"I don"t know just how it happened," Katy replied, "but believe it resulted from the carelessness of a servant in leaving him alone, or something."
"A servant!" Marian repeated, a flush rising to her cheek and a strange light flashing on her eye.
She had heard all she cared to hear of the Camerons that day, and she was glad when Helen returned from the village, as her appearance diverted Katy"s mind into another channel, and in examining the dress tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs which Helen had brought, she forgot to talk of Jamie Cameron.
The tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs, fringe and b.u.t.tons were for the wedding dress, the one in which Katy was to be married, and which Helen reserved the right to make to herself. Miss Hazelton must fit it, of course, but to her belonged the privilege of making it, every st.i.tch; Katy would think more of it if she did it all, she said; but she did not confess how the bending over that one dress, both early and late, was the escape valve for the feeling which otherwise would have found vent in pa.s.sionate tears. Helen was very wretched during the pleasant May days she usually enjoyed so much, but over which now a dark pall was spread, shutting out all the brightness and leaving only the terrible certainty that Katy was lost to her forever--bright, frolicsome Katy, who, without a shadow on her heart sported amid the bridal finery, unmindful of the anguish tugging at the hearts of both the patient women, Marian and Helen, who worked on so silently, reserving their tears for the night time, when Katy lay sweetly sleeping and dreaming of Wilford Cameron. Helen had ceased to think that Hiss Hazelton had any designs on Dr. Grant, for her manner toward Uncle Ephraim was just as soft and conciliating, and she dismissed that subject from her mind with the reflection that it was the nature of some girls to be very pretty to the gentlemen, without meaning any harm. She liked Marian on the whole, regarding her as a quiet woman, who knew her business and kept to it, but never guessing that her feelings, too, were stirred to their very depths as the bridal preparations progressed. She only knew how wretched she was herself, and how hard it was to fight her tears back as she bent over the plaided silk, weaving in with every st.i.tch a part of the clinging love which each day grew stronger for the only sister, who would soon be gone, leaving her alone. Only once did she break entirely down, and that was when the dress was done and Katy tried it on, admiring its effect, and having a second gla.s.s brought that she might see it behind.
"Isn"t it lovely?" she exclaimed; "and the more valuable because you made it, I shall think of you every time I wear it," and the impulsive girl found her arms around Helen"s neck, kissing her lovingly, while Helen sank into a chair and sobbed aloud: "Oh, Katy, darling Katy! you won"t forget me when you are rich and admired and can have all you want?
You will remember us here at home, so sad and lonely? You don"t know how desolate it will be, knowing you are gone, never to come back again, just as you go away."
In an instant Katy was on her knees before Helen whom she tried to comfort by telling her how she should come back, come often, too, staying a long while; and that when she had a city home of her own she should live with her for good, and they would be so happy.
"I cannot quite give Wilford up to please you," she said, when that gigantic sacrifice suggested itself as something which it was possible Helen might require of her; "but I will do anything else, only please don"t cry, darling Nellie--please don"t cry. It spoils all my pleasure,"
and Katy"s soft hands wiped away the tears running so fast over her sister"s face.
After that Helen did not cry again in Katy"s presence, but the latter knew she wanted to and it made her rather sad, particularly when she saw reflected in the faces of the other members of the family the grief she had witnessed in Helen. Even Uncle Ephraim was not as cheerful as usual, and once when Katy came upon him in the woodshed chamber, where he was sh.e.l.ling corn, she found him resting from his work and looking from the window far off across the hills, with a look which made her guess he was thinking of her, and stealing up beside him she laid her hand upon his wrinkled face, whispering softly: "Poor Uncle Eph, are you sorry, too?"
He knew what she meant, and the aged chin quivered, while a big tear dropped into the tub of corn, as he replied: "Yes, Katy-did--very sorry."
