Iola Leroy - Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (suggested reading txt) 📗

startled look stole over Iola’s face, and, lifting her eyes to his, she faltered:⁠—

“Do you know her?”

“Yes, I know her and admire her; and she ought to be made the subject of a soul-inspiring story. Do you know of whom I speak?”

“How should I, Doctor? I am sure you have not made me your confidante,” she responded, demurely; then she quickly turned and tripped up the steps of her home, which she had just reached.

After this conversation Dr. Latimer became a frequent visitor at Iola’s home, and a firm friend of her brother. Harry was at that age when, for the young and inexperienced, vice puts on her fairest guise and most seductive smiles. Dr. Latimer’s wider knowledge and larger experience made his friendship for Harry very valuable, and the service he rendered him made him a favorite and ever-welcome guest in the family.

“Are you all alone,” asked Robert, one night, as he entered the cosy little parlor where Iola sat reading. “Where are the rest of the folks?”

“Mamma and grandma have gone to bed,” answered Iola. “Harry and Lucille are at the concert. They are passionately fond of music, and find facilities here that they do not have in the South. They wouldn’t go to hear a seraph where they must take a negro seat. I was too tired to go. Besides, ‘two’s company and three’s a crowd,’ ” she added, significantly.

“I reckon you struck the nail on the head that time,” said Robert, laughing. “But you have not been alone all the time. Just as I reached the corner I saw Dr. Latimer leaving the door. I see he still continues his visits. Who is his patient now?”

“Oh, Uncle Robert,” said Iola, smiling and flushing, “he is out with Harry and Lucille part of the time, and drops in now and then to see us all.”

“Well,” said Robert, “I suppose the case is now an affair of the heart. But I cannot blame him for it,” he added, looking fondly on the beautiful face of his niece, which sorrow had touched only to chisel into more loveliness. “How do you like him?”

“I must have within me,” answered Iola, with unaffected truthfulness, “a large amount of hero worship. The characters of the Old Testament I most admire are Moses and Nehemiah. They were willing to put aside their own advantages for their race and country. Dr. Latimer comes up to my ideal of a high, heroic manhood.”

“I think,” answered Robert, smiling archly, “he would be delighted to hear your opinion of him.”

“I tell him,” continued Iola, “that he belongs to the days of chivalry. But he smiles and says, ‘he only belongs to the days of hardpan service.’ ”

“Someone,” said Robert, “was saying today that he stood in his own light when he refused his grandmother’s offer to receive him as her son.”

“I think,” said Iola, “it was the grandest hour of his life when he made that decision. I have admired him ever since I heard his story.”

“But, Iola, think of the advantages he set aside. It was no sacrifice for me to remain colored, with my lack of education and race sympathies, but Dr. Latimer had doors open to him as a white man which are forever closed to a colored man. To be born white in this country is to be born to an inheritance of privileges, to hold in your hands the keys that open before you the doors of every occupation, advantage, opportunity, and achievement.”

“I know that, uncle,” answered Iola; “but even these advantages are too dearly bought if they mean loss of honor, true manliness, and self respect. He could not have retained these had he ignored his mother and lived under a veil of concealment, constantly haunted by a dread of detection. The gain would not have been worth the cost. It were better that he should walk the ruggedest paths of life a true man than tread the softest carpets a moral cripple.”

“I am afraid,” said Robert, laying his hand caressingly upon her head, “that we are destined to lose the light of our home.”

“Oh, uncle, how you talk! I never dreamed of what you are thinking,” answered Iola, half reproachfully.

“And how,” asked Robert, “do you know what I am thinking about?”

“My dear uncle, I’m not blind.”

“Neither am I,” replied Robert, significantly, as he left the room.

Iola’s admiration for Dr. Latimer was not a one-sided affair. Day after day she was filling a larger place in his heart. The touch of her hand thrilled him with emotion. Her lightest words were an entrancing melody to his ear. Her noblest sentiments found a response in his heart. In their desire to help the race their hearts beat in loving unison. One grand and noble purpose was giving tone and color to their lives and strengthening the bonds of affection between them.

XXXII Wooing and Wedding

Harry’s vacation had been very pleasant. Miss Delany, with her fine conversational powers and ready wit, had added much to his enjoyment. Robert had given his mother the pleasantest room in the house, and in the evening the family would gather around her, tell her the news of the day, read to her from the Bible, join with her in thanksgiving for mercies received and in prayer for protection through the night. Harry was very grateful to Dr. Latimer for the kindly interest he had shown in accompanying Miss Delany and himself to places of interest and amusement. He was grateful, too, that in the city of P⁠⸺ doors were open to them which were barred against them in the South.

The bright, beautiful days of summer were gliding into autumn, with its glorious wealth of foliage, and the time was approaching for the departure of Harry and Miss Delany to their respective schools, when Dr. Latimer received several letters from North Carolina, urging him to come South, as physicians were greatly needed there. Although his practice was lucrative in the city of P⁠⸺, he resolved he would go where his services were most