CHAPTER XX.
THE OLD STORY EVER NEW.
Jaqueline Carrington's heart ached the first time she was taken outto drive, when destruction met her on every side. There was anothersorrowful aspect. Men were getting about on crutches, sitting on theCapitol steps sunning themselves. There was an empty coat-sleeve,some scarred faces, others pale and wan. Yes, they had all escapedmarvelously.
She thought herself the happiest woman in the world. No one, she wasquite sure, had such a tender and devoted husband or splendid baby.Mother Carrington found her affections quite divided, and the days whenJaqueline came over to Georgetown were gala days.
True, Preston Floyd had been already talked of as a member of theHouse of Representatives. Roger Carrington had been appointed to anexcellent position in the Treasury Department, though he was still agreat favorite with Mr. Monroe, and Jaqueline was not jealous. ArthurJettson had come to be consulting architect, and had still greaterplans for the new city. Annis had resumed her school, but she was quitean important little body, and sometimes her mother felt almost as ifshe had lost her.
Lieutenant Ralston found himself an admired hero. He had been cooland level-headed through those days of the panic; and it was admittedthat many of his plans for the defense of the City would have beenexcellent. A new commission was made out, bearing the name of CaptainRalston; and a position was ready for him, when he could fill it, wherehis genius would have full scope.
There were many anxious days over his leg. One of the doctors said thewound would never heal, and that presently it would be amputation orhis life, and considered the delay a great risk.
"Oh, Collaston," he begged, "don't have me going around on a woodenstump! If I was an admiral, now, I shouldn't mind it, as it would addto the glory. But a poor fellow who can't retire on his fortune----"
"We'll fight to the very last, Phil. If you could have been foundsooner!"
"And some poor fellows were found altogether too late. Well, thecountry has learned a lesson, and perhaps with Paul Jones we havetaught other nations a lesson, not to tread on us! Do your very best."
The doctor did it in fear and trembling. For if he cost his patient hislife, he knew it would be a great blow to his reputation.
As for the young lad, he soon began to improve. He seemed quitestranded, for his cousin's regiment had re-embarked and was coastingsouthward. No inquiries had been made about him--indeed, he knewafterward that the cousin had written home that he had been killed atthe Battle of Bladensburg and buried on the field. He was a stranger ina strange land.
Ralston had grown very fond of him, and he proved himself an excellentcompanion. He was one of quite a large household, and his father was abaronet, Sir Morton Stafford. One brother was in the army at home, onein the Church, two sisters were married, and there were four youngerthan himself to provide for. As soon as he could use his arm he wroteto his father, and Dr. Collaston said cordially, "Consider my houseyour home until you hear."
"You are very good to take in a stranger this way," he returned withemotion.
Marian remained with Jaqueline when Mrs. Mason went home.
"I have been such a gadabout of late years," Mrs. Mason said, "thatfather hardly knows whether he has a wife and a home. I must think alittle of him."
"I wish you _could_ stay, mamma!" pleaded Annis. "Why can't you move upto Washington? I like it ever so much better. There is so much to seeand to do, and we are all together here."
"There is Charles. And Varina."
"But Patty and Jaqueline and the babies seem like a great many more.And the rides and drives----"
"But you have your pony. And papa would take you any time with him."
"I like the crowds of people, and the pretty ladies in their carriages,and the foreign ministers are so fine, and to hear the men when theytalk in the House, and the girls give little parties. Oh, mamma, I loveyou, and I want you here, but----"
Her mother smiled. Yes, life on the plantation was dull. And thejealous little girl was being weaned away.
"We are losing our children fast," she said to her husband.
Marian and Jaqueline by slow degrees slipped into the interchange ofthought that real friendship uses. It had not the girlish giddiness ofyouth; both had learned more of the realities of life.
"But did you ever love Mr. Greaves, Marian?" Jaqueline ventured oneafternoon, as she sat with her baby on her lap. He was so lovely thatshe envied the cradle when she put him in it, and liked to feel hissoft warm body on her knees.
"I didn't at first. Oh, Jaqueline, brother Randolph is so differentfrom father! We never begged or teased or coaxed things out of himas you children used to. And mother expected us to obey the instantwe were spoken to. Then--I did not know that Lieutenant Ralston hadbeen up until some time afterward. Dolly found out that he had beeninsultingly dismissed. Papa questioned me about the acquaintance and myvisit to brother's, and was awfully angry. Jack, _did_ you plan it?"
