A NOBLE WOMAN.
BY MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS.
AUTHOR OF "PALACES AND PRISONS," "FASHION AND FAMINE," "MARRIED IN HASTE," "MABEL'S MISTAKE," "DOUBLY FALSE," "WIVES AND WIDOWS," "MARY DERWENT," "THE HEIRESS," "THE REJECTED WIFE," "THE SOLDIER'S ORPHANS," "THE OLD HOMESTEAD," "RUBY GRAY'S STRATEGY," "THE CURSE OF GOLD," "THE WIFE'S SECRET," "THE GOLD BRICK," "SILENT STRUGGLES," ETC.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
"A Noble Woman," is the name of the new novel written by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. Its pages are replete with incidents of absorbing interest, and her admirers will read it with avidity, and with a zest which would indicate that the freshness and interest of each of her new novels are still as potent as were her earliest productions. The leading characters are carried through a series of exciting adventures, all of which are narrated and drawn out with such ingenuity that the reader's attention is kept on a tension of interest from the opening page to the close of the volume. This is the great secret of Mrs. Stephens' success--her readers cannot get out of her influence. She does not fatigue them with the subtleties of metaphysics or philosophy. She gives you a thrilling story, pure and simple, sensational if you please, and she leaves the whole affair in the hands of her readers, feeling quite secure of a favorable verdict on every new emanation from her pen. "A Noble Woman" will prove to be the most popular novel that she has ever written.
PHILADELPHIA: T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS; 306 CHESTNUT STREET.
CONTENTS.
I.--A PROPOSAL
II.--TOM THE GROOMSMAN
III.--A FRIGHT AND A RESCUE
IV.--HIGH FESTIVAL AT PINEY COVE
V.--A BALL IN THE BASEMENT
VI.--THE WEDDING
VII.--THE FIRST CLOUD
VIII.--THE BRIDE'S WELCOME HOME
IX.--COUSIN TOM VISITS PINEY COVE
X.--SHADOWS OF A SEPARATION
XI.--THE BALL
XII.--TOM MAKES A DECLARATION
XIII.--WHO COULD IT HAVE BEEN?
XIV.--THE HUSBAND'S LAST CHARGE
XV.--MRS. HARRINGTON'S FRIENDS
XVI.--THE WIDOW'S FLIRTATION
XVII.--STARTING FOR THE PIC-NIC
XVIII.--FACE TO FACE
XIX.--LETTERS
XX.--AN INTERVIEW IN THE WOODS
XXI.--FIRE AND WATER
XXII.--AMONG THE BREAKERS
XXIII.--DEAD AND GONE
XXIV.--HOME IN A STORM
XXV.--THE SUNSHINE OF THE HOUSE
XXVI.--SUNSHINE AND STORMS
XXVII.--COURTSHIP IN THE KITCHEN
XXVIII.--THE DEAD SECRET
XXIX.--TOM FULLER'S LETTER
XXX.--THE WIDOW'S FASCINATIONS
XXXI.--THE HEIR COMES HOME
XXXII.--THE GAUNTLET BRACELETS
XXXIII.--SEARCHING FOR THE BRACELET
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Noble Woman by Ann S. Stephens
- 2: Elsie promises to be faithlesslxx
- 3: Elsie was looking at her friend
- 4: Grantley Mellen came into the room
- 5: Mellen and go down to my class
- 6: The moment she saw her equipage free from the crowd
- 7: Harrington cried out I promise
- 8: Harrington in explosions of laughter
- 9: Bessie insists upon having him for groomsman
- 10: Elizabeth glanced quickly at Elsie
- 11: Harrington gave a simultaneous cry
- 12: Harrington ran back to call her friends
- 13: Harrington to repeat her thanks
- 14: Grantley Mellen had been some weeks at the cove
- 15: Clorinda put both hands to her mouth
- 16: 'Miss Clorindy consents her most excruciating compliments
- 17: And directed them to the persons Clorinda mentioned
- 18: But Caleb received that as a compliment
- 19: Rushed from basement to kitchen
- 20: Clorinda snatched the broad straw flat from her head
- 21: They see my ferlicity and are ready to burst with envy
- 22: It was the treacherous voice of Dolf
- 23: Clorinda almost embraced Dolf in her delight
- 24: Mellen was Oh they all knew about Mr
- 25: And Grantley Mellen led his wife out of the church
- 26: The shadows were all gone from Grantley Mellen's face now
