Whose fault?

Front matter

Shelf. 1525

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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II

“ IV If OTHER, I will take Trudie to my room for a while, please.”

“ Yes, my dear.”

It was not modern American, that this young lady, this daughter who was “of age,” should respectfully inquire if it were her mother’s pleasure, before she took her friend to her room. Quite out of date really, and savoring of the rigid laws which sounded from Sinai so many years ago. Still these Eversons were old-fashioned people and retained some possibly obsolete habits.

“ Ah, I have found you out! It is ‘ The Church,’ again! ” said Gertrude, with a soft laugh as she discovered Rica’s Prayer Book and Hymnal for the first time.

“Yes, Trude: it was the Church ; and I did so wish that you were with us ! It was so helpful ; I feel as if all life’s snarls were now straightened out !”

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Gertrude smiled rather incredulously: but she said, “Tell me about it, Rica. What day is it ?”

“ The feast of the Annunciation. Dr. Dorman spoke of it as specially ‘the woman’s day’; and the Lessons were so beautiful! Do you know, I like the old style of reckoning when the ‘Year of our Lord’ was made to begin with this Festival of the Annunciation on March 25th. It seems to me that this is really the beginning to all Christians. Dr. Dorman said something of this sort — ‘ When I look down the grand cathedral of the ages, glowingwith its memorial windows, it always seems to me as if this one stands at the head — this sweet, tender picture of the Virgin listening to Gabriel’s wonderful message! ’ I wish the Church had kept this as its beginning.”

“Then you do admit that the Church might possibly be bettered in some respects ? ” said Gertrude, with a mischievous smile while yet her eyes rested admiringly upon the earnest face of her young friend.

“ The Church is not perfect; a Church militant cannot be; but this is only a personal liking, you know.”

“Yes, I know, Rica. I can always tell when you have had some special up-lifting through your Church services, and sometimes I wish that

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1 7 my own lot had been cast in there with you.”

“ Oh, I wish so, Trude. We all wish it. But — ” she added with a slight hesitation, “one may be engrafted, you know: one is not always born to the best estate.”

“And what would my ‘ most-straitest-sect-ofa-Presbyterian’ sister say to such a perversion ? ” she asked, while a little conscious color crept into her cheeks, as if the possibility of such a thing was not altogether a new thought to her mind.

Would she then be willing to accept with Elwood’s love his Church also ? thought Rica, watching the play of tender feeling upon the girl’s pretty face.

“ Oh, Trude, she would like anything that you like. ”

“ I am not so sure of that, my dear, but come, I must not hinder you. Isn’t there practicing or something ? ”

“ Yes, I do want to practice a little, Trude.”

They went down-stairs together. The curtains were drawn aside in the pleasant old-fashioned parlor, letting in the full light of the fast-fading day.

Rica sat at her instrument, playing over and over difficult and intricate passages, while Geri8

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trude took a low seat near the window, and drew forth some bit of dainty work.

The mother and the elder daughters came and went as was their wont, pausing now and then to say a kindly word to either girl — and all was informal and delightful.

Some tender teaching of the day seemed to linger in the hearts of the women; and their sweet low voices and gentle ways told plainly that they had, — at least for the present — set aside “ the things that were too hard for them,” and that they were only going step by step as a wiser Hand led them and the “ power of the Highest ” overshadowed them.

Perhaps that was why they each had some call to leave the room shortly after greeting their brother, and that they were neither fretted nor vexed at seeing him seated very close to Gertrude, as the waning light compelled her to fold away her work.

It was “ too hard ” for them ! They would leave it to the. power of the Highest, — that gracious Will which overshadowed them all.

Rica played on — only changing her difficult passages of study for soft, sweet, dreamy strains which were appropriate to the hour.

Something strangely moved the girl in the win-

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dow-seat — either the murmuring music, or the twilight stillness, or the presence of the strong, quiet man so near her.

She seemed not to have ready her usual sparkling speeches, her merry raillery; neither could she flit away, and dart here and there with the soft blithe motions that were peculiar to her.

Her small hands were tightly clasped as they lay in her lap ; her lips had a slight quiver whenever she essayed one of her customary lively remarks.

She wished the dinner bell would ring. She heard Mrs. Richards, the widowed daughter, singing softly in the room above. Why did she not come down ?

Was there coming a crisis which would change all the old pleasant relations, and set things in a new light ? Was her “ second home ” about to be spoiled for her ?

