Those Dale Girls

by Frances Carruth Prindle

  CHAPTER XXIII

  There was no announcement of Julie's engagement except to the householdof Wavertree Hall. Her marriage was likely to take place early in thesummer, for Dr. Ware was to attend a medical convention in Californiaand wanted to take her with him. In the event of his doing this, Hesterand Bridget would join them later, for Mrs. Driscoe wanted to be off, aswas her custom, to the Springs and Hester shrank from going into a sceneof gayety. There seemed to be no reason why this plan should not becarried out, for Julie had entirely recovered and except for the shadowof sadness left by her father's death, was quite herself again. She knewit would be their beloved Daddy's wish that she should shape herself tothe events of her life in just the way she would have done had he beenactually among them, and many and many a time her new happiness wasglorified by the thought that he knew and was rejoicing too.

  When Hester came and told her of that ride through the woods withKenneth, her cup was filled to overflowing. For Julie understood hersister better than the girl understood herself and she knew the love shenow bore Kenneth would "grow and grow," as he had said, until it becamea powerful factor in her life.

  So finally Julie's wedding day was fixed and the day before, Dr. Warewith the Lennoxes and, as a joyful surprise above all things, Jack,arrived on the scene. The Doctor told her that this was the Driscoes'idea--to bring them down and surprise her, as Cousin Nancy's guests. AsMrs. Driscoe said to Mrs. Lennox, who laughingly protested against suchan invasion:

  "Virginia is the heart of the country, my dear Mrs. Lennox, and we arethe heart of Virginia--welcome to Wavertree Hall." She was heard toremark afterward to the Colonel that that charming individual lookedlike a thorough-bred Virginian.

  As for Jack, a more ecstatic boy never trod on earth. The girls laughedand cried over him. So did Bridget, who gave him such a hearty smackthat he nearly hugged the head off her.

  There were other arrivals also, that day at Dunn Loring, for Mr. Landorhad come down to have a look at Kenneth, and Sidney Renshawe was oncemore at the Blakes' plantation.

  The latter called at Wavertree Hall that afternoon and Mrs. Driscoe wasin such a good humor over the charming, aristocratic Mrs. Lennox and thelittle excitement of guests which delighted her hospitable soul that sheactually shook hands with him and asked him to join their party thatafternoon--they were going over to camp to see Mr. Landor. That bit ofcordiality was enough for Renshawe. Enough, too, for dear little Nannie,who had witnessed this meeting with mingled fear and delight.

  They arrived at camp just before parade and at Kenneth's tent was anelderly man who proved to be his father. In the general introductionswhich followed, Kenneth's pleasure was very great in this meeting ofHester and his father. She began talking to him at once in her bright,vivacious way, and what was really remarkable,--for he never had thefaintest idea what to say to girls and seldom encountered them, hetalked to her quite at his ease. But then, this wily young woman touchednow and then on Kenneth--just enough to start him on the subject nearesthis heart. It was very near her heart, too. But when had the stern,impassive Caleb Landor talked so freely of his son before?

  As they sat under the "fly" which made a shelter in front of the tent,the girls observed down the line the colors standing in front of theCaptain's quarters and it thrilled them with the pride of patriotism tosee all the men and officers in going to and fro lift their hats andpass bare-headed before the flag.

  The routine of camp was very interesting to Dr. Ware who had livedthrough it, to the girls who had all their lives heard of it, and toJack, who still hoped to be a part of it in spite of his years. So itwas a very talkative if somewhat weary party that returned to WavertreeHall.

  Late that evening there came tearing up the avenue a mounted orderly. Hebrought a note for Miss Hester Dale which required an immediate answer.She opened it quickly. At the end she leaned against the pillar as iffor support. Then she called Julie out from the garden where she and Dr.Ware were strolling and said unsteadily:

  "Read that, Julie dear. I want you to know before I send my answer."

