Chapter 7

He had been telling her of an oratorical contest in which he had borne a part, and, with a sudden tenderness in his voice, had said, “I wished a hundred times, while I was preparing my speech, that I could go over it with you. Do you remember how you always used to let me orate to you when I had anything on hand for the rhetoricals? It must have been an awful bore, but somehow I never felt as if I could go on the stage without your help.”

“And you see you didn’t need it after all,” she said, looking away. “You won the medal without me.”

“Oh, but it wasn’t without you,” he said, leaning toward her and speaking low, “for I was thinking all the time what you would say if I won.”

Ah, he could not have said a word like that if some other girl had stolen her place away!

The talk was over at last, and the supper too, the good substantial supper which was always spread at the Elwells’. She could go now. There was no formality to insist that having eaten she must stay still longer, and she wanted Morton to herself. She was quite ready for it now, and he would go home with her of course.

They had come back, with all the new meaning of it for each, to the old frankness and freedom, and yet as they took the familiar path across the fields, in the gathering dusk, it was not easy to speak the thought that filled both their hearts. They talked for a little while of indifferent things—of the lengthening days, of the buds swelling on the willows, of the new buildings rising on a neighbor’s place. Then, all at once the moon, the friendly moon, so kind in all its wanderings to the needs of lovers, rose up in the sky. It was a new moon, and they saw it at the same moment over their right shoulders.

“We must wish a wish, as we used to when we were children,” said Esther, gayly.

There could never be another moment like this. He stood suddenly still, and his eyes looked into hers. “Esther,” he said, “it seems to me I have only one wish in the world, it is so much dearer than all the others. If I could know, if I could surely know—” and then he stopped. That swelling at his throat which had choked him once before mastered his voice again, not from fear now, but hope.

She waited an instant, then, as her hand slipped into his, whispered, “Do you mean me, Mort? Oh,doyou mean me?”

It had never taken any one so long to cross that field as it did those two to cross the little space that was left. There was no bar to speech now, and there was so much to say! He said to her presently, with a note of perplexity in his voice, “Esther, I have never understood why you gave up going to Boston this winter. You certainly wanted very much to go at first.”

“Things changed after grandfather died,” she said. She hesitated a moment, then took refuge in the formula she had used so often to the others, but with a clause she had not whispered before, as she added, “Somehow I knew there was nothing I really wanted except to come home—and haveyoucome too.”

He murmured something rapturous. But he was not quite satisfied yet. After a little he said, “Esther, do you remember telling me once that if you had half a chance you’d live a different life from the common workaday sort; you’d have culture, and leisure, and travel, and all those things? You did have a chance, didn’t you?”

She flushed. “No one offered it to me,” she said. “Perhaps no one ever would. At any rate—” her voice sounded nervous but happy—“if ’twas ‘half a chance,’ I ran away from the other half. I didn’t want anything but you, Mort. I shall have whatever you have, and that’s enough.”

He threw back his head and drew a long breath. “Oh, I mean to do so much for you,” he said. “It seems to me I can accomplish anything now.”

There was the murmur of excited talking in the sitting room at the Northmores’ when they opened the door at last. “Well, of all the strange things she ever did, I call that the strangest,” the doctor was saying in the tone of one grappling with a mystery.

The two young people looked at each other wondering. Then Esther said, in a merry whisper, “He doesn’t mean me. He’ll think I’ve done the most sensible thing in the world.”

They walked toward the room, and the next moment Kate was in the hall to meet them. She was quite pale, and an unusual excitement showed in her manner. Even the sight of Morton Elwell seemed hardly to divert her preoccupation. “We heard you had come, and I’m so glad,” she said. Then, turning to her sister, she exclaimed: “Esther, the strangest thing you ever knew has happened. Aunt Katharine is dead. Mother got a letter just now.”