"I put things in train, simply. I did not know how they would come out."
"Papa accepted Mr. Greaves for me. I meant to tell him the story anddecline his hand. But it was quite impossible. I could never talkfreely to him. He did not ask me if I loved him. He had certain ideasabout wives. But he was gentlemanly and kind, and I had no liberty athome. I began to think it would be nice to be free, to go out withoutwatching, to write a letter, to have some time of my very own. I hadsaid to papa that I would never marry him, and he replied that I shouldnever marry anybody, then. Suddenly I gave in. I begged papa's pardonfor all the dreadful things I had said, and accepted Mr. Greaves as myfuture husband. But I felt as if I had been turned into stone, as ifit was not really my own self. That self seemed dead. I went round asusual, and tried to take an interest in everything, but nothing reallymattered. Did you think me queer and strange that Christmas?"
"You certainly were cold, apathetical."
"That is just the word. Papa was formal and dogmatic andarbitrary,--poor papa! it is unfilial to say these things abouthim,--but mamma always seemed to get along. Mr. Greaves was moregentle, and used to ask what I would like; and I do believe he lovedme; pitied me; and I couldn't help feeling grateful. Then when hehad the first stroke papa said it would be dishonorable to withdraw,and he should be very angry if I contemplated such a thing. Dolly'smarriage was on the carpet. She seemed so young, so--yes, silly," andMarian half hid her blushing face. "Could I ever have been so silly,Jaqueline?"
"We all go through the rose-path of sweetness when we are in love,"returned Jaqueline. "I'm silly myself at times. Marian, did you knowthat Mr. Ralston wrote again?"
"Wrote again--then he did not forget?" She raised her soft eyes,suffused with exquisite surprise.
"He wrote when he thought you were free again. I always felt sure youdid not get the letter. He took some precautions, and was confident youmust have had it, though grandpa returned it without a word!"
"I never heard from him. Jane said when your engagement was broken----"Marian paused and flushed.
"That he would marry _me_."
Marian nodded. It had given her a heartache, she remembered. So long ashe married no one he did not seem so completely cut off that she mustcast him utterly out of her life.
"Well, you see he did not. I think now I could not have married anyonebut Roger, if I had waited ten years."
"Then, you know, came Mr. Greaves' death and father's, and mother'sfailing health. I feel quite like an old woman."
"At five-and-twenty! Nonsense! See how young mamma is!"
"She is lovely, Jaqueline!" with enthusiasm.
"I don't know what papa would do without her."
What a beautiful thing it was to be so dear to anyone that he or shecould not do without you!
"You saw Ralston that dreadful morning?"
"Yes." Marian buried her face in her hands. Some feeling of unknownpower connected with her youth shook her, thrilled her; yet she stroveto put it aside. "I prayed I might not go back to that time," and hervoice was tre
mulous; "then when we all thought him dead I--I let myselfgo. It is shameful for a woman when a man has forgotten her."
"He has made tremendous efforts to forget--I know that," and the soundlike a smile in her voice made Marian's face crimson again. "But I amsure he has not succeeded any better than Roger did. And if he shouldbe unfortunate for life----"
"Then I should want to go to him. No one has any right to order my lifenow. Would it be very unwomanly?"
"No. And you must go to Patty's. She thinks it so queer, but I saidyou hated to leave me. Marian, if it comes a second time you will notrefuse?"
"I think I hadn't the courage to really refuse the first time," and shesmiled.
Jaqueline had more delicacy than to repeat what Annis had said, andhad forbidden her to carry anything like gossip, "for a little girl whogossips will surely be an old maid. And you will want a nice husband,I am certain."
"Oh, yes!" cried Annis. "And a lot of pretty babies."
"Then never carry tales."
"But he is always asking me about Marian, and why she doesn't come?"
So they sent word they might be expected on a certain day, and baby andnurse and Annis, as soon as school closed.
How many times, lying here, Philip Ralston had lived over that sweet,foolish, incomprehensible love episode--the obstinate regard, theindignation that had followed it, the hard thrusts with which he hadpushed her out of his memory. She had gone only momentarily. Her sweetyouth had been spent in devotion to her self-indulgent, inexorablefather,--he knew how acrimonious Mr. Floyd could be,--and, then, herstern, rigid mother. Had they taken all her sweetness? He had halflooked for some sign when she had finished all her duties. Mrs. Jettsonhad outlived the romance of it, and lost patience with Marian. Besides,she was absorbed with her own family. There were so many pretty girls,and Marian was getting to be quite an old maid, in the days when girlsmarried so young.
