendinginto one meteoric blaze upon the bosom of the waters, the cousins seekeach other's eyes. Pauline bends and kisses the smooth white brow andbravely drives back her own tears. Kitty leans her bonny head one momentupon the sheltering arm that is then so lovingly thrown around her,relieving mine, and lays her little hand upon her shoulder. A new ringglistens in the moonlight. Tiny crossed sabres stand boldly in reliefupon the gold; beneath them a bursting shell, above them gleams thepolished stone with its sculptured motto. I know it well. 'Tis Amory'sclass ring, and his is the proud device, "_Loyaute m'oblige_."
THE END
* * * * *
THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER;
OR, WINNNING HIS SPURS.
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.
"The sketches of life in a cavalry command on the frontier areexceedingly vivid and interesting; and the element of adventure isfurnished in the graphic and spirited accounts of affairs with thehostile Apaches. Captain King is to be thanked for an entertainingcontribution to the slender stock of American military novels--acontribution so good that we hope that he will give us another."--_N. Y.Tribune._
"The fertility of this field of garrison and reservation life hasalready attracted the attention of several writers. We took up the workof Captain King with the impression that it might be like some of these,an ephemeral production: we found it instead a charming work, worthy ofachieving a permanent place in literature. We cordially congratulateCaptain King on his accomplished success, for such unquestionably itis."--_Army and Navy Journal, N. Y._
"There have been few American novels published of late years sothoroughly readable as 'The Colonel's Daughter,' which, if it be CaptainKing's first essay in fiction, is assuredly a most encouragingproduction."--_Literary World._
"The volume is a remarkable work of fiction, and will be foundentertaining and well worthy a careful reading."--_Chicago Tribune._
"Not for many a season has there
appeared before the public a novel sothoroughly captivating as 'The Colonel's Daughter.' Its fresh flavorcannot fail to please the veriest _ennuye_, while its charming stylewould disarm the most fastidious critic. With that delicacy of touchpeculiar to his workmanship, he draws now upon pathos, now upon humor,but never strains either quality to its utmost capacity, whichdistinctly proves that Captain King is a writer of signal ability, whosenovel of 'The Colonel's Daughter' we hope is but the prelude to manyothers."--_Milwaukee Sentinel._
"A departure into a new field in novel writing ought always to bewelcomed. 'The Colonel's Daughter' is, strictly speaking, the firstAmerican military novel. It is a good one, and Captain King ought tofollow up the complete success he has made with other stories of armylife on the American frontier. The style of the author is unaffected,pure in tone, and elevating in moral effect."--_Wisconsin StateJournal._
"Captain King has in this novel prepared for us a clear and interestingstory of army incidents in the West. He is au fait in the art which madeSir Walter Scott a companion for old and young--the art which brings tothe mind of the reader that sentient power which places us directly intocommunion with the imaginary characters filling their parts in a book.The military incidents are interwoven into the inspiring love episodethat to the pages of this work add animation."--_Times-Democrat, NewOrleans._
"'The Colonel's Daughter; or, Winning His Spurs,' a story of militarylife at an Arizona post, written by Captain Charles King, U.S.A., andpublished by J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, may rightfully claimto be a good novel. Its characters are strong and clear-cut: its plotoriginal and well sustained, and the pictures of military life on thefrontier, of Apache character, and of the physical features of ArizonaTerritory are realistic and fascinating."--_San Francisco Bulletin._
"The outcome of the novel is just what every reader would wish. It is asplendid story, full of life and enjoyment, and will doubtless prove agreat favorite."--_Iowa State Register, Des Moines._
* * * * *
KITTY'S CONQUEST.
By CAPT. CHARLES KING, U.S.A.,
Author of "The Colonel's Daughter," "Marion's Faith," etc.
