ON the evening of the 3d of July Marian drove down in her phaetonto the station for her father, and was not a little surprised tosee him advancing towards her with Mr. Lane. The young man shookhands with her cordially, yet quietly, and there was something inhis expression that assured her of the groundlessness of all thefears she had entertained.
"I have asked Mr. Lane to dine with us," said her father. "He willwalk over from the hotel in the course of half an hour."
While the gentlemen had greeted her smilingly, there had been anexpression on their faces which suggested that their minds werenot engrossed by anticipation of a holiday outing. Marian knew wellwhat it meant. The papers had brought to every home in the land thetidings of the awful seven days' fighting before Richmond. So farfrom taking the city, McClellan had barely saved his army. Thousandsof men were dead in the swamps of the Chickahominy; thousands weredying in the sultry heat of the South and on the malarial banks ofthe James.
Mr. Vosburgh's face was sad and stern in its expression, and whenMarian asked, "Papa, is it so bad as the papers say?" he replied:"God only knows how bad it is. For a large part of our army it isas bad as it can be. The most terrible feature of it all to me isthat thick-headed, blundering men are holding in their irresolutehands the destinies of just such brave young fellows as Mr. Lanehere. It is not so dreadful for a man to die if his death furthersa cause which he believes to be sacred, but to die from the sheerstupidity and weakness of his leaders is a bitter thing. Instead ofbrave action, there is fatal blundering all along the line. For along time the President, sincere and true-hearted as he is, couldnot learn that he is not a military man, and he has permitted alarge part of our armies to be scattered all over Virginia. Theyhave accomplished next to nothing. McClellan long since proved thathe would not advance without men enough to walk over everything.He is as heavy as one of his own siege guns. He may be sure, if hehas all he wants, but is mortally slow, and hadn't brains enoughto realize that the Chickahominy swamps thinned his army fasterthan brave fighting. He should have been given the idle, uselessmen under McDowell and others, and then ordered to take Richmond.If he wouldn't move, then they should have put a man in his placewho would, and not one who would sit down and dig. At last he hasreceived an impetus from Richmond, instead of Washington, and hehas moved at a lively pace, but to the rear. His men were as braveas men could be; and if the courage shown on the retreat, or changeof base, as some call it, had been manifested in an advance, weeksago, Richmond would have been ours. The 'change of base' has carriedus well away from the point attacked, brave men have suffered anddied in vain, and the future is so clouded that only one thing iscertain."
"What is that, papa?" was the anxious query.
"We must never give up. We must realize that we are confrontingsome of the best soldiers and generals the world has known. TheNorth is only half awake to its danger and the magnitude of its task.We have sent out comparatively few of our men to do a disagreeableduty for us, while we take life comfortably and luxuriously asbefore. The truth will come home to us soon, that we are engagedin a life-and-death struggle."
"Papa, these events will bring no changes to you? In your work, Imean?"
"Not at present. I truly believe, Marian, that I can serve my countrymore effectively in the performance of the duties with which I amnow charged. But who can tell what a day will bring forth? Lane isgoing to the front. He will tell you all about it. He is a manlyfellow, and no doubt will explain why you have not heard from him."
"Real life has come in very truth," thought Marian, as she went toher room to prepare for dinner; "but on every side it also bringsthe thought of death."
Her face was pale, and clouded with apprehension, when she joinedthe gentlemen; but Lane was so genial and entertaining at dinneras to make it difficult for her to believe that he had resolved ona step so fraught with risk. When at last they were alone in thedrawing-room she said, "Is it true that you intend to enter thearmy?"
"Yes, and it is time that it was true," was his smiling reply.
"I don't feel like laughing, Mr. Lane. Going to Virginia does notstrike me as a pleasure excursion. I have thought a great dealsince I saw you last. You certainly have kept your promise to bea distant and absent friend."
He looked at her eagerly, as he said, "You have thought a greatdeal--have you thought about me?"
"Certainly," she replied, with a slight flush; "I meant all thatI said that evening."
