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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Six Girls, by Fannie Belle Irving
+
+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: Six Girls
+       A Home Story
+
+Author: Fannie Belle Irving
+
+Illustrator: F. T. Merrill
+
+Release Date: May 21, 2008 [EBook #25551]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jacqueline Jeremy and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FROM AUNT TREMAYNE AND RALPH]
+
+
+
+
+    SIX GIRLS
+
+    _A HOME STORY_
+
+    BY
+    FANNIE BELLE IRVING
+
+    ILLUSTRATED BY F. T. MERRILL
+
+    BOSTON
+    DANA ESTES AND COMPANY
+    PUBLISHERS
+
+
+    _Copyright, 1882_,
+    By Estes and Lauriat.
+
+
+    University Press:
+    JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.
+
+
+
+
+    CONTENTS.
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                                 PAGE
+
+        I. UNDER THE TREES                                     7
+
+       II. AROUND THE FIRE                                    18
+
+      III. A FOUNDATION THAT BROUGHT KAT TO GRIEF             38
+
+       IV. IN CONFIDENCE                                      51
+
+        V. ONE DAY                                            65
+
+       VI. A STRANGER                                         80
+
+      VII. MR. CONGREVE SURPRISES HIMSELF AND EVERYBODY
+           ELSE                                               97
+
+     VIII. ODDS AND ENDS                                     113
+
+       IX. WHAT OLIVE HEARD                                  128
+
+        X. THE LITTLE BLACK TRUNK                            148
+
+       XI. WHERE IS ERNESTINE?                               168
+
+      XII. THE STORY                                         188
+
+     XIII. A YEAR LATER                                      202
+
+      XIV. STUDY OR PLAY?                                    221
+
+       XV. CONGREVE HALL                                     240
+
+      XVI. UNDER THE SHADY GREEN-WOOD TREE                   257
+
+     XVII. SEVERAL THINGS                                    284
+
+    XVIII. AT THE OPERA                                      306
+
+      XIX. COMING HOME                                       336
+
+       XX. A SAD STORY                                       355
+
+      XXI. MY LADY                                           368
+
+     XXII. TO REAR, TO LOVE, AND THEN TO LOSE                380
+
+    XXIII. WHEN GOD DREW NEAR, AMONG HIS OWN TO CHOOSE       406
+
+     XXIV. TWO SECRETS                                       420
+
+      XXV. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A
+           GOOD-NIGHT--FIVE YEARS LATER                      437
+
+
+
+
+    LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+    PAGE
+
+    FROM AUNT TREMAYNE AND RALPH                  _Frontispiece_
+
+    "O ERNESTINE, HOW LOVELY!"                                17
+
+    KAT AND KIT                                               49
+
+    THE OLD GENTLEMAN LIFTED JEAN UP ON THE POST              92
+
+    "NOW LET'S SEE WHAT'S IN THIS WONDERFUL TRUNK"           167
+
+    "WHY, HOW DO YOU DO, MY DEAR CHILD?"                     244
+
+    "WHAT IS THE MATTER? WHAT HAS HAPPENED?"                 267
+
+    MR. CONGREVE WOULD COME INTO THE GALLERY                 314
+
+
+
+
+SIX GIRLS.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+UNDER THE TREES.
+
+
+There were ripples of sunshine all tangled in the glowing scarlet of the
+geranium bed and dancing blithely over the grass. A world of melody in
+quivering bursts of happy song came from the spreading canopy of leaves
+overhead, and as an accompaniment, the wind laughed and whispered and
+kept the air in one continual smile with a kiss on its lips, born of
+supreme contentment in the summer loveliness.
+
+In the cool, deep shade, cast by the grandest of old beech trees, a girl
+sat, her white dress in freshest relief against the green surroundings,
+a piece of sewing in her nimble fingers, and the wind tossing her
+loosened hair all about her face and shoulders. She was quite alone, and
+seemed just the setting for the quiet, lovely surroundings, so much so,
+that, had an artist chanced to catch the sight, he would have lost no
+time in transferring it to canvas,--the wide stretch of grass,
+alternately steeped in cool shadows and mellow sunshine, the branching,
+rustling canopy of leaves, the white-robed figure with smiling lips and
+busy fingers, and just visible in the back-ground an old house wrapped
+in vines and lying in the shade.
+
+Somebody came from among the trees just at this moment and crossed the
+grass with a peculiarly graceful and swaying step, as though she had
+just drifted down with the sunshine and was being idly blown along by
+the wind, another girl in the palest of pink dresses, with ripples of
+snowy lace all over it, and a wide-brimmed hat shading her eyes. And
+speaking distance being gained, she said, with a breezy little laugh:
+"Sewing? Why, it's too warm to breathe."
+
+"That's the reason I sew," returned the other, with a nod of energy. "I
+should suffocate if I just sat still and thought how warm it is. Where
+have you been?"
+
+"Down to the pond, skipping stones, and wishing that I could go in,"
+answered the new-comer, sitting down on the grass with a careful and
+gracefully effective arrangement of her flounces and lace. "I don't see
+why papa won't let us take the boat; it did look too tempting. Suppose
+we go and do it, anyhow, Bea, and just let him see that we can manage it
+without being taught. The pond is all in the shade now, and a row would
+be delicious."
+
+"Why, Ernestine!" Bea said, with a glance of surprise; "You wouldn't, I
+know. Papa will teach us right away, and then we will have delightful
+times; but when he has been so good as to get us the boat and promise to
+have us learn to manage it, I'm sure I wouldn't disobey and try alone."
+
+Ernestine laughed again her pretty saucy laugh and threw her head back
+so that it caught a dancing sunbeam and held it prisoner in the bright
+hair.
+
+"I would," she said flippantly. "I'd like to, just for the sake of doing
+something. Do you know, Bea,"--knitting the arched brows with a petulant
+air,--"Sometimes I think I'll do something dreadful; perfectly dreadful,
+you know, so as to have things different for a little bit. It's horrible
+to live right along, just so, without anything ever happening."
+
+"Well I'm sure," said Bea, laying down her sewing and surveying her
+sister slowly, "you have just about as good and easy a time as ever I
+heard of a girl's having. What are you all dressed up so for?"
+
+"Just for something to do. I've tried on all my dresses and hats, and
+wasted the blessed afternoon parading before the glass," laughed
+Ernestine, swinging her pretty hat with its shirrings of delicate pink,
+around on her white hand. "I do think this dress is lovely, so I made
+believe I was being dressed by my maid and coming out to walk in my park
+like an English lady, you know."
+
+"English fiddlesticks!" said Bea, with energy. "You are a goosey.
+Suppose you had to work and couldn't have pretty things and waste your
+time trying them on?"
+
+"What misery," cried Ernestine, jumping up and whirling around on her
+heel with an airy grace that the other girls might have practiced for in
+vain. "I wouldn't want to live; it would be dreadful, Bea," falling into
+an attitude with the sunshine over her, "wouldn't I do well on the
+stage? I know I was born for it; now look here, and see if I don't do as
+Miss Neilson did. Just suppose this ring of sunshine is a balcony and
+I'm in white, with such lovely jewels in my hair and all that:
+
+    "Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?"--
+
+and away went Ernestine with a tragically pathetic energy that made Bea
+watch and listen, in spite of the disapproving laugh on her lips.
+
+"Don't I do it well?" Ernestine asked complacently, after she had gone
+through the entire balcony scene, with great success in the management
+of two characters.
+
+"Yes, you do; how can you?" asked Bea, won from disapproval by wondering
+admiration.
+
+"Easiest in the world. I've been through it ever so many times since
+papa took us to the city to see her. Oh, Bea! how happy she must be! I'd
+give worlds and worlds to be in her place," cried Ernestine, with
+longing energy, and pacing restlessly up and down the grass. "I wonder
+if I ever can."
+
+"Indeed!" said Bea with decision. "The idea! what would papa and mama
+say; you, Ernestine Dering, parading out on a stage before crowds of
+people, and flying around like she did. Mercy on us!"
+
+"I'd do it in a minute, and if I can't now, I will sometime anyhow,"
+Ernestine exclaimed with emphasis. "I wasn't born to be smuggled up in
+this little musty town all my life and I won't, either. Some day I'll do
+something desperate; you see if I don't."
+
+"Well, I do declare!" said Bea slowly, having never witnessed quite such
+an energetic ending to Ernestine's spells of restless dissatisfaction.
+"What talk! I think you'd better sit down and cool off now. Where are
+Olive and Jean?"
+
+"Olive is sketching out on the roof, and crosser than thirteen sticks.
+Jean is asleep on the porch, and mama is out showing Huldah how to make
+cream puffings."
+
+"Dear me," said Bea, by way of answer and looking up with a slight
+pucker to her smooth forehead, "Just look at those girls; I never saw
+the like."
+
+Ernestine looked up, to catch a glimpse of two flying figures just
+clearing the fence, and come dashing across the grass like unruly
+arrows, to throw themselves under the shade of the beech, with a supreme
+disregard for flesh and bones.
+
+"Goodness gracious!" gasped Kittie.
+
+"Gracious goodness!" panted Kat.
+
+"I beat."
+
+"No sir, I did."
+
+"You didn't! I was on this side of the fence before you jumped."
+
+"Just listen! why I was pretty near to the tree before you got to the
+fence."
+
+"Why Kat Dering! You know better."
+
+"I don't."
+
+"You do."
+
+"Well I'd fight about it," said Ernestine, as the two sat up and faced
+each other with belligerent countenances. "You are a pretty looking
+couple anyhow. I'd be ashamed."
+
+"Don't care if you would. I beat anyhow," said Kat with decision.
+
+"Indeed you didn't; I did myself," said Kittie with equal certainty, but
+smiling more amicably as she fanned energetically with her hat. "Oh
+girls such fun! I must,----"
+
+"Now Kittie," cried Kat with a warning jump and scowl.
+
+"Bless us, I'm going to tell; indeed I am. You're a trump, Kat, and they
+shall hear all about it; don't you want to girls?"
+
+"To be sure, go on," said Bea with interest and creasing down a hem with
+much satisfaction in the thought that her hands looked very pretty and
+white, almost as pretty as Ernestine's.
+
+"Well you see," began Kitty, as Kat retired under her hat in a spasm of
+unusual modesty, "when we came in from recess this afternoon, Kat wanted
+to sit in my side of the seat, and told me to act as if I was she, so I
+thought it was to be a lark of some kind and did, but dear me----"
+
+"Well go on," said Ernestine with languid curiosity, as Kittie paused to
+laugh at some recollection.
+
+"Just as soon as we got in Miss Howard told us to put books away; then
+she gave us the breeziest lecture and was as solemn as an owl. I
+couldn't imagine what was up. Susie Darrow was crying with her
+handkerchief to her nose, Kat looked as if she was sitting on pins and
+needles, and I really thought that Sadie Brooks and May Moor would eat
+us up, the way they actually glared at us. Well, the first thing I knew,
+Miss Howard was saying something about a needle in Susie Barrow's pen,
+that she had stuck her nose with, and she wanted whoever had put it
+there to come to her desk. That's the way she always does, you know;
+never calls a name unless she finds she has to, and bless you! who
+should I see walking off but Kat, and what does Miss Howard do but take
+her ruler and give her fifteen slaps on the hand. Kat, I'm meaner'n
+dirt, and you're a jewel; you did beat, I'll own up."
+
+"No such thing, you beat yourself," came in a sepulchral growl from
+under the hat.
+
+"Well I'm sure I don't see the point," said Ernestine with impatience.
+"It was very rude and unlady-like to put a needle in Susie's pen and you
+deserved your fifteen slaps."
+
+"Just wait 'till I finish, will you," cried Kittie, as the hat
+maintained perfect silence, "Kat didn't do it, but she heard that I did,
+and that I was going to be whipped, so she took my seat and jumped up
+the minute Miss Howard spoke, and the only way I found out was when Miss
+Howard said, 'Now Kittie you must beg Susie's pardon before the school.'
+Then I knew something was up, and just popped right out of my seat and
+said that that was Kat, not me, and didn't it make a hub-bub, and didn't
+Miss Howard look funny!"
+
+"It was lively," broke in Kat, and coming out from under the hat as if
+inspired with the recollection, "Miss Howard looked as blank as you
+please, and like to have never gotten at the straight of it; but after
+awhile lame Jack told how he had seen Sadie and May fix it themselves,
+and plan to tell it was Kittie, and oh didn't they look cheap, and
+didn't they creep off to-night and take every book along?"
+
+"But wasn't Kat just too dear and good to take a whipping to save me,"
+cried Kittie, throwing both arms around her twin in a hug full of
+devotion. "I'll never forget it, Kat Dering, never!"
+
+"Well you'd better," said Kat, on whom praise and glory rested
+uneasily, though she looked pleased and returned the hug with interest.
+"You'd have done it for me, I know, and I would again for you any day.
+Let's go out on the roof; it's much cooler than here."
+
+"You'd better not," laughed Ernestine. "Olive's out there sketching, and
+she'll take your head off with her usual sweetness, if you bother any."
+
+"Who cares? I'm going. Come on Kittie."
+
+"No let's not; it's cool here," returned Kittie lazily. "Where have you
+been Ernestine, all rigged in your best?"
+
+"Been at home pining for some place to go," said Ernestine drawing the
+sewing from Bea's hand, and leaning over into that sister's lap with a
+caressive gesture. "Say Bea, dear, Miss Neilson is going to be in New
+York next week, and I want you to ask pa if he won't take us again;
+won't you?"
+
+"Not fair," cried Kat; "this is our turn."
+
+"You, indeed; nothing but children! Will you, Bea? He will listen more
+if you ask because you're not so frivolous as I am."
+
+"Yes, I'll ask. I'd love to go again," said Bea with girlish delight in
+anticipating such a bliss as the repetition of going to the city and to
+the theatre. "What play would you like to see?"
+
+"Romeo and Juliet again," cried Ernestine eagerly. "Oh Bea, beg him to,
+for there are some other parts that I want to see how to do."
+
+"Do!" echoed Kittie, "Whatever do you mean?"
+
+"Just what I say. I'll show you how they do; shall I, Bea?" exclaimed
+Ernestine, springing gayly into the sunshine and striking an attitude.
+
+"Yes, go on; you do it beautifully," said Bea; so Ernestine plunged
+blithely into the play, thoroughly entrancing her three listeners with
+the ease and grace with which she spoke and acted, and receiving showers
+of applause as she paused.
+
+"How delightful," cried Kittie, in a longing rapture.
+
+"Nonsense," exclaimed Kat, who had listened intently with her nose
+steadily on the ascent, "It looks all very pretty and nice here, but I
+should think anybody would feel like a fool to get out on a stage and go
+ranting about like that."
+
+"Oh! it's too delightful," cried Ernestine, as Bea passed no comment
+except a little sigh. "I shall run away some day sure as the world and
+become a great actress; then I'll be rich and famous and you'll all
+forgive me."
+
+"I thought you always wanted to sing," said Kittie, chewing grass
+thoughtfully, as she meditated on this new and startling talent and
+wondered what would next develop.
+
+"So I do, but I shall sing and act both. Now then pretend that I am
+Marguerite, in Faust, you know, and see if you don't think I can do
+both, as well as one." So they all looked and listened, while she sang
+and sang, 'till the very birds hushed their music in envious listening,
+and the rustling leaves seemed to grow still in very amaze. The sunshine
+danced over her bright hair, and the lovely face flashed with a radiant
+excitement that showed how deep an enjoyment even the pretense was to
+her.
+
+[Illustration: "O ERNESTINE, HOW LOVELY!"]
+
+Rapturous applause followed, and a new voice cried out, "Oh! Ernestine,
+how lovely; do it over," and turning, they beheld an additional three to
+the audience. Jean leaning on her little crutch, wild with delight;
+Olive, tall and still with a curl on her lip to match the scowl on her
+forehead; and mother,--but what was the matter with mother, Bea
+wondered. She was very pale, and though she smiled, it did not hide the
+tremble that hung to her colorless lips.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AROUND THE FIRE.
+
+
+A September twilight was coming on slowly, and in the grass the crickets
+chirped back and forth to each other. The house was all open, and
+through the windows came a merry chatter, a few rattling notes of the
+piano, and something that sounded very much like a warm argument, for a
+game of chess was going on by one window. Out on the broad porch that
+ran all along the front of the house, and was shrouded with vines, stood
+a girl, leaning idly against the post and watching the shadows gather
+across the long walk. She was not a pretty girl, nor one that you would
+care to look at twice, because of any pleasure it gave you; though had
+you really studied her face there might have been something found in it
+after all. There was a drawn, discontented look about her mouth, that
+made the lips look thin and snappish; it even spoiled the shape of her
+really pretty nose, which was straight and finely cut. The brows,
+straight and black, held a heavy frown between them, and the eyes
+beneath had an unsatisfied, sour look, not at all attractive. Her
+forehead was altogether too high for beauty of any kind; and as though
+there was a relief in making herself look just as ugly as possible, all
+her hair was drawn back painfully smooth, and tucked into a net.
+Everything about her, from the crooked look of her necktie to the toe of
+her slipper, with its rosette gone, plainly indicated that she was
+dissatisfied with herself and aided nature by her own carelessness and
+indifference, to make herself just as unattractive as possible. Some one
+came up behind her as she stood there indulging in thoughts anything but
+pleasing and laid a gentle touch on her arm.
+
+"Olive?"
+
+"Well?"
+
+"What makes you like to stay by yourself so much, and where it isn't so
+nice? The yard is getting so dark, and it's real chilly. Don't you ever
+get afraid?"
+
+"Afraid here on the steps? That's silly, Jean."
+
+"Perhaps 'tis, but I'm such a big coward; I suppose it's because I
+couldn't run if anything ever was to happen;" and Jean gave a little
+sigh, as she smoothed the padded top of her crutch.
+
+Olive gave a little start, half impatient, and turned around to ask,
+almost wistfully, "Jean, do you never get tired or impatient, or think
+sometimes that you'd rather be dead than always walk on a crutch and
+have your back grow crooked?"
+
+"Why, Olive!" Jean lifted her beautiful eyes to look at her sister's
+restless face, "I couldn't be so wicked as that, could you?"
+
+In the twilight Olive flushed at the question and at the clear eyes
+searching her face. How many, many times had she wished she was dead,
+and for nothing except that she was ugly and awkward, and bound to see
+everything with the darkest side up.
+
+"I'm not as good as you," she answered evasively.
+
+"Oh I'm not good," said Jean, with a little laugh, half a sigh, "I do
+get real tired sometimes, Olive, and I do want to be straight and well
+so much; but Miss Willis told me something in Sunday-school last Sunday,
+that has made me feel so good; she said, 'Jeanie, don't get impatient or
+discouraged, for God has a reason why he wants you to be lame; it is to
+be for the best some way, and perhaps sometime you will see it;' and she
+said that when I tried to be happy and bear my lame back, it made God
+very happy; and when I was cross and fussy, it made him sad."
+
+Olive gave her eyes a swift brush with the back of her hand, and asked
+with a little choke, "Do you believe all that, Jean."
+
+"Why, Olive, yes! Don't you?"
+
+"I don't know,--who is that?" was Olive's rather disjointed answer, as
+the click of the gate sounded through the still evening air.
+
+"It's Ernestine, I know, 'cause she went up town;--yes, there she is;"
+answered Jean, as a figure appeared under the foliage and came toward
+the steps.
+
+How different she looked from Olive and Jean. Such a slim, graceful
+figure, with a proud little head and sunny shining hair, in loose puffs
+and curls and a jaunty hat. A face like a fresh lily, and beautiful
+brown eyes, the sweetest voice, and the vainest little heart ever known
+to a girl of fifteen, had Ernestine Dering; and yet she was a favorite,
+with all her little vanities, and home, without Ernestine's face, would
+have been blank to all the girls. She came running up the steps and
+stopped.
+
+"Oh, Olive, such laces!" she cried, with a longing sigh. "They are
+selling out at cost, and the ribbons and laces are just going for almost
+nothing; if I had just had a little spending money I would have been in
+clover. One clerk just insisted upon my taking an exquisite lace scarf;
+oh it was so becoming! but I told him I didn't know they were selling
+out, and that I would have to come again."
+
+"Pretty way of talking!" snapped Olive ungraciously. "You know you won't
+have any more money another day than you have this; why couldn't you say
+no?"
+
+"Say that I couldn't afford it?" cried Ernestine gayly. "Not I. Besides,
+I reasoned that if one of you would loan me some, I'd have more another
+day."
+
+"Suppose one of us won't," said Olive, looking darkly over her sister's
+pretty hat.
+
+"I didn't suppose _you_ would," laughed Ernestine "But fortunately for
+me, I have some obliging sisters," and with that shot, Ernestine went
+in, singing like a mocking bird, and Jean followed slowly, looking back
+once or twice to Olive's motionless figure.
+
+Oh how it cut! Olive grew flushed and white, then her brows came
+together darkly and her lips shut tight. "Ernestine is too frivolous to
+live," she said grimly; then looked straight off into the evening sky
+and was silent. But down to her proud, sensitive heart she was hurt, and
+in it was the longing wonder, "Why don't she come to me and ask as she
+does of Bea and the others. I would loan it to her;" but this feeling
+she fiercely refused to countenance, and shut her heart grimly, as she
+did her lips.
+
+The broad old hall that ran clear through the house was growing quite
+dark with shadows; the game of chess had ended, and the players left the
+window, and presently Olive turned slowly and went into the house.
+Through the sitting-room came a lively chatter, and as she passed the
+door some one shouted, "Halloo!"
+
+"Well I'm not deaf. Do you want me?"
+
+"Pining to have you; come sit on my lap."
+
+Olive passed in, but disregarded the hospitably inclined young lady who
+lounged in a big chair, and passed on to a dusky corner, where she
+curled up on the lounge.
+
+"Olive," volunteered Kittie, who was in the window-sill, "mama has a
+plan; she's going to tell us after supper, and we've all been trying to
+guess what it is; what do you think?"
+
+"I don't think anything."
+
+"What a glorious lack of curiosity," laughed Kat.
+
+"I suppose I'm just as contented as any of you with your guessing,"
+returned Olive.
+
+"Well I wish," said Ernestine with an energy that brought instant
+attention, "I wish papa was going to increase our allowances. Two
+dollars a month is a shameful little."
+
+"But it amounts to ten dollars when paid to five girls," added Beatrice
+quickly, "besides Jean's twenty-five cents."
+
+"A girl isn't supposed to spend two dollars every month for
+foolishness," said Olive severely. "You might call it a little if you
+had to live on it."
+
+"I exist on my pretty things almost as much as I do on my food,"
+answered Ernestine flippantly, "and what does two dollars buy?"
+
+"Suppose you go awhile without spending it, then you'll have more,"
+suggested Kittie practically.
+
+"Yes," added Kat with a laugh. "Kittie saved fifty cents last month, and
+I saved just three; why _don't_ you do as we do and economize."
+
+"How much have each of you saved altogether since papa began paying us?"
+asked Beatrice. "I have nine dollars and thirty-four cents."
+
+"Whew!" whistled Kittie. "I've got just three. I tell you caramels are
+disastrous to my pocket money."
+
+"I wear out my gloves, love butter-scotch, and lost my head over a
+certain pair of slippers; consequence, two dollars and eight cents in my
+treasury," moaned Kat, with great self reproach.
+
+"Well, I do everything that is frivolous, and unwise, and extravagant,
+but I have a good time, and the result is that I haven't a cent, and am
+in debt a dollar," laughed Ernestine, kicking out her pretty foot with
+its fancy little slipper, as if in defiance to anyone's criticisms or
+reproofs.
+
+"Two more to hear from yet," said Beatrice, as silence fell. "Jeanie,
+have you spent all your quarters?"
+
+"No," said Jean slowly and with much hesitation, "I had two dollars and
+spent one for a sash."
+
+"And I borrowed the other," interrupted Ernestine, seeing that the child
+did not want to tell on her. "How much have you, Olive?"
+
+"I made no promise to tell," leaped to Olive's lips; but instead of
+speaking it, she electrified them by saying, with a quiet smile of
+satisfaction, "Thirty dollars."
+
+It did more than surprise them; it was almost a stun for a minute or
+two; then Ernestine slowly opened her lips: "Why, Olive Dering! wherever
+did you get it? If you'd never spent a cent of your allowance, papa
+hasn't been paying us long enough for it to amount to that."
+
+"I suppose, for a girl that isn't a fool, there are more ways of getting
+money than sitting down with her hands folded and letting her father
+give it to her," retorted Olive with a snap.
+
+"That's so, Olive," echoed Beatrice, with a heartiness that made them
+jump. "But what did you do? tell us quick; see every one of us stiff
+with curiosity."
+
+It just occurred to Olive to let them remain stiff with curiosity, but
+perhaps an amount of satisfaction in the way she had earned her money is
+what changed her mind; at any rate, she began more readily than the
+others expected: "I sold the old iron out in the barn, and several bags
+of rags; then I've done some writing for papa's clerk, because he was
+hurried; and last week I sold my picture. Of my allowance I only spent
+enough for two pairs of gloves, that have lasted me with mending; so
+that's how I made my money."
+
+"Blessings on you!" cried Kat enthusiastically. "I look upon you as a
+model, Olive, a living----"
+
+"Nothing of the kind," interrupted Olive sharply, and rising up out of
+her corner, as if warming to the subject. "I'm only trying to be
+sensible; we're all old enough to be that, and be something more too. I
+wonder if we are never going to do anything but sit here at home, with
+papa to feed and dress us, besides giving us an allowance for little
+things and nonsense. I think it's wrong, and lazy, and a namby pamby way
+of being a useless thing, just because you are a girl! Besides, papa is
+worried and troubled; yes he is;--" warming still more at the breathless
+attention given her. "The other night, he and mama talked for hours, and
+I couldn't help hearing a little, because the transom was open. His
+voice was troubled, so was mama's, and sad, and he said something about
+'lessening expenses,' and the difficulty of getting any ready money, and
+all that, and I believe in my heart that we ought to help him!"
+
+Into the stunned silence that followed this outburst from short-spoken,
+reticent Olive, there came a new voice; such a sweet, lovely voice with
+a tender ring that made every one start to welcome the speaker.
+
+"How dark you are, dears. Are all my steps here?"
+
+"All here, solemnly engaged," answered Kat, unfolding herself from the
+big chair to make a seat for mother.
+
+"And _just_ think," cried Kittie, with a lurch that pretty near tipped
+her out of the window. "Olive----"
+
+"Has done wonders," interrupted Beatrice. "Be still all of you! Let's
+not tell mama yet."
+
+Mrs. Dering laughed cheerily, at the sudden popping of a secret into the
+air, but announced that supper was ready, at which there was such a
+stampede as only a lot of hungry, healthy girls can make, and the
+sitting-room was left dark and still.
+
+You see there were six of them--five strong bright girls, and one
+little lame sister, to laugh and sing, and make that big, roomy,
+comfortable, old home happy. Beatrice, seventeen; Ernestine, sixteen;
+Olive, fifteen; then Katherine and Kathleen or Kittie and Kat, twelve,
+and lastly, little Jean, with her flower-like, patient face and poor
+crooked little back. To help and guide them, was the dear, loving mother
+who called them her 'steps;' and the strong, helpful father, who romped
+and played, or read and studied with them and called Kittie and Kat 'his
+boys;' Olive his 'right hand man;' Ernestine, 'his picture;' Beatrice,
+his 'little woman,' and Jean his 'little pansy.' So now that you know
+them a little better, let us go into the dining-room and see what they
+are doing. Meetings at the Dering table are always lively ones, "Good
+for digestion and spirits," said papa Dering, so everybody talked and
+laughed and ate heartily, and went away without sour faces or sour
+stomachs. To-night, though, there is a change. Mr. Dering had a remark
+for each of the girls as they came in, then lapsed into silence, and
+stirred his coffee absently. Even Mrs. Dering could not hide a little
+anxiety, though she tried to be gay and interested in the girls' talk,
+as usual. With Olive's words fresh in their minds, the rest closely
+watched the faces of both parents, and each girl had thoughts and made
+plans, in every way characteristic of their respective selves.
+
+Mr. Dering presently broke a silence by asking to be excused, as he must
+go back to the store--two most unusual things; for he always sat and
+talked at supper 'till all were through, and rarely ever let anything
+take him away from an evening at home; so no wonder the meal was
+shortened, and the party broke up.
+
+"Oh how nice!" cried Jean, as they returned to the sitting-room, where
+in their absence, a bright fire had been built in the grate, and filled
+the room with a warm rosy glow. "Here's my seat."
+
+"We'll tell our secrets by the first fire of the season," said Mrs.
+Dering, as the girls all followed Jean's example, by pulling their
+chairs into the circle of warmth and light. "I thought it was so chilly
+this evening that firelight would be more cosy and cheerful than a lamp.
+Now then, who shall begin?"
+
+"Oh you, please," cried Kittie. "We are so anxious."
+
+Every face warmly seconded her words, so Mrs. Dering began, after a
+moment's silence.
+
+"When you were all little children mama never let anything worry or
+disturb you if she could help it, and if anything ever did, you came
+right to her to be comforted and helped. Papa never let you be cold or
+hungry, and without clothes, or be sick, if he could help it, and they
+both loved you tenderly, didn't they?"
+
+"Why goodness, yes!" cried Kat, with glistening, astonished eyes.
+
+"And now that you have become such big daughters, they love you none the
+less, but more if possible; because now they must give you more thought
+as you grow to womanhood. Now if----"
+
+"Oh you needn't say another word!" cried Beatrice impulsively. "You look
+as if you didn't know how to tell us; but we know. Your secret is the
+same as ours; papa is worried, and we are all, every one of us, ready to
+help him!"
+
+"Why my dear girls!" cried mama, with her eyes full of tears. "How did
+you know?"
+
+"Olive saw, and then heard the other night," cried Kittie excitedly.
+"She's got thirty dollars already, and was giving us a regular lecture
+just before supper. Now I'm going to----"
+
+"Wait a minute, dear," said mama, laughing as she shook her finger. "I
+knew Olive was saving her allowance, and that she had earned some money,
+and I was very much pleased; but I am more than happy to find that she
+was doing it for papa."
+
+To every one's surprise, Olive grew scarlet and turned her face clear
+away from the light; but she brought it back in a minute, and said, with
+lips that tried to be stiff and firm--for praise was dear to Olive--"I
+didn't do it for papa--I didn't know then--I----" and then, sooner than
+cry, Olive stopped, and left them to think what they would.
+
+"But you are willing for it to go to papa now," finished Mrs. Dering,
+smiling brightly, and bringing some of the cloud from Olive's eyes.
+"That is just as noble, dear," and with these skillfully thrown in
+words, mother smiled again, for only she understood her daughter's
+peculiar disposition.
+
+"When I was a girl," went on Mrs. Dering, "Grandpa was very wealthy, you
+know, and of course gave me every advantage. I took music from the most
+distinguished professors, also painting and the languages, and at the
+age of eighteen, was handed over to society as finished in every way. I
+loved the gayeties that surrounded me, just as well as ever a girl
+could, but after a while, it struck me as being such an idle, aimless
+life, for a well educated, sensible girl to live, so I determined to
+make use of all that I had received. I had a small class in music, and
+one in painting and drawing; some of them paid, and some, members of my
+Sunday-school class, did not. After that, I felt so much happier and
+more contented, and enjoyed all my fun so much more, so I decided that
+if ever I had any daughters, they should be fitted to be independent,
+whether it was ever necessary or not. I have never been able to supply
+you with masters as I was, but I have taught you thoroughly myself, and
+while I did not intend that you should begin quite so early, the time
+has come suddenly, when we must all help. So you, my older girls, I want
+you to choose as your choice lies, and fit yourselves so as to make it
+your stand-by, in this and other times of trouble."
+
+"Oh," exclaimed Ernestine, with a sudden smile; she had looked very much
+worried, for work or self-denial was distasteful, and yet it seemed so
+near. But now she smiled and nodded brightly, "I know what I will do,
+mama. I'll go on cultivating my voice and work hard, so that I may take
+a position in some city church, where everything is so elegant and
+prima-donnas get such immense salaries."
+
+"Yes, dear, music is unmistakably your talent," said Mrs. Dering, and if
+they had only noticed it, she did not smile, and her eyes, fixed on the
+fire, were tinged with deep sadness for a moment. "Cultivate your voice,
+and your fingers too; for the positions as prima-donnas are sometimes
+lacking, then you have a little class to fall back on."
+
+When no one was looking, Ernestine gave her head a decided little shake.
+It would be altogether touching and delightful, to stand up in a choir
+before a beautiful congregation, with a pale lily in your hat, the
+sunlight through a stained glass falling all around, and sing something
+pathetic, that would make people cry, and then have everyone say: "Such
+a noble young girl, she does it to help her father." But a class! A lot
+of little children to talk to, and teach, no one to ever see, or
+compliment;--no! Ernestine would never cultivate her fingers; that was
+sure.
+
+"I'm a sort of jack at all trades," said Beatrice breaking a thoughtful
+pause with a little sigh. "I play a little, sing a little, draw a
+little, but I've no talent for either, or anything else."
+
+"I know some one who is very fond of books and children," said Mrs.
+Bering, with a suggestive smile.
+
+"Oh! to be sure," cried Beatrice, brightening. "Teach, so I could. Well
+now, I'll go right on, harder than ever with my studies, and work up the
+French; I never can get German; I haven't the necessary twist to my
+tongue."
+
+Olive was studying the fire with an intense dreamy gaze. She did not say
+what she would do, but every one knew, or at least supposed they knew.
+Olive's talent lay in her pencil. Such wonderful pictures as she could
+rapidly sketch, when the different moods took her!
+
+"Well, I should like to know," cried Kittie abruptly. "What will Kat and
+I do? We haven't got a shadow of a talent of any kind, and don't really
+know how to behave ourselves yet; why, mama----,"
+
+"I have you all fixed, dear," interrupted mama. "Just wait a minute."
+
+"There isn't anything that I can do either," said Jean, with a pathetic
+little smile. "But I will give up my quarter every month; perhaps that
+will help papa a very little bit."
+
+"That's it, Jeanie," cried Kat, with a startling suddenness. "We'll do
+it too, Kittie, and that will make four dollars and a quarter less for
+papa to hand over every month. Second the motion, Kittie?"
+
+"Done!" echoed Kittie, and every body had a hearty laugh as the twins
+shook hands violently over the table.
+
+"But, mama," said Olive's quiet voice, breaking in upon the racket, "You
+say papa is worried now, and yet what the girls have decided to do,
+they can only do when they have fitted themselves for it; can't we do
+anything to help right away?"
+
+"Quite right, dear," answered Mrs. Dering. "You can all help right away;
+though in a way that papa will strongly object to, for he does not like
+to deprive home of any pleasures, or little luxuries that he can afford.
+But we will go ahead and make our plans and take him by storm. First,
+there is the horse and carriage; it will seem hard and strange for a
+while without it, but it is a great expense, together with Jack's wages.
+Papa has an opportunity of selling the buggy, and Mr. Phillips will take
+'Prince' until we can afford to keep him again. Are you willing?"
+
+"Yes, mama," in a rather feeble chorus, with Ernestine's voice lacking.
+'Prince' was such a pet--O dear!
+
+"And then, Lizzie," continued Mrs. Dering, apparently not noticing the
+way all faces were going down. "We can get along with one girl, if we
+all make up our minds to work. The house is large and it will take all
+of our hands to do the necessary cleaning; but we can, can't we?"
+
+"Yes, mama." A little more energy this time. Only Ernestine sighed
+dolefully, and laid her hands out on her lap. Such slim little hands and
+so white. It was perfectly horrible to be poor and have to go to work;
+yes it was, and she privately resolved to shirk just as much as
+possible.
+
+They had a long evening's talk over the coming change and how they were
+going to do, but at ten o'clock, as Mr. Dering was still absent, they
+separated for the night, and mama carried sleepy little Jean off to bed
+in her arms.
+
+Beatrice and Ernestine roomed together in the front room, the twins in
+one next, and Olive alone across the hall. Generally, while getting
+ready for bed, the doors were left open, and a merry conversation
+carried on; but to-night, they were full of thought, and had not much to
+say, so everything settled into quiet very soon after the "good nights"
+had been spoken.
+
+In the front room, the girls were wakeful. Beatrice, as the oldest
+sister, felt, in her quiet thoughtful way, that perhaps, the way she did
+in the coming change, would act as an example to the others; and that an
+extra duty rested on her, to be as patient and willing as possible, in
+whatever might be necessary for them to do, and to be all to mother,
+that an elder daughter should be, in time of trouble. Ernestine was also
+deep in thought, and had twisted her pillow into such a position, that
+the moonlight made quite a halo around her yellow hair and made her
+face, with its beautiful eyes, look like a cameo in golden setting. She
+knew it, too, just as well as Beatrice, who at that moment, turned and
+looked at her, and furthermore, she knew just how to go on with what she
+wanted to accomplish.
+
+"Bea," she said, with her voice dropped to its sweetest, "I want you to
+do something for me."
+
+"What?"
+
+"You said you had nine dollars, will you loan me five?"
+
+"How? I was going to give it to papa to-morrow."
+
+"You know he wouldn't take it," began Ernestine, impatiently; then
+smoothed her voice carefully again, and went on: "Papa won't have us
+give up everything, Bea. We are all willing to lessen expenses at home,
+but we are not to scrimp and pinch ourselves all to pieces. I'll pay you
+back just as soon as----"
+
+"It isn't that," interrupted Bea, "But I don't see how you can want to
+spend it now."
+
+"But I do; there are the loveliest lace scarfs----"
+
+"Lace scarfs;" cried Bea again, in shocked surprise. "Would you,
+Ernestine?--Five dollars?"
+
+"Certainly! Since we've made my old black silk over, it looks so nice,
+and I've nothing fit to wear around my neck. I'm sure its not much and
+I'm going to work this winter, am I not?"
+
+Bea turned her pillow over and laid her head down thoughtfully. Was
+Ernestine selfish, or had she much heart? The question had often come
+silently up, and been put as silently down, but now it lingered
+persistently, though Bea moved her head restlessly, as if to get rid of
+it. If Ernestine wanted anything, she left no avenue untried, and got it
+if possible, no matter at whose expense or self-denial. All through
+fifteen years of her life, she had kept a clear unfaltering eye on
+herself, her wants, and her welfare, and after they were all supplied,
+she was ready and willing to help any one else; but no one must ever
+ask, or expect it at the expense of her personal comfort or plenty. Yet
+with her candies, the girls had lion shares; her pretty things,--and
+somehow all of Ernestine's things were so pretty and graceful,--she
+loaned willingly, and was never too tired or unwilling to help the
+girls' dress on great occasions; for though Olive was the artist,
+Ernestine had the artist's quick eye for graceful draping, harmony of
+colors, and picturesque structures of hair. Moreover, she was always
+good natured, nothing ever ruffled her, except for a passing moment, and
+any hour of the day, you might hear her voice, just like a bird's,
+filling the house with music, while her lovely face made sunshine; so it
+came, that she received the credit for making home happy, when she did
+it with no such intention, or exertion, only because she loved to sing,
+and it was perfectly natural for her to be gay and untouched by
+anything.
+
+"I'm sure," she said, speaking suddenly, as Bea gave a restless twist to
+her head. "You needn't, if you don't want to, Bea. Perhaps you want to
+buy----"
+
+"You know better," cried Bea, flying up from her rumpled pillow. "I
+don't want to buy anything, and if you want to spend five dollars for a
+lace scarf, why you're welcome to my money. That's all. Good night."
+
+Next Sunday, when the girls went to church, Ernestine wore a cob-webby
+scarf of ivory white over her "made-over" silk, and put a creamy day
+lily in her yellow hair, and the girls looking at her, silently thought:
+"No wonder papa calls her his picture!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A FOUNDATION THAT BROUGHT KAT TO GRIEF.
+
+
+Slam! went the gate, knocking the dead leaves right and left, and whiz!
+went two girls up the walk, like unruly sky-rockets, with the odd ends
+flying. Rattle-de-tap, went four feet with steel-capped heels over the
+old shady porch, and bang! went the door back against the wall;
+then:----
+
+"Mama,----"
+
+"Bea,--Er,----"
+
+"Nestine, Olive,----"
+
+"Jean, hurry;--let me tell first. Miss----"
+
+"I beat to the steps, I ought to tell," shrieked Kat, as Kittie choked
+for breath. "Miss Howard is going to give us a,----"
+
+"Nutting party!" shouted Kittie, with a triumphant breath. "Hurrah,
+three cheer-r-s!"
+
+"Mercy on me," cried a voice from up stairs. "What is the matter; what
+are you doing?"
+
+"Kittie's dancing a jig, and Kat's sliding down the bannisters,"
+exclaimed a horrified voice from somewhere else. "Mercy! Bea, call mama;
+I think they've gone crazy."
+
+"Nutting party," cried Kittie, dancing furiously and nodding her head
+like a demented monkey. "To-morrow,----want to go?"
+
+The girls had all collected by this time around the boisterous pair, and
+Bea flapped her sewing warningly, as Kat came whizzing down the
+bannisters for a final time, and landed with a dexterous jump, in the
+middle of the group.
+
+"I'm going down town," said Ernestine, after hearing of the near and
+great event. "I can't go."
+
+"Of course not," said Kittie, with great scorn. "You'd rather go down
+town, and be all the afternoon buying a shoe string, than get a Saratoga
+trunk full of nuts; but you'll want some of mine this winter."
+
+Olive was busy on a picture, Bea had some sewing, so the twins must
+represent the Dering family, and accepted the matter quite blissfully,
+to judge from the way they raced off for parts unknown, and remained
+absent for some time, as if strange and wonderful preparations were
+necessary, and being undergone for to-morrow. They came back when the
+tea-bell rang, at least Kittie did, slowly and solemnly through the back
+yard, and lingered several minutes on the porch, with many mysterious
+signals to some one, down where the long yard sloped to the pond, and a
+fringe of willows shaded the water.
+
+"Where's Kathy," inquired Ernestine, who strongly objected to the
+extremely abbreviated form of 'Kat.'
+
+"Down at the pond, she's coming," answered Kittie, with a strangely
+worried look; but Ernestine flitted by without noticing it, and pretty
+soon Kittie quit leaning over the lattice and went in slowly.
+
+Just as Mrs. Dering was leaving her room to go down to tea, she heard a
+peculiarly suspicious noise out in the back hall, unmistakably the
+careful opening of a window, as of someone on the low roof without, and
+pausing to listen, Mrs. Dering became convinced, that someone was surely
+making entrance to the house in that questionable manner. A midnight
+burglary was a rare occurrence in Canfield, but one in the early fall of
+evening, was beyond imagination, and yet Mrs. Dering was conscious of a
+little trepidation, as she tiptoed her way round to the back hall, and
+fancy pictured a man, with sly intent, coming over the window-sill.
+Whoever the intruder was, he was working with great care, and wholly
+unconscious of any one's approach, for when Mrs. Dering reached the
+corner and peeped around, the intruding head was just leveled, and
+coming through, carefully followed by a nimble body, but not clothed in
+the habiliments usually donned by burglars; instead, there appeared a
+blue calico much drenched and ornamented with wet weeds, an apron wholly
+unrecognizable as to color or design, and a drabbled hat hanging to the
+intruder's neck. As this queer apparition landed on the floor, Mrs.
+Bering stepped around the corner, whereupon the bold burglar jumped and
+screamed faintly, and the lady laughed, though she said with grave
+inquiry:
+
+"Why Kathleen! What does this mean?"
+
+"Oh, mama!" gasped the burglar, with a despairing glance at her dripping
+self. "I didn't want you to see me."
+
+"Nor any one else, from the way you came in I should think. What is the
+matter?"
+
+Kat grasped her wet hat, and looked desperately sorry and resigned all
+at once.
+
+"Why, I went out in the boat," she said, twisting the wet ribbons around
+her fingers and dropping her eyes to the floor, with a little flush of
+shame, "and it upset, and I had to wade in, but I couldn't get it, and
+it's sailing upside down, way out in the pond. I don't know whatever
+you'd better do to me, I'm sure."
+
+"Disobeyed papa. O Kathleen!"
+
+"Well I didn't mean--," there Kat stopped, and swallowed several times
+very hastily; she would rather have been shaken, than to have heard that
+grieved tone. "I was only going to ride a little ways, but the wind blew
+me out; I know it was wrong, though, cause pap said, not to touch it."
+
+"Go to your room and get off your wet clothes as quickly as possible,
+and after supper I will come and talk to you about it," said Mrs.
+Dering, turning away to hide the smile, that poor, dripping, shame-faced
+Kat could not but provoke.
+
+The announcement that "Water-Rat" was face down out in the pond, caused
+dire dismay at the supper-table, so that when the meal was finished, and
+Mrs. Dering went up to talk to repentant Kat, the rest of the family all
+hurried down to the pond to view the disaster. There was the gayly
+painted boat, floating idly back and forth with the wind, out in the
+pond, and the girls expressed their great dismay in a dismal chorus of
+"Oh's," long prolonged, as it floated farther away. "Never mind," said
+papa Dering, briskly. "We'll get her all safe again, a little bath won't
+hurt her. Here Kittie, you're the best runner, go to the house and bring
+me the largest hammer and longest nails in the tool-chest. Be quick
+now." Kittie was off like a flash, and when she came back, there were
+three or four logs lying ready for use, with some planks and a long
+pole, and Mr. Bering with coat off, fell to work with a will and such
+speed, that in ten minutes, a small raft lay in the water, and Mr.
+Dering was making preparations for his voyage, by pulling off his boots
+and tucking his pants up.
+
+"You don't suppose you could get drowned, do you papa," questioned Jean,
+somewhat overcome with these unusual proceedings, and clinging to her
+seat in a low willow with some trepidation.
+
+"Not much, little one. I guess if Katty can wade out of this water, papa
+can, providing he's tipped in. Now good-bye, girls. Wish me well."
+
+Kittie in the willow, and Bea and Ernestine on a log, gave three parting
+cheers with such force, that Kat, crying forlornly up in her room, ran
+to the window to see the fun, and watched with great interest the rescue
+of the "Water Rat," which Mr. Dering effected with great skill and many
+flourishes, to the delight of his audience. After being pulled out on
+the grass, face up again to dry, the rescued "Rat" was left to the
+twilight, while the party returned to the house.
+
+The new arrangements had been in hand about a week, and so far, the
+girls were delighted and enthusiastic over "helping," though they did
+miss "Prince" and the buggy very much. As Mrs. Dering had said, papa
+decidedly objected to any such arrangements and privations, but one man
+against seven determined women!--oh, my! just think of it! So they had
+their way, and it was such a comfort to see, that already he began to
+look a little less worried and anxious when out of the store.
+
+That night, when the girls went to bed, Kat was very much subdued, and
+kept her face quite persistently out of sight. Kittie administered
+comfort in broken and complete doses, but without much effect, for just
+now, when under the new enthusiasm, every one was doing her best in all
+ways, Kat felt her disgrace, more deeply than was customary for her, who
+fell into it, and out again pretty nearly every day, and so she refused
+to be comforted. Perhaps there was another reason for the complete and
+deep contrition. At any rate, she whispered to Kittie with a choke, that
+fought against being a sob,--before they went to sleep; "Oh, Kittie!--I
+can't go--go, nutting!"
+
+Sure enough. Kat ate her breakfast with red eyes and a poor appetite the
+next morning, while the sun shone, as it surely never did before, and
+Kittie gayly laughed and chatted, but trying to be not too happy, as was
+consistent with the deep sympathy felt and expressed for suffering Kat,
+who had vanished beyond the power of sight or search, when at eight
+o'clock, a merry party halted at the gate, and the home girls, gayly
+escorted Kittie and her baskets down the walk.
+
+That was a dismal morning to be sure. Kat did her portion of the work
+before any of the other girls came up stairs, and no one saw her again
+that morning, for with a volume of history, "St. Elmo," and six apples,
+she departed for the back roof, where she sat down and cried as hard as
+ever she could for five minutes, then opened the history, and took a
+fierce bite out of the biggest apple.
+
+"There, I won't cry another tear, it's a blessing that I wasn't shut up
+for the day, instead of being allowed to roam around, when I can't let
+things alone that I'm told to. I'm going to learn a chapter of this
+history, now, before I read a word of 'St. Elmo,' though I don't see the
+use. Whatever do I care about the Edwards' and Henrys' and all that!"
+And then Kat shook herself, opened her book, and valiantly attacked
+Henry the Fifth, with every possible intention of doing just exactly
+what she said; but in about ten minutes a little puff of wind sailed
+across the roof, tossed open the cover of 'St. Elmo,' fluttered the
+leaves, then flew away, leaving them open, just where Edna goes to the
+old church for the last time, and Kat's eyes strayed right down to the
+tempting words, and somehow they did not come back at once.
+
+That old roof was just like all the rest of the house, roomy, shady and
+cool. The flourishing top of a huge apple-tree reached over one side of
+it, with tempting seats in its boughs, and on another side, was the wide
+roomy window, with its worn sill, that led into the garret of the main
+part of the house. Solid comfort had it always been to the girls, and
+sometimes on warm Sunday afternoons, all the family might be found,
+distributed over its flat, roomy surface, with old comforts and pillows,
+and a good supply of books and fans.
+
+Crash! went something suddenly and away sailed "St. Elmo," to bump his
+villainously fascinating head against the chimney, while Kat jerked her
+history open again and heard the profoundest and most melancholy sigh.
+
+"What's the use! 'Henry the Fifth was born,'--I wonder who cares, dear
+me, I wish Kittie was here! 'Was born on'"--But, as if in answer to that
+wish so heartily uttered, there came two arms around her neck, and
+there was Kittie, laughing gayly as she nodded her head.
+
+"I just wonder if you thought I would go to a nutting party, when you
+couldn't," she exclaimed. "I guess I haven't forgotten who was whipped
+in school the other day to save me. Bless me! Studying history!"
+
+"Why, Kittie Dering!" was all the answer, she received from astonished
+Kat, "Didn't you go!"
+
+"Looks as if I didn't, don't it?"
+
+"And just for me?"
+
+"Just for you!"
+
+Thereupon, Bea, who was watching at the window, went down stairs, and
+reported that Kittie and Kat were having a "love feast" out on the roof.
+
+That afternoon, amusements flagged. It was unusually warm for so late in
+the year, and Kat stretched lazily out on a bench, under the trees,
+while Kittie sat on the grass, and enjoyed herself pleasantly with
+nothing. "I tell you," exclaimed the latter, with a hearty jump,
+occasioned partly, by a new idea, partly by the sight of a huge spider,
+that was lumbering over the grass towards her. "Let's go over to the new
+church."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Walk on the foundation; it's all finished and splendid to race on all
+the way round."
+
+"Jolly idea," cried Kat, jumping from her bench, forgetting a previous
+assertion, that it was, "too hot to move!" and away they went, down the
+walk, at the usual break-neck speed taken by them, when in a hurry;
+Kittie rushing through the gate, while Kat nimbly cleared the fence.
+
+Nobody was around to see, or be horrified, for it was on the edge of
+town, and anyhow, it seemed utterly impossible to convince these girls
+that they were nearly thirteen years' old, and ought to stop being such
+hoydens. Bea's little cautions, Ernestine's careful talks and examples
+of grace and dignity, Olive's open ridicule, and Jean's childish wonder,
+were all set aside, by a quiet smile from mama, or papa's hearty
+exclamation of--"let them alone--they're the only boys I've got." So
+Kittie and Kat romped to their heart's content, while mama took care
+that it did not make them too rude, and mended their torn clothes, with
+a patient smile, sometimes saying to herself: "Never mind, it makes them
+happy and strong; so, as long as I am well, and have the time, I'll not
+complain of a few rips and tears."
+
+The new church, was only around the corner in a large green field, and
+the foundation, broad, and not too nigh, was a tempting place to run; so
+they clambered up, and raced back and forth, and all around several
+times, 'till out of breath, then Kat paused, and looked about with a
+contemplative and venturesome air.
+
+"See here, Kittie, I'm going to walk across that narrow wall, where they
+haven't finished."
+
+"Pretty high; you'd better not;" replied Kittie, measuring the proposed
+walk with a careful eye. "How will you get up?"
+
+"Climb; it's only a step or two higher than this."
+
+Kittie leisurely followed the more adventuresome twin, and called out
+suddenly: "Kat, there's an immense mud-hole at one side; looks as if it
+might be deep too; better hold on."
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Kat, in answer, as she balanced herself on the top of
+the narrow wall. "Here I go!" And there she did go, sure enough, for
+turning to nod triumphantly at Kittie, away went her balance, and after
+two or three of the wildest, most fearful struggles, down came Kat, head
+and heels right into the mud-hole.
+
+"Oh, my goodness,--ha, ha,--my gracious; Oh-h! Kat Dering!" shrieked
+Kittie, dancing wildly up and down. "Oh, Kat; if I ever--what a--a
+sight! Oh--my!" and away went Kittie in another shriek, that pretty
+nearly knocked her off the wall, and even made Kat smile while the tears
+trickled down her muddy cheeks.
+
+"I'm sunk clear to my knees," she cried despondently. "And my wrist
+feels so funny; Kittie, come, help me."
+
+Kittie jumped down in a hurry; examined the limp and already swelling
+wrist with anxious gravity, and then nearly strangled with laughter
+when, after several vigorous tugs and struggles, Kat came out of the
+mud, leaving both her slippers hopelessly buried, and her clothes so
+heavy she could hardly walk.
+
+[Illustration: KAT AND KIT.]
+
+"Oh, Kittie! what shall I do," she cried, giving up entirely, between
+the sharp pain in her wrist, and the speedy arrival of this second
+disgrace. "It's only yesterday, that I crawled into the house in this
+fix; I can't go again."
+
+"Never mind; I'll go," said Kittie, lost in sympathy. "Everybody is in
+the front part of the house, and I'll slip in the back way, go in over
+the roof, and bring you some clothes. Just sit down here and wait; I'll
+hurry, and it'll be all right."
+
+So Kat sat down, quite pale with the painful wrist, and meditated, in a
+desperate fashion, on her inability to keep out of trouble and mischief;
+But Kittie was back in an incredibly short space of time, all flushed
+and panting, and with a little bundle of clothes tucked under her arm.
+
+"Here Kat is a skirt, and dress, and stockings, and my slippers," she
+cried, running inside the wall where Kat sat forlornly.
+
+"No one saw me; here hurry. How's your wrist?"
+
+"Hurts," said Kat briefly, finding tears inclined to obstruct her
+utterance; and then they were silent, while the muddy garments were
+hastily laid aside and the dry ones slipped on; and the two started
+round-a-bouts for home.
+
+A little while later, Kittie appeared at the sitting-room door, where
+the girls were sewing with mother, while Ernestine trilled and warbled
+at the piano. Mrs. Dering came out to the hall in answer to Kittie's
+beckon, and received this somewhat incoherent report:
+
+"Kat's upstairs; we walked the foundation, and she fell off the high
+part; I took her some clothes, but I don't know what she's done to her
+wrist;" and Mrs. Dering did not waste any time trying to get a
+straighter report, but hurried up stairs, where Kat was lying on the
+bed, moaning and trying not to cry, with the painfully swollen wrist,
+laid out on a pillow. Twenty minutes' later the doctor was there with
+splints and bandages, and Kat, looking into his eyes with a vague alarm,
+asked, after he had examined it: "How long before I can use it?"
+
+"Many weeks, Kathleen."
+
+"Why, is it badly sprained?"
+
+"Worse, I think, my dear little girl, for it is pretty badly broken."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+IN CONFIDENCE.
+
+
+Olive's door was locked.
+
+Jean saw her go in, and heard the bolt slide swiftly across after the
+door shut, and just the glimpse that the little girl had of her sister's
+face, showed tears on the sallow cheeks, and hanging to the lashes.
+Olive was bitterly opposed to having any one know that she cried, and
+above all things to have any one see her employed in that manner; she
+herself, could not have told why perhaps, except that she did not want
+it. All of her feelings were so carefully hidden, and herself so wrapped
+in a cloak of reserve, that the surface was as delicately sensitive, as
+gossamer, and at every touch that left its impress, she retired farther
+within herself, and left less room for touch of any kind. Now, when she
+caught a glimpse of Jean's face, she shut the door sharper than was
+necessary, and going over to the window, sat down and stared moodily off
+into the yard, where the scarlet tops of the maples nodded to a golden,
+glowing sky. Surprised and curious, Jean lingered a moment, with her
+hand on the bannister, surveying the door thoughtfully, then limped
+carefully across, and knocked softly.
+
+"Who is it?" came tartly from within.
+
+"Me, Olive. Are you sick?"
+
+"No."
+
+Jean turned away a little hurt. "Why need Olive speak so shortly?" she
+wondered, with the usual after-thought "Bea, never does, or the others."
+
+Olive listened to the little crutch going slowly down stairs, and waited
+until everything was quiet, then she went over to a small trunk and sat
+down before it, lifted the lid, and supporting her chin in her hand,
+looked steadily into it, all the moody bitterness in her eyes changing
+slowly to a sadness that was almost despair.
+
+"Oh, I don't see why it is!" she cried suddenly, laying her head down on
+the trunk's sharp edge, and breaking into a passionate sobbing, all the
+stronger for having been long denied. "I surely try, but, they are
+unkind; they are, I know." And then the thick sobs broke vehemently
+forth, and echoed out into the quiet hall; but Olive was alone upstairs,
+and she knew it; besides, I doubt if she could have controlled herself
+now, even had the whole of the amazed family confronted her. Poor,
+sensitive, unfortunate Olive; was it her fault wholly, that her sisters
+seemed able to be happy, quite regardless of her, and that she seemed to
+fill no place in home except as "that queer, homely Olive," as she had
+once heard herself called? This afternoon, the girls had all dressed
+gayly, and gone for a ride behind "Prince" with Mr. Phillips. He had
+said, "all the girls," when asking for them, but Olive so seldom joined
+in any of their little gayeties outside of home, that it really seemed
+strange and out of place for her to go with them; so she waited, when
+the time came to dress, wondering, and half hoping that one of them
+would express a little desire that she should go. Such a thought,
+however, occurred to no one; for so many times had she flatly refused to
+go, that they had all gradually ceased asking, supposing that she would
+do as she pleased. Once, to be sure, Bea did run up to the arbor, seeing
+her there, with the question on her lips, but Olive saw her coming, and
+fearing that the new desire and expectation would show in her face, bent
+her eyes to her book, quite unconscious of the heavy scowl on her brow;
+so, after one glance, Bea withdrew in a hurry, remembering frequent
+complaints for disturbance. At the hasty disappearance, Olive looked up
+with a bitter little smile, that would have instantly disclosed to an
+observer, how she was construing the act, and how she was hurt in spite
+of herself.
+
+"There! she was afraid she'd have to ask me something about it, if she
+came in, so she got out in a hurry. But they needn't worry; I'll not
+force myself in; I'm queer, and ugly, and had better stay by myself;"
+and with that, Olive shut her lips fiercely tight, and did not once
+lift her eyes, when, a little while later, they all went laughing down
+the walk, never heeding her or once regretting her absence. It often
+happened so now, and Olive missed the coaxings with which they had once
+tried to draw her out, never once dreaming that she had done away with
+them herself, by shortly, tersely, and repeatedly asking, to "be let
+alone."
+
+No, this never occurred to her, as she sat there crying bitterly, but
+her broken words revealed the track of her thoughts.
+
+"They never let Ernestine stay home! Indeed not, and there's the
+greatest commotion raised if she speaks of such a thing. She's pretty
+and graceful, and loves to dress up like a doll, while I'm ugly, and
+awkward, and always do things wrong, and disgrace them, I suppose. I
+don't see what I'm crying for, I'm sure. I can be happy without them as
+well as they without me!" and Olive raised her head defiantly, and flung
+the tears from her lashes, for having cried; the burden seemed lighter,
+and the little hurt and loneliness less hard. "I've plenty to think of
+besides them, and I might as well go to work." So out of the trunk came
+a box, and Olive's tears were as quickly gone as they had come. This box
+held a collection of sketches, many of them originals, some of them
+copies, but all bearing marks of a strong talent, rude and somewhat
+hasty as yet, but capable of much, when the young artist should have
+studied, and brought a few happy ideas to color the faces and scenes
+that grew from under her fingers. Now they clearly betrayed the unhappy
+spirit that prompted them, for there was not one glad sunshiny picture
+among them; instead, there were several faces of women, in various
+attitudes of defiance or despair, with a stern relentless sorrow
+darkening their eyes, and hardening their lips; then there was an old
+boat over-turned in the shadow of a half-broken tree, and various
+sketches of home scenery from the different windows of the house. Olive
+had selected one, somewhat larger than the rest, and had gone to work
+rapidly, pressing her lips tightly in the earnestness of her work and
+thoughts, and the room was perfectly silent for a long time. Presently
+she stopped abruptly, and balancing her pencil on her finger, looked out
+of the window with a troubled longing in her eyes.
+
+"I wonder if I ever can," she murmured slowly. "How hard it is to be
+patient, and wait, it's three months yet until I am sixteen, and they
+never will let me I know, because it's too dangerous for a girl. I'm
+sorry I am one anyhow; it makes everything go wrong. Now, there's my
+money, I'm glad I've got it to give to papa. Dear papa, I don't believe
+he or mama cares because I'm so ugly; I'll give it to him to-night, and
+then while I'm waiting, I'll work and earn some more, so as to have
+enough;" and, after ending this slightly enigmatical speech with an
+abrupt nod, Olive looked a little brighter and fell to work so rapidly,
+that she shaded a dimple until it looked like a bullet-hole in the cheek
+of her fair subject.
+
+Nothing further was heard for over an hour, then there came chattering
+voices, the slam of the gate, much laughter, and much spattering and
+crunching of gravel, that announced a race up the walk, between the
+festive twins, for though Kat's disabled arm swung gracefully in a
+sling, she had, after the first day or two, returned to all her romping
+with undiminished ardor, thereby keeping the family in constant terror,
+lest the necessary appendage be forever disabled. Jean had reported to
+Bea, the fact that Olive had locked her door and was crying, and with
+her conscience reproving her, Bea ran hastily up stairs, and knocked at
+the door. "Olive, may I come in?"
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Well, just to talk a little," Bea replied, knowing better than to give
+Jean's report.
+
+Olive unlocked the door, after having first surveyed her face to see
+that no tears were visible.
+
+"Come in, if you want to; I'm drawing," and Bea accepted the ungracious
+invitation, thinking to herself, as Olive straightway took her seat and
+pencil, and returned to work--
+
+"Now Olive's in one of her moods, I wonder if I can say anything," for
+though not yet seventeen, Bea was womanly and thoughtful, and Mrs.
+Dering had sometimes talked with her, about the unfortunate
+peculiarities of this sister's disposition, and asked her help in being
+patient, and trying to overcome it.
+
+"We had a delightful time," began Bea, anxious to work aright. "'Prince'
+was such a dear old fellow and Mr. Phillips so kind. I'm so sorry you
+didn't go, Olive."
+
+Nothing but pride kept Olive's face from brightening a little at this;
+she turned away, made a fierce dab at her subject's nose, and thought
+grimly:--"It's all very well to be sorry now, when the thing's all over;
+I wonder if she thinks that I believe she's sorry, anyhow."
+
+"We went around by the river, and way up on the hill," continued Bea,
+after waiting a reasonable length of time for an answer. "Mr. Phillips
+says we may ride often."
+
+"Did he?"
+
+"Yes, wasn't it kind? you know Mrs. Phillips and the girls are going
+away and 'Prince' will need exercising."
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Hasn't mama come home yet?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Perhaps Mrs. Dane is worse."
+
+No answer.
+
+"It's almost supper time, I should think she would be here," and with
+that, Bea got up, somewhat discouraged with the one-sided conversation;
+but paused again at Olive's side.
+
+"Oh! what a lovely face," she exclaimed, bending over the artist's
+shoulder. "Where did you get it, Olive?"
+
+"Made it up."
+
+"Well, I really envy you such a talent; I have none at all. Why do you
+make her look so sad?"
+
+"That's the way she looked to my mind and I drew her so. Perhaps it's
+because she has no sisters," answered Olive, spoiling the meaning
+conveyed in the words by the sarcasm that crept into the voice, and Bea
+drew back, hurt and half inclined to be angry; but with her, a tender
+heart always went ahead of a quiet temper and ruled, so she walked to
+the door, saying as she went out: "You better put up your things;
+supper's nearly ready."
+
+After tea Olive whispered something to Mr. Dering, and to everyone's
+curiosity, they went off together to the library. This was only a small
+room, but very cozy, with a dark green carpet on the floor, the chairs
+of various shapes, with the previous covering worn threadbare, neatly
+covered with green cloth, a cover of like shade on the table, and one
+side of the wall well packed with books; for Mr. Dering having never
+been wealthy, had only by care, and much time, collected the books which
+now formed a faultless, small library. It was Ernestine's idea, having
+the room green, and bestowing upon it the important sounding name of
+"library," for it suited her fancy by sounding stylish, and pleased her
+artistic eye by being all of one shade; so after much patient drilling,
+she got them all to call it "library," excepting Olive, for that sister,
+disapproving of Ernestine's notions in general, did not like to yield to
+this one, and insisted on calling it "study."
+
+Well, in here came Mr. Dering, Olive following with a light, saying, as
+she placed it on the table:
+
+"Papa, this is to be a secret."
+
+"Oh! oh! and you expect me to keep it?"
+
+"Of course, at least a part of it," and Olive looked so serious, as she
+came and stood by his chair, that he became attentive in an instant,
+saying heartily:--"Well, go on dear, I'm listening, and promise to keep
+the secret."
+
+Olive hesitated an instant, but she always hated to show any feeling,
+especially of embarrassment, so pitched into her subject abruptly, with
+her eyes down. "You know, papa, that we know that you have been troubled
+with the hard times, and wanted to help you."
+
+"Yes, Olive, and I can never forget the way that my girls and their dear
+mother anticipated, and have done to help me."
+
+"No," Olive answered, almost impatiently. "We have done nothing; it most
+all falls on mama; she helps us with the work, and as for 'Prince,' of
+course, we loved him, but we girls are able to walk, it's only mama, who
+is denied; so all the help it is, she gives, not we."
+
+"Then we should love her all the more, dear," said Mr. Dering; and the
+tenderness and love that shone in his face would have gladdened the
+heart of the wife of thirty years, had she seen it.
+
+"I don't think we can ever love her enough," answered Olive heartily;
+then hesitated again, while her hand went slowly into her pocket, and
+came slowly out again.
+
+"Hold your hand, papa."
+
+He did so, and after placing a little roll in it, and closing his
+fingers over it, she said hurriedly: "It is only a little, papa; just
+thirty dollars that I have saved, but I want you to take it, and----"
+
+"But Olive, my dear child----"
+
+"Don't, please;" she interrupted hastily. "I know what you want to say,
+but it's not denying me anything, and what if it was? I want you to have
+it. You never gave us our allowance to buy our clothes with, and as for
+fancy things, I don't care for them; I don't care to go out as the other
+girls do, and I do not need it for anything. I only wish it was more."
+
+There may have been many reasons why Mr. Dering said nothing as he drew
+her on to his knee, and kissed her tenderly, but the right one would not
+have been hard to guess had any one seen his eyes full of tears. Olive's
+heart was beating happily, and she went on quite gayly: "And another
+thing, papa; now don't say anything until I finish; I want to have all
+my own way to-night. You know, sometime ago I helped Mr. Hess with some
+writing, and he said that if I would draw his little girl's head, he
+would teach me how to keep books; well, he did, you know, and now I want
+you to dismiss him, and let me be your book-keeper. It would help you,
+and oh, I should love to so much; it seems as if I wasn't a bit of use
+the way I live now, with nothing in particular to do."
+
+"Why, my dear little girl," cried Mr. Dering, as she paused for breath.
+"Do you think they could spare you to me all day, down in that dusty old
+store?"
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed!" and into Olive's brightened eyes crept a little of
+the old bitterness, as she recalled the afternoon.
+
+"And I'm to pay you----"
+
+"Nothing of course, papa."
+
+"No, my dear, I cannot consent to that."
+
+"Please; I want to help you now. You may pay me when you are not
+troubled any more about business."
+
+"Ah, yes; when!" said Mr. Dering sadly to himself.
+
+"Papa," Olive put an arm about his neck. "Is it so bad as that? I'm not
+sixteen yet, but oh, I feel so much older, I can understand if you tell
+me."
+
+It really seemed so, as he looked into that grave, serious face, so
+unlike a merry, careless girl; and while a sigh crossed his lips, his
+eyes looked trustingly into hers.
+
+"Yes, dear, I think you can. You deserve, and I am happy to give you, my
+confidence; besides, I want to show you how you have helped me
+to-night. I am troubled very seriously, I have a note of six thousand to
+meet within sixty days, or the store goes, I see no way of raising it.
+There is four thousand in the bank in mama's name, but I do not want to
+touch it, because if anything should happen to me, you would not have
+one cent left in the world. Still, if one or two ways which I have in
+mind now, do not yield me something, I shall be obliged to take it, so
+as to save part of my business, and replace it as soon as possible.
+Thank God, the home is safe; it can never be taken from you, and never
+would I consider it my duty to rob my wife and children of home and
+happiness, to liquidate my debts. I owe my creditors a duty which I will
+work to fulfill, while I live; but, I owe my family a greater one; so
+Olive dear, the old home is always safe. To-night I am more thankful to
+hold thirty dollars, than two months ago, I would have been to hold a
+hundred, and only to-day I told Mr. Hess that I would have to do without
+him, and that I would try the book-keeping myself."
+
+He paused here, and the joy that mastered trouble in Olive's face, found
+vent as she laid her head on his shoulder and cried heartily, "Oh papa I
+am so glad, so glad!"
+
+"You know more now, dear, than mama," continued Mr. Dering, appreciating
+the caress, knowing how rare they were for any body from Olive. "I see
+she is just as careful of home expenses as though she knew it all, and
+I do not want to give her the added trouble until I see that I cannot
+fight my way through, and that it must be known."
+
+"Papa, isn't there some other way that I can help you?"
+
+"My noble little girl, no, the load is already too heavy for your young
+shoulders; but, I do so warmly appreciate your womanly interest, and
+your desire to help is precious indeed, while you see how great a help
+it is to me."
+
+Olive was smiling happily, even while her heart was filled with anxiety
+and many thoughts; so they sat there for some time in silence, then
+there came a tap on the door, and a sepulchral voice through the
+keyhole:
+
+"If you don't want the whole family to come swarming over the transom,
+you'd better come out and tell us what that tremendous secret is. Speak
+quick, a single word."
+
+"Shovels!" shouted Mr. Dering, implicitly obeying the threatening
+command.
+
+"Very good; you may live, providing you come out immediately and give me
+a dime to buy some butter-scotch," returned the voice.
+
+"The request betrays the speaker," laughed Mr. Dering as he stood up and
+unlocked the door. "Clear out, you begging Kat; you always----"
+
+"Hurrah," cried the beggar shrilly. "Can't tell us apart yet; there's
+Kat on the stairs; now, whenever we demand it, you have to give us a
+dime a piece; fine, you know."
+
+"Yes; I know, you mercenary little monkeys; come in the sitting-room if
+you want to hear our secret."
+
+Kittie and Kat rushed promptly in, and Mr. Dering spoke, indicating
+Olive by a wide flourish.
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen--I suppose I must represent the gentlemen:--Let me
+introduce you to my future book-keeper and business confidante."
+
+Olive lifted her eyes, as he bowed again, and first saw her mother's
+face so happy and pleased, then Ernestine's so full of something that
+was almost ridicule, and in an instant, without looking farther, her own
+darkened, and withdrawing her hand, she walked over to her accustomed
+corner, thinking bitterly, while they all commented and applauded.
+
+"There! now every one but mama, thinks I'm a fool, and they needn't be
+saying, 'how splendid' and 'oh! Olive,' for didn't Ernestine look as if
+she wanted to laugh, and as if she would be ashamed of me if I worked,
+even in papa's store. But I don't care what any of them say or think,"
+and having turned bitterly against all the girls, merely because of the
+unconscious smile on Ernestine's astonished face, Olive crushed all the
+joy from her own face, and nearly all from her heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ONE DAY.
+
+
+"Well, surely there never was such a pokey family," exclaimed Ernestine,
+lounging into the room where the girls were gathered, one bleak dreary
+morning, early in November. "Nothing ever happens, any more than as if
+we were in back-woods. Kittie, I'll change seats with you."
+
+"I suppose you will," returned Kittie, keeping her chair and frowning
+over her slate and book. "You'll always change if you get the best by
+it; get out of my light will you."
+
+"I wish you'd shut the door, Ernestine," growled Kat over the top of a
+bandage bound round her head and face; "I wish your tooth was ready to
+jump out of your mouth, and some one would leave the door open on you."
+
+"I'd try and set you a good example, by being polite at least," laughed
+Ernestine, who really never could be cross or blue, very long at a time.
+"How grum we are; what's the matter Bea?"
+
+"I've an awful headache," answered Bea, who shared in the general
+depression, and was considerably ruffled over not being able to set a
+puff straight on her skirt. "Be quiet, please, and sit down; it was
+still enough before you came in."
+
+"So I should think, from the way you all look like tomb-stones. Nobody
+looks peaceful, but Jean, and she's asleep; and Olive is the only one
+that looks natural, because she always looks solemn and cross, no matter
+what's up."
+
+Olive turned from the window with a jerk. She had such a cold, that she
+could not go down to the store, and her face was swollen most
+unbecomingly.
+
+"Perhaps if you had a little more sense, you might be able to look at
+least reasonably solemn sometimes," she said sharply.
+
+"Oh, mercy," cried Ernestine, with her gay laugh, far more tantalizing
+than the sharpest words. "If having sense would make me look like you,
+I'd never want it,--never."
+
+Olive jumped from her seat with a force that knocked the chair over, and
+startled the whole company.
+
+"Ernestine Dering," she cried fiercely, and as though the words almost
+choked her. "You are the most heartless, selfish, senseless creature,
+that ever lived; I never will forgive you! You haven't got a thought
+above looking like a wax doll, and acting like a ninny, and I hate
+you;--there!"
+
+"Well--if--I--ever," cried Kittie, as Olive vanished with a bang of the
+door that woke Jean and made Bea clap her hands to her aching head.
+
+"You ought to be ashamed," exclaimed Kat, glaring over her bandage.
+"Olive's the best one of the lot, and I've three minds to go and tell
+her so."
+
+"And have your head taken off for your pains," said Ernestine, walking
+over to the glass, and smiling at her own unruffled image. "Olive's a
+touchy goose, but I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, and I'm sorry for
+it; so that's the best I can do now, isn't it?"
+
+"I suppose so, unless it is to think once in a while, that there is some
+one in the world with feelings, besides yourself," answered Bea, jerking
+her unruly sewing, and getting crosser than ever as she ran her needle
+into her finger.
+
+"Dear me," cried Ernestine, throwing her hands up, and admiring them in
+the glass. "It's a sure sign that something is going wrong with this
+family, when you get cross, Bea."
+
+"I'm not an angel," grumbled Bea, then threw her sewing down, and gave
+herself a shake, both mentally and physically. "But there's no need of
+my acting like a bear, and I'm really ashamed. Come sit on my lap, Jean,
+you look terribly grieved."
+
+"Well, 'tisn't very pleasant with mama gone, and you all fussing so,"
+answered Jean, limping over with her crutch, and laying her head on
+Bea's shoulder with a sigh. "If you all were lame awhile, you'd be so
+glad to get straight again, that you never would fuss or scold, never."
+
+Bea sucked her bruised thumb, and thought more heartily than ever, that
+they ought to be ashamed; but a little witch of impatience and petulance
+lurks in the gentlest of feminine hearts, and though Bea had resolved to
+hush talking, and be patient, the little meddling temper was wide awake,
+much aggravated at the gloomy weather, and bound to make mischief if
+possible. Ernestine turned away from the glass in a moment, and strolled
+over to the lounge.
+
+"I don't see," she exclaimed, "why everything should be denied us. I'd
+like to live for awhile just as I want to."
+
+No one answered, for just then Kittie threw down her slate, and burst
+into impatient tears.
+
+"What's the use! I can't understand such fractions, and I never will;
+I'd like to smash that slate, and burn this old book!"
+
+"Doesn't Miss Howard show you?"
+
+"O yes, she shows and shows, and talks and explains, 'till my head spins
+like a top; but I can't understand, and after a while she says, in such
+a surprised way, as if she thought I was the biggest dummy in the
+world--'Why, Kittie, don't you see it yet?' and I don't see it any more
+than ink in the dark, but I'm ashamed, so I pretend that I do, and
+that's the way it always is," and Kittie cried despairingly.
+
+"How the cheerfulness increases," laughed Ernestine, jumping up. "I'm
+going down stairs, and I sha'n't come up again until I can say something
+that will please you all. By-by," and away she went, nodding brightly.
+
+The morning wore slowly away. Jean, with a pain in her back, lay in
+Bea's arms until she fell asleep again; then after laying her down,
+Beatrice went back to her sewing, made patient and penitent by contact
+with that frail, peaceful little sister, and, after viewing her
+unmanageable puff determinedly for a few minutes, saw her mistake, and
+immediately went to work and finished it with no trouble. Kat, after
+much grumbling, finally brought her tooth to comparative submission, and
+went to sleep, while Kittie fled from the field of fractions, and spent
+her morning in the swing, which hung in the shed.
+
+Just before dinner, the door-bell rang, and in a minute Ernestine came
+flying up stairs.
+
+"There," she cried, waving a tinted paper. "I've something to please you
+with. Just listen:--'Mrs. Richards would be pleased to see Miss Dering,
+Miss Ernestine and Miss Olive for tea next Wednesday Eve!' I expect
+they'll dance. Won't it be fun?"
+
+"I don't see any use of your waking me up, I'm not invited;" exclaimed
+Kat, sinking back on to her pillow, when she found that she was not
+included in the coming bliss.
+
+"I hope you didn't expect it, only a child," said Ernestine, as Bea took
+the magic paper in great delight.
+
+"Child, indeed!" cried Kat. "I'm tall as you."
+
+"More's the pity, for you're only twelve, and as wild as a boy."
+
+"I don't care; I'm going if mama says so; can't I Bea?"
+
+"Why no; Mrs. Richards didn't ask you."
+
+"What's the difference? She likes me just as well as she does you and
+would be just as glad to see me."
+
+"Of course; but girls of twelve are never invited out in the evening,"
+expostulated Bea, re-reading the delightful invitation, for events were
+rare in Canfield, and then it was so nice to be called "Miss Dering."
+
+"I don't care, I think it's real mean!" and Kat vented her resentment by
+punching her pillow into a helpless knot.
+
+"Go, call Olive, Ernestine," continued Bea, all smiles and complacency;
+"and just say, by the way, that you're sorry you hurt her feelings; it's
+quite the proper thing to do, you know."
+
+"All right," and Ernestine ran down the hall.
+
+"Oh, Olive! come with us; here's an invitation from Mrs. Richards. I'm
+sorry I hurt your feelings; come on."
+
+"I don't care for anything that you said, and I've something to think
+about besides invitations. Go away, will you?"
+
+"Oh, certainly," and having glibly uttered her penitent speech, Ernestine
+cared nothing about its reception, but hurried back to discuss their
+dress with Beatrice.
+
+"But mama has not said that we can go," said Bea, caressing the tinted
+paper, as she interrupted an enthusiastic speech that was making
+Ernestine's eyes glow like diamonds.
+
+"But she will; why shouldn't she? Any how I'm going to believe that she
+will, I will wear my silk and my new scarf, and borrow mama's laces for
+the sleeves, and her white comb, and jewelry with the bracelets, if she
+will loan them;--do you suppose she will?"
+
+"No, I know she won't; she'll think it's too much dress for a young
+girl. Wear flowers."
+
+"Nonsense! I won't. I want the jewelry. What will you wear?"
+
+"My cashmere; it's all I've got," and Bea sighed a little, for she did
+love to look nice. "The sleeves are dreadfully worn, and the over-skirt
+isn't the latest; but it can't be made over again, and I can't afford to
+spend a cent."
+
+"Never mind," said Ernestine, who could, and did readily advise what she
+disliked to practice. "Brush it up good, put ink over the little hole in
+the sleeve, and I'll loop the over-skirt so that it looks later in
+style, and loan you my blue bows."
+
+"I suppose you will," returned Bea petulantly, for the temper, though
+appeased, was still awake and alert. "You're quick enough to loan me
+what you don't want yourself, and to say for me to go in an
+old-fashioned dress, with the holes inked up, and no jewelry; when you
+want silk and laces, and all the jewelry; you are generous."
+
+"Oh, well, you may have the--the things if she will loan them; don't get
+fussy," said Ernestine, not a trifle abashed. "Who do you suppose will
+be there?"
+
+"Whoever she invites, I suppose," answered Bea, still ruffled.
+
+"And I expect Dell will be dressed beautifully; oh, dear, how nice it
+would be to be rich," sighed Ernestine.
+
+"I don't think it's fair for some girls to have so much, and others to
+have to scrimp and pinch, and then have nothing," cried Bea,
+exaggerating her woes, as is usual, when one is determined to think
+one's self the worst abused of all mortals. "I wonder if Olive is going,
+and how she will dress."
+
+"Just like she always does, I suppose, in that old green, with a big
+white collar, and her hair pulled straight back, and as smooth as a
+door-knob, no ornaments, and look fierce enough to chew every body up. I
+do wonder what Olive is good for anyhow, she isn't any comfort to
+anybody," and, as Ernestine spoke, her eyes went slyly over to the
+glass, where her pretty attitude in Jean's chair, and the sunshine lying
+warm on her hair, were reflected.
+
+Usually, Bea would have taken up her sister's cause, and uttered some
+conclusive defence, but now she felt abused, and didn't care much what
+was said of anybody, so after a moment, Ernestine went on--
+
+"I wish I knew the 'German,' I'm going to ask Dell to teach me, she does
+it beautifully. I think it is so hateful in Olive not to dance, it
+spoils a set for us, so that we can never dance quadrilles ourselves."
+
+"I suppose she has a right to do as she pleases," answered Bea,
+revelling in the questionable luxury of being as cross as she could. "I
+don't care whether mama lets us go or not, I haven't a thing to wear,
+and of course if I don't go, you can't."
+
+"Oh, but she will, I'll fix you so pretty, that you'll blush to look at
+yourself, and you know Mrs. Richards said last summer, that you looked
+like an angel in white, and you may have quillings off my bolt of
+footing to put in your basque, and around the pleatings;" and, with
+these skilfully thrown in words, Ernestine ran off to look over her
+little collection of ribbons and laces, while Bea turned her eyes slowly
+to the glass, just as her pretty sister had done a moment before, only
+not with such an air of perfect satisfaction.
+
+"How pretty Ernestine is, and even if she is selfish, she's always so
+willing to loan things, that any one doesn't think that it's just
+because she doesn't happen to want them herself. I hope if Olive does
+go, she will fix up a little," and with a sigh Bea turned away from her
+reflection, and after covering Jean with a shawl, went down to see if
+dinner was not nearly ready.
+
+If they could have seen Olive, they would never needed to have asked if
+she was going. All the afternoon she walked slowly up and down her room,
+sometimes increasing her gait, as the thoughts crowded and doubled the
+deep trouble in her face; and, in her mind was one thought that mastered
+every other, and that often formed itself into words and crossed her
+lips in a whisper of shivering dread.
+
+"The sixty days are almost gone, and papa has not got the money! What
+will he do? oh! what will he do?"
+
+Being with him constantly in the store, Olive saw, what he struggled to
+hide from those at home,--the utter despair that was mastering a patient
+hope;--and she knew that as the days went so swiftly by, that to him,
+the end was growing more certain. Once she saw him eagerly tear open a
+letter, and after reading a few lines, drop his head on his hands, and,
+unconscious of her nearness, groan despairingly. It weighed on her mind
+terribly, and her great desire to be of help, faced by the fact of her
+perfect inability, made her almost desperate, at times.
+
+Beatrice spent the afternoon in fussing with her dress, and Ernestine in
+watching for her mother, who was spending the day with a sick friend, so
+as she was still absent, when the tea-bell rang, the meal was rather
+gloomy; for the three older girls were busy with thoughts; Kat's tooth
+still ached, Kittie had caught cold, and their resentment at not being
+included in the invitation, being mutual, they devoted themselves
+exclusively to each other, and Jean dismayed at the unusual silence, ate
+her bread and milk with a pathetic air of loneliness, quite touching.
+
+"Ernestine, won't you sing just a little something," she asked, as they
+went into the sitting-room, where the fire burned low. "It's _so_
+lonesome without mama, when you're all so still. Seems to me everything
+has gone wrong all day, what's the matter?"
+
+"Everybody's in the blues, it's in the air," laughed Ernestine, sitting
+down to the piano, and skimming the keys. "Sit down chickie, and I'll
+sing 'Three Fishers.'"
+
+Jean curled in a chair, with a pleased smile, and Ernestine began the
+plaintive song, with the firelight flitting over her face, showing that
+she sang with more feeling than usual.
+
+    "For men must work, and women must weep,
+     And the sooner 'tis over, the sooner to sleep."
+
+The door-bell rang just there, and made them jump, then Bea went to the
+door, for though quite dark, it was not seven yet.
+
+A man stood just outside, a stranger, and as Bea opened the door with no
+light, but the fire from the sitting-room, he did not seem to know what
+to say.
+
+"Is Mrs. Dering here,--that is,--is she home?"
+
+"No, she is not, but will you come in, perhaps I will do," answered Bea,
+peering beyond him, and starting, as she caught the outline of other
+figures on the steps.
+
+"I do not think you will, I,--in fact we,--" and there he paused, and
+looked behind him, and a vague chilling alarm struck Bea, and made her
+voice tremble as she asked--
+
+"Is it anything so particular, any----,"
+
+"Bad news," he said, as she hesitated. "Yes Miss,--Dering, I presume, I
+do bring bad news, your father----;"
+
+Ernestine stood in the sitting-room door, and as the words were uttered,
+she saw Bea rush out, heard a faint scream, and a strange voice say,
+"catch her, she's falling;" then there came a tramp of feet across the
+porch, and four men crossed the hall, and came into the room with a
+strange burden; a rude litter, with a motionless figure on a mattress!
+Bea had fainted, for she had followed it, but as the men set their
+burden down with pitying faces, there came a shrill scream and a fall,
+for Ernestine dropped to the floor, and Jean continued to scream with
+her face hid. The three girls from up stairs came flying down, Huldah
+ran from the kitchen, and in the dire confusion, the strangers stood,
+not knowing what to do, or whom to address, for every one seemed to have
+lost self-possession in the overwhelming shock. So thought the gentleman
+who seemed to be leader, but at that minute a hand touched his arm, and
+a voice startlingly hushed, asked: "Is he _dead_?"
+
+"He is, madam."
+
+A spasm of pain crossed her set-white face, as her lips opened slowly,
+and the next question came with a gasp of dread:
+
+"By--by his own hand?"
+
+"Oh, no, madam, no indeed," cried the gentleman eagerly, glad to give
+that relief. "He was on the train going down to the city, which was
+wrecked twenty miles this side of it. His death was instant and
+painless, a blow on the left temple."
+
+"Thank God!"
+
+She uttered it slowly, and almost below her breath, then lifted her eyes
+from the peaceful face so life-like in death, and looked around the
+room. Ernestine lay moaning on the lounge, Kittie and Kat locked in each
+others arms crouched in the corner, tearless, because paralyzed with
+fright, Jean shook as with a spasm in Bea's lap, while Huldah stood by
+the lounge, with her apron over her head; and the men stood hushed and
+abashed with their eyes down.
+
+"Take Jean out," Olive said again in that strange still voice. "Huldah
+carry Ernestine to her room, and Kittie, you and Kat go out to the steps
+and watch for mama."
+
+How instantly they all obeyed her, as though recognizing one with
+authority, and how curiously the gentleman scanned her stonily white
+face, so worn in this brief moment of suffering, and listened to her
+last words with wonder.
+
+"Then you are not Mrs. Dering?"
+
+"No!" Olive did not seem surprised at the question, but her eyes went to
+his face slowly, and her lips began to twitch. "How will we ever tell
+her; oh! how will we?" she murmured, clasping her hands tightly; but the
+stranger heard the low words, and spoke hurriedly, with his eyes on the
+dead face.
+
+"If you are expecting her, some one had better go to prepare her, for
+the shock might prove----"
+
+Olive did not wait for more, but snatching a shawl from the chair,
+saying as she vanished:
+
+"I will go, only stay 'till we come back."
+
+The moon was coming slowly through a bank of clouds, and the wind
+sighing mournfully through the bare treetops, as she sped swiftly down
+the path and through the gate, whose familiar slam sounded dreary and
+dull, though it hardly reached her, as she ran down the quiet street.
+
+In just a few minutes she saw another figure wearing a familiar shawl in
+the moonlight.
+
+"Why, Olive," cried Mrs. Dering. "Were you all worried about me. Mr.
+Dane wanted to walk home with me, but I told him I would stop at the
+store for papa, and when I got there, the boy told me he had taken the
+afternoon train to the city; some sudden business I suppose. Why dear,
+how you have run!"
+
+"Oh, mama!" it was Olive's only utterance, but it told its own story,
+for Mrs. Dering instantly grasped the hand held out to her and inquired
+sharply:
+
+"What is it, quick,--any trouble at home?"
+
+"Yes,"--gaspingly.
+
+"What,--I heard them talking of an accident,--Oh! Olive!"
+
+"Papa," said Olive, growing calm as she saw her mother blanch and
+tremble in the pale light; but Mrs. Dering waited for no more; grasping
+Olive's hand still tighter, she broke into a swift run, that did not
+slacken, until the steps were reached, and the sobbing within reached
+their ears; then Olive forcibly held her back an instant.
+
+"Oh, mama,--wait,--let me tell you,--"
+
+"No,--he is dead, I know it;" and breaking from the detaining hold, Mrs.
+Dering ran in, and when Olive reached the door, she was kneeling beside
+the litter, with one dead hand pressed to her hidden face.
+
+In a moment they knew that she was praying, and feeling in the presence
+of something sacred, each man bent his head reverently, and covering her
+face, Olive too, tried to pray, and shed her first tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A STRANGER.
+
+
+On the day of the funeral, the sun came up and flashed over the grey
+chill earth, with a spring-like warmth and radiance, and crept through
+the open windows with a broad glad smile, as though no sorrow darkened
+the home and hushed the merry voices.
+
+Many times in these three days of crushing sorrow, when heart and hand
+seemed powerless to act, had Ernestine thought in a vague, wondering
+way, of her words: "I wonder what Olive is good for, she is no comfort
+to any one." Why, she herself, shivering and white, clung to her; Bea
+went to her; Mrs. Dering turned to them all for comfort, but to Olive
+for help and advice; Huldah came to her for orders; callers with offers
+of flowers and help saw her, and all said when questioned; "ask Olive,
+she can tell you;" "where is Olive?" "Olive knows all about it, don't
+disturb mama;" and so for once, home without Olive, would have known its
+greatest need.
+
+On the evening of that last day, when all the sorrowful farewells were
+over, and the grief stricken family had returned to their saddened
+home; there came a stranger into Canfield, and after inquiring the way,
+stalked briskly out to the Dering house. All the heavy foliage being
+gone, Jean saw him coming through the gate, and turned from the window.
+
+"Some one is coming, Olive," and Olive reached the door, just as the
+stranger gave a vain pull at the muffled bell. He was a strange, odd
+looking old gentleman, erect as a picket, scrupulously dressed, and
+looking at her with fierce grey eyes from under the bushiest lashes.
+
+"Is Mrs. Dering in?" he inquired with a tap of his cane.
+
+"Yes, sir, but----,"
+
+"Well, that's all I want to know now, I'll ask the rest after I get in,"
+and emphasizing the words with another sharp tap of his cane, in he
+walked.
+
+"But, sir, my mother cannot see you to-night," said Olive, somewhat
+startled, but speaking with decision, and still holding the door open.
+
+"Tut, tut, tut! I haven't come three hundred miles to be turned out into
+the night. Come, come, young woman, lead the way to where there's a fire
+and light, then take this card to your mother, and if she won't see me,
+give me a good comfortable bed, and I'll wait 'till morning for her."
+
+Olive began to feel as though she had little to say in the matter,
+besides, he stamped his cane and looked at her so fiercely, that she
+thought he might be an escaped lunatic, and perhaps she had better humor
+him. So she led the way into the sitting room, poked the fire till it
+glowed brightly, then the old gentleman sat down, but jerked his head
+around quickly as the sound of Jean's retiring crutch fell on his ear.
+
+"Ha, hum; come here little girl;" and his voice sharp and rough,
+softened wonderfully; but Jean only lifted her tear-stained pale little
+face, for an instant, then vanished; whereupon he pulled out a scarlet
+silk handkerchief, and blew his nose fiercely, then turned to Olive as
+if he expected to demolish her instantly with the card in his fingers.
+
+"Here girl, take that to your mother and be quick."
+
+Olive took it and unconsciously dropped her eyes to the name--
+
+    "ROGER RIDLEY CONGREVE."
+
+Even the old gentleman started as she looked up, for pale as her face
+had been before, it was positively ashy now, and her eyes glared at him
+like a young lioness at bay. Somewhat amazed the old man rose and
+approached her; but she started back, threw the card at his feet, crying
+chokingly with a frantic gesture of her hands:
+
+"Go away, go away, don't touch me,--oh, how I hate you!" and vanished
+through the door as if she had been shot.
+
+"God bless my soul!" cried the astonished man, dropping into his chair
+and apostrophizing the fire with startled energy. "If I ever saw the
+like,--where's my snuff-box,--I never did to be sure; streak of
+insanity, must be attended to; fine eyes, but ferocious young woman;
+hum, ha!--I'll sit here till somebody comes."
+
+A movement of several persons in the room above, would indicate that the
+family were gathered there; as indeed they were, sitting around mother,
+feeling nearer and dearer than ever in their mutual loss, each one
+drying her eyes slowly, as she talked lovingly of the dead, trying to
+make them feel as did she, that father was not lost, but just gone home
+a little sooner than they. Into this peaceful, loving group came Olive,
+with ashy lips, and excited eyes, and a few minutes later, the old
+gentleman down stairs, arose from his waiting seat, as the door opened,
+and a lady came towards him. Just while she crossed the little distance
+lying between them, he scrutinized her, with almost savage intentness,
+and his survey ended in a slightly astonished, "humph," as she paused
+before him, and bent her head slightly, but with due respect for his
+age.
+
+"Mr. Congreve. Will you be seated, sir?"
+
+"Humph! Well, I suppose I will," and down he sat, with more force than
+was necessary, perhaps, but then he was excited.
+
+"I'm too late for Robert's funeral, I hear," he said, in a moment, as
+gruff and short as though she were to blame for the fact, and he was
+come to deliver a verbal chastisement.
+
+"Yes, sir, a few hours."
+
+"Humph! His death was very sudden."
+
+"Very sudden indeed."
+
+"Humph!"
+
+Very plainly, Mr. Congreve did not know exactly what to say next. He
+hadn't expected this kind of a widow; his mind had pictured one in
+bushels of crape, with a drenched, woe-begone face, who would scream
+when she saw him, fall on his neck, in lieu of his purse, and gasp out
+dramatically: "Dear, dear Uncle Ridley, now all my troubles are over,"
+after which, he would have to pet her into quietude, when there was
+nothing, next to walking out of the window in his sleep, that he dreaded
+more than a crying woman; then he would have to kiss all the children,
+and so greatly did he object to such an osculatory performance, that
+after the act he looked as though he had made way with a quart of alum.
+Now, there was the pleasing, but slightly astonishing fact, that nobody
+was going to want to kiss him, and this pale, sweet-faced woman, with
+her quiet eyes and determined mouth was Robert's widow, that he would
+have to talk to; and it was very evident, that if he had anything to
+say, she was waiting quietly to hear it.
+
+"You have quite a large family,--madam," he said, hurriedly rushing in
+to break a pause.
+
+"Yes, sir, six daughters."
+
+"Six! Bless my soul,--six girls," and Mr. Congreve hastily took some
+snuff to settle his nerves. "Astonishing, I declare. Pity they're not
+boys,--great pity."
+
+"I would not have it otherwise than it is, sir."
+
+"Humph! well, they're your burden, not mine," said the old man, testily,
+and twisting uneasily in his chair.
+
+"A burden I am happy and grateful to bear, if burden it be," answered
+the widow, calmly. "I am thankful they are all mine, my comforts and
+helps at all times."
+
+"One of them is lame, is she?" and as he spoke, the old man's voice
+softened, as it had done when he called to Jean.
+
+"Yes, sir, my little one, lame from babyhood."
+
+Mr. Congreve resorted to his handkerchief again, and waved its scarlet
+folds back and forth in much agitation for a few seconds, then, as he
+put it back in its capacious pocket, and sniffed once or twice, as if in
+defiance to some internal commotion, Mrs. Dering remembered that he had
+once had a little lame girl, who died before reaching womanhood.
+
+He was regarding her intently, and now as she lifted her eyes, softened
+with this sudden remembrance, he bounced out of his chair, and set his
+cane down sharply on the hearth.
+
+"Elizabeth Dering, you're not the woman I thought you were. You're not
+like your father, and I'm glad of that. I came here to offer you help,
+because I know for a certainty that Robert was in trouble, and I see
+that you are no more pleased to see me, than I was at the prospect of
+seeing you. That I have been angry with my nephew for many years, you
+know well enough, but there's no use denying that his sudden death has
+touched me, and I want to do something for his family. To-night you are
+in no condition to talk, no more am I; so if you will show me my room I
+will go to it immediately."
+
+Mrs. Dering arose also, with relief plainly visible in her face, and
+after finding that he had taken an early supper before leaving the city,
+excused herself to arrange for his comfort during the night.
+
+Several hours later, when the household had forgotten its grief in
+slumber, and nothing disturbed the stillness of the night, but an
+occasional frog, and the lonesome sighing of the wind through the bare
+trees, two persons found it extremely difficult to sleep. In Mrs.
+Dering's room the fire lay in dying embers on the hearth, and in a low
+chair before it, sat the pale mother and widow, with no need now to hide
+her grief, lest other hearts were made sad, for no one was near but
+Jean, and she slept soundly, with sorrow lost in the oblivion of dreams.
+So feeling for the first time, the liberty of tears, that poor, aching
+heart broke its stern control, and burying her face, the sorrowing woman
+wept, praying, as the tears rolled down her cheeks, that they might not
+be shed in bitterness or rebellion, and that her heart, through all its
+pain, might still feel and know, "what is, is best." When the violence
+of her grief had expended itself, and she could lift her face to view
+calmly her loss and new responsibilities, the unvoiced prayer of her
+heart was: "O God, help me; I cannot work alone; let me know what to do;
+help me to think and act aright, and strengthen my trembling faith, that
+whatever may come to me, I can say: 'God knows it is for the best.'"
+
+Even as she prayed, help came to her, for Olive could not sleep, and
+feeling assured that her mother was awake, had come noiselessly in, and
+now stood by her.
+
+"Mama, I cannot sleep either; let me stay with you."
+
+"Olive, my child, it is past midnight."
+
+"I know, mama," and as Olive spoke, she pushed a stool to her mother's
+feet, and sat down, for something in the voice assured her that she was
+welcome.
+
+"Why couldn't you sleep, dear?"
+
+"Thinking," answered Olive, gravely. "And I wanted to talk to you, mama,
+when we could be quite alone."
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"Will you tell me about Mr. Congreve, please?"
+
+No curiosity prompted the question; that her mother knew; so, looking
+down into the grave, thoughtful face, she lowered her voice, and began:
+
+"Mr. Congreve took papa when he was left an orphan at eight years old,
+and raised him, expecting to make him his heir, as he is very wealthy.
+When Mr. Congreve and my father were boys they were great friends; but
+in early manhood, had a bitter quarrel that has never been forgiven
+either side, and they have hated each other fiercely ever since. When
+Mr. Congreve found that his nephew was in love with his enemy's
+daughter, he was furious with anger, and my father also objected to the
+match, but not so bitterly and blind to reason, as his enemy. Your
+father was threatened, plead with, and sworn at; but while he remained
+firm to his intention of marrying me, he really loved his fiery uncle,
+and disliked to come out in open rebellion; but a final move of Mr.
+Congreve's was more than he could bear. He locked him up. Of course no
+man of age and reason could stand such an indignity as that, so, making
+his escape at night, he left without a word of any kind, and has never
+seen his uncle but once since. A little while after we were married, we
+received a letter from him, very short and bitter, saying that he could
+tread the path he had chosen unmolested; that we were no more to him
+than strangers, and that his new will left his property entire, to a
+cousin's child, Roger Ridley Congreve, his namesake. He says now, that
+when he saw papa's death in the paper, that he was touched by it, and
+that he has come to help us, though I don't see how he knows we need
+it."
+
+"I do, mama."
+
+"You, Olive?"
+
+"Yes, mama." Olive's fingers were interlaced nervously and her eyes were
+flashing warmly as she lifted them from the low fire to her mother's
+face. "I know all about it, mama. Do you remember the night I talked
+with papa in the study about two months ago?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, he told me a great deal that night about his business, that he
+never told you, because he said he did not want to worry you with it
+unless he had to; he had a note of six thousand to meet in sixty days,
+and he was trying every way to raise it without touching your money in
+the bank. He said if he could not pay it, the store would go, that the
+home was ours, and must never go for his debts. Just a few days ago a
+letter came, and he snatched it so eagerly, that I knew it was very
+important; it was very short, and when he finished reading it he laid
+his head down and groaned. He didn't know I was near, and I did not
+speak then, but that letter has haunted me ever since, and yesterday
+when you thought I was asleep, I was down at the store, and I found it
+in his private drawer. O mama, it was from Mr. Congreve, and so short
+and cruel, oh, so bitterly cruel, and I tore it all to shreds, and burnt
+it, and never meant to tell you, at least, not for awhile. He refused to
+loan papa a cent, and said he didn't care if he lost both business and
+home, and when I read it I believe I could almost have killed him.
+To-night when he came and gave me his card I threw it in his face, and
+told him I _hated_ him!"
+
+"Olive! Olive!"
+
+"I did, I did, and I'm glad; I felt as if it would choke me to sleep
+with him in the house to-night, and I never want to look at him again. I
+would rather work my fingers off than ever have you take one penny of
+his money, or let him help us in any way," cried Olive, excitedly,
+almost forgetting the sleeping household in her energy.
+
+Mrs. Dering put her hand to her head, bewildered with the sudden news,
+and Olive saw, and comprehended the look of startled trouble that rested
+on her face.
+
+"We are very poor now, aren't we, mama?"
+
+"Yes, child, yes; indeed I am quite bewildered," exclaimed Mrs. Dering,
+anxiously. "Did you say sixty days, Olive?"
+
+"Yes, mama, the time is out next Friday."
+
+"Is it possible? What shall we do!"
+
+"Isn't letting it go, the only thing we can do?" asked Olive.
+
+"I suppose so, but really I can hardly think, it all seems so sudden,"
+and truly her sad, troubled face echoed her words.
+
+"I have been thinking about it so long," said Olive, as though relieved
+to speak her thoughts. "The home is ours, and you have four thousand in
+the bank. It seems to me a very little for seven people to live on, but
+we are all strong and well, and can work."
+
+"Yes, all strong and well but Jean," and Mrs. Dering's eyes went
+wistfully to the little unconscious face resting on the pillow. "She
+will have to be so neglected in more ways than one, if home is broken up
+and every one's hands and work belonging to some one else."
+
+"Dear me," cried Olive, reproachfully. "How could I forget her! There's
+something more to think over, now."
+
+"But you must think no more to-night, dear, nor must I, or we will not
+be fit for to-morrow's work and thought. Go to bed, and remember, God
+will not send us more than we can bear; we must only do the best we can
+and all that is left, He will provide a way for us. Good night, dear."
+
+Next morning after breakfast, Mr. Congreve stood pulling his gloves on
+and eyeing the six girls from under his fierce, bushy brows, and there
+was something almost like amusement in the quizzical look as it swept
+from one face to the other.
+
+Whatever he thought, he put it into no words, but caught up his cane,
+then stooped down over Jean, lying on the lounge, and whispered
+something in her ear. It must have been something magical, indeed, for
+Jean got up, took her shawl and crutch, and walked with him down to the
+gate, and there the astonished girls, who all rushed to the window, saw
+them pause, and the old gentleman lifted Jean up on the post, put her
+shawl up over her head, and then began talking earnestly.
+
+"Did you ever!" cried Kittie, falling back at the amazing sight. "I
+thought she was afraid of him!"
+
+"She is the only one that he has looked at kindly," said Bea, with some
+indications of resentment in her voice. "Was he always so fierce and
+queer, mama?"
+
+"Always," answered Mrs. Dering, who was watching from another window.
+"He has a kind heart, but a most exceedingly violent temper, which he
+seems to have under no control.
+
+"If thwarted or vexed, he stops at nothing, but most always repents his
+rash acts as soon as they are committed, and, sometimes, if the humor so
+strikes him, there is nothing he will not do as reparation."
+
+Olive, understanding that this little explanation was especially for
+her, shut her lips tightly, whereupon Kate exclaimed, "You never looked
+at him when you were introduced, Olive, and if you could have seen the
+way he frowned and glared at you, you would have shook all over."
+
+"I don't care how he looked, nor how much he frowned. I don't like him,
+and I wish he was back in Virginia."
+
+"If he isn't stingy as a miser, he'll give us something, and perhaps ask
+us to visit him," said Ernestine, who looked languid and pale from
+excessive and violent weeping, and really seemed to be the only one who
+was not trying to be cheerful for the others' sake.
+
+[Illustration: THE OLD GENTLEMAN LIFTED JEAN UP ON THE POST.]
+
+"I should like to see where papa lived when he was a boy, but I wouldn't
+care to have Mr. Congreve there," said Bea, who had that morning began
+being more womanly than usual by relieving mama of coffee-urn duties.
+
+"He's gone!" exclaimed Kittie, from the window. "Now for the secret!
+What did he say, Jean?"
+
+"I'm not to tell," answered Jean, looking quite excited and rather pale,
+as she hurried in; then amazed them all again by hiding her face in Mrs.
+Dering's dress and bursting into tears.
+
+"What ever has he done?" cried Kat, bouncing excitedly out of her chair.
+"Was he cross?--or perhaps he pinched you or something."
+
+"No, he didn't," said Jean, trembling but smiling through her tears. "He
+was very good and kind, and didn't look near so cross as he did in here.
+He said that a great many years ago he had a little girl just like me,
+and he kissed me, too."
+
+"Did I ever!" cried Kat, quite carried away by curiosity. "And is that
+all that he said?"
+
+"No, but I can't tell the rest, now, but he's going to bring me some
+candy and I'll give you all some."
+
+Perhaps it was because Mrs. Dering turned her head away just then,
+finding control of her face impossible; or because Jean looked so
+pathetic, as she gave her little promise; at any rate, Ernestine broke
+into a quick sob, and the next moment they were all crying, while Kittie
+threw herself on the lounge, and hid her face, as though she never cared
+to show it again, and Kat followed her example in the rocking-chair.
+
+For several minutes the sound of weeping filled the room, then Mrs.
+Dering wiped her eyes and tried to steady her voice.
+
+"Children, do you think it would make papa happy to see us all so
+miserable and wretched?"
+
+Something in the voice hushed the sobs, and caught attention, except
+from Ernestine, who continued to cry wailingly.
+
+"If papa had gone to Europe, made a great fortune, and built a grand,
+beautiful home for us all to come to, would we all sit down and cry
+about it, and say it wasn't right?"
+
+Even Ernestine listened a little at this, and Kittie lifted her drenched
+face to look in amaze at her mother.
+
+"I don't think we would, but that our happiness would hardly wait for
+the time 'till we started to join him. Now, instead of going to any
+country to build us a home, he has gone home himself, to the beautiful
+glorious home that was waiting for him, and waits for us; and isn't it
+lovely to think how glad he'll be to see us when we come, and it may
+not be long, either. I can almost imagine how happy he is to-night, and
+I should hate to feel that we made him sad by sitting here and crying,
+as though we regretted his perfect joy. We miss him sadly indeed, but it
+will make our time of waiting seem shorter, if we busy ourselves in
+doing what we know he would have approved and enjoyed, had he stayed
+with us. You, my girls, know how proud and fond he was of you; you know
+just which of your little faults grieved him, so work to overcome them,
+and try to become the noble, splendid women he always prayed you might
+be. As for me, I know how he always trusted me in raising our girls, and
+now that he has gone home, and left it all to me, don't you suppose it
+is a duty made doubly precious? None of us can complain of idle hands,
+and so with busy hearts we can find no time to complain and weep. Now
+let's go to our morning work, and all be as happy and cheerful as you
+can; just remember, God loves us so much that He has put some one who is
+dear to us all in our home above, so that we cannot forget it, even if
+we are tempted to do so."
+
+There was a general putting away of handkerchiefs, and many resolves
+written on the girlish faces, that were facing their first grief, and
+found it hard to do so with a patient faith. As they all left the room
+for morning duties, Bea lingered behind the others, and throwing her
+arms about her mother, looked up with full eyes and a loving smile.
+"Mama, you are such a comfort; you talk about heaven and papa, as if
+they were just around the corner, and make me feel as if he knew, and
+was interested in all that we did, just as much as ever. I know what
+will make him the happiest, and that is for us to be just like you, for
+he did love and trust you so perfectly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+MR. CONGREVE SURPRISES HIMSELF AND EVERYBODY ELSE.
+
+
+When Mr. Congreve came back from his walk, which had been a very lengthy
+one, for he was much unsettled in mind, he came very slowly, and began
+an uneasy soliloquy as he neared the house.
+
+"How I just hate to go back there, I do; seven women,--God bless my
+soul! and I'll wager my best hat they're all crying like water-spouts,
+and haven't made my bed yet. I won't sit down in a room that isn't
+cleaned up, and bless my soul,--where's my snuff box? I'd sit out doors,
+sooner than be in the room where they're all sniffling, with the
+curtains pulled down, as if Robert's going into eternal bliss, was a
+thing to turn yourself into a wailing dungeon over;" and, ending his
+mutterings with a revengeful snap of the gate, he stamped fiercely up
+the walk, scattering the gravel right and left, and scaring a stray cat
+almost into fits, by the way he swung his cane at her. Something in the
+looks of the house when he glanced up, brought him to a sudden stand
+still. The blinds were all open, with the sun shining warmly on the
+glass, one window was thrown up, and through it came the merry whistle
+of a bird, giving forth a musical defiance to the coming of winter, and
+when Mr. Congreve rather slowly opened the front door, there met him a
+warm, cheery odor, and,--yes, actually; some one laughed upstairs! In
+the sitting-room a jolly fire leaped and shone in the shining grate, the
+piano stood open, the room was full of sunshine, and under Mr. Dering's
+large portrait, was a bracket, and there on it, a graceful little vase
+filled with pansys and a tea-rose, from Jean's little window garden in
+the dining-room.
+
+Mr. Congreve gave a surprised and emphatic "humph," and tramped away to
+his own room, which was in apple-pie order, then tramped back, without
+having seen any one but Huldah flying around on the back porch.
+
+Presently Jean came through the hall, and seeing him sitting there and
+frowning at the fire, as though trying to study out some new and
+astonishing puzzle, she stopped at the stairs to call,--"Mr. Congreve is
+here, mama."
+
+"Humph! _Mr. Congreve_, if I ever, if I ever," exclaimed that gentleman,
+with some energy, and whirling about in his seat.
+
+"Come here, Jeanie; here's your candy."
+
+It really was quite astonishing how his voice could change when he spoke
+to her, and how his face brightened when she came in without hesitation
+and received the package with a pleased,--"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Well, I declare,--quite right, to be sure; but don't you know who I am,
+and what my name is?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you're my papa's uncle, and your name is Mr. Congreve,"
+answered Jean, just a little startled at being lifted on to his knee,
+and having his arm around her.
+
+"So I am, to be sure; quite true; but if I'm your papa's uncle, I'm your
+great-uncle, and there isn't such an immense amount of difference; don't
+you suppose you had better call me Uncle Ridley, as he did?"
+
+"Why, I don't know, perhaps I had. I'll ask mama," answered Jean in
+earnest simplicity.
+
+"Well, you do that, and tell her if she's not busy, I'd like to talk
+with her awhile. Do you remember what I said to you this morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Well, I'm going to talk to her about it now."
+
+Jean slipped down in a hurry, and departed with her big bundle of candy,
+looking both pleased and frightened.
+
+Mrs. Dering came down in a moment, and not having entirely given up his
+imaginary widow, Mr. Congreve looked up in some trepidation to see if
+she was crying. But no; her face, though pale and sad, was perfectly
+tranquil, and her dress was cozy, comfortable brown.
+
+After a few remarks about his walk, and the attractions of Canfield,
+conversation sank into an uneasy pause, and for some unknown reason, Mr.
+Congreve grew as red as a lobster. He had expected when he came that all
+he would have to do would be to fill out a check for several thousand,
+assure the demonstrative widow that she should never want, graciously
+allow the children to call him Uncle Ridley, submit to be kissed at
+coming and going, then get out of the way, and confine his further
+acquaintance with them to the medium of occasional checks and a few
+letters, when,--well, did you ever!--here he sat, blushing like the
+most bashful lover in Christendom, and couldn't get up his courage to
+offer the widow help of any kind; had actually requested the youngest
+child to kiss, and call him Uncle Ridley, and was now entertaining an
+idea, which, had it been broached to him before leaving home, would have
+aroused his fiercest ridicule and amaze.
+
+"You know, perhaps," he began, with a preparatory and strengthening
+sniff of snuff, "that I heard from Robert, some days ago?"
+
+"Yes, sir, but I did not know it until last night."
+
+"Humph!" he remembered his first greeting, and looked at her sharply.
+"Perhaps you did not know until then, just how his affairs stood?"
+
+"No, sir, I did not. Our daughter Olive was her father's book-keeper and
+confidante; she knew all; but with his ever thoughtful consideration, he
+hoped to settle his business difficulty without worrying me, and I did
+not know until after I left you last night, how deep had been his
+trouble."
+
+"Olive,--hum, ha!" said Mr. Congreve, nodding decidedly, and really
+looking pleased. "She's the one that said she hated me last night; good!
+I'll wager my hat she saw my letter; I like her spunk; she's a thorough
+Congreve. Your oldest, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh no, she's quite a child in years, not yet sixteen."
+
+"God bless my soul! you don't say so; only fifteen, and a book-keeper,
+and shares her father's troubles, and flies like a tiger into a man's
+face who don't do to suit her!--hum!
+
+"I should like to see her again. I should, indeed."
+
+Mrs. Dering could not restrain a smile at the utter amazement depicted
+in his face. He looked like a man who was undergoing a constant
+shower-bath, and didn't know what to make of it.
+
+"I am very sorry," she said. "It grieves me that Olive has an
+exceedingly peculiar and unforgiving disposition. She was devoted to her
+father, and you are quite correct in your supposition that she saw your
+letter."
+
+"And consequently don't want to see any more of me," said Mr. Congreve,
+with a quick nod, and as Mrs. Dering made no denial, he got up, and
+seizing his cane, began to walk up and down the room, and Mrs. Dering
+watching his face, saw therein a struggle of some kind. In truth, he was
+turning over in his mind a confession, which his obstinate pride
+struggled against, but which a new, strange feeling, that told him he
+did not want this family's contempt and hatred, claimed and conquered.
+He stopped in his restless walk, and faced her suddenly.
+
+"I have been angry with my nephew for years, you know that, and you know
+my nature," he said sharply, all the more so to hide his feelings. "When
+I wrote that letter I meant every word of it, and as many more of the
+same kind, but some womanish weakness afterwards possessed me, and on
+the day that I heard of his death, I had a letter written to him,
+containing the check for six thousand."
+
+Knowing him, as she did, Mrs. Dering well understood the feelings
+attendant upon this confession, and her face softened wonderfully as she
+said:
+
+"I most regret, Mr. Congreve, that Robert did not live to know that you
+repented the cruel words that so grieved him. You know how proud and
+sensitive he was, and what a struggle it must have been to ask help of
+you. Your kindness, though too late, we all appreciate sincerely."
+
+"Too late? The time is not out."
+
+"But I shall let the store go. I have no sons, and I cannot have the
+care of it on my mind."
+
+"Humph! May I ask what you intend to do?"
+
+"Certainly. I have some money, four thousand in the bank, which will
+only be taken out in great necessity. As soon as possible, myself and
+children will begin to work. I am quite sure that I can secure a
+situation in the seminary three miles out of town, perhaps one also for
+Beatrice, my oldest daughter, and I hope before long to find something
+for the others."
+
+Mr. Congreve opened his lips to speak, but was amazed beyond all
+comprehension, to find that he had no voice, he tried it again, then
+again, then broke abruptly into a hurried walk up and down the room, and
+flourished his scarlet handkerchief furiously.
+
+"It was very kind of you to undertake such a long tiresome journey for
+our sakes, Mr. Congreve," said Mrs. Dering, beginning to feel a strange
+sympathy for the old gentleman who could not hide how deeply he was
+moved.
+
+"Not half what I ought to do," sputtered the inconsistent old man. "I
+always want to help where I see it is so worthy. I am proud indeed, to
+see,--where's my snuff-box--that Robert's wife and daughters are so
+worthy of him; I--I--will you allow me to settle four thousand per annum
+on you and your children?"
+
+"Oh, no; thank you so gratefully; but I could not, so long as we are
+well; we can work and live quite comfortably, but if I am ever in
+trouble, if sickness drains our savings low, I will come to you gladly,
+and Robert will be so pleased."
+
+It was no use to try and hide a sniff, so Mr. Congreve made a savage
+thrust at his eyes and wiped them both, blew his nose long and
+earnestly, coughed several times without any apparent necessity, and
+then subsided into a chair.
+
+"I suppose you are right, Elizabeth Dering, and I like you better for
+it, though,--God bless my soul!--to think of you and the little girls
+working for bread and butter, while I count my hundreds of thousands and
+lay up in ease and laziness. Why, it makes me feel as I never supposed I
+could feel over any sorrow or privation that might come to Daniel
+Lathrop's daughter. But you're not like your father, no, you're not, and
+I'm glad of it, and if I had it to do over again, I would not banish
+Robert for marrying you."
+
+If Mrs. Dering felt any resentment at the thrust against her father, she
+gave no evidence of it, but only thought with a quiet joy, mingled with
+a little longing, "If Robert was only here to hear him say it."
+
+"I want to make another offer to you," said Mr. Congreve, tapping his
+stick lightly on the floor, and keeping his eyes averted, "and before I
+make it, I want to ask that you do not decide too quick. Take all the
+time you want, and whatever your decision will be, it will affect my
+happiness quite as much as it does yours."
+
+He stopped there, and looked at her closely, as though contemplating a
+possible refusal; then went on interrogatively:
+
+"You are going to work at something that will take all of your time,
+and, perhaps, keep you away from home; your daughters are going to work,
+such of them as are able, but, from my observation, there are three of
+them who can do nothing in a business line. Two of them, the twins, are
+strong and healthy and can look after themselves, but the third, Jean,
+what will you do with her?"
+
+"You have touched the point that constitutes my greatest worry and
+perplexity," answered Mrs. Dering, quite unconscious of the thoughts in
+his mind. "Jean is so delicate and frail that she requires constant
+attention; she is a child, and must be amused, and because of her
+affliction she can never be unattended. I have always taught her, and
+being fond of her books, she is much farther advanced than most children
+of her age, and I regret beyond all expression that she will have to
+fall behind now, she----"
+
+"No, she won't," cried Mr. Congreve, who had been growing more excited
+as the speech progressed, and who now jumped out of his chair with every
+indication of breaking into a jig. "I assure you she won't, only let me
+have her; she shall have the best governess and attendant that money can
+bring. Every luxury and comfort that can be thought of, every wish
+gratified as soon as expressed and I--I--"
+
+He was obliged to stop to get his breath, and grow a little more quiet,
+for Mrs. Dering was leaning back in her chair, quite white with amaze
+and contending emotions; so Mr. Congreve settled abruptly into a chair
+and smoothed his voice and manner down several degrees.
+
+"I didn't mean to startle you," he continued. "I know it is sudden and,
+indeed, I am quite as astonished as you are; I am, indeed; but the
+moment I looked at the child last night, there was something in her face
+and manner, that reminded me so strongly of my own little Mabel, that my
+heart, old and dried up as it is, went right out to her. You know,
+Elizabeth Dering, how I loved my child. She would have been a woman now
+had she lived, but the Lord saw fit to take her, and--and--I--where's my
+snuff-box?--I suppose, of course, 'twas best; but here's your little
+one, yours and Robert's, afflicted like my little Mabel, and I am able
+to do everything by her that the sick and afflicted need. She shall
+travel, have the best of medical attention, and if the dear good Lord
+sees fit, perhaps she may be cured."
+
+His fierce gray eyes were completely softened and full of tears, and the
+way that scarlet handkerchief flew about would have puzzled the closest
+watcher, but Mrs. Dering saw nothing, heard nothing but his last
+words:--"perhaps she may be cured." Almost unconsciously she stood up
+and held out her hands.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Congreve, do you mean it, indeed?"
+
+"God bless my soul! mean it? Yes, I do, indeed. I do, with all my heart.
+I'll feel like there was something for me to live longer for, and it
+will put new, strong life into my dried-up old being, to see a child's
+sunny face around my quiet home and to know that it is for her good that
+I live. Ha! mean it? Yes, my dear madam; I should rather say I did mean
+it."
+
+It really seemed as though Mrs. Dering could not speak for the many
+emotions that oppressed her, but after one or two glances at her face,
+which caused the old gentleman to scout at the idea of her refusing, he
+exclaimed with a fatherly benignity which sat oddly on his crusty
+abruptness:
+
+"There, there, dear child, go right off up stairs and think about it.
+I'll just take a snooze right here by the fire, and then after awhile
+we'll talk again. I don't think the little girl will object. I said a
+few words to her this morning, and the idea pleased her, I am quite
+sure."
+
+So Mrs. Dering retired after a few inarticulate words of thanks or joy,
+and after taking a tremendous tiff of snuff with such haste that it
+nearly strangled him, Mr. Congreve settled into a comfortable, dreamy
+state, where a face, long since gone from his home, looked out at him
+from the fire with a smile, and then beside it came another, sweet and
+patient, with soft eyes, and the two seemed to know each other, and as
+they smiled, the one that was now an angel faded slowly and left the
+other there looking at him with beseeching eyes.
+
+There was the greatest commotion up stairs when Mrs. Dering told the
+assembled girls of Mr. Congreve's proposition. Jean instantly hid her
+face and began to cry, and influenced by this, the girls instantly
+pounced upon Mr. Congreve, and declared it should not be.
+
+"Why do you cry, dearie?" asked Mrs. Dering.
+
+"I don't know," answered Jean, somewhat bewildered, as she looked around
+on the indignant faces. "Because it seems so queer, I guess. I always
+thought I would be crooked, and have to go on a crutch, and Uncle
+Ridley,--he asked me to call him that,--says, perhaps, all the doctors
+can cure me, and--and it seems so good that I don't know how to be glad
+enough, so I just cry, you see."
+
+Everybody "saw," figuratively speaking, for actual sight was quite
+impossible with the quick sympathetic tears that sprang to every one's
+eyes. Opinions flew about like papers in the wind, and Mrs. Dering could
+not make herself heard in the babel of tongues.
+
+"Wait, girls, listen a moment," she exclaimed at last, and the
+commotion quieted, somewhat, to hear what she had to say.
+
+"You know," she began, drawing Jean to her side, "I have been telling
+you this morning how very differently we would have to live, now; it
+will take all of us, working hard, to keep home comfortable, for the
+expenses of a family of such size are very heavy. Since realizing this,
+I have prayed long and earnestly to know what was best to do about
+Jeanie, for if I can secure the position at the seminary, I can only
+come home twice a week, and in the meantime, I could not bear the worry
+of her being here alone with you girls, even though I know you would be
+faithful and careful of the trust. Now comes Mr. Congreve's offer, with
+the promise that she shall have every attention, care and luxury, and
+better than all, that she shall see eminent and skillful physicians,
+whom we could never afford. I feel as though it was God's answer to my
+prayer, and that it is wicked to hesitate a moment, however much we all
+love our little girl, and hate to have her go so far away."
+
+"But, oh, mama," cried Jean, with a sob of ecstatic joy and excitement,
+"just to think of my being straight and well, like Kittie and the rest!
+I would feel like I never could thank God and Uncle Ridley enough. Oh, I
+_may_ go, mayn't I?"
+
+"Yes, darling, you shall go."
+
+So briefly was it settled.
+
+Everybody was in raptures excepting Olive. She frowned severely, and
+looked bitterly pained, but she said nothing until the rest had left the
+room, then she came to Mrs. Dering's side. "Oh, mama, are you really
+going to let her go?"
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"How can you? Such a cruel, selfish, unfeeling--"
+
+"Hush, Olive."
+
+Olive did so instantly, and stood with her hands folded and eyes down,
+the very picture of bitter defiant distrust, and Mrs. Dering saw in an
+instant that any thing she might say in Mr. Congreve's behalf, would be
+wasted words, as Olive was fully prepared to misconstrue anything that
+the old gentleman might say or do. Nevertheless, she laid her hands on
+those tightly folded ones, and said gently: "Olive dear, we must be
+charitable and forgiving. Remember, Mr. Congreve is old and very
+peculiar; he always was, and one's peculiarities increase as they grow
+older. You heard what I said about him this morning, and you see he must
+be kind at heart, to have taken such a long journey, just for our
+sakes."
+
+Olive made no answer, and her mother sighed a little.
+
+"In regard to the estrangement between him and papa, I think he went to
+extremes, as hot passionate tempered people are apt to do; and yet, he
+is not wholly at fault, for I grieve very much to say, that in the
+quarrel between my father and Mr. Congreve, father was much to blame;
+he did very wrong, and it was quite natural for Mr. Congreve to feel a
+violent hatred for all his family, and to object to his nephew marrying
+into it. That Mr. Congreve has many times repented his harsh treatment,
+I know to a certainty; but he is proud, as well as hasty, and pride in
+an old man is harder to battle with than in a young one. In speaking of
+papa a few minutes ago down stairs, he could not restrain the tears. He
+says he wrote that letter, and meant it, but that on the day he heard of
+papa's death, he had another letter, and the required check ready to
+send to him."
+
+"I don't believe it!" interrupted Olive passionately. "If he did, he
+wrote it after he heard, just so as to tell you so."
+
+"Oh, my child!" exclaimed Mrs. Dering, sadly, "how your hasty,
+distrustful spirit grieves me. You cannot conceive of the misery it will
+cause you, when you are brought to face the world, where there is so
+much to distrust, and so much that must be overlooked and blindly
+believed in. Can't you allow for others, some of the pride, the wilful
+temper and bitter hastiness that you know so well what it is to battle
+against, when I tell you that the greatest point of difference between
+your own and your great-uncle's disposition, is, that he is as hasty one
+way as you are the other; can't you be more charitable to him?"
+
+"Oh, mama! _I_, like _him_?" cried Olive.
+
+"Yes, dear, except that when you are once angry or hurt, you nurse your
+pride, and repel every advance towards a reconciliation. Mr. Congreve is
+more generous; if he really sees he is wrong, he is as impulsive to mend
+as he was passionate to break. He is bitter and distrustful from a long
+and often sad and disappointed struggle with the world; you are bitter
+and distrustful--for what, my dear child, I never could imagine, for we
+all love you most tenderly, and in this grief and trouble which God has
+sent for some good reason, you have been an inexpressible comfort to us
+all."
+
+Olive withdrew her hand from her mother's clasp, and hurried away
+without a word. Mrs. Dering thought she was hurt, perhaps angry, and
+sighed deeply; but Olive had gone to hide her tears, and resolve to do
+differently, but all her resolves were made without asking for higher
+strength and help.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ODDS AND ENDS.
+
+
+"My patience alive!" exclaimed Kittie, slamming the stove door open, and
+poking in among the ashes and cinders with wrathful haste, "if this
+abominable fire hasn't gone out; I never did in all my life! burnt up a
+bushel of kindling, too, dear me; water in the tea-kettle stone cold,
+not a blessed thing cooking; no more stuff in here to start the fire up,
+and Olive waiting for her breakfast this minute to go to the store, good
+_gracious_!" and having freed her mind, Kittie ran to the back stairs,
+jerked the door open, and shouted with much unseemly energy,--"Kathleen
+Dering!"
+
+"Just so; don't strain your lungs that much again, I'm coming, clear the
+track," responded Kat cheerfully, and came clattering down with her
+shoes unlaced, and her nose as red as a beet.
+
+"Bless the people, but isn't it cold, though. Whew! Jupiter Ammons! What
+a relief it is to say something when you're most friz. You don't look
+cheerful, sister mine."
+
+"I don't care; it's your week to build the fire and mine to set the
+table, and I think you were real mean, to go to sleep again, when you
+know Olive has to have her breakfast at seven," grumbled Kittie, flying
+about distractedly, while Kat sat on the floor and whistled "Down in a
+coal-mine," as she laced her shoes.
+
+"That's the truth, my dear, melancholy like the present days. But you
+just skip into the dining-room and set your table, and I'll have a few
+words to say to this stove in private, if I don't freeze stiff
+beforehand;" and Kat jumped up briskly, having compromised on a lace
+with one shoe, by tying the strings about her ankle. "No kindling to
+begin with! Oh, this is bliss! Now for a trot to the woodshed," and away
+went Kat flying down the yard and back again in a minute with her arms
+full.
+
+"I'll be late," said Olive, putting her head in the door, just as the
+fire began to snap with its new supply of kindling.
+
+"Sorry, but doing the best I can," answered Kat, pausing a minute to
+warm her numb fingers. "Can you get along on bread and coffee for this
+morning?"
+
+"I suppose I'll have to," answered Olive, none too graciously, and shut
+the door again with a snap.
+
+"Cross-patch, draw the latch, sit at the fire and spin," sang Kat; then
+the door opened again, and Ernestine came in.
+
+"Dear me, how cold it is in here, and Bea hasn't got the sitting-room
+fire built either. I'd just as soon be out doors."
+
+"Go on, and let's see how long you'll stay," said Kat, shaking an egg
+into her coffee. "If the fires don't get along fast enough to suit you,
+pitch in and build one of them; there's piles of difference between that
+and standing around watching some one else."
+
+Ernestine chose to ignore the remark, and stood warming her fingers,
+while she contemplated the frosty window-pane.
+
+"To-day's lesson-day, so of course I hate it," she said, with an air of
+settled resignation. "I never thought I'd teach music, that's sure. I
+never was cut out for it, so neither the children, nor I, get along
+well. Is there anything I can do to help out here?"
+
+"No, breakfast is ready; just trot the bread in to the table. I'll bring
+the butter, and the coffee will be done in a few minutes; that's all
+we've got for breakfast this morning," said Kat, vanishing down the
+cellar stairs.
+
+"I could eat two hundred and fifty griddle cakes, I know!" exclaimed
+Kittie, as they collected about the table, and Bea began rattling the
+cups, and the bread started around.
+
+"Come down a hundred and seventy-five," laughed Ernestine who had taken
+time, despite all depressing circumstances, to twist a rose-colored
+ribbon in her sunny hair. "I believe it's going to snow real hard; don't
+I wish those children wouldn't come to-day. You all can't imagine how
+horrible it is to teach music."
+
+"Well, you have the easiest time of any of us," said Kittie.
+
+"You ought to cook and wash dishes awhile," cried Kat.
+
+"Or keep the house," added Bea.
+
+"Or have to stay all day long in the dreariest store in town and keep
+books," echoed Olive.
+
+"I thought you loved to work so?" said Ernestine, in answer to this last
+comparison. "You're always preaching independence."
+
+"So I do," answered Olive, setting her cup down with crackable force. "I
+never would be idle, but I could choose more pleasant kind of work than
+sitting in Mr. Dane's office all day; it's the dreariest place I ever
+got into."
+
+"Well, anyhow, Christmas is coming," said Bea, nodding cheerfully over
+the coffee-urn.
+
+"More's the pity," said Kittie disconsolately. "We're not going to get
+anything; it'll be awful poky."
+
+"But mama'll be home for ten days; oh, bliss!" cried Kat, waving her
+teaspoon, and every cloudy face brightened. "Can't we give her
+something, girls?"
+
+"I don't see how," said Ernestine. "It takes every cent we all earn to
+keep things going. Who ever thought we'd be so poor? Just think of last
+Christmas, how glorious!"
+
+Everybody remembered, and faces saddened again. How gay the house had
+been in evergreens! how mysterious the locked parlors, where all knew, a
+tree stood, branching up to the ceiling; how blissfully happy everybody
+had been during the two weeks when the world becomes one in spirit and
+truth, and the god of good-will wields the sceptre and wears the crown!
+Father had been with them, dear, unselfish, great-hearted papa, whose
+every exertion had been to make them all happy and whose dearest hope
+and prayer had been that his girls might be noble, splendid women, with
+pure, true hearts and the spirit of God therein.
+
+"Olive, will you bring some butter when you come home? This is the last
+drop," said Kittie, scraping the dish, and collecting the silver, after
+the meal was finished, as it was very soon, for breakfasts were hurried
+now-a-days.
+
+"Yes; two pounds? That's the third time this month; our bill will be
+pretty big. If I'm very busy I will not be home to dinner."
+
+"Sha'n't I fix some lunch for you?"
+
+"I haven't time to wait. Where's my rubbers?"
+
+"I don't know. Kat, did you have Olive's rubbers last night?"
+
+"Yes, and I don't know any more than Adam where I put them. Look in the
+closet, Olive, and I'll run up stairs and see," answered Kat, departing
+in haste.
+
+"Well, I wish you would let my things alone," said Olive testily,
+throwing down her mittens and veil, and diving into the closet; the
+general closet, as it was called, where everything, from the kitchen
+stove-hook to the girls best Sunday-go-to-meeting bonnets, were apt to
+find a lodging at odd times. "I never can be on time," she muttered,
+slamming things around and comparing various odd rubbers. "This closet
+looks like a demented bedlam. I'd be ashamed, that's what I would."
+
+"I can't do everything," answered Bea in a hurry, feeling that the
+thrust was meant for her. "Because I'm housekeeper, it doesn't rest on
+me to keep everything in perfect order, when you all help to muss up."
+
+"It's like distraction without mama, anyhow," declared Kittie, departing
+for the kitchen, with her hands full of dishes, and scowling defiantly
+at the stove, where the fire was sizzling with a lazy sputter, while the
+dish-water taking advantage of the lull in heat, cooled at leisure.
+
+"Pretty near as bad without Huldah," was Ernestine's comment. "I'm
+nearly starved for a splendid good meal like we used to have, when we
+could eat all we wanted, and didn't have to think how much it cost, or
+worry with cooking it."
+
+"You do less than anybody towards getting it," said Olive, coming
+flushed and impatient from her vain search. "If Kat doesn't leave my
+things alone, I'll--"
+
+"Let not your angry passions rise," cried Kat, coming in with a rubber
+whirling on each hand, and quoting her copy-book with cheerful disregard
+for any one's anger. "Here's your rubbers, my dear, and I found them
+right where I put them, on the end of our mantel-piece, where I put them
+in plain sight so as not to forget to bring them down this morning, as
+my prophetic soul felt a row in the air if they were not in sight at six
+and a half, sharp."
+
+"You talk like a lunatic," was Olive's sole response as she drew them
+on.
+
+"It's my only talent, dear," answered Kat cheerfully, beginning to work
+on the table, where she made the dishes rattle.
+
+Bea trailed slowly through the room with her broom and dust pan, and a
+rather discontented face. Olive tied on her veil and hurried away to her
+daily business; Ernestine went to practice a new piece 'till the first
+scholar should arrive; and Kittie and Kat were left to the bliss of
+dish-washing and kitchen work. So began the day.
+
+This was several weeks after events last recorded, and all things in the
+Dering household had changed much.
+
+Jean had not gone to Virginia at once. Her wardrobe had needed complete
+repairing, and during the time so occupied, Mr. Congreve spent much of
+it in the city, sending therefrom various and beautiful things for Jean,
+and a dress for each of the girls, doing so without permission, knowing,
+that if asked, it would be refused him.
+
+Kittie and Kat had been withdrawn from school, and studied at home with
+the older girls. Their part of the work fell in the kitchen. With Mrs.
+Dering and Huldah for teachers, they had studied the easier branches of
+cooking, and the crooks and by-ways of that department of general work.
+They proved apt and merry pupils, and learned their tasks quite readily,
+so, that while the girls missed the wonderful dishes that Huldah had
+been able to "knock up," they were daily fed on very palatable food,
+considering the age and newness of the young cooks.
+
+Bea was chief housekeeper, kept an eye over general affairs, sat at the
+head of the table, and had commenced doing her hair in a most dignified
+way; filling with much girlish satisfaction, the position of "Miss
+Dering," and "lady of the house."
+
+Olive was book-keeper in Mr. Dane's store, and really more head of the
+family than Bea, as she kept all accounts, settled the bills, and was
+frequently consulted on some questionable matters, involving the home
+expenses. To Ernestine fell the easy lot of four pupils in music.
+
+Affording her no opportunities of display, or avenue for compliments or
+praise, she thought it very hard indeed, and found it bitterly
+uncongenial, to her ideas of independence, if, indeed, she had ever
+possessed any really tangible ones. She wanted to help, as a matter of
+course, especially as all the rest did; but such an ordinary,
+self-denying way was sadly distasteful to her, and she still had a
+vague, but pleasing, idea of becoming a great prima-donna and
+electrifying vast concourses of people, who would praise, admire, and
+pay her largely. Unfortunately, however, such positions do not lie
+around in wait, and invite some one to honor them with an acceptance;
+but, in spite of such a discouraging fact, Ernestine held tenaciously to
+her pleasing idea, and spent much time in thinking how delightful all
+things would be, when that time arrived.
+
+Mrs. Dering had secured the desired position in the seminary, three
+miles out of Canfield, and had a flourishing class in both music and
+languages. The stage came in twice a week after mail, and at these times
+the anxious mother made hurried trips home, and these few hours were
+snatches of greatest joy and comfort to all parties, and especially
+comforting to the girls, who found the first few weeks of the new life
+very trying, and oftentimes discouraging.
+
+On the next Tuesday evening, when the stage came in, Mrs. Dering found a
+thick, tempting letter, with the Staunton post mark, and Jean's prim,
+childish hand writing. There had come several short letters from the
+little girl, who said she would wait until she saw everything about her
+new home before writing a very long letter to describe it; so it was
+evident now that the long letter had come, and with this extra joy for
+herself and the girls, Mrs. Dering hurried home, where everything was
+radiantly bright for her reception, and where the girls looked and felt
+as though care had rolled from them for the time, or was at least so
+lightened, that it seemed quite gone.
+
+They did not read the letter until after supper, and on the evenings
+when mother was with them, this meal was always a long one, for there
+was so much to talk about, and somehow it seemed so natural and old-time
+like, to linger about the table, that they invariably did so.
+
+After awhile they went into the sitting-room, leaving the dishes until
+later, when mama said they would all help; and seating themselves, with
+many smiles and nods of satisfaction, about the fire, prepared to hear
+all that Jean had to say about her new home.
+
+
+    _Congreve Hall, Staunton, Virginia,
+     November, 29th, 18--._
+
+    "DEAR PRECIOUS MAMA AND SISTERS:
+
+    "I promised to write you a long letter, and tell you all about
+    Congreve Hall, as soon as I had seen everything about it, and
+    felt well enough acquainted to tell it well. It is so beautiful
+    and big that I hardly know how to begin; I do wish the girls
+    could see it, especially Ernestine; she likes splendid, grand
+    things so much.
