STRAHAN'S convalescence need not be dwelt upon, nor the subtle aidgiven by Marian through flowers, fruit, and occasional calls uponhis mother.
These little kindnesses were tonics beyond the physician's skill,and he grew stronger daily. Mrs. Strahan believed that things weretaking their natural course, and, with the delicacy of a lady,was content to welcome the young girl in a quiet, cordial manner.Merwyn tacitly accepted the mother's view, which she had not whollyconcealed in the sick-room, and which he thought had been confirmedby Marian's manner and interest. With returning health Strahan'sold sense of humor revived, and he often smiled and sighed overthe misapprehension. Had he been fully aware of Marian's mood, hemight have given his physician cause to look grave over an apparentreturn of fever.
In the reticence and delicacy natural to all the actors in thislittle drama, thoughts were unspoken, and events drifted on inaccordance with the old relations. Merwyn's self-imposed duties ofnurse became lighter, and he took much-needed rest. Strahan feltfor him the strongest good-will and gratitude, but grew more andmore puzzled about him. Apparently the convalescent was absolutelyfrank concerning himself. He spoke of his esteem and regard forMarian as he always had done; his deeper affection he never breathedto any one, although he believed the young girl was aware of it,and he did not in the least blame her that she had no power to givehim more than friendship.
Of his military plans and hopes he spoke without reserve to Merwyn,but in return received little confidence. He could not doubt thefaithful attendant who had virtually twice saved his life, but hesoon found a barrier of impenetrable reserve, which did not yieldto any manifestations of friendliness. Strahan at last came tobelieve that it veiled a deep, yet hopeless regard for Marian. Thisview, however, scarcely explained the situation, for he found hisfriend even more reticent in respect to the motives which kept hima civilian.
"I'd give six months' pay," said the young officer, on one occasion,"if we had you in our regiment, and I am satisfied that I couldobtain a commission for you. You would be sure of rapid promotion.Indeed, with your wealth and influence you could securea lieutenant-colonelcy in a new regiment by spring. Believe me,Merwyn, the place for us young fellows is at the front in thesetimes. My blood's up,--what little I have left,--and I'm bound tosee the scrimmage out. You have just the qualities to make a goodofficer. You could control and discipline men without bluster orundue harshness. We need such officers, for an awful lot of cadshave obtained commissions."
Merwyn had walked to a window so that his friend could not see hisface, and at last he replied, quietly and almost coldly: "Thereare some things, Strahan, in respect to which one cannot judge foranother. I am as loyal as you are now, but I must aid the cause inmy own way. I would prefer that you should not say anything moreon this subject, for it is of no use. I have taken my course, andshall reveal it only by my action. There is one thing that I cando, and shall be very glad to do. I trust we are such good friendsthat you can accept of my offer. Your regiment has been depleted.New men would render it more effective and add to your chances ofpromotion. It will be some time before you are fit for active service.I can put you in the way of doing more than your brother-officersin the regiment, even though you are as pale as a ghost. Opena recruiting office near your country home again,--you can act atpresent through a sergeant,--and I will give you a check which willenable you to add to the government bounty so largely that you cansoon get a lot of hardy country fellows. No one need know wherethe money comes from except ourselves."
Strahan laughed, and said: "It is useless for me to affectsqueamishness in accepting favors from you at this late day. Ibelieved you saved my life last summer, and now you are almost ashaggard as I am from watching over me. I'll take your offer in goodfaith, as I believe you mean it. I won't pose as a self-sacrificingpatriot only. I confess that I am ambitious. You fellows usedto call me 'little Strahan.' YOU are all right now, but there aresome who smile yet when my name is mentioned, and who regard myshoulder-straps as a joke. I've no doubt they are already laughingat the inglorious end of my military career. I propose to provethat I can be a soldier as well as some bigger and more bewhiskeredmen. I have other motives also;" and his thought was, "Marian mayfeel differently if I can win a colonel's eagles."
Merwyn surmised as much, but he only said, quietly: "Your motivesare as good as most men's, and you have proved yourself a brave,efficient officer. That would be enough for me, had I not othermotives also."
"Hang it all! I would tell you my motives if you would be equallyfrank."
"Since I cannot be, you must permit me to give other proofsof friendship. Nor do I expect, indeed I should be embarrassed byreceiving, what I cannot return."
"You're an odd fish, Merwyn. Well, I have ample reason to give youmy faith and loyalty, as I do. Your proposition has put new lifeinto me already. I needn't spend idle weeks--"
"Hold on. One stipulation. Your physician must regulate all youractions. Remember that here, as at the front, the physician is, attimes, autocrat."