That was all he said, and Katy, after smoothing his cheek a moment kissed his silvery hair and then stole away, wondering if every girl"s family felt so badly before she was married, and wondering next if the love to which she was going was equal to the love of home, which, as the days went by, grew stronger and stronger, enfolding her in a mighty embrace, which could only be severed by bitter tears and fierce heart-pangs, such as death itself sometimes brings. In that household there was, after Katy, no one glad of that marriage except the mother, and she was only glad because of the position it would bring to her daughter. But among them all Morris suffered most, and suffered more because he had to endure in secret, to cover up his sorrow so that no one guessed the pain it was for him to go each day where Katy was, and watch her as she sometimes donned a part of her finery for his benefit, asking him once if he did not almost wish he were in Wilford"s place, so as to have as pretty a bride as she should make. Then Marian Hazelton glanced up in time to see the expression of his face, a look whose meaning she readily recognized, and when Dr. Grant left the farmhouse that day, another than himself knew of his love for Katy, drawing her breath hurriedly as she thought of taking back the words "I never will,"
of revoking the decision and telling Katy what Wilford Cameron should have told her long before. But the wild wish fled, and Wilford"s secret was safe, while Marian watched Morris Grant with a pitying interest as he came among them, speaking always in the same kind, gentle tone, and trying so hard to enter into Katy"s joy.
"His burden is greater than mine. G.o.d help us both," Marian said, as she resumed her work.
And so amid joy and gladness, silent tears and breaking hearts the preparations went on until all was done, and only three days remained before the eventful tenth. Marian Hazelton was going home, for she would not stay at the farmhouse until all was over, notwithstanding Katy"s entreaties, joined to those of Helen.
"Perhaps she would come to the church," she said, "though she could not promise;" and her manner was so strange as she gathered up her things that Katy wondered if in any way she could have been offended, and at last said to her timidly, as she stood with her bonnet on waiting for Uncle Ephraim: "You are not angry with me for anything, are you?"
"Angry with you!" and Katy never forgot the glitter of the tearful eyes, or their peculiar expression as they turned upon her. "No, oh, no; I could not be angry with you, and yet, Katy Lennox, some in my position would hate you, contrasting your prospects with their own; but I do not; I love you; I bless you, and pray that you may be happy with your husband; honor him, obey him if need be, and above all, never give him the slightest cause to doubt you. You will have admirers, Katy Lennox.
In New York others than your husband will speak to you words of flattery, but don"t you listen. Remember what I tell you; and now, again, G.o.d bless you."
She touched her lips to Katy"s forehead, and when they were withdrawn there were great tears there which she had left! Marian"s tears on Katy"s brow; and truly, it was very meet that just before her bridal day Wilford Cameron"s bride should receive such baptism from Marian Hazelton.
CHAPTER IX.
BEFORE THE MARRIAGE.
On the morning of the ninth day of June, 18--, Wilford Cameron stood in his father"s parlor, surrounded by the entire family, who, after their usually early breakfast, had a.s.sembled to bid him good-by, for Wilford was going for his bride, and it would be months, if not a year, ere he returned to them again. They had given him up to his idol, asking only that none of the idol"s family should be permitted to cross their threshold, and also that the idol should not often be allowed the privilege of returning to the place from whence she came. These restrictions had emanated from the female portion of the Cameron family, the mother, Juno and Bell. The father, on the contrary, had sworn roundly as he would sometimes swear at what he called the contemptible pride of his wife and daughters. Katy was sure of a place in his heart just because of the pride which was building up so high a wall between her and her friends, and when at parting he held his son"s hand in his, he said:
"I charge you, Will, be kind to that young girl, and don"t, for Heaven"s sake, go to cramming her with airs and nonsense which she does not understand. Tell her I"ll be a father to her; her own, you say, is dead, and give her this as my bridal present."
He held out a small-sized box containing a most exquisite set of pearls, such as he fancied would be becoming to the soft, girlish beauty Wilford had described. Something in his father"s manner touched Wilford closely, making him resolve anew that if Kitty were not happy as Mrs. Cameron it should not be his fault. His mother had said all she wished to say, while his sisters had been gracious enough to send their love to the bride, Bell hoping she would look as well in the poplin and little plaid as she had done. Either was suitable for the wedding day, Mrs. Cameron said, and she might take her choice, only Wilford must see that she did not wear with the poplin the gloves and belt intended for the silk; country people had so little taste, and she did want Katy to look well, even if she were not there to see her. And with his brain a confused medley of poplins and plaids, belts and gloves, pearls and Katy, Wilford finally tore himself away, and at three o"clock that afternoon drove through Silverton village, past the little church which the Silverton maidens were decorating with flowers, pausing a moment in their work to look at him as he went by. Among them was Marian Hazelton, but she did not look up, she only bent lower over her work, thus hiding the tear which dropped from the delicate buds she was fashioning into the words, "Joy to the Bride," intending the whole as the center of the wreath to be placed over the altar just where all could see it.