- 27: Grantley Mellen turned suddenly pale
- 28: Harrington hurried down stairs
- 29: Grantley Mellen was watching his wife
- 30: And their lace curtains held back
- 31: I should never have known Grantley but for you
- 32: A prouder woman than Elizabeth Mellen never existed
- 33: Could Elizabeth have known this man
- 34: Grantley Mellen was still a young man
- 35: The first weeks of this strange honeymoon had passed
- 36: But Mellen was not looking at them
- 37: Elsie made him a perfect slave
- 38: Harrington and Tom Fuller came back with her
- 39: Mellen owned a large mining property in California
- 40: Bessie shall entertain them like a princess
- 41: Mellen was walking the floor in considerable agitation
- 42: In the midst of the lights and gayety
- 43: Mellen stood a moment arrested
- 44: He saw that Elsie was provoked
- 45: That Elsie burst into perfect shrieks of laughter
- 46: Elsie saw only the comical side of the matter
- 47: Tom Fuller had retreated into the conservatory
- 48: The evening passed drearily enough to Grantley Mellen
- 49: He saw Elsie whirling through a waltz
- 50: Mellen felt and looked dissatisfied
- 51: For Elsie loved her brother dearly
- 52: Grantley bent down and kissed his wife gratefully
- 53: Elizabeth received her cordially
- 54: Mellen to forget that this is not our first meeting
- 55: Bess I'm a lucky fellow to get it
- 56: Elsie has left me quite desolate
- 57: Harrington and Elsie scarcely heeded her
- 58: Harrington is considered irresistible
- 59: Jemima resolutely arose from her chair
- 60: The wretched Jemima grew fairly white with rage
- 61: Harrington in her walks and rides
- 62: Gauntlet gloves and pretty hats
- 63: Jemima looked right and she looked left
- 64: For when a chowder was to be concocted
- 65: Harrington kept the little enamelled watch
- 66: Harrington broke in with a faint sneer on her lips
- 67: To say that the feast is spread and the chowder perfect
- 68: Which she had kindled among the alabaster lilies
- 69: So the winter wore away drearily enough at Piney Cove
- 70: Then she would glance towards the mantel
- 71: And he laughed in a reckless way
- 72: Shaded by a long silken moustache
- 73: At last Elizabeth arose from her seat
- 74: Mellen in the woods he took a moment for consideration
- 75: The telescope dropped from his hand
- 76: The wretched woman was tossed back among the breakers
- 77: Mellen might possibly be on board
- 78: The man started up on the settee
- 79: Mellen neither betrayed any anxiety
- 80: Mellen could see his own dwelling
- 81: The skiff swooped away from the rock
- 82: Exclaimed Mellen throwing back his cloak
- 83: Mellen formerly dwelt among them
- 84: In his exultation Mellen dashed forward
- 85: Grantley Mellen carried his wife away towards the library
- 86: But was seized with a cold shivering fit in his arms
- 87: But you are not really changed you are Grantley still
- 88: Mellen strained her to his heart
- 89: Elizabeth nestled closer to his heart
- 90: Mellen took eagerly from her hand
- 91: Mellen was watching his sister and did not observe it
- 92: Mellen sank wearily into a seat
- 93: It was from seeing Grantley so unexpectedly
- 94: During which Elsie had shivered herself quiet once more
- 95: Dolf gave a deprecatory wave of the hand
- 96: Dolf was bowing at the same moment
- 97: And close behind it rode Grantley Mellen
- 98: Mellen went home a calmer and a better man
- 99: Only the journals were left for Mellen
- 100: Elizabeth poured out the coffee while Elsie opened her note
- 101: Harrington arrived with a little party of friends
- 102: Harrington was quite subdued by her friend's vehemence
- 103: And Tom commenced shaking his two hands with immense energy
- 104: Addressing Mellen with desperate energy
- 105: But Mellen said She can't keep her promise
