Adrienne

Chapter I

On the outskirts of a lovely Southern suburb, surrounded by picturesque and extensive grounds now all bathed in spring-time’s golden sunshine, stood an imposing-looking structure. From the central tower of this building a deeptoned bell struck the hour. Then came a crowd of girls of all sizes and ages hurrying out on the lawn, proclaiming, by joyous shouts and ringing laughter, the noon recess. Josie Colson and Adrienne de Courcelles, this moment passing through the open door of the reception-hall out upon the broad walk leading to the main entrance gate, began to stroll up and down, apparently engaged in earnest conversation. At the same time, over the smoothly cut grass, Kittie McVea came forward to meet them, gracefully swinging her hat by the ribbons, her short frowsy hair glittering in the sunlight and her dark blue eyes sparkling with life and mischief, as she sang out in her clear, strong voice the Marseilles Hymn.

“Hurrah, Kittie 1 ” Josie called, halting in her slow promenade. “You have heard the late news? I am sure of it, by the way you are shouting the stirring notes of that martial song.’"

For a moment Kittie stopped short, but recovering herself, she answered, with a laughing glance into Josie’s eyes,

“Considering the fact, Josie, that you have repeatedly declared I am given to the sensational, I can’t see why you should be surprised at any effort on my part to keep up my worthy reputation. But as I have never guessed a riddle in my life, pray relieve my curiosity at once by telling me the news.”

“Good gracious ! girl, you don’t mean to say, since the woods are alive with the wild and exciting report, that seventy-five thousand men have actually been called into service in the North, and that the South is working day and night to meet the emergency, that you haven’t heard we are going to have war in earnest?” Kittie seemed to ponder seriously over Josie’ s words ; but suddenly she said, with a little flash of spirit shining in her eyes,

“Well, I call it nothing short of an immense relief to have the momentous question settled at last, while I shall not hesitate to acknowledge that the prospect of soon seeing an army in battle array, marching to the music of fife and drum, fills me with the direct inspiration to put on my war paint and rush forward to the fray.”

“Is it so,” laughed Adrienne, a little derisively, “that by a series of brilliant military coups on your part. Miss McVea, you would have your name go down to posterity among the annals of American history. But I will venture to say, Kittie, the first roar of guns on the battlefield would effectually cool any romantic zeal you may feel disposed to indulge in that direction.”

“Then,” said Kittie, darting a mischievous glance toward Adrienne, “you do not approve of a woman taking active part in defense of her country ?”

“Not that I am stilted in my ideas of things, but she would be infinitely more useful in her place at home working for the soldiers who are fighting for her home and rights.”

“Bah !” Kittie retorted, half-mockingly, “that is all sentimental bosh. Suppose, like Joan of Arc, one of our patriotic Southern women should feel it a duty during a serious conflict, to come to the front ?”

“To give you a plain answer, I am sure I could never imagine a woman making herself conspicuous in any public movement, even though she be led by the over-weening desire to prostrate herself on the sacred altar of her beloved country.”

But this moment the crash of a brass band playing a familiar march, being heard in the street, the girls, forgetting the subject in hand, hurried away in time to see a company of soldiers, whose bayonets, as they paraded by, flashed and glittered in the noon-day sun, all of whom were perfectly conscious of the many bright eyes focused upon them from the college grounds.

‘‘Speaking of angels,'^ sang out Kittie, glibly, “here are the soldiers now marching on, which reminds me my recitation in ancient history comes in the next ‘division,’ when I must tell of noble work accomplished by Aristides in forming the Athenian Confederacy — instituting important political reforms, and at last dying in the full confidence of his people. And my friends,” cried Kittie, now merrily striking the attitude of a popular speaker as she raised her voice to be heard by the laughing group of girls near by, “I am glad to say here in the presence of you all, that I earnestly pray we of the South may be so fortunate as to have a leader who will emulate the illustrious statesman and general, Aristides, of ancient Athenian renown, who will free us from the threatened yoke, and establish the liberty of the Southern Confederacy. But, hark! the chapel bell is calling us to disperse each to her own sphere of duty.” And now laughing gaily, as she beckoned the crowd of g^rls to follow, Kittie suddenly vanished behind a thick cluster of trees.