+
+    "We came out of Staunton, which is a lovely city, in a beautiful
+    carriage, which was waiting for us at the train. It was a lovely
+    day, and the sunshine was so warm that Uncle Ridley had the top
+    all put back, so that I could see everything. The road was so
+    wide and very smooth that the carriage just rolled along like we
+    were on a floor, and the horses were such splendid big black
+    ones, with harness all covered with shiny things, and they acted
+    as if they were as proud as could be. The driver was dressed
+    beautifully, nicer than the gentlemen dress at home for every
+    day, and when I got into the carriage he lifted his tall hat,
+    and called me 'Miss Dering.' It sounded so funny I pretty nearly
+    laughed; but Uncle Ridley looked as if it was all right, so I
+    thought perhaps I had better not.
+
+    "Pretty soon we began to go up hill, and I thought we must have
+    come very far because the horses went so fast; but we had only
+    come half-way. The leaves had not fallen then, and the mountains
+    reaching up so high, way ahead of us, did look like some
+    beautiful pictures that we used to see when papa took us to the
+    city with him. After awhile we came to a big gate, oh, so tall,
+    and such high posts, with figures on top of them, holding big
+    lamps with ever so many globes, and Uncle Ridley says some
+    night, he will light them, so I can see how bright it makes it
+    all around, and way down the road. We went through, and then the
+    road began to wind around, and it was perfectly lovely; we went
+    up and up, under the grandest trees, and after a little ways,
+    there began to be statuary sitting around under them, and
+    beautiful seats made like the limbs of trees, all twisted
+    together. I saw a flight of stone steps, and they came up the
+    hill from another gate, for people that walk, and they look as
+    white as snow in the green grass. All of a sudden we turned
+    around a big curve, and I just screamed right out; I was so
+    surprised, and Uncle Ridley said that was Congreve Hall. Why,
+    mama, it is big enough to be a hotel in the city, and ever so
+    many people could go in the front door all at once, it is so
+    wide, and such lovely marble steps go up to it. There are two
+    big towers, and two funny little squatty ones, with a big stone
+    railing around the top, and there are porches, terraces Uncle
+    Ridley says they call them, all of stone. They go pretty near
+    around the house, and then end in steps, broad ones, that make a
+    big curve and come down to the ground. I think that's a mighty
+    funny way to build them. The house is such a pretty grey color,
+    and some places there is moss growing all over the sides, and
+    there are ever so many vines too, that Uncle Ridley says would
+    hold me up, they are so old and strong. Inside everything is so
+    big and grand and dark, that I was afraid at first, and never
+    went around anywhere unless uncle went with me; but I'm getting
+    more used to it now, and like to hunt around, in the big rooms,
+    and walk around in the splendid halls. My rooms, I have four you
+    know, are all furnished so sweet in blue and white, with the
+    dearest little easy chairs and sofas, and the cunningest little
+    bed, with an angel on top holding the pretty curtains that come
+    down all around. I just thought at first that I would want to
+    stay in bed all the time. My maid has a little room just off my
+    bath room, and she is such a funny girl. She combs my hair and
+    dresses me, and all that, and talks all the time just like a
+    monkey. Her name is Bettine, and she always calls me Miss Jean.
+    My governess, Miss Serle, is such a dear, kind lady, and I'm
+    going to study awful hard, so as to know lots and make you
+    happy, dear mama, when I come home. Uncle Ridley is just the
+    dearest, nicest, kindest uncle that ever lived, I'm sure. He is
+    so good to me, and I love him like everything. Sometimes he
+    tells me about Mabel, and then he takes out his big red
+    handkerchief and cries; and I'm almost glad I'm lame so I can
+    look like her, and make him happier. Mabel Congreve must have
+    been a very sweet little girl, and very pretty; there are
+    pictures of her all over the house, but the one in the library
+    is the prettiest. She is all dressed in white, with such lovely
+    yellow curls, and sitting in the very little blue velvet chair
+    that I ride around in now. Uncle Ridley always sits in there,
+    and I do believe he talks to her. I have all of her things,
+    except her pony; he died, and mine is a new white one; such a
+    darling, and I go to ride every pleasant day in her little
+    buggy, with beautiful soft cushions and silk curtains. Her chair
+    is on wheels, and I can ride all over the house by myself, or
+    have Bettine draw me, whichever I want. All of her things are
+    just as nice as new, because Uncle Ridley has been so careful of
+    them. Yesterday he brought me her crutch, and said he wanted me
+    to use it. It is such a shiny, beautiful black wood, with a
+    silver rim and pad on the bottom, so it don't make any noise,
+    and a soft top covered with blue velvet.
+
+    "I always take my breakfast in my room, because Uncle Ridley
+    does not get up until so late, and it would be very dreary in
+    the big dining-room for me. After breakfast I take a ride either
+    in the house or out, then play awhile, or do as I please until
+    ten; then Miss Serle comes to my room, and my lessons last until
+    twelve. Dinner is gloomy. There is a servant stands behind Uncle
+    Ridley, and he is so tall and solemn looking in his white vest
+    and necktie, that I don't feel comfortable at all. After dinner
+    I play or ride until two o'clock, then I have my lessons and my
+    music 'till four, and after that Miss Serle almost always reads
+    to me awhile. I practice from five o'clock for a half an hour,
+    then play 'till eight o'clock, and that is time for me to go to
+    bed. Some days Uncle Ridley takes me into Staunton with him.
+
+    "I believe I have told you everything now that you asked me
+    about, and I've tried hard to write a nice letter, because you
+    were always so particular about it, I've looked in the
+    dictionary for all the words I wasn't sure of, and I hope you
+    will not find many mistakes. Do please, dear mama and girls,
+    write me long, long letters, because I get so lonesome and
+    homesick for you all. Every night when I say my prayers and ask
+    God to take care of you all, I can hardly keep from crying, and
+    sometimes I do, and then Bettine looks so sorry and most like
+    she wanted to cry too.
+
+    "The doctor that Uncle Ridley wants to have me see first, is
+    very sick, you know I told you, but he is getting better, and
+    perhaps I will not have to wait so long. Oh, my dear mama, I
+    know you ask God to let me grow straight, but please ask Him a
+    very great many times, so that He will be quite sure to hear. I
+    do.
+
+    "I am going into Staunton with Uncle Ridley to put this in the
+    office myself, so you will know it came right from me with a
+    kiss on it.
+
+    "Good-bye, my dear, darling mama and sisters,
+        "Your own
+            "JEANIE."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+WHAT OLIVE HEARD.
+
+
+Mr. Dane had closed his office at four o'clock. Nobody cared why he did
+so, and when he informed his book-keeper that she could go home, she
+never stopped to wonder why, but wiped her pens, straightened her desk,
+got into her wrappings and went, with her mind fixed on a certain
+picture that needed much that these two vacation hours could give.
+
+It was snowing very hard, great blinding flakes that came whirling
+defiantly into your eyes, nose, and mouth; almost preventing a necessary
+amount of sight and breath: and they had collected to such depth, that
+walking was a matter of much labor, and only a few plucky pedestrians
+were out to enliven the quiet shrouded streets. Olive plunged rapidly
+along with her head down and seemed more engrossed with her own
+thoughts, than with any contemplation of the weather, for she whisked
+the impudent flakes aside and seemed to be looking down at something
+that was neither of earth, earthy, or of snow, snowy, but quite beyond
+the realm of either. She was scowling much the same as usual only in
+something of a puzzled way, that had less of the impatient dissatisfied
+tinge to it than was customary. In fact she was thinking of that last
+talk she had had with her mother, before Mr. Congreve went back to
+Virginia, when she had resolved in a vague hasty way, that she was going
+to do differently; and really, how little good, or change, had come from
+the resolution. She didn't think, to begin with, that she was any worse
+than the rest, or that she needed changing any more, but rather any
+thing, than be like Mr. Congreve! So she summed up all she knew of him,
+resolved on what was disagreeable, and began to model herself
+accordingly. So to begin with she was no longer so hasty or bitter, in
+speech I mean, for her inner-self was not touched, she only kept it all
+to herself now, instead of speaking it out as formerly, but if she
+thought herself changed there, she was the only one deceived, for our
+inner minds do not always require the aid of language to photograph
+themselves before the world. Next, instead of staying with the girls out
+of store hours, and running the risk of losing her temper, she held
+herself sternly aloof, always in the security of her own room, and at
+the end of a week was apt to say to herself with some satisfaction:
+
+"There, I surely have done well; haven't been mad with any one this
+week, which is more than the other girls can say;" and there never came
+any thought that the sisters were hurt over her manner, for, indeed, she
+had worked herself up to the bitter belief, that they did not want her,
+she was so ugly, and so unlike them in all ways.
+
+Now what puzzled her was the girls. Here she had worked (yes, she
+thought she had worked), she certainly ought to be improved, and yet
+they seemed to think no more of her than before. Way down in Olive's
+heart, was a longing,--choked and starved, that was beginning to assert
+itself. When home held mother and father and everything that could make
+a girl contented, she had not felt, or rather, listened to it; she
+compelled herself to be without it; but now, when they were left alone,
+when their daily life and happiness was so utterly dependent upon each
+other, she began to realize how she was out of the loving circle that
+bound her sisters together, and what a gulf of her own make, seemed to
+lie between them. She stood beside it in frequent contemplation, but
+never recognized her own handiwork, so she eyed it bitterly, and thought
+them cruelly unkind.
+
+This was what she was thinking about as she plunged through the storm,
+looking like an animated snow-figure, so powdered was she; and regarding
+herself for a moment, Olive went round to the back door, so as to
+dispose of her ladened garments and brush off her shoes This done, she
+went into the kitchen, where a warm atmosphere still lingered, and,
+preferring to be alone, sat down there, with her feet in the oven and
+her chin in her hands, and once more fell into a brown study. Only a few
+minutes later, Kittie came into the dining-room for something, and on
+going back, failed to close the door, so that the murmur of voices came
+quite distinctly out to the quiet kitchen. A discussion was warmly in
+progress, and in a minute Olive started out of her reverie at hearing
+her name spoken.
+
+"What's the use? Olive knows, or ought to know better." It was
+Ernestine's voice.
+
+"But, mama says," interposed Bea, mildly persuasive, "that we don't try
+hard enough; we give up too soon."
+
+"Bother," cried Kat, "would she have us always playing the 'gentle
+sister, meek and mild,' and go whining about Olive as though her company
+was a great honor. I'm sure we had a season of always begging her to go
+with us, and didn't she snap us up like a rat-trap?"
+
+"She--well--she's very odd you know," said Bea, wondering if her quiver
+of defense would outlast the arrows of complaint.
+
+"Yes, odd, as an odd shoe," laughed Kat with a yawn.
+
+"What did mama say to you, Bea?" asked Ernestine.
+
+"She said that Olive's greatest fault was being so nasty and sensitive,
+and that because she was rather plain and--"
+
+"She isn't," interrupted Kittie, with much energy. "I think she has
+beautiful eyes, if she just wouldn't scowl so much, and when she laughs
+her mouth and teeth are just as pretty, only she never laughs more'n
+once a month, so people don't know it. Not one of us has such lovely
+thick hair as she has, and if she just would wave or crimp it a little
+bit in front, I think--well, I think she would be real pretty." And
+overcome with this valuable earnest defence, Kittie sat down and looked
+complacent.
+
+"When I see Olive Dering crimping her hair, and laughing instead of
+scowling, I will look for the end of the world," said Ernestine, with
+some asperity, as she walked over to the glass and surveyed her own
+hair, which Kittie had intimated was inferior to Olive's. "She can't do
+it, she was made to frown and stay by herself and she better do it."
+
+"You don't mean it, Ernestine, you know you don't," said Bea, in a tone
+of calm conviction, and beginning to feel that the duties of elder
+sister imposed a warmer defense of this abused one, upon her. "I want to
+tell you how I feel, though it may be nothing as you all do. I really
+believe Olive thinks we do not want her, because, for so long time
+lately, we have just let her alone, and she always goes----"
+
+"None of us ever receive a special invitation to join this circle,"
+interrupted Kat, briskly. "Why should she?"
+
+"I don't know, but she is so strange," answered Bea, rather helplessly,
+but not giving up. "And because she is so, we have sort a' stayed
+together and let her alone. When we used to try to get her to go with
+us, I think she always refused, because she thought she was ugly, and we
+did not try long enough to overcome this feeling, and now she imagines
+we don't want her."
+
+"Stuff," persisted Kat, "I wouldn't act that way if I was as ugly as a
+wilted pumpkin and cross-eyed. What's the use?"
+
+"None," promptly responded Beatrice. "But if you were like her, very
+likely you'd feel as she does."
+
+"Catch me," laughed Kat, jumping up and making a scornful spin on her
+heel. "What do you say, Kittie?"
+
+"I had my say a minute ago," answered Kittie, who was evidently thinking
+out something over the flames.
+
+"I wonder what makes her hate Uncle Ridley so?" was Ernestine's query,
+as she turned from the glass, having satisfied herself that Kittie was
+certainly wrong about Olive's hair.
+
+"I never could imagine," answered Bea, with evident curiosity.
+
+"She won't call him, uncle, and the dress he sent her is in mama's room,
+and Olive says, she'll never wear it."
+
+"May be she would give it me," suggested Kat. "I think hers was prettier
+than any of the rest."
+
+"Well, I don't," said Ernestine, taking exceptions to this remark also.
+"Why hers is black?"
+
+"I'm perfectly aware of that, also, that yours is purple, Bea's brown,
+mine and Kittie's grey; tell me something I don't know," said Kat
+flippantly. "I wish ours were black, it's so stylish."
+
+That black was more stylish than purple, was an idea quite beneath
+Ernestine's notice, so she went back to her former query.
+
+"I would like to know, anyhow, what makes Olive dislike him so." For
+Mrs. Dering had not thought it necessary that the girls should know of
+their father's final appeal, and Mr. Congreve's reception thereof; so
+they were all equally curious, and so, nobody being able to give an
+answer, Kat ventured an assertion.
+
+"She hates him just because it's a part of her religion to hate
+everybody, and, to go around with her fist doubled up ready to fight. I
+believe she'd hate us with a little trying."
+
+"Kat," cried Beatrice, with some severity. "You must not speak so, it is
+wrong, and you don't mean it Why, if any one else was to say such things
+about Olive, you'd pretty near fight."
+
+"To be sure I would," said Kat with ready inconsistency. "I truly think
+Olive is a trump, and I'd cheerfully knock anybody down who said she
+wasn't. I don't know what we would have done without her in the trouble,
+and I do wish she wasn't so odd, and stayed away from us so."
+
+"She makes me think of a chestnut burr," said Kittie resorting to
+figurative comparisons. "There's lots of good in her, but she won't let
+any one get at it. If we try, she shuts up and gets prickly. I never
+thought much about it, until here lately, and then she was so splendid,
+and knew how to do everything; and, I begin to think that there is ever
+so much more to her than we think, even if she is queer, and don't seem
+to like us much."
+
+"Well, I wouldn't worry so about her," interposed Ernestine, as though
+the subject wearied her. "She evidently don't like us excessively, or
+care about being with us, so leave her alone. Bea, come let's try our
+duet."
+
+Olive had sat perfectly still, and heard all this, quite unconscious
+that her feet were getting chilly in the cold oven, or that, perhaps,
+she should have notified them of her presence. She had a vague feeling,
+as of one trying hard to solve a problem, and pausing suddenly in her
+vain efforts, to listen to some one solving it for her. But surely they
+could not be right! Olive left her seat noiselessly, and went up the
+back stairs to her room. It was bitterly cold there, but she wrapped her
+shawl about her, and sat down by the window, where the fast falling
+snow was almost hidden in a heavy wrap of early twilight. Olive did not
+often pray. To be sure she said her prayers every night, as properly and
+methodical as clockwork, and was very particular about always kneeling
+down, as though position could atone for any lacking earnestness; for
+she was just as apt to be thinking of her account-book, or Mr. Dane's
+last order, as of anything, in the hurried words that slid over her
+lips. Yes, she prayed in this way once in every twenty-four hours, but
+there never came to her any of those sudden, passionate appeals for help
+or strength, when the whole heart leaps to the lips, or pleads dumbly,
+in its great need. Notwithstanding all teachings to the point, it never
+really occurred to her that God had as quick and sympathetic an ear for
+a little prayer of few words over some trivial worry, given silently in
+the busy kitchen, or on the crowded street, as He had for those when she
+knelt down at night, and absently asked for her daily bread, and to
+forgive as she was forgiven, and then get properly into bed and
+refrained from speaking again, lest she spoilt the effect. At any rate,
+the first prayer that had ever sprung to her lips, with the suddenness
+of utter helplessness, came from them now, as she sat there, trying to
+think and battle with hasty conclusions that would spring up:
+
+"Oh God, please don't let me try to think it out alone, because I will
+get it all wrong if I do. If it is my fault, make me feel it and know
+how to act, and don't let me be so odd, or whatever it is that makes me
+feel as I do."
+
+With the earnestness of the request, came a quiet feeling that she felt
+to be her answer, and all the time she sat there, which was until the
+supper-bell rang, she felt more contented than ever before with her
+thoughts. Not that God immediately took away her faults, and left her
+placid and quiet, with nothing to battle against, because He does not do
+that way; it can never be said to us: "Well done, good and faithful
+servant," if we've done nothing; and the battling with our faults and
+worries is just as much our work, as the successful doing of some great
+deed that may bring both God's pleasure and an earthly halo.
+
+When Mrs. Dering came home on Friday evening, she was quick to note a
+change of some kind, not but what every one seemed the same at a quick
+observation, but, there was a something. Now don't think that any thing
+so unnatural and improbable had happened, as Olive being bereft of all
+faults, and suddenly clothed in the guise of a household angel, because
+there hadn't, there never does; but she had thought much, and Olive had
+a mind capable of more deep reasoning thought than most girls of
+fifteen; she stopped fighting herself with weapons solely of her own
+make, but sent many a little wordless prayer for a different feeling,
+and then she found that it came more easily, and more completely
+triumphed over its enemy. To-night she had a little ribbon tied in her
+hair, only a small thing, but something unusual for Olive, and Mrs.
+Dering noticed that the bow at her throat was just of the same shade,
+also something unusual. Now over just this little thing, Olive had stood
+in silence, while two feelings within her held an argument:
+
+"What's the use," said one; "you're as ugly as fate, and the girls will
+laugh; besides if you go in the sitting-room after supper, they will say
+you just did it to make them say something."
+
+"No such thing," retorted the other, "You've no right to think such
+things, when they've given you no reason. Go on right down stairs, you
+know they want you, they said they did." And so she had gone down
+immediately,--perhaps she took a little pleasure in defying
+herself,--and though the girls saw the ribbons the moment she came in,
+no one said anything, for there came a feeling to each, that she would
+not want them spoken of.
+
+Mrs. Dering noticed also that when they were gathered in the
+sitting-room after supper, that instead of sitting off in the far corner
+of the lounge as usual, she had joined the circle about the table, and
+was busy on some worsted work.
+
+Ernestine was rocking idly with her pretty feet displayed on the fender,
+and her prettier hands clasped above her head, in an attitude both
+graceful and becoming. She was surveying the group about the table,
+where all hands were busy, and all tongues going merrily, and more than
+once her eyes went from Olive's ribbon's to Olive's face, so changed
+under the effect of a smile. They were talking of father now, with their
+voices lowered a little, and looking up frequently to the large
+portrait, as if expecting him to answer, and she wondered a little, what
+could be the matter with Olive, that she talked so much more than usual.
+
+"A penny for your thoughts Ernestine," said Bea, in a pause that came
+presently.
+
+"I was just thinking how hard it was to be disappointed," answered
+Ernestine, as pathetically as though the whole world had grieved her in
+some way.
+
+"What's your disappointment! tell us," cried Kittie with interest; and
+everybody looked up expectant at the young lady who "had a
+disappointment."
+
+"Why, I want to study with great masters and be a splendid wonderful
+singer, with the whole world at my feet, and sending me elegant
+presents," said Ernestine, who always liked to tell her little
+grievances or wants, and receive condolence or help.
+
+"What a modest desire," laughed Kat. "Hasn't some one else got a
+disappointment, because they can't sit on a gold throne and eat sauce
+made of pearls with a gold spoon?"
+
+"I've got one," said Bea, with her head over her sewing. "I'd like to
+have mama stay home and be easy, and I'd like to have lots of pretty
+clothes and some real lace."
+
+"Well, I've got one," announced Kat briskly. "I don't like being poor. I
+hate pots and kettles worse than mad dogs. I would like a wheel-barrow
+full of butter-scotch every day and a pair of slippers with blue tops
+and French heels. I haven't got any talent, so I needn't worry about
+never being able to bring it out; it would scare me to death if I had
+one, because talented people are always expected to do something big.
+That's all, and I don't know really where the disappointment is, but I
+guess it's the butter-scotch and slippers. What's yours Kittie?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Kittie, with a sigh and a glance at her hands.
+"I guess mine's having to wash dishes, and not having black eyes, and
+not being able to travel all over the world."
+
+"Well, I've got one too," said Olive, to every one's intense surprise,
+as they did not suppose that she was paying any attention to what they
+were saying, much less to join them. "I'd like to be as beautiful as the
+loveliest portrait ever seen, and be able to paint the grandest pictures
+in the world."
+
+Everyone was silent with astonishment. For Olive to express two wishes,
+and such exaggerated ones, before them all, was something no one could
+fully appreciate who had not heard her repeatedly ridicule the same when
+uttered by the others.
+
+Mrs. Dering had been sewing and listening with a smile, but now she
+glanced up, met Olive's eyes, and the smile brightened warmly, and there
+was something in it that made Olive's heart feel happy and glad that she
+had made her little speech, though she had hesitated before doing so.
+
+"I don't suppose anybody cares to hear about my disappointments," said
+Mrs. Dering, not looking as if she had any.
+
+"Yes, we do; I was just going to ask," exclaimed Kittie, moving closer.
+"I know you've got heaps, and they're not about clothes and
+butter-scotch, and eyes, and doing great things either. Now tell us
+all."
+
+"I don't see why I should have heaps," began Mrs. Dering, with a laugh.
+"Is it because I am so old, or do I look as though I had been weighted
+down with them?"
+
+"Why, no indeed; but didn't you ever have any, really?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, my dear girls, many; that at the time, perhaps seemed very
+hard and bitter; but I came through them, and have seen some happy,
+happy days where their shadow never fell. I tell you what would be a
+very bitter disappointment to me now, and that would be to have my
+girls grow to womanhood, and each be discontented with her lot. I would
+feel as though all my love and labor had been in vain. It is my constant
+regret that I cannot give you each a complete and finished education,
+and supply home with all the comforts we love; but when I look at you
+now, all working so bravely, and receiving with so little complaint your
+rigid discipline, it makes me happy indeed, because I see in you, a
+womanly strength and character, that a life of ease, comfort, and few
+self-denials, could never have brought out clearly, and I know that God
+has chosen this way to make our girls the dear noble women we want them.
+I would that He had seen best to leave father with us, but He did not,
+so we must just feel that He still loves, and is interested in us, and
+have just as much thought for His approval as when _he_ was with us.
+Now, about your disappointments;" and there she paused to glance around,
+but each young face was warm with interest, so she went on with her
+cheery smile:
+
+"Here Ernestine, to begin with, wants to conquer the world with song,
+and receive elegant presents. Dearie, to conquer the world, the great,
+many-faced world, one's head and heart must be capable and willing to
+assume any and every guise; to stoop to every form of policy that
+secures the fickle smile; to bend to all its freaks, until it is
+subject to yours; and after you had done this, after you had spent your
+life's sweetest and purest years in studying the art of deceit and
+triumph, and had brought the beautiful wicked world to your feet, would
+you be quite happy? Could you ever be again the fresh, untouched, pure
+hearted creature that you are now? I'm afraid not, dear; and your
+warmest, greatest longing, would come back to home and girlhood, when
+you only knew the world's wickedness by hearsay, when you owed it
+nothing, and never heard its grasping cry for pay for its homage.
+
+"Bea wants pretty clothes, and regrets that mother must work. Quite
+natural, dear, we all love pretty clothes, and I hope some time we can
+have all we want, providing it does not become a chief and selfish
+desire. Mother loves to work for her girls, and only regrets that it
+must take her from them so much of the time, for the dearest light to a
+mother's life, the brightest cloud that receives that life's setting
+sun, is found in the circle of her children's faces. To go back to Bea,
+she wants some real lace; I hope she may have it some time; it is a
+beautiful and valuable addition to a lady's wardrobe. But I am quite
+sure that the face of my Beatrice could never look lovelier over a garb
+of rarest and most exquisite workmanship than it does to-night, over a
+pretty linen band, with its womanly thoughtfulness and care."
+
+Bea flushed joyfully, and bent lower over her sewing, while mother went
+on, with a glance at Kat's expectant face:
+
+"Next comes one of papa's 'boys' with such a hodgepodge of a
+disappointment, that I can hardly make out which part of it grieves her,
+or if any does. She don't like pots and kettles, but they often teach us
+unromantic but necessary lessons that fans and perfumery never could. A
+wheel-barrow per day of butter-scotch would soon leave her more than she
+could manage or desire, and slippers with satin tops and high heels,
+would only prove themselves useless and injurious. She also says she has
+no talent, but she has a rare and valuable one, that of making the best
+of all her little trials and grievances, of keeping her daily sunshine
+free from clouds, and making home happy with her cheerful, happy heart."
+
+Kittie gave her mother's hand a grateful squeeze, for praise given to
+either of the twins was dear to the other; and Kat sank out of her sight
+in her chair, quite overcome, and resolved heartily to cultivate her
+talent to the uttermost.
+
+"Now, our other 'boy,'" continued Mrs. Dering, smiling down into
+Kittie's upturned face, "wants black eyes, don't like dish-washing, and
+would like to travel. I wonder if she thinks I would give up these
+brave, true, trusty blue eyes, for all the black ones in the universe.
+They show what a warm, faithful heart lies within, a heart that shares
+its twin's talent for making sunshine out of shadows, and home happy
+with its laughter. A life without a dish-pan misses a good
+disciplinarian, and, sometimes, a teacher of patience; it's like pots
+and kettles--unpleasant but necessary, so the sooner we take hold, when
+we have it to handle, and the better the grace with which we handle it,
+just so much have we brought our rebellious likes and dislikes under
+control, and made the best of our duty. While you are getting ready to
+travel, dear, read the works of those who have travelled, have your mind
+fresh and ready to more heartily enjoy what others have seen and made
+immortal through the power of their pen, and if it is best that that
+pleasure should be given you, it will come at the right time.
+
+"Our Olive next. I wonder if she thinks that though her face was as
+exquisitely beautiful as the rarest picture ever painted, that it could
+be any more precious to our sight, than it is now; or if beauty of the
+loveliest type would be taken in exchange for the strong, earnest
+character and brave, true heart that is stamped in it. The most
+beautiful face may sometimes, by nature's indelible portrayer, reveal
+itself soulless in heart and mind; and the plainest face possess an
+irresistible charm, if it is allowed to interpret the emotions of a
+truly noble heart. I have no ambition that my little girl should paint
+the grandest pictures in the world, but I hope before long to give her
+instructions in the art that she loves, and then I want her to use to
+the uttermost, the beautiful talent God has given her, and though it
+should fall far short of being the grandest picture, I should be very
+happy, and quite content."
+
+Mrs. Dering began folding up her sewing as she finished, and the girls
+did likewise, looking as though they had taken the little talk to heart
+and were thinking over it. Olive went out for her account-books and her
+face wore a happier look, than any one could remember seeing there
+lately. Before they got through examining and comparing accounts, the
+other girls said good-night and went up stairs, and when the last book
+was pushed aside, Mrs. Dering put her arm around Olive, who sat on the
+stool at her feet, and looked down at her with a smile.
+
+"I like this, dear," she said, touching the ribbons. "And you have made
+me so much happier to-night, by looking more happy, what is it dear?"
+
+"Nothing, mama," answered Olive. "Only I came home early one day, when
+the girls didn't know it, and I heard them talking about me. They said
+how queer and odd I was, and how they felt hurt, because I always stayed
+away from them, and some more things, and mama, I was so amazed. I
+always thought they didn't want me, and I didn't know which way to
+believe and I,--I just asked God to help me; and I guess He did. It's
+terrible hard work, though I've only tried it a few days. I'm so ugly,
+and I've got such a dreadful temper, and always want to think the wrong
+way, but I notice that I really have been happier these few days; and
+mama, to-night, you--" Olive paused and looked up shyly, she did not
+often say such things and it cost something of a little effort to
+begin--"you looked so happy and I couldn't help but feel that it was
+because you were glad, and I really am going to try all the harder now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LITTLE BLACK TRUNK.
+
+
+When Spring came, spirits and strength began to flag. Everything without
+was so alluring, that indoors and duties grew dreadfully monotonous and
+tiresome. Bea found that her sweeping and dusting fell terribly behind,
+because she spent so much time sitting in the window-sills, and standing
+in the doors, where the sunshine was so temptingly clear and warm, and
+from where the yard and trees, so rapidly budding out, could be enjoyed.
+Olive dreaded her close dark counting-room, but said little about it, in
+the belief that complaining wouldn't help. Ernestine's four scholars
+lessened to two, and as the days grew warmer she spent much of the time
+on the lounge, looking listless, and betraying little interest in
+anything.
+
+Kittie and Kat, found that snatching moments from work, to take a race
+down the yard, or gather some particular cluster of fresh young
+blossoms, gave dish-water a chance to cool; or dust, left ready for
+taking up, to blow back to all corners of the room. Meals began to fall
+behind, but everybody was too warm and listless to eat much, or mind the
+tardiness. In short, everybody had the spring fever, but such ordinary
+complaint was not noticed, until, as the heat grew more debilitating,
+Bea said to her mother one evening, as they stood in the door, looking
+out into the soft still moonlight that lay so purely over the fresh
+early grass and blossoms:--"Mama, seems to me Ernestine is not well."
+
+Bea could not understand why her mother should start so, at such a
+slight intimation, or why her face should look so anxious as she turned
+it.
+
+"Why, dear?"
+
+"She lies down so much; it may be because the weather has turned warm so
+suddenly, but seems to me, she is so pale and quiet, and it is something
+so unusual, that I couldn't help but notice it; but then, may be, it's
+nothing after all."
+
+"Only the weather, I fancy," answered Mrs. Dering; but Bea saw that she
+looked uneasy, and that all that evening she watched Ernestine, who lay
+on the lounge, more lively than she had been for several days, with a
+sparkling light in her eyes, and a rich color in her face, that made her
+more beautiful than mother or sisters had ever seen her before. Bea
+watched her mother with some anxiety and no little curiosity. How sad
+and troubled her eyes looked, as they rested on Ernestine's radiant
+face, while every now and then a tremble seized her lips, even while she
+smiled at the continual merry nonsense that seemed to possess the girls
+that night.
+
+"Ernestine's going to run away," announced Kittie, presently, with some
+abruptness; but no one but Bea, who was on the alert, saw how her mother
+started, with a force that ran her needle clear under her thumb nail, or
+how excessively pale she was as she wiped off the little drops of blood.
+
+"That I am," laughed Ernestine gayly. "Some of these fine mornings I'll
+be gone, and you'll find a touching little note on my pin-cushion; and
+after I've earned piles of glory and money, I'll come back in an elegant
+carriage, and set you all up in luxury."
+
+Everybody laughed, and professed much impatience for the delightful time
+to arrive; but Mrs. Dering pushed her sewing aside with an impatient
+hand that trembled, and proposed that Ernestine sing for them, which she
+immediately did, with a bewildering bird-like witchery, that held them
+all entranced, and made the girls sigh more than once, that some of the
+flute-like tones had not been given to them, as their talent.
+
+Mrs. Dering's last look and words, when she left next morning, were for
+Ernestine, who looked languid and pale in the sunshine, with all her
+radiant sparkle and color gone, and no sound or look of song about her
+lips; and after the hack had gone, and the girls returned to the house,
+Kat said to Kittie, with much resentment in her voice:
+
+"Ernestine always was the petted one in this family. Just see how
+anxious mama is about her having a little spring fever, and what an easy
+time she has, anyhow. Only two music scholars! I guess we've got the
+spring fever just as bad as she has, but we have to work just as hard as
+ever, and I don't think it is fair."
+
+And Kittie, notwithstanding she had some such thoughts herself, answered
+promptly:
+
+"Well, I suppose there's a reason of some kind, because you know Kat,
+mama never would do anything unfair. Perhaps she thinks Ernestine is
+more delicate than we are."
+
+"Delicate--fiddlesticks! I've three minds to believe it's because she's
+got such big brown eyes and yellow hair, and is so--well--so--"
+
+"Ain't you ashamed," interrupted Kittie, slamming down her dishes. "To
+hint at such a thing, Kat Dering!"
+
+The very next evening that brought Mrs. Dering home, brought her with a
+proposition for Ernestine to go into the country for a week or two,
+giving her two pupils a vacation for that length of time. Perhaps it
+occurred to each of the girls that they needed the rest just as much,
+if not a little more than Ernestine, and perhaps Mrs. Dering detected
+the look in their faces, for she sighed, and Bea discovered that the
+same sad look, only deepened and more anxious, lingered in her eyes; and
+to show her repentance for a moment's complaining thought, she entered
+heartily into Ernestine's selfish joy.
+
+"Just think how I will ride horseback," cried Ernestine, gayly. "I must
+fix out a habit some way, mama, and girls, you must let me have all your
+pretty things, because Mrs. Raymond's girls dress beautifully, and
+entertain a great deal."
+
+"But my dear," spoke her mother, "I am sending you out there to rest, to
+enjoy their lovely home, and to grow stronger on country air, not to
+frolic and waste all your strength."
+
+"Oh, mama, what an idea!" laughed Ernestine. "Why, I'm not sick, I don't
+need rest, all I want is a little fun and something gay. Look at Bea;
+she's as pale as a little ghost; you might talk about sending her out to
+the country to be quiet, and drink milk, but not me. I don't need it."
+And Ernestine nodded gayly to her own radiant reflection in the glass
+opposite; then without waiting for any answer, jumped up and waltzed
+around the room.
+
+"What a blessing it is that Uncle Ridley gave us the dresses. My purple
+is just as stylish as can be, only I do wish, mama, you'd have let me
+had a train to it; I'm so tall, and plenty old enough. Bea, will you let
+me have that pretty gilt butterfly that you fixed for your hair, and
+your gold cuff pins? I've lost one of mine, and they are always such an
+addition to one's dress. Olive, you never wore your new black kids much;
+let me take them, will you? mine look worn, and I do love nice gloves;
+they always mark a lady. And your new dress. I do need a black one
+dreadfully, and you say you never will wear yours, so you might just as
+well give it to me,--loan it, anyhow."
+
+"You may have it, for all I care," answered Olive. "But my gloves are
+one of the things that I cannot loan."
+
+"Nor the dress," said Mrs. Dering, quickly. "You have quite enough
+dresses, Ernestine, and besides, Olive's is from her Uncle Ridley, and
+she cannot give it away."
+
+Ernestine couldn't see any sense of having it lay upstairs in the
+drawer, though she did not say so; and privately thought that perhaps
+she could coax her mother around, since Olive was so willing. It proved
+quite a vain idea, however, though she made it her last request in the
+morning, before her mother left.
+
+"No, Ernestine, I spoke quite as decidedly the first time you asked me.
+Be all ready to go by this day week, you have not much sewing to do.
+Good-bye, once more, my girls; be careful of the lights, take good care
+of yourselves and do not get sick. Write to Jean to-morrow, a nice long
+letter and tell her everything. Good-bye."
+
+So she went away again, and nothing discouraged at her inability to
+secure Olive's dress, Ernestine danced gayly into the house and off to
+her room, to overlook, for the dozenth time, her little collection of
+trinkets, and to sing blithely over her dresses; for she did possess the
+spirit of coming down cheerfully to any thing inevitable excepting work,
+and then, perhaps, mama would relent at the final moment, when she saw
+how much a black dress was really needed.
+
+"It's as lonesome as a desert, and Ernestine is selfish as a pig,"
+declared Kittie, subsiding gloomily on to the stairs as the hack rattled
+out of sight.
+
+"Two solemn facts, but they won't wash the dishes," rejoined Kat,
+balancing over the bannisters, in a way that threatened immediate
+perpendicularity, with a change of base from what was customary.
+
+"I hate dishes and dish-pans and everything," exclaimed Kittie with much
+vehemence. "Any how, this is your week to wash, and mine to wipe; go
+along and get the old things ready, and I'll be out in a minute."
+
+"I'll change with you next week," said Beatrice turning from the door,
+where she had stood contemplatively. "You and Kat may tend to all the
+sweeping, and dusting, and keeping the house in order, and I'll do the
+kitchen work."
+
+"Hurrah, will you?" cried Kittie, flying up from her despondent
+attitude. "You're a jewel, Bea, shake hands."
+
+Bea surrendered her hand with some misgiving, rightfully conjecturing
+that it would receive a shake and twist of over-powering heartiness in
+the high tide of Kittie's spirits; and that young lady, having done her
+best to dislocate that useful member, rushed off to impart the news to
+Kat, and swing her dish rag jubilantly.
+
+The change of instruments, as the girls said, took place Monday morning.
+Bea awoke, to find her bed-posts ornamented variously, with a dish-pan,
+a flaunting rag and two scrupulously neat towels, while there was a
+sound of revelry in the lower hall, which would indicate that the twins
+were up, and at their new branch of work, with a vigor which novelty
+always imparts to labor. Not that there was anything so novel to a broom
+or dust-pan, but they were so tired of their work, that Bea's really
+seemed delightful and easy and much to be envied.
+
+"You must have been anxious to get to work," said that sister, coming
+down the stairs with her post ornaments, and interrupting a lively
+skirmish, where brooms flew around through the air, with a cheerful
+disregard for the swinging lamp, or any one's head.
+
+"Anxious to get through, you mean," laughed Kat, throwing down her
+weapon, and tumbling her dishevelled hair into a net. "Hollo, Kittie,
+your corners are swept cleaner'n mine."
+
+"Of course," answered Kittie complacently, and turning her broom right
+end up, in a spasm of housewifely care. "You better go to work and do
+yours over; that's in the bargain, isn't it, Bea?"
+
+"Work to be done well," said Bea, surveying Kat's corners with a
+critical eye. "And those are not clean; you've slipped right by them."
+
+"Just as well," asserted Kat, whisking her broom about and scattering
+the dust that disgraced a small corner over such extent of surface that
+it could not be noticed. "That's the way. What's the use of being so
+particular?"
+
+Bea shook her head and declared it wouldn't do, then gave to Kittie the
+overwhelming responsibility of keeping Kat straight, and departed for
+the kitchen.
+
+"Set the blind to lead the blind," laughed Kat, spinning about on her
+heels, and finishing up with a hearty hug for Kittie, and the penitent
+remark: "You are getting lots better than I, that's a fact; and I must
+begin to brush up and sober down, or I'll be the black sheep of the
+flock,--as if I wasn't always that. But you really are getting terrible
+good, Kittie; I've seen it for a long time and it makes me
+uncomfortable; spin around and be gay like you used to."
+
+"Nonsense," laughed Kittie, then looked sober, and sat down upon the
+stairs suddenly. "I'm not good, Kat, it isn't that; I don't know how to
+be; but some way, I can't be as terribly wild and gay as I used to be,
+there seems to be so much more to think about now, and seems to me we
+ought to help think as much as the others, and besides, I don't think we
+ought to be so wild any more; why, Kat, we're in our teens!"
+
+"Suppose we are, dear me!" cried Kat, standing off and surveying her
+sister with a sort of vague alarm, "what ever is the matter with this
+family? Olive is getting so pleasant, and wears ribbons, and you're not
+going to be wild any more, and have gone to thinking; you'll both die
+next thing, good people always die; and anyhow, my fun's all up. I never
+can be gay if you sit around so solemn and goody-goody;" and Kat rumpled
+up her hair and looked desperate.
+
+"The idea, what a speech!" exclaimed Kittie, looking as if her new
+resolutions had received a shock. "As if I couldn't be sensible without
+being goody-goody, whatever that is. Pick up your broom and don't worry,
+my dear. I'll never die of being too good."
+
+Nevertheless, Kat looked forlorn all the rest of the day, and had spells
+of solemnly surveying Kittie, as though some wonderful change had taken
+place, and a pair of wings, or some equally astonishing thing might be
+the result. Next morning was as beautiful as a spring morning ever could
+be, and Kat took much comfort in the fact, that, in her haste to get out
+to the pond, Kittie flew about the sitting-room in a hurry, whisked the
+dirt under the stove, didn't stop to dust, except a rapid skim over the
+top, left the piano shut, neglected to put fresh flowers under father's
+portrait, and shut the blinds so as to hide all defects under a
+comfortable shielding gloom. Kat looked on and felt relieved. Kittie
+wasn't going to be so dreadfully good and proper after all, and much
+consoled, Kat put on her hat, and dashed out to the pond, where Kittie
+was already sailing about, with her head still ornamented in a dust-cap.
+
+Bea had watched their early departure from the field of work, with some
+misgiving, and decided to go and take a view of the house as soon as she
+got the dishes put away, but just at that moment, the door bell rang;
+and dear me, what should she do? The twins were at the farthest end of
+the pond, yelling like bedlamites, Bea declared. Ernestine had finished
+her small share of work, then put on her cocked-up hat with a blue bow,
+and gone down town; so there was no one left to see to the door, and
+smoothing down her hair, Bea hurried through the hall with flushed
+cheeks and some anxiety.
+
+True to a prophetic feeling which possessed her, the opening of the door
+disclosed to view the last person to be desired, on that or any other
+morning: Miss Strong, a regular Dickensonian old maid.
+
+"Good morning, sweet child!" she exclaimed, the moment Bea's dismayed
+face presented itself.
+
+"Good morning, Miss Strong; will you come in?"
+
+"Come in? Surely, dear. I want to see you all; and then I hear that you
+and your sisters are such model little housekeepers, and I think it is
+so lovely that you all, in your heart-rending afflictions, should bow so
+meekly beneath God's chastening rod, and put your shoulders to the
+wheel."
+
+Bea opened the sitting-room door in fear and trembling, and blinded by
+the spring sunshine, Miss Strong walked into the dark room, in her
+girlish, hasty way, and immediately stumbled over a footstool, and
+landed at full length on the lounge, with such force that she dropped
+her beaded reticule, and knocked her bonnet off.
+
+"Oh, I am so sorry," cried Bea, running to pick up the things, and
+return them to the startled and scarlet-faced spinster. "I don't know
+why Kittie shut the blinds, she oughtn't to."
+
+"No, I should say she hadn't, I should, indeed," returned Miss Strong,
+putting on her bonnet with a jerk, and snapping her reticule. "It's a
+sinful shame, the way some people keep their houses dark as dungeons, to
+hide dirt and dust. I have heard that you were neat housekeepers, but I
+can't help having my opinion of people who shut out every speck of
+light, and trip up respectable people in this way."
+
+Poor Bea's face burned and burned, and her heart throbbed faster as she
+went to the window, to open the blinds, feeling that her reputation was
+at stake, and that the first ray of light would kindle the faggots. Not
+a speck of dust, from the ceiling down, would escape Miss Strong's eagle
+eyes, and oh, how she would talk about it! Well, it was done; she threw
+them open, and turned around in the calmness of despair. The glaring
+sunshine came boldly in, and danced over the dusty table, over the top
+of the piano, where you might have written your name, right under the
+stove where the dirt lay thick, all around the corners, into Miss
+Strong's scornful, roving eyes, and into Bea's burning face. Miss Strong
+was angry. She never liked to be seen or heard under a disadvantage, and
+she surely had received an unreconcilable insult just now. Besides, she
+always went about seeking whom she might devour; she wore little
+spit-curls all over her sallow, wrinkled forehead, had a hooked nose, a
+long, sharp chin, a dried-apple mouth, and two fiercely bright eyes,
+that looked clear through you, and plainly indicated that she thought
+you all wrong, and at fault. Whenever she heard any one praised, she
+immediately set about finding a flaw somewhere, and heralded it to the
+world, as soon as found. She knew the Dering family were not as nice and
+worthy of praise and sympathy, as people seemed to think, and she had
+come this morning on purpose to find out, and then correct the deluded
+public mind. She was quite satisfied, and the "I-told-you-so" spirit
+was so jubilant within her, that she could hardly keep from flaunting it
+before Bea's distressed face. She satisfied herself, however, with
+looking at each dusty article with great care, brushing some imaginary
+specks from her dress, settling her bonnet, and asking abruptly:
+
+"How's your mother? I haven't long to stay."
+
+"She was quite well, thank you, the last time she was home," answered
+Bea, watching those eagle eyes in terror.
+
+"Umph! Pity she can't stay home," said Miss Strong, once more taking in
+the room with an unmistakable glance.
+
+"It's very lonely without her," assented Bea, catching sight of the
+wilted flowers under her father's portrait, and fervently hoping that
+her visitor's eye would not see them. But vain hope! Miss Strong's eyes
+went straight from the dirt under the stove up to the neglected vase,
+and she smiled in a way, that made Bea long to jump up and scream.
+
+"I have often wanted to see your father's portrait, and I have heard
+what beautiful flowers you always kept under it. So lovely!"
+
+"We do," answered Bea, with much dignity, and flashing a resentful
+glance at Miss Strong. "Papa loved flowers dearly, and we always love to
+have them under his picture; but Kittie must have been in a hurry, and
+forgotten it this morning."
+
+"In-deed," said Miss Strong slowly. "But excuse me, pray do, I wouldn't
+have spoken of it, but I supposed, of course, that this room had not
+been arranged for the day yet."
+
+"Well, it is very early," retorted Bea, stung quite out of her patient
+politeness; and Miss Strong got up immediately, shutting her mouth with
+a vicious snap.
+
+"I'm sure I wouldn't have called so early," she said shortly. "But I am
+soliciting for the Church Fund, and having heard how exceedingly
+generous and willing you all were to give to all such causes, I made my
+first call here, confident that it would yield me encouragement."
+
+Poor Bea colored violently again, remembering that she only had enough
+money to pay the grocery bill, due to-morrow, and yet Miss Strong had
+made her feel as though she must give something; every one would expect
+it.
+
+"I'm very sorry," she said, slowly. "But I really cannot this morning."
+
+"In-deed," said Miss Strong again. "But then, people will be mistaken
+once in a while; I must bid you good morning, Miss Dering;" and out she
+stalked, before Bea could gain her breath.
+
+When Kittie and Kat came in from the pond a little while later, they
+found Bea, lying on the lounge and sobbing, with a despairing energy,
+that excited their liveliest alarm, and made all horrible things seem
+possible, from mother's death down to the breaking of the cherished
+family tea-pot. Bea told her story, but hadn't room to remonstrate, for
+the sobs that caught her breath; and the girls listened in grave alarm.
+
+"Who cares for old Polly Strong?" cried Kat, with defiant irreverence,
+and throwing her hat to the ceiling.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry," cried Kittie, running to comfort the prostrate chief.
+"It's all my fault; Kat swept the parlor this morning and I cleaned in
+here. Oh, I am ashamed, and so sorry, Bea dear."
+
+"Well--well, I think it's too--too bad," sobbed Bea, uncomforted. "She
+talked so mean, and--and--she'll tell everybody that--that--I'm no
+housekeeper, and then--then, mama--"
+
+"If she does," interrupted Kat fiercely, "I'll tell every mortal man,
+woman and child, in turn, that she's a meddling old thing, if they don't
+know it already; and I'll tell them just the truth about this room,
+too."
+
+"It was horrible in me," sighed Kittie in great self-reproach. "And when
+you were so kind as to change, too. We'll go right back to the dishes,
+Bea, and not disgrace your work any more, and I'll go right to work and
+clean this room decent, so that everything will shine until you can see
+your face in it."
+
+By this time Ernestine's wardrobe was pretty near ready to go upon her
+visit. She had exercised her ingenuity in making few things look their
+best and go a long way; and her selfishness in getting every available
+thing from the girls, without ever expressing a wish that they were
+going to share the pleasure; because, she reasoned in her mind, if they
+were going, she couldn't have all their pretty things, so better be
+still, than express an untruthful desire. On the day after the Strong
+visit, she came from down-town, and walked up to the house, very much as
+if she were a little ashamed to go in, but which she did, with an
+assumption of indifference, and came into the room where the girls were
+sitting.
+
+"I've got the last things," she said with a laugh, tinged with an
+uneasiness that no one noticed, and unwrapping a small parcel.
+
+"What?" asked Bea, glancing up with interest; then looked at the open
+paper, and did not say another word.
+
+Kittie and Kat did likewise, and in a moment Ernestine broke the silence
+with an impatient laugh.
+
+"Well, what do you all look so horrified at? It was my own money, I
+guess, and precious little at that."
+
+"What did you pay for them?" asked Bea gravely.
+
+"These--" Ernestine held up a pair of snowy kids, with three buttons--"I
+got for a dollar and a half, cheap, because one finger is a little
+soiled. This--" lifting a creamy tip, with pale blue shading--"was two
+dollars. Won't it look lovely in my black hat?"
+
+"Yes, it will look lovely," said Bea slowly; she was really too
+astonished and hurt to say any more; but Kat cried out explosively:
+
+"Oh Ernestine Dering! you selfish, selfish, old--pig, you--" "Know mama
+wants shoes," interrupted Kittie, with her voice full of indignant
+tears. "And you heard her say the last time she was home, that she did
+not want to spend the money for them, and here you spend three dollars
+and a half for--"
+
+"Things that I want," finished Ernestine, getting up and pushing her
+chair away. "I've worked hard, and I think I might spend a very little
+bit of my own money. You all don't seem to think so, and you're not very
+pleasant, so I'll just leave you until you are in a better humor."
+
+With that she went out, feeling really as though she were more aggrieved
+than aggressor, and stillness followed her departure.
+
+"She's worked hard?" cried Kittie at length, with indignant scorn. "Very
+hard; but mama hasn't, nor we haven't--"
+
+"Oh don't, please," exclaimed Bea, bursting into tears. "Don't say
+anything, girls; I don't know what I hadn't rather have, than for mama
+to know that Ernestine would do such a thing. Oh, I wish she need never
+to know it."
+
+It did not take much thought to decide Ernestine, that she was much
+abused, and though her usually laggard conscience insisted on being
+touched, she solaced it by putting the tip in her hat, and seeing how
+becoming it was, and by trying on the gloves, which were a perfect fit.
+Then putting them away, she stole off to the garret, to carry out a
+plan, made in secrecy--that of rummaging the packed trunks there, and
+perhaps finding something that could be turned into a party dress, which
+she was quite sure she would need. The garret was roomy and sunny, and
+all the rest of the afternoon, Ernestine comforted herself, and her
+abused feelings by hunting among the old trunks, and spinning many gay
+dreams, wherein she dwelt in luxury, and all that heart could wish. She
+had selected a pale green silk, and a fine soft lawn from her mother's
+put aside wardrobe, and her mind's eye saw herself most becomingly, and
+beautifully dressed in them--if mama would only consent.
+
+Over in the corner, something caught her eye presently, that she had
+never seen before. Only a small dark trunk with an air of secrecy about
+it; and something irresistibly took her right over to it, with her arm
+load of gay things.
+
+"I wonder what it is," she mused, fingering the lock curiously, and
+feeling so strange as she did so.
+
+"Go away!" something seemed to say imperatively; but she lingered, and
+fingered more curiously than ever the small key attached to a faded
+ribbon.
+
+"Go away! Go away!" seemed to come again that voice, and she felt it to
+her inmost soul; but the very realization of an inward warning against
+it, urged her on. She put the key in the lock,--and hesitated; turned it
+slowly,--and hesitated again; then broke into a nervous little laugh,
+and tossed the cover open.
+
+[Illustration: "NOW LET'S SEE WHAT'S IN THIS WONDERFUL TRUNK."]
+
+"Why I'm as cold as ice, what a goose! Now let's see what's in this
+wonderful trunk to make me feel so funny; something splendid I guess,
+but I couldn't help opening it, I really couldn't,--oh dear!"
+
+It was of disappointment, for there was nothing there but a queer old
+basket, a pillow, with a plain little slip, and a worn faded letter on
+top.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+WHERE IS ERNESTINE?
+
+
+The odor of hot cakes brought everybody in a hurry, when Kat opened the
+dining-room door, and shouted, "supper!" as though she was a pop-gun and
+the single word a deadly fire, and everybody had fallen to work at
+demolishing the pile of aforesaid cakes, before Bea looked up suddenly
+and asked:
+
+"Where is Ernestine?"
+
+Nobody knew, but Kat ventured, that perhaps she was going to supper it,
+on gloves and feathers.
+
+"You better call again, Kat, perhaps she didn't hear."
+
+So Kat rushed to the door, and shouted:
+
+"Er-nes-tin-e-e, cakes are getting cold," with an amount of energy and
+noise that might have reached that young lady, had she been sitting on
+the top-most round of the farthest chimney; but there was no response
+of any kind, neither was there any indications of a light up stairs, so
+Kat went back, remarking, as she again fell to work:
+
+"She's put on her new toggery, most likely, and gone somewhere."
+
+"But where should she go?" asked Bea with a strange uneasiness.
+
+"Anywhere, just so people see her new things, and say how pretty she
+looks," answered Kat, who was not uneasy.
+
+So they eat supper and waited; but no appearance of the delinquent. The
+twins began to clear up, putting a good supply in the oven to keep warm;
+but the dishes were through with, and all put away, and no Ernestine.
+Kittie began to feel anxious and worried, but Kat made fun of her,
+though she herself began to grow more quiet, as the evening went on.
+Eight. Nine. No Ernestine. What should they do?
+
+Bea sprang up from her seat at the window, all in a pale tremor.
+
+"I cannot stand it. Oh, Olive, what shall we do?"
+
+"Why, I don't know," said Olive, putting down the book in which she had
+read nothing. "Have you looked for her hat and cloak?"
+
+No. No one had. So they all rushed up stairs, as though it required five
+pairs of eyes to discover a hat and cloak, which was found lying on the
+bed, just as she had thrown them on coming up stairs. Bea went to her
+boxes, with a vague idea that the gloves and feather were in some way
+connected with the mystery; but they were put away with greatest
+possible care, and Kat, who always did the absurd things in hasty
+moments, reported that all her clothes and dresses were in their places,
+so she couldn't have gone away.
+
+"Of course not; there's no place for her to go to," answered Olive.
+
+"Mrs. Dane's, perhaps," suggested Kittie.
+
+This was plausible.
+
+"But what would she go for?" asked Bea in a moment. "And without any hat
+or shawl, and stay so late?"
+
+Nobody knew, and all looked irresolute and anxious.
+
+"Her blue shawl is gone," exclaimed Kat, in the midst of her second
+rummage in the closet; for what, no one knew, since it was impossible
+for Ernestine to be hanging over a hook; or settled in one of her
+pockets. "And her straw hat!"
+
+At that, all five dived into the closet, with no clearly defined
+purpose, but it seemed the only thing to do just then; and in the
+scramble that followed, the missing straw hat was found on the floor,
+but no blue shawl kept its company. They all took hold of it in turn,
+looking at it solemnly, and turning it over and over, as though it
+possessed the secret of its missing mistress. But if it knew, it kept
+its knowledge, and only flapped its ribbons in feeble protest at being
+twisted about so. No one said any thing, until Bea discovered two long
+golden hairs clinging to the straw, then she threw it down, and burst
+into tears. Everybody looked aghast, and Bea cried out between her sobs:
+
+"I can't help it--indeed--I feel as if something dreadful had
+happened--and I'm so frightened."
+
+Just then the clock struck ten, such slow solemn strokes, echoing
+through the still house, and everybody shivered drearily, and looked
+fearfully out into the dark hall; wishing, oh, how fervently, that
+mother was home. Bea stopped crying with a great effort, and seemed to
+feel that she must do something--but what? She looked at the girls in
+anxious inquiry. Kittie and Kat were sitting on the bed, trembling and
+frightened. Olive was so dreadfully pale and still; and Beatrice was
+nearly at her wits end.
+
+"Perhaps--perhaps--" ventured Kittie, looking around as though her voice
+frightened her: "she may be trying to frighten us; you know we were a
+little fussy when she came up stairs this afternoon."
+
+Nobody seemed to think so, it might be a rather good joke, but Ernestine
+wouldn't keep it up until ten o'clock.
+
+"Let's look in the rooms and then go down stairs, said Olive taking up
+the light. Perhaps she has gone to Mrs. Dane's after all, and is staying
+late to frighten us, as Kittie says. Come on, and when she comes, don't
+pretend to be surprised or a bit scared."
+
+This being Olive's first suggestion, it was received as bearing some
+weight, as indeed suggestions and advice always are when they come from
+people who do not always have them at tongue's end, ready for all, or
+any occasions. A little brighter feeling dawned upon the forlorn group,
+as they went to the twin's and Olive's rooms, without finding any trace,
+and then returned to the sitting-room. Bea half hoped and expected that
+they would find Ernestine sitting by the fire, full of laugh, and ready
+to tease them on their fright and search; but she was disappointed, for
+the room was dreary and lonely, the light wood fire having died of
+neglect; and everything looked unutterably forlorn to their anxious
+eyes. In an ominous silence all four sat down on the lounge, closely
+huddled together, and tried to talk; but it was a vain attempt. It
+seemed impossible to bring any voice low enough so as that it did not
+sound like a trumpet in the painful stillness of the house; every one
+jumped when any one spoke, so by and by, they were perfectly still,
+while the clock ticked so loudly and every moment brought a deeper fear
+and trembling anxiety.
+
+Eleven! Twelve!
+
+"Let us go to bed," whispered Olive. Somehow it seemed that whispering
+was the only admissible thing then. "See, the lamp was not filled fresh
+to-day, and it's burning down; we'll be in the dark in a few minutes."
+
+"Oh, I'm so afraid," quavered Kat. "Let's all sleep together."
+
+No one seemed to object, for really it was something to chill even a
+brave heart. Those four girls alone in the great still house at
+midnight, with the terrible fear at their hearts, and their wildest
+imagination in full play. They went up stairs as softly as though
+Ernestine lay dead in the house; and all went with their eyes shut
+except Olive, who carried the lamp, and even she kept her eyes away from
+everything save right where she walked. No one had cried yet but Bea; so
+when they knelt about the bed for prayer, each one broke down, and they
+finally dropped asleep, sobbing softly, with their arms about each
+other.
+
+Morning came, with the brightest of sunshine, and put a more cheerful
+face upon things, as daylight always does. The girls jumped up merrily,
+quite convinced that it was all a joke, and that they were foolish to
+have been so frightened. Ernestine had gone to Mrs. Dane's and stayed
+all night; she would be home pretty soon and they would all have a good
+laugh over it. So they thought, and flew about lively with their work;
+but breakfast was over and cleaned up, the house was all in order, and
+the day fairly begun; still no Ernestine had arrived, and Olive had not
+gone.
+
+"Seems to me, I can't go until we know something," she said, standing in
+the door and looking down the street. "I will be home to dinner, and
+surely she will be here by that time."
+
+"I suppose so, of course," said Bea, feeling last night's fear beginning
+to tug at her heart again.
+
+"Seems to me nothing could happen with a morning so lovely as this,"
+said Kittie, looking anxious and sleepy.
+
+"Well, I suppose I must go," said Olive at last. "I'm an hour late now,
+and I don't know what to tell Mr. Dane; but then, it's the first time
+I've ever been tardy, so he may not speak of it."
+
+"If she comes pretty soon, I'll trot down and tell you," volunteered
+Kat, who was stretching on the stairs, and pretty near strangling with a
+succession of gasps.
+
+"All right," said Olive, going out reluctantly.
+
+Morning went slowly and heavily; the girls tried to study as usual, but
+found it impossible. There was only one thought in their minds;
+Ernestine! Ernestine! where was she?
+
+"Kittie," said Bea, when it was nearly noon, "Olive is so tired, I
+expect, being worried and up so late, and then bothering over her
+business this morning, suppose you take her dinner down to her, and then
+go round by Mrs. Dane's?"
+
+"All right," answered Kittie, glad of something to work off her
+feverish impatience. "You fix the basket, while I run up stairs and get
+ready; it will only take me a minute."
+
+Olive was sitting at her desk, very pale and tired, when Kittie came in.
+She looked up eagerly, but in a glance, each saw that the other knew
+nothing.
+
+"I brought your dinner," said Kittie, putting down the basket,
+"because--she hasn't come, and we thought you'd be so tired."
+
+"I am, and so much obliged," answered Olive, with a grateful smile,
+thinking, as she put the lunch aside, how kind it was, for Kittie was
+tired too; and thinking also, that a few weeks ago they wouldn't have
+done so; but that had been much her own fault, she was quite convinced
+of it now.
+
+"Mr. Dane went to the city on this morning's train," she said in a
+moment, "so I have not seen him."
+
+"I'm going there," answered Kittie. "Mrs. Dane's, I mean. If Ernestine
+is there, I'll come back by here and tell you, and if I don't come
+you'll know that I haven't heard anything."
+
+They both felt that nothing would be heard, but each said good-bye
+cheerfully, and Kittie hurried away.
+
+Mrs. Dane was a dear, motherly-hearted lady who had no children of her
+own, and consequently felt a warm interest in any one's else. She had
+kept a watchful, loving eye on the Dering girls, especially, since
+their troubles, going to see them frequently, and dropping much comfort
+and encouragement in all that she said and did. When she saw Kittie
+coming, she met her at the door, with a warm, cheery smile and inquired
+gayly:
+
+"Good morning, my dear; what is going to happen that you are without
+your mate? and which one are you?"
+
+Kittie laughed as she went up the neat little walk, with early violets
+blooming either side, but Mrs. Dane noticed that she looked anxiously
+beyond her, into the house, and that her face was pale and worried,
+something unheard of, for either of the twins.
+
+"I'm Kittie, and Kat was too busy to come," answered Kittie, as they
+went in, and she wondered what she should say next.
+
+"It looks strange to ever see you without each other," said Mrs. Dane,
+detecting an uneasiness. "All well at home, dear?"
+
+"Yes'm, pretty well, except spring fever."
+
+"I saw Ernestine down town yesterday afternoon, and I thought she looked
+quite pale, but very pretty," continued Mrs. Dane.
+
+"Yes'm," said Kittie again, with her heart jumping into her throat.
+"Mama is going to have her go out to Mrs. Raymond's for two weeks. Has
+she been by here this morning?"
+
+"Not that I have seen. I should think it a very good plan for her to be
+in the country a while, if she will only be quiet; the Raymond home is a
+very lovely one. I notice here lately that she coughs a good deal."
+
+"Yes'm," answered Kittie, guiltily conscious that she hadn't noticed it.
+"I hope it isn't much though."
+
+"Nothing more than a spring cold, I fancy; you must all be very careful.
+Now, my dear, take off your hat, and stay to dinner with me. I'm all
+alone, to-day."
+
+"I should like to; thank you, Mrs. Dane, but Bea will be expecting me
+home, and I guess I had better go," said Kittie, so intensely
+disappointed with her call that she could hardly keep the tears back. So
+she went, and Mrs. Dane soliloquized, as she recalled the troubled face.
+"Something the matter, I am quite positive; and those poor, dear, brave
+little girls all alone. I shall go over this evening and see if I am
+needed."
+
+Kat was at the gate, and started out the moment she saw Kittie coming,
+to meet her. She was quite as ashy colored as ever brown-faced,
+rosy-cheeked Kat could be, and she was trembling as with a fit of ague,
+and as Kittie saw her, the question died on her lips, and she could only
+look her fear, as Kat burst forth:--
+
+"She hasn't come--don't know anything about her; but Bea went up in the
+garret this morning to open the windows, and ever since she came down,
+she's been crying and pretty near fainted; won't tell me anything, and
+I thought you never would come. What _shall_ we do?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know; why didn't I tell Mrs. Dane? I felt as if I ought
+to," cried Kittie, standing still in despair for a moment; then pulling
+off her hat and shawl, she put them on her sister in a hurry.
+
+"There, Kat, run; I'm so tired, you can go the fastest; go to Mr.
+Phillips, ask him to take Prince and go for mama, quick;" and, without a
+second thought, Kat dashed down the street at her most breathless flying
+speed, not caring who saw, or what they thought, and feeling as though
+she had done the right thing. Kittie hurried into the house; she was
+alarmed, indeed, at the violence of Bea's crying, and after trying in
+vain to find some cause, or give some comfort, gave up in despair.
+
+"Don't ask me," Bea would cry, when questioned. "I can't tell! Oh, if
+mama was only here! What shall I do?"
+
+"I've sent for her!" exclaimed Kittie, with a great sigh of relief. "Kat
+has gone now to ask Mr. Phillips, and she'll be here this afternoon, I
+know."
+
+Bea looked up for an instant, with a flash of relief in her face, then
+burst out again, crying more bitterly than ever, and with a vehemence
+that shook her from head to foot.
+
+"What ever can it be?" thought Kittie, flying up stairs, and off to the
+garret in desperation; but, pausing as she reached the door, and
+shaking with a sudden terror. What if Ernestine should be in there dead,
+or something? She shook and hesitated, but finally opened the door, for
+Kittie was brave, and looked in!
+
+Nothing seemed to be the matter. The sunshine came warmly in at the
+windows and illumined every corner. The little black trunk stood there,
+but it was closed, and she did not notice it, though she went all
+around, and amazed to find nothing out of place. Over in an unused
+corner, for the garret was very large, stood a big dry-goods box that
+Mr. Dering had long kept some things packed in, but on the very day
+before his sudden death, he had been up in the garret, unnailed the
+heavy cover, and gone to the bottom for some things that he wanted, and
+then hurried away, intending to repack, and nail up, on his return; but
+in the little act, was a mighty working of Providence, or fate; the box
+had remained just so, with its dislodged contents at its side, the
+little black trunk among them, and the garret having been rarely entered
+during the winter, it had not been noticed or remedied.
+
+Kittie, happening to glance that way, saw it; and with a vague idea that
+Ernestine might be in the box, went over to it, pushed the little black
+trunk nearer, and stood on it to look in; but saw only a confused lot of
+things, tumbled up in her father's haste, and so she got down, and left
+the garret slowly, more perplexed and bewildered than ever.
+
+As she went down the stairs, she heard, she surely heard an unmistakable
+moan, that stopped her in an instant, and made her heart beat fast and
+loud with terror; and as she stood and listened, it came again, and it
+did not come from the garret either.
+
+As I said, Kittie was brave. Kat would have torn wildly down stairs, and
+declared that the house was haunted; but she stood there, quite still,
+until that feeble moan came again; then with a thought as quick as
+lightning, she cleared the remaining steps with one jump, flew across
+the hall, and into the spare room!
+
+There, at last, after all these hours of painful anxiety and fright,
+there, so near, that by simply opening an unused door, they would have
+found her--lay Ernestine.
+
+As Kittie burst into the room, Ernestine tossed her arms above her head,
+and uttered that feeble moan again; and too astonished to utter a word
+of any kind, Kittie saw that she was unconscious, that her face was
+scarlet with fever, and that the dazed, wide open eyes recognized
+nothing.
+
+She never exactly remembered how she got down stairs, and told Bea; or
+how it happened that Kat was with them when they went back; she only
+knew that Bea threw down her handkerchief, and worked swift and silent,
+that she helped, and that Kat flew off again to bring Mrs. Dane, and was
+back in just a moment, for that lady, being so forcibly impressed with
+an idea that something was wrong, had started over, and met Kat just a
+few minutes after she came tearing out of the gate.
+
+It did not take long to get Ernestine into her own bed, to bathe her
+burning hands and face, and smooth her tangled hair, that lay all over
+the pillow like stray sun-beams. She submitted passively to all of it,
+and appeared to notice no one, except now and then to turn her eyes to
+Mrs. Dane, with a puzzled, pleading look, and mutter with a wistful
+longing: "It isn't so, is it? I know it isn't;" then would drift into
+some unintelligible murmurings, or lay quiet with no expression of any
+kind in her face.
+
+"She was perfectly well yesterday," said Bea, in answer to Mrs. Dane's
+questions. "She came up stairs singing, about four o'clock, and that was
+the last we saw of her until just now, when Kittie found her."
+
+"Poor child! What did you do all night?"
+
+"We sat up until twelve o'clock, and it seemed like a week nearly, Olive
+said, and we all hoped that she had gone to spend the night with you,
+and that is what kept us from giving up entirely. We were having a
+little argument when she left us," added Bea, dropping her eyes, but
+feeling that a little explanation was necessary. "So we thought perhaps
+she went off without saying anything, so as to frighten us."
+
+Kittie looked at Bea in curious amazement. She was so rejoiced that
+Ernestine was found, that she wondered why Bea should still be so white
+and tremble, and sit down every once in a while, as though too faint to
+stand. Finally concluding that it was fatigue and worrying, Kittie
+hurried down to the kitchen, built a fire, and had water boiling for tea
+in a hurry, and in just a little while, brought a cup of that
+invigorating beverage, and insisted on Bea's drinking it, and another,
+too, if she could.
+
+"How kind you are," said Bea, looking grateful, and trying to smile, but
+failing utterly. "You better go and drink some yourself. Where is Kat?"
+
+"She rushed right off again to tell Olive," answered Kittie, sitting
+down on the floor. "Poor dear, she will be tired to death. Oh, Bea,
+aren't you glad we found her before mama came?"
+
+Bea nodded yes, and hid her face in the tea-cup, while Kittie hearing
+Kat down stairs, hurried down to have a social and rejoicing cup of tea
+with her.
+
+Mrs. Dering arrived late in the afternoon; the twins threw open the big
+gate, shouting the good news as they did so, and Prince came gayly up
+the old familiar drive with a joyous whisk of his tail, and a loud neigh
+of recognition, and as Kittie and Kat fell to hugging him wildly, Mrs.
+Dering hurried into the house, and was met by Bea at the door.
+
+"Were is she? What does it all mean?" cried the terrified mother.
+
+"She was in the spare room--sick--we found her this afternoon," answered
+Bea, speaking as though the words choked her. "Come--come into the
+sitting-room, mama, and--let me tell you."
+
+Mrs. Dering followed, with a terrible fear at her heart, and was obliged
+to sit down, so trembling and faint was she; and Beatrice meeting that
+anguished, imploring look, could not utter a word, but simply put her
+hand in her pocket, and drew out a worn, faded letter.
+
+Mrs. Dering looked at it for an instant, then uttered a broken cry, and
+threw out her hands beseechingly.
+
+"Oh, Beatrice! my daughter! Not that, not that, surely!"
+
+"Yes, mama."
+
+Mrs. Dering dropped her face in her hands with a moan that came from the
+depths of her heart, and overcome with the confirmation of her fears,
+Bea sank into a chair and burst into tears; and nothing but her sobs
+were heard for several moments.
+
+Under all circumstances, Mrs. Dering was a woman of wonderful self
+control; so in a moment she looked up and asked:
+
+"Do you know anything about it?"
+
+"No, mama," answered Bea, then repeated the circumstances in the case,
+adding, with a look of loving sympathy into the grief-stricken face
+opposite, "When I went up into the garret this morning, I saw one of
+your trunks open, and your green silk and white lawn lying on the floor
+by the little black trunk, which was open also, and the letter was
+dropped on the floor, and I knew she had been there, and thought perhaps
+it was something she had left, so I read--only a part of it, and--oh,
+mama!"
+
+Mrs. Dering vouchsafed no explanation, as Bea paused with a sob; but
+looked out of the window with a world of puzzled inquiry in her face,
+and murmured to herself:
+
+"How did it ever come out of the box?"
+
+"Papa," answered Bea, catching the words, "He was up there the day
+before he--died, and I remember when he came down with what he wanted,
+he said that he had gone clear to the bottom of the big box for it, and
+that he would put things back, and nail it up when he came back home,
+and they were all left just that way, mama; and oh--please tell me--is
+it true?"
+
+"Yes, Beatrice, it is true, too true," answered Mrs. Dering, sadly, then
+went up stairs, and left Bea sobbing on the lounge.
+
+In just a few minutes Kittie came running in, and paused astonished at
+the sitting-room door, but as she surveyed her sister, and heard how
+bitterly she was sobbing, she went in and knelt by the lounge.
+
+"Bea, can't you tell me yet, what the matter is?"
+
+"No-o," sobbed Bea.
+
+"Well, please tell me just one thing: I'm so frightened about something,
+I don't know what. But, is Ernestine very very sick, and is that what
+you are crying about? or--or, _has_ something happened that we don't
+know anything about? Please tell me just this, Bea, and I won't ask any
+more."
+
+"Yes, something has," was Bea's answer; and Kittie went sorrowfully away
+to tell Kat and Olive not to rejoice so much, yet.
+
+It was quite late that night, and every one had gone to bed, except Mrs.
+Dering, who sat sleeplessly beside the bed, holding Ernestine's hot
+hand, and Bea, who nestled quietly in a large rocking chair, equally
+sleepless, and looking alternately from the loving, watchful face of
+mother, to the flushed, restless one on the pillow, while the big tears
+dropped unheeded down her cheeks.
+
+The doctor had said, on leaving in the evening, that when Ernestine
+awoke, she would be herself, and for some time Mrs. Dering had been
+watching the feverish flush give way to pallor, and the restless, uneasy
+tossing to quiet slumber, and she knew, that before long, Ernestine
+would be herself, and ask a dreaded question. The house was painfully
+still. Bea shivered as the clock's ticking sounded loudly through the
+halls, and thought of last night when they all stood there, in that
+same room, and wondered where Ernestine was; and Mrs. Dering shivered,
+though, for quite another reason, for her mind held far different
+memories.
+
+Just then, Ernestine turned, as though awakening, and the clock began to
+strike twelve. Through the dozen slow strokes she did not move again,
+but the moment they ceased, she moaned just a little bit, in a feeble,
+tired way, and opened her eyes.
+
+At the same instant, Mrs. Dering held a tiny glass to her lips, raised
+the pillow and said quietly:
+
+"Drink, dear."
+
+Ernestine did so, unresistingly, and lay for several minutes perfectly
+quiet, with her eyes wide open; and then they began to grow startled,
+and went suddenly to Bea's face, and stopped there. Bea smiled,
+notwithstanding she was trembling violently, and leaving her seat, came
+to the bed. But Ernestine was not noticing her now; she was looking all
+about the room in a terrified way, and suddenly sat up straight in bed,
+pushed her hair back, and saw her mother. For an instant she did not
+seem to know what it was she wanted; but it came to her suddenly, and
+with a beseeching cry, she threw out her arms.
+
+"Oh, mama, mama! is it true? Am I somebody else's child?"
+
+Bea turned away, and fell into her chair again, unable to see that
+pitiful, anguished face; and Mrs. Dering, sitting down on the bed, drew
+the trembling figure closely to her heart.
+
+"My darling, you are my own dear little girl--" but Ernestine
+interrupted, with a pitiful cry:
+
+"Oh! tell me if that letter is so, or if it means some other Ernestine?
+just tell me that, quick, mama, oh please do!"
+
+What could Mrs. Dering say, with those clinging arms about her neck, and
+that pleading face, and the despairing eyes never moving from hers?
+
+"You are dreaming, darling," she began soothingly; but Ernestine threw
+her head back, and her voice rose to a terrified shriek:
+
+"You won't tell me; you won't tell me," she cried wildly. "Oh, I must
+know if it is true; I must. Oh, mama, say it isn't; tell me that you are
+my own mama, that the letter don't mean me; oh mama! mama!"
+
+"Ernestine, darling, listen;" said Mrs. Dering, with the tears running
+down her pale face. "You shall know the truth. You have been my little
+girl ever since you were two months old, but your own mother gave you to
+me just before she went to heaven, and she was my--;" but it was
+needless to say more; Ernestine gave a little moan, and dropped her
+head, and Mrs. Dering was sobbing, as she laid her back on the pillow;
+while Bea ran for some water.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE STORY.
+
+
+Mrs. Dering and Ernestine were alone; Ernestine had asked for the story
+of her own, or rather her mother's life, and now lay with her face
+turned away, while Mrs. Dering held her hand in that loving clasp, and
+began telling it quietly:
+
+"We were all living in Virginia at the time, dear. Papa Dering lived
+with his uncle Ridley. Uncle Walter Dering lived in Staunton, and your
+mama's home and mine, also in the city, were only a little way apart,
+and we saw a great deal of each other. Florence Granger was her name,
+and she was the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen, except the
+little daughter here, who is going to be her mother's very image. She
+was lovable in every way, but possessed a restless, impatient,
+dissatisfied spirit, that brought her much unhappiness. She constantly
+yearned for some kind of life that would give her eager, uncontrollable
+spirits free play; she hated the restraints of home, and frequently
+threw out dark hints to me of what she would do sometimes, when the
+right moment presented itself. I often begged her to give up such
+restless longings, and be happy at home; for she certainly had a lovely
+one, and might have been the happiest of girls; but she would kiss me
+and laugh, and call me 'dear little proper Bess,' and really be so happy
+and gay for a time that I would lose my fears, and think her threats all
+lively fun. About this time, papa and I became engaged, and I, confiding
+to him a secret that I had discovered, that his brother Walter loved
+Florence, he said that Walter had confessed it to him but that he
+despaired of ever gaining her heart, and that he dreaded the depressing
+effect of discouragement on his health, for Walter was very delicate. So
+I promised to do all I could towards helping him, and finding out the
+true state of Florence's heart towards him, and I did so quite
+successfully, though it has always been a source of bitterest regret to
+me. I found, with very little trouble that she had no thought or feeling
+of love for him, and one day, when she was thoughtlessly laughing at him
+for something, I told her, in a hasty moment, how he loved her, and how
+the disappointment might kill him. I never can forget how surprised and
+grieved she looked, nor how bitterly I regretted my hastiness, for a
+more tender-hearted girl never lived, and it was impossible to guess,
+how, in a generous, impulsive moment, she might sacrifice herself. That
+night she stayed with me, and both Walter and papa called; and I saw in
+an instant, that in her generous pity, she was going to do a work that
+could never be undone. Poor Walter was nearly beside himself with joy
+and encouragement. She sang for him, and oh, how many times have I gone
+back to that night, when you have been singing to me, with your mother's
+voice, dear. She promised to ride with him next day, and as papa watched
+them, he said to me in great relief: 'She loves him, and they will be
+happy;' and I could only say 'I hope so, truly,' and pray that I might
+be forgiven for what I had done; for I knew she did not love him.
+
+"In a few days, she came rushing to me in a perfect passion of stormy,
+bitter tears, and frightened me greatly with her fierce vehemence. She
+declared that she hated him, that she could not endure the sight of him,
+and yet, not half an hour before, she had promised to marry him, and
+now, if I did not say something to comfort her, she would do something
+dreadful, sure. I was perfectly at a loss what to say or do, and
+trembled for the end of it all, but I knew the only way to quiet her
+would be to appeal to her pity and tenderness, so I talked and talked
+for a great while about him, how he loved her, how the disappointment
+now would surely kill him, how happy we would be as sisters when
+married, and how we would all go to Europe if papa inherited uncle
+Congreve's estate; and so finally won her over to a more pleasing view
+of the case. In the weeks that followed, I had the same thing to do
+many, many times, and found it more difficult to accomplish each time.
+She was wildly rebellious, and in an unguarded moment, let fall her
+passion for stage life, and then confided to me all her former plans,
+hopes, and aspirations. She had been in correspondence with members of
+the profession and had many secret plans laid for carrying out her
+ideas. She showed me several letters from Clarence Clare, then a famous
+actor, and I did not dream, could not even realize then, how far matters
+had gone. She was to have joined his troupe when he reached Staunton,
+left her home and gone out into the world under an assumed name, to
+taste and know its bitterness, when it was all too late. I was in an
+agony of fear, and besought her to give it up and think, before she lost
+herself to home and friends, but she told me I need not worry, she had
+written to him that morning that she was to be married, and could not
+fulfill her plans with him, and that I could rest in peace, for she was
+going to be a really good girl now, and settle down as properly as I
+could wish. I believed her, and was entirely deceived by the quiet,
+contented aspect that marked her from that day, and was overjoyed at the
+happiness that seemed to come to her as the day of our double marriage
+drew near. She spent much of her time with Walter, and the rest almost
+entirely with me, and we had hours of delightful chatter of when we
+would be sisters indeed, and always live together, for papa and Walter
+were devoted brothers.
+
+"It all comes back to me now, so terribly clear, how the day before our
+wedding came, and Florence was in such a state of ecstatic happiness;
+she left me in the evening with the warmest, tenderest kisses and
+embraces, and said she would be on hand early in the morning, for we
+were to be married at ten o'clock. While we were at breakfast next
+morning, her maid came over in great haste, to know if she was with me,
+that she wasn't at home, and evidently had not been, as her room was
+untouched. It seemed for a moment that I could not move, so great was
+the terror that possessed me; then I jumped up, snatched a hat and ran
+all the way to her home, without once thinking of amazed observers. She
+was gone. There was a little note left for me, and no word for any one
+else; she had gone with Clarence Clare, who had arrived the day before,
+and, perhaps, even as I stood there reading her hurried words, she was
+being married, or was already his wife. I can never tell you of the
+tempest of grief that fell upon two homes, or how we ever got through
+that wretched day. Papa came to me for just a few minutes, then hurried
+off to stay with Walter who had not spoken, or betrayed any signs of
+consciousness since the word of Florence's desertion reached him. We
+knew from that day that he could not live, and though he was never ill,
+he died slowly, lingering with us only about six months, and his last
+words were to papa and me, spoken just before he died: 'If she ever
+comes back, tell her I forgave her, that I loved her to the last, and
+prayed God every hour that she might be happy.'
+
+"A little while after, papa and I were married, and moved to Richmond.
+He received nothing from Uncle Congreve, you know, so we both had to go
+to work, and we were very happy, for papa was brave, strong and
+honorable, and he prospered; so that in a little while we had a cosy
+home of our own, and envied no one their riches.
+
+"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, your grandparents, were very proud, and left
+Staunton, rather than stay where their daughter had disgraced them, and
+we never knew where they went to, or whether they are still living or
+not. Two years went by, and in that time I sent many a loving, anxious
+thought to Florence, where ever she was, and wondered if we were ever to
+meet again; and one night my answer came to me. It was a bitter night,
+snowing hard and blowing fiercely. Papa and I, were sitting in our cosy,
+warm room, and Bea was sleeping, rosy and sweet, in her little crib,
+when there came the feeblest kind of a ring at the door-bell, and papa
+went to the door. In just a second he called me, and I hurried there, to
+find him holding a basket, with a queer bundle in it, and looking
+amazed out into the night; then he set it down suddenly, and hurried
+out. I had not collected my thoughts, when he came in again with a
+fainting figure in his arms; a woman with a face uncovered, and we both
+recognized her in an instant. She was nearly dead with exposure, and it
+was a long time before she was able to speak a word, but we doctored her
+strongly, got her into a hot bed, and after a while she opened her eyes,
+and knew us. When she could talk, she told us how unhappy she had been;
+how, after submitting to her husband's neglect and the trials of stage
+life, for over a year, she had left him, and as soon as her baby was
+born, began looking for us. She was very feeble, and after leaving her
+burden on the steps, fainted in the snow before reaching the gate."
+
+Here Ernestine, who had lain motionless all the while, gave a quick sob,
+and shivered from head to foot, and bending down to kiss her tenderly,
+Mrs. Dering went on:
+
+"She died with us, dear, in just a few days after, and with her last
+breath, gave you to me; and ever since I took you, a tiny, little babe
+from her arms, you have been just as dear to me as though God had sent
+you to me, my very own."
+
+Ernestine was shivering violently, and as Mrs. Dering finished, hid her
+face deeper in the pillow with a pitiful heart-broken moan, that was
+hard to hear, and Mrs. Dering said softly:
+
+"Here, darling, in this box are some things that were to belong to you,
+in case you ever knew the truth, though with her last breath, your
+mother besought us to keep it from you, if we could, and we have tried,
+that being one reason why we afterwards left Virginia for New York
+State. But God knows best; it is right for you to know, or it would not
+have been so. The ring in the box is the one given by Walter to your
+mother, and she wished you, if you ever knew the story, to wear it."
+
+Some time after Mrs. Dering left the room, Ernestine slowly turned her
+head, looked at the box, and with trembling fingers lifted the cover.
+The first thing that met her eyes, was a picture, an exquisite face
+painted on porcelain, and she uttered a smothered cry as she looked at
+the face of her mother, of whom she was the living image. There was the
+same brown eyes, with their slender arches; the same fine straight nose,
+and wilful, determined mouth, and the same halo of sunny hair, covering
+the proud little head. But Ernestine, looking at it then, thought of the
+sweet, true, dear woman, she had always called mother, and threw it down
+with a bitter cry of pain. There was also a tiny note, written in a
+beautiful dashing hand, and after a while she read it slowly.
+
+    "BESS DARLING:
+
+    "You have always been my good angel, and I could cry if I
+    wasn't so happy, to think how I am going to disappoint you after
+    all. But you mustn't mind, only think how happy I am going to
+    be, for Clarence loves me! I will be his wife when you read
+    this, and oh Bess I cannot help but be happy then. Tell Walter
+    he must not care, he never would have been happy with me,
+    because I could not love him. I hope you will not feel badly
+    when you get this; have a gay wedding, and think how happy I am.
+    I expect it is wrong to run off this way, but I've always done
+    things wrong, I always will, but it might have been different,
+    if my mother had loved home more, society less, and been as true
+    and good to me as a mother, as you have been as a friend.
+
+        "FLORENCE."
+
+There were many little trinkets, beside the diamond ring, which
+Ernestine declared she could never wear; and in a tiny little box, with
+"My Baby," written on the top, were four round bits of gold, each a five
+dollar piece.
+
+It really seemed as though the girls could never recover from the shock.
+Their faces were pale and tear-stained for many days; and only Olive,
+whose self-control was greatest, could venture into Ernestine's
+presence, without bursting into tears, and having to beat a hasty
+retreat. Every fault that she had ever possessed, they lost sight of
+now; they only thought how they all loved her, how happy and sweet she
+had always been about home, how lovely she was, and how dreadful it
+would be if they were to lose her. For Mrs. Dering had told them some
+things that she had not told Ernestine, among them these:
+
+"You have many times noticed how much more careful and anxious I have
+been of Ernestine's health than of yours. That was because I knew that
+God had given me my girls well and strong, and poor little Ernestine
+came, burdened with the fatal seeds of her mother's disease,
+consumption. I have known always, for the doctor told me, that she would
+become its victim sooner or later; and that if she lived to womanhood,
+he would be surprised. I also saw in early childhood, that she had
+inherited her mother's restless, eager, dissatisfied disposition, though
+the difference in her home life has modified it greatly; and knowing the
+weakness that would assail her if she lived, I have battled against it,
+and prayed that she might ever be spared a trial, or that a greater
+strength would be hers, than had been her mother's. As she has grown
+older, I have been grieved and troubled, beyond expression, to watch the
+growth of that spirit, and of a selfishness, that must have been her
+father's, as not an atom of it belonged to her mother, and many times I
+would have been discouraged utterly, if I had not had the faith that God
+would do all things for the best, and that all He wanted was for me to
+do all in my power, and trust the rest to Him."
+
+As the days went by, Ernestine did not seem to grow any better, and
+friends hearing she was ill, began making kindly visits of sympathy, and
+were greatly surprised to find her so terribly altered by the brief
+illness. At first she refused to see any one; but Mrs. Dering asked if
+she could not, as they would think it strange, and she immediately
+assented.
+
+It was indeed sad to look at her face, changed so suddenly from its
+laughing, exquisite beauty to such a pallid, hollow-eyed, heart-broken
+look, and every one pitied, and wondered, and privately talked it over.
+Miss Strong, who had industriously circulated the report of her visit,
+with many additions and wonderfully sly, meaning looks, now felt called
+upon to supply the public with a reason, so she told her dearest friend
+that Ernestine Dering had had a foolish little love affair, and broken
+her heart over it; and before twenty-four hours, the whole of Canfield
+had heard from, or told their dearest friend, the same thing; while Mrs.
+Dane, and a few other sensible ladies, were indignantly denying it, with
+what success, persons who deny rash stories, can guess.
+
+"I declare," cried Kat one day in desperation, "I can't bear to go up
+stairs. I just dream about how sad she looks, and I can't keep from
+crying just to think that she really isn't our sister any more
+than--than Susie Darrow or any of the other girls. Oh, Kittie, just
+suppose we were ever to find out that we were not sisters, or belonged
+to somebody else, or something dreadful!"
+
+Kittie gave a long, expressive shiver, and hugged her "fac-simile" by
+way of satisfaction, for such a dreadful thought.
+
+"How often we have wondered where she got her lovely hair and eyes," she
+said slowly. "And how many times we fretted because mama watched her so,
+and seemed to humor her, where she never did us. I expect we have made
+mama unhappy lots of times by acting jealous that way."
+
+"Like as not," answered Kat remorsefully. "It's all dreadful, every bit
+of it. I'd give worlds if it had never happened."
+
+They all tried, by every way in their power, to win Ernestine back to
+something of her old self; but it seemed impossible. She spent hours and
+hours by herself, just sitting with her hands folded, looking out of the
+window with no sign of life or interest in her colorless face, and
+rarely speaking. Just brooding, brooding, and nursing her grief, until
+the doctor said she must go away, take a complete change, and then she
+would come back herself again. He accepted the lover-story, as indeed,
+most every one did, for surely the general behavior and symptoms were
+much the same, and then, besides, what _could_ the reason be if it
+wasn't that?
+
+Ernestine was perfectly indifferent about a visit anywhere. She was
+selfish in her grief, as in everything else, and took no interest in all
+their plans for her, expressing no satisfaction at the decision that
+Bea should go with her, and saying that she did not care when or where
+they went.
+
+One afternoon, Kittie went up stairs and found her writing something and
+crying bitterly over it. She so seldom cried, that Kittie was alarmed,
+but Ernestine said it was only because she was nervous; then put her
+writing away, and took her old, listless attitude in the chair by the
+window.
+
+That night Olive heard something; she was sure that she did, and started
+up in bed for a moment to listen, but everything was perfectly still, so
+in a moment she lay down again, but could not get to sleep until long
+after the whistle had blown for the midnight train that went through to
+the city.
+
+Next morning Ernestine did not come to breakfast, but it was nothing
+unusual, so Kittie fixed a tempting waiter and took it up stairs.
+
+In a few minutes she called "mama," in a frightened way, and Mrs. Dering
+instantly sprang up, followed by the girls, and ran up stairs.
+
+Since her sickness, Ernestine had slept alone, and Bea had gone over
+with Olive; so now, as they hurried in, they saw her untumbled bed, with
+just the slight pressure made where she had lain down, as though gone to
+bed for the night; everything else was unchanged. Mrs. Dering sank
+trembling into a chair, and pointed to a paper lying on the table.
+Olive reached it, and read aloud in a frightened, awe-struck voice:
+
+    "DARLING MAMA:
+
+    "I'm going away; I can't stay, and oh please don't look for me;
+    for I could not come back. It seems as though my heart was
+    broken, and it nearly made me crazy to think that I was all
+    alone in the world, except a wicked, cruel father. Oh, I never
+    knew how much I loved you all, until I found that I was
+    nothing--neither daughter nor sister. I have taken the twenty
+    dollars in gold, and fifteen dollars that I saved from my
+    teaching, and I will go some where and work for my living. I
+    know it will grieve you, and that is all that has kept me from
+    going before; but I could not stand it any longer; something
+    made me go. Oh, please forgive me, and do not look for me. I
+    love you all so much, and it nearly broke my heart to look at
+    the girls, and think they were all sisters, and you their own
+    mama, while I was nothing. Don't grieve for me, please, but do
+    love me.
+
+        "ERNESTINE."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A YEAR LATER.
+
+
+Kathleen was sitting in the swing, and idly pushing a hole in the saw
+dust, with the toe of her shoe; while Katherine sat on a log hemming a
+handkerchief, a red rose stuck in her hair, and much thoughtfulness in
+her face.
+
+"I think it's too horrible to think about," said the former, suddenly,
+and with a vinegary aspect of countenance.
+
+"He may be nice," returned the latter, consolingly, though with much
+evident distaste to the fact.
+
+"Who cares, and then besides, I bet he isn't."
+
+"You mustn't bet."
+
+"I will. You may be nice, and proper, and so awfully prim, if you want
+to, but I sha'n't."
+
+"You're nearly fifteen."
+
+"Suppose I am. Besides I'm not; it's three months yet."
+
+"Well," said Kittie, after a pause, and turning a corner in her
+handkerchief with great nicety, "I suppose since it's settled, that he
+will be here in a few days. Bea has fixed his room so pretty."
+
+"Pooh! I bet he'll never notice it, and he'll be an everlasting bother,
+and we'll never have any more fun; and I'm going to tell him the minute
+he gets here, that I hate him; and I hope that'll make him happy and
+want to stay," exclaimed Kat vehemently.
+
+"Besides," continued Kittie, as placidly as though nothing was
+disturbing the serenity of her sister, "you see, my dear, how it will
+help mama."
+
+Any remark of a like character, would, at any time, reduce the girls
+from the most active rebellion to passive acquiescence; and Kat
+immediately lost her ferocious determination and looked reflective, as
+she recalled the dear face they loved, with its pale patient sweetness,
+and the gray hair that had all come into the brown locks within the last
+year, since Ernestine went away.
+
+"Well," she said in a moment, and beginning to swing, "I suppose it's
+all right, but I wish he wasn't so old. Twenty! my goodness! He'll be
+forever lecturing us and reading solemn books, because I know he's
+solemn; sick people always are, and everything will have to be poky and
+still to suit him, and I think it's abominable!"
+
+"Exactly," answered Kittie, with a nod of agreement. "But Kat, there's
+one splendid big thing to offset all those little horrid ones; why don't
+you think of that?"
+
+"Well, I do, and I'm most tickled to death, that mama won't have to
+teach any more; poor, dear, blessed mama, she's most tired and worried
+to death;" and Kat's face grew very tender as she swung and thought over
+it all.
+
+"Oh Kat!" cried Kittie, with a sudden vehemence, though the question
+that hung on her lips had been asked countless times in the past year,
+"Where do you suppose Ernestine is?"
+
+Kat stopped the swing, and faced her sister with a sudden decision.
+
+"I think," she said slowly, "Kittie, I think she's--dead!"
+
+"Oh no! you don't surely! She can't be!" cried Kittie in terror; for no
+one had ever hazarded that cruel belief before. "Our Ernestine dead! I
+couldn't believe it, and I think it would kill mama, if she thought we
+would never find her again."
+
+"But I can't help but feel so," said Kat sadly. "Just think of her
+getting into New York in the night, and not knowing anything where to
+go. I just know something dreadful happened, because we never can find
+one thing about her after she got there."
+
+"But I don't believe she's dead!" exclaimed Kittie firmly. "I wouldn't
+believe it if I wanted to; and I think some time, or somehow, we will
+find her, or she will come back to us."
+
+"Well I hope so I'm sure, for it will never seem right without her,"
+said Kat. "Seems to me, we all lived so happy, with no troubles of any
+kind, until all of a sudden, then everything happens all at once. Home
+has never seemed the same since papa died."
+
+"When you look back and think how things have changed, don't it seem
+strange," said Kittie, dropping her sewing and looking pensively off at
+the wood-pile. "It seems so funny, to think that Miss Howard is married,
+and that people live in the little old school-house.
+
+"Didn't we used to have fun there?"
+
+"Yes, we did, and we're getting old dreadful fast," said Kat, ruefully.
+
+"I can't imagine anything more dreadful than getting to be young ladies,
+and having to wear long dresses, and done-up hair, and always be polite
+and proper. I think it's horrible to be nearly fifteen!"
+
+Kittie loved fun as much as Kat, but she was not quite so frolicsome in
+her tastes, nor so averse to a graceful train, or a lady-like structure
+of hair. In fact, she had many ideas of ideal young-ladyhood that would
+have amazed and dismayed her twin, had they been known. Any one who knew
+them well was no longer at a loss to know which was which, for while in
+childhood they had been too similar to ever be distinguished, the coming
+years brought different ideas to each, and left their print in looks and
+manner. Kat was wildly rebellious at the thought of growing up; she
+wanted to remain in the blissful days of short hair and dresses, when
+she could race with anybody, jump a fence, climb trees, and in every way
+be as boyish as she could, to pay up for being a girl. Consequently she
+always had a fly-away, unsettled look about her, rebelled at the
+lengthened dresses, insisted on wearing her hair in a flying braid,
+wouldn't be induced to cultivate ease and grace, and altogether was as
+wild and unconquerable on the threshold of fifteen as she had been in
+the freedom of twelve. Kittie, on the contrary, had a decided love for
+grace, and the ease of a cultivated young lady. She did her hair up in
+various and complicated fashions, occasionally practiced with a train,
+and had learned to bow with the latest grace and twist. She remembered
+Ernestine's little graceful ways, and profited by the remembrance,
+thereby driving Kat to the verge of desperation, by giving frequent
+lectures on the necessity of sitting still gracefully, and walking
+without a skip or jump every third step. With all their little growing
+differences, they were just as devoted and inseparable as ever. Kittie
+would sit and sew with a lady-like air, and a posy in her belt, while
+Kat would lounge in the window-seat, and read aloud, or amuse them with
+nonsense; or, if they went out on the pond, Kittie would wear her
+gloves and ply her oar with an eye to grace, while Kat would, perhaps,
+be encased in a sun-bonnet, or be bareheaded and row as if on a contract
+to outdo the champion club in existence. In their work was the same
+little mark of distinction, and so now-a-days it was very easy to tell
+which was Kittie and which was Kat.
+
+It was just a year since Ernestine had gone, and such a long, sad,
+hopeless year! Not a clue or trace of any kind could they find except
+that she had gone to New York. The Canfield ticket agent had had his
+suspicions when a lady had bought a ticket and gone on the midnight
+train; but it was none of his business, to be sure; so she had gone on
+her way unmolested, and farther than that, they knew nothing. Where she
+went on reaching the city, no one knew, though no mode of search had
+been left untried, and no expense spared, either by Mrs. Dering, or the
+relatives and friends who so heartily sympathized in her heart-broken
+search. There was nothing, from himself to the last dollar he possessed,
+that Mr. Congreve did not offer; and Jean sent a tear-stained note with
+a crisp ten dollars--all she had, and saying: "Mama, please spend it to
+find Ernestine; and I ask God every few minutes, if He won't please let
+us have her again."
+
+But it had all been in vain. In the long days when Ernestine had sat and
+thought and grieved, she must have matured her plans well, or else she
+had gone blindly forth, on the wild impulse of despair, and been
+swallowed in the black wickedness of the great city, into which she
+went. It was a ceaseless question in the anxious hearts of those who
+loved her, but there never came any answer; and the days and weeks
+dragged into months until the year had rolled around, and they had heard
+nothing. The name of the lost became more precious than ever, and many
+things she had left behind, that all spoke so eloquently of her, they
+treasured as priceless, and wet them with many a sad tear, while heart
+and lips pleaded for the return of the dear one. The year of anxiety had
+told on Mrs. Dering, for the soft brown hair was thickly lined with
+grey, and there was a never-dying look of prayerful anxiety in her face,
+as though in some way, her life-work had been remiss and the fault of
+this one, gone astray, lay at her door. Still she never once gave up
+hope that at some time God would return this dear one to her, though it
+required constant prayer to strengthen the faith that trembled on the
+threshold of this affliction.
+
+Under the strain of mental and physical work, her health was slowly
+giving way, and for many weeks there had been the anxious question,
+"what can be done to relieve mama?" and there had been no way
+discovered, for money was low, and each one already doing her utmost; so
+Mrs. Dering held her position at the seminary, and was obliged to
+content herself with one visit home a week, and sometimes not even
+that, for the hack drive was so fatiguing, and besides, it cost fifty
+cents every time.
+
+Well, after all, God never fails to give us something to cheer our
+flagging steps, never fails to know when a burdened child is falling
+with its load, and never fails to take the hand outstretched to Him, and
+help that child along!
+
+In the midst of an anxious controversy one evening, when Mrs. Dering had
+just arrived home, and was lying exhausted on the lounge; Olive came in
+from the store and brought a letter with the Boston post mark; it proved
+to be from Mr. Dering's cousin, a wealthy widow, with an only son whose
+health was failing, and for whom the doctor prescribed a summer's rest,
+and relief from study. She had once visited the Dering home, and said
+she knew of no one, to whom she would so willingly trust her boy, in his
+delicate health, as to Robert's wife. The price named for his board was
+lavishly liberal, and filled the long felt want, for it would more than
+admit of mother's being free and at home to rest, and regain her own
+health and strength.
+
+So this was what Kat, viewing matters from a personal standpoint,
+thought was "horrible," and what Kittie tried to reconcile her to by
+reviewing the good things that would result from it. Bea was to room
+with Olive, and the sunny front room was fixed for the coming invalid,
+and it is a pity that all the knick-knacks arranged by the girls could
+not have retained all the curious conjectures uttered in their hearing,
+as to what the coming cousin was apt to be like, and repeated them to
+that same person.
+
+He came one evening, a tall pale youth, with very black eyes, quiet
+gentlemanly manners, and a faint suspicion of a mustache, and Kat
+instantly declared that she didn't like him.
+
+"I told you he'd be solemn, and look like a preacher. I bet he's got
+consumption too, and I suppose he'll call me Kathleen and ask me if I'm
+prepared to die?" she exclaimed, after they had met him and he had gone
+to his room.
+
+"I think he's very polite and nice," said Bea.
+
+"He looks very intelligent," added Olive, with a pleasing idea in her
+mind, of having some one with whom she could discuss her books, and
+study Latin.
+
+"Some fun in him I know," laughed Kittie. "And what nice manners he has,
+and black eyes, I wonder if he appreciates them?"
+
+"Poor fellow, just hear him cough," exclaimed Bea in sympathy. "Girls,
+what have you nice for supper?"
+
+"Slap-jacks," answered Kat grimly. "I hope he'll enjoy them."
+
+"O Kat, you surely have something else besides cakes," cried Bea in
+dismay. "It'll never do, he's used to everything nice."
+
+"Suppose he is, we're not, and he mustn't expect it here."
+
+"Dear me," explained Bea, starting for the kitchen; but Kittie
+interrupted her, with the consoling remark:
+
+"It's all right, I made a nice pudding with sugar sauce, and there is
+cold meat and hot biscuit, that's enough, mama said so."
+
+"I bet you he'll sit and mope in his room, and cry for his mama, dear
+little boy, I'll give him a sugar horn," laughed Kat, then caught her
+breath suddenly, and flushed scarlet, for there in the door stood the
+new cousin, also rather flushed, but with his eyes twinkling, and his
+arms full of things.
+
+"Thank you, Cousin Kathleen," he said gravely; "I really hadn't thought
+of crying, but your promise is tempting, I'll begin in a few moments. In
+the meantime, here are some messages that mother sent with her love. She
+selected for each, as she remembered you, and I hope that none of you
+have so changed in tastes, that these little things will be out of
+keeping."
+
+His genial tone, and winning smile were very taking, and made every one
+feel acquainted at once, so Bea pushed an easy chair forward, saying
+with a smile:
+
+"We'll try hard to be grateful, Cousin Ralph. Come, take this easy chair
+and deliver your messages, you see we're anxious."
+
+He did so, holding up a splendid copy of Dante.
+
+"For Olive, whom mother remembers as a studious book-loving little girl,
+and hoped she would enjoy this grand work."
+
+"I shall indeed," cried Olive joyfully. "How kind your mother is."
+
+"She is indeed," answered Ralph. "And very dear to me, I assure you."
+
+"This for Beatrice," he added, holding up a stout package; "I assure
+you, the interior is more attractive than the exterior," he said with a
+laugh; and so Bea found it, for there was a box of kid gloves, a dozen
+beautiful handkerchiefs, with her monogram worked in the corner, and a
+beautiful set of jet jewelry.
+
+Bea was in ecstasies, and put on her ornaments at once, while Ralph next
+unfastened two boxes exactly alike and handed them, with their contents
+exposed, to their owners.
+
+"For Kittie," he said, "and Kathleen."
+
+Kittie gave a little scream of delight, but Kat simply made a bow, and
+said "Thanks," with the grace of a ramrod, and shut her box with a snap.
+They were two beautiful chains and lockets, of ebony and gold, with the
+letters "K. D." in raised letters on the lockets, and a picture of the
+giver within. Ralph took no notice of Kat's reception of the gift, but
+complimented Kittie as she put hers on, and then asked for Mrs. Dering.
+
+Her gift was a dress of heavy black silk, with everything necessary to
+its make-up, and yards and yards of beautiful lace and fringe for its
+trimming. Oh, how happy the girls were over that, and how splendid it
+would seem to see mama once more in an elegant dress, such as she used
+to wear.
+
+For Ernestine, were elegantly bound copies of the old composers, and for
+Jeanie an exquisite little pearl ring. The one of these, Mrs. Dering
+laid away with tears, and a silent prayer, such as came from her heart
+every hour of the day for the absent one; the other, she sent with a
+long, loving letter to the little girl in Virginia, and thought, with a
+grateful heart, that the bitterest sorrows have a drop of joy somewhere,
+for the doctors had said that Jeanie could be cured.
+
+In just a little while, it seemed as though Ralph had been with them
+always, such a comfort as he was to all, and such a genial, jovial
+companion as he became on all occasions. Mrs. Dering, or Aunt Elizabeth,
+he very soon lifted to the niche of affection next to his mother's; and
+she, in turn, loved him as an own son, and in his ambitious moments,
+gave him long earnest talks, wherein she drew his unremembered Uncle
+Robert, as an example of truth, manhood and honor, such as she hoped to
+see him follow.
+
+For Bea, who now revelled in all the bliss of being a young lady nearly
+eighteen, he exerted all his most courtly politeness and gallant
+manners, and she wondered how she had ever gotten on without him
+before.
+
+To Olive, he was confidential, and finally won her to the same state.
+They studied, read and discussed, disagreed and argued, but he was
+always so polite, and ready to gracefully yield when a contested point
+could not be settled, that Olive grew ashamed of her more abrupt manners
+and hasty speech, and so the intimacy helped her in more ways than one.
+He confided to her all his ambitious plans of being a great lawyer, and
+his impatience at having to drop his studies for so many months. She, in
+turn, confided to him her longing for artistic study, and made him
+ashamed by the patience with which she had laid aside her cherished
+plans, and given all her time to the work which necessity demanded. So
+their friendship prospered.
+
+To Kittie, he was invaluable, and a more devoted brother and sister
+surely never lived. They boated, walked, sang, played and, in short,
+were almost constantly together. He was quick to discover the girlish
+longing to be graceful, refined and accomplished, and he helped her
+much, both as an example of polished, polite manners, and by rehearsing
+for her many of the accomplishments and graces of ladies of his
+acquaintance. And many times had he said to her in their little chats:
+"You have a constant example before you, Kittie, in your mother. She is
+so refined, and such a true, noble woman, I would love to see you like
+her."
+
+To Kat, he was nothing, unless it was a stumbling block in the way of
+her happiness. She didn't like him, and was furiously jealous of the
+flourishing friendship between him and Kittie. He had not been solemn
+and poky, as she had prophesied, and the fact nettled her. She never
+could make him angry, though she left no way untried, and that was
+exasperating. He was always catching her at a disadvantage, and what she
+thought was anger at the fact, was, in truth, wounded pride. She was as
+rude as she dared be, and never lost an opportunity to sharp-shoot; and
+while he realized the impoliteness of a return shot, the temptation was
+too great to resist; so they had some lively skirmishes, in all good
+humor on his side, but in lively anger on hers.
+
+He came out on the porch one day, and found her sitting on the steps,
+with her hat tilted over her eyes, and a generally woe-begone look in
+her whole attitude; and they had just had a wordy battle out at the
+pond.
+
+"Why, Kathleen," he exclaimed, in mock penitence, "is it possible? Why,
+I never meant to hurt your feelings. I didn't suppose they could be
+hurt."
+
+"No; they can't, by you," retorted Kat, knocking off her hat, and
+showing her eyes scornfully bright and dry. "Whenever you speak, I
+consider the source, and it never amounts to much."
+
+"Is it possible?" he exclaimed, laughing. "When I speak to you, you are
+the source of every inspiring word."
+
+"Then I am heartily ashamed of myself."
+
+"I don't wonder; I'm often ashamed of you."
+
+"You're hideous," cried Kat, fiercely. "I wonder if you have the ghost
+of an idea how horrible you are, Ralph Tremayne?"
+
+"No, indeed, I never found any one impolite enough to tell me; but you
+will, I'm sure."
+
+"Don't judge my politeness by your own!"
+
+"I can't for you have none," he rejoined coolly.
+
+Kat could have slapped him with a relish, and like as not, if he had
+been nearer her own age she would have tried it. As it was, she looked
+into his laughing eyes and knew that she was angry, and he was not,
+therefore he would win, for a cool head can think a great deal faster
+than a hot one; so she turned on her heel with a contemptuous spin, and
+left him.
+
+That afternoon she heard Ralph and Kittie planning a walk to the woods
+next day, and her jealous heart ached and burned fiercely. How
+despicable he was to take all of Kittie's time, and make himself such a
+paragon in her eyes, that she could talk of no one else. Kat shook her
+head in dire vengeance, and might have cried if she hadn't been too
+proud. But just then Kittie said:
+
+"I don't know, Ralph, whether I can go or not; I have some sewing that I
+ought to do; you remember how I tore my dress the last time we went
+boating? well, I ought to darn it, you see."
+
+"No, I don't happen to see, unless you take it out in the woods and mend
+it, while I make you a crown and put it on your head as queen of
+industrious girls. Violets would be very becoming to your brown hair and
+winsome face."
+
+"What nonsense!" muttered Kat, in disgust, while all the time her heart
+ached. "Wouldn't it be a joke if he was saying all those things to me
+instead of Kittie, and didn't know the difference. He wouldn't think I
+had a winsome face if I was the last girl alive, and yet I'm the moral
+image of Kittie."
+
+"Perhaps I can find time to darn my dress this afternoon, and if I do,
+then I'll go to-morrow," Kittie was saying, and then in a few moments
+Ralph went away. The moment he was gone Kat came around into the arbor,
+and threw herself on the grass.
+
+"Now then, Kittie."
+
+"Well, my dear."
+
+"I would just like to know a thing or two?"
+
+"What, for instance?"
+
+"Who are you going with to-morrow? That abomination wants you to go with
+him, and I've set my heart on having you go with me down town. You
+haven't been with me, since the dear knows when, and upon my word, I
+feel real bad."
+
+"I'll mend my dress now, go with Ralph in the morning, and you in the
+afternoon," smiled Kittie sweetly.
+
+"No you don't," cried Kat, sitting up. "I'd like to have you to myself
+for one day, at least. If he can get you from me so much in six weeks,
+by the end of summer you'll be beyond speaking to me."
+
+"Oh, Kat," cried Kittie reproachfully. "How can you?"
+
+"Well, will you go with me to-morrow?"
+
+"My dress--"
+
+"I'll darn your old dress right now. Will you?"
+
+"I don't believe you care half as much for me to go, as you do to spite
+Ralph," said Kittie thoughtfully, and to Kat's amazement she suddenly
+realized that this was so, not but what she really wanted Kittie, but
+the predominant desire was to spite Ralph, and she was bound to do it
+now, so she ran off for the dress, brought it back, and darned it
+immaculately, whereupon Kittie felt that the thing was settled.
+
+Kat was jubilant all the evening, and seized the first opportunity of
+announcing the change in the programme. Shortly after they came into the
+sitting-room, Ralph asked:
+
+"Is the dress darned, Kittie?"
+
+"Yes, it is, and I darned it, and Kittie's going down town with me
+to-morrow," answered Kat glibly.
+
+Ralph lifted his eye-brows with a smile, instantly detecting the little
+spite-work.
+
+"Why, did I speak to you?"
+
+"Believe not; I spoke to you."
+
+"Suppose you try the novelty of speaking when you're spoken to."
+
+"I generally do; also at any other time that I take a notion. I've done
+it all my life, and it'll take more than you to stop me."
+
+"Some people talk to hear themselves."
+
+"So I've heard, and I'm quite convinced that no one has a better right
+to come under that head than yourself."
+
+"Quite true; I'm amazed at your powers of penetration. Perhaps you also
+observed that I rank only a little ways below my illustrious cousin,
+Kathleen."
+
+"I'm not your cousin, thank goodness."
+
+"Don't thank anything with which you have so little acquaintance; it's
+apt to never be appreciated."
+
+"No acquaintance that I have with anything, or any body troubles me as
+much as the acquaintance that I have with you."
+
+"You have my sympathy, for I'm troubled with the same feeling."
+
+"Do hush," exclaimed Kittie. "It's perfectly awful the way you two do
+talk. Ralph, come play chess. Kat, I'm astonished."
+
+"I don't wonder; so am I; but I never had such an object to deal with
+before, so no wonder I do some unusual things," cried Kat, and bounced
+out of the room to hide the tears that would come; for Kittie's voice
+was reproof, and she took Ralph's part, and that was altogether too
+much!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+STUDY OR PLAY?
+
+
+Olive was standing at the window, with a thoughtful face. Any one who
+remembered seeing her on the porch one evening, a little over two years
+ago, and recalled her face then, compared to what it was now, would have
+said in incredulous amaze:
+
+"What a change!"
+
+She was now nearly seventeen, though she looked every day of twenty,
+both in face and figure. There was such a settled, purposeful look in
+the face, and so much strength and soul looking out from the eyes, that
+had been used to scowling fiercely, so much determination expressed in
+the mouth, that had caught the trick of smiling much more readily than
+it once had. Nor was this all of the change either; she had come to
+realize that care in personal attire, and a study of pleasing others,
+could frame the most unattractive in attractive guise, and indeed, they
+had done their work for her. Instead of wearing the very things that she
+knew did not harmonize with her peculiar dark complexion, she studied
+what was becoming. Her hair, which was luxuriously long and heavy, she
+wore in such a manner as to soften the severe outline to head and face,
+and waved it deeply in front, so that curly tendrils of hair lessened
+the height of her too-high brow, and gave a more girlish look to the
+thoughtful face. In short, the Olive of two years ago was not much like
+the Olive of to-day, and in what her character had changed, I leave you
+to find out for yourself.
+
+She stood there, looking out, and something pleasing, evidently, caught
+her eye, for it brightened suddenly, then in a moment a look of regret
+chased the smile from her face.
+
+"What is it, dear?" inquired Mrs. Dering.
+
+"What, mama?"
+
+"The faces of my girls are so dear to me, that I can read them quickly.
+Something pleased you, then brought an after-thought that was sad. What
+was it?"
+
+"Nothing. I only saw Bea coming with Dr. Barnett."
+
+"Ah!" The same smile, followed by a look of regret and a little sigh
+crossed Mrs. Dering's face, and she sewed a little faster than before,
+as if her thoughts were suddenly quickened by something. Dr. Walter
+Barnett had come to Canfield within the past year, rented a modest
+little office, hung out a neat, pretty sign to indicate that all persons
+afflicted with any of the ills to which flesh is heir, would always find
+him ready and anxious to do his best; and after a patient, hopeful
+struggle, he had now settled in a flourishing practise; for he was
+courteous and gentle, ready and willing, and always inspired the
+children with a liking, which old Dr. Potts, with his blue glasses and
+loud voice, could never do. Dr. Walter also taught the bible-class, and
+won the flinty hearts of the congregation, and the susceptible ones of
+the young ladies. He also frequently walked home with Beatrice Dering,
+and had fallen into the way of occasionally stopping in the evenings, if
+he happened to be passing and saw them in the yard. The old house, with
+its shady porches, clambering vines, and sheltering trees, made him
+think of his own home he said, and then Mrs. Dering, with her sweet,
+motherly ways, and surrounded by such lovely attractions, seemed to
+charm him; and Ralph Tremayne possessed a wonderful influence over him
+some way, which served to bring him there more frequently than he could
+have found an excuse for coming, if that young gentleman had not formed
+a part of the household.
+
+Bea came up stairs in a little while, with a lovely color in her cheeks,
+and looking very bewitching indeed, with her soft bright eyes, a posy
+in her belt, and a merry smile on her lips.
+
+"I met Dr. Barnett" she said, taking off her hat, and smoothing out the
+ribbons with a little thoughtful air; "he was just going to see that
+poor widow's little girl, who broke her back last week, and he stopped
+while I gathered some flowers for him to take to her. He is going to
+cure her if he can, and not charge anything. Isn't it good and kind in
+him, mama?"
+
+"Yes, dear, very. He did not tell you so, did he?"
+
+"Oh no; he's too modest. Mrs. Dane told me. She went to see the little
+girl, and took some things, for they are very poor, you know; and the
+mother told her, and just cried when she told how good and kind he was,
+and how he talked, and told Katie stories, when she was afraid to have
+her back fixed."
+
+"He is a very estimable young man, and a true Christian, I think," said
+Mrs. Dering, watching Bea's animated face as she talked, and noticing
+that there was no touch of embarrassment or any trace of color, as she
+rehearsed her friend's praise.
+
+"When I gave him the flowers," added Bea, taking the posy from her belt,
+and sniffing at the fragrant leaves, "he gave me these, and said we
+would exchange. He has a little window-garden in his office. I think
+that is so nice,--and these grew in it; they need some water now, poor
+little things. Hand me that vase, Olive! There!"
+
+Mrs. Dering went on with her sewing, and her heart, ever young, went
+back to the blissful days of her own life, like these in which Bea now
+lived, and she thought, with a smile:
+
+"Bless the dear innocent little heart. She doesn't suspect yet how happy
+she is, nor what precious meaning the little exchange of posies will
+soon take unto themselves."
+
+Olive was thinking of Bea's happy face and blithe laugh, and after her
+sister had gone singing from the room, she came over to her mother's
+side, and sat down on a stool there.
+
+"Mama, are you glad?"
+
+"Yes, dear, both glad and sad. A mother always dreads the time when she
+must begin to prepare herself to have her children leave her; but it
+must come, so if she can know that their new choice will bring them
+happiness, it, of course, lessens the pain which comes with losing them.
+Dr. Barnett is a good Christian, a perfect gentleman, and I think he
+loves Beatrice. I also think she is quite unconscious of it as yet, and
+I am very glad. I hope it will continue so. She is young yet, my dear
+little girl, and when she becomes aware of the new love, then I must be
+content with second place, and I do not want it to come yet."
+
+"And, mama--"
+
+"Well, dear."
+
+"I want to speak of something that may be all imagination on my part,
+and will take your word to settle it. But don't you think Ralph thinks a
+great deal of Kittie?"
+
+"Yes, he does; but it is all a brotherly feeling, anything else would be
+nonsense! Why, they're nothing but children!" said Mrs. Dering a little
+sharply.
+
+"I know Kittie is, and she never thinks of such a thing any more than a
+genuine kitten; but Ralph is twenty, mama," said Olive.
+
+"I know; and very old for his age in many things, but at heart he is
+nothing but a boy. He has always been at home with his mother, and has
+an almost girlish love and preference for ladies' society. He and Kittie
+are genial in amusements, just as you and he are in books and ambitions.
+They love each other as brother and sister, but as nothing more. I
+should be sorely displeased if any other idea should ever reach either."
+
+"It never will through me," said Olive. She then sat silent for a long
+time, and finally breaking the pause, by saying:
+
+"Mama, do you remember, one night a long time ago, when we were all
+telling disappointments?"
+
+"Yes, quite well."
+
+"Of course, it was all nonsense; but I have often thought since, that
+some time, I would tell you what I wanted to do."
+
+"And am I to hear now?"
+
+Olive smiled, and looked a little wistful.
+
+"Yes, I guess I will tell you, though it will be no surprise to you. I
+want to study, but I can never do it in Canfield. When I was fourteen, I
+first thought of going to the city and studying in Cooper's Institute
+and coming home for over Sunday, and I began to save up my money for it.
+The money that I gave to papa was that, and I was at work on a head to
+take with me, because I thought perhaps I would have to have a trial
+picture. I knew I couldn't go then, because I was too young and
+inexperienced; but I'm older now, and if you would only say that you are
+willing, so that I could begin to put just a little money away every
+month--"
+
+Mrs. Dering laid down her sewing, and looked in amaze at Olive's face,
+which had become so enthusiastic as she put her plea in a voice that
+trembled in its eagerness.
+
+"My dear child, I had thought of that same thing for you."
+
+"Why, mama!"
+
+"I had, indeed; and is it possible that it has been your own thought and
+desire for so long? You have so cheerfully given up your own work and
+done that less tasteful, and so patiently waited for the time to come
+when you could use your own money, that I had decided on just this
+thing, and will draw enough money from the bank to send you. I have a
+dear old friend in the city who would be delighted to have you board
+with her during the week, and now that Ralph is here, you can and shall
+be spared from your work, and shall take a rest in doing the work that
+you love."
+
+Olive looked speechless. Her eyes were full of sparkling tears, and her
+lips trembling with a smile. She evidently did not know what to say for
+some moments, then she exclaimed:
+
+"Oh, mama! Is it really so? It seems too good to believe, I had almost
+given up hope, for it didn't seem as if I ever could go. Oh, how I will
+study and draw, so as to make money and make my name;" and overcome with
+joy and a desire to shed some happy tears, Olive jumped up and ran out.
+
+In a day or two, however, something happened that deferred Olive's
+studies for a while longer. It was from Jean, a long letter, full of
+love and longings to see them all, and long reports of what the doctors
+were doing for her, and how she could stand straight now without her
+crutch, and would soon be able to take a step. And after all that, she
+began about Uncle Ridley: how kind and good he was, how she had
+everything she could think of; how they loved each other; and then came
+this piece of news:
+
+"He wants one of the girls to come and make a visit, mama. He's often
+said so; but the other day he told me to write for one of them, which
+ever one I wanted, and he would pay her expenses. Now you know I never
+could choose which of the girls I'd love to see most, because I want to
+see them all so very much. But I think he wants to see Olive; he's often
+said so; and he's asked me so much about her, and said he'd like to know
+her because she was so impudent to him. Why was she? Do you know, mama?
+I think it's so strange, when he's such a dear, darling uncle. Anyhow, I
+think it would please him very much if she would come, and oh, how very
+happy I would be. Tell me what you think about it, and I do hope she'll
+come; and if she can't, please let one of the others, and hurry and let
+me know. I can hardly wait."
+
+"Of course you'll go," said Kittie, when the letter was finished, and
+the question open to discussion.
+
+"To be sure," said Kat. "Olive, you're a lucky girl. I wish I had been
+impudent to him."
+
+"I always have wanted to see Congreve Hall," said Bea, with a little
+sigh. "How grand it would seem to live in a magnificent place that had a
+name to it. I suppose you'll stay a long time, Olive?"
+
+"I wish he wanted any of you," said Olive, "and I believe he does. It's
+all Jeanie's notion, his wanting me. Fix Bea up, mama, and let her go. I
+have something else on my mind."
+
+But Mrs. Dering shook her head. "I think Jean is right," she said.
+"Uncle Ridley is a peculiar old man and he thinks Olive is much like the
+Congreves; he told me so himself, and I think he wants you for that
+reason."
+
+So great was Olive's consternation, that she sprang right up from her
+seat in dismay.
+
+"Oh, mama! I want to see Jean; you know I do, but I can't give up my
+plan any longer; I can't. You don't think I ought to, do you?"
+
+"What do you think about it, Olive?"
+
+"I don't know; I think it's too bad," cried Olive; then fled from the
+room, as she always did when she found her emotions getting the mastery
+over her.
+
+"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Kat, in sympathy. "It is too bad when her
+heart is so set on her studies. That's the disadvantage of having a
+talent. Don't you suppose Uncle Ridley would be satisfied with me? I'd
+do my level best to be like the Congreves, if that is such an attraction
+to him."
+
+"He'd go crazy with such a whirligig about as you," said Bea, a little
+envious of Olive's good luck. "I think I might go. I'm the oldest, and
+dear me, how I would enjoy it!"
+
+"I would love to have you all go," said Mrs. Dering, thoughtfully
+creasing the letter in her fingers. "Congreve Hall was papa's home, and
+I would enjoy having you see it, would love to go myself, in fact, and
+when I think of my dear precious little girl, it seems as though I must
+go. But that cannot be, so it need not be thought of. As to Olive, Uncle
+Ridley is peculiar and quick, and he took a fancy to her, and if her
+going to see them would give him any pleasure, I am only too glad and
+willing to have her go. I am sorry the invitation came just now for the
+child has waited so patiently to study and work on her art, that delay
+will be a sore disappointment to her. But she will see through it
+rightly I am sure and be willing to wait a little longer."
+
+"Mama," said Kat, reflectively, "don't you think Olive has changed very,
+very much?"
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"And especially since Ernestine went away. Why?" asked Kittie.
+
+Mrs. Dering sighed and looked sad; she always did when Ernestine's name
+was mentioned.
+
+"Olive's was a very unhappy disposition then, a great deal more so than
+she is now," she said. "What attractions she possessed, she hid by her
+faults; she did not try to please any one, but took her time in envying
+Ernestine's natural beauty and power to please. She made herself bitter,
+morose, and unattractive, then blamed others for showing any preference
+for her sisters. I think the lesson poor Ernestine taught was one that
+she took to heart deeply, and has profited much by."
+
+"I notice she does not dislike Uncle Ridley as much as she used to,"
+said Bea, smiling and looking very happy all at once as she caught sight
+of a gentleman coming up the shady walk. "Mama, here comes Dr. Barnett.
+I promised him some more flowers to take to little Katie Gregg. If he is
+not in a hurry I shall ask him in; and, Kat, I advise you to put up your
+hair. It looks like an Indian's that way."
+
+"Who cares for old Barnett?" said Kat, as Bea flitted out. "My hair
+suits myself, and if he don't like it, he can look at Kittie's. Hers is
+as proper as ten commandments, with a killing bow fastened right on an
+angle with her ear. Now here comes Ralph, and I'm off. Kittie come down
+to the pond, and let's take a row."
+
+"I will in a little while," said Kittie, putting her sewing aside; "but
+Ralph is going to help me with that example I couldn't get, and I'll do
+that first, then I'll be down."
+
+"Well, I'll not look for you," said Kat discontentedly. "After you get
+your old example, there'll be something else, and then it'll be time to
+get dinner. I just abominate cousins!" and Kat slammed out of one door,
+just as Ralph came in at the other.
+
+No one saw Olive again during the day, but just before supper she came
+down stairs and asked for mother.
+
+"I don't know," said Kittie, flying about the kitchen with her big apron
+on. "She and Bea went down town this afternoon; I don't know whether
+they're back or not. If you're going in the sitting-room, tell Ralph to
+come; he said he'd beat the eggs, if I'd make a puff-cake."
+
+So Olive went into the sitting-room, and sent Ralph out to the feminine
+employment of egg-beating, then she stood by the window and looked
+absently out at the shadowy yard. She was going to Virginia; she had
+decided on that, though the decision had cost some bitter tears and some
+stern reasoning; for her new plans, long held in check, were doubly
+precious in the sudden promise of fulfillment, and her whole soul,
+starved out on book-keeping and dusty offices, begged for a revel in the
+art she loved so well.
+
+"After all," she mused, deciding grimly to look at the best side of
+things, "Jean says there is a gallery of grand pictures at Congreve
+Hall, and I suppose I can study and make copies of the ones that I like;
+and then"--the thought was a little distasteful to her--"I suppose I was
+unjust to Mr. Congreve, and ought to make amends if I can. We do owe him
+more than any amount of gratitude can ever repay, for all he's done for
+Jean, and I suppose I ought to call him Uncle Ridley, and have the dress
+made that he sent me; perhaps he'll recognize it;" then she laughed a
+little, to think what he would say at discovering her just accepting the
+present made two years ago.
+
+"A laugh sounds encouraging; what brings it Olive?" asked Mrs. Dering,
+having entered noiselessly.
+
+"Nothing, I was just thinking," answered Olive. "I will go, mama,
+because I cannot help but think that I ought to, I was just deciding in
+my mind to call him Uncle Ridley, and have the black dress made. How
+soon shall I go?"
+
+"I cannot tell yet; there is much that you will need done. I am very
+glad that you have decided in this way, Olive dear, though I know it was
+a sacrifice; but your art will become none the less precious through
+delay, and your decision shows a desire to retract some hasty judgments,
+and do justice to a peculiar old man, who, with all his faults and
+vagaries, has a heart as true as gold."
+
+"I guess that's it," said Olive, with a little sigh; and then the
+supper-bell rang.
+
+At the end of three weeks Olive was ready to go, and it was hard to tell
+whether she was any more enthusiastic with the idea or not. After the
+fashion of all young girls, she could not help but be pleased to see the
+accumulating pile of pretty things; to feel all the time that something,
+which might prove very pleasant, was going to happen; and that she was
+the cause of all the little bustle of preparation that filled the house,
+and engrossed the mind and hands of mother and sisters. There is always
+something, more or less exciting in the appearance of a trunk, and when
+packing time actually came, Olive found that she was beginning to
+indulge in some very pleasing anticipations.
+
+"I expect Jean has grown very tall," said Bea one afternoon, as the
+girls were all gathered in Olive's room, and the big trunk stood open in
+the middle of the floor.
+
+"Probably wears long dresses, and does her hair in a chignogger," said
+Kat, from a perch on the foot-board of the bed, where she rested in idle
+moments.
+
+"'Tisn't to be supposed that she can be treated so like a young lady,
+and not get stuck up. Just to think of having a maid, and being called
+Miss Dering, when you are only twelve. Hollo, Kittie! hand me that pile
+of skirts, and I'll fold them."
+
+"Dear me," said Kittie, handing over the snowy starched heap. "You have
+six white skirts, Olive, and three of them trimmed. I'd feel terribly
+fixed up, and lady-like with so many."
+
+"Pooh! some girls have six dozen, with tucks, and ruffles and puffles on
+every blessed one of them," said Kat, making the starched cloth rattle
+with her vigorous folding.
+
+"All nonsense," assented Kittie, down on her knees before the trunk.
+"Now hand me the things and I'll pack. Kat, you're knocking everything
+off the table, the way you whisk those skirts around. Hand me the black
+dress; that's the heaviest and must go in first."
+
+"Where's the other black tip?" asked Bea, who was trimming the
+travelling hat. "There it is, you blew it behind the table with your
+whirlwind of skirts; hand it to me, Kat."
+
+"What fun it is to pack and go away," said Kat, fishing out the desired
+feather with Olive's parasol. "You pack like a captain, Kittie. I'd most
+likely have put her best hat in the first thing, shoe polish next, and
+then tumbled in anything that I happened to lay my hands on. Dear me, I
+wish I was going."
+
+"I really think it's too bad that you haven't a party dress, Olive,"
+said Kittie, with some disapproval.
+
+"Whatever would she do with a party dress," cried Kat, once more
+enthroned on the foot-board. "Who'd give a party, I'd like to know? One
+old man, a little girl, and a pile of servants!"
+
+"Young Mr. Congreve is there," corrected Bea.
+
+"S'pose he is; and anyhow, I hope you'll snub him, Olive; he's going to
+own Congreve Hall, and it ought to have been papa's. If he was a decent
+man he wouldn't take it. How are you going to treat him?"
+
+"I don't know;--yes, I like the feather that way; you ought to see how
+nicely my dress hangs," said Olive, in a little flutter of pleasing
+excitement. "Really, it's quite nice getting ready to go away. I only
+wish the visit was over and done with, and all this preparation was for
+sending me off to study."
+
+"Don't worry about your studying, you're twice as smart now as any of
+us," said Bea, surveying her work, from its perch on her finger. "Now
+try this on, Olive, I've tipped the feather a little more to one side,
+and it looks more jaunty--just the thing too; isn't that becoming
+girls?"
+
+"Perfectly mag!" exclaimed Kat, making an eye-glass of her hands, and
+falling into a rapture of admiration that pretty near upset her from the
+foot-board.
+
+"I declare, you're going to be very distinguished looking, Olive," said
+Kittie, resting from her packing to survey, and pass an opinion. "And a
+cocked hat is very becoming. The next thing we hear, you will be
+creating a sensation in Staunton that will shake the whole of Virginia."
+
+"Very likely," laughed Olive; but she looked pleased, for there was
+honest admiration in each sister's voice; and, after all, it is no small
+thing to be going off alone, with a trunk filled by loving hands, a new
+cocked hat that is becoming, and the pleasing thought of looking well in
+all respects, and perhaps "distinguished."
+
+The day for departure came at last; and in the afternoon sunshine,
+Olive, trunk and satchel stood on the porch, waiting for the express
+wagon; and the front door stood open, and there was a great deal of
+laughing and talking going on within, that sounded very gay and happy.
+Dr. Barnett had taken advantage of the little excitement to drop in,
+though he had been around only the evening before, and bid Olive
+good-bye, with much ceremony and many good wishes; but no one seemed to
+object to his being on hand again, for Bea looked her unconscious
+happiness, and Mrs. Dering was cordial and kind, and the young doctor
+was in a dream of bliss.
+
+"Where's Ralph?" exclaimed Olive, suddenly, when the real good-bye
+moment had fairly come; if such it could be called, when the whole
+family were going to the depôt with the young traveller.
+
+"He's gone, sure enough!" said Kittie, after some hasty and lusty
+calling had taken place. "I suppose he's gone on down to the train; but
+it's funny the wagon don't come."
+
+"I'll trot down to the gate and see if it is in sight," volunteered Kat,
+who was obliged to keep moving as a vent to excitement; but just as she
+started, there rattled up to the gate, in great style, the handsomest of
+Canfield's two hacks, and out of it sprang Ralph.
+
+"I wanted you to go off in style," he said, well pleased with himself
+when he saw Olive's delighted look. "Here cabby, is the trunk! Now,
+ladies--hollo, doctor! you going to the train?"
+
+"Well, really," said Dr. Barnett, hesitating, "I hadn't thought, but, if
+Miss Olive will allow me, I'll be happy."
+
+He said Miss Olive, but, bless you! he looked right straight at Miss
+Beatrice, and she smiled; and after that, neither ever knew whether
+Olive was willing or not.
+
+"This is putting on style with a vengeance," said Kat, as the ladies
+seated themselves in the back, after the trunk had been tossed aloft.
+"People will think the whole family is departing for Europe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CONGREVE HALL.
+
+
+"That's Olive! that's Olive! Oh I'm so glad; hurry James, there she is!"
+
+It was an eager, childish voice, ringing joyfully through the Staunton
+depôt, and making every one turn and smile at the speaker, who stood in
+a large carriage, running her eyes over the crowd that gathered as the
+train came in and stopped; and suddenly breaking into that joyful cry,
+as she watched for a face, which appeared among so many strange ones.
+
+"Yes, Miss Jean; the young lady in grey?"
+
+"Yes, and hurry; she doesn't see us yet," cried Jean, almost leaping
+from the carriage in her eager excitement, but James made his way
+through the crowd, and Olive suddenly found herself confronted by a tall
+man who lifted his hat.
+
+"Miss Dering? Miss Jean is in the carriage; may I take your satchel?
+This way, please."
+
+Olive followed, with her heart fluttering wildly; but almost before her
+quick eye discovered her little sister, James had paused at the
+carriage, and Jean was laughing and crying on her neck.
+
+"Oh, Olive, I'm so glad and happy, I don't know what to do! I was so
+afraid you wouldn't come--and Uncle Ridley told me I mustn't get out of
+the carriage--and cousin Roger couldn't come with me--and I'm so glad
+you came--and how is mama and the girls--why don't you say something?"
+
+More than one person in hearing of this incoherent outburst, smiled
+broadly, and James was obliged to lower his head as he assisted Olive
+into the carriage, lest the twinkle of amusement in his face, should mar
+his profound dignity and professed stolidity for anything outside his
+coachmanship.
+
+"Do tell me everything--quick," cried Jean, as the carriage started
+onward, and she took her seat on Olive's lap. "Didn't mama send her
+picture, or something? I'd give twenty million dollars, if I had it, if
+I could just see her for a few little minutes. I guess I've cried about
+fifty gallons of tears to see you all since I came here."
+
+"Cried, when you are getting well?" laughed Olive, just beginning to
+realize how much she had wanted to see the little sister, who was now
+clinging to her with such joyous love.
+
+"Yes, indeed I have; and then Bettine gets so sorry for me, and says it
+isn't right, but then, I think God ought not to make me love mama and
+you all so much, if He does not want me to cry to see you."
+
+"And are you ever so much better?" asked Olive.
+
+"Oh yes, I never use my crutch now, only a little cane to help me, and
+the first time I really walk without any thing, I'm going to have my
+picture taken for mama."
+
+"I will draw it," exclaimed Olive. "If I am here, and have you standing
+among the flowers."
+
+"How nice," cried Jean; then drew back a little, and looked at her
+sister, as though just aware that she was really present.
+
+"Why, Olive, you--seems to me--I don't know; but then, aren't you
+changed a good deal, someway?"
+
+"I don't know; do you think I am?" asked Olive feeling the color creep
+into her cheeks, at the honest childish question.
+
+"Yes, it seems to me you are;" and Jean looked undecided whether to go
+on. "You look so nice and pretty, and then you don't seem a bit cross;
+is it because you are glad to see me?"
+
+"That's just exactly it," cried Olive, moved to hide her face.
+
+"You don't know how glad I am to see you Jeanie, and if I'm cross a
+single once while I'm here, you may scold me."
+
+"Oh, Olive," and Jean laughed merrily. "The idea of my scolding you,
+that's too funny. Don't you ever get cross any more?"
+
+"I try not, but then I do a great many times, I expect; I don't think I
+will now though, for I'm so glad to be with you, and find that you are
+just the same little Jeanie, that mama and the girls love and want to
+see so much. Why Kat said she expected you would have on long dresses,
+and be a young lady."
+
+"What a funny old girl she is," cried Jean. "I'd give anything to hear
+her laugh once, it always sounds so pretty."
+
+The rest of the drive was taken up in hasty chattering, as though they
+were going to be separated in just a few moments, and would leave
+something untold; and Olive never noticed that they had entered some
+tall gates, and were going up a white gravel road that wound in and out
+of the velvet-like lawn; and had quite forgotten her trepidation at
+meeting Mr. Congreve, until they came to a stand still, and James,
+throwing open the carriage door, revealed the great entrance portico,
+the open doors and the cool dark interior to Congreve Hall.
+
+"Where is Uncle Ridley?" was Jean's first question, as James lifted her
+out and handed her cane, while Olive followed.
+
+"I do not know, Miss Jean," James answered; but at that moment, Mr.
+Congreve became visible, advancing through the wide hall, and with her
+heart in a little jump, Olive passed Jean, entered the door, and met
+him, with outstretched hand.
+
+"How do you do, Uncle Ridley?"
+
+"Uncle Ridley! God bless my soul, just listen," cried the old man, the
+quizzical look on his face changing to one of blank delighted amazement,
+"Why, how do you do, my dear child; I didn't know but what you'd take my
+head off the first thing; you've changed a great deal; yes, bless my
+soul you have, but it's very becoming, it is indeed. Now come right in
+and sit down, and let me look at you, for I'd like to do so, yes I
+would. There--hum! ha, I never expected to get this close to you and be
+safe. And you called me Uncle Ridley too. Do it of your own accord?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Going to do it again?"
+
+"If you want me to?"
+
+"Want you to! God bless my soul! Just listen. I never was a downright,
+unvarnished heathen, but twice in my life; and I guess you know about
+both of those times, and my first request is that you let them slide
+from your memory. The Lord knows I'd like to! Yes, child, I want you to
+call me uncle, I hoped you would, but I wasn't going to ask you to.