And when he had met her that eventful morning he had probable deathbefore him, and was tongue-tied. Did she think he had forgotten all?
They trooped in together, Patty leading the procession; Jaqueline,still a little pale, but lovelier than ever, with her boy in her arms,and Marian with the lost youth back of her. She was too sincere toaffect astonishment; and he had improved--was neither so gaunt norso ghastly as when he first came. She took his hand--did she make aconfession in the pressure? He felt suddenly self-condemned, as ifhe had misjudged her some way, and humble, as if he had nothing goodenough to offer her. But he glanced up in the soft eyes--her life hadnot been very joyous, she was by no means a rich woman, and if shecared most for home and happiness----
She did not hear what they were saying at first. There was a sound asof rushing water in her ears.
"Oh, yes!" he answered, with an hysterical laugh, "I am to keep my owntwo legs to go upon. I owe it all to Collaston, who stood between meand surgeons' knives, and brandished his war club until they retreated.I shall lie here in supreme content until he bids me arise and walk."
What was it went over Marian's face. Not disappointment, but aninexplicable tenderness, as if she could have taken up the burdencheerfully, as if she were almost casting about for some other burden.
"Poor girl!" he said to himself; "she has devoted her sweetest years toothers, and someone ought to pay her back in love's own coin."
Stafford had improved greatly and gained flesh. He had a fair, ratherruddy English complexion and light hair, with the unusual accompanimentof dark-brown eyes; and, though rather unformed, had a fine physique,which was as yet largely in the bone, but would some day have muscleand flesh.
The loss and ruin of Washington had been news to Ralston, though hehad known the march of the vandals was inevitable. Annis interestedand amused him in her talk. She was a very pronounced patriot in thesedays.
Eustace Stafford seemed quite bewitched with her. He came over everyafternoon to bring word of Ralston, and perhaps to have an encounter ofwords with Annis. This day, while there were so many to entertain hisfriend, he stole off to school to walk home with her, though there wasnot a cloud in the sky that could give him a shadow of excuse.
She was going to walk some distance with one of her mates. "Perhaps itwould tire you," she said mischievously.
"I have been in the house all the morning," was the reply.
"Did they bring the baby? It's the most beautiful baby in the world,isn't it?"
"I haven't seen all the babies in the world----" a little awkwardly.
"But he ought to be able to tell whether one is pretty or not, oughtn'the, Eliza?"
Eliza, thus appealed to, hung her head and said, "Perhaps----"frightened and yet delighted to comment on a young man's taste.
"Perhaps British babies are different," was Annis' rather teasingcomment.
"I think babies are a good deal alike----"
"No, they are not," and she put on a pretty show of indignation. "Ithink you are not capable of judging."
"I am sure I am not," he said with alacrity. "They're kept in a nurseryat home, you know, and have a playground out of the way somewheres."
"I am very glad I am not an English child, aren't you, Eliza? Poorthings! to be stuck out in a back yard!"
"My aunt and cousin are going to England as soon as traveling issafe," said Eliza, with a benevolent intention of pouring oil upon thetroubled waters. "He is going to some college."
"There are fine colleges in England. There are very few here."
"We haven't so many people. Charles--that's my brother--went throughHarvard, which is splendid, when he was spending some time in Boston.And he may go to Columbia. That's in New York, where he is at school."
"New York is a large city. The English held it in the RevolutionaryWar."
"But they had to march out of it," said the patriot. "And they had tomarch away from Baltimore. And now they will have to march away fromthe whole United States, after they have done all the harm they couldand killed off the people and almost murdered poor Lieutenant Ralston."
"But that is war. I'm sorry there should ever be war. I wouldn't haveit if I was a king. But your people declared war," remembering that.
"How could we help it, when our poor sailors were snatched from theirown vessels and made to fight against us or be beaten to death? Do yousuppose we can stand _everything_? We were altogether in the right,weren't we, Eliza?"
Eliza glanced furtively at the very good-looking face, scarlet withanger and mortification, and wondered how Annis could get in such atemper with him.