Chapter II

Kittie McVea was the daughter of a wellknown wealthy Mississippi planter. Her childhood having been passed in sunny places, naturally she was happy tempered, carrying about with her an atmosphere of fresh young life that captured all hearts. It is known that opposites attract one another, so it was not surprising that gay, debonair Kittie should have been won by the sweet gravity of Adrienne de Courcelles, whose exquisite personality drew her irresistibly within the charmed circle of her influence, a cordial friendship at once developing between them that was to endure the test of years.

It was in the morning, a week later than the foregoing, that Kittie was running headlong down the chapel stairway when she came suddenly upon Adrienne standing beside the window on the landing, deeply absorbed in the contents of a letter. Her curiosity awakened by the look of unusual gravity on Adrienne’s face, she asked abruptly,

‘'Unpleasant news, Adrienne ?”

The girl, raising her eyes, answered with a sad inflection in her voice, “Your surmise is correct. This letter is from my guardian, Mrs. Somers of New Orleans, you know, urging me to return to the city without delay.’’

'‘Upon my word,” Kittie blurted out, indignantly, "what has induced her to hurry you off, without so much as consulting your choice in the matter?”

"Though it would never enter my head to question the propriety of my guardian removing me from school at pleasure,” said Adrienne, reflectively, "I must admit that I am at a loss to fathom this sudden demand, unless, indeed, it is on account of the floating war reports, together with the fact that Charles, her only son, who has already enlisted in the army, is looking every day to be sent to the front in Virginia. Ah! as he is his mother’s idol, I know it will break her heart to see him go. I remember so well that his Chesterfield manners were my childish admiration, but his inordinate disposition to tease was always a bug-bear to me.”

"But, Adrienne,” Kittie here interrupted, "tell me of your father, whom you have been expecting so anxiously. Has he yet reached America ?”

"Alas I” she answered, trying to steady her voice, while a melancholy shadow crept into her eyes, "I am beeinning to fear this trouble between the North and South has entirely upset his plans, and perhaps will delay his coming indefinitely.”

‘^Oh, well,” was the soothing reply, for Kittie had noticed the quiver on Adrienne’s lips, and the starting tears in her eyes, ^^you should not let this unfortunate condition in the affairs of our country worry and distress you too much. I am sure all will come right in the end. .Meantime, when you are gone, Adrienne, it will be SO lonely here for me, I have decided to quickly follow your example.”

“Would not that be sheer nonsense, Kittie, when it is your privilege to remain through the session ? As for me, alas ! my duty is so plain, that no matter how reluctant I feel, I must set to work to make preparations to leave.”

Knowing Adrienne’s departure would be the initial step toward breaking up the school, which he felt powerless to prevent, the president evidently was very much annoyed at receiving the peremptory message from her guardian.

In the mean while, Adrienne and Kittie employed the few hours left to them in the endeavor to conceal behind smiles the real sorrow they were feeling at being so unexpectedly separated. But when they parted at last at the carriage door, Kittie’ s face grew sad as she said,

“Have you thought, Adrienne, of how different things will be when we meet again? We have been so free from care and responsibility all these months, at school, that it is only reasonable to expect a great change to come in our lives/^

“The change may prove unpleasant, but we must be cheerful and patient under the trial. For what would be the good of looking on the dark side, and thus rob life of much of its brightness by borrowing trouble

“Ah, Adrienne, I know so well your faculty for discovering the ‘silver lining.’ But I must acknowledge that I find it difficult to smile when I am parting from a dear friend, with so vague a prospect of meeting again.”

“I am certain, Kittie, there is no way but to run the race before us to the fulfilment of our destiny as cheerfully as possible,” was Adrienne’s practical answer, though a veiled sadness was in her eyes. But the ready protest on Kittie’s lips being cut short by the moving carriage, Adrienne scarcely had time to wave a tender, smiling adieu to her weeping friend, when, by a sudden turn in the street, it disappeared from sight.