  Julie read:

  "Sweetheart, my orders have come. Since you left I have heard officially. I am to be transferred and leave for Tampa to-morrow afternoon to join the Rough Riders, who embark in a few days for Santiago. Do you think, dear--could you, would you marry me before I go? Would that dear little Julie let you and me go with her and the Doctor to-morrow and make our lives one in the sight of God? Oh, say yes, say yes! But not unless you are sure, dear. I had rather wait a dozen years than have you give yourself to me under protest. Whatever you say, dear, I shall believe is for the best. But, oh! if you could--KENNETH."

  Julie took her sister in her arms.

  "Hester, darling, have you decided?"

  "Yes, Julie."

  "You and Kenneth will come to-morrow with Philip and me?"

  "Yes, Julie."

  "Oh! Hester, my blessed, blessed girlie, it is the most beautiful thingin the world!"

  There was very little sleep for the girls that night. They sat for along while in the window-seat up in their room where the scent of thehoneysuckle came drifting in, talking softly of the past and layingplans whereby their happiness should go out into the world like a strongsearch-light to illumine dark places.

  "It is not always those commonly called the poor who are most in need,Hester. It is the refined, sensitive people who have seen better days,who suffer most. And we have learned, too, dear, how super-sensitiveadversity makes one. I am glad we know these things, aren't you, eventhough the learning of them nearly tore our hearts out? It has broadenedand developed us and is going to make us helpful women in the world."

  "And oh! Julie dear," replied Hester, "isn't it beautiful to think howwe shall be able, both of us, through our--our husbands," stumbling overthe word, "to do things for people. Little things and big things tolighten people's burdens and give them courage, just as so many timescourage was given to us."

  "Yes, darling. God is putting the power in our hands--it is for us touse it wisely."

  Presently Hester said, "I am glad we won our own place in Radnor beforegoing back there again under different circumstances. It makes me feelthat we amounted to something and that if it ever happened thatmisfortune of that sort came again we should be able to keep our headsabove water, to turn our fingers to account. Look at them, Julie,"holding up her hands for inspection, "they are not the same things atall."

  "No dear, they have lost their porcelain transparency which used to besuch a pride and delight but I like them better as they are. They arestrong, capable hands, now, for all their daintiness which you never canlose. I have been thinking lately, that one's hand can be as indicativeof character as one's face. I hope yours and mine will not belie us."

  "We did not much think when we came out of the flat that day that weshould never go back there, did we, old girl? I can't realize it yet. Itseems as if all those pots and kettles and pans and bottles would swoopdown and whisk us off to 'The Hustle' when we get back to Radnor. Oh! mydear, we _did_ 'hustle'! The name did not belie that place! Down here inthis drowsy Virginia I sometimes wonder if it was really we who workedlike that."

  "I know," Julie said, "I know, too, that we should have worked right onthere to the best of our ability all our lives if it had been soordered, but I am thankful, thankful that our energies can act inanother way. We shall have a great deal to do, dear, and the wisdom ofan older experience than ours to help us do it and all the time Daddywatching over his little girls."

  And so at last they lay down to rest, these two little comrades whoseheads and hearts were full of joyous anticipation of a broader field ofaction, a glorious life campaign.

  * * * * *

  Nothing could exceed the simplicity of the wedding that lovely Junemorning. Flanked on either side by Dr. Ware and Kenneth, the girlswalked down the avenue to the gate and across the road with thosenearest and dearest in attendance, to the little chapel wher
e forgenerations the Fairleighs had worshiped and where the previous autumntheir father had put in a memorial window to their mother. The gardensand the woods for miles around had been stripped of flowers to decoratethe chancel, which took on a thousand lights as the mellow sunshinepoured in through the stained glass windows.

  Little Nannie stood up with them--she and Sidney Renshawe, and the dearold Colonel during the ceremony was forced more than once to take offhis glasses and wipe them carefully. The girls were without ornamentsave that each carried a great bunch of white roses gathered in thegarden at Wavertree Hall. Julie wore a certain white mulle gown that theDoctor loved while Hester, to please Kenneth, the simple muslin frock inwhich she had picked blackberries.

  "A bride in a frock just out of the wash-tub!" cried Cousin Nancyaghast. She had never dreamed of such a total disregard of theconventionalities. But when she found Mrs. Lennox was on Hester's sideshe demurred no longer.

