Anna Lee: the maiden, the wife, the mother

Front matter

*• Our dear little Marion." Anna Lee.] {Page 212. > ANNA LEE; OR, Cfj* Paiton, &\t Wm, anb Cjje Itoifm- THE THREE ERAS IN A WOMAN'S LIFE. BY T. S. ARTHUR, Author of " Orange Blossoms," etc., etc. LONDON: WARD, LOCK & TYLER WARWICK HOUSE, PATERNOSTER ROW. The Home Treasure Library. New and Handsome Volumes, price 3s. 6d. each. It is tlie intention of the Publishers that a tone of pure morality and lofty aim shall cliaracterize the whole of the volumes in this Library, 'while at the same time the type, paper, and binding shall be of the best description ; this added to the beautiful pictures, will render these books both as to interior and exterior everything that could be desired, and worthy of a place in the library of every home. I. Shiloh ; or, Without and Within. By Mrs. W. M. L. Jay. With Four Coloured Illustrations. 2.

The Prince of the House of David. By the Rev. J. H. In- Graham. With Four Coloured Illustrations. 3. Miss Edgeworth's Moral Tales. With Four Coloured Illustrations. 4. Miss Edgeworth's Popular Tales. With Four Coloured Illustrations. 5. The Throne of David. By the Rev. J. H. Ingraham. 6. The Pillar of Fire. By the Rev. J. H. Ingraham. 7. Anna Lee: The Maiden, the Wife, and the Mother. ByT. S. Arthur. : WARD, LOCK & TYLER, WARWICK HOUSE, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. CONTENTS. THE MAIDEN. CHAPTER pA(;n I. Duty Before Pleasure 5 II. Gardiner's True Character Exhibited ... 14 III. The Beauty and Power of Goodness ... 21 IV. True Maiden Delicacy and its Opposite Contrasted 24 V. A Dangerous Character 37 VI. The Maiden's first strong Trial 43 VII. Tried and Proved 50 VIII. A Disappointment 56 IX. A Cold and Calculating Lover 59 X. A Scheme to Entrap the Heart of Anna Lee 64 XL Catching Husbands ... 71 XII.

An Engagement • 7S XIII. A New Lover ... 80 XIV. An Impression Made 84 XV. A Sad Picture 87 XVI. An Exciting Circumstance 92 XVII. Wooed and Won 96 XVIII. Youth and Beauty in Ruin 100 XIX. Conclusion 102 THE WIFE. I. An Effort to begin Right — A Wise Decision 106 II. A Thoughtless Woman of the World — Florence Armitage 112 III. A Slight Misunderstanding 121 IV. All Right again 128 A Contents. IV CHAPTER PACE V. House Furnishing 134 VI. A Prudent Course the Wisest ... ... 139 VII. A Foolish Wife 143 VIII. A Sad Picture of Domestic Life 150 IX. False Friends 156 X. Blind Infatuation 163 XI. An Act to be Repented of ... 170 XII. Marriage Changes Social Relations ... 175 XIII. Mrs. Riston's House-warming 17S XIV. How it Affected her Husband's Credit ... 184 XV. Taking a Lower Place in Society 192 XVI.

Chapter I. Duty Before Pleasure

" t^,'i^i"l'"*il X N A, dear," said Mrs. Lee, in a quiet tone VgEagS L to her eldest daughter, a young maiden l[J-_« P over wnose head the blossoms of only *2&&&l5mum eighteen happy summers had fallen, " it is time you were beginning to dress for the party at Mrs. Leslie's." Anna Lee sat sewing near a window, and was bending closer toward the light, as it was beginning gradually to withdraw before the shadows of an autumn evening. She let the work fall into her lap, and mused for a short time. Then turning her soft blue eyes upon her mother, she said : " I believe I won't go this evening." " Why not, Anna ? You have made every prepara tion. What has caused you to change your mind ?" The maiden sat again silent for nearly a minute, evidently debating whether she should go out or not. Company had been invited at the house of an acquaintance, where she had fully intended to spend the evening.

" I don't think I ought to go," she replied, a little evasively. "Why, dear?" " I think I shall be happier at home, mother." " But we should not always consult our own feelings. Think whether your absence will not take from the pleasure of some of Mrs. Leslie's guests. Some of your young friends will miss you. I think I would go, Anna ; if not for my own sake, for the sake of others." "And may I not stay at home for the same reason ?" said Anna, going quickly to the side of her mother, who sat in a large chair, her face pale and wearing an expression of languor. She drew her arm round her mother's neck as she spoke. " You may, if such a reason can keep you at home," replied Mrs. Lee. " I think it does require me to stay at home. You are not so well to-day, and I cannot bear to have you worried with giving the children their suppers and putting them to bed.

