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Stanford Eveleth - Miss Dexie

S >> Stanford Eveleth >> Miss Dexie




"Why, Dexie, this will never do. You will spoil your eyes for to-night,
dear. Nothing so very dreadful has happened, after all. I was quite alarmed
at Gussie's account, and feared something serious had occurred. Don't be so
foolish as to mind this bit of paper."

But Dexie buried her face in her father's shoulder and cried the more.

"Oh, it is too bad of you, auntie. I thought you would care if I was
abused, but nobody does, not even papa; but I'll make somebody sorry, for I
won't go near their old concert," and she jerked away from her father's
arms, and threw herself back on the bed.

Aunt Jennie motioned for Mr. Sherwood and Gussie to leave the room,
thinking she might manage Dexie better alone, for this hysterical crying
needed to be checked at once. She sat down beside her and stroked the hot
face until Dexie's sobs had somewhat ceased. Her gentle voice did much to
soothe the tempest in Dexie's breast, but she seemed to have lost her
persuasive power for the time.

Mr. Sherwood went at once to his wife's room to explain the cause of the
disturbance.

"How inconsiderate of Dexie to cause so much annoyance!" was her fretful
comment. "I am quite sure I shall have the headache, for the way she
slammed that door was enough to upset the strongest nerves. I thought of
going to the concert myself if I finished my book in time, but it seems my
fate to be robbed of all pleasure. Why don't you use your authority,
Clarence, and make her behave herself?"

"You must make some allowance for her, wife, for she feels much hurt over
that announcement. But the trouble is, what's to be done if she persists in
her determination not to appear? I might insist on her going to the hall,
but I doubt if I could make her whistle after she got there."

"Well, if you do not use your authority you need not ask me to interfere.
She has quite upset me as it is."

"It is not very often that she gets worked up like this. I believe she
controls her temper about as well as any of us. She seldom lets her tongue
loose as she used to do when things went wrong, but flies to her room and
fights it out alone. I expect those Gurneys have a good influence over our
wilful Dexie."

"Well, I suppose she does not see those mild, quiet girls fly into a
passion very often, and this tiresome concert is to blame for this
disturbance. I fear if she has made up her mind not to go, you may as well
leave her alone; so let the matter rest, it disturbs me," and Mrs. Sherwood
closed her eyes as if the subject had passed completely from her mind.

But Mr. Sherwood could not let the matter rest so easily, and his wife's
indifference annoyed him exceedingly.

"Confound their stupidity!" he exclaimed at last, beginning to see it with
Dexie's eyes. "They might have known that she would object to such an
announcement, but it will be an awkward thing if she does not appear after
all. I hope Aunt Jennie will bring her to reason."

"I hope so too, I'm sure," answered the wife with a sigh; "but Lancy Gurney
is as much interested in the matter as herself, and I believe he would make
her change her mind if anyone could."

"Well, I think I will run in and see if he is at home, but I'm afraid it
will make a bad matter worse."

A few minutes later Mr. Sherwood was standing in the parlor next door,
shaking hands with Mrs. Gurney.

"We don't seem to meet very often, do we, though we are such near
neighbors," she said, with a smile, when the usual greetings had been
exchanged, "but you look worried. Are all well at home this morning?"

"We are all well disturbed, certainly," he answered, with a short laugh. "I
have just come in to see if I could get someone to help me about Dexie."

"Why? what has happened her? She is not hurt, I hope!"

"Well, her feelings are, tremendously, I can tell you;" and pulling out the
objectionable handbill from his pocket, added, "she came upon this down in
some store, and has come home as mad as a hatter, declaring she has been
insulted, and she vows she won't whistle or go near the concert at all
to-night."

"Well, that _would_ be rather serious, wouldn't it?" was the mild reply.
"Poor girlie, so she don't like to be called the 'American warbler.' It is
the publicity of it, I expect, that has hurt her. Where is she now?"

"Up in her room, crying her eyes out. The more we try to reason with her,
the worse she is; even Aunt Jennie has failed to quiet her."

"Now if you will let me advise--you know I have more experience with
rebellious children than most women," and she smiled up into the anxious
face above her, "let her have her cry out, and say no more to her about it
just now, and, if you care to turn her over to us, I think I can promise
you she will be all right by and by."

"Do you mean that you are willing to take her off our hands for the day?"
and he looked eagerly into her face.

