Hector Malot - "Conscience, v4"

John Lothrop Motley - "The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1555"

Mary E. Wilkins - "The Heart's Highway"

Dewitt H. Parker - "The Principles Of Aesthetics"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: Herb of Grace

R >> Rosa Nouchette Carey >> Herb of Grace




"Did you mean that for a hit at me, Anna dear?" and Malcolm's voice
was rather reproachful.

"For you," looking at him tenderly, "oh no--no, Malcolm;" and then
to his dismay she suddenly burst into tears.

"Don't mind me, I am silly to-night," she said, struggling to regain
her composure. "Mother is right, and I am not quite well, and--and
things will go crooked in this world." But though Malcolm petted
her, and called her a foolish child, and his dear little sister,
Anna did not regain her former cheerfulness. And when Mrs. Herrick
joined them she said her head had begun aching again, and that she
would go to bed.

Malcolm wished her good-night at the foot of the staircase, and
watched her until she was out of sight. His mother looked at him a
little keenly when he rejoined her.

"What have you and Anna been talking about?" she asked rather
abruptly; "the child does not look quite happy."

"We were only talking about the ladies of the Wood House," he
returned quietly. "Anna thinks she would like to make their
acquaintance some day." But Mrs. Herrick made no reply to this; she
was regarding her son thoughtfully, and her strong, sensible face
wore an expression almost of sadness. But she gave him no clue to
her feelings, and when the time came for him to take his leave her
manner was more affectionate than usual.

She was still on the balcony as he passed out, and a cheery "Good-
night, my son," floated down to him. But as she stood listening to
his departing footsteps she said to herself, "He is changed somehow,
he is not quite himself, and Anna has noticed it. I wonder"--and
here she sighed rather heavily--"I wonder what sort of woman this
Miss Elizabeth Templeton can be."




CHAPTER XVIII

"YES, SHE GAVE HIM UP"


Thou art so good,
So calm!--If thou shouldst wear a brow less light
For some wild thought which, but for me, were kept
From out thy soul as from a sacred star!
BROWNING.

To every living soul that same He saith,
"Be faithful;" whatsoever else we be,
Let us be faithful, challenging His faith.
CHRISTINA ROSSETTI.


The Manor House where the Godfreys lived was a fine old red-brick
Elizabethan house, standing about a quarter of a mile from the
river.

A delightful garden surrounded it, but the chief point of attraction
to visitors was a terrace walk, shaded by old chestnut trees, which
formed its extreme boundary, and which, on the hottest summer's day,
offered a cool and shady retreat.

The terrace was broad, and at one end was a sort of loggia or alcove
built of grayish-white stone, with a wide stone bench running round
it. From this point there was a charming view of the river between
the trees, and it was here that Malcolm found his hostess on his
arrival at the Manor House.

Mrs. Godfrey was reading in the loggia, with her husband's
magnificent deer-hounds lying at her feet. She laid aside her book
and welcomed her visitor with a warmth and cordiality that were
evidently sincere. Strangers who saw Mrs. Godfrey for the first time
were generally apt to remark that she was one of the plainest women
they had ever seen; and they would add in a parenthesis, "It is such
a pity, for the Colonel is so handsome." But even the most critical
agreed that no woman could be more charming. She had spent a great
deal of her life abroad, and her easy, well-bred manner, her savoir-
faire and broad, sagacious views on every subject, had been gained
in the world's academy. In spite of her goodness of heart and real
unselfishness, she was essentially a woman of the world. Little as
Malcolm guessed it at that time, she was Elizabeth Templeton's
greatest friend; indeed, both the sisters were devoted to her, and
some of Elizabeth's happiest and gayest hours had been spent in the
Manor House.

"I certainly never hoped to find you alone," were Malcolm's first
words. Mrs. Godfrey smiled.

"It is almost an unprecedented fact in the Manor House annals," she
returned gaily; "but we shall be absolutely alone until Tuesday, and
then every room will be filled. If you had consented to stay for a
week, I could have promised you a big affair on a steam-launch, a
picnic, and a tennis tournament; but now our solitary function will
be a garden-party on Monday."

"Please do not speak in such an apologetic tone," replied Malcolm.
"If you knew how my soul abhors picnics and water-parties! It is
really too delightful to know that I may enjoy your society in peace
for three whole days. By the bye, where is the Colonel?"

"Oh, Alick has gone to Henley to see an old chum of his, but he will
be back in good time for dinner. Is it not lovely down here, Mr.
Herrick? I thought it would be such a pity to go indoors that I told
Deacon that we would have tea here." Then, as Malcolm signified his
approval of this arrangement, they sauntered slowly down the
terrace, that Malcolm might take in all points of the extensive
view. When they retraced their steps to the loggia, the butler and
footman were setting out a rustic tea-table.

