3503 
 
 AH 00 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 
 
 Chap. Copyright No. 
 
 sheif -ASSo T 
 
 — —mo 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 9—404 
 
THE STORY 
 
 OF 
 
 VALENTINE AND HIS BROTHER 
 
 BY 
 
 Mrs. Mrt)f %. Oliphant 
 
 PARAPHRASED 
 
 BY 
 
 Susannah Bay 
 
 New York 
 WILLIAM R. JENKINS 
 851-853 Sixth Avenue 
 L - 
 
 _ o \ q o O * 
 
93027 
 
 Library of Corvo r»;ga 
 'wo CWtCS RECEWtD 
 
 OEC 241900 
 
 SECOND COPY 
 CWivwvd t» 
 
 ORDER DIVISION 
 JAM TO 1901 1 
 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1900, 
 
 By Susannah Bat. 
 ,4ZZ Bights Beserved. 
 
 Printed by the 
 
 Press of William R. Jenkins 
 
 New York 
 
THE STORY OF VALENTINE AND 
 HIS BROTHER. 
 
 The sky was wild and stormy, the rain poured down 
 
 in sheets, 
 When a tall, tramping woman strode along the village 
 
 streets, 
 And two crying little children with her stumbled on 
 
 behind, 
 In their feeble, helpless fashion, struggling hard 
 
 against the wind. 
 One of the village gossips, peering out into the 
 
 rain, 
 Stood still in her astonishment. Where is thae child- 
 ren gaen ? 
 u Woman,'' she called, "what ails ye, that ye're oot 
 
 wP bairns the day ? 
 Bring them baith in to the fireside ; ye hae surely lost 
 
 yer way." 
 The woman stopped an instant, then she turned a 
 
 face of stone. 
 "Is it far to Jean McFarlane's ?" she asked, in a sort 
 
 of moan. 
 
THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 i ' Jean McFarlane's ! is it ? That is no' a place for you, 
 Oae ye tae Mr. Malcolm's — he's a dacent body — do ; 
 An' bide ye here a minute till I get the bairns a 
 
 'piece'." 
 But the tramper hardly waited for the other's voice 
 
 to cease : 
 On through the straggling village, over the little 
 
 bridge, 
 And up to a long, low, rambling house, that stood on 
 
 a kind of ridge. 
 ' ' Never an honest gudewife would go to a hoose like 
 
 that," 
 Said the cottager to herself that night as she sat alone 
 
 with her cat. 
 But it was an honest gudewife, at Jean McFarlane's 
 
 door. 
 And Jean McFarlane saw it well, with her uncanny 
 
 lore. 
 " Weel! what is't ye're wan tin'!" she asked with half 
 
 a jeer; 
 And two men at the fire, drinking, looked up with 
 
 drunken leer. 
 4 ' Set ye up ! A private room ! Eh, sirs, this leddy's 
 
 lost her road. 
 It's the 'Bull' ye should hae gane to, mem. Just 
 
 stop that girnin' toad; 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 
 
 The brat is cauld and weet, I see, but that's nae 
 
 reason why 
 The haill hoose should be fashed to hear the little 
 
 deevil cry." 
 But a private room was furnished. Jean had guests 
 
 of many sorts, 
 And sometimes those escaping from the notice of the 
 
 courts. 
 Once in the room, the woman put her boys upon the 
 
 bed, 
 AVhere each fell asleep the minute he laid down his 
 
 curly head. 
 But the mother's face was eloquent with agony and 
 
 fears, 
 Like one who saw no hope for her through all the 
 
 coming years. 
 She looked like one who, dying, leaves his dearest 
 
 upon earth; 
 More, here below must parted be from all that makes 
 
 life worth ; 
 And round and round the room she went, as if her 
 
 thoughts were wild, 
 As if she were compelled to make a choice of either 
 
 child. 
 One little thing had thrown his shoe off down upon 
 
 the floor ; 
 
THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 The other, wearing both, was sleeping nearest to the 
 
 door; 
 That sealed his fate. His mother drew him gently to 
 
 her knee, 
 Wrapped her shawl about him with a care 'twas 
 
 pitif al to see, 
 And, hurrying through the passages with footsteps 
 
 swift and light, 
 With that one child within her arms, went out into 
 
 the night. 
 The storm that raged the hamlet through raged 
 
 fiercer on the hill, 
 Tearing the branches, pouring rain, and scattering 
 
 leaves at will; 
 All through the park the tempest swept, and madly 
 
 showed its power, 
 Where a Lord Eskside always dwelt since one had 
 
 held the tower. 
 There, in the darkening drawing-room, sat, listening 
 
 to the rain, 
 Lady Eskside and a friend who after years had come 
 
 again. 
 The dismal day was closing in, and long had neither 
 
 spoke, 
 When, with what seemed an effort, Lady Eskside 
 
 silence broke : 
 