"Yes, if we may. I will send one of the children in to ask her to dinner,
and we will not let her suspect that we know anything about it until she
speaks of the matter herself. We will find something pleasant to take up
her attention until Lancy comes home, and by that time she will have had
time to think of the matter in a different light."

"But do you think she will consent to whistle after all, Mrs. Gurney? That
is the main thing."

"Certainly; I have no fear. If the matter is put before her in a serious
light, she will be sure to do what is honorable. Of course, I quite
understand that until her temper cools off she will be immovable; those
determined natures always are. I have brought up one hot-headed person, and
I think I know the weak spot; and Hugh McNeil was never _quite_
unmanageable. Do not fret about Dexie, I feel sure she will fulfil her part
to-night, and do us all credit."

"Thanks, Mrs. Gurney. You cannot think what a relief it is to hear you
speak so confidently about it. I should feel very much aggrieved if she
persisted in her refusal, for I urged her to whistle, much against her
will, and I feel responsible for her appearance. I think, myself, that it
was not just the fair thing to send those handbills broadcast without
making her acquainted with the contents beforehand."

"Yes, they might have consulted her; but, of course, it never occurred to
them that she would feel offended, and really I wonder that she is myself.
Still, I can quite understand it when I consider how uncertain she must
feel about her reception as a whistler."

"Yes, that is the trouble, but she went out on purpose to buy some little
things to wear to-night, and I would like to know if she has everything
ready. But I daresay it will not be wise to refer to the matter while she
is of the same mind. Yet I want her to look as well as the rest of them,"
said Mr. Sherwood, in an anxious tone.

"To be sure. Well, her dress must be prepared for her. It would be a great
disappointment to Lancy if anything should happen to prevent her going; so
we must unite our efforts and carry the day, in spite of this little freak
of Dexie's. Now, I expect my girls know what Dexie's plans were for
to-night; and as my dressmaker is here finishing Cora's dress, I will have
her attend to Dexie's also; so let Gussie bring in what materials she
purchased while out this morning, and we will hold a consultation on the
matter. Now, do not be alarmed, Mr. Sherwood," she added, seeing his look
of concern. "I will promise to send her to the concert in good trim, and in
good temper too," and she smiled pleasantly as she bade him "Good morning,"
as if it were an everyday affair to bring refractory girls to terms.




CHAPTER XV.


Mr. Sherwood returned home feeling much relieved, and meeting Aunt Jennie
on the stairs, asked after Dexie's present condition.

"She is crying still, though not so violently. I fear she has fully
determined not to take part in the concert to-night. I have done my best,
but I cannot shake her determination, so I have left her to herself to
think it over."

"That's right. I have just been in to Mrs. Gurney's, and she has offered to
settle the difficulty and be responsible for her appearance to-night."

"That is good news, indeed. I have perfect trust in Mrs. Gurney's ability
to succeed where the rest of us all fail; but the next trouble is, I
haven't the least idea what Dexie intended to do with the yards of lace she
brought home this morning, unless she intends to drape it over her dress in
some way."

"Mrs. Gurney has promised to relieve us of that trouble also. She is quite
as anxious as we are that Dexie shall make a good appearance, and if you
will collect the fixings and take them in, Mrs. Gurney says her dressmaker
will do what is necessary."

"Then the trouble may be considered over," said she, with a relieved sigh.

"I will run into Mrs. Gurney's myself, and see what I can do for the
general good. How nice it is to have _real_ friends so near!" she added,
as she followed Mr. Sherwood into the sitting-room.

In about half an hour, Elsie Gurney came running into the house, and as she
came through the hall called, "Dexie, Dexie, where are you?"

Aunt Jennie opened the door, saying: "She is up in her room, Elsie; run
right up."

Dexie heard the call, and, hastily rising, poured some cold water into the
basin, and began to bathe her face. Her head was bent over the basin when
Elsie entered the room.

"Oh, here you are! What on earth are you poking up here for at this time of
day?" was the matter-of-fact greeting. "You are to hurry up and come into
our house and stay to dinner. Mother said you are allowed, so you needn't
stop to ask permission; and, just think, the box that grandma sent from
England has arrived, and it is full of all kinds of finery. You know we
always have a box sent us at Christmas time, but this one was delayed
somehow," and she looked curiously at the flushed face that was buried in
the brimming hands. "There is always something for everyone of us in the
box; but do hurry, Dexie, your face isn't so dirty that it needs soaking, I
hope."

