Peggy Stewart at School.
by Gabrielle E. Jackson.
CHAPTER I
THE BAROMETER FALLING
The September morning was warmer and more enervating than September mornings in Maryland usually are, though the month is generally conceded to be a trying one. Even at beautiful Severndale where, if at any point along the river, a refreshing breeze could almost always be counted upon, the air seemed heavy and lifeless, as though the intense heat of the summer had taken from it every particle of its revivifying qualities.
In the pretty breakfast room the long French windows, giving upon the broad piazza, stood wide open; the leaves upon the great beeches and maples which graced the extensive lawn beyond, hung limp and motionless; the sunlight even at that early hour beat scorchingly upon the dry gra.s.s, for there had been little rain during August and the vegetation had suffered severely; every growing thing was coated like a dusty miller. But within doors all looked most inviting. The room was scrupulous; its appointments indicated refined taste and constant care; the breakfast table, laid for two, was dainty and faultless in its appointments; our old friend, Jerome, moved about noiselessly, giving last lingering touches, lest any trifle be omitted which might add to the comfort and sense of harmony which seemed so much a part of his young mistress"s life. As he straightened a fruit knife here, or set right a fold of the snowy breakfast cloth, he kept up a low-murmured monologue after the manner of his race. Very little escaped old Jerome"s sharp eyes and keen ears, and within the past forty-eight hours they had found plenty to see or hear, for a guest had come to Severndale. Yes, a most unusual type of guest, too. As a rule Severndale"s guests brought unalloyed pleasure to its young hostess and her servants, or to her sailor father if he happened to be enjoying one of his rare leaves, for Captain Stewart had been on sea-duty for many successive years, preferring it to land duty since his wife"s death when Peggy, his only child, was but six years of age. Severndale had held only sad memories for him since that day, nearly ten years ago, in spite of the little girl growing up there, cared for by the old housekeeper and the servants, some of whom had been on the estate as long as Neil Stewart could remember.
But nine years had slipped away since Peggy"s mother"s death, and the little child had changed into a very lovely young girl, with whom the father was in reality just becoming acquainted. He had spent more time with her during the year just pa.s.sed than he had ever spent in any one of the preceding nine years, and those weeks had held many startling revelations for him. When he left her to resume command of his ship, his mind was in a more or less chaotic state trying to grasp an entirely new order of things, for this time he was leaving behind him a young lady of fifteen who, so it seemed to the perplexed man, had jumped over at least five years as easily as an athlete springs across a hurdle, leaving the little girl upon the other side forever. When Neil Stewart awakened to this fact he was first dazed, and then overwhelmed by the sense of his obligations overlooked for so long, and, being possessed of a lively sense of duty, he strove to correct the oversight.
Had he not been in such deadly earnest his efforts to make reparation for what he considered his inexcusable short-sightedness and neglect, would have been funny, for, like most men when confronted by some problem involving femininity, he was utterly at a loss how to set about "his job" as he termed it.
As a matter of fact, a kind fate had taken "his job" in hand for him some time before, and was in a fair way to turn out a pretty good one too. But Neil Stewart made up his mind to boost Old Lady Fate along a little, and his attempts at so doing came pretty near upsetting her equilibrium; she was not inclined to be hustled, and Neil Stewart was nothing if not a hustler, once he got under way.
And so, alack! by one little move he completely changed Peggy"s future and for a time rendered the present a veritable storm center, as will be seen.
But we will let events tell their own story.
Old Jerome moved about the sunny breakfast-room; at least it would have been sunny had not soft-tinted awnings and East-Indian screens, shut out the sun"s glare and suffused the room in a restful coolness and calm, in marked contrast to the vivid light beyond the windows.
Jerome himself was refreshing to look upon. The old colored man was quite seventy years of age, but still an erect and dignified major-domo.
From his white, wool-fringed old head, to the toes of his white canvas shoes, he was immaculate. No linen could have been more faultlessly laundered than Jerome"s; no serviette more neatly folded. All was in harmony excepting the old man"s face; that was troubled. A perplexed pucker contracted his forehead as he spoke softly to himself.
