CHAPTER XXIV
"THEE MAY TELL HIM AT THE LAST"
"A hopeless darkness settles o'er my fate; I've seen the last look of her heavenly eyes,-- I've heard the last sound of her blessed voice,-- I've seen her fair form from my sight depart! My doom is closed."
--_Count Basil._
Clifford started as Sally uttered the word, "trickery," and a deepflush dyed his face. He threw out his hands in a protesting gesture,and opened his lips to speak, but she was gone before he could say aword. He turned toward Peggy appealingly.
"Will you listen, my cousin?" he queried. "Or are you also shocked?"
"Nay, Clifford; I believe that thee intended naught but to have alittle sport," she replied.
"That's just it," he cried eagerly. "Everything hath been sodepressing the last few days that a little diversion was welcome. WhenMajor Gordon came in, saying that you wished to see me, and that afriend was with you who feared to come in unless I was bound, I knewat once it was Miss Sally. When the major suggested that 'twould neverdo for the young lady to find me unbound, the idea appealed to meimmediately. It promised some brightness, a little fun which is all myexcuse, Peggy. I intended naught else. I thought you both would regardit as a great joke. I see now that I should not have done it. It wascaddish."
"I think Sally felt the worst anent thy saying that the cords hurtpretty bad," Peggy told him. "It seemed like an untruth to her."
"'Fore George, Peggy!" cried the youth earnestly, "if she could butknow the trouble I had in keeping still so that those ropes would notfall off she would think it was pretty bad."
He laughed at the remembrance, and then became grave.
"I seem to be unfortunate in more respects than one," he said witha sigh. "First, I misjudge you, Peggy. I can only explain that factby saying that never before had I met any one of like truthfulnessand so straightforward. Then, not knowing that your friends had thesame attributes, I am guilty of injustice toward Sally. Now shemisconstrues what was meant for a jest into a contemptible trick. Oh,it was! I see it now. I' faith! the sooner that execution comes offthe better," he ended bitterly.
"Don't speak like that, Clifford," chided Peggy gently. "I'm goingto Sally and explain the matter to her. 'Twas all a miserablemisapprehension. She will laugh most heartily when she understandsit."
"I don't believe she will, Peggy," he answered gloomily. "She feelstricked. She will never forgive me. You Quakers are queer people. Idid not dream that words spoken in jest would be taken so seriously."
"Well, my cousin, we have been taught that for every idle word weshall give account. Perchance we do not speak with so much lightnessas the world's people."
"'Fore George, you do not," he ejaculated. "But, Peggy, to a soldierthe thought of death becomes familiar. So familiar in fact thateven when we are under its dark shadow if there comes a chance foramusement of any sort we seize it. I would not for the world offendher, Peggy. Will you try to make peace for me? Tell her," he smiledinvoluntarily, "that she is the unreasonable one now; that if she willnot listen she lays herself open to the charge of being English whichwould be a most dreadful downfall from the high estate of being anAmerican."
"I'll tell her everything, my cousin. I am sure that all will bewell as soon as she understands. And Harriet will come to theethis afternoon. Thee must not let this, or aught else make theedown-hearted, Clifford. I am hoping that something will come upto avert this terrible fate from falling upon thee."
But the youth shook his head.
"I have no hope," he said. "'Tis only to please my sister that Ihave consented that she should try to get your general to postponethe execution until she can see Sir Guy. It seems but a uselessprolongation of anxiety. Now as to this other matter: you will go atonce to Sally, will you not, my cousin? Tell her that I am sorry thatI lent myself to such deception, and that I wish she would not thinkhardly of me. I shall never see her again, Peggy, but I like not tothink that she thinks ill of me."
"I'll tell her all, my cousin," promised Peggy as she took her leave."Oh, dear!" she sighed as she wended her way toward Little DockStreet, where Sally lived. "Oh, dear! will naught ever go rightagain? Now just as Clifford gets so that he will listen to Sally thishad to happen! But Sally ought not to hold it against him. She mustnot."
Sally was up-stairs, her mother told Peggy, and slowly she went up toher friend's room. A crumpled heap on the bed told where Sally was,but it did not turn as Peggy entered. She went over and put her handon the head that was buried between two pillows.
"Thee is taking this too seriously, Sally," spoke Peggy. "Don't be toohard on him. After all thee knows that Clifford is just a boy."
Sally turned a reddened, tear-stained face toward her.
