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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16448-8.txt b/16448-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..80639b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/16448-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11709 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jewel's Story Book, by Clara Louise Burnham + +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: Jewel's Story Book + +Author: Clara Louise Burnham + +Release Date: August 5, 2005 [EBook #16448] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEWEL'S STORY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "YOU'VE MADE ME SOME STORIES, MOTHER!"] + + + + +JEWEL'S STORY BOOK + +BY + +CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM + +WITH ILLUSTRATIONS + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + Made in the United States of America + +COPYRIGHT 1904 BY CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM + +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + +_Published October, 1904_ + + + _TO THE CHILDREN + WHO LOVE JEWEL_ + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. OVER THE 'PHONE + + II. THE BROKER'S OFFICE + + III. THE HOME-COMING + + IV. ON THE VERANDA + + V. THE LIFTED VEIL + + VI. THE DIE IS CAST + + VII. MRS. EVRINGHAM'S GIFTS + + VIII. THE QUEST FLOWER + + IX. THE QUEST FLOWER (CONTINUED) + + X. THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY + + XI. THE GOLDEN DOG + + XII. THE TALKING DOLL + + XIII. A HEROIC OFFER + + XIV. ROBINSON CRUSOE + + XV. ST. VALENTINE + + XVI. A MORNING RIDE + + XVII. THE BIRTHDAY + +XVIII. TRUE DELIGHT + + + + +JEWEL'S STORY BOOK + + + + +CHAPTER I + +OVER THE 'PHONE + + +Mrs. Forbes, Mr. Evringham's housekeeper, answered the telephone one +afternoon. She was just starting to climb to the second story and did not +wish to be hindered, so her "hello" had a somewhat impatient brevity. + +"Mrs. Forbes?" + +"Oh," with a total change of voice and face, "is that you, Mr. Evringham?" + +"Please send Jewel to the 'phone." + +"Yes, sir." + +She laid down the receiver, and moving to the foot of the stairs called +loudly, "Jewel!" + +"Drat the little lamb!" groaned the housekeeper, "If I was only sure she +was up there; I've got to go up anyway. _Jewel!_" louder. + +"Ye--es!" came faintly from above, then a door opened. "Is somebody calling +me?" + +Mrs. Forbes began to climb the stairs deliberately while she spoke with +energy. "Hurry down, Jewel. Mr. Evringham wants you on the 'phone." + +"Goody, goody!" cried the child, her feet pattering on the thick carpet as +she flew down one flight and then passed the housekeeper on the next. +"Perhaps he is coming out early to ride." + +"Nothing would surprise me less," remarked Mrs. Forbes dryly as she +mounted. + +Jewel flitted to the telephone and picked up the receiver. + +"Hello, grandpa, are you coming out?" she asked. + +"No, I thought perhaps you would like to come in." + +"In where? Into New York?" + +"Yes." + +"What are we going to do?" eagerly. + +Mr. Evringham, sitting at the desk in his private office, his head resting +on his hand, moved and smiled. His mind pictured the expression on the face +addressing him quite as distinctly as if no miles divided them. + +"Well, we'll have dinner, for one thing. Where shall it be? At the +Waldorf?" + +Jewel had never heard the word. + +"Do they have Nesselrode pudding?" she asked, with keen interest. Mrs. +Forbes had taken her in town one day and given her some at a restaurant. + +"Perhaps so. You see I've heard from the Steamship Company, and they think +that the boat will get in this evening." + +"Oh, grandpa! grandpa! _grandpa!_" + +"Softly, softly. Don't break the 'phone. I hear you through the window." + +"When shall I come? Oh, oh, oh!" + +"Wait, Jewel. Don't be excited. Listen. Tell Zeke to bring you in to my +office on the three o'clock train." + +"Yes, grandpa. Oh, please wait a minute. Do you think it would be too +extravagant for me to wear my silk dress?" + +"No, let's be reckless and go the whole figure." + +"All right," tremulously. + +"Good-by." + +"Oh, grandpa, wait. Can I bring Anna Belle?" but only silence remained. + +Jewel hung up the receiver with a hand that was unsteady, and then ran +through the house and out of doors, leaving every door open behind her in a +manner which would have brought reproof from Mrs. Forbes, who had begun to +be Argus-eyed for flies. + +Racing out to the barn, she appeared to 'Zekiel in the harness room like a +small whirlwind. + +"Get on your best things, Zeke," she cried, hopping up and down; "my father +and mother are coming." + +"Is this an india rubber girl?" inquired the coachman, pausing to look at +her with a smile. "What train?" + +"Three o'clock. You're going with me to New York. Grandpa says so; to his +office, and the boat's coming to-night. Get ready quick, Zeke, please. I'm +going to wear my silk dress." + +"Hold on, kid," for she was flying off. "I'm to go in town with you, am I? +Are you sure? I don't want to fix up till I make Solomon look like thirty +cents and then find out there's some misdeal." + +"Grandpa wants you to bring me to his office, that's what he said," +returned the child earnestly. "Let's start real _soon_!" + +Like a sprite she was back at the house and running upstairs, calling for +Mrs. Forbes. + +The housekeeper appeared at the door of the front room, empty now for two +days of Mrs. Evringham's trunks, and Jewel with flushed cheeks and +sparkling eyes told her great news. + +Mrs. Forbes was instantly sympathetic. "Come right upstairs and let me help +you get ready. Dear me, to-night! I wonder if they'll want any supper when +they get here." + +"I don't know. I don't know!" sang Jewel to a tune of her own improvising, +as she skipped ahead. + +"I don't believe they will," mused Mrs. Forbes. "Those customs take so much +time. It seems a very queer thing to me, Jewel, Mr. Evringham letting you +come in at all. Why, you'll very likely not get home till midnight." + +"Won't it be the most _fun_!" cried the child, dancing to her closet and +getting her checked silk dress. + +"I guess your flannel sailor suit will be the best, Jewel." + +"Grandpa said I might wear my silk. You see I'm going to dinner with him, +and that's just like going to a party, and I ought to be very particular, +don't you think so?" + +"Well, don't sit down on anything dirty at the wharf. I expect you will," +returned Mrs. Forbes with a resigned sigh, as she proceeded to unfasten +Jewel's tight, thick little braids. + +"Just think what a short time we'll have to miss cousin Eloise," said the +child. "Day before yesterday she went away, and now to-morrow my mother'll +braid my hair." She gave an ecstatic sigh. + +"If that's all you wanted your cousin Eloise for--to braid your hair--I +guess I could get to do it as well as she did." + +"Oh, I loved cousin Eloise for everything and I always shall love her," +responded the child quickly. "I only meant I didn't have to trouble you +long with my hair." + +"I think I do it pretty well." + +"Yes, indeed you do--just as _tight_. Do you remember how much it troubled +you when I first came? and now it's so much different!" + +"Yes, there are a whole lot of things that are much different," replied +Mrs. Forbes. "How long do you suppose you'll be staying with us now, +Jewel?" + +The child's face grew sober. "I don't know, because I don't know how long +father and mother can stay." + +"You'll think about this room where you've lived so many weeks, when you +get back to Chicago." + +"Yes, I shall think about it lots of times," said the little girl. "I knew +it would be a lovely visit at grandpa's, and it has been." + +She glanced up in the mirror toward the housekeeper's face and saw that the +woman's lips were working suspiciously and her eyes brimming over. + +"You won't be lonely, will you, Mrs. Forbes?" she asked; "because grandpa +says you want to live with Zeke in the barn this summer while he shuts up +the house and goes off on his vacation." + +"Oh, yes; it's all right, Jewel, only it just came over me that in a week, +or perhaps sooner, you'll be gone." + +"It's real kind of you to be glad to have me stay," said the child. "I try +not to think about going away, because it does make me feel sorry every +time. You know the soot blows all around in Chicago and we haven't any +yard, and when I think about all the sky and trees here, and the ravine, +beside grandpa and you and Zeke and Essex Maid--why I have to just say 'I +_won't_ be sorry,' and then think about father and mother and Star and all +the nice things! I think Star will like the park pretty well." Jewel looked +into space thoughtfully, and then shook her head. "I'm sure the morning we +go I shall have to say: 'Green pastures are before me' over and over." + +"What do you mean, child?" + +"Why, you know the psalm: 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He +leadeth me beside the still waters'?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, in our hymnal there's the line of a hymn: 'Green pastures are before +me,' and mother and I used to say that line every morning when we woke up, +to remind us that Love was going to lead us all day." + +"I'd like to see your mother," said Mrs. Forbes after a pause. + +"You will, to-night," cried Jewel, suddenly joyous again. "Oh, Mrs. Forbes, +do you think I could take Anna Belle to New York?" + +"What did Mr. Evringham say?" + +"He went away before I had a chance to ask him." Jewel looked wistfully +toward the chair where the doll sat by the window, toeing in, her sweet +gaze fixed on the wall-paper. "She would enjoy it so!" added the little +girl. + +"Oh, it's a tiresome trip for children, such late hours," returned Mrs. +Forbes persuasively. "Beside," with an inspiration, "you'd like your hands +free to help your mother carry her bags, wouldn't you?" + +"That's so," responded Jewel. "Anna Belle would always give up anything for +her grandma!" and as the housekeeper finished tying the hair bows, the +little girl skipped over to the chair and knelt before the doll, explaining +the situation to her with a joyous incoherence mingled with hugs and kisses +from which the even-tempered Anna Belle emerged apparently dazed but +docile. + +"Come here and get your shoes on, Jewel." + +"My best ones," returned the child. + +"Oh, yes, the best of everything," said Mrs. Forbes good-humoredly; and +indeed, when Jewel was arrayed, she viewed herself in the mirror with +satisfaction. + +Zeke presented himself soon, fine in a new summer suit and hat, and Mrs. +Forbes watched the pair as they walked down the driveway. + +"Now, I can't let the grass grow under my feet," she muttered. "I expected +to have till to-morrow night to get all the things done that Mr. Evringham +told me to, but I guess I can get through." + +Jewel and Zeke had ample time for the train. Indeed, the little girl's +patience was somewhat tried before the big headlight came in view. She +could not do such injustice to her silk dress and daisy-wreathed leghorn +hat as to hop and skip, so she stood demurely with Zeke on the station +platform, and as they waited he regarded her happy expectant face. + +"Remember the day you got here, kid?" he asked. + +"Yes. Isn't it a long time since you came and met me with Dick, and he just +whirled us home!" + +"Sure it is. And now you're glad to be leaving us." + +"I am not, Zeke!" + +"Well, you look in the glass and see for yourself." + +Just then the train came along and Zeke swung the child up to the high +step. The fact that she found a seat by the window added a ray to her +shining eyes. Her companion took the place beside her. + +"Yes," he went on, as the train started, "it's kind of hard on the rest of +us to have you so tickled over the prospect." + +"I'm only happy over father and mother," returned Jewel. + +"Pretty nice folks, are they?" + +Jewel shook her head significantly. "You just wait and see," she replied +with zest. + +"Which one do you look like?" + +"Like father. Mother's much prettier than father." + +"A beauty, is she?" + +"N--o, I don't believe so. She isn't so pretty as cousin Eloise, but then +she's pretty." + +"That's probably the reason your grandfather likes to see you +around--because you look like his side of the house." + +"Well," Jewel sighed, "I hope grandpa likes my nose. I don't." + +Zeke laughed. "He seems able to put up with it. I expect there's going to +be ructions around here the next week." + +"What's ructions?" + +"Well, some folks might call it error. I don't know. Mr. Evringham's going +to be pretty busy with his own nose. It's going to be put out of joint +to-night. The green-eyed monster's going to get on the rampage, or I miss +my guess." + +Jewel looked up doubtfully. Zeke was a joker, of course, being a man, but +what was he driving at now? + +"What green-eyed monster?" she asked. + +"Oh, the one that lives in folks' hearts and lays low part of the time," +replied Zeke. + +"Do you mean jealousy; envy, hatred, or malice?" asked Jewel so glibly that +her companion stared. + +"Great Scott! What do you know about that outfit?" he asked. + +The child nodded wisely. "I know people believe in them sometimes; but you +needn't think grandpa does, because he doesn't." + +"Mr. Evringham's all right," agreed Zeke, "but he isn't going to be the +only pebble any longer. Your father and mother will be the whole thing +now." + +The child was thoughtful a moment, then she began earnestly: "Oh, I'm sure +grandpa knows how it is about loving. The more people you love, the more +you can love. I can love father and mother more because I've learned to +love grandpa, and he can love them more too, because he has learned to love +me." + +"Humph! We'll see," remarked the other, smiling. + +"Is error talking to you, Zeke? Are you laying laws on grandpa?" + +"Well, if I am, I'll stop it mighty quick. You don't catch me taking any +such liberties. Whoa!" drawing on imaginary reins as the engine slackened +at a station. + +Jewel laughed, and from that time until they reached New York they chatted +about her pony Star, and other less important horses, and of the child's +anticipation of showing her mother the joys of Bel-Air Park. + + + + +Chapter II + +THE BROKER'S OFFICE + + +It was the first time Jewel had visited her grandfather's office and she +was impressed anew with his importance as she entered the stone building +and ascended in the elevator to mysterious heights. + +Arrived in an electric-lighted anteroom, Zeke's request to see Mr. +Evringham was met by a sharp-eyed young man who denied it with a cold, +inquiring stare. Then the glance of this factotum fell to Jewel's uplifted, +rose-tinted face and her trustful gaze fixed on his own. + +Zeke twirled his hat slowly between his hands. + +"You just step into Mr. Evringham's office," he said quietly, "and tell him +the young lady he invited has arrived." + +Jewel wondered how this person, who had the privilege of being near her +grandfather all day, could look so forbidding; but in her happy excitement +she could not refrain from smiling at him under the nodding hat brim. + +"I'm going to dinner with him," she said softly, "and I _think_ we're going +to have Nesselrode pudding." + +The young man's eyes stared and then began to twinkle. "Oh," he returned, +"in that case"--then he turned and left the visitors. + +When he entered the sanctum of his employer he was smiling. Mr. Evringham +did not look up at once. When he did, it was with a brief, "Well?" + +"A young lady insists upon seeing you, sir." + +"Kindly stop grinning, Masterson, and tell her she must state her +business." + +"She has done so, sir," but Masterson did not stop grinning. "She looks +like a summer girl, and I guess she is one." + +Mr. Evringham frowned at this unprecedented levity. "What is her business, +briefly?" he asked curtly. + +"To eat Nesselrode pudding, sir." + +The broker started. "Ah!" he exclaimed, and though he still frowned, he +reflected his junior's smile. "Is there some one with her?" + +"A young man." + +"Send them in, please." + +Masterson obeyed and managed to linger until his curiosity was both +appeased and heightened by seeing Jewel run across the Turkish rug and +completely submerge the stately gray head beneath the brim of her hat. + +"Well, I'll--be--everlastingly"--thought Masterson, as he softly passed out +and closed the door behind him. "Even Achilles could get it in the heel, +but I'll swear I didn't believe the old man had a joint in his armor." + +Zeke stood twisting his hat, and when his employer was allowed to come to +the surface, he spoke respectfully:-- + +"Mother said I was to bring word if you would like a late supper, sir." + +"Tell Mrs. Forbes that it will be only something light, if anything. She +need not prepare." + +Jewel danced to the door with her escort as he went. "Good-by, Zeke," she +said gayly. "Thank you for bringing me." + +"Good-by, Jewel," he returned in subdued accents, and stumbling on the +threshold, passed out with a furtive wave of his hat. + +The child returned and jumped into a chair by the desk, reserved for the +selected visitors who succeeded in invading this precinct. "I suppose you +aren't quite through," she said, fixing her host with a blissful gaze as he +worked among a scattered pile of papers. + +"Very nearly," he returned. He saw that she was near to bubbling over with +ideas ready to pour out to him. He knew, too, that she would wait his time. +It entertained him to watch her furtively as she gave herself to inspecting +the furnishings of the room and the pictures on the wall, then looked down +at the patent leather tips of her best shoes as they swung to and fro. At +last she began to look at him more and more wistfully, and to view the +furnishings of the large desk. It had a broad shelf at the top. + +Suddenly Jewel caught sight of a picture standing there in a square frame, +and an irrepressible "Oh!" escaped from her lips. + +She pressed her hands together and Mr. Evringham saw a deeper rose in her +cheeks. He followed her eyes, and silently taking the picture from the desk +placed it in her lap. She clasped it eagerly. It was a fine photograph of +Essex Maid, her grandfather's mare. + +In a minute he spoke:-- + +"Now I think I'm about through, Jewel," he said, leaning back in his +chair. + +"Oh, grandpa, do these cost very much?" + +"Why? Do you want to have Star sit for his picture?" + +"Yes, it _would_ be nice to have a picture of Star, wouldn't it! I never +thought of that. I mean to ask mother if I can." + +The broker winced. + +"What I was thinking of was, could I have a picture of Essex Maid to take +with me to Chicago?" + +Mr. Evringham nodded. "I will get you one." He kept on nodding slightly, +and Jewel noted the expression of his eyes. Her bright look began to cloud +as her grandfather continued to gaze at her. + +"You'd like to have a picture of Star to keep, wouldn't you?" she asked +softly, her head falling a little to one side in loving recognition of his +sadness. + +"Yes," he answered, rather gruffly, "and I've been thinking for some weeks +that there was a picture lacking on my desk here." + +"Star's?" asked Jewel. + +"No. Yours. Are there any pictures of you?" + +"No, only when I was a baby. You ought to see me. I was as _fat_!" + +"We'll have some photographs of you." + +"Oh," Jewel spoke wistfully, "I wish I was pretty." + +"Then you wouldn't be an Evringham." + +"Why not? You are," returned the child, so spontaneously that slow color +mounted to the broker's face, and he smiled. + +"I look like my mother's family, they say. At any rate,"--after a pause +and scrutiny of her,--"it's your face, it's my Jewel's face, that suits me +and that I want to keep. If I can find somebody who can do it and not +change you into some one else, I am going to have a little picture painted; +a miniature, that I can carry in my pocket when Essex Maid and I are left +alone." + +The brusque pain in his tone filled Jewel's eyes, and her little hands +clasped tighter the frame she held in her lap. + +"Then you will give me one of you, too, grandpa?" + +"Oh, child," he returned, rather hoarsely, "it's too late to be painting my +leather countenance." + +"No one could paint it just as I know it," said Jewel softly. "I know all +the ways you look, grandpa,--when you're joking or when you're sorry, or +happy, and they're all in here," she pressed one hand to her breast in a +simple fervor that, with her moist eyes, compelled Mr. Evringham to swallow +several times; "but I'd like one in my hand to show to people when I tell +them about you." + +The broker looked away and fussed with an envelope. + +"Grandpa," continued the child after a pause, "I've been thinking that +there's one secret we've got to keep from father and mother." + +Mr. Evringham looked back at her. This was the most cheering word he had +heard for some time. + +"It wouldn't be loving to let them know how sorry it makes us to say +good-by, would it? I get such lumps in my throat when I think about not +riding with you or having breakfast together. I do work over it and think +how happy it will be to have father and mother again, and how Love gives us +everything we ought to have and everything like that; but I +_have_--cried--twice, thinking about it! Even Anna Belle is mortified the +way I act. I know you feel sorry, too, and we've got to demonstrate over +it; but it'll come so soon, and I guess I didn't begin to work in time. +Anyway, I was wondering if we couldn't just have a secret and manage not to +say good-by to each other." The corners of the child's mouth were twitching +down now, and she took out a small handkerchief and wiped her eyes. + +Mr. Evringham blew his nose violently, and crossing the office turned the +key in the door. + +"I think that would be an excellent plan, Jewel," he returned, rather +thickly, but with an endeavor to speak heartily. "Of course your +confounded--I mean to say your--your parents will naturally expect you to +follow their plans and"--he paused. + +"And it would be so unloving to let them think that I was sorry after they +let me have such a beautiful visit, and if we can _just_--manage not to say +good-by, everything will be so much easier." + +The broker stood looking at her while the plaintive voice made music for +him. "I'm going to try to manage just that thing if it's in the books," he +said, after waiting a little, and Jewel, looking up at him with an April +smile, saw that his eyes were wet. + +"You're so good, grandpa," she returned tremulously; "and I won't even kiss +Essex Maid's neck--not the last morning." + +He sat down with fallen gaze, and Jewel caught her lip with her teeth as +she looked at him. Then suddenly the leghorn hat was on the floor, daisy +side down, while she climbed into his lap and her soft cheek buried itself +under Mr. Evringham's ear. + +"How m-many m-miles off is Chicago?" stammered the child, trying to repress +her sobs, all happy considerations suddenly lost in the realization of her +grandfather's lonely lot. + +"A good many more than it ought to be. Don't cry, Jewel." The broker's +heart swelled within him as he pressed her to his breast. Her sorrow filled +him with tender elation, and he winked hard. + +"There isn't--isn't any sorrow--in mind, grandpa. Shouldn't you--you think +I'd--remember it? Divine Love always--always takes care--of us--and just +because--I don't see how He's going--going to this time--I'm crying! Oh, +it's so--so naughty!" + +Mr. Evringham swallowed fast. He never had wondered so much as he did this +minute just how obstinate or how docile those inconvenient and superfluous +individuals--Jewel's parents--would prove. + +He cleared his throat. "Come, come," he said, and he kissed the warm pink +rose of the child's cheek. "Don't spoil those bright eyes just when you're +going to have your picture taken. We're going to have the jolliest time you +ever heard of!" + +Jewel's little handkerchief was wet and Mr. Evringham put his own into her +hand and they went into the lavatory where she used the wet corner of a +towel while he told her about the photographer who had taken Essex Maid's +picture and should take Star's. + +Then the cherished leghorn hat was rescued from its ignominy and replaced +carefully on its owner's head. + +"But I never thought you meant to have my picture taken this afternoon," +said Jewel, her lips still somewhat tremulous. + +"I didn't until a minute ago, but I think we can find somebody who won't +mind doing it late in the day." + +"Yours too, then, grandpa.--Oh, _yes_," and at last a smile beamed like the +sun out of an April sky, "right on the same card with me!" + +"Oh, no, no, Jewel; no, no!" + +"Yes, _please_, grandpa," earnestly, "do let's have one nice nose in the +picture!" She lifted eyes veiled again with a threatening mist. "And you'll +put your arm around me--and then I'll look at it"--her lip twitched. + +"Yes, oh, yes, I--I think so," hastily. "We'll see, and then, after +that--how much Nesselrode pudding do you think you can eat? I tell you, +Jewel, we're going to have the time of our lives!" Mr. Evringham struck his +hands together with such lively anticipation that the child's spirits rose. + +"Yes," she responded, "and then after dinner, _what_?" She gazed at him. + +The broker tapped his forehead as if knocking at the door of memory. + +"Father and mother!" she cried out, laughing and beginning to hop +discreetly. "You forgot, grandpa, you forgot. Your own little boy coming +home and you forgot!" + +"Well, that's a fact, Jewel; that I suppose I had better remember. He is my +own boy--and I don't know but I owe him something after all." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOME-COMING + + +Again Jewel and her grandfather stood on the wharf where the great boats, +ploughing their way through the mighty seas, come finally, each into its +own place, as meekly as the horse seeks his stable. + +The last time they stood here they were strangers watching the departure of +those whom now they waited, hand in hand, to greet. + +"Jewel, you made me eat too much dinner," remarked Mr. Evringham. "I feel +as if my jacket was buttoned, in spite of the long drive we've taken since. +I went to my tailor this morning, and what do you think he told me?" + +"What? That you needed some new clothes?" + +"Oh, he always tells me that. He told me that I was growing fat! There, +young lady, what do you think of that?" + +"I think you are, too, grandpa," returned the child, viewing him +critically. + +"Well, you take it coolly. Supposing I should lose my waist, and all your +fault!" + +Jewel drew in her chin and smiled at him. + +"Supposing I go waddling about! Eh?" + +She laughed. "But how would it be my fault?" she asked. + +"Didn't you ever hear the saying 'laugh and grow fat'? How many times have +you made me laugh since we left the office?" + +Jewel began to tug on his hand as she jumped up and down. "Oh, grandpa, do +you think our pictures will be good?" + +"I think yours will." + +"Not yours?" the hopping ceased. + +"Oh, yes, excellent, probably. I haven't had one taken in so many years, +how can I tell? but here's one day that they can't get away from us, Jewel. +This eighth of June has been a good day, hasn't it--and mind, you're not to +tell about the pictures until we see how they come out." + +"Yes, haven't we had _fun_? The be-_eau_tiful hotel, and the drive in the +park, and the ride in the boats and"-- + +"Speaking of boats, there it is now. They're coming," remarked Mr. +Evringham. + +"Who?" + +"Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thayer Evringham," returned the broker dryly. "Steady, +Jewel, steady now. It will be quite a while before you see them." + +The late twilight had faded and the June night begun, the wharf was dimly +lighted and there was the usual crowd of customs officers, porters, and men +and women waiting to see friends. All moved and changed like figures in a +kaleidoscope before Jewel's unwinking gaze; but the long minutes dragged by +until at last her father and mother appeared among the passengers who came +in procession down the steep incline from the boat. + +Mr. Evringham drew back a step as father, mother, and child clung to each +other, kissing and murmuring with soft exclamations. Harry extricated +himself first and shook hands with his father. + +"Awfully good of you to get us the courtesy of the port," he said heartily. + +"Don't mention it," returned the broker, and Julia released Jewel and +turned upon Mr. Evringham her grateful face. + +"But so many things are good of you," she said feelingly, as she held out +her hand. "It will take us a long time to give thanks." + +"Not at all, I assure you," responded the broker coldly, but his heart was +hot within him. "If they have the presumption to thank me for taking care +of Jewel!" he was thinking as he dropped his daughter-in-law's hand. + +"What a human iceberg!" she thought. "How has Jewel been able to take it so +cheerfully? Ah, the blessed, loving heart of a child!" + +Meanwhile Mr. Evringham turned to his son and continued: "The courtesy of +the port does shorten things up a bit, and I have a man from the customs +waiting." + +Harry followed him to see about the luggage, and Mrs. Evringham and Jewel +sat down on a pile of boxes to wait. The mother's arm was around the little +girl, and Jewel had one of the gloved hands in both her own. + +"Oh," she exclaimed, suddenly starting up, "Mrs. Forbes thought I'd better +wear my sailor suit instead of this, and she told me not to sit down on +anything dirty." She carefully turned up the skirt of her little frock and +seated herself again on a very brief petticoat. + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Mrs. Forbes is careful of you, isn't she?" she +asked. Her heart was in a tumult of happiness and also of curiosity as to +her child's experiences in the last two months. Jewel's letters had +conveyed that she was content, and joy in her pony had been freely +expressed. The mother's mental picture of the stiff, cold individual to +whose doubtful mercies she had confided her child at such short notice had +been softened by the references to him in Jewel's letters; and it was with +a shock of disappointment that she found herself repulsed now by the same +unyielding personality, the same cold-eyed, unsmiling, fastidiously dressed +figure, whose image had lingered in her memory. A dozen eager questions +rose to her lips, but she repressed them. + +"Jewel must have had a glimpse of the real man," she thought. "I must not +cloud her perception." It did not occur to her, however, that the child +could even now feel less than awe of the stern guardian with whom she had +succeeded in living at peace, and who had, from time to time, bestowed upon +her gifts. One of these Mrs. Evringham noticed now. + +"Oh, that's your pretty watch!" she said. + +"Yes," returned the child, "this is Little Faithful. Isn't he a darling?" + +The mother smiled as she lifted the silver cherub. "You've named him?" she +returned. "Why, it is a beauty, Jewel. How kind of your grandfather!" + +"Yes, indeed. It was so I wouldn't stay in the ravine too long." + +"How is Anna Belle?" + +"Dear Anna Belle!" exclaimed the little girl wistfully. "What a good time +she would have had if I could have brought her! But you see I needed both +my hands to help carry bags; and she understood about it and sent her love. +She'll be sitting up waiting for you." + +Mrs. Evringham cast a look toward Harry and his father. "I'm not sure"--she +began, "I hardly think we shall go to Bel-Air to-night. How would you like +to stay in at the hotel with us, and then we could go out to the house +to-morrow and pack your trunk?" + +Jewel looked very sober at this. "Why, it would be pretty hard to wait, +mother," she replied. "Hotels are splendid. Grandpa and I had dinner at +one. It's named the Waldorf and it has woods in it just like outdoors; but +I thought you'd be in a hurry to see Star and the Ravine of Happiness and +Zeke." + +"Well, we'll wait," returned Mrs. Evringham vaguely. She was more than +doubtful of an invitation to Bel-Air Park even for one night; but Harry +must arrange it. "We'll see what father says," she added. "What a pretty +locket, my girlie!" As she spoke she lifted a gold heart that hung on a +slender gold chain around Jewel's neck. + +"Yes. Cousin Eloise gave me that when she went away. She has had it ever +since she was as little as I am, and she said she left her heart with me. +I'm so sorry you won't see cousin Eloise." + +"So she and her mother have gone away. Were they sorry to go? Did Mr. +Evringham--perhaps--think"--the speaker paused. She remembered Jewel's +letter about the situation. + +"No, they weren't sorry. They've gone to the seashore; but cousin Eloise +and I love each other very much, and her room is so empty now that I've had +to keep remembering that you were coming and everything was happy. I guess +cousin Eloise is the prettiest girl in the whole world; and since she +stopped being sorry we've had the most _fun_." + +"I wish I could see her!" returned Mrs. Evringham heartily. She longed to +thank Eloise for supplying the sunshine of love to her child while the +grandfather was providing for her material wants. She looked at Jewel now, +a picture of health and contentment, her bits of small finery in watch and +locket standing as symbols of the care and affection she had received. + +"Divine Love has been so kind to us, dearie," she said softly, as she +pressed the child closer to her. "He has brought father and mother back +across the ocean and has given you such loving friends while we were gone." + +In a future day Mrs. Evringham was to learn something of the inner history +of the progress of this little pilgrim during her first days at Bel-Air; +but the shadows had so entirely faded from Jewel's consciousness that she +could not have told it herself--not even such portions of it as she had +once realized. + +"Yes, indeed, I love Bel-Air and all the people. Even aunt Madge kissed me +when she went away and said 'Good-by, you queer little thing!'" + +"What did she mean?" asked Mrs. Evringham. + +"I don't know. I didn't tell grandpa, because I thought he might not like +people calling me queer, but I asked Zeke." + +"He's Mr. Evringham's coachman, isn't he?" + +"Yes, and he's the nicest man, but he only told me that aunt Madge had +wheels. I asked him what kind of wheels, and he said he guessed they were +rubber-tired, because she was always rubbering and she made people tired. +You know Zeke is such a joker, so I haven't found out yet what aunt Madge +meant, and it isn't any matter because"--Jewel reached up and hugged her +mother, "you've come home." + +Here the two men approached. "No more time for spooning," said Harry +cheerfully. "We're going now, little girls." + +After all, there was nothing for Jewel to carry. Her father and grandfather +had the dress-suit case and bags. + +Mrs. Evringham looked inquiringly at her husband, but he was gayly talking +with Jewel as the four walked out to the street. + +Mr. Evringham led the way to a carriage that was standing there. "This is +ours," he said, opening the door. + +Harry put the bags up beside the driver while his wife entered the vehicle, +still in doubt as to their destination. Jewel jumped in beside her. + +"You'd better move over, dear," said her mother quietly. "Let Mr. Evringham +ride forward." + +She was not surprised that Jewel was ignorant of carriage etiquette. It was +seldom that either of them had seen the inside of one. + +The broker heard the suggestion. "_Place aux dames_," he said, briefly, and +moved the child back with one hand. Then he entered, Harry jumped in beside +him, slammed the door, and they rolled away. + +"If Anna Belle was here the whole family would be together," said Jewel +joyously. "I don't care which one I sit by. I love everybody in this +carriage!" + +"You do, eh, rascal?" returned her father, putting his hand over in her +silken lap and giving her a little shake. "Where is the great and good Anna +Belle?" + +"Waiting for us. Just think of it, all this time! Grandpa, are we going +home with you?" + +"What do you mean?" inquired the broker, and the tone of the curt question +chilled the spine of his daughter-in-law. "Were you thinking of spending +the night in the ferry-house, perhaps?" + +"Why, no, only mother said"-- + +Mrs. Evringham pressed the child's arm. "That was nothing, Jewel; I simply +didn't know what the plan was," she put in hastily. + +"Oh, of course," went on the little girl. "Mother didn't know aunt Madge +and cousin Eloise were gone, and she didn't believe there'd be room. She +doesn't know how big the house is, does she, grandpa?" An irresistible yawn +seized the child, and in the middle of it her father leaned forward and +chucked her under the chin. + +Her jaws came together with a snap. "There! you spoiled that nice one!" she +exclaimed, jumping up and laughing as she flung herself upon her big +playmate, and a small scuffle ensued in which the wide leghorn hat brim +sawed against Mr. Evringham's shoulder and neck in a manner that caused +Mrs. Evringham's heart to leap toward her throat. How _could_ Harry be so +thoughtless! A street lamp showed the grim lines of the broker's averted +face as he gazed stonily out to the street. + +"Come here, Jewel; sit still," said the mother, striving to pull the +little girl back into her seat. + +Harry was laughing and holding his agile assailant off as best he might, +and at his wife's voice aided her efforts with a gentle push. Jewel sank +back on the cushion. + +"Oh, what bores he thinks us. I know he does!" reflected Julia, capturing +her child in one arm and holding her close. To her surprise and even +dismay, Jewel spoke cheerfully after another yawn:-- + +"Grandpa, how far is it to the ferry? How long, I mean?" + +"About fifteen minutes." + +"Well, that's a good while. My eyes do feel as if they had sticks in them. +Don't you wish we could cross in a swan boat, grandpa?" + +"Humph!" he responded. Mrs. Evringham gave the child a little squeeze +intended to be repressive. Jewel wriggled around a minute trying to get a +comfortable position. + +"Tell father and mother about Central Park and the swan boats, grandpa," +she continued. + +"You tell them to-morrow, when you're not so sleepy," he replied. + +Jewel took off her large hat, and nestling her head on her mother's +shoulder, put an arm around her. "Mother, mother!" she sighed happily, "are +you really home?" + +"Really, really," replied Mrs. Evringham, with a responsive squeeze. + +Mr. Evringham sat erect in silence, still gazing out the window with a +forbidding expression. + +There were buttons on her mother's gown that rubbed Jewel's cheek. She +tried to avoid them for a minute and then sat up. "Father, will you change +places with me?" she asked sleepily. "I want to sit by grandpa." + +Mrs. Evringham's eyes widened, and in spite of her earnest "Dearie!" the +transfer was made and Jewel crept under Mr. Evringham's arm, which closed +naturally around her. She leaned against him and shut her eyes. + +"You mustn't go to sleep," he said. + +"I guess I shall," returned the child softly. + +"No, no. You mustn't. Think of the lights crossing the ferry. You'll lose a +lot if you're asleep. They're fine to see. We can't carry you and the +luggage, too. Brace up, now--Come, come! I shouldn't think you were any +older than Anna Belle." + +Jewel laughed sleepily, and the broker held her hand in his while he pushed +her upright. Mr. and Mrs. Evringham looked on, the latter marveling at the +child's nonchalance. + +Now, for the first time, the host became talkative. + +"How many days have you to give us, Harry?" he asked. + +"A couple, perhaps," replied the young man. + +"Two days, father!" exclaimed Jewel, in dismay, wide awake in an instant. + +"Oh, that's a stingy visit," remarked Mr. Evringham. + +"Not half long enough," added Jewel. "There's so much for you to see." + +"Oh, we can see a lot in two days," returned Harry. "Think of the little +girls in Chicago, Jewel. They won't forgive me if I don't bring you home +pretty soon." He leaned forward and took his child's free hand. "How do +you suppose father has got along without his little girl all these weeks, +eh, baby?" + +"It _is_ a long time since you went away," she returned, "but I was right +in your room every night, and daytimes I played in your ravine. Bel-Air +Park is the beautifulest place in the whole world. Two days isn't any time +to stay there, father." + +"H'm, I'm glad you've been so happy." Sincere feeling vibrated in the +speaker's voice. "We don't know how to thank your grandpa, do we?" + +A street lamp showed Jewel, as she turned and smiled up into the impassive +face Mr. Evringham turned upon her. + +"You can safely leave that to her," said the broker briefly, but he did not +remove his eyes from the upturned ones. + +"It is beyond me," thought Mrs. Evringham; "but love is a miracle-worker." + +The glowing lights of the ferry passed, Jewel did go to sleep in the train. +Her father, unaware that he was trespassing, took her in his arms, and, +tired out with all the excitement of the day and the lateness of the hour, +the child instantly became unconscious; but by the time they reached home, +the bustle of arrival and her interest in showing her parents about, aided +her in waking to the situation. + +Mrs. Forbes stood ready to welcome the party. Ten years had passed since +Harry Evringham had stood in the home of his boyhood, and the housekeeper +thought she perceived that he was moved by a contrite memory; but he spoke +with bluff heartiness as he shook hands with her; and Mrs. Forbes looked +with eager curiosity into the sweet face of Mrs. Evringham, as the latter +greeted her and said something grateful concerning the housekeeper's +kindness to Jewel. + +"It's very little you have to thank me for, ma'am," replied Mrs. Forbes, +charmed at once by the soft gaze of the dark eyes. + +The little cavalcade moved upstairs to the handsome rooms so lately +vacated. They were brilliant with light and fragrant with roses. + +"How beautiful!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, while Jewel hopped up and down, +as wide awake as any little girl in town, delighted with the gala +appearance of everything. + +Mr. Evringham looked critically into the face of his daughter-in-law. Here +was the woman to whom he owed Jewel, and all that she was and all that she +had taught him. Her face was what he might have expected. It looked very +charming now as the pretty eyes met his. She was well-dressed, too, and Mr. +Evringham liked that. + +"I hope you will be very much at home here, Julia," he said; and though he +did not smile, it was certain that, whether from a sense of duty or not, he +had taken pains to make their welcome a pleasant one. + +Jewel had, evidently, no slightest fear of his cold reserve. With the +child's hand in hers, Julia took courage to reply warmly: "Thank you, +father, it is a joy to be here." + +She had called him "father," this elegant stranger, and her heart beat a +little faster, but her husband's arm went around her. + +"America's all right, eh, Julia?" + +"Come in cousin Eloise's room," cried Jewel. "That's all lighted, too. Are +they going to have them both, grandpa?" + +She danced ahead, through a spacious white-tiled bathroom and into the +adjoining apartment. There an unexpected sight met the child's eyes. In the +rosy depths of a large chintz chair sat Anna Belle, loyally keeping her +eyes open in spite of the hour. + +Jewel rushed toward her. There were plenty of flowers scattered about in +this room, also, and the child suddenly caught sight of her own toilet +articles on the dresser. + +"My things are down here in cousin Eloise's room, grandpa!" she cried, so +surprised that she delayed picking up her doll. + +"Why, why!" said Mr. Evringham, throwing open the door of the large closet +and then opening a bureau drawer. Within both receptacles were Jewel's +belongings, neatly arranged. "This is odd!" he added. + +"Grandpa, grandpa!" cried the child, rushing at him and clasping her arms +around his waist. "You're going to let me sleep down here by father and +mother!" + +Mr. Evringham regarded her unsmilingly. Jewel's parents both looked on, +more than half expecting a snub to meet the energetic onslaught. "You won't +object, will you?" he asked. + +Jewel pulled him down and whispered something in his ear. The curious +on-lookers saw the sweeping mustache curve in a smile as he straightened up +again. As a matter of fact they were both curious to know what she had said +to him. + +"You're whispering in company, Jewel," remarked her father. + +"Oh, please excuse me!" said the child. "I forgot to remember. Here's Anna +Belle, father." + +"My, my, my!" ejaculated Harry Evringham, coming forward. "How that child +has grown!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +ON THE VERANDA + + +What a luxurious, happy, sleepy time Jewel had that night in the pretty +rose-bower where her mother undressed her while her father and grandfather +went back downstairs. + +It was very sweet to be helped and cuddled as if she were again a baby, and +as she lay in bed and watched her mother setting the flowers in the +bathroom and arranging everything, she tried to talk to her on some of the +subjects that were uppermost in her mind. Mrs. Evringham came at last and +lay down beside her. Jewel nestled into the loving arms and kissed her +cheek. + +"I'm too happy to go to sleep," she declared, then sighed, and instantly +pretty room and pretty mother had disappeared. + +Mrs. Evringham lay there on the luxurious bed, the sleeping child in her +arms, and her thoughts were rich with gratitude. Her life had never been +free from care: first as a young girl in her widowed mother's home, then as +wife of the easy-going and unprincipled youth, whose desertion of her and +her baby had filled her cup of bitterness, though she bravely struggled on. +Her mother had died; and soon afterward the light of Christian Science had +dawned upon her path. Strengthened by its support, she had grown into new +health and courage, and life was beginning to blossom for her when her +repentant husband returned. + +For a time his wayward habits were a care to her; but he was sincerely +ashamed of himself, and the discovery of the development of character in +the pretty girl whom he had left six years before roused his manhood. To +her joy he began to take an interest in the faith which had wrought such +changes in her, and after that she had no doubts of the outcome. From the +moment when she obtained for him a business position, it became his +ambition to take his rightful place in the world and to guard her from +rough contact, and though as yet he still leaned upon her judgment, and she +knew herself to be the earthly mainspring of all their business affairs, +she knew, also, that his desire was right, and the knowledge sweetened her +days. + +Here in this home which was, to her unaccustomed eyes, palatial in its +appointments, with her child again in her arms, she gave thanks for the joy +of the present hour. A day or two of pleasure in these surroundings, and +then she and Harry would relieve Mr. Evringham of the care they had imposed +upon him. + +He had borne it nobly, there was no doubt about that. He had even +complicated existence by giving Jewel a pony. How a pony would fit into the +frugal, busy life of the Chicago apartment, Julia did not know; but her +child's dearest wish had been gratified, and there was nothing to do but +appreciate and enjoy the fact. After all, Harry's father must have more +paternal affection than her husband had ever given him credit for; for even +on the most superficial acquaintance one could see that any adaptation of +his life and tastes to those of a child would have to come with creaking +difficulty to the stock broker, and the fact of Jewel's ease with him told +an eloquent story of how far Mr. Evringham must have constrained himself +for Harry's sake. + +Her thoughts flowed on and had passed to business and all that awaited them +in Chicago, when her husband rejoined her. She rose from the bed as he came +in, and hand in hand they stood and looked down at Jewel, asleep. + +Harry stooped and kissed the flushed cheek. + +"Don't wake her, dear," said Julia, smiling at the energy of the caress. + +"Wake her? I don't believe a clap of thunder would have that effect. Why, +she and father have been painting the town; dining at the Waldorf, driving +in the park, riding in the swan boats, and then hanging around that dock. +Bless her little heart, I should think she'd sleep for twenty-four hours." + +"How wonderfully kind of him!" returned Julia. "You need never tell me +again, Harry, that your father doesn't love you." + +"Oh, loving hasn't been much in father's line, but we hope it will be," +returned the young man as he slipped an arm around his wife. "Do you +remember the last time we stood watching Jewel asleep? I do. It was in that +beastly hotel the night before we sailed." + +"Oh, Harry!" Julia buried her face a moment on his shoulder. "Shall you +ever forget our relief when her first letter came, showing that she was +happy? Do you remember the hornpipe you danced in our lodgings and how you +shocked the landlady? Your father may not _call_ it loving, but his care +and thoughtfulness have expressed that and he can't help my loving _him_ +forever and forever for being kind to Jewel." + +Harry gave his head a quick shake. "I'll be hanged if I can see how anybody +could be unkind to her," he remarked. + +"Oh, well, you've never been an elderly man, set in your ways and used to +living alone. I'm sure it meant a great deal to him. Think of his doing all +that for her this afternoon." + +"Oh, he had to pass the time somehow, and he couldn't very well refuse to +let her come in to meet us. Besides, she's on the eve of going away, and +father likes to do the handsome thing. He was doing it for other people, +though, when Lawrence and I were kids. He never took us in any swan boats." + +"Poor little boys!" murmured Julia. + +"Oh, not at all," returned Harry, laughing rather sardonically. "We took +ourselves in the swan boats and in a variety of other places not so +picturesque. Father's purse strings were always loose, and so long as we +kept out of his way he didn't care what we did. Nice old place, this, +Julia?" + +"Oh, it's very fine. I had no idea how fine." Her tone was somewhat +awestruck. + +"I used to know, absolutely, that father was through with me, and that +therefore I was through with Bel-Air; but I'm a new man," the speaker +smiled down at his wife and pressed her closer to him, "and I've been +telling father why, and how." + +"Is that what you've been talking about?" + +"Yes. He seemed interested to hear of my business and prospects and asked +me a lot of questions; so, as I only began to live less than a year ago, I +couldn't answer them without telling him who and what had set me on my +feet." + +"Oh, Harry! You've really been talking about Science?" + +"Yes, my dear, and about you; and I tell you, he wasn't bored. When I'd let +up a little he'd ask me another question; and at last he said, father did, +'Well, I believe she'll make a man of you yet, Harry!' Not too +complimentary, I admit, but I swallowed it and never flinched. I knew he +wasn't going to see enough of you in two days to half know you, so I just +thought I'd give him a few statistics, and they made an impression, I +assure you. After that if he wanted to set me down a little it was no more +than I deserved, and he was welcome." + +For a long moment the two looked into one another's eyes, then Harry spoke +in a subdued tone:-- + +"You've done a lot for me, Julia; but the biggest thing of all, the thing +that is most wonderful and that means the most to me, and for which I'd +worship you through eternity if it was _all_ you'd done, is that you have +taught me of Christian Science and shown me how it has guarded that child's +love and respect for me, when I was forfeiting both every hour. I'll work +to my last day, my girl, to show you my gratitude for that." + +"Darling boy!" she murmured. + +Next morning at rising time Jewel was still wrapped in slumber. Her parents +looked at her before going downstairs. + +"Do you know, I can't help feeling a bit relieved," laughed Julia softly, +"that she won't go down with us. The little thing is rather thoughtless +with her grandfather, and though he has evidently schooled himself to +endure her energetic ways, I can't help feeling a bit anxious all the time. +He has borne it so well this long that I want to get her away before she +breaks the camel's back. When do you think we can go, Harry?" + +"To-morrow or next day. You might get things packed to-day. I really ought +to go, but I don't want to seem in a hurry." + +"Oh, yes, do let us go to-morrow," returned Julia eagerly. + +The Westminster clock on the stairs chimed as they passed down, and Mr. +Evringham was waiting for them in the dining-room. As he said good-morning +he looked beyond them, expectantly. + +Mrs. Forbes greeted them respectfully and indicated their seats. + +"Where is Jewel?" asked the host. + +"In dreamland. You couldn't waken her with a volley of artillery," returned +Harry cheerfully. + +"H'm," returned his father. + +They all took their places at the table and Julia remarked on the charming +outlook from the windows. + +"Yes," returned the host. "I'm sorry I can't stay at home this morning and +do the honors of the park. I shall leave that to Harry and Jewel. As we +were rather late last night I didn't take my canter this morning. If you +wish to have a turn on the mare, Harry, Zeke knows that the stables are in +your hands. No one but myself rides Essex Maid, but I'll make a shining +exception of you." + +"I appreciate the honor," returned Harry lightly, but as a matter of fact +he did not at all grasp its extent. + +"If you'd like to take your wife for a drive there's the Spider. The child +will want to show you her pony and will probably get you off on some +excursion. Tell her there is time enough and not to make you do two days' +work in one." + +After breakfast the trio adjourned to the piazza and Julia looked out on +the thick, dewy grass and spreading trees. + +"I believe the park improves, father," said Harry, smiling as he noted his +wife's delight in the charming landscape. + +Deep armchairs and tables, rugs and a wicker divan furnished a portion of +the piazza. "How will little Jewel like the apartment after this?" Julia +could not help asking herself the question mentally. She no longer wondered +at the child's content here, even without the companionship of other +children. It must be an unimaginative little maid who, supported by Anna +Belle, could not weave a fairy-land in this fresh paradise. + +"Won't you be seated?" said the broker, waving his hand toward the chairs. +The others obeyed as he took his place. "Let us know a little, now, what we +are doing. What did I understand you to say, Harry, is your limit for +time?" + +"Well, I ought, really, to go west to-morrow, father." + +Mr. Evringham nodded and turned his incisive glance upon his +daughter-in-law. "And you, Julia?" + +She smiled brightly at him. He observed that her complexion bore the +sunlight well. "Oh, Jewel and I go with him, of course," she responded, +confident that her reply would convey satisfaction. + +"H'm. Indeed! Now it seems to me that you would be the better for a +vacation." + +"Why! Haven't I just had a trip to Europe?" + +"Yes, I should think you had. From all that Harry tells me, I judge what +with hunting up fashions and fabrics and corset-makers and all the rest of +it, you have done the work, daily, of about two able-bodied men." + +"That's right," averred Harry. "I was too much of a greenhorn to give her +much assistance." + +"Still, you understand your own end of the business, I take it," said his +father, turning suddenly upon him. + +"Yes, I do. I believe the firm will say I'm the square peg in the square +hole." + +"Then why not take a vacation, Julia?" asked the broker again. + +"Harry is doing splendidly," she returned gently, "but we can't live on the +salary he gets now. He needs my help for a while, yet. I'm going to be a +lady of leisure some day." The broker caught the glance of confidence she +sent his boy. + +"I'm screwing up my courage now to strike them for more," said Harry. "It +frets me worse every day to see that girl delving away, and a great +strapping, hulking chap like me not able to prevent it." + +His father looked gravely at the young wife. "Let him begin now," he said. +"He doesn't need your apron string any longer." + +"What do you mean?" asked Julia, half timidly. + +"Stay here with me a while and let Harry go west. I will take you and Jewel +to the seashore." + +"Hurray!" cried Harry, his face radiant. "Julia, why, you won't know +yourself strolling on the sands with a parasol while your poor delicate +husband is toiling and moiling away in the dingy city. Good for you, +father! You lift that pretty nose of hers up from the grindstone where +she's held it so many years that she doesn't know anything different. +Hurray, Julia!" In his enthusiasm the speaker rose and leaned over the +chair of his astonished wife. "You wake up in the morning and read a novel +instead of your appointment book for a while," he went on. "The Chicago +women's summer clothes are all made by this time, anyway. Play lady for +once and come back to me the color of mahogany. Go ahead!" + +"Why, Harry, how can I? What would you do?" + +"I'm hanged if I don't show you what I'd do, and do it well, too," he +returned. + +"But I ought to go home first," faltered the bewildered woman. + +"Not a bit of it. I'll tackle the firm and the apartment, all right; and to +be plain, we can't afford the needless car fare." + +"But, father," Julia appealed to him, "is it right to make Harry get on +still longer without Jewel?" + +"Perfectly right. Entirely so," rejoined the broker decidedly. + +"Of course he doesn't realize how we feel about Jewel," thought Julia. + +Here a large brown horse and brougham came around the driveway into sight. +Zeke's eyes turned curiously toward the guests, but he sat stiffly +immovable. + +The broker rose. "I must go now or I shall miss my train. Think it over. +There's only one way to think about it. It is quite evidently the thing to +do. The break has been made, and now is the time for Julia to take her +vacation before going into harness again. Moreover, perhaps Harry will get +his raise and she won't have to go into harness. Good-morning. I shall try +to come out early. I hope you will make yourselves comfortable." + +Mrs. Evringham looked at Zeke. He was the glass of fashion and the mould of +form, but there was no indication in his smooth-shaven, wooden countenance +of the comrade to whom Jewel had referred in her fragmentary letters. + +"Well, Harry!" she exclaimed breathlessly, as the carriage rolled away. Her +expression elicited a hearty laugh from her husband. "I _never_ was so +surprised. How unselfish he is! Harry, is it possible that we don't know +your father at _all_? Think of his proposing to keep, still longer, a +disturbing element like our lively little girl!" + +"Oh, I've never believed he bothered himself very much about Jewel," +returned Harry lightly. "You make a mountain out of that. All a child needs +is a ten acre lot to let off steam in, and she's had it here. He knows +you'll keep her out from under foot. Let's accept this pleasure. He +probably takes a lot of stock in you after all I told him last night. It's +a relief to his pride and everything else that I'm not going to disgrace +the name. He wants to do something for you. That's the whole thing in a +nutshell; and you let him do it, Julia." In an exuberance of spirits, aided +by the fresh, inspiring morning, the speaker took his wife in his arms, as +they stood there on the wide veranda, and hugged her heartily. + +"Do you think I shall get over my awe of him?" She half laughed, but her +tone was sincere. "I'm so unused to people who never smile and seem to be +enduring me. Oh, if you were only going to stay, too, Harry, then it would +be a vacation indeed!" + +"Here, here! Where are your principles? Who's afraid now?" + +"But he's so stately and forbidding, and I shall feel such a responsibility +of keeping Jewel from troubling him." + +Harry laughed again. "She seems entirely capable of paddling her own canoe. +She didn't seem troubled by doubts or compunctions in the carriage last +night; and up there in the bedroom when she flew at him! How was that for a +case of _lèse majesté_? Gad, at her age I'd sooner have tackled a lighted +fuse! What do you suppose it was she whispered to him?" + +"I've no idea, and I must say I was curious enough to ask her while I was +putting her to bed; but do you know, she wouldn't say!" The mother laughed. +"She sidled about,--you know how she does when she is reluctant to speak, +and seemed so embarrassed that I have to laugh when I think of it." + +"Perhaps it concerned some surprise she has persuaded father to give us." + +"No, it couldn't be that, because she answered at last that she'd tell me +when she was a young lady." + +They both laughed. "Well," said Harry, "she isn't afraid of him so you'd +notice it; and you can give her a few pointers so she needn't get in +father's way now that she has you again. He has evidently been mighty +considerate of the little orphan." + +"How good he has been!" returned Julia fervently. "If we could only go home +with you, Harry," she added wistfully, "while there's so much good feeling, +and before anything happens to alter it!" + +"Where are your principles?" asked Harry again. "You know better than to +think anything will happen to alter it." + +"Yes, I do, I do; but I always have to meet my shyness of strangers, and it +makes my heart beat to think of your going off and leaving me here. Being +tête-à-tête with your father is appalling, I must confess." + +"Oh, well, it wouldn't do to slight his offer, and it will do you a world +of good." + +"You'll have to send me my summer gowns." + +"I will." + +"Dear me, am I really going to _do_ it?" asked Julia incredulously. + +"Certainly you are. We'd be imbecile not to accept such an opportunity." + +"Then," she answered resignedly, "if it is fact and not a wild fancy, we +have a lot of business to talk over, Harry. Let us make the most of our +time while Jewel is asleep." + +She led the way back to the chairs, and they were soon immersed in +memoranda and discussion. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE LIFTED VEIL + + +At last their plans were reduced to order and Harry placed the papers +carefully in his pocket. + +"Come in and let's have a look at the house, Julia," he suggested. "It +won't do to go to the stables without Jewel." + +They entered the drawing-room and Julia moved about admiring the pictures +and carvings, and paused long before the oil portrait of a beautiful woman, +conspicuously placed. + +"That's my grandmother," remarked Harry. "Isn't she stunning? That's the +side of the family I didn't take after." + +While they still examined the portrait and the exquisite painting of its +laces, Jewel ran into the room and seized them from behind. + +"Well, well, all dressed!" exclaimed her father as the two stooped to kiss +her. + +"Yes, but my hair isn't very nice," said the child, putting up her hand to +her braids, "because I didn't want to be late to breakfast." + +Her father's hearty laugh rang out. "Lunch, do you mean?" + +"We're through breakfast long ago, dearie," said her mother. "No wonder you +slept late. We wanted you to." + +"Breakfast's all through!" exclaimed the child, and they were surprised at +her dismay. + +"Yes, but Mrs. Forbes will get you something," said her father. + +"But has grandpa gone?" asked the child. Before they could reply the +housekeeper passed the door and Jewel ran to her. "Has grandpa gone, Mrs. +Forbes?" she repeated anxiously. + +"Yes, indeed, it's after ten. Come into the dining-room, Jewel; Sarah will +give you your breakfast." + +"I'm not a bit hungry--yes, I am, a little--but what is grandpa's telephone +number, Mrs. Forbes." + +"Oh, now, you won't call him up, dear," said the housekeeper coaxingly. +"Come and eat your breakfast like a good girl." + +"Yes, in just one minute I will. What is the number, please, Mrs. Forbes?" + +The housekeeper gave the number, and Harry and Julia drew nearer. + +"Your grandpa is coming out early, Jewel," said her father. "You'll see him +in a few hours, and you can ask him whatever you wish to then." + +"She never has called Mr. Evringham up, sir," said the housekeeper. "He +speaks to _her_ sometimes. You know, Jewel, your grandfather doesn't like +to be disturbed in his business and called to the 'phone unless it is +something very important." + +"It is," returned the child, and she ran to the part of the hall where the +instrument was situated. Her mother and father followed, the former feeling +that she ought to interfere, but the latter amused and curious. + +"My little girl," began Julia, in protest, but Harry put his hand on her +arm and detained her. Jewel was evidently filled with one idea and deaf to +all else. With her usual energy she took down the receiver and made her +request to the central office. Harry drew his wife to where they could +watch her absorbed, rosy face. Her listening expression was anxiously +intent. Mrs. Forbes also lingered at a little distance, enjoying the +parents' interest and sharing it. + +"Is that you, grandpa?" asked the sweet voice. + +"Oh, well, I want to see Mr. Evringham." + +"What? No. I'm sorry, but nobody will do but grandpa. You tell him it's +Jewel, please." + +"What? I thought I _did_ speak plain. It's _Jewel_; his little grandchild." + +The little girl smiled at the next response. "Yes, I'm the very one that +ate the Nesselrode pudding," she said, and chuckled into the 'phone. + +By this time even Julia had given up all thought of interfering, and was +watching, curiously, the round head with its untidy blond hair. + +Jewel spoke again. "I'm sorry I can't tell you the business, but it's +_very_ important." + +Evidently the earnestness of this declaration had an effect. After a minute +more of waiting, the child's face lighted. + +"Oh, grandpa, is that you?" + +"Yes, I am. I'm _so_ sorry I slept too long!" + +"Yes, I know you missed me, and now I have to eat my breakfast without you. +Why didn't you come and bring me downstairs?" + +"Oh, but I _would_ have. Did you feel very sorry when you got in the +brougham, grandpa?" + +"I know it. Did the ride seem _very_ long, all alone?" + +"Yes, indeed. I felt so sorry inside when I found you'd gone, I had to hear +you speak so as to get better so I could visit with mother and father." + +"Yes, it _is_ a comfort. Are you _sure_ you don't feel sorry now?" + +"Well, but are you smiling, grandpa?" + +Whatever the answer was to this, it made Jewel's anxious brows relax and +she laughed into the 'phone. + +"Grandpa, you're such a joker! One smile won't make you any fatter," she +protested. + +Another listening silence, then:-- + +"You know the reason I feel the worst, don't you?" + +"Why yes, you do. What we were talking about yesterday." The child sighed. +"Well, isn't it a comfort about eternity?" + +"Yes, indeed, and I guess I'll kiss the 'phone now, grandpa. Can you hear +me?" + +"Well, you do it, too, then. Yes--yes--I hear it; and you'll come home +early because you know--our secret?" + +"What? A lot of men waiting for you? All right. You know I love you just +the same, even if I _did_ sleep, don't you?" + +"Good-by, then, good-by." + +She hung up the receiver and turned a beaming face upon her dumbfounded +parents. + +"Now I'll have breakfast," she said cheerfully. "I'll only eat a little +because we must go out and see Star. You waited for me, didn't you?" +pausing in sudden apprehension. + +"Yes, indeed," replied Harry, collecting himself. "We haven't been off the +piazza." + +"Goody. I'm so glad. I'll hurry." + +Mrs. Forbes followed the child as she bounded away, and the father and +mother sank upon an old settle of Flemish oak, gazing at one another. The +veil having been completely lifted from their eyes, each was viewing recent +circumstances in a new light. + +At last Harry began to laugh in repressed fashion. "Sold, and the money +taken!" he ejaculated, softly smiting his knee. + +His wife smiled, too, but there was a mist in her eyes. + +"I smell a large mouse, Julia. How is it with you?" + +"You mean my invitation?" + +"I mean that we come under the head of those things that can't be cured and +must be endured." + +She nodded. "And that's why he wants to take me to the seashore." + +"Yes, but all the same he's got to do it to carry his point. You get the +fun just the same." The moisture that rose to Harry's eyes was forced there +by the effort to repress his mirth. "By jinks, the governor kissing the +'phone! I'll never get over that, never," and he exploded again. + +His wife laid her hand on his arm. "Oh, Harry, can't you see how touching +it is?" + +"I'll sue him for alienating my daughter's affections. See if I don't. Why, +we're not in it at all. Did you feel our insignificance when she found he'd +gone? We've been blockheads, Julia, blockheads." + +"We're certainly figureheads," she returned, rather ruefully. "I don't +like to feel that your father has to pay such a price for the sake of +keeping Jewel a little longer." + +"'T won't hurt him a bit. It's a good joke on him. If he doesn't go ahead +and take you now, I'll bring another suit against him for breach of +promise." + +Julia was looking thoughtfully into space. "I believe," she said, at last, +"that we may find out that Jewel has been a missionary here." + +"She's given father a brand new heart," returned Harry promptly. "That's +plain." + +"Let us not say a word to the child about the plan for her and me to stay," +said Julia. "Let us leave it all for Mr. Evringham." + +"All right; only he won't think you're much pleased with the idea." + +"I'm not," returned the other, smiling. "I'm a little dazed; but if he was +the man he appeared to be the day we left Jewel with him, and she has loved +him into being a happier and better man, it may be a matter of duty for us +not to deprive him of her at once. I'll try to resign myself to the rôle of +necessary baggage, and even try to conceal from him the fact that I know my +place." + +"Oh, my girl, you'll have him captured in a week, and Jewel will have a +rival. You have the same knack she has for making the indifferent +different." + +At this juncture the housekeeper came back into the hall. + +"Well, Mrs. Forbes," said Harry, rising, "that was rather amusing important +business Jewel had with my father." + +The housekeeper held up her hands and shook her head. "Such lovers, sir," +she responded. "Such lovers! Whatever he's going to do without her is more +than I know." + +"Why, it's a big change come over father, to be fond of children," returned +the young man, openly perplexed. + +"_Children!_" repeated the housekeeper. "If you suppose, Mr. Harry, that +Jewel is any common child, you must have had a wonderful experience." + +Her impressive, almost solemn manner, sobered the father's mood. "What she +is, is the result of what her mother has taught her," he returned. + +"Not one of us wanted her when she came," said the housekeeper, looking +from one to the other of the young couple standing before her. "Not one +person in the house was half civil to her." Julia's hand tightened on her +husband's arm. "I didn't want anybody troubling Mr. Evringham. People +called him a hard, cold, selfish man; but I knew his trials, yes, Mr. +Harry, you know I knew them. He was my employer and it was my business to +make him comfortable, and I hated that dear little girl because I'd made up +my mind that she'd upset him. Well, Jewel didn't know anything about hate, +not enough to know it when she saw it. She just loved us all, through thick +and thin, and you'll have to wait till you can read what the recording +angel's set down, before you can have any full idea of what she's done for +us. She's made a humble woman out of me, and I was the stiff-neckedest +member of the congregation. There's my only child, Zeke; she's persuaded +him out of habits that were breaking up our lives. There was Eloise +Evringham, without hope or God in the world. She gave her both, that little +Jewel did. Then, most of all, she crept into Mr. Evringham's empty heart +and filled it full, and made his whole life, as you might say, blossom +again. That's what she's done, single handed, in two months, and she has no +more conceit of her work than a ray of God's sunshine has when it's opening +a flower bud." + +Julia Evringham's gaze was fixed intently upon the speaker, and she was +unconscious that two tears rolled down her cheeks. + +"You've made us very happy, telling us this," she said, rather +breathlessly, as the housekeeper paused. + +"And I should like to add, Mrs. Evringham," said Mrs. Forbes impressively, +"that you'd better turn your attention to an orphan asylum and catch them +as young as you can and train them up. What this old world wants is a whole +crop of Jewels." + +Julia's smile was very sweet. "We may all have the pure child thought," she +returned. + +Mrs. Forbes passed on upstairs. Harry looked at his wife. He was winking +fast. "Well, this isn't any laughing matter, after all, Julia." + +"No, it's a matter to make us very humble with joy and gratitude." + +As she spoke Jewel bounded back into the hall and ran into her father's +open arms. + +"A good breakfast, eh?" he asked tenderly. + +"Yes, I didn't mean to be so long, but Sarah said grandpa wanted me to eat +a chop. Now, _now_, we're going to see Star!" + +"I'd better fix your hair first," remarked her mother. + +"Oh, let her hair go till lunch time," said Harry. "The horses won't care, +will they, Jewel?" He picked her up and set her on his shoulder and out +they went to the clean, spacious stables. + +Zeke pulled down his shirt-sleeves as he saw them coming. "This is my +father and mother, Zeke," cried the child, happily, and the coachman ducked +his head with his most unprofessional grin. + +"Jewel's got a great pony here," he said. + +"Well, I should think so!" remarked Harry, as he and his wife followed +where the child led, to a box stall. + +"Why, Jewel, he's right out of a story!" said her mother, viewing the wavy +locks and sweeping tail, as the pony turned eagerly to meet his mistress. + +Jewel put her arms around his neck and buried her face for an instant in +his mane. "I haven't anything for you, Star, this time," she said, as the +pretty creature nosed about her. "Mother, do you see his star?" + +"Indeed I do," replied Mrs. Evringham, examining the snowflake between the +full, bright eyes. "He's the prettiest pony I ever saw, Jewel. Did your +grandpa have him made to order?" + +Zeke shrugged his gingham clad shoulders. "He would have, if he could, +ma'am," he put in. + +Mrs. Evringham laughed. "Well, he certainly didn't need to. Oh, see that +beautiful head!" for Essex Maid looked out to discover what all the +disturbance was about. + +Harry paused in his examination of the pony, to go over to the mare's +stall. + +"Whew, what a stunner!" he remarked. + +"Mr. Evringham said you were to ride her this morning, sir, if you liked. +You'll be the first, beside him." Zeke paused and with a comical gesture of +his head indicated the child and then the mare. "It's been nip and tuck +between them, sir; but I guess Jewel's got the Maid beat by now." + +Harry laughed. + +"Two blue ribbons, she's won, sir. She'll get another this autumn if he +shows her." + +"I should think so. She's a raving beauty." As he spoke, Harry smoothed the +bright coat. "When are we going out, Jewel?" + +"But we couldn't leave mother," returned the child, from her slippery perch +on the pony's back. She had been thinking about it. "Are you sure, Zeke, +that grandpa said father might ride Essex Maid?" + +"He told me so, himself," said Harry, amused. + +Jewel shook her head, much impressed. "Then he loves you about the most of +anybody," she remarked, with conviction. + +"Don't think of me," said her mother. "You and father do just what you +like. I can be happy just looking about this beautiful place." + +"Oh, I know what," exclaimed Jewel, with sudden brightness. "Let's all go +to the Ravine of Happiness before lunch time, and then wait for grandpa, +and he can take mother in the phaeton, and father and I can ride +horseback." + +"Oh, I'm afraid your grandpa wouldn't like that," returned Mrs. Evringham +quickly. + +Zeke was standing near her. "He would if she said so, ma'am," he put in, in +a low tone. + +Julia smiled kindly upon him. + +Harry tossed his head, amused. "It's a case, isn't it, Zeke?" he remarked. + +"Yes, sir," returned the coachman. "He comes when he's called, and will eat +out of her hand, sir." + +Harry laughed and went back to the pony's stall. "Come on, then, Jewel, +come to my old stamping ground, the ravine." + +"And if her hair frightens the birds it's your fault," smiled Julia, +smoothing with both hands the little flaxen head. + +"The birds have seen me look a great deal worse than this, a great _deal_ +worse," said Jewel cheerfully. + +"Perhaps they'll think her hair is a nest and sit down in it," suggested +her father, as they moved away, the happy child between them, holding a +hand of each. + +The little girl drew in her chin as she looked up at him. + +"Oh, father, you're such a joker!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DIE IS CAST + + +"Oh, grandpa, we've had the most, _fun_!" cried Jewel that afternoon as she +ran down the veranda steps to meet the broker, getting out of the brougham. + +Harry and Julia were standing near the wicker chairs watching the welcome. +They saw Mr. Evringham stoop to receive the child's embrace, and noted the +attention he paid to her chatter as, after lifting his hat to them, he +slowly advanced. + +"Father and I played in the ravine the longest while. Wasn't it a nice +time, father?" + +"It certainly was a nice, wet time. I am one pair of shoes short, and shall +have to travel to Chicago in patent leathers." + +As Julia rose she regarded her father-in-law with new eyes. All sense of +responsibility had vanished, and her present passive rôle seemed +delightful. + +"I know more about this beautiful place than when you went away," she said. +"I feel as if I were at some picturesque resort. It doesn't seem at all as +if work-a-day people might live here all the time." + +"I'm glad you like it," returned the broker, and his quick, curt manner of +speech no longer startled her. "Have you been driving?" + +"No, we preferred to have Jewel plan our campaign, and she seemed to think +that the driving part had better wait for you." + +The broker turned and looked down at the smooth head with billowy ribbon +bows behind the ears. Noting his expression, or lack of it, Julia wondered, +momentarily, if she might have dreamed the episode of kissing into the +telephone. + +"What is your plan, Jewel?" he asked. + +She balanced herself springily on her toes. "I thought two of us in the +phaeton and two on horseback," she replied, with relish. + +"H'm. You in the phaeton and I on Star, perhaps." + +"Oh, grandpa, and your feet dragging in the road!" The child's laugh was a +gush of merriment. + +The broker looked back at his daughter-in-law and handed her the large +white package he was carrying. "With my compliments, madam." + +Julia flushed prettily as she unwrapped the box. "Oh, Huyler's!" she +exclaimed. "How delicious. Thank you so much, father." + +Jewel's eyes were big with admiration. "That's just the kind Dr. Ballard +used to give cousin Eloise," she said, sighing. "Sometime I'll be grown +up!" + +Mr. Evringham lifted her into his arms with a quick movement. "That's a far +day, thank God," he murmured, his mustache against her hair; then lowering +her until he could look into her face: "How have you arranged us, Jewel? +Who drives and who rides?" + +"Perhaps father would like to drive mother in the phaeton," said the child, +again on her feet. + +Harry smiled. "Your last plan, I thought, was that I should ride the mare." + +"Yes," returned Jewel, with some embarrassment. "You won't look so nice as +grandpa does on Essex Maid," she added, very gently, "but if it would be a +_pleasure_ to you, father"-- + +Her companions laughed so heartily that the child bored the toe of one shoe +into the piazza, and well they knew the sign. + +"Here," said her father hastily, "which of these delicious candies do you +want, Jewel? Oh, how good they look! I tell you you'll have to be quick if +you want any. I have only till to-morrow to eat them." + +"Really to-morrow, father!" returned the child, pausing aghast. +"To-morrow!" + +"Yes, indeed." + +"To Chicago, do you mean?" + +"To Chicago." He nodded emphatically. + +Jewel turned appealing eyes on her mother. "Can't we help it?" she asked in +a voice that broke. + +"I think not, dearie. Business must come before pleasure, you know." + +Her three companions looking at the child saw her swallow with an effort. +She dropped the chocolate she had taken back into the box. + +A heroic smile came to her trembling lips as she lifted her eyes to the +impassive face of the tall, handsome man beside her. "It's to-morrow, +grandpa," she said softly, with a look that begged him to remember. + +He stooped until his gaze was on a level with hers. She did not touch him. +All her forces were bent on self-control. + +"I have been asking your mother," said Mr. Evringham, "to stay here a while +and take a vacation. Hasn't she told you?" + +Jewel shook her head mutely. + +"I think she will do it if you add your persuasion," continued the broker +quietly. "She ought to have rest,--and of course you would stay too, to +take care of her." + +A flash like sunlight illumined the child's tears. Mr. Evringham expected +to feel her arms thrown around his neck. Instead, she turned suddenly, and +running to her father, jumped into his lap. + +"Father, father," she said, "don't you want us to go with you?" + +Harry cleared his throat. The little scene had moistened his eyes as well. +"Am I of any consequence?" he asked, with an effort at jocoseness. + +Jewel clasped him close. "Oh, father," earnestly, "you know you are; and +the only reason I said you wouldn't look so nice on Essex Maid is that +grandpa has beautiful riding clothes, and when he rides off he looks like a +king in a procession. You couldn't look like a king in a procession in the +clothes you wear to the store, could you, father?" + +"Impossible, dearie." + +"But I want you to ride her if you'd like to, and I want mother and me to +go to Chicago with you if you're going to feel sorry." + +"You really do, eh?" + +Jewel hesitated, then turned her head and held out her hand to Mr. +Evringham, who took it. "If grandpa won't feel sorry," she answered. "Oh, I +don't know what I want. I wish I didn't love to be with so many people!" + +Her little face, drawn with its problem, precipitated the broker's plans +and made him reckless. He said to his son now, that which, in his +carefully prepared programme, he had intended to say about three months +hence, provided a nearer acquaintance with his daughter Julia did not prove +disappointing. + +"I suppose you are not devotedly attached to Chicago, Harry?" + +The young man looked up, surprised. "Not exactly. So far she has treated me +like a cross between a yellow dog and a step-child; but I shall be devoted +enough if I ever succeed there." + +"Don't succeed there," returned the broker curtly. "Succeed here." + +Harry shook his head. "Oh, New York's beyond me. I have a foothold in +Chicago." + +"Yes," returned the broker, who had the born and bred New Yorker's contempt +for the Windy City. "Yes, I know you've got your foot in it, but take it +out." + +"Great Scott! You'd have me become a rolling stone again?" + +"No. I'll guarantee you a place where, if you don't gather moss, you'll +even write your_self_ down as long-eared." + +Harry's eyes brightened, and he straightened up, moving Jewel to one side, +the better to see his father. "Do you mean it?" he asked eagerly. + +The broker nodded. "Take your time to settle matters in Chicago," he said. +"If you show up here in September it will be early enough." + +The young man turned his eyes toward his wife and she met his smile with +another. Her heart was beating fast. This powerful man of whom, until this +morning, she had stood in awe, was going to put a stop to the old life and +lift their burdens. So much she perceived in a flash, and she knew it was +for the sake of the little child whose cheeks were glowing like roses as +she looked from one to another, taking in the happy promise involved in the +words of the two men. + +"Father, will you come back here?" she asked, breathing quickly. + +"I'd be mighty glad to, Jewel," he replied. + +The child leaned toward the broker, to whose hand she still clung. Starry +lights were dancing in her eyes. + +"Grandpa, are father and mother and I going to live with you--always?" she +asked rapturously. + +"Always--if you will, Jewel." + +He certainly had not intended to say it until autumn leaves were falling, +and he should have made certain that it was not putting his head into a +noose; but the child's face rewarded him now a thousand-fold, and made the +moment too sweet for regret. + +"Didn't we _know_ that Divine Love would take care of us, grandpa?" she +asked, with soft triumph. "We _did_ know it--even when I was crying, we +knew it. Didn't we?" + +The broker drank in her upturned glance and placed his other hand over the +one that was clinging to him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MRS. EVRINGHAM'S GIFTS + + +When Mrs. Evringham opened her eyes the following morning, it was with a +confused sense that some great change had taken place; and quickly came the +realization that it was a happy change. As the transforming facts flowed in +more clearly upon her consciousness, she covered her eyes quickly with her +hand. + +"'Green pastures are before me!'" she thought, and her heart grew warm with +gratitude. + +Her husband was asleep, and she arose and went softly to Jewel's chamber, +and carefully opened the door. To her amazement the bed was empty. Its +coverings were stripped down and the sweet morning breeze was flooding the +spacious room. + +She returned to her own, wondering how late it might be. Her husband +stirred and opened his eyes, but before she could speak a ripple of distant +laughter sounded on the air. + +She ran to the window and raised the shade. "Oh, come, Harry, quick!" she +exclaimed, and, half asleep, he obeyed. There, riding down the driveway, +they saw Mr. Evringham and Jewel starting off for their morning canter. + +"How dear they look, how dear!" exclaimed Julia. + +"Father is stunning, for a fact," remarked Harry, watching alertly. On +yesterday's excursion he had ridden Essex Maid, after all; and he smiled +with interest now, in the couple who were evidently talking to one another +with the utmost zest as they finally disappeared at a canter among the +trees. + +"It is ideal, it's perfectly ideal, Harry." Julia drew a long breath. "I +was so surprised this morning, to waken and find it reality, after all." +She looked with thoughtful eyes at her husband. "I wonder what my new work +will be!" she added. + +"Not talking about that already, I hope!" he answered, laughing. "I've an +idea you will find occupation enough for one while, in learning to be idle. +Sit still now and look about you on the work accomplished." + +"What work?" + +"That I'm here and that you're here: that the action of Truth has brought +these wonders about." + +After breakfast the farewells were said. "You're happy, aren't you, +father?" asked Jewel doubtfully, as she clung about his neck. + +"Never so happy, Jewel," he answered. + +She turned to her grandfather. "When is father coming back again?" she +asked. + +"As soon as he can," was the reply. + +"You don't want me until September, I believe," said the young man bluntly. +He still retained the consciousness, half amused, half hurt, that his +father considered him superfluous. + +"Why, September is almost next winter," said Jewel appealingly. + +Mr. Evringham looked his son full in the eyes and liked the direct way they +met him. + +"The latchstring will be out from now on, Harry I want you to feel that it +is your latchstring as much as mine." + +His son did not speak, but the way the two men suddenly clasped hands gave +Jewel a very comforted sensation. + +"And you don't feel a bit sorry to be going alone to Chicago?" she pursued, +again centring her attention and embrace upon her father. + +"I tell you I was never so happy in my life," he responded, kissing her and +setting her on her feet. "Are you going to allow me to drive to the station +in your place this morning?" + +"I'd let you do anything, father," returned Jewel affectionately. It +touched her little heart to see him go alone away from such a happy family +circle, but her mother's good cheer was reassuring. + +They had scarcely had a minute alone together since Mrs. Evringham's +arrival, and when the last wave had been sent toward the head leaning out +of the brougham window, mother and child went up the broad staircase +together, pausing before the tall clock whose chime had grown so familiar +to Jewel since that chilling day when Mrs. Forbes warned her not to touch +it. + +"Everything in this house is so fine, Jewel," said the mother. "It must +have seemed very strange to you at first." + +"It did. Anna Belle and I felt more at home out of doors, because you see +God owned the woods, and He didn't care if we broke something, and Mrs. +Forbes used to be so afraid; but it's all much different now," added the +child. + +They went on up to the room where stood the small trunk which was all Mrs. +Evringham had taken abroad for her personal belongings. + +To many children the moment of their mother's unpacking after a return from +a trip is fraught with pleasant and eager anticipation of gifts. In this +case it was different; for Jewel had no previous journey of her mother's to +remember, and her gifts had always been so small, with the shining +exception of Anna Belle, that she made no calculations now concerning the +steamer trunk, as she watched her mother take out its contents. + +Each step Mrs. Evringham took on the rich carpet, each glance she cast at +the park through the clear sheets of plate glass in the windows, each +smooth-running drawer, each undreamed-of convenience in the closet with its +electric light for dark days, impressed her afresh with a sense of +wondering pleasure. The lady of her name who had so recently dwelt among +these luxuries had accepted them fretfully, as no more than her due; the +long glass which now reflected Julia's radiant dark eyes lately gave back a +countenance impressed with lines of care and discontent. + +"Jewel, I feel like a queen here," said the happy woman softly. "I like +beautiful things very much, but I never had them before in my life. Come, +darling, we must read the lesson." She closed the lid of the trunk. + +"Yes, but wait till I get Anna Belle." The child ran into her own room and +brought the doll. Then she jumped into her mother's lap, for there was room +for all three in the big chair by the window. + +Some memory made the little girl lift her shoulders. "This was aunt Madge's +chair," she said. "She used to sit here in the prettiest lace wrapper--I +was never in this room before except two or three times,"--Jewel's awed +tone changed,--"but now my own mother lives here! and cousin Eloise would +love to know it and to know that I have her room. I mean to write her about +it." + +"You must take me upstairs pretty soon and let me see the chamber that was +yours. Oh, there is so much to see, Jewel; shall we ever get to the end?" +Mrs. Evringham's tone was joyous, as she hugged the child impulsively, and +rested her cheek on the flaxen head. "Darling," she went on softly, "think +what Divine Love has done for mother, to bring her here! I've worked very +hard, my little girl, and though Love helped me all the time, and I was +happy, I've had so much care, and almost never a day when I had leisure to +stop and think about something else than my work. I expected to go right +back to it now, with father, and I didn't worry, because God was leading +me--but, dearie, when I woke up this morning"--she paused, and as Jewel +lifted her head, mother and child gazed into one another's eyes--"I +said--you know what I said?" + +For answer the little girl smiled gladly and began to sing the familiar +hymn. Her mother joined an alto to the clear voice, in the manner that had +been theirs for years, and fervently, now, they sang the words:-- + + "Green pastures are before me, + Which yet I have not seen. + Bright skies will soon be o'er me, + Where darkest clouds have been. + My hope I cannot measure, + My path in life is free, + My Father has my treasure, + And He will walk with me!" + +Jewel looked joyous. + +"The green pastures were in Bel-Air Park, weren't they?" she said, "and you +hadn't seen them, had you?" + +"No," returned Mrs. Evringham gently, "and just now there is not a cloud in +our bright sky." + +"Father's gone away," returned Jewel doubtfully. + +"Only to get ready to come back. It is very wonderful, Jewel." + +"Yes, it is. I'm sure it makes God glad to see us so happy." + +"I'm sure it does; and the best of it is that father knows that it is love +alone that brought this happiness, just as it brings all the real happiness +that ever comes in the world. He sees that it is only what knowledge we +have of God that made it possible for him to come back to what ought to be +his, his father's welcome home! Father sees that it is a demonstration of +love, and that is more important than all; for anything that gives us a +stronger grasp on the truth, and more understanding of its working, is of +the greatest value to us." + +"Didn't grandpa love father before?" asked Jewel, in surprise. + +"Yes, but father disappointed him and error crept in between them, so it +was only when father began to understand the truth and ask God to help him, +that the discord could disappear. Isn't it beautiful that it has, Jewel?" + +"I don't think discord is much, mother," declared the little girl. + +"Of course it isn't," returned her mother. "It isn't anything." + +"When I first came, grandpa had so many things to make him sorry, and +everybody else here was sorry--and now nobody is. Even aunt Madge was happy +over the pretty clothes she had to go away with." + +"And she'll be happy over other things, some day," returned Mrs. Evringham, +who had already gathered a tolerably clear idea of her sister-in-law. +"Eloise has learned how to help her." + +"Oh, ye--es! _She_ isn't afraid of discord any more." + +"Now we'll study the lesson, darling. Think of having all the time we want +for it!" + +After they had finished, Mrs. Evringham leaned back in the big chair and +patted Jewel's knee. Opening the bag at her side she took out a small box +and gave it to the child, who opened it eagerly. A bright little garnet +ring reposed on the white velvet. + +"Oh, oh, _oh_!" cried Jewel, delighted. She put on the ring, which just +fitted, and then hugged her mother before she looked at it again. + +"Dear little Anna Belle, when you're a big girl"--she began, turning to the +doll, but Mrs. Evringham interrupted. + +"Wait a minute, Jewel, here is Anna Belle's." + +She took out another box and, ah, what a charming necklace appeared, +brilliant with gems which outshone completely the three little garnets. +Jewel jumped for joy when she had clasped it about the round neck. + +"Oh, mother, mother!" she exclaimed, patting her mother's cheek, "you kept +thinking about us every day, didn't you! Kiss your grandma, dearie," which +the proud and happy Anna Belle did with a fervor that threatened to damage +Mrs. Evringham's front teeth. + +"I brought you something else, Jewel," said the mother, with her arms +around the child. "I did think of you every day, and on the ship going +over, it was pretty hard, because I had never been away from my little girl +and I didn't know just what she was doing, and I didn't even know the +people she was with; so, partly to keep my thoughts from error, I began +to--to make something for you." + +"Oh, what was it?" asked Jewel eagerly. + +"I didn't finish it going over, and I had no time to do so until we were on +the steamer coming home again. Then I was lighter hearted and happier, +because I knew my little darling had found green pastures, but--I finished +it. I don't know how much you will care for it." + +Jewel questioned the dark eyes and smiling lips eagerly. + +"What is it, mother; a bag for my skates?" + +"No." + +"A--a handkerchief?" + +"No." + +"Oh, tell me, mother, I can't wait." + +Mrs. Evringham put the little girl down from her lap and going to the trunk +took from it the only article it still contained. It was a long, flat book +with pasteboard covers tied at the back with little ribbons. As she again +took her seat in the big chair, Jewel leaned against its arm. + +"It's a scrap-book full of pictures," she said, with interest. + +For answer her mother turned the cover toward her so she could read the +words lettered distinctly upon it. + +JEWEL'S STORY BOOK + +Then Mrs. Evringham ran her finger along the edges of the volume and let +the type-written pages flutter before its owner's delighted eyes. + +"You've made me some stories, mother!" cried Jewel. One of the great +pleasures and treats of her life had been those rare half hours when her +busy mother had time to tell her a story. + +Her eyes danced with delight. "Oh, you're the _kindest_ mother!" she went +on, "and you'll have time to read them to me now! Anna Belle, won't it be +the most _fun_? Oh, mother, we'll go to the ravine to read, won't we?" + +Mrs. Evringham's cheeks flushed and she laughed at the child's joy. "I hope +they won't disappoint you," she said. + +"But you wrote them out of love. How can they?" returned the little girl +quickly. + +"That's so, Jewel; that's so, dear." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE QUEST FLOWER + + +The garden in the ravine had been put into fine order to exhibit to Jewel's +father and mother. Fresh ferns had been planted around the still pond where +Anna Belle's china dolls went swimming, and fresh moss banks had been +constructed for their repose. The brook was beginning to lose the +impetuosity of spring and now gurgled more quietly between its verdant +banks. It delighted Jewel that the place held as much charm for her mother +as for herself, and that she listened with as hushed pleasure to the songs +of birds in the treetops too high to be disturbed by the presence of +dwellers on the ground. It was an ideal spot wherein to read aloud, and the +early hours of that sunshiny afternoon found the three seated there by the +brookside ready to begin the Story Book. + +"Now I'll read the titles and you shall choose what one we will take +first," said Mrs. Evringham. + +Jewel's attention was as unwinking as Anna Belle's, as she listened to the +names. + +"Anna Belle ought to have first choice because she's the youngest. Then +I'll have next, and you next. Anna Belle chooses The Quest Flower; because +she loves flowers so and she can't imagine what that means." + +"Very well," returned Mrs. Evringham, smiling and settling herself more +comfortably against a tree trunk. "The little girl in this story loved +them too;" and so saying, Jewel's mother began to read aloud:-- + + +THE QUEST FLOWER + +Hazel Wright learned to love her uncle Dick Badger very much during a visit +he made at her mother's home in Boston. She became well acquainted with +him. He was always kind to her in his quiet way, and always had time to +take her on his knee and listen to whatever she had to tell about her +school or her plays, and even took an interest in her doll, Ella. Mrs. +Wright used to laugh and tell her brother that he was a wonderful old +bachelor, and could give lessons to many a husband and father; upon which +uncle Dick responded that he had always been fond of assuming a virtue if +he had it not; and Hazel wondered if "assuming-a-virtue" were a little +girl. At any rate, she loved uncle Dick and wished he would live with them +always; so it will be seen that when it was suddenly decided that Hazel was +to go home with him to the town where he lived, she was delighted. + +"Father and I are called away on business, Hazel," her mother said to her +one day, "and we have been wondering what to do with you. Uncle Dick says +he'll take you home with him if you would like to go." + +"Oh, yes, I would," replied the little girl; for it was vacation and she +wanted an outing. "Uncle Dick has a big yard, and Ella and I can have fun +there." + +"I'm sure you can. Uncle Dick's housekeeper, Hannah, is a kind soul, and +she knew me when I was as little as you are, and will take good care of +you." + +The evening before Hazel and her uncle were to leave, Mrs. Wright spoke to +her brother in private. + +"It seems too bad not to be able to write aunt Hazel that her namesake is +coming," she said. "Is she as bitter as ever?" + +"Oh, yes. No change." + +"Just think of it!" exclaimed Mrs. Wright. "She lives within a stone's +throw of you, and yet can remain unforgiving so many years. Let me see--it +is eight; for Hazel is ten years old, and I know she was two when the +trouble about the property camp up; but you did right, Dick, and some time +aunt Hazel must know it." + +"Oh, I think she has lucid intervals when she knows it now," returned Mr. +Badger; "but her pride won't let her admit it. If it amuses her, it doesn't +hurt me for her to pass me on the street without a word or a look. When a +thing like that has run along for years, it isn't easy to make any change." + +"Oh, but it is so unchristian, so wrong," returned his sister. "If you only +had a loving enough feeling, Dick, it seems as if you might take her by +storm." + +Mr. Badger smiled at some memory. "I tried once. She did the storming." He +shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a man of peace. I decided to let her alone." + +Mrs. Wright shook her head. "Well, I haven't told Hazel anything about it. +She knows she is named for my aunt; but she doesn't know where aunt Hazel +lives, and I wish you would warn Hannah not to tell the child anything +about her or the affair. You know we lay a great deal of stress on not +voicing discord of my kind." + +"Yes, I know," Mr. Badger smiled and nodded. 'Your methods seem to have +turned out a mighty nice little girl, and it's been a wonder to me ever +since I came, to see you going about, such a different creature from what +you used to be." + +"Yes, I'm well and happy," returned Mrs. Wright, "and I long to have this +trouble between you and aunt Hazel at an end. I suppose Hazel isn't likely +to come in contact with her at all." + +"No, indeed; no more than if aunt Hazel lived in Kamschatka. She does, if +it's cold enough there." + +"Dear woman. She ignored the last two letters I wrote her, I suppose +because I sided with you." + +"Oh, certainly, that would be an unpardonable offense. Hannah tells me she +has a crippled child visiting her now, the daughter of some friends. Hannah +persists in keeping an eye on aunt Hazel's affairs, and telling me about +them. Hannah will be pleased to have little Hazel to make a pet of for a +few weeks." + +He was right. The housekeeper was charmed. She did everything to make Hazel +feel at home in her uncle's house, and discovering that the little girl had +a passion for flowers, let her make a garden bed of her own. Hazel went +with her uncle to buy plants for this, and she had great fun taking +geraniums and pansies out of their pots and planting them in the soft brown +earth of the round garden plot; and every day blue-eyed Ella, her doll, sat +by and watched Hazel pick out every little green weed that had put its head +up in the night. + +"You're only grass, dearie," she would say to one as she uprooted it, "and +grass is all right most everywhere; but this is a garden, so run away." + +Not very far down the street was a real garden, though, that gave Hazel +such joy to look at that she carried Ella there every day when it didn't +rain, and would have gone every day when it did, only Hannah wouldn't let +her. + +The owner of the garden, Miss Fletcher, at the window where she sat sewing, +began to notice the little stranger at last; for the child stood outside +the fence with her doll, and gazed and gazed so long each time, that the +lady began to regard her with suspicion. + +"That young one is after my flowers, I'm afraid, Flossie," she said one day +to the pale little girl in the wheeled chair that stood near another window +looking on the street. + +"I've noticed her ever so many times," returned Flossie listlessly. "I +never saw her until this week, and she's always alone." + +"Well, I won't have her climbing on my fence!" exclaimed Miss Fletcher, +half laying down her work and watching Hazel's movements sharply through +her spectacles. "There, she's grabbing hold of a picket now!" she exclaimed +suddenly. "I'll see to her in quick order." + +She jumped up and hurried out of the room, and Flossie's tired eyes watched +her spare figure as she marched down the garden path. She didn't care if +Miss Fletcher did send the strange child away. What difference could it +make to a girl who had the whole world to walk around in, and who could +take her doll and go and play in some other pleasant place? + +As Hazel saw Miss Fletcher coming, she gazed at the unsmiling face looking +out from hair drawn back in a tight knot; and Miss Fletcher, on her part, +saw such winning eagerness in the smile that met her, that she modified the +sharp reproof ready to spring forth. + +"Get down off the fence, little girl," she said. "You oughtn't ever to hang +by the pickets; you'll break one if you do." + +"Oh, yes," returned Hazel, getting down quickly. "I didn't think of that. I +wanted so much to see if that lily-bud had opened, that looked as if it was +going to, yesterday; and it has." + +"Which one?" asked Miss Fletcher, looking around. + +"Right there behind that second rosebush," replied Hazel, holding Ella +tight with one arm while she pointed eagerly. + +"Oh, yes." Miss Fletcher went over to the plant. + +"I think it is the loveliest of all," went on the little girl. "It makes me +think of the quest flower." + +"What's that?" Miss Fletcher looked at the strange child curiously. "I +never heard of it." + +"It's the perfect flower," returned Hazel. + +"Where did you ever see it?" + +"I never did, but I read about it." + +"Where is it to be bought?" Miss Fletcher was really interested now, +because flowers were her hobby. + +"In the story it says at the Public Garden; but I've been to the Public +Garden in Boston, and I never saw any I thought were as beautiful as +yours." + +Hazel was not trying to win Miss Fletcher's heart, but she had found the +road to it. + +The care-lined face regarded her more closely than ever. "I don't remember +you. I thought I knew all the children around here." + +"No 'm. I'm a visitor. I live in Boston; and we have a flat and of course +there isn't any yard, and I think your garden is perfectly beautiful. I +come to see it every day, and it's fun to stand out here and count the +smells." + +Miss Fletcher's face broke into a smile. It did really seem as if it +cracked, because her lips had been set in such a tight line. "It ain't very +often children like flowers unless they can pick them," she replied. "I +can't sleep nights sometimes, wishing my garden wasn't so near the fence." + +The little girl smiled and pointed to a climbing rose that had strayed from +its trellis, and one pink flower that was poking its pretty little face +between the pickets. "See that one," she said. "I think it wanted to look +up and down the street, don't you?" + +"And you didn't gather it," returned Miss Fletcher, looking at Hazel +approvingly. "Well, now, for anybody fond of flowers as you are, I think +that was real heroic." + +"She belongs to nice folks," she decided mentally. + +"Oh, it was a tame flower," returned the child, "and that would have been +error. If it had been a wild one I would have picked it." + +"Error, eh?" returned Miss Fletcher, and again her thin lips parted in a +smile. "Well, I wish everybody felt that way." + +"Uncle Dick lets me have a garden," said Hazel. "He let me buy geraniums +and pansies and lemon verbena--I love that, don't you?" + +"Yes. I've got a big plant of it back here. Wouldn't you like to come in +and see it?" + +"Oh, thank you," returned Hazel, her gray eyes sparkling; and Miss +Fletcher felt quite a glow of pleasure in seeing the happiness she was +conferring by the invitation. Most of her friends took her garden as a +matter of course; and smiled patronizingly at her devotion to it. + +In a minute the little girl had run to the gate in the white fence, and, +entering, joined the mistress of the house, who stood beside the +flourishing plants blooming in all their summer loveliness. + +For the next fifteen minutes neither of the two knew that time was flying. +They talked and compared and smelled of this blossom and that, their unity +of interest making their acquaintance grow at lightning speed. Miss +Fletcher was more pleased than she had been for many a day, and as for +Hazel, when her hostess went down on her knees beside a verbena bed and +began taking steel hairpins from her tightly knotted hair, to pin down the +luxuriant plants that they might go on rooting and spread farther, the +little girl felt that the climax of interest was reached. + +"I'm going to ask uncle Dick," she said admiringly, "if I can't have some +verbenas and a paper of hairpins." + +"Dear me," returned Miss Fletcher, "I wish poor Flossie took as much +interest in the garden as you do." + +"'Flossie' sounds like a kitten, returned Hazel. + +"She's a little human kitten: a poor little afflicted girl who is making me +a visit. You can see her sitting up there in the house, by the window." + +Hazel looked up and caught a glimpse of a pale face. Her eyes expressed +her wonder. "Who afflicted her?" she asked softly. + +"Her Heavenly Father, for some wise purpose," was the response. + +"Oh, it couldn't have been that!" returned the child, shocked. "You know +God is Love." + +"Yes, I know," replied Miss Fletcher, turning to her visitor in surprise at +so decided an answer from such a source; "but it isn't for us to question +what His love is. It's very different from our poor mortal ideas. There's +something the matter with poor Flossie's back, and she can't walk. The +doctors say it's nervous and perhaps she'll outgrow it; but I think she +gets worse all the time." + +Hazel watched the speaker with eyes full of trouble and perplexity. "Dear +me," she replied, "if you think God made her get that way, who do you think +'s going to cure her?" + +"Nobody, it seems. Her people have spent more than they can afford, trying +and trying. They've made themselves poor, but nobody's helped her so far." + +Hazel's eyes swept over the roses and lilies and then back to Miss +Fletcher's face. The lady was regarding her curiously. She saw that +thoughts were hurrying through the mind of the little girl standing there +with her doll in her arms. + +"You look as if you wanted to say something," she said at last. + +"I don't want to be impolite," returned Hazel, hesitating. + +"Well," returned Miss Fletcher dryly, "if you knew the amount of +impoliteness that has been given to me in my time, you wouldn't hesitate +about adding a little more. Speak out and tell me what you are thinking." + +"I was thinking how wonderful and how nice it is that flowers will grow for +everybody," said Hazel, half reluctantly. + +"How's that?" demanded her new friend, in fresh surprise. "Have you decided +I don't deserve them?" + +"Oh, you deserve them, of course," replied the child quickly; "but when you +have such thoughts about God, it's a wonder His flowers can grow so +beautifully in your yard." + +Miss Fletcher felt a warmth come into her cheeks. + +"Well," she returned rather sharply, "I should like to know what sort of +teaching you've had. You're a big enough girl to know that it's a +Christian's business to be resigned to the will of God. You don't happen to +have seen many, sick folks, I guess--what is your name?" + +"Hazel." + +"Why, that's queer, so is mine; and it isn't a common one." + +"Isn't that nice!" returned the child. "We're both named Hazel and we both +love flowers so much." + +"Yes; that's quite a coincidence. Now, why shouldn't flowers grow for me, I +should like to know?" + +"Why, you think God afflicted that little girl's back, and didn't let her +walk. Why, Miss Fletcher," the child's voice grew more earnest, "He +wouldn't do it any more than I'd kneel down and break the stem of that +lovely quest flower and let it hang there and wither." + +Miss Fletcher pushed up her spectacles and gazed down into the clear gray +eyes. + +"Does Flossie think He would?" added Hazel with soft amazement. + +"I suppose she does." + +"Then does she say her prayers just the same?" + +"Of course she does." + +"What a kind girl she must be!" exclaimed Hazel earnestly. + +"Why do you say that?" + +"Because _I_ wouldn't pray to anybody that I believed kept me afflicted." + +Miss Fletcher started back. "Why, child!" she exclaimed, "I should think +you'd expect a thunderbolt. Where do your folks go to church, for pity's +sake?" + +"To the Christian Science church." + +"Oh--h, that's what's the matter with you! Some of Flossie's relatives have +heard about that, and they've been teasing her mother to try it. I'm sure +I'd try anything that wasn't blasphemous." + +"What is blasphemous?" + +"Why--why--anything that isn't respectful to God is blasphemous." + +"Oh!" returned Hazel. Then she added softly, "I should think you were that, +now." + +"What!" and Miss Fletcher seemed to tower above her visitor in her +amazement. + +"Oh--please excuse me. I didn't mean to be impolite; but if you'll just +_try_, you'll find out what a mistake you and Flossie have been making, and +that God _wants_ to heal her." + +The two looked at one another for a silent half-minute, the little girl's +heart beating faster under the grim gaze. + +"You might come and see her some day," suggested Miss Fletcher, at last. +"She has a dull time of it, poor child. I've asked the children to come in, +and they've all been very kind, but it's vacation, and a good many that I +know have gone away." + +"I will," replied Hazel. "Doesn't she like to come out here where the +flowers are?" + +"Yes; it's been a little too cloudy and threatening to-day, but if it's +clear to-morrow I'll wheel her out under the elm-tree, and she'd like a +visit from you. Are you staying far from here?" + +"No, uncle Dick's is right on this street." + +"What's his last name?" + +"Mr. Badger," replied Hazel, and she didn't notice the sudden stiffening +that went through Miss Fletcher. + +"What is your last name?" asked the lady, in a changed voice. + +"Wright." + +This time any one who had eyes for something beside the flowers might have +seen Miss Fletcher start. Color flew into her thin cheeks, and the eyes +that stared at Hazel's straw tam-o'-shanter grew dim. This was dear Mabel +Badger's child; her little namesake, her own flesh and blood. + +Her jaw felt rigid as she asked the next question. "Have you ever spoken to +your uncle Dick about my garden?" + +"Yes, indeed. That's why he let me make one; and every night he asks, +'Well, how's Miss Fletcher's garden to-day,' and I tell him all about it" + +"And didn't he ever say anything to you about me?" + +"Why, no;" the child looked up wonderingly. "He doesn't know you, does he?" + +"We used to know one another," returned Miss Fletcher stiffly. + +Richard had certainly behaved very decently in this particular instance. At +least he had told no lies. + +"Hazel is such an unusual name," she went on, after a minute. "Who were you +named for?" + +"My mother's favorite aunt," returned the child. + +"Where does she live?" + +"I don't know," replied Hazel vaguely. "My mother was talking to me about +her the evening before uncle Dick and I left Boston. She told me how much +she loved aunt Hazel; but that error had crept in, and they couldn't see +each other just now, but that God would bring it all right some day. I have +a lovely silver spoon she gave me when I was a baby." + +Miss Fletcher stooped to her border and cut a bunch of mignonette with the +scissors that hung from her belt. "Here's something for you to smell of as +you walk home," she said, and Hazel saw her new friend's hand tremble as +she held out the flowers. "Do you ever kiss strangers?" added the hostess +as she rose to her feet. + +Hazel held up her face and took hold of Miss Fletcher's arm as she kissed +her. "I think you've been so kind to me," she said warmly. "I've had the +best time!" + +"Well, pick the climbing rose as you pass," returned Miss Fletcher. "It +seems to want to see the world. Let it go along with you; and don't forget +to come to-morrow. I hope it will be pleasant." + +She stood still, the warm breeze ruffling the thin locks about her +forehead, and watched the little girl trip along the walk. The child looked +back and smiled as she stopped to pick the pink rose, and when she threw a +kiss to Miss Fletcher, that lady found herself responding. + +She went into the house with a flush remaining in her cheeks. + +"How long you stayed, aunt Hazel," said the little invalid fretfully as she +entered. + +"I expect I did," returned Miss Fletcher, and there was a new life in her +tone that Flossie noticed. + +"Who is that girl?" + +"Her name is Hazel Wright, and she is living at the Badgers'. She's as +crazy about flowers as I am, so we had a lot to say. She gave me a lecture +on religion, too;" an excited little laugh escaped between the speaker's +lips. "She's a very unusual child; and she certainly has a look of the +Fletchers." + +"What? I thought you said her name was Wright." + +"It is! My tongue slipped. She's coming to see you to-morrow, Flossie. We +must fix up your doll. I'll wash and iron her pink dress this very +afternoon; for Hazel has a beauty doll, herself. I think you'll like that +little girl." + +That evening when uncle Dick and Hazel were at their supper, Mr. Badger +questioned her as usual about her day. + +"I've had the most _fun_," she replied. "I've been to see Miss Fletcher, +and she took me into her garden, and we smelled of all the flowers, and +had the loveliest time!" + +Hannah was standing behind the little girl's chair, and her eyes spoke +volumes as she nodded significantly at her employer. + +"Yes, sir, she told Miss Fletcher where she was visiting, and she gave her +a bunch of mignonette and a rose to bring home." + +"Yes," agreed Hazel, "they're in a vase in the parlor now, and she asked me +to come to-morrow to see an afflicted girl that's living with her. You +know, uncle Dick," Hazel lifted her eyes to him earnestly, "you know how it +says everywhere in the Bible that anybody that's afflicted goes to God and +He heals them; and what do you think! Miss Fletcher and that little Flossie +girl both believe God afflicted her and fixed her back so she can't walk!" + +Mr. Badger smiled as he met the wondering eyes. "That isn't Christian +Science, is it?" he returned. + +"I'd rather never have a garden even like Miss Fletcher's than to think +that," declared Hazel, as she went on with her supper. "I feel so sorry for +them!" + +"So you're going over to-morrow," said Mr. Badger. "What are you going to +do; treat the little invalid?" + +"Why, no indeed, not unless she asks me to." + +"Why not?" + +"Because it would be error; it's the worst kind of impoliteness to treat +anybody that doesn't ask you to; but I've got to know every minute that her +belief is a lie, and that God doesn't know anything about it." + +"I thought God knew everything," said Mr. Badger, regarding the child +curiously. + +"He does, of course, everything that's going to last forever and ever: +everything that's beautiful and good and strong. Whatever God thinks about +has _got_ to last." The child lifted her shoulders. "I'm glad He doesn't +think about mistakes,--sickness, and everything like that, aren't you?" + +"I don't want sickness to last forever, I'm sure" returned Mr. Badger. + +The following day was clear and bright, and early in the afternoon Hazel, +dressed in a clean gingham frock, took her doll and walked up the street to +Miss Fletcher's. + +The wheeled chair was already out under the elm-tree, and Flossie was +watching for her guest. Miss Fletcher was sitting near her, sewing, and +waiting with concealed impatience for the appearance of the bright face +under the straw tam-o'-shanter. + +As soon as Hazel reached the corner of the fence and saw them there, she +began to run, her eyes fixed eagerly on the white figure in the wheeled +chair. The blue eyes that looked so tired regarded her curiously as she ran +up the garden path and across the grass to the large, shady tree. + +Hazel had never been close to a sick person, and something in Flossie's +appearance and the whiteness of her thin hands that clasped the doll in the +gay pink dress brought a lump into the well child's throat and made her +heart beat. + +"Dear Father, I want to help her!" she said under her breath, and Miss +Fletcher noticed that she had no eyes for her, and saw the wondering pity +in her face as she came straight up to the invalid's chair. + +"Flossie Wallace, this is Hazel Wright," she said, and Flossie smiled a +little under the love that leaped from Hazel's eyes into hers. + +"I'm glad you brought your doll," said Flossie. + +"Ella goes everywhere I do," returned Hazel. "What's your doll's name?" + +"Bernice; I think Bernice is a beautiful name," said Flossie. + +"So do I," returned Hazel. Then the two children were silent a minute, +looking at one another, uncertain how to go on. + +Hazel was the first to speak. "Isn't it lovely to live with this garden?" +she asked. + +"Yes, aunt Hazel has nice flowers." + +"I have an aunt Hazel, too," said the little visitor. + +"Miss Fletcher isn't my real aunt, but I call her that," remarked Flossie. + +"And _you_ might do it, too," suggested Miss Fletcher, looking at Hazel, to +whom her heart warmed more and more in spite of the astonishing charges of +the day before. + +"Do you think I could call you aunt Hazel?" asked the child, rather shyly. + +"For the sake of being cousin to my garden, you might. Don't you think so?" + +"How is the quest flower to-day?" asked Hazel. + +"Which? Oh, you mean the garden lily. There's another bud." + +"Oh, may I look at it?" cried Hazel, "and wouldn't you like to come too?" +turning to Flossie. "Can't I roll your chair?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Miss Fletcher, pleased. "It rolls very easily. Give +Flossie your doll, too, and we'll all go and see the lily bud." + +Hazel obeyed, and carefully pushing the light chair, they moved slowly +toward the spot where the white chalices of the garden lilies poured forth +their incense. + +"Miss Fletcher," cried Hazel excitedly, dropping on her knees beside the +bed, "that is going to be the most beautiful of all. When it is perfectly +open the plant will be ready to take to the king." The little girl lifted +her shoulders and looked up at her hostess, smiling. + +"What king is going to get my lily?" + +"The one who will send you on your quest." + +"What am I to go in quest of?" inquired Miss Fletcher, much entertained. + +"I don't know;" Hazel shook her head. "Every one's errand is different." + +"What is a quest?" asked Flossie. + +"You tell her, Hazel." + +"Why, mother says it's a search for some treasure." + +"You must tell us this story about the quest flower some day," said Miss +Fletcher. + +"I have the story of it here," returned Hazel eagerly. "I've read it over +and over again because I love it, and so mother put it in my trunk with my +Christian Science books. I can bring it over and read it to you, if you +want me to. You'd like it, I know, Miss Fletcher." + +"Aunt Hazel told me you were a Christian Scientist," said Flossie. "I never +saw one before, but people have talked to mother about it." + +"I could bring _those_ books over, too," replied Hazel wistfully, "and we +could read the lesson every day, and perhaps it would make you feel +better." + +"I don't know what it's about," said Flossie. + +"It's about making sick people well and sinful people good." + +"I'm sinful, too, part of the time," answered Flossie. "Sometimes I don't +like to live, and I wish I didn't have to, and everybody says that's +sinful." + +Sudden tears started to Miss Fletcher's eyes, and as the little girls were +looking at one another absorbedly, Hazel standing close to the wheeled +chair, she stole away, unobserved, to the house. + +"She ought to be cured," she said to herself excitedly. "She ought to be +cured. There's that one more chance, anyway. I've got to where I'm ready to +let the babes and sucklings have a try!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE QUEST FLOWER (_Continued_) + + +The next morning was rainy, and Jewel and her grandfather visited the +stable instead of taking their canter. + +"And what will you do this dismal day?" asked the broker of his +daughter-in-law as they stood alone for a minute after breakfast, Jewel +having run upstairs to get Anna Belle for the drive to the station. + +"This happy day," she answered, lifting to him the radiant face that he was +always mentally contrasting with Madge. "The rain will give me a chance to +look at the many treasures you have here, books and pictures." + +"H'm. You are musical, I know, for Jewel has the voice of a lark. Do you +play the piano?" + +Julia looked wistfully at the Steinway grand. "Ah, if I only could!" she +returned. + +Mr. Evringham cleared his throat. "Madam," he said, lowering his voice, +"that child has a most amazing talent." + +"Jewel's voice, do you mean?" + +"She'll sing, I'm sure of it," he replied, "but I mean for music in +general. Eloise is an accomplished pianist. She has one piece that Jewel +especially enjoyed, the old Spring Song of Mendelssohn. Probably you know +it." + +Julia shook her head. "I doubt it. I've heard very little good piano +playing." + +"Well, madam, that child has picked out the melody of that piece by +herself," the broker lowered his voice to still deeper impressiveness. "As +soon as we return in the autumn, we will have her begin lessons." + +Julia's eyes met his gratefully. + +"A very remarkable talent. I am positive of it," he went on. "Jewel," for +here the child entered the room, "play the Spring Song for your mother, +will you?" + +"Now? Zeke is out there, grandpa." + +"Dick can stretch his legs a bit faster this morning. Play it." + +So Jewel set Anna Belle on a brocaded chair and going to the piano, played +the melody of the Spring Song. She could perform only a few measures, but +there were no false notes in the little chromatic passages, and her +grandfather's eyes sought Julia's in grave triumph. + +"A very marvelous gift," he managed to say to her again under his breath, +as Jewel at last ran ahead of him out to the porte cochère. + +Julia's eyes grew dreamy as she watched the brougham drive off. How +different was to be the future of her little girl from anything she had +planned in her rosiest moments of hopefulness. + +The more she saw of Mr. Evringham's absorbed attachment to the child, the +more grateful she was for the manner in which he had guarded Jewel's +simplicity, the self-restraint with which he had abstained from loading her +with knickknacks or fine clothes. The child was not merely a pet with him. +She was an individual, a character whose development he respected. + +"God keep her good!" prayed the mother. + +It was a charming place to continue the story, there in the large chintz +chair by Mrs. Evringham's window. The raindrops pattered against the clear +glass, the lawn grew greener, and the great trees beyond the gateway held +their leaves up to the bath. + +"Anna Belle's pond will overflow, I think," said Jewel, looking out the +window musingly. + +"And how good for the ferns," remarked her mother. + +"Yes, I'd like to be there, now," said the child. + +"Oh, I think it's much cosier here. I love to hear the rain, too, don't +you?" + +"Yes, I do, and we'll have the story now, won't we, mother?" + +At this moment there was a knock at the door and Zeke appeared with an +armful of birch wood. + +"Mr. Evringham said it might be a little damp up here and I was to lay a +fire." + +"Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Jewel. "Mother, wouldn't you like to have a fire +while we read?" + +Mrs. Evringham assented and Zeke laid the sticks on the andirons and let +Jewel touch the lighted match to the little twigs. + +"I have the loveliest book, Zeke," she said, when the flames leaped up. "My +mother made it for me, and you shall read it if you want to." + +"Yes, if Zeke wants to," put in Mrs. Evringham, smiling, "but you'd better +find out first if he does. This book was written for little girls with +short braids." + +"Oh, Zeke and I like a great many of the same things," responded Jewel +earnestly. + +"That's so, little kid," replied the young coachman, "and as long as you're +going to stay here, I'll read anything you say." + +"You see," explained Jewel, when he had gone out and closed the door +softly, "Zeke said it made his nose tingle every time he thought of anybody +else braiding Star's tail, so he's just as glad as anything that we're not +going away." + +The birch logs snapped merrily, and Anna Belle sat in Jewel's lap watching +the leaping flame, while Mrs. Evringham leaned back in her easy chair. The +reading had been interrupted yesterday by the arrival of the hour when Mrs. +Evringham had engaged to take a drive with her father-in-law. Jewel +accompanied them, riding Star, and it was great entertainment to her mother +to watch the child's good management of the pretty pony who showed by many +shakes of the head and other antics that it had not been explained to his +satisfaction why Essex Maid was left out of this good time. + +Jewel turned to her mother. "We're all ready now, aren't we? Do go on with +the story. I told grandpa about it, driving to the station this morning, +and what do you suppose he asked me?" The child drew in her chin. "He asked +me if I thought Flossie was going to get well!" + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Well, we'll see," she replied, opening the +story-book. "Where were we?" + +"Miss Fletcher had just gone into the house and Flossie had just said she +was sinful. She wasn't to blame a bit!" + +"Oh, yes, here it is," said Mrs. Evringham, and she began to read:-- + + * * * * * + +As Hazel met Flossie's look, her heart swelled and she wished her mother +were here to take care of this little girl who had fallen into such a sad +mistake. + +"I wish I knew how to tell you better, Flossie, about God being Love," she +said; "but He is, and He didn't send you your trouble." + +"Perhaps He didn't send it," returned Flossie, "but He thinks it's good for +me to have it or else He'd let the doctors cure me. I've had the kindest +doctors you ever heard of, and they know everything about people's backs." + +"But God will cure you, Himself," said Hazel earnestly. + +A strange smile flitted over the sick child's lips. "Oh, no, He won't. I +asked Him every night for a year, and over and over all day; but I never +ask Him now." + +"Oh, Flossie, I know what's the truth, but I don't know how to tell about +it very well; but everything about you that seems not to be the image and +likeness of God is a lie; and He doesn't see lies, and so He doesn't know +these mistakes you're thinking; but He _does_ know the strong, well girl +you really are, and He'll help _you_ to know it, too, when you begin to +think right." + +The sincerity and earnestness in her visitor's tone brought a gleam of +interest into Flossie's eyes. + +"Just think of being well and running around here with me, and think that +God wants you to!" + +"Oh, do you believe He does?" returned Flossie doubtfully. "Mother says it +will do my soul good for me to be sick, if I can't get well." + +Hazel shook her head violently. "You know when Jesus was on earth? Well, he +never told anybody it was better for them to be sick. He healed everybody, +_everybody_ that asked him, and he came to do the will of his Father; so +God's will doesn't change, and it's just the same now." + +There was a faint color in Flossie's cheeks. "If I was sure God wanted me +to get well, why then I'd know I would some time." + +"Of course He does; but you didn't know how to ask Him right." + +"Do _you_?" asked Flossie. + +Hazel nodded. "Yes; not so well as mother, but I do know a little, and if +you want me to, I'll ask Him for you." + +"Well, of course I do," returned Flossie, regarding her visitor with grave, +wondering eyes. + +In a minute Miss Fletcher, watching the children through a window, beheld +something that puzzled her. She saw Hazel roll Flossie's chair back under +the elm-tree, and saw her sit down on the grass beside it and cover her +eyes with both hands. + +"What game are they playing?" she asked herself; and she smiled, well +pleased by the friendship that had begun. "I wish health was catching," she +sighed. "Little Hazel's a picture. I wonder how long it'll be before she +finds out who I am. I wonder what Richard's idea is in not telling her." + +She moved about the house a few minutes, and then returned, curiously, to +the window. To her surprise matters were exactly as she saw them last. +Flossie was, holding both dolls in the wheeled chair, and Hazel was sitting +under the tree, her hands over her eyes. + +A wave of amazement and amusement swept over Miss Fletcher, and she struck +her hands together noiselessly. "I _do_ believe in my heart," she +exclaimed, "that Hazel Wright is giving Flossie one of those absent +treatments they tell about! Well, if I ever in all my born days!" + +There was no more work for Miss Fletcher after this, but a restless moving +about the room until she saw Hazel bound up from the ground. Then she +hurried out of the house and walked over to the tree. Hazel skipped to meet +her, her face all alight. "Oh, Miss Fletcher, Flossie wants to be healed by +Christian Science. If my mother was only here she could turn to all the +places in the Bible where it tells about God being Love and healing +sickness." + +Miss Fletcher noted the new expression in the invalid's usually listless +face, and the new light in her eyes. + +"I'll take my Bible," she answered, "and a concordance. I'll bring them +right now. You children go on playing and I'll find all the references I +can, and Flossie and I will read them after you've gone." + +Miss Fletcher brought her books out under the tree, and with pencil and +paper made her notes while the children played with their dolls. + +"Let's have them both your children, Flossie," said Hazel. + +"Oh, yes," replied Flossie, "and they'll both be sick, and you be the +doctor and come and feel their pulses. Aunt Hazel has my doll's little +medicine bottles in the house. She'll tell you where they are." + +Hazel paused. "Let's not play that," she returned, "because--it isn't fun +to be sick and--you're going to be all done with sickness." + +"All right," returned Flossie; but it had been her principal play with her +doll, Bernice, who had recovered from such a catalogue of ills that it +reflected great credit on her medical man. + +"I'll be the maid," said Hazel, "and you give me the directions and I'll +take the children to drive and to dancing-school and everywhere you tell +me." + +"And when they're naughty," returned Flossie, "you bring them to me to +spank, because I can't let my servants punish my children." + +Hazel paused again. "Let's play you're a Christian Scientist," she said, +"and you have a Christian Science maid, then there won't be any spanking; +because if error creeps in, you'll know how to handle it in mind." + +"Oh!" returned Flossie blankly. + +But Hazel was fertile in ideas, and the play proceeded with spirit, owing +to the lightning speed with which the maid changed to a coachman, and +thence to a market-man or a gardener, according to the demands of the +situation. + +Miss Fletcher, her spectacles well down on her nose, industriously searched +out her references and made record of them, her eyes roving often to the +white face that was fuller of interest than she had ever seen it. + +When four o'clock came, she went back to the house and returned with +Flossie's lap table, which she leaned against the tree trunk. This +afternoon lunch for the invalid was always accomplished with much coaxing +on Miss Fletcher's part, and great reluctance on Flossie's. The little girl +took no notice now of what was coming. She was too much engrossed in +Hazel's efforts to induce Miss Fletcher's maltese cat to allow Bernice to +take a ride on his back. + +But when the hostess returned from the house the second time, Hazel gave +an exclamation. Miss Fletcher was carrying a tray, and upon it was laid out +a large doll's tea-set. It was of white china with gold bands, and when +Flossie saw Hazel's admiration, she exclaimed too. + +"This was my tea-set when I was a little girl," said Miss Fletcher, "and I +was always very choice of it. Twenty years ago I had a niece your age, +Hazel, who used to think it was the best fun in the world to come to aunt +Hazel's and have lunch off her doll's tea-set. I used to tell her I was +going to give it to _her_ little girl if she ever had one." + +Both children exclaimed admiringly over the quaint shape of the bowl and +pitchers, as Miss Fletcher deposited the tray on her sewing-table. + +"When I was a child we didn't smash up handsome toys the way children do +nowadays. They weren't so easy to get." + +"And didn't your niece ever have a little girl?" asked Flossie, beginning +to think that in such a case perhaps these dear dishes might come to be her +own. + +"Yes, she did," replied Miss Fletcher kindly, and as she looked at the +guest's interested little face her eyes were thoughtful. "I shall give them +to her some day." + +"Has she ever seen them?" asked Hazel. + +"Once. I thought you children must be hungry after your games, and you'd +like a little lunch." + +This idea was so pleasing to Hazel that Flossie caught her enthusiasm. + +"You'll be the mistress and pour, Flossie, and I'll be the waitress," she +said. "Won't it be the most _fun_! I suppose, ma'am, you'll like to have +the children come to the table?" she added, with sudden respectfulness of +tone. + +"Yes," returned Flossie, with elegant languor. "I think it teaches them +good manners." + +And then the waitress forgot herself so far as to hop up and down; for Miss +Fletcher, who had returned to the house, now reappeared bearing a tray of +eatables and drinkables. + +What a good time the children had, with the sewing-table for a sideboard, +and the lap-table fixed firmly across Flossie's chair. + +"Are you sure you aren't getting too tired, dear?" asked Miss Fletcher of +her invalid, doubtfully. "Wouldn't you rather the waitress poured?" + +But Flossie declared she was feeling well, and Hazel looked up eagerly into +Miss Fletcher's eyes and said, "You know she can't get too tired unless +we're doing wrong." + +"Oh, indeed!" returned the hostess dryly. "Then there's nothing to fear, +for she's doing the rightest kind of right." + +When the table was set forth, two small plates heaped high with +bread-and-butter sandwiches, a coffee-pot and milk-pitcher of beaten egg +and milk, a tea-pot of grape juice, one dish of nuts and another of jelly, +the waitress's eyes spoke so eloquently that Flossie mercifully dismissed +her on the spot, and invited a lady of her acquaintance to the feast, who +immediately drew up a chair with eager alacrity. + +Miss Fletcher seated herself again and looked on with the utmost +satisfaction, while the children laughed and ate, and when the sandwich +plates and coffee-pot and tea-pot and milk-pitcher were all emptied, she +replenished them from the well-furnished sideboard. + +"My, I wish I was aunt Hazel's real little niece!" exclaimed Flossie, +enchanted with pouring from the delightful china. + +"So do I wish I was," said Hazel, looking around at her hostess with a +smile that was returned. + +When Hazel sat down to supper at home that evening, she had plenty to tell +of the delightful afternoon, which made Mr. Badger and Hannah open their +eyes to the widest, although she did not suspect how she was astonishing +them. + +"I tell you," she added, in describing the luncheon, "we were careful not +to break that little girl's dishes. Oh, I wish you could see them. They're +the most be-_au_tiful you ever saw. They're so big--big enough for a +child's real ones that she could use herself." + +"I judge you did use them," said uncle Dick. + +"Well, I guess we did! Miss Fletcher--she wants me to call her aunt Hazel, +uncle Dick!" The child looked up to observe the effect of this. + +He nodded. "Do it, then. Perhaps she'll forget and give you the dishes." + +Hazel laughed. "Well, anyway, she said Flossie'd eaten as much as she +usually did in two whole days. Isn't it beautiful that she's going to get +well?" + +"I wouldn't talk to her too much about it," returned Mr. Badger. "It would +be cruel to disappoint her." + +This sort of response was new to Hazel. She gazed at her uncle a minute. +"That's error," she said at last. "God doesn't disappoint people. They'll +get some grown-up Scientist, but until they do, I'll declare the truth for +Flossie every day. She'll get well. You'll see. + +"I hope so," returned Mr. Badger quietly. + +Old Hannah gave her employer a wink over the child's head. "You might ask +them to come here by your garden and have lunch some day, Hazel. I'll fix +things up real nice for you, even if we haven't got any baby dishes." + +"I'd love to," returned Hazel, "and I expect they'd love to come. To-morrow +I'm going to take the lesson over and read it with them, and I'm going to +read them the 'Quest Flower,' too. It's a story that aunt Hazel will just +love. I think she has one in her yard." + +"Well, Mr. Richard," said Hannah, after their little visitor had gone to +bed, "I see the end of one family feud." + +Mr. Badger smiled. "When Miss Fletcher consents to take lunch in my yard, I +shall see it, too," he replied. + +The next day was pleasant, also, and when Hazel appeared outside her aunt's +fence, Flossie was sitting under the tree and waved a hand to her. The +white face looked pleased and almost eager, and Miss Fletcher called:-- + +"Come along, Hazel. I guess Flossie got just tired enough yesterday. She +slept last night the best she has since she came." + +"Yes," added the little invalid, smiling as her new friend drew near, "the +night seemed about five minutes long." + +"That's the way it does to me," returned Hazel. She had her doll and some +books in her arms, and Miss Fletcher took the latter from her. + +"H'm, h'm," she murmured, as she looked over the titles. "You have +something about Christian Science here." + +"Yes, I thought I'd read to-day's lesson to Flossie before I treated her, +and you'd let us take your Bible." + +"I certainly will. I can tell you, Hazel, Flossie and I were surprised at +the number of good verses and promises I read to her last evening. Anybody +ought to sleep well after them." + +Hazel looked glad, and Miss Fletcher let her run into the house to bring +the Bible, for it was on the hall table in plain sight. + +While she was gone the hostess smoothed Flossie's hair. "I can tell you, my +dear child, that reading all those verses to you last night made me feel +that we don't any of us live up to our lights very well. 'Tisn't always a +question of sick bodies, Flossie." + +Hazel came bounding back to the elm-tree, and sitting down near the wheeled +chair, opened the Bible and two of the books she had brought, and proceeded +to read the lesson. Had she been a few years older, she would not have +attempted this without a word of explanation to two people to whom many of +the terms of her religion were strange, but no doubts assailed her. The +little white girl in the wheeled chair was going to get out of it and run +around and be happy--that was all Hazel knew, and she proceeded in the only +way she knew of to bring it about. + +Miss Fletcher's thin lips parted as she listened to the sentences that the +child read. She understood scarcely more than Flossie of what they were +hearing, excepting the Bible verses, and these did not seem to bear on the +case. It was Hazel's perfectly unhesitating certainty of manner and voice +which most impressed her, and when the child had finished she continued to +stare at her unconsciously. + +"Now," said Hazel, returning her look, "I guess I'd better treat her before +we begin to play." + +Her hostess started. "Oh!" she ejaculated, "then I suppose you'd rather be +alone." + +"Yes, it's easier," returned the little girl. + +Miss Fletcher, feeling rather embarrassed, gathered up her sewing and moved +off to the house. + +"If I ever in all my born days!" she thought again. "What would Flossie's +mother say! Well, that dear little girl's prayers can't do any harm, and if +she isn't a smart young one I never saw one. She's Fletcher clear through. +I'd like to know what Richard Badger thinks of her. If she'd give _him_ a +few absent treatments it might do him some good." + +Miss Fletcher's lips took their old grim line as she added this reflection, +but she was not altogether comfortable. Her nephew's action in withholding +from Hazel the fact that it was her aunt whom she was visiting daily could +scarcely have other than a kindly motive; and that long list of Bible +references which she had read to Flossie last evening had stirred her +strangely. There was one, "He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is +love," which had followed her to bed and occupied her thoughts for some +time. + +Now she went actively to work preparing the luncheon which she intended +serving to the children later. + +"And I'd better fix enough for two laboring men," she thought, smiling. + +Later, when she went back under the tree, her little guest skipped up to +her. "Oh, aunt Hazel," she said, and the address softened the hostess's +eyes, "won't you and Flossie come to-morrow afternoon if it's pleasant, and +have lunch beside my garden?" + +Miss Fletcher's face changed. This was a contingency that had not occurred +to her. + +"Oh, do say yes," persisted the child. "I want you to see my flowers, and +Flossie says she'd love to. I'll come up and wheel her down there." + +"Flossie can go some day, yes," replied aunt Hazel reluctantly; "but I +don't visit much. I'm set in my ways." + +"Hannah, uncle Dick's housekeeper, suggested it herself," pursued Hazel, +thinking that perhaps her own invitation was not sufficient, "and I know +uncle Dick would be glad. You said," with sudden remembrance, "that you +used to know him." + +Miss Fletcher's lips were their grimmest. "I've spanked him many a time," +she replied deliberately. + +"Spanked him!" repeated the child, staring in still amazement. + +The grim lips crept into a grimmer smile. "Not very hard; not hard +_enough_, I've thought a good many times since." + +Hazel recovered her breath. "You knew him when he was little?" + +"I certainly did. No, child, don't ask me to go out of my tracks. You come +here all you will, and if you'll be very careful you can wheel Flossie up +to your garden some day. Come, now, are you going to read us that story? I +see you brought it." + +"Yes, I brought it," replied Hazel, in a rather subdued voice. She saw that +there was some trouble between this kind, new friend and her dear uncle +Dick, and the discovery astonished her. How could grown-up people not +forgive one another? + +Miss Fletcher seated herself again with her sewing, and Hazel took the +little white book and sat down close by the wheeled chair where Flossie was +holding both the dolls. + +"Do you like stories?" she asked. + +"Yes, when they're not interesting," returned Flossie; "but when mother +brings a book and says it's very interesting, I know I shan't like it." + +Hazel laughed. "Well, hear this," she said, and began to read:-- + + * * * * * + +Once there was a very rich man whose garden was his chief pride and joy. In +all the country around, people knew about this wonderful garden, and many +came from miles away to look at the rare trees and shrubs, and the +beautiful vistas through which one could gain glimpses of blue water where +idle swans floated and added their snowy beauty to the scene. But loveliest +of all were the rare flowers, blossoming profusely and rejoicing every +beholder. + +It was the ambition of the man's life to have the most beautiful garden in +the world; and so many strangers as well as friends told him that it was +so that he came to believe it and to be certain that no beauty could be +added to his enchanting grounds. + +One evening, as he was strolling about the avenues, he strayed near the +wall and suddenly became aware of a fragrance so sweet and strange that he +started and looked about him to find its source. Becoming more and more +interested each moment, as he could find only such blossoms as were +familiar to him, he at last perceived that the wonderful perfume floated in +from the public way which ran just without the wall. + +Instantly calling a servant he dispatched him to discover what might be the +explanation of this delightful mystery. + +The servant sped and found a youth bearing a jar containing a plant crowned +with a wondrous pure white flower which sent forth this sweetness. + +The servant endeavored to bring the bearer to his master, but the youth +steadily refused; saying that, the plant being now in perfection, he was +carrying it to the King, for in his possession it would never fade. + +The servant returning with this news, the owner of the garden hastened, +himself, and overtook the young man. When his eyes beheld the wondrous +plant, he demanded it at any price. + +"I cannot part with it to you," returned the youth, "but do you not know +that at the Public Garden a bulb of this flower is free to all?" + +"I never heard of it," replied the man, with excitement, "but to grow it +must be difficult. Promise me to return and tend it for me until I possess +a plant as beautiful as yours." + +"That would be useless," returned the youth, "for every man must tend his +own; and as for me, the King will send me on a quest when He has received +this flower, and I shall not return this way." + +His face was radiant as he proceeded on his road, and the rich man, filled +with an exceeding longing, hastened to the Public Garden and made known his +desire. He was given a bulb, and was told that the King provided it, but +that when the plant was in flower it must be carried to Him. + +The man agreed, and returning to his house, rejoicing, caused the bulb to +be planted in a beautiful spot set apart for its reception. + +But, strangely, as time went on, his gardeners could not make this plant +grow. The man sent out for experts, men with the greatest wisdom concerning +the ways of flowers, but still the bulb rested passive. The man offered +rewards, but in vain. His garden was still famous and praised for its +beauty far and near; but it pleased him no longer. His heart ached with +longing for the one perfect flower. + +One night he lay awake, mourning and restless, until he could bear it no +more. He rose, the only waking figure in the sleeping castle, and went out +upon a balcony. A flood of moonlight was turning his garden to silver, and +suddenly a nightingale's sobbing song pulsed upon the air and filled his +heart to bursting. + +Wrapping his mantle about him, he descended a winding stair and walked to +where, in the centre of the garden, reposed his buried hope. No one was by +to witness the breaking down of his pride. He knelt, and swift tears fell +upon the earth and moistened it. + +What wonder was this? He brushed away the blinding drops, the better to +see, for a little green shoot appeared from the brown earth, and, with a +leap of the heart, he perceived that his flower had begun to grow. + +Every succeeding night, while all in the castle were sleeping, he descended +to the garden and tended the plant. + +Steadily it grew, and finally the bud appeared, and one fair day it burst +into blossom and filled the whole garden with its perfume. + +The thought of parting with this treasure tugged at the man's very +heartstrings. "The King has many, how many, who can tell! Must I give up +mine to Him? Not yet. Not quite yet!" + +So he put off carrying away the perfect flower from one day to the next, +till at last it fell and was no more worthy. + +Ah, then what sadness possessed the man's soul! He vowed that he would +never rest until he had brought another plant to perfection and given it to +the King; for he realized, at last, that only by giving it, could its +loveliness become perennial. Yet he mourned his perfect flower, for it +seemed to him no other would ever possess such beauty. + +So he set forth again to the Public Garden, but there a great shock awaited +him. He found that no second bulb could be vouchsafed to any one. Very +sadly he retraced his steps and carefully covered the precious bulb, hoping +that when the season of storm and frost was past, there might come to it +renewed life. + +As soon as the spring began to spread green loveliness again across the +landscape, the man turned, with a full heart, to the care and nurture of +his hope. The winter of waiting had taught him many a lesson. + +He tended the plant now with his own hands, in the light of day and in the +sight of all men. Long he cherished it, and steadily it grew, and the man's +thought grew with it. Finally the bud appeared, increasing and beautifying +daily, until, one morning, a divine fragrance spread beyond the farthest +limits of that garden, for the flower had bloomed, spotless, fit for a holy +gift; and the man looked upon it humbly and not as his own; but rejoiced in +the day of its perfection that he might leave all else behind him, and, +carrying it to the King, lay it at His feet and receive His bidding; and so +go forth upon his joyous quest. + + * * * * * + +Hazel closed the book. Flossie was watching her attentively. Miss Fletcher +had laid down her sewing and was wiping her spectacles. + +"Did you like it?" asked Hazel. + +"Yes," replied Flossie. "I wish I knew what that flower was." + +"Mother says the blossom is consecration," replied Hazel. "I forget what +she said the bulb was. What do you think it was, aunt Hazel?" + +"Humility, perhaps," replied Miss Fletcher. + +"Yes, that's just what she said! I remember now. Oh, let's go and look at +yours and see how the bud is to-day." Hazel sprang up from the grass and +carefully pushed Flossie's chair to the flower-bed. + +"Oh, aunt Hazel, it's nearly out," she cried, and Miss Fletcher, who had +remained behind still polishing her spectacles with hands that were not +very steady, felt a little frightened leap of the heart. She wished the +Quest Flower would be slower. + +The afternoon was as happy a one to the children as that of the day before. +They greatly enjoyed the dainty lunch from the little tea-set. They had +cocoa to-day instead of the beaten egg and milk; then, just before Hazel +went home, Miss Fletcher let her water the garden with a fascinating +sprinkler that whirled and was always just about to deluge either the one +who managed it or her companions. + +In the child's little hands it was a dangerous weapon, but Miss Fletcher +very kindly and patiently helped her to use it, for she saw the pleasure +she was bestowing. + +That night Hazel had a still more joyous tale to tell of her happy day; and +uncle Dick went out doors with her after supper and watched her water her +own garden bed and listened to her chatter with much satisfaction. + +"So Miss Fletcher doesn't care to come and lunch in my yard," he remarked. + +"No," returned Hazel, pausing and regarding him. "She says she used to know +you well enough to spank you, too." + +Mr. Badger laughed. "She certainly did." + +"Then error must have crept in," said the little girl, "that she doesn't +know you now." + +"I used to think it had, when she got after me." + +The child observed his laughing face wistfully, "She didn't know how to +handle it in mind, did she?" + +"Not much. A slipper was good enough for her." + +"Well, I don't see what's the matter," said Hazel. + +"'Tisn't necessary, little one. You go on having a good time. Everything +will come out all right some day." + +As Mr. Badger spoke he little knew what activity was taking place in his +aunt's thought. Her heart had been touched by the surprising arrival and +sympathy of her namesake, and her conscience had been awakened by the array +of golden words from the Bible which she had not studied much during late +bitter years. The story of the Quest Flower, falling upon her softened +heart, seemed to hold for her a special meaning. + +In the late twilight that evening she stood alone in her garden, and the +opening chalice of the perfect lily shone up at her through the dusk. "Only +a couple of days, at most," she murmured, "not more than a couple of +days--and humility was the root!" + +When it rained the following morning, Flossie looked out the window rather +disconsolately; but after dinner her face brightened, for she saw Hazel +coming up the street under an umbrella. Tightly held in one arm were Ella +and a bundle of books and doll's clothes. Miss Fletcher welcomed the guest +gladly, and, after disposing of her umbrella, left the children together +and took her sewing upstairs where she sat at work by a window, frowning +and smiling by turns at her own thoughts. + +Occasionally she looked down furtively at her garden, where in plain view +the quest flower drank in the warm rain and opened--opened! + +By this time Flossie and Hazel were great friends, and the expression of +the former's face had changed even in three days, until one would forget +to call her an afflicted child. + +They had the lesson and the treatment this afternoon, and then their plays, +and when lunch time came the appetites of the pair did not seem to have +been injured by their confinement to the house. + +When the time came for Hazel to go it had ceased raining, and Miss Fletcher +went with her to the gate. + +"Oh, oh, aunt Hazel--see the quest flower!" exclaimed the child. + +True, a lily, larger, fairer than all the rest, reared itself in stately +purity in the centre of the bed. + +Miss Fletcher turned and looked at it with startled eyes and pressed her +hand to her heart. "Why can't the thing give a body time to make up her +mind!" she murmured. + +"Oh, to-morrow, _to-morrow_, aunt Hazel, the sun will come out, and I know +just how that lily will look. It will be fit to take to the King!" + +Miss Fletcher passed her arm around the child's shoulders. "I want you to +stay to supper with us to-morrow night, dear. Ask your uncle if you may." + +"Thank you, I'd love to," returned the child, and was skipping off. + +"Wait a minute." Miss Fletcher stooped and with her scissors cut a moss +rose so full of sweetness that as she handed it to her guest, Hazel hugged +her. + +The following day was fresh and bright. Flossie's best pink gown and hair +ribbons made her look like a rose, herself, to Hazel, as the little girl, +very fine in a white frock and ribbons, came skipping up the street. Miss +Fletcher stood watching them as her niece ran toward the wheeled chair. +The lustre in Flossie's eyes made her heart glad; but the visitor stopped +short in the midst of the garden and clasped her hands. + +"Oh, aunt Hazel!" she cried, "the quest flower!" + +Miss Fletcher nodded and slowly drew near. The stately lily looked like a +queen among her subjects. + +"Yes, it is to-day," she said softly, "to-day." + +She could not settle to her sewing, but, leaving the children together for +their work and play, walked up and down the garden paths. Later she went +into the house and upstairs and put on her best black silk dress. An +unusual color came into her cheeks while she dressed. "The bulb was +humility," she murmured over and over, under her breath. + +The afternoon was drawing to a close when Miss Fletcher at last moved out +of doors and to the elm-tree. "I didn't bring you any lunch to-day," she +said to the children, "because I want you to be hungry for a good supper." + +"Can we have the dishes just the same?" asked Flossie. + +"The owner is going to have them to-night," replied Miss Fletcher, and both +the little girls regarded her flushed face with eager curiosity. + +"Why, have you asked her?" they cried together. + +"Yes." + +"Does she know she's going to have the tea-set?" + +"No." + +"Oh, what fun!" exclaimed Flossie. "I didn't know she was in town." + +"Yes, she is in town." Miss Fletcher turned to Hazel and put her hand on +the child's shoulder. "We must do everything we can to celebrate taking +the flower to the King." + +Only then the children noticed that aunt Hazel had her bonnet on. + +"Oh," cried the child, bewildered, "are you going to _do_ it?" + +Miss Fletcher met her radiant eyes thoughtfully. "If I should take the +flower of consecration to the King, Hazel, I know what would be the first +errand He would give me to do. I am going to do it now. Go on playing. I +shan't be gone long." + +She moved away down the garden path and out of the gate. + +"What do you suppose it is?" asked Flossie. + +"I don't know," returned Hazel simply. "Something right;" and then they +took up their dolls again. + +Miss Fletcher did not return very soon. In fact, nearly an hour had slipped +away before she came up the street, and then a man was with her. As they +entered the gate Hazel looked up. + +"Uncle Dick, uncle Dick!" she cried gladly, jumping up and running to meet +him. He and Miss Fletcher both looked very happy, as they all moved over to +Flossie's chair. Mr. Badger's kind eyes looked down into hers and he +carried her into the house in his strong arms. Hazel followed, rolling the +chair and having many happy thoughts; but she did not understand even a +little of the situation until they all went into the dining-room and +Flossie was carefully seated in the place the hostess indicated. + +The white and gold tea-set was not in front of Flossie this time, but +grouped about another place. Hazel's quick eyes noted that there were four +seats, but before she had time to speak of the expected child--happy owner +of the tea-set--uncle Dick spoke:-- + +"Where do I go, aunt Hazel?" + +The child's eyes widened at such familiarity. "Why, uncle Dick!" she +ejaculated. + +He and the hostess both regarded her, smiling. + +"She is my aunt," he said; and then he lifted Hazel into the chair before +the pretty china. "I believe these are your dishes," he added. + +The child leaned back in her chair and looked from one to another. Slowly, +slowly, she understood. That was the aunt Hazel who gave her the silver +spoon. It had been aunt Hazel all the time! She suddenly jumped down from +her chair, and, running to Miss Fletcher, hugged her without a word. + +Aunt Hazel embraced her very tenderly. "Yes, my lamb," she whispered, +"error crept in, but it has crept out again, I hope forever;" and through +the wide-open windows came the perfume of the quest flower: pure, strong, +beautiful,--radiantly white in the evening glow. + + * * * * * + +Before Hazel went back to Boston, Flossie's mother came to Miss Fletcher's, +and the change for the better in her little daughter filled her with wonder +and joy. With new hope she followed the line of treatment suggested by a +little girl, and by the time another summer came around, two happy children +played again in aunt Hazel's garden, both as free as the sweet air and +sunshine, for Divine Love had made Flossie "every whit whole." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY + + +Jewel told her grandfather all about it that day while they were having +their late afternoon ride. + +"And so the little girl got well," he commented. + +"Yes, and could run and play and have the most _fun_!" returned Jewel +joyously. + +"And aunt Hazel made it up with her nephew." + +"Yes. Why don't people know that all they have to do is to put on more love +to one another? Just supposing, grandpa, that you hadn't loved me so much +when I first came." + +"H'm. It _is_ fortunate that I was such an affectionate old fellow!" + +"Mother says we all have to tend the flower and carry it to the King before +we're really happy. Do you know it made us both think of the same thing +when at last the man did it." + +"What was that?" + +"Our hymn:-- + + 'My hope I cannot measure, + My path in life is free, + My Father has my treasure + And He will walk with me!' + +Don't you begin to love mother very much, grandpa?" + +"She is charming." + +"Of course she isn't your real relation, the way I am." + +"Oh, come now. She's my daughter." + +Jewel smiled at him doubtfully. "But so is aunt Madge," she returned. + +"Why, Jewel, I'm surprised that any one who looks so tall as you do in a +riding skirt shouldn't know more than that! Mrs. Harry Evringham is _your_ +mother." + +"I never thought of that," returned the child seriously. "Why, so she is." + +"That brings her very close, very close, you see," said Mr. Evringham, and +his reasoning was clear as daylight to Jewel. + +At dinner that evening she was still further reassured. The child did not +know that the maids in the house, having been scornfully informed by aunt +Madge of Mrs. Harry's business, were prepared to serve her grudgingly, and +regard her visit as being merely on sufferance despite Mrs. Forbes's more +optimistic view. But the spirit that looked out of Mrs. Evringham's dark +eyes and dwelt in the curves of her lips came and saw and conquered. Jewel +had won the hearts of the household, and already its unanimous voice, after +the glimpses it had had of her mother during two days, was that it was no +wonder. + +Even the signs of labor that appeared in Julia's pricked fingers made the +serenity of her happy face more charming to her father-in-law. She had +Jewel's own directness and simplicity, her appreciation and enjoyment of +all beauty, the child's own atmosphere of unexacting love and gratitude. +Every half hour that Mr. Evringham spent with her lessened his regret at +having burned his bridges behind him. + +"Now, you mustn't be lonely here, Julia," he said, that evening at dinner. +"I have come to be known as something of a hermit by choice; but while +Madge and Eloise lived with me, I fancy they had a good many callers, and +they went out, to the mild degree that society smiles upon in the case of a +recent widow and orphan. They were able to manage their own affairs; but +you are a stranger in a strange land. If you desire society, give me a hint +and I will get it for you." + +"Oh, no, father!" replied Julia, smiling. "There is nothing I desire less." + +"Mother'll get acquainted with the people at church," said Jewel, "and I +know she'll love Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. They're grandpa's friends, mother." + +"Yes," remarked Mr. Evringham, busy with his dinner, "some of the best +people in Bel-Air have gone over to this very strange religion of yours, +Julia. I shan't be quite so conspicuous in harboring two followers of the +faith as I should have been a few years ago." + +"No, it is becoming quite respectable," returned Julia, with twinkling +eyes. + +"Three, grandpa, you have three here," put in Jewel. "You didn't count +Zeke." + +Mrs. Evringham looked up kindly at Mrs. Forbes, who stood by, as usual, in +her neat gown and apron. + +"Zeke is really in for it, eh, Mrs. Forbes?" Mr. Evringham asked the +question without glancing up. + +"Yes, sir, and I have no objection. I'm too grateful for the changes for +the better in the boy. If Jewel had persuaded him to be a fire worshiper I +shouldn't have lifted my voice. I'd have said to myself, 'What's a little +more fire here, so long as there'll be so much less hereafter.'" + +Mrs. Evringham laughed and the broker shook his head. "Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. +Forbes, I'm afraid your orthodoxy is getting rickety," he said. + +"How about your own, father?" asked Julia. + +"Oh, I'm a passenger. You see, I know that Jewel will ask at the heavenly +gate if I can come in, and if they refuse, they won't get her, either. That +makes me feel perfectly safe." + +Jewel watched the speaker seriously. Mr. Evringham met her thoughtful eyes. + +"Oh, they'll want you, Jewel. Don't you be afraid." + +"I'm not afraid. How could I be? But I was just wondering whether you +didn't know that you'll have to do your own work, grandpa." + +He looked up quickly and met Julia's shining eyes. + +"Dear me," he responded, with an uncomfortable laugh. "Don't I get out of +it?" + +The next morning when Jewel had driven back from the station, and she and +her mother had studied the day's lesson, they returned to the ravine, +taking the Story Book with them. + +Before settling themselves to read, they counted the new wild flowers that +had unfolded, and Jewel sprinkled them and the ferns, from the brook. + +"Did you ever see anybody look so pretty as Anna Belle does, in that +necklace?" exclaimed Jewel, fondly regarding her child, enthroned against +the snowy trunk of a little birch-tree. "It isn't going to be your turn to +choose the story this morning, dearie. Here, I'll give you a daisy to play +with." + +"Wait, Jewel, I think Anna Belle would rather see it growing until we go, +don't you?" + +"Would you, dearie? Yes, she says she would; but when we go, we'll take +the sweet little thing and let it have the fun of seeing grandpa's house +and what we're all doing." + +"It seems such a pity, to me, to pick them and let them wither," said Mrs. +Evringham. + +"Why, I think they only seem to wither, mother," replied Jewel hopefully. +"A daisy is an idea of God, isn't it?" + +"Yes, dear." + +"When one seems to wither and go out of sight, we only have to look around +a little, and pretty soon we see the daisy idea again, standing just as +white and bright as ever, because God's flowers don't fade." + +"That's so, Jewel," returned the mother quietly. + +The child drew a long breath. "I've thought a lot about it, here in the +ravine. At first I thought perhaps picking a violet might be just as much +error as killing a bluebird; and then I remembered that we pick the flower +for love, and it doesn't hurt it nor its little ones; but nobody ever +killed a bird for love." + +Mrs. Evringham nodded. + +"Now it's my turn to choose," began Jewel, in a different tone, settling +herself near the seat her mother had taken. + +Mrs. Evringham opened the book and again read over the titles of the +stories. + +"Let's hear 'The Apple Woman's Story,'" said Jewel, when she paused. + +Her mother looked up. "Do you remember good old Chloe, who used to come +every Saturday to scrub for me? Well, something she told me of an +experience she once had, when she was a little girl, put the idea of this +tale into my head; and I'll read you + + +THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY + +Franz and Emilie and Peter Wenzel were little German children, born in +America. Their father was a teacher, and his children were alone with him +except for the good old German woman, Anna, who was cook and nurse too in +the household. She tried to teach Franz and Emilie to be good children, and +took great care of Peter, the sturdy three-year-old boy, a fat, solemn +baby, whose hugs were the greatest comfort his father had in the world. + +Franz and Emilie had learned German along with their English by hearing it +spoken in the house, and it was a convenience at times, for instance, when +they wished to say something before the colored apple woman which they did +not care to have her understand; but the apple woman did not think they +were polite when they used an unknown tongue before her. + +"Go off fum here," she would say to them when they began to talk in German. +"None o' that lingo round my stand. Go off and learn manners." And when +Franz and Emilie found she was in earnest they would ask her to forgive +them in the politest English they were acquainted with; for they were very +much attached to the clean, kind apple woman, whose stand was near their +father's house. They admired her bright bandana headdress and thought her +the most interesting person in the world. As for the apple woman, she had +had so many unpleasant experiences with teasing children that she did not +take Franz and Emilie into her favor all at once, but for some time +accepted their pennies and gave them their apples when they came to buy, +watching them suspiciously with her sharp eyes to make sure that they were +not intending to play her any trick. + +But even before they had become regular customers she decided under her +breath that they were "nice chillen;" and when she came to know them better +her kind heart overflowed to them. + +One morning as they smiled and nodded to her on the way to school, she +called out and beckoned. + +"Apples for the little baskets?" + +"Not to-day," answered Emilie. + +She beckoned to them again with determination, and the children approached. + +"We forgot to brush our teeth last night," explained Franz, "so we haven't +any penny." + +"I forgot it," said Emilie, "and Franz didn't remind me, so we neither of +us got it. That's the way Anna makes us remember." + +"Never you mind, honey, here's apples for love," replied the colored woman, +holding up two rosy beauties. + +The children looked at one another and shook their heads. + +"Thank you," said Emilie, "but we can't. Papa said the last time you gave +them to us that if we ate your apples without paying for them we mustn't +come to visit you any more." + +"Now think o' that!" exclaimed the apple woman when the children had gone +on. She was much touched and pleased to know that Franz and Emilie would +rather come and sit and talk to her and listen to her stories than to eat +her apples. + +She was right; they were nice children; but they had their naughty times, +and good old Anna was often greatly troubled by them. She felt her +responsibility of the whole family very deeply, and tried to talk no more +German. These children must grow up to be good Americans, and she must not +hold them back. It was very hard for the poor woman to remember always to +speak English, and funny broken English it was; so that little Peter, +hearing it all the time, had a baby talk of his own that was very comical +and different from other children. He talked about the "luckle horse" he +played with, and the "boomps" he got when he fell down, and he was very +brave and serious, as became a fat baby boy who had to take care of himself +a great deal. + +Anna was so busy cooking and mending for a family of five she was very glad +of the hours when Mr. Wenzel worked at home at his desk and baby Peter +could stay in the same room with him and play with his toys. + +Mr. Wenzel was a kind father and longed as far as possible to fill the +place of mother also to his children, who loved him dearly. To little Peter +he was all-powerful. A kiss from papa soothed the hardest "boomp" that his +many tumbles gave him; but even Peter realized that when papa was at his +desk he was very busy indeed, and though any of the children might sit in +the room with him, they must not speak unless it was absolutely necessary. + +Emilie was now eight years old, and she might have helped her father and +Anna more than she did; but she never thought of this. She loved to read, +especially fairy stories, and she often curled up on the sofa in her +father's room and read while Peter either played about the room with his +toys, or went to papa's desk and stood with his round eyes fixed on Mr. +Wenzel's face until the busy man would look up from his papers and ask: +"What does my Peter want?" + +Especially did Emilie fly to this refuge in papa's room after a quarrel +with Franz, and I'm sorry to say she had a great many. The apple woman +found out that the little brother and sister were not always amiable. Anna +had confided in her; and then one day the children approached her stand +contradicting each other, their voices growing louder and louder as they +came, until at last Franz made a face at Emilie, giving her a push, and +she, quick as a kitten, jumped forward and slapped him. + +What Franz would have done after this I don't know, if the apple woman +hadn't said, "Chillen, chillen!" so loud that he stopped to look at her. + +"Ah, listen at that fairy Slap-back a-laughin'!" cried the apple woman. + +"The fairy Flapjack?" asked Franz, as he and his sister forgot their wrath +and ran toward the stand. + +"_Flapjack!_" repeated the apple woman with scorn, as the children nestled +down, one each side of her. "Yo' nice chillen pertendin' not to know yo' +friends!" + +"What friends? What?" asked Emilie eagerly. + +"The fairy Slap-back. P'raps I didn't see her jest now, a-grinnin' over yo' +shoulder." + +"Is she anybody to be afraid of?" asked Emilie, big-eyed. + +"To be sho' she is if you-all go makin' friends with her," returned the +apple woman, with a knowing sidewise nod of her head. Then drawing back +from the children with an air of greatest surprise, "You two don't mean to +come here tellin' me you ain't never heerd o' the error-fairies?" she +asked. + +"Never," they both replied together. + +"Shoo!" exclaimed the apple woman. "If you ain't the poor igno'antest w'ite +chillen that ever lived. Why, if you ain't never heerd on 'em, yo're likely +to be snapped up by 'em any day in the week as you was jest now." + +"Oh, tell us. Do tell us!" begged Franz and Emilie. + +"Co'se I will, 'case 't ain't right for them mis'able creeturs to be +hangin' around you all, and you not up to their capers. Fust place they're +called the error-fairies 'case they're all servants to a creetur named +Error. She's a cheat and a humbug, allers pertendin' somethin' or other, +and she makes it her business to fight a great and good fairy named Love. +Now Love--oh, chillen, my pore tongue can't tell you of the beauty and +goodness o' the fairy Love! She's the messenger of a great King, and spends +her whole time a-blessin' folks. Her hair shines with the gold o' the sun; +her eyes send out soft beams; her gown is w'ite, and when she moves 'tis as +if forget-me-nots and violets was runnin' in little streams among its +folds. Ah, chillen," the apple woman shook her head, "she's the blessin' o' +the world. Her soft arms are stretched out to gather in and comfort every +sorrowin' heart. + +"Well, 'case she was so lovely an' the great King trusted her, Error +thought she'd try her hand; but she hadn't any king, Error hadn't. There +wa'n't nobody to stand for her or to send her on errands. She was a +low-lifed, flabby creetur," the apple woman made a scornful grimace; "jest +a misty-moisty nobody; nothin' to her. Her gown was a cloud and she wa'n't +no more 'n a shadder, herself, until she could git somebody to listen to +her. When she did git somebody to listen to her, she'd begin to stiffen up +and git some backbone and git awful sassy; so she crep' around whisperin' +to folks that Love was no good, and 'lowin' that she--that mis'able +creetur--was the queen o' life. + +"Some folks knowed better and told her so, right pine blank, an' then +straight off she'd feel herself changin' back into a shadder, an' sail away +as fast as she could to try it on somebody else. She was ugly to look at as +a bad dream, but yet there was lots o' folks would pay 'tention to her, and +after they'd listened once or twice, she kep' gittin' stronger and pearter, +an' as she got stronger, they got weaker, and every day it was harder fer +'em to drive her off, even after they'd got sick of her. + +"Then, even if she didn't have a king, she had slaves; oh, dozens and +dozens of error-fairies, to do her will. Creepin' shadders they was, too, +till somebody listened to 'em and give 'em a backbone. There's--let me +see"--the apple woman looked off to jog her memory--"there's Laziness, +Selfishness, Backbitin', Cruelty--oh, I ain't got time to tell 'em all; an' +not one mite o' harm in one of 'em, only for some silly mortal that listens +and gives the creetur a backbone. They jest lop over an' melt away, the +whole batch of 'em, when Love comes near. She knows what no-account +humbugs they are, you see; and they jest lop over an' melt away whenever +even a little chile knows enough to say 'Go off fum here, an' quit +pesterin''!" + +Franz and Emilie stared at the apple woman and listened hard. Their cheeks +matched the apples. + +"What happened a minute ago to you-all? An error-creetur named Slap-back +whispered to you. 'Quarrel!' says she. What'd you do? Did you say 'Go off, +you triflin' vilyun'? + +"Not a bit of it. You quarreled; an' Slap-back kep' gittin' bigger and +stronger and stiffer in the backbone while you was goin' it, an' at last up +comes this little hand of Emilie's. Whack! That was the time Slap-back +couldn't hold in, an' she jest laughed an' laughed over yo' shoulder. Ah, +the little red eyes she had, and the wiry hair! And that other one, the +fairy, Love, she was pickin' up her w'ite gown with both hands an' flyin' +off as if she had wings. Of course you didn't notice her. You was too taken +up with yo' friend." + +"But Slap-back isn't our friend," declared Emilie earnestly. + +The apple woman shook her head. "Bless yo' heart, honey, it's mean to deny +it now; but, disown her or not, she'll stick to you and pester you; and +you'll find it out if ever you try to drive her off. You'll have as hard a +time as little Dinah did." + +"What happened to Dinah?" asked Franz, picking up the apple woman's clean +towel and beginning to polish apples. + +"Drop that, now, chile! Yo' friend might cast her eye on it. I don't want +to sell pizened apples." + +Franz, crestfallen, obeyed, and glanced at Emilie. They had never before +found their assistance refused, and they both looked very sober. + +"Little Dinah was a chile lived 'way off down South 'mongst the cotton +fields; and that good fairy watched over Dinah,--Love, so sweet to look at +she'd make yo' heart sing. + +"Dinah had a little brother, too, jest big enough to walk; an' a daddy that +worked from mornin' till night to git hoe-cake 'nuff fer 'em all; and his +ole mammy, she helped him, and made the fire, and swept the room, and dug +in the garden, and milked the cow. She was a good woman, that ole mammy, +an' 't was a great pity there wa'n't nobody to help 'er, an' she gittin' +older every day." + +"Why, there was Dinah," suggested Emilie. + +The apple woman stared at her with both hands raised. "Dinah! Lawsy massy, +honey, the only thing that chile would do was look at pictur' books an' +play with the other chillen. She wouldn't even so much as pick up baby Mose +when he tumbled down an' barked his shin. Oh, but she was a triflin' lazy +little nigger as ever you see." + +"And that's why the red-eyed fairy got hold of her," said Franz, who was +longing to hear something exciting. + +"'Twas, partly," said the apple woman. "You see there's somethin' very +strange about them fairies, Love and the error-fairies. The error-fairies, +they run after the folks that love themselves, and Love can only come near +them that loves other people. Sounds queer, honey, but it's the truth; so, +when Dinah got to be a likely, big gal, and never thought whether the ole +mammy was gittin' tired out, or tried to amuse little Mose, or gave a +thought o' pity to her pore daddy who was alone in the world, the fairy +Love got to feelin' as bad as any fairy could. + +"'Do, Dinah,'" she said, with her sweet mouth close to Dinah's ear, 'do +stop bein' so triflin', and stir yo'self to be some help in the house.' + +"'No,' says Dinah, 'I like better to lay in the buttercups and look at +pictur's,' says she. + +"'Then,' says Love, 'show Mose the pictur's, too, and make him happy.' + +"'No,' says Dinah, 'he's too little, an' he bothers me an' tears my book.' + +"'Then,' says Love, 'yo'd rather yo' tired daddy took care o' the chile +after his hard day's work.' + +"'Now yo're talkin',' says Dinah. 'I shorely would. My daddy's strong.' + +"The tears came into Love's eyes, she felt so down-hearted. 'Yo' daddy +needs comfort, Dinah,' she says, 'an' yo're big enough to give it to him,' +says she; 'an' look at the black smooches on my w'ite gown. They're all +because o' you, Dinah, that I've been friends with so faithful. I've got to +leave you now, far enough so's my gown'll come w'ite; but if you call me +I'll hear, honey, an' I'll come. Good-by,' + +"'Good riddance!' says Dinah. 'I'm right down tired o' bein' lectured,' +says she. 'Now I can roll over in the buttercups an' sing, an' be happy an' +do jest as I please.' + +"So Dinah threw herself down in the long grass and, bing! she fell right +atop of a wasp, and he was so scared at such capers he stung her in the +cheek. Whew! You could hear her 'way 'cross the cotton field! + +"Her ole gran'mam comforted her, the good soul. 'Never you mind, honey,' +she says, 'I'll swaje it fer you.' + +"But every day Dinah got mo' triflin'. She pintedly wouldn't wash the +dishes, nor mind little Mose; an' every time the hot fire o' temper ran +over her, she could hear a voice in her ear--'Give it to 'em good. That's +the way to do it, Dinah!' An' it kep' gittin' easier to be selfish an' to +let her temper run away, an' the cabin got to be a mighty pore place jest +on account o' Dinah, who'd ought to ha' been its sunshine. + +"As for the fairy, Love, Dinah never heerd her voice, an' she never called +to her, though there was never a minute when she didn't hate the sound o' +that other voice that had come to be in her ears more 'n half the time. + +"One mornin' everything went wrong with Dinah. Her gran'mam was plum +mis'able over her shif'less ways, an' she set her to sew a seam befo' she +could step outside the do'. The needle was dull, the thread fell in knots. +Dinah's brow was mo' knotted up than the thread. Her head felt hot. + +"'Say you won't do it,' hissed the voice. + +"'I'll git thrashed if I do. Gran'mam said so.' + +"'What do you care!' hissed the voice; and jest as the fairy Slap-back was +talkin' like this, up comes little Mose to Dinah, an' laughs an' pulls her +work away. + +"Then somethin' awful happened. Dinah couldn't 'a' done it two weeks back; +but it's the way with them that listens to that mis'able, low-lifed +Slap-back. Jest as quick as a wink, that big gal, goin' on nine, slapped +baby Mose. He was that took back for a minute that he didn't cry; but the +hateful voice laughed an' hissed an' laughed again. + +"Good, Dinah, good! Now you'll ketch it!' + +"Then over went little Mose's lip, an' he wailed out, an' Dinah clasped her +naughty hands an' saw a face close to her--a bad one, with red eyes +shinin'. She jumped away from it, for it made her cold to think she'd been +havin' sech a playfeller all along. + +"'Oh, Love, y' ain't done fergit me, is yer? Come back, Love, _Love_!' she +called; then she dropped on her knees side o' Mose an' called him her honey +an' her lamb, an' she cried with him, an' pulled him into her lap, an' when +the ole gran'mam come in from where she'd been feedin' the hens, they was +both asleep." + +Franz took a long breath, for the way the apple woman told a story always +made him listen hard. "I guess that was the last of old Slap-back with +Dinah," he remarked. + +The apple woman shook her head. "That's the worst of that fairy," she said. +"Love'll clar out when you tell 'er to, 'case she's quality, an' she's got +manners; but Slap-back ain't never had no raisin'. She hangs around, an' +hangs around, an' is allers puttin' in her say jest as she was a few +minutes ago with you and Emilie in the road there. There's nothin' in this +world tickles her like a chile actin' naughty, 'ceptin' it's two chillen +scrappin'. Now pore little Dinah found she had to have all her wits about +her to keep Love near, an' make that ornery Slap-back stay away. Love was +as willin', as willin' to stay as violets is to open in the springtime; +but when Dinah an' Slap-back was both agin her, what could she do? An' +Dinah, she'd got so used to Slap-back, an' that bodacious creetur had sech +a way o' gittin' around the chile, sometimes, 'fore Dinah knew it, she'd be +listenin' to 'er ag'in; but Dinah'd had one good scare an' she didn't mean +to give in. Jest now, too, her daddy fell sick. That good man, that lonely +man, he'd had a mighty hard time of it, an' no chile to care or love 'im." + +"Wait," interrupted Emilie sternly. "If you are going to let Dinah's father +die, I'm going home." + +The apple woman showed the whites of her eyes in the astonished stare she +gave her. + +"Because"--Emilie swallowed and then finished suddenly--"because it +wouldn't be nice." + +The apple woman looked straight out over her stand. "Well, he didn't, an' +Dinah made him mighty glad he got well, too; for she stopped buryin' her +head in pictur' books, an' she did errands for gran'mam without whinin', +an' she minded Mose so her daddy had mo' peace when he come home tuckered +out; an' when she'd got so she could smile at the boy in the next cabin, +'stead o' runnin' out her tongue at him, the fairy, Love, could stay by +without smoochin' her gown, an' Slap-back had to melt away an' sail off to +try her capers on some other chile." + +"But you needn't pretend you saw her with us," said Franz uneasily. + +The apple woman nodded her red bandana wisely. "Folks that lives outdoors +the way I do, honey, sees mo' than you-all," she answered. + +Emilie ran home ahead of her brother, and softly entered her father's +room. He was at his desk, as was usual at this hour. His head leaned on his +hand, and he was so deep in his work that he did not notice her quiet +entrance. She curled up on the sofa in her usual attitude, but instead of +reading she watched little Peter on the floor building his block house. His +chubby hands worked carefully until the crooked house grew tall, then in +turning to find a last block he bumped his head on the corner of a chair. + +Emilie watched him rub the hurt place in silence. Then he got up on his fat +legs and went to the desk, where he stood patiently, his round face very +red and solemn, while he waited to gain his father's attention. + +At last the busy man became conscious of the child's presence, and, +turning, looked down into the serious eyes. + +"I'm here wid a boomp," said Peter. Then after receiving the consolation of +a hug and kiss he returned contentedly to his block house. + +Emilie saw her father look after the child with a smile sad and tender. Her +heart beat faster as she lay in her corner. Her father was lonely and hard +worked, with no one to take pity on him. A veil seemed to drop from her +eyes, even while they grew wet. + +"I don't believe I'm too old to change, even if I am going on nine," +thought Emilie. At that minute the block house fell in ruins, and Peter, +self-controlled though he was, looked toward the desk and began to whimper. + +"Peter--Baby," cried Emilie softly, leaning forward and holding out the +picture of a horse in her book. + +Her father had turned with an involuntary sigh, and seeing Peter trot +toward the sofa and Emilie receive him with open arms, went back to his +papers with a relief that his little daughter saw. Her breath came fast and +she hugged the baby. Something caught in her throat. + +"Oh, papa, you don't know how many, _many_ times I'm going to do it," she +said in the silence of her own full heart. + +And Emilie kept that unspoken promise. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE GOLDEN DOG + + +"I think, after all, the ravine is the nicest place for stories," said +Jewel the next day. + +The sun had dried the soaked grass, and not only did the leaves look +freshly polished from their bath, but the swollen brook seemed to be +turning joyous little somersaults over its stones when Mrs. Evringham, +Jewel, and Anna Belle scrambled down to its bank. + +"I don't know that we ought to read a story every day," remarked Mrs. +Evringham. "They won't last long at this rate." + +"When we finish we'll begin and read them all over again," returned Jewel +promptly. + +"Oh, that's your plan, is it?" said Mrs. Evringham, laughing. + +Jewel laughed too, for sheer happiness, though she saw nothing amusing +about such an obviously good plan. "Aren't we getting well acquainted, +mother?" she asked, nestling close to her mother's side and forgetting Anna +Belle, who at once lurched over, head downward, on the grass. "Do you +remember what a little time you used to have to hold me in your lap and hug +me?" + +"Yes, dearie. Divine Love is giving me so many blessings these days I only +pray to bear them well," replied Mrs. Evringham. + +"Why, I think it's just as _easy_ to bear blessings, mother," began Jewel, +and then she noticed her child's plight. "Darling Anna Belle, what are you +doing!" she exclaimed, picking up the doll and brushing her dress. "I +shouldn't think you had any more backbone than an error-fairy! Now don't +look sorry, dearie, because to-day it's your turn to choose the story." + +Anna Belle, her eyes beaming from among her tumbled curls, at once turned +happy and expectant, and when her hat had been straightened and her boa +removed so that her necklace could gleam resplendently about her fair, +round throat, she was seated against a tree-trunk and listened with all her +ears to the titles Mrs. Evringham offered. + +After careful consideration, she made her choice, and Mrs. Evringham and +Jewel settling themselves comfortably, the former began to read aloud the +tale of-- + + +THE GOLDEN DOG + +If it had not been for the birds and brooks, the rabbits and squirrels, +Gabriel would have been a very lonely boy. + +His older brothers, William and Henry, did not care for him, because he was +so much younger than they, and, moreover, they said he was stupid. His +father might take some interest in him when he grew bigger and stronger and +could earn money; but money was the only thing Gabriel's father cared for, +and when the older brothers earned any they tried to keep it a secret from +the father lest he should take it away from them. Gabriel had a stepmother, +but she was a sorry woman, too full of care to be companionable. So he +sought his comrades among the wild things in the woods, to get away from +the quarrels at home. + +He was a muscular, rosy-cheeked lad, and in the sports at school he could +out-run and out-jump the other boys and was always good-natured with them; +but even the children at the little country school did not like him very +well, because the very things they enjoyed the most did not amuse him. + +He tried to explain to them that the birds were his friends, and therefore +he could not rob their nests; but they laughed at him almost as much as +when he tried to dissuade them from mocking old Mother Lemon, as they +passed her cottage door on their way to and from school. + +She was an old cross-patch, of course, they told him, or else she would not +live alone on the edge of a forest, with nobody but a cat and owls for +company. + +"Perhaps she would be glad to have some one better for company," Gabriel +replied. + +"Go live with her, yourself, then, Gabriel," said one of the boys +tauntingly. "That's right! Go leave your miser father, counting his gold +all night while you are asleep, and too stingy to give you enough to eat, +and go and be Mother Lemon's good little boy!" and then all the children +laughed and hooted at Gabriel, who walked up to the speaker and knocked him +over on the grass with such apparent ease and such a calm face, that all +the laughers grew silent from mere surprise. + +"You mustn't talk about my father to me," said Gabriel, explaining. Then he +started for home, and the laughing began again, softly. + +"It was true," he thought, as he trudged along. Things were getting worse +at home, and sometimes he was hungry, for there was not too much on the +table, and his big brothers fought for their share. + +As he neared Mother Lemon's cottage, with its thatched roof and tiny +windows, he saw the old woman, in her short gown, tugging at the +well-sweep. It seemed very hard for her to draw up the heavy bucket. + +Instantly Gabriel ran forward. + +"Get out of here, now," cried the old woman, in a cracked voice, for she +saw it was one of the school-children, and she was weary of their worrying +tricks. + +"Shan't I pull up the bucket for you?" asked Gabriel. + +"Ah, I know you. You want to splash me!" returned Mother Lemon, eying him +warily; but the boy put his strong arm to the task, and the dripping bucket +rose from the depths, while the little old woman withdrew to a safer +distance. + +"Show me where to put it and I will carry it into the house for you," said +Gabriel. + +"Now bless your rosy cheeks, you're an honest lad," said Mother Lemon +gratefully; but she took the precaution to walk behind him all the way, +lest he should still be intending to play her some trick. When, however, he +had entered the low door and filled the kettle and the pans, according to +her directions, she smiled on him, and as she thanked him, she asked him +his name. + +"Gabriel," said the lad. + +"Ah," she exclaimed, "you are the miser's boy." + +Gabriel could not knock Mother Lemon down, so he only hung his head while +his cheeks grew redder. + +"It isn't your fault, child, and by the time you are grown you will be +rich. When that time comes, I pray you be kinder to me than your father is, +for he oppresses the poor and makes me pay my last shilling for the rent of +this hovel." + +"I would give the cottage to you if it were mine," returned Gabriel, +looking straight into her eyes with his honest gray ones; "but at present I +am poorer than you." + +"In that case," said Mother Lemon, "I wish I had something worthy to reward +you for your kindness to me. As I have not, here is a penny that you must +keep to remember me by." And in spite of Gabriel's protestations she took +from her side-pocket a coin. + +"I cannot take it from you," protested the boy. + +"No one ever grew richer by refusing to give," returned Mother Lemon, and +she tucked the penny inside Gabriel's blouse and turned him out the door +with her blessing; so that, being a peaceable boy of few words, he objected +no longer, but moved along the road toward home, for it was nearly dinner +time. + +He found his stepmother setting the table, and his father busily +calculating with figures on a bit of paper. + +"Get the water, Gabriel, and be quick now," was his welcome from the +sorry-faced woman. + +When he had done all she directed him, there was still a little time, for +William and Henry had not come in from the field. Gabriel sat down near his +father and, noting a rusty, dusty little book lying on the table, he picked +it up. + +"What is this, father?" he asked, for there were few books in that house. + +The man looked up from his figuring and sneered. "It is called by some the +Book of Life," he said. "As a matter of fact it would not bring two +shillings." + +So saying he returned to his pleasant calculations and Gabriel idly opened +the book. His gaze widened, for the verse on which his eyes fell stood out +from the others in tiny letters of flame. + +"_The love of money is the root of all evil_," he read. + +"Father, father," he exclaimed, "what wonder is this? Look!" The miser +turned, impatient of a second interruption. "See the letters of fire!" + +"I see nothing. You grow stupider every day, Gabriel." + +"But the letters burn, father," and then the boy read aloud the sentence +which for him stood out so vividly on the page. + +They had a surprising effect upon his listener. The miser grew pale and +then red with anger. He rose and, standing over the boy, frowned furiously. +"I'll teach you to reprove your father," he cried. "Get out of my house. No +dinner for you to-day." + +The stepmother had heard what Gabriel read, and well she knew the truth of +those words. + +As the astonished boy gathered himself up and moved out the door, she went +after him, calling in pretended sharpness; but when he came near, she +whispered, "Come to the back of the shed in five minutes," and when Gabriel +obeyed, later, he found there a thick piece of bread and a lump of cheese. + +These he took, hungrily, and ate them in the forest before returning to +school. He had never felt so kindly toward school as this afternoon. Were +it not for what he learned there, he could not have read the words in the +Book of Life; and although they had brought him into trouble, he would not +have foregone the wonder of seeing the living, burning characters which his +father could not perceive. He longed to open those dusty covers once again. + +On his way home that afternoon he met two boys teasing a small brown dog. +Its coat was stuck full of burrs and it tried in vain to escape from its +tormentors. The boys stopped to let Gabriel go by, for they had a wholesome +respect for his strong right arm and they knew his love for animals. The +trembling little dog looked at him in added fear. + +Gabriel stood still. "Will you give me that dog?" he asked. + +The boys backed away with their prize. "Nothing for nothing," said the +taller, who had the animal under his arm. "What'll you give us?" + +Gabriel thought. Never lived a boy with fewer possessions. Ah! He suddenly +remembered a whistle he had made yesterday. Diving his hand into his pocket +he brought it out and whistled a lively strain upon it. + +"This," he said, approaching. "I'll give you this." + +"That for one of us," replied the tall boy. "What for the other?" + +From the moment the dog heard Gabriel's voice, its eyes had appealed to +him. Now it struggled to get free, and the big boy struck it. Its cry +sharpened Gabriel's wits. + +"The other shall have a penny," he said, and drew Mother Lemon's coin out +of his blouse. + +The big boy dropped the dog, and he and his companion struggled for the +coin, each willing the other should have the whistle. Gabriel lost no time +in catching up the dog and making off with it. + +He did not stop running until he had reached a spot by the brookside, +hidden amid sheltering trees. Here he sat down and looked over the forlorn +specimen in his lap. The dog was a rough, dingy object from its long ears +to its tail. + +First of all, Gabriel set to work to get out the burrs that stuck fast in +the thick coat. This took a long time, but the little dog licked his hands +gratefully now and then, showing that he understood, even if the operation +was not always pleasant. + +"Now, comrade," said Gabriel, at last, "you'll have to stand a ducking." + +The dog's beautiful golden eyes looked at him trustfully, and Gabriel, +placing him in the brook, scrubbed him well, long ears and all, and then +raced around with him in the warm air until he was dry. + +What a transformation was there! Gabriel's eyes shone as he looked at his +purchase. The dog's long hair, which had been a dingy brown, shone now like +golden silk in the sunshine, and his eyes gleamed with the light of topazes +as they fixed lovingly on Gabriel's happy face; for Gabriel _was_ happy, as +every one is who sees Love work what is called a miracle, but what is +really not a miracle at all, but just one of the beautiful, happy changes +for the better that follow on Love, wherever she goes. The boy's lonely +heart leaped at the idea that at last he had a companion. + +A despised little suffering dog had altered into a welcome playmate, too +attractive, perhaps, to keep; for Gabriel well knew that he would never be +permitted to take the dog home; and any one finding him now in the woods +could carry him into town and get a good price for him. + +"What shall I call you, little one?" asked the boy. "My word, but you are +lively," for the dog was bounding about so that his ears flew and flapped +around like yellow curls. + +"Topaz, you shall be!" cried Gabriel, suddenly realizing how gem-like were +the creature's eyes; "and now listen to me!" + +To his amazement, as the boy said "Listen," and raised his finger, Topaz at +once sat up on his hind legs with his dainty white forepaws hung in front +of him. + +"Whew!" and Gabriel began whistling a little tune in his amazement, and the +instant the dog heard the music he began to dance. What a sight was there! +Gabriel's eyes grew round as he saw Topaz advance and retreat and twirl, +occasionally nodding and tossing his head until his curls bobbed. He seemed +to long, in his warm little dog's heart, to show Gabriel that he had been +worth saving. + +But the radiance died from the boy's face and he sank at last on the ground +under a tree, looking very dejected. + +Topaz bounded to his lap and Gabriel pulled the long silky ears through his +hands thoughtfully. + +"I thought I had found a companion," he said sadly. + +"Bow-wow," responded Topaz. + +"But you are a trick dog, worth nobody knows how much money, and I cannot +keep you!" + +"Bow-wow," said Topaz. + +"To-morrow I must begin to try to find your master. Meanwhile what am I to +do with you?" The boy rose as he spoke and Topaz showed plainly that there +was no doubt in _his_ mind as to what should be done with him, for he meant +to stick closely to Gabriel's heel. + +The boy suddenly had an idea and began to trudge sturdily off in the +direction of Mother Lemon's cottage, Topaz following close. The memory of +the latter's recent mishaps was too clear in his doggish mind to make him +willing that a single bush should come between him and his protector. + +When they reached the little cottage, Mother Lemon sat spinning outside her +low doorway. + +"Welcome, my man," she said when she finally saw, by squinting into the +sunlight, who it was that approached, "but drive off that dog." + +"Look at him, Mother Lemon," said Gabriel, rather sadly. "Saw you ever one +so handsome?" + +"Looks are deceiving," returned the old woman, "and I have a cat." + +"I will see that he does not hurt your cat. I have to confess that I spent +your penny for him, Mother Lemon." + +"Then I have to confess that you are no worthy son of your father," +returned the old woman, "for he would not have spent it for anything." + +"I know it was a keepsake," replied Gabriel, "but the dog was in danger of +his life and I had no other money to give for him." + +"You are a good-hearted lad," said Mother Lemon, going on with her +spinning. "Now take your dog away, for if my cat, Tommy, should see him it +might go hard with his golden locks." + +"Alas, Mother Lemon, I have come to ask you to keep him for me." + +"La, la! I tell you I could not keep him any longer than until Tommy laid +eyes on him; neither have I any liking for dogs, myself, though that one, I +must say, looks as if he had taken a bath in molten gold." + +"Does he not!" returned Gabriel. "When first I saw him some boys were +misusing him and he seemed to be but a brown cur with a dingy, matted coat; +and I could wish that he had turned out to be of no account, for the look +in his eyes took hold upon my heart; but I rubbed him well in the brook, +and now see the full, feathery tail and silky ears. He is a dog of high +degree." + +"Certain he is, lad," replied the old woman. "Take him to the town and sell +him to some lofty dame who has nothing better to do than brush his curls." + +"I would never sell him," said Gabriel, regarding the dog wistfully. "He is +lonely and so am I. We would stick together if we might." + +"What prevents? Do you fear to take him home lest your father boil him down +for his gold?" and Mother Lemon laughed as she spun. + +"No. My father, I know, would not give him one night's lodging, and in my +perplexity I bethought me to ask you the favor," and Gabriel's honest eyes +looked so squarely at Mother Lemon that she stopped her wheel. "I cannot +keep the dog," continued the boy, "and my heart is heavy." + +"Your father is a curmudgeon," declared the old woman, for the more she +looked at Gabriel, the more she loved him. "What is it? Would he grudge +food for your pet?" + +"It is not that, but I cannot keep the dog in any case." + +"Why not, pray?" + +For answer Gabriel looked down into the topaz eyes whose regard had +scarcely left his face during the interview. He held up his finger, and +instantly the dog sat up. + +"'Tis a trick dog!" exclaimed Mother Lemon. + +Gabriel began to whistle, and the dance commenced. The old woman pressed +her side as she laughed at the comical, pretty sight of the little dancer, +the fluffy golden threads of whose silky coat gleamed in the sunlight. + +"Your fortune is made," said Mother Lemon as Gabriel ceased. "The dog will +fetch a large price in the town, and because you are a good lad I will try +to keep him for you until to-morrow, when you can go and sell him. If your +father saw his tricks he would, himself, dispose of him and pocket the +cash. I will shut him in an outhouse until you come again, and I only hope +that he will not bark and vex Tommy!" + +To the old woman's surprise Gabriel looked sad. "But you see, Mother +Lemon," he said soberly, "the dog already belongs to somebody." + +"La, la!" cried the old woman. "Why, then, couldn't the somebody keep him?" + +"That I do not know; but to-morrow I set forth with him to find his owner." + +Mother Lemon nodded, and she saw the heaviness of the boy's heart because +he must part with the golden dog. + +"'Tis well that you leave him with me then, for your father would not +permit that, any more than he would abate one farthing of my rent." + +Gabriel went with her to the rickety shed where Topaz was to spend the +night, but the dog was loath to enter. He seemed to know that it meant +parting with Gabriel. The boy stooped down and talked to him, but Topaz +licked his face and sprang upon him beseechingly. When, finally, they +closed the door with the dog within, the little fellow howled sorrowfully. + +"I'm sure he's hungry, Mother Lemon," said the boy, and a lump seemed to +stick in his throat. "One bone perhaps you could give him?" + +"Alas, I have none, Gabriel. It is not often that Tommy and I sit down to +meat. He is now hunting mice in the fields or he would be lashing his tail +at these strange sounds!" + +Gabriel opened the door and, going back into the shed, spoke sternly to +Topaz, bidding him lie down. The dog obeyed, looking appealingly from the +tops of his gem-like eyes, but when again the door was fastened, he kept an +obedient silence. + +Thanking Mother Lemon and promising to come early in the morning, Gabriel +sped home. His own hunger made his heart ache for the little dog, and when +he entered the cottage he was glad to see that his stepmother was preparing +the evening meal, while his father bent, as usual, over a shabby, +ink-stained desk, absorbed in his endless calculations. + +Gabriel's elder brothers were there, too, talking and laughing in an +undertone. No one took any notice of Gabriel, whose eye fell on the dusty, +rusty book, and eagerly he picked it up, thinking to see if again he could +find the wonder of the flaming words. + +As he opened it, several verses on the page before him gleamed into light. +In mute wonder he read:-- + +"_And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many +years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry._' + +"_But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required +of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?_' + +"_So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward +God._" + +Gabriel scarcely dared to lift his eyes toward his father, much less would +he have offered to read to him again the flaming words. + +All through the supper time he thought of them and kept very still, for the +others were unusually talkative, his father seeming in such excellent +spirits that Gabriel knew the figures on his desk had brought him +satisfaction. + +"But if he did not oppress Mother Lemon," thought the boy, "he would be +richer toward God." + +When the meal was over, Gabriel took a piece of paper and went quietly to +the back of the house where, in a box, was the refuse of the day's cooking. +He found some bones and other scraps, and, running across the fields to +Mother Lemon's, tiptoed to the low shed which held Topaz, and, finding a +wide crack, pushed the bones and scraps within. + +Then he fled home and to bed, for he had always found that the earlier he +closed his eyes, the shorter was the night. + +This time, however, when his sleepy lids opened, it was not to the light of +day. A candle flame wavered above him and showed the face of his +stepmother, bending down. "Gabriel, Gabriel," she whispered; then, as he +would have replied, she hushed him with her finger on her lips. "I felt +that I must warn you that your father is sorely vexed by the reproof you +gave him to-day. He will send you out into the world, and I cannot prevent +it; but in all that lies in my poor power, I will be your friend forever, +Gabriel, for you are a good boy. Good-night, I must not stay longer," and a +tear fell on the boy's cheek as she kissed him lightly, and then, with a +breath, extinguished the candle and hastened noiselessly away. + +Gabriel lay still, thinking busily for a while; but he was a fearless, +innocent boy, and this threatened change in his fortunes could not keep him +awake long. He soon fell asleep and slept soundly until the dawn. + +Jumping out of bed then, he washed and dressed and went downstairs where +his father awaited him. + +"Gabriel," he said, "you do not grow brighter by remaining at home. I wish +you to go out into the world and shift for yourself. When your fortune is +made, you may return. As you go, however, I am willing to give you a small +sum of money to use until you can obtain work." + +"I will obey you, father," returned the boy, "but as a last favor, I ask +that, in place of the money, you give me the cottage where Mother Lemon +lives." + +The man started and muttered: "He is even stupider than I believed him." +"You may have it," he added aloud, after a wondering pause. + +"That--and this?" returned Gabriel questioningly, taking up the Book of +Life. + +His father scowled, for he remembered yesterday. "Very well, if you like," +he answered, with a bad grace. + +"Then thank you, father, and I will trouble you no more." + +Gabriel's stepmother could scarcely repress her tears as she gave the boy +his breakfast and prepared him a package of bread and meat to carry on his +journey. Then she gave him a few pence, all she had, and he started off +with her blessing. + +As Gabriel went out into the fresh air, all nature was beautiful around +him. There seemed no end to the blue sky, the wealth of sunshine, the +generous foliage on the waving trees. The birds were singing joyously. All +things breathed a blessing. Gabriel wondered, as he walked along, about the +God who, some one had once told him, made all things. It seemed to him that +it could be only a loving Being who created such beauty as surrounded him +now. + +The little book was clasped in his hand. He suddenly remembered with relief +that he was alone and could read it without fear. + +Eagerly opening it, one verse, as before, flamed into brightness, and +Gabriel read:-- + +"_He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love._" + +How wonderful! Gabriel's heart swelled. God was love, then. He closed the +book. For the first time God seemed real to him. The zephyrs that kissed +his cheek and the sun that warmed him like a caress, seemed assuring him of +the truth. The birds declared it in their songs. + +Gabriel went down on his knees in the dewy grass and, dropping his bundle, +clasped to his breast the book. + +"Dear God," he said, "I am all alone and I have no one to love but Topaz. +He is a little dog and I must give him up because he doesn't belong to me. +I know now that I shall love you and you will help me give Topaz back, +because my stepmother told me that you know everything, and she always told +the truth." + +Then Gabriel arose and, taking the package of food, went on with a light +heart until he came to Mother Lemon's cottage. Even that poor shanty looked +pleasant in the morning beams. The tall sunflowers near the door flaunted +their colors in the light, and their cheerful faces seemed laughing at +Mother Lemon as she came to the entrance and called anxiously to the +approaching boy:-- + +"Come quick, lad, hasten. My poor Tommy is distracted, for your dog whines +and threatens to dig his way out of his prison, and I will not answer for +the consequences." + +Indeed, the tortoise-shell cat was seated on the old woman's shoulder. The +fur stood stiffly on his arched back, his tail was the size of two, and his +eyes glowed. + +Gabriel just glanced at the cat as it opened its mouth and hissed, then he +gazed at Mother Lemon. + +"Did you know there was a God?" he asked earnestly. + +"To be sure, lad," replied the old woman, surprised. + +"I've just learned about Him in this wonderful book; the Book of Life is +its name. Saw you ever one like it?" + +The boy placed the rusty little volume in her hands. + +"Ay, lad, many times." + +"Does every one know it?" he asked incredulously. + +"Most people do." + +"Then why is not every one happy?" asked Gabriel. "There is a God and He is +love. Do people believe it?" + +"Ah," returned the old woman dryly, "that is a different thing." + +Gabriel scarcely heard her. He opened his precious book. + +"There," he cried triumphantly, "see the living words:-- + +"'_Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate +us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord_.'" + +"H'm," said the old woman. "The print is too fine for my old eyes." + +"Yes, perhaps 'tis for that that the letters flame like threads of fire. +You see them?" + +"Ahem!" returned Mother Lemon, for she saw no flaming letters, and she +looked curiously at the boy's radiant face. Moreover, Tommy suddenly leaped +from her shoulder to his. All signs of the cat's fear and anger had +vanished, and as it rubbed its sleek fur against Gabriel's cheek, it purred +so loudly that Mother Lemon marveled. + +"Had my father studied this book he might have been happy," continued the +boy; "but he is offended with me and has sent me out into the world, and +well I know that an unhappy heart drives him." + +"Go back, boy, and make your peace with him," cried Mother Lemon excitedly, +"or you will get nothing." + +"Oh, I have received what I asked for. I asked to have this cottage, and he +gave it to me, and I have come now to give it to you, Mother Lemon." + +"My lad!" exclaimed the amazed woman, and her eyes swam with sudden tears. + +"You will have no more rent to pay," said Gabriel, stroking the cat. + +"And what is to become of you?" asked the woman, much moved. + +"I cannot go home," replied the boy quietly; "and in any case I have to +give Topaz, the dog, back to his owner. Why do you weep, Mother Lemon? +Haven't I God to take care of me, and isn't He greater than all men?" + +"Yes, lad. The Good Book says He is king of heaven and earth." + +"Then if you believe it, why are you sad?" + +Mother Lemon dried her eyes, and at this moment they heard a great +scratching on the door of the shed; for Topaz had wakened from a nap and +heard Gabriel's voice. + +"Ah, that I had never given you the penny!" wailed the old woman, "for then +you would not have bought the yellow dog and gone away where I shall see +you no more." + +Gabriel's sober face smiled. "Yes, you will see me again, Mother Lemon, +when my fortune is made. You have God, too, you know." + +"Ay, boy. I'm nearer Him to-day than for many a long year. My blessing go +with you wherever you are; and now let me have Tommy, that he does not fly +at your dancer, to whom I say good riddance. Good-by, lad, good-by, and God +bless you for your goodness and generosity to a lonely old creature!" + +So saying, Mother Lemon took the cat in her arms, and, going into the +house, fastened the door and pulled down the windows, while Gabriel went to +the shed, and taking out the wooden staple released his prisoner. + +Like a living nugget of gold the little dog leaped and capered about the +boy, expressing his joy by the liveliest antics, barking meanwhile in a +manner to set Tommy's nerves on edge; but Gabriel ran laughing before him +into the forest, not stopping until they reached the brookside, where they +both slaked their thirst. Then he put the Book of Life carefully into his +blouse, and opening the package gave Topaz some of the bread and meat it +contained. + +All the time there was a pain in Gabriel's heart because Topaz, by the +morning light, was gayer, prettier, more loving than ever, and his clear +eyes looked so trustfully into Gabriel's that it was not easy to swallow +the lump that rose in the boy's throat at the thought of parting with him. + +At last the package of food was again tied, and Gabriel was ready to start. +Topaz stood expectantly before him, his eyes gleaming softly, the color of +golden sand as it lies beneath sunlit water. + +The boy sat a moment watching the alert face which said as plainly as +words: "Whatever you are going to do, I am eager to do it, too." + +Gabriel thoughtfully drew the silky ears through his hands. "God made you, +too, Topaz, and He knows I love you. If it please Him, we shall not find +your master this first day." + +Then he jumped up and searched for a good stick. He tried the temper of a +couple by whipping the air, and when he found one stiff enough, ran it +through the string about the bundle and looked around for Topaz. To his +astonishment the dog had disappeared. He whistled, but there was no sign. + +Gabriel's face grew blank, then flushed as the reason of the dog's flight +flashed upon him. It forced tears into his eyes to think that any one could +have struck the pretty creature, and that Topaz could have suffered enough +to distrust even him. + +He threw down stick and bundle and walked around anxiously, whistling from +time to time. At last his quick eyes caught the gleam of golden color +behind a bush. Even Topaz's fright could not take him far while a doubt +remained; but he was crouching to the ground, and his eyes were appealing. +Gabriel threw himself down beside the little fellow, and for a minute his +wet eyes were pressed to the silky fur, while he stroked his playmate. +Topaz licked his face, and the dog's fear fled forever. He followed Gabriel +back to the place where the bundle was dropped, and the boy patted him +while he took up the stick and set it across his shoulder. + +Topaz's ears flapped with joy as they started on their tramp. + +Gabriel put away all thought of the future and frolicked with his playmate +as they went along, throwing a stick which Topaz would bring, and beg with +short, sharp barks that the boy would throw once more, when he would race +after it like a streak of sunshine, his golden curls flying. + +From time to time Gabriel ran races with him, and no boy at school could +beat Gabriel at running, so Topaz had a lively morning. + +By the time the sun was high in the heavens they were both hungry and glad +to rest. They found the shade of a large tree, and there Gabriel opened his +package again, and when he tied it up it made a very small bundle on the +end of the stick he carried over his shoulder. + +There was not so much running this afternoon. Gabriel and Topaz had come a +long way, and toward evening they began to see the roofs of the town ahead +of them. + +The dog no longer raced to right and left after butterfly and bird, but +trotted sedately at the boy's heel, and after a time Gabriel picked him up +and carried him, for the thought came that perhaps Topaz could earn them a +place to sleep, and Gabriel wished to rest the little legs that could be so +nimble. + +It was nearly dusk when they reached a cultivated field and then a +farmhouse. Some children were playing in the yard, and when they saw a +dusty boy turn in at the gate, they ran to the house crying that a beggar +was coming. + +Their mother came out from the door, and the expression of her face told +plainly that she meant to drive the dusty couple away. + +Gabriel set down the dog and took off his hat, and his clear eyes looked +out of his grimy face. + +"I am not a beggar," he said simply. "I go to the town to return this dog +to its master, but night is coming on, and we should like to sleep on the +hay." + +"How do I know you are not a thief?" returned the woman. "It is not a very +likely story that you are tramping way to town to give back a yellow dog." + +"He is a dog of high degree," declared Gabriel, "and if you will let us +sleep in your barn he will dance for you." + +Upon this the children begged in chorus to see the dog dance, and the +mother consented; so Topaz, when he was bade, sat up, and then, as Gabriel +whistled, the dainty, dusty little white feet began to pirouette, and the +children clapped their hands for joy and would have kept the dancer at his +work until dark, but that Gabriel would not have it so. + +"We have come far," he said. "Let us rest now, and in the morning Topaz +will dance for you again." + +So all consented and escorted the strangers to the barn, where there was a +clean, sweet hay-loft. + +The little dog remembered the night before, and whined under his breath and +wagged his tail as he looked at Gabriel, as if begging the boy not to leave +him. + +Gabriel understood, and patted the silky coat. It took him some minutes to +get rid of the children, who wished to continue to caress and play with +Topaz; but at last they were gone and the two weary wanderers could lie +down on the sweet hay. As Topaz nestled into his arms Gabriel felt very +thankful to God for their long happy day. If the master should come +to-morrow--well, the only thing to do was to give up his playfellow, and he +should still be grateful for the day and night they had spent together. + +Bright sunlight was streaming through the chinks of the rafters when the +travelers awoke. Sounds of men and horses leaving the barn died away, and +then Gabriel arose and shook himself. Topaz jumped about in delight that +another day had commenced. The boy looked at him wistfully. Was this to be +their last morning together? + +He felt the little book in his blouse and taking it out, opened it. It was +dark in the barn, but, as ever, this wonderful book had a light of its own, +and in tiny letters of flame there appeared this verse:-- + +"_For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love +and of a sound mind._" + +Much comforted, Gabriel put the dear book back in its hiding-place, and +taking his small bundle, left the barn, the dog bounding after him. + +No sooner had the children of the house seen them coming than they ran +forth to meet them, singing and whistling and crying upon Topaz to dance, +but the dog kept his golden eyes upon his master and noticed no one beside. + +The mother came to the door with a much pleasanter face than she had worn +yesterday. + +"You may go to the pump yonder and wash yourself," she said; and Gabriel +obeyed gladly, wiping his face upon the grass that grew long and rank about +the well. + +The clean face was such a good one that when the woman saw it she hushed +the children. "Be still until they have had some breakfast," she said, +"then the dog will dance again." + +So Gabriel and Topaz had a comfortable meal which they enjoyed, and +afterward the boy whistled and the dog danced with a good heart, and the +children danced too, for very pleasure. They were all so happy that Gabriel +for the moment forgot his errand. + +"If you will sell your dog I will buy him," said the woman, at last, for +the children had given her no peace when they lay down nor when they rose +up, until she had promised to make this offer. + +Gabriel looked at her frankly, and a shadow fell over his bright face. +"Alas, madam, he is not mine to sell." + +"Where dwells his master, then?" + +"That I know not, for he had strayed and I found him and must restore him +if I can." + +"'Tis a fool's errand," said the woman, who liked the dog herself, and, +moreover, saw that there was money in his nimble feet. "I will give you as +many coppers as you can carry in your cap if you will leave him here and go +your way and say nothing about it to any one." + +Gabriel shook his head. "Alas, madam, he is not mine," was all the woman +could induce him to say, and she thought his sadness was at the thought of +the cap full of pence which she believed he dared not accept for fear of +getting into trouble. Little she knew that if only the golden dog were +Gabriel's very own, no money could buy from the boy the one heart on earth +that beat warmly for him, and the graceful, gay coat of flossy silk which +he loved to caress; so the farmer's wife and children were obliged to let +the couple go. + +Gabriel had seen, the night before, a creek that wandered through the +meadow, and before entering the town he ran to it and, pulling off his +clothes, jumped in and took a good swim. Barking with delight, Topaz joined +in this new frolic, splashing and swimming about like the jolly little +water dog that he was. + +When, at last, they came out and were dried, and Gabriel was dressed, they +were a fresh looking pair that started out for the town. + +Now Gabriel was not so stupid as his brothers believed, and, as he said +over to himself the verse he had read that morning in the barn, and looked +at Topaz, so winsomely shining after his bath, he began to see how unwise +it would be to tell every one he met that he was searching for Topaz's +owner. There were people in the world, he knew, who would not scruple to +pretend that such a pretty creature was their own, even if they had never +seen him before; so Gabriel determined to be very careful and to know that +God would give him power and a sound mind, if he would not be afraid, as +the Book of Life had said. + +Now the two entered the town; but from the moment their feet struck the +pavements, Topaz's manner changed. He kept so close to Gabriel that the boy +often came near to stepping on him. + +"What ails you, little one?" asked Gabriel, perplexed by his companion's +strange actions. "Don't you know that you are going home?" + +But Topaz did not bark a reply. His feathery tail hung down. He looked at +Gabriel only from the tops of his eyes as he clung close to his heels, and +he even seemed to the boy to tremble when they crossed the busy streets. + +"You mustn't be afraid, Topaz," said Gabriel stoutly. "No one likes a +coward." + +But Topaz only clung the closer, sometimes looking from left to right, +fearfully. At last his actions were so strange that Gabriel took him up +under his arm. "Perhaps if we meet his owner he can see him the better so," +thought the boy, and he looked questioningly into the faces of men, women, +and children as they passed him by. No one did more than stare at him after +observing the beautiful head that looked out from under his arm. + +One good-natured man smiled in passing and said to Gabriel: "Going to the +palace, I suppose." + +This remark astonished the boy very much, and he looked around after the +man. + +Now there had been some one following Gabriel for the last five minutes, +and when he looked around, this person, who was an organ-grinder, quickly +turned his back and began grinding out a tune. At the first sound of it +Topaz started and trembled violently and snuggled so close to Gabriel that +the latter, who did not connect his action with the music, was dismayed. + +"Topaz, what _is_ the matter?" he asked, and hurried along, thinking to +find some park where he could sit down and try to discover what ailed his +little playfellow. + +As he began to hurry, the organ-grinder's black eyes snapped, and he +stopped playing and beckoned to a big officer of the law who stood near. + +"My dog has been stolen," he exclaimed. "Come with me, after the thief. I +will pay you." + +The big man obeyed and walked along, grumbling: "Is the city full of +stolen dogs, I wonder?" he muttered. + +"It is my dancing dog!" explained the organ-grinder. "The boy yonder is +carrying him in his arms and running away. He will deny it, but I will pay +you a silver coin. It is a week since I lost him." + +"Stop, thief," roared the officer, beginning to run. The organ-grinder ran +as well as he could with his heavy burden, and there began to be an +excitement on the street, so that Gabriel, hugging his dog, stopped to see +what was the matter. + +What was his surprise to be confronted by the big officer and the +black-eyed Italian. + +"Drop that dog!" ordered the officer gruffly. + +"Not till I get a string around his neck," objected the organ-grinder, and +produced a cord which he knotted about Topaz's fluffy throat. Then he +pulled the dog away roughly. + +"Is he yours?" cried Gabriel, eyes and mouth open in astonishment. "No, it +cannot be. He is afraid of you. Oh, see!" + +"Ho, this boy has stolen my whole living," said the organ-grinder, "and now +he tries to claim my property." + +"Do not believe him!" cried Gabriel, appealing to the big officer. "It +cannot be his. The dog loves me. Let me show you." + +"Stand off, stand off," ordered the organ-grinder, for a crowd had +gathered. "Would the dog dance for me if he were not mine? See!" He drew +from his coat a little whip and struck the organ with a snap, at which +Topaz jumped. Then he dropped the dog and began to grind, and the crowd +saw the trembling animal raise itself to its hind legs and begin to dance. +Oh, the mincing little uncertain steps! No tossing of the yellow curls was +here. + +Gabriel's heart bounded hotly. Did these people think they were seeing +Topaz dance? + +"Oh, believe me, let me show you!" he cried, trying to come near; but the +big officer pushed him away roughly. + +"Can you pay your debts?" he said, coming close to the organ-grinder. The +man stopped turning his crank and taking a silver coin handed it to the +officer, but slyly, so that no one saw. Then the big man turned to Gabriel. +"Now be off from here!" he said sternly. "If you hang about a minute +longer, into the lock-up you go!" + +Gabriel, white and sorry, clasped his hands helplessly, and watched while +the organ-grinder caught Topaz up under his arm and made off with him, down +a side street. + +The boy felt that he must pursue them. He turned his tearful gaze on the +big officer. "I found that dog, sir," he said. + +"The more fool you, then, not to take it to the palace," returned the +other. "It is gaudy enough to have perhaps pleased the princess, and the +organ-grinder would have had to get another slave." + +So saying, the officer laughed and carelessly turned away. + +Gabriel stood still, choking. It must be that the princess wished to buy a +pet. Ah, if he might even have parted with his little friend to her, how +far better it would have been than this strange, wrong thing that had +happened with such suddenness that the boy could scarcely get his breath +for the way his heart beat. + +He pressed his hand to his streaming eyes, then, seeing that people were +staring at him curiously, he stole away, walking blindly and stumbling over +the rough pavement. + +At last he came to a place in a quiet street where a seat was built into a +wall, and there he sat down and tried to think. In his despair the thought +of the great King of heaven and earth came to him. + +"Dear God," he murmured breathlessly, "what now? What did I wrong, that you +did not take care of Topaz and me?" + +The breeze in the treetops was his only answer; so after listening for a +minute to the soothing sound, he took the Book of Life from his blouse and +opened it. + +Oh, wonderful were the words he saw. How they glowed and seemed to live +upon the gray page. + +"_Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the +Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee: He will not fail thee nor +forsake thee_." + +Gabriel caught his trembling lip between his teeth. He knew no one in this +crowded city. He had no home, no friends, no money except the few coppers +in his pocket. How, then, was help to come? + +"Dear God," he whispered, "I have no one now in all the world but you. +Topaz is gone and I am grieved sore, for he is wretched. Let me save him. I +am not afraid, dear God, not afraid of anything. I trust you." + +Comforted by a little blind hope that crept into his heart, the boy looked +up; and the first thing that his swollen eyes rested upon was a large +poster affixed to the opposite wall, with letters a foot high. "REWARD!" it +said. "H.R.H. the princess has lost her golden dog. A full reward for his +return to the palace!" + +Gabriel's heart gave a great bound. What golden dog was there anywhere but +Topaz? The color that had fled from his cheeks came back. But would an +organ-grinder dare claim for his own a dog that belonged to a princess of +the country? And yet--and yet--the little dog's joy and light-heartedness +with himself showed that he had been well treated by whomever taught him +his pretty tricks. The organ-grinder did not treat him well, and who that +really knew Topaz would dream of taking a whip to force him to his work! + +Gabriel, young as he was, saw that there was some mystery here, and beside, +there had been the glowing words in the Book of Life, telling him again not +to be afraid, and promising him that the greatest of all kings would not +fail him or forsake him. + +He started up from the seat, but forced himself back and opened the small +bundle of dry bread and meat; for there was no knowing when he should eat +again. He took all that remained, and when he had swallowed the last +crumbs, arose with a determined heart and hurried up the street. + +He asked the first man he met if he could direct him to the palace. + +The man shrugged his shoulders. "Where is your yellow dog?" he asked. + +"I have none," returned Gabriel, "but I have business at the palace." + +The man laughed down at the shabby figure of the country lad. "And don't +know where it is? Well, Follow your nose. You are on the right road." + +Gabriel sped along and he was indeed much nearer than he had supposed; for +very soon he met a sorry-faced man with a yellow dog in his arm; then +another; then another; and in fact he could trace his way to the palace by +the procession of men, women, and children, all returning, and each one +carrying a yellow dog and chattering or grumbling according to the height +from which his hopes had been dashed. + +When Gabriel reached the palace gates he saw that there were plenty more +applicants waiting inside the grounds. The boy had never realized how many +varying sizes and shades of yellow dogs there were in the world. + +The guard had received orders to deny entrance to no person who presented a +gold-colored dog for examination, but Gabriel was empty-handed and the +guard frowned upon him. + +"I wish to see the princess," said the boy. + +"I dare say," replied the guard. "Be off." + +"But I wish to tell her about a golden dog." + +"Can't you see that we are half buried in golden dogs?" returned the guard +crossly. + +"No, sir. I have seen none but yellow dogs since I drew near this place. I +have a tale to tell the princess." + +The guard could not forbear laughing at this simplicity. "Do you suppose +ragamuffins like you approach her highness?" he returned. "A dog's tail is +the only sort she is interested in to-day. See the chamberlain yonder. He +is red with fatigue. He is choosing such of the lot as are worthy to be +looked at by the princess, and should he see you demanding audience and +with no dog to show, it will go hard with you. Be off!" and the guard's +gesture was one to be obeyed. + +Gabriel withdrew quietly; but he was not daunted. The princess would, +perhaps, grow weary and drive out. At any rate there was nothing to do +except watch for her. He looked at the splendid palace and gardens and +wondered if Topaz had ever raced about there. Then he wondered what the dog +was doing now; but this thought must be put away, because it made Gabriel's +eyes misty, and he must watch, watch. + +At last his patient vigil was rewarded. A splendid coach drawn by +milk-white horses appeared in the palace grounds. + +Gabriel's heart beat fast. He knew he must act quickly and before any one +could catch him; so he made his way cautiously to the shelter of a large, +flowering shrub by the roadside. + +The coach approached and the iron gates were flung wide. Gabriel plainly +saw a young girl with troubled eyes sitting alone within, and on the seat +opposite an older woman with her back to the horses. + +Suddenly, while the carriage still moved slowly outside the gates that +clanged behind it, Gabriel started from his hiding-place and swiftly leaped +to the step of the coach and looked straight into the young girl's eyes. + +"Princess," he exclaimed breathlessly, "I know of a golden dog, and they +will not let me"--but by this time the lady-in-waiting was screaming, and +the guard, who recognized Gabriel, rushed forth from the gate and, seizing +him roughly, jerked the boy from the step. + +"Unhand him instantly!" exclaimed the princess, her eyes flashing, for the +look Gabriel had given her had reached her heart. "Stop the horses!" + +Instantly the coach came to a standstill. + +"_I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee_," sounded in Gabriel's ears amid +the roaring in his head, as he found himself free. He did not wait for +further invitation, but jumped back to the coach. + +"Stop screaming, Lady Gertrude!" exclaimed the princess. + +"But the beggar's hands are on the satin, your highness!" exclaimed the +lady-in-waiting, who had had a hard week and wished there was not a yellow +dog in the world. + +"Princess, hear me and you will be glad," declared Gabriel. "I beg for +nothing but to be heard. I believe I know where your dog is and that he +suffers." + +No one could have seen and heard Gabriel as he said this, without believing +him. Tears of excitement sprang to his gray eyes and a pang went through +the heart of the princess. How many times she had wondered if her lost pet +had found such love as she gave him! + +She at once ordered the door of the coach to be opened and that Gabriel +should enter. + +"Your highness!" exclaimed Lady Gertrude, nearly fainting. + +"You may leave us if you please," said the princess, with a little smile; +but Lady Gertrude held her smelling-salts to her nose and remained in the +coach, which the princess ordered to be driven through a secluded +wood-road. + +Gabriel, sitting beside her on the fine satin cushion, told his story, from +the moment when he found the dingy, brown dog in the hands of the teasing +boys, to the moment when the organ-grinder bore him away. + +The hands of the princess were clasped tightly as she listened. "You called +him Topaz," she said, when the boy had finished. "I called him Goldilocks. +Ah, if it should be the same! If it should!" + +"Surely there are not two dogs in the world so beautiful," said Gabriel. + +"That is what I say to myself," responded the princess. + +"Had he been less wonderful, your highness, he would be safe now, for I +should have kept him. He loved me," said Gabriel simply. + +"You are an honest boy," replied the princess gratefully, "and I will make +you glad of it whether Topaz turns out to be Goldilocks or not. But you say +he danced with so much grace?" + +"Yes, your highness, and tossed his head for glee till his curls waved +merrily." + +"'Tis the same!" cried the princess, in a transport. "His eyes _are_ like +topazes. Your name is the best. He shall have it. Ah, he has slept in a +shed and eaten cold scraps! My Goldilocks!" + +"Yes, your highness, and would be glad to do so still; for he fears his +dark-browed master, and dances with such trembling you would not know him +again." + +"Ah, cruel boy, cease! Take me to him at once. Show my men the spot where +you left him." + +"Your highness must use great care, for if once the organ-grinder suspects +that you are searching for him, no one will ever again see the golden dog; +for the man will fear to be found with him." + +"You are right. I can send out men with orders to examine every hand-organ +in the city." + +"If they were quiet enough it might be done, but I have a better plan." + +"You may speak," returned the princess. + +"When we are alone, your highness," said Gabriel; and the lady-in-waiting +was so amazed at such effrontery that she forgot to use her salts. + +"To the palace," ordered the princess. + +Lady Gertrude gave the order. + +"Does your highness intend to take this--this person to the palace?" she +inquired. + +"I do. He loves my dog, and therefore I would give more for his advice at +this time than for that of the Lord High Chamberlain." + +"Then I have nothing more to say," returned the Lady Gertrude, leaning back +among the cushions; and this was cheering news to her companions. + +What was the astonishment of the guard to see the coach return, still +carrying the rustic lad, who sat so composedly beside the princess, and +dismounted with her at the palace steps. + +Once within, nothing was too fine for Gabriel. A gentleman-in-waiting was +set to serve him in an apartment, which made the boy pinch himself to make +sure he was not dreaming. + +When he had taken a perfumed bath and obediently put on the fine clothing +that was provided for him, he was summoned to a splendid room where the +princess awaited him, surrounded by her ladies. She was scarcely more than +a child, herself, and the boy wondered how she liked to have so many +critical personages about, to watch her every action. + +As he entered the room, every eye was turned upon him, and the Lady +Gertrude, especially, put up her glass in wonder that this handsome lad +with the serious, fearless eyes, who seemed so at ease in the silks and +satins he now wore, could be the peasant who had jumped on the step of the +coach. + +The princess looked upon him with favor and smiled. "We are ready now," she +said, "to hear what plan you propose for the rescue of the golden dog." + +"Then will your highness kindly ask these ladies to leave us?" returned +Gabriel. + +"Ah, to be sure. I forgot your wish that the communication should be +private." + +Then the princess gave orders that every one should leave the room, and her +companions obeyed reluctantly, the Lady Gertrude above all. She remained +close to the outside of the closed door, ready to fly within at the +slightest cry from her mistress; for the Lady Gertrude could not quite +believe that a boy who had ever worn a calico shirt was a safe person to +leave alone with royalty. + +For a few minutes there was only a low buzz of voices behind the closed +door, then a merry laugh from the princess assailed Lady Gertrude's ears. +It was the first time she had laughed since the disappearance of the golden +dog. + +Before Gabriel slipped between the sheets that night in his luxurious +chamber, he took the little brown book which had been folded away with his +shabby clothing. His heart glowed with gratitude to God for the help he had +received that day, and when he opened the page it was as if a loving voice +spoke:-- + +"_Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because +he trusteth in thee_." + +"Dear God, I trust in thee!" he murmured; then he climbed into the soft bed +and slept dreamlessly. + +The following morning, the king and queen having given consent to their +daughter's request, two children drove out of the palace grounds in a plain +black carriage. The coachman drove to a confectioner's near the centre of +the town, where the horses stopped. A tall man in dark clothes, who was +also in the carriage, stepped down first and handed out the girl, and +afterward the boy jumped down. Then the carriage rolled away. + +"Remember," said the girl, turning to the tall man, "you are not to remain +too near us." + +He bowed submissively, and in a minute more the girl and boy, plainly +dressed, middle-class people, were looking in at the confectioner's window +at a pink and white frosted castle that reared itself above a cake +surrounded with bon-bons to make one's mouth water. + +"Saw you ever anything so grand, your highness?" exclaimed Gabriel, in awe. + +The princess laughed. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes sparkled. This was +the first time her little feet had ever touched a city street, and she +loved the adventure. + +"Find me Topaz, and all the contents of this window shall be yours," she +returned. + +"I shall not care to have anything until we do find him, your highness," +replied Gabriel simply. + +"You must not call me that. Some one might hear you." + +"I know it. There is danger of it," declared Gabriel; "but the gentleman +who is to follow us said I should lose my head if I treated you +familiarly." + +The princess laughed again. She was in a new world, like a bird whose cage +door had been opened. + +"We need your head until we find Topaz," she replied, "for you have clever +ideas. Nevertheless, my name is Louise, and you may remember it if +necessity arises. Now where shall we go first?" + +"Straight down this street," said the boy, leading the way. "I am expecting +God will show us where to go," he added. + +His companion looked at him in surprise, and Gabriel observed it. "Don't +you know about God?" he asked. + +"Of course. Who does not?" she returned briefly. + +"I did not," answered Gabriel, "until I found the Book of Life. It speaks +to me in words of flame. Have you such a book?" + +"No. I will buy it from you," said the princess. + +"No one can do that," declared the boy, "for it is more precious than all +beside. This morning I looked into it for guidance through the day, and the +glowing words were sweet:-- + +"'_For He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy +ways_.'" + +Gabriel smiled at the princess with such gladness that she gazed at him +curiously. + +"You cannot refuse to sell me your book," she said at last, "for I can +have your head taken off if I wish. I am the king's daughter." + +"God is greater than all kings," returned Gabriel, "and He would not allow +it. He helped me to get your attention yesterday, and to-day He is sending +his angels with us to find Topaz. The Book of Life is for every one, I +believe. I am sure you can have one, too." + +Here both the boy and girl started, for there came a metallic sound of +music on the air. "Be cautious, be very cautious," warned Gabriel, and as +the princess started to run, he caught her by the arm, a proceeding which +horrified the tall man in dark clothes who was at some distance back, but +had never taken his eyes from them. "You must not be too interested," added +the boy, as excited as she. "A hand-organ is an every-day affair. We even +hear them in the country at times." + +But they both followed the sound, veiling their eagerness as best they +might. When they came in sight of the organ-grinder they both sighed, for +he had no assistance from a little dog nor from any one else. + +The princess was for turning away impatiently. + +"Wait," said Gabriel, "we are interested in organ music." So he persuaded +her to stand a minute, while her bright eyes roved in all directions; and +the organ man saw a hope of coppers in the pair, for they were decently +dressed and lingered in apparent pleasure. He kept his eyes upon them and +at last held out his cap. + +The princess had plenty of pence in the bag at her side, placed there by +the thoughtful Gabriel in place of the handful of silver with which she had +intended to reward street musicians. + +"You are one of the common people, your highness; or else you need have no +hope of Topaz," he had reminded her; so now the impatient girl tossed some +coppers into the outstretched cap and hurried along as if they were wasting +time. + +The next organ they found had, sitting upon it, a monkey dressed in red cap +and jacket, and Gabriel insisted on waiting to watch him, although the +sight of his antics only swelled the princess's heart as she thought that +somewhere Topaz was being forced to such indignity. + +The little monkey did not seem to object, and gladly ran to his master with +the coppers that Gabriel dropped in his cap. + +The next organ-grinder they found had with him a little Italian girl with a +red silk handkerchief knotted about her head. She sang and played on a +tambourine, and Gabriel persuaded his companion to watch and listen for a +few minutes. + +If only they could find Topaz first, her royal highness, princess of the +country, would ask nothing better than to roam freely about the streets, +listening and gazing like any other young girl out for a holiday; but Topaz +was on her mind, and she was not accustomed to being forced to wait. + +"Listen to me," murmured Gabriel, as they moved on after making the little +Italian show her white teeth in pleasure at their gift. "Do not frown. You +must look pleased. It is the only way." + +So the princess put a restraint upon herself. With the next organ they +met, she saw a yellow dog who wore a cap fastened under his chin, and sat +up holding a cup in his teeth for pennies, and she set her lips in the +effort to control herself. The dog had long ears and white paws. Gabriel's +own heart beat in his throat, but he grasped the woolen stuff of his +companion's gown as the man began to play. It was not the man of yesterday, +but that mattered not to Gabriel. They waited till the tune was finished, +the gaze of the princess devouring the dog meanwhile. Then the little +creature trotted up to them very prettily on his hind legs, offering his +cup, and the children dropped into it coppers while they looked into the +yellow eyes. + +"Hi--Oh--Hi--Oh"--and another tune broke into the one which their +organ-grinder commenced. Following the sound of the call, Gabriel and the +princess looked a little way off, across the street, and beheld a street +musician grinding away and beckoning to them with his head, while his teeth +gleamed in an attractive smile. + +"Pay no attention to him," said the man with the yellow dog, grinding +lustily, and making a frightful discord. "'Tis Pedro and his little brown +beast. He seeks to draw my listeners away as if I had not the most +intelligent dog in the universe, and, moreover, of the color which the +princess has made fashionable. I doubt not if her highness saw my dog she +would give me for him as many gold eagles as I have fingers on my hand; but +he is not for the princess, who has joys enough without depriving the +children on the street of their pleasures." + +The girl in the brown woolen gown was clasping her hands painfully +together, and her heart was beating with hope; but Gabriel shook his head +at her, and she remained quiet. He had already seen that the dog was not +Topaz, although astonishingly like him in size and shape. + +Pedro, across the street, kept drawing nearer, as he played and smiled and +beckoned with his head. There trotted after him an unpromising little brown +dog with limp tail and ears. The man, in his good-nature and success, +looked very different from the organ-grinder of yesterday; and as he +laughed aloud, the master of the yellow dog frowned and shouted something +in Italian back at him, before shouldering his organ and tramping away, his +dog very glad to go on all fours again. + +Pedro pulled off his hat, smiling at the lingering girl and boy. "He says +you have given him all your coppers," he said. "I don't believe it; but in +any case I will give you a tune." + +"You are letting him go," murmured the princess breathlessly, starting to +run after the yellow dog. + +"Saw you not 'twas not Topaz?" asked Gabriel, under cover of the lively +tune, and again seizing a fold of the woolen gown, he held the girl in her +place. "Wait," he said aloud, with a show of interest, "I wish to hear the +music." + +"Let me go, my heart is sick," returned the princess, turning her head +away. + +Gabriel pretended to frown at her and pulled some pence from his pocket, at +sight of which the organ-grinder's eyes brightened and he played harder +than ever. + +"Can you be strong, princess?" asked the boy distinctly. "Don't look now, +but Topaz has come to us." + +The princess started, and instead of obeying, looked closely first at the +dejected little brown dog and then up and down the street and behind her, +but in vain. + +"If those pence are for me, my boy," said the organ-grinder, stopping his +music, "you and your sister shall see my dog dance. He is the wonder of the +world, although he is not much to look at. We cannot all be royal and own +golden dogs." + +Gabriel threw him the pennies, for he did not yet wish to come too near +Topaz, lest the little dog might see deeper than the respectable raiment in +which his own brother would not have known him. + +The boy clapped his hands above his head; the organ-grinder thought it was +for joy, but it was a signal agreed upon. A shrill whistle sounded on the +air. The organ-grinder knew the sound and knew that it was intended to +summon the officers of the law. He wondered what poor wretch was getting +into trouble; but it was none of his business. He took a whip from within +his coat, and with it struck the organ a violent snap. + +At the sound the little dog jumped. The princess noticed that Gabriel's +eyes were fixed on him, and wondered what he could be thinking of to +confound this sorry-looking, dull-colored animal with her gay companion of +the palace garden. + +The music began, the dog reared himself patiently upon his hind feet and +stepped about so slowly that the organ-man growled at him and struck the +organ again. Then the dancer moved faster; but the ears did not fly and +every motion was a jerk. Nevertheless, the princess's heart had now begun +to suffocate her. She recalled Gabriel's story of washing off the brown +color from the dingy fur in the brook, and her eyes swam with tears at the +mere possibility that this might be the object of her search. She had just +sense enough to keep still and leave everything to Gabriel. Here, too, +approached the tall gentleman, followed by an officer of the law. Gabriel +saw at a glance that it was the same big fellow who had driven him away +yesterday. + +The tall, dignified gentleman-in-waiting looked in disgust at the stiff +little brown dancer. + +"This foolish peasant is but getting us into trouble," he thought, "but he +will suffer for it." + +Indeed, Gabriel knew the law of the land; knew that if he accused the +organ-grinder wrongfully he would be walked off to prison in his place; but +Gabriel had seen the brown dog's eyes. There were no doubts in his heart, +which bounded so that it seemed as if it could hardly stay within his +bosom. + +"Come away, your highness," murmured the gentleman-in-waiting, in the +princess's ear. "This is a farce." + +"Stand back and wait," she replied sternly, and he obeyed. + +Meanwhile the organ-grinder had observed the newcomers and was showing +every tooth in his head at the prospect of a rich harvest of coppers. In a +minute he ceased playing. The brown dog dropped to all fours, and his +hopeless air sent a pang through the princess. + +The organ-grinder held out his cap. + +"I don't think much of your dog's dancing," said Gabriel, looking him in +the eye. "I could make him do better, myself." + +"It doesn't do to use the whip too much," replied the organ-grinder, but +Gabriel had already gone on his knees beside the dog and whispered to him. +Instantly the little creature went into a transport of delight. Bounding to +the boy's breast, it clung there so closely that Gabriel gave up the +experiment that he had intended of trying to show the organ-man how his +slave could dance. + +Rising, Gabriel held the panting Topaz in his arms. "I declare," he said +aloud, "I declare this to be the princess's lost dog." + +The organ-grinder scowled and grew pale. "'Tis a lie," he cried, "hers was +a golden dog." + +"This is a golden dog," said Gabriel. + +Even the gentleman-in-waiting was impressed by the certainty of the boy's +voice. The organ-grinder turned to the officer and shook his fist. "'Tis +that boy again!" he cried. "If this is the princess's dog, that boy stole +him. As for me, I found the poor creature, friendless and lost, and I took +pity on him." + +"Why, then, did you stain his coat?" asked Gabriel. + +The organ-grinder looked wildly up and down the street. For some reason he +felt that a silver coin would not affect the officer of the law to-day. + +The gentleman-in-waiting pointed sternly at the culprit. "Take him away," +he said to the officer. "Should this prove to be indeed the princess's dog, +he has committed treason." + +And now the black carriage and spirited horses drove up. The three entered +it with the dog and were whirled away. + +By noon it was rumored in that street that her royal highness, the princess +of the land, had walked through it, dressed like one of the common people. + +Within the carriage the princess was weeping tears of joy above her pet. + +"If it is you, Goldilocks, if it is you!" she kept repeating; but the dog +clung to the one who had recognized his topaz eyes in spite of everything. + +"He is not fit, yet, for your highness to touch," said Gabriel, "but if you +will give me one hour, I will show him to you unchanged." + +That afternoon there was rejoicing at the palace. All had felt the +influence of the princess's grief, for she was the idol of the king and +queen; and now, as Topaz capered again, a living sunbeam, through corridor +and garden, all had a word of praise for the peasant boy who had restored +him to his home. + +At evening the princess received a message from Gabriel and ordered that he +be sent to her. + +In a minute he entered, dressed in the shabby garments in which he had +leaped upon the coach step. In his hand he held a little rusty book, and +his clear eyes looked steadily at the princess, with the honest light which +had first made her listen to him. + +"I come to say farewell, your highness," he said. + +A line showed in her forehead. "What reward have they given you?" + +"None, your highness." + +"What have you in your hand?" + +"The Book of Life." + +"Come nearer and let me see it." + +The ladies-in-waiting were, as usual, grouped near their mistress, and they +stared curiously at the peasant boy. + +Only Topaz, who at his entrance had bounded from a satin cushion as golden +as his flossy coat, leaped upon him with every sign of affection. + +Gabriel approached and handed the book to the princess. + +She opened it and ran her eye over the gray pages. "I see no fiery +letters," she said, and handed it back. The boy opened it. As usual a +flaming verse arrested his eye. He pointed with his finger at the words and +read aloud:-- + +"'_He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in +trouble: I will deliver him and honor him_.'" + +"'Tis a fair promise," said the princess, "but I see no flaming letters." + +"I do, your highness," returned Gabriel simply, and looking into his eyes +she knew that he spoke the truth. + +She gazed at him curiously. "Where go you now, and what do you do?" she +asked, after a pause. + +"That I know not," replied Gabriel, "but God will show me." + +"By means of that book?" + +"Yes, your highness," and Gabriel bowed his head and moved toward the door. +Topaz followed close at his heel. If Gabriel were going for a walk, why, so +much the better. He was going, too. + +The boy smiled rather sadly, for he knew the golden dog loved him, and +there was no one else anywhere who cared whether he went or came. He +stooped and, picking up the little creature, carried him to the princess. +"You will have to hold him from following me, your highness." + +The girl took the dog, but he struggled and broke from her grasp, to leap +once again upon his departing friend. + +"Wait," said the princess, and rose. Gabriel stood, all attention, and +gazed at her, where she stood, smiling kindly upon him. "I promised a full +reward to whomever returned me my dog. You have not yet received even the +window-full of pink and white sweetmeats which I promised you this +morning." + +Gabriel smiled, too. + +"Where is your home, Gabriel, and why are you not returning there?" + +"I have no home. It is a long story, your highness, and would not interest +you." + +"Ah, but it does interest me," and the princess smiled more brightly than +ever; "because if you have no home you can remain in our service." + +A light flashed into Gabriel's sober face. "What happiness!" he exclaimed. + +No answer could have pleased the princess better than the pleasure in his +eyes. "Topaz is not willing you should leave him, and neither am I. When +you are older, his majesty, my father, will look after your fortunes. For +the present you shall be a page." + +"Your highness!" protested the Lady Gertrude, "have you considered? The +pages are of lofty birth. Will it not go hard with the peasant? Give him a +purse and let him go." + +The princess answered but did not remove her gaze from the boy's flushed +face, while Topaz's cold little nose nestled in his down-dropped hand. + +"Gabriel is my friend, be he prince or peasant," she said slowly, "and it +will go hard with those who love him not." The young girl's eyes met +Gabriel's and then she smiled as light-heartedly as on this morning when +she wore the woolen gown. "And now make Topaz dance," she added, "the way +he danced in the woods." + +The boy's happy glance dropped to the dog, and he raised his finger. With +alacrity Topaz sat up, and then Gabriel began to whistle. + +How the court ladies murmured with soft laughter, for no one had ever seen +such a pretty sight. Not for any of them, not for the princess herself, had +Topaz danced as he danced to-day. + +"Ah," murmured the princess, "how much more powerful than the whip is +love!" + +When music and dancing had ceased, she smiled once more upon Gabriel, whose +happy heart was full. + +"Go now," she said, "and learn of your new duties; but the chief one you +have learned already. It is to be faithful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE TALKING DOLL + + +Mr. Evringham's horseback rides in these days were apt to be accompanied by +the stories, which Jewel related to him with much enthusiasm while they +cantered through wood-roads, and it is safe to say that the tales furnished +full as much entertainment at second hand as they had at first. + +The golden dog had deeply impressed Jewel's fancy, and when she finished +relating the story, her face all alight, Mr. Evringham shook his head. + +"Star is going to have his hands full, I can see," he remarked, restraining +Essex Maid's longing for a gallop. + +"Why, grandpa?" + +"To hold his own against that dog." + +Jewel looked thoughtful. "I suppose it wouldn't be any use to try to teach +Star to dance, would it?" she asked. + +"Oh, yes. Ponies learn to dance. We shall have to go to a circus and let +you see one; but how should you like it every time Star heard a band or a +hand-organ to have him get up on his hind legs and begin?" + +Jewel laughed and patted her pony's glossy neck. "I guess I like Star best +the way he is," she replied, "but grandpa, did you ever _hear_ of such a +darling dog?" + +"I confess I never did," admitted the broker. + +"I should think there was some trick Star could learn," said Jewel +musingly. + +"Why, of course there is. Tell Zeke you wish to teach Star to shake hands. +He'll help you." + +This idea pleased Jewel very much, and in the fullness of time the feat was +accomplished; but by the time the black pony had learned that he must lift +his little hoof carefully and put it in his mistress's hand, before his +lump of sugar was forthcoming, he wished, like the Lady Gertrude, that +there had never been a yellow dog in the world. + +When next Mrs. Evringham, Jewel, and Anna Belle settled in the ravine to +the reading of a story, it was Jewel's turn to choose. When her mother had +finished naming the remaining titles, the child hesitated and lifted her +eyebrows and shoulders as she gave the reader a meaning glance. Mrs. +Evringham wondered what was in her mind, and, after a minute's thought, +Jewel turned to Anna Belle, sitting wide-eyed against a tree. + +"Just excuse me one minute, dearie," she said; then, coming close to her +mother's ear, she whispered:-- + +"Is there anything in 'The Talking Doll' to hurt Anna Belle's feelings?" + +"No, I think she'd rather like it," returned Mrs. Evringham. + +"You see," whispered Jewel, "she doesn't know she's a doll." + +"Of course not," said Mrs. Evringham. + +Jewel sat back: "I choose," she said aloud, "I choose 'The Talking Doll.'" + +As Anna Belle only maintained her usual amiable look of interest, Mrs. +Evringham proceeded to read aloud as follows:-- + + * * * * * + +When Gladys opened her eyes on her birthday morning, the sun was streaming +across her room, all decorated in rose and white. It was the prettiest room +any little girl could have, and everything about the child looked so +bright, one would have expected her to laugh just for sympathy with the gay +morning; but as she sat up in bed she yawned instead and her eyes gazed +soberly at the dancing sunbeams. + +"Ellen," she called, and a young woman came into the room. + +"Oh, you're awake, Miss Gladys. Isn't this a fine birthday Mother Nature's +fixed up for you?" + +The pleasant maid helped the little girl to bathe and dress, and, as the +toilet went on, tried to bring a cheerful look into Gladys's face. "Now +what are you hoping your mother has for you?" she asked, at last. + +"I don't know," returned the child, very near a pout. "There isn't anything +I want. I've been trying to think what I'd like to have, and I can't think +of a thing." She said this in an injured tone, as if the whole world were +being unkind to her. + +Ellen shook her head. "You are a very unlucky child," she returned +impressively. + +"I am not," retorted Gladys, looking at Ellen in astonishment. The idea +that she, whom her father and mother watched from morning until night as +their greatest treasure, could be called unlucky! She had never expressed a +wish in her life that had not been gratified. "You mustn't say such things +to me, Ellen," added the child, vexed that her maid did not look sorry for +having made such a blunder. + +Ellen had taken care of her ever since she was born, and no one should know +better what a happy, petted life she had led; but Ellen only shook her head +now; and when Gladys was dressed she went down to the dining-room where her +parents were waiting to give her a birthday greeting. + +They kissed her lovingly, and then her mother said:-- + +"Well, what does my little girl want for her gift?" + +"What have you for me?" asked Gladys, with only faint interest. She had +closets and drawers full of toys and books and games, and she was like a +person who has been feasted and feasted, and then is asked to sit down +again at a loaded table. + +For answer her mother produced from behind a screen a beautiful doll. It +was larger and finer than any that Gladys had owned, and its parted, rosy +lips showed pearly little teeth within. + +Gladys looked at it without moving, but began to smile. Then her mother put +her hand about the doll's waist and it suddenly said: "Ma-ma--Pa-pa." + +"Oh, if she can talk!" cried Gladys, looking quite radiant for a minute, +and running forward she took the doll in her arms. + +"Her name is Vera," said the mother, happy at having succeeded in pleasing +her child. "Here is something that your grandmother sent you, dear. Isn't +it a quaint old thing?" and Gladys's mother showed her a heavy silver bowl +with a cover. On the cover was engraved, "It is more blessed to give than +to receive." + +"I don't know where your grandma found such an odd thing nor why she sent +it to a little girl; but she says it will be an heirloom for you." + +Gladys looked at the bowl and handled it curiously. The cover fitted so +well and the silver was so bright she was rather pleased at having, such a +grown-up possession. + +"It is evidently valuable," said her mother. "I will have it put with our +silver." + +"No," returned Gladys, and her manner was the willful one of a spoiled +child. "I want it in my room. I like it." + +"Oh, very well," answered her mother. "Grandma will be glad that you are +pleased." + +An excursion into the country had been planned for Gladys to-day. She had +some cousins there, a girl of her own age and a boy a little older. She had +not seen Faith and Ernest for five years. Their father and mother were away +on a long visit now, so the children were living in the old farmhouse with +an aunt of their father's to take care of them. Gladys's mother thought it +would be a pleasant change for her in the June weather, and it was an +attractive idea to Gladys to think of giving these country cousins a sight +of her dainty self, her fine clothes, and perhaps she would take them one +or two old toys that she liked the least; but the coming of Vera put the +toy idea completely out of her head. What would Faith say to a doll who +could talk! + +Gladys was in haste now for the time to come to take the train; and as Vera +was well supplied with various costumes, the doll was soon arrayed, like +her little mamma, in pretty summer street-dress and ready to start. + +Gladys's father had a guest to-day, so his wife remained at home with him, +and Ellen took charge of the birthday excursion. + +Driving to the station and during the hour's ride on the train, Gladys was +in gay spirits, chattering about her new doll and arranging its pretty +clothes, and each time Vera uttered her words, the child would laugh, and +Ellen laughed with her. Gladys was a girl ten years old, but to the maid +she was still a baby, and although Ellen thought she saw the child's +parents making mistakes with her every day, she, like them, was so relieved +when Gladys was good-natured that she joined heartily in the little girl's +pleasure now over her birthday present. + +"Won't Faith's eyes open when she sees Vera?" asked Gladys gayly. + +"I expect they will," returned Ellen. "What have you brought with you for +her and her brother?" + +The child shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing. I meant to but I forgot it, +because I was so pleased with Vera. Isn't her hair sweet, Ellen?" and +Gladys twisted the soft, golden locks around her fingers. + +"Yes, but it would have been nice to bring something for those children. +They don't have so much as you do." + +"Of course not. I don't believe they have much of anything. You know +they're poor. Mother sends them money sometimes, so it's all right." And +Gladys poked the point of her finger within Vera's rosy lips and touched +her little white teeth. + +Ellen shook her head and Gladys saw it and pouted. "Why didn't _you_ think +of it, then, or mother?" she asked. + +"You won't have somebody to think for you all your life," returned Ellen. +"You'd better be beginning to think about other people yourself, Gladys. +What's that it said on your grandmother's silver bowl?" + +"Oh, I don't know. Something about giving and receiving." + +"Yes. 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' that's what it said," +and Ellen looked hard at her companion, though with a very soft gaze, too; +for she loved this little girl because she had spent many a wakeful night +and busy day for her. + +"Yes, I remember," returned Gladys. "Grandma had that put on because she +wanted me to know how much she would rather give me things than have people +give things to her. Anyway, Ellen, if you are going to be cross on my +birthday I wish mother had come with me, instead;" and a displeased cloud +came over the little-girl's face, which Ellen hastened to drive away by +changing the subject. She knew her master and mistress would reprove her +for annoying their idol. They always said, when their daughter was +unusually naughty or selfish, "Oh, Gladys will outgrow all these things. We +Won't make much of them." + +By the time they reached the country station, Gladys's spirits were quite +restored and, carrying her doll, she left the train with Ellen. + +Faith and Ernest were there to meet them. No wonder the children did not +recognize each other, for they had been so young when last they met; and +when Gladys's curious eyes fell upon the country girl, she felt like a +princess who comes to honor humble subjects with a visit. + +Faith and Ernest had never thought about being humble subjects. Their rich +relative who lived in some unknown place and sometimes sent their mother +gifts of money and clothing had often roused their gratitude, and when she +had written that their cousin Gladys would like to visit the farm on her +birthday, they at once set their wits to work to think how they could make +her have a good time. They always had a good time themselves, and now that +vacation had begun, the days seemed very full of fun and sunshine. They +thought it must be hard to live in a city street as their mother had +described, it to them, and even though she was away now and could not +advise them, they felt as if they could make Gladys enjoy herself. + +Faith's hair was shingled as short as her brother's, and her gingham frock +was clean and fresh. She watched each person descend from the train, and +when a pretty girl with brown eyes and curls appeared, carrying a large +doll, Faith's bright gaze grew brighter, and she was delighted to find that +it was Gladys. She took it for granted that kind-faced Ellen, so well +dressed in black, was her aunt, and greeted her so, but Gladys's brown eyes +widened. + +"My mother couldn't come, for father needed her," she explained. "This is +my maid, Ellen." + +"Oh," said Faith, much impressed by such elegance. "We thought aunt Helen +was coming. Ernest is holding the horse over here," and she led the way to +a two-seated wagon where a twelve-year-old boy in striped shirt and old +felt hat was waiting. + +Faith made the introductions and then helped Gladys and Ellen into the back +seat of the wagon, all unconscious of her cousin's wonder at the absence of +silver mountings and broadcloth cushions. Then Faith climbed over the wheel +into the seat beside her brother, and the horse started. She turned about +so as to talk more easily with her guest. + +"What a beautiful doll!" she said admiringly. + +"Yes," returned Gladys, "this is my birthday, you know." + +"Oh, then, is it new? I thought it was! Hasn't she the prettiest clothes? +Have you named her yet?" + +"Her name is Vera. Mother says it means true, or truth, or something like +that." + +Ernest turned half around to glance at the object of the girls' admiration; +but he thought Gladys herself a much more attractive creature than the +doll. + +"I suppose your cousin Gladys can't ask you to admire her doll much, Master +Ernest," said Ellen. She liked these rosy children at once, and the fresh, +sunlit air that had painted their cheeks. + +"Oh, it's pretty enough," returned Ernest, turning back and clucking to the +horse. + +Gladys enjoyed Faith's pleasure. She would not try to show off Vera's +supreme accomplishment in this rattlety-banging wagon. How it did jounce +over occasional stones in the country road! + +[Illustration: "I HEAR A SHEEP"] + +Ellen smiled at her as the child took hold of her arm in fear of losing her +balance. "That was a 'thank-ye-ma'am,'" she said, as the wagon suddenly +bounded over a little hillock. "Didn't you see what a pretty curtsy we all +made?" + +But Gladys thought it was rather uncomfortable and that Ernest drove too +fast, considering the state of the toads. + +"This wagon has such nice springs," said Faith. She was eager to take Vera +into her own hands, but no wonder Gladys liked to hold her when she had +only had her such a short time. + +Aunt Martha was standing on the piazza to welcome the company when they +arrived. She was an elderly woman with spectacles, and it had to be +explained to her, also, that Ellen was not Gladys's mother. + +The maid was so well dressed in her quiet street suit that aunt Martha +groaned in spirit at first at the prospect of caring for a fashionable city +servant; and it was a relief when the stranger looked up and said +pleasantly: "I'm just Ellen." + +There was an hour left before dinner, and Faith and Ernest carried Gladys +off to a place they called the grove. The farmhouse was painted in light +yellow and white. It was built on a grassy slope, and at the foot of a +gentle hill a pretty pond lay, and out from this flowed a brook. If one +kept quite still he could hear the soft babble of the little stream even +from the piazza. Nearer by was a large elm-tree, so wide-spreading that the +pair of Baltimore orioles who hung their swaying nest on one limb scarcely +had a bowing acquaintance with the robins who lived on the other side. The +air was full of pleasant scents, and Gladys followed her hosts willingly, +far to the right side of the house, where a stone wall divided the grounds +from a piece of woodland. Her cousins bounded over the wall, and she tried +to find a safe spot for her dainty, thin shoe, the large doll impeding her +movements. + +"Oh, let me take her!" cried Faith eagerly, seeing her cousin's +predicament; and as she carefully lifted the beautiful Vera, she added: +"Help Gladys over, Ernest." + +Ernest was very unused to girls who had to be helped, and he was rather +awkward in trying to give his cousin assistance, but as Gladys tetered on +the unsteady stones, she grasped his strong shoulder and jumped down. + +"Father and Ernest cleared this grove out for us," explained Faith. All the +underbrush had been carried away and the straight, sweet-smelling pines +rose from a carpet of dry needles. A hammock was swung between two trees. +It was used more by the children's mother than by them, as they were too +active to care for it; but Gladys immediately ran toward it, her recovered +doll in her arms, and seated herself in the netting. Her cousins regarded +her admiringly as she sat there pushing herself with her dainty shoe-tips. + +"I'll swing you," said Ernest, and running to her side began with such a +will that Gladys cried out:-- + +"Oh, not so hard, not so hard!" and the boy dropped his hands, abashed. + +Now, while they were both standing before her, was a good time for Gladys +to give them her great surprise; so she put her hands about Vera's waist, +and at once "Ma-ma--Pa-pa" sounded in the still grove. + +Ernest pricked up his ears. "I hear a sheep," he said, looking about. + +Gladys flushed, but turning toward Faith for appreciation, she made the +doll repeat her accomplishment. + +"It's that dear Vera!" cried Faith, falling on her knees in the pine +needles before Gladys. "Oh, make her do it again, Gladys, please do!" + +Her visitor smiled and complied, pleased with her country cousin's delight. + +"Think of a doll that can talk!" cried Faith. + +"I think she bleats," laughed Ernest, and he mimicked Vera's staccato +tones. + +Faith laughed, too, but Gladys gave him a flash of her brown eyes. + +"A boy doesn't know anything about dolls," said Faith. "I should think +you'd be the happiest girl, Gladys!" + +"I am," returned Gladys complacently. "What sort of a doll have you, +Faith?" + +"Rag, tag, and bobtail," laughed Ernest. + +"Now you keep still," said his sister. "I'll show you my dolls when we go +to dinner, Gladys. I don't play with them very much because Ernest doesn't +like to, and now it's vacation we're together a lot, you know; but I just +love them, and if you were going to stay longer we'd have a lot of fun." + +Faith looked so bright as she spoke, Gladys wished she had brought +something for her. She wasn't so sure about Ernest. He was a nice-looking, +strong boy, but he had made fun of Vera. At present he was letting off some +of his superfluous energy by climbing a tree. + +"Look out for the pitch, Ernest," said his sister warningly. "See, Gladys, +I have a horse out here," and Faith went to where the low-growing limb of +a pine sprang flexibly as she leaped upon it into an imaginary side-saddle. +Gladys smiled at her languidly, as she bounded gayly up and down. + +"I have a pony," returned Gladys, rocking gently in her swinging cradle. + +"That must be splendid," said Faith. "Ernest rides our old Tom bareback +around the pasture sometimes, but I can't." + +Very soon the children were called to dinner, and wonderfully good it +tasted to Gladys, who took note of cottage cheese, apple-butter, and +doughnuts, and determined to order them at home the very next day. + +As they were all rising from the table, a telegraph boy drove up in a +buggy, and a telegram was handed to Ellen. Her face showed surprise as she +read it, and she looked at aunt Martha. + +"Could we stay here a few days?" she asked. + +"What is it, Ellen?" demanded Gladys. + +"Your father's friend wants him and your mother to take a trip with him, +and your mother thinks you might like to stay here a while. I'm to answer, +and she will send some clothes and things." + +Aunt Martha had already learned to like good, sensible Ellen, and she +replied cordially; so a telegram went back by the messenger boy, and Faith +and Gladys both jumped up and down with pleasure at the prolonging of the +visit. Ernest looked pleased, too. In spite of Gladys's rather languid, +helpless ways, he admired her very much; so the children scampered away, +being left this time on a chair in the parlor. + +"Do you like turtles?" asked Faith of the guest. + +"I don't know," returned Gladys. + +"Didn't you ever see any?" asked Ernest in astonishment. + +"I don't believe so." + +"Then come on!" cried the boy, with a joyous whoop. "We'll go +turtle-hunting." + +Gladys skipped along with them until they reached the brook. + +"Now Ernest will walk on that side of the water," said Faith, "and you and +I will go on this." + +"But what are we going to do?" + +"Watch for turtles. You'll see." + +Ernest jumped across the brook. Gladys walked along the soft grass behind +Faith, and the bubbling little stream swirled around its stones and gently +bent its grasses as it ran through the meadow. + +In a minute Faith's practiced eye caught sight of a dark object on a stone +directly in front of them. + +It was a turtle sunning himself. His black shell was covered with bright +golden spots, and his eyes were blinking slowly in the warm light. + +"Quick, Ernest!" cried Faith, for it was on his side. + +He sprang forward, but not quickly enough. The turtle had only to give one +vigorous push of his hind feet and, plump, he fell into the water. +Instantly the brook became muddy at that point, for Mr. Turtle knew that he +must be a very busy fellow if he escaped from the eager children who were +after him. + +He burrowed into the soft earth while Ernest and Faith threw themselves +flat on their stomachs. Gladys opened her brown eyes wide to see her +cousins, their sleeves stripped up, plunging their hands blindly about +hoping to trap their reluctant playfellow. + +Ernest was successful, and bringing up the muddy turtle, soused him in the +water until his golden spots gleamed again. + +"Hurrah!" cried Faith, "we have him. Let me show him to Gladys, please, +Ernest," and the boy put the turtle into the hand stretched across to him. + +As soon as the creature found that kicking and struggling did not do any +good, it had drawn head, legs, and tail into its pretty shell house. + +Faith put him into Gladys's hand, but the little city girl cried out and +dropped him on the grass. + +"Oh, excuse me," laughed Faith. "I thought you wanted to see it." + +"I do, but I don't believe I want to touch it." + +"Why, they're the dearest, cleanest things," said Faith, and picking up the +turtle she showed her cousin its pretty under shell of cream color and +black, and the round splashes of gold on its black back. + +"But I saw it kicking and scratching Ernest, and putting its head way out," +said Gladys doubtfully, "and I don't like to hold it because it might put +out all its legs and things again." + +Faith laughed. "It only has four legs and a cunning little tail; and we +know how to hold it so it can't scratch us, anyway; but it won't put out +its head again until it thinks we've gone away, because this is an old one. +See, the shell covers my hand all over. The littler ones are livelier and +more willing to put out their heads. I don't believe we've had this one +before, Ernest," added Faith, examining the creature. "We nearly always +use the big ones for horses," she explained, "and then there's a gimlet +hole through the shell." + +"Who would do that?" exclaimed Gladys, drawing back. + +"Ernest. Why!" observing her cousin's look of horror. "It doesn't hurt +them. We wouldn't hurt them for anything. We just love them, and if they +weren't geese they'd love us, too." + +"Use them for horses? What do you mean?" + +"Why, they draw my smallest dolls in lovely chariots." + +"Oh," returned Gladys. This sounded mysterious and interesting. She even +took the clean, compact shell into her hands for a minute before Faith +gathered up her dress skirt and dropped the turtle into it, the three +proceeding along the brook side, taking up their watch again. + +The warm, sunny day brought the turtles out, and the next one they saw was +not larger than the palm of Ernest's hand. It was swimming leisurely with +the current. + +They all three saw it at once, but quick as Faith was, the lively little +creature was quicker. As she and Ernest both darted upon it, it scrambled +for her side and burrowed swiftly under the bank. This was the best +stronghold for the turtle, and the children knew it. + +"I just can't lose him, I can't!" cried Faith, and Gladys wondered at the +fearless energy with which she dived her hand into the mud, feeling around, +unmindful which portion of the little animal she grasped if she only caught +him; and catch him she did. With a squeal of delight she pulled out the +turtle, who continued to swim vigorously, even when in mid air. + +"He's splendid and lively!" exclaimed Faith. "You can see him go on the +grass, Gladys," and the little girl put the creature down, heading him away +from the brook, and he made good time, thinking he was getting away from +his captor. "You see, Ernest harnesses them to a little pasteboard box, and +I put in my smallest dolls and we have more _fun_;" but by this time the +turtle realized that he was traveling inland, and turned around suddenly in +the opposite direction. + +"No, no, pet!" cried Faith gayly. "Not yet," and she picked up the lively +one. "See, you hold them this way;" she held the shell between her thumb +and middle finger and the sharp little claws sawed the air in vain. "There, +cunning," she added, looking into the turtle's bright eyes, "go see your +auntie or uncle, or whoever it is," and she put it into her dress with the +other one, and they walked on. + +"I hope we shall find a prince," said Ernest, "Gladys ought to see one of +those." + +"Yes, indeed," responded Faith. "They're snapping turtles, really, and they +grow bigger than these common ones; but they're so handsome and hard to +find we call them princes. Their shells are gray on top and smooth and +polished, like satin; and then, underneath, oh, they're beautiful; +sometimes plain ivory, and sometimes bright red; and they have lovely +yellow and black splashes where the lower shell joins the upper. I wish you +could see a baby turtle, Gladys. Once I found one no bigger than a quarter +of a dollar. I don't believe it had ever been in the water." + +"I wish I could," returned Gladys, with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't be a bit +afraid of a little, _little_ one." + +"Of course that one she found was just a common turtle, like these," said +Ernest, "but a baby prince is the thing we want." + +"Yes, indeed," sighed Faith ecstatically. "If I could just once find a baby +prince with a red under shell, I don't know what I'd do! I'd be too happy +for anything. I've hunted for one for two whole summers. The big ones do +snap so that, though they're so handsome, you can't have much fun with +them." + +The children walked on, Gladys now quite in the spirit of the hunt. They +found two more spotted turtles before they turned again to retrace their +steps. + +Now it proved that this was to be a red-letter day in the history of their +turtle hunts, for on the way home they found the much sought baby prince. +He had been in this world long enough to become a polished little creature, +with all his points of beauty brought out; but not long enough to be +suspicious and to make a wild scramble when he saw the children coming. + +Faith's trained eyes fell first upon the tiny, dark object, sunning himself +happily in all his baby innocence, and blinking at the lovely green world +surrounding his shallow stone. Her heart beat fast and she said to herself, +"Oh, I _know_ it's a common one!" She tiptoed swiftly nearer. It was not a +common one. It was a prince! It _was_ a prince! + +She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, as, holding her skirt-bag of +turtles with one hand, she lightly tiptoed forward, and, falling on her +knees in front of the stone, gathered up the prince, just as he saw her +and pushed with his tiny feet to slip off the rock into the brook. + +"Oh, oh, _oh_!" was all she could say as she sat there, swaying herself +back and forth, and holding the baby to her flushed cheek. + +"What is it? What?" cried Ernest, jumping across the brook to her side. She +smiled at him and Gladys without a word, and held up her prize, showing the +pretty red under shell, while the baby, very much astonished to find +himself turned over in mid air, drew himself into his house. + +"Oh, the cunning, _cunning_ thing!" cried Gladys, her eyes flashing +radiantly. "I'm so glad we found him!" + +Gladys, like a good many beside herself, became fired with enthusiasm to +possess whatever she saw to be precious in the sight of others. Yesterday, +had she seen the baby prince in some store she would not have thought of +asking her mother to buy it for her; but to-day it had been captured, a +little wild creature for which Faith had been searching and hoping during +two summers; and poor Gladys had been so busy all her life wondering what +people were going to get for her, and wondering whether she should like it +very well when she had it, that now, instead of rejoicing that Faith had +such a pleasure, she began to feel a hot unrest and dissatisfaction in her +breast. + +"He is a little beauty," she said, and then looked at her cousin and waited +for her to present to her guest the baby turtle. + +"Why didn't I see it first?" she thought, her heart beating fast, for Faith +showed no sign of giving up her treasure. "Do you suppose we could find +another?" she asked aloud, making her wistfulness very apparent as they +again took up the march toward home. + +"Well, I guess not," laughed Ernest. "Two of those in a day? I guess not. +Let me carry it for you, Faith. You have to hold up your dress skirt." + +"Oh, thank you, Ernest, I don't mind, and he's _so_ cunning!" + +Ernest kept on with the girls, now, on their side of the brook. It would be +an anti-climax to catch any more turtles this afternoon. + +"If I could find one," said Gladys, "I would carry it home for my +aquarium." + +"Oh, have you an aquarium?" asked Faith with interest. + +"Yes, a fine one. It has gold and silver fish and a number of little water +creatures, and a grotto with plants growing around it." + +"How lovely it must be," said Faith, and Gladys saw her press her lips to +the baby prince's polished back. + +"She's an awfully selfish girl," thought Gladys. "I wouldn't treat company +so for anything!" + +"You'll see the aquarium Faith and I have," said Ernest. "It's only a tub, +but we get a good deal of fun out of it. It's our stable, too, you see. Did +you notice we caught one of our old horses to-day? Let's see him, Faith," +and Ernest poked among the turtles and brought out one with a little hole +made carefully in the edge of his shell. + +"It seems very cruel to me," said Gladys, with a superior air. + +"Oh, it isn't," returned Faith eagerly. "We'd rather hurt each other than +the turtles, wouldn't we, Ernest?" + +"I guess so," responded the boy, rather gruffly. He didn't wish Gladys to +think him too good. + +"It doesn't hurt them a bit," went on Faith, "but you know turtles are +lazy. They're all relations of the tortoise that raced with the hare in +Æsop's fable." Her eyes sparkled at Gladys, who smiled slightly. "And they +aren't very fond of being horses, so we only keep them a day or two and +then let them go back into the brook. I think that's about as much fun as +anything, don't you, Ernest?" + +"Oh, I don't know," responded her brother, who was beginning to feel that +all this turtle business was a rather youthful pastime for a member of a +baseball team. + +"You see," went on Faith, "we put the turtles on the grass only a foot or +two away from the brook, and wait." + +"And we do have to wait," added Ernest, "for they always retire within +themselves and pull down the blind, as soon as we start off with them +anywhere." + +"But we press a little on their backs," said Faith, "and then they put out +their noses, and when they smell the brook they begin to travel. It's such +fun to see them dive in, _ker-chug_! Then they scurry around and burrow in +the mud, getting away from us, just as if we weren't willing they should. +They are pretty silly, I must say," laughed Faith, "and it's the hardest +thing to make them understand that you love them; but," her tone changed +tenderly as she held up the baby prince, "_you'll_ know I love you, won't +you, dear, when I give you tiny little pieces of meat every day!" + +The cloud on Gladys's face deepened. + +"Come on, let's hustle and put the turtles away and go for a row. Do you +like to row, Gladys?" asked Ernest. + +"Yes, I guess so," she responded, rather coldly. + +They ran up the hill to the side of the house where was a shallow tub of +water with a rock in the middle, its top high and dry. There was also a +floating shingle; so the steeds could swim or sun themselves just as suited +their fancy. The upper edge of the tub was covered with tin so that sharp +little claws could not find a way to climb out. + +"It's fun to see them go in," said Faith, placing one on the rock and one +on the shingle, where they rested at first without sign of life; but in a +minute out came head and legs and, spurning the perches with their strong +feet, plump the turtles went into the water and to the bottom, evidently +convinced that they were outwitting their captors. + +"Don't you want to choose one special one for yours, Gladys? It's fun to +name them," said Faith. + +The visitor hesitated only a moment. "I choose the baby, then," she said. +"You know I'm afraid of the big ones." + +Ernest thought she was joking. It did not occur to him that any one who had +seen Faith's happiness in finding the prince could seriously think of +taking it from her. + +"Yes," he laughed, "I guess you and I won't get a chance at that one, +Gladys." + +Faith's expression changed and her eyes grew thoughtful. "Hurry up, +girls," continued Ernest, "come on, we won't have very much time." + +So the turtles, prince and all, were left disporting themselves in the tub, +and the trio went down to the pond, where Ernest untied his boat. Faith +jumped in, but Gladys timorously placed her little foot upon the unsteady +gunwale, and the children had to help her into the boat as they had done +over the wall. + +"I wish I'd brought Vera," she said when she was seated and Ernest was +pushing the boat off. + +"Next time we will," replied Faith. + +"I don't see why Ernest couldn't go back for her now," said Gladys. "I'm +not used to walking so much and I'm too tired to go myself." + +"You want me to run up the hill after a _doll_!" asked the boy, laughing. +He began to believe his pretty cousin was very fond of joking. "Something +might happen to her before you saw her," he added mischievously. + +The pond was a charming sheet of water. Trees lined its edges in summer, +and it was a great place for sport in winter. Faith and Ernest chattered to +their cousin of all the coasting and skating, and their bright faces and +jolly stories only increased the uncomfortable feeling that Gladys had +allowed to slip into her heart. + +Her cousins had more fun than she did. It wasn't fair. She had no eyes for +the pretty scenery about her, as Ernest's strong arms sent the boat flying +along. Faith noticed her changed looks and for the first time wondered how +it was going to seem to have Gladys to take care of for--they couldn't tell +how long; but she only tried the harder to bring back the bright look her +cousin had worn at dinner time. + +In a few minutes Gladys began to rock the boat from side to side. + +"Don't do that, please," said Ernest. + +There was a tone of command in his voice, and the spoiled child only rocked +the harder. + +"None of that, I tell you, Gladys," he said sharply. + +"Please don't," added Faith. + +But the error that Gladys had let creep in was enjoying her cousin's +anxiety, and she smiled teasingly as she went on rocking. She had +condescended to come out to the farm, and she would let these country +children see if they could order her about. + +Ernest said no more, but he promptly turned the boat around and pulled for +the shore. + +"What are you doing?" asked Gladys. + +"Going ashore." + +"I don't want to," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "I want to go up +there." She pointed to a spot in the distance. "I want to go around that +corner and see what there is there." + +"Not to-day," replied Ernest, pulling sturdily. + +We won't look into Gladys's heart and see what went on there then, because +it is too unpleasant. + +"You see we're the crew," said Faith, a little scared by her cousin's +flashing eyes and crimson cheeks. "We have to do what Ernest says. He knows +a lot about boats, Gladys, and it _is_ dangerous to rock. The pond is real +deep." + +"I shall come out in the boat alone, then," declared Gladys. + +"Oh, no, you won't," remarked Ernest, smiling. "People that rock boats need +a keeper." + +Faith's eyes besought him, "I'll take you out to-morrow if you'll promise +to sit still," he went on; "but if anything happened to the boat, you see I +couldn't save both of you, and I'd be likely to try to save Faith; so you'd +better go ashore now and think it over." + +Gladys stared at him in utter amazement that any one could speak to her so. +Why had she ever come to the farm! + +However, she quickly put on a little air of indifference and only said:-- + +"How silly to be so afraid!" + +All she cared for now was to get to Ellen and pour out her troubles, and +she was quite silent while she jumped ashore, although the wavering boat +made her clutch Faith's hand hard. + +Tender-hearted Faith felt very sorry for her cousin, so she began talking +about Vera as they went up the hill saying how anxious she was to hear her +speak again. + +"I'll never let you!" exclaimed that strong error that had taken possession +of Gladys, but her lips set tight and she was glad to see Ellen come out on +the piazza. + +As the children approached they saw that the maid had something bright in +her hand, and that she was smiling. + +"Well, Gladys," she said, "your mother's sent a trunk, and this was with +your clothes. What do you think of that? I expect your mother thought you +might like to have it." + +Gladys recognized the silver bowl with satisfaction. She was glad to have +Faith and Ernest see the sort of things she was used to. + +"Oh, it looks like a wishing bowl," cried Faith in admiration. + +"It is a solid silver bowl that my grandmother sent me for my birthday," +remarked Gladys coolly, and she took it from Ellen. + +"Let's see what it says on it," said Faith, and she read the inscription +aloud. Then she added: "It does look just like the wishing bowl in our +story." + +"What was that?" asked Gladys. + +"Why, it was a bright, beautiful silver bowl with a cover, and all you had +to do if you wanted something was to say:-- + + Pretty little silver dish, + Give me, pray, my dearest wish; + +and then, when you took off the cover, whatever you had asked for was in +the bowl!" + +Gladys shrugged her shoulders. Then she took hold of Ellen's hand and drew +her into the house and closed the door after them. + +Faith and Ernest did not attempt to follow. They sat down on the steps and +looked at one another. + +"She's hopping, isn't she?" said Ernest softly. + +"Oh, dear," returned Faith dejectedly, "and it all began with the baby +prince." + +"What do you mean?" + +"She wants him for her aquarium." + +Ernest paused a minute to think over his cousin's words and actions; then +he broke out indignantly; "Well, she won't get him." + +"I have hunted for him so long!" mourned Faith, "and his shell is so red; +but, Ernest, didn't you notice what it said on that bowl?" + +"Yes, I did; but Gladys is a great baby and she isn't going to get +everything. Tell her you'll exchange the prince for that baa-ing doll of +hers, if you like it. I tell you what, Faith, I've had about enough of her +after that boat business. If she's going to stay on here I shall go off +with the fellows." + +Meanwhile Gladys had seized the beautiful Vera and drawn Ellen off upstairs +to their room. The maid saw the signs of storm in her face, and her own +grew troubled, for it was one thing to vex Gladys and quite another to +appease her. + +"I'm not going to stay here," announced the little girl, as soon as the +door was closed, her breath coming fast. "Faith and Ernest are the most +selfish, impolite children I ever saw!" + +Ellen sighed, and, sitting down, drew the child into her lap. + +She continued excitedly: "We went turtle-hunting and found a lot of +scrabbly things that I couldn't bear, but Faith and Ernest like them. Then +when we found a pretty little young one that I wouldn't be a bit afraid of, +Faith kept it for herself. Just think, when I was company, and she had all +the others beside. I'm just crazy to have it, and they're _very_ hard to +find and we can't _ever_ find another. Shouldn't you think she'd feel +ashamed? Then when, we went out in the boat, just because I moved around a +little and made the boat rock, Ernest brought us in when I didn't want to +come a bit. I even _told_ him I didn't want to come in, because I wanted to +see a part of the pond that looked pretty, but he brought us just the same. +Did you ever _hear_ of such impoliteness?" + +Ellen had had too much experience with the little girl not to know that +there was another side to this story; but she gathered Gladys down in her +arms with the curly head on her shoulder, and, while a few hot tears fell +from the brown eyes, she rocked her, and it comforted the little girl's +sore places to feel her nurse's love. + +"I'm glad Ernest brought you in," said Ellen, after a minute of silent +rocking. "If anything happened to you, you know that would be the last of +poor Ellen. I could never go back to town." + +Gladys gave a sob or two. + +"These children haven't nearly so much as you have," went on Ellen quietly. +"Perhaps Faith was as happy over the little turtle as you are over your +talking doll. She hasn't any rich mother to give her things, you know." + +"They have _lots_ of things. They have a great deal more fun in winter than +I do," returned Gladys hotly. + +Ellen patted her. "You have too much, Gladys," she replied kindly. "When I +said this morning that you were unlucky, you couldn't understand it; but +perhaps this visit to the farm will make you see differently. There's such +a thing as having too much, dear, and that sentence on your silver bowl is +as true as true. Now there's the supper bell. Let me wash your face." + +Gladys was deeply offended, but she was also hungry, and she began to +wonder if there would be apple-butter and cottage cheese again. + +There was, and the little girl did full justice to the supper, especially +to aunt Martha's good bread and butter; but when the meal was over she +refused to go out and romp on the lawn with her cousins. + +"Gladys isn't used to so much running around," said Ellen pleasantly to the +other children. "I guess she's a pretty sleepy girl and will get into bed +early." + +So when Ellen had helped aunt Martha with the supper dishes, Gladys went +upstairs with her, to go to bed. + +She was half undressed when some one knocked softly, and Faith came into +the room. The silver bowl stood on a table near the door, and the little +girl paused to look at it and examine the wreath of roses around its edge. +"I never saw one so handsome," she said. Then she came forward. "I thought +perhaps you'd let me see you undress Vera," she added. + +"She is undressed," answered Gladys shortly. + +"Oh, yes!" Faith went up to the bed where the doll lay in its nightdress. +"May I make her speak once?" + +"No, I'm afraid you might hurt her," returned Gladys shortly, and Ellen +gave her a reproachful look. Gladys didn't care! How could a girl expect to +be so selfish as Faith, and then have everybody let her do just what she +wanted to? + +Faith drew back from the bed. "I wish you'd let me see you wish once on +your bowl before I go away," she said. + +"How silly," returned Gladys. "Do you suppose I believe in such things? You +can wish on it yourself, if you like." + +"Oh, that wouldn't be any use," returned Faith eagerly, "because it only +works for the one it belongs to." + +"Perhaps you wouldn't like to have me make a wish and get it," said +Gladys, thinking of the baby prince's lovely polished tints and bewitching +little tail. + +"Yes, I would. I'd _love_ to. Do, Gladys, do, and see what happens." + +Gladys curved her lips scornfully, but the strong wish sprang in her +thought, and with a careless movement she pulled off the silver cover. + +Her mouth fell open and her eyes grew as big as possible; for she had +wished for the prince, and there he was, creeping about in the bowl and +lifting his little head in wonder at his surroundings. + +"Why, Faith!" was all she could say. "Where did it come from?" + +"The brook, of course," returned Faith, clapping her hands in delight at +her cousin's amazement. "Take him out and let's see whether he's red or +plain ivory underneath." + +"Will he scrabble?" asked Gladys doubtfully. + +"No-o," laughed Faith. + +So the little city girl took up the turtle and lo, he was as beautiful a +red as the one of the afternoon. + +"Isn't he lovely!" she exclaimed, not quite liking to look her cousin in +the eyes. "Where shall I put him for to-night?" + +"We'll put a little water in your wash-bowl, not much, for they are so +smart about climbing out." + +Ellen, also, was gazing at the royal infant. "He is a pretty little thing," +she said, "but for pity's sake, Faith, fix it so he won't get on to my bare +feet!" + +Later, when they were alone and Ellen kissed Gladys good-night, she looked +closely into her eyes "Now you're happier, I suppose," she said. + +"Of course. Won't he be cunning in my aquarium?" asked Gladys, returning +her look triumphantly. + +"Yes." Vera was in bed, also, and to please the child, Ellen stooped and +kissed the doll's forehead, too. "God be good," she said gently, "to the +poor little girl who gets everything she wants!" + +A few minutes after the light was out and Ellen had gone, Gladys pulled +Vera nearer to her. "Wasn't that a silly sort of thing for Ellen to say?" +she asked. + +"I don't think so," returned Vera. + +Gladys drew back. "Did you answer me?" she said. + +"Certainly I did." + +"Then you really can talk!" exclaimed Gladys joyfully. + +"At night I can," said Vera. + +"Oh, I'm so glad. I'm so glad!" and Gladys hugged her. + +"I'm not so sure that you will be," returned Vera coolly. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I have to speak the truth. You know my name is Vera." + +"Well, I should hope so. Did you suppose I wouldn't want you to speak the +truth?" Gladys laughed. + +"Yes. You don't hear it very often, and you may not like it." + +"Why, what a thing to say!" + +"Ellen tries, sometimes, but you won't listen." + +Gladys kept still and her companion proceeded: + +"She knows all the toys and books and clothes and pets that you have at +home, and she sees you forgetting all of them because Faith has just one +thing pretty enough for you to wish for." + +By this time Gladys had found her tongue. "You're just as impolite as you +can be, Vera!" she exclaimed. + +"Of course. You always think people are impolite who tell you the truth; +but I explained to you that I have to. Who was impolite when you rocked the +boat, although Ernest asked you not to?" + +"He was as silly as he could be to think there was any danger. Don't you +suppose I know enough not to rock it too far? And then think how impolite +he was to say right out that he would save Faith instead of me if we fell +into the water. I can tell you my father would lock him up in prison if he +didn't save me." + +"Well, you aren't so precious to anybody else," returned Vera. "Why would +people want a girl around who thinks only of herself and what she wants. +I'm sure Faith and Ernest will draw a long breath when you get on the cars +to go back." + +"Oh, I don't believe they will," returned Gladys, ready to cry. + +"What have you done to make them glad you came? You didn't bring them +anything, although you knew they couldn't have many toys, and it was +because you were so busy thinking how much lovelier your doll was than +anything Faith could have. Then the minute Faith found one nice thing"-- + +"Don't say that again," interrupted Gladys. "You've said it once." + +"You behaved so disagreeably that she had to give it to you." + +"You have no right to talk so. The prince came up from the brook, Faith +said so." + +"Oh, she was playing a game with you and she knew you understood. It isn't +pleasant to have to say such things to you, Gladys, but I'm Vera and I have +to--I shouldn't think you could lift your head up and look Faith and Ernest +in the face to-morrow morning. What must Ernest think of you!" + +Gladys's cheeks were very hot. "Didn't you see how glad Faith was when she +gave--I mean when I found the prince in the bowl? I guess you haven't read +what it says on that silver cover or you wouldn't talk so." + +"Oh, yes, I have. That's truth, too, but you haven't found it out yet." + +"Well, I wish I had brought them something," said Gladys, after a little +pause. "Why," with a sudden thought, "there's the wishing-bowl. I'll get +something for them right now!" + +She jumped out of bed, and striking a match, lighted the candle. Vera +followed her, and as Gladys seated herself on one side of the little table +that held the silver bowl, Vera climbed into a chair on the other side. +Gladys looked into her eyes thoughtfully while she considered. She would +give Faith something so far finer than the baby prince that everybody would +praise her for her generosity, and no one would remember that she had ever +been selfish. Ah, she knew what she would ask for! + +"For Faith first," she said, addressing Vera, then looking at the glinting +bowl she silently made her wish, then with eager hand lifted off the cover. + +Ah! Ah! What did she behold! A charming little bird, whose plumage changed +from purple to gold in the candle light, stood on a tiny golden stand at +the bottom of the bowl. + +Gladys lifted it out, and as soon as it stood on her hand, it began to +warble wonderfully, turning its head from side to side like some she had +seen in Switzerland when she was there with her mother. + +"Oh, Vera, isn't it _sweet_!" she cried in delight. + +"Beautiful!" returned Vera, smiling and clapping her little hands. + +When the song ceased Gladys looked thoughtful again. "I don't think it's a +very appropriate present for Faith," she said, "and I've always wanted one, +but we could never find one so pretty in our stores." + +Vera looked at her very soberly. + +"Now you just stop staring at me like that, Vera. I guess it's mine, and I +have a right to keep it if I can think of something that would please Faith +better. Now let me see. I must think of something for Ernest. I'll just +give him something so lovely that he'll wish he'd bitten his tongue before +he spoke so to me in the boat." + +Gladys set the singing bird in her lap, fixed her eyes on the bowl, and +again decided on a wish. + +Taking off the cover, a gold watch was seen reposing on the bottom of the +bowl. "That's it, that's what I wished for!" she cried gladly, and she took +out the little watch, which was a wonder. On its side was a fine engraving +of boys and girls skating on a frozen pond. Gladys's bright eyes caught +sight of a tiny spring, which she touched, and instantly a fairy bell +struck the hour and then told off the quarters and minutes. + +"Oh, it's a repeater like uncle Frank's!" she cried, "and so small, too! +Mother said I couldn't have one until I was grown up. Won't she be +surprised! I don't mean to tell her for ever so long where I got it." + +"I thought it was for Ernest," remarked Vera quietly. + +"Why, Vera," returned the child earnestly, "I should think you'd see that +no boy ought to have a watch like that. If it was a different _kind_ I'd +give it to him, of course." + +"Yes, if it wasn't pretty and had nothing about it that you liked, you'd +give it to him, I suppose; and if the bird couldn't sing, and had dark, +broken feathers so that no child would care about it, you'd give it to +Faith, no doubt." + +Gladys felt her face burn. She knew this was the truth, but oh, the +entrancing bird, how could she see it belong to another? How could she +endure to see Ernest take from his pocket this watch and show people its +wonders! + +"Selfishness is a cruel thing," said Vera. "It makes a person think she can +have a good time being its slave until all of a sudden the person finds out +that she has chains on that cannot be broken. You think you can't break +that old law of selfishness that makes it misery to you to see another +child have something that you haven't. Poor, unhappy Gladys!" + +"Oh, but this bird, Vera!" Gladys looked down at the little warbler. What +did she see! A shriveled, sorry, brown creature, its feathers broken. She +lifted it anxiously. No song was there. Its poor little beady eyes were +dull. + +She dropped it in disgust and again picked up the watch. What had happened +to it? The cover was brass, the picture was gone. Pushing the spring had no +effect. + +"Oh, Faith and Ernest can have them now!" cried Gladys. Presto! in an +instant bird and watch had regained every beauty they had lost, and +twinkled and tinkled upon the astonished child's eyes and ears until she +could have hugged them with delight; but suddenly great tears rolled from +her eyes, for she had a new thought. + +"What does this mean, Vera? Will they only be beautiful for Faith and +Ernest?" + +"You asked for them to enjoy the blessing of giving, you know, not to keep +for yourself. Beside, they showed a great truth when they grew dull." + +"How?" asked Gladys tearfully. + +"That is the way they would look to you in a few months, after you grew +tired of them; for it is the punishment of the selfish, spoiled child, that +her possessions disgust her after a while. There is only one thing that +lives, and remains bright, and brings us happiness,--that is thoughtful +love for others. There's nothing else, Gladys, there is nothing else. I am +Vera." + +"And I have none of it, none!" cried the unhappy child, and rising, she +threw herself upon the bed, broken-hearted, and sobbed and sobbed. + +Ellen heard her and came in from the next room. + +"What is it, my lamb, what is it?" she asked, approaching the bed +anxiously. + +"Oh, Ellen, I can't tell you. I can never tell you!" wailed the child. + +"Well, move over, dearie. I'll push Vera along and there'll be room for us +all. There, darling, come in Ellen's arms and forget all about it." + +Gladys cuddled close, and after a few more catches in her breath, she slept +soundly. + +When she wakened, the sunlight was streaming through the plain room, +gilding everything as it had done in her rose and white bower yesterday at +home. Ellen was moving about, all dressed. Gladys turned over and looked at +Vera, pretty and innocent, her eyes closed and her lips parted over little +white teeth. The child came close to the doll. The wonderful dream returned +vividly. + +"Your name is Vera. You had to," she whispered, and closed her eyes. + +"How is the baby prince?" she asked, after a minute, jumping out of bed. + +"He's lively, but I expect he's as hungry as you are. What's he going to +have?" + +"Meat," replied Gladys, looking admiringly at the pretty little creature. + +"I brought in my wash-bowl for your bath. I suppose princes can't be +disturbed," said Ellen. + +While she buttoned Gladys's clothes, the little girl looked at the silver +bowl, and the chairs where she and Vera had sat last night in her dream. +She even glanced about to see some sign of watch and bird, but could not +find them. How busily her thoughts were working! + +Sensible Ellen said nothing of bad dreams; and by the time Gladys went +downstairs, her face looked interested and happy. After all, it wasn't as +though there wasn't any God to help a person, and she had said a very +fervent prayer, with her nose buried in Vera's golden curls, before she +jumped out of bed. + +She had the satin shell of the baby prince in her hand. He had drawn into +it because he was very uncertain what was going to happen to him; but +Gladys knew. + +She said good-morning to her cousins so brightly that Faith was pleased; +but pretty as she looked, smiling, Ernest saw the prince in her hand and +was more offended with her than ever. + +"I want to thank you, Faith," she said, "for letting the baby stay in my +room all night. I had the most fun watching him while I was dressing." + +She put the little turtle into her cousin's hand. + +"Oh, but I gave him to you," replied Faith earnestly. + +"After you hunted for him for two summers, I couldn't be so mean as to take +him. I'm just delighted you found him, Faith," and Gladys had a very happy +moment then, for she found she _was_ happy. "Let's give him some bits of +meat." + +"She's all right," thought Ernest, with a swift revulsion of feeling, and +he was as embarrassed as he was astonished when his cousin turned suddenly +to him:-- + +"If you'll take me in the boat again," she said, "I won't rock. I'm sorry I +did." + +"It _is_ a fool trick," blurted out Ernest, "but you're all right, Gladys. +I'll take you anywhere you want to go." + +Ellen had heard this conversation. Later in the morning she was alone for a +minute with Gladys, and the little girl said:-- + +"Don't you think it would be nice, Ellen, when we get home, to make up a +box of pretty things and send to Faith and Ernest?" + +"I do, that," replied the surprised Ellen. + +"I'm going to ask mother if I can't send them my music-box. They haven't +any piano." + +"Why, you couldn't get another, Gladys." + +"I don't care," replied the child firmly. "It would be so nice for evenings +and rainy days." She swallowed, because she had not grown tired of the +music box. + +Ellen put her hands on the little girl's brow and cheeks and remembered the +sobbing in the night. "Do you feel well, Gladys?" she asked, with concern. +This unnatural talk alarmed her. + +"I never felt any better," replied the child. + +"Well, I wouldn't say anything to them about the music-box, dearie." + +Gladys smiled. "I know. You think I'd be sorry after I let it go; but if I +am I'll talk with Vera." + +Ellen laughed. "Do you think it will always be enough for you to hear her +say 'Ma-ma, Pa-pa?'" she asked. + +Gladys smiled and looked affectionately at her good friend; but her lips +closed tightly together. Ellen knew all that Vera did; but the nurse loved +her still! The child was to have many a tussle with the hard mistress whose +chains she had worn all her short life, but Truth had spoken, and she had +heard; and Love was coming to help in setting her free. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A HEROIC OFFER + + +Jewel told her grandfather the tale of The Talking Doll while they walked +their horses through a favorite wood-road, Mr. Evringham keeping his eyes +on the animated face of the story-teller. His own was entirely impassive, +but he threw in an exclamation now and then to prove his undivided +attention. + +"_You_ know it's more blessed to give than to receive, don't you, grandpa?" +added Jewel affectionately, as she finished; "because you're giving things +to people all the time, and nobody but God can give you anything." + +"I don't know about that," returned the broker. "Have you forgotten the +yellow chicken you gave me?" + +"No," returned Jewel seriously; "but I've never seen anything since that I +thought you would care for." + +Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think," he said confidentially, "that you have +given me something pretty nice in your mother. Do you know, I'm very glad +that she married into our family." + +"Yes, indeed," replied Jewel, "so am I. Just supposing I had had some other +grandpa!" + +The two shook their heads at one another gravely. There were some +situations that could not be contemplated. + +"Why do you suppose I can't find any turtles in my brook?" asked the child, +after a short pause. "Mother says perhaps they like meadows better than +shady ravines." + +"Perhaps they do; but," and the broker nodded knowingly, "there's another +reason." + +"Why, grandpa, why?" asked Jewel eagerly. + +"Oh, Nature is such a neat housekeeper!" + +"Why, turtles must be lovely and clean." + +"Yes, I know; and if Summer would just let the brook alone you might find a +baby turtle for Anna Belle." + +"She'd love it. Her eyes nearly popped out when mother was telling about +it." + +"Well, there it is, you see. Now I'd be ashamed to have you see that brook +in August, Jewel." Mr. Evringham slapped the pommel of his saddle to +emphasize the depth of his feelings. + +"Why, what happens?" + +"Dry--as--a--bone!" + +"It _is_?" + +"Yes, indeed. We shan't have been long at the seashore when Summer will +have drained off every drop of water in that brook." + +"What for?" + +"House-cleaning, of course. I suppose she scrubs out and sweeps out the bed +of that brook before she'll let a bit of water come in again." + +"Well, she _is_ fussy," laughed Jewel. "Even Mrs. Forbes wouldn't do that." + +"I ask you," pursued Mr. Evringham, "what would the turtles do while the +war was on?" + +"Why, they couldn't live there, of course. Well, we won't be here while the +ravine is empty of the brook, will we, grandpa? I shouldn't like to see +it." + +"No, we shall be where there's 'water, water everywhere.' Even Summer won't +attempt to houseclean the bottom of the sea." + +Jewel thought a minute. "I wish she wouldn't do that," she said wistfully; +"because turtles would be fun, wouldn't they, grandpa?" + +Mr. Evringham regarded her quizzically. "I see what you want me to do," he +replied. "You want me to give up Wall Street and become the owner of a +menagerie, so you can have every animal that was ever heard of." + +Jewel smiled and shook her head. "I don't believe I do yet. We'll have to +wait till everybody loves to be good." + +"What has that to do with it?" + +"Then the lions and tigers will be pleasant." + +"Will they, indeed?" Mr. Evringham laughed. "All those good people won't +shut them up in cages then, I fancy." + +"No, I don't believe they will," replied Jewel. + +"But about those turtles," continued her grandfather. "How would you like +it next spring for me to get some for you for the brook?" + +Jewel's eyes sparkled. "Wouldn't that be the most _fun_?" she +returned,--"but then there's summer again," she added, sobering. + +"What's the reason that we couldn't drive with them to the nearest river +before the brook ran dry?" + +"Perhaps we could," replied Jewel hopefully "Doesn't mother tell the +_nicest_ stories, grandpa?" + +"She certainly does; and some of the most wonderful you don't hear at all. +She tells them to me after you have gone to bed." + +"Then you ought to tell them to me," answered Jewel, "just the way I tell +mine to you." + +Mr. Evringham shook his head. "They probably wouldn't make you open your +eyes as wide as I do mine; you're used to them. They're Christian Science +stories. Your mother has been treating my rheumatism, Jewel. What do you +think of that?" + +"Oh, I'm glad," replied the child heartily, "because then you've asked her +to." + +"How do you know I have?" + +"Because she wouldn't treat you if you hadn't, and mother says when people +are willing to ask for it, then that's the beginning of everything good for +them. You know, grandpa," Jewel leaned toward him lovingly and added +softly, "you know even _you_ have to meet mortal mind." + +"I shouldn't wonder," responded the broker dryly. + +"And it's so proud, and hates to give up so," said Jewel. + +"I'm an old dog," returned Mr. Evringham. "Teaching me new tricks is going +to be no joke, but your mother undertakes it cheerfully. I'm reading that +book, 'Science and Health;' and she says I may have to read it through +three times before I get the hang of it." + +"I don't believe you will, grandpa, because it's just as _plain_," said the +child. + +"You'll help me, Jewel?" + +"Yes, indeed I will;" the little girl's face was radiant. "And won't Mr. +Reeves be glad to see you coming to church with us?" + +"I don't know whether I shall ever make Mr. Reeves glad in that way or not. +I'm doing this to try to understand something of what you and your mother +are so sure of, and what has made a man of your father. More than that, if +there is any eternity for us, I propose to stick to you through it, and it +may be more convenient to study here than off in some dim no-man's-land in +the hereafter. If I remain ignorant, who can tell but the Power that Is +will whisk you away from me by and by." + +Jewel gathered the speaker's meaning very well, and now she smiled at him +with the look he loved best; all her heart in her eyes. "He wouldn't. God +isn't anybody to be afraid of," she said. + +"Why, it tells us all through the Bible to fear God." + +"Yes, of course it tells us to fear to trouble the One who loves us the +best of all. Just think how even you and I would fear to hurt one another, +and God is keeping us _alive_ with _his_ love!" + +Half an hour afterward their horses cantered up the drive toward the house. +Mrs. Evringham was seated on the piazza, sewing. Her husband had sent the +summer wardrobe promptly, and she wore now a thin blue gown that looked +charmingly comfortable. + +"Genuine!" thought her father-in-law, as he came up the steps and met a +smiling welcome from her clear eyes. He liked the simple manner in which +she dressed her hair. He liked her complexion, and carriage, and voice. + +"I don't know but that you have the better part here on the piazza, it is +so warm," he said, "but I have been thinking of you rather remorsefully +this afternoon, Julia. These excursions of Jewel's and mine are growing to +seem rather selfish. Have you ever learned to ride?" + +"Never, and I don't wish to. Please believe how supremely content I am." + +"My carriages are small. It is so long since I've had a family. When we +return I shall get one that will hold us all." + +"Oh, yes, grandpa," cried Jewel enthusiastically. "You and I on the front +seat, driving, and mother and father on the back seat." + +"Well, we have more than two months to decide how we shall sit. I fancy it +will oftener be your father and mother in the phaeton and you and I on our +noble steeds, eh, Jewel?" + +"Yes, I think so, too," she returned seriously. + +Mr. Evringham smiled slightly at his daughter. "The occasions when we +differ are not numerous enough to mention," he remarked. + +"I hope it may always be so," she replied, going on with her work. + +"This looks like moving," observed the broker, wiping his forehead with his +pocket-handkerchief and looking about on the still, green scene. "I think +we had better plan to go to the shore next week." + +Julia smiled and sighed. "Very well, but any change seems as if it might be +for the worse," she said. + +"Then you've never tried summer in New Jersey," he responded. "I hear you +are a great story-teller, Julia. If I should wear some large bows behind my +ears, couldn't I come to some of these readings?" + +As no laugh from Jewel greeted this sally, he looked down at her. She was +gazing off wistfully. + +"What is it, Jewel?" he asked. + +"I was wondering if it wouldn't seem a long time to Essex Maid and Star +without us!" + +"Dear me, dear me, how little you do know those horses!" and the broker +shook his head. + +"Why, grandpa? Will they like it?" + +"Do you suppose for one minute that you could make them stay at home?" + +"Are they going with us, grandpa?" Jewel began to hop joyfully, but her +habit interfered. + +"Certainly. They naturally want to see what sort of bits and bridles are +being worn at the seashore this year." + +"Do you realize what unfashionable people you are proposing to take, +yourself, father?" asked Julia. She was visited by daily doubts in this +regard. + +The broker returned her glance gravely. "Have you ever seen Jewel's silk +dress?" he asked. + +The child beamed at him. "She _made_ it!" she announced triumphantly. + +"Then you must know," said Mr. Evringham, "that it would save any social +situation." + +Julia laughed over her sewing. "My machine came to-day," she said. "I meant +to make something a little fine, but if we go in a few days"-- + +"Don't think of it," replied the host hastily. "You are both all right. I +don't want you to see a needle. I'm sorry you are at it now." + +"But I like it. I really do." + +"I'm going to take you to the coolest place on Long Island, but not to the +most fashionable." + +"That is good news," returned Julia, "Run along, Jewel, and dress for +dinner." + +"In one minute," put in Mr. Evringham. "She and I wish your opinion of +something first." + +He disappeared for a moment into the house and came back with a flat +package which Jewel watched with curious eyes while he untied the string. + +Silently he placed a photograph in his daughter's lap while the child +leaned eagerly beside her. + +"Why, why, how good!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, and Jewel's eyes glistened. + +"Isn't grandpa's nose just splendid!" she said fervently. + +"Why, father, this picture will be a treasure," went on Julia. Color had +risen in her face. + +The photograph showed Jewel standing beside her grandfather seated, and her +arm was about his neck. It was such a natural attitude that she had taken +it while waiting for the photographer to be ready. The daisy-wreathed hat +hung from her hand, and she had not known when the picture was taken. It +was remarkably lifelike, and the broker regarded it with a satisfaction +none the less keen because he let the others do all the talking. + +"And now we don't need it, grandpa," said the child. + +"Oh, indeed we do!" exclaimed the mother; and Jewel, catching her +grandfather's eyes, lifted her shoulders. What did her mother know of +their secret! + +Mr. Evringham smoothed his mustache. "No harm to have it, Jewel," he +replied, nodding at her. "No harm; a very good plan, in fact; for I +suppose, even to oblige me, you can't refrain from growing up. And next we +must get Star's picture, with you on his back." + +"But you weren't on Essex Maid's," objected Jewel. + +"We'll have it taken both ways, then. It's best always to be on the safe +side." + +From this day on there was no more chance for Jewel to hear a tale in the +Story Book, until the move to the seashore was accomplished, for hot +weather had evidently come to stay in Bel-Air Park. Mrs. Evringham felt +loath to leave its green, still loveliness and her large shady rooms; but +the New Jerseyite's heat panic had seized upon her father-in-law, and he +pushed forward the preparations for flight. + +"I can't pity you for remaining here," Julia said to Mrs. Forbes on the +morning of departure. + +"No, ma'am, you don't need to," returned the housekeeper. "Zeke and I are +going off on trips, and we, calculate to have a pretty good time of it. +I've been wanting to speak to you, Mrs. Evringham, about a business +matter," continued Mrs. Forbes, her manner indicating that she had +constrained herself to make an effort. "Mr. Evringham tells me you and Mr. +Harry are to make your home with him. It's a good plan," emphatically, "as +right as right can be; for what he would do without Jewel isn't easy to +think of; but it's given me a lot to consider. I won't be necessary here +any more," the housekeeper tried to conceal what the statement cost her. +She endeavored to continue, but could not, and Julia saw that she did not +trust her voice. + +"Mr. Evringham has not said that, I am sure," she returned. + +"No, and he never would; but that shouldn't prevent my doing right. You can +take care of him and his house now, and I wanted to tell you that I see +that, plainly, and am willing to go when you all come back. I shall have +plenty of time this summer to turn around and make my plans. There's +plenty of work in this world for willing hands to do, and I'm a long way +off from being worn out yet." + +"I'm so glad you spoke about this before we left," replied Mrs. Evringham, +smiling on the brave woman. "Father has said nothing to me about it, and I +am certain he would as soon dispense with one of the supports of the house +as with you. We all want to be busy at something, and I have a glimmering +idea of what my work is to be; and I think it is not housekeeping. I should +be glad to have our coming disturb father's habits as little as possible, +and certainly neither you or I should be the first to speak of any change." + +Mrs. Forbes bit her lip. "Well," she returned, "you see I knew it would +come hard on him to ask me to go, and I wanted you both to know that I'd +see it reasonably." + +"It was good of you," said Julia; "and that is all we ever need to be sure +of--just that we are willing to be led, and then, while we look to God, +everything will come right." The housekeeper drank in the sweet expression +of the speaker's eyes, and smiled, a bit unsteadily. "Of course I'd rather +stay," she replied. "Transplanting folks is as hard and risky as trees. You +can't ever be sure they'll flourish in the new ground; but I want to do +right. I've been reading some in Zeke's book, 'Science and Health,' and +there was one sentence just got hold of me:[1] 'Self-love is more opaque +than a solid body. In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to +dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of +error--self-will, self-justification, and self-love!' Jewel's helped me to +dissolve enough so I could face handing over the keys of this house to her +mother. I'm not saying I could have offered them to everybody." + +[Footnote 1: _S. and H._, page 242.] + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Thank you. I hope it isn't your duty to give them, +nor mine to take them. We'll leave all that to father. My idea is that he +would send us all back to Chicago rather than give you up--his right hand." + +Mrs. Forbes's face relaxed, and she breathed more freely than for many +days. As she took her way out to the barn to report this conversation to +Zeke, her state of mind agreed with that of her employer when he declared +his pleasure that Julia had married into the family. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +ROBINSON CRUSOE + + +A long stretch of white, fine sandy beach, packed hard; an orderly +procession of waves, each one breaking in seething, snowy foam that ran or +crept after a child's bare feet as she skipped back and forth, playing with +them; that was Long Island to Jewel. + +Of course there was a village and on its edge a dear, clean old farmhouse +where they all lived, and in whose barn Essex Maid and Star found stables. +Then there were rides every pleasant day, over cool, rolling country, and +woods where one was as liable to find shells as flowers. There were wide, +flat fields of grain, above which the moon sailed at night; each spot had +its attraction, but the beach was the place where Jewel found the greatest +joy; and while Mr. Evringham, in the course of his life, had taken part to +the full in the social activities of a summer resort where men are usually +scarce and proportionately prized, it can be safely said that he now set +out upon the most strenuous vacation of his entire career. + +It was his habit in moments of excitement or especial impressiveness to +address his daughter-in-law as "madam," and on the second morning after +their arrival, as she was sitting on the sand, viewing the great +bottle-green rollers that marched unendingly landward, she noticed her +father-in-law and Jewel engaged in deep discussion, where they stood, +between her and the water. + +Mr. Evringham had just come to the beach, and the incessant noise of the +waves made eavesdropping impossible; but his gestures and Jewel's replies +roused her curiosity. The child's bathing-suit was dripping, and her pink +toes were submerged by the rising tide, when her grandfather seized her +hand and led her back to where her mother was sitting. + +"Madam," he said, "this child mustn't overdo this business. She tells me +she has been splashing about for some time, already." + +"And I'm not a bit cold, mother," declared Jewel. + +"H'm. Her hands are like frogs' paws, madam. I can see she is a perfect +water-baby and will want to be in the waves continually. She says you are +perfectly willing. Then it is because you are ignorant. She should go in +once a day, madam, once a day." + +"Oh, grandpa!" protested Jewel, "not even wade?" + +"We'll speak of that later; but put on your bathing-suit once a day only." + +Mr. Evringham looked down at the glowing face seriously. Jewel lifted her +wet shoulders and returned his look. + +"Put it on in the morning, then, and keep it on all day?" she suggested, +smiling. + +"At the proper hour," he went on, "the bathing master is here. Then you +will go in, and your mother, I hope." + +"And you, too, grandpa?" + +"Yes, and I'll teach you to jump the waves. I taught your father in this +very place when he was your age." + +"Oh, goody!" Jewel jumped up and down on the warm sand. "What fun it must +have been to be your little boy!" she added. + +Mr. Evringham refrained from looking at his daughter-in-law. He suspected +that she knew better. + +"Look at all this white sand," he said. "This was put here for babies like +you to play with. Old ocean is too big a comrade for you." + +"I just love the foam," returned the child wistfully, "and, oh, grandpa," +eagerly, "I tasted of it and it's as _salt_!" + +Mr. Evringham smiled, looking at his daughter. + +"Yes," said Julia. "Jewel has gone into Lake Michigan once or twice, and I +think she was very much surprised to find that the Atlantic did not taste +the same." + +"Sit down here," said Mr. Evringham, "and I'll show you what your father +used to like to do twenty-five years ago." + +Jewel sat down, with much interest, and watched the speaker scoop out a +shallow place in the sand and make a ring about it. + +"There, do you see these little hoppers?" + +Julia was looking on, also. "Aren't they cunning, Jewel?" she exclaimed. +"Exactly like tiny lobsters." + +"Only they're white instead of red," replied the child, and her grandfather +smiled and caught one of the semi-transparent creatures. + +"Lobsters are green when they're at home," he said. "It's only in our homes +that they turn red." + +"Really?" + +"Yes. There are a number of things you have to learn, Jewel. The ocean is a +splendid playmate, but rough. That is one of the things for you to +remember." + +"But I can wade, can't I? I want to build so many things that the water +runs up into." + +"Certainly, you can take off your shoes and stockings when it's warm +enough, as it is this morning, if your mother is willing you should drabble +your skirts; but keep your dress on and then you won't forget yourself." + +Jewel leaned toward the speaker affectionately. "Grandpa, you know I'm a +pretty big girl. I'll be nine the first of September." + +"Yes, I know that." + +"Beside, you're going to be with me all the time," she went on. + +"H'm. Well, now see these sand-fleas race." + +"Oh, are they sand-fleas? Just wait for Anna Belle." The child reached over +to where the doll was gazing, fascinated, at the advancing, roaring +breakers. + +Her boa and plumed hat had evidently been put away from the moths. She wore +a most becoming bathing costume of blue and white, and a coquettish silk +handkerchief was knotted around her head. It was evident that, in common +with some other summer girls, she did not intend to wet her fetching +bathing-suit, and certainly it would be a risk to go into the water wearing +the necklace that now sparkled in the summer sun. + +"Come here, dearie, and see the baby lobsters," said Jewel, holding her +child carefully away from her own glistening wetness, and seating her +against Mrs. Evringham's knee. + +"If lobsters could hop like this," said Mr. Evringham, "they would be +shooting out of the ocean like dolphins. Now you choose one, Jewel, and +we'll see which wins the race. We're going to place them in the middle of +the ring, and watch which hops first outside the circle." + +Jewel chuckled gleefully as she caught one. "Oh, mother, aren't his eyes +funny! He looks as _surprised_ all the time. Now hop, dearie," she added, +as she placed him beside the one Mr. Evringham had set down. "Which do you +guess, Anna Belle? She guesses grandpa's will beat." + +"Well, I guess yours, Jewel," said her mother; but scarcely were the words +spoken when Anna Belle's prophecy was proved correct by the airy bound with +which one of the fleas cleared the barrier while Jewel's choice still +remained transfixed. They all laughed except Anna Belle, who only smiled +complacently. + +Jewel leaned over her staring protégée. "If I only knew _what_ you were so +surprised at, dearie, I'd explain it to you," she said. Then she gently +pushed the creature, and it sped, tardily, over the border. + +They pursued this game until the bathing-suit was dry; then Mr. Evringham +yawned. "Ah, this bright air makes me sleepy. Haven't you something you can +read to us, Julia?" + +"Yes, yes," cried Jewel, "she brought the story-book." + +"But I didn't realize it would be so noisy. I could never read aloud +against this roaring." + +"Oh, we'll go back among the dunes. That's easy," returned Mr. Evringham. + +"You don't want to hear one of these little tales, father," said Julia, +flushing. + +"Why, he just loves them," replied Jewel earnestly. "I've told them all to +him, and he's just as _interested_." + +Mrs. Evringham did not doubt this, and she and the broker exchanged a look +of understanding, but he smiled. + +"I'll be very good if you'll let me come," he said. "I forgot the ribbon +bows, but perhaps you'd let me qualify by holding Anna Belle. Run and get +into your clothes, Jewel, and I'll find a nice place by that dune over +yonder." + +Fifteen minutes afterward the little party were comfortably ensconced in +the shade of the sand hill whose sparse grasses grew tall about them. + +Jewel began pulling on them. "You'll never pull those up," remarked Mr. +Evringham. "I believe their roots go down to China. I've heard so." + +"Anna Belle and I will dig sometime and see," replied Jewel, much +interested. + +"There are only two stories left," said Mrs. Evringham, who was running +over the pages of the book. + +"And let grandpa choose, won't you?" said Jewel. + +"Oh, yes," and the somewhat embarrassed author read the remaining titles. + +"I choose Robinson Crusoe, of course," announced Mr. Evringham. "This is an +appropriate place to read that. I dare say by stretching our necks a little +we could see his island." + +"Well, this story is a true one," said Julia. "It happened to the children +of some friends of mine, who live about fifty miles from Chicago." Then +she began to read as follows:-- + + +ROBINSON CRUSOE + +"I guess I shall like Robinson Crusoe, mamma!" exclaimed Johnnie Ford, +rushing into his mother's room after school one day. + +"You would be an odd kind of boy if you did not," replied Mrs. Ford, "and +yet you didn't seem much pleased when your father gave you the book on your +birthday." + +"Well, I didn't care much about it then, but Fred King says it is the best +story that ever was, and he ought to know; he rides to school in an +automobile. Say, when'll you read it to me? Do it now, won't you?" + +"If what?" corrected Mrs. Ford. + +"Oh, if you please. You know I always mean it." + +"No, dear, I don't think I will. A boy nine years old ought to be able to +read Robinson Crusoe for himself." + +Johnnie looked startled, and stood on one leg while he twisted the other +around it. + +"If you have a pleasant object to work for, it will make it so much the +easier to study," continued Mrs. Ford, as she handed Johnnie the blue book +with a gold picture pressed into its side. + +Johnnie pouted and looked very cross. "It's a regular old trap," he said. + +[Illustration: TRUDGING ALONG BEFORE HIM] + +"Yes, dear, a trap to catch a student;" and pretty Mrs. Ford's low laugh +was so contagious that Johnnie marched out of the room, fearing he might +smile in sympathy; but he soon found that leaving the room was not +escaping from the fascinating Crusoe. Up to this time Johnnie had never +taken much interest in school-books beyond scribbling on their blank +margins. Was it really worth while, he wondered, "to buckle down" and learn +to read? He knew just enough about the famous Crusoe to make him wish to +learn more, so he finally decided that it was worth while, if only to +impress Chips Wood, his next-door neighbor and playmate, a boy a year +younger than himself, whom Johnnie patronized out of school hours. So he +worked away until at last there came a proud day when he carried the blue +and gold wonder book into Chips' yard, and, seated beside his friend on the +piazza step, began to read aloud the story of Robinson Crusoe. It would be +hard to tell which pair of eyes grew widest and roundest as the tale +unfolded, and when Johnnie, one day, laid the book down, finished, two +sighs of admiration floated away over Mrs. Wood's crocus bed. + +"Chips, I'd rather be Robinson Crusoe than a king!" exclaimed Johnnie. + +"So would I," responded Chips. "Let's play it." + +"But we can't both be Crusoes. Wouldn't you like to be Friday?" asked +Johnnie insinuatingly, "he was so nice and black." + +"Ye-yes," hesitated Chips, who had great confidence in Johnnie's judgment, +but whose fancy had been taken by the high cap and leggings in the golden +picture. + +"Then I've got a plan," and Johnnie leaned toward his friend's ear and +whispered something under cover of his hand, that opened the younger boy's +eyes wider than ever. + +"Now you mustn't tell," added Johnnie aloud, "'cause that wouldn't he like +men a hit. Promise not to, deed and double!" + +"Deed and double!" echoed Chips solemnly, for that was a very binding +expression between him and Johnnie. + +For several days following this, Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Ford were besieged by +the boys to permit them to earn money; and Mrs. Ford, especially, was +astonished at the way Johnnie worked at clearing up the yard, and such +other jobs as were not beyond his strength; but, inquire as she might into +the motive of all this labor, she could only discover that Chips and +Johnnie wished to buy a hen. + +"Have you asked father if you might keep hens?" she inquired of Johnnie, +but he only shook his head mysteriously. + +Chips' mother found him equally uncommunicative. She would stand at her +window which overlooked the Fords' back yard, and watch the boys throw +kindling into the shed, or sweep the paths, and wonder greatly in her own +mind. "Bless their little hearts, what can it all be about?" she +questioned, but she could not get at the truth. + +Suddenly the children ceased asking for jobs, and announced that they had +all the money they cared for. The day after this announcement was the first +of April. When Mr. Ford came home to dinner that day, he missed Johnnie. + +"I suppose some of his schoolmates have persuaded him to stay and share +their lunch," explained Mrs. Ford. + +She had scarcely finished speaking when Mrs. Wood came in, inquiring for +Chips. "I have not seen him for two hours," she said, "and I cannot help +feeling a little anxious, for the children have behaved so queerly lately." + +"I know," returned Mrs. Ford, beginning to look worried. "Why, do you know, +Johnnie didn't play a trick on one of us this morning. I actually had to +remind him that it was April Fools' Day." + +Mr. Ford laughed. "How woe-begone you both look! I think there is a very +simple explanation of the boys' absence. Chips probably went to school to +meet Johnnie, who has persuaded him to stay during the play hour. I will +drive around there on my way to business and send Chips home." + +The mothers welcomed this idea warmly; and in a short time Mr. Ford set +out, but upon reaching the school was met with the word that Johnnie had +not been seen there at all that morning. Then it was his turn to look +anxious. He drove about, questioning every one, until he finally obtained a +clue at the meat market where he dealt. + +"Your little boy was in here this morning about half past ten, after a ham. +He wouldn't have it charged; said 'twas for himself," said the market-man, +laughing at the remembrance. "He didn't have quite enough money to pay for +it, but I told him I guessed that would be all right, and off they went, +him and the little Wood boy, luggin' that ham most as big as they was." + +"Then they were together. Which way did they go?" + +"Straight south, I know, 'cause I went to the door and watched 'em. You +haven't lost 'em, have you?" + +"I hope not," and Mr. Ford sprang into his buggy, and drove off in the +direction indicated, occasionally stopping to inquire if the children had +been seen. To his great satisfaction he found it easy to trace them, thanks +to the ham; and a little beyond the outskirts of the town he saw a +promising speck ahead of him on the flat, white road. As he drew nearer, +the speck widened and heightened into two little boys trudging along before +him. His heart gave a thankful bound at sight of the dear little legs in +their black stockings and knee breeches, and leaving his buggy by the side +of the road, he walked rapidly forward and caught up with the boys, who +turned and faced him as he approached. Displeased as he was, Mr. Ford could +hardly resist a hearty laugh at the comical appearance of the runaways. +Chips carried the big, heavy ham, and Johnnie was keeping firm hold of a +hen, who stretched her neck and looked very uncomfortable in her quarters +under his arm. + +"Why, father!" exclaimed Johnnie, recovering from a short tussle with the +poor hen, "how funny that you should be here." + +"No stranger than that you should be here, I think. Where, if I have any +right to ask, are you going?" + +"To Lake Michigan," replied Johnnie composedly. "Oh, I do wish this old hen +would keep still!" + +"Then you have fifty miles before you," said Mr. Lord. + +"Yes, sir," replied Johnnie, "but it would have been a thousand miles to +the ocean, you know." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" roared Mr. Ford, mystified, but unable to control himself any +longer at sight of Johnnie and the hen, and patient-faced Chips clutching +the ham. + +"I am glad you don't mind, father," said Johnnie. "I thought it would be so +nice for you and mother and Mrs. Wood not to have Chips and me to worry +about any more." + +"It was very thoughtful of you," replied Mr. Ford, remembering the anxious +faces at home. "And what are you going to do at Lake Michigan?" + +"Take a boat and go away and get wrecked on a desert island, like Robinson +Crusoe," responded Johnnie glibly, at the same time hitching the hen up +higher under his arm. + +"And how about Chips?" + +"Oh, I'm Man Friday," chirped Chips, his poor little face quite black +enough for the character. + +"I am so sorry we had to tell you so soon," said Johnnie. "We were keeping +it a secret until we got to the lake; then we were going to send you a +letter." + +Mr. Ford looked gravely into his son's grimy face. It was an honest face, +and Johnnie had always been a truthful boy, and just now seemed only +troubled by the restless behavior of his hen; so the father rightly +concluded that the blue and gold book had captivated him into the belief +that what he and Chips were doing was admirable and heroic. + +"What part is the hen going to play?" asked the gentleman. "Is she going to +help stock your island?" + +"Oh, no, but we couldn't get along without her, because she's going to lay +eggs along the way." + +"Lay eggs?" + +"Yes, for our lunch. At first we weren't going to take anything but the +hen, but Chips said he liked ham and eggs better'n anything, so we decided +to take it." + +Another pause; then Mr. Ford said: "You both look tired, haven't you had +enough of it? I'm going home now." + +"No, no," asserted the boys. + +"And have you thought of your mothers, whom you didn't even kiss good-by?" + +Johnnie stood on one leg and twisted the other foot around it, after his +manner when troubled. + +"I thought you knew, Johnnie, that nothing ever turns out right when you +undertake it without first consulting mother." + +"I wish now I'd kissed mine good-by," observed Friday thoughtfully. + +"Come, we'll go back together," said Mr. Ford quietly, moving off as he +spoke, "and we will see what Mrs. Wood and mother have to say on the +subject." + +Johnnie and Chips followed slowly. "Father," said the former emphatically, +"I can't be happy without being wrecked, and I do hope mother won't +object." + +His father made no reply to this, and three quarters of an hour afterward +the children jumped out of the buggy into their mothers' arms, and as they +still clung to their lunch, the ham and the hen came in for a share of the +embracing, which the hen objected to seriously, never having been hugged +before this eventful day. + +"Never mind, mother," said Johnnie patronizingly, "father'll tell you all +about it while I go and put Speckle in a safe place." So the boys went, and +Mr. Ford seated himself in an armchair, and related the events of the +afternoon to the ladies, adding some advice as to the manner of making the +boys see the folly of their undertaking. + +Mrs. Wood and Chips took tea at the Fords' that evening, and the boys, once +delivered from the necessity of keeping their secret, rattled on +incessantly of their plans; talked so much and so fast, in fact, that their +parents were not obliged to say anything, which was a great convenience, as +they had nothing they wished to say just then. It had been a mild first of +April, and after supper the little company sat out on the piazza for a +time. + +"As Johnnie and Chips will be obliged to spend so many nights out of doors +on their way to Lake Michigan, it will be an excellent plan to begin +immediately," said Mr. Ford. "You'll like to spend the night out here, of +course, boys. To be sure, it will be a good deal more comfortable than the +road, still you can judge by it how such a life will suit you." + +Johnnie looked at Chips and Chips looked at Johnnie; for the exertions of +the day had served to make the thought of their white beds very inviting; +but Mr. Ford and the ladies talked on different subjects, and took no +notice of them. At last the evening air grew uncomfortably cool, and the +grown people rose to go in. + +"Good-night, all," said Mrs. Wood, starting for home. + +Chips watched her down to the gate. "Aren't you going to kiss me +good-night?" he called. + +"Of course, if you want me to," she answered, turning back, "but you went +away this morning without kissing me, you know." Then she kissed him and +went away; and in all his eight years of life little Man Friday had never +felt so forlorn. Johnnie held up his lips sturdily to bid his father and +mother good-night. + +"I think we are going to have a thunder-storm, unseasonable as it will be," +remarked Mr. Ford pleasantly, standing in the doorway. "Well, I suppose you +won't mind it. Good luck to you, boys!" then the heavy front door closed. + +Johnnie had never before realized what a clang it made when it was shut. +The key turned with a squeaking noise, a bolt was pushed with a solid thud; +all the windows came banging down, their locks were made fast, and Johnnie +and Chips felt literally, figuratively, and every other way left out in the +cold. + +There was an uncomfortable silence for a minute; then Chips spoke. + +"Your house is splendid and safe, isn't it, Johnnie?" + +"Yes, it is." + +"I wonder where we'd better lie down," pursued Chips. "I'm sleepy. Let's +play we're Crusoe and Friday now." + +"Oh, we can't," responded Johnnie impatiently, "not with so many com--" he +was going to say comforts, but changed his mind. + +The night was very dark, not a twinkling star peeped down at the children, +and the naked branches of the climbing roses rattled against the pillars to +which they were nailed, for the wind was rising. + +The boys sat down on the steps and Chips edged closer to his companion. "I +think it was queer actions in my mother," he said, "to leave me here +without any shawl or pillow or anything." + +A little chill crept over Johnnie's head from sleepiness and cold. "Our +mothers don't care what happens to us," he replied gloomily. The stillness +of the house and the growing lateness of the hour combined to make him feel +that if being wrecked was more uncomfortable than this, he could, after +all, be happy without it. + +"What do you think?" broke in the shivering Man Friday. "Mamma says ham +isn't good to eat if it isn't cooked." + +"And that's the meanest old hen that ever lived!" returned Crusoe. "She +hasn't laid an egg since I got her." + +A distant rumble sounded in the air. "What's that?" asked Chips. + +"Well, I should think you'd know that's thunder," replied Johnnie crossly. + +"Oh, yes," said little Chips meekly, "and we're going to get wet." + +They were both quiet for another minute, while the wind rose and swept by +them. + +"I really think, Johnnie," began Chips apologetically, "that I'm not big +enough to be a good Man Friday. I think to-morrow you'd better find +somebody else." + +"No, indeed," replied Johnnie feelingly. "I'd rather give up being wrecked +than go off with any one but you. If you give up, I shall." + +The rain began to patter down. + +"If you don't like to get wet, Chips, I'd just as lieves go and ring the +bell as not," he added. + +A sudden sweep of wind nearly tipped the children over, for they had risen, +undecidedly. + +"No," called Chips stoutly, to be heard above the blast. "I'll be Friday +till to-morrow." His last word sounded like a shout, for the wind suddenly +died. + +"What do you scream so for?" asked Johnnie impatiently; but the storm had +only paused, as it were to get ready, and now approached swiftly, gathering +strength as it came. It swept across the piazza, taking the children's +breath away and bending the tall maple in front of the house with such +sudden fury that a branch snapped off; then the wind died in the distance +with a rushing sound and the breaking tree was illumined by a flash of +lightning. + +"I think, Johnnie," said Chips unsteadily, "that God wants us to go in the +house." + +A peal of thunder roared. "I've just thought," replied Johnnie, keeping his +balance by clutching the younger boy as tightly as Chips was clinging to +him, "that perhaps it wasn't right for us to run off the way we did, +without getting any advice." + +They strove with the wind only a few seconds more, then, with one accord, +struggled to the door where one rang peal after peal at the bell, while the +other pounded sturdily. + +Johnnie didn't stop then to wonder how his father could get downstairs to +open the door so quickly. Mrs. Ford, too, seemed to have been waiting for +the pair of heroes, and she took them straight to Johnnie's room, where she +undressed them in silence and rolled them into bed. They said their prayers +and were asleep in two minutes, while the storm howled outside. Then, in +some mysterious way, Mrs. Wood came into the room, and the three parents +stood watching the unconscious children. + +"That's the last of one trial with those boys, I'm sure," said Mr. Ford, +laughing, and he was right; for it was years before any one heard either +Johnnie or Chips mention Robinson Crusoe or his Man Friday. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +ST. VALENTINE + + +After that day when, on the lee side of the sand-dune the Evringham family +read together the story of Johnnie and Chips, it was some time before the +last tale in the story book was called for. + +The farmhouse where they boarded stood near a pond formed by the rushing in +of the sea during some change in the sands of the beach, so here was still +another water playmate for Jewel. + +"I do hope," said Mr. Evringham meditatively, on the first morning that he +and Jewel stood together on its green bank, "I do hope that very particular +housekeeper, Nature, will let this pond alone until we go!" + +Jewel looked up at his serious face with the lines between the eyes. "She +wouldn't touch this great big pond, would she?" she asked. + +"Ho! Wouldn't she? Well, I guess so." + +"But," suggested Jewel, lifting her shoulders, "she's too busy in summer in +the ravines and everywhere." + +"Oh," Mr. Evringham nodded his head knowingly. "Nature looks out for +everything." + +"Grandpa!" Jewel's eyes were intent. "Would she ask Summer to touch this +great big pond? What would she want to do it for?" + +"Oh, more house-cleaning, I suppose." + +The child chuckled as she looked out across the blue waves, rippling in +the wind and white-capped here and there, "When you know it's washed all +the _time_, grandpa," she responded. "The waves are just scrubbing it now. +Can't you see?" + +"Yes," the broker nodded gravely. "No doubt that is why she has to empty it +so seldom. Sometimes she lets it go a very long time; but then the day +comes when she begins to think it over, and to calculate how much sediment +and one thing and another there is in the bottom of that pond; and at last +she says, 'Come now, out it must go!'" + +"But how can she get it out, how?" asked Jewel keenly interested. "The +brooks are all running somewhere, but the pond doesn't. How can she dip it +out? It would take Summer's hottest sun a year!" + +"Yes, indeed, Nature is too clever to try that. The winds are her servants, +you know, and they understand their business perfectly; so when she says +'That pond needs to be cleaned out,' they merely get up a storm some night +after everybody's gone to bed. The people have seen the pond fine and full +when the sun went down. All that night the wind howls and the windows +rattle and the trees bend and switch around; and if those in the farmhouse, +instead of being in bed, were over there on the beach," the speaker waved +his hand toward the shining white sand, distant, but in plain sight, "they +might see countless billows working for dear life to dig a trench through +the hard sand. The wind sends one tremendous wave after another to help +them, and as a great roller breaks and recedes, all the little crested +waves scrabble with might and main, pulling at the softened sand, until, +after hours of this labor, the cut is made completely through from sea to +pond." + +Mr. Evringham looked down and met the unwinking gaze fixed upon him. "Then +why--why," asked Jewel, "when the big rollers keep coming, doesn't the pond +get filled fuller than ever?" + +The broker lifted his forefinger toward his face with a long drawn "Ah-h! +Nature is much too clever for _that_. She may not have gone to college, but +she understands engineering, all the same. All this is accomplished just at +the right moment for the outgoing tide to pull at the pond with a mighty +hand. Well,"--pausing dramatically,--"you can imagine what happens when the +deep cut is finished." + +"Does the pond have to go, grandpa?" + +"It just does, and in a hurry!" + +"Is it sorry, do you think?" asked Jewel doubtfully. + +"We-ell, I don't know that I ever thought of that side of it; but you can +imagine the feelings of the people in the farmhouse, who went to bed beside +the ripples of a smiling little lake, and woke to find themselves near a +great empty bog." + +Jewel thought and sighed deeply. "Well," she said, at last, "I hope Nature +will wait till we're gone. I love this pond." + +"Indeed I hope so, too. There wouldn't be any pleasant side to it." + +Jewel's thoughtful face brightened. "Except for the little fishes and +water-creatures that would rush out to sea. It's fun for _them_. Mustn't +they be surprised when that happens, grandpa?" + +"I should think so! Do you suppose the wind gives them any warning, or any +time to pack?" + +Jewel laughed. "I don't know; but just think of rushing out into those +great breakers, when you don't expect it, right from living so quietly in +the pond!" + +"H'm. A good deal like going straight from Bel-Air Park to Wall Street, I +should think." + +Jewel grew serious. "I think fish have the most _fun_," she said. "Do you +know, grandpa, I've decided that if I couldn't be your little grandchild, +I'd rather be a lobster than anything." + +The broker threw up his head, laughing. "Some children could combine the +two," he replied, "but you can't." + +"What?" asked Jewel. + +"Nothing. Why not be a fish, Jewel? They're much more graceful." + +"But they can't creep around among the coral and peek into oyster shells at +the pearls." + +"Imagine a lobster peeking!" Mr. Evringham strained his eyes to their +widest and stared at Jewel, who shouted. + +"That's just the way the sand-fleas look," she exclaimed. + +"Well," remarked the broker, recovering his ordinary expression, "you may +as well remain a little girl, so far as that goes. You can creep around +among the coral and peek at pearls at Tiffany's." + +"What's Tiffany's?" + +"Something you will take more interest in when you're older." The broker +shook his head. "The difference is that the lobster wouldn't care to wear +the coral and pearls. An awful thought comes over me once in a while, +Jewel," he added, after a pause. + +The child looked up at him seriously. "It can be met," she answered +quickly. + +He smiled. He understood her peculiar expressions in these days. "Hardly, I +think," he answered. "It is this: that you are going to grow up." + +Jewel looked off at the blue water. "Well," she replied at last hopefully, +"you're grown up, you know, and perhaps you'll like me then just as much as +I do you." + +He squeezed the little hand he held. "We'll hope so," he said. + +"And besides, grandpa," she went on, for she had heard him express the same +dread before, "we'll be together every day, so perhaps you won't notice it. +Sometimes I've tried to see a flower open. I've known it was going to do +it, and I've been just _bound_ I'd see it; and I've watched and watched, +but I never could see when the leaves spread, no matter how much I tried, +and yet it would get to be a rose, somehow. Perhaps some day somebody'll +say to you, 'Why, Jewel's a grown up lady, isn't she?' and you'll say, 'Is +she, really? Why, I hadn't noticed it.'" + +"That's a comforting idea," returned Mr. Evringham briefly, his eyes +resting on the upturned face. + +"So now, if the pond won't run away, we'll have the most _fun_," went on +Jewel, relieved. "They _said_ we could take this boat, grandpa, and have a +row." She lifted her shoulders and smiled. + +"H'm. A row and a swim combined," returned the broker. "I'm surprised +they've nothing better this year than that ramshackle boat. You'll have to +bail if we go." + +"What's bail?" eagerly. + +"Dipping out the water with a tin cup." + +"Oh, that'll be fun. It'll be an adventure, grandpa, won't it?" + +"I hope not," earnestly, was the reply; but Jewel was already sitting on +the grass pulling off her shoes and stockings. She leaped nimbly into the +wet boat, and Mr. Evringham stepped gingerly after her, seeking for dry +spots for his canvas shoes. + +"I think," said the child joyfully, as they pushed off, "when the winds and +waves notice us having so much fun, they'll let the pond alone, don't you?" + +"If they have any hearts at all," responded Mr. Evringham, bending to the +oars. + +"Oh, grandpa, you can tell stories like any thing!" exclaimed Jewel +admiringly. + +"It has been said before," rejoined the broker modestly. + + * * * * * + +When outdoor gayeties had to be dispensed with one day, on account of a +thorough downpour of rain, the last story in Jewel's book was called for. + +The little circle gathered in the big living-room; there was no question +now as to whether Mr. Evringham should be present. + +"It is Hobson's choice this time," said Mrs. Evringham, "so we'll all +choose the story, won't we?" + +"Let Anna Belle have the turn, though," replied Jewel. "She chose the first +one and she must have the last, because she doesn't have so much fun as the +rest of us." She hugged the doll and kissed her cheeks comfortingly. It +was too true that often of late Anna Belle did not accompany all the +excursions, but she went to bed with Jewel every night, and it was seldom +that the child was too sleepy to take her into full confidence concerning +the events of the day; and Anna Belle, being of a sedentary turn and given +to day dreams, was apparently quite as well pleased. + +Now Mr. Evringham settled in a big easy-chair; the reader took a small one +by the window, and Jewel sat on the rug before the fire, holding Anna +Belle. + +"Now we're off," said Mr. Evringham. + +"Go to sleep if you like, father," remarked the author, smiling, and then +she began to read the story entitled + + +ST. VALENTINE + +There was a little buzz of interest in Miss Joslyn's room in the public +school, one day in February, over the arrival of a new scholar. Only a very +little buzz, because the new-comer was a plain little girl as to face and +dress, with big, wondering eyes, and a high-necked and long-sleeved gingham +apron. + +"Take this seat, Alma," said Miss Joslyn; and the little girl obeyed, while +Ada Singer, the scholar directly behind her, nudged her friend, Lucy Berry, +and mimicked the stranger's surprised way of looking around the room. + +The first day in a new school is an ordeal to most children, but Alma felt +no fear or strangeness, and gazed about her, well pleased with her novel +surroundings, and her innocent pleasure was a source of great amusement to +Ada. + +"Isn't she queer-looking?" she asked of Lucy, as at noon they perched on +the window-sill in the dressing-room, where they always ate their lunch +together. + +"Yes, she has such big eyes," assented Lucy. "Who is she?" + +"Why, her mother has just come to work in my father's factory. Her father +is dead, or in prison, or something." + +"Oh, no!" exclaimed a voice, and looking down from their elevated seat the +girls saw Alma Driscoll, a big tin dinner-pail in her hand, and her cheeks +flushing. "My father went away because he was discouraged, but he is coming +back." + +Ada shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of jelly-cake. "What a delicate +appetite you must have," she said, winking at Lucy and looking at the big +pail. + +"Oh, it isn't full; the things don't fit very well," replied Alma, taking +off the cover and disclosing a little lunch at the bottom; "but it was all +the pail we had." Then she sat down on the floor of the dressing-room and +took out a piece of bread and butter. + +"Well, upon my word, if that isn't cool!" exclaimed Ada, staring at the +brown gingham figure. + +Alma looked up mildly. She had come to the dressing-room on purpose to eat +her lunch where she could look at Lucy Berry, who seemed beautiful to Alma, +with her brown eyes, red cheeks, and soft cashmere dress, and it never +occurred to her that she could be in the way. + +Ada turned to Lucy with a curling lip. "I should hate to be a third party, +shouldn't you?" she asked, so significantly that even Alma couldn't help +understanding her. Tears started to the big eyes as the little girl +dropped her bread back into the hollow depths of the pail, replaced the +cover, and went away to find a solitary corner, with a sorer spot in her +heart than she had ever known. + +"Oh, why did you say that, Ada?" exclaimed Lucy, making a movement as if to +slip down from the window-seat and follow. + +"Don't you go one step after her, Lucy Berry," commanded Ada. "My mother +doesn't want me to associate with the children of the factory people. +She'll find plenty of friends of her own kind." + +"But you hurt her feelings," protested Lucy. + +"Oh, no, I didn't," carelessly; "besides, if I did, she'll forget all about +it. I had to let her know that she couldn't stay with us. Do you want a +stranger like that to hear everything we're saying?" + +"I feel as if I ought to go and find her and see if she has somebody to eat +with." + +"Very well, Lucy. If you go with her, I can't go with you, that's all. You +can take your choice." + +The final tone in Ada's voice destroyed Lucy's courage. The little girls +were very fond of one another, and Lucy was entirely under strong-willed +Ada's influence. + +Ada was a most attractive little person. Her father, the owner of the +factory, was the richest man in town; and to play on Ada's wonderful piano, +where you had only to push with your feet to play the gayest music, or to +ride with her in her automobile, were exciting joys to her friends. She +always had money in her pocket, and boxes of candy for the entertainment of +other children, and Lucy was proud of her own position as Ada's intimate +friend. So when it came to making a choice between this brilliant companion +and the gingham-clad daughter of a factory hand, Lucy Berry's courage and +sympathy oozed away, and she sat back on the window-seat, while Ada began +talking about something else. + +This first school-day was Alma Driscoll's introduction into the world +outside of her mother's love. She had never felt so lonely as when +surrounded by all these girls, each of whom had her intimate friend, and +among whom she was not wanted. She could not help feeling that she was +different from the others, and day by day the wondering eyes grew shy and +lonely; and she avoided the children out of school hours, bravely hiding +from her mother that the gingham apron, which always hid her faded dress, +seemed to her a badge of disgrace that separated her from her daintily +dressed schoolmates. + +Such was the state of affairs when St. Valentine's day dawned. Alma's two +weeks of school had seemed a little eternity to her; but this day she could +feel that there was something unusual in the air, and she could not help +being affected by the pleasurable excitement afloat in the room. She knew +what the big white box by the door was for, and when, after school, Miss +Joslyn was appointed to uncover and distribute the valentines, Alma found +herself following the crowd, until, pressed close to Lucy Berry's side, she +stood in the centre of the merry group about the teacher. + +While the dainty envelopes were being passed around her, a shade of +wistfulness crept over the child's face, and her eager fingers crumpled the +checked apron as though Alma feared they might otherwise touch the +beautiful valentines that shone so enticingly with red and blue, gold and +silver. Suddenly Miss Joslyn spoke her name,--Alma Driscoll; only she said +"Miss Alma Driscoll," and, yes, there was no mistake about it, she had read +it off one of those vine-wreathed envelopes. + +"Did you ever see such a goose!" exclaimed Ada Singer, as she watched the +mixture of shyness and eagerness with which Alma took her valentine and +opened the envelope. + +Poor little Alma! How her heart beat as she unfolded her prize--and how it +sank when she beheld the coarse, flaring picture of a sewing girl, with a +disgusting rhyme printed beneath it. She dropped the valentine, a great sob +of disappointment choked her, and bursting into tears, she pushed her way +through the crowd and rushed from the schoolroom. + +"What is the meaning of that?" asked Miss Joslyn. + +For answer some one handed her the picture. The young lady glanced at it, +then tore it in pieces as she looked sadly around on her scholars. + +"Whoever sent this knows that Alma's mother works in the factory," she +said. "It makes me ashamed of my whole school to think there is one child +in it cruel enough to do this thing;" then, amid the silent consternation +of the scholars, Miss Joslyn rose, and leaving the half-emptied box, went +home without another word. + +"What a fuss about nothing," said Ada Singer. "The idea of crying because +you get a 'comic!' What else could Alma Driscoll expect?" + +Lucy Berry's cheeks had been growing redder all through this scene, and now +she turned upon Ada. + +"She has a right to expect a great deal else," she returned excitedly, "but +we've all been so hateful to her it's a wonder if she did. I wish I'd been +kind to her before," she continued, her heart aching with the remembrance +of the little lonely figure, and the big, hollow dinner-pail; "but I'm +going to be her friend now, always, and you can be friends with us or not, +just as you please;" and turning from the astonished Ada, Lucy Berry +marched out of the schoolroom, fearing she should cry if she stayed, and +sure that if there were any more beauties for her in the white box, her +stanch friend, Frank Morse, would take care of them for her. Among the +valentines she had already received was one addressed in his handwriting, +and she looked at it as she walked along. + +"It's the handsomest one I ever saw," she thought, lifting a rose here, and +a group of cupids there, and reading the tender messages thus disclosed. + +"I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed aloud. "I'll send it to Alma. Frank +won't care," and covering the valentine in its box, she started to run, and +turned a corner at such speed that she bumped into somebody coming at equal +or greater speed, from the opposite direction. A passer-by just then would +have been amused to see a boy and girl sitting flat on the sidewalk, +rubbing their heads and staring at one another. + +"Lucy Berry!" + +"Frank Morse!" + +"What's up?" + +"Nothing. Something's down, and it's me." + +"Well, excuse me; but I guess you haven't seen any more stars than I have. +I don't care anything for the Fourth now, I've seen enough fireworks to +last me a year." + +Both children laughed. "You've got grit, Lucy," added Frank, jumping up and +coming to help her. "Most girls would have boo-hooed over that." + +"Oh, I wouldn't," returned the little girl, springing to her feet. "I'm too +excited." + +"Well, what _is_ up?" persisted Frank. "I skipped out of the side door to +try to meet you." + +"Well, you did," laughed Lucy. "Oh, Frank, I don't know how I can laugh," +she pursued, sobering. "I don't deserve to, ever again." + +"What is it? Something about that Driscoll kid? She was crying. I was back +there and I didn't hear what Miss Joslyn said; but I saw her leave, and +then you, and I thought _I_'d go to the fire, too, if there was one." + +"Oh, there is," returned Lucy, "right in here." She grasped the waist of +her dress over where her heart was beating hard. + +Frank Morse was older than herself and Ada, and she knew that he was one of +the few of their friends whose good opinion Ada cared for. To enlist him on +Alma's side would mean something. + +"Is Ada still there?" she added. + +"Yes, she took charge of the valentine box after Miss Joslyn left." + +"Oh, Frank, do you suppose she could have sent Alma the 'comic'?" Genuine +grief made Lucy's voice unsteady. + +"Supposing she did," returned Frank stoutly. "Is that what Big-Eyes was +crying about? I hate people to be touchy and blubber over a thing like +that." + +"You don't know. Her mother works in the factory, and this was a horrid +picture making fun of it. Think of your own mother earning your living and +being made fun of." + +"Ada wouldn't do that," replied Frank shortly. "What made you think of such +a thing?" + +"It was error for me to say it," returned Lucy, with a meek groan. "I've +been doing error things ever since Alma came to school. Oh, Frank, you're a +Christian Scientist, too. You must help me to get things straight." + +"You don't need to be a Christian Scientist to see that it wasn't a square +deal to send the kid that picture." + +"No, I know it; but when Alma first came, Ada said her mother didn't allow +her to go with girls from the factory, and so I stopped trying to be kind +to Alma, because Ada wouldn't like me if I did; and it's been such +mesmerism, Frank." + +The boy smiled. "Do you remember the stories your mother used to tell us +about the work of the error-fairies?" + +"Indeed I do. My head's just been full of it the last fifteen minutes. I've +done nothing for two weeks but give the error-fairies backbones, and I +don't care what happens to me, or how much I'm punished, if I can only do +right again." + +"Who's going to punish you?" asked Frank, not quite seeing the reason for +so much feeling. + +"Ada. We've always had so much fun, and now it's all over." + +"Oh, I guess not. Ada Singer's all right." + +Lucy didn't think so. She was convinced that her friend had done this last +unkindness to Alma, and it was the shock of that discovery that was causing +a portion of her suffering now. + +Frank and Lucy talked for a few minutes longer, and it was agreed that the +former should return to the school and get any other valentines that should +be there for Lucy and himself; then, as soon as it grew dark, they would +run to the Driscoll cottage with an offering. + +Late that afternoon three mothers were called to interviews with three +little girls. Lucy Berry surprised hers by rushing in where Mrs. Berry was +seated, sewing. + +"Oh!" exclaimed the little girl, "I'm so sorry all over, mother!" + +"Then you must know why you can't be," returned Mrs. Berry, looking up at +the flushed face and seeing something there that made her put aside her +work. + +Lucy usually considered herself too large to sit in her mother's lap, but +now she did so, and flinging her arms around her neck, poured out the whole +story. + +"To think that Ada _could_ send it!" finished Lucy, with one big sob. + +"Be careful, be careful. You don't know that she did," replied Mrs. Berry. +"'Thou shalt not bear false witness.'" + +"Oh, I do _hope_ she didn't," responded Lucy, "but Ada is stuck up. I've +been seeing it more and more lately." + +"And how about the beam in my little girl's own eye?" asked Mrs. Berry +gently. + +"Haven't I been telling you all about it? I've been just as selfish and +cowardly as I could be." Lucy's voice was despairing. + +"I think there's a beam there still. I think you are angry with Ada." + +"How can I help it? If it hadn't been for her I shouldn't have been so +mean." + +"Oh, Lucy dear!" Mrs. Berry smiled over the head on her shoulder. "There is +old Adam again, blaming somebody else for his fall. Have you forgotten that +there is only one person you have the right to work with and change?" + +"I don't care," replied Lucy hotly. "I've been calling evil good. I have. +I've been calling Ada good and sticking to her and letting her run me." + +"Was it because of what you could get from her, or because of what you +could do for her?" asked Mrs. Berry quietly. + +Lucy was silent a minute, then she spoke: "She wanted me. She liked me +better than anybody." + +"Well, now you see what selfish attachments can turn into," returned Mrs. +Berry. "Do you remember the teaching about the worthlessness of mortal mind +love? Here are you and Ada, yesterday thinking you love one another, and +to-day at enmity." + +"I'm going with Alma Driscoll now, and I'm going to eat my lunch with her, +and everything. I should think that was unselfish." + +"Perhaps it will be. We'll see. Isn't it a little comfort to you to think +that it will be some punishment to Ada to see you do it?" + +"I don't know," replied Lucy, who was so honest that she hesitated. + +"Well, then, think until you do know, and be very certain whether the +thoughts that are stirring you so are all loving. You see, dearie, we're +all so tempted, in times of excitement, to begin at the wrong end: tempted +to begin with ourselves instead of with God. The all-loving Creator of you +and Ada and Alma has made three dear children, one just as precious to Him +as another. If the loveliness of His creation is hidden by something +discordant, then we must work away at it; and one's own consciousness is +the place where she has a right to work, and that helps all. It says in the +Bible 'When He giveth quietness who then can make trouble?' You can rest +yourself with the thought of His great quietness now, and you will reflect +it." + +Mrs. Berry paused and her rocking-chair swayed softly back and forth during +a moment of silence. + +"You know enough about Science," she went on, at last, "to be certain that +weeks of an offended manner with Ada would have no effect except to make +her long to punish you. You know that love is reflected in love, and that +its opposite is just as certain to be reflected unless one knows God's +truth." + +"But you don't say anything at all about Alma," said Lucy. "She's the chief +one." + +Mrs. Berry smiled. "No," she returned gently. "You are the chief one. Just +as soon as your thought is surely right, don't you know that your heavenly +Father is going to show you how to unravel this little snarl? You remember +there isn't any personality to error, whether it tries to fasten on Ada, or +on you." + +Lucy sat upright. Her cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes had lost +their excited light. "Frank Morse and I are going to take some pretty +valentines to Alma's as soon as it is dark," she said. + +"That will be pleasant. Now let us read over the lesson for to-day again, +and know what a joyous thing life is." + +"Well, mother, will you go and see Mrs. Driscoll some time?" + +"Certainly I will, Sunday. I suppose she is too busy to see me other days." + +In the Singer house another excited child had rushed home from school and +sought and found her mother. + +Mrs. Singer had just reached a most interesting spot in the novel she was +reading, when Ada startled her by running into the room and slamming the +door behind her. + +"Mother, you know you don't want me to go with the factory people," she +cried. + +"Of course not. What's the matter?" returned Mrs. Singer briefly, keeping +her finger between the leaves of her half-closed book. + +"Why, Lucy Berry is angry with me, and I don't care. I shall never go with +her again!" + +"Dear me, Ada. I should think you could settle these little differences +without bothering me. What has the factory to do with it?" + +"Why, there is a new girl at school, Alma Driscoll, and her mother works +there; and she tried to come with Lucy and me, and Lucy would have let +her, but I told her you wouldn't like it, and, anyway, of course we didn't +want her. So to-day when the valentine box was opened, Alma Driscoll got a +'comic;' and she couldn't take a joke and cried and went home. I can't bear +a cry-baby, anyway. And then Miss Joslyn made a fuss about it and _she_ +went home, and after that Lucy Berry flared up at me and said she was going +to be friends with Alma after this, and _she_ went home. It just spoiled +everybody's fun to have them act so silly. Lucy got Frank Morse to bring +out all his valentines and hers. I'll never go with her again, whether she +goes with Alma or not!" + +Angry little sparks were shining in Ada's eyes, and she evidently made +great effort not to cry. + +"What was this comic valentine that made so much trouble?" + +"Oh, something about a factory girl. You know the verses are always silly +on those." + +"Well, it wasn't very nice to send it to her before all the children, I +must say. Who do you suppose did it?" + +"No one ever tells who sends valentines," returned Ada defiantly. "No one +will ever know." + +"Well, if the foolish child, whoever it was, only had known, she wasn't so +smart or so unkind as she thought she was. Mrs. Driscoll isn't an ordinary +factory hand. She is an assistant in the bookkeeping department." + +"Well, they must be awfully poor, the way Alma looks, anyway," returned +Ada. + +"I suppose they are poor. I happened to hear Mr. Knapp begging your father +to let a Mrs. Driscoll have that position, and your father finally +consented. I remember his telling how long the husband had been away trying +for work, and what worthy people they were, old friends of his. They lived +in some neighboring town; so when Mrs. Driscoll was offered this position +they came here. They live"-- + +"Oh, I know where they live," interrupted Ada, "and I knew they were +factory people anyway, and you wouldn't want me going with girls like +Alma." + +"I'd want you to be kind to her, of course," returned Mrs. Singer. + +"Then she'd have stuck to us if I had been. I guess you've forgotten the +way it is at school." + +Mrs. Singer sighed and opened her book wistfully. "You ought to be kind to +everybody, Ada," she said vaguely, "but I really think I shall have to take +you out of the public school. It is such a mixed crowd there. I should have +done it long ago, only your father thinks there is no such education." + +Ada saw that in another minute her mother would be buried again in her +story. "But what shall I do about Frank and Lucy?" she asked, half crying. + +"Why, is Frank in it, too?" + +"Yes. I know Lucy has been talking to him. He came back and got her +valentines." + +"Oh, pshaw! Don't make a quarrel over it. Just be polite to Alma Driscoll. +They're perfectly respectable people. You don't need to avoid her. Don't +worry. Lucy will soon get over her little excitement, and you may be sure +she will be glad to make up with you and be more friendly than ever." + +Mrs. Singer began to read, and Ada saw it was useless to pursue the +subject. She left the room undecidedly, her lips pressed together. All +right, let Lucy befriend Alma. She wouldn't _look_ at her, and they'd just +see which would get tired of it first. + +This hard little determination seemed to give Ada a good deal of comfort +for the present, and she longed for to-morrow, to begin to show Lucy Berry +what she had lost. + +Meanwhile Alma Driscoll had hastened home to an empty cottage, where she +threw herself on the calico-covered bed and gave way again to her hurt and +sorrow, until she had cried herself to sleep. + +There her mother found her when she returned from work. Mrs. Driscoll had +plenty of troubles of her own in these days, adjusting herself to her +present situation and trying hard to fill the position which her old friend +Mr. Knapp had found for her. Alma knew this, and every evening when her +mother came home from the factory she met her cheerfully, and had so far +bravely refrained from telling of the trials at school, which were big ones +to her, and which she often longed to pour out; but the sight of her +mother's face always silenced her. She knew, young as she was, that her +mother was finding life in the great school of the world as hard as she was +in pretty Miss Joslyn's room; and so she kept still, but her eyes grew +bigger, and her mother saw it. + +To-day when Mrs. Driscoll came in, she was surprised to find the house +dark. She lighted the lamp and saw Alma asleep on the bed. "Poor little +dear," she thought. "The hours must seem long between school and my coming +home." + +She went around quietly, getting supper, and when it was ready she came +again to the bed and kissed Alma's cheek. + +"Doesn't my little girl want anything to eat to-night?" she asked. + +Alma turned and opened her eyes. + +"Guess which it is," went on Mrs. Driscoll, smiling. "Breakfast or supper." + +"Oh, have you come?" Alma sat up. She clasped her arms around her mother. +"Please don't make me go to school any more," she said, the big sob with +which she went to sleep rising again in her throat. + +"Why, what has happened, dear?" Mrs. Driscoll grew serious. + +"I don't want to tell you, mother, only please let me stay at home. I'll +study just as hard." + +"You'd be lonely here all day, Alma." + +"I want to be lonely," returned the little girl earnestly. + +Mrs. Driscoll looked very sober. "Let's sit down at the table," she said, +"for I have your boiled egg all ready." + +Alma took her place opposite her mother. Supper was usually the bright spot +in the day, but this evening there seemed nothing but clouds. + +"I want to hear all about it, Alma, but you'd better eat first," said Mrs. +Driscoll, as she poured the tea. + +"It isn't anything very much," replied the little girl, torn between the +longing for sympathy and unwillingness to give her mother pain; "only there +aren't any lonely children in that school. Everybody has some one she likes +to play with." + +A pang of understanding went through the mother's heart, so tender that she +forced a smile. + +"Oh, my dearie," she said, "you remind me of the old song,-- + + 'Every lassie has her laddie, + Nane, they say, have I, + But all the lads, they smile on me, + When comin' thro' the rye.' + +If my Alma smiles on all the children, they'll all smile on her." + +Alma shook her head. It was too great an undertaking to explain all those +daily experiences of longing and disappointment to her mother. The child's +throat grew so full of the sob that she could not swallow the nice egg. + +"This is Valentine's Day," she said, with an effort. "They had a box in +school. Everybody got pretty ones but me. They sent me a 'comic.'" + +She swallowed bravely between the sentences, but big tears rolled down her +cheeks and splashed on the gingham apron. + +"Well, wasn't it meant to make you laugh, dearie?" + +"N-no. It was--was a hateful one. I--I can't tell you." + +A line came in Mrs. Driscoll's forehead. Her swift thought pictured the +scene only too vividly. She swallowed, too. + +"Silly pictures can't hurt us, Alma," she said. + +"But please don't make me go back," returned the child earnestly. "I cried +and ran away, and I know all the other children laughed, and, oh, mother, I +_can't_ go back!" She was sobbing again, now, and trying to dry her tears +with her apron. + +Mrs. Driscoll's lips pressed firmly together to keep from quivering. + +"Mother," said Alma brokenly, as soon as she could speak again, "when do +you think father will come home?" + +For a minute the mother could not reply. The last letter she had received +from her husband had sounded discouraged, and for six weeks now she had +heard nothing. Her anxiety was very great; but it made her position at the +factory more than ever important, while it increased the difficulty of +performing her work. + +"I can't tell, dearie," she answered low. "We must pray and wait." + +As she finished speaking there came a loud knock at the door. A very +unusual sound this, for no one had yet called on them, except Mr. Knapp, +once on business. + +"I'll go," said Mrs. Driscoll. "Wipe your eyes, Alma." + +To her surprise, when she opened the door no one was there. Something white +on the step caught her eye in the gloom. It was a box, and when she brought +it to the light, she saw that it was addressed to Miss Alma Driscoll. + +Her heart was too sore to hand it to the child until she had made certain +that its contents were not designed to hurt. One glimpse of the gold and +red interior, however, made her clap on the cover again. She brought the +box to the table and seated herself. + +"What's all this?" she asked, passing it to the child. "It seems to be for +you. There was nobody there, but I found that on the step." + +Alma's swollen eyes looked wonderingly at the box as she took off the cover +and discovered the elaborate valentine. + +"My! What a beauty!" exclaimed her mother. + +The little girl lifted the red roses and looked at the verses. The catches +kept coming in her throat and she smiled faintly. + +"Who is this that hasn't any friend?" asked Mrs. Driscoll cheeringly. + +"Somebody was sorry," returned Alma. "I wish they didn't have to be sorry +for me." + +"Oh, you can't be sure. When I was a little girl all the best part of +Valentine's Day was running around to the houses with them after dark. How +do you know that this wasn't meant for you all day?" + +"Because I remember it. Miss Joslyn handed it to Lucy Berry out of the +school box. Lucy is the prettiest"-- + +Another loud knocking at the door interrupted. + +Mrs. Driscoll answered the call. A big white envelope lay on the step, and +it was addressed to Alma. This time the latter's smile was a little +brighter as she took out a handsome card covered with garlands and swinging +cupids and inscribed "To my Valentine." + +"Well, I never saw any prettier ones," said Mrs. Driscoll. + +"But they weren't bought for me," returned Alma. + +When soon again a knocking sounded on the door and a third valentine +appeared, blossoming with violets, above which butterflies hovered, Mrs. +Driscoll leaned lovingly toward her little girl. + +"Alma," she said. "I think you were mistaken in saying that _all_ the +children laughed when you received that 'comic.' Now," in a different tone, +"let's have some fun! Some child or children are giving you the very best +they have. Let's catch the next one who comes, and find out who your +friends are!" + +"Oh, no," returned Alma, smiling, but shrinking shyly from the idea. + +"Yes, indeed. We all used to try when I was little. I'm going to stand by +the door and hold it open a bit and you see if I don't catch somebody." + +Alma lifted her shoulders. She wasn't sure that she liked to have her +mother try this; but Mrs. Driscoll went to the door, set it ajar in the +dark, and stood beside it. + +She did not expect there would be any further greetings, and did this +rather to amuse Alma, who sat examining her three valentines with a tearful +little smile; but it was a very short time before another knock sounded on +the usually neglected door, and quick as a wink it opened and Mrs. +Driscoll's hand flying out caught another hand. A little scream followed, +and in a second she had drawn a young lady into the tiny hall. + +They couldn't see one another's faces very well in the gloom. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Mrs. Driscoll, very much embarrassed. "I +was trying to catch a valentine." + +"Well, you did," laughed the stranger. "There's one on the step now, unless +my skirt switched it off when I jumped. I didn't intend to come in this +time, though I meant to return after I had done an errand; but now I'm +here I'll stay a minute if it isn't too early." + +"If you'll excuse the table," returned Mrs. Driscoll "Alma and I have a +late tea." She stooped at the door and picked up a valentine from the edge +of the step, and both women were smiling as they entered the room where +Alma was standing, flushed and wide-eyed, scarcely able to believe that she +recognized the voice. + +Sure enough, as the visitor came into the lamplight, the little girl saw +that the valentine her mother had caught and brought in out of the dark was +really Miss Joslyn. She could hardly believe her eyes as she looked at the +merry, blushing face which she was wont to see so serious and watchful. All +the pretty teacher's scholars admired her, but she had a dignity and +strictness which gave them some awe of her, too, and it seemed wonderful to +Alma that this important person should be standing here and laughing with +her mother, right in their own sitting-room. + +Miss Joslyn's bright eyes saw signs of tears in her pupil's face, and she +also saw the handsome valentines strewn upon the table. "Well, well, Alma!" +she exclaimed softly, "you have quite a show there!" + +"And here is another," said Mrs. Driscoll, handing the latest arrival to +the little girl. Alma smiled gratefully at her teacher as she opened the +envelope and took out a dove in full flight, carrying a leaf in its beak. +On the leaf was printed in gold letters the word _Love_. + +"I was caught in the act, Alma," laughed Miss Joslyn, "but I guess I am too +old and slow to be running about at night with valentines." + +"I like it the best of all," replied the little girl. "It was bought for +me," she added in her own thought, and she was right. Twenty minutes ago +the white dove had been reposing at a stationer's, with every prospect of +remaining there until another Valentine's Day came around. + +"Please sit down, Miss Joslyn," said Mrs. Driscoll. + +"Well, just for a minute," replied the young lady, taking the offered +chair, "but I wish you would finish your supper." + +"We had, really," replied Mrs. Driscoll, smiling, "or I shouldn't have been +playing such a game by the door. You haven't been the giver of all these +valentines, I suppose?" + +"Oh, no, indeed. Those are from some of the school children, no doubt. I've +been trying to find an evening to come here for some time, but my work +isn't done when school is out." + +"I'm sure it isn't," replied Mrs. Driscoll, while Alma sat with her dove in +her hands, watching the bright face that looked happy and at home in these +unusual surroundings. It seemed so very strange to be close to Miss Joslyn, +like this, where the teacher had no bell to touch and no directions to +give. + +She looked at Alma and spoke: "The public school is a little hard for new +scholars at first," she said, "where they enter in the middle of a term. +You are going to like it better after a while, Alma." + +"I think she will, too," put in Mrs. Driscoll. "My hours are long at the +factory and I have liked to think of Alma as safe in school. Does she do +pretty well in her studies, Miss Joslyn?" + +"Yes, I have no fault to find." The visitor smiled at Alma. "You haven't +become much acquainted yet," went on Miss Joslyn. "I have noticed that you +eat your lunch alone. So do I. Supposing you and I have it together for a +while until you are more at home with the other scholars. I have another +chair in my corner, and we'll have a cosy time." + +Alma's heart beat fast. She had never heard that an invitation from royalty +is equivalent to a command, but instantly all possibility of staying at +home from school disappeared. The picture rose before her thought of Miss +Joslyn as she always appeared at the long recess: her chair swung about +until her profile only was visible, the white napkin on her desk, the book +in her hand as she read and ate at one and the same time. Little did Alma +suspect what it meant to the kind teacher to give up that precious +half-hour of solitude; but Miss Joslyn saw the child's eyes grow bright at +the dazzling prospect, and noted the color that covered even her forehead +as she murmured thanks and looked over at her mother for sympathy. + +The young lady talked on for a few minutes and then said good-night, +leaving an atmosphere of brightness behind her. + +"Oh, mother, I don't know what all the children will say," said Alma, +clasping her hands together. "I'm going to eat lunch with Miss Joslyn!" + +"It's fine," responded Mrs. Driscoll, glad of the change in her little +girl's expression, and wishing the ache at her own heart could be as easily +comforted. "Do you suppose Valentine's Day is over, dearie, or had I better +stand by the door again?" + +"Oh, they wouldn't send me any more!" replied Alma, looking fondly at her +dove. "I think Lucy Berry was so kind to give me her lovely things; but I'd +like to give them back." + +"No, indeed, that wouldn't do," replied Mrs. Driscoll. "I'm going to stand +there once more. Perhaps I'll catch somebody else to prove to you that Lucy +isn't the only one thinking about you." + +Mrs. Driscoll returned quietly to her post, and Alma could see her smiling +face through the open door. + +Alma had very much wanted to send valentines to a few children, herself; +but five cents was all the spending money she could have, and she had +bought with it one valentine which had been addressed to Lucy Berry in the +school box. She was glad it had not come back to her to-night. That would +have been hardest of all to bear. + +Just as she was thinking this there did come another knock at the door. The +child looked up eagerly, and swiftly again Mrs. Driscoll's hand flew out, +and grasping a garment, pulled gently and firmly. + +"Well, well, ma'am!" exclaimed a bass voice, and this time it was the +hostess's turn to give a little cry, followed by a laugh, as a stout, +elderly man with chin whiskers came deliberately in. + +She retreated. "Oh, Mr. Knapp, please excuse me! I thought you were a +valentine!" + +"Nobody'd have me, ma'am. Nobody'd have me. Not a mite o' use to try to +stick a pair o' Cupid's wings on these shoulders. It would take an awful +pair to fly me. Well, come now," he added, with a broad, approving smile at +the laughing mother and child, "I'm right down glad to see you playin' a +game. I've thought, the last few days, you was lookin' kind o' peaked and +down in the mouth; so, seein' as we found a letter for you that was somehow +overlooked this afternoon, I decided I'd bring it along. Might be fetchin' +you a fortune, for all I knew." + +Mrs. Driscoll's smile vanished, and her eyes looked eagerly into the +good-humored red face, as Mr. Knapp sought deliberately in his coat pocket +and brought forth an envelope, at sight of which Alma's mother flushed and +paled. + +"You have a valentine, too!" cried the little girl. + +"Yes, it is from father. Won't you sit down, Mr. Knapp?" + +"No, no, I'll just run along and let you read your letter in peace. I know +you want to, and I hope it brings good news. If it don't, you just remember +it's always darkest before day. Frank Driscoll's bound to come out right +side up. He's a good feller." + +So saying, the kind friend to this couple took his departure, and Mrs. +Driscoll's eager fingers tore open the envelope. + +At the first four words, "It's all right, Nettie," she crushed the paper +against her happy eyes and then hugged Alma. + +It _was_ all right. Mr. Driscoll had a position at last, and by the time +summer should come he was sure they could be together again. + +After the letter had been read and re-read, the two washed and put away the +supper dishes with light hearts, and the next morning Mrs. Driscoll went +off smiling to the factory, leaving a rather excited little girl to finish +the morning work and arrange the lunch in the tin pail which was to be +opened beside Miss Joslyn's desk. + +There were two other excited children getting ready for school that +morning. They had both slept on their troubles, but were very differently +prepared to meet the day. Ada Singer's mental attitude was, "I'll never +give in, and Lucy Berry will find it out." + +Lucy felt comforted, but there remained now the great step of eating lunch +with Alma and being punished by Ada in consequence. Her heart fluttered at +the thought; but she was going to try not to think of herself at all, but +to do right and let the consequences take care of themselves. + +"There isn't any other way," her mother said to her at parting. "Anything +which you do in any other spirit has simply to be done over again some +time." + +"Not one error-fairy shall cheat me to-day," thought Lucy stoutly, and then +a disconcerting idea came to her: supposing Alma shouldn't come to school +at all! + +But Alma was there. Ada Singer, too, wearing a charming new dress and with +a head held up so stiffly that it couldn't turn to look at anybody. Frank +Morse, from his seat at the back of the room, looked curiously from one to +another of the three girls and shook his head at his book. + +At the first recess Ada Singer spoke to him as he was going out. "Wait a +minute, Frank. It is so mild to-day, mother is coming for me after school +with the auto. We're going to take a long spin. Wouldn't you like to go?" + +"Yes, indeed," replied Frank; "but don't you want to take Lucy in my +place?" He was a little uncomfortable. + +"If I did I shouldn't ask you," returned Ada coolly. + +"All right. Thank you," said Frank, but as he joined the boys on the +playground he felt still more uncomfortable. + +Lucy Berry, as soon as the recess bell had sounded, had gone straight to +Alma. Her cheeks were very red, and the brown eyes were full of kindness. + +Alma looked up in shy pleasure at her, a little embarrassed because she +didn't know whether to thank Lucy for the valentines or not. + +The latter did not give her time to speak. She said: "I came to see if you +won't eat your lunch with me to-day." + +Alma colored. How full the world was of kind people! "I'd love to," she +answered, "but I think Ada wants to have you all alone and"-- + +"But I'd like it if you would," said Lucy firmly, "because I want to get +more acquainted. My mother is coming to see yours on Sunday afternoon, +too." + +"I'm real glad she is," replied Alma, fairly basking in the light from +Lucy's eyes. "I'd love to eat lunch with you, but Miss Joslyn invited me to +have it with her to-day." + +"Oh!" Lucy's gaze grew larger. "Why, that's lovely!" she said, in an awed +tone. + +They had very little more time for talk before the short recess was over. +As the children took their way to their seats, Alma was amazed to see Ada +Singer pass Lucy without a word, and even turn her head to avoid looking +at her. The child had watched this close friendship so wistfully that she +instantly saw there was trouble, and naturally thought of her invitation +from Lucy as connected with it. + +At the long recess, thoughts of this possible quarrel mingled with her +pleasure in the visit with Miss Joslyn, who was a charming hostess. Many a +girl or boy came to peep into the forbidden schoolroom, when the report was +circulated that Alma Driscoll was up on the platform laughing and talking +with the teacher and eating lunch with her in the cosy corner. + +Miss Joslyn insisted on exchanging a part of her lunch for Alma's, +spreading the things together on the white napkin, and chatting so eagerly +and gayly that the little girl's face beamed. She soon told the teacher +about the good news that came after she left the night before, and Miss +Joslyn was very sympathetic. "It's a pretty nice world, isn't it?" she +asked, smiling. + +"Yes'm, it's just a lovely world to-day, only--only there's one thing, Miss +Joslyn." + +"What is it?" + +"I think Lucy Berry and Ada Singer have had a quarrel." + +"Oh, the inseparables? I guess not," the teacher smiled. + +"Yes'm. The worst is, I think it's about me. Could I go out in the +dressing-room to get my handkerchief, and see if they're on their usual +window-sill?" + +"Yes, indeed, if it will make you feel easier." + +So Alma went out and soon returned. Lucy and Ada were not on their +window-sill. Each was sitting with a different group of girls. + +Miss Joslyn saw the serious discomfort this gave her little companion, and +persuaded her away from the subject, returning to the congenial theme of +Mr. Driscoll's new prospects. + +But as soon as recess was over, Alma's thoughts went back to Ada Singer, +for she felt certain that whatever had happened, Ada was the one to be +appeased. The child could not bear to think of being the cause of trouble +coming to dear, kind Lucy. + +When school was dismissed, Ada Singer, her head carried high, put on her +things in the dressing-room within a few feet of Lucy, but ignoring her +presence. "I love her," thought Lucy, "and she does love me. Nothing can +cheat either of us." + +Ada went out without a look, and waited at the head of the stairs for Frank +Morse. Alma Driscoll hastened up to her. + +Ada drew away. Alma needn't think that because she had shared Miss Joslyn's +luncheon she would now be as good as anybody. + +"Can I speak to you just one minute?" asked the little girl so eagerly, yet +meekly, that Ada turned to her; but now that she had gained attention, Alma +did not know how to proceed. She hesitated and clasped and unclasped her +hands over the gingham apron. "Please--please"--she stammered, "don't be +cross with Lucy. She felt sorry for me, but I'll never eat lunch with +her,--truly." + +"You don't know what you're talking about," rejoined Ada coldly. + +"Yes, she does." It was Frank Morse's voice, and Ada, turning quickly, saw +him and Lucy standing a few feet behind her. The four children were alone +in the deserted hall. + +"Here," went on Frank bluntly, "I want you two girls to kiss and make up." + +Ada blushed violently as she met Lucy's questioning, wistful look. + +"Are you coming down to the auto, Frank?" she asked coolly. "Mother will be +waiting." + +"Oh, come now, Ada, be a good fellow. If you and Lucy want to put on the +gloves, I'll see fair play; but for pity's sake drop this icy look +business. Great Scott, I'm glad I'm not a girl!" + +The genuine disgust in the boy's tone as he closed did disturb Ada a +little, and then Lucy added at once, beseechingly: + +"Oh, it's like a bad dream, Ada, to have anything the matter between us!" + +"Whose fault is it?" asked Ada sharply. "Why did you fly at me so +yesterday?" + +Both girls had forgotten Alma who, like a soberly dressed, big-eyed little +bird, was watching the proceedings in much distress. + +"You just the same as accused me of sending Alma the 'comic,'" continued +Ada. + +"Oh, _didn't_ you send it?" cried Lucy, fairly springing at her friend in +her relief. "I don't care what you do to me then! I deserve anything, for I +really thought you did." + +Her eloquent face and the love in her eyes broke down some determination in +Ada's proud little heart, and raised another, perhaps quite as proud, but +at least with an element of nobility. She foresaw that the dishonesty was +going to be more than she could bear. + +"I did send it," she said suddenly, with her chin up. Then, ignoring Frank +and Lucy's open-mouthed stares, she turned toward Alma. "I sent you the +'comic,'" she went on. "I thought it would be fun, but it wasn't, and I'm +sorry. I should like to have you forgive me." + +Her tone was far from humble, but it was music to Alma's ears. The little +girl clasped her hands together. "Oh, I do," she replied earnestly, "and it +made everybody so kind! Please don't feel bad about it. I got the loveliest +valentines in the evening, and Miss Joslyn came to see us, and we had a +letter from my father and he has a splendid place to work and--and +everything!" + +Ada breathed a little faster at the close of this breathless speech. Alma's +eagerness to ascribe even her father's good fortune to the sending of the +'comic' touched her. In her embarrassment she took another determination. + +"If you'll excuse me, Frank," she said turning to him, "I think I'll take +Alma home in the auto, instead of you." + +"All right," returned the boy, his face flushed. "You're a brick, Ada!" + +This praise from one who seldom praised gave Ada secret elation, and made +her resolve to deserve it. "Good-by, Lucy," was all she said, but the +girls' eyes met, and Lucy knew the trouble was over. + +As Ada and Alma went downstairs, Lucy ran to the hall window, and Frank +followed. "Don't let them see us," she said joyfully. + +So, very cautiously, the two peeped and saw the handsome automobile +waiting. Mrs. Singer was sitting within and they saw Ada say something to +her; then Alma, her thick coat over the gingham apron, and the large +dinner-pail in her hand, climbed in, Ada after her, and away they all went. + +Lucy turned to Frank with her face glowing. + +"It's all right now," she said. "When Ada takes hold she never lets go; and +now she's taken hold right!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A MORNING RIDE + + +Mrs. Evringham's listeners thanked her, then discussed the story a few +minutes. + +"I'd like to get acquainted with Alma," said Jewel, "and help be kind to +her." + +"Oh, she's going to have a very good time now," replied Mr. Evringham. "One +can see that with half an eye. Were there any Almas where you went to +school, Jewel?" + +"No, there weren't. We didn't bring lunches and we went home in a 'bus." + +"Jewel went to a very nice private school," said Mrs. Evringham. "Her +teachers were Christian Scientists and I made their dresses for them in +payment." + +The logs were red in the fireplace now, and the roar of the wind-driven sea +came from the beach. + +"Well, we've a good school for her," replied Mr. Evringham, "and there'll +be no dresses to make either." + +His daughter looked at him wistfully. "I'm very happy when I think of it," +she answered, "for there is other work I would rather do." + +"I should think so, indeed. Catering to the whims of a lot of silly women +who don't know their own minds! It must be the very--yes, very unpleasant. +Yes, we have a fine school in Bel-Air. Jewel, we're going to work you hard +next winter. How shall you like that?" + +"My music lessons will be the most fun," returned Jewel. + +"And dancing school beside." + +"Oh, grandpa, I'll love that! I used to know girls who went, in Chicago." + +"Yes, I'm sure you will. You shall learn all the latest jigs and flings, +too, that any of the children know. I think you ought to learn them +quickly. You've been hopping up and down ever since I knew you." + +Jewel exchanged a happy glance with her mother and clapped her hands at the +joyful prospect. + +Mrs. Evringham looked wistfully at her father-in-law. "I hope you'll be +willing I should do the work I want to, father." + +"What's that? Writing books? Perfectly willing, I assure you. I think +you've made a very good start." + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "No, not writing books. Practicing Christian +Science." + +"Well, you do that all the time, don't you?" + +"I mean taking patients." + +"What!" Mr. Evringham straightened up in his chair and frowned at her +incredulously. "Anybody? Tom, Dick, and Harry? You can't mean it!" + +His tone was so severe that Jewel rose from her place on the rug and, +climbing into his lap, rested her head on his breast. His hand closed on +the soft little one unconsciously. "I suppose I don't understand you," he +added, a shade more mildly. + +"Not in your house, father," returned Julia. She had been preparing in +thought for this moment for days. "Of course it wouldn't do to have +strangers coming and going there." + +"Nonsense, nonsense, my dear girl," brusquely, "put it out of your head at +once. There is no need for you to do anything after this but bring up your +child and keep your husband's shirt buttons in place." + +"I won't neglect either," replied Julia quietly; "but Mr. Reeves says there +is great need of practitioners in Bel-Air. You know where the reading-room +is? There is a little room leading out of it that I could have." + +"For an office, do you mean? Nonsense," exclaimed Mr. Evringham again. +"Harry wouldn't think of allowing it." + +Julia smiled. "Will you if he does?" + +"What shall I say to her, Jewel?" The broker looked down into the serious +face. + +"I suppose mother ought to do it," replied the child. "Of course every one +who knows how and has time wants to. You can see that, grandpa, because +isn't your rheumatism better?" + +"Yes. I like our resident physician very much; but we need her ourselves. I +don't think I shall ever give my consent to such a thing." + +"Oh, yes, you will, grandpa, if it's right." The flaxen head on his breast +wagged wisely. "Some morning you'll come downstairs and say: 'Julia, I +think you can go and get that office whenever you like.'" + +Mrs. Evringham pressed her handkerchief to her lips. The couple in the +armchair were so absorbed in one another that they did not observe her, and +the broker's face showed such surprise. + +"Upon my word!" he exclaimed, after a minute. "Upon my word!" + +"Are you all through talking about that?" asked Jewel, after a pause. + +"I am, certainly," replied Mr. Evringham. + +"And I," added his daughter. She was content that the seed was planted, and +preferred not to press the subject. + +"Well, then," continued Jewel, "I was wondering, grandpa, if the cracks in +that boat couldn't be stuffed up a little more so I wouldn't have to bail, +and then I could learn how to row." + +"Ho, these little hands row!" returned Mr. Evringham scoffingly. + +"Why, I could, grandpa. I just know I could. It was fun to bail at first, +but I'm getting a little tired of it now, and I love to be on the pond--oh, +almost as much as on Star!" + +Mr. Evringham's eyes shone with an unusually pleased expression. "Is it +possible!" he returned. "It's a water-baby we have here, a regular +water-baby!" + +"Yes, grandpa, when I know how to swim and row and sail--yes," chuckling at +the expression of exaggerated surprise which her listener assumed, "and +sail, too, I'll be so _happy_!" + +"Oh, come now, an eight-year-old baby!" + +"I'll be nine in five weeks, nine years old." + +"Well," Mr. Evringham sighed, "that's better than nineteen." + +"Why, grandpa," earnestly, "you forget; perhaps you'll like me when I'm +grown up." + +"It's possible," returned the broker. + +How the sun shone the next morning! The foam on the great rollers that +still stormed the beach showed from the farmhouse windows in ever-changing, +spreading masses of white. Essex Maid and Star, after a day of ennui, were +more than ready for a scamper between the rolling fields where already the +goldenrod hinted that summer was passing. + +Star had to stretch his pretty legs at a great rate, to keep up with the +Maid this morning, though her master moderated her transports. The more +like birds they flew, the more Jewel enjoyed it. She knew now how to get +Star's best speed, and the pony scarcely felt her weight, so lightly did +she adapt herself to his every motion. + +With cheeks tingling in the fine salt air, the riders finally came to a +walk in the quiet country road. + +"I've been looking up that boat business, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham. "The +thing is hardly worth fixing. It would take a good while, just at the time +we want the boat, too." + +"Well, then," returned the child, "we'll have to make it do. There are so +many happinesses here, it isn't any matter if the boat isn't just right; +but I was thinking, grandpa, if you wouldn't wear such nice shoes, I'd go +barefooted, and then we could both sit on the same seat and let the water +come in, while I use one oar and you the other; or"--her face suddenly +glowing with a brilliant idea--"we could both wear our bathing-suits!" + +"Yes," returned the broker, "I think if you were to row we might need +them." + +The child laughed. + +"No, Jewel, no; we'd better bathe when we bathe, and row when we row, and +not mix them. You couldn't do anything with even one of those clumsy oars +in that tub of a boat." + +As Mr. Evringham said this, he saw the disappointment in the little girl's +face as she looked straight ahead, and noted, too, her effort to conquer +it. + +"Well, I do have so many happinesses," she replied. + +"It will be a grand sight at the beach this morning, with the sunlight on +the stormy waves," said Mr. Evringham. "The water-baby will have to keep +out of them, though." + +Jewel lifted her shoulders and looked at him. "Then we ought to row over, +don't you think so?" + +"You're not willing to be a thorough-going land lubber, are you?" returned +the broker. + +"No," Jewel sighed. "I'd rather bail than keep off the pond. Oh, but I +forgot," with a sudden thought, "mother'd get wet if she rowed over and it +would be too bad to make her walk through the fields alone." + +There was a little silence and then Mr. Evringham turned the horses into +the homeward way. + +"I begin to feel as if breakfast would be acceptable, Jewel. How is it with +you?" + +"Why, I could eat"--began the child hungrily, "I could eat"-- + +"Eggs?" suggested the broker, as she paused to think of something +sufficiently inedible. + +"Almost," returned the child seriously. Another pause, and then she +continued. "Grandpa, wouldn't it be nice if mother had somebody to play +with, too, so we could go out in the boat whenever we wanted to?" + +"Yes. Why doesn't your father hurry up his affairs?" + +Jewel looked at the broker. "He has. He thought it was error for him not to +let the people there know that he was going to leave them after a while; so +they began right off to try to find somebody else, and they have already." + +"Eh?" asked the broker. "Your father is through in Chicago, then? When did +you hear that?" + +"Mother had the letter yesterday and she told me when I went to bed last +night." + +"Why, then he'll be coming right on." + +"We'd like to have him," returned Jewel; "but mother wasn't sure how you +would feel about it, to have father here so long before business +commences." + +"Why didn't she tell me last evening?" asked Mr. Evringham. + +"I _think_," returned Jewel, "that she wanted father so _much_--and--and +that she thought perhaps you wouldn't think it was best, and--well, I think +she felt a little bashful. You know mother isn't your real relation, +grandpa," the child's head fell to one side apologetically. + +Mr. Evringham stroked his mustache; but instantly he turned grave again. +His eyes met Jewel's. + +"I think, as you say, it would be rather a convenience to us if your mother +had some one to play with, too. Suppose we send for him, eh?" + +"Oh, let's," cried the child joyfully. + +"Done with you!" returned the broker, and he gave the rein to Essex Maid. +Star had suddenly so much ado to gallop along beside her, that Jewel's +laugh rang out merrily. + +When, a little later, the family met in the dining-room for breakfast, Mr. +Evringham accosted his daughter cheerfully: + +"Well, this is good news I hear about Harry." + +Julia flushed and met his eyes wistfully. The broker had never seen any +resemblance in Jewel to her until this moment; but it was precisely the +child's expression that now returned his look. + +"It's my boy she wants, too," he thought. "By George, she shall have him." + +"I wasn't sure that you would think it was good news for Harry to give up +his position so soon, but there wasn't any other honest way," she replied. + +"The sooner the break is made, the better," returned Mr. Evringham. "I +shall wire him to close up everything at once and join us as soon as he +can." + +Mother and child exchanged a happy look and Jewel clapped her hands. +"Father's coming, father's coming!" she cried joyfully. + +The broker bent his brows upon her. + +"Jewel, are you strictly honorable?" he asked. + +"I don't know," returned the little girl. + +"You said a few minutes ago that it was a playfellow for your mother that +you wanted. Your enthusiasm is unseemly." + +"Oh, father's just splendid," said Jewel. + +After breakfast the three repaired to a certain covered piazza where they +always read the lesson for the day; then Mr. Evringham suggested that they +go promptly to the beach to see the splendid show before the rollers +regained their usual monotonous dignity. + +"Jewel and I thought we would go over in the boat instead of through the +fields, but that old tub is rather uninviting for a lady's clothes." + +"I think I will take the solitary saunter in preference," returned Mrs. +Evringham. "You and Jewel row over if you like." + +"No, we'd rather walk with you," said the child heroically. + +Julia smiled. "I don't want you. There are birds and flowers." + +"Well, come down and see us off, anyway," said Mr. Evringham; so the three +moved over the grass toward the pond; two walking sedately and one skipping +from sheer high spirits. + +As they drew near the little wharf the child's quick eyes perceived that +there were two boats floating there, one each side of it. + +"See that, grandpa! There's some visitor around here," she said, running +ahead of the others. A light, graceful boat rose and fell on the waves. It +was golden brown within and without, and highly varnished. Its four seats +were furnished with wine-colored cushions. Four slim oars lay along its +bottom, and its rowlocks gleamed. Best of all, a slender mast with snowy +sail furled about it lay along the edge. + +"Grandpa, p-_lease_ ask somebody whose it is and if we could get in just a +minute!" begged Jewel, in hushed excitement. + +"Oh, they're all good neighbors about here. They won't mind, whoever it +is," returned Mr. Evringham carelessly, and to the child's wonder and +doubt he jumped aboard. + +"Pretty neat outfit, isn't it?" he continued, as he stood a moment looking +over the lines of the craft, and then lifted the mast. + +"Oh, it'll sail, too, it'll sail, too!" cried Jewel, hopping up and down. +"Oh, mother, did you ever _hear_ of such a pretty boat?" + +"Never," replied Mrs. Evringham. "It must be that some one has come over +from one of those fine homes across the pond." + +Privately, she was a little surprised by the manner in which Mr. Evringham +was making himself at home. He set the mast in its place and then, his arms +akimbo, stood regarding Jewel's tense, sun-browned countenance and +sparkling eyes. + +"How would it be for me to go up to the house and see if we could get +permission to take a little sail?" he asked. + +"Oh, it would be splendid, grandpa," responded Jewel, "but--but he might +say no, and _could_ I get in just a minute first?" + +"Yes, come on." The child waited for no second invitation, but sprang into +the boat and examined its dry, shining floor and felt its buttoned cushions +with admiring awe. + +"Hello, see here," said Mr. Evringham, bending over the further side. +"Easy, now," for Jewel had scrambled to see. He trimmed the boat while her +flaxen head leaned eagerly over. + +Beautifully painted in shining black letters she read the name JEWEL. + +The child lifted her head quickly and gazed at him, "Grandpa, that almost +couldn't--_happen_" she said, in amazement, catching her breath. + +He nodded. "There's one thing pretty certain, Nature won't draw off the +pond now that this has come to you." + +"Me, _me_!" cried the child. Her lips trembled and she turned a little pale +under the tan as she remembered how the pony came. Then her eyes, dark with +excitement, suffused, and recklessly she flung herself upon the broker's +neck while the boat rocked wildly. + +Mr. Evringham waved one hand toward his daughter while he seized the mast. +"Tell Harry we left our love," he cried. + +"Dear me, Jewel, what are you _doing_!" called Mrs. Evringham. + +"It's mine, mother, it's mine," cried the child, lifting her head to shout +it, and then ducking back into the broker's silk shirt front. + +"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Evringham, coming gingerly out upon the +wharf, which was such an unsteady old affair that she had remained on terra +firma. + +"Why, you see," responded Mr. Evringham, "the farmhouse boat wasn't so +impossible for two old sea-dogs like Jewel and me, but when it came to +inviting her lady mother to go out with us, I saw that we must have +something else. Well, it seems as if Jewel approved of this." + +He winked at his daughter over the flaxen head on his breast. + +"What a fortunate, fortunate girl!" exclaimed Julia. "I can hardly wait to +sit on one of those beautiful red cushions." + +"Jewel will invite you pretty soon, I think," said Mr. Evringham. "I hope +so, for one of my feet is turned in and she is standing on it, but I +wouldn't have her get off until she is entirely ready." + +He could feel the child swallowing hard, and though she moved her little +feet, she could not lift her face. + +"Grandpa," she began, in an unsteady, muffled tone, "I didn't tease you too +much about the old boat, did I?" + +"No,--no, child!" + +"Shall you--shall you like this one, too?" + +"Well, I should rather think so. I have to give all my shoes to the poor as +it is. I've nothing left fit to put on but my riding-boots. How shall we go +over to the beach this time, Jewel, row or sail? Your mother is waiting for +you to ask her to get in." + +Slowly the big bows behind the child's ears came down into their normal +position. She kissed her grandfather fervently and then turned her flushed +face and eyes toward her mother. + +"Come in, so you can see the boat's name," she said, and her smile shone +out like sunshine from an April sky. + +"Give me your hand, then, dearie. You know I'm a poor city girl and haven't +a very good balance." + +The name was duly examined, and Mrs. Evringham's "oh's" of wonder and +admiration were long-drawn. + +"See the darling cushions, mother. You can wear your best clothes here. +It's just like a parlor!" + +"A very narrow parlor, Jewel. Move carefully." Mrs. Evringham had seated +herself in the stern. "Perhaps I can help with the rudder," she added, +taking hold of the lines. + +"Just as the admiral says," returned the broker. + +"Oh, grandpa, you'll have to be the admiral," said Jewel excitedly. "I'll +be the crew and"-- + +"And the owner," suggested Mr. Evringham. + +"Yes! Oh, mother, what _will_ father say!" + +"He'll say that you are a very happy, fortunate little girl, and that +Divine Love is always showing your grandpa how to do kind things for you." + +The child's expression as she looked up at the admiral made him apprehend +another rush. + +"Steady, Jewel, steady. Remember we aren't wearing our bathing-suits. Which +are we going to do, row or sail?" + +"Oh, _sail_," cried the child, "and it'll never be the first time again! +_Could_ you wait while I get Anna Belle?" + +"Certainly." + +Like a flash Jewel sprang from the boat and fled up the wharf and lawn. + +Mr. Evringham smiled and shook his head at his daughter. "A creature of +fire and dew," he said. + +"I don't know how to thank you for all your goodness to her," said Julia +simply. + +"It would offend me to be thanked for anything I did for Jewel," he +returned. + +"I understand. She is your own flesh and blood. But what I feel chiefly +grateful for is the wisdom of your kindness. I believe you will never spoil +her. I should rather we had remained poor and struggling than to have +that." + +Mr. Evringham gave the speaker a direct look in which appeared a trace of +humor. + +"I think I am slightly inclined," he returned, "to overlook the fact that +you and Harry have any rights in Jewel which should be respected; but +theoretically I do acknowledge them, and it is going to be my study not to +spoil her. I have an idea that we couldn't," he added. + +"Oh, yes, we could," returned Julia, "very easily." + +"Well, there aren't quite enough of us to try," said the broker. "I believe +while we're waiting for Jewel, I'll just step up to the house and get some +one to send that telegram to Harry." + +"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Julia eagerly; and in a minute she was left alone, +swaying up and down on the lapping water, in the salt, sunny breeze, while +the JEWEL pulled at the mooring as if eager to try its snowy wings; and +happy were the grateful, prayerful thoughts that swelled her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE BIRTHDAY + + +One stormy evening Harry Evringham blew into the farmhouse, wet from his +drive from the station, and was severally hugged, kissed, and shaken by the +three who waited eagerly to receive him. The month that ensued was perhaps +the happiest that had ever come into the lives of either of the quartette; +certainly it was the happiest period to the married pair who had waited ten +years for their wedding trip. + +The days were filled with rowing, sailing, swimming, riding, driving, +picnics, walks, talks, and _dolce far niente_ evenings, when the wind was +still and the moon silvered field and sea. + +The happy hours were winged, the goldenrod strewed the land with sunshine, +and August slipped away. + +One morning when Jewel awoke it was with a sensation that the day was +important. She looked over at Anna Belle and shook her gently. "Wake up, +dearie," she said. "'Green pastures are before me,' it's my birthday." + +But Anna Belle, who certainly looked very pretty in her sleep, and perhaps +suspected it, seemed unable to overcome her drowsiness until Jewel set her +up against the pillow, when her eyes at once flew open and she appeared +ready for sociability. + +"Do you remember Gladys on her birthday morning, dearie? She couldn't +think of anything she wanted, and I'm almost like her. Grandpa's given me +my boat, that's his birthday present; and mother says she should think it +was enough for ten birthdays, and so should I. Poor grandpa! In ten +birthdays I'll be nineteen, and then he says I'll have to cry on his +shoulder instead of into his vest. But grandpa's such a joker! Of course +grown-up ladies hardly ever cry. If father and mother have anything for me, +I'll be just delighted; but I can't think what I want. I have the +darlingest pony in the world, and the dearest Little Faithful watch, and +the best boat that was ever built, and I rowed father quite a long way +yesterday all alone, and I didn't splash much, but he caught hold of the +side of the boat and pretended he was afraid"--Jewel's laughter gurgled +forth at the remembrance--"he's such a joker; and I do understand the sail, +too, but they won't let me do it alone yet. Father says he can see in my +eye that I should love to jibe. I don't even know what jibe is, so how +could I do it?" + +Jewel had proceeded so far in her confidences when the door of her room +opened, and her father and mother came in in their bath-wrappers. + +"We thought we heard you improving Anna Belle's mind," said her father, +taking her in his arms and kissing both her cheeks and chin, the tip of her +nose and her forehead, and then carefully repeating the programme. + +"But that was ten!" cried Jewel. + +"Certainly. If you didn't have one to grow on, how would you get along?" + +Then her pretty mother, her brown hair hanging in long braids, took her +turn and kissed Jewel's cheeks till they were pinker than ever. "Many, many +happy returns, my little darling," she said. "I didn't know you weren't +going riding this morning." + +"Yes, grandpa said he expected a man early on business, and he had to be +here to see him. Father could have gone with me," said Jewel, looking at +him reproachfully, where he sat on the side of the bed, "but when I asked +him last night he said--I forget what he said." + +"Merely that I didn't believe that horses liked such early dew." + +"Oh, Jewel!" laughed Mrs. Evringham, "your father is a lazy, sleepy boy. +It's later than you think, dearie. Hop up now and get ready for breakfast." + +They left her, and the little girl arose with great alacrity, for ever +since she was a baby her birthday present had always been on the breakfast +table. + +As soon as she was dressed, she put a blue cashmere wrapper on Anna Belle +and carried her downstairs to the room where the Evringham family had their +meals, separate from the other inmates of the farmhouse. + +Mr. Evringham was standing by the window, reading the newspaper as he +waited, and Jewel ran to him and looked up with bright expectation. + +"H'm!" he said, not lifting his eyes from the print, "good-morning, Jewel. +Essex Maid and Star would hardly speak to me when I was out there just now, +they're so vexed at having to stay indoors this morning." + +The child did not reply, but continued to look up, smiling. + +"Well," said the broker at last, dropping the paper. "Well? What is it? I +don't see anything very exciting. You haven't on your silk dress." + +"Grandpa! It's my _birthday_." + +The broker slapped his leg with very apparent annoyance. "Well, now, to +think I should have to be told that!" + +Jewel laughed and hopped a little as she looked toward the table. "Do you +see that bunch under the cloth at my place? That's my present. Isn't it the +most _fun_ not to know what it is?" + +Mr. Evringham took her up in his arms and weighed her up and down +thoughtfully. "Yes," he said, "I believe you are a little heavier than you +were yesterday." + +The child laughed again. + +"Now remember, Jewel, you're to go slow on this birthday business. Once in +two or three years is all very well." + +"Grandpa! people _have_ to have birthdays every year," she replied as he +set her down, "but after they're about twenty or something like that, it's +wrong to remember how old they are." + +"Indeed?" the broker stroked his mustache. "Ladies especially, I suppose." + +"Oh, no," returned Jewel seriously. "Everybody. Mother's just twenty years +older than I am and that's so easy to remember, it's going to be hard to +forget; but I've most forgotten how much older father is," and Jewel +looked up with an expression of determination that caused the broker to +smile broadly. + +"I can understand your mother's being too self-respecting to pass thirty," +he returned, "but just why your father shouldn't, I fail to understand." + +"Why, it's error to be weak and wear spectacles and have things, isn't it?" +asked Jewel, with such swift earnestness that Mr. Evringham endeavored to +compose his countenance. + +"Have things?" he repeated. + +Jewel's head fell to one side. "Why, even you, grandpa," she said lovingly, +"even you thought you had the rheumatism." + +"I was certainly under that impression." + +"But you never would have expected to have it when you were as young as +father, would you?" + +"Hardly." + +"Well, then you see why it's wrong to make laws about growing old and to +remember people's ages." + +"Ah, I see what you mean. Everybody thinking the wrong way and jumping on a +fellow when he's down, as it were." + +At this moment Jewel's father and mother entered the room, and she +instantly forgot every other consideration in her interest as to what +charming surprise might be bunched up under the tablecloth. + +"Anna Belle can hardly wait to see my present," she said, lifting her +shoulders and smiling at her mother. + +"She ought to know one thing that's there, certainly," replied Mrs. +Evringham mysteriously. + +Jewel held the doll up in front of her. "Have you given me something, +dearie?" she asked tenderly. "I do hope you haven't been extravagant." + +Then with an abrupt change of manner, she hopped up into her chair +eagerly, and the others took their places. + +The very first package that Jewel took out was marked--"With Anna Belle's +love." It proved to be a pair of handsome white hair-ribbons, and the donor +looked modestly away as Jewel expressed her pleasure and kissed her +blushing cheeks. + +Next came a box marked with her father's name. Upon opening it there was +discovered a set of ermine furs for Anna Belle,--at least they were very +white furs with very black tiny tails: collar and muff of a regal splendor, +and any one who declined to call them ermine would prove himself a cold +skeptic. Jewel jounced up and down in her chair with delight. + +"Winter's coming, you know, Jewel, and Bel-Air Park is a very swell place," +said her father. + +"And perhaps I'll have a sled at Christmas and draw Anna Belle on it," said +the child joyously. "Here, dearie, let's see how they fit," and on went the +furs over the blue cashmere wrapper, making Anna Belle such a thing of +beauty that Jewel gazed at her entranced. The doll was left with her chubby +hands in the ample muff and the sumptuous collar half eclipsing her golden +curls, while the little girl dived under the cloth once more for the +largest package of all. + +This was marked with her mother's love and contained handsome plaid +material for a dress, with the silk to trim it, and a pair of kid gloves. + +Jewel hopped down from her chair and kissed first her father and then her +mother. "That'll be the loveliest dress!" she said, and she carried it to +her grandfather to let him look closer and put his hand upon it. + +"Well, well, you are having a nice birthday, Jewel," he said. + +"Yes," she replied, putting her arm around his neck and pressing her cheek +to his. "We couldn't put the boat under the tablecloth, but I'm thinking +about it, grandpa." + +After breakfast they all went out to the covered piazza to read the lesson. +It was a fine, still morning. The pond rippled dreamily. The roar of the +surf was subdued. From Jewel's seat beside her grandfather she could see +her namesake glinting in the sun and gracefully rising and falling on the +waves in the gentle breeze. + +They had all taken comfortable positions and Mrs. Evringham was finding the +places in the books. + +Mr. Evringham spoke quite loudly: "Well, this is a fine morning, surely, +fine." + +"It is that," agreed Harry, stretching his long legs luxuriously. "If I +felt any better I couldn't stand it." + +As he was speaking, a strange man in a checked suit came around the corner +of the house. + +Jewel's eyes grew larger and she straightened up. + +"Oh, grandpa, look!" she said softly, and then jumped off the seat to see +better. All the little company gazed with interest, for, accompanying the +man, was the most superb specimen of a collie dog that they had ever seen. +"It's a golden dog, grandpa," added Jewel. + +The collie had evidently just been washed and brushed. His coat was, +indeed, of a gleaming yellow. His paws were white, the tip of his tail was +white, and his breast was snowy as the thick, soft foam of the breakers. A +narrow strip of white descended between his eyes,--golden, intelligent +eyes, with generations of trustworthiness in them. A silver collar nestled +in the long hair about his neck, and altogether he looked like a prince +among dogs. + +Jewel clasped her hands beneath her chin and gazed at him with all her +eyes. He was too splendid to be flown at in her usual manner with animals. + +"What a beauty!" ejaculated Harry. + +"It _is_ a golden dog," said Jewel's mother, looking almost as enthusiastic +as the child. + +"What have you there?" asked Mr. Evringham of the man. "Something pretty +fine, it appears to me." + +"Yes, sir, there's none finer," replied the man, glancing at the animal. "I +called to see you on that little matter I wrote you of." + +"Yes, yes; well, that will wait. We're interested in that fine collie of +yours. We know something about golden dogs here, eh, Jewel?" + +"But this dog couldn't dance, grandpa," said the child soberly, drawing +nearer to the creature. + +"I should think not," remarked the man, smiling. "What would he be doing +dancing? I've seen lions jump the rope in shows; but it never looked +fitting, to me." + +"No," said Jewel, "this dog ought not to dance;" and as the collie's golden +eyes met hers, she drew nearer still in fascination, and he touched her +outstretched hand curiously, with his cold nose. + +"Oh, well, but we like accomplished dogs," said Mr. Evringham coldly. + +"Who says this dog ain't accomplished?" returned the man, in an injured +tone. "Just stand back there a bit, young lady." + +Jewel retreated and her grandfather put his hand over her shoulder. The man +spoke to the dog, and at once the handsome creature sat up, tall and +dignified, on his hind legs. + +The man only kept him there a few seconds; and then he put him through a +variety of other performances. The golden dog shook hands when he was told, +rolled over, jumped over a stick, and at last sat up again, and when the +man took a bit of sugar from his pocket and balanced it on the creature's +nose, he tossed it in the air, and, catching it neatly, swallowed it in a +trice. + +Jewel was giving subdued squeals of delight, and everybody was laughing +with pleasure; for the decorative creature appeared to enjoy his own +tricks. + +The man looked proudly around upon the company. + +"Well," said Mr. Evringham to Jewel, "he is a dog of high degree, like +Gabriel's, isn't he? But he's such a big fellow I think the organ-grinder +wouldn't have such an easy time with _him_." + +At the broker's voice, the dog walked up to him and wagged his feathery +tail. Jewel's eager hands went out to touch him, but Mr. Evringham held her +back. + +"He's a friendly fellow," he went on; then continued to the man, "Would you +like to sell him?" + +The question set the little girl's heart to beating fast. + +"I would, first rate," replied the man, grinning, "but the trouble is I've +sold him once. I'm taking him to his owner now." + +"That's a handsome collar you have on him." + +"Oh, yes, it's a good one all right," returned the man. "The dog is for a +surprise present. The lady I'm taking him to is going to know him by his +name." + +"Let's have a look at it, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham, and he took hold of +the silver collar, a familiarity which seemed rather to please the golden +dog, who began wagging his tail again, as he looked at Mr. Evringham +trustingly. + +Jewel bent over eagerly. A single name was engraved clearly on the smooth +plate. + +"Topaz!" she cried. "His name is Topaz! Grandpa, mother, the golden dog's +name is Topaz!" + +Mrs. Evringham held up both hands in amazement, while Harry frowned +incredulously. + +"Did you ever hear of anything so wonderful, grandpa? How _can_ the lady +know him by his name so well as we do?" The child was quite breathless. + +"What? Do _you_ know the name?" asked the man. "Supposing I'd hit on the +right place already. Just take a look under his throat. The owner's name is +there." + +Jewel fell on her knees, and while Mr. Evringham kept his hand on the dog's +muzzle, she pushed aside the silky white fur. + +"Evringham. Bel-Air Park, New Jersey," was what she read, engraved on the +silver. + +She sat still for a minute, overcome, while a procession of ideas crowded +after each other through the flaxen head. It was her birthday; grandpa +couldn't get the boat under the tablecloth. This beautiful dog--this +impossibly beautiful dog, was a surprise present. He was for her, to love +and to play with; to see his tricks every day, to teach him to know her and +to run to her when she called. If she was given the choice of the Whole +world on this sweet birthday morning, it seemed to her nothing could be so +desirable as this live creature, this playmate, this prince among dogs. + +When she looked up the man in the checked suit had disappeared. She glanced +at her father and mother. They were watching her smilingly and she +understood that they had known. + +She looked around a little further and saw Mr. Evringham seated, his hand +on the collie's neck, while the wagging, feathery tail expressed great +contentment in the touch of a good friend. + +At the time the story of the golden dog had so captivated Jewel's +imagination, the broker began his search for one in real life. He had +already been thinking that a dog would be a good companion for the fearless +child's solitary hours in the woods. As soon as the collie was found, he +directed that all the ordinary tricks should be taught it, and every day +until he left New York he visited the creature, who remembered him so well +that on the collie's arrival late last evening, he had feared its joyous +barking out at the barn would waken Jewel. + +She rose to her knees now, and, putting her arms around the dog's neck, +pressed her radiant face against him. + +Topaz pulled back, but Mr. Evringham patted him, and in an instant he was +freed; for his little mistress jumped up and, climbing into her +grandfather's lap, rested her head against his breast. + +"Grandpa," she said, slowly and fervently, "I wonder if you do know how +much I love you!" + +Mr. Evringham patted the collie's head, then took Jewel's hand and placed +it with his own on the sleek forehead. The golden eyes met his +attentively. + +"You're to take care of her, Topaz. Do you understand?" he asked. + +The feathery tail waved harder. + +Jewel gazed at the dog. "If anything could be too good to be true, he'd be +it," she said slowly. + +Mr. Evringham's pleasure showed in his usually impassive face. + +"Well, isn't it a good thing then that nothing is?" he replied, and he +kissed her. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +TRUE DELIGHT + + +When evening came and put a period to that memorable birthday, Topaz was a +dog of experiences. If he was a happy discovery to Jewel, she was none the +less one to him. He was delighted to romp in the fields, where his coat +vied with the goldenrod; or to scamper up and down the beach, barking +excitedly, while his friends jumped or swam through the cool waves. + +Jewel was eager that her horse and dog should become acquainted; so, when +late in the afternoon Essex Maid and Star were brought out at the customary +hour, saddled and bridled, she performed an elaborate introduction between +the jet-black picture pony and the prince among dogs. Star arched his neck +and shook his wavy mane as he gazed down at the golden dog with his full +bright eyes. He had seen Topaz before; for the collie had spent the night +in the barn, making sunshine in a shady place as he romped about the man in +the checked suit. + +"Oh, grandpa!" laughed Jewel, as Star pawed the ground, "he looks at Topaz +just the way Essex Maid used to look at him when he first came. Just as +_scornful_!" + +She knelt down on the grass by the pony, in her riding skirt, and Topaz +instantly came near, hopefully. He had already learned that by sticking to +her closely he was liable to have good sport; but this time business +awaited him. Mr. Evringham watched the pony and dog, with the flaxen-haired +child between them, and wished he had a kodak. + +"Now, Star and Topaz, you're going to love one another," said Jewel +impressively. "Shake hands, Topaz." She held out her hand and the dog sat +down and offered a white paw. + +"Good fellow," said the child. "Now I guess you're going to be surprised," +she added, looking into his yellow eyes. She turned toward the pony, who +was nosing her shoulder, not at all sure that he liked this rival. "Shake +hands, Star," she ordered. + +It took the pony some time to make up his mind to do this. It usually did. +He shook his mane and tossed his head; but Jewel kept patting his slender +leg and offering her hand, until, with much gentle pawing and lifting his +little hoof higher and higher, he finally rested it in the child's hand, +although looking away meanwhile, in mute protest. + +"Good Star! Darling Star!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging him. +"There, Topaz, what do you think of that?" she asked triumphantly. For +answer the golden dog yawned profoundly, and Mr. Evringham and Jewel +laughed together. + +"Such impoliteness!" cried the child. + +"You must excuse him if he is a little conceited," said the broker. "He +knows Star can't sit up and roll over and jump sticks." + +"Oh, grandpa." Jewel's face sobered, for this revived a little difference +of opinion between them. "When are you going to let me jump fences?" + +"In a few more birthdays, Jewel, a few more," he replied. + +She turned back to her pets. "I suppose," she said musingly, "it wouldn't +be the least use to try to make them shake hands with each other." + +"I suppose not," returned the broker, and his shoulders shook. "Oh, Jewel, +you certainly will make me lose my waist. Here now, time is flying. Mount." + +He lowered his hand, Jewel stepped on it and was in her white saddle +instantly. The collie barked with loud inquiry and plunged hopefully. + +In a minute the horses were off at a good pace. "Come, Topaz!" cried the +child, and the golden dog scampered after them with a will. + +Harry and Julia took a sail in the "Jewel" while the riders were away, +otherwise the four had spent the entire day together; and after dinner they +all strolled out of doors to watch the coming of twilight. + +Jewel and her father began a romp on the grass with the dog, and Mr. +Evringham and Julia took seats on the piazza. + +The broker watched the group on the lawn in silence for a minute, and then +he spoke. + +"I was very much impressed by the talk we had last evening, Julia; more so +even than by those that have gone before. Harry really seems very +intelligent on this subject of Christian Science." + +"He is making a conscientious study of it," returned Julia. + +"You have met my questions and objections remarkably well," went on Mr. +Evringham. "I am willing and glad to admit truth where I once was +skeptical, and I hope to understand much more. One thing I must say, +however, I do object to--it is this worship of Mrs. Eddy. I know you don't +call it that, but what does it matter what you call it, when you all give +her slavish obedience? I should like to take the truth she has presented +and make it more impersonal than you do. What is the need of thinking about +her at all?" + +Julia smiled. "Well, ordinary gratitude might come in there. Most of us +feel that she has led us to the living Christ, and helped us to all we have +attained of health and happiness; but one very general mistake that error +makes use of to blind people is that Mrs. Eddy exacts this gratitude. How +willing everybody is to admit that actions speak louder than words; and yet +who of our opposers ever stop to think how Mrs. Eddy's retired, +hard-working life proves the falsity of the charges brought against her. +She does wish for our love and gratitude; but it is for our sakes, not +hers. Think of any of the great teachers from St. Paul down to the present +day. Who could benefit by the truth voiced by any of them, while he nursed +either contempt or criticism of the personality of the teacher?" + +"Yes," returned Mr. Evringham, "there is strength in that consideration; +but this blind following of any suggestion your leader makes looks to me +too much like giving up your own rationality." + +Julia regarded him seriously. "Supposing you were one of a party who had, +for long years, searched in vain for gold. You had tried mine after mine +only to find you had not the ability to discriminate between the priceless +and the worthless ore, or to discern the signs of promise that lead to +rich discovery. Now, supposing another prospector had proved, over and over +again, that he did know the places where treasure was to be found. +Supposing he had demonstrated, over and over again, that his judgment and +discernment never led him astray, and that reward followed his labor +unfailingly. Now, what if this wise prospector was willing to help you? +Supposing he stated that in certain places, and by certain ways, you could +attain that for which you longed and had striven vainly. When his advice or +directions came to you, from time to time, do you think you would be likely +to stop to haggle or argue over them? No; I think you would hasten to +follow his suggestions, as eagerly and as closely as you were able, and +with a warmly grateful heart. Would that prospector be forcing you? or +doing you a kindness? What are the fruits of Christian Science? What are +the results of the directions of this wise, loving leader who can come so +close to God that He teaches her to help us to come, too. Oh, father, this +obstacle, this foolish argument, meets nearly every one in the path you are +treading, and tries to turn him back. I do hope, for your sake, you will +decline to give that very flabby error-fairy a backbone, or let it detain +you longer. It is marvelous how, without one element of truth or reason, it +seems able to hold back so many, and waste their precious time." + +Mr. Evringham was regarding the speaker with close attention. "You are a +good special pleader," he said, when she paused. + +"It is easy to speak the truth," she answered. + +He nodded thoughtfully. "You have given me a new light on the situation. I +see it now from an entirely new standpoint." + +Here the trio on the lawn came running up the steps, father and child +laughing and panting as hard as Topaz, whose tongue and teeth were all in +evidence in the gayety of his grin. + +Harry threw himself into the hammock, and Jewel sat on the floor beside +Topaz, who gazed at her from his wistful eyes, his head on the side. Harry +laughed. "Jewel, he looks at you as if he were saying, 'Really, now, you +are a person after my own heart.'" + +"She is after his heart, too," said Jewel's mother, "and I'm sure she'll +win it." + +"He likes me already," declared the child. "Don't you, Topaz?" she asked +tenderly, laying her flaxen head with its big bows against the gold of his +coat. "Oh, there ought to be one more story in my book," she added, "one +for us to read right now and finish up my birthday." + +"Why not have 'The Golden Dog' again?" suggested Mr. Evringham, from the +comfortable big wicker chair in which he sat watching Jewel and Topaz. +"That would be appropriate." + +"Oh, yes," cried the little girl, looking at her mother. + +"Oh, no," returned Julia, smiling. "There ought to be a special fresh story +for a birthday. We might make one now." + +"A new one, mother?" asked Jewel, much pleased. "Could you?" + +"No indeed, not alone; but if everybody helped"-- + +"Oh, yes," cried Jewel, with more enthusiasm than before. "Grandpa begin +because he's the oldest, then father, then mother, then--well, me, if I +can think of anything." + +"It's very wrong of you, Jewel," said the broker, "to remember that I'm the +oldest, under these circumstances. What did you tell me this morning?" + +The child's head fell to the side and she leaned toward him. "I don't know +how old you are," she replied gently; "and it doesn't make any difference." + +"Then let's begin with the youngest," he suggested. + +"No," said his daughter, "I think Jewel's plan is the best. You begin, +father." She did not in the least expect that he would consent, but Jewel, +her hands resting on Topaz's collar, was looking at the broker lovingly. + +"Grandpa can do just anything," she declared. + +Mr. Evringham regarded her musingly. "I know only one story," he said at +last, "and not very far into that one." + +"You don't have to know far," returned Julia encouragingly, "for Harry has +to begin whenever you say so." + +"Indeed!" put in her husband. "I pity you if you have to listen to me." + +"It's my birthday, you know, grandpa," urged Jewel. + +"So I've understood," returned the broker. "Well, just wait a minute till I +hitch up Pegasus." + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed his son. "You aren't in earnest, Julia? You don't +expect me to do anything like that right off the bat!" + +"Certainly, I do," she replied, laughing. + +"Oh, see here, I have an engagement. We're one, you know, and when it +comes to authorship, you're the one." + +"Hush," returned Julia, "you're disturbing father's muse." + +But Mr. Evringham's ideas, whatever they were, seemed to be at hand. He +settled back in his chair, his elbows on the arms and his finger-tips +touching. All his audience immediately gave attention. Even Anna Belle had +a chair all to herself and fixed an inspiring gaze on the broker. It was to +be hoped that her pride kept her cool, for, in spite of the quiet warmth of +the September evening, she was enveloped in her new furs, with her hands +tucked luxuriously in the large muff. + +"Once upon a time," began Mr. Evringham, "there was an old man. No one had +ever told him that it was error to grow old and infirm, and he sometimes +felt about ninety, although he was rather younger. He lived in the Valley +of Vain Regret. The climate of that region has a bad effect on the heart, +and his had shriveled up until it was quite small and mean, and hard and +cold, at that. + +"The old man wasn't poor; he lived in a splendid castle and had plenty of +servants to wait on him; but he was the loneliest of creatures. He wanted +to be lonely. He didn't like anybody, and all he asked of people was that +they stay away from him and only speak to him when he spoke to them, which +wasn't very often, I assure you. You can easily see that people were +willing to stay away from a cross-grained person like that. Everybody in +the neighborhood was afraid of him. They shivered when he came near, and +ran off to get into the sunshine; so he was used to seeing visitors pass +by the fine grounds of his castle with only a scared glance or two in that +direction, and he wished it to be so. But he was very unhappy all the same. +His dried-up heart gave him much discomfort, and then once he had read an +old parchment that told of a far different land from Vain Regret. In that +country was the Castle of True Delight, and many an hour the man spent in +restless longing to know how he might find it; for--so he read--if a person +could once pass within the portals of that palace, he would never again +know sorrow or discontent, but one happy day would follow another in +endless variety and satisfaction. + +"Many a time the man mounted on a spirited horse and rode forth in search +of this castle, and many different paths he took; but every night he came +home discouraged, for no sign could he find of any hope or cheer in the +whole Valley of Vain Regret, and it seemed to him to hold him like a +prisoner. + +"One day as he was strolling on the terrace before the castle, in bitter +thought, a strange sight met his eyes. A little girl pushed open the great +iron gates which he had thought were locked, and walked toward him. For a +minute he was too much amazed at such daring to speak, and the little girl +came forward, smiling as she caught his look. She had dark eyes and her +brown hair curled in her neck. Most people would have remarked her sweet +expression; but the old man turned fierce at sight of her. + +"'Be off,' he commanded angrily, and he pointed to the gate. + +"She did not cease smiling nor turn away, but came straight on. + +"The little dried heart in the old man's breast began to bounce about at a +great rate in his anger. He turned to a servant who stood near holding in +leash two great hounds. + +"'Set the dogs on her,' he commanded; and though the servant was loath to +obey, he dared not refuse, and set free the dogs who, at the master's word, +bounded swiftly toward the child. + +"Her loving look did not alter as she saw them coming and she held out her +hands to them. When they reached her they licked the little hands with +their tongues and bent their great heads to her caresses, and so she +advanced to the man, walking between the hounds, a hand on the neck of +each. + +"He stared at her dumfounded as she stood before him, her eyes smiling up +into his. Her garments were white and of a strange fashion. + +"'From whence come you?' he asked, when he could speak. + +"'From the Heavenly Country,' she answered. + +"'And what may be your name?' + +"'Purity.' + +"'I ordered you out of my grounds!' exclaimed the old man. + +"'I did not hear it,' returned the child, unmoved. + +"'Don't you fear the dogs?' + +"'What is fear?' asked Purity, her eyes wondering. + +"'This is the land of Vain Regret,' said the man. 'Be off!' + +"'This is a beautiful land,' returned the child. + +"For a moment her fearless obstinacy held him silent, then he thought he +would voice the question that was always with him. + +"'Have you ever heard, in your country, of the Castle of True Delight?' he +asked. + +"'Often,' replied the child. + +"'I wish to go there,' he declared eagerly. + +"'Then why not?' returned Purity. + +"'I cannot find the way.' + +"'That is a pity,' said the child. 'It is in my country.' + +"'And you have seen it?' + +"'Oh, many times.' + +"'Then you shall show me the way.' + +"'Whenever you are ready,' returned Purity. So saying, she passed him, +still accompanied by the hounds, and walked up the steps of the castle and +passed within and out of sight." + + * * * * * + +The story-teller paused. Jewel had risen from her seat on the floor and +come to sit on a wicker hassock at his feet, and Topaz rapped with his tail +as she moved. + +"I wish you'd been there, grandpa, to take care of that little girl," she +said earnestly, her eyes fixed on his. "What happened next?" + +"Ask your father," was the response. + +Harry Evringham rolled over in the hammock where he lay stretched, until he +could see his daughter's face. She rose again and pulled her hassock close +to him as he continued:-- + +"As Purity passed into the house, the dogs whined, and the servant calling +them, they ran back to him. The old man stood still, bewildered, for a +minute; then he struck his hands together. + +"'It is true, then. Even that child has seen it. I will go to her at once, +and we will set forth.' + +"So the old man entered the castle, and gave orders that the child who had +just come in should be found and brought to him. + +"The servants immediately flew to do his bidding, but no child could they +find. + +"'Lock the gates lest she escape,' ordered the master. 'She is here. Find +her, or off goes every one of your foolish heads.' + +"This was a terrible threat. You may be sure the servants ran hither and +thither, and examined every nook and corner; but still no little girl could +be found. The master scowled and fumed, but he considered that if he had +his servants all beheaded, it would put him to serious inconvenience; so he +only sat down and bit his thumbs, and began to try to think up some new way +to search for the Castle of True Delight. + +"He felt sure the child had told the truth when saying she had beheld it. +It was even in the country where she had her home. The man began to see +that he had made a mistake not to treat the stranger more civilly. The very +dogs that he kept to drive away intruders had been more hospitable than he. + +"All at once he had a bright thought. The roc, the oldest and wisest of all +birds, lived at the top of the mountain which rose above his castle. + +"'She will tell me the way,' he said, 'for she knows the world from its +very beginning.' + +"So he ordered that they should saddle and bridle his strongest steed, and +up the mountain he rode for many a toilsome hour, until he came to where +the roc lived among the clouds. + +"She listened civilly to the man's question. 'So you are weary of your +life,' she said. 'Many a pilgrim comes to me on the same quest, and I tell +them all the same thing. The obstacles to getting away from the Valley of +Vain Regret are many, for there is but one road, and that has difficulties +innumerable; but the thing that makes escape nearly impossible is the +dragon that watches for travelers, and has so many eyes that two of them +are always awake. There is one hope, however. If you will examine my wings +and make yourself a similar pair, you can fly above the pitfalls and the +dragon's nest, and so reach the palace safely.' + +"As she said this, the roc slowly stretched her great wings, and the man +examined them eagerly, above and below. + +"'And in what direction do I fly?' he asked at last. + +"'Toward the rising sun,' replied the roc; then her wings closed, her head +drooped, and she fell asleep, and no further word could the man get from +her. + +"He rode home, and for many weeks he labored and made others labor, to +build an air-ship that should carry him out of the Valley of Vain Regret. +It was finished at last. It was cleverly fashioned, and had wings as broad +as the roc's; but on the day when the man finally stepped within it and set +it in motion, it carried him only a short distance outside the castle +gates, and then sank to the boughs of a tall tree, and, try as he might, +the air-ship could not be made to take a longer flight. + +"His poor shrunken heart fluttered with rage and disappointment. 'I will +go to the wise hermit,' he said. So he went far through the woods to the +hut of the wise hermit, and he told him the same gruesome things about the +difficulties that beset the road out of the Valley of Vain Regret, and said +that one's only hope lay in tunneling beneath them. + +"So the old man hired a large number of miners, and, setting their faces +eastward, they burrowed down into the earth, and blasted and dug a way +which the man followed, a greater and greater eagerness possessing him with +each step of progress; but just when his hopes were highest, the miners +broke through into an underground cavern, bottomless and black, from which +they all started back, barely in time to save themselves. It was impossible +to go farther, and the whole company returned by the way they had come, and +the miners were very glad to breathe the air of the upper world again; but +the man's disappointment was bitter. + +"'It is of no use,' he said, when again he stood on the terrace in front of +his castle. 'It is of no use to struggle. I am imprisoned for life in the +Valley of Vain Regret.'" + + * * * * * + +Jewel's father paused. She had listened attentively. Now she turned to her +grandfather. + +"Is that the way you think the story went, grandpa?" + +Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think it did," he replied. + +"Then go on, please, father, because I like a lot of happiness in my +stories, and I want that man to hurry up and know that--that error is +cheating him." + +"Your mother to the rescue, then," replied Harry Evringham, smiling. + +Jewel turned to look at her mother, and, rising again, picked up her +hassock and carried it to the steamer chair in which Mrs. Evringham was +reclining. + +Her mother looked into her serious eyes and nodded reassuringly as she +began:-- + + * * * * * + +"As that sorry old man stood there on the terrace, things had never looked +so black to him. He was so tired, so tired of hating. He longed for a +thousand things, he knew not what, but he was sure they were to be found at +the Castle of True Delight; but he was shut in! There was no way out. As he +was thinking these despairing thoughts and looking about on the scenes +which had grown hateful to him, he saw something that made him start. The +great iron gates leading out of his grounds opened as once before, and a +little girl in white garments came in and moved toward him. His heart +leaped at the sight,--and it swelled a bit, too! + +"Instead of ordering her off, he hurried toward her and, although he +scowled in his eagerness, she smiled and lifted dark eyes that beamed +lovingly. + +"'I cannot find my way to your country nor to the Castle of True Delight,' +said the man, 'and I need you to show me. Since you have found your road +hither twice, surely you can go back again.' + +"'Yes, easily,' replied Purity, 'and since you know that you need me, you +are ready, and the King welcomes all.' + +"'He will not like me,' said the sorry man, 'because nobody does.' + +"'I do,' replied the child; and at her tone the man's heart swelled a +little more. + +"'There is water in my eyes,' he said, as if to himself. 'What does that +mean?' + +"'It will make you see better,' replied the child. 'It is the kind of water +that softens the heart, and that always improves the sight.' + +"'Be it so, then. Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full of +perils innumerable, child. Have you found some other path?' + +"'There is but one,' replied Purity. + +"'So the roc said,' declared the man. 'How did you pass the dragon?' + +"The child looked up wonderingly. 'I saw no dragon,' she answered. + +"The man stared at her. 'There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,' he +repeated, 'and an ever-wakeful dragon. You passed it in the night, perhaps, +and were too small to be observed.' + +"'I saw none,' repeated the child. + +"'Yet I will risk it!' exclaimed the man. 'Rather death than this life. +Wait until I buckle on my sword and order our horses.' + +"He turned to go, but the child caught his hand. 'We need no horses,' she +said, gently, 'and what would you with a sword?' + +"'For our defense.' + +"The child pressed his hand softly. 'Those who win to True Delight use only +the sword of spirit,' she answered. + +"The man frowned at her, but even frowning he wondered. Again came the +swelling sensation within his breast, which he could not understand. + +"The child smiled upon him and started toward the heavy gates and the man +followed. He wondered at himself, but he followed. + +"Emerging into the woodland road, Purity took a path too narrow and devious +for a horse to tread, but the man saw that it led toward the rising sun. +She seemed perfectly sure of her way, and occasionally turned to look +sweetly on the pilgrim whose breast was beginning to quake at thought of +the difficulties to come. No defense had he but his two hands, and no guide +but this gentle, white-robed child in her ignorant fearlessness. Indeed it +was worse than being alone, for he must defend her as well as himself. She +was so young and helpless, and she had looked love at him. With this +thought the strange water stood again in his eyes and the narrow heart in +his bosom swelled yet more. + +"The forest thickened and deepened. Sharp thorns sprang forth and at last +formed a network before the travelers. + +"'You will hurt yourself, Purity!' cried the man. 'Let me go first,' and +pushing by the little child, he tried to break the thorny branches and +force a way; but his hands were torn in vain; and seeing the hopelessness, +after a long struggle, he turned sadly to his guide. + +"'I told you!' he said. + +"'Yes,' she answered, and the light from her eyes shone upon the tangle. +'On this road, force will avail nothing; but there are a thousand helps for +him who treads this path with me.' + +"As she spoke, an army of bright-eyed little squirrels came fleetly into +the thicket and gnawed down thorns and briers before the pilgrims, until +they emerged safely into an open field. + +"'A heart full of thanks, little ones,' called Purity after them as they +fled. + +"'Why did they do that for us?' asked the astonished man. + +"'Because they know I love them,' replied the child, and she moved forward +lightly beside her companion. + +"They had walked for perhaps half an hour when a sound of rushing waters +came to their ears, and they soon reached a broad river. There was no +bridge and the current was deep and swift. + +"The man gazed at the roaring torrent in dismay. 'Oh, child, behold the +flood! Even if I could build a raft, we should be carried out to sea, and +no swimmer could stem that tide with you in his arms. How ever came you +across by yourself?' + +"'Love helped me,' answered Purity. + +"'Alas, it will not help me,' said the man. 'I know Hate better.' + +"'But you are becoming acquainted with Love, else you would not look on me +so kindly,' returned the child. 'Have faith and come to the shore.' She put +her little hand in his and he held it close, and together they walked to +the edge of the rushing river. Suddenly its blackness was touched and +twinkling with silver which grew each instant more compact and solid, and, +without a moment's hesitation, Purity stepped upon the silver path, drawing +with her the man, who marveled to see that countless large fish, with their +noses toward the current and their fins working vigorously, were offering +their bodies as a buoyant bridge, over which the two passed safely. + +"'A thousand thanks, dear ones,' said Purity, as they reached the farther +bank; and instantly there was a breaking and twinkling of the silver, and +the rushing water swallowed up the kindly fish. + +"The man, speechless with wonder, moved along beside his guide, and from +time to time she sang a little song, and as she sang he could feel his +heart swelling and there was a strange new happiness born in it, which +seemed to answer her song though his lips were mute. + +"And then Purity talked to him of her King and of the rich delights which +were ever poured out to him who once found the path to the Heavenly +Country; and the man listened quite eagerly and humbly and clung to Purity +as to his only hope. + +"When night fell he feared to close his eyes lest the child slip away from +him; but she smiled at his fears. + +"'I can never leave you while you want me,' she answered; 'beside, I do not +wish to, for I love you. Do you forget that?' + +"At this the man lay down quite peacefully. His heart was full and soft, +and the strange water that filled his eyes overflowed upon his cheeks. + +"In the morning they ate fruits and berries, and pursued their journey, and +it was not long before another of the obstacles which the roc and the +hermit had foretold threatened to end their pilgrimage. It was a chasm that +fell away so steeply and was so deep and wide that, looking into the depths +below, the man shuddered and started back. Before he had time to utter his +dismay, a large mountain deer appeared noiselessly before the travelers. +The man started eagerly, but as the creature's bright, wild gaze met his, +it vanished as silently and swiftly as it had come. + +"'Ah, why was that?' exclaimed Purity. 'Felt you an unloving thought?' + +"''Twas a fine deer. Had I but possessed a bow and arrow, I could have +taken it!' returned the man, with excitement. + +"'To what end?' asked Purity, her wondering eyes sad. 'One does not gain +the Heavenly Country by slaying. We must wait now, until Love drives out +all else.' + +"The repentant man hung his head and looked at the broad chasm. 'Would that +I had not willed to kill the creature,' he said, 'for I am loath to lose my +own life, and it is less good than the deer's.' + +"Purity smiled upon him and slid her hand into his, and again the deer +bounded before them, followed this time by its mate. + +"The child fondled them. 'Mount upon its back,' she said to the man, +indicating the larger animal. He obeyed, though with trembling, while the +smaller deer kneeled to the child and she took her seat. + +"Then the creatures planted their feet unerringly and stepped to a lower +jutting point of rock, from whence with flying leaps they bridged the chasm +and scrambled to firm earth on the other side. + +"'Our hearts' best thanks, loved ones,' said Purity, as the deer bounded +away. + +"The man was trembling. 'I have slain many of God's creatures for my +pleasure,' he faltered. 'May He forgive me!' + +"'If you do so no more you will forgive yourself; but only so,' returned +Purity. + +"They moved along again and the man spoke earnestly and humbly of the +wonders that had befallen them. + +"'To Love, all things are possible,' returned the child; 'but to Love +only;' and her companion listened to all she said, with a full heart. + +"By noon that day, an inaccessible cliff stared the travelers in the face. +Its mighty crags bathed their feet in a deep pool, and up, up, for hundreds +of feet, ran a smooth wall of rock in which no one might find a foothold. + +"The man stared at it in silence, and it seemed to frown back inexorably. +His companion watched his face and read its mute hopelessness. + +"'Have you still--_still_ no faith?' she asked. + +"'I cannot see how'--stammered the man. + +"'No, you cannot see how--but what does that matter?' asked the child. 'Let +us eat now,' and she sat down, and the man with her, and they ate of the +fruits and nuts she had gathered along the way and carried in her white +gown. + +"While they ate, a pair of great eagles circled slowly downward out of the +blue sky, nor paused until they had alighted near the travelers. + +"'Welcome, dear birds,' said Purity. 'You know well the Heavenly Country, +and we seek your help to get there, for we have no wings to fly above those +rocky steeps.' + +"The eagles nestled their heads within her little hands, in token of +obedience, and when she took her seat upon one, the man obeyed her sign and +trusted himself upon the outstretched wings of the other. + +"Up, up, soared the great birds, over the sullen pool, up the sheer rock. +Up, and still up, with sure and steady flight, until, circling once again, +the eagles alighted gently upon a land strewn with flowers. + +"The man and his guide stood upon the green earth, and Purity kissed her +hands gratefully to the eagles as they circled away and out of sight. + +"'This is a beautiful country,' said the man, and he gathered a white +flower. + +"'Yes,' returned Purity, smiling on him, 'you begin to see it now.'" + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Evringham paused. Jewel's eyes were fixed on her unwinkingly. "Go on, +please, mother," she said. + +"I think I've told enough," replied Mrs. Evringham. + +"Oh, but you finish it, mother. You can tell it just beautifully." + +"Thank you, dear, but I think it is your turn." + +"Yes, Jewel," said her father, "it's up to you now." + +"But I don't think a little girl _can_ tell stories to grown-up people." + +"Oh, yes, on her birthday she can," returned her father. "Go on, we're all +listening; no one asleep except Topaz." + +Jewel's grandfather had been watching her absorbed face all the time, +between his half-closed lids. "I think they've left the hardest part of all +to you, Jewel," he said,--"to tell about the dragon." + +"Oh, no-o," returned the child scornfully, "that part's easy." + +The broker raised his eyebrows. "Indeed?" he returned. + +In honor of her birthday, Jewel was arrayed in her silk dress. The white +ribbons, Anna Belle's gift, were billowing out behind her ears. She +presented the appearance, as she sat on the wicker hassock, of a person who +had had little experience with dragons. + +"Well," she said, after a pause, smiling at her grandfather and lifting her +shoulders, "shall I try, then?" + +"By all means," returned the broker. + +So Jewel folded her hands in her silken lap and began in her light, sweet +voice:-- + + * * * * * + +"When the man looked around on the flowers and lovely trees and brooks, he +said, 'This is a beautiful land.' + +"And Purity answered: 'I'm glad that you see it is. You remember I told you +it was.' + +"'It was the Valley of Vain Regret we were talking about then,' said the +man. 'If you had known more about it, you wouldn't have called _that_ +beautiful.' + +"Then the little girl smiled because she knew something nice that the man +didn't know yet; but he was going to. + +"So they journeyed along and journeyed along through pleasant places, and +while they walked, Purity told the man about the great King--how loving He +was and everything like that, and the man had hold of her hand and listened +just as hard as he could, for he felt sure she was telling the truth; and +it made him glad, and his heart that had been wizzled up just like a fig, +had grown to be as big as--oh, as big as a watermelon, and it was full of +nice feelings. + +"'I'm happy, Purity,' he said to the little girl. + +"I'm glad,' she answered, and she squeezed his hand back again, because she +loved him now as much as if he was her grandpa. + +"Well, they went along, and along, and at last they came to some woods and +a narrow path through them. The man was beginning to think they might need +the squirrels again, when suddenly"--Jewel paused and looked around on her +auditors whose faces she could barely see in the gathering dusk,--"suddenly +the man thought he saw the dragon he had heard so much about; and he +shivered and hung back, but Purity walked along and wondered what was the +matter with him. + +"'There's the dragon!' he said, in the most _afraid_ voice, and he hung +back on the girl's hand so hard that she couldn't move. + +"When she saw how he looked, she patted him. 'I don't see anything,' she +said, 'only just lovely woods.' + +"'Oh, Purity, come back, come back, we can't go any farther!' said the man, +and his eyes kept staring at something among the trees, close by. + +"'What do you see?' asked the little girl. + +"'A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns!' answered the man, and +he pulled on her again, to go back with him. + +"'Dear me,' said Purity, 'is that old make-believe thing ground here, +trying to cheat you? I've heard about it.' + +"'It would make anybody afraid,' said the man. 'It has seven heads and it +could eat us up with any one of them.' + +"'Yes, it could, if it was there,' said Purity, 'but there isn't any such +thing, to _be_ there. The King of the country is all-powerful and He knows +we're coming, and He _wants_ us to come. Hasn't He taken care of us all the +way and helped us over every hard place? Shouldn't you think you'd _know_ +by this time that we're being taken care of?' + +"'Oh, dear!' said the man, 'I shall never see the Heavenly Country, nor the +castle, nor know what true delight is; for no one could get by that +dragon!' + +"Purity felt bad because his face was the sorriest that you ever saw, and +his voice sounded full of crying. So she put her arms around him. 'Now +don't you feel that way;' she said, 'everything is just as happy as it was +before. There isn't any dragon there. Tell me where you see him.' + +"So the man pointed to the foot of a great tree close by. + +"'All right,' said Purity, 'I'll go and stand right in front of that tree +until you get 'way out of the woods, and then I'll run and catch up with +you.' + +"The man stooped down and put his arms around the girl just as lovingly as +if she was his own little grandchild. + +"'I can't do that,' he said; 'I'd rather the dragon would eat me up than +you. You run, Purity, and I'll stay; and when he tries to catch you, I'll +throw myself in front of him. But kiss me once, dear, because we've been +very happy together.' + +"Purity kissed him over and over again because she was so happy about his +goodness, and she saw the tears in his eyes, that are the kind that make +people see better. She _knew_ what the man was going to see when he stood +up again." + +The story-teller paused a moment, but no one spoke, although she looked at +each one questioningly; so she continued:-- + +"Well, he was the most _surprised_ man when he got up and looked around. + +"'The dragon has gone!' he said. + +"'No, he hasn't,' said Purity, and she just hopped up and down, she was so +glad. 'He hasn't gone, because he wasn't there!' + +"'He _isn't_ there!' said the man, over and over. 'He _isn't_ there!' and +he looked so happy--oh, as happy as if it was his birthday or something. + +"So they walked along out into the sunshine again, and sweeter flowers than +ever were growing all around them, and a bird that was near began singing a +new song that the man had never heard. + +"There was a lovely green mountain ahead of them now. 'Purity,' said the +man, for something suddenly came into his head, 'is this the Heavenly +Country?' + +"'Yes,' said Purity, and she clapped her hands for joy because the man knew +it was. + +"They walked along and the bird's notes were louder and sweeter. 'I +_think_, said the man softly, 'I think he is singing the song of true +delight.' + +"'He is,' said Purity. + +"So, when they had walked a little farther still, they began to see a +splendid castle at the foot of the mountain. + +"'Oh,' said the man, just as happily as anything, 'is that home at +_last_!' + +"'Yes,' said Purity, 'it is the Castle of True Delight.' + +"The man felt young and strong and he walked so fast the little girl had to +skip along to keep up with him, and the bird flew around their heads and +sang 'Love, love, love; _true_ delight, _true_ delight,' just as _plain_." + + * * * * * + +Jewel gave the bird-song realistically, then she unclasped her hands. +"Mother," she said, turning to Mrs. Evringham, "now you finish the story. +Will you?" + +"Yes, indeed, I know the rest," returned Mrs. Evringham quietly, and she +took up the thread:-- + + * * * * * + +"As the man and Purity drew near to the great gates before the castle, +these flew open of their own accord, and the travelers entered. Drawing +near the velvet green of the terraces, a curious familiarity in the fair +scene suddenly impressed the man. He stared, then frowned, then smiled. A +great light streamed across his mind. + +"'Purity,' he asked slowly, 'is this my castle?' + +"'Yes,' she answered, watching him with eyes full of happiness. + +"'And will you live with me here, my precious child?' + +"'Always. The great King wills it so.' + +"'But what--where--where is the Valley of Vain Regret?' + +"Purity shook her head and her clear eyes smiled. 'There is no Valley of +Vain Regret,' she answered. + +"'But I lived in it,' said the man. + +"'Yes, before you knew the King, our Father. There is no vain regret for +the King's child.' + +"'Then I--I, too, am the King's child?' asked the man, his face amazed but +radiant, for he began to understand a great many things. + +"'You, too,' returned Purity, and she nestled to him and he held her close +while the bird hovered above their heads and sang with clear sweetness, +'Love, love, love; true delight, true, true, _true_ delight.'" + + * * * * * + +The story-teller ceased. Jewel saw that the tale was finished. She jumped +up from the hassock and clapped her hands. Then she ran to Mr. Evringham +and climbed into his lap. It was so dark now on the veranda that she could +scarcely see his face. But he put his arms around her and gathered her to +her customary resting place on his shoulder. "Wasn't that _lovely_, +grandpa? Did you think your story was going to end that way?" + +He stroked her flaxen hair in silence for a few seconds before replying, +then he answered, rather huskily:-- + +"I hoped it would, Jewel." + + +"_The Books You Like to Read at the Price You Like to Pay_" + + * * * * * + +_There Are Two Sides to Everything_-- + +--including the wrapper which covers every Grosset & Dunlap book. When you +feel in the mood for a good romance, refer to the carefully selected list +of modern fiction comprising most of the successes by prominent writers of +the day which is printed on the back of every Grosset & Dunlap book +wrapper. + +You will find more than five hundred titles to choose from--books for every +mood and every taste and every pocket-book. + +_Don't forget the other side, but in case the wrapper is lost, write to the +publishers for a complete catalog._ + + * * * * * + +_There is a Grosset & Dunlap Book for every mood and for every taste_ + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jewel's Story Book, by Clara Louise Burnham + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEWEL'S STORY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 16448-8.txt or 16448-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/4/4/16448/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +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. 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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: Jewel's Story Book + +Author: Clara Louise Burnham + +Release Date: August 5, 2005 [EBook #16448] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEWEL'S STORY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 311px;"> +<img src="images/image01.jpg" width="311" height="454" alt=""YOU'VE MADE ME SOME STORIES, MOTHER!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"YOU'VE MADE ME SOME STORIES, MOTHER!"</span> +</div> + + + +<p><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a></p> +<h1>JEWEL'S STORY BOOK</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM</h2> + +<h3>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS</h3> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">NEW YORK<br /></span> +<span class="i0">GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /></span> +<span class="i0">PUBLISHERS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Made in the United States of America<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a>COPYRIGHT 1904 BY CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM</p> + +<p>ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</p> + +<p><i>Published October, 1904</i></p><p><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a></p> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4"><i>TO THE CHILDREN</i><br /></span> +<span class="i4"><i>WHO LOVE JEWEL</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER</td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>I. Over the 'Phone</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>1</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>II. The Broker's Office</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>10</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>III. The Home-Coming</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>18</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IV. On the Veranda</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>32</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>V. The Lifted Veil</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>55</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VI. The Die is Cast</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>55</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VII. Mrs. Evringham's Gifts</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>61</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VIII. The Quest Flower</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>70</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IX. The Quest Flower (continued)</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>89</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>X. The Apple Woman's Story</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>115</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XI. The Golden Dog</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>134</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XII. The Talking Doll</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>184</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIII. A Heroic Offer</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>223</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIV. Robinson Crusoe</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>234</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XV. St. Valentine</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>252</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVI. A Morning Ride</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>290</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVII. The Birthday</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>304</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XVIII. True Delight</td><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>316</b></a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a></p> +<h2><a name="JEWELS_STORY_BOOK" id="JEWELS_STORY_BOOK"></a>JEWEL'S STORY BOOK</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>OVER THE 'PHONE</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Forbes, Mr. Evringham's housekeeper, answered the telephone one +afternoon. She was just starting to climb to the second story and did not +wish to be hindered, so her "hello" had a somewhat impatient brevity.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Forbes?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," with a total change of voice and face, "is that you, Mr. Evringham?"</p> + +<p>"Please send Jewel to the 'phone."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>She laid down the receiver, and moving to the foot of the stairs called +loudly, "Jewel!"</p> + +<p>"Drat the little lamb!" groaned the housekeeper, "If I was only sure she +was up there; I've got to go up anyway. <i>Jewel!</i>" louder.</p> + +<p>"Ye—es!" came faintly from above, then a door opened. "Is somebody calling +me?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes began to climb the stairs deliberately while she spoke with +energy. "Hurry down, Jewel. Mr. Evringham wants you on the 'phone."</p> + +<p>"Goody, goody!" cried the child, her feet pattering on the thick carpet as +she flew down one flight and <a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>then passed the housekeeper on the next. +"Perhaps he is coming out early to ride."</p> + +<p>"Nothing would surprise me less," remarked Mrs. Forbes dryly as she +mounted.</p> + +<p>Jewel flitted to the telephone and picked up the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Hello, grandpa, are you coming out?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No, I thought perhaps you would like to come in."</p> + +<p>"In where? Into New York?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do?" eagerly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham, sitting at the desk in his private office, his head resting +on his hand, moved and smiled. His mind pictured the expression on the face +addressing him quite as distinctly as if no miles divided them.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll have dinner, for one thing. Where shall it be? At the +Waldorf?"</p> + +<p>Jewel had never heard the word.</p> + +<p>"Do they have Nesselrode pudding?" she asked, with keen interest. Mrs. +Forbes had taken her in town one day and given her some at a restaurant.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so. You see I've heard from the Steamship Company, and they think +that the boat will get in this evening."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa! grandpa! <i>grandpa!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Softly, softly. Don't break the 'phone. I hear you through the window."</p> + +<p>"When shall I come? Oh, oh, oh!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, Jewel. Don't be excited. Listen. Tell Zeke to bring you in to my +office on the three o'clock train."</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa. Oh, please wait a minute. Do you <a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>think it would be too +extravagant for me to wear my silk dress?"</p> + +<p>"No, let's be reckless and go the whole figure."</p> + +<p>"All right," tremulously.</p> + +<p>"Good-by."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, wait. Can I bring Anna Belle?" but only silence remained.</p> + +<p>Jewel hung up the receiver with a hand that was unsteady, and then ran +through the house and out of doors, leaving every door open behind her in a +manner which would have brought reproof from Mrs. Forbes, who had begun to +be Argus-eyed for flies.</p> + +<p>Racing out to the barn, she appeared to 'Zekiel in the harness room like a +small whirlwind.</p> + +<p>"Get on your best things, Zeke," she cried, hopping up and down; "my father +and mother are coming."</p> + +<p>"Is this an india rubber girl?" inquired the coachman, pausing to look at +her with a smile. "What train?"</p> + +<p>"Three o'clock. You're going with me to New York. Grandpa says so; to his +office, and the boat's coming to-night. Get ready quick, Zeke, please. I'm +going to wear my silk dress."</p> + +<p>"Hold on, kid," for she was flying off. "I'm to go in town with you, am I? +Are you sure? I don't want to fix up till I make Solomon look like thirty +cents and then find out there's some misdeal."</p> + +<p>"Grandpa wants you to bring me to his office, that's what he said," +returned the child earnestly. "Let's start real <i>soon</i>!"</p> + +<p>Like a sprite she was back at the house and running upstairs, calling for +Mrs. Forbes.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>The housekeeper appeared at the door of the front room, empty now for two +days of Mrs. Evringham's trunks, and Jewel with flushed cheeks and +sparkling eyes told her great news.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes was instantly sympathetic. "Come right upstairs and let me help +you get ready. Dear me, to-night! I wonder if they'll want any supper when +they get here."</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I don't know!" sang Jewel to a tune of her own improvising, +as she skipped ahead.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they will," mused Mrs. Forbes. "Those customs take so much +time. It seems a very queer thing to me, Jewel, Mr. Evringham letting you +come in at all. Why, you'll very likely not get home till midnight."</p> + +<p>"Won't it be the most <i>fun</i>!" cried the child, dancing to her closet and +getting her checked silk dress.</p> + +<p>"I guess your flannel sailor suit will be the best, Jewel."</p> + +<p>"Grandpa said I might wear my silk. You see I'm going to dinner with him, +and that's just like going to a party, and I ought to be very particular, +don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Well, don't sit down on anything dirty at the wharf. I expect you will," +returned Mrs. Forbes with a resigned sigh, as she proceeded to unfasten +Jewel's tight, thick little braids.</p> + +<p>"Just think what a short time we'll have to miss cousin Eloise," said the +child. "Day before yesterday she went away, and now to-morrow my mother'll +braid my hair." She gave an ecstatic sigh.</p> + +<p>"If that's all you wanted your cousin Eloise for—to <a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>braid your hair—I +guess I could get to do it as well as she did."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I loved cousin Eloise for everything and I always shall love her," +responded the child quickly. "I only meant I didn't have to trouble you +long with my hair."</p> + +<p>"I think I do it pretty well."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed you do—just as <i>tight</i>. Do you remember how much it troubled +you when I first came? and now it's so much different!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there are a whole lot of things that are much different," replied +Mrs. Forbes. "How long do you suppose you'll be staying with us now, +Jewel?"</p> + +<p>The child's face grew sober. "I don't know, because I don't know how long +father and mother can stay."</p> + +<p>"You'll think about this room where you've lived so many weeks, when you +get back to Chicago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall think about it lots of times," said the little girl. "I knew +it would be a lovely visit at grandpa's, and it has been."</p> + +<p>She glanced up in the mirror toward the housekeeper's face and saw that the +woman's lips were working suspiciously and her eyes brimming over.</p> + +<p>"You won't be lonely, will you, Mrs. Forbes?" she asked; "because grandpa +says you want to live with Zeke in the barn this summer while he shuts up +the house and goes off on his vacation."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; it's all right, Jewel, only it just came over me that in a week, +or perhaps sooner, you'll be gone."</p> + +<p>"It's real kind of you to be glad to have me stay," said the child. "I try +not to think about going away, because it does make me feel sorry every +time. You <a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>know the soot blows all around in Chicago and we haven't any +yard, and when I think about all the sky and trees here, and the ravine, +beside grandpa and you and Zeke and Essex Maid—why I have to just say 'I +<i>won't</i> be sorry,' and then think about father and mother and Star and all +the nice things! I think Star will like the park pretty well." Jewel looked +into space thoughtfully, and then shook her head. "I'm sure the morning we +go I shall have to say: 'Green pastures are before me' over and over."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, child?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you know the psalm: 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He +leadeth me beside the still waters'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, in our hymnal there's the line of a hymn: 'Green pastures are before +me,' and mother and I used to say that line every morning when we woke up, +to remind us that Love was going to lead us all day."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see your mother," said Mrs. Forbes after a pause.</p> + +<p>"You will, to-night," cried Jewel, suddenly joyous again. "Oh, Mrs. Forbes, +do you think I could take Anna Belle to New York?"</p> + +<p>"What did Mr. Evringham say?"</p> + +<p>"He went away before I had a chance to ask him." Jewel looked wistfully +toward the chair where the doll sat by the window, toeing in, her sweet +gaze fixed on the wall-paper. "She would enjoy it so!" added the little +girl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a tiresome trip for children, such late hours," returned Mrs. +Forbes persuasively. "Beside,"<a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a> with an inspiration, "you'd like your hands +free to help your mother carry her bags, wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"That's so," responded Jewel. "Anna Belle would always give up anything for +her grandma!" and as the housekeeper finished tying the hair bows, the +little girl skipped over to the chair and knelt before the doll, explaining +the situation to her with a joyous incoherence mingled with hugs and kisses +from which the even-tempered Anna Belle emerged apparently dazed but +docile.</p> + +<p>"Come here and get your shoes on, Jewel."</p> + +<p>"My best ones," returned the child.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, the best of everything," said Mrs. Forbes good-humoredly; and +indeed, when Jewel was arrayed, she viewed herself in the mirror with +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Zeke presented himself soon, fine in a new summer suit and hat, and Mrs. +Forbes watched the pair as they walked down the driveway.</p> + +<p>"Now, I can't let the grass grow under my feet," she muttered. "I expected +to have till to-morrow night to get all the things done that Mr. Evringham +told me to, but I guess I can get through."</p> + +<p>Jewel and Zeke had ample time for the train. Indeed, the little girl's +patience was somewhat tried before the big headlight came in view. She +could not do such injustice to her silk dress and daisy-wreathed leghorn +hat as to hop and skip, so she stood demurely with Zeke on the station +platform, and as they waited he regarded her happy expectant face.</p> + +<p>"Remember the day you got here, kid?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Isn't it a long time since you came and met me with Dick, and he just +whirled us home!"</p> + +<p>"Sure it is. And now you're glad to be leaving us."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>"I am not, Zeke!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you look in the glass and see for yourself."</p> + +<p>Just then the train came along and Zeke swung the child up to the high +step. The fact that she found a seat by the window added a ray to her +shining eyes. Her companion took the place beside her.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he went on, as the train started, "it's kind of hard on the rest of +us to have you so tickled over the prospect."</p> + +<p>"I'm only happy over father and mother," returned Jewel.</p> + +<p>"Pretty nice folks, are they?"</p> + +<p>Jewel shook her head significantly. "You just wait and see," she replied +with zest.</p> + +<p>"Which one do you look like?"</p> + +<p>"Like father. Mother's much prettier than father."</p> + +<p>"A beauty, is she?"</p> + +<p>"N—o, I don't believe so. She isn't so pretty as cousin Eloise, but then +she's pretty."</p> + +<p>"That's probably the reason your grandfather likes to see you +around—because you look like his side of the house."</p> + +<p>"Well," Jewel sighed, "I hope grandpa likes my nose. I don't."</p> + +<p>Zeke laughed. "He seems able to put up with it. I expect there's going to +be ructions around here the next week."</p> + +<p>"What's ructions?"</p> + +<p>"Well, some folks might call it error. I don't know. Mr. Evringham's going +to be pretty busy with his own nose. It's going to be put out of joint +to-night. The green-eyed monster's going to get on the rampage, or I miss +my guess."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>Jewel looked up doubtfully. Zeke was a joker, of course, being a man, but +what was he driving at now?</p> + +<p>"What green-eyed monster?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the one that lives in folks' hearts and lays low part of the time," +replied Zeke.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean jealousy; envy, hatred, or malice?" asked Jewel so glibly that +her companion stared.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! What do you know about that outfit?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The child nodded wisely. "I know people believe in them sometimes; but you +needn't think grandpa does, because he doesn't."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Evringham's all right," agreed Zeke, "but he isn't going to be the +only pebble any longer. Your father and mother will be the whole thing +now."</p> + +<p>The child was thoughtful a moment, then she began earnestly: "Oh, I'm sure +grandpa knows how it is about loving. The more people you love, the more +you can love. I can love father and mother more because I've learned to +love grandpa, and he can love them more too, because he has learned to love +me."</p> + +<p>"Humph! We'll see," remarked the other, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Is error talking to you, Zeke? Are you laying laws on grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if I am, I'll stop it mighty quick. You don't catch me taking any +such liberties. Whoa!" drawing on imaginary reins as the engine slackened +at a station.</p> + +<p>Jewel laughed, and from that time until they reached New York they chatted +about her pony Star, and other less important horses, and of the child's +anticipation of showing her mother the joys of Bel-Air Park.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE BROKER'S OFFICE</h3> + + +<p>It was the first time Jewel had visited her grandfather's office and she +was impressed anew with his importance as she entered the stone building +and ascended in the elevator to mysterious heights.</p> + +<p>Arrived in an electric-lighted anteroom, Zeke's request to see Mr. +Evringham was met by a sharp-eyed young man who denied it with a cold, +inquiring stare. Then the glance of this factotum fell to Jewel's uplifted, +rose-tinted face and her trustful gaze fixed on his own.</p> + +<p>Zeke twirled his hat slowly between his hands.</p> + +<p>"You just step into Mr. Evringham's office," he said quietly, "and tell him +the young lady he invited has arrived."</p> + +<p>Jewel wondered how this person, who had the privilege of being near her +grandfather all day, could look so forbidding; but in her happy excitement +she could not refrain from smiling at him under the nodding hat brim.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to dinner with him," she said softly, "and I <i>think</i> we're going +to have Nesselrode pudding."</p> + +<p>The young man's eyes stared and then began to twinkle. "Oh," he returned, +"in that case"—then he turned and left the visitors.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>When he entered the sanctum of his employer he was smiling. Mr. Evringham +did not look up at once. When he did, it was with a brief, "Well?"</p> + +<p>"A young lady insists upon seeing you, sir."</p> + +<p>"Kindly stop grinning, Masterson, and tell her she must state her +business."</p> + +<p>"She has done so, sir," but Masterson did not stop grinning. "She looks +like a summer girl, and I guess she is one."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham frowned at this unprecedented levity. "What is her business, +briefly?" he asked curtly.</p> + +<p>"To eat Nesselrode pudding, sir."</p> + +<p>The broker started. "Ah!" he exclaimed, and though he still frowned, he +reflected his junior's smile. "Is there some one with her?"</p> + +<p>"A young man."</p> + +<p>"Send them in, please."</p> + +<p>Masterson obeyed and managed to linger until his curiosity was both +appeased and heightened by seeing Jewel run across the Turkish rug and +completely submerge the stately gray head beneath the brim of her hat.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll—be—everlastingly"—thought Masterson, as he softly passed out +and closed the door behind him. "Even Achilles could get it in the heel, +but I'll swear I didn't believe the old man had a joint in his armor."</p> + +<p>Zeke stood twisting his hat, and when his employer was allowed to come to +the surface, he spoke respectfully:—</p> + +<p>"Mother said I was to bring word if you would like a late supper, sir."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>"Tell Mrs. Forbes that it will be only something light, if anything. She +need not prepare."</p> + +<p>Jewel danced to the door with her escort as he went. "Good-by, Zeke," she +said gayly. "Thank you for bringing me."</p> + +<p>"Good-by, Jewel," he returned in subdued accents, and stumbling on the +threshold, passed out with a furtive wave of his hat.</p> + +<p>The child returned and jumped into a chair by the desk, reserved for the +selected visitors who succeeded in invading this precinct. "I suppose you +aren't quite through," she said, fixing her host with a blissful gaze as he +worked among a scattered pile of papers.</p> + +<p>"Very nearly," he returned. He saw that she was near to bubbling over with +ideas ready to pour out to him. He knew, too, that she would wait his time. +It entertained him to watch her furtively as she gave herself to inspecting +the furnishings of the room and the pictures on the wall, then looked down +at the patent leather tips of her best shoes as they swung to and fro. At +last she began to look at him more and more wistfully, and to view the +furnishings of the large desk. It had a broad shelf at the top.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jewel caught sight of a picture standing there in a square frame, +and an irrepressible "Oh!" escaped from her lips.</p> + +<p>She pressed her hands together and Mr. Evringham saw a deeper rose in her +cheeks. He followed her eyes, and silently taking the picture from the desk +placed it in her lap. She clasped it eagerly. It was a fine photograph of +Essex Maid, her grandfather's mare.</p> + +<p>In a minute he spoke:—</p> + +<p><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>"Now I think I'm about through, Jewel," he said, leaning back in his +chair.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, do these cost very much?"</p> + +<p>"Why? Do you want to have Star sit for his picture?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it <i>would</i> be nice to have a picture of Star, wouldn't it! I never +thought of that. I mean to ask mother if I can."</p> + +<p>The broker winced.</p> + +<p>"What I was thinking of was, could I have a picture of Essex Maid to take +with me to Chicago?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham nodded. "I will get you one." He kept on nodding slightly, +and Jewel noted the expression of his eyes. Her bright look began to cloud +as her grandfather continued to gaze at her.</p> + +<p>"You'd like to have a picture of Star to keep, wouldn't you?" she asked +softly, her head falling a little to one side in loving recognition of his +sadness.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered, rather gruffly, "and I've been thinking for some weeks +that there was a picture lacking on my desk here."</p> + +<p>"Star's?" asked Jewel.</p> + +<p>"No. Yours. Are there any pictures of you?"</p> + +<p>"No, only when I was a baby. You ought to see me. I was as <i>fat</i>!"</p> + +<p>"We'll have some photographs of you."</p> + +<p>"Oh," Jewel spoke wistfully, "I wish I was pretty."</p> + +<p>"Then you wouldn't be an Evringham."</p> + +<p>"Why not? You are," returned the child, so spontaneously that slow color +mounted to the broker's face, and he smiled.</p> + +<p>"I look like my mother's family, they say. At any <a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>rate,"—after a pause +and scrutiny of her,—"it's your face, it's my Jewel's face, that suits me +and that I want to keep. If I can find somebody who can do it and not +change you into some one else, I am going to have a little picture painted; +a miniature, that I can carry in my pocket when Essex Maid and I are left +alone."</p> + +<p>The brusque pain in his tone filled Jewel's eyes, and her little hands +clasped tighter the frame she held in her lap.</p> + +<p>"Then you will give me one of you, too, grandpa?·"</p> + +<p>"Oh, child," he returned, rather hoarsely, "it's too late to be painting my +leather countenance."</p> + +<p>"No one could paint it just as I know it," said Jewel softly. "I know all +the ways you look, grandpa,—when you're joking or when you're sorry, or +happy, and they're all in here," she pressed one hand to her breast in a +simple fervor that, with her moist eyes, compelled Mr. Evringham to swallow +several times; "but I'd like one in my hand to show to people when I tell +them about you."</p> + +<p>The broker looked away and fussed with an envelope.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa," continued the child after a pause, "I've been thinking that +there's one secret we've got to keep from father and mother."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham looked back at her. This was the most cheering word he had +heard for some time.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be loving to let them know how sorry it makes us to say +good-by, would it? I get such lumps in my throat when I think about not +riding with you or having breakfast together. I do work over it and think +how happy it will be to have father and mother again, and how Love gives us +everything we <a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>ought to have and everything like that; but I +<i>have</i>—cried—twice, thinking about it! Even Anna Belle is mortified the +way I act. I know you feel sorry, too, and we've got to demonstrate over +it; but it'll come so soon, and I guess I didn't begin to work in time. +Anyway, I was wondering if we couldn't just have a secret and manage not to +say good-by to each other." The corners of the child's mouth were twitching +down now, and she took out a small handkerchief and wiped her eyes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham blew his nose violently, and crossing the office turned the +key in the door.</p> + +<p>"I think that would be an excellent plan, Jewel," he returned, rather +thickly, but with an endeavor to speak heartily. "Of course your +confounded—I mean to say your—your parents will naturally expect you to +follow their plans and"—he paused.</p> + +<p>"And it would be so unloving to let them think that I was sorry after they +let me have such a beautiful visit, and if we can <i>just</i>—manage not to say +good-by, everything will be so much easier."</p> + +<p>The broker stood looking at her while the plaintive voice made music for +him. "I'm going to try to manage just that thing if it's in the books," he +said, after waiting a little, and Jewel, looking up at him with an April +smile, saw that his eyes were wet.</p> + +<p>"You're so good, grandpa," she returned tremulously; "and I won't even kiss +Essex Maid's neck—not the last morning."</p> + +<p>He sat down with fallen gaze, and Jewel caught her lip with her teeth as +she looked at him. Then suddenly the leghorn hat was on the floor, daisy +side down, while <a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>she climbed into his lap and her soft cheek buried itself +under Mr. Evringham's ear.</p> + +<p>"How m-many m-miles off is Chicago?" stammered the child, trying to repress +her sobs, all happy considerations suddenly lost in the realization of her +grandfather's lonely lot.</p> + +<p>"A good many more than it ought to be. Don't cry, Jewel." The broker's +heart swelled within him as he pressed her to his breast. Her sorrow filled +him with tender elation, and he winked hard.</p> + +<p>"There isn't—isn't any sorrow—in mind, grandpa. Shouldn't you—you think +I'd—remember it? Divine Love always—always takes care—of us—and just +because—I don't see how He's going—going to this time—I'm crying! Oh, +it's so—so naughty!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham swallowed fast. He never had wondered so much as he did this +minute just how obstinate or how docile those inconvenient and superfluous +individuals—Jewel's parents—would prove.</p> + +<p>He cleared his throat. "Come, come," he said, and he kissed the warm pink +rose of the child's cheek. "Don't spoil those bright eyes just when you're +going to have your picture taken. We're going to have the jolliest time you +ever heard of!"</p> + +<p>Jewel's little handkerchief was wet and Mr. Evringham put his own into her +hand and they went into the lavatory where she used the wet corner of a +towel while he told her about the photographer who had taken Essex Maid's +picture and should take Star's.</p> + +<p>Then the cherished leghorn hat was rescued from its ignominy and replaced +carefully on its owner's head.</p> + +<p>"But I never thought you meant to have my picture <a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>taken this afternoon," +said Jewel, her lips still somewhat tremulous.</p> + +<p>"I didn't until a minute ago, but I think we can find somebody who won't +mind doing it late in the day."</p> + +<p>"Yours too, then, grandpa.—Oh, <i>yes</i>," and at last a smile beamed like the +sun out of an April sky, "right on the same card with me!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no, Jewel; no, no!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, <i>please</i>, grandpa," earnestly, "do let's have one nice nose in the +picture!" She lifted eyes veiled again with a threatening mist. "And you'll +put your arm around me—and then I'll look at it"—her lip twitched.</p> + +<p>"Yes, oh, yes, I—I think so," hastily. "We'll see, and then, after +that—how much Nesselrode pudding do you think you can eat? I tell you, +Jewel, we're going to have the time of our lives!" Mr. Evringham struck his +hands together with such lively anticipation that the child's spirits rose.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she responded, "and then after dinner, <i>what</i>?" She gazed at him.</p> + +<p>The broker tapped his forehead as if knocking at the door of memory.</p> + +<p>"Father and mother!" she cried out, laughing and beginning to hop +discreetly. "You forgot, grandpa, you forgot. Your own little boy coming +home and you forgot!"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's a fact, Jewel; that I suppose I had better remember. He is my +own boy—and I don't know but I owe him something after all."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>HOME-COMING</h3> + + +<p>Again Jewel and her grandfather stood on the wharf where the great boats, +ploughing their way through the mighty seas, come finally, each into its +own place, as meekly as the horse seeks his stable.</p> + +<p>The last time they stood here they were strangers watching the departure of +those whom now they waited, hand in hand, to greet.</p> + +<p>"Jewel, you made me eat too much dinner," remarked Mr. Evringham. "I feel +as if my jacket was buttoned, in spite of the long drive we've taken since. +I went to my tailor this morning, and what do you think he told me?"</p> + +<p>"What? That you needed some new clothes?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he always tells me that. He told me that I was growing fat! There, +young lady, what do you think of that?"</p> + +<p>"I think you are, too, grandpa," returned the child, viewing him +critically.</p> + +<p>"Well, you take it coolly. Supposing I should lose my waist, and all your +fault!"</p> + +<p>Jewel drew in her chin and smiled at him.</p> + +<p>"Supposing I go waddling about! Eh?"</p> + +<p>She laughed. "But how would it be my fault?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you ever hear the saying 'laugh and grow <a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>fat'? How many times have +you made me laugh since we left the office?"</p> + +<p>Jewel began to tug on his hand as she jumped up and down. "Oh, grandpa, do +you think our pictures will be good?"</p> + +<p>"I think yours will."</p> + +<p>"Not yours?" the hopping ceased.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, excellent, probably. I haven't had one taken in so many years, +how can I tell? but here's one day that they can't get away from us, Jewel. +This eighth of June has been a good day, hasn't it—and mind, you're not to +tell about the pictures until we see how they come out."</p> + +<p>"Yes, haven't we had <i>fun</i>? The be-<i>eau</i>tiful hotel, and the drive in the +park, and the ride in the boats and"—</p> + +<p>"Speaking of boats, there it is now. They're coming," remarked Mr. +Evringham.</p> + +<p>"Who?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thayer Evringham," returned the broker dryly. "Steady, +Jewel, steady now. It will be quite a while before you see them."</p> + +<p>The late twilight had faded and the June night begun, the wharf was dimly +lighted and there was the usual crowd of customs officers, porters, and men +and women waiting to see friends. All moved and changed like figures in a +kaleidoscope before Jewel's unwinking gaze; but the long minutes dragged by +until at last her father and mother appeared among the passengers who came +in procession down the steep incline from the boat.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham drew back a step as father, mother, <a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>and child clung to each +other, kissing and murmuring with soft exclamations. Harry extricated +himself first and shook hands with his father.</p> + +<p>"Awfully good of you to get us the courtesy of the port," he said heartily.</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it," returned the broker, and Julia released Jewel and +turned upon Mr. Evringham her grateful face.</p> + +<p>"But so many things are good of you," she said feelingly, as she held out +her hand. "It will take us a long time to give thanks."</p> + +<p>"Not at all, I assure you," responded the broker coldly, but his heart was +hot within him. "If they have the presumption to thank me for taking care +of Jewel!" he was thinking as he dropped his daughter-in-law's hand.</p> + +<p>"What a human iceberg!" she thought. "How has Jewel been able to take it so +cheerfully? Ah, the blessed, loving heart of a child!"</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Mr. Evringham turned to his son and continued: "The courtesy of +the port does shorten things up a bit, and I have a man from the customs +waiting."</p> + +<p>Harry followed him to see about the luggage, and Mrs. Evringham and Jewel +sat down on a pile of boxes to wait. The mother's arm was around the little +girl, and Jewel had one of the gloved hands in both her own.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she exclaimed, suddenly starting up, "Mrs. Forbes thought I'd better +wear my sailor suit instead of this, and she told me not to sit down on +anything dirty." She carefully turned up the skirt of her little <a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>frock and +seated herself again on a very brief petticoat.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Mrs. Forbes is careful of you, isn't she?" she +asked. Her heart was in a tumult of happiness and also of curiosity as to +her child's experiences in the last two months. Jewel's letters had +conveyed that she was content, and joy in her pony had been freely +expressed. The mother's mental picture of the stiff, cold individual to +whose doubtful mercies she had confided her child at such short notice had +been softened by the references to him in Jewel's letters; and it was with +a shock of disappointment that she found herself repulsed now by the same +unyielding personality, the same cold-eyed, unsmiling, fastidiously dressed +figure, whose image had lingered in her memory. A dozen eager questions +rose to her lips, but she repressed them.</p> + +<p>"Jewel must have had a glimpse of the real man," she thought. "I must not +cloud her perception." It did not occur to her, however, that the child +could even now feel less than awe of the stern guardian with whom she had +succeeded in living at peace, and who had, from time to time, bestowed upon +her gifts. One of these Mrs. Evringham noticed now.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's your pretty watch!" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned the child, "this is Little Faithful. Isn't he a darling?"</p> + +<p>The mother smiled as she lifted the silver cherub. "You've named him?" she +returned. "Why, it is a beauty, Jewel. How kind of your grandfather!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. It was so I wouldn't stay in the ravine too long."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>"How is Anna Belle?"</p> + +<p>"Dear Anna Belle!" exclaimed the little girl wistfully. "What a good time +she would have had if I could have brought her! But you see I needed both +my hands to help carry bags; and she understood about it and sent her love. +She'll be sitting up waiting for you."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham cast a look toward Harry and his father. "I'm not sure"—she +began, "I hardly think we shall go to Bel-Air to-night. How would you like +to stay in at the hotel with us, and then we could go out to the house +to-morrow and pack your trunk?"</p> + +<p>Jewel looked very sober at this. "Why, it would be pretty hard to wait, +mother," she replied. "Hotels are splendid. Grandpa and I had dinner at +one. It's named the Waldorf and it has woods in it just like outdoors; but +I thought you'd be in a hurry to see Star and the Ravine of Happiness and +Zeke."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll wait," returned Mrs. Evringham vaguely. She was more than +doubtful of an invitation to Bel-Air Park even for one night; but Harry +must arrange it. "We'll see what father says," she added. "What a pretty +locket, my girlie!" As she spoke she lifted a gold heart that hung on a +slender gold chain around Jewel's neck.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Cousin Eloise gave me that when she went away. She has had it ever +since she was as little as I am, and she said she left her heart with me. +I'm so sorry you won't see cousin Eloise."</p> + +<p>"So she and her mother have gone away. Were they sorry to go? Did Mr. +Evringham—perhaps—think"—the speaker paused. She remembered Jewel's +letter about the situation.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>"No, they weren't sorry. They've gone to the seashore; but cousin Eloise +and I love each other very much, and her room is so empty now that I've had +to keep remembering that you were coming and everything was happy. I guess +cousin Eloise is the prettiest girl in the whole world; and since she +stopped being sorry we've had the most <i>fun</i>."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could see her!" returned Mrs. Evringham heartily. She longed to +thank Eloise for supplying the sunshine of love to her child while the +grandfather was providing for her material wants. She looked at Jewel now, +a picture of health and contentment, her bits of small finery in watch and +locket standing as symbols of the care and affection she had received.</p> + +<p>"Divine Love has been so kind to us, dearie," she said softly, as she +pressed the child closer to her. "He has brought father and mother back +across the ocean and has given you such loving friends while we were gone."</p> + +<p>In a future day Mrs. Evringham was to learn something of the inner history +of the progress of this little pilgrim during her first days at Bel-Air; +but the shadows had so entirely faded from Jewel's consciousness that she +could not have told it herself—not even such portions of it as she had +once realized.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, I love Bel-Air and all the people. Even aunt Madge kissed me +when she went away and said 'Good-by, you queer little thing!'"</p> + +<p>"What did she mean?" asked Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I didn't tell grandpa, because I thought he might not like +people calling me queer, but I asked Zeke."</p> + +<p>"He's Mr. Evringham's coachman, isn't he?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>"Yes, and he's the nicest man, but he only told me that aunt Madge had +wheels. I asked him what kind of wheels, and he said he guessed they were +rubber-tired, because she was always rubbering and she made people tired. +You know Zeke is such a joker, so I haven't found out yet what aunt Madge +meant, and it isn't any matter because"—Jewel reached up and hugged her +mother, "you've come home."</p> + +<p>Here the two men approached. "No more time for spooning," said Harry +cheerfully. "We're going now, little girls."</p> + +<p>After all, there was nothing for Jewel to carry. Her father and grandfather +had the dress-suit case and bags.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham looked inquiringly at her husband, but he was gayly talking +with Jewel as the four walked out to the street.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham led the way to a carriage that was standing there. "This is +ours," he said, opening the door.</p> + +<p>Harry put the bags up beside the driver while his wife entered the vehicle, +still in doubt as to their destination. Jewel jumped in beside her.</p> + +<p>"You'd better move over, dear," said her mother quietly. "Let Mr. Evringham +ride forward."</p> + +<p>She was not surprised that Jewel was ignorant of carriage etiquette. It was +seldom that either of them had seen the inside of one.</p> + +<p>The broker heard the suggestion. "<i>Place aux dames</i>," he said, briefly, and +moved the child back with one hand. Then he entered, Harry jumped in beside +him, slammed the door, and they rolled away.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>"If Anna Belle was here the whole family would be together," said Jewel +joyously. "I don't care which one I sit by. I love everybody in this +carriage!"</p> + +<p>"You do, eh, rascal?" returned her father, putting his hand over in her +silken lap and giving her a little shake. "Where is the great and good Anna +Belle?"</p> + +<p>"Waiting for us. Just think of it, all this time! Grandpa, are we going +home with you?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" inquired the broker, and the tone of the curt question +chilled the spine of his daughter-in-law. "Were you thinking of spending +the night in the ferry-house, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no, only mother said"—</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham pressed the child's arm. "That was nothing, Jewel; I simply +didn't know what the plan was," she put in hastily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," went on the little girl. "Mother didn't know aunt Madge +and cousin Eloise were gone, and she didn't believe there'd be room. She +doesn't know how big the house is, does she, grandpa?" An irresistible yawn +seized the child, and in the middle of it her father leaned forward and +chucked her under the chin.</p> + +<p>Her jaws came together with a snap. "There! you spoiled that nice one!" she +exclaimed, jumping up and laughing as she flung herself upon her big +playmate, and a small scuffle ensued in which the wide leghorn hat brim +sawed against Mr. Evringham's shoulder and neck in a manner that caused +Mrs. Evringham's heart to leap toward her throat. How <i>could</i> Harry be so +thoughtless! A street lamp showed the grim lines of the broker's averted +face as he gazed stonily out to the street.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>"Come here, Jewel; sit still," said the mother, striving to pull the +little girl back into her seat.</p> + +<p>Harry was laughing and holding his agile assailant off as best he might, +and at his wife's voice aided her efforts with a gentle push. Jewel sank +back on the cushion.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what bores he thinks us. I know he does!" reflected Julia, capturing +her child in one arm and holding her close. To her surprise and even +dismay, Jewel spoke cheerfully after another yawn:—</p> + +<p>"Grandpa, how far is it to the ferry? How long, I mean?"</p> + +<p>"About fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's a good while. My eyes do feel as if they had sticks in them. +Don't you wish we could cross in a swan boat, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"Humph!" he responded. Mrs. Evringham gave the child a little squeeze +intended to be repressive. Jewel wriggled around a minute trying to get a +comfortable position.</p> + +<p>"Tell father and mother about Central Park and the swan boats, grandpa," +she continued.</p> + +<p>"You tell them to-morrow, when you're not so sleepy," he replied.</p> + +<p>Jewel took off her large hat, and nestling her head on her mother's +shoulder, put an arm around her. "Mother, mother!" she sighed happily, "are +you really home?"</p> + +<p>"Really, really," replied Mrs. Evringham, with a responsive squeeze.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham sat erect in silence, still gazing out the window with a +forbidding expression.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>There were buttons on her mother's gown that rubbed Jewel's cheek. She +tried to avoid them for a minute and then sat up. "Father, will you change +places with me?" she asked sleepily. "I want to sit by grandpa."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham's eyes widened, and in spite of her earnest "Dearie!" the +transfer was made and Jewel crept under Mr. Evringham's arm, which closed +naturally around her. She leaned against him and shut her eyes.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't go to sleep," he said.</p> + +<p>"I guess I shall," returned the child softly.</p> + +<p>"No, no. You mustn't. Think of the lights crossing the ferry. You'll lose a +lot if you're asleep. They're fine to see. We can't carry you and the +luggage, too. Brace up, now—Come, come! I shouldn't think you were any +older than Anna Belle."</p> + +<p>Jewel laughed sleepily, and the broker held her hand in his while he pushed +her upright. Mr. and Mrs. Evringham looked on, the latter marveling at the +child's nonchalance.</p> + +<p>Now, for the first time, the host became talkative.</p> + +<p>"How many days have you to give us, Harry?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"A couple, perhaps," replied the young man.</p> + +<p>"Two days, father!" exclaimed Jewel, in dismay, wide awake in an instant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's a stingy visit," remarked Mr. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"Not half long enough," added Jewel. "There's so much for you to see."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can see a lot in two days," returned Harry. "Think of the little +girls in Chicago, Jewel. They won't forgive me if I don't bring you home +pretty soon." He <a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>leaned forward and took his child's free hand. "How do +you suppose father has got along without his little girl all these weeks, +eh, baby?"</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> a long time since you went away," she returned, "but I was right +in your room every night, and daytimes I played in your ravine. Bel-Air +Park is the beautifulest place in the whole world. Two days isn't any time +to stay there, father."</p> + +<p>"H'm, I'm glad you've been so happy." Sincere feeling vibrated in the +speaker's voice. "We don't know how to thank your grandpa, do we?"</p> + +<p>A street lamp showed Jewel, as she turned and smiled up into the impassive +face Mr. Evringham turned upon her.</p> + +<p>"You can safely leave that to her," said the broker briefly, but he did not +remove his eyes from the upturned ones.</p> + +<p>"It is beyond me," thought Mrs. Evringham; "but love is a miracle-worker."</p> + +<p>The glowing lights of the ferry passed, Jewel did go to sleep in the train. +Her father, unaware that he was trespassing, took her in his arms, and, +tired out with all the excitement of the day and the lateness of the hour, +the child instantly became unconscious; but by the time they reached home, +the bustle of arrival and her interest in showing her parents about, aided +her in waking to the situation.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes stood ready to welcome the party. Ten years had passed since +Harry Evringham had stood in the home of his boyhood, and the housekeeper +thought she perceived that he was moved by a contrite memory; but he spoke +with bluff heartiness as he shook hands <a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>with her; and Mrs. Forbes looked +with eager curiosity into the sweet face of Mrs. Evringham, as the latter +greeted her and said something grateful concerning the housekeeper's +kindness to Jewel.</p> + +<p>"It's very little you have to thank me for, ma'am," replied Mrs. Forbes, +charmed at once by the soft gaze of the dark eyes.</p> + +<p>The little cavalcade moved upstairs to the handsome rooms so lately +vacated. They were brilliant with light and fragrant with roses.</p> + +<p>"How beautiful!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, while Jewel hopped up and down, +as wide awake as any little girl in town, delighted with the gala +appearance of everything.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham looked critically into the face of his daughter-in-law. Here +was the woman to whom he owed Jewel, and all that she was and all that she +had taught him. Her face was what he might have expected. It looked very +charming now as the pretty eyes met his. She was well-dressed, too, and Mr. +Evringham liked that.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will be very much at home here, Julia," he said; and though he +did not smile, it was certain that, whether from a sense of duty or not, he +had taken pains to make their welcome a pleasant one.</p> + +<p>Jewel had, evidently, no slightest fear of his cold reserve. With the +child's hand in hers, Julia took courage to reply warmly: "Thank you, +father, it is a joy to be here."</p> + +<p>She had called him "father," this elegant stranger, and her heart beat a +little faster, but her husband's arm went around her.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>"America's all right, eh, Julia?"</p> + +<p>"Come in cousin Eloise's room," cried Jewel. "That's all lighted, too. Are +they going to have them both, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>She danced ahead, through a spacious white-tiled bathroom and into the +adjoining apartment. There an unexpected sight met the child's eyes. In the +rosy depths of a large chintz chair sat Anna Belle, loyally keeping her +eyes open in spite of the hour.</p> + +<p>Jewel rushed toward her. There were plenty of flowers scattered about in +this room, also, and the child suddenly caught sight of her own toilet +articles on the dresser.</p> + +<p>"My things are down here in cousin Eloise's room, grandpa!" she cried, so +surprised that she delayed picking up her doll.</p> + +<p>"Why, why!" said Mr. Evringham, throwing open the door of the large closet +and then opening a bureau drawer. Within both receptacles were Jewel's +belongings, neatly arranged. "This is odd!" he added.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa, grandpa!" cried the child, rushing at him and clasping her arms +around his waist. "You're going to let me sleep down here by father and +mother!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham regarded her unsmilingly. Jewel's parents both looked on, +more than half expecting a snub to meet the energetic onslaught. "You won't +object, will you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Jewel pulled him down and whispered something in his ear. The curious +on-lookers saw the sweeping mustache curve in a smile as he straightened up +again. As a matter of fact they were both curious to know what she had said +to him.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>"You're whispering in company, Jewel," remarked her father.</p> + +<p>"Oh, please excuse me!" said the child. "I forgot to remember. Here's Anna +Belle, father."</p> + +<p>"My, my, my!" ejaculated Harry Evringham, coming forward. "How that child +has grown!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>ON THE VERANDA</h3> + + +<p>What a luxurious, happy, sleepy time Jewel had that night in the pretty +rose-bower where her mother undressed her while her father and grandfather +went back downstairs.</p> + +<p>It was very sweet to be helped and cuddled as if she were again a baby, and +as she lay in bed and watched her mother setting the flowers in the +bathroom and arranging everything, she tried to talk to her on some of the +subjects that were uppermost in her mind. Mrs. Evringham came at last and +lay down beside her. Jewel nestled into the loving arms and kissed her +cheek.</p> + +<p>"I'm too happy to go to sleep," she declared, then sighed, and instantly +pretty room and pretty mother had disappeared.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham lay there on the luxurious bed, the sleeping child in her +arms, and her thoughts were rich with gratitude. Her life had never been +free from care: first as a young girl in her widowed mother's home, then as +wife of the easy-going and unprincipled youth, whose desertion of her and +her baby had filled her cup of bitterness, though she bravely struggled on. +Her mother had died; and soon afterward the light of Christian Science had +dawned upon her path. Strengthened by its support, she had grown into new +health and courage, <a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>and life was beginning to blossom for her when her +repentant husband returned.</p> + +<p>For a time his wayward habits were a care to her; but he was sincerely +ashamed of himself, and the discovery of the development of character in +the pretty girl whom he had left six years before roused his manhood. To +her joy he began to take an interest in the faith which had wrought such +changes in her, and after that she had no doubts of the outcome. From the +moment when she obtained for him a business position, it became his +ambition to take his rightful place in the world and to guard her from +rough contact, and though as yet he still leaned upon her judgment, and she +knew herself to be the earthly mainspring of all their business affairs, +she knew, also, that his desire was right, and the knowledge sweetened her +days.</p> + +<p>Here in this home which was, to her unaccustomed eyes, palatial in its +appointments, with her child again in her arms, she gave thanks for the joy +of the present hour. A day or two of pleasure in these surroundings, and +then she and Harry would relieve Mr. Evringham of the care they had imposed +upon him.</p> + +<p>He had borne it nobly, there was no doubt about that. He had even +complicated existence by giving Jewel a pony. How a pony would fit into the +frugal, busy life of the Chicago apartment, Julia did not know; but her +child's dearest wish had been gratified, and there was nothing to do but +appreciate and enjoy the fact. After all, Harry's father must have more +paternal affection than her husband had ever given him credit for; for even +on the most superficial acquaintance one could see that any adaptation of +his life and tastes to those of a <a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>child would have to come with creaking +difficulty to the stock broker, and the fact of Jewel's ease with him told +an eloquent story of how far Mr. Evringham must have constrained himself +for Harry's sake.</p> + +<p>Her thoughts flowed on and had passed to business and all that awaited them +in Chicago, when her husband rejoined her. She rose from the bed as he came +in, and hand in hand they stood and looked down at Jewel, asleep.</p> + +<p>Harry stooped and kissed the flushed cheek.</p> + +<p>"Don't wake her, dear," said Julia, smiling at the energy of the caress.</p> + +<p>"Wake her? I don't believe a clap of thunder would have that effect. Why, +she and father have been painting the town; dining at the Waldorf, driving +in the park, riding in the swan boats, and then hanging around that dock. +Bless her little heart, I should think she'd sleep for twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p>"How wonderfully kind of him!" returned Julia. "You need never tell me +again, Harry, that your father doesn't love you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, loving hasn't been much in father's line, but we hope it will be," +returned the young man as he slipped an arm around his wife. "Do you +remember the last time we stood watching Jewel asleep? I do. It was in that +beastly hotel the night before we sailed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry!" Julia buried her face a moment on his shoulder. "Shall you +ever forget our relief when her first letter came, showing that she was +happy? Do you remember the hornpipe you danced in our lodgings and how you +shocked the landlady? Your father may not <i>call</i> it loving, but his care +and thoughtfulness have <a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>expressed that and he can't help my loving <i>him</i> +forever and forever for being kind to Jewel."</p> + +<p>Harry gave his head a quick shake. "I'll be hanged if I can see how anybody +could be unkind to her," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, you've never been an elderly man, set in your ways and used to +living alone. I'm sure it meant a great deal to him. Think of his doing all +that for her this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he had to pass the time somehow, and he couldn't very well refuse to +let her come in to meet us. Besides, she's on the eve of going away, and +father likes to do the handsome thing. He was doing it for other people, +though, when Lawrence and I were kids. He never took us in any swan boats."</p> + +<p>"Poor little boys!" murmured Julia.</p> + +<p>"Oh, not at all," returned Harry, laughing rather sardonically. "We took +ourselves in the swan boats and in a variety of other places not so +picturesque. Father's purse strings were always loose, and so long as we +kept out of his way he didn't care what we did. Nice old place, this, +Julia?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's very fine. I had no idea how fine." Her tone was somewhat +awestruck.</p> + +<p>"I used to know, absolutely, that father was through with me, and that +therefore I was through with Bel-Air; but I'm a new man," the speaker +smiled down at his wife and pressed her closer to him, "and I've been +telling father why, and how."</p> + +<p>"Is that what you've been talking about?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He seemed interested to hear of my business and prospects and asked +me a lot of questions; so, as I <a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>only began to live less than a year ago, I +couldn't answer them without telling him who and what had set me on my +feet."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry! You've really been talking about Science?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear, and about you; and I tell you, he wasn't bored. When I'd let +up a little he'd ask me another question; and at last he said, father did, +'Well, I believe she'll make a man of you yet, Harry!' Not too +complimentary, I admit, but I swallowed it and never flinched. I knew he +wasn't going to see enough of you in two days to half know you, so I just +thought I'd give him a few statistics, and they made an impression, I +assure you. After that if he wanted to set me down a little it was no more +than I deserved, and he was welcome."</p> + +<p>For a long moment the two looked into one another's eyes, then Harry spoke +in a subdued tone:—</p> + +<p>"You've done a lot for me, Julia; but the biggest thing of all, the thing +that is most wonderful and that means the most to me, and for which I'd +worship you through eternity if it was <i>all</i> you'd done, is that you have +taught me of Christian Science and shown me how it has guarded that child's +love and respect for me, when I was forfeiting both every hour. I'll work +to my last day, my girl, to show you my gratitude for that."</p> + +<p>"Darling boy!" she murmured.</p> + +<p>Next morning at rising time Jewel was still wrapped in slumber. Her parents +looked at her before going downstairs.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I can't help feeling a bit relieved,"<a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a> laughed Julia softly, +"that she won't go down with us. The little thing is rather thoughtless +with her grandfather, and though he has evidently schooled himself to +endure her energetic ways, I can't help feeling a bit anxious all the time. +He has borne it so well this long that I want to get her away before she +breaks the camel's back. When do you think we can go, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow or next day. You might get things packed to-day. I really ought +to go, but I don't want to seem in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, do let us go to-morrow," returned Julia eagerly.</p> + +<p>The Westminster clock on the stairs chimed as they passed down, and Mr. +Evringham was waiting for them in the dining-room. As he said good-morning +he looked beyond them, expectantly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes greeted them respectfully and indicated their seats.</p> + +<p>"Where is Jewel?" asked the host.</p> + +<p>"In dreamland. You couldn't waken her with a volley of artillery," returned +Harry cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"H'm," returned his father.</p> + +<p>They all took their places at the table and Julia remarked on the charming +outlook from the windows.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned the host. "I'm sorry I can't stay at home this morning and +do the honors of the park. I shall leave that to Harry and Jewel. As we +were rather late last night I didn't take my canter this morning. If you +wish to have a turn on the mare, Harry, Zeke knows that the stables are in +your hands. No one but myself rides Essex Maid, but I'll make a shining +exception of you."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>"I appreciate the honor," returned Harry lightly, but as a matter of fact +he did not at all grasp its extent.</p> + +<p>"If you'd like to take your wife for a drive there's the Spider. The child +will want to show you her pony and will probably get you off on some +excursion. Tell her there is time enough and not to make you do two days' +work in one."</p> + +<p>After breakfast the trio adjourned to the piazza and Julia looked out on +the thick, dewy grass and spreading trees.</p> + +<p>"I believe the park improves, father," said Harry, smiling as he noted his +wife's delight in the charming landscape.</p> + +<p>Deep armchairs and tables, rugs and a wicker divan furnished a portion of +the piazza. "How will little Jewel like the apartment after this?" Julia +could not help asking herself the question mentally. She no longer wondered +at the child's content here, even without the companionship of other +children. It must be an unimaginative little maid who, supported by Anna +Belle, could not weave a fairy-land in this fresh paradise.</p> + +<p>"Won't you be seated?" said the broker, waving his hand toward the chairs. +The others obeyed as he took his place. "Let us know a little, now, what we +are doing. What did I understand you to say, Harry, is your limit for +time?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I ought, really, to go west to-morrow, father."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham nodded and turned his incisive glance upon his +daughter-in-law. "And you, Julia?"</p> + +<p>She smiled brightly at him. He observed that her <a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>complexion bore the +sunlight well. "Oh, Jewel and I go with him, of course," she responded, +confident that her reply would convey satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"H'm. Indeed! Now it seems to me that you would be the better for a +vacation."</p> + +<p>"Why! Haven't I just had a trip to Europe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I should think you had. From all that Harry tells me, I judge what +with hunting up fashions and fabrics and corset-makers and all the rest of +it, you have done the work, daily, of about two able-bodied men."</p> + +<p>"That's right," averred Harry. "I was too much of a greenhorn to give her +much assistance."</p> + +<p>"Still, you understand your own end of the business, I take it," said his +father, turning suddenly upon him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do. I believe the firm will say I'm the square peg in the square +hole."</p> + +<p>"Then why not take a vacation, Julia?" asked the broker again.</p> + +<p>"Harry is doing splendidly," she returned gently, "but we can't live on the +salary he gets now. He needs my help for a while, yet. I'm going to be a +lady of leisure some day." The broker caught the glance of confidence she +sent his boy.</p> + +<p>"I'm screwing up my courage now to strike them for more," said Harry. "It +frets me worse every day to see that girl delving away, and a great +strapping, hulking chap like me not able to prevent it."</p> + +<p>His father looked gravely at the young wife. "Let him begin now," he said. +"He doesn't need your apron string any longer."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>"What do you mean?" asked Julia, half timidly.</p> + +<p>"Stay here with me a while and let Harry go west. I will take you and Jewel +to the seashore."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Harry, his face radiant. "Julia, why, you won't know +yourself strolling on the sands with a parasol while your poor delicate +husband is toiling and moiling away in the dingy city. Good for you, +father! You lift that pretty nose of hers up from the grindstone where +she's held it so many years that she doesn't know anything different. +Hurray, Julia!" In his enthusiasm the speaker rose and leaned over the +chair of his astonished wife. "You wake up in the morning and read a novel +instead of your appointment book for a while," he went on. "The Chicago +women's summer clothes are all made by this time, anyway. Play lady for +once and come back to me the color of mahogany. Go ahead!"</p> + +<p>"Why, Harry, how can I? What would you do?"</p> + +<p>"I'm hanged if I don't show you what I'd do, and do it well, too," he +returned.</p> + +<p>"But I ought to go home first," faltered the bewildered woman.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. I'll tackle the firm and the apartment, all right; and to +be plain, we can't afford the needless car fare."</p> + +<p>"But, father," Julia appealed to him, "is it right to make Harry get on +still longer without Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly right. Entirely so," rejoined the broker decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Of course he doesn't realize how we feel about Jewel," thought Julia.</p> + +<p>Here a large brown horse and brougham came around <a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>the driveway into sight. +Zeke's eyes turned curiously toward the guests, but he sat stiffly +immovable.</p> + +<p>The broker rose. "I must go now or I shall miss my train. Think it over. +There's only one way to think about it. It is quite evidently the thing to +do. The break has been made, and now is the time for Julia to take her +vacation before going into harness again. Moreover, perhaps Harry will get +his raise and she won't have to go into harness. Good-morning. I shall try +to come out early. I hope you will make yourselves comfortable."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham looked at Zeke. He was the glass of fashion and the mould of +form, but there was no indication in his smooth-shaven, wooden countenance +of the comrade to whom Jewel had referred in her fragmentary letters.</p> + +<p>"Well, Harry!" she exclaimed breathlessly, as the carriage rolled away. Her +expression elicited a hearty laugh from her husband. "I <i>never</i> was so +surprised. How unselfish he is! Harry, is it possible that we don't know +your father at <i>all</i>? Think of his proposing to keep, still longer, a +disturbing element like our lively little girl!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've never believed he bothered himself very much about Jewel," +returned Harry lightly. "You make a mountain out of that. All a child needs +is a ten acre lot to let off steam in, and she's had it here. He knows +you'll keep her out from under foot. Let's accept this pleasure. He +probably takes a lot of stock in you after all I told him last night. It's +a relief to his pride and everything else that I'm not going to disgrace +the name. He wants to do something for you.<a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a> That's the whole thing in a +nutshell; and you let him do it, Julia." In an exuberance of spirits, aided +by the fresh, inspiring morning, the speaker took his wife in his arms, as +they stood there on the wide veranda, and hugged her heartily.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I shall get over my awe of him?" She half laughed, but her +tone was sincere. "I'm so unused to people who never smile and seem to be +enduring me. Oh, if you were only going to stay, too, Harry, then it would +be a vacation indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Here, here! Where are your principles? Who's afraid now?"</p> + +<p>"But he's so stately and forbidding, and I shall feel such a responsibility +of keeping Jewel from troubling him."</p> + +<p>Harry laughed again. "She seems entirely capable of paddling her own canoe. +She didn't seem troubled by doubts or compunctions in the carriage last +night; and up there in the bedroom when she flew at him! How was that for a +case of <i>lèse majesté</i>? Gad, at her age I'd sooner have tackled a lighted +fuse! What do you suppose it was she whispered to him?"</p> + +<p>"I've no idea, and I must say I was curious enough to ask her while I was +putting her to bed; but do you know, she wouldn't say!" The mother laughed. +"She sidled about,—you know how she does when she is reluctant to speak, +and seemed so embarrassed that I have to laugh when I think of it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it concerned some surprise she has persuaded father to give us."</p> + +<p>"No, it couldn't be that, because she answered at last that she'd tell me +when she was a young lady."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>They both laughed. "Well," said Harry, "she isn't afraid of him so you'd +notice it; and you can give her a few pointers so she needn't get in +father's way now that she has you again. He has evidently been mighty +considerate of the little orphan."</p> + +<p>"How good he has been!" returned Julia fervently. "If we could only go home +with you, Harry," she added wistfully, "while there's so much good feeling, +and before anything happens to alter it!"</p> + +<p>"Where are your principles?" asked Harry again. "You know better than to +think anything will happen to alter it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do, I do; but I always have to meet my shyness of strangers, and it +makes my heart beat to think of your going off and leaving me here. Being +tête-à-tête with your father is appalling, I must confess."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, it wouldn't do to slight his offer, and it will do you a world +of good."</p> + +<p>"You'll have to send me my summer gowns."</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"Dear me, am I really going to <i>do</i> it?" asked Julia incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Certainly you are. We'd be imbecile not to accept such an opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Then," she answered resignedly, "if it is fact and not a wild fancy, we +have a lot of business to talk over, Harry. Let us make the most of our +time while Jewel is asleep."</p> + +<p>She led the way back to the chairs, and they were soon immersed in +memoranda and discussion.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE LIFTED VEIL</h3> + + +<p>At last their plans were reduced to order and Harry placed the papers +carefully in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Come in and let's have a look at the house, Julia," he suggested. "It +won't do to go to the stables without Jewel."</p> + +<p>They entered the drawing-room and Julia moved about admiring the pictures +and carvings, and paused long before the oil portrait of a beautiful woman, +conspicuously placed.</p> + +<p>"That's my grandmother," remarked Harry. "Isn't she stunning? That's the +side of the family I didn't take after."</p> + +<p>While they still examined the portrait and the exquisite painting of its +laces, Jewel ran into the room and seized them from behind.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, all dressed!" exclaimed her father as the two stooped to kiss +her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but my hair isn't very nice," said the child, putting up her hand to +her braids, "because I didn't want to be late to breakfast."</p> + +<p>Her father's hearty laugh rang out. "Lunch, do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"We're through breakfast long ago, dearie," said her mother. "No wonder you +slept late. We wanted you to."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>"Breakfast's all through!" exclaimed the child, and they were surprised at +her dismay.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but Mrs. Forbes will get you something," said her father.</p> + +<p>"But has grandpa gone?" asked the child. Before they could reply the +housekeeper passed the door and Jewel ran to her. "Has grandpa gone, Mrs. +Forbes?" she repeated anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, it's after ten. Come into the dining-room, Jewel; Sarah will +give you your breakfast."</p> + +<p>"I'm not a bit hungry—yes, I am, a little—but what is grandpa's telephone +number, Mrs. Forbes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, now, you won't call him up, dear," said the housekeeper coaxingly. +"Come and eat your breakfast like a good girl."</p> + +<p>"Yes, in just one minute I will. What is the number, please, Mrs. Forbes?"</p> + +<p>The housekeeper gave the number, and Harry and Julia drew nearer.</p> + +<p>"Your grandpa is coming out early, Jewel," said her father. "You'll see him +in a few hours, and you can ask him whatever you wish to then."</p> + +<p>"She never has called Mr. Evringham up, sir," said the housekeeper. "He +speaks to <i>her</i> sometimes. You know, Jewel, your grandfather doesn't like +to be disturbed in his business and called to the 'phone unless it is +something very important."</p> + +<p>"It is," returned the child, and she ran to the part of the hall where the +instrument was situated. Her mother and father followed, the former feeling +that she ought to interfere, but the latter amused and curious.</p> + +<p>"My little girl," began Julia, in protest, but Harry <a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>put his hand on her +arm and detained her. Jewel was evidently filled with one idea and deaf to +all else. With her usual energy she took down the receiver and made her +request to the central office. Harry drew his wife to where they could +watch her absorbed, rosy face. Her listening expression was anxiously +intent. Mrs. Forbes also lingered at a little distance, enjoying the +parents' interest and sharing it.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, grandpa?" asked the sweet voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I want to see Mr. Evringham."</p> + +<p>"What? No. I'm sorry, but nobody will do but grandpa. You tell him it's +Jewel, please."</p> + +<p>"What? I thought I <i>did</i> speak plain. It's <i>Jewel</i>; his little grandchild."</p> + +<p>The little girl smiled at the next response. "Yes, I'm the very one that +ate the Nesselrode pudding," she said, and chuckled into the 'phone.</p> + +<p>By this time even Julia had given up all thought of interfering, and was +watching, curiously, the round head with its untidy blond hair.</p> + +<p>Jewel spoke again. "I'm sorry I can't tell you the business, but it's +<i>very</i> important."</p> + +<p>Evidently the earnestness of this declaration had an effect. After a minute +more of waiting, the child's face lighted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, is that you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am. I'm <i>so</i> sorry I slept too long!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know you missed me, and now I have to eat my breakfast without you. +Why didn't you come and bring me downstairs?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I <i>would</i> have. Did you feel very sorry when you got in the +brougham, grandpa?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>"I know it. Did the ride seem <i>very</i> long, all alone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. I felt so sorry inside when I found you'd gone, I had to hear +you speak so as to get better so I could visit with mother and father."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it <i>is</i> a comfort. Are you <i>sure</i> you don't feel sorry now?"</p> + +<p>"Well, but are you smiling, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>Whatever the answer was to this, it made Jewel's anxious brows relax and +she laughed into the 'phone.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa, you're such a joker! One smile won't make you any fatter," she +protested.</p> + +<p>Another listening silence, then:—</p> + +<p>"You know the reason I feel the worst, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Why yes, you do. What we were talking about yesterday." The child sighed. +"Well, isn't it a comfort about eternity?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, and I guess I'll kiss the 'phone now, grandpa. Can you hear +me?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you do it, too, then. Yes—yes—I hear it; and you'll come home +early because you know—our secret?"</p> + +<p>"What? A lot of men waiting for you? All right. You know I love you just +the same, even if I <i>did</i> sleep, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Good-by, then, good-by."</p> + +<p>She hung up the receiver and turned a beaming face upon her dumbfounded +parents.</p> + +<p>"Now I'll have breakfast," she said cheerfully. "I'll only eat a little +because we must go out and see Star. You waited for me, didn't you?" +pausing in sudden apprehension.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>"Yes, indeed," replied Harry, collecting himself. "We haven't been off the +piazza."</p> + +<p>"Goody. I'm so glad. I'll hurry."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes followed the child as she bounded away, and the father and +mother sank upon an old settle of Flemish oak, gazing at one another. The +veil having been completely lifted from their eyes, each was viewing recent +circumstances in a new light.</p> + +<p>At last Harry began to laugh in repressed fashion. "Sold, and the money +taken!" he ejaculated, softly smiting his knee.</p> + +<p>His wife smiled, too, but there was a mist in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I smell a large mouse, Julia. How is it with you?"</p> + +<p>"You mean my invitation?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that we come under the head of those things that can't be cured and +must be endured."</p> + +<p>She nodded. "And that's why he wants to take me to the seashore."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but all the same he's got to do it to carry his point. You get the +fun just the same." The moisture that rose to Harry's eyes was forced there +by the effort to repress his mirth. "By jinks, the governor kissing the +'phone! I'll never get over that, never," and he exploded again.</p> + +<p>His wife laid her hand on his arm. "Oh, Harry, can't you see how touching +it is?"</p> + +<p>"I'll sue him for alienating my daughter's affections. See if I don't. Why, +we're not in it at all. Did you feel our insignificance when she found he'd +gone? We've been blockheads, Julia, blockheads."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>"We're certainly figureheads," she returned, rather ruefully. "I don't +like to feel that your father has to pay such a price for the sake of +keeping Jewel a little longer."</p> + +<p>"'T won't hurt him a bit. It's a good joke on him. If he doesn't go ahead +and take you now, I'll bring another suit against him for breach of +promise."</p> + +<p>Julia was looking thoughtfully into space. "I believe," she said, at last, +"that we may find out that Jewel has been a missionary here."</p> + +<p>"She's given father a brand new heart," returned Harry promptly. "That's +plain."</p> + +<p>"Let us not say a word to the child about the plan for her and me to stay," +said Julia. "Let us leave it all for Mr. Evringham."</p> + +<p>"All right; only he won't think you're much pleased with the idea."</p> + +<p>"I'm not," returned the other, smiling. "I'm a little dazed; but if he was +the man he appeared to be the day we left Jewel with him, and she has loved +him into being a happier and better man, it may be a matter of duty for us +not to deprive him of her at once. I'll try to resign myself to the rôle of +necessary baggage, and even try to conceal from him the fact that I know my +place."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my girl, you'll have him captured in a week, and Jewel will have a +rival. You have the same knack she has for making the indifferent +different."</p> + +<p>At this juncture the housekeeper came back into the hall.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mrs. Forbes," said Harry, rising, "that was rather amusing important +business Jewel had with my father."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>The housekeeper held up her hands and shook her head. "Such lovers, sir," +she responded. "Such lovers! Whatever he's going to do without her is more +than I know."</p> + +<p>"Why, it's a big change come over father, to be fond of children," returned +the young man, openly perplexed.</p> + +<p>"<i>Children!</i>" repeated the housekeeper. "If you suppose, Mr. Harry, that +Jewel is any common child, you must have had a wonderful experience."</p> + +<p>Her impressive, almost solemn manner, sobered the father's mood. "What she +is, is the result of what her mother has taught her," he returned.</p> + +<p>"Not one of us wanted her when she came," said the housekeeper, looking +from one to the other of the young couple standing before her. "Not one +person in the house was half civil to her." Julia's hand tightened on her +husband's arm. "I didn't want anybody troubling Mr. Evringham. People +called him a hard, cold, selfish man; but I knew his trials, yes, Mr. +Harry, you know I knew them. He was my employer and it was my business to +make him comfortable, and I hated that dear little girl because I'd made up +my mind that she'd upset him. Well, Jewel didn't know anything about hate, +not enough to know it when she saw it. She just loved us all, through thick +and thin, and you'll have to wait till you can read what the recording +angel's set down, before you can have any full idea of what she's done for +us. She's made a humble woman out of me, and I was the stiff-neckedest +member of the congregation. There's my only child, Zeke; she's persuaded +him out of habits that were <a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>breaking up our lives. There was Eloise +Evringham, without hope or God in the world. She gave her both, that little +Jewel did. Then, most of all, she crept into Mr. Evringham's empty heart +and filled it full, and made his whole life, as you might say, blossom +again. That's what she's done, single handed, in two months, and she has no +more conceit of her work than a ray of God's sunshine has when it's opening +a flower bud."</p> + +<p>Julia Evringham's gaze was fixed intently upon the speaker, and she was +unconscious that two tears rolled down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"You've made us very happy, telling us this," she said, rather +breathlessly, as the housekeeper paused.</p> + +<p>"And I should like to add, Mrs. Evringham," said Mrs. Forbes impressively, +"that you'd better turn your attention to an orphan asylum and catch them +as young as you can and train them up. What this old world wants is a whole +crop of Jewels."</p> + +<p>Julia's smile was very sweet. "We may all have the pure child thought," she +returned.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes passed on upstairs. Harry looked at his wife. He was winking +fast. "Well, this isn't any laughing matter, after all, Julia."</p> + +<p>"No, it's a matter to make us very humble with joy and gratitude."</p> + +<p>As she spoke Jewel bounded back into the hall and ran into her father's +open arms.