"Well, hardly," was the reply, thankful enough to be given so much time to
recover her composure; "but I may as well tell you before you find it out
yourself that I have had a bad attack of the pouts, and the effect is not
so easy to get rid of. Now, you needn't ask what's up, for I don't intend
to tell you."

"Pshaw! who cares about your pouts? Not I, anyway," was the reply, in a
high and mighty tone. "Come along, if you're coming, and if you're not,
then stay home. I can't wait, for I want to see what is in the box for me."

This unceremonious manner of treatment made Dexie come down somewhat from
the pedestal of injured greatness, and she forced herself to talk to Elsie
to keep her waiting, while she made a fresh toilet.

"Now, do I look a fright?" Dexie asked, as she prepared to follow Elsie
downstairs.

"Well, I can't say that you look much worse than usual, but you certainly
don't look any better. Your nose looks swelled. Shouldn't wonder if you had
it tweaked; but, then, what odds how it looks? Hurry up, and come along. We
have apple dumplings for dinner to-day. Do you like milk or sauce on them
best?"

Dexie did not answer; something of more consequence than dumplings was
troubling her just then, and as she followed Elsie into the front hall, she
was tenderly feeling her nose and mentally comparing it with its usual
proportions, inwardly calling herself all sorts of hard names for being so
silly.

"But I won't whistle to-night, so there!" she kept saying to herself, as if
she needed to keep her determination constantly before herself in order to
back it up.

Elsie rushed up the stairs at once, eager to enjoy the delights that an
English box always contained; but for once Dexie's interest was centred in
herself. Her nose could not be forgotten; in fact, she was trying to reduce
its proportions by pressing it between her thumb and finger. She wondered
if the rest of the family would notice it and make remarks thereon. Lancy
would be sure to know at once that something was wrong; but she would keep
out of sight, for she would _not_ whistle; no, indeed.

"Oh, Dexie, how you do poke along!" Elsie remarked from the top of the
stairs. "I declare, you are enough to try the patience of a Job. Come
along, or I'll rush into the room first, manners or no manners; then mother
will be displeased."

Dexie was up the few remaining steps before Elsie had finished speaking.
She was just as anxious to see the English presents as if half of them were
meant for herself. Her swelled nose was instantly forgotten, and she passed
through the door that Elsie held open for her, and was soon bending over
the treasures with the rest. The room was soon in confusion, as dress
patterns, laces, ribbons, gloves and fans, and trinkets in endless variety
were strewn over bed, table and chairs. The swelled nose could not hide the
beautiful things laid out for her admiring eyes, and she watched with
smiling face as Elsie adorned herself with finery without regard to number
or suitability.

"Oh, what a fine Indian brave am I!" sang Elsie as she danced before the
mirror, her arms adorned with three sets of bracelets, and her neck
encircled with ribbons and lace, while several lockets and charms attached
to velvet bands added to her glory. "Now, with a few of those ostrich tips
in my hair, I shall be ready to start for the Governor's ball," she added,
dancing around the room, sending the ribbons and laces gaily fluttering
behind her.

"You'll bawl at home, my lady, if you spoil anything with your capers,"
said Cora. "Take off those things at once, Elsie; some of them are mine, I
know. Oh! here is a note, mother. The coral set belongs to Elsie, and is
presented by her godmother, and this bangled set is mine. Do you think they
would be too showy to wear to-night, mother?"

"Oh! what is this beautiful thing?" Dexie exclaimed, as she lifted a
handsome lace bertha. "My! isn't it lovely? How do I look in borrowed
feathers--or laces, to be more exact?"

"Oh, fine!" Elsie replied. "I wonder who it was sent to--not me, I hope; it
would make me look like a fright, while it makes you look like a fairy,"
and Elsie turned to examine another parcel.

But Cora had decided in her own mind who it was that should be the first to
wear the pretty lace affair, for as she looked at Dexie with the fluffy
thing around her neck and throat, she seemed to suggest the very character
she was to fill in the evening, and, as she removed it and laid it gently
aside, Cora whispered to her mother:

"It will suit her nicely, don't you think? What else would do to go with
it?"

"Those ribbons and gloves match it perfectly; they were meant to go
together, I expect, for an evening costume. Just see what she takes a fancy
to, and lay it aside; then use your own judgment."

A little scream of delight from Elsie betokened another pleasant discovery.

"Gloves! boxes of gloves, and handkerchiefs by the set, and all hemmed,
too! Oh! and marked; see, these are my initials. Blessings on the
thoughtful person who sent me those, for my handkerchiefs disappear as
mysteriously as ghosts. Now, if I only unearth a box of shoe-laces, I'll
think my cup of joy quite full."

