CHAPTER XXII.
_SHORT AND SWEET._
In the hall she found Steve and Kitty; for he had hidden his littlesweetheart behind the big couch, feeling that she had a right there,having supported his spirits during the late anxiety with greatconstancy and courage. They seemed so cosey, billing and cooing in theshadow of the gay vase, that Rose would have slipped silently away ifthey had not seen and called to her.
"He's not gone: I guess you'll find him in the parlor," said Steve,divining with a lover's instinct the meaning of the quick look shehad cast at the hat-rack, as she shut the study-door behind her.
"Mercy, no! Archie and Phebe are there, so he'd have the sense to popinto the sanctum and wait; unless you'd like me to go and bring himout?" added Kitty, smoothing Rose's ruffled hair, and settling theflowers on the bosom where Uncle Alec's head had laid until he fellasleep.
"No, thank you, I'll go to him when I've seen my Phebe. She won't mindme," answered Rose, moving on to the parlor.
"Look here," called Steve, "do advise them to hurry up and all bemarried at once. We were just ready when uncle fell ill, and now wecan _not_ wait a day later than the first of May."
"Rather short notice," laughed Rose, looking back with the door-knobin her hand.
"We'll give up all our splendor, and do it as simply as you like, if_you_ will only come too. Think how lovely! three weddings at once! Dofly round and settle things: there's a dear," implored Kitty, whoseimagination was fired with this romantic idea.
"How can I, when I have no bridegroom yet?" began Rose, with consciouscolor in her tell-tale face.
"Sly creature! you know you've only got to say a word and have afamous one. Una and her lion will be nothing to it," cried Steve, benton hastening his brother's affair, which was much too dilatory andpeculiar for his taste.
"He has been in no haste to come home, and I am in no haste to leaveit. Don't wait for me, 'Mr. and Mrs. Harry Walmers, Jr.;' I shall be ayear at least making up my mind: so you may lead off as splendidly asyou like, and I'll profit by your experience;" and Rose vanished intothe parlor, leaving Steve to groan over the perversity of superiorwomen, and Kitty to comfort him by promising to marry him on May-day"all alone."
A very different couple occupied the drawing-room, but a happier one;for they had known the pain of separation, and were now enjoying thebliss of a reunion which was to last unbroken for their lives. Phebesat in an easy-chair, resting from her labors, pale and thin and worn,but lovelier in Archie's eyes than ever before. It was very evidentthat he was adoring his divinity; for, after placing a footstool ather feet, he had forgotten to get up, and knelt there, with his elbowon the arm of her chair, looking like a thirsty man drinking longdraughts of the purest water.
"Shall I disturb you if I pass through?" asked Rose, loth to spoil thepretty tableau.
"Not if you stop a minute on the way and congratulate me, cousin; forshe says 'Yes' at last!" cried Archie, springing up to go and bringher to the arms Phebe opened as she appeared.
"I knew she would reward your patience, and put away her pride whenboth had been duly tried," said Rose, laying the tired head on herbosom, with such tender admiration in her eyes that Phebe had to shakesome bright drops from her own before she could reply in a tone ofgrateful humility, that showed how much her heart was touched,--
"How can I help it, when they all are so kind to me? Any pride wouldmelt away under such praise and thanks and loving wishes as I've hadto-day; for every member of the family has taken pains to welcome me,to express far too much gratitude, and to beg me to be one of you. Ineeded very little urging; but, when Archie's father and mother cameand called me 'daughter,' I would have promised any thing to show mylove for them."
"And him," added Rose; but Archie seemed quite satisfied, and kissedthe hand he held as if it had been that of a beloved princess, whilehe said with all the pride Phebe seemed to have lost,--
"Think what she gives up for me: fame and fortune and the admirationof many a better man. You don't know what a splendid prospect she hasof becoming one of the sweet singers who are loved and honoredeverywhere; and all this she puts away for my sake, content to singfor me alone, with no reward but love."
"I am so glad to make a little sacrifice for a great happiness: Inever shall regret it or think my music lost, if it makes homecheerful for my mate. Birds sing sweetest in their own nests, youknow," and Phebe bent toward him with a look and gesture which plainlyshowed how willingly she offered up all ambitious hopes upon the altarof a woman's happy love.
Both seemed to forget that they were not alone, and in a moment theywere; for a sudden impulse carried Rose to the door of her sanctum, asif the south wind which seemed to have set in was wafting this littleship also toward the Islands of the Blest, where the others weresafely anchored now.
