Elsie's Womanhood by Martha Finley

  Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the PG Online DistributedProofreading Team.

  ELSIE'SWOMANHOOD

  A sequel to"ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD"

  ByMARTHA FINLEY

  Complete Authorized Edition

  Published by arrangement withDodd, Mead and Company

  _A Burt Book_BLUE RIBBON BOOKS, Inc.

  _New York_

  Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by

  DODD & MEAD

  In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

  1903,

  BY MARTHA FINLEY

  1917,

  BY CHARLES B. FINLEY

  Preface.

  The call for a sequel to "Elsie's Girlhood" having become too loud andimportunate to be resisted, the pleasant task of writing it wasundertaken.

  Dates compelled the bringing in of the late war: and it has been theearnest desire and effort of the author to so treat the subject as towound the feelings of none; to be as impartial as if writing history; and,by drawing a true, though alas, but faint picture, of the great losses andsufferings on both sides, to make the very thought of a renewal of theawful strife _utterly abhorrent_ to every lover of humanity, andespecially of this, our own dear native land.

  Are we not one people: speaking the same language; worshipping the onetrue and living God; having a common history, a common ancestry; andunited by the tenderest ties of blood? And is not this great grand,glorious old Union--known and respected all over the world--our commoncountry, our joy and pride? O! let us forget all bitterness, and livehenceforth in love, harmony, and mutual helpfulness.

  For all I know of the Teche country I am indebted to Mr. Edward King's"Old and New Louisiana"; for facts and dates in regard to the war, and inlarge measure for Mr. Dinsmore's views as to its causes, etc.,principally to Headley's "History of the Great Rebellion."

  The description of Andersonville, and the life led by the prisoners there,was supplied by one who shared it for six months. An effort was made toobtain a sketch of a Northern prison also, but without success.

  Yet what need to balance accounts in respect to these matters? Theunnatural strife is over, and we are again one united people.

  M.F.

  CHAPTER FIRST.

  "Oh! there is one affection which no stain Of earth can ever darken;--when two find, The softer and the manlier, that a chain Of kindred taste has fastened mind to mind." --PERCIVAL'S POEMS.

  In one of the cool green alleys at the Oaks, Rose and Adelaide Dinsmorewere pacing slowly to and fro, each with an arm about the other's waist,in girlish fashion, while they conversed together in low, confidentialtones.

  At a little distance to one side, the young son and heir had thrownhimself prone upon the grass in the shade of a magnificent oak, story-bookin hand. Much interested he seemed in his book, yet occasionally his eyewould wander from its fascinating pages to watch, with pride and delight,the tiny Rosebud steady herself against a tree, then run with eager,tottering steps and a crow of delight into her nurse's outstretched arms,to be hugged, kissed, praised, and coaxed to try it over again.

  As Rose and Adelaide turned at one end of the alley, Mr. Horace Dinsmoreentered it at the other. Hurriedly approaching the little toddler, hestooped and held out his hands, saying, in tender, half-tremulous tones,"Come, darling, come to papa."

  She ran into his arms, crying, "Papa," in her sweet baby voice, andcatching her up, he covered her face with kisses; then, holding herclasped fondly to his breast, walked on towards his wife and sister.

  "What is it, Horace?" asked Rose anxiously, as they neared each other; forshe saw that his face was pale and troubled.

  "I bring you strange tidings, my Rose," he answered low and sadly, as shelaid her hand upon his arm with an affectionate look up into his face.

  Hers grew pale. "Bad news from home?" she almost gasped.

  "No, no; I've had no word from our absent relatives or friends, and I'mnot sure I ought to call it bad news either; though I cannot yet think ofit with equanimity, it has come upon me so suddenly."

  "What?" asked both ladies in a breath; "don't keep us in suspense."

  "It has been going on for years--on his part--I can see it now--but, blindfool that I was, I never suspected it till to-day, when it came upon melike a thunderbolt."

  "What? who?"

  "Travilla; after years of patient waiting he has won her at last--ourdarling--and--and I've given her to him."

  Both ladies stood dumb with astonishment, while young Horace, who had comerunning up in time to catch the last words, cried out with vehemence,"Papa! what! give our Elsie away? how could you? how can we ever dowithout her? But she shan't go, for she belongs to me too, and I'll_never_ give consent!"

  Mr. Dinsmore and the ladies smiled faintly.

  "They seemed to think mine quite sufficient, Horace," replied his father,"and I'm afraid will hardly consider it necessary to ask yours."

  "But, papa, we can't spare her--you know we can't--and why should you goand give her away to Mr. Travilla or anybody?"

  "My son, had I refused, it would have caused her great unhappiness."