"Shoe-laces! and they so cheap!" Dexie exclaimed in surprise.

"But I have to buy mine with my pocket-money. I break so many of the
tiresome things, that mother thinks it will make me more careful if I have
to replace them myself. But they are always in knots, and when I have to
keep them neat and tidy at my own expense it leaves me little enough for
chocolate creams. Dear me! I think they might have sent me a few dozen, so
that I might get a chance to have one good 'tuck in' for once, as the
street arabs say."

"Why, Elsie, I am surprised at you," was the mother's mild rebuke. "Surely
you can feel grateful, without requiring shoe-laces to 'fill up your cup
with joy,'" and there was a faint smile around the mouth that reproved in
such quiet tones.

"Ah! I know what ails me, mother dear. 'From all selfishness, envy,
uncharitableness,--and all the rest of it, good Lord, deliver me.' I'll say
it next Sunday with a different meaning to it, particularly if I get the
shoe-laces."

"Why, Elsie Gurney! how dare you speak those words so flippantly!" said
Cora severely, looking at her sister in surprise and displeasure.

"I wasn't _thinking_ flippantly, if I did speak so. I wasn't, truly,
mamma," said Elsie, in a contrite tone. "I never thought I was selfish
and--and all the other things when I said it over in church, but I do
believe I am--some--anyway. After this I will say 'deliver me' instead of
'us.'"

"Hasty speeches often lead to thoughtful acts. I will be very glad if the
missing shoe-laces make my daughter a little more thoughtful about things
of greater moment. Do not look so shocked, Cora; it did not _sound_ well, I
know, but she did not mean it irreverently, I'm sure. I remember when I was
a child at home we all had to learn the fifty-first Psalm as a Lenten
lesson, and once my little brother came through the rooms, singing it to
the most rollicking tune that was ever danced by; but the very contrast
between words and tune made the words sink into my heart as nothing else
could have done, for I did not learn very readily. Of course, dear, I do
not approve of it; but children are children, and the longer they remain so
the better, I think," and with a little sigh Mrs. Gurney left the room,
laying her hand lovingly on Elsie's head as she passed her.

More than an hour passed before the contents of the box had been examined,
then with Dexie's assistance the wrappings which covered the floor were
picked up, tables were tidied, and the room put in order.

Mrs. Gurney drew Lancy aside as soon as he entered the house, to explain
the difficulty about Dexie.

"What! Not whistle or go near us!" he cried. "Why, she'll have to!
Everybody is talking about the concert, and inquiring about our 'warbler.'
Those handbills were the greatest success. Not whistle, indeed, when the
crowd will be there on purpose to hear her. Why, mother, she is the chief
attraction! Where is she? I'll show her very soon that she _can't_ back
out. They would mob us if she failed to appear. Why, I couldn't go either
if she did not."

"Softly, softly, my son," laying her hand on his arm. "Wait a moment till I
explain further. Dexie is not one to be forced into doing a thing she does
not like, and if you talk to her in that strain you will only strengthen
her determination to stay at home. She must be treated differently if we
would gain her full consent, and nothing short of that will do. I have
watched her face, and I know that unless quiet measures are used she will
resist to the last. My boy, I am quite as anxious as you are about it, so
do not look so wild. Listen to my plan."

Lancy's excitement cooled down as he listened to his mother's advice, and
he promised to do his part if sufficient self-control were granted him.




CHAPTER XVI.


When they met around the dinner-table Lancy was strangely silent, though
his eyes shone with suppressed feeling, and Dexie began to hope that the
subject of the concert would not be broached; but her hopes were rudely
shattered as Mr. Gurney turned his smiling face and said:

"So you have honored us with your company to-day, Miss Dexie. Are you
aware, wife, that our young neighbor has found a place in the hearts of the
public, though her identity is hidden as yet under the sweet sounding title
of 'American Warbler?' Every one is asking, 'Who is it?'"

Some commonplace remark from Mrs. Gurney, followed by a warning look,
caused the subject to be suddenly changed, and in the conversation that
followed, the angry flush faded from Dexie's cheeks, the firm shut mouth
relaxed; but the workings of her mind were not quite hidden from the
motherly eyes that watched her so closely.