That little emphasized word dispelled the hope that had for a momentasserted itself. Time and a better acquaintance with her own hearthad not brought any change of feeling to her, and after a momenthe said, quietly: "I think I can prove that I have been a sincereand loyal friend as well as an absent one. Having never felt--well,you cannot know--it takes a little time for a fellow to--pardonme; let all that go. I have tried to gain self-control, and I haveobeyed your request, to do nothing rash, literally. I remainedsteadily at work in my office a certain number of hours everyday. If the general hope that Richmond would be taken, and the warpractically ended, had proved well founded, for the sake of othersI should have resisted my inclination to take part in the struggle.I soon concluded, however, that it would be just as well to preparefor what has taken place, and so gave part of my afternoons andevenings to a little useful training. I am naturally very fondof a horse, and resolved that if I went at all it should be as acavalry-man, so I have been giving not a little of my time to horsebackexercise, sabre, pistol, and carbine practice, and shall not bequite so awkward as some of the other raw recruits. I construedMcClellan's retreat into an order for me to advance, and have cometo you as soon as I could to report progress."
"Why could you not have come before?--why could you not have toldme?" she asked, a little reproachfully.
"Some day perhaps you will know," he replied, turning away for amoment.
"I feared that maturer thought had convinced you that I could notbe much of a friend,--that I was only a gay young girl who wouldn'tappreciate an earnest man's purposes."
"Miss Marian, you wrong me in thinking that I could so wrong you.Never for a moment have I entertained such a thought. I can't explainto you all my experience. I wished to be more sure of myself, tohave something definite to tell you, that would prove me more worthyof your friendship."
"My faith in you has never faltered a moment, Mr. Lane. While yourwords make me proud indeed, they also make me very sad. I don'twonder that you feel as you do about going, and were I a manI should probably take the same course. But I am learning at lastwhat this war means. I can't with a light heart see my friends go."
"Let it be with a brave heart, then. There are tears in your eyes,Miss Marian."
"Why should there not be? O Mr. Lane, I am not coldhearted andcallous. I am not so silly and shallow as I seemed."
"I never thought you so--"
By a gesture she stopped him, as she continued: "I recognized theexpression on papa's face and yours the moment I saw you, and Iknow what it means."
"Yes, Miss Marian; and I recognize the expression on your face.Were you a man you would have gone before this."
"I think it would be easier to go than to stay and think of allone's friends must face."
"Of course it would be for one like you. You must not look on thedark side, however. You will scarcely find a jollier set of menthan our soldiers."
"I fear too many are reckless. This you have promised me not tobe."
"I shall keep my promise; but a soldier must obey orders, you know.O Miss Marian, it makes such a difference with me to know that youcare so much! Knowing you as I do now, it would seem like blacktreason to do or be anything unmanly."
Callers were now announced, and before an hour had passed therewere half a dozen or more young men in the drawing-room. Some werestaying at the hotel, but the majority were from the villas in theneighborhood, the holiday season permitting the return of thosein business. However dark and crimson might be the tide of thoughtthat flowed through the minds of those present, in mem
ory of whathad occurred during the last few days, the light of mirth playedon the surface. The times afforded themes for jest, rather thandoleful predictions. Indeed, in accordance with a principle in humannature, there was a tendency to disguise feelings and anxiety bywords so light as to border on recklessness. Questions as to futureaction were coming home to all the young men, but not for the worldwould they permit one another, or especially a spirited young girl,to suspect that they were awed, or made more serious even, by thethought that the battle was drawing nearer to them. Lane was aleader in the gayety. His presence was regarded by some with bothsurprise and surmise. It had been thought that he had disappearedfinally below Miss Vosburgh's horizon, but his animated face andmanner gave no indication of a rejected and despondent suitor.
The mirth was at its height when Strahan entered, dressed plainlyin the uniform of a second lieutenant. He was greeted with a shoutof laughter by the young men, who knew him well, and by a cordialpressure from Marian's hand. This made the gauntlet which he knewhe must run of little consequence to him. All except Lane drew upand gave him a military salute.
"Pretty fair for the awkward squad," he remarked, coolly.
"Come, report, report," cried several voices; "where have you been?"
"In Virginia."
"Why, of course, fellows, he's been arranging the change of basewith McClellan, only the army went south and he came north."
"I've been farther south than any of you."
"See here, Strahan, this uniform is rather new for a veteran's."
"Yes; never dealt in old clothes."
"Where's your command?"
"Here, if you'll all enlist. I think I could make soldiers of someof you."
"Why, fellows, what a chance for us! If Strahan can't teach us theetiquette of war, who can?"
"Yes, gentlemen; and I will give you the first rule in advance.Always face the music."
