The Silver Highway

by Marian Wells

  “So now you’re reduced to being one of these blubbering evangelicals.”

  “Guess that’s as good a way of putting it as any I can think of right now,” Alex said with a twisted grin.

  Matthew got to his feet, shaking his head, “And there goes my pub-hopping buddy.”

  “One other thing, Matt, and then I’ll let you go. I suppose one of my problems in Boston was that I had an inkling this was in store if I really wanted to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Ever hear of the Underground Railroad?”

  Matthew’s head snapped back. For a moment he compressed his lips and then slowly grinned. “I should have guessed that would be the next step. Seems it’s inevitable, looking back on it all. I must admit I’m curious. Mind telling me a little about it?”

  “Be glad to.” Alex paused. “If you’re so inclined, I’d be happy to introduce you to the bunch hiding in the cabin.”

  Matthew turned slowly. “You mean this boat is loaded with runaway slaves?” Alex nodded. His heart was thumping with excitement as Matt whispered, “Alex, I think we do need to talk.”

  ****

  When Olivia and the cousins returned from shopping, Lem was glooming around the house. Peering over her parcels, Olivia said, “What! You’re alone? We could have taken you shopping with us.”

  He tossed a pillow at her and retorted, “And I would have taken you fishing if you’d stayed home. We made a rescue this morning. A steamboat had stalled. Father had to run into town to buy material to repair a paddle. It split.”

  “For a stranger?” Olivia’s aunt asked as Olivia stepped out of the room.

  “Yes, Mama. Matthew knows him from school, but I can’t remember his name. Matthew stayed with him and is going to direct him back here. He’ll be spending the night.” He turned to ogle Alberta. “You would like him just fine. He has two ears, eyes, I think and—”

  “He’ll do, he’ll do,” Alberta murmured. “And just for that I’ll lock you in the closet for the whole week.”

  Lem caught up with Olivia in the hallway. “Are we going riding this evening?”

  “I need to talk to you about that,” she whispered. Glancing around, she led him into the kitchen and said, “You’ll have a problem unless you can arrange to lend me some dungarees. You won’t want to be seen with me if I have to wear my own riding habit.”

  “One with ribbons and ostrich feathers, I bet. Sure, I’ll give you the clothes off my back.”

  “Shh, you needn’t advertise it. Mothers—”

  “Don’t understand.”

  ****

  Olivia waited in the late evening shadows of her room, but Lem didn’t appear. In the morning she wore her riding habit to breakfast. Matthew’s eyes were amused. Lem said, “Where’s the feathers? Trying to work up sympathy, huh?”

  Matthew chuckled and Lem hissed, “I get you, but it’ll be just this one time. And right now!” She tried to ignore their comments and concentrated on her meal.

  “You and your friend must’ve had some talk last night, Matthew. I didn’t see either of you all night, although I did see your friend’s boat so I know you made it back safe. Did you two get all caught up?” Newton asked. Matthew simply nodded.

  Olivia finished her muffin and wiped her lips. Lem asked, “Mother, will you excuse us? If we don’t get this ride early enough, some of the fellas may see me.” Both of them left the table and headed for the door.

  “Son,” his father warned, “remember, Olivia is a lady. Don’t take any fences.”

  “No sir. In that outfit, I’d never get her off them.”

  They were outside and halfway across the pasture when Lem said, “Angry, huh?”

  “You were the one who didn’t show up with the clothes.”

  “That’s why I wanted to ride out early. Boy, do I have a mystery!”

  “Give,” Olivia encouraged.

  “Matthew has been acting strange lately. I didn’t see him at all yesterday after leaving him with his friend, but I finally saw him late last night sneaking out of the house about the time I headed for your room with the clothes. He looked so guilty I just had to follow. Headed down to the dock. Halfway there, Livie, this fellow off in the bushes calls, ‘Matt!’ and Matthew hunkered down like they were buddies. I was curious, but I didn’t think too much about it.”