Adrienne sank back on the carriage seat, heaving a deep sigh, as she gave herself up to a moment of reverie. “Ah,” was her thought, “I have started out at last on the road that will finally lead to my father, and though the way may be long, and perhaps beset with difficulties and delays, I am resolved to press on, letting nothing hold me back until I reach his loving arms.”

Chapter III

At length, after hours of tedious travel over a rough road, the train steamed into the noisy depot at the city of New Orleans. Adrienne, who kept her seat until the rush of departing passengers had subsided somewhat, all at once observed approaching a soldier in the uniform of an officer, whose roving glance over the passing crowd soon wandered to her smiling eyes. For, though he had grown into stalwart manhood since their last meeting, she had not failed readily to recognize him, and springing to her feet with out-stretched hand, she cried, ''Charles, is it really you?’'

His face lighted up with an eager smile as he made his way to her, taking her hand in his own, and regarding her features with a warm admiring gaze as he said,

"And you are Adrienne, who left us a little girl seven years ago. But the only familiar feature I find in so grown-up a young lady is the bright welcome in the same great dark eyes of your childhood.”

"Have I indeed changed so much?” and she laughed delightfully as she ran her amused eyes over his smart uniform. "But, Charles, though I knew you at a glance, I must admit your transformation in this regalia is simply marvelous, not to say anything of the change in your appearance in other respects, since we parted seven years ago. And do you know, I have experienced no small amount of curiosity in regard to your mother having consented that you should join the army.”

“But she has never consented,” was the grave response, “nor can she be induced to allude to the subject; concluding, I suppose, since employing a substitute would not be compatible with her idea of patriotic principles, there is no help for it; and very soon, Adrienne, I shall have to resign mv place at my mother’s side, and go forth in the discharge of duty into new and strange paths. But the assurance that you are with her will indeed be comforting to me in my absence, whether in tent or upon the battle-field.” His eyes, as he spoke, were bent Upon the lovely face of the girl at his side, whose quick look of concern up into his grave face told of the great sympathy she held in her heart for him.

“You know, Charles, that however anxious I am to do all I can for my guardian, I shall not be able to fill your place in any sense of the word.”

“Nevertheless, I am confident of happy results. And if mother can succeed in maintaining this apparent tranquil frame of mind I shall be able to leave for Virginia with at least some degree of self-command.” Having reached the carriage during these remarks, Charles now placed Adrienne on the back seat, following and taking the seat beside her. But during their transit between the depot and Mrs. Somers’s residence, the girl, now conscious of feeling utterly worn out, pressed her aching head against the cushioned back of the carriage, closing her eyes, when presently Charles turned and addressed her.

‘‘By the way, Adrienne, I must not forget to mention that we are expecting guests at the house this evening, several of whom, knowing you are to arrive, are looking forward to the pleasure of meeting you.”

She raised her head with a tired little shake, but her eyes brightened as she said,

“There is nothing, I am sure, that would give me more pleasure than meeting your friends; but I shall have to own that I prefer a little rest to anything this evening.”

Charles meditated a jocose reply, but stooping and scanning the girl’s face, now looking so white by the light of passing street lamps, changed his mind, and said gravely,

“As you are looking a trifle fagged, Adrienne, I shall see to it that you are allowed to pass unmolested up to your room, shut yourself in, and resign your body and mind to the so much needed rest/'

‘'You are thoughtful, and I thank you," she said, with a quick smile into his eyes.

This moment, the carriage drawing up in front of a brightly lighted residence, Charles promptly assisting Adrienne out, led the way up the steps to the entrance and rang the bell. The door suddenly opened and Mrs. Somers in person stood before them. Adrienne seized her hands.

“This is pleasant, indeed !" said she. “I never would have known you, Adrienne!" and she took the girl affectionately into her arms, and kissed her tenderly. Then drawing her under the hall light, proceeded to regard the beautiful face with pleasure and interest, the girl herself feeling rather embarrassed under so much profound, eager scrutiny.