+Before I die, I would like to be a better uncle to Robert's children
+than I ever was to him."
+
+[Illustration: "WHY, HOW DO YOU DO, MY DEAR CHILD?"]
+
+Olive found that what little of the old dislike that lingered in her
+memory was fast vanishing, but before she could speak, he had whisked
+back into his odd, abrupt way.
+
+"What stupids we are, to be sure; never ask you to take off your things,
+or wash your face; and it's dirty sure as I'm alive! but then, there's
+enough smoke and dust and stuff, between here and New York, to dirty the
+faces of all the angel hosts, so you needn't mind; though I don't
+suppose you do; bless me! no; but then, you had better go and wash it.
+Jeanie, Olive is ready to go up stairs."
+
+Jean had been fluttering about Olive's chair in impatient eagerness, and
+now signified her readiness to act as guide by seizing her hand and
+hurrying out.
+
+"I was so afraid he would keep you there to talk," she said, as they
+went up the wide stairway, and through the hall, that made Olive open
+her eyes in spite of herself, for she never had seen such lavish display
+of elegance; and she was immediately seized with an old feeling of
+awkward strangeness, that brought a defiant color to her face, as she
+thought of any one discovering that she was unused to any elegance or
+custom that might reign in Congreve Hall.
+
+"Uncle Ridley had these rooms fixed for you," said Jean, throwing open
+a large door, and ushering her in. "See, aren't they just beautiful?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Olive in quick delight; for they were certainly
+gems to make a girl rejoice. Three, with a bath-room, all complete, and
+looking like Titania's bower in their delicate green coloring and bamboo
+furniture. The carpets were like untouched moss clinging fresh and
+sweet, to mother-rocks, and to Olive, it seemed almost like sacrilege to
+tread upon it. From the wide, deep windows was a view, such as would
+hold the most careless gazer in a moment of ecstasy, and after one quick
+cry of artistic appreciation, Olive stood mutely entranced. Looking
+down, there were occasional glimpses of the magnificent lawn, with here
+and there, a rustic seat, and white statue, thrown in bold relief as
+seen through the tossing foliage; and looking out, there showed the road
+winding down through the mountains, every now and then disappearing,
+until finally lost to view; and farther off, and down in the valley lay
+Staunton, the busy, beautiful city, with its church spires rising into
+the hazy atmosphere, as though in defiance to the lofty peaks towering
+so much higher, and printing themselves against the sky in the far
+distance, in jagged, immovable lines, that looked like relentless guards
+to something beyond.
+
+"Do you want a maid?" asked Jean, breaking in upon her reverie. "Uncle
+Ridley sent to ask you."
+
+"A maid!" exclaimed Olive, feeling blank for a moment. Did she want a
+maid? No; of course she didn't. Ernestine would have taken a maid; oh,
+yes; and no one would ever thought but what she had had a maid and
+untold luxuries all her life. But she--"No, I don't want any maid," she
+said, almost sharply; then laughed as Jean looked grieved at the quick
+tone. "What would I do with a maid, Jeanie? She would know a great deal
+more what to do than I, and that would never do, you know. Besides, I'm
+too used to dressing myself. Do all young ladies in Virginia have
+maids?"
+
+"All the rich ones, I guess. Miss Franc Murray,--she is going to marry
+Cousin Roger, Bettine says; she has one, and scolds her like everything
+when her hair isn't just right."
+
+"Why, how do you know?" laughed Olive.
+
+"I've been there lots of times. She comes here for me, and tells Uncle
+Ridley she loves me dearly; but Olive--"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"When she comes, she stays just as long as she can; and if Cousin Roger
+isn't around, she asks me where he is, and all about him; then I have to
+promise never to tell."
+
+"But you are telling me."
+
+"Oh, do you think that counts?" cried Jean in alarm. "She didn't ever
+mean you; but then, perhaps, I better not tell any more until I ask
+her, for I might break my word."
+
+Olive could not resist kissing the childish, innocent face that looked
+more like a little angel's than a child of nearly twelve. Surely, no
+matter how Jean was surrounded, she would always retain that childish
+sweetness and purity, that had always made her seem more of heaven than
+earth. Before she left Congreve Hall, Olive many times wondered that the
+child was not spoiled, for her slightest wish was law, from the owner
+down to the last servant therein.
+
+When the bell rang for tea, it broke in upon an earnest cosy chat
+between the sisters, and made them reluctant to leave their seat in the
+twilight; but Mr. Congreve was punctual to the letter, and required the
+same of others, so Jean led the way in a moment, and together they
+descended the stairs and entered the room.
+
+"Here you are, with your face clean, and a posy in your hair," cried Mr.
+Congreve, from his stand on the rug. "Fine looking girl, you are, my
+dear, and a Congreve every inch of you. Come here, and shake a paw with
+your Uncle Ridley."
+
+Olive did so, and conscious that another gentleman was standing outside
+the circle of light, and doubtless regarding her as she crossed the room
+to "shake a paw," she advanced, and tried not to think whether she was
+doing so gracefully or not.
+
+"That's the way," exclaimed Mr. Congreve, drawing her into the brightest
+light. "Roger, here is your Cousin Olive, and Olive, this is Roger
+Ridley Congreve at your service, and we will suppose that you are
+cousins, for the want of a better name. Now shake hands and be friends,
+children."
+
+The gentleman came forward, and conscious that her face was growing
+scarlet, Olive bowed slightly, and murmured something wherein no words
+were audible, but his name, and grew furiously angry with herself,
+because she had become confused at the sight of a gentleman, where she
+had expected to see only a youth.
+
+"Hoity-toity!" cried Mr. Congreve. "That will never do; call the boy
+Roger, Olive, and then we will go to supper."
+
+"The boy" smiled in a friendly fashion, and supposing that her confusion
+arose from the old gentleman's abrupt manner, he held out his hand.
+
+"Let us shake and be friendly, Cousin Olive, and it is a great wonder
+that he doesn't command a kiss of greeting, on the strength of our being
+cousins, more or less distantly removed."
+
+As he spoke, Olive looked up with a startled air, and unconscious that
+he was holding her hand, she looked straight at him for several moments.
+Where had she ever seen that face and heard that voice?
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Jean, for the memory was in some way painful
+to her, and reflected itself so in her face.
+
+"Nothing," exclaimed Olive, withdrawing her hand in mortified haste, and
+flushing scarlet again.
+
+"I thought perhaps you was getting ready to blow his head off,"
+exclaimed Mr. Congreve, as if in relief. "That's something the way you
+looked at me, only not so ferocious, no! God bless my soul, no! I should
+have run if it had been; I should indeed. Now let's go to supper.
+Jeanie, come and help your old uncle along, and Roger, you take your
+Cousin Olive, and lead the way."
+
+Olive was angry, mortified and confused, so her reception of Roger's arm
+was none too gracious, nor the few words she uttered in answer to what
+he said, anything but barely audible and civil. Sensitively aware that
+she had allowed her feelings to get possession of her in the
+commencement, she tried to rectify matters now, and grew so frigid that
+there was no thawing her out. Roger Congreve's eyes wore a constant
+twinkle, and he looked at her so frequently that Olive defiantly felt
+that he was laughing at her awkward confusion, and the thought made his
+prospects towards gaining her friendship, none too bright. So on the
+whole, supper was not a successful meal, for Mr. Congreve never, when at
+the table, allowed any duty or pleasure to interfere with his eating;
+in consequence of which, he now devoted himself solely to chicken and
+chocolate, with only an occasional word, shot in edgeways, between
+bites. Jean was worried, because Olive looked so displeased, and as for
+Mr. Congreve the younger, he soon found that their guest preferred to
+say little or nothing, so allowed her to have her way. Immediately at
+the close of the meal, Jean and Olive went up stairs. Mr. Congreve went
+to sleep, with a big pocket handkerchief over his head, and his hands
+folded solemnly over his waistcoat; and the young gentleman took himself
+away,--to see "Miss Murray," said Jean, as she settled in Olive's lap
+for a chat. "I know he's going there, because I heard him tell Carl,
+that's the gardener, to gather a beautiful bouquet."
+
+For the first week the two sisters were left entirely to themselves; and
+they talked early and late, until every step travelled by each; during
+their separation, had been gone over, and made familiar with, by the
+other. Almost every day, Jean wanted to hear Ernestine's story repeated,
+and each time it seemed to grieve her more, though she never failed to
+say with a patient trusting faith--"She will come back, I know she will,
+for I ask God every night, and then somehow I always feel as though he
+had said to me: 'Wait a little longer Jean, I'm not ready quite yet,' so
+I'm waiting, Olive."
+
+Such perfect unquestioning faith, was something that Olive could not
+understand; and many times, when Jean spoke in such a simple trusting
+way, of how she talked to God, and told Him her little wants and
+worries, the elder sister would feel, with a thrill of fear, that
+perhaps God was going to take onto Himself, the child, who, all her
+short life had seemed to breath the air of Heaven more than of earth;
+and that up above, she would be united to the sister, who seemed lost to
+them below.
+
+They wrote home nearly every day, and Olive's letters were such
+blessings, for were they not filled, from beginning to end, with news of
+Jean! How she was growing strong and well, and would, perhaps, walk
+before Fall; how every one, from Uncle Ridley down, were devoted to her,
+and what a little dream of luxury her life was now, with every want or
+wish gratified, and everything that heart could wish. "And she is so
+sweet and unselfish," writes Olive. "A very little angel she seems to
+me, mama, and every hour that I spend with her, helps me in some way.
+There is a little lesson for me in all her childish words, and I'm not
+ashamed to tell you that I wish I could be more like her, though I never
+can. She seems apart some way, and is a constant study, that becomes
+more precious to me every day. When I pray, it seems to me like an
+important extra thing, that I must make some preparation for and be
+precise about; and then I cannot help feeling, that perhaps I'm not
+heard after all, which I know is wrong; but it is so different with
+Jean. She goes to God, as she would to you or papa, and never seems to
+doubt that every word is heard, and interested in. She is perfectly
+confident that Ernestine is coming back, and it gives me hope just to be
+near such perfect faith."
+
+After having given them several days of uninterrupted talk, Mr. Congreve
+began to lay claims to more of their time. He said he was lonesome for
+Jean, and that he was not getting any better acquainted with Olive, than
+as if she had staid at home; and that he thought they might talk to him,
+five minutes a day, at least; so after that, Jean spent her usual time
+with him, and Olive brought bits of sewing, or a little sketch she might
+be working on, down to the library, and they spent hours together. It
+was a pleasing study, to see how this companionship with the girls,
+affected the crusty old gentleman. He would sit by the hour with Jean on
+his knee, listening to her quaint childish talk, and looking alternately
+at her and at Olive, sketching or sewing, in the window seat; and the
+dear knows, what all he might be thinking about; but it must have been
+much; for it sometimes got the better of him, in a way that made easy
+breathing difficult, and brought the red handkerchief into vigorous use;
+and then he would jump up, flurry about, as though he were scaring a
+whole brood of chickens from the room.
+
+"There! clear out, clear out; God bless my soul! I want to read and be
+quiet awhile. Jeanie, hunt up my glasses, and get down my book, and
+then trot out, and be quick about it."
+
+The first time he dismissed them in this abrupt fashion, Olive left with
+dignity, and told Jean that they would not trouble him again; then she
+thought it over, and changed her mind, and went back the next day as
+usual, to his evident surprise, for he had noticed her heightened color
+the day before, and little expected to see her back; so that when she
+came in, he gave vent to an astonished "humph!" and after a moment's
+pause, took one or two thoughtful turns around the room.
+
+"So you are determined to put up with the crusty old uncle, are you?" he
+said, pausing beside her, and looking down at the little sketch that was
+growing under her busy fingers. "Well, my dear, I'll turn in and help
+you; but if I ever get too much like a bear to be called human, you must
+remember that I'm getting old, and rather on the cross-grain; and not
+mind me any more than you can help. Now I just enjoy seeing you sit here
+and sketch," he went on more briskly. "Robert used to sit here in this
+very window, and draw mountains and valleys, and all sorts of things,
+and he did 'em well, though not as quick and true as you. I suppose he
+would have been an artist, and a splendid good one, too; but then I
+didn't want him to, so he gave it up,--a good boy was Robert, a splendid
+good boy, and I hope the dear Lord will forgive me for ever forgetting
+what my duty was to him, and letting my thundering temper get the better
+of me;--there now, draw away; I'm going off for a little tramp in the
+garden, and I'll be back a great deal sooner than you'll want me, I
+expect;" and off he went, with a great racket, which he never failed to
+make, when at all excited.
+
+One day, when he startled them with the usual abrupt dismissal, Olive
+did not go; instead, she laid down her work, and took his book, which
+was a ponderous volume of essays.
+
+"Now, Uncle Ridley, don't you want me to read to you?"
+
+"Read to me! God bless my soul! you read to me! Well, I never, I never
+did, to be sure; where's my snuff-box?--you read to me? No, I think not;
+you--you'll read too fast, and clatter your words up, and I'll have to
+work like a steam engine to keep up with you; no, on the whole, I guess
+not, I guess not."
+
+Olive's first thought was to put the book down, and leave, but her
+second was the one she acted upon.
+
+"I'll read slow," she said, "and as distinctly as I can; shall I try?"
+
+"Well, humph! I guess you may; sit down there, and go slow," with which
+remark, he sat back in his chair, spread the red handkerchief over his
+face, and Olive began to read. She read well, slowly and distinctly,
+and in a little while, the clear voice attracted another listener, who
+came in quietly, and studied the young reader's thoughtful face, from
+his seat in a distant corner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+UNDER THE SHADY GREEN-WOOD TREE.
+
+
+"Why, Kat, what is the matter?"
+
+"Nothing; not a blessed thing; I'm just trying to see how big a goose I
+can be. Where did you come from?"
+
+"Down town. Why, child, you look as if you had been crying for hours.
+What is the matter?"
+
+"Nothing, I tell you; take my word, and get out of the way, for I'm
+going to jump;" and down she came from above, with a swinging leap that
+brought a shower of half-ripe apples with her, and filled the air with
+leaves. "I had the dumps a little, and I've been sitting here in the
+tree crying over this book, until my nose is so big that I cannot see
+over it, and my eyes ache terribly."
+
+"I should think they would, and you look dreadfully frowzled," said Bea,
+smoothing down her own dress, with an air of self-approval. "Really,
+Kat--"
+
+"Oh, come now, don't. I never was, and never will be a pink of
+propriety; and I would like to have a little peace and rest from
+lectures. You and Kittie are getting so orderly and band-boxy-fied, that
+there's no pleasure living. I'll be glad when Olive comes back, for she
+isn't quite so distressingly particular!" exclaimed Kat, who was
+evidently in anything but the best of humors.
+
+"Well, don't get fussy about it, and I won't say any more," promised
+Bea, with a conciliatory smile. "Besides, I've got some good news. We
+are invited to Mrs. Raymond's picnic, next Wednesday!"
+
+"You don't say so; hurrah!" cried Kat, in a sudden gale of delight, her
+eyes beginning to sparkle behind their still wet lashes.
+
+"What oceans of bliss! Who did you see?"
+
+"Clara and Lou; they were just coming out here to invite us, when I met
+them. It will be splendid; they are going ten miles out, and they supply
+carriages for all, and there will be boating and dancing, and games, and
+just everything delightful."
+
+Kat spun around on her heel enthusiastically, and threw a handful of
+small apples into the air. "Of course there will," she cried. "Raymonds'
+never do anything except in the most stylish way. That's the fun of
+being rich."
+
+"I've just been down to call on Miss Barnett," said Bea, stooping to
+pick some imaginary burr from her dress. "They are invited, too."
+
+"Ah, indeed," said Kat, with a mischievous chuckle, "I suppose of
+course, you are glad, for you want Miss Barnett to have a good time,
+don't you?"
+
+"Of course," answered Bea, with much composure, and a little color. "She
+is a very pleasant young lady, and I would like to invite them here one
+evening before she goes home."
+
+"Nothing to prevent that I can see," said Kat, "unless the doctor should
+object; but then, I don't think he will."
+
+"I shall ask mama," continued Bea, without noticing the little sly
+remark. "I need not have many, about fifteen is enough; and we might
+have cake, you know."
+
+"Yes, cake and water; cheap and original; she won't expect much, for I
+suppose the doctor has told her that we are poor as Job's turkey."
+
+"I suppose he has not," corrected Bea, with some mild resentment. "He
+would have no occasion to mention us in connection with such a subject.
+Besides, we're not as poor as that."
+
+"Just go by it then," laughed Kat. "But you shall have a party, dear, if
+I have to paint the hole in the carpet and do all the work. We'll have a
+party or die."
+
+Very much the same conclusion, only a little more mildly put, Mrs.
+Dering came to, when Bea made her modest request, with a pretty color in
+her face.
+
+"I know the parlor furniture is shabby, but it won't show so much at
+night," Bea explained. "And we might just have cake and coffee, you
+know, mama."
+
+"Yes, dear, quite a nice little idea; and I think we can do it without
+any trouble," answered Mrs. Dering, with that degree of motherly
+interest that is always so encouraging, "How many would you like to
+have, and on what evening?"
+
+"How good you are!" cried Bea, with a grateful hug, before she answered
+any questions. "Twelve is enough, don't you think so! Perhaps we'd like
+to dance, or if the moon should be very bright, we could play croquet
+and row on the pond."
+
+"Quite delightful ideas. And what evening, dear?"
+
+"Next--the picnic is on Wednesday. I guess on Friday evening would be
+the best; Miss Barnett goes home on the next Tuesday."
+
+"On Friday evening next. Well, I will spend the meantime studying up my
+receipt-book, for its been a long time since I made a fancy cake,"
+laughed Mrs. Dering. "As to the parlor, I think you had better go right
+in and see what is needed there."
+
+"So we had. Come on girls;" and off fluttered Bea, with a blithe song on
+her lips, and followed by Kittie and Kat, who were consumed with
+excitement at the prospect of a picnic and party in one week.
+
+The parlors were quite large double rooms that had never been fully
+furnished, but had received chairs and a table or two, by degrees; a
+lounge at one time, a couple of stools at another, and, lastly, a
+what-not, at which point contributions towards furnishing them ceased.
+The carpet was rather shabby, from long use, and in one or two places
+was worn perfectly white, which must be remedied in some way, as they
+looked alarmingly big. The girls opened the door, and Kat immediately
+said:
+
+"Curtains must be washed."
+
+"Sweeping the carpet with salt and tea-leaves brightens it up," added
+Kittie, throwing open the blinds, and letting the sunlight in.
+
+"Goodness, how that makes everything look!" cried Bea, in sudden dismay.
+
+"But it doesn't shine at night," said Kat, consolingly. "Bless me! how
+the back of the big chair is worn! what shall we do?"
+
+"Make a big tidy out of darning-cotton," answered Kittie. "That's pretty
+and cheap, and I know a lovely stitch, and can put long fringe on."
+
+"Capital idea!" assented Kat, with an approving nod.
+
+"We'll have to bring something in out of the sitting-room," said Bea,
+pushing the chairs around, with a view to making one fill the space
+required by two. "There's so much room, and it makes things look so
+skimpy."
+
+"Don't have everything pushed back so," advised Kittie, giving a twitch
+here and a pull there, that brought things to more social angles, and
+left less space. "See that fills out some, and in that corner we can put
+the wire rack and fill it with flowers and vines."
+
+"But the rack is so rusty," said Bea, only half relieved.
+
+"There's some green paint in the woodshed, and I'll touch it up," said
+Kittie, becoming thoroughly interested. "We can make a lovely
+corner-piece out of it; there's all those limestones down in the yard,
+and some of them are such pretty shapes, that will look lovely set in
+moss, with vines going over them. We can hang the baskets in the
+windows, and when the curtains are fresh and clean, it will look so
+pretty."
+
+"Hurrah for my better half," cried Kat, with a flourish of her hat.
+"It's bliss to hear you talk. Your words are like wisdom
+and--butter-scotch."
+
+"What's in the wind?" asked an interested voice from the window. "And
+what's all this I hear about limestones and butter-scotch and wisdom?"
+
+"Don't you wish you knew?" said Kat, with an unfriendly grimace.
+
+"I do, indeed; and what's more I'm going to find out, because you will
+tell me, won't you, Posy?" said the new-comer, appealing to Bea, by the
+nickname which her prettily-colored cheeks had won from him.
+
+"Oh, yes, of course; and you must make yourself useful. I'm going to
+give a little company for Miss Barnett," said Bea, with a friendly nod,
+to make up for Kat's ungraciousness.
+
+"So-ho, a party, and we are all going to make our _début_, are we?"
+asked Ralph, swinging himself into the open window, and taking a seat on
+the sill, with an air of interest. "Good! Tell me what you want done,
+and I'm ready, Posy."
+
+"We'd like to have you take yourself off, somewhere, and stay till the
+day after the party," was Kat's uncomplimentary remark.
+
+"And I would like to oblige you, my dear, but I couldn't stay away from
+you that long," retorted Ralph.
+
+"I'm not your dear, shut up;" cried Kat, flapping her hat, and scowling
+at the handsome, laughing face.
+
+"There," cried Bea, with a suddenly exhausted air. "I don't see any way
+of filling that big space between the windows in the back parlor. Dear
+me, I wish there was more furniture."
+
+"Bring the piano in," advised Ralph. "That's just exactly the place for
+it, and it ought to be in here on such an occasion."
+
+"Goodness! To be sure, but there's the expense of moving," exclaimed
+Bea with a longing sigh. "And it would have to go back, of course."
+
+"Why? Leave it here, a parlor's the place for a piano."
+
+"Yes, but that would never do," said Bea with decision. "We always sit
+in the other room, because it is so much more sunshiny and cozy than
+these big parlors; and it would seem deserted without the piano there,
+especially in the evenings."
+
+"Reasons very good and accepted," assented Ralph. "The only thing left
+to be done, is to decide whether or no, the piano shall come in and go
+back; ready, those who want it so;--and remember, I'm going to attend to
+it. Now then: yea or nay?"
+
+"Yea," cried the girls, in one delighted breath; after which, Bea
+ornamented him with a rose-bud, in token of her thanks, Kittie beamed
+untold gratitude upon him, and Kat remarked with condescension: "You can
+be a first-rate trump, when you take a notion."
+
+"I'm overcome," said Ralph, with both hands over his heart, and leaving
+his seat to make an extravagant bow--"To receive a bud from Posy, a
+smile from Kittie, and the assurance from my unconquerable Kathleen,
+that I can be a trump; is too much; I therefore hope you will excuse me
+for leaving you somewhat abruptly, ladies;" and out of the window he
+went with a flying leap, and Kat, watching him stroll down the yard,
+made another astonishing admission:
+
+"He's very handsome, if he is such a bother," she said, putting on her
+hat with a reflective air. "I don't know, but what he might become quite
+civilized, if he staid here long enough."
+
+Between the picnic and the party, the girls were kept pretty busy for
+the next few days, and the house was very merry, for busy hands with
+happy hearts, bring chattering tongues and joyous laughter; and these
+summer days were gleeful ones.
+
+To be sure, some accidents happened, both comical and disastrous, and in
+fact, it never was otherwise, if anything was going on in which Kat had
+a hand.
+
+On the impulse of an unlucky moment she offered to paint the
+flower-rack, as Kittie was busy; so rigged in a big torn flat, and a
+pair of fingerless gloves, she went to work, and painted the bottom
+first, with flourishing success; but left it out over night, when it
+rained and splashed her work with mud; then she began over, and did the
+top first, and then hung the pot on a little hook, and went over the
+bottom again; but in the midst of her zeal, the pot slipped, turned
+over, and deluged her head and body with slopping green paint, and would
+have ruined her eyes, if she hadn't shut them tight with the first gasp
+of amaze; and when she tried to walk to the house with them closed, the
+wheel-barrow stood in the way, and over she went, with a shriek of
+dismay that brought the whole household flying to the spot; after which
+the afflicted damsel was picked up, and carried tenderly to the kitchen
+to be worked with.
+
+Ralph finished the rack, and Kat heard him remark, that she had daubed
+enough paint on one knob, to do for half the rack. It didn't make her
+feel any better.
+
+In her zeal to get the parlors clean, Bea had climbed the step-ladder to
+wash some ancient dust from the top of the folding doors, but the ladder
+tilted, and over she went soap suds and all; and in answer to a wailing
+cry, the rescuing family once more put in an appearance, to find that
+the cleanly heroine, had wrenched her ankle, and could not step on it,
+but must be carried to the sitting-room, to have the afflicted member
+rubbed with arnica.
+
+"I tried to jump," she explained with pathetic rivers of tears. "Oh
+dear, what shall I do? I can't go to the picnic--nor have the
+company--nor anything--and I think it's too b-b-ad."
+
+"Perhaps it is not so serious," said Mrs. Dering, with comfort in her
+voice, and in her swift careful fingers that were binding the swollen
+ankle in cool bands. "You will have to be perfectly still, and by
+Wednesday, I think it will be well; it is only a little twist, so don't
+feel so cast down dear." But Bea refused to be comforted, and sobbed
+herself to sleep that night. Not to go to the picnic, when Dr. Barnett
+had asked her to go in the phaeton with them, oh, it was too bad,
+surely!
+
+Beyond hammering one of her fingers, till the nail swelled up with
+insulted feeling, and threatened to come off, nothing happened to
+Kittie, who considered herself specially blessed, and did her whole head
+up in papers on Monday night, so as to be sure and have it curl for
+Wednesday.
+
+When Tuesday arrived, Bea had sunk to the lowest ebb. She knew she
+couldn't go, and there was no use talking. She was the most unfortunate
+girl that ever lived, and no one could deny it; and after making this
+assertion numberless times during the day, she gave up and cried
+despondingly, giving herself full freedom as she was alone; and so it
+happened that a young man came up the walk, and finding the front door
+open, came in, and a moment later, stood transfixed at the sitting-room
+threshold, to behold that utterly crushed looking figure on the lounge,
+with dishevelled hair, and hidden face; while the most heart-broken sobs
+crept out from behind a drenched handkerchief. No wonder he was alarmed,
+or that his voice trembled when he asked:
+
+"What is the matter--what has happened?"
+
+Bea nearly fell off the lounge in dismay, and only gave him one brief,
+startled glimpse of her wet face, then she stopped crying, and said
+after a reflective pause:
+
+"Nothing--I guess."
+
+"Nothing," he repeated, with a breath of relief, and then began to
+laugh.
+
+"Won't you come in, Dr. Barnett?" said the discomfited weeper from
+behind her handkerchief, and with an attempt at dignity, "Excuse me for
+not rising; I'm--I'm lame."
+
+The little hitch in her voice betrayed her grief; but, dear me! he was
+all interest now. He drew a chair close to the lounge, professional
+habit, no doubt, and ventured to touch one of the hands that supported
+the doleful looking handkerchief.
+
+"Won't you let me see you? When did this happen?"
+
+"Saturday. No, you can't see me; I've been crying an hour."
+
+"Is the pain so great?"
+
+Oh, no wonder this young M.D. was so popular if his voice was always
+thus tender and anxious in making inquiries.
+
+"Pain! no, but," with a little hysterical sob, "I can't go to the
+picnic!"
+
+Now you needn't smile at this frank explanation, for he did not. Bless
+you! no; he looked as if he had three minds to cry too, and if Mrs.
+Dering hadn't entered at that moment, there's no telling what he might
+have said by way of sympathy. As it was, he returned her cordial
+greeting, and began to express his regret in polite terms, but with much
+warmth of feeling that could not be concealed.
+
+"Is it quite impossible, do you think? Lottie will be so disappointed;"
+he said, regardless of the fact that he was making Lottie do double
+duty, in the way of disappointment; but Bea took the remark in all good
+faith, and thought it was very sweet of Lottie to care whether she went
+or not.
+
+"I don't know," answered Mrs. Dering, thoughtfully. "It was only a
+little twist, and she stood on it this morning, didn't you, Bea?"
+
+"Yes, mama," said Bea, coming out from behind her handkerchief in eager
+interest. "I did for several minutes, and it didn't hurt hardly any."
+
+"Suppose you try again," said Dr. Barnett with unprofessional haste to
+test an injured member. "Take my arm, and let's see if you cannot walk a
+step or two."
+
+Bea did so, with a shy blush, and stood up; then after a moment, took a
+few steps, with the color coming and going in her cheeks, for more
+reasons than one; and, though it was very pleasant to feel her clinging
+to his arm in that helpless way, Dr. Barnett made her sit down; but
+passed his opinion that she could go to the picnic.
+
+"Do you really think so?" said Bea, with delighted eagerness.
+
+"I do, if you will be content to sit in the carriage all day," he
+answered, looking down at her, as though he thought a much swollen nose
+and highly colored eyes were the most adorable sights; and Bea looked up
+at him, then blushed, without any reason whatever, whereupon Mrs.
+Dering made some hasty remark about the desirable weather for picnics,
+and the doctor decided, all of a sudden, that he must go, which he
+accordingly did.
+
+What a glorious hub-bub a picnic morning is, especially when there are
+several in one home interested in its perfect success. Neither of the
+girls slept much. Bea couldn't have told what kept her awake, but
+somehow, her eyes would remain open, and she was dimly conscious, of
+smiling several times in the dark, and feeling very happy. Once she came
+very near humming out a little air, that seemed to be singing itself
+over and over in her heart, but she suppressed the desire, out of
+consideration for others, who were less blissfully affected. Kittie
+declared that there was no use trying to sleep, because Kat kept getting
+up every few minutes, to look out and see if it was going to rain; and
+Kat, in turn, said that Kittie had sat up all night, because her
+crimping papers hurt her so she couldn't lie down. At just four o'clock
+everybody was fully awakened, by the twins clattering down stairs with a
+great racket, and getting breakfast under headway, and Mrs. Dering,
+awakened from her morning nap, consoled herself with a fervent--"Bless
+the children, I'm glad this doesn't happen often."
+
+"It's going to rain," cried Kat, with a despairing wail. "See that
+cloud?"
+
+"Stuff!" echoed Kittie. "It isn't as big as a door-knob." But
+nevertheless, they both let breakfast burn, while running every few
+moments to see if it was swelling any bigger, and were fully rewarded by
+seeing it dwindle and sail away over the barn before six o'clock.
+
+No, it didn't rain, and before the sun was through his earliest infancy,
+they were all ready, and Dr. Barnett's phaeton stood at the gate, with
+Miss Lottie in a pretty picnic suit; and her brother deeply absorbed in
+the pleasing task of getting Bea down to the gate without hurting her
+ankle. Ralph officiated on one side of the interesting cripple, and took
+a wicked satisfaction in doing the greatest share of the supporting; but
+then the doctor was reasonable, and was as happy as possible with what
+fell to his share; and Bea,--well, Bea was perfectly content.
+
+They drove off with an accompanying shout from those left behind, and a
+few moments later, Ralph and the twins departed on foot to meet the
+carriages that were all to assemble at a certain place.
+
+Quite a little flutter of admiration went round as this trio came up,
+for Ralph was a very handsome centre piece, and the twins in their very
+becoming costumes and wide-awake hats, cocked up at one side after the
+prevailing fashion, made pictures of great attractiveness on each side.
+Everybody was there, and everybody was laughing and talking merrily, and
+everybody had a word of greeting for the new arrivals. Of all the old
+school-girls from Miss Howard's, Kittie and Kat were the only two who
+did not make pretensions towards young ladyhood; and just now, there was
+something so girlish and sweet about them, in their fresh calico suits,
+and bright young faces under the big hats, that one or two strangers
+asked who they were, all the elder people smiled approval, while the
+young ones, with an eye on the handsome cousin, nodded sweetly, and were
+quite attentive.
+
+"Look at Susie Darrow," whispered Kat, under cover of her lowered hat.
+"All tricked out in silk, and a little gipsy bonnet, with a white plume;
+and she's been smiling at me every minute, and Ralph thinks she's the
+biggest goose out. I'll tell her so."
+
+"No, goodness no; let her smile if she wants to, she'll soon find out
+that it's no use," answered Kittie. "There's Sadie Brooks too, she's
+been in New York, and has got an eye-glass, dear sakes alive, just watch
+her use it, will you?"
+
+"Good morning girls, you look a couple of daisies;" said Mrs. Raymond,
+going by with a nod and a smile. "You and your cousin, are to go in our
+carriage, the girls want you," and away she went, like a busy happy soul
+that she was.
+
+"The Raymond girls look sensible," said Kittie, with an air of approval;
+"see they have on short dresses, and big hats; I think Lou is prettier
+than Clara, don't you?"
+
+"Rather," answered Kat, too much taken up in watching her former
+play-mates, to notice others. Susie Darrow had been to boarding-school,
+Sadie Brooks to New York, and May Moore was going to the sea-side next
+month; so they were all much uplifted in mind and manner, and took unto
+themselves the airs of thoroughly initiated society-ladies.
+
+"Girls?" said Miss Brooks, with her little affected drawl, and raising
+her eye-glass in her lavender kid-fingers. "Which ones do you mean, I do
+not quite understand?"
+
+"Those two under the big tree," replied her questioner, a visitor in
+Canfield. "Twins they are, in the big hats."
+
+"Oh! Yes." Miss Brooks's eye-glass went slowly to the place indicated,
+and took a leisure survey. "You mean the little girls in calico dresses;
+they are the Derings, I believe, but really, being in the city so long,
+I find I am quite forgetting old faces."
+
+"Indeed," was the reply, with a respectful air, though the desire to
+laugh was almost irresistible. The little girls in calico dresses were
+fifteen, and taller than Miss Brooks, who was just sixteen; but then,
+dear me, she had on a train of party length, bushels of banged hair, a
+little wisp of a bonnet, and little fine black marks along her lower
+eyelid, so altogether she looked about twenty, and was perfectly
+satisfied with herself. She could not look ahead to the dissatisfaction
+that would be hers when she became twenty, and looked to be
+twenty-eight.
+
+When they started, ten merry carriage-loads, everybody stood in their
+doors, and hung over the front gates to see them off, for Canfield was a
+social little place, and felt a deep interest in anything going on
+within its limits; so if good wishes could make a successful day, surely
+they would have it.
+
+Well, they did have it; yes, indeed, they did; and a happier set of
+young people were never turned wild in green-woods. To be sure, there
+were some draw-backs; for instance, when a dozen or so went off to swing
+in a wild-grape vine, Sadie Brooks couldn't go, her dress was too long,
+and it would tear her gloves. Likewise, when they played "drop the
+handkerchief," "blind-man," and "down on this carpet," Susie Darrow
+couldn't join, because her tie-back would hardly admit of sitting down,
+let alone racing in the woods; besides, the wind blew her white plume
+all up, and took the crimp out of her hair, and then she lost her lace
+handkerchief, and didn't receive much attention from handsome Ralph
+Tremayne; and altogether, she lost her temper, declared picnics a bore,
+and told May Moore that no one but romps ever came to them anyhow,
+which, considering that both she and May were in attendance, was a
+remark which might have been improved on.
+
+Sitting in a carriage all day proved to be no hardship to Bea, for
+didn't Dr. Barnett spend nearly all his time there? and at Miss Lottie's
+proposal, didn't several of them trim the phaeton in boughs and vines,
+and deck her out in flowers until she looked like a forest queen? and
+aside from being a favorite, didn't she receive so much sympathy that
+there was a constant court before and around her throne? and above it
+all, don't you suppose a certain pair of eyes, as they looked at her
+that day, told her a certain story more plainly than the owner's lips
+ever could? That she was the fairest and dearest picture to him, there,
+or elsewhere?
+
+"Who is that young lady--little girl, I am almost disposed to call her,
+with the fresh young face and lovely eyes? The one who stands on the
+bank, there, with the wreath of leaves on her hat?"
+
+Mrs. Raymond's brother asked the question, as he sat with his sister on
+an elevated spot under a big tree, surveying the gay crowds roaming
+about in all directions.
+
+"That? It is one of the Dering twins," answered Mrs. Raymond, with a
+smile of interest. "But I don't know which; they are not to be
+distinguished; they are lovely girls, so fresh and unaffected. I suppose
+you have noticed them both?"
+
+"Yes, and I disagree with you, for they are to be distinguished; I have
+been watching them with considerable interest. There; the other one is
+coming down the hill now; do you mean to tell me that you see no
+difference?"
+
+"Well, surely not in face or figure," replied Mrs. Raymond, with a
+puzzled glance. "I see that the new-comer's hat is hanging to her neck,
+and has no trimming, that her gloves are gone, and she has the general
+appearance of having gone through a wind-mill."
+
+"And you have struck the distinction admirably, my dear," was the
+smiling answer. "There was something in their faces that interested me
+this morning, and I have noticed them a great deal. So far as I can see,
+the one has had just as gay a time as the other, and done very nearly as
+much romping; and yet you see, she looks as fresh and sweet as when
+starting out, with the addition of much becoming trimming; and where she
+has gone heartily, yet with a girlish grace, the other has gone
+pell-mell, as though in defiance of any restriction on feminine gender.
+Do you know which is which?"
+
+"Indeed, I do not," said Mrs. Raymond, who was not acquainted with the
+characteristics of the twins. "All I know is that one is Kittie and the
+other Kat, and that I never know which is which when I am talking to
+them, never having had time to study them up."
+
+"Well, I will wager my shoe-buckle, that the one on the bank is Kittie,
+and the hatless one Kat," was the quiet response. "At least, that is the
+way it ought to be. Now I should like to meet Miss Kittie, and if you--"
+
+"Is it possible?" cried the lady, throwing up her hands in amaze. "You,
+who would only consent to come, on condition that you need not be
+introduced, and play the agreeable to the young ladies; well, well! who
+would have thought it, Paul?"
+
+"The generality of young ladies are bores," was the reply. "I did not
+expect to meet such a fresh faced, lovely young girl; for society never
+allows them to remain so, if it gets hold of them."
+
+"It will never be so with these girls," said Mrs. Raymond. "They have
+too sensible and lovely a mother, and besides, they are a family much
+devoted among themselves; there are five sisters, you will remember my
+telling you about the other one, Ernestine, she sang like an angel; and
+another one is an artist, the youngest a cripple, and--well they all
+seem to live solely for each other, so require little from society. I
+admire them all very much."
+
+"So do I, from what I hear," said the gentleman, getting up from his
+grassy seat, and glancing down at the bank. "Shall I assist you?"
+
+"No, indeed; I'm not old yet, if I am grey," laughed Mrs. Raymond,
+jumping nimbly up to prove her assertion. "I don't know what the ladies
+will say, Paul, to see you finally succumbing to feminine attractions;
+they have all eyed you in your seclusion with evident regret. You know
+there is something singularly attractive about a widower, young or old;
+though I suppose you have found that out," she added with a sister's
+fond belief that her brother is irresistible in every way.
+
+"Yes, I dislike conceit; but I have found out a few things in the last
+four years," he answered, smiling; then uttering a little exclamation of
+disappointment, as they reached the foot of the hill, and found that
+Kittie had disappeared from the bank.
+
+"Great oaks from little acorns grow." Sometimes they do in books,
+sometimes they do out; and this afternoon in the sunshiny woods, two
+little acorns had been planted. One of them was when Paul Murray had
+looked with careless eyes into Kittie Dering's face, and found in its
+bright girlish sweetness, what had been lacking for him, in any woman's
+face since he lost his wife; namely--interest. He was a grave,
+thoughtful faced man, with just a dash of grey on his temples, and a
+listless air of world-weariness, that made him look beyond his years;
+for he was only twenty-eight; and yet he had had a vigorous cuffing from
+the reed-shaken hand of Fortune, and had come to regard himself with a
+sort of pitying disapprobation, such as falls upon us when we know we
+have a duty to perform, yet think it too great, and hesitate between
+self-condolence and accusation.
+
+He had seen the day of wild oats, and had sown them, but had drawn back
+ere they sprung into life and choked out all else. He had had riches and
+lost them; had married a lovely loving girl, only to have her taken from
+him in one short year; then to deaden his grief he had gone to work,
+regained his wealth, after which he left his infant daughter in tender
+hands, and had gone abroad, only to again lose all he had in an
+unfortunate speculation, which brought him home, where he had again gone
+to work, but with a listless, disinterested way,--that had brought him
+little success.
+
+So, to-day, he was a lawyer, struggling as though he had just entered
+the bar. So, I say, he felt like a man without an incentive. To be sure,
+there was his little daughter, but then he had really seen so little of
+the child, and for a time there had been almost a bitter feeling against
+her, because, in gaining her life, she had taken her young mother's, and
+left him desolate; and then if he was to die, she was amply provided
+for by her grandmother. He had yet to learn, that, though severely dealt
+with, he had still much to live for.
+
+The other little acorn had fallen in kindred ground, in no less place,
+than the loving little heart of Pansy Murray.
+
+The brother and sister were strolling rather aimlessly about, with a
+word here and there to chattering groups, and an occasional glance
+around to see if Kittie was in sight, when, who should they see, but
+that young lady coming slowly towards them, with her arms filled with a
+familiar bundle, that showed signs of life, as they came in sight of
+each other. It thus remarked with much excitement:
+
+"I was losted, I was, papa, behind a big tree, an' I was a kyin'
+dreffully when the lady finded me, I was."
+
+"Lost? Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Raymond, snatching the child in a
+hurry, and forgetting all introductions. "Why, I told the girls not to
+lose sight of you, Pansy."
+
+"But they did," said Pansy, with a blissful smile, as though she had
+done something great. "They bothered me dreadfully, saying: 'Come,
+Pansy,' 'Don't go there, Pansy,' till I went right off for sure 'thout
+telling one body, and then I got losted mos' right away, and I wished I
+could hear somebody say 'Come, Pansy,' but nobody did, so I jes' began
+to commence to holler, 'th all my might, and the lady camed right off; I
+think 'twas drefful good for her to."
+
+"Kat lost her breastpin, and I was helping look for it," said Kittie,
+with a modest blush, being quite overcome with the gratitude visible in
+both faces before her. "She wasn't very far away."
+
+"I was far away," corrected Pansy with decision. "I was more'n
+'leventeen miles, and I expected to see a big bear mos' every minute, I
+did, and I know one would have camed if the lady hadn't; and I jes' love
+her very much, I do."
+
+"Oh, yes; excuse me," said Mrs. Raymond, hastily. "Paul, this is Miss
+Dering; my brother, Mr. Murray; and we're so thankful to you, Kittie."
+
+Kittie bowed and blushed still more, as Mr. Murray repeated his
+gratitude, but as she turned to leave, Pansy cried vehemently:
+
+"You stay with me, 'cause I want you, and you go home with me and my
+papa in the little buggy; tell her so quick, right off, papa."
+
+Of course what could Mr. Murray do but say politely:
+
+"I should be most pleased, Miss Dering, if you would allow me to be
+cruel enough to take you from the gay party."
+
+Kittie did not know the invitation came from a society lion, who
+refused to be caught, and the depths of her innocent heart never dreamed
+how pleased he was, at thus being forced into giving it; she only knew
+that she had much rather go home in the carriage, with the girls, and
+was quite unconscious that the thought shone in her eyes, but Mr. Murray
+saw it and hastily added:
+
+"It would be too unkind, after all. Do not consider it another moment;
+only tell me if you will allow Pansy and me to come and take you to ride
+some evening soon."
+
+"Yes, thank you," answered Kittie. "I should be very much pleased."
+
+Some one shouted her name through the woods just then, and with a little
+bow and smile, she went away, leaving Mr. Murray to comfort Pansy, as he
+said slowly:
+
+"A delightfully natural, and charming little girl! We will go and take
+her to ride soon; so don't cry, Pansy."
+
+Well the blissful day came to an end, as all days will, though they
+prolonged it to the last minute and did not reach home until after dark;
+and then everybody forgot how tired they were, and said with a sigh of
+pleasing memory, "How delightful it was, to be sure!"
+
+"I had a lovely time," said Bea, smiling to herself in the dark, after
+they had gone to bed.
+
+"Well, I'm sure I did," added Kittie, hugging her pillow with a tired,
+contented sigh, and thankful that she had no crimps in the way.
+
+"Well, I didn't find my pin, and I tore my dress, and knocked my head
+till I saw stars, on that grape vine, but I had a grand tip-top time,
+and I'd like to go again, yes, I would, if only to see Sadie Brooks
+wiggle her eye-glass and say, 'How shocking!' when I walked the log
+across the creek," was Kat's final remark as she dropped into worn-out
+slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+SEVERAL THINGS.
+
+
+On Friday morning, while the girls were flying busily around, and Mrs.
+Dering was deep in the task of getting a tall cake browned just to a
+turn, there came a note from Mrs. Dane.
+
+"How unfortunate," she mused, reading it hurriedly, as the girls ran in
+to see what it was. "Mr. Dane has gone to the city and will not be back
+until ten to night, and Mrs. Dane wants me to come and stay with her, as
+she has one of her dreadful nervous attacks. I feel as though I ought to
+go, if you can spare me girls!"
+
+"Things will go higgle-ty-piggle-ty, sure as the world," said Kat,
+balancing on the edge of the table, and fanning with the duster.
+
+"No, they will not either," corrected Bea. "We ought to be ashamed if
+they do. Go, of course, mama, though I will be dreadfully sorry not to
+have you here this evening."
+
+"The cake is not quite done, and has to be iced," said Mrs. Dering,
+glancing from the fire to the clock. "I don't know,--"
+
+"I'll finish it," said Kittie, letting down her dress, and replacing her
+sweeping cap with a big kitchen apron. "Go, and get ready mama, then
+come and tell me how to do the icing; the cake will be done by that
+time."
+
+"It must cool first, but you can get five eggs, and take the whites, get
+the beater and the sugar, and then I'll be back," replied Mrs. Dering,
+brushing some flour from her sleeves, and hurrying out.
+
+"Now something is going to happen," said Kat with prophetic certainty.
+"I feel it in my bones, and I bet you a postage-stamp it will be my
+fault."
+
+"Then I'd advise you to be careful," said Kittie, taking a hurried peep
+into the oven.
+
+"Never!" cried Kat. "Something would be sure to go wrong then; it always
+does when I'm trying my very level best to be a credit to my family. The
+only thing for me to do, is to go at it with a slap and a bang; then
+things twist about like proper magic."
+
+"What nonsense!" said Kittie, breaking eggs with deft fingers. "Have you
+cleaned the lamps yet?"
+
+"No, nor done much else either; it's too hot; the thermometer is
+boiling, down cellar, and Ralph said that I was so good natured that I'd
+turn to grease if I got too heated, so I'm being careful, you see," said
+Kat, with a lazy laugh; and she sat in the window and fanned, with the
+duster in one hand and the egg-beater in the other.
+
+"Well, I think the parlors look so pretty," said Kittie, with an air of
+relief, as the last egg deposited its silvery white in the big platter.
+"What an addition a piano is, and how nicely the curtains are done up;
+everything seems to be going right."
+
+"I smell the cake; it's burning!" cried Kat, jumping from her seat in a
+hurry; but Kittie threw open the oven, and jerked out the precious
+contents which did smell burnt, and was deep black right around one
+edge.
+
+"What a shame!" she cried regretfully; but Kat resumed her seat with the
+comforting remark:
+
+"Slice it over, and cover it up with icing; it will never show in the
+world; you see, if I hadn't been in here, it would have been burnt up."
+
+"I guess I've got a nose," retorted Kittie, beginning to beat eggs with
+a swiftness that brought high color to her cheeks. "Now go on, Kat, and
+fix the lamps and help Bea, for she mustn't be on her foot much."
+
+"That's right, beat them just as stiff as possible before you put in
+the sugar," said Mrs. Dering, coming in with her things on, to note the
+progress, and leave orders. "Put it on with a large knife as smoothly as
+possible, then set it down cellar. As to the coffee, you know about that
+just as well as I do. The milk that is raising cream is on the back
+swing-shelf, down cellar. That is all, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes'm, and I guess we'll manage all right. Tell Mrs. Dane I'm sorry
+she's sick. Good-bye."
+
+"Everything looks beautiful, and I hope you'll have a pleasant time,
+dears," was Mrs. Dering's next remark, as she glanced into the parlors
+on her way out. "Don't tax your ankle too much, Bea, and Kat, try and
+not have anything happen to you this time. I suppose I will be here
+before they all go home, but if I am not, present my compliments and
+regrets. A merry time to you all. Good-bye."
+
+"There, how does that look?" asked Kat, balancing herself on the
+step-ladder with a caution born of bitter experience, and looking
+cock-eyed at the blooming basket she had just hung.
+
+"Beautiful," answered Bea, with her head, in a big sweeping-cap, turned
+admiringly side-ways. "Yes, that effect is lovely. I hope it will look
+as pretty by lamp-light. There comes Ralph with two big packages. I
+wonder what they are: something good, I expect?"
+
+Kat sat down on the ladder to look out the window, as Bea hurried out
+on to the porch to meet the young man of packages, and receive his
+burdens, if they were offered to her.
+
+"I was meditating this morning," said Ralph, sitting down on the steps
+with an exhausted air. "And it struck me, that to drink coffee on such a
+night as this--with the thermometer at blood heat in an ice chest--would
+be nothing less than a new order of suicide, so I have brought a
+substitute, which I venture to hope, will meet with your
+approval;--lemonade."
+
+"Oh, you're a blessing," cried Bea, with a joyful pounce on to the
+bundles. "It will be so much nicer, and what splendid big lemons, and
+enough sugar to make a gallon."
+
+"A gallon won't come amiss, I guess, people are ravenously thirsty such
+weather as this; why, I feel like I could drink a quart myself this very
+minute;--where's Kat?" asked Ralph, drawing another package from his
+pocket.
+
+"Here I am; what's wanted?" answered Kat, putting her head out at the
+top of the window.
+
+"Here's something that you are fond of--catch," said Ralph, tossing the
+package, which Kat grasped as it flew by. "I looked all over town for
+some decent candy for this evening, and couldn't find a thing except
+that, which I knew would suit Kat, and put her in a good humor."
+
+"Butter-scotch!" cried Kat, with a shriek of delight. "I haven't had any
+in the natural life of ten coons. What bliss! Ralph you're a top!"
+
+"Thank you. I'm getting along, I see; for I suppose a top is a little
+higher than a trump, isn't it?"
+
+But Kat had disappeared, so Ralph leaned up lazily against the post,
+fanning with his big straw hat, while drinking in with dreamy delight
+the quiet beauty before and around him. How intensely quiet nature can
+become in the sunshine of a summer afternoon! Even the birds in
+sheltering nooks among the shady leaves find greatest happiness in
+helping the solitude; and save a light breeze, touching the tops of the
+trees, and dipping down to stir the cool grass, lying in deep shade,
+there is no evidence that nature's pulse still answers to the quiet
+beating of her heart. The Dering home at a time like this, looked more
+like an old picture steeped in cool shadows, with glints of sunshine
+here and there, and one could almost imagine now, in looking at it, that
+the open windows, with glimpses of snowy curtains, the great front door
+with the cool, deep hall beyond, the shady, vine-covered porch, and the
+indolent figure on the steps, with dreamy, dark eyes, and hat idly
+dropped, were but witcheries of the artist's brush and colors.
+
+Something entirely averse to the idea of a painting, namely, a moving
+figure, appeared at this moment, coming from the front door, and
+bearing a small waiter with a glass of cool lemonade.
+
+"Here's something to make your eyes shine!" cried a voice that made him
+start up from his reverie in a hurry and look delighted.
+
+"Kat! Is it possible? For me? Who made it?"
+
+"I did, to be sure, all alone by myself."
+
+"Where's the other glass?"
+
+"Other? Patience! won't one glass do you?"
+
+"No, but wait; I'll get it," and away he went, coming back in a moment
+with an empty glass, into which he poured half the cool refreshing
+contents.
+
+"There! To be more social, you see. Now, mademoiselle, let's drink to
+health, happiness, and everlasting peace and friendship between us, from
+this moment henceforth. Shall we?"
+
+"Yes," said Kat, with her brightest smile; so they clinked glasses and
+drank merrily in the shady porch; then shook hands to strengthen the
+contract, and made mutual resolves to smoke the pipe of peace forever.
+
+Meantime Kittie, unconscious of the great reconciliation just being
+sealed, was having a sorry time by herself out in the hot kitchen. The
+icing wouldn't ice worth a cent, but persisted in being sloppy and
+unmanageable; and the more she spatted and smoothed, the worse it
+looked; and finally she called to Bea, in worn-out despair:
+
+"I don't see what in the world is the matter with it," cried the
+discouraged icer, setting forth her work with a sigh of exhausted
+energy. "Do you see what's wrong?"
+
+"You've iced it on the wrong side," said Bea, smothering her own
+disappointment, out of consideration for Kittie's tired despair. "You
+see the top always puffs and bakes out of shape, so the way to do is to
+ice the bottom, so it will look smooth and nice."
+
+"Yes, to be sure; what a goose I was not to think! I tried to make it
+look even by filling the dents up, and they're all perfect little
+puddles;" cried Kittie in heated disgust. "What shall we do, make
+another one? Though I'd be afraid to try. I never made any kind but the
+very plainest and that wouldn't do."
+
+"No, I had rather have this. Put it down cellar in the very coolest
+place, and I guess it will harden up all right," advised Bea, smothering
+a little sigh of regretful anxiety, as she tried to give comfort to the
+discouraged cook. So Kittie carried it down cellar, and throughout the
+rest of the day made regular trips down to see if it was hardening any;
+but it wasn't, and her spirits sank so low that the astonishing sight of
+Ralph and Kat, sworn enemies when last she saw them, coming slowly up
+from the pond under one umbrella and evidently on such amicable grounds,
+did not rouse her, except to a moment of amaze; after which, she sank
+back into a world of troubled dreams, where there seemed to be nothing
+but cakes, swimming about in puddles of icing, while a dreadful penalty
+hung above her defenceless head, if the puddles did not congeal into
+ornamental coverings before a given time.
+
+"Oh, dear, oh! What can the matter be?" sang Ralph, stopping at the
+kitchen window, just in time to see her coming from the cellar-way with
+a face bereft of all hope. "What has happened?"
+
+"Oh, Ralph! I don't know what I shall do," she cried, with desponding
+agony, and then sat down on the wood-box and burst into tears.
+
+"Why, bless your poor little heart! Tell me about it," exclaimed Ralph,
+swinging himself into the window, and hurrying to turn comforter.
+
+"The ca-ake is ruined," sobbed Kittie, entirely given over to despair
+and grief. "It's all slopped and soaked to pieces in the old icing--and
+I don't want to tell Bea--and I don't know what to do, either.
+I--I--fan--fanned it a whole hour to make it colder, and it didn't do a
+bit of good, and--oh, dear me!"
+
+"Well, that is a calamity, to be sure," said Ralph, feeling a masculine
+helplessness since the trouble lay within the domain of cookery. "But
+then, never mind; we'll drink lemonade, and let the cake go."
+
+"Yes, I'd just as soon, but Bea--she'll be so disappointed, and I hate
+to tell her," sobbed Kittie, wailing.
+
+"But Bea is reasonable," urged Ralph. "She will know you did your best,
+and ought to be ashamed if she says anything cross."
+
+"Oh, it isn't that," cried Kittie, hastily. "She knows I tried, and she
+won't say a word, but then she'll be so disappointed, because she wants
+everything nice for Miss Barnett, and--and, I hate to tell her."
+
+"Exactly," said Ralph, much touched at this little evidence of sisterly
+consideration, and feeling a greater desire than ever to do something to
+help the cause along. "See here, Kittie," he exclaimed suddenly, and
+Kittie looked up quickly, for there was something promising in the
+voice. "Do you dry those eyes out in a hurry, and run out doors to get
+cool and cheerful, and don't ask me any questions."
+
+"But Ralph--"
+
+"Go, I say, and do just as I tell you. Don't give that cake another
+thought, but go and fix yourself as pretty as you can for this evening,
+and I promise you everything shall be all right."
+
+"Oh, you blessed boy," cried Kittie, with a gasp of relief.
+
+"Boy! Don't insult me; remember I will vote this Fall."
+
+"To be sure; I beg your pardon," and Kittie began to laugh through her
+tears. She hadn't the slightest idea what he could do to make matters
+all right, but then he had said he would, and that was enough. She
+never doubted but what he could do whatever he set his mind to.
+
+Just after it came time to light the parlors, it became evident to all
+that something was the matter with Kat. She didn't say anything, but on
+coming in from a late tow on the pond, and finding everything lighted,
+she gave a gasp, and stood perfectly still in the parlor door.
+
+"Well, what were you down to the pond this late for?" asked Bea,
+flitting about in her white dress, with the softest color in her cheeks,
+a knot of blush roses in her hair, and another in her belt.
+
+"I--I was cool--I mean I wanted to get cool," answered Kat with a
+stammer, and her eyes going hurriedly from one room to the other.
+
+"What did you light up so early for?"
+
+"I don't call seven o'clock early--there goes the gate now."
+
+Kat groaned, as if in deepest despair, then dashed up stairs, and cast
+herself into the first chair with a tragic air.
+
+"I knew it! I knew it! oh, what a miserable wretch I am, and whatever
+will I do? I never never will be anything but a black sheep to the
+longest day that I live?" After which cheerful prophesy, she ran both
+hands over her hair by way of smoothing any stray locks, gave her skirts
+a twist, and herself a general shake, and started slowly down stairs
+again, with a grimly resigned air.
+
+It was only the most informal of little evening company, so every one
+came early, and in a little while the quiet evening air grew musical
+with merry voices and gay laughter, then became quieter, and was
+replaced by notes from the piano, or some one voice trilling out a
+popular song or a pretty ballad. Everything went flourishingly; to be
+sure, there were more ladies than gentlemen, which required much
+watching and managing on Bea's part, that no lady should suffer a dearth
+of masculine attention. Once, Ralph was missing from the room for some
+little time, which worried her greatly, but when he came back, she
+noticed that he nodded and smiled to Kittie, which was unintelligible to
+her, but was readily understood by her sister, to mean that everything
+was right. Just as the young hostess had decided that it was time to
+serve refreshments, some one asked her to sing.
+
+"I? Oh, I never sing," she said with a modest blush, and drawing back,
+while her heart began to flutter nervously.
+
+"I'm quite sure you do," persisted the young lady; whereupon the request
+was strengthened by all voices; and conscious that it would be impolite
+to still refuse, Bea walked to the piano, with her fingers growing cold
+as ice, and a die-away feeling in her throat. It took a few minutes to
+spin up the stool and decide what to sing, then in a voice that would
+quaver, she began a little Scotch song, and was just through the first
+verse when things began to look strange. Was it because she was so
+nervous, or was it growing dark? She played a few rambling chords, then
+she stopped and looked at the lamp with a chilly foreboding, and--_it
+was going out_!
+
+Somebody else had noticed it before she did, and now as she sat in
+blank, dazed mortification, some one crossed the room, and lifting the
+lamp, blew it out, saying with a careless laugh:
+
+"Several adventurous bugs were burning themselves to death, so I have
+ended their, and our misery, by putting out what they were slowly
+killing, and now while they are being dislodged, and the lamp relighted,
+shall we adjourn to the porch, ladies and gentlemen? The moon is coming
+up gorgeously."
+
+Bea could have gone down on her knees in gratitude to him, and Kat, the
+terrible, actually threw him a kiss in the dark, before she rushed out
+to the kitchen, where Bea had carried the lamp.
+
+"It's all my fault, every bit," she cried remorsefully. "I thought this
+morning, when I cleaned the lamps, that I would wait until it got cooler
+to go up after the coal-oil, and then I forgot it, clean as a shingle,
+and I'll do anything under the sun if you'll forgive me."
+
+"Don't talk," said Bea sharply, too excited and nervous to say much.
+"Go, bring every lamp in the house, quick!"
+
+"Never mind," exclaimed Kittie, coming hurriedly in, as Kat went off on
+a rush. "Don't feel bad, Bea, not a soul noticed it, and you were
+singing beautifully; besides you just ought to look in the dining-room;
+there's the most magnificent cake that you ever saw, and a freezer of
+delicious ice-cream!"
+
+Bea dropped the lamp-top from her trembling fingers, and turned her face
+with incredulous relief and delight.
+
+"Oh, Kittie!"
+
+"Yes, and I'm going right out now to distribute plates and napkins, and
+let them eat out in the moonlight; it's nearly as light as day, so don't
+worry another bit; the other big lamp will burn over two hours, yet, and
+you can empty enough from the little ones into this to make it go, and
+everybody but Dr. Barnett thinks it was bugs. Only hurry and come out;"
+and away fluttered Kittie, with the memory of Bea's brightened face, to
+provide the young guests with plates and expectations.
+
+So, when Bea replaced the lamp in the parlor, with its blaze high and
+bright, and came out on to the porch, she found the merriest party
+imaginable, and there were generous saucers of cream going round amid
+"Oh's," and "Ah's" of satisfaction, and Kat following after them with an
+immense cake, its top shining white as snow in the moonlight. Bea knew
+only too well who was the author of all this generosity, and she seized
+the first opportunity of giving Ralph's hand a squeeze of inexpressible
+gratitude, to which he made answer by giving her a fraternal pat on the
+shoulder, as they stood in the shadow of the vine, and whispered slyly:
+
+"Barnett's a trump, isn't he? I never saw anything neater."
+
+Bea thought so and was treasuring up a little speech of thanks to make
+him when the good-night moment should arrive, but she didn't make it,
+for that moment turned out to be something so different from what she
+expected. It was this way. After having reduced the cake and lemonade to
+a state of bankruptcy, and made way with all the ice-cream, the young
+people strolled around the yard for a while in the moonlight, took rides
+in the Water-Rat across the pond, and then decided that it was time to
+go home, and began making their parting thanks accordingly; so that in a
+few moments every one was gone but Dr. Barnett and his sister; and that
+sister, with feminine quickness, understood that this moment might be
+the very one her brother wanted, so she engaged Kittie and Kat in a
+lively conversation, and together they all went up stairs for her
+wrappings.
+
+"It was so kind in you," began Bea when she found that they were quite
+alone on the porch. "I don't know what I should have done, and it was so
+terribly mortifying, but then--" and there she came to a pause, for
+looking up, she met his eyes, wearing an expression, such as chased all
+further words from her lips, and made her forget entirely what it was
+that she was going to say next.
+
+"Don't you suppose," began the young doctor rather hurriedly, "that it
+is very pleasant for me to know that I saved you any pain, and don't you
+know that I wish I might feel that you would give me the right to do so
+always? don't you, Beatrice?"
+
+"Oh--I--don't know;" stammered Bea, with a foolish little quaver to her
+voice, and dropping her face clean out of sight, yet making no
+resistance when she found her hands imprisoned.
+
+"Please look at me," was the first request, in very tender tones. "I
+need some encouragement. Won't you give me a little? If you love me ever
+so little, dear, won't you put your hand in mine again?"
+
+Bea dropped her head still lower, all in a tremor of happy, shy delight,
+and looked at the hand which he had released, and was waiting to claim
+from her. Should she give it? She knew she would, even while she
+hesitated, for didn't she love him from the top to the bottom of her
+devoted little heart? Yes, of course she did. And didn't she foolishly
+think that the loveliest music in heaven could never be more delightful
+to listen to than his voice asking for her love? To be sure she did. Oh,
+it's wonderful how such times affect us all!
+
+"I'm waiting, Beatrice," said Dr. Walter, with a very proper degree of
+beseeching impatience. "Don't you love me any, darling?"
+
+Up came her head with a little flash of courage, giving him one glance
+of the shy, happy eyes, then down it went again, as she held out her
+hand, and felt it covered with an eager firmness, while something was
+said close to her rosy ear that did well enough for her to hear, but
+cannot be told to you.
+
+It is wonderful how much time Miss Lottie managed to consume in putting
+on a single wrap--a fleecy covering over her head; but she realized the
+importance of keeping out of the way a while, so loitered and chatted
+and admired the moon-lit view from the windows, and finally started
+slowly down stairs, fervently hoping that the important words had been
+spoken.
+
+They evidently had, for both parties looked so happy, and when the
+doctor bade the twins good night, it really seemed as though he would
+shake their hands off, in the excess of some feeling that possessed him;
+and there is no mistake about it, he certainly kissed Bea in the shadow
+of the vines, as he said to her in parting:
+
+"To-morrow, I am coming to see your mother, and then I hope to put my
+seal on this little hand that you have given to me."
+
+At first, Bea did not know whether to tell the girls or not, but then,
+of course they knew, for after they were alone, what unheard-of capers
+they did go through with, such winks, and sighs, and groans, and tragic
+acting. So Bea sat over in the shadow where they couldn't see her face,
+and said with a laugh:
+
+"Stop your nonsense, if you want me to tell you about it."
+
+"Tell!" echoed Kat. "As if we didn't know, and hadn't seen for months.
+I've been nearly dead to tease, 'cause you're such a good subject, but
+then mama said we shouldn't. Engaged! Oh, here's a go!"
+
+"What did you both say?" asked Kittie, in romantic interest, and feeling
+as though a great hole had been made in the family, with Bea set apart
+from them in some way.
+
+"Not much," answered Bea, with a little smile to think how quickly it
+had all been done. "I hear voices at the gate; it's mama and Mr. Dane; I
+guess I'll go down and meet her;" so off she went, leaving the twins to
+laugh and mourn over the event.
+
+Dr. Barnett came the next day, and he and Mrs. Dering talked in the
+sitting-room together for a long time. Then Bea was sent for, and after
+a while, when she came out with a quiet, almost sad happiness in her
+face, she wore a rim of gold on her left hand, and for a long time she
+sat alone in her room, thinking much, shedding a few tears, and saying a
+little prayer, as though she felt that she stood on the threshold of
+something that would require help, and that was hard for her to
+realize.
+
+After this, the summer days came and went, with little to disturb the
+quiet life at the Dering's. The heat was so intense that amusements of
+all kinds were laid aside, just as little work done as possible, and the
+greater portion of the long days spent out on the old roof, where it was
+constantly shady. So nothing further happened until the time came for
+Ralph to return to home and studies. The prospect of such an event drove
+despair into the hearts of the girls and made them extensively
+rebellious. Even Kat mourned and felt a great deal more than she showed,
+for with all pretensions to dislike, would it have been possible to have
+had Ralph Tremayne there for six months, and not like him?
+
+"I'll come back," he would say over and over again, as though in some
+way, he gained comfort himself from the assertion. "In two years I'll be
+through with my studies, and my very first trip will be here and then--"
+but somehow, he never finished, but would look thoughtful for a little
+while, as though the move after _then_, was going to be a very important
+one.
+
+"I believe you're glad to go," Kittie would say to him when he would
+often be telling of what he was going to work for and accomplish.
+"You'll go back to Boston, and study, and make yourself a great lawyer,
+and you'll see such elegant ladies in society there, that you will
+forget all about this little country town, and these little country
+girls."
+
+"Kittie," Ralph would exclaim in return, as though this little doubt of
+his faithfulness hurt him, "you know you don't mean it, and if you knew
+what this summer has been to me, you never would say so."
+
+"Why don't you tell us, then?" asked Kat, who happened to overhear this
+remark one day.
+
+"Perhaps I will some time, if I find that you are glad to see me when I
+come back," answered Ralph with a mysterious smile.
+
+"Can you ever doubt that?" asked Bea. "After the blessing and comfort
+that you have been to us all? I don't know what we ever will do without
+you, Ralph; it will be so lonesome."
+
+"Why, you ought not to care," said Ralph with a laugh, and touching the
+hand that wore the gold ring, with a significant gesture. "My place was
+taken long ago in your fickle heart, mademoiselle."
+
+It did not really seem as though they were going to lose him until
+September came, and the days crept around, till the one came when a
+trunk stood packed in the hall, the front room up stairs looked
+forsaken, and Ralph was really going next morning.
+
+Right after dinner, Kat took her book and went off to the farthest
+corner of the back-yard, where a gigantic apple-tree stood, with a
+magnificent seat of curled branches up in its centre, into which, Kat
+found her way, with some speedy climbing, and then sat down and looked
+thoughtfully at nothing for nearly half an hour. Yes, she did look very
+thoughtful, and after a while, she opened her book, but did not read
+much, for something kept coming between her and the leaves, and two or
+three times she might have been seen to slide her hand across her eyes,
+and wink pretty fast, which plainly indicated that something must be the
+matter. She never could have told afterwards what made her stay there
+all the afternoon, but stay she did, and never came down until the sun
+had commenced to throw slanting shadows across the grass. On the way up
+to the house, she walked slowly, and appeared to be holding some
+internal communion or argument with herself, and was seen to shake
+herself rather fiercely before she went in.
+
+"Well, where in the world have you been?" was the remark that greeted
+her, as she appeared in the sitting-room door; and the speaker was Bea,
+who turned from the window with wet eyes.
+
+"Been? Up in the big tree out below the pond."
+
+"Why I thought you had gone up town," exclaimed Kittie, who was crying
+on the piano-stool, like one bereft. "Ralph's gone."
+
+"Gone!" echoed Kat, slowly.
+
+"Yes, gone," repeated Bea. "He found that he could make connections
+right through by taking this afternoon's train, and he raced all around
+town an hour before train-time, to find you. Kittie said you were going
+after dinner."
+
+"Yes, but I changed my mind," said Kat slowly, then turned and went out.
+Gone, and with no good-bye to her! She wondered a little to see how much
+the thought hurt her. Ralph's old straw hat, with its broad band of blue
+ribbon, just as he used to wear it around the yard, hung on the rack.
+She took it down with a queer little feeling in her throat, and slapped
+it on to her head, then went out into the yard again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+AT THE OPERA.
+
+
+The sun came warmly in at the great west window of the picture gallery,
+and showed Olive sitting before a tall frame, and working busily at the
+sketch that lay in her lap. Very near to her lay Jean, on a luxurious
+little divan, with an open book in her hands, from which she read a
+little now and then, and watching her sister in the meantime. It was
+very still, for when Olive was at work she was always too absorbed to
+think of aught else, and objected to being talked to, so the deep
+silence lay unbroken, and Jean satisfied herself with being allowed to
+watch to her heart's content.
+
+At last Olive raised her head with a sigh, partly of fatigue, and partly
+of blissful content, and after taking a professional squint at her
+subject and her copy, passed it over to Jean with the remark:
+
+"There, how do you like that, Jean? Does his nose look right?"
+
+"Just beautiful!" cried Jean with enthusiasm. "How splendidly you do it,
+Olive. He looks as if he was going to speak. It must be so nice to be an
+artist; you'll be a great one, some day, won't you?"
+
+"I want to be," answered Olive, who had lately learned that nothing so
+threw Jean into raptures, as to be appealed to, and confided in. "After
+I learn to draw heads just as nicely as possible, I am going to sketch
+yours and Ernestine's for mama."
+
+"Are you really?" exclaimed Jean in delight, "and like that one?"
+
+"Yes, like this," said Olive, looking at her sketch, which was a copy of
+a magnificent head of Demosthenes, cast in bas-relief against black
+velvet. "Don't you think she will like it?"
+
+"Oh, she'll just be too happy!" cried Jean, slipping from her lounge,
+and limping over to Olive with her cane. "I want to talk a little while
+now, will you, Olive?"
+
+The young artist cast a hasty regretful look at her drawing, and was on
+the point of putting off the little talk, for her fingers fairly
+trembled to go on with her work, and catch with her pencil the peculiar
+life-like expression about the mouth of the great orator; but the
+temptation was thrust aside, and the next moment, Jean was sitting in
+her lap, with the contented air of one who expects no rebuffs or
+unreturned caresses.
+
+"I've been watching you so long," she began, touching with loving
+fingers, the long, heavy braid of beautiful hair, that had fallen over
+Olive's shoulder, "and I just wanted to tell you how different you look
+from the way you used to, you know."
+
+"Yes," answered Olive, who had grown used to these loving bursts of
+admiration from the observing little girl.
+
+"I used to think," continued Jean, "that you was the most unhappy girl I
+ever saw, and it made me feel so sorry, 'cause I thought it must be
+somebody's fault, and then I wanted to kiss you, or something, but you
+always looked so, I didn't know whether you'd like it or not, and so I
+never did."
+
+"But I would have been glad," said Olive, who could remember very well
+the many times she had frozen the little girl's loving advances.
+
+"I'll tell you why I was so unhappy, Jeanie; I thought no body loved me,
+and that I was in the way."
+
+"Why, Olive! Olive!" cried Jean in greatest amaze. "How could you think
+so; who made you?"
+
+"I made myself," said Olive. "I was so cross, that I made you all stay
+away from me, and then I thought it was because no one cared for me,
+because I was so ugly."
+
+"You wasn't pretty then," was Jean's honest remark. "But you are now,
+really, and so splendid looking some way. You haven't got rosy cheeks
+like Miss Foster, nor yellow hair like Ernestine, but somehow I love to
+look at you, and so does Cousin Roger, 'cause sometimes when you are
+drawing, he just looks right straight at you all the whole time."
+
+"Does he?" laughed Olive, and then revealed the utter want of romance in
+her nature, by never giving the complimentary fact another thought.
+"I'll tell you something, Jean, if you'll not repeat it."
+
+"Oh, no, Olive, never!"
+
+"Well, I'm drawing Cousin Roger's head."
+
+"You are, and he don't know it?"
+
+"No, I take good looks when he don't see, then go and draw awhile; it's
+good practise, and he has such a strong, clear face, and splendidly
+shaped head, that I have to work hard to make my picture good, and I
+find it is helping me a great deal," said Olive, with never a thought of
+doing a thing that might be termed romantic.
+
+"How nice, and may I see it?"
+
+"Yes, when it is done."
+
+"And may _I_ see it?" inquired a new voice, that made them both start
+and turn, to see Roger Congreve coming down the gallery.
+
+"Did you hear?" asked Olive, looking a little vexed; and Jean opened
+her mouth to say something, then shut it in a hurry.
+
+"No, I didn't except the last two sentences; but from the way you both
+look, I think it must be something that I ought to hear," answered the
+gentleman, sitting down on Jean's divan with a laugh.
+
+"Tell him," whispered Jean, and as Olive looked up, and saw his head
+with gleams of sunshine falling across it, she realized the advantage of
+having it to look at steadily, and how grand his forehead was.
+
+"Yes, I'd just as soon tell you as not," she said frankly. "I've been
+taking a sketch of your head."
+
+"Have you indeed," he exclaimed, with a sudden light in his face that
+Olive could not understand, if indeed, she thought anything about it.
+
+"Yes, it makes a splendid study, but I haven't made much progress,
+because I've had so few chances."
+
+"Why did you do it on the sly?" he asked, hoping to detect a little
+confusion in her answer, such as might indicate a little deeper interest
+than the mere study; but not a bit of it; she answered readily enough:
+
+"I thought you might consider it a bore to sit still, doing nothing,
+just for the sake of being copied, so I never said anything about it,
+but studied by piece-meal."
+
+"On the contrary, believe me, nothing would be greater bliss than to sit
+still doing nothing, by the hour, for the sake of being copied--by
+you," said Roger with an unmistakable accent.
+
+"It is very kind of you, I am sure," replied Olive, on whom all such
+things were thrown away; as indeed he had found out long ago, being a
+little nettled at the discovery. Not that he was given such, to any
+extreme, but then he was a society man, born and bred, with all of
+society's pleasing little airs, which might have made him a society
+fool, if he had not also possessed too much manhood and good common
+sense. Between his handsome self, and it being known that he was "old
+Congreve's heir," it's a never ending wonder that he wasn't spoiled; but
+he had kept clear headed, and also clear hearted so far, and had come to
+find out that there were but few women who were not susceptible to
+flattery, and who would not drop into a harmless flirtation with little
+invitation. Therefore, when Olive came, and never seemed to regard him
+as any extraordinary being, he decided to make her; so after trying
+indifference, equal to her own awhile, he was somewhat amazed to find
+that his was feigned, and hers was too genuine to be complimentary;
+after which he tried the attentive, which rarely fails to bring a girl
+around, and was astonished beyond measure, to find that it was in vain.
+To be sure, Olive accepted his flowers, sometimes wearing a bud or two
+in her hair, and seemed to think it very kind in him to remember her in
+that way. And she went riding day after day with him, with the most
+hearty enjoyment, for did she not see the most magnificent scenery from
+the mountain roads, round which they cantered in the lovely days? And
+they frequently spent evenings together, when at her request he would
+read aloud from books she might name, and then they would discuss them,
+when he would find that hers was no ordinary school-girlish mind, that
+could be bent according to another's ideas. And so, at last, he came to
+feel a genuine desire to win some feeling from her, since she was
+rousing so much in him; but the genuine desire seemed as vain as the
+former idle one, for while Olive undoubtedly enjoyed his society, since
+he assisted her in discovering the best sketching points, and was an
+able conversationalist in what he had read and seen; there was nothing
+beyond it, and she would have enjoyed the same, just as well, in any one
+else. Most any girl but Olive, would have come to understand and
+appreciate, the evident preference he at last professed for her society,
+above that of the Staunton belles; and most any girl would have been
+flattered by the attentions which now bore sincerity in their face; but
+to Olive they seemed only courtesies paid to her as a guest, for which
+she was grateful, and gave no extra thought. She was wrapped too deeply
+in her art to have any thought of lovers, besides she was not at all
+romantic; all her cravings for affection were satisfied in the home
+circle, and the deeper fountains of her heart, that, once reached,
+would be a well-spring of deathless unchanged devotion, lay deeply
+buried now. So it was that Roger Congreve had met the first woman whom
+he could not attract in some way, who won from him the strongest
+feelings, and gave him nothing in return but polite friendliness; and
+that she should be nothing but a seventeen year old girl, was something
+rather humiliating. When the study on the head began, as it did the next
+day, it was both a pleasure and almost a pain to him to feel that he
+might as well have been a piece of statuary as for all the attention she
+gave him, aside from the long careful looks her thoughtful eyes bestowed
+on some particular curve to his nose, or expression about his mouth. But
+then it gave him plenty of time to study the quiet face, with its clear
+colorlessness, the lowered eyelids with curling lashes, the nose, that
+was purely aristocratic in its fine outline, and the wavy sweep of brown
+hair from the high, white brow. The study was always a pleasure to him,
+and made ten times stronger his resolve to win some feeling and
+expression thereof from her.
+
+"Are you sleepy?" Olive asked once, when he had fallen into a reverie,
+and was regarding her with eyes dreamily tender. "I'm ready for your
+eyes now, and that expression will never do. I've put your head and face
+in an expression of strong defiance, and those eyes would ruin it. Look
+real angry for a minute, and let me catch the expression!--no, not that
+way, it's too fierce; but just steady and earnest, as though you were
+determined to do something, whether or no."
+
+"Very well; look at me now," he said, turning his eyes on her with a
+flash of determination, such as set her pencil to work in a hurry. "I
+want to tell you that I have made up my mind to do a certain thing,
+which I will tell you about when accomplished."
+
+She was too busy replacing that look on paper to heed the gracious
+promise; and he had the questionable pleasure of knowing that he was
+entirely forgotten for the next few minutes, save in the capacity of a
+model, and that thought accomplished what Olive wanted, for it kept that
+look of roused defiance in his eyes.
+
+Occasionally old Mr. Congreve would come into the gallery and take a
+look at the work, on which he would pass some characteristic comment,
+and then depart, taking Jean with him, and saying to her with a chuckle,
+that sounded like intense satisfaction:
+
+"Come along with me, Jeanie, and let's leave the young folks alone with
+their drawing. I guess they can manage it better alone;" and Jean would
+go regretfully, and with an innocent wondering how her staying would
+make any difference.
+
+One evening, towards the latter part of September, Roger came up from
+the city, and meeting Olive on the lawn, drew two tickets from his
+pocket, and threw them into her lap.
+
+[Illustration: MR. CONGREVE WOULD COME INTO THE GALLERY.]
+
+"There! The first opera of the season, and pretty early for that, too!
+but I hear they are rather good, and they give 'Bohemian Girl' to-night,
+so I bought tickets. Shall we go?"
+
+"Yes, it was kind of you. I would like to hear it very much," answered
+Olive with a pleased smile. "Do you know, I never heard an opera in my
+life."
+
+"Is it possible?" in intense surprise. "Why, we will go every night they
+are here, if you say so."
+
+"Oh, no," with an air of reproof. "That would be very nice, but too
+extravagant. I know money is nothing to you, but then it wouldn't seem
+right to spend so much for mere pleasure when there are so many poor."
+
+He looked at her in surprise for a moment, but was too modest to tell
+that he gave twice as much to worthy poor as he ever gave to personal
+pleasure; so the subject dropped, and they were silent until Olive
+asked, with a sudden recollection of how she had frequently heard him
+describe ladies' toilets:
+
+"Do they--I will have to ask you because there is no one else--but do
+the ladies dress much at opera, here?"
+
+"Just as they please. It is not so popular as formerly. Street dress is
+mostly worn now."
+
+"Well, I don't know as it makes any difference, for I've got just so
+much to dress in, and would have to wear it anyhow," said Olive, with a
+composed laugh, which indicated how little she cared for what was
+popular aside from a polite desire to be becomingly attired in the eyes
+of her escort.
+
+"Will you wear some flowers if I will send them up to you?"
+
+"Yes, thank you."
+
+"Why do you always thank me for every little thing as if we were perfect
+strangers?" he exclaimed, with a little impatience, and a sort of vague
+feeling that if she realized or cared for the devotion accompanying the
+acts, she would accept them more as a matter of course.
+
+"Why should I not thank you?" with an air of surprise. "Is it any reason
+that I should not be polite since we are well acquainted?"
+
+"No, to be sure not," with a slight laugh; "but, then--what flowers do
+you prefer?"
+
+"Make your own selection."
+
+"I shall choose white then. Are you going in?"
+
+"Yes; this is Jean's day to go to the doctor's, and I promised to go
+with her," and with a little nod, she walked off and left him where he
+had thrown himself on the grass at her feet.
+
+That night, many a glass was turned towards their box for Roger Congreve
+was too eligible not to be a perfect magnet of interest, and any lady
+that he might choose to show a slight preference for, became, at once,
+a target for glances and comments; so, for a while, Olive was conscious
+of a dazzling battery of eyes and glasses; but Roger noticed, with some
+wonder, that the fact did not seem to disturb her more than as though it
+had been the commonest occurrence in her life. She looked exceedingly
+well to-night, dressed entirely in black, with lillies-of-the-valley in
+her hair, and fastened in the lace at her throat, while the pleasing
+excitement brought a bright flash into her eyes, and more color than
+usual into the lips that clearly showed their curved outline.
+
+The evening's amusement began, and progressed pleasurably through the
+first act, to which Olive listened attentively, saying with a little
+sigh of regret when the curtain fell:
+
+"How lovely it all is! Ernestine always wanted to go on the stage! It
+must be delightful if one can?"
+
+"Delightful, possibly; but a life of drudgery until one has worked to
+the top, and even then, there are hardships," Roger answered, noting how
+a look of sadness chased the gay smile from her lips when she spoke of
+the absent sister. Somehow, the place seemed replete with memories of
+Ernestine; the music which she had often played, the glitter of wealth
+and fashion that she always loved and longed for, the very atmosphere of
+gayety and excitement, such as she had always craved to draw breath in,
+seemed to recall her now, as Olive, caring so little for it, sat in its
+midst, and lost in memory. Roger regretted that any sadness should have
+obtruded itself, and was relieved to see, that when the curtain rose on
+the second act, that Olive soon became absorbed in the picturesque gypsy
+scene and lovely music. The robbery of Florestein was being committed
+with the usual success of brilliancy, and the gipsies were taking French
+leave, when the figure of a woman enters, drops her cloak, and--Roger
+sees no more. He hears a sudden painful gasp at his side, and turns to
+see Olive, whiter than her lilies, rising from her seat slowly, as if
+faint.
+
+"Olive," he exclaimed, hastily drawing the curtain between them and the
+audience, but she put out her hand, and then sank back in her chair, too
+weak to stand, for the first time in her life:
+
+"Ernestine!" she said, huskily. "It is Ernestine!"
+
+In incredulous amaze, he looked back at the stage, just as the queen was
+leading Florestein off, and he sees a frail-looking figure heaped in
+gaudy toggery, that looks as though it would drag her down with its
+weight; and, above it, is a pale flower-like face, with great dark,
+weary-looking eyes, and a heavy coronet of yellow hair twisted with
+tinsel and gauze.
+
+"How can I go to her?" Olive is saying with intense eagerness, and
+leaving her seat with a new strength. "Tell me quick, for I must go at
+once--tell me, quick."
+
+"It will do no good," said Roger, laying a detaining hand on her arm.
+"Listen to me a moment, Olive,"--as she threw it off in wild impatience.
+"They would not admit us behind the scenes, and besides, do you not see
+how frail and weak she looks? The shock would unfit her for the rest of
+the performance and--"
+
+"What do I care for that? She shall leave them at once. I will go to
+her. I'll go alone, if you will not go with me," cried Olive with
+glowing eyes and trembling lips, and moving towards the door.
+
+"But she dare not leave, and they would not allow you to see her," said
+Roger earnestly. "Only wait until the performance is over, and we will
+be at the stage entrance to meet her as she comes out. It will be best
+so; believe me, and trust in my interest, that is doubly deep for your
+sake."
+
+Olive hesitated, but reason conquered, and she came trembling back to
+her seat, saying in an excited whisper:
+
+"I cannot look at her again; I shall certainly betray myself if I do.
+Oh, how deathly she looks! I cannot bear it!"
+
+Roger did not doubt her self-control, until the gypsy queen appeared
+from her tent to disturb the love-scene of Thaddeus and Arline; and
+then, as Olive started forward and leaned against the box-rail, with
+parted, colorless lips, he certainly thought the name hovering on them
+would escape. But it did not. She pressed her hands tightly together
+and looked down, with such glittering eyes that it is a wonder their
+intense gaze did not make itself felt, and draw an answering look from
+the pale, worn queen, who, it was very evident, was making every
+particle of her strength work, to carry her through her part. Roger
+noticed, with an excitement almost equal to Olive's, that as she
+advanced to unite the lovers' hands, that she cleared her throat huskily
+and grew even yet paler in the tent-lights, and that twice she opened
+her lips before any sound crossed them. The next moment Olive had sprung
+to her feet, as with the first words:--
+
+    "Hand to hand, and heart to heart--"
+
+The voice ceased, a thin stream of blood crossed the queen's white lips
+and the curtain was rung down in a hurry, as she fell back into the
+gypsy's arms and was carried off.
+
+"This way, give me your arm," said Roger, pausing to say nothing else as
+they left the box and made their way through the dim little hall to the
+stage door. It was locked, and the most imperative and repeated knocks,
+failed to bring any response; and pitying the trembling eagerness that
+made Olive cling to his arm, he turned back, making all possible haste
+through the auditorium. The greater part of the audience still kept
+their seats to hear what would follow, but several were leaving, so that
+their hurrying through was hardly noticed, though neither gave it a
+thought. Just as they turned into the alley-way, from which the stage
+entrance led, a hack was seen to drive hurriedly from the door, and
+Olive's trembling strength almost forsook her, as she gasped out--
+
+"That is she--they are taking her away,--and we do not know where!"
+
+But it only took a moment to find where, to call another hack, help
+Olive in, to shout: "To the Virginia!" and then to be rattled off,
+through the darkness, in frantic haste; as cabby realized, from the
+excited order, that greatest speed was wanted.
+
+Olive spoke no word through that drive, but the moment the hack stopped
+before the hotel, she sprang from it, and rushed into the house,
+appealing eagerly to the first one met--
+
+"Where is she--the lady they have just brought in?"
+
+"The actress? Miss Clare? Third floor, but I don't know the number."
+
+Olive turned to see Roger coming in with a tall, kindly faced man, who
+hurried up stairs, while Roger said to her:
+
+"It is the doctor, we will follow him;" and together they went up,
+through the dim halls, and climbing the steep stairs, until they saw him
+enter a door, around which several curious persons stood, and then Roger
+paused, saying with decision:
+
+"You risk her life if you go in now, when she is in such a condition;
+the shock might bring on another hemorrhage."
+
+"I will wait," said Olive, beginning to feel the stern necessity of
+rigid self-control. "But cannot you go in, and ask the doctor how she
+is, and ask him how long before I can see her?"
+
+"I will try, wait here;" and Olive waited, while he went to the door,
+and tapped. She saw that he was refused admittance; but that in a few
+moments the doctor came out, and talked with him, after which they
+walked down to where she stood.
+
+"Dr. Pierce, Olive; and I have told him a few of the sad facts of the
+case," was Roger's hurried introduction and explanation.
+
+"And can I see her?" asked Olive, with trembling eagerness.
+
+"I think not, but I am sorry," was the kindly answer. "The hemorrhage
+was not very severe, but she is perfectly prostrated with overwork and
+excitement, so that I would dread the effect of any shock. Besides I
+have given her an opiate, from which she may not wake for hours, if it
+has the desired effect."
+
+"But may I not see her when she gets to sleep?" pleaded Olive,
+tremulously. "I will be very quiet indeed."
+
+"Yes, you may; I will call you," answered the doctor, and then some of
+the bystanders brought Olive a chair, and she dropped into it, and
+leaning her head against the door casing, waited, hardly noticing that
+through the hour that followed, Roger Congreve stood close by her side
+and studied the pale, anxious face, while pondering the revelation made
+to him that evening. He had almost decided that she had no heart, simply
+because it had not responded to his; but had she not?
+
+"You may come now," whispered an attendant, opening the door; and with
+her heart bounding so that she could scarcely stand, Olive went in
+slowly, and holding her breath as she drew near the bed whereon lay the
+motionless figure. Oh, could it be Ernestine? She stood and looked, with
+eyes blinded by hot tears, and once ventured to touch one of the thin
+waxen-like hands lying on the coverlid. Did it seem possible?
+Light-hearted, beautiful Ernestine Dering, and this white, shadowy,
+motionless being, one and the same? The face, as seen in the glare of
+lights, and under its gaudy trappings, was a picture of health, compared
+to what it was now, lying on the small, hard pillow, with the golden
+hair pushed straight back, and the face as pallid as marble, with sunken
+eyes, and pinched, white lips. Olive stood and looked for several
+moments, with the sobs swelling in her throat; then she knelt down
+beside the bed, and hid her face in the coverings, and no one disturbed
+her; but with Ernestine's first move she drew back, and out of sight
+across the room, which was needless, for the sleeper only turned her
+head, and then sank into that death-like stillness again.
+
+"Has she been ill long?" asked Olive of the single woman who still
+remained in the room. "Do you know anything about her?"
+
+"Oh, yes, miss. I am Madame T----, the prima donna's maid, and I helped
+dress Miss Clare to-night," answered the quiet-faced woman, who was
+nearly dead with curiosity, but stood in some awe of the tall, strange
+young lady. "She has not been strong any of the time since she's been
+with us; but yesterday, Miss Downs took sick, and Mr. Hurst, he's the
+manager, put Miss Clare in her place, and she's studied and sung every
+minute since, to be ready for to-night; and I thought when I dressed
+her, that she looked more like going into her coffin, than on the stage
+in all that toggery. She needs proper good care now, or she'll be like
+to die;--might you be a--friend, miss?"
+
+"Yes; and I shall remove her from here as soon as she is able. What has
+she in the way of clothes, and where are they?"
+
+"Laws! miss, not much, I guess, only that little trunk there," answered
+the woman, pointing to what might have been a good sized band-box, that
+stood in the corner, and which, in other days would hardly have held
+Ernestine's sashes, ribbons and trinkets, let alone the smallest corner
+of her wardrobe.
+
+"I am going," said Roger, tiptoeing carefully to Olive's side. "It is
+past eleven, and the carriage will have come for us and gone back, and
+Uncle Ridley will be alarmed. I shall return immediately, and is there
+anything you want brought?"
+
+"Yes," whispered Olive. "Pillows, eight or ten of them, wine, and my
+blue wrapper; Jean will be asleep; Bettine will get it for you;--that is
+all, I think;" and he went carefully away, to bear the startling news
+out to Congreve Hall; and Olive was left to her lonely vigil, for the
+troupe arrived presently from the theatre, and the maid was obliged to
+attend to Madame T----. Most of the performers had rooms on the third
+floor, and after a loiter down stairs, came up noisily, singing and
+chatting right by the sick-room, and Olive was horrified to hear that
+they stopped next door, from which place the merriment continued to flow
+forth unceasing. Did they not know that the sick girl lay next door, or
+at least that she was in the house? Olive stood it as long as she could,
+then sprang to her feet, and in a moment had tapped at the next door.
+
+The sounds ceased for a moment, then some one threw it open, and the
+light flashed on her pale, indignant face and flashing eyes, with the
+wilted lilies at her throat, and the unmistakable air of a woman "born
+to command," in her erect head, and clear, indignant glance.
+
+"Are you not aware,"--she had no time to couch her language in pleasing
+terms,--"Are you not aware that a lady lies at the point of death in the
+next room?"
+
+The four men looked at the apparition in silent amaze for a moment, then
+one of them said, with an unmistakable hiccough and a silly smile:
+
+"You don't say so! hic, come in, an' tell us all about it."
+
+"Shut up, Bunce! can't you see it's a lady?" retorted he, who sheepishly
+held the door. "I'm--I'm sorry, mam," he continued, with a bow to Olive.
+"I--we--forgot; I hope we've not disturbed her much; there shall be no
+more noise, I promise you."
+
+Olive disappeared, and returned to Ernestine, her heart swelling with
+furious indignation. If she had not been there, would the maid have gone
+to Madame T----, and would the sick girl have been left alone in that
+death-like stupor? It seemed too heartlessly cruel to be true; Olive
+could not understand it.
+
+Roger Congreve returned just before twelve, and found Olive sitting
+alone by the sleeper, and his wrath was fully equal to hers.
+
+"But they all know you are with her," he said, "and there are all manner
+of curious conjectures floating round. Here are pillows, and wine, and I
+have brought Bettine back with me."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad," said Olive, with a sigh of relief, "I have been
+pondering what I would do if she should wake up. What did Uncle Ridley
+say?"
+
+"Say? Why, it was all I could do to keep him from coming here right
+away; and I left him trying to comfort Jean, who was nearly in a spasm
+of joy. She was awake and insisted on knowing why you did not come;
+otherwise I should not have told her to-night. Here, Bettine, bring one
+of those largest pillows."
+
+Bettine came forward from where she stood near the door, bringing a
+large, soft pillow, very unlike the little hard one on which Ernestine's
+head rested; and as Olive carefully lifted the sleeper's head, they were
+exchanged, without disturbing the heavy stupefied slumber.
+
+"I think the manager will be up here in a moment," said Roger, when
+Olive had taken her seat and Bettine had retreated to the corner, wiping
+her eyes on the rough little pillow-case; and even as he spoke, there
+came steps in the hall and a slight tap at the door, and Bettine
+admitted the doctor, followed by a tall, surly-faced man, who looked
+fiercely around the room, and scowled at Olive, who took her seat by the
+bed, with an instinctive feeling that the unconscious sleeper might need
+her protection.
+
+"You see for yourself," said the doctor, stepping to the bed with the
+stranger, after having bowed to Olive and Roger. "She is alive, and
+really doing better than I expected; but a slight turn may be her
+instant death, or she may live several months yet with perfect rest and
+comfort. She can never be of further use to you, for her last note had
+been sung, and her last act given."
+
+The manager scowled down at the death-like sleeper.
+
+"Nevertheless, I have a claim on her. I paid her fifty dollars in
+advance to buy necessary stage-wardrobe," he said, with a heartless
+coolness. "I never was such a fool before, but she had a fine voice and
+good stage air, and I thought she'd last."
+
+Almost before he finished speaking, Olive had leaped to her feet with
+flashing eyes and quivering white lips, but before she could speak,
+Roger's quiet voice interrupted:
+
+"Will you step this way, sir, and make out your bill against the young
+lady? I am quite ready to cancel all or any demands."
+
+The manager turned and looked at him for a moment, in silence, then
+crossed the room with a shrug of his shoulders, and took the pencil held
+out to him, also the little page of blanks.
+
+"Sign her release, while I make out your check," said Roger, drawing his
+bank book from his pocket, and hastily filling a page, while the manager
+slowly scrawled a few words on the blank, attached his name, and passed
+it over, receiving the check in exchange.
+
+"It's not half what I ought to receive," he said, with surly grimace.
+"Here I've got to go and look up some one else, and she made the
+performance fizzle out to-night, besides being a deal of trouble all
+along with her delicate airs."
+
+"Leave the room!" cried Olive fiercely, trembling and white with
+uncontrollable rage. "You have killed her. I hope you will remember it
+to your last day. You are her murderer, and whatever you paid her, it is
+more than likely she had given her life to work out for you, so what you
+are paid now is wages for your brutish work. Leave the room, I say; you
+have no longer a right here, nor any claim, if indeed you ever had one,
+for I tell you I don't believe you ever paid her a cent, even what you
+owed her, and you shall not breathe the same air with her longer."
+
+"Young woman, be careful!" thundered the manager, growing an irate
+scarlet, as the fiercely uttered words rolled in upon him; but Olive met
+his gaze with flashing, undaunted eyes, and then the good doctor
+recovered from his speechless amaze and came between them, after which,
+Bettine, trembling with awe and fright, let the two gentlemen out. Olive
+dropped back into her seat, and through it all, Ernestine slept, her
+thin hands folded over her quiet bosom, and an air of utter repose on
+her face, as of one too near another world to heed struggles in this,
+even though they reached her weary hearing.
+
+So the night wore on, and save the doctor returning for a moment, utter
+silence reigned. Olive never moved from her low seat by the bed, with
+her face hid. Bettine dropped asleep in her chair, and Roger, over by
+the window, found that his busy thoughts kept him awake for hours, but
+that he finally grew drowsy, and at last dropped into a doze, with his
+head against the casing.
+
+As the city bell tolled the hour of three, Ernestine opened her eyes
+slowly, with a weary air that seemed like regret, and looked about the
+dimly lighted room, with only a half conscious air. Roger received a
+slow wondering look, then Bettine, and then her eyes fell on the figure
+by the bed, with crushed white flowers in her hair, and face bowed from
+sight; but it seemed to matter little who they all were, for she made no
+move and looked away beyond them all, with a dreamy air of lingering
+stupor, that still held thoughts and memory in check. But presently a
+brighter light of reason crept into the eyes that made them open wider
+and look about once more at the three silent figures, with more wonder
+and closer attention, and at last she put out her hand slowly, and
+touched the bowed head beside her; and startled by the light pressure,
+Olive raised her head quickly, and they looked at each other.
+
+For a moment her heart stood still in terror, as the dark eyes rested on
+her face, then there came a feeble, husky moan of delirious joy. "Olive!
+Oh, Olive!" and Roger, wakened by the slight sound, sprang up, to find
+Ernestine fainted entirely away, and Olive rushed wildly for water; at
+which Bettine also awakened, and shaking with fright, as her first
+thought was, that Ernestine was dying. But she was not, for with
+moistened lips and dampened brow, they brought a feeble flutter of life
+back, and with the first lifting of the eyelids, Olive bent down to lay
+her lips to those that tried to speak.
+
+"Not another word for your life's sake, darling. I am here. I am going
+to take you home to mama, but you must not speak."
+
+Words cannot describe the incredulous joy and perfect peace that touched
+the wan face at the words, nor the bewildering happiness that lighted
+the sunken eyes, as the feeble arms tried to clasp themselves about
+Olive's neck, but fell weakly down.
+
+Roger found his eyes blinded by tears as he stepped back to get the
+wine. "Give her some," he said, handing the glass to Olive, and slipping
+his arm under Ernestine's pillow to raise her head slightly, and
+Ernestine sipped slowly at the wine held to her lips, never once moving
+her eyes from Olive's face, then lay back with that contented, peaceful
+look, like some who, from facing despair, desperation, and the bitterest
+heart-ache, suddenly find themselves cradled in perfect peace, with no
+trouble, no want, no sadness, and too weak to wonder, hold fast their
+wild joy and are content.
+
+For a long time it seemed as though Ernestine cared to know nothing,
+save that Olive was beside her, held her hand, and bent to kiss her
+every few moments; but, after a long time her eyes went to Roger, as
+though she had just discovered his presence, and Olive answered the
+question in them.
+
+"It is our Cousin Roger, dear, and Uncle Ridley, and Jean will be here
+in the morning; can't you go to sleep, so as to be stronger then?"
+
+Ernestine's lips trembled with joy, but she shut her eyes instantly, as
+though to win sleep and hasten the morning; but no sleep came, and so
+till daylight touched the world, Olive sat and held the hands that
+trembled eagerly, as the moments went by. At last, she grew perfectly
+quiet, and Olive, knowing she had dropped asleep drew back from the
+long-held position that had made every muscle ache.
+
+"Won't you lie down?" whispered Roger. "You look like a ghost. I am
+going to sit out in the hall so as to keep things quiet when the
+boarders begin to leave their rooms."
+
+"How good you are!" said Olive, looking up at him with a sudden
+gratitude, and noting how pale and worn he looked from the long night of
+sleeplessness and anxiety. "I can never thank you."
+
+"Do not try," he answered, pressing the hand she had held out to him,
+and looking at her with eyes she could not have failed to read had she
+not been in such a tumult of absorbing thoughts, and then he went
+carefully out, and Olive, bidding sleepy Bettine to lie down, took her
+seat again by the bed, and daylight came up brightly, while she watched
+Ernestine's sleeping face, with eyes that were continually blinded by
+thankful tears.
+
+Soon after breakfast, the carriage from the Hall came dashing up to the
+Virginia, and in a few moments, Mr. Congreve was stamping hurriedly up
+stairs, while James followed, carrying Jean, who was trembling like a
+leaf with eager excitement.
+
+"God bless my soul! I never did!" cried Mr. Congreve, as Roger, hearing
+them coming, met them at the top of the last flight. "Such thundering
+stairs! Why I sha'n't breathe straight again for a month, and I don't
+want to go in on the dear child puffing like a crazy porpoise. Let me
+sit right down here to blow my nose and get my breath. How is she,
+Roger?"
+
+"Better this morning. She ate a little breakfast and drank some wine,
+but is very weak yet. Jeanie, that is the room. You may go in, but go
+quietly," said Roger, and Jean, being placed on the floor, almost forgot
+to use her cane, as she limped hurriedly along.
+
+Ernestine was watching the door with eager, hungry eyes, and the moment
+Jean appeared, she held out her feeble hands, and the next moment,
+Jean's kisses were covering her face, and the little girl was saying in
+joyous eagerness:
+
+"I knew God would bring you back. I've asked Him every night since you
+went away. Oh, my precious, darling, Ernestine, I'm so glad that I can't
+help crying," the delighted sobs bubbling up as she spoke; while
+Ernestine, forbidden to speak, fondled the curly hair and dear little
+face, and feebly smiled her happiness.
+
+"Well, my child, God bless you, I'm glad we've got you again," was Mr.
+Congreve's greeting, as he came in, making every effort not to be noisy
+or speak too loud, in consequence of which, his voice was dropped to a
+sepulchral whisper, and he walked as if the floor was spread with eggs.
+But his kind, sharp eyes were full of tears, his voice shook, and he
+held her frail hand as though it was a precious wafer, that slight
+pressure might demolish.
+
+"The doctor was here, just now," said Olive, "He says we may take her
+out home by to-morrow, if she continues to do well."
+
+"Yes, yes, to be sure," answered Mr. Congreve, retreating to the corner
+and employing both hands and an immense handkerchief to wipe away the
+tears. "Has the child everything that she wants, Olive? I--God bless my
+soul! she looks half dead already, as though she had been starved and
+treated like a dog! Confound my eyes! but then I must cry; I'd like to
+take a good out and out bellow, I would, indeed; I haven't felt so
+stuffed with tears for fifty years. Have you sent word to your mother?"
+
+"No; I wanted to ask you about it. Ernestine is out of danger, and yet,
+if mama knows she is found and so ill, it will make her sick with
+anxiety and waiting, so I thought we had better wait until she is able
+to be taken home, then write."
+
+"Just so, exactly; you're right, no doubt. I hope the dear child can be
+moved to-morrow, for this place is like a musty chicken coop; I wouldn't
+put my worst enemy's dog in such a room, and I think I'll go down and
+blow off my feelings by telling the man who runs this shanty, just what
+I think of him;" and away went the excited old gentleman in a hurry,
+after telling Olive once more to spare no expense, if the dear child
+wanted anything.
+
+The next day Ernestine was taken to Congreve Hall.
+
+How many times had the girls thought of Ernestine, with her beauty, her
+grace, and queenly little airs, as being in Congreve Hall. How they had
+imagined her ornamenting its stately rooms, sweeping through the great
+halls, and queening it to her happy heart's content, a fit inmate to its
+splendor.
+
+Now, on a bed, that could be lifted from the carriage, by two careful
+servants, and slowly taken in at the great entrance, wan, wasted, and
+helpless, Ernestine was going into Congreve Hall at last.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+COMING HOME.
+
+
+"We haven't had a letter from Olive this week," said Bea, breaking a
+silence that had fallen upon them, as they sat sewing in the cheerful
+sitting-room. "How long she has been gone! Isn't it most time for her to
+be coming home, mama?"
+
+"She was to stay as long as she was enjoying herself, and pleasing Uncle
+Ridley," answered Mrs. Dering. "I hardly thought she would stay so long
+on account of her studies, but from what she writes about the scenery
+and gallery of pictures at Congreve, I suppose she is having a little
+artistic revelry that is very pleasant."
+
+"Well, she has forever lost place in my eyes," said Kat severely, "for
+not snubbing that chap. 'Cousin Roger,' she calls him! Stuff! He's no
+more our cousin than I'm your uncle; and he's to own the Hall, when it
+ought to be ours. I should think his conscience would wear a hole right
+through him, and if she brings that picture of his head home with her,
+I'll jab the carving-fork into it, sure's the world!"
+
+"It would make you feel better, I've no doubt," remarked Kittie, who sat
+by the window stitching ruffles, with a lady-like air, while a great
+bouquet ornamented the sill, shedding its fragrance through the room; it
+having been brought that morning by the polite colored man from
+Raymond's, with a tiny, three-cornered card, fastened to a rose-bud, and
+reading:
+
+    "FOR MISS KITTIE, FROM PANSY,"
+
+in crazy-looking capitals.
+
+"Well, I don't see how she can," said Kat, "be so polite to a fellow who
+is paddling about in our canoe, while we flounder in the water, and get
+along the best we can. I think it's too mean."
+
+"But it's not his fault," remonstrated Bea. "Uncle Ridley has a right to
+leave his money and house where he pleases; and I'm sure I can't see
+what right we have to fuss, especially after all he's done for us."
+
+"We have too much to be thankful for to make complaints of any kind,"
+said Mrs. Dering, looking out of the window, as the gate was heard to
+slam. "There comes a boy! You may go to the door, Kat, as you don't
+appear to be doing anything."
+
+Kat lifted herself from the floor with a yawn, and strolled lazily out
+to the door, but came back in a moment, with quicker steps, and less
+color in her face.
+
+"It's a despatch," she said, holding out the envelope that always bears
+alarm in its very face; and Mrs. Dering took it quickly, while the girls
+hung round her chair in anxiety. Was Olive or Jean sick? Neither. The
+paper unfolded, briefly read:
+
+    "I will be home on Wednesday with Ernestine. She is quite
+    ill. Meet the train with an easy carriage and pillows, and
+    with Dr. B.
+
+        "OLIVE."
+
+For a moment not a sound broke the stillness, then Mrs. Dering dropped
+the paper, and hid her face in her hands, and the girls knew that her
+first thought was to return thanks for this answer to her long, yearning
+prayers. A moment after, it was as though a whirlwind had struck the
+peaceful room; no one seemed to know, in the excitement that possessed
+them, just what it was they wanted to say or do, and between the joy and
+anxiety that the news occasioned, they all laughed and cried
+alternately.
+
+"To-morrow is Wednesday, and Ernestine will be here. Oh, don't it seem
+too happy to be true," cried Kittie, wiping away her tears with a strand
+of ruffling. "How do you suppose it ever happened? I can hardly wait;
+what shall we do to make time pass?"
+
+There proved to be plenty to keep their hands in keeping with their
+thoughts, for a room must be prepared for the invalid, and thoroughly
+prepared, too. They went to work on it that afternoon, first building a
+bright fire in the great fire-place, and throwing open all the windows
+to let the sunshine pour in. How strange it seemed; how happy, and yet
+how sad! Ernestine coming home! Not dead nor lost, but coming home,
+feeble and helpless! Where had she been all these long, weary months?
+and had any of their heart-aches and longings reached her? Perhaps she
+had been sick and alone, had not known of their eager search, or been
+able to drag herself back to them.
+
+The girls laughed and cried, while they swept, and dusted, and made up
+the bed like a snow-bank, ready turned down to admit the weary form. The
+whitest, most beautifully fluted curtains were hung before the windows,
+whose panes glistened like diamonds from hot soap-suds and crisp
+rubbings. All the pretty knick-knacks were brought in and put upon the
+walls with an eye to Ernestine's graceful little fancy likings. The
+easiest chairs, and prettiest rugs--in short, when finished, it was a
+little bower, and Kittie put the finishing touches in the way of flowers
+and vines, that, together, with the sunshine, made a sick-room of
+perfection to greet the coming invalid. Mrs. Dering went down to Mr.
+Phillips's to get Prince and the buggy, and found that the news had
+preceded her. The telegram had been repeated, and in an hour's time had
+pretty near made the circle of Canfield; so her appearance was greeted
+with joyful congratulations and sympathetic rejoicing; for Canfield had
+taken the matter to heart, and having grieved with the family, were now
+prepared to rejoice with it also. Miss Clara Raymond met Mrs Dering on
+her way to Mr. Phillips's, and offered their carriage, which was
+gratefully accepted, as it was large, low, and easy, and much more
+comfortable than the buggy for an invalid.
+
+Little sleeping was done that night, and in the morning the girls cooked
+every dainty that Ernestine had ever loved. They cleaned the whole house
+till it shone, under the stress of excitement; and, as train time drew
+near, they fairly grew weak and sick with anxiety and suspense. Mrs.
+Dering did not say much, but when the carriage came, and she put on her
+hat, while the girls got the pillows, they saw that she was pale and
+trembling, and that her voice shook beyond control when she gave Dr.
+Barnett a smiling "good-morning."
+
+There was nothing left to do, so after the carriage drove away the three
+girls sat on the steps, with their hands clasped, and waited. Kittie
+made one or two flying trips up stairs to see if everything was really
+beyond further improvement, while Kat vibrated nervously between the
+porch and the gate, and Bea sat still, looking at her ring, and
+wondering if Ernestine would like the giver, and what she would say.
+
+"There!" cried Kat at last, with a nervous jump. "The train is in, now
+in just a little bit--"
+
+It is possible that there was not a heart in Canfield but gave an
+expectant throb when the rumble and roar of the train shook the little
+place to its centre, and was heard to stop, a thing it did not often do;
+and there were but few who did not imagine, and earnestly sympathize
+with the joy it was bringing to one home in their midst.
+
+"There they come! Oh, girls I feel perfectly faint," cried Kittie,
+making a grasp at the gate post, to sustain her trembling excited self.
+"How slow and careful,--she must be so sick."
+
+No one answered, but six eager eyes watched, and three throbbing hearts
+waited, as the horses came with slow steps, and the carriage rolled
+carefully along. The top had been raised, and curious gazers along the
+way could see nothing; neither could the girls, when at last the gate
+was reached, but though they went out, something restrained their eager
+joyous welcome, and they said nothing.
+
+Olive got out first, then Mrs. Dering, and Dr. Barnett, and then came a
+strange gentleman, bearing a perfectly helpless and evidently
+unconscious figure, with its face covered; and the girls shrank back to
+let them pass, then surrounded Olive with eager, trembling questions.
+
+"She has fainted," Olive said. "She kept growing more excited after we
+left New York, and I thought she would faint when we came in sight of
+Canfield, but she didn't until the train stopped; and then the moment
+she saw mama, she tried to speak, and fainted right away."
+
+There was no time to ask, or answer further questions, as they hurried
+into the house and up stairs, where Ernestine had been carried, and laid
+upon the soft, snowy bed; but after one glance at her unconscious face,
+they drew back and burst into tears. Olive was talking to the strange
+gentleman, for whose name no one had thought to inquire, and Dr. Barnett
+and Mrs. Dering hung over the bed, winning life back to the fragile
+figure thereon. They all saw the first opening of her eyes, that went
+straight to one dear face, saw the feeble arms lifted with a strength,
+born of joy, and heard the sobbing cry:
+
+"Mama, mama! darling mama!" and everybody cried.
+
+After awhile the girls went in and kissed her quietly, then the room was
+ordered to be cleared, and under the influence of an opiate, Ernestine
+sank to sleep, with her hands clasping those of the dear woman who was,
+and would be always, "mama."
+
+When they went down stairs, Olive presented them to Cousin Roger, and
+told in few words of all his kindness; and Kat, the vivacious, who hated
+and longed to see him removed from the face of the earth, was seen to
+drop two big tears on his hand that she was shaking heartily. To
+Beatrice came the same vague, uncertain feeling that Olive had
+experienced when first seeing him, and he caught the same bewildered
+look in her eyes.
+
+Had she ever seen him before? If not, what was it in his face that
+reminded her of--something?
+
+Mrs. Dering did not leave Ernestine's side again that day. Olive came up
+with her, and they held a long conversation in low voices; and a look of
+perfect content was seen to drift into the mother's pale, anxious face,
+as she listened how Jean was growing well, and then looked down at the
+quiet sleeper--the one who had been snatched from the burning, and given
+back into her arms.
+
+"Just think, if I had not gone to Virginia?" Olive said that evening,
+while they were all in the kitchen, doing up the supper work. "It really
+makes me tremble to think how I did not want to go, and hesitated about
+it."
+
+"If I had been you, I should have screamed right out when she came on
+the stage," said Kat, unable to imagine herself in such a position and
+remaining quiet. "How did you feel, Olive?"
+
+"So weak that I could not move, I never came so near losing my senses in
+my life, and it is such a dreadful feeling that you can't scream. It was
+dreadful to sit there and watch her, and when the hemorrhage came, I
+just jumped and ran."
+
+"Dear me, how you must have felt," said Kittie with a shiver, as she
+polished a tumbler brightly, and put it back in the water to every one's
+amusement.
+
+"I don't know what I would have done without Cousin Roger," said Olive.
+"He was so kind and thoughtful."
+
+"Who does he make me think of?" asked Bea, which caused Olive to look up
+in surprise.
+
+"How strange; he reminds me of some one, too, and it worried me so for a
+while, but I thought it was nonsense, and never spoke about it," she
+said.
+
+"Well, I s'pose it is a notion," answered Bea, and then talk went back
+to Ernestine and Jean, of whom, it seemed, enough could never be told.
+
+The next day, a little discovery was made to the girls.
+
+Mr. Congreve was seen walking about in the fresh autumn sunshine, before
+breakfast, and the girls saw him gathering a small cluster of flowers,
+selecting from the dewy bunches with much care; and after a while Olive,
+who had slept late with fatigue, came down in her grey wrapper with its
+blue facings, and part of the flowers were in her wavy hair, and part at
+her throat, with a little knot of ribbon.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Kat, rushing into the kitchen with a tragic
+expression, and setting a pile of dishes on the table with some force.
+"Do you see that? What's this family coming to?"
+
+"Dust," responded Kittie calmly. "What's the matter, Kat?"
+
+"Do you mean to tell me you didn't see Olive wearing the flowers he
+gathered before breakfast, and that you didn't see how he looked at her
+at the table?" cried Kat impatiently.
+
+"That's the way they all do; it's the first symptoms I guess, for it's
+the way that Bea and Dr. Barnett began."
+
+"Oh, the idea," laughed Kittie, "of Olive being in love."
+
+"I don't care, perhaps she isn't, but he is," asserted Kat, with an
+appeal to Bea, who had just come in.
+
+"I don't know," said Bea. "I saw him give her the flowers, and fasten
+those in her hair, but I don't think it's anything."
+
+"Well, you watch--there they go now!" exclaimed Kat, whereupon they all
+rushed to the window, to see Olive and Roger strolling out among the
+flowers.
+
+"Would you ever think that was Olive?" said Kittie, as they looked.
+"Think how quiet and snappy she used to be, and how ugly she always
+looked, and just see how pretty she is now, and how she laughs and
+talks. But she's not in love, dear no; she looks as cool and dignified
+as a cucumber, not a bit blushy, or anything of the kind."
+
+"Well, I should hope not," said Kat severely. "One engaged sister is
+enough; two would ruin the family."
+
+"If such a thing was to happen," remarked Bea, with a little mercenary
+expectation, "Congreve Hall would be Olive's; just think of it, girls,
+how grand! and Cousin Roger is immensely wealthy, and there would be no
+end of splendid things;" and Bea sighed a little, as she spoke, for she
+was not going to win any wealth or grand home by her wedding, and there
+came, just now, a little moment of regret, that such would never be
+hers. Then she looked at her ring, and felt wicked and ungrateful. Would
+she exchange with Olive, or any other girl who might win wealth? No, no,
+never!
+
+"Well, dear suz, what a funny place the world is," said Kat. "Here I've
+just hated that Roger Congreve, and now I could bless him forever, for
+being so good and kind, and after all, perhaps he'll be my brother, and
+Congreve Hall come back to us. I don't like it though," she added, with
+energy, "we're all getting broken up some way; it don't seem like old
+times, and I don't want any of us to get married! It's horrid, and I
+never will. Now Ernestine is home, I'd rather be poor all the days of my
+life, and have us all stay together, and never get old, or big."
+
+"Very good, but 'buds will be roses, and kittens, cats,' as Jo says,"
+answered Bea, going off with a laugh.
+
+Ernestine was still too weak to see or say much this day. She had been
+much better on leaving Virginia, and as the trip home was taken in the
+most luxurious way afforded to travellers, she might have stood it very
+well, had it not been for the nervous excitement that completely
+prostrated her before home was reached. So Dr. Barnett prescribed the
+most perfect quiet, which was given, the girls only going in on tiptoe,
+now and then, to carry some little dainty, or smile their loving
+welcome, while Mrs. Dering spent all of her time at the bed side.
+Ernestine seemed perfectly content, for she lay for hours, with
+dreamy eyes fixed on Mrs. Dering's face, and never spoke or moved,
+as though she had been beaten and bruised by her brief struggle with
+the world, and only wanted to lie at peace, with one dear face in
+constant sight; and to let her tired life drift in or out. The change
+was heart-breaking, and drove the girls from her room at every visit, to
+hide their tears, and think, as in a dream, of the time when Ernestine,
+gay, frivolous, careless-hearted girl, was the sunshine of the house,
+the one being who seemed to never feel or know the touch of care or
+sadness.
+
+Roger was to go back the second day, and on the evening before, he said:
+
+"The scenery about this little place is perfectly beautiful. Does
+Canfield afford a livery stable, Olive? If so, I will get a buggy in the
+morning, and you shall pilot me around the country."
+
+Kat sent an expressive wink and nod of her head to Kittie and Bea, while
+Olive answered:
+
+"There is a small one, I believe, where you might find something."
+
+"Perhaps they'd loan you their wheel-barrow," added Kat, who found
+herself in a fair way of liking this distant relative, in spite of his
+usurping what she termed the family position.
+
+So next morning Roger went down town, and came back in a rather
+dilapidated buggy, with a lamb-like looking horse, and said with a
+laugh, as he helped Olive in:
+
+"The very best your city affords; I hope it will not break with us, for
+my life is not insured."
+
+"My mind's eye rests lovingly on Congreve Hall, as presided over by my
+artistic sister," cried Kat, with a dramatic gesture, as they drove off;
+and the next moment she was looking after them with a touch of regretful
+sadness in her face.
+
+"I don't like it," she said. "Bea gone, Olive going, Jean way off,
+Ernestine so changed;--oh, Kittie! when anything happens to you, I will
+be ruined for sure. You don't think you are going to fall in love, or be
+sick, or go away, or anything; do you?"
+
+"Nonsense," said Kittie, but gave an expressive hug that was soothing
+and satisfactory, and set Kat's heart at rest.
+
+The ride in that clear morning air, brought a warm stain of color into
+Olive's clear cheeks, and a sparkle to her eyes, that was very becoming;
+and she laughed and talked, in a careless, happy way, that left no doubt
+in her companion's mind as to her perfect ignorance of his love, and
+made him more determined not to return to Virginia, leaving her in
+ignorance.
+
+It was difficult to approach the subject, while her mind was so far away
+from it, and his perfect assurance as to her answer made it still harder
+for him. But Olive unconsciously led the way at last, for she was
+talking of their trip home, and dwelling gratefully on his care and
+kindness, her eyes bright with feeling, as she turned them to him
+suddenly:
+
+"You have helped me through it all," she said. "I wish I could thank you
+for all your thoughtful kindness."
+
+They were rolling lazily around a hill, with autumn colors on every
+side, and autumn's soft winds fanning the air into life, and Olive
+thought the answer she received was some deceptive flutter of their
+wings.
+
+"Do not try," he was saying. "Every care or anxiety you have felt have
+been to me as my own. I have tried to show you what you were to me, and
+I have failed, but you cannot help but understand me, when I say that I
+love you, Olive."
+
+She did not take her eyes from a distant hill-top, where their glance
+had rested, neither did she blush or look pleased when he finished, but
+was as silent for a moment as though studying on what he had said; then
+looked at him slowly:
+
+"You surely do not mean it?"
+
+"I surely do mean it, and have tried to make you see and know it, for
+weeks past, but your answer now is only what I had expected, for though
+I at first thought your indifference feigned, I soon came to see that
+neither I, nor any other man had ever received a thought from you, and
+to fear that I never would. You seemed wedded to your love of art, but
+now, when you know that I love you, cannot you find a little feeling
+somewhere in your heart for me, Olive?"
+
+"No, I cannot," answered Olive, after a moment, and with the air of one
+who had been literally hunting for something, and failed to find it. "I
+could not help but think a great deal of you, when you made my visit so
+pleasant, and then was so kind when trouble came; but I never dreamed
+that you loved me; I really think you must be mistaken, it seems so
+strange. Why do you?"
+
+There was no misunderstanding the honest wonder in her eyes, as she
+asked the question, and no possibility of construing it into a desire
+for flattery.
+
+"I have loved you," he said, "ever since that first sad night, so long
+ago, when you showed a womanly strength--"
+
+"What night?" she asked eagerly, the old vague remembrance coming back
+to her; and, at the interruption, he looked at her in amaze.
+
+"Is it possible you do not remember?" he asked.
+
+"No, I do not; but the moment I saw you, there seemed a remembrance that
+has worried me ever since. What is it?"
+
+For a moment he hesitated to tell her.
+
+"It was I, who brought your father home," he said, at last; and with a
+swift, painful recollection, she dropped her face into her hands, and
+said nothing.
+
+"When you came to the Hall," he went on presently, "and was introduced
+to me, there was such an air of surprise, together with a look of pain
+in your face, that I immediately supposed you remembered me, and that
+the memory was painful, so I never spoke of it. I was travelling here in
+New York, and was on the train just a few seats behind your father. I
+saw him when he received the blow on the temple, and went to him as soon
+as possible, and was the one asked to see him brought safely to his
+home. I did not know, until my return home, two weeks later, that it was
+Uncle Ridley's nephew."
+
+After he finished speaking, they rode in silence for a long way, and the
+peaceful old horse, finding himself unguided, turned his head homeward,
+and jogged off more lively. Olive did not look up again. She was
+evidently lost in sad memories, that his words awakened, and he had not
+the heart to bring her back to a subject so foreign to her thoughts as
+his love. So in silence, they reached home, and, as he helped her from
+the buggy, Olive said with trembling lips:
+
+"I'm glad it was you. I loved papa better than any one in the world, and
+I can never forget that you saw him last and tried to help him." Then,
+after telling her mother and the girls their additional cause for
+gratitude to him, she went off to her room, and was not seen again for
+some time; for when affected so that tears were her only relief, she
+always took them alone.
+
+Roger went that night. He spent the afternoon sitting in Ernestine's
+room with them all, and telling over and over the last moments of Mr.
+Dering, what he had overheard him saying to another passenger just a few
+moments before the accident; just how the blow came, so quick and
+painless, and how his last words had been of home, and how they would be
+surprised at his sudden departure.
+
+Olive was not present, and fearing that Roger might consider it rude,
+Mrs. Dering explained the little habit of taking all her grief alone,
+and how the reminding of that sad night had doubtless overcome her. But
+Olive came down just before supper, and her face showed plainer than
+ever before, its traces of heavy tears, though she said nothing about
+it, and seemed to think her absence explained itself to the only one to
+whom an explanation was due.
+
+While the girls were busy in the kitchen, and mother was with Ernestine,
+they were alone in the sitting-room, and Roger said to her, as they
+stood by the window, watching the shadows creep through the yard, and
+lift themselves in a misty cloud:
+
+"Olive, have you no other answer for me, before I go?"
+
+"No," said Olive, slowly. "You seem so different to me. In one way, I
+love you; I could not help it; and, in another way, you are nothing to
+me. I wish you would forget that you ever thought you loved me, and let
+me feel as though you were my brother."
+
+"I cannot," he answered. "I do not think that I love you, but I _know_
+that I do, and that I always will; and some time, when you are older,
+and come to feel that home-love and art cannot satisfy you, I will come
+back and try to win a place in the new yearning."
+
+"You needn't," said Olive, with discouraging honesty. "I shall never
+love any one that way. I don't want to. All I want is mama and the
+girls, and to study until I am satisfied with myself, or as near it as I
+can be. But you mustn't let that keep you away; you will forget this,
+indeed, you will, and must come and see us often, and then everything
+will be delightful."
+
+"No; I shall never come until I feel that I do not come in vain. Do not
+doubt my love, Olive, because your own heart is so free from it. It is a
+girlish heart, and when it reaches womanhood, I may not be the one to
+satisfy it, but I will come and try."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+A SAD STORY.
+
+
+Ernestine was getting better, and how could she help it, with everything
+heart could wish, perfect peace and quiet, and six devoted hearts and
+pairs of hands, ready to obey her slightest command. She did not issue
+many, for one of the changes that had come to her, was asking for
+little, complaining of nothing, even her own suffering, but lying still,
+patient, contented, unselfish and quiet. She seemed grateful and pleased
+at the least little act of kindness, a thing she would have accepted
+before as a matter-of-course, and complained at not receiving; and after
+she grew stronger, and the girls resumed their gayeties, she never
+seemed to regret for a moment, that she was removed from all such, and
+must lie still, day after day; when before, it was intolerable to pass a
+single day without something to pass away her gleeful spirits with
+Canfield, with its promising circle of girls, budding into young
+ladyhood, was beginning to put on quite a number of social airs, in the
+way of little dances, nutting parties, one or two literary clubs, and a
+card club; which acted upon the little place, like a fresh spring
+breeze, blowing in upon a pile of peaceful autumn leaves. The Dering
+girls were popular, and partook largely in all these innocent
+festivities, bringing gay accounts of them to Ernestine, to which she
+listened, with a quiet smile, but with never a wish to be in them.
+Nothing seemed to interest her so much, as the new experience and
+dignity that had fallen upon Beatrice; and for hours they would chat
+together of the new plans, and tender little fancies, which Bea had not
+the courage to confess to others, and Ernestine, bolstered up with
+pillows, would listen, and now and then, do a little of the pretty work
+that was going on to the bridal garments.
+
+After a while, when she grew strong enough to talk more, and cough less,
+she told them of her life, while they had been separated, and the girls
+never forgot the day on which they listened to it. She was partly
+sitting up in bed, as colorless as the snowy ruffled linen about her,
+with her beautiful golden hair in the old-time waves, and curly ends;
+her lovely eyes, with their liquid brown lights and heavy lashes, and
+the dainty ruffles to her snowy night-dress, fastened at the throat with
+a fragile bit of coral, that seemed to throw a shade of its exquisite
+coloring into her stainless face.
+
+It was a lovely home-scene, for the girls were sewing in their low
+rocking-chairs, Olive was sketching at the window, Mrs. Dering sat at
+the bedside holding Ernestine's hand, and over them all the autumn
+sunshine fell, warm and sweet, as with a touch of loving benediction;
+and the trill of Jeanie's canary down stairs, was the only sound, save
+Ernestine's low voice, sad and sweet, in its feebleness.
+
+"I went on the midnight train, you know," she was saying. "It seemed
+terrible, and with all the people around, I felt as if I was the only
+person out in the night. Oh, it is too horrible to feel so alone and as
+though no one knew, or cared where you were going, or what terrible
+trouble you might be in. Nearly everybody in the car was asleep, and
+there was only one lady; so I sat down behind her, and for a long time I
+was so miserable myself that I didn't notice her; then her baby woke up,
+and began to cry, so did her little girl, and I saw that she was sick or
+something; so in a little bit, I spoke to her, and asked if I could do
+anything. She said no, at first, but afterwards said if I would take the
+baby a moment, as she felt so sick and faint; so I did, and he seemed so
+astonished that he stopped crying, and then the little girl wanted to
+come over in my seat, and I helped her over, and told the lady to lie
+down, as she looked very pale. I knew she was astonished at my being
+alone, and thought that she might ask my name, and after thinking about
+it a while, I decided to take my very own name, my--mother's," with a
+little choke over the name. "She did ask me in a little while, said I
+looked so young, and why was I travelling alone; and I told her that I
+was an orphan, that my name was Florence Clare, and that I was on my way
+to New York; and then she looked so kind and interested that I burst
+right out crying. I couldn't help it. She didn't ask me any more then,
+but when we got to New York, no one met her, and she was terribly
+worried. She asked me where I was going, and I was afraid she would
+think something was wrong if I told her I didn't know where; so I just
+gave any street and number, but I said that if she wanted me to go and
+help her, I could just as well as not, as no one was expecting me
+anywhere. She seemed very glad, so I carried the children out, and after
+a policeman had called a hack for her, we went to the St. Nicholas; she
+was very sick after we got there, and after I put the children to sleep,
+I sat up with her nearly all night. She was a widow, she said, and had
+written to a friend in New York to meet her on that train, but that,
+probably, he had not received the letter; and that she wanted to go
+right on to Boston, next morning, if she was able. I asked her then if
+she did not want me to go with her, to take care of the children, that I
+was all alone in the world, and obliged to work some way and somewhere,
+and after asking me a great many questions, she said she would think
+about it. She seemed like a very good, kind lady, and I was afraid she
+would think there was something strange about me, so I made my story
+sound just as good as possible. I said I was coming to the city because
+I thought I could find work better than in a small place, and that I had
+no near relatives in the world, and would like to go with her, because
+she looked kind, and I would just as soon take care of children as
+anything else. She looked at my clothes, but they were my very plainest;
+and then she asked me what baggage I had, and I showed her my satchel,
+with nothing but some clothes in it, and then she said that I looked
+truthful, and too young and pretty to be alone in the city, and that I
+should go on with her in the morning. I don't know what I would have
+done if it hadn't been for her, for when I was on the train, I had no
+idea where I would go or what I would do. Before I left home, I tried to
+feel right, to forget who I was, but I couldn't; my head kept aching,
+and I thought every day that it ached harder, and that pretty soon I
+would be crazy; and then I thought of going away where I could never be
+found, and die somewhere, and something made me go. It seemed as if I
+was being pulled away, and every time I heard any of the girls say
+'mama,' it came to me that you wasn't my mama, that the girls were not
+my sisters, then my head ached harder than ever and I couldn't cry. I
+thought God must surely feel sorry for me, and that he sent the lady on
+purpose--" and as Ernestine paused to cough and get breath, several
+tears were smuggled out of sight by her listeners, and Mrs. Dering's
+voice trembled, as she kissed the speaker, and said:
+
+"He did, dear; believe it, I asked Him to care for and watch over you,
+wherever you might be, and I knew that He would."
+
+"I went on to Boston with her," continued Ernestine, after a moment's
+rest. "I knew you would never find me there, and I didn't want to know
+that you ever looked for me; I knew you would, but I didn't want to hear
+about it. For awhile the lady watched me very closely, and I knew she
+was a little distrustful, but the children liked me, and though the work
+nearly killed me, I kept up. I was with the children constantly, slept,
+ate, and went out with them, washed, dressed and took care of them from
+morning 'till night; and sometimes I wished I could die, I was so tired
+and unhappy. I did not intend to stay with her, but meant to go on the
+stage just as soon as possible, though I never saw the papers, and had
+no chance of finding the names of companies. Once I asked to see the
+papers, but she didn't like it; she was never unkind really, but she
+always seemed a little suspicious, and when I asked for the paper, she
+asked what I wanted it for? I had a good place, and no need of the
+papers. I didn't want to tell her, for fear she would turn me off, so I
+just waited. One day I was singing the baby to sleep; it was the first
+time I had ever sung in her house, and she happened to hear me, and came
+in and complimented my voice, said how beautiful it was, and why didn't
+I use it, instead of wearing my life out nursing babies. I said right
+away that I wanted to, and meant to go on the stage as soon as I could;
+then she was angry, and threatened to find another girl if I did not at
+once give up such a notion. I promised I would, but I didn't and a few
+days later, I was out with the children, and saw an advertisement for
+fifty girls wanted at a play, and as soon as I got back, I told her I
+was going to leave. She was very angry, and kept that week's wages, but
+I went, and the next day I answered the advertisement. It was for girls
+to dance, and I said I could not, and would not, and was just going to
+leave, when the manager came in, and stopped me. He began by making
+foolish speeches about how beautiful I was, but when I started away, he
+begged pardon, and said I was just what they wanted for a queen, who was
+to come out of a flower, and did not have to dance, which would suit me,
+since I was so over-particular. At first I thought I never could, and it
+made me so ashamed, to think of being in such a crowd, that I felt like
+hiding my face forever. But there I was, with no home and no money, and
+what could I do? So I signed the contract for ten nights, at fifty cents
+a night, and felt that I could never look you in the face again, or any
+of the girls. It was not as bad as I expected, but oh, so different from
+what I had always thought the stage was. We all had to dress in a little
+room that was as cold as ice, and most of the girls were so loud and
+coarse, and talked slang, and they all took a dislike to me because I
+was queen. They called me "old prudy," and had all kinds of coarse jokes
+that made me feel as though I would die of shame; I took cold the first
+night, the stage was so windy, and our dresses as thin as wisps, and
+then I was so mortified and miserable. I nearly starved while I was
+there, the pay was so small, and I couldn't afford to have any fire in
+my room at the small hotel, and took such a heavy cold that I thought I
+would die coughing. Oh, how wretched I was! I wanted to die, for I
+thought I had fallen so low that you would never care for me again, and
+I never felt that I needed God as I did then. I don't think I ever
+prayed honestly before, but it seemed as if that terrible feeling of
+being alone, would kill me, so I began to go to God, as I would to you,
+and it became such a comfort. I wanted to be good and honest, whatever I
+did, so that I could feel that I still had a right to love and think of
+you all. I stayed with that company the rest of the winter, at a salary
+of two dollars a week, and did all manner of odds and ends. Sometimes go
+on as a substitute, sometimes as a servant or some inferior character,
+and often to dress the leading ladies, when they found that I could do
+it nicely. The manager was a gruff, coarse man, but he had a kind heart,
+and after a while, he seemed to take a sort of interest in me,
+especially when my cough grew so bad. He brought me medicine twice, and
+one night asked me if I had been used to such a life. I told him, no,
+but would not answer any other questions. When the company broke up in
+the spring, he found me a place as nurse-girl in a family that he knew,
+and said, that in the fall, a friend of his was going to organize an
+opera-troupe, and that he would try and get me in, for by that time, I
+had sung for him, and said that opera was what I had rather be in.
+
+"I found my second trial as nurse-girl, a great deal harder than the
+first; for there were three children, all sick and cross, and when hot
+weather came, I had a little room up under the roof to sleep in, and the
+heat was frightful. I had to be up nearly every night with the children,
+for two of them were very sick during the hottest weather, and I was
+called upon for nearly every thing. Between the heat and working so
+hard, I gave out, and fainted one night, while sitting up with the
+little girl, and the doctor told my mistress that if I did not have a
+rest, I would be sick, and probably die on her hands. So in a few days,
+she sent me and her oldest girl out to her mother's, who lived in the
+country. I was so glad and grateful for the rest, that I never can
+forget her. The grandmother was a plain, good-hearted old lady, who
+seemed very sorry for me, and she used to tell me every day, that I
+would never live to see another year, especially after she found that my
+mother had died of consumption. I didn't care how soon I died, and told
+her so, and then she thought I was wicked, and began to preach long
+sermons to me, and give me all kinds of queer drinks and medicines,
+which did me much more good than the sermons, for after staying there
+three weeks, I was much better, as was Nettie; so we went back to the
+city, and I stayed with Mrs. Feathers until late in August.
+
+"One day, Mr. Fox, the old manager, came and brought Mr. Hurst, the
+friend who was going to organize the troupe, and I sang for him. He
+liked my voice, but said he would not engage me until I had rehearsed
+once or twice with the company, so that he could see what I amounted to,
+and Mrs. Feathers said I might keep my place with her, until he had
+decided. After one or two rehearsals, he engaged me, at four dollars a
+week, and so I left Mrs. Feathers. She was so kind, gave me a new dress
+and two dollars, and said if I broke down in health, that her mother had
+taken a fancy to me, and would like to have me come out again and stay
+awhile with her. I felt so grateful that I threw my arms around her neck
+and cried, and she kissed me; I never shall forget how good it seemed to
+really be kissed again by some one who was a mother, and whom I knew,
+felt sorry for me.
+
+"I had a very rough time in the new troupe. The manager was cross and
+rude, and I had to study hard to catch up with the old members; we
+rehearsed stiff and steadily, and started out in September, visiting
+only small places first, and not making much money, so that our pay was
+often behind. In a while I was promoted from chorus singing to
+character, and I had no money to buy a wardrobe, so the manager paid me
+fifteen dollars that he owed me, and advanced ten--"
+
+Here Olive gave an indignant breath, but said nothing, on second
+thought; and Ernestine went on, without noticing the interruption.
+
+"I bought some stage clothes with part of it, and used the other to
+redeem my ring, that you gave me, mama, that I had been obliged to pawn
+for my board; but while I was working out the ten for him, I had to pawn
+it again, and one of my dresses, as I hadn't a cent. We travelled south,
+and were in Virginia a few nights before going to Staunton, and when I
+heard that we were to go there, I felt as though I never could! I
+didn't know whether Jean was there yet, and I didn't expect she would
+come to an opera if she was; but to go there, and perhaps be so near
+her, when I would have been glad to have died, just for the sake of
+seeing, or hearing from one of you, in some way--oh, it was so hard! The
+manager grew very much provoked and impatient because I coughed so much
+and was so weak, and threatened to discharge me, as I was getting
+useless; so I used to nearly strangle trying not to cough, and never
+dared say I was tired again. The very evening we got to Staunton, Miss
+Downs, one of the leading ladies, was taken quite sick, and the manager
+told me I would have to take her part next evening, in 'The Bohemian
+Girl,' so I sat up nearly all night to study, and sang all next day,
+until I was ready to drop. When the time came to go to the theatre, I
+was so faint I could not stand up and dress; I begged them not to tell
+the manager, for I knew he would discharge me right there; but Madame
+T---- heard of it, and sent her maid up with a hot whiskey-toddy, and to
+help me dress, and that is the way I started out for the evening.