The room was a blaze of sunshine and a bower of spring freshness andfragrance: for here Rose had let her fancy have free play; and eachgarland, fern, and flower had its meaning. Mac seemed to have beenreading this sweet language of symbols, to have guessed why Charlie'slittle picture was framed in white roses, why pansies hung about hisown, why Psyche was half hidden among feathery sprays ofmaiden's-hair, and a purple passion-flower lay at Cupid's feet. Thelast fancy evidently pleased him; for he was smiling over it, andhumming to himself, as if to beguile his patient waiting, the burdenof the air Rose so often sung to him,--
"Bonny lassie, will ye gang, will ye gang To the birks of Aberfeldie?"
"Yes, Mac, anywhere!"
He had not heard her enter, and wheeling round looked at her with aradiant face, as he said, drawing a long breath,--
"At last! you were so busy over the dear man, I got no word. But I canwait: I'm used to it."
Rose stood quite still, surveying him with a new sort of reverence inher eyes, as she answered with a sweet solemnity, that made him laughand redden with the sensitive joy of one to whom praise from her lipswas very precious.
"You forget that you are not the Mac who went away. I should have runto meet my cousin, but I did not dare to be familiar with the poetwhom all begin to honor."
"You like the mixture then? You know I said I'd try to give you loveand poetry together."
"Like it! I'm so glad, so proud, I haven't any words strong andbeautiful enough to half express my wonder and my admiration. How_could_ you do it, Mac?" and a whole face full of smiles broke loose,as Rose clapped her hands, looking as if she could dance with sheerdelight at his success.
"It did itself, up there among the hills, and here with you, or outalone upon the sea. I could write a heavenly poem this very minute,and put you in as Spring; you look like her in that green gown withsnowdrops in your bonny hair. Rose, am I getting on a little? Does ahint of fame help me nearer to the prize I'm working for? Is yourheart more willing to be won?"
He did not stir a step, but looked at her with such intense longingthat his glance seemed to draw her nearer like an irresistible appeal;for she went and stood before him, holding out both hands, as if sheoffered all her little store, as she said with simplest sincerity,--
"It is not worth so much beautiful endeavor; but, if you still want sopoor a thing, it is yours."
He caught the hands in his, and seemed about to take the rest of her,but hesitated for an instant, unable to believe that so much happinesswas true.
"Are you sure, Rose,--very sure? Don't let a momentary admirationblind you: I'm not a poet yet; and the best are but mortal men, youknow."
"It is not admiration, Mac."
"Nor gratitude for the small share I've taken in saving uncle? I hadmy debt to pay, as well as Phebe, and was as glad to risk my life."
"No: it is not gratitude."
"Nor pity for my patience? I've only done a little yet, and am as faras ever from being like your hero. I can work and wait still longer,if you are not sure; for I must have all or nothing."
"O Mac! why will you be so doubtful? You said you'd make me love you,and you've done it. Will you believe me now?"
And, with a sort ofdesperation, she threw herself into his arms, clinging there ineloquent silence, while he held her close; feeling, with a thrill oftender triumph, that this was no longer little Rose, but a lovingwoman, ready to live and die for him.
"Now I'm satisfied!" he said presently, when she lifted up her face,full of maidenly shame at the sudden passion which had carried her outof herself for a moment. "No: don't slip away so soon; let me keep youfor one blessed minute, and feel that I have really found my Psyche."
"And I my Cupid," answered Rose, laughing, in spite of her emotion, atthe idea of Mac in that sentimental character.
He laughed too, as only a happy lover could; then said, with suddenseriousness,--
"Sweet Soul! lift up your lamp, and look well before it is too late;for I'm no god, only a very faulty man."
"Dear Love! I will. But I have no fear, except that you will fly toohigh for me to follow, because I have no wings."
"You shall live the poetry, and I will write it; so my little giftwill celebrate your greater one."
"No: you shall have all the fame, and I'll be content to be known onlyas the poet's wife."
"And I'll be proud to own that my best inspiration comes from thebeneficent life of a sweet and noble woman."
"O Mac! we'll work together, and try to make the world better by themusic and the love we leave behind us when we go."
"Please God, we will!" he answered fervently; and, looking at her asshe stood there in the spring sunshine, glowing with the tenderhappiness, high hopes, and earnest purposes that make life beautifuland sacred, he felt that now the last leaf had folded back, the goldenheart lay open to the light, and his Rose had bloomed.
Cambridge: Press of John Wilson & Son.
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