“Naturally," she replied, the low, sweet voice delighting her guardian, “the lapse of seven years would bring about a change in a growing girl. But, Mrs. Somers, I am truly glad to find you the same. Your brow is every whit as smooth as I remember, when a child, to have noticed it, and your eyes have the same flash of vigorous thought — " But here the words were arrested upon her lips by a ripple of merry laughter coming from the direction of the parlors, when Mrs. Somers, turning hurriedly to Charles, said,

“Sure enough, my son, our guests are all here, and among them is Belle Conrad. And as we must attend to our duties, I will insist, Adrienne, that you go to your room at once, for I know you are very tired.”

“Yes, Adrienne,” laughed Charles, “you certainly have quite a dilapidated look. So I am sure the bed is the best place for you.”

“Here, Marie,” Mrs. Somers said to the maid this moment passing through the hall, “show Miss de Courcelles to her room. I hope you will pardon my not going with you, Adrienne. Be sure and bring the roses in your cheeks when you come down in the morning. Good-night, child ; Marie will see to all your wants. Come, Charles,” and as they moved away in the direction of the parlors, Adrienne turned and followed the French maid up the long stairway to her room, which she found so lovely, airy, and soothing to her tired senses that, with a sigh of relief, she began to prepare for bed, and was soon lying among dainty pillows sleeping peacefully as a little child, unconscious of the sounds of gaiety floating up to her room from the parlors below.

Chapter IV

Adrienne made a tardy entrance into the breakfast-room the next morning, a little pale perhaps, but wonderfully lovely. Charles, who had finished the meal, and had turned aside scanning the morning paper, greeted her with a cordial smile, coming forward to meet her, and saying, with hearty cheerfulness as he led her to the table and placed her in a chair,

“I judge by the brightness on your face, Adrienne, that the goddess of sleep was not wooed in vain. I am truly glad you escaped the bustle that seems always to attend even so small a gathering.”

“You are very flattering,” she laughed, “if you would insinuate that I have nerves of a rheumatic, and would be morbidly sensitive to the sound of a little merriment. On the contrary, I was oblivious to everything until the break of day, and this morning find myself fully restored and in my right mind.”

“But, do you know, my child,” Mrs. Somers interrupted, as she busied herself pouring out a cup of coffee for Adrienne, “I have just been lamenting to Charles that you have forfeited a diploma by leaving school so early.”

Adrienne suppressed an open smile at this, as she turned to her guardian and said with amusement in her eyes, but indifference in her voice, “I am sure my future welfare and happiness will not be materially injured by the loss, and hope you will not think me odd if I frankly confess that I have given the matter very little thought. For what, indeed, does the mere form of graduating signify?’'

“You surprise me, Adrienne,” said Charles, shrugging his shoulders, while a quizzical smile played at the corners of his mouth. “And certainly you are unlike other girls, who are delighted at drawing public notice and applause upon their personal attractions, as well as their intellectual attainments.”

She glanced up quickly, with a laugh in her lovely eyes as she answered,

“Never fear, Charles, that I am an exception to the majority of giddy girls who are flattered by commendation and applause, nor do I claim indifference to striking effect in the sense to which you allude. But, pardon me, I should so much like to know something of the doings of the city under the present military regime?”

“As a matter of fact, Adrienne” — he paused, looking down upon the bright face with a smile — “the city, socially, is topsy-turvy. But I know so little of what is going on outside. I am not prepared to give you the desired information. Of one thing, however, I am ready to assure you of my own command, that our display of regimentals on the parade ground never fails to call forth from the New Orleans circle a number of the gay and fashionable. All of which, should you feel disposed to accompany me this afternoon, may give you pleasure to see.''

‘‘Oh, I should be so pleased," she said, in accents attesting her delight at his proposal.

“All right," was the hearty rejoinder, “then I shall be on hand in time to take quite a drive before the dinner hour. But as I am now due at camp, I must be off. Remember, Adrienne," he called out as he hurried from the room, “I shall be here promptly at the appointed time. Au revoir."

“I trust, Adrienne," said Mrs. Somers, as the door closed behind Charles, now giving the opportunity for which the girl had been wishing so much, “the sudden summons home was not a shock to you. I thought you would understand that it was caused by the uproar and excitement in our land, which decided me to bring you away from school before the situation should grow too serious."

