The times., 1891-02-06
CHAPTER XIII.
LABOR IN VAIN.


ed the banjo in his moments of idleness;
Griffin Jim ratified the bones no more
when work was done; Amity ceased her
capering to the tinkling of the gourd fid-
die, and the talk in the kitchen was
hushed; it was as If Mawse Nicholas had
died. Mrs. Leonard and Miss Elvira in
stinctively Stunned each other; Flora
forsook the piano, and Missy sulked in
cornrss; but the colonel held his head
highcr than ever, hiding his mortifca-
ton under cloak of pride and silence
that forbade sympathy.
No one named Nicholas; even Missy,
though her heart clamored for her broth
er, found her tongue refuse its office in
presence of her stern father. The child
understood intuitively something of the
fierce tumult that ragged in the colonel's
breast. A great awe, not of her father,
but of what he suffered, took possession
of her, and compelled her to silence; but
her sole object in life now was to follow
her brother. To Missy this seemed an easy
undertaking if she could only get away
from Thorne Hill; but she was afraid
to venture alone any farther than the
big gate at the end of the avenue. Here
she sat gazing wistfully through the bars,
and hating herself for cowardice, on the
morning of the day that old Gilbert was
returning from his bootless errand; here
had she been ever since breakfast, and it
was now nearly eleven o'clock; but she
had not yet made up her mind to venture
outside, when she espied a carriage COM
ing along the road. This sight created
a sudden diversion in Missy's bitter
thoughts.
Its Cousin Myrtilla" she exclaimed
aloud. ''She's brought Lottie and Bessr'
A vision of wild frolic down by the
spring rioted in Missy's brain, as up she
jumped to open the gate; but when the
carriage passed through only Cousin
Myrtilla looked from the window.
"You didn't bring Lottie and Bess?'
cried Missy, in deep reproach.
"Well, no, didn't" said Mrs. Herry.
"Came off in such swivet. Never mind,
bring 'em next time. Open the door,
Larkin," she commanded the driver,
"and let me take this child in"
Missy made no objection. She was
fond of her Cousin Myrtilla, and she ad-
mired that ladys snowy dress. Such
beautiful pink hyacintlfs within the bon
net brim that framed the faded old face,
such lovely yellow roses outside; such a
bewildering lilac organdie, with its tu-
multuous puffs and frills; and those pur-
pie shoes! How Missy wished for a pair
just like them! But these pomps and
vanities soon palled, and Missy Us thoughts
reverted to her trouble. "Brer Nicholas
is gone away!' she said abruptly. "He's
married to Dosia Furnival, and he'can't
never come home no mo-" And Missy
began to cry.
This was no news to Mrs. Herry; she
had learned all about it. tut! tut" she
said. "Who says he'll never come home
again? Don't cry; I am going to see what
can be done about it,"
This consoled Missy, and by the time
the carriage arrived at the house she was
quite cheerful again. "Cousin Myrtilla
is come! Cousin Myrtilla is here" she
announced, joyfully rushing into her
aunt's presence; and Miss Elvira, in the
fond belief that Cousin Myrtilla would
prove a tower of strength, hastened to
the parlor.
"Oh, cousin!' she said with tears;
''you've come to q house of mourning"
"Now, Elvira," demonstrated Mrs.
Herry, "why should you talk as if Mich
olas were deadg'
"It is worse than deathw sighed Miss
Elvira. my poor brother"
"Well, yes" said Mrs. Herry, with an
answering sigh. Her son also-an only
child-had not been a credit to the fam
lily; neither had he married acceptably;
but Cousin Myrtilla had overlived all
that, and today was fat and rosy and
happy. "And suppose Jasper Thorne
is doing all he can to make things worse
with his stiffncckedness, and thinking
himself philosopher when he is only II
fool"
"Oh!' Miss Elvira said reproachfully.
'"Ive known him, my dear" con-
tinued Mrs. Herry, "man and boy; I've
known Jasper more than forty years.
He never was wrong in his life."
Miss Elvira looked bewildered.
But came here to talk to him, not
about him. I've a message for my
cousin, the colonel"
"Oh," stammered Miss Elvira; elf it's
about Nicholas, I'm afraid"-
1t is about Nicholas, and am not u
bit afraid" Mrs. Herry declared, stoutly.
You miserable coward, Elvira; just be-
cause Jasper Thorne has heavy eyebrows
and high and mighty air, you don't
dare hold an independent opinion. Go,
call your brother; have that to say to
him it is best he should hear"
Miss Elvira obeyed; that is, she sent
Missy to tell Glory-Ann to tell Griffin
Jim to tell Tom Quash to hunt up the
colonel, and bear him the information
that Mrs. Hcrry wished to see him.
The colonel made no delay i'm answer
ing the summons, but no was very cere-
monious in his greeting; he overdid
everything now in his desire to appear
unmoved.