“Dead!” repeated Esther. It did not cross her mind to wonder why they thought this thing so strange. The fact itself filled her with a great and sudden sadness. “Poor dear Aunt Katharine!” she said, and in the light of what the last hour had brought to herself the thought of all the brave old heart had missed, and how stanchly she had borne it, filled her with a new love and pity. “How did it happen?”

“She died suddenly,” said Kate. “Aunt Elsie wrote about it. But it isn’t that. It’s her will! Oh, you can’t think how she’s left her money. It seems as if she couldn’t have meant it.”

An unmistakable alarm leaped into Esther Northmore’s eyes, and she turned suddenly to Morton Elwell. “We were great friends,” she whispered, in a low hurried tone, “but nothing, nothing could make any difference now.”

Low as the words were spoken, Kate caught them. “Oh, you darlings! you darlings!” she cried, throwing an arm round the neck of each. Then, between laughing and crying, she said hysterically, “But it isn’tyou, Esther, that she’s left her money to. It’sme! Think of it,me!”

“You!” ejaculated Esther, dropping with a sudden limpness against Morton’s shoulder. “Did she think—”

Kate pulled her toward the door. The preponderating note in her voice was laughter now. “Come and hear what she thinks.”

Even Esther could not wait for the details of the letter after this. Aunt Katharine had gone suddenly, as she always hoped she might, but her will, which she had directed to be read at once upon her decease, was a far greater surprise to her relatives. After giving careful directions for her funeral, she had made her bequests. The document had been drawn up before her brother’s death (by date in the early fall), and her farm, which joined his, had been left to him, as a permanent part of the Saxon homestead. To certain persons, who had been in a way dependent on her kindness, she had left small sums, among them Solomon Ridgeway, to be used for his support and comfort, “at such times as he may see fit to be absent from his present residence.” (So ran the wording.) To a certain charitable institution she had left five thousand dollars. To Esther Northmore, with her love, some personal belongings, and these, as the girl recognized with a throb at her heart, were those which she had valued most, and then followed this singular passage.

“As to the bulk of my property, it has sometimes crossed my mind that could I know some young woman intelligently devoted to the securing of those rights which I believe must be accorded to women before the conditions of society can become true and sane, and willing for the sake of these, and for the sake of her own independence, to refrain from marriage, that I would make such young woman my heir. Circumstances have, however, led me to doubt the probability of finding such a one, as well as the expediency of the measure. I, therefore, being in my right mind and of disposing memory, do give and bequeath the residue of my property, valued at thirty-five thousand dollars, to my grandniece and namesake, Katharine Saxon Northmore, who, I believe, has will enough of her own to pursue whatever courses she may see fit, in spite of any man who might be bold enough to marry her. And to the gift I add this request, that she will take the trouble to look candidly into those views which I have maintained. I am confident that her sister Esther will not misstate them.”

A minute of dead silence followed the reading. Then the doctor burst forth again: “The idea of leaving a legacy to anybody with a dig like that! Why couldn’t she have been civil about it if she wanted to do it? Perhaps her notion was to scare the young men off and keep Kate single after all.”

But Morton Elwell burst out laughing. “Not a bit of it,” he said. “A fellow who didn’t think he was mighty lucky to get Kate on any terms wouldn’t deserve to have her, and the old lady knew it. Kate, I call this glorious!” and he caught her and whirled her around the room at a rate which left them both breathless.

“I’ll tell you what ’tis, father,” she began, with a gasp, when they had fairly stopped. “I don’t intend to have the name without the game, and I mean to begin to use that money as I please, right away. We’ll pay off that mortgage that has bothered you so, the very first thing.”

“Nonsense,” said the doctor; but she went on:—

“And maybe, when I get through the rest of my schooling, I’ll take a course in medicine. I always thought I should like to be a doctor. Don’t you think ‘Northmore and Northmore’ would look well over your office?”

“Nonsense,” he said again, this time more sternly. But he had been known to say “nonsense” before to some plans which his girls carried out.

And after a while—“How far do thirty-five thousand dollars go? Imightdo something handsome by Mort and Esther,” she added, sending a sly look at the two young people.