+
+"You know the rest. From the time that I felt my voice leaving me, and
+everything began growing dark, I did not know anything, until I opened
+my eyes, and saw Olive! Oh, I thought I was in Heaven, surely; it
+seemed too sweet to be true. I wonder I did not die, instead of faint,
+with pure joy. Even after I had looked at her long, had heard her speak,
+and felt her kisses, I could not believe it. I almost expected to wake
+up and find that I had been dreaming between acts, on the cold, windy
+stage, or that the manager was scolding me for falling to sleep, and
+daring to dream of happiness and you. I don't think I would have lived
+much longer, and perhaps when I found that I was really going to die, I
+could not have left you without a little word of some kind, for my heart
+used to nearly break with longing to know if you loved me yet, or would
+ever want to see me again. I did not feel as though I ever had a right
+to go back, but when I found that I was coming, that you wanted and
+loved me, oh, mama! I thought then my heart would surely break, I was so
+happy!"
+
+At this point every one was crying. Mrs. Dering had laid her face down
+in the pillows; the girls had, one by one, retired behind their work,
+and Kat, with her head wrapped in the towel she had been hemming was
+crying, while she vowed vengeance alike on saint and sinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+MY LADY.
+
+
+"I would like to see my lady."
+
+It was an imperious demand, that every one in the Dering household had
+become used to, likewise, to the speaker, a mite of humanity, with
+wicked big blue eyes, a pug nose, and a frowzled head of brown curls.
+
+She was dressed to day, in a long white fur cloak, a cap of the same,
+and a mite of a muff, with scarlet silk tassels, and hung to her neck
+with a broad scarlet ribbon; and she had rung the bell with her own wee
+hand, and presented her message, in that imperative way, that indicated
+a spoiled, but precious specimen of babydom.
+
+"I do hope you will forgive us," said the smiling faced young lady, who
+accompanied her. "We don't intend to come every day, but mother made
+some delicious chocolate cake yesterday, and I thought possibly Miss
+Ernestine might relish a taste of it, with some of my wine jelly; and
+when I spoke of bringing it, Pansy heard me, and insisted on coming too;
+so here we are."
+
+"How very kind you are," said Bea, taking the dainty wicker basket,
+knotted with scarlet ribbons, and peeping in at its fancy glass of
+moulded jelly, the delicious cake, and a bunch of hot-house flowers. "We
+should be glad to see you every day; how could we help it, when you
+always come laden like a good angel!"
+
+"I would like--to--see--my--lady!" repeated Pansy, with impressive
+dignity, and some severity of manner; for what did she care about jelly,
+and good angels, and all that. "I haven't seen her since the other day
+before yesterday morning."
+
+"You shall see her right away," laughed Bea, setting down the basket.
+"Excuse me a moment, Miss Clara, Kittie is busy in the kitchen. I'll
+take Pansy out there, before we go up stairs."
+
+Kittie was pealing apples, and meditating on how she would trim her hat,
+since it had to be trimmed over, and nothing new to do it with; but she
+put all such thoughts aside when she saw her visitor, and made a seat
+for her on the bench.
+
+"I 'spect I'm most gladder to see you than I ever was before," said
+Pansy, with a devoted smile, as she took her seat near Kittie.
+
+"Why, what are you sitting there for? Here I am," said Kat, who sat
+opposite slicing apples. "I thought you always knew me."
+
+Pansy looked from one to the other, for a moment, then nestled close to
+Kittie, as she remarked with decision:
+
+"You're not my lady; you're the other one."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Well, I 'spect I couldn't jes tell, but then you are."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if you were right, but I want to tell you that you
+mustn't love Kittie so much; she's mine, and I'm jealous," said Kat,
+with a foreboding shake of her head.
+
+"But she keeped the bear from eating me up," cried Pansy, with unshaken
+belief that she would have been forever lost except for Kittie's timely
+arrival. "I jes never'd seen my papa once any more, 'f she hadn't finded
+me in the woods; and he said I ought to love her jes as much more as
+ever I could, and I _do_," accompanying the assertion with a loving
+clasp of Kittie's arm, the suddenness of which sent her apple spinning
+across the floor.
+
+"There, see; I'll get it," she cried, running after it, with a
+triumphant glance at Kat. "'F I'd knocked your apple, you'd a scolded
+me."
+
+"Oh, no; I'm an angel," laughed Kat. "Kittie's the one that scolds."
+
+"Do you?" asked Pansy, leaning against Kittie, with a devotion that
+nearly knocked the whole pan of apples over.
+
+"I never scolded you, did I?" asked Kittie.
+
+"No, but Auntie Raymond says I mind you the bestest of anybody. I think
+I do. I 'spect it's because I love you best, right up next to my papa;
+do you love me?"
+
+"Ever so much."
+
+"Well, I don't know what I'll do," said Pansy, with a long sigh, after
+she expressed a little rapture over the assurance. "My papa said the
+other day, what I'd do when we went back to the city 'thout you, and I
+said I was going to take you along; 'll you go?"
+
+"How could I? Leave my mama and sisters?"
+
+"But don't you love me 'n my papa?"
+
+"I love you a very great deal."
+
+"'N not my papa?"
+
+"I think he's a very nice gentleman, and that you ought to be a very
+good little girl, and love him lots and lots."
+
+Pansy drew back, and slowly surveyed her idol, as though she had just
+discovered the first flaw. "I think you might love him, too," she said
+with a grieved air, and some resentment.
+
+"If she loved him, she wouldn't love you so much," said Kat, slyly.
+
+"Then I'm glad you don't," exclaimed Pansy, with sudden satisfaction,
+and returning to her seat with an enraptured smile.
+
+There was no mistaking the child's devotion. She firmly believed that
+Kittie had saved her from being lost forever, and on the foundation of
+her great gratitude, she had built an overwhelming love, that expressed
+itself in various ways. She never let any one of the family come to town
+without bringing flowers, and she insisted on coming in at least three
+times a week, herself; and it may be remarked, that whatever Pansy set
+her mind on, she did.
+
+Between aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a father, who was rapidly coming
+to the conclusion that she was the most wonderful child alive, she was
+in a fair way of being spoiled, and had finally come to where she ruled
+the household with the most imperious little will, which every one
+submitted to, and thought delightful.
+
+Twice since the picnic, she had come with her papa, in the phaeton, and
+taken Kittie to ride, and three times, Mr. Murray had come in the long
+summer evenings, and brought her to spend an hour or two; and there
+Kittie's acquaintance with him ceased.
+
+In the rides, he had talked to her but little, preferring to listen to
+the unbroken chatter which Pansy kept up with her. And then he saw, that
+to her, he appeared in a fatherly guise, which made her feel perfectly
+free and unrestrained, and he thought it best to leave it so for the
+present.
+
+His calls in the evenings had been entirely devoted to Mrs. Dering. They
+would sit on the porch, in proper, elderly fashion, sometimes joined by
+Bea, while the twins and Pansy would roam about the yard, and play
+together like three children, and Mr. Murray would have nothing to say
+to the one he really came to see except "Good evening, Miss Kittie,"
+when he came, and when he left.
+
+No one, except his own sister, suspected in the least that anything took
+him there save a desire to accompany Pansy, whose absorbing devotion
+everyone in Canfield knew by this time.
+
+Mr. Murray was quick to see that in the mother's eyes, Kittie and Kat
+were the merest children, and that a thought of any other kind in
+connection with them, would not be harbored for an instant; and he also
+saw, that never a girlish heart was freer from anything of loves or
+lovers, than Kittie's, and so long as it was so, he was quite content to
+let it remain, and watch it grow to maturity. There was no denying that
+he was strangely and powerfully interested in her, wonder and laugh at
+the idea, as he would, though he could not yet think that the feeling
+had assumed the name of love. It was only that respect and interest that
+comes to the heart of man when he meets a woman, lovely, fresh-hearted,
+and unselfishly sweet.
+
+The approaching dignity of sixteen lay over the girls, and while Kat was
+still a most thoroughly romping tom-boy, Kittie was wonderfully womanly,
+with pretty, graceful, lady-like ways, the sweetest possible voice, and
+the loveliest eyes that ever looked, with girlish innocence, into the
+face of the man who felt that love her he could, and love her he would,
+in spite of himself.
+
+There was something irresistibly attractive and sweet to Paul Murray, in
+watching the love between his little daughter and the young girl.
+Kittie's slightest word was law to Pansy; and there was something so
+womanly in the way she exercised her influence, and made the child's
+love a source of benefit unto her spoiled, wayward little self.
+
+When fall drifted into the chilly reign of winter, Mr. Murray went back
+to the city. He had intended going long before, but had put it off, a
+week at a time, until winter had finally come; then he decided with a
+sudden determination, and, as if to test his firmness of purpose, had
+slipped away from Pansy, and galloped into town, trusting to the
+darkness to hide from Canfield's prying eyes, that he was coming to the
+Dering's alone. Not that he cared; oh, no, he would just as soon have
+heralded to every soul therein that it was so, but for Kittie's sake,
+it was best to give no one's tongue a chance to wag. Many a bud is
+rudely hastened into blossom by impatient fingers, and withers from the
+shock; it must not be so now.
+
+He fastened his horse at the gate, and went slowly up the walk,
+wondering a little if they would be surprised. A bright light came from
+Ernestine's window, and out from down stairs, falling across the porch
+floor; and before ringing the bell, he paused a moment, and looked in.
+How bright and homelike everything looked, and there, before the grate,
+stood the very object of his visit, making the prettiest picture
+imaginable, with a big kitchen apron on, her sleeves rolled up, and
+reading a letter. He knew it was Kittie, in a moment, for in her hair
+was a knot of scarlet ribbon, and the foot resting on the fender wore a
+bow, of the same color, astride its slippered toe--little niceties that
+Kat, was seldom, if ever, guilty of.
+
+Beatrice answered his ring, and tried to look as though she had not
+expected some one else, some one who would have given her a more cordial
+greeting, than "Good evening, Miss Dering."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Murray; walk in, please, and I will call mama," said
+Bea, ushering him into the sitting-room, with some little wonder, and
+going up stairs.
+
+Kittie had vanished with her letter; but as Mr. Murray sat down, he saw
+the envelope on the table, and immediately experienced the most
+peculiar and unpleasant sensation, on observing the masculine scrawls
+thereon. What gentleman was writing to her? he wondered, with quick
+resentment; and the next moment Kittie came in, and found him studying
+that envelope closely. She had thrown off her apron, and let down her
+sleeves, and he thought she looked prettier the other way, though he
+found that either way she was suddenly invested with a stronger
+attraction than ever; for a little competition will always make us more
+eager, and the star of our desire much brighter. He explained, with a
+laugh, as they sat down, that he had just been admiring the free, easy
+chirography on the envelope; which same was a fib of first degree, but
+then--
+
+"It is Cousin Ralph's; I think it beautiful," said Kittie, unconsciously
+obliging, but giving no relief, for Mr. Murray's mind went back to the
+day he met "Cousin Ralph," handsome, manly fellow, and he remembered
+that it was only second cousin, and that Ralph had been very attentive
+to Kittie at the picnic, and that--oh, what didn't he think, all in a
+few minutes; and how true it is that
+
+    "Trifles light as air, are to the jealous,
+     Confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ."
+
+The rebound from a feeling of perfect security to one of miserable
+doubt, at finding the field already taken, nearly drove Mr. Murray into
+a precipitancy that he might have regretted forever. As it was, he
+answered Kittie's inquiries for Pansy, in a pre-occupied way, that was
+surprising, and seemed too much pleased with that envelope to ever lay
+it down; and yet, with all his looking, he failed to discover that the
+name, in a maze of flourishes, was Miss Kathleen Dering, instead of Miss
+Katherine. Just so do we make up our minds to see things in a certain
+light, and see them so, in spite of fate.
+
+How pleasant it was, sitting there in the warm firelight, with Kittie
+opposite, in the low rocking chair, and no one else near. It seemed so
+homelike and sweet to this man who had no fireside of his own, and only
+a memory of one short, happy year, when another girlish face and heart,
+not unlike Kittie's, had been all his own. He wished now, that no one
+else would come in to spoil this cozy chat; but they did, in just a
+moment--Mrs. Dering and Bea; and Kittie resigned the low rocker, for a
+corner over on the lounge, to his great regret.
+
+They all heard with polite and honest expressions of regret, that he was
+going to leave for the city on the next day; but after hearing that he
+was going to leave Pansy behind, Kittie was quite satisfied.
+
+"I have no home, you know," he said, looking at Mrs. Dering, with an
+expression that caused her kindly heart to pity him. "I shall board,
+and be hard at work 'till late every night, and poor little Pansy would
+have a dreary life with a hired nurse. Besides, the influences
+surrounding her would not be such as I would like. So Sister Julia has
+kindly promised to keep her until I can make some arrangements, and
+become a little settled."
+
+He staid for some time; promised to call in and see Olive, who had gone
+to her studies at last; and then he rose to leave. If he held Kittie's
+hand a little longer than any of the others, no one noticed it; and if,
+in that good-bye, his eyes went to her face less guarded in their
+expression than usual, no one noticed that either, because no one
+dreamed of such a thing.
+
+"May I have Pansy with me as often as I want her?" asked Kittie, just
+before he left.
+
+"Certainly; I shall always be pleased to hear that you still love the
+child, and that she is sometimes with you," he answered, lingering, as
+if loth to go. But at that instant a step was heard on the porch, and a
+certain expression in Bea's face warned him that the sitting-room would
+now be in demand; whereupon he gave a hasty good-bye, and left; not
+without a little envy for Dr. Barnett, who entered at the same moment,
+and who came, in the full assurance of recognized right, such as was not
+yet Paul Murray's.
+
+Of course, the family discreetly retired, after a few words of greeting
+to the young man, and while the cozy sitting-room took unto itself these
+
+    "Two souls with but a single thought,"
+
+the others went up to Ernestine's room to finish the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+TO REAR, TO LOVE, AND THEN TO LOSE.
+
+
+Spring came, and with it much that was of absorbing interest, of untold
+importance, and yet so sad. In May, Bea would leave the home of
+childhood and girlhood, and would be mistress of one of the prettiest
+little cottages in Canfield. She was blithely happy, and sang and sewed
+from morning until night, in a blissful content, that made mother and
+sisters smile and sigh at once; and wonder how home would seem with Bea
+gone. Such marvels of pretty things as had been made, and such a little
+gem of a bower, as the new home was, and how happy and gay everything
+was, to be sure. Every Saturday night, when Olive came home from the
+city, her first trip was to the little cottage, to see the latest
+improvements; for there were several, in the way of a verandah, a frail,
+spidery looking summer-house, with a sick looking vine started over one
+corner, a new front fence, and a hitching post. Each and every one was
+of greatest importance and everybody in Canfield was as interested, as
+though they were one great family, just marrying off their first
+daughter. Bea visited her future dominion every day, as did the twins;
+but Ernestine was not to go, until everything was ready for the new
+occupants, and then she was to pass her opinion on the whole, and
+suggest any changes that might strike her graceful fancy.
+
+"It must have a name," said Bea, coming in one day, just a week before
+the wedding. "When Meg got married in 'Little Women,' she went to
+housekeeping in a little cottage, and they called it Dovecot. What shall
+I call mine?"
+
+"Call it a house and let it go; better not begin with fancy names and
+all that, it won't last," advised Kat, rigidly practical.
+
+"Yes, it will--always," asserted Bea, with the fond delusive belief,
+experienced by every women when in love, that life will be one endless
+courtship and honey-moon.
+
+"I think a name is a pretty idea," said Kittie, recalling all the Roman
+titles she had ever heard of. "Call it--let's see, call it Fern-nook."
+
+"Yes, I would," laughed Kat "It's so appropriate. There's not a fern
+within a mile, and not the ghost of a nook anywhere."
+
+"Well, I thought Bird's-nest a real pretty name," said Bea, swinging her
+hat by its ribbon, and looking thoughtful. "But, somehow, I want
+something else."
+
+"What kind of flowers are you going to have?" asked Kittie, with a view
+to selecting something appropriate this time.
+
+"Geraniums in the big bed in front, with a border of some kind, then I
+will have vines all over the porch, and a lily in the little urn, and a
+heart-shaped bed of pansies under that shady side-window. None of those
+do for a name, though."
+
+Kittie confessed that they did not, but said in a moment:
+
+"We'll go up and ask Ernestine, if she can't think of something no one
+else can." To which they all agreed, and hurried up stairs forthwith.
+
+Ernestine was sitting up in the big rocker, in a lovely white wrapper,
+and a little fancy scarlet sacque. She looked very frail and weak,
+though very lovely, and much interested when the important question was
+put to her. The girls had perfect faith in her selection, and waited
+patiently, as her eyes went from the budding trees outside, to the
+gleams of sunshine playing across the carpet, then to the bunch of
+purple pansies in the vase on the table.
+
+"Call it Hearts-ease," she said.
+
+"I told you," cried Kittie. "That's just the name."
+
+"Hearts-ease it is, to the end of the chapter;" exclaimed Kat with a
+flourish as of benediction.
+
+"Yes, that is lovely--and there comes Walter, I'll go right down and
+tell him," said Bea, and flitted gayly away.
+
+"A penny for your thoughts, Ernestine," said Kat, watching her eyes go
+out to the sunshine again with a dreamy smile.
+
+"I was thinking how happy everything was," answered Ernestine slowly.
+"It's all so lovely. Olive is doing so splendidly in her painting. Bea
+is so happy. Jean is coming home, and--I am here. I can hardly believe
+it even now, and I so often wonder if I'm happy enough."
+
+"This will be a gay old household," said Kat briskly, warmed into gayety
+by the sad tone of the invalid's voice. "Uncle Ridley will make Bea a
+handsome present I expect."
+
+"How strange and delightful it will be to have Jeanie home, bless her
+precious little heart," cried Kittie with loving eagerness. "I can
+hardly wait, and mama seems almost too happy to live."
+
+"Jean has not changed much," said Ernestine. "She is taller and sweeter
+looking, but just the same dear, quiet little thing. She walks with a
+cane now, and is perfectly straight. How glad I shall be to see her, I
+wish she was coming to-day!"
+
+She came the next, as if in answer to their eagerness and longing, and
+this is the way it happened.
+
+Mrs. Dering was in the hall, when she saw a carriage stop at the gate,
+and though Mr. Congreve and Jean were expected in two or three days, it
+never occurred to her, that they might come before; so while she took
+off her apron, and brushed a little flour--having been in the
+kitchen--from her dress, the arrivals had left the carriage, and were
+coming in at the gate. She got as far as the door, then paused, and
+caught her breath as if in a spasm of sudden joy.
+
+Coming up the walk with swiftly flying feet, outstretched arms, and
+glowing face wildly eager, was a light girlish figure in a pretty
+travelling suit, and the mother, feeling her strength forsaking her
+knelt down on the porch and opened her arms, her lips dumb, her eyes
+blinded with great joyful tears.
+
+Could it be? Oh, had God been so good? Was the flying figure, with
+strong perfect limbs and bright eager face, her crippled, crooked little
+Jean? It seemed a dream too blissful to be true but the next moment,
+their arms were clasped, and Jean's tears and kisses fell like rain, on
+her mother's face and hair.
+
+"Oh mama; precious darling mama! are you glad? are you happy that I'm
+well? Speak to me, mama; what are you crying for?"
+
+"I'm so happy, darling. Oh, my little Jean, I'm so glad and grateful,"
+cried Mrs. Dering, with a great sob, as she folded the little girl
+closer, and kissed her again and again. "I knew you would come back to
+me better, I did not dream you would come well. Why did you not tell me,
+darling?"
+
+"I wanted to surprise you," began Jean; but just then Kat came into the
+hall, beheld the astonishing spectacle, and with one shrill utterance of
+Jean's name, that summoned the whole family, she had rushed to the
+porch, and taken the little girl in a great hug.
+
+Well, what a hub-bub there did follow! How everybody hugged and kissed
+everybody, in the abandonment of joy; how Uncle Ridley was deluged with
+caresses, and suddenly found himself holding Mrs. Dering in his arms,
+and patting her wildly on the back, while she cried on his shoulder. And
+didn't Ernestine creep slowly down stairs, and appear like a frail
+spirit in their midst, and wasn't she whisked on to the lounge in a
+hurry, and kissed heartily by every one in the excitement.
+
+"God bless my soul! How happy we all are!" cried Mr. Congreve, with a
+final gasp of joy, and sitting down with an exhausted smile. "I never
+expected to be in such a good humor again as long as I lived--no I
+never did. I'm fairly swelled up with happiness, and I've bust a button
+right off my vest."
+
+Everybody laughed heartily. Gay words and blithe laughs hung on every
+one's lips; everything was sunshine, and every one was happy. What a
+household idol was Jean in the days that followed! How mother and
+sisters clung to her, watched her walk--oh, joy of all joys--so straight
+and free; and how many, many times did Mrs. Dering go to Mr. Congreve,
+and put her arms about his neck, like a child, to thank him, again and
+again, as the agent whom God had sent to be the means of answering her
+most fervent prayers!
+
+Well, to be sure, as Kat had said, it was a lively household now.
+
+The day before the wedding, the girls all went over to the new house--to
+"Hearts-ease." Mr. Phillips sent the buggy over so that Ernestine could
+go, and she and Bea drove over, while the rest walked. It was a pretty
+little place, indeed, as they came in sight of it, nestled under a big
+tree, that was just budding into pale green in the spring sunshine.
+Everything was ready for the young bride to take possession on the next
+day, even to the mat laid before the front door on the new porch, and
+the bright tin cup hanging to the freshly painted pump in the little
+back yard.
+
+Bea unlocked the door, with an air of proud importance, and they went
+in, all anxious to show Ernestine and Jean every corner, as it was their
+first visit. The little mite of a square hall, and the small
+sitting-room on one side, were covered with brown and white matting,
+with soft, woolly rugs of brown and white. Curtains of soft, shady brown
+were at the windows, and the walls were papered in clear creamy white,
+with a deep border of brown dashed in gold. The chairs were all willow,
+also a pretty, standing work-basket, already filled with some of Bea's
+light work; and there, on the table, lay some of the young doctor's
+books and papers. The tiny dining room next, with its round table and
+new chairs, its little closet, with the shelves covered with snowy
+paper, and well stocked with dishes, all plain and cheap, but of pretty
+shapes and serviceable strength. Then the kitchen, shining with new tin,
+and a brisk little stove, and the rack hung with neatly-hemmed
+dish-cloths; the brand new cake of soap on the table, and the orderly
+line of pots and kettles--oh, it was all a sight to tickle your eyes.
+
+Up stairs, the ceilings were low, and a very tall person would have
+bumped his head unmercifully, but then, it all looked lovely. The pretty
+bedroom was all in blue, and nearly everything in it was the work of
+Bea's hands. She had made all the pretty mats on stands and bureaus,
+also the carpet ones on the floor. The daintily ruffled Swiss curtains,
+knotted with blue bows, she had made, washed, fluted and put up. All
+the fancy, pretty work about the bed was hers; and the bunches of
+forget-me-nots that adorned the chamber-set, looked as though they had
+sprung into real life on the snowy surface, instead of having been stuck
+and artistically plastered on. Oh, it was all lovely, and beyond
+improvement, every one said, and Bea laughed and looked so proud and
+happy.
+
+"This is to be my spare room," she said, throwing open the door to the
+back room. "The view from this window is just as pretty as the front,
+because it looks off to the hills; and just as soon as we are able, we
+will furnish it, and I shall fix it just like my room, only in pale
+pink. Won't it be lovely?"
+
+"Ecstatic!" cried Kat. "Who is it to be for?"
+
+"All of you. I expect you and Kittie will have it first, when mama and
+Jean and Ernestine go to visit Uncle Ridley next year. There are lots of
+things we can't afford yet," Bea continued, as they went down stairs. "I
+haven't anything to put in the hall, and it looks a little bare, but I
+don't mind it much. Then the parlor hasn't a thing in it except the
+carpet and curtains; but I can wait easy enough. I don't want Walter to
+think I'm at all dissatisfied or want to be extravagant, because I think
+everything is just lovely, and I'm so happy."
+
+"Uncle Ridley said when he started for the city this morning, that it
+was because he was in a hurry to see Olive, and to bring her home
+to-night; but I just know he's going to bring you something beautiful!"
+exclaimed Jean, who had flitted everywhere, like a butterfly, and looked
+radiant with happiness.
+
+"Of course he'll get something," said Kittie, polishing the slim,
+shining bannister with her handkerchief. "Let's hurry home; the train
+has just come in since we left, and I know Ralph has sent something; he
+said he was going to send his representative."
+
+"I don't see anything that can be changed," said Ernestine slowly, as
+they took a final peep into the sitting-room, "unless you put that
+bracket with the figure under the picture over the mantel, and leave
+that space between the windows for the head that Olive is going to paint
+for you."
+
+"Yes, I'll do that. And now come; you look so tired, dear. Kittie,
+unhitch Prince for me, will you, while I lock up?"
+
+"Oh, Bea, dear! I hope you will always be so happy," exclaimed
+Ernestine, with a wistful sadness in her voice, as they drove slowly
+home; and she laid her head on Bea's shoulder with a tired sigh. "It all
+seems so lovely, and I am so glad, though I shall miss you so after you
+are gone."
+
+"But I'm not gone," said Bea, much touched, as she slipped her arm
+around the frail form with a loving pressure. "I'll be over home every
+day, and you will come and stay with me, and everything will be just as
+it is now, except that Walter will be your brother, and you know he
+loves you like one now."
+
+"Yes, he is a dear fellow, and he will make you happy, I know. But I
+will not have you always, as I have since I came home--there, the girls
+have beaten us home, and Kat is waving her hat over the gate, so I
+suppose the box has come from Ralph."
+
+Bea drove faster, in pleased anticipation, and as soon as they drew
+near, Kat cried excitedly:
+
+"Hurry up! It's come! pretty near as big as the woodshed, and awful
+heavy! Kittie and Jean are getting the nails out. Don't stop to hitch.
+Prince is too glad to be here to go off of his own accord. Here,
+Ernestine, let me carry you," and, as she spoke, she caught the frail,
+light form in her strong young arms, and walked off to the house with
+perfect ease, while Bea tied Prince, and followed in a flutter. Sure
+enough, an immense box stood on the back porch, with the whole family
+around it, waiting for the owner to unpack, and Bea went down on her
+knees beside it, and began to throw out straw with an excited laugh.
+
+"Oh, my patience! dishes!" cried Kittie, as the first bundles began to
+appear, and immediately arose the most extravagant cries of delight and
+approval, as one by one, Bea took out, and unwrapped the daintiest
+morsels of china, exquisitely painted in grasses, butterflies and
+flowers. Oh, how lovely they were; the frail, tiny things, looking more
+like fairy waiters than anything intended for mortal use. Then came a
+dozen tea-spoons, table-spoons, knives and forks, all engraved; a lovely
+card basket, swung by a silver chain, from the finger of a winged
+Mercury; two beautiful napkin rings, marked "Walter" and "Beatrice;" a
+dozen of the finest damask napkins, with a gorgeous "B." in the corner;
+and lastly, a fancy dust-pan and brush, an indescribable sweeping cap,
+six of the most perfect kitchen aprons, a patent stove-hook, and an old
+shoe, with "Good Luck," painted in red letters on the sole.
+
+"Oh, I declare, I never did!" cried Bea, sitting down on the floor, to
+laugh and cry at the same time. "Isn't it all too lovely!"
+
+"What does the card say?" asked Jean, as the others began to carry in
+the china and things. "Just
+
+    "'BEATRICE,
+     FROM
+     AUNT TREMAYNE AND RALPH,'"
+
+answered Bea, looking at the card, that had been tied with a white
+ribbon to the nose of the tea-pot. "How good they are! I'm too happy to
+live."
+
+So it seemed, as she helped take in the things, laughing and crying, and
+touching them with careful, caressing fingers. They made a most imposing
+show when arranged on the table, and during the day more modest
+presents, that came in from well wishing friends, were added to the
+collection. There came a fancy clock from Mr. Dane, three dozen handsome
+towels and four beautiful table spreads from Mrs. Dane; and a variety of
+little things from the young people, with whom Bea was a favorite.
+
+As soon as Mr. Congreve and Olive arrived, on the evening train, they
+were taken in to view "the show," but the old gentleman added nothing to
+it, to every one's surprise; though he seemed pleased with everything
+there, and said it was a plenty for one bride.
+
+After supper, Olive disappeared and was gone some little time, but
+where, no one knew, and finally Mr. Congreve jumped up, with the remark,
+that he had heard her say something about Mrs. Dane's, and as he knew
+where it was, he guessed he'd walk over after her.
+
+"Never mind, Uncle Ridley, if she is there, Mr. Dane will walk home with
+her, and you must be tired," said Mrs. Dering.
+
+"God bless my soul, Elizabeth! I'm not an old man," exclaimed the crusty
+old gentleman of seventy odd years, as he threw open the door, and
+strode briskly out into the May moonlight. "I think a great deal of your
+Olive; she's a thorough Congreve, and I'd rather lose my best
+handkerchief than have anything happen to her--I had indeed. So go in,
+my dear, go in," and Mrs. Dering obediently went in, as he tramped
+briskly down the walk.
+
+That last evening of Bea's in the old home came very near being a sad
+one, in spite of every one's attempt to the contrary. Ernestine stayed
+down stairs for the first evening since her illness, and the excitement
+brought a stain of color into her white cheeks that made her look more
+like her old self, as she lay on the lounge.
+
+Bea sat on the stool at her mother's feet, and Mrs. Dering softly
+caressed the plump, white hand, that to-morrow she would give away, and
+now and then a pause would come, when the mother's eyes would fill with
+tears, and her lips tremble, and then some one would rush in, to break
+the silence, and thrust irrelevant nonsense into the groove cut for
+April tears.
+
+Wherever Mr. Congreve and Olive came from, they had a serious talk on
+the way home. Something evidently disturbed the old gentleman's mind,
+and he fidgetted nervously, until he had relieved himself with the
+explosive remark:
+
+"So you sent Roger home, did you?"
+
+"No, sir, he went," answered Olive, with a smile but with some
+surprise.
+
+"Humph! He did, and what did you say, to make him come home, looking
+like a criminal expecting to be hung?"
+
+"I said I couldn't love him, and I can't and don't," answered Olive,
+feeling provoked to think that Roger couldn't keep his own counsel.
+
+"Tut, tut! what did you say that, for?"
+
+"Because it's the truth; I like him very much indeed, but I don't want
+any lovers, I'm too young, and something else to think about," exclaimed
+Olive with unmistakable aversion to the thought.
+
+"Heighty-tighty! your mother was married at eighteen," cried the old
+gentleman briskly.
+
+"I can't help it, sir. I never want, or expect to marry. My work is all
+I want."
+
+"Yes, but your work will fail you some time, child; a one-sided love on
+a single altar soon burns itself out for want of fuel. There must be
+
+    "'The happiness thrown on from kindred flames to sustain
+      A spark of devotion for a lifeless love.'
+
+"The time will come when you may be alone in the world, and I'm much
+mistaken if your art alone will satisfy the cravings of your woman's
+heart."
+
+Olive listened in some amaze to such a lengthy speech from the usually
+short spoken gentleman; and though she felt no less certain of lifelong
+satisfaction with her art, she asked meekly.
+
+"What would you have me do, Uncle Ridley? I don't love him."
+
+"But are you sure you don't, my child? I knew he loved you all along,
+and it made my old heart glad; but I never knew how very dear you were
+to him, until he came back from here, and told me what you had said. You
+think marriage would interfere with your work, but it will not; why,
+Roger is as proud and anxious for your success as ever you could be for
+yourself. He told me that if you would only let him share your work and
+efforts, that he would take you abroad, that you should see the finest
+paintings the world holds, and that you should study with the finest
+masters. You--" but here he paused, for Olive gave a gasp, and turned
+white as a ghost in the moonlight. _Abroad, masters!_ The words struck
+her like a flash of lightning, and made her tremble with a great rush of
+delicious longing. She clung to the old gentleman's arm for a moment,
+and wondered if she was dreaming; but his next words brought her back;
+though she heard them but dimly.
+
+"Here is a letter for you; he wanted me to bring it, and Olive, don't
+make up your mind too quickly. Both you and Roger are very dear to me,
+and I would like to see you both happy before I die--as I suppose I must
+before many years, and--and--confound it! where's my snuff?--I hope you
+will send a different word back to him."
+
+Olive took the letter and put it in her pocket, still in that dazed
+wonder, and when they reached home, she longed to go off up stairs, and
+think it over alone, but it would be unkind on Bea's last evening; so
+she followed Mr. Congreve into the sitting-room, where a chorus of
+questions met them.
+
+"God bless my soul, what curiosity!" cried the old gentleman, crustily.
+"She went down town and I went after her, let that do."
+
+So no one asked another question, except Jean, who got on to his lap
+with the freedom of one who knew that nothing she did would receive
+reproof; and she whispered something in his ear, that made him smile
+good-naturedly, and immediately take an immense pinch of snuff.
+
+That night, as on the one so long ago, when Mr. Congreve made his first
+visit to them, two persons found it hard to sleep, even after silence
+and slumber had long held the others.
+
+To-night, as on that other, Mrs. Dering sat alone in her room, only now
+she sat by the window, instead of the dying fire. Now, as then, Jean
+slept soundly, only now her childish face wore the rosy flush of health
+instead of feebleness and pallor, and the little form was straight and
+perfect, instead of crooked and crippled.
+
+Who, but a mother, can appreciate a mother's thoughts, when she stands
+on the threshold of the first separation; the first giving up of her own
+into another's love and keeping "for better, for worse, until death
+should them part." The pale young moon climbed slowly up above the
+tree-top, and just as its slanting rays reached the window-sill, and
+fell in across the floor, the door opened carefully, and Olive's voice
+spoke:
+
+"Mama? You are up?"
+
+"Yes, dear; are you sick? What is the matter?"
+
+"Nothing. I only want to tell you something;" and Olive pushed the stool
+up as she spoke, and sat down.
+
+"I meant to tell you before, but somehow I never did. Will you listen
+now?"
+
+"Certainly, dear;" for well enough she knew that something weighed on
+Olive's mind to bring her there at that time. So Olive told her story,
+without a blush or hesitancy, from the beginning down to the receipt of
+the letter; and as Mrs. Dering watched her face in the pale light, so
+clearly expressing its dislike to any lover, and its rapt devotion to
+her art, she knew well enough what the decision would be.
+
+"And I'm going to say no," finished Olive, at last. "Have I done right,
+mama?"
+
+"Perfectly, Olive. I am surprised, and yet not wholly so, for something
+of the kind occurred to me when he was here. Never marry where you do
+not love, dear. No possible advantage, influence, or station, that can
+be gained by a loveless marriage, will ever be sufficient recompense for
+the galling misery of two hearts, grinding their life out, for want of
+sympathy and mutual love to oil the way. I admire and think a great deal
+of Roger Congreve, and you have won the love of a good man, dear, which
+if true, will bide its time patiently, and when you are older it may
+seem different to you."
+
+Olive looked up in mute amazement. Even mother said that to her.
+
+"No," she said obstinately, in a moment. "I don't think it will be so. I
+know it will not. I'm sorry that he loves me, because it will always
+keep us from being friends. Mama, surely you would not have me do such a
+thing as get married, and drop my work, as I would have to do, more or
+less, with so many new duties?"
+
+"No, dear, no; I am only too glad that your heart is still free, for you
+are too young to think of marriage. I would not consent to it. Besides
+you are quite right; with the duties and responsibilities of a wife, you
+could not devote your whole time and love to your art, and I should feel
+very sorry to think that anything is going to interfere with perfecting
+the talent which God has given you. But sooner or later, Olive, there
+comes to every woman, who stands alone, a yearning for love and home; a
+desire to feel that there is some one whom she can claim as her own, and
+to whom she is dearer than aught else. Love your art, dear, work
+faithfully in it, and if it should always satisfy your heart, I will be
+quite content, for then you will always be my own. If the other feeling
+ever comes, God will take care of it. Now go, dear; don't let this keep
+you awake longer, for we want all fresh faces to-morrow. Good night."
+
+The clock struck one, as they gave a kiss in the moonlight, then Olive
+went slowly away; not a whit less certain, that every one was wrong, and
+she was right; no number of years could make any difference to her.
+
+Everything joined in making the next day the brightest, and loveliest
+that had ever dawned. Never did a May morning sun come up with a purer
+glitter of gold; never had the birds sang so sweetly; and never before,
+as any one remembered, had the rose-vines over the porch, blossomed
+before June, and yet this morning, there were three snowy half-blown
+buds peeping in at the window of Ernestine's room, and she picked them
+to put in the bride's brown hair.
+
+Pansy Murray came over early in the morning, and brought a beautiful
+bouquet to each of the sisters, excepting Bea, to whom she said with
+mysterious smiles: "I couldn't bring your bouquet, but our green-house
+man's going to come with it;" and then finding that Kittie was too busy
+to pay much attention to her, she devoted herself to Jean, whom she had
+seen once before, and fallen quite in love with.
+
+Bea had had some little longings for a stylish wedding, but it had been
+impossible, besides, she had found that Walter preferred a quiet home
+one; so this morning, when the girls helped to dress her, and she put on
+her pretty brown suit, with the white rose-buds in her brown hair, she
+was perfectly content, and would not have had it otherwise.
+
+"You look lovely," cried Kittie, with a rapturous sigh, when the last
+thing had been done, and they all drew back to inspect.
+
+"That dress is a beauty, and you look like a daisy."
+
+"What do you think?" cried Kat, rushing in just then. "Raymond's
+gardener has brought your bouquet, and what do you think it is?"
+
+"What?" cried the girls eagerly.
+
+"A beautiful wedding-bell, all of white flowers; and he's hanging it in
+the folding doors;" upon which announcement, every one ran down stairs,
+to view the new beauty, and the bride jerked the flowery clapper by its
+white ribbon; then departed in haste, and with a sudden shyness, as Dr.
+Barnett and the minister, were seen coming slowly up the walk.
+
+No one cried when the supreme moment came, though Kittie was heard to
+sniff suspiciously, and Kat stared straight at a certain spot in the
+ceiling, until she was pretty near sightless; while Ernestine's eyes
+rested on the young wife's face, with a loving wistful sadness, that was
+pathetic, and made Mr. Congreve whisk his handkerchief briskly about his
+eyes. Mrs. Dering stood with her arm about Jean, Olive was next with her
+arm in Mr. Congreve's, and so they listened, and watched the little
+ceremony that gave Bea to another, and left the first vacancy in the
+home nest. As soon as it was over, and the rush of congratulations and
+kisses were given, Dr. Barnett took Bea's hand and with a lowly bow,
+said to them all:
+
+"Mother and sisters, relatives and friends, my wife and I will be
+pleased to have you come with us to our new home, and help eat our
+wedding breakfast."
+
+Everybody buzzed with surprise, and looked for explanation to every one
+else; but no one seemed to know more than another, even Bea, blushing
+like a rose, as she put on her new hat, looked as surprised as anybody.
+So there was nothing to be done but wait for some revelation.
+
+The walk from the old home to the new, was very short, and as the gay
+party took it in the warm sunshine, every one on the way called, or
+smiled their congratulations to the pretty bride who walked with Uncle
+Ridley, while the young husband followed with his new-made mother. When
+they came in sight of the little cottage, there was smoke coming gayly
+from the kitchen chimney, and the front door stood widely open.
+
+"What is it?" whispered Kittie, in a spasm of curiosity.
+
+"A breakfast already for them," answered Olive. "Dr. Barnett has got
+Huldah, and Bea doesn't know it."
+
+Well, dear me, what a jolly confusion did follow. Bea was too much
+overcome to welcome any one to her new home, and nearly gave way to
+tears when Huldah was seen bowing ecstatically in the back-ground, and
+saying over and over: "Welcome home, Mrs. Barnett, how-dy-do?"
+
+"This is where Uncle Ridley and Olive were last night," cried Jean
+excitedly, throwing open the parlor door, and pushing Mrs. Barnett in.
+"Just look!"
+
+Bea tried to speak, but couldn't, and threw her arms about Mr.
+Congreve's neck, while everybody else "oh'd" and "ah'd" about the parlor
+door. For wasn't it furnished with three of the most beautiful easy
+chairs, a tiny lounge, two spidery-legged tables, with gilded
+chains--and--oh!--a piano! A shiny, beautiful upright piano, with a blue
+velvet stool.
+
+"I didn't do it all, Olive did half," cried Mr. Congreve the first
+chance he had of making himself heard above the babel of admiration and
+gratitude; whereupon Olive put in a hasty denial. She hadn't done a
+thing but come over and arrange. Everything was from Uncle Ridley except
+the silver vase and bracket, between the windows.
+
+"Well, you've seen it now, that'll do. I was invited here to breakfast,
+and I'd like to have it," cried the old gentleman, in a testy voice,
+which the good-natured gleam in his sharp eyes denied. So everybody
+pranced into the dining-room, and Bea was placed behind the coffee-urn,
+and couldn't do a thing but blush, and look too happy and overcome to
+attend to her duties.
+
+Perfect silence fell, as the young husband lifted his hand, and in a
+voice that trembled slightly, asked the minister to request a blessing
+on this, the first meal in the new home. But when that was done,
+everybody broke into a babel of fun again, and a merrier meal was never
+witnessed anywhere.
+
+"I shall come over and call on you this afternoon, Mrs. Barnett," was
+Kat's good-bye, when good-bye moment came.
+
+"Everything is lovely; may you live long, and always be thus gay," said
+Kittie, who began to feel a queer sensation in her throat, and wanted to
+get off in a hurry.
+
+"I don't know what to say, except that I want you to be so happy, Bea
+dear," Ernestine said, giving a good-bye kiss lingeringly.
+
+"Well, I think weddings are splendid, though I wish you wasn't going to
+have a new home, Bea," remarked Jean with regret, as she tied on her
+hat, and shook hands with her new brother.
+
+"I shall miss you dreadfully, and our room will seem so lonely," was
+Olive's next remark. "But you must not let us be apart much."
+
+"I will not," said Bea with full heart and eyes. "I will never love you
+any less, and we will all be just the same, except that you'll have a
+brother, and you know you've always wanted one."
+
+"I hope you'll be happy, dear child, I do indeed," said Mr. Congreve,
+with an exhaustive hand shake. "But married life is full of swampy
+places, and you must both be careful. I've only one piece of advice, and
+that is, whatever you do, don't let your confidence and trust in each
+other get a shake, for it is the tree of married life, and one shake
+will knock off more apples of love and happiness than can ever be
+replaced."
+
+"God bless you both," said Mrs. Dering, with one hand in that of her
+daughter, the other in that of her new son. "I give her to you freely,
+Walter, with perfect faith in your love and loyalty, and a dear daughter
+is the most precious gift a mother ever yielded up. Be worthy of each
+other's perfect love and trust, and once more, God bless you. Good-bye."
+
+      To hear, to heed, to wed,
+    Fair lot that maidens choose;
+    Thy mother's tenderest words are said,
+    Thy face no more she views.
+    Thy mother's lot, my dear,
+    She doth in nought accuse;
+    Her lot to bear, to nurse, to rear,
+    To love--and then to lose.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+WHEN GOD DREW NEAR AMONG HIS OWN TO CHOOSE.
+
+
+"And is that the word you are going to send back, Olive?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And Roger must go abroad, alone?"
+
+"I suppose so, if he goes at all."
+
+Mr. Congreve sighed, and Olive began to tap her foot impatiently on the
+grass.
+
+"Uncle Ridley, I couldn't; I should hate him; I should hate myself and
+my art, too, if I felt that I owed all its success to some one else. He
+would be miserably unhappy, and so would I. Even if I loved him as he
+wants me to, I couldn't accept everything from him."
+
+"Too proud, Olive, too proud; but then I suppose you are right; indeed,
+I shouldn't wonder if you were," muttered the old gentleman, walking
+slowly back and forth with his eyes down. "But I hate to take this word
+back to the boy, I do indeed."
+
+"Well, I'm sure, he's a man, and I really think by this time, that he is
+quite reconciled to it. At any rate, he'll get over it before long,"
+said Olive complacently.
+
+"God bless my soul!" cried Mr. Congreve, pausing before her, with a
+puzzled wonder in his shrewd eyes. "Do you honestly so little realize
+what Roger's nature is, or how much the boy loves you, and how he is
+waiting to hear what word I bring!"
+
+"He ought to know by this time that it is the same I gave to him. I told
+you, no, the day after you gave me the letter; surely, you told him so
+when you wrote."
+
+"But I didn't, though. I thought, like as not, with the prospect of
+travel, you might change your mind after you'd thought about it more,
+and I told him that I was giving you time."
+
+"You must think I am very weak and uncertain," said Olive with some
+impatience. "If he really is anxious for an answer, it is unkind to keep
+him waiting."
+
+"Well, well, that's so, I know, but I must confess that I thought the
+masters and travel would bring you 'round," and Mr. Congreve shook his
+head, as if in dire perplexity.
+
+"I had rather work day and night, and win my own success, be it ever so
+little, than to owe the widest fame to another. Besides, I don't want to
+be married, I wouldn't be for anything; I want to belong to myself, and
+do as I please!" cried Olive, vehemently; then slipped her arm through
+his, with a little coaxing gesture, such as she sometime used with the
+crusty old man, and said:
+
+"There, Uncle Ridley, it is all settled, so let's not speak of it any
+more. There come Walter and Bea; we'll walk down to the gate and meet
+them."
+
+This was all a month after the wedding, and it was the loveliest June
+Sunday, imaginable. Mr. Congreve had dreaded so to go back to Virginia
+without Jean, that he had yielded to their entreaties, and spent that
+length of time with them; but now he was going on the next day; and the
+old gentleman's feelings were so deeply stirred with the thought that he
+was obliged to resort to his crusty manners to hide them. He had most
+fervently hoped that Olive would change her mind, though possessed with
+an inward conviction that she would not; yet even while he so deeply
+regretted her decision, he could not but admire the independence, that
+refused to sit with idle hands, and receive every advantage and
+advancement from another. Surely, if Olive ever did marry, she would
+bring something to her husband besides her dependent self, and he might
+know, above all doubts, that indeed, he was truly loved in her heart of
+hearts.
+
+Every member of the family had grown to dearly love the crusty, abrupt,
+peculiar old man, who wore the goodness of his heart like a mantle about
+him, yet so modest with it. They never knew, until after he had left
+them, how much good he had quietly done in his morning walks about
+Canfield. How he had bought poor little lame Katie Gregg a great wax
+doll, that could speak and cry; filled the pantry of the hard-working
+widow mother with packages unnumbered, pretending to be so innocent of
+the deed, when she found who was the giver, and tried to thank him.
+There came to them, for many days after he had gone, reports, here and
+there, of the little deeds of kindness and acts of thoughtful
+generosity, the need of which, he had discovered at odd times and said
+nothing about, with the modesty which is characteristic of the true
+giver.
+
+The parting was a truly sad one, yet not without its funny side, for the
+old gentleman was so torn up in mind that his actions were irresistibly
+funny. He whisked his red handkerchief about with such energy that its
+edges were pretty near in strips; and he blew his poor old nose in such
+repeated and violent fashions, that it clearly resembled a highly
+colored tomato.
+
+"There won't be any little girl any where," he said, mournfully. "It
+will be so lonesome in the morning, and in the evening, and all in the
+day, and I will wonder if Jeanie is never coming down stairs to sit in
+my lap in the old library. I shall get cross, and ugly as a bear, for
+want of two little hands to smooth the wrinkles out of my old forehead,
+and a dear little girl to keep my heart in good working order. It will
+all be dreadful! dreadful!"
+
+There was something pathetic in the picture they made, sitting there.
+The old man, with his white head and tear dimmed eyes, holding Jean in
+his lap, with her arms about his neck, and his wrinkled cheek rested on
+her curly hair.
+
+"I haven't very much longer to live," he went on, in that pathetic way,
+"and I shall have to crawl through the last little while all by myself.
+I suppose the dear good Lord knows best, but I don't see why He gave me
+two little girls to love, and then took them both away. Even Olive won't
+go back with me, and Roger will go off, and it will be dreadful!
+dreadful!"
+
+So far down had the poor man's spirits gone, that he seemed perfectly
+lost in pathetic resignation. Even the apparently unquenchable
+handkerchief hung limp and inactive from a coat-tail pocket, where it
+had been jammed in a moment of unresigned despair; and the big tears
+dropped one by one on Jeanie's hair, as he talked now in that quiet,
+grieved way.
+
+"Will you come back to us?" asked Mrs. Dering, much touched, and laying
+her hands on his shoulder. "We should so love to have you, Uncle Ridley,
+all of us. Go home and send Roger off if he wants to go; leave the Hall
+with such old servants as you can trust, and then come back to us, and
+call this home. Will you?"
+
+"Will I?" Mr. Congreve jumped up, and the handkerchief came out in all
+its color and activity. "Are you really in earnest, Elizabeth? Would you
+have such a crusty old humbug as I am, around?"
+
+"In the truest and warmest earnest, Uncle Ridley."
+
+"Oh, please do," cried Jean eagerly; and the other girls echoed it.
+
+"If I ever! God bless my soul! I never did!" exclaimed Mr. Congreve,
+falling back into his chair, perfectly overcome. "You will let me come
+and stay till next summer, then you and Jean and Ernestine go home with
+me, as you promised?"
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Dering.
+
+"Well, well, I might have known that the good Lord would fix it some
+way. That's just the thing. I'll do it, Elizabeth; I will. Where's my
+snuff-box and satchel! It's pretty near train time."
+
+Jean ran to get them, while Mr. Congreve went up stairs to say good-bye
+to Ernestine; and when he went off at last, it was in the gayest
+possible spirits, with promises to be back as soon as Roger started
+abroad; and so all the sadness was taken from the parting.
+
+They thought he would be back in, at least, a month, but the time
+lengthened itself into three and four, and yet he did not come. Roger
+was sick, to begin with, and did not gain strength very rapidly, and
+nothing could have made the old man leave him.
+
+"But I can stand it very well," he wrote. "I know that it's not going to
+last, so I can keep up plenty of spirits, with thinking of the time when
+I will come. The boy is getting better fast, and as soon as he settles
+up a little business, he is off, and then I will shut up and be off
+likewise, in a hurry."
+
+But they at home, found hands and hearts busy with new work that was
+sadly brief and bitter. As the warm weather came, Ernestine began to
+fail rapidly. She suffered no new pain, and uttered no complaint, but as
+the days went by, and the intense heat of summer burned all purity and
+life from the air, she just seemed to droop, and bow her head feebly
+beneath the oppressive heat; and the frail stem of life snapped, with
+the weight of its own slight self. They had hoped against hope, that the
+sad end could be fought off, and with the first coming of warm days,
+Mrs. Dering had proposed going to the sea-side with her; but Dr.
+Barnett, who had fought eagerly and desperately with the dread disease,
+told them that it would do no good. The excitement might only hasten the
+end, and better to leave her quiet, and so contentedly happy as she
+seemed, than to bring new faces and new scenes to worry and distract the
+last feeble remnant of her strength. So they submitted themselves to his
+word, as one of authority, and took upon themselves the sad duty of
+watching a loved life drift peacefully out, and trying to say, as the
+end drew near: "Thy will be done."
+
+The big rocking-chair, the pretty wrappers, and gayly colored sacques
+were all laid aside now. The feeblest strength could no longer lift the
+frail form, and all the patient sufferer said when lifted or moved was,
+"I'm so tired; that will do; it is quite easy." Then the short breath
+would give out, and she could only thank them with her eyes, that daily
+grew more eloquently beautiful, as though the spirit, refined through
+suffering, were taking its last, long farewell look at mother and
+sisters, and uttering wordless thanks, which the heart loving then
+framed, but the lips weakly refused to utter.
+
+"The end is not far off," Dr. Barnett said, one sultry August night,
+after he had left the sick-room. "I shall go down and telegraph for
+Olive to come on the first train."
+
+Mrs. Dering laid her clasped hands on his arms with a little gasp, as of
+one long expecting a bitter draught, and finding the cup held to her
+lips at last. But she was very quiet.
+
+"You think it will come to-night?"
+
+"Hardly. She may live through to-morrow, but no longer, mother."
+
+There was something so helpful in his presence, the warm, loving
+utterance of that dear name, and the strong, tender clasp of his hands,
+and she clung to him for a moment, as in recognition of the comfort and
+help he was, and had been in these sad days.
+
+"They have telegraphed for Olive," Kittie whispered to Kat and Jean, as
+they three sat sleeplessly on the bedside, with their arms about each
+other, and a pale, hushed awe in their faces.
+
+"That means that she is going to die," cried Kat, trembling. "Oh, how
+dreadful it is! I don't think it's right, no I don't."
+
+"Hush," said Kittie, solemnly; but she couldn't say any more. Her own
+heart was sadly rebellious, and could not think it was right.
+
+"It must be," said Jean slowly, in her sweet, quiet way. "God never
+does what isn't right; He can't, girls, though we can't always
+understand why some things are."
+
+No one was disposed to speak further on the subject, the like of which
+has vexed many great minds, the world over, but they sat there hushed
+and quiet, and with awe-stricken hearts, as though they heard or felt
+the noiseless approach of the coming king, who passed them by, and went
+into the room where the pale mother watched and prayed beside the quiet
+sleeper.
+
+Dr. Barnett came back soon, and brought Bea with him; but after looking
+in to speak a few hurried words that tried to be of comfort, she went
+into the other room, to take her place by the bedside, while the worn
+mother snatched a little rest, if not sleep, on the lounge near by. So
+the night crept slowly by, while anxious hearts and sleepless eyes kept
+sad vigil. In the first grey dawn of morning, Olive came; but when
+daylight fairly blushed into rosy sunshine, Ernestine awoke from a long
+sleep, clear-eyed, feverless, and rational, and recognized them all with
+a quiet, peaceful smile.
+
+"You home in the middle of the week?" she said to Olive, with a little
+wondering surprise.
+
+Dr. Barnett sent one swift, wordless glance of warning, and Olive caught
+it.
+
+"Yes, I was not very busy this week and thought I would come home last
+night," she said, warmly pressing the almost transparent fingers lying
+on the coverlid, adding brightly: "How well you look this morning!"
+
+"I feel better," answered Ernestine, slowly. "So strangely better; all
+rested and in no pain. Where is mama?"
+
+"Here, darling."
+
+"I--I feel so much better, mama," lifting the feeble hand, with a look
+of pleasure in her wan face. "It seems as if I was lying on the softest
+feathers, and all well again. Everything is so very easy, and I haven't
+any pain."
+
+"You are much better, dear, and we are very glad;" but Mrs. Dering bent
+her head as she spoke, that no one might see the tremble of her lips,
+for well she knew, without any word or glance at her son-in-law's face,
+that the sufferer was passing into the sunlight of God's rest and love,
+and that the passing away of pain was because His hand had already
+touched her.
+
+But to the girls it seemed different. To them, the clear, bright eyes,
+the quiet, easy breathing, and restful feeling, meant better for life,
+and they had a joyful jubilant time over it down stairs. They gathered
+the loveliest flowers in bloom, and took them up stairs, and Ernestine
+smiled brightly and even held them for a few moments in her weak hands,
+keeping a pure, pale, creamy bud, when they put the rest in water.
+
+During the day Dr. Barnett brought some mail from the office, among
+which was a letter from Ralph for Kat, and a strange one from New York
+for Kittie, which proved to be from Mr. Murray.
+
+"How funny!" she said, with a pleased smile.
+
+"What is he writing to you for?" inquired Kat, sharing the general
+interest and curiosity to such an extent that she forgot her own letter.
+"Is Pansy sick?"
+
+"No; he only says how she is, and how she wishes for me every day, and
+wants me to write a letter, all to herself," answered Kittie, too busy
+running her eyes over the few lines, with the signature
+
+    "Yours, most sincerely,
+        "PAUL MURRAY."
+
+in bold, handsome hand, to notice the different expressions in the eyes
+that were watching her pleased, smiling face. Perhaps no one detected
+therein just what Mrs. Dering did, for it takes a marvelously small
+thing, to open a mother's eyes. But then Kittie's pleasure was as
+innocent as a child's; she read that letter over and over, and admired
+the beautiful writing, but thought that all her pleasure grew from the
+fact of hearing from Pansy, who had been gone a month, and said, as she
+put it in her pocket, "It was very kind in Mr. Murray to write, I'm sure
+for I did want to hear from Pansy."
+
+But every one forgot the letters after awhile.
+
+At supper-time Ernestine asked for something to eat. She even raised
+herself from the pillow by her own strength, and said how very hungry
+she was, and as the girls left the room to get what she asked for, a
+strange cold thrill struck their hearts. Eagerly, as though famishing,
+Ernestine ate the cream toast that they brought, drank the chocolate,
+and asked for more.
+
+"Give her all she wants," said Dr. Barnett, in answer to an appealing
+look from Mrs. Dering; and so they brought more, with the strange pain
+still in their hearts; and she ate it eagerly, with that unearthly
+brightness in her eyes, and such a fluttering stain of scarlet in her
+wasted cheeks. The sad truth came first to Beatrice, as she looked from
+husband to mother, and read it in their pale, quiet faces; then it came
+to Olive, for she drew near, and put her arm around Bea, with a touch
+that both gave and asked for help; and then Kittie and Kat, seeing the
+hopeless sadness in their faces, suddenly realized that they stood in
+the dread presence at last, and with one accord turned to each other for
+help; while Jean crept to her mother's side, and hid her face in the
+folds of her dress. So death found them, as he drew near, and claimed a
+place before mother, sisters, or brother; but he did not come
+repulsively, or like the grinning head that portrays him to our mind's
+eye; instead, it seemed as though a white angel, with kindly eyes had
+drawn near, and breathed upon the sufferer before he kissed the life
+from her lips; for after a short stupor Ernestine awoke, and looked upon
+them with peaceful, shining eyes.
+
+"Don't cry," she said, softly. "I am only going before, as papa did. I
+think I saw him while I slept, and I am not afraid. It is not a dark
+river, mama, but beautiful and bright, and nothing can happen, for God
+stands there and smiles. Please don't cry, or shut the windows; let the
+sunshine come in, and be glad that I will never suffer any more. Lift me
+up, mama."
+
+Mrs. Dering did so, and with her head pillowed on that dear breast,
+Ernestine sank to sleep like a child, breathing softly; while the
+shadows fell, and no one stirred. But the early moon rose slowly, and
+lighted the room, and as she drew her last breath, with a fluttering
+little sigh, it fell across her face, pure and sweet, and touched the
+withered rose-bud, lying on the pillow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+TWO SECRETS.
+
+
+Joy and sorrow, laughter and tears come and go and mingle as one in
+memory of the past. Between _now_ and _then_, time weaves a veil, misty
+with tears of our sorrow, and diamond dusted with the bright laughter of
+our joy, and as we look through it, on the path that weaves our
+footsteps, the sunshine and shadows, that have fallen thereon, mingle
+and soften each other, so that neither the brilliant light of one nor
+the saddening shade of the other can pain our eyes, that look back, in
+wistful, happy memory.
+
+In the fresh, pure air, that follows rain on a summer day, Kat was
+leaning from the window, and watching the sun go slowly down behind the
+hills; while slender spires of light shot up into the hazy atmosphere,
+and pierced the flitting clouds. She was gazing idly, with eyes in
+which many thoughts lay dreamily, and the slight smile that touched her
+lips came, perhaps, from something in the letter that lay open in her
+lap, or maybe from the distant view of a basket buggy, drawn by a white
+pony, coming slowly down the road, as though the riders were in no
+haste.
+
+At any rate, she smiled; and it crept from the corners of her roguish
+mouth up to her eyes, and made her face very attractive, especially as
+she leaned it against the vines that crept in at the window, and looked
+thoughtfully down at the open letter. It was one such as she received
+very often now-a-days, as a very large pack, all of that year's date,
+much worn, and tied with a blue ribbon, would testify. Most of them were
+dashed boldly off on large office paper, with "Kathie dear," flourished
+into one corner, and news of all kinds, inquiries and odds and ends,
+filling several sheets, and "Yours, Ralph," in business scrawls at the
+bottom. But this was different. It was on small note paper to begin
+with, much more carefully written than usual, and contained no address
+whatever, simply starting off with what the writer had to say, and only
+filling three pages.
+
+There was one particular place where Kat's eyes lingered, and where she
+smiled, very slowly, as though it was something not to be enjoyed fully,
+all at once; and we will look right over her shoulder and read it as
+she does again and again:--
+
+    "The time is up now, and I am coming, if you say for me to. Will
+    you? All my work has been done with the hope that you would let
+    me come and share my success, whatever it might be, with you. It
+    has been my one thought, and greatest incentive since I learned
+    to know, and love you, as I did in the old days, when we
+    skirmished and were gay, together. To-day, when I saw my name
+    added as junior partner, to the finest law firm in our city, I
+    thought of you, and felt more willing and proud to offer you
+    that name. If you bid me come, I will do so; the walk out to
+    Raymond's is short, and shall I meet you on the road!
+
+        "RALPH."
+
+Should he meet her on the road? I've no way of telling you, I'm sure,
+for her answer is written and gone, and I, like you, will have to wait
+and see.
+
+The white pony and basket buggy draws nearer, it comes through the gate
+and up the drive, and as Kat watches it, some one comes to her side and
+looks out also.
+
+"They've been a dreadful long ride," says the new-comer, with an
+impatient relief, as she leans against the window.
+
+"Yes," answered Kat, with a little start, just realizing the fact.
+
+"I think it's very funny," Pansy continued, with a truly puzzled air.
+"When we was here before, papa always said to me, 'come, Pansy, let's go
+take Miss Kittie to ride,' and now he never does; he goes off all alone
+by hisself, and takes her."
+
+"Is it possible!" said Kat with an air of interest.
+
+"Yes, 'tis; an' he does a lot of funny things. Once when we was to New
+York, I wanted a penny, and he said to get it in his pocket, an' there
+wasn't one penny there, but all the pretty letters Miss Kittie had
+writed to me for my own. I thought 'twas so funny, but he said they were
+safer there, than in my box, an' I better leave 'm, so I did."
+
+"Very strange," said Kat, with a solemn shake of her head.
+
+"I'll guess I'll go down and ask him what for he didn't take me," said
+Pansy, going away, and leaving Kat to put her letter up and try to look
+quite composed before Kittie came.
+
+You must know that this was two years later, and that the twins were
+spending a few weeks with the Raymond's, where there were several other
+young people. Olive was working hard and rising steadily, and had never
+once been heard or suspected of wishing that Roger Congreve would come
+home from the continent, where he still roamed and threatened to settle.
+She was completely devoted to her art, and was now paying her way by
+teaching, while she was being taught. Mrs. Dering and Jean were in
+Virginia, and when Olive or the twins came home, it was to Bea's home,
+where everything was cosy and happy, with the rising young physician and
+his pretty little wife.
+
+Two years had made some changes in the twins, more perceptibly so in Kat
+than Kittie; for time and love work wonders, and while she would never
+quite reach the perfection of lady-like grace and dignity, that made
+Kittie so charmingly attractive, she certainly had quieted much, was
+more careful of her language and dress, and bade fair to be a most
+delightful little woman after all, and one that Ralph might well love
+and be proud of having won.
+
+When Kittie came up stairs, she was very quiet, and in answer to
+inquiries, said that her head ached. Kat was relieved to think she would
+not have to be on close guard, for she did not feel like telling her
+secret just then, and had rather dreaded Kittie's eyes. But Kittie was
+wholly absorbed in something else; she put away her things, and sat down
+by the window without saying much.
+
+"It's pretty near tea-time," remarked Kat presently. "Are you all
+ready?"
+
+"I--don't believe I'll go down," said Kittie. "I'm not hungry."
+
+"Humph!" thought Kat, with a sudden and intense curiosity. "I guess I'm
+not the only one that has a secret."
+
+"Did you have a pleasant ride?" she asked, after some silence.
+
+"Yes--very;" answered Kittie absently.
+
+"You were gone long enough."
+
+No answer.
+
+"I had a letter from Ralph;" guardedly.
+
+"Did you?"
+
+"Yes; I expect he'll come before long."
+
+"I'd like to see him;" with more interest. "Wouldn't you?"
+
+"Yes--rather," answered Kat, with a smile at herself in the glass, where
+she was comparing the effect of pink, or blue bow in her hair. "I'm
+going down now; what shall I say for you?"
+
+"That I've a headache, and not hungry," said Kittie, and Kat whisked
+gayly off, laughing to herself, to think how she had intended to be the
+mystifier, and instead, was the mystified.
+
+When Kittie was alone, she went to the glass, and leaning her chin in
+her hands, looked herself steadily in the face, as though absorbed in a
+new and astounding discovery. It was hard to tell just exactly how it
+affected her, for she looked a good deal astonished, rather sober, but
+very much pleased and a little bit shy.
+
+"I'm sure," she said, nodding to herself with all earnestness, "I never
+dreamed of such a thing before, but--but--I do believe it's so;" and
+then she colored up all of a sudden, and the reflection disappeared from
+view.
+
+Kat came upstairs very soon after supper, and found her sitting in just
+the same place by the window, and just as little inclined to talk as
+before, which made matters seem uncomfortable.
+
+"I declare!" muttered Kat, slamming about in the clothes-press, with no
+particular object in view, except to make a little noise. "This is
+abominable! I think she might tell me, but I'm not going to ask. I'm
+sure, I'd tell her quick enough, but she don't care, and I sha'n't 'till
+she asks me;" and then becoming aware of the inconsistency of her
+reflections Kat shut the door with some force, and sat down in silence.
+
+There was no telling how long this pleasing quietude might have lasted,
+if it had not been for an immense bug that sailed in at the window,
+close to Kittie's nose, and began to bump gayly around the room, while
+both girls flew up, in feminine nervousness, and opened fire upon him,
+with any objects they might lay hands on.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Kat, after a breathless battle, during which
+three chairs had been laid low, various objects upset, and the lamp
+blown out. "Let the old thing go; it won't stay in the dark. What geese
+we are anyhow, afraid of a bug."
+
+"I wasn't afraid," said Kittie, dropping into her chair with an
+exhausted sigh. "But they always make me fidgetty; and, beside, it came
+in right across my nose. Well, anyhow, it's cooler in the dark."
+
+"What in the world are you so quiet for!" exclaimed Kat, in despair,
+after a few moments, during which silence settled again.
+
+"I? Nothing," said Kittie, with a little start.
+
+"Nonsense!"
+
+"Well, it's the truth; I didn't know that I was so quiet," said Kittie,
+who in truth had nothing to tell. "I'll talk gay enough if you'll start
+me on something."
+
+"You never had to be started before," grumbled Kat, who would have
+teased and tormented unmercifully, had it not been for the weight of her
+own secret, which was wonderfully subduing.
+
+"We had a delightful ride," continued Kittie, but with very apparent
+exertion. "Mr. Murray drove out by Hanging Rock, and that's five miles,
+you know, and then we came home by Craig's creek, and--it was very long.
+What did Ralph say? Where's the letter?"
+
+"Oh!" said Kat, with a little gasp--for Kittie had covered the whole
+ground so quickly that it quite took her breath--"you can't read it in
+the dark, and if we light the lamp that bug will come back. It was only
+a small one. He has been admitted to the firm, and is coming pretty soon
+to see us."
+
+Something in the voice, for Kat couldn't hide anything successfully,
+drew Kittie's thoughts from herself, and made her turn to look closely
+at the face just visible in the dark. It had been a settled fact in the
+family, for the past year, that Ralph was growing very fond of "Kathy
+dear," and that very likely she had been the great object in his
+thoughts when he went away, and promised to come back, and then--
+
+"Kat," said Kittie, with great solemnity, when her thoughts reached that
+point, and she was conscious of feeling hurt. "I never thought you'd
+keep such a thing from me, and wait for me to ask."
+
+"Neither did I think you would, but you are."
+
+"Me? Why I've nothing to tell."
+
+"Honestly?"
+
+"Not a thing. And have you, really?"
+
+"Nothing, except that he asked me if he should come, and I sent a letter
+right off, and told him yes," confessed Kat, relieved to share her
+secret, and feeling very glad and happy as she laid her head in Kittie's
+lap, as though to hide her face from the darkness.
+
+Kittie entirely forgot herself in that moment. There came a little
+choking feeling in her throat, to think that she now came second in this
+dearest sister's heart, and she put her arms around her, with a little
+resentful, defiant clasp, and said nothing.
+
+"Haven't you anything to confess?" asked Kat, in a moment.
+
+"Come, dear; be honest."
+
+"Not much," said Kittie, slowly. "You know, I always thought Mr. Murray
+was ever so much older than he is, and I never dreamed of his liking me,
+or any such thing, and it all seems so odd. But since he came this time,
+and we have been together so often, why--it all seemed different, you
+know, though I can't tell just how. To-day, while we were riding, I
+dropped some flowers out of my hair, and he picked them up, and asked if
+he might keep them, and--and--that's all," finished Kittie, quite
+shamefacedly.
+
+"How romantic!" sighed Kat. "He'll say something pretty soon, and I'm
+very glad. It would be dreadful for one of us to go, and not the other.
+But it all seems odd, doesn't it, dear?"
+
+So they sat together for a long time, dreaming the dream that comes
+rosily and sweet to all, and the silent clasp of their arms, and the
+pressure of their cheeks, laid together in the twilight, expressed the
+warm love that mutual joy brightened; and into this new experience, as
+in all that had come to them, they went hand in hand.
+
+After awhile, Kat went down to the parlors, where the young people were,
+and a very funny thing happened. It was too warm to dance, play games,
+or, in fact, remain in the house; so they strolled out in the yard, and
+over the veranda, and once, as Kat sat alone in a big rustic chair, she
+saw Mr. Murray coming towards her. The light fell through the window,
+and out on to her face and head, showing a silver butterfly that Pansy
+had given to Kittie, fastened in her hair; and guided by this, Mr.
+Murray drew near, and paused at her side, never doubting that she was
+the one he had been in search of. A few words were sufficient to reveal
+his mistake to Kat, but some mischievous impulse kept her quiet as to
+her identity, so they talked on and on, and presently he began to tell
+of the home he had prepared in the city, and Kat's heart sank with a
+sudden thump, but what could she say? He went on without giving her
+chance to utter a word, and just as she was growing cold with
+apprehension, and hardly hearing what he was telling, he laid his hand
+on hers that were clasped in her lap, and said very tenderly:
+
+"Will you share it with me, darling? I have hoped and dreamed that you
+would, and have made it beautiful for your sake. It has been many, many
+months since the sweet possibility"--but there Kat jumped up, scarlet
+and ashamed.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Murray! I'm not Kittie; I'm so sorry; but I thought--I meant--I
+don't know just what. I'll tell her to come down and I think she will,"
+Kat cried incoherently, and vanished with a complicated and wonderful
+gesture of her hands, that might have passed for a supplication for
+forgiveness, a benediction, or total despair, or most anything.
+
+"Go down stairs," were her first words, as she rushed into the room
+where Kittie sat, and cast herself on to the bed with a hysterical
+laugh. "I've been, and gone, and done, and had a proposal from Mr.
+Murray, and you better go down quick. Oh, it's too funny, and he's
+dreadfully in earnest; there's something about a sweet possibility, and
+you'd better go down and listen to it."
+
+"What do you mean?" cried Kittie, starting up, and dropping her book,
+with a vague idea that Kat had lost her senses.
+
+"He thought I was you. Oh, it's too funny! and he is out there by the
+geranium-bed waiting for you," cried Kat, convulsed with laughter; and
+Kittie dropped into her chair, all trembling.
+
+"Oh, Kat! how could you?"
+
+"Bless you, I didn't do anything except promise to send you down, and
+you better go. There, you look like a peach. Put this little posy in
+your hair and go on."
+
+"Oh, I can't," cried Kittie, all blushes and shyness.
+
+"Yes, you can, you must; it will never do in the world!" exclaimed Kat
+with decision; so with many pauses, much hesitation and trembling,
+Kittie went, and appeared shyly before her lover with down-cast eyes,
+and all the sweet color fled from cheek and lips.
+
+Of course, no one said anything, but somehow the secret crept into the
+gay company, and Kittie found her ordeal so trying that she threatened
+to go home.
+
+"Of course we'll go as soon as Ralph comes," said Kat, who had her own
+reasons for wanting to get away then; so Kittie promised to wait those
+few days. It was very evident that Kat was going to meet him on the
+road, for one lovely afternoon, a few days later, she was seen to stroll
+away, dressed with particular care in a pale blue lawn, with bunches of
+forget-me-nots in her hair and belt, and a very big hat that
+conveniently and becomingly shaded her eyes, and flapped in the breeze
+as she walked.
+
+The train was in; it had whizzed around the corner of Raymond's farm
+over an hour ago, and Ralph had had time to nearly make the distance
+between the depôt and a certain tall sycamore tree, where she had
+decided to stop and wait; so she strolled slowly, with her eyes down,
+and thought of him. He would look just as he used to, she thought, not
+realizing the time that had elapsed, nor how much she had changed
+herself. There would be the merry dark eyes, and faint mustache, the
+eager, almost boyish face and figure, and he would kiss her, as he used
+to, and how funny it would seem, to think they were nearly engaged.
+
+She smiled to herself, unconscious that he was drawing near, and eagerly
+watching the pretty, slight, blue-robed figure, strolling in the
+sunshine; but she looked up in a moment and saw him.
+
+Was that Ralph? She felt her heart jump clear into her throat; as she
+paused, and stared at the tall gentleman rapidly approaching, and she
+had no strength to take another step. She had arranged a little speech
+to deliver at the proper moment, but,
+
+    "By the sycamore passed he, and through the white clover;"
+
+then all the sweet speech she had fashioned took flight. He came nearer
+with eager brightness in his handsome eyes; he took her two resistless
+hands and looked under her hat-brim.
+
+"Kathleen, is it you?"
+
+At the sound of the voice, which was still the same, Kat was covered
+with a swift, shy confusion. She had expected a boy; there had come to
+her a man, who had come at her bidding, and who loved her. She longed to
+run away or hide her head, or something, but how could she when he held
+her hands, and persisted in looking under her hat.
+
+"I expected to find you racing along the road or sitting on a fence, and
+waiting for me," he said, with a laugh. "I looked for my dear romp, and
+instead of that, I meet a graceful lovely young woman with the sweetest
+face in the world, and I don't believe she's glad to see me."
+
+"What made you go and change so?" stammered Kat, still unable to
+reconcile the vision before her with the boyish Ralph Tremayne. "I'd
+never known you, anywhere."
+
+"Nor I, you, hardly. What made you go and change so?" retorted he.
+
+"I haven't."
+
+"Neither have I."
+
+Whereupon they felt better acquainted, and laughed socially; then he
+kissed her, and slipped her hand through his arm.
+
+"You're not sorry you told me to come, are you?"
+
+"Not a bit. Are you sorry you came?"
+
+"Not a bit. You're altogether lovely and charming, my dear, and may I
+tell you how much I love you?"
+
+"I guess you'd better not. I'll have to get a little better acquainted
+with you first, you've gone and grown so big and handsome, and all
+that," answered Kat, feeling more comfortable, and looking up at him
+with some of the old saucy twinkle in her eyes.
+
+"Bless those eyes," he exclaimed, with every symptom of telling the
+forbidden fact. "I must tell you, dear, that you have grown lovely."
+
+"You told me that once."
+
+"Don't you like to hear it?"
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if I did. But I must tell you something important
+before we go any farther," said Kat solemnly.
+
+"Do so at once; I'm listening."
+
+"Well, Ralph, I've--I've had another proposal since I wrote to you,"
+confessed the wretched little hypocrite, with lowered hat-brim.
+
+"You have? By jingo! Who from?" Ralph dropped her hand, and the ruddy
+color went from his face suddenly.
+
+"From a New York gentleman at Mrs. Raymond's, and--and--"
+
+"Go on," said Ralph shortly, his voice cold and hard.
+
+"He said he had built--no, bought--no, had a beautiful home, and asked
+me to share it, and I didn't know what on earth to say, so--I told
+him--that I wasn't Kittie, and then he changed his mind."
+
+"Kathy!" What a blessing it was that no one was anywhere near, for right
+there in the sunshine, Ralph threw his arm around her and drew her
+close, to kiss the saucy lips and eyes. "How could you? I'm stunned out
+of a year's growth! Was it Murray?"
+
+"Well, I don't think you'll miss it," laughed Kat. "Yes, it was Mr.
+Murray, and Kittie's going to share that home."
+
+"You don't say so. We'll go off doubly and very soon, too, for of course
+the little mother will be willing."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Kat.
+
+So they strolled on in the sunshine, and the sweetest story in the
+world, gray with age, yet fresh as spring-time in their hearts, made the
+sunshine brighter than ever before to their happy eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT. FIVE YEARS LATER.
+
+
+The house was lighted from attic to basement, and though it was
+Christmas Eve, the air was like spring, for nature sometimes turns
+freakish, and smiles on us when we are expecting the cold shoulder. Here
+and there, a window was open, for the Derings always did love plenty of
+air; and so a merry sound of laughter and gay voices was wafted out into
+the night air, and the old trees rustled joyfully, as though the sound
+were a familiar and happy one to them, and it did their old bones--or
+bark, good to hear it. Even the vines, that clambered about as gayly now
+as ever--only closer and thicker, tapped on the windows and nodded their
+leafless heads, as though in welcome, and fairly rustled with joy clear
+down to their aged roots, to see all the dear children at home once
+more.
+
+The front door stood hospitably open, as it had always had a trick of
+doing, and in the wide old hall were two children, one of whom sat on
+the stairs, with a sober, thoughtful face, while the other, in
+diminutive petticoats, was trying to stand on his head against the stout
+bannister-post. One failure followed another, in discouraging
+succession, but the little fellow kept determinedly at it, in spite of
+bumps and thumps, and finally succeeded in hoisting his fat legs up for
+the briefest second imaginable, which was perfectly satisfactory, and
+after which he righted himself, with serenely glowing face.
+
+"Did," he said, triumphantly; to which the judge, sitting gravely on the
+stairs, assented with much solemnity, and seemed to be casting about in
+his mind for some other feat to propose.
+
+"Hurts," said the young tumbler, rubbing his top-knot with a mite of a
+hand, and glancing severely at the judge.
+
+"Stand on this," said the judge, coming down and offering his square
+inch of pocket-handkerchief, which was accordingly laid down by the
+post. "That makes it thoft; won't hurt now. Do't over."
+
+With a readiness and faith that was sublime, he of the petticoats went
+at it, and had just succeeded in turning a side somersault, such as was
+never seen before, when further effort was nipped in the bud by some one
+coming into the hall.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried a merry voice, as the tumbler was caught up,
+shaken, and set down with some force. "What are you up to now, Thomas,
+my lively son?"
+
+"He wath standin' on hith head, auntie," explained the judge, with great
+politeness, as the tumbler appeared too much confused by all the
+circumstances to make any answer.
+
+"Wath he, indeed?" laughed Thomas's mama. "Mashing his little head all
+to jelly; poor Tommy!"
+
+"No," said Tom, whose remarks were more noticeable for brevity than
+anything else. "No shelly."
+
+"Yes, indeed, little soft-head; come, ask papa," and with that Mrs.
+Tremayne--for who should it be but lively Kat--shouldered her small, but
+ambitious son, and carried him away. The judge looked forlorn after
+that. He folded his small handkerchief and put it carefully away in its
+tiny pocket, then he sat down on the lowest step and looked thoughtfully
+out of the front door, as though he expected further developments to
+arrive from that direction. Nor was he disappointed. There arose a sound
+of labored and energetic breathing from without, as of some one toiling
+up the steps, and then something in white fluttered across the porch,
+and in at the door, and the judge fairly beamed with delight and
+satisfaction.
+
+"Hullo!" he said politely.
+
+"'Llo," returned the new-comer.
+
+"Where'd you come from?"
+
+"Off," said the stranger, with a flourish of both small arms, intended
+to indicate some great distance. "Runned off."
+
+"Did you? From Pansy?"
+
+"Yeth." And the bunch of ruffles and brown ribbon shook its head with
+distinctive force, while the bits of slippered feet began to dance
+wildly up and down the hall.
+
+"Mama'll come," said the judge, warningly, and, sure enough, out came a
+lady, with the loveliest face, and a white lace cap on her grey hair.
+
+"Come, dears," she said, in a voice we know well and both flew to her,
+for who was dearer to their loving hearts than "Dramma?" "Time for
+little birdies to be eating supper, and getting little peepers shut up
+tight, before Santa Claus comes," she said, going towards the dining
+room, with a little hopper clinging to each hand, and playing peep
+around her. Tom was already at the table, pounding with his spoon, and
+smiling serenely through the milk that spattered his face from forehead
+to chin, and there were two other bowls and spoons and high chairs,
+ready and waiting.
+
+"Naughty Louise," said Mrs. Kittie, as she lifted the white-robed morsel
+to her chair, and tied on her bib. "Run away from poor sister Pansy, and
+make her feel bad."
+
+"All baddy, mama?" inquired Louise, looking over her bowl with repentant
+eyes.
+
+"She comed in the front door," said Philip, otherwise the judge, who was
+the eldest hopeful of the Barnett household, and was, at present, under
+the care of aunt Kathy, as mama Bea had the baby in the sitting-room. "I
+thaw her," he went on to explain with care; but was evidently disgusted,
+that every one laughed and talked, instead of listening to him; so
+paused right there, and ate his bread and milk in silence and with
+dignity, not even unbending when Tom and Louise had a skirmish, and
+testified their cousinly regard, by throwing their spoons at each other,
+and upsetting what milk had been left in their bowls.
+
+"Dear me, what children!" cried Kittie, running for a towel, with a
+laugh that sounded as though "such children" were very delightful.
+
+"Thomas, Thomas!" said Mrs. Kat, with an air of grave reproof, such as
+she sometimes wasted on her lively son; and Thomas looked up at her,
+with roguish eyes, brimful of mischief, and fairly crowed with glee, a
+method of expression that he resorted to in gay moments, as it was still
+an exertion for him to talk.
+
+When the young people were finally carried off to bed, every one went
+along, for the gentlemen were all down town, and what better could the
+mothers and aunties do than follow the procession headed by "Dramma,"
+and watch the roguish imps get into their snowy little nests? There was
+much skirmishing and crowing, but it all ended in a doleful wail, for
+Tom fell out of bed and bumped his precious head, and refused to be
+comforted, in any way, shape, or form, until Philip was heard to remark
+with admiration:
+
+"You stood on your head, Tom, and wath straight up," and that was
+Balm-of-Gilead to the infantile soul of that Young America, for he
+immediately ceased to weep, and looked content.
+
+They all lingered there some time after the children had grown quiet,
+but finally went down stairs, and left Grandma rocking and watching,
+till the last little peeper should be closed, for she insisted on
+staying, as all the little folks were not with her always, and dearly
+she enjoyed each moment spent with them.
+
+Down stairs, the sisters clustered about the fire, with all the old
+girlish love and glee, and looking at them, in that familiar group, very
+few changes were noticeable, for time brings few foot-prints if the
+heart is happy. Bea wore a matronly little cap of bits of lace and blue
+bows, and held in her arms a gleeful baby, with roguish eyes and sunny
+little rings of hair, who was named after dear grandma, and who
+obstinately refused to go "by-low," as any well regulated baby ought to
+do, by seven o'clock in the evening. Kittie and Kat, on the lounge with
+clasped arms as of old, looked scarcely a whit changed, though they were
+both indelibly stamped with the grace and elegance of city ladies, and
+had fulfilled the promise in girlhood, by becoming truly refined and
+lovely women. The little stool by the fire was not vacant, for there sat
+Jean as of old, with the same sweet face and lovely eyes, only now she
+was taller than mama, and the still childish face wore a perfect
+happiness, for on the hand that supported her chin, the firelight showed
+a ring, and in the smiling eyes any one could read the story of it.
+Olive was there too. Olive, of whom they were all so proud, and who was
+still Olive Dering; and time had made her very fair to look upon; for
+energy and purpose had stamped her face indelibly, and the clear eyes
+were beautiful in their light of strength and happy content. She was no
+longer a struggling girl, battling with all circumstances, and fighting
+her way into work, but a woman, restful, yet not resting, in perfect
+success; for every nerve was still alert to further progress, and every
+wish and ambition had been sacrificed to one great desire, which would
+next year be satisfied; she was going to Europe. Masters and travel
+awaited her eager heart, and her own hand had carved the way. Her studio
+in New York was filled with works; many homes, far and wide, owed their
+pleasure, in the portrayed face of some dear one, to her pencil or
+brushes; and a large class, constantly increasing in size, trod the
+first pathways of art under her careful guidance. And so with hard work
+and economy, the money had come in, and been laid away; and now at last,
+there was enough. Mother and Olive were going to Europe.
+
+I know it is all very nice and easy to carry a girl through ambitious
+battles in a book, and after a lapse of years, which are left to the
+imagination, to bring her out, glowing with success, and with her
+heart's desire realized. It is done in a book this time; but Olive
+Dering's love and longing for art, her struggles, determination, and
+final success, are taken from the life of one who still lives, and who
+is now enjoying the perfect happiness earned by hard labor, in the
+galleries of the old masters. There had been toil and troubles and
+trials; discouraging tears and times of despair, in the years through
+which we have slipped without a pause; but it would do no good to tell
+them all; it is enough to know that patience, perseverance and will had
+overcome them, as there is rarely a case where they will not.
+
+"Next year this time we'll not be here together," said Kittie, breaking
+a long pause, such as will often come, when hearts are content with
+worldless communion.
+
+"Why not?" asked Jean. "Mama and Olive being in Italy, is no reason why
+you should not come and spend Christmas with me."
+
+"Bless the baby, to think she will be married then," exclaimed Bea,
+caressing the brown head with loving hand. "Every one gone from the old
+home but Jeanie, and she presiding over it, a married lady; to think of
+it, girls?"
+
+"So wags the world," said Kat with a brisk nod. "I think it would be sad
+to come here and spend Christmas, with Olive and mama gone; but you must
+all come to Boston, and if my house isn't big enough, I'll have an
+addition put on."
+
+"No, my home is best," put in Kittie with decision. "It's between you
+all, and is plenty big enough. That is the place."
+
+"Yes, indeed," chimed in Pansy, who was now a tall pretty girl of ten,
+and perfectly devoted to mama. "We want you to come to New York, and
+spoke about it before we left home; didn't we mama?"
+
+"Yes, and we'll wage a brisk war with any one who puts in a claim, so
+you had better subside at once my dear," answered Kittie with a smile at
+her twin, which looked like most anything except a war-like preparation.
+
+"There's the gate, the boys are coming," was the answer of Mrs. Kat, and
+sure enough, there arose a clatter of feet on the porch, a smell of
+cigar smoke in the air, and in came "the boys," with the usual amount of
+noise, which boys, big or little, invariably make; and then grandma came
+flitting down stairs, with a smile and a warning "hush;" and there they
+were all together.
+
+Supper was a gloriously gay meal, where every one's health was drank in
+fragrant coffee, from Grandma Dering, down to Prince, who had been
+returned to the home of his youth, and was passing his last days in
+peaceful content, with just enough exercise to keep his old bones from
+rusting out too fast. And then they talked of those who were gone from
+the circle: Father Dering, Ernestine, and lastly, dear old Uncle Ridley,
+who had died that year, and for whom every one had such a warm loving
+memory.
+
+After supper the boys went off to the library to smoke, and mother and
+daughters clustered together in the dear old sitting-room, to chat
+lovingly as in other days; for now, as then, the sweet motherly face, to
+which they still looked for love, comfort, and praise, was the dearest
+in the world to them, and the loveliest, they all thought, with its
+serene happy smile and contented loving eyes.
+
+"Has anybody any disappointments to tell to-night," she asked, looking
+around at the bright happy faces, and remembering another night long
+ago, when they all sat so, and told such.
+
+"Yes, I've got one," announced Kat, just as briskly as she had done on
+that other night. "I can't, to save my life, arrive at the point where I
+will always look stately and unruffled, and ready to receive callers, in
+spite of babies and household work, as Mrs. McGregor does, who lives
+opposite me. And then, I do believe that Thomas is going to be short and
+fat, instead of tall and slim, and from present indications I think he
+will prefer being a clown to anything else in the world. That's my
+disappointment, and it's just about as sensible as my other, but it's
+the best I've got. What's yours, Kittie?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," answered Kittie, looking down into Pansy's
+upturned face, and laying her hand lovingly on the curly head. "I have
+the dearest husband, and two of the most precious little daughters in
+the world, and what more could I ask? I always did want curly hair and
+black eyes, but Pansy has one, and Louise the other, so I'm content. The
+only disappointment I have, is that mama and Olive will not be with us
+next Christmas."
+
+"Well, I've a very small one," said Bea, as she rocked and trotted, with
+a vain attempt to get small Bessie's eyes shut. "Walter isn't quite as
+well as I should like to have him; he works too hard, poor fellow, and I
+want him to go off to the mountains next summer, and get rested, but we
+can't all afford to go, and he says he will not go and leave me at home
+in the hot weather with the house and babies. So I can't help worrying
+and wishing that I could help him some way."
+
+"You do help him, dear," interposed Mrs. Dering promptly. "You keep home
+bright and happy, and anticipate all his wants and wishes. In times of
+weariness or trouble, he has you and the dear babies for comfort. You
+love, sympathize and help him in a thousand ways, the want of which he
+could not do without."
+
+"And sew on his buttons," added Kat. "Don't leave that out, for if he's
+anything like Ralph, it's a mighty big item."
+
+"And here's my little girl," continued Mrs. Dering in a moment, and
+looking down at Jean, whose head lay in her lap. "Has she any?"
+
+"None, mama," answered Jean, looking up with happy eyes. "Except that
+you are going away, and that Uncle Ridley is not here."
+
+"Surely, no one supposes for an instant that I have any," said Olive,
+and every one shook their heads in a decided negative, except Mrs.
+Dering, and she looked across into Olive's eyes with a smile, and Olive,
+catching the look, dropped them to the fire, and said no more. She had
+intimated that she had none; but was it so in the depths of her heart?
+Was she quite content?
+
+"You do to-night, as you did before, and no one asks me for mine," said
+Mrs. Dering with a smile. "Do you rightly guess that I have none?"
+
+"We hope that you have none, mama," said Bea, lovingly.
+
+"Indeed, I have not, my dear girls; instead, as I sit here to-night with
+you all around me, I wonder if I am fully grateful for how good God has
+been to me. I look at you, and I see in my girls just such good, true
+women as their father would have them, and I am more than content. I
+would that these three vacant places might be filled to-night, but God
+knows best, and I feel only love, not regret. No, my dear girls, I have
+no disappointments to-night, only a heart full of happiness and
+content."
+
+They were silent after that for a little while, and then Bess dropped
+to sleep, and Olive crossed to Bea's side, as the gentlemen were heard
+coming from the library.
+
+"Let me take her up stairs, Bea--you look tired;" and Bea handed the
+precious charge over, and Olive went slowly up stairs, with her arms
+tenderly clasped about the little form, her cheeks laid to the soft baby
+face, and a look in her eyes that mother might have read had she seen
+it.
+
+The sleepers already there, and sprawled about in characteristic
+attitudes, was a sight to hold one's gaze.
+
+Philip lay perfectly straight and orderly, with a sober countenance, and
+both hands crossed on his little stomach; while Tom, the tumbler, had
+completely reversed himself, and lay with his feet on the pillow, his
+body in a snarl, and his head just ready to fall off the edge with the
+next jerk. Louise had dispensed with her pillow, it was on the floor,
+while she lay in the sweetest possible attitude, with one tiny hand
+under the dimpled cheek, on which the long, dark lashes rested softly,
+and one wee snowy little foot peeped out of the clothes. Olive laid the
+baby in its nest, and covered it warmly, bending many times to kiss the
+rosy little face; then she righted Tom, restored the pillow, and removed
+some of Philip's covering, as he seemed to be too warm; and then she
+stood still looking at them.
+
+Was she perfectly happy, and quite content?
+
+The pale light that fell across her, as she stood there watching the
+sleepers, with eyes that were traitorously expressive, would have made a
+very dear picture to one pair of eyes, had they not been too far away to
+rest on. The grey dress which she wore, fell in colorless draperies, and
+the soft laces at her throat and wrists, were very becoming to the clear
+skin. In the rich dark hair, was a white flower, that touched the tip of
+her ear as with a caress; but greatest of all was the eyes, that were
+growing dim with tears, as she stood there. The feeling that was in her
+heart was no new one, but to-night it came differently from what it ever
+had before. Then it had only been a half defined loneliness that could
+be quenched with a little effort, and pass without a name; but to-night
+it came surging up and assumed shape and title before her eyes. She had
+no claim on these little ones; she would never be able to stand so and
+watch one of her own in its innocent sleep. Would never feel the tender
+happiness of knowing that her blood beat in another little heart, that
+her life had given breath to its laughing lips, and the warm color to
+the dimpled cheeks. In the room down stairs, each sister had her own;
+even little Jean would soon be claimed by one to whom she was dearer
+than all else in the world; and in a few years mother might be gone, and
+then--_success_ was hers. She had worked and won. Her name was on many
+lips, and her fame spreading. The goal she had looked forward to for
+years, with eager heart, was hers at last, and while the anticipation,
+had in this case, lost nothing through possession; did it wholly satisfy
+her? Was there no corner, no longing, or want that brushes, oils, and
+inspiration failed to satisfy? Her eyes grew blind with strange, wistful
+tears, a queer choking filled her throat, and with a sudden movement she
+had crossed the room and knelt down by the baby. Had she no
+disappointment? Would she not have said "come," to some one, still a
+wanderer beyond the seas, had it been in her power? Or, had he stood
+before her, with the old, old longing, would she have drawn back and
+said: "My art is all I want."
+
+Ah, indeed, Uncle Ridley had been right:
+
+    "A single flame gives little warmth, and needs a kindred spark."
+
+Art was none the less dear, but the woman's heart had asserted itself,
+and there was a yearning passionate cry for a love that would answer to
+that, which had so strangely grown within her heart, and which called
+for something more than a lifeless irresponsive idol.
+
+Sometimes, even out of books, the right thing happens just at the right
+moment; then, again, sometimes it does not; but this is what happened
+just at that moment. Some one had been standing in the shadow outside
+the door, for several moments and now entered, and crossing the room,
+stood beside her, kneeling there, and said:
+
+"Olive."
+
+She stood up quickly, and looked at him for a moment, and knew him, in
+spite of seven years' absence, and the bronze and change wrought by time
+and constant travel. Yes, she knew him, for the eyes were the same, and
+wore the look she had seen in them last. It was a true love that had
+bided its time, and won its reward at last. She did not blush rosy red,
+as most women would have done, but a speechless joy came slowly into her
+eyes, where the tears yet lay, and she was quite silent.
+
+"You have no welcome for me?" he asked, holding out his hand. "Have I
+waited so long, and come in vain, at last, Olive?"
+
+"No," she answered, finding her voice, and it sounded strangely sweet
+and glad, even to herself, as she drew nearer and laid her hand in his.
+"I am glad that you came; I--I have wished that you would."
+
+It was not a romantic place at all, with the three little tumbled beds
+and sleepers; the diminutive stockings, shoes, and slips, scattered
+about, and Philip unmistakably snoring, as became a worn-out judge. But
+as he clasped the hand laid in his, and drawing her to him, kissed her
+gladly, I doubt if the most romantic spot, either side the sea, could
+have made that meeting sweeter to either of them.
+
+"I was on the porch when you passed through the hall," said Roger, in a
+moment. "I had been out there some little time watching you through the
+window, and studying your face, that I have so longed and hungered to
+see in these years, and I read in it such complete happiness, that my
+heart failed me. I had waited till you should reach the perfect goal of
+your ambition, and should know what it was to own fame; and as I looked
+at you, to-night, I thought it satisfied your heart entirely. So I was
+tempted to go away without having you send me. When you came into the
+hall with the baby, I followed you up here--quite against my will. As
+you stood here a few moments ago, and I saw that sadness creep into your
+face and eyes, I first thought that, perhaps, I had not come in vain.
+And have you really wished that I would come, Olive?"
+
+"Yes; neither my work nor my life is perfect without you, Roger, and I
+think that I have known it for some time, though I never so fully
+confessed it to myself as to-night. I honestly sent you from me, and I
+honestly welcome you back. I have nothing more to wish for now."
+
+So together they went down stairs, and the wanderer's welcome far
+exceeded his strongest hopes. A new ray of light and joy seemed brought
+into that circle, with this new union of hands, hearts, and happiness;
+and as Mrs. Dering kissed each of her girls good-night, she said,
+looking into Olive's eyes, with a loving smile:
+
+"I fully believe, dear, that now you have no disappointment."
+
+
+    +------------------------------------------------+
+    |Transcriber's Note:                             |
+    |                                                |
+    |The illustration on page 267 with the caption   |
+    |"WHAT IS THE MATTER? WHAT HAS HAPPENED?" was not|
+    |available for inclusion in this ebook.          |
+    +------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Six Girls, by Fannie Belle Irving
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Six Girls, by Fannie Belle Irving
+
+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: Six Girls
+       A Home Story
+
+Author: Fannie Belle Irving
+
+Illustrator: F. T. Merrill
+
+Release Date: May 21, 2008 [EBook #25551]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jacqueline Jeremy and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<h1 class="head">SIX GIRLS</h1>
+
+
+<div class="fig" style="width: 475px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="475" height="532" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="front" id="front"></a></p>
+<div class="fig" style="width: 388px;">
+<img src="images/illus01.jpg" width="388" height="600" alt="From Aunt Tremayne and Ralph" title="" />
+<span class="caption">From Aunt Tremayne and Ralph</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="noi center tp"><span class="title smcap">Six Girls</span><br />
+<br />
+<span class="sub"><em>A HOME STORY</em></span><br />
+<br />
+BY<br />
+
+<span class="author">FANNIE BELLE IRVING</span><br />
+<br />
+<span class="illus">ILLUSTRATED BY F. T. MERRILL</span></p>
+
+<hr class="hr3" />
+
+<h3>BOSTON<br />
+DANA ESTES AND COMPANY<br />
+<span class="smcap"><small>publishers</small></span></h3>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h5><em>Copyright, 1882</em>,<br />
+<span class="smcap">By Estes and Lauriat.</span></h5>
+
+
+<h5>University Press:<br />
+<span class="smcap">John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.</span></h5>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="back" id="back"></a>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<hr class="hr2" />
+
+<table summary="table of contents">
+<tr>
+<th class="tdd">CHAPTER</th>
+<th class="tdc" colspan="2">PAGE</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">I.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Under the Trees</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#i">7</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">II.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Around the Fire</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#ii">18</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">III.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">A Foundation that brought Kat to grief</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#iii">38</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">IV.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">In Confidence</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#iv">51</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">V.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">One Day</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#v">65</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">VI.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">A Stranger</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#vi">80</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">VII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Mr. Congreve surprises Himself and everybody else</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#vii">97</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">VIII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Odds and Ends</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#viii">113</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">IX.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">What Olive heard</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#ix">128</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">X.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">The little Black Trunk</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#x">148</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XI.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Where is Ernestine?</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xi"> 168</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">The Story</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xii">188</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XIII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">A Year later</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xiii">202</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XIV.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Study or Play?</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xiv">221</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XV.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Congreve Hall</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xv">240</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XVI.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Under the shady green-wood Tree</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xvi">257</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XVII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Several Things</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xvii">284</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XVIII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">At the Opera</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xviii">306</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XIX.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Coming Home</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xix">336</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XX.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">A Sad Story</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xx">355</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XXI.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">My Lady</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xxi">368</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XXII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">To Rear, To Love, and then to Lose</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xxii">380</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XXIII.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">When God drew near, among His Own to choose</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xxiii">406</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XXIV.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Two Secrets</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xxiv">420</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tda">XXV.</td>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Merry Christmas to all, and to all a
+Good-Night&mdash;Five Years later</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#xxv">437</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+
+
+
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2>
+
+<hr class="hr2" />
+
+<table summary="table of contents">
+<tr>
+<th class="tdc" colspan="2">PAGE</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">From Aunt Tremayne and Ralph</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#front"><em>Frontispiece</em></a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tde">"<span class="smcap">O Ernestine, how Lovely!</span>"</td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#o">17</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Kat and Kit</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#kat">49</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">The Old Gentleman lifted Jean up on the Post</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#the">92</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td class="tde">"<span class="smcap">Now let's see what's in this Wonderful Trunk</span>"</td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#now">167</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td class="tde">"<span class="smcap">Why, how do you do, my Dear Child?</span>"</td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#front">244</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td class="tde">"<span class="smcap">What is the Matter? What has happened?</span>"</td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#tn">267</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td class="tde"><span class="smcap">Mr. Congreve would come into the Gallery</span></td>
+<td class="tdc"><a href="#mr">314</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+
+
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+<a name="i" id="i"></a>
+<big>SIX GIRLS.</big></h2>
+
+<hr class="hr2" />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER I.<br />
+<br />
+<small>UNDER THE TREES.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">There</span> were ripples of sunshine all tangled in the glowing scarlet of the
+geranium bed and dancing blithely over the grass. A world of melody in
+quivering bursts of happy song came from the spreading canopy of leaves
+overhead, and as an accompaniment, the wind laughed and whispered and
+kept the air in one continual smile with a kiss on its lips, born of
+supreme contentment in the summer loveliness.</p>
+
+<p>In the cool, deep shade, cast by the grandest of old beech trees, a girl
+sat, her white dress in freshest relief against the green surroundings,
+a piece of sewing in her nimble fingers, and the wind tossing her
+loosened hair all about her face and shoulders. She was quite alone, and
+seemed just the setting for the quiet, lovely surroundings, so much so,
+that, had an artist chanced to catch the sight, he would have lost no
+time in transferring it to canvas,&mdash;the wide stretch of grass,
+alternately steeped in cool shadows and mellow sunshine, the branching,
+rustling
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>
+canopy of leaves, the white-robed figure with smiling lips and
+busy fingers, and just visible in the back-ground an old house wrapped
+in vines and lying in the shade.</p>
+
+<p>Somebody came from among the trees just at this moment and crossed the
+grass with a peculiarly graceful and swaying step, as though she had
+just drifted down with the sunshine and was being idly blown along by
+the wind, another girl in the palest of pink dresses, with ripples of
+snowy lace all over it, and a wide-brimmed hat shading her eyes. And
+speaking distance being gained, she said, with a breezy little laugh:
+"Sewing? Why, it's too warm to breathe."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the reason I sew," returned the other, with a nod of energy. "I
+should suffocate if I just sat still and thought how warm it is. Where
+have you been?"</p>
+
+<p>"Down to the pond, skipping stones, and wishing that I could go in,"
+answered the new-comer, sitting down on the grass with a careful and
+gracefully effective arrangement of her flounces and lace. "I don't see
+why papa won't let us take the boat; it did look too tempting. Suppose
+we go and do it, anyhow, Bea, and just let him see that we can manage it
+without being taught. The pond is all in the shade now, and a row would
+be delicious."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Ernestine!" Bea said, with a glance of surprise; "You wouldn't, I
+know. Papa will teach us right away, and then we will have delightful
+times; but when he has been so good as to get us the boat and promise to
+have
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+us learn to manage it, I'm sure I wouldn't disobey and try alone."</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine laughed again her pretty saucy laugh and threw her head back
+so that it caught a dancing sunbeam and held it prisoner in the bright
+hair.</p>
+
+<p>"I would," she said flippantly. "I'd like to, just for the sake of doing
+something. Do you know, Bea,"&mdash;knitting the arched brows with a petulant
+air,&mdash;"Sometimes I think I'll do something dreadful; perfectly dreadful,
+you know, so as to have things different for a little bit. It's horrible
+to live right along, just so, without anything ever happening."</p>
+
+<p>"Well I'm sure," said Bea, laying down her sewing and surveying her
+sister slowly, "you have just about as good and easy a time as ever I
+heard of a girl's having. What are you all dressed up so for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just for something to do. I've tried on all my dresses and hats, and
+wasted the blessed afternoon parading before the glass," laughed
+Ernestine, swinging her pretty hat with its shirrings of delicate pink,
+around on her white hand. "I do think this dress is lovely, so I made
+believe I was being dressed by my maid and coming out to walk in my park
+like an English lady, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"English fiddlesticks!" said Bea, with energy. "You are a goosey.
+Suppose you had to work and couldn't have pretty things and waste your
+time trying them on?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>
+"What misery," cried Ernestine, jumping up and whirling around on her
+heel with an airy grace that the other girls might have practiced for in
+vain. "I wouldn't want to live; it would be dreadful, Bea," falling into
+an attitude with the sunshine over her, "wouldn't I do well on the
+stage? I know I was born for it; now look here, and see if I don't do as
+Miss Neilson did. Just suppose this ring of sunshine is a balcony and
+I'm in white, with such lovely jewels in my hair and all that:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?"&mdash;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">and away went Ernestine with a tragically pathetic energy that made Bea
+watch and listen, in spite of the disapproving laugh on her lips.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't I do it well?" Ernestine asked complacently, after she had gone
+through the entire balcony scene, with great success in the management
+of two characters.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you do; how can you?" asked Bea, won from disapproval by wondering
+admiration.</p>
+
+<p>"Easiest in the world. I've been through it ever so many times since
+papa took us to the city to see her. Oh, Bea! how happy she must be! I'd
+give worlds and worlds to be in her place," cried Ernestine, with
+longing energy, and pacing restlessly up and down the grass. "I wonder
+if I ever can."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said Bea with decision. "The idea! what would papa and mama
+say; you, Ernestine Dering,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>
+parading out on a stage before crowds of
+people, and flying around like she did. Mercy on us!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd do it in a minute, and if I can't now, I will sometime anyhow,"
+Ernestine exclaimed with emphasis. "I wasn't born to be smuggled up in
+this little musty town all my life and I won't, either. Some day I'll do
+something desperate; you see if I don't."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do declare!" said Bea slowly, having never witnessed quite such
+an energetic ending to Ernestine's spells of restless dissatisfaction.
+"What talk! I think you'd better sit down and cool off now. Where are
+Olive and Jean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Olive is sketching out on the roof, and crosser than thirteen sticks.
+Jean is asleep on the porch, and mama is out showing Huldah how to make
+cream puffings."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," said Bea, by way of answer and looking up with a slight
+pucker to her smooth forehead, "Just look at those girls; I never saw
+the like."</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine looked up, to catch a glimpse of two flying figures just
+clearing the fence, and come dashing across the grass like unruly
+arrows, to throw themselves under the shade of the beech, with a supreme
+disregard for flesh and bones.</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness gracious!" gasped Kittie.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious goodness!" panted Kat.</p>
+
+<p>"I beat."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
+"No sir, I did."</p>
+
+<p>"You didn't! I was on this side of the fence before you jumped."</p>
+
+<p>"Just listen! why I was pretty near to the tree before you got to the
+fence."</p>
+
+<p>"Why Kat Dering! You know better."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't."</p>
+
+<p>"You do."</p>
+
+<p>"Well I'd fight about it," said Ernestine, as the two sat up and faced
+each other with belligerent countenances. "You are a pretty looking
+couple anyhow. I'd be ashamed."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't care if you would. I beat anyhow," said Kat with decision.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed you didn't; I did myself," said Kittie with equal certainty, but
+smiling more amicably as she fanned energetically with her hat. "Oh
+girls such fun! I must,&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Now Kittie," cried Kat with a warning jump and scowl.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless us, I'm going to tell; indeed I am. You're a trump, Kat, and they
+shall hear all about it; don't you want to girls?"</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure, go on," said Bea with interest and creasing down a hem with
+much satisfaction in the thought that her hands looked very pretty and
+white, almost as pretty as Ernestine's.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
+"Well you see," began Kitty, as Kat retired under her hat in a spasm of
+unusual modesty, "when we came in from recess this afternoon, Kat wanted
+to sit in my side of the seat, and told me to act as if I was she, so I
+thought it was to be a lark of some kind and did, but dear me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well go on," said Ernestine with languid curiosity, as Kittie paused to
+laugh at some recollection.</p>
+
+<p>"Just as soon as we got in Miss Howard told us to put books away; then
+she gave us the breeziest lecture and was as solemn as an owl. I
+couldn't imagine what was up. Susie Darrow was crying with her
+handkerchief to her nose, Kat looked as if she was sitting on pins and
+needles, and I really thought that Sadie Brooks and May Moor would eat
+us up, the way they actually glared at us. Well, the first thing I knew,
+Miss Howard was saying something about a needle in Susie Barrow's pen,
+that she had stuck her nose with, and she wanted whoever had put it
+there to come to her desk. That's the way she always does, you know;
+never calls a name unless she finds she has to, and bless you! who
+should I see walking off but Kat, and what does Miss Howard do but take
+her ruler and give her fifteen slaps on the hand. Kat, I'm meaner'n
+dirt, and you're a jewel; you did beat, I'll own up."</p>
+
+<p>"No such thing, you beat yourself," came in a sepulchral growl from
+under the hat.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+"Well I'm sure I don't see the point," said Ernestine with impatience.
+"It was very rude and unlady-like to put a needle in Susie's pen and you
+deserved your fifteen slaps."</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait 'till I finish, will you," cried Kittie, as the hat
+maintained perfect silence, "Kat didn't do it, but she heard that I did,
+and that I was going to be whipped, so she took my seat and jumped up
+the minute Miss Howard spoke, and the only way I found out was when Miss
+Howard said, 'Now Kittie you must beg Susie's pardon before the school.'
+Then I knew something was up, and just popped right out of my seat and
+said that that was Kat, not me, and didn't it make a hub-bub, and didn't
+Miss Howard look funny!"</p>
+
+<p>"It was lively," broke in Kat, and coming out from under the hat as if
+inspired with the recollection, "Miss Howard looked as blank as you
+please, and like to have never gotten at the straight of it; but after
+awhile lame Jack told how he had seen Sadie and May fix it themselves,
+and plan to tell it was Kittie, and oh didn't they look cheap, and
+didn't they creep off to-night and take every book along?"</p>
+
+<p>"But wasn't Kat just too dear and good to take a whipping to save me,"
+cried Kittie, throwing both arms around her twin in a hug full of
+devotion. "I'll never forget it, Kat Dering, never!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well you'd better," said Kat, on whom praise
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+and glory rested
+uneasily, though she looked pleased and returned the hug with interest.
+"You'd have done it for me, I know, and I would again for you any day.
+Let's go out on the roof; it's much cooler than here."</p>
+
+<p>"You'd better not," laughed Ernestine. "Olive's out there sketching, and
+she'll take your head off with her usual sweetness, if you bother any."</p>
+
+<p>"Who cares? I'm going. Come on Kittie."</p>
+
+<p>"No let's not; it's cool here," returned Kittie lazily. "Where have you
+been Ernestine, all rigged in your best?"</p>
+
+<p>"Been at home pining for some place to go," said Ernestine drawing the
+sewing from Bea's hand, and leaning over into that sister's lap with a
+caressive gesture. "Say Bea, dear, Miss Neilson is going to be in New
+York next week, and I want you to ask pa if he won't take us again;
+won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not fair," cried Kat; "this is our turn."</p>
+
+<p>"You, indeed; nothing but children! Will you, Bea? He will listen more
+if you ask because you're not so frivolous as I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'll ask. I'd love to go again," said Bea with girlish delight in
+anticipating such a bliss as the repetition of going to the city and to
+the theatre. "What play would you like to see?"</p>
+
+<p>"Romeo and Juliet again," cried Ernestine eagerly. "Oh Bea, beg him to,
+for there are some other parts that I want to see how to do."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+"Do!" echoed Kittie, "Whatever do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I say. I'll show you how they do; shall I, Bea?" exclaimed
+Ernestine, springing gayly into the sunshine and striking an attitude.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, go on; you do it beautifully," said Bea; so Ernestine plunged
+blithely into the play, thoroughly entrancing her three listeners with
+the ease and grace with which she spoke and acted, and receiving showers
+of applause as she paused.</p>
+
+<p>"How delightful," cried Kittie, in a longing rapture.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," exclaimed Kat, who had listened intently with her nose
+steadily on the ascent, "It looks all very pretty and nice here, but I
+should think anybody would feel like a fool to get out on a stage and go
+ranting about like that."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! it's too delightful," cried Ernestine, as Bea passed no comment
+except a little sigh. "I shall run away some day sure as the world and
+become a great actress; then I'll be rich and famous and you'll all
+forgive me."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you always wanted to sing," said Kittie, chewing grass
+thoughtfully, as she meditated on this new and startling talent and
+wondered what would next develop.</p>
+
+<p>"So I do, but I shall sing and act both. Now then pretend that I am
+Marguerite, in Faust, you know, and see if you don't think I can do
+both, as well as one." So they all looked and listened, while she sang
+and sang, 'till the very birds hushed their music in envious listening,
+and the rustling leaves seemed to grow still in very amaze. The sunshine
+danced over her bright hair, and the lovely face flashed with a radiant
+excitement that showed how deep an enjoyment even the pretense was to
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="o" id="o"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 352px;">
+<img src="images/illus02.jpg" width="352" height="600" alt="&quot;O Ernestine, how Lovely!&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;O Ernestine, how Lovely!&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+Rapturous applause followed, and a new voice cried out, "Oh! Ernestine,
+how lovely; do it over," and turning, they beheld an additional three to
+the audience. Jean leaning on her little crutch, wild with delight;
+Olive, tall and still with a curl on her lip to match the scowl on her
+forehead; and mother,&mdash;but what was the matter with mother, Bea
+wondered. She was very pale, and though she smiled, it did not hide the
+tremble that hung to her colorless lips.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>
+<a name="ii" id="ii"></a>CHAPTER II.<br />
+<br />
+<small>AROUND THE FIRE.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A September</span> twilight was coming on slowly, and in the grass the crickets
+chirped back and forth to each other. The house was all open, and
+through the windows came a merry chatter, a few rattling notes of the
+piano, and something that sounded very much like a warm argument, for a
+game of chess was going on by one window. Out on the broad porch that
+ran all along the front of the house, and was shrouded with vines, stood
+a girl, leaning idly against the post and watching the shadows gather
+across the long walk. She was not a pretty girl, nor one that you would
+care to look at twice, because of any pleasure it gave you; though had
+you really studied her face there might have been something found in it
+after all. There was a drawn, discontented look about her mouth, that
+made the lips look thin and snappish; it even spoiled the shape of her
+really pretty nose, which was straight and finely cut. The brows,
+straight and black, held a heavy frown between them, and the eyes
+beneath had an unsatisfied, sour look, not at all attractive. Her
+forehead was altogether too high for beauty of any kind; and as though
+there was a relief in making herself look just as
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span>
+ugly as possible, all
+her hair was drawn back painfully smooth, and tucked into a net.
+Everything about her, from the crooked look of her necktie to the toe of
+her slipper, with its rosette gone, plainly indicated that she was
+dissatisfied with herself and aided nature by her own carelessness and
+indifference, to make herself just as unattractive as possible. Some one
+came up behind her as she stood there indulging in thoughts anything but
+pleasing and laid a gentle touch on her arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well?"</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you like to stay by yourself so much, and where it isn't so
+nice? The yard is getting so dark, and it's real chilly. Don't you ever
+get afraid?"</p>
+
+<p>"Afraid here on the steps? That's silly, Jean."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps 'tis, but I'm such a big coward; I suppose it's because I
+couldn't run if anything ever was to happen;" and Jean gave a little
+sigh, as she smoothed the padded top of her crutch.</p>
+
+<p>Olive gave a little start, half impatient, and turned around to ask,
+almost wistfully, "Jean, do you never get tired or impatient, or think
+sometimes that you'd rather be dead than always walk on a crutch and
+have your back grow crooked?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Olive!" Jean lifted her beautiful eyes to look at her sister's
+restless face, "I couldn't be so wicked as that, could you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+In the twilight Olive flushed at the question and at the clear eyes
+searching her face. How many, many times had she wished she was dead,
+and for nothing except that she was ugly and awkward, and bound to see
+everything with the darkest side up.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not as good as you," she answered evasively.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh I'm not good," said Jean, with a little laugh, half a sigh, "I do
+get real tired sometimes, Olive, and I do want to be straight and well
+so much; but Miss Willis told me something in Sunday-school last Sunday,
+that has made me feel so good; she said, 'Jeanie, don't get impatient or
+discouraged, for God has a reason why he wants you to be lame; it is to
+be for the best some way, and perhaps sometime you will see it;' and she
+said that when I tried to be happy and bear my lame back, it made God
+very happy; and when I was cross and fussy, it made him sad."</p>
+
+<p>Olive gave her eyes a swift brush with the back of her hand, and asked
+with a little choke, "Do you believe all that, Jean."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Olive, yes! Don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know,&mdash;who is that?" was Olive's rather disjointed answer, as
+the click of the gate sounded through the still evening air.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Ernestine, I know, 'cause she went up town;&mdash;yes, there she is;"
+answered Jean, as a figure appeared under the foliage and came toward
+the steps.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+How different she looked from Olive and Jean. Such a slim, graceful
+figure, with a proud little head and sunny shining hair, in loose puffs
+and curls and a jaunty hat. A face like a fresh lily, and beautiful
+brown eyes, the sweetest voice, and the vainest little heart ever known
+to a girl of fifteen, had Ernestine Dering; and yet she was a favorite,
+with all her little vanities, and home, without Ernestine's face, would
+have been blank to all the girls. She came running up the steps and
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Olive, such laces!" she cried, with a longing sigh. "They are
+selling out at cost, and the ribbons and laces are just going for almost
+nothing; if I had just had a little spending money I would have been in
+clover. One clerk just insisted upon my taking an exquisite lace scarf;
+oh it was so becoming! but I told him I didn't know they were selling
+out, and that I would have to come again."</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty way of talking!" snapped Olive ungraciously. "You know you won't
+have any more money another day than you have this; why couldn't you say
+no?"</p>
+
+<p>"Say that I couldn't afford it?" cried Ernestine gayly. "Not I. Besides,
+I reasoned that if one of you would loan me some, I'd have more another
+day."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose one of us won't," said Olive, looking darkly over her sister's
+pretty hat.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't suppose <em>you</em> would," laughed Ernestine "But fortunately for
+me, I have some obliging sisters,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+and with that shot, Ernestine went
+in, singing like a mocking bird, and Jean followed slowly, looking back
+once or twice to Olive's motionless figure.</p>
+
+<p>Oh how it cut! Olive grew flushed and white, then her brows came
+together darkly and her lips shut tight. "Ernestine is too frivolous to
+live," she said grimly; then looked straight off into the evening sky
+and was silent. But down to her proud, sensitive heart she was hurt, and
+in it was the longing wonder, "Why don't she come to me and ask as she
+does of Bea and the others. I would loan it to her;" but this feeling
+she fiercely refused to countenance, and shut her heart grimly, as she
+did her lips.</p>
+
+<p>The broad old hall that ran clear through the house was growing quite
+dark with shadows; the game of chess had ended, and the players left the
+window, and presently Olive turned slowly and went into the house.
+Through the sitting-room came a lively chatter, and as she passed the
+door some one shouted, "Halloo!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well I'm not deaf. Do you want me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Pining to have you; come sit on my lap."</p>
+
+<p>Olive passed in, but disregarded the hospitably inclined young lady who
+lounged in a big chair, and passed on to a dusky corner, where she
+curled up on the lounge.</p>
+
+<p>"Olive," volunteered Kittie, who was in the window-sill, "mama has a
+plan; she's going to tell us after supper, and we've all been trying to
+guess what it is; what do you think?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>
+"I don't think anything."</p>
+
+<p>"What a glorious lack of curiosity," laughed Kat.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I'm just as contented as any of you with your guessing,"
+returned Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"Well I wish," said Ernestine with an energy that brought instant
+attention, "I wish papa was going to increase our allowances. Two
+dollars a month is a shameful little."</p>
+
+<p>"But it amounts to ten dollars when paid to five girls," added Beatrice
+quickly, "besides Jean's twenty-five cents."</p>
+
+<p>"A girl isn't supposed to spend two dollars every month for
+foolishness," said Olive severely. "You might call it a little if you
+had to live on it."</p>
+
+<p>"I exist on my pretty things almost as much as I do on my food,"
+answered Ernestine flippantly, "and what does two dollars buy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you go awhile without spending it, then you'll have more,"
+suggested Kittie practically.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added Kat with a laugh. "Kittie saved fifty cents last month, and
+I saved just three; why <em>don't</em> you do as we do and economize."</p>
+
+<p>"How much have each of you saved altogether since papa began paying us?"
+asked Beatrice. "I have nine dollars and thirty-four cents."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" whistled Kittie. "I've got just three. I tell you caramels are
+disastrous to my pocket money."</p>
+
+<p>"I wear out my gloves, love butter-scotch, and lost my
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+head over a
+certain pair of slippers; consequence, two dollars and eight cents in my
+treasury," moaned Kat, with great self reproach.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do everything that is frivolous, and unwise, and extravagant,
+but I have a good time, and the result is that I haven't a cent, and am
+in debt a dollar," laughed Ernestine, kicking out her pretty foot with
+its fancy little slipper, as if in defiance to anyone's criticisms or
+reproofs.</p>
+
+<p>"Two more to hear from yet," said Beatrice, as silence fell. "Jeanie,
+have you spent all your quarters?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Jean slowly and with much hesitation, "I had two dollars and
+spent one for a sash."</p>
+
+<p>"And I borrowed the other," interrupted Ernestine, seeing that the child
+did not want to tell on her. "How much have you, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"I made no promise to tell," leaped to Olive's lips; but instead of
+speaking it, she electrified them by saying, with a quiet smile of
+satisfaction, "Thirty dollars."</p>
+
+<p>It did more than surprise them; it was almost a stun for a minute or
+two; then Ernestine slowly opened her lips: "Why, Olive Dering! wherever
+did you get it? If you'd never spent a cent of your allowance, papa
+hasn't been paying us long enough for it to amount to that."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose, for a girl that isn't a fool, there are more ways of getting
+money than sitting down with her hands folded and letting her father
+give it to her," retorted Olive with a snap.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+"That's so, Olive," echoed Beatrice, with a heartiness that made them
+jump. "But what did you do? tell us quick; see every one of us stiff
+with curiosity."</p>
+
+<p>It just occurred to Olive to let them remain stiff with curiosity, but
+perhaps an amount of satisfaction in the way she had earned her money is
+what changed her mind; at any rate, she began more readily than the
+others expected: "I sold the old iron out in the barn, and several bags
+of rags; then I've done some writing for papa's clerk, because he was
+hurried; and last week I sold my picture. Of my allowance I only spent
+enough for two pairs of gloves, that have lasted me with mending; so
+that's how I made my money."</p>
+
+<p>"Blessings on you!" cried Kat enthusiastically. "I look upon you as a
+model, Olive, a living&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing of the kind," interrupted Olive sharply, and rising up out of
+her corner, as if warming to the subject. "I'm only trying to be
+sensible; we're all old enough to be that, and be something more too. I
+wonder if we are never going to do anything but sit here at home, with
+papa to feed and dress us, besides giving us an allowance for little
+things and nonsense. I think it's wrong, and lazy, and a namby pamby way
+of being a useless thing, just because you are a girl! Besides, papa is
+worried and troubled; yes he is;&mdash;" warming still more at the breathless
+attention given her. "The other night, he and mama talked for hours, and
+I couldn't help hearing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+a little, because the transom was open. His
+voice was troubled, so was mama's, and sad, and he said something about
+'lessening expenses,' and the difficulty of getting any ready money, and
+all that, and I believe in my heart that we ought to help him!"</p>
+
+<p>Into the stunned silence that followed this outburst from short-spoken,
+reticent Olive, there came a new voice; such a sweet, lovely voice with
+a tender ring that made every one start to welcome the speaker.</p>
+
+<p>"How dark you are, dears. Are all my steps here?"</p>
+
+<p>"All here, solemnly engaged," answered Kat, unfolding herself from the
+big chair to make a seat for mother.</p>
+
+<p>"And <em>just</em> think," cried Kittie, with a lurch that pretty near tipped
+her out of the window. "Olive&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Has done wonders," interrupted Beatrice. "Be still all of you! Let's
+not tell mama yet."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering laughed cheerily, at the sudden popping of a secret into the
+air, but announced that supper was ready, at which there was such a
+stampede as only a lot of hungry, healthy girls can make, and the
+sitting-room was left dark and still.</p>
+
+<p>You see there were six of them&mdash;five strong bright girls, and one little
+lame sister, to laugh and sing, and make that big, roomy, comfortable,
+old home happy. Beatrice, seventeen; Ernestine, sixteen; Olive, fifteen;
+then Katherine and Kathleen or Kittie and Kat, twelve, and lastly,
+little Jean, with her flower-like, patient face and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+poor crooked little
+back. To help and guide them, was the dear, loving mother who called
+them her 'steps;' and the strong, helpful father, who romped and played,
+or read and studied with them and called Kittie and Kat 'his boys;'
+Olive his 'right hand man;' Ernestine, 'his picture;' Beatrice, his
+'little woman,' and Jean his 'little pansy.' So now that you know them a
+little better, let us go into the dining-room and see what they are
+doing. Meetings at the Dering table are always lively ones, "Good for
+digestion and spirits," said papa Dering, so everybody talked and
+laughed and ate heartily, and went away without sour faces or sour
+stomachs. To-night, though, there is a change. Mr. Dering had a remark
+for each of the girls as they came in, then lapsed into silence, and
+stirred his coffee absently. Even Mrs. Dering could not hide a little
+anxiety, though she tried to be gay and interested in the girls' talk,
+as usual. With Olive's words fresh in their minds, the rest closely
+watched the faces of both parents, and each girl had thoughts and made
+plans, in every way characteristic of their respective selves.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Dering presently broke a silence by asking to be excused, as he must
+go back to the store&mdash;two most unusual things; for he always sat and
+talked at supper 'till all were through, and rarely ever let anything
+take him away from an evening at home; so no wonder the meal was
+shortened, and the party broke up.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>
+"Oh how nice!" cried Jean, as they returned to the sitting-room, where
+in their absence, a bright fire had been built in the grate, and filled
+the room with a warm rosy glow. "Here's my seat."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll tell our secrets by the first fire of the season," said Mrs.
+Dering, as the girls all followed Jean's example, by pulling their
+chairs into the circle of warmth and light. "I thought it was so chilly
+this evening that firelight would be more cosy and cheerful than a lamp.
+Now then, who shall begin?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh you, please," cried Kittie. "We are so anxious."</p>
+
+<p>Every face warmly seconded her words, so Mrs. Dering began, after a
+moment's silence.</p>
+
+<p>"When you were all little children mama never let anything worry or
+disturb you if she could help it, and if anything ever did, you came
+right to her to be comforted and helped. Papa never let you be cold or
+hungry, and without clothes, or be sick, if he could help it, and they
+both loved you tenderly, didn't they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why goodness, yes!" cried Kat, with glistening, astonished eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"And now that you have become such big daughters, they love you none the
+less, but more if possible; because now they must give you more thought
+as you grow to womanhood. Now if&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh you needn't say another word!" cried Beatrice impulsively. "You look
+as if you didn't know how
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>
+to tell us; but we know. Your secret is the
+same as ours; papa is worried, and we are all, every one of us, ready to
+help him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why my dear girls!" cried mama, with her eyes full of tears. "How did
+you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Olive saw, and then heard the other night," cried Kittie excitedly.
+"She's got thirty dollars already, and was giving us a regular lecture
+just before supper. Now I'm going to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute, dear," said mama, laughing as she shook her finger. "I
+knew Olive was saving her allowance, and that she had earned some money,
+and I was very much pleased; but I am more than happy to find that she
+was doing it for papa."</p>
+
+<p>To every one's surprise, Olive grew scarlet and turned her face clear
+away from the light; but she brought it back in a minute, and said, with
+lips that tried to be stiff and firm&mdash;for praise was dear to Olive&mdash;"I
+didn't do it for papa&mdash;I didn't know then&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;" and then, sooner than
+cry, Olive stopped, and left them to think what they would.</p>
+
+<p>"But you are willing for it to go to papa now," finished Mrs. Dering,
+smiling brightly, and bringing some of the cloud from Olive's eyes.
+"That is just as noble, dear," and with these skillfully thrown in
+words, mother smiled again, for only she understood her daughter's
+peculiar disposition.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+"When I was a girl," went on Mrs. Dering, "Grandpa was very wealthy, you
+know, and of course gave me every advantage. I took music from the most
+distinguished professors, also painting and the languages, and at the
+age of eighteen, was handed over to society as finished in every way. I
+loved the gayeties that surrounded me, just as well as ever a girl
+could, but after a while, it struck me as being such an idle, aimless
+life, for a well educated, sensible girl to live, so I determined to
+make use of all that I had received. I had a small class in music, and
+one in painting and drawing; some of them paid, and some, members of my
+Sunday-school class, did not. After that, I felt so much happier and
+more contented, and enjoyed all my fun so much more, so I decided that
+if ever I had any daughters, they should be fitted to be independent,
+whether it was ever necessary or not. I have never been able to supply
+you with masters as I was, but I have taught you thoroughly myself, and
+while I did not intend that you should begin quite so early, the time
+has come suddenly, when we must all help. So you, my older girls, I want
+you to choose as your choice lies, and fit yourselves so as to make it
+your stand-by, in this and other times of trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," exclaimed Ernestine, with a sudden smile; she had looked very much
+worried, for work or self-denial was distasteful, and yet it seemed so
+near. But now she smiled and nodded brightly, "I know what I will do,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+mama. I'll go on cultivating my voice and work hard, so that I may take
+a position in some city church, where everything is so elegant and
+prima-donnas get such immense salaries."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, music is unmistakably your talent," said Mrs. Dering, and if
+they had only noticed it, she did not smile, and her eyes, fixed on the
+fire, were tinged with deep sadness for a moment. "Cultivate your voice,
+and your fingers too; for the positions as prima-donnas are sometimes
+lacking, then you have a little class to fall back on."</p>
+
+<p>When no one was looking, Ernestine gave her head a decided little shake.
+It would be altogether touching and delightful, to stand up in a choir
+before a beautiful congregation, with a pale lily in your hat, the
+sunlight through a stained glass falling all around, and sing something
+pathetic, that would make people cry, and then have everyone say: "Such
+a noble young girl, she does it to help her father." But a class! A lot
+of little children to talk to, and teach, no one to ever see, or
+compliment;&mdash;no! Ernestine would never cultivate her fingers; that was
+sure.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a sort of jack at all trades," said Beatrice breaking a thoughtful
+pause with a little sigh. "I play a little, sing a little, draw a
+little, but I've no talent for either, or anything else."</p>
+
+<p>"I know some one who is very fond of books and children," said Mrs.
+Bering, with a suggestive smile.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>
+"Oh! to be sure," cried Beatrice, brightening. "Teach, so I could. Well
+now, I'll go right on, harder than ever with my studies, and work up the
+French; I never can get German; I haven't the necessary twist to my
+tongue."</p>
+
+<p>Olive was studying the fire with an intense dreamy gaze. She did not say
+what she would do, but every one knew, or at least supposed they knew.
+Olive's talent lay in her pencil. Such wonderful pictures as she could
+rapidly sketch, when the different moods took her!</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I should like to know," cried Kittie abruptly. "What will Kat and
+I do? We haven't got a shadow of a talent of any kind, and don't really
+know how to behave ourselves yet; why, mama&mdash;&mdash;,"</p>
+
+<p>"I have you all fixed, dear," interrupted mama. "Just wait a minute."</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't anything that I can do either," said Jean, with a pathetic
+little smile. "But I will give up my quarter every month; perhaps that
+will help papa a very little bit."</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, Jeanie," cried Kat, with a startling suddenness. "We'll do
+it too, Kittie, and that will make four dollars and a quarter less for
+papa to hand over every month. Second the motion, Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Done!" echoed Kittie, and every body had a hearty laugh as the twins
+shook hands violently over the table.</p>
+
+<p>"But, mama," said Olive's quiet voice, breaking in upon the racket, "You
+say papa is worried now, and yet what
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+the girls have decided to do,
+they can only do when they have fitted themselves for it; can't we do
+anything to help right away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right, dear," answered Mrs. Dering. "You can all help right away;
+though in a way that papa will strongly object to, for he does not like
+to deprive home of any pleasures, or little luxuries that he can afford.
+But we will go ahead and make our plans and take him by storm. First,
+there is the horse and carriage; it will seem hard and strange for a
+while without it, but it is a great expense, together with Jack's wages.
+Papa has an opportunity of selling the buggy, and Mr. Phillips will take
+'Prince' until we can afford to keep him again. Are you willing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mama," in a rather feeble chorus, with Ernestine's voice lacking.
+'Prince' was such a pet&mdash;O dear!</p>
+
+<p>"And then, Lizzie," continued Mrs. Dering, apparently not noticing the
+way all faces were going down. "We can get along with one girl, if we
+all make up our minds to work. The house is large and it will take all
+of our hands to do the necessary cleaning; but we can, can't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mama." A little more energy this time. Only Ernestine sighed
+dolefully, and laid her hands out on her lap. Such slim little hands and
+so white. It was perfectly horrible to be poor and have to go to work;
+yes it was, and she privately resolved to shirk just as much as
+possible.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+They had a long evening's talk over the coming change and how they were
+going to do, but at ten o'clock, as Mr. Dering was still absent, they
+separated for the night, and mama carried sleepy little Jean off to bed
+in her arms.</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice and Ernestine roomed together in the front room, the twins in
+one next, and Olive alone across the hall. Generally, while getting
+ready for bed, the doors were left open, and a merry conversation
+carried on; but to-night, they were full of thought, and had not much to
+say, so everything settled into quiet very soon after the "good nights"
+had been spoken.</p>
+
+<p>In the front room, the girls were wakeful. Beatrice, as the oldest
+sister, felt, in her quiet thoughtful way, that perhaps, the way she did
+in the coming change, would act as an example to the others; and that an
+extra duty rested on her, to be as patient and willing as possible, in
+whatever might be necessary for them to do, and to be all to mother,
+that an elder daughter should be, in time of trouble. Ernestine was also
+deep in thought, and had twisted her pillow into such a position, that
+the moonlight made quite a halo around her yellow hair and made her
+face, with its beautiful eyes, look like a cameo in golden setting. She
+knew it, too, just as well as Beatrice, who at that moment, turned and
+looked at her, and furthermore, she knew just how to go on with what she
+wanted to accomplish.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>
+"Bea," she said, with her voice dropped to its sweetest, "I want you to
+do something for me."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"You said you had nine dollars, will you loan me five?"</p>
+
+<p>"How? I was going to give it to papa to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"You know he wouldn't take it," began Ernestine, impatiently; then
+smoothed her voice carefully again, and went on: "Papa won't have us
+give up everything, Bea. We are all willing to lessen expenses at home,
+but we are not to scrimp and pinch ourselves all to pieces. I'll pay you
+back just as soon as&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't that," interrupted Bea, "But I don't see how you can want to
+spend it now."</p>
+
+<p>"But I do; there are the loveliest lace scarfs&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Lace scarfs;" cried Bea again, in shocked surprise. "Would you,
+Ernestine?&mdash;Five dollars?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly! Since we've made my old black silk over, it looks so nice,
+and I've nothing fit to wear around my neck. I'm sure its not much and
+I'm going to work this winter, am I not?"</p>
+
+<p>Bea turned her pillow over and laid her head down thoughtfully. Was
+Ernestine selfish, or had she much heart? The question had often come
+silently up, and been put as silently down, but now it lingered
+persistently, though Bea moved her head restlessly, as if to get rid of
+it. If Ernestine wanted anything, she left no avenue untried, and got it
+if possible, no matter at whose expense or self-denial.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+All through
+fifteen years of her life, she had kept a clear unfaltering eye on
+herself, her wants, and her welfare, and after they were all supplied,
+she was ready and willing to help any one else; but no one must ever
+ask, or expect it at the expense of her personal comfort or plenty. Yet
+with her candies, the girls had lion shares; her pretty things,&mdash;and
+somehow all of Ernestine's things were so pretty and graceful,&mdash;she
+loaned willingly, and was never too tired or unwilling to help the
+girls' dress on great occasions; for though Olive was the artist,
+Ernestine had the artist's quick eye for graceful draping, harmony of
+colors, and picturesque structures of hair. Moreover, she was always
+good natured, nothing ever ruffled her, except for a passing moment, and
+any hour of the day, you might hear her voice, just like a bird's,
+filling the house with music, while her lovely face made sunshine; so it
+came, that she received the credit for making home happy, when she did
+it with no such intention, or exertion, only because she loved to sing,
+and it was perfectly natural for her to be gay and untouched by
+anything.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure," she said, speaking suddenly, as Bea gave a restless twist to
+her head. "You needn't, if you don't want to, Bea. Perhaps you want to
+buy&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You know better," cried Bea, flying up from her rumpled pillow. "I
+don't want to buy anything, and if you want to spend five dollars for a
+lace scarf, why you're welcome to my money. That's all. Good night."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+Next Sunday, when the girls went to church, Ernestine wore a cob-webby
+scarf of ivory white over her "made-over" silk, and put a creamy day
+lily in her yellow hair, and the girls looking at her, silently thought:
+"No wonder papa calls her his picture!"</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>
+<a name="iii" id="iii"></a>CHAPTER III.<br />
+<br />
+<small>A FOUNDATION THAT BROUGHT KAT TO GRIEF.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Slam!</span> went the gate, knocking the dead leaves right and left, and whiz!
+went two girls up the walk, like unruly sky-rockets, with the odd ends
+flying. Rattle-de-tap, went four feet with steel-capped heels over the
+old shady porch, and bang! went the door back against the wall;
+then:&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Mama,&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Bea,&mdash;Er,&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Nestine, Olive,&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Jean, hurry;&mdash;let me tell first. Miss&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I beat to the steps, I ought to tell," shrieked Kat, as Kittie choked
+for breath. "Miss Howard is going to give us a,&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Nutting party!" shouted Kittie, with a triumphant breath. "Hurrah,
+three cheer-r-s!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mercy on me," cried a voice from up stairs. "What is the matter; what
+are you doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Kittie's dancing a jig, and Kat's sliding down the bannisters,"
+exclaimed a horrified voice from somewhere else. "Mercy! Bea, call mama;
+I think they've gone crazy."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>
+"Nutting party," cried Kittie, dancing furiously and nodding her head
+like a demented monkey. "To-morrow,&mdash;&mdash;want to go?"</p>
+
+<p>The girls had all collected by this time around the boisterous pair, and
+Bea flapped her sewing warningly, as Kat came whizzing down the
+bannisters for a final time, and landed with a dexterous jump, in the
+middle of the group.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going down town," said Ernestine, after hearing of the near and
+great event. "I can't go."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not," said Kittie, with great scorn. "You'd rather go down
+town, and be all the afternoon buying a shoe string, than get a Saratoga
+trunk full of nuts; but you'll want some of mine this winter."</p>
+
+<p>Olive was busy on a picture, Bea had some sewing, so the twins must
+represent the Dering family, and accepted the matter quite blissfully,
+to judge from the way they raced off for parts unknown, and remained
+absent for some time, as if strange and wonderful preparations were
+necessary, and being undergone for to-morrow. They came back when the
+tea-bell rang, at least Kittie did, slowly and solemnly through the back
+yard, and lingered several minutes on the porch, with many mysterious
+signals to some one, down where the long yard sloped to the pond, and a
+fringe of willows shaded the water.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Kathy," inquired Ernestine, who strongly objected to the
+extremely abbreviated form of 'Kat.'</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+"Down at the pond, she's coming," answered Kittie, with a strangely
+worried look; but Ernestine flitted by without noticing it, and pretty
+soon Kittie quit leaning over the lattice and went in slowly.</p>
+
+<p>Just as Mrs. Dering was leaving her room to go down to tea, she heard a
+peculiarly suspicious noise out in the back hall, unmistakably the
+careful opening of a window, as of someone on the low roof without, and
+pausing to listen, Mrs. Dering became convinced, that someone was surely
+making entrance to the house in that questionable manner. A midnight
+burglary was a rare occurrence in Canfield, but one in the early fall of
+evening, was beyond imagination, and yet Mrs. Dering was conscious of a
+little trepidation, as she tiptoed her way round to the back hall, and
+fancy pictured a man, with sly intent, coming over the window-sill.
