A girl of the limberlost

Project Gutenberg's A Girl Of The Limberlost, by Gene Stratton Porter This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: A Girl Of The Limberlost Author: Gene Stratton Porter Release Date: March 8, 2006 [EBook #125] Last Updated: March 9, 2018 Language: English *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST *** Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST By Gene Stratton Porter To All Girls Of The Limberlost In General And One Jeanette Helen Porter In Particular CHARACTERS: ELNORA, who collects moths to pay for her education, and lives the Golden Rule PHILIP AMMON, who assists in moth hunting, and gains a new conception of love MRS COMSTOCK, who lost a delusion and found a treasure WESLEY SINTON, who always did his best MARGARET SINTON, who “mothers” Elnora BILLY, a boy from real life EDITH CARR, who discovers herself HART HENDERSON, to whom love means all things POLLY AMMON, who pays an old score TOM LEVERING, engaged to Polly TERENCE O'MORE, Freckles grown tall MRS O'MORE, who remained the Angel TERENCE, ALICE and LITTLE BROTHER, the O'MORE children CONTENTS A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII CHAPTER XIV CHAPTER XV CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XVII CHAPTER XVIII CHAPTER XIX CHAPTER XX CHAPTER XXI CHAPTER XXII CHAPTER XXIII CHAPTER XXIV CHAPTER XXV A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST CHAPTER I WHEREIN ELNORA GOES TO HIGH SCHOOL AND LEARNS MANY LESSONS NOT FOUND IN HER BOOKS “Elnora Comstock, have you lost your senses?” demanded the angry voice of Katharine Comstock while she glared at her daughter “Why mother!” faltered the girl “Don't you 'why mother' me!” cried Mrs Comstock “You know very well what I mean You've given me no peace until you've had your way about this going to school business; I've fixed you good enough, and you're ready to start But no child of mine walks the streets of Onabasha looking like a play-actress woman You wet your hair and comb it down modest and decent and then be off, or you'll have no time to find where you belong.” Elnora gave one despairing glance at the white face, framed in a most becoming riot of reddish-brown hair, which she saw in the little kitchen mirror Then she untied the narrow black ribbon, wet the comb and plastered the waving curls close to her head, bound them fast, pinned on the skimpy black hat and opened the back door “You've gone so plumb daffy you are forgetting your dinner,” jeered her mother “I don't want anything to eat,” replied Elnora “You'll take your dinner or you'll not go one step Are you crazy? Walk almost three miles and no food from six in the morning until six at night A pretty figure you'd cut if you had your way! And after I've gone and bought you this nice new pail and filled it especial to start on!” Elnora came back with a face still whiter and picked up the lunch “Thank you, mother! Good-bye!” she said Mrs Comstock did not reply She watched the girl follow the long walk to the gate and go from sight on the road, in the bright sunshine of the first Monday of September “I bet a dollar she gets enough of it by night!” commented Mrs Comstock Elnora walked by instinct, for her eyes were blinded with tears She left the road where it turned south, at the corner of the Limberlost, climbed a snake fence and entered a path worn by her own feet Dodging under willow and scrub oak branches she came at last to the faint outline of an old trail made in the days when the precious timber of the swamp was guarded by armed men This path she followed until she reached a thick clump of bushes From the debris in the end of a hollow log she took a key that unlocked the padlock of a large weatherbeaten old box, inside of which lay several books, a butterfly apparatus, and a small cracked mirror The walls were lined thickly with gaudy butterflies, dragonflies, and moths She set up the mirror and once more pulling the ribbon from her hair, she shook the bright mass over her shoulders, tossing it dry in the sunshine Then she straightened it, bound it loosely, and replaced her hat She tugged vainly at the low brown calico collar and gazed despairingly at the generous length of the narrow skirt She lifted it as she would have cut it if possible That disclosed the heavy high leather shoes, at sight of which she seemed positively ill, and hastily dropped the skirt She opened the pail, removed the lunch, wrapped it in the napkin, and placed it in a small pasteboard box Locking the case again she hid the key and hurried down the trail She followed it around the north end of the swamp and then entered a footpath crossing a farm leading in the direction of the spires of the city to the northeast Again she climbed a fence and was on the open road For an instant she leaned against the fence staring before her, then turned and looked back Behind her lay the land on which she had been born to drudgery and a mother who made no pretence of loving her; before her lay the city through whose schools she hoped to find means of escape and the way to reach the things for which she cared When she thought of how she appeared she leaned more heavily against the fence and groaned; when she thought of turning back and wearing such clothing in ignorance all the days of her life she set her teeth firmly and went hastily toward Onabasha On the bridge crossing a deep culvert at the suburbs she glanced around, and then kneeling she thrust the lunch box between the foundation and the flooring This left her empty-handed as she approached the big stone high school building She entered bravely and inquired her way to