Their sudden blushes told the rest of the story.

“Well, well!” said the doctor, laying down the paper, “how things are heaping up to-night!” He sent a glance at his wife, and the look in her eyes made his own grow moist. “My dear,” he said, “this is a pretty good world of ours, after all. I don’t pretend to understand what the cranks are driving at, but I rather think there are some of the old ways that’ll keep it sweet yet.”

W. A. Wilde Company, Publishers.

A REVOLUTIONARY MAID, A Story of the Middle Period of the War for Independence. By Amy E. Blanchard. 321 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The stirring times in and around New York following the pulling down of the statue of George the Third by the famous “Liberty Boys,” brings to the surface the patriotism of the young heroine of the story. This act of the New York patriots obliged Kitty De Witt to decide whether she would be a Tory or a Revolutionary maid, and a patriot good and true she became. Her many and various experiences are very interestingly pictured, making this a happy companion book to “A Girl of ’76.”

THE GOLDEN TALISMAN. By H. Phelps Whitmarsh. 300 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The narrative is based upon the adventures of a young Persian noble, who, being forced to leave his own country, leads an army against the mysterious mountain kingdom of Katfirias. Though defeated and taken prisoner by the enemy, the hero’s talisman saves his life and, later, leads him into kingly favor.

A valuable fund of information regarding the various plants, woods, and animals which furnish the world with perfume is happily interwoven into the story.

WHEAT AND HUCKLEBERRIES; Dr. Northmore’s Daughters. By Charlotte M. Vaile. 336 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

Mrs. Vaile has drawn the characters for her new book from the Middle West. But as the two girls spent their summer at their grandfather’s in New England, a capital groundwork is furnished for giving the local color of both sections of the country. The story is bright and spirited and the two girls are sure to find their place among the favorite characters in fiction. All those who have read the Orcutt stories will welcome this new book by Mrs. Vaile.

WITH PERRY ON LAKE ERIE, A Tale of 1812. By James Otis. 307 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The story carries the reader from March until October of 1813, being laid on Lake Erie, detailing the work of the gallant Perry, who at the time of his famous naval victory was but twenty-seven years of age. From the time the keels of the vessels which became famous were laid until the victory was won which made Perry’s name imperishable, the reader is kept in close touch with all that concerned Perry, and not only the main facts but the minor details of the story are historically correct.

Just the kind of historical story that young people—boys especially—are intensely interested in.

BARBARA’S HERITAGE or, Young Americans Among the Old Italian Masters. By D. L. Hoyt. 325 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

We welcome a book from the pen of Miss Hoyt, whose foreign travel and study has made possible an exceedingly interesting story, into which has been interwoven much instructive and valuable information.

With a desire to broaden the education of her son and daughter by the opportunities afforded in foreign travel, an American mother takes them to Italy, and the author in a very happy strain has given us their many experiences. Replete with numerous illustrations and half-tones, it makes a handsome and attractive volume.

W. A. Wilde Company, Boston and Chicago.

W. A. Wilde Company, Publishers.

THE QUEEN’S RANGERS. By Charles Ledyard, Norton. 352 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The thrilling period during the last years of our struggle for independence forms the groundwork for Colonel Norton’s latest work.

The intense patriotism which prompted our young men to do and dare anything for their country is shown in the exploits of the three young heroes.

By enlisting for a time beneath His Majesty’s flag they were able to give much valuable information to the colonial cause.

With historical truth the author in this, his latest book, has happily coupled an exceedingly interesting and instructive story.

THE ROMANCE OF CONQUEST. The Story of American Expansion through Arms and Diplomacy. By William E. Griffis. 312 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

In concise form it is the story of American expansion from the birth of the nation to the present day.

The reader will find details of every war. Anecdote enlivens the story from July 4, 1776, down to the days of Dewey, Sampson, and Schley, and of Miles, Merritt, Shatter, and Otis. It is a book as full of rapid movement as a novel.