  He paused to catch his breath and then said, “Livie, there’s something strange going on. Now, wouldn’t you think a couple of fellows would just sit out there and talk casual like? Well, they were whispering. I bellied up through the grass to hear what they were saying—”

  “Lem! That is terrible of you.”

  “Well, I didn’t find out much before they heard me. The stranger mentioned something about people. He kept saying they. Well, I sneezed, and the two of them took after me.” He paused. “One thing, besides what he said to Matthew, he made arrangements to meet Matthew again tonight. Matthew mentioned your name. The fellow seemed interested. Said something.”

  “What did he say?”

  “I can’t remember, and because he was talking so softly I couldn’t recognize his voice.”

  “Could it be that he was that old friend you rescued yesterday? After all, he did spend the night here.”

  “I thought about that, but that guy’s boat was gone this morning—so I doubt he’s the guy coming to meet Matthew again tonight.

  “Oh, that brother of mine! He has something cooked up.” Olivia murmured. “They. Sounds to me like it’s someone he’s planning on bringing to the party Friday night.” Olivia leaned across and touched Lem’s arm, “You say they are going to meet tonight? I’d give anything to hear what they talk about!”

  “I’d settle for your quirt.”

  “Done. When do we leave? Where did you hide the clothes when you decided to follow after Matthew?”

  “They are stashed in the linen closet.”

  ****

  That evening, when Matthew excused himself from the game table, Lem caught Olivia’s eye and nodded. As soon as Matthew left, she got to her feet, shielding a delicate yawn behind her hand. “Please, I’m so tired. Alberta is winning, and I know it is because I’m sleepy.”

  Quickly she changed into Lem’s dungarees and headed for the back stairs. The night was clear and the moon bright. As Olivia crept down the garden path, she breathed deeply of the heavy blossom-scented air. She also noticed how the crickets became silent at her approach. Suddenly a hand reached across her path and she gasped.

  “Keep still!” Lem’s voice muttered in her ear. “They’re down on the dock. We’ll aim for the bushes and hope they come closer.”

  Crouching, they slowly moved a step at a time. Heads down, they crawled carefully into the heavy undergrowth along the bank. When Olivia raised her head she could see the two dark figures on the dock. They were talking softly, and as they walked along they came near the bushes. Lem squeezed her arm. Olivia pushed her hand against her mouth and strained to hear.

  “Friday night?” came Matthew’s voice.

  Olivia leaned forward but as she did so a stick beneath her hand snapped. The two dark figures turned suddenly and ran toward the spot where the noise came from. “Oh no,” Lem moaned. “Let’s go!” With the shout Lem was off, and Olivia recognized Matthew in pursuit.

  Olivia remained behind and tried to wiggle further into the bushes for cover—but instead her movement gave her away. Spotting the dungarees, the stranger snarled, “There, I knew another boy was with him.” When she knew she had been spotted, Olivia leaped to make a run for home, but two strong arms prevented her getaway. She gasped against the arm around her neck.

  In an instant she found herself pitched over a knee. “Ouch!” The blow landed sharply on the seat of Lem’s dungarees. Outraged, she fought against the hard arm holding her. “Oh!” Another smack was delivered. The voice behind her warned her to stay away, and then the man relaxed his hold and she was off, running up the path after Lem.

  She didn’t stop until she was through the door
and up the stairs. Across her bed she gasped, panted, wiped perspiration from her face, and cried.

  Standing in front of the mirror, she discovered that the mark of the hand was still there, stinging red. Now her outrage directed itself against Lem, and then she was laughing, smothering her hiccuping giggle in the pillow, as she recalled his flight.

  ****

  When Olivia awoke the next morning, she was angry once again. After she got out of bed, she met a subdued Lem in the hallway. He wilted. “Ya got it too?”

  “Was this planned?”

  “Cross my heart. I didn’t hear a thing and I still don’t know who that other guy was.”

  “You might redeem yourself by finding out.” Relief swept across his face, he opened his mouth and then nodded furiously as Matthew appeared, looking tired.

  He threw a suspicious glance their direction as he went down the stairs. Lem look a deep breath, grinned, and asked, “Wanna go riding?”

