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Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1887-7-15, Page 7JULY 15, 1887. 1 THE ACTRESS' DAUGHTER;' 'P$E j TSTItES e S OF ItT0IDIi0ND IIOUSE, A TALE OF WRONG ARP Rlemeantext. By Mrs. i1IAY AGNLS FLEXING, Author of"East Por n woman,. 14 Jyrago Percr's Secret," Etc., Eta friend from whom she has long been separated, dons not feel a sort of dread mingling with her pleasure, lest she should find him changed, altered, cold, different from what she had known lain] in other years? So felt Georgia as she took hor seat in the carriage and was whirled as ra. pielly as the crowded state of the streets would admit toward the executive man- sion, Her color came and went, now that the crisis was at Bend, and the loud beating of her heart could almost be heard as sho lay back among the cushions, trembling with excitement and conflicting emotions. A gay scone the streets presented that tight, Never had a governor re. dived such an ovation as had this young demi-god of the dear public. Every house was illuminated from attic to basement; liege were flying; arches had been erected for bine to pass under, as if it were the reception of a prince. Thousands of gayly dressed people thronged the pavements, bands wore out playing triumphant marches, and an immense crowd was congregated around the governor's house, watching the different carriages as they passed, bearing their freight of magnificently dressed ladies on their way to the ball. But not to behold them 'was the dense crowd waiting, but to catch a glimpse of the young governor when he should arrive. As the carriage conveying our party approached the arched gate -way of the executive mansion it was stopped,block- ed up by a crowd of other carriages. The people had pressed before, and it was in vain they tried to get on. Driv. ers swore, and shouted, and vociferated, the mob laughed and bandied jokes, gentlemen in commanding tones gave orders that were either unheard orim- possible to be obeyed, and a perfect Babel of confusion reigned. "Come, this won't do, you know," said Curtis, "we must got on, somehow. Here, you fellows," he said, thrusting his head out of the window, "get out of the way, I want to pass. I'm the gov- ernor's secretary, and must get on." A derisive laugh from a group near followed, and a voice in the crowd in. quired anxiously whether his mother had many more like him, and also whe- ther that venerable lady was aware that he was out. Mr. Curtis showed symptoms of got. ting into a passion at this, bub his voice was drowned in a cry from a crowd of loafers near, who shouted: "We want to see the governor! You won't pass till we see the governor!" Thom was a plain dark carriage right in front of them, and now the glass was let down, and a clear, commanding voice, that rang out above all the din, calmly said : I am the governor! Stand aside, ray friends, and let me pass 1" - That voice I Georgia half.sprang from her seat, and then fell back. Such a cry as arose—such a mighty shout at the voice of their favorite! The crowd swayed to and fro in their struggles to get near. The driver whipped up his horses, a passage was cleared, and ear. eine after carriage passed on mud entered the crowded court -yard. "Hurrah for Wildair 1 Hurrah for Wildair ; Hurrah 1 Hurrah 1 Hurrah for Wildair l" shouted the crowd, till the welkin rang. "Hurrah for Richmond Wildair—the Man of the People 1 exclaimed a loud voice, and instantly the cry was taken up, and "Hurrah 1 hurrah 1 hurrah 1" rang' out like the roar of the sea. ' And now on the balcony, clearly re- vealed in the light of myriads of lamps, stood the kingly form of Richmond Wild. air himself, his princely brow uncovered, his calm, commanding face looking down on them, as a king might on his sub. jects. And then once again arose the mighty shout, "Hurrah for Wildair I Hurrah for Wildair ! Hurrah for the Friend of the People 1" until hoarse with shouting, the swaying multitude relapsed into sib. enoe. And then, clear, calm, and earnest, arose the commanding voice of their favorite, as he addressed them. A dead silence fell ou that groat crowd the moment his first word was heard. Short, and well chosen, and to the point, THE BRUSSELS POST the most dietinguishod thorn, holm and slialciug laude, and smiling, an chatting with the ladies, She strove calm herself and listen to what bor,co paoion was saying, but in vain, until th mention of Eichmond's name abtract her