‘‘It is no doubt for the best. But, do you know,” she said, slowly and dejectedly, her voice trembling under restrained emotion, “this trouble in our country has a sorrowful meaning for me. For I indeed realize how fruitless any attempt would be from my father to reach me, and I am bitterly disappointed.”

“Really, Adrienne,” Mrs. Somers answered, much moved with pity and kindness at the girhs keen distress, “I cannot say how much I sympathize with you, and am glad you have made up your mind to speak of your father, as it will be a relief to you and will do you good. But I advise you not to fret and grow melancholy over circumstances that are a little discouraging, I admit, but feel nevertheless matters will regulate themselves in time, while this trouble between the North and South will soon blow over. Meantime, my child, you should consider the pleasure and comfort you will be to me, until your father shall take you away to his distant home in the East, where, I am certain, he intends residing permanently. Consequently, we may never expect you to return and be one of us again.”

At this moment, however, there was a sudden check to the conversation, as Hans, the man servant, opened the door and announced “Mrs. Vincent.” Mrs. Somers, rising at once, and moving forward, greeted her guest most cordially, then turned to Adrienne. “Mrs. Vincent, this is my ward, Adrienne de Courcelles, of whom you have often heard me speak.”

“I can’t say how pleased I am to meet you. Miss de Courcelles,” the light of pleasure and admiration shining in her eyes as she bent them upon the girl, at the same time pressing her hand warmly. As they were seating themselves, talking pleasantly together, Mrs. Vincent said,

“I must explain, Mrs. Somers, having only a moment to spare, that my informal call this morning is prompted by my desire to meet and invite your ward in person to a reception at my house Thursday evening- next, given in honor of all my young New Orleans acquaintances, among whom. Miss Adrienne,” now smiling sweetly upon the girl, “I am anxious to include you. And as you have Captain Somers, who will take great delight in escorting you, besides there will be no opposition from your guardian, I shall not expect a refusal.”

“On the contrary,” returned Adrienne, in tones of girlish candor, pleasure dancing in her eyes, “I shall only be too delighted, and thank you very much.”

Now drawing her eyes slowly away from Adrienne’s beautiful face, Mrs. Vincent remarked,

‘‘I can imagine, Mrs. Somers, since it has been my misfortune to be shut out from returning to my home in Washington City, what a relief it must be, during all this tumult and confusion of war, to have your ward away from a distant boarding-school. I little thought when I came to New Orleans for the benefit of a mild winter, such an unpleasant delay was in store for me. But I am philosophical, by nature, and thinking it wise to yield gracefully to the inevitable, I am not spending my time bemoaning my fate. I am sorry indeed, ladies, to tear myself away from your good company, but as I have started out this morning with every hour engaged, I shall really have to take my departure and hurry on. We will soon meet again. Adieu.”

When the carriage rolled away from the door, Adrienne sat a moment, with a look of dreamy thoughtfulness in her eyes, thinking of the dignified repose in Mrs. Vincent’s bearing, and the charm of her fascinating face. Then remembering her promise to Kittie, that she would write her immediately upon her arrival home, ran up to her room, and soon, with flying pen, was giving a graphic account, for Kittie’s amusement, of some of her experiences on her way down to the city, not forgetting to mention, at the close, the delightful drive with Charles she had in anticipation that very afternoon to see her first field drill.

Chapter V

True to his appointment, Charles, looking spick-and-span in his uniform, drove up in an open Victoria. Seeing Adrienne already seated in the cool shade of the veranda, looking lovely in her dainty, beautiful dress, swinging down from the carriage and coming quickly up to her, he said, in laughing tones,

‘‘To the minute. Miss de Courcelles. This is punctuality indeed.”

She rose to her feet, with a ripple of humor in her eyes, as the ready retort came from her lips,

“My punctuality being simply in accordance with Captain Somers's express request upon leaving the house this morning, I can’t see why it should be so great a surprise. I am sure I could not afford to delay our first engagement.”

“I hope Miss de Courcelles will allow me to say,” bowing apologetically, “That I think she has set a worthy example to her charming sisters, who rarely practice the virtue, preferring rather to regard it a trait of minor consideration, and very little worth their while to cultivate.”