the office of the superintendent There she learned that she should have come the previous week and arranged about her classes There were many things incident to the opening of school, and one man unable to cope with all of them “Where have you been attending school?” he asked, while he advised the teacher of Domestic Science not to telephone for groceries until she knew how many she would have in her classes; wrote an order for chemicals for the students of science; and advised the leader of the orchestra to hire a professional to take the place of the bass violist, reported suddenly ill “I finished last spring at Brushwood school, district number nine,” said Elnora “I have been studying all summer I am quite sure I can do the first year work, if I have a few days to get started.” “Of course, of course,” assented the superintendent “Almost invariably country pupils do good work You may enter first year, and if it is too difficult, we will find it out speedily Your teachers will tell you the list of books you must have, and if you will come with me I will show you the way to the auditorium It is now time for opening exercises Take any seat you find vacant.” Elnora stood before the entrance and stared into the largest room she ever had seen The floor sloped to a yawning stage on which a band of musicians, grouped around a grand piano, were tuning their instruments She had two fleeting impressions That it was all a mistake; this was no school, but a grand display of enormous ribbon bows; and the second, that she was sinking, and had forgotten how to walk Then a burst from the orchestra nerved her while a bevy of daintily clad, sweet-smelling things that might have been birds, or flowers, or possibly gaily dressed, happy young girls, pushed her forward She found herself plodding across the back of the auditorium, praying for guidance, to an empty seat As the girls passed her, vacancies seemed to open to meet them Their friends were moving over, beckoning and whispering invitations Every one else was seated, but no one paid any attention to the white-faced girl stumbling halfblindly down the aisle next the farthest wall So she went on to the very end facing the stage No one moved, and she could not summon courage to crowd past others to several empty seats she saw At the end of the aisle she paused in desperation, while she stared back at the whole forest of faces most of which were now turned upon her In a flash came the full realization of her scanty dress, her pitiful little hat and ribbon, her big, heavy shoes, her ignorance of where to go or what to do; and from a sickening wave which crept over her, she felt she was going to become very ill Then out of the mass she saw a pair of big, brown boy eyes, three seats from her, and there was a message in them Without moving his body he reached forward and with a pencil touched the back of the seat before him Instantly Elnora took another step which brought her to a row of vacant front seats She heard laughter behind her; the knowledge that she wore the only hat in the room burned her; every matter of moment, and some of none at all, cut and stung She had no books Where should she go when this was over? What would she give to be on the trail going home! She was shaking with a nervous chill when the music ceased, and the superintendent arose, and coming down to the front of the flower-decked platform, opened a Bible and began to read Elnora They did whoop, and after several efforts the cry satisfied Billy, so he led the way to the big motor, and took the front seat with Terry Alice and Little Brother climbed into the back “Will it go?” asked Billy, “or do we have to turn it?” “It will go,” said Terry as the machine gently slid out into the avenue and started under his guidance “This is no warpath!” scoffed Billy “We got to go a lot faster than this, and we got to whoop Alice, why don't you whoop?” Alice arose, took hold of the seat in front and whooped “If I open the throttle, I can't squeeze the bulb to scare people out of our way,” said Terry “I can't steer and squeeze, too.” “We'll whoop enough to get them out of the way Go faster!” urged Billy Billy also stood, lifted his chin and whooped like the wildest little savage that ever came out of the West Alice and Little Brother added their voices, and when he was not absorbed with the steering gear, Terry joined in “Faster!” shouted Billy Intoxicated with the speed and excitement, Terry threw the throttle wider and the big car leaped forward and sped down the avenue In it four black, featherbedecked children whooped in wild glee until suddenly Terry's war cry changed to a scream of panic “The lake is coming!” “Stop!” cried Billy “Stop! Why don't you stop?” Paralyzed with fear Terry clung to the steering gear and the car sped onward “You little fool! Why don't you stop?” screamed Billy, catching Terry's arm “Tell me how to stop!” A bicycle shot beside them and Freckles standing on the pedals shouted: “Pull out the pin in that little circle at your feet!” Billy fell on his knees and tugged and the pin yielded at last Just as the wheels struck the white sand the bicycle sheered close, Freckles caught the lever and with one strong shove set the brake The water flew as the car struck Huron, but luckily it was shallow and the beach smooth Hub deep the big motor stood quivering as Freckles climbed in and backed it to dry sand Then he drew a deep breath and stared at his brood “Terence, would you kindly be explaining?” he said at last Billy looked at the panting little figure of Terry “I guess I better,” he said “We were playing Indians on the warpath, and we hadn't