Login to MoboReader
icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon
The Law of the Land

The Law of the Land

Emerson Hough

5.0
Comment(s)
13
View
39
Chapters

The Law of the Land by Emerson Hough

Chapter 1 MISS LADY

Ah, but it was a sweet and wonderful thing to see Miss Lady dance, a strange and wondrous thing! She was so sweet, so strong, so full of grace, so like a bird in all her motions! Now here, now there, and back again, her feet scarce touching the floor, her loose skirt, held out between her dainty fingers, resembling wings, she swam through the air, up and down the room of the old plantation house, as though she were indeed the creature of an element wherein all was imponderable, light and free of hampering influences.

Darting, nodding, beckoning, courtesying to something that she saw-it must have moved you to applause, had you seen Miss Lady dance! You might have been restrained by the feeling that this was almost too unreal, too unusual, this dance of the young girl, all alone, in front of the great mirror which faithfully gave back the passing, flying figure line for line, flush for flush, one bosom-heave for that of the other. Yet the tall white lilies in the corner saw; and the tall white birds, one on each side of the great cheval glass, saw also, but fluttered not; since a lily and a stork and a maiden may each be tall and white, and each may understand the other subtly.

Miss Lady stood at length, tall and white, her cheeks rosy withal, her blown brown hair pushed back a bit, one hand lightly resting on her bosom, looking-looking into the mirror, asking of it some question, getting, indeed, from it some answer-an answer embodying, perhaps, all that youth may mean, all that the morning may bring.

For now the sun of the South came creeping up apace, and saw Miss Lady as it peered in through the rose lattice whereon hung scores of fragrant blossoms. A gentle wind of morning stirred the lace curtains at the windows and touched Miss Lady's hair as she stood there, asking the answer of the mirror. It was morning in the great room, morning for the southern day, morning for the old plantation whose bell now jangled faintly and afar off-morning indeed for Miss Lady, who now had ceased in her self-absorbed dance. At this very moment, as she stood gazing into the mirror, with the sunlight and the roses thus at hand, one might indeed have sworn that it was morning for ever, over all the world!

Miss Lady stood eager, fascinated, before the glass; and in the presence of the tall flowers and the tall birds, saw something which stirred her, felt something which came in at the window out of the blue sky and from the red rose blossoms, on the warm south wind. Impulsively she flung out her arms to the figure in the glass. Perhaps she felt its beauty and its friendliness. And yet, an instant later, her arms relaxed and sank; she sighed, knowing not why she sighed.

Ah, Miss Lady, if only it could be for ever morning for us all! Nay, let us say not so. Let us say rather that this sweet picture of Miss Lady, doubled by the glass, remains to-day imperishably preserved in the old mirror-the picture of Miss Lady dancing as the bird flies, and then standing, plaintive and questioning, before her own image, loving it because it was beautiful and friendly, dreading it because she could not understand.

Miss Lady had forgotten that she was alone, and did not hear the step at the door, nor see the hand which presently pushed back the curtain. There stepped into the room, the tall, somewhat full figure of a lady who stood looking on with eyes at first surprised, then cynically amused. The intruder paused, laughing a low, well-fed, mellow laugh. On the moment she coughed in deprecation. Miss Lady sprang back, as does the wild deer startled in the forest. Her hands went to her cheeks, which burned in swift flame, thence to drop to her bosom, where her heart was beating in a confusion of throbs, struggling with the reversed current of the blood of all her tall young body.

"Mamma!" she cried. "You startled me." "So it seems," said the new- comer. "I beg your pardon. I did not mean to intrude upon your devotions."

She came forward and seated herself-a tall woman, a trifle full of figure now, but still vital of presence. Her figure, deep-chested, rounded and shapely, now began to carry about it a certain air of ease. The mouth, well-bowed and red, had a droop of the same significance. The eyes, deep, dark and shaded by strong brows, held depths not to be fathomed at a glance, but their first message was one of an open and ready self-indulgence. The costume, flowing, loose and easy, carried out the same thought; the piled black hair did not deny it; the smile upon the face, amused, half-cynical, confirmed it. Here was a woman of her own acquaintance with the world, you would have said. And in the next breath you must have asked how she could have been the mother of this tall girl, at whom she now smiled thus mockingly.

"I was just-I was-well, I was dancing, mamma," said Miss Lady. "It is so nice." This somewhat vaguely.

"Yes," said her mother; "why?"

"I do not know," said Miss Lady, frankly, and turning to her with sudden courage. "I was dancing. That is all."

"Yes, I know."

"Well, is it any crime, mamma, I should like to ask?" This with spirit, and with eyes showing themselves able to flash upon occasion.

"Not in the least, my dear. Indeed, I am not at all surprised. I knew it was coming."

"What was coming, mammal? What do you mean?"