‘‘Ah/’ she answered, turning her eyes on him full of smiling irony, “I must confess to have been taken altogether unawares by Captain Somers’s flattering opinion of my charming sisters.”

“I must apologize again, for words that seem to have so rudely oflfended Miss de Courcelles’s sensitive ear,” he laughed genially, “and will suggest, as time waits for no man, the propriety of starting out on our drive. It is now five o’clock to the minute,” turning the face of his watch toward her for inspection. “I regret to say that our road, at this angle of the blazing sun, does not lead through the sweetly smelling country, nor does it pass beneath the edges of shady woods. But we shall have protection part of the way at least under the shadow of tall buildings.”

They started off in hilarious spirits, Adrienne the while laughing merrily over Charles’s frequent gay sallies. But the carriage, presently turning aside from the crowded part of the city, was rolling slowly down the street leading beside the river front, when Charles suddenly called Adrienne’s attention to a beautiful vessel, all white and gold, lying anchored some distance out on the calm unruffled water. The sailors standing round in groups on the decks, uniformed in white, their caps ornamented with gold bands, added an indescribable grace and beauty to the picture, upon which the girl gazed in silent delight.

“What kind of craft is it, Charles?” she asked directly, with a little catch in her voice.

“See, Adrienne,” he returned, “the British colors flying from the foremast ? It is an English yacht. Mr. Strafford, with Avhom I am acquainted, accompanies his ship. He is on a pleasure cruise and has been anchored in our port quite awhile. Judging by the length of his stay, he must have found something of interest to detain him. Ah, there he is now, coming ashore.”

Turning her eyes in the direction indicated by Charles, she saw a small white boat rapidly nearing the landing, soon disembarking its one passenger, whom she discovered, as he crossed over to the waiting carriage, in which he took his seat and was whirled away, was of eminently distinguished bearing, tall and erect.

“Do you know, Adrienne,” presently said Charles, with a gleam of irony in his eyes, giving his usual short laugh, “I am just reminded of the fact that the present war excitement is surely an impediment in the way of this Englishman becoming the celebrity our gay-plumaged society birds have conspired to make him, so evident is the flutter of their brilliant wings, if perchance a glance from his Highness should fall on them. Young ladies — is it not so? — in the matter of a sensation are proverbially gregarious.’^

"‘Have a care, Charles,” she said, flashing on him a look of laughing rebuke. find that it is well for my peace of mind there is a tacit agreement between you and me to approach this subject very gingerly.”

crave your pardon,” throwing her a look tinged with raillery, ^^and beg of you — with a promise never to repeat the blunder — to bear with me this time.”

They were now progressing rapidly over a hot, dusty highway, exposed to the piercing rays of the afternoon sun, which Adrienne managed to partially ward off by the gossamer protection of her delicate lace sunshade. On turning aside at last into an opening over which the entire stretch for miles seemed covered with soldiers’ tents, Adrienne soon forgot, in contemplating the novelty of the scene before her eyes, the uncomfortable drive. The field was occupied by several artillery companies, engaged in going through the maneuvers of the drill in obedience to clarion notes of command ringing out on the rich glory of the brilliant summer afternoon, filling her soul with a deeper glow of patriotic fervor, as she began to realize why brave men fearlessly face danger, and nobly sacrifice their lives for what they deem the Cause of Right. But the thought suddenly springing into her mind that she could claim neither father, brother, nor any other kindred in ranks, brought with it a sense of isolation that saddened her spirits, and settled her features into a gravity and sadness infinitely touching. The next moment, allowing her eyes to wander slowly down the long line of visiting carriages drawn up within the enclosure, filled with the elite of the Crescent City, — with young ladies whose faces were alight with bright expectant smiles, — all at once her glance fell upon the familiar face of Mrs. Vincent, who sat, in company with a beautiful blond young lady, in one of the most elegant equipages present. Adrienne felt irresistibly drawn toward the wonderful beauty of this fair yet disdainful-looking young lady, and gazed upon her precisely as she would have regarded an exquisite ideal ^‘head” from under the creative brush of some famous artist. And so absorbed was she in her silent occupation that to Charles, who had been trying to get her attention, she scarcely gave heed.