Appomattox Saga Omnibus 2: Three Books In One (Appomatox Saga)

by Gilbert, Morris

  “You’re so holy, aren’t you!” Mark stabbed with his voice as he might have lunged with his fists if he’d been able. “You’ve never done anything wrong, not the great and pure Lowell Rocklin!” On and on he spoke until Lowell was pale and his hands trembled.

  When his uncle stopped speaking, Lowell cleared his throat and blurted, “Well, I just couldn’t think, Uncle Mark!” He hadn’t slept a wink, and all night long he’d wrestled with anger at Rooney—and guilt for doing just what Mark accused him of. Now he took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow. “I mean, why didn’t she tell me what kind of—”

  “And you’ve shown exactly what you would’ve done if she had, haven’t you, Lowell.” Mark had been a rough man, and now his eyes were deadly. He loved the young man who stood trembling before him, but he was angry to the bone. The pain struck his stomach, and he paused, holding his breath as it tore through him.

  Lowell saw the face of the older man stiffen and asked, “Is it bad?” knowing that it was. When Mark didn’t speak, he sat down on a chair and twisted his hands, his brow knitted. “I—I was wrong, Uncle Mark.”

  Mark saw the trouble on the boy’s unlined face. He’s still young. He thinks everyone is just what they seem to be. The pain subsided, and Mark took a slow breath. “You made a mistake, my boy. But we all do that.” Bitterness twisted his lips, and he said, “I’ve done much worse. But the difference is that I can’t do anything about mine—you can!”

  Lowell looked up hopefully and, seeing the compassion in Mark Rocklin’s dark eyes, said, “I will, Uncle Mark! I’ll find her and help her all I can!”

  “Do it quick, boy! That girl needs help!”

  Lowell stood up and left almost at a run, leaving Mark exhausted and wrestling with the pain. Don’t run from your woes, my boy! he thought. I found out a long time ago that’s a sure way to ruin your life—and the lives of everybody around you!

  “I need to see Miss Rooney Smith.”

  Studs Mulvaney looked down at the young man who’d come into the saloon and asked for the manager, took his cigar from his thick lips, and demanded, “What for?” It was only ten in the morning, and the saloon was empty—only Bugs was up and moving slowly around.

  “Why…I–I’m a friend of hers,” Lowell stammered. “She’s in trouble, and I want to help her and her brother.”

  Mulvaney considered the fine clothing and the clean-cut face of the young man. He knew that Clara would be in jail for some time, and he had worried about Rooney and Buck. This young fellow, he thought, could give some help.

  “Come on,” he said abruptly.

  Feeling as self-conscious as he had ever felt, Lowell followed the big man up the stairs. They passed several women who stared at him hard-eyed, but he ignored them as best he could.

  Mulvaney opened a door leading into what appeared to be a closet, called out, “Rooney, come down here.” He turned to glare at Lowell, his cigar making a circle as he shifted it. “Be careful with these kids, sonny,” he said quietly. “I wouldn’t like them to get in no trouble. They got enough of that as it is.”

  Then Rooney appeared, and her face grew still as she saw Lowell. Studs glanced at her, saying, “This a friend of yours, Rooney?”

  “I…know him.”

  As soon as Mulvaney moved away, Lowell said hastily, “Rooney, you can’t stay in this place!”

  “Buck and me don’t have anyplace else to go.”

  Lowell had made no plans for helping the pair. He had come out of shame heaped on him by his uncle. Now that he stood there, he found himself with a blank mind. “I…didn’t mean to ignore you—at the court, I mean.” When she didn’t answer, he hastened to add, “I had no idea you were in trouble.”

  “There’s no way you could have known.” Rooney was confused but said the one thing she wanted to say to the young man. “I lied to you…about my family. I’m sorry for that.”

  Lowell blinked and said instantly, “Oh, don’t worry about that!”

  “I never wanted to lie to you, but…”

  She looked very young and helpless, but Lowell couldn’t forget that she had lied to him. I’ll help her—but it won’t be the same, was the thought that came to him.

  “Look, you can’t stay here. This is no place for you—nor for your brother.” Desperately he tried to think of something. “I know! You can stay at Gracefield.”