John and Charley are rude to Margaret, and never will let her do anything for them without a disturbance. Your head has ached dreadfully, and has only been easy for the last hour. If you should have to see after the children, the pain will come back, and then you will get no rest all night." Mrs. Lee did not immediately reply. Her feelings were touched at the affectionate, self-sacrificing spirit of her child. But she could not bear the thought of having her forego the enjoyment and pleasure of a social evening on her account. " I think, Anna," she at length said, " that I am a great deal better, and that it will not hurt me in the least at hume." Anna Lff.\ [/'at/e G. to see after the children. So don't think anything more about me, but go and get yourself ready at once." Anna stood in an attitude and with an expression of irresolution upon her countenance.

" Go, dear," urged the mother, " I wish you to do so." " I will go and look after the children first." And Anna passed with light steps from the room. " Dear, good girl !" murmured the mother, sinking languidly back in her chair, as her daughter vanished from her sight. Anna went to the dining-room, where four children were romping and making a loud noise, some singing at the top of their voices, and others pounding on the floor, and dragging about the chairs. Among them was a little girl named Mary, four years old, who was dancing and singing as loud as the rest. As Anna came in, she became quiet, drew up to her side, and took fast hold of her hand. " John," said Anna, speaking in a mild yet firm voice to the eldest boy, who was hammering on the floor, " Mother is not well this evening. Your noise will make her headache."

John looked up at his sister a moment, but did not heed her words. He continued to make as much noise as before. " I 've a beautiful story to tell you all," the elder sister now said. This had the effect she desired. John threw down his hammer, Charley let go of the chair he was dragging round the room, and all of them gathered quietly around their sister, and looked up eagerly into her face. Anna told them a touching little story about some children whose mother was taken sick and died, and left them to be taken care of by strangers, who were not kind to them as their own dear mother had been. Tears were in the eyes of two of the children ; but John, though interested, seemed but little affected by the narrative. " Tell us another story, sister," said Mary. " Yes, sister, do," urged the other children.

And Anna told them another story. " Now another." " I 've told you two good stories. Now I must get you all your suppers." " You 're not going to get my supper," said John, in an ill-natured tone. " I shall eat with father and mother." " And so shall I," responded Charley. " Oh, no," mildly returned Anna. " Mother has been sick to-day ; so you must all eat your suppers together, and go quietly to bed. Your noise disturbs her." " To bed, indeed ! Ho ! ho ! I 'm not going to bed this two hours yet." " Oh yes, John, you are. If mother is sick, and wants you to go to bed early, I am sure you will go." " I 'm going to sit up. If mother is sick, my sitting up won't hurt her. I 've got all my lessons to learn." " You can study them in the morning just as well, and a great deal better. So, John, be a good boy, and eat your supper with the other children."

" No, I won't — so there now, miss ! And you need not say another word about it." Anna sighed, as she turned away from her brother, whose natural disposition was showing its inherent evil tendencies so early, and began to prepare the children's supper. When it was ready she lifted the two younger children, Jane and Mary, into their places, and then turning to Charley, she stooped over him and whispered something in his ear. The boy instantly took his place at the table, with a smile upon his face. But John was not to be moved. He resolutely persisted in refusing to eat his supper then. After Anna had helped all the little ones at the table, she went to where John was sitting in a chair, in a sulky mood, and taking a seat beside him, said in a calm, mild voice : "John, mother has not been well all day.

She has suffered very much with headache, and is only now a little better. I want to go out this evening, but can't begin to get ready until I have given you all your suppers, and seen you to bed. Won't you then, for my sake, eat with the other children now, and go to bed like a good boy ?" " No, I will not." This was said very ill-naturedly. "Oh yes, John, I am sure you will." " But I tell you I won't. I 'm not going off to bed just because you wish me to do so • but don't trouble yourself about me, I will eat my supper when father comes home." Anna was grieved, as she often before had been, at John's unkindness and self-will. And she even felt a rising emotion of anger • but this she quickly suppressed. Turning from him, she waited upon her brother and sisters who were at the table, and when they were done took them up into their chamber, and laid them all snugly in their beds ; not, however, before telling them several stories, and hearing them say in turn a little prayer.