WHEN BOSTON BRAVED THE KING. A Story of Tea-Party Times. By W. E. Barton, D. D. 314 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

One of the most absorbing stories of the Colonial-Revolutionary period published. The author is perfectly at home with his subject, and the story will be one of the popular books of the year.

“Though largely a story of boys and for boys, it has the liveliest interest for all classes of readers, and makes a strong addition to Dr. Barton’s already notable series of historical tales.”—Christian Endeavor World.

“It is a pleasure to read and to recommend such a book as this. In fact, we must say at the very beginning, that Dr. Barton is becoming one of the most skilful and enjoyable of American story-tellers.”—Boston Journal.

CADET STANDISH OF THE ST. LOUIS. A Story of Our Naval Campaign in Cuban Waters. By William Drysdale. 352 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

A strong, stirring story of brave deeds bravely done. A vivid picture of one of the most interesting and eventful periods of the late Spanish War.

“It is what the boys are likely to call ‘a rattling good story.’”—Cleveland Plain Dealer.

“Mr. Drysdale has drawn an effective picture of the recent war with Spain in his new book. The story is full of dash and fire without being too sensational.”—Congregationalist.

A DAUGHTER OF THE WEST. The Story of an American Princess. By Evelyn Raymond. 347 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

Interesting, wholesome, and admirable in every way is Mrs. Raymond’s latest story for girls. Descriptions of California life are one of the fascinations of the book.

“A well-written story of Western life and adventure, which has for its heroine a brave, high-minded girl.”—Chronicle Telegraph, Pittsburg.

“Laid among the broad valleys and lofty mountains of California every chapter is crowded full of most interesting experiences.”—Christian Endeavor World.

W. A. Wilde Company, Boston and Chicago.

W. A. Wilde Company, Publishers.

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION SERIES.

By Everett T. Tomlinson.

THREE COLONIAL BOYS. A Story of the Times of ’76. 368 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

It is a story of three boys who were drawn into the events of the times, is patriotic, exciting, clean, and healthful, and instructs without appearing to. The heroes are manly boys, and no objectionable language or character is introduced. The lessons of courage and patriotism especially will be appreciated in this day.—Boston Transcript.

THREE YOUNG CONTINENTALS. A Story of the American Revolution. 364 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

This story is historically true. It is the best kind of a story either for boys or girls, and is an attractive method of teaching history.—Journal of Education, Boston.

WASHINGTON’S YOUNG AIDES. A Story of the New Jersey Campaign, 1776-1777. 391 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The book has enough history and description to give value to the story which ought to captivate enterprising boys.—Quarterly Book Review.

The historical details of the story are taken from old records. These include accounts of the life on the prison ships and prison houses of New York, the raids of the pine robbers, the tempting of the Hessians, the end of Fagan and his band, etc.—Publisher’s Weekly.

Few boys’ stories of this class show so close a study of history combined with such genial story-telling power.—The Outlook.

TWO YOUNG PATRIOTS. A Story of Burgoyne’s Invasion. 366 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The crucial campaign in the American struggle for independence came in the summer of 1777, when Gen. John Burgoyne marched from Canada to cut the rebellious colonies asunder and join another British army which was to proceed up the valley of the Hudson. The American forces were brave, hard fighters, and they worried and harassed the British and finally defeated them. The history of this campaign is one of great interest and is well brought out in the part which the “two young patriots” look in the events which led up to the surrender of General Burgoyne and his army.

The set of four volumes in a box, $6.00.

SUCCESS. By Orison Swett Marden. Author of “Pushing to the Front,” “Architects of Fate,” etc. 317 pp. Cloth, $1.25.

It is doubtful whether any success books for the young have appeared in modern times which are so thoroughly packed from lid to lid with stimulating, uplifting, and inspiring material as the self-help books written by Orison Swett Marden. There is not a dry paragraph nor a single line of useless moralizing in any of his books.