  “No, I can’t go there!”

  The vehemence of her reply startled Lowell. “Why not?”

  “I—I couldn’t face your family!”

  Lowell said, “Rooney, it was Uncle Mark who told me to come and find you. My grandmother loves you, and so will the others.”

  Rooney was in a terrible position. She hated the thought of staying in the hotel, though Mulvaney had assured her she could. It was Buck she feared for the most, not herself.

  If I could just get Buck out of here and on a farm, just for a little while!

  “You and I could finish the balloon,” Lowell said quickly. “It might not be forever, but for now you and the boy ought to get out of here.”

  “I’ll have to do it,” Rooney whispered. “When do you want us to come?”

  “Why, right now!” Lowell answered. He wanted to get the two out of the Royal as quickly as possible. “We can be at Gracefield a little after noon.”

  Rooney looked startled but knew that it might be best. “I’ll get Buck,” she said.

  When she turned to the ladder, Lowell said quickly, “I guess we’d better understand one thing, Rooney.” She turned to look at him, and he knew he had to say the thing clearly. “About us—you and me—we’ll just be working together. You know what I mean?”

  Rooney looked at Lowell. “Yes,” she said quietly, “I know what you mean, Mr. Rocklin.”

  She left him then, and somehow there was a rebuke in her words. “Mr. Rocklin.” Why was her use of that name so hard? She was back soon with the boy. “This is my brother, Buck. This is Mr. Rocklin, Buck.”

  Lowell nodded to the boy, forced a smile, and said, “You’ll be staying with us for a time, Buck. I hope you’ll like it there.”

  “Yes, sir.” Buck said nothing more but just watched Lowell very carefully.

  Lowell led them to the buggy he’d brought to town, and they rode out of town at a fast trot. None of them spoke, and the silence grew heavy and uncomfortable.

  Lowell glanced at Rooney and saw that her cheeks were pale as she stared straight ahead. I’ve hurt her, but she’s hurt me, too!

  But the thought didn’t give him any comfort, and as the team carried the buggy out of Richmond, Lowell was filled with uncertainty.

  Got to get that balloon built and get back to the real war, he thought as he sat awkwardly on the seat, trying not to touch the girl who sat beside him.

  PART TWO

  Lowell

  CHAPTER 8

  DRESSES FOR THE CAUSE

  Rooney would never forget the day she and Buck arrived at Gracefield. The trip from Richmond had been strained and silent, with Lowell speaking only briefly. Buck, Rooney knew, was gripped with apprehension, and as she sat beside him, she took his hand and squeezed it. He gave her a worried smile but said nothing all the way to the Rocklin plantation.

  When they pulled up in front of the house, Rooney felt the boy stiffen. “It’s all right, Buck,” she whispered as Lowell got out and handed the lines to Highboy. “These are real nice people—you’ll see!”

  Lowell hesitated, wondering how to break the news of these two guests to his grandmother. I hope she’s not going to be too mad, he thought. I have to see her alone.

  “Rooney, you might like to show Buck around the place while I go find Grandmother.”

  “All right.” Turning to Buck, she said, “Come on. I’ll show you the horses.” As they walked away, Buck looked fearfully over his shoulder as the man disappeared into the house.

  “Rooney, they won’t let us stay here!”

  Now that they were actually on the grounds, Rooney p
rivately thought the same. She let none of her doubt show, however, but made herself say cheerfully, “Don’t worry. You’ll like Miz Rocklin, Mister Lowell’s grandmother. Come on, now, let’s look at the horses. I’ll bet Mister Lowell will let you ride one of them.”

  Buck shook his head doubtfully, saying, “I don’t think they’ll let us stay. We’d better go back to the Royal.” His thin face grew tense, and he asked, “What if Ma comes back and we’re not there?”

  She won’t come back—she’ll be in jail, Rooney thought. Rooney had spoken with Studs, who knew about such things, and he’d told her that Clara would be sentenced for a short term. “Not too long,” he’d added, seeing the stricken look on her face. “Jail’s too small, and she didn’t actually kill the fellow. You can stay here, Rooney. Don’t worry about that.”