  Mr. Landor sat with the Lennoxes and many a strange sensation took holdof him as he gazed first at Kenneth and then at Hester and back again athis stalwart son.

  Bridget occupied a front seat in a state of perfect beatitude. She wasthe first to receive a kiss from the brides when the ceremony was over.Jack was there, of course, immensely relieved at this satisfactoryarrangement whereby all three of his friends were happily married. AndPeter Snooks was there, solemn and dignified, decorated with a gorgeousred, white and blue bow but indignant at this touch of femininity andresentful that he was not allowed to go up and stand with the bridalparty. George Washington and the other servants were in the rear of thechapel.

  After the ceremony they all trooped back again to Wavertree Hall where,on the lawn under a cluster of superb oak trees, where the stars andstripes were waving, a lunch was spread for their refreshment.

  Cousin Nancy, aided by Mrs. Lennox, was the presiding genius of thefeast, while Mr. Lennox, also, came to the front with jests and storiesto relieve the solemnity of the past half hour.

  Kenneth, radiantly happy and looking handsomer than ever in his uniform,was here, there and everywhere, but with always his first thought forHester. She was unusually quiet--subdued by happiness and the thought ofthe parting so near at hand. It was Julie that day whose laugh was themerriest, but then Julie knew something which Hester did not.

  In accordance with a tradition of Wavertree Hall Mrs. Driscoe had breweda punch, a mild but delicious concoction famous at all the Fairleighweddings.

  Mr. Lennox proposed the health of the brides and then the bridegrooms.Dr. Ware toasted the mistress of Wavertree Hall. And so it went aroundfrom one to the other, until, having cheered the President, the army,the navy and the flag, Dr. Ware excited the wildest enthusiasm by bowinglow to Mrs. Driscoe and saying:

  "We lived through other days in Virginia, you and I, Mrs. Driscoe. Threecheers now for a reunited country!"

  How they did shout! There was not a dry eye among them. Then Jack's thinvoice called out:

  "Won't somebody please cheer for the boys that want to be soldiers andcan't?" At which they all laughed and cheered again.

  There were other people who had a secret that day besides Julie. Indeedthey were all in it except Hester--in fact they knew much more about itthan Julie herself, who only knew half. It had been arranged that Hesterand Kenneth should drive with Julie and the Doctor to the station; then,as Hester supposed, she and Kenneth were to have an hour together beforehe took his departure. He had told her that he had left everything atcamp ready to send on, so that it would not be necessary for him toreturn there.

  She was a little surprised when they took such an affectionate farewellof her as well as Julie and before she got into the carriage Mr. Landorhad asked her to step aside a moment with him.

  THE WEDDING BREAKFAST]

  "I shall be gone when you return," he said, speaking with somedifficulty, "and it is proper you should know that I approve ofKenneth's marriage. He talked at some length about you last night andit's a good thing--a good thing. I never had a daughter--"

  Hester kissed him. Caleb Landor had not been kissed for thirty years.

  "Kenneth belongs to us both," the girl said simply, "and we are bothgiving him up but it must be the hardest for you, because you have hadhim the longest."

  "I don't know, I don't know," gruffly, to hide his emotion, "we can't gointo that. I want you to take this," slipping something in her hand. "Ihear your sister requested there should be no wedding gifts for her.Mrs. Lennox tells me that she asked those who wished to remember her toturn the money instead into the Red Cross Fund. No doubt you feel as shedoes. I understand you are much alike. If you will keep that paper anduse it for the sick and wounded later--for we are bound to have them--asa gift from yourself, I shall be much obliged to you. No, don't thankme, say nothing about it. And remember that my house is open to youwhenever you care to come." It is doubtful if Caleb Landor had ever madeso long a speech in his life.

  She did thank him, choking back her tears. Then she thrust the paper inher pocket and later when she had a chance to examine it she found acheck of a thousand dollars, made payable to her, Hester Dale Landor!

  All the way to the station she roused herself and chatted gayly to makeJulie's last moments with her a bright remembrance. Julie was so excitedshe could scarcely contain herself and in order to sit still was fairlyrigid in her seat.

  When they reached the station the train was not yet in sight but on aside track stood a car.