"I don't know about the causes of war," she said hesitatingly. "Somepeople blame Mr. Madison----"
"There are Tories always. I've heard papa tell how many there were inthe Revolutionary War. But, you see, we wouldn't have won if we had nothad right on our side," she added triumphantly.
"But Napoleon won in a great many battles," Stafford ventured.
"Perhaps he was right _then_," with emphasis.
This casuistry nonplussed the English boy. If Annis wasn't so sweet andpretty----
Eliza had to say good-by reluctantly.
"Let us go this way," proposed Annis.
"This way" brought them to the defaced and injured Capitol. Annis'scarlet lip curled.
"It is a shame," he acknowledged. "And--if it will do you any good,I'm awfully sorry that I came over to fight. But, you see, we don'tunderstand. So many people think that after all England did for theColonies, they had no right to rebel, and that she still has someclaims----"
"All she did!" exclaimed the fiery censor. "She persecuted thePuritans, and they came over to a horrid wilderness. She took NewYork away from the Dutch. And she sent shiploads of convicts over toVirginia to be a great trouble to the nice people who had grants ofland. And she said we shouldn't trade anywhere----"
"If the heads of government could understand; or if the people couldsee how fine and heroic and noble the Americans are, I think they wouldrefuse to come over and fight them. I am glad they are going away. Andwhen I get home I shall tell everybody how
brave they are, and of thesplendid homes they have made. And perhaps if Captain Ralston hadn'tstopped to give me a drink and bandage my wound he might have founda better place of refuge. I know _my_ father will be grateful, for Ithink he saved my life, and came mighty near losing his own. I shallalways be glad I didn't really fight. I was struck before I fired mymusket. And Dr. Collaston is just like a brother. I like you all so. Ishall hate to go away." The words poured out with confused rapidity.
"I hope you will have the courage to tell the truth," she repliedseverely. "I have heard that some of the English think we are black,like the slaves they brought over to us. And, do you know, they havebeen stealing them again and carrying them off to the Bermudas. Or theybelieve we have turned into wild Indians."
"They don't know," he said again weakly.
"Wasn't Mr. Adams over there a long while--and the great Mr. BenjaminFranklin, and Mr. Jay, and ever so many others? We send a minister tothem--not a real preacher," in a gracious, explanatory way that madeher more fascinating than ever, "but to discuss affairs; so they oughtto know whether we are black or white."
"Oh, they do at court! If I could make you understand----" his boyishface full of perplexity.
"I think I _do_ understand when I see Washington in ruins. And I shallbe glad when every Englishman goes back. We don't go over to Englandand burn and destroy."
He had a vague idea there was something to be said for his side, buthe did not just know what. It seemed rather ungrateful, too, as he wasa pensioner on the hospitality of her brother-in-law. It was extremelymortifying, since his cousin had been intrusted with money for him. Sohe was silent, but that did not suit the little lady, who enjoyed thewarfare like a born soldier.
She was always "saving up" disgraceful incidents she heard, to tell him.
"You are pretty hard on the young fellow," Roger said to her one day."We must forgive him a good deal for his devotion to Ralston."
"But think how you and doctor brother went out and gathered up thewounded, and there were some British among them as well. _He_ ought tobe very grateful."
"I think he is. And he is a nice lad."
Their skirmishes were very amusing to the family. Patty really admiredthe young fellow, he seemed such a big, innocent-hearted boy; but sheenjoyed posting Annis as to her side of the argument.
"Are you going?" Captain Ralston said to Marian as they were makingpreparations for departure.
"You--you do not need me," she murmured as, holding her hand, he drewher down nearer the pillow.
"I suppose everybody else does," he declared pettishly. "You neverconsidered me. You did not really care----"
There were tears in her eyes as she tried to turn away.
"Perhaps when the others are all dead and gone, and I am an old man,you may remember what you confessed those two blessed days. Or you mayrecall it over my grave."
"I deserve it all," she returned meekly. "I tried--oh, yes, I did; butI _was_ weak----"
"Is it too late to go back?"
"Come, Polly!" cried Jaqueline. Sukey, the general factotum at theCarringtons', called Marian "Miss Polly." "Can't be boddered wid nosech outlandish name as Miss Ma'yan--dat kinks my tongue up like a bita 'yalum,'" she declared.
"Polly--you will come to-morrow?"
"Yes--yes," with a scarlet face. "If you want me."