+Whoever the intruder was, he was working with great care, and wholly
+unconscious of any one's approach, for when Mrs. Dering reached the
+corner and peeped around, the intruding head was just leveled, and
+coming through, carefully followed by a nimble body, but not clothed in
+the habiliments usually donned by burglars; instead, there appeared a
+blue calico much drenched and ornamented with wet weeds, an apron wholly
+unrecognizable as to color or design, and a drabbled hat hanging to the
+intruder's neck. As this queer apparition landed on the floor, Mrs.
+Bering stepped around the corner, whereupon
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+the bold burglar jumped and
+screamed faintly, and the lady laughed, though she said with grave
+inquiry:</p>
+
+<p>"Why Kathleen! What does this mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama!" gasped the burglar, with a despairing glance at her dripping
+self. "I didn't want you to see me."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor any one else, from the way you came in I should think. What is the
+matter?"</p>
+
+<p>Kat grasped her wet hat, and looked desperately sorry and resigned all
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I went out in the boat," she said, twisting the wet ribbons around
+her fingers and dropping her eyes to the floor, with a little flush of
+shame, "and it upset, and I had to wade in, but I couldn't get it, and
+it's sailing upside down, way out in the pond. I don't know whatever
+you'd better do to me, I'm sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Disobeyed papa. O Kathleen!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well I didn't mean&mdash;," there Kat stopped, and swallowed several times
+very hastily; she would rather have been shaken, than to have heard that
+grieved tone. "I was only going to ride a little ways, but the wind blew
+me out; I know it was wrong, though, cause pap said, not to touch it."</p>
+
+<p>"Go to your room and get off your wet clothes as quickly as possible,
+and after supper I will come and talk to you about it," said Mrs.
+Dering, turning away to hide the smile, that poor, dripping, shame-faced
+Kat could not but provoke.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+The announcement that "Water-Rat" was face down out in the pond, caused
+dire dismay at the supper-table, so that when the meal was finished, and
+Mrs. Dering went up to talk to repentant Kat, the rest of the family all
+hurried down to the pond to view the disaster. There was the gayly
+painted boat, floating idly back and forth with the wind, out in the
+pond, and the girls expressed their great dismay in a dismal chorus of
+"Oh's," long prolonged, as it floated farther away. "Never mind," said
+papa Dering, briskly. "We'll get her all safe again, a little bath won't
+hurt her. Here Kittie, you're the best runner, go to the house and bring
+me the largest hammer and longest nails in the tool-chest. Be quick
+now." Kittie was off like a flash, and when she came back, there were
+three or four logs lying ready for use, with some planks and a long
+pole, and Mr. Bering with coat off, fell to work with a will and such
+speed, that in ten minutes, a small raft lay in the water, and Mr.
+Dering was making preparations for his voyage, by pulling off his boots
+and tucking his pants up.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't suppose you could get drowned, do you papa," questioned Jean,
+somewhat overcome with these unusual proceedings, and clinging to her
+seat in a low willow with some trepidation.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much, little one. I guess if Katty can wade out of this water, papa
+can, providing he's tipped in. Now good-bye, girls. Wish me well."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
+Kittie in the willow, and Bea and Ernestine on a log, gave three parting
+cheers with such force, that Kat, crying forlornly up in her room, ran
+to the window to see the fun, and watched with great interest the rescue
+of the "Water Rat," which Mr. Dering effected with great skill and many
+flourishes, to the delight of his audience. After being pulled out on
+the grass, face up again to dry, the rescued "Rat" was left to the
+twilight, while the party returned to the house.</p>
+
+<p>The new arrangements had been in hand about a week, and so far, the
+girls were delighted and enthusiastic over "helping," though they did
+miss "Prince" and the buggy very much. As Mrs. Dering had said, papa
+decidedly objected to any such arrangements and privations, but one man
+against seven determined women!&mdash;oh, my! just think of it! So they had
+their way, and it was such a comfort to see, that already he began to
+look a little less worried and anxious when out of the store.</p>
+
+<p>That night, when the girls went to bed, Kat was very much subdued, and
+kept her face quite persistently out of sight. Kittie administered
+comfort in broken and complete doses, but without much effect, for just
+now, when under the new enthusiasm, every one was doing her best in all
+ways, Kat felt her disgrace, more deeply than was customary for her, who
+fell into it, and out again pretty nearly every day, and so she refused
+to be comforted. Perhaps there was another reason for the complete
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>
+and
+deep contrition. At any rate, she whispered to Kittie with a choke, that
+fought against being a sob,&mdash;before they went to sleep; "Oh, Kittie!&mdash;I
+can't go&mdash;go, nutting!"</p>
+
+<p>Sure enough. Kat ate her breakfast with red eyes and a poor appetite the
+next morning, while the sun shone, as it surely never did before, and
+Kittie gayly laughed and chatted, but trying to be not too happy, as was
+consistent with the deep sympathy felt and expressed for suffering Kat,
+who had vanished beyond the power of sight or search, when at eight
+o'clock, a merry party halted at the gate, and the home girls, gayly
+escorted Kittie and her baskets down the walk.</p>
+
+<p>That was a dismal morning to be sure. Kat did her portion of the work
+before any of the other girls came up stairs, and no one saw her again
+that morning, for with a volume of history, "St. Elmo," and six apples,
+she departed for the back roof, where she sat down and cried as hard as
+ever she could for five minutes, then opened the history, and took a
+fierce bite out of the biggest apple.</p>
+
+<p>"There, I won't cry another tear, it's a blessing that I wasn't shut up
+for the day, instead of being allowed to roam around, when I can't let
+things alone that I'm told to. I'm going to learn a chapter of this
+history, now, before I read a word of 'St. Elmo,' though I don't see the
+use. Whatever do I care about the Edwards' and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>
+Henrys' and all that!"
+And then Kat shook herself, opened her book, and valiantly attacked
+Henry the Fifth, with every possible intention of doing just exactly
+what she said; but in about ten minutes a little puff of wind sailed
+across the roof, tossed open the cover of 'St. Elmo,' fluttered the
+leaves, then flew away, leaving them open, just where Edna goes to the
+old church for the last time, and Kat's eyes strayed right down to the
+tempting words, and somehow they did not come back at once.</p>
+
+<p>That old roof was just like all the rest of the house, roomy, shady and
+cool. The flourishing top of a huge apple-tree reached over one side of
+it, with tempting seats in its boughs, and on another side, was the wide
+roomy window, with its worn sill, that led into the garret of the main
+part of the house. Solid comfort had it always been to the girls, and
+sometimes on warm Sunday afternoons, all the family might be found,
+distributed over its flat, roomy surface, with old comforts and pillows,
+and a good supply of books and fans.</p>
+
+<p>Crash! went something suddenly and away sailed "St. Elmo," to bump his
+villainously fascinating head against the chimney, while Kat jerked her
+history open again and heard the profoundest and most melancholy sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the use! 'Henry the Fifth was born,'&mdash;I wonder who cares, dear
+me, I wish Kittie was here! 'Was born on'"&mdash;But, as if in answer to that
+wish so heartily uttered, there came two arms around her neck,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+and
+there was Kittie, laughing gayly as she nodded her head.</p>
+
+<p>"I just wonder if you thought I would go to a nutting party, when you
+couldn't," she exclaimed. "I guess I haven't forgotten who was whipped
+in school the other day to save me. Bless me! Studying history!"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Kittie Dering!" was all the answer, she received from astonished
+Kat, "Didn't you go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Looks as if I didn't, don't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"And just for me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just for you!"</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon, Bea, who was watching at the window, went down stairs, and
+reported that Kittie and Kat were having a "love feast" out on the roof.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon, amusements flagged. It was unusually warm for so late in
+the year, and Kat stretched lazily out on a bench, under the trees,
+while Kittie sat on the grass, and enjoyed herself pleasantly with
+nothing. "I tell you," exclaimed the latter, with a hearty jump,
+occasioned partly, by a new idea, partly by the sight of a huge spider,
+that was lumbering over the grass towards her. "Let's go over to the new
+church."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Walk on the foundation; it's all finished and splendid to race on all
+the way round."</p>
+
+<p>"Jolly idea," cried Kat, jumping from her bench, forgetting a previous
+assertion, that it was, "too hot to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+move!" and away they went, down the
+walk, at the usual break-neck speed taken by them, when in a hurry;
+Kittie rushing through the gate, while Kat nimbly cleared the fence.</p>
+
+<p>Nobody was around to see, or be horrified, for it was on the edge of
+town, and anyhow, it seemed utterly impossible to convince these girls
+that they were nearly thirteen years' old, and ought to stop being such
+hoydens. Bea's little cautions, Ernestine's careful talks and examples
+of grace and dignity, Olive's open ridicule, and Jean's childish wonder,
+were all set aside, by a quiet smile from mama, or papa's hearty
+exclamation of&mdash;"let them alone&mdash;they're the only boys I've got." So
+Kittie and Kat romped to their heart's content, while mama took care
+that it did not make them too rude, and mended their torn clothes, with
+a patient smile, sometimes saying to herself: "Never mind, it makes them
+happy and strong; so, as long as I am well, and have the time, I'll not
+complain of a few rips and tears."</p>
+
+<p>The new church, was only around the corner in a large green field, and
+the foundation, broad, and not too nigh, was a tempting place to run; so
+they clambered up, and raced back and forth, and all around several
+times, 'till out of breath, then Kat paused, and looked about with a
+contemplative and venturesome air.</p>
+
+<p>"See here, Kittie, I'm going to walk across that narrow wall, where they
+haven't finished."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+"Pretty high; you'd better not;" replied Kittie, measuring the proposed
+walk with a careful eye. "How will you get up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Climb; it's only a step or two higher than this."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie leisurely followed the more adventuresome twin, and called out
+suddenly: "Kat, there's an immense mud-hole at one side; looks as if it
+might be deep too; better hold on."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Kat, in answer, as she balanced herself on the top of
+the narrow wall. "Here I go!" And there she did go, sure enough, for
+turning to nod triumphantly at Kittie, away went her balance, and after
+two or three of the wildest, most fearful struggles, down came Kat, head
+and heels right into the mud-hole.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my goodness,&mdash;ha, ha,&mdash;my gracious; Oh-h! Kat Dering!" shrieked
+Kittie, dancing wildly up and down. "Oh, Kat; if I ever&mdash;what a&mdash;a
+sight! Oh&mdash;my!" and away went Kittie in another shriek, that pretty
+nearly knocked her off the wall, and even made Kat smile while the tears
+trickled down her muddy cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sunk clear to my knees," she cried despondently. "And my wrist
+feels so funny; Kittie, come, help me."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie jumped down in a hurry; examined the limp and already swelling
+wrist with anxious gravity, and then nearly strangled with laughter
+when, after several vigorous tugs and struggles, Kat came out of the
+mud, leaving both her slippers hopelessly buried, and her clothes so
+heavy she could hardly walk.</p>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="kat" id="kat"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 372px;">
+<img src="images/illus03.jpg" width="372" height="600" alt="Kat and Kit." title="" />
+<span class="caption">Kat and Kit.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>
+"Oh, Kittie! what shall I do," she cried, giving up entirely, between
+the sharp pain in her wrist, and the speedy arrival of this second
+disgrace. "It's only yesterday, that I crawled into the house in this
+fix; I can't go again."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind; I'll go," said Kittie, lost in sympathy. "Everybody is in
+the front part of the house, and I'll slip in the back way, go in over
+the roof, and bring you some clothes. Just sit down here and wait; I'll
+hurry, and it'll be all right."</p>
+
+<p>So Kat sat down, quite pale with the painful wrist, and meditated, in a
+desperate fashion, on her inability to keep out of trouble and mischief;
+But Kittie was back in an incredibly short space of time, all flushed
+and panting, and with a little bundle of clothes tucked under her arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Here Kat is a skirt, and dress, and stockings, and my slippers," she
+cried, running inside the wall where Kat sat forlornly.</p>
+
+<p>"No one saw me; here hurry. How's your wrist?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurts," said Kat briefly, finding tears inclined to obstruct her
+utterance; and then they were silent, while the muddy garments were
+hastily laid aside and the dry ones slipped on; and the two started
+round-a-bouts for home.</p>
+
+<p>A little while later, Kittie appeared at the sitting-room
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+door, where
+the girls were sewing with mother, while Ernestine trilled and warbled
+at the piano. Mrs. Dering came out to the hall in answer to Kittie's
+beckon, and received this somewhat incoherent report:</p>
+
+<p>"Kat's upstairs; we walked the foundation, and she fell off the high
+part; I took her some clothes, but I don't know what she's done to her
+wrist;" and Mrs. Dering did not waste any time trying to get a
+straighter report, but hurried up stairs, where Kat was lying on the
+bed, moaning and trying not to cry, with the painfully swollen wrist,
+laid out on a pillow. Twenty minutes' later the doctor was there with
+splints and bandages, and Kat, looking into his eyes with a vague alarm,
+asked, after he had examined it: "How long before I can use it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Many weeks, Kathleen."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, is it badly sprained?"</p>
+
+<p>"Worse, I think, my dear little girl, for it is pretty badly broken."</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+<a name="iv" id="iv"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br />
+<br />
+<small>IN CONFIDENCE.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Olive's</span> door was locked.</p>
+
+<p>Jean saw her go in, and heard the bolt slide swiftly across after the
+door shut, and just the glimpse that the little girl had of her sister's
+face, showed tears on the sallow cheeks, and hanging to the lashes.
+Olive was bitterly opposed to having any one know that she cried, and
+above all things to have any one see her employed in that manner; she
+herself, could not have told why perhaps, except that she did not want
+it. All of her feelings were so carefully hidden, and herself so wrapped
+in a cloak of reserve, that the surface was as delicately sensitive, as
+gossamer, and at every touch that left its impress, she retired farther
+within herself, and left less room for touch of any kind. Now, when she
+caught a glimpse of Jean's face, she shut the door sharper than was
+necessary, and going over to the window, sat down and stared moodily off
+into the yard, where the scarlet tops of the maples nodded to a golden,
+glowing sky. Surprised and curious, Jean lingered a moment, with her
+hand on the bannister,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+surveying the door thoughtfully, then limped
+carefully across, and knocked softly.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is it?" came tartly from within.</p>
+
+<p>"Me, Olive. Are you sick?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>Jean turned away a little hurt. "Why need Olive speak so shortly?" she
+wondered, with the usual after-thought "Bea, never does, or the others."</p>
+
+<p>Olive listened to the little crutch going slowly down stairs, and waited
+until everything was quiet, then she went over to a small trunk and sat
+down before it, lifted the lid, and supporting her chin in her hand,
+looked steadily into it, all the moody bitterness in her eyes changing
+slowly to a sadness that was almost despair.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't see why it is!" she cried suddenly, laying her head down on
+the trunk's sharp edge, and breaking into a passionate sobbing, all the
+stronger for having been long denied. "I surely try, but, they are
+unkind; they are, I know." And then the thick sobs broke vehemently
+forth, and echoed out into the quiet hall; but Olive was alone upstairs,
+and she knew it; besides, I doubt if she could have controlled herself
+now, even had the whole of the amazed family confronted her. Poor,
+sensitive, unfortunate Olive; was it her fault wholly, that her sisters
+seemed able to be happy, quite regardless of her, and that she seemed to
+fill no place in home except as "that queer, homely Olive," as she had
+once
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>
+heard herself called? This afternoon, the girls had all dressed
+gayly, and gone for a ride behind "Prince" with Mr. Phillips. He had
+said, "all the girls," when asking for them, but Olive so seldom joined
+in any of their little gayeties outside of home, that it really seemed
+strange and out of place for her to go with them; so she waited, when
+the time came to dress, wondering, and half hoping that one of them
+would express a little desire that she should go. Such a thought,
+however, occurred to no one; for so many times had she flatly refused to
+go, that they had all gradually ceased asking, supposing that she would
+do as she pleased. Once, to be sure, Bea did run up to the arbor, seeing
+her there, with the question on her lips, but Olive saw her coming, and
+fearing that the new desire and expectation would show in her face, bent
+her eyes to her book, quite unconscious of the heavy scowl on her brow;
+so, after one glance, Bea withdrew in a hurry, remembering frequent
+complaints for disturbance. At the hasty disappearance, Olive looked up
+with a bitter little smile, that would have instantly disclosed to an
+observer, how she was construing the act, and how she was hurt in spite
+of herself.</p>
+
+<p>"There! she was afraid she'd have to ask me something about it, if she
+came in, so she got out in a hurry. But they needn't worry; I'll not
+force myself in; I'm queer, and ugly, and had better stay by myself;"
+and with that, Olive shut her lips fiercely tight, and did
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>
+not once
+lift her eyes, when, a little while later, they all went laughing down
+the walk, never heeding her or once regretting her absence. It often
+happened so now, and Olive missed the coaxings with which they had once
+tried to draw her out, never once dreaming that she had done away with
+them herself, by shortly, tersely, and repeatedly asking, to "be let
+alone."</p>
+
+<p>No, this never occurred to her, as she sat there crying bitterly, but
+her broken words revealed the track of her thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"They never let Ernestine stay home! Indeed not, and there's the
+greatest commotion raised if she speaks of such a thing. She's pretty
+and graceful, and loves to dress up like a doll, while I'm ugly, and
+awkward, and always do things wrong, and disgrace them, I suppose. I
+don't see what I'm crying for, I'm sure. I can be happy without them as
+well as they without me!" and Olive raised her head defiantly, and flung
+the tears from her lashes, for having cried; the burden seemed lighter,
+and the little hurt and loneliness less hard. "I've plenty to think of
+besides them, and I might as well go to work." So out of the trunk came
+a box, and Olive's tears were as quickly gone as they had come. This box
+held a collection of sketches, many of them originals, some of them
+copies, but all bearing marks of a strong talent, rude and somewhat
+hasty as yet, but capable of much, when the young artist should have
+studied, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+brought a few happy ideas to color the faces and scenes
+that grew from under her fingers. Now they clearly betrayed the unhappy
+spirit that prompted them, for there was not one glad sunshiny picture
+among them; instead, there were several faces of women, in various
+attitudes of defiance or despair, with a stern relentless sorrow
+darkening their eyes, and hardening their lips; then there was an old
+boat over-turned in the shadow of a half-broken tree, and various
+sketches of home scenery from the different windows of the house. Olive
+had selected one, somewhat larger than the rest, and had gone to work
+rapidly, pressing her lips tightly in the earnestness of her work and
+thoughts, and the room was perfectly silent for a long time. Presently
+she stopped abruptly, and balancing her pencil on her finger, looked out
+of the window with a troubled longing in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if I ever can," she murmured slowly. "How hard it is to be
+patient, and wait, it's three months yet until I am sixteen, and they
+never will let me I know, because it's too dangerous for a girl. I'm
+sorry I am one anyhow; it makes everything go wrong. Now, there's my
+money, I'm glad I've got it to give to papa. Dear papa, I don't believe
+he or mama cares because I'm so ugly; I'll give it to him to-night, and
+then while I'm waiting, I'll work and earn some more, so as to have
+enough;" and, after ending this slightly enigmatical speech with an
+abrupt nod, Olive looked a little
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+brighter and fell to work so rapidly,
+that she shaded a dimple until it looked like a bullet-hole in the cheek
+of her fair subject</p>
+
+<p>Nothing further was heard for over an hour, then there came chattering
+voices, the slam of the gate, much laughter, and much spattering and
+crunching of gravel, that announced a race up the walk, between the
+festive twins, for though Kat's disabled arm swung gracefully in a
+sling, she had, after the first day or two, returned to all her romping
+with undiminished ardor, thereby keeping the family in constant terror,
+lest the necessary appendage be forever disabled. Jean had reported to
+Bea, the fact that Olive had locked her door and was crying, and with
+her conscience reproving her, Bea ran hastily up stairs, and knocked at
+the door. "Olive, may I come in?"</p>
+
+<p>"What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, just to talk a little," Bea replied, knowing better than to give
+Jean's report.</p>
+
+<p>Olive unlocked the door, after having first surveyed her face to see
+that no tears were visible.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in, if you want to; I'm drawing," and Bea accepted the ungracious
+invitation, thinking to herself, as Olive straightway took her seat and
+pencil, and returned to work&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Now Olive's in one of her moods, I wonder if I can say anything," for
+though not yet seventeen, Bea was womanly and thoughtful, and Mrs.
+Dering had sometimes
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>
+talked with her, about the unfortunate
+peculiarities of this sister's disposition, and asked her help in being
+patient, and trying to overcome it.</p>
+
+<p>"We had a delightful time," began Bea, anxious to work aright. "'Prince'
+was such a dear old fellow and Mr. Phillips so kind. I'm so sorry you
+didn't go, Olive."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing but pride kept Olive's face from brightening a little at this;
+she turned away, made a fierce dab at her subject's nose, and thought
+grimly:&mdash;"It's all very well to be sorry now, when the thing's all over;
+I wonder if she thinks that I believe she's sorry, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"We went around by the river, and way up on the hill," continued Bea,
+after waiting a reasonable length of time for an answer. "Mr. Phillips
+says we may ride often."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, wasn't it kind? you know Mrs. Phillips and the girls are going
+away and 'Prince' will need exercising."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Hasn't mama come home yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps Mrs. Dane is worse."</p>
+
+<p>No answer.</p>
+
+<p>"It's almost supper time, I should think she would be here," and with
+that, Bea got up, somewhat discouraged with the one-sided conversation;
+but paused again at Olive's side.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+"Oh! what a lovely face," she exclaimed, bending over the artist's
+shoulder. "Where did you get it, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Made it up."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I really envy you such a talent; I have none at all. Why do you
+make her look so sad?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's the way she looked to my mind and I drew her so. Perhaps it's
+because she has no sisters," answered Olive, spoiling the meaning
+conveyed in the words by the sarcasm that crept into the voice, and Bea
+drew back, hurt and half inclined to be angry; but with her, a tender
+heart always went ahead of a quiet temper and ruled, so she walked to
+the door, saying as she went out: "You better put up your things;
+supper's nearly ready."</p>
+
+<p>After tea Olive whispered something to Mr. Dering, and to everyone's
+curiosity, they went off together to the library. This was only a small
+room, but very cozy, with a dark green carpet on the floor, the chairs
+of various shapes, with the previous covering worn threadbare, neatly
+covered with green cloth, a cover of like shade on the table, and one
+side of the wall well packed with books; for Mr. Dering having never
+been wealthy, had only by care, and much time, collected the books which
+now formed a faultless, small library. It was Ernestine's idea, having
+the room green, and bestowing upon it the important sounding name of
+"library," for it suited her fancy by sounding stylish, and pleased her
+artistic eye by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>
+being all of one shade; so after much patient drilling,
+she got them all to call it "library," excepting Olive, for that sister,
+disapproving of Ernestine's notions in general, did not like to yield to
+this one, and insisted on calling it "study."</p>
+
+<p>Well, in here came Mr. Dering, Olive following with a light, saying, as
+she placed it on the table:</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, this is to be a secret."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! oh! and you expect me to keep it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, at least a part of it," and Olive looked so serious, as she
+came and stood by his chair, that he became attentive in an instant,
+saying heartily:&mdash;"Well, go on dear, I'm listening, and promise to keep
+the secret."</p>
+
+<p>Olive hesitated an instant, but she always hated to show any feeling,
+especially of embarrassment, so pitched into her subject abruptly, with
+her eyes down. "You know, papa, that we know that you have been troubled
+with the hard times, and wanted to help you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Olive, and I can never forget the way that my girls and their dear
+mother anticipated, and have done to help me."</p>
+
+<p>"No," Olive answered, almost impatiently. "We have done nothing; it most
+all falls on mama; she helps us with the work, and as for 'Prince,' of
+course, we loved him, but we girls are able to walk, it's only mama, who
+is denied; so all the help it is, she gives, not we."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we should love her all the more, dear," said</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+Mr. Dering; and the
+tenderness and love that shone in his face would have gladdened the
+heart of the wife of thirty years, had she seen it.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think we can ever love her enough," answered Olive heartily;
+then hesitated again, while her hand went slowly into her pocket, and
+came slowly out again.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold your hand, papa."</p>
+
+<p>He did so, and after placing a little roll in it, and closing his
+fingers over it, she said hurriedly: "It is only a little, papa; just
+thirty dollars that I have saved, but I want you to take it, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But Olive, my dear child&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't, please;" she interrupted hastily. "I know what you want to say,
+but it's not denying me anything, and what if it was? I want you to have
+it. You never gave us our allowance to buy our clothes with, and as for
+fancy things, I don't care for them; I don't care to go out as the other
+girls do, and I do not need it for anything. I only wish it was more."</p>
+
+<p>There may have been many reasons why Mr. Dering said nothing as he drew
+her on to his knee, and kissed her tenderly, but the right one would not
+have been hard to guess had any one seen his eyes full of tears. Olive's
+heart was beating happily, and she went on quite gayly: "And another
+thing, papa; now don't say anything until I finish; I want to have all
+my own way to-night. You know, sometime ago I helped Mr. Hess with some
+writing,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+and he said that if I would draw his little girl's head, he
+would teach me how to keep books; well, he did, you know, and now I want
+you to dismiss him, and let me be your book-keeper. It would help you,
+and oh, I should love to so much; it seems as if I wasn't a bit of use
+the way I live now, with nothing in particular to do."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, my dear little girl," cried Mr. Dering, as she paused for breath.
+"Do you think they could spare you to me all day, down in that dusty old
+store?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, indeed!" and into Olive's brightened eyes crept a little of
+the old bitterness, as she recalled the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm to pay you&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing of course, papa."</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear, I cannot consent to that."</p>
+
+<p>"Please; I want to help you now. You may pay me when you are not
+troubled any more about business."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes; when!" said Mr. Dering sadly to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," Olive put an arm about his neck. "Is it so bad as that? I'm not
+sixteen yet, but oh, I feel so much older, I can understand if you tell
+me."</p>
+
+<p>It really seemed so, as he looked into that grave, serious face, so
+unlike a merry, careless girl; and while a sigh crossed his lips, his
+eyes looked trustingly into hers.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, I think you can. You deserve, and I am happy to give you, my
+confidence; besides, I want
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+to show you how you have helped me
+to-night. I am troubled very seriously, I have a note of six thousand to
+meet within sixty days, or the store goes, I see no way of raising it.
+There is four thousand in the bank in mama's name, but I do not want to
+touch it, because if anything should happen to me, you would not have
+one cent left in the world. Still, if one or two ways which I have in
+mind now, do not yield me something, I shall be obliged to take it, so
+as to save part of my business, and replace it as soon as possible.
+Thank God, the home is safe; it can never be taken from you, and never
+would I consider it my duty to rob my wife and children of home and
+happiness, to liquidate my debts. I owe my creditors a duty which I will
+work to fulfill, while I live; but, I owe my family a greater one; so
+Olive dear, the old home is always safe. To-night I am more thankful to
+hold thirty dollars, than two months ago, I would have been to hold a
+hundred, and only to-day I told Mr. Hess that I would have to do without
+him, and that I would try the book-keeping myself."</p>
+
+<p>He paused here, and the joy that mastered trouble in Olive's face, found
+vent as she laid her head on his shoulder and cried heartily, "Oh papa I
+am so glad, so glad!"</p>
+
+<p>"You know more now, dear, than mama," continued Mr. Dering, appreciating
+the caress, knowing how rare they were for any body from Olive. "I see
+she is just as
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>
+careful of home expenses as though she knew it all, and
+I do not want to give her the added trouble until I see that I cannot
+fight my way through, and that it must be known."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa, isn't there some other way that I can help you?"</p>
+
+<p>"My noble little girl, no, the load is already too heavy for your young
+shoulders; but, I do so warmly appreciate your womanly interest, and
+your desire to help is precious indeed, while you see how great a help
+it is to me."</p>
+
+<p>Olive was smiling happily, even while her heart was filled with anxiety
+and many thoughts; so they sat there for some time in silence, then
+there came a tap on the door, and a sepulchral voice through the
+keyhole:</p>
+
+<p>"If you don't want the whole family to come swarming over the transom,
+you'd better come out and tell us what that tremendous secret is. Speak
+quick, a single word."</p>
+
+<p>"Shovels!" shouted Mr. Dering, implicitly obeying the threatening
+command.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good; you may live, providing you come out immediately and give me
+a dime to buy some butter-scotch," returned the voice.</p>
+
+<p>"The request betrays the speaker," laughed Mr. Dering as he stood up and
+unlocked the door. "Clear out, you begging Kat; you always&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah," cried the beggar shrilly. "Can't tell us apart yet; there's
+Kat on the stairs; now, whenever we
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>
+demand it, you have to give us a
+dime a piece; fine, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I know, you mercenary little monkeys; come in the sitting-room if
+you want to hear our secret."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie and Kat rushed promptly in, and Mr. Dering spoke, indicating
+Olive by a wide flourish.</p>
+
+<p>"Ladies and gentlemen&mdash;I suppose I must represent the gentlemen:&mdash;Let me
+introduce you to my future book-keeper and business confidante."</p>
+
+<p>Olive lifted her eyes, as he bowed again, and first saw her mother's
+face so happy and pleased, then Ernestine's so full of something that
+was almost ridicule, and in an instant, without looking farther, her own
+darkened, and withdrawing her hand, she walked over to her accustomed
+corner, thinking bitterly, while they all commented and applauded.</p>
+
+<p>"There! now every one but mama, thinks I'm a fool, and they needn't be
+saying, 'how splendid' and 'oh! Olive,' for didn't Ernestine look as if
+she wanted to laugh, and as if she would be ashamed of me if I worked,
+even in papa's store. But I don't care what any of them say or think,"
+and having turned bitterly against all the girls, merely because of the
+unconscious smile on Ernestine's astonished face, Olive crushed all the
+joy from her own face, and nearly all from her heart.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+<a name="v" id="v"></a>CHAPTER V.<br />
+<br />
+<small>ONE DAY.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Well</span>, surely there never was such a pokey family," exclaimed Ernestine,
+lounging into the room where the girls were gathered, one bleak dreary
+morning, early in November. "Nothing ever happens, any more than as if
+we were in back-woods. Kittie, I'll change seats with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you will," returned Kittie, keeping her chair and frowning
+over her slate and book. "You'll always change if you get the best by
+it; get out of my light will you."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you'd shut the door, Ernestine," growled Kat over the top of a
+bandage bound round her head and face; "I wish your tooth was ready to
+jump out of your mouth, and some one would leave the door open on you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd try and set you a good example, by being polite at least," laughed
+Ernestine, who really never could be cross or blue, very long at a time.
+"How grum we are; what's the matter Bea?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've an awful headache," answered Bea, who shared
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+in the general
+depression, and was considerably ruffled over not being able to set a
+puff straight on her skirt. "Be quiet, please, and sit down; it was
+still enough before you came in."</p>
+
+<p>"So I should think, from the way you all look like tomb-stones. Nobody
+looks peaceful, but Jean, and she's asleep; and Olive is the only one
+that looks natural, because she always looks solemn and cross, no matter
+what's up."</p>
+
+<p>Olive turned from the window with a jerk. She had such a cold, that she
+could not go down to the store, and her face was swollen most
+unbecomingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps if you had a little more sense, you might be able to look at
+least reasonably solemn sometimes," she said sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mercy," cried Ernestine, with her gay laugh, far more tantalizing
+than the sharpest words. "If having sense would make me look like you,
+I'd never want it,&mdash;never."</p>
+
+<p>Olive jumped from her seat with a force that knocked the chair over, and
+startled the whole company.</p>
+
+<p>"Ernestine Dering," she cried fiercely, and as though the words almost
+choked her. "You are the most heartless, selfish, senseless creature,
+that ever lived; I never will forgive you! You haven't got a thought
+above looking like a wax doll, and acting like a ninny, and I hate
+you;&mdash;there!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+"Well&mdash;if&mdash;I&mdash;ever," cried Kittie, as Olive vanished with a bang of the
+door that woke Jean and made Bea clap her hands to her aching head.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to be ashamed," exclaimed Kat, glaring over her bandage.
+"Olive's the best one of the lot, and I've three minds to go and tell
+her so."</p>
+
+<p>"And have your head taken off for your pains," said Ernestine, walking
+over to the glass, and smiling at her own unruffled image. "Olive's a
+touchy goose, but I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, and I'm sorry for
+it; so that's the best I can do now, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, unless it is to think once in a while, that there is some
+one in the world with feelings, besides yourself," answered Bea, jerking
+her unruly sewing, and getting crosser than ever as she ran her needle
+into her finger.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," cried Ernestine, throwing her hands up, and admiring them in
+the glass. "It's a sure sign that something is going wrong with this
+family, when you get cross, Bea."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not an angel," grumbled Bea, then threw her sewing down, and gave
+herself a shake, both mentally and physically. "But there's no need of
+my acting like a bear, and I'm really ashamed. Come sit on my lap, Jean,
+you look terribly grieved."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, 'tisn't very pleasant with mama gone, and you all fussing so,"
+answered Jean, limping over with her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
+crutch, and laying her head on
+Bea's shoulder with a sigh. "If you all were lame awhile, you'd be so
+glad to get straight again, that you never would fuss or scold, never."</p>
+
+<p>Bea sucked her bruised thumb, and thought more heartily than ever, that
+they ought to be ashamed; but a little witch of impatience and petulance
+lurks in the gentlest of feminine hearts, and though Bea had resolved to
+hush talking, and be patient, the little meddling temper was wide awake,
+much aggravated at the gloomy weather, and bound to make mischief if
+possible. Ernestine turned away from the glass in a moment, and strolled
+over to the lounge.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see," she exclaimed, "why everything should be denied us. I'd
+like to live for awhile just as I want to."</p>
+
+<p>No one answered, for just then Kittie threw down her slate, and burst
+into impatient tears.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the use! I can't understand such fractions, and I never will;
+I'd like to smash that slate, and burn this old book!"</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't Miss Howard show you?"</p>
+
+<p>"O yes, she shows and shows, and talks and explains, 'till my head spins
+like a top; but I can't understand, and after a while she says, in such
+a surprised way, as if she thought I was the biggest dummy in the
+world&mdash;'Why, Kittie, don't you see it yet?' and I don't see
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+it any more
+than ink in the dark, but I'm ashamed, so I pretend that I do, and
+that's the way it always is," and Kittie cried despairingly.</p>
+
+<p>"How the cheerfulness increases," laughed Ernestine, jumping up. "I'm
+going down stairs, and I sha'n't come up again until I can say something
+that will please you all. By-by," and away she went, nodding brightly.</p>
+
+<p>The morning wore slowly away. Jean, with a pain in her back, lay in
+Bea's arms until she fell asleep again; then after laying her down,
+Beatrice went back to her sewing, made patient and penitent by contact
+with that frail, peaceful little sister, and, after viewing her
+unmanageable puff determinedly for a few minutes, saw her mistake, and
+immediately went to work and finished it with no trouble. Kat, after
+much grumbling, finally brought her tooth to comparative submission, and
+went to sleep, while Kittie fled from the field of fractions, and spent
+her morning in the swing, which hung in the shed.</p>
+
+<p>Just before dinner, the door-bell rang, and in a minute Ernestine came
+flying up stairs.</p>
+
+<p>"There," she cried, waving a tinted paper. "I've something to please you
+with. Just listen:&mdash;'Mrs. Richards would be pleased to see Miss Dering,
+Miss Ernestine and Miss Olive for tea next Wednesday Eve!' I expect
+they'll dance. Won't it be fun?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see any use of your waking me up, I'm not invited;" exclaimed
+Kat, sinking back on to her pillow,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+when she found that she was not
+included in the coming bliss.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you didn't expect it, only a child," said Ernestine, as Bea took
+the magic paper in great delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Child, indeed!" cried Kat. "I'm tall as you."</p>
+
+<p>"More's the pity, for you're only twelve, and as wild as a boy."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care; I'm going if mama says so; can't I Bea?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why no; Mrs. Richards didn't ask you."</p>
+
+<p>"What's the difference? She likes me just as well as she does you and
+would be just as glad to see me."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course; but girls of twelve are never invited out in the evening,"
+expostulated Bea, re-reading the delightful invitation, for events were
+rare in Canfield, and then it was so nice to be called "Miss Dering."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care, I think it's real mean!" and Kat vented her resentment by
+punching her pillow into a helpless knot.</p>
+
+<p>"Go, call Olive, Ernestine," continued Bea, all smiles and complacency;
+"and just say, by the way, that you're sorry you hurt her feelings; it's
+quite the proper thing to do, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"All right," and Ernestine ran down the hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Olive! come with us; here's an invitation from Mrs. Richards. I'm
+sorry I hurt your feelings; come on."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+"I don't care for anything that you said, and I've something to think
+about besides invitations. Go away, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, certainly," and having glibly uttered her penitent speech, Ernestine
+cared nothing about its reception, but hurried back to discuss their
+dress with Beatrice.</p>
+
+<p>"But mama has not said that we can go," said Bea, caressing the tinted
+paper, as she interrupted an enthusiastic speech that was making
+Ernestine's eyes glow like diamonds.</p>
+
+<p>"But she will; why shouldn't she? Any how I'm going to believe that she
+will, I will wear my silk and my new scarf, and borrow mama's laces for
+the sleeves, and her white comb, and jewelry with the bracelets, if she
+will loan them;&mdash;do you suppose she will?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I know she won't; she'll think it's too much dress for a young
+girl. Wear flowers."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! I won't. I want the jewelry. What will you wear?"</p>
+
+<p>"My cashmere; it's all I've got," and Bea sighed a little, for she did
+love to look nice. "The sleeves are dreadfully worn, and the over-skirt
+isn't the latest; but it can't be made over again, and I can't afford to
+spend a cent."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind," said Ernestine, who could, and did readily advise what she
+disliked to practice. "Brush it up good, put ink over the little hole in
+the sleeve, and I'll
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+loop the over-skirt so that it looks later in
+style, and loan you my blue bows."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you will," returned Bea petulantly, for the temper, though
+appeased, was still awake and alert. "You're quick enough to loan me
+what you don't want yourself, and to say for me to go in an
+old-fashioned dress, with the holes inked up, and no jewelry; when you
+want silk and laces, and all the jewelry; you are generous."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, you may have the&mdash;the things if she will loan them; don't get
+fussy," said Ernestine, not a trifle abashed. "Who do you suppose will
+be there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whoever she invites, I suppose," answered Bea, still ruffled.</p>
+
+<p>"And I expect Dell will be dressed beautifully; oh, dear, how nice it
+would be to be rich," sighed Ernestine.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think it's fair for some girls to have so much, and others to
+have to scrimp and pinch, and then have nothing," cried Bea,
+exaggerating her woes, as is usual, when one is determined to think
+one's self the worst abused of all mortals. "I wonder if Olive is going,
+and how she will dress."</p>
+
+<p>"Just like she always does, I suppose, in that old green, with a big
+white collar, and her hair pulled straight back, and as smooth as a
+door-knob, no ornaments, and look fierce enough to chew every body up. I
+do wonder what Olive is good for anyhow, she isn't any comfort to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>
+anybody," and, as Ernestine spoke, her eyes went slyly over to the
+glass, where her pretty attitude in Jean's chair, and the sunshine lying
+warm on her hair, were reflected.</p>
+
+<p>Usually, Bea would have taken up her sister's cause, and uttered some
+conclusive defence, but now she felt abused, and didn't care much what
+was said of anybody, so after a moment, Ernestine went on&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew the 'German,' I'm going to ask Dell to teach me, she does
+it beautifully. I think it is so hateful in Olive not to dance, it
+spoils a set for us, so that we can never dance quadrilles ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose she has a right to do as she pleases," answered Bea,
+revelling in the questionable luxury of being as cross as she could. "I
+don't care whether mama lets us go or not, I haven't a thing to wear,
+and of course if I don't go, you can't."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, but she will, I'll fix you so pretty, that you'll blush to look at
+yourself, and you know Mrs. Richards said last summer, that you looked
+like an angel in white, and you may have quillings off my bolt of
+footing to put in your basque, and around the pleatings;" and, with
+these skilfully thrown in words, Ernestine ran off to look over her
+little collection of ribbons and laces, while Bea turned her eyes slowly
+to the glass, just as her pretty sister had done a moment before, only
+not with such an air of perfect satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+"How pretty Ernestine is, and even if she is selfish, she's always so
+willing to loan things, that any one doesn't think that it's just
+because she doesn't happen to want them herself. I hope if Olive does
+go, she will fix up a little," and with a sigh Bea turned away from her
+reflection, and after covering Jean with a shawl, went down to see if
+dinner was not nearly ready.</p>
+
+<p>If they could have seen Olive, they would never needed to have asked if
+she was going. All the afternoon she walked slowly up and down her room,
+sometimes increasing her gait, as the thoughts crowded and doubled the
+deep trouble in her face; and, in her mind was one thought that mastered
+every other, and that often formed itself into words and crossed her
+lips in a whisper of shivering dread.</p>
+
+<p>"The sixty days are almost gone, and papa has not got the money! What
+will he do? oh! what will he do?"</p>
+
+<p>Being with him constantly in the store, Olive saw, what he struggled to
+hide from those at home,&mdash;the utter despair that was mastering a patient
+hope;&mdash;and she knew that as the days went so swiftly by, that to him,
+the end was growing more certain. Once she saw him eagerly tear open a
+letter, and after reading a few lines, drop his head on his hands, and,
+unconscious of her nearness, groan despairingly. It weighed on her mind
+terribly, and her great desire to be of help, faced by the fact of her
+perfect inability, made her almost desperate, at times.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>
+Beatrice spent the afternoon in fussing with her dress, and Ernestine in
+watching for her mother, who was spending the day with a sick friend, so
+as she was still absent, when the tea-bell rang, the meal was rather
+gloomy; for the three older girls were busy with thoughts; Kat's tooth
+still ached, Kittie had caught cold, and their resentment at not being
+included in the invitation, being mutual, they devoted themselves
+exclusively to each other, and Jean dismayed at the unusual silence, ate
+her bread and milk with a pathetic air of loneliness, quite touching.</p>
+
+<p>"Ernestine, won't you sing just a little something," she asked, as they
+went into the sitting-room, where the fire burned low. "It's <em>so</em>
+lonesome without mama, when you're all so still. Seems to me everything
+has gone wrong all day, what's the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Everybody's in the blues, it's in the air," laughed Ernestine, sitting
+down to the piano, and skimming the keys. "Sit down chickie, and I'll
+sing 'Three Fishers.'"</p>
+
+<p>Jean curled in a chair, with a pleased smile, and Ernestine began the
+plaintive song, with the firelight flitting over her face, showing that
+she sang with more feeling than usual.</p>
+
+<div class="block2">
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="io">"For men must work, and women must weep,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And the sooner 'tis over, the sooner to sleep."<br /></span>
+</div></div></div>
+
+<p>The door-bell rang just there, and made them jump,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+then Bea went to the
+door, for though quite dark, it was not seven yet.</p>
+
+<p>A man stood just outside, a stranger, and as Bea opened the door with no
+light, but the fire from the sitting-room, he did not seem to know what
+to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mrs. Dering here,&mdash;that is,&mdash;is she home?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, she is not, but will you come in, perhaps I will do," answered Bea,
+peering beyond him, and starting, as she caught the outline of other
+figures on the steps.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think you will, I,&mdash;in fact we,&mdash;" and there he paused, and
+looked behind him, and a vague chilling alarm struck Bea, and made her
+voice tremble as she asked&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Is it anything so particular, any&mdash;&mdash;,"</p>
+
+<p>"Bad news," he said, as she hesitated. "Yes Miss,&mdash;Dering, I presume, I
+do bring bad news, your father&mdash;&mdash;;"</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine stood in the sitting-room door, and as the words were uttered,
+she saw Bea rush out, heard a faint scream, and a strange voice say,
+"catch her, she's falling;" then there came a tramp of feet across the
+porch, and four men crossed the hall, and came into the room with a
+strange burden; a rude litter, with a motionless figure on a mattress!
+Bea had fainted, for she had followed it, but as the men set their
+burden down with pitying faces, there came a shrill scream and a fall,
+for Ernestine dropped to the floor, and Jean continued to scream with
+her face hid. The three girls from up stairs came flying down, Huldah
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>
+ran from the kitchen, and in the dire confusion, the strangers stood,
+not knowing what to do, or whom to address, for every one seemed to have
+lost self-possession in the overwhelming shock. So thought the gentleman
+who seemed to be leader, but at that minute a hand touched his arm, and
+a voice startlingly hushed, asked: "Is he <em>dead</em>?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is, madam."</p>
+
+<p>A spasm of pain crossed her set-white face, as her lips opened slowly,
+and the next question came with a gasp of dread:</p>
+
+<p>"By&mdash;by his own hand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, madam, no indeed," cried the gentleman eagerly, glad to give
+that relief. "He was on the train going down to the city, which was
+wrecked twenty miles this side of it. His death was instant and
+painless, a blow on the left temple."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God!"</p>
+
+<p>She uttered it slowly, and almost below her breath, then lifted her eyes
+from the peaceful face so life-like in death, and looked around the
+room. Ernestine lay moaning on the lounge, Kittie and Kat locked in each
+others arms crouched in the corner, tearless, because paralyzed with
+fright, Jean shook as with a spasm in Bea's lap, while Huldah stood by
+the lounge, with her apron over her head; and the men stood hushed and
+abashed with their eyes down.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+"Take Jean out," Olive said again in that strange still voice. "Huldah
+carry Ernestine to her room, and Kittie, you and Kat go out to the steps
+and watch for mama."</p>
+
+<p>How instantly they all obeyed her, as though recognizing one with
+authority, and how curiously the gentleman scanned her stonily white
+face, so worn in this brief moment of suffering, and listened to her
+last words with wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you are not Mrs. Dering?"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" Olive did not seem surprised at the question, but her eyes went to
+his face slowly, and her lips began to twitch. "How will we ever tell
+her; oh! how will we?" she murmured, clasping her hands tightly; but the
+stranger heard the low words, and spoke hurriedly, with his eyes on the
+dead face.</p>
+
+<p>"If you are expecting her, some one had better go to prepare her, for
+the shock might prove&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Olive did not wait for more, but snatching a shawl from the chair,
+saying as she vanished:</p>
+
+<p>"I will go, only stay 'till we come back."</p>
+
+<p>The moon was coming slowly through a bank of clouds, and the wind
+sighing mournfully through the bare treetops, as she sped swiftly down
+the path and through the gate, whose familiar slam sounded dreary and
+dull, though it hardly reached her, as she ran down the quiet street.</p>
+
+<p>In just a few minutes she saw another figure wearing a familiar shawl in
+the moonlight.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Olive," cried Mrs. Dering. "Were you all
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+worried about me. Mr.
+Dane wanted to walk home with me, but I told him I would stop at the
+store for papa, and when I got there, the boy told me he had taken the
+afternoon train to the city; some sudden business I suppose. Why dear,
+how you have run!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama!" it was Olive's only utterance, but it told its own story,
+for Mrs. Dering instantly grasped the hand held out to her and inquired
+sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, quick,&mdash;any trouble at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes,"&mdash;gaspingly.</p>
+
+<p>"What,&mdash;I heard them talking of an accident,&mdash;Oh! Olive!"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," said Olive, growing calm as she saw her mother blanch and
+tremble in the pale light; but Mrs. Dering waited for no more; grasping
+Olive's hand still tighter, she broke into a swift run, that did not
+slacken, until the steps were reached, and the sobbing within reached
+their ears; then Olive forcibly held her back an instant.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama,&mdash;wait,&mdash;let me tell you,&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No,&mdash;he is dead, I know it;" and breaking from the detaining hold, Mrs.
+Dering ran in, and when Olive reached the door, she was kneeling beside
+the litter, with one dead hand pressed to her hidden face.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment they knew that she was praying, and feeling in the presence
+of something sacred, each man bent his head reverently, and covering her
+face, Olive too, tried to pray, and shed her first tears.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+<a name="vi" id="vi"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br />
+<br />
+<small>A STRANGER.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">On</span> the day of the funeral, the sun came up and flashed over the grey
+chill earth, with a spring-like warmth and radiance, and crept through
+the open windows with a broad glad smile, as though no sorrow darkened
+the home and hushed the merry voices.</p>
+
+<p>Many times in these three days of crushing sorrow, when heart and hand
+seemed powerless to act, had Ernestine thought in a vague, wondering
+way, of her words: "I wonder what Olive is good for, she is no comfort
+to any one." Why, she herself, shivering and white, clung to her; Bea
+went to her; Mrs. Dering turned to them all for comfort, but to Olive
+for help and advice; Huldah came to her for orders; callers with offers
+of flowers and help saw her, and all said when questioned; "ask Olive,
+she can tell you;" "where is Olive?" "Olive knows all about it, don't
+disturb mama;" and so for once, home without Olive, would have known its
+greatest need.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of that last day, when all the sorrowful farewells were
+over, and the grief stricken family had returned
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+to their saddened
+home; there came a stranger into Canfield, and after inquiring the way,
+stalked briskly out to the Dering house. All the heavy foliage being
+gone, Jean saw him coming through the gate, and turned from the window.</p>
+
+<p>"Some one is coming, Olive," and Olive reached the door, just as the
+stranger gave a vain pull at the muffled bell. He was a strange, odd
+looking old gentleman, erect as a picket, scrupulously dressed, and
+looking at her with fierce grey eyes from under the bushiest lashes.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mrs. Dering in?" he inquired with a tap of his cane.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, but&mdash;&mdash;,"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's all I want to know now, I'll ask the rest after I get in,"
+and emphasizing the words with another sharp tap of his cane, in he
+walked.</p>
+
+<p>"But, sir, my mother cannot see you to-night," said Olive, somewhat
+startled, but speaking with decision, and still holding the door open.</p>
+
+<p>"Tut, tut, tut! I haven't come three hundred miles to be turned out into
+the night. Come, come, young woman, lead the way to where there's a fire
+and light, then take this card to your mother, and if she won't see me,
+give me a good comfortable bed, and I'll wait 'till morning for her."</p>
+
+<p>Olive began to feel as though she had little to say in the matter,
+besides, he stamped his cane and looked at her so
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
+fiercely, that she
+thought he might be an escaped lunatic, and perhaps she had better humor
+him. So she led the way into the sitting room, poked the fire till it
+glowed brightly, then the old gentleman sat down, but jerked his head
+around quickly as the sound of Jean's retiring crutch fell on his ear.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, hum; come here little girl;" and his voice sharp and rough,
+softened wonderfully; but Jean only lifted her tear-stained pale little
+face, for an instant, then vanished; whereupon he pulled out a scarlet
+silk handkerchief, and blew his nose fiercely, then turned to Olive as
+if he expected to demolish her instantly with the card in his fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"Here girl, take that to your mother and be quick."</p>
+
+<p>Olive took it and unconsciously dropped her eyes to the name&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"ROGER RIDLEY CONGREVE."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Even the old gentleman started as she looked up, for pale as her face
+had been before, it was positively ashy now, and her eyes glared at him
+like a young lioness at bay. Somewhat amazed the old man rose and
+approached her; but she started back, threw the card at his feet, crying
+chokingly with a frantic gesture of her hands:</p>
+
+<p>"Go away, go away, don't touch me,&mdash;oh, how I hate you!" and vanished
+through the door as if she had been shot.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul!" cried the astonished man,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>
+dropping into his chair
+and apostrophizing the fire with startled energy. "If I ever saw the
+like,&mdash;where's my snuff-box,&mdash;I never did to be sure; streak of
+insanity, must be attended to; fine eyes, but ferocious young woman;
+hum, ha!&mdash;I'll sit here till somebody comes."</p>
+
+<p>A movement of several persons in the room above, would indicate that the
+family were gathered there; as indeed they were, sitting around mother,
+feeling nearer and dearer than ever in their mutual loss, each one
+drying her eyes slowly, as she talked lovingly of the dead, trying to
+make them feel as did she, that father was not lost, but just gone home
+a little sooner than they. Into this peaceful, loving group came Olive,
+with ashy lips, and excited eyes, and a few minutes later, the old
+gentleman down stairs, arose from his waiting seat, as the door opened,
+and a lady came towards him. Just while she crossed the little distance
+lying between them, he scrutinized her, with almost savage intentness,
+and his survey ended in a slightly astonished, "humph," as she paused
+before him, and bent her head slightly, but with due respect for his
+age.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Congreve. Will you be seated, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! Well, I suppose I will," and down he sat, with more force than
+was necessary, perhaps, but then he was excited.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm too late for Robert's funeral, I hear," he said, in a moment, as
+gruff and short as though she were to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+blame for the fact, and he was
+come to deliver a verbal chastisement.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, a few hours."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! His death was very sudden."</p>
+
+<p>"Very sudden indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!"</p>
+
+<p>Very plainly, Mr. Congreve did not know exactly what to say next. He
+hadn't expected this kind of a widow; his mind had pictured one in
+bushels of crape, with a drenched, woe-begone face, who would scream
+when she saw him, fall on his neck, in lieu of his purse, and gasp out
+dramatically: "Dear, dear Uncle Ridley, now all my troubles are over,"
+after which, he would have to pet her into quietude, when there was
+nothing, next to walking out of the window in his sleep, that he dreaded
+more than a crying woman; then he would have to kiss all the children,
+and so greatly did he object to such an osculatory performance, that
+after the act he looked as though he had made way with a quart of alum.
+Now, there was the pleasing, but slightly astonishing fact, that nobody
+was going to want to kiss him, and this pale, sweet-faced woman, with
+her quiet eyes and determined mouth was Robert's widow, that he would
+have to talk to; and it was very evident, that if he had anything to
+say, she was waiting quietly to hear it.</p>
+
+<p>"You have quite a large family,&mdash;madam," he said, hurriedly rushing in
+to break a pause.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
+"Yes, sir, six daughters."</p>
+
+<p>"Six! Bless my soul,&mdash;six girls," and Mr. Congreve hastily took some
+snuff to settle his nerves. "Astonishing, I declare. Pity they're not
+boys,&mdash;great pity."</p>
+
+<p>"I would not have it otherwise than it is, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! well, they're your burden, not mine," said the old man, testily,
+and twisting uneasily in his chair.</p>
+
+<p>"A burden I am happy and grateful to bear, if burden it be," answered
+the widow, calmly. "I am thankful they are all mine, my comforts and
+helps at all times."</p>
+
+<p>"One of them is lame, is she?" and as he spoke, the old man's voice
+softened, as it had done when he called to Jean.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, my little one, lame from babyhood."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Congreve resorted to his handkerchief again, and waved its scarlet
+folds back and forth in much agitation for a few seconds, then, as he
+put it back in its capacious pocket, and sniffed once or twice, as if in
+defiance to some internal commotion, Mrs. Dering remembered that he had
+once had a little lame girl, who died before reaching womanhood.</p>
+
+<p>He was regarding her intently, and now as she lifted her eyes, softened
+with this sudden remembrance, he bounced out of his chair, and set his
+cane down sharply on the hearth.</p>
+
+<p>"Elizabeth Dering, you're not the woman I thought you were. You're not
+like your father, and I'm glad of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>
+that. I came here to offer you help,
+because I know for a certainty that Robert was in trouble, and I see
+that you are no more pleased to see me, than I was at the prospect of
+seeing you. That I have been angry with my nephew for many years, you
+know well enough, but there's no use denying that his sudden death has
+touched me, and I want to do something for his family. To-night you are
+in no condition to talk, no more am I; so if you will show me my room I
+will go to it immediately."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering arose also, with relief plainly visible in her face, and
+after finding that he had taken an early supper before leaving the city,
+excused herself to arrange for his comfort during the night.</p>
+
+<p>Several hours later, when the household had forgotten its grief in
+slumber, and nothing disturbed the stillness of the night, but an
+occasional frog, and the lonesome sighing of the wind through the bare
+trees, two persons found it extremely difficult to sleep. In Mrs.
+Dering's room the fire lay in dying embers on the hearth, and in a low
+chair before it, sat the pale mother and widow, with no need now to hide
+her grief, lest other hearts were made sad, for no one was near but
+Jean, and she slept soundly, with sorrow lost in the oblivion of dreams.
+So feeling for the first time, the liberty of tears, that poor, aching
+heart broke its stern control, and burying her face, the sorrowing woman
+wept, praying, as the tears rolled down her cheeks, that they might not
+be shed in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+bitterness or rebellion, and that her heart, through all its
+pain, might still feel and know, "what is, is best." When the violence
+of her grief had expended itself, and she could lift her face to view
+calmly her loss and new responsibilities, the unvoiced prayer of her
+heart was: "O God, help me; I cannot work alone; let me know what to do;
+help me to think and act aright, and strengthen my trembling faith, that
+whatever may come to me, I can say: 'God knows it is for the best.'"</p>
+
+<p>Even as she prayed, help came to her, for Olive could not sleep, and
+feeling assured that her mother was awake, had come noiselessly in, and
+now stood by her.</p>
+
+<p>"Mama, I cannot sleep either; let me stay with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Olive, my child, it is past midnight."</p>
+
+<p>"I know, mama," and as Olive spoke, she pushed a stool to her mother's
+feet, and sat down, for something in the voice assured her that she was
+welcome.</p>
+
+<p>"Why couldn't you sleep, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thinking," answered Olive, gravely. "And I wanted to talk to you, mama,
+when we could be quite alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you tell me about Mr. Congreve, please?"</p>
+
+<p>No curiosity prompted the question; that her mother knew; so, looking
+down into the grave, thoughtful face, she lowered her voice, and began:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Congreve took papa when he was left an orphan
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+at eight years old,
+and raised him, expecting to make him his heir, as he is very wealthy.
+When Mr. Congreve and my father were boys they were great friends; but
+in early manhood, had a bitter quarrel that has never been forgiven
+either side, and they have hated each other fiercely ever since. When
+Mr. Congreve found that his nephew was in love with his enemy's
+daughter, he was furious with anger, and my father also objected to the
+match, but not so bitterly and blind to reason, as his enemy. Your
+father was threatened, plead with, and sworn at; but while he remained
+firm to his intention of marrying me, he really loved his fiery uncle,
+and disliked to come out in open rebellion; but a final move of Mr.
+Congreve's was more than he could bear. He locked him up. Of course no
+man of age and reason could stand such an indignity as that, so, making
+his escape at night, he left without a word of any kind, and has never
+seen his uncle but once since. A little while after we were married, we
+received a letter from him, very short and bitter, saying that he could
+tread the path he had chosen unmolested; that we were no more to him
+than strangers, and that his new will left his property entire, to a
+cousin's child, Roger Ridley Congreve, his namesake. He says now, that
+when he saw papa's death in the paper, that he was touched by it, and
+that he has come to help us, though I don't see how he knows we need
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"I do, mama."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>
+"You, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mama." Olive's fingers were interlaced nervously and her eyes were
+flashing warmly as she lifted them from the low fire to her mother's
+face. "I know all about it, mama. Do you remember the night I talked
+with papa in the study about two months ago?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he told me a great deal that night about his business, that he
+never told you, because he said he did not want to worry you with it
+unless he had to; he had a note of six thousand to meet in sixty days,
+and he was trying every way to raise it without touching your money in
+the bank. He said if he could not pay it, the store would go, that the
+home was ours, and must never go for his debts. Just a few days ago a
+letter came, and he snatched it so eagerly, that I knew it was very
+important; it was very short, and when he finished reading it he laid
+his head down and groaned. He didn't know I was near, and I did not
+speak then, but that letter has haunted me ever since, and yesterday
+when you thought I was asleep, I was down at the store, and I found it
+in his private drawer. O mama, it was from Mr. Congreve, and so short
+and cruel, oh, so bitterly cruel, and I tore it all to shreds, and burnt
+it, and never meant to tell you, at least, not for awhile. He refused to
+loan papa a cent, and said he didn't care if he lost both business and
+home, and when I read it I believe I could almost have killed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+him.
+To-night when he came and gave me his card I threw it in his face, and
+told him I <em>hated</em> him!"</p>
+
+<p>"Olive! Olive!"</p>
+
+<p>"I did, I did, and I'm glad; I felt as if it would choke me to sleep
+with him in the house to-night, and I never want to look at him again. I
+would rather work my fingers off than ever have you take one penny of
+his money, or let him help us in any way," cried Olive, excitedly,
+almost forgetting the sleeping household in her energy.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering put her hand to her head, bewildered with the sudden news,
+and Olive saw, and comprehended the look of startled trouble that rested
+on her face.</p>
+
+<p>"We are very poor now, aren't we, mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, child, yes; indeed I am quite bewildered," exclaimed Mrs. Dering,
+anxiously. "Did you say sixty days, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mama, the time is out next Friday."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible? What shall we do!"</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't letting it go, the only thing we can do?" asked Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, but really I can hardly think, it all seems so sudden,"
+and truly her sad, troubled face echoed her words.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been thinking about it so long," said Olive, as though relieved
+to speak her thoughts. "The home is ours, and you have four thousand in
+the bank. It seems
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+to me a very little for seven people to live on, but
+we are all strong and well, and can work."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, all strong and well but Jean," and Mrs. Dering's eyes went
+wistfully to the little unconscious face resting on the pillow. "She
+will have to be so neglected in more ways than one, if home is broken up
+and every one's hands and work belonging to some one else."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," cried Olive, reproachfully. "How could I forget her! There's
+something more to think over, now."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must think no more to-night, dear, nor must I, or we will not
+be fit for to-morrow's work and thought. Go to bed, and remember, God
+will not send us more than we can bear; we must only do the best we can
+and all that is left, He will provide a way for us. Good night, dear."</p>
+
+<p>Next morning after breakfast, Mr. Congreve stood pulling his gloves on
+and eyeing the six girls from under his fierce, bushy brows, and there
+was something almost like amusement in the quizzical look as it swept
+from one face to the other.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever he thought, he put it into no words, but caught up his cane,
+then stooped down over Jean, lying on the lounge, and whispered
+something in her ear. It must have been something magical, indeed, for
+Jean got up, took her shawl and crutch, and walked with him down to the
+gate, and there the astonished girls, who all rushed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>
+to the window, saw
+them pause, and the old gentleman lifted Jean up on the post, put her
+shawl up over her head, and then began talking earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever!" cried Kittie, falling back at the amazing sight. "I
+thought she was afraid of him!"</p>
+
+<p>"She is the only one that he has looked at kindly," said Bea, with some
+indications of resentment in her voice. "Was he always so fierce and
+queer, mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"Always," answered Mrs. Dering, who was watching from another window.
+"He has a kind heart, but a most exceedingly violent temper, which he
+seems to have under no control.</p>
+
+<p>"If thwarted or vexed, he stops at nothing, but most always repents his
+rash acts as soon as they are committed, and, sometimes, if the humor so
+strikes him, there is nothing he will not do as reparation."</p>
+
+<p>Olive, understanding that this little explanation was especially for
+her, shut her lips tightly, whereupon Kate exclaimed, "You never looked
+at him when you were introduced, Olive, and if you could have seen the
+way he frowned and glared at you, you would have shook all over."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care how he looked, nor how much he frowned. I don't like him,
+and I wish he was back in Virginia."</p>
+
+<p>"If he isn't stingy as a miser, he'll give us something, and perhaps ask
+us to visit him," said Ernestine, who looked languid and pale from
+excessive and violent weeping, and really seemed to be the only one who
+was not trying to be cheerful for the others' sake.</p>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="the" id="the"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;">
+<img src="images/illus04.jpg" width="350" height="600" alt="The Old Gentleman lifted Jean up on the Post." title="" />
+<span class="caption">The Old Gentleman lifted Jean up on the Post.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+"I should like to see where papa lived when he was a boy, but I wouldn't
+care to have Mr. Congreve there," said Bea, who had that morning began
+being more womanly than usual by relieving mama of coffee-urn duties.</p>
+
+<p>"He's gone!" exclaimed Kittie, from the window. "Now for the secret!
+What did he say, Jean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not to tell," answered Jean, looking quite excited and rather pale,
+as she hurried in; then amazed them all again by hiding her face in Mrs.
+Dering's dress and bursting into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"What ever has he done?" cried Kat, bouncing excitedly out of her chair.
+"Was he cross?&mdash;or perhaps he pinched you or something."</p>
+
+<p>"No, he didn't," said Jean, trembling but smiling through her tears. "He
+was very good and kind, and didn't look near so cross as he did in here.
+He said that a great many years ago he had a little girl just like me,
+and he kissed me, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Did I ever!" cried Kat, quite carried away by curiosity. "And is that
+all that he said?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but I can't tell the rest, now, but he's going to bring me some
+candy and I'll give you all some."</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps it was because Mrs. Dering turned her head
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>
+away just then,
+finding control of her face impossible; or because Jean looked so
+pathetic, as she gave her little promise; at any rate, Ernestine broke
+into a quick sob, and the next moment they were all crying, while Kittie
+threw herself on the lounge, and hid her face, as though she never cared
+to show it again, and Kat followed her example in the rocking-chair.</p>
+
+<p>For several minutes the sound of weeping filled the room, then Mrs.
+Dering wiped her eyes and tried to steady her voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Children, do you think it would make papa happy to see us all so
+miserable and wretched?"</p>
+
+<p>Something in the voice hushed the sobs, and caught attention, except
+from Ernestine, who continued to cry wailingly.</p>
+
+<p>"If papa had gone to Europe, made a great fortune, and built a grand,
+beautiful home for us all to come to, would we all sit down and cry
+about it, and say it wasn't right?"</p>
+
+<p>Even Ernestine listened a little at this, and Kittie lifted her drenched
+face to look in amaze at her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think we would, but that our happiness would hardly wait for
+the time 'till we started to join him. Now, instead of going to any
+country to build us a home, he has gone home himself, to the beautiful
+glorious home that was waiting for him, and waits for us; and isn't it
+lovely to think how glad he'll be to see us when
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+we come, and it may
+not be long, either. I can almost imagine how happy he is to-night, and
+I should hate to feel that we made him sad by sitting here and crying,
+as though we regretted his perfect joy. We miss him sadly indeed, but it
+will make our time of waiting seem shorter, if we busy ourselves in
+doing what we know he would have approved and enjoyed, had he stayed
+with us. You, my girls, know how proud and fond he was of you; you know
+just which of your little faults grieved him, so work to overcome them,
+and try to become the noble, splendid women he always prayed you might
+be. As for me, I know how he always trusted me in raising our girls, and
+now that he has gone home, and left it all to me, don't you suppose it
+is a duty made doubly precious? None of us can complain of idle hands,
+and so with busy hearts we can find no time to complain and weep. Now
+let's go to our morning work, and all be as happy and cheerful as you
+can; just remember, God loves us so much that He has put some one who is
+dear to us all in our home above, so that we cannot forget it, even if
+we are tempted to do so."</p>
+
+<p>There was a general putting away of handkerchiefs, and many resolves
+written on the girlish faces, that were facing their first grief, and
+found it hard to do so with a patient faith. As they all left the room
+for morning duties, Bea lingered behind the others, and throwing her
+arms about her mother, looked up with full eyes
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>
+and a loving smile.
+"Mama, you are such a comfort; you talk about heaven and papa, as if
+they were just around the corner, and make me feel as if he knew, and
+was interested in all that we did, just as much as ever. I know what
+will make him the happiest, and that is for us to be just like you, for
+he did love and trust you so perfectly."</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+<a name="vii" id="vii"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>MR. CONGREVE SURPRISES HIMSELF AND EVERYBODY ELSE.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Mr. Congreve came back from his walk, which had been a very lengthy
+one, for he was much unsettled in mind, he came very slowly, and began
+an uneasy soliloquy as he neared the house.</p>
+
+<p>"How I just hate to go back there, I do; seven women,&mdash;God bless my
+soul! and I'll wager my best hat they're all crying like water-spouts,
+and haven't made my bed yet. I won't sit down in a room that isn't
+cleaned up, and bless my soul,&mdash;where's my snuff box? I'd sit out doors,
+sooner than be in the room where they're all sniffling, with the
+curtains pulled down, as if Robert's going into eternal bliss, was a
+thing to turn yourself into a wailing dungeon over;" and, ending his
+mutterings with a revengeful snap of the gate, he stamped fiercely up
+the walk, scattering the gravel right and left, and scaring a stray cat
+almost into fits, by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>
+the way he swung his cane at her. Something in the
+looks of the house when he glanced up, brought him to a sudden stand
+still. The blinds were all open, with the sun shining warmly on the
+glass, one window was thrown up, and through it came the merry whistle
+of a bird, giving forth a musical defiance to the coming of winter, and
+when Mr. Congreve rather slowly opened the front door, there met him a
+warm, cheery odor, and,&mdash;yes, actually; some one laughed upstairs! In
+the sitting-room a jolly fire leaped and shone in the shining grate, the
+piano stood open, the room was full of sunshine, and under Mr. Dering's
+large portrait, was a bracket, and there on it, a graceful little vase
+filled with pansys and a tea-rose, from Jean's little window garden in
+the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Congreve gave a surprised and emphatic "humph," and tramped away to
+his own room, which was in apple-pie order, then tramped back, without
+having seen any one but Huldah flying around on the back porch.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Jean came through the hall, and seeing him sitting there and
+frowning at the fire, as though trying to study out some new and
+astonishing puzzle, she stopped at the stairs to call,&mdash;"Mr. Congreve is
+here, mama."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! <em>Mr. Congreve</em>, if I ever, if I ever," exclaimed that gentleman,
+with some energy, and whirling about in his seat.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>
+"Come here, Jeanie; here's your candy."</p>
+
+<p>It really was quite astonishing how his voice could change when he spoke
+to her, and how his face brightened when she came in without hesitation
+and received the package with a pleased,&mdash;"Thank you, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare,&mdash;quite right, to be sure; but don't you know who I am,
+and what my name is?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, you're my papa's uncle, and your name is Mr. Congreve,"
+answered Jean, just a little startled at being lifted on to his knee,
+and having his arm around her.</p>
+
+<p>"So I am, to be sure; quite true; but if I'm your papa's uncle, I'm your
+great-uncle, and there isn't such an immense amount of difference; don't
+you suppose you had better call me Uncle Ridley, as he did?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I don't know, perhaps I had. I'll ask mama," answered Jean in
+earnest simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you do that, and tell her if she's not busy, I'd like to talk
+with her awhile. Do you remember what I said to you this morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm going to talk to her about it now."</p>
+
+<p>Jean slipped down in a hurry, and departed with her big bundle of candy,
+looking both pleased and frightened.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering came down in a moment, and not having entirely given up his
+imaginary widow, Mr. Congreve looked up in some trepidation to see if
+she was crying.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>
+But no; her face, though pale and sad, was perfectly
+tranquil, and her dress was cozy, comfortable brown.</p>
+
+<p>After a few remarks about his walk, and the attractions of Canfield,
+conversation sank into an uneasy pause, and for some unknown reason, Mr.
+Congreve grew as red as a lobster. He had expected when he came that all
+he would have to do would be to fill out a check for several thousand,
+assure the demonstrative widow that she should never want, graciously
+allow the children to call him Uncle Ridley, submit to be kissed at
+coming and going, then get out of the way, and confine his further
+acquaintance with them to the medium of occasional checks and a few
+letters, when,&mdash;well, did you ever!&mdash;here he sat, blushing like the most
+bashful lover in Christendom, and couldn't get up his courage to offer
+the widow help of any kind; had actually requested the youngest child to
+kiss, and call him Uncle Ridley, and was now entertaining an idea,
+which, had it been broached to him before leaving home, would have
+aroused his fiercest ridicule and amaze.</p>
+
+<p>"You know, perhaps," he began, with a preparatory and strengthening
+sniff of snuff, "that I heard from Robert, some days ago?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir, but I did not know it until last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" he remembered his first greeting, and looked at her sharply.
+"Perhaps you did not know until then, just how his affairs stood?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>
+"No, sir, I did not. Our daughter Olive was her father's book-keeper and
+confidante; she knew all; but with his ever thoughtful consideration, he
+hoped to settle his business difficulty without worrying me, and I did
+not know until after I left you last night, how deep had been his
+trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Olive,&mdash;hum, ha!" said Mr. Congreve, nodding decidedly, and really
+looking pleased. "She's the one that said she hated me last night; good!
+I'll wager my hat she saw my letter; I like her spunk; she's a thorough
+Congreve. Your oldest, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, she's quite a child in years, not yet sixteen."</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul! you don't say so; only fifteen, and a book-keeper,
+and shares her father's troubles, and flies like a tiger into a man's
+face who don't do to suit her!&mdash;hum!</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see her again. I should, indeed."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering could not restrain a smile at the utter amazement depicted
+in his face. He looked like a man who was undergoing a constant
+shower-bath, and didn't know what to make of it.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry," she said. "It grieves me that Olive has an
+exceedingly peculiar and unforgiving disposition. She was devoted to her
+father, and you are quite correct in your supposition that she saw your
+letter."</p>
+
+<p>"And consequently don't want to see any more of me,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>
+said Mr. Congreve,
+with a quick nod, and as Mrs. Dering made no denial, he got up, and
+seizing his cane, began to walk up and down the room, and Mrs. Dering
+watching his face, saw therein a struggle of some kind. In truth, he was
+turning over in his mind a confession, which his obstinate pride
+struggled against, but which a new, strange feeling, that told him he
+did not want this family's contempt and hatred, claimed and conquered.
+He stopped in his restless walk, and faced her suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been angry with my nephew for years, you know that, and you know
+my nature," he said sharply, all the more so to hide his feelings. "When
+I wrote that letter I meant every word of it, and as many more of the
+same kind, but some womanish weakness afterwards possessed me, and on
+the day that I heard of his death, I had a letter written to him,
+containing the check for six thousand."</p>
+
+<p>Knowing him, as she did, Mrs. Dering well understood the feelings
+attendant upon this confession, and her face softened wonderfully as she
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"I most regret, Mr. Congreve, that Robert did not live to know that you
+repented the cruel words that so grieved him. You know how proud and
+sensitive he was, and what a struggle it must have been to ask help of
+you. Your kindness, though too late, we all appreciate sincerely."</p>
+
+<p>"Too late? The time is not out."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+"But I shall let the store go. I have no sons, and I cannot have the
+care of it on my mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! May I ask what you intend to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. I have some money, four thousand in the bank, which will
+only be taken out in great necessity. As soon as possible, myself and
+children will begin to work. I am quite sure that I can secure a
+situation in the seminary three miles out of town, perhaps one also for
+Beatrice, my oldest daughter, and I hope before long to find something
+for the others."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Congreve opened his lips to speak, but was amazed beyond all
+comprehension, to find that he had no voice, he tried it again, then
+again, then broke abruptly into a hurried walk up and down the room, and
+flourished his scarlet handkerchief furiously.</p>
+
+<p>"It was very kind of you to undertake such a long tiresome journey for
+our sakes, Mr. Congreve," said Mrs. Dering, beginning to feel a strange
+sympathy for the old gentleman who could not hide how deeply he was
+moved.</p>
+
+<p>"Not half what I ought to do," sputtered the inconsistent old man. "I
+always want to help where I see it is so worthy. I am proud indeed, to
+see,&mdash;where's my snuff-box&mdash;that Robert's wife and daughters are so
+worthy of him; I&mdash;I&mdash;will you allow me to settle four thousand per annum
+on you and your children?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no; thank you so gratefully; but I could not, so
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+long as we are
+well; we can work and live quite comfortably, but if I am ever in
+trouble, if sickness drains our savings low, I will come to you gladly,
+and Robert will be so pleased."</p>
+
+<p>It was no use to try and hide a sniff, so Mr. Congreve made a savage
+thrust at his eyes and wiped them both, blew his nose long and
+earnestly, coughed several times without any apparent necessity, and
+then subsided into a chair.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are right, Elizabeth Dering, and I like you better for
+it, though,&mdash;God bless my soul!&mdash;to think of you and the little girls
+working for bread and butter, while I count my hundreds of thousands and
+lay up in ease and laziness. Why, it makes me feel as I never supposed I
+could feel over any sorrow or privation that might come to Daniel
+Lathrop's daughter. But you're not like your father, no, you're not, and
+I'm glad of it, and if I had it to do over again, I would not banish
+Robert for marrying you."</p>
+
+<p>If Mrs. Dering felt any resentment at the thrust against her father, she
+gave no evidence of it, but only thought with a quiet joy, mingled with
+a little longing, "If Robert was only here to hear him say it."</p>
+
+<p>"I want to make another offer to you," said Mr. Congreve, tapping his
+stick lightly on the floor, and keeping his eyes averted, "and before I
+make it, I want to ask that you do not decide too quick. Take all the
+time
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+you want, and whatever your decision will be, it will affect my
+happiness quite as much as it does yours."</p>
+
+<p>He stopped there, and looked at her closely, as though contemplating a
+possible refusal; then went on interrogatively:</p>
+
+<p>"You are going to work at something that will take all of your time,
+and, perhaps, keep you away from home; your daughters are going to work,
+such of them as are able, but, from my observation, there are three of
+them who can do nothing in a business line. Two of them, the twins, are
+strong and healthy and can look after themselves, but the third, Jean,
+what will you do with her?"</p>
+
+<p>"You have touched the point that constitutes my greatest worry and
+perplexity," answered Mrs. Dering, quite unconscious of the thoughts in
+his mind. "Jean is so delicate and frail that she requires constant
+attention; she is a child, and must be amused, and because of her
+affliction she can never be unattended. I have always taught her, and
+being fond of her books, she is much farther advanced than most children
+of her age, and I regret beyond all expression that she will have to
+fall behind now, she&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No, she won't," cried Mr. Congreve, who had been growing more excited
+as the speech progressed, and who now jumped out of his chair with every
+indication of breaking into a jig. "I assure you she won't, only let
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>
+me
+have her; she shall have the best governess and attendant that money can
+bring. Every luxury and comfort that can be thought of, every wish
+gratified as soon as expressed and I&mdash;I&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He was obliged to stop to get his breath, and grow a little more quiet,
+for Mrs. Dering was leaning back in her chair, quite white with amaze
+and contending emotions; so Mr. Congreve settled abruptly into a chair
+and smoothed his voice and manner down several degrees.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't mean to startle you," he continued. "I know it is sudden and,
+indeed, I am quite as astonished as you are; I am, indeed; but the
+moment I looked at the child last night, there was something in her face
+and manner, that reminded me so strongly of my own little Mabel, that my
+heart, old and dried up as it is, went right out to her. You know,
+Elizabeth Dering, how I loved my child. She would have been a woman now
+had she lived, but the Lord saw fit to take her, and&mdash;and&mdash;I&mdash;where's my
+snuff-box?&mdash;I suppose, of course, 'twas best; but here's your little
+one, yours and Robert's, afflicted like my little Mabel, and I am able
+to do everything by her that the sick and afflicted need. She shall
+travel, have the best of medical attention, and if the dear good Lord
+sees fit, perhaps she may be cured."</p>
+
+<p>His fierce gray eyes were completely softened and full of tears, and the
+way that scarlet handkerchief flew about would have puzzled the closest
+watcher, but Mrs. Dering
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+saw nothing, heard nothing but his last
+words:&mdash;"perhaps she may be cured." Almost unconsciously she stood up
+and held out her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Congreve, do you mean it, indeed?"</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul! mean it? Yes, I do, indeed. I do, with all my heart.
+I'll feel like there was something for me to live longer for, and it
+will put new, strong life into my dried-up old being, to see a child's
+sunny face around my quiet home and to know that it is for her good that
+I live. Ha! mean it? Yes, my dear madam; I should rather say I did mean
+it."</p>
+
+<p>It really seemed as though Mrs. Dering could not speak for the many
+emotions that oppressed her, but after one or two glances at her face,
+which caused the old gentleman to scout at the idea of her refusing, he
+exclaimed with a fatherly benignity which sat oddly on his crusty
+abruptness:</p>
+
+<p>"There, there, dear child, go right off up stairs and think about it.
+I'll just take a snooze right here by the fire, and then after awhile
+we'll talk again. I don't think the little girl will object. I said a
+few words to her this morning, and the idea pleased her, I am quite
+sure."</p>
+
+<p>So Mrs. Dering retired after a few inarticulate words of thanks or joy,
+and after taking a tremendous tiff of snuff with such haste that it
+nearly strangled him, Mr. Congreve settled into a comfortable, dreamy
+state, where a face, long since gone from his home, looked
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+out at him
+from the fire with a smile, and then beside it came another, sweet and
+patient, with soft eyes, and the two seemed to know each other, and as
+they smiled, the one that was now an angel faded slowly and left the
+other there looking at him with beseeching eyes.</p>
+
+<p>There was the greatest commotion up stairs when Mrs. Dering told the
+assembled girls of Mr. Congreve's proposition. Jean instantly hid her
+face and began to cry, and influenced by this, the girls instantly
+pounced upon Mr. Congreve, and declared it should not be.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you cry, dearie?" asked Mrs. Dering.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," answered Jean, somewhat bewildered, as she looked around
+on the indignant faces. "Because it seems so queer, I guess. I always
+thought I would be crooked, and have to go on a crutch, and Uncle
+Ridley,&mdash;he asked me to call him that,&mdash;says, perhaps, all the doctors
+can cure me, and&mdash;and it seems so good that I don't know how to be glad
+enough, so I just cry, you see."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody "saw," figuratively speaking, for actual sight was quite
+impossible with the quick sympathetic tears that sprang to every one's
+eyes. Opinions flew about like papers in the wind, and Mrs. Dering could
+not make herself heard in the babel of tongues.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait, girls, listen a moment," she exclaimed at last,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+and the
+commotion quieted, somewhat, to hear what she had to say.</p>
+
+<p>"You know," she began, drawing Jean to her side, "I have been telling
+you this morning how very differently we would have to live, now; it
+will take all of us, working hard, to keep home comfortable, for the
+expenses of a family of such size are very heavy. Since realizing this,
+I have prayed long and earnestly to know what was best to do about
+Jeanie, for if I can secure the position at the seminary, I can only
+come home twice a week, and in the meantime, I could not bear the worry
+of her being here alone with you girls, even though I know you would be
+faithful and careful of the trust. Now comes Mr. Congreve's offer, with
+the promise that she shall have every attention, care and luxury, and
+better than all, that she shall see eminent and skillful physicians,
+whom we could never afford. I feel as though it was God's answer to my
+prayer, and that it is wicked to hesitate a moment, however much we all
+love our little girl, and hate to have her go so far away."</p>
+
+<p>"But, oh, mama," cried Jean, with a sob of ecstatic joy and excitement,
+"just to think of my being straight and well, like Kittie and the rest!
+I would feel like I never could thank God and Uncle Ridley enough. Oh, I
+<em>may</em> go, mayn't I?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, darling, you shall go."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>
+So briefly was it settled.</p>
+
+<p>Everybody was in raptures excepting Olive. She frowned severely, and
+looked bitterly pained, but she said nothing until the rest had left the
+room, then she came to Mrs. Dering's side. "Oh, mama, are you really
+going to let her go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"How can you? Such a cruel, selfish, unfeeling&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, Olive."</p>
+
+<p>Olive did so instantly, and stood with her hands folded and eyes down,
+the very picture of bitter defiant distrust, and Mrs. Dering saw in an
+instant that any thing she might say in Mr. Congreve's behalf, would be
+wasted words, as Olive was fully prepared to misconstrue anything that
+the old gentleman might say or do. Nevertheless, she laid her hands on
+those tightly folded ones, and said gently: "Olive dear, we must be
+charitable and forgiving. Remember, Mr. Congreve is old and very
+peculiar; he always was, and one's peculiarities increase as they grow
+older. You heard what I said about him this morning, and you see he must
+be kind at heart, to have taken such a long journey, just for our
+sakes."</p>
+
+<p>Olive made no answer, and her mother sighed a little.</p>
+
+<p>"In regard to the estrangement between him and papa, I think he went to
+extremes, as hot passionate tempered people are apt to do; and yet, he
+is not wholly at fault, for I grieve very much to say, that in the
+quarrel
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+between my father and Mr. Congreve, father was much to blame;
+he did very wrong, and it was quite natural for Mr. Congreve to feel a
+violent hatred for all his family, and to object to his nephew marrying
+into it. That Mr. Congreve has many times repented his harsh treatment,
+I know to a certainty; but he is proud, as well as hasty, and pride in
+an old man is harder to battle with than in a young one. In speaking of
+papa a few minutes ago down stairs, he could not restrain the tears. He
+says he wrote that letter, and meant it, but that on the day he heard of
+papa's death, he had another letter, and the required check ready to
+send to him."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it!" interrupted Olive passionately. "If he did, he
+wrote it after he heard, just so as to tell you so."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my child!" exclaimed Mrs. Dering, sadly, "how your hasty,
+distrustful spirit grieves me. You cannot conceive of the misery it will
+cause you, when you are brought to face the world, where there is so
+much to distrust, and so much that must be overlooked and blindly
+believed in. Can't you allow for others, some of the pride, the wilful
+temper and bitter hastiness that you know so well what it is to battle
+against, when I tell you that the greatest point of difference between
+your own and your great-uncle's disposition, is, that he is as hasty one
+way as you are the other; can't you be more charitable to him?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>
+"Oh, mama! <em>I</em>, like <em>him</em>?" cried Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, except that when you are once angry or hurt, you nurse your
+pride, and repel every advance towards a reconciliation. Mr. Congreve is
+more generous; if he really sees he is wrong, he is as impulsive to mend
+as he was passionate to break. He is bitter and distrustful from a long
+and often sad and disappointed struggle with the world; you are bitter
+and distrustful&mdash;for what, my dear child, I never could imagine, for we
+all love you most tenderly, and in this grief and trouble which God has
+sent for some good reason, you have been an inexpressible comfort to us
+all."</p>
+
+<p>Olive withdrew her hand from her mother's clasp, and hurried away
+without a word. Mrs. Dering thought she was hurt, perhaps angry, and
+sighed deeply; but Olive had gone to hide her tears, and resolve to do
+differently, but all her resolves were made without asking for higher
+strength and help.</p>
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>
+<a name="viii" id="viii"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>ODDS AND ENDS.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">My</span> patience alive!" exclaimed Kittie, slamming the stove door open, and
+poking in among the ashes and cinders with wrathful haste, "if this
+abominable fire hasn't gone out; I never did in all my life! burnt up a
+bushel of kindling, too, dear me; water in the tea-kettle stone cold,
+not a blessed thing cooking; no more stuff in here to start the fire up,
+and Olive waiting for her breakfast this minute to go to the store, good
+<em>gracious</em>!" and having freed her mind, Kittie ran to the back stairs,
+jerked the door open, and shouted with much unseemly energy,&mdash;"Kathleen
+Dering!"</p>
+
+<p>"Just so; don't strain your lungs that much again, I'm coming, clear the
+track," responded Kat cheerfully, and came clattering down with her
+shoes unlaced, and her nose as red as a beet.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>
+"Bless the people, but isn't it cold, though. Whew! Jupiter Ammons! What
+a relief it is to say something when you're most friz. You don't look
+cheerful, sister mine."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care; it's your week to build the fire and mine to set the
+table, and I think you were real mean, to go to sleep again, when you
+know Olive has to have her breakfast at seven," grumbled Kittie, flying
+about distractedly, while Kat sat on the floor and whistled "Down in a
+coal-mine," as she laced her shoes.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the truth, my dear, melancholy like the present days. But you
+just skip into the dining-room and set your table, and I'll have a few
+words to say to this stove in private, if I don't freeze stiff
+beforehand;" and Kat jumped up briskly, having compromised on a lace
+with one shoe, by tying the strings about her ankle. "No kindling to
+begin with! Oh, this is bliss! Now for a trot to the woodshed," and away
+went Kat flying down the yard and back again in a minute with her arms
+full.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be late," said Olive, putting her head in the door, just as the
+fire began to snap with its new supply of kindling.</p>
+
+<p>"Sorry, but doing the best I can," answered Kat, pausing a minute to
+warm her numb fingers. "Can you get along on bread and coffee for this
+morning?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I'll have to," answered Olive, none too graciously, and shut
+the door again with a snap.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>
+"Cross-patch, draw the latch, sit at the fire and spin," sang Kat; then
+the door opened again, and Ernestine came in.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, how cold it is in here, and Bea hasn't got the sitting-room
+fire built either. I'd just as soon be out doors."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on, and let's see how long you'll stay," said Kat, shaking an egg
+into her coffee. "If the fires don't get along fast enough to suit you,
+pitch in and build one of them; there's piles of difference between that
+and standing around watching some one else."</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine chose to ignore the remark, and stood warming her fingers,
+while she contemplated the frosty window-pane.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day's lesson-day, so of course I hate it," she said, with an air of
+settled resignation. "I never thought I'd teach music, that's sure. I
+never was cut out for it, so neither the children, nor I, get along
+well. Is there anything I can do to help out here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, breakfast is ready; just trot the bread in to the table. I'll bring
+the butter, and the coffee will be done in a few minutes; that's all
+we've got for breakfast this morning," said Kat, vanishing down the
+cellar stairs.</p>
+
+<p>"I could eat two hundred and fifty griddle cakes, I know!" exclaimed
+Kittie, as they collected about the table, and Bea began rattling the
+cups, and the bread started around.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>
+"Come down a hundred and seventy-five," laughed Ernestine who had taken
+time, despite all depressing circumstances, to twist a rose-colored
+ribbon in her sunny hair. "I believe it's going to snow real hard; don't
+I wish those children wouldn't come to-day. You all can't imagine how
+horrible it is to teach music."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you have the easiest time of any of us," said Kittie.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to cook and wash dishes awhile," cried Kat.</p>
+
+<p>"Or keep the house," added Bea.</p>
+
+<p>"Or have to stay all day long in the dreariest store in town and keep
+books," echoed Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you loved to work so?" said Ernestine, in answer to this last
+comparison. "You're always preaching independence."</p>
+
+<p>"So I do," answered Olive, setting her cup down with crackable force. "I
+never would be idle, but I could choose more pleasant kind of work than
+sitting in Mr. Dane's office all day; it's the dreariest place I ever
+got into."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, anyhow, Christmas is coming," said Bea, nodding cheerfully over
+the coffee-urn.</p>
+
+<p>"More's the pity," said Kittie disconsolately. "We're not going to get
+anything; it'll be awful poky."</p>
+
+<p>"But mama'll be home for ten days; oh, bliss!"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+cried Kat, waving her
+teaspoon, and every cloudy face brightened. "Can't we give her
+something, girls?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how," said Ernestine. "It takes every cent we all earn to
+keep things going. Who ever thought we'd be so poor? Just think of last
+Christmas, how glorious!"</p>
+
+<p>Everybody remembered, and faces saddened again. How gay the house had
+been in evergreens! how mysterious the locked parlors, where all knew, a
+tree stood, branching up to the ceiling; how blissfully happy everybody
+had been during the two weeks when the world becomes one in spirit and
+truth, and the god of good-will wields the sceptre and wears the crown!
+Father had been with them, dear, unselfish, great-hearted papa, whose
+every exertion had been to make them all happy and whose dearest hope
+and prayer had been that his girls might be noble, splendid women, with
+pure, true hearts and the spirit of God therein.</p>
+
+<p>"Olive, will you bring some butter when you come home? This is the last
+drop," said Kittie, scraping the dish, and collecting the silver, after
+the meal was finished, as it was very soon, for breakfasts were hurried
+now-a-days.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; two pounds? That's the third time this month; our bill will be
+pretty big. If I'm very busy I will not be home to dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Sha'n't I fix some lunch for you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+"I haven't time to wait. Where's my rubbers?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. Kat, did you have Olive's rubbers last night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I don't know any more than Adam where I put them. Look in the
+closet, Olive, and I'll run up stairs and see," answered Kat, departing
+in haste.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I wish you would let my things alone," said Olive testily,
+throwing down her mittens and veil, and diving into the closet; the
+general closet, as it was called, where everything, from the kitchen
+stove-hook to the girls best Sunday-go-to-meeting bonnets, were apt to
+find a lodging at odd times. "I never can be on time," she muttered,
+slamming things around and comparing various odd rubbers. "This closet
+looks like a demented bedlam. I'd be ashamed, that's what I would."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't do everything," answered Bea in a hurry, feeling that the
+thrust was meant for her. "Because I'm housekeeper, it doesn't rest on
+me to keep everything in perfect order, when you all help to muss up."</p>
+
+<p>"It's like distraction without mama, anyhow," declared Kittie, departing
+for the kitchen, with her hands full of dishes, and scowling defiantly
+at the stove, where the fire was sizzling with a lazy sputter, while the
+dish-water taking advantage of the lull in heat, cooled at leisure.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+"Pretty near as bad without Huldah," was Ernestine's comment. "I'm
+nearly starved for a splendid good meal like we used to have, when we
+could eat all we wanted, and didn't have to think how much it cost, or
+worry with cooking it."</p>
+
+<p>"You do less than anybody towards getting it," said Olive, coming
+flushed and impatient from her vain search. "If Kat doesn't leave my
+things alone, I'll&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Let not your angry passions rise," cried Kat, coming in with a rubber
+whirling on each hand, and quoting her copy-book with cheerful disregard
+for any one's anger. "Here's your rubbers, my dear, and I found them
+right where I put them, on the end of our mantel-piece, where I put them
+in plain sight so as not to forget to bring them down this morning, as
+my prophetic soul felt a row in the air if they were not in sight at six
+and a half, sharp."</p>
+
+<p>"You talk like a lunatic," was Olive's sole response as she drew them
+on.</p>
+
+<p>"It's my only talent, dear," answered Kat cheerfully, beginning to work
+on the table, where she made the dishes rattle.</p>
+
+<p>Bea trailed slowly through the room with her broom and dust pan, and a
+rather discontented face. Olive tied on her veil and hurried away to her
+daily business; Ernestine went to practice a new piece 'till the first
+scholar should arrive; and Kittie and Kat were left to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>
+bliss of
+dish-washing and kitchen work. So began the day.</p>
+
+<p>This was several weeks after events last recorded, and all things in the
+Dering household had changed much.</p>
+
+<p>Jean had not gone to Virginia at once. Her wardrobe had needed complete
+repairing, and during the time so occupied, Mr. Congreve spent much of
+it in the city, sending therefrom various and beautiful things for Jean,
+and a dress for each of the girls, doing so without permission, knowing,
+that if asked, it would be refused him.</p>
+
+<p>Kittie and Kat had been withdrawn from school, and studied at home with
+the older girls. Their part of the work fell in the kitchen. With Mrs.
+Dering and Huldah for teachers, they had studied the easier branches of
+cooking, and the crooks and by-ways of that department of general work.
+They proved apt and merry pupils, and learned their tasks quite readily,
+so, that while the girls missed the wonderful dishes that Huldah had
+been able to "knock up," they were daily fed on very palatable food,
+considering the age and newness of the young cooks.</p>
+
+<p>Bea was chief housekeeper, kept an eye over general affairs, sat at the
+head of the table, and had commenced doing her hair in a most dignified
+way; filling with much girlish satisfaction, the position of "Miss
+Dering," and "lady of the house."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+Olive was book-keeper in Mr. Dane's store, and really more head of the
+family than Bea, as she kept all accounts, settled the bills, and was
+frequently consulted on some questionable matters, involving the home
+expenses. To Ernestine fell the easy lot of four pupils in music.</p>
+
+<p>Affording her no opportunities of display, or avenue for compliments or
+praise, she thought it very hard indeed, and found it bitterly
+uncongenial, to her ideas of independence, if, indeed, she had ever
+possessed any really tangible ones. She wanted to help, as a matter of
+course, especially as all the rest did; but such an ordinary,
+self-denying way was sadly distasteful to her, and she still had a
+vague, but pleasing, idea of becoming a great prima-donna and
+electrifying vast concourses of people, who would praise, admire, and
+pay her largely. Unfortunately, however, such positions do not lie
+around in wait, and invite some one to honor them with an acceptance;
+but, in spite of such a discouraging fact, Ernestine held tenaciously to
+her pleasing idea, and spent much time in thinking how delightful all
+things would be, when that time arrived.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering had secured the desired position in the seminary, three
+miles out of Canfield, and had a flourishing class in both music and
+languages. The stage came in twice a week after mail, and at these times
+the anxious mother made hurried trips home, and these few
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>
+hours were
+snatches of greatest joy and comfort to all parties, and especially
+comforting to the girls, who found the first few weeks of the new life
+very trying, and oftentimes discouraging.</p>
+
+<p>On the next Tuesday evening, when the stage came in, Mrs. Dering found a
+thick, tempting letter, with the Staunton post mark, and Jean's prim,
+childish hand writing. There had come several short letters from the
+little girl, who said she would wait until she saw everything about her
+new home before writing a very long letter to describe it; so it was
+evident now that the long letter had come, and with this extra joy for
+herself and the girls, Mrs. Dering hurried home, where everything was
+radiantly bright for her reception, and where the girls looked and felt
+as though care had rolled from them for the time, or was at least so
+lightened, that it seemed quite gone.</p>
+
+<p>They did not read the letter until after supper, and on the evenings
+when mother was with them, this meal was always a long one, for there
+was so much to talk about, and somehow it seemed so natural and old-time
+like, to linger about the table, that they invariably did so.</p>
+
+<p>After awhile they went into the sitting-room, leaving the dishes until
+later, when mama said they would all help; and seating themselves, with
+many smiles and nods of satisfaction, about the fire, prepared to hear
+all that Jean had to say about her new home.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="pr2"><em>Congreve Hall, Staunton, Virginia,<br />
+November, 29th, 18&mdash;.</em></p>
+
+<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">Dear precious Mama and Sisters</span>:</p>
+
+<p>"I promised to write you a long letter, and tell you all about
+Congreve Hall, as soon as I had seen everything about it, and
+felt well enough acquainted to tell it well. It is so beautiful
+and big that I hardly know how to begin; I do wish the girls
+could see it, especially Ernestine; she likes splendid, grand
+things so much.</p>
+
+<p>"We came out of Staunton, which is a lovely city, in a beautiful
+carriage, which was waiting for us at the train. It was a lovely
+day, and the sunshine was so warm that Uncle Ridley had the top
+all put back, so that I could see everything. The road was so
+wide and very smooth that the carriage just rolled along like we
+were on a floor, and the horses were such splendid big black
+ones, with harness all covered with shiny things, and they acted
+as if they were as proud as could be. The driver was dressed
+beautifully, nicer than the gentlemen dress at home for every
+day, and when I got into the carriage he lifted his tall hat,
+and called me 'Miss Dering.' It sounded so funny I pretty nearly
+laughed; but Uncle Ridley looked as if it was all right, so I
+thought perhaps I had better not.</p>
+
+<p>"Pretty soon we began to go up hill, and I thought we must have
+come very far because the horses went so fast; but we had only
+come half-way. The leaves had not fallen then, and the mountains
+reaching up so high, way ahead of us, did look like some
+beautiful pictures that we used to see when papa took us to the
+city with him. After awhile we came to a big gate, oh, so tall,
+and such high posts, with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+figures on top of them, holding big
+lamps with ever so many globes, and Uncle Ridley says some
+night, he will light them, so I can see how bright it makes it
+all around, and way down the road. We went through, and then the
+road began to wind around, and it was perfectly lovely; we went
+up and up, under the grandest trees, and after a little ways,
+there began to be statuary sitting around under them, and
+beautiful seats made like the limbs of trees, all twisted
+together. I saw a flight of stone steps, and they came up the
+hill from another gate, for people that walk, and they look as
+white as snow in the green grass. All of a sudden we turned
+around a big curve, and I just screamed right out; I was so
+surprised, and Uncle Ridley said that was Congreve Hall. Why,
+mama, it is big enough to be a hotel in the city, and ever so
+many people could go in the front door all at once, it is so
+wide, and such lovely marble steps go up to it. There are two
+big towers, and two funny little squatty ones, with a big stone
+railing around the top, and there are porches, terraces Uncle
+Ridley says they call them, all of stone. They go pretty near
+around the house, and then end in steps, broad ones, that make a
+big curve and come down to the ground. I think that's a mighty
+funny way to build them. The house is such a pretty grey color,
+and some places there is moss growing all over the sides, and
+there are ever so many vines too, that Uncle Ridley says would
+hold me up, they are so old and strong. Inside everything is so
+big and grand and dark, that I was afraid at first, and never
+went around anywhere unless uncle went with me; but I'm getting
+more used to it now, and like to hunt around, in the big rooms,
+and walk around in the splendid halls. My rooms, I have four you
+know, are all furnished so sweet in blue and white, with the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+dearest little easy chairs and sofas, and the cunningest little
+bed, with an angel on top holding the pretty curtains that come
+down all around. I just thought at first that I would want to
+stay in bed all the time. My maid has a little room just off my
+bath room, and she is such a funny girl. She combs my hair and
+dresses me, and all that, and talks all the time just like a
+monkey. Her name is Bettine, and she always calls me Miss Jean.
+My governess, Miss Serle, is such a dear, kind lady, and I'm
+going to study awful hard, so as to know lots and make you
+happy, dear mama, when I come home. Uncle Ridley is just the
+dearest, nicest, kindest uncle that ever lived, I'm sure. He is
+so good to me, and I love him like everything. Sometimes he
+tells me about Mabel, and then he takes out his big red
+handkerchief and cries; and I'm almost glad I'm lame so I can
+look like her, and make him happier. Mabel Congreve must have
+been a very sweet little girl, and very pretty; there are
+pictures of her all over the house, but the one in the library
+is the prettiest. She is all dressed in white, with such lovely
+yellow curls, and sitting in the very little blue velvet chair
+that I ride around in now. Uncle Ridley always sits in there,
+and I do believe he talks to her. I have all of her things,
+except her pony; he died, and mine is a new white one; such a
+darling, and I go to ride every pleasant day in her little
+buggy, with beautiful soft cushions and silk curtains. Her chair
+is on wheels, and I can ride all over the house by myself, or
+have Bettine draw me, whichever I want. All of her things are
+just as nice as new, because Uncle Ridley has been so careful of
+them. Yesterday he brought me her crutch, and said he wanted me
+to use it. It is such a shiny, beautiful black wood, with a
+silver rim and pad on the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>
+bottom, so it don't make any noise,
+and a soft top covered with blue velvet.</p>
+
+<p>"I always take my breakfast in my room, because Uncle Ridley
+does not get up until so late, and it would be very dreary in
+the big dining-room for me. After breakfast I take a ride either
+in the house or out, then play awhile, or do as I please until
+ten; then Miss Serle comes to my room, and my lessons last until
+twelve. Dinner is gloomy. There is a servant stands behind Uncle
+Ridley, and he is so tall and solemn looking in his white vest
+and necktie, that I don't feel comfortable at all. After dinner
+I play or ride until two o'clock, then I have my lessons and my
+music 'till four, and after that Miss Serle almost always reads
+to me awhile. I practice from five o'clock for a half an hour,
+then play 'till eight o'clock, and that is time for me to go to
+bed. Some days Uncle Ridley takes me into Staunton with him.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I have told you everything now that you asked me
+about, and I've tried hard to write a nice letter, because you
+were always so particular about it, I've looked in the
+dictionary for all the words I wasn't sure of, and I hope you
+will not find many mistakes. Do please, dear mama and girls,
+write me long, long letters, because I get so lonesome and
+homesick for you all. Every night when I say my prayers and ask
+God to take care of you all, I can hardly keep from crying, and
+sometimes I do, and then Bettine looks so sorry and most like
+she wanted to cry too.</p>
+
+<p>"The doctor that Uncle Ridley wants to have me see first, is
+very sick, you know I told you, but he is getting better, and
+perhaps I will not have to wait so long. Oh, my dear mama, I
+know you ask God to let me grow straight, but please ask
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+Him a
+very great many times, so that He will be quite sure to hear. I
+do.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going into Staunton with Uncle Ridley to put this in the
+office myself, so you will know it came right from me with a
+kiss on it.</p>
+
+<p class="nb">"Good-bye, my dear, darling mama and sisters,</p>
+
+<p class="pr3 nt nb">"Your own</p>
+<p class="pr4 nt">"JEANIE."</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>
+<a name="ix" id="ix"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br />
+<br />
+<small>WHAT OLIVE HEARD.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Dane</span> had closed his office at four o'clock. Nobody cared why he did
+so, and when he informed his book-keeper that she could go home, she
+never stopped to wonder why, but wiped her pens, straightened her desk,
+got into her wrappings and went, with her mind fixed on a certain
+picture that needed much that these two vacation hours could give.</p>
+
+<p>It was snowing very hard, great blinding flakes that came whirling
+defiantly into your eyes, nose, and mouth; almost preventing a necessary
+amount of sight and breath: and they had collected to such depth, that
+walking was a matter of much labor, and only a few plucky pedestrians
+were out to enliven the quiet shrouded streets. Olive plunged rapidly
+along with her head down and seemed more engrossed with her own
+thoughts, than with any contemplation of the weather, for she whisked
+the impudent
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>
+flakes aside and seemed to be looking down at something
+that was neither of earth, earthy, or of snow, snowy, but quite beyond
+the realm of either. She was scowling much the same as usual only in
+something of a puzzled way, that had less of the impatient dissatisfied
+tinge to it than was customary. In fact she was thinking of that last
+talk she had had with her mother, before Mr. Congreve went back to
+Virginia, when she had resolved in a vague hasty way, that she was going
+to do differently; and really, how little good, or change, had come from
+the resolution. She didn't think, to begin with, that she was any worse
+than the rest, or that she needed changing any more, but rather any
+thing, than be like Mr. Congreve! So she summed up all she knew of him,
+resolved on what was disagreeable, and began to model herself
+accordingly. So to begin with she was no longer so hasty or bitter, in
+speech I mean, for her inner-self was not touched, she only kept it all
+to herself now, instead of speaking it out as formerly, but if she
+thought herself changed there, she was the only one deceived, for our
+inner minds do not always require the aid of language to photograph
+themselves before the world. Next, instead of staying with the girls out
+of store hours, and running the risk of losing her temper, she held
+herself sternly aloof, always in the security of her own room, and at
+the end of a week was apt to say to herself with some satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"There, I surely have done well; haven't been mad
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+with any one this
+week, which is more than the other girls can say;" and there never came
+any thought that the sisters were hurt over her manner, for, indeed, she
+had worked herself up to the bitter belief, that they did not want her,
+she was so ugly, and so unlike them in all ways.</p>
+
+<p>Now what puzzled her was the girls. Here she had worked (yes, she
+thought she had worked), she certainly ought to be improved, and yet
+they seemed to think no more of her than before. Way down in Olive's
+heart, was a longing,&mdash;choked and starved, that was beginning to assert
+itself. When home held mother and father and everything that could make
+a girl contented, she had not felt, or rather, listened to it; she
+compelled herself to be without it; but now, when they were left alone,
+when their daily life and happiness was so utterly dependent upon each
+other, she began to realize how she was out of the loving circle that
+bound her sisters together, and what a gulf of her own make, seemed to
+lie between them. She stood beside it in frequent contemplation, but
+never recognized her own handiwork, so she eyed it bitterly, and thought
+them cruelly unkind.</p>
+
+<p>This was what she was thinking about as she plunged through the storm,
+looking like an animated snow-figure, so powdered was she; and regarding
+herself for a moment, Olive went round to the back door, so as to
+dispose of her ladened garments and brush off her shoes
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+This done, she
+went into the kitchen, where a warm atmosphere still lingered, and,
+preferring to be alone, sat down there, with her feet in the oven and
+her chin in her hands, and once more fell into a brown study. Only a few
+minutes later, Kittie came into the dining-room for something, and on
+going back, failed to close the door, so that the murmur of voices came
+quite distinctly out to the quiet kitchen. A discussion was warmly in
+progress, and in a minute Olive started out of her reverie at hearing
+her name spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the use? Olive knows, or ought to know better." It was
+Ernestine's voice.</p>
+
+<p>"But, mama says," interposed Bea, mildly persuasive, "that we don't try
+hard enough; we give up too soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Bother," cried Kat, "would she have us always playing the 'gentle
+sister, meek and mild,' and go whining about Olive as though her company
+was a great honor. I'm sure we had a season of always begging her to go
+with us, and didn't she snap us up like a rat-trap?"</p>
+
+<p>"She&mdash;well&mdash;she's very odd you know," said Bea, wondering if her quiver
+of defense would outlast the arrows of complaint.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, odd, as an odd shoe," laughed Kat with a yawn.</p>
+
+<p>"What did mama say to you, Bea?" asked Ernestine.</p>
+
+<p>"She said that Olive's greatest fault was being so
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+nasty and sensitive,
+and that because she was rather plain and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"She isn't," interrupted Kittie, with much energy. "I think she has
+beautiful eyes, if she just wouldn't scowl so much, and when she laughs
+her mouth and teeth are just as pretty, only she never laughs more'n
+once a month, so people don't know it. Not one of us has such lovely
+thick hair as she has, and if she just would wave or crimp it a little
+bit in front, I think&mdash;well, I think she would be real pretty." And
+overcome with this valuable earnest defence, Kittie sat down and looked
+complacent.</p>
+
+<p>"When I see Olive Dering crimping her hair, and laughing instead of
+scowling, I will look for the end of the world," said Ernestine, with
+some asperity, as she walked over to the glass and surveyed her own
+hair, which Kittie had intimated was inferior to Olive's. "She can't do
+it, she was made to frown and stay by herself and she better do it."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean it, Ernestine, you know you don't," said Bea, in a tone
+of calm conviction, and beginning to feel that the duties of elder
+sister imposed a warmer defense of this abused one, upon her. "I want to
+tell you how I feel, though it may be nothing as you all do. I really
+believe Olive thinks we do not want her, because, for so long time
+lately, we have just let her alone, and she always goes&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+"None of us ever receive a special invitation to join this circle,"
+interrupted Kat, briskly. "Why should she?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, but she is so strange," answered Bea, rather helplessly,
+but not giving up. "And because she is so, we have sort a' stayed
+together and let her alone. When we used to try to get her to go with
+us, I think she always refused, because she thought she was ugly, and we
+did not try long enough to overcome this feeling, and now she imagines
+we don't want her."</p>
+
+<p>"Stuff," persisted Kat, "I wouldn't act that way if I was as ugly as a
+wilted pumpkin and cross-eyed. What's the use?"</p>
+
+<p>"None," promptly responded Beatrice. "But if you were like her, very
+likely you'd feel as she does."</p>
+
+<p>"Catch me," laughed Kat, jumping up and making a scornful spin on her
+heel. "What do you say, Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I had my say a minute ago," answered Kittie, who was evidently thinking
+out something over the flames.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what makes her hate Uncle Ridley so?" was Ernestine's query,
+as she turned from the glass, having satisfied herself that Kittie was
+certainly wrong about Olive's hair.</p>
+
+<p>"I never could imagine," answered Bea, with evident curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"She won't call him, uncle, and the dress he sent her is in mama's room,
+and Olive says, she'll never wear it."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+"May be she would give it me," suggested Kat. "I think hers was prettier
+than any of the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't," said Ernestine, taking exceptions to this remark also.
+"Why hers is black?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm perfectly aware of that, also, that yours is purple, Bea's brown,
+mine and Kittie's grey; tell me something I don't know," said Kat
+flippantly. "I wish ours were black, it's so stylish."</p>
+
+<p>That black was more stylish than purple, was an idea quite beneath
+Ernestine's notice, so she went back to her former query.</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to know, anyhow, what makes Olive dislike him so." For
+Mrs. Dering had not thought it necessary that the girls should know of
+their father's final appeal, and Mr. Congreve's reception thereof; so
+they were all equally curious, and so, nobody being able to give an
+answer, Kat ventured an assertion.</p>
+
+<p>"She hates him just because it's a part of her religion to hate
+everybody, and, to go around with her fist doubled up ready to fight. I
+believe she'd hate us with a little trying."</p>
+
+<p>"Kat," cried Beatrice, with some severity. "You must not speak so, it is
+wrong, and you don't mean it Why, if any one else was to say such things
+about Olive, you'd pretty near fight."</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure I would," said Kat with ready inconsistency. "I truly think
+Olive is a trump, and I'd
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+cheerfully knock anybody down who said she
+wasn't. I don't know what we would have done without her in the trouble,
+and I do wish she wasn't so odd, and stayed away from us so."</p>
+
+<p>"She makes me think of a chestnut burr," said Kittie resorting to
+figurative comparisons. "There's lots of good in her, but she won't let
+any one get at it. If we try, she shuts up and gets prickly. I never
+thought much about it, until here lately, and then she was so splendid,
+and knew how to do everything; and, I begin to think that there is ever
+so much more to her than we think, even if she is queer, and don't seem
+to like us much."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I wouldn't worry so about her," interposed Ernestine, as though
+the subject wearied her. "She evidently don't like us excessively, or
+care about being with us, so leave her alone. Bea, come let's try our
+duet."</p>
+
+<p>Olive had sat perfectly still, and heard all this, quite unconscious
+that her feet were getting chilly in the cold oven, or that, perhaps,
+she should have notified them of her presence. She had a vague feeling,
+as of one trying hard to solve a problem, and pausing suddenly in her
+vain efforts, to listen to some one solving it for her. But surely they
+could not be right! Olive left her seat noiselessly, and went up the
+back stairs to her room. It was bitterly cold there, but she wrapped her
+shawl about her, and sat down by the window, where the fast falling
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+snow was almost hidden in a heavy wrap of early twilight. Olive did not
+often pray. To be sure she said her prayers every night, as properly and
+methodical as clockwork, and was very particular about always kneeling
+down, as though position could atone for any lacking earnestness; for
+she was just as apt to be thinking of her account-book, or Mr. Dane's
+last order, as of anything, in the hurried words that slid over her
+lips. Yes, she prayed in this way once in every twenty-four hours, but
+there never came to her any of those sudden, passionate appeals for help
+or strength, when the whole heart leaps to the lips, or pleads dumbly,
+in its great need. Notwithstanding all teachings to the point, it never
+really occurred to her that God had as quick and sympathetic an ear for
+a little prayer of few words over some trivial worry, given silently in
+the busy kitchen, or on the crowded street, as He had for those when she
+knelt down at night, and absently asked for her daily bread, and to
+forgive as she was forgiven, and then get properly into bed and
+refrained from speaking again, lest she spoilt the effect. At any rate,
+the first prayer that had ever sprung to her lips, with the suddenness
+of utter helplessness, came from them now, as she sat there, trying to
+think and battle with hasty conclusions that would spring up:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh God, please don't let me try to think it out alone, because I will
+get it all wrong if I do. If it is my
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+fault, make me feel it and know
+how to act, and don't let me be so odd, or whatever it is that makes me
+feel as I do."</p>
+
+<p>With the earnestness of the request, came a quiet feeling that she felt
+to be her answer, and all the time she sat there, which was until the
+supper-bell rang, she felt more contented than ever before with her
+thoughts. Not that God immediately took away her faults, and left her
+placid and quiet, with nothing to battle against, because He does not do
+that way; it can never be said to us: "Well done, good and faithful
+servant," if we've done nothing; and the battling with our faults and
+worries is just as much our work, as the successful doing of some great
+deed that may bring both God's pleasure and an earthly halo.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Dering came home on Friday evening, she was quick to note a
+change of some kind, not but what every one seemed the same at a quick
+observation, but, there was a something. Now don't think that any thing
+so unnatural and improbable had happened, as Olive being bereft of all
+faults, and suddenly clothed in the guise of a household angel, because
+there hadn't, there never does; but she had thought much, and Olive had
+a mind capable of more deep reasoning thought than most girls of
+fifteen; she stopped fighting herself with weapons solely of her own
+make, but sent many a little wordless prayer for a different feeling,
+and then she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
+found that it came more easily, and more completely
+triumphed over its enemy. To-night she had a little ribbon tied in her
+hair, only a small thing, but something unusual for Olive, and Mrs.
+Dering noticed that the bow at her throat was just of the same shade,
+also something unusual. Now over just this little thing, Olive had stood
+in silence, while two feelings within her held an argument:</p>
+
+<p>"What's the use," said one; "you're as ugly as fate, and the girls will
+laugh; besides if you go in the sitting-room after supper, they will say
+you just did it to make them say something."</p>
+
+<p>"No such thing," retorted the other, "You've no right to think such
+things, when they've given you no reason. Go on right down stairs, you
+know they want you, they said they did." And so she had gone down
+immediately,&mdash;perhaps she took a little pleasure in defying
+herself,&mdash;and though the girls saw the ribbons the moment she came in,
+no one said anything, for there came a feeling to each, that she would
+not want them spoken of.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering noticed also that when they were gathered in the
+sitting-room after supper, that instead of sitting off in the far corner
+of the lounge as usual, she had joined the circle about the table, and
+was busy on some worsted work.</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine was rocking idly with her pretty feet displayed on the fender,
+and her prettier hands clasped
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+above her head, in an attitude both
+graceful and becoming. She was surveying the group about the table,
+where all hands were busy, and all tongues going merrily, and more than
+once her eyes went from Olive's ribbon's to Olive's face, so changed
+under the effect of a smile. They were talking of father now, with their
+voices lowered a little, and looking up frequently to the large
+portrait, as if expecting him to answer, and she wondered a little, what
+could be the matter with Olive, that she talked so much more than usual.</p>
+
+<p>"A penny for your thoughts Ernestine," said Bea, in a pause that came
+presently.</p>
+
+<p>"I was just thinking how hard it was to be disappointed," answered
+Ernestine, as pathetically as though the whole world had grieved her in
+some way.</p>
+
+<p>"What's your disappointment! tell us," cried Kittie with interest; and
+everybody looked up expectant at the young lady who "had a
+disappointment."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I want to study with great masters and be a splendid wonderful
+singer, with the whole world at my feet, and sending me elegant
+presents," said Ernestine, who always liked to tell her little
+grievances or wants, and receive condolence or help.</p>
+
+<p>"What a modest desire," laughed Kat. "Hasn't some one else got a
+disappointment, because they can't sit on a gold throne and eat sauce
+made of pearls with a gold spoon?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+"I've got one," said Bea, with her head over her sewing. "I'd like to
+have mama stay home and be easy, and I'd like to have lots of pretty
+clothes and some real lace."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've got one," announced Kat briskly. "I don't like being poor. I
+hate pots and kettles worse than mad dogs. I would like a wheel-barrow
+full of butter-scotch every day and a pair of slippers with blue tops
+and French heels. I haven't got any talent, so I needn't worry about
+never being able to bring it out; it would scare me to death if I had
+one, because talented people are always expected to do something big.
+That's all, and I don't know really where the disappointment is, but I
+guess it's the butter-scotch and slippers. What's yours Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," answered Kittie, with a sigh and a glance at her hands.
+"I guess mine's having to wash dishes, and not having black eyes, and
+not being able to travel all over the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've got one too," said Olive, to every one's intense surprise,
+as they did not suppose that she was paying any attention to what they
+were saying, much less to join them. "I'd like to be as beautiful as the
+loveliest portrait ever seen, and be able to paint the grandest pictures
+in the world."</p>
+
+<p>Everyone was silent with astonishment. For Olive to express two wishes,
+and such exaggerated ones, before
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+them all, was something no one could
+fully appreciate who had not heard her repeatedly ridicule the same when
+uttered by the others.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering had been sewing and listening with a smile, but now she
+glanced up, met Olive's eyes, and the smile brightened warmly, and there
+was something in it that made Olive's heart feel happy and glad that she
+had made her little speech, though she had hesitated before doing so.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose anybody cares to hear about my disappointments," said
+Mrs. Dering, not looking as if she had any.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we do; I was just going to ask," exclaimed Kittie, moving closer.
+"I know you've got heaps, and they're not about clothes and
+butter-scotch, and eyes, and doing great things either. Now tell us
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see why I should have heaps," began Mrs. Dering, with a laugh.
+"Is it because I am so old, or do I look as though I had been weighted
+down with them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, no indeed; but didn't you ever have any, really?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, my dear girls, many; that at the time, perhaps seemed very
+hard and bitter; but I came through them, and have seen some happy,
+happy days where their shadow never fell. I tell you what would be a
+very bitter disappointment to me now, and that would be
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>
+to have my
+girls grow to womanhood, and each be discontented with her lot. I would
+feel as though all my love and labor had been in vain. It is my constant
+regret that I cannot give you each a complete and finished education,
+and supply home with all the comforts we love; but when I look at you
+now, all working so bravely, and receiving with so little complaint your
+rigid discipline, it makes me happy indeed, because I see in you, a
+womanly strength and character, that a life of ease, comfort, and few
+self-denials, could never have brought out clearly, and I know that God
+has chosen this way to make our girls the dear noble women we want them.
+I would that He had seen best to leave father with us, but He did not,
+so we must just feel that He still loves, and is interested in us, and
+have just as much thought for His approval as when <em>he</em> was with us.
+Now, about your disappointments;" and there she paused to glance around,
+but each young face was warm with interest, so she went on with her
+cheery smile:</p>
+
+<p>"Here Ernestine, to begin with, wants to conquer the world with song,
+and receive elegant presents. Dearie, to conquer the world, the great,
+many-faced world, one's head and heart must be capable and willing to
+assume any and every guise; to stoop to every form of policy that
+secures the fickle smile; to bend to all its freaks, until it is
+subject
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+to yours; and after you had done this, after you had spent your
+life's sweetest and purest years in studying the art of deceit and
+triumph, and had brought the beautiful wicked world to your feet, would
+you be quite happy? Could you ever be again the fresh, untouched, pure
+hearted creature that you are now? I'm afraid not, dear; and your
+warmest, greatest longing, would come back to home and girlhood, when
+you only knew the world's wickedness by hearsay, when you owed it
+nothing, and never heard its grasping cry for pay for its homage.</p>
+
+<p>"Bea wants pretty clothes, and regrets that mother must work. Quite
+natural, dear, we all love pretty clothes, and I hope some time we can
+have all we want, providing it does not become a chief and selfish
+desire. Mother loves to work for her girls, and only regrets that it
+must take her from them so much of the time, for the dearest light to a
+mother's life, the brightest cloud that receives that life's setting
+sun, is found in the circle of her children's faces. To go back to Bea,
+she wants some real lace; I hope she may have it some time; it is a
+beautiful and valuable addition to a lady's wardrobe. But I am quite
+sure that the face of my Beatrice could never look lovelier over a garb
+of rarest and most exquisite workmanship than it does to-night, over a
+pretty linen band, with its womanly thoughtfulness and care."</p>
+
+<p>Bea flushed joyfully, and bent lower over her sewing,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+while mother went
+on, with a glance at Kat's expectant face:</p>
+
+<p>"Next comes one of papa's 'boys' with such a hodgepodge of a
+disappointment, that I can hardly make out which part of it grieves her,
+or if any does. She don't like pots and kettles, but they often teach us
+unromantic but necessary lessons that fans and perfumery never could. A
+wheel-barrow per day of butter-scotch would soon leave her more than she
+could manage or desire, and slippers with satin tops and high heels,
+would only prove themselves useless and injurious. She also says she has
+no talent, but she has a rare and valuable one, that of making the best
+of all her little trials and grievances, of keeping her daily sunshine
+free from clouds, and making home happy with her cheerful, happy heart."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie gave her mother's hand a grateful squeeze, for praise given to
+either of the twins was dear to the other; and Kat sank out of her sight
+in her chair, quite overcome, and resolved heartily to cultivate her
+talent to the uttermost.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, our other 'boy,'" continued Mrs. Dering, smiling down into
+Kittie's upturned face, "wants black eyes, don't like dish-washing, and
+would like to travel. I wonder if she thinks I would give up these
+brave, true, trusty blue eyes, for all the black ones in the universe.
+They show what a warm, faithful heart lies within, a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>
+heart that shares
+its twin's talent for making sunshine out of shadows, and home happy
+with its laughter. A life without a dish-pan misses a good
+disciplinarian, and, sometimes, a teacher of patience; it's like pots
+and kettles&mdash;unpleasant but necessary, so the sooner we take hold, when
+we have it to handle, and the better the grace with which we handle it,
+just so much have we brought our rebellious likes and dislikes under
+control, and made the best of our duty. While you are getting ready to
+travel, dear, read the works of those who have travelled, have your mind
+fresh and ready to more heartily enjoy what others have seen and made
+immortal through the power of their pen, and if it is best that that
+pleasure should be given you, it will come at the right time.</p>
+
+<p>"Our Olive next. I wonder if she thinks that though her face was as
+exquisitely beautiful as the rarest picture ever painted, that it could
+be any more precious to our sight, than it is now; or if beauty of the
+loveliest type would be taken in exchange for the strong, earnest
+character and brave, true heart that is stamped in it. The most
+beautiful face may sometimes, by nature's indelible portrayer, reveal
+itself soulless in heart and mind; and the plainest face possess an
+irresistible charm, if it is allowed to interpret the emotions of a
+truly noble heart. I have no ambition that my little girl should paint
+the grandest pictures in the world, but I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
+hope before long to give her
+instructions in the art that she loves, and then I want her to use to
+the uttermost, the beautiful talent God has given her, and though it
+should fall far short of being the grandest picture, I should be very
+happy, and quite content."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering began folding up her sewing as she finished, and the girls
+did likewise, looking as though they had taken the little talk to heart
+and were thinking over it. Olive went out for her account-books and her
+face wore a happier look, than any one could remember seeing there
+lately. Before they got through examining and comparing accounts, the
+other girls said good-night and went up stairs, and when the last book
+was pushed aside, Mrs. Dering put her arm around Olive, who sat on the
+stool at her feet, and looked down at her with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I like this, dear," she said, touching the ribbons. "And you have made
+me so much happier to-night, by looking more happy, what is it dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, mama," answered Olive. "Only I came home early one day, when
+the girls didn't know it, and I heard them talking about me. They said
+how queer and odd I was, and how they felt hurt, because I always stayed
+away from them, and some more things, and mama, I was so amazed. I
+always thought they didn't want me, and I didn't know which way to
+believe and I,&mdash;I just asked God to help me; and I guess He did.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+It's
+terrible hard work, though I've only tried it a few days. I'm so ugly,
+and I've got such a dreadful temper, and always want to think the wrong
+way, but I notice that I really have been happier these few days; and
+mama, to-night, you&mdash;" Olive paused and looked up shyly, she did not
+often say such things and it cost something of a little effort to
+begin&mdash;"you looked so happy and I couldn't help but feel that it was
+because you were glad, and I really am going to try all the harder
+now."</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+<a name="x" id="x"></a>CHAPTER X.<br />
+<br />
+<small>THE LITTLE BLACK TRUNK.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Spring came, spirits and strength began to flag. Everything without
+was so alluring, that indoors and duties grew dreadfully monotonous and
+tiresome. Bea found that her sweeping and dusting fell terribly behind,
+because she spent so much time sitting in the window-sills, and standing
+in the doors, where the sunshine was so temptingly clear and warm, and
+from where the yard and trees, so rapidly budding out, could be enjoyed.
+Olive dreaded her close dark counting-room, but said little about it, in
+the belief that complaining wouldn't help. Ernestine's four scholars
+lessened to two, and as the days grew warmer she spent much of the time
+on the lounge, looking listless, and betraying little interest in
+anything.</p>
+
+<p>Kittie and Kat, found that snatching moments from work, to take a race
+down the yard, or gather some particular
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>
+cluster of fresh young
+blossoms, gave dish-water a chance to cool; or dust, left ready for
+taking up, to blow back to all corners of the room. Meals began to fall
+behind, but everybody was too warm and listless to eat much, or mind the
+tardiness. In short, everybody had the spring fever, but such ordinary
+complaint was not noticed, until, as the heat grew more debilitating,
+Bea said to her mother one evening, as they stood in the door, looking
+out into the soft still moonlight that lay so purely over the fresh
+early grass and blossoms:&mdash;"Mama, seems to me Ernestine is not well."</p>
+
+<p>Bea could not understand why her mother should start so, at such a
+slight intimation, or why her face should look so anxious as she turned
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"She lies down so much; it may be because the weather has turned warm so
+suddenly, but seems to me, she is so pale and quiet, and it is something
+so unusual, that I couldn't help but notice it; but then, may be, it's
+nothing after all."</p>
+
+<p>"Only the weather, I fancy," answered Mrs. Dering; but Bea saw that she
+looked uneasy, and that all that evening she watched Ernestine, who lay
+on the lounge, more lively than she had been for several days, with a
+sparkling light in her eyes, and a rich color in her face, that made her
+more beautiful than mother or sisters had ever seen her before. Bea
+watched her mother with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+some anxiety and no little curiosity. How sad
+and troubled her eyes looked, as they rested on Ernestine's radiant
+face, while every now and then a tremble seized her lips, even while she
+smiled at the continual merry nonsense that seemed to possess the girls
+that night.</p>
+
+<p>"Ernestine's going to run away," announced Kittie, presently, with some
+abruptness; but no one but Bea, who was on the alert, saw how her mother
+started, with a force that ran her needle clear under her thumb nail, or
+how excessively pale she was as she wiped off the little drops of blood.</p>
+
+<p>"That I am," laughed Ernestine gayly. "Some of these fine mornings I'll
+be gone, and you'll find a touching little note on my pin-cushion; and
+after I've earned piles of glory and money, I'll come back in an elegant
+carriage, and set you all up in luxury."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody laughed, and professed much impatience for the delightful time
+to arrive; but Mrs. Dering pushed her sewing aside with an impatient
+hand that trembled, and proposed that Ernestine sing for them, which she
+immediately did, with a bewildering bird-like witchery, that held them
+all entranced, and made the girls sigh more than once, that some of the
+flute-like tones had not been given to them, as their talent.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering's last look and words, when she left next morning, were for
+Ernestine, who looked languid
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+and pale in the sunshine, with all her
+radiant sparkle and color gone, and no sound or look of song about her
+lips; and after the hack had gone, and the girls returned to the house,
+Kat said to Kittie, with much resentment in her voice:</p>
+
+<p>"Ernestine always was the petted one in this family. Just see how
+anxious mama is about her having a little spring fever, and what an easy
+time she has, anyhow. Only two music scholars! I guess we've got the
+spring fever just as bad as she has, but we have to work just as hard as
+ever, and I don't think it is fair."</p>
+
+<p>And Kittie, notwithstanding she had some such thoughts herself, answered
+promptly:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose there's a reason of some kind, because you know Kat,
+mama never would do anything unfair. Perhaps she thinks Ernestine is
+more delicate than we are."</p>
+
+<p>"Delicate&mdash;fiddlesticks! I've three minds to believe it's because she's
+got such big brown eyes and yellow hair, and is so&mdash;well&mdash;so&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Ain't you ashamed," interrupted Kittie, slamming down her dishes. "To
+hint at such a thing, Kat Dering!"</p>
+
+<p>The very next evening that brought Mrs. Dering home, brought her with a
+proposition for Ernestine to go into the country for a week or two,
+giving her two pupils a vacation for that length of time. Perhaps it
+occurred
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>
+to each of the girls that they needed the rest just as much,
+if not a little more than Ernestine, and perhaps Mrs. Dering detected
+the look in their faces, for she sighed, and Bea discovered that the
+same sad look, only deepened and more anxious, lingered in her eyes; and
+to show her repentance for a moment's complaining thought, she entered
+heartily into Ernestine's selfish joy.</p>
+
+<p>"Just think how I will ride horseback," cried Ernestine, gayly. "I must
+fix out a habit some way, mama, and girls, you must let me have all your
+pretty things, because Mrs. Raymond's girls dress beautifully, and
+entertain a great deal."</p>
+
+<p>"But my dear," spoke her mother, "I am sending you out there to rest, to
+enjoy their lovely home, and to grow stronger on country air, not to
+frolic and waste all your strength."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama, what an idea!" laughed Ernestine. "Why, I'm not sick, I don't
+need rest, all I want is a little fun and something gay. Look at Bea;
+she's as pale as a little ghost; you might talk about sending her out to
+the country to be quiet, and drink milk, but not me. I don't need it."
+And Ernestine nodded gayly to her own radiant reflection in the glass
+opposite; then without waiting for any answer, jumped up and waltzed
+around the room.</p>
+
+<p>"What a blessing it is that Uncle Ridley gave us
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+the dresses. My purple
+is just as stylish as can be, only I do wish, mama, you'd have let me
+had a train to it; I'm so tall, and plenty old enough. Bea, will you let
+me have that pretty gilt butterfly that you fixed for your hair, and
+your gold cuff pins? I've lost one of mine, and they are always such an
+addition to one's dress. Olive, you never wore your new black kids much;
+let me take them, will you? mine look worn, and I do love nice gloves;
+they always mark a lady. And your new dress. I do need a black one
+dreadfully, and you say you never will wear yours, so you might just as
+well give it to me,&mdash;loan it, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"You may have it, for all I care," answered Olive. "But my gloves are
+one of the things that I cannot loan."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor the dress," said Mrs. Dering, quickly. "You have quite enough
+dresses, Ernestine, and besides, Olive's is from her Uncle Ridley, and
+she cannot give it away."</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine couldn't see any sense of having it lay upstairs in the
+drawer, though she did not say so; and privately thought that perhaps
+she could coax her mother around, since Olive was so willing. It proved
+quite a vain idea, however, though she made it her last request in the
+morning, before her mother left.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Ernestine, I spoke quite as decidedly the first time you asked me.
+Be all ready to go by this day week,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+you have not much sewing to do.
+Good-bye, once more, my girls; be careful of the lights, take good care
+of yourselves and do not get sick. Write to Jean to-morrow, a nice long
+letter and tell her everything. Good-bye."</p>
+
+<p>So she went away again, and nothing discouraged at her inability to
+secure Olive's dress, Ernestine danced gayly into the house and off to
+her room, to overlook, for the dozenth time, her little collection of
+trinkets, and to sing blithely over her dresses; for she did possess the
+spirit of coming down cheerfully to any thing inevitable excepting work,
+and then, perhaps, mama would relent at the final moment, when she saw
+how much a black dress was really needed.</p>
+
+<p>"It's as lonesome as a desert, and Ernestine is selfish as a pig,"
+declared Kittie, subsiding gloomily on to the stairs as the hack rattled
+out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Two solemn facts, but they won't wash the dishes," rejoined Kat,
+balancing over the bannisters, in a way that threatened immediate
+perpendicularity, with a change of base from what was customary.</p>
+
+<p>"I hate dishes and dish-pans and everything," exclaimed Kittie with much
+vehemence. "Any how, this is your week to wash, and mine to wipe; go
+along and get the old things ready, and I'll be out in a minute."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll change with you next week," said Beatrice turning from the door,
+where she had stood contemplatively. "You and Kat may tend to all the
+sweeping, and dusting,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+and keeping the house in order, and I'll do the
+kitchen work."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah, will you?" cried Kittie, flying up from her despondent
+attitude. "You're a jewel, Bea, shake hands."</p>
+
+<p>Bea surrendered her hand with some misgiving, rightfully conjecturing
+that it would receive a shake and twist of over-powering heartiness in
+the high tide of Kittie's spirits; and that young lady, having done her
+best to dislocate that useful member, rushed off to impart the news to
+Kat, and swing her dish rag jubilantly.</p>
+
+<p>The change of instruments, as the girls said, took place Monday morning.
