We are. As soon as your aunt will select a pleasant day for the ceremony. Then, that attended to, I can devote my mind and energies to this other subject. And meanwhile, my boy, if you hear talk about it, dont make any assertions, rather, try to hush up the subject.
I see, I see, and I will, Doctor Waring. You dont want to bother with those things till youre a settled down married man! I know just how you feel about it. Important business, this getting married, I daresay, sir.
It is, and so much so, that Im going to take the bride-elect off right now, for a little private confab. You must understand that we have much to arrange.
Run along, bless you, my children! Pinky waved a teacup and a sandwich beneficently toward the pair, as they left the room and went off in the direction of the Doctors study.
The house was a large one, with a fine front portico upheld by six enormous fluted columns.
One of the most beautiful of New England doorways led into a wide hall. To the right of this was the drawing-room, not so often used and not so well liked as the more cozy living-room, to the left as one entered, and where the tea-drinking group now sat.
Behind these two rooms and hall, ran a cross hall, with an outer door at the end back of the living-room and a deep and wide window seat at the other end, behind the drawing-room.
Further back, beyond the cross hall, on the living-room side, was the dining-room, and beside it, back of the drawing-room was the Doctors study. This was the gem of the whole house. The floor had been sunken to give greater ceiling height, for the room was very large, and of fine proportions. It opened on to the cross hall with wide double doors, and a flight of six or seven steps descended to its rug covered floor.
Opposite the double doors was the great fireplace with high over-mantel of carved stone. Each side of the mantel were windows, high and not large. The main daylight came through a great window on the right of the entrance and also from a long French window that opened like doors on the same side.
This French window, giving on a small porch, and the door that opened into the cross hall of the house were the only doors in the great room, save those on cupboards and bookcases.
On the other side of the room, opposite the French window was a row of four small windows looking into the dining-room. But these were high, and could not be seen through by people on the sunken floor of the study.
The whole room was done in Circassian walnut, and represented the ideal abode of a man of letters. The fireside was flanked with two facing davenports, the wide window seat was piled with cushions. The French window-doors were suitably curtained and the high windows were of truly beautiful stained glass.
The spacious table desk was in the middle of the room, and bookcases, both portable and built in, lined the walls. There were a few good busts and valuable pictures, and the whole effect was one of dignity and repose rather than of elaborate grandeur.
The room was renowned, and all Corinth spoke of it with pride. The students felt it a great occasion that brought them within its walls and the faculty loved nothing better than a session therein.
Casual guests were rarely entertained in the study. Only especial visitors or those worthy of its classic atmosphere found welcome there. Mrs. Peyton or Helen were not expected to use it, and Mrs. Bates had already declared she should respect it as the sanctum of Doctor Waring alone.
The two made their way to the window seat, and as he arranged the soft cushions for her, Waring said, Dont, Emily, ever feel shut out of this room. As I live now, Ive not welcomed the Peytons in here, but my wife is a different proposition.
I still feel an awe of the place, John, but I may get used to it. Anyway, Ill try, and I do appreciate your willingness to have me in here. Then if you want to be alone, you must put me out.
Ill probably do that, sometimes, dear, for I have to spend many hours alone. You know, Im not taking the presidency lightly.
I know it, you conscientious dear. But, on the other hand, dont be too serious about it. Youre just the man for the place, just the character for a College President, and if you try too hard to improve or reconstruct yourself, youll probably spoil your present perfection.
Well nothing would spoil your present perfection, my Emily. I am too greatly blest, to have the great honor from the college, and you, too!
Are you happy, John? All happy?
Warings deep blue eyes fastened themselves on her face. His brown hair showed only a little gray at the temples, his fine face was not touched deeply by Times lines, and his clear, wholesome skin glowed with health.
If there was an instants hesitation before his reply came, it was none the less hearty and sincere. Yes, my darling, all happy. And you?
I am happy, if you are, she returned. But I can never be happy if there is a shadow of any sort on your heart. Is there, John? Tell me, truly.
You mean regarding this trouble that I hear is brewing for me?
Not only that; I mean in any direction.