"A highly entertaining love story, the scene of which is laid in theSouth seven years after the war."--_New York Herald._
"Capt. King has given us another delightful story of American life. Thereputation of the author will by no means suffer through his secondventure. We can heartily commend the story to all lovers of the Americannovel."--_Washington Capital._
"Will take rank with its gifted author's vivid romance, 'The Colonel'sDaughter,' and should become as popular. Capt. King writes fluently andfelicitously, and in the novel under review there is not a tiresomepage. Everything is graphic, telling, and interesting. The plot is ofparticular excellence."--_Philadelphia Evening Call._
"'Kitty's Conquest,' a charming little story of love and adventure, byCharles King, U.S.A. The plot is laid in the South during thereconstruction period following the late war. The book is written in amost attractive style, and abounds in bright passages. The charactersare drawn in a very pleasing manner, and the plot is handled verysuccessfully throughout. It is altogether a pleasing addition to thelibrary of modern fiction."--_Boston Post._
"A bright, original, captivating story. The scene is laid in the Southsome twelve years ago. It is full of life from the word 'go!' andmaintains its interest uninterruptedly to the end. The varying fortunesthrough which the hero pursues his 'military love-making' aregraphically depicted, and a spice of dangerous adventure makes the storyall the more readable."--_New York School Journal._
"A bright and vivaciously-told story, whose incidents, largely foundedupon fact, occurred some twelve years ago. The scene, opening inAlabama, is soon transferred to New Orleans, where the interest mainlycentres, revolving round the troublous days when Kellogg and McEnerywere _de facto_ and _de jure_ claimants of supreme power in Louisiana,when the air was filled with notes of warlike preparation and the treadof armed men. Though the _heroes_ are, for the most part, United Statesofficers, there is yet nothing but kindly courtesy and generousgood-will in the tone of the story, and its delineations of Southerncharacter and life, of Southern scenes, and the circumstances andconditions of the time. The author is Charles King, himself a UnitedStates soldier, whose story of 'The Colonel's Daughter' has been wellreceived."--_New Orleans Times-Democrat._
* * * * *
"A BRILLIANT PICTURE OF GARRISON LIFE."
MARION'S FAITH.
By Captain CHARLES KING, U.S.A.,
Author of "The Colonel's Daughter," "Kitty's Conquest," etc.
"Captain King has done what the many admirers of his charming firststory, 'The Colonel's Daughter,' hoped he would do,--he has writtenanother novel of American army life. The present is in some sort acontinuation of the former, many of the characters of the first storyreappearing in the pages of this volume. The scenes of the story arelaid in the frontier country of the West, and fights with the CheyenneIndians afford sufficiently stirring incidents. The same bright,sparkling style and easy manner which rendered 'The Colonel's Daughter'and 'Kitty's Conquest' so popular and so delightful, characterize thepresent volume. It is replete with spirited, interesting, humorous, andpathetic pictures of soldier life on the frontier, and will be receivedwith a warm welcome, not only by the large circle of readers of theauthor's previous works, but by all who delight in an excellent storycharmingly told."--_Chicago Evening Journal._
"The author of this novel is a gallant soldier, now on the retired listby reason of wounds received in the line of duty. The favor with whichhis books have been received proves that he can write as well as fight.'Marion's Faith' is a very pleasing story, with a strong flavor of loveand shoulder-straps, and military life, and cannot but charm thereader."--_National Tribune, Washington, D. C._
"Captain King has caught the true spirit of the American novel, for hehas endowed his work fully and freely with the dash, vigor, breeziness,bravery, tenderness, and truth which are recognized throughout the worldas our national characteristics. Moreover, he is letting in a flood oflight upon the hidden details of army life in our frontier garrisons andamid the hills of the Indian country. He is giving the public a bit ofinsight into the career of a United States soldier, and abundantlydemonstrating that the Custers and Mileses and Crooks of to-day are notmere hired men, but soldiers as patriotic, unselfish, and daring as anyof those who went down with the guns in the great civil strife. CaptainKing's narrative work is singularly fascinating."--_St. LouisRepublican._
"As descriptions of life at an army post, and of the vicissitudes,trials, and heroisms of army life on the plains, in what are called'times of peace,' the two novels of Captain King are worthy of a highand permanent place in American literature. They will hereafter takerank with Cooper's novels as distinctively American works offiction."--_Army and Navy Register, Washington, D. C._
* * * * *
American Novels, No. 1.