Kissing each sweet face, she took the lamp and descended to the dining-room. It was nearly an hour since she had left her mother in her own chamber. She found John still fixed in his resolution to sit up, as he was in the habit of doing. After one or two ineffectual efforts to dissuade him from his purpose, she left him alone, and went to her mother, who was in her chamber. It was still an hour before Mr. Lee was expected home. " Why, Anna dear, why are you not getting ready to go to Mrs Leslie's ? " said Anna's mother. " I have just got the children, all but John, off to bed. He wants to sit up and eat with you and father." " Well, let him. He can go to bed himself when he gets sleepy. So now make haste and put on your things." Anna went out, and ascended to her own chamber. But she was little inclined to do as her mother had urged her.

The effort she had made to induce John to do as she wished him, and his unkind return, had depressed her spirits, and caused her to feel disinclined to go into com pany. But this she conquered in a little while, and recollecting that she was to be called for at seven o'clock she commenced making the necessary preparations. While engaged in laying out and arranging the clothes which she intended wearing, loud and angry words were heard by her from the kitchen, between John and the cook. Descending quickly, in order to check the dis turbance before it should reach the ears of her mother, she found that the perverse boy had been endeavouring to interfere with some of the cook's operations. That individual justly opposed him, and this produced a con tention between them, the result of which was a blow over John's head with the tongs, well laid on, just at the moment of Anna's entrance.

John was seizing the shovel, when his sister caught his arm. Feeling that he had been in the wrong, and checked by Anna's presence, he let the weapon fall ; though not without an angrily uttered threat of what he would do to the cook. Anna now decided that she would not go out. If her mother had been well she would easily have managed John. But Anna knew, from the excited state of her nerves, that if she were compelled to leave her room to check such a scene, it would bring back upon her the dreadful headache and sick stomach from which she had all day been suffering. " It will be wrong to leave her, and I will not do so ! " she said to herself. The person who was to call for Anna, and accompany her to the party, was a young man named Herbert Gar diner. The fair young face and sweet temper of Anna Lee had won upon his feelings • and, in consequence, he had thrown himself into her company whenever he could do so.

As for Anna, all unconfessed to herself, her heart had begun to feel an interest in the young man. The fact that he was to call for her was a strong induce ment. But a sense of duty was a much stronger feeling, and she suffered it, as has been said, to prevail. Such a state of mind, so far in advance of most young persons, was not a mere natural growth, was not the regular maturity of germs of good, hereditarily derived. It was the result of sound maternal precepts, and a most earnest care that the tender mind of her child, in its development, should be moulded into a right form. Early had Mrs. Lee taught her first-born the highest and best lesson a human being can learn, to imitate God in seeking to bless others • she had taught her to deny herself, and to study to do good in all the relations of life.

It is true that the mother had a sweet temper to mould, and a natural ground of good, from which quickly sprang into existence the seed she scattered with a liberal hand. Still, Anna had her own trials, her own struggles against her natural evils, that would lift their deformed heads often and suddenly, causing her exquisite pain of mind. But such temptations, and the consequent disturbed state, were good for her; they made her humbly conscious that in herself she was weakness and evil, and that only by resisting evil daily and hourly could she rise into true moral strength and beauty. And it was because she thus, in conscious weakness, strove against all that was not pure and good and innocent in herself, that she grew daily purer, better, and more innocent. After fully deciding in her own mind that it was her duty to remain at home with her mother, who was not in a state to see after any of the children, should they awake and cry, as was often the case, and need attention, she went into her chamber and said : " I believe, mother, I will remain at home this evening.

I shall not feel happy if I go out, and my unhappiness will arise from a consciousness of not having done right. Do not urge me, for I believe to go would be wrong." "If you feel so, Anna, I will not say one word. Though I cannot but be grieved to think that you are deprived of the pleasure you would have had at Mrs. Leslie's." "Not more than I shall gain at home, mother. Young as I am, I have many times proved the truth of what I have often heard you say, that the highest pleasure we ever have is that inward peace which we all feel when we have denied ourselves some promised gratification for the sake of doing good to others." The mother's eyes filled with tears as she turned them upon her daughter. She looked, but did not speak, the pleasure she felt. A domestic came in at the moment, and said that a gentleman had called for Anna.

" Mr. Gardiner, I suppose," Anna said, as she arose and left the room. It was Mr. Gardiner, whom she found in the parlour. " Good evening, Miss Lee ! " he said, in a slightly disappointed tone, as Anna came in. "Are you not going to Mrs. Leslie's ? " " No," she replied, " I am sorry that you have been at Tlie Maiden. 13 the trouble to call for me. Mother has been quite un well all day, and I do not think I ought to leave her." " So you do not intend going ! " This was spoken in a still more disappointed voice. " No, I cannot go to-night. It would be wrong for me to leave my mother, and I try never to do anything that I clearly see to be wrong." But this noble-minded declaration did not awaken in the breast of Gardiner a responsive admiration. He was disappointed, and he could not conceal the feeling.

