lavender and old lace-第1章

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Lavender　and　Old　Lace

by　Myrtle　Reed



I。　　　　THE　LIGHT　IN　THE　WINDOW
II。　　　THE　ATTIC。
III。　　MISS　AINSLIE
IV。　　　A　GUEST
V。　　　　THE　RUMOURS　OF　THE　VALLEY
VI。　　　THE　GARDEN
VII。　　THE　MAN　WHO　HESITATES
VIII。　SUMMER　DAYS
IX。　　　BY　HUMBLE　MEANS
X。　　　　LOVE　LETTERS
XI。　　　THE　ROSE　OF　ALL　THE　WORLD
XII。　　BRIDE　AND　GROOM
XIII。　PLANS
XIV。　　〃FOR　REMEMBRANCE〃
XV。　　　THE　SECRET　AND　THE　DREAM
XVI。　　SOME　ONE　WHO　LOVED　HER
XVII。　DAWN



I。　The　Light　in　the　Window

A　rickety　carriage　was　slowly　ascending　the　hill；　and　from　the　place　of　honour　on　the　back　seat；　the　single　passenger　surveyed　the　country　with　interest　and　admiration。　The　driver　of　that　ancient　chariot　was　an　awkward　young　fellow；　possibly　twenty…five　years　of　age；　with　sharp　knees；　large；　red　hands；　high　cheek…bones；　and　abundant　hair　of　a　shade　verging　upon　orange。　He　was　not　unpleasant　to　look　upon；　however；　for　he　had　a　certain　evident　honesty；　and　he　was　disposed　to　be　friendly　to　every　one。

〃Be　you　comfortable；　Miss？〃　he　asked；　with　apparent　solicitude。

〃Very　comfortable；　thank　you；〃　was　the　quiet　response。　He　urged　his　venerable　steeds　to　a　gait　of　about　two　mles　an　hour；　then　turned　sideways。

〃Be　you　goin'　to　stay　long；　Miss？〃

〃All　Summer；　I　think。〃

〃Do　tell！〃

The　young　woman　smiled　in　listless　amusement；　but　Joe　took　it　for　conversational　encouragement。　〃City　folks　is　dretful　bashful　when　they's　away　from　home；〃　he　said　to　himself。　He　clucked　again　to　his　unheeding　horses；　shifted　his　quid；　and　was　casting　about　for　a　new　topic　when　a　light　broke　in　upon　him。

〃I　guess；　now；　that　you're　Miss　Hathaway's　niece；　what's　come　to　stay　in　her　house　while　she　goes　gallivantin'　and　travellin'　in　furrin　parts；　be　n't　you？〃

〃I　am　Miss　Hathaway's　niece；　and　I　have　never　been　here　before。　Where　does　she　live？〃

〃Up　yander。〃

He　flourished　the　discarded　fish…pole　which　served　as　a　whip；　and　pointed　out　a　small　white　house　on　the　brow　of　the　hill。　Reflection　brought　him　the　conviction　that　his　remark　concerning　Miss　Hathaway　was　a　social　mistake；　since　his　passenger　sat　very　straight；　and　asked　no　more　questions。

The　weary　wheels　creaked；　but　the　collapse　which　Miss　Thorne　momentarily　expected　was　mercifully　postponed。　Being　gifted　with　imagination；　she　experienced　the　emotion　of　a　wreck　without　bodily　harm。　As　in　a　photograph；　she　beheld　herself　suddenly　projected　into　space；　followed　by　her　suit　case；　felt　her　new　hat　wrenched　from　her　head；　and　saw　hopeless　gravel　stains　upon　the　tailored　gown　which　was　the　pride　of　her　heart。　She　thought　a　sprained　ankle　would　be　the　inevitable　outcome　of　the　fall；　but　was　spared　the　pain　of　it；　for　the　inability　to　realise　an　actual　hurt　is　the　redeeming　feature　of　imagination。

Suddenly　there　was　a　snort　of　terror　from　one　of　the　horses；　and　the　carriage　stopped　abruptly。　Ruth　clutched　her　suit　case　and　umbrella；　instantly　prepared　for　the　worst；　but　Joe　reassured　her。

〃Now　don't　you　go　and　get　skeered；　Miss；〃　he　said；　kindly；　〃'taint　nothin'　in　the　world　but　a　rabbit。　Mamie　can't　never　get　used　to　rabbits；　someways。〃　He　indicated　one　of　the　horsesa　high；　raw…boned　animal；　sketched　on　a　generous　plan；　whose　ribs　and　joints　protruded；　and　whose　rough　white　coat　had　been　weather…worn　to　grey。

〃Hush　now；　Mamie；〃　he　said；　〃'taint　nothin'。〃

〃Mamie〃　looked　around　inquiringly；　with　one　ear　erect　and　the　other　at　an　angle。　A　cataract　partially　concealed　one　eye；　but　in　the　other　was　a　world　of　wickedness　and　knowledge；　modified　by　a　certain　lady…like　reserve。