"And so you have been staying at the Wood House?" began Mrs. Godfrey
as she handed Malcolm his tea. "Elizabeth Templeton's letter this
morning almost took my breath away. What a small world it is after
all, Mr. Herrick!"

"Life treads on life," murmured Malcolm, "and heart on heart;"

"We press too close in church or mart
To keep a dream or grave apart."

"How true!" was the quiet rejoinder. "Mrs. Browning said that. Well,
do you know, I was quite childishly surprised when I heard you had
been a guest at the Wood House. 'Mr. Herrick has only just left us,'
were Elizabeth's words; 'Cedric is driving him to the station; we
have greatly enjoyed his visit,' etcetera, etcetera."

Then a slight flush came to Malcolm's dark face.

"I had a very pleasant time," he returned; "they were most kind and
hospitable. Miss Templeton is one of the most charming women I have
ever met."

"Dear Dinah--yes, she is very sweet. I do not think I have ever seen
her ruffled. She is just lovely. But it is Elizabeth who is my
friend."

"Indeed!"

"Our friendship is a very real one," continued Mrs. Godfrey
thoughtfully; "and next to my husband there is no one whom I could
trust as I could Elizabeth Templeton. She is very strong."

"Oh yes, she is very strong," in a ruminative manner.

"Have you found that out already?" in a surprised tone. "But I
remember you are a student of human nature, Mr. Herrick, and rather
a keen observer. Most people would not be able to diagnose Elizabeth
Templeton's character correctly at the end of one short week. When I
was first introduced to her, thirteen or fourteen years ago, I told
Alick that I should never get on with any one who was so reserved
and so stand-offish, but I soon changed my opinion. I found out that
a great deal of her reserve was in reality shyness, and that her
frankness and openness of disposition were her chief charms."

"And then you became friends?"

"Yes; but not for a long time. We are neither of us at all gushing,
and I was an old married woman, you know. But there came a time when
she needed my help--when she was in anxiety--and a woman's counsel
and woman's sympathy were a comfort to her." Here Mrs. Godfrey
paused as she became aware of the concentrated keenness in Malcolm's
eyes, and added hastily, "The trouble was not her own; but it is
Elizabeth's nature to take the burdens of others on her own
shoulders. I never knew any one capable of such intense sympathy. It
is a rare gift, Mr. Herrick, but it brings its possessor great
suffering."

"You are right," in a low tone.

"I knew then that she was a woman in a thousand, and we have been
close and dear friends ever since. Not that we often meet. She is a
busy woman and so am I, but we generally stay at the Wood House once
a year, and Elizabeth comes to me for a few days' rest and
refreshment whenever she can spare the time. Alick teases me
sometimes about my lady-love, but I assure you that he is very fond
of her, and is always delighted to hear she is coming to the Manor
House."

Malcolm listened to this with deep interest. It seemed to him that
every one who spoke to him of Elizabeth Templeton praised her
without stint or limit; she was evidently much beloved, and the very
fact that a person like Mrs. Godfrey should choose her for her most
trusted friend was no mean title of honour; never was there a woman
more fastidious and discriminating in her ideas of female
friendship.

Malcolm would willingly have heard more, but a curious sort of
embarrassment and a fear of betraying too deep an interest made him
speak of her sister.

"Miss Templeton seems to have a happy nature," he said a little
abruptly. "I never saw any one so perfectly peaceful and serene; it
makes one better only to look at her. Her hair is gray, and yet when
she smiles one is reminded of an innocent child, it is such a
perfectly radiant expression."

"Yes, I know. Dear Dinah, she has the secret of perpetual youth. She
is one of 'the little ones'--you know what I mean. When I talk to
her, as I tell Elizabeth sometimes, I feel such a worldly, frivolous
creature. Her sister perfectly realises this, for she has the
prettiest names for her. 'That angel-woman,' I have heard her say
that; very often she calls her 'das Engelkind;' and without
exaggeration she has a rare and beautiful nature."

Malcolm assented to this, then he said slowly, "Has it ever struck
you that there are no lines on Miss Templeton's face? I should think
her life-story must be a happy one. I mean, that she has not known
any very great trouble." Then rather a peculiar expression crossed
Mrs. Godfrey's face. "Ah, I see I have made a mistake," observed
Malcolm quickly.