AND I1IS BROTHER 
 
 "As I have told you, Mary, 'tis a constant trial to 
 
 me — 
 And his father — that ruy Richard spends his years in 
 
 Italy. 
 ,r Tis all that wretched marriage, dear, although his 
 
 post alone, 
 Without his claims here, at his age, he might be 
 
 proud to own. 
 You know the story of his life?" "I've heard it," 
 
 Mary said ; 
 4i Bat it is now so long ago" — and Mary bent her 
 
 head. 
 %, Hq married just a roadside tramp, a girl without a 
 
 home, 
 A farmer's, shepherd's, laborer's child of better race 
 
 is come ; 
 But there's a thing of which perhaps I should not 
 
 speak to you, 
 My Richard married her, thank God, which all men 
 
 might not do. 
 He married her, and when there was no mending — all 
 
 was gone — 
 He wrote to me, to come to him and see what could 
 
 be done! 
 I was appalled — nor more, nor less ; it wrung my very 
 
 soul, 
 
6 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 That ever child of mine should have so little self- 
 control. 
 Of course I went— they were in France — I might as 
 
 well have stayed, 
 You know yourself of such a woman nothing could 
 
 be made. 
 He had her taught; they travelled far; but my 
 
 opinion is 
 It did not much affect her, and I fancy it is 
 
 his." 
 "But, Lady Eskside," Mary said, "training like that 
 
 from him 
 Would change most women." Mary's thoughts were 
 
 in a distance dim. 
 "I perceived little, and I watched her progress 
 
 anxiously ; 
 I went there when the twins were born; there was no 
 
 change to me; 
 And then there came a change, indeed — the creature 
 
 ran away, 
 Taking the children. Where they are, we do not 
 
 know this day. 
 All the detective service could do for us was in 
 
 vain, 
 Richard went to America, and he came back 
 
 again." 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 
 
 At this the bell at the great door rang loud and fierce 
 
 and long, 
 A moment more, the door itself banged like a Chinese 
 
 gong. 
 Some time elapsed ; the butler came, reluctantly and 
 
 slow. 
 u What is the matter, Harding?" " My Lady, I don't 
 
 know: 
 They thrust a child right in my face, I had to take 
 
 him in, 
 Then slammed the door; you did not hear, the storm 
 
 made such a din." 
 "Praise God!" said Lady Eskside, "He has heard 
 
 and answered me. 
 Come, Mary, we know what it is, but we will go and 
 
 The servants stood about the child, who, backing 
 
 'gainst the wall, 
 And, terrified, had squared his fists and seemed to 
 
 brave them all. 
 "Who are you?" Lady Eskside said. The child 
 
 looked up amazed, 
 Dropped his small arms, and at her face with a child 
 
 wonder gazed. 
 
THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 "FmVal," he said, "and I aint come for nothing 
 
 that is wrong; 
 My mammy has gone back for Dick; she won't be 
 
 very long. 
 Dick's asleep ; mammy put me here 'cause it's so wet 
 
 outside, 
 I was too heavy, don't you see, to carry Dick 
 
 beside." 
 ' ; Mary ! you hear him ! c Dick ' and ' Val ' — these are 
 
 the names I know. 
 Oh, Mary! God has answered me — I knew it would 
 
 be so. 
 My baby, come, and we will wait for mammy by the 
 
 fire," 
 And to her breast she clasped the child, all stained 
 
 with rain and mire. 
 And Lady Eskside waited for the mother all that 
 
 night ; 
 But Mary thought, "She'll never come." Mary was 
 
 in the right. 
 
 The Honorable Richard Ross, Her Majesty's En- 
 voy, 
 
 Was sent for now to claim his son and wish his 
 mother joy. 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 
 
 He came, a man at thirty-two, of elegance and 
 
 ease, 
 The last in all the world, you'd say, a low-born 
 
 woman could please. 
 "I'll own him, mother," Richard said. u My judg- 
 ment quite concurs 
 In what you've done; none knowing her could doubt 
 
 that this was hers." 
 " Ah! Richard, it is you he's like," the mother said 
 
 in pain ; 
 And the man, with his indifferent air, called the child 
 
 back again. 
 ** Is this like me? and this? and this?" touching Val's 
 
 brow and hah*. 
 Now the mother had been very dark and the father 
 
 very fair. 
 
