sally dows-第7章

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regarding　Miss　Sally　when　not　in　that　lady's　presence。　　〃You
forget；〃　he　said　smilingly；　〃that　I'm　still　a　stranger　and　knew
little　of　the　local　gossip；　and　if　I　did　know　it；　I　am　afraid　we
didn't　bargain　to　buy　up　with　the　LAND　Mr。　Champney's　personal
interest　in　the　LANDLADY。〃

〃Yo'　'd　have　had　your　hands　full；　for　I　reckon　she's　pooty　heavily
mortgaged　in　that　fashion；　already；〃　returned　Miss　Reed　with　mere
badinage　than　spitefulness　in　the　suggestion。　　〃And　Mr。　Champney
was　run　pooty　close　by　a　French　cousin　of　hers　when　he　was　here。
Yo'　haven't　got　any　French　books　to　lend　me；　co'nnlehave　yo'？
Paw　says　you　read　a　heap　of　French；　and　I　find　it　mighty　hard　to
keep　up　MY　practice　since　I　left　the　Convent　at　St。　Louis；　for　paw
don't　knew　what　sort　of　books　to　order；　and　I　reckon　he　makes　awful
mistakes　sometimes。〃

The　conversation　here　turning　upon　polite　literature；　it　appeared
that　Miss　Octavia's　French　reading；　through　a　shy；　proud　innocence
and　an　imperfect　knowledge　of　the　wicked　subtleties　of　the
language；　was　somewhat　broad　and　unconventional　for　a　young　lady。
Courtland　promised　to　send　her　some　books；　and　even　ventured　to
suggest　some　American　and　English　novels　not　intensely　〃No'th'n〃
nor　〃metaphysical〃according　to　the　accepted　Southern　beliefs。　　A
new　respect　and　pitying　interest　in　this　sullen；　solitary　girl；
cramped　by　tradition；　and　bruised　rather　than　enlightened　by　sad
experiences；　came　over　him。　　He　found　himself　talking　quite
confidentially　to　the　lifted　head；　arched　eyebrows；　and　aquiline
nose　beside　him；　and　even　thinking　what　a　handsome　high…bred
BROTHER　she　might　have　been　to　some　one。　　When　they　had　reached　the
house；　in　compliance　with　the　familiar　custom；　he　sat　down　on　one
of　the　lower　steps　of　the　veranda；　while　she；　shaking　out　her
skirt；　took　a　seat　a　step　or　two　above　him。　　This　enabled　him；
after　the　languid　local　fashion；　to　lean　on　his　elbow　and　gaze　up
into　the　eyes　of　the　young　lady；　while　she　with　equal　languor
looked　down　upon　him。　　But　in　the　present　instance　Miss　Reed　leaned
forward　suddenly；　and　darting　a　sharp　quick　glance　into　his　very
consciousness　said：

〃And　yo'　mean　to　say；　co'nnle；　there's　nothing　between　yo'　and
Sally　Dows？〃

Courtland　neither　flushed；　trembled；　grew　confused；　nor　prevaricated。

〃We　are　good　friends；　I　think；〃　he　replied　quietly；　without　evasion
or　hesitation。

Miss　Reed　looked　at　him　thoughtfully；　〃I　reckon　that　is　soand　no
more。　　And　that's　why　yo'　've　been　so　lucky　in　everything；〃　she
said　slowly。

〃I　don't　think　I　quite　understand；〃　returned　Courtland；　smiling。
〃Is　this　a　paradoxor　a　consolation？〃

〃It's　the　TRUTH；〃　said　Miss　Reed　gravely。　　〃Those　who　try　to　be
anything　more　to　Sally　Dows　lose　their　luck。〃

〃That　isare　rejected　by　her。　　Is　she　really　so　relentless？〃
continued　Courtland　gayly。

〃I　mean　that　they　lose　their　luck　in　everything。　　Something　is　sure
to　happen。　　And　SHE　can't　help　it　either。〃

〃Is　this　a　Sibylline　warning；　Miss　Reed？〃

〃No。　　It's　nigger　superstition。　　It　came　from　Mammy　Judy；　Sally's
old　nurse。　　It's　part　of　their　regular　Hoo…doo。　　She　bewitched　Miss
Sally　when　she　was　a　baby；　so　that　everybody　is　bound　to　HER　as
long　as　they　care　for　her；　and　she　isn't　bound　to　THEM　in　any　way。
All　their　luck　goes　to　her　as　soon　as　the　spell　is　on　them；〃　she
added　darkly。

〃I　think　I　know　the　rest；〃　returned　Courtland　with　still　greater
solemnity。　　〃You　gather　the　buds　of　the　witch…hazel　in　April　when
the　moon　is　full。　　You　then　pluck　three　hairs　from　the　young　lady's
right　eyebrow　when　she　isn't　looking〃