</p> + +<p>"A good breakfast, eh?" he asked tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I didn't mean to be so long, but Sarah said grandpa wanted me to eat +a chop. Now, <i>now</i>, we're going to see Star!"</p> + +<p>"I'd better fix your hair first," remarked her mother.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>"Oh, let her hair go till lunch time," said Harry. "The horses won't care, +will they, Jewel?" He picked her up and set her on his shoulder and out +they went to the clean, spacious stables.</p> + +<p>Zeke pulled down his shirt-sleeves as he saw them coming. "This is my +father and mother, Zeke," cried the child, happily, and the coachman ducked +his head with his most unprofessional grin.</p> + +<p>"Jewel's got a great pony here," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should think so!" remarked Harry, as he and his wife followed +where the child led, to a box stall.</p> + +<p>"Why, Jewel, he's right out of a story!" said her mother, viewing the wavy +locks and sweeping tail, as the pony turned eagerly to meet his mistress.</p> + +<p>Jewel put her arms around his neck and buried her face for an instant in +his mane. "I haven't anything for you, Star, this time," she said, as the +pretty creature nosed about her. "Mother, do you see his star?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I do," replied Mrs. Evringham, examining the snowflake between the +full, bright eyes. "He's the prettiest pony I ever saw, Jewel. Did your +grandpa have him made to order?"</p> + +<p>Zeke shrugged his gingham clad shoulders. "He would have, if he could, +ma'am," he put in.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham laughed. "Well, he certainly didn't need to. Oh, see that +beautiful head!" for Essex Maid looked out to discover what all the +disturbance was about.</p> + +<p>Harry paused in his examination of the pony, to go over to the mare's +stall.</p> + +<p>"Whew, what a stunner!" he remarked.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>"Mr. Evringham said you were to ride her this morning, sir, if you liked. +You'll be the first, beside him." Zeke paused and with a comical gesture of +his head indicated the child and then the mare. "It's been nip and tuck +between them, sir; but I guess Jewel's got the Maid beat by now."</p> + +<p>Harry laughed.</p> + +<p>"Two blue ribbons, she's won, sir. She'll get another this autumn if he +shows her."</p> + +<p>"I should think so. She's a raving beauty." As he spoke, Harry smoothed the +bright coat. "When are we going out, Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"But we couldn't leave mother," returned the child, from her slippery perch +on the pony's back. She had been thinking about it. "Are you sure, Zeke, +that grandpa said father might ride Essex Maid?"</p> + +<p>"He told me so, himself," said Harry, amused.</p> + +<p>Jewel shook her head, much impressed. "Then he loves you about the most of +anybody," she remarked, with conviction.</p> + +<p>"Don't think of me," said her mother. "You and father do just what you +like. I can be happy just looking about this beautiful place."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know what," exclaimed Jewel, with sudden brightness. "Let's all go +to the Ravine of Happiness before lunch time, and then wait for grandpa, +and he can take mother in the phaeton, and father and I can ride +horseback."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm afraid your grandpa wouldn't like that," returned Mrs. Evringham +quickly.</p> + +<p>Zeke was standing near her. "He would if she said so, ma'am," he put in, in +a low tone.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>Julia smiled kindly upon him.</p> + +<p>Harry tossed his head, amused. "It's a case, isn't it, Zeke?" he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," returned the coachman. "He comes when he's called, and will eat +out of her hand, sir."</p> + +<p>Harry laughed and went back to the pony's stall. "Come on, then, Jewel, +come to my old stamping ground, the ravine."</p> + +<p>"And if her hair frightens the birds it's your fault," smiled Julia, +smoothing with both hands the little flaxen head.</p> + +<p>"The birds have seen me look a great deal worse than this, a great <i>deal</i> +worse," said Jewel cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they'll think her hair is a nest and sit down in it," suggested +her father, as they moved away, the happy child between them, holding a +hand of each.</p> + +<p>The little girl drew in her chin as she looked up at him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, father, you're such a joker!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE DIE IS CAST</h3> + + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, we've had the most, <i>fun</i>!" cried Jewel that afternoon as she +ran down the veranda steps to meet the broker, getting out of the brougham.</p> + +<p>Harry and Julia were standing near the wicker chairs watching the welcome. +They saw Mr. Evringham stoop to receive the child's embrace, and noted the +attention he paid to her chatter as, after lifting his hat to them, he +slowly advanced.</p> + +<p>"Father and I played in the ravine the longest while. Wasn't it a nice +time, father?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly was a nice, wet time. I am one pair of shoes short, and shall +have to travel to Chicago in patent leathers."</p> + +<p>As Julia rose she regarded her father-in-law with new eyes. All sense of +responsibility had vanished, and her present passive rôle seemed +delightful.</p> + +<p>"I know more about this beautiful place than when you went away," she said. +"I feel as if I were at some picturesque resort. It doesn't seem at all as +if work-a-day people might live here all the time."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you like it," returned the broker, and his quick, curt manner of +speech no longer startled her. "Have you been driving?"</p> + +<p>"No, we preferred to have Jewel plan our campaign, and she seemed to think +that the driving part had better wait for you."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>The broker turned and looked down at the smooth head with billowy ribbon +bows behind the ears. Noting his expression, or lack of it, Julia wondered, +momentarily, if she might have dreamed the episode of kissing into the +telephone.</p> + +<p>"What is your plan, Jewel?" he asked.</p> + +<p>She balanced herself springily on her toes. "I thought two of us in the +phaeton and two on horseback," she replied, with relish.</p> + +<p>"H'm. You in the phaeton and I on Star, perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, and your feet dragging in the road!" The child's laugh was a +gush of merriment.</p> + +<p>The broker looked back at his daughter-in-law and handed her the large +white package he was carrying. "With my compliments, madam."</p> + +<p>Julia flushed prettily as she unwrapped the box. "Oh, Huyler's!" she +exclaimed. "How delicious. Thank you so much, father."</p> + +<p>Jewel's eyes were big with admiration. "That's just the kind Dr. Ballard +used to give cousin Eloise," she said, sighing. "Sometime I'll be grown +up!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham lifted her into his arms with a quick movement. "That's a far +day, thank God," he murmured, his mustache against her hair; then lowering +her until he could look into her face: "How have you arranged us, Jewel? +Who drives and who rides?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps father would like to drive mother in the phaeton," said the child, +again on her feet.</p> + +<p>Harry smiled. "Your last plan, I thought, was that I should ride the mare."</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Jewel, with some embarrassment. "You won't look so nice as +grandpa does on Essex<a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a> Maid," she added, very gently, "but if it would be a +<i>pleasure</i> to you, father"—</p> + +<p>Her companions laughed so heartily that the child bored the toe of one shoe +into the piazza, and well they knew the sign.</p> + +<p>"Here," said her father hastily, "which of these delicious candies do you +want, Jewel? Oh, how good they look! I tell you you'll have to be quick if +you want any. I have only till to-morrow to eat them."</p> + +<p>"Really to-morrow, father!" returned the child, pausing aghast. +"To-morrow!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed."</p> + +<p>"To Chicago, do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"To Chicago." He nodded emphatically.</p> + +<p>Jewel turned appealing eyes on her mother. "Can't we help it?" she asked in +a voice that broke.</p> + +<p>"I think not, dearie. Business must come before pleasure, you know."</p> + +<p>Her three companions looking at the child saw her swallow with an effort. +She dropped the chocolate she had taken back into the box.</p> + +<p>A heroic smile came to her trembling lips as she lifted her eyes to the +impassive face of the tall, handsome man beside her. "It's to-morrow, +grandpa," she said softly, with a look that begged him to remember.</p> + +<p>He stooped until his gaze was on a level with hers. She did not touch him. +All her forces were bent on self-control.</p> + +<p>"I have been asking your mother," said Mr. Evringham, "to stay here a while +and take a vacation. Hasn't she told you?"</p> + +<p>Jewel shook her head mutely.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>"I think she will do it if you add your persuasion," continued the broker +quietly. "She ought to have rest,—and of course you would stay too, to +take care of her."</p> + +<p>A flash like sunlight illumined the child's tears. Mr. Evringham expected +to feel her arms thrown around his neck. Instead, she turned suddenly, and +running to her father, jumped into his lap.</p> + +<p>"Father, father," she said, "don't you want us to go with you?"</p> + +<p>Harry cleared his throat. The little scene had moistened his eyes as well. +"Am I of any consequence?" he asked, with an effort at jocoseness.</p> + +<p>Jewel clasped him close. "Oh, father," earnestly, "you know you are; and +the only reason I said you wouldn't look so nice on Essex Maid is that +grandpa has beautiful riding clothes, and when he rides off he looks like a +king in a procession. You couldn't look like a king in a procession in the +clothes you wear to the store, could you, father?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible, dearie."</p> + +<p>"But I want you to ride her if you'd like to, and I want mother and me to +go to Chicago with you if you're going to feel sorry."</p> + +<p>"You really do, eh?"</p> + +<p>Jewel hesitated, then turned her head and held out her hand to Mr. +Evringham, who took it. "If grandpa won't feel sorry," she answered. "Oh, I +don't know what I want. I wish I didn't love to be with so many people!"</p> + +<p>Her little face, drawn with its problem, precipitated the broker's plans +and made him reckless. He said to <a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>his son now, that which, in his +carefully prepared programme, he had intended to say about three months +hence, provided a nearer acquaintance with his daughter Julia did not prove +disappointing.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are not devotedly attached to Chicago, Harry?"</p> + +<p>The young man looked up, surprised. "Not exactly. So far she has treated me +like a cross between a yellow dog and a step-child; but I shall be devoted +enough if I ever succeed there."</p> + +<p>"Don't succeed there," returned the broker curtly. "Succeed here."</p> + +<p>Harry shook his head. "Oh, New York's beyond me. I have a foothold in +Chicago."</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned the broker, who had the born and bred New Yorker's contempt +for the Windy City. "Yes, I know you've got your foot in it, but take it +out."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! You'd have me become a rolling stone again?"</p> + +<p>"No. I'll guarantee you a place where, if you don't gather moss, you'll +even write your<i>self</i> down as long-eared."</p> + +<p>Harry's eyes brightened, and he straightened up, moving Jewel to one side, +the better to see his father. "Do you mean it?" he asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>The broker nodded. "Take your time to settle matters in Chicago," he said. +"If you show up here in September it will be early enough."</p> + +<p>The young man turned his eyes toward his wife and she met his smile with +another. Her heart was beating fast. This powerful man of whom, until this +morning, <a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>she had stood in awe, was going to put a stop to the old life and +lift their burdens. So much she perceived in a flash, and she knew it was +for the sake of the little child whose cheeks were glowing like roses as +she looked from one to another, taking in the happy promise involved in the +words of the two men.</p> + +<p>"Father, will you come back here?" she asked, breathing quickly.</p> + +<p>"I'd be mighty glad to, Jewel," he replied.</p> + +<p>The child leaned toward the broker, to whose hand she still clung. Starry +lights were dancing in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa, are father and mother and I going to live with you—always?" she +asked rapturously.</p> + +<p>"Always—if you will, Jewel."</p> + +<p>He certainly had not intended to say it until autumn leaves were falling, +and he should have made certain that it was not putting his head into a +noose; but the child's face rewarded him now a thousand-fold, and made the +moment too sweet for regret.</p> + +<p>"Didn't we <i>know</i> that Divine Love would take care of us, grandpa?" she +asked, with soft triumph. "We <i>did</i> know it—even when I was crying, we +knew it. Didn't we?"</p> + +<p>The broker drank in her upturned glance and placed his other hand over the +one that was clinging to him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>MRS. EVRINGHAM'S GIFTS</h3> + + +<p>When Mrs. Evringham opened her eyes the following morning, it was with a +confused sense that some great change had taken place; and quickly came the +realization that it was a happy change. As the transforming facts flowed in +more clearly upon her consciousness, she covered her eyes quickly with her +hand.</p> + +<p>"'Green pastures are before me!'" she thought, and her heart grew warm with +gratitude.</p> + +<p>Her husband was asleep, and she arose and went softly to Jewel's chamber, +and carefully opened the door. To her amazement the bed was empty. Its +coverings were stripped down and the sweet morning breeze was flooding the +spacious room.</p> + +<p>She returned to her own, wondering how late it might be. Her husband +stirred and opened his eyes, but before she could speak a ripple of distant +laughter sounded on the air.</p> + +<p>She ran to the window and raised the shade. "Oh, come, Harry, quick!" she +exclaimed, and, half asleep, he obeyed. There, riding down the driveway, +they saw Mr. Evringham and Jewel starting off for their morning canter.</p> + +<p>"How dear they look, how dear!" exclaimed Julia.</p> + +<p>"Father is stunning, for a fact," remarked Harry, watching alertly. On +yesterday's excursion he had <a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>ridden Essex Maid, after all; and he smiled +with interest now, in the couple who were evidently talking to one another +with the utmost zest as they finally disappeared at a canter among the +trees.</p> + +<p>"It is ideal, it's perfectly ideal, Harry." Julia drew a long breath. "I +was so surprised this morning, to waken and find it reality, after all." +She looked with thoughtful eyes at her husband. "I wonder what my new work +will be!" she added.</p> + +<p>"Not talking about that already, I hope!" he answered, laughing. "I've an +idea you will find occupation enough for one while, in learning to be idle. +Sit still now and look about you on the work accomplished."</p> + +<p>"What work?"</p> + +<p>"That I'm here and that you're here: that the action of Truth has brought +these wonders about."</p> + +<p>After breakfast the farewells were said. "You're happy, aren't you, +father?" asked Jewel doubtfully, as she clung about his neck.</p> + +<p>"Never so happy, Jewel," he answered.</p> + +<p>She turned to her grandfather. "When is father coming back again?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"As soon as he can," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"You don't want me until September, I believe," said the young man bluntly. +He still retained the consciousness, half amused, half hurt, that his +father considered him superfluous.</p> + +<p>"Why, September is almost next winter," said Jewel appealingly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham looked his son full in the eyes and liked the direct way they +met him.</p> + +<p>"The latchstring will be out from now on, Harry<a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a> I want you to feel that it +is your latchstring as much as mine."</p> + +<p>His son did not speak, but the way the two men suddenly clasped hands gave +Jewel a very comforted sensation.</p> + +<p>"And you don't feel a bit sorry to be going alone to Chicago?" she pursued, +again centring her attention and embrace upon her father.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I was never so happy in my life," he responded, kissing her and +setting her on her feet. "Are you going to allow me to drive to the station +in your place this morning?"</p> + +<p>"I'd let you do anything, father," returned Jewel affectionately. It +touched her little heart to see him go alone away from such a happy family +circle, but her mother's good cheer was reassuring.</p> + +<p>They had scarcely had a minute alone together since Mrs. Evringham's +arrival, and when the last wave had been sent toward the head leaning out +of the brougham window, mother and child went up the broad staircase +together, pausing before the tall clock whose chime had grown so familiar +to Jewel since that chilling day when Mrs. Forbes warned her not to touch +it.</p> + +<p>"Everything in this house is so fine, Jewel," said the mother. "It must +have seemed very strange to you at first."</p> + +<p>"It did. Anna Belle and I felt more at home out of doors, because you see +God owned the woods, and He didn't care if we broke something, and Mrs. +Forbes used to be so afraid; but it's all much different now," added the +child.</p> + +<p>They went on up to the room where stood the small <a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>trunk which was all Mrs. +Evringham had taken abroad for her personal belongings.</p> + +<p>To many children the moment of their mother's unpacking after a return from +a trip is fraught with pleasant and eager anticipation of gifts. In this +case it was different; for Jewel had no previous journey of her mother's to +remember, and her gifts had always been so small, with the shining +exception of Anna Belle, that she made no calculations now concerning the +steamer trunk, as she watched her mother take out its contents.</p> + +<p>Each step Mrs. Evringham took on the rich carpet, each glance she cast at +the park through the clear sheets of plate glass in the windows, each +smooth-running drawer, each undreamed-of convenience in the closet with its +electric light for dark days, impressed her afresh with a sense of +wondering pleasure. The lady of her name who had so recently dwelt among +these luxuries had accepted them fretfully, as no more than her due; the +long glass which now reflected Julia's radiant dark eyes lately gave back a +countenance impressed with lines of care and discontent.</p> + +<p>"Jewel, I feel like a queen here," said the happy woman softly. "I like +beautiful things very much, but I never had them before in my life. Come, +darling, we must read the lesson." She closed the lid of the trunk.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but wait till I get Anna Belle." The child ran into her own room and +brought the doll. Then she jumped into her mother's lap, for there was room +for all three in the big chair by the window.</p> + +<p>Some memory made the little girl lift her shoulders. "This was aunt Madge's +chair," she said. "She used to sit here in the prettiest lace wrapper—I +was never in <a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>this room before except two or three times,"—Jewel's awed +tone changed,—"but now my own mother lives here! and cousin Eloise would +love to know it and to know that I have her room. I mean to write her about +it."</p> + +<p>"You must take me upstairs pretty soon and let me see the chamber that was +yours. Oh, there is so much to see, Jewel; shall we ever get to the end?" +Mrs. Evringham's tone was joyous, as she hugged the child impulsively, and +rested her cheek on the flaxen head. "Darling," she went on softly, "think +what Divine Love has done for mother, to bring her here! I've worked very +hard, my little girl, and though Love helped me all the time, and I was +happy, I've had so much care, and almost never a day when I had leisure to +stop and think about something else than my work. I expected to go right +back to it now, with father, and I didn't worry, because God was leading +me—but, dearie, when I woke up this morning"—she paused, and as Jewel +lifted her head, mother and child gazed into one another's eyes—"I +said—you know what I said?"</p> + +<p>For answer the little girl smiled gladly and began to sing the familiar +hymn. Her mother joined an alto to the clear voice, in the manner that had +been theirs for years, and fervently, now, they sang the words:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Green pastures are before me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which yet I have not seen.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bright skies will soon be o'er me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where darkest clouds have been.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My hope I cannot measure,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My path in life is free,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My Father has my treasure,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And He will walk with me!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>Jewel looked joyous.</p> + +<p>"The green pastures were in Bel-Air Park, weren't they?" she said, "and you +hadn't seen them, had you?"</p> + +<p>"No," returned Mrs. Evringham gently, "and just now there is not a cloud in +our bright sky."</p> + +<p>"Father's gone away," returned Jewel doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Only to get ready to come back. It is very wonderful, Jewel."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is. I'm sure it makes God glad to see us so happy."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it does; and the best of it is that father knows that it is love +alone that brought this happiness, just as it brings all the real happiness +that ever comes in the world. He sees that it is only what knowledge we +have of God that made it possible for him to come back to what ought to be +his, his father's welcome home! Father sees that it is a demonstration of +love, and that is more important than all; for anything that gives us a +stronger grasp on the truth, and more understanding of its working, is of +the greatest value to us."</p> + +<p>"Didn't grandpa love father before?" asked Jewel, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but father disappointed him and error crept in between them, so it +was only when father began to understand the truth and ask God to help him, +that the discord could disappear. Isn't it beautiful that it has, Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think discord is much, mother," declared the little girl.</p> + +<p>"Of course it isn't," returned her mother. "It isn't anything."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>"When I first came, grandpa had so many things to make him sorry, and +everybody else here was sorry—and now nobody is. Even aunt Madge was happy +over the pretty clothes she had to go away with."</p> + +<p>"And she'll be happy over other things, some day," returned Mrs. Evringham, +who had already gathered a tolerably clear idea of her sister-in-law. +"Eloise has learned how to help her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ye—es! <i>She</i> isn't afraid of discord any more."</p> + +<p>"Now we'll study the lesson, darling. Think of having all the time we want +for it!"</p> + +<p>After they had finished, Mrs. Evringham leaned back in the big chair and +patted Jewel's knee. Opening the bag at her side she took out a small box +and gave it to the child, who opened it eagerly. A bright little garnet +ring reposed on the white velvet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, oh, <i>oh</i>!" cried Jewel, delighted. She put on the ring, which just +fitted, and then hugged her mother before she looked at it again.</p> + +<p>"Dear little Anna Belle, when you're a big girl"—she began, turning to the +doll, but Mrs. Evringham interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Jewel, here is Anna Belle's."</p> + +<p>She took out another box and, ah, what a charming necklace appeared, +brilliant with gems which outshone completely the three little garnets. +Jewel jumped for joy when she had clasped it about the round neck.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, mother!" she exclaimed, patting her mother's cheek, "you kept +thinking about us every day, didn't you! Kiss your grandma, dearie," which +the proud and happy Anna Belle did with a fervor that threatened to damage +Mrs. Evringham's front teeth.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>"I brought you something else, Jewel," said the mother, with her arms +around the child. "I did think of you every day, and on the ship going +over, it was pretty hard, because I had never been away from my little girl +and I didn't know just what she was doing, and I didn't even know the +people she was with; so, partly to keep my thoughts from error, I began +to—to make something for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what was it?" asked Jewel eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I didn't finish it going over, and I had no time to do so until we were on +the steamer coming home again. Then I was lighter hearted and happier, +because I knew my little darling had found green pastures, but—I finished +it. I don't know how much you will care for it."</p> + +<p>Jewel questioned the dark eyes and smiling lips eagerly.</p> + +<p>"What is it, mother; a bag for my skates?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"A—a handkerchief?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell me, mother, I can't wait."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham put the little girl down from her lap and going to the trunk +took from it the only article it still contained. It was a long, flat book +with pasteboard covers tied at the back with little ribbons. As she again +took her seat in the big chair, Jewel leaned against its arm.</p> + +<p>"It's a scrap-book full of pictures," she said, with interest.</p> + +<p>For answer her mother turned the cover toward her so she could read the +words lettered distinctly upon it.</p> + +<h4>JEWEL'S STORY BOOK</h4> + +<p>Then Mrs. Evringham ran her finger along the edges of the volume and let +the type-written pages flutter before its owner's delighted eyes.</p> + +<p>"You've made me some stories, mother!" cried Jewel. One of the great +pleasures and treats of her life had been those rare half hours when her +busy mother had time to tell her a story.</p> + +<p>Her eyes danced with delight. "Oh, you're the <i>kindest</i> mother!" she went +on, "and you'll have time to read them to me now! Anna Belle, won't it be +the most <i>fun</i>? Oh, mother, we'll go to the ravine to read, won't we?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham's cheeks flushed and she laughed at the child's joy. "I hope +they won't disappoint you," she said.</p> + +<p>"But you wrote them out of love. How can they?" returned the little girl +quickly.</p> + +<p>"That's so, Jewel; that's so, dear."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE QUEST FLOWER</h3> + + +<p>The garden in the ravine had been put into fine order to exhibit to Jewel's +father and mother. Fresh ferns had been planted around the still pond where +Anna Belle's china dolls went swimming, and fresh moss banks had been +constructed for their repose. The brook was beginning to lose the +impetuosity of spring and now gurgled more quietly between its verdant +banks. It delighted Jewel that the place held as much charm for her mother +as for herself, and that she listened with as hushed pleasure to the songs +of birds in the treetops too high to be disturbed by the presence of +dwellers on the ground. It was an ideal spot wherein to read aloud, and the +early hours of that sunshiny afternoon found the three seated there by the +brookside ready to begin the Story Book.</p> + +<p>"Now I'll read the titles and you shall choose what one we will take +first," said Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p>Jewel's attention was as unwinking as Anna Belle's, as she listened to the +names.</p> + +<p>"Anna Belle ought to have first choice because she's the youngest. Then +I'll have next, and you next. Anna Belle chooses The Quest Flower; because +she loves flowers so and she can't imagine what that means."</p> + +<p>"Very well," returned Mrs. Evringham, smiling and settling herself more +comfortably against a tree <a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>trunk. "The little girl in this story loved +them too;" and so saying, Jewel's mother began to read aloud:—</p> + + +<h4>THE QUEST FLOWER</h4> + +<p>Hazel Wright learned to love her uncle Dick Badger very much during a visit +he made at her mother's home in Boston. She became well acquainted with +him. He was always kind to her in his quiet way, and always had time to +take her on his knee and listen to whatever she had to tell about her +school or her plays, and even took an interest in her doll, Ella. Mrs. +Wright used to laugh and tell her brother that he was a wonderful old +bachelor, and could give lessons to many a husband and father; upon which +uncle Dick responded that he had always been fond of assuming a virtue if +he had it not; and Hazel wondered if "assuming-a-virtue" were a little +girl. At any rate, she loved uncle Dick and wished he would live with them +always; so it will be seen that when it was suddenly decided that Hazel was +to go home with him to the town where he lived, she was delighted.</p> + +<p>"Father and I are called away on business, Hazel," her mother said to her +one day, "and we have been wondering what to do with you. Uncle Dick says +he'll take you home with him if you would like to go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I would," replied the little girl; for it was vacation and she +wanted an outing. "Uncle Dick has a big yard, and Ella and I can have fun +there."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you can. Uncle Dick's housekeeper, Hannah, is a kind soul, and +she knew me when I was as little as you are, and will take good care of +you."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>The evening before Hazel and her uncle were to leave, Mrs. Wright spoke to +her brother in private.</p> + +<p>"It seems too bad not to be able to write aunt Hazel that her namesake is +coming," she said. "Is she as bitter as ever?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. No change."</p> + +<p>"Just think of it!" exclaimed Mrs. Wright. "She lives within a stone's +throw of you, and yet can remain unforgiving so many years. Let me see—it +is eight; for Hazel is ten years old, and I know she was two when the +trouble about the property camp up; but you did right, Dick, and some time +aunt Hazel must know it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think she has lucid intervals when she knows it now," returned Mr. +Badger; "but her pride won't let her admit it. If it amuses her, it doesn't +hurt me for her to pass me on the street without a word or a look. When a +thing like that has run along for years, it isn't easy to make any change."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it is so unchristian, so wrong," returned his sister. "If you only +had a loving enough feeling, Dick, it seems as if you might take her by +storm."</p> + +<p>Mr. Badger smiled at some memory. "I tried once. She did the storming." He +shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a man of peace. I decided to let her alone."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wright shook her head. "Well, I haven't told Hazel anything about it. +She knows she is named for my aunt; but she doesn't know where aunt Hazel +lives, and I wish you would warn Hannah not to tell the child anything +about her or the affair. You know we lay a great deal of stress on not +voicing discord of my kind."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>"Yes, I know," Mr. Badger smiled and nodded. 'Your methods seem to have +turned out a mighty nice little girl, and it's been a wonder to me ever +since I came, to see you going about, such a different creature from what +you used to be."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm well and happy," returned Mrs. Wright, "and I long to have this +trouble between you and aunt Hazel at an end. I suppose Hazel isn't likely +to come in contact with her at all."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; no more than if aunt Hazel lived in Kamschatka. She does, if +it's cold enough there."</p> + +<p>"Dear woman. She ignored the last two letters I wrote her, I suppose +because I sided with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly, that would be an unpardonable offense. Hannah tells me she +has a crippled child visiting her now, the daughter of some friends. Hannah +persists in keeping an eye on aunt Hazel's affairs, and telling me about +them. Hannah will be pleased to have little Hazel to make a pet of for a +few weeks."</p> + +<p>He was right. The housekeeper was charmed. She did everything to make Hazel +feel at home in her uncle's house, and discovering that the little girl had +a passion for flowers, let her make a garden bed of her own. Hazel went +with her uncle to buy plants for this, and she had great fun taking +geraniums and pansies out of their pots and planting them in the soft brown +earth of the round garden plot; and every day blue-eyed Ella, her doll, sat +by and watched Hazel pick out every little green weed that had put its head +up in the night.</p> + +<p>"You're only grass, dearie," she would say to one as she uprooted it, "and +grass is all right most everywhere; but this is a garden, so run away."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>Not very far down the street was a real garden, though, that gave Hazel +such joy to look at that she carried Ella there every day when it didn't +rain, and would have gone every day when it did, only Hannah wouldn't let +her.</p> + +<p>The owner of the garden, Miss Fletcher, at the window where she sat sewing, +began to notice the little stranger at last; for the child stood outside +the fence with her doll, and gazed and gazed so long each time, that the +lady began to regard her with suspicion.</p> + +<p>"That young one is after my flowers, I'm afraid, Flossie," she said one day +to the pale little girl in the wheeled chair that stood near another window +looking on the street.</p> + +<p>"I've noticed her ever so many times," returned Flossie listlessly. "I +never saw her until this week, and she's always alone."</p> + +<p>"Well, I won't have her climbing on my fence!" exclaimed Miss Fletcher, +half laying down her work and watching Hazel's movements sharply through +her spectacles. "There, she's grabbing hold of a picket now!" she exclaimed +suddenly. "I'll see to her in quick order."</p> + +<p>She jumped up and hurried out of the room, and Flossie's tired eyes watched +her spare figure as she marched down the garden path. She didn't care if +Miss Fletcher did send the strange child away. What difference could it +make to a girl who had the whole world to walk around in, and who could +take her doll and go and play in some other pleasant place?</p> + +<p>As Hazel saw Miss Fletcher coming, she gazed at the unsmiling face looking +out from hair drawn back <a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>in a tight knot; and Miss Fletcher, on her part, +saw such winning eagerness in the smile that met her, that she modified the +sharp reproof ready to spring forth.</p> + +<p>"Get down off the fence, little girl," she said. "You oughtn't ever to hang +by the pickets; you'll break one if you do."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," returned Hazel, getting down quickly. "I didn't think of that. I +wanted so much to see if that lily-bud had opened, that looked as if it was +going to, yesterday; and it has."</p> + +<p>"Which one?" asked Miss Fletcher, looking around.</p> + +<p>"Right there behind that second rosebush," replied Hazel, holding Ella +tight with one arm while she pointed eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes." Miss Fletcher went over to the plant.</p> + +<p>"I think it is the loveliest of all," went on the little girl. "It makes me +think of the quest flower."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" Miss Fletcher looked at the strange child curiously. "I +never heard of it."</p> + +<p>"It's the perfect flower," returned Hazel.</p> + +<p>"Where did you ever see it?"</p> + +<p>"I never did, but I read about it."</p> + +<p>"Where is it to be bought?" Miss Fletcher was really interested now, +because flowers were her hobby.</p> + +<p>"In the story it says at the Public Garden; but I've been to the Public +Garden in Boston, and I never saw any I thought were as beautiful as +yours."</p> + +<p>Hazel was not trying to win Miss Fletcher's heart, but she had found the +road to it.</p> + +<p>The care-lined face regarded her more closely than ever. "I don't remember +you. I thought I knew all the children around here."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>"No 'm. I'm a visitor. I live in Boston; and we have a flat and of course +there isn't any yard, and I think your garden is perfectly beautiful. I +come to see it every day, and it's fun to stand out here and count the +smells."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher's face broke into a smile. It did really seem as if it +cracked, because her lips had been set in such a tight line. "It ain't very +often children like flowers unless they can pick them," she replied. "I +can't sleep nights sometimes, wishing my garden wasn't so near the fence."</p> + +<p>The little girl smiled and pointed to a climbing rose that had strayed from +its trellis, and one pink flower that was poking its pretty little face +between the pickets. "See that one," she said. "I think it wanted to look +up and down the street, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"And you didn't gather it," returned Miss Fletcher, looking at Hazel +approvingly. "Well, now, for anybody fond of flowers as you are, I think +that was real heroic."</p> + +<p>"She belongs to nice folks," she decided mentally.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was a tame flower," returned the child, "and that would have been +error. If it had been a wild one I would have picked it."</p> + +<p>"Error, eh?" returned Miss Fletcher, and again her thin lips parted in a +smile. "Well, I wish everybody felt that way."</p> + +<p>"Uncle Dick lets me have a garden," said Hazel. "He let me buy geraniums +and pansies and lemon verbena—I love that, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I've got a big plant of it back here. Wouldn't you like to come in +and see it?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>"Oh, thank you," returned Hazel, her gray eyes sparkling; and Miss +Fletcher felt quite a glow of pleasure in seeing the happiness she was +conferring by the invitation. Most of her friends took her garden as a +matter of course; and smiled patronizingly at her devotion to it.</p> + +<p>In a minute the little girl had run to the gate in the white fence, and, +entering, joined the mistress of the house, who stood beside the +flourishing plants blooming in all their summer loveliness.</p> + +<p>For the next fifteen minutes neither of the two knew that time was flying. +They talked and compared and smelled of this blossom and that, their unity +of interest making their acquaintance grow at lightning speed. Miss +Fletcher was more pleased than she had been for many a day, and as for +Hazel, when her hostess went down on her knees beside a verbena bed and +began taking steel hairpins from her tightly knotted hair, to pin down the +luxuriant plants that they might go on rooting and spread farther, the +little girl felt that the climax of interest was reached.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to ask uncle Dick," she said admiringly, "if I can't have some +verbenas and a paper of hairpins."</p> + +<p>"Dear me," returned Miss Fletcher, "I wish poor Flossie took as much +interest in the garden as you do."</p> + +<p>"'Flossie' sounds like a kitten, returned Hazel.</p> + +<p>"She's a little human kitten: a poor little afflicted girl who is making me +a visit. You can see her sitting up there in the house, by the window."</p> + +<p>Hazel looked up and caught a glimpse of a pale face.<a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a> Her eyes expressed +her wonder. "Who afflicted her?" she asked softly.</p> + +<p>"Her Heavenly Father, for some wise purpose," was the response.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it couldn't have been that!" returned the child, shocked. "You know +God is Love."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," replied Miss Fletcher, turning to her visitor in surprise at +so decided an answer from such a source; "but it isn't for us to question +what His love is. It's very different from our poor mortal ideas. There's +something the matter with poor Flossie's back, and she can't walk. The +doctors say it's nervous and perhaps she'll outgrow it; but I think she +gets worse all the time."</p> + +<p>Hazel watched the speaker with eyes full of trouble and perplexity. "Dear +me," she replied, "if you think God made her get that way, who do you think +'s going to cure her?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody, it seems. Her people have spent more than they can afford, trying +and trying. They've made themselves poor, but nobody's helped her so far."</p> + +<p>Hazel's eyes swept over the roses and lilies and then back to Miss +Fletcher's face. The lady was regarding her curiously. She saw that +thoughts were hurrying through the mind of the little girl standing there +with her doll in her arms.</p> + +<p>"You look as if you wanted to say something," she said at last.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to be impolite," returned Hazel, hesitating.</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Miss Fletcher dryly, "if you knew <a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>the amount of +impoliteness that has been given to me in my time, you wouldn't hesitate +about adding a little more. Speak out and tell me what you are thinking."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking how wonderful and how nice it is that flowers will grow for +everybody," said Hazel, half reluctantly.</p> + +<p>"How's that?" demanded her new friend, in fresh surprise. "Have you decided +I don't deserve them?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you deserve them, of course," replied the child quickly; "but when you +have such thoughts about God, it's a wonder His flowers can grow so +beautifully in your yard."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher felt a warmth come into her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Well," she returned rather sharply, "I should like to know what sort of +teaching you've had. You're a big enough girl to know that it's a +Christian's business to be resigned to the will of God. You don't happen to +have seen many, sick folks, I guess—what is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Hazel."</p> + +<p>"Why, that's queer, so is mine; and it isn't a common one."</p> + +<p>"Isn't that nice!" returned the child. "We're both named Hazel and we both +love flowers so much."</p> + +<p>"Yes; that's quite a coincidence. Now, why shouldn't flowers grow for me, I +should like to know?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you think God afflicted that little girl's back, and didn't let her +walk. Why, Miss Fletcher," the child's voice grew more earnest, "He +wouldn't do it any more than I'd kneel down and break the stem of that +lovely quest flower and let it hang there and wither."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>Miss Fletcher pushed up her spectacles and gazed down into the clear gray +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Does Flossie think He would?" added Hazel with soft amazement.</p> + +<p>"I suppose she does."</p> + +<p>"Then does she say her prayers just the same?"</p> + +<p>"Of course she does."</p> + +<p>"What a kind girl she must be!" exclaimed Hazel earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Why do you say that?"</p> + +<p>"Because <i>I</i> wouldn't pray to anybody that I believed kept me afflicted."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher started back. "Why, child!" she exclaimed, "I should think +you'd expect a thunderbolt. Where do your folks go to church, for pity's +sake?"</p> + +<p>"To the Christian Science church."</p> + +<p>"Oh—h, that's what's the matter with you! Some of Flossie's relatives have +heard about that, and they've been teasing her mother to try it. I'm sure +I'd try anything that wasn't blasphemous."</p> + +<p>"What is blasphemous?"</p> + +<p>"Why—why—anything that isn't respectful to God is blasphemous."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" returned Hazel. Then she added softly, "I should think you were that, +now."</p> + +<p>"What!" and Miss Fletcher seemed to tower above her visitor in her +amazement.</p> + +<p>"Oh—please excuse me. I didn't mean to be impolite; but if you'll just +<i>try</i>, you'll find out what a mistake you and Flossie have been making, and +that God <i>wants</i> to heal her."</p> + +<p>The two looked at one another for a silent half-minute, <a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>the little girl's +heart beating faster under the grim gaze.</p> + +<p>"You might come and see her some day," suggested Miss Fletcher, at last. +"She has a dull time of it, poor child. I've asked the children to come in, +and they've all been very kind, but it's vacation, and a good many that I +know have gone away."</p> + +<p>"I will," replied Hazel. "Doesn't she like to come out here where the +flowers are?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it's been a little too cloudy and threatening to-day, but if it's +clear to-morrow I'll wheel her out under the elm-tree, and she'd like a +visit from you. Are you staying far from here?"</p> + +<p>"No, uncle Dick's is right on this street."</p> + +<p>"What's his last name?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Badger," replied Hazel, and she didn't notice the sudden stiffening +that went through Miss Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"What is your last name?" asked the lady, in a changed voice.</p> + +<p>"Wright."</p> + +<p>This time any one who had eyes for something beside the flowers might have +seen Miss Fletcher start. Color flew into her thin cheeks, and the eyes +that stared at Hazel's straw tam-o'-shanter grew dim. This was dear Mabel +Badger's child; her little namesake, her own flesh and blood.</p> + +<p>Her jaw felt rigid as she asked the next question. "Have you ever spoken to +your uncle Dick about my garden?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. That's why he let me make one; and every night he asks, +'Well, how's Miss Fletcher's garden to-day,' and I tell him all about it"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>"And didn't he ever say anything to you about me?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no;" the child looked up wonderingly. "He doesn't know you, does he?"</p> + +<p>"We used to know one another," returned Miss Fletcher stiffly.</p> + +<p>Richard had certainly behaved very decently in this particular instance. At +least he had told no lies.</p> + +<p>"Hazel is such an unusual name," she went on, after a minute. "Who were you +named for?"</p> + +<p>"My mother's favorite aunt," returned the child.</p> + +<p>"Where does she live?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Hazel vaguely. "My mother was talking to me about +her the evening before uncle Dick and I left Boston. She told me how much +she loved aunt Hazel; but that error had crept in, and they couldn't see +each other just now, but that God would bring it all right some day. I have +a lovely silver spoon she gave me when I was a baby."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher stooped to her border and cut a bunch of mignonette with the +scissors that hung from her belt. "Here's something for you to smell of as +you walk home," she said, and Hazel saw her new friend's hand tremble as +she held out the flowers. "Do you ever kiss strangers?" added the hostess +as she rose to her feet.</p> + +<p>Hazel held up her face and took hold of Miss Fletcher's arm as she kissed +her. "I think you've been so kind to me," she said warmly. "I've had the +best time!"</p> + +<p>"Well, pick the climbing rose as you pass," returned Miss Fletcher. "It +seems to want to see the world.<a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a> Let it go along with you; and don't forget +to come to-morrow. I hope it will be pleasant."</p> + +<p>She stood still, the warm breeze ruffling the thin locks about her +forehead, and watched the little girl trip along the walk. The child looked +back and smiled as she stopped to pick the pink rose, and when she threw a +kiss to Miss Fletcher, that lady found herself responding.</p> + +<p>She went into the house with a flush remaining in her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"How long you stayed, aunt Hazel," said the little invalid fretfully as she +entered.</p> + +<p>"I expect I did," returned Miss Fletcher, and there was a new life in her +tone that Flossie noticed.</p> + +<p>"Who is that girl?"</p> + +<p>"Her name is Hazel Wright, and she is living at the Badgers'. She's as +crazy about flowers as I am, so we had a lot to say. She gave me a lecture +on religion, too;" an excited little laugh escaped between the speaker's +lips. "She's a very unusual child; and she certainly has a look of the +Fletchers."</p> + +<p>"What? I thought you said her name was Wright."</p> + +<p>"It is! My tongue slipped. She's coming to see you to-morrow, Flossie. We +must fix up your doll. I'll wash and iron her pink dress this very +afternoon; for Hazel has a beauty doll, herself. I think you'll like that +little girl."</p> + +<p>That evening when uncle Dick and Hazel were at their supper, Mr. Badger +questioned her as usual about her day.</p> + +<p>"I've had the most <i>fun</i>," she replied. "I've been to see Miss Fletcher, +and she took me into her garden, <a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>and we smelled of all the flowers, and +had the loveliest time!"</p> + +<p>Hannah was standing behind the little girl's chair, and her eyes spoke +volumes as she nodded significantly at her employer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, she told Miss Fletcher where she was visiting, and she gave her +a bunch of mignonette and a rose to bring home."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Hazel, "they're in a vase in the parlor now, and she asked me +to come to-morrow to see an afflicted girl that's living with her. You +know, uncle Dick," Hazel lifted her eyes to him earnestly, "you know how it +says everywhere in the Bible that anybody that's afflicted goes to God and +He heals them; and what do you think! Miss Fletcher and that little Flossie +girl both believe God afflicted her and fixed her back so she can't walk!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Badger smiled as he met the wondering eyes. "That isn't Christian +Science, is it?" he returned.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather never have a garden even like Miss Fletcher's than to think +that," declared Hazel, as she went on with her supper. "I feel so sorry for +them!"</p> + +<p>"So you're going over to-morrow," said Mr. Badger. "What are you going to +do; treat the little invalid?"</p> + +<p>"Why, no indeed, not unless she asks me to."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because it would be error; it's the worst kind of impoliteness to treat +anybody that doesn't ask you to; but I've got to know every minute that her +belief is a lie, and that God doesn't know anything about it."</p> + +<p>"I thought God knew everything," said Mr. Badger, regarding the child +curiously.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>"He does, of course, everything that's going to last forever and ever: +everything that's beautiful and good and strong. Whatever God thinks about +has <i>got</i> to last." The child lifted her shoulders. "I'm glad He doesn't +think about mistakes,—sickness, and everything like that, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want sickness to last forever, I'm sure" returned Mr. Badger.</p> + +<p>The following day was clear and bright, and early in the afternoon Hazel, +dressed in a clean gingham frock, took her doll and walked up the street to +Miss Fletcher's.</p> + +<p>The wheeled chair was already out under the elm-tree, and Flossie was +watching for her guest. Miss Fletcher was sitting near her, sewing, and +waiting with concealed impatience for the appearance of the bright face +under the straw tam-o'-shanter.</p> + +<p>As soon as Hazel reached the corner of the fence and saw them there, she +began to run, her eyes fixed eagerly on the white figure in the wheeled +chair. The blue eyes that looked so tired regarded her curiously as she ran +up the garden path and across the grass to the large, shady tree.</p> + +<p>Hazel had never been close to a sick person, and something in Flossie's +appearance and the whiteness of her thin hands that clasped the doll in the +gay pink dress brought a lump into the well child's throat and made her +heart beat.</p> + +<p>"Dear Father, I want to help her!" she said under her breath, and Miss +Fletcher noticed that she had no eyes for her, and saw the wondering pity +in her face as she came straight up to the invalid's chair.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>"Flossie Wallace, this is Hazel Wright," she said, and Flossie smiled a +little under the love that leaped from Hazel's eyes into hers.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you brought your doll," said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"Ella goes everywhere I do," returned Hazel. "What's your doll's name?"</p> + +<p>"Bernice; I think Bernice is a beautiful name," said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"So do I," returned Hazel. Then the two children were silent a minute, +looking at one another, uncertain how to go on.</p> + +<p>Hazel was the first to speak. "Isn't it lovely to live with this garden?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, aunt Hazel has nice flowers."</p> + +<p>"I have an aunt Hazel, too," said the little visitor.</p> + +<p>"Miss Fletcher isn't my real aunt, but I call her that," remarked Flossie.</p> + +<p>"And <i>you</i> might do it, too," suggested Miss Fletcher, looking at Hazel, to +whom her heart warmed more and more in spite of the astonishing charges of +the day before.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I could call you aunt Hazel?" asked the child, rather shyly.</p> + +<p>"For the sake of being cousin to my garden, you might. Don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"How is the quest flower to-day?" asked Hazel.</p> + +<p>"Which? Oh, you mean the garden lily. There's another bud."</p> + +<p>"Oh, may I look at it?" cried Hazel, "and wouldn't you like to come too?" +turning to Flossie. "Can't I roll your chair?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," said Miss Fletcher, pleased. "It <a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>rolls very easily. Give +Flossie your doll, too, and we'll all go and see the lily bud."</p> + +<p>Hazel obeyed, and carefully pushing the light chair, they moved slowly +toward the spot where the white chalices of the garden lilies poured forth +their incense.</p> + +<p>"Miss Fletcher," cried Hazel excitedly, dropping on her knees beside the +bed, "that is going to be the most beautiful of all. When it is perfectly +open the plant will be ready to take to the king." The little girl lifted +her shoulders and looked up at her hostess, smiling.</p> + +<p>"What king is going to get my lily?"</p> + +<p>"The one who will send you on your quest."</p> + +<p>"What am I to go in quest of?" inquired Miss Fletcher, much entertained.</p> + +<p>"I don't know;" Hazel shook her head. "Every one's errand is different."</p> + +<p>"What is a quest?" asked Flossie.</p> + +<p>"You tell her, Hazel."</p> + +<p>"Why, mother says it's a search for some treasure."</p> + +<p>"You must tell us this story about the quest flower some day," said Miss +Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"I have the story of it here," returned Hazel eagerly. "I've read it over +and over again because I love it, and so mother put it in my trunk with my +Christian Science books. I can bring it over and read it to you, if you +want me to. You'd like it, I know, Miss Fletcher."</p> + +<p>"Aunt Hazel told me you were a Christian Scientist," said Flossie. "I never +saw one before, but people have talked to mother about it."</p> + +<p>"I could bring <i>those</i> books over, too," replied Hazel <a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>wistfully, "and we +could read the lesson every day, and perhaps it would make you feel +better."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what it's about," said Flossie.</p> + +<p>"It's about making sick people well and sinful people good."</p> + +<p>"I'm sinful, too, part of the time," answered Flossie. "Sometimes I don't +like to live, and I wish I didn't have to, and everybody says that's +sinful."</p> + +<p>Sudden tears started to Miss Fletcher's eyes, and as the little girls were +looking at one another absorbedly, Hazel standing close to the wheeled +chair, she stole away, unobserved, to the house.</p> + +<p>"She ought to be cured," she said to herself excitedly. "She ought to be +cured. There's that one more chance, anyway. I've got to where I'm ready to +let the babes and sucklings have a try!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE QUEST FLOWER (<i>Continued</i>)</h3> + + +<p>The next morning was rainy, and Jewel and her grandfather visited the +stable instead of taking their canter.</p> + +<p>"And what will you do this dismal day?" asked the broker of his +daughter-in-law as they stood alone for a minute after breakfast, Jewel +having run upstairs to get Anna Belle for the drive to the station.</p> + +<p>"This happy day," she answered, lifting to him the radiant face that he was +always mentally contrasting with Madge. "The rain will give me a chance to +look at the many treasures you have here, books and pictures."</p> + +<p>"H'm. You are musical, I know, for Jewel has the voice of a lark. Do you +play the piano?"</p> + +<p>Julia looked wistfully at the Steinway grand. "Ah, if I only could!" she +returned.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham cleared his throat. "Madam," he said, lowering his voice, +"that child has a most amazing talent."</p> + +<p>"Jewel's voice, do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"She'll sing, I'm sure of it," he replied, "but I mean for music in +general. Eloise is an accomplished pianist. She has one piece that Jewel +especially enjoyed, the old Spring Song of Mendelssohn. Probably you know +it."</p> + +<p>Julia shook her head. "I doubt it. I've heard very little good piano +playing."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>"Well, madam, that child has picked out the melody of that piece by +herself," the broker lowered his voice to still deeper impressiveness. "As +soon as we return in the autumn, we will have her begin lessons."</p> + +<p>Julia's eyes met his gratefully.</p> + +<p>"A very remarkable talent. I am positive of it," he went on. "Jewel," for +here the child entered the room, "play the Spring Song for your mother, +will you?"</p> + +<p>"Now? Zeke is out there, grandpa."</p> + +<p>"Dick can stretch his legs a bit faster this morning. Play it."</p> + +<p>So Jewel set Anna Belle on a brocaded chair and going to the piano, played +the melody of the Spring Song. She could perform only a few measures, but +there were no false notes in the little chromatic passages, and her +grandfather's eyes sought Julia's in grave triumph.</p> + +<p>"A very marvelous gift," he managed to say to her again under his breath, +as Jewel at last ran ahead of him out to the porte cochère.</p> + +<p>Julia's eyes grew dreamy as she watched the brougham drive off. How +different was to be the future of her little girl from anything she had +planned in her rosiest moments of hopefulness.</p> + +<p>The more she saw of Mr. Evringham's absorbed attachment to the child, the +more grateful she was for the manner in which he had guarded Jewel's +simplicity, the self-restraint with which he had abstained from loading her +with knickknacks or fine clothes. The child was not merely a pet with him. +She was an individual, a character whose development he respected.</p> + +<p>"God keep her good!" prayed the mother.</p> + +<p>It was a charming place to continue the story, there <a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>in the large chintz +chair by Mrs. Evringham's window. The raindrops pattered against the clear +glass, the lawn grew greener, and the great trees beyond the gateway held +their leaves up to the bath.</p> + +<p>"Anna Belle's pond will overflow, I think," said Jewel, looking out the +window musingly.</p> + +<p>"And how good for the ferns," remarked her mother.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'd like to be there, now," said the child.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think it's much cosier here. I love to hear the rain, too, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do, and we'll have the story now, won't we, mother?"</p> + +<p>At this moment there was a knock at the door and Zeke appeared with an +armful of birch wood.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Evringham said it might be a little damp up here and I was to lay a +fire."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Jewel. "Mother, wouldn't you like to have a fire +while we read?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham assented and Zeke laid the sticks on the andirons and let +Jewel touch the lighted match to the little twigs.</p> + +<p>"I have the loveliest book, Zeke," she said, when the flames leaped up. "My +mother made it for me, and you shall read it if you want to."</p> + +<p>"Yes, if Zeke wants to," put in Mrs. Evringham, smiling, "but you'd better +find out first if he does. This book was written for little girls with +short braids."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Zeke and I like a great many of the same things," responded Jewel +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"That's so, little kid," replied the young coachman, "and as long as you're +going to stay here, I'll read anything you say."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>"You see," explained Jewel, when he had gone out and closed the door +softly, "Zeke said it made his nose tingle every time he thought of anybody +else braiding Star's tail, so he's just as glad as anything that we're not +going away."</p> + +<p>The birch logs snapped merrily, and Anna Belle sat in Jewel's lap watching +the leaping flame, while Mrs. Evringham leaned back in her easy chair. The +reading had been interrupted yesterday by the arrival of the hour when Mrs. +Evringham had engaged to take a drive with her father-in-law. Jewel +accompanied them, riding Star, and it was great entertainment to her mother +to watch the child's good management of the pretty pony who showed by many +shakes of the head and other antics that it had not been explained to his +satisfaction why Essex Maid was left out of this good time.</p> + +<p>Jewel turned to her mother. "We're all ready now, aren't we? Do go on with +the story. I told grandpa about it, driving to the station this morning, +and what do you suppose he asked me?" The child drew in her chin. "He asked +me if I thought Flossie was going to get well!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Well, we'll see," she replied, opening the +story-book. "Where were we?"</p> + +<p>"Miss Fletcher had just gone into the house and Flossie had just said she +was sinful. She wasn't to blame a bit!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, here it is," said Mrs. Evringham, and she began to read:—</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>As Hazel met Flossie's look, her heart swelled and she wished her mother +were here to take care of this little girl who had fallen into such a sad +mistake.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>"I wish I knew how to tell you better, Flossie, about God being Love," she +said; "but He is, and He didn't send you your trouble."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps He didn't send it," returned Flossie, "but He thinks it's good for +me to have it or else He'd let the doctors cure me. I've had the kindest +doctors you ever heard of, and they know everything about people's backs."</p> + +<p>"But God will cure you, Himself," said Hazel earnestly.</p> + +<p>A strange smile flitted over the sick child's lips. "Oh, no, He won't. I +asked Him every night for a year, and over and over all day; but I never +ask Him now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Flossie, I know what's the truth, but I don't know how to tell about +it very well; but everything about you that seems not to be the image and +likeness of God is a lie; and He doesn't see lies, and so He doesn't know +these mistakes you're thinking; but He <i>does</i> know the strong, well girl +you really are, and He'll help <i>you</i> to know it, too, when you begin to +think right."</p> + +<p>The sincerity and earnestness in her visitor's tone brought a gleam of +interest into Flossie's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Just think of being well and running around here with me, and think that +God wants you to!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do you believe He does?" returned Flossie doubtfully. "Mother says it +will do my soul good for me to be sick, if I can't get well."</p> + +<p>Hazel shook her head violently. "You know when Jesus was on earth? Well, he +never told anybody it was better for them to be sick. He healed everybody,<a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a> +<i>everybody</i> that asked him, and he came to do the will of his Father; so +God's will doesn't change, and it's just the same now."</p> + +<p>There was a faint color in Flossie's cheeks. "If I was sure God wanted me +to get well, why then I'd know I would some time."</p> + +<p>"Of course He does; but you didn't know how to ask Him right."</p> + +<p>"Do <i>you</i>?" asked Flossie.</p> + +<p>Hazel nodded. "Yes; not so well as mother, but I do know a little, and if +you want me to, I'll ask Him for you."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course I do," returned Flossie, regarding her visitor with grave, +wondering eyes.</p> + +<p>In a minute Miss Fletcher, watching the children through a window, beheld +something that puzzled her. She saw Hazel roll Flossie's chair back under +the elm-tree, and saw her sit down on the grass beside it and cover her +eyes with both hands.</p> + +<p>"What game are they playing?" she asked herself; and she smiled, well +pleased by the friendship that had begun. "I wish health was catching," she +sighed. "Little Hazel's a picture. I wonder how long it'll be before she +finds out who I am. I wonder what Richard's idea is in not telling her."</p> + +<p>She moved about the house a few minutes, and then returned, curiously, to +the window. To her surprise matters were exactly as she saw them last. +Flossie was, holding both dolls in the wheeled chair, and Hazel was sitting +under the tree, her hands over her eyes.</p> + +<p>A wave of amazement and amusement swept over Miss Fletcher, and she struck +her hands together noiselessly.<a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a> "I <i>do</i> believe in my heart," she +exclaimed, "that Hazel Wright is giving Flossie one of those absent +treatments they tell about! Well, if I ever in all my born days!"</p> + +<p>There was no more work for Miss Fletcher after this, but a restless moving +about the room until she saw Hazel bound up from the ground. Then she +hurried out of the house and walked over to the tree. Hazel skipped to meet +her, her face all alight. "Oh, Miss Fletcher, Flossie wants to be healed by +Christian Science. If my mother was only here she could turn to all the +places in the Bible where it tells about God being Love and healing +sickness."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher noted the new expression in the invalid's usually listless +face, and the new light in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I'll take my Bible," she answered, "and a concordance. I'll bring them +right now. You children go on playing and I'll find all the references I +can, and Flossie and I will read them after you've gone."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher brought her books out under the tree, and with pencil and +paper made her notes while the children played with their dolls.</p> + +<p>"Let's have them both your children, Flossie," said Hazel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," replied Flossie, "and they'll both be sick, and you be the +doctor and come and feel their pulses. Aunt Hazel has my doll's little +medicine bottles in the house. She'll tell you where they are."</p> + +<p>Hazel paused. "Let's not play that," she returned, "because—it isn't fun +to be sick and—you're going to be all done with sickness."</p> + +<p>"All right," returned Flossie; but it had been her <a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>principal play with her +doll, Bernice, who had recovered from such a catalogue of ills that it +reflected great credit on her medical man.</p> + +<p>"I'll be the maid," said Hazel, "and you give me the directions and I'll +take the children to drive and to dancing-school and everywhere you tell +me."</p> + +<p>"And when they're naughty," returned Flossie, "you bring them to me to +spank, because I can't let my servants punish my children."</p> + +<p>Hazel paused again. "Let's play you're a Christian Scientist," she said, +"and you have a Christian Science maid, then there won't be any spanking; +because if error creeps in, you'll know how to handle it in mind."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" returned Flossie blankly.</p> + +<p>But Hazel was fertile in ideas, and the play proceeded with spirit, owing +to the lightning speed with which the maid changed to a coachman, and +thence to a market-man or a gardener, according to the demands of the +situation.</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher, her spectacles well down on her nose, industriously searched +out her references and made record of them, her eyes roving often to the +white face that was fuller of interest than she had ever seen it.</p> + +<p>When four o'clock came, she went back to the house and returned with +Flossie's lap table, which she leaned against the tree trunk. This +afternoon lunch for the invalid was always accomplished with much coaxing +on Miss Fletcher's part, and great reluctance on Flossie's. The little girl +took no notice now of what was coming. She was too much engrossed in +Hazel's efforts to induce Miss Fletcher's maltese cat to allow Bernice to +take a ride on his back.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>But when the hostess returned from the house the second time, Hazel gave +an exclamation. Miss Fletcher was carrying a tray, and upon it was laid out +a large doll's tea-set. It was of white china with gold bands, and when +Flossie saw Hazel's admiration, she exclaimed too.</p> + +<p>"This was my tea-set when I was a little girl," said Miss Fletcher, "and I +was always very choice of it. Twenty years ago I had a niece your age, +Hazel, who used to think it was the best fun in the world to come to aunt +Hazel's and have lunch off her doll's tea-set. I used to tell her I was +going to give it to <i>her</i> little girl if she ever had one."</p> + +<p>Both children exclaimed admiringly over the quaint shape of the bowl and +pitchers, as Miss Fletcher deposited the tray on her sewing-table.</p> + +<p>"When I was a child we didn't smash up handsome toys the way children do +nowadays. They weren't so easy to get."</p> + +<p>"And didn't your niece ever have a little girl?" asked Flossie, beginning +to think that in such a case perhaps these dear dishes might come to be her +own.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she did," replied Miss Fletcher kindly, and as she looked at the +guest's interested little face her eyes were thoughtful. "I shall give them +to her some day."</p> + +<p>"Has she ever seen them?" asked Hazel.</p> + +<p>"Once. I thought you children must be hungry after your games, and you'd +like a little lunch."</p> + +<p>This idea was so pleasing to Hazel that Flossie caught her enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"You'll be the mistress and pour, Flossie, and I'll <a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>be the waitress," she +said. "Won't it be the most <i>fun</i>! I suppose, ma'am, you'll like to have +the children come to the table?" she added, with sudden respectfulness of +tone.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Flossie, with elegant languor. "I think it teaches them +good manners."</p> + +<p>And then the waitress forgot herself so far as to hop up and down; for Miss +Fletcher, who had returned to the house, now reappeared bearing a tray of +eatables and drinkables.</p> + +<p>What a good time the children had, with the sewing-table for a sideboard, +and the lap-table fixed firmly across Flossie's chair.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure you aren't getting too tired, dear?" asked Miss Fletcher of +her invalid, doubtfully. "Wouldn't you rather the waitress poured?"</p> + +<p>But Flossie declared she was feeling well, and Hazel looked up eagerly into +Miss Fletcher's eyes and said, "You know she can't get too tired unless +we're doing wrong."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!" returned the hostess dryly. "Then there's nothing to fear, +for she's doing the rightest kind of right."</p> + +<p>When the table was set forth, two small plates heaped high with +bread-and-butter sandwiches, a coffee-pot and milk-pitcher of beaten egg +and milk, a tea-pot of grape juice, one dish of nuts and another of jelly, +the waitress's eyes spoke so eloquently that Flossie mercifully dismissed +her on the spot, and invited a lady of her acquaintance to the feast, who +immediately drew up a chair with eager alacrity.</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher seated herself again and looked on <a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>with the utmost +satisfaction, while the children laughed and ate, and when the sandwich +plates and coffee-pot and tea-pot and milk-pitcher were all emptied, she +replenished them from the well-furnished sideboard.</p> + +<p>"My, I wish I was aunt Hazel's real little niece!" exclaimed Flossie, +enchanted with pouring from the delightful china.</p> + +<p>"So do I wish I was," said Hazel, looking around at her hostess with a +smile that was returned.</p> + +<p>When Hazel sat down to supper at home that evening, she had plenty to tell +of the delightful afternoon, which made Mr. Badger and Hannah open their +eyes to the widest, although she did not suspect how she was astonishing +them.</p> + +<p>"I tell you," she added, in describing the luncheon, "we were careful not +to break that little girl's dishes. Oh, I wish you could see them. They're +the most be-<i>au</i>tiful you ever saw. They're so big—big enough for a +child's real ones that she could use herself."</p> + +<p>"I judge you did use them," said uncle Dick.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess we did! Miss Fletcher—she wants me to call her aunt Hazel, +uncle Dick!" The child looked up to observe the effect of this.</p> + +<p>He nodded. "Do it, then. Perhaps she'll forget and give you the dishes."</p> + +<p>Hazel laughed. "Well, anyway, she said Flossie'd eaten as much as she +usually did in two whole days. Isn't it beautiful that she's going to get +well?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't talk to her too much about it," returned Mr. Badger. "It would +be cruel to disappoint her."</p> + +<p>This sort of response was new to Hazel. She gazed at her uncle a minute. +"That's error," she said at last.<a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a> "God doesn't disappoint people. They'll +get some grown-up Scientist, but until they do, I'll declare the truth for +Flossie every day. She'll get well. You'll see.</p> + +<p>"I hope so," returned Mr. Badger quietly.</p> + +<p>Old Hannah gave her employer a wink over the child's head. "You might ask +them to come here by your garden and have lunch some day, Hazel. I'll fix +things up real nice for you, even if we haven't got any baby dishes."</p> + +<p>"I'd love to," returned Hazel, "and I expect they'd love to come. To-morrow +I'm going to take the lesson over and read it with them, and I'm going to +read them the 'Quest Flower,' too. It's a story that aunt Hazel will just +love. I think she has one in her yard."</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Richard," said Hannah, after their little visitor had gone to +bed, "I see the end of one family feud."</p> + +<p>Mr. Badger smiled. "When Miss Fletcher consents to take lunch in my yard, I +shall see it, too," he replied.</p> + +<p>The next day was pleasant, also, and when Hazel appeared outside her aunt's +fence, Flossie was sitting under the tree and waved a hand to her. The +white face looked pleased and almost eager, and Miss Fletcher called:—</p> + +<p>"Come along, Hazel. I guess Flossie got just tired enough yesterday. She +slept last night the best she has since she came."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added the little invalid, smiling as her new friend drew near, "the +night seemed about five minutes long."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>"That's the way it does to me," returned Hazel. She had her doll and some +books in her arms, and Miss Fletcher took the latter from her.</p> + +<p>"H'm, h'm," she murmured, as she looked over the titles. "You have +something about Christian Science here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I thought I'd read to-day's lesson to Flossie before I treated her, +and you'd let us take your Bible."</p> + +<p>"I certainly will. I can tell you, Hazel, Flossie and I were surprised at +the number of good verses and promises I read to her last evening. Anybody +ought to sleep well after them."</p> + +<p>Hazel looked glad, and Miss Fletcher let her run into the house to bring +the Bible, for it was on the hall table in plain sight.</p> + +<p>While she was gone the hostess smoothed Flossie's hair. "I can tell you, my +dear child, that reading all those verses to you last night made me feel +that we don't any of us live up to our lights very well. 'Tisn't always a +question of sick bodies, Flossie."</p> + +<p>Hazel came bounding back to the elm-tree, and sitting down near the wheeled +chair, opened the Bible and two of the books she had brought, and proceeded +to read the lesson. Had she been a few years older, she would not have +attempted this without a word of explanation to two people to whom many of +the terms of her religion were strange, but no doubts assailed her. The +little white girl in the wheeled chair was going to get out of it and run +around and be happy—that was all Hazel knew, and she proceeded in the only +way she knew of to bring it about.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>Miss Fletcher's thin lips parted as she listened to the sentences that the +child read. She understood scarcely more than Flossie of what they were +hearing, excepting the Bible verses, and these did not seem to bear on the +case. It was Hazel's perfectly unhesitating certainty of manner and voice +which most impressed her, and when the child had finished she continued to +stare at her unconsciously.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Hazel, returning her look, "I guess I'd better treat her before +we begin to play."</p> + +<p>Her hostess started. "Oh!" she ejaculated, "then I suppose you'd rather be +alone."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's easier," returned the little girl.</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher, feeling rather embarrassed, gathered up her sewing and moved +off to the house.</p> + +<p>"If I ever in all my born days!" she thought again. "What would Flossie's +mother say! Well, that dear little girl's prayers can't do any harm, and if +she isn't a smart young one I never saw one. She's Fletcher clear through. +I'd like to know what Richard Badger thinks of her. If she'd give <i>him</i> a +few absent treatments it might do him some good."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher's lips took their old grim line as she added this reflection, +but she was not altogether comfortable. Her nephew's action in withholding +from Hazel the fact that it was her aunt whom she was visiting daily could +scarcely have other than a kindly motive; and that long list of Bible +references which she had read to Flossie last evening had stirred her +strangely. There was one, "He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is +love," which had followed her to bed and occupied her thoughts for some +time.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>Now she went actively to work preparing the luncheon which she intended +serving to the children later.</p> + +<p>"And I'd better fix enough for two laboring men," she thought, smiling.</p> + +<p>Later, when she went back under the tree, her little guest skipped up to +her. "Oh, aunt Hazel," she said, and the address softened the hostess's +eyes, "won't you and Flossie come to-morrow afternoon if it's pleasant, and +have lunch beside my garden?"</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher's face changed. This was a contingency that had not occurred +to her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do say yes," persisted the child. "I want you to see my flowers, and +Flossie says she'd love to. I'll come up and wheel her down there."</p> + +<p>"Flossie can go some day, yes," replied aunt Hazel reluctantly; "but I +don't visit much. I'm set in my ways."</p> + +<p>"Hannah, uncle Dick's housekeeper, suggested it herself," pursued Hazel, +thinking that perhaps her own invitation was not sufficient, "and I know +uncle Dick would be glad. You said," with sudden remembrance, "that you +used to know him."</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher's lips were their grimmest. "I've spanked him many a time," +she replied deliberately.</p> + +<p>"Spanked him!" repeated the child, staring in still amazement.</p> + +<p>The grim lips crept into a grimmer smile. "Not very hard; not hard +<i>enough</i>, I've thought a good many times since."</p> + +<p>Hazel recovered her breath. "You knew him when he was little?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>"I certainly did. No, child, don't ask me to go out of my tracks. You come +here all you will, and if you'll be very careful you can wheel Flossie up +to your garden some day. Come, now, are you going to read us that story? I +see you brought it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I brought it," replied Hazel, in a rather subdued voice. She saw that +there was some trouble between this kind, new friend and her dear uncle +Dick, and the discovery astonished her. How could grown-up people not +forgive one another?</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher seated herself again with her sewing, and Hazel took the +little white book and sat down close by the wheeled chair where Flossie was +holding both the dolls.</p> + +<p>"Do you like stories?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, when they're not interesting," returned Flossie; "but when mother +brings a book and says it's very interesting, I know I shan't like it."</p> + +<p>Hazel laughed. "Well, hear this," she said, and began to read:—</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Once there was a very rich man whose garden was his chief pride and joy. In +all the country around, people knew about this wonderful garden, and many +came from miles away to look at the rare trees and shrubs, and the +beautiful vistas through which one could gain glimpses of blue water where +idle swans floated and added their snowy beauty to the scene. But loveliest +of all were the rare flowers, blossoming profusely and rejoicing every +beholder.</p> + +<p>It was the ambition of the man's life to have the most beautiful garden in +the world; and so many strangers <a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>as well as friends told him that it was +so that he came to believe it and to be certain that no beauty could be +added to his enchanting grounds.</p> + +<p>One evening, as he was strolling about the avenues, he strayed near the +wall and suddenly became aware of a fragrance so sweet and strange that he +started and looked about him to find its source. Becoming more and more +interested each moment, as he could find only such blossoms as were +familiar to him, he at last perceived that the wonderful perfume floated in +from the public way which ran just without the wall.</p> + +<p>Instantly calling a servant he dispatched him to discover what might be the +explanation of this delightful mystery.</p> + +<p>The servant sped and found a youth bearing a jar containing a plant crowned +with a wondrous pure white flower which sent forth this sweetness.</p> + +<p>The servant endeavored to bring the bearer to his master, but the youth +steadily refused; saying that, the plant being now in perfection, he was +carrying it to the King, for in his possession it would never fade.</p> + +<p>The servant returning with this news, the owner of the garden hastened, +himself, and overtook the young man. When his eyes beheld the wondrous +plant, he demanded it at any price.</p> + +<p>"I cannot part with it to you," returned the youth, "but do you not know +that at the Public Garden a bulb of this flower is free to all?"</p> + +<p>"I never heard of it," replied the man, with excitement, "but to grow it +must be difficult. Promise me to return and tend it for me until I possess +a plant as beautiful as yours."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>"That would be useless," returned the youth, "for every man must tend his +own; and as for me, the King will send me on a quest when He has received +this flower, and I shall not return this way."</p> + +<p>His face was radiant as he proceeded on his road, and the rich man, filled +with an exceeding longing, hastened to the Public Garden and made known his +desire. He was given a bulb, and was told that the King provided it, but +that when the plant was in flower it must be carried to Him.</p> + +<p>The man agreed, and returning to his house, rejoicing, caused the bulb to +be planted in a beautiful spot set apart for its reception.</p> + +<p>But, strangely, as time went on, his gardeners could not make this plant +grow. The man sent out for experts, men with the greatest wisdom concerning +the ways of flowers, but still the bulb rested passive. The man offered +rewards, but in vain. His garden was still famous and praised for its +beauty far and near; but it pleased him no longer. His heart ached with +longing for the one perfect flower.</p> + +<p>One night he lay awake, mourning and restless, until he could bear it no +more. He rose, the only waking figure in the sleeping castle, and went out +upon a balcony. A flood of moonlight was turning his garden to silver, and +suddenly a nightingale's sobbing song pulsed upon the air and filled his +heart to bursting.</p> + +<p>Wrapping his mantle about him, he descended a winding stair and walked to +where, in the centre of the garden, reposed his buried hope. No one was by +to witness the breaking down of his pride. He knelt, and swift tears fell +upon the earth and moistened it.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>What wonder was this? He brushed away the blinding drops, the better to +see, for a little green shoot appeared from the brown earth, and, with a +leap of the heart, he perceived that his flower had begun to grow.</p> + +<p>Every succeeding night, while all in the castle were sleeping, he descended +to the garden and tended the plant.</p> + +<p>Steadily it grew, and finally the bud appeared, and one fair day it burst +into blossom and filled the whole garden with its perfume.</p> + +<p>The thought of parting with this treasure tugged at the man's very +heartstrings. "The King has many, how many, who can tell! Must I give up +mine to Him? Not yet. Not quite yet!"</p> + +<p>So he put off carrying away the perfect flower from one day to the next, +till at last it fell and was no more worthy.</p> + +<p>Ah, then what sadness possessed the man's soul! He vowed that he would +never rest until he had brought another plant to perfection and given it to +the King; for he realized, at last, that only by giving it, could its +loveliness become perennial. Yet he mourned his perfect flower, for it +seemed to him no other would ever possess such beauty.</p> + +<p>So he set forth again to the Public Garden, but there a great shock awaited +him. He found that no second bulb could be vouchsafed to any one. Very +sadly he retraced his steps and carefully covered the precious bulb, hoping +that when the season of storm and frost was past, there might come to it +renewed life.</p> + +<p>As soon as the spring began to spread green loveliness again across the +landscape, the man turned, with <a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>a full heart, to the care and nurture of +his hope. The winter of waiting had taught him many a lesson.</p> + +<p>He tended the plant now with his own hands, in the light of day and in the +sight of all men. Long he cherished it, and steadily it grew, and the man's +thought grew with it. Finally the bud appeared, increasing and beautifying +daily, until, one morning, a divine fragrance spread beyond the farthest +limits of that garden, for the flower had bloomed, spotless, fit for a holy +gift; and the man looked upon it humbly and not as his own; but rejoiced in +the day of its perfection that he might leave all else behind him, and, +carrying it to the King, lay it at His feet and receive His bidding; and so +go forth upon his joyous quest.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Hazel closed the book. Flossie was watching her attentively. Miss Fletcher +had laid down her sewing and was wiping her spectacles.</p> + +<p>"Did you like it?" asked Hazel.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Flossie. "I wish I knew what that flower was."</p> + +<p>"Mother says the blossom is consecration," replied Hazel. "I forget what +she said the bulb was. What do you think it was, aunt Hazel?"</p> + +<p>"Humility, perhaps," replied Miss Fletcher.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just what she said! I remember now. Oh, let's go and look at +yours and see how the bud is to-day." Hazel sprang up from the grass and +carefully pushed Flossie's chair to the flower-bed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, aunt Hazel, it's nearly out," she cried, and Miss Fletcher, who had +remained behind still polishing her spectacles with hands that were not +very steady, <a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>felt a little frightened leap of the heart. She wished the +Quest Flower would be slower.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was as happy a one to the children as that of the day before. +They greatly enjoyed the dainty lunch from the little tea-set. They had +cocoa to-day instead of the beaten egg and milk; then, just before Hazel +went home, Miss Fletcher let her water the garden with a fascinating +sprinkler that whirled and was always just about to deluge either the one +who managed it or her companions.</p> + +<p>In the child's little hands it was a dangerous weapon, but Miss Fletcher +very kindly and patiently helped her to use it, for she saw the pleasure +she was bestowing.</p> + +<p>That night Hazel had a still more joyous tale to tell of her happy day; and +uncle Dick went out doors with her after supper and watched her water her +own garden bed and listened to her chatter with much satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"So Miss Fletcher doesn't care to come and lunch in my yard," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"No," returned Hazel, pausing and regarding him. "She says she used to know +you well enough to spank you, too."</p> + +<p>Mr. Badger laughed. "She certainly did."</p> + +<p>"Then error must have crept in," said the little girl, "that she doesn't +know you now."</p> + +<p>"I used to think it had, when she got after me."</p> + +<p>The child observed his laughing face wistfully, "She didn't know how to +handle it in mind, did she?"</p> + +<p>"Not much. A slipper was good enough for her."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see what's the matter," said Hazel.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>"'Tisn't necessary, little one. You go on having a good time. Everything +will come out all right some day."</p> + +<p>As Mr. Badger spoke he little knew what activity was taking place in his +aunt's thought. Her heart had been touched by the surprising arrival and +sympathy of her namesake, and her conscience had been awakened by the array +of golden words from the Bible which she had not studied much during late +bitter years. The story of the Quest Flower, falling upon her softened +heart, seemed to hold for her a special meaning.</p> + +<p>In the late twilight that evening she stood alone in her garden, and the +opening chalice of the perfect lily shone up at her through the dusk. "Only +a couple of days, at most," she murmured, "not more than a couple of +days—and humility was the root!"</p> + +<p>When it rained the following morning, Flossie looked out the window rather +disconsolately; but after dinner her face brightened, for she saw Hazel +coming up the street under an umbrella. Tightly held in one arm were Ella +and a bundle of books and doll's clothes. Miss Fletcher welcomed the guest +gladly, and, after disposing of her umbrella, left the children together +and took her sewing upstairs where she sat at work by a window, frowning +and smiling by turns at her own thoughts.</p> + +<p>Occasionally she looked down furtively at her garden, where in plain view +the quest flower drank in the warm rain and opened—opened!</p> + +<p>By this time Flossie and Hazel were great friends, and the expression of +the former's face had changed <a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>even in three days, until one would forget +to call her an afflicted child.</p> + +<p>They had the lesson and the treatment this afternoon, and then their plays, +and when lunch time came the appetites of the pair did not seem to have +been injured by their confinement to the house.</p> + +<p>When the time came for Hazel to go it had ceased raining, and Miss Fletcher +went with her to the gate.</p> + +<p>"Oh, oh, aunt Hazel—see the quest flower!" exclaimed the child.</p> + +<p>True, a lily, larger, fairer than all the rest, reared itself in stately +purity in the centre of the bed.</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher turned and looked at it with startled eyes and pressed her +hand to her heart. "Why can't the thing give a body time to make up her +mind!" she murmured.</p> + +<p>"Oh, to-morrow, <i>to-morrow</i>, aunt Hazel, the sun will come out, and I know +just how that lily will look. It will be fit to take to the King!"</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher passed her arm around the child's shoulders. "I want you to +stay to supper with us to-morrow night, dear. Ask your uncle if you may."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I'd love to," returned the child, and was skipping off.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute." Miss Fletcher stooped and with her scissors cut a moss +rose so full of sweetness that as she handed it to her guest, Hazel hugged +her.</p> + +<p>The following day was fresh and bright. Flossie's best pink gown and hair +ribbons made her look like a rose, herself, to Hazel, as the little girl, +very fine in a white frock and ribbons, came skipping up the street. Miss +Fletcher stood watching them as her niece ran <a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>toward the wheeled chair. +The lustre in Flossie's eyes made her heart glad; but the visitor stopped +short in the midst of the garden and clasped her hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, aunt Hazel!" she cried, "the quest flower!"</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher nodded and slowly drew near. The stately lily looked like a +queen among her subjects.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is to-day," she said softly, "to-day."</p> + +<p>She could not settle to her sewing, but, leaving the children together for +their work and play, walked up and down the garden paths. Later she went +into the house and upstairs and put on her best black silk dress. An +unusual color came into her cheeks while she dressed. "The bulb was +humility," she murmured over and over, under her breath.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was drawing to a close when Miss Fletcher at last moved out +of doors and to the elm-tree. "I didn't bring you any lunch to-day," she +said to the children, "because I want you to be hungry for a good supper."</p> + +<p>"Can we have the dishes just the same?" asked Flossie.</p> + +<p>"The owner is going to have them to-night," replied Miss Fletcher, and both +the little girls regarded her flushed face with eager curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Why, have you asked her?" they cried together.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Does she know she's going to have the tea-set?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what fun!" exclaimed Flossie. "I didn't know she was in town."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is in town." Miss Fletcher turned to Hazel and put her hand on +the child's shoulder. "We <a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>must do everything we can to celebrate taking +the flower to the King."</p> + +<p>Only then the children noticed that aunt Hazel had her bonnet on.</p> + +<p>"Oh," cried the child, bewildered, "are you going to <i>do</i> it?"</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher met her radiant eyes thoughtfully. "If I should take the +flower of consecration to the King, Hazel, I know what would be the first +errand He would give me to do. I am going to do it now. Go on playing. I +shan't be gone long."</p> + +<p>She moved away down the garden path and out of the gate.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose it is?" asked Flossie.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned Hazel simply. "Something right;" and then they +took up their dolls again.</p> + +<p>Miss Fletcher did not return very soon. In fact, nearly an hour had slipped +away before she came up the street, and then a man was with her. As they +entered the gate Hazel looked up.</p> + +<p>"Uncle Dick, uncle Dick!" she cried gladly, jumping up and running to meet +him. He and Miss Fletcher both looked very happy, as they all moved over to +Flossie's chair. Mr. Badger's kind eyes looked down into hers and he +carried her into the house in his strong arms. Hazel followed, rolling the +chair and having many happy thoughts; but she did not understand even a +little of the situation until they all went into the dining-room and +Flossie was carefully seated in the place the hostess indicated.</p> + +<p>The white and gold tea-set was not in front of Flossie this time, but +grouped about another place. Hazel's <a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>quick eyes noted that there were four +seats, but before she had time to speak of the expected child—happy owner +of the tea-set—uncle Dick spoke:—</p> + +<p>"Where do I go, aunt Hazel?"</p> + +<p>The child's eyes widened at such familiarity. "Why, uncle Dick!" she +ejaculated.</p> + +<p>He and the hostess both regarded her, smiling.</p> + +<p>"She is my aunt," he said; and then he lifted Hazel into the chair before +the pretty china. "I believe these are your dishes," he added.</p> + +<p>The child leaned back in her chair and looked from one to another. Slowly, +slowly, she understood. That was the aunt Hazel who gave her the silver +spoon. It had been aunt Hazel all the time! She suddenly jumped down from +her chair, and, running to Miss Fletcher, hugged her without a word.</p> + +<p>Aunt Hazel embraced her very tenderly. "Yes, my lamb," she whispered, +"error crept in, but it has crept out again, I hope forever;" and through +the wide-open windows came the perfume of the quest flower: pure, strong, +beautiful,—radiantly white in the evening glow.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Before Hazel went back to Boston, Flossie's mother came to Miss Fletcher's, +and the change for the better in her little daughter filled her with wonder +and joy. With new hope she followed the line of treatment suggested by a +little girl, and by the time another summer came around, two happy children +played again in aunt Hazel's garden, both as free as the sweet air and +sunshine, for Divine Love had made Flossie "every whit whole."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY</h3> + + +<p>Jewel told her grandfather all about it that day while they were having +their late afternoon ride.</p> + +<p>"And so the little girl got well," he commented.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and could run and play and have the most <i>fun</i>!" returned Jewel +joyously.</p> + +<p>"And aunt Hazel made it up with her nephew."</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why don't people know that all they have to do is to put on more love +to one another? Just supposing, grandpa, that you hadn't loved me so much +when I first came."</p> + +<p>"H'm. It <i>is</i> fortunate that I was such an affectionate old fellow!"</p> + +<p>"Mother says we all have to tend the flower and carry it to the King before +we're really happy. Do you know it made us both think of the same thing +when at last the man did it."</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>"Our hymn:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'My hope I cannot measure,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My path in life is free,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My Father has my treasure<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And He will walk with me!'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Don't you begin to love mother very much, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"She is charming."</p> + +<p>"Of course she isn't your real relation, the way I am."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>"Oh, come now. She's my daughter."</p> + +<p>Jewel smiled at him doubtfully. "But so is aunt Madge," she returned.</p> + +<p>"Why, Jewel, I'm surprised that any one who looks so tall as you do in a +riding skirt shouldn't know more than that! Mrs. Harry Evringham is <i>your</i> +mother."</p> + +<p>"I never thought of that," returned the child seriously. "Why, so she is."</p> + +<p>"That brings her very close, very close, you see," said Mr. Evringham, and +his reasoning was clear as daylight to Jewel.</p> + +<p>At dinner that evening she was still further reassured. The child did not +know that the maids in the house, having been scornfully informed by aunt +Madge of Mrs. Harry's business, were prepared to serve her grudgingly, and +regard her visit as being merely on sufferance despite Mrs. Forbes's more +optimistic view. But the spirit that looked out of Mrs. Evringham's dark +eyes and dwelt in the curves of her lips came and saw and conquered. Jewel +had won the hearts of the household, and already its unanimous voice, after +the glimpses it had had of her mother during two days, was that it was no +wonder.</p> + +<p>Even the signs of labor that appeared in Julia's pricked fingers made the +serenity of her happy face more charming to her father-in-law. She had +Jewel's own directness and simplicity, her appreciation and enjoyment of +all beauty, the child's own atmosphere of unexacting love and gratitude. +Every half hour that Mr. Evringham spent with her lessened his regret at +having burned his bridges behind him.</p> + +<p>"Now, you mustn't be lonely here, Julia," he said, <a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>that evening at dinner. +"I have come to be known as something of a hermit by choice; but while +Madge and Eloise lived with me, I fancy they had a good many callers, and +they went out, to the mild degree that society smiles upon in the case of a +recent widow and orphan. They were able to manage their own affairs; but +you are a stranger in a strange land. If you desire society, give me a hint +and I will get it for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, father!" replied Julia, smiling. "There is nothing I desire less."</p> + +<p>"Mother'll get acquainted with the people at church," said Jewel, "and I +know she'll love Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. They're grandpa's friends, mother."</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked Mr. Evringham, busy with his dinner, "some of the best +people in Bel-Air have gone over to this very strange religion of yours, +Julia. I shan't be quite so conspicuous in harboring two followers of the +faith as I should have been a few years ago."</p> + +<p>"No, it is becoming quite respectable," returned Julia, with twinkling +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Three, grandpa, you have three here," put in Jewel. "You didn't count +Zeke."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham looked up kindly at Mrs. Forbes, who stood by, as usual, in +her neat gown and apron.</p> + +<p>"Zeke is really in for it, eh, Mrs. Forbes?" Mr. Evringham asked the +question without glancing up.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, and I have no objection. I'm too grateful for the changes for +the better in the boy. If Jewel had persuaded him to be a fire worshiper I +shouldn't have lifted my voice. I'd have said to myself, 'What's a little +more fire here, so long as there'll be so much less hereafter.'"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>Mrs. Evringham laughed and the broker shook his head. "Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. +Forbes, I'm afraid your orthodoxy is getting rickety," he said.</p> + +<p>"How about your own, father?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm a passenger. You see, I know that Jewel will ask at the heavenly +gate if I can come in, and if they refuse, they won't get her, either. That +makes me feel perfectly safe."</p> + +<p>Jewel watched the speaker seriously. Mr. Evringham met her thoughtful eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they'll want you, Jewel. Don't you be afraid."</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid. How could I be? But I was just wondering whether you +didn't know that you'll have to do your own work, grandpa."</p> + +<p>He looked up quickly and met Julia's shining eyes.</p> + +<p>"Dear me," he responded, with an uncomfortable laugh. "Don't I get out of +it?"</p> + +<p>The next morning when Jewel had driven back from the station, and she and +her mother had studied the day's lesson, they returned to the ravine, +taking the Story Book with them.</p> + +<p>Before settling themselves to read, they counted the new wild flowers that +had unfolded, and Jewel sprinkled them and the ferns, from the brook.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see anybody look so pretty as Anna Belle does, in that +necklace?" exclaimed Jewel, fondly regarding her child, enthroned against +the snowy trunk of a little birch-tree. "It isn't going to be your turn to +choose the story this morning, dearie. Here, I'll give you a daisy to play +with."</p> + +<p>"Wait, Jewel, I think Anna Belle would rather see it growing until we go, +don't you?"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>"Would you, dearie? Yes, she says she would; but when we go, we'll take +the sweet little thing and let it have the fun of seeing grandpa's house +and what we're all doing."</p> + +<p>"It seems such a pity, to me, to pick them and let them wither," said Mrs. +Evringham.</p> + +<p>"Why, I think they only seem to wither, mother," replied Jewel hopefully. +"A daisy is an idea of God, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear."</p> + +<p>"When one seems to wither and go out of sight, we only have to look around +a little, and pretty soon we see the daisy idea again, standing just as +white and bright as ever, because God's flowers don't fade."</p> + +<p>"That's so, Jewel," returned the mother quietly.</p> + +<p>The child drew a long breath. "I've thought a lot about it, here in the +ravine. At first I thought perhaps picking a violet might be just as much +error as killing a bluebird; and then I remembered that we pick the flower +for love, and it doesn't hurt it nor its little ones; but nobody ever +killed a bird for love."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham nodded.</p> + +<p>"Now it's my turn to choose," began Jewel, in a different tone, settling +herself near the seat her mother had taken.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham opened the book and again read over the titles of the +stories.</p> + +<p>"Let's hear 'The Apple Woman's Story,'" said Jewel, when she paused.</p> + +<p>Her mother looked up. "Do you remember good old Chloe, who used to come +every Saturday to scrub for me? Well, something she told me of an +experience she <a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>once had, when she was a little girl, put the idea of this +tale into my head; and I'll read you</p> + + +<h4>THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY</h4> + +<p>Franz and Emilie and Peter Wenzel were little German children, born in +America. Their father was a teacher, and his children were alone with him +except for the good old German woman, Anna, who was cook and nurse too in +the household. She tried to teach Franz and Emilie to be good children, and +took great care of Peter, the sturdy three-year-old boy, a fat, solemn +baby, whose hugs were the greatest comfort his father had in the world.</p> + +<p>Franz and Emilie had learned German along with their English by hearing it +spoken in the house, and it was a convenience at times, for instance, when +they wished to say something before the colored apple woman which they did +not care to have her understand; but the apple woman did not think they +were polite when they used an unknown tongue before her.</p> + +<p>"Go off fum here," she would say to them when they began to talk in German. +"None o' that lingo round my stand. Go off and learn manners." And when +Franz and Emilie found she was in earnest they would ask her to forgive +them in the politest English they were acquainted with; for they were very +much attached to the clean, kind apple woman, whose stand was near their +father's house. They admired her bright bandana headdress and thought her +the most interesting person in the world. As for the apple woman, she had +had so many unpleasant experiences with teasing <a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>children that she did not +take Franz and Emilie into her favor all at once, but for some time +accepted their pennies and gave them their apples when they came to buy, +watching them suspiciously with her sharp eyes to make sure that they were +not intending to play her any trick.</p> + +<p>But even before they had become regular customers she decided under her +breath that they were "nice chillen;" and when she came to know them better +her kind heart overflowed to them.</p> + +<p>One morning as they smiled and nodded to her on the way to school, she +called out and beckoned.</p> + +<p>"Apples for the little baskets?"</p> + +<p>"Not to-day," answered Emilie.</p> + +<p>She beckoned to them again with determination, and the children approached.</p> + +<p>"We forgot to brush our teeth last night," explained Franz, "so we haven't +any penny."</p> + +<p>"I forgot it," said Emilie, "and Franz didn't remind me, so we neither of +us got it. That's the way Anna makes us remember."</p> + +<p>"Never you mind, honey, here's apples for love," replied the colored woman, +holding up two rosy beauties.</p> + +<p>The children looked at one another and shook their heads.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Emilie, "but we can't. Papa said the last time you gave +them to us that if we ate your apples without paying for them we mustn't +come to visit you any more."</p> + +<p>"Now think o' that!" exclaimed the apple woman when the children had gone +on. She was much touched and pleased to know that Franz and Emilie would +rather <a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>come and sit and talk to her and listen to her stories than to eat +her apples.</p> + +<p>She was right; they were nice children; but they had their naughty times, +and good old Anna was often greatly troubled by them. She felt her +responsibility of the whole family very deeply, and tried to talk no more +German. These children must grow up to be good Americans, and she must not +hold them back. It was very hard for the poor woman to remember always to +speak English, and funny broken English it was; so that little Peter, +hearing it all the time, had a baby talk of his own that was very comical +and different from other children. He talked about the "luckle horse" he +played with, and the "boomps" he got when he fell down, and he was very +brave and serious, as became a fat baby boy who had to take care of himself +a great deal.</p> + +<p>Anna was so busy cooking and mending for a family of five she was very glad +of the hours when Mr. Wenzel worked at home at his desk and baby Peter +could stay in the same room with him and play with his toys.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wenzel was a kind father and longed as far as possible to fill the +place of mother also to his children, who loved him dearly. To little Peter +he was all-powerful. A kiss from papa soothed the hardest "boomp" that his +many tumbles gave him; but even Peter realized that when papa was at his +desk he was very busy indeed, and though any of the children might sit in +the room with him, they must not speak unless it was absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>Emilie was now eight years old, and she might have helped her father and +Anna more than she did; but she <a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>never thought of this. She loved to read, +especially fairy stories, and she often curled up on the sofa in her +father's room and read while Peter either played about the room with his +toys, or went to papa's desk and stood with his round eyes fixed on Mr. +Wenzel's face until the busy man would look up from his papers and ask: +"What does my Peter want?"</p> + +<p>Especially did Emilie fly to this refuge in papa's room after a quarrel +with Franz, and I'm sorry to say she had a great many. The apple woman +found out that the little brother and sister were not always amiable. Anna +had confided in her; and then one day the children approached her stand +contradicting each other, their voices growing louder and louder as they +came, until at last Franz made a face at Emilie, giving her a push, and +she, quick as a kitten, jumped forward and slapped him.</p> + +<p>What Franz would have done after this I don't know, if the apple woman +hadn't said, "Chillen, chillen!" so loud that he stopped to look at her.</p> + +<p>"Ah, listen at that fairy Slap-back a-laughin'!" cried the apple woman.</p> + +<p>"The fairy Flapjack?" asked Franz, as he and his sister forgot their wrath +and ran toward the stand.</p> + +<p>"<i>Flapjack!</i>" repeated the apple woman with scorn, as the children nestled +down, one each side of her. "Yo' nice chillen pertendin' not to know yo' +friends!"</p> + +<p>"What friends? What?" asked Emilie eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The fairy Slap-back. P'raps I didn't see her jest now, a-grinnin' over yo' +shoulder."</p> + +<p>"Is she anybody to be afraid of?" asked Emilie, big-eyed.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>"To be sho' she is if you-all go makin' friends with her," returned the +apple woman, with a knowing sidewise nod of her head. Then drawing back +from the children with an air of greatest surprise, "You two don't mean to +come here tellin' me you ain't never heerd o' the error-fairies?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"Never," they both replied together.</p> + +<p>"Shoo!" exclaimed the apple woman. "If you ain't the poor igno'antest w'ite +chillen that ever lived. Why, if you ain't never heerd on 'em, yo're likely +to be snapped up by 'em any day in the week as you was jest now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell us. Do tell us!" begged Franz and Emilie.</p> + +<p>"Co'se I will, 'case 't ain't right for them mis'able creeturs to be +hangin' around you all, and you not up to their capers. Fust place they're +called the error-fairies 'case they're all servants to a creetur named +Error. She's a cheat and a humbug, allers pertendin' somethin' or other, +and she makes it her business to fight a great and good fairy named Love. +Now Love—oh, chillen, my pore tongue can't tell you of the beauty and +goodness o' the fairy Love! She's the messenger of a great King, and spends +her whole time a-blessin' folks. Her hair shines with the gold o' the sun; +her eyes send out soft beams; her gown is w'ite, and when she moves 'tis as +if forget-me-nots and violets was runnin' in little streams among its +folds. Ah, chillen," the apple woman shook her head, "she's the blessin' o' +the world. Her soft arms are stretched out to gather in and comfort every +sorrowin' heart.</p> + +<p>"Well, 'case she was so lovely an' the great King <a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>trusted her, Error +thought she'd try her hand; but she hadn't any king, Error hadn't. There +wa'n't nobody to stand for her or to send her on errands. She was a +low-lifed, flabby creetur," the apple woman made a scornful grimace; "jest +a misty-moisty nobody; nothin' to her. Her gown was a cloud and she wa'n't +no more 'n a shadder, herself, until she could git somebody to listen to +her. When she did git somebody to listen to her, she'd begin to stiffen up +and git some backbone and git awful sassy; so she crep' around whisperin' +to folks that Love was no good, and 'lowin' that she—that mis'able +creetur—was the queen o' life.</p> + +<p>"Some folks knowed better and told her so, right pine blank, an' then +straight off she'd feel herself changin' back into a shadder, an' sail away +as fast as she could to try it on somebody else. She was ugly to look at as +a bad dream, but yet there was lots o' folks would pay 'tention to her, and +after they'd listened once or twice, she kep' gittin' stronger and pearter, +an' as she got stronger, they got weaker, and every day it was harder fer +'em to drive her off, even after they'd got sick of her.</p> + +<p>"Then, even if she didn't have a king, she had slaves; oh, dozens and +dozens of error-fairies, to do her will. Creepin' shadders they was, too, +till somebody listened to 'em and give 'em a backbone. There's—let me +see"—the apple woman looked off to jog her memory—"there's Laziness, +Selfishness, Backbitin', Cruelty—oh, I ain't got time to tell 'em all; an' +not one mite o' harm in one of 'em, only for some silly mortal that listens +and gives the creetur a backbone. They jest lop over an' melt away, the +whole batch of 'em, <a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>when Love comes near. She knows what no-account +humbugs they are, you see; and they jest lop over an' melt away whenever +even a little chile knows enough to say 'Go off fum here, an' quit +pesterin''!"</p> + +<p>Franz and Emilie stared at the apple woman and listened hard. Their cheeks +matched the apples.</p> + +<p>"What happened a minute ago to you-all? An error-creetur named Slap-back +whispered to you. 'Quarrel!' says she. What'd you do? Did you say 'Go off, +you triflin' vilyun'?</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. You quarreled; an' Slap-back kep' gittin' bigger and +stronger and stiffer in the backbone while you was goin' it, an' at last up +comes this little hand of Emilie's. Whack! That was the time Slap-back +couldn't hold in, an' she jest laughed an' laughed over yo' shoulder. Ah, +the little red eyes she had, and the wiry hair! And that other one, the +fairy, Love, she was pickin' up her w'ite gown with both hands an' flyin' +off as if she had wings. Of course you didn't notice her. You was too taken +up with yo' friend."</p> + +<p>"But Slap-back isn't our friend," declared Emilie earnestly.</p> + +<p>The apple woman shook her head. "Bless yo' heart, honey, it's mean to deny +it now; but, disown her or not, she'll stick to you and pester you; and +you'll find it out if ever you try to drive her off. You'll have as hard a +time as little Dinah did."</p> + +<p>"What happened to Dinah?" asked Franz, picking up the apple woman's clean +towel and beginning to polish apples.</p> + +<p>"Drop that, now, chile! Yo' friend might cast her eye on it. I don't want +to sell pizened apples."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>Franz, crestfallen, obeyed, and glanced at Emilie. They had never before +found their assistance refused, and they both looked very sober.</p> + +<p>"Little Dinah was a chile lived 'way off down South 'mongst the cotton +fields; and that good fairy watched over Dinah,—Love, so sweet to look at +she'd make yo' heart sing.</p> + +<p>"Dinah had a little brother, too, jest big enough to walk; an' a daddy that +worked from mornin' till night to git hoe-cake 'nuff fer 'em all; and his +ole mammy, she helped him, and made the fire, and swept the room, and dug +in the garden, and milked the cow. She was a good woman, that ole mammy, +an' 't was a great pity there wa'n't nobody to help 'er, an' she gittin' +older every day."</p> + +<p>"Why, there was Dinah," suggested Emilie.</p> + +<p>The apple woman stared at her with both hands raised. "Dinah! Lawsy massy, +honey, the only thing that chile would do was look at pictur' books an' +play with the other chillen. She wouldn't even so much as pick up baby Mose +when he tumbled down an' barked his shin. Oh, but she was a triflin' lazy +little nigger as ever you see."</p> + +<p>"And that's why the red-eyed fairy got hold of her," said Franz, who was +longing to hear something exciting.</p> + +<p>"'Twas, partly," said the apple woman. "You see there's somethin' very +strange about them fairies, Love and the error-fairies. The error-fairies, +they run after the folks that love themselves, and Love can only come near +them that loves other people. Sounds queer, honey, but it's the truth; so, +when Dinah got to be a <a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>likely, big gal, and never thought whether the ole +mammy was gittin' tired out, or tried to amuse little Mose, or gave a +thought o' pity to her pore daddy who was alone in the world, the fairy +Love got to feelin' as bad as any fairy could.</p> + +<p>"'Do, Dinah,'" she said, with her sweet mouth close to Dinah's ear, 'do +stop bein' so triflin', and stir yo'self to be some help in the house.'</p> + +<p>"'No,' says Dinah, 'I like better to lay in the buttercups and look at +pictur's,' says she.</p> + +<p>"'Then,' says Love, 'show Mose the pictur's, too, and make him happy.'</p> + +<p>"'No,' says Dinah, 'he's too little, an' he bothers me an' tears my book.'</p> + +<p>"'Then,' says Love, 'yo'd rather yo' tired daddy took care o' the chile +after his hard day's work.'</p> + +<p>"'Now yo're talkin',' says Dinah. 'I shorely would. My daddy's strong.'</p> + +<p>"The tears came into Love's eyes, she felt so down-hearted. 'Yo' daddy +needs comfort, Dinah,' she says, 'an' yo're big enough to give it to him,' +says she; 'an' look at the black smooches on my w'ite gown. They're all +because o' you, Dinah, that I've been friends with so faithful. I've got to +leave you now, far enough so's my gown'll come w'ite; but if you call me +I'll hear, honey, an' I'll come. Good-by,'</p> + +<p>"'Good riddance!' says Dinah. 'I'm right down tired o' bein' lectured,' +says she. 'Now I can roll over in the buttercups an' sing, an' be happy an' +do jest as I please.'</p> + +<p>"So Dinah threw herself down in the long grass and, bing! she fell right +atop of a wasp, and he was so scared <a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>at such capers he stung her in the +cheek. Whew! You could hear her 'way 'cross the cotton field!</p> + +<p>"Her ole gran'mam comforted her, the good soul. 'Never you mind, honey,' +she says, 'I'll swaje it fer you.'</p> + +<p>"But every day Dinah got mo' triflin'. She pintedly wouldn't wash the +dishes, nor mind little Mose; an' every time the hot fire o' temper ran +over her, she could hear a voice in her ear—'Give it to 'em good. That's +the way to do it, Dinah!' An' it kep' gittin' easier to be selfish an' to +let her temper run away, an' the cabin got to be a mighty pore place jest +on account o' Dinah, who'd ought to ha' been its sunshine.</p> + +<p>"As for the fairy, Love, Dinah never heerd her voice, an' she never called +to her, though there was never a minute when she didn't hate the sound o' +that other voice that had come to be in her ears more 'n half the time.</p> + +<p>"One mornin' everything went wrong with Dinah. Her gran'mam was plum +mis'able over her shif'less ways, an' she set her to sew a seam befo' she +could step outside the do'. The needle was dull, the thread fell in knots. +Dinah's brow was mo' knotted up than the thread. Her head felt hot.</p> + +<p>"'Say you won't do it,' hissed the voice.</p> + +<p>"'I'll git thrashed if I do. Gran'mam said so.'</p> + +<p>"'What do you care!' hissed the voice; and jest as the fairy Slap-back was +talkin' like this, up comes little Mose to Dinah, an' laughs an' pulls her +work away.</p> + +<p>"Then somethin' awful happened. Dinah couldn't 'a' done it two weeks back; +but it's the way with them that listens to that mis'able, low-lifed +Slap-back. Jest as <a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>quick as a wink, that big gal, goin' on nine, slapped +baby Mose. He was that took back for a minute that he didn't cry; but the +hateful voice laughed an' hissed an' laughed again.</p> + +<p>"Good, Dinah, good! Now you'll ketch it!'</p> + +<p>"Then over went little Mose's lip, an' he wailed out, an' Dinah clasped her +naughty hands an' saw a face close to her—a bad one, with red eyes +shinin'. She jumped away from it, for it made her cold to think she'd been +havin' sech a playfeller all along.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, Love, y' ain't done fergit me, is yer? Come back, Love, <i>Love</i>!' she +called; then she dropped on her knees side o' Mose an' called him her honey +an' her lamb, an' she cried with him, an' pulled him into her lap, an' when +the ole gran'mam come in from where she'd been feedin' the hens, they was +both asleep."</p> + +<p>Franz took a long breath, for the way the apple woman told a story always +made him listen hard. "I guess that was the last of old Slap-back with +Dinah," he remarked.</p> + +<p>The apple woman shook her head. "That's the worst of that fairy," she said. +"Love'll clar out when you tell 'er to, 'case she's quality, an' she's got +manners; but Slap-back ain't never had no raisin'. She hangs around, an' +hangs around, an' is allers puttin' in her say jest as she was a few +minutes ago with you and Emilie in the road there. There's nothin' in this +world tickles her like a chile actin' naughty, 'ceptin' it's two chillen +scrappin'. Now pore little Dinah found she had to have all her wits about +her to keep Love near, an' make that ornery Slap-back stay away. Love was +as willin', as willin' to stay as violets is to <a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>open in the springtime; +but when Dinah an' Slap-back was both agin her, what could she do? An' +Dinah, she'd got so used to Slap-back, an' that bodacious creetur had sech +a way o' gittin' around the chile, sometimes, 'fore Dinah knew it, she'd be +listenin' to 'er ag'in; but Dinah'd had one good scare an' she didn't mean +to give in. Jest now, too, her daddy fell sick. That good man, that lonely +man, he'd had a mighty hard time of it, an' no chile to care or love 'im."</p> + +<p>"Wait," interrupted Emilie sternly. "If you are going to let Dinah's father +die, I'm going home."</p> + +<p>The apple woman showed the whites of her eyes in the astonished stare she +gave her.</p> + +<p>"Because"—Emilie swallowed and then finished suddenly—"because it +wouldn't be nice."</p> + +<p>The apple woman looked straight out over her stand. "Well, he didn't, an' +Dinah made him mighty glad he got well, too; for she stopped buryin' her +head in pictur' books, an' she did errands for gran'mam without whinin', +an' she minded Mose so her daddy had mo' peace when he come home tuckered +out; an' when she'd got so she could smile at the boy in the next cabin, +'stead o' runnin' out her tongue at him, the fairy, Love, could stay by +without smoochin' her gown, an' Slap-back had to melt away an' sail off to +try her capers on some other chile."</p> + +<p>"But you needn't pretend you saw her with us," said Franz uneasily.</p> + +<p>The apple woman nodded her red bandana wisely. "Folks that lives outdoors +the way I do, honey, sees mo' than you-all," she answered.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>Emilie ran home ahead of her brother, and softly entered her father's +room. He was at his desk, as was usual at this hour. His head leaned on his +hand, and he was so deep in his work that he did not notice her quiet +entrance. She curled up on the sofa in her usual attitude, but instead of +reading she watched little Peter on the floor building his block house. His +chubby hands worked carefully until the crooked house grew tall, then in +turning to find a last block he bumped his head on the corner of a chair.</p> + +<p>Emilie watched him rub the hurt place in silence. Then he got up on his fat +legs and went to the desk, where he stood patiently, his round face very +red and solemn, while he waited to gain his father's attention.</p> + +<p>At last the busy man became conscious of the child's presence, and, +turning, looked down into the serious eyes.</p> + +<p>"I'm here wid a boomp," said Peter. Then after receiving the consolation of +a hug and kiss he returned contentedly to his block house.</p> + +<p>Emilie saw her father look after the child with a smile sad and tender. Her +heart beat faster as she lay in her corner. Her father was lonely and hard +worked, with no one to take pity on him. A veil seemed to drop from her +eyes, even while they grew wet.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I'm too old to change, even if I am going on nine," +thought Emilie. At that minute the block house fell in ruins, and Peter, +self-controlled though he was, looked toward the desk and began to whimper.</p> + +<p>"Peter—Baby," cried Emilie softly, leaning forward and holding out the +picture of a horse in her book.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>Her father had turned with an involuntary sigh, and seeing Peter trot +toward the sofa and Emilie receive him with open arms, went back to his +papers with a relief that his little daughter saw. Her breath came fast and +she hugged the baby. Something caught in her throat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, papa, you don't know how many, <i>many</i> times I'm going to do it," she +said in the silence of her own full heart.</p> + +<p>And Emilie kept that unspoken promise.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE GOLDEN DOG</h3> + + +<p>"I think, after all, the ravine is the nicest place for stories," said +Jewel the next day.</p> + +<p>The sun had dried the soaked grass, and not only did the leaves look +freshly polished from their bath, but the swollen brook seemed to be +turning joyous little somersaults over its stones when Mrs. Evringham, +Jewel, and Anna Belle scrambled down to its bank.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that we ought to read a story every day," remarked Mrs. +Evringham. "They won't last long at this rate."</p> + +<p>"When we finish we'll begin and read them all over again," returned Jewel +promptly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's your plan, is it?" said Mrs. Evringham, laughing.</p> + +<p>Jewel laughed too, for sheer happiness, though she saw nothing amusing +about such an obviously good plan. "Aren't we getting well acquainted, +mother?" she asked, nestling close to her mother's side and forgetting Anna +Belle, who at once lurched over, head downward, on the grass. "Do you +remember what a little time you used to have to hold me in your lap and hug +me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearie. Divine Love is giving me so many blessings these days I only +pray to bear them well," replied Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>"Why, I think it's just as <i>easy</i> to bear blessings, mother," began Jewel, +and then she noticed her child's plight. "Darling Anna Belle, what are you +doing!" she exclaimed, picking up the doll and brushing her dress. "I +shouldn't think you had any more backbone than an error-fairy! Now don't +look sorry, dearie, because to-day it's your turn to choose the story."</p> + +<p>Anna Belle, her eyes beaming from among her tumbled curls, at once turned +happy and expectant, and when her hat had been straightened and her boa +removed so that her necklace could gleam resplendently about her fair, +round throat, she was seated against a tree-trunk and listened with all her +ears to the titles Mrs. Evringham offered.</p> + +<p>After careful consideration, she made her choice, and Mrs. Evringham and +Jewel settling themselves comfortably, the former began to read aloud the +tale of—</p> + + +<h4>THE GOLDEN DOG</h4> + +<p>If it had not been for the birds and brooks, the rabbits and squirrels, +Gabriel would have been a very lonely boy.</p> + +<p>His older brothers, William and Henry, did not care for him, because he was +so much younger than they, and, moreover, they said he was stupid. His +father might take some interest in him when he grew bigger and stronger and +could earn money; but money was the only thing Gabriel's father cared for, +and when the older brothers earned any they tried to keep it a secret from +the father lest he should take it away from them. Gabriel had a stepmother, +but she was a sorry woman, <a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>too full of care to be companionable. So he +sought his comrades among the wild things in the woods, to get away from +the quarrels at home.</p> + +<p>He was a muscular, rosy-cheeked lad, and in the sports at school he could +out-run and out-jump the other boys and was always good-natured with them; +but even the children at the little country school did not like him very +well, because the very things they enjoyed the most did not amuse him.</p> + +<p>He tried to explain to them that the birds were his friends, and therefore +he could not rob their nests; but they laughed at him almost as much as +when he tried to dissuade them from mocking old Mother Lemon, as they +passed her cottage door on their way to and from school.</p> + +<p>She was an old cross-patch, of course, they told him, or else she would not +live alone on the edge of a forest, with nobody but a cat and owls for +company.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she would be glad to have some one better for company," Gabriel +replied.</p> + +<p>"Go live with her, yourself, then, Gabriel," said one of the boys +tauntingly. "That's right! Go leave your miser father, counting his gold +all night while you are asleep, and too stingy to give you enough to eat, +and go and be Mother Lemon's good little boy!" and then all the children +laughed and hooted at Gabriel, who walked up to the speaker and knocked him +over on the grass with such apparent ease and such a calm face, that all +the laughers grew silent from mere surprise.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't talk about my father to me," said Gabriel, explaining. Then he +started for home, and the laughing began again, softly.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>"It was true," he thought, as he trudged along. Things were getting worse +at home, and sometimes he was hungry, for there was not too much on the +table, and his big brothers fought for their share.</p> + +<p>As he neared Mother Lemon's cottage, with its thatched roof and tiny +windows, he saw the old woman, in her short gown, tugging at the +well-sweep. It seemed very hard for her to draw up the heavy bucket.</p> + +<p>Instantly Gabriel ran forward.</p> + +<p>"Get out of here, now," cried the old woman, in a cracked voice, for she +saw it was one of the school-children, and she was weary of their worrying +tricks.</p> + +<p>"Shan't I pull up the bucket for you?" asked Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I know you. You want to splash me!" returned Mother Lemon, eying him +warily; but the boy put his strong arm to the task, and the dripping bucket +rose from the depths, while the little old woman withdrew to a safer +distance.</p> + +<p>"Show me where to put it and I will carry it into the house for you," said +Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"Now bless your rosy cheeks, you're an honest lad," said Mother Lemon +gratefully; but she took the precaution to walk behind him all the way, +lest he should still be intending to play her some trick. When, however, he +had entered the low door and filled the kettle and the pans, according to +her directions, she smiled on him, and as she thanked him, she asked him +his name.</p> + +<p>"Gabriel," said the lad.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she exclaimed, "you are the miser's boy."</p> + +<p>Gabriel could not knock Mother Lemon down, so he only hung his head while +his cheeks grew redder.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>"It isn't your fault, child, and by the time you are grown you will be +rich. When that time comes, I pray you be kinder to me than your father is, +for he oppresses the poor and makes me pay my last shilling for the rent of +this hovel."</p> + +<p>"I would give the cottage to you if it were mine," returned Gabriel, +looking straight into her eyes with his honest gray ones; "but at present I +am poorer than you."</p> + +<p>"In that case," said Mother Lemon, "I wish I had something worthy to reward +you for your kindness to me. As I have not, here is a penny that you must +keep to remember me by." And in spite of Gabriel's protestations she took +from her side-pocket a coin.</p> + +<p>"I cannot take it from you," protested the boy.</p> + +<p>"No one ever grew richer by refusing to give," returned Mother Lemon, and +she tucked the penny inside Gabriel's blouse and turned him out the door +with her blessing; so that, being a peaceable boy of few words, he objected +no longer, but moved along the road toward home, for it was nearly dinner +time.</p> + +<p>He found his stepmother setting the table, and his father busily +calculating with figures on a bit of paper.</p> + +<p>"Get the water, Gabriel, and be quick now," was his welcome from the +sorry-faced woman.</p> + +<p>When he had done all she directed him, there was still a little time, for +William and Henry had not come in from the field. Gabriel sat down near his +father and, noting a rusty, dusty little book lying on the table, he picked +it up.</p> + +<p>"What is this, father?" he asked, for there were few books in that house.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>The man looked up from his figuring and sneered. "It is called by some the +Book of Life," he said. "As a matter of fact it would not bring two +shillings."</p> + +<p>So saying he returned to his pleasant calculations and Gabriel idly opened +the book. His gaze widened, for the verse on which his eyes fell stood out +from the others in tiny letters of flame.</p> + +<p>"<i>The love of money is the root of all evil</i>," he read.</p> + +<p>"Father, father," he exclaimed, "what wonder is this? Look!" The miser +turned, impatient of a second interruption. "See the letters of fire!"</p> + +<p>"I see nothing. You grow stupider every day, Gabriel."</p> + +<p>"But the letters burn, father," and then the boy read aloud the sentence +which for him stood out so vividly on the page.</p> + +<p>They had a surprising effect upon his listener. The miser grew pale and +then red with anger. He rose and, standing over the boy, frowned furiously. +"I'll teach you to reprove your father," he cried. "Get out of my house. No +dinner for you to-day."</p> + +<p>The stepmother had heard what Gabriel read, and well she knew the truth of +those words.</p> + +<p>As the astonished boy gathered himself up and moved out the door, she went +after him, calling in pretended sharpness; but when he came near, she +whispered, "Come to the back of the shed in five minutes," and when Gabriel +obeyed, later, he found there a thick piece of bread and a lump of cheese.</p> + +<p>These he took, hungrily, and ate them in the forest before returning to +school. He had never felt so kindly <a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>toward school as this afternoon. Were +it not for what he learned there, he could not have read the words in the +Book of Life; and although they had brought him into trouble, he would not +have foregone the wonder of seeing the living, burning characters which his +father could not perceive. He longed to open those dusty covers once again.</p> + +<p>On his way home that afternoon he met two boys teasing a small brown dog. +Its coat was stuck full of burrs and it tried in vain to escape from its +tormentors. The boys stopped to let Gabriel go by, for they had a wholesome +respect for his strong right arm and they knew his love for animals. The +trembling little dog looked at him in added fear.</p> + +<p>Gabriel stood still. "Will you give me that dog?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The boys backed away with their prize. "Nothing for nothing," said the +taller, who had the animal under his arm. "What'll you give us?"</p> + +<p>Gabriel thought. Never lived a boy with fewer possessions. Ah! He suddenly +remembered a whistle he had made yesterday. Diving his hand into his pocket +he brought it out and whistled a lively strain upon it.</p> + +<p>"This," he said, approaching. "I'll give you this."</p> + +<p>"That for one of us," replied the tall boy. "What for the other?"</p> + +<p>From the moment the dog heard Gabriel's voice, its eyes had appealed to +him. Now it struggled to get free, and the big boy struck it. Its cry +sharpened Gabriel's wits.</p> + +<p>"The other shall have a penny," he said, and drew Mother Lemon's coin out +of his blouse.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>The big boy dropped the dog, and he and his companion struggled for the +coin, each willing the other should have the whistle. Gabriel lost no time +in catching up the dog and making off with it.</p> + +<p>He did not stop running until he had reached a spot by the brookside, +hidden amid sheltering trees. Here he sat down and looked over the forlorn +specimen in his lap. The dog was a rough, dingy object from its long ears +to its tail.</p> + +<p>First of all, Gabriel set to work to get out the burrs that stuck fast in +the thick coat. This took a long time, but the little dog licked his hands +gratefully now and then, showing that he understood, even if the operation +was not always pleasant.</p> + +<p>"Now, comrade," said Gabriel, at last, "you'll have to stand a ducking."</p> + +<p>The dog's beautiful golden eyes looked at him trustfully, and Gabriel, +placing him in the brook, scrubbed him well, long ears and all, and then +raced around with him in the warm air until he was dry.</p> + +<p>What a transformation was there! Gabriel's eyes shone as he looked at his +purchase. The dog's long hair, which had been a dingy brown, shone now like +golden silk in the sunshine, and his eyes gleamed with the light of topazes +as they fixed lovingly on Gabriel's happy face; for Gabriel <i>was</i> happy, as +every one is who sees Love work what is called a miracle, but what is +really not a miracle at all, but just one of the beautiful, happy changes +for the better that follow on Love, wherever she goes. The boy's lonely +heart leaped at the idea that at last he had a companion.</p> + +<p>A despised little suffering dog had altered into a <a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>welcome playmate, too +attractive, perhaps, to keep; for Gabriel well knew that he would never be +permitted to take the dog home; and any one finding him now in the woods +could carry him into town and get a good price for him.</p> + +<p>"What shall I call you, little one?" asked the boy. "My word, but you are +lively," for the dog was bounding about so that his ears flew and flapped +around like yellow curls.</p> + +<p>"Topaz, you shall be!" cried Gabriel, suddenly realizing how gem-like were +the creature's eyes; "and now listen to me!"</p> + +<p>To his amazement, as the boy said "Listen," and raised his finger, Topaz at +once sat up on his hind legs with his dainty white forepaws hung in front +of him.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" and Gabriel began whistling a little tune in his amazement, and the +instant the dog heard the music he began to dance. What a sight was there! +Gabriel's eyes grew round as he saw Topaz advance and retreat and twirl, +occasionally nodding and tossing his head until his curls bobbed. He seemed +to long, in his warm little dog's heart, to show Gabriel that he had been +worth saving.</p> + +<p>But the radiance died from the boy's face and he sank at last on the ground +under a tree, looking very dejected.</p> + +<p>Topaz bounded to his lap and Gabriel pulled the long silky ears through his +hands thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"I thought I had found a companion," he said sadly.</p> + +<p>"Bow-wow," responded Topaz.</p> + +<p>"But you are a trick dog, worth nobody knows how much money, and I cannot +keep you!"</p> + +<p><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>"Bow-wow," said Topaz.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow I must begin to try to find your master. Meanwhile what am I to +do with you?" The boy rose as he spoke and Topaz showed plainly that there +was no doubt in <i>his</i> mind as to what should be done with him, for he meant +to stick closely to Gabriel's heel.</p> + +<p>The boy suddenly had an idea and began to trudge sturdily off in the +direction of Mother Lemon's cottage, Topaz following close. The memory of +the latter's recent mishaps was too clear in his doggish mind to make him +willing that a single bush should come between him and his protector.</p> + +<p>When they reached the little cottage, Mother Lemon sat spinning outside her +low doorway.</p> + +<p>"Welcome, my man," she said when she finally saw, by squinting into the +sunlight, who it was that approached, "but drive off that dog."</p> + +<p>"Look at him, Mother Lemon," said Gabriel, rather sadly. "Saw you ever one +so handsome?"</p> + +<p>"Looks are deceiving," returned the old woman, "and I have a cat."</p> + +<p>"I will see that he does not hurt your cat. I have to confess that I spent +your penny for him, Mother Lemon."</p> + +<p>"Then I have to confess that you are no worthy son of your father," +returned the old woman, "for he would not have spent it for anything."</p> + +<p>"I know it was a keepsake," replied Gabriel, "but the dog was in danger of +his life and I had no other money to give for him."</p> + +<p>"You are a good-hearted lad," said Mother Lemon, going on with her +spinning. "Now take your dog away, <a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>for if my cat, Tommy, should see him it +might go hard with his golden locks."</p> + +<p>"Alas, Mother Lemon, I have come to ask you to keep him for me."</p> + +<p>"La, la! I tell you I could not keep him any longer than until Tommy laid +eyes on him; neither have I any liking for dogs, myself, though that one, I +must say, looks as if he had taken a bath in molten gold."</p> + +<p>"Does he not!" returned Gabriel. "When first I saw him some boys were +misusing him and he seemed to be but a brown cur with a dingy, matted coat; +and I could wish that he had turned out to be of no account, for the look +in his eyes took hold upon my heart; but I rubbed him well in the brook, +and now see the full, feathery tail and silky ears. He is a dog of high +degree."</p> + +<p>"Certain he is, lad," replied the old woman. "Take him to the town and sell +him to some lofty dame who has nothing better to do than brush his curls."</p> + +<p>"I would never sell him," said Gabriel, regarding the dog wistfully. "He is +lonely and so am I. We would stick together if we might."</p> + +<p>"What prevents? Do you fear to take him home lest your father boil him down +for his gold?" and Mother Lemon laughed as she spun.</p> + +<p>"No. My father, I know, would not give him one night's lodging, and in my +perplexity I bethought me to ask you the favor," and Gabriel's honest eyes +looked so squarely at Mother Lemon that she stopped her wheel. "I cannot +keep the dog," continued the boy, "and my heart is heavy."</p> + +<p>"Your father is a curmudgeon," declared the old <a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>woman, for the more she +looked at Gabriel, the more she loved him. "What is it? Would he grudge +food for your pet?"</p> + +<p>"It is not that, but I cannot keep the dog in any case."</p> + +<p>"Why not, pray?"</p> + +<p>For answer Gabriel looked down into the topaz eyes whose regard had +scarcely left his face during the interview. He held up his finger, and +instantly the dog sat up.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a trick dog!" exclaimed Mother Lemon.</p> + +<p>Gabriel began to whistle, and the dance commenced. The old woman pressed +her side as she laughed at the comical, pretty sight of the little dancer, +the fluffy golden threads of whose silky coat gleamed in the sunlight.</p> + +<p>"Your fortune is made," said Mother Lemon as Gabriel ceased. "The dog will +fetch a large price in the town, and because you are a good lad I will try +to keep him for you until to-morrow, when you can go and sell him. If your +father saw his tricks he would, himself, dispose of him and pocket the +cash. I will shut him in an outhouse until you come again, and I only hope +that he will not bark and vex Tommy!"</p> + +<p>To the old woman's surprise Gabriel looked sad. "But you see, Mother +Lemon," he said soberly, "the dog already belongs to somebody."</p> + +<p>"La, la!" cried the old woman. "Why, then, couldn't the somebody keep him?"</p> + +<p>"That I do not know; but to-morrow I set forth with him to find his owner."</p> + +<p>Mother Lemon nodded, and she saw the heaviness <a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>of the boy's heart because +he must part with the golden dog.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well that you leave him with me then, for your father would not +permit that, any more than he would abate one farthing of my rent."</p> + +<p>Gabriel went with her to the rickety shed where Topaz was to spend the +night, but the dog was loath to enter. He seemed to know that it meant +parting with Gabriel. The boy stooped down and talked to him, but Topaz +licked his face and sprang upon him beseechingly. When, finally, they +closed the door with the dog within, the little fellow howled sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure he's hungry, Mother Lemon," said the boy, and a lump seemed to +stick in his throat. "One bone perhaps you could give him?"</p> + +<p>"Alas, I have none, Gabriel. It is not often that Tommy and I sit down to +meat. He is now hunting mice in the fields or he would be lashing his tail +at these strange sounds!"</p> + +<p>Gabriel opened the door and, going back into the shed, spoke sternly to +Topaz, bidding him lie down. The dog obeyed, looking appealingly from the +tops of his gem-like eyes, but when again the door was fastened, he kept an +obedient silence.</p> + +<p>Thanking Mother Lemon and promising to come early in the morning, Gabriel +sped home. His own hunger made his heart ache for the little dog, and when +he entered the cottage he was glad to see that his stepmother was preparing +the evening meal, while his father bent, as usual, over a shabby, +ink-stained desk, absorbed in his endless calculations.</p> + +<p>Gabriel's elder brothers were there, too, talking and <a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>laughing in an +undertone. No one took any notice of Gabriel, whose eye fell on the dusty, +rusty book, and eagerly he picked it up, thinking to see if again he could +find the wonder of the flaming words.</p> + +<p>As he opened it, several verses on the page before him gleamed into light. +In mute wonder he read:—</p> + +<p>"<i>And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many +years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.</i>'</p> + +<p>"<i>But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required +of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?</i>'</p> + +<p>"<i>So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward +God.</i>"</p> + +<p>Gabriel scarcely dared to lift his eyes toward his father, much less would +he have offered to read to him again the flaming words.</p> + +<p>All through the supper time he thought of them and kept very still, for the +others were unusually talkative, his father seeming in such excellent +spirits that Gabriel knew the figures on his desk had brought him +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"But if he did not oppress Mother Lemon," thought the boy, "he would be +richer toward God."</p> + +<p>When the meal was over, Gabriel took a piece of paper and went quietly to +the back of the house where, in a box, was the refuse of the day's cooking. +He found some bones and other scraps, and, running across the fields to +Mother Lemon's, tiptoed to the low shed which held Topaz, and, finding a +wide crack, pushed the bones and scraps within.</p> + +<p>Then he fled home and to bed, for he had always <a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>found that the earlier he +closed his eyes, the shorter was the night.</p> + +<p>This time, however, when his sleepy lids opened, it was not to the light of +day. A candle flame wavered above him and showed the face of his +stepmother, bending down. "Gabriel, Gabriel," she whispered; then, as he +would have replied, she hushed him with her finger on her lips. "I felt +that I must warn you that your father is sorely vexed by the reproof you +gave him to-day. He will send you out into the world, and I cannot prevent +it; but in all that lies in my poor power, I will be your friend forever, +Gabriel, for you are a good boy. Good-night, I must not stay longer," and a +tear fell on the boy's cheek as she kissed him lightly, and then, with a +breath, extinguished the candle and hastened noiselessly away.</p> + +<p>Gabriel lay still, thinking busily for a while; but he was a fearless, +innocent boy, and this threatened change in his fortunes could not keep him +awake long. He soon fell asleep and slept soundly until the dawn.</p> + +<p>Jumping out of bed then, he washed and dressed and went downstairs where +his father awaited him.</p> + +<p>"Gabriel," he said, "you do not grow brighter by remaining at home. I wish +you to go out into the world and shift for yourself. When your fortune is +made, you may return. As you go, however, I am willing to give you a small +sum of money to use until you can obtain work."</p> + +<p>"I will obey you, father," returned the boy, "but as a last favor, I ask +that, in place of the money, you give me the cottage where Mother Lemon +lives."</p> + +<p>The man started and muttered: "He is even stupider <a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>than I believed him." +"You may have it," he added aloud, after a wondering pause.</p> + +<p>"That—and this?" returned Gabriel questioningly, taking up the Book of +Life.</p> + +<p>His father scowled, for he remembered yesterday. "Very well, if you like," +he answered, with a bad grace.</p> + +<p>"Then thank you, father, and I will trouble you no more."</p> + +<p>Gabriel's stepmother could scarcely repress her tears as she gave the boy +his breakfast and prepared him a package of bread and meat to carry on his +journey. Then she gave him a few pence, all she had, and he started off +with her blessing.</p> + +<p>As Gabriel went out into the fresh air, all nature was beautiful around +him. There seemed no end to the blue sky, the wealth of sunshine, the +generous foliage on the waving trees. The birds were singing joyously. All +things breathed a blessing. Gabriel wondered, as he walked along, about the +God who, some one had once told him, made all things. It seemed to him that +it could be only a loving Being who created such beauty as surrounded him +now.</p> + +<p>The little book was clasped in his hand. He suddenly remembered with relief +that he was alone and could read it without fear.</p> + +<p>Eagerly opening it, one verse, as before, flamed into brightness, and +Gabriel read:—</p> + +<p>"<i>He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.</i>"</p> + +<p>How wonderful! Gabriel's heart swelled. God was love, then. He closed the +book. For the first time God <a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>seemed real to him. The zephyrs that kissed +his cheek and the sun that warmed him like a caress, seemed assuring him of +the truth. The birds declared it in their songs.</p> + +<p>Gabriel went down on his knees in the dewy grass and, dropping his bundle, +clasped to his breast the book.</p> + +<p>"Dear God," he said, "I am all alone and I have no one to love but Topaz. +He is a little dog and I must give him up because he doesn't belong to me. +I know now that I shall love you and you will help me give Topaz back, +because my stepmother told me that you know everything, and she always told +the truth."</p> + +<p>Then Gabriel arose and, taking the package of food, went on with a light +heart until he came to Mother Lemon's cottage. Even that poor shanty looked +pleasant in the morning beams. The tall sunflowers near the door flaunted +their colors in the light, and their cheerful faces seemed laughing at +Mother Lemon as she came to the entrance and called anxiously to the +approaching boy:—</p> + +<p>"Come quick, lad, hasten. My poor Tommy is distracted, for your dog whines +and threatens to dig his way out of his prison, and I will not answer for +the consequences."</p> + +<p>Indeed, the tortoise-shell cat was seated on the old woman's shoulder. The +fur stood stiffly on his arched back, his tail was the size of two, and his +eyes glowed.</p> + +<p>Gabriel just glanced at the cat as it opened its mouth and hissed, then he +gazed at Mother Lemon.</p> + +<p>"Did you know there was a God?" he asked earnestly.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>"To be sure, lad," replied the old woman, surprised.</p> + +<p>"I've just learned about Him in this wonderful book; the Book of Life is +its name. Saw you ever one like it?"</p> + +<p>The boy placed the rusty little volume in her hands.</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, many times."</p> + +<p>"Does every one know it?" he asked incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Most people do."</p> + +<p>"Then why is not every one happy?" asked Gabriel. "There is a God and He is +love. Do people believe it?"</p> + +<p>"Ah," returned the old woman dryly, "that is a different thing."</p> + +<p>Gabriel scarcely heard her. He opened his precious book.</p> + +<p>"There," he cried triumphantly, "see the living words:—</p> + +<p>"'<i>Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate +us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord</i>.'"</p> + +<p>"H'm," said the old woman. "The print is too fine for my old eyes."</p> + +<p>"Yes, perhaps 'tis for that that the letters flame like threads of fire. +You see them?"</p> + +<p>"Ahem!" returned Mother Lemon, for she saw no flaming letters, and she +looked curiously at the boy's radiant face. Moreover, Tommy suddenly leaped +from her shoulder to his. All signs of the cat's fear and anger had +vanished, and as it rubbed its sleek fur against Gabriel's cheek, it purred +so loudly that Mother Lemon marveled.</p> + +<p>"Had my father studied this book he might have <a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>been happy," continued the +boy; "but he is offended with me and has sent me out into the world, and +well I know that an unhappy heart drives him."</p> + +<p>"Go back, boy, and make your peace with him," cried Mother Lemon excitedly, +"or you will get nothing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I have received what I asked for. I asked to have this cottage, and he +gave it to me, and I have come now to give it to you, Mother Lemon."</p> + +<p>"My lad!" exclaimed the amazed woman, and her eyes swam with sudden tears.</p> + +<p>"You will have no more rent to pay," said Gabriel, stroking the cat.</p> + +<p>"And what is to become of you?" asked the woman, much moved.</p> + +<p>"I cannot go home," replied the boy quietly; "and in any case I have to +give Topaz, the dog, back to his owner. Why do you weep, Mother Lemon? +Haven't I God to take care of me, and isn't He greater than all men?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, lad. The Good Book says He is king of heaven and earth."</p> + +<p>"Then if you believe it, why are you sad?"</p> + +<p>Mother Lemon dried her eyes, and at this moment they heard a great +scratching on the door of the shed; for Topaz had wakened from a nap and +heard Gabriel's voice.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that I had never given you the penny!" wailed the old woman, "for then +you would not have bought the yellow dog and gone away where I shall see +you no more."</p> + +<p>Gabriel's sober face smiled. "Yes, you will see me <a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>again, Mother Lemon, +when my fortune is made. You have God, too, you know."</p> + +<p>"Ay, boy. I'm nearer Him to-day than for many a long year. My blessing go +with you wherever you are; and now let me have Tommy, that he does not fly +at your dancer, to whom I say good riddance. Good-by, lad, good-by, and God +bless you for your goodness and generosity to a lonely old creature!"</p> + +<p>So saying, Mother Lemon took the cat in her arms, and, going into the +house, fastened the door and pulled down the windows, while Gabriel went to +the shed, and taking out the wooden staple released his prisoner.</p> + +<p>Like a living nugget of gold the little dog leaped and capered about the +boy, expressing his joy by the liveliest antics, barking meanwhile in a +manner to set Tommy's nerves on edge; but Gabriel ran laughing before him +into the forest, not stopping until they reached the brookside, where they +both slaked their thirst. Then he put the Book of Life carefully into his +blouse, and opening the package gave Topaz some of the bread and meat it +contained.</p> + +<p>All the time there was a pain in Gabriel's heart because Topaz, by the +morning light, was gayer, prettier, more loving than ever, and his clear +eyes looked so trustfully into Gabriel's that it was not easy to swallow +the lump that rose in the boy's throat at the thought of parting with him.</p> + +<p>At last the package of food was again tied, and Gabriel was ready to start. +Topaz stood expectantly before him, his eyes gleaming softly, the color of +golden sand as it lies beneath sunlit water.</p> + +<p>The boy sat a moment watching the alert face which <a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>said as plainly as +words: "Whatever you are going to do, I am eager to do it, too."</p> + +<p>Gabriel thoughtfully drew the silky ears through his hands. "God made you, +too, Topaz, and He knows I love you. If it please Him, we shall not find +your master this first day."</p> + +<p>Then he jumped up and searched for a good stick. He tried the temper of a +couple by whipping the air, and when he found one stiff enough, ran it +through the string about the bundle and looked around for Topaz. To his +astonishment the dog had disappeared. He whistled, but there was no sign.</p> + +<p>Gabriel's face grew blank, then flushed as the reason of the dog's flight +flashed upon him. It forced tears into his eyes to think that any one could +have struck the pretty creature, and that Topaz could have suffered enough +to distrust even him.</p> + +<p>He threw down stick and bundle and walked around anxiously, whistling from +time to time. At last his quick eyes caught the gleam of golden color +behind a bush. Even Topaz's fright could not take him far while a doubt +remained; but he was crouching to the ground, and his eyes were appealing. +Gabriel threw himself down beside the little fellow, and for a minute his +wet eyes were pressed to the silky fur, while he stroked his playmate. +Topaz licked his face, and the dog's fear fled forever. He followed Gabriel +back to the place where the bundle was dropped, and the boy patted him +while he took up the stick and set it across his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Topaz's ears flapped with joy as they started on their tramp.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>Gabriel put away all thought of the future and frolicked with his playmate +as they went along, throwing a stick which Topaz would bring, and beg with +short, sharp barks that the boy would throw once more, when he would race +after it like a streak of sunshine, his golden curls flying.</p> + +<p>From time to time Gabriel ran races with him, and no boy at school could +beat Gabriel at running, so Topaz had a lively morning.</p> + +<p>By the time the sun was high in the heavens they were both hungry and glad +to rest. They found the shade of a large tree, and there Gabriel opened his +package again, and when he tied it up it made a very small bundle on the +end of the stick he carried over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>There was not so much running this afternoon. Gabriel and Topaz had come a +long way, and toward evening they began to see the roofs of the town ahead +of them.</p> + +<p>The dog no longer raced to right and left after butterfly and bird, but +trotted sedately at the boy's heel, and after a time Gabriel picked him up +and carried him, for the thought came that perhaps Topaz could earn them a +place to sleep, and Gabriel wished to rest the little legs that could be so +nimble.</p> + +<p>It was nearly dusk when they reached a cultivated field and then a +farmhouse. Some children were playing in the yard, and when they saw a +dusty boy turn in at the gate, they ran to the house crying that a beggar +was coming.</p> + +<p>Their mother came out from the door, and the expression of her face told +plainly that she meant to drive the dusty couple away.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>Gabriel set down the dog and took off his hat, and his clear eyes looked +out of his grimy face.</p> + +<p>"I am not a beggar," he said simply. "I go to the town to return this dog +to its master, but night is coming on, and we should like to sleep on the +hay."</p> + +<p>"How do I know you are not a thief?" returned the woman. "It is not a very +likely story that you are tramping way to town to give back a yellow dog."</p> + +<p>"He is a dog of high degree," declared Gabriel, "and if you will let us +sleep in your barn he will dance for you."</p> + +<p>Upon this the children begged in chorus to see the dog dance, and the +mother consented; so Topaz, when he was bade, sat up, and then, as Gabriel +whistled, the dainty, dusty little white feet began to pirouette, and the +children clapped their hands for joy and would have kept the dancer at his +work until dark, but that Gabriel would not have it so.</p> + +<p>"We have come far," he said. "Let us rest now, and in the morning Topaz +will dance for you again."</p> + +<p>So all consented and escorted the strangers to the barn, where there was a +clean, sweet hay-loft.</p> + +<p>The little dog remembered the night before, and whined under his breath and +wagged his tail as he looked at Gabriel, as if begging the boy not to leave +him.</p> + +<p>Gabriel understood, and patted the silky coat. It took him some minutes to +get rid of the children, who wished to continue to caress and play with +Topaz; but at last they were gone and the two weary wanderers could lie +down on the sweet hay. As Topaz nestled into his arms Gabriel felt very +thankful to God for <a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>their long happy day. If the master should come +to-morrow—well, the only thing to do was to give up his playfellow, and he +should still be grateful for the day and night they had spent together.</p> + +<p>Bright sunlight was streaming through the chinks of the rafters when the +travelers awoke. Sounds of men and horses leaving the barn died away, and +then Gabriel arose and shook himself. Topaz jumped about in delight that +another day had commenced. The boy looked at him wistfully. Was this to be +their last morning together?</p> + +<p>He felt the little book in his blouse and taking it out, opened it. It was +dark in the barn, but, as ever, this wonderful book had a light of its own, +and in tiny letters of flame there appeared this verse:—</p> + +<p>"<i>For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love +and of a sound mind.</i>"</p> + +<p>Much comforted, Gabriel put the dear book back in its hiding-place, and +taking his small bundle, left the barn, the dog bounding after him.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the children of the house seen them coming than they ran +forth to meet them, singing and whistling and crying upon Topaz to dance, +but the dog kept his golden eyes upon his master and noticed no one beside.</p> + +<p>The mother came to the door with a much pleasanter face than she had worn +yesterday.</p> + +<p>"You may go to the pump yonder and wash yourself," she said; and Gabriel +obeyed gladly, wiping his face upon the grass that grew long and rank about +the well.</p> + +<p>The clean face was such a good one that when the <a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>woman saw it she hushed +the children. "Be still until they have had some breakfast," she said, +"then the dog will dance again."</p> + +<p>So Gabriel and Topaz had a comfortable meal which they enjoyed, and +afterward the boy whistled and the dog danced with a good heart, and the +children danced too, for very pleasure. They were all so happy that Gabriel +for the moment forgot his errand.</p> + +<p>"If you will sell your dog I will buy him," said the woman, at last, for +the children had given her no peace when they lay down nor when they rose +up, until she had promised to make this offer.</p> + +<p>Gabriel looked at her frankly, and a shadow fell over his bright face. +"Alas, madam, he is not mine to sell."</p> + +<p>"Where dwells his master, then?"</p> + +<p>"That I know not, for he had strayed and I found him and must restore him +if I can."</p> + +<p>"'Tis a fool's errand," said the woman, who liked the dog herself, and, +moreover, saw that there was money in his nimble feet. "I will give you as +many coppers as you can carry in your cap if you will leave him here and go +your way and say nothing about it to any one."</p> + +<p>Gabriel shook his head. "Alas, madam, he is not mine," was all the woman +could induce him to say, and she thought his sadness was at the thought of +the cap full of pence which she believed he dared not accept for fear of +getting into trouble. Little she knew that if only the golden dog were +Gabriel's very own, no money could buy from the boy the one heart on earth +that beat warmly for him, and the graceful, gay coat <a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>of flossy silk which +he loved to caress; so the farmer's wife and children were obliged to let +the couple go.</p> + +<p>Gabriel had seen, the night before, a creek that wandered through the +meadow, and before entering the town he ran to it and, pulling off his +clothes, jumped in and took a good swim. Barking with delight, Topaz joined +in this new frolic, splashing and swimming about like the jolly little +water dog that he was.</p> + +<p>When, at last, they came out and were dried, and Gabriel was dressed, they +were a fresh looking pair that started out for the town.</p> + +<p>Now Gabriel was not so stupid as his brothers believed, and, as he said +over to himself the verse he had read that morning in the barn, and looked +at Topaz, so winsomely shining after his bath, he began to see how unwise +it would be to tell every one he met that he was searching for Topaz's +owner. There were people in the world, he knew, who would not scruple to +pretend that such a pretty creature was their own, even if they had never +seen him before; so Gabriel determined to be very careful and to know that +God would give him power and a sound mind, if he would not be afraid, as +the Book of Life had said.</p> + +<p>Now the two entered the town; but from the moment their feet struck the +pavements, Topaz's manner changed. He kept so close to Gabriel that the boy +often came near to stepping on him.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, little one?" asked Gabriel, perplexed by his companion's +strange actions. "Don't you know that you are going home?"</p> + +<p>But Topaz did not bark a reply. His feathery tail hung down. He looked at +Gabriel only from the tops <a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>of his eyes as he clung close to his heels, and +he even seemed to the boy to tremble when they crossed the busy streets.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't be afraid, Topaz," said Gabriel stoutly. "No one likes a +coward."</p> + +<p>But Topaz only clung the closer, sometimes looking from left to right, +fearfully. At last his actions were so strange that Gabriel took him up +under his arm. "Perhaps if we meet his owner he can see him the better so," +thought the boy, and he looked questioningly into the faces of men, women, +and children as they passed him by. No one did more than stare at him after +observing the beautiful head that looked out from under his arm.</p> + +<p>One good-natured man smiled in passing and said to Gabriel: "Going to the +palace, I suppose."</p> + +<p>This remark astonished the boy very much, and he looked around after the +man.</p> + +<p>Now there had been some one following Gabriel for the last five minutes, +and when he looked around, this person, who was an organ-grinder, quickly +turned his back and began grinding out a tune. At the first sound of it +Topaz started and trembled violently and snuggled so close to Gabriel that +the latter, who did not connect his action with the music, was dismayed.</p> + +<p>"Topaz, what <i>is</i> the matter?" he asked, and hurried along, thinking to +find some park where he could sit down and try to discover what ailed his +little playfellow.</p> + +<p>As he began to hurry, the organ-grinder's black eyes snapped, and he +stopped playing and beckoned to a big officer of the law who stood near.</p> + +<p>"My dog has been stolen," he exclaimed. "Come with me, after the thief. I +will pay you."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>The big man obeyed and walked along, grumbling: "Is the city full of +stolen dogs, I wonder?" he muttered.</p> + +<p>"It is my dancing dog!" explained the organ-grinder. "The boy yonder is +carrying him in his arms and running away. He will deny it, but I will pay +you a silver coin. It is a week since I lost him."</p> + +<p>"Stop, thief," roared the officer, beginning to run. The organ-grinder ran +as well as he could with his heavy burden, and there began to be an +excitement on the street, so that Gabriel, hugging his dog, stopped to see +what was the matter.</p> + +<p>What was his surprise to be confronted by the big officer and the +black-eyed Italian.</p> + +<p>"Drop that dog!" ordered the officer gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Not till I get a string around his neck," objected the organ-grinder, and +produced a cord which he knotted about Topaz's fluffy throat. Then he +pulled the dog away roughly.</p> + +<p>"Is he yours?" cried Gabriel, eyes and mouth open in astonishment. "No, it +cannot be. He is afraid of you. Oh, see!"</p> + +<p>"Ho, this boy has stolen my whole living," said the organ-grinder, "and now +he tries to claim my property."</p> + +<p>"Do not believe him!" cried Gabriel, appealing to the big officer. "It +cannot be his. The dog loves me. Let me show you."</p> + +<p>"Stand off, stand off," ordered the organ-grinder, for a crowd had +gathered. "Would the dog dance for me if he were not mine? See!" He drew +from his coat a little whip and struck the organ with a snap, at which +Topaz jumped. Then he dropped the dog and <a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>began to grind, and the crowd +saw the trembling animal raise itself to its hind legs and begin to dance. +Oh, the mincing little uncertain steps! No tossing of the yellow curls was +here.</p> + +<p>Gabriel's heart bounded hotly. Did these people think they were seeing +Topaz dance?</p> + +<p>"Oh, believe me, let me show you!" he cried, trying to come near; but the +big officer pushed him away roughly.</p> + +<p>"Can you pay your debts?" he said, coming close to the organ-grinder. The +man stopped turning his crank and taking a silver coin handed it to the +officer, but slyly, so that no one saw. Then the big man turned to Gabriel. +"Now be off from here!" he said sternly. "If you hang about a minute +longer, into the lock-up you go!"</p> + +<p>Gabriel, white and sorry, clasped his hands helplessly, and watched while +the organ-grinder caught Topaz up under his arm and made off with him, down +a side street.</p> + +<p>The boy felt that he must pursue them. He turned his tearful gaze on the +big officer. "I found that dog, sir," he said.</p> + +<p>"The more fool you, then, not to take it to the palace," returned the +other. "It is gaudy enough to have perhaps pleased the princess, and the +organ-grinder would have had to get another slave."</p> + +<p>So saying, the officer laughed and carelessly turned away.</p> + +<p>Gabriel stood still, choking. It must be that the princess wished to buy a +pet. Ah, if he might even have parted with his little friend to her, how +far better it <a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>would have been than this strange, wrong thing that had +happened with such suddenness that the boy could scarcely get his breath +for the way his heart beat.</p> + +<p>He pressed his hand to his streaming eyes, then, seeing that people were +staring at him curiously, he stole away, walking blindly and stumbling over +the rough pavement.</p> + +<p>At last he came to a place in a quiet street where a seat was built into a +wall, and there he sat down and tried to think. In his despair the thought +of the great King of heaven and earth came to him.</p> + +<p>"Dear God," he murmured breathlessly, "what now? What did I wrong, that you +did not take care of Topaz and me?"</p> + +<p>The breeze in the treetops was his only answer; so after listening for a +minute to the soothing sound, he took the Book of Life from his blouse and +opened it.</p> + +<p>Oh, wonderful were the words he saw. How they glowed and seemed to live +upon the gray page.</p> + +<p>"<i>Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the +Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee: He will not fail thee nor +forsake thee</i>."</p> + +<p>Gabriel caught his trembling lip between his teeth. He knew no one in this +crowded city. He had no home, no friends, no money except the few coppers +in his pocket. How, then, was help to come?</p> + +<p>"Dear God," he whispered, "I have no one now in all the world but you. +Topaz is gone and I am grieved sore, for he is wretched. Let me save him. I +am not afraid, dear God, not afraid of anything. I trust you."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>Comforted by a little blind hope that crept into his heart, the boy looked +up; and the first thing that his swollen eyes rested upon was a large +poster affixed to the opposite wall, with letters a foot high. "REWARD!" it +said. "H.R.H. the princess has lost her golden dog. A full reward for his +return to the palace!"</p> + +<p>Gabriel's heart gave a great bound. What golden dog was there anywhere but +Topaz? The color that had fled from his cheeks came back. But would an +organ-grinder dare claim for his own a dog that belonged to a princess of +the country? And yet—and yet—the little dog's joy and light-heartedness +with himself showed that he had been well treated by whomever taught him +his pretty tricks. The organ-grinder did not treat him well, and who that +really knew Topaz would dream of taking a whip to force him to his work!</p> + +<p>Gabriel, young as he was, saw that there was some mystery here, and beside, +there had been the glowing words in the Book of Life, telling him again not +to be afraid, and promising him that the greatest of all kings would not +fail him or forsake him.</p> + +<p>He started up from the seat, but forced himself back and opened the small +bundle of dry bread and meat; for there was no knowing when he should eat +again. He took all that remained, and when he had swallowed the last +crumbs, arose with a determined heart and hurried up the street.</p> + +<p>He asked the first man he met if he could direct him to the palace.</p> + +<p>The man shrugged his shoulders. "Where is your yellow dog?" he asked.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>"I have none," returned Gabriel, "but I have business at the palace."</p> + +<p>The man laughed down at the shabby figure of the country lad. "And don't +know where it is? Well, Follow your nose. You are on the right road."</p> + +<p>Gabriel sped along and he was indeed much nearer than he had supposed; for +very soon he met a sorry-faced man with a yellow dog in his arm; then +another; then another; and in fact he could trace his way to the palace by +the procession of men, women, and children, all returning, and each one +carrying a yellow dog and chattering or grumbling according to the height +from which his hopes had been dashed.</p> + +<p>When Gabriel reached the palace gates he saw that there were plenty more +applicants waiting inside the grounds. The boy had never realized how many +varying sizes and shades of yellow dogs there were in the world.</p> + +<p>The guard had received orders to deny entrance to no person who presented a +gold-colored dog for examination, but Gabriel was empty-handed and the +guard frowned upon him.</p> + +<p>"I wish to see the princess," said the boy.</p> + +<p>"I dare say," replied the guard. "Be off."</p> + +<p>"But I wish to tell her about a golden dog."</p> + +<p>"Can't you see that we are half buried in golden dogs?" returned the guard +crossly.</p> + +<p>"No, sir. I have seen none but yellow dogs since I drew near this place. I +have a tale to tell the princess."</p> + +<p>The guard could not forbear laughing at this simplicity. "Do you suppose +ragamuffins like you approach her highness?" he returned. "A dog's tail is +the only sort she is interested in to-day. See the chamberlain <a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>yonder. He +is red with fatigue. He is choosing such of the lot as are worthy to be +looked at by the princess, and should he see you demanding audience and +with no dog to show, it will go hard with you. Be off!" and the guard's +gesture was one to be obeyed.</p> + +<p>Gabriel withdrew quietly; but he was not daunted. The princess would, +perhaps, grow weary and drive out. At any rate there was nothing to do +except watch for her. He looked at the splendid palace and gardens and +wondered if Topaz had ever raced about there. Then he wondered what the dog +was doing now; but this thought must be put away, because it made Gabriel's +eyes misty, and he must watch, watch.</p> + +<p>At last his patient vigil was rewarded. A splendid coach drawn by +milk-white horses appeared in the palace grounds.</p> + +<p>Gabriel's heart beat fast. He knew he must act quickly and before any one +could catch him; so he made his way cautiously to the shelter of a large, +flowering shrub by the roadside.</p> + +<p>The coach approached and the iron gates were flung wide. Gabriel plainly +saw a young girl with troubled eyes sitting alone within, and on the seat +opposite an older woman with her back to the horses.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, while the carriage still moved slowly outside the gates that +clanged behind it, Gabriel started from his hiding-place and swiftly leaped +to the step of the coach and looked straight into the young girl's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Princess," he exclaimed breathlessly, "I know of a golden dog, and they +will not let me"—but by this time the lady-in-waiting was screaming, and +the guard, <a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>who recognized Gabriel, rushed forth from the gate and, seizing +him roughly, jerked the boy from the step.</p> + +<p>"Unhand him instantly!" exclaimed the princess, her eyes flashing, for the +look Gabriel had given her had reached her heart. "Stop the horses!"</p> + +<p>Instantly the coach came to a standstill.</p> + +<p>"<i>I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee</i>," sounded in Gabriel's ears amid +the roaring in his head, as he found himself free. He did not wait for +further invitation, but jumped back to the coach.</p> + +<p>"Stop screaming, Lady Gertrude!" exclaimed the princess.</p> + +<p>"But the beggar's hands are on the satin, your highness!" exclaimed the +lady-in-waiting, who had had a hard week and wished there was not a yellow +dog in the world.</p> + +<p>"Princess, hear me and you will be glad," declared Gabriel. "I beg for +nothing but to be heard. I believe I know where your dog is and that he +suffers."</p> + +<p>No one could have seen and heard Gabriel as he said this, without believing +him. Tears of excitement sprang to his gray eyes and a pang went through +the heart of the princess. How many times she had wondered if her lost pet +had found such love as she gave him!</p> + +<p>She at once ordered the door of the coach to be opened and that Gabriel +should enter.</p> + +<p>"Your highness!" exclaimed Lady Gertrude, nearly fainting.</p> + +<p>"You may leave us if you please," said the princess, with a little smile; +but Lady Gertrude held her smelling-salts to her nose and remained in the +coach, which <a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>the princess ordered to be driven through a secluded +wood-road.</p> + +<p>Gabriel, sitting beside her on the fine satin cushion, told his story, from +the moment when he found the dingy, brown dog in the hands of the teasing +boys, to the moment when the organ-grinder bore him away.</p> + +<p>The hands of the princess were clasped tightly as she listened. "You called +him Topaz," she said, when the boy had finished. "I called him Goldilocks. +Ah, if it should be the same! If it should!"</p> + +<p>"Surely there are not two dogs in the world so beautiful," said Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"That is what I say to myself," responded the princess.</p> + +<p>"Had he been less wonderful, your highness, he would be safe now, for I +should have kept him. He loved me," said Gabriel simply.</p> + +<p>"You are an honest boy," replied the princess gratefully, "and I will make +you glad of it whether Topaz turns out to be Goldilocks or not. But you say +he danced with so much grace?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness, and tossed his head for glee till his curls waved +merrily."</p> + +<p>"'Tis the same!" cried the princess, in a transport. "His eyes <i>are</i> like +topazes. Your name is the best. He shall have it. Ah, he has slept in a +shed and eaten cold scraps! My Goldilocks!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness, and would be glad to do so still; for he fears his +dark-browed master, and dances with such trembling you would not know him +again."</p> + +<p>"Ah, cruel boy, cease! Take me to him at once. Show my men the spot where +you left him."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>"Your highness must use great care, for if once the organ-grinder suspects +that you are searching for him, no one will ever again see the golden dog; +for the man will fear to be found with him."</p> + +<p>"You are right. I can send out men with orders to examine every hand-organ +in the city."</p> + +<p>"If they were quiet enough it might be done, but I have a better plan."</p> + +<p>"You may speak," returned the princess.</p> + +<p>"When we are alone, your highness," said Gabriel; and the lady-in-waiting +was so amazed at such effrontery that she forgot to use her salts.</p> + +<p>"To the palace," ordered the princess.</p> + +<p>Lady Gertrude gave the order.</p> + +<p>"Does your highness intend to take this—this person to the palace?" she +inquired.</p> + +<p>"I do. He loves my dog, and therefore I would give more for his advice at +this time than for that of the Lord High Chamberlain."</p> + +<p>"Then I have nothing more to say," returned the Lady Gertrude, leaning back +among the cushions; and this was cheering news to her companions.</p> + +<p>What was the astonishment of the guard to see the coach return, still +carrying the rustic lad, who sat so composedly beside the princess, and +dismounted with her at the palace steps.</p> + +<p>Once within, nothing was too fine for Gabriel. A gentleman-in-waiting was +set to serve him in an apartment, which made the boy pinch himself to make +sure he was not dreaming.</p> + +<p>When he had taken a perfumed bath and obediently put on the fine clothing +that was provided for him, he <a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>was summoned to a splendid room where the +princess awaited him, surrounded by her ladies. She was scarcely more than +a child, herself, and the boy wondered how she liked to have so many +critical personages about, to watch her every action.</p> + +<p>As he entered the room, every eye was turned upon him, and the Lady +Gertrude, especially, put up her glass in wonder that this handsome lad +with the serious, fearless eyes, who seemed so at ease in the silks and +satins he now wore, could be the peasant who had jumped on the step of the +coach.</p> + +<p>The princess looked upon him with favor and smiled. "We are ready now," she +said, "to hear what plan you propose for the rescue of the golden dog."</p> + +<p>"Then will your highness kindly ask these ladies to leave us?" returned +Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"Ah, to be sure. I forgot your wish that the communication should be +private."</p> + +<p>Then the princess gave orders that every one should leave the room, and her +companions obeyed reluctantly, the Lady Gertrude above all. She remained +close to the outside of the closed door, ready to fly within at the +slightest cry from her mistress; for the Lady Gertrude could not quite +believe that a boy who had ever worn a calico shirt was a safe person to +leave alone with royalty.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes there was only a low buzz of voices behind the closed +door, then a merry laugh from the princess assailed Lady Gertrude's ears. +It was the first time she had laughed since the disappearance of the golden +dog.</p> + +<p>Before Gabriel slipped between the sheets that night <a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>in his luxurious +chamber, he took the little brown book which had been folded away with his +shabby clothing. His heart glowed with gratitude to God for the help he had +received that day, and when he opened the page it was as if a loving voice +spoke:—</p> + +<p>"<i>Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because +he trusteth in thee</i>."</p> + +<p>"Dear God, I trust in thee!" he murmured; then he climbed into the soft bed +and slept dreamlessly.</p> + +<p>The following morning, the king and queen having given consent to their +daughter's request, two children drove out of the palace grounds in a plain +black carriage. The coachman drove to a confectioner's near the centre of +the town, where the horses stopped. A tall man in dark clothes, who was +also in the carriage, stepped down first and handed out the girl, and +afterward the boy jumped down. Then the carriage rolled away.