  She turned away. “Not hardly. I may not sit down for a week.”

  “That fella must hit harder than Matt.”

  Chapter 15

  While Olivia dressed for the party, she thought about the previous evening. Wincing as she recalled the spanking, she puzzled over the questions the whack had raised.

  Slowly she combed her hair into loose, soft ringlets. Wrinkling her nose at her reflection she murmured, “I wonder who that mysterious stranger is? And why are those two so fearful of being discovered?” Then she grinned at the obvious answer. “Of course! Knowing my brother, there’s something he has planned that he doesn’t want me to know about.”

  She heard the tap on the door and turned, calling, “Come.” It was Alberta’s maid. “Oh, Ellie, will you please do something with my hair?”

  The woman settled herself comfortably and picked up the brush. “I brought you some pink roses for your hair. Let’s lift your hair up and tie it with ribbons. It’s too hot for it to hang loose.

  “My, that drawing room looks nice. Lewis, he put flowers all over the place.” She chuckled until she shook. “If you can’t stand flowers, just go to the garden. It’s bare; they’s all in the house.” Backing away, she said, “Miss Olivia, you look just as pretty as a picture. Now you go have a good time. There’s a pack of ladies and gentlemen down there already.”

  Olivia paused at the head of the stairs. She could see Alberta and Lynda standing in the hall below. Their pastel gowns billowed over hoops, making them look like giant blossoms turned stem up.

  After admiring the pleasing rainbow of color dotted among the white-clad men, Olivia started slowly down the stairs, enjoying the scene each step revealed. She saw the one dark coat in the crowd. It was a gentleman standing beside Matthew with his back to the room.

  As she descended the last steps she studied the man. Black was fitting. His dark curly hair rode his collar like an extension of the coat. With his broad, heavy shoulders, she decided he needed the dignity of black.

  Lem came to take her hand and she smiled at him. “You look very handsome!” she murmured, adding with a tiny smile, “It nearly makes me forget last night.”

  He bowed and pulled her arm through his. “Mother wants you over here.” He lowered his voice. “Better not mention last night. I think Mother’s wise. Matt cast one burning look too many my direction.” He guided her toward the dining room.

  When they passed the drawing room, Olivia tugged at his arm. “Oh, that’s nearly enough to make me like the waltz,” she said, watching the violins and bass viols descend upon the piano.

  “But not me,” he muttered with a relieved sigh as he dropped Olivia’s arm and excused himself.

  ****

  It was late in the evening when Matthew came to her with his friend in tow. “Olivia, do you remember Alex Duncan?”

  She turned. The bright blue eyes were sober and serious now. He looked at her quizzically. Had he forgotten her? She hesitated. Surely this isn’t the drunken lout! She was caught off guard and filled with uncertainty as the man repeated her name. This gentleman was the perfect, remote Southerner.

  She recalled the laughing, tipsy youth with warm, bright eyes and tumbled hair. She couldn’t believe this dark, dignified stranger even resembled the youth who had flung her around the kitchen in a wild dance which had ended in that terrible kiss.

  Taking a step back, she surveyed the dark hair, noting the beard, and then her glance fastened on the tiny gold hoop in his ear. Caught by surprise she felt her eyebrows rise. But the next moment she blushed at the amusement in his eyes as he bent over her hand.

  “The kitchen knave.” The words skipped from her mouth.

  “Was I? I apologize, and pray that I didn’t disgrace my mother.”

  Abruptly she backed away, conscious of only one hard, cold fact. This was the voice she had heard last night. This was the man who had spanked her like a misbehaving child.

  She bowed stiffly. “You will excuse me, please? My aunt is trying to catch my eye.”

  During the remainder of the evening she avoided the pair, although she studied them from across the room. The slight blond man in white and the hulking figure in black raised more questions. But as she continued to watch them, she became increasingly fearful for Matthew. The man had an obvious charm as he bent over Alberta. And poor Alberta! That sappy smile; she’s being swept off her feet! Is it my duty to rescue the whole family from that monster? As she wondered, she found herself questioning her violent disapproval of the man. She watched Matthew cross the room to Duncan and Alberta. In a moment Duncan stood, bowed to Alberta, and followed Matthew from the room.