Mervvyn called twice on Marian during his friend's convalescence,and could no longer complain of any lack of politeness. Indeed, hercourtesy was slightly tinged with cordiality, and she took occasionto speak of her appreciation of his vigils at Strahan's side. Beyondthis she showed no disposition towards friendliness. At the same,time, she could not even pretend to herself that she was indifferent.He piqued both her pride and her curiosity, for he made no furthereffort to reveal himself or to secure greater favor than shevoluntarily bestowed. She believed that her father looked upon hercourse as an instance of feminine prejudice, of resentment prolongedunnaturally and capriciously,--that he was saying to himself, "Aman would quarrel and have done with it after amends were made,but a woman--"
"He regards this as my flaw, my weakness, wherein I differ from himand his kind," she thought. "I can't help it. Circumstances haverendered it impossible for me to feel toward Mr. Merwyn as towardother men. I have thought the matter out and have taken my stand.If he wishes more than I now give he must come up to my ground,for I shall not go down to his."
She misunderstood her father. That sagacious gentleman said nothing,and quietly awaited developments.
It was a glad day for Arthur Strahan when, wrapped and muffledbeyond all danger, he was driven, in a close carriage, to make anafternoon visit to Marian. She greeted him with a kindness thatwarmed his very soul, and even inspired hopes which he had, as yet,scarcely dared to entertain. Time sped by with all the old easyinterchange of half-earnest nonsense. A deep chord of truth andaffection vibrated through even jest and merry repartee. Yet, soprofound are woman's intuitions in respect to some things, that,now she was face to face with him again, she feared, before an hourpassed, that he could never be more to her than when she had givenhim loyal friendship in the vine-covered cottage in the country.
"By the way," he remarked, abruptly, "I suppose you never punishedMerwyn as we both, at one time, felt that he deserved? He admitsthat he calls upon you quite frequently, and speaks of you in termsof strongest respect. You know I am his sincere, grateful friendhenceforth. I don't pretend to understand him, but I trust him,and wish him well from the depths of my heart."
"I also wish him well," Marian remarked, quietly.
He looked at her doubtfully for a moment, then said, "Well, Isuppose you have reasons for resentment, but I assure you he haschanged very greatly."
"How do you know that, when you don't understand him?"
"I do know it," said the young fellow, earnestly. "Merwyn neverwas like other people. He is marked by ancestry; strong-willed,reticent on one side, proud and passionate on the other. My ownmother was not more untiring and gentle with me than he, yet if Itry to penetrate his reserve he becomes at once distant, and almostcold. When I thought he was seeking to amuse himself with you Ifelt like strangling him; now that I know he has a sincere respectfor you, if not more, I have nothing against him. I wish he wouldjoin us in the field, and have said as much to him more than once.He has th
e means to raise a regiment himself, and there are fewpossessing more natural ability to transform raw recruits intosoldiers."
"Why does he not join you in the field?" she asked, quickly, andthere was a trace of indignation in her tones.
"I do not think he will ever speak of his reasons to any one. Atleast, he will not to me."
"Very well," she said; and there was significance in her cold,quiet tones.
"They result from no lack of loyalty," earnestly resumed Strahan,who felt that for some reason he was not succeeding as his friend'sadvocate. "He has generously increased my chances of promotion bygiving me a large sum towards recruiting my regiment."
"After your hard experience, are you fully determined to go back?"she asked, with a brilliant smile. "Surely you have proved yourcourage, and, with your impaired health, you have a good reasonnot for leaving the task to stronger men."
"And take my place contentedly among the weaker ones in yourestimation?" he added, flushing. "How could you suggest or thinksuch a thing? Certainly I shall go back as soon as my physicianpermits, and I shall go to stay till the end, unless I am knockedover or disabled."
Her eyes flashed exultantly as she came swiftly to him. "Now youcan understand me," she said, giving him her hand. "My friendshipand honor are for men like you and Mr. Lane and Mr. Blauvelt, whooffer all, and not for those who offer--MONEY."
"By Jove, Miss Marian, you make me feel as if I could storm Richmondsingle-handed."
"Don't think I say this in any callous disregard of what may happen.God knows I do not; but in times like these my heart chooses friendsamong knightly men who voluntarily go to meet other men as brave.Don't let us talk any more about Mr. Merwyn. I shall always treathim politely, and I have gratefully acknowledged my indebtedness forhis care of you. He understands me, and will give me no opportunityto do as you suggested, were I so inclined. His conversation isthat of a cultivated man, and as such I enjoy it; but there it allends."
"But I don't feel that I have helped my friend in your good gracesat all," protested Strahan, ruefully.
"Has he commissioned you to help him?" she asked, quickly.
"No, no, indeed. You don't know Merwyn, or you never would haveasked that question."
"Well, I prefer as friends those whom I do know, who are notinshrouded in mystery or incased in reticence. No, Arthur Strahan,my friendship is mine to give, be it worth much or little. If hedoes not care enough for it to take the necessary risks, when thebare thought of shunning them makes you flush hotly, he cannothave it. All his wealth could not buy one smile from me. Now letall this end. I respect your loyalty to him, but I have my ownstandard, and shall abide by it;" and she introduced another topic.
CHAPTER XXIV.
A FATHER'S FORETHOUGHT.