</p> + +<p>"Remember," said the girl, turning to the tall man, "you are not to remain +too near us."</p> + +<p>He bowed submissively, and in a minute more the girl and boy, plainly +dressed, middle-class people, were looking in at the confectioner's window +at a pink and white frosted castle that reared itself above a cake +surrounded with bon-bons to make one's mouth water.</p> + +<p>"Saw you ever anything so grand, your highness?" exclaimed Gabriel, in awe.</p> + +<p>The princess laughed. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes sparkled. This was +the first time her little feet had ever touched a city street, and she +loved the adventure.</p> + +<p>"Find me Topaz, and all the contents of this window shall be yours," she +returned.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>"I shall not care to have anything until we do find him, your highness," +replied Gabriel simply.</p> + +<p>"You must not call me that. Some one might hear you."</p> + +<p>"I know it. There is danger of it," declared Gabriel; "but the gentleman +who is to follow us said I should lose my head if I treated you +familiarly."</p> + +<p>The princess laughed again. She was in a new world, like a bird whose cage +door had been opened.</p> + +<p>"We need your head until we find Topaz," she replied, "for you have clever +ideas. Nevertheless, my name is Louise, and you may remember it if +necessity arises. Now where shall we go first?"</p> + +<p>"Straight down this street," said the boy, leading the way. "I am expecting +God will show us where to go," he added.</p> + +<p>His companion looked at him in surprise, and Gabriel observed it. "Don't +you know about God?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Of course. Who does not?" she returned briefly.</p> + +<p>"I did not," answered Gabriel, "until I found the Book of Life. It speaks +to me in words of flame. Have you such a book?"</p> + +<p>"No. I will buy it from you," said the princess.</p> + +<p>"No one can do that," declared the boy, "for it is more precious than all +beside. This morning I looked into it for guidance through the day, and the +glowing words were sweet:—</p> + +<p>"'<i>For He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy +ways</i>.'"</p> + +<p>Gabriel smiled at the princess with such gladness that she gazed at him +curiously.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>"You cannot refuse to sell me your book," she said at last, "for I can +have your head taken off if I wish. I am the king's daughter."</p> + +<p>"God is greater than all kings," returned Gabriel, "and He would not allow +it. He helped me to get your attention yesterday, and to-day He is sending +his angels with us to find Topaz. The Book of Life is for every one, I +believe. I am sure you can have one, too."</p> + +<p>Here both the boy and girl started, for there came a metallic sound of +music on the air. "Be cautious, be very cautious," warned Gabriel, and as +the princess started to run, he caught her by the arm, a proceeding which +horrified the tall man in dark clothes who was at some distance back, but +had never taken his eyes from them. "You must not be too interested," added +the boy, as excited as she. "A hand-organ is an every-day affair. We even +hear them in the country at times."</p> + +<p>But they both followed the sound, veiling their eagerness as best they +might. When they came in sight of the organ-grinder they both sighed, for +he had no assistance from a little dog nor from any one else.</p> + +<p>The princess was for turning away impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Wait," said Gabriel, "we are interested in organ music." So he persuaded +her to stand a minute, while her bright eyes roved in all directions; and +the organ man saw a hope of coppers in the pair, for they were decently +dressed and lingered in apparent pleasure. He kept his eyes upon them and +at last held out his cap.</p> + +<p>The princess had plenty of pence in the bag at her <a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>side, placed there by +the thoughtful Gabriel in place of the handful of silver with which she had +intended to reward street musicians.</p> + +<p>"You are one of the common people, your highness; or else you need have no +hope of Topaz," he had reminded her; so now the impatient girl tossed some +coppers into the outstretched cap and hurried along as if they were wasting +time.</p> + +<p>The next organ they found had, sitting upon it, a monkey dressed in red cap +and jacket, and Gabriel insisted on waiting to watch him, although the +sight of his antics only swelled the princess's heart as she thought that +somewhere Topaz was being forced to such indignity.</p> + +<p>The little monkey did not seem to object, and gladly ran to his master with +the coppers that Gabriel dropped in his cap.</p> + +<p>The next organ-grinder they found had with him a little Italian girl with a +red silk handkerchief knotted about her head. She sang and played on a +tambourine, and Gabriel persuaded his companion to watch and listen for a +few minutes.</p> + +<p>If only they could find Topaz first, her royal highness, princess of the +country, would ask nothing better than to roam freely about the streets, +listening and gazing like any other young girl out for a holiday; but Topaz +was on her mind, and she was not accustomed to being forced to wait.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me," murmured Gabriel, as they moved on after making the little +Italian show her white teeth in pleasure at their gift. "Do not frown. You +must look pleased. It is the only way."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>So the princess put a restraint upon herself. With the next organ they +met, she saw a yellow dog who wore a cap fastened under his chin, and sat +up holding a cup in his teeth for pennies, and she set her lips in the +effort to control herself. The dog had long ears and white paws. Gabriel's +own heart beat in his throat, but he grasped the woolen stuff of his +companion's gown as the man began to play. It was not the man of yesterday, +but that mattered not to Gabriel. They waited till the tune was finished, +the gaze of the princess devouring the dog meanwhile. Then the little +creature trotted up to them very prettily on his hind legs, offering his +cup, and the children dropped into it coppers while they looked into the +yellow eyes.</p> + +<p>"Hi—Oh—Hi—Oh"—and another tune broke into the one which their +organ-grinder commenced. Following the sound of the call, Gabriel and the +princess looked a little way off, across the street, and beheld a street +musician grinding away and beckoning to them with his head, while his teeth +gleamed in an attractive smile.</p> + +<p>"Pay no attention to him," said the man with the yellow dog, grinding +lustily, and making a frightful discord. "'Tis Pedro and his little brown +beast. He seeks to draw my listeners away as if I had not the most +intelligent dog in the universe, and, moreover, of the color which the +princess has made fashionable. I doubt not if her highness saw my dog she +would give me for him as many gold eagles as I have fingers on my hand; but +he is not for the princess, who has joys enough without depriving the +children on the street of their pleasures."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>The girl in the brown woolen gown was clasping her hands painfully +together, and her heart was beating with hope; but Gabriel shook his head +at her, and she remained quiet. He had already seen that the dog was not +Topaz, although astonishingly like him in size and shape.</p> + +<p>Pedro, across the street, kept drawing nearer, as he played and smiled and +beckoned with his head. There trotted after him an unpromising little brown +dog with limp tail and ears. The man, in his good-nature and success, +looked very different from the organ-grinder of yesterday; and as he +laughed aloud, the master of the yellow dog frowned and shouted something +in Italian back at him, before shouldering his organ and tramping away, his +dog very glad to go on all fours again.</p> + +<p>Pedro pulled off his hat, smiling at the lingering girl and boy. "He says +you have given him all your coppers," he said. "I don't believe it; but in +any case I will give you a tune."</p> + +<p>"You are letting him go," murmured the princess breathlessly, starting to +run after the yellow dog.</p> + +<p>"Saw you not 'twas not Topaz?" asked Gabriel, under cover of the lively +tune, and again seizing a fold of the woolen gown, he held the girl in her +place. "Wait," he said aloud, with a show of interest, "I wish to hear the +music."</p> + +<p>"Let me go, my heart is sick," returned the princess, turning her head +away.</p> + +<p>Gabriel pretended to frown at her and pulled some pence from his pocket, at +sight of which the organ-grinder's eyes brightened and he played harder +than ever.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>"Can you be strong, princess?" asked the boy distinctly. "Don't look now, +but Topaz has come to us."</p> + +<p>The princess started, and instead of obeying, looked closely first at the +dejected little brown dog and then up and down the street and behind her, +but in vain.</p> + +<p>"If those pence are for me, my boy," said the organ-grinder, stopping his +music, "you and your sister shall see my dog dance. He is the wonder of the +world, although he is not much to look at. We cannot all be royal and own +golden dogs."</p> + +<p>Gabriel threw him the pennies, for he did not yet wish to come too near +Topaz, lest the little dog might see deeper than the respectable raiment in +which his own brother would not have known him.</p> + +<p>The boy clapped his hands above his head; the organ-grinder thought it was +for joy, but it was a signal agreed upon. A shrill whistle sounded on the +air. The organ-grinder knew the sound and knew that it was intended to +summon the officers of the law. He wondered what poor wretch was getting +into trouble; but it was none of his business. He took a whip from within +his coat, and with it struck the organ a violent snap.</p> + +<p>At the sound the little dog jumped. The princess noticed that Gabriel's +eyes were fixed on him, and wondered what he could be thinking of to +confound this sorry-looking, dull-colored animal with her gay companion of +the palace garden.</p> + +<p>The music began, the dog reared himself patiently upon his hind feet and +stepped about so slowly that the organ-man growled at him and struck the +organ again. Then the dancer moved faster; but the ears did <a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>not fly and +every motion was a jerk. Nevertheless, the princess's heart had now begun +to suffocate her. She recalled Gabriel's story of washing off the brown +color from the dingy fur in the brook, and her eyes swam with tears at the +mere possibility that this might be the object of her search. She had just +sense enough to keep still and leave everything to Gabriel. Here, too, +approached the tall gentleman, followed by an officer of the law. Gabriel +saw at a glance that it was the same big fellow who had driven him away +yesterday.</p> + +<p>The tall, dignified gentleman-in-waiting looked in disgust at the stiff +little brown dancer.</p> + +<p>"This foolish peasant is but getting us into trouble," he thought, "but he +will suffer for it."</p> + +<p>Indeed, Gabriel knew the law of the land; knew that if he accused the +organ-grinder wrongfully he would be walked off to prison in his place; but +Gabriel had seen the brown dog's eyes. There were no doubts in his heart, +which bounded so that it seemed as if it could hardly stay within his +bosom.</p> + +<p>"Come away, your highness," murmured the gentleman-in-waiting, in the +princess's ear. "This is a farce."</p> + +<p>"Stand back and wait," she replied sternly, and he obeyed.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the organ-grinder had observed the newcomers and was showing +every tooth in his head at the prospect of a rich harvest of coppers. In a +minute he ceased playing. The brown dog dropped to all fours, and his +hopeless air sent a pang through the princess.</p> + +<p>The organ-grinder held out his cap.</p> + +<p>"I don't think much of your dog's dancing," said<a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a> Gabriel, looking him in +the eye. "I could make him do better, myself."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't do to use the whip too much," replied the organ-grinder, but +Gabriel had already gone on his knees beside the dog and whispered to him. +Instantly the little creature went into a transport of delight. Bounding to +the boy's breast, it clung there so closely that Gabriel gave up the +experiment that he had intended of trying to show the organ-man how his +slave could dance.</p> + +<p>Rising, Gabriel held the panting Topaz in his arms. "I declare," he said +aloud, "I declare this to be the princess's lost dog."</p> + +<p>The organ-grinder scowled and grew pale. "'Tis a lie," he cried, "hers was +a golden dog."</p> + +<p>"This is a golden dog," said Gabriel.</p> + +<p>Even the gentleman-in-waiting was impressed by the certainty of the boy's +voice. The organ-grinder turned to the officer and shook his fist. "'Tis +that boy again!" he cried. "If this is the princess's dog, that boy stole +him. As for me, I found the poor creature, friendless and lost, and I took +pity on him."</p> + +<p>"Why, then, did you stain his coat?" asked Gabriel.</p> + +<p>The organ-grinder looked wildly up and down the street. For some reason he +felt that a silver coin would not affect the officer of the law to-day.</p> + +<p>The gentleman-in-waiting pointed sternly at the culprit. "Take him away," +he said to the officer. "Should this prove to be indeed the princess's dog, +he has committed treason."</p> + +<p>And now the black carriage and spirited horses drove <a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>up. The three entered +it with the dog and were whirled away.</p> + +<p>By noon it was rumored in that street that her royal highness, the princess +of the land, had walked through it, dressed like one of the common people.</p> + +<p>Within the carriage the princess was weeping tears of joy above her pet.</p> + +<p>"If it is you, Goldilocks, if it is you!" she kept repeating; but the dog +clung to the one who had recognized his topaz eyes in spite of everything.</p> + +<p>"He is not fit, yet, for your highness to touch," said Gabriel, "but if you +will give me one hour, I will show him to you unchanged."</p> + +<p>That afternoon there was rejoicing at the palace. All had felt the +influence of the princess's grief, for she was the idol of the king and +queen; and now, as Topaz capered again, a living sunbeam, through corridor +and garden, all had a word of praise for the peasant boy who had restored +him to his home.</p> + +<p>At evening the princess received a message from Gabriel and ordered that he +be sent to her.</p> + +<p>In a minute he entered, dressed in the shabby garments in which he had +leaped upon the coach step. In his hand he held a little rusty book, and +his clear eyes looked steadily at the princess, with the honest light which +had first made her listen to him.</p> + +<p>"I come to say farewell, your highness," he said.</p> + +<p>A line showed in her forehead. "What reward have they given you?"</p> + +<p>"None, your highness."</p> + +<p>"What have you in your hand?"</p> + +<p>"The Book of Life."</p><p><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a></p> + +<p>"Come nearer and let me see it."</p> + +<p>The ladies-in-waiting were, as usual, grouped near their mistress, and they +stared curiously at the peasant boy.</p> + +<p>Only Topaz, who at his entrance had bounded from a satin cushion as golden +as his flossy coat, leaped upon him with every sign of affection.</p> + +<p>Gabriel approached and handed the book to the princess.</p> + +<p>She opened it and ran her eye over the gray pages. "I see no fiery +letters," she said, and handed it back. The boy opened it. As usual a +flaming verse arrested his eye. He pointed with his finger at the words and +read aloud:—</p> + +<p>"'<i>He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in +trouble: I will deliver him and honor him</i>.'"</p> + +<p>"'Tis a fair promise," said the princess, "but I see no flaming letters."</p> + +<p>"I do, your highness," returned Gabriel simply, and looking into his eyes +she knew that he spoke the truth.</p> + +<p>She gazed at him curiously. "Where go you now, and what do you do?" she +asked, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"That I know not," replied Gabriel, "but God will show me."</p> + +<p>"By means of that book?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your highness," and Gabriel bowed his head and moved toward the door. +Topaz followed close at his heel. If Gabriel were going for a walk, why, so +much the better. He was going, too.</p> + +<p>The boy smiled rather sadly, for he knew the golden dog loved him, and +there was no one else anywhere who <a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>cared whether he went or came. He +stooped and, picking up the little creature, carried him to the princess. +"You will have to hold him from following me, your highness."</p> + +<p>The girl took the dog, but he struggled and broke from her grasp, to leap +once again upon his departing friend.</p> + +<p>"Wait," said the princess, and rose. Gabriel stood, all attention, and +gazed at her, where she stood, smiling kindly upon him. "I promised a full +reward to whomever returned me my dog. You have not yet received even the +window-full of pink and white sweetmeats which I promised you this +morning."</p> + +<p>Gabriel smiled, too.</p> + +<p>"Where is your home, Gabriel, and why are you not returning there?"</p> + +<p>"I have no home. It is a long story, your highness, and would not interest +you."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but it does interest me," and the princess smiled more brightly than +ever; "because if you have no home you can remain in our service."</p> + +<p>A light flashed into Gabriel's sober face. "What happiness!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>No answer could have pleased the princess better than the pleasure in his +eyes. "Topaz is not willing you should leave him, and neither am I. When +you are older, his majesty, my father, will look after your fortunes. For +the present you shall be a page."</p> + +<p>"Your highness!" protested the Lady Gertrude, "have you considered? The +pages are of lofty birth. Will it not go hard with the peasant? Give him a +purse and let him go."</p><p><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a></p> + +<p>The princess answered but did not remove her gaze from the boy's flushed +face, while Topaz's cold little nose nestled in his down-dropped hand.</p> + +<p>"Gabriel is my friend, be he prince or peasant," she said slowly, "and it +will go hard with those who love him not." The young girl's eyes met +Gabriel's and then she smiled as light-heartedly as on this morning when +she wore the woolen gown. "And now make Topaz dance," she added, "the way +he danced in the woods."</p> + +<p>The boy's happy glance dropped to the dog, and he raised his finger. With +alacrity Topaz sat up, and then Gabriel began to whistle.</p> + +<p>How the court ladies murmured with soft laughter, for no one had ever seen +such a pretty sight. Not for any of them, not for the princess herself, had +Topaz danced as he danced to-day.</p> + +<p>"Ah," murmured the princess, "how much more powerful than the whip is +love!"</p> + +<p>When music and dancing had ceased, she smiled once more upon Gabriel, whose +happy heart was full.</p> + +<p>"Go now," she said, "and learn of your new duties; but the chief one you +have learned already. It is to be faithful!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE TALKING DOLL</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Evringham's horseback rides in these days were apt to be accompanied by +the stories, which Jewel related to him with much enthusiasm while they +cantered through wood-roads, and it is safe to say that the tales furnished +full as much entertainment at second hand as they had at first.</p> + +<p>The golden dog had deeply impressed Jewel's fancy, and when she finished +relating the story, her face all alight, Mr. Evringham shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Star is going to have his hands full, I can see," he remarked, restraining +Essex Maid's longing for a gallop.</p> + +<p>"Why, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"To hold his own against that dog."</p> + +<p>Jewel looked thoughtful. "I suppose it wouldn't be any use to try to teach +Star to dance, would it?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. Ponies learn to dance. We shall have to go to a circus and let +you see one; but how should you like it every time Star heard a band or a +hand-organ to have him get up on his hind legs and begin?"</p> + +<p>Jewel laughed and patted her pony's glossy neck. "I guess I like Star best +the way he is," she replied, "but grandpa, did you ever <i>hear</i> of such a +darling dog?"</p> + +<p>"I confess I never did," admitted the broker.</p><p><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a></p> + +<p>"I should think there was some trick Star could learn," said Jewel +musingly.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course there is. Tell Zeke you wish to teach Star to shake hands. +He'll help you."</p> + +<p>This idea pleased Jewel very much, and in the fullness of time the feat was +accomplished; but by the time the black pony had learned that he must lift +his little hoof carefully and put it in his mistress's hand, before his +lump of sugar was forthcoming, he wished, like the Lady Gertrude, that +there had never been a yellow dog in the world.</p> + +<p>When next Mrs. Evringham, Jewel, and Anna Belle settled in the ravine to +the reading of a story, it was Jewel's turn to choose. When her mother had +finished naming the remaining titles, the child hesitated and lifted her +eyebrows and shoulders as she gave the reader a meaning glance. Mrs. +Evringham wondered what was in her mind, and, after a minute's thought, +Jewel turned to Anna Belle, sitting wide-eyed against a tree.</p> + +<p>"Just excuse me one minute, dearie," she said; then, coming close to her +mother's ear, she whispered:—</p> + +<p>"Is there anything in 'The Talking Doll' to hurt Anna Belle's feelings?"</p> + +<p>"No, I think she'd rather like it," returned Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"You see," whispered Jewel, "she doesn't know she's a doll."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," said Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p>Jewel sat back: "I choose," she said aloud, "I choose 'The Talking Doll.'"</p> + +<p>As Anna Belle only maintained her usual amiable <a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>look of interest, Mrs. +Evringham proceeded to read aloud as follows:—</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>When Gladys opened her eyes on her birthday morning, the sun was streaming +across her room, all decorated in rose and white. It was the prettiest room +any little girl could have, and everything about the child looked so +bright, one would have expected her to laugh just for sympathy with the gay +morning; but as she sat up in bed she yawned instead and her eyes gazed +soberly at the dancing sunbeams.</p> + +<p>"Ellen," she called, and a young woman came into the room.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're awake, Miss Gladys. Isn't this a fine birthday Mother Nature's +fixed up for you?"</p> + +<p>The pleasant maid helped the little girl to bathe and dress, and, as the +toilet went on, tried to bring a cheerful look into Gladys's face. "Now +what are you hoping your mother has for you?" she asked, at last.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned the child, very near a pout. "There isn't anything +I want. I've been trying to think what I'd like to have, and I can't think +of a thing." She said this in an injured tone, as if the whole world were +being unkind to her.</p> + +<p>Ellen shook her head. "You are a very unlucky child," she returned +impressively.</p> + +<p>"I am not," retorted Gladys, looking at Ellen in astonishment. The idea +that she, whom her father and mother watched from morning until night as +their greatest treasure, could be called unlucky! She had never expressed a +wish in her life that had not been gratified. "You mustn't say such things +to me,<a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a> Ellen," added the child, vexed that her maid did not look sorry for +having made such a blunder.</p> + +<p>Ellen had taken care of her ever since she was born, and no one should know +better what a happy, petted life she had led; but Ellen only shook her head +now; and when Gladys was dressed she went down to the dining-room where her +parents were waiting to give her a birthday greeting.</p> + +<p>They kissed her lovingly, and then her mother said:—</p> + +<p>"Well, what does my little girl want for her gift?"</p> + +<p>"What have you for me?" asked Gladys, with only faint interest. She had +closets and drawers full of toys and books and games, and she was like a +person who has been feasted and feasted, and then is asked to sit down +again at a loaded table.</p> + +<p>For answer her mother produced from behind a screen a beautiful doll. It +was larger and finer than any that Gladys had owned, and its parted, rosy +lips showed pearly little teeth within.</p> + +<p>Gladys looked at it without moving, but began to smile. Then her mother put +her hand about the doll's waist and it suddenly said: "Ma-ma—Pa-pa."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if she can talk!" cried Gladys, looking quite radiant for a minute, +and running forward she took the doll in her arms.</p> + +<p>"Her name is Vera," said the mother, happy at having succeeded in pleasing +her child. "Here is something that your grandmother sent you, dear. Isn't +it a quaint old thing?" and Gladys's mother showed her a heavy silver bowl +with a cover. On the cover was engraved, "It is more blessed to give than +to receive."</p><p><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a></p> + +<p>"I don't know where your grandma found such an odd thing nor why she sent +it to a little girl; but she says it will be an heirloom for you."</p> + +<p>Gladys looked at the bowl and handled it curiously. The cover fitted so +well and the silver was so bright she was rather pleased at having, such a +grown-up possession.</p> + +<p>"It is evidently valuable," said her mother. "I will have it put with our +silver."</p> + +<p>"No," returned Gladys, and her manner was the willful one of a spoiled +child. "I want it in my room. I like it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well," answered her mother. "Grandma will be glad that you are +pleased."</p> + +<p>An excursion into the country had been planned for Gladys to-day. She had +some cousins there, a girl of her own age and a boy a little older. She had +not seen Faith and Ernest for five years. Their father and mother were away +on a long visit now, so the children were living in the old farmhouse with +an aunt of their father's to take care of them. Gladys's mother thought it +would be a pleasant change for her in the June weather, and it was an +attractive idea to Gladys to think of giving these country cousins a sight +of her dainty self, her fine clothes, and perhaps she would take them one +or two old toys that she liked the least; but the coming of Vera put the +toy idea completely out of her head. What would Faith say to a doll who +could talk!</p> + +<p>Gladys was in haste now for the time to come to take the train; and as Vera +was well supplied with various costumes, the doll was soon arrayed, like +her little <a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>mamma, in pretty summer street-dress and ready to start.</p> + +<p>Gladys's father had a guest to-day, so his wife remained at home with him, +and Ellen took charge of the birthday excursion.</p> + +<p>Driving to the station and during the hour's ride on the train, Gladys was +in gay spirits, chattering about her new doll and arranging its pretty +clothes, and each time Vera uttered her words, the child would laugh, and +Ellen laughed with her. Gladys was a girl ten years old, but to the maid +she was still a baby, and although Ellen thought she saw the child's +parents making mistakes with her every day, she, like them, was so relieved +when Gladys was good-natured that she joined heartily in the little girl's +pleasure now over her birthday present.</p> + +<p>"Won't Faith's eyes open when she sees Vera?" asked Gladys gayly.</p> + +<p>"I expect they will," returned Ellen. "What have you brought with you for +her and her brother?"</p> + +<p>The child shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing. I meant to but I forgot it, +because I was so pleased with Vera. Isn't her hair sweet, Ellen?" and +Gladys twisted the soft, golden locks around her fingers.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it would have been nice to bring something for those children. +They don't have so much as you do."</p> + +<p>"Of course not. I don't believe they have much of anything. You know +they're poor. Mother sends them money sometimes, so it's all right." And +Gladys poked the point of her finger within Vera's rosy lips and touched +her little white teeth.</p><p><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a></p> + +<p>Ellen shook her head and Gladys saw it and pouted. "Why didn't <i>you</i> think +of it, then, or mother?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You won't have somebody to think for you all your life," returned Ellen. +"You'd better be beginning to think about other people yourself, Gladys. +What's that it said on your grandmother's silver bowl?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know. Something about giving and receiving."</p> + +<p>"Yes. 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' that's what it said," +and Ellen looked hard at her companion, though with a very soft gaze, too; +for she loved this little girl because she had spent many a wakeful night +and busy day for her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember," returned Gladys. "Grandma had that put on because she +wanted me to know how much she would rather give me things than have people +give things to her. Anyway, Ellen, if you are going to be cross on my +birthday I wish mother had come with me, instead;" and a displeased cloud +came over the little-girl's face, which Ellen hastened to drive away by +changing the subject. She knew her master and mistress would reprove her +for annoying their idol. They always said, when their daughter was +unusually naughty or selfish, "Oh, Gladys will outgrow all these things. We +Won't make much of them."</p> + +<p>By the time they reached the country station, Gladys's spirits were quite +restored and, carrying her doll, she left the train with Ellen.</p> + +<p>Faith and Ernest were there to meet them. No wonder the children did not +recognize each other, for they had been so young when last they met; and +when<a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a> Gladys's curious eyes fell upon the country girl, she felt like a +princess who comes to honor humble subjects with a visit.</p> + +<p>Faith and Ernest had never thought about being humble subjects. Their rich +relative who lived in some unknown place and sometimes sent their mother +gifts of money and clothing had often roused their gratitude, and when she +had written that their cousin Gladys would like to visit the farm on her +birthday, they at once set their wits to work to think how they could make +her have a good time. They always had a good time themselves, and now that +vacation had begun, the days seemed very full of fun and sunshine. They +thought it must be hard to live in a city street as their mother had +described, it to them, and even though she was away now and could not +advise them, they felt as if they could make Gladys enjoy herself.</p> + +<p>Faith's hair was shingled as short as her brother's, and her gingham frock +was clean and fresh. She watched each person descend from the train, and +when a pretty girl with brown eyes and curls appeared, carrying a large +doll, Faith's bright gaze grew brighter, and she was delighted to find that +it was Gladys. She took it for granted that kind-faced Ellen, so well +dressed in black, was her aunt, and greeted her so, but Gladys's brown eyes +widened.</p> + +<p>"My mother couldn't come, for father needed her," she explained. "This is +my maid, Ellen."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Faith, much impressed by such elegance. "We thought aunt Helen +was coming. Ernest is holding the horse over here," and she led the way to +a <a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>two-seated wagon where a twelve-year-old boy in striped shirt and old +felt hat was waiting.</p> + +<p>Faith made the introductions and then helped Gladys and Ellen into the back +seat of the wagon, all unconscious of her cousin's wonder at the absence of +silver mountings and broadcloth cushions. Then Faith climbed over the wheel +into the seat beside her brother, and the horse started. She turned about +so as to talk more easily with her guest.</p> + +<p>"What a beautiful doll!" she said admiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Gladys, "this is my birthday, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, is it new? I thought it was! Hasn't she the prettiest clothes? +Have you named her yet?"</p> + +<p>"Her name is Vera. Mother says it means true, or truth, or something like +that."</p> + +<p>Ernest turned half around to glance at the object of the girls' admiration; +but he thought Gladys herself a much more attractive creature than the +doll.</p> + +<p>"I suppose your cousin Gladys can't ask you to admire her doll much, Master +Ernest," said Ellen. She liked these rosy children at once, and the fresh, +sunlit air that had painted their cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's pretty enough," returned Ernest, turning back and clucking to the +horse.</p> + +<p>Gladys enjoyed Faith's pleasure. She would not try to show off Vera's +supreme accomplishment in this rattlety-banging wagon. How it did jounce +over occasional stones in the country road!</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 311px;"> +<img src="images/image200.jpg" width="311" height="477" alt=""I HEAR A SHEEP"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I HEAR A SHEEP"</span> +</div> + +<p>Ellen smiled at her as the child took hold of her arm in fear of losing her +balance. "That was a 'thank-ye-ma'am,'" she said, as the wagon suddenly +bounded <a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>over a little hillock. "Didn't you see what a pretty curtsy we all +made?"</p> + +<p>But Gladys thought it was rather uncomfortable and that Ernest drove too +fast, considering the state of the toads.</p> + +<p>"This wagon has such nice springs," said Faith. She was eager to take Vera +into her own hands, but no wonder Gladys liked to hold her when she had +only had her such a short time.</p> + +<p>Aunt Martha was standing on the piazza to welcome the company when they +arrived. She was an elderly woman with spectacles, and it had to be +explained to her, also, that Ellen was not Gladys's mother.</p> + +<p>The maid was so well dressed in her quiet street suit that aunt Martha +groaned in spirit at first at the prospect of caring for a fashionable city +servant; and it was a relief when the stranger looked up and said +pleasantly: "I'm just Ellen."</p> + +<p>There was an hour left before dinner, and Faith and Ernest carried Gladys +off to a place they called the grove. The farmhouse was painted in light +yellow and white. It was built on a grassy slope, and at the foot of a +gentle hill a pretty pond lay, and out from this flowed a brook. If one +kept quite still he could hear the soft babble of the little stream even +from the piazza. Nearer by was a large elm-tree, so wide-spreading that the +pair of Baltimore orioles who hung their swaying nest on one limb scarcely +had a bowing acquaintance with the robins who lived on the other side. The +air was full of pleasant scents, and Gladys followed her hosts willingly, +far to the right side of the house, where a stone wall divided the grounds +from a piece of woodland.<a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a> Her cousins bounded over the wall, and she tried +to find a safe spot for her dainty, thin shoe, the large doll impeding her +movements.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let me take her!" cried Faith eagerly, seeing her cousin's +predicament; and as she carefully lifted the beautiful Vera, she added: +"Help Gladys over, Ernest."</p> + +<p>Ernest was very unused to girls who had to be helped, and he was rather +awkward in trying to give his cousin assistance, but as Gladys tetered on +the unsteady stones, she grasped his strong shoulder and jumped down.</p> + +<p>"Father and Ernest cleared this grove out for us," explained Faith. All the +underbrush had been carried away and the straight, sweet-smelling pines +rose from a carpet of dry needles. A hammock was swung between two trees. +It was used more by the children's mother than by them, as they were too +active to care for it; but Gladys immediately ran toward it, her recovered +doll in her arms, and seated herself in the netting. Her cousins regarded +her admiringly as she sat there pushing herself with her dainty shoe-tips.</p> + +<p>"I'll swing you," said Ernest, and running to her side began with such a +will that Gladys cried out:—</p> + +<p>"Oh, not so hard, not so hard!" and the boy dropped his hands, abashed.</p> + +<p>Now, while they were both standing before her, was a good time for Gladys +to give them her great surprise; so she put her hands about Vera's waist, +and at once "Ma-ma—Pa-pa" sounded in the still grove.</p> + +<p>Ernest pricked up his ears. "I hear a sheep," he said, looking about.</p><p><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a></p> + +<p>Gladys flushed, but turning toward Faith for appreciation, she made the +doll repeat her accomplishment.</p> + +<p>"It's that dear Vera!" cried Faith, falling on her knees in the pine +needles before Gladys. "Oh, make her do it again, Gladys, please do!"</p> + +<p>Her visitor smiled and complied, pleased with her country cousin's delight.</p> + +<p>"Think of a doll that can talk!" cried Faith.</p> + +<p>"I think she bleats," laughed Ernest, and he mimicked Vera's staccato +tones.</p> + +<p>Faith laughed, too, but Gladys gave him a flash of her brown eyes.</p> + +<p>"A boy doesn't know anything about dolls," said Faith. "I should think +you'd be the happiest girl, Gladys!"</p> + +<p>"I am," returned Gladys complacently. "What sort of a doll have you, +Faith?"</p> + +<p>"Rag, tag, and bobtail," laughed Ernest.</p> + +<p>"Now you keep still," said his sister. "I'll show you my dolls when we go +to dinner, Gladys. I don't play with them very much because Ernest doesn't +like to, and now it's vacation we're together a lot, you know; but I just +love them, and if you were going to stay longer we'd have a lot of fun."</p> + +<p>Faith looked so bright as she spoke, Gladys wished she had brought +something for her. She wasn't so sure about Ernest. He was a nice-looking, +strong boy, but he had made fun of Vera. At present he was letting off some +of his superfluous energy by climbing a tree.</p> + +<p>"Look out for the pitch, Ernest," said his sister warningly. "See, Gladys, +I have a horse out here,"<a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a> and Faith went to where the low-growing limb of +a pine sprang flexibly as she leaped upon it into an imaginary side-saddle. +Gladys smiled at her languidly, as she bounded gayly up and down.</p> + +<p>"I have a pony," returned Gladys, rocking gently in her swinging cradle.</p> + +<p>"That must be splendid," said Faith. "Ernest rides our old Tom bareback +around the pasture sometimes, but I can't."</p> + +<p>Very soon the children were called to dinner, and wonderfully good it +tasted to Gladys, who took note of cottage cheese, apple-butter, and +doughnuts, and determined to order them at home the very next day.</p> + +<p>As they were all rising from the table, a telegraph boy drove up in a +buggy, and a telegram was handed to Ellen. Her face showed surprise as she +read it, and she looked at aunt Martha.</p> + +<p>"Could we stay here a few days?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Ellen?" demanded Gladys.</p> + +<p>"Your father's friend wants him and your mother to take a trip with him, +and your mother thinks you might like to stay here a while. I'm to answer, +and she will send some clothes and things."</p> + +<p>Aunt Martha had already learned to like good, sensible Ellen, and she +replied cordially; so a telegram went back by the messenger boy, and Faith +and Gladys both jumped up and down with pleasure at the prolonging of the +visit. Ernest looked pleased, too. In spite of Gladys's rather languid, +helpless ways, he admired her very much; so the children scampered away, +being left this time on a chair in the parlor.</p> + +<p>"Do you like turtles?" asked Faith of the guest.</p><p><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a></p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned Gladys.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you ever see any?" asked Ernest in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe so."</p> + +<p>"Then come on!" cried the boy, with a joyous whoop. "We'll go +turtle-hunting."</p> + +<p>Gladys skipped along with them until they reached the brook.</p> + +<p>"Now Ernest will walk on that side of the water," said Faith, "and you and +I will go on this."</p> + +<p>"But what are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>"Watch for turtles. You'll see."</p> + +<p>Ernest jumped across the brook. Gladys walked along the soft grass behind +Faith, and the bubbling little stream swirled around its stones and gently +bent its grasses as it ran through the meadow.</p> + +<p>In a minute Faith's practiced eye caught sight of a dark object on a stone +directly in front of them.</p> + +<p>It was a turtle sunning himself. His black shell was covered with bright +golden spots, and his eyes were blinking slowly in the warm light.</p> + +<p>"Quick, Ernest!" cried Faith, for it was on his side.</p> + +<p>He sprang forward, but not quickly enough. The turtle had only to give one +vigorous push of his hind feet and, plump, he fell into the water. +Instantly the brook became muddy at that point, for Mr. Turtle knew that he +must be a very busy fellow if he escaped from the eager children who were +after him.</p> + +<p>He burrowed into the soft earth while Ernest and Faith threw themselves +flat on their stomachs. Gladys opened her brown eyes wide to see her +cousins, their <a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>sleeves stripped up, plunging their hands blindly about +hoping to trap their reluctant playfellow.</p> + +<p>Ernest was successful, and bringing up the muddy turtle, soused him in the +water until his golden spots gleamed again.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Faith, "we have him. Let me show him to Gladys, please, +Ernest," and the boy put the turtle into the hand stretched across to him.</p> + +<p>As soon as the creature found that kicking and struggling did not do any +good, it had drawn head, legs, and tail into its pretty shell house.</p> + +<p>Faith put him into Gladys's hand, but the little city girl cried out and +dropped him on the grass.</p> + +<p>"Oh, excuse me," laughed Faith. "I thought you wanted to see it."</p> + +<p>"I do, but I don't believe I want to touch it."</p> + +<p>"Why, they're the dearest, cleanest things," said Faith, and picking up the +turtle she showed her cousin its pretty under shell of cream color and +black, and the round splashes of gold on its black back.</p> + +<p>"But I saw it kicking and scratching Ernest, and putting its head way out," +said Gladys doubtfully, "and I don't like to hold it because it might put +out all its legs and things again."</p> + +<p>Faith laughed. "It only has four legs and a cunning little tail; and we +know how to hold it so it can't scratch us, anyway; but it won't put out +its head again until it thinks we've gone away, because this is an old one. +See, the shell covers my hand all over. The littler ones are livelier and +more willing to put out their heads. I don't believe we've had this one +before, Ernest," added Faith, examining the creature. "We <a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>nearly always +use the big ones for horses," she explained, "and then there's a gimlet +hole through the shell."</p> + +<p>"Who would do that?" exclaimed Gladys, drawing back.</p> + +<p>"Ernest. Why!" observing her cousin's look of horror. "It doesn't hurt +them. We wouldn't hurt them for anything. We just love them, and if they +weren't geese they'd love us, too."</p> + +<p>"Use them for horses? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Why, they draw my smallest dolls in lovely chariots."</p> + +<p>"Oh," returned Gladys. This sounded mysterious and interesting. She even +took the clean, compact shell into her hands for a minute before Faith +gathered up her dress skirt and dropped the turtle into it, the three +proceeding along the brook side, taking up their watch again.</p> + +<p>The warm, sunny day brought the turtles out, and the next one they saw was +not larger than the palm of Ernest's hand. It was swimming leisurely with +the current.</p> + +<p>They all three saw it at once, but quick as Faith was, the lively little +creature was quicker. As she and Ernest both darted upon it, it scrambled +for her side and burrowed swiftly under the bank. This was the best +stronghold for the turtle, and the children knew it.</p> + +<p>"I just can't lose him, I can't!" cried Faith, and Gladys wondered at the +fearless energy with which she dived her hand into the mud, feeling around, +unmindful which portion of the little animal she grasped if she only caught +him; and catch him she did. With a squeal <a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>of delight she pulled out the +turtle, who continued to swim vigorously, even when in mid air.</p> + +<p>"He's splendid and lively!" exclaimed Faith. "You can see him go on the +grass, Gladys," and the little girl put the creature down, heading him away +from the brook, and he made good time, thinking he was getting away from +his captor. "You see, Ernest harnesses them to a little pasteboard box, and +I put in my smallest dolls and we have more <i>fun</i>;" but by this time the +turtle realized that he was traveling inland, and turned around suddenly in +the opposite direction.</p> + +<p>"No, no, pet!" cried Faith gayly. "Not yet," and she picked up the lively +one. "See, you hold them this way;" she held the shell between her thumb +and middle finger and the sharp little claws sawed the air in vain. "There, +cunning," she added, looking into the turtle's bright eyes, "go see your +auntie or uncle, or whoever it is," and she put it into her dress with the +other one, and they walked on.</p> + +<p>"I hope we shall find a prince," said Ernest, "Gladys ought to see one of +those."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," responded Faith. "They're snapping turtles, really, and they +grow bigger than these common ones; but they're so handsome and hard to +find we call them princes. Their shells are gray on top and smooth and +polished, like satin; and then, underneath, oh, they're beautiful; +sometimes plain ivory, and sometimes bright red; and they have lovely +yellow and black splashes where the lower shell joins the upper. I wish you +could see a baby turtle, Gladys. Once I found one no bigger than a quarter +of a dollar. I don't believe it had ever been in the water."</p><p><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a></p> + +<p>"I wish I could," returned Gladys, with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't be a bit +afraid of a little, <i>little</i> one."</p> + +<p>"Of course that one she found was just a common turtle, like these," said +Ernest, "but a baby prince is the thing we want."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," sighed Faith ecstatically. "If I could just once find a baby +prince with a red under shell, I don't know what I'd do! I'd be too happy +for anything. I've hunted for one for two whole summers. The big ones do +snap so that, though they're so handsome, you can't have much fun with +them."</p> + +<p>The children walked on, Gladys now quite in the spirit of the hunt. They +found two more spotted turtles before they turned again to retrace their +steps.</p> + +<p>Now it proved that this was to be a red-letter day in the history of their +turtle hunts, for on the way home they found the much sought baby prince. +He had been in this world long enough to become a polished little creature, +with all his points of beauty brought out; but not long enough to be +suspicious and to make a wild scramble when he saw the children coming.</p> + +<p>Faith's trained eyes fell first upon the tiny, dark object, sunning himself +happily in all his baby innocence, and blinking at the lovely green world +surrounding his shallow stone. Her heart beat fast and she said to herself, +"Oh, I <i>know</i> it's a common one!" She tiptoed swiftly nearer. It was not a +common one. It was a prince! It <i>was</i> a prince!</p> + +<p>She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, as, holding her skirt-bag of +turtles with one hand, she lightly tiptoed forward, and, falling on her +knees in front of the stone, gathered up the prince, just as he saw her +<a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>and pushed with his tiny feet to slip off the rock into the brook.</p> + +<p>"Oh, oh, <i>oh</i>!" was all she could say as she sat there, swaying herself +back and forth, and holding the baby to her flushed cheek.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What?" cried Ernest, jumping across the brook to her side. She +smiled at him and Gladys without a word, and held up her prize, showing the +pretty red under shell, while the baby, very much astonished to find +himself turned over in mid air, drew himself into his house.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the cunning, <i>cunning</i> thing!" cried Gladys, her eyes flashing +radiantly. "I'm so glad we found him!"</p> + +<p>Gladys, like a good many beside herself, became fired with enthusiasm to +possess whatever she saw to be precious in the sight of others. Yesterday, +had she seen the baby prince in some store she would not have thought of +asking her mother to buy it for her; but to-day it had been captured, a +little wild creature for which Faith had been searching and hoping during +two summers; and poor Gladys had been so busy all her life wondering what +people were going to get for her, and wondering whether she should like it +very well when she had it, that now, instead of rejoicing that Faith had +such a pleasure, she began to feel a hot unrest and dissatisfaction in her +breast.</p> + +<p>"He is a little beauty," she said, and then looked at her cousin and waited +for her to present to her guest the baby turtle.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't I see it first?" she thought, her heart beating fast, for Faith +showed no sign of giving <a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>up her treasure. "Do you suppose we could find +another?" she asked aloud, making her wistfulness very apparent as they +again took up the march toward home.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess not," laughed Ernest. "Two of those in a day? I guess not. +Let me carry it for you, Faith. You have to hold up your dress skirt."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, Ernest, I don't mind, and he's <i>so</i> cunning!"</p> + +<p>Ernest kept on with the girls, now, on their side of the brook. It would be +an anti-climax to catch any more turtles this afternoon.</p> + +<p>"If I could find one," said Gladys, "I would carry it home for my +aquarium."</p> + +<p>"Oh, have you an aquarium?" asked Faith with interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a fine one. It has gold and silver fish and a number of little water +creatures, and a grotto with plants growing around it."</p> + +<p>"How lovely it must be," said Faith, and Gladys saw her press her lips to +the baby prince's polished back.</p> + +<p>"She's an awfully selfish girl," thought Gladys. "I wouldn't treat company +so for anything!"</p> + +<p>"You'll see the aquarium Faith and I have," said Ernest. "It's only a tub, +but we get a good deal of fun out of it. It's our stable, too, you see. Did +you notice we caught one of our old horses to-day? Let's see him, Faith," +and Ernest poked among the turtles and brought out one with a little hole +made carefully in the edge of his shell.</p> + +<p>"It seems very cruel to me," said Gladys, with a superior air.</p><p><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't," returned Faith eagerly. "We'd rather hurt each other than +the turtles, wouldn't we, Ernest?"</p> + +<p>"I guess so," responded the boy, rather gruffly. He didn't wish Gladys to +think him too good.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't hurt them a bit," went on Faith, "but you know turtles are +lazy. They're all relations of the tortoise that raced with the hare in +Æsop's fable." Her eyes sparkled at Gladys, who smiled slightly. "And they +aren't very fond of being horses, so we only keep them a day or two and +then let them go back into the brook. I think that's about as much fun as +anything, don't you, Ernest?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know," responded her brother, who was beginning to feel that +all this turtle business was a rather youthful pastime for a member of a +baseball team.</p> + +<p>"You see," went on Faith, "we put the turtles on the grass only a foot or +two away from the brook, and wait."</p> + +<p>"And we do have to wait," added Ernest, "for they always retire within +themselves and pull down the blind, as soon as we start off with them +anywhere."</p> + +<p>"But we press a little on their backs," said Faith, "and then they put out +their noses, and when they smell the brook they begin to travel. It's such +fun to see them dive in, <i>ker-chug</i>! Then they scurry around and burrow in +the mud, getting away from us, just as if we weren't willing they should. +They are pretty silly, I must say," laughed Faith, "and it's the hardest +thing to make them understand that you love them; but," her tone changed +tenderly as she held up the baby prince,<a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a> "<i>you'll</i> know I love you, won't +you, dear, when I give you tiny little pieces of meat every day!"</p> + +<p>The cloud on Gladys's face deepened.</p> + +<p>"Come on, let's hustle and put the turtles away and go for a row. Do you +like to row, Gladys?" asked Ernest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I guess so," she responded, rather coldly.</p> + +<p>They ran up the hill to the side of the house where was a shallow tub of +water with a rock in the middle, its top high and dry. There was also a +floating shingle; so the steeds could swim or sun themselves just as suited +their fancy. The upper edge of the tub was covered with tin so that sharp +little claws could not find a way to climb out.</p> + +<p>"It's fun to see them go in," said Faith, placing one on the rock and one +on the shingle, where they rested at first without sign of life; but in a +minute out came head and legs and, spurning the perches with their strong +feet, plump the turtles went into the water and to the bottom, evidently +convinced that they were outwitting their captors.</p> + +<p>"Don't you want to choose one special one for yours, Gladys? It's fun to +name them," said Faith.</p> + +<p>The visitor hesitated only a moment. "I choose the baby, then," she said. +"You know I'm afraid of the big ones."</p> + +<p>Ernest thought she was joking. It did not occur to him that any one who had +seen Faith's happiness in finding the prince could seriously think of +taking it from her.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he laughed, "I guess you and I won't get a chance at that one, +Gladys."</p> + +<p>Faith's expression changed and her eyes grew <a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>thoughtful. "Hurry up, +girls," continued Ernest, "come on, we won't have very much time."</p> + +<p>So the turtles, prince and all, were left disporting themselves in the tub, +and the trio went down to the pond, where Ernest untied his boat. Faith +jumped in, but Gladys timorously placed her little foot upon the unsteady +gunwale, and the children had to help her into the boat as they had done +over the wall.</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd brought Vera," she said when she was seated and Ernest was +pushing the boat off.</p> + +<p>"Next time we will," replied Faith.</p> + +<p>"I don't see why Ernest couldn't go back for her now," said Gladys. "I'm +not used to walking so much and I'm too tired to go myself."</p> + +<p>"You want me to run up the hill after a <i>doll</i>!" asked the boy, laughing. +He began to believe his pretty cousin was very fond of joking. "Something +might happen to her before you saw her," he added mischievously.</p> + +<p>The pond was a charming sheet of water. Trees lined its edges in summer, +and it was a great place for sport in winter. Faith and Ernest chattered to +their cousin of all the coasting and skating, and their bright faces and +jolly stories only increased the uncomfortable feeling that Gladys had +allowed to slip into her heart.</p> + +<p>Her cousins had more fun than she did. It wasn't fair. She had no eyes for +the pretty scenery about her, as Ernest's strong arms sent the boat flying +along. Faith noticed her changed looks and for the first time wondered how +it was going to seem to have Gladys to take care of for—they couldn't tell +how long; but she only tried the harder to bring back the bright look her +cousin had worn at dinner time.</p><p><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a></p> + +<p>In a few minutes Gladys began to rock the boat from side to side.</p> + +<p>"Don't do that, please," said Ernest.</p> + +<p>There was a tone of command in his voice, and the spoiled child only rocked +the harder.</p> + +<p>"None of that, I tell you, Gladys," he said sharply.</p> + +<p>"Please don't," added Faith.</p> + +<p>But the error that Gladys had let creep in was enjoying her cousin's +anxiety, and she smiled teasingly as she went on rocking. She had +condescended to come out to the farm, and she would let these country +children see if they could order her about.</p> + +<p>Ernest said no more, but he promptly turned the boat around and pulled for +the shore.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" asked Gladys.</p> + +<p>"Going ashore."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "I want to go up +there." She pointed to a spot in the distance. "I want to go around that +corner and see what there is there."</p> + +<p>"Not to-day," replied Ernest, pulling sturdily.</p> + +<p>We won't look into Gladys's heart and see what went on there then, because +it is too unpleasant.</p> + +<p>"You see we're the crew," said Faith, a little scared by her cousin's +flashing eyes and crimson cheeks. "We have to do what Ernest says. He knows +a lot about boats, Gladys, and it <i>is</i> dangerous to rock. The pond is real +deep."</p> + +<p>"I shall come out in the boat alone, then," declared Gladys.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you won't," remarked Ernest, smiling. "People that rock boats need +a keeper."</p><p><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a></p> + +<p>Faith's eyes besought him, "I'll take you out to-morrow if you'll promise +to sit still," he went on; "but if anything happened to the boat, you see I +couldn't save both of you, and I'd be likely to try to save Faith; so you'd +better go ashore now and think it over."</p> + +<p>Gladys stared at him in utter amazement that any one could speak to her so. +Why had she ever come to the farm!</p> + +<p>However, she quickly put on a little air of indifference and only said:—</p> + +<p>"How silly to be so afraid!"</p> + +<p>All she cared for now was to get to Ellen and pour out her troubles, and +she was quite silent while she jumped ashore, although the wavering boat +made her clutch Faith's hand hard.</p> + +<p>Tender-hearted Faith felt very sorry for her cousin, so she began talking +about Vera as they went up the hill saying how anxious she was to hear her +speak again.</p> + +<p>"I'll never let you!" exclaimed that strong error that had taken possession +of Gladys, but her lips set tight and she was glad to see Ellen come out on +the piazza.</p> + +<p>As the children approached they saw that the maid had something bright in +her hand, and that she was smiling.</p> + +<p>"Well, Gladys," she said, "your mother's sent a trunk, and this was with +your clothes. What do you think of that? I expect your mother thought you +might like to have it."</p> + +<p>Gladys recognized the silver bowl with satisfaction. She was glad to have +Faith and Ernest see the sort of things she was used to.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it looks like a wishing bowl," cried Faith in admiration.</p><p><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a></p> + +<p>"It is a solid silver bowl that my grandmother sent me for my birthday," +remarked Gladys coolly, and she took it from Ellen.</p> + +<p>"Let's see what it says on it," said Faith, and she read the inscription +aloud. Then she added: "It does look just like the wishing bowl in our +story."</p> + +<p>"What was that?" asked Gladys.</p> + +<p>"Why, it was a bright, beautiful silver bowl with a cover, and all you had +to do if you wanted something was to say:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pretty little silver dish,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Give me, pray, my dearest wish;<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>and then, when you took off the cover, whatever you had asked for was in +the bowl!"</p> + +<p>Gladys shrugged her shoulders. Then she took hold of Ellen's hand and drew +her into the house and closed the door after them.</p> + +<p>Faith and Ernest did not attempt to follow. They sat down on the steps and +looked at one another.</p> + +<p>"She's hopping, isn't she?" said Ernest softly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," returned Faith dejectedly, "and it all began with the baby +prince."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"She wants him for her aquarium."</p> + +<p>Ernest paused a minute to think over his cousin's words and actions; then +he broke out indignantly; "Well, she won't get him."</p> + +<p>"I have hunted for him so long!" mourned Faith, "and his shell is so red; +but, Ernest, didn't you notice what it said on that bowl?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did; but Gladys is a great baby and she isn't going to get +everything. Tell her you'll exchange <a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>the prince for that baa-ing doll of +hers, if you like it. I tell you what, Faith, I've had about enough of her +after that boat business. If she's going to stay on here I shall go off +with the fellows."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Gladys had seized the beautiful Vera and drawn Ellen off upstairs +to their room. The maid saw the signs of storm in her face, and her own +grew troubled, for it was one thing to vex Gladys and quite another to +appease her.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to stay here," announced the little girl, as soon as the +door was closed, her breath coming fast. "Faith and Ernest are the most +selfish, impolite children I ever saw!"</p> + +<p>Ellen sighed, and, sitting down, drew the child into her lap.</p> + +<p>She continued excitedly: "We went turtle-hunting and found a lot of +scrabbly things that I couldn't bear, but Faith and Ernest like them. Then +when we found a pretty little young one that I wouldn't be a bit afraid of, +Faith kept it for herself. Just think, when I was company, and she had all +the others beside. I'm just crazy to have it, and they're <i>very</i> hard to +find and we can't <i>ever</i> find another. Shouldn't you think she'd feel +ashamed? Then when, we went out in the boat, just because I moved around a +little and made the boat rock, Ernest brought us in when I didn't want to +come a bit. I even <i>told</i> him I didn't want to come in, because I wanted to +see a part of the pond that looked pretty, but he brought us just the same. +Did you ever <i>hear</i> of such impoliteness?"</p> + +<p>Ellen had had too much experience with the little girl not to know that +there was another side to this <a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>story; but she gathered Gladys down in her +arms with the curly head on her shoulder, and, while a few hot tears fell +from the brown eyes, she rocked her, and it comforted the little girl's +sore places to feel her nurse's love.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad Ernest brought you in," said Ellen, after a minute of silent +rocking. "If anything happened to you, you know that would be the last of +poor Ellen. I could never go back to town."</p> + +<p>Gladys gave a sob or two.</p> + +<p>"These children haven't nearly so much as you have," went on Ellen quietly. +"Perhaps Faith was as happy over the little turtle as you are over your +talking doll. She hasn't any rich mother to give her things, you know."</p> + +<p>"They have <i>lots</i> of things. They have a great deal more fun in winter than +I do," returned Gladys hotly.</p> + +<p>Ellen patted her. "You have too much, Gladys," she replied kindly. "When I +said this morning that you were unlucky, you couldn't understand it; but +perhaps this visit to the farm will make you see differently. There's such +a thing as having too much, dear, and that sentence on your silver bowl is +as true as true. Now there's the supper bell. Let me wash your face."</p> + +<p>Gladys was deeply offended, but she was also hungry, and she began to +wonder if there would be apple-butter and cottage cheese again.</p> + +<p>There was, and the little girl did full justice to the supper, especially +to aunt Martha's good bread and butter; but when the meal was over she +refused to go out and romp on the lawn with her cousins.</p><p><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a></p> + +<p>"Gladys isn't used to so much running around," said Ellen pleasantly to the +other children. "I guess she's a pretty sleepy girl and will get into bed +early."</p> + +<p>So when Ellen had helped aunt Martha with the supper dishes, Gladys went +upstairs with her, to go to bed.</p> + +<p>She was half undressed when some one knocked softly, and Faith came into +the room. The silver bowl stood on a table near the door, and the little +girl paused to look at it and examine the wreath of roses around its edge. +"I never saw one so handsome," she said. Then she came forward. "I thought +perhaps you'd let me see you undress Vera," she added.</p> + +<p>"She is undressed," answered Gladys shortly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" Faith went up to the bed where the doll lay in its nightdress. +"May I make her speak once?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm afraid you might hurt her," returned Gladys shortly, and Ellen +gave her a reproachful look. Gladys didn't care! How could a girl expect to +be so selfish as Faith, and then have everybody let her do just what she +wanted to?</p> + +<p>Faith drew back from the bed. "I wish you'd let me see you wish once on +your bowl before I go away," she said.</p> + +<p>"How silly," returned Gladys. "Do you suppose I believe in such things? You +can wish on it yourself, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that wouldn't be any use," returned Faith eagerly, "because it only +works for the one it belongs to."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you wouldn't like to have me make a <a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>wish and get it," said +Gladys, thinking of the baby prince's lovely polished tints and bewitching +little tail.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would. I'd <i>love</i> to. Do, Gladys, do, and see what happens."</p> + +<p>Gladys curved her lips scornfully, but the strong wish sprang in her +thought, and with a careless movement she pulled off the silver cover.</p> + +<p>Her mouth fell open and her eyes grew as big as possible; for she had +wished for the prince, and there he was, creeping about in the bowl and +lifting his little head in wonder at his surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Why, Faith!" was all she could say. "Where did it come from?"</p> + +<p>"The brook, of course," returned Faith, clapping her hands in delight at +her cousin's amazement. "Take him out and let's see whether he's red or +plain ivory underneath."</p> + +<p>"Will he scrabble?" asked Gladys doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"No-o," laughed Faith.</p> + +<p>So the little city girl took up the turtle and lo, he was as beautiful a +red as the one of the afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he lovely!" she exclaimed, not quite liking to look her cousin in +the eyes. "Where shall I put him for to-night?"</p> + +<p>"We'll put a little water in your wash-bowl, not much, for they are so +smart about climbing out."</p> + +<p>Ellen, also, was gazing at the royal infant. "He is a pretty little thing," +she said, "but for pity's sake, Faith, fix it so he won't get on to my bare +feet!"</p> + +<p>Later, when they were alone and Ellen kissed Gladys good-night, she looked +closely into her eyes "Now you're happier, I suppose," she said.</p><p><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a></p> + +<p>"Of course. Won't he be cunning in my aquarium?" asked Gladys, returning +her look triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Yes." Vera was in bed, also, and to please the child, Ellen stooped and +kissed the doll's forehead, too. "God be good," she said gently, "to the +poor little girl who gets everything she wants!"</p> + +<p>A few minutes after the light was out and Ellen had gone, Gladys pulled +Vera nearer to her. "Wasn't that a silly sort of thing for Ellen to say?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," returned Vera.</p> + +<p>Gladys drew back. "Did you answer me?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Certainly I did."</p> + +<p>"Then you really can talk!" exclaimed Gladys joyfully.</p> + +<p>"At night I can," said Vera.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so glad. I'm so glad!" and Gladys hugged her.</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that you will be," returned Vera coolly.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because I have to speak the truth. You know my name is Vera."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should hope so. Did you suppose I wouldn't want you to speak the +truth?" Gladys laughed.</p> + +<p>"Yes. You don't hear it very often, and you may not like it."</p> + +<p>"Why, what a thing to say!"</p> + +<p>"Ellen tries, sometimes, but you won't listen."</p> + +<p>Gladys kept still and her companion proceeded:</p><p><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a></p> + +<p>"She knows all the toys and books and clothes and pets that you have at +home, and she sees you forgetting all of them because Faith has just one +thing pretty enough for you to wish for."</p> + +<p>By this time Gladys had found her tongue. "You're just as impolite as you +can be, Vera!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Of course. You always think people are impolite who tell you the truth; +but I explained to you that I have to. Who was impolite when you rocked the +boat, although Ernest asked you not to?"</p> + +<p>"He was as silly as he could be to think there was any danger. Don't you +suppose I know enough not to rock it too far? And then think how impolite +he was to say right out that he would save Faith instead of me if we fell +into the water. I can tell you my father would lock him up in prison if he +didn't save me."</p> + +<p>"Well, you aren't so precious to anybody else," returned Vera. "Why would +people want a girl around who thinks only of herself and what she wants. +I'm sure Faith and Ernest will draw a long breath when you get on the cars +to go back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't believe they will," returned Gladys, ready to cry.</p> + +<p>"What have you done to make them glad you came? You didn't bring them +anything, although you knew they couldn't have many toys, and it was +because you were so busy thinking how much lovelier your doll was than +anything Faith could have. Then the minute Faith found one nice thing"—</p> + +<p>"Don't say that again," interrupted Gladys. "You've said it once."</p><p><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a></p> + +<p>"You behaved so disagreeably that she had to give it to you."</p> + +<p>"You have no right to talk so. The prince came up from the brook, Faith +said so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she was playing a game with you and she knew you understood. It isn't +pleasant to have to say such things to you, Gladys, but I'm Vera and I have +to—I shouldn't think you could lift your head up and look Faith and Ernest +in the face to-morrow morning. What must Ernest think of you!"</p> + +<p>Gladys's cheeks were very hot. "Didn't you see how glad Faith was when she +gave—I mean when I found the prince in the bowl? I guess you haven't read +what it says on that silver cover or you wouldn't talk so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I have. That's truth, too, but you haven't found it out yet."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wish I had brought them something," said Gladys, after a little +pause. "Why," with a sudden thought, "there's the wishing-bowl. I'll get +something for them right now!"</p> + +<p>She jumped out of bed, and striking a match, lighted the candle. Vera +followed her, and as Gladys seated herself on one side of the little table +that held the silver bowl, Vera climbed into a chair on the other side. +Gladys looked into her eyes thoughtfully while she considered. She would +give Faith something so far finer than the baby prince that everybody would +praise her for her generosity, and no one would remember that she had ever +been selfish. Ah, she knew what she would ask for!</p> + +<p>"For Faith first," she said, addressing Vera, then <a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>looking at the glinting +bowl she silently made her wish, then with eager hand lifted off the cover.</p> + +<p>Ah! Ah! What did she behold! A charming little bird, whose plumage changed +from purple to gold in the candle light, stood on a tiny golden stand at +the bottom of the bowl.</p> + +<p>Gladys lifted it out, and as soon as it stood on her hand, it began to +warble wonderfully, turning its head from side to side like some she had +seen in Switzerland when she was there with her mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Vera, isn't it <i>sweet</i>!" she cried in delight.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful!" returned Vera, smiling and clapping her little hands.</p> + +<p>When the song ceased Gladys looked thoughtful again. "I don't think it's a +very appropriate present for Faith," she said, "and I've always wanted one, +but we could never find one so pretty in our stores."</p> + +<p>Vera looked at her very soberly.</p> + +<p>"Now you just stop staring at me like that, Vera. I guess it's mine, and I +have a right to keep it if I can think of something that would please Faith +better. Now let me see. I must think of something for Ernest. I'll just +give him something so lovely that he'll wish he'd bitten his tongue before +he spoke so to me in the boat."</p> + +<p>Gladys set the singing bird in her lap, fixed her eyes on the bowl, and +again decided on a wish.</p> + +<p>Taking off the cover, a gold watch was seen reposing on the bottom of the +bowl. "That's it, that's what I wished for!" she cried gladly, and she took +out the little watch, which was a wonder. On its side was a fine engraving +of boys and girls skating on a frozen pond.<a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a> Gladys's bright eyes caught +sight of a tiny spring, which she touched, and instantly a fairy bell +struck the hour and then told off the quarters and minutes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's a repeater like uncle Frank's!" she cried, "and so small, too! +Mother said I couldn't have one until I was grown up. Won't she be +surprised! I don't mean to tell her for ever so long where I got it."</p> + +<p>"I thought it was for Ernest," remarked Vera quietly.</p> + +<p>"Why, Vera," returned the child earnestly, "I should think you'd see that +no boy ought to have a watch like that. If it was a different <i>kind</i> I'd +give it to him, of course."</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it wasn't pretty and had nothing about it that you liked, you'd +give it to him, I suppose; and if the bird couldn't sing, and had dark, +broken feathers so that no child would care about it, you'd give it to +Faith, no doubt."</p> + +<p>Gladys felt her face burn. She knew this was the truth, but oh, the +entrancing bird, how could she see it belong to another? How could she +endure to see Ernest take from his pocket this watch and show people its +wonders!</p> + +<p>"Selfishness is a cruel thing," said Vera. "It makes a person think she can +have a good time being its slave until all of a sudden the person finds out +that she has chains on that cannot be broken. You think you can't break +that old law of selfishness that makes it misery to you to see another +child have something that you haven't. Poor, unhappy Gladys!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but this bird, Vera!" Gladys looked down at <a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>the little warbler. What +did she see! A shriveled, sorry, brown creature, its feathers broken. She +lifted it anxiously. No song was there. Its poor little beady eyes were +dull.</p> + +<p>She dropped it in disgust and again picked up the watch. What had happened +to it? The cover was brass, the picture was gone. Pushing the spring had no +effect.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Faith and Ernest can have them now!" cried Gladys. Presto! in an +instant bird and watch had regained every beauty they had lost, and +twinkled and tinkled upon the astonished child's eyes and ears until she +could have hugged them with delight; but suddenly great tears rolled from +her eyes, for she had a new thought.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean, Vera? Will they only be beautiful for Faith and +Ernest?"</p> + +<p>"You asked for them to enjoy the blessing of giving, you know, not to keep +for yourself. Beside, they showed a great truth when they grew dull."</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Gladys tearfully.</p> + +<p>"That is the way they would look to you in a few months, after you grew +tired of them; for it is the punishment of the selfish, spoiled child, that +her possessions disgust her after a while. There is only one thing that +lives, and remains bright, and brings us happiness,—that is thoughtful +love for others. There's nothing else, Gladys, there is nothing else. I am +Vera."</p> + +<p>"And I have none of it, none!" cried the unhappy child, and rising, she +threw herself upon the bed, broken-hearted, and sobbed and sobbed.</p> + +<p>Ellen heard her and came in from the next room.</p><p><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a></p> + +<p>"What is it, my lamb, what is it?" she asked, approaching the bed +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ellen, I can't tell you. I can never tell you!" wailed the child.</p> + +<p>"Well, move over, dearie. I'll push Vera along and there'll be room for us +all. There, darling, come in Ellen's arms and forget all about it."</p> + +<p>Gladys cuddled close, and after a few more catches in her breath, she slept +soundly.</p> + +<p>When she wakened, the sunlight was streaming through the plain room, +gilding everything as it had done in her rose and white bower yesterday at +home. Ellen was moving about, all dressed. Gladys turned over and looked at +Vera, pretty and innocent, her eyes closed and her lips parted over little +white teeth. The child came close to the doll. The wonderful dream returned +vividly.</p> + +<p>"Your name is Vera. You had to," she whispered, and closed her eyes.</p> + +<p>"How is the baby prince?" she asked, after a minute, jumping out of bed.</p> + +<p>"He's lively, but I expect he's as hungry as you are. What's he going to +have?"</p> + +<p>"Meat," replied Gladys, looking admiringly at the pretty little creature.</p> + +<p>"I brought in my wash-bowl for your bath. I suppose princes can't be +disturbed," said Ellen.</p> + +<p>While she buttoned Gladys's clothes, the little girl looked at the silver +bowl, and the chairs where she and Vera had sat last night in her dream. +She even glanced about to see some sign of watch and bird, but could not +find them. How busily her thoughts were working!</p><p><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a></p> + +<p>Sensible Ellen said nothing of bad dreams; and by the time Gladys went +downstairs, her face looked interested and happy. After all, it wasn't as +though there wasn't any God to help a person, and she had said a very +fervent prayer, with her nose buried in Vera's golden curls, before she +jumped out of bed.</p> + +<p>She had the satin shell of the baby prince in her hand. He had drawn into +it because he was very uncertain what was going to happen to him; but +Gladys knew.</p> + +<p>She said good-morning to her cousins so brightly that Faith was pleased; +but pretty as she looked, smiling, Ernest saw the prince in her hand and +was more offended with her than ever.</p> + +<p>"I want to thank you, Faith," she said, "for letting the baby stay in my +room all night. I had the most fun watching him while I was dressing."</p> + +<p>She put the little turtle into her cousin's hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I gave him to you," replied Faith earnestly.</p> + +<p>"After you hunted for him for two summers, I couldn't be so mean as to take +him. I'm just delighted you found him, Faith," and Gladys had a very happy +moment then, for she found she <i>was</i> happy. "Let's give him some bits of +meat."</p> + +<p>"She's all right," thought Ernest, with a swift revulsion of feeling, and +he was as embarrassed as he was astonished when his cousin turned suddenly +to him:—</p> + +<p>"If you'll take me in the boat again," she said, "I won't rock. I'm sorry I +did."</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> a fool trick," blurted out Ernest, "but you're all right, Gladys. +I'll take you anywhere you want to go."</p><p><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a></p> + +<p>Ellen had heard this conversation. Later in the morning she was alone for a +minute with Gladys, and the little girl said:—</p> + +<p>"Don't you think it would be nice, Ellen, when we get home, to make up a +box of pretty things and send to Faith and Ernest?"</p> + +<p>"I do, that," replied the surprised Ellen.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to ask mother if I can't send them my music-box. They haven't +any piano."</p> + +<p>"Why, you couldn't get another, Gladys."</p> + +<p>"I don't care," replied the child firmly. "It would be so nice for evenings +and rainy days." She swallowed, because she had not grown tired of the +music box.</p> + +<p>Ellen put her hands on the little girl's brow and cheeks and remembered the +sobbing in the night. "Do you feel well, Gladys?" she asked, with concern. +This unnatural talk alarmed her.</p> + +<p>"I never felt any better," replied the child.</p> + +<p>"Well, I wouldn't say anything to them about the music-box, dearie."</p> + +<p>Gladys smiled. "I know. You think I'd be sorry after I let it go; but if I +am I'll talk with Vera."</p> + +<p>Ellen laughed. "Do you think it will always be enough for you to hear her +say 'Ma-ma, Pa-pa?'" she asked.</p> + +<p>Gladys smiled and looked affectionately at her good friend; but her lips +closed tightly together. Ellen knew all that Vera did; but the nurse loved +her still! The child was to have many a tussle with the hard mistress whose +chains she had worn all her short life, but Truth had spoken, and she had +heard; and Love was coming to help in setting her free.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>A HEROIC OFFER</h3> + + +<p>Jewel told her grandfather the tale of The Talking Doll while they walked +their horses through a favorite wood-road, Mr. Evringham keeping his eyes +on the animated face of the story-teller. His own was entirely impassive, +but he threw in an exclamation now and then to prove his undivided +attention.</p> + +<p>"<i>You</i> know it's more blessed to give than to receive, don't you, grandpa?" +added Jewel affectionately, as she finished; "because you're giving things +to people all the time, and nobody but God can give you anything."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," returned the broker. "Have you forgotten the +yellow chicken you gave me?"</p> + +<p>"No," returned Jewel seriously; "but I've never seen anything since that I +thought you would care for."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think," he said confidentially, "that you have +given me something pretty nice in your mother. Do you know, I'm very glad +that she married into our family."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," replied Jewel, "so am I. Just supposing I had had some other +grandpa!"</p> + +<p>The two shook their heads at one another gravely. There were some +situations that could not be contemplated.</p><p><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a></p> + +<p>"Why do you suppose I can't find any turtles in my brook?" asked the child, +after a short pause. "Mother says perhaps they like meadows better than +shady ravines."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they do; but," and the broker nodded knowingly, "there's another +reason."</p> + +<p>"Why, grandpa, why?" asked Jewel eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Nature is such a neat housekeeper!"</p> + +<p>"Why, turtles must be lovely and clean."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know; and if Summer would just let the brook alone you might find a +baby turtle for Anna Belle."</p> + +<p>"She'd love it. Her eyes nearly popped out when mother was telling about +it."</p> + +<p>"Well, there it is, you see. Now I'd be ashamed to have you see that brook +in August, Jewel." Mr. Evringham slapped the pommel of his saddle to +emphasize the depth of his feelings.</p> + +<p>"Why, what happens?"</p> + +<p>"Dry—as—a—bone!"</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. We shan't have been long at the seashore when Summer will +have drained off every drop of water in that brook."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"House-cleaning, of course. I suppose she scrubs out and sweeps out the bed +of that brook before she'll let a bit of water come in again."</p> + +<p>"Well, she <i>is</i> fussy," laughed Jewel. "Even Mrs. Forbes wouldn't do that."</p> + +<p>"I ask you," pursued Mr. Evringham, "what would the turtles do while the +war was on?"</p><p><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a></p> + +<p>"Why, they couldn't live there, of course. Well, we won't be here while the +ravine is empty of the brook, will we, grandpa? I shouldn't like to see +it."</p> + +<p>"No, we shall be where there's 'water, water everywhere.' Even Summer won't +attempt to houseclean the bottom of the sea."</p> + +<p>Jewel thought a minute. "I wish she wouldn't do that," she said wistfully; +"because turtles would be fun, wouldn't they, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham regarded her quizzically. "I see what you want me to do," he +replied. "You want me to give up Wall Street and become the owner of a +menagerie, so you can have every animal that was ever heard of."</p> + +<p>Jewel smiled and shook her head. "I don't believe I do yet. We'll have to +wait till everybody loves to be good."</p> + +<p>"What has that to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Then the lions and tigers will be pleasant."</p> + +<p>"Will they, indeed?" Mr. Evringham laughed. "All those good people won't +shut them up in cages then, I fancy."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe they will," replied Jewel.</p> + +<p>"But about those turtles," continued her grandfather. "How would you like +it next spring for me to get some for you for the brook?"</p> + +<p>Jewel's eyes sparkled. "Wouldn't that be the most <i>fun</i>?" she +returned,—"but then there's summer again," she added, sobering.</p> + +<p>"What's the reason that we couldn't drive with them to the nearest river +before the brook ran dry?"</p><p><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a></p> + +<p>"Perhaps we could," replied Jewel hopefully "Doesn't mother tell the +<i>nicest</i> stories, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"She certainly does; and some of the most wonderful you don't hear at all. +She tells them to me after you have gone to bed."</p> + +<p>"Then you ought to tell them to me," answered Jewel, "just the way I tell +mine to you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham shook his head. "They probably wouldn't make you open your +eyes as wide as I do mine; you're used to them. They're Christian Science +stories. Your mother has been treating my rheumatism, Jewel. What do you +think of that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm glad," replied the child heartily, "because then you've asked her +to."</p> + +<p>"How do you know I have?"</p> + +<p>"Because she wouldn't treat you if you hadn't, and mother says when people +are willing to ask for it, then that's the beginning of everything good for +them. You know, grandpa," Jewel leaned toward him lovingly and added +softly, "you know even <i>you</i> have to meet mortal mind."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder," responded the broker dryly.</p> + +<p>"And it's so proud, and hates to give up so," said Jewel.</p> + +<p>"I'm an old dog," returned Mr. Evringham. "Teaching me new tricks is going +to be no joke, but your mother undertakes it cheerfully. I'm reading that +book, 'Science and Health;' and she says I may have to read it through +three times before I get the hang of it."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you will, grandpa, because it's just as <i>plain</i>," said the +child.</p><p><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a></p> + +<p>"You'll help me, Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed I will;" the little girl's face was radiant. "And won't Mr. +Reeves be glad to see you coming to church with us?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether I shall ever make Mr. Reeves glad in that way or not. +I'm doing this to try to understand something of what you and your mother +are so sure of, and what has made a man of your father. More than that, if +there is any eternity for us, I propose to stick to you through it, and it +may be more convenient to study here than off in some dim no-man's-land in +the hereafter. If I remain ignorant, who can tell but the Power that Is +will whisk you away from me by and by."</p> + +<p>Jewel gathered the speaker's meaning very well, and now she smiled at him +with the look he loved best; all her heart in her eyes. "He wouldn't. God +isn't anybody to be afraid of," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why, it tells us all through the Bible to fear God."</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course it tells us to fear to trouble the One who loves us the +best of all. Just think how even you and I would fear to hurt one another, +and God is keeping us <i>alive</i> with <i>his</i> love!"</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterward their horses cantered up the drive toward the house. +Mrs. Evringham was seated on the piazza, sewing. Her husband had sent the +summer wardrobe promptly, and she wore now a thin blue gown that looked +charmingly comfortable.</p> + +<p>"Genuine!" thought her father-in-law, as he came up the steps and met a +smiling welcome from her clear eyes. He liked the simple manner in which +she <a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>dressed her hair. He liked her complexion, and carriage, and voice.</p> + +<p>"I don't know but that you have the better part here on the piazza, it is +so warm," he said, "but I have been thinking of you rather remorsefully +this afternoon, Julia. These excursions of Jewel's and mine are growing to +seem rather selfish. Have you ever learned to ride?"</p> + +<p>"Never, and I don't wish to. Please believe how supremely content I am."</p> + +<p>"My carriages are small. It is so long since I've had a family. When we +return I shall get one that will hold us all."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, grandpa," cried Jewel enthusiastically. "You and I on the front +seat, driving, and mother and father on the back seat."</p> + +<p>"Well, we have more than two months to decide how we shall sit. I fancy it +will oftener be your father and mother in the phaeton and you and I on our +noble steeds, eh, Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so, too," she returned seriously.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham smiled slightly at his daughter. "The occasions when we +differ are not numerous enough to mention," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"I hope it may always be so," she replied, going on with her work.</p> + +<p>"This looks like moving," observed the broker, wiping his forehead with his +pocket-handkerchief and looking about on the still, green scene. "I think +we had better plan to go to the shore next week."</p> + +<p>Julia smiled and sighed. "Very well, but any change seems as if it might be +for the worse," she said.</p><p><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a></p> + +<p>"Then you've never tried summer in New Jersey," he responded. "I hear you +are a great story-teller, Julia. If I should wear some large bows behind my +ears, couldn't I come to some of these readings?"</p> + +<p>As no laugh from Jewel greeted this sally, he looked down at her. She was +gazing off wistfully.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Jewel?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I was wondering if it wouldn't seem a long time to Essex Maid and Star +without us!"</p> + +<p>"Dear me, dear me, how little you do know those horses!" and the broker +shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Why, grandpa? Will they like it?"</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose for one minute that you could make them stay at home?"</p> + +<p>"Are they going with us, grandpa?" Jewel began to hop joyfully, but her +habit interfered.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. They naturally want to see what sort of bits and bridles are +being worn at the seashore this year."</p> + +<p>"Do you realize what unfashionable people you are proposing to take, +yourself, father?" asked Julia. She was visited by daily doubts in this +regard.</p> + +<p>The broker returned her glance gravely. "Have you ever seen Jewel's silk +dress?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The child beamed at him. "She <i>made</i> it!" she announced triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Then you must know," said Mr. Evringham, "that it would save any social +situation."</p> + +<p>Julia laughed over her sewing. "My machine came to-day," she said. "I meant +to make something a little fine, but if we go in a few days"—</p> + +<p>"Don't think of it," replied the host hastily. "You <a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>are both all right. I +don't want you to see a needle. I'm sorry you are at it now."</p> + +<p>"But I like it. I really do."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take you to the coolest place on Long Island, but not to the +most fashionable."</p> + +<p>"That is good news," returned Julia, "Run along, Jewel, and dress for +dinner."</p> + +<p>"In one minute," put in Mr. Evringham. "She and I wish your opinion of +something first."</p> + +<p>He disappeared for a moment into the house and came back with a flat +package which Jewel watched with curious eyes while he untied the string.</p> + +<p>Silently he placed a photograph in his daughter's lap while the child +leaned eagerly beside her.</p> + +<p>"Why, why, how good!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, and Jewel's eyes glistened.</p> + +<p>"Isn't grandpa's nose just splendid!" she said fervently.</p> + +<p>"Why, father, this picture will be a treasure," went on Julia. Color had +risen in her face.</p> + +<p>The photograph showed Jewel standing beside her grandfather seated, and her +arm was about his neck. It was such a natural attitude that she had taken +it while waiting for the photographer to be ready. The daisy-wreathed hat +hung from her hand, and she had not known when the picture was taken. It +was remarkably lifelike, and the broker regarded it with a satisfaction +none the less keen because he let the others do all the talking.</p> + +<p>"And now we don't need it, grandpa," said the child.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed we do!" exclaimed the mother; and Jewel, catching her +grandfather's eyes, lifted her<a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a> shoulders. What did her mother know of +their secret!</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham smoothed his mustache. "No harm to have it, Jewel," he +replied, nodding at her. "No harm; a very good plan, in fact; for I +suppose, even to oblige me, you can't refrain from growing up. And next we +must get Star's picture, with you on his back."</p> + +<p>"But you weren't on Essex Maid's," objected Jewel.</p> + +<p>"We'll have it taken both ways, then. It's best always to be on the safe +side."</p> + +<p>From this day on there was no more chance for Jewel to hear a tale in the +Story Book, until the move to the seashore was accomplished, for hot +weather had evidently come to stay in Bel-Air Park. Mrs. Evringham felt +loath to leave its green, still loveliness and her large shady rooms; but +the New Jerseyite's heat panic had seized upon her father-in-law, and he +pushed forward the preparations for flight.</p> + +<p>"I can't pity you for remaining here," Julia said to Mrs. Forbes on the +morning of departure.</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am, you don't need to," returned the housekeeper. "Zeke and I are +going off on trips, and we, calculate to have a pretty good time of it. +I've been wanting to speak to you, Mrs. Evringham, about a business +matter," continued Mrs. Forbes, her manner indicating that she had +constrained herself to make an effort. "Mr. Evringham tells me you and Mr. +Harry are to make your home with him. It's a good plan," emphatically, "as +right as right can be; for what he would do without Jewel isn't easy to +think of; but it's given me a lot to consider. I won't be necessary here +<a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>any more," the housekeeper tried to conceal what the statement cost her. +She endeavored to continue, but could not, and Julia saw that she did not +trust her voice.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Evringham has not said that, I am sure," she returned.</p> + +<p>"No, and he never would; but that shouldn't prevent my doing right. You can +take care of him and his house now, and I wanted to tell you that I see +that, plainly, and am willing to go when you all come back. I shall have +plenty of time this summer to turn around and make my plans. There's +plenty of work in this world for willing hands to do, and I'm a long way +off from being worn out yet."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad you spoke about this before we left," replied Mrs. Evringham, +smiling on the brave woman. "Father has said nothing to me about it, and I +am certain he would as soon dispense with one of the supports of the house +as with you. We all want to be busy at something, and I have a glimmering +idea of what my work is to be; and I think it is not housekeeping. I should +be glad to have our coming disturb father's habits as little as possible, +and certainly neither you or I should be the first to speak of any change."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes bit her lip. "Well," she returned, "you see I knew it would +come hard on him to ask me to go, and I wanted you both to know that I'd +see it reasonably."</p> + +<p>"It was good of you," said Julia; "and that is all we ever need to be sure +of—just that we are willing to be led, and then, while we look to God, +everything will come right." <a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>The housekeeper drank in the sweet expression +of the speaker's eyes, and smiled, a bit unsteadily. "Of course I'd rather +stay," she replied. "Transplanting folks is as hard and risky as trees. You +can't ever be sure they'll flourish in the new ground; but I want to do +right. I've been reading some in Zeke's book, 'Science and Health,' and +there was one sentence just got hold of me:<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> 'Self-love is more opaque +than a solid body. In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to +dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of +error—self-will, self-justification, and self-love!' Jewel's helped me to +dissolve enough so I could face handing over the keys of this house to her +mother. I'm not saying I could have offered them to everybody."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Thank you. I hope it isn't your duty to give them, +nor mine to take them. We'll leave all that to father. My idea is that he +would send us all back to Chicago rather than give you up—his right hand."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Forbes's face relaxed, and she breathed more freely than for many +days. As she took her way out to the barn to report this conversation to +Zeke, her state of mind agreed with that of her employer when he declared +his pleasure that Julia had married into the family.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>ROBINSON CRUSOE</h3> + + +<p>A long stretch of white, fine sandy beach, packed hard; an orderly +procession of waves, each one breaking in seething, snowy foam that ran or +crept after a child's bare feet as she skipped back and forth, playing with +them; that was Long Island to Jewel.</p> + +<p>Of course there was a village and on its edge a dear, clean old farmhouse +where they all lived, and in whose barn Essex Maid and Star found stables. +Then there were rides every pleasant day, over cool, rolling country, and +woods where one was as liable to find shells as flowers. There were wide, +flat fields of grain, above which the moon sailed at night; each spot had +its attraction, but the beach was the place where Jewel found the greatest +joy; and while Mr. Evringham, in the course of his life, had taken part to +the full in the social activities of a summer resort where men are usually +scarce and proportionately prized, it can be safely said that he now set +out upon the most strenuous vacation of his entire career.</p> + +<p>It was his habit in moments of excitement or especial impressiveness to +address his daughter-in-law as "madam," and on the second morning after +their arrival, as she was sitting on the sand, viewing the great +bottle-green rollers that marched unendingly landward, she noticed her +father-in-law and Jewel engaged in <a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>deep discussion, where they stood, +between her and the water.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham had just come to the beach, and the incessant noise of the +waves made eavesdropping impossible; but his gestures and Jewel's replies +roused her curiosity. The child's bathing-suit was dripping, and her pink +toes were submerged by the rising tide, when her grandfather seized her +hand and led her back to where her mother was sitting.</p> + +<p>"Madam," he said, "this child mustn't overdo this business. She tells me +she has been splashing about for some time, already."</p> + +<p>"And I'm not a bit cold, mother," declared Jewel.</p> + +<p>"H'm. Her hands are like frogs' paws, madam. I can see she is a perfect +water-baby and will want to be in the waves continually. She says you are +perfectly willing. Then it is because you are ignorant. She should go in +once a day, madam, once a day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa!" protested Jewel, "not even wade?"</p> + +<p>"We'll speak of that later; but put on your bathing-suit once a day only."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham looked down at the glowing face seriously. Jewel lifted her +wet shoulders and returned his look.</p> + +<p>"Put it on in the morning, then, and keep it on all day?" she suggested, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"At the proper hour," he went on, "the bathing master is here. Then you +will go in, and your mother, I hope."</p> + +<p>"And you, too, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'll teach you to jump the waves. I <a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>taught your father in this +very place when he was your age."</p> + +<p>"Oh, goody!" Jewel jumped up and down on the warm sand. "What fun it must +have been to be your little boy!" she added.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham refrained from looking at his daughter-in-law. He suspected +that she knew better.</p> + +<p>"Look at all this white sand," he said. "This was put here for babies like +you to play with. Old ocean is too big a comrade for you."</p> + +<p>"I just love the foam," returned the child wistfully, "and, oh, grandpa," +eagerly, "I tasted of it and it's as <i>salt</i>!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham smiled, looking at his daughter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Julia. "Jewel has gone into Lake Michigan once or twice, and I +think she was very much surprised to find that the Atlantic did not taste +the same."</p> + +<p>"Sit down here," said Mr. Evringham, "and I'll show you what your father +used to like to do twenty-five years ago."</p> + +<p>Jewel sat down, with much interest, and watched the speaker scoop out a +shallow place in the sand and make a ring about it.</p> + +<p>"There, do you see these little hoppers?"</p> + +<p>Julia was looking on, also. "Aren't they cunning, Jewel?" she exclaimed. +"Exactly like tiny lobsters."</p> + +<p>"Only they're white instead of red," replied the child, and her grandfather +smiled and caught one of the semi-transparent creatures.</p> + +<p>"Lobsters are green when they're at home," he said. "It's only in our homes +that they turn red."</p> + +<p>"Really?"</p><p><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a></p> + +<p>"Yes. There are a number of things you have to learn, Jewel. The ocean is a +splendid playmate, but rough. That is one of the things for you to +remember."</p> + +<p>"But I can wade, can't I? I want to build so many things that the water +runs up into."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, you can take off your shoes and stockings when it's warm +enough, as it is this morning, if your mother is willing you should drabble +your skirts; but keep your dress on and then you won't forget yourself."</p> + +<p>Jewel leaned toward the speaker affectionately. "Grandpa, you know I'm a +pretty big girl. I'll be nine the first of September."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know that."</p> + +<p>"Beside, you're going to be with me all the time," she went on.</p> + +<p>"H'm. Well, now see these sand-fleas race."</p> + +<p>"Oh, are they sand-fleas? Just wait for Anna Belle." The child reached over +to where the doll was gazing, fascinated, at the advancing, roaring +breakers.</p> + +<p>Her boa and plumed hat had evidently been put away from the moths. She wore +a most becoming bathing costume of blue and white, and a coquettish silk +handkerchief was knotted around her head. It was evident that, in common +with some other summer girls, she did not intend to wet her fetching +bathing-suit, and certainly it would be a risk to go into the water wearing +the necklace that now sparkled in the summer sun.</p> + +<p>"Come here, dearie, and see the baby lobsters," said Jewel, holding her +child carefully away from her own glistening wetness, and seating her +against Mrs. Evringham's knee.</p><p><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a></p> + +<p>"If lobsters could hop like this," said Mr. Evringham, "they would be +shooting out of the ocean like dolphins. Now you choose one, Jewel, and +we'll see which wins the race. We're going to place them in the middle of +the ring, and watch which hops first outside the circle."</p> + +<p>Jewel chuckled gleefully as she caught one. "Oh, mother, aren't his eyes +funny! He looks as <i>surprised</i> all the time. Now hop, dearie," she added, +as she placed him beside the one Mr. Evringham had set down. "Which do you +guess, Anna Belle? She guesses grandpa's will beat."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess yours, Jewel," said her mother; but scarcely were the words +spoken when Anna Belle's prophecy was proved correct by the airy bound with +which one of the fleas cleared the barrier while Jewel's choice still +remained transfixed. They all laughed except Anna Belle, who only smiled +complacently.</p> + +<p>Jewel leaned over her staring protégée. "If I only knew <i>what</i> you were so +surprised at, dearie, I'd explain it to you," she said. Then she gently +pushed the creature, and it sped, tardily, over the border.</p> + +<p>They pursued this game until the bathing-suit was dry; then Mr. Evringham +yawned. "Ah, this bright air makes me sleepy. Haven't you something you can +read to us, Julia?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," cried Jewel, "she brought the story-book."</p> + +<p>"But I didn't realize it would be so noisy. I could never read aloud +against this roaring."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll go back among the dunes. That's easy," returned Mr. Evringham.</p><p><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a></p> + +<p>"You don't want to hear one of these little tales, father," said Julia, +flushing.</p> + +<p>"Why, he just loves them," replied Jewel earnestly. "I've told them all to +him, and he's just as <i>interested</i>."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham did not doubt this, and she and the broker exchanged a look +of understanding, but he smiled.</p> + +<p>"I'll be very good if you'll let me come," he said. "I forgot the ribbon +bows, but perhaps you'd let me qualify by holding Anna Belle. Run and get +into your clothes, Jewel, and I'll find a nice place by that dune over +yonder."</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes afterward the little party were comfortably ensconced in +the shade of the sand hill whose sparse grasses grew tall about them.</p> + +<p>Jewel began pulling on them. "You'll never pull those up," remarked Mr. +Evringham. "I believe their roots go down to China. I've heard so."</p> + +<p>"Anna Belle and I will dig sometime and see," replied Jewel, much +interested.</p> + +<p>"There are only two stories left," said Mrs. Evringham, who was running +over the pages of the book.</p> + +<p>"And let grandpa choose, won't you?" said Jewel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," and the somewhat embarrassed author read the remaining titles.</p> + +<p>"I choose Robinson Crusoe, of course," announced Mr. Evringham. "This is an +appropriate place to read that. I dare say by stretching our necks a little +we could see his island."</p> + +<p>"Well, this story is a true one," said Julia. "It happened to the children +of some friends of mine, who <a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>live about fifty miles from Chicago." Then +she began to read as follows:—</p> + + +<h4>ROBINSON CRUSOE</h4> + +<p>"I guess I shall like Robinson Crusoe, mamma!" exclaimed Johnnie Ford, +rushing into his mother's room after school one day.</p> + +<p>"You would be an odd kind of boy if you did not," replied Mrs. Ford, "and +yet you didn't seem much pleased when your father gave you the book on your +birthday."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't care much about it then, but Fred King says it is the best +story that ever was, and he ought to know; he rides to school in an +automobile. Say, when'll you read it to me? Do it now, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"If what?" corrected Mrs. Ford.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if you please. You know I always mean it."</p> + +<p>"No, dear, I don't think I will. A boy nine years old ought to be able to +read Robinson Crusoe for himself."</p> + +<p>Johnnie looked startled, and stood on one leg while he twisted the other +around it.</p> + +<p>"If you have a pleasant object to work for, it will make it so much the +easier to study," continued Mrs. Ford, as she handed Johnnie the blue book +with a gold picture pressed into its side.</p> + +<p>Johnnie pouted and looked very cross. "It's a regular old trap," he said.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 311px;"> +<img src="images/image250.jpg" width="311" height="478" alt="TRUDGING ALONG BEFORE HIM" title="" /> +<span class="caption">TRUDGING ALONG BEFORE HIM</span> +</div> + +<p>"Yes, dear, a trap to catch a student;" and pretty Mrs. Ford's low laugh +was so contagious that Johnnie marched out of the room, fearing he might +smile in sympathy; but he soon found that leaving the room was not +<a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>escaping from the fascinating Crusoe. Up to this time Johnnie had never +taken much interest in school-books beyond scribbling on their blank +margins. Was it really worth while, he wondered, "to buckle down" and learn +to read? He knew just enough about the famous Crusoe to make him wish to +learn more, so he finally decided that it was worth while, if only to +impress Chips Wood, his next-door neighbor and playmate, a boy a year +younger than himself, whom Johnnie patronized out of school hours. So he +worked away until at last there came a proud day when he carried the blue +and gold wonder book into Chips' yard, and, seated beside his friend on the +piazza step, began to read aloud the story of Robinson Crusoe. It would be +hard to tell which pair of eyes grew widest and roundest as the tale +unfolded, and when Johnnie, one day, laid the book down, finished, two +sighs of admiration floated away over Mrs. Wood's crocus bed.</p> + +<p>"Chips, I'd rather be Robinson Crusoe than a king!" exclaimed Johnnie.</p> + +<p>"So would I," responded Chips. "Let's play it."</p> + +<p>"But we can't both be Crusoes. Wouldn't you like to be Friday?" asked +Johnnie insinuatingly, "he was so nice and black."</p> + +<p>"Ye-yes," hesitated Chips, who had great confidence in Johnnie's judgment, +but whose fancy had been taken by the high cap and leggings in the golden +picture.</p> + +<p>"Then I've got a plan," and Johnnie leaned toward his friend's ear and +whispered something under cover of his hand, that opened the younger boy's +eyes wider than ever.</p><p><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a></p> + +<p>"Now you mustn't tell," added Johnnie aloud, "'cause that wouldn't he like +men a hit. Promise not to, deed and double!"</p> + +<p>"Deed and double!" echoed Chips solemnly, for that was a very binding +expression between him and Johnnie.</p> + +<p>For several days following this, Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Ford were besieged by +the boys to permit them to earn money; and Mrs. Ford, especially, was +astonished at the way Johnnie worked at clearing up the yard, and such +other jobs as were not beyond his strength; but, inquire as she might into +the motive of all this labor, she could only discover that Chips and +Johnnie wished to buy a hen.</p> + +<p>"Have you asked father if you might keep hens?" she inquired of Johnnie, +but he only shook his head mysteriously.</p> + +<p>Chips' mother found him equally uncommunicative. She would stand at her +window which overlooked the Fords' back yard, and watch the boys throw +kindling into the shed, or sweep the paths, and wonder greatly in her own +mind. "Bless their little hearts, what can it all be about?" she +questioned, but she could not get at the truth.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the children ceased asking for jobs, and announced that they had +all the money they cared for. The day after this announcement was the first +of April. When Mr. Ford came home to dinner that day, he missed Johnnie.</p> + +<p>"I suppose some of his schoolmates have persuaded him to stay and share +their lunch," explained Mrs. Ford.</p><p><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a></p> + +<p>She had scarcely finished speaking when Mrs. Wood came in, inquiring for +Chips. "I have not seen him for two hours," she said, "and I cannot help +feeling a little anxious, for the children have behaved so queerly lately."</p> + +<p>"I know," returned Mrs. Ford, beginning to look worried. "Why, do you know, +Johnnie didn't play a trick on one of us this morning. I actually had to +remind him that it was April Fools' Day."</p> + +<p>Mr. Ford laughed. "How woe-begone you both look! I think there is a very +simple explanation of the boys' absence. Chips probably went to school to +meet Johnnie, who has persuaded him to stay during the play hour. I will +drive around there on my way to business and send Chips home."</p> + +<p>The mothers welcomed this idea warmly; and in a short time Mr. Ford set +out, but upon reaching the school was met with the word that Johnnie had +not been seen there at all that morning. Then it was his turn to look +anxious. He drove about, questioning every one, until he finally obtained a +clue at the meat market where he dealt.</p> + +<p>"Your little boy was in here this morning about half past ten, after a ham. +He wouldn't have it charged; said 'twas for himself," said the market-man, +laughing at the remembrance. "He didn't have quite enough money to pay for +it, but I told him I guessed that would be all right, and off they went, +him and the little Wood boy, luggin' that ham most as big as they was."</p> + +<p>"Then they were together. Which way did they go?"</p><p><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a></p> + +<p>"Straight south, I know, 'cause I went to the door and watched 'em. You +haven't lost 'em, have you?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not," and Mr. Ford sprang into his buggy, and drove off in the +direction indicated, occasionally stopping to inquire if the children had +been seen. To his great satisfaction he found it easy to trace them, thanks +to the ham; and a little beyond the outskirts of the town he saw a +promising speck ahead of him on the flat, white road. As he drew nearer, +the speck widened and heightened into two little boys trudging along before +him. His heart gave a thankful bound at sight of the dear little legs in +their black stockings and knee breeches, and leaving his buggy by the side +of the road, he walked rapidly forward and caught up with the boys, who +turned and faced him as he approached. Displeased as he was, Mr. Ford could +hardly resist a hearty laugh at the comical appearance of the runaways. +Chips carried the big, heavy ham, and Johnnie was keeping firm hold of a +hen, who stretched her neck and looked very uncomfortable in her quarters +under his arm.</p> + +<p>"Why, father!" exclaimed Johnnie, recovering from a short tussle with the +poor hen, "how funny that you should be here."</p> + +<p>"No stranger than that you should be here, I think. Where, if I have any +right to ask, are you going?"</p> + +<p>"To Lake Michigan," replied Johnnie composedly. "Oh, I do wish this old hen +would keep still!"</p> + +<p>"Then you have fifty miles before you," said Mr. Lord.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Johnnie, "but it would have been a thousand miles to +the ocean, you know."</p><p><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a></p> + +<p>"Ha, ha, ha!" roared Mr. Ford, mystified, but unable to control himself any +longer at sight of Johnnie and the hen, and patient-faced Chips clutching +the ham.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you don't mind, father," said Johnnie. "I thought it would be so +nice for you and mother and Mrs. Wood not to have Chips and me to worry +about any more."</p> + +<p>"It was very thoughtful of you," replied Mr. Ford, remembering the anxious +faces at home. "And what are you going to do at Lake Michigan?"</p> + +<p>"Take a boat and go away and get wrecked on a desert island, like Robinson +Crusoe," responded Johnnie glibly, at the same time hitching the hen up +higher under his arm.</p> + +<p>"And how about Chips?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm Man Friday," chirped Chips, his poor little face quite black +enough for the character.</p> + +<p>"I am so sorry we had to tell you so soon," said Johnnie. "We were keeping +it a secret until we got to the lake; then we were going to send you a +letter."</p> + +<p>Mr. Ford looked gravely into his son's grimy face. It was an honest face, +and Johnnie had always been a truthful boy, and just now seemed only +troubled by the restless behavior of his hen; so the father rightly +concluded that the blue and gold book had captivated him into the belief +that what he and Chips were doing was admirable and heroic.</p> + +<p>"What part is the hen going to play?" asked the gentleman. "Is she going to +help stock your island?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, but we couldn't get along without her, because she's going to lay +eggs along the way."</p> + +<p>"Lay eggs?"</p><p><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a></p> + +<p>"Yes, for our lunch. At first we weren't going to take anything but the +hen, but Chips said he liked ham and eggs better'n anything, so we decided +to take it."</p> + +<p>Another pause; then Mr. Ford said: "You both look tired, haven't you had +enough of it? I'm going home now."</p> + +<p>"No, no," asserted the boys.</p> + +<p>"And have you thought of your mothers, whom you didn't even kiss good-by?"</p> + +<p>Johnnie stood on one leg and twisted the other foot around it, after his +manner when troubled.</p> + +<p>"I thought you knew, Johnnie, that nothing ever turns out right when you +undertake it without first consulting mother."</p> + +<p>"I wish now I'd kissed mine good-by," observed Friday thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Come, we'll go back together," said Mr. Ford quietly, moving off as he +spoke, "and we will see what Mrs. Wood and mother have to say on the +subject."</p> + +<p>Johnnie and Chips followed slowly. "Father," said the former emphatically, +"I can't be happy without being wrecked, and I do hope mother won't +object."</p> + +<p>His father made no reply to this, and three quarters of an hour afterward +the children jumped out of the buggy into their mothers' arms, and as they +still clung to their lunch, the ham and the hen came in for a share of the +embracing, which the hen objected to seriously, never having been hugged +before this eventful day.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, mother," said Johnnie patronizingly, "father'll tell you all +about it while I go and put Speckle in a safe place." So the boys went, and +Mr.<a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a> Ford seated himself in an armchair, and related the events of the +afternoon to the ladies, adding some advice as to the manner of making the +boys see the folly of their undertaking.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wood and Chips took tea at the Fords' that evening, and the boys, once +delivered from the necessity of keeping their secret, rattled on +incessantly of their plans; talked so much and so fast, in fact, that their +parents were not obliged to say anything, which was a great convenience, as +they had nothing they wished to say just then. It had been a mild first of +April, and after supper the little company sat out on the piazza for a +time.</p> + +<p>"As Johnnie and Chips will be obliged to spend so many nights out of doors +on their way to Lake Michigan, it will be an excellent plan to begin +immediately," said Mr. Ford. "You'll like to spend the night out here, of +course, boys. To be sure, it will be a good deal more comfortable than the +road, still you can judge by it how such a life will suit you."</p> + +<p>Johnnie looked at Chips and Chips looked at Johnnie; for the exertions of +the day had served to make the thought of their white beds very inviting; +but Mr. Ford and the ladies talked on different subjects, and took no +notice of them. At last the evening air grew uncomfortably cool, and the +grown people rose to go in.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, all," said Mrs. Wood, starting for home.</p> + +<p>Chips watched her down to the gate. "Aren't you going to kiss me +good-night?" he called.</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you want me to," she answered, turning <a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>back, "but you went +away this morning without kissing me, you know." Then she kissed him and +went away; and in all his eight years of life little Man Friday had never +felt so forlorn. Johnnie held up his lips sturdily to bid his father and +mother good-night.</p> + +<p>"I think we are going to have a thunder-storm, unseasonable as it will be," +remarked Mr. Ford pleasantly, standing in the doorway. "Well, I suppose you +won't mind it. Good luck to you, boys!" then the heavy front door closed.</p> + +<p>Johnnie had never before realized what a clang it made when it was shut. +The key turned with a squeaking noise, a bolt was pushed with a solid thud; +all the windows came banging down, their locks were made fast, and Johnnie +and Chips felt literally, figuratively, and every other way left out in the +cold.</p> + +<p>There was an uncomfortable silence for a minute; then Chips spoke.</p> + +<p>"Your house is splendid and safe, isn't it, Johnnie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is."</p> + +<p>"I wonder where we'd better lie down," pursued Chips. "I'm sleepy. Let's +play we're Crusoe and Friday now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can't," responded Johnnie impatiently, "not with so many com—" he +was going to say comforts, but changed his mind.</p> + +<p>The night was very dark, not a twinkling star peeped down at the children, +and the naked branches of the climbing roses rattled against the pillars to +which they were nailed, for the wind was rising.</p> + +<p>The boys sat down on the steps and Chips edged closer to his companion. "I +think it was queer actions <a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>in my mother," he said, "to leave me here +without any shawl or pillow or anything."</p> + +<p>A little chill crept over Johnnie's head from sleepiness and cold. "Our +mothers don't care what happens to us," he replied gloomily. The stillness +of the house and the growing lateness of the hour combined to make him feel +that if being wrecked was more uncomfortable than this, he could, after +all, be happy without it.</p> + +<p>"What do you think?" broke in the shivering Man Friday. "Mamma says ham +isn't good to eat if it isn't cooked."</p> + +<p>"And that's the meanest old hen that ever lived!" returned Crusoe. "She +hasn't laid an egg since I got her."</p> + +<p>A distant rumble sounded in the air. "What's that?" asked Chips.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should think you'd know that's thunder," replied Johnnie crossly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said little Chips meekly, "and we're going to get wet."</p> + +<p>They were both quiet for another minute, while the wind rose and swept by +them.</p> + +<p>"I really think, Johnnie," began Chips apologetically, "that I'm not big +enough to be a good Man Friday. I think to-morrow you'd better find +somebody else."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," replied Johnnie feelingly. "I'd rather give up being wrecked +than go off with any one but you. If you give up, I shall."</p> + +<p>The rain began to patter down.</p> + +<p>"If you don't like to get wet, Chips, I'd just as lieves go and ring the +bell as not," he added.</p><p><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a></p> + +<p>A sudden sweep of wind nearly tipped the children over, for they had risen, +undecidedly.</p> + +<p>"No," called Chips stoutly, to be heard above the blast. "I'll be Friday +till to-morrow." His last word sounded like a shout, for the wind suddenly +died.</p> + +<p>"What do you scream so for?" asked Johnnie impatiently; but the storm had +only paused, as it were to get ready, and now approached swiftly, gathering +strength as it came. It swept across the piazza, taking the children's +breath away and bending the tall maple in front of the house with such +sudden fury that a branch snapped off; then the wind died in the distance +with a rushing sound and the breaking tree was illumined by a flash of +lightning.</p> + +<p>"I think, Johnnie," said Chips unsteadily, "that God wants us to go in the +house."</p> + +<p>A peal of thunder roared. "I've just thought," replied Johnnie, keeping his +balance by clutching the younger boy as tightly as Chips was clinging to +him, "that perhaps it wasn't right for us to run off the way we did, +without getting any advice."</p> + +<p>They strove with the wind only a few seconds more, then, with one accord, +struggled to the door where one rang peal after peal at the bell, while the +other pounded sturdily.</p> + +<p>Johnnie didn't stop then to wonder how his father could get downstairs to +open the door so quickly. Mrs. Ford, too, seemed to have been waiting for +the pair of heroes, and she took them straight to Johnnie's room, where she +undressed them in silence and rolled them into bed. They said their prayers +and were asleep in two minutes, while the storm howled outside. Then, in +<a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a>some mysterious way, Mrs. Wood came into the room, and the three parents +stood watching the unconscious children.</p> + +<p>"That's the last of one trial with those boys, I'm sure," said Mr. Ford, +laughing, and he was right; for it was years before any one heard either +Johnnie or Chips mention Robinson Crusoe or his Man Friday.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>ST. VALENTINE</h3> + + +<p>After that day when, on the lee side of the sand-dune the Evringham family +read together the story of Johnnie and Chips, it was some time before the +last tale in the story book was called for.</p> + +<p>The farmhouse where they boarded stood near a pond formed by the rushing in +of the sea during some change in the sands of the beach, so here was still +another water playmate for Jewel.</p> + +<p>"I do hope," said Mr. Evringham meditatively, on the first morning that he +and Jewel stood together on its green bank, "I do hope that very particular +housekeeper, Nature, will let this pond alone until we go!"</p> + +<p>Jewel looked up at his serious face with the lines between the eyes. "She +wouldn't touch this great big pond, would she?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Ho! Wouldn't she? Well, I guess so."</p> + +<p>"But," suggested Jewel, lifting her shoulders, "she's too busy in summer in +the ravines and everywhere."</p> + +<p>"Oh," Mr. Evringham nodded his head knowingly. "Nature looks out for +everything."</p> + +<p>"Grandpa!" Jewel's eyes were intent. "Would she ask Summer to touch this +great big pond? What would she want to do it for?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, more house-cleaning, I suppose."</p> + +<p>The child chuckled as she looked out across the blue <a name="Page_264" id="Page_264"></a>waves, rippling in +the wind and white-capped here and there, "When you know it's washed all +the <i>time</i>, grandpa," she responded. "The waves are just scrubbing it now. +Can't you see?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the broker nodded gravely. "No doubt that is why she has to empty it +so seldom. Sometimes she lets it go a very long time; but then the day +comes when she begins to think it over, and to calculate how much sediment +and one thing and another there is in the bottom of that pond; and at last +she says, 'Come now, out it must go!'"</p> + +<p>"But how can she get it out, how?" asked Jewel keenly interested. "The +brooks are all running somewhere, but the pond doesn't. How can she dip it +out? It would take Summer's hottest sun a year!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, Nature is too clever to try that. The winds are her servants, +you know, and they understand their business perfectly; so when she says +'That pond needs to be cleaned out,' they merely get up a storm some night +after everybody's gone to bed. The people have seen the pond fine and full +when the sun went down. All that night the wind howls and the windows +rattle and the trees bend and switch around; and if those in the farmhouse, +instead of being in bed, were over there on the beach," the speaker waved +his hand toward the shining white sand, distant, but in plain sight, "they +might see countless billows working for dear life to dig a trench through +the hard sand. The wind sends one tremendous wave after another to help +them, and as a great roller breaks and recedes, all the little crested +waves scrabble with might and main, pulling at the softened sand, until, +after hours of this <a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a>labor, the cut is made completely through from sea to +pond."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham looked down and met the unwinking gaze fixed upon him. "Then +why—why," asked Jewel, "when the big rollers keep coming, doesn't the pond +get filled fuller than ever?"</p> + +<p>The broker lifted his forefinger toward his face with a long drawn "Ah-h! +Nature is much too clever for <i>that</i>. She may not have gone to college, but +she understands engineering, all the same. All this is accomplished just at +the right moment for the outgoing tide to pull at the pond with a mighty +hand. Well,"—pausing dramatically,—"you can imagine what happens when the +deep cut is finished."</p> + +<p>"Does the pond have to go, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"It just does, and in a hurry!"</p> + +<p>"Is it sorry, do you think?" asked Jewel doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"We-ell, I don't know that I ever thought of that side of it; but you can +imagine the feelings of the people in the farmhouse, who went to bed beside +the ripples of a smiling little lake, and woke to find themselves near a +great empty bog."</p> + +<p>Jewel thought and sighed deeply. "Well," she said, at last, "I hope Nature +will wait till we're gone. I love this pond."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I hope so, too. There wouldn't be any pleasant side to it."</p> + +<p>Jewel's thoughtful face brightened. "Except for the little fishes and +water-creatures that would rush out to sea. It's fun for <i>them</i>. Mustn't +they be surprised when that happens, grandpa?"</p><p><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a></p> + +<p>"I should think so! Do you suppose the wind gives them any warning, or any +time to pack?"</p> + +<p>Jewel laughed. "I don't know; but just think of rushing out into those +great breakers, when you don't expect it, right from living so quietly in +the pond!"</p> + +<p>"H'm. A good deal like going straight from Bel-Air Park to Wall Street, I +should think."</p> + +<p>Jewel grew serious. "I think fish have the most <i>fun</i>," she said. "Do you +know, grandpa, I've decided that if I couldn't be your little grandchild, +I'd rather be a lobster than anything."</p> + +<p>The broker threw up his head, laughing. "Some children could combine the +two," he replied, "but you can't."</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Jewel.</p> + +<p>"Nothing. Why not be a fish, Jewel? They're much more graceful."</p> + +<p>"But they can't creep around among the coral and peek into oyster shells at +the pearls."</p> + +<p>"Imagine a lobster peeking!" Mr. Evringham strained his eyes to their +widest and stared at Jewel, who shouted.</p> + +<p>"That's just the way the sand-fleas look," she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the broker, recovering his ordinary expression, "you may +as well remain a little girl, so far as that goes. You can creep around +among the coral and peek at pearls at Tiffany's."</p> + +<p>"What's Tiffany's?"</p> + +<p>"Something you will take more interest in when you're older." The broker +shook his head. "The difference is that the lobster wouldn't care to wear +the <a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a>coral and pearls. An awful thought comes over me once in a while, +Jewel," he added, after a pause.</p> + +<p>The child looked up at him seriously. "It can be met," she answered +quickly.</p> + +<p>He smiled. He understood her peculiar expressions in these days. "Hardly, I +think," he answered. "It is this: that you are going to grow up."</p> + +<p>Jewel looked off at the blue water. "Well," she replied at last hopefully, +"you're grown up, you know, and perhaps you'll like me then just as much as +I do you."</p> + +<p>He squeezed the little hand he held. "We'll hope so," he said.</p> + +<p>"And besides, grandpa," she went on, for she had heard him express the same +dread before, "we'll be together every day, so perhaps you won't notice it. +Sometimes I've tried to see a flower open. I've known it was going to do +it, and I've been just <i>bound</i> I'd see it; and I've watched and watched, +but I never could see when the leaves spread, no matter how much I tried, +and yet it would get to be a rose, somehow. Perhaps some day somebody'll +say to you, 'Why, Jewel's a grown up lady, isn't she?' and you'll say, 'Is +she, really? Why, I hadn't noticed it.'"</p> + +<p>"That's a comforting idea," returned Mr. Evringham briefly, his eyes +resting on the upturned face.</p> + +<p>"So now, if the pond won't run away, we'll have the most <i>fun</i>," went on +Jewel, relieved. "They <i>said</i> we could take this boat, grandpa, and have a +row." She lifted her shoulders and smiled.</p> + +<p>"H'm. A row and a swim combined," returned the broker. "I'm surprised +they've nothing better this <a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a>year than that ramshackle boat. You'll have to +bail if we go."</p> + +<p>"What's bail?" eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Dipping out the water with a tin cup."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that'll be fun. It'll be an adventure, grandpa, won't it?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not," earnestly, was the reply; but Jewel was already sitting on +the grass pulling off her shoes and stockings. She leaped nimbly into the +wet boat, and Mr. Evringham stepped gingerly after her, seeking for dry +spots for his canvas shoes.</p> + +<p>"I think," said the child joyfully, as they pushed off, "when the winds and +waves notice us having so much fun, they'll let the pond alone, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"If they have any hearts at all," responded Mr. Evringham, bending to the +oars.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, you can tell stories like any thing!" exclaimed Jewel +admiringly.</p> + +<p>"It has been said before," rejoined the broker modestly.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>When outdoor gayeties had to be dispensed with one day, on account of a +thorough downpour of rain, the last story in Jewel's book was called for.</p> + +<p>The little circle gathered in the big living-room; there was no question +now as to whether Mr. Evringham should be present.</p> + +<p>"It is Hobson's choice this time," said Mrs. Evringham, "so we'll all +choose the story, won't we?"</p> + +<p>"Let Anna Belle have the turn, though," replied Jewel. "She chose the first +one and she must have the last, because she doesn't have so much fun as the +rest <a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a>of us." She hugged the doll and kissed her cheeks comfortingly. It +was too true that often of late Anna Belle did not accompany all the +excursions, but she went to bed with Jewel every night, and it was seldom +that the child was too sleepy to take her into full confidence concerning +the events of the day; and Anna Belle, being of a sedentary turn and given +to day dreams, was apparently quite as well pleased.</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Evringham settled in a big easy-chair; the reader took a small one +by the window, and Jewel sat on the rug before the fire, holding Anna +Belle.</p> + +<p>"Now we're off," said Mr. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"Go to sleep if you like, father," remarked the author, smiling, and then +she began to read the story entitled</p> + + +<h4>ST. VALENTINE</h4> + +<p>There was a little buzz of interest in Miss Joslyn's room in the public +school, one day in February, over the arrival of a new scholar. Only a very +little buzz, because the new-comer was a plain little girl as to face and +dress, with big, wondering eyes, and a high-necked and long-sleeved gingham +apron.</p> + +<p>"Take this seat, Alma," said Miss Joslyn; and the little girl obeyed, while +Ada Singer, the scholar directly behind her, nudged her friend, Lucy Berry, +and mimicked the stranger's surprised way of looking around the room.</p> + +<p>The first day in a new school is an ordeal to most children, but Alma felt +no fear or strangeness, and gazed about her, well pleased with her novel +surroundings, and her innocent pleasure was a source of great amusement to +Ada.</p><p><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a></p> + +<p>"Isn't she queer-looking?" she asked of Lucy, as at noon they perched on +the window-sill in the dressing-room, where they always ate their lunch +together.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she has such big eyes," assented Lucy. "Who is she?"</p> + +<p>"Why, her mother has just come to work in my father's factory. Her father +is dead, or in prison, or something."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" exclaimed a voice, and looking down from their elevated seat the +girls saw Alma Driscoll, a big tin dinner-pail in her hand, and her cheeks +flushing. "My father went away because he was discouraged, but he is coming +back."</p> + +<p>Ada shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of jelly-cake. "What a delicate +appetite you must have," she said, winking at Lucy and looking at the big +pail.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't full; the things don't fit very well," replied Alma, taking +off the cover and disclosing a little lunch at the bottom; "but it was all +the pail we had." Then she sat down on the floor of the dressing-room and +took out a piece of bread and butter.</p> + +<p>"Well, upon my word, if that isn't cool!" exclaimed Ada, staring at the +brown gingham figure.</p> + +<p>Alma looked up mildly. She had come to the dressing-room on purpose to eat +her lunch where she could look at Lucy Berry, who seemed beautiful to Alma, +with her brown eyes, red cheeks, and soft cashmere dress, and it never +occurred to her that she could be in the way.</p> + +<p>Ada turned to Lucy with a curling lip. "I should hate to be a third party, +shouldn't you?" she asked, so significantly that even Alma couldn't help +understanding <a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a>her. Tears started to the big eyes as the little girl +dropped her bread back into the hollow depths of the pail, replaced the +cover, and went away to find a solitary corner, with a sorer spot in her +heart than she had ever known.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why did you say that, Ada?" exclaimed Lucy, making a movement as if to +slip down from the window-seat and follow.</p> + +<p>"Don't you go one step after her, Lucy Berry," commanded Ada. "My mother +doesn't want me to associate with the children of the factory people. +She'll find plenty of friends of her own kind."</p> + +<p>"But you hurt her feelings," protested Lucy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I didn't," carelessly; "besides, if I did, she'll forget all about +it. I had to let her know that she couldn't stay with us. Do you want a +stranger like that to hear everything we're saying?"</p> + +<p>"I feel as if I ought to go and find her and see if she has somebody to eat +with."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Lucy. If you go with her, I can't go with you, that's all. You +can take your choice."</p> + +<p>The final tone in Ada's voice destroyed Lucy's courage. The little girls +were very fond of one another, and Lucy was entirely under strong-willed +Ada's influence.</p> + +<p>Ada was a most attractive little person. Her father, the owner of the +factory, was the richest man in town; and to play on Ada's wonderful piano, +where you had only to push with your feet to play the gayest music, or to +ride with her in her automobile, were exciting joys to her friends. She +always had money in her pocket, and boxes of candy for the entertainment of +other children, and Lucy was proud of her own position <a name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a>as Ada's intimate +friend. So when it came to making a choice between this brilliant companion +and the gingham-clad daughter of a factory hand, Lucy Berry's courage and +sympathy oozed away, and she sat back on the window-seat, while Ada began +talking about something else.</p> + +<p>This first school-day was Alma Driscoll's introduction into the world +outside of her mother's love. She had never felt so lonely as when +surrounded by all these girls, each of whom had her intimate friend, and +among whom she was not wanted. She could not help feeling that she was +different from the others, and day by day the wondering eyes grew shy and +lonely; and she avoided the children out of school hours, bravely hiding +from her mother that the gingham apron, which always hid her faded dress, +seemed to her a badge of disgrace that separated her from her daintily +dressed schoolmates.</p> + +<p>Such was the state of affairs when St. Valentine's day dawned. Alma's two +weeks of school had seemed a little eternity to her; but this day she could +feel that there was something unusual in the air, and she could not help +being affected by the pleasurable excitement afloat in the room. She knew +what the big white box by the door was for, and when, after school, Miss +Joslyn was appointed to uncover and distribute the valentines, Alma found +herself following the crowd, until, pressed close to Lucy Berry's side, she +stood in the centre of the merry group about the teacher.</p> + +<p>While the dainty envelopes were being passed around her, a shade of +wistfulness crept over the child's face, and her eager fingers crumpled the +checked apron as <a name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a>though Alma feared they might otherwise touch the +beautiful valentines that shone so enticingly with red and blue, gold and +silver. Suddenly Miss Joslyn spoke her name,—Alma Driscoll; only she said +"Miss Alma Driscoll," and, yes, there was no mistake about it, she had read +it off one of those vine-wreathed envelopes.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see such a goose!" exclaimed Ada Singer, as she watched the +mixture of shyness and eagerness with which Alma took her valentine and +opened the envelope.</p> + +<p>Poor little Alma! How her heart beat as she unfolded her prize—and how it +sank when she beheld the coarse, flaring picture of a sewing girl, with a +disgusting rhyme printed beneath it. She dropped the valentine, a great sob +of disappointment choked her, and bursting into tears, she pushed her way +through the crowd and rushed from the schoolroom.</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of that?" asked Miss Joslyn.</p> + +<p>For answer some one handed her the picture. The young lady glanced at it, +then tore it in pieces as she looked sadly around on her scholars.</p> + +<p>"Whoever sent this knows that Alma's mother works in the factory," she +said. "It makes me ashamed of my whole school to think there is one child +in it cruel enough to do this thing;" then, amid the silent consternation +of the scholars, Miss Joslyn rose, and leaving the half-emptied box, went +home without another word.</p> + +<p>"What a fuss about nothing," said Ada Singer. "The idea of crying because +you get a 'comic!' What else could Alma Driscoll expect?"</p><p><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274"></a></p> + +<p>Lucy Berry's cheeks had been growing redder all through this scene, and now +she turned upon Ada.</p> + +<p>"She has a right to expect a great deal else," she returned excitedly, "but +we've all been so hateful to her it's a wonder if she did. I wish I'd been +kind to her before," she continued, her heart aching with the remembrance +of the little lonely figure, and the big, hollow dinner-pail; "but I'm +going to be her friend now, always, and you can be friends with us or not, +just as you please;" and turning from the astonished Ada, Lucy Berry +marched out of the schoolroom, fearing she should cry if she stayed, and +sure that if there were any more beauties for her in the white box, her +stanch friend, Frank Morse, would take care of them for her. Among the +valentines she had already received was one addressed in his handwriting, +and she looked at it as she walked along.</p> + +<p>"It's the handsomest one I ever saw," she thought, lifting a rose here, and +a group of cupids there, and reading the tender messages thus disclosed.</p> + +<p>"I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed aloud. "I'll send it to Alma. Frank +won't care," and covering the valentine in its box, she started to run, and +turned a corner at such speed that she bumped into somebody coming at equal +or greater speed, from the opposite direction. A passer-by just then would +have been amused to see a boy and girl sitting flat on the sidewalk, +rubbing their heads and staring at one another.</p> + +<p>"Lucy Berry!"</p> + +<p>"Frank Morse!"</p> + +<p>"What's up?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing. Something's down, and it's me."</p><p><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, excuse me; but I guess you haven't seen any more stars than I have. +I don't care anything for the Fourth now, I've seen enough fireworks to +last me a year."</p> + +<p>Both children laughed. "You've got grit, Lucy," added Frank, jumping up and +coming to help her. "Most girls would have boo-hooed over that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wouldn't," returned the little girl, springing to her feet. "I'm too +excited."</p> + +<p>"Well, what <i>is</i> up?" persisted Frank. "I skipped out of the side door to +try to meet you."</p> + +<p>"Well, you did," laughed Lucy. "Oh, Frank, I don't know how I can laugh," +she pursued, sobering. "I don't deserve to, ever again."</p> + +<p>"What is it? Something about that Driscoll kid? She was crying. I was back +there and I didn't hear what Miss Joslyn said; but I saw her leave, and +then you, and I thought <i>I</i>'d go to the fire, too, if there was one."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there is," returned Lucy, "right in here." She grasped the waist of +her dress over where her heart was beating hard.</p> + +<p>Frank Morse was older than herself and Ada, and she knew that he was one of +the few of their friends whose good opinion Ada cared for. To enlist him on +Alma's side would mean something.</p> + +<p>"Is Ada still there?" she added.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she took charge of the valentine box after Miss Joslyn left."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank, do you suppose she could have sent Alma the 'comic'?" Genuine +grief made Lucy's voice unsteady.</p><p><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a></p> + +<p>"Supposing she did," returned Frank stoutly. "Is that what Big-Eyes was +crying about? I hate people to be touchy and blubber over a thing like +that."</p> + +<p>"You don't know. Her mother works in the factory, and this was a horrid +picture making fun of it. Think of your own mother earning your living and +being made fun of."</p> + +<p>"Ada wouldn't do that," replied Frank shortly. "What made you think of such +a thing?"</p> + +<p>"It was error for me to say it," returned Lucy, with a meek groan. "I've +been doing error things ever since Alma came to school. Oh, Frank, you're a +Christian Scientist, too. You must help me to get things straight."</p> + +<p>"You don't need to be a Christian Scientist to see that it wasn't a square +deal to send the kid that picture."</p> + +<p>"No, I know it; but when Alma first came, Ada said her mother didn't allow +her to go with girls from the factory, and so I stopped trying to be kind +to Alma, because Ada wouldn't like me if I did; and it's been such +mesmerism, Frank."</p> + +<p>The boy smiled. "Do you remember the stories your mother used to tell us +about the work of the error-fairies?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I do. My head's just been full of it the last fifteen minutes. I've +done nothing for two weeks but give the error-fairies backbones, and I +don't care what happens to me, or how much I'm punished, if I can only do +right again."</p> + +<p>"Who's going to punish you?" asked Frank, not quite seeing the reason for +so much feeling.</p><p><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a></p> + +<p>"Ada. We've always had so much fun, and now it's all over."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess not. Ada Singer's all right."</p> + +<p>Lucy didn't think so. She was convinced that her friend had done this last +unkindness to Alma, and it was the shock of that discovery that was causing +a portion of her suffering now.</p> + +<p>Frank and Lucy talked for a few minutes longer, and it was agreed that the +former should return to the school and get any other valentines that should +be there for Lucy and himself; then, as soon as it grew dark, they would +run to the Driscoll cottage with an offering.</p> + +<p>Late that afternoon three mothers were called to interviews with three +little girls. Lucy Berry surprised hers by rushing in where Mrs. Berry was +seated, sewing.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed the little girl, "I'm so sorry all over, mother!"</p> + +<p>"Then you must know why you can't be," returned Mrs. Berry, looking up at +the flushed face and seeing something there that made her put aside her +work.</p> + +<p>Lucy usually considered herself too large to sit in her mother's lap, but +now she did so, and flinging her arms around her neck, poured out the whole +story.</p> + +<p>"To think that Ada <i>could</i> send it!" finished Lucy, with one big sob.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, be careful. You don't know that she did," replied Mrs. Berry. +"'Thou shalt not bear false witness.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I do <i>hope</i> she didn't," responded Lucy, "but<a name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a> Ada is stuck up. I've +been seeing it more and more lately."</p> + +<p>"And how about the beam in my little girl's own eye?" asked Mrs. Berry +gently.</p> + +<p>"Haven't I been telling you all about it? I've been just as selfish and +cowardly as I could be." Lucy's voice was despairing.</p> + +<p>"I think there's a beam there still. I think you are angry with Ada."</p> + +<p>"How can I help it? If it hadn't been for her I shouldn't have been so +mean."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lucy dear!" Mrs. Berry smiled over the head on her shoulder. "There is +old Adam again, blaming somebody else for his fall. Have you forgotten that +there is only one person you have the right to work with and change?"</p> + +<p>"I don't care," replied Lucy hotly. "I've been calling evil good. I have. +I've been calling Ada good and sticking to her and letting her run me."</p> + +<p>"Was it because of what you could get from her, or because of what you +could do for her?" asked Mrs. Berry quietly.</p> + +<p>Lucy was silent a minute, then she spoke: "She wanted me. She liked me +better than anybody."</p> + +<p>"Well, now you see what selfish attachments can turn into," returned Mrs. +Berry. "Do you remember the teaching about the worthlessness of mortal mind +love? Here are you and Ada, yesterday thinking you love one another, and +to-day at enmity."</p> + +<p>"I'm going with Alma Driscoll now, and I'm going to eat my lunch with her, +and everything. I should think that was unselfish."</p><p><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279"></a></p> + +<p>"Perhaps it will be. We'll see. Isn't it a little comfort to you to think +that it will be some punishment to Ada to see you do it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Lucy, who was so honest that she hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, think until you do know, and be very certain whether the +thoughts that are stirring you so are all loving. You see, dearie, we're +all so tempted, in times of excitement, to begin at the wrong end: tempted +to begin with ourselves instead of with God. The all-loving Creator of you +and Ada and Alma has made three dear children, one just as precious to Him +as another. If the loveliness of His creation is hidden by something +discordant, then we must work away at it; and one's own consciousness is +the place where she has a right to work, and that helps all. It says in the +Bible 'When He giveth quietness who then can make trouble?' You can rest +yourself with the thought of His great quietness now, and you will reflect +it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Berry paused and her rocking-chair swayed softly back and forth during +a moment of silence.</p> + +<p>"You know enough about Science," she went on, at last, "to be certain that +weeks of an offended manner with Ada would have no effect except to make +her long to punish you. You know that love is reflected in love, and that +its opposite is just as certain to be reflected unless one knows God's +truth."</p> + +<p>"But you don't say anything at all about Alma," said Lucy. "She's the chief +one."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Berry smiled. "No," she returned gently. "You are the chief one. Just +as soon as your thought is surely right, don't you know that your heavenly<a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a> +Father is going to show you how to unravel this little snarl? You remember +there isn't any personality to error, whether it tries to fasten on Ada, or +on you."</p> + +<p>Lucy sat upright. Her cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes had lost +their excited light. "Frank Morse and I are going to take some pretty +valentines to Alma's as soon as it is dark," she said.</p> + +<p>"That will be pleasant. Now let us read over the lesson for to-day again, +and know what a joyous thing life is."</p> + +<p>"Well, mother, will you go and see Mrs. Driscoll some time?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I will, Sunday. I suppose she is too busy to see me other days."</p> + +<p>In the Singer house another excited child had rushed home from school and +sought and found her mother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Singer had just reached a most interesting spot in the novel she was +reading, when Ada startled her by running into the room and slamming the +door behind her.</p> + +<p>"Mother, you know you don't want me to go with the factory people," she +cried.</p> + +<p>"Of course not. What's the matter?" returned Mrs. Singer briefly, keeping +her finger between the leaves of her half-closed book.</p> + +<p>"Why, Lucy Berry is angry with me, and I don't care. I shall never go with +her again!"</p> + +<p>"Dear me, Ada. I should think you could settle these little differences +without bothering me. What has the factory to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, there is a new girl at school, Alma Driscoll, and her mother works +there; and she tried to come <a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a>with Lucy and me, and Lucy would have let +her, but I told her you wouldn't like it, and, anyway, of course we didn't +want her. So to-day when the valentine box was opened, Alma Driscoll got a +'comic;' and she couldn't take a joke and cried and went home. I can't bear +a cry-baby, anyway. And then Miss Joslyn made a fuss about it and <i>she</i> +went home, and after that Lucy Berry flared up at me and said she was going +to be friends with Alma after this, and <i>she</i> went home. It just spoiled +everybody's fun to have them act so silly. Lucy got Frank Morse to bring +out all his valentines and hers. I'll never go with her again, whether she +goes with Alma or not!"</p> + +<p>Angry little sparks were shining in Ada's eyes, and she evidently made +great effort not to cry.</p> + +<p>"What was this comic valentine that made so much trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, something about a factory girl. You know the verses are always silly +on those."</p> + +<p>"Well, it wasn't very nice to send it to her before all the children, I +must say. Who do you suppose did it?"</p> + +<p>"No one ever tells who sends valentines," returned Ada defiantly. "No one +will ever know."</p> + +<p>"Well, if the foolish child, whoever it was, only had known, she wasn't so +smart or so unkind as she thought she was. Mrs. Driscoll isn't an ordinary +factory hand. She is an assistant in the bookkeeping department."</p> + +<p>"Well, they must be awfully poor, the way Alma looks, anyway," returned +Ada.</p> + +<p>"I suppose they are poor. I happened to hear Mr. Knapp begging your father +to let a Mrs. Driscoll have <a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>that position, and your father finally +consented. I remember his telling how long the husband had been away trying +for work, and what worthy people they were, old friends of his. They lived +in some neighboring town; so when Mrs. Driscoll was offered this position +they came here. They live"—</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know where they live," interrupted Ada, "and I knew they were +factory people anyway, and you wouldn't want me going with girls like +Alma."</p> + +<p>"I'd want you to be kind to her, of course," returned Mrs. Singer.</p> + +<p>"Then she'd have stuck to us if I had been. I guess you've forgotten the +way it is at school."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Singer sighed and opened her book wistfully. "You ought to be kind to +everybody, Ada," she said vaguely, "but I really think I shall have to take +you out of the public school. It is such a mixed crowd there. I should have +done it long ago, only your father thinks there is no such education."</p> + +<p>Ada saw that in another minute her mother would be buried again in her +story. "But what shall I do about Frank and Lucy?" she asked, half crying.</p> + +<p>"Why, is Frank in it, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I know Lucy has been talking to him. He came back and got her +valentines."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw! Don't make a quarrel over it. Just be polite to Alma Driscoll. +They're perfectly respectable people. You don't need to avoid her. Don't +worry. Lucy will soon get over her little excitement, and you may be sure +she will be glad to make up with you and be more friendly than ever."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Singer began to read, and Ada saw it was useless <a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>to pursue the +subject. She left the room undecidedly, her lips pressed together. All +right, let Lucy befriend Alma. She wouldn't <i>look</i> at her, and they'd just +see which would get tired of it first.</p> + +<p>This hard little determination seemed to give Ada a good deal of comfort +for the present, and she longed for to-morrow, to begin to show Lucy Berry +what she had lost.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Alma Driscoll had hastened home to an empty cottage, where she +threw herself on the calico-covered bed and gave way again to her hurt and +sorrow, until she had cried herself to sleep.</p> + +<p>There her mother found her when she returned from work. Mrs. Driscoll had +plenty of troubles of her own in these days, adjusting herself to her +present situation and trying hard to fill the position which her old friend +Mr. Knapp had found for her. Alma knew this, and every evening when her +mother came home from the factory she met her cheerfully, and had so far +bravely refrained from telling of the trials at school, which were big ones +to her, and which she often longed to pour out; but the sight of her +mother's face always silenced her. She knew, young as she was, that her +mother was finding life in the great school of the world as hard as she was +in pretty Miss Joslyn's room; and so she kept still, but her eyes grew +bigger, and her mother saw it.</p> + +<p>To-day when Mrs. Driscoll came in, she was surprised to find the house +dark. She lighted the lamp and saw Alma asleep on the bed. "Poor little +dear," she thought. "The hours must seem long between school and my coming +home."</p><p><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a></p> + +<p>She went around quietly, getting supper, and when it was ready she came +again to the bed and kissed Alma's cheek.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't my little girl want anything to eat to-night?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Alma turned and opened her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Guess which it is," went on Mrs. Driscoll, smiling. "Breakfast or supper."</p> + +<p>"Oh, have you come?" Alma sat up. She clasped her arms around her mother. +"Please don't make me go to school any more," she said, the big sob with +which she went to sleep rising again in her throat.</p> + +<p>"Why, what has happened, dear?" Mrs. Driscoll grew serious.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to tell you, mother, only please let me stay at home. I'll +study just as hard."</p> + +<p>"You'd be lonely here all day, Alma."</p> + +<p>"I want to be lonely," returned the little girl earnestly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Driscoll looked very sober. "Let's sit down at the table," she said, +"for I have your boiled egg all ready."</p> + +<p>Alma took her place opposite her mother. Supper was usually the bright spot +in the day, but this evening there seemed nothing but clouds.</p> + +<p>"I want to hear all about it, Alma, but you'd better eat first," said Mrs. +Driscoll, as she poured the tea.</p> + +<p>"It isn't anything very much," replied the little girl, torn between the +longing for sympathy and unwillingness to give her mother pain; "only there +aren't any lonely children in that school. Everybody has some one she likes +to play with."</p><p><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a></p> + +<p>A pang of understanding went through the mother's heart, so tender that she +forced a smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dearie," she said, "you remind me of the old song,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Every lassie has her laddie,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nane, they say, have I,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all the lads, they smile on me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When comin' thro' the rye.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>If my Alma smiles on all the children, they'll all smile on her."</p> + +<p>Alma shook her head. It was too great an undertaking to explain all those +daily experiences of longing and disappointment to her mother. The child's +throat grew so full of the sob that she could not swallow the nice egg.</p> + +<p>"This is Valentine's Day," she said, with an effort. "They had a box in +school. Everybody got pretty ones but me. They sent me a 'comic.'"</p> + +<p>She swallowed bravely between the sentences, but big tears rolled down her +cheeks and splashed on the gingham apron.</p> + +<p>"Well, wasn't it meant to make you laugh, dearie?"</p> + +<p>"N-no. It was—was a hateful one. I—I can't tell you."</p> + +<p>A line came in Mrs. Driscoll's forehead. Her swift thought pictured the +scene only too vividly. She swallowed, too.</p> + +<p>"Silly pictures can't hurt us, Alma," she said.</p> + +<p>"But please don't make me go back," returned the child earnestly. "I cried +and ran away, and I know all the other children laughed, and, oh, mother, I +<i>can't</i> go back!" She was sobbing again, now, and trying to dry her tears +with her apron.</p><p><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Driscoll's lips pressed firmly together to keep from quivering.</p> + +<p>"Mother," said Alma brokenly, as soon as she could speak again, "when do +you think father will come home?"</p> + +<p>For a minute the mother could not reply. The last letter she had received +from her husband had sounded discouraged, and for six weeks now she had +heard nothing. Her anxiety was very great; but it made her position at the +factory more than ever important, while it increased the difficulty of +performing her work.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell, dearie," she answered low. "We must pray and wait."</p> + +<p>As she finished speaking there came a loud knock at the door. A very +unusual sound this, for no one had yet called on them, except Mr. Knapp, +once on business.</p> + +<p>"I'll go," said Mrs. Driscoll. "Wipe your eyes, Alma."</p> + +<p>To her surprise, when she opened the door no one was there. Something white +on the step caught her eye in the gloom. It was a box, and when she brought +it to the light, she saw that it was addressed to Miss Alma Driscoll.</p> + +<p>Her heart was too sore to hand it to the child until she had made certain +that its contents were not designed to hurt. One glimpse of the gold and +red interior, however, made her clap on the cover again. She brought the +box to the table and seated herself.</p> + +<p>"What's all this?" she asked, passing it to the child. "It seems to be for +you. There was nobody there, but I found that on the step."</p><p><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a></p> + +<p>Alma's swollen eyes looked wonderingly at the box as she took off the cover +and discovered the elaborate valentine.</p> + +<p>"My! What a beauty!" exclaimed her mother.</p> + +<p>The little girl lifted the red roses and looked at the verses. The catches +kept coming in her throat and she smiled faintly.</p> + +<p>"Who is this that hasn't any friend?" asked Mrs. Driscoll cheeringly.</p> + +<p>"Somebody was sorry," returned Alma. "I wish they didn't have to be sorry +for me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can't be sure. When I was a little girl all the best part of +Valentine's Day was running around to the houses with them after dark. How +do you know that this wasn't meant for you all day?"</p> + +<p>"Because I remember it. Miss Joslyn handed it to Lucy Berry out of the +school box. Lucy is the prettiest"—</p> + +<p>Another loud knocking at the door interrupted.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Driscoll answered the call. A big white envelope lay on the step, and +it was addressed to Alma. This time the latter's smile was a little +brighter as she took out a handsome card covered with garlands and swinging +cupids and inscribed "To my Valentine."</p> + +<p>"Well, I never saw any prettier ones," said Mrs. Driscoll.</p> + +<p>"But they weren't bought for me," returned Alma.</p> + +<p>When soon again a knocking sounded on the door and a third valentine +appeared, blossoming with violets, above which butterflies hovered, Mrs. +Driscoll leaned lovingly toward her little girl.</p> + +<p>"Alma," she said. "I think you were mistaken in <a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>saying that <i>all</i> the +children laughed when you received that 'comic.' Now," in a different tone, +"let's have some fun! Some child or children are giving you the very best +they have. Let's catch the next one who comes, and find out who your +friends are!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," returned Alma, smiling, but shrinking shyly from the idea.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed. We all used to try when I was little. I'm going to stand by +the door and hold it open a bit and you see if I don't catch somebody."</p> + +<p>Alma lifted her shoulders. She wasn't sure that she liked to have her +mother try this; but Mrs. Driscoll went to the door, set it ajar in the +dark, and stood beside it.</p> + +<p>She did not expect there would be any further greetings, and did this +rather to amuse Alma, who sat examining her three valentines with a tearful +little smile; but it was a very short time before another knock sounded on +the usually neglected door, and quick as a wink it opened and Mrs. +Driscoll's hand flying out caught another hand. A little scream followed, +and in a second she had drawn a young lady into the tiny hall.</p> + +<p>They couldn't see one another's faces very well in the gloom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Mrs. Driscoll, very much embarrassed. "I +was trying to catch a valentine."</p> + +<p>"Well, you did," laughed the stranger. "There's one on the step now, unless +my skirt switched it off when I jumped. I didn't intend to come in this +time, though I meant to return after I had done an errand; <a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a>but now I'm +here I'll stay a minute if it isn't too early."</p> + +<p>"If you'll excuse the table," returned Mrs. Driscoll "Alma and I have a +late tea." She stooped at the door and picked up a valentine from the edge +of the step, and both women were smiling as they entered the room where +Alma was standing, flushed and wide-eyed, scarcely able to believe that she +recognized the voice.</p> + +<p>Sure enough, as the visitor came into the lamplight, the little girl saw +that the valentine her mother had caught and brought in out of the dark was +really Miss Joslyn. She could hardly believe her eyes as she looked at the +merry, blushing face which she was wont to see so serious and watchful. All +the pretty teacher's scholars admired her, but she had a dignity and +strictness which gave them some awe of her, too, and it seemed wonderful to +Alma that this important person should be standing here and laughing with +her mother, right in their own sitting-room.</p> + +<p>Miss Joslyn's bright eyes saw signs of tears in her pupil's face, and she +also saw the handsome valentines strewn upon the table. "Well, well, Alma!" +she exclaimed softly, "you have quite a show there!"</p> + +<p>"And here is another," said Mrs. Driscoll, handing the latest arrival to +the little girl. Alma smiled gratefully at her teacher as she opened the +envelope and took out a dove in full flight, carrying a leaf in its beak. +On the leaf was printed in gold letters the word <i>Love</i>.</p> + +<p>"I was caught in the act, Alma," laughed Miss Joslyn, "but I guess I am too +old and slow to be running about at night with valentines."</p><p><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a></p> + +<p>"I like it the best of all," replied the little girl. "It was bought for +me," she added in her own thought, and she was right. Twenty minutes ago +the white dove had been reposing at a stationer's, with every prospect of +remaining there until another Valentine's Day came around.</p> + +<p>"Please sit down, Miss Joslyn," said Mrs. Driscoll.</p> + +<p>"Well, just for a minute," replied the young lady, taking the offered +chair, "but I wish you would finish your supper."</p> + +<p>"We had, really," replied Mrs. Driscoll, smiling, "or I shouldn't have been +playing such a game by the door. You haven't been the giver of all these +valentines, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed. Those are from some of the school children, no doubt. I've +been trying to find an evening to come here for some time, but my work +isn't done when school is out."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it isn't," replied Mrs. Driscoll, while Alma sat with her dove in +her hands, watching the bright face that looked happy and at home in these +unusual surroundings. It seemed so very strange to be close to Miss Joslyn, +like this, where the teacher had no bell to touch and no directions to +give.</p> + +<p>She looked at Alma and spoke: "The public school is a little hard for new +scholars at first," she said, "where they enter in the middle of a term. +You are going to like it better after a while, Alma."</p> + +<p>"I think she will, too," put in Mrs. Driscoll. "My hours are long at the +factory and I have liked to think of Alma as safe in school. Does she do +pretty well in her studies, Miss Joslyn?"</p><p><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291"></a></p> + +<p>"Yes, I have no fault to find." The visitor smiled at Alma. "You haven't +become much acquainted yet," went on Miss Joslyn. "I have noticed that you +eat your lunch alone. So do I. Supposing you and I have it together for a +while until you are more at home with the other scholars. I have another +chair in my corner, and we'll have a cosy time."</p> + +<p>Alma's heart beat fast. She had never heard that an invitation from royalty +is equivalent to a command, but instantly all possibility of staying at +home from school disappeared. The picture rose before her thought of Miss +Joslyn as she always appeared at the long recess: her chair swung about +until her profile only was visible, the white napkin on her desk, the book +in her hand as she read and ate at one and the same time. Little did Alma +suspect what it meant to the kind teacher to give up that precious +half-hour of solitude; but Miss Joslyn saw the child's eyes grow bright at +the dazzling prospect, and noted the color that covered even her forehead +as she murmured thanks and looked over at her mother for sympathy.</p> + +<p>The young lady talked on for a few minutes and then said good-night, +leaving an atmosphere of brightness behind her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, I don't know what all the children will say," said Alma, +clasping her hands together. "I'm going to eat lunch with Miss Joslyn!"</p> + +<p>"It's fine," responded Mrs. Driscoll, glad of the change in her little +girl's expression, and wishing the ache at her own heart could be as easily +comforted. "Do you suppose Valentine's Day is over, dearie, or had I better +stand by the door again?"</p><p><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, they wouldn't send me any more!" replied Alma, looking fondly at her +dove. "I think Lucy Berry was so kind to give me her lovely things; but I'd +like to give them back."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, that wouldn't do," replied Mrs. Driscoll. "I'm going to stand +there once more. Perhaps I'll catch somebody else to prove to you that Lucy +isn't the only one thinking about you."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Driscoll returned quietly to her post, and Alma could see her smiling +face through the open door.</p> + +<p>Alma had very much wanted to send valentines to a few children, herself; +but five cents was all the spending money she could have, and she had +bought with it one valentine which had been addressed to Lucy Berry in the +school box. She was glad it had not come back to her to-night. That would +have been hardest of all to bear.</p> + +<p>Just as she was thinking this there did come another knock at the door. The +child looked up eagerly, and swiftly again Mrs. Driscoll's hand flew out, +and grasping a garment, pulled gently and firmly.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, ma'am!" exclaimed a bass voice, and this time it was the +hostess's turn to give a little cry, followed by a laugh, as a stout, +elderly man with chin whiskers came deliberately in.</p> + +<p>She retreated. "Oh, Mr. Knapp, please excuse me! I thought you were a +valentine!"</p> + +<p>"Nobody'd have me, ma'am. Nobody'd have me. Not a mite o' use to try to +stick a pair o' Cupid's wings on these shoulders. It would take an awful +pair to fly me. Well, come now," he added, with a broad, approving smile at +the laughing mother and child, "I'm right <a name="Page_293" id="Page_293"></a>down glad to see you playin' a +game. I've thought, the last few days, you was lookin' kind o' peaked and +down in the mouth; so, seein' as we found a letter for you that was somehow +overlooked this afternoon, I decided I'd bring it along. Might be fetchin' +you a fortune, for all I knew."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Driscoll's smile vanished, and her eyes looked eagerly into the +good-humored red face, as Mr. Knapp sought deliberately in his coat pocket +and brought forth an envelope, at sight of which Alma's mother flushed and +paled.</p> + +<p>"You have a valentine, too!" cried the little girl.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is from father. Won't you sit down, Mr. Knapp?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, I'll just run along and let you read your letter in peace. I know +you want to, and I hope it brings good news. If it don't, you just remember +it's always darkest before day. Frank Driscoll's bound to come out right +side up. He's a good feller."</p> + +<p>So saying, the kind friend to this couple took his departure, and Mrs. +Driscoll's eager fingers tore open the envelope.</p> + +<p>At the first four words, "It's all right, Nettie," she crushed the paper +against her happy eyes and then hugged Alma.</p> + +<p>It <i>was</i> all right. Mr. Driscoll had a position at last, and by the time +summer should come he was sure they could be together again.</p> + +<p>After the letter had been read and re-read, the two washed and put away the +supper dishes with light hearts, and the next morning Mrs. Driscoll went +off smiling to the factory, leaving a rather excited little <a name="Page_294" id="Page_294"></a>girl to finish +the morning work and arrange the lunch in the tin pail which was to be +opened beside Miss Joslyn's desk.</p> + +<p>There were two other excited children getting ready for school that +morning. They had both slept on their troubles, but were very differently +prepared to meet the day. Ada Singer's mental attitude was, "I'll never +give in, and Lucy Berry will find it out."</p> + +<p>Lucy felt comforted, but there remained now the great step of eating lunch +with Alma and being punished by Ada in consequence. Her heart fluttered at +the thought; but she was going to try not to think of herself at all, but +to do right and let the consequences take care of themselves.</p> + +<p>"There isn't any other way," her mother said to her at parting. "Anything +which you do in any other spirit has simply to be done over again some +time."</p> + +<p>"Not one error-fairy shall cheat me to-day," thought Lucy stoutly, and then +a disconcerting idea came to her: supposing Alma shouldn't come to school +at all!</p> + +<p>But Alma was there. Ada Singer, too, wearing a charming new dress and with +a head held up so stiffly that it couldn't turn to look at anybody. Frank +Morse, from his seat at the back of the room, looked curiously from one to +another of the three girls and shook his head at his book.</p> + +<p>At the first recess Ada Singer spoke to him as he was going out. "Wait a +minute, Frank. It is so mild to-day, mother is coming for me after school +with the auto. We're going to take a long spin. Wouldn't you like to go?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," replied Frank; "but don't you want <a name="Page_295" id="Page_295"></a>to take Lucy in my +place?" He was a little uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>"If I did I shouldn't ask you," returned Ada coolly.</p> + +<p>"All right. Thank you," said Frank, but as he joined the boys on the +playground he felt still more uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>Lucy Berry, as soon as the recess bell had sounded, had gone straight to +Alma. Her cheeks were very red, and the brown eyes were full of kindness.</p> + +<p>Alma looked up in shy pleasure at her, a little embarrassed because she +didn't know whether to thank Lucy for the valentines or not.</p> + +<p>The latter did not give her time to speak. She said: "I came to see if you +won't eat your lunch with me to-day."</p> + +<p>Alma colored. How full the world was of kind people! "I'd love to," she +answered, "but I think Ada wants to have you all alone and"—</p> + +<p>"But I'd like it if you would," said Lucy firmly, "because I want to get +more acquainted. My mother is coming to see yours on Sunday afternoon, +too."</p> + +<p>"I'm real glad she is," replied Alma, fairly basking in the light from +Lucy's eyes. "I'd love to eat lunch with you, but Miss Joslyn invited me to +have it with her to-day."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Lucy's gaze grew larger. "Why, that's lovely!" she said, in an awed +tone.</p> + +<p>They had very little more time for talk before the short recess was over. +As the children took their way to their seats, Alma was amazed to see Ada +Singer pass Lucy without a word, and even turn her head to <a name="Page_296" id="Page_296"></a>avoid looking +at her. The child had watched this close friendship so wistfully that she +instantly saw there was trouble, and naturally thought of her invitation +from Lucy as connected with it.</p> + +<p>At the long recess, thoughts of this possible quarrel mingled with her +pleasure in the visit with Miss Joslyn, who was a charming hostess. Many a +girl or boy came to peep into the forbidden schoolroom, when the report was +circulated that Alma Driscoll was up on the platform laughing and talking +with the teacher and eating lunch with her in the cosy corner.</p> + +<p>Miss Joslyn insisted on exchanging a part of her lunch for Alma's, +spreading the things together on the white napkin, and chatting so eagerly +and gayly that the little girl's face beamed. She soon told the teacher +about the good news that came after she left the night before, and Miss +Joslyn was very sympathetic. "It's a pretty nice world, isn't it?" she +asked, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Yes'm, it's just a lovely world to-day, only—only there's one thing, Miss +Joslyn."</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I think Lucy Berry and Ada Singer have had a quarrel."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the inseparables? I guess not," the teacher smiled.</p> + +<p>"Yes'm. The worst is, I think it's about me. Could I go out in the +dressing-room to get my handkerchief, and see if they're on their usual +window-sill?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, if it will make you feel easier."</p> + +<p>So Alma went out and soon returned. Lucy and Ada were not on their +window-sill. Each was sitting with a different group of girls.</p><p><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297"></a></p> + +<p>Miss Joslyn saw the serious discomfort this gave her little companion, and +persuaded her away from the subject, returning to the congenial theme of +Mr. Driscoll's new prospects.</p> + +<p>But as soon as recess was over, Alma's thoughts went back to Ada Singer, +for she felt certain that whatever had happened, Ada was the one to be +appeased. The child could not bear to think of being the cause of trouble +coming to dear, kind Lucy.</p> + +<p>When school was dismissed, Ada Singer, her head carried high, put on her +things in the dressing-room within a few feet of Lucy, but ignoring her +presence. "I love her," thought Lucy, "and she does love me. Nothing can +cheat either of us."</p> + +<p>Ada went out without a look, and waited at the head of the stairs for Frank +Morse. Alma Driscoll hastened up to her.</p> + +<p>Ada drew away. Alma needn't think that because she had shared Miss Joslyn's +luncheon she would now be as good as anybody.</p> + +<p>"Can I speak to you just one minute?" asked the little girl so eagerly, yet +meekly, that Ada turned to her; but now that she had gained attention, Alma +did not know how to proceed. She hesitated and clasped and unclasped her +hands over the gingham apron. "Please—please"—she stammered, "don't be +cross with Lucy. She felt sorry for me, but I'll never eat lunch with +her,—truly."</p> + +<p>"You don't know what you're talking about," rejoined Ada coldly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she does." It was Frank Morse's voice, and Ada, turning quickly, saw +him and Lucy standing a <a name="Page_298" id="Page_298"></a>few feet behind her. The four children were alone +in the deserted hall.</p> + +<p>"Here," went on Frank bluntly, "I want you two girls to kiss and make up."</p> + +<p>Ada blushed violently as she met Lucy's questioning, wistful look.</p> + +<p>"Are you coming down to the auto, Frank?" she asked coolly. "Mother will be +waiting."</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now, Ada, be a good fellow. If you and Lucy want to put on the +gloves, I'll see fair play; but for pity's sake drop this icy look +business. Great Scott, I'm glad I'm not a girl!"</p> + +<p>The genuine disgust in the boy's tone as he closed did disturb Ada a +little, and then Lucy added at once, beseechingly:</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's like a bad dream, Ada, to have anything the matter between us!"</p> + +<p>"Whose fault is it?" asked Ada sharply. "Why did you fly at me so +yesterday?"</p> + +<p>Both girls had forgotten Alma who, like a soberly dressed, big-eyed little +bird, was watching the proceedings in much distress.</p> + +<p>"You just the same as accused me of sending Alma the 'comic,'" continued +Ada.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>didn't</i> you send it?" cried Lucy, fairly springing at her friend in +her relief. "I don't care what you do to me then! I deserve anything, for I +really thought you did."</p> + +<p>Her eloquent face and the love in her eyes broke down some determination in +Ada's proud little heart, and raised another, perhaps quite as proud, but +at least with an element of nobility. She foresaw that <a name="Page_299" id="Page_299"></a>the dishonesty was +going to be more than she could bear.</p> + +<p>"I did send it," she said suddenly, with her chin up. Then, ignoring Frank +and Lucy's open-mouthed stares, she turned toward Alma. "I sent you the +'comic,'" she went on. "I thought it would be fun, but it wasn't, and I'm +sorry. I should like to have you forgive me."</p> + +<p>Her tone was far from humble, but it was music to Alma's ears. The little +girl clasped her hands together. "Oh, I do," she replied earnestly, "and it +made everybody so kind! Please don't feel bad about it. I got the loveliest +valentines in the evening, and Miss Joslyn came to see us, and we had a +letter from my father and he has a splendid place to work and—and +everything!"</p> + +<p>Ada breathed a little faster at the close of this breathless speech. Alma's +eagerness to ascribe even her father's good fortune to the sending of the +'comic' touched her. In her embarrassment she took another determination.</p> + +<p>"If you'll excuse me, Frank," she said turning to him, "I think I'll take +Alma home in the auto, instead of you."</p> + +<p>"All right," returned the boy, his face flushed. "You're a brick, Ada!"</p> + +<p>This praise from one who seldom praised gave Ada secret elation, and made +her resolve to deserve it. "Good-by, Lucy," was all she said, but the +girls' eyes met, and Lucy knew the trouble was over.</p> + +<p>As Ada and Alma went downstairs, Lucy ran to the hall window, and Frank +followed. "Don't let them see us," she said joyfully.</p><p><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300"></a></p> + +<p>So, very cautiously, the two peeped and saw the handsome automobile +waiting. Mrs. Singer was sitting within and they saw Ada say something to +her; then Alma, her thick coat over the gingham apron, and the large +dinner-pail in her hand, climbed in, Ada after her, and away they all went.</p> + +<p>Lucy turned to Frank with her face glowing.</p> + +<p>"It's all right now," she said. "When Ada takes hold she never lets go; and +now she's taken hold right!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A MORNING RIDE</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Evringham's listeners thanked her, then discussed the story a few +minutes.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to get acquainted with Alma," said Jewel, "and help be kind to +her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she's going to have a very good time now," replied Mr. Evringham. "One +can see that with half an eye. Were there any Almas where you went to +school, Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"No, there weren't. We didn't bring lunches and we went home in a 'bus."</p> + +<p>"Jewel went to a very nice private school," said Mrs. Evringham. "Her +teachers were Christian Scientists and I made their dresses for them in +payment."</p> + +<p>The logs were red in the fireplace now, and the roar of the wind-driven sea +came from the beach.