MERWYN now felt that he had carried out the first part of his plan.He had looked into the murderous eyes of the mob, and learnedits spirit and purpose. Already he reproached himself for leavingMarian alone so long, especially as columns of smoke were risingthroughout the northern part of the city. It seemed an age sincehe had seen that first cloud of the storm, as he emerged from thepark after his quiet ride, but it was not yet noon.
As he sped through the streets, running where he dared, and fortunatelyhaving enough of the general aspect of a rioter to be unmolested,he noticed a new feature in the outbreak, one that soon becamea chief characteristic,--the hatred of negroes and the sanguinarypursuit of them everywhere.
"Another danger for the Vosburghs," he groaned. "They have a coloredservant, who must be spirited off somewhere instantly."
Avoiding crowds, he soon reached the quiet side-street on whichMarian lived, and was overjoyed to find it almost deserted. MammyBorden herself answered his impatient ring, and was about to shutthe door on so disreputable a person as he now appeared to be, whenhe shouldered it open, turned, locked and chained it with haste.
"What do you mean, sir? and who are you?" Marian demanded, runningfrom the parlor on hearing the expostulations of her servant.
"Have patience, Miss Vosburgh."
"Oh, it is you, Mr. Merwyn. Indeed I have need of patience. Anhour ago papa sent a message from down town, saying: 'Don't leavethe house to-day. Serious trouble on foot.' Since then not a word,only wild-looking people running through the street, the ringing offire-bells, and the sounds of some kind of disturbance. What doesit all mean? and why do you bar and bolt everything so timidly?"and the excited girl poured out her words in a torrent.
Merwyn's first words were exasperating, and the girl had alreadypassed almost beyond self-control. "Has any one seen your coloredservant to-day?"
"What if they have? What does your unseemly guise mean? Oh that mybrave friends were here to go out and meet the rabble like soldiers!There's an outbreak, of course; we've been expecting it; butcertainly MEN should not fear the canaille of the slums. It givesme a sickening impression, Mr. Merwyn, to see you rush in, almostforce your way in, and disguised too, as if you sought safety byidentifying yourself with those who would quail before a brave,armed man. Pardon me if I'm severe, but I feel that my father isin danger, and if I don't hear from him soon I shall take MammyBorden as escort and go to his office. Whoever is abroad, theywon't molest women, and I'M NOT AFRAID."
"By so doing you would disobey your father, who has told you notto leave the house to-day."
"But I can't bear inaction and suspense at such a time."
"You must bear it, Miss Vosburgh. Seeing the mood you are in,I shall not permit that door to be opened to any one except yourfather or some one that you recognize."
"You cannot help yourself," she replied, scornfully, approachingthe door.
He was there before her, and, taking out the key, put it in hispocket.
"Oh, this is shameful!" she cried, blushing scarlet "Can your fearscarry you so far?"
"Yes, and much farther, if needful," he replied, with a grim laugh."When you are calm enough to listen to me, to be sane and just,I'll explain. Until you are I shall remain master here and protectyou and your home." Then, in a tone of stern authority, he added:"Mrs. Borden, sit yonder in that darkened parlor, and don't moveunless I tell you to hide. Then hide in earnest, as you value yourlife."
"Would you not also like a hiding-place provided, Mr. Merwyn?"Marian asked, almost beside herself with anger and anxiety.
His reply was to go to the window and look up and down the stillquiet street.
"A respite," he remarked, then turned to the colored woman, and ina tone which she instantly obeyed, said, "Go to that parlor, whereyou cannot be seen from the street." Then to Marian, "I have noauthority over you."
"No, I should hope not. Is there no escape from this intrusion?"
"None for the present," he replied, coldly. "You settled it longsince that I was a coward, and now that I am not a gentleman.I shall make no self-defence except to your father, whom I expectmomentarily. He cannot leave you alone to-day an instant longerthan is unavoidable. I wish to remind you of one thing, however:your soldier friends have long been your pride."
"Oh that these friends were here to day!"
"They would be surprised at your lack of quiet fortitude."
"Must I be humiliated in my own home?"
"You are humiliating yourself. Had you treated me with even yourold cool toleration and civility, I would have told you all thathas happened since morning; but you have left me no chance foranything except to take the precautions heedful to save your homeand yourself. You think I fled here as a disguised fugitive. Whenshall I forget this crowning proof of your estimate and esteem?You see I did not come unarmed," partially drawing a revolver. "Irepeat, you are proud of your soldier friends. You have not learnedthat the first duty of a soldier is to obey orders; and you have yourfather's orders. Obey them quietly, and you are under no necessityto speak to me again. When your father comes I will relieve you ofmy hated presence. If he wishes it, I will still serve you both forhis sake, for he always kept a little faith and fairness for me.Now, regard me as a sentinel, a common soldier, to whom you neednot speak until your father comes;" and he turned to the windowsand began fastening them.