- 106: These bracelets Mellen brought with him
- 107: Mellen looked about for Elizabeth
- 108: Thinking what agreeable people the Mellens were
- 109: Elsie was standing by the fire
- 110: Elsie threw both arms about her neck and kissed her
- 111: Can't you show me your bracelet
- 112: Mellen and Dolf were searching the hall
- 113: And even the wary Dolf himself
- 114: Never quarreled openly about Dolf
- 115: And Dolf was forced to accompany them back
- 116: Dolf hastened to help Clorinda up
- 117: Dolf ben a tryin' dese ten minits
- 118: Dolf ran towards the house and the combatants after him
- 119: While she began assorting her silks
- 120: Tom Elsie can eat her bon bons after
- 121: Tom knelt down by her on both knees
- 122: Tom was relieved by her manner
- 123: Cried Elsie with a shriek of delight
- 124: And added I'll be good don't scold
- 125: And immediately gathered up her embroidery silks
- 126: Mellen looked in the direction to which she pointed
- 127: Grantley Mellen's courage gave way
- 128: Mellen started up and opened the door himself
- 129: Elsie began to laugh once more
- 130: Let that burthen be what it might
- 131: Came up afresh the disappearance of the bracelet
- 132: But if Elizabeth had the inclination she controlled it
- 133: Grantley Mellen's face darkened
- 134: Bessie no mystery nothing which keeps our hearts asunder
- 135: Mellen proposed that they should go out to ride
- 136: Elsie and Tom Fuller came in from a stroll about the grounds
- 137: And she threw the verbena away
- 138: Elsie gave him one of her bewildering glances
- 139: Elsie not just now I couldn't stand it
- 140: Those playful words were a cruel waking
- 141: Or in what Elsie termed a sensible manner
- 142: When Elsie entered her boudoir
- 143: Elsie was trembling from head to foot
- 144: And come downstairs will you come downstairs
- 145: We will be as happy as the day is long
- 146: Mellen sprang from his horse and bent over his wife
- 147: Mellen could not understand her manner
- 148: Mellen was very anxious about Elizabeth
- 149: The moment Mellen had withdrawn
- 150: And selfishness is such a dreadful failing
- 151: Some time after Elsie had gone
- 152: At last Mellen passed down the steps and entered the grounds
- 153: For an instant Elizabeth looked confused
- 154: Was wrapt carelessly about him
- 155: Placing a chair near the hearth
- 156: Your husband may give you more stocks
- 157: The whole thing is miserably humiliating
- 158: Twenty five thousand dollars is a pitiful little sum
- 159: But Mellen could not satisfy himself that such was the case
- 160: Hollywell satisfied his fears in regard to that
- 161: Hollywell made a sign of caution
- 162: Harrington had come up to spend the day
- 163: Lifting her embroidery scissors
- 164: Elsie suddenly threw both her arms about his neck
- 165: Rhodes talked to him he saw Elsie whisper to Miss Jemima
- 166: Mellen saw how pale his wife had become
- 167: She began clasping and unclasping her bracelets
- 168: Have you found Elizabeth's bracelet
- 169: Grantley Mellen turned furiously towards her
- 170: I never gave the bracelet away
- 171: And fastened the bracelet on it with such reckless haste
- 172: Grantley Mellen drove his guest down to the railway train
- 173: When she heard old Jarvis say It's the big cypress yonder
- 174: Grant has sent old Jarvis to dig about the roots
- 175: Elsie threw herself down in renewed anguish
- 176: Mellen had been watching her while she talked
- 177: I can't send for Jarvis and put him off without a reason
- 178: With this curt concession Mellen walked away
- 179: Dolf said But do tell me what yer means 'bout de tree
- 180: Missus was awful mad at me for saying so
- 181: Whar she come from I don't know
- 182: Clorinda was not prepossessing in her appearance