+Bea awoke, to find her bed-posts ornamented variously, with a dish-pan,
+a flaunting rag and two scrupulously neat towels, while there was a
+sound of revelry in the lower hall, which would indicate that the twins
+were up, and at their new branch of work, with a vigor which novelty
+always imparts to labor. Not that there was anything so novel to a broom
+or dust-pan, but they were so tired of their work, that Bea's really
+seemed delightful and easy and much to be envied.</p>
+
+<p>"You must have been anxious to get to work," said that sister, coming
+down the stairs with her post ornaments, and interrupting a lively
+skirmish, where brooms flew around through the air, with a cheerful
+disregard for the swinging lamp, or any one's head.</p>
+
+<p>"Anxious to get through, you mean," laughed Kat, throwing down her
+weapon, and tumbling her dishevelled
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>
+hair into a net. "Hollo, Kittie,
+your corners are swept cleaner'n mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," answered Kittie complacently, and turning her broom right
+end up, in a spasm of housewifely care. "You better go to work and do
+yours over; that's in the bargain, isn't it, Bea?"</p>
+
+<p>"Work to be done well," said Bea, surveying Kat's corners with a
+critical eye. "And those are not clean; you've slipped right by them."</p>
+
+<p>"Just as well," asserted Kat, whisking her broom about and scattering
+the dust that disgraced a small corner over such extent of surface that
+it could not be noticed. "That's the way. What's the use of being so
+particular?"</p>
+
+<p>Bea shook her head and declared it wouldn't do, then gave to Kittie the
+overwhelming responsibility of keeping Kat straight, and departed for
+the kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>"Set the blind to lead the blind," laughed Kat, spinning about on her
+heels, and finishing up with a hearty hug for Kittie, and the penitent
+remark: "You are getting lots better than I, that's a fact; and I must
+begin to brush up and sober down, or I'll be the black sheep of the
+flock,&mdash;as if I wasn't always that. But you really are getting terrible
+good, Kittie; I've seen it for a long time and it makes me
+uncomfortable; spin around and be gay like you used to."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," laughed Kittie, then looked sober, and sat down upon the
+stairs suddenly. "I'm not good, Kat,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>
+it isn't that; I don't know how to
+be; but some way, I can't be as terribly wild and gay as I used to be,
+there seems to be so much more to think about now, and seems to me we
+ought to help think as much as the others, and besides, I don't think we
+ought to be so wild any more; why, Kat, we're in our teens!"</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose we are, dear me!" cried Kat, standing off and surveying her
+sister with a sort of vague alarm, "what ever is the matter with this
+family? Olive is getting so pleasant, and wears ribbons, and you're not
+going to be wild any more, and have gone to thinking; you'll both die
+next thing, good people always die; and anyhow, my fun's all up. I never
+can be gay if you sit around so solemn and goody-goody;" and Kat rumpled
+up her hair and looked desperate.</p>
+
+<p>"The idea, what a speech!" exclaimed Kittie, looking as if her new
+resolutions had received a shock. "As if I couldn't be sensible without
+being goody-goody, whatever that is. Pick up your broom and don't worry,
+my dear. I'll never die of being too good."</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, Kat looked forlorn all the rest of the day, and had spells
+of solemnly surveying Kittie, as though some wonderful change had taken
+place, and a pair of wings, or some equally astonishing thing might be
+the result. Next morning was as beautiful as a spring morning ever could
+be, and Kat took much comfort in the fact, that, in her haste to get out
+to the pond, Kittie flew
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+about the sitting-room in a hurry, whisked the
+dirt under the stove, didn't stop to dust, except a rapid skim over the
+top, left the piano shut, neglected to put fresh flowers under father's
+portrait, and shut the blinds so as to hide all defects under a
+comfortable shielding gloom. Kat looked on and felt relieved. Kittie
+wasn't going to be so dreadfully good and proper after all, and much
+consoled, Kat put on her hat, and dashed out to the pond, where Kittie
+was already sailing about, with her head still ornamented in a dust-cap.</p>
+
+<p>Bea had watched their early departure from the field of work, with some
+misgiving, and decided to go and take a view of the house as soon as she
+got the dishes put away, but just at that moment, the door bell rang;
+and dear me, what should she do? The twins were at the farthest end of
+the pond, yelling like bedlamites, Bea declared. Ernestine had finished
+her small share of work, then put on her cocked-up hat with a blue bow,
+and gone down town; so there was no one left to see to the door, and
+smoothing down her hair, Bea hurried through the hall with flushed
+cheeks and some anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>True to a prophetic feeling which possessed her, the opening of the door
+disclosed to view the last person to be desired, on that or any other
+morning: Miss Strong, a regular Dickensonian old maid.</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, sweet child!" she exclaimed, the moment Bea's dismayed
+face presented itself.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>
+"Good morning, Miss Strong; will you come in?"</p>
+
+<p>"Come in? Surely, dear. I want to see you all; and then I hear that you
+and your sisters are such model little housekeepers, and I think it is
+so lovely that you all, in your heart-rending afflictions, should bow so
+meekly beneath God's chastening rod, and put your shoulders to the
+wheel."</p>
+
+<p>Bea opened the sitting-room door in fear and trembling, and blinded by
+the spring sunshine, Miss Strong walked into the dark room, in her
+girlish, hasty way, and immediately stumbled over a footstool, and
+landed at full length on the lounge, with such force that she dropped
+her beaded reticule, and knocked her bonnet off.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am so sorry," cried Bea, running to pick up the things, and
+return them to the startled and scarlet-faced spinster. "I don't know
+why Kittie shut the blinds, she oughtn't to."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I should say she hadn't, I should, indeed," returned Miss Strong,
+putting on her bonnet with a jerk, and snapping her reticule. "It's a
+sinful shame, the way some people keep their houses dark as dungeons, to
+hide dirt and dust. I have heard that you were neat housekeepers, but I
+can't help having my opinion of people who shut out every speck of
+light, and trip up respectable people in this way."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Bea's face burned and burned, and her heart
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>
+throbbed faster as she
+went to the window, to open the blinds, feeling that her reputation was
+at stake, and that the first ray of light would kindle the faggots. Not
+a speck of dust, from the ceiling down, would escape Miss Strong's eagle
+eyes, and oh, how she would talk about it! Well, it was done; she threw
+them open, and turned around in the calmness of despair. The glaring
+sunshine came boldly in, and danced over the dusty table, over the top
+of the piano, where you might have written your name, right under the
+stove where the dirt lay thick, all around the corners, into Miss
+Strong's scornful, roving eyes, and into Bea's burning face. Miss Strong
+was angry. She never liked to be seen or heard under a disadvantage, and
+she surely had received an unreconcilable insult just now. Besides, she
+always went about seeking whom she might devour; she wore little
+spit-curls all over her sallow, wrinkled forehead, had a hooked nose, a
+long, sharp chin, a dried-apple mouth, and two fiercely bright eyes,
+that looked clear through you, and plainly indicated that she thought
+you all wrong, and at fault. Whenever she heard any one praised, she
+immediately set about finding a flaw somewhere, and heralded it to the
+world, as soon as found. She knew the Dering family were not as nice and
+worthy of praise and sympathy, as people seemed to think, and she had
+come this morning on purpose to find out, and then correct the deluded
+public mind. She was quite satisfied, and the "I-told-you-so"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+spirit
+was so jubilant within her, that she could hardly keep from flaunting it
+before Bea's distressed face. She satisfied herself, however, with
+looking at each dusty article with great care, brushing some imaginary
+specks from her dress, settling her bonnet, and asking abruptly:</p>
+
+<p>"How's your mother? I haven't long to stay."</p>
+
+<p>"She was quite well, thank you, the last time she was home," answered
+Bea, watching those eagle eyes in terror.</p>
+
+<p>"Umph! Pity she can't stay home," said Miss Strong, once more taking in
+the room with an unmistakable glance.</p>
+
+<p>"It's very lonely without her," assented Bea, catching sight of the
+wilted flowers under her father's portrait, and fervently hoping that
+her visitor's eye would not see them. But vain hope! Miss Strong's eyes
+went straight from the dirt under the stove up to the neglected vase,
+and she smiled in a way, that made Bea long to jump up and scream.</p>
+
+<p>"I have often wanted to see your father's portrait, and I have heard
+what beautiful flowers you always kept under it. So lovely!"</p>
+
+<p>"We do," answered Bea, with much dignity, and flashing a resentful
+glance at Miss Strong. "Papa loved flowers dearly, and we always love to
+have them under his picture; but Kittie must have been in a hurry, and
+forgotten it this morning."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+"In-deed," said Miss Strong slowly. "But excuse me, pray do, I wouldn't
+have spoken of it, but I supposed, of course, that this room had not
+been arranged for the day yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is very early," retorted Bea, stung quite out of her patient
+politeness; and Miss Strong got up immediately, shutting her mouth with
+a vicious snap.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure I wouldn't have called so early," she said shortly. "But I am
+soliciting for the Church Fund, and having heard how exceedingly
+generous and willing you all were to give to all such causes, I made my
+first call here, confident that it would yield me encouragement."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Bea colored violently again, remembering that she only had enough
+money to pay the grocery bill, due to-morrow, and yet Miss Strong had
+made her feel as though she must give something; every one would expect
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm very sorry," she said, slowly. "But I really cannot this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"In-deed," said Miss Strong again. "But then, people will be mistaken
+once in a while; I must bid you good morning, Miss Dering;" and out she
+stalked, before Bea could gain her breath.</p>
+
+<p>When Kittie and Kat came in from the pond a little while later, they
+found Bea, lying on the lounge and sobbing, with a despairing energy,
+that excited their liveliest alarm, and made all horrible things seem
+possible,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+from mother's death down to the breaking of the cherished
+family tea-pot. Bea told her story, but hadn't room to remonstrate, for
+the sobs that caught her breath; and the girls listened in grave alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"Who cares for old Polly Strong?" cried Kat, with defiant irreverence,
+and throwing her hat to the ceiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm sorry," cried Kittie, running to comfort the prostrate chief.
+"It's all my fault; Kat swept the parlor this morning and I cleaned in
+here. Oh, I am ashamed, and so sorry, Bea dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;well, I think it's too&mdash;too bad," sobbed Bea, uncomforted. "She
+talked so mean, and&mdash;and&mdash;she'll tell everybody that&mdash;that&mdash;I'm no
+housekeeper, and then&mdash;then, mama&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"If she does," interrupted Kat fiercely, "I'll tell every mortal man,
+woman and child, in turn, that she's a meddling old thing, if they don't
+know it already; and I'll tell them just the truth about this room,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>"It was horrible in me," sighed Kittie in great self-reproach. "And when
+you were so kind as to change, too. We'll go right back to the dishes,
+Bea, and not disgrace your work any more, and I'll go right to work and
+clean this room decent, so that everything will shine until you can see
+your face in it."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Ernestine's wardrobe was pretty near ready to go upon her
+visit. She had exercised her ingenuity
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+in making few things look their
+best and go a long way; and her selfishness in getting every available
+thing from the girls, without ever expressing a wish that they were
+going to share the pleasure; because, she reasoned in her mind, if they
+were going, she couldn't have all their pretty things, so better be
+still, than express an untruthful desire. On the day after the Strong
+visit, she came from down-town, and walked up to the house, very much as
+if she were a little ashamed to go in, but which she did, with an
+assumption of indifference, and came into the room where the girls were
+sitting.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got the last things," she said with a laugh, tinged with an
+uneasiness that no one noticed, and unwrapping a small parcel.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" asked Bea, glancing up with interest; then looked at the open
+paper, and did not say another word.</p>
+
+<p>Kittie and Kat did likewise, and in a moment Ernestine broke the silence
+with an impatient laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you all look so horrified at? It was my own money, I
+guess, and precious little at that."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you pay for them?" asked Bea gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"These&mdash;" Ernestine held up a pair of snowy kids, with three buttons&mdash;"I
+got for a dollar and a half, cheap, because one finger is a little
+soiled. This&mdash;" lifting a creamy tip, with pale blue shading&mdash;"was two
+dollars. Won't it look lovely in my black hat?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+"Yes, it will look lovely," said Bea slowly; she was really too
+astonished and hurt to say any more; but Kat cried out explosively:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh Ernestine Dering! you selfish, selfish, old&mdash;pig, you&mdash;" "Know mama
+wants shoes," interrupted Kittie, with her voice full of indignant
+tears. "And you heard her say the last time she was home, that she did
+not want to spend the money for them, and here you spend three dollars
+and a half for&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Things that I want," finished Ernestine, getting up and pushing her
+chair away. "I've worked hard, and I think I might spend a very little
+bit of my own money. You all don't seem to think so, and you're not very
+pleasant, so I'll just leave you until you are in a better humor."</p>
+
+<p>With that she went out, feeling really as though she were more aggrieved
+than aggressor, and stillness followed her departure.</p>
+
+<p>"She's worked hard?" cried Kittie at length, with indignant scorn. "Very
+hard; but mama hasn't, nor we haven't&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh don't, please," exclaimed Bea, bursting into tears. "Don't say
+anything, girls; I don't know what I hadn't rather have, than for mama
+to know that Ernestine would do such a thing. Oh, I wish she need never
+to know it."</p>
+
+<p>It did not take much thought to decide Ernestine, that she was much
+abused, and though her usually laggard
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+conscience insisted on being
+touched, she solaced it by putting the tip in her hat, and seeing how
+becoming it was, and by trying on the gloves, which were a perfect fit.
+Then putting them away, she stole off to the garret, to carry out a
+plan, made in secrecy&mdash;that of rummaging the packed trunks there, and
+perhaps finding something that could be turned into a party dress, which
+she was quite sure she would need. The garret was roomy and sunny, and
+all the rest of the afternoon, Ernestine comforted herself, and her
+abused feelings by hunting among the old trunks, and spinning many gay
+dreams, wherein she dwelt in luxury, and all that heart could wish. She
+had selected a pale green silk, and a fine soft lawn from her mother's
+put aside wardrobe, and her mind's eye saw herself most becomingly, and
+beautifully dressed in them&mdash;if mama would only consent.</p>
+
+<p>Over in the corner, something caught her eye presently, that she had
+never seen before. Only a small dark trunk with an air of secrecy about
+it; and something irresistibly took her right over to it, with her arm
+load of gay things.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what it is," she mused, fingering the lock curiously, and
+feeling so strange as she did so.</p>
+
+<p>"Go away!" something seemed to say imperatively; but she lingered, and
+fingered more curiously than ever the small key attached to a faded
+ribbon.</p>
+
+<p>"Go away! Go away!" seemed to come again that voice, and she felt it to
+her inmost soul; but the very realization of an inward warning against
+it, urged her on. She put the key in the lock,&mdash;and hesitated; turned it
+slowly,&mdash;and hesitated again; then broke into a nervous little laugh,
+and tossed the cover open.</p>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="now" id="now"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 351px;">
+<img src="images/illus05.jpg" width="351" height="600" alt="&quot;Now let&#39;s see what&#39;s in this Wonderful Trunk.&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;Now let&#39;s see what&#39;s in this Wonderful Trunk.&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+"Why I'm as cold as ice, what a goose! Now let's see what's in this
+wonderful trunk to make me feel so funny; something splendid I guess,
+but I couldn't help opening it, I really couldn't,&mdash;oh dear!"</p>
+
+<p>It was of disappointment, for there was nothing there but a queer old
+basket, a pillow, with a plain little slip, and a worn faded letter on
+top.</p>
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+<a name="xi" id="xi"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br />
+<br />
+<small>WHERE IS ERNESTINE?</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> odor of hot cakes brought everybody in a hurry, when Kat opened the
+dining-room door, and shouted, "supper!" as though she was a pop-gun and
+the single word a deadly fire, and everybody had fallen to work at
+demolishing the pile of aforesaid cakes, before Bea looked up suddenly
+and asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Ernestine?"</p>
+
+<p>Nobody knew, but Kat ventured, that perhaps she was going to supper it,
+on gloves and feathers.</p>
+
+<p>"You better call again, Kat, perhaps she didn't hear."</p>
+
+<p>So Kat rushed to the door, and shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Er-nes-tin-e-e, cakes are getting cold," with an amount of energy and
+noise that might have reached that young lady, had she been sitting on
+the top-most round of the farthest chimney; but there was no response
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>
+of any kind, neither was there any indications of a light up stairs, so
+Kat went back, remarking, as she again fell to work:</p>
+
+<p>"She's put on her new toggery, most likely, and gone somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"But where should she go?" asked Bea with a strange uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p>"Anywhere, just so people see her new things, and say how pretty she
+looks," answered Kat, who was not uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>So they eat supper and waited; but no appearance of the delinquent. The
+twins began to clear up, putting a good supply in the oven to keep warm;
+but the dishes were through with, and all put away, and no Ernestine.
+Kittie began to feel anxious and worried, but Kat made fun of her,
+though she herself began to grow more quiet, as the evening went on.
+Eight. Nine. No Ernestine. What should they do?</p>
+
+<p>Bea sprang up from her seat at the window, all in a pale tremor.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot stand it. Oh, Olive, what shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I don't know," said Olive, putting down the book in which she had
+read nothing. "Have you looked for her hat and cloak?"</p>
+
+<p>No. No one had. So they all rushed up stairs, as though it required five
+pairs of eyes to discover a hat and cloak, which was found lying on the
+bed, just
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>
+as she had thrown them on coming up stairs. Bea went to her
+boxes, with a vague idea that the gloves and feather were in some way
+connected with the mystery; but they were put away with greatest
+possible care, and Kat, who always did the absurd things in hasty
+moments, reported that all her clothes and dresses were in their places,
+so she couldn't have gone away.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not; there's no place for her to go to," answered Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Dane's, perhaps," suggested Kittie.</p>
+
+<p>This was plausible.</p>
+
+<p>"But what would she go for?" asked Bea in a moment. "And without any hat
+or shawl, and stay so late?"</p>
+
+<p>Nobody knew, and all looked irresolute and anxious.</p>
+
+<p>"Her blue shawl is gone," exclaimed Kat, in the midst of her second
+rummage in the closet; for what, no one knew, since it was impossible
+for Ernestine to be hanging over a hook; or settled in one of her
+pockets. "And her straw hat!"</p>
+
+<p>At that, all five dived into the closet, with no clearly defined
+purpose, but it seemed the only thing to do just then; and in the
+scramble that followed, the missing straw hat was found on the floor,
+but no blue shawl kept its company. They all took hold of it in turn,
+looking at it solemnly, and turning it over and over, as though it
+possessed the secret of its missing mistress. But if it knew, it kept
+its knowledge, and only flapped its ribbons
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>
+in feeble protest at being
+twisted about so. No one said any thing, until Bea discovered two long
+golden hairs clinging to the straw, then she threw it down, and burst
+into tears. Everybody looked aghast, and Bea cried out between her sobs:</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it&mdash;indeed&mdash;I feel as if something dreadful had
+happened&mdash;and I'm so frightened."</p>
+
+<p>Just then the clock struck ten, such slow solemn strokes, echoing
+through the still house, and everybody shivered drearily, and looked
+fearfully out into the dark hall; wishing, oh, how fervently, that
+mother was home. Bea stopped crying with a great effort, and seemed to
+feel that she must do something&mdash;but what? She looked at the girls in
+anxious inquiry. Kittie and Kat were sitting on the bed, trembling and
+frightened. Olive was so dreadfully pale and still; and Beatrice was
+nearly at her wits end.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps&mdash;perhaps&mdash;" ventured Kittie, looking around as though her voice
+frightened her: "she may be trying to frighten us; you know we were a
+little fussy when she came up stairs this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>Nobody seemed to think so, it might be a rather good joke, but Ernestine
+wouldn't keep it up until ten o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's look in the rooms and then go down stairs, said Olive taking up
+the light. Perhaps she has gone to Mrs. Dane's after all, and is staying
+late to frighten us,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>
+as Kittie says. Come on, and when she comes, don't
+pretend to be surprised or a bit scared."</p>
+
+<p>This being Olive's first suggestion, it was received as bearing some
+weight, as indeed suggestions and advice always are when they come from
+people who do not always have them at tongue's end, ready for all, or
+any occasions. A little brighter feeling dawned upon the forlorn group,
+as they went to the twin's and Olive's rooms, without finding any trace,
+and then returned to the sitting-room. Bea half hoped and expected that
+they would find Ernestine sitting by the fire, full of laugh, and ready
+to tease them on their fright and search; but she was disappointed, for
+the room was dreary and lonely, the light wood fire having died of
+neglect; and everything looked unutterably forlorn to their anxious
+eyes. In an ominous silence all four sat down on the lounge, closely
+huddled together, and tried to talk; but it was a vain attempt. It
+seemed impossible to bring any voice low enough so as that it did not
+sound like a trumpet in the painful stillness of the house; every one
+jumped when any one spoke, so by and by, they were perfectly still,
+while the clock ticked so loudly and every moment brought a deeper fear
+and trembling anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>Eleven! Twelve!</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go to bed," whispered Olive. Somehow it seemed that whispering
+was the only admissible thing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>
+then. "See, the lamp was not filled fresh
+to-day, and it's burning down; we'll be in the dark in a few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm so afraid," quavered Kat. "Let's all sleep together."</p>
+
+<p>No one seemed to object, for really it was something to chill even a
+brave heart. Those four girls alone in the great still house at
+midnight, with the terrible fear at their hearts, and their wildest
+imagination in full play. They went up stairs as softly as though
+Ernestine lay dead in the house; and all went with their eyes shut
+except Olive, who carried the lamp, and even she kept her eyes away from
+everything save right where she walked. No one had cried yet but Bea; so
+when they knelt about the bed for prayer, each one broke down, and they
+finally dropped asleep, sobbing softly, with their arms about each
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Morning came, with the brightest of sunshine, and put a more cheerful
+face upon things, as daylight always does. The girls jumped up merrily,
+quite convinced that it was all a joke, and that they were foolish to
+have been so frightened. Ernestine had gone to Mrs. Dane's and stayed
+all night; she would be home pretty soon and they would all have a good
+laugh over it. So they thought, and flew about lively with their work;
+but breakfast was over and cleaned up, the house was all in order, and
+the day fairly begun; still no Ernestine had arrived, and Olive had not
+gone.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>
+"Seems to me, I can't go until we know something," she said, standing in
+the door and looking down the street. "I will be home to dinner, and
+surely she will be here by that time."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, of course," said Bea, feeling last night's fear beginning
+to tug at her heart again.</p>
+
+<p>"Seems to me nothing could happen with a morning so lovely as this,"
+said Kittie, looking anxious and sleepy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose I must go," said Olive at last. "I'm an hour late now,
+and I don't know what to tell Mr. Dane; but then, it's the first time
+I've ever been tardy, so he may not speak of it."</p>
+
+<p>"If she comes pretty soon, I'll trot down and tell you," volunteered
+Kat, who was stretching on the stairs, and pretty near strangling with a
+succession of gasps.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Olive, going out reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>Morning went slowly and heavily; the girls tried to study as usual, but
+found it impossible. There was only one thought in their minds;
+Ernestine! Ernestine! where was she?</p>
+
+<p>"Kittie," said Bea, when it was nearly noon, "Olive is so tired, I
+expect, being worried and up so late, and then bothering over her
+business this morning, suppose you take her dinner down to her, and then
+go round by Mrs. Dane's?"</p>
+
+<p>"All right," answered Kittie, glad of something to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>
+work off her
+feverish impatience. "You fix the basket, while I run up stairs and get
+ready; it will only take me a minute."</p>
+
+<p>Olive was sitting at her desk, very pale and tired, when Kittie came in.
+She looked up eagerly, but in a glance, each saw that the other knew
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"I brought your dinner," said Kittie, putting down the basket,
+"because&mdash;she hasn't come, and we thought you'd be so tired."</p>
+
+<p>"I am, and so much obliged," answered Olive, with a grateful smile,
+thinking, as she put the lunch aside, how kind it was, for Kittie was
+tired too; and thinking also, that a few weeks ago they wouldn't have
+done so; but that had been much her own fault, she was quite convinced
+of it now.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Dane went to the city on this morning's train," she said in a
+moment, "so I have not seen him."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going there," answered Kittie. "Mrs. Dane's, I mean. If Ernestine
+is there, I'll come back by here and tell you, and if I don't come
+you'll know that I haven't heard anything."</p>
+
+<p>They both felt that nothing would be heard, but each said good-bye
+cheerfully, and Kittie hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dane was a dear, motherly-hearted lady who had no children of her
+own, and consequently felt a warm interest in any one's else. She had
+kept a watchful, loving eye on the Dering girls, especially, since
+their
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>
+troubles, going to see them frequently, and dropping much comfort
+and encouragement in all that she said and did. When she saw Kittie
+coming, she met her at the door, with a warm, cheery smile and inquired
+gayly:</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, my dear; what is going to happen that you are without
+your mate? and which one are you?"</p>
+
+<p>Kittie laughed as she went up the neat little walk, with early violets
+blooming either side, but Mrs. Dane noticed that she looked anxiously
+beyond her, into the house, and that her face was pale and worried,
+something unheard of, for either of the twins.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm Kittie, and Kat was too busy to come," answered Kittie, as they
+went in, and she wondered what she should say next.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks strange to ever see you without each other," said Mrs. Dane,
+detecting an uneasiness. "All well at home, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes'm, pretty well, except spring fever."</p>
+
+<p>"I saw Ernestine down town yesterday afternoon, and I thought she looked
+quite pale, but very pretty," continued Mrs. Dane.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes'm," said Kittie again, with her heart jumping into her throat.
+"Mama is going to have her go out to Mrs. Raymond's for two weeks. Has
+she been by here this morning?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span>
+"Not that I have seen. I should think it a very good plan for her to be
+in the country a while, if she will only be quiet; the Raymond home is a
+very lovely one. I notice here lately that she coughs a good deal."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes'm," answered Kittie, guiltily conscious that she hadn't noticed it.
+"I hope it isn't much though."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing more than a spring cold, I fancy; you must all be very careful.
+Now, my dear, take off your hat, and stay to dinner with me. I'm all
+alone, to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to; thank you, Mrs. Dane, but Bea will be expecting me
+home, and I guess I had better go," said Kittie, so intensely
+disappointed with her call that she could hardly keep the tears back. So
+she went, and Mrs. Dane soliloquized, as she recalled the troubled face.
+"Something the matter, I am quite positive; and those poor, dear, brave
+little girls all alone. I shall go over this evening and see if I am
+needed."</p>
+
+<p>Kat was at the gate, and started out the moment she saw Kittie coming,
+to meet her. She was quite as ashy colored as ever brown-faced,
+rosy-cheeked Kat could be, and she was trembling as with a fit of ague,
+and as Kittie saw her, the question died on her lips, and she could only
+look her fear, as Kat burst forth:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"She hasn't come&mdash;don't know anything about her; but Bea went up in the
+garret this morning to open the windows, and ever since she came down,
+she's been crying and pretty near fainted; won't tell me anything,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>
+and
+I thought you never would come. What <em>shall</em> we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know; why didn't I tell Mrs. Dane? I felt as if I ought
+to," cried Kittie, standing still in despair for a moment; then pulling
+off her hat and shawl, she put them on her sister in a hurry.</p>
+
+<p>"There, Kat, run; I'm so tired, you can go the fastest; go to Mr.
+Phillips, ask him to take Prince and go for mama, quick;" and, without a
+second thought, Kat dashed down the street at her most breathless flying
+speed, not caring who saw, or what they thought, and feeling as though
+she had done the right thing. Kittie hurried into the house; she was
+alarmed, indeed, at the violence of Bea's crying, and after trying in
+vain to find some cause, or give some comfort, gave up in despair.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't ask me," Bea would cry, when questioned. "I can't tell! Oh, if
+mama was only here! What shall I do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've sent for her!" exclaimed Kittie, with a great sigh of relief. "Kat
+has gone now to ask Mr. Phillips, and she'll be here this afternoon, I
+know."</p>
+
+<p>Bea looked up for an instant, with a flash of relief in her face, then
+burst out again, crying more bitterly than ever, and with a vehemence
+that shook her from head to foot.</p>
+
+<p>"What ever can it be?" thought Kittie, flying up stairs, and off to the
+garret in desperation; but,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span>
+pausing as she reached the door, and
+shaking with a sudden terror. What if Ernestine should be in there dead,
+or something? She shook and hesitated, but finally opened the door, for
+Kittie was brave, and looked in!</p>
+
+<p>Nothing seemed to be the matter. The sunshine came warmly in at the
+windows and illumined every corner. The little black trunk stood there,
+but it was closed, and she did not notice it, though she went all
+around, and amazed to find nothing out of place. Over in an unused
+corner, for the garret was very large, stood a big dry-goods box that
+Mr. Dering had long kept some things packed in, but on the very day
+before his sudden death, he had been up in the garret, unnailed the
+heavy cover, and gone to the bottom for some things that he wanted, and
+then hurried away, intending to repack, and nail up, on his return; but
+in the little act, was a mighty working of Providence, or fate; the box
+had remained just so, with its dislodged contents at its side, the
+little black trunk among them, and the garret having been rarely entered
+during the winter, it had not been noticed or remedied.</p>
+
+<p>Kittie, happening to glance that way, saw it; and with a vague idea that
+Ernestine might be in the box, went over to it, pushed the little black
+trunk nearer, and stood on it to look in; but saw only a confused lot of
+things, tumbled up in her father's haste, and so
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>
+she got down, and left
+the garret slowly, more perplexed and bewildered than ever.</p>
+
+<p>As she went down the stairs, she heard, she surely heard an unmistakable
+moan, that stopped her in an instant, and made her heart beat fast and
+loud with terror; and as she stood and listened, it came again, and it
+did not come from the garret either.</p>
+
+<p>As I said, Kittie was brave. Kat would have torn wildly down stairs, and
+declared that the house was haunted; but she stood there, quite still,
+until that feeble moan came again; then with a thought as quick as
+lightning, she cleared the remaining steps with one jump, flew across
+the hall, and into the spare room!</p>
+
+<p>There, at last, after all these hours of painful anxiety and fright,
+there, so near, that by simply opening an unused door, they would have
+found her&mdash;lay Ernestine.</p>
+
+<p>As Kittie burst into the room, Ernestine tossed her arms above her head,
+and uttered that feeble moan again; and too astonished to utter a word
+of any kind, Kittie saw that she was unconscious, that her face was
+scarlet with fever, and that the dazed, wide open eyes recognized
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>She never exactly remembered how she got down stairs, and told Bea; or
+how it happened that Kat was with them when they went back; she only
+knew that Bea threw down her handkerchief, and worked swift
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>
+and silent,
+that she helped, and that Kat flew off again to bring Mrs. Dane, and was
+back in just a moment, for that lady, being so forcibly impressed with
+an idea that something was wrong, had started over, and met Kat just a
+few minutes after she came tearing out of the gate.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take long to get Ernestine into her own bed, to bathe her
+burning hands and face, and smooth her tangled hair, that lay all over
+the pillow like stray sun-beams. She submitted passively to all of it,
+and appeared to notice no one, except now and then to turn her eyes to
+Mrs. Dane, with a puzzled, pleading look, and mutter with a wistful
+longing: "It isn't so, is it? I know it isn't;" then would drift into
+some unintelligible murmurings, or lay quiet with no expression of any
+kind in her face.</p>
+
+<p>"She was perfectly well yesterday," said Bea, in answer to Mrs. Dane's
+questions. "She came up stairs singing, about four o'clock, and that was
+the last we saw of her until just now, when Kittie found her."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor child! What did you do all night?"</p>
+
+<p>"We sat up until twelve o'clock, and it seemed like a week nearly, Olive
+said, and we all hoped that she had gone to spend the night with you,
+and that is what kept us from giving up entirely. We were having a
+little argument when she left us," added Bea, dropping her eyes, but
+feeling that a little explanation was necessary.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>
+"So we thought perhaps
+she went off without saying anything, so as to frighten us."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie looked at Bea in curious amazement. She was so rejoiced that
+Ernestine was found, that she wondered why Bea should still be so white
+and tremble, and sit down every once in a while, as though too faint to
+stand. Finally concluding that it was fatigue and worrying, Kittie
+hurried down to the kitchen, built a fire, and had water boiling for tea
+in a hurry, and in just a little while, brought a cup of that
+invigorating beverage, and insisted on Bea's drinking it, and another,
+too, if she could.</p>
+
+<p>"How kind you are," said Bea, looking grateful, and trying to smile, but
+failing utterly. "You better go and drink some yourself. Where is Kat?"</p>
+
+<p>"She rushed right off again to tell Olive," answered Kittie, sitting
+down on the floor. "Poor dear, she will be tired to death. Oh, Bea,
+aren't you glad we found her before mama came?"</p>
+
+<p>Bea nodded yes, and hid her face in the tea-cup, while Kittie hearing
+Kat down stairs, hurried down to have a social and rejoicing cup of tea
+with her.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering arrived late in the afternoon; the twins threw open the big
+gate, shouting the good news as they did so, and Prince came gayly up
+the old familiar drive with a joyous whisk of his tail, and a loud neigh
+of recognition, and as Kittie and Kat fell to hugging him
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>
+wildly, Mrs.
+Dering hurried into the house, and was met by Bea at the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Were is she? What does it all mean?" cried the terrified mother.</p>
+
+<p>"She was in the spare room&mdash;sick&mdash;we found her this afternoon," answered
+Bea, speaking as though the words choked her. "Come&mdash;come into the
+sitting-room, mama, and&mdash;let me tell you."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering followed, with a terrible fear at her heart, and was obliged
+to sit down, so trembling and faint was she; and Beatrice meeting that
+anguished, imploring look, could not utter a word, but simply put her
+hand in her pocket, and drew out a worn, faded letter.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering looked at it for an instant, then uttered a broken cry, and
+threw out her hands beseechingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Beatrice! my daughter! Not that, not that, surely!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mama."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering dropped her face in her hands with a moan that came from the
+depths of her heart, and overcome with the confirmation of her fears,
+Bea sank into a chair and burst into tears; and nothing but her sobs
+were heard for several moments.</p>
+
+<p>Under all circumstances, Mrs. Dering was a woman of wonderful self
+control; so in a moment she looked up and asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know anything about it?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>
+"No, mama," answered Bea, then repeated the circumstances in the case,
+adding, with a look of loving sympathy into the grief-stricken face
+opposite, "When I went up into the garret this morning, I saw one of
+your trunks open, and your green silk and white lawn lying on the floor
+by the little black trunk, which was open also, and the letter was
+dropped on the floor, and I knew she had been there, and thought perhaps
+it was something she had left, so I read&mdash;only a part of it, and&mdash;oh,
+mama!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering vouchsafed no explanation, as Bea paused with a sob; but
+looked out of the window with a world of puzzled inquiry in her face,
+and murmured to herself:</p>
+
+<p>"How did it ever come out of the box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Papa," answered Bea, catching the words, "He was up there the day
+before he&mdash;died, and I remember when he came down with what he wanted,
+he said that he had gone clear to the bottom of the big box for it, and
+that he would put things back, and nail it up when he came back home,
+and they were all left just that way, mama; and oh&mdash;please tell me&mdash;is
+it true?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Beatrice, it is true, too true," answered Mrs. Dering, sadly, then
+went up stairs, and left Bea sobbing on the lounge.</p>
+
+<p>In just a few minutes Kittie came running in, and paused astonished at
+the sitting-room door, but as she surveyed her sister, and heard how
+bitterly she was sobbing, she went in and knelt by the lounge.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>
+"Bea, can't you tell me yet, what the matter is?"</p>
+
+<p>"No-o," sobbed Bea.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, please tell me just one thing: I'm so frightened about something,
+I don't know what. But, is Ernestine very very sick, and is that what
+you are crying about? or&mdash;or, <em>has</em> something happened that we don't
+know anything about? Please tell me just this, Bea, and I won't ask any
+more."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, something has," was Bea's answer; and Kittie went sorrowfully away
+to tell Kat and Olive not to rejoice so much, yet.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite late that night, and every one had gone to bed, except Mrs.
+Dering, who sat sleeplessly beside the bed, holding Ernestine's hot
+hand, and Bea, who nestled quietly in a large rocking chair, equally
+sleepless, and looking alternately from the loving, watchful face of
+mother, to the flushed, restless one on the pillow, while the big tears
+dropped unheeded down her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor had said, on leaving in the evening, that when Ernestine
+awoke, she would be herself, and for some time Mrs. Dering had been
+watching the feverish flush give way to pallor, and the restless, uneasy
+tossing to quiet slumber, and she knew, that before long, Ernestine
+would be herself, and ask a dreaded question. The house was painfully
+still. Bea shivered as the clock's ticking sounded loudly through the
+halls, and thought of last night when they all stood there, in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>
+that
+same room, and wondered where Ernestine was; and Mrs. Dering shivered,
+though, for quite another reason, for her mind held far different
+memories.</p>
+
+<p>Just then, Ernestine turned, as though awakening, and the clock began to
+strike twelve. Through the dozen slow strokes she did not move again,
+but the moment they ceased, she moaned just a little bit, in a feeble,
+tired way, and opened her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>At the same instant, Mrs. Dering held a tiny glass to her lips, raised
+the pillow and said quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"Drink, dear."</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine did so, unresistingly, and lay for several minutes perfectly
+quiet, with her eyes wide open; and then they began to grow startled,
+and went suddenly to Bea's face, and stopped there. Bea smiled,
+notwithstanding she was trembling violently, and leaving her seat, came
+to the bed. But Ernestine was not noticing her now; she was looking all
+about the room in a terrified way, and suddenly sat up straight in bed,
+pushed her hair back, and saw her mother. For an instant she did not
+seem to know what it was she wanted; but it came to her suddenly, and
+with a beseeching cry, she threw out her arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama, mama! is it true? Am I somebody else's child?"</p>
+
+<p>Bea turned away, and fell into her chair again, unable to see that
+pitiful, anguished face; and Mrs. Dering,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>
+sitting down on the bed, drew
+the trembling figure closely to her heart.</p>
+
+<p>"My darling, you are my own dear little girl&mdash;" but Ernestine
+interrupted, with a pitiful cry:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! tell me if that letter is so, or if it means some other Ernestine?
+just tell me that, quick, mama, oh please do!"</p>
+
+<p>What could Mrs. Dering say, with those clinging arms about her neck, and
+that pleading face, and the despairing eyes never moving from hers?</p>
+
+<p>"You are dreaming, darling," she began soothingly; but Ernestine threw
+her head back, and her voice rose to a terrified shriek:</p>
+
+<p>"You won't tell me; you won't tell me," she cried wildly. "Oh, I must
+know if it is true; I must. Oh, mama, say it isn't; tell me that you are
+my own mama, that the letter don't mean me; oh mama! mama!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ernestine, darling, listen;" said Mrs. Dering, with the tears running
+down her pale face. "You shall know the truth. You have been my little
+girl ever since you were two months old, but your own mother gave you to
+me just before she went to heaven, and she was my&mdash;;" but it was
+needless to say more; Ernestine gave a little moan, and dropped her
+head, and Mrs. Dering was sobbing, as she laid her back on the pillow;
+while Bea ran for some water.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>
+<a name="xii" id="xii"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>THE STORY.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Dering</span> and Ernestine were alone; Ernestine had asked for the story
+of her own, or rather her mother's life, and now lay with her face
+turned away, while Mrs. Dering held her hand in that loving clasp, and
+began telling it quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"We were all living in Virginia at the time, dear. Papa Dering lived
+with his uncle Ridley. Uncle Walter Dering lived in Staunton, and your
+mama's home and mine, also in the city, were only a little way apart,
+and we saw a great deal of each other. Florence Granger was her name,
+and she was the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen, except the
+little daughter here, who is going to be her mother's very image. She
+was lovable in every way, but possessed a restless, impatient,
+dissatisfied spirit, that brought her much unhappiness. She constantly
+yearned for some kind of life that would give
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>
+her eager, uncontrollable
+spirits free play; she hated the restraints of home, and frequently
+threw out dark hints to me of what she would do sometimes, when the
+right moment presented itself. I often begged her to give up such
+restless longings, and be happy at home; for she certainly had a lovely
+one, and might have been the happiest of girls; but she would kiss me
+and laugh, and call me 'dear little proper Bess,' and really be so happy
+and gay for a time that I would lose my fears, and think her threats all
+lively fun. About this time, papa and I became engaged, and I, confiding
+to him a secret that I had discovered, that his brother Walter loved
+Florence, he said that Walter had confessed it to him but that he
+despaired of ever gaining her heart, and that he dreaded the depressing
+effect of discouragement on his health, for Walter was very delicate. So
+I promised to do all I could towards helping him, and finding out the
+true state of Florence's heart towards him, and I did so quite
+successfully, though it has always been a source of bitterest regret to
+me. I found, with very little trouble that she had no thought or feeling
+of love for him, and one day, when she was thoughtlessly laughing at him
+for something, I told her, in a hasty moment, how he loved her, and how
+the disappointment might kill him. I never can forget how surprised and
+grieved she looked, nor how bitterly I regretted my hastiness, for a
+more tender-hearted girl never lived, and it was impossible to guess,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>
+how, in a generous, impulsive moment, she might sacrifice herself. That
+night she stayed with me, and both Walter and papa called; and I saw in
+an instant, that in her generous pity, she was going to do a work that
+could never be undone. Poor Walter was nearly beside himself with joy
+and encouragement. She sang for him, and oh, how many times have I gone
+back to that night, when you have been singing to me, with your mother's
+voice, dear. She promised to ride with him next day, and as papa watched
+them, he said to me in great relief: 'She loves him, and they will be
+happy;' and I could only say 'I hope so, truly,' and pray that I might
+be forgiven for what I had done; for I knew she did not love him.</p>
+
+<p>"In a few days, she came rushing to me in a perfect passion of stormy,
+bitter tears, and frightened me greatly with her fierce vehemence. She
+declared that she hated him, that she could not endure the sight of him,
+and yet, not half an hour before, she had promised to marry him, and
+now, if I did not say something to comfort her, she would do something
+dreadful, sure. I was perfectly at a loss what to say or do, and
+trembled for the end of it all, but I knew the only way to quiet her
+would be to appeal to her pity and tenderness, so I talked and talked
+for a great while about him, how he loved her, how the disappointment
+now would surely kill him, how happy we would be as sisters when
+married, and how we would all
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>
+go to Europe if papa inherited uncle
+Congreve's estate; and so finally won her over to a more pleasing view
+of the case. In the weeks that followed, I had the same thing to do
+many, many times, and found it more difficult to accomplish each time.
+She was wildly rebellious, and in an unguarded moment, let fall her
+passion for stage life, and then confided to me all her former plans,
+hopes, and aspirations. She had been in correspondence with members of
+the profession and had many secret plans laid for carrying out her
+ideas. She showed me several letters from Clarence Clare, then a famous
+actor, and I did not dream, could not even realize then, how far matters
+had gone. She was to have joined his troupe when he reached Staunton,
+left her home and gone out into the world under an assumed name, to
+taste and know its bitterness, when it was all too late. I was in an
+agony of fear, and besought her to give it up and think, before she lost
+herself to home and friends, but she told me I need not worry, she had
+written to him that morning that she was to be married, and could not
+fulfill her plans with him, and that I could rest in peace, for she was
+going to be a really good girl now, and settle down as properly as I
+could wish. I believed her, and was entirely deceived by the quiet,
+contented aspect that marked her from that day, and was overjoyed at the
+happiness that seemed to come to her as the day of our double marriage
+drew near. She spent much of her time with Walter, and the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>
+rest almost
+entirely with me, and we had hours of delightful chatter of when we
+would be sisters indeed, and always live together, for papa and Walter
+were devoted brothers.</p>
+
+<p>"It all comes back to me now, so terribly clear, how the day before our
+wedding came, and Florence was in such a state of ecstatic happiness;
+she left me in the evening with the warmest, tenderest kisses and
+embraces, and said she would be on hand early in the morning, for we
+were to be married at ten o'clock. While we were at breakfast next
+morning, her maid came over in great haste, to know if she was with me,
+that she wasn't at home, and evidently had not been, as her room was
+untouched. It seemed for a moment that I could not move, so great was
+the terror that possessed me; then I jumped up, snatched a hat and ran
+all the way to her home, without once thinking of amazed observers. She
+was gone. There was a little note left for me, and no word for any one
+else; she had gone with Clarence Clare, who had arrived the day before,
+and, perhaps, even as I stood there reading her hurried words, she was
+being married, or was already his wife. I can never tell you of the
+tempest of grief that fell upon two homes, or how we ever got through
+that wretched day. Papa came to me for just a few minutes, then hurried
+off to stay with Walter who had not spoken, or betrayed any signs of
+consciousness since the word of Florence's desertion reached
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>
+him. We
+knew from that day that he could not live, and though he was never ill,
+he died slowly, lingering with us only about six months, and his last
+words were to papa and me, spoken just before he died: 'If she ever
+comes back, tell her I forgave her, that I loved her to the last, and
+prayed God every hour that she might be happy.'</p>
+
+<p>"A little while after, papa and I were married, and moved to Richmond.
+He received nothing from Uncle Congreve, you know, so we both had to go
+to work, and we were very happy, for papa was brave, strong and
+honorable, and he prospered; so that in a little while we had a cosy
+home of our own, and envied no one their riches.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, your grandparents, were very proud, and left
+Staunton, rather than stay where their daughter had disgraced them, and
+we never knew where they went to, or whether they are still living or
+not. Two years went by, and in that time I sent many a loving, anxious
+thought to Florence, where ever she was, and wondered if we were ever to
+meet again; and one night my answer came to me. It was a bitter night,
+snowing hard and blowing fiercely. Papa and I, were sitting in our cosy,
+warm room, and Bea was sleeping, rosy and sweet, in her little crib,
+when there came the feeblest kind of a ring at the door-bell, and papa
+went to the door. In just a second he called me, and I hurried there, to
+find him holding a basket, with a queer bundle
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>
+in it, and looking
+amazed out into the night; then he set it down suddenly, and hurried
+out. I had not collected my thoughts, when he came in again with a
+fainting figure in his arms; a woman with a face uncovered, and we both
+recognized her in an instant. She was nearly dead with exposure, and it
+was a long time before she was able to speak a word, but we doctored her
+strongly, got her into a hot bed, and after a while she opened her eyes,
+and knew us. When she could talk, she told us how unhappy she had been;
+how, after submitting to her husband's neglect and the trials of stage
+life, for over a year, she had left him, and as soon as her baby was
+born, began looking for us. She was very feeble, and after leaving her
+burden on the steps, fainted in the snow before reaching the gate."</p>
+
+<p>Here Ernestine, who had lain motionless all the while, gave a quick sob,
+and shivered from head to foot, and bending down to kiss her tenderly,
+Mrs. Dering went on:</p>
+
+<p>"She died with us, dear, in just a few days after, and with her last
+breath, gave you to me; and ever since I took you, a tiny, little babe
+from her arms, you have been just as dear to me as though God had sent
+you to me, my very own."</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine was shivering violently, and as Mrs. Dering finished, hid her
+face deeper in the pillow with a pitiful heart-broken moan, that was
+hard to hear, and Mrs. Dering said softly:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>
+"Here, darling, in this box are some things that were to belong to you,
+in case you ever knew the truth, though with her last breath, your
+mother besought us to keep it from you, if we could, and we have tried,
+that being one reason why we afterwards left Virginia for New York
+State. But God knows best; it is right for you to know, or it would not
+have been so. The ring in the box is the one given by Walter to your
+mother, and she wished you, if you ever knew the story, to wear it."</p>
+
+<p>Some time after Mrs. Dering left the room, Ernestine slowly turned her
+head, looked at the box, and with trembling fingers lifted the cover.
+The first thing that met her eyes, was a picture, an exquisite face
+painted on porcelain, and she uttered a smothered cry as she looked at
+the face of her mother, of whom she was the living image. There was the
+same brown eyes, with their slender arches; the same fine straight nose,
+and wilful, determined mouth, and the same halo of sunny hair, covering
+the proud little head. But Ernestine, looking at it then, thought of the
+sweet, true, dear woman, she had always called mother, and threw it down
+with a bitter cry of pain. There was also a tiny note, written in a
+beautiful dashing hand, and after a while she read it slowly.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">Bess Darling</span>:<br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>"You have always been my good angel, and I could
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span>
+cry if I
+wasn't so happy, to think how I am going to disappoint you after
+all. But you mustn't mind, only think how happy I am going to
+be, for Clarence loves me! I will be his wife when you read
+this, and oh Bess I cannot help but be happy then. Tell Walter
+he must not care, he never would have been happy with me,
+because I could not love him. I hope you will not feel badly
+when you get this; have a gay wedding, and think how happy I am.
+I expect it is wrong to run off this way, but I've always done
+things wrong, I always will, but it might have been different,
+if my mother had loved home more, society less, and been as true
+and good to me as a mother, as you have been as a friend.</p>
+
+<p class="pr2">"FLORENCE."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>There were many little trinkets, beside the diamond ring, which
+Ernestine declared she could never wear; and in a tiny little box, with
+"My Baby," written on the top, were four round bits of gold, each a five
+dollar piece.</p>
+
+<p>It really seemed as though the girls could never recover from the shock.
+Their faces were pale and tear-stained for many days; and only Olive,
+whose self-control was greatest, could venture into Ernestine's
+presence, without bursting into tears, and having to beat a hasty
+retreat. Every fault that she had ever possessed, they lost sight of
+now; they only thought how they all loved her, how happy and sweet she
+had always been about home, how lovely she was, and how dreadful
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>
+it
+would be if they were to lose her. For Mrs. Dering had told them some
+things that she had not told Ernestine, among them these:</p>
+
+<p>"You have many times noticed how much more careful and anxious I have
+been of Ernestine's health than of yours. That was because I knew that
+God had given me my girls well and strong, and poor little Ernestine
+came, burdened with the fatal seeds of her mother's disease,
+consumption. I have known always, for the doctor told me, that she would
+become its victim sooner or later; and that if she lived to womanhood,
+he would be surprised. I also saw in early childhood, that she had
+inherited her mother's restless, eager, dissatisfied disposition, though
+the difference in her home life has modified it greatly; and knowing the
+weakness that would assail her if she lived, I have battled against it,
+and prayed that she might ever be spared a trial, or that a greater
+strength would be hers, than had been her mother's. As she has grown
+older, I have been grieved and troubled, beyond expression, to watch the
+growth of that spirit, and of a selfishness, that must have been her
+father's, as not an atom of it belonged to her mother, and many times I
+would have been discouraged utterly, if I had not had the faith that God
+would do all things for the best, and that all He wanted was for me to
+do all in my power, and trust the rest to Him."</p>
+
+<p>As the days went by, Ernestine did not seem to grow
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>
+any better, and
+friends hearing she was ill, began making kindly visits of sympathy, and
+were greatly surprised to find her so terribly altered by the brief
+illness. At first she refused to see any one; but Mrs. Dering asked if
+she could not, as they would think it strange, and she immediately
+assented.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed sad to look at her face, changed so suddenly from its
+laughing, exquisite beauty to such a pallid, hollow-eyed, heart-broken
+look, and every one pitied, and wondered, and privately talked it over.
+Miss Strong, who had industriously circulated the report of her visit,
+with many additions and wonderfully sly, meaning looks, now felt called
+upon to supply the public with a reason, so she told her dearest friend
+that Ernestine Dering had had a foolish little love affair, and broken
+her heart over it; and before twenty-four hours, the whole of Canfield
+had heard from, or told their dearest friend, the same thing; while Mrs.
+Dane, and a few other sensible ladies, were indignantly denying it, with
+what success, persons who deny rash stories, can guess.</p>
+
+<p>"I declare," cried Kat one day in desperation, "I can't bear to go up
+stairs. I just dream about how sad she looks, and I can't keep from
+crying just to think that she really isn't our sister any more
+than&mdash;than Susie Darrow or any of the other girls. Oh, Kittie, just
+suppose we were ever to find out that we were not sisters, or belonged
+to somebody else, or something dreadful!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>
+Kittie gave a long, expressive shiver, and hugged her "fac-simile" by
+way of satisfaction, for such a dreadful thought.</p>
+
+<p>"How often we have wondered where she got her lovely hair and eyes," she
+said slowly. "And how many times we fretted because mama watched her so,
+and seemed to humor her, where she never did us. I expect we have made
+mama unhappy lots of times by acting jealous that way."</p>
+
+<p>"Like as not," answered Kat remorsefully. "It's all dreadful, every bit
+of it. I'd give worlds if it had never happened."</p>
+
+<p>They all tried, by every way in their power, to win Ernestine back to
+something of her old self; but it seemed impossible. She spent hours and
+hours by herself, just sitting with her hands folded, looking out of the
+window with no sign of life or interest in her colorless face, and
+rarely speaking. Just brooding, brooding, and nursing her grief, until
+the doctor said she must go away, take a complete change, and then she
+would come back herself again. He accepted the lover-story, as indeed,
+most every one did, for surely the general behavior and symptoms were
+much the same, and then, besides, what <em>could</em> the reason be if it
+wasn't that?</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine was perfectly indifferent about a visit anywhere. She was
+selfish in her grief, as in everything else, and took no interest in all
+their plans for her,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>
+expressing no satisfaction at the decision that
+Bea should go with her, and saying that she did not care when or where
+they went.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon, Kittie went up stairs and found her writing something and
+crying bitterly over it. She so seldom cried, that Kittie was alarmed,
+but Ernestine said it was only because she was nervous; then put her
+writing away, and took her old, listless attitude in the chair by the
+window.</p>
+
+<p>That night Olive heard something; she was sure that she did, and started
+up in bed for a moment to listen, but everything was perfectly still, so
+in a moment she lay down again, but could not get to sleep until long
+after the whistle had blown for the midnight train that went through to
+the city.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning Ernestine did not come to breakfast, but it was nothing
+unusual, so Kittie fixed a tempting waiter and took it up stairs.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes she called "mama," in a frightened way, and Mrs. Dering
+instantly sprang up, followed by the girls, and ran up stairs.</p>
+
+<p>Since her sickness, Ernestine had slept alone, and Bea had gone over
+with Olive; so now, as they hurried in, they saw her untumbled bed, with
+just the slight pressure made where she had lain down, as though gone to
+bed for the night; everything else was unchanged. Mrs. Dering sank
+trembling into a chair, and pointed to a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>
+paper lying on the table.
+Olive reached it, and read aloud in a frightened, awe-struck voice:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">Darling Mama</span>:</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going away; I can't stay, and oh please don't look for me;
+for I could not come back. It seems as though my heart was
+broken, and it nearly made me crazy to think that I was all
+alone in the world, except a wicked, cruel father. Oh, I never
+knew how much I loved you all, until I found that I was
+nothing&mdash;neither daughter nor sister. I have taken the twenty
+dollars in gold, and fifteen dollars that I saved from my
+teaching, and I will go some where and work for my living. I
+know it will grieve you, and that is all that has kept me from
+going before; but I could not stand it any longer; something
+made me go. Oh, please forgive me, and do not look for me. I
+love you all so much, and it nearly broke my heart to look at
+the girls, and think they were all sisters, and you their own
+mama, while I was nothing. Don't grieve for me, please, but do
+love me.</p>
+
+<p class="pr2">"ERNESTINE."</p>
+</div>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>
+<a name="xiii" id="xiii"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>A YEAR LATER.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Kathleen</span> was sitting in the swing, and idly pushing a hole in the saw
+dust, with the toe of her shoe; while Katherine sat on a log hemming a
+handkerchief, a red rose stuck in her hair, and much thoughtfulness in
+her face.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it's too horrible to think about," said the former, suddenly,
+and with a vinegary aspect of countenance.</p>
+
+<p>"He may be nice," returned the latter, consolingly, though with much
+evident distaste to the fact.</p>
+
+<p>"Who cares, and then besides, I bet he isn't."</p>
+
+<p>"You mustn't bet."</p>
+
+<p>"I will. You may be nice, and proper, and so awfully prim, if you want
+to, but I sha'n't."</p>
+
+<p>"You're nearly fifteen."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>
+"Suppose I am. Besides I'm not; it's three months yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Kittie, after a pause, and turning a corner in her
+handkerchief with great nicety, "I suppose since it's settled, that he
+will be here in a few days. Bea has fixed his room so pretty."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! I bet he'll never notice it, and he'll be an everlasting bother,
+and we'll never have any more fun; and I'm going to tell him the minute
+he gets here, that I hate him; and I hope that'll make him happy and
+want to stay," exclaimed Kat vehemently.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides," continued Kittie, as placidly as though nothing was
+disturbing the serenity of her sister, "you see, my dear, how it will
+help mama."</p>
+
+<p>Any remark of a like character, would, at any time, reduce the girls
+from the most active rebellion to passive acquiescence; and Kat
+immediately lost her ferocious determination and looked reflective, as
+she recalled the dear face they loved, with its pale patient sweetness,
+and the gray hair that had all come into the brown locks within the last
+year, since Ernestine went away.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," she said in a moment, and beginning to swing, "I suppose it's
+all right, but I wish he wasn't so old. Twenty! my goodness! He'll be
+forever lecturing us and reading solemn books, because I know he's
+solemn; sick people always are, and everything will have to be poky and
+still to suit him, and I think it's abominable!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span>
+"Exactly," answered Kittie, with a nod of agreement. "But Kat, there's
+one splendid big thing to offset all those little horrid ones; why don't
+you think of that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do, and I'm most tickled to death, that mama won't have to
+teach any more; poor, dear, blessed mama, she's most tired and worried
+to death;" and Kat's face grew very tender as she swung and thought over
+it all.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh Kat!" cried Kittie, with a sudden vehemence, though the question
+that hung on her lips had been asked countless times in the past year,
+"Where do you suppose Ernestine is?"</p>
+
+<p>Kat stopped the swing, and faced her sister with a sudden decision.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," she said slowly, "Kittie, I think she's&mdash;dead!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! you don't surely! She can't be!" cried Kittie in terror; for no
+one had ever hazarded that cruel belief before. "Our Ernestine dead! I
+couldn't believe it, and I think it would kill mama, if she thought we
+would never find her again."</p>
+
+<p>"But I can't help but feel so," said Kat sadly. "Just think of her
+getting into New York in the night, and not knowing anything where to
+go. I just know something dreadful happened, because we never can find
+one thing about her after she got there."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>
+"But I don't believe she's dead!" exclaimed Kittie firmly. "I wouldn't
+believe it if I wanted to; and I think some time, or somehow, we will
+find her, or she will come back to us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well I hope so I'm sure, for it will never seem right without her,"
+said Kat. "Seems to me, we all lived so happy, with no troubles of any
+kind, until all of a sudden, then everything happens all at once. Home
+has never seemed the same since papa died."</p>
+
+<p>"When you look back and think how things have changed, don't it seem
+strange," said Kittie, dropping her sewing and looking pensively off at
+the wood-pile. "It seems so funny, to think that Miss Howard is married,
+and that people live in the little old school-house.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't we used to have fun there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we did, and we're getting old dreadful fast," said Kat, ruefully.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't imagine anything more dreadful than getting to be young ladies,
+and having to wear long dresses, and done-up hair, and always be polite
+and proper. I think it's horrible to be nearly fifteen!"</p>
+
+<p>Kittie loved fun as much as Kat, but she was not quite so frolicsome in
+her tastes, nor so averse to a graceful train, or a lady-like structure
+of hair. In fact, she had many ideas of ideal young-ladyhood that would
+have amazed and dismayed her twin, had they been known. Any one who knew
+them well was no longer at a loss to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span>
+know which was which, for while in
+childhood they had been too similar to ever be distinguished, the coming
+years brought different ideas to each, and left their print in looks and
+manner. Kat was wildly rebellious at the thought of growing up; she
+wanted to remain in the blissful days of short hair and dresses, when
+she could race with anybody, jump a fence, climb trees, and in every way
+be as boyish as she could, to pay up for being a girl. Consequently she
+always had a fly-away, unsettled look about her, rebelled at the
+lengthened dresses, insisted on wearing her hair in a flying braid,
+wouldn't be induced to cultivate ease and grace, and altogether was as
+wild and unconquerable on the threshold of fifteen as she had been in
+the freedom of twelve. Kittie, on the contrary, had a decided love for
+grace, and the ease of a cultivated young lady. She did her hair up in
+various and complicated fashions, occasionally practiced with a train,
+and had learned to bow with the latest grace and twist. She remembered
+Ernestine's little graceful ways, and profited by the remembrance,
+thereby driving Kat to the verge of desperation, by giving frequent
+lectures on the necessity of sitting still gracefully, and walking
+without a skip or jump every third step. With all their little growing
+differences, they were just as devoted and inseparable as ever. Kittie
+would sit and sew with a lady-like air, and a posy in her belt, while
+Kat would lounge in the window-seat, and read aloud, or amuse them with
+nonsense;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>
+or, if they went out on the pond, Kittie would wear her
+gloves and ply her oar with an eye to grace, while Kat would, perhaps,
+be encased in a sun-bonnet, or be bareheaded and row as if on a contract
+to outdo the champion club in existence. In their work was the same
+little mark of distinction, and so now-a-days it was very easy to tell
+which was Kittie and which was Kat.</p>
+
+<p>It was just a year since Ernestine had gone, and such a long, sad,
+hopeless year! Not a clue or trace of any kind could they find except
+that she had gone to New York. The Canfield ticket agent had had his
+suspicions when a lady had bought a ticket and gone on the midnight
+train; but it was none of his business, to be sure; so she had gone on
+her way unmolested, and farther than that, they knew nothing. Where she
+went on reaching the city, no one knew, though no mode of search had
+been left untried, and no expense spared, either by Mrs. Dering, or the
+relatives and friends who so heartily sympathized in her heart-broken
+search. There was nothing, from himself to the last dollar he possessed,
+that Mr. Congreve did not offer; and Jean sent a tear-stained note with
+a crisp ten dollars&mdash;all she had, and saying: "Mama, please spend it to
+find Ernestine; and I ask God every few minutes, if He won't please let
+us have her again."</p>
+
+<p>But it had all been in vain. In the long days when Ernestine had sat and
+thought and grieved, she must
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span>
+have matured her plans well, or else she
+had gone blindly forth, on the wild impulse of despair, and been
+swallowed in the black wickedness of the great city, into which she
+went. It was a ceaseless question in the anxious hearts of those who
+loved her, but there never came any answer; and the days and weeks
+dragged into months until the year had rolled around, and they had heard
+nothing. The name of the lost became more precious than ever, and many
+things she had left behind, that all spoke so eloquently of her, they
+treasured as priceless, and wet them with many a sad tear, while heart
+and lips pleaded for the return of the dear one. The year of anxiety had
+told on Mrs. Dering, for the soft brown hair was thickly lined with
+grey, and there was a never-dying look of prayerful anxiety in her face,
+as though in some way, her life-work had been remiss and the fault of
+this one, gone astray, lay at her door. Still she never once gave up
+hope that at some time God would return this dear one to her, though it
+required constant prayer to strengthen the faith that trembled on the
+threshold of this affliction.</p>
+
+<p>Under the strain of mental and physical work, her health was slowly
+giving way, and for many weeks there had been the anxious question,
+"what can be done to relieve mama?" and there had been no way
+discovered, for money was low, and each one already doing her utmost; so
+Mrs. Dering held her position at the seminary, and was obliged to
+content herself with one visit home a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>
+week, and sometimes not even
+that, for the hack drive was so fatiguing, and besides, it cost fifty
+cents every time.</p>
+
+<p>Well, after all, God never fails to give us something to cheer our
+flagging steps, never fails to know when a burdened child is falling
+with its load, and never fails to take the hand outstretched to Him, and
+help that child along!</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of an anxious controversy one evening, when Mrs. Dering had
+just arrived home, and was lying exhausted on the lounge; Olive came in
+from the store and brought a letter with the Boston post mark; it proved
+to be from Mr. Dering's cousin, a wealthy widow, with an only son whose
+health was failing, and for whom the doctor prescribed a summer's rest,
+and relief from study. She had once visited the Dering home, and said
+she knew of no one, to whom she would so willingly trust her boy, in his
+delicate health, as to Robert's wife. The price named for his board was
+lavishly liberal, and filled the long felt want, for it would more than
+admit of mother's being free and at home to rest, and regain her own
+health and strength.</p>
+
+<p>So this was what Kat, viewing matters from a personal standpoint,
+thought was "horrible," and what Kittie tried to reconcile her to by
+reviewing the good things that would result from it. Bea was to room
+with Olive, and the sunny front room was fixed for the coming invalid,
+and it is a pity that all the knick-knacks arranged
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>
+by the girls could
+not have retained all the curious conjectures uttered in their hearing,
+as to what the coming cousin was apt to be like, and repeated them to
+that same person.</p>
+
+<p>He came one evening, a tall pale youth, with very black eyes, quiet
+gentlemanly manners, and a faint suspicion of a mustache, and Kat
+instantly declared that she didn't like him.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you he'd be solemn, and look like a preacher. I bet he's got
+consumption too, and I suppose he'll call me Kathleen and ask me if I'm
+prepared to die?" she exclaimed, after they had met him and he had gone
+to his room.</p>
+
+<p>"I think he's very polite and nice," said Bea.</p>
+
+<p>"He looks very intelligent," added Olive, with a pleasing idea in her
+mind, of having some one with whom she could discuss her books, and
+study Latin.</p>
+
+<p>"Some fun in him I know," laughed Kittie. "And what nice manners he has,
+and black eyes, I wonder if he appreciates them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Poor fellow, just hear him cough," exclaimed Bea in sympathy. "Girls,
+what have you nice for supper?"</p>
+
+<p>"Slap-jacks," answered Kat grimly. "I hope he'll enjoy them."</p>
+
+<p>"O Kat, you surely have something else besides cakes," cried Bea in
+dismay. "It'll never do, he's used to everything nice."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span>
+"Suppose he is, we're not, and he mustn't expect it here."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," explained Bea, starting for the kitchen; but Kittie
+interrupted her, with the consoling remark:</p>
+
+<p>"It's all right, I made a nice pudding with sugar sauce, and there is
+cold meat and hot biscuit, that's enough, mama said so."</p>
+
+<p>"I bet you he'll sit and mope in his room, and cry for his mama, dear
+little boy, I'll give him a sugar horn," laughed Kat, then caught her
+breath suddenly, and flushed scarlet, for there in the door stood the
+new cousin, also rather flushed, but with his eyes twinkling, and his
+arms full of things.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Cousin Kathleen," he said gravely; "I really hadn't thought
+of crying, but your promise is tempting, I'll begin in a few moments. In
+the meantime, here are some messages that mother sent with her love. She
+selected for each, as she remembered you, and I hope that none of you
+have so changed in tastes, that these little things will be out of
+keeping."</p>
+
+<p>His genial tone, and winning smile were very taking, and made every one
+feel acquainted at once, so Bea pushed an easy chair forward, saying
+with a smile:</p>
+
+<p>"We'll try hard to be grateful, Cousin Ralph. Come, take this easy chair
+and deliver your messages, you see we're anxious."</p>
+
+<p>He did so, holding up a splendid copy of Dante.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>
+"For Olive, whom mother remembers as a studious book-loving little girl,
+and hoped she would enjoy this grand work."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall indeed," cried Olive joyfully. "How kind your mother is."</p>
+
+<p>"She is indeed," answered Ralph. "And very dear to me, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"This for Beatrice," he added, holding up a stout package; "I assure
+you, the interior is more attractive than the exterior," he said with a
+laugh; and so Bea found it, for there was a box of kid gloves, a dozen
+beautiful handkerchiefs, with her monogram worked in the corner, and a
+beautiful set of jet jewelry.</p>
+
+<p>Bea was in ecstasies, and put on her ornaments at once, while Ralph next
+unfastened two boxes exactly alike and handed them, with their contents
+exposed, to their owners.</p>
+
+<p>"For Kittie," he said, "and Kathleen."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie gave a little scream of delight, but Kat simply made a bow, and
+said "Thanks," with the grace of a ramrod, and shut her box with a snap.
+They were two beautiful chains and lockets, of ebony and gold, with the
+letters "K. D." in raised letters on the lockets, and a picture of the
+giver within. Ralph took no notice of Kat's reception of the gift, but
+complimented Kittie as she put hers on, and then asked for Mrs. Dering.</p>
+
+<p>Her gift was a dress of heavy black silk, with everything
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>
+necessary to
+its make-up, and yards and yards of beautiful lace and fringe for its
+trimming. Oh, how happy the girls were over that, and how splendid it
+would seem to see mama once more in an elegant dress, such as she used
+to wear.</p>
+
+<p>For Ernestine, were elegantly bound copies of the old composers, and for
+Jeanie an exquisite little pearl ring. The one of these, Mrs. Dering
+laid away with tears, and a silent prayer, such as came from her heart
+every hour of the day for the absent one; the other, she sent with a
+long, loving letter to the little girl in Virginia, and thought, with a
+grateful heart, that the bitterest sorrows have a drop of joy somewhere,
+for the doctors had said that Jeanie could be cured.</p>
+
+<p>In just a little while, it seemed as though Ralph had been with them
+always, such a comfort as he was to all, and such a genial, jovial
+companion as he became on all occasions. Mrs. Dering, or Aunt Elizabeth,
+he very soon lifted to the niche of affection next to his mother's; and
+she, in turn, loved him as an own son, and in his ambitious moments,
+gave him long earnest talks, wherein she drew his unremembered Uncle
+Robert, as an example of truth, manhood and honor, such as she hoped to
+see him follow.</p>
+
+<p>For Bea, who now revelled in all the bliss of being a young lady nearly
+eighteen, he exerted all his most courtly politeness and gallant
+manners, and she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span>
+wondered how she had ever gotten on without him
+before.</p>
+
+<p>To Olive, he was confidential, and finally won her to the same state.
+They studied, read and discussed, disagreed and argued, but he was
+always so polite, and ready to gracefully yield when a contested point
+could not be settled, that Olive grew ashamed of her more abrupt manners
+and hasty speech, and so the intimacy helped her in more ways than one.
+He confided to her all his ambitious plans of being a great lawyer, and
+his impatience at having to drop his studies for so many months. She, in
+turn, confided to him her longing for artistic study, and made him
+ashamed by the patience with which she had laid aside her cherished
+plans, and given all her time to the work which necessity demanded. So
+their friendship prospered.</p>
+
+<p>To Kittie, he was invaluable, and a more devoted brother and sister
+surely never lived. They boated, walked, sang, played and, in short,
+were almost constantly together. He was quick to discover the girlish
+longing to be graceful, refined and accomplished, and he helped her
+much, both as an example of polished, polite manners, and by rehearsing
+for her many of the accomplishments and graces of ladies of his
+acquaintance. And many times had he said to her in their little chats:
+"You have a constant example before you, Kittie, in your mother. She is
+so refined,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>
+and such a true, noble woman, I would love to see you like
+her."</p>
+
+<p>To Kat, he was nothing, unless it was a stumbling block in the way of
+her happiness. She didn't like him, and was furiously jealous of the
+flourishing friendship between him and Kittie. He had not been solemn
+and poky, as she had prophesied, and the fact nettled her. She never
+could make him angry, though she left no way untried, and that was
+exasperating. He was always catching her at a disadvantage, and what she
+thought was anger at the fact, was, in truth, wounded pride. She was as
+rude as she dared be, and never lost an opportunity to sharp-shoot; and
+while he realized the impoliteness of a return shot, the temptation was
+too great to resist; so they had some lively skirmishes, in all good
+humor on his side, but in lively anger on hers.</p>
+
+<p>He came out on the porch one day, and found her sitting on the steps,
+with her hat tilted over her eyes, and a generally woe-begone look in
+her whole attitude; and they had just had a wordy battle out at the
+pond.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Kathleen," he exclaimed, in mock penitence, "is it possible? Why,
+I never meant to hurt your feelings. I didn't suppose they could be
+hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"No; they can't, by you," retorted Kat, knocking off her hat, and
+showing her eyes scornfully bright and dry. "Whenever you speak, I
+consider the source, and it never amounts to much."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+"Is it possible?" he exclaimed, laughing. "When I speak to you, you are
+the source of every inspiring word."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am heartily ashamed of myself."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't wonder; I'm often ashamed of you."</p>
+
+<p>"You're hideous," cried Kat, fiercely. "I wonder if you have the ghost
+of an idea how horrible you are, Ralph Tremayne?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, I never found any one impolite enough to tell me; but you
+will, I'm sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't judge my politeness by your own!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't for you have none," he rejoined coolly.</p>
+
+<p>Kat could have slapped him with a relish, and like as not, if he had
+been nearer her own age she would have tried it. As it was, she looked
+into his laughing eyes and knew that she was angry, and he was not,
+therefore he would win, for a cool head can think a great deal faster
+than a hot one; so she turned on her heel with a contemptuous spin, and
+left him.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon she heard Ralph and Kittie planning a walk to the woods
+next day, and her jealous heart ached and burned fiercely. How
+despicable he was to take all of Kittie's time, and make himself such a
+paragon in her eyes, that she could talk of no one else. Kat shook her
+head in dire vengeance, and might have cried if she hadn't been too
+proud. But just then Kittie said:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span>
+"I don't know, Ralph, whether I can go or not; I have some sewing that I
+ought to do; you remember how I tore my dress the last time we went
+boating? well, I ought to darn it, you see."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't happen to see, unless you take it out in the woods and mend
+it, while I make you a crown and put it on your head as queen of
+industrious girls. Violets would be very becoming to your brown hair and
+winsome face."</p>
+
+<p>"What nonsense!" muttered Kat, in disgust, while all the time her heart
+ached. "Wouldn't it be a joke if he was saying all those things to me
+instead of Kittie, and didn't know the difference. He wouldn't think I
+had a winsome face if I was the last girl alive, and yet I'm the moral
+image of Kittie."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I can find time to darn my dress this afternoon, and if I do,
+then I'll go to-morrow," Kittie was saying, and then in a few moments
+Ralph went away. The moment he was gone Kat came around into the arbor,
+and threw herself on the grass.</p>
+
+<p>"Now then, Kittie."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear."</p>
+
+<p>"I would just like to know a thing or two?"</p>
+
+<p>"What, for instance?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you going with to-morrow? That abomination wants you to go with
+him, and I've set my heart on having you go with me down town. You
+haven't
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>
+been with me, since the dear knows when, and upon my word, I
+feel real bad."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll mend my dress now, go with Ralph in the morning, and you in the
+afternoon," smiled Kittie sweetly.</p>
+
+<p>"No you don't," cried Kat, sitting up. "I'd like to have you to myself
+for one day, at least. If he can get you from me so much in six weeks,
+by the end of summer you'll be beyond speaking to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Kat," cried Kittie reproachfully. "How can you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, will you go with me to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dress&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll darn your old dress right now. Will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you care half as much for me to go, as you do to spite
+Ralph," said Kittie thoughtfully, and to Kat's amazement she suddenly
+realized that this was so, not but what she really wanted Kittie, but
+the predominant desire was to spite Ralph, and she was bound to do it
+now, so she ran off for the dress, brought it back, and darned it
+immaculately, whereupon Kittie felt that the thing was settled.</p>
+
+<p>Kat was jubilant all the evening, and seized the first opportunity of
+announcing the change in the programme. Shortly after they came into the
+sitting-room, Ralph asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Is the dress darned, Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>
+"Yes, it is, and I darned it, and Kittie's going down town with me
+to-morrow," answered Kat glibly.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph lifted his eye-brows with a smile, instantly detecting the little
+spite-work.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, did I speak to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Believe not; I spoke to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you try the novelty of speaking when you're spoken to."</p>
+
+<p>"I generally do; also at any other time that I take a notion. I've done
+it all my life, and it'll take more than you to stop me."</p>
+
+<p>"Some people talk to hear themselves."</p>
+
+<p>"So I've heard, and I'm quite convinced that no one has a better right
+to come under that head than yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite true; I'm amazed at your powers of penetration. Perhaps you also
+observed that I rank only a little ways below my illustrious cousin,
+Kathleen."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not your cousin, thank goodness."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't thank anything with which you have so little acquaintance; it's
+apt to never be appreciated."</p>
+
+<p>"No acquaintance that I have with anything, or any body troubles me as
+much as the acquaintance that I have with you."</p>
+
+<p>"You have my sympathy, for I'm troubled with the same feeling."</p>
+
+<p>"Do hush," exclaimed Kittie. "It's perfectly awful
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>
+the way you two do
+talk. Ralph, come play chess. Kat, I'm astonished."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't wonder; so am I; but I never had such an object to deal with
+before, so no wonder I do some unusual things," cried Kat, and bounced
+out of the room to hide the tears that would come; for Kittie's voice
+was reproof, and she took Ralph's part, and that was altogether too
+much!</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>
+<a name="xiv" id="xiv"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br />
+<br />
+<small>STUDY OR PLAY?</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Olive</span> was standing at the window, with a thoughtful face. Any one who
+remembered seeing her on the porch one evening, a little over two years
+ago, and recalled her face then, compared to what it was now, would have
+said in incredulous amaze:</p>
+
+<p>"What a change!"</p>
+
+<p>She was now nearly seventeen, though she looked every day of twenty,
+both in face and figure. There was such a settled, purposeful look in
+the face, and so much strength and soul looking out from the eyes, that
+had been used to scowling fiercely, so much determination expressed in
+the mouth, that had caught the trick of smiling much more readily than
+it once had. Nor was this all of the change either; she had come to
+realize that care in personal attire, and a study of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>
+pleasing others,
+could frame the most unattractive in attractive guise, and indeed, they
+had done their work for her. Instead of wearing the very things that she
+knew did not harmonize with her peculiar dark complexion, she studied
+what was becoming. Her hair, which was luxuriously long and heavy, she
+wore in such a manner as to soften the severe outline to head and face,
+and waved it deeply in front, so that curly tendrils of hair lessened
+the height of her too-high brow, and gave a more girlish look to the
+thoughtful face. In short, the Olive of two years ago was not much like
+the Olive of to-day, and in what her character had changed, I leave you
+to find out for yourself.</p>
+
+<p>She stood there, looking out, and something pleasing, evidently, caught
+her eye, for it brightened suddenly, then in a moment a look of regret
+chased the smile from her face.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, dear?" inquired Mrs. Dering.</p>
+
+<p>"What, mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"The faces of my girls are so dear to me, that I can read them quickly.
+Something pleased you, then brought an after-thought that was sad. What
+was it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing. I only saw Bea coming with Dr. Barnett."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" The same smile, followed by a look of regret and a little sigh
+crossed Mrs. Dering's face, and she sewed a little faster than before,
+as if her thoughts were
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>
+suddenly quickened by something. Dr. Walter
+Barnett had come to Canfield within the past year, rented a modest
+little office, hung out a neat, pretty sign to indicate that all persons
+afflicted with any of the ills to which flesh is heir, would always find
+him ready and anxious to do his best; and after a patient, hopeful
+struggle, he had now settled in a flourishing practise; for he was
+courteous and gentle, ready and willing, and always inspired the
+children with a liking, which old Dr. Potts, with his blue glasses and
+loud voice, could never do. Dr. Walter also taught the bible-class, and
+won the flinty hearts of the congregation, and the susceptible ones of
+the young ladies. He also frequently walked home with Beatrice Dering,
+and had fallen into the way of occasionally stopping in the evenings, if
+he happened to be passing and saw them in the yard. The old house, with
+its shady porches, clambering vines, and sheltering trees, made him
+think of his own home he said, and then Mrs. Dering, with her sweet,
+motherly ways, and surrounded by such lovely attractions, seemed to
+charm him; and Ralph Tremayne possessed a wonderful influence over him
+some way, which served to bring him there more frequently than he could
+have found an excuse for coming, if that young gentleman had not formed
+a part of the household.</p>
+
+<p>Bea came up stairs in a little while, with a lovely color in her cheeks,
+and looking very bewitching indeed,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>
+with her soft bright eyes, a posy
+in her belt, and a merry smile on her lips.</p>
+
+<p>"I met Dr. Barnett" she said, taking off her hat, and smoothing out the
+ribbons with a little thoughtful air; "he was just going to see that
+poor widow's little girl, who broke her back last week, and he stopped
+while I gathered some flowers for him to take to her. He is going to
+cure her if he can, and not charge anything. Isn't it good and kind in
+him, mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, very. He did not tell you so, did he?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no; he's too modest. Mrs. Dane told me. She went to see the little
+girl, and took some things, for they are very poor, you know; and the
+mother told her, and just cried when she told how good and kind he was,
+and how he talked, and told Katie stories, when she was afraid to have
+her back fixed."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a very estimable young man, and a true Christian, I think," said
+Mrs. Dering, watching Bea's animated face as she talked, and noticing
+that there was no touch of embarrassment or any trace of color, as she
+rehearsed her friend's praise.</p>
+
+<p>"When I gave him the flowers," added Bea, taking the posy from her belt,
+and sniffing at the fragrant leaves, "he gave me these, and said we
+would exchange. He has a little window-garden in his office. I think
+that is so nice,&mdash;and these grew in it; they need some water now, poor
+little things. Hand me that vase, Olive! There!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>
+Mrs. Dering went on with her sewing, and her heart, ever young, went
+back to the blissful days of her own life, like these in which Bea now
+lived, and she thought, with a smile:</p>
+
+<p>"Bless the dear innocent little heart. She doesn't suspect yet how happy
+she is, nor what precious meaning the little exchange of posies will
+soon take unto themselves."</p>
+
+<p>Olive was thinking of Bea's happy face and blithe laugh, and after her
+sister had gone singing from the room, she came over to her mother's
+side, and sat down on a stool there.</p>
+
+<p>"Mama, are you glad?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, both glad and sad. A mother always dreads the time when she
+must begin to prepare herself to have her children leave her; but it
+must come, so if she can know that their new choice will bring them
+happiness, it, of course, lessens the pain which comes with losing them.
+Dr. Barnett is a good Christian, a perfect gentleman, and I think he
+loves Beatrice. I also think she is quite unconscious of it as yet, and
+I am very glad. I hope it will continue so. She is young yet, my dear
+little girl, and when she becomes aware of the new love, then I must be
+content with second place, and I do not want it to come yet."</p>
+
+<p>"And, mama&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>
+"I want to speak of something that may be all imagination on my part,
+and will take your word to settle it. But don't you think Ralph thinks a
+great deal of Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he does; but it is all a brotherly feeling, anything else would be
+nonsense! Why, they're nothing but children!" said Mrs. Dering a little
+sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"I know Kittie is, and she never thinks of such a thing any more than a
+genuine kitten; but Ralph is twenty, mama," said Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"I know; and very old for his age in many things, but at heart he is
+nothing but a boy. He has always been at home with his mother, and has
+an almost girlish love and preference for ladies' society. He and Kittie
+are genial in amusements, just as you and he are in books and ambitions.
+They love each other as brother and sister, but as nothing more. I
+should be sorely displeased if any other idea should ever reach either."</p>
+
+<p>"It never will through me," said Olive. She then sat silent for a long
+time, and finally breaking the pause, by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"Mama, do you remember, one night a long time ago, when we were all
+telling disappointments?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite well."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, it was all nonsense; but I have often thought since, that
+some time, I would tell you what I wanted to do."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>
+"And am I to hear now?"</p>
+
+<p>Olive smiled, and looked a little wistful.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I guess I will tell you, though it will be no surprise to you. I
+want to study, but I can never do it in Canfield. When I was fourteen, I
+first thought of going to the city and studying in Cooper's Institute
+and coming home for over Sunday, and I began to save up my money for it.
+The money that I gave to papa was that, and I was at work on a head to
+take with me, because I thought perhaps I would have to have a trial
+picture. I knew I couldn't go then, because I was too young and
+inexperienced; but I'm older now, and if you would only say that you are
+willing, so that I could begin to put just a little money away every
+month&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering laid down her sewing, and looked in amaze at Olive's face,
+which had become so enthusiastic as she put her plea in a voice that
+trembled in its eagerness.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear child, I had thought of that same thing for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, mama!"</p>
+
+<p>"I had, indeed; and is it possible that it has been your own thought and
+desire for so long? You have so cheerfully given up your own work and
+done that less tasteful, and so patiently waited for the time to come
+when you could use your own money, that I had decided on just this
+thing, and will draw enough money from the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span>
+bank to send you. I have a
+dear old friend in the city who would be delighted to have you board
+with her during the week, and now that Ralph is here, you can and shall
+be spared from your work, and shall take a rest in doing the work that
+you love."</p>
+
+<p>Olive looked speechless. Her eyes were full of sparkling tears, and her
+lips trembling with a smile. She evidently did not know what to say for
+some moments, then she exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama! Is it really so? It seems too good to believe, I had almost
+given up hope, for it didn't seem as if I ever could go. Oh, how I will
+study and draw, so as to make money and make my name;" and overcome with
+joy and a desire to shed some happy tears, Olive jumped up and ran out.</p>
+
+<p>In a day or two, however, something happened that deferred Olive's
+studies for a while longer. It was from Jean, a long letter, full of
+love and longings to see them all, and long reports of what the doctors
+were doing for her, and how she could stand straight now without her
+crutch, and would soon be able to take a step. And after all that, she
+began about Uncle Ridley: how kind and good he was, how she had
+everything she could think of; how they loved each other; and then came
+this piece of news:</p>
+
+<p>"He wants one of the girls to come and make a visit, mama. He's often
+said so; but the other day he told
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>
+me to write for one of them, which
+ever one I wanted, and he would pay her expenses. Now you know I never
+could choose which of the girls I'd love to see most, because I want to
+see them all so very much. But I think he wants to see Olive; he's often
+said so; and he's asked me so much about her, and said he'd like to know
+her because she was so impudent to him. Why was she? Do you know, mama?
+I think it's so strange, when he's such a dear, darling uncle. Anyhow, I
+think it would please him very much if she would come, and oh, how very
+happy I would be. Tell me what you think about it, and I do hope she'll
+come; and if she can't, please let one of the others, and hurry and let
+me know. I can hardly wait."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you'll go," said Kittie, when the letter was finished, and
+the question open to discussion.</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure," said Kat. "Olive, you're a lucky girl. I wish I had been
+impudent to him."</p>
+
+<p>"I always have wanted to see Congreve Hall," said Bea, with a little
+sigh. "How grand it would seem to live in a magnificent place that had a
+name to it. I suppose you'll stay a long time, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish he wanted any of you," said Olive, "and I believe he does. It's
+all Jeanie's notion, his wanting me. Fix Bea up, mama, and let her go. I
+have something else on my mind."</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs. Dering shook her head. "I think Jean is
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>
+right," she said.
+"Uncle Ridley is a peculiar old man and he thinks Olive is much like the
+Congreves; he told me so himself, and I think he wants you for that
+reason."</p>
+
+<p>So great was Olive's consternation, that she sprang right up from her
+seat in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mama! I want to see Jean; you know I do, but I can't give up my
+plan any longer; I can't. You don't think I ought to, do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think about it, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; I think it's too bad," cried Olive; then fled from the
+room, as she always did when she found her emotions getting the mastery
+over her.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Kat, in sympathy. "It is too bad when her
+heart is so set on her studies. That's the disadvantage of having a
+talent. Don't you suppose Uncle Ridley would be satisfied with me? I'd
+do my level best to be like the Congreves, if that is such an attraction
+to him."</p>
+
+<p>"He'd go crazy with such a whirligig about as you," said Bea, a little
+envious of Olive's good luck. "I think I might go. I'm the oldest, and
+dear me, how I would enjoy it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I would love to have you all go," said Mrs. Dering, thoughtfully
+creasing the letter in her fingers. "Congreve Hall was papa's home, and
+I would enjoy having you see it, would love to go myself, in fact, and
+when I think of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>
+my dear precious little girl, it seems as though I must
+go. But that cannot be, so it need not be thought of. As to Olive, Uncle
+Ridley is peculiar and quick, and he took a fancy to her, and if her
+going to see them would give him any pleasure, I am only too glad and
+willing to have her go. I am sorry the invitation came just now for the
+child has waited so patiently to study and work on her art, that delay
+will be a sore disappointment to her. But she will see through it
+rightly I am sure and be willing to wait a little longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Mama," said Kat, reflectively, "don't you think Olive has changed very,
+very much?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"And especially since Ernestine went away. Why?" asked Kittie.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering sighed and looked sad; she always did when Ernestine's name
+was mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>"Olive's was a very unhappy disposition then, a great deal more so than
+she is now," she said. "What attractions she possessed, she hid by her
+faults; she did not try to please any one, but took her time in envying
+Ernestine's natural beauty and power to please. She made herself bitter,
+morose, and unattractive, then blamed others for showing any preference
+for her sisters. I think the lesson poor Ernestine taught was one that
+she took to heart deeply, and has profited much by."</p>
+
+<p>"I notice she does not dislike Uncle Ridley as much
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>
+as she used to,"
+said Bea, smiling and looking very happy all at once as she caught sight
+of a gentleman coming up the shady walk. "Mama, here comes Dr. Barnett.
+I promised him some more flowers to take to little Katie Gregg. If he is
+not in a hurry I shall ask him in; and, Kat, I advise you to put up your
+hair. It looks like an Indian's that way."</p>
+
+<p>"Who cares for old Barnett?" said Kat, as Bea flitted out. "My hair
+suits myself, and if he don't like it, he can look at Kittie's. Hers is
+as proper as ten commandments, with a killing bow fastened right on an
+angle with her ear. Now here comes Ralph, and I'm off. Kittie come down
+to the pond, and let's take a row."</p>
+
+<p>"I will in a little while," said Kittie, putting her sewing aside; "but
+Ralph is going to help me with that example I couldn't get, and I'll do
+that first, then I'll be down."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'll not look for you," said Kat discontentedly. "After you get
+your old example, there'll be something else, and then it'll be time to
+get dinner. I just abominate cousins!" and Kat slammed out of one door,
+just as Ralph came in at the other.</p>
+
+<p>No one saw Olive again during the day, but just before supper she came
+down stairs and asked for mother.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said Kittie, flying about the kitchen with her big apron
+on. "She and Bea went down town
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>
+this afternoon; I don't know whether
+they're back or not. If you're going in the sitting-room, tell Ralph to
+come; he said he'd beat the eggs, if I'd make a puff-cake."</p>
+
+<p>So Olive went into the sitting-room, and sent Ralph out to the feminine
+employment of egg-beating, then she stood by the window and looked
+absently out at the shadowy yard. She was going to Virginia; she had
+decided on that, though the decision had cost some bitter tears and some
+stern reasoning; for her new plans, long held in check, were doubly
+precious in the sudden promise of fulfillment, and her whole soul,
+starved out on book-keeping and dusty offices, begged for a revel in the
+art she loved so well.</p>
+
+<p>"After all," she mused, deciding grimly to look at the best side of
+things, "Jean says there is a gallery of grand pictures at Congreve
+Hall, and I suppose I can study and make copies of the ones that I like;
+and then"&mdash;the thought was a little distasteful to her&mdash;"I suppose I was
+unjust to Mr. Congreve, and ought to make amends if I can. We do owe him
+more than any amount of gratitude can ever repay, for all he's done for
+Jean, and I suppose I ought to call him Uncle Ridley, and have the dress
+made that he sent me; perhaps he'll recognize it;" then she laughed a
+little, to think what he would say at discovering her just accepting the
+present made two years ago.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span>
+"A laugh sounds encouraging; what brings it Olive?" asked Mrs. Dering,
+having entered noiselessly.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, I was just thinking," answered Olive. "I will go, mama,
+because I cannot help but think that I ought to, I was just deciding in
+my mind to call him Uncle Ridley, and have the black dress made. How
+soon shall I go?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell yet; there is much that you will need done. I am very
+glad that you have decided in this way, Olive dear, though I know it was
+a sacrifice; but your art will become none the less precious through
+delay, and your decision shows a desire to retract some hasty judgments,
+and do justice to a peculiar old man, who, with all his faults and
+vagaries, has a heart as true as gold."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that's it," said Olive, with a little sigh; and then the
+supper-bell rang.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of three weeks Olive was ready to go, and it was hard to tell
+whether she was any more enthusiastic with the idea or not. After the
+fashion of all young girls, she could not help but be pleased to see the
+accumulating pile of pretty things; to feel all the time that something,
+which might prove very pleasant, was going to happen; and that she was
+the cause of all the little bustle of preparation that filled the house,
+and engrossed the mind and hands of mother and sisters. There is always
+something, more or less exciting in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>
+the appearance of a trunk, and when
+packing time actually came, Olive found that she was beginning to
+indulge in some very pleasing anticipations.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect Jean has grown very tall," said Bea one afternoon, as the
+girls were all gathered in Olive's room, and the big trunk stood open in
+the middle of the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably wears long dresses, and does her hair in a chignogger," said
+Kat, from a perch on the foot-board of the bed, where she rested in idle
+moments.</p>
+
+<p>"'Tisn't to be supposed that she can be treated so like a young lady,
+and not get stuck up. Just to think of having a maid, and being called
+Miss Dering, when you are only twelve. Hollo, Kittie! hand me that pile
+of skirts, and I'll fold them."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me," said Kittie, handing over the snowy starched heap. "You have
+six white skirts, Olive, and three of them trimmed. I'd feel terribly
+fixed up, and lady-like with so many."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! some girls have six dozen, with tucks, and ruffles and puffles on
+every blessed one of them," said Kat, making the starched cloth rattle
+with her vigorous folding.</p>
+
+<p>"All nonsense," assented Kittie, down on her knees before the trunk.
+"Now hand me the things and I'll pack. Kat, you're knocking everything
+off the table, the way you whisk those skirts around. Hand me
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>
+the black
+dress; that's the heaviest and must go in first."</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the other black tip?" asked Bea, who was trimming the
+travelling hat. "There it is, you blew it behind the table with your
+whirlwind of skirts; hand it to me, Kat."</p>
+
+<p>"What fun it is to pack and go away," said Kat, fishing out the desired
+feather with Olive's parasol. "You pack like a captain, Kittie. I'd most
+likely have put her best hat in the first thing, shoe polish next, and
+then tumbled in anything that I happened to lay my hands on. Dear me, I
+wish I was going."</p>
+
+<p>"I really think it's too bad that you haven't a party dress, Olive,"
+said Kittie, with some disapproval.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever would she do with a party dress," cried Kat, once more
+enthroned on the foot-board. "Who'd give a party, I'd like to know? One
+old man, a little girl, and a pile of servants!"</p>
+
+<p>"Young Mr. Congreve is there," corrected Bea.</p>
+
+<p>"S'pose he is; and anyhow, I hope you'll snub him, Olive; he's going to
+own Congreve Hall, and it ought to have been papa's. If he was a decent
+man he wouldn't take it. How are you going to treat him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know;&mdash;yes, I like the feather that way; you ought to see how
+nicely my dress hangs," said Olive, in a little flutter of pleasing
+excitement. "Really, it's quite nice getting ready to go away. I only
+wish
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>
+the visit was over and done with, and all this preparation was for
+sending me off to study."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry about your studying, you're twice as smart now as any of
+us," said Bea, surveying her work, from its perch on her finger. "Now
+try this on, Olive, I've tipped the feather a little more to one side,
+and it looks more jaunty&mdash;just the thing too; isn't that becoming
+girls?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly mag!" exclaimed Kat, making an eye-glass of her hands, and
+falling into a rapture of admiration that pretty near upset her from the
+foot-board.</p>
+
+<p>"I declare, you're going to be very distinguished looking, Olive," said
+Kittie, resting from her packing to survey, and pass an opinion. "And a
+cocked hat is very becoming. The next thing we hear, you will be
+creating a sensation in Staunton that will shake the whole of Virginia."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely," laughed Olive; but she looked pleased, for there was
+honest admiration in each sister's voice; and, after all, it is no small
+thing to be going off alone, with a trunk filled by loving hands, a new
+cocked hat that is becoming, and the pleasing thought of looking well in
+all respects, and perhaps "distinguished."</p>
+
+<p>The day for departure came at last; and in the afternoon sunshine,
+Olive, trunk and satchel stood on the porch, waiting for the express
+wagon; and the front door stood open, and there was a great deal of
+laughing and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span>
+talking going on within, that sounded very gay and happy.
+Dr. Barnett had taken advantage of the little excitement to drop in,
+though he had been around only the evening before, and bid Olive
+good-bye, with much ceremony and many good wishes; but no one seemed to
+object to his being on hand again, for Bea looked her unconscious
+happiness, and Mrs. Dering was cordial and kind, and the young doctor
+was in a dream of bliss.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Ralph?" exclaimed Olive, suddenly, when the real good-bye
+moment had fairly come; if such it could be called, when the whole
+family were going to the dep&ocirc;t with the young traveller.</p>
+
+<p>"He's gone, sure enough!" said Kittie, after some hasty and lusty
+calling had taken place. "I suppose he's gone on down to the train; but
+it's funny the wagon don't come."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll trot down to the gate and see if it is in sight," volunteered Kat,
+who was obliged to keep moving as a vent to excitement; but just as she
+started, there rattled up to the gate, in great style, the handsomest of
+Canfield's two hacks, and out of it sprang Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted you to go off in style," he said, well pleased with himself
+when he saw Olive's delighted look. "Here cabby, is the trunk! Now,
+ladies&mdash;hollo, doctor! you going to the train?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, really," said Dr. Barnett, hesitating, "I hadn't thought, but, if
+Miss Olive will allow me, I'll be happy."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span>
+He said Miss Olive, but, bless you! he looked right straight at Miss
+Beatrice, and she smiled; and after that, neither ever knew whether
+Olive was willing or not.</p>
+
+<p>"This is putting on style with a vengeance," said Kat, as the ladies
+seated themselves in the back, after the trunk had been tossed aloft.
+"People will think the whole family is departing for Europe."</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>
+<a name="xv" id="xv"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br />
+<br />
+<small>CONGREVE HALL.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">That's</span> Olive! that's Olive! Oh I'm so glad; hurry James, there she is!"</p>
+
+<p>It was an eager, childish voice, ringing joyfully through the Staunton
+dep&ocirc;t, and making every one turn and smile at the speaker, who stood in
+a large carriage, running her eyes over the crowd that gathered as the
+train came in and stopped; and suddenly breaking into that joyful cry,
+as she watched for a face, which appeared among so many strange ones.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss Jean; the young lady in grey?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and hurry; she doesn't see us yet," cried Jean, almost leaping
+from the carriage in her eager excitement, but James made his way
+through the crowd, and Olive suddenly found herself confronted by a tall
+man who lifted his hat.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
+"Miss Dering? Miss Jean is in the carriage; may I take your satchel?
+This way, please."</p>
+
+<p>Olive followed, with her heart fluttering wildly; but almost before her
+quick eye discovered her little sister, James had paused at the
+carriage, and Jean was laughing and crying on her neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Olive, I'm so glad and happy, I don't know what to do! I was so
+afraid you wouldn't come&mdash;and Uncle Ridley told me I mustn't get out of
+the carriage&mdash;and cousin Roger couldn't come with me&mdash;and I'm so glad
+you came&mdash;and how is mama and the girls&mdash;why don't you say something?"</p>
+
+<p>More than one person in hearing of this incoherent outburst, smiled
+broadly, and James was obliged to lower his head as he assisted Olive
+into the carriage, lest the twinkle of amusement in his face, should mar
+his profound dignity and professed stolidity for anything outside his
+coachmanship.</p>
+
+<p>"Do tell me everything&mdash;quick," cried Jean, as the carriage started
+onward, and she took her seat on Olive's lap. "Didn't mama send her
+picture, or something? I'd give twenty million dollars, if I had it, if
+I could just see her for a few little minutes. I guess I've cried about
+fifty gallons of tears to see you all since I came here."</p>
+
+<p>"Cried, when you are getting well?" laughed Olive, just beginning to
+realize how much she had wanted to see
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span>
+the little sister, who was now
+clinging to her with such joyous love.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed I have; and then Bettine gets so sorry for me, and says it
+isn't right, but then, I think God ought not to make me love mama and
+you all so much, if He does not want me to cry to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"And are you ever so much better?" asked Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, I never use my crutch now, only a little cane to help me, and
+the first time I really walk without any thing, I'm going to have my
+picture taken for mama."</p>
+
+<p>"I will draw it," exclaimed Olive. "If I am here, and have you standing
+among the flowers."</p>
+
+<p>"How nice," cried Jean; then drew back a little, and looked at her
+sister, as though just aware that she was really present.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Olive, you&mdash;seems to me&mdash;I don't know; but then, aren't you
+changed a good deal, someway?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; do you think I am?" asked Olive feeling the color creep
+into her cheeks, at the honest childish question.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it seems to me you are;" and Jean looked undecided whether to go
+on. "You look so nice and pretty, and then you don't seem a bit cross;
+is it because you are glad to see me?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just exactly it," cried Olive, moved to hide her face.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't know how glad I am to see you Jeanie,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>
+and if I'm cross a
+single once while I'm here, you may scold me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Olive," and Jean laughed merrily. "The idea of my scolding you,
+that's too funny. Don't you ever get cross any more?"</p>
+
+<p>"I try not, but then I do a great many times, I expect; I don't think I
+will now though, for I'm so glad to be with you, and find that you are
+just the same little Jeanie, that mama and the girls love and want to
+see so much. Why Kat said she expected you would have on long dresses,
+and be a young lady."</p>
+
+<p>"What a funny old girl she is," cried Jean. "I'd give anything to hear
+her laugh once, it always sounds so pretty."</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the drive was taken up in hasty chattering, as though they
+were going to be separated in just a few moments, and would leave
+something untold; and Olive never noticed that they had entered some
+tall gates, and were going up a white gravel road that wound in and out
+of the velvet-like lawn; and had quite forgotten her trepidation at
+meeting Mr. Congreve, until they came to a stand still, and James,
+throwing open the carriage door, revealed the great entrance portico,
+the open doors and the cool dark interior to Congreve Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Uncle Ridley?" was Jean's first question, as James lifted her
+out and handed her cane, while Olive followed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span>
+"I do not know, Miss Jean," James answered; but at that moment, Mr.
+Congreve became visible, advancing through the wide hall, and with her
+heart in a little jump, Olive passed Jean, entered the door, and met
+him, with outstretched hand.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you do, Uncle Ridley?"</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle Ridley! God bless my soul, just listen," cried the old man, the
+quizzical look on his face changing to one of blank delighted amazement,
+"Why, how do you do, my dear child; I didn't know but what you'd take my
+head off the first thing; you've changed a great deal; yes, bless my
+soul you have, but it's very becoming, it is indeed. Now come right in
+and sit down, and let me look at you, for I'd like to do so, yes I
+would. There&mdash;hum! ha, I never expected to get this close to you and be
+safe. And you called me Uncle Ridley too. Do it of your own accord?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Going to do it again?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you want me to?"</p>
+
+<p>"Want you to! God bless my soul! Just listen. I never was a downright,
+unvarnished heathen, but twice in my life; and I guess you know about
+both of those times, and my first request is that you let them slide
+from your memory. The Lord knows I'd like to! Yes, child, I want you to
+call me uncle, I hoped you would, but I wasn't going to ask you to.
+Before I die, I would like to be a better uncle to Robert's children
+than I ever was to him."</p>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="why" id="why"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 365px;">
+<img src="images/illus06.jpg" width="365" height="600" alt="&quot;Why, how do you do, my Dear Child?&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;Why, how do you do, my Dear Child?&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>
+Olive found that what little of the old dislike that lingered in her
+memory was fast vanishing, but before she could speak, he had whisked
+back into his odd, abrupt way.</p>
+
+<p>"What stupids we are, to be sure; never ask you to take off your things,
+or wash your face; and it's dirty sure as I'm alive! but then, there's
+enough smoke and dust and stuff, between here and New York, to dirty the
+faces of all the angel hosts, so you needn't mind; though I don't
+suppose you do; bless me! no; but then, you had better go and wash it.
+Jeanie, Olive is ready to go up stairs."</p>
+
+<p>Jean had been fluttering about Olive's chair in impatient eagerness, and
+now signified her readiness to act as guide by seizing her hand and
+hurrying out.</p>
+
+<p>"I was so afraid he would keep you there to talk," she said, as they
+went up the wide stairway, and through the hall, that made Olive open
+her eyes in spite of herself, for she never had seen such lavish display
+of elegance; and she was immediately seized with an old feeling of
+awkward strangeness, that brought a defiant color to her face, as she
+thought of any one discovering that she was unused to any elegance or
+custom that might reign in Congreve Hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle Ridley had these rooms fixed for you," said
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span>
+Jean, throwing open
+a large door, and ushering her in. "See, aren't they just beautiful?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Olive in quick delight; for they were certainly
+gems to make a girl rejoice. Three, with a bath-room, all complete, and
+looking like Titania's bower in their delicate green coloring and bamboo
+furniture. The carpets were like untouched moss clinging fresh and
+sweet, to mother-rocks, and to Olive, it seemed almost like sacrilege to
+tread upon it. From the wide, deep windows was a view, such as would
+hold the most careless gazer in a moment of ecstasy, and after one quick
+cry of artistic appreciation, Olive stood mutely entranced. Looking
+down, there were occasional glimpses of the magnificent lawn, with here
+and there, a rustic seat, and white statue, thrown in bold relief as
+seen through the tossing foliage; and looking out, there showed the road
+winding down through the mountains, every now and then disappearing,
+until finally lost to view; and farther off, and down in the valley lay
+Staunton, the busy, beautiful city, with its church spires rising into
+the hazy atmosphere, as though in defiance to the lofty peaks towering
+so much higher, and printing themselves against the sky in the far
+distance, in jagged, immovable lines, that looked like relentless guards
+to something beyond.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want a maid?" asked Jean, breaking in upon her reverie. "Uncle
+Ridley sent to ask you."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>
+"A maid!" exclaimed Olive, feeling blank for a moment. Did she want a
+maid? No; of course she didn't. Ernestine would have taken a maid; oh,
+yes; and no one would ever thought but what she had had a maid and
+untold luxuries all her life. But she&mdash;"No, I don't want any maid," she
+said, almost sharply; then laughed as Jean looked grieved at the quick
+tone. "What would I do with a maid, Jeanie? She would know a great deal
+more what to do than I, and that would never do, you know. Besides, I'm
+too used to dressing myself. Do all young ladies in Virginia have
+maids?"</p>
+
+<p>"All the rich ones, I guess. Miss Franc Murray,&mdash;she is going to marry
+Cousin Roger, Bettine says; she has one, and scolds her like everything
+when her hair isn't just right."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, how do you know?" laughed Olive.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been there lots of times. She comes here for me, and tells Uncle
+Ridley she loves me dearly; but Olive&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"When she comes, she stays just as long as she can; and if Cousin Roger
+isn't around, she asks me where he is, and all about him; then I have to
+promise never to tell."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are telling me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do you think that counts?" cried Jean in alarm. "She didn't ever
+mean you; but then, perhaps, I better
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span>
+not tell any more until I ask
+her, for I might break my word."</p>
+
+<p>Olive could not resist kissing the childish, innocent face that looked
+more like a little angel's than a child of nearly twelve. Surely, no
+matter how Jean was surrounded, she would always retain that childish
+sweetness and purity, that had always made her seem more of heaven than
+earth. Before she left Congreve Hall, Olive many times wondered that the
+child was not spoiled, for her slightest wish was law, from the owner
+down to the last servant therein.</p>
+
+<p>When the bell rang for tea, it broke in upon an earnest cosy chat
+between the sisters, and made them reluctant to leave their seat in the
+twilight; but Mr. Congreve was punctual to the letter, and required the
+same of others, so Jean led the way in a moment, and together they
+descended the stairs and entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Here you are, with your face clean, and a posy in your hair," cried Mr.
+Congreve, from his stand on the rug. "Fine looking girl, you are, my
+dear, and a Congreve every inch of you. Come here, and shake a paw with
+your Uncle Ridley."</p>
+
+<p>Olive did so, and conscious that another gentleman was standing outside
+the circle of light, and doubtless regarding her as she crossed the room
+to "shake a paw," she advanced, and tried not to think whether she was
+doing so gracefully or not.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>
+"That's the way," exclaimed Mr. Congreve, drawing her into the brightest
+light. "Roger, here is your Cousin Olive, and Olive, this is Roger
+Ridley Congreve at your service, and we will suppose that you are
+cousins, for the want of a better name. Now shake hands and be friends,
+children."</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman came forward, and conscious that her face was growing
+scarlet, Olive bowed slightly, and murmured something wherein no words
+were audible, but his name, and grew furiously angry with herself,
+because she had become confused at the sight of a gentleman, where she
+had expected to see only a youth.</p>
+
+<p>"Hoity-toity!" cried Mr. Congreve. "That will never do; call the boy
+Roger, Olive, and then we will go to supper."</p>
+
+<p>"The boy" smiled in a friendly fashion, and supposing that her confusion
+arose from the old gentleman's abrupt manner, he held out his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us shake and be friendly, Cousin Olive, and it is a great wonder
+that he doesn't command a kiss of greeting, on the strength of our being
+cousins, more or less distantly removed."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, Olive looked up with a startled air, and unconscious that
+he was holding her hand, she looked straight at him for several moments.
+Where had she ever seen that face and heard that voice?</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span>
+"What's the matter?" cried Jean, for the memory was in some way painful
+to her, and reflected itself so in her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," exclaimed Olive, withdrawing her hand in mortified haste, and
+flushing scarlet again.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought perhaps you was getting ready to blow his head off,"
+exclaimed Mr. Congreve, as if in relief. "That's something the way you
+looked at me, only not so ferocious, no! God bless my soul, no! I should
+have run if it had been; I should indeed. Now let's go to supper.
+Jeanie, come and help your old uncle along, and Roger, you take your
+Cousin Olive, and lead the way."</p>
+
+<p>Olive was angry, mortified and confused, so her reception of Roger's arm
+was none too gracious, nor the few words she uttered in answer to what
+he said, anything but barely audible and civil. Sensitively aware that
+she had allowed her feelings to get possession of her in the
+commencement, she tried to rectify matters now, and grew so frigid that
+there was no thawing her out. Roger Congreve's eyes wore a constant
+twinkle, and he looked at her so frequently that Olive defiantly felt
+that he was laughing at her awkward confusion, and the thought made his
+prospects towards gaining her friendship, none too bright. So on the
+whole, supper was not a successful meal, for Mr. Congreve never, when at
+the table, allowed any duty or pleasure to interfere with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>
+his eating;
+in consequence of which, he now devoted himself solely to chicken and
+chocolate, with only an occasional word, shot in edgeways, between
+bites. Jean was worried, because Olive looked so displeased, and as for
+Mr. Congreve the younger, he soon found that their guest preferred to
+say little or nothing, so allowed her to have her way. Immediately at
+the close of the meal, Jean and Olive went up stairs. Mr. Congreve went
+to sleep, with a big pocket handkerchief over his head, and his hands
+folded solemnly over his waistcoat; and the young gentleman took himself
+away,&mdash;to see "Miss Murray," said Jean, as she settled in Olive's lap
+for a chat. "I know he's going there, because I heard him tell Carl,
+that's the gardener, to gather a beautiful bouquet."</p>
+
+<p>For the first week the two sisters were left entirely to themselves; and
+they talked early and late, until every step travelled by each; during
+their separation, had been gone over, and made familiar with, by the
+other. Almost every day, Jean wanted to hear Ernestine's story repeated,
+and each time it seemed to grieve her more, though she never failed to
+say with a patient trusting faith&mdash;"She will come back, I know she will,
+for I ask God every night, and then somehow I always feel as though he
+had said to me: 'Wait a little longer Jean, I'm not ready quite yet,' so
+I'm waiting, Olive."</p>
+
+<p>Such perfect unquestioning faith, was something that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>
+Olive could not
+understand; and many times, when Jean spoke in such a simple trusting
+way, of how she talked to God, and told Him her little wants and
+worries, the elder sister would feel, with a thrill of fear, that
+perhaps God was going to take onto Himself, the child, who, all her
+short life had seemed to breath the air of Heaven more than of earth;
+and that up above, she would be united to the sister, who seemed lost to
+them below.</p>
+
+<p>They wrote home nearly every day, and Olive's letters were such
+blessings, for were they not filled, from beginning to end, with news of
+Jean! How she was growing strong and well, and would, perhaps, walk
+before Fall; how every one, from Uncle Ridley down, were devoted to her,
+and what a little dream of luxury her life was now, with every want or
+wish gratified, and everything that heart could wish. "And she is so
+sweet and unselfish," writes Olive. "A very little angel she seems to
+me, mama, and every hour that I spend with her, helps me in some way.
+There is a little lesson for me in all her childish words, and I'm not
+ashamed to tell you that I wish I could be more like her, though I never
+can. She seems apart some way, and is a constant study, that becomes
+more precious to me every day. When I pray, it seems to me like an
+important extra thing, that I must make some preparation for and be
+precise about; and then I cannot help feeling, that perhaps I'm not
+heard after all, which I know is wrong; but it is so different
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span>
+with
+Jean. She goes to God, as she would to you or papa, and never seems to
+doubt that every word is heard, and interested in. She is perfectly
+confident that Ernestine is coming back, and it gives me hope just to be
+near such perfect faith."</p>
+
+<p>After having given them several days of uninterrupted talk, Mr. Congreve
+began to lay claims to more of their time. He said he was lonesome for
+Jean, and that he was not getting any better acquainted with Olive, than
+as if she had staid at home; and that he thought they might talk to him,
+five minutes a day, at least; so after that, Jean spent her usual time
+with him, and Olive brought bits of sewing, or a little sketch she might
+be working on, down to the library, and they spent hours together. It
+was a pleasing study, to see how this companionship with the girls,
+affected the crusty old gentleman. He would sit by the hour with Jean on
+his knee, listening to her quaint childish talk, and looking alternately
+at her and at Olive, sketching or sewing, in the window seat; and the
+dear knows, what all he might be thinking about; but it must have been
+much; for it sometimes got the better of him, in a way that made easy
+breathing difficult, and brought the red handkerchief into vigorous use;
+and then he would jump up, flurry about, as though he were scaring a
+whole brood of chickens from the room.</p>
+
+<p>"There! clear out, clear out; God bless my soul! I want to read and be
+quiet awhile. Jeanie, hunt up my
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>
+glasses, and get down my book, and
+then trot out, and be quick about it."</p>
+
+<p>The first time he dismissed them in this abrupt fashion, Olive left with
+dignity, and told Jean that they would not trouble him again; then she
+thought it over, and changed her mind, and went back the next day as
+usual, to his evident surprise, for he had noticed her heightened color
+the day before, and little expected to see her back; so that when she
+came in, he gave vent to an astonished "humph!" and after a moment's
+pause, took one or two thoughtful turns around the room.</p>
+
+<p>"So you are determined to put up with the crusty old uncle, are you?" he
+said, pausing beside her, and looking down at the little sketch that was
+growing under her busy fingers. "Well, my dear, I'll turn in and help
+you; but if I ever get too much like a bear to be called human, you must
+remember that I'm getting old, and rather on the cross-grain; and not
+mind me any more than you can help. Now I just enjoy seeing you sit here
+and sketch," he went on more briskly. "Robert used to sit here in this
+very window, and draw mountains and valleys, and all sorts of things,
+and he did 'em well, though not as quick and true as you. I suppose he
+would have been an artist, and a splendid good one, too; but then I
+didn't want him to, so he gave it up,&mdash;a good boy was Robert, a splendid
+good boy, and I hope the dear Lord will forgive me for
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span>
+ever forgetting
+what my duty was to him, and letting my thundering temper get the better
+of me;&mdash;there now, draw away; I'm going off for a little tramp in the
+garden, and I'll be back a great deal sooner than you'll want me, I
+expect;" and off he went, with a great racket, which he never failed to
+make, when at all excited.</p>
+
+<p>One day, when he startled them with the usual abrupt dismissal, Olive
+did not go; instead, she laid down her work, and took his book, which
+was a ponderous volume of essays.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Uncle Ridley, don't you want me to read to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Read to me! God bless my soul! you read to me! Well, I never, I never
+did, to be sure; where's my snuff-box?&mdash;you read to me? No, I think not;
+you&mdash;you'll read too fast, and clatter your words up, and I'll have to
+work like a steam engine to keep up with you; no, on the whole, I guess
+not, I guess not."</p>
+
+<p>Olive's first thought was to put the book down, and leave, but her
+second was the one she acted upon.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll read slow," she said, "and as distinctly as I can; shall I try?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, humph! I guess you may; sit down there, and go slow," with which
+remark, he sat back in his chair, spread the red handkerchief over his
+face,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span>
+and Olive began to read. She read well, slowly and distinctly,
+and in a little while, the clear voice attracted another listener, who
+came in quietly, and studied the young reader's thoughtful face, from
+his seat in a distant corner.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span>
+<a name="xvi" id="xvi"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br />
+<br />
+<small>UNDER THE SHADY GREEN-WOOD TREE.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Why</span>, Kat, what is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing; not a blessed thing; I'm just trying to see how big a goose I
+can be. Where did you come from?"</p>
+
+<p>"Down town. Why, child, you look as if you had been crying for hours.
+What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, I tell you; take my word, and get out of the way, for I'm
+going to jump;" and down she came from above, with a swinging leap that
+brought a shower of half-ripe apples with her, and filled the air with
+leaves. "I had the dumps a little, and I've been sitting here in the
+tree crying over this book, until my nose is so big that I cannot see
+over it, and my eyes ache terribly."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span>
+"I should think they would, and you look dreadfully frowzled," said Bea,
+smoothing down her own dress, with an air of self-approval. "Really,
+Kat&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, come now, don't. I never was, and never will be a pink of
+propriety; and I would like to have a little peace and rest from
+lectures. You and Kittie are getting so orderly and band-boxy-fied, that
+there's no pleasure living. I'll be glad when Olive comes back, for she
+isn't quite so distressingly particular!" exclaimed Kat, who was
+evidently in anything but the best of humors.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, don't get fussy about it, and I won't say any more," promised
+Bea, with a conciliatory smile. "Besides, I've got some good news. We
+are invited to Mrs. Raymond's picnic, next Wednesday!"</p>
+
+<p>"You don't say so; hurrah!" cried Kat, in a sudden gale of delight, her
+eyes beginning to sparkle behind their still wet lashes.</p>
+
+<p>"What oceans of bliss! Who did you see?"</p>
+
+<p>"Clara and Lou; they were just coming out here to invite us, when I met
+them. It will be splendid; they are going ten miles out, and they supply
+carriages for all, and there will be boating and dancing, and games, and
+just everything delightful."</p>
+
+<p>Kat spun around on her heel enthusiastically, and threw a handful of
+small apples into the air. "Of course there will," she cried. "Raymonds'
+never do
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>
+anything except in the most stylish way. That's the fun of
+being rich."</p>
+
+<p>"I've just been down to call on Miss Barnett," said Bea, stooping to
+pick some imaginary burr from her dress. "They are invited, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, indeed," said Kat, with a mischievous chuckle, "I suppose of
+course, you are glad, for you want Miss Barnett to have a good time,
+don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," answered Bea, with much composure, and a little color. "She
+is a very pleasant young lady, and I would like to invite them here one
+evening before she goes home."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing to prevent that I can see," said Kat, "unless the doctor should
+object; but then, I don't think he will."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall ask mama," continued Bea, without noticing the little sly
+remark. "I need not have many, about fifteen is enough; and we might
+have cake, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, cake and water; cheap and original; she won't expect much, for I
+suppose the doctor has told her that we are poor as Job's turkey."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose he has not," corrected Bea, with some mild resentment. "He
+would have no occasion to mention us in connection with such a subject.
+Besides, we're not as poor as that."</p>
+
+<p>"Just go by it then," laughed Kat. "But you shall have a party, dear, if
+I have to paint the hole in the carpet and do all the work. We'll have a
+party or die."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span>
+Very much the same conclusion, only a little more mildly put, Mrs.
+Dering came to, when Bea made her modest request, with a pretty color in
+her face.</p>
+
+<p>"I know the parlor furniture is shabby, but it won't show so much at
+night," Bea explained. "And we might just have cake and coffee, you
+know, mama."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, quite a nice little idea; and I think we can do it without
+any trouble," answered Mrs. Dering, with that degree of motherly
+interest that is always so encouraging, "How many would you like to
+have, and on what evening?"</p>
+
+<p>"How good you are!" cried Bea, with a grateful hug, before she answered
+any questions. "Twelve is enough, don't you think so! Perhaps we'd like
+to dance, or if the moon should be very bright, we could play croquet
+and row on the pond."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite delightful ideas. And what evening, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Next&mdash;the picnic is on Wednesday. I guess on Friday evening would be
+the best; Miss Barnett goes home on the next Tuesday."</p>
+
+<p>"On Friday evening next. Well, I will spend the meantime studying up my
+receipt-book, for its been a long time since I made a fancy cake,"
+laughed Mrs. Dering. "As to the parlor, I think you had better go right
+in and see what is needed there."</p>
+
+<p>"So we had. Come on girls;" and off fluttered Bea, with a blithe song on
+her lips, and followed by Kittie
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span>
+and Kat, who were consumed with
+excitement at the prospect of a picnic and party in one week.</p>
+
+<p>The parlors were quite large double rooms that had never been fully
+furnished, but had received chairs and a table or two, by degrees; a
+lounge at one time, a couple of stools at another, and, lastly, a
+what-not, at which point contributions towards furnishing them ceased.
+The carpet was rather shabby, from long use, and in one or two places
+was worn perfectly white, which must be remedied in some way, as they
+looked alarmingly big. The girls opened the door, and Kat immediately
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"Curtains must be washed."</p>
+
+<p>"Sweeping the carpet with salt and tea-leaves brightens it up," added
+Kittie, throwing open the blinds, and letting the sunlight in.</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness, how that makes everything look!" cried Bea, in sudden dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"But it doesn't shine at night," said Kat, consolingly. "Bless me! how
+the back of the big chair is worn! what shall we do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Make a big tidy out of darning-cotton," answered Kittie. "That's pretty
+and cheap, and I know a lovely stitch, and can put long fringe on."</p>
+
+<p>"Capital idea!" assented Kat, with an approving nod.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to bring something in out of the sitting-room," said Bea,
+pushing the chairs around, with a view
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span>
+to making one fill the space
+required by two. "There's so much room, and it makes things look so
+skimpy."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't have everything pushed back so," advised Kittie, giving a twitch
+here and a pull there, that brought things to more social angles, and
+left less space. "See that fills out some, and in that corner we can put
+the wire rack and fill it with flowers and vines."</p>
+
+<p>"But the rack is so rusty," said Bea, only half relieved.</p>
+
+<p>"There's some green paint in the woodshed, and I'll touch it up," said
+Kittie, becoming thoroughly interested. "We can make a lovely
+corner-piece out of it; there's all those limestones down in the yard,
+and some of them are such pretty shapes, that will look lovely set in
+moss, with vines going over them. We can hang the baskets in the
+windows, and when the curtains are fresh and clean, it will look so
+pretty."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurrah for my better half," cried Kat, with a flourish of her hat.
+"It's bliss to hear you talk. Your words are like wisdom
+and&mdash;butter-scotch."</p>
+
+<p>"What's in the wind?" asked an interested voice from the window. "And
+what's all this I hear about limestones and butter-scotch and wisdom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you wish you knew?" said Kat, with an unfriendly grimace.</p>
+
+<p>"I do, indeed; and what's more I'm going to find out, because you will
+tell me, won't you, Posy?" said the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>
+new-comer, appealing to Bea, by the
+nickname which her prettily-colored cheeks had won from him.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, of course; and you must make yourself useful. I'm going to
+give a little company for Miss Barnett," said Bea, with a friendly nod,
+to make up for Kat's ungraciousness.</p>
+
+<p>"So-ho, a party, and we are all going to make our <em>d&eacute;but</em>, are we?"
+asked Ralph, swinging himself into the open window, and taking a seat on
+the sill, with an air of interest. "Good! Tell me what you want done,
+and I'm ready, Posy."</p>
+
+<p>"We'd like to have you take yourself off, somewhere, and stay till the
+day after the party," was Kat's uncomplimentary remark.</p>
+
+<p>"And I would like to oblige you, my dear, but I couldn't stay away from
+you that long," retorted Ralph.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not your dear, shut up;" cried Kat, flapping her hat, and scowling
+at the handsome, laughing face.</p>
+
+<p>"There," cried Bea, with a suddenly exhausted air. "I don't see any way
+of filling that big space between the windows in the back parlor. Dear
+me, I wish there was more furniture."</p>
+
+<p>"Bring the piano in," advised Ralph. "That's just exactly the place for
+it, and it ought to be in here on such an occasion."</p>
+
+<p>"Goodness! To be sure, but there's the expense of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span>
+moving," exclaimed
+Bea with a longing sigh. "And it would have to go back, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Why? Leave it here, a parlor's the place for a piano."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but that would never do," said Bea with decision. "We always sit
+in the other room, because it is so much more sunshiny and cozy than
+these big parlors; and it would seem deserted without the piano there,
+especially in the evenings."</p>
+
+<p>"Reasons very good and accepted," assented Ralph. "The only thing left
+to be done, is to decide whether or no, the piano shall come in and go
+back; ready, those who want it so;&mdash;and remember, I'm going to attend to
+it. Now then: yea or nay?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yea," cried the girls, in one delighted breath; after which, Bea
+ornamented him with a rose-bud, in token of her thanks, Kittie beamed
+untold gratitude upon him, and Kat remarked with condescension: "You can
+be a first-rate trump, when you take a notion."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm overcome," said Ralph, with both hands over his heart, and leaving
+his seat to make an extravagant bow&mdash;"To receive a bud from Posy, a
+smile from Kittie, and the assurance from my unconquerable Kathleen,
+that I can be a trump; is too much; I therefore hope you will excuse me
+for leaving you somewhat abruptly, ladies;" and out of the window he
+went with a flying leap, and Kat, watching him stroll down the yard,
+made another astonishing admission:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span>
+"He's very handsome, if he is such a bother," she said, putting on her
+hat with a reflective air. "I don't know, but what he might become quite
+civilized, if he staid here long enough."</p>
+
+<p>Between the picnic and the party, the girls were kept pretty busy for
+the next few days, and the house was very merry, for busy hands with
+happy hearts, bring chattering tongues and joyous laughter; and these
+summer days were gleeful ones.</p>
+
+<p>To be sure, some accidents happened, both comical and disastrous, and in
+fact, it never was otherwise, if anything was going on in which Kat had
+a hand.</p>
+
+<p>On the impulse of an unlucky moment she offered to paint the
+flower-rack, as Kittie was busy; so rigged in a big torn flat, and a
+pair of fingerless gloves, she went to work, and painted the bottom
+first, with flourishing success; but left it out over night, when it
+rained and splashed her work with mud; then she began over, and did the
+top first, and then hung the pot on a little hook, and went over the
+bottom again; but in the midst of her zeal, the pot slipped, turned
+over, and deluged her head and body with slopping green paint, and would
+have ruined her eyes, if she hadn't shut them tight with the first gasp
+of amaze; and when she tried to walk to the house with them closed, the
+wheel-barrow stood in the way, and over she went, with a shriek of
+dismay that brought the whole household flying to the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span>
+spot; after which
+the afflicted damsel was picked up, and carried tenderly to the kitchen
+to be worked with.</p>
+
+<p>Ralph finished the rack, and Kat heard him remark, that she had daubed
+enough paint on one knob, to do for half the rack. It didn't make her
+feel any better.</p>
+
+<p>In her zeal to get the parlors clean, Bea had climbed the step-ladder to
+wash some ancient dust from the top of the folding doors, but the ladder
+tilted, and over she went soap suds and all; and in answer to a wailing
+cry, the rescuing family once more put in an appearance, to find that
+the cleanly heroine, had wrenched her ankle, and could not step on it,
+but must be carried to the sitting-room, to have the afflicted member
+rubbed with arnica.</p>
+
+<p>"I tried to jump," she explained with pathetic rivers of tears. "Oh
+dear, what shall I do? I can't go to the picnic&mdash;nor have the
+company&mdash;nor anything&mdash;and I think it's too b-b-ad."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it is not so serious," said Mrs. Dering, with comfort in her
+voice, and in her swift careful fingers that were binding the swollen
+ankle in cool bands. "You will have to be perfectly still, and by
+Wednesday, I think it will be well; it is only a little twist, so don't
+feel so cast down dear." But Bea refused to be comforted, and sobbed
+herself to sleep that night. Not to go to the picnic, when Dr. Barnett
+had asked her to go in the phaeton with them, oh, it was too bad,
+surely!</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span>
+Beyond hammering one of her fingers, till the nail swelled up with
+insulted feeling, and threatened to come off, nothing happened to
+Kittie, who considered herself specially blessed, and did her whole head
+up in papers on Monday night, so as to be sure and have it curl for
+Wednesday.</p>
+
+<p>When Tuesday arrived, Bea had sunk to the lowest ebb. She knew she
+couldn't go, and there was no use talking. She was the most unfortunate
+girl that ever lived, and no one could deny it; and after making this
+assertion numberless times during the day, she gave up and cried
+despondingly, giving herself full freedom as she was alone; and so it
+happened that a young man came up the walk, and finding the front door
+open, came in, and a moment later, stood transfixed at the sitting-room
+threshold, to behold that utterly crushed looking figure on the lounge,
+with dishevelled hair, and hidden face; while the most heart-broken sobs
+crept out from behind a drenched handkerchief. No wonder he was alarmed,
+or that his voice trembled when he asked:</p>
+
+<p><a name="what" id="what"></a>"What is the matter&mdash;what has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>Bea nearly fell off the lounge in dismay, and only gave him one brief,
+startled glimpse of her wet face, then she stopped crying, and said
+after a reflective pause:</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing&mdash;I guess."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," he repeated, with a breath of relief, and then began to
+laugh.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span>
+"Won't you come in, Dr. Barnett?" said the discomfited weeper from
+behind her handkerchief, and with an attempt at dignity, "Excuse me for
+not rising; I'm&mdash;I'm lame."</p>
+
+<p>The little hitch in her voice betrayed her grief; but, dear me! he was
+all interest now. He drew a chair close to the lounge, professional
+habit, no doubt, and ventured to touch one of the hands that supported
+the doleful looking handkerchief.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you let me see you? When did this happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Saturday. No, you can't see me; I've been crying an hour."</p>
+
+<p>"Is the pain so great?"</p>
+
+<p>Oh, no wonder this young M.D. was so popular if his voice was always
+thus tender and anxious in making inquiries.</p>
+
+<p>"Pain! no, but," with a little hysterical sob, "I can't go to the
+picnic!"</p>
+
+<p>Now you needn't smile at this frank explanation, for he did not. Bless
+you! no; he looked as if he had three minds to cry too, and if Mrs.
+Dering hadn't entered at that moment, there's no telling what he might
+have said by way of sympathy. As it was, he returned her cordial
+greeting, and began to express his regret in polite terms, but with much
+warmth of feeling that could not be concealed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span>
+"Is it quite impossible, do you think? Lottie will be so disappointed;"
+he said, regardless of the fact that he was making Lottie do double
+duty, in the way of disappointment; but Bea took the remark in all good
+faith, and thought it was very sweet of Lottie to care whether she went
+or not.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," answered Mrs. Dering, thoughtfully. "It was only a
+little twist, and she stood on it this morning, didn't you, Bea?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, mama," said Bea, coming out from behind her handkerchief in eager
+interest. "I did for several minutes, and it didn't hurt hardly any."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you try again," said Dr. Barnett with unprofessional haste to
+test an injured member. "Take my arm, and let's see if you cannot walk a
+step or two."</p>
+
+<p>Bea did so, with a shy blush, and stood up; then after a moment, took a
+few steps, with the color coming and going in her cheeks, for more
+reasons than one; and, though it was very pleasant to feel her clinging
+to his arm in that helpless way, Dr. Barnett made her sit down; but
+passed his opinion that she could go to the picnic.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so?" said Bea, with delighted eagerness.</p>
+
+<p>"I do, if you will be content to sit in the carriage all day," he
+answered, looking down at her, as though he thought a much swollen nose
+and highly colored eyes were the most adorable sights; and Bea looked up
+at
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span>
+him, then blushed, without any reason whatever, whereupon Mrs.
+Dering made some hasty remark about the desirable weather for picnics,
+and the doctor decided, all of a sudden, that he must go, which he
+accordingly did.</p>
+
+<p>What a glorious hub-bub a picnic morning is, especially when there are
+several in one home interested in its perfect success. Neither of the
+girls slept much. Bea couldn't have told what kept her awake, but
+somehow, her eyes would remain open, and she was dimly conscious, of
+smiling several times in the dark, and feeling very happy. Once she came
+very near humming out a little air, that seemed to be singing itself
+over and over in her heart, but she suppressed the desire, out of
+consideration for others, who were less blissfully affected. Kittie
+declared that there was no use trying to sleep, because Kat kept getting
+up every few minutes, to look out and see if it was going to rain; and
+Kat, in turn, said that Kittie had sat up all night, because her
+crimping papers hurt her so she couldn't lie down. At just four o'clock
+everybody was fully awakened, by the twins clattering down stairs with a
+great racket, and getting breakfast under headway, and Mrs. Dering,
+awakened from her morning nap, consoled herself with a fervent&mdash;"Bless
+the children, I'm glad this doesn't happen often."</p>
+
+<p>"It's going to rain," cried Kat, with a despairing wail. "See that
+cloud?"</p>
+
+<p>"Stuff!" echoed Kittie. "It isn't as big as a door-knob."
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>
+But
+nevertheless, they both let breakfast burn, while running every few
+moments to see if it was swelling any bigger, and were fully rewarded by
+seeing it dwindle and sail away over the barn before six o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>No, it didn't rain, and before the sun was through his earliest infancy,
+they were all ready, and Dr. Barnett's phaeton stood at the gate, with
+Miss Lottie in a pretty picnic suit; and her brother deeply absorbed in
+the pleasing task of getting Bea down to the gate without hurting her
+ankle. Ralph officiated on one side of the interesting cripple, and took
+a wicked satisfaction in doing the greatest share of the supporting; but
+then the doctor was reasonable, and was as happy as possible with what
+fell to his share; and Bea,&mdash;well, Bea was perfectly content.</p>
+
+<p>They drove off with an accompanying shout from those left behind, and a
+few moments later, Ralph and the twins departed on foot to meet the
+carriages that were all to assemble at a certain place.</p>
+
+<p>Quite a little flutter of admiration went round as this trio came up,
+for Ralph was a very handsome centre piece, and the twins in their very
+becoming costumes and wide-awake hats, cocked up at one side after the
+prevailing fashion, made pictures of great attractiveness on each side.
+Everybody was there, and everybody was laughing and talking merrily, and
+everybody had a word
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>
+of greeting for the new arrivals. Of all the old
+school-girls from Miss Howard's, Kittie and Kat were the only two who
+did not make pretensions towards young ladyhood; and just now, there was
+something so girlish and sweet about them, in their fresh calico suits,
+and bright young faces under the big hats, that one or two strangers
+asked who they were, all the elder people smiled approval, while the
+young ones, with an eye on the handsome cousin, nodded sweetly, and were
+quite attentive.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at Susie Darrow," whispered Kat, under cover of her lowered hat.
+"All tricked out in silk, and a little gipsy bonnet, with a white plume;
+and she's been smiling at me every minute, and Ralph thinks she's the
+biggest goose out. I'll tell her so."</p>
+
+<p>"No, goodness no; let her smile if she wants to, she'll soon find out
+that it's no use," answered Kittie. "There's Sadie Brooks too, she's
+been in New York, and has got an eye-glass, dear sakes alive, just watch
+her use it, will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning girls, you look a couple of daisies;" said Mrs. Raymond,
+going by with a nod and a smile. "You and your cousin, are to go in our
+carriage, the girls want you," and away she went, like a busy happy soul
+that she was.</p>
+
+<p>"The Raymond girls look sensible," said Kittie, with an air of approval;
+"see they have on short dresses,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span>
+and big hats; I think Lou is prettier
+than Clara, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rather," answered Kat, too much taken up in watching her former
+play-mates, to notice others. Susie Darrow had been to boarding-school,
+Sadie Brooks to New York, and May Moore was going to the sea-side next
+month; so they were all much uplifted in mind and manner, and took unto
+themselves the airs of thoroughly initiated society-ladies.</p>
+
+<p>"Girls?" said Miss Brooks, with her little affected drawl, and raising
+her eye-glass in her lavender kid-fingers. "Which ones do you mean, I do
+not quite understand?"</p>
+
+<p>"Those two under the big tree," replied her questioner, a visitor in
+Canfield. "Twins they are, in the big hats."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Yes." Miss Brooks's eye-glass went slowly to the place indicated,
+and took a leisure survey. "You mean the little girls in calico dresses;
+they are the Derings, I believe, but really, being in the city so long,
+I find I am quite forgetting old faces."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed," was the reply, with a respectful air, though the desire to
+laugh was almost irresistible. The little girls in calico dresses were
+fifteen, and taller than Miss Brooks, who was just sixteen; but then,
+dear me, she had on a train of party length, bushels of banged hair, a
+little wisp of a bonnet, and little fine black marks along her lower
+eyelid, so altogether she looked about twenty,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span>
+and was perfectly
+satisfied with herself. She could not look ahead to the dissatisfaction
+that would be hers when she became twenty, and looked to be
+twenty-eight.</p>
+
+<p>When they started, ten merry carriage-loads, everybody stood in their
+doors, and hung over the front gates to see them off, for Canfield was a
+social little place, and felt a deep interest in anything going on
+within its limits; so if good wishes could make a successful day, surely
+they would have it.</p>
+
+<p>Well, they did have it; yes, indeed, they did; and a happier set of
+young people were never turned wild in green-woods. To be sure, there
+were some draw-backs; for instance, when a dozen or so went off to swing
+in a wild-grape vine, Sadie Brooks couldn't go, her dress was too long,
+and it would tear her gloves. Likewise, when they played "drop the
+handkerchief," "blind-man," and "down on this carpet," Susie Darrow
+couldn't join, because her tie-back would hardly admit of sitting down,
+let alone racing in the woods; besides, the wind blew her white plume
+all up, and took the crimp out of her hair, and then she lost her lace
+handkerchief, and didn't receive much attention from handsome Ralph
+Tremayne; and altogether, she lost her temper, declared picnics a bore,
+and told May Moore that no one but romps ever came to them anyhow,
+which, considering that both she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span>
+and May were in attendance, was a
+remark which might have been improved on.</p>
+
+<p>Sitting in a carriage all day proved to be no hardship to Bea, for
+didn't Dr. Barnett spend nearly all his time there? and at Miss Lottie's
+proposal, didn't several of them trim the phaeton in boughs and vines,
+and deck her out in flowers until she looked like a forest queen? and
+aside from being a favorite, didn't she receive so much sympathy that
+there was a constant court before and around her throne? and above it
+all, don't you suppose a certain pair of eyes, as they looked at her
+that day, told her a certain story more plainly than the owner's lips
+ever could? That she was the fairest and dearest picture to him, there,
+or elsewhere?</p>
+
+<p>"Who is that young lady&mdash;little girl, I am almost disposed to call her,
+with the fresh young face and lovely eyes? The one who stands on the
+bank, there, with the wreath of leaves on her hat?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Raymond's brother asked the question, as he sat with his sister on
+an elevated spot under a big tree, surveying the gay crowds roaming
+about in all directions.</p>
+
+<p>"That? It is one of the Dering twins," answered Mrs. Raymond, with a
+smile of interest. "But I don't know which; they are not to be
+distinguished; they are lovely girls, so fresh and unaffected. I suppose
+you have noticed them both?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>
+"Yes, and I disagree with you, for they are to be distinguished; I have
+been watching them with considerable interest. There; the other one is
+coming down the hill now; do you mean to tell me that you see no
+difference?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, surely not in face or figure," replied Mrs. Raymond, with a
+puzzled glance. "I see that the new-comer's hat is hanging to her neck,
+and has no trimming, that her gloves are gone, and she has the general
+appearance of having gone through a wind-mill."</p>
+
+<p>"And you have struck the distinction admirably, my dear," was the
+smiling answer. "There was something in their faces that interested me
+this morning, and I have noticed them a great deal. So far as I can see,
+the one has had just as gay a time as the other, and done very nearly as
+much romping; and yet you see, she looks as fresh and sweet as when
+starting out, with the addition of much becoming trimming; and where she
+has gone heartily, yet with a girlish grace, the other has gone
+pell-mell, as though in defiance of any restriction on feminine gender.