To stimulate, inspire, and guide is the mission of his latest book, “Success,” and helpfulness is its keynote. Its object is to spur the perplexed youth to act the Columbus to his own undiscovered possibilities; to urge him not to wait for great opportunities, but to seize common occasions and make them great, for he cannot tell when fate may take his measure for a higher place.

W. A. Wilde Company, Boston and Chicago.

W. A. Wilde Company, Publishers.

BRAIN AND BRAWN SERIES.

By William Drysdale.

THE YOUNG REPORTER. A Story of Printing House Square. 300 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

I commend the book unreservedly.—Golden Rule.

“The Young Reporter” is a rattling book for boys.—New York Recorder.

The best boys’ book I ever read.—Mr. Phillips, Critic for New York Times.

THE FAST MAIL. A Story of a Train Boy. 328 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

“The Fast Mail” is one of the very best American books for boys brought out this season. Perhaps there could be no better confirmation of this assertion than the fact that the little sons of the present writer have greedily devoured the contents of the volume, and are anxious to know how soon they are to get a sequel.—The Art Amateur, New York.

THE BEACH PATROL. A Story of the Life-Saving Service. 318 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The style of narrative is excellent, the lesson inculcated of the best, and, above all, the boys and girls are real.—New York Times.

A book of adventure and daring, which should delight as well as stimulate to higher ideals of life every boy who is so happy as to possess it.—Examiner.

It is a strong book for boys and young men.—Buffalo Commercial.

THE YOUNG SUPERCARGO. A Story of the Merchant Marine. 352 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

Kit Silburn is a real “Brain and Brawn” boy, full of sense and grit and sound good qualities. Determined to make his way in life, and with no influential friends to give him a start, he does a deal of hard work between the evening when he first meets the stanch Captain Griffith, and the proud day when he becomes purser of a great ocean steamship. His sea adventures are mostly on shore; but whether he is cleaning the cabin of theNorth Capeor landing cargo in Yucatan, or hurrying the spongers and fruitmen of Nassau, or exploring London, or sight seeing with a disguised prince in Marseilles, he is always the same busy, thoroughgoing, manly Kit. Whether or not he has a father alive is a question of deep interest throughout the story; but that he has a loving and loyal sister is plain from the start.

The set of four volumes in a box, $6.00.

SERAPH, THE LITTLE VIOLINISTE. By Mrs. C. V. Jamieson. 300 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The scene of the story is the French quarter of New Orleans, and charming bits of local color add to its attractiveness.—The Boston Journal.

Perhaps the most charming story she has ever written is that which describes Seraph, the little violiniste.—Transcript, Boston.

W. A. Wilde Company, Boston and Chicago.

W. A. Wilde Company, Publishers.

TRAVEL-ADVENTURE SERIES.

IN WILD AFRICA. Adventures of Two Boys in the Sahara Desert, etc. By Thos. W. Knox. 325 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

A story of absorbing interest.—Boston Journal.

Our young people will pronounce it unusually good.—Albany Argus.

Col. Knox has struck a popular note in his latest volume.—Springfield Republican.

THE LAND OF THE KANGAROO. By Thos. W. Knox. Adventures of Two Boys in the Great Island Continent. 318 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

His descriptions of the natural history and botany of the country are very interesting.—Detroit Free Press.

The actual truthfulness of the book needs no gloss to add to its absorbing interest.—The Book Buyer, New York.

OVER THE ANDES; or, Our Boys in New South America. By Hezekiah Butterworth. 368 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

No writer of the present century has done more and better service than Hezekiah Butterworth in the production of helpful literature for the young. In this volume he writes, in his own fascinating way, of a country too little known by American readers.—Christian Work.

Mr. Butterworth is careful of his historic facts, and then he charmingly interweaves his quaint stories, legends, and patriotic adventures as few writers can.—Chicago Inter-Ocean.

The subject is an inspiring one, and Mr. Butterworth has done full justice to the high ideals which have inspired the men of South America.—Religious Telescope.