"Yes, you have made a mistake," she replied a little sadly. "Did you
really think that even Dinah Templeton could have her forty years in
the wilderness without her share of pain and difficulty? Well, it is
ancient history, and there is no harm in telling you what every one
knows, that in the bloom of her fresh young womanhood she had a sore
trial and a great sorrow."

"You say every one knows about it?" returned Malcolm eagerly.

"Yes, every one in Staplegrove and Earlsfield. Oh, I can read your
face; you would like to hear about it. Well, there is no harm in my
telling you. When Dinah Templeton was about three-or four-and-twenty
she was engaged to Douglas Fraser, a doctor just beginning practice
in Earlsfield."

"Mr. Templeton was living at that time, and approved of the
engagement. Dr. Eraser was devoted to his profession. He was a
rising man, and people predicted that before many years were over he
would make his mark."

"Douglas Fraser, the great authority on neurotic diseases in Harley
Street!" exclaimed Malcolm in a tone of intense surprise. Mrs.
Godfrey nodded.

"As a young man I have been told that he was perfectly irresistible.
Even now he is a grand-looking man of commanding presence, with a
fine intellectual head and face. And as for Dinah, she must have
been one of the sweetest-looking creatures on God's earth."

"Well, they were engaged, and if ever a young pair of human lovers
walked in the Garden of Eden, Dinah and Douglas Fraser were that
couple--until the cloud came that was to eclipse their happiness in
this world. There is no need for me to enter into the matter very
fully, though I know everything. One unhappy day Dinah discovered
that Dr. Fraser was an agnostic--that for some time he had had grave
doubts on the subject of revealed religion, which he had kept to
himself for fear of distressing her; but now a sense of honour
compelled him to tell her the truth. He had lost his faith, and he
no longer believed in anything but science."

"Good heavens, what a shock!" ejaculated Malcolm.

"You may well say so," returned Mrs. Godfrey sadly. "It was no light
cross that Dinah had to bear. Even in her youth she was intensely
religious. Religion was not a portion of her life, it was her life
itself. To such a nature the idea of marrying an agnostic was
practically impossible. 'If I marry Douglas I shall be committing a
great sin,' she said to her sister; 'I shall be denying my Lord and
Master;' and in the semi-delirium in the illness that ensued,
Elizabeth could hear her say over and over again, 'Whoso loveth
father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.'"

"And she actually gave him up."

"Yes, she gave him up, though it broke her heart and his to do so. I
believe that he suffered terribly, and that he used every argument
in his power to shake her resolution, but in vain."

"She had a long illness after that. Elizabeth took her abroad. It
was at Rome that I met them, and after a time we became intimate.
Poor Dinah had a relapse, and I assisted Elizabeth in nursing her.
Well, Mr. Herrick, I can read a question in your eyes."

"Yes, there is one thing I want to know--has not Dr. Fraser
married?"

"To be sure he has; but he did not marry for some years. He left
Earlsfield and took a London practice, and his career has been a
brilliant one."

"I believe Mrs. Fraser is a lovely woman, and they have three
beautiful children. But the strangest part of my story is still to
be told--Douglas Fraser is no longer an agnostic."

Malcolm looked at her silently; but Mrs. Godfrey said no more, and
not for worlds would he have asked another question. He could see
that she was deeply moved, for her lip quivered a little. He rose
from the bench and paced up and down the terrace, listening to the
faint soughing of the dark chestnut leaves and looking at the cool,
silvery gleam of the river between the tree-boles.

Malcolm was a man of intensely imaginative and sympathetic nature.
His mother had once told him that he had something of the woman in
him. And certainly no one was more capable of filling up the
outlines of the story he had just heard and giving it life and
colouring.

"I admired her before," he said to himself, "but I shall look upon
her as a saint now. She has had her martyrdom, if ever woman had,
and has fought her fight nobly;" and then, with that clear insight
that seemed natural to him, he added, "She knows that he has come
right, and this is the secret of her serenity," which was indeed the
truth, though not the whole truth; for Dinah Templeton had indeed
realised her Master's words, that through much tribulation we must
enter into the kingdom of heaven.

When Mrs. Godfrey rejoined Malcolm her husband was with her. Malcolm
always declared that Colonel Godfrey was his typical and ideal
Englishman. He was a well-built, soldierly-looking man of unusually
fine presence. As he was over fifty, his golden-brown moustache was
slightly grizzled, and the hair had worn off his forehead; but he
was still strikingly handsome. He and his wife were alone. Both
their sons were in the Indian army, and their only daughter was
married and lived in Yorkshire.

"We are just an old Darby and Joan," Mrs. Godfrey would say; but
though she was only a year or two younger than her husband, she wore
remarkably well, and still looked a comparatively young woman.

