Chapter XIII: Unappreciated

BUT God had work on earth for Gertrude to do on earth. Some weeks after the funeral, (the body having been placed in a receiving tomb until the weather permitted its removal to Rose Cottage) Edward wrote, begging his sister and her friend to come East, for the remainder of the winter, promising to go for them if Paul could not leave.

For a moment the bright color flashed over the wan cheek at the prospect of returning to scenes so dear; but after some reflection, she concluded not to accept the invitation at present.

"I am sure Paul would miss me," she explained to her friend. "He has been so loving and kind since our little Rose went to her Saviour. Perhaps if I let him see how God sustains me, he himself will ask for support. I know my duty is here now."

She thought by Marion's silence that she was disappointed, and presently added:

"You will go home with me in the spring, dear; and we will take the baby and lay her to rest under the linden trees, where the first violets grow; and the robins sing their earliest songs."

"Yes," murmured Marion, "I will go then."

One day Mrs. Gilbert was surprised by a sight of Gerty's pale face peeping out from her close mourning hat walking into the pastor's study.

"I am going to work again," she said earnestly. "I thought it all over last night, while I was waiting for my husband to come home. It will not make me think less of Rose, if I return to my books. My heart is full of her all the time; and I might be more useful to somebody if I had more knowledge."

"You shall do just as you please, my child," returned Dr. Gilbert, thinking in his heart that God had granted her a knowledge of himself given to but few.

"Don't you think, sir, I'd better take up that course of history I was reading. I had only just commenced."

"Yes, child, with the abstract I recommended. This will fix the principal facts in your memory; and give you power of condensing in style."

So the daily lessons, of which Paul had not even a suspicion, commenced again, Gertrude at first finding it a wearisome task to abstract her mind from reveries of the one loved and gone before; and to fix it upon her page; but at last, out of gratitude to the kind friends, who had taken such an interest in her progress, she accomplished her self-imposed task and gradually her interest in her studies returned.

Before spring opened she had read a large number of the best histories of different nations, and was well advanced in the rudiments of French. She was timid about pronunciation and often longed to ask her husband to help her, knowing he was a thorough French scholar. For some time she had been wondering whether it would not be best to confide her plans for self-culture to him; and one day when she had been puzzled over a French irregular verb, she determined to do so.

She was particularly unfortunate in the time chosen for this. Paul had lost a case and was very irritable.

"You had better adhere to your worsted work," he said sharply.

"But I'm trying to make myself a better companion for you."

"Oh, well!" he answered, with a contemptuous laugh; "you may study as much as you please, only don't bother me with it."

He regretted that he had spoken so sharply, when he saw how disappointed she looked, and added more pleasantly:

"You're a dear little soul; but I don't think learning is your forte. If you ever accomplish a letter decently, it will be all that is necessary. Don't you think so?" patting her cheek.

He had no suspicion of the long weekly letters she wrote to New York, which Edward proudly exhibited to her guardian, as a proof of her persevering application, but was rather surprised at her serious reply:

"We ought to improve the talents God has given us."

"Just so," he said somewhat piqued at her implied reproof; "but where little is given, little will be required."

She had seldom been so wounded as now. Her breast heaved convulsively; and it was with difficulty she commanded herself to restrain her tears. She rose presently and left the room; and her closet witnessed a burst of grief such as she had not experienced for months.

"I cannot live so," she repeated again, and again. "How can I win my husband's respect?"

A thought of Miss Richmond flashed through her mind. Paul spoke frequently of her splendid abilities; of her accomplishments which rendered her society sought after. "I admired her ease and perfect self-possession," soliloquized the grieved wife, "and used to wonder how she dared converse with gentlemen so freely upon politics and professional life; but there is something about her I wouldn't like to imitate. I think it is her boldness; not of feeling, I dare say, but of manner. Marion is equally well educated; and to me she appears far more attractive; while she is so modest the veriest trifle will call a blush to her cheek. I feel that God has given me powers; and I will make the most of them. Some time Paul may regret that he has classed me with the lowest."

This hope gave a fresh impetus to her studies. Marion wondered at the rapidity with which her mind was unfolding; and so did Edward, who encouraged her to write freely on every subject which interested her. It had become her habit of late to send him themes, or abstracts of what she read; and occasionally she surprised him with a few verses of poetry, very original thoughts, gracefully expressed and in correct measure and rhythm.

Her mourning prevented the necessity for going into general society. A few times she met a circle of agreeable friends at Dr. Gilbert's, and gained not a little confidence in herself, when she found she too could converse on subjects of general interest in a manner to gain the respect of her companions.

Once, only, Paul accompanied her there; and then staid but a short time, excusing himself on the plea of a pressing engagement.

Gertrude happened to be standing by a table chatting with a gentleman about some engravings which lay upon it. There was one picture of Abbotsford; and as she had just been reading the life of Sir Walter Scott, in connection with English Literature, she felt a good deal of enthusiasm on the subject. In her artless way she was pointing out the beauties of the situation, narrating facts in regard to them, when her husband passed and gave her a glance of warning, which sent a crimson tide to her fair cheek. The look was not lost on the gentleman, who wondered what it could mean. The young wife knew that her husband feared she would disgrace him by her ignorance.

Paul soon took his leave, after saying he would call for her at eleven.

