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Page 38
Miss Heywood shook her head doubtingly. "You deceive me,
Ronayne--with the best intention, but still you deceive
me. If you really think the rumor be exaggerated, why
your own restlessness and seriousness of manner? Harry,
this is no time for concealment, for I feel that I can
better bear the truth NOW than LATER. Do not hesitate
then to tell me all you know."
"True, my love, this is no time for concealment since
such be the state of your feelings. I was unwilling to
admit my own apprehension on the subject, fearing that
you might be ill-prepared for the disclosure; but after
what you have just urged, the blow can never fall less
heavily than now. You must know, then, that a party of
hostile Indians have, there is too much reason to fear,
used violence toward the inmates of the farm-house, but
to what extent we have no means of knowing; though such
is the alarm created by their presence that Headley, who
you know is the very soul of caution, has ordered every
white in the neighborhood of the Fort, to be removed for
safety within its walls."
"Would that instead of THAT," remarked Miss Heywood, with
solemnity, "he had despatched those soldiers, whom I see
there fully armed, to the rescue of my poor father.
Perhaps he might be saved yet--the house is strong, and
might be defended for some time, even by a couple of
men."
"And me at their head. Is it not so, Maria?" inquired
the youth.
"Yes, and you at their head, dear Ronayne," repeated Miss
Heywood; "to no one sooner would I be indebted for my
father's safety, as no one would, I am sure, more cheerfully
attempt his deliverance."
The young American mused a moment, and then rejoined,
despondingly; "Were these men at my disposal, Maria, how
gladly would I hasten to encounter every difficulty, the
removal of which would spare your gentle bosom those
pangs; but you know Headley would never permit it. His
prudence is a mania, and even were he to yield his
consent--let me not sustain you with delusive hopes--I
fear it would be too late."
"God's will be done," she ejaculated, as the large tears
fell trickling down her pallid cheeks, "but what will
become of my poor and now nearly death-stricken-mother,
when she hears of this?"
"The blow is indeed a fearful one, but act, I pray you,
with courage. Consider, too, your own safety. No one
knows the force of the Indians, or how soon they may be
here. Go in, dearest, prepare what you may more immediately
require for a few days, and my men will carry your trunks
down to the scow which is waiting to receive you."
"And if I should consent to go, Ronayne, you know my poor
mother cannot rise from her bed. What do you propose to
do with her? To remove her, and let her know WHY she is
removed, would soon finish the work her debilitating
disease has begun."
"I have made every necessary provision," answered the
young officer, glad to find that her thoughts could be
diverted from the immediate source of her sorrow. "Elmsley's
wife, to whom I spoke a few hurried words on leaving, is
even now preparing for your temporary reception, and I
have thought of an excuse to be given to your mother.
You must for once in your life use deceit, and say that
Van Vottenberg desires her presence in the fort, because
his duties have become so severe that he can no longer
absent himself to bestow upon her that professional care
she so much requires. Nay, look not so incredulous. I am
aware that the pretext is a meagre one, but I cannot at
present think of a better; and in her enfeebled state
she will not dwell upon the strangeness of the plea. Go
on then, I entreat you, and desire Catherine to collect
what you will want, while my men carry to the scow such
articles of furniture as will be most useful to you in
your new quarters. Quick, dear Maria, I implore you,
there has already been too much time lost, and I expect
every moment an order from Headley to return immediately."
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