"I want you. I have a great deal to say to you."
But it took many to-morrows to get it all said. There were rough placesand doubts, intensified by the experiences Ralston had gone through,and the nervous strain of not only the long illness, but the almostcertainty there had been at one time of his losing his leg. That dangerwas really over, but a great deal of carefulness had to be observed.And few indeed can bring back the sparkle to the cup of youth, when thefreshness is no longer there.
Marian grew more girlish, as if the hands of time were running theother way. The force that had impelled her to middle life was removed.She had gained a certain experience, quite different from the man whohad been mixing with the world. But what mattered when they came backto the level of love?
Congress held its session at Blodgett's Hotel. It is true there wereheated discussions on the terms of peace, contradictions, and dogmaticassertions. Perhaps the meetings at the Octagon House, and the sweet,affable mistress had much to do with softening asperities. Everybody,it seemed, came, and it was conceded that we had gained a good deal inthe respect of foreign nations. Commerce took on a brisk aspect. Warvessels came into port, and though they did not lay aside all theirdefenses,--for the high seas were still infested with privateers,--theytook on the cargoes of industry instead of munitions of war. It wasfound now that we had made strides in manufacturing ordinary goods,though women were delighted with the thought of once more procuringsilks, satins, velvets, and lace without extraordinary risks.
Eustace Stafford spent much of his time exploring Washington, takinglong walks and numerous drives with the doctor. The beautiful Potomac,the towns along its edge, the falls that in a cold spell had justenough ice to make them wonderful and fairy-like, Port Tobacco thathad once been a thriving place, the inlets and creeks and the fineand varied Virginia shore, and the magnificent Chesapeake dotted withislands. And there was Annapolis, destined to grow more famous as yearswent on.
He had not half explored the country when word came from his father,inclosing a draft to bring him home and reimburse the friends who hadsheltered him with such cordiality.
"I am sorry enough to leave you," he said with deep emotion. "I feellike becoming an out-and-out American, but I shall never be a soldier."
"Not in case of necessity?" said Patty with charming archness.
"Of course if I had a home here I should defend it to the last drop ofblood in my veins--yes, even against my own kindred," and he blushedwith a feeling akin to ardent patriotism that surprised himself. "Ithink we only need to understand each other's governments better to begood friends. There is something grand here. It may be the largeness ofeverything, and the aspirations, the sense of freedom, and--well, thatcertain equality. You are not bound about by rigid limits."
Mr. Carrington said Stafford must go to one levee, though that therewere such throngs now that it was hardly comfortable. Ralston insistedthat he also must pay his respects to Mrs. Madison, for now he couldget about on crutches, but it was not considered safe to bear any greatweight upon his injured limb as yet.
It was quite a fine scene, Stafford admitted. There was a great varietyin dress, the older men keeping to the Continental style largely, withflowing frills to their shirt fronts and lace ruffles at their wrists,velvet smallclothes and silk stockings, and hair tied with a blackribbon or fastened in a small silk bag.
Some of the younger men wore their hair curling over their shoulders.There were gorgeous waistcoats, the upper part flowered satin, andthen a finishing of scarlet that came halfway to the knee, the coatsturned back and faced with bright colors. Mrs. Madison was resplendentin her red turban, with nodding ostrich plumes, and the row of shortblack curls across her white forehead, and her gown of cream satin, ofso deep a tint as to be almost yellow, with its abundant trimming ofscarlet velvet.
Ralston was quite a hero for his misfortunes and his counsels, whichhad averted some disaster and would have saved much more if they hadbeen followed. Everybody could see the blunders and the supineness thathad really invited such a catastrophe. But peace had softened many ofthe animadversions, and the charming sweetness of the first lady ofthe land healed many differences. It was true that the two later yearsof the administration went far toward redeeming the mistakes of theearlier part.
Annis had plead hard to go, but Jaqueline had not thought it best.
"You and Mr. Stafford will be sure to get in a quarrel," she saidlaughingly. "There will be plenty of levees for you to attend when youare older. And the Octagon House has not the room of the poor burnedmansion. It is always crowded."
Then Eustace Stafford said good-by with great grief to the people hehad come to
fight, and found among them the warmest of friends. He hadnot been alone in his experience.
Before Congress adjourned a bomb was thrown into the camp. SinceWashington was a heap of ruins and would have to be rebuilt, why notremove it to some more advantageous location?