"The handsomest man I ever saw," was the verdict of most of the girls as they came hack to their work, while Wilford drove on to the farmhouse where Katy had been so anxiously watching for him.
When he came in sight, however, and she knew he was actually there, she ran away to hide her blushes and the feeling of awe which had come suddenly over her for the man who was to be her husband. But Helen bade her go back, and so she went coyly in to Wilford, who met her with loving caresses, and then put upon her finger the superb diamond which he said he had thought to send as a pledge of their engagement, but had finally concluded to wait and present himself. Katy had heard much of diamonds, and seen some in Canandaigua; but the idea that she, plain Katy Lennox, would ever wear them, had never once entered her mind; and now as she looked at the brilliant gem sparkling upon her hand, she felt a thrill of something more than joy at that good fortune which had brought her to diamonds. Vanity, we suppose it was--such vanity as was very natural in her case, and she thought she should never tire of looking at the precious stone; but when Wilford showed her next the plain broad band of gold, and tried it on her third finger, asking if she knew what it meant, the true woman spoke within her, and she answered, tearfully:
"Yes, I know, and I will try to prove worthy of what I shall be to you when I wear that ring for good."
Katy was very quiet for a moment as she sat with her head nestled against Wilford"s bosom, but when he observed that she was looking tired, and asked if she had been working hard, the quiet fit was broken, and she told him of the dress "we had made," that "we" referring solely to Helen and Marian, for Katy had hardly done a thing. But it did not matter; she fancied she had, and she asked if he did not wish to see her dresses. Wilford knew it would please Katy, and so, though he cared very little about it, he followed her into the adjoining room where they were still spread out upon the tables and chairs, with Helen in their midst, ready to pack them away. Wilford thought of Mrs. Ryan and the check, but he shook hands with Helen very civilly, saying to her, playfully:
"I suppose that you are willing I should take your sister with me this time."
Helen could not answer, but turned away to hide her face, while Katy showed to her lover one dress after another, until she came to the little plaid, which, with a bright blush she told him "was the very thing itself--the one intended for to-morrow, and asked if he did not like it."
Wilford could not help telling her yes, for he knew she wished him to do so, but in his heart he was thinking bad thoughts against the wardrobe of his bride-elect--thoughts which would have won for him the t.i.tle of hen-huzzy from Helen, could she have known them. And yet Wilford did not deserve that name. Accustomed all his life to hearing dress discussed in his mother"s parlor, and in his sister"s boudoir, it was natural he should think more of it and notice it more than Morris Grant would do, while for the last five weeks he had heard at home of little else than the probably _tout ensemble_ of Katy"s wardrobe, bought and made in the country, his mother deciding finally to write to her cousin, Mrs.
Harvey, who boarded at the Revere, and have her see it before Katy left the city. Under these circ.u.mstances, it was not strange that Wilford did not enter into Katy"s delight, even after she told him how Helen had made every st.i.tch of the dress herself, and that it would on that account be very dear to her. This was a favorable time for getting the poplin off his mind, and with a premonitory ahem, he said: "Yes, it is very nice, no doubt; but," and here he turned to Helen, "after Mrs.
Ryan"s services were declined, my mother determined to have two dresses fitted to Sister Bell, who I think is just Katy"s size and figure. I need not say"--and his eyes still rested on Helen, who gave him back an unflinching glance--"I need not say that no pains have been spared to make these garments everything they should be in point of quality and style. I have them in my trunk," and, tuning now to Katy, "it is my mother"s special request that one of them be worn to-morrow. You could take your choice, she said--either was suitable. I will bring them for your inspection."
He left the room, while Helen"s face resembled a dark thundercloud, whose lightnings shone in her flashing eyes as she looked after him and then back to where Katy stood, bewildered and wondering what was wrong.
"Who is Mrs. Ryan?" she asked. "What does he mean?" but before Helen could command her voice to explain, Wilford was with them again, bringing the dresses, over which Katy nearly went wild.
She had never seen anything as elegant as the rich heavy poplin or the soft l.u.s.trous silk, while even Helen acknowledged that there was about them a finish which threw Miss Hazelton"s quite in the shade.
"Beautiful!" Katy exclaimed; "and trimmed so exquisitely! I do so hope they will fit!"
"I dare say they will," Wilford replied, enjoying her appreciation of his mother"s gift. "At all events they will answer for to-morrow, and any needful alterations can be made in Boston. Which will you wear?"