"He is to die," she murmured in shocked tones, "yet he jested. Hejested, Peggy."
"Sally, 'tis naught to make such a pother about. Men, especiallysoldiers, regard death differently from the way we look at it. Let metell thee about the matter."
"I don't care to hear any explanation," answered Sally shortly.
"Sally, Sally, is thee going to be unreasonable and obstinate now?'Tis as Clifford said: 'Thee should say naught against the English forperverseness. Thee isn't much better.'"
"Did Clifford Owen say that?" demanded Sally, sitting up with flamingcheeks.
"Nay; but something like it. How can I tell thee what he said if theewill not listen? Or has thee made up thy mind not to listen toClifford's explanation in revenge for the time that he was inlistening to thine?" concluded Peggy artfully.
"Peggy! thee knows better than that. Of course, if there is anexplanation I will hear it. It did not occur to me that there could beone."
"Now that is my own Sally," cried Peggy kissing her. She sat down onthe side of the bed, and began earnestly: "Sally, we must not forgetthat my cousin belongs to the world's people. Many things which to usare of gravity are not so to them, and our belief is as naught if itdoth not make us regard their feelings with charity. Clifford feelssorrow now for the joke, and grieves because thee is inclined to thinkhardly of him." Forthwith she told Sally how the jest had come about,ending with:
"So thee sees, Sally, that thou art somewhat in fault thyself,insomuch as thee said that thee would not venture in unless he werebound."
"I see," remarked Sally thoughtfully. "I see, Peggy. Well, 'tis allright, of course; but oh, Peggy! If--if he had not made me feel sosorry for him. If I had not cried because I thought those ropes hurthim I would not mind so much; though it was in truth ill to jest whenhe is to die."
"But I cried too," soothed Peggy. "Any one would who had the least bitof sensibility."
"Does thee really think so, Peggy?"
"Yes, I do," answered Peggy. "'Twas all in fun, and done on theimpulse of the moment. But he says now that he sees 'twas wrong, andthat he is sorry. Thee must forgive him, Sally."
"Of course if he is sorry it makes a difference," said Sally."Somehow, Peggy, I am disappointed in him. Harriet always spoke sohighly of him, and I liked him so much when he was with us, that itpains me to find him lacking in any respect. Well, if he is sorry,'tis all right."
"And I may tell him so?" asked Peggy eagerly. "I don't want the poorfellow to have aught to wherrit him. He hath enough as it is."
"Yes; thee may tell him, Peggy." Sally slipped from the bed as shespoke and buried her face in the washing bowl. "After all, as theesaid, 'tis naught to make such a pother about."
"Will thee come home with me to see Harriet, Sally?"
"Not to-day, Peggy." Sally began to brush her hair vigorously. "I willcome in the morning. I want to think things over. Thee doesn't mind?"
"No," Peggy answered more troubled than she cared to admit over Sally."Well, I shall see thee to-morrow then."
Harriet and her father were awaiting her when she returned home.Harriet looked weary and a little pale.
"We could not see the Congress, Peggy," said she in answer to Peggy'seager queries. "Cousin David could not obtain
an audience for me; butthe Minister of War, in whose charge Clifford now is, consented thatwe should accompany him to the New Jersey cantonment. He said that'twas General Washington's desire that Clifford should be given everyindulgence suitable to his rank and condition that would be consistentwith the security of his person. He said too that the execution wouldtake place pursuant to the general's orders, and therefore 'twasproper that all pleas should be made to him. We start with thedragoons and officers who guard my brother to-morrow."
It was early the next morning when the start for New Jersey was made.Early as it was, however, Sally was down to see them off. She hoveredaround Peggy, finally saying, with a fine air of carelessness:
"I had a short letter from thy Cousin Clifford, Peggy. If he shouldspeak of the matter, I dare say he will not, thee may say that 'tisall right. That I have no hard feelings toward him."
Peggy caught her suddenly, and held her fast.
"Is that all I am to say, Sally? Is there naught else? Couldn't theegive me one little kind word for him? He is to die, Sally."
Sally struggled to free herself, then unexpectedly hid her face onPeggy's shoulder, and burst into tears.
"Tell him," she sobbed, then looked up at Peggy wrathfully: "If theetells him anything until the very last, Peggy Owen, I will neverforgive thee. Never!"
"I understand, Sally," encouraged Peggy. "Tell me."
"Thee may tell him, at the very last, at the very last, Peggy."
"Yes, Sally."
