The Portland daily press., 1898-03-09
CHAPTER XVII.

Jessica, running lightly down the
terrace steps, carrying well filled wal
let, which she meant to slip into the old
evangelist's hands when he should pass
the gate on his way to the public road,
came plump upon Marianne standing
irresolutely on the outside Of it,
In the act of lifting its latch a nerv-
GUS tremor had seized her. She was
sure Miss Bascom would refuse her pc
tition. She wished she had let Mr.
Whitney's sister drive her toward Glow
erdell instead of dropping her at the
Bascom gate.
Some words that had passed between
her and Reginald as he had sat on the
bench under the Grape myrtle tree in
the old Belhayen garden had come back
to her most inopportunely.
She had charged him with being in
love with Miss Bascom. He had ad
mitted it and added, "while she enter
tains a natural and wholesale contempt
for me.
And yet here she was in the hour of
his helpless need about to fling him
upon the tender mercies of that same
uncompromising young woman. If only
she had never let Miss Melanie brighten
her into such precipitate action Miss
Melanie had told her that the Bascom
place was the only safe place for Reggie.
Jessica stared at her visitor in surprise.
''Miss Belknap on foot and alonel
Why, my dear girl, what does it meant"
Jessica S voice, full of kindly concern,
reached her in advance of Jessica her
self. There was cordial ring in it that
gave the child fresh courage. She lifted
the latch with lightened heart and
walked quickly to meet Jessica.
eyes, on foot and alone, although, Of
course, I did not start that way. But
never mind about me. I am all right.
Oh, Miss Bascom, I've come on such a
strange errand! don't know what you
will say to it. .
ST say in advance that nothing is
strange for these disjointed times. p"
The smile that accompanied these
words, Marianne declared to herself,
quite warranted Reggie's infatuation.
sit is lovely of you to put.it that
way. You know, Miss Melanis Potts
says that while we are all in the same
boat, pulling for the shore through such
troubled waters, we ought not to be
afraid Of each other. I expect I am
terrible coward. was casting about
for some way to get back home without
troubling you when you saw me. -
She was consciously talking to gain
time. Jessica looked at her very grayely.
"Miss Potts is quite right. am sorry
you have found me so repellent.
"Oh no, please don't say that was
only not quite sure, you know, whether
we were in the same boat or not. I
meaG--I mean
"You mean, I suppose, my Union
sentiments? That does not alter the fact
that I have suffered bitter and an ir-
reparable loss for the cause.
There were tears in her beautiful eyes
pnd tremulous culver in the corners
Of her firm mouth. Marianne impulsive-
" lifted the hand she still held to her
lips.
"Oh, I am such a bungler, such
stupid creature! Please forgive me-"
ST have nothing to forgive, dear child.
Of course I am to have the pleasure of
your company to dinner. If you have
not walked too far already, would you
mind walking with me as far as that
old sycamore tree you see standing
where the roads fork? I am expecting
an old man to pass, to whom I wish to
deliver this, )" touching the bag on her
arm. "He has been preaching in my
quarters.
81 would love dearly to walk with
you. I haven't walked at all. When
those men told me they must have my
horses and made Uncle Toby go with
them, I just sat still and cried like
lost child. I didn't seem to have bit
Of Judgment left. And, then, to think
OF being picked up by Mr.. Whitney's
sister Of all people in the world"
"De you mean that very pronounced
lady who is staying with the man who
3efrauded your brother? That was a
strange trick OF chance. -
Wasn't il? But there is an old prov
eTb that says one must speak well OF
the bridge tha5 carries us safely, and
did 50 want to get to you"
They were walking side by side along
the shady road that led from the pri-
vate grounds of the Bascom place out to
the public road to Cloverdell.
81 am quite ready to speak well Of
the bridge that has brought you to me, "
she said, smiling down on Marianne
from her superior height, 'but all this
time I am consumed with an unsatisfied
curiosity about that strange errand."
"Oh, have come to ask very, very
great favor at your hands. :"
''I think I would be safe in saying
you could think of nothing too great
for me TO grant. I have read every one
Of tie letters written by the sharp