any ponies, and Terry said it was all the style to go in automobiles now, so we——” Freckles's head went back, and he did some whooping himself “I wonder if you realize how nearly you came to being four drowned children?” he said gravely, after a time “Oh, I think I could swim enough to get most of us out,” said Billy “Anyway, we need washing.” “You do indeed,” said Freckles “I will head this procession to the garage, and there we will remove the first coat.” For the remainder of Billy's visit the nurse, chauffeur, and every servant of the O'More household had something of importance on their minds, and Billy's every step was shadowed “I have Billy's consent,” said Philip to Elnora, “and all the other consent you have stipulated Before you think of something more, give me your left hand, please.” Elnora gave it gladly, and the emerald slipped on her finger Then they went together into the forest to tell each other all about it, and talk it over “Have you seen Edith?” asked Philip “No,” answered Elnora “But she must be here, or she may have seen me when we went to Petoskey a few days ago Her people have a cottage over on the bluff, but the Angel never told me until to-day I didn't want to make that trip, but the folks were so anxious to entertain me, and it was only a few days until I intended to let you know myself where I was.” “And I was going to wait just that long, and if I didn't hear then I was getting ready to turn over the country I can scarcely realize yet that Edith sent me that telegram.” “No wonder! It's a difficult thing to believe I can't express how I feel for her.” “Let us never speak of it again,” said Philip “I came nearer feeling sorry for her last night than I have yet I couldn't sleep on that boat coming over, and I couldn't put away the thought of what sending that message cost her I never would have believed it possible that she would it But it is done We will forget it.” “I scarcely think I shall,” said Elnora “It is something I like to remember How suffering must have changed her! I would give anything to bring her peace.” “Henderson came to see me at the hospital a few days ago He's gone a rather wild pace, but if he had been held from youth by the love of a good woman he might have lived differently There are things about him one cannot help admiring.” “I think he loves her,” said Elnora softly “He does! He always has! He never made any secret of it He will cut in now and do his level best, but he told me that he thought she would send him away He understands her thoroughly.” Edith Carr did not understand herself She went to her room after her goodbye to Henderson, lay on her bed and tried to think why she was suffering as she was “It is all my selfishness, my unrestrained temper, my pride in my looks, my ambition to be first,” she said “That is what has caused this trouble.” Then she went deeper “How does it happen that I am so selfish, that I never controlled my temper, that I thought beauty and social position the vital things of life?” she muttered “I think that goes a little past me I think a mother who allows a child to grow up as I did, who educates it only for the frivolities of life, has a share in that child's ending I think my mother has some responsibility in this,” Edith Carr whispered to the night “But she will recognize none She would laugh at me if I tried to tell her what I have suffered and the bitter, bitter lesson I have learned No one really cares, but Hart I've sent him away, so there is no one! No one!” Edith pressed her fingers across her burning eyes and lay still “He is gone!” she whispered at last “He would go at once He would not see me again I should think he never would want to see me any more But I will want to see him! My soul! I want him now! I want him every minute! He is all I have And I've sent him away Oh, these dreadful days to come, alone! I can't bear it Hart! Hart!” she cried aloud “I want you! No one cares but you No one understands but you Oh, I want you!” She sprang from her bed and felt her way to her desk “Get me some one at the Henderson cottage,” she said to Central, and waited shivering “They don't answer.” “They are there! You must get them Turn on the buzzer.” After a time the sleepy voice of Mrs Henderson answered “Has Hart gone?” panted Edith Carr “No! He came in late and began to talk about starting to California He hasn't slept in weeks to amount to anything I put him to bed There is time enough to start to California when he awakens Edith, what are you planning to next with that boy of mine?” “Will you tell him I want to see him before he goes?” “Yes, but I won't wake him.” “I don't want you to Just tell him in the morning.” “Very well.” “You will be sure?” “Sure!” Hart was not gone Edith fell asleep She arose at noon the next day, took a cold bath, ate her breakfast, dressed carefully, and leaving word that she had gone to the forest, she walked slowly across the leaves It was cool and quiet there, so she sat where she could see him coming, and waited She was thinking deep and fast Henderson came swiftly down the path A long sleep, food, and Edith's message had done him good He had dressed in new light flannels that were becoming Edith arose and went to meet him “Let us walk in the forest,” she said They passed the old Catholic graveyard, and entered the deepest wood of the Island, where all shadows were green, all voices of humanity ceased, and there was no sound save the whispering of the trees, a few bird notes and squirrel rustle There Edith seated herself on a mossy old log, and Henderson studied her He could detect a change She was still pale and her eyes tired, but