What was this calm, grave man at her side that he should move her thus ? Was she not going out that very evening, under the escort of a bright young gentleman, who was always devoted to her ? Why were not her thoughts dwelling upon him, instead of fluttering about this man who was ten years older and very much less gay and witty ?

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Why had she almost forgotten her engagement, sitting so quietly there in the twilight ?

Before Gertrude could answer these questions to her own satisfaction, the deep musical voice at her side said, “ It is very pleasant to me to find you here, Miss Gertrude.”

It was different altogether in tone and in manner from the pretty compliments which she was accustomed to hear, yet there was something in the little sentence so quietly spoken that thrilled her with a strange, deep joy.

There was a sweet ring in her voice as she answered lightly, “ Thank you, Mr. Everson, you like to see the little butterfly about among your precious home-flowers, then ? That is very kind. It is to me like being in some stately, rich old garden of whose beauties I never tire, and where I find such shady rest and wondrous perfume — melody too,” she added, waving her hand with a bright grace toward Rica at the piano.

“ May none of it ever fail you, Gertrude! May it only grow better and sweeter to you as the days go on! ” He bent over her as she sat: his low, deep tones held a wondrous sweetness, uttering her Christian name, and his breath stirred the waves of her hair.

Does he know how she longs oftentimes for a

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place of perfect rest and trust ? — how the bright heart wearies of its fluttering here and there, and yearns for one tender abiding-place ? — how the smiling eyes and the merry-speaking lips hold — far back from sight — the loyalty of a true and loving womanhood ?

Very few knew it. Can it be that this bright bird — whose gay notes and brilliancy all are pleased to welcome — will at last content herself with the shelter of that grave, still heart ?

The girl lifted her eyes involuntarily to thank him for his kind wish. As they drooped beneath the unspoken revelation of his gaze, his hand reached down and folded hers in its strong firm clasp.

The dinner bell rang through the silence. Why must life’s common -places ever cross, at inopportune moments, the sweet delights of our higher natures ?

Mrs. Everson entered the room with her gentlyspoken “ Are you here, children ?”

And her son said to the one whose hand was yet in his, “ Excuse me; I will go to my mother.”

Dropping her hand with a tenderness that was like a caress he went quickly forward and offered his arm to his mother.

It had been his habit for years. He knew that

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she liked this old-time grace and courtesy, and he meant that she should never miss it while he was living in the house.

“Yes, mother, here we are, in the twilight,” replied Rica to her mother’s question. “ And I believe I have played Trudie and Elwood to sleep,” she added, lightly laughing. But as she so spoke, she passed to Gertrude’s side and touched her lips gently to the blushing cheek.

A pleasant rejoinder from the brother and the mingling of light words as they all gathered in the dining-room set Gertrude more at her ease.

She scarcely dared meet the gaze of those earnest, grave eyes at the head of the table. She had seen in them a token of some strange, sweet reality which might come into her hitherto gay and careless life. Was she prepared to. meet it ?

“ Rica,” she said, recovering presently somewhat of her usual bright manner, “ what do you think I have done ? Forgotten entirely in the delights of your presence, and your homeland your music, an engagement for this evening at Mrs. De Lancey’s.”

They all laughed. Elwood said in his quiet sincere way, — “ If you are in a hurry, Miss Gertrude, we can go immediately. Mother will excuse us, I

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am sure/’ — constituting himself her guardian on the homeward walk, as he usually did.

“ Oh no, thank you ! It will be rude enough to run away directly after dinner. I trust you will pardon me, Mrs. Everson,” she said in her simple pretty way, turning to the elderly lady.

It was not that she really felt any restraint in that easy pleasant household. It was rather that she had learned there those little ways of deference, those graceful acts and words of courtesy which make life at home so beautiful a thing. She might, like Rica, run in and out, at her pleasure, but she would not neglect the word of apology, the gracious regret, or the genial acknowledgment.

“Certainly, my child, that is all right; Elwood will take you home whenever you wish it.”

Rica felt a* thrill of delight at her mother’s words. If mother were on her side, that was a strong argument which the sisters could scarcely resist.

“ Who is to be your escort to-night, Trudie ? I suppose I may ask.”

“ Oh yes. I am going with Mr. George Graeme.”

The girls went up-stairs together. Gertrude put on her bonnet with a matter-of-fact air, as if there were no special thought in her heart regarding the

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brother who waited below, to accompany her home, and Rica hovered about her with a torrent of words, caresses and questions of no special import.

Trudie dear, how is it you accept that young Graeme as an escort so much ? You don’t care for him, do you ? ”

“ Don’t I ? The Graemes ! Ah, the Graemes ! A grand old family, you know, Rica !