  “Lynda, I’ll be back in a minute.” Olivia hurried after the white and black figures disappearing into the library. The door was open. The music coming from the drawing room covered their conversation as they stood in front of the fireplace with their backs to her. Carefully she slipped inside and stepped into the shadows behind the door.

  “Everything is ready. Meet me on the dock,” Duncan said. Olivia saw him glance toward the door. He stepped close to Matthew and she could no longer make out the words. The black figure moved toward the door, paused and said, “You need to let them know. There could be problems.”

  Olivia fought the temptation to follow Matthew. She pondered the sentence she had heard. As they disappeared down the hall, she said, “I think that man has a strange hold on my brother. I know he is up to something, and I don’t think it’s good.”

  Finally she left the room just as the clock began to strike. Glancing up she murmured, “Midnight. It won’t be long before they all leave.” Even as she spoke, she watched guests begin to move into the hall.

  As soon as she dared, Olivia slipped into the kitchen and ran up the back stairs to her room. Her hands were trembling as she chose a dark, long-sleeved dress and changed quickly.

  Cautiously she crept down the kitchen stairs and slipped out the back door to wait in the shadows. She heard the sound of laughter. Another carriage pulled away from the door.

  Taking a deep breath, Olivia ran across to the garden path. Remembering the previous night, she moved cautiously through the bushes. When she could see the water reflecting moonlight, she stopped to catch her breath. Except for the lapping of water against a boat, there was only quietness. Not even a frog croaked.

  Water lapping against a boat? There shouldn’t be a boat at the dock. Carefully she parted the bushes. There was no one to be seen on the path. Taking a deep breath, she quietly approached the dock. At the far end, nestled in the shadows of the towering oaks, she could make out the shape of a boat. It wasn’t the fishing boat; it was much larger. Walking up close, she waited for her eyes to adjust to the deeper shadows.

  Now she could see the narrow board bridging the shadows and resting on the end of the dock. Cautiously she approached, testing her weight. Again she hesitated, glancing fearfully around before she ran lightly across the plank.

  In the darkness she could barely make out the gleam of polished wood. Above her head
a stairway circled upward. She tiptoed forward, with her hand outstretched. “Ouch!” She collided with something that shifted beneath her hand. With her hand still outstretched, she heard a hollow thunk. It was a long minute before she dared explore the surface with her hand. Firewood! Is it possible this is a steamboat? she thought.

  The chuckle started deep in her throat. A nice, neat little steamboat, loaded and ready to go. Those two! They’re planning on giving me the slip, so that they can go off on a lark—just the two of them. Matt, you should know better! Still shaking her head, she started up the stairs. Holding back the giggles, she imagined their faces when they discovered their stowaway.

  She had reached the deck when she heard the whisper of sound, and a distant thump. She stopped and listened. Could that be Matthew and Alex? Surely there must be someone aboard; it takes a crew to man even a boat this small. Now the sound came from the dock below. Leaning over the railing she saw the two figures, and heard their brave steps.

  Backing away from the railing, Olivia tried to find shelter. There was a hard object against her back. Fumbling, she discovered a doorknob. With a sigh of relief, she cautiously turned the knob. The door gave slightly and then there was soft resistance. Again she pushed. There was a murmur of voices from inside, but the door flew open. She yelled. Immediately she heard the pounding of feet coming up the stairs, from which she tried to run but as soon as she started she felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around her. As she fought, light flooded the air. “You! Olivia, how did you get here?” It was Matthew, and she flung herself away from him. At his shoulder, holding the lantern high, stood Alex. She could see only his frown. Matthew grasped her left arm and demanded. “Tell me, how did you find out about this?”

  “Stop it!” she cried. “You’re hurting me! You needn’t break my arm. I heard you in the library.”

  “Everything we said?”