The Silent Harp

by Gilbert, Morris

  “Hannah did tell me about that,” Colin said quietly, with sympathy in his eyes. “But you’ve made a marvelous recovery.”

  “Yes, and I believe it was all God’s doing. He put me in that place at that time to give me just the help I needed.”

  As they moved around looking at various pieces, Sir Colin stopped in front of the full-size statue of Robert, studying it silently while Sharon stood back and watched. He shook his head. “I’ve never seen such a work. Is it one of your earlier pieces?”

  “I started it when I came home from the Camp and worked on it for a year. It gave me a great deal of satisfaction.”

  “The details are amazingly accurate. I was in the war, you know.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, the First Fusiliers. Lucky to get out of it alive. I met many Yanks over there. Did you use a model for this one?”

  Sharon hesitated, not wanting to reveal that it was of the man she had loved. “In a way,” she started slowly, “but I wanted it to stand for all of the men who risked their lives in combat to keep our freedom. I simply call it ‘The Soldier.’”

  Sir Colin turned to her. “It’s a marvelous work.” His voice was quiet, his eyes warm with admiration. “God has certainly put a special gift in your hands.”

  “That’s very kind of you to say. Why don’t we go back to the house and have some tea, and you can tell me about your book.”

  Sir Colin stayed much longer than the hour he had asked for, and when he left, Lucille came to Sharon, beaming. “Such a fine man! I do hope he succeeds with his book.”

  “I know very little about such things. I understand publishing is difficult to break into.”

  “I’m sure you’ll help him all you can.”

  Sharon nodded and smiled slightly. “Yes, I believe I will. He was a soldier, you know, and I can’t do enough for those fellows.”

  ****

  Mabel, the cook, was gossiping in the kitchen with the house maid, Ruth, a diminutive girl with enormous blue eyes. “ . . . and Miss Sharon has been out with Sir Colin a dozen times,” she gushed. “Since I’ve known her, she’s never been out with anyone. Not after her fiancé died, so I hear.”

  Ruth sighed. “He’s such a handsome man, and so obliging. He always says the nicest things, even to me.”

  “Yes, he does. I’m sure Sharon is in love with him.”

  “Do you think she’ll marry him?”

  “Of course! There’s no doubt!”

  “Oh, Mabel. When she goes home with him to live in his castle, maybe she’ll take me with her as her maid. Just think of that. Me in a castle in England.”

  “Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Winslow would agree to that?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure they would agree to her marrying him. They are both so very fond of him! It’s taken her a long time to get over Mr. Robert, but she appears to have done it at last.”

  ****

  Sharon was laughing as she got out of the car one afternoon and took Colin’s arm to go into the house. He was telling her a story of his polo days, and as usual, made himself the brunt of the story.

  “I fell off that ignoramus of a horse right in front of the queen. And my trousers, I’m afraid to say, ripped in the back from the belt all the way down.”

  Sharon giggled and said, “What did you do?”

  “There wasn’t much I could do. I looked at the queen, and I saw that she was laughing, so it was all right, you see.”

  They entered the house, and Sharon said, “I’m starved! Let me fix us something to eat.”

  “That sounds good. Can you cook?”

  “I can make tea and sandwiches. Come along.”

  Sharon led him to the kitchen, and although Mabel was there, Sharon insisted on making the tea and sandwiches herself.

  “Don’t eat too much, Miss Sharon,” Mabel said. “It’s nearly dinnertime. Will you be staying for dinner, Sir Colin?”

  “Probably so. I’ve become such a beggar, but your cooking is so good I can barely face restaurant food anymore.”

  “Of course you’re invited,” Sharon spoke up. “Now, you sit down.”

  Busying herself in the kitchen, Sharon listened as Colin told another story, keeping both her and Mabel in fits of laughter. How very easy it is to be with him, she thought, not meaning to compare him with Robert but realizing that he was the most amiable and pleasant man she had met since her first love.

  When the tea and sandwiches were ready, Sharon filled a tray and suggested they go out to the gazebo in the garden, where they could enjoy their refreshment in private. Colin took the tray from her and they left Mabel to her dinner preparations as they made their way through the garden. “Polo is such a ridiculous game,” he said, picking up their earlier conversation. “I’ve always hated the game myself. My father insisted I take up the sport, so I did, but I hated every minute of it. Why do you suppose we do things like that simply because we’re expected to?”

  “I’m sure I don’t know,” Sharon said as they entered the gazebo. She set the tray on a small table they moved within reach of the bench running around the edge of the structure.

  “I think we’re simply slaves to custom, Sharon. Don’t you agree?”

  “I expect so.”

  “Well, I for one am not going to do it anymore!”

  “You’re not going to play polo anymore?”

  Colin took a bite of his sandwich as she filled his teacup, then said with an excited light in his eyes, “I’m not going to live according to social custom anymore. I’m tired of the social whirl. Had it all my life, and I don’t need any more of it.”

  “What will you do, then?”