Trouble, Emily! With you in my arms! No, a thousand times no! Trouble and I are strangers, so long as I have you!
CHAPTER II
MISS MYSTERY ARRIVES
Anyone who has arrived at the railroad station of a New England village, after dark on a very cold winter night, the train late, no one to meet him, and no place engaged for board and lodging, will know the desolation of such a situation.
New Englands small railroad stations are much alike, the crowds that alight from the trains are much alike, the people waiting on the platform for the arriving travelers are much alike, but there came into Corinth one night a passenger who was not at all like the fellow passengers on that belated train. It was a train from New York, due in Corinth at five-forty, but owing to the extreme cold weather, and various untoward freezings occasioned thereby, the delays were many and long and the train drew into the station shortly after seven oclock.
Tired, hungry and impatient, the travelers crowded out of the train and stamped through the snow to the vehicles awaiting them, or footed it to their nearby homes.
The passenger who was unlike the others stepped down from the car platform, and holding her small suitcase firmly, crossed the track and entered the station waiting room. She went to the ticket window but found there no attendant. Impatiently she tapped her little foot on the old board floor but no one appeared.
Agent, she called out, rapping with her knuckles on the window shelf, Agent, where are you?
Whos there? What dy want? growled a surly voice, and a head appeared at the ticket window.
I want somebody to look after me! Im alone, and I want a porter, and I want a conveyance and I want some information.
Oh, you do! Well, I cant supply porters nor yet conveyances; but information I may be able to give you.
Very well then, and a pair of big, dark eyes seemed to pierce his very brain. Then tell me where I can find the best accommodations in Corinth.
The now roused agent looked more interestedly at the inquirer.
He saw a mere slip of a girl, young, slender, and very alert of manner. Her dark, grave little face was oval, and her eyes had a strange uncanny way of roving quickly about, and coming suddenly back, greatly disconcerting the stolid ticket agent.
This agent was not unused to girls, a college town is often invaded by hordes of smart young women, pretty girls and gay hoydens. Many Junes he had sold tickets or given information to hundreds of feminine inquirers but none had ever seemed quite like this one.
This agent was not unused to girls, a college town is often invaded by hordes of smart young women, pretty girls and gay hoydens. Many Junes he had sold tickets or given information to hundreds of feminine inquirers but none had ever seemed quite like this one.
Best accommodations? he repeated stupidly.
You heard me, then! About when do you propose to reply?
Still he gazed at her in silence, running over in his mind the various boarding houses, and finding none he thought shed like.
Theres a rule of the Railroad Company that questions must be answered the same day theyre asked, she said, witheringly, and picking up her suitcase she started for the door, feeling that any one she might find would know more than this dummy.
Wait, oh, I say, miss, wait a minute.
I did, she said coolly, proceeding to the door.
But, oh, hold on, try Old Salt Adams, you couldnt do better.
Where is it? she deigned to pause a moment, and he replied quickly:
Hes right outside, hurry up out, you can catch him!
Here was something she could understand, and she hurried up out, just in time to see an old man with long white beard jump into his sleigh and begin to tuck fur robes about him.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, she quoted to herself, and then cried out, Hey, there, Santa Claus, give me a lift?
You engaged for our house? the man called back, and as she shook her head, he gathered up his reins.
Cant take any one not engaged, he called back, Giddap!
Wait, wait! I command you! The sharp, clear young voice rang out through the cold winter air, and Old Saltonstall Adams paused to listen.
Ho, ho, he chuckled, you command me, do you? Now, I havent been commanded for something like fifty years.
Oh, dont stop to fuss, the girl exclaimed, angrily. Dont you see Im cold, hungry and very uncomfortable? You have a boarding house, I want board, now, you take me in. Do you hear?
Sure I hear, but, miss, weve only so many rooms and theyre all occupied or engaged.
Some are engaged, but as yet unoccupied? The dark eyes challenged him, and Adams mumbled, Well, thats about it.
Very well, I will occupy one until the engager comes along. Let me get in. No, I can manage my suitcase myself. You get my trunk, heres the check. Or will you send for that tomorrow?