〃Yo'　can　laugh；　co'nnle；　for　yo'　're　luckybecause　yo'　're　free。〃

〃I'm　not　so　sure　of　that；〃　he　said　gallantly；　〃for　I　ought　to　be
riding　at　this　moment　over　to　the　Infirmary　to　visit　my　Sunday
sick。　　If　being　made　to　pleasantly　forget　one's　time　and　duty　is　a
sign　of　witchcraft　I　am　afraid　Mammy　Judy's　enchantments　were　not
confined　to　only　one　Southern　young　lady。〃

The　sound　of　quick　footsteps　on　the　gravel　path　caused　them　both　to
look　up。　　A　surly　looking　young　fellow；　ostentatiously　booted　and
spurred；　and　carrying　a　heavy　rawhide　riding…whip　in　his　swinging
hand；　was　approaching　them。　　Deliberately；　yet　with　uneasy　self…
consciousness；　ignoring　the　presence　of　Courtland；　he　nodded
abruptly　to　Miss　Reed；　ascended　the　steps；　brushed　past　them　both
without　pausing；　and　entered　the　house。

〃Is　that　yo'r　manners；　Mr。　Tom？〃　called　the　young　lady　after　him；　a
slight　flush　rising　to　her　sallow　cheek。　　The　young　man　muttered
something　from　the　hall　which　Courtland　did　not　catch。　　〃It's
Cousin　Tom　Higbee；〃　she　explained　half　disdainfully。　　〃He's　had
some　ugliness　with　his　horse；　I　reckon；　but　paw　ought　to　teach　him
how　to　behave。　　AndI　don't　think　he　likes　No'th'n　men；〃　she　added
gravely。

Courtland；　who　had　kept　his　temper　with　his　full　understanding　of
the　intruder's　meaning；　smiled　as　he　took　Miss　Reed's　hand　in
parting。　　〃That's　quite　enough　explanation；　and　I　don't　know　why　it
shouldn't　be　even　an　apology。〃

Yet　the　incident　left　little　impression　on　him　as　he　strolled　back
to　Redlands。　　It　was　not　the　first　time　he　had　tasted　the　dregs　of
former　sectional　hatred　in　incivility　and　discourtesy；　but　as　it
seldom　came　from　his　old　personal　antagoniststhe　soldiersand
was　confined　to　the　callow　youth；　previous　non…combatants　and
politicians；　he　could　afford　to　overlook　it。　　He　did　not　see　Miss
Sally　during　the　following　week。


CHAPTER　IV。


On　the　next　Sunday　he　was　early　at　church。　　But　he　had　perhaps
accented　the　occasion　by　driving　there　in　a　light　buggy　behind　a
fast　thoroughbred；　possibly　selected　more　to　the　taste　of　a　smart
cavalry　officer　than　an　agricultural　superintendent。　　He　was
already　in　a　side　pew；　his　eyes　dreamily　fixed　on　the　prayer…book
ledge　before　him；　when　there　was　a　rustle　at　the　church　door；　and　a
thrill　of　curiosity　and　admiration　passed　over　the　expectant
congregation。　　It　was　the　entrance　of　the　Dows　party；　Miss　Sally
well　to　the　fore。　　She　was　in　her　new　clothes；　the　latest　fashion
in　Louisville；　the　latest　but　two　in　Paris　and　New　York。

It　was　over　twenty　years　ago。　　I　shall　not　imperil　the　effect　of
that　lovely　vision　by　recalling　to　the　eye　of　to…day　a　fashion　of
yesterday。　　Enough；　that　it　enabled　her　to　set　her　sweet　face　and
vapory　golden　hair　in　a　horseshoe　frame　of　delicate　flowers；　and　to
lift　her　oval　chin　out　of　a　bewildering　mist　of　tulle。　　Nor　did　a
certain　light　polonaise　conceal　the　outlines　of　her　charming
figure。　　Even　those　who　were　constrained　to　whisper　to　each　other
that　〃Miss　Sally〃　must　〃be　now　going　on　twenty…five；〃　did　so
because　she　still　carried　the　slender　graces　of　seventeen。　　The
organ　swelled　as　if　to　welcome　her；　as　she　took　her　seat　a　ray　of
sunlight；　that　would　have　been　cruel　and　searching　to　any　other
complexion；　drifted　across　the　faint　pink　of　her　cheeks；　and
nestling　in　her　nebulous　hair　became　itself　transfigured。　　A　few
stained…glass　Virtues　on　the　windows　did　not　come　out　of　this
effulgence　as　triumphantly；　and　it　was　small　wonder　that　the
devotional　eyes　of　the　worshipers　wandered　from　them　to　the　face
of　Sally　Dows。

When　the　service　was　over；　as　the　congregation　filed　slowly　into
the　aisle；　Courtland　slipped　mutely　behind　her。　　As　she　reached　the
porch　he　said　in　an　undertone：

