I went to find my father, he answered, in quiet tones.
Your father? But he
The young girl checked herself at the thought of a fearful incident that only now rose to her remembrance another episode of that night of horrors.
She repented of her speech, for she believed that Pierre knew nothing of what had then occurred. He had not been told, either by her father or by herself, that Dick Tarleton had been there, as he was still in an unconscious state when the latter left the cabin never more to return to it.
She had said nothing of it to Pierre after his recovery. Her father had cautioned her against any communication with him on the subject, and indeed there was not much chance, for the moment he was in a condition to travel, the old hunter had hurried him off, going in the dead of night, and taking the youth along with him.
Remembering all this, Lena regretted the speech half commenced, and was thinking how she should change to another subject, when Pierre, interrupting, relieved her from her embarrassment, as he spoke.
You need not tell me, Lena, said he, his voice trembling; I know the sad tale all of it, perhaps more than you, though it was later that! learnt of it, my sweet innocent! You little dreamt when But no, I must not. Let us talk no more of those times, but only of the present. And now, Lena, I do not wish to see your father, nor do I want him to know that I am in the neighbourhood. Therefore, you must not say you have seen me.
I will not, answered she, in a tone that spoke more of sorrow than surprise. Alas! it is too easy to obey your request, for I dare not even speak of you to him. My father, I know not for what reason, has forbidden me to mention your name. If by chance I ever asked after you, or spoke of your coming back, it was only to get scolded. Will you believe it, Pierre, he once told me you were dead? But I grieved so, he afterwards repented, and said he had only done it to try me. God forgive me for speaking so of my own father, but I almost fancied at times that he wished it himself. O Pierre! what have you ever done to make him your enemy?
I cannot tell, that is a mystery to me; and so too his sending me away, and so too several other things; but Whose voice is that?
My fathers! And the tramp of his horse! He is coming along the
lane. O, Pierre! you must not let him see you!
Nor shall he. I can get off as I came, under cover of the trees. Adieu, dearest! meet me to-morrow night. Come out late, when all are gone to bed say eleven. Youll find me waiting for you here no, by the big cottonwood yonder. How often we used to sit under its shade.
Go, Pierre, go! Hes got up to the gate.
One more kiss, love! and then
Their lips met and parted; and they too parted, the girl gliding towards the house, and the young man stealing off among the peach trees, to seek safer concealment in the shadowy woods beyond.
Story 1-Chapter XVII. Father and Daughter
What news, father?
Thet the liquor hez at last done its work, an ole Planter Brandon air dead.
O father! surely you do not call it good news?
And shurly I do the best o news. Alf air now full master o the place, an thars nothin to hinder you from bein full mistress ot. I know he intend makin, you a offer o marriage, an Ive reezun to blieve itll be done this very day. Brandon war buried day before yesserday.
If he does, father, I shall refuse him.
Refuse him! cried the quondam squatter, half starting out of the chair in which he had just seated himself. Lena, gurl! hev ye tuk leave o yur senses? Air ye in airnest?
I am, father. I mean what Ive said.
Mean, darnation! yere eyether mad, gurl, or else talkin like a chile. Dye know what refusin means?
I have not thought of it.
But I hev, over an over agin. It means beggary preehap sturvation, for myself as well as you.
Id rather starve than marry Alf Brandon.
Ye woud, woud ye? Then ye may hev a chance ot, soonern ye think for. Yeve got an idea yur ole dads well to do; an so think a good many other folks. Thars been a house built, an a clarin made; but neythers been paid for. Jerry Rook dont know the day he may hev to up sticks, an go back agin to some durned old crib o a cabin.
Father! I was as happy in our old cabin as Ive ever been in this fine house. Ay, far happier.
Yer war, war ye? But I warnt not by a long chalk; and I dont want to squat in any o yer shanties agin not if I kin keep out o em. Hyars a plan by which yur may be rich for the rest o yur life; an thurd be no need for me starvin eyther. Alf Brandon kums in for a good plantation, wi three score niggers on it; an thurs nothin to hinder yur from bein mistress o the hul lot.
I dont wish it.
But I do; an I mean to hev it so. Dont git it in yur head, good-lookin as yur may think yurself, thet the world air a stick o sugar-candy an yeve got nothin to do but suck it. I tell yur, gurl, Ive drifted into difeequilties. Ive had some rasources you know nothin beout; but I cant tell the day the supplies may be stopt , an then weve got to go under. Now, dye unnerstan me?