THE DESERTER AND FROM THE RANKS.
By Captain Charles King, Author of "The Colonel's Daughter," "Marion'sFaith," etc.
"These two stories have a tone and an atmosphere wholly different fromthe commonplace novel of the day, and for that reason alone they arehighly enjoyable."--_Boston Literary World._
"The gallant captain has all a soldier's generous enthusiasm for lovelywomen and the delights of a cosey, love-lit home, and his heroines areall sweet, wholesome women that do honor to his heart andpen."--_Germantown Telegraph._
"Captain King has a quick and sentient touch, and his writing is that ofone whose belief in mankind is untouched by bitterness. One reads histales with the satisfying sense of a cheerful solution of alldifficulties on the final page. It is a relief, indeed, to turn from thedismal introspection of much of our modern fiction to the freshnaturalness of such stories as these."--_New York Critic._
"He tells his stories with so much spirit that one's inter
est ismaintained to the end. The character studies are good and the plotcleverly developed."--_New York Book-Buyer._
* * * * *
American Novels, No. 2.
BRUETON'S BAYOU,
By John Habberton, author of "Helen's Babies," AND MISS DEFARGE,
By Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of "That Lass o' Lowrie's."
"A good book to put in the satchel for a railway trip or oceanvoyage."--_Chicago Current._
"In every way worthy of the best of our Americanstory-writers."--(Washington) _Public Opinion._
"It is safe to say that no two more charming stories were ever bound inone cover than these."--_New Orleans Picayune._
"'Brueton's Bayou' is an excellent tale, the motive of which isapparently to instil into the haughty insularity of the New York mind arealizing sense of the intellectual possibilities of the South-west. Thesmug and self-satisfied young New York business-man, who is detained bythe lameness of his horse at Brueton's Bayou, and there presently meetshis fate in the form of a brilliant and beautiful girl of the region,has the nonsense taken out of him very thoroughly by his Southernexperiences. 'Miss Defarge' is a strong study of a very resolute andself-centred young woman, who accomplishes many things by sheer force ofwill. But the most interesting and charming figure in it is that ofElizabeth Dysart, the blonde beauty, a kind of modernized Dudu,--'largeand languishing and lazy,'--but of a sweetness of temper and generallovableness not to be surpassed."--_New York Tribune._
* * * * *
American Novels, No. 4.
A DEMORALIZING MARRIAGE
By Edgar Fawcett, author of "Douglas Duane," "A Gentleman of Leisure,"etc.
"The plot is cleverly arranged, the action lively, the dialogue sweet,and the story bright and well sustained."--_New York Tribune._
"Edgar Fawcett still stands at the head of society novelists, as hislatest story testifies. It deals with society life in New York in abrilliant and realistic manner, and if it is at times satirical, theauthor has just grounds for employing this spice."--_Boston HomeJournal._
"Mr. Fawcett is admirably equipped to write of life in New York, thecity of his birth (over forty years ago), of his education, and of hisliterary work. The characters that he presents are admirably drawn inbold, clear lines. He observes society keenly, and some of his bits of'showing up' are delightfully done."--_Public Opinion_ (Washington, D.C.).
"It is one of the latest of Mr. Fawcett's brilliant stories of New Yorklife. One uses the term advisedly. His work has both depth andresplendence--the two qualities that produce the effect we termbrilliancy, and which, when used in its full significance, signifies agreat deal. Mr. Fawcett's novels reveal the 'veined humanity' of thecomplicated, intense life of the highly-organized society of thenineteenth century."--_Boston Traveller._