On their way home he said more kindly than usual:

"You are improving in self-confidence, Gerty, and looked uncommonly pretty to-night. I had no idea black would become you so well; but you had better be careful not to venture beyond your depth. It is easy to acquire the habit of listening as if you understood."

"Marion ventures to converse as well as to listen," faltered the poor child, resolved to say a word in self-defence.

He laughed, as he answered, "I only spoke for your good. Marion has been a close student in her day, while you—"

"Accepted the love so earnestly proffered," she added, interrupting him. "In that I confess I showed my weakness. I ought to have been sent to my room for a naughty girl; and have been made to learn an extra column from the spelling book."

"Well done, Gertrude," he exclaimed, making the night air ring with his loud laugh. "You are really growing smart. I must have my wits about me when I measure lances with you."

"Weapons of war require skill and strength as well as sharp wits," was her quiet answer; at which reply he was so much amazed he said not one word.

In July Edward came on for another visit, accompanied by Hannah, who declared that she had no idea the United States contained so much land, as lay between New York and Chicago. Nothing but her longing to see her dear Gerty would have tempted her to come so far; and now she dreaded the journey back.

"Perhaps Paul will let me go with you," urged Gerty glancing in her husband's face. "Only think it will be two years next Christmas since I saw my dear home."

"I suppose I may as well tell you my plans now, as any time," remarked Paul, addressing himself to Edward. "I expect to sail fur France in September; to look up evidence in a patent case."

"Ah! I'm glad of it; the trip will do Gerty good."

The husband looked terribly embarrassed. "I had not thought of taking her with me," he said. "In fact it would be impossible. My expenses are paid by my client who accompanies me. It is a very important case; because there is a precedent to be established, you know."

No one spoke. Gerty had walked to the window; and was trying to keep down the fluttering at her heart.

"September is the month we have fixed upon," Mr. Dudley went on; "but it may be later."

"Where do you intend to leave your wife?" inquired Hannah in the driest tone. "She has the house here at her disposal; but I suppose she would rather not have the care of housekeeping."

"We'll gladly receive her at Rose Cottage," remarked her brother firmly; "but how long shall you be away?"

"That is uncertain, as it depends on circumstances beyond my control. My client, Mr. Curtis, who is a man of wealth, expects some delay in Paris; and has invited me to make a trip to Rome."

Mr. Wallingford remained two days longer than he intended that Hannah might return with him, their plans being entirely changed by Paul's new project. The New York lawyer resolved, if it were in his power, not to be outdone in shrewdness by the Chicago one. He learned, through Bridget, that a lady had been to hire the house furnished, for one year; with liberty to renew the lease; and keeping this knowledge in his own breast, he went to Paul's office for a quiet talk.

"I have been thinking what is best to be done," he began at once. "Of course we shall be delighted to have Gertrude at home; and as your stay is uncertain, why not allow me to rent the house I gave her, which with her furniture will support her in comfort till your return."

Paul started. This was taking his business out of his hands with a vengeance; but his brother-in-law went on:

"I know what you would say. You wish to do more for your wife than merely give her the use of what is her own. I have heard you repeat a hundred times that you should wish your wife to be dependent entirely on you. I acknowledge it is a noble sentiment; but you must remember that travelling is expensive; and though your client pays fare, etc., there will be occasions when you will need all the money you can raise."

"Just so," faltered Paul. "Just so; but if I should return in six months."

"Leave Gerty at Rose Cottage through the summer and board at one of your hotels. Just say the word, or rather give me power to do it; and I'll have the business all arranged for you before I go back." He drew a sheet of paper toward him, wrote rapidly over the page and then passed it to his brother-in-law to sign.

It was all so sudden that Paul could form no excuse; and presently Mr. Wallingford left, the office with a power of attorney in his hands to manage his sister's property, during the absence of her husband.

"What does this mean?" exclaimed Marion Gilbert, entering the next morning while they were at the breakfast table, and pointing to an advertisement in the paper.

Edward glanced toward his brother-in-law to explain.

"Only this, Miss Gilbert. My business calls me across the ocean; and it is better not to have a house stand empty."

"Oh, Gerty, how can I spare you?" exclaimed Marion in real distress.

"I'm not going to Europe," murmured the young wife. "Mr. Dudley's is a hurried trip on business; but as he and Edward think it will be best to rent the house; and it can't be leased for less than a year, I shall probably remain that length of time at Rose Cottage."

"I shall not consent to such a monopoly," urged the warm-hearted girl. "We shall claim you part of the time. I read this in the paper which I generally skim over for papa while he eats his breakfast; and I couldn't wait one minute till I learned what it meant."

"Paul don't leave for two months yet," explained his wife.

"In that case I shall have time to offer all my inducements to keep you in Chicago," rejoined Marion smiling; "and as I left papa and mamma almost as anxious as I was, I'll hurry back and enlighten them."

The advertisement was answered at once by a lady, whose daughter was intending to be married immediately. The couple had been disappointed in a house they expected to hire, and the mother of the lady was so pleased with this, that she brought her daughter and fiancée at once to decide.

Before Edward left the next day, the lease was drawn and signed, a check for the money to be forwarded to him in New York quarterly; and nothing remained but for Gertrude to look over with the lady an inventory of every article left in the house.