  He sighed. “I’ve been thinking about this for some time. I have a small house on the Shetland Islands. Right on the coast. Oh, the house isn’t all that much. Nothing like the place in England, of course, but it’s ever so cozy. Like something out of a Dickens novel. And the sea is so beautiful there. It gets wild sometimes. There’s nothing I like better than walking along the rocky coast and letting the wind whip me about the face. Sometimes I just shout I’m so exalted by it.”

  Sharon listened with interest, for he had never spoken of this before. “What’s it like in the summer?”

  “Oh, it’s so lovely. The grass is so green it hurts your eyes. The flowers grow like weeds, only more beautiful, of course. And you know what I like? Every day in the summer I can spend the entire day walking through the woods or sitting there watching the ocean. Sometimes I go in for a swim.”

  “It sounds lovely.”

  Colin grew meditative. “I grow so lonely for it. There’re no cars, no radio. Just the sea, a small village, and very real, warm people.”

  Sharon was fascinated. “I envy you, Colin. That sounds like heaven on earth to me.”

  He did not speak for a time, just looked down at his hands, which he had folded in his lap. She wondered if something were wrong or if she had offended him in some way. He lifted his eyes and cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to say this, Sharon. It’s very difficult for me.”

  “What is it?” Sharon was mystified by this uncharacteristic uncertainty. He had always seemed so sure of himself.

  “I have been working up the courage to ask you if . . . if you’d like to go with me.”

  The silence that followed filled her inner being. His eyes were locked on hers with an intensity she had not seen before. When she did not speak, he said quickly, “I know we haven’t known each other very long, but I love everything about you, Sharon. I love the way you look, but even more than that I love the way you are. How everything you do is right and good. I’ve seen so little true kindness in my world, but I see it in you.”

  She was still unable to speak. In all truth she had wondered lately what it would be like to be married to Sir Colin Hardie. She would then be Lady Sharon. This did not impress her, however, as much as did the sincerity of his words.

  When she remained silent, Colin reached over and took her hand,
and he smiled and shrugged his shoulders in a now-familiar gesture. “I know that many men have pursued you—and some of them for the wrong reasons. I’m not as wealthy a man as you might expect—not in the sense that your family is. My family is old and respected, but we don’t live on the scale that you do. I’m afraid your parents would not look on such a union with favor.”

  “You’re right about one thing, Colin. Men have shown attention to me, but I’ve learned to recognize those who want me for reasons other than for myself. And I truly don’t think you’re one of those men.”

  Colin rose and drew her to her feet. He leaned forward and, for the first time, kissed her on the lips. It was a strange kiss, restrained and yet with a hint of passion, and Sharon felt herself responding. She was surprised when he drew back and shook his head. “I don’t want to press you, because the advantages would all be on my side.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because you’re successful, and I’m just beginning a career. I may never make it as a writer.”

  “I think you will, Colin. From what you’ve shown me, I think you have great talent.”

  He smiled then, and his face grew animated. “Do you really think so? That’s so encouraging.”

  She touched his cheek. “I am honored that you have thought of me in this way, Colin.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way about it. As I say, I won’t press you, but I implore you to try to think of me as a man you might marry. I think it best if I take my leave now and allow you to think about this, Sharon.” He lifted her hand, kissed it, and smiled. “I won’t sleep a wink tonight, thinking of what we’ve said. Good evening, my dear.”

  After Colin left, Sharon took a walk around the gardens, pondering his proposal. He had shown signs of deep affection before, but even so the conversation had caught her off guard, for they had not known each other all that long.

  When she went back in the house, she met her mother and told her at once, “Colin has asked me to marry him.”

  Lucille blinked with surprise and exclaimed, “Has he really! Did you say yes?”

  “I didn’t give him an answer yet. You must understand something, Mother. He’s told me that his people are not as rich as you might think.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he’s just being modest, dear. Judging by the way he conducts himself, he must have a wonderful family—and so well respected. Just think, you’d be Lady Sharon! I can only imagine Agnes Astor’s face on learning that news.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  When the Sun Goes Out

  Clayton sat in Sharon’s studio, chattering as she worked on a new piece. “You know, Sharon, Dad has told me I can have a car when I’m sixteen. I want a Stutz Bearcat.”

  “That’s a pretty racy car. Think you can handle it?”

  “I sure can.” He jumped off his stool and pulled at her smock. “Hey, let’s go out in your car. You can start teachin’ me to drive.”

  Sharon turned to him and laughed. She had only just learned to drive recently herself. Now that the family no longer lived in the city, Sharon decided it was more practical to drive herself around rather than constantly relying on the chauffeur. Without her parents’ knowing at first, she had begged their young chauffeur, Mike Jones, to teach her to drive. Now she thoroughly enjoyed her private jaunts around the county to visit antique shops and small art galleries. It was the first time in her life she had experienced such freedom. Now she looked with pride at her handsome young brother and found it hard to refuse such a request. “I’ll have to think about that. Dad isn’t all that happy yet with my own driving. He’d skin me alive if he caught us.”

  “No he wouldn’t. We know how to handle Mom and Dad.”

  “You’re pretty sure of that, aren’t you?”

  Suddenly switching subjects, Clayton asked, “Are you going to marry Colin?”

