Macaria. Augusta J. Evans
on. Soon the brick walls of the academy rose grim and uninviting, and taking her place at the desk she applied herself to her books. When school was dismissed in the afternoon, instead of returning home as usual, she walked down the principal street, entered Mr. Watson's store, and put her books on the counter. It happened that the proprietor stood near the front door, and he came forward instantly to wait upon her.
"Ah, Miss Irene! happy to see you. What shall I have the pleasure of showing you?"
"Russell Aubrey, if you please."
The merchant stared, and she added—
"I want some kid gauntlets, but Russell can get them for me."
The young clerk stood at the desk in the rear of the store, with his back toward the counter; and Mr. Watson called out—
"Here, Aubrey, some kid gauntlets for this young lady."
He laid down his pen, and taking a box of gloves from the shelves, placed it on the counter before her. He had not noticed her particularly, and when she pushed back her hat and looked up at him he started slightly.
"Good evening, Miss Huntingdon. What number do you wish?"
Perhaps it was from the heat of the day, or from stooping over his desk, or perhaps it was from something else, but his cheek was flushed, and gradually it grew pale again.
"Russell, I want to speak to you about Electra. She ought to be at school, you know."
"Yes."
"But she says your mother can't afford the expense."
"Just now she cannot; next year things will be better."
"What is the tuition for her?"
"Five dollars a month."
"Is that all?"
He selected a delicate fawn-coloured pair of gloves and laid them before her, while a faint smile passed over his face.
"Russell, has anything happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"What is troubling you so?"
"Nothing more than usual. Do those gloves suit you?"
"Yes, they will fit me, I believe." She looked at him very intently.
He met her gaze steadily, and for an instant his face brightened; then she said abruptly—
"Your mother's eyes are worse."
"Yes, much worse."
"Have you consulted Dr. Arnold about them?"
"He says he can do nothing for her."
"How much would it cost to take her to New Orleans and have that celebrated oculist examine them?"
"More than we can afford just now; at least two hundred dollars."
"Oh, Russell! that is not much. Would not Mr. Watson lend you that little?"
"I shall not ask him."
"Not even to restore your mother's sight?"
"Not to buy my own life. Besides, the experiment is a doubtful one."
"Still it is worth making."
"Yes, under different circumstances it certainly would be."
"Have you talked to Mr. Campbell about it?"
"No, because it is useless to discuss the matter."
"It would be dangerous to go to New Orleans now, I suppose?"
"October or November would be better."
Again she looked at him very earnestly, then stretched out her little hand.
"Good-bye, Russell. I wish I could do something to help you, to make you less sorrowful."
He held the slight waxen fingers, and his mouth trembled as he answered—
"Thank you, Miss Huntingdon. I am not sorrowful, but my path in life is not quite so flowery as yours."
"I wish you would not call me 'Miss Huntingdon' in that stiff, far-off way, as if we were not friends. Or maybe it is a hint that you desire me to address you as Mr. Aubrey. It sounds strange, unnatural, to say anything but Russell."
She gathered up her books, took the gloves, and went slowly homeward, and Russell returned to his desk with a light in his eyes which, for the remainder of the day, nothing could quench. As Irene ascended the long hill on which Mr. Huntingdon's residence stood, she saw her father's buggy at the door, and as she approached the steps, he came out, drawing on his gloves.
"You are late, Irene. What kept you?"
"I have been shopping a little. Are you going to ride? Take me with you."
"Going to dine at Mr. Carter's."
"Why, the sun is almost down now. What time will you come home? I want to ask you something."
"Not till long after you are asleep."
The night passed very slowly; Irene looked at the clock again and again. Finally the house became quiet, and at last the crush of wheels on the gravel-walk announced her father's return. He came into the library for a cigar, and, without noticing her, drew his chair to the open window. She approached and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Irene! what is the matter, child?"
"Nothing sir; only I want to ask you something."
"Well, Queen, what is it?"
He drew her tenderly to his knee, and passed his hand over her floating hair.
Leonard Huntingdon was forty years old; tall, spare, with an erect and martial carriage. He had been trained at West Point, and perhaps early education contributed somewhat to the air of unbending haughtiness which many found repulsive. His black hair was slightly sprinkled with grey, and his features were still decidedly handsome, though the expression of mouth and eyes was, ordinarily, by no means winning. Irene was his only child; her mother had died during her infancy, and on this beautiful idol he lavished all the tenderness of which his nature was capable. His tastes were cultivated, his house was elegant and complete, and furnished magnificently; every luxury that money could yield him he possessed, yet there were times when he seemed moody and cynical, and no one could surmise the cause of his gloom. The girl looked up at him fearing no denial.
"Father, I wish, please, you would give me two hundred dollars."
"What would you do with it, Queen?"
"I do not want it for myself; I should like to have that much to enable a poor woman to recover her sight. She has cataracts on her eyes, and there is a physician in New Orleans who can relieve her. Father, won't you give me the money?"
He took the cigar from his lips, shook off the ashes, and asked indifferently—
"What is the woman's name? Has she no husband to take care of her?"
"Mrs. Aubrey; she——"
"What!"
The cigar fell from his fingers, he put her from his knee, and rose instantly. His swarthy cheek glowed, and she wondered at the expression of his eyes, so different from anything she had ever seen there before.
"Who gave you permission to visit that house?"
"No permission was necessary. I go there because I love her and Electra, and because I like Russell. Why shouldn't I go there, sir? Is poverty disgrace?"
"Irene, mark me. You are to visit that house no more in future; keep away from the whole family. I will have no such association. Never let me hear their names again. Go to bed."
"Give me one good reason, and I will obey you."
"Reason! My will, my command, is sufficient reason. What do you mean by catechising