Why wait? Mights well get it now if so be youre bound to bide. Fraid to wait in the sleigh alone?
Im afraid of nothing, was the disdainful answer, and the girl pulled the fur robes up around her as she sat in the middle of the back seat.
Shortly, old Salt returned with the trunk on his shoulder, and put it in the front with himself, and they started.
Dont try to talk, he called back to her, as the horses began a rapid trot. I cant hear you against this wind.
Ive no intention of talking, the girl replied, but the man couldnt hear her. The wind blew fiercely. It was snowing a little, and the drifts sent feathery clouds through the air. The trees, coated with ice from a recent sleet storm, broke off crackling bits of ice as they passed. The girl looked about, at first curiously, and then timidly, as if frightened by what she saw.
It was not a long ride, and they stopped before a large house, showing comfortably lighted windows and a broad front door that swung open even as the girl was getting down from the sleigh.
For the land sake! exclaimed a brisk feminine voice, this aint Letty! Who in the earth have you got here?
I dont know, Old Salt Adams replied, truthfully. Take her along, mother, and give her a nights lodging.
But where is Letty? Didnt she come?
Now cant you see she didnt come? Do you spose I left her at the station? Or dumped her out along the road? No since you will have it, she didnt come. She didnt come!
Old Salt drove on toward the barns, and Mrs. Adams bade the girl go into the house.
The landlady followed, and as she saw the strange guest she gazed at her in frank curiosity.
You want a room, I spose, she began. But, Im sorry to say we havent one vacant
Oh, Ill take Lettys. She didnt come, you see, so I can take her room for tonight.
Letty wouldnt like that.
But I would. And Im here and Letty isnt. Shall we go right up?
Picking up her small suitcase, the girl started and then stepped back for the woman to lead the way.
Not quite so fast if you please. What is your name?
As the landladys tone changed to a sterner inflection, the girl likewise grew dignified.
My name is Anita Austin, she said, coldly. I came here because I was told it was the best house in Corinth.
Where are you from?
New York City.
What address?
Plaza Hotel.
By this time the strange dark eyes had done their work. A steady glance from Anita Austin seemed to compel all the world to do her bidding. At any rate, Mrs. Adams took the suitcase, and without a further word conducted the stranger upstairs.
She took her into an attractive bedroom, presumably made ready for the absent Letty.
This will do, Miss Austin said, calmly. Will you send me up a tray of supper? I dont want much, and I prefer not to come down to dinner.
Land sake, dinners over long ago. You want some tea, n bread, n butter, n preserves, n cake?
Yes, thank you, that sounds good. Send it in half an hour.
To her guest Mrs. Adams showed merely a face of acquiescence, but once outside the door, and released from the spell of those eerie eyes, she remarked to herself, For the land sake! with great emphasis.
Well, what do you know about that! Old Salt Adams cried, when, after she had started him on his supper, his wife related the episode.
I cant make her out, Mrs. Adams said, thoughtfully. But I dont like her. And I wont keep her. Tomorrow, you take her over to Beltons.
Just as you say. But I thought her kinda interesting looking. You cant say she isnt that.
Maybe so, to some folks. Not to me. And Lettyll come tomorrow, so that girlll have to get out of the room.
Meanwhile that girl was eagerly peering out of her window.
She tried to discern which were the lights of the college buildings, but through the still lightly falling snow, she could see but little, and after a time, she gave up the effort. She drew her head back into the room just as a tap at the door announced her supper.
Thank you, she said to the maid who brought it. Set it on that stand, please. It looks very nice.
And then, sitting comfortably in an easy chair, robed in warm dressing gown and slippers, Miss Anita Austin devoted a pleasant half hour to the simple but thoroughly satisfactory meal.
This finished, she wrote some letters. Not many, indeed, but few as they were, the midnight hour struck before she sealed the last envelope and wrote the last address.
Then, prepared for bed, she again looked from the window, and gazed long into the night.
Corinth, she whispered, Oh, Corinth, what do you hold for me? What fortune or misfortune will you bring me? What fortune or misfortune shall I bring to others? Oh, Justice, Justice, what crimes are committed in thy name!