  Sharon had not yet given Colin a final answer, but she had certainly given him encouragement. Her parents seemed to feel she had found an ideal partner, but she still was not able to take the final plunge. “I’m not sure, Clayton.”

  “Why not? Don’t you want to have kids?”

  “Yes, I’d like to.”

  “You need a husband for that.” Clayton studied her and then said with a positive nod, “I hope you do marry him. You’d be Lady Sharon Hardie then, wouldn’t you?”

  “I would. Do you think that’s important?”

  “Sure it’s important. We could all go to England and meet the king and queen.”

  Sharon listened to his patter, troubled that Clayton had absorbed so much of his parents’ preoccupation with high society. She reached out and ruffled his auburn hair. “I think you’re a lot more important to me than any king or queen. Come on. Let’s take a ride, and if you’re good, maybe I’ll let you steer a little.”

  ****

  Sir Colin came later that day and sat quietly in the studio, watching Sharon work. She had never been able to tolerate anyone other than her little brother doing this, and it amazed her that she didn’t mind. But he was so quiet, never saying a word unless she spoke to him. It was comforting just to have him nearby. Of course, she enjoyed his company when she wasn’t working as well. He had received a fine education in England and knew far more about literature than she did and certainly more about current events. Sometimes he laughed at her for not knowing basic facts that any British schoolchild would be expected to know.

  At one point, while she was taking a break, he came over to her and, without warning, put his arms around her, drawing her close. Sharon saw that he was intensely serious.

  “I’ve said all along that I didn’t want to press you, but now I’m going to do exactly that. I love you, Sharon. I always will. I’d like to have your answer if you can give it.”

  Sharon almost gave him the answer he so ardently longed for, but she was not ready to make the final decision. “Give me one more month, Colin,” she said, “and then I’ll give you your answer. I promise.”

  “It’ll be a long month for me, but I can wait.” He kissed her then, and as she returned his kiss, she felt a strong desire for a lifelong companion. She had not realized how lonely she was, but now in the comfort of his arms she knew what her answer was going to be.

  ****

  The month passed quickly while Sharon thought about and prayed over her decision to marry Colin. She did not feel completely at peace about it, but she also realized she was not getting any younger and this could well be her last chance to marry a respectable man who clearly loved her. August brought hot, sultry weather, but neither she nor Colin seemed to notice as they walked about the grounds of the Winslow estate. As they stood beside the lily pond tossing bread crumbs to the ducks, she turned to him and said, “Colin, I’ve decided I will marry you.”

  His eyes lit up with joy. “I’m so happy, my dear, and I promise I will make you a happy woman.”

  As he kissed her, Sharon felt a sense of release. At least now the decision is made, she thought. I just hope it’s the right one.

  They went inside to tell her parents and celebrate together over the evening meal. Later that night after Colin had left, she wrote to Hannah Fulton, who was summering with her family in Sussex, England. After sharing her news, she wrote,

  I know that Colin’s family lives in Sussex. It would be so nice if you could meet them and give me a report about them. I’m sure they must be wonderful people, but I would love to get your opinion of them. I hope this news makes you happy. I know you’ve wanted me to marry for a long time, and now I finally will. So wish me well.

  Your dear friend,

  Sharon

  The days that followed were exciting ones for Sharon. She wrote letters to Dr. Steiner and Dr. Chardoney and to many of her other friends, inviting them to the wedding and telling them how happy she was. The announcement of her engagement was published in the newspaper, and wedding plans were made for the first Saturday of November, 1928.

  “I wish it could be sooner,” Colin told her
one night as they walked in the garden, “but I suppose I’m simply impatient. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, and I know we’re going to have a wonderful life together.”

  Sharon smiled. “I know we’re going to be happy. You’re going to become a wildly successful novelist—putting Charles Dickens to shame.”

  Colin laughed, his white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. “I would settle for far less than that.”

  “When do you think you’ll finish your book?”

  “I’ll have to interrupt it for our honeymoon, of course, but once we settle in at our home in the Shetlands, I’ll have time. I won’t have anything to do but concentrate on my book—and you, sweetheart.”

  ****

  October arrived, and with it Sharon’s anxiety about the wedding increased. Perhaps if I were younger, she reasoned, I wouldn’t be feeling all these doubts. I will simply have to put them away.

  On the third day of the month she got a letter from Hannah that puzzled her. Hannah wrote about what she and her children were doing but did not address the subject of Sharon’s coming marriage until the end of the letter:

  I’ll be coming home shortly, Sharon. There’s something I must tell you about Colin that I wouldn’t care to put in a letter. I know it’s awful to mention something and then say, “I’m not going to tell you,” but I’d really rather talk to you about it face-to-face. And in fact, it may come to nothing.

  When Sharon mentioned to Colin that Hannah had visited his family and would be home soon, Colin said, “That will be nice for you. I know you’ve been missing your friend.” He was looking out the window when he turned impulsively and came over to her. “There’s something you should know about me, Sharon. I probably should have told you before.”

  “What is it? It can’t be all that bad.”