"Why, that this was going to happen-that you were going to dance. It was nearly time."

"I do not know what you mean."

"It was always thus with the Ellisons," said the other woman. "All the Ellisons danced this way once in their lives. All the girls do so. They're very strange, these Ellison girls. They dance because they must, I suppose. It's as natural as breathing, for them. You can't help it. It's fate. But listen, child. It is time I took you more in hand. You will be marrying before long-"

"Mamma!" Miss Lady blushed indignantly. "How can you talk so? I don't know-I didn't-I shan't-"

"Tut, tut. Please don't. It is going to be a very warm day. I really can't go into any argument. Take my word, you will marry soon; or if you don't, you will reverse all the known horoscopes of the family. That, too, is the fate of the Ellison girls-certain marriage! Our only hope is in some miracle. It is time for me to take you in hand. Listen, Lady. Let me ask you to sit a trifle farther back upon that chair. So, that is better. Now, draw the skirt a little closer. That is well. Now, sit easily, keep your back from the chair; try to keep your feet concealed. Remember, Lady, you are a woman now, and there are certain rules, certain little things, which will help you so much, so much."

Mrs. Ellison sighed, then yawned, touching her white teeth with the tip of her fan. "Dear me, it certainly is going to be warm," she said at last. "Lady, dear, please run and get my book, won't you? You know your darling mamma is getting so-well, I won't say fat, God forbid! but so-really-well, thank you."

Miss Lady fled gladly and swiftly enough. For an instant she halted, uncertain, on the wide gallery, her face troubled, her attitude undecided. Then, in swift mutiny, she sprang down the steps and was off in open desertion. She fled down the garden walk, and presently was welcomed riotously by a score of dogs and puppies, long since her friends.

Left alone, the elder lady sat for a moment in thought. Her face now seemed harder in outline, more enigmatical. She gazed after the girl who left her, and into her eyes came a look which one must have called strangely unmaternal-a look not tender, but hard, calculating, cold.

"She is pretty," she murmured to herself half-aloud. "She is going to be very pretty-the prettiest of the family in generations, perhaps. Well-handled, that girl could marry anybody. I'll have to be careful she doesn't marry the wrong one. They're headstrong, these Ellisons. Still, I think I can handle this one of them. In fact, I must." She smiled gently and settled down into a half-reverie, purring to herself. "Dear me!" she resumed at length, starting up, "how warm it grows! Where has that girl gone? I do believe she has run away. Delphine! Ah-h-h-h, Delphine!"

There came no audible sound of steps, but presently there stood, just within the parted draperies, the figure of the servant thus called upon. Yet that title sat ill upon this tall young woman who now stood awaiting the orders of her mistress. Garbed as a servant she was, yet held herself rather as a queen. Her hair, black and luxuriant, was straight and strong, and, brushed back smoothly from her temples as it was, contrasted sharply with a skin just creamy enough to establish it as otherwise than pure white. Egyptian, or Greek, or of unknown race, this servant, Delphine, might have been; but had it not been for her station and surroundings, one could never have suspected in her the trace of negro blood. She stood now, a mellow-tinted statue of not quite yellow ivory, silent, turning upon her mistress eyes large, dark and inscrutable as those of a sphinx. One looking upon the two, as they thus confronted each other, must have called them a strange couple. Why they should be mistress and servant was not a matter to be determined upon a first light guess. Indeed, they seemed scarcely such. From dark eye to dark eye there seemed to pass a signal of covert understanding, a signal of doubt, or suspicion, or armed neutrality, yet of mutual comprehension.

"Delphine," said Mrs. Ellison, presently, "bring me a glass of wine. And from now on, Delphine, see to it that you watch that girl. Tell me what she does. There's very little restraint of any kind here on the plantation, and she is just the age-well, you must keep me informed. You may bring the decanter, Delphine. I really don't feel fit for breakfast."

Continue Reading

Other books by Emerson Hough

More

You'll also like

After Rebirth, She Became a Real Billionaire

After Rebirth, She Became a Real Billionaire

Billionaires

4.3

Renea was trying the wedding dress, when suddenly the man rushed in the dressing room and held her neck tightly... “Bitch! Are you still trying to pretend innocent!” Jasper said as he tightened his grip on her neck and choked her harder. Then he used his other hand and took out the phone from his suit pocket and played the video of two people having sex in front of Renea… However, what was even more shocking, was that the woman in the video was, Renea Morris, however, the man in the video was not Jasper. Renea struggled to take a phone away from Jasper’s hand and tried to explain, “Jasper, it was not what you think… I… I can…” Jasper looked at Renea with his eyes full of disgust, as he said, “Let’s call of the wedding. I can’t marry a woman like you.” After saying that Jasper walked out of the shop Renea chase after Jasper... But then she sees Jasper passionately kissing her sister Kailey. And she hears everything, that her sleeping with strange men was all a plan of the vipers of the last two days, and that their goal was to get out of this stupid marriage. Even her adopted parents were also involved in this matter... They all do this with her because of the inheritance left by her grandfather... Renea heart was filled with anger and she wanted to expose their true colors to the public... However before she could do anything, Kailey had pushed her in front of the car and she got killed... However, when Renea open her eyes, she found herself sitting in the car with Kailey... She realized that she was reborn and went at the time when everything started... Renea looked at the people who had hurt her in her previous life and her lips curled up in a cold smile... She was back... However, this time... she was back for revenge...