""Taint going to do _no_ how! It sure ain"t. She ain"t got de right bran", no she ain"t, and yo" cyant mate up no common stock wid a tho"oughbred and git any sort of a span. No siree, yo" cyant. My Lawd, what done possess Ma.s.sa Neil fer ter "vite her down hyer? _She_ cyant "struct an" guide _our_ yo"ng mist"ess. Sho! She ain" know de very fust _rudimints_ ob de qualities" ways an" doin"s. Miss Peggy could show her mo" in five minutes dan she ever is know in five years. She ain"t,--she ain"t,--well I ain"t jist "zackly know how I"se gwine speechify it, but she ain"t like _we_ all," and Jerome wagged his head in deprecation and forced his tongue against his teeth in a sound indicating annoyance and distaste, as he moved his mistress" chair a trifle.
Just then Mammy Lucy stuck her white-turbaned head in at the door to ask:
"Whar dat chile at? Ain"t she done come in fer her breckfus yit? It"s nine o"clock and Sis Cynthia"s a-stewin" an" a steamin" like her own taters."
"She say she wait fer her aunt, an" her aunt say she cyant breckfus befo" half-pas" nine, no how," answered Jerome.
"Huh, huh! An" ma chile gotter wait a hull hour pas" her breckfus time jist kase Madam Fussa-ma-fiddle ain"t choose fer ter git up? I bait yo"
she git up when she ter home, and I bait yo" she ain"t gitting somebody ter dress her, an" wait on her han" an" foot like Mandy done been a-doin" sense yistiddy; ner she ain" been keepin" better folks a-waiting fer dey meals. I"se pintedly put out wid de way things is been gwine in dis hyer "stablishmint fer de past two days, an" "s fur "s _I_ kin see dey ain" gwine mend none neider. No, not fer a considerbul spell lessen we has one grand, hifalutin" tornader. Yo" hyar me!"
"I sho" does hyar yo" Mis" Lucy, an" I sho" "grees wid yo" ter de very top notch. Dere"s gwine ter be de very dibble--"scuse me please, ma"am, "scuse me, but ma feelin"s done got de better of ma breedin"--ter pay ef things go on as dey"ve begun since de Madam--_an" dat dawg_--invest deyselves "pon Severndale. But yonder comin" our yo"ng mistiss," he concluded as a clear, sweet voice was heard singing just beyond the windows, and quick decisive footsteps came across the broad piazza, and Peggy Stewart, only daughter and heiress of beautiful "Severndale,"
entered the room. By her side Tzaritza, her snowy Russian wolfhound, paced with stately mien; a thoroughbred pair indeed.
"Oh, Jerome, I am just starved. That breakfast table is irresistible.
Mammy, is Aunt Katherine ready?"
"I make haste fer ter inquire, baby," answered the old nurse, hurrying from the room.
"I trus" she is," was Jerome"s comment, adding: "Sis Cynthia done make de sallylun jist ter de perfection pint, an" she know dat pint too."
Peggy made no comment upon the implied reproach of her guest"s tardiness, but crossing the room to a big chair, whither Tzaritza had already preceded her to rub noses with a magnificent white Persian cat, she stooped to stroke Sultana, who graciously condescended to purr and nestle her beautiful head against Peggy"s hand. Sultana had only been a member of the Severndale household since July, Mr. Harold having sent her to Peggy as "a semi-annual birthday gift," he said. She had adapted herself to her new surroundings with unusual prompt.i.tude and been adopted by the other four-footed members of the estate as "a friend and equal." The trio formed a picturesque group as they stood there.
The dark-haired, dark-eyed young girl of fifteen, with her rich, clear coloring, her cheeks softly tinted from her brisk walk in the morning sunshine was very lovely. She wore a white duck skirt, a soft nainsook blouse open at the throat, the sailor collar knotted with a red silk scarf. Her heavy braids were coiled about her shapely head and held in place with large sh.e.l.l pins, soft little locks curling about her forehead.