After sitting for about ten minutes the young man went away. The interview was not pleasant to either of them. To stay at home from a party just because her mother was not very well, he considered rather a stretch of filial duty ; and she, perceiving the true character of his thoughts, shrunk from him instinctively. From that time Anna received his attentions with embarrassment. She did not reason much about it; she only felt repulsed. And that all this was right will be seen in the next chapter. Shortly after Gardiner left, Mr. Lee came home. Anna was still sitting in the parlour, in a musing attitude. " Why, how is this, Anna ? I thought you were going to Mrs. Leslie's to-night," he said with kind interest, sitting down by her side. "And so I was. But you know mother has had a sick headache all day."

" Yes. How is she to-night ? " " She 's a great deal better." " Then why couldn't you go ? " " Because the children are very apt to get fretful and troublesome, and sometimes won't let any one see them to bed but mother or me. So I thought it best to give them their suppers first, and get them quietly put away for the night. After that was done, I began to fear that they might wake up, as is often the case, and require attention ; and I knew if mother went to see to them her headache would return. She needs quiet and rest ; these will be everything to her. If I had gone out, and anything had occurred on account of my absence to bring back her illness, I should have felt very unhappy indeed." " You have done right, my dear," said Mr. Lee, kissing affectionately the fair cheek of his daughter.

" I am sorry that you have been deprived of the enjoyment you would have had at Mrs. Leslie's; but it is all for the best. Even in the least things of our life, as I have often told you, there is a Providence." " I believe it, father. Already it has occurred to me, that it is for some good that I have been prevented from going this evening." " It doubtless is, my child," returned Mr. Lee. " Good always springs from a denial of ourselves in order to benefit others. Ever think thus, ever act thus, and ministering angels will draw near to you and guard you from evil." Mr. Lee's voice trembled slightly as he said this. "But I must go up and see your mother," he added, and turning from Anna, he ascended to Mrs. Lee's chamber.

Chapter II

Gardiner's true character exhibited. jE)j|iil3J2|N the evening previous to that on which our ■ «U-3 I story °Pens> three or four young men were _\)X_£__yÆ seated around a table in a public-house, _______] upon which were glasses, decanters, and cigars. They were engaged in playing at cards, smok ing, and drinking. Among them was Herbert Gardiner. After playing at whist for an hour, during which time several five-dollar bills were lost and won, cards were thrown aside. " Give us a song, Gardiner. You have been a winner to-night, and must be in a singing humour," said one of the company. " Let 's have another drink first," returned Gardiner. Glasses were filled, and drained to the bottom. " Now for the song." It was given in quite a spirited style ; but we cannot repeat it here, it would be a blot upon our pages.

Bravos followed the song, and another was called for. Gardiner sang again without any hesitation. But, as before, his song was grossly indelicate. " How would you like a certain young lady to hear you sing that ? " asked one of the party, looking into the face of Gardiner with a mischievous smile. " What young lady do you mean ? " asked Gardiner. " That very modest-looking one, by whose side you kept so close at Mrs. Farnham's last week." " I don't take." " You don't." " No." "You're dull." " Not I. Speak out plain." " Miss Lee." " Oh dear ! " And Gardiner tossed his head half contemptuously. " Why, I thought that you were deeply in love with the girl ? " remarked one of the company. " Indeed ! Did you suspect me of such a weakness ? Really ! I feel complimented " There was something in Gardiner's face that belied his words.

His companions noticed this, and rallied him more strongly. " He 's over head and ears in love with her. Ha ! ha ! See his face ! He blushes, absolutely ! Gardiner blush ! That is a phenomenon ! " " Not quite," returned the rallied individual, regaining the self-possession he had momentarily lost. " I believe that is a folly of which I have never yet been guilty. But come, gentlemen, let us be serious about this matter ; you charge me with being in love with a certain Miss Lee. Now for the proofs." " You pay particular attention to her." " Granted ! But what does that prove ? I pay par ticular attention to some dozen others. You must bring forward something more conclusive." " You were by her side nearly all the evening, at Mrs. Farnham's." " Because she seemed so pleased with my conversation that I couldn't find it in my heart to break away from her."