〃I　brought　my　horse　and　buggy。　　I　thought　you　might　possibly　allow
me　to　drive〃　　But　he　was　stopped　by　a　distressful　knitting　of　her
golden　brows。　　〃No；〃　she　said　quickly；　but　firmly；　〃you　must　not
it　won't　do。〃　　As　Courtland　hesitated　in　momentary　perplexity；　she
smiled　sweetly：　〃We'll　walk　round　by　the　cemetery；　if　you　like；　it
will　take　about　as　long　as　a　drive。〃　　Courtland　vanished；　gave
hurried　instructions　and　a　dollar　to　a　lounging　negro；　and　rejoined
Miss　Sally　as　the　delighted　and　proud　freedman　drove　out　of　the
gate。　　Miss　Sally　heaved　a　slight　sigh　as　the　gallant　equipage
passed。　　〃It　was　a　mighty　pooty　turnout；　co'nnle；　and　I'd　have　just
admired　to　go；　but　it　would　have　been　rather　hard　on　the　other
folks。　　There's　the　Reeds　and　Maxwells　and　Robertsons　that　are　too
pooah　to　keep　blood　horses；　and　too　proud　to　ride　behind　anything
else。　　It　wouldn't　be　the　right　thing　for　us　to　go　whirling　by；
scattering　our　dust　over　them。〃　　There　was　something　so　subtly
pleasant　in　this　implied　partnership　of　responsibility；　that
Courtland　forgot　the　abrupt　refusal　and　thought　only　of　the　tact
that　prompted　it。　　Nevertheless；　here　a　spell　seemed　to　fall　upon
his　usually　ready　speech。　　Now　that　they　were　together　for　the
first　time　in　a　distinctly　social　fashion；　he　found　himself
vacantly；　meaninglessly　silent；　content　to　walk　beside　this
charming；　summery　presence；　brushed　by　its　delicate　draperies；
and　inhaling　its　freshness。　　Presently　it　spoke。

〃It　would　take　more　than　a　thousand　feet　of　lumber　to　patch　up　the
cowsheds　beyond　the　Moseley　pasture；　and　an　entirely　new　building
with　an　improved　dairy　would　require　only　about　two　thousand　more。
All　the　old　material　would　come　in　good　for　fencing；　and　could　be
used　with　the　new　post　and　rails。　　Don't　yo'　think　it　would　be
better　to　have　an　out…and…out　new　building？〃

〃Yes；　certainly；〃　returned　Courtland　a　little　confusedly。　　He　had
not　calculated　upon　this　practical　conversation；　and　was　the　more
disconcerted　as　they　were　passing　some　of　the　other　couples；　who
had　purposely　lingered　to　overhear　them。

〃And；〃　continued　the　young　girl　brightly；　〃the　freight　question　is
getting　to　be　a　pretty　serious　one。　　Aunt　Miranda　holds　some　shares
in　the　Briggsville　branch　line；　and　thinks　something　could　be　done
with　the　directors　for　a　new　tariff　of　charges　if　she　put　a
pressure　on　them；　Tyler　says　that　there　was　some　talk　of　their
reducing　it　one　sixteenth　per　cent。　before　we　move　this　year's
crop。〃

Courtland　glanced　quickly　at　his　companion's　face。　　It　was　grave；
but　there　was　the　faintest　wrinkling　of　the　corner　of　the　eyelid
nearest　him。　　〃Had　we　not　better　leave　these　serious　questions
until　to…morrow？〃　he　said；　smiling。

Miss　Sally　opened　her　eyes　demurely。　　〃Why；　yo'　seemed　SO　quiet；　I
reckoned　yo'　must　be　full　of　business　this　morning；　but　if　yo'
prefer　company　talk；　we'll　change　the　subject。　　They　say　that　yo'
and　Miss　Reed　didn't　have　much　trouble　to　find　one　last　Sunday。
She　don't　usually　talk　much；　but　she　keeps　up　a　power　of　thinking。
I　should　reckon；〃　she　added；　suddenly　eying　him　critically；　〃that
yo'　and　she　might　have　a　heap　o'　things　to　say　to　each　other。
She's　a　good　deal　in　yo'　fashion；　co'nnle；　she　don't　forget；　but〃
more　slowly〃I　don't　know　that　THAT'S　altogether　the　best　thing
for　YO'！〃

Courtland　lifted　his　eyes　with　affected　consternation。　　〃If　this　is
in　the　light　of　another　mysterious　warning；　Miss　Dows；　I　warn　you
that　my　intellect　is　already　tottering　with　them。　　Last　Sunday　Miss
Reed　thrilled　me　for　an　hour　with　superstition　and　Cassandra…like
prophecy。　　Don't　things　ever　happen　accidentally　here；　and　without
warning？〃

〃I　mean；〃　returned　the　young　lady　with　her　usual　practical
directness；　〃that　Tave　Reed　remembers　a　good　many　horrid　things
about　the　wah　that　she　ought　to　forget；　but　don't。　　But；〃　she
continued；　looking　at　him　curiously；　〃s