  "Then she ought to be ashamed to go and love Mr. Travilla better than youand all of us."

  "I was never more astonished in my life!" cried Adelaide.

  "Nor I," said Rose. "And he's a great deal too old for her."

  "That is an objection," replied her husband, "but if not insuperable toher, need not be to us."

  "Think of your intimate friend addressing you as father!" laughedAdelaide; "it's really too ridiculous."

  "That need not be--is not an inevitable consequence of the match," smiledMr. Dinsmore, softly caressing the little one clinging about his neck.

  Still conversing on the same subject, the minds of all being full of it tothe exclusion of every other, they moved on as if by common consenttowards the house.

  "Do you think it can be possible that she is really and truly in love withhim?" queried Rose; "a man so much older than herself, and so intimate inthe family since her early childhood."

  "Judge for yourself, my dear," said Mr. Dinsmore, as a turn in the pathbrought them within a few yards of the lovers, who were moving slowly intheir direction so that the two parties must meet in another moment.

  One glance at the beaming faces, the rich color coming and going inElsie's cheek, the soft, glad light in her sweet brown eyes, was asufficient reply to Rose's question. She looked at her husband with asatisfied smile, which he returned.

  But little Horace, leaving his father's side, rushed up to Elsie, andcatching her hand in his, cried, "I'll never give my consent! and youbelong to me. Mr. Travilla, you can't have her."

  To the child's surprise Elsie only blushed and smiled, while Mr. Travilla,without the slightest appearance of alarm or vexation, said, "Ah, my dearboy, you may just as well; for she is willing to be mine and your papa hasgiven her to me."

  But the others had come up, and inquiring looks, smiles and kindlygreetings were exchanged.

  "Mr. Travilla," said Rose, half playfully but with a tear trembling in hereye, "you have stolen a march upon us, and I can hardly forgive you justyet."

  "I regret that exceedingly, my dear madam," he answered, with a smile thatbelied his words. "But Miss Adelaide, you will still stand my friend?"

  "I don't know," she answered demurely; "there's only one serious objectionin my mind (if Elsie is satisfied); that I don't quite fancy having anephew some years older than myself."

  "Ah! well, I shall be quite willing to be considered a brother-in-law."

  "Company to dinner!" shouted Horace. "I see a carriage; don't you, papa?"

  "It is your Uncle Edward's," said Mr. Travilla.


  "Yes," said Adelaide, "Lora and her tribe are in it, no doubt; andprobably Mrs. Bowles too (Carrie Howard you know, Elsie). They have beenlate in calling."

  "Some good reason for it, and they are none the less welcome," remarkedRose, quickening her pace.

  The one party reached the house just as the other two had fairly alighted,and a scene of joyous greeting ensued.

  "You dear child! how good of you to come back to us again, and singletoo," exclaimed Mrs. Bowles, clasping Elsie in a warm embrace; "I'd almostgiven it up, and expected by every mail to hear you had become Lady orCountess this, or Duchess that."

  Elsie smiled and blushed, and meeting the eye of her betrothed fixed foran instant upon her with an expression of unutterable content,thankfulness, love and pride, smiled and blushed again.

  Carrie caught the look and its effect upon her friend, and almostbreathless with astonishment, took the first opportunity, after all wereseated in the drawing-room, to prefer a whispered request to be taken toElsie's own private apartment for a moment, to see that her hair and dresswere in proper order.

  They had come to spend the day, and bonnets and shawls had already beencarried away by the servants in attendance.

  "Now girls, don't run off for an interminable chat by yourselves," saidMrs. Howard, as the two rose and crossed the room together.

  "No, Aunt Lora, we'll not stay long," said Elsie; "for I want to improveevery moment of your visit, in renewing my acquaintance with you and myyoung cousins."

  "Your family has grown, Lora," remarked her brother.

  "Yes, rather faster than yours," she said, looking round with pride uponher little group of four boys, and a girl yet in her nurse's arms. "Go andspeak to your uncle, Ned, Walter, Horace, and Arthur. You see I have givenyou a namesake; and this little pet we call Rose Louise, for her twoaunties. Yours is Rose, too! and what a darling! and how little Horace hasgrown!"

  "Elsie, it can't be possible!" cried Carrie, the instant they foundthemselves alone.

  "What can't?" and Elsie's blush and smile were charming.

  "That you and Mr. Travilla are lovers! I saw it in your faces; but, 'tistoo absurd! Why, he's your father's friend, and nearly as old."

  "All the wiser and better for that, Carrie, dear. But he is young inheart, and far from looking old, I think. I have grown so sick of yoursilly, brainless fops, who expect women neither to talk sense norunderstand it."