 Valentine grew, as children do, and Val was sent to 
 
 school, 
 A kindlier, stronger, handsomer lad than lads are as 
 
 a rule. 
 All his reports were fairly good; Lord Eskside felt 
 
 repaid, 
 And Lady Eskside shed some tears when those reports 
 
 were made, 
 
10 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 For in their minds lay double fear, checked ere 'twas 
 
 well begun : 
 Val's father had done foolishly, Val w 7 as his mother's 
 
 son. 
 But fortune still seems favoring them, and blessings 
 
 intertwine, 
 For Richard said the elder of the twins was Valentine. 
 After a year Yal's tutor wrote, " with much regret," 
 
 to send 
 The news that "Valentine had found a most improper 
 
 Mend," 
 A youth employed about the boats, much liked by 
 
 Eton men; 
 But Val had carried things too far, and reprimands 
 
 were vain. 
 The tutor's letter showed such ire, Val wrote in such 
 
 distress, 
 Lord Eskside moved a compromise : "Let intercourse 
 
 be less." 
 Long after, when at Oxford, where Val went for his 
 
 degree, 
 In a letter to his grandmother this postscript added he : 
 "And, grandmamma, there's something I must not 
 
 forget to tell, 
 Brown, the young boatbuilder is here, and he does 
 
 very well." 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 11 
 
 But even years at Oxford eonie to an end at 
 
 last, 
 The man must now begin his life, boyhood and youth 
 
 all past. 
 Val made the usual tour abroad, and lastly went to 
 
 see 
 His father, still diplomatist in sunny Italy. 
 If Richard was not all delight to have a son full 
 
 grown 
 To introduce in that gay world where he so brilliant 
 
 shone, 
 Still he w^as glad to see the boy, and proud, too, in 
 
 in his way, 
 While Valentine grew quite elate to find his father's 
 
 sway. 
 And as the two together talked of what to both was 
 
 dear, 
 The feeling and affection grew — natural in those so 
 
 near. 
 One evening, in discussing some political event, 
 Val said Lord Eskside's hopes for him all turned to 
 
 Parliament. 
 4% To Parliament!" said Richard, and he spoke in 
 
 high disdain ; 
 " I really wish my father would not bring that up 
 again ; 
 
12 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 It is the most absurd idea." "I wish, sir," Val re- 
 plied, 
 
 L i You'd remember — that — my grandfather's — my 
 grandfather," he cried. 
 
 Richard Ross smiled. "Ah! yes," he said, " but he 
 is not that to me ; 
 
 He's my father only ; that makes all the difference, 
 you see." 
 
 And then with generalities the man assuaged the boy : 
 
 It was a thing which possibly might cause them 
 much annoy, 
 
 All that a man has ever done— or that his foes invent — 
 
 Is brought up at the hustings with the most malign 
 intent. 
 
 "But I have not done anything," cried Valentine in 
 haste ; 
 
 "Not anything in all my life that I should be dis- 
 graced." 
 
 "Your life is short," his father said, "and there 
 perhaps may be 
 
 Those older and more widely known to draw the 
 enemy. 
 
 And now, Val, let me see your views — the pictures of 
 your friends, 
 
 Oxford for me has all the soft enchantment distance 
 lends." 
 
AND E1S BROTHER 13 
 
 And Val, delighted, brought them to a hanging lamp 
 
 in reach, 
 And to his father's suave inquiries gave his history of 
 
 each. 
 11 What's this? 1 ' asked Richard suddenly, and very 
 
 gravely too. 
 " Oh, nothing; it's our boathouse; 'tis, I know, a 
 
 stupid view, 
 It ought not to be in with those — it slipped in out of 
 
 place " — 
 u Pardon" (and Richard held it back), "this is a 
 
 striking face." 
 "That's Dick Brown's mother; she's taken there by 
 
 accident, I think, 
 When I row on the river she is always at the brink. 
 You call her face a striking one : it looks so as I pass. 
 And she is very handsome too, of course in her own 
 
 class. 
 Dick's got on like a house a-fire — you never saw such 
 
 luck; 
 No doubt it is his industry, and I should say his 
 
 pluck; 
 He's head man at that boatbuilder s, he's everyone's 
 
 good word," 
 And Val himself showed feeling, as if his soul were 
 
 stirred. 
 
14 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 4 * Don't you remember what a row old Morgan made 
 
 at home, 
 That I was in low company and grandpapa must come? 
 He prophesied I'd get to grief, that you'd be so averse ; 
 It's true, I must have other friends, but, sir, I might 
 
 have worse." 
 