abtontion, "I won't bring you over among that crowd," ho wee saying; "I'll wait till he's a little dieeugaged They'll begin dancing presently, and then the coast will be clear, Just see how everybody is looking, at you and whispering to ono lc another, I guess they would like to anew who you are just now. Ala! what would you give to know ?" said Mr. Curtis, making a grimace at the crowd. And now an audible whisper might have boon heard among the throng: "Who is sho 2 oh, who is she 2—that beautiful girl with Mr. Curtis. I never saw her before." "Nor I. Nor I. Who can she be?" ran around the room. "How dm/defiessho isl how surpassingly beautiful I and how magnificently dressed! Oh, I must got an introduotion. See, he is bringing her up now to present her to the goner. nor. I'll ask him to introduce me. She is cortainly destined to be the belle of the evening." Meanwhile two or three quadrilles had formed, and the group surrounding the governor had thinned, and be was left alone as much as he was likely to be during the evening. Leaning against a marble pillar, he stood talking to a starred and ribboned. foreigner, andwhen Curtis approached with Georgia he was so engrossed by the topic they were dis- cussing that he did not observe him until his voice fell on his oar. "Mrs, Wildair, your excellency!" said Mr. Curtis, in the most emphatic of voices, standing right before him. He started up, staggered back, grew deadly pale, and grasped the marble pil- lar for support. Yes, there before him, radiant in her beauty, with serene brow and calm smile, stood his long -lost wife—face to Paco atlast 1 g stauaing on that lady's dress—to say a that the huffy you beheld this evening is se his wife, who has beeu indulging in a m- little trip to Europe with b!s (ahei !) e full approbation, while lie was asoing ed 'after the groat, glorioue, and immortal Union in Wasliingtou, and aocdttering political oats—to use a figura of speech --before that tremendous bird, the American eagle ; and the lads, arriving quite prmniseuously, !l I may be allowed so strong an expression, he was slightly surprised to See her (alien 1) as you all perceived, and has jnet gone to have a little friendly chat with her over family matters aid kitchen cabinet affairs generally. And so, ladies and gentle- men, concluded Mr. Curtis, laying his kid glove on his heart and bowinggraoe. fully, "I hope his temporary absence will not plunge you into too deep alilie. tion,or cause you to fool too dreadfully cut p, but that you will set seriously to work and enjoy yourselves,wliile I repro. sent his excellency, and during his ab. sence receive your honiago. And to con. clude, in the words of Demoesibenes, the great Latin pont, who beaulkully said, G Plrrribus 1,7nuni,' a remark which I hope none of you will consider personal, for I solemnly assure you it was not meant to be, as I haven't the remotest idea of what it means. '11 any further particulars are needed," said iblr. Curtis drawing himself up, and casting another glance of withering scorn upon Mr Henry Gleason, "I must refer you to the young gentlemau who was good enough to interrupt me, and who stands there now, a mark for the finger of scorn to poke fun at. Ladies and gentlemen, I have spoken I Long, may it wave." And with this last "neat and appro- priate" quotation, Mr. Curtis bowed and blushingly retired, leaving his audience in,cenvulsions of laughter, for his un- speakably droll look and solemn tone no pen can describe. It had the good effect, however, of diverting their attention from Mr. Wildair and his wife for the present ; and Mr. Curtis, the centre of a laughing group, while his own face maintained its expression of most dole- ful gravity, became for the time being the lion of the hour. With edifying meeicness did Mr. Curtis stand, ' his blushing honors thick upon him," until getting rather tired he made a signal to the band to strike up, and,seleeting Miss Arliugford for his partner, a quadrille was formed and dancing commenced with real earnestness, and the business of the evening may be said to have begun. But when an hour passed and the lady whose entre° had created such a sensa- tion did not appear, impatient glances began to be cast toward the conserve. tory, and petulant whispers to circulate, and poutinglips wondered why they did nob come. In vain Mr. Curtis was "funny;" his popularity was waning as fast as it had risen, and it was all a waste of ammunition: His jokes were unattended