The past year had wrought wonderful changes in Peggy Stewart. The little girl had vanished forever, giving place to the charming young girl nearing her sixteenth milestone. The contact with the outer world which the past three months had given, when she had made so many new friends and seen so much of the service and social world, had done a great deal towards developing her. Always exceptionally well poised and sure of herself, the summer at Navy Bungalow in New London, at Newport, Boston, and at other points at which the summer practice Squadron had touched, had broadened her outlook, and helped her gauge things from a different and wider viewpoint than Severndale or Annapolis afforded. Though entirely unaware of the fact, Peggy had few rivals in the world of young girls.
Presently a step sounded upon the polished floor of the broad hall and Mrs. Peyton Stewart, Peggy"s aunt by marriage, stood in the doorway.
Under one arm she carried her French poodle. Stooping she placed it upon the floor with the care which suggested a degree of fragility entirely belied by the bad-tempered little beast"s first move, for as Peggy advanced with extended hand to greet her aunt, Toinette made a wild dash for the Persian cat, which onset was met by one dignified slap of the Sultana"s paw, which left its red imprint upon the poodle"s nose and promptly toppled the pampered thing heels-over-head. Tzaritza stood watching the entire procedure with dignified surprise, and when the yelping little beast rolled to her feet, she calmly gathered her into her huge jaws and stalking across the room held her up to Peggy, as though asking:
"What shall I do with this bad-mannered bit of dogdom? Turn her over to your discipline, or crush her with one snap of my jaws?"
"Oh you horrible, savage beast! You great brute! Drop her! Drop her!
Drop her instantly! My precious Toinette. My darling!" shrieked Toinette"s doting mistress. "Peggy, how _can_ you have such a savage creature near you? She has crushed every bone in my pet"s body. Go away!
Go away!"
The scorn in Tzaritza"s eyes was almost human. With a low growl, she dropped the thoroughly cowed poodle at Peggy"s feet and then turned and stalked from the room, the very picture of scornful dignity. Mrs.
Stewart s.n.a.t.c.hed the poodle to her breast. There was not a scratch upon it save the one inflicted by Sultana, and richly deserved, as the tuft of the handsome cat"s fur lying upon the floor testified.
"I hardly think you will find her injured, Aunt Katherine. Tzaritza never harms any creature smaller than herself unless bidden to. She brought Toinette here as much for the little dog"s protection as for Sultana"s."
"Sultana"s! As though she needed protection from _this_ fairy creature.
Horrible, vicious cat! Look at poor Toinette"s nose."
"And at poor Sultana"s fur," added Peggy, pointing to the tuft upon the floor and slightly shrugging her shoulders.
"She deserved it for scratching Toinette"s nose."
"I"m afraid the scratch was the second move in the onslaught."
"We will not argue the point, but in future keep that great hound outside of the house, and the cat elsewhere than in the dining-room, I beg of you--I can"t have Toinette"s life endangered, or my nerves shocked in this manner again."
For a moment Peggy looked at her aunt in amazement. Keep Tzaritza out of the house and relegate the Sultana to the servant"s quarters? What had become of the lady of smiles and compliments whom she had known at New London, and who had been at such infinite pains to ingratiate herself with Neil Stewart that she had been invited to spend September at Severndale? And, little as Peggy suspected it, with the full determination of spending the remainder of her days there could she contrive to do so. Madam Stewart had blocked out her campaign most completely, only "the best laid plans," etc., and Madam had quite forgotten to take Mrs. Glenn Harold, Peggy"s stanchest champion and ally, into consideration. Mrs. Harold had been Peggy"s "guide, philosopher and friend" for one round year, and Mrs. Harold"s niece, Polly Howland, was Peggy"s chum and crony.