 That night, when Valentine retired to the young 
 
 man's joyous rest, 
 His father did not seek his own with any special zest. 
 Over and over he recalls the many bitter things 
 Which from his strange and burdened life fond recol- 
 lection brings. 
 1 ' Maladetta!" said this husband between his clenched 
 
 teeth, 
 • It is for you I'm driven as the whirlwind drives the 
 
 leaf. 
 That is my wife." It roused him past diplomacy and 
 
 pelf. 
 If Valentine was like her, she was still more like 
 
 herself. 
 It was an awful thing, and strange, that Richard in 
 
 his heart 
 Should hold his wife responsible for her so passive 
 
 part ; 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 15 
 
 The flower that growing 'neath the hedge is plucked 
 
 and thrown aside, 
 If less conscious, no more passive, than was Richard 
 
 Ross's bride. 
 Her flight he did not now regret — he was in measure 
 
 free; 
 It was his marriage he bemoaned, fiercely and bit- 
 terly. 
 Bat Val went back to Scotland, and Richard day by 
 
 day 
 Pursued his avocations in his finished, thorough 
 
 way; 
 And it was some time after Val's Italian visks date, 
 He wrote his father he'd become the Tory candidate. 
 When Richard read these lines he said, " Since this 
 
 is all begun, 
 Nothing's left one but to wait for what must come 
 
 before 'tis done. 
 
 Val's canvassing went on with great success, 
 Lord Eskside's strength and skill, 
 His insight, his experience, caution, will, 
 
 Were all employed; while Valentine— made a 
 good candidate's address. 
 
16 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 Still there was much to fear. Val, young, 
 untried, 
 With neither strength nor skill, 
 With but youth's insight and a young man's 
 will: 
 'Twas on high Tory principle, in truth, their 
 hopes relied. 
 
 Three mornings ere the balloting, when Harding 
 came downstairs 
 
 To take the chair and read the news, as he said, " un- 
 awares," 
 
 Suddenly he became as white as if he felt a 
 blow. 
 
 What was it that was set down there? Who to it 
 could say no? 
 
 'Twas but the tale of Valentine Ross, with some ill- 
 nature told : 
 
 A tramper brat — a stormy night — a woman wisely 
 
 bold- 
 Two fond old people take the child, adopted from 
 that day, 
 
 While his reputed father most astutely keeps away. 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 17 
 
 "And now, friends and electors, it needs not to 
 
 remind you 
 That this is not at all the sort of candidate to bind 
 
 you. 
 Lord Eskside and Sir Philip Spence are those of 
 
 whom we're proud, 
 And they perhaps might have our votes if principle 
 
 allowed; 
 But a boy without a birthplace ! — a stripling without 
 
 name ! 
 The county cannot think of it without a sense of 
 
 shame." 
 
 As Lord Eskside read this paper his heavy eyebrows 
 
 worked, 
 But no sign of fear or flinching in the eyes beneath 
 
 them lurked ; 
 "When Lady Eskside's here," he said, u ask her to 
 
 come to me," 
 Then he went in and shut the door of the great 
 
 library. 
 This came from Alexander Pringle, barrister-at- 
 
 law, 
 The next of kin in case VaTs rights should prove to 
 
 have a flaw, 
 
18 TEE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 And, what made it more dastardly, with children of 
 
 his own, 
 Val's playmates and companions until all were fully 
 
 grown. 
 
 At length the dreaded day had come when Valentine 
 
 must be, 
 Not tried for life, but next to it — tried for his 
 
 pedigree. 
 The village swarmed, and every road was thorough- 
 fare that day, 
 Such was the nature of the fight no soul could keep 
 
 away. 
 Lady Eskside at the window of the " Bull " must do 
 
 her part, 
 Smiling, with her friends around her, although with 
 
 a bursting heart ; 
 While the Liberal ladies opposite have mustered in 
 
 great force, 
 And their leader's wife appears to feel insured against 
 
 all loss. 
 And naturally she feels so ; from the time that they 
 
 begin, 
 The Tory votes rise slowly, while the Liberal votes 
 
 pour in, 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 19 
 
 And every point that made for Val had been so 
 
 wisely gained, 
 That now at Pringle's telling blow no last resource 
 
 remained. 
 Yet many an honest Liberal felt that they never had 
 A victory as dearly won, with less to make them 
 
 glad; 
 And every voter knew the earl believed in his own 
 
 claim, 
 A man an honor in himself to family and name. 
 Still all those drifting currents, caught by each wind 
 
 as it blows, 
 Were taken by this Liberal gale to swell the Tory 
 
 foes. 
 And now comes through the parting crowd a phaeton 
 
 and pair, 
 The lady driving, standing up, a woman tall and 
 
 fair; 
 Straight to the "Bull" she wends her way through 
 
 the long street of the town, 
 She has VaTs ribbons on her whip and on her hat 
 
 and gown. 
 This lady is the daughter of a well-known Liberal 
 
 sire, 
 Who may himself perhaps one day to Parliament 
 
 aspire; 
 
20 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 And now to find these Tory colors valiantly dis- 
 played, 
 
 Both high and low are wondering why such a change 
 is made. 
 
