CHAPTER XII
BETH MEETS A REBUFF
The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize thathe had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant hispolitical ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so wellas the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representativewas to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he couldfind means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight.So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr.Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign withan equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as mightbe necessary.
He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admittedtheir shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced headwas managing their affairs.
One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmenaround him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district,to see what was still to be accomplished.
This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only abouta hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican bysix hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by aplurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girlpoliticians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in paintingfences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in thebreezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent.
But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who madethe canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout thedistrict, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarmand faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes.This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must bestrengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way oranother secured from the opposition.
The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County,where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democraticstrongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and JeffersonCounties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican,and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republicanmajority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to theState Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A mannamed Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, theDemocratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to beelected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to electHopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote forthe Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the DemocraticRepresentative. This "trading votes," which was often done, wasconsidered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessarywas to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. Theoffice of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sumHopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all theannoyance of earning it.
Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consentedreadily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal,was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter KennethForbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this cleverarrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins.
But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances," or"monkeying with fate," as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known topoliticians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better thanHopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friendMarshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Bethdiscovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkinshad picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of theElmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerningthe movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of thecoming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous anddiverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when theyoung people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who theoccupants of the other vehicle were.
He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions,thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend inthe path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house.
Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's PoliticalLeague, an organization she had herself founded, the members of whichwere wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by theattention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr.Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization andwished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-willthat they would work earnestly for the cause in which they wereenlisted.
Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in thepreparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmonyas it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed toentertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty butsubstantial repast was to be served.
The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart coulddesire.
By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women andchildren, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the firstoccasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been givenat Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where theneighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eagerto attend and enjoy the novel event.
The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japaneselanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks oflemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children,and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after thecomfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon thescene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profuselydecorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairsprovided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girlswere delighted, foreseeing great success for their fete.
"We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching hercousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare oneor two more maids?"
Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Marthawas old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active andher long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst madeher a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of theyoung ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here,and Beth was her especial favorite.
So she greeted the girl cordially, and said:
"Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are tootottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl Ihired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had aheadache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. Butshe didn't seem very sick to me."
"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon isserved," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her."
"I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room."
The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon thedoor, a sweet, quiet voice said:
"Come in."
The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standingbefore her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins--thegirl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers.
For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her withcomposure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed inthe regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown withwhite apron and cap.
"I--I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likenessto Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?"
The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Thenshe gave a little laugh, and replied:
"No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons."
"But it can't be," protested the girl. "How do you know my na
me, and whyhaven't I seen you here before?"
"I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in apleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. Iattend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. Butone can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so Irecognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins."
"You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where isyour home?"
For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gazewandered from the face of her visitor.
"Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked.
"It is very simple and natural," persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answerit?"
"Excuse me, please. I--I am not well today. I have a headache."
She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap,rocked slowly back and forth.
"I'm sorry," said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on thelawn. There are so many people that we can't give them properattention."
Eliza Parsons shook her head.
"I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They--they excite me, insome way, and I--I can't bear them. You must excuse me."
Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire.Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or notshe was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she hadstumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving.
But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildlyamused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl--thehandsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her innatural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neitherindependent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure andcalm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she oughtto go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered tothe maid's hands. However her features and form might repress anyevidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thinfingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied thequiet smile upon the face above them.
"I wish," said Beth, slowly, "I knew you."
A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly toher feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch herbreath.
"I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me inthis manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room,or must I go away to escape you?"
"I will go," said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal.
Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clickedin the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back towhere her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng ofvisitors.