- 183: Clo really believed that Dolf was getting jealous
- 184: Elsie took refuge at first in her own chamber
- 185: Questioned Elsie from her sofa
- 186: Vic was now fairly started on the subject of her wrongs
- 187: She thrust her spoon into the apricot jelly again
- 188: Yet Elsie could say Nothing ever does happen
- 189: Elsie threw herself upon the floor beside her sister
- 190: With her face turned towards Elsie
- 191: In passing down stairs Elizabeth met Dolf
- 192: And Victoria busily occupied in watching her
- 193: Any pusson could have guessed dat ar
- 194: Which nearly sent Dolf into fits
- 195: I only says I ain't recustomed to it
- 196: Were those Dolf embroidered most highly
- 197: The clue to the mystery appeared to be in his hands
- 198: Mellen loosened his grasp on the man's throat
- 199: Mellen knew only too well who the writer was
- 200: Dolf carried his message upstairs
- 201: Occasionally Mellen glanced towards her
- 202: When Mellen entered the library again
- 203: Then Elsie began to shiver again
- 204: Wouldn't it be better to be dead
- 205: Elsie laid her head down again
- 206: Looking straight at the cypress tree
- 207: Elizabeth Mellen knelt by the window seat watching him
- 208: Elsie sprang up with another shriek
- 209: Elsie crept across the floor again
- 210: Digging digging with frantic haste
- 211: Spadeful after spadeful of earth was thrown out
- 212: Mellen caught her arm and pulled her roughly away
- 213: You and this fiend who shared your guilt
- 214: Is not your sin worse than murder
- 215: These words stung Mellen like vipers
- 216: Mellen wrenched off the picket and forced a passage
- 217: The wind moaned faintly among the graves
- 218: He walked rapidly towards the graveyard
- 219: Grantley Mellen heard the familiar sounds below
- 220: But Mellen forced her back when she attempted to rise
- 221: So did Grantley Mellen carry her now
- 222: Mellen followed her into the hall
- 223: When Elizabeth Mellen quitted the graveyard
- 224: Through thickets and over the lawn
- 225: The great heaving ocean had called her
- 226: Grantley Mellen wrote several letters
- 227: Elsie lay back among her pillows
- 228: Elsie wrung her hands and sobbed piteously
- 229: Elsie promises to be faithless
- 230: Glancing wildly about the room
- 231: At which Elder Spotts had held forth with peculiar eloquence
- 232: Dolf smiled at the success of his falsehood
- 233: Dis wuld is full ob mercenary men
- 234: Dolf am 'bout his business too
- 235: Then Mellen tried to rouse himself and be cheerful again
- 236: For nights Mellen had not closed his eyes
- 237: And Mellen lay for a long time watching her repose
- 238: Mellen was anxious to soothe her
- 239: Now you shall lead me downstairs
- 240: Jis' obsarve what Miss Clorindy tells yer
- 241: Returned Dolf with a profound bow
- 242: Dolf tried his best to be happy
- 243: Dolf reminded her of the chicken
- 244: Dolf dropped speechless in a chair
- 245: And Dolf took refuge behind a great chair
- 246: And turned again towards Mellen
- 247: Mellen remembered Elsie's presence
- 248: Mellen staggered back with one heartbroken cry
- 249: Elsie had told me a great deal about your wife
- 250: Fearing that I might attempt to see Elsie
- 251: Mellen ran to the door and opened it
- 252: Dolf presented his woe begone face at the door
- 253: Vic came out of the shaded room
- 254: Mellen arose and walked towards the bay
- 255: He too believed Elizabeth dead
- 256: Now some folks might a pitched in arter her
- 257: And found Mellen lying upon a sofa in the balcony
- 258: Mellen lifted his eyes to hers a mist
- 259: Tom walked straight to the couch
- 260: But how came you married to him
- 261: While Elizabeth stood up aghast at this sudden outburst
- 262: Or my name isn't Jemima Rhodes