“ ‘ Arouse thee from thy moody dream !

I’ll give thy harp heroic theme,

And warm thee with a noble name; —

Pour forth the glory of the Grseme ! ’ ”

Elwood heard the little quotation so merrily sung in the sweet soft voice as he passed down the stairs. He smiled; not with any masculine self-assurance, but with simple pleasure at the girlish light-heartedness which held, he knew, such deep, true feeling under its surface sparkle.

“ She shall have fair opportunity now,” he said to himself, “ since she knows something of how much she is to me. I will not trouble her again, until she has had time to question her own heart. If to-night young Grseme’s ardor and sprightliness seem better to her than my old-fashioned ways, then she shall have free choice. If, after proving all the others, my bonnie bird comes back to me, she shall find a warm place in which to nestle.”

With this resolve Elwood Everson went to accompany their young visitor home.

The short walk was a very quiet one on this occasion. He had intended that Gertrude should feel free to speak her usual bright and happy words, but somehow there had fallen a hush upon her gay spirit as her hand rested on his arm, and she said very little. Perhaps her thoughts were wandering to that young man who bore the “ famous old name.”

As they drew near the house, Elwood said, “ Will you let me come to see you to-morrow evening, Miss Gertrude ? ”

She consented, without looking into his face, and he went homeward, counting the hours which must pass ere he should see her again.

III

“ TS that you, Trudie ?” called a sleepy voice.

“Yes, Sylvie, and the door is barred and bolted, and Gyp is on guard; so sleep in peace. Good morning! ”

“ The dear girl! How happy she is! ” said the sister, smiling as she listened to the light tread in the adjoining room.

“ Perhaps she has settled it with young Graeme,” her husband wickedly suggested, thereby at once putting an end to all his wife’s peaceful slumber, and rousing her to excited debate.

Meanwhile, in her own dainty room stood the girl whose future they were discussing — beautiful and bright as though the hour had been ten P. M. instead of two A. M.

A rare bouquet was in her hands; and she proceeded to arrange it loosely in a wide vase, upon a bracket, where it might have the benefit of the cool night air.

2 7

Gertrude Preston never wasted nor neglected a flower. It was not in her nature to do so. All sweet bright things were precious to her. Sometimes she had visions and dreams of a pretty home in the cool green country, far away from the noise and confinement of the city, where she could cultivate and tend her own little garden, adorning her rooms with its blossoms, and making them bright for — the husband, whoever he might be whom God should give her. The greater number of Gertrude’s friends knew nothing of these pretty dreams and tender ambitions : nothing of the strong, deep nature which gave them birth, and held them so quietly hidden away. By most people, Miss Preston was regarded as a charming butterfly of a creature, who enjoyed life’s gayeties to the fullest extent, but had not much care or thought beyond present delights.

The Eversons — who had known her long, and in whose home she had felt a sweet sense of freedom from all formal restraint — understood her better, and realized something of the true worth of the jewel which attracted so many by its surface sparkle. Even to them, there were qualities unknown, rare depths unsounded, and certain intricate windings in the woman-nature which troubled them somewhat on occasions, and which

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even baffled their love, and brought a cloud across their intercourse.

It was pretty to see Gertrude’s face as she handled first the flowers and then her own girlish adornments. One by one the dainty jewels were removed and placed in their own proper cases, — and all the while there rested upon her fair face the soft flicker of a happy heart light. She was thinking apparently of something pleasant.

The flush deepened upon her cheeks now and then, and a tenderness that was almost tearful came to her eyes. It had been a happy evening to her. Nothing of defined or specially-worded sweetness could she remember ; nothing to which she had been compelled to make reply ; nothing which inspired her to look about her and make choice or comparison ; only a calm, deep assurance that some one (and he the noblest of all men whom she had ever known) held her close in the strong fortress of his love, and that there she might rest forever if so she willed.

He had not said it ; and yet all that evening, between the light words of George Graeme’s talk, his gracious compliments and delicate attentions, she heard again and again those few utterances of the deep, manly voice — “ May none of it ever

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fail you, Gertrude ! May it only grow better and sweeter to you, as the days go on ! ”

It was not much ; but the touch of the strong hand and the look in the eyes which had followed it told a wondrously sweet story to the young heart.

All that evening — through the lights and the smiles of many faces — she seemed ever to feel those deep, true eyes, as they had looked down uporr her in the twilight.

How strange it was! She seemed to be walking in the midst of a great multitude, seeing and hearing only that one. She listened and made answer to many people, yet she heard but one voice, and that his.