 " Good morning, Lady Eskside," she cries; " we vote 
 with you ; 
 
 We're Liberal, but we like fair play, and we shall 
 have it too." 
 
 There was a pause, then cheer on cheer rose from 
 that varying throng. 
 
 Liberal votes fell — the tide was turned — Valentine 
 Ross had won. 
 
 The new-elected member with his friends and train 
 
 retire, 
 Lord Eskside as he always was, Val with his face on 
 
 fire; 
 And as the people make a lane for these grandees to 
 
 pass, 
 Some one around upon the left hurries across the 
 
 grass: 
 'Tis Alexander Pringle Junior, just from foreign 
 
 tour; 
 Where Val went, there the Pringles went, of that you 
 
 may be sure. 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 21 
 
 But Sandy, just returned, has not heard what his 
 
 father wrote, 
 He only knows the friend has won for whom he 
 
 meant to vote ; 
 His hand outstretched, his eager face with youth and 
 
 pleasure shown, 
 He came to Val, who instantly — turned round and 
 
 knocked him down. 
 
 This was disgrace. As Lord and Lady Eskside 
 
 talked it o'er, 
 It seemed but fitting consequence of all that went 
 
 before. 
 Alas! they did not yet know all of that eventful day: 
 Val was his mother's son, and Val — had run away. 
 
 From his Italian palace, Lord Eskside's absent son 
 Was watching in solicitude he had not cared to 
 
 own. 
 But, from the time the English papers told of Val's 
 
 success, 
 His letters stopped, no line from home of detail, more 
 
 or less. 
 
THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 At last a telegram arrived with these words, none 
 
 beside : 
 " Is Valentine with you?" It was signed " Catherine 
 
 Eskside." 
 "Is Valentine with you?" thought Richard; "that 
 
 means Val is gone, 
 The whole sad story has come out, and it cannot be 
 
 borne ; 
 I must get there," but Richard halted at that weird 
 
 old town, 
 Where his boys first saw light, and had the record 
 
 copied down. 
 "Oh, my dear, where is Valentine?" poor Lady 
 
 Eskside said. 
 i ' Your father is in London, but I'm sometimes sure 
 
 Val's dead." 
 "No, mother; there's that in his blood, I think 
 
 should calm your fears ; 
 He has but followed a wild will, like one in other 
 
 years." 
 Of Richard Ross's own "wild will" he seemed not 
 
 to have thought : 
 Val was not second, but the third, who misery had 
 
 brought. 
 4 ' And, Richard, you will go at once, and bring him 
 
 back, my dear; 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 23 
 
 Your father said but little, but he might have been 
 
 severe." 
 "Yes, mother, I will go at once, but not, I think, 
 
 to-day, 
 Valentine is no boy, that this will not admit 
 
 delay." 
 Richard perhaps had hardly felt that agony of 
 
 pride, 
 At hearing of the knocking down, it cost to Lord 
 
 Eskside ; 
 But sometimes the idea that Yal had turned like her 
 
 who bore him, 
 Would aggravate his father so, he cared not to 
 
 restore him. 
 Yet two days saw this member of the Diplomatic 
 
 Corps, 
 His valet, and his luggage, in the railway train once 
 
 more ; 
 The train for Oxford, though he told no one where he 
 
 was bound, 
 Nor even had his ticket bought 'till off of Scottish 
 
 ground. 
 ,; I think Valentine," said Richard, "in his present 
 
 state of mind 
 
 Would go to Oxford, and perhaps leave an address 
 behind." 
 
24 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 Arrived in Oxford's classic precincts just as the sun 
 
 had set, 
 Richard soon found the little house Dick worked so 
 
 hard to get. 
 He waited — knocked — there stood his wife, and 
 
 Richard's heart stopped still. 
 " Is Valentine with you?" Yes, sir; but he is very 
 
 ill." 
 "How long since he was taken ill? Have you 
 
 advice?" he asked. 
 "I have the best that could be had; they say the 
 
 worst is past." 
 "Myra, you know me?" "Yes, sir, — " "And is 
 
 this after all — " 
 " Oh, sir," the mother only in her face, "I heard him 
 
 call." 
 She left him like a flash, — he was a half -forgotten 
 
 shade, 
 Her soul, her life, all with the child, where cares and 
 
 prayers were laid. 
 Richard Ross saw this perfectly; he stood a moment 
 
 there, 
 And then — what else was there to do? — went up the 
 
 little stair. 
 In the dim light lay Valentine, tossing his fevered 
 
 head, 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 25 
 
 Unconscious of those figures strange on either side 
 his bed. 
 