" Oh dear ! " " A fact." " Then the girl 's in love with you." " That 's another matter altogether." And the young man lifted his hands and eyebrows in mock surprise. "I 'm sorry for her ; but it is a weakness peculiar to her sex." " Ain't you flattered ? " " Exceedingly." " She's a right nice little girl, Gardiner. I 'd advise you to follow up the impressions you have made." " I believe I will." "Do." " I will." " Ha ! Ha ! That 's right. Hurrah for Herbert Gar diner ! Let's drink to his success." " Fill the glasses." " Here 's to Anna Lee !" "Aye, aye." " Now for Herbert Gardiner." The glasses were again drained. "And now for the safe termination of the proposed courtship." " No, no." "What then? ': " Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Ahem." " Oh ! aye ! that 's it. Fill up the glasses again." Very soon the whole party were, what is vulgarly called, "pretty well in for it."

More comic songs were asked for and sung. An hour longer was spent by these foolish young men in drinking, singing songs, and telling vulgar stories, when they separated. Let the reader think of Anna Lee as she really was, a pure-minded maiden, one whose imagination had never been shocked with the picture of a scene similar to that which we have just described, one whose heart would have shrunk away and trembled could she have witnessed such a scene ; and then think of Herbert Gardiner as a lover ; for such he in reality began to consider himself. And it cannot be denied that he had made some impres sion upon her feelings, that she felt more than an ordinary satisfaction when he was by her side. Does any one feel pleasure at the thought of Anna Lee marrying Her bert Gardiner? Does any one believe that he could make her happy ?

Her mind essentially pure, his mind essentially impure. She finding her highest delight in doing good to others, he in gratifying himself. She looked upward towards the Fountain of light and love, he downward towards things sensual and corporeal. Her spirits in the rising scale, his in that which is descending. Shall they join hands, and go side by side on life's journey together ? God forbid ! Gardiner had seen Anna a few evenings previous to the one on which the reader has seen him with his gay companions, and had then promised to call for her and go with her to Mrs. Leslie's. He did call, as has been seen, and went away feeling disappointed and half angry with Anna. " Too bad ! " he could not help saying half aloud, as he turned from Mrs. Lee's door. " The silly girl ! To let such a trifling matter keep her at home.

I don't believe she cares a fig for me, or she would have gone to the party, after I called for her, whatever obstacles stood in her way." " I don't see your flame here," whispered one of Gar diner's companions to the young man, coming to his side soon after he had made his appearance at Mrs. Leslie's. " No, she wouldn't come." " Why not ? " " Her mamma 's sick' '•' You don't tell me so." " It 's a fact." " And she stays away on that account ? " " So she says." " Do you believe her ? " " Yes. I suppose she gave me the true reason." " Not a word of it. She meant to cut you ! " " Cut me ?" in surprise. "Anna Lee cut me? You must be joking ! " " No. These girls are queer creatures sometimes." " Humph ! I 'm not afraid. She 's to be wooed and won right easily." " You think so ? Well, success to your suit.

She is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. She has not her equal here for beauty, grace, and sweetness of manner." " You are right. And, more than this, she has intelligence of no ordinary kind. Although she has never mingled in the best society, and is still quite young, she is fit to grace any circle. I don't know her equal. But, confound it all ! she is not here, and I don't care a fig for any one in the room. I shall make myself scarce before an hour passes." He was as good as his word. An hour had not expired before Herbert Gardiner was missed from the gay circle in Mrs. Leslie's drawing-room. This young man was the son of a retired merchant, who had gained in trade a very large property. Herbert, his only child, had received all the advantages of education that wealth can give ; although it cannot be said that he had improved those advantages in any remarkable degree.

He was bright enough as regards intellect ; but a high motive for study was wanting. His father's wealth and social standing left him but little to strive for. Old Mr. Gardiner had started in life without friends or capital, and had by honest industry and steady perseve rance worked his way up, until he stood side by side with the most successful. He had a just estimate of the virtues by which he had risen in society, and often strove to impress his son with a deep regard for them. But his precepts did not take very deep root in the ground of the young man's mind. As soon as he came home from college, he was placed in a mercantile house. He did not, however, take much interest in the business; although, more to meet the 1: requirements of his father than anything else, he attended to his duty sedulously enough to prevent his employers from becoming too much dissatisfied with him.

After he became of age, his father proposed that he should go in to business with some one who had less capital but a more thorough knowledge of trade than he possessed. Such a person was not hard to find. A young man, whose only capital was business capacity, honesty, and energy of character, soon presented himself. With him a co-partnership was formed, and a capital of thirty thou sand dollars was placed in the hands of the new firm. Satisfied with the part he had done, or the part that had been done for him, viz. furnishing capital, Gardiner did not see that there were very strong claims on him for personal application. He attended at the store daily, and took a certain part in the general operations that were going on, but did not burden his mind with any details, nor trouble himself with any care as to the ulti mate result of the operations.