He, too, was terribly incensed. He had come to interpose his lifebetween her and danger, and her words and manner had probed a deepwound that had long been bleeding. The scenes he had witnessed hadwrought him up to a mood as stern and uncompromising as the deathhe soon expected to meet. When utterly off her guard she had shownhim, as he believed, her utter contempt and detestation, and atthat moment there was not a more reckless man in the city.
But his bitter words and indomitable will had quieted her As hestood motionless upon guard by the window, his was not the attitudeof a cowering fugitive. She now admitted that her wild excitementand her disposition to rush to her father, contrary to his injunction,were unworthy of her friends and of herself.
There had been panic that morning in the city, and she had caughtthe contagion in a characteristic way. She had had no thought ofhiding and cowering, but she had been on the eve of carrying outrash impulses. She had given way to uncontrollable excitement; andif her father should learn all she feared he would send her fromthe city as one not to be trusted. What should she think of thatsilent, motionless sentinel at the window? Suppose, after all,she had misunderstood and misjudged him,--suppose he HAD come forher protection. In view of this possibility which she had now toentertain, how grossly she had insulted him! If her father came andapproved of his course, how could she ever look one so wronged inthe face again? She must try to soften her words a little. Woman-like,she believed that she could certainly soothe a man as far as shedeemed it judicious, and then leave the future for further diplomacy.Coward, or not, he had now made her afraid of him.
"Mr. Merwyn," she began.
He made no response whatever.
Again, in a lower and more timid voice, she repeated his name.
Without turning, he said: "Miss Vosburgh, I'm on guard. Youinterfere with my duty. There is no reason for further courtesiesbetween us. If you are sufficiently calm, aid Mrs. Borden in packingsuch belongings as she actually needs. She must leave this houseas soon as possible."
"What!" cried the girl, hotly, "send this faithful old woman outinto the streets? Never."
"I did not say, 'out into the streets.' When your father comes oneof his first efforts will be to send her to a place of safety. Nodoubt he has already warned her son to find a hiding-place."
"Great heavens! why don't you explain?"
"What chance have I had to explain? Ah! come here, and all will beplain enough."
She stood at his side and saw a gang of men and boys' chasinga colored man, with the spirit of bloodhounds in their tones andfaces.
"Now I'se understan', too, Mass'r Merwyn," said the tremblingcolored woman, loo
king over their shoulders.
"Go back," he said, sternly. "If you were seen, that yelling packof fiends would break into this house as if it were paste-board.Obey orders, both of you, and keep out of sight."
Awed, overwhelmed, they stole to the back parlor; but Marian soonfaltered, "O Mr. Merwyn, won't you forgive me?"
He made no reply, and a moment later he stepped to the door. Mr.Vosburgh hastily entered, and Marian rushed into his arms.
"What, Merwyn! you here? Thank God my darling was not alone! Well,Merwyn, you've got to play the soldier now, and so have we all."
"I shall not 'play the soldier';" was the reply, in quick, firmutterance. "But no matter about me, except that my time is limited.I wish to report to you certain things which I have seen, and leaveit to your decision whether I can serve you somewhat, and whetherMiss Vosburgh should remain in the city. I would also respectfullysuggest that your colored servant be sent out of town at once.I offer my services to convey her to New Jersey, if you know of anear refuge there, or else to my place in the country."
"Good God, Merwyn! don't you know that by such an act you take yourlife in your hand?"
"I have already taken it in my hand, an open hand at that. It hasbecome of little value to me. But we have not a second to lose. Ihave a very sad duty to perform at once, and only stayed till youcame. If you have learned the spirit abroad to-day, you know thatyour household was and is in danger."
"Alas! I know it only too well. The trouble had scarcely begunbefore I was using agents and telegraph wires. I have also beento police headquarters. Only the sternest sense of duty to thegovernment kept me so long from my child; but a man at Washingtonis depending on me for information."
"So I supposed. I may be able to serve you, if you can bringyourself to employ a coward. I shall be at police headquarters,and can bring you intelligence. When not on duty you should be inthe streets as little as possible. But, first, I would respectfullysuggest that Miss Vosburgh retire, for I have things to say to youwhich she should not hear."
"This to me, who listened to the story of Gettysburg?"
"All was totally different then."
"And I, apparently, was totally different. I deserve your reproach;I should be sent to the nursery."
"I think you should go and help Mrs. Borden," said Merwyn, quietly.
"It's impossible to send Mammy Borden away just yet,--not tilldarkness comes to aid our effort," said Mr. Vosburgh, decisively."You can serve me greatly, Merwyn, and your country also, if youhave the nerve. It will require great risks. I tell you so frankly.This is going to prove worse than open battle. O Marian, would toGod you were with your mother!"