〃G'　long；　Mamie！〃

Ruth　laughed　as　the　horse　resumed　motion　in　mincing；　maidenly　steps。　〃What's　the　other　one's　name？〃　she　asked。

〃Him？　His　name's　Alfred。　Mamie's　his　mother。〃

Miss　Thorne　endeavoured　to　conceal　her　amusement　and　Joe　was　pleased　because　the　ice　was　broken。　〃I　change　their　names　every　once　in　a　while；〃　he　said；　〃'cause　it　makes　some　variety；　but　now　I've　named'em　about　all　the　names　I　know。〃

The　road　wound　upward　in　its　own　lazy　fashion；　and　there　were　trees　at　the　left；　though　only　one　or　two　shaded　the　hill　itself。　As　they　approached　the　summit；　a　girl　in　a　blue　gingham　dress　and　a　neat　white　apron　came　out　to　meet　them。

〃Come　right　in；　Miss　Thorne；〃　she　said；　〃and　I'll　explain　it　to　you。〃

Ruth　descended；　inwardly　vowing　that　she　would　ride　no　more　in　Joe's　carriage；　and　after　giving　some　directions　about　her　trunk；　followed　her　guide　indoors。

The　storm…beaten　house　was　certainly　entitled　to　the　respect　accorded　to　age。　It　was　substantial；　but　unpretentious　in　outline；　and　had　not　been　painted　for　a　long　time。　The　faded　green　shutters　blended　harmoniously　with　the　greyish　white　background；　and　the　piazza；　which　was　evidently　an　unhappy　afterthought　of　the　architect；　had　two　or　three　new　shingles　on　its　roof。

〃You　see　it's　this　way；　Miss　Thorne；〃　the　maid　began；　volubly；　〃Miss　Hathaway；　she　went　earlier　than　she　laid　out　to；　on　account　of　the　folks　decidin'　to　take　a　steamer　that　sailed　beforehandbefore　the　other　one；　I　mean。　She　went　in　sech　a　hurry　that　she　didn't　have　time　to　send　you　word　and　get　an　answer；　but　she's　left　a　letter　here　for　you；　for　she　trusted　to　your　comin'。〃

Miss　Thorne　laid　her　hat　and　jacket　aside　and　settled　herself　comfortably　in　a　rocker。　The　maid　returned　presently　with　a　letter　which　Miss　Hathaway　had　sealed　with　half　an　ounce　of　red　wax；　presumably　in　a　laudable　effort　to　remove　temptation　from　the　path　of　the　red…cheeked；　wholesome；　farmer's　daughter　who　stood　near　by　with　her　hands　on　her　hips。

〃Miss　Ruth　Thorne；〃　the　letter　began；

〃Dear　Niece：

〃I　am　writing　this　in　a　hurry；　as　we　are　going　a　week　before　we　expected　to。　I　think　you　will　find　everything　all　right。　Hepsey　will　attend　to　the　house…keeping；　for　I　don't　suppose　you　know　much　about　it；　coming　from　the　city。　She's　a　good…hearted　girl；　but　she's　set　in　her　ways；　and　you'll　have　to　kinder　give　in　to　her；　but　any　time　when　you　can't；　just　speak　to　her　sharp　and　she'll　do　as　you　tell　her。

〃I　have　left　money　enough　for　the　expenses　until　I　come　back；　in　a　little　box　on　the　top　shelf　of　the　closet　in　the　front　room；　under　a　pile　of　blankets　and　comfortables。　The　key　that　unlocks　it　is　hung　on　a　nail　driven　into　the　back　of　the　old　bureau　in　the　attic。　I　believe　Hepsey　is　honest　and　reliable；　but　I　don't　believe　in　tempting　folks。

〃When　I　get　anywhere　where　I　can；　I　will　write　and　send　you　my　address；　and　then　you　can　tell　me　how　things　are　going　at　home。　The　catnip　is　hanging　from　the　rafters　in　the　attic；　in　case　you　should　want　some　tea；　and　the　sassafras　is　in　the　little　drawer　in　the　bureau　that's　got　the　key　hanging　behind　it。

〃If　there's　anything　else　you　should　want；　I　reckon　Hepsey　will　know　where　to　find　it。　Hoping　that　this　will　find　you　enjoying　the　great　blessing　of　good　health；　I　remain；

〃Your　Affectionate　Aunt；

〃JANE　HATHAWAY。

〃P。　S。　You　have　to　keep　a　lamp　burning　every　night　in　the　east　window　of　the　attic。　Be　careful　that　nothing　catches　afire。〃

The　maid　was　waiting；　in　fear　and　trembling；　for　she　did　not　know　what　directions　her　eccentric　mistress　might　have　left。

〃Everything　is　all　right；　Hepsey；〃　said　Miss　Thorne；　pleasantly；　〃and　I　think　you　and　I　will　get　along　nicely。　Did　Miss　Hathaway　tell　you　what　room　I　was　to　have？〃

〃No'm。　She　told　me　you　was　to　make　yourself　at　home。　She　said　you　could　sleep　where　you　pleased。〃