She understood why he had not come to the little gathering himself that evening, although Mr. De Lancey was an old and intimate friend. The Eversons never appeared at any such gatherings during Lent. As Rica had said to her that evening, “ the De Lanceys are not as particular about such things as we are.”

She wondered why there should be such differences between Church people. Why, if the Church system was good, did not all follow it alike ? She forgot for the moment how many

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differences of opinion and of action there were among her own Presbyterians.

While she stood among the flowers of the conservatory thinking of this, she was joined by Mr. Graeme, who brought her an ice.

He smiled when, in reply to his question, she told him of what she had been thinking.

“ Do you know, Miss Preston, speaking of the Eversons, that I am always impressed with the idea that Mr. Everson stands in the relation of a guardian to you, and that he has an eye upon us younger men, to see if we take proper care of you; and,” he added mentally, looking earnestly into her face, “ that some day I must go to him to ask permission to say a certain thing to you.”

He saw the color deepen in her cheek; and thought for an instant that he had offended her, but her sunny smile flashed out directly, and she replied pleasantly — “ That is only because I have been at Mr. Everson’s so much. It has been a sort of second home to me. You know I used to go home with Rica in vacation time, when we were at school together, because my sister was travelling. They were all so kind, and made me one of them so cordially, that I always feel quite at home there.”

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“Ah yes! Probably that is it; and a very charming family it must be to make one of. One rarely meets with such genuine home life as that of the Everson household; such whole-hearted hospitality; such real warmth; as if they had time for true living and friendship — which most American people have not.”

His words struck Gertrude as being very true. She smiled thoughtfully.

“ Not time enough to live real lives, nor to cultivate true friendships,” she repeated. “ Is it purely American, this? ”

“ It is essentially American, I think, Miss Preston. Money and society are, I think, the two idols upon whose altars many an American home is offered a sacrifice.”

“ Alas, that it should be so! ” said the girl thoughtfully, and there was a light of enthusiasm kindled in her face the next instant, which seemed to say, “ I should like to set up one sweet home altar which should never be so wrecked! ”

The young man noticed her look. He was almost tempted to say, then and there, “ Will you join hands with me, to show the world around us a better way, a household life of love and holy single-heartedness ? ”

With a strong effort he held the impulse in

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abeyance, saying only, “ It remains for the new home-makers — our contemporaries, yours and mine — (you and me, if you please) to take the lead in a truer, better way. But will the generation prove itself brave enough ? The counter-current is very strong; fashion, and society, and worldliness draw with great power. But we are growing very serious, you and I, Miss Preston, for party-goers,” he added, with a smile.

“ Nevertheless, it is very pleasant, Mr. Graeme,” she replied, moving forward to mingle with the company — still with that sweet, thoughtful look upon her face which held a hidden meaning he could not fathom.

She had been just her own bright self when he had accompanied her home. And George Graeme felt that this fair, womanly girl was a great deal to him; that he knew more of her inner life than many who enjoyed her smiles and pleasant words. Was this, however, any token of her preference ? or was it only a result of his interest in her, which had led him to speak to her of more serious things than were current society talk? He could not answer this question to his own satisfaction. Therefore he resolved to wait yet awhile and trouble not the sweet serenity of her intercourse with him.

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So he watched her bright face, as it passed from him that night; he noted how she cared for the flowers he had given her, and he was well content.

In happy ignorance of the feelings in George Graeme’s heart, Gertrude lingered over her late preparations for retiring ; always with that unconscious half-smile which told the sweet inner secret.

George Graeme had been a long-tried friend to her. She looked upon him almost as a kind brother, to whom she might turn in any emergency, and whose company was always calmly agreeable ; neither wearying nor exciting. Now, if the thought of him stayed with her at all, it was only in the remembrance of what he had spoken of Mr. Everson. “ A sort of guardian ! ” she smiled ; and, for a moment stayed her hand in its arrangement of George Graeme’s flowers ; the hand which had felt that strong tender touch, just for one blissful moment. Ah, what a guardianship that would be ! How her whole life seemed to sink into glad rest at the thought ! He was so wise, so true, so noble — and he cared so for her ! She scarcely needed the assurance, — the revelation which he was coming the next evening to make. And yet, how sweet it would be to listen !

The remembrance of that deep, tender voice

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thrilled her. Why, how she had grown to care for this man ! Almost unconsciously her bright nature had leaned toward his calm, earnest manhood, intertwining, until

She tried to shut out the bright visions, and to find her old, free-hearted, girlish sleep, but she could not ! The time had gone by, and when her sister looked into her face the next morning, she knew that “something had come to Gertrude : ” that the door was about to close upon that gay girl-life, and womanhood’s strange, responsible realm to open to the untried heart.