  Rooney set out to convince Buck that they would keep in touch with their mother, but the burden was heavy on his thin young shoulders. “Mr. Mulvaney promised to send word when Ma gets back,” she said, then added brightly as they came to the pasture, “See that big black horse? That’s King. Isn’t he something…?”

  Inside the house Lowell had found his grandmother sewing in the library. Without preamble he said, “Grandmother, I’ve got something to tell you.”

  Susanna looked up quickly and, seeing the worry on her grandson’s face, put her sewing down and said quietly, “Sit down, Lowell, and tell me about it.”

  Lowell was too tense to sit down, but walked up and down as he related the history. From time to time he cast a worried eye at the woman but saw nothing but serenity there. Finally he got to the end. Drawing his handkerchief out, he wiped his brow, saying nervously, “I—I didn’t know what to do, Grandmother. I hated to leave them in that terrible place, so…”

  When Lowell broke off, struggling for words, Susanna said calmly, “Well, Lowell, I hope you had sense enough to bring them here. I would love to have them.”

  A look of relief swept across Lowell’s face. “I did, Grandmother. But I was sort of afraid to tell you.” Now that the worst was over, he came over and sat down beside her on the horsehair couch. “I mean—it’s asking a lot to take in two youngsters for I don’t know how long—”

  “Nonsense!” Susanna said firmly. Placing her sewing basket to one side, she reached over and took Lowell’s hand, pressing it warmly. “I’m proud of you, Lowell. You have a good heart.”

  Lowell flushed, thinking of how he’d turned from Rooney in the courtroom. “Well, I–I’m not sure about that,” he muttered. Then he shrugged his shoulders, asking, “Do you want me to bring them here?”

  “No, I’ll go with you.” She got to her feet, and compassion shone in her eyes. “The poor things! What a terrible thing for them to go through! We’ll have to be very kind to both of them, Lowell.”

  The two of them went out on the porch, and Lowell said, “They’re looking at the horses, I think.” He led the way, and turning the corner of the big barn, he said, “There they are.”

  Susanna studied the pair who turned to face them. The boy was thin and tense, with a look of defiance in his dark brown eyes. When Lowell introduced her, she said at once, “My, how nice it’ll be to have some new faces around! I get so lonesome on this old place.” Smiling at Buck, she said, “Most of my menfolk are gone to the war, Buck. Do you think you could learn to drive me to town in the buggy?”

  Buck blinked with surprise, and some of the tension left him. “Oh yes, I can drive some, Miz Rocklin!” he replied eagerly.

  “Well, you and I will be going quite a bit, I expect.” Susanna turned to Rooney and, seeing the humiliation in the girl’s dark blue eyes, set herself to put the girl at ease. “Rooney, Lowell tells me you’re going to have a long visit with us?”

  “Y–yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, I think that’s grand! And I know just the place for you.” Turning to Lowell, she said, “The old summerhouse, Lowell.”

  “Why, that’s just the thing!” Lowell felt a wave of relief come over him and turned to say to the girl, “It’s real private, Rooney. You and Buck can fix it up however you want. Come on, I’ll take you there.”

  “I’ll just go along. Rooney and I can see what the inside needs,” Susanna said. “You and Buck here can do the man’s work.” She smiled at Buck, saying, “It’s down that little lane there. Suppose you drive us all there?”

  Buck nodded eagerly, “Yes, ma’am!” he said, color tinging his pale cheeks. When the four of them returned to the buggy, Lowell helped his grandmother into the front, then gave Rooney a hand into the back. She kept her eyes from him, saying quietly, “Thank you.”

  Buck scrambled into the driver’s seat, unwound the lines, and looked at the lane. “Down through them trees, Miz Rocklin?”

  “Yes. Now don’t go too fast,” she said, smiling at him. She complimented him on his driving skill and was pleased at the way she found to make him feel more comfortable. Poor little chap, she thought as they passed through the lane formed by huge oak trees. How little he has! But he’s got good stuff in him—and so has Rooney!

  At the end of the lane, Rooney saw a small frame house nestled under a grove of pines. Buck pulled the horses to a stop and turned to Susanna. “Did I do all right?” he asked anxiously.