  "What is that?" asked Julie curiously, as they left the carriage.

  "That is yours," quietly answered Dr. Ware, watching the effect of hiswords.

  "Mine? What _are_ you talking about?"

  "Come and see," cried the Doctor who felt like a boy of twenty.

  She ran down the platform, stood still and trembled from head to foot.

  "Hester," she gasped, turning with the old habit to her sister, "Hester,it is 'The Hustle!'"

  "What!"

  "It is, it is!"

  Bridget with Peter Snooks in her arms was waving out the car window.

  "Oh, Philip!" Julie cried. And without another word he took her in hisarms and carried her in the car.

  "If the days to come here," he whispered as he put her down, "are ashappy as the old ones, little wife, I shall be satisfied."

  Hester and Kenneth, who had not known whether or not to follow werecalled peremptorily in and all exclaimed over by Bridget, who havingbeen appointed by the Doctor a reception committee of one, felt this theproudest and happiest moment of her life.

  "Now tell us all about it," said Julie, "but first I am going to makeHester as 'comfy as comfy can be.' You poor little thing, you are notgoing to lose Kenneth to-day. You are both coming South with us. We aregoing to do escort duty to the distinguished young officer, LieutenantLandor."

  "What!" exclaimed the bewildered Hester.

  "We are all going down in 'The Hustle' together, Hester," explained Dr.Ware, while she was made to sit down, Kenneth tucking a cushion underher feet and Julie perching on the arm of her chair. "Julie did not knowabout 'The Hustle'--that was my surprise for her--but she did know thatwe meant to go West by the way of Tampa--we settled that last nightafter you heard from Kenneth--and have you and him go along with us sothat we could all see the last of him. Kenneth and the people atWavertree Hall knew about it. I had to let Kenneth into my secret so hecould send his things aboard. Bridget packed your trunks while you wereat luncheon and got them off without your knowing it and here we allare, as snug as possible, with Bridget and Peter Snooks to keep us inorder."

  "Kenneth," said Hester with brimming eyes but in the old bantering tonewhich always made them laugh, "how dare you have secrets from your wife?How dare you! It's a perfectly scandalous beginning!"

  "Please, you were not my wife then, and I won't any more," he saidpenitently. "Will you forgive me, please?"

  "I don't understand how you did it," said Julie to her husband, wholeaned over the back of the chair on the arm of which she was perching,h
is head on a level with hers.

  "It was not difficult, dear. I had been on the track of 'The Hustle' forsome time. I always intended to capture you all sometime and take youoff for a vacation in her. That was one of my dreams, but I nevermentioned it to certain little girls I knew for fear it would never cometrue. Early this spring I learned that the car had been relegated to acar shed on a Western road--it was not considered modern enough for use.So I ordered it on to Radnor, had it overhauled and thought it would bean ideal place for a honeymoon, eh, little wife?"

  "Oh! yes," she said shyly.

  "And Hester," slipping his hand down over the chair and resting it onher shoulder, "it is your honeymoon, too, dear. I am so glad. And 'TheHustle' is yours as much as it is Julie's. Will you always rememberthat? Kenneth, old man," with a change of tone, "will you come with meand see that everything is aboard? I hear the train, which means that weshall be picked up and taken on in a few minutes."

  Left to themselves, the girls, half-dazed by these astonishing events,wandered slowly about the dear old familiar car, which had sufferedscarcely an alteration. Julie felt it was Dr. Ware's exquisiteforethought which had kept the interior so nearly as they had left it.There was the piano at which she had so often played and sang for Daddyand the great leather chair drawn up close in which he had spent many arestful hour listening to her. Over the piano in its old place hung aportrait of her mother and at one end of the car, looking down benignly,hung their favorite picture of their father--the Major in full uniformwith that spirited look of action which so distinguished him. Over thepicture were crossed two swords, his and the Doctor's; over these higherup was draped Old Glory hanging in splendid folds.

  "Miss Nannie and Mr. Renshawe and Jack, they come over this mornin' an'fixed the flag an' all the flowers you see around everywheres. Jack saidto tell you he done the swords. Didn't he get 'em up fine? They had agreat time over here all unbeknownst to yez," explained Bridget.