“Well, Trudie,” spake the genial brother-in-law, looking up from his second cup, and noticing also the new light in her face, “ you had a pleasant time, of course, and if you’ll allow me to venture a guess, I shall say that you have decided to make young Graeme a happy man.”

There was an honest warmth in his manner, which saved his words from the censure of abruptness or of frivolity.

Gertrude knew and loved her brother-in-law, therefore she felt no offense at his remark. But her eyes widened with a sudden surprise, as she answered thoughtfully, “Why, Stewart, you know George Graeme is only a kind friend to me — more of a brother than anything else.”

“ And is that what makes the sunshine in your eyes, after your late hours, little sister ? ”

“ Never mind,” put in Sylvie. “ Trudie will tell us everything, all in good time. Give her some breakfast first.”

And so the meal passed pleasantly, as meals usually did in that little household. Gertrude told all about the party : who were there, etc., etc., in her own cheery, merry way.

By and by, when Stewart had kissed wife and baby, lighted his cigar and gone, the girl followed her sister with the newly-awakened question on her lips, and a little trouble in the clear eyes.

“ Sylvie, you don’t really think — you and Stewart — that I have given Mr. Graeme any cause to — to — It is such a mean, cruel thing to do ; such an unwomanly way ! ”

The tears sprang to her eyes at the thought of ' wrong done in that way to the noble young man who had been such a good friend to her.

“ Why no, Trudie ! We know nothing about it, except that George Graeme has been very attentive and kind to you ; and you know what the result of such friendship often is, dear. I have never seen anything in your actions toward him to warrant any great expectations on his part.

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Only— men will take things for granted, sometimes”

“ Mr. Grseme is not such a man I am sure. I don’t believe he has any thought of me, except as a friend ; as the associate of some bright and pleasant evening talks ! ”

“Very likely, Trudie dear. And Stewart was only a little on the wrong track,” she added, with a questioning smile into her sister’s flushed face. “Don’t fret, for a minute, child. We know you would never act wrongly, in the slightest way, towards any man.”

“Why, I would not give George Graeme any pain — would not hurt his feelings so for anything in the world ! ”

Nevertheless, all unconsciously she did so pain him. She never knew it. It was part of George Graeme’s life discipline : and he bore it manfully, coming through the fire purified and made fitter for his work in the world.

IV

nnHE good brother and sister were a little surprised when Mr. Everson was announced, that evening.

He had not been a frequent visitor at their home, and his sister Frederica used to say that she visited for the whole family. Indeed the intimacy had never extended to Mr. and Mrs. Yates; although on the other side, Gertrude was at home with all the members of the Everson family.

Even on this occasion, when the inquiry had been for “ Miss Preston ” — and Gertrude had answered the summons without much delay — her brother and sister supposed there Was only “ some message ” from Rica, or some plan in which “ Trude ” was to be included, in the kindly Everson way.

So, one read his evening paper, in an undisturbed way, and the other made her good-night visit to the nursery, enjoying the sleepy prattle of the little one, all unconscious of the momentous question which was being asked and answered in the parlor, whither Gertrude had gone!

His offering of flowers revealed itself before she drew the curtain at the doorway. He had always liked to see her enjoyment of flowers. Her eyes, her smile, the very caress of her fingers, as she touched them, told how she delighted in them more than the most effusive words could have expressed.

“ They always make me so glad,” she said softly, as he watched her bending over his gift. “ They seem to tell me that the world is very good and very true, notwithstanding all the dark things which have been said about it.”

Her soft laugh rippled like music on the air.

“ Gertrude,” he said, “ you are very bright, very happy : are you not ? ”

“ Yes, indeed! Why not ? ”

For a moment, he paused. Was he right ? Was there that in his own nature which could respond to this brightness; that which could give nourishment and room to this gladness, and not check nor dull it ?

At least, the yearning in him was very great, and would not be restrained.

He went and stood by her, as she lingered over the flowers.

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“ You see, I am like the honey-bees — loath to leave my sweets,” she said, smiling up at him, but instantly dropping her eyes at his eager gaze.

“ Gertrude, would you think me very selfish, if I asked you to come to me, with your brightness and gladness — to come and fill my life with the sweetness of your song, of your presence and love ? Could you ? Would it seem a dull task ? Would you fear to place your joyous life by the side of mine, so quiet and staid ? ”