 Poor Val had gone to Oxford without any grave 
 
 design: 
 Sick, disgraced, he cared not where he went, nor 
 
 what he did, in fine : 
 Rowing idly on the river, let his outrigger capsize, 
 Not having seen his mother, yet before her very eyes. 
 She saw him in the water, she perceived he did not 
 
 swim, 
 Val was weak with coming illness, lassitude in every 
 
 limb; 
 Seizing a boat that floated near, her strong arm took 
 
 the oar, 
 And in a moment Val and Myra were upon the shore. 
 
 The mistress sat alone that day within the Eskside 
 
 towers, 
 While sadness and anxiety but slowly marked the 
 
 hours : 
 The painful present in her mind, the past with all it 
 
 bore; 
 She raised her weary eyes and saw Harding was 
 
 at the door. 
 
26 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 "My Lady, there's a man — I mean a gentleman — 
 
 below, 
 I put him in the dining room — I really did not 
 
 know — " 
 Down the great staircase Lady Eskside went, almost 
 
 with speed, 
 But when she saw her visitor she trembled like a reed. 
 "Boy, boy, who are you? Oh! who are you?" with 
 
 a piteous cry. 
 " My Lady, no one but Dick Brown," he, wondering, 
 
 made reply. 
 "I come from Mr. Valentine Ross, who's better now 
 
 and will 
 Improve," (Dick dreaded fresh alarm); "but he is 
 
 very ill." 
 " Where is he? Who is with him?" Her gray eye on 
 
 him bends. 
 "He is at my place, my lady; I thought I should 
 
 tell his friends. 
 " Where is your mother? Who is she? — though very 
 
 well I know. 
 My boy, the night train comes at eight, and you and 
 
 I will go." 
 Here was a proposition ! Poor Myra had perforce, 
 In spite of her heart's wild dismay, sent word of Mr. 
 
 Ross; 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 27 
 
 "Dick, never speak of me," she said, in manifest 
 
 affright. 
 "If they ask you, do not answer, and come back 
 
 that very night." 
 Dick had set forth most willingly, yet puzzled, sad, 
 
 and tried, 
 Crossing that other traveller's path who came south 
 
 from Eskside. 
 Dick's was a generous soul, but yet sometimes his 
 
 eyes grew dim : 
 Since Mr. Ross had come his mother scarcely thought 
 
 of him. 
 That she was always right this loyal son could take 
 
 for granted, 
 But yet she was his all, and it was hard to be 
 
 supplanted. 
 Had Dick stood where his father stood within that 
 
 very hour, 
 And heard his mother's pleadings that Dick might be 
 
 left with her, 
 He would have felt their love at least unchanged on 
 
 either side, 
 And worse men than Dick Brown had been entirely 
 
 satisfied. 
 There was a mystery somewhere : Dick, familiar with 
 
 that class 
 
28 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 Where many things avoid the light, strove hard to let 
 
 it pass ; 
 But now this strange old lady, though half lunatic, 
 
 no doubt, 
 Yet clearly knew the story too. Dick could not 
 
 make it out. 
 
 The lady, maid, and the young man calling himself 
 
 Dick Brown, 
 Reaching Lord Eskside's London inn, were then and 
 
 there set down. 
 By telegram had Lady Eskside told of Valentine, 
 But naturally no farther word of all she could 
 
 divine. 
 Yet, bringing Dick to Lord Eskside, she felt in very 
 
 truth, 
 He could not miss Dick's likeness to Richard in his 
 
 youth. 
 The earl, excited in his way, was in no mood to scan 
 A person like Dick, and but saw a well-made working 
 
 man. 
 "I think," he said, "it will be well that you sit 
 
 in the hall, 
 Where, when her ladyship must go, you'll hear me as 
 
 I call." 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 29 
 
 "Go, my dear," Lady Eskside said, "you'll be a 
 
 comfort yet 
 To those who seem entirely blind and everything 
 
 forget." 
 "I don't know what my lady means," the earl spoke 
 
 with some state ; 
 11 It may be at the station that you had better wait." 
 Dick was a man of too much sense and too much 
 
 strength of mind 
 To think Lord Eskside meant to be, or that he was, 
 
 unkind; 
 He would have said he liked this best, yet Lady 
 
 Eskside's petting 
 Had made, it may be — Dick was young — a change of 
 
 tone upsetting. 
 So these three, none of them well pleased, including 
 
 young Dick Brown, 
 Embarked together on the train for famous Oxford 
 
 town. 
 Arrived there, and when near his house, young Dick 
 
 went on before, 
 To go around it to the rear and open the front door. 
 As he vanished, Richard Ross himself came down the 
 
 little path. 
 Richard has known this always, thought his mother, 
 
 clumb with wrath, 
 
30 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 But he had not known it always: he had wondrous 
 