Mrs. Stewart felt a peculiar sensation pa.s.s over her as she met the girl"s clear, steady gaze. Very much the sensation that one experiences upon looking into a clear pool whose depth it is impossible to guess from merely looking, though one feels instinctively that it is much deeper, and may prove more dangerous than a casual glance would lead one to believe. Peggy"s reply was:
"Of course if you wish it, Aunt Katherine, Tzaritza shall not come into the house during your visit here. I do not wish you to be annoyed, but on the contrary, quite happy, and, Jerome, please see that Sultana is taken to Mammy, and ask her to keep her in her quarters while Mrs.
Stewart remains at Severndale. Are you ready for your breakfast, Aunt Katherine?"
"Quite ready," answered Mrs. Stewart, taking her seat at the table.
Peggy waited until she had settled herself with the injured poodle in her lap, then took her own seat. Jerome had summoned one of the maids and given Sultana into her charge, while Tzaritza was bidden "Guard"
upon the piazza. Never in all her royal life had Tzaritza been elsewhere than upon the rug before the fireplace while her mistress" breakfast was being served, and it seemed as though the splendid wolfhound, with a pedigree unrivalled in the world, stood as the very incarnation of outraged dignity, and a protest against insult. Perhaps some vague sense of having overstepped the bounds of good judgment, if not good breeding, was beginning to impress itself upon Mrs. Peyton Stewart. Certainly she had not so thoroughly ingratiated herself in the favor of her niece, or her niece"s friends during that visit in New London the previous summer, as to feel entirely sure of a cordial welcome at Severndale, and to make a false start at the very outset of her carefully formed plans was a far cry from diplomatic, to say the least. During those weeks at New London, when a kind fate had brought her again in touch with her brother-in-law after so many years, Mrs. Stewart had done a vast deal of thinking and planning. There was beautiful Severndale without a mistress excepting Peggy, a mere child, who, in Madam"s estimation, did not count. Neil Stewart was a widower in the very prime of life and, from all Madam had observed, sorely in need of someone to look after him and keep him from making some foolish marriage which might end in--well, in _not_ keeping Severndale in the family; "the family" being strongly in evidence in Mrs. Peyton. Her first step had been to secure an invitation to visit there. That done, the next was to remain there indefinitely once she arrived upon the scene. To do this she must make herself not only desirable but indispensable.
Certainly, the preceding two days had not promised much for the fulfillment of her plan. So being by no means a fool, but on the contrary, a very clever woman in her own peculiar line of cleverness, she at once set about dispelling the cloud which hung over the horizon, congratulating herself that she had had sufficient experience to know how to deal with a girl of Peggy"s age. So to that end she now smiled sweetly upon her niece and remarked:
"I am afraid, dear, I almost lost control of myself. I am so attached to Toinette that I am quite overcome if any harm threatens her. You know she has been my inseparable companion in my loneliness, and when one is so utterly desolate as I have been for so many years even the devotion of a dumb animal is valued. I have been very, very lonely since your uncle"s death, Peggy, dear, and you can hardly understand what a paradise seems opening to me in this month to be spent with you. I know we are going to be everything to each other, and I am sure I can relieve you of a thousand burdens which must be a great tax upon a girl of your years. I do not see _how_ you have carried them so wonderfully, or why you are not old before your time. It has been most unnatural. But now we must change all that. Young people were not born to a.s.sume heavy responsibilities, whereas older ones accept them as a matter of course.
And that"s just what _I_ have come way down here to try to do for my sweet niece," ended Mrs. Stewart smiling with would-be fascinating coyness. The smile would have been somewhat less complacent could she have heard old Jerome"s comment as he placed upon the pantry shelf the fingerbowls which he had just removed from the table.
"Yas, yas, dat"s it. Yo" needn"t "nounce it. We knows pintedly what yo"s aimin" ter do, an" may de Lawd have mussy "pon us if yo" _suc_ceeds. But dere"s sh.o.r.ely gwine be ructions "fore yo" does, er my name ain"t Jerome Randolph Lee Stewart."