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've a good school for her," replied Mr. Evringham, "and there'll +be no dresses to make either."</p> + +<p>His daughter looked at him wistfully. "I'm very happy when I think of it," +she answered, "for there is other work I would rather do."</p> + +<p>"I should think so, indeed. Catering to the whims of a lot of silly women +who don't know their own minds! It must be the very—yes, very unpleasant.<a name="Page_302" id="Page_302"></a> +Yes, we have a fine school in Bel-Air. Jewel, we're going to work you hard +next winter. How shall you like that?"</p> + +<p>"My music lessons will be the most fun," returned Jewel.</p> + +<p>"And dancing school beside."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, I'll love that! I used to know girls who went, in Chicago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm sure you will. You shall learn all the latest jigs and flings, +too, that any of the children know. I think you ought to learn them +quickly. You've been hopping up and down ever since I knew you."</p> + +<p>Jewel exchanged a happy glance with her mother and clapped her hands at the +joyful prospect.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham looked wistfully at her father-in-law. "I hope you'll be +willing I should do the work I want to, father."</p> + +<p>"What's that? Writing books? Perfectly willing, I assure you. I think +you've made a very good start."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham smiled. "No, not writing books. Practicing Christian +Science."</p> + +<p>"Well, you do that all the time, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"I mean taking patients."</p> + +<p>"What!" Mr. Evringham straightened up in his chair and frowned at her +incredulously. "Anybody? Tom, Dick, and Harry? You can't mean it!"</p> + +<p>His tone was so severe that Jewel rose from her place on the rug and, +climbing into his lap, rested her head on his breast. His hand closed on +the soft little one unconsciously. "I suppose I don't understand you," he +added, a shade more mildly.</p> + +<p>"Not in your house, father," returned Julia. She <a name="Page_303" id="Page_303"></a>had been preparing in +thought for this moment for days. "Of course it wouldn't do to have +strangers coming and going there."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, nonsense, my dear girl," brusquely, "put it out of your head at +once. There is no need for you to do anything after this but bring up your +child and keep your husband's shirt buttons in place."</p> + +<p>"I won't neglect either," replied Julia quietly; "but Mr. Reeves says there +is great need of practitioners in Bel-Air. You know where the reading-room +is? There is a little room leading out of it that I could have."</p> + +<p>"For an office, do you mean? Nonsense," exclaimed Mr. Evringham again. +"Harry wouldn't think of allowing it."</p> + +<p>Julia smiled. "Will you if he does?"</p> + +<p>"What shall I say to her, Jewel?" The broker looked down into the serious +face.</p> + +<p>"I suppose mother ought to do it," replied the child. "Of course every one +who knows how and has time wants to. You can see that, grandpa, because +isn't your rheumatism better?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I like our resident physician very much; but we need her ourselves. I +don't think I shall ever give my consent to such a thing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you will, grandpa, if it's right." The flaxen head on his breast +wagged wisely. "Some morning you'll come downstairs and say: 'Julia, I +think you can go and get that office whenever you like.'"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham pressed her handkerchief to her lips. The couple in the +armchair were so absorbed in one another that they did not observe her, and +the broker's face showed such surprise.</p><p><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304"></a></p> + +<p>"Upon my word!" he exclaimed, after a minute. "Upon my word!"</p> + +<p>"Are you all through talking about that?" asked Jewel, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"I am, certainly," replied Mr. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"And I," added his daughter. She was content that the seed was planted, and +preferred not to press the subject.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," continued Jewel, "I was wondering, grandpa, if the cracks in +that boat couldn't be stuffed up a little more so I wouldn't have to bail, +and then I could learn how to row."</p> + +<p>"Ho, these little hands row!" returned Mr. Evringham scoffingly.</p> + +<p>"Why, I could, grandpa. I just know I could. It was fun to bail at first, +but I'm getting a little tired of it now, and I love to be on the pond—oh, +almost as much as on Star!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham's eyes shone with an unusually pleased expression. "Is it +possible!" he returned. "It's a water-baby we have here, a regular +water-baby!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa, when I know how to swim and row and sail—yes," chuckling at +the expression of exaggerated surprise which her listener assumed, "and +sail, too, I'll be so <i>happy</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now, an eight-year-old baby!"</p> + +<p>"I'll be nine in five weeks, nine years old."</p> + +<p>"Well," Mr. Evringham sighed, "that's better than nineteen."</p> + +<p>"Why, grandpa," earnestly, "you forget; perhaps you'll like me when I'm +grown up."</p><p><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305"></a></p> + +<p>"It's possible," returned the broker.</p> + +<p>How the sun shone the next morning! The foam on the great rollers that +still stormed the beach showed from the farmhouse windows in ever-changing, +spreading masses of white. Essex Maid and Star, after a day of ennui, were +more than ready for a scamper between the rolling fields where already the +goldenrod hinted that summer was passing.</p> + +<p>Star had to stretch his pretty legs at a great rate, to keep up with the +Maid this morning, though her master moderated her transports. The more +like birds they flew, the more Jewel enjoyed it. She knew now how to get +Star's best speed, and the pony scarcely felt her weight, so lightly did +she adapt herself to his every motion.</p> + +<p>With cheeks tingling in the fine salt air, the riders finally came to a +walk in the quiet country road.</p> + +<p>"I've been looking up that boat business, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham. "The +thing is hardly worth fixing. It would take a good while, just at the time +we want the boat, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," returned the child, "we'll have to make it do. There are so +many happinesses here, it isn't any matter if the boat isn't just right; +but I was thinking, grandpa, if you wouldn't wear such nice shoes, I'd go +barefooted, and then we could both sit on the same seat and let the water +come in, while I use one oar and you the other; or"—her face suddenly +glowing with a brilliant idea—"we could both wear our bathing-suits!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned the broker, "I think if you were to row we might need +them."</p><p><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306"></a></p> + +<p>The child laughed.</p> + +<p>"No, Jewel, no; we'd better bathe when we bathe, and row when we row, and +not mix them. You couldn't do anything with even one of those clumsy oars +in that tub of a boat."</p> + +<p>As Mr. Evringham said this, he saw the disappointment in the little girl's +face as she looked straight ahead, and noted, too, her effort to conquer +it.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do have so many happinesses," she replied.</p> + +<p>"It will be a grand sight at the beach this morning, with the sunlight on +the stormy waves," said Mr. Evringham. "The water-baby will have to keep +out of them, though."</p> + +<p>Jewel lifted her shoulders and looked at him. "Then we ought to row over, +don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"You're not willing to be a thorough-going land lubber, are you?" returned +the broker.</p> + +<p>"No," Jewel sighed. "I'd rather bail than keep off the pond. Oh, but I +forgot," with a sudden thought, "mother'd get wet if she rowed over and it +would be too bad to make her walk through the fields alone."</p> + +<p>There was a little silence and then Mr. Evringham turned the horses into +the homeward way.</p> + +<p>"I begin to feel as if breakfast would be acceptable, Jewel. How is it with +you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I could eat"—began the child hungrily, "I could eat"—</p> + +<p>"Eggs?" suggested the broker, as she paused to think of something +sufficiently inedible.</p> + +<p>"Almost," returned the child seriously. Another pause, and then she +continued. "Grandpa, wouldn't it <a name="Page_307" id="Page_307"></a>be nice if mother had somebody to play +with, too, so we could go out in the boat whenever we wanted to?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Why doesn't your father hurry up his affairs?"</p> + +<p>Jewel looked at the broker. "He has. He thought it was error for him not to +let the people there know that he was going to leave them after a while; so +they began right off to try to find somebody else, and they have already."</p> + +<p>"Eh?" asked the broker. "Your father is through in Chicago, then? When did +you hear that?"</p> + +<p>"Mother had the letter yesterday and she told me when I went to bed last +night."</p> + +<p>"Why, then he'll be coming right on."</p> + +<p>"We'd like to have him," returned Jewel; "but mother wasn't sure how you +would feel about it, to have father here so long before business +commences."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't she tell me last evening?" asked Mr. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"I <i>think</i>," returned Jewel, "that she wanted father so <i>much</i>—and—and +that she thought perhaps you wouldn't think it was best, and—well, I think +she felt a little bashful. You know mother isn't your real relation, +grandpa," the child's head fell to one side apologetically.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham stroked his mustache; but instantly he turned grave again. +His eyes met Jewel's.</p> + +<p>"I think, as you say, it would be rather a convenience to us if your mother +had some one to play with, too. Suppose we send for him, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, let's," cried the child joyfully.</p> + +<p>"Done with you!" returned the broker, and he gave <a name="Page_308" id="Page_308"></a>the rein to Essex Maid. +Star had suddenly so much ado to gallop along beside her, that Jewel's +laugh rang out merrily.</p> + +<p>When, a little later, the family met in the dining-room for breakfast, Mr. +Evringham accosted his daughter cheerfully:</p> + +<p>"Well, this is good news I hear about Harry."</p> + +<p>Julia flushed and met his eyes wistfully. The broker had never seen any +resemblance in Jewel to her until this moment; but it was precisely the +child's expression that now returned his look.</p> + +<p>"It's my boy she wants, too," he thought. "By George, she shall have him."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't sure that you would think it was good news for Harry to give up +his position so soon, but there wasn't any other honest way," she replied.</p> + +<p>"The sooner the break is made, the better," returned Mr. Evringham. "I +shall wire him to close up everything at once and join us as soon as he +can."</p> + +<p>Mother and child exchanged a happy look and Jewel clapped her hands. +"Father's coming, father's coming!" she cried joyfully.</p> + +<p>The broker bent his brows upon her.</p> + +<p>"Jewel, are you strictly honorable?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned the little girl.</p> + +<p>"You said a few minutes ago that it was a playfellow for your mother that +you wanted. Your enthusiasm is unseemly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, father's just splendid," said Jewel.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the three repaired to a certain covered piazza where they +always read the lesson for the day; then Mr. Evringham suggested that they +go <a name="Page_309" id="Page_309"></a>promptly to the beach to see the splendid show before the rollers +regained their usual monotonous dignity.</p> + +<p>"Jewel and I thought we would go over in the boat instead of through the +fields, but that old tub is rather uninviting for a lady's clothes."</p> + +<p>"I think I will take the solitary saunter in preference," returned Mrs. +Evringham. "You and Jewel row over if you like."</p> + +<p>"No, we'd rather walk with you," said the child heroically.</p> + +<p>Julia smiled. "I don't want you. There are birds and flowers."</p> + +<p>"Well, come down and see us off, anyway," said Mr. Evringham; so the three +moved over the grass toward the pond; two walking sedately and one skipping +from sheer high spirits.</p> + +<p>As they drew near the little wharf the child's quick eyes perceived that +there were two boats floating there, one each side of it.</p> + +<p>"See that, grandpa! There's some visitor around here," she said, running +ahead of the others. A light, graceful boat rose and fell on the waves. It +was golden brown within and without, and highly varnished. Its four seats +were furnished with wine-colored cushions. Four slim oars lay along its +bottom, and its rowlocks gleamed. Best of all, a slender mast with snowy +sail furled about it lay along the edge.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa, p-<i>lease</i> ask somebody whose it is and if we could get in just a +minute!" begged Jewel, in hushed excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're all good neighbors about here. They won't mind, whoever it +is," returned Mr. Evringham <a name="Page_310" id="Page_310"></a>carelessly, and to the child's wonder and +doubt he jumped aboard.</p> + +<p>"Pretty neat outfit, isn't it?" he continued, as he stood a moment looking +over the lines of the craft, and then lifted the mast.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it'll sail, too, it'll sail, too!" cried Jewel, hopping up and down. +"Oh, mother, did you ever <i>hear</i> of such a pretty boat?"</p> + +<p>"Never," replied Mrs. Evringham. "It must be that some one has come over +from one of those fine homes across the pond."</p> + +<p>Privately, she was a little surprised by the manner in which Mr. Evringham +was making himself at home. He set the mast in its place and then, his arms +akimbo, stood regarding Jewel's tense, sun-browned countenance and +sparkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"How would it be for me to go up to the house and see if we could get +permission to take a little sail?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it would be splendid, grandpa," responded Jewel, "but—but he might +say no, and <i>could</i> I get in just a minute first?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, come on." The child waited for no second invitation, but sprang into +the boat and examined its dry, shining floor and felt its buttoned cushions +with admiring awe.</p> + +<p>"Hello, see here," said Mr. Evringham, bending over the further side. +"Easy, now," for Jewel had scrambled to see. He trimmed the boat while her +flaxen head leaned eagerly over.</p> + +<p>Beautifully painted in shining black letters she read the name JEWEL.</p><p><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311"></a></p> + +<p>The child lifted her head quickly and gazed at him, "Grandpa, that almost +couldn't—<i>happen</i>" she said, in amazement, catching her breath.</p> + +<p>He nodded. "There's one thing pretty certain, Nature won't draw off the +pond now that this has come to you."</p> + +<p>"Me, <i>me</i>!" cried the child. Her lips trembled and she turned a little pale +under the tan as she remembered how the pony came. Then her eyes, dark with +excitement, suffused, and recklessly she flung herself upon the broker's +neck while the boat rocked wildly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham waved one hand toward his daughter while he seized the mast. +"Tell Harry we left our love," he cried.</p> + +<p>"Dear me, Jewel, what are you <i>doing</i>!" called Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"It's mine, mother, it's mine," cried the child, lifting her head to shout +it, and then ducking back into the broker's silk shirt front.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Evringham, coming gingerly out upon the +wharf, which was such an unsteady old affair that she had remained on terra +firma.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see," responded Mr. Evringham, "the farmhouse boat wasn't so +impossible for two old sea-dogs like Jewel and me, but when it came to +inviting her lady mother to go out with us, I saw that we must have +something else. Well, it seems as if Jewel approved of this."</p> + +<p>He winked at his daughter over the flaxen head on his breast.</p> + +<p>"What a fortunate, fortunate girl!" exclaimed<a name="Page_312" id="Page_312"></a> Julia. "I can hardly wait to +sit on one of those beautiful red cushions."</p> + +<p>"Jewel will invite you pretty soon, I think," said Mr. Evringham. "I hope +so, for one of my feet is turned in and she is standing on it, but I +wouldn't have her get off until she is entirely ready."</p> + +<p>He could feel the child swallowing hard, and though she moved her little +feet, she could not lift her face.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa," she began, in an unsteady, muffled tone, "I didn't tease you too +much about the old boat, did I?"</p> + +<p>"No,—no, child!"</p> + +<p>"Shall you—shall you like this one, too?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should rather think so. I have to give all my shoes to the poor as +it is. I've nothing left fit to put on but my riding-boots. How shall we go +over to the beach this time, Jewel, row or sail? Your mother is waiting for +you to ask her to get in."</p> + +<p>Slowly the big bows behind the child's ears came down into their normal +position. She kissed her grandfather fervently and then turned her flushed +face and eyes toward her mother.</p> + +<p>"Come in, so you can see the boat's name," she said, and her smile shone +out like sunshine from an April sky.</p> + +<p>"Give me your hand, then, dearie. You know I'm a poor city girl and haven't +a very good balance."</p> + +<p>The name was duly examined, and Mrs. Evringham's "oh's" of wonder and +admiration were long-drawn.</p> + +<p>"See the darling cushions, mother. You can wear your best clothes here. +It's just like a parlor!"</p><p><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313"></a></p> + +<p>"A very narrow parlor, Jewel. Move carefully." Mrs. Evringham had seated +herself in the stern. "Perhaps I can help with the rudder," she added, +taking hold of the lines.</p> + +<p>"Just as the admiral says," returned the broker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, you'll have to be the admiral," said Jewel excitedly. "I'll +be the crew and"—</p> + +<p>"And the owner," suggested Mr. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"Yes! Oh, mother, what <i>will</i> father say!"</p> + +<p>"He'll say that you are a very happy, fortunate little girl, and that +Divine Love is always showing your grandpa how to do kind things for you."</p> + +<p>The child's expression as she looked up at the admiral made him apprehend +another rush.</p> + +<p>"Steady, Jewel, steady. Remember we aren't wearing our bathing-suits. Which +are we going to do, row or sail?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>sail</i>," cried the child, "and it'll never be the first time again! +<i>Could</i> you wait while I get Anna Belle?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>Like a flash Jewel sprang from the boat and fled up the wharf and lawn.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham smiled and shook his head at his daughter. "A creature of +fire and dew," he said.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how to thank you for all your goodness to her," said Julia +simply.</p> + +<p>"It would offend me to be thanked for anything I did for Jewel," he +returned.</p> + +<p>"I understand. She is your own flesh and blood. But what I feel chiefly +grateful for is the wisdom of your kindness. I believe you will never spoil +her. I <a name="Page_314" id="Page_314"></a>should rather we had remained poor and struggling than to have +that."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham gave the speaker a direct look in which appeared a trace of +humor.</p> + +<p>"I think I am slightly inclined," he returned, "to overlook the fact that +you and Harry have any rights in Jewel which should be respected; but +theoretically I do acknowledge them, and it is going to be my study not to +spoil her. I have an idea that we couldn't," he added.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we could," returned Julia, "very easily."</p> + +<p>"Well, there aren't quite enough of us to try," said the broker. "I believe +while we're waiting for Jewel, I'll just step up to the house and get some +one to send that telegram to Harry."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Julia eagerly; and in a minute she was left alone, +swaying up and down on the lapping water, in the salt, sunny breeze, while +the JEWEL pulled at the mooring as if eager to try its snowy wings; and +happy were the grateful, prayerful thoughts that swelled her heart.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE BIRTHDAY</h3> + + +<p>One stormy evening Harry Evringham blew into the farmhouse, wet from his +drive from the station, and was severally hugged, kissed, and shaken by the +three who waited eagerly to receive him. The month that ensued was perhaps +the happiest that had ever come into the lives of either of the quartette; +certainly it was the happiest period to the married pair who had waited ten +years for their wedding trip.</p> + +<p>The days were filled with rowing, sailing, swimming, riding, driving, +picnics, walks, talks, and <i>dolce far niente</i> evenings, when the wind was +still and the moon silvered field and sea.</p> + +<p>The happy hours were winged, the goldenrod strewed the land with sunshine, +and August slipped away.</p> + +<p>One morning when Jewel awoke it was with a sensation that the day was +important. She looked over at Anna Belle and shook her gently. "Wake up, +dearie," she said. "'Green pastures are before me,' it's my birthday."</p> + +<p>But Anna Belle, who certainly looked very pretty in her sleep, and perhaps +suspected it, seemed unable to overcome her drowsiness until Jewel set her +up against the pillow, when her eyes at once flew open and she appeared +ready for sociability.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember Gladys on her birthday morning, <a name="Page_316" id="Page_316"></a>dearie? She couldn't +think of anything she wanted, and I'm almost like her. Grandpa's given me +my boat, that's his birthday present; and mother says she should think it +was enough for ten birthdays, and so should I. Poor grandpa! In ten +birthdays I'll be nineteen, and then he says I'll have to cry on his +shoulder instead of into his vest. But grandpa's such a joker! Of course +grown-up ladies hardly ever cry. If father and mother have anything for me, +I'll be just delighted; but I can't think what I want. I have the +darlingest pony in the world, and the dearest Little Faithful watch, and +the best boat that was ever built, and I rowed father quite a long way +yesterday all alone, and I didn't splash much, but he caught hold of the +side of the boat and pretended he was afraid"—Jewel's laughter gurgled +forth at the remembrance—"he's such a joker; and I do understand the sail, +too, but they won't let me do it alone yet. Father says he can see in my +eye that I should love to jibe. I don't even know what jibe is, so how +could I do it?"</p> + +<p>Jewel had proceeded so far in her confidences when the door of her room +opened, and her father and mother came in in their bath-wrappers.</p> + +<p>"We thought we heard you improving Anna Belle's mind," said her father, +taking her in his arms and kissing both her cheeks and chin, the tip of her +nose and her forehead, and then carefully repeating the programme.</p> + +<p>"But that was ten!" cried Jewel.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. If you didn't have one to grow on, how would you get along?"</p> + +<p>Then her pretty mother, her brown hair hanging in <a name="Page_317" id="Page_317"></a>long braids, took her +turn and kissed Jewel's cheeks till they were pinker than ever. "Many, many +happy returns, my little darling," she said. "I didn't know you weren't +going riding this morning."</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandpa said he expected a man early on business, and he had to be +here to see him. Father could have gone with me," said Jewel, looking at +him reproachfully, where he sat on the side of the bed, "but when I asked +him last night he said—I forget what he said."</p> + +<p>"Merely that I didn't believe that horses liked such early dew."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jewel!" laughed Mrs. Evringham, "your father is a lazy, sleepy boy. +It's later than you think, dearie. Hop up now and get ready for breakfast."</p> + +<p>They left her, and the little girl arose with great alacrity, for ever +since she was a baby her birthday present had always been on the breakfast +table.</p> + +<p>As soon as she was dressed, she put a blue cashmere wrapper on Anna Belle +and carried her downstairs to the room where the Evringham family had their +meals, separate from the other inmates of the farmhouse.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham was standing by the window, reading the newspaper as he +waited, and Jewel ran to him and looked up with bright expectation.</p> + +<p>"H'm!" he said, not lifting his eyes from the print, "good-morning, Jewel. +Essex Maid and Star would hardly speak to me when I was out there just now, +they're so vexed at having to stay indoors this morning."</p> + +<p>The child did not reply, but continued to look up, smiling.</p><p><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318"></a></p> + +<p>"Well," said the broker at last, dropping the paper. "Well? What is it? I +don't see anything very exciting. You haven't on your silk dress."</p> + +<p>"Grandpa! It's my <i>birthday</i>."</p> + +<p>The broker slapped his leg with very apparent annoyance. "Well, now, to +think I should have to be told that!"</p> + +<p>Jewel laughed and hopped a little as she looked toward the table. "Do you +see that bunch under the cloth at my place? That's my present. Isn't it the +most <i>fun</i> not to know what it is?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham took her up in his arms and weighed her up and down +thoughtfully. "Yes," he said, "I believe you are a little heavier than you +were yesterday."</p> + +<p>The child laughed again.</p> + +<p>"Now remember, Jewel, you're to go slow on this birthday business. Once in +two or three years is all very well."</p> + +<p>"Grandpa! people <i>have</i> to have birthdays every year," she replied as he +set her down, "but after they're about twenty or something like that, it's +wrong to remember how old they are."</p> + +<p>"Indeed?" the broker stroked his mustache. "Ladies especially, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," returned Jewel seriously. "Everybody. Mother's just twenty years +older than I am and that's so easy to remember, it's going to be hard to +forget; but I've most forgotten how much older father is," and Jewel +looked up with an expression of determination that caused the broker to +smile broadly.</p> + +<p>"I can understand your mother's being too self-respecting <a name="Page_319" id="Page_319"></a>to pass thirty," +he returned, "but just why your father shouldn't, I fail to understand."</p> + +<p>"Why, it's error to be weak and wear spectacles and have things, isn't it?" +asked Jewel, with such swift earnestness that Mr. Evringham endeavored to +compose his countenance.</p> + +<p>"Have things?" he repeated.</p> + +<p>Jewel's head fell to one side. "Why, even you, grandpa," she said lovingly, +"even you thought you had the rheumatism."</p> + +<p>"I was certainly under that impression."</p> + +<p>"But you never would have expected to have it when you were as young as +father, would you?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly."</p> + +<p>"Well, then you see why it's wrong to make laws about growing old and to +remember people's ages."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see what you mean. Everybody thinking the wrong way and jumping on a +fellow when he's down, as it were."</p> + +<p>At this moment Jewel's father and mother entered the room, and she +instantly forgot every other consideration in her interest as to what +charming surprise might be bunched up under the tablecloth.</p> + +<p>"Anna Belle can hardly wait to see my present," she said, lifting her +shoulders and smiling at her mother.</p> + +<p>"She ought to know one thing that's there, certainly," replied Mrs. +Evringham mysteriously.</p> + +<p>Jewel held the doll up in front of her. "Have you given me something, +dearie?" she asked tenderly. "I do hope you haven't been extravagant."</p> + +<p>Then with an abrupt change of manner, she hopped <a name="Page_320" id="Page_320"></a>up into her chair +eagerly, and the others took their places.</p> + +<p>The very first package that Jewel took out was marked—"With Anna Belle's +love." It proved to be a pair of handsome white hair-ribbons, and the donor +looked modestly away as Jewel expressed her pleasure and kissed her +blushing cheeks.</p> + +<p>Next came a box marked with her father's name. Upon opening it there was +discovered a set of ermine furs for Anna Belle,—at least they were very +white furs with very black tiny tails: collar and muff of a regal splendor, +and any one who declined to call them ermine would prove himself a cold +skeptic. Jewel jounced up and down in her chair with delight.</p> + +<p>"Winter's coming, you know, Jewel, and Bel-Air Park is a very swell place," +said her father.</p> + +<p>"And perhaps I'll have a sled at Christmas and draw Anna Belle on it," said +the child joyously. "Here, dearie, let's see how they fit," and on went the +furs over the blue cashmere wrapper, making Anna Belle such a thing of +beauty that Jewel gazed at her entranced. The doll was left with her chubby +hands in the ample muff and the sumptuous collar half eclipsing her golden +curls, while the little girl dived under the cloth once more for the +largest package of all.</p> + +<p>This was marked with her mother's love and contained handsome plaid +material for a dress, with the silk to trim it, and a pair of kid gloves.</p> + +<p>Jewel hopped down from her chair and kissed first her father and then her +mother. "That'll be the loveliest dress!" she said, and she carried it to +her grandfather to let him look closer and put his hand upon it.</p><p><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, well, you are having a nice birthday, Jewel," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied, putting her arm around his neck and pressing her cheek +to his. "We couldn't put the boat under the tablecloth, but I'm thinking +about it, grandpa."</p> + +<p>After breakfast they all went out to the covered piazza to read the lesson. +It was a fine, still morning. The pond rippled dreamily. The roar of the +surf was subdued. From Jewel's seat beside her grandfather she could see +her namesake glinting in the sun and gracefully rising and falling on the +waves in the gentle breeze.</p> + +<p>They had all taken comfortable positions and Mrs. Evringham was finding the +places in the books.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham spoke quite loudly: "Well, this is a fine morning, surely, +fine."</p> + +<p>"It is that," agreed Harry, stretching his long legs luxuriously. "If I +felt any better I couldn't stand it."</p> + +<p>As he was speaking, a strange man in a checked suit came around the corner +of the house.</p> + +<p>Jewel's eyes grew larger and she straightened up.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa, look!" she said softly, and then jumped off the seat to see +better. All the little company gazed with interest, for, accompanying the +man, was the most superb specimen of a collie dog that they had ever seen. +"It's a golden dog, grandpa," added Jewel.</p> + +<p>The collie had evidently just been washed and brushed. His coat was, +indeed, of a gleaming yellow. His paws were white, the tip of his tail was +white, and his breast was snowy as the thick, soft foam of the breakers. A +narrow <a name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></a>strip of white descended between his eyes,—golden, intelligent +eyes, with generations of trustworthiness in them. A silver collar nestled +in the long hair about his neck, and altogether he looked like a prince +among dogs.</p> + +<p>Jewel clasped her hands beneath her chin and gazed at him with all her +eyes. He was too splendid to be flown at in her usual manner with animals.</p> + +<p>"What a beauty!" ejaculated Harry.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> a golden dog," said Jewel's mother, looking almost as enthusiastic +as the child.</p> + +<p>"What have you there?" asked Mr. Evringham of the man. "Something pretty +fine, it appears to me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, there's none finer," replied the man, glancing at the animal. "I +called to see you on that little matter I wrote you of."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; well, that will wait. We're interested in that fine collie of +yours. We know something about golden dogs here, eh, Jewel?"</p> + +<p>"But this dog couldn't dance, grandpa," said the child soberly, drawing +nearer to the creature.</p> + +<p>"I should think not," remarked the man, smiling. "What would he be doing +dancing? I've seen lions jump the rope in shows; but it never looked +fitting, to me."</p> + +<p>"No," said Jewel, "this dog ought not to dance;" and as the collie's golden +eyes met hers, she drew nearer still in fascination, and he touched her +outstretched hand curiously, with his cold nose.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, but we like accomplished dogs," said Mr. Evringham coldly.</p> + +<p>"Who says this dog ain't accomplished?" returned the man, in an injured +tone. "Just stand back there a bit, young lady."</p><p><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323"></a></p> + +<p>Jewel retreated and her grandfather put his hand over her shoulder. The man +spoke to the dog, and at once the handsome creature sat up, tall and +dignified, on his hind legs.</p> + +<p>The man only kept him there a few seconds; and then he put him through a +variety of other performances. The golden dog shook hands when he was told, +rolled over, jumped over a stick, and at last sat up again, and when the +man took a bit of sugar from his pocket and balanced it on the creature's +nose, he tossed it in the air, and, catching it neatly, swallowed it in a +trice.</p> + +<p>Jewel was giving subdued squeals of delight, and everybody was laughing +with pleasure; for the decorative creature appeared to enjoy his own +tricks.</p> + +<p>The man looked proudly around upon the company.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mr. Evringham to Jewel, "he is a dog of high degree, like +Gabriel's, isn't he? But he's such a big fellow I think the organ-grinder +wouldn't have such an easy time with <i>him</i>."</p> + +<p>At the broker's voice, the dog walked up to him and wagged his feathery +tail. Jewel's eager hands went out to touch him, but Mr. Evringham held her +back.</p> + +<p>"He's a friendly fellow," he went on; then continued to the man, "Would you +like to sell him?"</p> + +<p>The question set the little girl's heart to beating fast.</p> + +<p>"I would, first rate," replied the man, grinning, "but the trouble is I've +sold him once. I'm taking him to his owner now."</p> + +<p>"That's a handsome collar you have on him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, it's a good one all right," returned the man. "The dog is for a +surprise present. The lady I'm taking him to is going to know him by his +name."</p><p><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324"></a></p> + +<p>"Let's have a look at it, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham, and he took hold of +the silver collar, a familiarity which seemed rather to please the golden +dog, who began wagging his tail again, as he looked at Mr. Evringham +trustingly.</p> + +<p>Jewel bent over eagerly. A single name was engraved clearly on the smooth +plate.</p> + +<p>"Topaz!" she cried. "His name is Topaz! Grandpa, mother, the golden dog's +name is Topaz!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham held up both hands in amazement, while Harry frowned +incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear of anything so wonderful, grandpa? How <i>can</i> the lady +know him by his name so well as we do?" The child was quite breathless.</p> + +<p>"What? Do <i>you</i> know the name?" asked the man. "Supposing I'd hit on the +right place already. Just take a look under his throat. The owner's name is +there."</p> + +<p>Jewel fell on her knees, and while Mr. Evringham kept his hand on the dog's +muzzle, she pushed aside the silky white fur.</p> + +<p>"Evringham. Bel-Air Park, New Jersey," was what she read, engraved on the +silver.</p> + +<p>She sat still for a minute, overcome, while a procession of ideas crowded +after each other through the flaxen head. It was her birthday; grandpa +couldn't get the boat under the tablecloth. This beautiful dog—this +impossibly beautiful dog, was a surprise present. He was for her, to love +and to play with; to see his tricks every day, to teach him to know her and +to run to her when she called. If she was given the choice of the Whole +world on this sweet birthday morning, it seemed <a name="Page_325" id="Page_325"></a>to her nothing could be so +desirable as this live creature, this playmate, this prince among dogs.</p> + +<p>When she looked up the man in the checked suit had disappeared. She glanced +at her father and mother. They were watching her smilingly and she +understood that they had known.</p> + +<p>She looked around a little further and saw Mr. Evringham seated, his hand +on the collie's neck, while the wagging, feathery tail expressed great +contentment in the touch of a good friend.</p> + +<p>At the time the story of the golden dog had so captivated Jewel's +imagination, the broker began his search for one in real life. He had +already been thinking that a dog would be a good companion for the fearless +child's solitary hours in the woods. As soon as the collie was found, he +directed that all the ordinary tricks should be taught it, and every day +until he left New York he visited the creature, who remembered him so well +that on the collie's arrival late last evening, he had feared its joyous +barking out at the barn would waken Jewel.</p> + +<p>She rose to her knees now, and, putting her arms around the dog's neck, +pressed her radiant face against him.</p> + +<p>Topaz pulled back, but Mr. Evringham patted him, and in an instant he was +freed; for his little mistress jumped up and, climbing into her +grandfather's lap, rested her head against his breast.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa," she said, slowly and fervently, "I wonder if you do know how +much I love you!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham patted the collie's head, then took Jewel's hand and placed +it with his own on the sleek forehead. The golden eyes met his +attentively.</p><p><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326"></a></p> + +<p>"You're to take care of her, Topaz. Do you understand?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The feathery tail waved harder.</p> + +<p>Jewel gazed at the dog. "If anything could be too good to be true, he'd be +it," she said slowly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham's pleasure showed in his usually impassive face.</p> + +<p>"Well, isn't it a good thing then that nothing is?" he replied, and he +kissed her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>TRUE DELIGHT</h3> + + +<p>When evening came and put a period to that memorable birthday, Topaz was a +dog of experiences. If he was a happy discovery to Jewel, she was none the +less one to him. He was delighted to romp in the fields, where his coat +vied with the goldenrod; or to scamper up and down the beach, barking +excitedly, while his friends jumped or swam through the cool waves.</p> + +<p>Jewel was eager that her horse and dog should become acquainted; so, when +late in the afternoon Essex Maid and Star were brought out at the customary +hour, saddled and bridled, she performed an elaborate introduction between +the jet-black picture pony and the prince among dogs. Star arched his neck +and shook his wavy mane as he gazed down at the golden dog with his full +bright eyes. He had seen Topaz before; for the collie had spent the night +in the barn, making sunshine in a shady place as he romped about the man in +the checked suit.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa!" laughed Jewel, as Star pawed the ground, "he looks at Topaz +just the way Essex Maid used to look at him when he first came. Just as +<i>scornful</i>!"</p> + +<p>She knelt down on the grass by the pony, in her riding skirt, and Topaz +instantly came near, hopefully. He had already learned that by sticking to +her closely <a name="Page_328" id="Page_328"></a>he was liable to have good sport; but this time business +awaited him. Mr. Evringham watched the pony and dog, with the flaxen-haired +child between them, and wished he had a kodak.</p> + +<p>"Now, Star and Topaz, you're going to love one another," said Jewel +impressively. "Shake hands, Topaz." She held out her hand and the dog sat +down and offered a white paw.</p> + +<p>"Good fellow," said the child. "Now I guess you're going to be surprised," +she added, looking into his yellow eyes. She turned toward the pony, who +was nosing her shoulder, not at all sure that he liked this rival. "Shake +hands, Star," she ordered.</p> + +<p>It took the pony some time to make up his mind to do this. It usually did. +He shook his mane and tossed his head; but Jewel kept patting his slender +leg and offering her hand, until, with much gentle pawing and lifting his +little hoof higher and higher, he finally rested it in the child's hand, +although looking away meanwhile, in mute protest.</p> + +<p>"Good Star! Darling Star!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging him. +"There, Topaz, what do you think of that?" she asked triumphantly. For +answer the golden dog yawned profoundly, and Mr. Evringham and Jewel +laughed together.</p> + +<p>"Such impoliteness!" cried the child.</p> + +<p>"You must excuse him if he is a little conceited," said the broker. "He +knows Star can't sit up and roll over and jump sticks."</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa." Jewel's face sobered, for this revived a little difference +of opinion between them. "When are you going to let me jump fences?"</p><p><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329"></a></p> + +<p>"In a few more birthdays, Jewel, a few more," he replied.</p> + +<p>She turned back to her pets. "I suppose," she said musingly, "it wouldn't +be the least use to try to make them shake hands with each other."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not," returned the broker, and his shoulders shook. "Oh, Jewel, +you certainly will make me lose my waist. Here now, time is flying. Mount."</p> + +<p>He lowered his hand, Jewel stepped on it and was in her white saddle +instantly. The collie barked with loud inquiry and plunged hopefully.</p> + +<p>In a minute the horses were off at a good pace. "Come, Topaz!" cried the +child, and the golden dog scampered after them with a will.</p> + +<p>Harry and Julia took a sail in the "Jewel" while the riders were away, +otherwise the four had spent the entire day together; and after dinner they +all strolled out of doors to watch the coming of twilight.</p> + +<p>Jewel and her father began a romp on the grass with the dog, and Mr. +Evringham and Julia took seats on the piazza.</p> + +<p>The broker watched the group on the lawn in silence for a minute, and then +he spoke.</p> + +<p>"I was very much impressed by the talk we had last evening, Julia; more so +even than by those that have gone before. Harry really seems very +intelligent on this subject of Christian Science."</p> + +<p>"He is making a conscientious study of it," returned Julia.</p> + +<p>"You have met my questions and objections remarkably well," went on Mr. +Evringham. "I am willing and glad to admit truth where I once was +skeptical, <a name="Page_330" id="Page_330"></a>and I hope to understand much more. One thing I must say, +however, I do object to—it is this worship of Mrs. Eddy. I know you don't +call it that, but what does it matter what you call it, when you all give +her slavish obedience? I should like to take the truth she has presented +and make it more impersonal than you do. What is the need of thinking about +her at all?"</p> + +<p>Julia smiled. "Well, ordinary gratitude might come in there. Most of us +feel that she has led us to the living Christ, and helped us to all we have +attained of health and happiness; but one very general mistake that error +makes use of to blind people is that Mrs. Eddy exacts this gratitude. How +willing everybody is to admit that actions speak louder than words; and yet +who of our opposers ever stop to think how Mrs. Eddy's retired, +hard-working life proves the falsity of the charges brought against her. +She does wish for our love and gratitude; but it is for our sakes, not +hers. Think of any of the great teachers from St. Paul down to the present +day. Who could benefit by the truth voiced by any of them, while he nursed +either contempt or criticism of the personality of the teacher?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Mr. Evringham, "there is strength in that consideration; +but this blind following of any suggestion your leader makes looks to me +too much like giving up your own rationality."</p> + +<p>Julia regarded him seriously. "Supposing you were one of a party who had, +for long years, searched in vain for gold. You had tried mine after mine +only to find you had not the ability to discriminate between the priceless +and the worthless ore, or to discern the <a name="Page_331" id="Page_331"></a>signs of promise that lead to +rich discovery. Now, supposing another prospector had proved, over and over +again, that he did know the places where treasure was to be found. +Supposing he had demonstrated, over and over again, that his judgment and +discernment never led him astray, and that reward followed his labor +unfailingly. Now, what if this wise prospector was willing to help you? +Supposing he stated that in certain places, and by certain ways, you could +attain that for which you longed and had striven vainly. When his advice or +directions came to you, from time to time, do you think you would be likely +to stop to haggle or argue over them? No; I think you would hasten to +follow his suggestions, as eagerly and as closely as you were able, and +with a warmly grateful heart. Would that prospector be forcing you? or +doing you a kindness? What are the fruits of Christian Science? What are +the results of the directions of this wise, loving leader who can come so +close to God that He teaches her to help us to come, too. Oh, father, this +obstacle, this foolish argument, meets nearly every one in the path you are +treading, and tries to turn him back. I do hope, for your sake, you will +decline to give that very flabby error-fairy a backbone, or let it detain +you longer. It is marvelous how, without one element of truth or reason, it +seems able to hold back so many, and waste their precious time."</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham was regarding the speaker with close attention. "You are a +good special pleader," he said, when she paused.</p> + +<p>"It is easy to speak the truth," she answered.</p> + +<p>He nodded thoughtfully. "You have given me a <a name="Page_332" id="Page_332"></a>new light on the situation. I +see it now from an entirely new standpoint."</p> + +<p>Here the trio on the lawn came running up the steps, father and child +laughing and panting as hard as Topaz, whose tongue and teeth were all in +evidence in the gayety of his grin.</p> + +<p>Harry threw himself into the hammock, and Jewel sat on the floor beside +Topaz, who gazed at her from his wistful eyes, his head on the side. Harry +laughed. "Jewel, he looks at you as if he were saying, 'Really, now, you +are a person after my own heart.'"</p> + +<p>"She is after his heart, too," said Jewel's mother, "and I'm sure she'll +win it."</p> + +<p>"He likes me already," declared the child. "Don't you, Topaz?" she asked +tenderly, laying her flaxen head with its big bows against the gold of his +coat. "Oh, there ought to be one more story in my book," she added, "one +for us to read right now and finish up my birthday."</p> + +<p>"Why not have 'The Golden Dog' again?" suggested Mr. Evringham, from the +comfortable big wicker chair in which he sat watching Jewel and Topaz. +"That would be appropriate."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," cried the little girl, looking at her mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," returned Julia, smiling. "There ought to be a special fresh story +for a birthday. We might make one now."</p> + +<p>"A new one, mother?" asked Jewel, much pleased. "Could you?"</p> + +<p>"No indeed, not alone; but if everybody helped"—</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," cried Jewel, with more enthusiasm than before. "Grandpa begin +because he's the oldest, then <a name="Page_333" id="Page_333"></a>father, then mother, then—well, me, if I +can think of anything."</p> + +<p>"It's very wrong of you, Jewel," said the broker, "to remember that I'm the +oldest, under these circumstances. What did you tell me this morning?"</p> + +<p>The child's head fell to the side and she leaned toward him. "I don't know +how old you are," she replied gently; "and it doesn't make any difference."</p> + +<p>"Then let's begin with the youngest," he suggested.</p> + +<p>"No," said his daughter, "I think Jewel's plan is the best. You begin, +father." She did not in the least expect that he would consent, but Jewel, +her hands resting on Topaz's collar, was looking at the broker lovingly.</p> + +<p>"Grandpa can do just anything," she declared.</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham regarded her musingly. "I know only one story," he said at +last, "and not very far into that one."</p> + +<p>"You don't have to know far," returned Julia encouragingly, "for Harry has +to begin whenever you say so."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" put in her husband. "I pity you if you have to listen to me."</p> + +<p>"It's my birthday, you know, grandpa," urged Jewel.</p> + +<p>"So I've understood," returned the broker. "Well, just wait a minute till I +hitch up Pegasus."</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" exclaimed his son. "You aren't in earnest, Julia? You don't +expect me to do anything like that right off the bat!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I do," she replied, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, see here, I have an engagement. We're one, <a name="Page_334" id="Page_334"></a>you know, and when it +comes to authorship, you're the one."</p> + +<p>"Hush," returned Julia, "you're disturbing father's muse."</p> + +<p>But Mr. Evringham's ideas, whatever they were, seemed to be at hand. He +settled back in his chair, his elbows on the arms and his finger-tips +touching. All his audience immediately gave attention. Even Anna Belle had +a chair all to herself and fixed an inspiring gaze on the broker. It was to +be hoped that her pride kept her cool, for, in spite of the quiet warmth of +the September evening, she was enveloped in her new furs, with her hands +tucked luxuriously in the large muff.</p> + +<p>"Once upon a time," began Mr. Evringham, "there was an old man. No one had +ever told him that it was error to grow old and infirm, and he sometimes +felt about ninety, although he was rather younger. He lived in the Valley +of Vain Regret. The climate of that region has a bad effect on the heart, +and his had shriveled up until it was quite small and mean, and hard and +cold, at that.</p> + +<p>"The old man wasn't poor; he lived in a splendid castle and had plenty of +servants to wait on him; but he was the loneliest of creatures. He wanted +to be lonely. He didn't like anybody, and all he asked of people was that +they stay away from him and only speak to him when he spoke to them, which +wasn't very often, I assure you. You can easily see that people were +willing to stay away from a cross-grained person like that. Everybody in +the neighborhood was afraid of him. They shivered when he came near, and +ran off to get into the sunshine; so he was used to seeing visitors <a name="Page_335" id="Page_335"></a>pass +by the fine grounds of his castle with only a scared glance or two in that +direction, and he wished it to be so. But he was very unhappy all the same. +His dried-up heart gave him much discomfort, and then once he had read an +old parchment that told of a far different land from Vain Regret. In that +country was the Castle of True Delight, and many an hour the man spent in +restless longing to know how he might find it; for—so he read—if a person +could once pass within the portals of that palace, he would never again +know sorrow or discontent, but one happy day would follow another in +endless variety and satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Many a time the man mounted on a spirited horse and rode forth in search +of this castle, and many different paths he took; but every night he came +home discouraged, for no sign could he find of any hope or cheer in the +whole Valley of Vain Regret, and it seemed to him to hold him like a +prisoner.</p> + +<p>"One day as he was strolling on the terrace before the castle, in bitter +thought, a strange sight met his eyes. A little girl pushed open the great +iron gates which he had thought were locked, and walked toward him. For a +minute he was too much amazed at such daring to speak, and the little girl +came forward, smiling as she caught his look. She had dark eyes and her +brown hair curled in her neck. Most people would have remarked her sweet +expression; but the old man turned fierce at sight of her.</p> + +<p>"'Be off,' he commanded angrily, and he pointed to the gate.</p> + +<p>"She did not cease smiling nor turn away, but came straight on.</p><p><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336"></a></p> + +<p>"The little dried heart in the old man's breast began to bounce about at a +great rate in his anger. He turned to a servant who stood near holding in +leash two great hounds.</p> + +<p>"'Set the dogs on her,' he commanded; and though the servant was loath to +obey, he dared not refuse, and set free the dogs who, at the master's word, +bounded swiftly toward the child.</p> + +<p>"Her loving look did not alter as she saw them coming and she held out her +hands to them. When they reached her they licked the little hands with +their tongues and bent their great heads to her caresses, and so she +advanced to the man, walking between the hounds, a hand on the neck of +each.</p> + +<p>"He stared at her dumfounded as she stood before him, her eyes smiling up +into his. Her garments were white and of a strange fashion.</p> + +<p>"'From whence come you?' he asked, when he could speak.</p> + +<p>"'From the Heavenly Country,' she answered.</p> + +<p>"'And what may be your name?'</p> + +<p>"'Purity.'</p> + +<p>"'I ordered you out of my grounds!' exclaimed the old man.</p> + +<p>"'I did not hear it,' returned the child, unmoved.</p> + +<p>"'Don't you fear the dogs?'</p> + +<p>"'What is fear?' asked Purity, her eyes wondering.</p> + +<p>"'This is the land of Vain Regret,' said the man. 'Be off!'</p> + +<p>"'This is a beautiful land,' returned the child.</p> + +<p>"For a moment her fearless obstinacy held him silent, <a name="Page_337" id="Page_337"></a>then he thought he +would voice the question that was always with him.</p> + +<p>"'Have you ever heard, in your country, of the Castle of True Delight?' he +asked.</p> + +<p>"'Often,' replied the child.</p> + +<p>"'I wish to go there,' he declared eagerly.</p> + +<p>"'Then why not?' returned Purity.</p> + +<p>"'I cannot find the way.'</p> + +<p>"'That is a pity,' said the child. 'It is in my country.'</p> + +<p>"'And you have seen it?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, many times.'</p> + +<p>"'Then you shall show me the way.'</p> + +<p>"'Whenever you are ready,' returned Purity. So saying, she passed him, +still accompanied by the hounds, and walked up the steps of the castle and +passed within and out of sight."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The story-teller paused. Jewel had risen from her seat on the floor and +come to sit on a wicker hassock at his feet, and Topaz rapped with his tail +as she moved.</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd been there, grandpa, to take care of that little girl," she +said earnestly, her eyes fixed on his. "What happened next?"</p> + +<p>"Ask your father," was the response.</p> + +<p>Harry Evringham rolled over in the hammock where he lay stretched, until he +could see his daughter's face. She rose again and pulled her hassock close +to him as he continued:—</p> + +<p>"As Purity passed into the house, the dogs whined, and the servant calling +them, they ran back to him. The <a name="Page_338" id="Page_338"></a>old man stood still, bewildered, for a +minute; then he struck his hands together.</p> + +<p>"'It is true, then. Even that child has seen it. I will go to her at once, +and we will set forth.'</p> + +<p>"So the old man entered the castle, and gave orders that the child who had +just come in should be found and brought to him.</p> + +<p>"The servants immediately flew to do his bidding, but no child could they +find.</p> + +<p>"'Lock the gates lest she escape,' ordered the master. 'She is here. Find +her, or off goes every one of your foolish heads.'</p> + +<p>"This was a terrible threat. You may be sure the servants ran hither and +thither, and examined every nook and corner; but still no little girl could +be found. The master scowled and fumed, but he considered that if he had +his servants all beheaded, it would put him to serious inconvenience; so he +only sat down and bit his thumbs, and began to try to think up some new way +to search for the Castle of True Delight.</p> + +<p>"He felt sure the child had told the truth when saying she had beheld it. +It was even in the country where she had her home. The man began to see +that he had made a mistake not to treat the stranger more civilly. The very +dogs that he kept to drive away intruders had been more hospitable than he.</p> + +<p>"All at once he had a bright thought. The roc, the oldest and wisest of all +birds, lived at the top of the mountain which rose above his castle.</p> + +<p>"'She will tell me the way,' he said, 'for she knows the world from its +very beginning.'</p> + +<p>"So he ordered that they should saddle and bridle <a name="Page_339" id="Page_339"></a>his strongest steed, and +up the mountain he rode for many a toilsome hour, until he came to where +the roc lived among the clouds.</p> + +<p>"She listened civilly to the man's question. 'So you are weary of your +life,' she said. 'Many a pilgrim comes to me on the same quest, and I tell +them all the same thing. The obstacles to getting away from the Valley of +Vain Regret are many, for there is but one road, and that has difficulties +innumerable; but the thing that makes escape nearly impossible is the +dragon that watches for travelers, and has so many eyes that two of them +are always awake. There is one hope, however. If you will examine my wings +and make yourself a similar pair, you can fly above the pitfalls and the +dragon's nest, and so reach the palace safely.'</p> + +<p>"As she said this, the roc slowly stretched her great wings, and the man +examined them eagerly, above and below.</p> + +<p>"'And in what direction do I fly?' he asked at last.</p> + +<p>"'Toward the rising sun,' replied the roc; then her wings closed, her head +drooped, and she fell asleep, and no further word could the man get from +her.</p> + +<p>"He rode home, and for many weeks he labored and made others labor, to +build an air-ship that should carry him out of the Valley of Vain Regret. +It was finished at last. It was cleverly fashioned, and had wings as broad +as the roc's; but on the day when the man finally stepped within it and set +it in motion, it carried him only a short distance outside the castle +gates, and then sank to the boughs of a tall tree, and, try as he might, +the air-ship could not be made to take a longer flight.</p> + +<p>"His poor shrunken heart fluttered with rage and <a name="Page_340" id="Page_340"></a>disappointment. 'I will +go to the wise hermit,' he said. So he went far through the woods to the +hut of the wise hermit, and he told him the same gruesome things about the +difficulties that beset the road out of the Valley of Vain Regret, and said +that one's only hope lay in tunneling beneath them.</p> + +<p>"So the old man hired a large number of miners, and, setting their faces +eastward, they burrowed down into the earth, and blasted and dug a way +which the man followed, a greater and greater eagerness possessing him with +each step of progress; but just when his hopes were highest, the miners +broke through into an underground cavern, bottomless and black, from which +they all started back, barely in time to save themselves. It was impossible +to go farther, and the whole company returned by the way they had come, and +the miners were very glad to breathe the air of the upper world again; but +the man's disappointment was bitter.</p> + +<p>"'It is of no use,' he said, when again he stood on the terrace in front of +his castle. 'It is of no use to struggle. I am imprisoned for life in the +Valley of Vain Regret.'"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Jewel's father paused. She had listened attentively. Now she turned to her +grandfather.</p> + +<p>"Is that the way you think the story went, grandpa?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think it did," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Then go on, please, father, because I like a lot of happiness in my +stories, and I want that man to hurry up and know that—that error is +cheating him."</p> + +<p>"Your mother to the rescue, then," replied Harry Evringham, smiling.</p><p><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341"></a></p> + +<p>Jewel turned to look at her mother, and, rising again, picked up her +hassock and carried it to the steamer chair in which Mrs. Evringham was +reclining.</p> + +<p>Her mother looked into her serious eyes and nodded reassuringly as she +began:—</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"As that sorry old man stood there on the terrace, things had never looked +so black to him. He was so tired, so tired of hating. He longed for a +thousand things, he knew not what, but he was sure they were to be found at +the Castle of True Delight; but he was shut in! There was no way out. As he +was thinking these despairing thoughts and looking about on the scenes +which had grown hateful to him, he saw something that made him start. The +great iron gates leading out of his grounds opened as once before, and a +little girl in white garments came in and moved toward him. His heart +leaped at the sight,—and it swelled a bit, too!</p> + +<p>"Instead of ordering her off, he hurried toward her and, although he +scowled in his eagerness, she smiled and lifted dark eyes that beamed +lovingly.</p> + +<p>"'I cannot find my way to your country nor to the Castle of True Delight,' +said the man, 'and I need you to show me. Since you have found your road +hither twice, surely you can go back again.'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, easily,' replied Purity, 'and since you know that you need me, you +are ready, and the King welcomes all.'</p> + +<p>"'He will not like me,' said the sorry man, 'because nobody does.'</p> + +<p>"'I do,' replied the child; and at her tone the man's heart swelled a +little more.</p><p><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342"></a></p> + +<p>"'There is water in my eyes,' he said, as if to himself. 'What does that +mean?'</p> + +<p>"'It will make you see better,' replied the child. 'It is the kind of water +that softens the heart, and that always improves the sight.'</p> + +<p>"'Be it so, then. Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full of +perils innumerable, child. Have you found some other path?'</p> + +<p>"'There is but one,' replied Purity.</p> + +<p>"'So the roc said,' declared the man. 'How did you pass the dragon?'</p> + +<p>"The child looked up wonderingly. 'I saw no dragon,' she answered.</p> + +<p>"The man stared at her. 'There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,' he +repeated, 'and an ever-wakeful dragon. You passed it in the night, perhaps, +and were too small to be observed.'</p> + +<p>"'I saw none,' repeated the child.</p> + +<p>"'Yet I will risk it!' exclaimed the man. 'Rather death than this life. +Wait until I buckle on my sword and order our horses.'</p> + +<p>"He turned to go, but the child caught his hand. 'We need no horses,' she +said, gently, 'and what would you with a sword?'</p> + +<p>"'For our defense.'</p> + +<p>"The child pressed his hand softly. 'Those who win to True Delight use only +the sword of spirit,' she answered.</p> + +<p>"The man frowned at her, but even frowning he wondered. Again came the +swelling sensation within his breast, which he could not understand.</p> + +<p>"The child smiled upon him and started toward the <a name="Page_343" id="Page_343"></a>heavy gates and the man +followed. He wondered at himself, but he followed.</p> + +<p>"Emerging into the woodland road, Purity took a path too narrow and devious +for a horse to tread, but the man saw that it led toward the rising sun. +She seemed perfectly sure of her way, and occasionally turned to look +sweetly on the pilgrim whose breast was beginning to quake at thought of +the difficulties to come. No defense had he but his two hands, and no guide +but this gentle, white-robed child in her ignorant fearlessness. Indeed it +was worse than being alone, for he must defend her as well as himself. She +was so young and helpless, and she had looked love at him. With this +thought the strange water stood again in his eyes and the narrow heart in +his bosom swelled yet more.</p> + +<p>"The forest thickened and deepened. Sharp thorns sprang forth and at last +formed a network before the travelers.</p> + +<p>"'You will hurt yourself, Purity!' cried the man. 'Let me go first,' and +pushing by the little child, he tried to break the thorny branches and +force a way; but his hands were torn in vain; and seeing the hopelessness, +after a long struggle, he turned sadly to his guide.</p> + +<p>"'I told you!' he said.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' she answered, and the light from her eyes shone upon the tangle. +'On this road, force will avail nothing; but there are a thousand helps for +him who treads this path with me.'</p> + +<p>"As she spoke, an army of bright-eyed little squirrels came fleetly into +the thicket and gnawed down thorns and briers before the pilgrims, until +they emerged safely into an open field.</p><p><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344"></a></p> + +<p>"'A heart full of thanks, little ones,' called Purity after them as they +fled.</p> + +<p>"'Why did they do that for us?' asked the astonished man.</p> + +<p>"'Because they know I love them,' replied the child, and she moved forward +lightly beside her companion.</p> + +<p>"They had walked for perhaps half an hour when a sound of rushing waters +came to their ears, and they soon reached a broad river. There was no +bridge and the current was deep and swift.</p> + +<p>"The man gazed at the roaring torrent in dismay. 'Oh, child, behold the +flood! Even if I could build a raft, we should be carried out to sea, and +no swimmer could stem that tide with you in his arms. How ever came you +across by yourself?'</p> + +<p>"'Love helped me,' answered Purity.</p> + +<p>"'Alas, it will not help me,' said the man. 'I know Hate better.'</p> + +<p>"'But you are becoming acquainted with Love, else you would not look on me +so kindly,' returned the child. 'Have faith and come to the shore.' She put +her little hand in his and he held it close, and together they walked to +the edge of the rushing river. Suddenly its blackness was touched and +twinkling with silver which grew each instant more compact and solid, and, +without a moment's hesitation, Purity stepped upon the silver path, drawing +with her the man, who marveled to see that countless large fish, with their +noses toward the current and their fins working vigorously, were offering +their bodies as a buoyant bridge, over which the two passed safely.</p> + +<p>"'A thousand thanks, dear ones,' said Purity, as <a name="Page_345" id="Page_345"></a>they reached the farther +bank; and instantly there was a breaking and twinkling of the silver, and +the rushing water swallowed up the kindly fish.</p> + +<p>"The man, speechless with wonder, moved along beside his guide, and from +time to time she sang a little song, and as she sang he could feel his +heart swelling and there was a strange new happiness born in it, which +seemed to answer her song though his lips were mute.</p> + +<p>"And then Purity talked to him of her King and of the rich delights which +were ever poured out to him who once found the path to the Heavenly +Country; and the man listened quite eagerly and humbly and clung to Purity +as to his only hope.</p> + +<p>"When night fell he feared to close his eyes lest the child slip away from +him; but she smiled at his fears.</p> + +<p>"'I can never leave you while you want me,' she answered; 'beside, I do not +wish to, for I love you. Do you forget that?'</p> + +<p>"At this the man lay down quite peacefully. His heart was full and soft, +and the strange water that filled his eyes overflowed upon his cheeks.</p> + +<p>"In the morning they ate fruits and berries, and pursued their journey, and +it was not long before another of the obstacles which the roc and the +hermit had foretold threatened to end their pilgrimage. It was a chasm that +fell away so steeply and was so deep and wide that, looking into the depths +below, the man shuddered and started back. Before he had time to utter his +dismay, a large mountain deer appeared noiselessly before the travelers. +The man started eagerly, but as the creature's bright, wild gaze met his, +it vanished as silently and swiftly as it had come.</p><p><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346"></a></p> + +<p>"'Ah, why was that?' exclaimed Purity. 'Felt you an unloving thought?'</p> + +<p>"''Twas a fine deer. Had I but possessed a bow and arrow, I could have +taken it!' returned the man, with excitement.</p> + +<p>"'To what end?' asked Purity, her wondering eyes sad. 'One does not gain +the Heavenly Country by slaying. We must wait now, until Love drives out +all else.'</p> + +<p>"The repentant man hung his head and looked at the broad chasm. 'Would that +I had not willed to kill the creature,' he said, 'for I am loath to lose my +own life, and it is less good than the deer's.'</p> + +<p>"Purity smiled upon him and slid her hand into his, and again the deer +bounded before them, followed this time by its mate.</p> + +<p>"The child fondled them. 'Mount upon its back,' she said to the man, +indicating the larger animal. He obeyed, though with trembling, while the +smaller deer kneeled to the child and she took her seat.</p> + +<p>"Then the creatures planted their feet unerringly and stepped to a lower +jutting point of rock, from whence with flying leaps they bridged the chasm +and scrambled to firm earth on the other side.</p> + +<p>"'Our hearts' best thanks, loved ones,' said Purity, as the deer bounded +away.</p> + +<p>"The man was trembling. 'I have slain many of God's creatures for my +pleasure,' he faltered. 'May He forgive me!'</p> + +<p>"'If you do so no more you will forgive yourself; but only so,' returned +Purity.</p> + +<p>"They moved along again and the man spoke earnestly <a name="Page_347" id="Page_347"></a>and humbly of the +wonders that had befallen them.</p> + +<p>"'To Love, all things are possible,' returned the child; 'but to Love +only;' and her companion listened to all she said, with a full heart.</p> + +<p>"By noon that day, an inaccessible cliff stared the travelers in the face. +Its mighty crags bathed their feet in a deep pool, and up, up, for hundreds +of feet, ran a smooth wall of rock in which no one might find a foothold.</p> + +<p>"The man stared at it in silence, and it seemed to frown back inexorably. +His companion watched his face and read its mute hopelessness.</p> + +<p>"'Have you still—<i>still</i> no faith?' she asked.</p> + +<p>"'I cannot see how'—stammered the man.</p> + +<p>"'No, you cannot see how—but what does that matter?' asked the child. 'Let +us eat now,' and she sat down, and the man with her, and they ate of the +fruits and nuts she had gathered along the way and carried in her white +gown.</p> + +<p>"While they ate, a pair of great eagles circled slowly downward out of the +blue sky, nor paused until they had alighted near the travelers.</p> + +<p>"'Welcome, dear birds,' said Purity. 'You know well the Heavenly Country, +and we seek your help to get there, for we have no wings to fly above those +rocky steeps.'</p> + +<p>"The eagles nestled their heads within her little hands, in token of +obedience, and when she took her seat upon one, the man obeyed her sign and +trusted himself upon the outstretched wings of the other.</p> + +<p>"Up, up, soared the great birds, over the sullen <a name="Page_348" id="Page_348"></a>pool, up the sheer rock. +Up, and still up, with sure and steady flight, until, circling once again, +the eagles alighted gently upon a land strewn with flowers.</p> + +<p>"The man and his guide stood upon the green earth, and Purity kissed her +hands gratefully to the eagles as they circled away and out of sight.</p> + +<p>"'This is a beautiful country,' said the man, and he gathered a white +flower.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' returned Purity, smiling on him, 'you begin to see it now.'"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Mrs. Evringham paused. Jewel's eyes were fixed on her unwinkingly. "Go on, +please, mother," she said.</p> + +<p>"I think I've told enough," replied Mrs. Evringham.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you finish it, mother. You can tell it just beautifully."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear, but I think it is your turn."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Jewel," said her father, "it's up to you now."</p> + +<p>"But I don't think a little girl <i>can</i> tell stories to grown-up people."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, on her birthday she can," returned her father. "Go on, we're all +listening; no one asleep except Topaz."</p> + +<p>Jewel's grandfather had been watching her absorbed face all the time, +between his half-closed lids. "I think they've left the hardest part of all +to you, Jewel," he said,—"to tell about the dragon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no-o," returned the child scornfully, "that part's easy."</p> + +<p>The broker raised his eyebrows. "Indeed?" he returned.</p><p><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349"></a></p> + +<p>In honor of her birthday, Jewel was arrayed in her silk dress. The white +ribbons, Anna Belle's gift, were billowing out behind her ears. She +presented the appearance, as she sat on the wicker hassock, of a person who +had had little experience with dragons.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, after a pause, smiling at her grandfather and lifting her +shoulders, "shall I try, then?"</p> + +<p>"By all means," returned the broker.</p> + +<p>So Jewel folded her hands in her silken lap and began in her light, sweet +voice:—</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"When the man looked around on the flowers and lovely trees and brooks, he +said, 'This is a beautiful land.'</p> + +<p>"And Purity answered: 'I'm glad that you see it is. You remember I told you +it was.'</p> + +<p>"'It was the Valley of Vain Regret we were talking about then,' said the +man. 'If you had known more about it, you wouldn't have called <i>that</i> +beautiful.'</p> + +<p>"Then the little girl smiled because she knew something nice that the man +didn't know yet; but he was going to.</p> + +<p>"So they journeyed along and journeyed along through pleasant places, and +while they walked, Purity told the man about the great King—how loving He +was and everything like that, and the man had hold of her hand and listened +just as hard as he could, for he felt sure she was telling the truth; and +it made him glad, and his heart that had been wizzled up just like a fig, +had grown to be as big as—oh, as big as a watermelon, and it was full of +nice feelings.</p><p><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350"></a></p> + +<p>"'I'm happy, Purity,' he said to the little girl.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad,' she answered, and she squeezed his hand back again, because she +loved him now as much as if he was her grandpa.</p> + +<p>"Well, they went along, and along, and at last they came to some woods and +a narrow path through them. The man was beginning to think they might need +the squirrels again, when suddenly"—Jewel paused and looked around on her +auditors whose faces she could barely see in the gathering dusk,—"suddenly +the man thought he saw the dragon he had heard so much about; and he +shivered and hung back, but Purity walked along and wondered what was the +matter with him.</p> + +<p>"'There's the dragon!' he said, in the most <i>afraid</i> voice, and he hung +back on the girl's hand so hard that she couldn't move.</p> + +<p>"When she saw how he looked, she patted him. 'I don't see anything,' she +said, 'only just lovely woods.'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, Purity, come back, come back, we can't go any farther!' said the man, +and his eyes kept staring at something among the trees, close by.</p> + +<p>"'What do you see?' asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>"'A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns!' answered the man, and +he pulled on her again, to go back with him.</p> + +<p>"'Dear me,' said Purity, 'is that old make-believe thing ground here, +trying to cheat you? I've heard about it.'</p> + +<p>"'It would make anybody afraid,' said the man. 'It has seven heads and it +could eat us up with any one of them.'</p><p><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351"></a></p> + +<p>"'Yes, it could, if it was there,' said Purity, 'but there isn't any such +thing, to <i>be</i> there. The King of the country is all-powerful and He knows +we're coming, and He <i>wants</i> us to come. Hasn't He taken care of us all the +way and helped us over every hard place? Shouldn't you think you'd <i>know</i> +by this time that we're being taken care of?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, dear!' said the man, 'I shall never see the Heavenly Country, nor the +castle, nor know what true delight is; for no one could get by that +dragon!'</p> + +<p>"Purity felt bad because his face was the sorriest that you ever saw, and +his voice sounded full of crying. So she put her arms around him. 'Now +don't you feel that way;' she said, 'everything is just as happy as it was +before. There isn't any dragon there. Tell me where you see him.'</p> + +<p>"So the man pointed to the foot of a great tree close by.</p> + +<p>"'All right,' said Purity, 'I'll go and stand right in front of that tree +until you get 'way out of the woods, and then I'll run and catch up with +you.'</p> + +<p>"The man stooped down and put his arms around the girl just as lovingly as +if she was his own little grandchild.</p> + +<p>"'I can't do that,' he said; 'I'd rather the dragon would eat me up than +you. You run, Purity, and I'll stay; and when he tries to catch you, I'll +throw myself in front of him. But kiss me once, dear, because we've been +very happy together.'</p> + +<p>"Purity kissed him over and over again because she was so happy about his +goodness, and she saw the tears in his eyes, that are the kind that make +people see better.<a name="Page_352" id="Page_352"></a> She <i>knew</i> what the man was going to see when he stood +up again."</p> + +<p>The story-teller paused a moment, but no one spoke, although she looked at +each one questioningly; so she continued:—</p> + +<p>"Well, he was the most <i>surprised</i> man when he got up and looked around.</p> + +<p>"'The dragon has gone!' he said.</p> + +<p>"'No, he hasn't,' said Purity, and she just hopped up and down, she was so +glad. 'He hasn't gone, because he wasn't there!'</p> + +<p>"'He <i>isn't</i> there!' said the man, over and over. 'He <i>isn't</i> there!' and +he looked so happy—oh, as happy as if it was his birthday or something.</p> + +<p>"So they walked along out into the sunshine again, and sweeter flowers than +ever were growing all around them, and a bird that was near began singing a +new song that the man had never heard.</p> + +<p>"There was a lovely green mountain ahead of them now. 'Purity,' said the +man, for something suddenly came into his head, 'is this the Heavenly +Country?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said Purity, and she clapped her hands for joy because the man knew +it was.</p> + +<p>"They walked along and the bird's notes were louder and sweeter. 'I +<i>think</i>, said the man softly, 'I think he is singing the song of true +delight.'</p> + +<p>"'He is,' said Purity.</p> + +<p>"So, when they had walked a little farther still, they began to see a +splendid castle at the foot of the mountain.</p> + +<p>"'Oh,' said the man, just as happily as anything, 'is that home at +<i>last</i>!'</p><p><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353"></a></p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said Purity, 'it is the Castle of True Delight.'</p> + +<p>"The man felt young and strong and he walked so fast the little girl had to +skip along to keep up with him, and the bird flew around their heads and +sang 'Love, love, love; <i>true</i> delight, <i>true</i> delight,' just as <i>plain</i>."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Jewel gave the bird-song realistically, then she unclasped her hands. +"Mother," she said, turning to Mrs. Evringham, "now you finish the story. +Will you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, I know the rest," returned Mrs. Evringham quietly, and she +took up the thread:—</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"As the man and Purity drew near to the great gates before the castle, +these flew open of their own accord, and the travelers entered. Drawing +near the velvet green of the terraces, a curious familiarity in the fair +scene suddenly impressed the man. He stared, then frowned, then smiled. A +great light streamed across his mind.</p> + +<p>"'Purity,' he asked slowly, 'is this my castle?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' she answered, watching him with eyes full of happiness.</p> + +<p>"'And will you live with me here, my precious child?'</p> + +<p>"'Always. The great King wills it so.'</p> + +<p>"'But what—where—where is the Valley of Vain Regret?'</p> + +<p>"Purity shook her head and her clear eyes smiled. 'There is no Valley of +Vain Regret,' she answered.</p> + +<p>"'But I lived in it,' said the man.</p><p><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354"></a></p> + +<p>"'Yes, before you knew the King, our Father. There is no vain regret for +the King's child.'</p> + +<p>"'Then I—I, too, am the King's child?' asked the man, his face amazed but +radiant, for he began to understand a great many things.</p> + +<p>"'You, too,' returned Purity, and she nestled to him and he held her close +while the bird hovered above their heads and sang with clear sweetness, +'Love, love, love; true delight, true, true, <i>true</i> delight.'"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The story-teller ceased. Jewel saw that the tale was finished. She jumped +up from the hassock and clapped her hands. Then she ran to Mr. Evringham +and climbed into his lap. It was so dark now on the veranda that she could +scarcely see his face. But he put his arms around her and gathered her to +her customary resting place on his shoulder. "Wasn't that <i>lovely</i>, +grandpa? Did you think your story was going to end that way?"</p> + +<p>He stroked her flaxen hair in silence for a few seconds before replying, +then he answered, rather huskily:—</p> + +<p>"I hoped it would, Jewel."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355"></a>"<i>The Books You Like to Read at the Price You Like to Pay</i>"</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><i><b>There Are Two Sides to Everything</b></i>—</p> + +<p>—including the wrapper which covers every Grosset & Dunlap book. When you +feel in the mood for a good romance, refer to the carefully selected list +of modern fiction comprising most of the successes by prominent writers of +the day which is printed on the back of every Grosset & Dunlap book +wrapper.</p> + +<p>You will find more than five hundred titles to choose from—books for every +mood and every taste and every pocket-book.</p> + +<p><i>Don't forget the other side, but in case the wrapper is lost, write to the +publishers for a complete catalog.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><i>There is a Grosset & Dunlap Book for every mood and for every taste</i></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>S. and H.</i>, page 242.</p></div> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jewel's Story Book, by Clara Louise Burnham + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEWEL'S STORY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 16448-h.htm or 16448-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/4/4/16448/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +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. 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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: Jewel's Story Book + +Author: Clara Louise Burnham + +Release Date: August 5, 2005 [EBook #16448] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEWEL'S STORY BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "YOU'VE MADE ME SOME STORIES, MOTHER!"] + + + + +JEWEL'S STORY BOOK + +BY + +CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM + +WITH ILLUSTRATIONS + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + Made in the United States of America + +COPYRIGHT 1904 BY CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM + +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + +_Published October, 1904_ + + + _TO THE CHILDREN + WHO LOVE JEWEL_ + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. OVER THE 'PHONE + + II. THE BROKER'S OFFICE + + III. THE HOME-COMING + + IV. ON THE VERANDA + + V. THE LIFTED VEIL + + VI. THE DIE IS CAST + + VII. MRS. EVRINGHAM'S GIFTS + + VIII. THE QUEST FLOWER + + IX. THE QUEST FLOWER (CONTINUED) + + X. THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY + + XI. THE GOLDEN DOG + + XII. THE TALKING DOLL + + XIII. A HEROIC OFFER + + XIV. ROBINSON CRUSOE + + XV. ST. VALENTINE + + XVI. A MORNING RIDE + + XVII. THE BIRTHDAY + +XVIII. TRUE DELIGHT + + + + +JEWEL'S STORY BOOK + + + + +CHAPTER I + +OVER THE 'PHONE + + +Mrs. Forbes, Mr. Evringham's housekeeper, answered the telephone one +afternoon. She was just starting to climb to the second story and did not +wish to be hindered, so her "hello" had a somewhat impatient brevity. + +"Mrs. Forbes?" + +"Oh," with a total change of voice and face, "is that you, Mr. Evringham?" + +"Please send Jewel to the 'phone." + +"Yes, sir." + +She laid down the receiver, and moving to the foot of the stairs called +loudly, "Jewel!" + +"Drat the little lamb!" groaned the housekeeper, "If I was only sure she +was up there; I've got to go up anyway. _Jewel!_" louder. + +"Ye--es!" came faintly from above, then a door opened. "Is somebody calling +me?" + +Mrs. Forbes began to climb the stairs deliberately while she spoke with +energy. "Hurry down, Jewel. Mr. Evringham wants you on the 'phone." + +"Goody, goody!" cried the child, her feet pattering on the thick carpet as +she flew down one flight and then passed the housekeeper on the next. +"Perhaps he is coming out early to ride." + +"Nothing would surprise me less," remarked Mrs. Forbes dryly as she +mounted. + +Jewel flitted to the telephone and picked up the receiver. + +"Hello, grandpa, are you coming out?" she asked. + +"No, I thought perhaps you would like to come in." + +"In where? Into New York?" + +"Yes." + +"What are we going to do?" eagerly. + +Mr. Evringham, sitting at the desk in his private office, his head resting +on his hand, moved and smiled. His mind pictured the expression on the face +addressing him quite as distinctly as if no miles divided them. + +"Well, we'll have dinner, for one thing. Where shall it be? At the +Waldorf?" + +Jewel had never heard the word. + +"Do they have Nesselrode pudding?" she asked, with keen interest. Mrs. +Forbes had taken her in town one day and given her some at a restaurant. + +"Perhaps so. You see I've heard from the Steamship Company, and they think +that the boat will get in this evening." + +"Oh, grandpa! grandpa! _grandpa!_" + +"Softly, softly. Don't break the 'phone. I hear you through the window." + +"When shall I come? Oh, oh, oh!" + +"Wait, Jewel. Don't be excited. Listen. Tell Zeke to bring you in to my +office on the three o'clock train." + +"Yes, grandpa. Oh, please wait a minute. Do you think it would be too +extravagant for me to wear my silk dress?" + +"No, let's be reckless and go the whole figure." + +"All right," tremulously. + +"Good-by." + +"Oh, grandpa, wait. Can I bring Anna Belle?" but only silence remained. + +Jewel hung up the receiver with a hand that was unsteady, and then ran +through the house and out of doors, leaving every door open behind her in a +manner which would have brought reproof from Mrs. Forbes, who had begun to +be Argus-eyed for flies. + +Racing out to the barn, she appeared to 'Zekiel in the harness room like a +small whirlwind. + +"Get on your best things, Zeke," she cried, hopping up and down; "my father +and mother are coming." + +"Is this an india rubber girl?" inquired the coachman, pausing to look at +her with a smile. "What train?" + +"Three o'clock. You're going with me to New York. Grandpa says so; to his +office, and the boat's coming to-night. Get ready quick, Zeke, please. I'm +going to wear my silk dress." + +"Hold on, kid," for she was flying off. "I'm to go in town with you, am I? +Are you sure? I don't want to fix up till I make Solomon look like thirty +cents and then find out there's some misdeal." + +"Grandpa wants you to bring me to his office, that's what he said," +returned the child earnestly. "Let's start real _soon_!" + +Like a sprite she was back at the house and running upstairs, calling for +Mrs. Forbes. + +The housekeeper appeared at the door of the front room, empty now for two +days of Mrs. Evringham's trunks, and Jewel with flushed cheeks and +sparkling eyes told her great news. + +Mrs. Forbes was instantly sympathetic. "Come right upstairs and let me help +you get ready. Dear me, to-night! I wonder if they'll want any supper when +they get here." + +"I don't know. I don't know!" sang Jewel to a tune of her own improvising, +as she skipped ahead. + +"I don't believe they will," mused Mrs. Forbes. "Those customs take so much +time. It seems a very queer thing to me, Jewel, Mr. Evringham letting you +come in at all. Why, you'll very likely not get home till midnight." + +"Won't it be the most _fun_!" cried the child, dancing to her closet and +getting her checked silk dress. + +"I guess your flannel sailor suit will be the best, Jewel." + +"Grandpa said I might wear my silk. You see I'm going to dinner with him, +and that's just like going to a party, and I ought to be very particular, +don't you think so?" + +"Well, don't sit down on anything dirty at the wharf. I expect you will," +returned Mrs. Forbes with a resigned sigh, as she proceeded to unfasten +Jewel's tight, thick little braids. + +"Just think what a short time we'll have to miss cousin Eloise," said the +child. "Day before yesterday she went away, and now to-morrow my mother'll +braid my hair." She gave an ecstatic sigh. + +"If that's all you wanted your cousin Eloise for--to braid your hair--I +guess I could get to do it as well as she did." + +"Oh, I loved cousin Eloise for everything and I always shall love her," +responded the child quickly. "I only meant I didn't have to trouble you +long with my hair." + +"I think I do it pretty well." + +"Yes, indeed you do--just as _tight_. Do you remember how much it troubled +you when I first came? and now it's so much different!" + +"Yes, there are a whole lot of things that are much different," replied +Mrs. Forbes. "How long do you suppose you'll be staying with us now, +Jewel?" + +The child's face grew sober. "I don't know, because I don't know how long +father and mother can stay." + +"You'll think about this room where you've lived so many weeks, when you +get back to Chicago." + +"Yes, I shall think about it lots of times," said the little girl. "I knew +it would be a lovely visit at grandpa's, and it has been." + +She glanced up in the mirror toward the housekeeper's face and saw that the +woman's lips were working suspiciously and her eyes brimming over. + +"You won't be lonely, will you, Mrs. Forbes?" she asked; "because grandpa +says you want to live with Zeke in the barn this summer while he shuts up +the house and goes off on his vacation." + +"Oh, yes; it's all right, Jewel, only it just came over me that in a week, +or perhaps sooner, you'll be gone." + +"It's real kind of you to be glad to have me stay," said the child. "I try +not to think about going away, because it does make me feel sorry every +time. You know the soot blows all around in Chicago and we haven't any +yard, and when I think about all the sky and trees here, and the ravine, +beside grandpa and you and Zeke and Essex Maid--why I have to just say 'I +_won't_ be sorry,' and then think about father and mother and Star and all +the nice things! I think Star will like the park pretty well." Jewel looked +into space thoughtfully, and then shook her head. "I'm sure the morning we +go I shall have to say: 'Green pastures are before me' over and over." + +"What do you mean, child?" + +"Why, you know the psalm: 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He +leadeth me beside the still waters'?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, in our hymnal there's the line of a hymn: 'Green pastures are before +me,' and mother and I used to say that line every morning when we woke up, +to remind us that Love was going to lead us all day." + +"I'd like to see your mother," said Mrs. Forbes after a pause. + +"You will, to-night," cried Jewel, suddenly joyous again. "Oh, Mrs. Forbes, +do you think I could take Anna Belle to New York?" + +"What did Mr. Evringham say?" + +"He went away before I had a chance to ask him." Jewel looked wistfully +toward the chair where the doll sat by the window, toeing in, her sweet +gaze fixed on the wall-paper. "She would enjoy it so!" added the little +girl. + +"Oh, it's a tiresome trip for children, such late hours," returned Mrs. +Forbes persuasively. "Beside," with an inspiration, "you'd like your hands +free to help your mother carry her bags, wouldn't you?" + +"That's so," responded Jewel. "Anna Belle would always give up anything for +her grandma!" and as the housekeeper finished tying the hair bows, the +little girl skipped over to the chair and knelt before the doll, explaining +the situation to her with a joyous incoherence mingled with hugs and kisses +from which the even-tempered Anna Belle emerged apparently dazed but +docile. + +"Come here and get your shoes on, Jewel." + +"My best ones," returned the child. + +"Oh, yes, the best of everything," said Mrs. Forbes good-humoredly; and +indeed, when Jewel was arrayed, she viewed herself in the mirror with +satisfaction. + +Zeke presented himself soon, fine in a new summer suit and hat, and Mrs. +Forbes watched the pair as they walked down the driveway. + +"Now, I can't let the grass grow under my feet," she muttered. "I expected +to have till to-morrow night to get all the things done that Mr. Evringham +told me to, but I guess I can get through." + +Jewel and Zeke had ample time for the train. Indeed, the little girl's +patience was somewhat tried before the big headlight came in view. She +could not do such injustice to her silk dress and daisy-wreathed leghorn +hat as to hop and skip, so she stood demurely with Zeke on the station +platform, and as they waited he regarded her happy expectant face. + +"Remember the day you got here, kid?" he asked. + +"Yes. Isn't it a long time since you came and met me with Dick, and he just +whirled us home!" + +"Sure it is. And now you're glad to be leaving us." + +"I am not, Zeke!" + +"Well, you look in the glass and see for yourself." + +Just then the train came along and Zeke swung the child up to the high +step. The fact that she found a seat by the window added a ray to her +shining eyes. Her companion took the place beside her. + +"Yes," he went on, as the train started, "it's kind of hard on the rest of +us to have you so tickled over the prospect." + +"I'm only happy over father and mother," returned Jewel. + +"Pretty nice folks, are they?" + +Jewel shook her head significantly. "You just wait and see," she replied +with zest. + +"Which one do you look like?" + +"Like father. Mother's much prettier than father." + +"A beauty, is she?" + +"N--o, I don't believe so. She isn't so pretty as cousin Eloise, but then +she's pretty." + +"That's probably the reason your grandfather likes to see you +around--because you look like his side of the house." + +"Well," Jewel sighed, "I hope grandpa likes my nose. I don't." + +Zeke laughed. "He seems able to put up with it. I expect there's going to +be ructions around here the next week." + +"What's ructions?" + +"Well, some folks might call it error. I don't know. Mr. Evringham's going +to be pretty busy with his own nose. It's going to be put out of joint +to-night. The green-eyed monster's going to get on the rampage, or I miss +my guess." + +Jewel looked up doubtfully. Zeke was a joker, of course, being a man, but +what was he driving at now? + +"What green-eyed monster?" she asked. + +"Oh, the one that lives in folks' hearts and lays low part of the time," +replied Zeke. + +"Do you mean jealousy; envy, hatred, or malice?" asked Jewel so glibly that +her companion stared. + +"Great Scott! What do you know about that outfit?" he asked. + +The child nodded wisely. "I know people believe in them sometimes; but you +needn't think grandpa does, because he doesn't." + +"Mr. Evringham's all right," agreed Zeke, "but he isn't going to be the +only pebble any longer. Your father and mother will be the whole thing +now." + +The child was thoughtful a moment, then she began earnestly: "Oh, I'm sure +grandpa knows how it is about loving. The more people you love, the more +you can love. I can love father and mother more because I've learned to +love grandpa, and he can love them more too, because he has learned to love +me." + +"Humph! We'll see," remarked the other, smiling. + +"Is error talking to you, Zeke? Are you laying laws on grandpa?" + +"Well, if I am, I'll stop it mighty quick. You don't catch me taking any +such liberties. Whoa!" drawing on imaginary reins as the engine slackened +at a station. + +Jewel laughed, and from that time until they reached New York they chatted +about her pony Star, and other less important horses, and of the child's +anticipation of showing her mother the joys of Bel-Air Park. + + + + +Chapter II + +THE BROKER'S OFFICE + + +It was the first time Jewel had visited her grandfather's office and she +was impressed anew with his importance as she entered the stone building +and ascended in the elevator to mysterious heights. + +Arrived in an electric-lighted anteroom, Zeke's request to see Mr. +Evringham was met by a sharp-eyed young man who denied it with a cold, +inquiring stare. Then the glance of this factotum fell to Jewel's uplifted, +rose-tinted face and her trustful gaze fixed on his own. + +Zeke twirled his hat slowly between his hands. + +"You just step into Mr. Evringham's office," he said quietly, "and tell him +the young lady he invited has arrived." + +Jewel wondered how this person, who had the privilege of being near her +grandfather all day, could look so forbidding; but in her happy excitement +she could not refrain from smiling at him under the nodding hat brim. + +"I'm going to dinner with him," she said softly, "and I _think_ we're going +to have Nesselrode pudding." + +The young man's eyes stared and then began to twinkle. "Oh," he returned, +"in that case"--then he turned and left the visitors. + +When he entered the sanctum of his employer he was smiling. Mr. Evringham +did not look up at once. When he did, it was with a brief, "Well?" + +"A young lady insists upon seeing you, sir." + +"Kindly stop grinning, Masterson, and tell her she must state her +business." + +"She has done so, sir," but Masterson did not stop grinning. "She looks +like a summer girl, and I guess she is one." + +Mr. Evringham frowned at this unprecedented levity. "What is her business, +briefly?" he asked curtly. + +"To eat Nesselrode pudding, sir." + +The broker started. "Ah!" he exclaimed, and though he still frowned, he +reflected his junior's smile. "Is there some one with her?" + +"A young man." + +"Send them in, please." + +Masterson obeyed and managed to linger until his curiosity was both +appeased and heightened by seeing Jewel run across the Turkish rug and +completely submerge the stately gray head beneath the brim of her hat. + +"Well, I'll--be--everlastingly"--thought Masterson, as he softly passed out +and closed the door behind him. "Even Achilles could get it in the heel, +but I'll swear I didn't believe the old man had a joint in his armor." + +Zeke stood twisting his hat, and when his employer was allowed to come to +the surface, he spoke respectfully:-- + +"Mother said I was to bring word if you would like a late supper, sir." + +"Tell Mrs. Forbes that it will be only something light, if anything. She +need not prepare." + +Jewel danced to the door with her escort as he went. "Good-by, Zeke," she +said gayly. "Thank you for bringing me." + +"Good-by, Jewel," he returned in subdued accents, and stumbling on the +threshold, passed out with a furtive wave of his hat. + +The child returned and jumped into a chair by the desk, reserved for the +selected visitors who succeeded in invading this precinct. "I suppose you +aren't quite through," she said, fixing her host with a blissful gaze as he +worked among a scattered pile of papers. + +"Very nearly," he returned. He saw that she was near to bubbling over with +ideas ready to pour out to him. He knew, too, that she would wait his time. +It entertained him to watch her furtively as she gave herself to inspecting +the furnishings of the room and the pictures on the wall, then looked down +at the patent leather tips of her best shoes as they swung to and fro. At +last she began to look at him more and more wistfully, and to view the +furnishings of the large desk. It had a broad shelf at the top. + +Suddenly Jewel caught sight of a picture standing there in a square frame, +and an irrepressible "Oh!" escaped from her lips. + +She pressed her hands together and Mr. Evringham saw a deeper rose in her +cheeks. He followed her eyes, and silently taking the picture from the desk +placed it in her lap. She clasped it eagerly. It was a fine photograph of +Essex Maid, her grandfather's mare. + +In a minute he spoke:-- + +"Now I think I'm about through, Jewel," he said, leaning back in his +chair. + +"Oh, grandpa, do these cost very much?" + +"Why? Do you want to have Star sit for his picture?" + +"Yes, it _would_ be nice to have a picture of Star, wouldn't it! I never +thought of that. I mean to ask mother if I can." + +The broker winced. + +"What I was thinking of was, could I have a picture of Essex Maid to take +with me to Chicago?" + +Mr. Evringham nodded. "I will get you one." He kept on nodding slightly, +and Jewel noted the expression of his eyes. Her bright look began to cloud +as her grandfather continued to gaze at her. + +"You'd like to have a picture of Star to keep, wouldn't you?" she asked +softly, her head falling a little to one side in loving recognition of his +sadness. + +"Yes," he answered, rather gruffly, "and I've been thinking for some weeks +that there was a picture lacking on my desk here." + +"Star's?" asked Jewel. + +"No. Yours. Are there any pictures of you?" + +"No, only when I was a baby. You ought to see me. I was as _fat_!" + +"We'll have some photographs of you." + +"Oh," Jewel spoke wistfully, "I wish I was pretty." + +"Then you wouldn't be an Evringham." + +"Why not? You are," returned the child, so spontaneously that slow color +mounted to the broker's face, and he smiled. + +"I look like my mother's family, they say. At any rate,"--after a pause +and scrutiny of her,--"it's your face, it's my Jewel's face, that suits me +and that I want to keep. If I can find somebody who can do it and not +change you into some one else, I am going to have a little picture painted; +a miniature, that I can carry in my pocket when Essex Maid and I are left +alone." + +The brusque pain in his tone filled Jewel's eyes, and her little hands +clasped tighter the frame she held in her lap. + +"Then you will give me one of you, too, grandpa?" + +"Oh, child," he returned, rather hoarsely, "it's too late to be painting my +leather countenance." + +"No one could paint it just as I know it," said Jewel softly. "I know all +the ways you look, grandpa,--when you're joking or when you're sorry, or +happy, and they're all in here," she pressed one hand to her breast in a +simple fervor that, with her moist eyes, compelled Mr. Evringham to swallow +several times; "but I'd like one in my hand to show to people when I tell +them about you." + +The broker looked away and fussed with an envelope. + +"Grandpa," continued the child after a pause, "I've been thinking that +there's one secret we've got to keep from father and mother." + +Mr. Evringham looked back at her. This was the most cheering word he had +heard for some time. + +"It wouldn't be loving to let them know how sorry it makes us to say +good-by, would it? I get such lumps in my throat when I think about not +riding with you or having breakfast together. I do work over it and think +how happy it will be to have father and mother again, and how Love gives us +everything we ought to have and everything like that; but I +_have_--cried--twice, thinking about it! Even Anna Belle is mortified the +way I act. I know you feel sorry, too, and we've got to demonstrate over +it; but it'll come so soon, and I guess I didn't begin to work in time. +Anyway, I was wondering if we couldn't just have a secret and manage not to +say good-by to each other." The corners of the child's mouth were twitching +down now, and she took out a small handkerchief and wiped her eyes. + +Mr. Evringham blew his nose violently, and crossing the office turned the +key in the door. + +"I think that would be an excellent plan, Jewel," he returned, rather +thickly, but with an endeavor to speak heartily. "Of course your +confounded--I mean to say your--your parents will naturally expect you to +follow their plans and"--he paused. + +"And it would be so unloving to let them think that I was sorry after they +let me have such a beautiful visit, and if we can _just_--manage not to say +good-by, everything will be so much easier." + +The broker stood looking at her while the plaintive voice made music for +him. "I'm going to try to manage just that thing if it's in the books," he +said, after waiting a little, and Jewel, looking up at him with an April +smile, saw that his eyes were wet. + +"You're so good, grandpa," she returned tremulously; "and I won't even kiss +Essex Maid's neck--not the last morning." + +He sat down with fallen gaze, and Jewel caught her lip with her teeth as +she looked at him. Then suddenly the leghorn hat was on the floor, daisy +side down, while she climbed into his lap and her soft cheek buried itself +under Mr. Evringham's ear. + +"How m-many m-miles off is Chicago?" stammered the child, trying to repress +her sobs, all happy considerations suddenly lost in the realization of her +grandfather's lonely lot. + +"A good many more than it ought to be. Don't cry, Jewel." The broker's +heart swelled within him as he pressed her to his breast. Her sorrow filled +him with tender elation, and he winked hard. + +"There isn't--isn't any sorrow--in mind, grandpa. Shouldn't you--you think +I'd--remember it? Divine Love always--always takes care--of us--and just +because--I don't see how He's going--going to this time--I'm crying! Oh, +it's so--so naughty!" + +Mr. Evringham swallowed fast. He never had wondered so much as he did this +minute just how obstinate or how docile those inconvenient and superfluous +individuals--Jewel's parents--would prove. + +He cleared his throat. "Come, come," he said, and he kissed the warm pink +rose of the child's cheek. "Don't spoil those bright eyes just when you're +going to have your picture taken. We're going to have the jolliest time you +ever heard of!" + +Jewel's little handkerchief was wet and Mr. Evringham put his own into her +hand and they went into the lavatory where she used the wet corner of a +towel while he told her about the photographer who had taken Essex Maid's +picture and should take Star's. + +Then the cherished leghorn hat was rescued from its ignominy and replaced +carefully on its owner's head. + +"But I never thought you meant to have my picture taken this afternoon," +said Jewel, her lips still somewhat tremulous. + +"I didn't until a minute ago, but I think we can find somebody who won't +mind doing it late in the day." + +"Yours too, then, grandpa.--Oh, _yes_," and at last a smile beamed like the +sun out of an April sky, "right on the same card with me!" + +"Oh, no, no, Jewel; no, no!" + +"Yes, _please_, grandpa," earnestly, "do let's have one nice nose in the +picture!" She lifted eyes veiled again with a threatening mist. "And you'll +put your arm around me--and then I'll look at it"--her lip twitched. + +"Yes, oh, yes, I--I think so," hastily. "We'll see, and then, after +that--how much Nesselrode pudding do you think you can eat? I tell you, +Jewel, we're going to have the time of our lives!" Mr. Evringham struck his +hands together with such lively anticipation that the child's spirits rose. + +"Yes," she responded, "and then after dinner, _what_?" She gazed at him. + +The broker tapped his forehead as if knocking at the door of memory. + +"Father and mother!" she cried out, laughing and beginning to hop +discreetly. "You forgot, grandpa, you forgot. Your own little boy coming +home and you forgot!" + +"Well, that's a fact, Jewel; that I suppose I had better remember. He is my +own boy--and I don't know but I owe him something after all." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOME-COMING + + +Again Jewel and her grandfather stood on the wharf where the great boats, +ploughing their way through the mighty seas, come finally, each into its +own place, as meekly as the horse seeks his stable. + +The last time they stood here they were strangers watching the departure of +those whom now they waited, hand in hand, to greet. + +"Jewel, you made me eat too much dinner," remarked Mr. Evringham. "I feel +as if my jacket was buttoned, in spite of the long drive we've taken since. +I went to my tailor this morning, and what do you think he told me?" + +"What? That you needed some new clothes?" + +"Oh, he always tells me that. He told me that I was growing fat! There, +young lady, what do you think of that?" + +"I think you are, too, grandpa," returned the child, viewing him +critically. + +"Well, you take it coolly. Supposing I should lose my waist, and all your +fault!" + +Jewel drew in her chin and smiled at him. + +"Supposing I go waddling about! Eh?" + +She laughed. "But how would it be my fault?" she asked. + +"Didn't you ever hear the saying 'laugh and grow fat'? How many times have +you made me laugh since we left the office?" + +Jewel began to tug on his hand as she jumped up and down. "Oh, grandpa, do +you think our pictures will be good?" + +"I think yours will." + +"Not yours?" the hopping ceased. + +"Oh, yes, excellent, probably. I haven't had one taken in so many years, +how can I tell? but here's one day that they can't get away from us, Jewel. +This eighth of June has been a good day, hasn't it--and mind, you're not to +tell about the pictures until we see how they come out." + +"Yes, haven't we had _fun_? The be-_eau_tiful hotel, and the drive in the +park, and the ride in the boats and"-- + +"Speaking of boats, there it is now. They're coming," remarked Mr. +Evringham. + +"Who?" + +"Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thayer Evringham," returned the broker dryly. "Steady, +Jewel, steady now. It will be quite a while before you see them." + +The late twilight had faded and the June night begun, the wharf was dimly +lighted and there was the usual crowd of customs officers, porters, and men +and women waiting to see friends. All moved and changed like figures in a +kaleidoscope before Jewel's unwinking gaze; but the long minutes dragged by +until at last her father and mother appeared among the passengers who came +in procession down the steep incline from the boat. + +Mr. Evringham drew back a step as father, mother, and child clung to each +other, kissing and murmuring with soft exclamations. Harry extricated +himself first and shook hands with his father. + +"Awfully good of you to get us the courtesy of the port," he said heartily. + +"Don't mention it," returned the broker, and Julia released Jewel and +turned upon Mr. Evringham her grateful face. + +"But so many things are good of you," she said feelingly, as she held out +her hand. "It will take us a long time to give thanks." + +"Not at all, I assure you," responded the broker coldly, but his heart was +hot within him. "If they have the presumption to thank me for taking care +of Jewel!" he was thinking as he dropped his daughter-in-law's hand. + +"What a human iceberg!" she thought. "How has Jewel been able to take it so +cheerfully? Ah, the blessed, loving heart of a child!" + +Meanwhile Mr. Evringham turned to his son and continued: "The courtesy of +the port does shorten things up a bit, and I have a man from the customs +waiting." + +Harry followed him to see about the luggage, and Mrs. Evringham and Jewel +sat down on a pile of boxes to wait. The mother's arm was around the little +girl, and Jewel had one of the gloved hands in both her own. + +"Oh," she exclaimed, suddenly starting up, "Mrs. Forbes thought I'd better +wear my sailor suit instead of this, and she told me not to sit down on +anything dirty." She carefully turned up the skirt of her little frock and +seated herself again on a very brief petticoat. + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Mrs. Forbes is careful of you, isn't she?" she +asked. Her heart was in a tumult of happiness and also of curiosity as to +her child's experiences in the last two months. Jewel's letters had +conveyed that she was content, and joy in her pony had been freely +expressed. The mother's mental picture of the stiff, cold individual to +whose doubtful mercies she had confided her child at such short notice had +been softened by the references to him in Jewel's letters; and it was with +a shock of disappointment that she found herself repulsed now by the same +unyielding personality, the same cold-eyed, unsmiling, fastidiously dressed +figure, whose image had lingered in her memory. A dozen eager questions +rose to her lips, but she repressed them. + +"Jewel must have had a glimpse of the real man," she thought. "I must not +cloud her perception." It did not occur to her, however, that the child +could even now feel less than awe of the stern guardian with whom she had +succeeded in living at peace, and who had, from time to time, bestowed upon +her gifts. One of these Mrs. Evringham noticed now. + +"Oh, that's your pretty watch!" she said. + +"Yes," returned the child, "this is Little Faithful. Isn't he a darling?" + +The mother smiled as she lifted the silver cherub. "You've named him?" she +returned. "Why, it is a beauty, Jewel. How kind of your grandfather!" + +"Yes, indeed. It was so I wouldn't stay in the ravine too long." + +"How is Anna Belle?" + +"Dear Anna Belle!" exclaimed the little girl wistfully. "What a good time +she would have had if I could have brought her! But you see I needed both +my hands to help carry bags; and she understood about it and sent her love. +She'll be sitting up waiting for you." + +Mrs. Evringham cast a look toward Harry and his father. "I'm not sure"--she +began, "I hardly think we shall go to Bel-Air to-night. How would you like +to stay in at the hotel with us, and then we could go out to the house +to-morrow and pack your trunk?" + +Jewel looked very sober at this. "Why, it would be pretty hard to wait, +mother," she replied. "Hotels are splendid. Grandpa and I had dinner at +one. It's named the Waldorf and it has woods in it just like outdoors; but +I thought you'd be in a hurry to see Star and the Ravine of Happiness and +Zeke." + +"Well, we'll wait," returned Mrs. Evringham vaguely. She was more than +doubtful of an invitation to Bel-Air Park even for one night; but Harry +must arrange it. "We'll see what father says," she added. "What a pretty +locket, my girlie!" As she spoke she lifted a gold heart that hung on a +slender gold chain around Jewel's neck. + +"Yes. Cousin Eloise gave me that when she went away. She has had it ever +since she was as little as I am, and she said she left her heart with me. +I'm so sorry you won't see cousin Eloise." + +"So she and her mother have gone away. Were they sorry to go? Did Mr. +Evringham--perhaps--think"--the speaker paused. She remembered Jewel's +letter about the situation. + +"No, they weren't sorry. They've gone to the seashore; but cousin Eloise +and I love each other very much, and her room is so empty now that I've had +to keep remembering that you were coming and everything was happy. I guess +cousin Eloise is the prettiest girl in the whole world; and since she +stopped being sorry we've had the most _fun_." + +"I wish I could see her!" returned Mrs. Evringham heartily. She longed to +thank Eloise for supplying the sunshine of love to her child while the +grandfather was providing for her material wants. She looked at Jewel now, +a picture of health and contentment, her bits of small finery in watch and +locket standing as symbols of the care and affection she had received. + +"Divine Love has been so kind to us, dearie," she said softly, as she +pressed the child closer to her. "He has brought father and mother back +across the ocean and has given you such loving friends while we were gone." + +In a future day Mrs. Evringham was to learn something of the inner history +of the progress of this little pilgrim during her first days at Bel-Air; +but the shadows had so entirely faded from Jewel's consciousness that she +could not have told it herself--not even such portions of it as she had +once realized. + +"Yes, indeed, I love Bel-Air and all the people. Even aunt Madge kissed me +when she went away and said 'Good-by, you queer little thing!'" + +"What did she mean?" asked Mrs. Evringham. + +"I don't know. I didn't tell grandpa, because I thought he might not like +people calling me queer, but I asked Zeke." + +"He's Mr. Evringham's coachman, isn't he?" + +"Yes, and he's the nicest man, but he only told me that aunt Madge had +wheels. I asked him what kind of wheels, and he said he guessed they were +rubber-tired, because she was always rubbering and she made people tired. +You know Zeke is such a joker, so I haven't found out yet what aunt Madge +meant, and it isn't any matter because"--Jewel reached up and hugged her +mother, "you've come home." + +Here the two men approached. "No more time for spooning," said Harry +cheerfully. "We're going now, little girls." + +After all, there was nothing for Jewel to carry. Her father and grandfather +had the dress-suit case and bags. + +Mrs. Evringham looked inquiringly at her husband, but he was gayly talking +with Jewel as the four walked out to the street. + +Mr. Evringham led the way to a carriage that was standing there. "This is +ours," he said, opening the door. + +Harry put the bags up beside the driver while his wife entered the vehicle, +still in doubt as to their destination. Jewel jumped in beside her. + +"You'd better move over, dear," said her mother quietly. "Let Mr. Evringham +ride forward." + +She was not surprised that Jewel was ignorant of carriage etiquette. It was +seldom that either of them had seen the inside of one. + +The broker heard the suggestion. "_Place aux dames_," he said, briefly, and +moved the child back with one hand. Then he entered, Harry jumped in beside +him, slammed the door, and they rolled away. + +"If Anna Belle was here the whole family would be together," said Jewel +joyously. "I don't care which one I sit by. I love everybody in this +carriage!" + +"You do, eh, rascal?" returned her father, putting his hand over in her +silken lap and giving her a little shake. "Where is the great and good Anna +Belle?" + +"Waiting for us. Just think of it, all this time! Grandpa, are we going +home with you?" + +"What do you mean?" inquired the broker, and the tone of the curt question +chilled the spine of his daughter-in-law. "Were you thinking of spending +the night in the ferry-house, perhaps?" + +"Why, no, only mother said"-- + +Mrs. Evringham pressed the child's arm. "That was nothing, Jewel; I simply +didn't know what the plan was," she put in hastily. + +"Oh, of course," went on the little girl. "Mother didn't know aunt Madge +and cousin Eloise were gone, and she didn't believe there'd be room. She +doesn't know how big the house is, does she, grandpa?" An irresistible yawn +seized the child, and in the middle of it her father leaned forward and +chucked her under the chin. + +Her jaws came together with a snap. "There! you spoiled that nice one!" she +exclaimed, jumping up and laughing as she flung herself upon her big +playmate, and a small scuffle ensued in which the wide leghorn hat brim +sawed against Mr. Evringham's shoulder and neck in a manner that caused +Mrs. Evringham's heart to leap toward her throat. How _could_ Harry be so +thoughtless! A street lamp showed the grim lines of the broker's averted +face as he gazed stonily out to the street. + +"Come here, Jewel; sit still," said the mother, striving to pull the +little girl back into her seat. + +Harry was laughing and holding his agile assailant off as best he might, +and at his wife's voice aided her efforts with a gentle push. Jewel sank +back on the cushion. + +"Oh, what bores he thinks us. I know he does!" reflected Julia, capturing +her child in one arm and holding her close. To her surprise and even +dismay, Jewel spoke cheerfully after another yawn:-- + +"Grandpa, how far is it to the ferry? How long, I mean?" + +"About fifteen minutes." + +"Well, that's a good while. My eyes do feel as if they had sticks in them. +Don't you wish we could cross in a swan boat, grandpa?" + +"Humph!" he responded. Mrs. Evringham gave the child a little squeeze +intended to be repressive. Jewel wriggled around a minute trying to get a +comfortable position. + +"Tell father and mother about Central Park and the swan boats, grandpa," +she continued. + +"You tell them to-morrow, when you're not so sleepy," he replied. + +Jewel took off her large hat, and nestling her head on her mother's +shoulder, put an arm around her. "Mother, mother!" she sighed happily, "are +you really home?" + +"Really, really," replied Mrs. Evringham, with a responsive squeeze. + +Mr. Evringham sat erect in silence, still gazing out the window with a +forbidding expression. + +There were buttons on her mother's gown that rubbed Jewel's cheek. She +tried to avoid them for a minute and then sat up. "Father, will you change +places with me?" she asked sleepily. "I want to sit by grandpa." + +Mrs. Evringham's eyes widened, and in spite of her earnest "Dearie!" the +transfer was made and Jewel crept under Mr. Evringham's arm, which closed +naturally around her. She leaned against him and shut her eyes. + +"You mustn't go to sleep," he said. + +"I guess I shall," returned the child softly. + +"No, no. You mustn't. Think of the lights crossing the ferry. You'll lose a +lot if you're asleep. They're fine to see. We can't carry you and the +luggage, too. Brace up, now--Come, come! I shouldn't think you were any +older than Anna Belle." + +Jewel laughed sleepily, and the broker held her hand in his while he pushed +her upright. Mr. and Mrs. Evringham looked on, the latter marveling at the +child's nonchalance. + +Now, for the first time, the host became talkative. + +"How many days have you to give us, Harry?" he asked. + +"A couple, perhaps," replied the young man. + +"Two days, father!" exclaimed Jewel, in dismay, wide awake in an instant. + +"Oh, that's a stingy visit," remarked Mr. Evringham. + +"Not half long enough," added Jewel. "There's so much for you to see." + +"Oh, we can see a lot in two days," returned Harry. "Think of the little +girls in Chicago, Jewel. They won't forgive me if I don't bring you home +pretty soon." He leaned forward and took his child's free hand. "How do +you suppose father has got along without his little girl all these weeks, +eh, baby?" + +"It _is_ a long time since you went away," she returned, "but I was right +in your room every night, and daytimes I played in your ravine. Bel-Air +Park is the beautifulest place in the whole world. Two days isn't any time +to stay there, father." + +"H'm, I'm glad you've been so happy." Sincere feeling vibrated in the +speaker's voice. "We don't know how to thank your grandpa, do we?" + +A street lamp showed Jewel, as she turned and smiled up into the impassive +face Mr. Evringham turned upon her. + +"You can safely leave that to her," said the broker briefly, but he did not +remove his eyes from the upturned ones. + +"It is beyond me," thought Mrs. Evringham; "but love is a miracle-worker." + +The glowing lights of the ferry passed, Jewel did go to sleep in the train. +Her father, unaware that he was trespassing, took her in his arms, and, +tired out with all the excitement of the day and the lateness of the hour, +the child instantly became unconscious; but by the time they reached home, +the bustle of arrival and her interest in showing her parents about, aided +her in waking to the situation. + +Mrs. Forbes stood ready to welcome the party. Ten years had passed since +Harry Evringham had stood in the home of his boyhood, and the housekeeper +thought she perceived that he was moved by a contrite memory; but he spoke +with bluff heartiness as he shook hands with her; and Mrs. Forbes looked +with eager curiosity into the sweet face of Mrs. Evringham, as the latter +greeted her and said something grateful concerning the housekeeper's +kindness to Jewel. + +"It's very little you have to thank me for, ma'am," replied Mrs. Forbes, +charmed at once by the soft gaze of the dark eyes. + +The little cavalcade moved upstairs to the handsome rooms so lately +vacated. They were brilliant with light and fragrant with roses. + +"How beautiful!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, while Jewel hopped up and down, +as wide awake as any little girl in town, delighted with the gala +appearance of everything. + +Mr. Evringham looked critically into the face of his daughter-in-law. Here +was the woman to whom he owed Jewel, and all that she was and all that she +had taught him. Her face was what he might have expected. It looked very +charming now as the pretty eyes met his. She was well-dressed, too, and Mr. +Evringham liked that. + +"I hope you will be very much at home here, Julia," he said; and though he +did not smile, it was certain that, whether from a sense of duty or not, he +had taken pains to make their welcome a pleasant one. + +Jewel had, evidently, no slightest fear of his cold reserve. With the +child's hand in hers, Julia took courage to reply warmly: "Thank you, +father, it is a joy to be here." + +She had called him "father," this elegant stranger, and her heart beat a +little faster, but her husband's arm went around her. + +"America's all right, eh, Julia?" + +"Come in cousin Eloise's room," cried Jewel. "That's all lighted, too. Are +they going to have them both, grandpa?" + +She danced ahead, through a spacious white-tiled bathroom and into the +adjoining apartment. There an unexpected sight met the child's eyes. In the +rosy depths of a large chintz chair sat Anna Belle, loyally keeping her +eyes open in spite of the hour. + +Jewel rushed toward her. There were plenty of flowers scattered about in +this room, also, and the child suddenly caught sight of her own toilet +articles on the dresser. + +"My things are down here in cousin Eloise's room, grandpa!" she cried, so +surprised that she delayed picking up her doll. + +"Why, why!" said Mr. Evringham, throwing open the door of the large closet +and then opening a bureau drawer. Within both receptacles were Jewel's +belongings, neatly arranged. "This is odd!" he added. + +"Grandpa, grandpa!" cried the child, rushing at him and clasping her arms +around his waist. "You're going to let me sleep down here by father and +mother!" + +Mr. Evringham regarded her unsmilingly. Jewel's parents both looked on, +more than half expecting a snub to meet the energetic onslaught. "You won't +object, will you?" he asked. + +Jewel pulled him down and whispered something in his ear. The curious +on-lookers saw the sweeping mustache curve in a smile as he straightened up +again. As a matter of fact they were both curious to know what she had said +to him. + +"You're whispering in company, Jewel," remarked her father. + +"Oh, please excuse me!" said the child. "I forgot to remember. Here's Anna +Belle, father." + +"My, my, my!" ejaculated Harry Evringham, coming forward. "How that child +has grown!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +ON THE VERANDA + + +What a luxurious, happy, sleepy time Jewel had that night in the pretty +rose-bower where her mother undressed her while her father and grandfather +went back downstairs. + +It was very sweet to be helped and cuddled as if she were again a baby, and +as she lay in bed and watched her mother setting the flowers in the +bathroom and arranging everything, she tried to talk to her on some of the +subjects that were uppermost in her mind. Mrs. Evringham came at last and +lay down beside her. Jewel nestled into the loving arms and kissed her +cheek. + +"I'm too happy to go to sleep," she declared, then sighed, and instantly +pretty room and pretty mother had disappeared. + +Mrs. Evringham lay there on the luxurious bed, the sleeping child in her +arms, and her thoughts were rich with gratitude. Her life had never been +free from care: first as a young girl in her widowed mother's home, then as +wife of the easy-going and unprincipled youth, whose desertion of her and +her baby had filled her cup of bitterness, though she bravely struggled on. +Her mother had died; and soon afterward the light of Christian Science had +dawned upon her path. Strengthened by its support, she had grown into new +health and courage, and life was beginning to blossom for her when her +repentant husband returned. + +For a time his wayward habits were a care to her; but he was sincerely +ashamed of himself, and the discovery of the development of character in +the pretty girl whom he had left six years before roused his manhood. To +her joy he began to take an interest in the faith which had wrought such +changes in her, and after that she had no doubts of the outcome. From the +moment when she obtained for him a business position, it became his +ambition to take his rightful place in the world and to guard her from +rough contact, and though as yet he still leaned upon her judgment, and she +knew herself to be the earthly mainspring of all their business affairs, +she knew, also, that his desire was right, and the knowledge sweetened her +days. + +Here in this home which was, to her unaccustomed eyes, palatial in its +appointments, with her child again in her arms, she gave thanks for the joy +of the present hour. A day or two of pleasure in these surroundings, and +then she and Harry would relieve Mr. Evringham of the care they had imposed +upon him. + +He had borne it nobly, there was no doubt about that. He had even +complicated existence by giving Jewel a pony. How a pony would fit into the +frugal, busy life of the Chicago apartment, Julia did not know; but her +child's dearest wish had been gratified, and there was nothing to do but +appreciate and enjoy the fact. After all, Harry's father must have more +paternal affection than her husband had ever given him credit for; for even +on the most superficial acquaintance one could see that any adaptation of +his life and tastes to those of a child would have to come with creaking +difficulty to the stock broker, and the fact of Jewel's ease with him told +an eloquent story of how far Mr. Evringham must have constrained himself +for Harry's sake. + +Her thoughts flowed on and had passed to business and all that awaited them +in Chicago, when her husband rejoined her. She rose from the bed as he came +in, and hand in hand they stood and looked down at Jewel, asleep. + +Harry stooped and kissed the flushed cheek. + +"Don't wake her, dear," said Julia, smiling at the energy of the caress. + +"Wake her? I don't believe a clap of thunder would have that effect. Why, +she and father have been painting the town; dining at the Waldorf, driving +in the park, riding in the swan boats, and then hanging around that dock. +Bless her little heart, I should think she'd sleep for twenty-four hours." + +"How wonderfully kind of him!" returned Julia. "You need never tell me +again, Harry, that your father doesn't love you." + +"Oh, loving hasn't been much in father's line, but we hope it will be," +returned the young man as he slipped an arm around his wife. "Do you +remember the last time we stood watching Jewel asleep? I do. It was in that +beastly hotel the night before we sailed." + +"Oh, Harry!" Julia buried her face a moment on his shoulder. "Shall you +ever forget our relief when her first letter came, showing that she was +happy? Do you remember the hornpipe you danced in our lodgings and how you +shocked the landlady? Your father may not _call_ it loving, but his care +and thoughtfulness have expressed that and he can't help my loving _him_ +forever and forever for being kind to Jewel." + +Harry gave his head a quick shake. "I'll be hanged if I can see how anybody +could be unkind to her," he remarked. + +"Oh, well, you've never been an elderly man, set in your ways and used to +living alone. I'm sure it meant a great deal to him. Think of his doing all +that for her this afternoon." + +"Oh, he had to pass the time somehow, and he couldn't very well refuse to +let her come in to meet us. Besides, she's on the eve of going away, and +father likes to do the handsome thing. He was doing it for other people, +though, when Lawrence and I were kids. He never took us in any swan boats." + +"Poor little boys!" murmured Julia. + +"Oh, not at all," returned Harry, laughing rather sardonically. "We took +ourselves in the swan boats and in a variety of other places not so +picturesque. Father's purse strings were always loose, and so long as we +kept out of his way he didn't care what we did. Nice old place, this, +Julia?" + +"Oh, it's very fine. I had no idea how fine." Her tone was somewhat +awestruck. + +"I used to know, absolutely, that father was through with me, and that +therefore I was through with Bel-Air; but I'm a new man," the speaker +smiled down at his wife and pressed her closer to him, "and I've been +telling father why, and how." + +"Is that what you've been talking about?" + +"Yes. He seemed interested to hear of my business and prospects and asked +me a lot of questions; so, as I only began to live less than a year ago, I +couldn't answer them without telling him who and what had set me on my +feet." + +"Oh, Harry! You've really been talking about Science?" + +"Yes, my dear, and about you; and I tell you, he wasn't bored. When I'd let +up a little he'd ask me another question; and at last he said, father did, +'Well, I believe she'll make a man of you yet, Harry!' Not too +complimentary, I admit, but I swallowed it and never flinched. I knew he +wasn't going to see enough of you in two days to half know you, so I just +thought I'd give him a few statistics, and they made an impression, I +assure you. After that if he wanted to set me down a little it was no more +than I deserved, and he was welcome." + +For a long moment the two looked into one another's eyes, then Harry spoke +in a subdued tone:-- + +"You've done a lot for me, Julia; but the biggest thing of all, the thing +that is most wonderful and that means the most to me, and for which I'd +worship you through eternity if it was _all_ you'd done, is that you have +taught me of Christian Science and shown me how it has guarded that child's +love and respect for me, when I was forfeiting both every hour. I'll work +to my last day, my girl, to show you my gratitude for that." + +"Darling boy!" she murmured. + +Next morning at rising time Jewel was still wrapped in slumber. Her parents +looked at her before going downstairs. + +"Do you know, I can't help feeling a bit relieved," laughed Julia softly, +"that she won't go down with us. The little thing is rather thoughtless +with her grandfather, and though he has evidently schooled himself to +endure her energetic ways, I can't help feeling a bit anxious all the time. +He has borne it so well this long that I want to get her away before she +breaks the camel's back. When do you think we can go, Harry?" + +"To-morrow or next day. You might get things packed to-day. I really ought +to go, but I don't want to seem in a hurry." + +"Oh, yes, do let us go to-morrow," returned Julia eagerly. + +The Westminster clock on the stairs chimed as they passed down, and Mr. +Evringham was waiting for them in the dining-room. As he said good-morning +he looked beyond them, expectantly. + +Mrs. Forbes greeted them respectfully and indicated their seats. + +"Where is Jewel?" asked the host. + +"In dreamland. You couldn't waken her with a volley of artillery," returned +Harry cheerfully. + +"H'm," returned his father. + +They all took their places at the table and Julia remarked on the charming +outlook from the windows. + +"Yes," returned the host. "I'm sorry I can't stay at home this morning and +do the honors of the park. I shall leave that to Harry and Jewel. As we +were rather late last night I didn't take my canter this morning. If you +wish to have a turn on the mare, Harry, Zeke knows that the stables are in +your hands. No one but myself rides Essex Maid, but I'll make a shining +exception of you." + +"I appreciate the honor," returned Harry lightly, but as a matter of fact +he did not at all grasp its extent. + +"If you'd like to take your wife for a drive there's the Spider. The child +will want to show you her pony and will probably get you off on some +excursion. Tell her there is time enough and not to make you do two days' +work in one." + +After breakfast the trio adjourned to the piazza and Julia looked out on +the thick, dewy grass and spreading trees. + +"I believe the park improves, father," said Harry, smiling as he noted his +wife's delight in the charming landscape. + +Deep armchairs and tables, rugs and a wicker divan furnished a portion of +the piazza. "How will little Jewel like the apartment after this?" Julia +could not help asking herself the question mentally. She no longer wondered +at the child's content here, even without the companionship of other +children. It must be an unimaginative little maid who, supported by Anna +Belle, could not weave a fairy-land in this fresh paradise. + +"Won't you be seated?" said the broker, waving his hand toward the chairs. +The others obeyed as he took his place. "Let us know a little, now, what we +are doing. What did I understand you to say, Harry, is your limit for +time?" + +"Well, I ought, really, to go west to-morrow, father." + +Mr. Evringham nodded and turned his incisive glance upon his +daughter-in-law. "And you, Julia?" + +She smiled brightly at him. He observed that her complexion bore the +sunlight well. "Oh, Jewel and I go with him, of course," she responded, +confident that her reply would convey satisfaction. + +"H'm. Indeed! Now it seems to me that you would be the better for a +vacation." + +"Why! Haven't I just had a trip to Europe?" + +"Yes, I should think you had. From all that Harry tells me, I judge what +with hunting up fashions and fabrics and corset-makers and all the rest of +it, you have done the work, daily, of about two able-bodied men." + +"That's right," averred Harry. "I was too much of a greenhorn to give her +much assistance." + +"Still, you understand your own end of the business, I take it," said his +father, turning suddenly upon him. + +"Yes, I do. I believe the firm will say I'm the square peg in the square +hole." + +"Then why not take a vacation, Julia?" asked the broker again. + +"Harry is doing splendidly," she returned gently, "but we can't live on the +salary he gets now. He needs my help for a while, yet. I'm going to be a +lady of leisure some day." The broker caught the glance of confidence she +sent his boy. + +"I'm screwing up my courage now to strike them for more," said Harry. "It +frets me worse every day to see that girl delving away, and a great +strapping, hulking chap like me not able to prevent it." + +His father looked gravely at the young wife. "Let him begin now," he said. +"He doesn't need your apron string any longer." + +"What do you mean?" asked Julia, half timidly. + +"Stay here with me a while and let Harry go west. I will take you and Jewel +to the seashore." + +"Hurray!" cried Harry, his face radiant. "Julia, why, you won't know +yourself strolling on the sands with a parasol while your poor delicate +husband is toiling and moiling away in the dingy city. Good for you, +father! You lift that pretty nose of hers up from the grindstone where +she's held it so many years that she doesn't know anything different. +Hurray, Julia!" In his enthusiasm the speaker rose and leaned over the +chair of his astonished wife. "You wake up in the morning and read a novel +instead of your appointment book for a while," he went on. "The Chicago +women's summer clothes are all made by this time, anyway. Play lady for +once and come back to me the color of mahogany. Go ahead!" + +"Why, Harry, how can I? What would you do?" + +"I'm hanged if I don't show you what I'd do, and do it well, too," he +returned. + +"But I ought to go home first," faltered the bewildered woman. + +"Not a bit of it. I'll tackle the firm and the apartment, all right; and to +be plain, we can't afford the needless car fare." + +"But, father," Julia appealed to him, "is it right to make Harry get on +still longer without Jewel?" + +"Perfectly right. Entirely so," rejoined the broker decidedly. + +"Of course he doesn't realize how we feel about Jewel," thought Julia. + +Here a large brown horse and brougham came around the driveway into sight. +Zeke's eyes turned curiously toward the guests, but he sat stiffly +immovable. + +The broker rose. "I must go now or I shall miss my train. Think it over. +There's only one way to think about it. It is quite evidently the thing to +do. The break has been made, and now is the time for Julia to take her +vacation before going into harness again. Moreover, perhaps Harry will get +his raise and she won't have to go into harness. Good-morning. I shall try +to come out early. I hope you will make yourselves comfortable." + +Mrs. Evringham looked at Zeke. He was the glass of fashion and the mould of +form, but there was no indication in his smooth-shaven, wooden countenance +of the comrade to whom Jewel had referred in her fragmentary letters. + +"Well, Harry!" she exclaimed breathlessly, as the carriage rolled away. Her +expression elicited a hearty laugh from her husband. "I _never_ was so +surprised. How unselfish he is! Harry, is it possible that we don't know +your father at _all_? Think of his proposing to keep, still longer, a +disturbing element like our lively little girl!" + +"Oh, I've never believed he bothered himself very much about Jewel," +returned Harry lightly. "You make a mountain out of that. All a child needs +is a ten acre lot to let off steam in, and she's had it here. He knows +you'll keep her out from under foot. Let's accept this pleasure. He +probably takes a lot of stock in you after all I told him last night. It's +a relief to his pride and everything else that I'm not going to disgrace +the name. He wants to do something for you. That's the whole thing in a +nutshell; and you let him do it, Julia." In an exuberance of spirits, aided +by the fresh, inspiring morning, the speaker took his wife in his arms, as +they stood there on the wide veranda, and hugged her heartily. + +"Do you think I shall get over my awe of him?" She half laughed, but her +tone was sincere. "I'm so unused to people who never smile and seem to be +enduring me. Oh, if you were only going to stay, too, Harry, then it would +be a vacation indeed!" + +"Here, here! Where are your principles? Who's afraid now?" + +"But he's so stately and forbidding, and I shall feel such a responsibility +of keeping Jewel from troubling him." + +Harry laughed again. "She seems entirely capable of paddling her own canoe. +She didn't seem troubled by doubts or compunctions in the carriage last +night; and up there in the bedroom when she flew at him! How was that for a +case of _lese majeste_? Gad, at her age I'd sooner have tackled a lighted +fuse! What do you suppose it was she whispered to him?" + +"I've no idea, and I must say I was curious enough to ask her while I was +putting her to bed; but do you know, she wouldn't say!" The mother laughed. +"She sidled about,--you know how she does when she is reluctant to speak, +and seemed so embarrassed that I have to laugh when I think of it." + +"Perhaps it concerned some surprise she has persuaded father to give us." + +"No, it couldn't be that, because she answered at last that she'd tell me +when she was a young lady." + +They both laughed. "Well," said Harry, "she isn't afraid of him so you'd +notice it; and you can give her a few pointers so she needn't get in +father's way now that she has you again. He has evidently been mighty +considerate of the little orphan." + +"How good he has been!" returned Julia fervently. "If we could only go home +with you, Harry," she added wistfully, "while there's so much good feeling, +and before anything happens to alter it!" + +"Where are your principles?" asked Harry again. "You know better than to +think anything will happen to alter it." + +"Yes, I do, I do; but I always have to meet my shyness of strangers, and it +makes my heart beat to think of your going off and leaving me here. Being +tete-a-tete with your father is appalling, I must confess." + +"Oh, well, it wouldn't do to slight his offer, and it will do you a world +of good." + +"You'll have to send me my summer gowns." + +"I will." + +"Dear me, am I really going to _do_ it?" asked Julia incredulously. + +"Certainly you are. We'd be imbecile not to accept such an opportunity." + +"Then," she answered resignedly, "if it is fact and not a wild fancy, we +have a lot of business to talk over, Harry. Let us make the most of our +time while Jewel is asleep." + +She led the way back to the chairs, and they were soon immersed in +memoranda and discussion. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE LIFTED VEIL + + +At last their plans were reduced to order and Harry placed the papers +carefully in his pocket. + +"Come in and let's have a look at the house, Julia," he suggested. "It +won't do to go to the stables without Jewel." + +They entered the drawing-room and Julia moved about admiring the pictures +and carvings, and paused long before the oil portrait of a beautiful woman, +conspicuously placed. + +"That's my grandmother," remarked Harry. "Isn't she stunning? That's the +side of the family I didn't take after." + +While they still examined the portrait and the exquisite painting of its +laces, Jewel ran into the room and seized them from behind. + +"Well, well, all dressed!" exclaimed her father as the two stooped to kiss +her. + +"Yes, but my hair isn't very nice," said the child, putting up her hand to +her braids, "because I didn't want to be late to breakfast." + +Her father's hearty laugh rang out. "Lunch, do you mean?" + +"We're through breakfast long ago, dearie," said her mother. "No wonder you +slept late. We wanted you to." + +"Breakfast's all through!" exclaimed the child, and they were surprised at +her dismay. + +"Yes, but Mrs. Forbes will get you something," said her father. + +"But has grandpa gone?" asked the child. Before they could reply the +housekeeper passed the door and Jewel ran to her. "Has grandpa gone, Mrs. +Forbes?" she repeated anxiously. + +"Yes, indeed, it's after ten. Come into the dining-room, Jewel; Sarah will +give you your breakfast." + +"I'm not a bit hungry--yes, I am, a little--but what is grandpa's telephone +number, Mrs. Forbes." + +"Oh, now, you won't call him up, dear," said the housekeeper coaxingly. +"Come and eat your breakfast like a good girl." + +"Yes, in just one minute I will. What is the number, please, Mrs. Forbes?" + +The housekeeper gave the number, and Harry and Julia drew nearer. + +"Your grandpa is coming out early, Jewel," said her father. "You'll see him +in a few hours, and you can ask him whatever you wish to then." + +"She never has called Mr. Evringham up, sir," said the housekeeper. "He +speaks to _her_ sometimes. You know, Jewel, your grandfather doesn't like +to be disturbed in his business and called to the 'phone unless it is +something very important." + +"It is," returned the child, and she ran to the part of the hall where the +instrument was situated. Her mother and father followed, the former feeling +that she ought to interfere, but the latter amused and curious. + +"My little girl," began Julia, in protest, but Harry put his hand on her +arm and detained her. Jewel was evidently filled with one idea and deaf to +all else. With her usual energy she took down the receiver and made her +request to the central office. Harry drew his wife to where they could +watch her absorbed, rosy face. Her listening expression was anxiously +intent. Mrs. Forbes also lingered at a little distance, enjoying the +parents' interest and sharing it. + +"Is that you, grandpa?" asked the sweet voice. + +"Oh, well, I want to see Mr. Evringham." + +"What? No. I'm sorry, but nobody will do but grandpa. You tell him it's +Jewel, please." + +"What? I thought I _did_ speak plain. It's _Jewel_; his little grandchild." + +The little girl smiled at the next response. "Yes, I'm the very one that +ate the Nesselrode pudding," she said, and chuckled into the 'phone. + +By this time even Julia had given up all thought of interfering, and was +watching, curiously, the round head with its untidy blond hair. + +Jewel spoke again. "I'm sorry I can't tell you the business, but it's +_very_ important." + +Evidently the earnestness of this declaration had an effect. After a minute +more of waiting, the child's face lighted. + +"Oh, grandpa, is that you?" + +"Yes, I am. I'm _so_ sorry I slept too long!" + +"Yes, I know you missed me, and now I have to eat my breakfast without you. +Why didn't you come and bring me downstairs?" + +"Oh, but I _would_ have. Did you feel very sorry when you got in the +brougham, grandpa?" + +"I know it. Did the ride seem _very_ long, all alone?" + +"Yes, indeed. I felt so sorry inside when I found you'd gone, I had to hear +you speak so as to get better so I could visit with mother and father." + +"Yes, it _is_ a comfort. Are you _sure_ you don't feel sorry now?" + +"Well, but are you smiling, grandpa?" + +Whatever the answer was to this, it made Jewel's anxious brows relax and +she laughed into the 'phone. + +"Grandpa, you're such a joker! One smile won't make you any fatter," she +protested. + +Another listening silence, then:-- + +"You know the reason I feel the worst, don't you?" + +"Why yes, you do. What we were talking about yesterday." The child sighed. +"Well, isn't it a comfort about eternity?" + +"Yes, indeed, and I guess I'll kiss the 'phone now, grandpa. Can you hear +me?" + +"Well, you do it, too, then. Yes--yes--I hear it; and you'll come home +early because you know--our secret?" + +"What? A lot of men waiting for you? All right. You know I love you just +the same, even if I _did_ sleep, don't you?" + +"Good-by, then, good-by." + +She hung up the receiver and turned a beaming face upon her dumbfounded +parents. + +"Now I'll have breakfast," she said cheerfully. "I'll only eat a little +because we must go out and see Star. You waited for me, didn't you?" +pausing in sudden apprehension. + +"Yes, indeed," replied Harry, collecting himself. "We haven't been off the +piazza." + +"Goody. I'm so glad. I'll hurry." + +Mrs. Forbes followed the child as she bounded away, and the father and +mother sank upon an old settle of Flemish oak, gazing at one another. The +veil having been completely lifted from their eyes, each was viewing recent +circumstances in a new light. + +At last Harry began to laugh in repressed fashion. "Sold, and the money +taken!" he ejaculated, softly smiting his knee. + +His wife smiled, too, but there was a mist in her eyes. + +"I smell a large mouse, Julia. How is it with you?" + +"You mean my invitation?" + +"I mean that we come under the head of those things that can't be cured and +must be endured." + +She nodded. "And that's why he wants to take me to the seashore." + +"Yes, but all the same he's got to do it to carry his point. You get the +fun just the same." The moisture that rose to Harry's eyes was forced there +by the effort to repress his mirth. "By jinks, the governor kissing the +'phone! I'll never get over that, never," and he exploded again. + +His wife laid her hand on his arm. "Oh, Harry, can't you see how touching +it is?" + +"I'll sue him for alienating my daughter's affections. See if I don't. Why, +we're not in it at all. Did you feel our insignificance when she found he'd +gone? We've been blockheads, Julia, blockheads." + +"We're certainly figureheads," she returned, rather ruefully. "I don't +like to feel that your father has to pay such a price for the sake of +keeping Jewel a little longer." + +"'T won't hurt him a bit. It's a good joke on him. If he doesn't go ahead +and take you now, I'll bring another suit against him for breach of +promise." + +Julia was looking thoughtfully into space. "I believe," she said, at last, +"that we may find out that Jewel has been a missionary here." + +"She's given father a brand new heart," returned Harry promptly. "That's +plain." + +"Let us not say a word to the child about the plan for her and me to stay," +said Julia. "Let us leave it all for Mr. Evringham." + +"All right; only he won't think you're much pleased with the idea." + +"I'm not," returned the other, smiling. "I'm a little dazed; but if he was +the man he appeared to be the day we left Jewel with him, and she has loved +him into being a happier and better man, it may be a matter of duty for us +not to deprive him of her at once. I'll try to resign myself to the role of +necessary baggage, and even try to conceal from him the fact that I know my +place." + +"Oh, my girl, you'll have him captured in a week, and Jewel will have a +rival. You have the same knack she has for making the indifferent +different." + +At this juncture the housekeeper came back into the hall. + +"Well, Mrs. Forbes," said Harry, rising, "that was rather amusing important +business Jewel had with my father." + +The housekeeper held up her hands and shook her head. "Such lovers, sir," +she responded. "Such lovers! Whatever he's going to do without her is more +than I know." + +"Why, it's a big change come over father, to be fond of children," returned +the young man, openly perplexed. + +"_Children!_" repeated the housekeeper. "If you suppose, Mr. Harry, that +Jewel is any common child, you must have had a wonderful experience." + +Her impressive, almost solemn manner, sobered the father's mood. "What she +is, is the result of what her mother has taught her," he returned. + +"Not one of us wanted her when she came," said the housekeeper, looking +from one to the other of the young couple standing before her. "Not one +person in the house was half civil to her." Julia's hand tightened on her +husband's arm. "I didn't want anybody troubling Mr. Evringham. People +called him a hard, cold, selfish man; but I knew his trials, yes, Mr. +Harry, you know I knew them. He was my employer and it was my business to +make him comfortable, and I hated that dear little girl because I'd made up +my mind that she'd upset him. Well, Jewel didn't know anything about hate, +not enough to know it when she saw it. She just loved us all, through thick +and thin, and you'll have to wait till you can read what the recording +angel's set down, before you can have any full idea of what she's done for +us. She's made a humble woman out of me, and I was the stiff-neckedest +member of the congregation. There's my only child, Zeke; she's persuaded +him out of habits that were breaking up our lives. There was Eloise +Evringham, without hope or God in the world. She gave her both, that little +Jewel did. Then, most of all, she crept into Mr. Evringham's empty heart +and filled it full, and made his whole life, as you might say, blossom +again. That's what she's done, single handed, in two months, and she has no +more conceit of her work than a ray of God's sunshine has when it's opening +a flower bud." + +Julia Evringham's gaze was fixed intently upon the speaker, and she was +unconscious that two tears rolled down her cheeks. + +"You've made us very happy, telling us this," she said, rather +breathlessly, as the housekeeper paused. + +"And I should like to add, Mrs. Evringham," said Mrs. Forbes impressively, +"that you'd better turn your attention to an orphan asylum and catch them +as young as you can and train them up. What this old world wants is a whole +crop of Jewels." + +Julia's smile was very sweet. "We may all have the pure child thought," she +returned. + +Mrs. Forbes passed on upstairs. Harry looked at his wife. He was winking +fast. "Well, this isn't any laughing matter, after all, Julia." + +"No, it's a matter to make us very humble with joy and gratitude." + +As she spoke Jewel bounded back into the hall and ran into her father's +open arms. + +"A good breakfast, eh?" he asked tenderly. + +"Yes, I didn't mean to be so long, but Sarah said grandpa wanted me to eat +a chop. Now, _now_, we're going to see Star!" + +"I'd better fix your hair first," remarked her mother. + +"Oh, let her hair go till lunch time," said Harry. "The horses won't care, +will they, Jewel?" He picked her up and set her on his shoulder and out +they went to the clean, spacious stables. + +Zeke pulled down his shirt-sleeves as he saw them coming. "This is my +father and mother, Zeke," cried the child, happily, and the coachman ducked +his head with his most unprofessional grin. + +"Jewel's got a great pony here," he said. + +"Well, I should think so!" remarked Harry, as he and his wife followed +where the child led, to a box stall. + +"Why, Jewel, he's right out of a story!" said her mother, viewing the wavy +locks and sweeping tail, as the pony turned eagerly to meet his mistress. + +Jewel put her arms around his neck and buried her face for an instant in +his mane. "I haven't anything for you, Star, this time," she said, as the +pretty creature nosed about her. "Mother, do you see his star?" + +"Indeed I do," replied Mrs. Evringham, examining the snowflake between the +full, bright eyes. "He's the prettiest pony I ever saw, Jewel. Did your +grandpa have him made to order?" + +Zeke shrugged his gingham clad shoulders. "He would have, if he could, +ma'am," he put in. + +Mrs. Evringham laughed. "Well, he certainly didn't need to. Oh, see that +beautiful head!" for Essex Maid looked out to discover what all the +disturbance was about. + +Harry paused in his examination of the pony, to go over to the mare's +stall. + +"Whew, what a stunner!" he remarked. + +"Mr. Evringham said you were to ride her this morning, sir, if you liked. +You'll be the first, beside him." Zeke paused and with a comical gesture of +his head indicated the child and then the mare. "It's been nip and tuck +between them, sir; but I guess Jewel's got the Maid beat by now." + +Harry laughed. + +"Two blue ribbons, she's won, sir. She'll get another this autumn if he +shows her." + +"I should think so. She's a raving beauty." As he spoke, Harry smoothed the +bright coat. "When are we going out, Jewel?" + +"But we couldn't leave mother," returned the child, from her slippery perch +on the pony's back. She had been thinking about it. "Are you sure, Zeke, +that grandpa said father might ride Essex Maid?" + +"He told me so, himself," said Harry, amused. + +Jewel shook her head, much impressed. "Then he loves you about the most of +anybody," she remarked, with conviction. + +"Don't think of me," said her mother. "You and father do just what you +like. I can be happy just looking about this beautiful place." + +"Oh, I know what," exclaimed Jewel, with sudden brightness. "Let's all go +to the Ravine of Happiness before lunch time, and then wait for grandpa, +and he can take mother in the phaeton, and father and I can ride +horseback." + +"Oh, I'm afraid your grandpa wouldn't like that," returned Mrs. Evringham +quickly. + +Zeke was standing near her. "He would if she said so, ma'am," he put in, in +a low tone. + +Julia smiled kindly upon him. + +Harry tossed his head, amused. "It's a case, isn't it, Zeke?" he remarked. + +"Yes, sir," returned the coachman. "He comes when he's called, and will eat +out of her hand, sir." + +Harry laughed and went back to the pony's stall. "Come on, then, Jewel, +come to my old stamping ground, the ravine." + +"And if her hair frightens the birds it's your fault," smiled Julia, +smoothing with both hands the little flaxen head. + +"The birds have seen me look a great deal worse than this, a great _deal_ +worse," said Jewel cheerfully. + +"Perhaps they'll think her hair is a nest and sit down in it," suggested +her father, as they moved away, the happy child between them, holding a +hand of each. + +The little girl drew in her chin as she looked up at him. + +"Oh, father, you're such a joker!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DIE IS CAST + + +"Oh, grandpa, we've had the most, _fun_!" cried Jewel that afternoon as she +ran down the veranda steps to meet the broker, getting out of the brougham. + +Harry and Julia were standing near the wicker chairs watching the welcome. +They saw Mr. Evringham stoop to receive the child's embrace, and noted the +attention he paid to her chatter as, after lifting his hat to them, he +slowly advanced. + +"Father and I played in the ravine the longest while. Wasn't it a nice +time, father?" + +"It certainly was a nice, wet time. I am one pair of shoes short, and shall +have to travel to Chicago in patent leathers." + +As Julia rose she regarded her father-in-law with new eyes. All sense of +responsibility had vanished, and her present passive role seemed +delightful. + +"I know more about this beautiful place than when you went away," she said. +"I feel as if I were at some picturesque resort. It doesn't seem at all as +if work-a-day people might live here all the time." + +"I'm glad you like it," returned the broker, and his quick, curt manner of +speech no longer startled her. "Have you been driving?" + +"No, we preferred to have Jewel plan our campaign, and she seemed to think +that the driving part had better wait for you." + +The broker turned and looked down at the smooth head with billowy ribbon +bows behind the ears. Noting his expression, or lack of it, Julia wondered, +momentarily, if she might have dreamed the episode of kissing into the +telephone. + +"What is your plan, Jewel?" he asked. + +She balanced herself springily on her toes. "I thought two of us in the +phaeton and two on horseback," she replied, with relish. + +"H'm. You in the phaeton and I on Star, perhaps." + +"Oh, grandpa, and your feet dragging in the road!" The child's laugh was a +gush of merriment. + +The broker looked back at his daughter-in-law and handed her the large +white package he was carrying. "With my compliments, madam." + +Julia flushed prettily as she unwrapped the box. "Oh, Huyler's!" she +exclaimed. "How delicious. Thank you so much, father." + +Jewel's eyes were big with admiration. "That's just the kind Dr. Ballard +used to give cousin Eloise," she said, sighing. "Sometime I'll be grown +up!" + +Mr. Evringham lifted her into his arms with a quick movement. "That's a far +day, thank God," he murmured, his mustache against her hair; then lowering +her until he could look into her face: "How have you arranged us, Jewel? +Who drives and who rides?" + +"Perhaps father would like to drive mother in the phaeton," said the child, +again on her feet. + +Harry smiled. "Your last plan, I thought, was that I should ride the mare." + +"Yes," returned Jewel, with some embarrassment. "You won't look so nice as +grandpa does on Essex Maid," she added, very gently, "but if it would be a +_pleasure_ to you, father"-- + +Her companions laughed so heartily that the child bored the toe of one shoe +into the piazza, and well they knew the sign. + +"Here," said her father hastily, "which of these delicious candies do you +want, Jewel? Oh, how good they look! I tell you you'll have to be quick if +you want any. I have only till to-morrow to eat them." + +"Really to-morrow, father!" returned the child, pausing aghast. +"To-morrow!" + +"Yes, indeed." + +"To Chicago, do you mean?" + +"To Chicago." He nodded emphatically. + +Jewel turned appealing eyes on her mother. "Can't we help it?" she asked in +a voice that broke. + +"I think not, dearie. Business must come before pleasure, you know." + +Her three companions looking at the child saw her swallow with an effort. +She dropped the chocolate she had taken back into the box. + +A heroic smile came to her trembling lips as she lifted her eyes to the +impassive face of the tall, handsome man beside her. "It's to-morrow, +grandpa," she said softly, with a look that begged him to remember. + +He stooped until his gaze was on a level with hers. She did not touch him. +All her forces were bent on self-control. + +"I have been asking your mother," said Mr. Evringham, "to stay here a while +and take a vacation. Hasn't she told you?" + +Jewel shook her head mutely. + +"I think she will do it if you add your persuasion," continued the broker +quietly. "She ought to have rest,--and of course you would stay too, to +take care of her." + +A flash like sunlight illumined the child's tears. Mr. Evringham expected +to feel her arms thrown around his neck. Instead, she turned suddenly, and +running to her father, jumped into his lap. + +"Father, father," she said, "don't you want us to go with you?" + +Harry cleared his throat. The little scene had moistened his eyes as well. +"Am I of any consequence?" he asked, with an effort at jocoseness. + +Jewel clasped him close. "Oh, father," earnestly, "you know you are; and +the only reason I said you wouldn't look so nice on Essex Maid is that +grandpa has beautiful riding clothes, and when he rides off he looks like a +king in a procession. You couldn't look like a king in a procession in the +clothes you wear to the store, could you, father?" + +"Impossible, dearie." + +"But I want you to ride her if you'd like to, and I want mother and me to +go to Chicago with you if you're going to feel sorry." + +"You really do, eh?" + +Jewel hesitated, then turned her head and held out her hand to Mr. +Evringham, who took it. "If grandpa won't feel sorry," she answered. "Oh, I +don't know what I want. I wish I didn't love to be with so many people!" + +Her little face, drawn with its problem, precipitated the broker's plans +and made him reckless. He said to his son now, that which, in his +carefully prepared programme, he had intended to say about three months +hence, provided a nearer acquaintance with his daughter Julia did not prove +disappointing. + +"I suppose you are not devotedly attached to Chicago, Harry?" + +The young man looked up, surprised. "Not exactly. So far she has treated me +like a cross between a yellow dog and a step-child; but I shall be devoted +enough if I ever succeed there." + +"Don't succeed there," returned the broker curtly. "Succeed here." + +Harry shook his head. "Oh, New York's beyond me. I have a foothold in +Chicago." + +"Yes," returned the broker, who had the born and bred New Yorker's contempt +for the Windy City. "Yes, I know you've got your foot in it, but take it +out." + +"Great Scott! You'd have me become a rolling stone again?" + +"No. I'll guarantee you a place where, if you don't gather moss, you'll +even write your_self_ down as long-eared." + +Harry's eyes brightened, and he straightened up, moving Jewel to one side, +the better to see his father. "Do you mean it?" he asked eagerly. + +The broker nodded. "Take your time to settle matters in Chicago," he said. +"If you show up here in September it will be early enough." + +The young man turned his eyes toward his wife and she met his smile with +another. Her heart was beating fast. This powerful man of whom, until this +morning, she had stood in awe, was going to put a stop to the old life and +lift their burdens. So much she perceived in a flash, and she knew it was +for the sake of the little child whose cheeks were glowing like roses as +she looked from one to another, taking in the happy promise involved in the +words of the two men. + +"Father, will you come back here?" she asked, breathing quickly. + +"I'd be mighty glad to, Jewel," he replied. + +The child leaned toward the broker, to whose hand she still clung. Starry +lights were dancing in her eyes. + +"Grandpa, are father and mother and I going to live with you--always?" she +asked rapturously. + +"Always--if you will, Jewel." + +He certainly had not intended to say it until autumn leaves were falling, +and he should have made certain that it was not putting his head into a +noose; but the child's face rewarded him now a thousand-fold, and made the +moment too sweet for regret. + +"Didn't we _know_ that Divine Love would take care of us, grandpa?" she +asked, with soft triumph. "We _did_ know it--even when I was crying, we +knew it. Didn't we?" + +The broker drank in her upturned glance and placed his other hand over the +one that was clinging to him. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MRS. EVRINGHAM'S GIFTS + + +When Mrs. Evringham opened her eyes the following morning, it was with a +confused sense that some great change had taken place; and quickly came the +realization that it was a happy change. As the transforming facts flowed in +more clearly upon her consciousness, she covered her eyes quickly with her +hand. + +"'Green pastures are before me!'" she thought, and her heart grew warm with +gratitude. + +Her husband was asleep, and she arose and went softly to Jewel's chamber, +and carefully opened the door. To her amazement the bed was empty. Its +coverings were stripped down and the sweet morning breeze was flooding the +spacious room. + +She returned to her own, wondering how late it might be. Her husband +stirred and opened his eyes, but before she could speak a ripple of distant +laughter sounded on the air. + +She ran to the window and raised the shade. "Oh, come, Harry, quick!" she +exclaimed, and, half asleep, he obeyed. There, riding down the driveway, +they saw Mr. Evringham and Jewel starting off for their morning canter. + +"How dear they look, how dear!" exclaimed Julia. + +"Father is stunning, for a fact," remarked Harry, watching alertly. On +yesterday's excursion he had ridden Essex Maid, after all; and he smiled +with interest now, in the couple who were evidently talking to one another +with the utmost zest as they finally disappeared at a canter among the +trees. + +"It is ideal, it's perfectly ideal, Harry." Julia drew a long breath. "I +was so surprised this morning, to waken and find it reality, after all." +She looked with thoughtful eyes at her husband. "I wonder what my new work +will be!" she added. + +"Not talking about that already, I hope!" he answered, laughing. "I've an +idea you will find occupation enough for one while, in learning to be idle. +Sit still now and look about you on the work accomplished." + +"What work?" + +"That I'm here and that you're here: that the action of Truth has brought +these wonders about." + +After breakfast the farewells were said. "You're happy, aren't you, +father?" asked Jewel doubtfully, as she clung about his neck. + +"Never so happy, Jewel," he answered. + +She turned to her grandfather. "When is father coming back again?" she +asked. + +"As soon as he can," was the reply. + +"You don't want me until September, I believe," said the young man bluntly. +He still retained the consciousness, half amused, half hurt, that his +father considered him superfluous. + +"Why, September is almost next winter," said Jewel appealingly. + +Mr. Evringham looked his son full in the eyes and liked the direct way they +met him. + +"The latchstring will be out from now on, Harry I want you to feel that it +is your latchstring as much as mine." + +His son did not speak, but the way the two men suddenly clasped hands gave +Jewel a very comforted sensation. + +"And you don't feel a bit sorry to be going alone to Chicago?" she pursued, +again centring her attention and embrace upon her father. + +"I tell you I was never so happy in my life," he responded, kissing her and +setting her on her feet. "Are you going to allow me to drive to the station +in your place this morning?" + +"I'd let you do anything, father," returned Jewel affectionately. It +touched her little heart to see him go alone away from such a happy family +circle, but her mother's good cheer was reassuring. + +They had scarcely had a minute alone together since Mrs. Evringham's +arrival, and when the last wave had been sent toward the head leaning out +of the brougham window, mother and child went up the broad staircase +together, pausing before the tall clock whose chime had grown so familiar +to Jewel since that chilling day when Mrs. Forbes warned her not to touch +it. + +"Everything in this house is so fine, Jewel," said the mother. "It must +have seemed very strange to you at first." + +"It did. Anna Belle and I felt more at home out of doors, because you see +God owned the woods, and He didn't care if we broke something, and Mrs. +Forbes used to be so afraid; but it's all much different now," added the +child. + +They went on up to the room where stood the small trunk which was all Mrs. +Evringham had taken abroad for her personal belongings. + +To many children the moment of their mother's unpacking after a return from +a trip is fraught with pleasant and eager anticipation of gifts. In this +case it was different; for Jewel had no previous journey of her mother's to +remember, and her gifts had always been so small, with the shining +exception of Anna Belle, that she made no calculations now concerning the +steamer trunk, as she watched her mother take out its contents. + +Each step Mrs. Evringham took on the rich carpet, each glance she cast at +the park through the clear sheets of plate glass in the windows, each +smooth-running drawer, each undreamed-of convenience in the closet with its +electric light for dark days, impressed her afresh with a sense of +wondering pleasure. The lady of her name who had so recently dwelt among +these luxuries had accepted them fretfully, as no more than her due; the +long glass which now reflected Julia's radiant dark eyes lately gave back a +countenance impressed with lines of care and discontent. + +"Jewel, I feel like a queen here," said the happy woman softly. "I like +beautiful things very much, but I never had them before in my life. Come, +darling, we must read the lesson." She closed the lid of the trunk. + +"Yes, but wait till I get Anna Belle." The child ran into her own room and +brought the doll. Then she jumped into her mother's lap, for there was room +for all three in the big chair by the window. + +Some memory made the little girl lift her shoulders. "This was aunt Madge's +chair," she said. "She used to sit here in the prettiest lace wrapper--I +was never in this room before except two or three times,"--Jewel's awed +tone changed,--"but now my own mother lives here! and cousin Eloise would +love to know it and to know that I have her room. I mean to write her about +it." + +"You must take me upstairs pretty soon and let me see the chamber that was +yours. Oh, there is so much to see, Jewel; shall we ever get to the end?" +Mrs. Evringham's tone was joyous, as she hugged the child impulsively, and +rested her cheek on the flaxen head. "Darling," she went on softly, "think +what Divine Love has done for mother, to bring her here! I've worked very +hard, my little girl, and though Love helped me all the time, and I was +happy, I've had so much care, and almost never a day when I had leisure to +stop and think about something else than my work. I expected to go right +back to it now, with father, and I didn't worry, because God was leading +me--but, dearie, when I woke up this morning"--she paused, and as Jewel +lifted her head, mother and child gazed into one another's eyes--"I +said--you know what I said?" + +For answer the little girl smiled gladly and began to sing the familiar +hymn. Her mother joined an alto to the clear voice, in the manner that had +been theirs for years, and fervently, now, they sang the words:-- + + "Green pastures are before me, + Which yet I have not seen. + Bright skies will soon be o'er me, + Where darkest clouds have been. + My hope I cannot measure, + My path in life is free, + My Father has my treasure, + And He will walk with me!" + +Jewel looked joyous. + +"The green pastures were in Bel-Air Park, weren't they?" she said, "and you +hadn't seen them, had you?" + +"No," returned Mrs. Evringham gently, "and just now there is not a cloud in +our bright sky." + +"Father's gone away," returned Jewel doubtfully. + +"Only to get ready to come back. It is very wonderful, Jewel." + +"Yes, it is. I'm sure it makes God glad to see us so happy." + +"I'm sure it does; and the best of it is that father knows that it is love +alone that brought this happiness, just as it brings all the real happiness +that ever comes in the world. He sees that it is only what knowledge we +have of God that made it possible for him to come back to what ought to be +his, his father's welcome home! Father sees that it is a demonstration of +love, and that is more important than all; for anything that gives us a +stronger grasp on the truth, and more understanding of its working, is of +the greatest value to us." + +"Didn't grandpa love father before?" asked Jewel, in surprise. + +"Yes, but father disappointed him and error crept in between them, so it +was only when father began to understand the truth and ask God to help him, +that the discord could disappear. Isn't it beautiful that it has, Jewel?" + +"I don't think discord is much, mother," declared the little girl. + +"Of course it isn't," returned her mother. "It isn't anything." + +"When I first came, grandpa had so many things to make him sorry, and +everybody else here was sorry--and now nobody is. Even aunt Madge was happy +over the pretty clothes she had to go away with." + +"And she'll be happy over other things, some day," returned Mrs. Evringham, +who had already gathered a tolerably clear idea of her sister-in-law. +"Eloise has learned how to help her." + +"Oh, ye--es! _She_ isn't afraid of discord any more." + +"Now we'll study the lesson, darling. Think of having all the time we want +for it!" + +After they had finished, Mrs. Evringham leaned back in the big chair and +patted Jewel's knee. Opening the bag at her side she took out a small box +and gave it to the child, who opened it eagerly. A bright little garnet +ring reposed on the white velvet. + +"Oh, oh, _oh_!" cried Jewel, delighted. She put on the ring, which just +fitted, and then hugged her mother before she looked at it again. + +"Dear little Anna Belle, when you're a big girl"--she began, turning to the +doll, but Mrs. Evringham interrupted. + +"Wait a minute, Jewel, here is Anna Belle's." + +She took out another box and, ah, what a charming necklace appeared, +brilliant with gems which outshone completely the three little garnets. +Jewel jumped for joy when she had clasped it about the round neck. + +"Oh, mother, mother!" she exclaimed, patting her mother's cheek, "you kept +thinking about us every day, didn't you! Kiss your grandma, dearie," which +the proud and happy Anna Belle did with a fervor that threatened to damage +Mrs. Evringham's front teeth. + +"I brought you something else, Jewel," said the mother, with her arms +around the child. "I did think of you every day, and on the ship going +over, it was pretty hard, because I had never been away from my little girl +and I didn't know just what she was doing, and I didn't even know the +people she was with; so, partly to keep my thoughts from error, I began +to--to make something for you." + +"Oh, what was it?" asked Jewel eagerly. + +"I didn't finish it going over, and I had no time to do so until we were on +the steamer coming home again. Then I was lighter hearted and happier, +because I knew my little darling had found green pastures, but--I finished +it. I don't know how much you will care for it." + +Jewel questioned the dark eyes and smiling lips eagerly. + +"What is it, mother; a bag for my skates?" + +"No." + +"A--a handkerchief?" + +"No." + +"Oh, tell me, mother, I can't wait." + +Mrs. Evringham put the little girl down from her lap and going to the trunk +took from it the only article it still contained. It was a long, flat book +with pasteboard covers tied at the back with little ribbons. As she again +took her seat in the big chair, Jewel leaned against its arm. + +"It's a scrap-book full of pictures," she said, with interest. + +For answer her mother turned the cover toward her so she could read the +words lettered distinctly upon it. + +JEWEL'S STORY BOOK + +Then Mrs. Evringham ran her finger along the edges of the volume and let +the type-written pages flutter before its owner's delighted eyes. + +"You've made me some stories, mother!" cried Jewel. One of the great +pleasures and treats of her life had been those rare half hours when her +busy mother had time to tell her a story. + +Her eyes danced with delight. "Oh, you're the _kindest_ mother!" she went +on, "and you'll have time to read them to me now! Anna Belle, won't it be +the most _fun_? Oh, mother, we'll go to the ravine to read, won't we?" + +Mrs. Evringham's cheeks flushed and she laughed at the child's joy. "I hope +they won't disappoint you," she said. + +"But you wrote them out of love. How can they?" returned the little girl +quickly. + +"That's so, Jewel; that's so, dear." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE QUEST FLOWER + + +The garden in the ravine had been put into fine order to exhibit to Jewel's +father and mother. Fresh ferns had been planted around the still pond where +Anna Belle's china dolls went swimming, and fresh moss banks had been +constructed for their repose. The brook was beginning to lose the +impetuosity of spring and now gurgled more quietly between its verdant +banks. It delighted Jewel that the place held as much charm for her mother +as for herself, and that she listened with as hushed pleasure to the songs +of birds in the treetops too high to be disturbed by the presence of +dwellers on the ground. It was an ideal spot wherein to read aloud, and the +early hours of that sunshiny afternoon found the three seated there by the +brookside ready to begin the Story Book. + +"Now I'll read the titles and you shall choose what one we will take +first," said Mrs. Evringham. + +Jewel's attention was as unwinking as Anna Belle's, as she listened to the +names. + +"Anna Belle ought to have first choice because she's the youngest. Then +I'll have next, and you next. Anna Belle chooses The Quest Flower; because +she loves flowers so and she can't imagine what that means." + +"Very well," returned Mrs. Evringham, smiling and settling herself more +comfortably against a tree trunk. "The little girl in this story loved +them too;" and so saying, Jewel's mother began to read aloud:-- + + +THE QUEST FLOWER + +Hazel Wright learned to love her uncle Dick Badger very much during a visit +he made at her mother's home in Boston. She became well acquainted with +him. He was always kind to her in his quiet way, and always had time to +take her on his knee and listen to whatever she had to tell about her +school or her plays, and even took an interest in her doll, Ella. Mrs. +Wright used to laugh and tell her brother that he was a wonderful old +bachelor, and could give lessons to many a husband and father; upon which +uncle Dick responded that he had always been fond of assuming a virtue if +he had it not; and Hazel wondered if "assuming-a-virtue" were a little +girl. At any rate, she loved uncle Dick and wished he would live with them +always; so it will be seen that when it was suddenly decided that Hazel was +to go home with him to the town where he lived, she was delighted. + +"Father and I are called away on business, Hazel," her mother said to her +one day, "and we have been wondering what to do with you. Uncle Dick says +he'll take you home with him if you would like to go." + +"Oh, yes, I would," replied the little girl; for it was vacation and she +wanted an outing. "Uncle Dick has a big yard, and Ella and I can have fun +there." + +"I'm sure you can. Uncle Dick's housekeeper, Hannah, is a kind soul, and +she knew me when I was as little as you are, and will take good care of +you." + +The evening before Hazel and her uncle were to leave, Mrs. Wright spoke to +her brother in private. + +"It seems too bad not to be able to write aunt Hazel that her namesake is +coming," she said. "Is she as bitter as ever?" + +"Oh, yes. No change." + +"Just think of it!" exclaimed Mrs. Wright. "She lives within a stone's +throw of you, and yet can remain unforgiving so many years. Let me see--it +is eight; for Hazel is ten years old, and I know she was two when the +trouble about the property camp up; but you did right, Dick, and some time +aunt Hazel must know it." + +"Oh, I think she has lucid intervals when she knows it now," returned Mr. +Badger; "but her pride won't let her admit it. If it amuses her, it doesn't +hurt me for her to pass me on the street without a word or a look. When a +thing like that has run along for years, it isn't easy to make any change." + +"Oh, but it is so unchristian, so wrong," returned his sister. "If you only +had a loving enough feeling, Dick, it seems as if you might take her by +storm." + +Mr. Badger smiled at some memory. "I tried once. She did the storming." He +shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a man of peace. I decided to let her alone." + +Mrs. Wright shook her head. "Well, I haven't told Hazel anything about it. +She knows she is named for my aunt; but she doesn't know where aunt Hazel +lives, and I wish you would warn Hannah not to tell the child anything +about her or the affair. You know we lay a great deal of stress on not +voicing discord of my kind." + +"Yes, I know," Mr. Badger smiled and nodded. 