Unexpected Vows: From Jilted Bride To His Rival's Wife

Unexpected Vows: From Jilted Bride To His Rival's Wife

Romance

5.0

Claudia and Anthony had known each other for twelve years. After three years of dating, their wedding date was set. The news of their intended marriage shook the entire city. Emotions were high as many women grew extremely jealous of her. At first, Claudia couldn't be bothered about the hate. But when Anthony abandoned her on the altar after receiving a call, she was devastated. "Serves her right!" All of her enemies took pleasure in her misfortune. The news spread like wildfire. In a strange turn of events, Claudia posted an update on social media. It was a picture of her with a marriage certificate which she captioned, "Call me Mrs. Dreskin from now on." While the public was still trying to process the shock, Bennett—who hadn't posted on social media in years—made a post with the caption that read, "Now a married man." The public went agog. Many people labeled Claudia as the luckiest woman of the century as she had struck gold by marrying Bennett. Even a baby knew that Anthony was an ant compared to his rival. Claudia had the last laugh that day. She relished her enemies' shocked comments while remaining humble. People still thought that their marriage was odd. They believed that it was just a marriage of convenience. One day, a journalist was bold enough to ask for Bennett's comment on his marriage to which he answered with the softest smile, "Marrying Claudia is the best thing that ever happened to me."

Chapters
Read Now
Download Book
The Law of the Land
1

Chapter 1 MISS LADY

06/12/2017

2

Chapter 2 MULEY

06/12/2017

3

Chapter 3 THE VISITOR

06/12/2017

4

Chapter 4 A QUESTION OP VALUATION

06/12/2017

5

Chapter 5 CERTAIN PROBLEMS

06/12/2017

6

Chapter 6 THE DRUM

06/12/2017

7

Chapter 7 THE BELL

06/12/2017

8

Chapter 8 THE VOLCANO

06/12/2017

9

Chapter 9 ON ITS MAJESTY'S SERVICE

06/12/2017

10

Chapter 10 MISS LADY OF THE STAIR

06/12/2017

11

Chapter 11 COLONEL CALVIN BLOUNT'S PROPOSAL.

06/12/2017

12

Chapter 12 A WOMAN SCORNED

06/12/2017

13

Chapter 13 JOHN DOE VERSUS Y.V.R.R.

06/12/2017

14

Chapter 14 NUMBER 4

06/12/2017

15

Chapter 15 THE PURSUIT

06/12/2017

16

Chapter 16 THE TRAVELING-BAG

06/12/2017

17

Chapter 17 MISS LADY AND HENRY DECHERD

06/12/2017

18

Chapter 18 EDDRING, AGENT OP CLAIMS

06/12/2017

19

Chapter 19 THE OPINIONS OF CALVIN BLOUNT

06/12/2017

20

Chapter 20 REGARDING LOUISE LOISSON

06/12/2017

21

Chapter 21 THE RELIGION OF JULES

06/12/2017

22

Chapter 22 DISCOVERY

06/12/2017

23

Chapter 23 THE DANCER

06/12/2017

24

Chapter 24 THE SUMMONS

06/12/2017

25

Chapter 25 THE STOLEN STEAMBOAT

06/12/2017

26

Chapter 26 THE ACCUSER

06/12/2017

27

Chapter 27 THE VOYAGE

06/12/2017

28

Chapter 28 THE WILDERNESS

06/12/2017

29

Chapter 29 THE HOUSE OF HORROR

06/12/2017

30

Chapter 30 THE NIGHT IN THE FOREST

06/12/2017

31

Chapter 31 AT THE BIG HOUSE

06/12/2017

32

Chapter 32 CERTAIN MOTIVES

06/12/2017

33

Chapter 33 THE NEW SHERIFF

06/12/2017

34

Chapter 34 THE LAW OF THE LAND

06/12/2017

35

Chapter 35 MISS LADY AT THE BIG HOUSE

06/12/2017

36

Chapter 36 THREE LADIES LOUISE

06/12/2017

37

Chapter 37 THE LID OF THE GRAVE

06/12/2017

38

Chapter 38 THE RED RIOT OF YOUTH

06/12/2017

39

Chapter 39 AMENDE HONORABLE

06/12/2017