the dull, strained look was gone He wanted to hope, but he did not dare Any other man would have forced her to speak The mighty tenderness in Henderson's heart shielded her in every way “What have you thought of that you wanted yet, Edith?” he asked lightly as he stretched himself at her feet “You!” Henderson lay tense and very still “Well, I am here!” “Thank Heaven for that!” Henderson sat up suddenly, leaning toward her with questioning eyes Not knowing what he dared say, afraid of the hope which found birth in his heart, he tried to shield her and at the same time to feel his way “I am more thankful than I can express that you feel so,” he said “I would be of use, of comfort, to you if I knew how, Edith.” “You are my only comfort,” she said “I tried to send you away I thought I didn't want you I thought I couldn't bear the sight of you, because of what you have seen me suffer But I went to the root of this thing last night, Hart, and with self in mind, as usual, I found that I could not live without you.” Henderson began breathing lightly He was afraid to speak or move “I faced the fact that all this is my own fault,” continued Edith, “and came through my own selfishness Then I went farther back and realized that I am as I was reared I don't want to blame my parents, but I was carefully trained into what I am If Elnora Comstock had been like me, Phil would have come back to me I can see how selfish I seem to him, and how I appear to you, if you would admit it.” “Edith,” said Henderson desperately, “there is no use to try to deceive you You have known from the first that I found you wrong in this But it's the first time in your life I ever thought you wrong about anything—and it's the only time I ever shall Understand, I think you the bravest, most beautiful woman on earth, the one most worth loving.” “I'm not to be considered in the same class with her.” “I don't grant that, but if I did, you, must remember how I compare with Phil He's my superior at every point There's no use in discussing that You wanted to see me, Edith What did you want?” “I wanted you to not go away.” “Not at all?” “Not at all! Not ever! Not unless you take me with you, Hart.” She slightly extended one hand to him Henderson took that hand, kissing it again and again “Anything you want, Edith,” he said brokenly “Just as you wish it Do you want me to stay here, and go on as we have been?” “Yes, only with a difference.” “Can you tell me, Edith?” “First, I want you to know that you are the dearest thing on earth to me, right now I would give up everything else, before I would you I can't honestly say that I love you with the love you deserve My heart is too sore It's too soon to know But I love you some way You are necessary to me You are my comfort, my shield If you want me, as you know me to be, Hart, you may consider me yours I give you my word of honour I will try to be as you would have me, just as soon as I can.” Henderson kissed her hand passionately “Don't, Edith,” he begged “Don't say those things I can't bear it I understand Everything will come right in time Love like mine must bring a reward You will love me some day I can wait I am the most patient fellow.” “But I must say it,” cried Edith “I—I think, Hart, that I have been on the wrong road to find happiness I planned to finish life as I started it with Phil; and you see how glad he was to change He wanted the other sort of girl far more than he ever wanted me And you, Hart, honest, now—I'll know if you don't tell me the truth! Would you rather have a wife as I planned to live life with Phil, or would you rather have her as Elnora Comstock intends to live with him?” “Edith!” cried the man, “Edith!” “Of course, you can't say it in plain English,” said the girl “You are far too chivalrous for that You needn't say anything I am answered If you could have your choice you wouldn't have a society wife, either In your heart you'd like the smaller home of comfort, the furtherance of your ambitions, the palatable meals regularly served, and little children around you I am sick of all we have grown up to, Hart When your hour of trouble comes, there is no comfort for you I am tired to death You find out what you want to do, and be, that is a man's work in the world, and I will plan our home, with no thought save your comfort I'll be the other kind of a girl, as fast as I can learn I can't correct all my faults in one day, but I'll change as rapidly as I can.” “God knows, I will be different, too, Edith You shall not be the only generous one I will make all the rest of life worthy of you I will change, too!” “Don't you dare!” said Edith Carr, taking his head between her hands and holding it against her knees, while the tears slid down her cheeks “Don't you dare change, you big-hearted, splendid lover! I am little and selfish You are the very finest, just as you are!” Henderson was not talking then, so they sat through a long silence At last he heard Edith draw a quick breath, and lifting his head he looked where she pointed Up a fern stalk climbed a curious looking object They watched breathlessly By lavender feet clung a big, pursy, lavender-splotched, yellow body Yellow and lavender wings began to expand and take on colour Every instant great beauty became more apparent It was one of those double-brooded freaks, which do occur on rare occasions, or merely an Eacles Imperialis moth that in the cool damp northern forest had failed to emerge in June Edith Carr drew back with a long, shivering breath Henderson caught her hands and gripped them firmly Steadily she looked the thought of her heart into his eyes “By all the powers, you