Dexie was fully determined not to go to the concert, yet she would not have
cared to confess it to those around her, knowing how shocked they would be
at such a resolution. Somehow the matter looked different while she was
among them as one of the family. She was sure that the high sense of honor
that prevailed among the Gurneys would be sufficient to make any of them
fulfil a promise once made, even at a great sacrifice to themselves.

But she would not. No! not if they despised her for it! She would not put
up with that impudent advertisement, and she laid down her knife and fork
quite suddenly, and clasped her hands in her lap in that close grasp that
always told when her feelings were stirred.

Mrs. Gurney watched the expressive face, and returned Lancy's look with one
of sympathy.

"Lancy is going to drive to the Four-Mile House this afternoon, Dexie,"
said Mrs. Gurney. "Would you like to go with him?"

"Oh, yes, indeed," was the quick reply, delighted to escape further
questioning.

"Then he will have the sleigh ready as soon as you are. Be sure and wrap
up your mouth and throat. It never do to catch cold, you know."

Dexie lifted her eyes for one brief moment to the smiling face of the
little mother. The reference to her throat brought back the troublesome
resolution that would not stay resolved, try as she would. She longed to
throw herself at her feet and confess the whole hateful story, but she
dared not. That resolution would fall to pieces like a house of cards, if
once the story were told to Mrs. Gurney. But she hated herself for the
deceit she was practising. How would it end?

As Lancy drove round to the front door Cora ran out and whispered:

"Don't speak hastily to her, Lancy. Remember how much depends on the way
you put it. But be sure and get her full consent."

"What time am I to bring her home?"

"As early as possible; if she has not consented by four o'clock, bring her
home to mother. You know we have to dress and have tea."

"And what about Dexie's fine feathers?"

"Only get her consent to go, and we will make a perfect fairy of her.
Grandma's box just came in time."

Just then Dexie appeared, and was quickly tucked under the robes.

"Wish us good luck, or fling a slipper, do, Cora, for we are going to
elope!" Dexie laughingly exclaimed.

"Good luck, then, and with all my heart I wish it; but slippers are costly,
and mine are new," was the laughing reply.

"What happy fortune takes you out of town this afternoon, Lancy?" said
Dexie, a few minutes later. "Make it forty miles, instead of four, if you
wish to earn my everlasting gratitude."

"Any other day, Dexie, I would feel like taking you at your word," and a
look full of meaning flashed from his eyes, which she understood.

By and by they passed a fence that was covered with posters, and in the
most conspicuous place Dexie saw the obnoxious handbills with their great,
staring letters.

"Did you see that?" and Dexie flushed angrily, as she pointed at the
announcement.

"Why, yes! and everybody is coming to the hall to hear you to-night."

"Are they, indeed!" drawing her head back stiffly. "Then they might save
themselves the trouble, for they won't hear me."

"Dexie, you are not in earnest!" and Lancy tried to repress the hot words
that rose to his lips. "You surely would not refuse to whistle after giving
your word, and the posters all over the city?"

"Why was I not consulted about the announcement, if I am of so much
importance? Who was it that dared to use my name in such a manner? If you
know, you can go and tell them that I resent the insult, and will not
appear before an audience under such a nickname!"

"Some people would think the title very complimentary, Dexie."

"Those who do can earn the title and enjoy the compliment, then, for it
won't be me," was the firm and angry reply.

"Dexie, I can't think you mean all your words imply. If you knew how highly
Mr. Ross speaks of your whistling, you would know that he would be the last
one to offend you. Indeed, he is so assured that your performance will be
the chief part of the concert that he gave it the special mention that has
offended you, and he has gone to the expense of fitting up the hall away
beyond anything ever seen in Halifax. He is so lifted up you would think he
was walking on air."

"He will find solid ground under his feet about eight o'clock this evening,
I fancy! for he will find that his 'warbler' has flown to parts unknown."

"Is it possible, Dexie, that you have it in your heart to so disappoint the
members of the club, and the public as well? As for the name he has given
you, what matters it? I have been called 'The Dandy' for years, but I have
as much respect from my friends as if the term were complimentary. Dexie, I
can't think you intend to go back on your word."

"Dexie felt the reproach, but would not relent.

"Mr. Ross had no right to announce my part of the performance at all; it
was only as a favor I consented to whistle. If I am his 'drawing-card,' it
was only fair to consult me about publishing the fact. I feel positive
that, after such an announcement, I will be hissed off the stage before I
utter a dozen notes. Who ever heard of a girl whistling in public before?
It is considered vulgar enough if she is caught at it in private! I cannot
face them, Lancy; I truly cannot."

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