 things to tell, 
 And, best of all the blessed tidings, Val was doing 
 
 well. 
 Dick, hastening through the passage, found the door 
 
 was left ajar, 
 While, quite at home, upon his steps three people 
 
 talking are. 
 This was too much : his mother changed, he treated 
 
 like a toy, 
 A man through all his struggling life, respected from 
 
 a boy; 
 And now they take his house, nor know, nor care 
 
 that he is there, 
 Yet, since it was for Mr. Ross, he'd gladly all this 
 
 bear. 
 "I'll go to work," thought Dick, "and stay where 
 
 fine folks cannot come," 
 And for the first time turned his back on mother and 
 
 on home. 
 Richard meanwhile was telling Val was better, all 
 
 was theirs, 
 And with most grateful, reverent hearts, these cul- 
 prits went up stairs. 
 Myra stood at Val's door, her head was bent, her 
 
 eyes downcast ; 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 31 
 
 "God bless you, my dear," said Lord Eskside to her 
 
 as he passed. 
 Val was better, and he knew them, in the sick man's 
 
 passive way, 
 Fond and smiling, scarcely realizing they were not 
 
 there yesterday. 
 The old earl stood beside the bed and saw his 
 
 darling's face ; 
 He watched the nurse and mother in her half savage 
 
 grace ; 
 He waited in the little parlor for the doctor's call, 
 And then he said, "111 not sit longer staring at this 
 
 wall; 
 I'll find that fellow Dick, and see what can be made 
 
 of him ; 
 He took French leave this morning." The earl's 
 
 smile was rather grim. 
 
 Dick was a fellow whom it was not difficult to find, 
 
 Styles's head man stood out in every undergraduate 
 mind. 
 
 These were the busy, closing hours of the busy boat- 
 house day; 
 
 Lord Eskside stood where he could see, yet keep out 
 of Dick's way. 
 
32 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 'Twas, " Brown, come here." "Dick, where are 
 
 you? something's wrong with these oars." 
 The undergraduates filled the place and thronged its 
 
 many doors. 
 "Dick, what are you so long for there? What ails 
 
 you? Don't you see 
 I'm waiting?" " Brown, I called you first; leave that 
 
 and come to me." 
 He's like my father, thought the earl, as Dick moved 
 
 to and fro, 
 Steady, though hurried, competent to what he had 
 
 to do; 
 But very soon Lord Eskside's low voice said, 
 
 "Enough of this," 
 And Brown was marched away from them, an earl's 
 
 arm linked in his. 
 
 Through the long days that followed, Myra's voice 
 
 was never heard 
 But in answer to some question, except once, when 
 
 this occurred : 
 She said it rather suddenly and in her simple 
 
 way, 
 Without the most remote idea of what it was to 
 
 say, 
 
AND E1S BROTHER 33 
 
 " You all think Val the eldest;" she shook her hand- 
 some head ; 
 "It is Dick who is the eldest, and not Val," the 
 
 mother said. 
 Nor Val nor Dick were present, the others all were 
 
 there ; 
 It seemed as if a gun had burst upon the startled 
 
 air, 
 When Richard, with the calm command which he at 
 
 times could show, 
 Said this must not be mentioned, that his sons must 
 
 never know. 
 Lord Eskside thought if this were well, he could not 
 
 quite see how ; 
 He hated subterfuge, and then — suppose Dick knew 
 
 it now ! 
 But Val recovered, they go north, to live as best they 
 
 can, 
 The lady with the roadside tramp, Richard with 
 
 Styles's head man. 
 
 And were they happy? Yes— perhaps— all save the 
 
 one poor soul, 
 Who, tool of her own ignorance, had madly wrecked 
 
 the whole ; 
 
34 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 To live housed with Dick at Oxford had cost effort 
 
 no one knew, 
 But here to meet the forms of life was more than she 
 
 could do ; 
 A prison were the pictured walls, the curtains choked 
 
 her breath, 
 She panted like a captured thing, with no escape but 
 
 death. 
 Dick and she ranged the park for hours, Dick 
 
 anxious, under strain, 
 And now the passion of her soul all turned to Dick 
 
 again. 
 One day a bed of primroses had sweetened all the 
 
 air: 
 "Ah! Dick," she said, "how I should like to sell 
 
 them here and there." 
 Coming next morning to her rooms, Dick found his 
 
 mother gone, 
 There was no cause for fear, and yet he felt himself 
 
 alone ; 
 1 c She has but gone to get those flowers ; I must not 
 
 be so weak;" 
 Yet he called Val to come with him. They had not 
 
 far to seek. 
 The breeze around blew fresh and free, the blue sky 
 
 overhead, 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 85 
 
 And there — among the primroses — they found her 
 lying — dead. 
 