to, Isis puns were uulaughed at, his most dolorous looks had no effect on the risibles of any, except those who had a very keen sense of the ludicrous. At last in disgust at the fickleness of public favor, he got dignified and impos. ing, and that had the effect of making sundry compressed lips smile right out loud, but ib is uncertain whether even this would have lasted any time had not, suddenly, Richmond Wildair appeared with his wife leaning on his arm. In an instant a profound hush of ex- pectation reigned throughout the room; the music instantaneously stopped; the danders one and all paused, and every eye was bent upon them. A low, respect. ful murmur of admiration ran round the room at her queen -like beauty, but it lasted only an instant, and all was again still. CHAPTER XXV. "AFTER TEARS AND W1:EPING, IiR POURETR IN JOYFULNESS." From his pale lips dropped one word : "Georgia!' "Dearest Richmond I" she said, look- ing up in his face with her radiant eyes. "Oh, Georgia, my wronged wife, can you ever forgive me?"he cried, passion- ately. "I have nothing to forgive, my bus. band," she said, sweetly. 'It is I who should be forgiven." "Oh, Georgia, where have you been? Dolreallysee you,ordoIdream? So often have I dreamed you were restored, and woke to find it a dream. Is this a delu- sion like the rest 2" "Shalee hands, and see." She held out hers with a smile, and, he took it, and gazed. into her face with a doubtful, troubled look. "Yes, it is Georgia ; it must be she ; the sante, yet so different. You never looked like this in the days gone past, Georgia." "I have been now -born since," she said, with a serene smile. "You shall learn fill soon, Richmond. Do you know I have come to stay now 2" "See hero, Mr. Wildair," said Curtis, ggiving him a poke, "don't you keep looking so; everybody's staring and whispering, and our friend here, Whis- kerando," pointing to the starred for- eigner, "looks as if he bad got into a lunatic asylum by mistake. You take Georgia—I mean Mrs. Wildair—off into that conservatory, for instance, where you can stare at her to your heart's content, and learn all the particulars since she cut her lucky—I mean since slie ran off and left you in the lurch. Go; I know it will take you an hour, at least, to settle matters, and beg each other's pardon, and smoke the pipe of peace, and soon; and, meantime, as it is necessary the company should know who it is, I'll whisper it as a great secret into the oar of the first lady I meet, and get her promise not to tell. There I vanish 1" Passing his hand across his eyes, as if to dispel a heist, Richmond offered her his arm and led her toward the censer- vatory, followed by the wondering eyes of the guests. But Mr. Curtis had no need to tell. Miss Harper was there, and recognized her with a suppressed shriek; and in an instant after, like wild -fire, it ran through the room that this dark, beauti- ful stranger was the mysterious wife of Mr. Wildair. Dancing was no longer thought of. Everybody flocked around Mr: (Jurtis, d such an avalanche of questions as as showered upon him human ears ever listened to before. Had he pos. essed a thousand tongues he could ardly have answered one-half. But e did not try to answer them. Ade. Dick Curtis was a sensible young man, and never attempted impossibilities ; so e only folded his arras and looked round him complacently, listening with rofoundest attention to all, but answer. ng never a word; until, at lest, when ante tired and breathless, there was a muse, he .lifted up his voice and spoke "Ladies and gentleman: On the 1re- intinteresting and facetious occasion, low me to say (ahem!) to say—" [Here a voice in the crowd, that of r. Henry Gleason, if you remember that young gentleman, reader, intor- ptedwith, "You have said itl Push for along, old boy 1"} to "To say,"pursued Mr, Curtis, casting n, a withering glance at the speaker, "as al that very polite youth, whoever he may ne bo, has falsely informed you 1 have al- ready said, that Mr. Wildair, his excel - 'rimy, said Mr. Curtis, with ,a dignified wave of his hand, "has commissioned "t mettfsay—I beg your pardon,:sir;you're can as all w was Isis speech ; and hats linin oft, and li again and again the hoarse cheers of his h listeners interrupted him. Having thank, ed them for the enthusiastic reception they had given him, be begged thorn h to disperse for the present, and then, a having bowed once more, he retired. 