shall not!” swore the man “You have done enough I will smash that thing!” “Oh no you won't!” cried the girl, clinging to his hands “I am not big enough yet, Hart, but before I leave this forest I shall have grown to breadth and strength to carry that to her She needs two of each kind Phil only sent her one!” “Edith I can't bear it! That's not demanded! Let me take it!” “You may go with me I know where the O'More cottage is I have been there often.” “I'll say you sent it!” “You may watch me deliver it!” “Phil may be there by now.” “I hope he is! I should like him to see me one decent thing by which to remember me.” “I tell you that is not necessary!” “'Not necessary!'” cried the girl, her big eyes shining “Not necessary? Then what on earth is the thing doing here? I just have boasted that I would change, that I would be like her, that I would grow bigger and broader As the words are spoken God gives me the opportunity to prove whether I am sincere This is my test, Hart! Don't you see it? If I am big enough to carry that to her, you will believe that there is some good in me You will not be loving me in vain This is an especial Providence, man! Be my strength! Help me, as you always have done!” Henderson arose and shook the leaves from his clothing He drew Edith Carr to her feet and carefully picked the mosses from her skirts He went to the water and moistened his handkerchief to bathe her face “Now a dust of powder,” he said when the tears were washed away From a tiny book Edith tore leaves that she passed over her face “All gone!” cried Henderson, critically studying her “You look almost half as lovely as you really are!” Edith Carr drew a wavering breath She stretched one hand to him “Hold tight, Hart!” she said “I know they handle these things, but I would quite as soon touch a snake.” Henderson clenched his teeth and held steadily The moth had emerged too recently to be troublesome It climbed on her fingers quietly and obligingly clung there without moving So hand in hand they went down the dark forest path When they came to the avenue, the first person they met paused with an ejaculation of wonder The next stopped also, and every one following They could make little progress on account of marvelling, interested people A strange excitement took possession of Edith She began to feel proud of the moth “Do you know,” she said to Henderson, “this is growing easier every step Its clinging is not disagreeable as I thought it would be I feel as if I were saving it, protecting it I am proud that we are taking it to be put into a collection or a book It seems like doing a thing worth while Oh, Hart, I wish we could work together at something for which people would care as they seem to for this Hear what they say! See them lift their little children to look at it!” “Edith, if you don't stop,” said Henderson, “I will take you in my arms here on the avenue You are adorable!” “Don't you dare!” laughed Edith Carr The colour rushed to her cheeks and a new light leaped in her eyes “Oh, Hart!” she cried “Let's work! Let's something! That's the way she makes people love her so There's the place, and thank goodness, there is a crowd.” “You darling!” whispered Henderson as they passed up the walk Her face was rose-flushed with excitement and her eyes shone “Hello, everyone!” she cried as she came on the wide veranda “Only see what we found up in the forest! We thought you might like to have it for some of your collections.” She held out the moth as she walked straight to Elnora, who arose to meet her, crying: “How perfectly splendid! I don't even know how to begin to thank you.” Elnora took the moth Edith shook hands with all of them and asked Philip if he were improving She said a few polite words to Freckles and the Angel, declined to remain on account of an engagement, and went away, gracefully “Well bully for her!” said Mrs Comstock “She's a little thoroughbred after all!” “That was a mighty big thing for her to be doing,” said Freckles in a hushed voice “If you knew her as well as I do,” said Philip Ammon, “you would have a better conception of what that cost.” “It was a terror!” cried the Angel “I never could have done it.” “'Never could have done it!'” echoed Freckles “Why, Angel, dear, that is the one thing of all the world you would have done!” “I have to take care of this,” faltered Elnora, hurrying toward the door to hide the tears which were rolling down her cheeks “I must help,” said Philip, disappearing also “Elnora,” he called, catching up with her, “take me where I may cry, too Wasn't she great?” “Superb!” exclaimed Elnora “I have no words I feel so humbled!” “So do I,” said Philip “I think a brave deed like that always makes one feel so Now are you happy?” “Unspeakably happy!” answered Elnora End of Project Gutenberg's A Girl Of The Limberlost, by Gene Stratton Porter *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST *** ***** This file should be named 125-h.htm or 125-h.zip ***** This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: http://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/125/ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger Updated editions will replace the previous one the old editions will be renamed Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project 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the professor, and then because he saw... “I don't know yet, myself,” said Margaret Then she arose and peered from the window At the well curb stood Katharine Comstock The strain of the day was finding reaction Her chin was in the air, she was heaving, shaking and strangling to suppress any sound