LOST IN NICARAGUA; or, The Lands of the Great Canal. By Hezekiah Butterworth. 295 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

The book pictures the wonderful land of Nicaragua and continues the story of the travelers whose adventures in South America are related in “Over the Andes.” In this companion book to “Over the Andes,” one of the boy travelers who goes into the Nicaraguan forests in search of a quetzal, or the royal bird of the Aztecs, falls into an ancient idol cave, and is rescued in a remarkable way by an old Mosquito Indian. The narrative is told in such a way as to give the ancient legends of Guatemala, the story of the chieftain, Nicaragua, the history of the Central American Republics, and the natural history of the wonderlands of the ocelot, the conger, parrots, and monkeys.

Since the voyage of theOregon, of 13,000 miles to reach Key West the American people have seen what would be the value of the Nicaragua Canal. The book gives the history of the projects for the canal, and facts about Central America, and a part of it was written in Costa Rica. It enters a new field.

The set of four volumes in a box, $6.00.

QUARTERDECK AND FOK’SLE. By Molly Elliott Seawell. 272 pp. Cloth, $1.25.

Miss Seawell has done a notable work for the young people of our country in her excellent stories of naval exploits. They are of the kind that causes the reader, no matter whether young or old, to thrill with pride and patriotism at the deeds of daring of the heroes of our navy.

W. A. Wilde Company, Boston and Chicago.

W. A. Wilde Company, Publishers.

FIGHTING FOR THE FLAG SERIES.

By Chas. Ledyard Norton.

JACK BENSON’S LOG; or, Afloat with the Flag in ’61. 281 pp. Cloth, $1.25.

An unusually interesting historical story, and one that will arouse the loyal impulses of every American boy and girl. The story is distinctly superior to anything ever attempted along this line before.—The Independent.

A story that will arouse the loyal impulses of every American boy and girl.—The Press.

A MEDAL OF HONOR MAN; or, Cruising Among Blockade Runners. 280 pp. Cloth, $1.25.

A bright, breezy sequel to “Jack Benson’s Log.” The book has unusual literary excellence.—The Book Buyer, New York.

A stirring story for boys.—The Journal, Indianapolis.

MIDSHIPMAN JACK. 290 pp. Cloth, $1.25.

Jack is a delightful hero, and the author has made his experiences and adventures seem very real.—Congregationalist.

It is true historically and full of exciting war scenes and adventures.—Outlook.

A stirring story of naval service in the Confederate waters during the late war.—Presbyterian.

The set of three volumes in a box, $3.75.

A GIRL OF ’76. By Amy E. Blanchard. 331 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

“A girl of ’76” lays its scene in and around Boston where the principal events of the early period of the Revolution were enacted. Elizabeth Hall, the heroine, is the daughter of a patriot who is active in the defense of his country. The story opens with a scene in Charlestown, where Elizabeth Hall and her parents live. The emptying of the tea in Boston Harbor is the means of giving the little girl her first strong impression as to the seriousness of her father’s opinions, and causes a quarrel between herself and her schoolmate and playfellow, Amos Dwight.

A SOLDIER OF THE LEGION. By Chas. Ledyard. Norton. 300 pp. Cloth, $1.50.

Two boys, a Carolinian and a Virginian, born a few years apart during the last half of the eighteenth century, afford the groundwork for the incidents of this tale.

The younger of the two was William Henry Harrison, sometime President of the United States, and the elder, his companion and faithful attendant through life, was Carolinus Bassett, Sergeant the old First Infantry, and in an irregular sort of a way Captain of Virginian Horse. He it is who tells the story a few years after President Harrison’s death, his granddaughter acting as critic and amanuensis.

The story has to do with the early days of the Republic, when the great, wild, unknown West was beset by dangers on every hand, and the Government at Washington was at its wits’ end to provide ways and means to meet the perplexing problems of national existence.

W. A. Wilde Company, Boston and Chicago.

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