0 With three times three for the speaker i they obeyed, and, save a few who re- q mained to watch the brilliantly lighted_ p mansion'and listen to the music of the baud, the crowd soon dispersed through' e the crowded streets. 1 "There's popularity for you!" said Mr. Curtis, as with Georgia leaning on his M arm he entered the brilliant ball -room, blazing with lights and ,crowded with • r splendidly attired ladies. . "I'shoukl ad- mire to see them cheering me that way. How would it sound, I wonder? Hurrah for. Curtis! That's at s not bad is it,Mrs, Wildair ?" She did not reply—'••she did not hese him. Her eyes were wandering through the glittering throng in search of one, the "bright, particular stat" of the even- ing. Yes, there he was at the upper end of tho room,, surreunded by a thropg of etherealized—the spiritual essence Georgia Darrell; as if you had cast off slough and stepped fax radiant, Boron seraphic," "Flatterer I" said Georgia, smiling, y serious, too, "Bat oh, Richmond! fe you will be angry when I tell you," "Angry at anything that has ma yon Just what I wautad, just what tried. to make you and failed I Not Georgia. Tell me what elixir of happ nese and inward joy have you found "One without price, and yet one fre to all—to the king and to the begg alike," "And yet hitherto it has been beyon my reach Tell me what it is, wee wife, that 1 may drink and live, too," "Oh, Richmond, if you would—if yo only would I" she said, catching lie breath. Why should I not? Name it, Geer ern." "It is called Faith, Richmond," He looked up reverentially, and 11i faoo was very grave, "I think I know ; and yet, hitherto i has been only a word to me. I have see it personified in two—in your little friend Emily, and in—" He paused, and his face worked. "In whom, Richmond 2" "In Charley. Oh, Charley! oh, my , brother!" he cried, in passionate tones, as he began pacing rapidly up and down. The irrepressible cryreminded Georgia of that other day long ago when he had received the letter in which he learned all. At the mention of that name Geor- gia ton rose, pale and trembling, from her seat, "And have you seen him? Oh, Rich- mond! have you seen him?" "Yes," he said, hoarsely. "And where is he 2 Richmond—oh, Richmond, do net look so 1 Charley, your brother—where is he, Richmond?" "In heaven, Georgia," She fell back in her seat, and covered her face with her hands. "Dead 1 Oh, Charley! and I not here 1" she cried, while her tears fell. fast. "Weep not, Georgia," said Richmond, gently removing her hands; "his death was the death of the just. May my last end be like unto his." But she still wept hot, gashing tears that would not be stayed—tears that fell, not wildly, but that came from the heart, and were sanctified to the memory of the dead. At last— "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord," she softly murmured, lifting her pale face. "God be merciful to his soul! Dear Charley!" "He died like a saint, Georgia ; he ex- pired like a child falling asleep in his mother's arms, with a smile on his lips; death had no terror for him." "Were you with him, Richmond?" "Yes—thank God 1 Oh, Georgia, I had hardened my heart against him, and yet when I would pass him on the street—I did often pass him, Georgia— every feeling in my heart would be stirred, and no words can tell how 1 would yearn for him, my own, my only brother. I saw he was dying day by day, and yet pride, that curse, that bane that has dogged me like an evil spirit from childhood up—would not let me step over the barrier 'myself had raised, and sue for forgiveness. At last came the news that he was sick unto death,and then I could hold out no longer. I wont, Georgia—went in time to hear him for- give me, and to see him die. Oh, Geor- gia, I shall never forget it—never 1 Oh, Charley, my gay, thoughtless, light- hearted brother I to think you should be lying in that far-off church -yard, cold and dead." "Grievenot, my husband," said Geor- gia, earnestly, as she laid her hand on his, "but look forward to a happy meet- ing in heaven. And now of others— your mother, Richmond 2" "Is dead, too, Oh, Georgia, she wronged you, cruelly wronged you. Can you ever forgive her 2" "Yes, as freely and fully as I hope to be forgiven. May she rest in peace 1 And yoir cousin, Richmond 2" She smiled slightly, and Richmond met her bright glance with a sort of honest shame. ' I feel like going down on my knees to you, Georg,fa, when that name is mentioned. She is well—or was when I saw her last—and safely married." "Indeed ! To whom, pray 2" Richmond laughed. "Do you remember Mr. Lester, of foppish memory, who made one of that party to Richmond House two years go—'Ain, wealiy such a boob,' "—and Richmond mimicked him to perfection. " What a shame 1" said Georgia, aughing s "of course I remember him. Is it possible she has married that little andy ?" "That she has, and a precious life she Bads him, if all Curtis says be true, for. never go there myself. The gray are in that stable is decidedly thebet- ter horse." "So I should imagine. But where is ss. Reid 2 Mr. Lester used to be tender in that quarter, if I remember fight." "Oh, yes ; but she married Gleason— ieutenant Gleason, you know. That allant officer proposed, and Miss Reid o uzel it it too much trouble to refuse, o she became Mrs. Gleason the econd," "Well, I wish them joy, all. How traugely things turn out in this world, unit they, Riollmond 2" "Why, yes," said Richmond, laugh- gly, "rather so—your finding that un- expected brother, for in_ stance. But you don't ask fo • our 1 s i old friends in Bi field—laevo you forgotten them, Geor- gia?" "Forgotten them 1 Oh, Richmond!" of and dear little Emily, and—" a "Dear little Beteey Periwinkle," inter. e, posed Richmond, "Yes; just 00," said Georgia, reso. et lutely; "a really good friend of mine ar was Betsey, and very intimate we were. Yes, I want to see them ali; when will de you take me thorn, Richmond?" I "In one week from this, Georgia; 1 1, cannot get away before ; and then, with ? your brother, we will make a pilgrimage to Burnfield, and you can look once e more at the 'add hoose athame:' You ar will have to go down on your knees and 1 intercede for me with MOB Jerusha, or she will never forgive me for the way I t have behaved to her darling." i1 "Oh, how I long to poo back there r again 1 Now that the time is near, I feel twice as impatient as' I did before. A whole week 1 I wonder if it will ever pass." But it did pass, and another, too, and • busy weeks they were 'With the governor and his lady. Tho nine days' wonder of her appearance bad scarcely passed n away when Mr. and Mrs. Wildair and Mr. Randall left B.—, en route for the little "one-horse" town of Burnfield. "My friends," said the clear, powerful voice that a short time before had dis- persed the surging crowd, "this lady, as you are all probably aware, is my wife. There is not ono here who has not heard a thousand vague, floating rumors why we were separated, and now I feel it necessary to say a few words of explana. tion, and silence the tongue of scandal for ever. A misunderstanding, slight and unimportant at first, such as will arise in all families, was the pause. No blame, not the faintest shadow of blame, attaches to this lady; if blame there be, it solely belongs to ins. A mutual eI`- plavation and a perfect reconciliation have ensued, and if any one for the future shall canvas the motives which caused us for a brief time to part, I will consider that person my wilful enemy. Ladies and gentlemen, let this ploasaut but unoxpeded incident not interfere with the amusements of the evening, and a as example is better than precept, I shall join you. Come, Georgia." He motioned to the musicians, and the 1 dancers again formed, with Mr. and Mrs. d Wildair at their head. And then, when the quadrille was ended, all came flock- ing round to be presented to hie beauti- I fur. wife, whose Juno -like beauty and grace was the theme of every tongue. m And for the remainder of the evening• all went merry as a marriage bell," If anything was wanting to add eclai to the. 1 inauguration of the new governor this supplied it, and every one grew perfectly r enthusiastic about the gifted • young L statesman and his beautiul wife. So romantic and mysterious as it all was, "just like something in a play or a novel," as Mr. Curtis said, that the ex. aliment it created was pettedly heard of, and when the ball broke up and the company dispersed, in the ":woo sma' hours eyont the twal," they even, . d got they were' sleepy and tired, and, in lkod away Of the unexpected dcnoue- aiat, aid electrified their friends when ey gob home' with the wonderful we. .e * :R * * * And now, Georgia," said Richmond, ell me what has changed you so. I yo scarcely tell how it is, but it seems to if you were the Georgia I once knew A fairer day never came out of the sky than the one that heralded Geor- gia's return to Burnfield — dear old iurnfield 1 fairer in her eyes than Florence, the beautiful ; brighter than Rome, the imperial, for her home was there. Nothing was changed. There stood Richmond House, the pride and boast of the town still, there was the pleasant home* of Emily Murray, there was the old school -house where her stormy girlhood had been spent. As she gazed, she lay back amid the cushions of the carriage and put her hand before her face, that they might not see how deeply she was moved. Her brother looked out with mingled interest and curiosity, and with a dim recollection of the few wretched days and nights he had passed here. Rich- mond looked on the familiar objects with mingled gladness and remorse, and recollected, with many strange emotions, that the last time he had entered Burn - field it had been with his bride, as they returned from their brief city tour. Only two years since, then, and what changes had taken place. Mr. Dick Curtis, who had insisted on making one of their party, and positively refused to take no for an answer, was of them all the only one perfectly unmoved, and sat looking ,at the- familiar landmarks, as they drove past, with a face of grave approval. "Fine place, sir—fine place," said Mr. Curtis, with a wave of hie band; "con- siderable of a town is Burnfield, eh, Ran- dall 2 Not equal to Paris, you know, or Lapland, or the great St. Bernard, or any of the other tremendous cities, but a pretty tall place considering, and a real, genuine Yankee town. And then the produce -1 defy the world to pro- duce such girls, and boys, and pumpkins as they do in Burnfield. I defy 'em to do it, sir 1 Look at that young lady there, in the pink sun -bonnet and red cheeks, round as a cask of Lager beer, and sweet as a cart -load of summer cherries—there's a specimen of Ameri- can ingenuity for your Could they sur- pass that in Constantinople, or the city of Dublin, or any other distant or impos- sible region? No, sir; they couldn't. I defy 'em to do it sir I Yes, I repeat it," said Mr. Curtis, striking his knee with his hand, and glaring roundferociously at the company generally, "I defy 'em to do it, sir I" Mr. Curtis was as fierce as an African lion, so everybody immediately settled down and looked serious. "The notion," said Mr. Curtis, folding his arms and surveying his three com- panions in haughty disgust,"that they can raise as good-looking people in any other quarter of the world as they can in these here blessed : United States. Look at me now;" said Mr. Curtis, draw- ing himself up till his suspenders snap. ped, "I'm a specimen ! Mr. Randall, nay young friend, you have traveled, you have crossed that small pond, the At- lantic, and have become personally ac- quainted with ,a11 the great guns of Europe, from the Hottentots of Portugal to the people of 'that beautiful city called Cork,' and now I'•ask you, as an eulightened citizen and fellow sinner, did you ever, in all your wanderings, clap your two oyes on a better -looking young man than the individual now ad- dressing you? Don't answer hastily— take time for reflection. You know you didn't—you know you didn't; the thing's impossible." "Mr. Curtis must be the best judge of his own surpassing beauty," said Mr. Randall, politely; "if he will hold me excused, I would rather not give an opinion on the subject." "Weloome to Richmond House 1" said Mr. Wildair, as the carriage rolled up the avenue. "And now, gentlemen, I will leave you here for the present, while Mrs. Wildair goes to see her former guardian, Miss Jerusha Skamp." "Perhaps I had better go alone, Rich- mond," said Georgia, hesitatingly. "Our first meeting—" "Ilad better be unwitnessed; that is true enough," said Richmond. "Well, John will drive you dowu. Shall I call for you in person?" "If Miss Jorusha consents to forgive you, I shall send for you if Fly is @till in the land of the living," paid Georgia, smiling. Good-by,gee tlemen,' and kiss, Aug her hand, andlaughing at Mt. Cur. till, who nearly turned a soniereetin hisImo profound genuflexion, she was whirled away toward tPao he cottage. Yes, there it stood still, the time old brown, to w roofed little homestead. How different was this visit to it to what had been her last. There was her ON vnlittleroomuudertheroof,andthere, , \]ie the broad window -till, basking in the 'eager sunshine, lay Betsey Poi.ieviikio ,111 TO DE CONTINUED. "Well, don't look so reproachfully; in u ]snow 1 didn't mean St. You want n" go and see them, I anemone 2" ' "Oh, indeed I do. 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