"Dance music, you mean. Strahan has been at West Point and knowsthat a fellow in civilian togs stands no chance. How he eclipsesus all to-night with the insignia of rank on his shoulders! Wherewill you make headquarters?"
"At home, for the present."
"That's right. We knew you would hit upon the true theoryof campaigning. Never was there a better strategic point for youroperations, Strahan, than the banks of the Hudson."
"I shall try to prove you right. A recruiting sergeant will joinme in a day or two, and then I can accommodate you all with muskets."
"All? Not Miss Marian?"
"Those possessing her rank and influence do not carry muskets."
"Come, fellows, let us celebrate the 4th by enlisting under Strahan,"cried the chief spokesman, who was not a very friendly neighbor ofthe young officer. "It won't be long before we shall know all thegossip of the Confederacy."
"You will certainly have to approach near enough to receive somevery direct news."
"Gentlemen," cried Marian, "a truce! Mr. Strahan has proved thathe can face a hot fire, and send back good shots, even when greatlyoutnumbered. I have such faith in him that I have already given himmy colors. You may take my word for it that he will render a goodaccount of himself. I am now eager to hear of his adventures."
"I haven't had any, Miss Marian. What I said about Virginia wasmere bluff,--merely made an excursion or two on the Virginia sideof the Potomac, out of curiosity."
"But what does this uniform mean?"
"Merely what it suggests. I went to Washington, which is a greatcamp, you know. Through relatives I had some influence there, andat last obtained a commission at the bottom of the ladder in a newregiment that is to be recruited. Meanwhile I was put through themanual of arms, with a lot of other awkward fellows, by a drillofficer. I kept shady and told my people to be mum until somethingcame out of it all. Come, fellows, thirteen dollars a month, hardtack, and glory! Don't all speak at once!"
"I'm with you as far as going is concerned," said Lane, shakingStrahan's hand warmly, "only I've decided on the cavalry."
"Were I a man, you should have one recruit for your regiment to-night,"said Marian. "You have gone to work in a way that inspires confidence."
"I foresee, fellows, that we shall all have to go, or else MissMarian will cross us out of her books," remarked one of the youngmen.
"No, indeed," she replied. "I would not dare urge any one to go.But those who, like Mr. Lane and Mr. Strahan, decide the questionfor themselves, cannot fail to carry my admiration with them."
"That's the loudest bugle call I expect to hear," remarked Mr.Blauvelt, who entered at that moment.
"Here's the place to open your recruiting-office," added another,laughing. "If Miss Marian would be free with her colors, she couldraise a brigade."
"I can assure you beforehand that I shall not be free with them;much less will I hold them out as an inducement. Slight as may betheir value, they must be earned."
"What chivalrous deed has Strahan performed?" was asked, in chorus.
"One that I appreciate, and I don't give my faith lightly,"
"Mr. Strahan, I congratulate you," said Lane, with a swift andsomewhat reproachful glance at Marian; "you have already achievedyour best laurels."
"I've received them, but not earned them yet. Miss Marian gives afellow a good send-off, however, and time will tell the story withus all. I must now bid you good-evening," he said to the younggirl. "I merely stopped for a few moments on my way from the train."
She followed him to the door, and said, sotto voce: "You held yourown splendidly. Your first report is more than satisfactory;" andhe departed happier than any major-general in the service.
When the rest had gone, Lane, who had persistently lingered, began:"No doubt it will appear absurd to you that a friend should bejealous. But Strahan seems to have won the chief honors."
"Perhaps he has deserved them, Mr. Lane. I know what your opinionof him was, and I think you guessed mine. He has won the chief battleof life,--victory over himself. Ever since I have known you, youhave inspired my respect as a strong, resolute man. In resolvingupon what you would do instinctively Mr. Strahan has had such astruggle that he has touched my sympathies. One cannot help feelingdifferently toward different friends, you know. Were I in trouble,I should feel that I could lean upon you. To encourage and sustainwould always be my first impulse with Mr. Strahan. Are you content?"
"I should try to be, had I your colors also."
"Oh, I only gave him a rose. Do you want one?"
"Certainly."
"Well, now you are even," she said, laughing, and handing him oneof those she wore.
He looked at it thoughtfully for a moment, and then said, quietly:"Some would despise this kind of thing as the merest sentiment.With others it would influence the sternest action and the suprememoments of life."
CHAPTER X.
WILLARD MERWYN.
An Original Belle Page 11