+Do you know which is which?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, I do not," said Mrs. Raymond, who was not acquainted with the
+characteristics of the twins. "All I know is that one is Kittie and the
+other Kat, and that I never know which is which when I am
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span>
+talking to
+them, never having had time to study them up."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I will wager my shoe-buckle, that the one on the bank is Kittie,
+and the hatless one Kat," was the quiet response. "At least, that is the
+way it ought to be. Now I should like to meet Miss Kittie, and if you&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible?" cried the lady, throwing up her hands in amaze. "You,
+who would only consent to come, on condition that you need not be
+introduced, and play the agreeable to the young ladies; well, well! who
+would have thought it, Paul?"</p>
+
+<p>"The generality of young ladies are bores," was the reply. "I did not
+expect to meet such a fresh faced, lovely young girl; for society never
+allows them to remain so, if it gets hold of them."</p>
+
+<p>"It will never be so with these girls," said Mrs. Raymond. "They have
+too sensible and lovely a mother, and besides, they are a family much
+devoted among themselves; there are five sisters, you will remember my
+telling you about the other one, Ernestine, she sang like an angel; and
+another one is an artist, the youngest a cripple, and&mdash;well they all
+seem to live solely for each other, so require little from society. I
+admire them all very much."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I, from what I hear," said the gentleman,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>
+getting up from his
+grassy seat, and glancing down at the bank. "Shall I assist you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed; I'm not old yet, if I am grey," laughed Mrs. Raymond,
+jumping nimbly up to prove her assertion. "I don't know what the ladies
+will say, Paul, to see you finally succumbing to feminine attractions;
+they have all eyed you in your seclusion with evident regret. You know
+there is something singularly attractive about a widower, young or old;
+though I suppose you have found that out," she added with a sister's
+fond belief that her brother is irresistible in every way.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I dislike conceit; but I have found out a few things in the last
+four years," he answered, smiling; then uttering a little exclamation of
+disappointment, as they reached the foot of the hill, and found that
+Kittie had disappeared from the bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Great oaks from little acorns grow." Sometimes they do in books,
+sometimes they do out; and this afternoon in the sunshiny woods, two
+little acorns had been planted. One of them was when Paul Murray had
+looked with careless eyes into Kittie Dering's face, and found in its
+bright girlish sweetness, what had been lacking for him, in any woman's
+face since he lost his wife; namely&mdash;interest. He was a grave,
+thoughtful faced man, with just a dash of grey on his temples, and a
+listless air of world-weariness, that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span>
+made him look beyond his years;
+for he was only twenty-eight; and yet he had had a vigorous cuffing from
+the reed-shaken hand of Fortune, and had come to regard himself with a
+sort of pitying disapprobation, such as falls upon us when we know we
+have a duty to perform, yet think it too great, and hesitate between
+self-condolence and accusation.</p>
+
+<p>He had seen the day of wild oats, and had sown them, but had drawn back
+ere they sprung into life and choked out all else. He had had riches and
+lost them; had married a lovely loving girl, only to have her taken from
+him in one short year; then to deaden his grief he had gone to work,
+regained his wealth, after which he left his infant daughter in tender
+hands, and had gone abroad, only to again lose all he had in an
+unfortunate speculation, which brought him home, where he had again gone
+to work, but with a listless, disinterested way,&mdash;that had brought him
+little success.</p>
+
+<p>So, to-day, he was a lawyer, struggling as though he had just entered
+the bar. So, I say, he felt like a man without an incentive. To be sure,
+there was his little daughter, but then he had really seen so little of
+the child, and for a time there had been almost a bitter feeling against
+her, because, in gaining her life, she had taken her young mother's, and
+left him desolate; and then if he was to die,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>
+she was amply provided
+for by her grandmother. He had yet to learn, that, though severely dealt
+with, he had still much to live for.</p>
+
+<p>The other little acorn had fallen in kindred ground, in no less place,
+than the loving little heart of Pansy Murray.</p>
+
+<p>The brother and sister were strolling rather aimlessly about, with a
+word here and there to chattering groups, and an occasional glance
+around to see if Kittie was in sight, when, who should they see, but
+that young lady coming slowly towards them, with her arms filled with a
+familiar bundle, that showed signs of life, as they came in sight of
+each other. It thus remarked with much excitement:</p>
+
+<p>"I was losted, I was, papa, behind a big tree, an' I was a kyin'
+dreffully when the lady finded me, I was."</p>
+
+<p>"Lost? Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Raymond, snatching the child in a
+hurry, and forgetting all introductions. "Why, I told the girls not to
+lose sight of you, Pansy."</p>
+
+<p>"But they did," said Pansy, with a blissful smile, as though she had
+done something great. "They bothered me dreadfully, saying: 'Come,
+Pansy,' 'Don't go there, Pansy,' till I went right off for sure 'thout
+telling one body, and then I got losted mos' right away, and I wished I
+could hear somebody say 'Come, Pansy,' but nobody
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span>
+did, so I jes' began
+to commence to holler, 'th all my might, and the lady camed right off; I
+think 'twas drefful good for her to."</p>
+
+<p>"Kat lost her breastpin, and I was helping look for it," said Kittie,
+with a modest blush, being quite overcome with the gratitude visible in
+both faces before her. "She wasn't very far away."</p>
+
+<p>"I was far away," corrected Pansy with decision. "I was more'n
+'leventeen miles, and I expected to see a big bear mos' every minute, I
+did, and I know one would have camed if the lady hadn't; and I jes' love
+her very much, I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; excuse me," said Mrs. Raymond, hastily. "Paul, this is Miss
+Dering; my brother, Mr. Murray; and we're so thankful to you, Kittie."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie bowed and blushed still more, as Mr. Murray repeated his
+gratitude, but as she turned to leave, Pansy cried vehemently:</p>
+
+<p>"You stay with me, 'cause I want you, and you go home with me and my
+papa in the little buggy; tell her so quick, right off, papa."</p>
+
+<p>Of course what could Mr. Murray do but say politely:</p>
+
+<p>"I should be most pleased, Miss Dering, if you would allow me to be
+cruel enough to take you from the gay party."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie did not know the invitation came from a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span>
+society lion, who
+refused to be caught, and the depths of her innocent heart never dreamed
+how pleased he was, at thus being forced into giving it; she only knew
+that she had much rather go home in the carriage, with the girls, and
+was quite unconscious that the thought shone in her eyes, but Mr. Murray
+saw it and hastily added:</p>
+
+<p>"It would be too unkind, after all. Do not consider it another moment;
+only tell me if you will allow Pansy and me to come and take you to ride
+some evening soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, thank you," answered Kittie. "I should be very much pleased."</p>
+
+<p>Some one shouted her name through the woods just then, and with a little
+bow and smile, she went away, leaving Mr. Murray to comfort Pansy, as he
+said slowly:</p>
+
+<p>"A delightfully natural, and charming little girl! We will go and take
+her to ride soon; so don't cry, Pansy."</p>
+
+<p>Well the blissful day came to an end, as all days will, though they
+prolonged it to the last minute and did not reach home until after dark;
+and then everybody forgot how tired they were, and said with a sigh of
+pleasing memory, "How delightful it was, to be sure!"</p>
+
+<p>"I had a lovely time," said Bea, smiling to herself in the dark, after
+they had gone to bed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>
+"Well, I'm sure I did," added Kittie, hugging her pillow with a tired,
+contented sigh, and thankful that she had no crimps in the way.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I didn't find my pin, and I tore my dress, and knocked my head
+till I saw stars, on that grape vine, but I had a grand tip-top time,
+and I'd like to go again, yes, I would, if only to see Sadie Brooks
+wiggle her eye-glass and say, 'How shocking!' when I walked the log
+across the creek," was Kat's final remark as she dropped into worn-out
+slumber.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span>
+<a name="xvii" id="xvii"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>SEVERAL THINGS.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">On</span> Friday morning, while the girls were flying busily around, and Mrs.
+Dering was deep in the task of getting a tall cake browned just to a
+turn, there came a note from Mrs. Dane.</p>
+
+<p>"How unfortunate," she mused, reading it hurriedly, as the girls ran in
+to see what it was. "Mr. Dane has gone to the city and will not be back
+until ten to night, and Mrs. Dane wants me to come and stay with her, as
+she has one of her dreadful nervous attacks. I feel as though I ought to
+go, if you can spare me girls!"</p>
+
+<p>"Things will go higgle-ty-piggle-ty, sure as the world," said Kat,
+balancing on the edge of the table, and fanning with the duster.</p>
+
+<p>"No, they will not either," corrected Bea. "We ought to be ashamed if
+they do. Go, of course, mama, though I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span>
+will be dreadfully sorry not to
+have you here this evening."</p>
+
+<p>"The cake is not quite done, and has to be iced," said Mrs. Dering,
+glancing from the fire to the clock. "I don't know,&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll finish it," said Kittie, letting down her dress, and replacing her
+sweeping cap with a big kitchen apron. "Go, and get ready mama, then
+come and tell me how to do the icing; the cake will be done by that
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"It must cool first, but you can get five eggs, and take the whites, get
+the beater and the sugar, and then I'll be back," replied Mrs. Dering,
+brushing some flour from her sleeves, and hurrying out.</p>
+
+<p>"Now something is going to happen," said Kat with prophetic certainty.
+"I feel it in my bones, and I bet you a postage-stamp it will be my
+fault."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'd advise you to be careful," said Kittie, taking a hurried peep
+into the oven.</p>
+
+<p>"Never!" cried Kat. "Something would be sure to go wrong then; it always
+does when I'm trying my very level best to be a credit to my family. The
+only thing for me to do, is to go at it with a slap and a bang; then
+things twist about like proper magic."</p>
+
+<p>"What nonsense!" said Kittie, breaking eggs with deft fingers. "Have you
+cleaned the lamps yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, nor done much else either; it's too hot;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>
+the thermometer is
+boiling, down cellar, and Ralph said that I was so good natured that I'd
+turn to grease if I got too heated, so I'm being careful, you see," said
+Kat, with a lazy laugh; and she sat in the window and fanned, with the
+duster in one hand and the egg-beater in the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I think the parlors look so pretty," said Kittie, with an air of
+relief, as the last egg deposited its silvery white in the big platter.
+"What an addition a piano is, and how nicely the curtains are done up;
+everything seems to be going right."</p>
+
+<p>"I smell the cake; it's burning!" cried Kat, jumping from her seat in a
+hurry; but Kittie threw open the oven, and jerked out the precious
+contents which did smell burnt, and was deep black right around one
+edge.</p>
+
+<p>"What a shame!" she cried regretfully; but Kat resumed her seat with the
+comforting remark:</p>
+
+<p>"Slice it over, and cover it up with icing; it will never show in the
+world; you see, if I hadn't been in here, it would have been burnt up."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I've got a nose," retorted Kittie, beginning to beat eggs with
+a swiftness that brought high color to her cheeks. "Now go on, Kat, and
+fix the lamps and help Bea, for she mustn't be on her foot much."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, beat them just as stiff as possible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span>
+before you put in
+the sugar," said Mrs. Dering, coming in with her things on, to note the
+progress, and leave orders. "Put it on with a large knife as smoothly as
+possible, then set it down cellar. As to the coffee, you know about that
+just as well as I do. The milk that is raising cream is on the back
+swing-shelf, down cellar. That is all, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes'm, and I guess we'll manage all right. Tell Mrs. Dane I'm sorry
+she's sick. Good-bye."</p>
+
+<p>"Everything looks beautiful, and I hope you'll have a pleasant time,
+dears," was Mrs. Dering's next remark, as she glanced into the parlors
+on her way out. "Don't tax your ankle too much, Bea, and Kat, try and
+not have anything happen to you this time. I suppose I will be here
+before they all go home, but if I am not, present my compliments and
+regrets. A merry time to you all. Good-bye."</p>
+
+<p>"There, how does that look?" asked Kat, balancing herself on the
+step-ladder with a caution born of bitter experience, and looking
+cock-eyed at the blooming basket she had just hung.</p>
+
+<p>"Beautiful," answered Bea, with her head, in a big sweeping-cap, turned
+admiringly side-ways. "Yes, that effect is lovely. I hope it will look
+as pretty by lamp-light. There comes Ralph with two big packages. I
+wonder what they are: something good, I expect?"</p>
+
+<p>Kat sat down on the ladder to look out the window,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>
+as Bea hurried out
+on to the porch to meet the young man of packages, and receive his
+burdens, if they were offered to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I was meditating this morning," said Ralph, sitting down on the steps
+with an exhausted air. "And it struck me, that to drink coffee on such a
+night as this&mdash;with the thermometer at blood heat in an ice chest&mdash;would
+be nothing less than a new order of suicide, so I have brought a
+substitute, which I venture to hope, will meet with your
+approval;&mdash;lemonade."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you're a blessing," cried Bea, with a joyful pounce on to the
+bundles. "It will be so much nicer, and what splendid big lemons, and
+enough sugar to make a gallon."</p>
+
+<p>"A gallon won't come amiss, I guess, people are ravenously thirsty such
+weather as this; why, I feel like I could drink a quart myself this very
+minute;&mdash;where's Kat?" asked Ralph, drawing another package from his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p>"Here I am; what's wanted?" answered Kat, putting her head out at the
+top of the window.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's something that you are fond of&mdash;catch," said Ralph, tossing the
+package, which Kat grasped as it flew by. "I looked all over town for
+some decent candy for this evening, and couldn't find a thing except
+that, which I knew would suit Kat, and put her in a good humor."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span>
+"Butter-scotch!" cried Kat, with a shriek of delight. "I haven't had any
+in the natural life of ten coons. What bliss! Ralph you're a top!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I'm getting along, I see; for I suppose a top is a little
+higher than a trump, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>But Kat had disappeared, so Ralph leaned up lazily against the post,
+fanning with his big straw hat, while drinking in with dreamy delight
+the quiet beauty before and around him. How intensely quiet nature can
+become in the sunshine of a summer afternoon! Even the birds in
+sheltering nooks among the shady leaves find greatest happiness in
+helping the solitude; and save a light breeze, touching the tops of the
+trees, and dipping down to stir the cool grass, lying in deep shade,
+there is no evidence that nature's pulse still answers to the quiet
+beating of her heart. The Dering home at a time like this, looked more
+like an old picture steeped in cool shadows, with glints of sunshine
+here and there, and one could almost imagine now, in looking at it, that
+the open windows, with glimpses of snowy curtains, the great front door
+with the cool, deep hall beyond, the shady, vine-covered porch, and the
+indolent figure on the steps, with dreamy, dark eyes, and hat idly
+dropped, were but witcheries of the artist's brush and colors.</p>
+
+<p>Something entirely averse to the idea of a painting, namely, a moving
+figure, appeared at this moment, coming
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span>
+from the front door, and
+bearing a small waiter with a glass of cool lemonade.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's something to make your eyes shine!" cried a voice that made him
+start up from his reverie in a hurry and look delighted.</p>
+
+<p>"Kat! Is it possible? For me? Who made it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did, to be sure, all alone by myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Where's the other glass?"</p>
+
+<p>"Other? Patience! won't one glass do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but wait; I'll get it," and away he went, coming back in a moment
+with an empty glass, into which he poured half the cool refreshing
+contents.</p>
+
+<p>"There! To be more social, you see. Now, mademoiselle, let's drink to
+health, happiness, and everlasting peace and friendship between us, from
+this moment henceforth. Shall we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Kat, with her brightest smile; so they clinked glasses and
+drank merrily in the shady porch; then shook hands to strengthen the
+contract, and made mutual resolves to smoke the pipe of peace forever.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime Kittie, unconscious of the great reconciliation just being
+sealed, was having a sorry time by herself out in the hot kitchen. The
+icing wouldn't ice worth a cent, but persisted in being sloppy and
+unmanageable; and the more she spatted and smoothed, the worse it
+looked; and finally she called to Bea, in worn-out despair:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span>
+"I don't see what in the world is the matter with it," cried the
+discouraged icer, setting forth her work with a sigh of exhausted
+energy. "Do you see what's wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>"You've iced it on the wrong side," said Bea, smothering her own
+disappointment, out of consideration for Kittie's tired despair. "You
+see the top always puffs and bakes out of shape, so the way to do is to
+ice the bottom, so it will look smooth and nice."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, to be sure; what a goose I was not to think! I tried to make it
+look even by filling the dents up, and they're all perfect little
+puddles;" cried Kittie in heated disgust. "What shall we do, make
+another one? Though I'd be afraid to try. I never made any kind but the
+very plainest and that wouldn't do."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I had rather have this. Put it down cellar in the very coolest
+place, and I guess it will harden up all right," advised Bea, smothering
+a little sigh of regretful anxiety, as she tried to give comfort to the
+discouraged cook. So Kittie carried it down cellar, and throughout the
+rest of the day made regular trips down to see if it was hardening any;
+but it wasn't, and her spirits sank so low that the astonishing sight of
+Ralph and Kat, sworn enemies when last she saw them, coming slowly up
+from the pond under one umbrella and evidently on such amicable grounds,
+did not rouse her, except to a moment of amaze; after which, she sank
+back into a world of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span>
+troubled dreams, where there seemed to be nothing
+but cakes, swimming about in puddles of icing, while a dreadful penalty
+hung above her defenceless head, if the puddles did not congeal into
+ornamental coverings before a given time.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear, oh! What can the matter be?" sang Ralph, stopping at the
+kitchen window, just in time to see her coming from the cellar-way with
+a face bereft of all hope. "What has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Ralph! I don't know what I shall do," she cried, with desponding
+agony, and then sat down on the wood-box and burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, bless your poor little heart! Tell me about it," exclaimed Ralph,
+swinging himself into the window, and hurrying to turn comforter.</p>
+
+<p>"The ca-ake is ruined," sobbed Kittie, entirely given over to despair
+and grief. "It's all slopped and soaked to pieces in the old icing&mdash;and
+I don't want to tell Bea&mdash;and I don't know what to do, either.
+I&mdash;I&mdash;fan&mdash;fanned it a whole hour to make it colder, and it didn't do a
+bit of good, and&mdash;oh, dear me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is a calamity, to be sure," said Ralph, feeling a masculine
+helplessness since the trouble lay within the domain of cookery. "But
+then, never mind; we'll drink lemonade, and let the cake go."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'd just as soon, but Bea&mdash;she'll be so disappointed, and I hate
+to tell her," sobbed Kittie, wailing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>
+"But Bea is reasonable," urged Ralph. "She will know you did your best,
+and ought to be ashamed if she says anything cross."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it isn't that," cried Kittie, hastily. "She knows I tried, and she
+won't say a word, but then she'll be so disappointed, because she wants
+everything nice for Miss Barnett, and&mdash;and, I hate to tell her."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said Ralph, much touched at this little evidence of sisterly
+consideration, and feeling a greater desire than ever to do something to
+help the cause along. "See here, Kittie," he exclaimed suddenly, and
+Kittie looked up quickly, for there was something promising in the
+voice. "Do you dry those eyes out in a hurry, and run out doors to get
+cool and cheerful, and don't ask me any questions."</p>
+
+<p>"But Ralph&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Go, I say, and do just as I tell you. Don't give that cake another
+thought, but go and fix yourself as pretty as you can for this evening,
+and I promise you everything shall be all right."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you blessed boy," cried Kittie, with a gasp of relief.</p>
+
+<p>"Boy! Don't insult me; remember I will vote this Fall."</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure; I beg your pardon," and Kittie began to laugh through her
+tears. She hadn't the slightest idea what he could do to make matters
+all right, but then he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span>
+had said he would, and that was enough. She
+never doubted but what he could do whatever he set his mind to.</p>
+
+<p>Just after it came time to light the parlors, it became evident to all
+that something was the matter with Kat. She didn't say anything, but on
+coming in from a late tow on the pond, and finding everything lighted,
+she gave a gasp, and stood perfectly still in the parlor door.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what were you down to the pond this late for?" asked Bea,
+flitting about in her white dress, with the softest color in her cheeks,
+a knot of blush roses in her hair, and another in her belt.</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I was cool&mdash;I mean I wanted to get cool," answered Kat with a
+stammer, and her eyes going hurriedly from one room to the other.</p>
+
+<p>"What did you light up so early for?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't call seven o'clock early&mdash;there goes the gate now."</p>
+
+<p>Kat groaned, as if in deepest despair, then dashed up stairs, and cast
+herself into the first chair with a tragic air.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it! I knew it! oh, what a miserable wretch I am, and whatever
+will I do? I never never will be anything but a black sheep to the
+longest day that I live?" After which cheerful prophesy, she ran both
+hands over her hair by way of smoothing any stray locks, gave her skirts
+a twist, and herself a general shake, and started slowly down stairs
+again, with a grimly resigned air.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span>
+It was only the most informal of little evening company, so every one
+came early, and in a little while the quiet evening air grew musical
+with merry voices and gay laughter, then became quieter, and was
+replaced by notes from the piano, or some one voice trilling out a
+popular song or a pretty ballad. Everything went flourishingly; to be
+sure, there were more ladies than gentlemen, which required much
+watching and managing on Bea's part, that no lady should suffer a dearth
+of masculine attention. Once, Ralph was missing from the room for some
+little time, which worried her greatly, but when he came back, she
+noticed that he nodded and smiled to Kittie, which was unintelligible to
+her, but was readily understood by her sister, to mean that everything
+was right. Just as the young hostess had decided that it was time to
+serve refreshments, some one asked her to sing.</p>
+
+<p>"I? Oh, I never sing," she said with a modest blush, and drawing back,
+while her heart began to flutter nervously.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm quite sure you do," persisted the young lady; whereupon the request
+was strengthened by all voices; and conscious that it would be impolite
+to still refuse, Bea walked to the piano, with her fingers growing cold
+as ice, and a die-away feeling in her throat. It took a few minutes to
+spin up the stool and decide what to sing, then in a voice that would
+quaver, she began a little Scotch
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span>
+song, and was just through the first
+verse when things began to look strange. Was it because she was so
+nervous, or was it growing dark? She played a few rambling chords, then
+she stopped and looked at the lamp with a chilly foreboding, and&mdash;<em>it
+was going out</em>!</p>
+
+<p>Somebody else had noticed it before she did, and now as she sat in
+blank, dazed mortification, some one crossed the room, and lifting the
+lamp, blew it out, saying with a careless laugh:</p>
+
+<p>"Several adventurous bugs were burning themselves to death, so I have
+ended their, and our misery, by putting out what they were slowly
+killing, and now while they are being dislodged, and the lamp relighted,
+shall we adjourn to the porch, ladies and gentlemen? The moon is coming
+up gorgeously."</p>
+
+<p>Bea could have gone down on her knees in gratitude to him, and Kat, the
+terrible, actually threw him a kiss in the dark, before she rushed out
+to the kitchen, where Bea had carried the lamp.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all my fault, every bit," she cried remorsefully. "I thought this
+morning, when I cleaned the lamps, that I would wait until it got cooler
+to go up after the coal-oil, and then I forgot it, clean as a shingle,
+and I'll do anything under the sun if you'll forgive me."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk," said Bea sharply, too excited and nervous to say much.
+"Go, bring every lamp in the house, quick!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span>
+"Never mind," exclaimed Kittie, coming hurriedly in, as Kat went off on
+a rush. "Don't feel bad, Bea, not a soul noticed it, and you were
+singing beautifully; besides you just ought to look in the dining-room;
+there's the most magnificent cake that you ever saw, and a freezer of
+delicious ice-cream!"</p>
+
+<p>Bea dropped the lamp-top from her trembling fingers, and turned her face
+with incredulous relief and delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Kittie!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I'm going right out now to distribute plates and napkins, and
+let them eat out in the moonlight; it's nearly as light as day, so don't
+worry another bit; the other big lamp will burn over two hours, yet, and
+you can empty enough from the little ones into this to make it go, and
+everybody but Dr. Barnett thinks it was bugs. Only hurry and come out;"
+and away fluttered Kittie, with the memory of Bea's brightened face, to
+provide the young guests with plates and expectations.</p>
+
+<p>So, when Bea replaced the lamp in the parlor, with its blaze high and
+bright, and came out on to the porch, she found the merriest party
+imaginable, and there were generous saucers of cream going round amid
+"Oh's," and "Ah's" of satisfaction, and Kat following after them with an
+immense cake, its top shining white as snow in the moonlight. Bea knew
+only too well who was the author of all this generosity, and she seized
+the first opportunity of giving Ralph's hand a squeeze of inexpressible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span>
+gratitude, to which he made answer by giving her a fraternal pat on the
+shoulder, as they stood in the shadow of the vine, and whispered slyly:</p>
+
+<p>"Barnett's a trump, isn't he? I never saw anything neater."</p>
+
+<p>Bea thought so and was treasuring up a little speech of thanks to make
+him when the good-night moment should arrive, but she didn't make it,
+for that moment turned out to be something so different from what she
+expected. It was this way. After having reduced the cake and lemonade to
+a state of bankruptcy, and made way with all the ice-cream, the young
+people strolled around the yard for a while in the moonlight, took rides
+in the Water-Rat across the pond, and then decided that it was time to
+go home, and began making their parting thanks accordingly; so that in a
+few moments every one was gone but Dr. Barnett and his sister; and that
+sister, with feminine quickness, understood that this moment might be
+the very one her brother wanted, so she engaged Kittie and Kat in a
+lively conversation, and together they all went up stairs for her
+wrappings.</p>
+
+<p>"It was so kind in you," began Bea when she found that they were quite
+alone on the porch. "I don't know what I should have done, and it was so
+terribly mortifying, but then&mdash;" and there she came to a pause, for
+looking up, she met his eyes, wearing an expression, such as chased all
+further words from her lips, and made her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>
+forget entirely what it was
+that she was going to say next.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you suppose," began the young doctor rather hurriedly, "that it
+is very pleasant for me to know that I saved you any pain, and don't you
+know that I wish I might feel that you would give me the right to do so
+always? don't you, Beatrice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh&mdash;I&mdash;don't know;" stammered Bea, with a foolish little quaver to her
+voice, and dropping her face clean out of sight, yet making no
+resistance when she found her hands imprisoned.</p>
+
+<p>"Please look at me," was the first request, in very tender tones. "I
+need some encouragement. Won't you give me a little? If you love me ever
+so little, dear, won't you put your hand in mine again?"</p>
+
+<p>Bea dropped her head still lower, all in a tremor of happy, shy delight,
+and looked at the hand which he had released, and was waiting to claim
+from her. Should she give it? She knew she would, even while she
+hesitated, for didn't she love him from the top to the bottom of her
+devoted little heart? Yes, of course she did. And didn't she foolishly
+think that the loveliest music in heaven could never be more delightful
+to listen to than his voice asking for her love? To be sure she did. Oh,
+it's wonderful how such times affect us all!</p>
+
+<p>"I'm waiting, Beatrice," said Dr. Walter, with a very
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span>
+proper degree of
+beseeching impatience. "Don't you love me any, darling?"</p>
+
+<p>Up came her head with a little flash of courage, giving him one glance
+of the shy, happy eyes, then down it went again, as she held out her
+hand, and felt it covered with an eager firmness, while something was
+said close to her rosy ear that did well enough for her to hear, but
+cannot be told to you.</p>
+
+<p>It is wonderful how much time Miss Lottie managed to consume in putting
+on a single wrap&mdash;a fleecy covering over her head; but she realized the
+importance of keeping out of the way a while, so loitered and chatted
+and admired the moon-lit view from the windows, and finally started
+slowly down stairs, fervently hoping that the important words had been
+spoken.</p>
+
+<p>They evidently had, for both parties looked so happy, and when the
+doctor bade the twins good night, it really seemed as though he would
+shake their hands off, in the excess of some feeling that possessed him;
+and there is no mistake about it, he certainly kissed Bea in the shadow
+of the vines, as he said to her in parting:</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow, I am coming to see your mother, and then I hope to put my
+seal on this little hand that you have given to me."</p>
+
+<p>At first, Bea did not know whether to tell the girls or not, but then,
+of course they knew, for after they were alone, what unheard-of capers
+they did go through with,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>
+such winks, and sighs, and groans, and tragic
+acting. So Bea sat over in the shadow where they couldn't see her face,
+and said with a laugh:</p>
+
+<p>"Stop your nonsense, if you want me to tell you about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell!" echoed Kat. "As if we didn't know, and hadn't seen for months.
+I've been nearly dead to tease, 'cause you're such a good subject, but
+then mama said we shouldn't. Engaged! Oh, here's a go!"</p>
+
+<p>"What did you both say?" asked Kittie, in romantic interest, and feeling
+as though a great hole had been made in the family, with Bea set apart
+from them in some way.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much," answered Bea, with a little smile to think how quickly it
+had all been done. "I hear voices at the gate; it's mama and Mr. Dane; I
+guess I'll go down and meet her;" so off she went, leaving the twins to
+laugh and mourn over the event.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Barnett came the next day, and he and Mrs. Dering talked in the
+sitting-room together for a long time. Then Bea was sent for, and after
+a while, when she came out with a quiet, almost sad happiness in her
+face, she wore a rim of gold on her left hand, and for a long time she
+sat alone in her room, thinking much, shedding a few tears, and saying a
+little prayer, as though she felt that she stood on the threshold of
+something that would require help, and that was hard for her to
+realize.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span>
+After this, the summer days came and went, with little to disturb the
+quiet life at the Dering's. The heat was so intense that amusements of
+all kinds were laid aside, just as little work done as possible, and the
+greater portion of the long days spent out on the old roof, where it was
+constantly shady. So nothing further happened until the time came for
+Ralph to return to home and studies. The prospect of such an event drove
+despair into the hearts of the girls and made them extensively
+rebellious. Even Kat mourned and felt a great deal more than she showed,
+for with all pretensions to dislike, would it have been possible to have
+had Ralph Tremayne there for six months, and not like him?</p>
+
+<p>"I'll come back," he would say over and over again, as though in some
+way, he gained comfort himself from the assertion. "In two years I'll be
+through with my studies, and my very first trip will be here and then&mdash;"
+but somehow, he never finished, but would look thoughtful for a little
+while, as though the move after <em>then</em>, was going to be a very important
+one.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you're glad to go," Kittie would say to him when he would
+often be telling of what he was going to work for and accomplish.
+"You'll go back to Boston, and study, and make yourself a great lawyer,
+and you'll see such elegant ladies in society there, that you will
+forget all about this little country town, and these little country
+girls."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>
+"Kittie," Ralph would exclaim in return, as though this little doubt of
+his faithfulness hurt him, "you know you don't mean it, and if you knew
+what this summer has been to me, you never would say so."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you tell us, then?" asked Kat, who happened to overhear this
+remark one day.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I will some time, if I find that you are glad to see me when I
+come back," answered Ralph with a mysterious smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you ever doubt that?" asked Bea. "After the blessing and comfort
+that you have been to us all? I don't know what we ever will do without
+you, Ralph; it will be so lonesome."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you ought not to care," said Ralph with a laugh, and touching the
+hand that wore the gold ring, with a significant gesture. "My place was
+taken long ago in your fickle heart, mademoiselle."</p>
+
+<p>It did not really seem as though they were going to lose him until
+September came, and the days crept around, till the one came when a
+trunk stood packed in the hall, the front room up stairs looked
+forsaken, and Ralph was really going next morning.</p>
+
+<p>Right after dinner, Kat took her book and went off to the farthest
+corner of the back-yard, where a gigantic apple-tree stood, with a
+magnificent seat of curled branches up in its centre, into which, Kat
+found her way, with some speedy climbing, and then sat down and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span>
+looked
+thoughtfully at nothing for nearly half an hour. Yes, she did look very
+thoughtful, and after a while, she opened her book, but did not read
+much, for something kept coming between her and the leaves, and two or
+three times she might have been seen to slide her hand across her eyes,
+and wink pretty fast, which plainly indicated that something must be the
+matter. She never could have told afterwards what made her stay there
+all the afternoon, but stay she did, and never came down until the sun
+had commenced to throw slanting shadows across the grass. On the way up
+to the house, she walked slowly, and appeared to be holding some
+internal communion or argument with herself, and was seen to shake
+herself rather fiercely before she went in.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, where in the world have you been?" was the remark that greeted
+her, as she appeared in the sitting-room door; and the speaker was Bea,
+who turned from the window with wet eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Been? Up in the big tree out below the pond."</p>
+
+<p>"Why I thought you had gone up town," exclaimed Kittie, who was crying
+on the piano-stool, like one bereft. "Ralph's gone."</p>
+
+<p>"Gone!" echoed Kat, slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, gone," repeated Bea. "He found that he could make connections
+right through by taking this afternoon's train, and he raced all around
+town an hour
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span>
+before train-time, to find you. Kittie said you were going
+after dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but I changed my mind," said Kat slowly, then turned and went out.
+Gone, and with no good-bye to her! She wondered a little to see how much
+the thought hurt her. Ralph's old straw hat, with its broad band of blue
+ribbon, just as he used to wear it around the yard, hung on the rack.
+She took it down with a queer little feeling in her throat, and slapped
+it on to her head, then went out into the yard again.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span>
+<a name="xviii" id="xviii"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>AT THE OPERA.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> sun came warmly in at the great west window of the picture gallery,
+and showed Olive sitting before a tall frame, and working busily at the
+sketch that lay in her lap. Very near to her lay Jean, on a luxurious
+little divan, with an open book in her hands, from which she read a
+little now and then, and watching her sister in the meantime. It was
+very still, for when Olive was at work she was always too absorbed to
+think of aught else, and objected to being talked to, so the deep
+silence lay unbroken, and Jean satisfied herself with being allowed to
+watch to her heart's content.</p>
+
+<p>At last Olive raised her head with a sigh, partly of fatigue, and partly
+of blissful content, and after taking a professional squint at her
+subject and her copy, passed it over to Jean with the remark:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span>
+"There, how do you like that, Jean? Does his nose look right?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just beautiful!" cried Jean with enthusiasm. "How splendidly you do it,
+Olive. He looks as if he was going to speak. It must be so nice to be an
+artist; you'll be a great one, some day, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want to be," answered Olive, who had lately learned that nothing so
+threw Jean into raptures, as to be appealed to, and confided in. "After
+I learn to draw heads just as nicely as possible, I am going to sketch
+yours and Ernestine's for mama."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you really?" exclaimed Jean in delight, "and like that one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, like this," said Olive, looking at her sketch, which was a copy of
+a magnificent head of Demosthenes, cast in bas-relief against black
+velvet. "Don't you think she will like it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, she'll just be too happy!" cried Jean, slipping from her lounge,
+and limping over to Olive with her cane. "I want to talk a little while
+now, will you, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>The young artist cast a hasty regretful look at her drawing, and was on
+the point of putting off the little talk, for her fingers fairly
+trembled to go on with her work, and catch with her pencil the peculiar
+life-like expression about the mouth of the great orator; but the
+temptation was thrust aside, and the next moment, Jean
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span>
+was sitting in
+her lap, with the contented air of one who expects no rebuffs or
+unreturned caresses.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been watching you so long," she began, touching with loving
+fingers, the long, heavy braid of beautiful hair, that had fallen over
+Olive's shoulder, "and I just wanted to tell you how different you look
+from the way you used to, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Olive, who had grown used to these loving bursts of
+admiration from the observing little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"I used to think," continued Jean, "that you was the most unhappy girl I
+ever saw, and it made me feel so sorry, 'cause I thought it must be
+somebody's fault, and then I wanted to kiss you, or something, but you
+always looked so, I didn't know whether you'd like it or not, and so I
+never did."</p>
+
+<p>"But I would have been glad," said Olive, who could remember very well
+the many times she had frozen the little girl's loving advances.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll tell you why I was so unhappy, Jeanie; I thought no body loved me,
+and that I was in the way."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Olive! Olive!" cried Jean in greatest amaze. "How could you think
+so; who made you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I made myself," said Olive. "I was so cross, that I made you all stay
+away from me, and then I thought it was because no one cared for me,
+because I was so ugly."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span>
+"You wasn't pretty then," was Jean's honest remark. "But you are now,
+really, and so splendid looking some way. You haven't got rosy cheeks
+like Miss Foster, nor yellow hair like Ernestine, but somehow I love to
+look at you, and so does Cousin Roger, 'cause sometimes when you are
+drawing, he just looks right straight at you all the whole time."</p>
+
+<p>"Does he?" laughed Olive, and then revealed the utter want of romance in
+her nature, by never giving the complimentary fact another thought.
+"I'll tell you something, Jean, if you'll not repeat it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, Olive, never!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm drawing Cousin Roger's head."</p>
+
+<p>"You are, and he don't know it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I take good looks when he don't see, then go and draw awhile; it's
+good practise, and he has such a strong, clear face, and splendidly
+shaped head, that I have to work hard to make my picture good, and I
+find it is helping me a great deal," said Olive, with never a thought of
+doing a thing that might be termed romantic.</p>
+
+<p>"How nice, and may I see it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, when it is done."</p>
+
+<p>"And may <em>I</em> see it?" inquired a new voice, that made them both start
+and turn, to see Roger Congreve coming down the gallery.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you hear?" asked Olive, looking a little vexed;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span>
+and Jean opened
+her mouth to say something, then shut it in a hurry.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I didn't except the last two sentences; but from the way you both
+look, I think it must be something that I ought to hear," answered the
+gentleman, sitting down on Jean's divan with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him," whispered Jean, and as Olive looked up, and saw his head
+with gleams of sunshine falling across it, she realized the advantage of
+having it to look at steadily, and how grand his forehead was.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'd just as soon tell you as not," she said frankly. "I've been
+taking a sketch of your head."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you indeed," he exclaimed, with a sudden light in his face that
+Olive could not understand, if indeed, she thought anything about it.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it makes a splendid study, but I haven't made much progress,
+because I've had so few chances."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you do it on the sly?" he asked, hoping to detect a little
+confusion in her answer, such as might indicate a little deeper interest
+than the mere study; but not a bit of it; she answered readily enough:</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you might consider it a bore to sit still, doing nothing,
+just for the sake of being copied, so I never said anything about it,
+but studied by piece-meal."</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, believe me, nothing would be greater bliss than to sit
+still doing nothing, by the hour,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span>
+for the sake of being copied&mdash;by
+you," said Roger with an unmistakable accent.</p>
+
+<p>"It is very kind of you, I am sure," replied Olive, on whom all such
+things were thrown away; as indeed he had found out long ago, being a
+little nettled at the discovery. Not that he was given such, to any
+extreme, but then he was a society man, born and bred, with all of
+society's pleasing little airs, which might have made him a society
+fool, if he had not also possessed too much manhood and good common
+sense. Between his handsome self, and it being known that he was "old
+Congreve's heir," it's a never ending wonder that he wasn't spoiled; but
+he had kept clear headed, and also clear hearted so far, and had come to
+find out that there were but few women who were not susceptible to
+flattery, and who would not drop into a harmless flirtation with little
+invitation. Therefore, when Olive came, and never seemed to regard him
+as any extraordinary being, he decided to make her; so after trying
+indifference, equal to her own awhile, he was somewhat amazed to find
+that his was feigned, and hers was too genuine to be complimentary;
+after which he tried the attentive, which rarely fails to bring a girl
+around, and was astonished beyond measure, to find that it was in vain.
+To be sure, Olive accepted his flowers, sometimes wearing a bud or two
+in her hair, and seemed to think it very kind in him to remember her in
+that way. And she went riding day
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span>
+after day with him, with the most
+hearty enjoyment, for did she not see the most magnificent scenery from
+the mountain roads, round which they cantered in the lovely days? And
+they frequently spent evenings together, when at her request he would
+read aloud from books she might name, and then they would discuss them,
+when he would find that hers was no ordinary school-girlish mind, that
+could be bent according to another's ideas. And so, at last, he came to
+feel a genuine desire to win some feeling from her, since she was
+rousing so much in him; but the genuine desire seemed as vain as the
+former idle one, for while Olive undoubtedly enjoyed his society, since
+he assisted her in discovering the best sketching points, and was an
+able conversationalist in what he had read and seen; there was nothing
+beyond it, and she would have enjoyed the same, just as well, in any one
+else. Most any girl but Olive, would have come to understand and
+appreciate, the evident preference he at last professed for her society,
+above that of the Staunton belles; and most any girl would have been
+flattered by the attentions which now bore sincerity in their face; but
+to Olive they seemed only courtesies paid to her as a guest, for which
+she was grateful, and gave no extra thought. She was wrapped too deeply
+in her art to have any thought of lovers, besides she was not at all
+romantic; all her cravings for affection were satisfied in the home
+circle, and the deeper fountains of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span>
+her heart, that, once reached,
+would be a well-spring of deathless unchanged devotion, lay deeply
+buried now. So it was that Roger Congreve had met the first woman whom
+he could not attract in some way, who won from him the strongest
+feelings, and gave him nothing in return but polite friendliness; and
+that she should be nothing but a seventeen year old girl, was something
+rather humiliating. When the study on the head began, as it did the next
+day, it was both a pleasure and almost a pain to him to feel that he
+might as well have been a piece of statuary as for all the attention she
+gave him, aside from the long careful looks her thoughtful eyes bestowed
+on some particular curve to his nose, or expression about his mouth. But
+then it gave him plenty of time to study the quiet face, with its clear
+colorlessness, the lowered eyelids with curling lashes, the nose, that
+was purely aristocratic in its fine outline, and the wavy sweep of brown
+hair from the high, white brow. The study was always a pleasure to him,
+and made ten times stronger his resolve to win some feeling and
+expression thereof from her.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sleepy?" Olive asked once, when he had fallen into a reverie,
+and was regarding her with eyes dreamily tender. "I'm ready for your
+eyes now, and that expression will never do. I've put your head and face
+in an expression of strong defiance, and those eyes would ruin it. Look
+real angry for a minute, and let me
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span>
+catch the expression!&mdash;no, not that
+way, it's too fierce; but just steady and earnest, as though you were
+determined to do something, whether or no."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; look at me now," he said, turning his eyes on her with a
+flash of determination, such as set her pencil to work in a hurry. "I
+want to tell you that I have made up my mind to do a certain thing,
+which I will tell you about when accomplished."</p>
+
+<p>She was too busy replacing that look on paper to heed the gracious
+promise; and he had the questionable pleasure of knowing that he was
+entirely forgotten for the next few minutes, save in the capacity of a
+model, and that thought accomplished what Olive wanted, for it kept that
+look of roused defiance in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Occasionally old Mr. Congreve would come into the gallery and take a
+look at the work, on which he would pass some characteristic comment,
+and then depart, taking Jean with him, and saying to her with a chuckle,
+that sounded like intense satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"Come along with me, Jeanie, and let's leave the young folks alone with
+their drawing. I guess they can manage it better alone;" and Jean would
+go regretfully, and with an innocent wondering how her staying would
+make any difference.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, towards the latter part of September, Roger came up from
+the city, and meeting Olive on the lawn, drew two tickets from his
+pocket, and threw them into her lap.</p>
+
+<p class="link"><a name="mr" id="mr"></a></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 358px;">
+<img src="images/illus08.jpg" width="358" height="600" alt="Mr. Congreve would come into the Gallery." title="" />
+<span class="caption">Mr. Congreve would come into the Gallery.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span>
+"There! The first opera of the season, and pretty early for that, too!
+but I hear they are rather good, and they give 'Bohemian Girl' to-night,
+so I bought tickets. Shall we go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it was kind of you. I would like to hear it very much," answered
+Olive with a pleased smile. "Do you know, I never heard an opera in my
+life."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible?" in intense surprise. "Why, we will go every night they
+are here, if you say so."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no," with an air of reproof. "That would be very nice, but too
+extravagant. I know money is nothing to you, but then it wouldn't seem
+right to spend so much for mere pleasure when there are so many poor."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her in surprise for a moment, but was too modest to tell
+that he gave twice as much to worthy poor as he ever gave to personal
+pleasure; so the subject dropped, and they were silent until Olive
+asked, with a sudden recollection of how she had frequently heard him
+describe ladies' toilets:</p>
+
+<p>"Do they&mdash;I will have to ask you because there is no one else&mdash;but do
+the ladies dress much at opera, here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just as they please. It is not so popular as formerly. Street dress is
+mostly worn now."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know as it makes any difference, for
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span>
+I've got just so
+much to dress in, and would have to wear it anyhow," said Olive, with a
+composed laugh, which indicated how little she cared for what was
+popular aside from a polite desire to be becomingly attired in the eyes
+of her escort.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you wear some flowers if I will send them up to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you always thank me for every little thing as if we were perfect
+strangers?" he exclaimed, with a little impatience, and a sort of vague
+feeling that if she realized or cared for the devotion accompanying the
+acts, she would accept them more as a matter of course.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I not thank you?" with an air of surprise. "Is it any reason
+that I should not be polite since we are well acquainted?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, to be sure not," with a slight laugh; "but, then&mdash;what flowers do
+you prefer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Make your own selection."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall choose white then. Are you going in?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; this is Jean's day to go to the doctor's, and I promised to go
+with her," and with a little nod, she walked off and left him where he
+had thrown himself on the grass at her feet.</p>
+
+<p>That night, many a glass was turned towards their box for Roger Congreve
+was too eligible not to be a perfect magnet of interest, and any lady
+that he might choose to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span>
+show a slight preference for, became, at once,
+a target for glances and comments; so, for a while, Olive was conscious
+of a dazzling battery of eyes and glasses; but Roger noticed, with some
+wonder, that the fact did not seem to disturb her more than as though it
+had been the commonest occurrence in her life. She looked exceedingly
+well to-night, dressed entirely in black, with lillies-of-the-valley in
+her hair, and fastened in the lace at her throat, while the pleasing
+excitement brought a bright flash into her eyes, and more color than
+usual into the lips that clearly showed their curved outline.</p>
+
+<p>The evening's amusement began, and progressed pleasurably through the
+first act, to which Olive listened attentively, saying with a little
+sigh of regret when the curtain fell:</p>
+
+<p>"How lovely it all is! Ernestine always wanted to go on the stage! It
+must be delightful if one can?"</p>
+
+<p>"Delightful, possibly; but a life of drudgery until one has worked to
+the top, and even then, there are hardships," Roger answered, noting how
+a look of sadness chased the gay smile from her lips when she spoke of
+the absent sister. Somehow, the place seemed replete with memories of
+Ernestine; the music which she had often played, the glitter of wealth
+and fashion that she always loved and longed for, the very atmosphere of
+gayety and excitement, such as she had always craved to draw breath in,
+seemed to recall her now, as Olive, caring
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span>
+so little for it, sat in its
+midst, and lost in memory. Roger regretted that any sadness should have
+obtruded itself, and was relieved to see, that when the curtain rose on
+the second act, that Olive soon became absorbed in the picturesque gypsy
+scene and lovely music. The robbery of Florestein was being committed
+with the usual success of brilliancy, and the gipsies were taking French
+leave, when the figure of a woman enters, drops her cloak, and&mdash;Roger
+sees no more. He hears a sudden painful gasp at his side, and turns to
+see Olive, whiter than her lilies, rising from her seat slowly, as if
+faint.</p>
+
+<p>"Olive," he exclaimed, hastily drawing the curtain between them and the
+audience, but she put out her hand, and then sank back in her chair, too
+weak to stand, for the first time in her life:</p>
+
+<p>"Ernestine!" she said, huskily. "It is Ernestine!"</p>
+
+<p>In incredulous amaze, he looked back at the stage, just as the queen was
+leading Florestein off, and he sees a frail-looking figure heaped in
+gaudy toggery, that looks as though it would drag her down with its
+weight; and, above it, is a pale flower-like face, with great dark,
+weary-looking eyes, and a heavy coronet of yellow hair twisted with
+tinsel and gauze.</p>
+
+<p>"How can I go to her?" Olive is saying with intense eagerness, and
+leaving her seat with a new strength. "Tell me quick, for I must go at
+once&mdash;tell me, quick."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span>
+"It will do no good," said Roger, laying a detaining hand on her arm.
+"Listen to me a moment, Olive,"&mdash;as she threw it off in wild impatience.
+"They would not admit us behind the scenes, and besides, do you not see
+how frail and weak she looks? The shock would unfit her for the rest of
+the performance and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What do I care for that? She shall leave them at once. I will go to
+her. I'll go alone, if you will not go with me," cried Olive with
+glowing eyes and trembling lips, and moving towards the door.</p>
+
+<p>"But she dare not leave, and they would not allow you to see her," said
+Roger earnestly. "Only wait until the performance is over, and we will
+be at the stage entrance to meet her as she comes out. It will be best
+so; believe me, and trust in my interest, that is doubly deep for your
+sake."</p>
+
+<p>Olive hesitated, but reason conquered, and she came trembling back to
+her seat, saying in an excited whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot look at her again; I shall certainly betray myself if I do.
+Oh, how deathly she looks! I cannot bear it!"</p>
+
+<p>Roger did not doubt her self-control, until the gypsy queen appeared
+from her tent to disturb the love-scene of Thaddeus and Arline; and
+then, as Olive started forward and leaned against the box-rail, with
+parted, colorless lips, he certainly thought the name hovering on them
+would escape. But it did not. She pressed her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span>
+hands tightly together
+and looked down, with such glittering eyes that it is a wonder their
+intense gaze did not make itself felt, and draw an answering look from
+the pale, worn queen, who, it was very evident, was making every
+particle of her strength work, to carry her through her part. Roger
+noticed, with an excitement almost equal to Olive's, that as she
+advanced to unite the lovers' hands, that she cleared her throat huskily
+and grew even yet paler in the tent-lights, and that twice she opened
+her lips before any sound crossed them. The next moment Olive had sprung
+to her feet, as with the first words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>
+"Hand to hand, and heart to heart&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The voice ceased, a thin stream of blood crossed the queen's white lips
+and the curtain was rung down in a hurry, as she fell back into the
+gypsy's arms and was carried off.</p>
+
+<p>"This way, give me your arm," said Roger, pausing to say nothing else as
+they left the box and made their way through the dim little hall to the
+stage door. It was locked, and the most imperative and repeated knocks,
+failed to bring any response; and pitying the trembling eagerness that
+made Olive cling to his arm, he turned back, making all possible haste
+through the auditorium. The greater part of the audience still kept
+their seats to hear what would follow, but several were leaving, so that
+their hurrying through was hardly noticed, though neither
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span>
+gave it a
+thought. Just as they turned into the alley-way, from which the stage
+entrance led, a hack was seen to drive hurriedly from the door, and
+Olive's trembling strength almost forsook her, as she gasped out&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"That is she&mdash;they are taking her away,&mdash;and we do not know where!"</p>
+
+<p>But it only took a moment to find where, to call another hack, help
+Olive in, to shout: "To the Virginia!" and then to be rattled off,
+through the darkness, in frantic haste; as cabby realized, from the
+excited order, that greatest speed was wanted.</p>
+
+<p>Olive spoke no word through that drive, but the moment the hack stopped
+before the hotel, she sprang from it, and rushed into the house,
+appealing eagerly to the first one met&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Where is she&mdash;the lady they have just brought in?"</p>
+
+<p>"The actress? Miss Clare? Third floor, but I don't know the number."</p>
+
+<p>Olive turned to see Roger coming in with a tall, kindly faced man, who
+hurried up stairs, while Roger said to her:</p>
+
+<p>"It is the doctor, we will follow him;" and together they went up,
+through the dim halls, and climbing the steep stairs, until they saw him
+enter a door, around which several curious persons stood, and then Roger
+paused, saying with decision:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>
+"You risk her life if you go in now, when she is in such a condition;
+the shock might bring on another hemorrhage."</p>
+
+<p>"I will wait," said Olive, beginning to feel the stern necessity of
+rigid self-control. "But cannot you go in, and ask the doctor how she
+is, and ask him how long before I can see her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will try, wait here;" and Olive waited, while he went to the door,
+and tapped. She saw that he was refused admittance; but that in a few
+moments the doctor came out, and talked with him, after which they
+walked down to where she stood.</p>
+
+<p>"Dr. Pierce, Olive; and I have told him a few of the sad facts of the
+case," was Roger's hurried introduction and explanation.</p>
+
+<p>"And can I see her?" asked Olive, with trembling eagerness.</p>
+
+<p>"I think not, but I am sorry," was the kindly answer. "The hemorrhage
+was not very severe, but she is perfectly prostrated with overwork and
+excitement, so that I would dread the effect of any shock. Besides I
+have given her an opiate, from which she may not wake for hours, if it
+has the desired effect."</p>
+
+<p>"But may I not see her when she gets to sleep?" pleaded Olive,
+tremulously. "I will be very quiet indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you may; I will call you," answered the doctor,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span>
+and then some of
+the bystanders brought Olive a chair, and she dropped into it, and
+leaning her head against the door casing, waited, hardly noticing that
+through the hour that followed, Roger Congreve stood close by her side
+and studied the pale, anxious face, while pondering the revelation made
+to him that evening. He had almost decided that she had no heart, simply
+because it had not responded to his; but had she not?</p>
+
+<p>"You may come now," whispered an attendant, opening the door; and with
+her heart bounding so that she could scarcely stand, Olive went in
+slowly, and holding her breath as she drew near the bed whereon lay the
+motionless figure. Oh, could it be Ernestine? She stood and looked, with
+eyes blinded by hot tears, and once ventured to touch one of the thin
+waxen-like hands lying on the coverlid. Did it seem possible?
+Light-hearted, beautiful Ernestine Dering, and this white, shadowy,
+motionless being, one and the same? The face, as seen in the glare of
+lights, and under its gaudy trappings, was a picture of health, compared
+to what it was now, lying on the small, hard pillow, with the golden
+hair pushed straight back, and the face as pallid as marble, with sunken
+eyes, and pinched, white lips. Olive stood and looked for several
+moments, with the sobs swelling in her throat; then she knelt down
+beside the bed, and hid her face in the coverings, and no one disturbed
+her; but with Ernestine's first move she drew back, and out of sight
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span>
+across the room, which was needless, for the sleeper only turned her
+head, and then sank into that death-like stillness again.</p>
+
+<p>"Has she been ill long?" asked Olive of the single woman who still
+remained in the room. "Do you know anything about her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, miss. I am Madame T&mdash;&mdash;, the prima donna's maid, and I helped
+dress Miss Clare to-night," answered the quiet-faced woman, who was
+nearly dead with curiosity, but stood in some awe of the tall, strange
+young lady. "She has not been strong any of the time since she's been
+with us; but yesterday, Miss Downs took sick, and Mr. Hurst, he's the
+manager, put Miss Clare in her place, and she's studied and sung every
+minute since, to be ready for to-night; and I thought when I dressed
+her, that she looked more like going into her coffin, than on the stage
+in all that toggery. She needs proper good care now, or she'll be like
+to die;&mdash;might you be a&mdash;friend, miss?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and I shall remove her from here as soon as she is able. What has
+she in the way of clothes, and where are they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Laws! miss, not much, I guess, only that little trunk there," answered
+the woman, pointing to what might have been a good sized band-box, that
+stood in the corner, and which, in other days would hardly have held
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span>
+Ernestine's sashes, ribbons and trinkets, let alone the smallest corner
+of her wardrobe.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going," said Roger, tiptoeing carefully to Olive's side. "It is
+past eleven, and the carriage will have come for us and gone back, and
+Uncle Ridley will be alarmed. I shall return immediately, and is there
+anything you want brought?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," whispered Olive. "Pillows, eight or ten of them, wine, and my
+blue wrapper; Jean will be asleep; Bettine will get it for you;&mdash;that is
+all, I think;" and he went carefully away, to bear the startling news
+out to Congreve Hall; and Olive was left to her lonely vigil, for the
+troupe arrived presently from the theatre, and the maid was obliged to
+attend to Madame T&mdash;&mdash;. Most of the performers had rooms on the third
+floor, and after a loiter down stairs, came up noisily, singing and
+chatting right by the sick-room, and Olive was horrified to hear that
+they stopped next door, from which place the merriment continued to flow
+forth unceasing. Did they not know that the sick girl lay next door, or
+at least that she was in the house? Olive stood it as long as she could,
+then sprang to her feet, and in a moment had tapped at the next door.</p>
+
+<p>The sounds ceased for a moment, then some one threw it open, and the
+light flashed on her pale, indignant face and flashing eyes, with the
+wilted lilies at her throat, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span>
+the unmistakable air of a woman "born
+to command," in her erect head, and clear, indignant glance.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not aware,"&mdash;she had no time to couch her language in pleasing
+terms,&mdash;"Are you not aware that a lady lies at the point of death in the
+next room?"</p>
+
+<p>The four men looked at the apparition in silent amaze for a moment, then
+one of them said, with an unmistakable hiccough and a silly smile:</p>
+
+<p>"You don't say so! hic, come in, an' tell us all about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Shut up, Bunce! can't you see it's a lady?" retorted he, who sheepishly
+held the door. "I'm&mdash;I'm sorry, mam," he continued, with a bow to Olive.
+"I&mdash;we&mdash;forgot; I hope we've not disturbed her much; there shall be no
+more noise, I promise you."</p>
+
+<p>Olive disappeared, and returned to Ernestine, her heart swelling with
+furious indignation. If she had not been there, would the maid have gone
+to Madame T&mdash;&mdash;, and would the sick girl have been left alone in that
+death-like stupor? It seemed too heartlessly cruel to be true; Olive
+could not understand it.</p>
+
+<p>Roger Congreve returned just before twelve, and found Olive sitting
+alone by the sleeper, and his wrath was fully equal to hers.</p>
+
+<p>"But they all know you are with her," he said, "and there are all manner
+of curious conjectures floating round. Here are pillows, and wine, and I
+have brought Bettine back with me."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span>
+"Oh, I am so glad," said Olive, with a sigh of relief, "I have been
+pondering what I would do if she should wake up. What did Uncle Ridley
+say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Say? Why, it was all I could do to keep him from coming here right
+away; and I left him trying to comfort Jean, who was nearly in a spasm
+of joy. She was awake and insisted on knowing why you did not come;
+otherwise I should not have told her to-night. Here, Bettine, bring one
+of those largest pillows."</p>
+
+<p>Bettine came forward from where she stood near the door, bringing a
+large, soft pillow, very unlike the little hard one on which Ernestine's
+head rested; and as Olive carefully lifted the sleeper's head, they were
+exchanged, without disturbing the heavy stupefied slumber.</p>
+
+<p>"I think the manager will be up here in a moment," said Roger, when
+Olive had taken her seat and Bettine had retreated to the corner, wiping
+her eyes on the rough little pillow-case; and even as he spoke, there
+came steps in the hall and a slight tap at the door, and Bettine
+admitted the doctor, followed by a tall, surly-faced man, who looked
+fiercely around the room, and scowled at Olive, who took her seat by the
+bed, with an instinctive feeling that the unconscious sleeper might need
+her protection.</p>
+
+<p>"You see for yourself," said the doctor, stepping to the bed with the
+stranger, after having bowed to Olive and Roger. "She is alive, and
+really doing better than I expected; but a slight turn may be her
+instant death,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>
+or she may live several months yet with perfect rest and
+comfort. She can never be of further use to you, for her last note had
+been sung, and her last act given."</p>
+
+<p>The manager scowled down at the death-like sleeper.</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, I have a claim on her. I paid her fifty dollars in
+advance to buy necessary stage-wardrobe," he said, with a heartless
+coolness. "I never was such a fool before, but she had a fine voice and
+good stage air, and I thought she'd last."</p>
+
+<p>Almost before he finished speaking, Olive had leaped to her feet with
+flashing eyes and quivering white lips, but before she could speak,
+Roger's quiet voice interrupted:</p>
+
+<p>"Will you step this way, sir, and make out your bill against the young
+lady? I am quite ready to cancel all or any demands."</p>
+
+<p>The manager turned and looked at him for a moment, in silence, then
+crossed the room with a shrug of his shoulders, and took the pencil held
+out to him, also the little page of blanks.</p>
+
+<p>"Sign her release, while I make out your check," said Roger, drawing his
+bank book from his pocket, and hastily filling a page, while the manager
+slowly scrawled a few words on the blank, attached his name, and passed
+it over, receiving the check in exchange.</p>
+
+<p>"It's not half what I ought to receive," he said, with surly grimace.
+"Here I've got to go and look up
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span>
+some one else, and she made the
+performance fizzle out to-night, besides being a deal of trouble all
+along with her delicate airs."</p>
+
+<p>"Leave the room!" cried Olive fiercely, trembling and white with
+uncontrollable rage. "You have killed her. I hope you will remember it
+to your last day. You are her murderer, and whatever you paid her, it is
+more than likely she had given her life to work out for you, so what you
+are paid now is wages for your brutish work. Leave the room, I say; you
+have no longer a right here, nor any claim, if indeed you ever had one,
+for I tell you I don't believe you ever paid her a cent, even what you
+owed her, and you shall not breathe the same air with her longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Young woman, be careful!" thundered the manager, growing an irate
+scarlet, as the fiercely uttered words rolled in upon him; but Olive met
+his gaze with flashing, undaunted eyes, and then the good doctor
+recovered from his speechless amaze and came between them, after which,
+Bettine, trembling with awe and fright, let the two gentlemen out. Olive
+dropped back into her seat, and through it all, Ernestine slept, her
+thin hands folded over her quiet bosom, and an air of utter repose on
+her face, as of one too near another world to heed struggles in this,
+even though they reached her weary hearing.</p>
+
+<p>So the night wore on, and save the doctor returning for a moment, utter
+silence reigned. Olive never moved
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span>
+from her low seat by the bed, with
+her face hid. Bettine dropped asleep in her chair, and Roger, over by
+the window, found that his busy thoughts kept him awake for hours, but
+that he finally grew drowsy, and at last dropped into a doze, with his
+head against the casing.</p>
+
+<p>As the city bell tolled the hour of three, Ernestine opened her eyes
+slowly, with a weary air that seemed like regret, and looked about the
+dimly lighted room, with only a half conscious air. Roger received a
+slow wondering look, then Bettine, and then her eyes fell on the figure
+by the bed, with crushed white flowers in her hair, and face bowed from
+sight; but it seemed to matter little who they all were, for she made no
+move and looked away beyond them all, with a dreamy air of lingering
+stupor, that still held thoughts and memory in check. But presently a
+brighter light of reason crept into the eyes that made them open wider
+and look about once more at the three silent figures, with more wonder
+and closer attention, and at last she put out her hand slowly, and
+touched the bowed head beside her; and startled by the light pressure,
+Olive raised her head quickly, and they looked at each other.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment her heart stood still in terror, as the dark eyes rested on
+her face, then there came a feeble, husky moan of delirious joy. "Olive!
+Oh, Olive!" and Roger, wakened by the slight sound, sprang up, to find
+Ernestine fainted entirely away, and Olive rushed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span>
+wildly for water; at
+which Bettine also awakened, and shaking with fright, as her first
+thought was, that Ernestine was dying. But she was not, for with
+moistened lips and dampened brow, they brought a feeble flutter of life
+back, and with the first lifting of the eyelids, Olive bent down to lay
+her lips to those that tried to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Not another word for your life's sake, darling. I am here. I am going
+to take you home to mama, but you must not speak."</p>
+
+<p>Words cannot describe the incredulous joy and perfect peace that touched
+the wan face at the words, nor the bewildering happiness that lighted
+the sunken eyes, as the feeble arms tried to clasp themselves about
+Olive's neck, but fell weakly down.</p>
+
+<p>Roger found his eyes blinded by tears as he stepped back to get the
+wine. "Give her some," he said, handing the glass to Olive, and slipping
+his arm under Ernestine's pillow to raise her head slightly, and
+Ernestine sipped slowly at the wine held to her lips, never once moving
+her eyes from Olive's face, then lay back with that contented, peaceful
+look, like some who, from facing despair, desperation, and the bitterest
+heart-ache, suddenly find themselves cradled in perfect peace, with no
+trouble, no want, no sadness, and too weak to wonder, hold fast their
+wild joy and are content.</p>
+
+<p>For a long time it seemed as though Ernestine cared to know nothing,
+save that Olive was beside her, held
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span>
+her hand, and bent to kiss her
+every few moments; but, after a long time her eyes went to Roger, as
+though she had just discovered his presence, and Olive answered the
+question in them.</p>
+
+<p>"It is our Cousin Roger, dear, and Uncle Ridley, and Jean will be here
+in the morning; can't you go to sleep, so as to be stronger then?"</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine's lips trembled with joy, but she shut her eyes instantly, as
+though to win sleep and hasten the morning; but no sleep came, and so
+till daylight touched the world, Olive sat and held the hands that
+trembled eagerly, as the moments went by. At last, she grew perfectly
+quiet, and Olive, knowing she had dropped asleep drew back from the
+long-held position that had made every muscle ache.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you lie down?" whispered Roger. "You look like a ghost. I am
+going to sit out in the hall so as to keep things quiet when the
+boarders begin to leave their rooms."</p>
+
+<p>"How good you are!" said Olive, looking up at him with a sudden
+gratitude, and noting how pale and worn he looked from the long night of
+sleeplessness and anxiety. "I can never thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not try," he answered, pressing the hand she had held out to him,
+and looking at her with eyes she could not have failed to read had she
+not been in such a tumult of absorbing thoughts, and then he went
+carefully
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span>
+out, and Olive, bidding sleepy Bettine to lie down, took her
+seat again by the bed, and daylight came up brightly, while she watched
+Ernestine's sleeping face, with eyes that were continually blinded by
+thankful tears.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after breakfast, the carriage from the Hall came dashing up to the
+Virginia, and in a few moments, Mr. Congreve was stamping hurriedly up
+stairs, while James followed, carrying Jean, who was trembling like a
+leaf with eager excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul! I never did!" cried Mr. Congreve, as Roger, hearing
+them coming, met them at the top of the last flight. "Such thundering
+stairs! Why I sha'n't breathe straight again for a month, and I don't
+want to go in on the dear child puffing like a crazy porpoise. Let me
+sit right down here to blow my nose and get my breath. How is she,
+Roger?"</p>
+
+<p>"Better this morning. She ate a little breakfast and drank some wine,
+but is very weak yet. Jeanie, that is the room. You may go in, but go
+quietly," said Roger, and Jean, being placed on the floor, almost forgot
+to use her cane, as she limped hurriedly along.</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine was watching the door with eager, hungry eyes, and the moment
+Jean appeared, she held out her feeble hands, and the next moment,
+Jean's kisses were covering her face, and the little girl was saying in
+joyous eagerness:</p>
+
+<p>"I knew God would bring you back. I've asked Him
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span>
+every night since you
+went away. Oh, my precious, darling, Ernestine, I'm so glad that I can't
+help crying," the delighted sobs bubbling up as she spoke; while
+Ernestine, forbidden to speak, fondled the curly hair and dear little
+face, and feebly smiled her happiness.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my child, God bless you, I'm glad we've got you again," was Mr.
+Congreve's greeting, as he came in, making every effort not to be noisy
+or speak too loud, in consequence of which, his voice was dropped to a
+sepulchral whisper, and he walked as if the floor was spread with eggs.
+But his kind, sharp eyes were full of tears, his voice shook, and he
+held her frail hand as though it was a precious wafer, that slight
+pressure might demolish.</p>
+
+<p>"The doctor was here, just now," said Olive, "He says we may take her
+out home by to-morrow, if she continues to do well."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes, to be sure," answered Mr. Congreve, retreating to the corner
+and employing both hands and an immense handkerchief to wipe away the
+tears. "Has the child everything that she wants, Olive? I&mdash;God bless my
+soul! she looks half dead already, as though she had been starved and
+treated like a dog! Confound my eyes! but then I must cry; I'd like to
+take a good out and out bellow, I would, indeed; I haven't felt so
+stuffed with tears for fifty years. Have you sent word to your mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I wanted to ask you about it. Ernestine is out
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span>
+of danger, and yet,
+if mama knows she is found and so ill, it will make her sick with
+anxiety and waiting, so I thought we had better wait until she is able
+to be taken home, then write."</p>
+
+<p>"Just so, exactly; you're right, no doubt. I hope the dear child can be
+moved to-morrow, for this place is like a musty chicken coop; I wouldn't
+put my worst enemy's dog in such a room, and I think I'll go down and
+blow off my feelings by telling the man who runs this shanty, just what
+I think of him;" and away went the excited old gentleman in a hurry,
+after telling Olive once more to spare no expense, if the dear child
+wanted anything.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Ernestine was taken to Congreve Hall.</p>
+
+<p>How many times had the girls thought of Ernestine, with her beauty, her
+grace, and queenly little airs, as being in Congreve Hall. How they had
+imagined her ornamenting its stately rooms, sweeping through the great
+halls, and queening it to her happy heart's content, a fit inmate to its
+splendor.</p>
+
+<p>Now, on a bed, that could be lifted from the carriage, by two careful
+servants, and slowly taken in at the great entrance, wan, wasted, and
+helpless, Ernestine was going into Congreve Hall at last.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span>
+<a name="xix" id="xix"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br />
+<br />
+<small>COMING HOME.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">We</span> haven't had a letter from Olive this week," said Bea, breaking a
+silence that had fallen upon them, as they sat sewing in the cheerful
+sitting-room. "How long she has been gone! Isn't it most time for her to
+be coming home, mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"She was to stay as long as she was enjoying herself, and pleasing Uncle
+Ridley," answered Mrs. Dering. "I hardly thought she would stay so long
+on account of her studies, but from what she writes about the scenery
+and gallery of pictures at Congreve, I suppose she is having a little
+artistic revelry that is very pleasant."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, she has forever lost place in my eyes," said Kat severely, "for
+not snubbing that chap. 'Cousin Roger,' she calls him! Stuff! He's no
+more our cousin than I'm your uncle; and he's to own the Hall, when it
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span>
+ought to be ours. I should think his conscience would wear a hole right
+through him, and if she brings that picture of his head home with her,
+I'll jab the carving-fork into it, sure's the world!"</p>
+
+<p>"It would make you feel better, I've no doubt," remarked Kittie, who sat
+by the window stitching ruffles, with a lady-like air, while a great
+bouquet ornamented the sill, shedding its fragrance through the room; it
+having been brought that morning by the polite colored man from
+Raymond's, with a tiny, three-cornered card, fastened to a rose-bud, and
+reading:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"FOR MISS KITTIE, FROM PANSY,"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">in crazy-looking capitals.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't see how she can," said Kat, "be so polite to a fellow who
+is paddling about in our canoe, while we flounder in the water, and get
+along the best we can. I think it's too mean."</p>
+
+<p>"But it's not his fault," remonstrated Bea. "Uncle Ridley has a right to
+leave his money and house where he pleases; and I'm sure I can't see
+what right we have to fuss, especially after all he's done for us."</p>
+
+<p>"We have too much to be thankful for to make complaints of any kind,"
+said Mrs. Dering, looking out of the window, as the gate was heard to
+slam. "There comes a boy! You may go to the door, Kat, as you don't
+appear to be doing anything."</p>
+
+<p>Kat lifted herself from the floor with a yawn, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span>
+strolled lazily out
+to the door, but came back in a moment, with quicker steps, and less
+color in her face.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a despatch," she said, holding out the envelope that always bears
+alarm in its very face; and Mrs. Dering took it quickly, while the girls
+hung round her chair in anxiety. Was Olive or Jean sick? Neither. The
+paper unfolded, briefly read:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="nb">"I will be home on Wednesday with Ernestine. She is quite ill.
+Meet the train with an easy carriage and pillows, and with Dr.
+B.</p>
+<p class="pr2">"OLIVE."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>For a moment not a sound broke the stillness, then Mrs. Dering dropped
+the paper, and hid her face in her hands, and the girls knew that her
+first thought was to return thanks for this answer to her long, yearning
+prayers. A moment after, it was as though a whirlwind had struck the
+peaceful room; no one seemed to know, in the excitement that possessed
+them, just what it was they wanted to say or do, and between the joy and
+anxiety that the news occasioned, they all laughed and cried
+alternately.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow is Wednesday, and Ernestine will be here. Oh, don't it seem
+too happy to be true," cried Kittie, wiping away her tears with a strand
+of ruffling. "How do you suppose it ever happened? I can hardly wait;
+what shall we do to make time pass?"</p>
+
+<p>There proved to be plenty to keep their hands in keeping with their
+thoughts, for a room must be prepared
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span>
+for the invalid, and thoroughly
+prepared, too. They went to work on it that afternoon, first building a
+bright fire in the great fire-place, and throwing open all the windows
+to let the sunshine pour in. How strange it seemed; how happy, and yet
+how sad! Ernestine coming home! Not dead nor lost, but coming home,
+feeble and helpless! Where had she been all these long, weary months?
+and had any of their heart-aches and longings reached her? Perhaps she
+had been sick and alone, had not known of their eager search, or been
+able to drag herself back to them.</p>
+
+<p>The girls laughed and cried, while they swept, and dusted, and made up
+the bed like a snow-bank, ready turned down to admit the weary form. The
+whitest, most beautifully fluted curtains were hung before the windows,
+whose panes glistened like diamonds from hot soap-suds and crisp
+rubbings. All the pretty knick-knacks were brought in and put upon the
+walls with an eye to Ernestine's graceful little fancy likings. The
+easiest chairs, and prettiest rugs&mdash;in short, when finished, it was a
+little bower, and Kittie put the finishing touches in the way of flowers
+and vines, that, together, with the sunshine, made a sick-room of
+perfection to greet the coming invalid. Mrs. Dering went down to Mr.
+Phillips's to get Prince and the buggy, and found that the news had
+preceded her. The telegram had been repeated, and in an hour's time had
+pretty near
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span>
+made the circle of Canfield; so her appearance was greeted
+with joyful congratulations and sympathetic rejoicing; for Canfield had
+taken the matter to heart, and having grieved with the family, were now
+prepared to rejoice with it also. Miss Clara Raymond met Mrs Dering on
+her way to Mr. Phillips's, and offered their carriage, which was
+gratefully accepted, as it was large, low, and easy, and much more
+comfortable than the buggy for an invalid.</p>
+
+<p>Little sleeping was done that night, and in the morning the girls cooked
+every dainty that Ernestine had ever loved. They cleaned the whole house
+till it shone, under the stress of excitement; and, as train time drew
+near, they fairly grew weak and sick with anxiety and suspense. Mrs.
+Dering did not say much, but when the carriage came, and she put on her
+hat, while the girls got the pillows, they saw that she was pale and
+trembling, and that her voice shook beyond control when she gave Dr.
+Barnett a smiling "good-morning."</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing left to do, so after the carriage drove away the three
+girls sat on the steps, with their hands clasped, and waited. Kittie
+made one or two flying trips up stairs to see if everything was really
+beyond further improvement, while Kat vibrated nervously between the
+porch and the gate, and Bea sat still, looking at her ring, and
+wondering if Ernestine would like the giver, and what she would say.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span>
+"There!" cried Kat at last, with a nervous jump. "The train is in, now
+in just a little bit&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>It is possible that there was not a heart in Canfield but gave an
+expectant throb when the rumble and roar of the train shook the little
+place to its centre, and was heard to stop, a thing it did not often do;
+and there were but few who did not imagine, and earnestly sympathize
+with the joy it was bringing to one home in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>"There they come! Oh, girls I feel perfectly faint," cried Kittie,
+making a grasp at the gate post, to sustain her trembling excited self.
+"How slow and careful,&mdash;she must be so sick."</p>
+
+<p>No one answered, but six eager eyes watched, and three throbbing hearts
+waited, as the horses came with slow steps, and the carriage rolled
+carefully along. The top had been raised, and curious gazers along the
+way could see nothing; neither could the girls, when at last the gate
+was reached, but though they went out, something restrained their eager
+joyous welcome, and they said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Olive got out first, then Mrs. Dering, and Dr. Barnett, and then came a
+strange gentleman, bearing a perfectly helpless and evidently
+unconscious figure, with its face covered; and the girls shrank back to
+let them pass, then surrounded Olive with eager, trembling questions.</p>
+
+<p>"She has fainted," Olive said. "She kept growing more excited after we
+left New York, and I thought she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span>
+would faint when we came in sight of
+Canfield, but she didn't until the train stopped; and then the moment
+she saw mama, she tried to speak, and fainted right away."</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to ask, or answer further questions, as they hurried
+into the house and up stairs, where Ernestine had been carried, and laid
+upon the soft, snowy bed; but after one glance at her unconscious face,
+they drew back and burst into tears. Olive was talking to the strange
+gentleman, for whose name no one had thought to inquire, and Dr. Barnett
+and Mrs. Dering hung over the bed, winning life back to the fragile
+figure thereon. They all saw the first opening of her eyes, that went
+straight to one dear face, saw the feeble arms lifted with a strength,
+born of joy, and heard the sobbing cry:</p>
+
+<p>"Mama, mama! darling mama!" and everybody cried.</p>
+
+<p>After awhile the girls went in and kissed her quietly, then the room was
+ordered to be cleared, and under the influence of an opiate, Ernestine
+sank to sleep, with her hands clasping those of the dear woman who was,
+and would be always, "mama."</p>
+
+<p>When they went down stairs, Olive presented them to Cousin Roger, and
+told in few words of all his kindness; and Kat, the vivacious, who hated
+and longed to see him removed from the face of the earth, was seen to
+drop two
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span>
+big tears on his hand that she was shaking heartily. To
+Beatrice came the same vague, uncertain feeling that Olive had
+experienced when first seeing him, and he caught the same bewildered
+look in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Had she ever seen him before? If not, what was it in his face that
+reminded her of&mdash;something?</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering did not leave Ernestine's side again that day. Olive came up
+with her, and they held a long conversation in low voices; and a look of
+perfect content was seen to drift into the mother's pale, anxious face,
+as she listened how Jean was growing well, and then looked down at the
+quiet sleeper&mdash;the one who had been snatched from the burning, and given
+back into her arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Just think, if I had not gone to Virginia?" Olive said that evening,
+while they were all in the kitchen, doing up the supper work. "It really
+makes me tremble to think how I did not want to go, and hesitated about
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"If I had been you, I should have screamed right out when she came on
+the stage," said Kat, unable to imagine herself in such a position and
+remaining quiet. "How did you feel, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"So weak that I could not move, I never came so near losing my senses in
+my life, and it is such a dreadful feeling that you can't scream. It was
+dreadful to sit there and watch her, and when the hemorrhage came, I
+just jumped and ran."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span>
+"Dear me, how you must have felt," said Kittie with a shiver, as she
+polished a tumbler brightly, and put it back in the water to every one's
+amusement.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what I would have done without Cousin Roger," said Olive.
+"He was so kind and thoughtful."</p>
+
+<p>"Who does he make me think of?" asked Bea, which caused Olive to look up
+in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"How strange; he reminds me of some one, too, and it worried me so for a
+while, but I thought it was nonsense, and never spoke about it," she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I s'pose it is a notion," answered Bea, and then talk went back
+to Ernestine and Jean, of whom, it seemed, enough could never be told.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, a little discovery was made to the girls.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Congreve was seen walking about in the fresh autumn sunshine, before
+breakfast, and the girls saw him gathering a small cluster of flowers,
+selecting from the dewy bunches with much care; and after a while Olive,
+who had slept late with fatigue, came down in her grey wrapper with its
+blue facings, and part of the flowers were in her wavy hair, and part at
+her throat, with a little knot of ribbon.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" cried Kat, rushing into the kitchen with a tragic
+expression, and setting a pile of dishes on the table with some force.
+"Do you see that? What's this family coming to?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span>
+"Dust," responded Kittie calmly. "What's the matter, Kat?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to tell me you didn't see Olive wearing the flowers he
+gathered before breakfast, and that you didn't see how he looked at her
+at the table?" cried Kat impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the way they all do; it's the first symptoms I guess, for it's
+the way that Bea and Dr. Barnett began."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, the idea," laughed Kittie, "of Olive being in love."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care, perhaps she isn't, but he is," asserted Kat, with an
+appeal to Bea, who had just come in.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said Bea. "I saw him give her the flowers, and fasten
+those in her hair, but I don't think it's anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you watch&mdash;there they go now!" exclaimed Kat, whereupon they all
+rushed to the window, to see Olive and Roger strolling out among the
+flowers.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you ever think that was Olive?" said Kittie, as they looked.
+"Think how quiet and snappy she used to be, and how ugly she always
+looked, and just see how pretty she is now, and how she laughs and
+talks. But she's not in love, dear no; she looks as cool and dignified
+as a cucumber, not a bit blushy, or anything of the kind."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span>
+"Well, I should hope not," said Kat severely. "One engaged sister is
+enough; two would ruin the family."</p>
+
+<p>"If such a thing was to happen," remarked Bea, with a little mercenary
+expectation, "Congreve Hall would be Olive's; just think of it, girls,
+how grand! and Cousin Roger is immensely wealthy, and there would be no
+end of splendid things;" and Bea sighed a little, as she spoke, for she
+was not going to win any wealth or grand home by her wedding, and there
+came, just now, a little moment of regret, that such would never be
+hers. Then she looked at her ring, and felt wicked and ungrateful. Would
+she exchange with Olive, or any other girl who might win wealth? No, no,
+never!</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear suz, what a funny place the world is," said Kat. "Here I've
+just hated that Roger Congreve, and now I could bless him forever, for
+being so good and kind, and after all, perhaps he'll be my brother, and
+Congreve Hall come back to us. I don't like it though," she added, with
+energy, "we're all getting broken up some way; it don't seem like old
+times, and I don't want any of us to get married! It's horrid, and I
+never will. Now Ernestine is home, I'd rather be poor all the days of my
+life, and have us all stay together, and never get old, or big."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, but 'buds will be roses, and kittens, cats,' as Jo says,"
+answered Bea, going off with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine was still too weak to see or say much this day.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span>
+She had been
+much better on leaving Virginia, and as the trip home was taken in the
+most luxurious way afforded to travellers, she might have stood it very
+well, had it not been for the nervous excitement that completely
+prostrated her before home was reached. So Dr. Barnett prescribed the
+most perfect quiet, which was given, the girls only going in on tiptoe,
+now and then, to carry some little dainty, or smile their loving
+welcome, while Mrs. Dering spent all of her time at the bed side.
+Ernestine seemed perfectly content, for she lay for hours, with dreamy
+eyes fixed on Mrs. Dering's face, and never spoke or moved, as though
+she had been beaten and bruised by her brief struggle with the world,
+and only wanted to lie at peace, with one dear face in constant sight;
+and to let her tired life drift in or out. The change was
+heart-breaking, and drove the girls from her room at every visit, to
+hide their tears, and think, as in a dream, of the time when Ernestine,
+gay, frivolous, careless-hearted girl, was the sunshine of the house,
+the one being who seemed to never feel or know the touch of care or
+sadness.</p>
+
+<p>Roger was to go back the second day, and on the evening before, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"The scenery about this little place is perfectly beautiful. Does
+Canfield afford a livery stable, Olive? If so, I will get a buggy in the
+morning, and you shall pilot me around the country."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span>
+Kat sent an expressive wink and nod of her head to Kittie and Bea, while
+Olive answered:</p>
+
+<p>"There is a small one, I believe, where you might find something."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps they'd loan you their wheel-barrow," added Kat, who found
+herself in a fair way of liking this distant relative, in spite of his
+usurping what she termed the family position.</p>
+
+<p>So next morning Roger went down town, and came back in a rather
+dilapidated buggy, with a lamb-like looking horse, and said with a
+laugh, as he helped Olive in:</p>
+
+<p>"The very best your city affords; I hope it will not break with us, for
+my life is not insured."</p>
+
+<p>"My mind's eye rests lovingly on Congreve Hall, as presided over by my
+artistic sister," cried Kat, with a dramatic gesture, as they drove off;
+and the next moment she was looking after them with a touch of regretful
+sadness in her face.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like it," she said. "Bea gone, Olive going, Jean way off,
+Ernestine so changed;&mdash;oh, Kittie! when anything happens to you, I will
+be ruined for sure. You don't think you are going to fall in love, or be
+sick, or go away, or anything; do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," said Kittie, but gave an expressive hug that was soothing
+and satisfactory, and set Kat's heart at rest.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span>
+The ride in that clear morning air, brought a warm stain of color into
+Olive's clear cheeks, and a sparkle to her eyes, that was very becoming;
+and she laughed and talked, in a careless, happy way, that left no doubt
+in her companion's mind as to her perfect ignorance of his love, and
+made him more determined not to return to Virginia, leaving her in
+ignorance.</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult to approach the subject, while her mind was so far away
+from it, and his perfect assurance as to her answer made it still harder
+for him. But Olive unconsciously led the way at last, for she was
+talking of their trip home, and dwelling gratefully on his care and
+kindness, her eyes bright with feeling, as she turned them to him
+suddenly:</p>
+
+<p>"You have helped me through it all," she said. "I wish I could thank you
+for all your thoughtful kindness."</p>
+
+<p>They were rolling lazily around a hill, with autumn colors on every
+side, and autumn's soft winds fanning the air into life, and Olive
+thought the answer she received was some deceptive flutter of their
+wings.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not try," he was saying. "Every care or anxiety you have felt have
+been to me as my own. I have tried to show you what you were to me, and
+I have failed, but you cannot help but understand me, when I say that I
+love you, Olive."</p>
+
+<p>She did not take her eyes from a distant hill-top, where their glance
+had rested, neither did she blush or
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span>
+look pleased when he finished, but
+was as silent for a moment as though studying on what he had said; then
+looked at him slowly:</p>
+
+<p>"You surely do not mean it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I surely do mean it, and have tried to make you see and know it, for
+weeks past, but your answer now is only what I had expected, for though
+I at first thought your indifference feigned, I soon came to see that
+neither I, nor any other man had ever received a thought from you, and
+to fear that I never would. You seemed wedded to your love of art, but
+now, when you know that I love you, cannot you find a little feeling
+somewhere in your heart for me, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I cannot," answered Olive, after a moment, and with the air of one
+who had been literally hunting for something, and failed to find it. "I
+could not help but think a great deal of you, when you made my visit so
+pleasant, and then was so kind when trouble came; but I never dreamed
+that you loved me; I really think you must be mistaken, it seems so
+strange. Why do you?"</p>
+
+<p>There was no misunderstanding the honest wonder in her eyes, as she
+asked the question, and no possibility of construing it into a desire
+for flattery.</p>
+
+<p>"I have loved you," he said, "ever since that first sad night, so long
+ago, when you showed a womanly strength&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span>
+"What night?" she asked eagerly, the old vague remembrance coming back
+to her; and, at the interruption, he looked at her in amaze.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible you do not remember?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I do not; but the moment I saw you, there seemed a remembrance that
+has worried me ever since. What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment he hesitated to tell her.</p>
+
+<p>"It was I, who brought your father home," he said, at last; and with a
+swift, painful recollection, she dropped her face into her hands, and
+said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"When you came to the Hall," he went on presently, "and was introduced
+to me, there was such an air of surprise, together with a look of pain
+in your face, that I immediately supposed you remembered me, and that
+the memory was painful, so I never spoke of it. I was travelling here in
+New York, and was on the train just a few seats behind your father. I
+saw him when he received the blow on the temple, and went to him as soon
+as possible, and was the one asked to see him brought safely to his
+home. I did not know, until my return home, two weeks later, that it was
+Uncle Ridley's nephew."</p>
+
+<p>After he finished speaking, they rode in silence for a long way, and the
+peaceful old horse, finding himself unguided, turned his head homeward,
+and jogged off more lively. Olive did not look up again. She was
+evidently lost in sad memories, that his words awakened, and he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span>
+had not
+the heart to bring her back to a subject so foreign to her thoughts as
+his love. So in silence, they reached home, and, as he helped her from
+the buggy, Olive said with trembling lips:</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad it was you. I loved papa better than any one in the world, and
+I can never forget that you saw him last and tried to help him." Then,
+after telling her mother and the girls their additional cause for
+gratitude to him, she went off to her room, and was not seen again for
+some time; for when affected so that tears were her only relief, she
+always took them alone.</p>
+
+<p>Roger went that night. He spent the afternoon sitting in Ernestine's
+room with them all, and telling over and over the last moments of Mr.
+Dering, what he had overheard him saying to another passenger just a few
+moments before the accident; just how the blow came, so quick and
+painless, and how his last words had been of home, and how they would be
+surprised at his sudden departure.</p>
+
+<p>Olive was not present, and fearing that Roger might consider it rude,
+Mrs. Dering explained the little habit of taking all her grief alone,
+and how the reminding of that sad night had doubtless overcome her. But
+Olive came down just before supper, and her face showed plainer than
+ever before, its traces of heavy tears, though she said nothing about
+it, and seemed to think her absence
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span>
+explained itself to the only one to
+whom an explanation was due.</p>
+
+<p>While the girls were busy in the kitchen, and mother was with Ernestine,
+they were alone in the sitting-room, and Roger said to her, as they
+stood by the window, watching the shadows creep through the yard, and
+lift themselves in a misty cloud:</p>
+
+<p>"Olive, have you no other answer for me, before I go?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Olive, slowly. "You seem so different to me. In one way, I
+love you; I could not help it; and, in another way, you are nothing to
+me. I wish you would forget that you ever thought you loved me, and let
+me feel as though you were my brother."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot," he answered. "I do not think that I love you, but I <em>know</em>
+that I do, and that I always will; and some time, when you are older,
+and come to feel that home-love and art cannot satisfy you, I will come
+back and try to win a place in the new yearning."</p>
+
+<p>"You needn't," said Olive, with discouraging honesty. "I shall never
+love any one that way. I don't want to. All I want is mama and the
+girls, and to study until I am satisfied with myself, or as near it as I
+can be. But you mustn't let that keep you away; you will forget this,
+indeed, you will, and must come and see us often, and then everything
+will be delightful."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span>
+"No; I shall never come until I feel that I do not come in vain. Do not
+doubt my love, Olive, because your own heart is so free from it. It is a
+girlish heart, and when it reaches womanhood, I may not be the one to
+satisfy it, but I will come and try."</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span>
+<a name="xx" id="xx"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br />
+<br />
+<small>A SAD STORY.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Ernestine</span> was getting better, and how could she help it, with everything
+heart could wish, perfect peace and quiet, and six devoted hearts and
+pairs of hands, ready to obey her slightest command. She did not issue
+many, for one of the changes that had come to her, was asking for
+little, complaining of nothing, even her own suffering, but lying still,
+patient, contented, unselfish and quiet. She seemed grateful and pleased
+at the least little act of kindness, a thing she would have accepted
+before as a matter-of-course, and complained at not receiving; and after
+she grew stronger, and the girls resumed their gayeties, she never
+seemed to regret for a moment, that she was removed from all such, and
+must lie still, day after day; when before, it was intolerable to pass a
+single day without something to pass away her gleeful spirits with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span>
+Canfield, with its promising circle of girls, budding into young
+ladyhood, was beginning to put on quite a number of social airs, in the
+way of little dances, nutting parties, one or two literary clubs, and a
+card club; which acted upon the little place, like a fresh spring
+breeze, blowing in upon a pile of peaceful autumn leaves. The Dering
+girls were popular, and partook largely in all these innocent
+festivities, bringing gay accounts of them to Ernestine, to which she
+listened, with a quiet smile, but with never a wish to be in them.
+Nothing seemed to interest her so much, as the new experience and
+dignity that had fallen upon Beatrice; and for hours they would chat
+together of the new plans, and tender little fancies, which Bea had not
+the courage to confess to others, and Ernestine, bolstered up with
+pillows, would listen, and now and then, do a little of the pretty work
+that was going on to the bridal garments.</p>
+
+<p>After a while, when she grew strong enough to talk more, and cough less,
+she told them of her life, while they had been separated, and the girls
+never forgot the day on which they listened to it. She was partly
+sitting up in bed, as colorless as the snowy ruffled linen about her,
+with her beautiful golden hair in the old-time waves, and curly ends;
+her lovely eyes, with their liquid brown lights and heavy lashes, and
+the dainty ruffles to her snowy night-dress, fastened at the throat with
+a fragile
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span>
+bit of coral, that seemed to throw a shade of its exquisite
+coloring into her stainless face.</p>
+
+<p>It was a lovely home-scene, for the girls were sewing in their low
+rocking-chairs, Olive was sketching at the window, Mrs. Dering sat at
+the bedside holding Ernestine's hand, and over them all the autumn
+sunshine fell, warm and sweet, as with a touch of loving benediction;
+and the trill of Jeanie's canary down stairs, was the only sound, save
+Ernestine's low voice, sad and sweet, in its feebleness.</p>
+
+<p>"I went on the midnight train, you know," she was saying. "It seemed
+terrible, and with all the people around, I felt as if I was the only
+person out in the night. Oh, it is too horrible to feel so alone and as
+though no one knew, or cared where you were going, or what terrible
+trouble you might be in. Nearly everybody in the car was asleep, and
+there was only one lady; so I sat down behind her, and for a long time I
+was so miserable myself that I didn't notice her; then her baby woke up,
+and began to cry, so did her little girl, and I saw that she was sick or
+something; so in a little bit, I spoke to her, and asked if I could do
+anything. She said no, at first, but afterwards said if I would take the
+baby a moment, as she felt so sick and faint; so I did, and he seemed so
+astonished that he stopped crying, and then the little girl wanted to
+come over in my seat, and I helped her over, and told the lady to lie
+down, as she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span>
+looked very pale. I knew she was astonished at my being
+alone, and thought that she might ask my name, and after thinking about
+it a while, I decided to take my very own name, my&mdash;mother's," with a
+little choke over the name. "She did ask me in a little while, said I
+looked so young, and why was I travelling alone; and I told her that I
+was an orphan, that my name was Florence Clare, and that I was on my way
+to New York; and then she looked so kind and interested that I burst
+right out crying. I couldn't help it. She didn't ask me any more then,
+but when we got to New York, no one met her, and she was terribly
+worried. She asked me where I was going, and I was afraid she would
+think something was wrong if I told her I didn't know where; so I just
+gave any street and number, but I said that if she wanted me to go and
+help her, I could just as well as not, as no one was expecting me
+anywhere. She seemed very glad, so I carried the children out, and after
+a policeman had called a hack for her, we went to the St. Nicholas; she
+was very sick after we got there, and after I put the children to sleep,
+I sat up with her nearly all night. She was a widow, she said, and had
+written to a friend in New York to meet her on that train, but that,
+probably, he had not received the letter; and that she wanted to go
+right on to Boston, next morning, if she was able. I asked her then if
+she did not want me to go with her, to take care of the children, that I
+was all alone in the world, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span>
+obliged to work some way and somewhere,
+and after asking me a great many questions, she said she would think
+about it. She seemed like a very good, kind lady, and I was afraid she
+would think there was something strange about me, so I made my story
+sound just as good as possible. I said I was coming to the city because
+I thought I could find work better than in a small place, and that I had
+no near relatives in the world, and would like to go with her, because
+she looked kind, and I would just as soon take care of children as
+anything else. She looked at my clothes, but they were my very plainest;
+and then she asked me what baggage I had, and I showed her my satchel,
+with nothing but some clothes in it, and then she said that I looked
+truthful, and too young and pretty to be alone in the city, and that I
+should go on with her in the morning. I don't know what I would have
+done if it hadn't been for her, for when I was on the train, I had no
+idea where I would go or what I would do. Before I left home, I tried to
+feel right, to forget who I was, but I couldn't; my head kept aching,
+and I thought every day that it ached harder, and that pretty soon I
+would be crazy; and then I thought of going away where I could never be
+found, and die somewhere, and something made me go. It seemed as if I
+was being pulled away, and every time I heard any of the girls say
+'mama,' it came to me that you wasn't my mama, that the girls were not
+my sisters,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span>
+then my head ached harder than ever and I couldn't cry. I
+thought God must surely feel sorry for me, and that he sent the lady on
+purpose&mdash;" and as Ernestine paused to cough and get breath, several
+tears were smuggled out of sight by her listeners, and Mrs. Dering's
+voice trembled, as she kissed the speaker, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"He did, dear; believe it, I asked Him to care for and watch over you,
+wherever you might be, and I knew that He would."</p>
+
+<p>"I went on to Boston with her," continued Ernestine, after a moment's
+rest. "I knew you would never find me there, and I didn't want to know
+that you ever looked for me; I knew you would, but I didn't want to hear
+about it. For awhile the lady watched me very closely, and I knew she
+was a little distrustful, but the children liked me, and though the work
+nearly killed me, I kept up. I was with the children constantly, slept,
+ate, and went out with them, washed, dressed and took care of them from
+morning 'till night; and sometimes I wished I could die, I was so tired
+and unhappy. I did not intend to stay with her, but meant to go on the
+stage just as soon as possible, though I never saw the papers, and had
+no chance of finding the names of companies. Once I asked to see the
+papers, but she didn't like it; she was never unkind really, but she
+always seemed a little suspicious, and when I asked for the paper, she
+asked what I wanted it for? I had
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span>
+a good place, and no need of the
+papers. I didn't want to tell her, for fear she would turn me off, so I
+just waited. One day I was singing the baby to sleep; it was the first
+time I had ever sung in her house, and she happened to hear me, and came
+in and complimented my voice, said how beautiful it was, and why didn't
+I use it, instead of wearing my life out nursing babies. I said right
+away that I wanted to, and meant to go on the stage as soon as I could;
+then she was angry, and threatened to find another girl if I did not at
+once give up such a notion. I promised I would, but I didn't and a few
+days later, I was out with the children, and saw an advertisement for
+fifty girls wanted at a play, and as soon as I got back, I told her I
+was going to leave. She was very angry, and kept that week's wages, but
+I went, and the next day I answered the advertisement. It was for girls
+to dance, and I said I could not, and would not, and was just going to
+leave, when the manager came in, and stopped me. He began by making
+foolish speeches about how beautiful I was, but when I started away, he
+begged pardon, and said I was just what they wanted for a queen, who was
+to come out of a flower, and did not have to dance, which would suit me,
+since I was so over-particular. At first I thought I never could, and it
+made me so ashamed, to think of being in such a crowd, that I felt like
+hiding my face forever. But there I was, with no home and no money,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span>
+and
+what could I do? So I signed the contract for ten nights, at fifty cents
+a night, and felt that I could never look you in the face again, or any
+of the girls. It was not as bad as I expected, but oh, so different from
+what I had always thought the stage was. We all had to dress in a little
+room that was as cold as ice, and most of the girls were so loud and
+coarse, and talked slang, and they all took a dislike to me because I
+was queen. They called me "old prudy," and had all kinds of coarse jokes
+that made me feel as though I would die of shame; I took cold the first
+night, the stage was so windy, and our dresses as thin as wisps, and
+then I was so mortified and miserable. I nearly starved while I was
+there, the pay was so small, and I couldn't afford to have any fire in
+my room at the small hotel, and took such a heavy cold that I thought I
+would die coughing. Oh, how wretched I was! I wanted to die, for I
+thought I had fallen so low that you would never care for me again, and
+I never felt that I needed God as I did then. I don't think I ever
+prayed honestly before, but it seemed as if that terrible feeling of
+being alone, would kill me, so I began to go to God, as I would to you,
+and it became such a comfort. I wanted to be good and honest, whatever I
+did, so that I could feel that I still had a right to love and think of
+you all. I stayed with that company the rest of the winter, at a salary
+of two dollars a week, and did all manner of odds and ends. Sometimes go
+on
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span>
+as a substitute, sometimes as a servant or some inferior character,
+and often to dress the leading ladies, when they found that I could do
+it nicely. The manager was a gruff, coarse man, but he had a kind heart,
+and after a while, he seemed to take a sort of interest in me,
+especially when my cough grew so bad. He brought me medicine twice, and
+one night asked me if I had been used to such a life. I told him, no,
+but would not answer any other questions. When the company broke up in
+the spring, he found me a place as nurse-girl in a family that he knew,
+and said, that in the fall, a friend of his was going to organize an
+opera-troupe, and that he would try and get me in, for by that time, I
+had sung for him, and said that opera was what I had rather be in.</p>
+
+<p>"I found my second trial as nurse-girl, a great deal harder than the
+first; for there were three children, all sick and cross, and when hot
+weather came, I had a little room up under the roof to sleep in, and the
+heat was frightful. I had to be up nearly every night with the children,
+for two of them were very sick during the hottest weather, and I was
+called upon for nearly every thing. Between the heat and working so
+hard, I gave out, and fainted one night, while sitting up with the
+little girl, and the doctor told my mistress that if I did not have a
+rest, I would be sick, and probably die on her hands. So in a few days,
+she sent me and her oldest
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span>
+girl out to her mother's, who lived in the
+country. I was so glad and grateful for the rest, that I never can
+forget her. The grandmother was a plain, good-hearted old lady, who
+seemed very sorry for me, and she used to tell me every day, that I
+would never live to see another year, especially after she found that my
+mother had died of consumption. I didn't care how soon I died, and told
+her so, and then she thought I was wicked, and began to preach long
+sermons to me, and give me all kinds of queer drinks and medicines,
+which did me much more good than the sermons, for after staying there
+three weeks, I was much better, as was Nettie; so we went back to the
+city, and I stayed with Mrs. Feathers until late in August.</p>
+
+<p>"One day, Mr. Fox, the old manager, came and brought Mr. Hurst, the
+friend who was going to organize the troupe, and I sang for him. He
+liked my voice, but said he would not engage me until I had rehearsed
+once or twice with the company, so that he could see what I amounted to,
+and Mrs. Feathers said I might keep my place with her, until he had
+decided. After one or two rehearsals, he engaged me, at four dollars a
+week, and so I left Mrs. Feathers. She was so kind, gave me a new dress
+and two dollars, and said if I broke down in health, that her mother had
+taken a fancy to me, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span>
+would like to have me come out again and stay
+awhile with her. I felt so grateful that I threw my arms around her neck
+and cried, and she kissed me; I never shall forget how good it seemed to
+really be kissed again by some one who was a mother, and whom I knew,
+felt sorry for me.</p>
+
+<p>"I had a very rough time in the new troupe. The manager was cross and
+rude, and I had to study hard to catch up with the old members; we
+rehearsed stiff and steadily, and started out in September, visiting
+only small places first, and not making much money, so that our pay was
+often behind. In a while I was promoted from chorus singing to
+character, and I had no money to buy a wardrobe, so the manager paid me
+fifteen dollars that he owed me, and advanced ten&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Here Olive gave an indignant breath, but said nothing, on second
+thought; and Ernestine went on, without noticing the interruption.</p>
+
+<p>"I bought some stage clothes with part of it, and used the other to
+redeem my ring, that you gave me, mama, that I had been obliged to pawn
+for my board; but while I was working out the ten for him, I had to pawn
+it again, and one of my dresses, as I hadn't a cent. We travelled south,
+and were in Virginia a few nights before going to Staunton, and when I
+heard that we were to go there, I felt as though
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span>
+I never could! I
+didn't know whether Jean was there yet, and I didn't expect she would
+come to an opera if she was; but to go there, and perhaps be so near
+her, when I would have been glad to have died, just for the sake of
+seeing, or hearing from one of you, in some way&mdash;oh, it was so hard! The
+manager grew very much provoked and impatient because I coughed so much
+and was so weak, and threatened to discharge me, as I was getting
+useless; so I used to nearly strangle trying not to cough, and never
+dared say I was tired again. The very evening we got to Staunton, Miss
+Downs, one of the leading ladies, was taken quite sick, and the manager
+told me I would have to take her part next evening, in 'The Bohemian
+Girl,' so I sat up nearly all night to study, and sang all next day,
+until I was ready to drop. When the time came to go to the theatre, I
+was so faint I could not stand up and dress; I begged them not to tell
+the manager, for I knew he would discharge me right there; but Madame
+T&mdash;&mdash; heard of it, and sent her maid up with a hot whiskey-toddy, and to
+help me dress, and that is the way I started out for the evening.</p>
+
+<p>"You know the rest. From the time that I felt my voice leaving me, and
+everything began growing dark, I did not know anything, until I opened
+my eyes, and saw Olive! Oh, I thought I was in Heaven,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span>
+surely; it
+seemed too sweet to be true. I wonder I did not die, instead of faint,
+with pure joy. Even after I had looked at her long, had heard her speak,
+and felt her kisses, I could not believe it. I almost expected to wake
+up and find that I had been dreaming between acts, on the cold, windy
+stage, or that the manager was scolding me for falling to sleep, and
+daring to dream of happiness and you. I don't think I would have lived
+much longer, and perhaps when I found that I was really going to die, I
+could not have left you without a little word of some kind, for my heart
+used to nearly break with longing to know if you loved me yet, or would
+ever want to see me again. I did not feel as though I ever had a right
+to go back, but when I found that I was coming, that you wanted and
+loved me, oh, mama! I thought then my heart would surely break, I was so
+happy!"</p>
+
+<p>At this point every one was crying. Mrs. Dering had laid her face down
+in the pillows; the girls had, one by one, retired behind their work,
+and Kat, with her head wrapped in the towel she had been hemming was
+crying, while she vowed vengeance alike on saint and sinner.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span>
+<a name="xxi" id="xxi"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br />
+<br />
+<small>MY LADY.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">I would</span> like to see my lady."</p>
+
+<p>It was an imperious demand, that every one in the Dering household had
+become used to, likewise, to the speaker, a mite of humanity, with
+wicked big blue eyes, a pug nose, and a frowzled head of brown curls.</p>
+
+<p>She was dressed to day, in a long white fur cloak, a cap of the same,
+and a mite of a muff, with scarlet silk tassels, and hung to her neck
+with a broad scarlet ribbon; and she had rung the bell with her own wee
+hand, and presented her message, in that imperative way, that indicated
+a spoiled, but precious specimen of babydom.</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope you will forgive us," said the smiling faced young lady, who
+accompanied her. "We don't intend to come every day, but mother made
+some delicious chocolate cake yesterday, and I thought possibly
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span>
+Miss
+Ernestine might relish a taste of it, with some of my wine jelly; and
+when I spoke of bringing it, Pansy heard me, and insisted on coming too;
+so here we are."</p>
+
+<p>"How very kind you are," said Bea, taking the dainty wicker basket,
+knotted with scarlet ribbons, and peeping in at its fancy glass of
+moulded jelly, the delicious cake, and a bunch of hot-house flowers. "We
+should be glad to see you every day; how could we help it, when you
+always come laden like a good angel!"</p>
+
+<p>"I would like&mdash;to&mdash;see&mdash;my&mdash;lady!" repeated Pansy, with impressive
+dignity, and some severity of manner; for what did she care about jelly,
+and good angels, and all that. "I haven't seen her since the other day
+before yesterday morning."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall see her right away," laughed Bea, setting down the basket.
+"Excuse me a moment, Miss Clara, Kittie is busy in the kitchen. I'll
+take Pansy out there, before we go up stairs."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie was pealing apples, and meditating on how she would trim her hat,
+since it had to be trimmed over, and nothing new to do it with; but she
+put all such thoughts aside when she saw her visitor, and made a seat
+for her on the bench.</p>
+
+<p>"I 'spect I'm most gladder to see you than I ever was before," said
+Pansy, with a devoted smile, as she took her seat near Kittie.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what are you sitting there for? Here I am,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span>
+said Kat, who sat
+opposite slicing apples. "I thought you always knew me."</p>
+
+<p>Pansy looked from one to the other, for a moment, then nestled close to
+Kittie, as she remarked with decision:</p>
+
+<p>"You're not my lady; you're the other one."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I 'spect I couldn't jes tell, but then you are."</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't wonder if you were right, but I want to tell you that you
+mustn't love Kittie so much; she's mine, and I'm jealous," said Kat,
+with a foreboding shake of her head.</p>
+
+<p>"But she keeped the bear from eating me up," cried Pansy, with unshaken
+belief that she would have been forever lost except for Kittie's timely
+arrival. "I jes never'd seen my papa once any more, 'f she hadn't finded
+me in the woods; and he said I ought to love her jes as much more as
+ever I could, and I <em>do</em>," accompanying the assertion with a loving
+clasp of Kittie's arm, the suddenness of which sent her apple spinning
+across the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"There, see; I'll get it," she cried, running after it, with a
+triumphant glance at Kat. "'F I'd knocked your apple, you'd a scolded
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no; I'm an angel," laughed Kat. "Kittie's the one that scolds."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you?" asked Pansy, leaning against Kittie, with a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span>
+devotion that
+nearly knocked the whole pan of apples over.</p>
+
+<p>"I never scolded you, did I?" asked Kittie.</p>
+
+<p>"No, but Auntie Raymond says I mind you the bestest of anybody. I think
+I do. I 'spect it's because I love you best, right up next to my papa;
+do you love me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ever so much."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know what I'll do," said Pansy, with a long sigh, after
+she expressed a little rapture over the assurance. "My papa said the
+other day, what I'd do when we went back to the city 'thout you, and I
+said I was going to take you along; 'll you go?"</p>
+
+<p>"How could I? Leave my mama and sisters?"</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you love me 'n my papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"I love you a very great deal."</p>
+
+<p>"'N not my papa?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think he's a very nice gentleman, and that you ought to be a very
+good little girl, and love him lots and lots."</p>
+
+<p>Pansy drew back, and slowly surveyed her idol, as though she had just
+discovered the first flaw. "I think you might love him, too," she said
+with a grieved air, and some resentment.</p>
+
+<p>"If she loved him, she wouldn't love you so much," said Kat, slyly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span>
+"Then I'm glad you don't," exclaimed Pansy, with sudden satisfaction,
+and returning to her seat with an enraptured smile.</p>
+
+<p>There was no mistaking the child's devotion. She firmly believed that
+Kittie had saved her from being lost forever, and on the foundation of
+her great gratitude, she had built an overwhelming love, that expressed
+itself in various ways. She never let any one of the family come to town
+without bringing flowers, and she insisted on coming in at least three
+times a week, herself; and it may be remarked, that whatever Pansy set
+her mind on, she did.</p>
+
+<p>Between aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a father, who was rapidly coming
+to the conclusion that she was the most wonderful child alive, she was
+in a fair way of being spoiled, and had finally come to where she ruled
+the household with the most imperious little will, which every one
+submitted to, and thought delightful.</p>
+
+<p>Twice since the picnic, she had come with her papa, in the phaeton, and
+taken Kittie to ride, and three times, Mr. Murray had come in the long
+summer evenings, and brought her to spend an hour or two; and there
+Kittie's acquaintance with him ceased.</p>
+
+<p>In the rides, he had talked to her but little, preferring to listen to
+the unbroken chatter which Pansy kept up with her. And then he saw, that
+to her, he appeared in a fatherly guise, which made her feel
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span>
+perfectly
+free and unrestrained, and he thought it best to leave it so for the
+present.</p>
+
+<p>His calls in the evenings had been entirely devoted to Mrs. Dering. They
+would sit on the porch, in proper, elderly fashion, sometimes joined by
+Bea, while the twins and Pansy would roam about the yard, and play
+together like three children, and Mr. Murray would have nothing to say
+to the one he really came to see except "Good evening, Miss Kittie,"
+when he came, and when he left.</p>
+
+<p>No one, except his own sister, suspected in the least that anything took
+him there save a desire to accompany Pansy, whose absorbing devotion
+everyone in Canfield knew by this time.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Murray was quick to see that in the mother's eyes, Kittie and Kat
+were the merest children, and that a thought of any other kind in
+connection with them, would not be harbored for an instant; and he also
+saw, that never a girlish heart was freer from anything of loves or
+lovers, than Kittie's, and so long as it was so, he was quite content to
+let it remain, and watch it grow to maturity. There was no denying that
+he was strangely and powerfully interested in her, wonder and laugh at
+the idea, as he would, though he could not yet think that the feeling
+had assumed the name of love. It was only that respect and interest that
+comes to the heart of man
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span>
+when he meets a woman, lovely, fresh-hearted,
+and unselfishly sweet.</p>
+
+<p>The approaching dignity of sixteen lay over the girls, and while Kat was
+still a most thoroughly romping tom-boy, Kittie was wonderfully womanly,
+with pretty, graceful, lady-like ways, the sweetest possible voice, and
+the loveliest eyes that ever looked, with girlish innocence, into the
+face of the man who felt that love her he could, and love her he would,
+in spite of himself.</p>
+
+<p>There was something irresistibly attractive and sweet to Paul Murray, in
+watching the love between his little daughter and the young girl.
+Kittie's slightest word was law to Pansy; and there was something so
+womanly in the way she exercised her influence, and made the child's
+love a source of benefit unto her spoiled, wayward little self.</p>
+
+<p>When fall drifted into the chilly reign of winter, Mr. Murray went back
+to the city. He had intended going long before, but had put it off, a
+week at a time, until winter had finally come; then he decided with a
+sudden determination, and, as if to test his firmness of purpose, had
+slipped away from Pansy, and galloped into town, trusting to the
+darkness to hide from Canfield's prying eyes, that he was coming to the
+Dering's alone. Not that he cared; oh, no, he would just as soon have
+heralded to every soul therein that it was so, but for
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span>
+Kittie's sake,
+it was best to give no one's tongue a chance to wag. Many a bud is
+rudely hastened into blossom by impatient fingers, and withers from the
+shock; it must not be so now.</p>
+
+<p>He fastened his horse at the gate, and went slowly up the walk,
+wondering a little if they would be surprised. A bright light came from
+Ernestine's window, and out from down stairs, falling across the porch
+floor; and before ringing the bell, he paused a moment, and looked in.
+How bright and homelike everything looked, and there, before the grate,
+stood the very object of his visit, making the prettiest picture
+imaginable, with a big kitchen apron on, her sleeves rolled up, and
+reading a letter. He knew it was Kittie, in a moment, for in her hair
+was a knot of scarlet ribbon, and the foot resting on the fender wore a
+bow, of the same color, astride its slippered toe&mdash;little niceties that
+Kat, was seldom, if ever, guilty of.</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice answered his ring, and tried to look as though she had not
+expected some one else, some one who would have given her a more cordial
+greeting, than "Good evening, Miss Dering."</p>
+
+<p>"Good evening, Mr. Murray; walk in, please, and I will call mama," said
+Bea, ushering him into the sitting-room, with some little wonder, and
+going up stairs.</p>
+
+<p>Kittie had vanished with her letter; but as Mr. Murray sat down, he saw
+the envelope on the table,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span>
+and immediately experienced the most
+peculiar and unpleasant sensation, on observing the masculine scrawls
+thereon. What gentleman was writing to her? he wondered, with quick
+resentment; and the next moment Kittie came in, and found him studying
+that envelope closely. She had thrown off her apron, and let down her
+sleeves, and he thought she looked prettier the other way, though he
+found that either way she was suddenly invested with a stronger
+attraction than ever; for a little competition will always make us more
+eager, and the star of our desire much brighter. He explained, with a
+laugh, as they sat down, that he had just been admiring the free, easy
+chirography on the envelope; which same was a fib of first degree, but
+then&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is Cousin Ralph's; I think it beautiful," said Kittie, unconsciously
+obliging, but giving no relief, for Mr. Murray's mind went back to the
+day he met "Cousin Ralph," handsome, manly fellow, and he remembered
+that it was only second cousin, and that Ralph had been very attentive
+to Kittie at the picnic, and that&mdash;oh, what didn't he think, all in a
+few minutes; and how true it is that</p>
+
+<div class="block2">
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="io">"Trifles light as air, are to the jealous,,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ."<br /></span>
+</div></div></div>
+
+<p>The rebound from a feeling of perfect security to one of miserable
+doubt, at finding the field already
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span>
+taken, nearly drove Mr. Murray into
+a precipitancy that he might have regretted forever. As it was, he
+answered Kittie's inquiries for Pansy, in a pre-occupied way, that was
+surprising, and seemed too much pleased with that envelope to ever lay
+it down; and yet, with all his looking, he failed to discover that the
+name, in a maze of flourishes, was Miss Kathleen Dering, instead of Miss
+Katherine. Just so do we make up our minds to see things in a certain
+light, and see them so, in spite of fate.</p>
+
+<p>How pleasant it was, sitting there in the warm firelight, with Kittie
+opposite, in the low rocking chair, and no one else near. It seemed so
+homelike and sweet to this man who had no fireside of his own, and only
+a memory of one short, happy year, when another girlish face and heart,
+not unlike Kittie's, had been all his own. He wished now, that no one
+else would come in to spoil this cozy chat; but they did, in just a
+moment&mdash;Mrs. Dering and Bea; and Kittie resigned the low rocker, for a
+corner over on the lounge, to his great regret.</p>
+
+<p>They all heard with polite and honest expressions of regret, that he was
+going to leave for the city on the next day; but after hearing that he
+was going to leave Pansy behind, Kittie was quite satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>"I have no home, you know," he said, looking at Mrs. Dering, with an
+expression that caused her kindly
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span>
+heart to pity him. "I shall board,
+and be hard at work 'till late every night, and poor little Pansy would
+have a dreary life with a hired nurse. Besides, the influences
+surrounding her would not be such as I would like. So Sister Julia has
+kindly promised to keep her until I can make some arrangements, and
+become a little settled."</p>
+
+<p>He staid for some time; promised to call in and see Olive, who had gone
+to her studies at last; and then he rose to leave. If he held Kittie's
+hand a little longer than any of the others, no one noticed it; and if,
+in that good-bye, his eyes went to her face less guarded in their
+expression than usual, no one noticed that either, because no one
+dreamed of such a thing.</p>
+
+<p>"May I have Pansy with me as often as I want her?" asked Kittie, just
+before he left.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; I shall always be pleased to hear that you still love the
+child, and that she is sometimes with you," he answered, lingering, as
+if loth to go. But at that instant a step was heard on the porch, and a
+certain expression in Bea's face warned him that the sitting-room would
+now be in demand; whereupon he gave a hasty good-bye, and left; not
+without a little envy for Dr. Barnett, who entered at the same moment,
+and who came, in the full assurance of recognized right, such as was not
+yet Paul Murray's.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span>
+Of course, the family discreetly retired, after a few words of greeting
+to the young man, and while the cozy sitting-room took unto itself these</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"Two souls with but a single thought,"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">the others went up to Ernestine's room to finish the evening.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span>
+<a name="xxii" id="xxii"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>TO REAR, TO LOVE, AND THEN TO LOSE.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Spring</span> came, and with it much that was of absorbing interest, of untold
+importance, and yet so sad. In May, Bea would leave the home of
+childhood and girlhood, and would be mistress of one of the prettiest
+little cottages in Canfield. She was blithely happy, and sang and sewed
+from morning until night, in a blissful content, that made mother and
+sisters smile and sigh at once; and wonder how home would seem with Bea
+gone. Such marvels of pretty things as had been made, and such a little
+gem of a bower, as the new home was, and how happy and gay everything
+was, to be sure. Every Saturday night, when Olive came home from the
+city, her first trip was to the little cottage, to see the latest
+improvements; for there were several, in the way of a verandah, a frail,
+spidery
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span>
+looking summer-house, with a sick looking vine started over one
+corner, a new front fence, and a hitching post. Each and every one was
+of greatest importance and everybody in Canfield was as interested, as
+though they were one great family, just marrying off their first
+daughter. Bea visited her future dominion every day, as did the twins;
+but Ernestine was not to go, until everything was ready for the new
+occupants, and then she was to pass her opinion on the whole, and
+suggest any changes that might strike her graceful fancy.</p>
+
+<p>"It must have a name," said Bea, coming in one day, just a week before
+the wedding. "When Meg got married in 'Little Women,' she went to
+housekeeping in a little cottage, and they called it Dovecot. What shall
+I call mine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Call it a house and let it go; better not begin with fancy names and
+all that, it won't last," advised Kat, rigidly practical.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it will&mdash;always," asserted Bea, with the fond delusive belief,
+experienced by every women when in love, that life will be one endless
+courtship and honey-moon.</p>
+
+<p>"I think a name is a pretty idea," said Kittie, recalling all the Roman
+titles she had ever heard of. "Call it&mdash;let's see, call it Fern-nook."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I would," laughed Kat "It's so appropriate.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span>
+There's not a fern
+within a mile, and not the ghost of a nook anywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I thought Bird's-nest a real pretty name," said Bea, swinging her
+hat by its ribbon, and looking thoughtful. "But, somehow, I want
+something else."</p>
+
+<p>"What kind of flowers are you going to have?" asked Kittie, with a view
+to selecting something appropriate this time.</p>
+
+<p>"Geraniums in the big bed in front, with a border of some kind, then I
+will have vines all over the porch, and a lily in the little urn, and a
+heart-shaped bed of pansies under that shady side-window. None of those
+do for a name, though."</p>
+
+<p>Kittie confessed that they did not, but said in a moment:</p>
+
+<p>"We'll go up and ask Ernestine, if she can't think of something no one
+else can." To which they all agreed, and hurried up stairs forthwith.</p>
+
+<p>Ernestine was sitting up in the big rocker, in a lovely white wrapper,
+and a little fancy scarlet sacque. She looked very frail and weak,
+though very lovely, and much interested when the important question was
+put to her. The girls had perfect faith in her selection, and waited
+patiently, as her eyes went from the budding trees outside, to the
+gleams of sunshine playing across the carpet, then to the bunch of
+purple pansies in the vase on the table.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span>
+"Call it Hearts-ease," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you," cried Kittie. "That's just the name."</p>
+
+<p>"Hearts-ease it is, to the end of the chapter;" exclaimed Kat with a
+flourish as of benediction.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is lovely&mdash;and there comes Walter, I'll go right down and
+tell him," said Bea, and flitted gayly away.</p>
+
+<p>"A penny for your thoughts, Ernestine," said Kat, watching her eyes go
+out to the sunshine again with a dreamy smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking how happy everything was," answered Ernestine slowly.
+"It's all so lovely. Olive is doing so splendidly in her painting. Bea
+is so happy. Jean is coming home, and&mdash;I am here. I can hardly believe
+it even now, and I so often wonder if I'm happy enough."</p>
+
+<p>"This will be a gay old household," said Kat briskly, warmed into gayety
+by the sad tone of the invalid's voice. "Uncle Ridley will make Bea a
+handsome present I expect."</p>
+
+<p>"How strange and delightful it will be to have Jeanie home, bless her
+precious little heart," cried Kittie with loving eagerness. "I can
+hardly wait, and mama seems almost too happy to live."</p>
+
+<p>"Jean has not changed much," said Ernestine. "She is taller and sweeter
+looking, but just the same dear, quiet little thing. She walks with a
+cane now, and is
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span>
+perfectly straight. How glad I shall be to see her, I
+wish she was coming to-day!"</p>
+
+<p>She came the next, as if in answer to their eagerness and longing, and
+this is the way it happened.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering was in the hall, when she saw a carriage stop at the gate,
+and though Mr. Congreve and Jean were expected in two or three days, it
+never occurred to her, that they might come before; so while she took
+off her apron, and brushed a little flour&mdash;having been in the
+kitchen&mdash;from her dress, the arrivals had left the carriage, and were
+coming in at the gate. She got as far as the door, then paused, and
+caught her breath as if in a spasm of sudden joy.</p>
+
+<p>Coming up the walk with swiftly flying feet, outstretched arms, and
+glowing face wildly eager, was a light girlish figure in a pretty
+travelling suit, and the mother, feeling her strength forsaking her
+knelt down on the porch and opened her arms, her lips dumb, her eyes
+blinded with great joyful tears.</p>
+
+<p>Could it be? Oh, had God been so good? Was the flying figure, with
+strong perfect limbs and bright eager face, her crippled, crooked little
+Jean? It seemed a dream too blissful to be true but the next moment,
+their arms were clasped, and Jean's tears and kisses fell like rain, on
+her mother's face and hair.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh mama; precious darling mama! are you glad?
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span>
+are you happy that I'm
+well? Speak to me, mama; what are you crying for?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so happy, darling. Oh, my little Jean, I'm so glad and grateful,"
+cried Mrs. Dering, with a great sob, as she folded the little girl
+closer, and kissed her again and again. "I knew you would come back to
+me better, I did not dream you would come well. Why did you not tell me,
+darling?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted to surprise you," began Jean; but just then Kat came into the
+hall, beheld the astonishing spectacle, and with one shrill utterance of
+Jean's name, that summoned the whole family, she had rushed to the
+porch, and taken the little girl in a great hug.</p>
+
+<p>Well, what a hub-bub there did follow! How everybody hugged and kissed
+everybody, in the abandonment of joy; how Uncle Ridley was deluged with
+caresses, and suddenly found himself holding Mrs. Dering in his arms,
+and patting her wildly on the back, while she cried on his shoulder. And
+didn't Ernestine creep slowly down stairs, and appear like a frail
+spirit in their midst, and wasn't she whisked on to the lounge in a
+hurry, and kissed heartily by every one in the excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul! How happy we all are!" cried Mr. Congreve, with a
+final gasp of joy, and sitting down with an exhausted smile. "I never
+expected to be in such a good humor again as long
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span>
+as I lived&mdash;no I
+never did. I'm fairly swelled up with happiness, and I've bust a button
+right off my vest."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody laughed heartily. Gay words and blithe laughs hung on every
+one's lips; everything was sunshine, and every one was happy. What a
+household idol was Jean in the days that followed! How mother and
+sisters clung to her, watched her walk&mdash;oh, joy of all joys&mdash;so straight
+and free; and how many, many times did Mrs. Dering go to Mr. Congreve,
+and put her arms about his neck, like a child, to thank him, again and
+again, as the agent whom God had sent to be the means of answering her
+most fervent prayers!</p>
+
+<p>Well, to be sure, as Kat had said, it was a lively household now.</p>
+
+<p>The day before the wedding, the girls all went over to the new house&mdash;to
+"Hearts-ease." Mr. Phillips sent the buggy over so that Ernestine could
+go, and she and Bea drove over, while the rest walked. It was a pretty
+little place, indeed, as they came in sight of it, nestled under a big
+tree, that was just budding into pale green in the spring sunshine.
+Everything was ready for the young bride to take possession on the next
+day, even to the mat laid before the front door on the new porch, and
+the bright tin cup hanging to the freshly painted pump in the little
+back yard.</p>
+
+<p>Bea unlocked the door, with an air of proud importance,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span>
+and they went
+in, all anxious to show Ernestine and Jean every corner, as it was their
+first visit. The little mite of a square hall, and the small
+sitting-room on one side, were covered with brown and white matting,
+with soft, woolly rugs of brown and white. Curtains of soft, shady brown
+were at the windows, and the walls were papered in clear creamy white,
+with a deep border of brown dashed in gold. The chairs were all willow,
+also a pretty, standing work-basket, already filled with some of Bea's
+light work; and there, on the table, lay some of the young doctor's
+books and papers. The tiny dining room next, with its round table and
+new chairs, its little closet, with the shelves covered with snowy
+paper, and well stocked with dishes, all plain and cheap, but of pretty
+shapes and serviceable strength. Then the kitchen, shining with new tin,
+and a brisk little stove, and the rack hung with neatly-hemmed
+dish-cloths; the brand new cake of soap on the table, and the orderly
+line of pots and kettles&mdash;oh, it was all a sight to tickle your eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Up stairs, the ceilings were low, and a very tall person would have
+bumped his head unmercifully, but then, it all looked lovely. The pretty
+bedroom was all in blue, and nearly everything in it was the work of
+Bea's hands. She had made all the pretty mats on stands and bureaus,
+also the carpet ones on the floor. The daintily ruffled Swiss curtains,
+knotted with blue bows, she had made,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span>
+washed, fluted and put up. All
+the fancy, pretty work about the bed was hers; and the bunches of
+forget-me-nots that adorned the chamber-set, looked as though they had
+sprung into real life on the snowy surface, instead of having been stuck
+and artistically plastered on. Oh, it was all lovely, and beyond
+improvement, every one said, and Bea laughed and looked so proud and
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>"This is to be my spare room," she said, throwing open the door to the
+back room. "The view from this window is just as pretty as the front,
+because it looks off to the hills; and just as soon as we are able, we
+will furnish it, and I shall fix it just like my room, only in pale
+pink. Won't it be lovely?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ecstatic!" cried Kat. "Who is it to be for?"</p>
+
+<p>"All of you. I expect you and Kittie will have it first, when mama and
+Jean and Ernestine go to visit Uncle Ridley next year. There are lots of
+things we can't afford yet," Bea continued, as they went down stairs. "I
+haven't anything to put in the hall, and it looks a little bare, but I
+don't mind it much. Then the parlor hasn't a thing in it except the
+carpet and curtains; but I can wait easy enough. I don't want Walter to
+think I'm at all dissatisfied or want to be extravagant, because I think
+everything is just lovely, and I'm so happy."</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle Ridley said when he started for the city this morning, that it
+was because he was in a hurry to see
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span>
+Olive, and to bring her home
+to-night; but I just know he's going to bring you something beautiful!"
+exclaimed Jean, who had flitted everywhere, like a butterfly, and looked
+radiant with happiness.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he'll get something," said Kittie, polishing the slim,
+shining bannister with her handkerchief. "Let's hurry home; the train
+has just come in since we left, and I know Ralph has sent something; he
+said he was going to send his representative."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see anything that can be changed," said Ernestine slowly, as
+they took a final peep into the sitting-room, "unless you put that
+bracket with the figure under the picture over the mantel, and leave
+that space between the windows for the head that Olive is going to paint
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'll do that. And now come; you look so tired, dear. Kittie,
+unhitch Prince for me, will you, while I lock up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Bea, dear! I hope you will always be so happy," exclaimed
+Ernestine, with a wistful sadness in her voice, as they drove slowly
+home; and she laid her head on Bea's shoulder with a tired sigh. "It all
+seems so lovely, and I am so glad, though I shall miss you so after you
+are gone."</p>
+
+<p>"But I'm not gone," said Bea, much touched, as she slipped her arm
+around the frail form with a loving pressure. "I'll be over home every
+day, and you will
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span>
+come and stay with me, and everything will be just as
+it is now, except that Walter will be your brother, and you know he
+loves you like one now."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he is a dear fellow, and he will make you happy, I know. But I
+will not have you always, as I have since I came home&mdash;there, the girls
+have beaten us home, and Kat is waving her hat over the gate, so I
+suppose the box has come from Ralph."</p>
+
+<p>Bea drove faster, in pleased anticipation, and as soon as they drew
+near, Kat cried excitedly:</p>
+
+<p>"Hurry up! It's come! pretty near as big as the woodshed, and awful
+heavy! Kittie and Jean are getting the nails out. Don't stop to hitch.
+Prince is too glad to be here to go off of his own accord. Here,
+Ernestine, let me carry you," and, as she spoke, she caught the frail,
+light form in her strong young arms, and walked off to the house with
+perfect ease, while Bea tied Prince, and followed in a flutter. Sure
+enough, an immense box stood on the back porch, with the whole family
+around it, waiting for the owner to unpack, and Bea went down on her
+knees beside it, and began to throw out straw with an excited laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my patience! dishes!" cried Kittie, as the first bundles began to
+appear, and immediately arose the most extravagant cries of delight and
+approval, as one by one, Bea took out, and unwrapped the daintiest
+morsels of china, exquisitely painted in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span>
+grasses, butterflies and
+flowers. Oh, how lovely they were; the frail, tiny things, looking more
+like fairy waiters than anything intended for mortal use. Then came a
+dozen tea-spoons, table-spoons, knives and forks, all engraved; a lovely
+card basket, swung by a silver chain, from the finger of a winged
+Mercury; two beautiful napkin rings, marked "Walter" and "Beatrice;" a
+dozen of the finest damask napkins, with a gorgeous "B." in the corner;
+and lastly, a fancy dust-pan and brush, an indescribable sweeping cap,
+six of the most perfect kitchen aprons, a patent stove-hook, and an old
+shoe, with "Good Luck," painted in red letters on the sole.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I declare, I never did!" cried Bea, sitting down on the floor, to
+laugh and cry at the same time. "Isn't it all too lovely!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does the card say?" asked Jean, as the others began to carry in
+the china and things. "Just</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">"'Beatrice,<br />
+From<br />
+Aunt Tremayne and Ralph</span>,'"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">answered Bea, looking at the card, that had been tied with a white
+ribbon to the nose of the tea-pot. "How good they are! I'm too happy to
+live."</p>
+
+<p>So it seemed, as she helped take in the things, laughing and crying, and
+touching them with careful, caressing fingers. They made a most imposing
+show
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span>
+when arranged on the table, and during the day more modest
+presents, that came in from well wishing friends, were added to the
+collection. There came a fancy clock from Mr. Dane, three dozen handsome
+towels and four beautiful table spreads from Mrs. Dane; and a variety of
+little things from the young people, with whom Bea was a favorite.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Mr. Congreve and Olive arrived, on the evening train, they
+were taken in to view "the show," but the old gentleman added nothing to
+it, to every one's surprise; though he seemed pleased with everything
+there, and said it was a plenty for one bride.</p>
+
+<p>After supper, Olive disappeared and was gone some little time, but
+where, no one knew, and finally Mr. Congreve jumped up, with the remark,
+that he had heard her say something about Mrs. Dane's, and as he knew
+where it was, he guessed he'd walk over after her.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Uncle Ridley, if she is there, Mr. Dane will walk home with
+her, and you must be tired," said Mrs. Dering.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul, Elizabeth! I'm not an old man," exclaimed the crusty
+old gentleman of seventy odd years, as he threw open the door, and
+strode briskly out into the May moonlight. "I think a great deal of your
+Olive; she's a thorough Congreve, and I'd
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span>
+rather lose my best
+handkerchief than have anything happen to her&mdash;I had indeed. So go in,
+my dear, go in," and Mrs. Dering obediently went in, as he tramped
+briskly down the walk.</p>
+
+<p>That last evening of Bea's in the old home came very near being a sad
+one, in spite of every one's attempt to the contrary. Ernestine stayed
+down stairs for the first evening since her illness, and the excitement
+brought a stain of color into her white cheeks that made her look more
+like her old self, as she lay on the lounge.</p>
+
+<p>Bea sat on the stool at her mother's feet, and Mrs. Dering softly
+caressed the plump, white hand, that to-morrow she would give away, and
+now and then a pause would come, when the mother's eyes would fill with
+tears, and her lips tremble, and then some one would rush in, to break
+the silence, and thrust irrelevant nonsense into the groove cut for
+April tears.</p>
+
+<p>Wherever Mr. Congreve and Olive came from, they had a serious talk on
+the way home. Something evidently disturbed the old gentleman's mind,
+and he fidgetted nervously, until he had relieved himself with the
+explosive remark:</p>
+
+<p>"So you sent Roger home, did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir, he went," answered Olive, with a smile but with some
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span>
+"Humph! He did, and what did you say, to make him come home, looking
+like a criminal expecting to be hung?"</p>
+
+<p>"I said I couldn't love him, and I can't and don't," answered Olive,
+feeling provoked to think that Roger couldn't keep his own counsel.</p>
+
+<p>"Tut, tut! what did you say that, for?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it's the truth; I like him very much indeed, but I don't want
+any lovers, I'm too young, and something else to think about," exclaimed
+Olive with unmistakable aversion to the thought.</p>
+
+<p>"Heighty-tighty! your mother was married at eighteen," cried the old
+gentleman briskly.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help it, sir. I never want, or expect to marry. My work is all
+I want."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but your work will fail you some time, child; a one-sided love on
+a single altar soon burns itself out for want of fuel. There must be</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">
+"'The happiness thrown on from kindred flames to sustain<br />
+A spark of devotion for a lifeless love.'<br />
+</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">"The time will come when you may be alone in the world, and I'm much
+mistaken if your art alone will satisfy the cravings of your woman's
+heart."</p>
+
+<p>Olive listened in some amaze to such a lengthy speech from the usually
+short spoken gentleman; and though she felt no less certain of lifelong
+satisfaction with her art, she asked meekly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span>
+"What would you have me do, Uncle Ridley? I don't love him."</p>
+
+<p>"But are you sure you don't, my child? I knew he loved you all along,
+and it made my old heart glad; but I never knew how very dear you were
+to him, until he came back from here, and told me what you had said. You
+think marriage would interfere with your work, but it will not; why,
+Roger is as proud and anxious for your success as ever you could be for
+yourself. He told me that if you would only let him share your work and
+efforts, that he would take you abroad, that you should see the finest
+paintings the world holds, and that you should study with the finest
+masters. You&mdash;" but here he paused, for Olive gave a gasp, and turned
+white as a ghost in the moonlight. <em>Abroad, masters!</em> The words struck
+her like a flash of lightning, and made her tremble with a great rush of
+delicious longing. She clung to the old gentleman's arm for a moment,
+and wondered if she was dreaming; but his next words brought her back;
+though she heard them but dimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is a letter for you; he wanted me to bring it, and Olive, don't
+make up your mind too quickly. Both you and Roger are very dear to me,
+and I would like to see you both happy before I die&mdash;as I suppose I must
+before many years, and&mdash;and&mdash;confound it! where's
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span>
+my snuff?&mdash;I hope you
+will send a different word back to him."</p>
+
+<p>Olive took the letter and put it in her pocket, still in that dazed
+wonder, and when they reached home, she longed to go off up stairs, and
+think it over alone, but it would be unkind on Bea's last evening; so
+she followed Mr. Congreve into the sitting-room, where a chorus of
+questions met them.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul, what curiosity!" cried the old gentleman, crustily.
+"She went down town and I went after her, let that do."</p>
+
+<p>So no one asked another question, except Jean, who got on to his lap
+with the freedom of one who knew that nothing she did would receive
+reproof; and she whispered something in his ear, that made him smile
+good-naturedly, and immediately take an immense pinch of snuff.</p>
+
+<p>That night, as on the one so long ago, when Mr. Congreve made his first
+visit to them, two persons found it hard to sleep, even after silence
+and slumber had long held the others.</p>
+
+<p>To-night, as on that other, Mrs. Dering sat alone in her room, only now
+she sat by the window, instead of the dying fire. Now, as then, Jean
+slept soundly, only now her childish face wore the rosy flush of health
+instead of feebleness and pallor, and the little form was straight and
+perfect, instead of crooked and crippled.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span>
+Who, but a mother, can appreciate a mother's thoughts, when she stands
+on the threshold of the first separation; the first giving up of her own
+into another's love and keeping "for better, for worse, until death
+should them part." The pale young moon climbed slowly up above the
+tree-top, and just as its slanting rays reached the window-sill, and
+fell in across the floor, the door opened carefully, and Olive's voice
+spoke:</p>
+
+<p>"Mama? You are up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear; are you sick? What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing. I only want to tell you something;" and Olive pushed the stool
+up as she spoke, and sat down.</p>
+
+<p>"I meant to tell you before, but somehow I never did. Will you listen
+now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, dear;" for well enough she knew that something weighed on
+Olive's mind to bring her there at that time. So Olive told her story,
+without a blush or hesitancy, from the beginning down to the receipt of
+the letter; and as Mrs. Dering watched her face in the pale light, so
+clearly expressing its dislike to any lover, and its rapt devotion to
+her art, she knew well enough what the decision would be.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'm going to say no," finished Olive, at last. "Have I done right,
+mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly, Olive. I am surprised, and yet not wholly
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span>
+so, for something
+of the kind occurred to me when he was here. Never marry where you do
+not love, dear. No possible advantage, influence, or station, that can
+be gained by a loveless marriage, will ever be sufficient recompense for
+the galling misery of two hearts, grinding their life out, for want of
+sympathy and mutual love to oil the way. I admire and think a great deal
+of Roger Congreve, and you have won the love of a good man, dear, which
+if true, will bide its time patiently, and when you are older it may
+seem different to you."</p>
+
+<p>Olive looked up in mute amazement. Even mother said that to her.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she said obstinately, in a moment. "I don't think it will be so. I
+know it will not. I'm sorry that he loves me, because it will always
+keep us from being friends. Mama, surely you would not have me do such a
+thing as get married, and drop my work, as I would have to do, more or
+less, with so many new duties?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear, no; I am only too glad that your heart is still free, for you
+are too young to think of marriage. I would not consent to it. Besides
+you are quite right; with the duties and responsibilities of a wife, you
+could not devote your whole time and love to your art, and I should feel
+very sorry to think that anything is going to interfere with perfecting
+the talent which God has
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span>
+given you. But sooner or later, Olive, there
+comes to every woman, who stands alone, a yearning for love and home; a
+desire to feel that there is some one whom she can claim as her own, and
+to whom she is dearer than aught else. Love your art, dear, work
+faithfully in it, and if it should always satisfy your heart, I will be
+quite content, for then you will always be my own. If the other feeling
+ever comes, God will take care of it. Now go, dear; don't let this keep
+you awake longer, for we want all fresh faces to-morrow. Good night."</p>
+
+<p>The clock struck one, as they gave a kiss in the moonlight, then Olive
+went slowly away; not a whit less certain, that every one was wrong, and
+she was right; no number of years could make any difference to her.</p>
+
+<p>Everything joined in making the next day the brightest, and loveliest
+that had ever dawned. Never did a May morning sun come up with a purer
+glitter of gold; never had the birds sang so sweetly; and never before,
+as any one remembered, had the rose-vines over the porch, blossomed
+before June, and yet this morning, there were three snowy half-blown
+buds peeping in at the window of Ernestine's room, and she picked them
+to put in the bride's brown hair.</p>
+
+<p>Pansy Murray came over early in the morning, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span>
+brought a beautiful
+bouquet to each of the sisters, excepting Bea, to whom she said with
+mysterious smiles: "I couldn't bring your bouquet, but our green-house
+man's going to come with it;" and then finding that Kittie was too busy
+to pay much attention to her, she devoted herself to Jean, whom she had
+seen once before, and fallen quite in love with.</p>
+
+<p>Bea had had some little longings for a stylish wedding, but it had been
+impossible, besides, she had found that Walter preferred a quiet home
+one; so this morning, when the girls helped to dress her, and she put on
+her pretty brown suit, with the white rose-buds in her brown hair, she
+was perfectly content, and would not have had it otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>"You look lovely," cried Kittie, with a rapturous sigh, when the last
+thing had been done, and they all drew back to inspect.</p>
+
+<p>"That dress is a beauty, and you look like a daisy."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think?" cried Kat, rushing in just then. "Raymond's
+gardener has brought your bouquet, and what do you think it is?"</p>
+
+<p>"What?" cried the girls eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"A beautiful wedding-bell, all of white flowers; and he's hanging it in
+the folding doors;" upon which announcement, every one ran down stairs,
+to view
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span>
+the new beauty, and the bride jerked the flowery clapper by its
+white ribbon; then departed in haste, and with a sudden shyness, as Dr.
+Barnett and the minister, were seen coming slowly up the walk.</p>
+
+<p>No one cried when the supreme moment came, though Kittie was heard to
+sniff suspiciously, and Kat stared straight at a certain spot in the
+ceiling, until she was pretty near sightless; while Ernestine's eyes
+rested on the young wife's face, with a loving wistful sadness, that was
+pathetic, and made Mr. Congreve whisk his handkerchief briskly about his
+eyes. Mrs. Dering stood with her arm about Jean, Olive was next with her
+arm in Mr. Congreve's, and so they listened, and watched the little
+ceremony that gave Bea to another, and left the first vacancy in the
+home nest. As soon as it was over, and the rush of congratulations and
+kisses were given, Dr. Barnett took Bea's hand and with a lowly bow,
+said to them all:</p>
+
+<p>"Mother and sisters, relatives and friends, my wife and I will be
+pleased to have you come with us to our new home, and help eat our
+wedding breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>Everybody buzzed with surprise, and looked for explanation to every one
+else; but no one seemed to know more than another, even Bea, blushing
+like a rose, as she put on her new hat, looked as surprised as anybody.