 To Dick had come a loss supreme ; the whole world 
 
 was to him 
 Enshrouded, and to those so young the heavens are 
 
 sometimes dim. 
 And Val too sorrowed; volumes could not tell so 
 
 well the worth 
 Of those who reared him, as that Val mourned her 
 
 who brought him forth. 
 But Val had something on his mind which softened 
 
 every mood, 
 The question now became for him to have it under- 
 stood. 
 The five were in the gloaming, and Richard's mind 
 
 had flown 
 To the Embassy and Italy, where he would soon be 
 
 gone, 
 When Val began to speak, and paused, spoke, and 
 
 then paused again. 
 "What's coming now?" his father thought. Val 
 
 tried once more, and then 
 Announced, before his panic-stricken elders could 
 
 cry "Quarter," 
 
36 THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 The wish, of all things in this world, to wed old 
 
 Pringle's daughter! 
 It seemed to Richard Ross as if his trials would never 
 
 cease, 
 As if perverse fate never could allow him a release. 
 Anger blazed in Lord Eskside's eyes: "What is it 
 
 you tell me? 
 Marry a daughter of the man we know Pringle 
 
 to be!" 
 "But, grandpapa," said Val, "he failed — and all he 
 
 meant to do 
 We feared he might succeed in only — because what 
 
 he said was true." 
 "True!" said his father; "I must hope that cannot 
 
 be made clear; 
 His letter calls you ' nameless,' says a stranger 
 
 brought you here : 
 Your logic is affected by your interest in your friend, 
 For she who brought you was my wife ; there let the 
 
 matter end." 
 This marriage I'll not brook, thought Richard; my 
 
 unhappy past, 
 Pringle's behavior, love or force must win the day at 
 
 last. 
 And never in his skilful life did Richard Ross com- 
 bine 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 3? 
 
 The brilliant powers he used so well, as now with 
 
 Valentine. 
 But Richard's skill, Lord Eskside's sense, all they 
 
 could urge or say, 
 With Lady Eskside's soft appeals, were simply thrown 
 
 away. 
 Val's answers all came back to this : ' l 'T was what he 
 
 wished to do, 
 And, had they loved him, he was sure that they 
 
 would wish it too." 
 He did not seem to listen to the arguments they 
 
 brought, 
 He was but the spoiled child again, without a care or 
 
 thought, 
 Until the trained diplomatist, the man of self- 
 control, 
 Lost his patience and his temper, and told the boy 
 
 the whole. 
 "An inexperienced thoughtlessness has just led you 
 
 to say 
 Lord Eskside's grandson, my first son, may follow 
 
 his own way; 
 Absurd as that position is, it is not yours to 
 
 take, 
 Your brother is the elder-born, we've made a grave 
 
 mistake : 
 
THE STORY OF VALENTINE 
 
 To reconstruct your plan of life, and see where 
 
 your course lies, 
 At present is enough for you without encumbering 
 
 ties." 
 An instant Val's cheek blanched, his young lip 
 
 quivered in distress, 
 Then, "Sir," he answered, "all my acts will matter 
 
 so much less." 
 "Stop!" cried Dick hoarsely; "do you think I ever 
 
 will or can 
 Take rights that are for Valentine in sight of God 
 
 and man? 
 Who made me what I am, poor as that is, but he? 
 Who found me? — helped me?— raised me from my 
 
 outcast tramp degree?" 
 "I think, Dick, you are bound," said Richard, "by 
 
 the laws, you'll find." 
 1 ' I beg your pardon, sir ; I'm bound by nothing of 
 
 the kind." 
 "My boy," Lord Eskside said, "the question here is 
 
 is not for you 
 Nor me to settle; generations must be kept in view." 
 "That does not touch me, sir," cried Dick; "if 
 
 there's no other way 
 I'll leave the country — go where none can trace me ; 
 
 there I'll stay." 
 
AND HIS BROTHER 39 
 
 "It is not in you," Richard said. "You don't know 
 
 what's in me ; 
 You did not know her — may God bless her; I'm a 
 
 man and free. 
 Father and grandfather — I've never called you so 
 
 before — 
 Don't make me an exile — wanderer — drive me from 
 
 your door. 
 I know what that life is, I've learned the pleasures of 
 
 a home, 
 I want to live with the old folks through all the 
 
 years to come." 
 "Dick," said Lord Eskside, "we'll admit you have 
 
 made out your cause ; 
 1 Live with the old folks'" (the earl laughed), "we 
 
 will not fear the laws." 
 "Training," said Richard, "preparation, are with 
 
 Valentine ; 
 Not to disparage you, my boy, the error has been 
 
 mine." 
 It was decided : Valentine, as Valentine of yore, 
 Had married Violet Pringle before many months 
 
 were o'er. 
 
J&a - 17 1901 
 
DEC 24 1900 
 
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