Colonel Godfrey and Malcolm were excellent friends, and in a few
minutes they were strolling through the fields towards the river-
bank, talking on various topics of social and political interest,
while Mrs. Godfrey returned to the house to write letters and dress
for dinner.

It was not until the following afternoon that Malcolm found an
opportunity of sounding Mrs. Godfrey on the subject of the Jacobis.

They were sitting in the loggia again, and the row of dark chestnut
trees looked almost black against the intense blue of the sky.

A faint breeze was just stirring the leaves, and every now and then
a sort of ripple of sunlight seemed to streak the sombre foliage
with gold. On the terrace there was a wealth of sunshine, and the
stones felt hot to the feet. Only under the chestnuts tiny
flickering shadows seemed to dance in and out among the tree-boles.

Colonel Godfrey had just been summoned to a business interview, and
for the first time that day Malcolm found himself alone with his
hostess. "Oh, by the bye," he observed rather abruptly, "there is
something I want to ask you. There are some people of the name of
Jacobi who have taken a house at Henley. I wonder if you have come
across them."

"To be sure I have," in rather a surprised tone. "Miss Jacobi called
here on Tuesday. Mrs. Sinclair drove her over."

"Well, I want you to tell me what you think of them," asked Malcolm.
An amused look came into Mrs. Godfrey's eyes, and she held up her
finger in chiding fashion.

"Oh, fie, for shame, Mr. Herrick! You are deep--deep. So the
handsome siren has attracted you too."

"Handsome siren," repeated Malcolm with unnecessary energy. "Why,
what nonsense you are talking, my dear lady. I never saw Miss Jacobi
in my life. It is Miss Templeton who desires information, and I
promised her that I would sound you on the subject." Then the
mischievous spark died out of Mrs. Godfrey's eyes.

"Miss Templeton! Do you mean Dinah? What on earth can be the
connection between her and the Jacobis. They were certainly not on
hers or Elizabeth's visiting-list when I was last at the Wood
House."

"No, they are complete strangers to them," was Malcolm's reply; "but
Cedric has come across them and seems rather thick with them. He is
going to stay at Beechcroft--is that not the name of the place they
have taken for the season?"

"Yes, I believe so," returned Mrs. Godfrey in rather a perturbed
tone. "Cedric, that boy, going to stay with the Jacobis!" And then
she broke off and said abruptly, "I am sorry to hear it. I should
not care for one of my boys to be thrown much into the society of
Saul Jacobi and his sister."




CHAPTER XIX

"A TOUCH OF THE TARTAR"


Here comes the lady: O, so light a foot
Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint.
Romeo and Juliet.


When you doubt, abstain.
--Zoroaster


Malcolm gave a slight start of dismay. Mrs. Godfrey's manner
conveyed more than her words; in spite of his secret prejudice, he
was not prepared for so strong an expression of disapproval. She was
a woman of sound judgment, and very charitable in her estimate of
people, and he knew that he could rely on her opinion. Her
intuitions were seldom at fault. Whether she blamed or praised it
was always with rare discrimination and perfect justice, and she was
never impulsive or rash in her verdicts.

There was a moment's silence. A blackbird, evidently attracted by
Mrs. Godfrey's clear, resonant voice, had perched on the stone
parapet beside them and watched them in bright-eyed curiosity. Then,
as Malcolm moved his arm, it flew off, with clucking notes of
warning, to rejoin its mate.

"I am rather troubled to hear you say this," began Malcolm. "Will
you tell me all you know about these people?"

"That is just the difficulty," returned Mrs. Godfrey slowly. "No one
seems to know much about them. Even Mrs. Sinclair, who has taken
them up so lately, knows scarcely anything of their antecedents. As
far as I remember, Mrs. Sinclair asked me one day if I were not
going to call on the Jacobis. 'They are perfectly charming,' were
her words. 'They are a brother and a sister who have taken
Beechcroft for the season. They seem wealthy people and live in good
style, and Miss Jacobi is one of the handsomest women I have ever
seen.'"

"And this was all?" as Mrs. Godfrey paused.

"It was all I could gather. Mr. Sinclair certainly told Alick that
he understood that Mr. Jacobi had made his money in business--
something connected with a mining company, he believed. But no one
seemed to know exactly, and the Jacobis are rather reticent about
their own concerns. They seem to have a large visiting-list, and to
know some big people."

"And Miss Jacobi called here?"

"Yes, Mrs. Sinclair brought her; but I confess I was somewhat
embarrassed by the visit--it has placed me in an awkward
predicament. I have no wish to make their acquaintance, but I cannot
well be unneighbourly; one meets them everywhere, so Alick tells me
that I must get rid of my insular prejudices and leave our cards at
Beechcroft."