'Your methods seem to have +turned out a mighty nice little girl, and it's been a wonder to me ever +since I came, to see you going about, such a different creature from what +you used to be." + +"Yes, I'm well and happy," returned Mrs. Wright, "and I long to have this +trouble between you and aunt Hazel at an end. I suppose Hazel isn't likely +to come in contact with her at all." + +"No, indeed; no more than if aunt Hazel lived in Kamschatka. She does, if +it's cold enough there." + +"Dear woman. She ignored the last two letters I wrote her, I suppose +because I sided with you." + +"Oh, certainly, that would be an unpardonable offense. Hannah tells me she +has a crippled child visiting her now, the daughter of some friends. Hannah +persists in keeping an eye on aunt Hazel's affairs, and telling me about +them. Hannah will be pleased to have little Hazel to make a pet of for a +few weeks." + +He was right. The housekeeper was charmed. She did everything to make Hazel +feel at home in her uncle's house, and discovering that the little girl had +a passion for flowers, let her make a garden bed of her own. Hazel went +with her uncle to buy plants for this, and she had great fun taking +geraniums and pansies out of their pots and planting them in the soft brown +earth of the round garden plot; and every day blue-eyed Ella, her doll, sat +by and watched Hazel pick out every little green weed that had put its head +up in the night. + +"You're only grass, dearie," she would say to one as she uprooted it, "and +grass is all right most everywhere; but this is a garden, so run away." + +Not very far down the street was a real garden, though, that gave Hazel +such joy to look at that she carried Ella there every day when it didn't +rain, and would have gone every day when it did, only Hannah wouldn't let +her. + +The owner of the garden, Miss Fletcher, at the window where she sat sewing, +began to notice the little stranger at last; for the child stood outside +the fence with her doll, and gazed and gazed so long each time, that the +lady began to regard her with suspicion. + +"That young one is after my flowers, I'm afraid, Flossie," she said one day +to the pale little girl in the wheeled chair that stood near another window +looking on the street. + +"I've noticed her ever so many times," returned Flossie listlessly. "I +never saw her until this week, and she's always alone." + +"Well, I won't have her climbing on my fence!" exclaimed Miss Fletcher, +half laying down her work and watching Hazel's movements sharply through +her spectacles. "There, she's grabbing hold of a picket now!" she exclaimed +suddenly. "I'll see to her in quick order." + +She jumped up and hurried out of the room, and Flossie's tired eyes watched +her spare figure as she marched down the garden path. She didn't care if +Miss Fletcher did send the strange child away. What difference could it +make to a girl who had the whole world to walk around in, and who could +take her doll and go and play in some other pleasant place? + +As Hazel saw Miss Fletcher coming, she gazed at the unsmiling face looking +out from hair drawn back in a tight knot; and Miss Fletcher, on her part, +saw such winning eagerness in the smile that met her, that she modified the +sharp reproof ready to spring forth. + +"Get down off the fence, little girl," she said. "You oughtn't ever to hang +by the pickets; you'll break one if you do." + +"Oh, yes," returned Hazel, getting down quickly. "I didn't think of that. I +wanted so much to see if that lily-bud had opened, that looked as if it was +going to, yesterday; and it has." + +"Which one?" asked Miss Fletcher, looking around. + +"Right there behind that second rosebush," replied Hazel, holding Ella +tight with one arm while she pointed eagerly. + +"Oh, yes." Miss Fletcher went over to the plant. + +"I think it is the loveliest of all," went on the little girl. "It makes me +think of the quest flower." + +"What's that?" Miss Fletcher looked at the strange child curiously. "I +never heard of it." + +"It's the perfect flower," returned Hazel. + +"Where did you ever see it?" + +"I never did, but I read about it." + +"Where is it to be bought?" Miss Fletcher was really interested now, +because flowers were her hobby. + +"In the story it says at the Public Garden; but I've been to the Public +Garden in Boston, and I never saw any I thought were as beautiful as +yours." + +Hazel was not trying to win Miss Fletcher's heart, but she had found the +road to it. + +The care-lined face regarded her more closely than ever. "I don't remember +you. I thought I knew all the children around here." + +"No 'm. I'm a visitor. I live in Boston; and we have a flat and of course +there isn't any yard, and I think your garden is perfectly beautiful. I +come to see it every day, and it's fun to stand out here and count the +smells." + +Miss Fletcher's face broke into a smile. It did really seem as if it +cracked, because her lips had been set in such a tight line. "It ain't very +often children like flowers unless they can pick them," she replied. "I +can't sleep nights sometimes, wishing my garden wasn't so near the fence." + +The little girl smiled and pointed to a climbing rose that had strayed from +its trellis, and one pink flower that was poking its pretty little face +between the pickets. "See that one," she said. "I think it wanted to look +up and down the street, don't you?" + +"And you didn't gather it," returned Miss Fletcher, looking at Hazel +approvingly. "Well, now, for anybody fond of flowers as you are, I think +that was real heroic." + +"She belongs to nice folks," she decided mentally. + +"Oh, it was a tame flower," returned the child, "and that would have been +error. If it had been a wild one I would have picked it." + +"Error, eh?" returned Miss Fletcher, and again her thin lips parted in a +smile. "Well, I wish everybody felt that way." + +"Uncle Dick lets me have a garden," said Hazel. "He let me buy geraniums +and pansies and lemon verbena--I love that, don't you?" + +"Yes. I've got a big plant of it back here. Wouldn't you like to come in +and see it?" + +"Oh, thank you," returned Hazel, her gray eyes sparkling; and Miss +Fletcher felt quite a glow of pleasure in seeing the happiness she was +conferring by the invitation. Most of her friends took her garden as a +matter of course; and smiled patronizingly at her devotion to it. + +In a minute the little girl had run to the gate in the white fence, and, +entering, joined the mistress of the house, who stood beside the +flourishing plants blooming in all their summer loveliness. + +For the next fifteen minutes neither of the two knew that time was flying. +They talked and compared and smelled of this blossom and that, their unity +of interest making their acquaintance grow at lightning speed. Miss +Fletcher was more pleased than she had been for many a day, and as for +Hazel, when her hostess went down on her knees beside a verbena bed and +began taking steel hairpins from her tightly knotted hair, to pin down the +luxuriant plants that they might go on rooting and spread farther, the +little girl felt that the climax of interest was reached. + +"I'm going to ask uncle Dick," she said admiringly, "if I can't have some +verbenas and a paper of hairpins." + +"Dear me," returned Miss Fletcher, "I wish poor Flossie took as much +interest in the garden as you do." + +"'Flossie' sounds like a kitten, returned Hazel. + +"She's a little human kitten: a poor little afflicted girl who is making me +a visit. You can see her sitting up there in the house, by the window." + +Hazel looked up and caught a glimpse of a pale face. Her eyes expressed +her wonder. "Who afflicted her?" she asked softly. + +"Her Heavenly Father, for some wise purpose," was the response. + +"Oh, it couldn't have been that!" returned the child, shocked. "You know +God is Love." + +"Yes, I know," replied Miss Fletcher, turning to her visitor in surprise at +so decided an answer from such a source; "but it isn't for us to question +what His love is. It's very different from our poor mortal ideas. There's +something the matter with poor Flossie's back, and she can't walk. The +doctors say it's nervous and perhaps she'll outgrow it; but I think she +gets worse all the time." + +Hazel watched the speaker with eyes full of trouble and perplexity. "Dear +me," she replied, "if you think God made her get that way, who do you think +'s going to cure her?" + +"Nobody, it seems. Her people have spent more than they can afford, trying +and trying. They've made themselves poor, but nobody's helped her so far." + +Hazel's eyes swept over the roses and lilies and then back to Miss +Fletcher's face. The lady was regarding her curiously. She saw that +thoughts were hurrying through the mind of the little girl standing there +with her doll in her arms. + +"You look as if you wanted to say something," she said at last. + +"I don't want to be impolite," returned Hazel, hesitating. + +"Well," returned Miss Fletcher dryly, "if you knew the amount of +impoliteness that has been given to me in my time, you wouldn't hesitate +about adding a little more. Speak out and tell me what you are thinking." + +"I was thinking how wonderful and how nice it is that flowers will grow for +everybody," said Hazel, half reluctantly. + +"How's that?" demanded her new friend, in fresh surprise. "Have you decided +I don't deserve them?" + +"Oh, you deserve them, of course," replied the child quickly; "but when you +have such thoughts about God, it's a wonder His flowers can grow so +beautifully in your yard." + +Miss Fletcher felt a warmth come into her cheeks. + +"Well," she returned rather sharply, "I should like to know what sort of +teaching you've had. You're a big enough girl to know that it's a +Christian's business to be resigned to the will of God. You don't happen to +have seen many, sick folks, I guess--what is your name?" + +"Hazel." + +"Why, that's queer, so is mine; and it isn't a common one." + +"Isn't that nice!" returned the child. "We're both named Hazel and we both +love flowers so much." + +"Yes; that's quite a coincidence. Now, why shouldn't flowers grow for me, I +should like to know?" + +"Why, you think God afflicted that little girl's back, and didn't let her +walk. Why, Miss Fletcher," the child's voice grew more earnest, "He +wouldn't do it any more than I'd kneel down and break the stem of that +lovely quest flower and let it hang there and wither." + +Miss Fletcher pushed up her spectacles and gazed down into the clear gray +eyes. + +"Does Flossie think He would?" added Hazel with soft amazement. + +"I suppose she does." + +"Then does she say her prayers just the same?" + +"Of course she does." + +"What a kind girl she must be!" exclaimed Hazel earnestly. + +"Why do you say that?" + +"Because _I_ wouldn't pray to anybody that I believed kept me afflicted." + +Miss Fletcher started back. "Why, child!" she exclaimed, "I should think +you'd expect a thunderbolt. Where do your folks go to church, for pity's +sake?" + +"To the Christian Science church." + +"Oh--h, that's what's the matter with you! Some of Flossie's relatives have +heard about that, and they've been teasing her mother to try it. I'm sure +I'd try anything that wasn't blasphemous." + +"What is blasphemous?" + +"Why--why--anything that isn't respectful to God is blasphemous." + +"Oh!" returned Hazel. Then she added softly, "I should think you were that, +now." + +"What!" and Miss Fletcher seemed to tower above her visitor in her +amazement. + +"Oh--please excuse me. I didn't mean to be impolite; but if you'll just +_try_, you'll find out what a mistake you and Flossie have been making, and +that God _wants_ to heal her." + +The two looked at one another for a silent half-minute, the little girl's +heart beating faster under the grim gaze. + +"You might come and see her some day," suggested Miss Fletcher, at last. +"She has a dull time of it, poor child. I've asked the children to come in, +and they've all been very kind, but it's vacation, and a good many that I +know have gone away." + +"I will," replied Hazel. "Doesn't she like to come out here where the +flowers are?" + +"Yes; it's been a little too cloudy and threatening to-day, but if it's +clear to-morrow I'll wheel her out under the elm-tree, and she'd like a +visit from you. Are you staying far from here?" + +"No, uncle Dick's is right on this street." + +"What's his last name?" + +"Mr. Badger," replied Hazel, and she didn't notice the sudden stiffening +that went through Miss Fletcher. + +"What is your last name?" asked the lady, in a changed voice. + +"Wright." + +This time any one who had eyes for something beside the flowers might have +seen Miss Fletcher start. Color flew into her thin cheeks, and the eyes +that stared at Hazel's straw tam-o'-shanter grew dim. This was dear Mabel +Badger's child; her little namesake, her own flesh and blood. + +Her jaw felt rigid as she asked the next question. "Have you ever spoken to +your uncle Dick about my garden?" + +"Yes, indeed. That's why he let me make one; and every night he asks, +'Well, how's Miss Fletcher's garden to-day,' and I tell him all about it" + +"And didn't he ever say anything to you about me?" + +"Why, no;" the child looked up wonderingly. "He doesn't know you, does he?" + +"We used to know one another," returned Miss Fletcher stiffly. + +Richard had certainly behaved very decently in this particular instance. At +least he had told no lies. + +"Hazel is such an unusual name," she went on, after a minute. "Who were you +named for?" + +"My mother's favorite aunt," returned the child. + +"Where does she live?" + +"I don't know," replied Hazel vaguely. "My mother was talking to me about +her the evening before uncle Dick and I left Boston. She told me how much +she loved aunt Hazel; but that error had crept in, and they couldn't see +each other just now, but that God would bring it all right some day. I have +a lovely silver spoon she gave me when I was a baby." + +Miss Fletcher stooped to her border and cut a bunch of mignonette with the +scissors that hung from her belt. "Here's something for you to smell of as +you walk home," she said, and Hazel saw her new friend's hand tremble as +she held out the flowers. "Do you ever kiss strangers?" added the hostess +as she rose to her feet. + +Hazel held up her face and took hold of Miss Fletcher's arm as she kissed +her. "I think you've been so kind to me," she said warmly. "I've had the +best time!" + +"Well, pick the climbing rose as you pass," returned Miss Fletcher. "It +seems to want to see the world. Let it go along with you; and don't forget +to come to-morrow. I hope it will be pleasant." + +She stood still, the warm breeze ruffling the thin locks about her +forehead, and watched the little girl trip along the walk. The child looked +back and smiled as she stopped to pick the pink rose, and when she threw a +kiss to Miss Fletcher, that lady found herself responding. + +She went into the house with a flush remaining in her cheeks. + +"How long you stayed, aunt Hazel," said the little invalid fretfully as she +entered. + +"I expect I did," returned Miss Fletcher, and there was a new life in her +tone that Flossie noticed. + +"Who is that girl?" + +"Her name is Hazel Wright, and she is living at the Badgers'. She's as +crazy about flowers as I am, so we had a lot to say. She gave me a lecture +on religion, too;" an excited little laugh escaped between the speaker's +lips. "She's a very unusual child; and she certainly has a look of the +Fletchers." + +"What? I thought you said her name was Wright." + +"It is! My tongue slipped. She's coming to see you to-morrow, Flossie. We +must fix up your doll. I'll wash and iron her pink dress this very +afternoon; for Hazel has a beauty doll, herself. I think you'll like that +little girl." + +That evening when uncle Dick and Hazel were at their supper, Mr. Badger +questioned her as usual about her day. + +"I've had the most _fun_," she replied. "I've been to see Miss Fletcher, +and she took me into her garden, and we smelled of all the flowers, and +had the loveliest time!" + +Hannah was standing behind the little girl's chair, and her eyes spoke +volumes as she nodded significantly at her employer. + +"Yes, sir, she told Miss Fletcher where she was visiting, and she gave her +a bunch of mignonette and a rose to bring home." + +"Yes," agreed Hazel, "they're in a vase in the parlor now, and she asked me +to come to-morrow to see an afflicted girl that's living with her. You +know, uncle Dick," Hazel lifted her eyes to him earnestly, "you know how it +says everywhere in the Bible that anybody that's afflicted goes to God and +He heals them; and what do you think! Miss Fletcher and that little Flossie +girl both believe God afflicted her and fixed her back so she can't walk!" + +Mr. Badger smiled as he met the wondering eyes. "That isn't Christian +Science, is it?" he returned. + +"I'd rather never have a garden even like Miss Fletcher's than to think +that," declared Hazel, as she went on with her supper. "I feel so sorry for +them!" + +"So you're going over to-morrow," said Mr. Badger. "What are you going to +do; treat the little invalid?" + +"Why, no indeed, not unless she asks me to." + +"Why not?" + +"Because it would be error; it's the worst kind of impoliteness to treat +anybody that doesn't ask you to; but I've got to know every minute that her +belief is a lie, and that God doesn't know anything about it." + +"I thought God knew everything," said Mr. Badger, regarding the child +curiously. + +"He does, of course, everything that's going to last forever and ever: +everything that's beautiful and good and strong. Whatever God thinks about +has _got_ to last." The child lifted her shoulders. "I'm glad He doesn't +think about mistakes,--sickness, and everything like that, aren't you?" + +"I don't want sickness to last forever, I'm sure" returned Mr. Badger. + +The following day was clear and bright, and early in the afternoon Hazel, +dressed in a clean gingham frock, took her doll and walked up the street to +Miss Fletcher's. + +The wheeled chair was already out under the elm-tree, and Flossie was +watching for her guest. Miss Fletcher was sitting near her, sewing, and +waiting with concealed impatience for the appearance of the bright face +under the straw tam-o'-shanter. + +As soon as Hazel reached the corner of the fence and saw them there, she +began to run, her eyes fixed eagerly on the white figure in the wheeled +chair. The blue eyes that looked so tired regarded her curiously as she ran +up the garden path and across the grass to the large, shady tree. + +Hazel had never been close to a sick person, and something in Flossie's +appearance and the whiteness of her thin hands that clasped the doll in the +gay pink dress brought a lump into the well child's throat and made her +heart beat. + +"Dear Father, I want to help her!" she said under her breath, and Miss +Fletcher noticed that she had no eyes for her, and saw the wondering pity +in her face as she came straight up to the invalid's chair. + +"Flossie Wallace, this is Hazel Wright," she said, and Flossie smiled a +little under the love that leaped from Hazel's eyes into hers. + +"I'm glad you brought your doll," said Flossie. + +"Ella goes everywhere I do," returned Hazel. "What's your doll's name?" + +"Bernice; I think Bernice is a beautiful name," said Flossie. + +"So do I," returned Hazel. Then the two children were silent a minute, +looking at one another, uncertain how to go on. + +Hazel was the first to speak. "Isn't it lovely to live with this garden?" +she asked. + +"Yes, aunt Hazel has nice flowers." + +"I have an aunt Hazel, too," said the little visitor. + +"Miss Fletcher isn't my real aunt, but I call her that," remarked Flossie. + +"And _you_ might do it, too," suggested Miss Fletcher, looking at Hazel, to +whom her heart warmed more and more in spite of the astonishing charges of +the day before. + +"Do you think I could call you aunt Hazel?" asked the child, rather shyly. + +"For the sake of being cousin to my garden, you might. Don't you think so?" + +"How is the quest flower to-day?" asked Hazel. + +"Which? Oh, you mean the garden lily. There's another bud." + +"Oh, may I look at it?" cried Hazel, "and wouldn't you like to come too?" +turning to Flossie. "Can't I roll your chair?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Miss Fletcher, pleased. "It rolls very easily. Give +Flossie your doll, too, and we'll all go and see the lily bud." + +Hazel obeyed, and carefully pushing the light chair, they moved slowly +toward the spot where the white chalices of the garden lilies poured forth +their incense. + +"Miss Fletcher," cried Hazel excitedly, dropping on her knees beside the +bed, "that is going to be the most beautiful of all. When it is perfectly +open the plant will be ready to take to the king." The little girl lifted +her shoulders and looked up at her hostess, smiling. + +"What king is going to get my lily?" + +"The one who will send you on your quest." + +"What am I to go in quest of?" inquired Miss Fletcher, much entertained. + +"I don't know;" Hazel shook her head. "Every one's errand is different." + +"What is a quest?" asked Flossie. + +"You tell her, Hazel." + +"Why, mother says it's a search for some treasure." + +"You must tell us this story about the quest flower some day," said Miss +Fletcher. + +"I have the story of it here," returned Hazel eagerly. "I've read it over +and over again because I love it, and so mother put it in my trunk with my +Christian Science books. I can bring it over and read it to you, if you +want me to. You'd like it, I know, Miss Fletcher." + +"Aunt Hazel told me you were a Christian Scientist," said Flossie. "I never +saw one before, but people have talked to mother about it." + +"I could bring _those_ books over, too," replied Hazel wistfully, "and we +could read the lesson every day, and perhaps it would make you feel +better." + +"I don't know what it's about," said Flossie. + +"It's about making sick people well and sinful people good." + +"I'm sinful, too, part of the time," answered Flossie. "Sometimes I don't +like to live, and I wish I didn't have to, and everybody says that's +sinful." + +Sudden tears started to Miss Fletcher's eyes, and as the little girls were +looking at one another absorbedly, Hazel standing close to the wheeled +chair, she stole away, unobserved, to the house. + +"She ought to be cured," she said to herself excitedly. "She ought to be +cured. There's that one more chance, anyway. I've got to where I'm ready to +let the babes and sucklings have a try!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE QUEST FLOWER (_Continued_) + + +The next morning was rainy, and Jewel and her grandfather visited the +stable instead of taking their canter. + +"And what will you do this dismal day?" asked the broker of his +daughter-in-law as they stood alone for a minute after breakfast, Jewel +having run upstairs to get Anna Belle for the drive to the station. + +"This happy day," she answered, lifting to him the radiant face that he was +always mentally contrasting with Madge. "The rain will give me a chance to +look at the many treasures you have here, books and pictures." + +"H'm. You are musical, I know, for Jewel has the voice of a lark. Do you +play the piano?" + +Julia looked wistfully at the Steinway grand. "Ah, if I only could!" she +returned. + +Mr. Evringham cleared his throat. "Madam," he said, lowering his voice, +"that child has a most amazing talent." + +"Jewel's voice, do you mean?" + +"She'll sing, I'm sure of it," he replied, "but I mean for music in +general. Eloise is an accomplished pianist. She has one piece that Jewel +especially enjoyed, the old Spring Song of Mendelssohn. Probably you know +it." + +Julia shook her head. "I doubt it. I've heard very little good piano +playing." + +"Well, madam, that child has picked out the melody of that piece by +herself," the broker lowered his voice to still deeper impressiveness. "As +soon as we return in the autumn, we will have her begin lessons." + +Julia's eyes met his gratefully. + +"A very remarkable talent. I am positive of it," he went on. "Jewel," for +here the child entered the room, "play the Spring Song for your mother, +will you?" + +"Now? Zeke is out there, grandpa." + +"Dick can stretch his legs a bit faster this morning. Play it." + +So Jewel set Anna Belle on a brocaded chair and going to the piano, played +the melody of the Spring Song. She could perform only a few measures, but +there were no false notes in the little chromatic passages, and her +grandfather's eyes sought Julia's in grave triumph. + +"A very marvelous gift," he managed to say to her again under his breath, +as Jewel at last ran ahead of him out to the porte cochere. + +Julia's eyes grew dreamy as she watched the brougham drive off. How +different was to be the future of her little girl from anything she had +planned in her rosiest moments of hopefulness. + +The more she saw of Mr. Evringham's absorbed attachment to the child, the +more grateful she was for the manner in which he had guarded Jewel's +simplicity, the self-restraint with which he had abstained from loading her +with knickknacks or fine clothes. The child was not merely a pet with him. +She was an individual, a character whose development he respected. + +"God keep her good!" prayed the mother. + +It was a charming place to continue the story, there in the large chintz +chair by Mrs. Evringham's window. The raindrops pattered against the clear +glass, the lawn grew greener, and the great trees beyond the gateway held +their leaves up to the bath. + +"Anna Belle's pond will overflow, I think," said Jewel, looking out the +window musingly. + +"And how good for the ferns," remarked her mother. + +"Yes, I'd like to be there, now," said the child. + +"Oh, I think it's much cosier here. I love to hear the rain, too, don't +you?" + +"Yes, I do, and we'll have the story now, won't we, mother?" + +At this moment there was a knock at the door and Zeke appeared with an +armful of birch wood. + +"Mr. Evringham said it might be a little damp up here and I was to lay a +fire." + +"Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Jewel. "Mother, wouldn't you like to have a fire +while we read?" + +Mrs. Evringham assented and Zeke laid the sticks on the andirons and let +Jewel touch the lighted match to the little twigs. + +"I have the loveliest book, Zeke," she said, when the flames leaped up. "My +mother made it for me, and you shall read it if you want to." + +"Yes, if Zeke wants to," put in Mrs. Evringham, smiling, "but you'd better +find out first if he does. This book was written for little girls with +short braids." + +"Oh, Zeke and I like a great many of the same things," responded Jewel +earnestly. + +"That's so, little kid," replied the young coachman, "and as long as you're +going to stay here, I'll read anything you say." + +"You see," explained Jewel, when he had gone out and closed the door +softly, "Zeke said it made his nose tingle every time he thought of anybody +else braiding Star's tail, so he's just as glad as anything that we're not +going away." + +The birch logs snapped merrily, and Anna Belle sat in Jewel's lap watching +the leaping flame, while Mrs. Evringham leaned back in her easy chair. The +reading had been interrupted yesterday by the arrival of the hour when Mrs. +Evringham had engaged to take a drive with her father-in-law. Jewel +accompanied them, riding Star, and it was great entertainment to her mother +to watch the child's good management of the pretty pony who showed by many +shakes of the head and other antics that it had not been explained to his +satisfaction why Essex Maid was left out of this good time. + +Jewel turned to her mother. "We're all ready now, aren't we? Do go on with +the story. I told grandpa about it, driving to the station this morning, +and what do you suppose he asked me?" The child drew in her chin. "He asked +me if I thought Flossie was going to get well!" + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Well, we'll see," she replied, opening the +story-book. "Where were we?" + +"Miss Fletcher had just gone into the house and Flossie had just said she +was sinful. She wasn't to blame a bit!" + +"Oh, yes, here it is," said Mrs. Evringham, and she began to read:-- + + * * * * * + +As Hazel met Flossie's look, her heart swelled and she wished her mother +were here to take care of this little girl who had fallen into such a sad +mistake. + +"I wish I knew how to tell you better, Flossie, about God being Love," she +said; "but He is, and He didn't send you your trouble." + +"Perhaps He didn't send it," returned Flossie, "but He thinks it's good for +me to have it or else He'd let the doctors cure me. I've had the kindest +doctors you ever heard of, and they know everything about people's backs." + +"But God will cure you, Himself," said Hazel earnestly. + +A strange smile flitted over the sick child's lips. "Oh, no, He won't. I +asked Him every night for a year, and over and over all day; but I never +ask Him now." + +"Oh, Flossie, I know what's the truth, but I don't know how to tell about +it very well; but everything about you that seems not to be the image and +likeness of God is a lie; and He doesn't see lies, and so He doesn't know +these mistakes you're thinking; but He _does_ know the strong, well girl +you really are, and He'll help _you_ to know it, too, when you begin to +think right." + +The sincerity and earnestness in her visitor's tone brought a gleam of +interest into Flossie's eyes. + +"Just think of being well and running around here with me, and think that +God wants you to!" + +"Oh, do you believe He does?" returned Flossie doubtfully. "Mother says it +will do my soul good for me to be sick, if I can't get well." + +Hazel shook her head violently. "You know when Jesus was on earth? Well, he +never told anybody it was better for them to be sick. He healed everybody, +_everybody_ that asked him, and he came to do the will of his Father; so +God's will doesn't change, and it's just the same now." + +There was a faint color in Flossie's cheeks. "If I was sure God wanted me +to get well, why then I'd know I would some time." + +"Of course He does; but you didn't know how to ask Him right." + +"Do _you_?" asked Flossie. + +Hazel nodded. "Yes; not so well as mother, but I do know a little, and if +you want me to, I'll ask Him for you." + +"Well, of course I do," returned Flossie, regarding her visitor with grave, +wondering eyes. + +In a minute Miss Fletcher, watching the children through a window, beheld +something that puzzled her. She saw Hazel roll Flossie's chair back under +the elm-tree, and saw her sit down on the grass beside it and cover her +eyes with both hands. + +"What game are they playing?" she asked herself; and she smiled, well +pleased by the friendship that had begun. "I wish health was catching," she +sighed. "Little Hazel's a picture. I wonder how long it'll be before she +finds out who I am. I wonder what Richard's idea is in not telling her." + +She moved about the house a few minutes, and then returned, curiously, to +the window. To her surprise matters were exactly as she saw them last. +Flossie was, holding both dolls in the wheeled chair, and Hazel was sitting +under the tree, her hands over her eyes. + +A wave of amazement and amusement swept over Miss Fletcher, and she struck +her hands together noiselessly. "I _do_ believe in my heart," she +exclaimed, "that Hazel Wright is giving Flossie one of those absent +treatments they tell about! Well, if I ever in all my born days!" + +There was no more work for Miss Fletcher after this, but a restless moving +about the room until she saw Hazel bound up from the ground. Then she +hurried out of the house and walked over to the tree. Hazel skipped to meet +her, her face all alight. "Oh, Miss Fletcher, Flossie wants to be healed by +Christian Science. If my mother was only here she could turn to all the +places in the Bible where it tells about God being Love and healing +sickness." + +Miss Fletcher noted the new expression in the invalid's usually listless +face, and the new light in her eyes. + +"I'll take my Bible," she answered, "and a concordance. I'll bring them +right now. You children go on playing and I'll find all the references I +can, and Flossie and I will read them after you've gone." + +Miss Fletcher brought her books out under the tree, and with pencil and +paper made her notes while the children played with their dolls. + +"Let's have them both your children, Flossie," said Hazel. + +"Oh, yes," replied Flossie, "and they'll both be sick, and you be the +doctor and come and feel their pulses. Aunt Hazel has my doll's little +medicine bottles in the house. She'll tell you where they are." + +Hazel paused. "Let's not play that," she returned, "because--it isn't fun +to be sick and--you're going to be all done with sickness." + +"All right," returned Flossie; but it had been her principal play with her +doll, Bernice, who had recovered from such a catalogue of ills that it +reflected great credit on her medical man. + +"I'll be the maid," said Hazel, "and you give me the directions and I'll +take the children to drive and to dancing-school and everywhere you tell +me." + +"And when they're naughty," returned Flossie, "you bring them to me to +spank, because I can't let my servants punish my children." + +Hazel paused again. "Let's play you're a Christian Scientist," she said, +"and you have a Christian Science maid, then there won't be any spanking; +because if error creeps in, you'll know how to handle it in mind." + +"Oh!" returned Flossie blankly. + +But Hazel was fertile in ideas, and the play proceeded with spirit, owing +to the lightning speed with which the maid changed to a coachman, and +thence to a market-man or a gardener, according to the demands of the +situation. + +Miss Fletcher, her spectacles well down on her nose, industriously searched +out her references and made record of them, her eyes roving often to the +white face that was fuller of interest than she had ever seen it. + +When four o'clock came, she went back to the house and returned with +Flossie's lap table, which she leaned against the tree trunk. This +afternoon lunch for the invalid was always accomplished with much coaxing +on Miss Fletcher's part, and great reluctance on Flossie's. The little girl +took no notice now of what was coming. She was too much engrossed in +Hazel's efforts to induce Miss Fletcher's maltese cat to allow Bernice to +take a ride on his back. + +But when the hostess returned from the house the second time, Hazel gave +an exclamation. Miss Fletcher was carrying a tray, and upon it was laid out +a large doll's tea-set. It was of white china with gold bands, and when +Flossie saw Hazel's admiration, she exclaimed too. + +"This was my tea-set when I was a little girl," said Miss Fletcher, "and I +was always very choice of it. Twenty years ago I had a niece your age, +Hazel, who used to think it was the best fun in the world to come to aunt +Hazel's and have lunch off her doll's tea-set. I used to tell her I was +going to give it to _her_ little girl if she ever had one." + +Both children exclaimed admiringly over the quaint shape of the bowl and +pitchers, as Miss Fletcher deposited the tray on her sewing-table. + +"When I was a child we didn't smash up handsome toys the way children do +nowadays. They weren't so easy to get." + +"And didn't your niece ever have a little girl?" asked Flossie, beginning +to think that in such a case perhaps these dear dishes might come to be her +own. + +"Yes, she did," replied Miss Fletcher kindly, and as she looked at the +guest's interested little face her eyes were thoughtful. "I shall give them +to her some day." + +"Has she ever seen them?" asked Hazel. + +"Once. I thought you children must be hungry after your games, and you'd +like a little lunch." + +This idea was so pleasing to Hazel that Flossie caught her enthusiasm. + +"You'll be the mistress and pour, Flossie, and I'll be the waitress," she +said. "Won't it be the most _fun_! I suppose, ma'am, you'll like to have +the children come to the table?" she added, with sudden respectfulness of +tone. + +"Yes," returned Flossie, with elegant languor. "I think it teaches them +good manners." + +And then the waitress forgot herself so far as to hop up and down; for Miss +Fletcher, who had returned to the house, now reappeared bearing a tray of +eatables and drinkables. + +What a good time the children had, with the sewing-table for a sideboard, +and the lap-table fixed firmly across Flossie's chair. + +"Are you sure you aren't getting too tired, dear?" asked Miss Fletcher of +her invalid, doubtfully. "Wouldn't you rather the waitress poured?" + +But Flossie declared she was feeling well, and Hazel looked up eagerly into +Miss Fletcher's eyes and said, "You know she can't get too tired unless +we're doing wrong." + +"Oh, indeed!" returned the hostess dryly. "Then there's nothing to fear, +for she's doing the rightest kind of right." + +When the table was set forth, two small plates heaped high with +bread-and-butter sandwiches, a coffee-pot and milk-pitcher of beaten egg +and milk, a tea-pot of grape juice, one dish of nuts and another of jelly, +the waitress's eyes spoke so eloquently that Flossie mercifully dismissed +her on the spot, and invited a lady of her acquaintance to the feast, who +immediately drew up a chair with eager alacrity. + +Miss Fletcher seated herself again and looked on with the utmost +satisfaction, while the children laughed and ate, and when the sandwich +plates and coffee-pot and tea-pot and milk-pitcher were all emptied, she +replenished them from the well-furnished sideboard. + +"My, I wish I was aunt Hazel's real little niece!" exclaimed Flossie, +enchanted with pouring from the delightful china. + +"So do I wish I was," said Hazel, looking around at her hostess with a +smile that was returned. + +When Hazel sat down to supper at home that evening, she had plenty to tell +of the delightful afternoon, which made Mr. Badger and Hannah open their +eyes to the widest, although she did not suspect how she was astonishing +them. + +"I tell you," she added, in describing the luncheon, "we were careful not +to break that little girl's dishes. Oh, I wish you could see them. They're +the most be-_au_tiful you ever saw. They're so big--big enough for a +child's real ones that she could use herself." + +"I judge you did use them," said uncle Dick. + +"Well, I guess we did! Miss Fletcher--she wants me to call her aunt Hazel, +uncle Dick!" The child looked up to observe the effect of this. + +He nodded. "Do it, then. Perhaps she'll forget and give you the dishes." + +Hazel laughed. "Well, anyway, she said Flossie'd eaten as much as she +usually did in two whole days. Isn't it beautiful that she's going to get +well?" + +"I wouldn't talk to her too much about it," returned Mr. Badger. "It would +be cruel to disappoint her." + +This sort of response was new to Hazel. She gazed at her uncle a minute. +"That's error," she said at last. "God doesn't disappoint people. They'll +get some grown-up Scientist, but until they do, I'll declare the truth for +Flossie every day. She'll get well. You'll see. + +"I hope so," returned Mr. Badger quietly. + +Old Hannah gave her employer a wink over the child's head. "You might ask +them to come here by your garden and have lunch some day, Hazel. I'll fix +things up real nice for you, even if we haven't got any baby dishes." + +"I'd love to," returned Hazel, "and I expect they'd love to come. To-morrow +I'm going to take the lesson over and read it with them, and I'm going to +read them the 'Quest Flower,' too. It's a story that aunt Hazel will just +love. I think she has one in her yard." + +"Well, Mr. Richard," said Hannah, after their little visitor had gone to +bed, "I see the end of one family feud." + +Mr. Badger smiled. "When Miss Fletcher consents to take lunch in my yard, I +shall see it, too," he replied. + +The next day was pleasant, also, and when Hazel appeared outside her aunt's +fence, Flossie was sitting under the tree and waved a hand to her. The +white face looked pleased and almost eager, and Miss Fletcher called:-- + +"Come along, Hazel. I guess Flossie got just tired enough yesterday. She +slept last night the best she has since she came." + +"Yes," added the little invalid, smiling as her new friend drew near, "the +night seemed about five minutes long." + +"That's the way it does to me," returned Hazel. She had her doll and some +books in her arms, and Miss Fletcher took the latter from her. + +"H'm, h'm," she murmured, as she looked over the titles. "You have +something about Christian Science here." + +"Yes, I thought I'd read to-day's lesson to Flossie before I treated her, +and you'd let us take your Bible." + +"I certainly will. I can tell you, Hazel, Flossie and I were surprised at +the number of good verses and promises I read to her last evening. Anybody +ought to sleep well after them." + +Hazel looked glad, and Miss Fletcher let her run into the house to bring +the Bible, for it was on the hall table in plain sight. + +While she was gone the hostess smoothed Flossie's hair. "I can tell you, my +dear child, that reading all those verses to you last night made me feel +that we don't any of us live up to our lights very well. 'Tisn't always a +question of sick bodies, Flossie." + +Hazel came bounding back to the elm-tree, and sitting down near the wheeled +chair, opened the Bible and two of the books she had brought, and proceeded +to read the lesson. Had she been a few years older, she would not have +attempted this without a word of explanation to two people to whom many of +the terms of her religion were strange, but no doubts assailed her. The +little white girl in the wheeled chair was going to get out of it and run +around and be happy--that was all Hazel knew, and she proceeded in the only +way she knew of to bring it about. + +Miss Fletcher's thin lips parted as she listened to the sentences that the +child read. She understood scarcely more than Flossie of what they were +hearing, excepting the Bible verses, and these did not seem to bear on the +case. It was Hazel's perfectly unhesitating certainty of manner and voice +which most impressed her, and when the child had finished she continued to +stare at her unconsciously. + +"Now," said Hazel, returning her look, "I guess I'd better treat her before +we begin to play." + +Her hostess started. "Oh!" she ejaculated, "then I suppose you'd rather be +alone." + +"Yes, it's easier," returned the little girl. + +Miss Fletcher, feeling rather embarrassed, gathered up her sewing and moved +off to the house. + +"If I ever in all my born days!" she thought again. "What would Flossie's +mother say! Well, that dear little girl's prayers can't do any harm, and if +she isn't a smart young one I never saw one. She's Fletcher clear through. +I'd like to know what Richard Badger thinks of her. If she'd give _him_ a +few absent treatments it might do him some good." + +Miss Fletcher's lips took their old grim line as she added this reflection, +but she was not altogether comfortable. Her nephew's action in withholding +from Hazel the fact that it was her aunt whom she was visiting daily could +scarcely have other than a kindly motive; and that long list of Bible +references which she had read to Flossie last evening had stirred her +strangely. There was one, "He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is +love," which had followed her to bed and occupied her thoughts for some +time. + +Now she went actively to work preparing the luncheon which she intended +serving to the children later. + +"And I'd better fix enough for two laboring men," she thought, smiling. + +Later, when she went back under the tree, her little guest skipped up to +her. "Oh, aunt Hazel," she said, and the address softened the hostess's +eyes, "won't you and Flossie come to-morrow afternoon if it's pleasant, and +have lunch beside my garden?" + +Miss Fletcher's face changed. This was a contingency that had not occurred +to her. + +"Oh, do say yes," persisted the child. "I want you to see my flowers, and +Flossie says she'd love to. I'll come up and wheel her down there." + +"Flossie can go some day, yes," replied aunt Hazel reluctantly; "but I +don't visit much. I'm set in my ways." + +"Hannah, uncle Dick's housekeeper, suggested it herself," pursued Hazel, +thinking that perhaps her own invitation was not sufficient, "and I know +uncle Dick would be glad. You said," with sudden remembrance, "that you +used to know him." + +Miss Fletcher's lips were their grimmest. "I've spanked him many a time," +she replied deliberately. + +"Spanked him!" repeated the child, staring in still amazement. + +The grim lips crept into a grimmer smile. "Not very hard; not hard +_enough_, I've thought a good many times since." + +Hazel recovered her breath. "You knew him when he was little?" + +"I certainly did. No, child, don't ask me to go out of my tracks. You come +here all you will, and if you'll be very careful you can wheel Flossie up +to your garden some day. Come, now, are you going to read us that story? I +see you brought it." + +"Yes, I brought it," replied Hazel, in a rather subdued voice. She saw that +there was some trouble between this kind, new friend and her dear uncle +Dick, and the discovery astonished her. How could grown-up people not +forgive one another? + +Miss Fletcher seated herself again with her sewing, and Hazel took the +little white book and sat down close by the wheeled chair where Flossie was +holding both the dolls. + +"Do you like stories?" she asked. + +"Yes, when they're not interesting," returned Flossie; "but when mother +brings a book and says it's very interesting, I know I shan't like it." + +Hazel laughed. "Well, hear this," she said, and began to read:-- + + * * * * * + +Once there was a very rich man whose garden was his chief pride and joy. In +all the country around, people knew about this wonderful garden, and many +came from miles away to look at the rare trees and shrubs, and the +beautiful vistas through which one could gain glimpses of blue water where +idle swans floated and added their snowy beauty to the scene. But loveliest +of all were the rare flowers, blossoming profusely and rejoicing every +beholder. + +It was the ambition of the man's life to have the most beautiful garden in +the world; and so many strangers as well as friends told him that it was +so that he came to believe it and to be certain that no beauty could be +added to his enchanting grounds. + +One evening, as he was strolling about the avenues, he strayed near the +wall and suddenly became aware of a fragrance so sweet and strange that he +started and looked about him to find its source. Becoming more and more +interested each moment, as he could find only such blossoms as were +familiar to him, he at last perceived that the wonderful perfume floated in +from the public way which ran just without the wall. + +Instantly calling a servant he dispatched him to discover what might be the +explanation of this delightful mystery. + +The servant sped and found a youth bearing a jar containing a plant crowned +with a wondrous pure white flower which sent forth this sweetness. + +The servant endeavored to bring the bearer to his master, but the youth +steadily refused; saying that, the plant being now in perfection, he was +carrying it to the King, for in his possession it would never fade. + +The servant returning with this news, the owner of the garden hastened, +himself, and overtook the young man. When his eyes beheld the wondrous +plant, he demanded it at any price. + +"I cannot part with it to you," returned the youth, "but do you not know +that at the Public Garden a bulb of this flower is free to all?" + +"I never heard of it," replied the man, with excitement, "but to grow it +must be difficult. Promise me to return and tend it for me until I possess +a plant as beautiful as yours." + +"That would be useless," returned the youth, "for every man must tend his +own; and as for me, the King will send me on a quest when He has received +this flower, and I shall not return this way." + +His face was radiant as he proceeded on his road, and the rich man, filled +with an exceeding longing, hastened to the Public Garden and made known his +desire. He was given a bulb, and was told that the King provided it, but +that when the plant was in flower it must be carried to Him. + +The man agreed, and returning to his house, rejoicing, caused the bulb to +be planted in a beautiful spot set apart for its reception. + +But, strangely, as time went on, his gardeners could not make this plant +grow. The man sent out for experts, men with the greatest wisdom concerning +the ways of flowers, but still the bulb rested passive. The man offered +rewards, but in vain. His garden was still famous and praised for its +beauty far and near; but it pleased him no longer. His heart ached with +longing for the one perfect flower. + +One night he lay awake, mourning and restless, until he could bear it no +more. He rose, the only waking figure in the sleeping castle, and went out +upon a balcony. A flood of moonlight was turning his garden to silver, and +suddenly a nightingale's sobbing song pulsed upon the air and filled his +heart to bursting. + +Wrapping his mantle about him, he descended a winding stair and walked to +where, in the centre of the garden, reposed his buried hope. No one was by +to witness the breaking down of his pride. He knelt, and swift tears fell +upon the earth and moistened it. + +What wonder was this? He brushed away the blinding drops, the better to +see, for a little green shoot appeared from the brown earth, and, with a +leap of the heart, he perceived that his flower had begun to grow. + +Every succeeding night, while all in the castle were sleeping, he descended +to the garden and tended the plant. + +Steadily it grew, and finally the bud appeared, and one fair day it burst +into blossom and filled the whole garden with its perfume. + +The thought of parting with this treasure tugged at the man's very +heartstrings. "The King has many, how many, who can tell! Must I give up +mine to Him? Not yet. Not quite yet!" + +So he put off carrying away the perfect flower from one day to the next, +till at last it fell and was no more worthy. + +Ah, then what sadness possessed the man's soul! He vowed that he would +never rest until he had brought another plant to perfection and given it to +the King; for he realized, at last, that only by giving it, could its +loveliness become perennial. Yet he mourned his perfect flower, for it +seemed to him no other would ever possess such beauty. + +So he set forth again to the Public Garden, but there a great shock awaited +him. He found that no second bulb could be vouchsafed to any one. Very +sadly he retraced his steps and carefully covered the precious bulb, hoping +that when the season of storm and frost was past, there might come to it +renewed life. + +As soon as the spring began to spread green loveliness again across the +landscape, the man turned, with a full heart, to the care and nurture of +his hope. The winter of waiting had taught him many a lesson. + +He tended the plant now with his own hands, in the light of day and in the +sight of all men. Long he cherished it, and steadily it grew, and the man's +thought grew with it. Finally the bud appeared, increasing and beautifying +daily, until, one morning, a divine fragrance spread beyond the farthest +limits of that garden, for the flower had bloomed, spotless, fit for a holy +gift; and the man looked upon it humbly and not as his own; but rejoiced in +the day of its perfection that he might leave all else behind him, and, +carrying it to the King, lay it at His feet and receive His bidding; and so +go forth upon his joyous quest. + + * * * * * + +Hazel closed the book. Flossie was watching her attentively. Miss Fletcher +had laid down her sewing and was wiping her spectacles. + +"Did you like it?" asked Hazel. + +"Yes," replied Flossie. "I wish I knew what that flower was." + +"Mother says the blossom is consecration," replied Hazel. "I forget what +she said the bulb was. What do you think it was, aunt Hazel?" + +"Humility, perhaps," replied Miss Fletcher. + +"Yes, that's just what she said! I remember now. Oh, let's go and look at +yours and see how the bud is to-day." Hazel sprang up from the grass and +carefully pushed Flossie's chair to the flower-bed. + +"Oh, aunt Hazel, it's nearly out," she cried, and Miss Fletcher, who had +remained behind still polishing her spectacles with hands that were not +very steady, felt a little frightened leap of the heart. She wished the +Quest Flower would be slower. + +The afternoon was as happy a one to the children as that of the day before. +They greatly enjoyed the dainty lunch from the little tea-set. They had +cocoa to-day instead of the beaten egg and milk; then, just before Hazel +went home, Miss Fletcher let her water the garden with a fascinating +sprinkler that whirled and was always just about to deluge either the one +who managed it or her companions. + +In the child's little hands it was a dangerous weapon, but Miss Fletcher +very kindly and patiently helped her to use it, for she saw the pleasure +she was bestowing. + +That night Hazel had a still more joyous tale to tell of her happy day; and +uncle Dick went out doors with her after supper and watched her water her +own garden bed and listened to her chatter with much satisfaction. + +"So Miss Fletcher doesn't care to come and lunch in my yard," he remarked. + +"No," returned Hazel, pausing and regarding him. "She says she used to know +you well enough to spank you, too." + +Mr. Badger laughed. "She certainly did." + +"Then error must have crept in," said the little girl, "that she doesn't +know you now." + +"I used to think it had, when she got after me." + +The child observed his laughing face wistfully, "She didn't know how to +handle it in mind, did she?" + +"Not much. A slipper was good enough for her." + +"Well, I don't see what's the matter," said Hazel. + +"'Tisn't necessary, little one. You go on having a good time. Everything +will come out all right some day." + +As Mr. Badger spoke he little knew what activity was taking place in his +aunt's thought. Her heart had been touched by the surprising arrival and +sympathy of her namesake, and her conscience had been awakened by the array +of golden words from the Bible which she had not studied much during late +bitter years. The story of the Quest Flower, falling upon her softened +heart, seemed to hold for her a special meaning. + +In the late twilight that evening she stood alone in her garden, and the +opening chalice of the perfect lily shone up at her through the dusk. "Only +a couple of days, at most," she murmured, "not more than a couple of +days--and humility was the root!" + +When it rained the following morning, Flossie looked out the window rather +disconsolately; but after dinner her face brightened, for she saw Hazel +coming up the street under an umbrella. Tightly held in one arm were Ella +and a bundle of books and doll's clothes. Miss Fletcher welcomed the guest +gladly, and, after disposing of her umbrella, left the children together +and took her sewing upstairs where she sat at work by a window, frowning +and smiling by turns at her own thoughts. + +Occasionally she looked down furtively at her garden, where in plain view +the quest flower drank in the warm rain and opened--opened! + +By this time Flossie and Hazel were great friends, and the expression of +the former's face had changed even in three days, until one would forget +to call her an afflicted child. + +They had the lesson and the treatment this afternoon, and then their plays, +and when lunch time came the appetites of the pair did not seem to have +been injured by their confinement to the house. + +When the time came for Hazel to go it had ceased raining, and Miss Fletcher +went with her to the gate. + +"Oh, oh, aunt Hazel--see the quest flower!" exclaimed the child. + +True, a lily, larger, fairer than all the rest, reared itself in stately +purity in the centre of the bed. + +Miss Fletcher turned and looked at it with startled eyes and pressed her +hand to her heart. "Why can't the thing give a body time to make up her +mind!" she murmured. + +"Oh, to-morrow, _to-morrow_, aunt Hazel, the sun will come out, and I know +just how that lily will look. It will be fit to take to the King!" + +Miss Fletcher passed her arm around the child's shoulders. "I want you to +stay to supper with us to-morrow night, dear. Ask your uncle if you may." + +"Thank you, I'd love to," returned the child, and was skipping off. + +"Wait a minute." Miss Fletcher stooped and with her scissors cut a moss +rose so full of sweetness that as she handed it to her guest, Hazel hugged +her. + +The following day was fresh and bright. Flossie's best pink gown and hair +ribbons made her look like a rose, herself, to Hazel, as the little girl, +very fine in a white frock and ribbons, came skipping up the street. Miss +Fletcher stood watching them as her niece ran toward the wheeled chair. +The lustre in Flossie's eyes made her heart glad; but the visitor stopped +short in the midst of the garden and clasped her hands. + +"Oh, aunt Hazel!" she cried, "the quest flower!" + +Miss Fletcher nodded and slowly drew near. The stately lily looked like a +queen among her subjects. + +"Yes, it is to-day," she said softly, "to-day." + +She could not settle to her sewing, but, leaving the children together for +their work and play, walked up and down the garden paths. Later she went +into the house and upstairs and put on her best black silk dress. An +unusual color came into her cheeks while she dressed. "The bulb was +humility," she murmured over and over, under her breath. + +The afternoon was drawing to a close when Miss Fletcher at last moved out +of doors and to the elm-tree. "I didn't bring you any lunch to-day," she +said to the children, "because I want you to be hungry for a good supper." + +"Can we have the dishes just the same?" asked Flossie. + +"The owner is going to have them to-night," replied Miss Fletcher, and both +the little girls regarded her flushed face with eager curiosity. + +"Why, have you asked her?" they cried together. + +"Yes." + +"Does she know she's going to have the tea-set?" + +"No." + +"Oh, what fun!" exclaimed Flossie. "I didn't know she was in town." + +"Yes, she is in town." Miss Fletcher turned to Hazel and put her hand on +the child's shoulder. "We must do everything we can to celebrate taking +the flower to the King." + +Only then the children noticed that aunt Hazel had her bonnet on. + +"Oh," cried the child, bewildered, "are you going to _do_ it?" + +Miss Fletcher met her radiant eyes thoughtfully. "If I should take the +flower of consecration to the King, Hazel, I know what would be the first +errand He would give me to do. I am going to do it now. Go on playing. I +shan't be gone long." + +She moved away down the garden path and out of the gate. + +"What do you suppose it is?" asked Flossie. + +"I don't know," returned Hazel simply. "Something right;" and then they +took up their dolls again. + +Miss Fletcher did not return very soon. In fact, nearly an hour had slipped +away before she came up the street, and then a man was with her. As they +entered the gate Hazel looked up. + +"Uncle Dick, uncle Dick!" she cried gladly, jumping up and running to meet +him. He and Miss Fletcher both looked very happy, as they all moved over to +Flossie's chair. Mr. Badger's kind eyes looked down into hers and he +carried her into the house in his strong arms. Hazel followed, rolling the +chair and having many happy thoughts; but she did not understand even a +little of the situation until they all went into the dining-room and +Flossie was carefully seated in the place the hostess indicated. + +The white and gold tea-set was not in front of Flossie this time, but +grouped about another place. Hazel's quick eyes noted that there were four +seats, but before she had time to speak of the expected child--happy owner +of the tea-set--uncle Dick spoke:-- + +"Where do I go, aunt Hazel?" + +The child's eyes widened at such familiarity. "Why, uncle Dick!" she +ejaculated. + +He and the hostess both regarded her, smiling. + +"She is my aunt," he said; and then he lifted Hazel into the chair before +the pretty china. "I believe these are your dishes," he added. + +The child leaned back in her chair and looked from one to another. Slowly, +slowly, she understood. That was the aunt Hazel who gave her the silver +spoon. It had been aunt Hazel all the time! She suddenly jumped down from +her chair, and, running to Miss Fletcher, hugged her without a word. + +Aunt Hazel embraced her very tenderly. "Yes, my lamb," she whispered, +"error crept in, but it has crept out again, I hope forever;" and through +the wide-open windows came the perfume of the quest flower: pure, strong, +beautiful,--radiantly white in the evening glow. + + * * * * * + +Before Hazel went back to Boston, Flossie's mother came to Miss Fletcher's, +and the change for the better in her little daughter filled her with wonder +and joy. With new hope she followed the line of treatment suggested by a +little girl, and by the time another summer came around, two happy children +played again in aunt Hazel's garden, both as free as the sweet air and +sunshine, for Divine Love had made Flossie "every whit whole." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY + + +Jewel told her grandfather all about it that day while they were having +their late afternoon ride. + +"And so the little girl got well," he commented. + +"Yes, and could run and play and have the most _fun_!" returned Jewel +joyously. + +"And aunt Hazel made it up with her nephew." + +"Yes. Why don't people know that all they have to do is to put on more love +to one another? Just supposing, grandpa, that you hadn't loved me so much +when I first came." + +"H'm. It _is_ fortunate that I was such an affectionate old fellow!" + +"Mother says we all have to tend the flower and carry it to the King before +we're really happy. Do you know it made us both think of the same thing +when at last the man did it." + +"What was that?" + +"Our hymn:-- + + 'My hope I cannot measure, + My path in life is free, + My Father has my treasure + And He will walk with me!' + +Don't you begin to love mother very much, grandpa?" + +"She is charming." + +"Of course she isn't your real relation, the way I am." + +"Oh, come now. She's my daughter." + +Jewel smiled at him doubtfully. "But so is aunt Madge," she returned. + +"Why, Jewel, I'm surprised that any one who looks so tall as you do in a +riding skirt shouldn't know more than that! Mrs. Harry Evringham is _your_ +mother." + +"I never thought of that," returned the child seriously. "Why, so she is." + +"That brings her very close, very close, you see," said Mr. Evringham, and +his reasoning was clear as daylight to Jewel. + +At dinner that evening she was still further reassured. The child did not +know that the maids in the house, having been scornfully informed by aunt +Madge of Mrs. Harry's business, were prepared to serve her grudgingly, and +regard her visit as being merely on sufferance despite Mrs. Forbes's more +optimistic view. But the spirit that looked out of Mrs. Evringham's dark +eyes and dwelt in the curves of her lips came and saw and conquered. Jewel +had won the hearts of the household, and already its unanimous voice, after +the glimpses it had had of her mother during two days, was that it was no +wonder. + +Even the signs of labor that appeared in Julia's pricked fingers made the +serenity of her happy face more charming to her father-in-law. She had +Jewel's own directness and simplicity, her appreciation and enjoyment of +all beauty, the child's own atmosphere of unexacting love and gratitude. +Every half hour that Mr. Evringham spent with her lessened his regret at +having burned his bridges behind him. + +"Now, you mustn't be lonely here, Julia," he said, that evening at dinner. +"I have come to be known as something of a hermit by choice; but while +Madge and Eloise lived with me, I fancy they had a good many callers, and +they went out, to the mild degree that society smiles upon in the case of a +recent widow and orphan. They were able to manage their own affairs; but +you are a stranger in a strange land. If you desire society, give me a hint +and I will get it for you." + +"Oh, no, father!" replied Julia, smiling. "There is nothing I desire less." + +"Mother'll get acquainted with the people at church," said Jewel, "and I +know she'll love Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. They're grandpa's friends, mother." + +"Yes," remarked Mr. Evringham, busy with his dinner, "some of the best +people in Bel-Air have gone over to this very strange religion of yours, +Julia. I shan't be quite so conspicuous in harboring two followers of the +faith as I should have been a few years ago." + +"No, it is becoming quite respectable," returned Julia, with twinkling +eyes. + +"Three, grandpa, you have three here," put in Jewel. "You didn't count +Zeke." + +Mrs. Evringham looked up kindly at Mrs. Forbes, who stood by, as usual, in +her neat gown and apron. + +"Zeke is really in for it, eh, Mrs. Forbes?" Mr. Evringham asked the +question without glancing up. + +"Yes, sir, and I have no objection. I'm too grateful for the changes for +the better in the boy. If Jewel had persuaded him to be a fire worshiper I +shouldn't have lifted my voice. I'd have said to myself, 'What's a little +more fire here, so long as there'll be so much less hereafter.'" + +Mrs. Evringham laughed and the broker shook his head. "Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. +Forbes, I'm afraid your orthodoxy is getting rickety," he said. + +"How about your own, father?" asked Julia. + +"Oh, I'm a passenger. You see, I know that Jewel will ask at the heavenly +gate if I can come in, and if they refuse, they won't get her, either. That +makes me feel perfectly safe." + +Jewel watched the speaker seriously. Mr. Evringham met her thoughtful eyes. + +"Oh, they'll want you, Jewel. Don't you be afraid." + +"I'm not afraid. How could I be? But I was just wondering whether you +didn't know that you'll have to do your own work, grandpa." + +He looked up quickly and met Julia's shining eyes. + +"Dear me," he responded, with an uncomfortable laugh. "Don't I get out of +it?" + +The next morning when Jewel had driven back from the station, and she and +her mother had studied the day's lesson, they returned to the ravine, +taking the Story Book with them. + +Before settling themselves to read, they counted the new wild flowers that +had unfolded, and Jewel sprinkled them and the ferns, from the brook. + +"Did you ever see anybody look so pretty as Anna Belle does, in that +necklace?" exclaimed Jewel, fondly regarding her child, enthroned against +the snowy trunk of a little birch-tree. "It isn't going to be your turn to +choose the story this morning, dearie. Here, I'll give you a daisy to play +with." + +"Wait, Jewel, I think Anna Belle would rather see it growing until we go, +don't you?" + +"Would you, dearie? Yes, she says she would; but when we go, we'll take +the sweet little thing and let it have the fun of seeing grandpa's house +and what we're all doing." + +"It seems such a pity, to me, to pick them and let them wither," said Mrs. +Evringham. + +"Why, I think they only seem to wither, mother," replied Jewel hopefully. +"A daisy is an idea of God, isn't it?" + +"Yes, dear." + +"When one seems to wither and go out of sight, we only have to look around +a little, and pretty soon we see the daisy idea again, standing just as +white and bright as ever, because God's flowers don't fade." + +"That's so, Jewel," returned the mother quietly. + +The child drew a long breath. "I've thought a lot about it, here in the +ravine. At first I thought perhaps picking a violet might be just as much +error as killing a bluebird; and then I remembered that we pick the flower +for love, and it doesn't hurt it nor its little ones; but nobody ever +killed a bird for love." + +Mrs. Evringham nodded. + +"Now it's my turn to choose," began Jewel, in a different tone, settling +herself near the seat her mother had taken. + +Mrs. Evringham opened the book and again read over the titles of the +stories. + +"Let's hear 'The Apple Woman's Story,'" said Jewel, when she paused. + +Her mother looked up. "Do you remember good old Chloe, who used to come +every Saturday to scrub for me? Well, something she told me of an +experience she once had, when she was a little girl, put the idea of this +tale into my head; and I'll read you + + +THE APPLE WOMAN'S STORY + +Franz and Emilie and Peter Wenzel were little German children, born in +America. Their father was a teacher, and his children were alone with him +except for the good old German woman, Anna, who was cook and nurse too in +the household. She tried to teach Franz and Emilie to be good children, and +took great care of Peter, the sturdy three-year-old boy, a fat, solemn +baby, whose hugs were the greatest comfort his father had in the world. + +Franz and Emilie had learned German along with their English by hearing it +spoken in the house, and it was a convenience at times, for instance, when +they wished to say something before the colored apple woman which they did +not care to have her understand; but the apple woman did not think they +were polite when they used an unknown tongue before her. + +"Go off fum here," she would say to them when they began to talk in German. +"None o' that lingo round my stand. Go off and learn manners." And when +Franz and Emilie found she was in earnest they would ask her to forgive +them in the politest English they were acquainted with; for they were very +much attached to the clean, kind apple woman, whose stand was near their +father's house. They admired her bright bandana headdress and thought her +the most interesting person in the world. As for the apple woman, she had +had so many unpleasant experiences with teasing children that she did not +take Franz and Emilie into her favor all at once, but for some time +accepted their pennies and gave them their apples when they came to buy, +watching them suspiciously with her sharp eyes to make sure that they were +not intending to play her any trick. + +But even before they had become regular customers she decided under her +breath that they were "nice chillen;" and when she came to know them better +her kind heart overflowed to them. + +One morning as they smiled and nodded to her on the way to school, she +called out and beckoned. + +"Apples for the little baskets?" + +"Not to-day," answered Emilie. + +She beckoned to them again with determination, and the children approached. + +"We forgot to brush our teeth last night," explained Franz, "so we haven't +any penny." + +"I forgot it," said Emilie, "and Franz didn't remind me, so we neither of +us got it. That's the way Anna makes us remember." + +"Never you mind, honey, here's apples for love," replied the colored woman, +holding up two rosy beauties. + +The children looked at one another and shook their heads. + +"Thank you," said Emilie, "but we can't. Papa said the last time you gave +them to us that if we ate your apples without paying for them we mustn't +come to visit you any more." + +"Now think o' that!" exclaimed the apple woman when the children had gone +on. She was much touched and pleased to know that Franz and Emilie would +rather come and sit and talk to her and listen to her stories than to eat +her apples. + +She was right; they were nice children; but they had their naughty times, +and good old Anna was often greatly troubled by them. She felt her +responsibility of the whole family very deeply, and tried to talk no more +German. These children must grow up to be good Americans, and she must not +hold them back. It was very hard for the poor woman to remember always to +speak English, and funny broken English it was; so that little Peter, +hearing it all the time, had a baby talk of his own that was very comical +and different from other children. He talked about the "luckle horse" he +played with, and the "boomps" he got when he fell down, and he was very +brave and serious, as became a fat baby boy who had to take care of himself +a great deal. + +Anna was so busy cooking and mending for a family of five she was very glad +of the hours when Mr. Wenzel worked at home at his desk and baby Peter +could stay in the same room with him and play with his toys. + +Mr. Wenzel was a kind father and longed as far as possible to fill the +place of mother also to his children, who loved him dearly. To little Peter +he was all-powerful. A kiss from papa soothed the hardest "boomp" that his +many tumbles gave him; but even Peter realized that when papa was at his +desk he was very busy indeed, and though any of the children might sit in +the room with him, they must not speak unless it was absolutely necessary. + +Emilie was now eight years old, and she might have helped her father and +Anna more than she did; but she never thought of this. She loved to read, +especially fairy stories, and she often curled up on the sofa in her +father's room and read while Peter either played about the room with his +toys, or went to papa's desk and stood with his round eyes fixed on Mr. +Wenzel's face until the busy man would look up from his papers and ask: +"What does my Peter want?" + +Especially did Emilie fly to this refuge in papa's room after a quarrel +with Franz, and I'm sorry to say she had a great many. The apple woman +found out that the little brother and sister were not always amiable. Anna +had confided in her; and then one day the children approached her stand +contradicting each other, their voices growing louder and louder as they +came, until at last Franz made a face at Emilie, giving her a push, and +she, quick as a kitten, jumped forward and slapped him. + +What Franz would have done after this I don't know, if the apple woman +hadn't said, "Chillen, chillen!" so loud that he stopped to look at her. + +"Ah, listen at that fairy Slap-back a-laughin'!" cried the apple woman. + +"The fairy Flapjack?" asked Franz, as he and his sister forgot their wrath +and ran toward the stand. + +"_Flapjack!_" repeated the apple woman with scorn, as the children nestled +down, one each side of her. "Yo' nice chillen pertendin' not to know yo' +friends!" + +"What friends? What?" asked Emilie eagerly. + +"The fairy Slap-back. P'raps I didn't see her jest now, a-grinnin' over yo' +shoulder." + +"Is she anybody to be afraid of?" asked Emilie, big-eyed. + +"To be sho' she is if you-all go makin' friends with her," returned the +apple woman, with a knowing sidewise nod of her head. Then drawing back +from the children with an air of greatest surprise, "You two don't mean to +come here tellin' me you ain't never heerd o' the error-fairies?" she +asked. + +"Never," they both replied together. + +"Shoo!" exclaimed the apple woman. "If you ain't the poor igno'antest w'ite +chillen that ever lived. Why, if you ain't never heerd on 'em, yo're likely +to be snapped up by 'em any day in the week as you was jest now." + +"Oh, tell us. Do tell us!" begged Franz and Emilie. + +"Co'se I will, 'case 't ain't right for them mis'able creeturs to be +hangin' around you all, and you not up to their capers. Fust place they're +called the error-fairies 'case they're all servants to a creetur named +Error. She's a cheat and a humbug, allers pertendin' somethin' or other, +and she makes it her business to fight a great and good fairy named Love. +Now Love--oh, chillen, my pore tongue can't tell you of the beauty and +goodness o' the fairy Love! She's the messenger of a great King, and spends +her whole time a-blessin' folks. Her hair shines with the gold o' the sun; +her eyes send out soft beams; her gown is w'ite, and when she moves 'tis as +if forget-me-nots and violets was runnin' in little streams among its +folds. Ah, chillen," the apple woman shook her head, "she's the blessin' o' +the world. Her soft arms are stretched out to gather in and comfort every +sorrowin' heart. + +"Well, 'case she was so lovely an' the great King trusted her, Error +thought she'd try her hand; but she hadn't any king, Error hadn't. There +wa'n't nobody to stand for her or to send her on errands. She was a +low-lifed, flabby creetur," the apple woman made a scornful grimace; "jest +a misty-moisty nobody; nothin' to her. Her gown was a cloud and she wa'n't +no more 'n a shadder, herself, until she could git somebody to listen to +her. When she did git somebody to listen to her, she'd begin to stiffen up +and git some backbone and git awful sassy; so she crep' around whisperin' +to folks that Love was no good, and 'lowin' that she--that mis'able +creetur--was the queen o' life. + +"Some folks knowed better and told her so, right pine blank, an' then +straight off she'd feel herself changin' back into a shadder, an' sail away +as fast as she could to try it on somebody else. She was ugly to look at as +a bad dream, but yet there was lots o' folks would pay 'tention to her, and +after they'd listened once or twice, she kep' gittin' stronger and pearter, +an' as she got stronger, they got weaker, and every day it was harder fer +'em to drive her off, even after they'd got sick of her. + +"Then, even if she didn't have a king, she had slaves; oh, dozens and +dozens of error-fairies, to do her will. Creepin' shadders they was, too, +till somebody listened to 'em and give 'em a backbone. There's--let me +see"--the apple woman looked off to jog her memory--"there's Laziness, +Selfishness, Backbitin', Cruelty--oh, I ain't got time to tell 'em all; an' +not one mite o' harm in one of 'em, only for some silly mortal that listens +and gives the creetur a backbone. They jest lop over an' melt away, the +whole batch of 'em, when Love comes near. She knows what no-account +humbugs they are, you see; and they jest lop over an' melt away whenever +even a little chile knows enough to say 'Go off fum here, an' quit +pesterin''!" + +Franz and Emilie stared at the apple woman and listened hard. Their cheeks +matched the apples. + +"What happened a minute ago to you-all? An error-creetur named Slap-back +whispered to you. 'Quarrel!' says she. What'd you do? Did you say 'Go off, +you triflin' vilyun'? + +"Not a bit of it. You quarreled; an' Slap-back kep' gittin' bigger and +stronger and stiffer in the backbone while you was goin' it, an' at last up +comes this little hand of Emilie's. Whack! That was the time Slap-back +couldn't hold in, an' she jest laughed an' laughed over yo' shoulder. Ah, +the little red eyes she had, and the wiry hair! And that other one, the +fairy, Love, she was pickin' up her w'ite gown with both hands an' flyin' +off as if she had wings. Of course you didn't notice her. You was too taken +up with yo' friend." + +"But Slap-back isn't our friend," declared Emilie earnestly. + +The apple woman shook her head. "Bless yo' heart, honey, it's mean to deny +it now; but, disown her or not, she'll stick to you and pester you; and +you'll find it out if ever you try to drive her off. You'll have as hard a +time as little Dinah did." + +"What happened to Dinah?" asked Franz, picking up the apple woman's clean +towel and beginning to polish apples. + +"Drop that, now, chile! Yo' friend might cast her eye on it. I don't want +to sell pizened apples." + +Franz, crestfallen, obeyed, and glanced at Emilie. They had never before +found their assistance refused, and they both looked very sober. + +"Little Dinah was a chile lived 'way off down South 'mongst the cotton +fields; and that good fairy watched over Dinah,--Love, so sweet to look at +she'd make yo' heart sing. + +"Dinah had a little brother, too, jest big enough to walk; an' a daddy that +worked from mornin' till night to git hoe-cake 'nuff fer 'em all; and his +ole mammy, she helped him, and made the fire, and swept the room, and dug +in the garden, and milked the cow. She was a good woman, that ole mammy, +an' 't was a great pity there wa'n't nobody to help 'er, an' she gittin' +older every day." + +"Why, there was Dinah," suggested Emilie. + +The apple woman stared at her with both hands raised. "Dinah! Lawsy massy, +honey, the only thing that chile would do was look at pictur' books an' +play with the other chillen. She wouldn't even so much as pick up baby Mose +when he tumbled down an' barked his shin. Oh, but she was a triflin' lazy +little nigger as ever you see." + +"And that's why the red-eyed fairy got hold of her," said Franz, who was +longing to hear something exciting. + +"'Twas, partly," said the apple woman. "You see there's somethin' very +strange about them fairies, Love and the error-fairies. The error-fairies, +they run after the folks that love themselves, and Love can only come near +them that loves other people. Sounds queer, honey, but it's the truth; so, +when Dinah got to be a likely, big gal, and never thought whether the ole +mammy was gittin' tired out, or tried to amuse little Mose, or gave a +thought o' pity to her pore daddy who was alone in the world, the fairy +Love got to feelin' as bad as any fairy could. + +"'Do, Dinah,'" she said, with her sweet mouth close to Dinah's ear, 'do +stop bein' so triflin', and stir yo'self to be some help in the house.' + +"'No,' says Dinah, 'I like better to lay in the buttercups and look at +pictur's,' says she. + +"'Then,' says Love, 'show Mose the pictur's, too, and make him happy.' + +"'No,' says Dinah, 'he's too little, an' he bothers me an' tears my book.' + +"'Then,' says Love, 'yo'd rather yo' tired daddy took care o' the chile +after his hard day's work.' + +"'Now yo're talkin',' says Dinah. 'I shorely would. My daddy's strong.' + +"The tears came into Love's eyes, she felt so down-hearted. 'Yo' daddy +needs comfort, Dinah,' she says, 'an' yo're big enough to give it to him,' +says she; 'an' look at the black smooches on my w'ite gown. They're all +because o' you, Dinah, that I've been friends with so faithful. I've got to +leave you now, far enough so's my gown'll come w'ite; but if you call me +I'll hear, honey, an' I'll come. Good-by,' + +"'Good riddance!' says Dinah. 'I'm right down tired o' bein' lectured,' +says she. 'Now I can roll over in the buttercups an' sing, an' be happy an' +do jest as I please.' + +"So Dinah threw herself down in the long grass and, bing! she fell right +atop of a wasp, and he was so scared at such capers he stung her in the +cheek. Whew! You could hear her 'way 'cross the cotton field! + +"Her ole gran'mam comforted her, the good soul. 'Never you mind, honey,' +she says, 'I'll swaje it fer you.' + +"But every day Dinah got mo' triflin'. She pintedly wouldn't wash the +dishes, nor mind little Mose; an' every time the hot fire o' temper ran +over her, she could hear a voice in her ear--'Give it to 'em good. That's +the way to do it, Dinah!' An' it kep' gittin' easier to be selfish an' to +let her temper run away, an' the cabin got to be a mighty pore place jest +on account o' Dinah, who'd ought to ha' been its sunshine. + +"As for the fairy, Love, Dinah never heerd her voice, an' she never called +to her, though there was never a minute when she didn't hate the sound o' +that other voice that had come to be in her ears more 'n half the time. + +"One mornin' everything went wrong with Dinah. Her gran'mam was plum +mis'able over her shif'less ways, an' she set her to sew a seam befo' she +could step outside the do'. The needle was dull, the thread fell in knots. +Dinah's brow was mo' knotted up than the thread. Her head felt hot. + +"'Say you won't do it,' hissed the voice. + +"'I'll git thrashed if I do. Gran'mam said so.' + +"'What do you care!' hissed the voice; and jest as the fairy Slap-back was +talkin' like this, up comes little Mose to Dinah, an' laughs an' pulls her +work away. + +"Then somethin' awful happened. Dinah couldn't 'a' done it two weeks back; +but it's the way with them that listens to that mis'able, low-lifed +Slap-back. Jest as quick as a wink, that big gal, goin' on nine, slapped +baby Mose. He was that took back for a minute that he didn't cry; but the +hateful voice laughed an' hissed an' laughed again. + +"Good, Dinah, good! Now you'll ketch it!' + +"Then over went little Mose's lip, an' he wailed out, an' Dinah clasped her +naughty hands an' saw a face close to her--a bad one, with red eyes +shinin'. She jumped away from it, for it made her cold to think she'd been +havin' sech a playfeller all along. + +"'Oh, Love, y' ain't done fergit me, is yer? Come back, Love, _Love_!' she +called; then she dropped on her knees side o' Mose an' called him her honey +an' her lamb, an' she cried with him, an' pulled him into her lap, an' when +the ole gran'mam come in from where she'd been feedin' the hens, they was +both asleep." + +Franz took a long breath, for the way the apple woman told a story always +made him listen hard. "I guess that was the last of old Slap-back with +Dinah," he remarked. + +The apple woman shook her head. "That's the worst of that fairy," she said. +"Love'll clar out when you tell 'er to, 'case she's quality, an' she's got +manners; but Slap-back ain't never had no raisin'. She hangs around, an' +hangs around, an' is allers puttin' in her say jest as she was a few +minutes ago with you and Emilie in the road there. There's nothin' in this +world tickles her like a chile actin' naughty, 'ceptin' it's two chillen +scrappin'. Now pore little Dinah found she had to have all her wits about +her to keep Love near, an' make that ornery Slap-back stay away. Love was +as willin', as willin' to stay as violets is to open in the springtime; +but when Dinah an' Slap-back was both agin her, what could she do? An' +Dinah, she'd got so used to Slap-back, an' that bodacious creetur had sech +a way o' gittin' around the chile, sometimes, 'fore Dinah knew it, she'd be +listenin' to 'er ag'in; but Dinah'd had one good scare an' she didn't mean +to give in. Jest now, too, her daddy fell sick. That good man, that lonely +man, he'd had a mighty hard time of it, an' no chile to care or love 'im." + +"Wait," interrupted Emilie sternly. "If you are going to let Dinah's father +die, I'm going home." + +The apple woman showed the whites of her eyes in the astonished stare she +gave her. + +"Because"--Emilie swallowed and then finished suddenly--"because it +wouldn't be nice." + +The apple woman looked straight out over her stand. "Well, he didn't, an' +Dinah made him mighty glad he got well, too; for she stopped buryin' her +head in pictur' books, an' she did errands for gran'mam without whinin', +an' she minded Mose so her daddy had mo' peace when he come home tuckered +out; an' when she'd got so she could smile at the boy in the next cabin, +'stead o' runnin' out her tongue at him, the fairy, Love, could stay by +without smoochin' her gown, an' Slap-back had to melt away an' sail off to +try her capers on some other chile." + +"But you needn't pretend you saw her with us," said Franz uneasily. + +The apple woman nodded her red bandana wisely. "Folks that lives outdoors +the way I do, honey, sees mo' than you-all," she answered. + +Emilie ran home ahead of her brother, and softly entered her father's +room. He was at his desk, as was usual at this hour. His head leaned on his +hand, and he was so deep in his work that he did not notice her quiet +entrance. She curled up on the sofa in her usual attitude, but instead of +reading she watched little Peter on the floor building his block house. His +chubby hands worked carefully until the crooked house grew tall, then in +turning to find a last block he bumped his head on the corner of a chair. + +Emilie watched him rub the hurt place in silence. Then he got up on his fat +legs and went to the desk, where he stood patiently, his round face very +red and solemn, while he waited to gain his father's attention. + +At last the busy man became conscious of the child's presence, and, +turning, looked down into the serious eyes. + +"I'm here wid a boomp," said Peter. Then after receiving the consolation of +a hug and kiss he returned contentedly to his block house. + +Emilie saw her father look after the child with a smile sad and tender. Her +heart beat faster as she lay in her corner. Her father was lonely and hard +worked, with no one to take pity on him. A veil seemed to drop from her +eyes, even while they grew wet. + +"I don't believe I'm too old to change, even if I am going on nine," +thought Emilie. At that minute the block house fell in ruins, and Peter, +self-controlled though he was, looked toward the desk and began to whimper. + +"Peter--Baby," cried Emilie softly, leaning forward and holding out the +picture of a horse in her book. + +Her father had turned with an involuntary sigh, and seeing Peter trot +toward the sofa and Emilie receive him with open arms, went back to his +papers with a relief that his little daughter saw. Her breath came fast and +she hugged the baby. Something caught in her throat. + +"Oh, papa, you don't know how many, _many_ times I'm going to do it," she +said in the silence of her own full heart. + +And Emilie kept that unspoken promise. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE GOLDEN DOG + + +"I think, after all, the ravine is the nicest place for stories," said +Jewel the next day. + +The sun had dried the soaked grass, and not only did the leaves look +freshly polished from their bath, but the swollen brook seemed to be +turning joyous little somersaults over its stones when Mrs. Evringham, +Jewel, and Anna Belle scrambled down to its bank. + +"I don't know that we ought to read a story every day," remarked Mrs. +Evringham. "They won't last long at this rate." + +"When we finish we'll begin and read them all over again," returned Jewel +promptly. + +"Oh, that's your plan, is it?" said Mrs. Evringham, laughing. + +Jewel laughed too, for sheer happiness, though she saw nothing amusing +about such an obviously good plan. "Aren't we getting well acquainted, +mother?" she asked, nestling close to her mother's side and forgetting Anna +Belle, who at once lurched over, head downward, on the grass. "Do you +remember what a little time you used to have to hold me in your lap and hug +me?" + +"Yes, dearie. Divine Love is giving me so many blessings these days I only +pray to bear them well," replied Mrs. Evringham. + +"Why, I think it's just as _easy_ to bear blessings, mother," began Jewel, +and then she noticed her child's plight. "Darling Anna Belle, what are you +doing!" she exclaimed, picking up the doll and brushing her dress. "I +shouldn't think you had any more backbone than an error-fairy! Now don't +look sorry, dearie, because to-day it's your turn to choose the story." + +Anna Belle, her eyes beaming from among her tumbled curls, at once turned +happy and expectant, and when her hat had been straightened and her boa +removed so that her necklace could gleam resplendently about her fair, +round throat, she was seated against a tree-trunk and listened with all her +ears to the titles Mrs. Evringham offered. + +After careful consideration, she made her choice, and Mrs. Evringham and +Jewel settling themselves comfortably, the former began to read aloud the +tale of-- + + +THE GOLDEN DOG + +If it had not been for the birds and brooks, the rabbits and squirrels, +Gabriel would have been a very lonely boy. + +His older brothers, William and Henry, did not care for him, because he was +so much younger than they, and, moreover, they said he was stupid. His +father might take some interest in him when he grew bigger and stronger and +could earn money; but money was the only thing Gabriel's father cared for, +and when the older brothers earned any they tried to keep it a secret from +the father lest he should take it away from them. Gabriel had a stepmother, +but she was a sorry woman, too full of care to be companionable. So he +sought his comrades among the wild things in the woods, to get away from +the quarrels at home. + +He was a muscular, rosy-cheeked lad, and in the sports at school he could +out-run and out-jump the other boys and was always good-natured with them; +but even the children at the little country school did not like him very +well, because the very things they enjoyed the most did not amuse him. + +He tried to explain to them that the birds were his friends, and therefore +he could not rob their nests; but they laughed at him almost as much as +when he tried to dissuade them from mocking old Mother Lemon, as they +passed her cottage door on their way to and from school. + +She was an old cross-patch, of course, they told him, or else she would not +live alone on the edge of a forest, with nobody but a cat and owls for +company. + +"Perhaps she would be glad to have some one better for company," Gabriel +replied. + +"Go live with her, yourself, then, Gabriel," said one of the boys +tauntingly. "That's right! Go leave your miser father, counting his gold +all night while you are asleep, and too stingy to give you enough to eat, +and go and be Mother Lemon's good little boy!" and then all the children +laughed and hooted at Gabriel, who walked up to the speaker and knocked him +over on the grass with such apparent ease and such a calm face, that all +the laughers grew silent from mere surprise. + +"You mustn't talk about my father to me," said Gabriel, explaining. Then he +started for home, and the laughing began again, softly. + +"It was true," he thought, as he trudged along. Things were getting worse +at home, and sometimes he was hungry, for there was not too much on the +table, and his big brothers fought for their share. + +As he neared Mother Lemon's cottage, with its thatched roof and tiny +windows, he saw the old woman, in her short gown, tugging at the +well-sweep. It seemed very hard for her to draw up the heavy bucket. + +Instantly Gabriel ran forward. + +"Get out of here, now," cried the old woman, in a cracked voice, for she +saw it was one of the school-children, and she was weary of their worrying +tricks. + +"Shan't I pull up the bucket for you?" asked Gabriel. + +"Ah, I know you. You want to splash me!" returned Mother Lemon, eying him +warily; but the boy put his strong arm to the task, and the dripping bucket +rose from the depths, while the little old woman withdrew to a safer +distance. + +"Show me where to put it and I will carry it into the house for you," said +Gabriel. + +"Now bless your rosy cheeks, you're an honest lad," said Mother Lemon +gratefully; but she took the precaution to walk behind him all the way, +lest he should still be intending to play her some trick. When, however, he +had entered the low door and filled the kettle and the pans, according to +her directions, she smiled on him, and as she thanked him, she asked him +his name. + +"Gabriel," said the lad. + +"Ah," she exclaimed, "you are the miser's boy." + +Gabriel could not knock Mother Lemon down, so he only hung his head while +his cheeks grew redder. + +"It isn't your fault, child, and by the time you are grown you will be +rich. When that time comes, I pray you be kinder to me than your father is, +for he oppresses the poor and makes me pay my last shilling for the rent of +this hovel." + +"I would give the cottage to you if it were mine," returned Gabriel, +looking straight into her eyes with his honest gray ones; "but at present I +am poorer than you." + +"In that case," said Mother Lemon, "I wish I had something worthy to reward +you for your kindness to me. As I have not, here is a penny that you must +keep to remember me by." And in spite of Gabriel's protestations she took +from her side-pocket a coin. + +"I cannot take it from you," protested the boy. + +"No one ever grew richer by refusing to give," returned Mother Lemon, and +she tucked the penny inside Gabriel's blouse and turned him out the door +with her blessing; so that, being a peaceable boy of few words, he objected +no longer, but moved along the road toward home, for it was nearly dinner +time. + +He found his stepmother setting the table, and his father busily +calculating with figures on a bit of paper. + +"Get the water, Gabriel, and be quick now," was his welcome from the +sorry-faced woman. + +When he had done all she directed him, there was still a little time, for +William and Henry had not come in from the field. Gabriel sat down near his +father and, noting a rusty, dusty little book lying on the table, he picked +it up. + +"What is this, father?" he asked, for there were few books in that house. + +The man looked up from his figuring and sneered. "It is called by some the +Book of Life," he said. "As a matter of fact it would not bring two +shillings." + +So saying he returned to his pleasant calculations and Gabriel idly opened +the book. His gaze widened, for the verse on which his eyes fell stood out +from the others in tiny letters of flame. + +"_The love of money is the root of all evil_," he read. + +"Father, father," he exclaimed, "what wonder is this? Look!" The miser +turned, impatient of a second interruption. "See the letters of fire!" + +"I see nothing. You grow stupider every day, Gabriel." + +"But the letters burn, father," and then the boy read aloud the sentence +which for him stood out so vividly on the page. + +They had a surprising effect upon his listener. The miser grew pale and +then red with anger. He rose and, standing over the boy, frowned furiously. +"I'll teach you to reprove your father," he cried. "Get out of my house. No +dinner for you to-day." + +The stepmother had heard what Gabriel read, and well she knew the truth of +those words. + +As the astonished boy gathered himself up and moved out the door, she went +after him, calling in pretended sharpness; but when he came near, she +whispered, "Come to the back of the shed in five minutes," and when Gabriel +obeyed, later, he found there a thick piece of bread and a lump of cheese. + +These he took, hungrily, and ate them in the forest before returning to +school. He had never felt so kindly toward school as this afternoon. Were +it not for what he learned there, he could not have read the words in the +Book of Life; and although they had brought him into trouble, he would not +have foregone the wonder of seeing the living, burning characters which his +father could not perceive. He longed to open those dusty covers once again. + +On his way home that afternoon he met two boys teasing a small brown dog. +Its coat was stuck full of burrs and it tried in vain to escape from its +tormentors. The boys stopped to let Gabriel go by, for they had a wholesome +respect for his strong right arm and they knew his love for animals. The +trembling little dog looked at him in added fear. + +Gabriel stood still. "Will you give me that dog?" he asked. + +The boys backed away with their prize. "Nothing for nothing," said the +taller, who had the animal under his arm. "What'll you give us?" + +Gabriel thought. Never lived a boy with fewer possessions. Ah! He suddenly +remembered a whistle he had made yesterday. Diving his hand into his pocket +he brought it out and whistled a lively strain upon it. + +"This," he said, approaching. "I'll give you this." + +"That for one of us," replied the tall boy. "What for the other?" + +From the moment the dog heard Gabriel's voice, its eyes had appealed to +him. Now it struggled to get free, and the big boy struck it. Its cry +sharpened Gabriel's wits. + +"The other shall have a penny," he said, and drew Mother Lemon's coin out +of his blouse. + +The big boy dropped the dog, and he and his companion struggled for the +coin, each willing the other should have the whistle. Gabriel lost no time +in catching up the dog and making off with it. + +He did not stop running until he had reached a spot by the brookside, +hidden amid sheltering trees. Here he sat down and looked over the forlorn +specimen in his lap. The dog was a rough, dingy object from its long ears +to its tail. + +First of all, Gabriel set to work to get out the burrs that stuck fast in +the thick coat. This took a long time, but the little dog licked his hands +gratefully now and then, showing that he understood, even if the operation +was not always pleasant. + +"Now, comrade," said Gabriel, at last, "you'll have to stand a ducking." + +The dog's beautiful golden eyes looked at him trustfully, and Gabriel, +placing him in the brook, scrubbed him well, long ears and all, and then +raced around with him in the warm air until he was dry. + +What a transformation was there! Gabriel's eyes shone as he looked at his +purchase. The dog's long hair, which had been a dingy brown, shone now like +golden silk in the sunshine, and his eyes gleamed with the light of topazes +as they fixed lovingly on Gabriel's happy face; for Gabriel _was_ happy, as +every one is who sees Love work what is called a miracle, but what is +really not a miracle at all, but just one of the beautiful, happy changes +for the better that follow on Love, wherever she goes. The boy's lonely +heart leaped at the idea that at last he had a companion. + +A despised little suffering dog had altered into a welcome playmate, too +attractive, perhaps, to keep; for Gabriel well knew that he would never be +permitted to take the dog home; and any one finding him now in the woods +could carry him into town and get a good price for him. + +"What shall I call you, little one?" asked the boy. "My word, but you are +lively," for the dog was bounding about so that his ears flew and flapped +around like yellow curls. + +"Topaz, you shall be!" cried Gabriel, suddenly realizing how gem-like were +the creature's eyes; "and now listen to me!" + +To his amazement, as the boy said "Listen," and raised his finger, Topaz at +once sat up on his hind legs with his dainty white forepaws hung in front +of him. + +"Whew!" and Gabriel began whistling a little tune in his amazement, and the +instant the dog heard the music he began to dance. What a sight was there! +Gabriel's eyes grew round as he saw Topaz advance and retreat and twirl, +occasionally nodding and tossing his head until his curls bobbed. He seemed +to long, in his warm little dog's heart, to show Gabriel that he had been +worth saving. + +But the radiance died from the boy's face and he sank at last on the ground +under a tree, looking very dejected. + +Topaz bounded to his lap and Gabriel pulled the long silky ears through his +hands thoughtfully. + +"I thought I had found a companion," he said sadly. + +"Bow-wow," responded Topaz. + +"But you are a trick dog, worth nobody knows how much money, and I cannot +keep you!" + +"Bow-wow," said Topaz. + +"To-morrow I must begin to try to find your master. Meanwhile what am I to +do with you?" The boy rose as he spoke and Topaz showed plainly that there +was no doubt in _his_ mind as to what should be done with him, for he meant +to stick closely to Gabriel's heel. + +The boy suddenly had an idea and began to trudge sturdily off in the +direction of Mother Lemon's cottage, Topaz following close. The memory of +the latter's recent mishaps was too clear in his doggish mind to make him +willing that a single bush should come between him and his protector. + +When they reached the little cottage, Mother Lemon sat spinning outside her +low doorway. + +"Welcome, my man," she said when she finally saw, by squinting into the +sunlight, who it was that approached, "but drive off that dog." + +"Look at him, Mother Lemon," said Gabriel, rather sadly. "Saw you ever one +so handsome?" + +"Looks are deceiving," returned the old woman, "and I have a cat." + +"I will see that he does not hurt your cat. I have to confess that I spent +your penny for him, Mother Lemon." + +"Then I have to confess that you are no worthy son of your father," +returned the old woman, "for he would not have spent it for anything." + +"I know it was a keepsake," replied Gabriel, "but the dog was in danger of +his life and I had no other money to give for him." + +"You are a good-hearted lad," said Mother Lemon, going on with her +spinning. "Now take your dog away, for if my cat, Tommy, should see him it +might go hard with his golden locks." + +"Alas, Mother Lemon, I have come to ask you to keep him for me." + +"La, la! I tell you I could not keep him any longer than until Tommy laid +eyes on him; neither have I any liking for dogs, myself, though that one, I +must say, looks as if he had taken a bath in molten gold." + +"Does he not!" returned Gabriel. "When first I saw him some boys were +misusing him and he seemed to be but a brown cur with a dingy, matted coat; +and I could wish that he had turned out to be of no account, for the look +in his eyes took hold upon my heart; but I rubbed him well in the brook, +and now see the full, feathery tail and silky ears. He is a dog of high +degree." + +"Certain he is, lad," replied the old woman. "Take him to the town and sell +him to some lofty dame who has nothing better to do than brush his curls." + +"I would never sell him," said Gabriel, regarding the dog wistfully. "He is +lonely and so am I. We would stick together if we might." + +"What prevents? Do you fear to take him home lest your father boil him down +for his gold?" and Mother Lemon laughed as she spun. + +"No. My father, I know, would not give him one night's lodging, and in my +perplexity I bethought me to ask you the favor," and Gabriel's honest eyes +looked so squarely at Mother Lemon that she stopped her wheel. "I cannot +keep the dog," continued the boy, "and my heart is heavy." + +"Your father is a curmudgeon," declared the old woman, for the more she +looked at Gabriel, the more she loved him. "What is it? Would he grudge +food for your pet?" + +"It is not that, but I cannot keep the dog in any case." + +"Why not, pray?" + +For answer Gabriel looked down into the topaz eyes whose regard had +scarcely left his face during the interview. He held up his finger, and +instantly the dog sat up. + +"'Tis a trick dog!" exclaimed Mother Lemon. + +Gabriel began to whistle, and the dance commenced. The old woman pressed +her side as she laughed at the comical, pretty sight of the little dancer, +the fluffy golden threads of whose silky coat gleamed in the sunlight. + +"Your fortune is made," said Mother Lemon as Gabriel ceased. "The dog will +fetch a large price in the town, and because you are a good lad I will try +to keep him for you until to-morrow, when you can go and sell him. If your +father saw his tricks he would, himself, dispose of him and pocket the +cash. I will shut him in an outhouse until you come again, and I only hope +that he will not bark and vex Tommy!" + +To the old woman's surprise Gabriel looked sad. "But you see, Mother +Lemon," he said soberly, "the dog already belongs to somebody." + +"La, la!" cried the old woman. "Why, then, couldn't the somebody keep him?" + +"That I do not know; but to-morrow I set forth with him to find his owner." + +Mother Lemon nodded, and she saw the heaviness of the boy's heart because +he must part with the golden dog. + +"'Tis well that you leave him with me then, for your father would not +permit that, any more than he would abate one farthing of my rent." + +Gabriel went with her to the rickety shed where Topaz was to spend the +night, but the dog was loath to enter. He seemed to know that it meant +parting with Gabriel. The boy stooped down and talked to him, but Topaz +licked his face and sprang upon him beseechingly. When, finally, they +closed the door with the dog within, the little fellow howled sorrowfully. + +"I'm sure he's hungry, Mother Lemon," said the boy, and a lump seemed to +stick in his throat. "One bone perhaps you could give him?" + +"Alas, I have none, Gabriel. It is not often that Tommy and I sit down to +meat. He is now hunting mice in the fields or he would be lashing his tail +at these strange sounds!" + +Gabriel opened the door and, going back into the shed, spoke sternly to +Topaz, bidding him lie down. The dog obeyed, looking appealingly from the +tops of his gem-like eyes, but when again the door was fastened, he kept an +obedient silence. + +Thanking Mother Lemon and promising to come early in the morning, Gabriel +sped home. His own hunger made his heart ache for the little dog, and when +he entered the cottage he was glad to see that his stepmother was preparing +the evening meal, while his father bent, as usual, over a shabby, +ink-stained desk, absorbed in his endless calculations. + +Gabriel's elder brothers were there, too, talking and laughing in an +undertone. No one took any notice of Gabriel, whose eye fell on the dusty, +rusty book, and eagerly he picked it up, thinking to see if again he could +find the wonder of the flaming words. + +As he opened it, several verses on the page before him gleamed into light. +In mute wonder he read:-- + +"_And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many +years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry._' + +"_But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required +of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?_' + +"_So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward +God._" + +Gabriel scarcely dared to lift his eyes toward his father, much less would +he have offered to read to him again the flaming words. + +All through the supper time he thought of them and kept very still, for the +others were unusually talkative, his father seeming in such excellent +spirits that Gabriel knew the figures on his desk had brought him +satisfaction. + +"But if he did not oppress Mother Lemon," thought the boy, "he would be +richer toward God." + +When the meal was over, Gabriel took a piece of paper and went quietly to +the back of the house where, in a box, was the refuse of the day's cooking. +He found some bones and other scraps, and, running across the fields to +Mother Lemon's, tiptoed to the low shed which held Topaz, and, finding a +wide crack, pushed the bones and scraps within. + +Then he fled home and to bed, for he had always found that the earlier he +closed his eyes, the shorter was the night. + +This time, however, when his sleepy lids opened, it was not to the light of +day. A candle flame wavered above him and showed the face of his +stepmother, bending down. "Gabriel, Gabriel," she whispered; then, as he +would have replied, she hushed him with her finger on her lips. "I felt +that I must warn you that your father is sorely vexed by the reproof you +gave him to-day. He will send you out into the world, and I cannot prevent +it; but in all that lies in my poor power, I will be your friend forever, +Gabriel, for you are a good boy. Good-night, I must not stay longer," and a +tear fell on the boy's cheek as she kissed him lightly, and then, with a +breath, extinguished the candle and hastened noiselessly away. + +Gabriel lay still, thinking busily for a while; but he was a fearless, +innocent boy, and this threatened change in his fortunes could not keep him +awake long. He soon fell asleep and slept soundly until the dawn. + +Jumping out of bed then, he washed and dressed and went downstairs where +his father awaited him. + +"Gabriel," he said, "you do not grow brighter by remaining at home. I wish +you to go out into the world and shift for yourself. When your fortune is +made, you may return. As you go, however, I am willing to give you a small +sum of money to use until you can obtain work." + +"I will obey you, father," returned the boy, "but as a last favor, I ask +that, in place of the money, you give me the cottage where Mother Lemon +lives." + +The man started and muttered: "He is even stupider than I believed him." +"You may have it," he added aloud, after a wondering pause. + +"That--and this?" returned Gabriel questioningly, taking up the Book of +Life. + +His father scowled, for he remembered yesterday. "Very well, if you like," +he answered, with a bad grace. + +"Then thank you, father, and I will trouble you no more." + +Gabriel's stepmother could scarcely repress her tears as she gave the boy +his breakfast and prepared him a package of bread and meat to carry on his +journey. Then she gave him a few pence, all she had, and he started off +with her blessing. + +As Gabriel went out into the fresh air, all nature was beautiful around +him. There seemed no end to the blue sky, the wealth of sunshine, the +generous foliage on the waving trees. The birds were singing joyously. All +things breathed a blessing. Gabriel wondered, as he walked along, about the +God who, some one had once told him, made all things. It seemed to him that +it could be only a loving Being who created such beauty as surrounded him +now. + +The little book was clasped in his hand. He suddenly remembered with relief +that he was alone and could read it without fear. + +Eagerly opening it, one verse, as before, flamed into brightness, and +Gabriel read:-- + +"_He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love._" + +How wonderful! Gabriel's heart swelled. God was love, then. He closed the +book. For the first time God seemed real to him. The zephyrs that kissed +his cheek and the sun that warmed him like a caress, seemed assuring him of +the truth. The birds declared it in their songs. + +Gabriel went down on his knees in the dewy grass and, dropping his bundle, +clasped to his breast the book. + +"Dear God," he said, "I am all alone and I have no one to love but Topaz. +He is a little dog and I must give him up because he doesn't belong to me. +I know now that I shall love you and you will help me give Topaz back, +because my stepmother told me that you know everything, and she always told +the truth." + +Then Gabriel arose and, taking the package of food, went on with a light +heart until he came to Mother Lemon's cottage. Even that poor shanty looked +pleasant in the morning beams. The tall sunflowers near the door flaunted +their colors in the light, and their cheerful faces seemed laughing at +Mother Lemon as she came to the entrance and called anxiously to the +approaching boy:-- + +"Come quick, lad, hasten. My poor Tommy is distracted, for your dog whines +and threatens to dig his way out of his prison, and I will not answer for +the consequences." + +Indeed, the tortoise-shell cat was seated on the old woman's shoulder. The +fur stood stiffly on his arched back, his tail was the size of two, and his +eyes glowed. + +Gabriel just glanced at the cat as it opened its mouth and hissed, then he +gazed at Mother Lemon. + +"Did you know there was a God?" he asked earnestly. + +"To be sure, lad," replied the old woman, surprised. + +"I've just learned about Him in this wonderful book; the Book of Life is +its name. Saw you ever one like it?" + +The boy placed the rusty little volume in her hands. + +"Ay, lad, many times." + +"Does every one know it?" he asked incredulously. + +"Most people do." + +"Then why is not every one happy?" asked Gabriel. "There is a God and He is +love. Do people believe it?" + +"Ah," returned the old woman dryly, "that is a different thing." + +Gabriel scarcely heard her. He opened his precious book. + +"There," he cried triumphantly, "see the living words:-- + +"'_Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate +us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord_.'" + +"H'm," said the old woman. "The print is too fine for my old eyes." + +"Yes, perhaps 'tis for that that the letters flame like threads of fire. +You see them?" + +"Ahem!" returned Mother Lemon, for she saw no flaming letters, and she +looked curiously at the boy's radiant face. Moreover, Tommy suddenly leaped +from her shoulder to his. All signs of the cat's fear and anger had +vanished, and as it rubbed its sleek fur against Gabriel's cheek, it purred +so loudly that Mother Lemon marveled. + +"Had my father studied this book he might have been happy," continued the +boy; "but he is offended with me and has sent me out into the world, and +well I know that an unhappy heart drives him." + +"Go back, boy, and make your peace with him," cried Mother Lemon excitedly, +"or you will get nothing." + +"Oh, I have received what I asked for. I asked to have this cottage, and he +gave it to me, and I have come now to give it to you, Mother Lemon." + +"My lad!" exclaimed the amazed woman, and her eyes swam with sudden tears. + +"You will have no more rent to pay," said Gabriel, stroking the cat. + +"And what is to become of you?" asked the woman, much moved. + +"I cannot go home," replied the boy quietly; "and in any case I have to +give Topaz, the dog, back to his owner. Why do you weep, Mother Lemon? +Haven't I God to take care of me, and isn't He greater than all men?" + +"Yes, lad. The Good Book says He is king of heaven and earth." + +"Then if you believe it, why are you sad?" + +Mother Lemon dried her eyes, and at this moment they heard a great +scratching on the door of the shed; for Topaz had wakened from a nap and +heard Gabriel's voice. + +"Ah, that I had never given you the penny!" wailed the old woman, "for then +you would not have bought the yellow dog and gone away where I shall see +you no more." + +Gabriel's sober face smiled. "Yes, you will see me again, Mother Lemon, +when my fortune is made. You have God, too, you know." + +"Ay, boy. I'm nearer Him to-day than for many a long year. My blessing go +with you wherever you are; and now let me have Tommy, that he does not fly +at your dancer, to whom I say good riddance. Good-by, lad, good-by, and God +bless you for your goodness and generosity to a lonely old creature!" + +So saying, Mother Lemon took the cat in her arms, and, going into the +house, fastened the door and pulled down the windows, while Gabriel went to +the shed, and taking out the wooden staple released his prisoner. + +Like a living nugget of gold the little dog leaped and capered about the +boy, expressing his joy by the liveliest antics, barking meanwhile in a +manner to set Tommy's nerves on edge; but Gabriel ran laughing before him +into the forest, not stopping until they reached the brookside, where they +both slaked their thirst. Then he put the Book of Life carefully into his +blouse, and opening the package gave Topaz some of the bread and meat it +contained. + +All the time there was a pain in Gabriel's heart because Topaz, by the +morning light, was gayer, prettier, more loving than ever, and his clear +eyes looked so trustfully into Gabriel's that it was not easy to swallow +the lump that rose in the boy's throat at the thought of parting with him. + +At last the package of food was again tied, and Gabriel was ready to start. +Topaz stood expectantly before him, his eyes gleaming softly, the color of +golden sand as it lies beneath sunlit water. + +The boy sat a moment watching the alert face which said as plainly as +words: "Whatever you are going to do, I am eager to do it, too." + +Gabriel thoughtfully drew the silky ears through his hands. "God made you, +too, Topaz, and He knows I love you. If it please Him, we shall not find +your master this first day." + +Then he jumped up and searched for a good stick. He tried the temper of a +couple by whipping the air, and when he found one stiff enough, ran it +through the string about the bundle and looked around for Topaz. To his +astonishment the dog had disappeared. He whistled, but there was no sign. + +Gabriel's face grew blank, then flushed as the reason of the dog's flight +flashed upon him. It forced tears into his eyes to think that any one could +have struck the pretty creature, and that Topaz could have suffered enough +to distrust even him. + +He threw down stick and bundle and walked around anxiously, whistling from +time to time. At last his quick eyes caught the gleam of golden color +behind a bush. Even Topaz's fright could not take him far while a doubt +remained; but he was crouching to the ground, and his eyes were appealing. +Gabriel threw himself down beside the little fellow, and for a minute his +wet eyes were pressed to the silky fur, while he stroked his playmate. +Topaz licked his face, and the dog's fear fled forever. He followed Gabriel +back to the place where the bundle was dropped, and the boy patted him +while he took up the stick and set it across his shoulder. + +Topaz's ears flapped with joy as they started on their tramp. + +Gabriel put away all thought of the future and frolicked with his playmate +as they went along, throwing a stick which Topaz would bring, and beg with +short, sharp barks that the boy would throw once more, when he would race +after it like a streak of sunshine, his golden curls flying. + +From time to time Gabriel ran races with him, and no boy at school could +beat Gabriel at running, so Topaz had a lively morning. + +By the time the sun was high in the heavens they were both hungry and glad +to rest. They found the shade of a large tree, and there Gabriel opened his +package again, and when he tied it up it made a very small bundle on the +end of the stick he carried over his shoulder. + +There was not so much running this afternoon. Gabriel and Topaz had come a +long way, and toward evening they began to see the roofs of the town ahead +of them. + +The dog no longer raced to right and left after butterfly and bird, but +trotted sedately at the boy's heel, and after a time Gabriel picked him up +and carried him, for the thought came that perhaps Topaz could earn them a +place to sleep, and Gabriel wished to rest the little legs that could be so +nimble. + +It was nearly dusk when they reached a cultivated field and then a +farmhouse. Some children were playing in the yard, and when they saw a +dusty boy turn in at the gate, they ran to the house crying that a beggar +was coming. + +Their mother came out from the door, and the expression of her face told +plainly that she meant to drive the dusty couple away. + +Gabriel set down the dog and took off his hat, and his clear eyes looked +out of his grimy face. + +"I am not a beggar," he said simply. "I go to the town to return this dog +to its master, but night is coming on, and we should like to sleep on the +hay." + +"How do I know you are not a thief?" returned the woman. "It is not a very +likely story that you are tramping way to town to give back a yellow dog." + +"He is a dog of high degree," declared Gabriel, "and if you will let us +sleep in your barn he will dance for you." + +Upon this the children begged in chorus to see the dog dance, and the +mother consented; so Topaz, when he was bade, sat up, and then, as Gabriel +whistled, the dainty, dusty little white feet began to pirouette, and the +children clapped their hands for joy and would have kept the dancer at his +work until dark, but that Gabriel would not have it so. + +"We have come far," he said. "Let us rest now, and in the morning Topaz +will dance for you again." + +So all consented and escorted the strangers to the barn, where there was a +clean, sweet hay-loft. + +The little dog remembered the night before, and whined under his breath and +wagged his tail as he looked at Gabriel, as if begging the boy not to leave +him. + +Gabriel understood, and patted the silky coat. It took him some minutes to +get rid of the children, who wished to continue to caress and play with +Topaz; but at last they were gone and the two weary wanderers could lie +down on the sweet hay. As Topaz nestled into his arms Gabriel felt very +thankful to God for their long happy day. If the master should come +to-morrow--well, the only thing to do was to give up his playfellow, and he +should still be grateful for the day and night they had spent together. + +Bright sunlight was streaming through the chinks of the rafters when the +travelers awoke. Sounds of men and horses leaving the barn died away, and +then Gabriel arose and shook himself. Topaz jumped about in delight that +another day had commenced. The boy looked at him wistfully. Was this to be +their last morning together? + +He felt the little book in his blouse and taking it out, opened it. It was +dark in the barn, but, as ever, this wonderful book had a light of its own, +and in tiny letters of flame there appeared this verse:-- + +"_For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love +and of a sound mind._" + +Much comforted, Gabriel put the dear book back in its hiding-place, and +taking his small bundle, left the barn, the dog bounding after him. + +No sooner had the children of the house seen them coming than they ran +forth to meet them, singing and whistling and crying upon Topaz to dance, +but the dog kept his golden eyes upon his master and noticed no one beside. + +The mother came to the door with a much pleasanter face than she had worn +yesterday. + +"You may go to the pump yonder and wash yourself," she said; and Gabriel +obeyed gladly, wiping his face upon the grass that grew long and rank about +the well. + +The clean face was such a good one that when the woman saw it she hushed +the children. "Be still until they have had some breakfast," she said, +"then the dog will dance again." + +So Gabriel and Topaz had a comfortable meal which they enjoyed, and +afterward the boy whistled and the dog danced with a good heart, and the +children danced too, for very pleasure. They were all so happy that Gabriel +for the moment forgot his errand. + +"If you will sell your dog I will buy him," said the woman, at last, for +the children had given her no peace when they lay down nor when they rose +up, until she had promised to make this offer. + +Gabriel looked at her frankly, and a shadow fell over his bright face. +"Alas, madam, he is not mine to sell." + +"Where dwells his master, then?" + +"That I know not, for he had strayed and I found him and must restore him +if I can." + +"'Tis a fool's errand," said the woman, who liked the dog herself, and, +moreover, saw that there was money in his nimble feet. "I will give you as +many coppers as you can carry in your cap if you will leave him here and go +your way and say nothing about it to any one." + +Gabriel shook his head. "Alas, madam, he is not mine," was all the woman +could induce him to say, and she thought his sadness was at the thought of +the cap full of pence which she believed he dared not accept for fear of +getting into trouble. Little she knew that if only the golden dog were +Gabriel's very own, no money could buy from the boy the one heart on earth +that beat warmly for him, and the graceful, gay coat of flossy silk which +he loved to caress; so the farmer's wife and children were obliged to let +the couple go. + +Gabriel had seen, the night before, a creek that wandered through the +meadow, and before entering the town he ran to it and, pulling off his +clothes, jumped in and took a good swim. Barking with delight, Topaz joined +in this new frolic, splashing and swimming about like the jolly little +water dog that he was. + +When, at last, they came out and were dried, and Gabriel was dressed, they +were a fresh looking pair that started out for the town. + +Now Gabriel was not so stupid as his brothers believed, and, as he said +over to himself the verse he had read that morning in the barn, and looked +at Topaz, so winsomely shining after his bath, he began to see how unwise +it would be to tell every one he met that he was searching for Topaz's +owner. There were people in the world, he knew, who would not scruple to +pretend that such a pretty creature was their own, even if they had never +seen him before; so Gabriel determined to be very careful and to know that +God would give him power and a sound mind, if he would not be afraid, as +the Book of Life had said. + +Now the two entered the town; but from the moment their feet struck the +pavements, Topaz's manner changed. He kept so close to Gabriel that the boy +often came near to stepping on him. + +"What ails you, little one?" asked Gabriel, perplexed by his companion's +strange actions. "Don't you know that you are going home?" + +But Topaz did not bark a reply. His feathery tail hung down. He looked at +Gabriel only from the tops of his eyes as he clung close to his heels, and +he even seemed to the boy to tremble when they crossed the busy streets. + +"You mustn't be afraid, Topaz," said Gabriel stoutly. "No one likes a +coward." + +But Topaz only clung the closer, sometimes looking from left to right, +fearfully. At last his actions were so strange that Gabriel took him up +under his arm. "Perhaps if we meet his owner he can see him the better so," +thought the boy, and he looked questioningly into the faces of men, women, +and children as they passed him by. No one did more than stare at him after +observing the beautiful head that looked out from under his arm. + +One good-natured man smiled in passing and said to Gabriel: "Going to the +palace, I suppose." + +This remark astonished the boy very much, and he looked around after the +man. + +Now there had been some one following Gabriel for the last five minutes, +and when he looked around, this person, who was an organ-grinder, quickly +turned his back and began grinding out a tune. At the first sound of it +Topaz started and trembled violently and snuggled so close to Gabriel that +the latter, who did not connect his action with the music, was dismayed. + +"Topaz, what _is_ the matter?" he asked, and hurried along, thinking to +find some park where he could sit down and try to discover what ailed his +little playfellow. + +As he began to hurry, the organ-grinder's black eyes snapped, and he +stopped playing and beckoned to a big officer of the law who stood near. + +"My dog has been stolen," he exclaimed. "Come with me, after the thief. I +will pay you." + +The big man obeyed and walked along, grumbling: "Is the city full of +stolen dogs, I wonder?" he muttered. + +"It is my dancing dog!" explained the organ-grinder. "The boy yonder is +carrying him in his arms and running away. He will deny it, but I will pay +you a silver coin. It is a week since I lost him." + +"Stop, thief," roared the officer, beginning to run. The organ-grinder ran +as well as he could with his heavy burden, and there began to be an +excitement on the street, so that Gabriel, hugging his dog, stopped to see +what was the matter. + +What was his surprise to be confronted by the big officer and the +black-eyed Italian. + +"Drop that dog!" ordered the officer gruffly. + +"Not till I get a string around his neck," objected the organ-grinder, and +produced a cord which he knotted about Topaz's fluffy throat. Then he +pulled the dog away roughly. + +"Is he yours?" cried Gabriel, eyes and mouth open in astonishment. "No, it +cannot be. He is afraid of you. Oh, see!" + +"Ho, this boy has stolen my whole living," said the organ-grinder, "and now +he tries to claim my property." + +"Do not believe him!" cried Gabriel, appealing to the big officer. "It +cannot be his. The dog loves me. Let me show you." + +"Stand off, stand off," ordered the organ-grinder, for a crowd had +gathered. "Would the dog dance for me if he were not mine? See!" He drew +from his coat a little whip and struck the organ with a snap, at which +Topaz jumped. Then he dropped the dog and began to grind, and the crowd +saw the trembling animal raise itself to its hind legs and begin to dance. +Oh, the mincing little uncertain steps! No tossing of the yellow curls was +here. + +Gabriel's heart bounded hotly. Did these people think they were seeing +Topaz dance? + +"Oh, believe me, let me show you!" he cried, trying to come near; but the +big officer pushed him away roughly. + +"Can you pay your debts?" he said, coming close to the organ-grinder. The +man stopped turning his crank and taking a silver coin handed it to the +officer, but slyly, so that no one saw. Then the big man turned to Gabriel. +"Now be off from here!" he said sternly. "If you hang about a minute +longer, into the lock-up you go!" + +Gabriel, white and sorry, clasped his hands helplessly, and watched while +the organ-grinder caught Topaz up under his arm and made off with him, down +a side street. + +The boy felt that he must pursue them. He turned his tearful gaze on the +big officer. "I found that dog, sir," he said. + +"The more fool you, then, not to take it to the palace," returned the +other. "It is gaudy enough to have perhaps pleased the princess, and the +organ-grinder would have had to get another slave." + +So saying, the officer laughed and carelessly turned away. + +Gabriel stood still, choking. It must be that the princess wished to buy a +pet. Ah, if he might even have parted with his little friend to her, how +far better it would have been than this strange, wrong thing that had +happened with such suddenness that the boy could scarcely get his breath +for the way his heart beat. + +He pressed his hand to his streaming eyes, then, seeing that people were +staring at him curiously, he stole away, walking blindly and stumbling over +the rough pavement. + +At last he came to a place in a quiet street where a seat was built into a +wall, and there he sat down and tried to think. In his despair the thought +of the great King of heaven and earth came to him. + +"Dear God," he murmured breathlessly, "what now? What did I wrong, that you +did not take care of Topaz and me?" + +The breeze in the treetops was his only answer; so after listening for a +minute to the soothing sound, he took the Book of Life from his blouse and +opened it. + +Oh, wonderful were the words he saw. How they glowed and seemed to live +upon the gray page. + +"_Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the +Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee: He will not fail thee nor +forsake thee_." + +Gabriel caught his trembling lip between his teeth. He knew no one in this +crowded city. He had no home, no friends, no money except the few coppers +in his pocket. How, then, was help to come? + +"Dear God," he whispered, "I have no one now in all the world but you. +Topaz is gone and I am grieved sore, for he is wretched. Let me save him. I +am not afraid, dear God, not afraid of anything. I trust you." + +Comforted by a little blind hope that crept into his heart, the boy looked +up; and the first thing that his swollen eyes rested upon was a large +poster affixed to the opposite wall, with letters a foot high. "REWARD!" it +said. "H.R.H. the princess has lost her golden dog. A full reward for his +return to the palace!" + +Gabriel's heart gave a great bound. What golden dog was there anywhere but +Topaz? The color that had fled from his cheeks came back. But would an +organ-grinder dare claim for his own a dog that belonged to a princess of +the country? And yet--and yet--the little dog's joy and light-heartedness +with himself showed that he had been well treated by whomever taught him +his pretty tricks. The organ-grinder did not treat him well, and who that +really knew Topaz would dream of taking a whip to force him to his work! + +Gabriel, young as he was, saw that there was some mystery here, and beside, +there had been the glowing words in the Book of Life, telling him again not +to be afraid, and promising him that the greatest of all kings would not +fail him or forsake him. + +He started up from the seat, but forced himself back and opened the small +bundle of dry bread and meat; for there was no knowing when he should eat +again. He took all that remained, and when he had swallowed the last +crumbs, arose with a determined heart and hurried up the street. + +He asked the first man he met if he could direct him to the palace. + +The man shrugged his shoulders. "Where is your yellow dog?" he asked. + +"I have none," returned Gabriel, "but I have business at the palace." + +The man laughed down at the shabby figure of the country lad. "And don't +know where it is? Well, Follow your nose. You are on the right road." + +Gabriel sped along and he was indeed much nearer than he had supposed; for +very soon he met a sorry-faced man with a yellow dog in his arm; then +another; then another; and in fact he could trace his way to the palace by +the procession of men, women, and children, all returning, and each one +carrying a yellow dog and chattering or grumbling according to the height +from which his hopes had been dashed. + +When Gabriel reached the palace gates he saw that there were plenty more +applicants waiting inside the grounds. The boy had never realized how many +varying sizes and shades of yellow dogs there were in the world. + +The guard had received orders to deny entrance to no person who presented a +gold-colored dog for examination, but Gabriel was empty-handed and the +guard frowned upon him. + +"I wish to see the princess," said the boy. + +"I dare say," replied the guard. "Be off." + +"But I wish to tell her about a golden dog." + +"Can't you see that we are half buried in golden dogs?" returned the guard +crossly. + +"No, sir. I have seen none but yellow dogs since I drew near this place. I +have a tale to tell the princess." + +The guard could not forbear laughing at this simplicity. "Do you suppose +ragamuffins like you approach her highness?" he returned. "A dog's tail is +the only sort she is interested in to-day. See the chamberlain yonder. He +is red with fatigue. He is choosing such of the lot as are worthy to be +looked at by the princess, and should he see you demanding audience and +with no dog to show, it will go hard with you. Be off!" and the guard's +gesture was one to be obeyed. + +Gabriel withdrew quietly; but he was not daunted. The princess would, +perhaps, grow weary and drive out. At any rate there was nothing to do +except watch for her. He looked at the splendid palace and gardens and +wondered if Topaz had ever raced about there. Then he wondered what the dog +was doing now; but this thought must be put away, because it made Gabriel's +eyes misty, and he must watch, watch. + +At last his patient vigil was rewarded. A splendid coach drawn by +milk-white horses appeared in the palace grounds. + +Gabriel's heart beat fast. He knew he must act quickly and before any one +could catch him; so he made his way cautiously to the shelter of a large, +flowering shrub by the roadside. + +The coach approached and the iron gates were flung wide. Gabriel plainly +saw a young girl with troubled eyes sitting alone within, and on the seat +opposite an older woman with her back to the horses. + +Suddenly, while the carriage still moved slowly outside the gates that +clanged behind it, Gabriel started from his hiding-place and swiftly leaped +to the step of the coach and looked straight into the young girl's eyes. + +"Princess," he exclaimed breathlessly, "I know of a golden dog, and they +will not let me"--but by this time the lady-in-waiting was screaming, and +the guard, who recognized Gabriel, rushed forth from the gate and, seizing +him roughly, jerked the boy from the step. + +"Unhand him instantly!" exclaimed the princess, her eyes flashing, for the +look Gabriel had given her had reached her heart. "Stop the horses!" + +Instantly the coach came to a standstill. + +"_I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee_," sounded in Gabriel's ears amid +the roaring in his head, as he found himself free. He did not wait for +further invitation, but jumped back to the coach. + +"Stop screaming, Lady Gertrude!" exclaimed the princess. + +"But the beggar's hands are on the satin, your highness!" exclaimed the +lady-in-waiting, who had had a hard week and wished there was not a yellow +dog in the world. + +"Princess, hear me and you will be glad," declared Gabriel. "I beg for +nothing but to be heard. I believe I know where your dog is and that he +suffers." + +No one could have seen and heard Gabriel as he said this, without believing +him. Tears of excitement sprang to his gray eyes and a pang went through +the heart of the princess. How many times she had wondered if her lost pet +had found such love as she gave him! + +She at once ordered the door of the coach to be opened and that Gabriel +should enter. + +"Your highness!" exclaimed Lady Gertrude, nearly fainting. + +"You may leave us if you please," said the princess, with a little smile; +but Lady Gertrude held her smelling-salts to her nose and remained in the +coach, which the princess ordered to be driven through a secluded +wood-road. + +Gabriel, sitting beside her on the fine satin cushion, told his story, from +the moment when he found the dingy, brown dog in the hands of the teasing +boys, to the moment when the organ-grinder bore him away. + +The hands of the princess were clasped tightly as she listened. "You called +him Topaz," she said, when the boy had finished. "I called him Goldilocks. +Ah, if it should be the same! If it should!" + +"Surely there are not two dogs in the world so beautiful," said Gabriel. + +"That is what I say to myself," responded the princess. + +"Had he been less wonderful, your highness, he would be safe now, for I +should have kept him. He loved me," said Gabriel simply. + +"You are an honest boy," replied the princess gratefully, "and I will make +you glad of it whether Topaz turns out to be Goldilocks or not. But you say +he danced with so much grace?" + +"Yes, your highness, and tossed his head for glee till his curls waved +merrily." + +"'Tis the same!" cried the princess, in a transport. "His eyes _are_ like +topazes. Your name is the best. He shall have it. Ah, he has slept in a +shed and eaten cold scraps! My Goldilocks!" + +"Yes, your highness, and would be glad to do so still; for he fears his +dark-browed master, and dances with such trembling you would not know him +again." + +"Ah, cruel boy, cease! Take me to him at once. Show my men the spot where +you left him." + +"Your highness must use great care, for if once the organ-grinder suspects +that you are searching for him, no one will ever again see the golden dog; +for the man will fear to be found with him." + +"You are right. I can send out men with orders to examine every hand-organ +in the city." + +"If they were quiet enough it might be done, but I have a better plan." + +"You may speak," returned the princess. + +"When we are alone, your highness," said Gabriel; and the lady-in-waiting +was so amazed at such effrontery that she forgot to use her salts. + +"To the palace," ordered the princess. + +Lady Gertrude gave the order. + +"Does your highness intend to take this--this person to the palace?" she +inquired. + +"I do. He loves my dog, and therefore I would give more for his advice at +this time than for that of the Lord High Chamberlain." + +"Then I have nothing more to say," returned the Lady Gertrude, leaning back +among the cushions; and this was cheering news to her companions. + +What was the astonishment of the guard to see the coach return, still +carrying the rustic lad, who sat so composedly beside the princess, and +dismounted with her at the palace steps. + +Once within, nothing was too fine for Gabriel. A gentleman-in-waiting was +set to serve him in an apartment, which made the boy pinch himself to make +sure he was not dreaming. + +When he had taken a perfumed bath and obediently put on the fine clothing +that was provided for him, he was summoned to a splendid room where the +princess awaited him, surrounded by her ladies. She was scarcely more than +a child, herself, and the boy wondered how she liked to have so many +critical personages about, to watch her every action. + +As he entered the room, every eye was turned upon him, and the Lady +Gertrude, especially, put up her glass in wonder that this handsome lad +with the serious, fearless eyes, who seemed so at ease in the silks and +satins he now wore, could be the peasant who had jumped on the step of the +coach. + +The princess looked upon him with favor and smiled. "We are ready now," she +said, "to hear what plan you propose for the rescue of the golden dog." + +"Then will your highness kindly ask these ladies to leave us?" returned +Gabriel. + +"Ah, to be sure. I forgot your wish that the communication should be +private." + +Then the princess gave orders that every one should leave the room, and her +companions obeyed reluctantly, the Lady Gertrude above all. She remained +close to the outside of the closed door, ready to fly within at the +slightest cry from her mistress; for the Lady Gertrude could not quite +believe that a boy who had ever worn a calico shirt was a safe person to +leave alone with royalty. + +For a few minutes there was only a low buzz of voices behind the closed +door, then a merry laugh from the princess assailed Lady Gertrude's ears. +It was the first time she had laughed since the disappearance of the golden +dog. + +Before Gabriel slipped between the sheets that night in his luxurious +chamber, he took the little brown book which had been folded away with his +shabby clothing. His heart glowed with gratitude to God for the help he had +received that day, and when he opened the page it was as if a loving voice +spoke:-- + +"_Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because +he trusteth in thee_." + +"Dear God, I trust in thee!" he murmured; then he climbed into the soft bed +and slept dreamlessly. + +The following morning, the king and queen having given consent to their +daughter's request, two children drove out of the palace grounds in a plain +black carriage. The coachman drove to a confectioner's near the centre of +the town, where the horses stopped. A tall man in dark clothes, who was +also in the carriage, stepped down first and handed out the girl, and +afterward the boy jumped down. Then the carriage rolled away. + +"Remember," said the girl, turning to the tall man, "you are not to remain +too near us." + +He bowed submissively, and in a minute more the girl and boy, plainly +dressed, middle-class people, were looking in at the confectioner's window +at a pink and white frosted castle that reared itself above a cake +surrounded with bon-bons to make one's mouth water. + +"Saw you ever anything so grand, your highness?" exclaimed Gabriel, in awe. + +The princess laughed. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes sparkled. This was +the first time her little feet had ever touched a city street, and she +loved the adventure. + +"Find me Topaz, and all the contents of this window shall be yours," she +returned. + +"I shall not care to have anything until we do find him, your highness," +replied Gabriel simply. + +"You must not call me that. Some one might hear you." + +"I know it. There is danger of it," declared Gabriel; "but the gentleman +who is to follow us said I should lose my head if I treated you +familiarly." + +The princess laughed again. She was in a new world, like a bird whose cage +door had been opened. + +"We need your head until we find Topaz," she replied, "for you have clever +ideas. Nevertheless, my name is Louise, and you may remember it if +necessity arises. Now where shall we go first?" + +"Straight down this street," said the boy, leading the way. "I am expecting +God will show us where to go," he added. + +His companion looked at him in surprise, and Gabriel observed it. "Don't +you know about God?" he asked. + +"Of course. Who does not?" she returned briefly. + +"I did not," answered Gabriel, "until I found the Book of Life. It speaks +to me in words of flame. Have you such a book?" + +"No. I will buy it from you," said the princess. + +"No one can do that," declared the boy, "for it is more precious than all +beside. This morning I looked into it for guidance through the day, and the +glowing words were sweet:-- + +"'_For He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy +ways_.'" + +Gabriel smiled at the princess with such gladness that she gazed at him +curiously. + +"You cannot refuse to sell me your book," she said at last, "for I can +have your head taken off if I wish. I am the king's daughter." + +"God is greater than all kings," returned Gabriel, "and He would not allow +it. He helped me to get your attention yesterday, and to-day He is sending +his angels with us to find Topaz. The Book of Life is for every one, I +believe. I am sure you can have one, too." + +Here both the boy and girl started, for there came a metallic sound of +music on the air. "Be cautious, be very cautious," warned Gabriel, and as +the princess started to run, he caught her by the arm, a proceeding which +horrified the tall man in dark clothes who was at some distance back, but +had never taken his eyes from them. "You must not be too interested," added +the boy, as excited as she. "A hand-organ is an every-day affair. We even +hear them in the country at times." + +But they both followed the sound, veiling their eagerness as best they +might. When they came in sight of the organ-grinder they both sighed, for +he had no assistance from a little dog nor from any one else. + +The princess was for turning away impatiently. + +"Wait," said Gabriel, "we are interested in organ music." So he persuaded +her to stand a minute, while her bright eyes roved in all directions; and +the organ man saw a hope of coppers in the pair, for they were decently +dressed and lingered in apparent pleasure. He kept his eyes upon them and +at last held out his cap. + +The princess had plenty of pence in the bag at her side, placed there by +the thoughtful Gabriel in place of the handful of silver with which she had +intended to reward street musicians. + +"You are one of the common people, your highness; or else you need have no +hope of Topaz," he had reminded her; so now the impatient girl tossed some +coppers into the outstretched cap and hurried along as if they were wasting +time. + +The next organ they found had, sitting upon it, a monkey dressed in red cap +and jacket, and Gabriel insisted on waiting to watch him, although the +sight of his antics only swelled the princess's heart as she thought that +somewhere Topaz was being forced to such indignity. + +The little monkey did not seem to object, and gladly ran to his master with +the coppers that Gabriel dropped in his cap. + +The next organ-grinder they found had with him a little Italian girl with a +red silk handkerchief knotted about her head. She sang and played on a +tambourine, and Gabriel persuaded his companion to watch and listen for a +few minutes. + +If only they could find Topaz first, her royal highness, princess of the +country, would ask nothing better than to roam freely about the streets, +listening and gazing like any other young girl out for a holiday; but Topaz +was on her mind, and she was not accustomed to being forced to wait. + +"Listen to me," murmured Gabriel, as they moved on after making the little +Italian show her white teeth in pleasure at their gift. "Do not frown. You +must look pleased. It is the only way." + +So the princess put a restraint upon herself. With the next organ they +met, she saw a yellow dog who wore a cap fastened under his chin, and sat +up holding a cup in his teeth for pennies, and she set her lips in the +effort to control herself. The dog had long ears and white paws. Gabriel's +own heart beat in his throat, but he grasped the woolen stuff of his +companion's gown as the man began to play. It was not the man of yesterday, +but that mattered not to Gabriel. They waited till the tune was finished, +the gaze of the princess devouring the dog meanwhile. Then the little +creature trotted up to them very prettily on his hind legs, offering his +cup, and the children dropped into it coppers while they looked into the +yellow eyes. + +"Hi--Oh--Hi--Oh"--and another tune broke into the one which their +organ-grinder commenced. Following the sound of the call, Gabriel and the +princess looked a little way off, across the street, and beheld a street +musician grinding away and beckoning to them with his head, while his teeth +gleamed in an attractive smile. + +"Pay no attention to him," said the man with the yellow dog, grinding +lustily, and making a frightful discord. "'Tis Pedro and his little brown +beast. He seeks to draw my listeners away as if I had not the most +intelligent dog in the universe, and, moreover, of the color which the +princess has made fashionable. I doubt not if her highness saw my dog she +would give me for him as many gold eagles as I have fingers on my hand; but +he is not for the princess, who has joys enough without depriving the +children on the street of their pleasures." + +The girl in the brown woolen gown was clasping her hands painfully +together, and her heart was beating with hope; but Gabriel shook his head +at her, and she remained quiet. He had already seen that the dog was not +Topaz, although astonishingly like him in size and shape. + +Pedro, across the street, kept drawing nearer, as he played and smiled and +beckoned with his head. There trotted after him an unpromising little brown +dog with limp tail and ears. The man, in his good-nature and success, +looked very different from the organ-grinder of yesterday; and as he +laughed aloud, the master of the yellow dog frowned and shouted something +in Italian back at him, before shouldering his organ and tramping away, his +dog very glad to go on all fours again. + +Pedro pulled off his hat, smiling at the lingering girl and boy. "He says +you have given him all your coppers," he said. "I don't believe it; but in +any case I will give you a tune." + +"You are letting him go," murmured the princess breathlessly, starting to +run after the yellow dog. + +"Saw you not 'twas not Topaz?" asked Gabriel, under cover of the lively +tune, and again seizing a fold of the woolen gown, he held the girl in her +place. "Wait," he said aloud, with a show of interest, "I wish to hear the +music." + +"Let me go, my heart is sick," returned the princess, turning her head +away. + +Gabriel pretended to frown at her and pulled some pence from his pocket, at +sight of which the organ-grinder's eyes brightened and he played harder +than ever. + +"Can you be strong, princess?" asked the boy distinctly. "Don't look now, +but Topaz has come to us." + +The princess started, and instead of obeying, looked closely first at the +dejected little brown dog and then up and down the street and behind her, +but in vain. + +"If those pence are for me, my boy," said the organ-grinder, stopping his +music, "you and your sister shall see my dog dance. He is the wonder of the +world, although he is not much to look at. We cannot all be royal and own +golden dogs." + +Gabriel threw him the pennies, for he did not yet wish to come too near +Topaz, lest the little dog might see deeper than the respectable raiment in +which his own brother would not have known him. + +The boy clapped his hands above his head; the organ-grinder thought it was +for joy, but it was a signal agreed upon. A shrill whistle sounded on the +air. The organ-grinder knew the sound and knew that it was intended to +summon the officers of the law. He wondered what poor wretch was getting +into trouble; but it was none of his business. He took a whip from within +his coat, and with it struck the organ a violent snap. + +At the sound the little dog jumped. The princess noticed that Gabriel's +eyes were fixed on him, and wondered what he could be thinking of to +confound this sorry-looking, dull-colored animal with her gay companion of +the palace garden. + +The music began, the dog reared himself patiently upon his hind feet and +stepped about so slowly that the organ-man growled at him and struck the +organ again. Then the dancer moved faster; but the ears did not fly and +every motion was a jerk. Nevertheless, the princess's heart had now begun +to suffocate her. She recalled Gabriel's story of washing off the brown +color from the dingy fur in the brook, and her eyes swam with tears at the +mere possibility that this might be the object of her search. She had just +sense enough to keep still and leave everything to Gabriel. Here, too, +approached the tall gentleman, followed by an officer of the law. Gabriel +saw at a glance that it was the same big fellow who had driven him away +yesterday. + +The tall, dignified gentleman-in-waiting looked in disgust at the stiff +little brown dancer. + +"This foolish peasant is but getting us into trouble," he thought, "but he +will suffer for it." + +Indeed, Gabriel knew the law of the land; knew that if he accused the +organ-grinder wrongfully he would be walked off to prison in his place; but +Gabriel had seen the brown dog's eyes. There were no doubts in his heart, +which bounded so that it seemed as if it could hardly stay within his +bosom. + +"Come away, your highness," murmured the gentleman-in-waiting, in the +princess's ear. "This is a farce." + +"Stand back and wait," she replied sternly, and he obeyed. + +Meanwhile the organ-grinder had observed the newcomers and was showing +every tooth in his head at the prospect of a rich harvest of coppers. In a +minute he ceased playing. The brown dog dropped to all fours, and his +hopeless air sent a pang through the princess. + +The organ-grinder held out his cap. + +"I don't think much of your dog's dancing," said Gabriel, looking him in +the eye. "I could make him do better, myself." + +"It doesn't do to use the whip too much," replied the organ-grinder, but +Gabriel had already gone on his knees beside the dog and whispered to him. +Instantly the little creature went into a transport of delight. Bounding to +the boy's breast, it clung there so closely that Gabriel gave up the +experiment that he had intended of trying to show the organ-man how his +slave could dance. + +Rising, Gabriel held the panting Topaz in his arms. "I declare," he said +aloud, "I declare this to be the princess's lost dog." + +The organ-grinder scowled and grew pale. "'Tis a lie," he cried, "hers was +a golden dog." + +"This is a golden dog," said Gabriel. + +Even the gentleman-in-waiting was impressed by the certainty of the boy's +voice. The organ-grinder turned to the officer and shook his fist. "'Tis +that boy again!" he cried. "If this is the princess's dog, that boy stole +him. As for me, I found the poor creature, friendless and lost, and I took +pity on him." + +"Why, then, did you stain his coat?" asked Gabriel. + +The organ-grinder looked wildly up and down the street. For some reason he +felt that a silver coin would not affect the officer of the law to-day. + +The gentleman-in-waiting pointed sternly at the culprit. "Take him away," +he said to the officer. "Should this prove to be indeed the princess's dog, +he has committed treason." + +And now the black carriage and spirited horses drove up. The three entered +it with the dog and were whirled away. + +By noon it was rumored in that street that her royal highness, the princess +of the land, had walked through it, dressed like one of the common people. + +Within the carriage the princess was weeping tears of joy above her pet. + +"If it is you, Goldilocks, if it is you!" she kept repeating; but the dog +clung to the one who had recognized his topaz eyes in spite of everything. + +"He is not fit, yet, for your highness to touch," said Gabriel, "but if you +will give me one hour, I will show him to you unchanged." + +That afternoon there was rejoicing at the palace. All had felt the +influence of the princess's grief, for she was the idol of the king and +queen; and now, as Topaz capered again, a living sunbeam, through corridor +and garden, all had a word of praise for the peasant boy who had restored +him to his home. + +At evening the princess received a message from Gabriel and ordered that he +be sent to her. + +In a minute he entered, dressed in the shabby garments in which he had +leaped upon the coach step. In his hand he held a little rusty book, and +his clear eyes looked steadily at the princess, with the honest light which +had first made her listen to him. + +"I come to say farewell, your highness," he said. + +A line showed in her forehead. "What reward have they given you?" + +"None, your highness." + +"What have you in your hand?" + +"The Book of Life." + +"Come nearer and let me see it." + +The ladies-in-waiting were, as usual, grouped near their mistress, and they +stared curiously at the peasant boy. + +Only Topaz, who at his entrance had bounded from a satin cushion as golden +as his flossy coat, leaped upon him with every sign of affection. + +Gabriel approached and handed the book to the princess. + +She opened it and ran her eye over the gray pages. "I see no fiery +letters," she said, and handed it back. The boy opened it. As usual a +flaming verse arrested his eye. He pointed with his finger at the words and +read aloud:-- + +"'_He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in +trouble: I will deliver him and honor him_.'" + +"'Tis a fair promise," said the princess, "but I see no flaming letters." + +"I do, your highness," returned Gabriel simply, and looking into his eyes +she knew that he spoke the truth. + +She gazed at him curiously. "Where go you now, and what do you do?" she +asked, after a pause. + +"That I know not," replied Gabriel, "but God will show me." + +"By means of that book?" + +"Yes, your highness," and Gabriel bowed his head and moved toward the door. +Topaz followed close at his heel. If Gabriel were going for a walk, why, so +much the better. He was going, too. + +The boy smiled rather sadly, for he knew the golden dog loved him, and +there was no one else anywhere who cared whether he went or came. He +stooped and, picking up the little creature, carried him to the princess. +"You will have to hold him from following me, your highness." + +The girl took the dog, but he struggled and broke from her grasp, to leap +once again upon his departing friend. + +"Wait," said the princess, and rose. Gabriel stood, all attention, and +gazed at her, where she stood, smiling kindly upon him. "I promised a full +reward to whomever returned me my dog. You have not yet received even the +window-full of pink and white sweetmeats which I promised you this +morning." + +Gabriel smiled, too. + +"Where is your home, Gabriel, and why are you not returning there?" + +"I have no home. It is a long story, your highness, and would not interest +you." + +"Ah, but it does interest me," and the princess smiled more brightly than +ever; "because if you have no home you can remain in our service." + +A light flashed into Gabriel's sober face. "What happiness!" he exclaimed. + +No answer could have pleased the princess better than the pleasure in his +eyes. "Topaz is not willing you should leave him, and neither am I. When +you are older, his majesty, my father, will look after your fortunes. For +the present you shall be a page." + +"Your highness!" protested the Lady Gertrude, "have you considered? The +pages are of lofty birth. Will it not go hard with the peasant? Give him a +purse and let him go." + +The princess answered but did not remove her gaze from the boy's flushed +face, while Topaz's cold little nose nestled in his down-dropped hand. + +"Gabriel is my friend, be he prince or peasant," she said slowly, "and it +will go hard with those who love him not." The young girl's eyes met +Gabriel's and then she smiled as light-heartedly as on this morning when +she wore the woolen gown. "And now make Topaz dance," she added, "the way +he danced in the woods." + +The boy's happy glance dropped to the dog, and he raised his finger. With +alacrity Topaz sat up, and then Gabriel began to whistle. + +How the court ladies murmured with soft laughter, for no one had ever seen +such a pretty sight. Not for any of them, not for the princess herself, had +Topaz danced as he danced to-day. + +"Ah," murmured the princess, "how much more powerful than the whip is +love!" + +When music and dancing had ceased, she smiled once more upon Gabriel, whose +happy heart was full. + +"Go now," she said, "and learn of your new duties; but the chief one you +have learned already. It is to be faithful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE TALKING DOLL + + +Mr. Evringham's horseback rides in these days were apt to be accompanied by +the stories, which Jewel related to him with much enthusiasm while they +cantered through wood-roads, and it is safe to say that the tales furnished +full as much entertainment at second hand as they had at first. + +The golden dog had deeply impressed Jewel's fancy, and when she finished +relating the story, her face all alight, Mr. Evringham shook his head. + +"Star is going to have his hands full, I can see," he remarked, restraining +Essex Maid's longing for a gallop. + +"Why, grandpa?" + +"To hold his own against that dog." + +Jewel looked thoughtful. "I suppose it wouldn't be any use to try to teach +Star to dance, would it?" she asked. + +"Oh, yes. Ponies learn to dance. We shall have to go to a circus and let +you see one; but how should you like it every time Star heard a band or a +hand-organ to have him get up on his hind legs and begin?" + +Jewel laughed and patted her pony's glossy neck. "I guess I like Star best +the way he is," she replied, "but grandpa, did you ever _hear_ of such a +darling dog?" + +"I confess I never did," admitted the broker. + +"I should think there was some trick Star could learn," said Jewel +musingly. + +"Why, of course there is. Tell Zeke you wish to teach Star to shake hands. +He'll help you." + +This idea pleased Jewel very much, and in the fullness of time the feat was +accomplished; but by the time the black pony had learned that he must lift +his little hoof carefully and put it in his mistress's hand, before his +lump of sugar was forthcoming, he wished, like the Lady Gertrude, that +there had never been a yellow dog in the world. + +When next Mrs. Evringham, Jewel, and Anna Belle settled in the ravine to +the reading of a story, it was Jewel's turn to choose. When her mother had +finished naming the remaining titles, the child hesitated and lifted her +eyebrows and shoulders as she gave the reader a meaning glance. Mrs. +Evringham wondered what was in her mind, and, after a minute's thought, +Jewel turned to Anna Belle, sitting wide-eyed against a tree. + +"Just excuse me one minute, dearie," she said; then, coming close to her +mother's ear, she whispered:-- + +"Is there anything in 'The Talking Doll' to hurt Anna Belle's feelings?" + +"No, I think she'd rather like it," returned Mrs. Evringham. + +"You see," whispered Jewel, "she doesn't know she's a doll." + +"Of course not," said Mrs. Evringham. + +Jewel sat back: "I choose," she said aloud, "I choose 'The Talking Doll.'" + +As Anna Belle only maintained her usual amiable look of interest, Mrs. +Evringham proceeded to read aloud as follows:-- + + * * * * * + +When Gladys opened her eyes on her birthday morning, the sun was streaming +across her room, all decorated in rose and white. It was the prettiest room +any little girl could have, and everything about the child looked so +bright, one would have expected her to laugh just for sympathy with the gay +morning; but as she sat up in bed she yawned instead and her eyes gazed +soberly at the dancing sunbeams. + +"Ellen," she called, and a young woman came into the room. + +"Oh, you're awake, Miss Gladys. Isn't this a fine birthday Mother Nature's +fixed up for you?" + +The pleasant maid helped the little girl to bathe and dress, and, as the +toilet went on, tried to bring a cheerful look into Gladys's face. "Now +what are you hoping your mother has for you?" she asked, at last. + +"I don't know," returned the child, very near a pout. "There isn't anything +I want. I've been trying to think what I'd like to have, and I can't think +of a thing." She said this in an injured tone, as if the whole world were +being unkind to her. + +Ellen shook her head. "You are a very unlucky child," she returned +impressively. + +"I am not," retorted Gladys, looking at Ellen in astonishment. The idea +that she, whom her father and mother watched from morning until night as +their greatest treasure, could be called unlucky! She had never expressed a +wish in her life that had not been gratified. "You mustn't say such things +to me, Ellen," added the child, vexed that her maid did not look sorry for +having made such a blunder. + +Ellen had taken care of her ever since she was born, and no one should know +better what a happy, petted life she had led; but Ellen only shook her head +now; and when Gladys was dressed she went down to the dining-room where her +parents were waiting to give her a birthday greeting. + +They kissed her lovingly, and then her mother said:-- + +"Well, what does my little girl want for her gift?" + +"What have you for me?" asked Gladys, with only faint interest. She had +closets and drawers full of toys and books and games, and she was like a +person who has been feasted and feasted, and then is asked to sit down +again at a loaded table. + +For answer her mother produced from behind a screen a beautiful doll. It +was larger and finer than any that Gladys had owned, and its parted, rosy +lips showed pearly little teeth within. + +Gladys looked at it without moving, but began to smile. Then her mother put +her hand about the doll's waist and it suddenly said: "Ma-ma--Pa-pa." + +"Oh, if she can talk!" cried Gladys, looking quite radiant for a minute, +and running forward she took the doll in her arms. + +"Her name is Vera," said the mother, happy at having succeeded in pleasing +her child. "Here is something that your grandmother sent you, dear. Isn't +it a quaint old thing?" and Gladys's mother showed her a heavy silver bowl +with a cover. On the cover was engraved, "It is more blessed to give than +to receive." + +"I don't know where your grandma found such an odd thing nor why she sent +it to a little girl; but she says it will be an heirloom for you." + +Gladys looked at the bowl and handled it curiously. The cover fitted so +well and the silver was so bright she was rather pleased at having, such a +grown-up possession. + +"It is evidently valuable," said her mother. "I will have it put with our +silver." + +"No," returned Gladys, and her manner was the willful one of a spoiled +child. "I want it in my room. I like it." + +"Oh, very well," answered her mother. "Grandma will be glad that you are +pleased." + +An excursion into the country had been planned for Gladys to-day. She had +some cousins there, a girl of her own age and a boy a little older. She had +not seen Faith and Ernest for five years. Their father and mother were away +on a long visit now, so the children were living in the old farmhouse with +an aunt of their father's to take care of them. Gladys's mother thought it +would be a pleasant change for her in the June weather, and it was an +attractive idea to Gladys to think of giving these country cousins a sight +of her dainty self, her fine clothes, and perhaps she would take them one +or two old toys that she liked the least; but the coming of Vera put the +toy idea completely out of her head. What would Faith say to a doll who +could talk! + +Gladys was in haste now for the time to come to take the train; and as Vera +was well supplied with various costumes, the doll was soon arrayed, like +her little mamma, in pretty summer street-dress and ready to start. + +Gladys's father had a guest to-day, so his wife remained at home with him, +and Ellen took charge of the birthday excursion. + +Driving to the station and during the hour's ride on the train, Gladys was +in gay spirits, chattering about her new doll and arranging its pretty +clothes, and each time Vera uttered her words, the child would laugh, and +Ellen laughed with her. Gladys was a girl ten years old, but to the maid +she was still a baby, and although Ellen thought she saw the child's +parents making mistakes with her every day, she, like them, was so relieved +when Gladys was good-natured that she joined heartily in the little girl's +pleasure now over her birthday present. + +"Won't Faith's eyes open when she sees Vera?" asked Gladys gayly. + +"I expect they will," returned Ellen. "What have you brought with you for +her and her brother?" + +The child shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing. I meant to but I forgot it, +because I was so pleased with Vera. Isn't her hair sweet, Ellen?" and +Gladys twisted the soft, golden locks around her fingers. + +"Yes, but it would have been nice to bring something for those children. +They don't have so much as you do." + +"Of course not. I don't believe they have much of anything. You know +they're poor. Mother sends them money sometimes, so it's all right." And +Gladys poked the point of her finger within Vera's rosy lips and touched +her little white teeth. + +Ellen shook her head and Gladys saw it and pouted. "Why didn't _you_ think +of it, then, or mother?" she asked. + +"You won't have somebody to think for you all your life," returned Ellen. +"You'd better be beginning to think about other people yourself, Gladys. +What's that it said on your grandmother's silver bowl?" + +"Oh, I don't know. Something about giving and receiving." + +"Yes. 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' that's what it said," +and Ellen looked hard at her companion, though with a very soft gaze, too; +for she loved this little girl because she had spent many a wakeful night +and busy day for her. + +"Yes, I remember," returned Gladys. "Grandma had that put on because she +wanted me to know how much she would rather give me things than have people +give things to her. Anyway, Ellen, if you are going to be cross on my +birthday I wish mother had come with me, instead;" and a displeased cloud +came over the little-girl's face, which Ellen hastened to drive away by +changing the subject. She knew her master and mistress would reprove her +for annoying their idol. They always said, when their daughter was +unusually naughty or selfish, "Oh, Gladys will outgrow all these things. We +Won't make much of them." + +By the time they reached the country station, Gladys's spirits were quite +restored and, carrying her doll, she left the train with Ellen. + +Faith and Ernest were there to meet them. No wonder the children did not +recognize each other, for they had been so young when last they met; and +when Gladys's curious eyes fell upon the country girl, she felt like a +princess who comes to honor humble subjects with a visit. + +Faith and Ernest had never thought about being humble subjects. Their rich +relative who lived in some unknown place and sometimes sent their mother +gifts of money and clothing had often roused their gratitude, and when she +had written that their cousin Gladys would like to visit the farm on her +birthday, they at once set their wits to work to think how they could make +her have a good time. They always had a good time themselves, and now that +vacation had begun, the days seemed very full of fun and sunshine. They +thought it must be hard to live in a city street as their mother had +described, it to them, and even though she was away now and could not +advise them, they felt as if they could make Gladys enjoy herself. + +Faith's hair was shingled as short as her brother's, and her gingham frock +was clean and fresh. She watched each person descend from the train, and +when a pretty girl with brown eyes and curls appeared, carrying a large +doll, Faith's bright gaze grew brighter, and she was delighted to find that +it was Gladys. She took it for granted that kind-faced Ellen, so well +dressed in black, was her aunt, and greeted her so, but Gladys's brown eyes +widened. + +"My mother couldn't come, for father needed her," she explained. "This is +my maid, Ellen." + +"Oh," said Faith, much impressed by such elegance. "We thought aunt Helen +was coming. Ernest is holding the horse over here," and she led the way to +a two-seated wagon where a twelve-year-old boy in striped shirt and old +felt hat was waiting. + +Faith made the introductions and then helped Gladys and Ellen into the back +seat of the wagon, all unconscious of her cousin's wonder at the absence of +silver mountings and broadcloth cushions. Then Faith climbed over the wheel +into the seat beside her brother, and the horse started. She turned about +so as to talk more easily with her guest. + +"What a beautiful doll!" she said admiringly. + +"Yes," returned Gladys, "this is my birthday, you know." + +"Oh, then, is it new? I thought it was! Hasn't she the prettiest clothes? +Have you named her yet?" + +"Her name is Vera. Mother says it means true, or truth, or something like +that." + +Ernest turned half around to glance at the object of the girls' admiration; +but he thought Gladys herself a much more attractive creature than the +doll. + +"I suppose your cousin Gladys can't ask you to admire her doll much, Master +Ernest," said Ellen. She liked these rosy children at once, and the fresh, +sunlit air that had painted their cheeks. + +"Oh, it's pretty enough," returned Ernest, turning back and clucking to the +horse. + +Gladys enjoyed Faith's pleasure. She would not try to show off Vera's +supreme accomplishment in this rattlety-banging wagon. How it did jounce +over occasional stones in the country road! + +[Illustration: "I HEAR A SHEEP"] + +Ellen smiled at her as the child took hold of her arm in fear of losing her +balance. "That was a 'thank-ye-ma'am,'" she said, as the wagon suddenly +bounded over a little hillock. "Didn't you see what a pretty curtsy we all +made?" + +But Gladys thought it was rather uncomfortable and that Ernest drove too +fast, considering the state of the toads. + +"This wagon has such nice springs," said Faith. She was eager to take Vera +into her own hands, but no wonder Gladys liked to hold her when she had +only had her such a short time. + +Aunt Martha was standing on the piazza to welcome the company when they +arrived. She was an elderly woman with spectacles, and it had to be +explained to her, also, that Ellen was not Gladys's mother. + +The maid was so well dressed in her quiet street suit that aunt Martha +groaned in spirit at first at the prospect of caring for a fashionable city +servant; and it was a relief when the stranger looked up and said +pleasantly: "I'm just Ellen." + +There was an hour left before dinner, and Faith and Ernest carried Gladys +off to a place they called the grove. The farmhouse was painted in light +yellow and white. It was built on a grassy slope, and at the foot of a +gentle hill a pretty pond lay, and out from this flowed a brook. If one +kept quite still he could hear the soft babble of the little stream even +from the piazza. Nearer by was a large elm-tree, so wide-spreading that the +pair of Baltimore orioles who hung their swaying nest on one limb scarcely +had a bowing acquaintance with the robins who lived on the other side. The +air was full of pleasant scents, and Gladys followed her hosts willingly, +far to the right side of the house, where a stone wall divided the grounds +from a piece of woodland. Her cousins bounded over the wall, and she tried +to find a safe spot for her dainty, thin shoe, the large doll impeding her +movements. + +"Oh, let me take her!" cried Faith eagerly, seeing her cousin's +predicament; and as she carefully lifted the beautiful Vera, she added: +"Help Gladys over, Ernest." + +Ernest was very unused to girls who had to be helped, and he was rather +awkward in trying to give his cousin assistance, but as Gladys tetered on +the unsteady stones, she grasped his strong shoulder and jumped down. + +"Father and Ernest cleared this grove out for us," explained Faith. All the +underbrush had been carried away and the straight, sweet-smelling pines +rose from a carpet of dry needles. A hammock was swung between two trees. +It was used more by the children's mother than by them, as they were too +active to care for it; but Gladys immediately ran toward it, her recovered +doll in her arms, and seated herself in the netting. Her cousins regarded +her admiringly as she sat there pushing herself with her dainty shoe-tips. + +"I'll swing you," said Ernest, and running to her side began with such a +will that Gladys cried out:-- + +"Oh, not so hard, not so hard!" and the boy dropped his hands, abashed. + +Now, while they were both standing before her, was a good time for Gladys +to give them her great surprise; so she put her hands about Vera's waist, +and at once "Ma-ma--Pa-pa" sounded in the still grove. + +Ernest pricked up his ears. "I hear a sheep," he said, looking about. + +Gladys flushed, but turning toward Faith for appreciation, she made the +doll repeat her accomplishment. + +"It's that dear Vera!" cried Faith, falling on her knees in the pine +needles before Gladys. "Oh, make her do it again, Gladys, please do!" + +Her visitor smiled and complied, pleased with her country cousin's delight. + +"Think of a doll that can talk!" cried Faith. + +"I think she bleats," laughed Ernest, and he mimicked Vera's staccato +tones. + +Faith laughed, too, but Gladys gave him a flash of her brown eyes. + +"A boy doesn't know anything about dolls," said Faith. "I should think +you'd be the happiest girl, Gladys!" + +"I am," returned Gladys complacently. "What sort of a doll have you, +Faith?" + +"Rag, tag, and bobtail," laughed Ernest. + +"Now you keep still," said his sister. "I'll show you my dolls when we go +to dinner, Gladys. I don't play with them very much because Ernest doesn't +like to, and now it's vacation we're together a lot, you know; but I just +love them, and if you were going to stay longer we'd have a lot of fun." + +Faith looked so bright as she spoke, Gladys wished she had brought +something for her. She wasn't so sure about Ernest. He was a nice-looking, +strong boy, but he had made fun of Vera. At present he was letting off some +of his superfluous energy by climbing a tree. + +"Look out for the pitch, Ernest," said his sister warningly. "See, Gladys, +I have a horse out here," and Faith went to where the low-growing limb of +a pine sprang flexibly as she leaped upon it into an imaginary side-saddle. +Gladys smiled at her languidly, as she bounded gayly up and down. + +"I have a pony," returned Gladys, rocking gently in her swinging cradle. + +"That must be splendid," said Faith. "Ernest rides our old Tom bareback +around the pasture sometimes, but I can't." + +Very soon the children were called to dinner, and wonderfully good it +tasted to Gladys, who took note of cottage cheese, apple-butter, and +doughnuts, and determined to order them at home the very next day. + +As they were all rising from the table, a telegraph boy drove up in a +buggy, and a telegram was handed to Ellen. Her face showed surprise as she +read it, and she looked at aunt Martha. + +"Could we stay here a few days?" she asked. + +"What is it, Ellen?" demanded Gladys. + +"Your father's friend wants him and your mother to take a trip with him, +and your mother thinks you might like to stay here a while. I'm to answer, +and she will send some clothes and things." + +Aunt Martha had already learned to like good, sensible Ellen, and she +replied cordially; so a telegram went back by the messenger boy, and Faith +and Gladys both jumped up and down with pleasure at the prolonging of the +visit. Ernest looked pleased, too. In spite of Gladys's rather languid, +helpless ways, he admired her very much; so the children scampered away, +being left this time on a chair in the parlor. + +"Do you like turtles?" asked Faith of the guest. + +"I don't know," returned Gladys. + +"Didn't you ever see any?" asked Ernest in astonishment. + +"I don't believe so." + +"Then come on!" cried the boy, with a joyous whoop. "We'll go +turtle-hunting." + +Gladys skipped along with them until they reached the brook. + +"Now Ernest will walk on that side of the water," said Faith, "and you and +I will go on this." + +"But what are we going to do?" + +"Watch for turtles. You'll see." + +Ernest jumped across the brook. Gladys walked along the soft grass behind +Faith, and the bubbling little stream swirled around its stones and gently +bent its grasses as it ran through the meadow. + +In a minute Faith's practiced eye caught sight of a dark object on a stone +directly in front of them. + +It was a turtle sunning himself. His black shell was covered with bright +golden spots, and his eyes were blinking slowly in the warm light. + +"Quick, Ernest!" cried Faith, for it was on his side. + +He sprang forward, but not quickly enough. The turtle had only to give one +vigorous push of his hind feet and, plump, he fell into the water. +Instantly the brook became muddy at that point, for Mr. Turtle knew that he +must be a very busy fellow if he escaped from the eager children who were +after him. + +He burrowed into the soft earth while Ernest and Faith threw themselves +flat on their stomachs. Gladys opened her brown eyes wide to see her +cousins, their sleeves stripped up, plunging their hands blindly about +hoping to trap their reluctant playfellow. + +Ernest was successful, and bringing up the muddy turtle, soused him in the +water until his golden spots gleamed again. + +"Hurrah!" cried Faith, "we have him. Let me show him to Gladys, please, +Ernest," and the boy put the turtle into the hand stretched across to him. + +As soon as the creature found that kicking and struggling did not do any +good, it had drawn head, legs, and tail into its pretty shell house. + +Faith put him into Gladys's hand, but the little city girl cried out and +dropped him on the grass. + +"Oh, excuse me," laughed Faith. "I thought you wanted to see it." + +"I do, but I don't believe I want to touch it." + +"Why, they're the dearest, cleanest things," said Faith, and picking up the +turtle she showed her cousin its pretty under shell of cream color and +black, and the round splashes of gold on its black back. + +"But I saw it kicking and scratching Ernest, and putting its head way out," +said Gladys doubtfully, "and I don't like to hold it because it might put +out all its legs and things again." + +Faith laughed. "It only has four legs and a cunning little tail; and we +know how to hold it so it can't scratch us, anyway; but it won't put out +its head again until it thinks we've gone away, because this is an old one. +See, the shell covers my hand all over. The littler ones are livelier and +more willing to put out their heads. I don't believe we've had this one +before, Ernest," added Faith, examining the creature. "We nearly always +use the big ones for horses," she explained, "and then there's a gimlet +hole through the shell." + +"Who would do that?" exclaimed Gladys, drawing back. + +"Ernest. Why!" observing her cousin's look of horror. "It doesn't hurt +them. We wouldn't hurt them for anything. We just love them, and if they +weren't geese they'd love us, too." + +"Use them for horses? What do you mean?" + +"Why, they draw my smallest dolls in lovely chariots." + +"Oh," returned Gladys. This sounded mysterious and interesting. She even +took the clean, compact shell into her hands for a minute before Faith +gathered up her dress skirt and dropped the turtle into it, the three +proceeding along the brook side, taking up their watch again. + +The warm, sunny day brought the turtles out, and the next one they saw was +not larger than the palm of Ernest's hand. It was swimming leisurely with +the current. + +They all three saw it at once, but quick as Faith was, the lively little +creature was quicker. As she and Ernest both darted upon it, it scrambled +for her side and burrowed swiftly under the bank. This was the best +stronghold for the turtle, and the children knew it. + +"I just can't lose him, I can't!" cried Faith, and Gladys wondered at the +fearless energy with which she dived her hand into the mud, feeling around, +unmindful which portion of the little animal she grasped if she only caught +him; and catch him she did. With a squeal of delight she pulled out the +turtle, who continued to swim vigorously, even when in mid air. + +"He's splendid and lively!" exclaimed Faith. "You can see him go on the +grass, Gladys," and the little girl put the creature down, heading him away +from the brook, and he made good time, thinking he was getting away from +his captor. "You see, Ernest harnesses them to a little pasteboard box, and +I put in my smallest dolls and we have more _fun_;" but by this time the +turtle realized that he was traveling inland, and turned around suddenly in +the opposite direction. + +"No, no, pet!" cried Faith gayly. "Not yet," and she picked up the lively +one. "See, you hold them this way;" she held the shell between her thumb +and middle finger and the sharp little claws sawed the air in vain. "There, +cunning," she added, looking into the turtle's bright eyes, "go see your +auntie or uncle, or whoever it is," and she put it into her dress with the +other one, and they walked on. + +"I hope we shall find a prince," said Ernest, "Gladys ought to see one of +those." + +"Yes, indeed," responded Faith. "They're snapping turtles, really, and they +grow bigger than these common ones; but they're so handsome and hard to +find we call them princes. Their shells are gray on top and smooth and +polished, like satin; and then, underneath, oh, they're beautiful; +sometimes plain ivory, and sometimes bright red; and they have lovely +yellow and black splashes where the lower shell joins the upper. I wish you +could see a baby turtle, Gladys. Once I found one no bigger than a quarter +of a dollar. I don't believe it had ever been in the water." + +"I wish I could," returned Gladys, with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't be a bit +afraid of a little, _little_ one." + +"Of course that one she found was just a common turtle, like these," said +Ernest, "but a baby prince is the thing we want." + +"Yes, indeed," sighed Faith ecstatically. "If I could just once find a baby +prince with a red under shell, I don't know what I'd do! I'd be too happy +for anything. I've hunted for one for two whole summers. The big ones do +snap so that, though they're so handsome, you can't have much fun with +them." + +The children walked on, Gladys now quite in the spirit of the hunt. They +found two more spotted turtles before they turned again to retrace their +steps. + +Now it proved that this was to be a red-letter day in the history of their +turtle hunts, for on the way home they found the much sought baby prince. +He had been in this world long enough to become a polished little creature, +with all his points of beauty brought out; but not long enough to be +suspicious and to make a wild scramble when he saw the children coming. + +Faith's trained eyes fell first upon the tiny, dark object, sunning himself +happily in all his baby innocence, and blinking at the lovely green world +surrounding his shallow stone. Her heart beat fast and she said to herself, +"Oh, I _know_ it's a common one!" She tiptoed swiftly nearer. It was not a +common one. It was a prince! It _was_ a prince! + +She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, as, holding her skirt-bag of +turtles with one hand, she lightly tiptoed forward, and, falling on her +knees in front of the stone, gathered up the prince, just as he saw her +and pushed with his tiny feet to slip off the rock into the brook. + +"Oh, oh, _oh_!" was all she could say as she sat there, swaying herself +back and forth, and holding the baby to her flushed cheek. + +"What is it? What?" cried Ernest, jumping across the brook to her side. She +smiled at him and Gladys without a word, and held up her prize, showing the +pretty red under shell, while the baby, very much astonished to find +himself turned over in mid air, drew himself into his house. + +"Oh, the cunning, _cunning_ thing!" cried Gladys, her eyes flashing +radiantly. "I'm so glad we found him!" + +Gladys, like a good many beside herself, became fired with enthusiasm to +possess whatever she saw to be precious in the sight of others. Yesterday, +had she seen the baby prince in some store she would not have thought of +asking her mother to buy it for her; but to-day it had been captured, a +little wild creature for which Faith had been searching and hoping during +two summers; and poor Gladys had been so busy all her life wondering what +people were going to get for her, and wondering whether she should like it +very well when she had it, that now, instead of rejoicing that Faith had +such a pleasure, she began to feel a hot unrest and dissatisfaction in her +breast. + +"He is a little beauty," she said, and then looked at her cousin and waited +for her to present to her guest the baby turtle. + +"Why didn't I see it first?" she thought, her heart beating fast, for Faith +showed no sign of giving up her treasure. "Do you suppose we could find +another?" she asked aloud, making her wistfulness very apparent as they +again took up the march toward home. + +"Well, I guess not," laughed Ernest. "Two of those in a day? I guess not. +Let me carry it for you, Faith. You have to hold up your dress skirt." + +"Oh, thank you, Ernest, I don't mind, and he's _so_ cunning!" + +Ernest kept on with the girls, now, on their side of the brook. It would be +an anti-climax to catch any more turtles this afternoon. + +"If I could find one," said Gladys, "I would carry it home for my +aquarium." + +"Oh, have you an aquarium?" asked Faith with interest. + +"Yes, a fine one. It has gold and silver fish and a number of little water +creatures, and a grotto with plants growing around it." + +"How lovely it must be," said Faith, and Gladys saw her press her lips to +the baby prince's polished back. + +"She's an awfully selfish girl," thought Gladys. "I wouldn't treat company +so for anything!" + +"You'll see the aquarium Faith and I have," said Ernest. "It's only a tub, +but we get a good deal of fun out of it. It's our stable, too, you see. Did +you notice we caught one of our old horses to-day? Let's see him, Faith," +and Ernest poked among the turtles and brought out one with a little hole +made carefully in the edge of his shell. + +"It seems very cruel to me," said Gladys, with a superior air. + +"Oh, it isn't," returned Faith eagerly. "We'd rather hurt each other than +the turtles, wouldn't we, Ernest?" + +"I guess so," responded the boy, rather gruffly. He didn't wish Gladys to +think him too good. + +"It doesn't hurt them a bit," went on Faith, "but you know turtles are +lazy. They're all relations of the tortoise that raced with the hare in +AEsop's fable." Her eyes sparkled at Gladys, who smiled slightly. "And they +aren't very fond of being horses, so we only keep them a day or two and +then let them go back into the brook. I think that's about as much fun as +anything, don't you, Ernest?" + +"Oh, I don't know," responded her brother, who was beginning to feel that +all this turtle business was a rather youthful pastime for a member of a +baseball team. + +"You see," went on Faith, "we put the turtles on the grass only a foot or +two away from the brook, and wait." + +"And we do have to wait," added Ernest, "for they always retire within +themselves and pull down the blind, as soon as we start off with them +anywhere." + +"But we press a little on their backs," said Faith, "and then they put out +their noses, and when they smell the brook they begin to travel. It's such +fun to see them dive in, _ker-chug_! Then they scurry around and burrow in +the mud, getting away from us, just as if we weren't willing they should. +They are pretty silly, I must say," laughed Faith, "and it's the hardest +thing to make them understand that you love them; but," her tone changed +tenderly as she held up the baby prince, "_you'll_ know I love you, won't +you, dear, when I give you tiny little pieces of meat every day!" + +The cloud on Gladys's face deepened. + +"Come on, let's hustle and put the turtles away and go for a row. Do you +like to row, Gladys?" asked Ernest. + +"Yes, I guess so," she responded, rather coldly. + +They ran up the hill to the side of the house where was a shallow tub of +water with a rock in the middle, its top high and dry. There was also a +floating shingle; so the steeds could swim or sun themselves just as suited +their fancy. The upper edge of the tub was covered with tin so that sharp +little claws could not find a way to climb out. + +"It's fun to see them go in," said Faith, placing one on the rock and one +on the shingle, where they rested at first without sign of life; but in a +minute out came head and legs and, spurning the perches with their strong +feet, plump the turtles went into the water and to the bottom, evidently +convinced that they were outwitting their captors. + +"Don't you want to choose one special one for yours, Gladys? It's fun to +name them," said Faith. + +The visitor hesitated only a moment. "I choose the baby, then," she said. +"You know I'm afraid of the big ones." + +Ernest thought she was joking. It did not occur to him that any one who had +seen Faith's happiness in finding the prince could seriously think of +taking it from her. + +"Yes," he laughed, "I guess you and I won't get a chance at that one, +Gladys." + +Faith's expression changed and her eyes grew thoughtful. "Hurry up, +girls," continued Ernest, "come on, we won't have very much time." + +So the turtles, prince and all, were left disporting themselves in the tub, +and the trio went down to the pond, where Ernest untied his boat. Faith +jumped in, but Gladys timorously placed her little foot upon the unsteady +gunwale, and the children had to help her into the boat as they had done +over the wall. + +"I wish I'd brought Vera," she said when she was seated and Ernest was +pushing the boat off. + +"Next time we will," replied Faith. + +"I don't see why Ernest couldn't go back for her now," said Gladys. "I'm +not used to walking so much and I'm too tired to go myself." + +"You want me to run up the hill after a _doll_!" asked the boy, laughing. +He began to believe his pretty cousin was very fond of joking. "Something +might happen to her before you saw her," he added mischievously. + +The pond was a charming sheet of water. Trees lined its edges in summer, +and it was a great place for sport in winter. Faith and Ernest chattered to +their cousin of all the coasting and skating, and their bright faces and +jolly stories only increased the uncomfortable feeling that Gladys had +allowed to slip into her heart. + +Her cousins had more fun than she did. It wasn't fair. She had no eyes for +the pretty scenery about her, as Ernest's strong arms sent the boat flying +along. Faith noticed her changed looks and for the first time wondered how +it was going to seem to have Gladys to take care of for--they couldn't tell +how long; but she only tried the harder to bring back the bright look her +cousin had worn at dinner time. + +In a few minutes Gladys began to rock the boat from side to side. + +"Don't do that, please," said Ernest. + +There was a tone of command in his voice, and the spoiled child only rocked +the harder. + +"None of that, I tell you, Gladys," he said sharply. + +"Please don't," added Faith. + +But the error that Gladys had let creep in was enjoying her cousin's +anxiety, and she smiled teasingly as she went on rocking. She had +condescended to come out to the farm, and she would let these country +children see if they could order her about. + +Ernest said no more, but he promptly turned the boat around and pulled for +the shore. + +"What are you doing?" asked Gladys. + +"Going ashore." + +"I don't want to," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "I want to go up +there." She pointed to a spot in the distance. "I want to go around that +corner and see what there is there." + +"Not to-day," replied Ernest, pulling sturdily. + +We won't look into Gladys's heart and see what went on there then, because +it is too unpleasant. + +"You see we're the crew," said Faith, a little scared by her cousin's +flashing eyes and crimson cheeks. "We have to do what Ernest says. He knows +a lot about boats, Gladys, and it _is_ dangerous to rock. The pond is real +deep." + +"I shall come out in the boat alone, then," declared Gladys. + +"Oh, no, you won't," remarked Ernest, smiling. "People that rock boats need +a keeper." + +Faith's eyes besought him, "I'll take you out to-morrow if you'll promise +to sit still," he went on; "but if anything happened to the boat, you see I +couldn't save both of you, and I'd be likely to try to save Faith; so you'd +better go ashore now and think it over." + +Gladys stared at him in utter amazement that any one could speak to her so. +Why had she ever come to the farm! + +However, she quickly put on a little air of indifference and only said:-- + +"How silly to be so afraid!" + +All she cared for now was to get to Ellen and pour out her troubles, and +she was quite silent while she jumped ashore, although the wavering boat +made her clutch Faith's hand hard. + +Tender-hearted Faith felt very sorry for her cousin, so she began talking +about Vera as they went up the hill saying how anxious she was to hear her +speak again. + +"I'll never let you!" exclaimed that strong error that had taken possession +of Gladys, but her lips set tight and she was glad to see Ellen come out on +the piazza. + +As the children approached they saw that the maid had something bright in +her hand, and that she was smiling. + +"Well, Gladys," she said, "your mother's sent a trunk, and this was with +your clothes. What do you think of that? I expect your mother thought you +might like to have it." + +Gladys recognized the silver bowl with satisfaction. She was glad to have +Faith and Ernest see the sort of things she was used to. + +"Oh, it looks like a wishing bowl," cried Faith in admiration. + +"It is a solid silver bowl that my grandmother sent me for my birthday," +remarked Gladys coolly, and she took it from Ellen. + +"Let's see what it says on it," said Faith, and she read the inscription +aloud. Then she added: "It does look just like the wishing bowl in our +story." + +"What was that?" asked Gladys. + +"Why, it was a bright, beautiful silver bowl with a cover, and all you had +to do if you wanted something was to say:-- + + Pretty little silver dish, + Give me, pray, my dearest wish; + +and then, when you took off the cover, whatever you had asked for was in +the bowl!" + +Gladys shrugged her shoulders. Then she took hold of Ellen's hand and drew +her into the house and closed the door after them. + +Faith and Ernest did not attempt to follow. They sat down on the steps and +looked at one another. + +"She's hopping, isn't she?" said Ernest softly. + +"Oh, dear," returned Faith dejectedly, "and it all began with the baby +prince." + +"What do you mean?" + +"She wants him for her aquarium." + +Ernest paused a minute to think over his cousin's words and actions; then +he broke out indignantly; "Well, she won't get him." + +"I have hunted for him so long!" mourned Faith, "and his shell is so red; +but, Ernest, didn't you notice what it said on that bowl?" + +"Yes, I did; but Gladys is a great baby and she isn't going to get +everything. Tell her you'll exchange the prince for that baa-ing doll of +hers, if you like it. I tell you what, Faith, I've had about enough of her +after that boat business. If she's going to stay on here I shall go off +with the fellows." + +Meanwhile Gladys had seized the beautiful Vera and drawn Ellen off upstairs +to their room. The maid saw the signs of storm in her face, and her own +grew troubled, for it was one thing to vex Gladys and quite another to +appease her. + +"I'm not going to stay here," announced the little girl, as soon as the +door was closed, her breath coming fast. "Faith and Ernest are the most +selfish, impolite children I ever saw!" + +Ellen sighed, and, sitting down, drew the child into her lap. + +She continued excitedly: "We went turtle-hunting and found a lot of +scrabbly things that I couldn't bear, but Faith and Ernest like them. Then +when we found a pretty little young one that I wouldn't be a bit afraid of, +Faith kept it for herself. Just think, when I was company, and she had all +the others beside. I'm just crazy to have it, and they're _very_ hard to +find and we can't _ever_ find another. Shouldn't you think she'd feel +ashamed? Then when, we went out in the boat, just because I moved around a +little and made the boat rock, Ernest brought us in when I didn't want to +come a bit. I even _told_ him I didn't want to come in, because I wanted to +see a part of the pond that looked pretty, but he brought us just the same. +Did you ever _hear_ of such impoliteness?" + +Ellen had had too much experience with the little girl not to know that +there was another side to this story; but she gathered Gladys down in her +arms with the curly head on her shoulder, and, while a few hot tears fell +from the brown eyes, she rocked her, and it comforted the little girl's +sore places to feel her nurse's love. + +"I'm glad Ernest brought you in," said Ellen, after a minute of silent +rocking. "If anything happened to you, you know that would be the last of +poor Ellen. I could never go back to town." + +Gladys gave a sob or two. + +"These children haven't nearly so much as you have," went on Ellen quietly. +"Perhaps Faith was as happy over the little turtle as you are over your +talking doll. She hasn't any rich mother to give her things, you know." + +"They have _lots_ of things. They have a great deal more fun in winter than +I do," returned Gladys hotly. + +Ellen patted her. "You have too much, Gladys," she replied kindly. "When I +said this morning that you were unlucky, you couldn't understand it; but +perhaps this visit to the farm will make you see differently. There's such +a thing as having too much, dear, and that sentence on your silver bowl is +as true as true. Now there's the supper bell. Let me wash your face." + +Gladys was deeply offended, but she was also hungry, and she began to +wonder if there would be apple-butter and cottage cheese again. + +There was, and the little girl did full justice to the supper, especially +to aunt Martha's good bread and butter; but when the meal was over she +refused to go out and romp on the lawn with her cousins. + +"Gladys isn't used to so much running around," said Ellen pleasantly to the +other children. "I guess she's a pretty sleepy girl and will get into bed +early." + +So when Ellen had helped aunt Martha with the supper dishes, Gladys went +upstairs with her, to go to bed. + +She was half undressed when some one knocked softly, and Faith came into +the room. The silver bowl stood on a table near the door, and the little +girl paused to look at it and examine the wreath of roses around its edge. +"I never saw one so handsome," she said. Then she came forward. "I thought +perhaps you'd let me see you undress Vera," she added. + +"She is undressed," answered Gladys shortly. + +"Oh, yes!" Faith went up to the bed where the doll lay in its nightdress. +"May I make her speak once?" + +"No, I'm afraid you might hurt her," returned Gladys shortly, and Ellen +gave her a reproachful look. Gladys didn't care! How could a girl expect to +be so selfish as Faith, and then have everybody let her do just what she +wanted to? + +Faith drew back from the bed. "I wish you'd let me see you wish once on +your bowl before I go away," she said. + +"How silly," returned Gladys. "Do you suppose I believe in such things? You +can wish on it yourself, if you like." + +"Oh, that wouldn't be any use," returned Faith eagerly, "because it only +works for the one it belongs to." + +"Perhaps you wouldn't like to have me make a wish and get it," said +Gladys, thinking of the baby prince's lovely polished tints and bewitching +little tail. + +"Yes, I would. I'd _love_ to. Do, Gladys, do, and see what happens." + +Gladys curved her lips scornfully, but the strong wish sprang in her +thought, and with a careless movement she pulled off the silver cover. + +Her mouth fell open and her eyes grew as big as possible; for she had +wished for the prince, and there he was, creeping about in the bowl and +lifting his little head in wonder at his surroundings. + +"Why, Faith!" was all she could say. "Where did it come from?" + +"The brook, of course," returned Faith, clapping her hands in delight at +her cousin's amazement. "Take him out and let's see whether he's red or +plain ivory underneath." + +"Will he scrabble?" asked Gladys doubtfully. + +"No-o," laughed Faith. + +So the little city girl took up the turtle and lo, he was as beautiful a +red as the one of the afternoon. + +"Isn't he lovely!" she exclaimed, not quite liking to look her cousin in +the eyes. "Where shall I put him for to-night?" + +"We'll put a little water in your wash-bowl, not much, for they are so +smart about climbing out." + +Ellen, also, was gazing at the royal infant. "He is a pretty little thing," +she said, "but for pity's sake, Faith, fix it so he won't get on to my bare +feet!" + +Later, when they were alone and Ellen kissed Gladys good-night, she looked +closely into her eyes "Now you're happier, I suppose," she said. + +"Of course. Won't he be cunning in my aquarium?" asked Gladys, returning +her look triumphantly. + +"Yes." Vera was in bed, also, and to please the child, Ellen stooped and +kissed the doll's forehead, too. "God be good," she said gently, "to the +poor little girl who gets everything she wants!" + +A few minutes after the light was out and Ellen had gone, Gladys pulled +Vera nearer to her. "Wasn't that a silly sort of thing for Ellen to say?" +she asked. + +"I don't think so," returned Vera. + +Gladys drew back. "Did you answer me?" she said. + +"Certainly I did." + +"Then you really can talk!" exclaimed Gladys joyfully. + +"At night I can," said Vera. + +"Oh, I'm so glad. I'm so glad!" and Gladys hugged her. + +"I'm not so sure that you will be," returned Vera coolly. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I have to speak the truth. You know my name is Vera." + +"Well, I should hope so. Did you suppose I wouldn't want you to speak the +truth?" Gladys laughed. + +"Yes. You don't hear it very often, and you may not like it." + +"Why, what a thing to say!" + +"Ellen tries, sometimes, but you won't listen." + +Gladys kept still and her companion proceeded: + +"She knows all the toys and books and clothes and pets that you have at +home, and she sees you forgetting all of them because Faith has just one +thing pretty enough for you to wish for." + +By this time Gladys had found her tongue. "You're just as impolite as you +can be, Vera!" she exclaimed. + +"Of course. You always think people are impolite who tell you the truth; +but I explained to you that I have to. Who was impolite when you rocked the +boat, although Ernest asked you not to?" + +"He was as silly as he could be to think there was any danger. Don't you +suppose I know enough not to rock it too far? And then think how impolite +he was to say right out that he would save Faith instead of me if we fell +into the water. I can tell you my father would lock him up in prison if he +didn't save me." + +"Well, you aren't so precious to anybody else," returned Vera. "Why would +people want a girl around who thinks only of herself and what she wants. +I'm sure Faith and Ernest will draw a long breath when you get on the cars +to go back." + +"Oh, I don't believe they will," returned Gladys, ready to cry. + +"What have you done to make them glad you came? You didn't bring them +anything, although you knew they couldn't have many toys, and it was +because you were so busy thinking how much lovelier your doll was than +anything Faith could have. Then the minute Faith found one nice thing"-- + +"Don't say that again," interrupted Gladys. "You've said it once." + +"You behaved so disagreeably that she had to give it to you." + +"You have no right to talk so. The prince came up from the brook, Faith +said so." + +"Oh, she was playing a game with you and she knew you understood. It isn't +pleasant to have to say such things to you, Gladys, but I'm Vera and I have +to--I shouldn't think you could lift your head up and look Faith and Ernest +in the face to-morrow morning. What must Ernest think of you!" + +Gladys's cheeks were very hot. "Didn't you see how glad Faith was when she +gave--I mean when I found the prince in the bowl? I guess you haven't read +what it says on that silver cover or you wouldn't talk so." + +"Oh, yes, I have. That's truth, too, but you haven't found it out yet." + +"Well, I wish I had brought them something," said Gladys, after a little +pause. "Why," with a sudden thought, "there's the wishing-bowl. I'll get +something for them right now!" + +She jumped out of bed, and striking a match, lighted the candle. Vera +followed her, and as Gladys seated herself on one side of the little table +that held the silver bowl, Vera climbed into a chair on the other side. +Gladys looked into her eyes thoughtfully while she considered. She would +give Faith something so far finer than the baby prince that everybody would +praise her for her generosity, and no one would remember that she had ever +been selfish. Ah, she knew what she would ask for! + +"For Faith first," she said, addressing Vera, then looking at the glinting +bowl she silently made her wish, then with eager hand lifted off the cover. + +Ah! Ah! What did she behold! A charming little bird, whose plumage changed +from purple to gold in the candle light, stood on a tiny golden stand at +the bottom of the bowl. + +Gladys lifted it out, and as soon as it stood on her hand, it began to +warble wonderfully, turning its head from side to side like some she had +seen in Switzerland when she was there with her mother. + +"Oh, Vera, isn't it _sweet_!" she cried in delight. + +"Beautiful!" returned Vera, smiling and clapping her little hands. + +When the song ceased Gladys looked thoughtful again. "I don't think it's a +very appropriate present for Faith," she said, "and I've always wanted one, +but we could never find one so pretty in our stores." + +Vera looked at her very soberly. + +"Now you just stop staring at me like that, Vera. I guess it's mine, and I +have a right to keep it if I can think of something that would please Faith +better. Now let me see. I must think of something for Ernest. I'll just +give him something so lovely that he'll wish he'd bitten his tongue before +he spoke so to me in the boat." + +Gladys set the singing bird in her lap, fixed her eyes on the bowl, and +again decided on a wish. + +Taking off the cover, a gold watch was seen reposing on the bottom of the +bowl. "That's it, that's what I wished for!" she cried gladly, and she took +out the little watch, which was a wonder. On its side was a fine engraving +of boys and girls skating on a frozen pond. Gladys's bright eyes caught +sight of a tiny spring, which she touched, and instantly a fairy bell +struck the hour and then told off the quarters and minutes. + +"Oh, it's a repeater like uncle Frank's!" she cried, "and so small, too! +Mother said I couldn't have one until I was grown up. Won't she be +surprised! I don't mean to tell her for ever so long where I got it." + +"I thought it was for Ernest," remarked Vera quietly. + +"Why, Vera," returned the child earnestly, "I should think you'd see that +no boy ought to have a watch like that. If it was a different _kind_ I'd +give it to him, of course." + +"Yes, if it wasn't pretty and had nothing about it that you liked, you'd +give it to him, I suppose; and if the bird couldn't sing, and had dark, +broken feathers so that no child would care about it, you'd give it to +Faith, no doubt." + +Gladys felt her face burn. She knew this was the truth, but oh, the +entrancing bird, how could she see it belong to another? How could she +endure to see Ernest take from his pocket this watch and show people its +wonders! + +"Selfishness is a cruel thing," said Vera. "It makes a person think she can +have a good time being its slave until all of a sudden the person finds out +that she has chains on that cannot be broken. You think you can't break +that old law of selfishness that makes it misery to you to see another +child have something that you haven't. Poor, unhappy Gladys!" + +"Oh, but this bird, Vera!" Gladys looked down at the little warbler. What +did she see! A shriveled, sorry, brown creature, its feathers broken. She +lifted it anxiously. No song was there. Its poor little beady eyes were +dull. + +She dropped it in disgust and again picked up the watch. What had happened +to it? The cover was brass, the picture was gone. Pushing the spring had no +effect. + +"Oh, Faith and Ernest can have them now!" cried Gladys. Presto! in an +instant bird and watch had regained every beauty they had lost, and +twinkled and tinkled upon the astonished child's eyes and ears until she +could have hugged them with delight; but suddenly great tears rolled from +her eyes, for she had a new thought. + +"What does this mean, Vera? Will they only be beautiful for Faith and +Ernest?" + +"You asked for them to enjoy the blessing of giving, you know, not to keep +for yourself. Beside, they showed a great truth when they grew dull." + +"How?" asked Gladys tearfully. + +"That is the way they would look to you in a few months, after you grew +tired of them; for it is the punishment of the selfish, spoiled child, that +her possessions disgust her after a while. There is only one thing that +lives, and remains bright, and brings us happiness,--that is thoughtful +love for others. There's nothing else, Gladys, there is nothing else. I am +Vera." + +"And I have none of it, none!" cried the unhappy child, and rising, she +threw herself upon the bed, broken-hearted, and sobbed and sobbed. + +Ellen heard her and came in from the next room. + +"What is it, my lamb, what is it?" she asked, approaching the bed +anxiously. + +"Oh, Ellen, I can't tell you. I can never tell you!" wailed the child. + +"Well, move over, dearie. I'll push Vera along and there'll be room for us +all. There, darling, come in Ellen's arms and forget all about it." + +Gladys cuddled close, and after a few more catches in her breath, she slept +soundly. + +When she wakened, the sunlight was streaming through the plain room, +gilding everything as it had done in her rose and white bower yesterday at +home. Ellen was moving about, all dressed. Gladys turned over and looked at +Vera, pretty and innocent, her eyes closed and her lips parted over little +white teeth. The child came close to the doll. The wonderful dream returned +vividly. + +"Your name is Vera. You had to," she whispered, and closed her eyes. + +"How is the baby prince?" she asked, after a minute, jumping out of bed. + +"He's lively, but I expect he's as hungry as you are. What's he going to +have?" + +"Meat," replied Gladys, looking admiringly at the pretty little creature. + +"I brought in my wash-bowl for your bath. I suppose princes can't be +disturbed," said Ellen. + +While she buttoned Gladys's clothes, the little girl looked at the silver +bowl, and the chairs where she and Vera had sat last night in her dream. +She even glanced about to see some sign of watch and bird, but could not +find them. How busily her thoughts were working! + +Sensible Ellen said nothing of bad dreams; and by the time Gladys went +downstairs, her face looked interested and happy. After all, it wasn't as +though there wasn't any God to help a person, and she had said a very +fervent prayer, with her nose buried in Vera's golden curls, before she +jumped out of bed. + +She had the satin shell of the baby prince in her hand. He had drawn into +it because he was very uncertain what was going to happen to him; but +Gladys knew. + +She said good-morning to her cousins so brightly that Faith was pleased; +but pretty as she looked, smiling, Ernest saw the prince in her hand and +was more offended with her than ever. + +"I want to thank you, Faith," she said, "for letting the baby stay in my +room all night. I had the most fun watching him while I was dressing." + +She put the little turtle into her cousin's hand. + +"Oh, but I gave him to you," replied Faith earnestly. + +"After you hunted for him for two summers, I couldn't be so mean as to take +him. I'm just delighted you found him, Faith," and Gladys had a very happy +moment then, for she found she _was_ happy. "Let's give him some bits of +meat." + +"She's all right," thought Ernest, with a swift revulsion of feeling, and +he was as embarrassed as he was astonished when his cousin turned suddenly +to him:-- + +"If you'll take me in the boat again," she said, "I won't rock. I'm sorry I +did." + +"It _is_ a fool trick," blurted out Ernest, "but you're all right, Gladys. +I'll take you anywhere you want to go." + +Ellen had heard this conversation. Later in the morning she was alone for a +minute with Gladys, and the little girl said:-- + +"Don't you think it would be nice, Ellen, when we get home, to make up a +box of pretty things and send to Faith and Ernest?" + +"I do, that," replied the surprised Ellen. + +"I'm going to ask mother if I can't send them my music-box. They haven't +any piano." + +"Why, you couldn't get another, Gladys." + +"I don't care," replied the child firmly. "It would be so nice for evenings +and rainy days." She swallowed, because she had not grown tired of the +music box. + +Ellen put her hands on the little girl's brow and cheeks and remembered the +sobbing in the night. "Do you feel well, Gladys?" she asked, with concern. +This unnatural talk alarmed her. + +"I never felt any better," replied the child. + +"Well, I wouldn't say anything to them about the music-box, dearie." + +Gladys smiled. "I know. You think I'd be sorry after I let it go; but if I +am I'll talk with Vera." + +Ellen laughed. "Do you think it will always be enough for you to hear her +say 'Ma-ma, Pa-pa?'" she asked. + +Gladys smiled and looked affectionately at her good friend; but her lips +closed tightly together. Ellen knew all that Vera did; but the nurse loved +her still! The child was to have many a tussle with the hard mistress whose +chains she had worn all her short life, but Truth had spoken, and she had +heard; and Love was coming to help in setting her free. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A HEROIC OFFER + + +Jewel told her grandfather the tale of The Talking Doll while they walked +their horses through a favorite wood-road, Mr. Evringham keeping his eyes +on the animated face of the story-teller. His own was entirely impassive, +but he threw in an exclamation now and then to prove his undivided +attention. + +"_You_ know it's more blessed to give than to receive, don't you, grandpa?" +added Jewel affectionately, as she finished; "because you're giving things +to people all the time, and nobody but God can give you anything." + +"I don't know about that," returned the broker. "Have you forgotten the +yellow chicken you gave me?" + +"No," returned Jewel seriously; "but I've never seen anything since that I +thought you would care for." + +Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think," he said confidentially, "that you have +given me something pretty nice in your mother. Do you know, I'm very glad +that she married into our family." + +"Yes, indeed," replied Jewel, "so am I. Just supposing I had had some other +grandpa!" + +The two shook their heads at one another gravely. There were some +situations that could not be contemplated. + +"Why do you suppose I can't find any turtles in my brook?" asked the child, +after a short pause. "Mother says perhaps they like meadows better than +shady ravines." + +"Perhaps they do; but," and the broker nodded knowingly, "there's another +reason." + +"Why, grandpa, why?" asked Jewel eagerly. + +"Oh, Nature is such a neat housekeeper!" + +"Why, turtles must be lovely and clean." + +"Yes, I know; and if Summer would just let the brook alone you might find a +baby turtle for Anna Belle." + +"She'd love it. Her eyes nearly popped out when mother was telling about +it." + +"Well, there it is, you see. Now I'd be ashamed to have you see that brook +in August, Jewel." Mr. Evringham slapped the pommel of his saddle to +emphasize the depth of his feelings. + +"Why, what happens?" + +"Dry--as--a--bone!" + +"It _is_?" + +"Yes, indeed. We shan't have been long at the seashore when Summer will +have drained off every drop of water in that brook." + +"What for?" + +"House-cleaning, of course. I suppose she scrubs out and sweeps out the bed +of that brook before she'll let a bit of water come in again." + +"Well, she _is_ fussy," laughed Jewel. "Even Mrs. Forbes wouldn't do that." + +"I ask you," pursued Mr. Evringham, "what would the turtles do while the +war was on?" + +"Why, they couldn't live there, of course. Well, we won't be here while the +ravine is empty of the brook, will we, grandpa? I shouldn't like to see +it." + +"No, we shall be where there's 'water, water everywhere.' Even Summer won't +attempt to houseclean the bottom of the sea." + +Jewel thought a minute. "I wish she wouldn't do that," she said wistfully; +"because turtles would be fun, wouldn't they, grandpa?" + +Mr. Evringham regarded her quizzically. "I see what you want me to do," he +replied. "You want me to give up Wall Street and become the owner of a +menagerie, so you can have every animal that was ever heard of." + +Jewel smiled and shook her head. "I don't believe I do yet. We'll have to +wait till everybody loves to be good." + +"What has that to do with it?" + +"Then the lions and tigers will be pleasant." + +"Will they, indeed?" Mr. Evringham laughed. "All those good people won't +shut them up in cages then, I fancy." + +"No, I don't believe they will," replied Jewel. + +"But about those turtles," continued her grandfather. "How would you like +it next spring for me to get some for you for the brook?" + +Jewel's eyes sparkled. "Wouldn't that be the most _fun_?" she +returned,--"but then there's summer again," she added, sobering. + +"What's the reason that we couldn't drive with them to the nearest river +before the brook ran dry?" + +"Perhaps we could," replied Jewel hopefully "Doesn't mother tell the +_nicest_ stories, grandpa?" + +"She certainly does; and some of the most wonderful you don't hear at all. +She tells them to me after you have gone to bed." + +"Then you ought to tell them to me," answered Jewel, "just the way I tell +mine to you." + +Mr. Evringham shook his head. "They probably wouldn't make you open your +eyes as wide as I do mine; you're used to them. They're Christian Science +stories. Your mother has been treating my rheumatism, Jewel. What do you +think of that?" + +"Oh, I'm glad," replied the child heartily, "because then you've asked her +to." + +"How do you know I have?" + +"Because she wouldn't treat you if you hadn't, and mother says when people +are willing to ask for it, then that's the beginning of everything good for +them. You know, grandpa," Jewel leaned toward him lovingly and added +softly, "you know even _you_ have to meet mortal mind." + +"I shouldn't wonder," responded the broker dryly. + +"And it's so proud, and hates to give up so," said Jewel. + +"I'm an old dog," returned Mr. Evringham. "Teaching me new tricks is going +to be no joke, but your mother undertakes it cheerfully. I'm reading that +book, 'Science and Health;' and she says I may have to read it through +three times before I get the hang of it." + +"I don't believe you will, grandpa, because it's just as _plain_," said the +child. + +"You'll help me, Jewel?" + +"Yes, indeed I will;" the little girl's face was radiant. "And won't Mr. +Reeves be glad to see you coming to church with us?" + +"I don't know whether I shall ever make Mr. Reeves glad in that way or not. +I'm doing this to try to understand something of what you and your mother +are so sure of, and what has made a man of your father. More than that, if +there is any eternity for us, I propose to stick to you through it, and it +may be more convenient to study here than off in some dim no-man's-land in +the hereafter. If I remain ignorant, who can tell but the Power that Is +will whisk you away from me by and by." + +Jewel gathered the speaker's meaning very well, and now she smiled at him +with the look he loved best; all her heart in her eyes. "He wouldn't. God +isn't anybody to be afraid of," she said. + +"Why, it tells us all through the Bible to fear God." + +"Yes, of course it tells us to fear to trouble the One who loves us the +best of all. Just think how even you and I would fear to hurt one another, +and God is keeping us _alive_ with _his_ love!" + +Half an hour afterward their horses cantered up the drive toward the house. +Mrs. Evringham was seated on the piazza, sewing. Her husband had sent the +summer wardrobe promptly, and she wore now a thin blue gown that looked +charmingly comfortable. + +"Genuine!" thought her father-in-law, as he came up the steps and met a +smiling welcome from her clear eyes. He liked the simple manner in which +she dressed her hair. He liked her complexion, and carriage, and voice. + +"I don't know but that you have the better part here on the piazza, it is +so warm," he said, "but I have been thinking of you rather remorsefully +this afternoon, Julia. These excursions of Jewel's and mine are growing to +seem rather selfish. Have you ever learned to ride?" + +"Never, and I don't wish to. Please believe how supremely content I am." + +"My carriages are small. It is so long since I've had a family. When we +return I shall get one that will hold us all." + +"Oh, yes, grandpa," cried Jewel enthusiastically. "You and I on the front +seat, driving, and mother and father on the back seat." + +"Well, we have more than two months to decide how we shall sit. I fancy it +will oftener be your father and mother in the phaeton and you and I on our +noble steeds, eh, Jewel?" + +"Yes, I think so, too," she returned seriously. + +Mr. Evringham smiled slightly at his daughter. "The occasions when we +differ are not numerous enough to mention," he remarked. + +"I hope it may always be so," she replied, going on with her work. + +"This looks like moving," observed the broker, wiping his forehead with his +pocket-handkerchief and looking about on the still, green scene. "I think +we had better plan to go to the shore next week." + +Julia smiled and sighed. "Very well, but any change seems as if it might be +for the worse," she said. + +"Then you've never tried summer in New Jersey," he responded. "I hear you +are a great story-teller, Julia. If I should wear some large bows behind my +ears, couldn't I come to some of these readings?" + +As no laugh from Jewel greeted this sally, he looked down at her. She was +gazing off wistfully. + +"What is it, Jewel?" he asked. + +"I was wondering if it wouldn't seem a long time to Essex Maid and Star +without us!" + +"Dear me, dear me, how little you do know those horses!" and the broker +shook his head. + +"Why, grandpa? Will they like it?" + +"Do you suppose for one minute that you could make them stay at home?" + +"Are they going with us, grandpa?" Jewel began to hop joyfully, but her +habit interfered. + +"Certainly. They naturally want to see what sort of bits and bridles are +being worn at the seashore this year." + +"Do you realize what unfashionable people you are proposing to take, +yourself, father?" asked Julia. She was visited by daily doubts in this +regard. + +The broker returned her glance gravely. "Have you ever seen Jewel's silk +dress?" he asked. + +The child beamed at him. "She _made_ it!" she announced triumphantly. + +"Then you must know," said Mr. Evringham, "that it would save any social +situation." + +Julia laughed over her sewing. "My machine came to-day," she said. "I meant +to make something a little fine, but if we go in a few days"-- + +"Don't think of it," replied the host hastily. "You are both all right. I +don't want you to see a needle. I'm sorry you are at it now." + +"But I like it. I really do." + +"I'm going to take you to the coolest place on Long Island, but not to the +most fashionable." + +"That is good news," returned Julia, "Run along, Jewel, and dress for +dinner." + +"In one minute," put in Mr. Evringham. "She and I wish your opinion of +something first." + +He disappeared for a moment into the house and came back with a flat +package which Jewel watched with curious eyes while he untied the string. + +Silently he placed a photograph in his daughter's lap while the child +leaned eagerly beside her. + +"Why, why, how good!" exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, and Jewel's eyes glistened. + +"Isn't grandpa's nose just splendid!" she said fervently. + +"Why, father, this picture will be a treasure," went on Julia. Color had +risen in her face. + +The photograph showed Jewel standing beside her grandfather seated, and her +arm was about his neck. It was such a natural attitude that she had taken +it while waiting for the photographer to be ready. The daisy-wreathed hat +hung from her hand, and she had not known when the picture was taken. It +was remarkably lifelike, and the broker regarded it with a satisfaction +none the less keen because he let the others do all the talking. + +"And now we don't need it, grandpa," said the child. + +"Oh, indeed we do!" exclaimed the mother; and Jewel, catching her +grandfather's eyes, lifted her shoulders. What did her mother know of +their secret! + +Mr. Evringham smoothed his mustache. "No harm to have it, Jewel," he +replied, nodding at her. "No harm; a very good plan, in fact; for I +suppose, even to oblige me, you can't refrain from growing up. And next we +must get Star's picture, with you on his back." + +"But you weren't on Essex Maid's," objected Jewel. + +"We'll have it taken both ways, then. It's best always to be on the safe +side." + +From this day on there was no more chance for Jewel to hear a tale in the +Story Book, until the move to the seashore was accomplished, for hot +weather had evidently come to stay in Bel-Air Park. Mrs. Evringham felt +loath to leave its green, still loveliness and her large shady rooms; but +the New Jerseyite's heat panic had seized upon her father-in-law, and he +pushed forward the preparations for flight. + +"I can't pity you for remaining here," Julia said to Mrs. Forbes on the +morning of departure. + +"No, ma'am, you don't need to," returned the housekeeper. "Zeke and I are +going off on trips, and we, calculate to have a pretty good time of it. +I've been wanting to speak to you, Mrs. Evringham, about a business +matter," continued Mrs. Forbes, her manner indicating that she had +constrained herself to make an effort. "Mr. Evringham tells me you and Mr. +Harry are to make your home with him. It's a good plan," emphatically, "as +right as right can be; for what he would do without Jewel isn't easy to +think of; but it's given me a lot to consider. I won't be necessary here +any more," the housekeeper tried to conceal what the statement cost her. +She endeavored to continue, but could not, and Julia saw that she did not +trust her voice. + +"Mr. Evringham has not said that, I am sure," she returned. + +"No, and he never would; but that shouldn't prevent my doing right. You can +take care of him and his house now, and I wanted to tell you that I see +that, plainly, and am willing to go when you all come back. I shall have +plenty of time this summer to turn around and make my plans. There's +plenty of work in this world for willing hands to do, and I'm a long way +off from being worn out yet." + +"I'm so glad you spoke about this before we left," replied Mrs. Evringham, +smiling on the brave woman. "Father has said nothing to me about it, and I +am certain he would as soon dispense with one of the supports of the house +as with you. We all want to be busy at something, and I have a glimmering +idea of what my work is to be; and I think it is not housekeeping. I should +be glad to have our coming disturb father's habits as little as possible, +and certainly neither you or I should be the first to speak of any change." + +Mrs. Forbes bit her lip. "Well," she returned, "you see I knew it would +come hard on him to ask me to go, and I wanted you both to know that I'd +see it reasonably." + +"It was good of you," said Julia; "and that is all we ever need to be sure +of--just that we are willing to be led, and then, while we look to God, +everything will come right." The housekeeper drank in the sweet expression +of the speaker's eyes, and smiled, a bit unsteadily. "Of course I'd rather +stay," she replied. "Transplanting folks is as hard and risky as trees. You +can't ever be sure they'll flourish in the new ground; but I want to do +right. I've been reading some in Zeke's book, 'Science and Health,' and +there was one sentence just got hold of me:[1] 'Self-love is more opaque +than a solid body. In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to +dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of +error--self-will, self-justification, and self-love!' Jewel's helped me to +dissolve enough so I could face handing over the keys of this house to her +mother. I'm not saying I could have offered them to everybody." + +[Footnote 1: _S. and H._, page 242.] + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "Thank you. I hope it isn't your duty to give them, +nor mine to take them. We'll leave all that to father. My idea is that he +would send us all back to Chicago rather than give you up--his right hand." + +Mrs. Forbes's face relaxed, and she breathed more freely than for many +days. As she took her way out to the barn to report this conversation to +Zeke, her state of mind agreed with that of her employer when he declared +his pleasure that Julia had married into the family. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +ROBINSON CRUSOE + + +A long stretch of white, fine sandy beach, packed hard; an orderly +procession of waves, each one breaking in seething, snowy foam that ran or +crept after a child's bare feet as she skipped back and forth, playing with +them; that was Long Island to Jewel. + +Of course there was a village and on its edge a dear, clean old farmhouse +where they all lived, and in whose barn Essex Maid and Star found stables. +Then there were rides every pleasant day, over cool, rolling country, and +woods where one was as liable to find shells as flowers. There were wide, +flat fields of grain, above which the moon sailed at night; each spot had +its attraction, but the beach was the place where Jewel found the greatest +joy; and while Mr. Evringham, in the course of his life, had taken part to +the full in the social activities of a summer resort where men are usually +scarce and proportionately prized, it can be safely said that he now set +out upon the most strenuous vacation of his entire career. + +It was his habit in moments of excitement or especial impressiveness to +address his daughter-in-law as "madam," and on the second morning after +their arrival, as she was sitting on the sand, viewing the great +bottle-green rollers that marched unendingly landward, she noticed her +father-in-law and Jewel engaged in deep discussion, where they stood, +between her and the water. + +Mr. Evringham had just come to the beach, and the incessant noise of the +waves made eavesdropping impossible; but his gestures and Jewel's replies +roused her curiosity. The child's bathing-suit was dripping, and her pink +toes were submerged by the rising tide, when her grandfather seized her +hand and led her back to where her mother was sitting. + +"Madam," he said, "this child mustn't overdo this business. She tells me +she has been splashing about for some time, already." + +"And I'm not a bit cold, mother," declared Jewel. + +"H'm. Her hands are like frogs' paws, madam. I can see she is a perfect +water-baby and will want to be in the waves continually. She says you are +perfectly willing. Then it is because you are ignorant. She should go in +once a day, madam, once a day." + +"Oh, grandpa!" protested Jewel, "not even wade?" + +"We'll speak of that later; but put on your bathing-suit once a day only." + +Mr. Evringham looked down at the glowing face seriously. Jewel lifted her +wet shoulders and returned his look. + +"Put it on in the morning, then, and keep it on all day?" she suggested, +smiling. + +"At the proper hour," he went on, "the bathing master is here. Then you +will go in, and your mother, I hope." + +"And you, too, grandpa?" + +"Yes, and I'll teach you to jump the waves. I taught your father in this +very place when he was your age." + +"Oh, goody!" Jewel jumped up and down on the warm sand. "What fun it must +have been to be your little boy!" she added. + +Mr. Evringham refrained from looking at his daughter-in-law. He suspected +that she knew better. + +"Look at all this white sand," he said. "This was put here for babies like +you to play with. Old ocean is too big a comrade for you." + +"I just love the foam," returned the child wistfully, "and, oh, grandpa," +eagerly, "I tasted of it and it's as _salt_!" + +Mr. Evringham smiled, looking at his daughter. + +"Yes," said Julia. "Jewel has gone into Lake Michigan once or twice, and I +think she was very much surprised to find that the Atlantic did not taste +the same." + +"Sit down here," said Mr. Evringham, "and I'll show you what your father +used to like to do twenty-five years ago." + +Jewel sat down, with much interest, and watched the speaker scoop out a +shallow place in the sand and make a ring about it. + +"There, do you see these little hoppers?" + +Julia was looking on, also. "Aren't they cunning, Jewel?" she exclaimed. +"Exactly like tiny lobsters." + +"Only they're white instead of red," replied the child, and her grandfather +smiled and caught one of the semi-transparent creatures. + +"Lobsters are green when they're at home," he said. "It's only in our homes +that they turn red." + +"Really?" + +"Yes. There are a number of things you have to learn, Jewel. The ocean is a +splendid playmate, but rough. That is one of the things for you to +remember." + +"But I can wade, can't I? I want to build so many things that the water +runs up into." + +"Certainly, you can take off your shoes and stockings when it's warm +enough, as it is this morning, if your mother is willing you should drabble +your skirts; but keep your dress on and then you won't forget yourself." + +Jewel leaned toward the speaker affectionately. "Grandpa, you know I'm a +pretty big girl. I'll be nine the first of September." + +"Yes, I know that." + +"Beside, you're going to be with me all the time," she went on. + +"H'm. Well, now see these sand-fleas race." + +"Oh, are they sand-fleas? Just wait for Anna Belle." The child reached over +to where the doll was gazing, fascinated, at the advancing, roaring +breakers. + +Her boa and plumed hat had evidently been put away from the moths. She wore +a most becoming bathing costume of blue and white, and a coquettish silk +handkerchief was knotted around her head. It was evident that, in common +with some other summer girls, she did not intend to wet her fetching +bathing-suit, and certainly it would be a risk to go into the water wearing +the necklace that now sparkled in the summer sun. + +"Come here, dearie, and see the baby lobsters," said Jewel, holding her +child carefully away from her own glistening wetness, and seating her +against Mrs. Evringham's knee. + +"If lobsters could hop like this," said Mr. Evringham, "they would be +shooting out of the ocean like dolphins. Now you choose one, Jewel, and +we'll see which wins the race. We're going to place them in the middle of +the ring, and watch which hops first outside the circle." + +Jewel chuckled gleefully as she caught one. "Oh, mother, aren't his eyes +funny! He looks as _surprised_ all the time. Now hop, dearie," she added, +as she placed him beside the one Mr. Evringham had set down. "Which do you +guess, Anna Belle? She guesses grandpa's will beat." + +"Well, I guess yours, Jewel," said her mother; but scarcely were the words +spoken when Anna Belle's prophecy was proved correct by the airy bound with +which one of the fleas cleared the barrier while Jewel's choice still +remained transfixed. They all laughed except Anna Belle, who only smiled +complacently. + +Jewel leaned over her staring protegee. "If I only knew _what_ you were so +surprised at, dearie, I'd explain it to you," she said. Then she gently +pushed the creature, and it sped, tardily, over the border. + +They pursued this game until the bathing-suit was dry; then Mr. Evringham +yawned. "Ah, this bright air makes me sleepy. Haven't you something you can +read to us, Julia?" + +"Yes, yes," cried Jewel, "she brought the story-book." + +"But I didn't realize it would be so noisy. I could never read aloud +against this roaring." + +"Oh, we'll go back among the dunes. That's easy," returned Mr. Evringham. + +"You don't want to hear one of these little tales, father," said Julia, +flushing. + +"Why, he just loves them," replied Jewel earnestly. "I've told them all to +him, and he's just as _interested_." + +Mrs. Evringham did not doubt this, and she and the broker exchanged a look +of understanding, but he smiled. + +"I'll be very good if you'll let me come," he said. "I forgot the ribbon +bows, but perhaps you'd let me qualify by holding Anna Belle. Run and get +into your clothes, Jewel, and I'll find a nice place by that dune over +yonder." + +Fifteen minutes afterward the little party were comfortably ensconced in +the shade of the sand hill whose sparse grasses grew tall about them. + +Jewel began pulling on them. "You'll never pull those up," remarked Mr. +Evringham. "I believe their roots go down to China. I've heard so." + +"Anna Belle and I will dig sometime and see," replied Jewel, much +interested. + +"There are only two stories left," said Mrs. Evringham, who was running +over the pages of the book. + +"And let grandpa choose, won't you?" said Jewel. + +"Oh, yes," and the somewhat embarrassed author read the remaining titles. + +"I choose Robinson Crusoe, of course," announced Mr. Evringham. "This is an +appropriate place to read that. I dare say by stretching our necks a little +we could see his island." + +"Well, this story is a true one," said Julia. "It happened to the children +of some friends of mine, who live about fifty miles from Chicago." Then +she began to read as follows:-- + + +ROBINSON CRUSOE + +"I guess I shall like Robinson Crusoe, mamma!" exclaimed Johnnie Ford, +rushing into his mother's room after school one day. + +"You would be an odd kind of boy if you did not," replied Mrs. Ford, "and +yet you didn't seem much pleased when your father gave you the book on your +birthday." + +"Well, I didn't care much about it then, but Fred King says it is the best +story that ever was, and he ought to know; he rides to school in an +automobile. Say, when'll you read it to me? Do it now, won't you?" + +"If what?" corrected Mrs. Ford. + +"Oh, if you please. You know I always mean it." + +"No, dear, I don't think I will. A boy nine years old ought to be able to +read Robinson Crusoe for himself." + +Johnnie looked startled, and stood on one leg while he twisted the other +around it. + +"If you have a pleasant object to work for, it will make it so much the +easier to study," continued Mrs. Ford, as she handed Johnnie the blue book +with a gold picture pressed into its side. + +Johnnie pouted and looked very cross. "It's a regular old trap," he said. + +[Illustration: TRUDGING ALONG BEFORE HIM] + +"Yes, dear, a trap to catch a student;" and pretty Mrs. Ford's low laugh +was so contagious that Johnnie marched out of the room, fearing he might +smile in sympathy; but he soon found that leaving the room was not +escaping from the fascinating Crusoe. Up to this time Johnnie had never +taken much interest in school-books beyond scribbling on their blank +margins. Was it really worth while, he wondered, "to buckle down" and learn +to read? He knew just enough about the famous Crusoe to make him wish to +learn more, so he finally decided that it was worth while, if only to +impress Chips Wood, his next-door neighbor and playmate, a boy a year +younger than himself, whom Johnnie patronized out of school hours. So he +worked away until at last there came a proud day when he carried the blue +and gold wonder book into Chips' yard, and, seated beside his friend on the +piazza step, began to read aloud the story of Robinson Crusoe. It would be +hard to tell which pair of eyes grew widest and roundest as the tale +unfolded, and when Johnnie, one day, laid the book down, finished, two +sighs of admiration floated away over Mrs. Wood's crocus bed. + +"Chips, I'd rather be Robinson Crusoe than a king!" exclaimed Johnnie. + +"So would I," responded Chips. "Let's play it." + +"But we can't both be Crusoes. Wouldn't you like to be Friday?" asked +Johnnie insinuatingly, "he was so nice and black." + +"Ye-yes," hesitated Chips, who had great confidence in Johnnie's judgment, +but whose fancy had been taken by the high cap and leggings in the golden +picture. + +"Then I've got a plan," and Johnnie leaned toward his friend's ear and +whispered something under cover of his hand, that opened the younger boy's +eyes wider than ever. + +"Now you mustn't tell," added Johnnie aloud, "'cause that wouldn't he like +men a hit. Promise not to, deed and double!" + +"Deed and double!" echoed Chips solemnly, for that was a very binding +expression between him and Johnnie. + +For several days following this, Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Ford were besieged by +the boys to permit them to earn money; and Mrs. Ford, especially, was +astonished at the way Johnnie worked at clearing up the yard, and such +other jobs as were not beyond his strength; but, inquire as she might into +the motive of all this labor, she could only discover that Chips and +Johnnie wished to buy a hen. + +"Have you asked father if you might keep hens?" she inquired of Johnnie, +but he only shook his head mysteriously. + +Chips' mother found him equally uncommunicative. She would stand at her +window which overlooked the Fords' back yard, and watch the boys throw +kindling into the shed, or sweep the paths, and wonder greatly in her own +mind. "Bless their little hearts, what can it all be about?" she +questioned, but she could not get at the truth. + +Suddenly the children ceased asking for jobs, and announced that they had +all the money they cared for. The day after this announcement was the first +of April. When Mr. Ford came home to dinner that day, he missed Johnnie. + +"I suppose some of his schoolmates have persuaded him to stay and share +their lunch," explained Mrs. Ford. + +She had scarcely finished speaking when Mrs. Wood came in, inquiring for +Chips. "I have not seen him for two hours," she said, "and I cannot help +feeling a little anxious, for the children have behaved so queerly lately." + +"I know," returned Mrs. Ford, beginning to look worried. "Why, do you know, +Johnnie didn't play a trick on one of us this morning. I actually had to +remind him that it was April Fools' Day." + +Mr. Ford laughed. "How woe-begone you both look! I think there is a very +simple explanation of the boys' absence. Chips probably went to school to +meet Johnnie, who has persuaded him to stay during the play hour. I will +drive around there on my way to business and send Chips home." + +The mothers welcomed this idea warmly; and in a short time Mr. Ford set +out, but upon reaching the school was met with the word that Johnnie had +not been seen there at all that morning. Then it was his turn to look +anxious. He drove about, questioning every one, until he finally obtained a +clue at the meat market where he dealt. + +"Your little boy was in here this morning about half past ten, after a ham. +He wouldn't have it charged; said 'twas for himself," said the market-man, +laughing at the remembrance. "He didn't have quite enough money to pay for +it, but I told him I guessed that would be all right, and off they went, +him and the little Wood boy, luggin' that ham most as big as they was." + +"Then they were together. Which way did they go?" + +"Straight south, I know, 'cause I went to the door and watched 'em. You +haven't lost 'em, have you?" + +"I hope not," and Mr. Ford sprang into his buggy, and drove off in the +direction indicated, occasionally stopping to inquire if the children had +been seen. To his great satisfaction he found it easy to trace them, thanks +to the ham; and a little beyond the outskirts of the town he saw a +promising speck ahead of him on the flat, white road. As he drew nearer, +the speck widened and heightened into two little boys trudging along before +him. His heart gave a thankful bound at sight of the dear little legs in +their black stockings and knee breeches, and leaving his buggy by the side +of the road, he walked rapidly forward and caught up with the boys, who +turned and faced him as he approached. Displeased as he was, Mr. Ford could +hardly resist a hearty laugh at the comical appearance of the runaways. +Chips carried the big, heavy ham, and Johnnie was keeping firm hold of a +hen, who stretched her neck and looked very uncomfortable in her quarters +under his arm. + +"Why, father!" exclaimed Johnnie, recovering from a short tussle with the +poor hen, "how funny that you should be here." + +"No stranger than that you should be here, I think. Where, if I have any +right to ask, are you going?" + +"To Lake Michigan," replied Johnnie composedly. "Oh, I do wish this old hen +would keep still!" + +"Then you have fifty miles before you," said Mr. Lord. + +"Yes, sir," replied Johnnie, "but it would have been a thousand miles to +the ocean, you know." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" roared Mr. Ford, mystified, but unable to control himself any +longer at sight of Johnnie and the hen, and patient-faced Chips clutching +the ham. + +"I am glad you don't mind, father," said Johnnie. "I thought it would be so +nice for you and mother and Mrs. Wood not to have Chips and me to worry +about any more." + +"It was very thoughtful of you," replied Mr. Ford, remembering the anxious +faces at home. "And what are you going to do at Lake Michigan?" + +"Take a boat and go away and get wrecked on a desert island, like Robinson +Crusoe," responded Johnnie glibly, at the same time hitching the hen up +higher under his arm. + +"And how about Chips?" + +"Oh, I'm Man Friday," chirped Chips, his poor little face quite black +enough for the character. + +"I am so sorry we had to tell you so soon," said Johnnie. "We were keeping +it a secret until we got to the lake; then we were going to send you a +letter." + +Mr. Ford looked gravely into his son's grimy face. It was an honest face, +and Johnnie had always been a truthful boy, and just now seemed only +troubled by the restless behavior of his hen; so the father rightly +concluded that the blue and gold book had captivated him into the belief +that what he and Chips were doing was admirable and heroic. + +"What part is the hen going to play?" asked the gentleman. "Is she going to +help stock your island?" + +"Oh, no, but we couldn't get along without her, because she's going to lay +eggs along the way." + +"Lay eggs?" + +"Yes, for our lunch. At first we weren't going to take anything but the +hen, but Chips said he liked ham and eggs better'n anything, so we decided +to take it." + +Another pause; then Mr. Ford said: "You both look tired, haven't you had +enough of it? I'm going home now." + +"No, no," asserted the boys. + +"And have you thought of your mothers, whom you didn't even kiss good-by?" + +Johnnie stood on one leg and twisted the other foot around it, after his +manner when troubled. + +"I thought you knew, Johnnie, that nothing ever turns out right when you +undertake it without first consulting mother." + +"I wish now I'd kissed mine good-by," observed Friday thoughtfully. + +"Come, we'll go back together," said Mr. Ford quietly, moving off as he +spoke, "and we will see what Mrs. Wood and mother have to say on the +subject." + +Johnnie and Chips followed slowly. "Father," said the former emphatically, +"I can't be happy without being wrecked, and I do hope mother won't +object." + +His father made no reply to this, and three quarters of an hour afterward +the children jumped out of the buggy into their mothers' arms, and as they +still clung to their lunch, the ham and the hen came in for a share of the +embracing, which the hen objected to seriously, never having been hugged +before this eventful day. + +"Never mind, mother," said Johnnie patronizingly, "father'll tell you all +about it while I go and put Speckle in a safe place." So the boys went, and +Mr. Ford seated himself in an armchair, and related the events of the +afternoon to the ladies, adding some advice as to the manner of making the +boys see the folly of their undertaking. + +Mrs. Wood and Chips took tea at the Fords' that evening, and the boys, once +delivered from the necessity of keeping their secret, rattled on +incessantly of their plans; talked so much and so fast, in fact, that their +parents were not obliged to say anything, which was a great convenience, as +they had nothing they wished to say just then. It had been a mild first of +April, and after supper the little company sat out on the piazza for a +time. + +"As Johnnie and Chips will be obliged to spend so many nights out of doors +on their way to Lake Michigan, it will be an excellent plan to begin +immediately," said Mr. Ford. "You'll like to spend the night out here, of +course, boys. To be sure, it will be a good deal more comfortable than the +road, still you can judge by it how such a life will suit you." + +Johnnie looked at Chips and Chips looked at Johnnie; for the exertions of +the day had served to make the thought of their white beds very inviting; +but Mr. Ford and the ladies talked on different subjects, and took no +notice of them. At last the evening air grew uncomfortably cool, and the +grown people rose to go in. + +"Good-night, all," said Mrs. Wood, starting for home. + +Chips watched her down to the gate. "Aren't you going to kiss me +good-night?" he called. + +"Of course, if you want me to," she answered, turning back, "but you went +away this morning without kissing me, you know." Then she kissed him and +went away; and in all his eight years of life little Man Friday had never +felt so forlorn. Johnnie held up his lips sturdily to bid his father and +mother good-night. + +"I think we are going to have a thunder-storm, unseasonable as it will be," +remarked Mr. Ford pleasantly, standing in the doorway. "Well, I suppose you +won't mind it. Good luck to you, boys!" then the heavy front door closed. + +Johnnie had never before realized what a clang it made when it was shut. +The key turned with a squeaking noise, a bolt was pushed with a solid thud; +all the windows came banging down, their locks were made fast, and Johnnie +and Chips felt literally, figuratively, and every other way left out in the +cold. + +There was an uncomfortable silence for a minute; then Chips spoke. + +"Your house is splendid and safe, isn't it, Johnnie?" + +"Yes, it is." + +"I wonder where we'd better lie down," pursued Chips. "I'm sleepy. Let's +play we're Crusoe and Friday now." + +"Oh, we can't," responded Johnnie impatiently, "not with so many com--" he +was going to say comforts, but changed his mind. + +The night was very dark, not a twinkling star peeped down at the children, +and the naked branches of the climbing roses rattled against the pillars to +which they were nailed, for the wind was rising. + +The boys sat down on the steps and Chips edged closer to his companion. "I +think it was queer actions in my mother," he said, "to leave me here +without any shawl or pillow or anything." + +A little chill crept over Johnnie's head from sleepiness and cold. "Our +mothers don't care what happens to us," he replied gloomily. The stillness +of the house and the growing lateness of the hour combined to make him feel +that if being wrecked was more uncomfortable than this, he could, after +all, be happy without it. + +"What do you think?" broke in the shivering Man Friday. "Mamma says ham +isn't good to eat if it isn't cooked." + +"And that's the meanest old hen that ever lived!" returned Crusoe. "She +hasn't laid an egg since I got her." + +A distant rumble sounded in the air. "What's that?" asked Chips. + +"Well, I should think you'd know that's thunder," replied Johnnie crossly. + +"Oh, yes," said little Chips meekly, "and we're going to get wet." + +They were both quiet for another minute, while the wind rose and swept by +them. + +"I really think, Johnnie," began Chips apologetically, "that I'm not big +enough to be a good Man Friday. I think to-morrow you'd better find +somebody else." + +"No, indeed," replied Johnnie feelingly. "I'd rather give up being wrecked +than go off with any one but you. If you give up, I shall." + +The rain began to patter down. + +"If you don't like to get wet, Chips, I'd just as lieves go and ring the +bell as not," he added. + +A sudden sweep of wind nearly tipped the children over, for they had risen, +undecidedly. + +"No," called Chips stoutly, to be heard above the blast. "I'll be Friday +till to-morrow." His last word sounded like a shout, for the wind suddenly +died. + +"What do you scream so for?" asked Johnnie impatiently; but the storm had +only paused, as it were to get ready, and now approached swiftly, gathering +strength as it came. It swept across the piazza, taking the children's +breath away and bending the tall maple in front of the house with such +sudden fury that a branch snapped off; then the wind died in the distance +with a rushing sound and the breaking tree was illumined by a flash of +lightning. + +"I think, Johnnie," said Chips unsteadily, "that God wants us to go in the +house." + +A peal of thunder roared. "I've just thought," replied Johnnie, keeping his +balance by clutching the younger boy as tightly as Chips was clinging to +him, "that perhaps it wasn't right for us to run off the way we did, +without getting any advice." + +They strove with the wind only a few seconds more, then, with one accord, +struggled to the door where one rang peal after peal at the bell, while the +other pounded sturdily. + +Johnnie didn't stop then to wonder how his father could get downstairs to +open the door so quickly. Mrs. Ford, too, seemed to have been waiting for +the pair of heroes, and she took them straight to Johnnie's room, where she +undressed them in silence and rolled them into bed. They said their prayers +and were asleep in two minutes, while the storm howled outside. Then, in +some mysterious way, Mrs. Wood came into the room, and the three parents +stood watching the unconscious children. + +"That's the last of one trial with those boys, I'm sure," said Mr. Ford, +laughing, and he was right; for it was years before any one heard either +Johnnie or Chips mention Robinson Crusoe or his Man Friday. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +ST. VALENTINE + + +After that day when, on the lee side of the sand-dune the Evringham family +read together the story of Johnnie and Chips, it was some time before the +last tale in the story book was called for. + +The farmhouse where they boarded stood near a pond formed by the rushing in +of the sea during some change in the sands of the beach, so here was still +another water playmate for Jewel. + +"I do hope," said Mr. Evringham meditatively, on the first morning that he +and Jewel stood together on its green bank, "I do hope that very particular +housekeeper, Nature, will let this pond alone until we go!" + +Jewel looked up at his serious face with the lines between the eyes. "She +wouldn't touch this great big pond, would she?" she asked. + +"Ho! Wouldn't she? Well, I guess so." + +"But," suggested Jewel, lifting her shoulders, "she's too busy in summer in +the ravines and everywhere." + +"Oh," Mr. Evringham nodded his head knowingly. "Nature looks out for +everything." + +"Grandpa!" Jewel's eyes were intent. "Would she ask Summer to touch this +great big pond? What would she want to do it for?" + +"Oh, more house-cleaning, I suppose." + +The child chuckled as she looked out across the blue waves, rippling in +the wind and white-capped here and there, "When you know it's washed all +the _time_, grandpa," she responded. "The waves are just scrubbing it now. +Can't you see?" + +"Yes," the broker nodded gravely. "No doubt that is why she has to empty it +so seldom. Sometimes she lets it go a very long time; but then the day +comes when she begins to think it over, and to calculate how much sediment +and one thing and another there is in the bottom of that pond; and at last +she says, 'Come now, out it must go!'" + +"But how can she get it out, how?" asked Jewel keenly interested. "The +brooks are all running somewhere, but the pond doesn't. How can she dip it +out? It would take Summer's hottest sun a year!" + +"Yes, indeed, Nature is too clever to try that. The winds are her servants, +you know, and they understand their business perfectly; so when she says +'That pond needs to be cleaned out,' they merely get up a storm some night +after everybody's gone to bed. The people have seen the pond fine and full +when the sun went down. All that night the wind howls and the windows +rattle and the trees bend and switch around; and if those in the farmhouse, +instead of being in bed, were over there on the beach," the speaker waved +his hand toward the shining white sand, distant, but in plain sight, "they +might see countless billows working for dear life to dig a trench through +the hard sand. The wind sends one tremendous wave after another to help +them, and as a great roller breaks and recedes, all the little crested +waves scrabble with might and main, pulling at the softened sand, until, +after hours of this labor, the cut is made completely through from sea to +pond." + +Mr. Evringham looked down and met the unwinking gaze fixed upon him. "Then +why--why," asked Jewel, "when the big rollers keep coming, doesn't the pond +get filled fuller than ever?" + +The broker lifted his forefinger toward his face with a long drawn "Ah-h! +Nature is much too clever for _that_. She may not have gone to college, but +she understands engineering, all the same. All this is accomplished just at +the right moment for the outgoing tide to pull at the pond with a mighty +hand. Well,"--pausing dramatically,--"you can imagine what happens when the +deep cut is finished." + +"Does the pond have to go, grandpa?" + +"It just does, and in a hurry!" + +"Is it sorry, do you think?" asked Jewel doubtfully. + +"We-ell, I don't know that I ever thought of that side of it; but you can +imagine the feelings of the people in the farmhouse, who went to bed beside +the ripples of a smiling little lake, and woke to find themselves near a +great empty bog." + +Jewel thought and sighed deeply. "Well," she said, at last, "I hope Nature +will wait till we're gone. I love this pond." + +"Indeed I hope so, too. There wouldn't be any pleasant side to it." + +Jewel's thoughtful face brightened. "Except for the little fishes and +water-creatures that would rush out to sea. It's fun for _them_. Mustn't +they be surprised when that happens, grandpa?" + +"I should think so! Do you suppose the wind gives them any warning, or any +time to pack?" + +Jewel laughed. "I don't know; but just think of rushing out into those +great breakers, when you don't expect it, right from living so quietly in +the pond!" + +"H'm. A good deal like going straight from Bel-Air Park to Wall Street, I +should think." + +Jewel grew serious. "I think fish have the most _fun_," she said. "Do you +know, grandpa, I've decided that if I couldn't be your little grandchild, +I'd rather be a lobster than anything." + +The broker threw up his head, laughing. "Some children could combine the +two," he replied, "but you can't." + +"What?" asked Jewel. + +"Nothing. Why not be a fish, Jewel? They're much more graceful." + +"But they can't creep around among the coral and peek into oyster shells at +the pearls." + +"Imagine a lobster peeking!" Mr. Evringham strained his eyes to their +widest and stared at Jewel, who shouted. + +"That's just the way the sand-fleas look," she exclaimed. + +"Well," remarked the broker, recovering his ordinary expression, "you may +as well remain a little girl, so far as that goes. You can creep around +among the coral and peek at pearls at Tiffany's." + +"What's Tiffany's?" + +"Something you will take more interest in when you're older." The broker +shook his head. "The difference is that the lobster wouldn't care to wear +the coral and pearls. An awful thought comes over me once in a while, +Jewel," he added, after a pause. + +The child looked up at him seriously. "It can be met," she answered +quickly. + +He smiled. He understood her peculiar expressions in these days. "Hardly, I +think," he answered. "It is this: that you are going to grow up." + +Jewel looked off at the blue water. "Well," she replied at last hopefully, +"you're grown up, you know, and perhaps you'll like me then just as much as +I do you." + +He squeezed the little hand he held. "We'll hope so," he said. + +"And besides, grandpa," she went on, for she had heard him express the same +dread before, "we'll be together every day, so perhaps you won't notice it. +Sometimes I've tried to see a flower open. I've known it was going to do +it, and I've been just _bound_ I'd see it; and I've watched and watched, +but I never could see when the leaves spread, no matter how much I tried, +and yet it would get to be a rose, somehow. Perhaps some day somebody'll +say to you, 'Why, Jewel's a grown up lady, isn't she?' and you'll say, 'Is +she, really? Why, I hadn't noticed it.'" + +"That's a comforting idea," returned Mr. Evringham briefly, his eyes +resting on the upturned face. + +"So now, if the pond won't run away, we'll have the most _fun_," went on +Jewel, relieved. "They _said_ we could take this boat, grandpa, and have a +row." She lifted her shoulders and smiled. + +"H'm. A row and a swim combined," returned the broker. "I'm surprised +they've nothing better this year than that ramshackle boat. You'll have to +bail if we go." + +"What's bail?" eagerly. + +"Dipping out the water with a tin cup." + +"Oh, that'll be fun. It'll be an adventure, grandpa, won't it?" + +"I hope not," earnestly, was the reply; but Jewel was already sitting on +the grass pulling off her shoes and stockings. She leaped nimbly into the +wet boat, and Mr. Evringham stepped gingerly after her, seeking for dry +spots for his canvas shoes. + +"I think," said the child joyfully, as they pushed off, "when the winds and +waves notice us having so much fun, they'll let the pond alone, don't you?" + +"If they have any hearts at all," responded Mr. Evringham, bending to the +oars. + +"Oh, grandpa, you can tell stories like any thing!" exclaimed Jewel +admiringly. + +"It has been said before," rejoined the broker modestly. + + * * * * * + +When outdoor gayeties had to be dispensed with one day, on account of a +thorough downpour of rain, the last story in Jewel's book was called for. + +The little circle gathered in the big living-room; there was no question +now as to whether Mr. Evringham should be present. + +"It is Hobson's choice this time," said Mrs. Evringham, "so we'll all +choose the story, won't we?" + +"Let Anna Belle have the turn, though," replied Jewel. "She chose the first +one and she must have the last, because she doesn't have so much fun as the +rest of us." She hugged the doll and kissed her cheeks comfortingly. It +was too true that often of late Anna Belle did not accompany all the +excursions, but she went to bed with Jewel every night, and it was seldom +that the child was too sleepy to take her into full confidence concerning +the events of the day; and Anna Belle, being of a sedentary turn and given +to day dreams, was apparently quite as well pleased. + +Now Mr. Evringham settled in a big easy-chair; the reader took a small one +by the window, and Jewel sat on the rug before the fire, holding Anna +Belle. + +"Now we're off," said Mr. Evringham. + +"Go to sleep if you like, father," remarked the author, smiling, and then +she began to read the story entitled + + +ST. VALENTINE + +There was a little buzz of interest in Miss Joslyn's room in the public +school, one day in February, over the arrival of a new scholar. Only a very +little buzz, because the new-comer was a plain little girl as to face and +dress, with big, wondering eyes, and a high-necked and long-sleeved gingham +apron. + +"Take this seat, Alma," said Miss Joslyn; and the little girl obeyed, while +Ada Singer, the scholar directly behind her, nudged her friend, Lucy Berry, +and mimicked the stranger's surprised way of looking around the room. + +The first day in a new school is an ordeal to most children, but Alma felt +no fear or strangeness, and gazed about her, well pleased with her novel +surroundings, and her innocent pleasure was a source of great amusement to +Ada. + +"Isn't she queer-looking?" she asked of Lucy, as at noon they perched on +the window-sill in the dressing-room, where they always ate their lunch +together. + +"Yes, she has such big eyes," assented Lucy. "Who is she?" + +"Why, her mother has just come to work in my father's factory. Her father +is dead, or in prison, or something." + +"Oh, no!" exclaimed a voice, and looking down from their elevated seat the +girls saw Alma Driscoll, a big tin dinner-pail in her hand, and her cheeks +flushing. "My father went away because he was discouraged, but he is coming +back." + +Ada shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of jelly-cake. "What a delicate +appetite you must have," she said, winking at Lucy and looking at the big +pail. + +"Oh, it isn't full; the things don't fit very well," replied Alma, taking +off the cover and disclosing a little lunch at the bottom; "but it was all +the pail we had." Then she sat down on the floor of the dressing-room and +took out a piece of bread and butter. + +"Well, upon my word, if that isn't cool!" exclaimed Ada, staring at the +brown gingham figure. + +Alma looked up mildly. She had come to the dressing-room on purpose to eat +her lunch where she could look at Lucy Berry, who seemed beautiful to Alma, +with her brown eyes, red cheeks, and soft cashmere dress, and it never +occurred to her that she could be in the way. + +Ada turned to Lucy with a curling lip. "I should hate to be a third party, +shouldn't you?" she asked, so significantly that even Alma couldn't help +understanding her. Tears started to the big eyes as the little girl +dropped her bread back into the hollow depths of the pail, replaced the +cover, and went away to find a solitary corner, with a sorer spot in her +heart than she had ever known. + +"Oh, why did you say that, Ada?" exclaimed Lucy, making a movement as if to +slip down from the window-seat and follow. + +"Don't you go one step after her, Lucy Berry," commanded Ada. "My mother +doesn't want me to associate with the children of the factory people. +She'll find plenty of friends of her own kind." + +"But you hurt her feelings," protested Lucy. + +"Oh, no, I didn't," carelessly; "besides, if I did, she'll forget all about +it. I had to let her know that she couldn't stay with us. Do you want a +stranger like that to hear everything we're saying?" + +"I feel as if I ought to go and find her and see if she has somebody to eat +with." + +"Very well, Lucy. If you go with her, I can't go with you, that's all. You +can take your choice." + +The final tone in Ada's voice destroyed Lucy's courage. The little girls +were very fond of one another, and Lucy was entirely under strong-willed +Ada's influence. + +Ada was a most attractive little person. Her father, the owner of the +factory, was the richest man in town; and to play on Ada's wonderful piano, +where you had only to push with your feet to play the gayest music, or to +ride with her in her automobile, were exciting joys to her friends. She +always had money in her pocket, and boxes of candy for the entertainment of +other children, and Lucy was proud of her own position as Ada's intimate +friend. So when it came to making a choice between this brilliant companion +and the gingham-clad daughter of a factory hand, Lucy Berry's courage and +sympathy oozed away, and she sat back on the window-seat, while Ada began +talking about something else. + +This first school-day was Alma Driscoll's introduction into the world +outside of her mother's love. She had never felt so lonely as when +surrounded by all these girls, each of whom had her intimate friend, and +among whom she was not wanted. She could not help feeling that she was +different from the others, and day by day the wondering eyes grew shy and +lonely; and she avoided the children out of school hours, bravely hiding +from her mother that the gingham apron, which always hid her faded dress, +seemed to her a badge of disgrace that separated her from her daintily +dressed schoolmates. + +Such was the state of affairs when St. Valentine's day dawned. Alma's two +weeks of school had seemed a little eternity to her; but this day she could +feel that there was something unusual in the air, and she could not help +being affected by the pleasurable excitement afloat in the room. She knew +what the big white box by the door was for, and when, after school, Miss +Joslyn was appointed to uncover and distribute the valentines, Alma found +herself following the crowd, until, pressed close to Lucy Berry's side, she +stood in the centre of the merry group about the teacher. + +While the dainty envelopes were being passed around her, a shade of +wistfulness crept over the child's face, and her eager fingers crumpled the +checked apron as though Alma feared they might otherwise touch the +beautiful valentines that shone so enticingly with red and blue, gold and +silver. Suddenly Miss Joslyn spoke her name,--Alma Driscoll; only she said +"Miss Alma Driscoll," and, yes, there was no mistake about it, she had read +it off one of those vine-wreathed envelopes. + +"Did you ever see such a goose!" exclaimed Ada Singer, as she watched the +mixture of shyness and eagerness with which Alma took her valentine and +opened the envelope. + +Poor little Alma! How her heart beat as she unfolded her prize--and how it +sank when she beheld the coarse, flaring picture of a sewing girl, with a +disgusting rhyme printed beneath it. She dropped the valentine, a great sob +of disappointment choked her, and bursting into tears, she pushed her way +through the crowd and rushed from the schoolroom. + +"What is the meaning of that?" asked Miss Joslyn. + +For answer some one handed her the picture. The young lady glanced at it, +then tore it in pieces as she looked sadly around on her scholars. + +"Whoever sent this knows that Alma's mother works in the factory," she +said. "It makes me ashamed of my whole school to think there is one child +in it cruel enough to do this thing;" then, amid the silent consternation +of the scholars, Miss Joslyn rose, and leaving the half-emptied box, went +home without another word. + +"What a fuss about nothing," said Ada Singer. "The idea of crying because +you get a 'comic!' What else could Alma Driscoll expect?" + +Lucy Berry's cheeks had been growing redder all through this scene, and now +she turned upon Ada. + +"She has a right to expect a great deal else," she returned excitedly, "but +we've all been so hateful to her it's a wonder if she did. I wish I'd been +kind to her before," she continued, her heart aching with the remembrance +of the little lonely figure, and the big, hollow dinner-pail; "but I'm +going to be her friend now, always, and you can be friends with us or not, +just as you please;" and turning from the astonished Ada, Lucy Berry +marched out of the schoolroom, fearing she should cry if she stayed, and +sure that if there were any more beauties for her in the white box, her +stanch friend, Frank Morse, would take care of them for her. Among the +valentines she had already received was one addressed in his handwriting, +and she looked at it as she walked along. + +"It's the handsomest one I ever saw," she thought, lifting a rose here, and +a group of cupids there, and reading the tender messages thus disclosed. + +"I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed aloud. "I'll send it to Alma. Frank +won't care," and covering the valentine in its box, she started to run, and +turned a corner at such speed that she bumped into somebody coming at equal +or greater speed, from the opposite direction. A passer-by just then would +have been amused to see a boy and girl sitting flat on the sidewalk, +rubbing their heads and staring at one another. + +"Lucy Berry!" + +"Frank Morse!" + +"What's up?" + +"Nothing. Something's down, and it's me." + +"Well, excuse me; but I guess you haven't seen any more stars than I have. +I don't care anything for the Fourth now, I've seen enough fireworks to +last me a year." + +Both children laughed. "You've got grit, Lucy," added Frank, jumping up and +coming to help her. "Most girls would have boo-hooed over that." + +"Oh, I wouldn't," returned the little girl, springing to her feet. "I'm too +excited." + +"Well, what _is_ up?" persisted Frank. "I skipped out of the side door to +try to meet you." + +"Well, you did," laughed Lucy. "Oh, Frank, I don't know how I can laugh," +she pursued, sobering. "I don't deserve to, ever again." + +"What is it? Something about that Driscoll kid? She was crying. I was back +there and I didn't hear what Miss Joslyn said; but I saw her leave, and +then you, and I thought _I_'d go to the fire, too, if there was one." + +"Oh, there is," returned Lucy, "right in here." She grasped the waist of +her dress over where her heart was beating hard. + +Frank Morse was older than herself and Ada, and she knew that he was one of +the few of their friends whose good opinion Ada cared for. To enlist him on +Alma's side would mean something. + +"Is Ada still there?" she added. + +"Yes, she took charge of the valentine box after Miss Joslyn left." + +"Oh, Frank, do you suppose she could have sent Alma the 'comic'?" Genuine +grief made Lucy's voice unsteady. + +"Supposing she did," returned Frank stoutly. "Is that what Big-Eyes was +crying about? I hate people to be touchy and blubber over a thing like +that." + +"You don't know. Her mother works in the factory, and this was a horrid +picture making fun of it. Think of your own mother earning your living and +being made fun of." + +"Ada wouldn't do that," replied Frank shortly. "What made you think of such +a thing?" + +"It was error for me to say it," returned Lucy, with a meek groan. "I've +been doing error things ever since Alma came to school. Oh, Frank, you're a +Christian Scientist, too. You must help me to get things straight." + +"You don't need to be a Christian Scientist to see that it wasn't a square +deal to send the kid that picture." + +"No, I know it; but when Alma first came, Ada said her mother didn't allow +her to go with girls from the factory, and so I stopped trying to be kind +to Alma, because Ada wouldn't like me if I did; and it's been such +mesmerism, Frank." + +The boy smiled. "Do you remember the stories your mother used to tell us +about the work of the error-fairies?" + +"Indeed I do. My head's just been full of it the last fifteen minutes. I've +done nothing for two weeks but give the error-fairies backbones, and I +don't care what happens to me, or how much I'm punished, if I can only do +right again." + +"Who's going to punish you?" asked Frank, not quite seeing the reason for +so much feeling. + +"Ada. We've always had so much fun, and now it's all over." + +"Oh, I guess not. Ada Singer's all right." + +Lucy didn't think so. She was convinced that her friend had done this last +unkindness to Alma, and it was the shock of that discovery that was causing +a portion of her suffering now. + +Frank and Lucy talked for a few minutes longer, and it was agreed that the +former should return to the school and get any other valentines that should +be there for Lucy and himself; then, as soon as it grew dark, they would +run to the Driscoll cottage with an offering. + +Late that afternoon three mothers were called to interviews with three +little girls. Lucy Berry surprised hers by rushing in where Mrs. Berry was +seated, sewing. + +"Oh!" exclaimed the little girl, "I'm so sorry all over, mother!" + +"Then you must know why you can't be," returned Mrs. Berry, looking up at +the flushed face and seeing something there that made her put aside her +work. + +Lucy usually considered herself too large to sit in her mother's lap, but +now she did so, and flinging her arms around her neck, poured out the whole +story. + +"To think that Ada _could_ send it!" finished Lucy, with one big sob. + +"Be careful, be careful. You don't know that she did," replied Mrs. Berry. +"'Thou shalt not bear false witness.'" + +"Oh, I do _hope_ she didn't," responded Lucy, "but Ada is stuck up. I've +been seeing it more and more lately." + +"And how about the beam in my little girl's own eye?" asked Mrs. Berry +gently. + +"Haven't I been telling you all about it? I've been just as selfish and +cowardly as I could be." Lucy's voice was despairing. + +"I think there's a beam there still. I think you are angry with Ada." + +"How can I help it? If it hadn't been for her I shouldn't have been so +mean." + +"Oh, Lucy dear!" Mrs. Berry smiled over the head on her shoulder. "There is +old Adam again, blaming somebody else for his fall. Have you forgotten that +there is only one person you have the right to work with and change?" + +"I don't care," replied Lucy hotly. "I've been calling evil good. I have. +I've been calling Ada good and sticking to her and letting her run me." + +"Was it because of what you could get from her, or because of what you +could do for her?" asked Mrs. Berry quietly. + +Lucy was silent a minute, then she spoke: "She wanted me. She liked me +better than anybody." + +"Well, now you see what selfish attachments can turn into," returned Mrs. +Berry. "Do you remember the teaching about the worthlessness of mortal mind +love? Here are you and Ada, yesterday thinking you love one another, and +to-day at enmity." + +"I'm going with Alma Driscoll now, and I'm going to eat my lunch with her, +and everything. I should think that was unselfish." + +"Perhaps it will be. We'll see. Isn't it a little comfort to you to think +that it will be some punishment to Ada to see you do it?" + +"I don't know," replied Lucy, who was so honest that she hesitated. + +"Well, then, think until you do know, and be very certain whether the +thoughts that are stirring you so are all loving. You see, dearie, we're +all so tempted, in times of excitement, to begin at the wrong end: tempted +to begin with ourselves instead of with God. The all-loving Creator of you +and Ada and Alma has made three dear children, one just as precious to Him +as another. If the loveliness of His creation is hidden by something +discordant, then we must work away at it; and one's own consciousness is +the place where she has a right to work, and that helps all. It says in the +Bible 'When He giveth quietness who then can make trouble?' You can rest +yourself with the thought of His great quietness now, and you will reflect +it." + +Mrs. Berry paused and her rocking-chair swayed softly back and forth during +a moment of silence. + +"You know enough about Science," she went on, at last, "to be certain that +weeks of an offended manner with Ada would have no effect except to make +her long to punish you. You know that love is reflected in love, and that +its opposite is just as certain to be reflected unless one knows God's +truth." + +"But you don't say anything at all about Alma," said Lucy. "She's the chief +one." + +Mrs. Berry smiled. "No," she returned gently. "You are the chief one. Just +as soon as your thought is surely right, don't you know that your heavenly +Father is going to show you how to unravel this little snarl? You remember +there isn't any personality to error, whether it tries to fasten on Ada, or +on you." + +Lucy sat upright. Her cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes had lost +their excited light. "Frank Morse and I are going to take some pretty +valentines to Alma's as soon as it is dark," she said. + +"That will be pleasant. Now let us read over the lesson for to-day again, +and know what a joyous thing life is." + +"Well, mother, will you go and see Mrs. Driscoll some time?" + +"Certainly I will, Sunday. I suppose she is too busy to see me other days." + +In the Singer house another excited child had rushed home from school and +sought and found her mother. + +Mrs. Singer had just reached a most interesting spot in the novel she was +reading, when Ada startled her by running into the room and slamming the +door behind her. + +"Mother, you know you don't want me to go with the factory people," she +cried. + +"Of course not. What's the matter?" returned Mrs. Singer briefly, keeping +her finger between the leaves of her half-closed book. + +"Why, Lucy Berry is angry with me, and I don't care. I shall never go with +her again!" + +"Dear me, Ada. I should think you could settle these little differences +without bothering me. What has the factory to do with it?" + +"Why, there is a new girl at school, Alma Driscoll, and her mother works +there; and she tried to come with Lucy and me, and Lucy would have let +her, but I told her you wouldn't like it, and, anyway, of course we didn't +want her. So to-day when the valentine box was opened, Alma Driscoll got a +'comic;' and she couldn't take a joke and cried and went home. I can't bear +a cry-baby, anyway. And then Miss Joslyn made a fuss about it and _she_ +went home, and after that Lucy Berry flared up at me and said she was going +to be friends with Alma after this, and _she_ went home. It just spoiled +everybody's fun to have them act so silly. Lucy got Frank Morse to bring +out all his valentines and hers. I'll never go with her again, whether she +goes with Alma or not!" + +Angry little sparks were shining in Ada's eyes, and she evidently made +great effort not to cry. + +"What was this comic valentine that made so much trouble?" + +"Oh, something about a factory girl. You know the verses are always silly +on those." + +"Well, it wasn't very nice to send it to her before all the children, I +must say. Who do you suppose did it?" + +"No one ever tells who sends valentines," returned Ada defiantly. "No one +will ever know." + +"Well, if the foolish child, whoever it was, only had known, she wasn't so +smart or so unkind as she thought she was. Mrs. Driscoll isn't an ordinary +factory hand. She is an assistant in the bookkeeping department." + +"Well, they must be awfully poor, the way Alma looks, anyway," returned +Ada. + +"I suppose they are poor. I happened to hear Mr. Knapp begging your father +to let a Mrs. Driscoll have that position, and your father finally +consented. I remember his telling how long the husband had been away trying +for work, and what worthy people they were, old friends of his. They lived +in some neighboring town; so when Mrs. Driscoll was offered this position +they came here. They live"-- + +"Oh, I know where they live," interrupted Ada, "and I knew they were +factory people anyway, and you wouldn't want me going with girls like +Alma." + +"I'd want you to be kind to her, of course," returned Mrs. Singer. + +"Then she'd have stuck to us if I had been. I guess you've forgotten the +way it is at school." + +Mrs. Singer sighed and opened her book wistfully. "You ought to be kind to +everybody, Ada," she said vaguely, "but I really think I shall have to take +you out of the public school. It is such a mixed crowd there. I should have +done it long ago, only your father thinks there is no such education." + +Ada saw that in another minute her mother would be buried again in her +story. "But what shall I do about Frank and Lucy?" she asked, half crying. + +"Why, is Frank in it, too?" + +"Yes. I know Lucy has been talking to him. He came back and got her +valentines." + +"Oh, pshaw! Don't make a quarrel over it. Just be polite to Alma Driscoll. +They're perfectly respectable people. You don't need to avoid her. Don't +worry. Lucy will soon get over her little excitement, and you may be sure +she will be glad to make up with you and be more friendly than ever." + +Mrs. Singer began to read, and Ada saw it was useless to pursue the +subject. She left the room undecidedly, her lips pressed together. All +right, let Lucy befriend Alma. She wouldn't _look_ at her, and they'd just +see which would get tired of it first. + +This hard little determination seemed to give Ada a good deal of comfort +for the present, and she longed for to-morrow, to begin to show Lucy Berry +what she had lost. + +Meanwhile Alma Driscoll had hastened home to an empty cottage, where she +threw herself on the calico-covered bed and gave way again to her hurt and +sorrow, until she had cried herself to sleep. + +There her mother found her when she returned from work. Mrs. Driscoll had +plenty of troubles of her own in these days, adjusting herself to her +present situation and trying hard to fill the position which her old friend +Mr. Knapp had found for her. Alma knew this, and every evening when her +mother came home from the factory she met her cheerfully, and had so far +bravely refrained from telling of the trials at school, which were big ones +to her, and which she often longed to pour out; but the sight of her +mother's face always silenced her. She knew, young as she was, that her +mother was finding life in the great school of the world as hard as she was +in pretty Miss Joslyn's room; and so she kept still, but her eyes grew +bigger, and her mother saw it. + +To-day when Mrs. Driscoll came in, she was surprised to find the house +dark. She lighted the lamp and saw Alma asleep on the bed. "Poor little +dear," she thought. "The hours must seem long between school and my coming +home." + +She went around quietly, getting supper, and when it was ready she came +again to the bed and kissed Alma's cheek. + +"Doesn't my little girl want anything to eat to-night?" she asked. + +Alma turned and opened her eyes. + +"Guess which it is," went on Mrs. Driscoll, smiling. "Breakfast or supper." + +"Oh, have you come?" Alma sat up. She clasped her arms around her mother. +"Please don't make me go to school any more," she said, the big sob with +which she went to sleep rising again in her throat. + +"Why, what has happened, dear?" Mrs. Driscoll grew serious. + +"I don't want to tell you, mother, only please let me stay at home. I'll +study just as hard." + +"You'd be lonely here all day, Alma." + +"I want to be lonely," returned the little girl earnestly. + +Mrs. Driscoll looked very sober. "Let's sit down at the table," she said, +"for I have your boiled egg all ready." + +Alma took her place opposite her mother. Supper was usually the bright spot +in the day, but this evening there seemed nothing but clouds. + +"I want to hear all about it, Alma, but you'd better eat first," said Mrs. +Driscoll, as she poured the tea. + +"It isn't anything very much," replied the little girl, torn between the +longing for sympathy and unwillingness to give her mother pain; "only there +aren't any lonely children in that school. Everybody has some one she likes +to play with." + +A pang of understanding went through the mother's heart, so tender that she +forced a smile. + +"Oh, my dearie," she said, "you remind me of the old song,-- + + 'Every lassie has her laddie, + Nane, they say, have I, + But all the lads, they smile on me, + When comin' thro' the rye.' + +If my Alma smiles on all the children, they'll all smile on her." + +Alma shook her head. It was too great an undertaking to explain all those +daily experiences of longing and disappointment to her mother. The child's +throat grew so full of the sob that she could not swallow the nice egg. + +"This is Valentine's Day," she said, with an effort. "They had a box in +school. Everybody got pretty ones but me. They sent me a 'comic.'" + +She swallowed bravely between the sentences, but big tears rolled down her +cheeks and splashed on the gingham apron. + +"Well, wasn't it meant to make you laugh, dearie?" + +"N-no. It was--was a hateful one. I--I can't tell you." + +A line came in Mrs. Driscoll's forehead. Her swift thought pictured the +scene only too vividly. She swallowed, too. + +"Silly pictures can't hurt us, Alma," she said. + +"But please don't make me go back," returned the child earnestly. "I cried +and ran away, and I know all the other children laughed, and, oh, mother, I +_can't_ go back!" She was sobbing again, now, and trying to dry her tears +with her apron. + +Mrs. Driscoll's lips pressed firmly together to keep from quivering. + +"Mother," said Alma brokenly, as soon as she could speak again, "when do +you think father will come home?" + +For a minute the mother could not reply. The last letter she had received +from her husband had sounded discouraged, and for six weeks now she had +heard nothing. Her anxiety was very great; but it made her position at the +factory more than ever important, while it increased the difficulty of +performing her work. + +"I can't tell, dearie," she answered low. "We must pray and wait." + +As she finished speaking there came a loud knock at the door. A very +unusual sound this, for no one had yet called on them, except Mr. Knapp, +once on business. + +"I'll go," said Mrs. Driscoll. "Wipe your eyes, Alma." + +To her surprise, when she opened the door no one was there. Something white +on the step caught her eye in the gloom. It was a box, and when she brought +it to the light, she saw that it was addressed to Miss Alma Driscoll. + +Her heart was too sore to hand it to the child until she had made certain +that its contents were not designed to hurt. One glimpse of the gold and +red interior, however, made her clap on the cover again. She brought the +box to the table and seated herself. + +"What's all this?" she asked, passing it to the child. "It seems to be for +you. There was nobody there, but I found that on the step." + +Alma's swollen eyes looked wonderingly at the box as she took off the cover +and discovered the elaborate valentine. + +"My! What a beauty!" exclaimed her mother. + +The little girl lifted the red roses and looked at the verses. The catches +kept coming in her throat and she smiled faintly. + +"Who is this that hasn't any friend?" asked Mrs. Driscoll cheeringly. + +"Somebody was sorry," returned Alma. "I wish they didn't have to be sorry +for me." + +"Oh, you can't be sure. When I was a little girl all the best part of +Valentine's Day was running around to the houses with them after dark. How +do you know that this wasn't meant for you all day?" + +"Because I remember it. Miss Joslyn handed it to Lucy Berry out of the +school box. Lucy is the prettiest"-- + +Another loud knocking at the door interrupted. + +Mrs. Driscoll answered the call. A big white envelope lay on the step, and +it was addressed to Alma. This time the latter's smile was a little +brighter as she took out a handsome card covered with garlands and swinging +cupids and inscribed "To my Valentine." + +"Well, I never saw any prettier ones," said Mrs. Driscoll. + +"But they weren't bought for me," returned Alma. + +When soon again a knocking sounded on the door and a third valentine +appeared, blossoming with violets, above which butterflies hovered, Mrs. +Driscoll leaned lovingly toward her little girl. + +"Alma," she said. "I think you were mistaken in saying that _all_ the +children laughed when you received that 'comic.' Now," in a different tone, +"let's have some fun! Some child or children are giving you the very best +they have. Let's catch the next one who comes, and find out who your +friends are!" + +"Oh, no," returned Alma, smiling, but shrinking shyly from the idea. + +"Yes, indeed. We all used to try when I was little. I'm going to stand by +the door and hold it open a bit and you see if I don't catch somebody." + +Alma lifted her shoulders. She wasn't sure that she liked to have her +mother try this; but Mrs. Driscoll went to the door, set it ajar in the +dark, and stood beside it. + +She did not expect there would be any further greetings, and did this +rather to amuse Alma, who sat examining her three valentines with a tearful +little smile; but it was a very short time before another knock sounded on +the usually neglected door, and quick as a wink it opened and Mrs. +Driscoll's hand flying out caught another hand. A little scream followed, +and in a second she had drawn a young lady into the tiny hall. + +They couldn't see one another's faces very well in the gloom. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Mrs. Driscoll, very much embarrassed. "I +was trying to catch a valentine." + +"Well, you did," laughed the stranger. "There's one on the step now, unless +my skirt switched it off when I jumped. I didn't intend to come in this +time, though I meant to return after I had done an errand; but now I'm +here I'll stay a minute if it isn't too early." + +"If you'll excuse the table," returned Mrs. Driscoll "Alma and I have a +late tea." She stooped at the door and picked up a valentine from the edge +of the step, and both women were smiling as they entered the room where +Alma was standing, flushed and wide-eyed, scarcely able to believe that she +recognized the voice. + +Sure enough, as the visitor came into the lamplight, the little girl saw +that the valentine her mother had caught and brought in out of the dark was +really Miss Joslyn. She could hardly believe her eyes as she looked at the +merry, blushing face which she was wont to see so serious and watchful. All +the pretty teacher's scholars admired her, but she had a dignity and +strictness which gave them some awe of her, too, and it seemed wonderful to +Alma that this important person should be standing here and laughing with +her mother, right in their own sitting-room. + +Miss Joslyn's bright eyes saw signs of tears in her pupil's face, and she +also saw the handsome valentines strewn upon the table. "Well, well, Alma!" +she exclaimed softly, "you have quite a show there!" + +"And here is another," said Mrs. Driscoll, handing the latest arrival to +the little girl. Alma smiled gratefully at her teacher as she opened the +envelope and took out a dove in full flight, carrying a leaf in its beak. +On the leaf was printed in gold letters the word _Love_. + +"I was caught in the act, Alma," laughed Miss Joslyn, "but I guess I am too +old and slow to be running about at night with valentines." + +"I like it the best of all," replied the little girl. "It was bought for +me," she added in her own thought, and she was right. Twenty minutes ago +the white dove had been reposing at a stationer's, with every prospect of +remaining there until another Valentine's Day came around. + +"Please sit down, Miss Joslyn," said Mrs. Driscoll. + +"Well, just for a minute," replied the young lady, taking the offered +chair, "but I wish you would finish your supper." + +"We had, really," replied Mrs. Driscoll, smiling, "or I shouldn't have been +playing such a game by the door. You haven't been the giver of all these +valentines, I suppose?" + +"Oh, no, indeed. Those are from some of the school children, no doubt. I've +been trying to find an evening to come here for some time, but my work +isn't done when school is out." + +"I'm sure it isn't," replied Mrs. Driscoll, while Alma sat with her dove in +her hands, watching the bright face that looked happy and at home in these +unusual surroundings. It seemed so very strange to be close to Miss Joslyn, +like this, where the teacher had no bell to touch and no directions to +give. + +She looked at Alma and spoke: "The public school is a little hard for new +scholars at first," she said, "where they enter in the middle of a term. +You are going to like it better after a while, Alma." + +"I think she will, too," put in Mrs. Driscoll. "My hours are long at the +factory and I have liked to think of Alma as safe in school. Does she do +pretty well in her studies, Miss Joslyn?" + +"Yes, I have no fault to find." The visitor smiled at Alma. "You haven't +become much acquainted yet," went on Miss Joslyn. "I have noticed that you +eat your lunch alone. So do I. Supposing you and I have it together for a +while until you are more at home with the other scholars. I have another +chair in my corner, and we'll have a cosy time." + +Alma's heart beat fast. She had never heard that an invitation from royalty +is equivalent to a command, but instantly all possibility of staying at +home from school disappeared. The picture rose before her thought of Miss +Joslyn as she always appeared at the long recess: her chair swung about +until her profile only was visible, the white napkin on her desk, the book +in her hand as she read and ate at one and the same time. Little did Alma +suspect what it meant to the kind teacher to give up that precious +half-hour of solitude; but Miss Joslyn saw the child's eyes grow bright at +the dazzling prospect, and noted the color that covered even her forehead +as she murmured thanks and looked over at her mother for sympathy. + +The young lady talked on for a few minutes and then said good-night, +leaving an atmosphere of brightness behind her. + +"Oh, mother, I don't know what all the children will say," said Alma, +clasping her hands together. "I'm going to eat lunch with Miss Joslyn!" + +"It's fine," responded Mrs. Driscoll, glad of the change in her little +girl's expression, and wishing the ache at her own heart could be as easily +comforted. "Do you suppose Valentine's Day is over, dearie, or had I better +stand by the door again?" + +"Oh, they wouldn't send me any more!" replied Alma, looking fondly at her +dove. "I think Lucy Berry was so kind to give me her lovely things; but I'd +like to give them back." + +"No, indeed, that wouldn't do," replied Mrs. Driscoll. "I'm going to stand +there once more. Perhaps I'll catch somebody else to prove to you that Lucy +isn't the only one thinking about you." + +Mrs. Driscoll returned quietly to her post, and Alma could see her smiling +face through the open door. + +Alma had very much wanted to send valentines to a few children, herself; +but five cents was all the spending money she could have, and she had +bought with it one valentine which had been addressed to Lucy Berry in the +school box. She was glad it had not come back to her to-night. That would +have been hardest of all to bear. + +Just as she was thinking this there did come another knock at the door. The +child looked up eagerly, and swiftly again Mrs. Driscoll's hand flew out, +and grasping a garment, pulled gently and firmly. + +"Well, well, ma'am!" exclaimed a bass voice, and this time it was the +hostess's turn to give a little cry, followed by a laugh, as a stout, +elderly man with chin whiskers came deliberately in. + +She retreated. "Oh, Mr. Knapp, please excuse me! I thought you were a +valentine!" + +"Nobody'd have me, ma'am. Nobody'd have me. Not a mite o' use to try to +stick a pair o' Cupid's wings on these shoulders. It would take an awful +pair to fly me. Well, come now," he added, with a broad, approving smile at +the laughing mother and child, "I'm right down glad to see you playin' a +game. I've thought, the last few days, you was lookin' kind o' peaked and +down in the mouth; so, seein' as we found a letter for you that was somehow +overlooked this afternoon, I decided I'd bring it along. Might be fetchin' +you a fortune, for all I knew." + +Mrs. Driscoll's smile vanished, and her eyes looked eagerly into the +good-humored red face, as Mr. Knapp sought deliberately in his coat pocket +and brought forth an envelope, at sight of which Alma's mother flushed and +paled. + +"You have a valentine, too!" cried the little girl. + +"Yes, it is from father. Won't you sit down, Mr. Knapp?" + +"No, no, I'll just run along and let you read your letter in peace. I know +you want to, and I hope it brings good news. If it don't, you just remember +it's always darkest before day. Frank Driscoll's bound to come out right +side up. He's a good feller." + +So saying, the kind friend to this couple took his departure, and Mrs. +Driscoll's eager fingers tore open the envelope. + +At the first four words, "It's all right, Nettie," she crushed the paper +against her happy eyes and then hugged Alma. + +It _was_ all right. Mr. Driscoll had a position at last, and by the time +summer should come he was sure they could be together again. + +After the letter had been read and re-read, the two washed and put away the +supper dishes with light hearts, and the next morning Mrs. Driscoll went +off smiling to the factory, leaving a rather excited little girl to finish +the morning work and arrange the lunch in the tin pail which was to be +opened beside Miss Joslyn's desk. + +There were two other excited children getting ready for school that +morning. They had both slept on their troubles, but were very differently +prepared to meet the day. Ada Singer's mental attitude was, "I'll never +give in, and Lucy Berry will find it out." + +Lucy felt comforted, but there remained now the great step of eating lunch +with Alma and being punished by Ada in consequence. Her heart fluttered at +the thought; but she was going to try not to think of herself at all, but +to do right and let the consequences take care of themselves. + +"There isn't any other way," her mother said to her at parting. "Anything +which you do in any other spirit has simply to be done over again some +time." + +"Not one error-fairy shall cheat me to-day," thought Lucy stoutly, and then +a disconcerting idea came to her: supposing Alma shouldn't come to school +at all! + +But Alma was there. Ada Singer, too, wearing a charming new dress and with +a head held up so stiffly that it couldn't turn to look at anybody. Frank +Morse, from his seat at the back of the room, looked curiously from one to +another of the three girls and shook his head at his book. + +At the first recess Ada Singer spoke to him as he was going out. "Wait a +minute, Frank. It is so mild to-day, mother is coming for me after school +with the auto. We're going to take a long spin. Wouldn't you like to go?" + +"Yes, indeed," replied Frank; "but don't you want to take Lucy in my +place?" He was a little uncomfortable. + +"If I did I shouldn't ask you," returned Ada coolly. + +"All right. Thank you," said Frank, but as he joined the boys on the +playground he felt still more uncomfortable. + +Lucy Berry, as soon as the recess bell had sounded, had gone straight to +Alma. Her cheeks were very red, and the brown eyes were full of kindness. + +Alma looked up in shy pleasure at her, a little embarrassed because she +didn't know whether to thank Lucy for the valentines or not. + +The latter did not give her time to speak. She said: "I came to see if you +won't eat your lunch with me to-day." + +Alma colored. How full the world was of kind people! "I'd love to," she +answered, "but I think Ada wants to have you all alone and"-- + +"But I'd like it if you would," said Lucy firmly, "because I want to get +more acquainted. My mother is coming to see yours on Sunday afternoon, +too." + +"I'm real glad she is," replied Alma, fairly basking in the light from +Lucy's eyes. "I'd love to eat lunch with you, but Miss Joslyn invited me to +have it with her to-day." + +"Oh!" Lucy's gaze grew larger. "Why, that's lovely!" she said, in an awed +tone. + +They had very little more time for talk before the short recess was over. +As the children took their way to their seats, Alma was amazed to see Ada +Singer pass Lucy without a word, and even turn her head to avoid looking +at her. The child had watched this close friendship so wistfully that she +instantly saw there was trouble, and naturally thought of her invitation +from Lucy as connected with it. + +At the long recess, thoughts of this possible quarrel mingled with her +pleasure in the visit with Miss Joslyn, who was a charming hostess. Many a +girl or boy came to peep into the forbidden schoolroom, when the report was +circulated that Alma Driscoll was up on the platform laughing and talking +with the teacher and eating lunch with her in the cosy corner. + +Miss Joslyn insisted on exchanging a part of her lunch for Alma's, +spreading the things together on the white napkin, and chatting so eagerly +and gayly that the little girl's face beamed. She soon told the teacher +about the good news that came after she left the night before, and Miss +Joslyn was very sympathetic. "It's a pretty nice world, isn't it?" she +asked, smiling. + +"Yes'm, it's just a lovely world to-day, only--only there's one thing, Miss +Joslyn." + +"What is it?" + +"I think Lucy Berry and Ada Singer have had a quarrel." + +"Oh, the inseparables? I guess not," the teacher smiled. + +"Yes'm. The worst is, I think it's about me. Could I go out in the +dressing-room to get my handkerchief, and see if they're on their usual +window-sill?" + +"Yes, indeed, if it will make you feel easier." + +So Alma went out and soon returned. Lucy and Ada were not on their +window-sill. Each was sitting with a different group of girls. + +Miss Joslyn saw the serious discomfort this gave her little companion, and +persuaded her away from the subject, returning to the congenial theme of +Mr. Driscoll's new prospects. + +But as soon as recess was over, Alma's thoughts went back to Ada Singer, +for she felt certain that whatever had happened, Ada was the one to be +appeased. The child could not bear to think of being the cause of trouble +coming to dear, kind Lucy. + +When school was dismissed, Ada Singer, her head carried high, put on her +things in the dressing-room within a few feet of Lucy, but ignoring her +presence. "I love her," thought Lucy, "and she does love me. Nothing can +cheat either of us." + +Ada went out without a look, and waited at the head of the stairs for Frank +Morse. Alma Driscoll hastened up to her. + +Ada drew away. Alma needn't think that because she had shared Miss Joslyn's +luncheon she would now be as good as anybody. + +"Can I speak to you just one minute?" asked the little girl so eagerly, yet +meekly, that Ada turned to her; but now that she had gained attention, Alma +did not know how to proceed. She hesitated and clasped and unclasped her +hands over the gingham apron. "Please--please"--she stammered, "don't be +cross with Lucy. She felt sorry for me, but I'll never eat lunch with +her,--truly." + +"You don't know what you're talking about," rejoined Ada coldly. + +"Yes, she does." It was Frank Morse's voice, and Ada, turning quickly, saw +him and Lucy standing a few feet behind her. The four children were alone +in the deserted hall. + +"Here," went on Frank bluntly, "I want you two girls to kiss and make up." + +Ada blushed violently as she met Lucy's questioning, wistful look. + +"Are you coming down to the auto, Frank?" she asked coolly. "Mother will be +waiting." + +"Oh, come now, Ada, be a good fellow. If you and Lucy want to put on the +gloves, I'll see fair play; but for pity's sake drop this icy look +business. Great Scott, I'm glad I'm not a girl!" + +The genuine disgust in the boy's tone as he closed did disturb Ada a +little, and then Lucy added at once, beseechingly: + +"Oh, it's like a bad dream, Ada, to have anything the matter between us!" + +"Whose fault is it?" asked Ada sharply. "Why did you fly at me so +yesterday?" + +Both girls had forgotten Alma who, like a soberly dressed, big-eyed little +bird, was watching the proceedings in much distress. + +"You just the same as accused me of sending Alma the 'comic,'" continued +Ada. + +"Oh, _didn't_ you send it?" cried Lucy, fairly springing at her friend in +her relief. "I don't care what you do to me then! I deserve anything, for I +really thought you did." + +Her eloquent face and the love in her eyes broke down some determination in +Ada's proud little heart, and raised another, perhaps quite as proud, but +at least with an element of nobility. She foresaw that the dishonesty was +going to be more than she could bear. + +"I did send it," she said suddenly, with her chin up. Then, ignoring Frank +and Lucy's open-mouthed stares, she turned toward Alma. "I sent you the +'comic,'" she went on. "I thought it would be fun, but it wasn't, and I'm +sorry. I should like to have you forgive me." + +Her tone was far from humble, but it was music to Alma's ears. The little +girl clasped her hands together. "Oh, I do," she replied earnestly, "and it +made everybody so kind! Please don't feel bad about it. I got the loveliest +valentines in the evening, and Miss Joslyn came to see us, and we had a +letter from my father and he has a splendid place to work and--and +everything!" + +Ada breathed a little faster at the close of this breathless speech. Alma's +eagerness to ascribe even her father's good fortune to the sending of the +'comic' touched her. In her embarrassment she took another determination. + +"If you'll excuse me, Frank," she said turning to him, "I think I'll take +Alma home in the auto, instead of you." + +"All right," returned the boy, his face flushed. "You're a brick, Ada!" + +This praise from one who seldom praised gave Ada secret elation, and made +her resolve to deserve it. "Good-by, Lucy," was all she said, but the +girls' eyes met, and Lucy knew the trouble was over. + +As Ada and Alma went downstairs, Lucy ran to the hall window, and Frank +followed. "Don't let them see us," she said joyfully. + +So, very cautiously, the two peeped and saw the handsome automobile +waiting. Mrs. Singer was sitting within and they saw Ada say something to +her; then Alma, her thick coat over the gingham apron, and the large +dinner-pail in her hand, climbed in, Ada after her, and away they all went. + +Lucy turned to Frank with her face glowing. + +"It's all right now," she said. "When Ada takes hold she never lets go; and +now she's taken hold right!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A MORNING RIDE + + +Mrs. Evringham's listeners thanked her, then discussed the story a few +minutes. + +"I'd like to get acquainted with Alma," said Jewel, "and help be kind to +her." + +"Oh, she's going to have a very good time now," replied Mr. Evringham. "One +can see that with half an eye. Were there any Almas where you went to +school, Jewel?" + +"No, there weren't. We didn't bring lunches and we went home in a 'bus." + +"Jewel went to a very nice private school," said Mrs. Evringham. "Her +teachers were Christian Scientists and I made their dresses for them in +payment." + +The logs were red in the fireplace now, and the roar of the wind-driven sea +came from the beach. + +"Well, we've a good school for her," replied Mr. Evringham, "and there'll +be no dresses to make either." + +His daughter looked at him wistfully. "I'm very happy when I think of it," +she answered, "for there is other work I would rather do." + +"I should think so, indeed. Catering to the whims of a lot of silly women +who don't know their own minds! It must be the very--yes, very unpleasant. +Yes, we have a fine school in Bel-Air. Jewel, we're going to work you hard +next winter. How shall you like that?" + +"My music lessons will be the most fun," returned Jewel. + +"And dancing school beside." + +"Oh, grandpa, I'll love that! I used to know girls who went, in Chicago." + +"Yes, I'm sure you will. You shall learn all the latest jigs and flings, +too, that any of the children know. I think you ought to learn them +quickly. You've been hopping up and down ever since I knew you." + +Jewel exchanged a happy glance with her mother and clapped her hands at the +joyful prospect. + +Mrs. Evringham looked wistfully at her father-in-law. "I hope you'll be +willing I should do the work I want to, father." + +"What's that? Writing books? Perfectly willing, I assure you. I think +you've made a very good start." + +Mrs. Evringham smiled. "No, not writing books. Practicing Christian +Science." + +"Well, you do that all the time, don't you?" + +"I mean taking patients." + +"What!" Mr. Evringham straightened up in his chair and frowned at her +incredulously. "Anybody? Tom, Dick, and Harry? You can't mean it!" + +His tone was so severe that Jewel rose from her place on the rug and, +climbing into his lap, rested her head on his breast. His hand closed on +the soft little one unconsciously. "I suppose I don't understand you," he +added, a shade more mildly. + +"Not in your house, father," returned Julia. She had been preparing in +thought for this moment for days. "Of course it wouldn't do to have +strangers coming and going there." + +"Nonsense, nonsense, my dear girl," brusquely, "put it out of your head at +once. There is no need for you to do anything after this but bring up your +child and keep your husband's shirt buttons in place." + +"I won't neglect either," replied Julia quietly; "but Mr. Reeves says there +is great need of practitioners in Bel-Air. You know where the reading-room +is? There is a little room leading out of it that I could have." + +"For an office, do you mean? Nonsense," exclaimed Mr. Evringham again. +"Harry wouldn't think of allowing it." + +Julia smiled. "Will you if he does?" + +"What shall I say to her, Jewel?" The broker looked down into the serious +face. + +"I suppose mother ought to do it," replied the child. "Of course every one +who knows how and has time wants to. You can see that, grandpa, because +isn't your rheumatism better?" + +"Yes. I like our resident physician very much; but we need her ourselves. I +don't think I shall ever give my consent to such a thing." + +"Oh, yes, you will, grandpa, if it's right." The flaxen head on his breast +wagged wisely. "Some morning you'll come downstairs and say: 'Julia, I +think you can go and get that office whenever you like.'" + +Mrs. Evringham pressed her handkerchief to her lips. The couple in the +armchair were so absorbed in one another that they did not observe her, and +the broker's face showed such surprise. + +"Upon my word!" he exclaimed, after a minute. "Upon my word!" + +"Are you all through talking about that?" asked Jewel, after a pause. + +"I am, certainly," replied Mr. Evringham. + +"And I," added his daughter. She was content that the seed was planted, and +preferred not to press the subject. + +"Well, then," continued Jewel, "I was wondering, grandpa, if the cracks in +that boat couldn't be stuffed up a little more so I wouldn't have to bail, +and then I could learn how to row." + +"Ho, these little hands row!" returned Mr. Evringham scoffingly. + +"Why, I could, grandpa. I just know I could. It was fun to bail at first, +but I'm getting a little tired of it now, and I love to be on the pond--oh, +almost as much as on Star!" + +Mr. Evringham's eyes shone with an unusually pleased expression. "Is it +possible!" he returned. "It's a water-baby we have here, a regular +water-baby!" + +"Yes, grandpa, when I know how to swim and row and sail--yes," chuckling at +the expression of exaggerated surprise which her listener assumed, "and +sail, too, I'll be so _happy_!" + +"Oh, come now, an eight-year-old baby!" + +"I'll be nine in five weeks, nine years old." + +"Well," Mr. Evringham sighed, "that's better than nineteen." + +"Why, grandpa," earnestly, "you forget; perhaps you'll like me when I'm +grown up." + +"It's possible," returned the broker. + +How the sun shone the next morning! The foam on the great rollers that +still stormed the beach showed from the farmhouse windows in ever-changing, +spreading masses of white. Essex Maid and Star, after a day of ennui, were +more than ready for a scamper between the rolling fields where already the +goldenrod hinted that summer was passing. + +Star had to stretch his pretty legs at a great rate, to keep up with the +Maid this morning, though her master moderated her transports. The more +like birds they flew, the more Jewel enjoyed it. She knew now how to get +Star's best speed, and the pony scarcely felt her weight, so lightly did +she adapt herself to his every motion. + +With cheeks tingling in the fine salt air, the riders finally came to a +walk in the quiet country road. + +"I've been looking up that boat business, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham. "The +thing is hardly worth fixing. It would take a good while, just at the time +we want the boat, too." + +"Well, then," returned the child, "we'll have to make it do. There are so +many happinesses here, it isn't any matter if the boat isn't just right; +but I was thinking, grandpa, if you wouldn't wear such nice shoes, I'd go +barefooted, and then we could both sit on the same seat and let the water +come in, while I use one oar and you the other; or"--her face suddenly +glowing with a brilliant idea--"we could both wear our bathing-suits!" + +"Yes," returned the broker, "I think if you were to row we might need +them." + +The child laughed. + +"No, Jewel, no; we'd better bathe when we bathe, and row when we row, and +not mix them. You couldn't do anything with even one of those clumsy oars +in that tub of a boat." + +As Mr. Evringham said this, he saw the disappointment in the little girl's +face as she looked straight ahead, and noted, too, her effort to conquer +it. + +"Well, I do have so many happinesses," she replied. + +"It will be a grand sight at the beach this morning, with the sunlight on +the stormy waves," said Mr. Evringham. "The water-baby will have to keep +out of them, though." + +Jewel lifted her shoulders and looked at him. "Then we ought to row over, +don't you think so?" + +"You're not willing to be a thorough-going land lubber, are you?" returned +the broker. + +"No," Jewel sighed. "I'd rather bail than keep off the pond. Oh, but I +forgot," with a sudden thought, "mother'd get wet if she rowed over and it +would be too bad to make her walk through the fields alone." + +There was a little silence and then Mr. Evringham turned the horses into +the homeward way. + +"I begin to feel as if breakfast would be acceptable, Jewel. How is it with +you?" + +"Why, I could eat"--began the child hungrily, "I could eat"-- + +"Eggs?" suggested the broker, as she paused to think of something +sufficiently inedible. + +"Almost," returned the child seriously. Another pause, and then she +continued. "Grandpa, wouldn't it be nice if mother had somebody to play +with, too, so we could go out in the boat whenever we wanted to?" + +"Yes. Why doesn't your father hurry up his affairs?" + +Jewel looked at the broker. "He has. He thought it was error for him not to +let the people there know that he was going to leave them after a while; so +they began right off to try to find somebody else, and they have already." + +"Eh?" asked the broker. "Your father is through in Chicago, then? When did +you hear that?" + +"Mother had the letter yesterday and she told me when I went to bed last +night." + +"Why, then he'll be coming right on." + +"We'd like to have him," returned Jewel; "but mother wasn't sure how you +would feel about it, to have father here so long before business +commences." + +"Why didn't she tell me last evening?" asked Mr. Evringham. + +"I _think_," returned Jewel, "that she wanted father so _much_--and--and +that she thought perhaps you wouldn't think it was best, and--well, I think +she felt a little bashful. You know mother isn't your real relation, +grandpa," the child's head fell to one side apologetically. + +Mr. Evringham stroked his mustache; but instantly he turned grave again. +His eyes met Jewel's. + +"I think, as you say, it would be rather a convenience to us if your mother +had some one to play with, too. Suppose we send for him, eh?" + +"Oh, let's," cried the child joyfully. + +"Done with you!" returned the broker, and he gave the rein to Essex Maid. +Star had suddenly so much ado to gallop along beside her, that Jewel's +laugh rang out merrily. + +When, a little later, the family met in the dining-room for breakfast, Mr. +Evringham accosted his daughter cheerfully: + +"Well, this is good news I hear about Harry." + +Julia flushed and met his eyes wistfully. The broker had never seen any +resemblance in Jewel to her until this moment; but it was precisely the +child's expression that now returned his look. + +"It's my boy she wants, too," he thought. "By George, she shall have him." + +"I wasn't sure that you would think it was good news for Harry to give up +his position so soon, but there wasn't any other honest way," she replied. + +"The sooner the break is made, the better," returned Mr. Evringham. "I +shall wire him to close up everything at once and join us as soon as he +can." + +Mother and child exchanged a happy look and Jewel clapped her hands. +"Father's coming, father's coming!" she cried joyfully. + +The broker bent his brows upon her. + +"Jewel, are you strictly honorable?" he asked. + +"I don't know," returned the little girl. + +"You said a few minutes ago that it was a playfellow for your mother that +you wanted. Your enthusiasm is unseemly." + +"Oh, father's just splendid," said Jewel. + +After breakfast the three repaired to a certain covered piazza where they +always read the lesson for the day; then Mr. Evringham suggested that they +go promptly to the beach to see the splendid show before the rollers +regained their usual monotonous dignity. + +"Jewel and I thought we would go over in the boat instead of through the +fields, but that old tub is rather uninviting for a lady's clothes." + +"I think I will take the solitary saunter in preference," returned Mrs. +Evringham. "You and Jewel row over if you like." + +"No, we'd rather walk with you," said the child heroically. + +Julia smiled. "I don't want you. There are birds and flowers." + +"Well, come down and see us off, anyway," said Mr. Evringham; so the three +moved over the grass toward the pond; two walking sedately and one skipping +from sheer high spirits. + +As they drew near the little wharf the child's quick eyes perceived that +there were two boats floating there, one each side of it. + +"See that, grandpa! There's some visitor around here," she said, running +ahead of the others. A light, graceful boat rose and fell on the waves. It +was golden brown within and without, and highly varnished. Its four seats +were furnished with wine-colored cushions. Four slim oars lay along its +bottom, and its rowlocks gleamed. Best of all, a slender mast with snowy +sail furled about it lay along the edge. + +"Grandpa, p-_lease_ ask somebody whose it is and if we could get in just a +minute!" begged Jewel, in hushed excitement. + +"Oh, they're all good neighbors about here. They won't mind, whoever it +is," returned Mr. Evringham carelessly, and to the child's wonder and +doubt he jumped aboard. + +"Pretty neat outfit, isn't it?" he continued, as he stood a moment looking +over the lines of the craft, and then lifted the mast. + +"Oh, it'll sail, too, it'll sail, too!" cried Jewel, hopping up and down. +"Oh, mother, did you ever _hear_ of such a pretty boat?" + +"Never," replied Mrs. Evringham. "It must be that some one has come over +from one of those fine homes across the pond." + +Privately, she was a little surprised by the manner in which Mr. Evringham +was making himself at home. He set the mast in its place and then, his arms +akimbo, stood regarding Jewel's tense, sun-browned countenance and +sparkling eyes. + +"How would it be for me to go up to the house and see if we could get +permission to take a little sail?" he asked. + +"Oh, it would be splendid, grandpa," responded Jewel, "but--but he might +say no, and _could_ I get in just a minute first?" + +"Yes, come on." The child waited for no second invitation, but sprang into +the boat and examined its dry, shining floor and felt its buttoned cushions +with admiring awe. + +"Hello, see here," said Mr. Evringham, bending over the further side. +"Easy, now," for Jewel had scrambled to see. He trimmed the boat while her +flaxen head leaned eagerly over. + +Beautifully painted in shining black letters she read the name JEWEL. + +The child lifted her head quickly and gazed at him, "Grandpa, that almost +couldn't--_happen_" she said, in amazement, catching her breath. + +He nodded. "There's one thing pretty certain, Nature won't draw off the +pond now that this has come to you." + +"Me, _me_!" cried the child. Her lips trembled and she turned a little pale +under the tan as she remembered how the pony came. Then her eyes, dark with +excitement, suffused, and recklessly she flung herself upon the broker's +neck while the boat rocked wildly. + +Mr. Evringham waved one hand toward his daughter while he seized the mast. +"Tell Harry we left our love," he cried. + +"Dear me, Jewel, what are you _doing_!" called Mrs. Evringham. + +"It's mine, mother, it's mine," cried the child, lifting her head to shout +it, and then ducking back into the broker's silk shirt front. + +"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Evringham, coming gingerly out upon the +wharf, which was such an unsteady old affair that she had remained on terra +firma. + +"Why, you see," responded Mr. Evringham, "the farmhouse boat wasn't so +impossible for two old sea-dogs like Jewel and me, but when it came to +inviting her lady mother to go out with us, I saw that we must have +something else. Well, it seems as if Jewel approved of this." + +He winked at his daughter over the flaxen head on his breast. + +"What a fortunate, fortunate girl!" exclaimed Julia. "I can hardly wait to +sit on one of those beautiful red cushions." + +"Jewel will invite you pretty soon, I think," said Mr. Evringham. "I hope +so, for one of my feet is turned in and she is standing on it, but I +wouldn't have her get off until she is entirely ready." + +He could feel the child swallowing hard, and though she moved her little +feet, she could not lift her face. + +"Grandpa," she began, in an unsteady, muffled tone, "I didn't tease you too +much about the old boat, did I?" + +"No,--no, child!" + +"Shall you--shall you like this one, too?" + +"Well, I should rather think so. I have to give all my shoes to the poor as +it is. I've nothing left fit to put on but my riding-boots. How shall we go +over to the beach this time, Jewel, row or sail? Your mother is waiting for +you to ask her to get in." + +Slowly the big bows behind the child's ears came down into their normal +position. She kissed her grandfather fervently and then turned her flushed +face and eyes toward her mother. + +"Come in, so you can see the boat's name," she said, and her smile shone +out like sunshine from an April sky. + +"Give me your hand, then, dearie. You know I'm a poor city girl and haven't +a very good balance." + +The name was duly examined, and Mrs. Evringham's "oh's" of wonder and +admiration were long-drawn. + +"See the darling cushions, mother. You can wear your best clothes here. +It's just like a parlor!" + +"A very narrow parlor, Jewel. Move carefully." Mrs. Evringham had seated +herself in the stern. "Perhaps I can help with the rudder," she added, +taking hold of the lines. + +"Just as the admiral says," returned the broker. + +"Oh, grandpa, you'll have to be the admiral," said Jewel excitedly. "I'll +be the crew and"-- + +"And the owner," suggested Mr. Evringham. + +"Yes! Oh, mother, what _will_ father say!" + +"He'll say that you are a very happy, fortunate little girl, and that +Divine Love is always showing your grandpa how to do kind things for you." + +The child's expression as she looked up at the admiral made him apprehend +another rush. + +"Steady, Jewel, steady. Remember we aren't wearing our bathing-suits. Which +are we going to do, row or sail?" + +"Oh, _sail_," cried the child, "and it'll never be the first time again! +_Could_ you wait while I get Anna Belle?" + +"Certainly." + +Like a flash Jewel sprang from the boat and fled up the wharf and lawn. + +Mr. Evringham smiled and shook his head at his daughter. "A creature of +fire and dew," he said. + +"I don't know how to thank you for all your goodness to her," said Julia +simply. + +"It would offend me to be thanked for anything I did for Jewel," he +returned. + +"I understand. She is your own flesh and blood. But what I feel chiefly +grateful for is the wisdom of your kindness. I believe you will never spoil +her. I should rather we had remained poor and struggling than to have +that." + +Mr. Evringham gave the speaker a direct look in which appeared a trace of +humor. + +"I think I am slightly inclined," he returned, "to overlook the fact that +you and Harry have any rights in Jewel which should be respected; but +theoretically I do acknowledge them, and it is going to be my study not to +spoil her. I have an idea that we couldn't," he added. + +"Oh, yes, we could," returned Julia, "very easily." + +"Well, there aren't quite enough of us to try," said the broker. "I believe +while we're waiting for Jewel, I'll just step up to the house and get some +one to send that telegram to Harry." + +"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Julia eagerly; and in a minute she was left alone, +swaying up and down on the lapping water, in the salt, sunny breeze, while +the JEWEL pulled at the mooring as if eager to try its snowy wings; and +happy were the grateful, prayerful thoughts that swelled her heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE BIRTHDAY + + +One stormy evening Harry Evringham blew into the farmhouse, wet from his +drive from the station, and was severally hugged, kissed, and shaken by the +three who waited eagerly to receive him. The month that ensued was perhaps +the happiest that had ever come into the lives of either of the quartette; +certainly it was the happiest period to the married pair who had waited ten +years for their wedding trip. + +The days were filled with rowing, sailing, swimming, riding, driving, +picnics, walks, talks, and _dolce far niente_ evenings, when the wind was +still and the moon silvered field and sea. + +The happy hours were winged, the goldenrod strewed the land with sunshine, +and August slipped away. + +One morning when Jewel awoke it was with a sensation that the day was +important. She looked over at Anna Belle and shook her gently. "Wake up, +dearie," she said. "'Green pastures are before me,' it's my birthday." + +But Anna Belle, who certainly looked very pretty in her sleep, and perhaps +suspected it, seemed unable to overcome her drowsiness until Jewel set her +up against the pillow, when her eyes at once flew open and she appeared +ready for sociability. + +"Do you remember Gladys on her birthday morning, dearie? She couldn't +think of anything she wanted, and I'm almost like her. Grandpa's given me +my boat, that's his birthday present; and mother says she should think it +was enough for ten birthdays, and so should I. Poor grandpa! In ten +birthdays I'll be nineteen, and then he says I'll have to cry on his +shoulder instead of into his vest. But grandpa's such a joker! Of course +grown-up ladies hardly ever cry. If father and mother have anything for me, +I'll be just delighted; but I can't think what I want. I have the +darlingest pony in the world, and the dearest Little Faithful watch, and +the best boat that was ever built, and I rowed father quite a long way +yesterday all alone, and I didn't splash much, but he caught hold of the +side of the boat and pretended he was afraid"--Jewel's laughter gurgled +forth at the remembrance--"he's such a joker; and I do understand the sail, +too, but they won't let me do it alone yet. Father says he can see in my +eye that I should love to jibe. I don't even know what jibe is, so how +could I do it?" + +Jewel had proceeded so far in her confidences when the door of her room +opened, and her father and mother came in in their bath-wrappers. + +"We thought we heard you improving Anna Belle's mind," said her father, +taking her in his arms and kissing both her cheeks and chin, the tip of her +nose and her forehead, and then carefully repeating the programme. + +"But that was ten!" cried Jewel. + +"Certainly. If you didn't have one to grow on, how would you get along?" + +Then her pretty mother, her brown hair hanging in long braids, took her +turn and kissed Jewel's cheeks till they were pinker than ever. "Many, many +happy returns, my little darling," she said. "I didn't know you weren't +going riding this morning." + +"Yes, grandpa said he expected a man early on business, and he had to be +here to see him. Father could have gone with me," said Jewel, looking at +him reproachfully, where he sat on the side of the bed, "but when I asked +him last night he said--I forget what he said." + +"Merely that I didn't believe that horses liked such early dew." + +"Oh, Jewel!" laughed Mrs. Evringham, "your father is a lazy, sleepy boy. +It's later than you think, dearie. Hop up now and get ready for breakfast." + +They left her, and the little girl arose with great alacrity, for ever +since she was a baby her birthday present had always been on the breakfast +table. + +As soon as she was dressed, she put a blue cashmere wrapper on Anna Belle +and carried her downstairs to the room where the Evringham family had their +meals, separate from the other inmates of the farmhouse. + +Mr. Evringham was standing by the window, reading the newspaper as he +waited, and Jewel ran to him and looked up with bright expectation. + +"H'm!" he said, not lifting his eyes from the print, "good-morning, Jewel. +Essex Maid and Star would hardly speak to me when I was out there just now, +they're so vexed at having to stay indoors this morning." + +The child did not reply, but continued to look up, smiling. + +"Well," said the broker at last, dropping the paper. "Well? What is it? I +don't see anything very exciting. You haven't on your silk dress." + +"Grandpa! It's my _birthday_." + +The broker slapped his leg with very apparent annoyance. "Well, now, to +think I should have to be told that!" + +Jewel laughed and hopped a little as she looked toward the table. "Do you +see that bunch under the cloth at my place? That's my present. Isn't it the +most _fun_ not to know what it is?" + +Mr. Evringham took her up in his arms and weighed her up and down +thoughtfully. "Yes," he said, "I believe you are a little heavier than you +were yesterday." + +The child laughed again. + +"Now remember, Jewel, you're to go slow on this birthday business. Once in +two or three years is all very well." + +"Grandpa! people _have_ to have birthdays every year," she replied as he +set her down, "but after they're about twenty or something like that, it's +wrong to remember how old they are." + +"Indeed?" the broker stroked his mustache. "Ladies especially, I suppose." + +"Oh, no," returned Jewel seriously. "Everybody. Mother's just twenty years +older than I am and that's so easy to remember, it's going to be hard to +forget; but I've most forgotten how much older father is," and Jewel +looked up with an expression of determination that caused the broker to +smile broadly. + +"I can understand your mother's being too self-respecting to pass thirty," +he returned, "but just why your father shouldn't, I fail to understand." + +"Why, it's error to be weak and wear spectacles and have things, isn't it?" +asked Jewel, with such swift earnestness that Mr. Evringham endeavored to +compose his countenance. + +"Have things?" he repeated. + +Jewel's head fell to one side. "Why, even you, grandpa," she said lovingly, +"even you thought you had the rheumatism." + +"I was certainly under that impression." + +"But you never would have expected to have it when you were as young as +father, would you?" + +"Hardly." + +"Well, then you see why it's wrong to make laws about growing old and to +remember people's ages." + +"Ah, I see what you mean. Everybody thinking the wrong way and jumping on a +fellow when he's down, as it were." + +At this moment Jewel's father and mother entered the room, and she +instantly forgot every other consideration in her interest as to what +charming surprise might be bunched up under the tablecloth. + +"Anna Belle can hardly wait to see my present," she said, lifting her +shoulders and smiling at her mother. + +"She ought to know one thing that's there, certainly," replied Mrs. +Evringham mysteriously. + +Jewel held the doll up in front of her. "Have you given me something, +dearie?" she asked tenderly. "I do hope you haven't been extravagant." + +Then with an abrupt change of manner, she hopped up into her chair +eagerly, and the others took their places. + +The very first package that Jewel took out was marked--"With Anna Belle's +love." It proved to be a pair of handsome white hair-ribbons, and the donor +looked modestly away as Jewel expressed her pleasure and kissed her +blushing cheeks. + +Next came a box marked with her father's name. Upon opening it there was +discovered a set of ermine furs for Anna Belle,--at least they were very +white furs with very black tiny tails: collar and muff of a regal splendor, +and any one who declined to call them ermine would prove himself a cold +skeptic. Jewel jounced up and down in her chair with delight. + +"Winter's coming, you know, Jewel, and Bel-Air Park is a very swell place," +said her father. + +"And perhaps I'll have a sled at Christmas and draw Anna Belle on it," said +the child joyously. "Here, dearie, let's see how they fit," and on went the +furs over the blue cashmere wrapper, making Anna Belle such a thing of +beauty that Jewel gazed at her entranced. The doll was left with her chubby +hands in the ample muff and the sumptuous collar half eclipsing her golden +curls, while the little girl dived under the cloth once more for the +largest package of all. + +This was marked with her mother's love and contained handsome plaid +material for a dress, with the silk to trim it, and a pair of kid gloves. + +Jewel hopped down from her chair and kissed first her father and then her +mother. "That'll be the loveliest dress!" she said, and she carried it to +her grandfather to let him look closer and put his hand upon it. + +"Well, well, you are having a nice birthday, Jewel," he said. + +"Yes," she replied, putting her arm around his neck and pressing her cheek +to his. "We couldn't put the boat under the tablecloth, but I'm thinking +about it, grandpa." + +After breakfast they all went out to the covered piazza to read the lesson. +It was a fine, still morning. The pond rippled dreamily. The roar of the +surf was subdued. From Jewel's seat beside her grandfather she could see +her namesake glinting in the sun and gracefully rising and falling on the +waves in the gentle breeze. + +They had all taken comfortable positions and Mrs. Evringham was finding the +places in the books. + +Mr. Evringham spoke quite loudly: "Well, this is a fine morning, surely, +fine." + +"It is that," agreed Harry, stretching his long legs luxuriously. "If I +felt any better I couldn't stand it." + +As he was speaking, a strange man in a checked suit came around the corner +of the house. + +Jewel's eyes grew larger and she straightened up. + +"Oh, grandpa, look!" she said softly, and then jumped off the seat to see +better. All the little company gazed with interest, for, accompanying the +man, was the most superb specimen of a collie dog that they had ever seen. +"It's a golden dog, grandpa," added Jewel. + +The collie had evidently just been washed and brushed. His coat was, +indeed, of a gleaming yellow. His paws were white, the tip of his tail was +white, and his breast was snowy as the thick, soft foam of the breakers. A +narrow strip of white descended between his eyes,--golden, intelligent +eyes, with generations of trustworthiness in them. A silver collar nestled +in the long hair about his neck, and altogether he looked like a prince +among dogs. + +Jewel clasped her hands beneath her chin and gazed at him with all her +eyes. He was too splendid to be flown at in her usual manner with animals. + +"What a beauty!" ejaculated Harry. + +"It _is_ a golden dog," said Jewel's mother, looking almost as enthusiastic +as the child. + +"What have you there?" asked Mr. Evringham of the man. "Something pretty +fine, it appears to me." + +"Yes, sir, there's none finer," replied the man, glancing at the animal. "I +called to see you on that little matter I wrote you of." + +"Yes, yes; well, that will wait. We're interested in that fine collie of +yours. We know something about golden dogs here, eh, Jewel?" + +"But this dog couldn't dance, grandpa," said the child soberly, drawing +nearer to the creature. + +"I should think not," remarked the man, smiling. "What would he be doing +dancing? I've seen lions jump the rope in shows; but it never looked +fitting, to me." + +"No," said Jewel, "this dog ought not to dance;" and as the collie's golden +eyes met hers, she drew nearer still in fascination, and he touched her +outstretched hand curiously, with his cold nose. + +"Oh, well, but we like accomplished dogs," said Mr. Evringham coldly. + +"Who says this dog ain't accomplished?" returned the man, in an injured +tone. "Just stand back there a bit, young lady." + +Jewel retreated and her grandfather put his hand over her shoulder. The man +spoke to the dog, and at once the handsome creature sat up, tall and +dignified, on his hind legs. + +The man only kept him there a few seconds; and then he put him through a +variety of other performances. The golden dog shook hands when he was told, +rolled over, jumped over a stick, and at last sat up again, and when the +man took a bit of sugar from his pocket and balanced it on the creature's +nose, he tossed it in the air, and, catching it neatly, swallowed it in a +trice. + +Jewel was giving subdued squeals of delight, and everybody was laughing +with pleasure; for the decorative creature appeared to enjoy his own +tricks. + +The man looked proudly around upon the company. + +"Well," said Mr. Evringham to Jewel, "he is a dog of high degree, like +Gabriel's, isn't he? But he's such a big fellow I think the organ-grinder +wouldn't have such an easy time with _him_." + +At the broker's voice, the dog walked up to him and wagged his feathery +tail. Jewel's eager hands went out to touch him, but Mr. Evringham held her +back. + +"He's a friendly fellow," he went on; then continued to the man, "Would you +like to sell him?" + +The question set the little girl's heart to beating fast. + +"I would, first rate," replied the man, grinning, "but the trouble is I've +sold him once. I'm taking him to his owner now." + +"That's a handsome collar you have on him." + +"Oh, yes, it's a good one all right," returned the man. "The dog is for a +surprise present. The lady I'm taking him to is going to know him by his +name." + +"Let's have a look at it, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham, and he took hold of +the silver collar, a familiarity which seemed rather to please the golden +dog, who began wagging his tail again, as he looked at Mr. Evringham +trustingly. + +Jewel bent over eagerly. A single name was engraved clearly on the smooth +plate. + +"Topaz!" she cried. "His name is Topaz! Grandpa, mother, the golden dog's +name is Topaz!" + +Mrs. Evringham held up both hands in amazement, while Harry frowned +incredulously. + +"Did you ever hear of anything so wonderful, grandpa? How _can_ the lady +know him by his name so well as we do?" The child was quite breathless. + +"What? Do _you_ know the name?" asked the man. "Supposing I'd hit on the +right place already. Just take a look under his throat. The owner's name is +there." + +Jewel fell on her knees, and while Mr. Evringham kept his hand on the dog's +muzzle, she pushed aside the silky white fur. + +"Evringham. Bel-Air Park, New Jersey," was what she read, engraved on the +silver. + +She sat still for a minute, overcome, while a procession of ideas crowded +after each other through the flaxen head. It was her birthday; grandpa +couldn't get the boat under the tablecloth. This beautiful dog--this +impossibly beautiful dog, was a surprise present. He was for her, to love +and to play with; to see his tricks every day, to teach him to know her and +to run to her when she called. If she was given the choice of the Whole +world on this sweet birthday morning, it seemed to her nothing could be so +desirable as this live creature, this playmate, this prince among dogs. + +When she looked up the man in the checked suit had disappeared. She glanced +at her father and mother. They were watching her smilingly and she +understood that they had known. + +She looked around a little further and saw Mr. Evringham seated, his hand +on the collie's neck, while the wagging, feathery tail expressed great +contentment in the touch of a good friend. + +At the time the story of the golden dog had so captivated Jewel's +imagination, the broker began his search for one in real life. He had +already been thinking that a dog would be a good companion for the fearless +child's solitary hours in the woods. As soon as the collie was found, he +directed that all the ordinary tricks should be taught it, and every day +until he left New York he visited the creature, who remembered him so well +that on the collie's arrival late last evening, he had feared its joyous +barking out at the barn would waken Jewel. + +She rose to her knees now, and, putting her arms around the dog's neck, +pressed her radiant face against him. + +Topaz pulled back, but Mr. Evringham patted him, and in an instant he was +freed; for his little mistress jumped up and, climbing into her +grandfather's lap, rested her head against his breast. + +"Grandpa," she said, slowly and fervently, "I wonder if you do know how +much I love you!" + +Mr. Evringham patted the collie's head, then took Jewel's hand and placed +it with his own on the sleek forehead. The golden eyes met his +attentively. + +"You're to take care of her, Topaz. Do you understand?" he asked. + +The feathery tail waved harder. + +Jewel gazed at the dog. "If anything could be too good to be true, he'd be +it," she said slowly. + +Mr. Evringham's pleasure showed in his usually impassive face. + +"Well, isn't it a good thing then that nothing is?" he replied, and he +kissed her. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +TRUE DELIGHT + + +When evening came and put a period to that memorable birthday, Topaz was a +dog of experiences. If he was a happy discovery to Jewel, she was none the +less one to him. He was delighted to romp in the fields, where his coat +vied with the goldenrod; or to scamper up and down the beach, barking +excitedly, while his friends jumped or swam through the cool waves. + +Jewel was eager that her horse and dog should become acquainted; so, when +late in the afternoon Essex Maid and Star were brought out at the customary +hour, saddled and bridled, she performed an elaborate introduction between +the jet-black picture pony and the prince among dogs. Star arched his neck +and shook his wavy mane as he gazed down at the golden dog with his full +bright eyes. He had seen Topaz before; for the collie had spent the night +in the barn, making sunshine in a shady place as he romped about the man in +the checked suit. + +"Oh, grandpa!" laughed Jewel, as Star pawed the ground, "he looks at Topaz +just the way Essex Maid used to look at him when he first came. Just as +_scornful_!" + +She knelt down on the grass by the pony, in her riding skirt, and Topaz +instantly came near, hopefully. He had already learned that by sticking to +her closely he was liable to have good sport; but this time business +awaited him. Mr. Evringham watched the pony and dog, with the flaxen-haired +child between them, and wished he had a kodak. + +"Now, Star and Topaz, you're going to love one another," said Jewel +impressively. "Shake hands, Topaz." She held out her hand and the dog sat +down and offered a white paw. + +"Good fellow," said the child. "Now I guess you're going to be surprised," +she added, looking into his yellow eyes. She turned toward the pony, who +was nosing her shoulder, not at all sure that he liked this rival. "Shake +hands, Star," she ordered. + +It took the pony some time to make up his mind to do this. It usually did. +He shook his mane and tossed his head; but Jewel kept patting his slender +leg and offering her hand, until, with much gentle pawing and lifting his +little hoof higher and higher, he finally rested it in the child's hand, +although looking away meanwhile, in mute protest. + +"Good Star! Darling Star!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging him. +"There, Topaz, what do you think of that?" she asked triumphantly. For +answer the golden dog yawned profoundly, and Mr. Evringham and Jewel +laughed together. + +"Such impoliteness!" cried the child. + +"You must excuse him if he is a little conceited," said the broker. "He +knows Star can't sit up and roll over and jump sticks." + +"Oh, grandpa." Jewel's face sobered, for this revived a little difference +of opinion between them. "When are you going to let me jump fences?" + +"In a few more birthdays, Jewel, a few more," he replied. + +She turned back to her pets. "I suppose," she said musingly, "it wouldn't +be the least use to try to make them shake hands with each other." + +"I suppose not," returned the broker, and his shoulders shook. "Oh, Jewel, +you certainly will make me lose my waist. Here now, time is flying. Mount." + +He lowered his hand, Jewel stepped on it and was in her white saddle +instantly. The collie barked with loud inquiry and plunged hopefully. + +In a minute the horses were off at a good pace. "Come, Topaz!" cried the +child, and the golden dog scampered after them with a will. + +Harry and Julia took a sail in the "Jewel" while the riders were away, +otherwise the four had spent the entire day together; and after dinner they +all strolled out of doors to watch the coming of twilight. + +Jewel and her father began a romp on the grass with the dog, and Mr. +Evringham and Julia took seats on the piazza. + +The broker watched the group on the lawn in silence for a minute, and then +he spoke. + +"I was very much impressed by the talk we had last evening, Julia; more so +even than by those that have gone before. Harry really seems very +intelligent on this subject of Christian Science." + +"He is making a conscientious study of it," returned Julia. + +"You have met my questions and objections remarkably well," went on Mr. +Evringham. "I am willing and glad to admit truth where I once was +skeptical, and I hope to understand much more. One thing I must say, +however, I do object to--it is this worship of Mrs. Eddy. I know you don't +call it that, but what does it matter what you call it, when you all give +her slavish obedience? I should like to take the truth she has presented +and make it more impersonal than you do. What is the need of thinking about +her at all?" + +Julia smiled. "Well, ordinary gratitude might come in there. Most of us +feel that she has led us to the living Christ, and helped us to all we have +attained of health and happiness; but one very general mistake that error +makes use of to blind people is that Mrs. Eddy exacts this gratitude. How +willing everybody is to admit that actions speak louder than words; and yet +who of our opposers ever stop to think how Mrs. Eddy's retired, +hard-working life proves the falsity of the charges brought against her. +She does wish for our love and gratitude; but it is for our sakes, not +hers. Think of any of the great teachers from St. Paul down to the present +day. Who could benefit by the truth voiced by any of them, while he nursed +either contempt or criticism of the personality of the teacher?" + +"Yes," returned Mr. Evringham, "there is strength in that consideration; +but this blind following of any suggestion your leader makes looks to me +too much like giving up your own rationality." + +Julia regarded him seriously. "Supposing you were one of a party who had, +for long years, searched in vain for gold. You had tried mine after mine +only to find you had not the ability to discriminate between the priceless +and the worthless ore, or to discern the signs of promise that lead to +rich discovery. Now, supposing another prospector had proved, over and over +again, that he did know the places where treasure was to be found. +Supposing he had demonstrated, over and over again, that his judgment and +discernment never led him astray, and that reward followed his labor +unfailingly. Now, what if this wise prospector was willing to help you? +Supposing he stated that in certain places, and by certain ways, you could +attain that for which you longed and had striven vainly. When his advice or +directions came to you, from time to time, do you think you would be likely +to stop to haggle or argue over them? No; I think you would hasten to +follow his suggestions, as eagerly and as closely as you were able, and +with a warmly grateful heart. Would that prospector be forcing you? or +doing you a kindness? What are the fruits of Christian Science? What are +the results of the directions of this wise, loving leader who can come so +close to God that He teaches her to help us to come, too. Oh, father, this +obstacle, this foolish argument, meets nearly every one in the path you are +treading, and tries to turn him back. I do hope, for your sake, you will +decline to give that very flabby error-fairy a backbone, or let it detain +you longer. It is marvelous how, without one element of truth or reason, it +seems able to hold back so many, and waste their precious time." + +Mr. Evringham was regarding the speaker with close attention. "You are a +good special pleader," he said, when she paused. + +"It is easy to speak the truth," she answered. + +He nodded thoughtfully. "You have given me a new light on the situation. I +see it now from an entirely new standpoint." + +Here the trio on the lawn came running up the steps, father and child +laughing and panting as hard as Topaz, whose tongue and teeth were all in +evidence in the gayety of his grin. + +Harry threw himself into the hammock, and Jewel sat on the floor beside +Topaz, who gazed at her from his wistful eyes, his head on the side. Harry +laughed. "Jewel, he looks at you as if he were saying, 'Really, now, you +are a person after my own heart.'" + +"She is after his heart, too," said Jewel's mother, "and I'm sure she'll +win it." + +"He likes me already," declared the child. "Don't you, Topaz?" she asked +tenderly, laying her flaxen head with its big bows against the gold of his +coat. "Oh, there ought to be one more story in my book," she added, "one +for us to read right now and finish up my birthday." + +"Why not have 'The Golden Dog' again?" suggested Mr. Evringham, from the +comfortable big wicker chair in which he sat watching Jewel and Topaz. +"That would be appropriate." + +"Oh, yes," cried the little girl, looking at her mother. + +"Oh, no," returned Julia, smiling. "There ought to be a special fresh story +for a birthday. We might make one now." + +"A new one, mother?" asked Jewel, much pleased. "Could you?" + +"No indeed, not alone; but if everybody helped"-- + +"Oh, yes," cried Jewel, with more enthusiasm than before. "Grandpa begin +because he's the oldest, then father, then mother, then--well, me, if I +can think of anything." + +"It's very wrong of you, Jewel," said the broker, "to remember that I'm the +oldest, under these circumstances. What did you tell me this morning?" + +The child's head fell to the side and she leaned toward him. "I don't know +how old you are," she replied gently; "and it doesn't make any difference." + +"Then let's begin with the youngest," he suggested. + +"No," said his daughter, "I think Jewel's plan is the best. You begin, +father." She did not in the least expect that he would consent, but Jewel, +her hands resting on Topaz's collar, was looking at the broker lovingly. + +"Grandpa can do just anything," she declared. + +Mr. Evringham regarded her musingly. "I know only one story," he said at +last, "and not very far into that one." + +"You don't have to know far," returned Julia encouragingly, "for Harry has +to begin whenever you say so." + +"Indeed!" put in her husband. "I pity you if you have to listen to me." + +"It's my birthday, you know, grandpa," urged Jewel. + +"So I've understood," returned the broker. "Well, just wait a minute till I +hitch up Pegasus." + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed his son. "You aren't in earnest, Julia? You don't +expect me to do anything like that right off the bat!" + +"Certainly, I do," she replied, laughing. + +"Oh, see here, I have an engagement. We're one, you know, and when it +comes to authorship, you're the one." + +"Hush," returned Julia, "you're disturbing father's muse." + +But Mr. Evringham's ideas, whatever they were, seemed to be at hand. He +settled back in his chair, his elbows on the arms and his finger-tips +touching. All his audience immediately gave attention. Even Anna Belle had +a chair all to herself and fixed an inspiring gaze on the broker. It was to +be hoped that her pride kept her cool, for, in spite of the quiet warmth of +the September evening, she was enveloped in her new furs, with her hands +tucked luxuriously in the large muff. + +"Once upon a time," began Mr. Evringham, "there was an old man. No one had +ever told him that it was error to grow old and infirm, and he sometimes +felt about ninety, although he was rather younger. He lived in the Valley +of Vain Regret. The climate of that region has a bad effect on the heart, +and his had shriveled up until it was quite small and mean, and hard and +cold, at that. + +"The old man wasn't poor; he lived in a splendid castle and had plenty of +servants to wait on him; but he was the loneliest of creatures. He wanted +to be lonely. He didn't like anybody, and all he asked of people was that +they stay away from him and only speak to him when he spoke to them, which +wasn't very often, I assure you. You can easily see that people were +willing to stay away from a cross-grained person like that. Everybody in +the neighborhood was afraid of him. They shivered when he came near, and +ran off to get into the sunshine; so he was used to seeing visitors pass +by the fine grounds of his castle with only a scared glance or two in that +direction, and he wished it to be so. But he was very unhappy all the same. +His dried-up heart gave him much discomfort, and then once he had read an +old parchment that told of a far different land from Vain Regret. In that +country was the Castle of True Delight, and many an hour the man spent in +restless longing to know how he might find it; for--so he read--if a person +could once pass within the portals of that palace, he would never again +know sorrow or discontent, but one happy day would follow another in +endless variety and satisfaction. + +"Many a time the man mounted on a spirited horse and rode forth in search +of this castle, and many different paths he took; but every night he came +home discouraged, for no sign could he find of any hope or cheer in the +whole Valley of Vain Regret, and it seemed to him to hold him like a +prisoner. + +"One day as he was strolling on the terrace before the castle, in bitter +thought, a strange sight met his eyes. A little girl pushed open the great +iron gates which he had thought were locked, and walked toward him. For a +minute he was too much amazed at such daring to speak, and the little girl +came forward, smiling as she caught his look. She had dark eyes and her +brown hair curled in her neck. Most people would have remarked her sweet +expression; but the old man turned fierce at sight of her. + +"'Be off,' he commanded angrily, and he pointed to the gate. + +"She did not cease smiling nor turn away, but came straight on. + +"The little dried heart in the old man's breast began to bounce about at a +great rate in his anger. He turned to a servant who stood near holding in +leash two great hounds. + +"'Set the dogs on her,' he commanded; and though the servant was loath to +obey, he dared not refuse, and set free the dogs who, at the master's word, +bounded swiftly toward the child. + +"Her loving look did not alter as she saw them coming and she held out her +hands to them. When they reached her they licked the little hands with +their tongues and bent their great heads to her caresses, and so she +advanced to the man, walking between the hounds, a hand on the neck of +each. + +"He stared at her dumfounded as she stood before him, her eyes smiling up +into his. Her garments were white and of a strange fashion. + +"'From whence come you?' he asked, when he could speak. + +"'From the Heavenly Country,' she answered. + +"'And what may be your name?' + +"'Purity.' + +"'I ordered you out of my grounds!' exclaimed the old man. + +"'I did not hear it,' returned the child, unmoved. + +"'Don't you fear the dogs?' + +"'What is fear?' asked Purity, her eyes wondering. + +"'This is the land of Vain Regret,' said the man. 'Be off!' + +"'This is a beautiful land,' returned the child. + +"For a moment her fearless obstinacy held him silent, then he thought he +would voice the question that was always with him. + +"'Have you ever heard, in your country, of the Castle of True Delight?' he +asked. + +"'Often,' replied the child. + +"'I wish to go there,' he declared eagerly. + +"'Then why not?' returned Purity. + +"'I cannot find the way.' + +"'That is a pity,' said the child. 'It is in my country.' + +"'And you have seen it?' + +"'Oh, many times.' + +"'Then you shall show me the way.' + +"'Whenever you are ready,' returned Purity. So saying, she passed him, +still accompanied by the hounds, and walked up the steps of the castle and +passed within and out of sight." + + * * * * * + +The story-teller paused. Jewel had risen from her seat on the floor and +come to sit on a wicker hassock at his feet, and Topaz rapped with his tail +as she moved. + +"I wish you'd been there, grandpa, to take care of that little girl," she +said earnestly, her eyes fixed on his. "What happened next?" + +"Ask your father," was the response. + +Harry Evringham rolled over in the hammock where he lay stretched, until he +could see his daughter's face. She rose again and pulled her hassock close +to him as he continued:-- + +"As Purity passed into the house, the dogs whined, and the servant calling +them, they ran back to him. The old man stood still, bewildered, for a +minute; then he struck his hands together. + +"'It is true, then. Even that child has seen it. I will go to her at once, +and we will set forth.' + +"So the old man entered the castle, and gave orders that the child who had +just come in should be found and brought to him. + +"The servants immediately flew to do his bidding, but no child could they +find. + +"'Lock the gates lest she escape,' ordered the master. 'She is here. Find +her, or off goes every one of your foolish heads.' + +"This was a terrible threat. You may be sure the servants ran hither and +thither, and examined every nook and corner; but still no little girl could +be found. The master scowled and fumed, but he considered that if he had +his servants all beheaded, it would put him to serious inconvenience; so he +only sat down and bit his thumbs, and began to try to think up some new way +to search for the Castle of True Delight. + +"He felt sure the child had told the truth when saying she had beheld it. +It was even in the country where she had her home. The man began to see +that he had made a mistake not to treat the stranger more civilly. The very +dogs that he kept to drive away intruders had been more hospitable than he. + +"All at once he had a bright thought. The roc, the oldest and wisest of all +birds, lived at the top of the mountain which rose above his castle. + +"'She will tell me the way,' he said, 'for she knows the world from its +very beginning.' + +"So he ordered that they should saddle and bridle his strongest steed, and +up the mountain he rode for many a toilsome hour, until he came to where +the roc lived among the clouds. + +"She listened civilly to the man's question. 'So you are weary of your +life,' she said. 'Many a pilgrim comes to me on the same quest, and I tell +them all the same thing. The obstacles to getting away from the Valley of +Vain Regret are many, for there is but one road, and that has difficulties +innumerable; but the thing that makes escape nearly impossible is the +dragon that watches for travelers, and has so many eyes that two of them +are always awake. There is one hope, however. If you will examine my wings +and make yourself a similar pair, you can fly above the pitfalls and the +dragon's nest, and so reach the palace safely.' + +"As she said this, the roc slowly stretched her great wings, and the man +examined them eagerly, above and below. + +"'And in what direction do I fly?' he asked at last. + +"'Toward the rising sun,' replied the roc; then her wings closed, her head +drooped, and she fell asleep, and no further word could the man get from +her. + +"He rode home, and for many weeks he labored and made others labor, to +build an air-ship that should carry him out of the Valley of Vain Regret. +It was finished at last. It was cleverly fashioned, and had wings as broad +as the roc's; but on the day when the man finally stepped within it and set +it in motion, it carried him only a short distance outside the castle +gates, and then sank to the boughs of a tall tree, and, try as he might, +the air-ship could not be made to take a longer flight. + +"His poor shrunken heart fluttered with rage and disappointment. 'I will +go to the wise hermit,' he said. So he went far through the woods to the +hut of the wise hermit, and he told him the same gruesome things about the +difficulties that beset the road out of the Valley of Vain Regret, and said +that one's only hope lay in tunneling beneath them. + +"So the old man hired a large number of miners, and, setting their faces +eastward, they burrowed down into the earth, and blasted and dug a way +which the man followed, a greater and greater eagerness possessing him with +each step of progress; but just when his hopes were highest, the miners +broke through into an underground cavern, bottomless and black, from which +they all started back, barely in time to save themselves. It was impossible +to go farther, and the whole company returned by the way they had come, and +the miners were very glad to breathe the air of the upper world again; but +the man's disappointment was bitter. + +"'It is of no use,' he said, when again he stood on the terrace in front of +his castle. 'It is of no use to struggle. I am imprisoned for life in the +Valley of Vain Regret.'" + + * * * * * + +Jewel's father paused. She had listened attentively. Now she turned to her +grandfather. + +"Is that the way you think the story went, grandpa?" + +Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think it did," he replied. + +"Then go on, please, father, because I like a lot of happiness in my +stories, and I want that man to hurry up and know that--that error is +cheating him." + +"Your mother to the rescue, then," replied Harry Evringham, smiling. + +Jewel turned to look at her mother, and, rising again, picked up her +hassock and carried it to the steamer chair in which Mrs. Evringham was +reclining. + +Her mother looked into her serious eyes and nodded reassuringly as she +began:-- + + * * * * * + +"As that sorry old man stood there on the terrace, things had never looked +so black to him. He was so tired, so tired of hating. He longed for a +thousand things, he knew not what, but he was sure they were to be found at +the Castle of True Delight; but he was shut in! There was no way out. As he +was thinking these despairing thoughts and looking about on the scenes +which had grown hateful to him, he saw something that made him start. The +great iron gates leading out of his grounds opened as once before, and a +little girl in white garments came in and moved toward him. His heart +leaped at the sight,--and it swelled a bit, too! + +"Instead of ordering her off, he hurried toward her and, although he +scowled in his eagerness, she smiled and lifted dark eyes that beamed +lovingly. + +"'I cannot find my way to your country nor to the Castle of True Delight,' +said the man, 'and I need you to show me. Since you have found your road +hither twice, surely you can go back again.' + +"'Yes, easily,' replied Purity, 'and since you know that you need me, you +are ready, and the King welcomes all.' + +"'He will not like me,' said the sorry man, 'because nobody does.' + +"'I do,' replied the child; and at her tone the man's heart swelled a +little more. + +"'There is water in my eyes,' he said, as if to himself. 'What does that +mean?' + +"'It will make you see better,' replied the child. 'It is the kind of water +that softens the heart, and that always improves the sight.' + +"'Be it so, then. Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full of +perils innumerable, child. Have you found some other path?' + +"'There is but one,' replied Purity. + +"'So the roc said,' declared the man. 'How did you pass the dragon?' + +"The child looked up wonderingly. 'I saw no dragon,' she answered. + +"The man stared at her. 'There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,' he +repeated, 'and an ever-wakeful dragon. You passed it in the night, perhaps, +and were too small to be observed.' + +"'I saw none,' repeated the child. + +"'Yet I will risk it!' exclaimed the man. 'Rather death than this life. +Wait until I buckle on my sword and order our horses.' + +"He turned to go, but the child caught his hand. 'We need no horses,' she +said, gently, 'and what would you with a sword?' + +"'For our defense.' + +"The child pressed his hand softly. 'Those who win to True Delight use only +the sword of spirit,' she answered. + +"The man frowned at her, but even frowning he wondered. Again came the +swelling sensation within his breast, which he could not understand. + +"The child smiled upon him and started toward the heavy gates and the man +followed. He wondered at himself, but he followed. + +"Emerging into the woodland road, Purity took a path too narrow and devious +for a horse to tread, but the man saw that it led toward the rising sun. +She seemed perfectly sure of her way, and occasionally turned to look +sweetly on the pilgrim whose breast was beginning to quake at thought of +the difficulties to come. No defense had he but his two hands, and no guide +but this gentle, white-robed child in her ignorant fearlessness. Indeed it +was worse than being alone, for he must defend her as well as himself. She +was so young and helpless, and she had looked love at him. With this +thought the strange water stood again in his eyes and the narrow heart in +his bosom swelled yet more. + +"The forest thickened and deepened. Sharp thorns sprang forth and at last +formed a network before the travelers. + +"'You will hurt yourself, Purity!' cried the man. 'Let me go first,' and +pushing by the little child, he tried to break the thorny branches and +force a way; but his hands were torn in vain; and seeing the hopelessness, +after a long struggle, he turned sadly to his guide. + +"'I told you!' he said. + +"'Yes,' she answered, and the light from her eyes shone upon the tangle. +'On this road, force will avail nothing; but there are a thousand helps for +him who treads this path with me.' + +"As she spoke, an army of bright-eyed little squirrels came fleetly into +the thicket and gnawed down thorns and briers before the pilgrims, until +they emerged safely into an open field. + +"'A heart full of thanks, little ones,' called Purity after them as they +fled. + +"'Why did they do that for us?' asked the astonished man. + +"'Because they know I love them,' replied the child, and she moved forward +lightly beside her companion. + +"They had walked for perhaps half an hour when a sound of rushing waters +came to their ears, and they soon reached a broad river. There was no +bridge and the current was deep and swift. + +"The man gazed at the roaring torrent in dismay. 'Oh, child, behold the +flood! Even if I could build a raft, we should be carried out to sea, and +no swimmer could stem that tide with you in his arms. How ever came you +across by yourself?' + +"'Love helped me,' answered Purity. + +"'Alas, it will not help me,' said the man. 'I know Hate better.' + +"'But you are becoming acquainted with Love, else you would not look on me +so kindly,' returned the child. 'Have faith and come to the shore.' She put +her little hand in his and he held it close, and together they walked to +the edge of the rushing river. Suddenly its blackness was touched and +twinkling with silver which grew each instant more compact and solid, and, +without a moment's hesitation, Purity stepped upon the silver path, drawing +with her the man, who marveled to see that countless large fish, with their +noses toward the current and their fins working vigorously, were offering +their bodies as a buoyant bridge, over which the two passed safely. + +"'A thousand thanks, dear ones,' said Purity, as they reached the farther +bank; and instantly there was a breaking and twinkling of the silver, and +the rushing water swallowed up the kindly fish. + +"The man, speechless with wonder, moved along beside his guide, and from +time to time she sang a little song, and as she sang he could feel his +heart swelling and there was a strange new happiness born in it, which +seemed to answer her song though his lips were mute. + +"And then Purity talked to him of her King and of the rich delights which +were ever poured out to him who once found the path to the Heavenly +Country; and the man listened quite eagerly and humbly and clung to Purity +as to his only hope. + +"When night fell he feared to close his eyes lest the child slip away from +him; but she smiled at his fears. + +"'I can never leave you while you want me,' she answered; 'beside, I do not +wish to, for I love you. Do you forget that?' + +"At this the man lay down quite peacefully. His heart was full and soft, +and the strange water that filled his eyes overflowed upon his cheeks. + +"In the morning they ate fruits and berries, and pursued their journey, and +it was not long before another of the obstacles which the roc and the +hermit had foretold threatened to end their pilgrimage. It was a chasm that +fell away so steeply and was so deep and wide that, looking into the depths +below, the man shuddered and started back. Before he had time to utter his +dismay, a large mountain deer appeared noiselessly before the travelers. +The man started eagerly, but as the creature's bright, wild gaze met his, +it vanished as silently and swiftly as it had come. + +"'Ah, why was that?' exclaimed Purity. 'Felt you an unloving thought?' + +"''Twas a fine deer. Had I but possessed a bow and arrow, I could have +taken it!' returned the man, with excitement. + +"'To what end?' asked Purity, her wondering eyes sad. 'One does not gain +the Heavenly Country by slaying. We must wait now, until Love drives out +all else.' + +"The repentant man hung his head and looked at the broad chasm. 'Would that +I had not willed to kill the creature,' he said, 'for I am loath to lose my +own life, and it is less good than the deer's.' + +"Purity smiled upon him and slid her hand into his, and again the deer +bounded before them, followed this time by its mate. + +"The child fondled them. 'Mount upon its back,' she said to the man, +indicating the larger animal. He obeyed, though with trembling, while the +smaller deer kneeled to the child and she took her seat. + +"Then the creatures planted their feet unerringly and stepped to a lower +jutting point of rock, from whence with flying leaps they bridged the chasm +and scrambled to firm earth on the other side. + +"'Our hearts' best thanks, loved ones,' said Purity, as the deer bounded +away. + +"The man was trembling. 'I have slain many of God's creatures for my +pleasure,' he faltered. 'May He forgive me!' + +"'If you do so no more you will forgive yourself; but only so,' returned +Purity. + +"They moved along again and the man spoke earnestly and humbly of the +wonders that had befallen them. + +"'To Love, all things are possible,' returned the child; 'but to Love +only;' and her companion listened to all she said, with a full heart. + +"By noon that day, an inaccessible cliff stared the travelers in the face. +Its mighty crags bathed their feet in a deep pool, and up, up, for hundreds +of feet, ran a smooth wall of rock in which no one might find a foothold. + +"The man stared at it in silence, and it seemed to frown back inexorably. +His companion watched his face and read its mute hopelessness. + +"'Have you still--_still_ no faith?' she asked. + +"'I cannot see how'--stammered the man. + +"'No, you cannot see how--but what does that matter?' asked the child. 'Let +us eat now,' and she sat down, and the man with her, and they ate of the +fruits and nuts she had gathered along the way and carried in her white +gown. + +"While they ate, a pair of great eagles circled slowly downward out of the +blue sky, nor paused until they had alighted near the travelers. + +"'Welcome, dear birds,' said Purity. 'You know well the Heavenly Country, +and we seek your help to get there, for we have no wings to fly above those +rocky steeps.' + +"The eagles nestled their heads within her little hands, in token of +obedience, and when she took her seat upon one, the man obeyed her sign and +trusted himself upon the outstretched wings of the other. + +"Up, up, soared the great birds, over the sullen pool, up the sheer rock. +Up, and still up, with sure and steady flight, until, circling once again, +the eagles alighted gently upon a land strewn with flowers. + +"The man and his guide stood upon the green earth, and Purity kissed her +hands gratefully to the eagles as they circled away and out of sight. + +"'This is a beautiful country,' said the man, and he gathered a white +flower. + +"'Yes,' returned Purity, smiling on him, 'you begin to see it now.'" + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Evringham paused. Jewel's eyes were fixed on her unwinkingly. "Go on, +please, mother," she said. + +"I think I've told enough," replied Mrs. Evringham. + +"Oh, but you finish it, mother. You can tell it just beautifully." + +"Thank you, dear, but I think it is your turn." + +"Yes, Jewel," said her father, "it's up to you now." + +"But I don't think a little girl _can_ tell stories to grown-up people." + +"Oh, yes, on her birthday she can," returned her father. "Go on, we're all +listening; no one asleep except Topaz." + +Jewel's grandfather had been watching her absorbed face all the time, +between his half-closed lids. "I think they've left the hardest part of all +to you, Jewel," he said,--"to tell about the dragon." + +"Oh, no-o," returned the child scornfully, "that part's easy." + +The broker raised his eyebrows. "Indeed?" he returned. + +In honor of her birthday, Jewel was arrayed in her silk dress. The white +ribbons, Anna Belle's gift, were billowing out behind her ears. She +presented the appearance, as she sat on the wicker hassock, of a person who +had had little experience with dragons. + +"Well," she said, after a pause, smiling at her grandfather and lifting her +shoulders, "shall I try, then?" + +"By all means," returned the broker. + +So Jewel folded her hands in her silken lap and began in her light, sweet +voice:-- + + * * * * * + +"When the man looked around on the flowers and lovely trees and brooks, he +said, 'This is a beautiful land.' + +"And Purity answered: 'I'm glad that you see it is. You remember I told you +it was.' + +"'It was the Valley of Vain Regret we were talking about then,' said the +man. 'If you had known more about it, you wouldn't have called _that_ +beautiful.' + +"Then the little girl smiled because she knew something nice that the man +didn't know yet; but he was going to. + +"So they journeyed along and journeyed along through pleasant places, and +while they walked, Purity told the man about the great King--how loving He +was and everything like that, and the man had hold of her hand and listened +just as hard as he could, for he felt sure she was telling the truth; and +it made him glad, and his heart that had been wizzled up just like a fig, +had grown to be as big as--oh, as big as a watermelon, and it was full of +nice feelings. + +"'I'm happy, Purity,' he said to the little girl. + +"I'm glad,' she answered, and she squeezed his hand back again, because she +loved him now as much as if he was her grandpa. + +"Well, they went along, and along, and at last they came to some woods and +a narrow path through them. The man was beginning to think they might need +the squirrels again, when suddenly"--Jewel paused and looked around on her +auditors whose faces she could barely see in the gathering dusk,--"suddenly +the man thought he saw the dragon he had heard so much about; and he +shivered and hung back, but Purity walked along and wondered what was the +matter with him. + +"'There's the dragon!' he said, in the most _afraid_ voice, and he hung +back on the girl's hand so hard that she couldn't move. + +"When she saw how he looked, she patted him. 'I don't see anything,' she +said, 'only just lovely woods.' + +"'Oh, Purity, come back, come back, we can't go any farther!' said the man, +and his eyes kept staring at something among the trees, close by. + +"'What do you see?' asked the little girl. + +"'A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns!' answered the man, and +he pulled on her again, to go back with him. + +"'Dear me,' said Purity, 'is that old make-believe thing ground here, +trying to cheat you? I've heard about it.' + +"'It would make anybody afraid,' said the man. 'It has seven heads and it +could eat us up with any one of them.' + +"'Yes, it could, if it was there,' said Purity, 'but there isn't any such +thing, to _be_ there. The King of the country is all-powerful and He knows +we're coming, and He _wants_ us to come. Hasn't He taken care of us all the +way and helped us over every hard place? Shouldn't you think you'd _know_ +by this time that we're being taken care of?' + +"'Oh, dear!' said the man, 'I shall never see the Heavenly Country, nor the +castle, nor know what true delight is; for no one could get by that +dragon!' + +"Purity felt bad because his face was the sorriest that you ever saw, and +his voice sounded full of crying. So she put her arms around him. 'Now +don't you feel that way;' she said, 'everything is just as happy as it was +before. There isn't any dragon there. Tell me where you see him.' + +"So the man pointed to the foot of a great tree close by. + +"'All right,' said Purity, 'I'll go and stand right in front of that tree +until you get 'way out of the woods, and then I'll run and catch up with +you.' + +"The man stooped down and put his arms around the girl just as lovingly as +if she was his own little grandchild. + +"'I can't do that,' he said; 'I'd rather the dragon would eat me up than +you. You run, Purity, and I'll stay; and when he tries to catch you, I'll +throw myself in front of him. But kiss me once, dear, because we've been +very happy together.' + +"Purity kissed him over and over again because she was so happy about his +goodness, and she saw the tears in his eyes, that are the kind that make +people see better. She _knew_ what the man was going to see when he stood +up again." + +The story-teller paused a moment, but no one spoke, although she looked at +each one questioningly; so she continued:-- + +"Well, he was the most _surprised_ man when he got up and looked around. + +"'The dragon has gone!' he said. + +"'No, he hasn't,' said Purity, and she just hopped up and down, she was so +glad. 'He hasn't gone, because he wasn't there!' + +"'He _isn't_ there!' said the man, over and over. 'He _isn't_ there!' and +he looked so happy--oh, as happy as if it was his birthday or something. + +"So they walked along out into the sunshine again, and sweeter flowers than +ever were growing all around them, and a bird that was near began singing a +new song that the man had never heard. + +"There was a lovely green mountain ahead of them now. 'Purity,' said the +man, for something suddenly came into his head, 'is this the Heavenly +Country?' + +"'Yes,' said Purity, and she clapped her hands for joy because the man knew +it was. + +"They walked along and the bird's notes were louder and sweeter. 'I +_think_, said the man softly, 'I think he is singing the song of true +delight.' + +"'He is,' said Purity. + +"So, when they had walked a little farther still, they began to see a +splendid castle at the foot of the mountain. + +"'Oh,' said the man, just as happily as anything, 'is that home at +_last_!' + +"'Yes,' said Purity, 'it is the Castle of True Delight.' + +"The man felt young and strong and he walked so fast the little girl had to +skip along to keep up with him, and the bird flew around their heads and +sang 'Love, love, love; _true_ delight, _true_ delight,' just as _plain_." + + * * * * * + +Jewel gave the bird-song realistically, then she unclasped her hands. +"Mother," she said, turning to Mrs. Evringham, "now you finish the story. +Will you?" + +"Yes, indeed, I know the rest," returned Mrs. Evringham quietly, and she +took up the thread:-- + + * * * * * + +"As the man and Purity drew near to the great gates before the castle, +these flew open of their own accord, and the travelers entered. Drawing +near the velvet green of the terraces, a curious familiarity in the fair +scene suddenly impressed the man. He stared, then frowned, then smiled. A +great light streamed across his mind. + +"'Purity,' he asked slowly, 'is this my castle?' + +"'Yes,' she answered, watching him with eyes full of happiness. + +"'And will you live with me here, my precious child?' + +"'Always. The great King wills it so.' + +"'But what--where--where is the Valley of Vain Regret?' + +"Purity shook her head and her clear eyes smiled. 'There is no Valley of +Vain Regret,' she answered. + +"'But I lived in it,' said the man. + +"'Yes, before you knew the King, our Father. There is no vain regret for +the King's child.' + +"'Then I--I, too, am the King's child?' asked the man, his face amazed but +radiant, for he began to understand a great many things. + +"'You, too,' returned Purity, and she nestled to him and he held her close +while the bird hovered above their heads and sang with clear sweetness, +'Love, love, love; true delight, true, true, _true_ delight.'" + + * * * * * + +The story-teller ceased. Jewel saw that the tale was finished. She jumped +up from the hassock and clapped her hands. Then she ran to Mr. Evringham +and climbed into his lap. It was so dark now on the veranda that she could +scarcely see his face. But he put his arms around her and gathered her to +her customary resting place on his shoulder. "Wasn't that _lovely_, +grandpa? Did you think your story was going to end that way?" + +He stroked her flaxen hair in silence for a few seconds before replying, +then he answered, rather huskily:-- + +"I hoped it would, Jewel." + + +"_The Books You Like to Read at the Price You Like to Pay_" + + * * * * * + +_There Are Two Sides to Everything_-- + +--including the wrapper which covers every Grosset & Dunlap book. When you +feel in the mood for a good romance, refer to the carefully selected list +of modern fiction comprising most of the successes by prominent writers of +the day which is printed on the back of every Grosset & Dunlap book +wrapper. + +You will find more than five hundred titles to choose from--books for every +mood and every taste and every pocket-book. + +_Don't forget the other side, but in case the wrapper is lost, write to the +publishers for a complete catalog._ + + * * * * * + +_There is a Grosset & Dunlap Book for every mood and for every taste_ + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jewel's Story Book, by Clara Louise Burnham + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEWEL'S STORY BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 16448.txt or 16448.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/4/4/16448/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +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. 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