  "Ah, I dare say! and Mr. Travilla is the most sensible and polished ofmen--always excepting my own spouse, of course. And you won't be takenaway from us; so I give my consent."

  Elsie's only answer was a mirthful, amused look.

  "Oh, but I am glad to see you back!" Carrie ran on. "It seems an age sinceyou went away."

  "Thank you. And your husband? what is he like?"

  "I was never good at description, but he is a fine specimen of a Kentuckyplanter, and very fond of his wife. By the way, you must blame me thatEdward and Lora were so late in welcoming you home. I arrived onlyyesterday morning, quite fatigued with my journey, and begged them to waittill to-day, and bring me with them."

  "That was right. We have not seen Enna yet, or Arthur. Grandpa and Mrs.Dinsmore and Walter called yesterday. But there is the dinner-bell. Let meconduct you to the dining-room."

  They were just in time to sit down with the others.

  Elsie quickly perceived by her Aunt Lora's look and manner, that she, too,had heard the news, but no remark was make on the subject till the ladieshad retired to the drawing-room, leaving the gentlemen to the enjoyment oftheir after-dinner cigars.

  Then Mrs. Howard, facing round upon her niece as they entered the room,exclaimed, "Elsie, you naughty child! are you not ashamed of yourself?"

  "On account of what, auntie?"

  "Such unconscious innocence!" cried Lora, throwing up the white andjeweled hands she had rested lightly for an instant upon the young girl'sshoulder, while gazing steadily into the smiling, blushing, sparklingface. "You haven't been planning and promising to give Adelaide and me anephew older than ourselves? I tell you, miss, I refuse my consent. Why,it's absurd! the very idea! I used to think him almost an elderlygentleman when you were a chit of eight or nine."

  "I remember having had some such idea myself; but he must have beengrowing young since then," returned Elsie, demurely.

  "He seems to have been standing still (waiting for you, I suppose); but Inever was more astonished in my life!" said Lora, dropping into a chair.

  "It has been a genuine surprise to us all," remarked Rose.

  "To me as much as anyone, mamma," said Elsie. "I--had thought he wasengaged to you, Aunt Adie."

  "To _me_, child!"

  "Why, my dear, I surely told you about her engagement to my brotherEdward?" exclaimed Adelaide and Rose simultaneously.

  "You tried, mamma, and it was all my own fault that I did not hear thewhole truth. And, Aunt Adie, I cannot understand how he could ever fancyme, while he might have hoped there was a possibility of winning you."

  "'Twould have been a much more suitable match," said Lora. "Though I'dhave preferred the one in contemplation, except that in the other case,she would not be carried quite away from us. But suppose we proceed tobusiness. We should have a double wedding, I think."

  "Oh, don't talk of it yet," said Rose, with a slight tremble in her voice,and looking at Elsie's flushed, conscious face with eyes full of unshedtears. "Adelaide's is to be within the next two months, and--we cannotgive up Elsie so suddenly."

  "Of course not," said Adelaide; "and I should have serious objections tobeing used as a foil to Elsie's youth and beauty."

  The Howards and Mr. Travilla stayed to tea, and shortly before that mealthe party was increased by the arrival of Walter Dinsmore and Mrs. DickPercival.

  Enna had lost flesh and color; and long indulgence of a fretful, peevishtemper had drawn down the corners of her mouth, lined her forehead, andleft its ugly pencilings here and there over the once pretty face, so thatit already began to look old and care-worn. She was very gayly dressed, inthe height of the fashion, and rather overloaded with jewelry; but powderand rouge could not altogether conceal the ravages of discontent andpassion. She was conscious of the fact, and inwardly dwelt withmortification and chagrin upon the contrast presented by her own fadedface to that of Elsie, so fair and blooming, so almost childish in itssweet purity and innocence of expression.

  "So you are single yet," Enna said, with a covert sneer; "and not likelyto marry either, so far as I've been able to learn. They'll soon begin tocall you an old maid."

  "Will they?" said Mr. Dinsmore, with a laugh in which all present joined,Enna herself excepted; "well, if she is a fair specimen of thatmuch-abused class, they are far more attractive than is generallysupposed."

  "You needn't laugh," said Enna; "I was four years younger than she is now,when I married. I wasn't going to wait till they began to call me an oldmaid."

  "To bear that reproach is not the worst calamity that can befall a woman,"replied Mr. Dinsmore gravely; then changed the subject by a kind inquiryin regard to Arthur.

  "Slowly and steadily improving," answered Walter. "The doctors are nowsatisfied that he is not permanently crippled, though he still uses acrutch."