  “Why, I should say so! I don’t know of a man who could do better! I’d trust you to take me to Richmond right now!” Susanna patted his arm; then Lowell leaped to the ground and helped the women down. Looking around, Susanna shook her head. “Grounds need work—and the inside might be a mess.”

  At that moment a big dog dashed out of the woods, barking excitedly. “Get down, Buck!” Lowell snapped as the huge animal reared up and pawed at his shirt with muddy paws. “Now look at the mess you’ve made!”

  “His name is the same as mine?” Buck asked Susanna with surprise.

  “Yes, he’s my granddaughter’s dog.”

  “Can I pet him?”

  “Of course, but he’ll worry you to death.”

  Buck loved animals, and when he put his hand on the big dog’s broad head, that was all it took. The dog leaped up, licking his face and pawing at him frantically.

  “You two can do some hunting together,” Lowell said. “He’s a pretty good coon dog when he wants to be.” Still feeling awkward with Rooney, he suggested, “Maybe you and I could tag along, Rooney.”

  “That would be nice!” Rooney was so pleased at the place and at Buck’s pleasure that she forgot some of the painful interview she’d had with Lowell at the Royal.

  Then they entered the cabin, and Rooney gasped. “Oh, this is so nice!” she exclaimed. It was small with only one main room. It housed a small kitchen off to one side and had a door leading to a bedroom. The main room was well furnished with a couch, a table, and several bookcases. “This is where Clay lived for a while,” Susanna said. “He and Rena made it over like it is now. It’s been pretty much empty since the beginning of the war, but Rena still comes here from time to time to read.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to put her out!”

  “She’ll be glad to have you. She and the dog will be with you half the time. You two girls will have a good time, and you’ll have to look out for them, Buck—and take care of your namesake, that pesky dog!”

  “I’ll take care of him!” Buck spoke up at once. “Can I go outside and play with him?”

  “Of course! Lowell, you go with them. Show Buck…well, I guess we’ll have to rename one of you.” Susanna smiled. “When I call for Buck, I don’t want that old dog coming to answer me.”

  “I’ll be Buck Number One,” Buck said. He smiled happily, the first smile Lowell or Susanna had seen from him. “That ol’ dog can be Buck Number Two!”

  Susanna and Rooney went over the small cabin after Lowell and the boy left. Susanna said nothing about the circumstances that brought them, speaking only of practical things about the summerhouse.

  But when they had gone over the place, Rooney slowly turned to Susanna, saying, “Miss Susann
a—I lied to you and Lowell.”

  Susanna knew better than to cut the girl off. People, she knew, had to get things out sometimes, so she stood there listening as Rooney struggled through her confession. Better to let her get it all out—then we can put it behind us.

  When Rooney finished, saying miserably, “I didn’t want to lie, but it just—it just came out that way,” tears came to her eyes, and she whispered, “Maybe you don’t want a liar livin’ on your place!”

  Susanna moved forward and took the girl in her arms. At once Rooney threw her arms around the older woman and began to weep. Susanna held the slight form of the girl, patting her shoulder and murmuring sympathetic phrases. Susanna Rocklin was a strong woman, but part of her strength was her compassionate heart. Now as the girl’s body was racked with sobs, she thought, She’s never had a mother to love her. I’m glad she’s come here. She needs me!

  Finally the sobs diminished, and Susanna took a handkerchief from her pocket. “Now that’s over!” she announced firmly, drying the girl’s face. “We women have to do things like that once in a while, don’t we?” A wry smile touched her lips. “I wish men had sense enough to cry things out!”

  “Nobody ever was so kind!”

  “No more of that!” Susanna turned the mood quickly. “What do you think about these curtains? I’ve got some in the attic that will look a lot better than these. Come along, and we’ll go see what we have.…”

  “But—but, Father, think what it looks like!”

  Clay stared at Lowell, who had appeared in the study of the Big House. “I don’t see any problem,” he said shortly. He had been assigned recruiting duty and had found it almost worse than battle! But it did enable him to get home, so he didn’t complain much. He’d come into the study to work on the books when Lowell had burst in, anxiety on his face, saying, “Do you know what Rooney’s doing?” Then without waiting for an answer, he’d exclaimed, “She’s going around to the dance hall girls in Richmond asking for their dresses!”