  The girls stood hand in hand before the picture. "Oh! Daddy," theywhispered, "dear Daddy, help us to be worthy of all this!"

  CHAPTER XXIV

  They made the run to Tampa in two days. The transports were being loadedwith ammunition, provisions and all the paraphernalia of war as theyarrived and Kenneth went on board with the last detachment of RoughRiders.

  Hester bore up like the brave little soldier she was. There was never atear, though she clung at the last to Kenneth as if she could not lethim go. That was for but a moment. The next she stood erect and smilingon the rear platform of "The Hustle" waving him off. The picture Kennethcarried away with him cheered all the hours of all the days to come. Hehad only to close his eyes to see a slender girlish figure with headthrown back and radiant, unflinching eyes smiling and smiling into hisvery heart. And all through the desperate fight before San Juan when thebullets hissed and all was deafening, blinding chaos, rang her lastwords, "Fight for your country and me--be as brave an officer as Daddy."

  * * * * *

  At the hotel at San Francisco, when our party reached there, was foundan accumulation of mail forwarded from Radnor for the Doctor. A letterfrom his sister was read and handed to Julie with a smile.

  "My Dear Philip," it began:--"Your letter telling me of your engagement and probable speedy marriage to Julie Dale was no surprise to me. I had always known you were in love with her or you would never have been so idiotically approving of all the crazy things she did. I will say, though, that if you intended to marry you might have done worse. I understand from Mrs. Davis and Jessie, whom I saw last week in London (they have just been presented at Court) that the girls were recognized pretty generally by our set before they went away. Mrs. Lennox must have done some campaigning! However, people quickly forget things, and all that vulgar cooking may be regarded merely as the freakishness of two headstrong girls. I hope you will remember that she is headstrong and keep a tight rein over her. As your wife, of course her position in Radnor will be unimpeachable.

  "Now that you are to have a housekeeper I shall avail myself of invitations from English friends and remain here into the winter when I shall probably join Lord and Lady Wynne in a trip into Egypt. I may decide to make England my home. I prefer it to the States and should not under any circumstances think of returning while that tiresome war is going on.

  "The housekeeping keys are in my top bureau drawer, left hand end. Tell Julie I am most particular that the linen, especially that not in constant use, should be frequently aired, and the blankets must go down on the line in the yard once a week. There are other things which a flighty young person should know and which I shall write her at length later. I hope that dog is not to be allowed the freedom of the house. I shudder to think of it!

  "Affectionately, Mary."

  Julie laughed gayly when she had finished.

  "Poor Miss Ware!" she said, "she still regards us as monsters ofiniquity. Am I a headstrong young thing?"

  "Of course," quizzically. "Don't you feel the tight rein I hold overyou?" taking her face in his hands.

  For answer she kissed him, to the embarrassment of Bridget who hadknocked unheard and entered the room at that moment.

  Julie devoted herself to Hester these days and succeeded in keeping herbusy and diverted. Hester's great wish had been to follow Kenneth toCuba, but she allowed herself to be convinced both by him and the othersthat it would be an unwise thing to do. She knew no Spanish and nothingof nursing beyond the limited experience she had gained in caring forher father, and it was the season of yellow fever, to which, hervitality having been greatly exhausted by the strain of the previouswinter, she would be dangerously susceptible. But the old wish to becomea Red Cross nurse was more than ever strong within her and this desirethey all encouraged and approved, feeling that if Kenneth were to belong in the field Hester's happiness would lie in being near him andadministering to the sick and wounded men. So she plunged into Spanishwith an excellent teacher in San Francisco while Dr. Ware brought herbooks on nursing, gave her practical talks on surgery and promised toget her into a training school for nurses as soon as they returned toRadnor at the end of July.

  The newspapers were her solace and despair--they said so little and somuch! With heads together she and Julie devoured them, reading everyword. The newsboys' cry, "Extra, Extra!" filled her with apprehension.She had had but one letter from Kenneth, written as they were about toland with General Shafter at Baiquiri. Before there was time to hearagain, the papers blazed with the news of the desperate attack on SanJuan, and the Rough Riders became the heroes of the nation.