"Thee may tell him that I think him the finest gentleman I ever knew.There! Of course, being thy kinsman, and because we are such friends,for thy sake, thee knows----"
"Yes, I know." Peggy kissed Sally gently, then held her close. "I havenot told Harriet a word," she whispered. "Oh, Sally! Sally!"
They joined Clifford and his guards on the Bristol road. Peggy couldnot but reflect with what joyousness she and Sally had passed overthis very road a few short months before. How much had happened sincethat time! Fairfax foully murdered, Clifford, her cousin, on his wayto pay the penalty of the deed. Truly strange things were wrought inthe warp and woof of time. So musing, for little conversation washeld, the long hours of the day glided into the shadows of evening,and found them at Trenton where they were to bide for the night. Peggysuggested seeing Governor Livingston, but Harriet demurred at once.
"He would do naught for us, Peggy," she declared. "Have you forgotthat 'twas I who tried to effect his captivation at Middlebrook? 'Tisthat very thing that makes me fearful of meeting General Washington.Were not my brother's life at stake I would not chance it."
The roads were in good condition, the business in hand most urgent,and so they journeyed from early morning until nightfall of each daywith but short stops to refresh man and beast. Through Princeton, andalong the banks of the Millstone to Kingston they rode. Here the roadleft the valley and began to ascend the heights, then along the banksof the Raritan River until Somerset Court House was reached. Peggyturned to Harriet.
"Does thee know where we are, my cousin?" she asked smiling.
"We are coming into Middlebrook," answered Harriet gazing about her."Does it cause you painful thoughts, Peggy? 'Twas here that first youknew me. 'Twas here that I played the spy. Ah! the huts where thesoldiers dwelt are still standing. 'Tis most familiar, Peggy."
"Nay, I am not pained at the recollection, Harriet. Thou art changedin many ways since then. I do not believe that thee would play the spynow."
"You know not, Peggy. I do not know myself. If aught would result ofbenefit to England's cause, I might. I have done other things. I donot know."
"Are you two talking about those huts yonder?" questioned Clifford,who had been riding with Mr. Owen. "Cousin David says the Americanarmy camped here in the winter of '79."
"We know it, my cousin," answered Peggy. "This is where we first met.Harriet and I passed that winter here."
"Tell me about it," he said. "There are many things concerning thatwinter I would know."
So with each girl supplementing the other the story of Middlebrook wastold. Harriet did not spare herself in the recital. With amazingfrankness she related how she had tried to capture both GeneralWashington and Governor Livingston. Her brother listened in wide-eyedastonishment.
"And father let you engage in such emprises?" he queried with painedsurprise.
Harriet smiled.
"I liked the danger, Cliff," she said. "'Tis risk that gives the zestto all undertakings. Life is like food: insipid without some spice.Beside, here was Peggy to rescue me from paying the penalty of myacts. Poor Peggy! she thought she had fallen upon evil days when Icarried her off to New York."
"Poor Peggy indeed!" he agreed briefly; then relapsed into thought.
The road beyond Middlebrook was new to both maidens, and had they notbeen saddened by the knowledge that each mile traversed brought themnearer to the place where Clifford must be left they would have beendelighted with the romantic scenery. Soon the heights of Morristowncame into view. A few miles to the eastward of Morristown lay thelittle town of Chatham. Between the heights and the village lay thecantonment of the Jersey line, Clifford's destination.
Chatham was a pleasant little place. There were many hills in thevicinity, and a fine view of the valley of the Passaic River, whichstream ran through the village. But none of the party noticed hills orriver as they went through the town toward the encampment. Harrietgrew pale at sight of the tents.
"You must be brave, my sister," pleaded Clifford, observing herpallor. "I must meet the colonel, you know. Help me to do so withcomposure. Besides, you will come back here after you have seen SirGuy."
"True," she answered. "I am not going to break down, Clifford. Thereis much to be done."
They were received with extreme kindness by Colonel Elias Dayton, whohad command of the Jersey line. No orders concerning Clifford had asyet been received from General Washington, he told them, save onlythat he must be closely guarded.
"And naught will happen to him until you have had time to see GeneralWashington," he reassured Harriet, moved by her grief at parting fromher brother. "'Tis a most distressing affair, and there is no one inthe American lines who does not desire that General Carleton will giveus the real culprit."
And with lightened hearts Mr. Owen and the two girls proceeded toMorristown, where they were to pass the night.
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