"Oh, I don"t know. I wish I could wear both. Helen, which shall I?" and Katy appealed to her sister, who could endure no more, but hid her head among the pillows of the bed and cried.
Katy understood the whole, and dropping upon the floor the silk to which she inclined the most, she flew to Helen"s side, and whispered to her: "Don"t, Nellie, right before Wilford. I won"t wear either of them.
I"ll wear the one you made. It was mean and vain in me to think of doing otherwise."
During this scene Wilford had stolen from the room, and with him gone Helen was herself, capable of judging candidly and sensibly. She knew the city silk, which cost three dollars per yard, and was fastened with b.u.t.tons of gold, having Katy"s initial upon their face, was handsomer and better suited for Wilford Cameron"s bride than the country plaid, costing one dollar per yard, and trimmed with b.u.t.tons at eighteen pence per dozen, and so she said to Katy: "I would rather you should wear the one they sent. It will become you better. Suppose you try it on," and in seeking to gratify her sister Helen forgot in part her own cruel disappointment, and that her work of days had been for naught. The dress fitted well, though Katy p.r.o.nounced it too tight and too long. A few moments, however, accustomed her to the length, and then her mother, Aunt Hannah, and Aunt Betsy came to see and admire, while Katy proposed going out to Wilford, but Helen kept her back. Aunt Betsy remarking, under her breath, that "she didn"t see for the life on her how Catherine could be so free and easy with that man when just the sight of him was enough to take away a body"s breath."
"More free and easy than she will be by and by," was Helen"s mental comment as she proceeded quietly to pack the trunk which Morris had brought for the voyage across the sea, dropping into it many a tear as she folded away one article after another, and wondered under what circ.u.mstances she should see them again if she saw them ever.
Helen was a Christian girl, and many a time had she prayed in secret that He who rules the deep would keep its waters calm and still while her sister was upon them, and she prayed so now, constantly, burying her face once in her hands, and asking that Katy might come back to them unchanged, if possible, and asking next that G.o.d would remove from her heart all bitterness toward the bridegroom, who was to be her brother, and whom, after that short, earnest prayer, she found herself liking better. He loved Katy, she was sure, and that was all she cared for, though she did wish he would release her before twelve o"clock on that night, the last she would spend with them for a long, long time. But Wilford kept her with him in the parlor, kissing away the tears which flowed so fast when she recalled the prayer said that night by Uncle Ephraim, with her kneeling by him as she might never kneel again. He had called her by her name and his voice was very sad as he commended her to G.o.d, asking that he would "be with our little Katy wherever she might go, keeping her in all the mewandering scenes of life, and bringing her at last to his own heavenly home."
Wilford himself was touched, and though he noticed the deacon"s p.r.o.nunciation, he did not even smile, and his manner was very respectful, when after the prayer over and they were alone, the white-haired deacon felt it inc.u.mbent upon him to say a few words concerning Katy.
"She"s a young, rattle-headed creature, not much like your own kin, I guess; but, young man, she is as dear as the apple of our eyes, and I charge you to treat her well. She has never had a crossways word spoke to her all her life, and don"t you be the first to speak it, nor let your folks browbeat her."
As they were alone, and it was easier for Wilford to be humble and conciliatory, he promised all the old man required, and then went back to Katy, going into raptures over the beautiful little Geneva watch which Morris had just sent over as her bridal gift from him. Even Mrs.
Cameron herself could have found no fault with this, and Wilford praised it as much as Katy could desire, noticing the inscription: "Katy, from Cousin Morris, June 10th, 18--," wishing that after the "Katy" had come the name Cameron, and wondering if Morris had any design in omitting it.
Wilford had not yet presented his father"s gift, but he did so now, and Katy"s tears dropped upon the pale, soft pearls as she whispered: "I shall like your father. I never thought of having things like these."
Nor had she, but she would grow to them very soon, while even the family gathering around and sharing in her joy began to realize how great a lady their Katy was to be. It was late that night ere anybody slept, if sleep at all they did, which was doubtful, unless it were the bride, who with Wilford"s kisses warm upon her lips, crept up to bed just as the clock was striking twelve, nor woke until it was again chiming for six, and over her Helen bent, a dark ring about her eyes and her face very white as she whispered: "Wake, Katy darling, this is your wedding day."
CHAPTER X.