"It must be an awful nuisance," replied Malcolm sympathetically.

"Oh, I don't know; Miss Jacobi is very civil and pleasant. She is
rather a reserved sort of woman, but remarkably good-looking, and
she dresses beautifully. I am afraid," with a laugh, "all you
gentlemen will lose your hearts to her. Even Alick raves about her.
He declares they must be Italian Jews, although they have lived in
England and America all their lives. Miss Jacobi has certainly
rather a Jewish type of face, and she has the clear olive complexion
of the Italian. Well, you will see them for yourself on Sunday, for
they are regular church-goers, though Mr. Jacobi's behaviour during
service is not always edifying. They have seats near us, and it
irritates me dreadfully to see him lounging and yawning while other
people are saying their prayers."

"Does Miss Jacobi lounge too?" in an amused tone.

"No, she behaves far better than her brother. I must confess to you,
Mr. Herrick, that I am rather prejudiced against Mr. Jacobi. I do
not like either his face or his manners; his eyes are too close
together, and this, in my opinion, gives him rather a crafty look;
and in manner he is self-assertive and ostentatious."

"I know what you mean," returned Malcolm with a laugh; "he spells me
and mine with a capital M." Mrs. Godfrey nodded.

"Mrs. Sinclair tells me that the brother and sister are devoted to
each other, but that Miss Jacobi seems to defer to her brother's
opinion in everything. But there, I have told you all I know, and
you must find out the rest for yourself."

"I shall keep my eyes open, I assure you," was Malcolm's reply. And
then he continued in a perplexed tone, "How on earth did Cedric get
hold of them?" But as Mrs. Godfrey could not answer this, Malcolm
allowed the subject to drop. In his case forewarned was forearmed,
and but for his promise to Dinah and his very real concern for
Cedric, he would have given the Jacobis a wide berth.

It was only natural, however, that his curiosity should be strongly
excited by this conversation, and when on the following morning they
took their seats in church, his attention wandered at the sound of
every footstep in the aisle.

The service had commenced before the vacant seats near them were
occupied. Malcolm had a momentary glimpse of a tall, graceful-
looking figure, in soft, diaphanous raiment, that seemed to pass
them very swiftly; he even caught a strange, subtle fragrance that
seemed to linger in the air; and then they all knelt down and Miss
Jacobi buried her face in her hands, and her brother removed his
lavender kid gloves with elaborate care as though Saul Jacobi had
nothing in common with the rest of the miserable sinners. During the
rest of the service Malcolm had plenty of opportunity for studying
his physiognomy, for he turned round more than once and encountered
Malcolm's eyes.

He was certainly handsome in his way. His features were good, though
of the pronounced Jewish type; but his dark, brilliant eyes had a
shifty look in them--probably, as Mrs. Godfrey suggested, from their
being set a little closely together. In age he appeared to be
between thirty and forty.

He could see little of Miss Jacobi except the dark, glossy coil of
hair under her hat; for during the entire service she was as
motionless as a statue, and never once turned her face in Malcolm's
direction--even when her brother spoke to her she answered without
looking at him. Whether Miss Jacobi was a devout worshipper or a
mere automaton was not for him to judge; she might have her own
reasons for not joining in the singing.

Colonel Godfrey was always a little fussy about his hat in church,
and so it was that Malcolm and Mrs. Godfrey were still in their
places when the Jacobis passed their pew. Malcolm seized his
opportunity and looked well at Miss Jacobi, but she did not appear
to notice him.

She was certainly a most striking-looking woman. Indeed, Malcolm's
trained eye was obliged to confess that she was really beautiful.
The features were perfect, and the clear olive complexion, just
flushed with heat, was wonderfully effective, while the large,
melancholy eyes were full of a strange, flashing light.

"What a superb creature!" was Malcolm's first unuttered thought. His
second showed his keen insight--"But it is not a happy face, and
with all its beauty, there is no restfulness of expression."

Colonel Godfrey was still brushing his hat in the anxious manner
peculiar to the well-dressed Englishman when they reached the porch.
To Malcolm's surprise he saw Miss Jacobi and her brother in animated
conversation with a little group of ladies, made up of Etheridges
and Sinclairs. Malcolm, who knew them all, was at once greeted as an
old acquaintance, and, to Mrs. Godfrey's secret amusement, the
Jacobis were introduced to him. Miss Jacobi bowed to him in rather a
grave, reserved manner, but her brother shook hands with real or
assumed cordiality.