"In that case I would come to you if I had to walk. I have wrongedand insulted you, Mr. Merwyn; I beg your pardon. Now don't wasteanother moment on me, for I declare before God I shall remain withmy father unless taken away by force; and you would soon find thatthe most fatal course possible."
"Well, these are lurid times. I dreaded the thing enough, but nowthat it has come so unexpectedly, it is far worse--But enough ofthis. Mr. Merwyn, are you willing to take the risks that I shall?"
"Yes, on condition that I save you unnecessary risks."
"Oh what a fool I've been!" Marian exclaimed, with one of herexpressive gestures.
"Mr. Vosburgh," said Merwyn, "there is one duty which I feel I oughtto perform first of all. Mrs. Ghegan, your old waitress, should betaken to her husband."
"What! Barney? What has happened to him?"
"I fear he is dead. I disguised myself as you see--"
"Yes, sensibly. No well-dressed man is safe on some streets."
"Certainly not where I've been. I determined to learn the characterof the mob, and I have mingled among them all the morning. I sawthe invalid corps put to flight instantly, and the fight with ahandful of police that followed. I looked on, for to take part wasto risk life and means of knowledge uselessly. The savage, murderousspirit shown on every side also proved that your household mightbe in danger while you were absent. The police fought bravelyand vainly. They were overpowered as a matter of course, and yetthe police will prove the city's chief defence. When I saw Barneyrunning and fighting heroically for his life, I couldn't remainspectator any longer, but before I could reach him he was prostrate,senseless, and nearly stripped. With my revolver and a littlepersuasion I secured his body, and took it to a hospital. A surgeonthought he was dead. I don't know, but that his wife should beinformed and go to him seems only common humanity."
"Well, Merwyn, I don't know," said Mr. Vosburgh, dubiously; "weare in the midst of a great battle, and when one is down--Well,the cause must be first, you know. Whether this is a part ofthe rebellion or not, it will soon be utilized by the Confederateleaders. What I say of Barney I would say of myself and mine,--allprivate considerations must give--"
"I understand," interrupted Merwyn, impatiently. "But in taking Mrs.Ghegan across town I could see and learn as much as if alone, andshe would even be a protection to me. In getting information onewill have to use every subterfuge. I think nothing will be lost bythis act. From the hospital I will go direct to police headquarters,and stipulate as to my service,--for I shall serve in my own way,--andthen, if there is no pressing duty, I will report to you again."
Mr. Vosburgh sprung up and wrung the young fellow's hand as hesaid: "We have done you great wrong. I, too, beg your pardon. Butmore than all the city to me is my duty to the general government.To a certain extent I must keep aloof from the actual scenesof violence, or I fail my employers and risk vast interests. Ifconsistently with your ideas of duty you can aid me now, I shallbe more grateful than if you saved my life. Information now may bevital to the nation's safety. You may find me at police headquartersan hour or two hence."
"It is settled then, and events will shape future action;" and hewas turning hastily away.
A hand fell upon his arm, and never had he looked upon a face inwhich shame and contrition were so blended.
"What will be your future action towards me?" Marian asked, as shedetained him. "Will you have no mercy on the girl who was so weakas to be almost hysterical?"
"You have redeemed your weakness," he replied, coldly. "You areyour old high-bred, courageous self, and you will probably ceaseto think of me as a coward before the day is over. Good-afternoon;"and in a moment he was gone.
"I have offended him beyond hope," she said, as she turned, drooping,to her father.
"Never imagine it, darling," her father replied, with a smile. "Hislip quivered as you spoke, and I have learned to read the faintestsigns in a man. You have both been overwrought and in no conditionfor calm, natural action. Mervvyn will relent. You lost your poisethrough excitement, not cowardice, and he, young and all undisciplined,has witnessed scenes that might appall a veteran. But now all mustbe courage and action. Since you will remain with me you must be asoldier, and be armed like one. Come with me to my room, and I willgive you a small revolver. I am glad that you have amused yourselfwith the dangerous toy, and know how to use it. Then you must helpme plan a disguise which will almost deceive your eyes. Keepingbusy, my dear, will prove the best tonic for your nerves. MammyBorden, you must go to your room and stay there till we find a wayof sending you to a place of safety. After you have disappearedfor a time I'll tell the other servant that you have gone away. Isent your son home before I left the office, and he, no doubt, iskeeping out of harm's way."
The old woman courtesied, but there was a dogged, hunted look inher eyes as she crept away, muttering, "Dis is what Zeb call de'lan' ob de free!'"
CHAPTER XLIV.
A WIFE'S EMBRACE.
An Original Belle Page 45