〃Very　well；　I　will　go　up　and　see　for　myself。　I　would　like　my　tea　at　six　o'clock。〃　She　still　held　the　letter　in　her　hand；　greatly　to　the　chagrin　of　Hepsey；　who　was　interested　in　everything　and　had　counted　upon　a　peep　at　it。　It　was　not　Miss　Hathaway's　custom　to　guard　her　letters　and　she　was　both　surprised　and　disappointed。

As　Ruth　climbed　the　narrow　stairway；　the　quiet；　old…fashioned　house　brought　balm　to　her　tired　soul。　It　was　exquisitely　clean；　redolent　of　sweet　herbs；　and　in　its　atmosphere　was　a　subtle；　Puritan　restraint。

Have　not　our　houses；　mute　as　they　are；　their　own　way　of　conveying　an　impression？　One　may　go　into　a　house　which　has　been　empty　for　a　long　time；　and　yet　feel；　instinctively；　what　sort　of　people　were　last　sheltered　there。　The　silent　walls　breathe　a　message　to　each　visitor；　and　as　the　footfalls　echo　in　the　bare　cheerless　rooms；　one　discovers　where　Sorrow　and　Trouble　had　their　abode；　and　where　the　light；　careless　laughter　of　gay　Bohemia　lingered　until　dawn。　At　night；　who　has　not　heard　ghostly　steps　upon　the　stairs；　the　soft　closing　of　unseen　doors；　the　tapping　on　a　window；　and；　perchance；　a　sigh　or　the　sound　of　tears？　Timid　souls　may　shudder　and　be　afraid；　but　wiser　folk　smile；　with　reminiscent　tenderness；　when　the　old　house　dreams。

As　she　wandered　through　the　tiny；　spotless　rooms　on　the　second　floor　of　Miss　Hathaway's　house；　Ruth　had　a　sense　of　security　and　peace　which　she　had　never　known　before。　There　were　two　front　rooms；　of　equal　size；　looking　to　the　west；　and　she　chose　the　one　on　the　left；　because　of　its　two　south　windows。　There　was　but　one　other　room；　aside　from　the　small　one　at　the　end　of　the　hall；　which；　as　she　supposed；　was　Hepsey's。

One　of　the　closets　was　empty；　but　on　a　shelf　in　the　other　was　a　great　pile　of　bedding。　She　dragged　a　chair　inside；　burrowed　under　the　blankets；　and　found　a　small　wooden　box；　the　contents　clinking　softly　as　she　drew　it　toward　her。

Holding　it　under　her　arm；　she　ascended　the　narrow；　spiral　stairs　which　led　to　the　attic。　At　one　end；　under　the　eaves；　stood　an　old　mahogany　dresser。　The　casters　were　gone　and　she　moved　it　with　difficulty；　but　the　slanting　sunbeams　of　late　afternoon　revealed　the　key；　which　hung；　as　her　aunt　had　written；　on　a　nail　driven　into　the　back　of　it。

She　knew；　without　trying；　that　it　would　fit　the　box；　but　idly　turned　the　lock。　As　she　opened　it；　a　bit　of　paper　fluttered　out；　and；　picking　it　up；　she　read　in　her　aunt's　cramped；　But　distinct　hand：　〃Hepsey　gets　a　dollar　and　a　half　every　week。　Don't　you　pay　her　no　more。〃

As　the　house　was　set　some　distance　back；　the　east　window　in　the　attic　was　the　only　one　which　commanded　a　view　of　the　sea。　A　small　table；　with　its　legs　sawed　off；　came　exactly　to　the　sill；　and　here　stood　a　lamp；　which　was　a　lamp　simply；　without　adornment；　and　held　about　a　pint　of　oil。

She　read　the　letter　again　and；　having　mastered　its　contents；　tore　it　into　small　pieces；　with　that　urban　caution　which　does　not　come　amiss　in　the　rural　districts。　She　understood　that　every　night　of　her　stay　she　was　to　light　this　lamp　with　her　own　hands；　but　why？　The　varnish　on　the　table；　which　had　once　been　glaring；　was　scratched　with　innumerable　rings；　where　the　rough　glass　had　left　its　mark。　Ruth　wondered　if　she　were　face　to　face　with　a　mystery。

The　seaward　side　of　the　hill　was　a　rocky　cliff；　and　between　the　vegetable　garden　at　the　back　of　the　house　and　the　edge　of　the　precipice　were　a　few　stumps；　well…nigh　covered　with　moss。　From　her　vantage　point；　she　could　see　the　woods　which　began　at　the　base　of　the　hill；　on　the　north　side；　and　seemed　to　end　at　the　sea。　On　the　south；　there　were　a　few　trees　near　the　cliff；　but　others　near　them　had　been　cut　down。

Still　farther　south　and　below　the　hill　was　a　grassy　plain；　through　which　a　glistening　river　wound　slowly　to　the　ocean。　Willows　grew　along　its　margin；　tipped　with　silvery　green；　and　with　masses　of　purple　twilight　tangle