  Hester, scanning the paper with wide eyes, searched for the list of deadand wounded. With beating heart her finger went down the line andstopped.

  "Landor, Kenneth, Second Lieutenant, Troop--, Roosevelt's Rough Riders,wounded in the thigh."

  She lived through the next ten days of suspense like a person in adream. Her impulse had been to start immediately for Cuba, and Mr.Landor wrote that he was going down and would take her with them. ButDr. Ware, the far-seeing, advised them both to wait. News would sooncome direct from Kenneth and it was probable that he would be sent homeon sick leave before they could get down to him. Seeing the wisdom ofthis, Mr. Landor wired Dr. Ware that he should wait. And Hester waited.Julie never left her. She buoyed her up night and day with the beliefthat Kenneth would not die.

  The papers in their later and more detailed accounts of the attack andcapture of San Juan, spoke in high praise of the daring bravery ofLieutenant Landor who had incited his men to the highest pitch ofenthusiasm by his unflinching spirit, which carried everything beforehim. Later in the official report from General Shafter, Kenneth Landor,wounded before San Juan, was given honorable mention.

  Then one day came to Hester a letter in an unknown hand. It was writtenfrom the field hospital and told Mrs. Landor that her husband wasrec
overing; that the operation upon his thigh had been successful; thatMr. Landor's cable to send the Lieutenant home had been received andthat already at headquarters arrangements were being made to get thewounded who could be moved aboard a transport off by the end of theweek. That Landor himself knew nothing of all this, for he was too weakto be consulted, but he, the surgeon, assured her there was no cause foralarm and he hoped when Mr. Landor was safely home again she would gethim well and return him speedily--the troop could not afford to sparefor long so gallant an officer.

  Hester read this precious document until it was worn to shreds. AndJulie and her husband took her back to Radnor as soon as the paperinformed them that the transport had started.

  Dr. Ware and Hester went together to the dock to meet him. Mr. Landorwas too unnerved to leave the house and Julie remained with him, helpinghim through the tedious hours that intervened between the time when aclerk had telephoned from the office to the house that the transport wassighted down the harbor and the moment when the carriage stopped at thedoor.

  They brought him into his father's house on a stretcher, Hester walkingby his side, her hand in his. Weak and wan he was, but smiling, turningfrom one to the other with a hungry devouring gaze that made his fatherchoke and leave the room.

  What a home-coming that was! Very still, lest the invalid be excited,but very impressive, and always to be remembered by those who witnessedit; for hearts spoke through eyes what tongues dared not utter and asuppressed sense of exaltation mingled in their love.

  It is a very beautiful thing to have a hero in one's family. So at leastthought the Dale girls, even though it was a very refractory hero, whosometimes mutinied and always disavowed any claim to distinctionwhatever.

  Under Dr. Ware's guidance, Hester and Bridget took care of him. He washome on a two-months' sick leave and hoped at the end of that time torejoin his troop wherever they then might be; but Dr. Ware, though hesaid nothing, thought it extremely improbable that Kenneth would besufficiently recovered to go into the field before October. By that timethe war might be over. Who could tell?

  Mr. Landor sat for hours at a time in the sick room listening quietlywhile Hester, close to the bed, read the papers to her soldier husband,who never took his eyes off her. And the father did much thinking atthat time. His stern repellent nature was softening under the warmth ofHester's sunny presence and more than once she had looked up suddenly tofind him gazing at them with misty eyes.

  Jack came, too, satisfied to be permitted merely to gaze at his hero.Now and then, as a mark of high favor, Peter Snooks was allowed to lieon Kenneth's bed. The little rascal seemed to appreciate the privilegeand kept very still, sometimes licking Kenneth's hand, as much as to sayhe knew how to behave in a sick room--had he not spent hours at a timewith Major Dale?

  Julie was in and out many times a day, doing a thousand little thingsfor the comfort and happiness of the invalid. She and Hester were nearneighbors, for the Landor mansion was but two doors down from Dr. Ware'son the water side of Crana Street.

  And here in Radnor where they had fought and won so great a victory,"those Dale girls" began a new life.