+So there was nothing to be done but wait for some revelation.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span>
+The walk from the old home to the new, was very short, and as the gay
+party took it in the warm sunshine, every one on the way called, or
+smiled their congratulations to the pretty bride who walked with Uncle
+Ridley, while the young husband followed with his new-made mother. When
+they came in sight of the little cottage, there was smoke coming gayly
+from the kitchen chimney, and the front door stood widely open.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" whispered Kittie, in a spasm of curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"A breakfast already for them," answered Olive. "Dr. Barnett has got
+Huldah, and Bea doesn't know it."</p>
+
+<p>Well, dear me, what a jolly confusion did follow. Bea was too much
+overcome to welcome any one to her new home, and nearly gave way to
+tears when Huldah was seen bowing ecstatically in the back-ground, and
+saying over and over: "Welcome home, Mrs. Barnett, how-dy-do?"</p>
+
+<p>"This is where Uncle Ridley and Olive were last night," cried Jean
+excitedly, throwing open the parlor door, and pushing Mrs. Barnett in.
+"Just look!"</p>
+
+<p>Bea tried to speak, but couldn't, and threw her arms about Mr.
+Congreve's neck, while everybody else "oh'd" and "ah'd" about the parlor
+door. For wasn't it furnished with three of the most beautiful
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span>
+easy
+chairs, a tiny lounge, two spidery-legged tables, with gilded
+chains&mdash;and&mdash;oh!&mdash;a piano! A shiny, beautiful upright piano, with a blue
+velvet stool.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't do it all, Olive did half," cried Mr. Congreve the first
+chance he had of making himself heard above the babel of admiration and
+gratitude; whereupon Olive put in a hasty denial. She hadn't done a
+thing but come over and arrange. Everything was from Uncle Ridley except
+the silver vase and bracket, between the windows.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you've seen it now, that'll do. I was invited here to breakfast,
+and I'd like to have it," cried the old gentleman, in a testy voice,
+which the good-natured gleam in his sharp eyes denied. So everybody
+pranced into the dining-room, and Bea was placed behind the coffee-urn,
+and couldn't do a thing but blush, and look too happy and overcome to
+attend to her duties.</p>
+
+<p>Perfect silence fell, as the young husband lifted his hand, and in a
+voice that trembled slightly, asked the minister to request a blessing
+on this, the first meal in the new home. But when that was done,
+everybody broke into a babel of fun again, and a merrier meal was never
+witnessed anywhere.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall come over and call on you this afternoon, Mrs. Barnett," was
+Kat's good-bye, when good-bye moment came.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span>
+"Everything is lovely; may you live long, and always be thus gay," said
+Kittie, who began to feel a queer sensation in her throat, and wanted to
+get off in a hurry.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what to say, except that I want you to be so happy, Bea
+dear," Ernestine said, giving a good-bye kiss lingeringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I think weddings are splendid, though I wish you wasn't going to
+have a new home, Bea," remarked Jean with regret, as she tied on her
+hat, and shook hands with her new brother.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall miss you dreadfully, and our room will seem so lonely," was
+Olive's next remark. "But you must not let us be apart much."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not," said Bea with full heart and eyes. "I will never love you
+any less, and we will all be just the same, except that you'll have a
+brother, and you know you've always wanted one."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you'll be happy, dear child, I do indeed," said Mr. Congreve,
+with an exhaustive hand shake. "But married life is full of swampy
+places, and you must both be careful. I've only one piece of advice, and
+that is, whatever you do, don't let your confidence and trust in each
+other get a shake, for it is the tree of married life, and one shake
+will knock off more apples of love and happiness than can ever be
+replaced."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span>
+"God bless you both," said Mrs. Dering, with one hand in that of her
+daughter, the other in that of her new son. "I give her to you freely,
+Walter, with perfect faith in your love and loyalty, and a dear daughter
+is the most precious gift a mother ever yielded up. Be worthy of each
+other's perfect love and trust, and once more, God bless you. Good-bye."</p>
+
+<div class="block2">
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">To hear, to heed, to wed,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Fair lot that maidens choose;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Thy mother's tenderest words are said,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Thy face no more she views.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Thy mother's lot, my dear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">She doth in nought accuse;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Her lot to bear, to nurse, to rear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To love&mdash;and then to lose.<br /></span>
+</div></div></div>
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span>
+<a name="xxiii" id="xxiii"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br />
+<br />
+<small>WHEN GOD DREW NEAR AMONG HIS OWN TO CHOOSE.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">And</span> is that the word you are going to send back, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And Roger must go abroad, alone?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, if he goes at all."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Congreve sighed, and Olive began to tap her foot impatiently on the
+grass.</p>
+
+<p>"Uncle Ridley, I couldn't; I should hate him; I should hate myself and
+my art, too, if I felt that I owed all its success to some one else. He
+would be miserably unhappy, and so would I. Even if I loved him as he
+wants me to, I couldn't accept everything from him."</p>
+
+<p>"Too proud, Olive, too proud; but then I suppose you are right; indeed,
+I shouldn't wonder if you were,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span>
+muttered the old gentleman, walking
+slowly back and forth with his eyes down. "But I hate to take this word
+back to the boy, I do indeed."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm sure, he's a man, and I really think by this time, that he is
+quite reconciled to it. At any rate, he'll get over it before long,"
+said Olive complacently.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul!" cried Mr. Congreve, pausing before her, with a
+puzzled wonder in his shrewd eyes. "Do you honestly so little realize
+what Roger's nature is, or how much the boy loves you, and how he is
+waiting to hear what word I bring!"</p>
+
+<p>"He ought to know by this time that it is the same I gave to him. I told
+you, no, the day after you gave me the letter; surely, you told him so
+when you wrote."</p>
+
+<p>"But I didn't, though. I thought, like as not, with the prospect of
+travel, you might change your mind after you'd thought about it more,
+and I told him that I was giving you time."</p>
+
+<p>"You must think I am very weak and uncertain," said Olive with some
+impatience. "If he really is anxious for an answer, it is unkind to keep
+him waiting."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, that's so, I know, but I must confess that I thought the
+masters and travel would bring you 'round," and Mr. Congreve shook his
+head, as if in dire perplexity.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span>
+"I had rather work day and night, and win my own success, be it ever so
+little, than to owe the widest fame to another. Besides, I don't want to
+be married, I wouldn't be for anything; I want to belong to myself, and
+do as I please!" cried Olive, vehemently; then slipped her arm through
+his, with a little coaxing gesture, such as she sometime used with the
+crusty old man, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"There, Uncle Ridley, it is all settled, so let's not speak of it any
+more. There come Walter and Bea; we'll walk down to the gate and meet
+them."</p>
+
+<p>This was all a month after the wedding, and it was the loveliest June
+Sunday, imaginable. Mr. Congreve had dreaded so to go back to Virginia
+without Jean, that he had yielded to their entreaties, and spent that
+length of time with them; but now he was going on the next day; and the
+old gentleman's feelings were so deeply stirred with the thought that he
+was obliged to resort to his crusty manners to hide them. He had most
+fervently hoped that Olive would change her mind, though possessed with
+an inward conviction that she would not; yet even while he so deeply
+regretted her decision, he could not but admire the independence, that
+refused to sit with idle hands, and receive every advantage and
+advancement from another. Surely, if Olive ever did marry, she would
+bring something to her husband besides her dependent self,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span>
+and he might
+know, above all doubts, that indeed, he was truly loved in her heart of
+hearts.</p>
+
+<p>Every member of the family had grown to dearly love the crusty, abrupt,
+peculiar old man, who wore the goodness of his heart like a mantle about
+him, yet so modest with it. They never knew, until after he had left
+them, how much good he had quietly done in his morning walks about
+Canfield. How he had bought poor little lame Katie Gregg a great wax
+doll, that could speak and cry; filled the pantry of the hard-working
+widow mother with packages unnumbered, pretending to be so innocent of
+the deed, when she found who was the giver, and tried to thank him.
+There came to them, for many days after he had gone, reports, here and
+there, of the little deeds of kindness and acts of thoughtful
+generosity, the need of which, he had discovered at odd times and said
+nothing about, with the modesty which is characteristic of the true
+giver.</p>
+
+<p>The parting was a truly sad one, yet not without its funny side, for the
+old gentleman was so torn up in mind that his actions were irresistibly
+funny. He whisked his red handkerchief about with such energy that its
+edges were pretty near in strips; and he blew his poor old nose in such
+repeated and violent fashions, that it clearly resembled a highly
+colored tomato.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span>
+"There won't be any little girl any where," he said, mournfully. "It
+will be so lonesome in the morning, and in the evening, and all in the
+day, and I will wonder if Jeanie is never coming down stairs to sit in
+my lap in the old library. I shall get cross, and ugly as a bear, for
+want of two little hands to smooth the wrinkles out of my old forehead,
+and a dear little girl to keep my heart in good working order. It will
+all be dreadful! dreadful!"</p>
+
+<p>There was something pathetic in the picture they made, sitting there.
+The old man, with his white head and tear dimmed eyes, holding Jean in
+his lap, with her arms about his neck, and his wrinkled cheek rested on
+her curly hair.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't very much longer to live," he went on, in that pathetic way,
+"and I shall have to crawl through the last little while all by myself.
+I suppose the dear good Lord knows best, but I don't see why He gave me
+two little girls to love, and then took them both away. Even Olive won't
+go back with me, and Roger will go off, and it will be dreadful!
+dreadful!"</p>
+
+<p>So far down had the poor man's spirits gone, that he seemed perfectly
+lost in pathetic resignation. Even the apparently unquenchable
+handkerchief hung limp and inactive from a coat-tail pocket, where it
+had been jammed in a moment of unresigned despair;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span>
+and the big tears
+dropped one by one on Jeanie's hair, as he talked now in that quiet,
+grieved way.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you come back to us?" asked Mrs. Dering, much touched, and laying
+her hands on his shoulder. "We should so love to have you, Uncle Ridley,
+all of us. Go home and send Roger off if he wants to go; leave the Hall
+with such old servants as you can trust, and then come back to us, and
+call this home. Will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Will I?" Mr. Congreve jumped up, and the handkerchief came out in all
+its color and activity. "Are you really in earnest, Elizabeth? Would you
+have such a crusty old humbug as I am, around?"</p>
+
+<p>"In the truest and warmest earnest, Uncle Ridley."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, please do," cried Jean eagerly; and the other girls echoed it.</p>
+
+<p>"If I ever! God bless my soul! I never did!" exclaimed Mr. Congreve,
+falling back into his chair, perfectly overcome. "You will let me come
+and stay till next summer, then you and Jean and Ernestine go home with
+me, as you promised?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Dering.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, I might have known that the good Lord would fix it some
+way. That's just the thing. I'll do it, Elizabeth; I will. Where's my
+snuff-box and satchel! It's pretty near train time."</p>
+
+<p>Jean ran to get them, while Mr. Congreve went
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span>
+up stairs to say good-bye
+to Ernestine; and when he went off at last, it was in the gayest
+possible spirits, with promises to be back as soon as Roger started
+abroad; and so all the sadness was taken from the parting.</p>
+
+<p>They thought he would be back in, at least, a month, but the time
+lengthened itself into three and four, and yet he did not come. Roger
+was sick, to begin with, and did not gain strength very rapidly, and
+nothing could have made the old man leave him.</p>
+
+<p>"But I can stand it very well," he wrote. "I know that it's not going to
+last, so I can keep up plenty of spirits, with thinking of the time when
+I will come. The boy is getting better fast, and as soon as he settles
+up a little business, he is off, and then I will shut up and be off
+likewise, in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>But they at home, found hands and hearts busy with new work that was
+sadly brief and bitter. As the warm weather came, Ernestine began to
+fail rapidly. She suffered no new pain, and uttered no complaint, but as
+the days went by, and the intense heat of summer burned all purity and
+life from the air, she just seemed to droop, and bow her head feebly
+beneath the oppressive heat; and the frail stem of life snapped, with
+the weight of its own slight self. They had hoped against hope, that the
+sad
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span>
+end could be fought off, and with the first coming of warm days,
+Mrs. Dering had proposed going to the sea-side with her; but Dr.
+Barnett, who had fought eagerly and desperately with the dread disease,
+told them that it would do no good. The excitement might only hasten the
+end, and better to leave her quiet, and so contentedly happy as she
+seemed, than to bring new faces and new scenes to worry and distract the
+last feeble remnant of her strength. So they submitted themselves to his
+word, as one of authority, and took upon themselves the sad duty of
+watching a loved life drift peacefully out, and trying to say, as the
+end drew near: "Thy will be done."</p>
+
+<p>The big rocking-chair, the pretty wrappers, and gayly colored sacques
+were all laid aside now. The feeblest strength could no longer lift the
+frail form, and all the patient sufferer said when lifted or moved was,
+"I'm so tired; that will do; it is quite easy." Then the short breath
+would give out, and she could only thank them with her eyes, that daily
+grew more eloquently beautiful, as though the spirit, refined through
+suffering, were taking its last, long farewell look at mother and
+sisters, and uttering wordless thanks, which the heart loving then
+framed, but the lips weakly refused to utter.</p>
+
+<p>"The end is not far off," Dr. Barnett said, one
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span>
+sultry August night,
+after he had left the sick-room. "I shall go down and telegraph for
+Olive to come on the first train."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering laid her clasped hands on his arms with a little gasp, as of
+one long expecting a bitter draught, and finding the cup held to her
+lips at last. But she was very quiet.</p>
+
+<p>"You think it will come to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly. She may live through to-morrow, but no longer, mother."</p>
+
+<p>There was something so helpful in his presence, the warm, loving
+utterance of that dear name, and the strong, tender clasp of his hands,
+and she clung to him for a moment, as in recognition of the comfort and
+help he was, and had been in these sad days.</p>
+
+<p>"They have telegraphed for Olive," Kittie whispered to Kat and Jean, as
+they three sat sleeplessly on the bedside, with their arms about each
+other, and a pale, hushed awe in their faces.</p>
+
+<p>"That means that she is going to die," cried Kat, trembling. "Oh, how
+dreadful it is! I don't think it's right, no I don't."</p>
+
+<p>"Hush," said Kittie, solemnly; but she couldn't say any more. Her own
+heart was sadly rebellious, and could not think it was right.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be," said Jean slowly, in her sweet, quiet
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span>
+way. "God never
+does what isn't right; He can't, girls, though we can't always
+understand why some things are."</p>
+
+<p>No one was disposed to speak further on the subject, the like of which
+has vexed many great minds, the world over, but they sat there hushed
+and quiet, and with awe-stricken hearts, as though they heard or felt
+the noiseless approach of the coming king, who passed them by, and went
+into the room where the pale mother watched and prayed beside the quiet
+sleeper.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Barnett came back soon, and brought Bea with him; but after looking
+in to speak a few hurried words that tried to be of comfort, she went
+into the other room, to take her place by the bedside, while the worn
+mother snatched a little rest, if not sleep, on the lounge near by. So
+the night crept slowly by, while anxious hearts and sleepless eyes kept
+sad vigil. In the first grey dawn of morning, Olive came; but when
+daylight fairly blushed into rosy sunshine, Ernestine awoke from a long
+sleep, clear-eyed, feverless, and rational, and recognized them all with
+a quiet, peaceful smile.</p>
+
+<p>"You home in the middle of the week?" she said to Olive, with a little
+wondering surprise.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Barnett sent one swift, wordless glance of warning, and Olive caught
+it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span>
+"Yes, I was not very busy this week and thought I would come home last
+night," she said, warmly pressing the almost transparent fingers lying
+on the coverlid, adding brightly: "How well you look this morning!"</p>
+
+<p>"I feel better," answered Ernestine, slowly. "So strangely better; all
+rested and in no pain. Where is mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here, darling."</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;I feel so much better, mama," lifting the feeble hand, with a look
+of pleasure in her wan face. "It seems as if I was lying on the softest
+feathers, and all well again. Everything is so very easy, and I haven't
+any pain."</p>
+
+<p>"You are much better, dear, and we are very glad;" but Mrs. Dering bent
+her head as she spoke, that no one might see the tremble of her lips,
+for well she knew, without any word or glance at her son-in-law's face,
+that the sufferer was passing into the sunlight of God's rest and love,
+and that the passing away of pain was because His hand had already
+touched her.</p>
+
+<p>But to the girls it seemed different. To them, the clear, bright eyes,
+the quiet, easy breathing, and restful feeling, meant better for life,
+and they had a joyful jubilant time over it down stairs. They gathered
+the loveliest flowers in bloom, and took them
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span>
+up stairs, and Ernestine
+smiled brightly and even held them for a few moments in her weak hands,
+keeping a pure, pale, creamy bud, when they put the rest in water.</p>
+
+<p>During the day Dr. Barnett brought some mail from the office, among
+which was a letter from Ralph for Kat, and a strange one from New York
+for Kittie, which proved to be from Mr. Murray.</p>
+
+<p>"How funny!" she said, with a pleased smile.</p>
+
+<p>"What is he writing to you for?" inquired Kat, sharing the general
+interest and curiosity to such an extent that she forgot her own letter.
+"Is Pansy sick?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; he only says how she is, and how she wishes for me every day, and
+wants me to write a letter, all to herself," answered Kittie, too busy
+running her eyes over the few lines, with the signature</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"Yours, most sincerely,<br />
+<span class="pr">"PAUL MURRAY."</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">in bold, handsome hand, to notice the different expressions in the eyes
+that were watching her pleased, smiling face. Perhaps no one detected
+therein just what Mrs. Dering did, for it takes a marvelously small
+thing, to open a mother's eyes. But then Kittie's pleasure was as
+innocent as a child's; she read that letter over and over, and admired
+the beautiful writing, but thought that all her pleasure grew from the
+fact of hearing from Pansy, who had been
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span>
+gone a month, and said, as she
+put it in her pocket, "It was very kind in Mr. Murray to write, I'm sure
+for I did want to hear from Pansy."</p>
+
+<p>But every one forgot the letters after awhile.</p>
+
+<p>At supper-time Ernestine asked for something to eat. She even raised
+herself from the pillow by her own strength, and said how very hungry
+she was, and as the girls left the room to get what she asked for, a
+strange cold thrill struck their hearts. Eagerly, as though famishing,
+Ernestine ate the cream toast that they brought, drank the chocolate,
+and asked for more.</p>
+
+<p>"Give her all she wants," said Dr. Barnett, in answer to an appealing
+look from Mrs. Dering; and so they brought more, with the strange pain
+still in their hearts; and she ate it eagerly, with that unearthly
+brightness in her eyes, and such a fluttering stain of scarlet in her
+wasted cheeks. The sad truth came first to Beatrice, as she looked from
+husband to mother, and read it in their pale, quiet faces; then it came
+to Olive, for she drew near, and put her arm around Bea, with a touch
+that both gave and asked for help; and then Kittie and Kat, seeing the
+hopeless sadness in their faces, suddenly realized that they stood in
+the dread presence at last, and with one accord turned to each other for
+help; while Jean crept to her mother's side, and hid her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span>
+face in the
+folds of her dress. So death found them, as he drew near, and claimed a
+place before mother, sisters, or brother; but he did not come
+repulsively, or like the grinning head that portrays him to our mind's
+eye; instead, it seemed as though a white angel, with kindly eyes had
+drawn near, and breathed upon the sufferer before he kissed the life
+from her lips; for after a short stupor Ernestine awoke, and looked upon
+them with peaceful, shining eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't cry," she said, softly. "I am only going before, as papa did. I
+think I saw him while I slept, and I am not afraid. It is not a dark
+river, mama, but beautiful and bright, and nothing can happen, for God
+stands there and smiles. Please don't cry, or shut the windows; let the
+sunshine come in, and be glad that I will never suffer any more. Lift me
+up, mama."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Dering did so, and with her head pillowed on that dear breast,
+Ernestine sank to sleep like a child, breathing softly; while the
+shadows fell, and no one stirred. But the early moon rose slowly, and
+lighted the room, and as she drew her last breath, with a fluttering
+little sigh, it fell across her face, pure and sweet, and touched the
+withered rose-bud, lying on the pillow.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span>
+<a name="xxiv" id="xxiv"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br />
+<br />
+<small>TWO SECRETS.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Joy</span> and sorrow, laughter and tears come and go and mingle as one in
+memory of the past. Between <em>now</em> and <em>then</em>, time weaves a veil, misty
+with tears of our sorrow, and diamond dusted with the bright laughter of
+our joy, and as we look through it, on the path that weaves our
+footsteps, the sunshine and shadows, that have fallen thereon, mingle
+and soften each other, so that neither the brilliant light of one nor
+the saddening shade of the other can pain our eyes, that look back, in
+wistful, happy memory.</p>
+
+<p>In the fresh, pure air, that follows rain on a summer day, Kat was
+leaning from the window, and watching the sun go slowly down behind the
+hills; while slender spires of light shot up into the hazy atmosphere,
+and pierced the flitting clouds. She was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span>
+gazing idly, with eyes in
+which many thoughts lay dreamily, and the slight smile that touched her
+lips came, perhaps, from something in the letter that lay open in her
+lap, or maybe from the distant view of a basket buggy, drawn by a white
+pony, coming slowly down the road, as though the riders were in no
+haste.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, she smiled; and it crept from the corners of her roguish
+mouth up to her eyes, and made her face very attractive, especially as
+she leaned it against the vines that crept in at the window, and looked
+thoughtfully down at the open letter. It was one such as she received
+very often now-a-days, as a very large pack, all of that year's date,
+much worn, and tied with a blue ribbon, would testify. Most of them were
+dashed boldly off on large office paper, with "Kathie dear," flourished
+into one corner, and news of all kinds, inquiries and odds and ends,
+filling several sheets, and "Yours, Ralph," in business scrawls at the
+bottom. But this was different. It was on small note paper to begin
+with, much more carefully written than usual, and contained no address
+whatever, simply starting off with what the writer had to say, and only
+filling three pages.</p>
+
+<p>There was one particular place where Kat's eyes lingered, and where she
+smiled, very slowly, as though it was something not to be enjoyed fully,
+all at once;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span>
+and we will look right over her shoulder and read it as
+she does again and again:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="nb">"The time is up now, and I am coming, if you say for me to. Will
+you? All my work has been done with the hope that you would let
+me come and share my success, whatever it might be, with you. It
+has been my one thought, and greatest incentive since I learned
+to know, and love you, as I did in the old days, when we
+skirmished and were gay, together. To-day, when I saw my name
+added as junior partner, to the finest law firm in our city, I
+thought of you, and felt more willing and proud to offer you
+that name. If you bid me come, I will do so; the walk out to
+Raymond's is short, and shall I meet you on the road!</p>
+
+<p class="pr2">"RALPH."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Should he meet her on the road? I've no way of telling you, I'm sure,
+for her answer is written and gone, and I, like you, will have to wait
+and see.</p>
+
+<p>The white pony and basket buggy draws nearer, it comes through the gate
+and up the drive, and as Kat watches it, some one comes to her side and
+looks out also.</p>
+
+<p>"They've been a dreadful long ride," says the new-comer, with an
+impatient relief, as she leans against the window.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Kat, with a little start, just realizing the fact.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it's very funny," Pansy continued, with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span>
+a truly puzzled air.
+"When we was here before, papa always said to me, 'come, Pansy, let's go
+take Miss Kittie to ride,' and now he never does; he goes off all alone
+by hisself, and takes her."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible!" said Kat with an air of interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, 'tis; an' he does a lot of funny things. Once when we was to New
+York, I wanted a penny, and he said to get it in his pocket, an' there
+wasn't one penny there, but all the pretty letters Miss Kittie had
+writed to me for my own. I thought 'twas so funny, but he said they were
+safer there, than in my box, an' I better leave 'm, so I did."</p>
+
+<p>"Very strange," said Kat, with a solemn shake of her head.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll guess I'll go down and ask him what for he didn't take me," said
+Pansy, going away, and leaving Kat to put her letter up and try to look
+quite composed before Kittie came.</p>
+
+<p>You must know that this was two years later, and that the twins were
+spending a few weeks with the Raymond's, where there were several other
+young people. Olive was working hard and rising steadily, and had never
+once been heard or suspected of wishing that Roger Congreve would come
+home from the continent, where he still roamed and threatened to settle.
+She was completely devoted to her art, and was now paying her way by
+teaching, while she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span>
+was being taught. Mrs. Dering and Jean were in
+Virginia, and when Olive or the twins came home, it was to Bea's home,
+where everything was cosy and happy, with the rising young physician and
+his pretty little wife.</p>
+
+<p>Two years had made some changes in the twins, more perceptibly so in Kat
+than Kittie; for time and love work wonders, and while she would never
+quite reach the perfection of lady-like grace and dignity, that made
+Kittie so charmingly attractive, she certainly had quieted much, was
+more careful of her language and dress, and bade fair to be a most
+delightful little woman after all, and one that Ralph might well love
+and be proud of having won.</p>
+
+<p>When Kittie came up stairs, she was very quiet, and in answer to
+inquiries, said that her head ached. Kat was relieved to think she would
+not have to be on close guard, for she did not feel like telling her
+secret just then, and had rather dreaded Kittie's eyes. But Kittie was
+wholly absorbed in something else; she put away her things, and sat down
+by the window without saying much.</p>
+
+<p>"It's pretty near tea-time," remarked Kat presently. "Are you all
+ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;don't believe I'll go down," said Kittie. "I'm not hungry."</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" thought Kat, with a sudden and intense
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[425]</a></span>
+curiosity. "I guess I'm
+not the only one that has a secret."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you have a pleasant ride?" she asked, after some silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;very;" answered Kittie absently.</p>
+
+<p>"You were gone long enough."</p>
+
+<p>No answer.</p>
+
+<p>"I had a letter from Ralph;" guardedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I expect he'll come before long."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to see him;" with more interest. "Wouldn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;rather," answered Kat, with a smile at herself in the glass, where
+she was comparing the effect of pink, or blue bow in her hair. "I'm
+going down now; what shall I say for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I've a headache, and not hungry," said Kittie, and Kat whisked
+gayly off, laughing to herself, to think how she had intended to be the
+mystifier, and instead, was the mystified.</p>
+
+<p>When Kittie was alone, she went to the glass, and leaning her chin in
+her hands, looked herself steadily in the face, as though absorbed in a
+new and astounding discovery. It was hard to tell just exactly how it
+affected her, for she looked a good deal astonished, rather sober, but
+very much pleased and a little bit shy.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[426]</a></span>
+"I'm sure," she said, nodding to herself with all earnestness, "I never
+dreamed of such a thing before, but&mdash;but&mdash;I do believe it's so;" and
+then she colored up all of a sudden, and the reflection disappeared from
+view.</p>
+
+<p>Kat came upstairs very soon after supper, and found her sitting in just
+the same place by the window, and just as little inclined to talk as
+before, which made matters seem uncomfortable.</p>
+
+<p>"I declare!" muttered Kat, slamming about in the clothes-press, with no
+particular object in view, except to make a little noise. "This is
+abominable! I think she might tell me, but I'm not going to ask. I'm
+sure, I'd tell her quick enough, but she don't care, and I sha'n't 'till
+she asks me;" and then becoming aware of the inconsistency of her
+reflections Kat shut the door with some force, and sat down in silence.</p>
+
+<p>There was no telling how long this pleasing quietude might have lasted,
+if it had not been for an immense bug that sailed in at the window,
+close to Kittie's nose, and began to bump gayly around the room, while
+both girls flew up, in feminine nervousness, and opened fire upon him,
+with any objects they might lay hands on.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" cried Kat, after a breathless battle, during which
+three chairs had been laid low, various objects upset, and the lamp
+blown out. "Let
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[427]</a></span>
+the old thing go; it won't stay in the dark. What geese
+we are anyhow, afraid of a bug."</p>
+
+<p>"I wasn't afraid," said Kittie, dropping into her chair with an
+exhausted sigh. "But they always make me fidgetty; and, beside, it came
+in right across my nose. Well, anyhow, it's cooler in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"What in the world are you so quiet for!" exclaimed Kat, in despair,
+after a few moments, during which silence settled again.</p>
+
+<p>"I? Nothing," said Kittie, with a little start.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's the truth; I didn't know that I was so quiet," said Kittie,
+who in truth had nothing to tell. "I'll talk gay enough if you'll start
+me on something."</p>
+
+<p>"You never had to be started before," grumbled Kat, who would have
+teased and tormented unmercifully, had it not been for the weight of her
+own secret, which was wonderfully subduing.</p>
+
+<p>"We had a delightful ride," continued Kittie, but with very apparent
+exertion. "Mr. Murray drove out by Hanging Rock, and that's five miles,
+you know, and then we came home by Craig's creek, and&mdash;it was very long.
+What did Ralph say? Where's the letter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" said Kat, with a little gasp&mdash;for Kittie had covered the whole
+ground so quickly that it
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[428]</a></span>
+quite took her breath&mdash;"you can't read it in
+the dark, and if we light the lamp that bug will come back. It was only
+a small one. He has been admitted to the firm, and is coming pretty soon
+to see us."</p>
+
+<p>Something in the voice, for Kat couldn't hide anything successfully,
+drew Kittie's thoughts from herself, and made her turn to look closely
+at the face just visible in the dark. It had been a settled fact in the
+family, for the past year, that Ralph was growing very fond of "Kathy
+dear," and that very likely she had been the great object in his
+thoughts when he went away, and promised to come back, and then&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Kat," said Kittie, with great solemnity, when her thoughts reached that
+point, and she was conscious of feeling hurt. "I never thought you'd
+keep such a thing from me, and wait for me to ask."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither did I think you would, but you are."</p>
+
+<p>"Me? Why I've nothing to tell."</p>
+
+<p>"Honestly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a thing. And have you, really?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, except that he asked me if he should come, and I sent a letter
+right off, and told him yes," confessed Kat, relieved to share her
+secret, and feeling very glad and happy as she laid her head in Kittie's
+lap, as though to hide her face from the darkness.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[429]</a></span>
+Kittie entirely forgot herself in that moment. There came a little
+choking feeling in her throat, to think that she now came second in this
+dearest sister's heart, and she put her arms around her, with a little
+resentful, defiant clasp, and said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you anything to confess?" asked Kat, in a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, dear; be honest."</p>
+
+<p>"Not much," said Kittie, slowly. "You know, I always thought Mr. Murray
+was ever so much older than he is, and I never dreamed of his liking me,
+or any such thing, and it all seems so odd. But since he came this time,
+and we have been together so often, why&mdash;it all seemed different, you
+know, though I can't tell just how. To-day, while we were riding, I
+dropped some flowers out of my hair, and he picked them up, and asked if
+he might keep them, and&mdash;and&mdash;that's all," finished Kittie, quite
+shamefacedly.</p>
+
+<p>"How romantic!" sighed Kat. "He'll say something pretty soon, and I'm
+very glad. It would be dreadful for one of us to go, and not the other.
+But it all seems odd, doesn't it, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>So they sat together for a long time, dreaming the dream that comes
+rosily and sweet to all, and the silent clasp of their arms, and the
+pressure of their cheeks, laid together in the twilight, expressed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[430]</a></span>
+the
+warm love that mutual joy brightened; and into this new experience, as
+in all that had come to them, they went hand in hand.</p>
+
+<p>After awhile, Kat went down to the parlors, where the young people were,
+and a very funny thing happened. It was too warm to dance, play games,
+or, in fact, remain in the house; so they strolled out in the yard, and
+over the veranda, and once, as Kat sat alone in a big rustic chair, she
+saw Mr. Murray coming towards her. The light fell through the window,
+and out on to her face and head, showing a silver butterfly that Pansy
+had given to Kittie, fastened in her hair; and guided by this, Mr.
+Murray drew near, and paused at her side, never doubting that she was
+the one he had been in search of. A few words were sufficient to reveal
+his mistake to Kat, but some mischievous impulse kept her quiet as to
+her identity, so they talked on and on, and presently he began to tell
+of the home he had prepared in the city, and Kat's heart sank with a
+sudden thump, but what could she say? He went on without giving her
+chance to utter a word, and just as she was growing cold with
+apprehension, and hardly hearing what he was telling, he laid his hand
+on hers that were clasped in her lap, and said very tenderly:</p>
+
+<p>"Will you share it with me, darling? I have hoped and dreamed that you
+would, and have made
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[431]</a></span>
+it beautiful for your sake. It has been many, many
+months since the sweet possibility"&mdash;but there Kat jumped up, scarlet
+and ashamed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Murray! I'm not Kittie; I'm so sorry; but I thought&mdash;I meant&mdash;I
+don't know just what. I'll tell her to come down and I think she will,"
+Kat cried incoherently, and vanished with a complicated and wonderful
+gesture of her hands, that might have passed for a supplication for
+forgiveness, a benediction, or total despair, or most anything.</p>
+
+<p>"Go down stairs," were her first words, as she rushed into the room
+where Kittie sat, and cast herself on to the bed with a hysterical
+laugh. "I've been, and gone, and done, and had a proposal from Mr.
+Murray, and you better go down quick. Oh, it's too funny, and he's
+dreadfully in earnest; there's something about a sweet possibility, and
+you'd better go down and listen to it."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" cried Kittie, starting up, and dropping her book,
+with a vague idea that Kat had lost her senses.</p>
+
+<p>"He thought I was you. Oh, it's too funny! and he is out there by the
+geranium-bed waiting for you," cried Kat, convulsed with laughter; and
+Kittie dropped into her chair, all trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Kat! how could you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Bless you, I didn't do anything except promise
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[432]</a></span>
+to send you down, and
+you better go. There, you look like a peach. Put this little posy in
+your hair and go on."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I can't," cried Kittie, all blushes and shyness.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you can, you must; it will never do in the world!" exclaimed Kat
+with decision; so with many pauses, much hesitation and trembling,
+Kittie went, and appeared shyly before her lover with down-cast eyes,
+and all the sweet color fled from cheek and lips.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, no one said anything, but somehow the secret crept into the
+gay company, and Kittie found her ordeal so trying that she threatened
+to go home.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course we'll go as soon as Ralph comes," said Kat, who had her own
+reasons for wanting to get away then; so Kittie promised to wait those
+few days. It was very evident that Kat was going to meet him on the
+road, for one lovely afternoon, a few days later, she was seen to stroll
+away, dressed with particular care in a pale blue lawn, with bunches of
+forget-me-nots in her hair and belt, and a very big hat that
+conveniently and becomingly shaded her eyes, and flapped in the breeze
+as she walked.</p>
+
+<p>The train was in; it had whizzed around the corner of Raymond's farm
+over an hour ago, and Ralph had had time to nearly make the distance
+between the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[433]</a></span>
+dep&ocirc;t and a certain tall sycamore tree, where she had
+decided to stop and wait; so she strolled slowly, with her eyes down,
+and thought of him. He would look just as he used to, she thought, not
+realizing the time that had elapsed, nor how much she had changed
+herself. There would be the merry dark eyes, and faint mustache, the
+eager, almost boyish face and figure, and he would kiss her, as he used
+to, and how funny it would seem, to think they were nearly engaged.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled to herself, unconscious that he was drawing near, and eagerly
+watching the pretty, slight, blue-robed figure, strolling in the
+sunshine; but she looked up in a moment and saw him.</p>
+
+<p>Was that Ralph? She felt her heart jump clear into her throat; as she
+paused, and stared at the tall gentleman rapidly approaching, and she
+had no strength to take another step. She had arranged a little speech
+to deliver at the proper moment, but,</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"By the sycamore passed he, and through the white clover;"</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">then all the sweet speech she had fashioned took flight. He came nearer
+with eager brightness in his handsome eyes; he took her two resistless
+hands and looked under her hat-brim.</p>
+
+<p>"Kathleen, is it you?"</p>
+
+<p>At the sound of the voice, which was still the same, Kat was covered
+with a swift, shy confusion. She
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[434]</a></span>
+had expected a boy; there had come to
+her a man, who had come at her bidding, and who loved her. She longed to
+run away or hide her head, or something, but how could she when he held
+her hands, and persisted in looking under her hat.</p>
+
+<p>"I expected to find you racing along the road or sitting on a fence, and
+waiting for me," he said, with a laugh. "I looked for my dear romp, and
+instead of that, I meet a graceful lovely young woman with the sweetest
+face in the world, and I don't believe she's glad to see me."</p>
+
+<p>"What made you go and change so?" stammered Kat, still unable to
+reconcile the vision before her with the boyish Ralph Tremayne. "I'd
+never known you, anywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I, you, hardly. What made you go and change so?" retorted he.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither have I."</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon they felt better acquainted, and laughed socially; then he
+kissed her, and slipped her hand through his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"You're not sorry you told me to come, are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit. Are you sorry you came?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit. You're altogether lovely and charming, my dear, and may I
+tell you how much I love you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[435]</a></span>
+"I guess you'd better not. I'll have to get a little better acquainted
+with you first, you've gone and grown so big and handsome, and all
+that," answered Kat, feeling more comfortable, and looking up at him
+with some of the old saucy twinkle in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless those eyes," he exclaimed, with every symptom of telling the
+forbidden fact. "I must tell you, dear, that you have grown lovely."</p>
+
+<p>"You told me that once."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you like to hear it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't wonder if I did. But I must tell you something important
+before we go any farther," said Kat solemnly.</p>
+
+<p>"Do so at once; I'm listening."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ralph, I've&mdash;I've had another proposal since I wrote to you,"
+confessed the wretched little hypocrite, with lowered hat-brim.</p>
+
+<p>"You have? By jingo! Who from?" Ralph dropped her hand, and the ruddy
+color went from his face suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"From a New York gentleman at Mrs. Raymond's, and&mdash;and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Go on," said Ralph shortly, his voice cold and hard.</p>
+
+<p>"He said he had built&mdash;no, bought&mdash;no, had a beautiful home, and asked
+me to share it, and I didn't
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[436]</a></span>
+know what on earth to say, so&mdash;I told
+him&mdash;that I wasn't Kittie, and then he changed his mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Kathy!" What a blessing it was that no one was anywhere near, for right
+there in the sunshine, Ralph threw his arm around her and drew her
+close, to kiss the saucy lips and eyes. "How could you? I'm stunned out
+of a year's growth! Was it Murray?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't think you'll miss it," laughed Kat. "Yes, it was Mr.
+Murray, and Kittie's going to share that home."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't say so. We'll go off doubly and very soon, too, for of course
+the little mother will be willing."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course," said Kat.</p>
+
+<p>So they strolled on in the sunshine, and the sweetest story in the
+world, gray with age, yet fresh as spring-time in their hearts, made the
+sunshine brighter than ever before to their happy eyes.</p>
+
+
+<p class="back"><a href="#back">Back to contents</a></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[437]</a></span>
+<a name="xxv" id="xxv"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br />
+<br />
+<small>MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT. FIVE YEARS LATER.</small></h2>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The</span> house was lighted from attic to basement, and though it was
+Christmas Eve, the air was like spring, for nature sometimes turns
+freakish, and smiles on us when we are expecting the cold shoulder. Here
+and there, a window was open, for the Derings always did love plenty of
+air; and so a merry sound of laughter and gay voices was wafted out into
+the night air, and the old trees rustled joyfully, as though the sound
+were a familiar and happy one to them, and it did their old bones&mdash;or
+bark, good to hear it. Even the vines, that clambered about as gayly now
+as ever&mdash;only closer and thicker, tapped on the windows and nodded their
+leafless heads, as though in welcome, and fairly rustled with joy clear
+down
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[438]</a></span>
+to their aged roots, to see all the dear children at home once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>The front door stood hospitably open, as it had always had a trick of
+doing, and in the wide old hall were two children, one of whom sat on
+the stairs, with a sober, thoughtful face, while the other, in
+diminutive petticoats, was trying to stand on his head against the stout
+bannister-post. One failure followed another, in discouraging
+succession, but the little fellow kept determinedly at it, in spite of
+bumps and thumps, and finally succeeded in hoisting his fat legs up for
+the briefest second imaginable, which was perfectly satisfactory, and
+after which he righted himself, with serenely glowing face.</p>
+
+<p>"Did," he said, triumphantly; to which the judge, sitting gravely on the
+stairs, assented with much solemnity, and seemed to be casting about in
+his mind for some other feat to propose.</p>
+
+<p>"Hurts," said the young tumbler, rubbing his top-knot with a mite of a
+hand, and glancing severely at the judge.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand on this," said the judge, coming down and offering his square
+inch of pocket-handkerchief, which was accordingly laid down by the
+post. "That makes it thoft; won't hurt now. Do't over."</p>
+
+<p>With a readiness and faith that was sublime, he of the petticoats went
+at it, and had just succeeded
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[439]</a></span>
+in turning a side somersault, such as was
+never seen before, when further effort was nipped in the bud by some one
+coming into the hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" cried a merry voice, as the tumbler was caught up,
+shaken, and set down with some force. "What are you up to now, Thomas,
+my lively son?"</p>
+
+<p>"He wath standin' on hith head, auntie," explained the judge, with great
+politeness, as the tumbler appeared too much confused by all the
+circumstances to make any answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Wath he, indeed?" laughed Thomas's mama. "Mashing his little head all
+to jelly; poor Tommy!"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Tom, whose remarks were more noticeable for brevity than
+anything else. "No shelly."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, little soft-head; come, ask papa," and with that Mrs.
+Tremayne&mdash;for who should it be but lively Kat&mdash;shouldered her small, but
+ambitious son, and carried him away. The judge looked forlorn after
+that. He folded his small handkerchief and put it carefully away in its
+tiny pocket, then he sat down on the lowest step and looked thoughtfully
+out of the front door, as though he expected further developments to
+arrive from that direction. Nor was he disappointed. There arose a sound
+of labored and energetic breathing from without, as of some one toiling
+up the steps, and then something in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[440]</a></span>
+white fluttered across the porch,
+and in at the door, and the judge fairly beamed with delight and
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Hullo!" he said politely.</p>
+
+<p>"'Llo," returned the new-comer.</p>
+
+<p>"Where'd you come from?"</p>
+
+<p>"Off," said the stranger, with a flourish of both small arms, intended
+to indicate some great distance. "Runned off."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you? From Pansy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yeth." And the bunch of ruffles and brown ribbon shook its head with
+distinctive force, while the bits of slippered feet began to dance
+wildly up and down the hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Mama'll come," said the judge, warningly, and, sure enough, out came a
+lady, with the loveliest face, and a white lace cap on her grey hair.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, dears," she said, in a voice we know well and both flew to her,
+for who was dearer to their loving hearts than "Dramma?" "Time for
+little birdies to be eating supper, and getting little peepers shut up
+tight, before Santa Claus comes," she said, going towards the dining
+room, with a little hopper clinging to each hand, and playing peep
+around her. Tom was already at the table, pounding with his spoon, and
+smiling serenely through the milk that spattered his face from forehead
+to chin, and there
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[441]</a></span>
+were two other bowls and spoons and high chairs,
+ready and waiting.</p>
+
+<p>"Naughty Louise," said Mrs. Kittie, as she lifted the white-robed morsel
+to her chair, and tied on her bib. "Run away from poor sister Pansy, and
+make her feel bad."</p>
+
+<p>"All baddy, mama?" inquired Louise, looking over her bowl with repentant
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"She comed in the front door," said Philip, otherwise the judge, who was
+the eldest hopeful of the Barnett household, and was, at present, under
+the care of aunt Kathy, as mama Bea had the baby in the sitting-room. "I
+thaw her," he went on to explain with care; but was evidently disgusted,
+that every one laughed and talked, instead of listening to him; so
+paused right there, and ate his bread and milk in silence and with
+dignity, not even unbending when Tom and Louise had a skirmish, and
+testified their cousinly regard, by throwing their spoons at each other,
+and upsetting what milk had been left in their bowls.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, what children!" cried Kittie, running for a towel, with a
+laugh that sounded as though "such children" were very delightful.</p>
+
+<p>"Thomas, Thomas!" said Mrs. Kat, with an air of grave reproof, such as
+she sometimes wasted on her lively son; and Thomas looked up at her,
+with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[442]</a></span>
+roguish eyes, brimful of mischief, and fairly crowed with glee, a
+method of expression that he resorted to in gay moments, as it was still
+an exertion for him to talk.</p>
+
+<p>When the young people were finally carried off to bed, every one went
+along, for the gentlemen were all down town, and what better could the
+mothers and aunties do than follow the procession headed by "Dramma,"
+and watch the roguish imps get into their snowy little nests? There was
+much skirmishing and crowing, but it all ended in a doleful wail, for
+Tom fell out of bed and bumped his precious head, and refused to be
+comforted, in any way, shape, or form, until Philip was heard to remark
+with admiration:</p>
+
+<p>"You stood on your head, Tom, and wath straight up," and that was
+Balm-of-Gilead to the infantile soul of that Young America, for he
+immediately ceased to weep, and looked content.</p>
+
+<p>They all lingered there some time after the children had grown quiet,
+but finally went down stairs, and left Grandma rocking and watching,
+till the last little peeper should be closed, for she insisted on
+staying, as all the little folks were not with her always, and dearly
+she enjoyed each moment spent with them.</p>
+
+<p>Down stairs, the sisters clustered about the fire,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[443]</a></span>
+with all the old
+girlish love and glee, and looking at them, in that familiar group, very
+few changes were noticeable, for time brings few foot-prints if the
+heart is happy. Bea wore a matronly little cap of bits of lace and blue
+bows, and held in her arms a gleeful baby, with roguish eyes and sunny
+little rings of hair, who was named after dear grandma, and who
+obstinately refused to go "by-low," as any well regulated baby ought to
+do, by seven o'clock in the evening. Kittie and Kat, on the lounge with
+clasped arms as of old, looked scarcely a whit changed, though they were
+both indelibly stamped with the grace and elegance of city ladies, and
+had fulfilled the promise in girlhood, by becoming truly refined and
+lovely women. The little stool by the fire was not vacant, for there sat
+Jean as of old, with the same sweet face and lovely eyes, only now she
+was taller than mama, and the still childish face wore a perfect
+happiness, for on the hand that supported her chin, the firelight showed
+a ring, and in the smiling eyes any one could read the story of it.
+Olive was there too. Olive, of whom they were all so proud, and who was
+still Olive Dering; and time had made her very fair to look upon; for
+energy and purpose had stamped her face indelibly, and the clear eyes
+were beautiful in their light of strength and happy content. She was no
+longer a struggling girl, battling with all circumstances, and fighting
+her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[444]</a></span>
+way into work, but a woman, restful, yet not resting, in perfect
+success; for every nerve was still alert to further progress, and every
+wish and ambition had been sacrificed to one great desire, which would
+next year be satisfied; she was going to Europe. Masters and travel
+awaited her eager heart, and her own hand had carved the way. Her studio
+in New York was filled with works; many homes, far and wide, owed their
+pleasure, in the portrayed face of some dear one, to her pencil or
+brushes; and a large class, constantly increasing in size, trod the
+first pathways of art under her careful guidance. And so with hard work
+and economy, the money had come in, and been laid away; and now at last,
+there was enough. Mother and Olive were going to Europe.</p>
+
+<p>I know it is all very nice and easy to carry a girl through ambitious
+battles in a book, and after a lapse of years, which are left to the
+imagination, to bring her out, glowing with success, and with her
+heart's desire realized. It is done in a book this time; but Olive
+Dering's love and longing for art, her struggles, determination, and
+final success, are taken from the life of one who still lives, and who
+is now enjoying the perfect happiness earned by hard labor, in the
+galleries of the old masters. There had been toil and troubles and
+trials; discouraging tears and times of despair, in the years
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[445]</a></span>
+through
+which we have slipped without a pause; but it would do no good to tell
+them all; it is enough to know that patience, perseverance and will had
+overcome them, as there is rarely a case where they will not.</p>
+
+<p>"Next year this time we'll not be here together," said Kittie, breaking
+a long pause, such as will often come, when hearts are content with
+worldless communion.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" asked Jean. "Mama and Olive being in Italy, is no reason why
+you should not come and spend Christmas with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless the baby, to think she will be married then," exclaimed Bea,
+caressing the brown head with loving hand. "Every one gone from the old
+home but Jeanie, and she presiding over it, a married lady; to think of
+it, girls?"</p>
+
+<p>"So wags the world," said Kat with a brisk nod. "I think it would be sad
+to come here and spend Christmas, with Olive and mama gone; but you must
+all come to Boston, and if my house isn't big enough, I'll have an
+addition put on."</p>
+
+<p>"No, my home is best," put in Kittie with decision. "It's between you
+all, and is plenty big enough. That is the place."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," chimed in Pansy, who was now a tall pretty girl of ten,
+and perfectly devoted to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[446]</a></span>
+mama. "We want you to come to New York, and
+spoke about it before we left home; didn't we mama?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and we'll wage a brisk war with any one who puts in a claim, so
+you had better subside at once my dear," answered Kittie with a smile at
+her twin, which looked like most anything except a war-like preparation.</p>
+
+<p>"There's the gate, the boys are coming," was the answer of Mrs. Kat, and
+sure enough, there arose a clatter of feet on the porch, a smell of
+cigar smoke in the air, and in came "the boys," with the usual amount of
+noise, which boys, big or little, invariably make; and then grandma came
+flitting down stairs, with a smile and a warning "hush;" and there they
+were all together.</p>
+
+<p>Supper was a gloriously gay meal, where every one's health was drank in
+fragrant coffee, from Grandma Dering, down to Prince, who had been
+returned to the home of his youth, and was passing his last days in
+peaceful content, with just enough exercise to keep his old bones from
+rusting out too fast. And then they talked of those who were gone from
+the circle: Father Dering, Ernestine, and lastly, dear old Uncle Ridley,
+who had died that year, and for whom every one had such a warm loving
+memory.</p>
+
+<p>After supper the boys went off to the library to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[447]</a></span>
+smoke, and mother and
+daughters clustered together in the dear old sitting-room, to chat
+lovingly as in other days; for now, as then, the sweet motherly face, to
+which they still looked for love, comfort, and praise, was the dearest
+in the world to them, and the loveliest, they all thought, with its
+serene happy smile and contented loving eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Has anybody any disappointments to tell to-night," she asked, looking
+around at the bright happy faces, and remembering another night long
+ago, when they all sat so, and told such.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I've got one," announced Kat, just as briskly as she had done on
+that other night. "I can't, to save my life, arrive at the point where I
+will always look stately and unruffled, and ready to receive callers, in
+spite of babies and household work, as Mrs. McGregor does, who lives
+opposite me. And then, I do believe that Thomas is going to be short and
+fat, instead of tall and slim, and from present indications I think he
+will prefer being a clown to anything else in the world. That's my
+disappointment, and it's just about as sensible as my other, but it's
+the best I've got. What's yours, Kittie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, I'm sure," answered Kittie, looking down into Pansy's
+upturned face, and laying her hand lovingly on the curly head. "I have
+the dearest husband, and two of the most precious little daughters
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[448]</a></span>
+in
+the world, and what more could I ask? I always did want curly hair and
+black eyes, but Pansy has one, and Louise the other, so I'm content. The
+only disappointment I have, is that mama and Olive will not be with us
+next Christmas."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've a very small one," said Bea, as she rocked and trotted, with
+a vain attempt to get small Bessie's eyes shut. "Walter isn't quite as
+well as I should like to have him; he works too hard, poor fellow, and I
+want him to go off to the mountains next summer, and get rested, but we
+can't all afford to go, and he says he will not go and leave me at home
+in the hot weather with the house and babies. So I can't help worrying
+and wishing that I could help him some way."</p>
+
+<p>"You do help him, dear," interposed Mrs. Dering promptly. "You keep home
+bright and happy, and anticipate all his wants and wishes. In times of
+weariness or trouble, he has you and the dear babies for comfort. You
+love, sympathize and help him in a thousand ways, the want of which he
+could not do without."</p>
+
+<p>"And sew on his buttons," added Kat. "Don't leave that out, for if he's
+anything like Ralph, it's a mighty big item."</p>
+
+<p>"And here's my little girl," continued Mrs. Dering in a moment, and
+looking down at Jean, whose head lay in her lap. "Has she any?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[449]</a></span>
+"None, mama," answered Jean, looking up with happy eyes. "Except that
+you are going away, and that Uncle Ridley is not here."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely, no one supposes for an instant that I have any," said Olive,
+and every one shook their heads in a decided negative, except Mrs.
+Dering, and she looked across into Olive's eyes with a smile, and Olive,
+catching the look, dropped them to the fire, and said no more. She had
+intimated that she had none; but was it so in the depths of her heart?
+Was she quite content?</p>
+
+<p>"You do to-night, as you did before, and no one asks me for mine," said
+Mrs. Dering with a smile. "Do you rightly guess that I have none?"</p>
+
+<p>"We hope that you have none, mama," said Bea, lovingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed, I have not, my dear girls; instead, as I sit here to-night with
+you all around me, I wonder if I am fully grateful for how good God has
+been to me. I look at you, and I see in my girls just such good, true
+women as their father would have them, and I am more than content. I
+would that these three vacant places might be filled to-night, but God
+knows best, and I feel only love, not regret. No, my dear girls, I have
+no disappointments to-night, only a heart full of happiness and
+content."</p>
+
+<p>They were silent after that for a little while, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[450]</a></span>
+then Bess dropped
+to sleep, and Olive crossed to Bea's side, as the gentlemen were heard
+coming from the library.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me take her up stairs, Bea&mdash;you look tired;" and Bea handed the
+precious charge over, and Olive went slowly up stairs, with her arms
+tenderly clasped about the little form, her cheeks laid to the soft baby
+face, and a look in her eyes that mother might have read had she seen
+it.</p>
+
+<p>The sleepers already there, and sprawled about in characteristic
+attitudes, was a sight to hold one's gaze.</p>
+
+<p>Philip lay perfectly straight and orderly, with a sober countenance, and
+both hands crossed on his little stomach; while Tom, the tumbler, had
+completely reversed himself, and lay with his feet on the pillow, his
+body in a snarl, and his head just ready to fall off the edge with the
+next jerk. Louise had dispensed with her pillow, it was on the floor,
+while she lay in the sweetest possible attitude, with one tiny hand
+under the dimpled cheek, on which the long, dark lashes rested softly,
+and one wee snowy little foot peeped out of the clothes. Olive laid the
+baby in its nest, and covered it warmly, bending many times to kiss the
+rosy little face; then she righted Tom, restored the pillow, and removed
+some of Philip's covering, as he seemed to be too warm; and then she
+stood still looking at them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[451]</a></span>
+Was she perfectly happy, and quite content?</p>
+
+<p>The pale light that fell across her, as she stood there watching the
+sleepers, with eyes that were traitorously expressive, would have made a
+very dear picture to one pair of eyes, had they not been too far away to
+rest on. The grey dress which she wore, fell in colorless draperies, and
+the soft laces at her throat and wrists, were very becoming to the clear
+skin. In the rich dark hair, was a white flower, that touched the tip of
+her ear as with a caress; but greatest of all was the eyes, that were
+growing dim with tears, as she stood there. The feeling that was in her
+heart was no new one, but to-night it came differently from what it ever
+had before. Then it had only been a half defined loneliness that could
+be quenched with a little effort, and pass without a name; but to-night
+it came surging up and assumed shape and title before her eyes. She had
+no claim on these little ones; she would never be able to stand so and
+watch one of her own in its innocent sleep. Would never feel the tender
+happiness of knowing that her blood beat in another little heart, that
+her life had given breath to its laughing lips, and the warm color to
+the dimpled cheeks. In the room down stairs, each sister had her own;
+even little Jean would soon be claimed by one to whom she was dearer
+than all else in the world; and in a few years mother might be gone, and
+then&mdash;<em>success</em> was hers. She
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[452]</a></span>
+had worked and won. Her name was on many
+lips, and her fame spreading. The goal she had looked forward to for
+years, with eager heart, was hers at last, and while the anticipation,
+had in this case, lost nothing through possession; did it wholly satisfy
+her? Was there no corner, no longing, or want that brushes, oils, and
+inspiration failed to satisfy? Her eyes grew blind with strange, wistful
+tears, a queer choking filled her throat, and with a sudden movement she
+had crossed the room and knelt down by the baby. Had she no
+disappointment? Would she not have said "come," to some one, still a
+wanderer beyond the seas, had it been in her power? Or, had he stood
+before her, with the old, old longing, would she have drawn back and
+said: "My art is all I want."</p>
+
+<p>Ah, indeed, Uncle Ridley had been right:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">"A single flame gives little warmth, and needs a kindred spark."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="noi">Art was none the less dear, but the woman's heart had asserted itself,
+and there was a yearning passionate cry for a love that would answer to
+that, which had so strangely grown within her heart, and which called
+for something more than a lifeless irresponsive idol.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, even out of books, the right thing happens just at the right
+moment; then, again, sometimes it does not; but this is what happened
+just at that moment. Some one had been standing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[453]</a></span>
+in the shadow outside
+the door, for several moments and now entered, and crossing the room,
+stood beside her, kneeling there, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Olive."</p>
+
+<p>She stood up quickly, and looked at him for a moment, and knew him, in
+spite of seven years' absence, and the bronze and change wrought by time
+and constant travel. Yes, she knew him, for the eyes were the same, and
+wore the look she had seen in them last. It was a true love that had
+bided its time, and won its reward at last. She did not blush rosy red,
+as most women would have done, but a speechless joy came slowly into her
+eyes, where the tears yet lay, and she was quite silent.</p>
+
+<p>"You have no welcome for me?" he asked, holding out his hand. "Have I
+waited so long, and come in vain, at last, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," she answered, finding her voice, and it sounded strangely sweet
+and glad, even to herself, as she drew nearer and laid her hand in his.
+"I am glad that you came; I&mdash;I have wished that you would."</p>
+
+<p>It was not a romantic place at all, with the three little tumbled beds
+and sleepers; the diminutive stockings, shoes, and slips, scattered
+about, and Philip unmistakably snoring, as became a worn-out judge. But
+as he clasped the hand laid in his, and drawing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[454]</a></span>
+her to him, kissed her
+gladly, I doubt if the most romantic spot, either side the sea, could
+have made that meeting sweeter to either of them.</p>
+
+<p>"I was on the porch when you passed through the hall," said Roger, in a
+moment. "I had been out there some little time watching you through the
+window, and studying your face, that I have so longed and hungered to
+see in these years, and I read in it such complete happiness, that my
+heart failed me. I had waited till you should reach the perfect goal of
+your ambition, and should know what it was to own fame; and as I looked
+at you, to-night, I thought it satisfied your heart entirely. So I was
+tempted to go away without having you send me. When you came into the
+hall with the baby, I followed you up here&mdash;quite against my will. As
+you stood here a few moments ago, and I saw that sadness creep into your
+face and eyes, I first thought that, perhaps, I had not come in vain.
+And have you really wished that I would come, Olive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; neither my work nor my life is perfect without you, Roger, and I
+think that I have known it for some time, though I never so fully
+confessed it to myself as to-night. I honestly sent you from me, and I
+honestly welcome you back. I have nothing more to wish for now."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[455]</a></span>
+So together they went down stairs, and the wanderer's welcome far
+exceeded his strongest hopes. A new ray of light and joy seemed brought
+into that circle, with this new union of hands, hearts, and happiness;
+and as Mrs. Dering kissed each of her girls good-night, she said,
+looking into Olive's eyes, with a loving smile:</p>
+
+<p>"I fully believe, dear, that now you have no disappointment."</p>
+
+
+<div id="trn">
+<p class="tn"><a name="tn" id="tn">Transcriber's Note:</a><br />
+<br />
+The illustration on <a href="#what">page 267</a> was not
+available for inclusion in this ebook.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Six Girls, by Fannie Belle Irving
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Six Girls, by Fannie Belle Irving
+
+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: Six Girls
+       A Home Story
+
+Author: Fannie Belle Irving
+
+Illustrator: F. T. Merrill
+
+Release Date: May 21, 2008 [EBook #25551]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIX GIRLS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Jacqueline Jeremy and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FROM AUNT TREMAYNE AND RALPH]
+
+
+
+
+    SIX GIRLS
+
+    _A HOME STORY_
+
+    BY
+    FANNIE BELLE IRVING
+
+    ILLUSTRATED BY F. T. MERRILL
+
+    BOSTON
+    DANA ESTES AND COMPANY
+    PUBLISHERS
+
+
+    _Copyright, 1882_,
+    By Estes and Lauriat.
+
+
+    University Press:
+    JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.
+
+
+
+
+    CONTENTS.
+
+
+    CHAPTER                                                 PAGE
+
+        I. UNDER THE TREES                                     7
+
+       II. AROUND THE FIRE                                    18
+
+      III. A FOUNDATION THAT BROUGHT KAT TO GRIEF             38
+
+       IV. IN CONFIDENCE                                      51
+
+        V. ONE DAY                                            65
+
+       VI. A STRANGER                                         80
+
+      VII. MR. CONGREVE SURPRISES HIMSELF AND EVERYBODY
+           ELSE                                               97
+
+     VIII. ODDS AND ENDS                                     113
+
+       IX. WHAT OLIVE HEARD                                  128
+
+        X. THE LITTLE BLACK TRUNK                            148
+
+       XI. WHERE IS ERNESTINE?                               168
+
+      XII. THE STORY                                         188
+
+     XIII. A YEAR LATER                                      202
+
+      XIV. STUDY OR PLAY?                                    221
+
+       XV. CONGREVE HALL                                     240
+
+      XVI. UNDER THE SHADY GREEN-WOOD TREE                   257
+
+     XVII. SEVERAL THINGS                                    284
+
+    XVIII. AT THE OPERA                                      306
+
+      XIX. COMING HOME                                       336
+
+       XX. A SAD STORY                                       355
+
+      XXI. MY LADY                                           368
+
+     XXII. TO REAR, TO LOVE, AND THEN TO LOSE                380
+
+    XXIII. WHEN GOD DREW NEAR, AMONG HIS OWN TO CHOOSE       406
+
+     XXIV. TWO SECRETS                                       420
+
+      XXV. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A
+           GOOD-NIGHT--FIVE YEARS LATER                      437
+
+
+
+
+    LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+    PAGE
+
+    FROM AUNT TREMAYNE AND RALPH                  _Frontispiece_
+
+    "O ERNESTINE, HOW LOVELY!"                                17
+
+    KAT AND KIT                                               49
+
+    THE OLD GENTLEMAN LIFTED JEAN UP ON THE POST              92
+
+    "NOW LET'S SEE WHAT'S IN THIS WONDERFUL TRUNK"           167
+
+    "WHY, HOW DO YOU DO, MY DEAR CHILD?"                     244
+
+    "WHAT IS THE MATTER? WHAT HAS HAPPENED?"                 267
+
+    MR. CONGREVE WOULD COME INTO THE GALLERY                 314
+
+
+
+
+SIX GIRLS.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+UNDER THE TREES.
+
+
+There were ripples of sunshine all tangled in the glowing scarlet of the
+geranium bed and dancing blithely over the grass. A world of melody in
+quivering bursts of happy song came from the spreading canopy of leaves
+overhead, and as an accompaniment, the wind laughed and whispered and
+kept the air in one continual smile with a kiss on its lips, born of
+supreme contentment in the summer loveliness.
+
+In the cool, deep shade, cast by the grandest of old beech trees, a girl
+sat, her white dress in freshest relief against the green surroundings,
+a piece of sewing in her nimble fingers, and the wind tossing her
+loosened hair all about her face and shoulders. She was quite alone, and
+seemed just the setting for the quiet, lovely surroundings, so much so,
+that, had an artist chanced to catch the sight, he would have lost no
+time in transferring it to canvas,--the wide stretch of grass,
+alternately steeped in cool shadows and mellow sunshine, the branching,
+rustling canopy of leaves, the white-robed figure with smiling lips and
+busy fingers, and just visible in the back-ground an old house wrapped
+in vines and lying in the shade.
+
+Somebody came from among the trees just at this moment and crossed the
+grass with a peculiarly graceful and swaying step, as though she had
+just drifted down with the sunshine and was being idly blown along by
+the wind, another girl in the palest of pink dresses, with ripples of
+snowy lace all over it, and a wide-brimmed hat shading her eyes. And
+speaking distance being gained, she said, with a breezy little laugh:
+"Sewing? Why, it's too warm to breathe."
+
+"That's the reason I sew," returned the other, with a nod of energy. "I
+should suffocate if I just sat still and thought how warm it is. Where
+have you been?"
+
+"Down to the pond, skipping stones, and wishing that I could go in,"
+answered the new-comer, sitting down on the grass with a careful and
+gracefully effective arrangement of her flounces and lace. "I don't see
+why papa won't let us take the boat; it did look too tempting. Suppose
+we go and do it, anyhow, Bea, and just let him see that we can manage it
+without being taught. The pond is all in the shade now, and a row would
+be delicious."
+
+"Why, Ernestine!" Bea said, with a glance of surprise; "You wouldn't, I
+know. Papa will teach us right away, and then we will have delightful
+times; but when he has been so good as to get us the boat and promise to
+have us learn to manage it, I'm sure I wouldn't disobey and try alone."
+
+Ernestine laughed again her pretty saucy laugh and threw her head back
+so that it caught a dancing sunbeam and held it prisoner in the bright
+hair.
+
+"I would," she said flippantly. "I'd like to, just for the sake of doing
+something. Do you know, Bea,"--knitting the arched brows with a petulant
+air,--"Sometimes I think I'll do something dreadful; perfectly dreadful,
+you know, so as to have things different for a little bit. It's horrible
+to live right along, just so, without anything ever happening."
+
+"Well I'm sure," said Bea, laying down her sewing and surveying her
+sister slowly, "you have just about as good and easy a time as ever I
+heard of a girl's having. What are you all dressed up so for?"
+
+"Just for something to do. I've tried on all my dresses and hats, and
+wasted the blessed afternoon parading before the glass," laughed
+Ernestine, swinging her pretty hat with its shirrings of delicate pink,
+around on her white hand. "I do think this dress is lovely, so I made
+believe I was being dressed by my maid and coming out to walk in my park
+like an English lady, you know."
+
+"English fiddlesticks!" said Bea, with energy. "You are a goosey.
+Suppose you had to work and couldn't have pretty things and waste your
+time trying them on?"
+
+"What misery," cried Ernestine, jumping up and whirling around on her
+heel with an airy grace that the other girls might have practiced for in
+vain. "I wouldn't want to live; it would be dreadful, Bea," falling into
+an attitude with the sunshine over her, "wouldn't I do well on the
+stage? I know I was born for it; now look here, and see if I don't do as
+Miss Neilson did. Just suppose this ring of sunshine is a balcony and
+I'm in white, with such lovely jewels in my hair and all that:
+
+    "Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?"--
+
+and away went Ernestine with a tragically pathetic energy that made Bea
+watch and listen, in spite of the disapproving laugh on her lips.
+
+"Don't I do it well?" Ernestine asked complacently, after she had gone
+through the entire balcony scene, with great success in the management
+of two characters.
+
+"Yes, you do; how can you?" asked Bea, won from disapproval by wondering
+admiration.
+
+"Easiest in the world. I've been through it ever so many times since
+papa took us to the city to see her. Oh, Bea! how happy she must be! I'd
+give worlds and worlds to be in her place," cried Ernestine, with
+longing energy, and pacing restlessly up and down the grass. "I wonder
+if I ever can."
+
+"Indeed!" said Bea with decision. "The idea! what would papa and mama
+say; you, Ernestine Dering, parading out on a stage before crowds of
+people, and flying around like she did. Mercy on us!"
+
+"I'd do it in a minute, and if I can't now, I will sometime anyhow,"
+Ernestine exclaimed with emphasis. "I wasn't born to be smuggled up in
+this little musty town all my life and I won't, either. Some day I'll do
+something desperate; you see if I don't."
+
+"Well, I do declare!" said Bea slowly, having never witnessed quite such
+an energetic ending to Ernestine's spells of restless dissatisfaction.
+"What talk! I think you'd better sit down and cool off now. Where are
+Olive and Jean?"
+
+"Olive is sketching out on the roof, and crosser than thirteen sticks.
+Jean is asleep on the porch, and mama is out showing Huldah how to make
+cream puffings."
+
+"Dear me," said Bea, by way of answer and looking up with a slight
+pucker to her smooth forehead, "Just look at those girls; I never saw
+the like."
+
+Ernestine looked up, to catch a glimpse of two flying figures just
+clearing the fence, and come dashing across the grass like unruly
+arrows, to throw themselves under the shade of the beech, with a supreme
+disregard for flesh and bones.
+
+"Goodness gracious!" gasped Kittie.
+
+"Gracious goodness!" panted Kat.
+
+"I beat."
+
+"No sir, I did."
+
+"You didn't! I was on this side of the fence before you jumped."
+
+"Just listen! why I was pretty near to the tree before you got to the
+fence."
+
+"Why Kat Dering! You know better."
+
+"I don't."
+
+"You do."
+
+"Well I'd fight about it," said Ernestine, as the two sat up and faced
+each other with belligerent countenances. "You are a pretty looking
+couple anyhow. I'd be ashamed."
+
+"Don't care if you would. I beat anyhow," said Kat with decision.
+
+"Indeed you didn't; I did myself," said Kittie with equal certainty, but
+smiling more amicably as she fanned energetically with her hat. "Oh
+girls such fun! I must,----"
+
+"Now Kittie," cried Kat with a warning jump and scowl.
+
+"Bless us, I'm going to tell; indeed I am. You're a trump, Kat, and they
+shall hear all about it; don't you want to girls?"
+
+"To be sure, go on," said Bea with interest and creasing down a hem with
+much satisfaction in the thought that her hands looked very pretty and
+white, almost as pretty as Ernestine's.
+
+"Well you see," began Kitty, as Kat retired under her hat in a spasm of
+unusual modesty, "when we came in from recess this afternoon, Kat wanted
+to sit in my side of the seat, and told me to act as if I was she, so I
+thought it was to be a lark of some kind and did, but dear me----"
+
+"Well go on," said Ernestine with languid curiosity, as Kittie paused to
+laugh at some recollection.
+
+"Just as soon as we got in Miss Howard told us to put books away; then
+she gave us the breeziest lecture and was as solemn as an owl. I
+couldn't imagine what was up. Susie Darrow was crying with her
+handkerchief to her nose, Kat looked as if she was sitting on pins and
+needles, and I really thought that Sadie Brooks and May Moor would eat
+us up, the way they actually glared at us. Well, the first thing I knew,
+Miss Howard was saying something about a needle in Susie Barrow's pen,
+that she had stuck her nose with, and she wanted whoever had put it
+there to come to her desk. That's the way she always does, you know;
+never calls a name unless she finds she has to, and bless you! who
+should I see walking off but Kat, and what does Miss Howard do but take
+her ruler and give her fifteen slaps on the hand. Kat, I'm meaner'n
+dirt, and you're a jewel; you did beat, I'll own up."
+
+"No such thing, you beat yourself," came in a sepulchral growl from
+under the hat.
+
+"Well I'm sure I don't see the point," said Ernestine with impatience.
+"It was very rude and unlady-like to put a needle in Susie's pen and you
+deserved your fifteen slaps."
+
+"Just wait 'till I finish, will you," cried Kittie, as the hat
+maintained perfect silence, "Kat didn't do it, but she heard that I did,
+and that I was going to be whipped, so she took my seat and jumped up
+the minute Miss Howard spoke, and the only way I found out was when Miss
+Howard said, 'Now Kittie you must beg Susie's pardon before the school.'
+Then I knew something was up, and just popped right out of my seat and
+said that that was Kat, not me, and didn't it make a hub-bub, and didn't
+Miss Howard look funny!"
+
+"It was lively," broke in Kat, and coming out from under the hat as if
+inspired with the recollection, "Miss Howard looked as blank as you
+please, and like to have never gotten at the straight of it; but after
+awhile lame Jack told how he had seen Sadie and May fix it themselves,
+and plan to tell it was Kittie, and oh didn't they look cheap, and
+didn't they creep off to-night and take every book along?"
+
+"But wasn't Kat just too dear and good to take a whipping to save me,"
+cried Kittie, throwing both arms around her twin in a hug full of
+devotion. "I'll never forget it, Kat Dering, never!"
+
+"Well you'd better," said Kat, on whom praise and glory rested
+uneasily, though she looked pleased and returned the hug with interest.
+"You'd have done it for me, I know, and I would again for you any day.
+Let's go out on the roof; it's much cooler than here."
+
+"You'd better not," laughed Ernestine. "Olive's out there sketching, and
+she'll take your head off with her usual sweetness, if you bother any."
+
+"Who cares? I'm going. Come on Kittie."
+
+"No let's not; it's cool here," returned Kittie lazily. "Where have you
+been Ernestine, all rigged in your best?"
+
+"Been at home pining for some place to go," said Ernestine drawing the
+sewing from Bea's hand, and leaning over into that sister's lap with a
+caressive gesture. "Say Bea, dear, Miss Neilson is going to be in New
+York next week, and I want you to ask pa if he won't take us again;
+won't you?"
+
+"Not fair," cried Kat; "this is our turn."
+
+"You, indeed; nothing but children! Will you, Bea? He will listen more
+if you ask because you're not so frivolous as I am."
+
+"Yes, I'll ask. I'd love to go again," said Bea with girlish delight in
+anticipating such a bliss as the repetition of going to the city and to
+the theatre. "What play would you like to see?"
+
+"Romeo and Juliet again," cried Ernestine eagerly. "Oh Bea, beg him to,
+for there are some other parts that I want to see how to do."
+
+"Do!" echoed Kittie, "Whatever do you mean?"
+
+"Just what I say. I'll show you how they do; shall I, Bea?" exclaimed
+Ernestine, springing gayly into the sunshine and striking an attitude.
+
+"Yes, go on; you do it beautifully," said Bea; so Ernestine plunged
+blithely into the play, thoroughly entrancing her three listeners with
+the ease and grace with which she spoke and acted, and receiving showers
+of applause as she paused.
+
+"How delightful," cried Kittie, in a longing rapture.
+
+"Nonsense," exclaimed Kat, who had listened intently with her nose
+steadily on the ascent, "It looks all very pretty and nice here, but I
+should think anybody would feel like a fool to get out on a stage and go
+ranting about like that."
+
+"Oh! it's too delightful," cried Ernestine, as Bea passed no comment
+except a little sigh. "I shall run away some day sure as the world and
+become a great actress; then I'll be rich and famous and you'll all
+forgive me."
+
+"I thought you always wanted to sing," said Kittie, chewing grass
+thoughtfully, as she meditated on this new and startling talent and
+wondered what would next develop.
+
+"So I do, but I shall sing and act both. Now then pretend that I am
+Marguerite, in Faust, you know, and see if you don't think I can do
+both, as well as one." So they all looked and listened, while she sang
+and sang, 'till the very birds hushed their music in envious listening,
+and the rustling leaves seemed to grow still in very amaze. The sunshine
+danced over her bright hair, and the lovely face flashed with a radiant
+excitement that showed how deep an enjoyment even the pretense was to
+her.
+
+[Illustration: "O ERNESTINE, HOW LOVELY!"]
+
+Rapturous applause followed, and a new voice cried out, "Oh! Ernestine,
+how lovely; do it over," and turning, they beheld an additional three to
+the audience. Jean leaning on her little crutch, wild with delight;
+Olive, tall and still with a curl on her lip to match the scowl on her
+forehead; and mother,--but what was the matter with mother, Bea
+wondered. She was very pale, and though she smiled, it did not hide the
+tremble that hung to her colorless lips.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+AROUND THE FIRE.
+
+
+A September twilight was coming on slowly, and in the grass the crickets
+chirped back and forth to each other. The house was all open, and
+through the windows came a merry chatter, a few rattling notes of the
+piano, and something that sounded very much like a warm argument, for a
+game of chess was going on by one window. Out on the broad porch that
+ran all along the front of the house, and was shrouded with vines, stood
+a girl, leaning idly against the post and watching the shadows gather
+across the long walk. She was not a pretty girl, nor one that you would
+care to look at twice, because of any pleasure it gave you; though had
+you really studied her face there might have been something found in it
+after all. There was a drawn, discontented look about her mouth, that
+made the lips look thin and snappish; it even spoiled the shape of her
+really pretty nose, which was straight and finely cut. The brows,
+straight and black, held a heavy frown between them, and the eyes
+beneath had an unsatisfied, sour look, not at all attractive. Her
+forehead was altogether too high for beauty of any kind; and as though
+there was a relief in making herself look just as ugly as possible, all
+her hair was drawn back painfully smooth, and tucked into a net.
+Everything about her, from the crooked look of her necktie to the toe of
+her slipper, with its rosette gone, plainly indicated that she was
+dissatisfied with herself and aided nature by her own carelessness and
+indifference, to make herself just as unattractive as possible. Some one
+came up behind her as she stood there indulging in thoughts anything but
+pleasing and laid a gentle touch on her arm.
+
+"Olive?"
+
+"Well?"
+
+"What makes you like to stay by yourself so much, and where it isn't so
+nice? The yard is getting so dark, and it's real chilly. Don't you ever
+get afraid?"
+
+"Afraid here on the steps? That's silly, Jean."
+
+"Perhaps 'tis, but I'm such a big coward; I suppose it's because I
+couldn't run if anything ever was to happen;" and Jean gave a little
+sigh, as she smoothed the padded top of her crutch.
+
+Olive gave a little start, half impatient, and turned around to ask,
+almost wistfully, "Jean, do you never get tired or impatient, or think
+sometimes that you'd rather be dead than always walk on a crutch and
+have your back grow crooked?"
+
+"Why, Olive!" Jean lifted her beautiful eyes to look at her sister's
+restless face, "I couldn't be so wicked as that, could you?"
+
+In the twilight Olive flushed at the question and at the clear eyes
+searching her face. How many, many times had she wished she was dead,
+and for nothing except that she was ugly and awkward, and bound to see
+everything with the darkest side up.
+
+"I'm not as good as you," she answered evasively.
+
+"Oh I'm not good," said Jean, with a little laugh, half a sigh, "I do
+get real tired sometimes, Olive, and I do want to be straight and well
+so much; but Miss Willis told me something in Sunday-school last Sunday,
+that has made me feel so good; she said, 'Jeanie, don't get impatient or
+discouraged, for God has a reason why he wants you to be lame; it is to
+be for the best some way, and perhaps sometime you will see it;' and she
+said that when I tried to be happy and bear my lame back, it made God
+very happy; and when I was cross and fussy, it made him sad."
+
+Olive gave her eyes a swift brush with the back of her hand, and asked
+with a little choke, "Do you believe all that, Jean."
+
+"Why, Olive, yes! Don't you?"
+
+"I don't know,--who is that?" was Olive's rather disjointed answer, as
+the click of the gate sounded through the still evening air.
+
+"It's Ernestine, I know, 'cause she went up town;--yes, there she is;"
+answered Jean, as a figure appeared under the foliage and came toward
+the steps.
+
+How different she looked from Olive and Jean. Such a slim, graceful
+figure, with a proud little head and sunny shining hair, in loose puffs
+and curls and a jaunty hat. A face like a fresh lily, and beautiful
+brown eyes, the sweetest voice, and the vainest little heart ever known
+to a girl of fifteen, had Ernestine Dering; and yet she was a favorite,
+with all her little vanities, and home, without Ernestine's face, would
+have been blank to all the girls. She came running up the steps and
+stopped.
+
+"Oh, Olive, such laces!" she cried, with a longing sigh. "They are
+selling out at cost, and the ribbons and laces are just going for almost
+nothing; if I had just had a little spending money I would have been in
+clover. One clerk just insisted upon my taking an exquisite lace scarf;
+oh it was so becoming! but I told him I didn't know they were selling
+out, and that I would have to come again."
+
+"Pretty way of talking!" snapped Olive ungraciously. "You know you won't
+have any more money another day than you have this; why couldn't you say
+no?"
+
+"Say that I couldn't afford it?" cried Ernestine gayly. "Not I. Besides,
+I reasoned that if one of you would loan me some, I'd have more another
+day."
+
+"Suppose one of us won't," said Olive, looking darkly over her sister's
+pretty hat.
+
+"I didn't suppose _you_ would," laughed Ernestine "But fortunately for
+me, I have some obliging sisters," and with that shot, Ernestine went
+in, singing like a mocking bird, and Jean followed slowly, looking back
+once or twice to Olive's motionless figure.
+
+Oh how it cut! Olive grew flushed and white, then her brows came
+together darkly and her lips shut tight. "Ernestine is too frivolous to
+live," she said grimly; then looked straight off into the evening sky
+and was silent. But down to her proud, sensitive heart she was hurt, and
+in it was the longing wonder, "Why don't she come to me and ask as she
+does of Bea and the others. I would loan it to her;" but this feeling
+she fiercely refused to countenance, and shut her heart grimly, as she
+did her lips.
+
+The broad old hall that ran clear through the house was growing quite
+dark with shadows; the game of chess had ended, and the players left the
+window, and presently Olive turned slowly and went into the house.
+Through the sitting-room came a lively chatter, and as she passed the
+door some one shouted, "Halloo!"
+
+"Well I'm not deaf. Do you want me?"
+
+"Pining to have you; come sit on my lap."
+
+Olive passed in, but disregarded the hospitably inclined young lady who
+lounged in a big chair, and passed on to a dusky corner, where she
+curled up on the lounge.
+
+"Olive," volunteered Kittie, who was in the window-sill, "mama has a
+plan; she's going to tell us after supper, and we've all been trying to
+guess what it is; what do you think?"
+
+"I don't think anything."
+
+"What a glorious lack of curiosity," laughed Kat.
+
+"I suppose I'm just as contented as any of you with your guessing,"
+returned Olive.
+
+"Well I wish," said Ernestine with an energy that brought instant
+attention, "I wish papa was going to increase our allowances. Two
+dollars a month is a shameful little."
+
+"But it amounts to ten dollars when paid to five girls," added Beatrice
+quickly, "besides Jean's twenty-five cents."
+
+"A girl isn't supposed to spend two dollars every month for
+foolishness," said Olive severely. "You might call it a little if you
+had to live on it."
+
+"I exist on my pretty things almost as much as I do on my food,"
+answered Ernestine flippantly, "and what does two dollars buy?"
+
+"Suppose you go awhile without spending it, then you'll have more,"
+suggested Kittie practically.
+
+"Yes," added Kat with a laugh. "Kittie saved fifty cents last month, and
+I saved just three; why _don't_ you do as we do and economize."
+
+"How much have each of you saved altogether since papa began paying us?"
+asked Beatrice. "I have nine dollars and thirty-four cents."
+
+"Whew!" whistled Kittie. "I've got just three. I tell you caramels are
+disastrous to my pocket money."
+
+"I wear out my gloves, love butter-scotch, and lost my head over a
+certain pair of slippers; consequence, two dollars and eight cents in my
+treasury," moaned Kat, with great self reproach.
+
+"Well, I do everything that is frivolous, and unwise, and extravagant,
+but I have a good time, and the result is that I haven't a cent, and am
+in debt a dollar," laughed Ernestine, kicking out her pretty foot with
+its fancy little slipper, as if in defiance to anyone's criticisms or
+reproofs.
+
+"Two more to hear from yet," said Beatrice, as silence fell. "Jeanie,
+have you spent all your quarters?"
+
+"No," said Jean slowly and with much hesitation, "I had two dollars and
+spent one for a sash."
+
+"And I borrowed the other," interrupted Ernestine, seeing that the child
+did not want to tell on her. "How much have you, Olive?"
+
+"I made no promise to tell," leaped to Olive's lips; but instead of
+speaking it, she electrified them by saying, with a quiet smile of
+satisfaction, "Thirty dollars."
+
+It did more than surprise them; it was almost a stun for a minute or
+two; then Ernestine slowly opened her lips: "Why, Olive Dering! wherever
+did you get it? If you'd never spent a cent of your allowance, papa
+hasn't been paying us long enough for it to amount to that."
+
+"I suppose, for a girl that isn't a fool, there are more ways of getting
+money than sitting down with her hands folded and letting her father
+give it to her," retorted Olive with a snap.
+
+"That's so, Olive," echoed Beatrice, with a heartiness that made them
+jump. "But what did you do? tell us quick; see every one of us stiff
+with curiosity."
+
+It just occurred to Olive to let them remain stiff with curiosity, but
+perhaps an amount of satisfaction in the way she had earned her money is
+what changed her mind; at any rate, she began more readily than the
+others expected: "I sold the old iron out in the barn, and several bags
+of rags; then I've done some writing for papa's clerk, because he was
+hurried; and last week I sold my picture. Of my allowance I only spent
+enough for two pairs of gloves, that have lasted me with mending; so
+that's how I made my money."
+
+"Blessings on you!" cried Kat enthusiastically. "I look upon you as a
+model, Olive, a living----"
+
+"Nothing of the kind," interrupted Olive sharply, and rising up out of
+her corner, as if warming to the subject. "I'm only trying to be
+sensible; we're all old enough to be that, and be something more too. I
+wonder if we are never going to do anything but sit here at home, with
+papa to feed and dress us, besides giving us an allowance for little
+things and nonsense. I think it's wrong, and lazy, and a namby pamby way
+of being a useless thing, just because you are a girl! Besides, papa is
+worried and troubled; yes he is;--" warming still more at the breathless
+attention given her. "The other night, he and mama talked for hours, and
+I couldn't help hearing a little, because the transom was open. His
+voice was troubled, so was mama's, and sad, and he said something about
+'lessening expenses,' and the difficulty of getting any ready money, and
+all that, and I believe in my heart that we ought to help him!"
+
+Into the stunned silence that followed this outburst from short-spoken,
+reticent Olive, there came a new voice; such a sweet, lovely voice with
+a tender ring that made every one start to welcome the speaker.
+
+"How dark you are, dears. Are all my steps here?"
+
+"All here, solemnly engaged," answered Kat, unfolding herself from the
+big chair to make a seat for mother.
+
+"And _just_ think," cried Kittie, with a lurch that pretty near tipped
+her out of the window. "Olive----"
+
+"Has done wonders," interrupted Beatrice. "Be still all of you! Let's
+not tell mama yet."
+
+Mrs. Dering laughed cheerily, at the sudden popping of a secret into the
+air, but announced that supper was ready, at which there was such a
+stampede as only a lot of hungry, healthy girls can make, and the
+sitting-room was left dark and still.
+
+You see there were six of them--five strong bright girls, and one
+little lame sister, to laugh and sing, and make that big, roomy,
+comfortable, old home happy. Beatrice, seventeen; Ernestine, sixteen;
+Olive, fifteen; then Katherine and Kathleen or Kittie and Kat, twelve,
+and lastly, little Jean, with her flower-like, patient face and poor
+crooked little back. To help and guide them, was the dear, loving mother
+who called them her 'steps;' and the strong, helpful father, who romped
+and played, or read and studied with them and called Kittie and Kat 'his
+boys;' Olive his 'right hand man;' Ernestine, 'his picture;' Beatrice,
+his 'little woman,' and Jean his 'little pansy.' So now that you know
+them a little better, let us go into the dining-room and see what they
+are doing. Meetings at the Dering table are always lively ones, "Good
+for digestion and spirits," said papa Dering, so everybody talked and
+laughed and ate heartily, and went away without sour faces or sour
+stomachs. To-night, though, there is a change. Mr. Dering had a remark
+for each of the girls as they came in, then lapsed into silence, and
+stirred his coffee absently. Even Mrs. Dering could not hide a little
+anxiety, though she tried to be gay and interested in the girls' talk,
+as usual. With Olive's words fresh in their minds, the rest closely
+watched the faces of both parents, and each girl had thoughts and made
+plans, in every way characteristic of their respective selves.
+
+Mr. Dering presently broke a silence by asking to be excused, as he must
+go back to the store--two most unusual things; for he always sat and
+talked at supper 'till all were through, and rarely ever let anything
+take him away from an evening at home; so no wonder the meal was
+shortened, and the party broke up.
+
+"Oh how nice!" cried Jean, as they returned to the sitting-room, where
+in their absence, a bright fire had been built in the grate, and filled
+the room with a warm rosy glow. "Here's my seat."
+
+"We'll tell our secrets by the first fire of the season," said Mrs.
+Dering, as the girls all followed Jean's example, by pulling their
+chairs into the circle of warmth and light. "I thought it was so chilly
+this evening that firelight would be more cosy and cheerful than a lamp.
+Now then, who shall begin?"
+
+"Oh you, please," cried Kittie. "We are so anxious."
+
+Every face warmly seconded her words, so Mrs. Dering began, after a
+moment's silence.
+
+"When you were all little children mama never let anything worry or
+disturb you if she could help it, and if anything ever did, you came
+right to her to be comforted and helped. Papa never let you be cold or
+hungry, and without clothes, or be sick, if he could help it, and they
+both loved you tenderly, didn't they?"
+
+"Why goodness, yes!" cried Kat, with glistening, astonished eyes.
+
+"And now that you have become such big daughters, they love you none the
+less, but more if possible; because now they must give you more thought
+as you grow to womanhood. Now if----"
+
+"Oh you needn't say another word!" cried Beatrice impulsively. "You look
+as if you didn't know how to tell us; but we know. Your secret is the
+same as ours; papa is worried, and we are all, every one of us, ready to
+help him!"
+
+"Why my dear girls!" cried mama, with her eyes full of tears. "How did
+you know?"
+
+"Olive saw, and then heard the other night," cried Kittie excitedly.
+"She's got thirty dollars already, and was giving us a regular lecture
+just before supper. Now I'm going to----"
+
+"Wait a minute, dear," said mama, laughing as she shook her finger. "I
+knew Olive was saving her allowance, and that she had earned some money,
+and I was very much pleased; but I am more than happy to find that she
+was doing it for papa."
+
+To every one's surprise, Olive grew scarlet and turned her face clear
+away from the light; but she brought it back in a minute, and said, with
+lips that tried to be stiff and firm--for praise was dear to Olive--"I
+didn't do it for papa--I didn't know then--I----" and then, sooner than
+cry, Olive stopped, and left them to think what they would.
+
+"But you are willing for it to go to papa now," finished Mrs. Dering,
+smiling brightly, and bringing some of the cloud from Olive's eyes.
+"That is just as noble, dear," and with these skillfully thrown in
+words, mother smiled again, for only she understood her daughter's
+peculiar disposition.
+
+"When I was a girl," went on Mrs. Dering, "Grandpa was very wealthy, you
+know, and of course gave me every advantage. I took music from the most
+distinguished professors, also painting and the languages, and at the
+age of eighteen, was handed over to society as finished in every way. I
+loved the gayeties that surrounded me, just as well as ever a girl
+could, but after a while, it struck me as being such an idle, aimless
+life, for a well educated, sensible girl to live, so I determined to
+make use of all that I had received. I had a small class in music, and
+one in painting and drawing; some of them paid, and some, members of my
+Sunday-school class, did not. After that, I felt so much happier and
+more contented, and enjoyed all my fun so much more, so I decided that
+if ever I had any daughters, they should be fitted to be independent,
+whether it was ever necessary or not. I have never been able to supply
+you with masters as I was, but I have taught you thoroughly myself, and
+while I did not intend that you should begin quite so early, the time
+has come suddenly, when we must all help. So you, my older girls, I want
+you to choose as your choice lies, and fit yourselves so as to make it
+your stand-by, in this and other times of trouble."
+
+"Oh," exclaimed Ernestine, with a sudden smile; she had looked very much
+worried, for work or self-denial was distasteful, and yet it seemed so
+near. But now she smiled and nodded brightly, "I know what I will do,
+mama. I'll go on cultivating my voice and work hard, so that I may take
+a position in some city church, where everything is so elegant and
+prima-donnas get such immense salaries."
+
+"Yes, dear, music is unmistakably your talent," said Mrs. Dering, and if
+they had only noticed it, she did not smile, and her eyes, fixed on the
+fire, were tinged with deep sadness for a moment. "Cultivate your voice,
+and your fingers too; for the positions as prima-donnas are sometimes
+lacking, then you have a little class to fall back on."
+
+When no one was looking, Ernestine gave her head a decided little shake.
+It would be altogether touching and delightful, to stand up in a choir
+before a beautiful congregation, with a pale lily in your hat, the
+sunlight through a stained glass falling all around, and sing something
+pathetic, that would make people cry, and then have everyone say: "Such
+a noble young girl, she does it to help her father." But a class! A lot
+of little children to talk to, and teach, no one to ever see, or
+compliment;--no! Ernestine would never cultivate her fingers; that was
+sure.
+
+"I'm a sort of jack at all trades," said Beatrice breaking a thoughtful
+pause with a little sigh. "I play a little, sing a little, draw a
+little, but I've no talent for either, or anything else."
+
+"I know some one who is very fond of books and children," said Mrs.
+Bering, with a suggestive smile.
+
+"Oh! to be sure," cried Beatrice, brightening. "Teach, so I could. Well
+now, I'll go right on, harder than ever with my studies, and work up the
+French; I never can get German; I haven't the necessary twist to my
+tongue."
+
+Olive was studying the fire with an intense dreamy gaze. She did not say
+what she would do, but every one knew, or at least supposed they knew.
+Olive's talent lay in her pencil. Such wonderful pictures as she could
+rapidly sketch, when the different moods took her!
+
+"Well, I should like to know," cried Kittie abruptly. "What will Kat and
+I do? We haven't got a shadow of a talent of any kind, and don't really
+know how to behave ourselves yet; why, mama----,"
+
+"I have you all fixed, dear," interrupted mama. "Just wait a minute."
+
+"There isn't anything that I can do either," said Jean, with a pathetic
+little smile. "But I will give up my quarter every month; perhaps that
+will help papa a very little bit."
+
+"That's it, Jeanie," cried Kat, with a startling suddenness. "We'll do
+it too, Kittie, and that will make four dollars and a quarter less for
+papa to hand over every month. Second the motion, Kittie?"
+
+"Done!" echoed Kittie, and every body had a hearty laugh as the twins
+shook hands violently over the table.
+
+"But, mama," said Olive's quiet voice, breaking in upon the racket, "You
+say papa is worried now, and yet what the girls have decided to do,
+they can only do when they have fitted themselves for it; can't we do
+anything to help right away?"
+
+"Quite right, dear," answered Mrs. Dering. "You can all help right away;
+though in a way that papa will strongly object to, for he does not like
+to deprive home of any pleasures, or little luxuries that he can afford.
+But we will go ahead and make our plans and take him by storm. First,
+there is the horse and carriage; it will seem hard and strange for a
+while without it, but it is a great expense, together with Jack's wages.
+Papa has an opportunity of selling the buggy, and Mr. Phillips will take
+'Prince' until we can afford to keep him again. Are you willing?"
+
+"Yes, mama," in a rather feeble chorus, with Ernestine's voice lacking.
+'Prince' was such a pet--O dear!
+
+"And then, Lizzie," continued Mrs. Dering, apparently not noticing the
+way all faces were going down. "We can get along with one girl, if we
+all make up our minds to work. The house is large and it will take all
+of our hands to do the necessary cleaning; but we can, can't we?"
+
+"Yes, mama." A little more energy this time. Only Ernestine sighed
+dolefully, and laid her hands out on her lap. Such slim little hands and
+so white. It was perfectly horrible to be poor and have to go to work;
+yes it was, and she privately resolved to shirk just as much as
+possible.
+
+They had a long evening's talk over the coming change and how they were
+going to do, but at ten o'clock, as Mr. Dering was still absent, they
+separated for the night, and mama carried sleepy little Jean off to bed
+in her arms.
+
+Beatrice and Ernestine roomed together in the front room, the twins in
+one next, and Olive alone across the hall. Generally, while getting
+ready for bed, the doors were left open, and a merry conversation
+carried on; but to-night, they were full of thought, and had not much to
+say, so everything settled into quiet very soon after the "good nights"
+had been spoken.
+
+In the front room, the girls were wakeful. Beatrice, as the oldest
+sister, felt, in her quiet thoughtful way, that perhaps, the way she did
+in the coming change, would act as an example to the others; and that an
+extra duty rested on her, to be as patient and willing as possible, in
+whatever might be necessary for them to do, and to be all to mother,
+that an elder daughter should be, in time of trouble. Ernestine was also
+deep in thought, and had twisted her pillow into such a position, that
+the moonlight made quite a halo around her yellow hair and made her
+face, with its beautiful eyes, look like a cameo in golden setting. She
+knew it, too, just as well as Beatrice, who at that moment, turned and
+looked at her, and furthermore, she knew just how to go on with what she
+wanted to accomplish.
+
+"Bea," she said, with her voice dropped to its sweetest, "I want you to
+do something for me."
+
+"What?"
+
+"You said you had nine dollars, will you loan me five?"
+
+"How? I was going to give it to papa to-morrow."
+
+"You know he wouldn't take it," began Ernestine, impatiently; then
+smoothed her voice carefully again, and went on: "Papa won't have us
+give up everything, Bea. We are all willing to lessen expenses at home,
+but we are not to scrimp and pinch ourselves all to pieces. I'll pay you
+back just as soon as----"
+
+"It isn't that," interrupted Bea, "But I don't see how you can want to
+spend it now."
+
+"But I do; there are the loveliest lace scarfs----"
+
+"Lace scarfs;" cried Bea again, in shocked surprise. "Would you,
+Ernestine?--Five dollars?"
+
+"Certainly! Since we've made my old black silk over, it looks so nice,
+and I've nothing fit to wear around my neck. I'm sure its not much and
+I'm going to work this winter, am I not?"
+
+Bea turned her pillow over and laid her head down thoughtfully. Was
+Ernestine selfish, or had she much heart? The question had often come
+silently up, and been put as silently down, but now it lingered
+persistently, though Bea moved her head restlessly, as if to get rid of
+it. If Ernestine wanted anything, she left no avenue untried, and got it
+if possible, no matter at whose expense or self-denial. All through
+fifteen years of her life, she had kept a clear unfaltering eye on
+herself, her wants, and her welfare, and after they were all supplied,
+she was ready and willing to help any one else; but no one must ever
+ask, or expect it at the expense of her personal comfort or plenty. Yet
+with her candies, the girls had lion shares; her pretty things,--and
+somehow all of Ernestine's things were so pretty and graceful,--she
+loaned willingly, and was never too tired or unwilling to help the
+girls' dress on great occasions; for though Olive was the artist,
+Ernestine had the artist's quick eye for graceful draping, harmony of
+colors, and picturesque structures of hair. Moreover, she was always
+good natured, nothing ever ruffled her, except for a passing moment, and
+any hour of the day, you might hear her voice, just like a bird's,
+filling the house with music, while her lovely face made sunshine; so it
+came, that she received the credit for making home happy, when she did
+it with no such intention, or exertion, only because she loved to sing,
+and it was perfectly natural for her to be gay and untouched by
+anything.
+
+"I'm sure," she said, speaking suddenly, as Bea gave a restless twist to
+her head. "You needn't, if you don't want to, Bea. Perhaps you want to
+buy----"
+
+"You know better," cried Bea, flying up from her rumpled pillow. "I
+don't want to buy anything, and if you want to spend five dollars for a
+lace scarf, why you're welcome to my money. That's all. Good night."
+
+Next Sunday, when the girls went to church, Ernestine wore a cob-webby
+scarf of ivory white over her "made-over" silk, and put a creamy day
+lily in her yellow hair, and the girls looking at her, silently thought:
+"No wonder papa calls her his picture!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A FOUNDATION THAT BROUGHT KAT TO GRIEF.
+
+
+Slam! went the gate, knocking the dead leaves right and left, and whiz!
+went two girls up the walk, like unruly sky-rockets, with the odd ends
+flying. Rattle-de-tap, went four feet with steel-capped heels over the
+old shady porch, and bang! went the door back against the wall;
+then:----
+
+"Mama,----"
+
+"Bea,--Er,----"
+
+"Nestine, Olive,----"
+
+"Jean, hurry;--let me tell first. Miss----"
+
+"I beat to the steps, I ought to tell," shrieked Kat, as Kittie choked
+for breath. "Miss Howard is going to give us a,----"
+
+"Nutting party!" shouted Kittie, with a triumphant breath. "Hurrah,
+three cheer-r-s!"
+
+"Mercy on me," cried a voice from up stairs. "What is the matter; what
+are you doing?"
+
+"Kittie's dancing a jig, and Kat's sliding down the bannisters,"
+exclaimed a horrified voice from somewhere else. "Mercy! Bea, call mama;
+I think they've gone crazy."
+
+"Nutting party," cried Kittie, dancing furiously and nodding her head
+like a demented monkey. "To-morrow,----want to go?"
+
+The girls had all collected by this time around the boisterous pair, and
+Bea flapped her sewing warningly, as Kat came whizzing down the
+bannisters for a final time, and landed with a dexterous jump, in the
+middle of the group.
+
+"I'm going down town," said Ernestine, after hearing of the near and
+great event. "I can't go."
+
+"Of course not," said Kittie, with great scorn. "You'd rather go down
+town, and be all the afternoon buying a shoe string, than get a Saratoga
+trunk full of nuts; but you'll want some of mine this winter."
+
+Olive was busy on a picture, Bea had some sewing, so the twins must
+represent the Dering family, and accepted the matter quite blissfully,
+to judge from the way they raced off for parts unknown, and remained
+absent for some time, as if strange and wonderful preparations were
+necessary, and being undergone for to-morrow. They came back when the
+tea-bell rang, at least Kittie did, slowly and solemnly through the back
+yard, and lingered several minutes on the porch, with many mysterious
+signals to some one, down where the long yard sloped to the pond, and a
+fringe of willows shaded the water.
+
+"Where's Kathy," inquired Ernestine, who strongly objected to the
+extremely abbreviated form of 'Kat.'
+
+"Down at the pond, she's coming," answered Kittie, with a strangely
+worried look; but Ernestine flitted by without noticing it, and pretty
+soon Kittie quit leaning over the lattice and went in slowly.
+
+Just as Mrs. Dering was leaving her room to go down to tea, she heard a
+peculiarly suspicious noise out in the back hall, unmistakably the
+careful opening of a window, as of someone on the low roof without, and
+pausing to listen, Mrs. Dering became convinced, that someone was surely
+making entrance to the house in that questionable manner. A midnight
+burglary was a rare occurrence in Canfield, but one in the early fall of
+evening, was beyond imagination, and yet Mrs. Dering was conscious of a
+little trepidation, as she tiptoed her way round to the back hall, and
+fancy pictured a man, with sly intent, coming over the window-sill.
+Whoever the intruder was, he was working with great care, and wholly
+unconscious of any one's approach, for when Mrs. Dering reached the
+corner and peeped around, the intruding head was just leveled, and
+coming through, carefully followed by a nimble body, but not clothed in
+the habiliments usually donned by burglars; instead, there appeared a
+blue calico much drenched and ornamented with wet weeds, an apron wholly
+unrecognizable as to color or design, and a drabbled hat hanging to the
+intruder's neck. As this queer apparition landed on the floor, Mrs.
+Bering stepped around the corner, whereupon the bold burglar jumped and
+screamed faintly, and the lady laughed, though she said with grave
+inquiry:
+
+"Why Kathleen! What does this mean?"
+
+"Oh, mama!" gasped the burglar, with a despairing glance at her dripping
+self. "I didn't want you to see me."
+
+"Nor any one else, from the way you came in I should think. What is the
+matter?"
+
+Kat grasped her wet hat, and looked desperately sorry and resigned all
+at once.
+
+"Why, I went out in the boat," she said, twisting the wet ribbons around
+her fingers and dropping her eyes to the floor, with a little flush of
+shame, "and it upset, and I had to wade in, but I couldn't get it, and
+it's sailing upside down, way out in the pond. I don't know whatever
+you'd better do to me, I'm sure."
+
+"Disobeyed papa. O Kathleen!"
+
+"Well I didn't mean--," there Kat stopped, and swallowed several times
+very hastily; she would rather have been shaken, than to have heard that
+grieved tone. "I was only going to ride a little ways, but the wind blew
+me out; I know it was wrong, though, cause pap said, not to touch it."
+
+"Go to your room and get off your wet clothes as quickly as possible,
+and after supper I will come and talk to you about it," said Mrs.
+Dering, turning away to hide the smile, that poor, dripping, shame-faced
+Kat could not but provoke.
+
+The announcement that "Water-Rat" was face down out in the pond, caused
+dire dismay at the supper-table, so that when the meal was finished, and
+Mrs. Dering went up to talk to repentant Kat, the rest of the family all
+hurried down to the pond to view the disaster. There was the gayly
+painted boat, floating idly back and forth with the wind, out in the
+pond, and the girls expressed their great dismay in a dismal chorus of
+"Oh's," long prolonged, as it floated farther away. "Never mind," said
+papa Dering, briskly. "We'll get her all safe again, a little bath won't
+hurt her. Here Kittie, you're the best runner, go to the house and bring
+me the largest hammer and longest nails in the tool-chest. Be quick
+now." Kittie was off like a flash, and when she came back, there were
+three or four logs lying ready for use, with some planks and a long
+pole, and Mr. Bering with coat off, fell to work with a will and such
+speed, that in ten minutes, a small raft lay in the water, and Mr.
+Dering was making preparations for his voyage, by pulling off his boots
+and tucking his pants up.
+
+"You don't suppose you could get drowned, do you papa," questioned Jean,
+somewhat overcome with these unusual proceedings, and clinging to her
+seat in a low willow with some trepidation.
+
+"Not much, little one. I guess if Katty can wade out of this water, papa
+can, providing he's tipped in. Now good-bye, girls. Wish me well."
+
+Kittie in the willow, and Bea and Ernestine on a log, gave three parting
+cheers with such force, that Kat, crying forlornly up in her room, ran
+to the window to see the fun, and watched with great interest the rescue
+of the "Water Rat," which Mr. Dering effected with great skill and many
+flourishes, to the delight of his audience. After being pulled out on
+the grass, face up again to dry, the rescued "Rat" was left to the
+twilight, while the party returned to the house.
+
+The new arrangements had been in hand about a week, and so far, the
+girls were delighted and enthusiastic over "helping," though they did
+miss "Prince" and the buggy very much. As Mrs. Dering had said, papa
+decidedly objected to any such arrangements and privations, but one man
+against seven determined women!--oh, my! just think of it! So they had
+their way, and it was such a comfort to see, that already he began to
+look a little less worried and anxious when out of the store.
+
+That night, when the girls went to bed, Kat was very much subdued, and
+kept her face quite persistently out of sight. Kittie administered
+comfort in broken and complete doses, but without much effect, for just
+now, when under the new enthusiasm, every one was doing her best in all
+ways, Kat felt her disgrace, more deeply than was customary for her, who
+fell into it, and out again pretty nearly every day, and so she refused
+to be comforted. Perhaps there was another reason for the complete and
+deep contrition. At any rate, she whispered to Kittie with a choke, that
+fought against being a sob,--before they went to sleep; "Oh, Kittie!--I
+can't go--go, nutting!"
+
+Sure enough. Kat ate her breakfast with red eyes and a poor appetite the
+next morning, while the sun shone, as it surely never did before, and
+Kittie gayly laughed and chatted, but trying to be not too happy, as was
+consistent with the deep sympathy felt and expressed for suffering Kat,
+who had vanished beyond the power of sight or search, when at eight
+o'clock, a merry party halted at the gate, and the home girls, gayly
+escorted Kittie and her baskets down the walk.
+
+That was a dismal morning to be sure. Kat did her portion of the work
+before any of the other girls came up stairs, and no one saw her again
+that morning, for with a volume of history, "St. Elmo," and six apples,
+she departed for the back roof, where she sat down and cried as hard as
+ever she could for five minutes, then opened the history, and took a
+fierce bite out of the biggest apple.
+
+"There, I won't cry another tear, it's a blessing that I wasn't shut up
+for the day, instead of being allowed to roam around, when I can't let
+things alone that I'm told to. I'm going to learn a chapter of this
+history, now, before I read a word of 'St. Elmo,' though I don't see the
+use. Whatever do I care about the Edwards' and Henrys' and all that!"
+And then Kat shook herself, opened her book, and valiantly attacked
+Henry the Fifth, with every possible intention of doing just exactly
+what she said; but in about ten minutes a little puff of wind sailed
+across the roof, tossed open the cover of 'St. Elmo,' fluttered the
+leaves, then flew away, leaving them open, just where Edna goes to the
+old church for the last time, and Kat's eyes strayed right down to the
+tempting words, and somehow they did not come back at once.
+
+That old roof was just like all the rest of the house, roomy, shady and
+cool. The flourishing top of a huge apple-tree reached over one side of
+it, with tempting seats in its boughs, and on another side, was the wide
+roomy window, with its worn sill, that led into the garret of the main
+part of the house. Solid comfort had it always been to the girls, and
+sometimes on warm Sunday afternoons, all the family might be found,
+distributed over its flat, roomy surface, with old comforts and pillows,
+and a good supply of books and fans.
+
+Crash! went something suddenly and away sailed "St. Elmo," to bump his
+villainously fascinating head against the chimney, while Kat jerked her
+history open again and heard the profoundest and most melancholy sigh.
+
+"What's the use! 'Henry the Fifth was born,'--I wonder who cares, dear
+me, I wish Kittie was here! 'Was born on'"--But, as if in answer to that
+wish so heartily uttered, there came two arms around her neck, and
+there was Kittie, laughing gayly as she nodded her head.
+
+"I just wonder if you thought I would go to a nutting party, when you
+couldn't," she exclaimed. "I guess I haven't forgotten who was whipped
+in school the other day to save me. Bless me! Studying history!"
+
+"Why, Kittie Dering!" was all the answer, she received from astonished
+Kat, "Didn't you go!"
+
+"Looks as if I didn't, don't it?"
+
+"And just for me?"
+
+"Just for you!"
+
+Thereupon, Bea, who was watching at the window, went down stairs, and
+reported that Kittie and Kat were having a "love feast" out on the roof.
+
+That afternoon, amusements flagged. It was unusually warm for so late in
+the year, and Kat stretched lazily out on a bench, under the trees,
+while Kittie sat on the grass, and enjoyed herself pleasantly with
+nothing. "I tell you," exclaimed the latter, with a hearty jump,
+occasioned partly, by a new idea, partly by the sight of a huge spider,
+that was lumbering over the grass towards her. "Let's go over to the new
+church."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Walk on the foundation; it's all finished and splendid to race on all
+the way round."
+
+"Jolly idea," cried Kat, jumping from her bench, forgetting a previous
+assertion, that it was, "too hot to move!" and away they went, down the
+walk, at the usual break-neck speed taken by them, when in a hurry;
+Kittie rushing through the gate, while Kat nimbly cleared the fence.
+
+Nobody was around to see, or be horrified, for it was on the edge of
+town, and anyhow, it seemed utterly impossible to convince these girls
+that they were nearly thirteen years' old, and ought to stop being such
+hoydens. Bea's little cautions, Ernestine's careful talks and examples
+of grace and dignity, Olive's open ridicule, and Jean's childish wonder,
+were all set aside, by a quiet smile from mama, or papa's hearty
+exclamation of--"let them alone--they're the only boys I've got." So
+Kittie and Kat romped to their heart's content, while mama took care
+that it did not make them too rude, and mended their torn clothes, with
+a patient smile, sometimes saying to herself: "Never mind, it makes them
+happy and strong; so, as long as I am well, and have the time, I'll not
+complain of a few rips and tears."
+
+The new church, was only around the corner in a large green field, and
+the foundation, broad, and not too nigh, was a tempting place to run; so
+they clambered up, and raced back and forth, and all around several
+times, 'till out of breath, then Kat paused, and looked about with a
+contemplative and venturesome air.
+
+"See here, Kittie, I'm going to walk across that narrow wall, where they
+haven't finished."
+
+"Pretty high; you'd better not;" replied Kittie, measuring the proposed
+walk with a careful eye. "How will you get up?"
+
+"Climb; it's only a step or two higher than this."
+
+Kittie leisurely followed the more adventuresome twin, and called out
+suddenly: "Kat, there's an immense mud-hole at one side; looks as if it
+might be deep too; better hold on."
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Kat, in answer, as she balanced herself on the top of
+the narrow wall. "Here I go!" And there she did go, sure enough, for
+turning to nod triumphantly at Kittie, away went her balance, and after
+two or three of the wildest, most fearful struggles, down came Kat, head
+and heels right into the mud-hole.
+
+"Oh, my goodness,--ha, ha,--my gracious; Oh-h! Kat Dering!" shrieked
+Kittie, dancing wildly up and down. "Oh, Kat; if I ever--what a--a
+sight! Oh--my!" and away went Kittie in another shriek, that pretty
+nearly knocked her off the wall, and even made Kat smile while the tears
+trickled down her muddy cheeks.
+
+"I'm sunk clear to my knees," she cried despondently. "And my wrist
+feels so funny; Kittie, come, help me."
+
+Kittie jumped down in a hurry; examined the limp and already swelling
+wrist with anxious gravity, and then nearly strangled with laughter
+when, after several vigorous tugs and struggles, Kat came out of the
+mud, leaving both her slippers hopelessly buried, and her clothes so
+heavy she could hardly walk.
+
+[Illustration: KAT AND KIT.]
+
+"Oh, Kittie! what shall I do," she cried, giving up entirely, between
+the sharp pain in her wrist, and the speedy arrival of this second
+disgrace. "It's only yesterday, that I crawled into the house in this
+fix; I can't go again."
+
+"Never mind; I'll go," said Kittie, lost in sympathy. "Everybody is in
+the front part of the house, and I'll slip in the back way, go in over
+the roof, and bring you some clothes. Just sit down here and wait; I'll
+hurry, and it'll be all right."
+
+So Kat sat down, quite pale with the painful wrist, and meditated, in a
+desperate fashion, on her inability to keep out of trouble and mischief;
+But Kittie was back in an incredibly short space of time, all flushed
+and panting, and with a little bundle of clothes tucked under her arm.
+
+"Here Kat is a skirt, and dress, and stockings, and my slippers," she
+cried, running inside the wall where Kat sat forlornly.
+
+"No one saw me; here hurry. How's your wrist?"
+
+"Hurts," said Kat briefly, finding tears inclined to obstruct her
+utterance; and then they were silent, while the muddy garments were
+hastily laid aside and the dry ones slipped on; and the two started
+round-a-bouts for home.
+
+A little while later, Kittie appeared at the sitting-room door, where
+the girls were sewing with mother, while Ernestine trilled and warbled
+at the piano. Mrs. Dering came out to the hall in answer to Kittie's
+beckon, and received this somewhat incoherent report:
+
+"Kat's upstairs; we walked the foundation, and she fell off the high
+part; I took her some clothes, but I don't know what she's done to her
+wrist;" and Mrs. Dering did not waste any time trying to get a
+straighter report, but hurried up stairs, where Kat was lying on the
+bed, moaning and trying not to cry, with the painfully swollen wrist,
+laid out on a pillow. Twenty minutes' later the doctor was there with
+splints and bandages, and Kat, looking into his eyes with a vague alarm,
+asked, after he had examined it: "How long before I can use it?"
+
+"Many weeks, Kathleen."
+
+"Why, is it badly sprained?"
+
+"Worse, I think, my dear little girl, for it is pretty badly broken."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+IN CONFIDENCE.
+
+
+Olive's door was locked.
+
+Jean saw her go in, and heard the bolt slide swiftly across after the
+door shut, and just the glimpse that the little girl had of her sister's
+face, showed tears on the sallow cheeks, and hanging to the lashes.
+Olive was bitterly opposed to having any one know that she cried, and
+above all things to have any one see her employed in that manner; she
+herself, could not have told why perhaps, except that she did not want
+it. All of her feelings were so carefully hidden, and herself so wrapped
+in a cloak of reserve, that the surface was as delicately sensitive, as
+gossamer, and at every touch that left its impress, she retired farther
+within herself, and left less room for touch of any kind. Now, when she
+caught a glimpse of Jean's face, she shut the door sharper than was
+necessary, and going over to the window, sat down and stared moodily off
+into the yard, where the scarlet tops of the maples nodded to a golden,
+glowing sky. Surprised and curious, Jean lingered a moment, with her
+hand on the bannister, surveying the door thoughtfully, then limped
+carefully across, and knocked softly.
+
+"Who is it?" came tartly from within.
+
+"Me, Olive. Are you sick?"
+
+"No."
+
+Jean turned away a little hurt. "Why need Olive speak so shortly?" she
+wondered, with the usual after-thought "Bea, never does, or the others."
+
+Olive listened to the little crutch going slowly down stairs, and waited
+until everything was quiet, then she went over to a small trunk and sat
+down before it, lifted the lid, and supporting her chin in her hand,
+looked steadily into it, all the moody bitterness in her eyes changing
+slowly to a sadness that was almost despair.
+
+"Oh, I don't see why it is!" she cried suddenly, laying her head down on
+the trunk's sharp edge, and breaking into a passionate sobbing, all the
+stronger for having been long denied. "I surely try, but, they are
+unkind; they are, I know." And then the thick sobs broke vehemently
+forth, and echoed out into the quiet hall; but Olive was alone upstairs,
+and she knew it; besides, I doubt if she could have controlled herself
+now, even had the whole of the amazed family confronted her. Poor,
+sensitive, unfortunate Olive; was it her fault wholly, that her sisters
+seemed able to be happy, quite regardless of her, and that she seemed to
+fill no place in home except as "that queer, homely Olive," as she had
+once heard herself called? This afternoon, the girls had all dressed
+gayly, and gone for a ride behind "Prince" with Mr. Phillips. He had
+said, "all the girls," when asking for them, but Olive so seldom joined
+in any of their little gayeties outside of home, that it really seemed
+strange and out of place for her to go with them; so she waited, when
+the time came to dress, wondering, and half hoping that one of them
+would express a little desire that she should go. Such a thought,
+however, occurred to no one; for so many times had she flatly refused to
+go, that they had all gradually ceased asking, supposing that she would
+do as she pleased. Once, to be sure, Bea did run up to the arbor, seeing
+her there, with the question on her lips, but Olive saw her coming, and
+fearing that the new desire and expectation would show in her face, bent
+her eyes to her book, quite unconscious of the heavy scowl on her brow;
+so, after one glance, Bea withdrew in a hurry, remembering frequent
+complaints for disturbance. At the hasty disappearance, Olive looked up
+with a bitter little smile, that would have instantly disclosed to an
+observer, how she was construing the act, and how she was hurt in spite
+of herself.
+
+"There! she was afraid she'd have to ask me something about it, if she
+came in, so she got out in a hurry. But they needn't worry; I'll not
+force myself in; I'm queer, and ugly, and had better stay by myself;"
+and with that, Olive shut her lips fiercely tight, and did not once
+lift her eyes, when, a little while later, they all went laughing down
+the walk, never heeding her or once regretting her absence. It often
+happened so now, and Olive missed the coaxings with which they had once
+tried to draw her out, never once dreaming that she had done away with
+them herself, by shortly, tersely, and repeatedly asking, to "be let
+alone."
+
+No, this never occurred to her, as she sat there crying bitterly, but
+her broken words revealed the track of her thoughts.
+
+"They never let Ernestine stay home! Indeed not, and there's the
+greatest commotion raised if she speaks of such a thing. She's pretty
+and graceful, and loves to dress up like a doll, while I'm ugly, and
+awkward, and always do things wrong, and disgrace them, I suppose. I
+don't see what I'm crying for, I'm sure. I can be happy without them as
+well as they without me!" and Olive raised her head defiantly, and flung
+the tears from her lashes, for having cried; the burden seemed lighter,
+and the little hurt and loneliness less hard. "I've plenty to think of
+besides them, and I might as well go to work." So out of the trunk came
+a box, and Olive's tears were as quickly gone as they had come. This box
+held a collection of sketches, many of them originals, some of them
+copies, but all bearing marks of a strong talent, rude and somewhat
+hasty as yet, but capable of much, when the young artist should have
+studied, and brought a few happy ideas to color the faces and scenes
+that grew from under her fingers. Now they clearly betrayed the unhappy
+spirit that prompted them, for there was not one glad sunshiny picture
+among them; instead, there were several faces of women, in various
+attitudes of defiance or despair, with a stern relentless sorrow
+darkening their eyes, and hardening their lips; then there was an old
+boat over-turned in the shadow of a half-broken tree, and various
+sketches of home scenery from the different windows of the house. Olive
+had selected one, somewhat larger than the rest, and had gone to work
+rapidly, pressing her lips tightly in the earnestness of her work and
+thoughts, and the room was perfectly silent for a long time. Presently
+she stopped abruptly, and balancing her pencil on her finger, looked out
+of the window with a troubled longing in her eyes.
+
+"I wonder if I ever can," she murmured slowly. "How hard it is to be
+patient, and wait, it's three months yet until I am sixteen, and they
+never will let me I know, because it's too dangerous for a girl. I'm
+sorry I am one anyhow; it makes everything go wrong. Now, there's my
+money, I'm glad I've got it to give to papa. Dear papa, I don't believe
+he or mama cares because I'm so ugly; I'll give it to him to-night, and
+then while I'm waiting, I'll work and earn some more, so as to have
+enough;" and, after ending this slightly enigmatical speech with an
+abrupt nod, Olive looked a little brighter and fell to work so rapidly,
+that she shaded a dimple until it looked like a bullet-hole in the cheek
+of her fair subject.
+
+Nothing further was heard for over an hour, then there came chattering
+voices, the slam of the gate, much laughter, and much spattering and
+crunching of gravel, that announced a race up the walk, between the
+festive twins, for though Kat's disabled arm swung gracefully in a
+sling, she had, after the first day or two, returned to all her romping
+with undiminished ardor, thereby keeping the family in constant terror,
+lest the necessary appendage be forever disabled. Jean had reported to
+Bea, the fact that Olive had locked her door and was crying, and with
+her conscience reproving her, Bea ran hastily up stairs, and knocked at
+the door. "Olive, may I come in?"
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Well, just to talk a little," Bea replied, knowing better than to give
+Jean's report.
+
+Olive unlocked the door, after having first surveyed her face to see
+that no tears were visible.
+
+"Come in, if you want to; I'm drawing," and Bea accepted the ungracious
+invitation, thinking to herself, as Olive straightway took her seat and
+pencil, and returned to work--
+
+"Now Olive's in one of her moods, I wonder if I can say anything," for
+though not yet seventeen, Bea was womanly and thoughtful, and Mrs.
+Dering had sometimes talked with her, about the unfortunate
+peculiarities of this sister's disposition, and asked her help in being
+patient, and trying to overcome it.
+
+"We had a delightful time," began Bea, anxious to work aright. "'Prince'
+was such a dear old fellow and Mr. Phillips so kind. I'm so sorry you
+didn't go, Olive."
+
+Nothing but pride kept Olive's face from brightening a little at this;
+she turned away, made a fierce dab at her subject's nose, and thought
+grimly:--"It's all very well to be sorry now, when the thing's all over;
+I wonder if she thinks that I believe she's sorry, anyhow."
+
+"We went around by the river, and way up on the hill," continued Bea,
+after waiting a reasonable length of time for an answer. "Mr. Phillips
+says we may ride often."
+
+"Did he?"
+
+"Yes, wasn't it kind? you know Mrs. Phillips and the girls are going
+away and 'Prince' will need exercising."
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Hasn't mama come home yet?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Perhaps Mrs. Dane is worse."
+
+No answer.
+
+"It's almost supper time, I should think she would be here," and with
+that, Bea got up, somewhat discouraged with the one-sided conversation;
+but paused again at Olive's side.
+
+"Oh! what a lovely face," she exclaimed, bending over the artist's
+shoulder. "Where did you get it, Olive?"
+
+"Made it up."
+
+"Well, I really envy you such a talent; I have none at all. Why do you
+make her look so sad?"
+
+"That's the way she looked to my mind and I drew her so. Perhaps it's
+because she has no sisters," answered Olive, spoiling the meaning
+conveyed in the words by the sarcasm that crept into the voice, and Bea
+drew back, hurt and half inclined to be angry; but with her, a tender
+heart always went ahead of a quiet temper and ruled, so she walked to
+the door, saying as she went out: "You better put up your things;
+supper's nearly ready."
+
+After tea Olive whispered something to Mr. Dering, and to everyone's
+curiosity, they went off together to the library. This was only a small
+room, but very cozy, with a dark green carpet on the floor, the chairs
+of various shapes, with the previous covering worn threadbare, neatly
+covered with green cloth, a cover of like shade on the table, and one
+side of the wall well packed with books; for Mr. Dering having never
+been wealthy, had only by care, and much time, collected the books which
+now formed a faultless, small library. It was Ernestine's idea, having
+the room green, and bestowing upon it the important sounding name of
+"library," for it suited her fancy by sounding stylish, and pleased her
+artistic eye by being all of one shade; so after much patient drilling,
+she got them all to call it "library," excepting Olive, for that sister,
+disapproving of Ernestine's notions in general, did not like to yield to
+this one, and insisted on calling it "study."
+
+Well, in here came Mr. Dering, Olive following with a light, saying, as
+she placed it on the table:
+
+"Papa, this is to be a secret."
+
+"Oh! oh! and you expect me to keep it?"
+
+"Of course, at least a part of it," and Olive looked so serious, as she
+came and stood by his chair, that he became attentive in an instant,
+saying heartily:--"Well, go on dear, I'm listening, and promise to keep
+the secret."
+
+Olive hesitated an instant, but she always hated to show any feeling,
+especially of embarrassment, so pitched into her subject abruptly, with
+her eyes down. "You know, papa, that we know that you have been troubled
+with the hard times, and wanted to help you."
+
+"Yes, Olive, and I can never forget the way that my girls and their dear
+mother anticipated, and have done to help me."
+
+"No," Olive answered, almost impatiently. "We have done nothing; it most
+all falls on mama; she helps us with the work, and as for 'Prince,' of
+course, we loved him, but we girls are able to walk, it's only mama, who
+is denied; so all the help it is, she gives, not we."
+
+"Then we should love her all the more, dear," said Mr. Dering; and the
+tenderness and love that shone in his face would have gladdened the
+heart of the wife of thirty years, had she seen it.
+
+"I don't think we can ever love her enough," answered Olive heartily;
+then hesitated again, while her hand went slowly into her pocket, and
+came slowly out again.
+
+"Hold your hand, papa."
+
+He did so, and after placing a little roll in it, and closing his
+fingers over it, she said hurriedly: "It is only a little, papa; just
+thirty dollars that I have saved, but I want you to take it, and----"
+
+"But Olive, my dear child----"
+
+"Don't, please;" she interrupted hastily. "I know what you want to say,
+but it's not denying me anything, and what if it was? I want you to have
+it. You never gave us our allowance to buy our clothes with, and as for
+fancy things, I don't care for them; I don't care to go out as the other
+girls do, and I do not need it for anything. I only wish it was more."
+
+There may have been many reasons why Mr. Dering said nothing as he drew
+her on to his knee, and kissed her tenderly, but the right one would not
+have been hard to guess had any one seen his eyes full of tears. Olive's
+heart was beating happily, and she went on quite gayly: "And another
+thing, papa; now don't say anything until I finish; I want to have all
+my own way to-night. You know, sometime ago I helped Mr. Hess with some
+writing, and he said that if I would draw his little girl's head, he
+would teach me how to keep books; well, he did, you know, and now I want
+you to dismiss him, and let me be your book-keeper. It would help you,
+and oh, I should love to so much; it seems as if I wasn't a bit of use
+the way I live now, with nothing in particular to do."
+
+"Why, my dear little girl," cried Mr. Dering, as she paused for breath.
+"Do you think they could spare you to me all day, down in that dusty old
+store?"
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed!" and into Olive's brightened eyes crept a little of
+the old bitterness, as she recalled the afternoon.
+
+"And I'm to pay you----"
+
+"Nothing of course, papa."
+
+"No, my dear, I cannot consent to that."
+
+"Please; I want to help you now. You may pay me when you are not
+troubled any more about business."
+
+"Ah, yes; when!" said Mr. Dering sadly to himself.
+
+"Papa," Olive put an arm about his neck. "Is it so bad as that? I'm not
+sixteen yet, but oh, I feel so much older, I can understand if you tell
+me."
+
+It really seemed so, as he looked into that grave, serious face, so
+unlike a merry, careless girl; and while a sigh crossed his lips, his
+eyes looked trustingly into hers.
+
+"Yes, dear, I think you can. You deserve, and I am happy to give you, my
+confidence; besides, I want to show you how you have helped me
+to-night. I am troubled very seriously, I have a note of six thousand to
+meet within sixty days, or the store goes, I see no way of raising it.
+There is four thousand in the bank in mama's name, but I do not want to
+touch it, because if anything should happen to me, you would not have
+one cent left in the world. Still, if one or two ways which I have in
+mind now, do not yield me something, I shall be obliged to take it, so
+as to save part of my business, and replace it as soon as possible.
+Thank God, the home is safe; it can never be taken from you, and never
+would I consider it my duty to rob my wife and children of home and
+happiness, to liquidate my debts. I owe my creditors a duty which I will
+work to fulfill, while I live; but, I owe my family a greater one; so
+Olive dear, the old home is always safe. To-night I am more thankful to
+hold thirty dollars, than two months ago, I would have been to hold a
+hundred, and only to-day I told Mr. Hess that I would have to do without
+him, and that I would try the book-keeping myself."
+
+He paused here, and the joy that mastered trouble in Olive's face, found
+vent as she laid her head on his shoulder and cried heartily, "Oh papa I
+am so glad, so glad!"
+
+"You know more now, dear, than mama," continued Mr. Dering, appreciating
+the caress, knowing how rare they were for any body from Olive. "I see
+she is just as careful of home expenses as though she knew it all, and
+I do not want to give her the added trouble until I see that I cannot
+fight my way through, and that it must be known."
+
+"Papa, isn't there some other way that I can help you?"
+
+"My noble little girl, no, the load is already too heavy for your young
+shoulders; but, I do so warmly appreciate your womanly interest, and
+your desire to help is precious indeed, while you see how great a help
+it is to me."
+
+Olive was smiling happily, even while her heart was filled with anxiety
+and many thoughts; so they sat there for some time in silence, then
+there came a tap on the door, and a sepulchral voice through the
+keyhole:
+
+"If you don't want the whole family to come swarming over the transom,
+you'd better come out and tell us what that tremendous secret is. Speak
+quick, a single word."
+
+"Shovels!" shouted Mr. Dering, implicitly obeying the threatening
+command.
+
+"Very good; you may live, providing you come out immediately and give me
+a dime to buy some butter-scotch," returned the voice.
+
+"The request betrays the speaker," laughed Mr. Dering as he stood up and
+unlocked the door. "Clear out, you begging Kat; you always----"
+
+"Hurrah," cried the beggar shrilly. "Can't tell us apart yet; there's
+Kat on the stairs; now, whenever we demand it, you have to give us a
+dime a piece; fine, you know."
+
+"Yes; I know, you mercenary little monkeys; come in the sitting-room if
+you want to hear our secret."
+
+Kittie and Kat rushed promptly in, and Mr. Dering spoke, indicating
+Olive by a wide flourish.
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen--I suppose I must represent the gentlemen:--Let me
+introduce you to my future book-keeper and business confidante."
+
+Olive lifted her eyes, as he bowed again, and first saw her mother's
+face so happy and pleased, then Ernestine's so full of something that
+was almost ridicule, and in an instant, without looking farther, her own
+darkened, and withdrawing her hand, she walked over to her accustomed
+corner, thinking bitterly, while they all commented and applauded.
+
+"There! now every one but mama, thinks I'm a fool, and they needn't be
+saying, 'how splendid' and 'oh! Olive,' for didn't Ernestine look as if
+she wanted to laugh, and as if she would be ashamed of me if I worked,
+even in papa's store. But I don't care what any of them say or think,"
+and having turned bitterly against all the girls, merely because of the
+unconscious smile on Ernestine's astonished face, Olive crushed all the
+joy from her own face, and nearly all from her heart.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ONE DAY.
+
+
+"Well, surely there never was such a pokey family," exclaimed Ernestine,
+lounging into the room where the girls were gathered, one bleak dreary
+morning, early in November. "Nothing ever happens, any more than as if
+we were in back-woods. Kittie, I'll change seats with you."
+
+"I suppose you will," returned Kittie, keeping her chair and frowning
+over her slate and book. "You'll always change if you get the best by
+it; get out of my light will you."
+
+"I wish you'd shut the door, Ernestine," growled Kat over the top of a
+bandage bound round her head and face; "I wish your tooth was ready to
+jump out of your mouth, and some one would leave the door open on you."
+
+"I'd try and set you a good example, by being polite at least," laughed
+Ernestine, who really never could be cross or blue, very long at a time.
+"How grum we are; what's the matter Bea?"
+
+"I've an awful headache," answered Bea, who shared in the general
+depression, and was considerably ruffled over not being able to set a
+puff straight on her skirt. "Be quiet, please, and sit down; it was
+still enough before you came in."
+
+"So I should think, from the way you all look like tomb-stones. Nobody
+looks peaceful, but Jean, and she's asleep; and Olive is the only one
+that looks natural, because she always looks solemn and cross, no matter
+what's up."
+
+Olive turned from the window with a jerk. She had such a cold, that she
+could not go down to the store, and her face was swollen most
+unbecomingly.
+
+"Perhaps if you had a little more sense, you might be able to look at
+least reasonably solemn sometimes," she said sharply.
+
+"Oh, mercy," cried Ernestine, with her gay laugh, far more tantalizing
+than the sharpest words. "If having sense would make me look like you,
+I'd never want it,--never."
+
+Olive jumped from her seat with a force that knocked the chair over, and
+startled the whole company.
+
+"Ernestine Dering," she cried fiercely, and as though the words almost
+choked her. "You are the most heartless, selfish, senseless creature,
+that ever lived; I never will forgive you! You haven't got a thought
+above looking like a wax doll, and acting like a ninny, and I hate
+you;--there!"
+
+"Well--if--I--ever," cried Kittie, as Olive vanished with a bang of the
+door that woke Jean and made Bea clap her hands to her aching head.
+
+"You ought to be ashamed," exclaimed Kat, glaring over her bandage.
+"Olive's the best one of the lot, and I've three minds to go and tell
+her so."
+
+"And have your head taken off for your pains," said Ernestine, walking
+over to the glass, and smiling at her own unruffled image. "Olive's a
+touchy goose, but I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, and I'm sorry for
+it; so that's the best I can do now, isn't it?"
+
+"I suppose so, unless it is to think once in a while, that there is some
+one in the world with feelings, besides yourself," answered Bea, jerking
+her unruly sewing, and getting crosser than ever as she ran her needle
+into her finger.
+
+"Dear me," cried Ernestine, throwing her hands up, and admiring them in
+the glass. "It's a sure sign that something is going wrong with this
+family, when you get cross, Bea."
+
+"I'm not an angel," grumbled Bea, then threw her sewing down, and gave
+herself a shake, both mentally and physically. "But there's no need of
+my acting like a bear, and I'm really ashamed. Come sit on my lap, Jean,
+you look terribly grieved."
+
+"Well, 'tisn't very pleasant with mama gone, and you all fussing so,"
+answered Jean, limping over with her crutch, and laying her head on
+Bea's shoulder with a sigh. "If you all were lame awhile, you'd be so
+glad to get straight again, that you never would fuss or scold, never."
+
+Bea sucked her bruised thumb, and thought more heartily than ever, that
+they ought to be ashamed; but a little witch of impatience and petulance
+lurks in the gentlest of feminine hearts, and though Bea had resolved to
+hush talking, and be patient, the little meddling temper was wide awake,
+much aggravated at the gloomy weather, and bound to make mischief if
+possible. Ernestine turned away from the glass in a moment, and strolled
+over to the lounge.
+
+"I don't see," she exclaimed, "why everything should be denied us. I'd
+like to live for awhile just as I want to."
+
+No one answered, for just then Kittie threw down her slate, and burst
+into impatient tears.
+
+"What's the use! I can't understand such fractions, and I never will;
+I'd like to smash that slate, and burn this old book!"
+
+"Doesn't Miss Howard show you?"
+
+"O yes, she shows and shows, and talks and explains, 'till my head spins
+like a top; but I can't understand, and after a while she says, in such
+a surprised way, as if she thought I was the biggest dummy in the
+world--'Why, Kittie, don't you see it yet?' and I don't see it any more
+than ink in the dark, but I'm ashamed, so I pretend that I do, and
+that's the way it always is," and Kittie cried despairingly.
+
+"How the cheerfulness increases," laughed Ernestine, jumping up. "I'm
+going down stairs, and I sha'n't come up again until I can say something
+that will please you all. By-by," and away she went, nodding brightly.
+
+The morning wore slowly away. Jean, with a pain in her back, lay in
+Bea's arms until she fell asleep again; then after laying her down,
+Beatrice went back to her sewing, made patient and penitent by contact
+with that frail, peaceful little sister, and, after viewing her
+unmanageable puff determinedly for a few minutes, saw her mistake, and
+immediately went to work and finished it with no trouble. Kat, after
+much grumbling, finally brought her tooth to comparative submission, and
+went to sleep, while Kittie fled from the field of fractions, and spent
+her morning in the swing, which hung in the shed.
+
+Just before dinner, the door-bell rang, and in a minute Ernestine came
+flying up stairs.
+
+"There," she cried, waving a tinted paper. "I've something to please you
+with. Just listen:--'Mrs. Richards would be pleased to see Miss Dering,
+Miss Ernestine and Miss Olive for tea next Wednesday Eve!' I expect
+they'll dance. Won't it be fun?"
+
+"I don't see any use of your waking me up, I'm not invited;" exclaimed
+Kat, sinking back on to her pillow, when she found that she was not
+included in the coming bliss.
+
+"I hope you didn't expect it, only a child," said Ernestine, as Bea took
+the magic paper in great delight.
+
+"Child, indeed!" cried Kat. "I'm tall as you."
+
+"More's the pity, for you're only twelve, and as wild as a boy."
+
+"I don't care; I'm going if mama says so; can't I Bea?"
+
+"Why no; Mrs. Richards didn't ask you."
+
+"What's the difference? She likes me just as well as she does you and
+would be just as glad to see me."
+
+"Of course; but girls of twelve are never invited out in the evening,"
+expostulated Bea, re-reading the delightful invitation, for events were
+rare in Canfield, and then it was so nice to be called "Miss Dering."
+
+"I don't care, I think it's real mean!" and Kat vented her resentment by
+punching her pillow into a helpless knot.
+
+"Go, call Olive, Ernestine," continued Bea, all smiles and complacency;
+"and just say, by the way, that you're sorry you hurt her feelings; it's
+quite the proper thing to do, you know."
+
+"All right," and Ernestine ran down the hall.
+
+"Oh, Olive! come with us; here's an invitation from Mrs. Richards. I'm
+sorry I hurt your feelings; come on."
+
+"I don't care for anything that you said, and I've something to think
+about besides invitations. Go away, will you?"
+
+"Oh, certainly," and having glibly uttered her penitent speech, Ernestine
+cared nothing about its reception, but hurried back to discuss their
+dress with Beatrice.
+
+"But mama has not said that we can go," said Bea, caressing the tinted
+paper, as she interrupted an enthusiastic speech that was making
+Ernestine's eyes glow like diamonds.
+
+"But she will; why shouldn't she? Any how I'm going to believe that she
+will, I will wear my silk and my new scarf, and borrow mama's laces for
+the sleeves, and her white comb, and jewelry with the bracelets, if she
+will loan them;--do you suppose she will?"
+
+"No, I know she won't; she'll think it's too much dress for a young
+girl. Wear flowers."
+
+"Nonsense! I won't. I want the jewelry. What will you wear?"
+
+"My cashmere; it's all I've got," and Bea sighed a little, for she did
+love to look nice. "The sleeves are dreadfully worn, and the over-skirt
+isn't the latest; but it can't be made over again, and I can't afford to
+spend a cent."
+
+"Never mind," said Ernestine, who could, and did readily advise what she
+disliked to practice. "Brush it up good, put ink over the little hole in
+the sleeve, and I'll loop the over-skirt so that it looks later in
+style, and loan you my blue bows."
+
+"I suppose you will," returned Bea petulantly, for the temper, though
+appeased, was still awake and alert. "You're quick enough to loan me
+what you don't want yourself, and to say for me to go in an
+old-fashioned dress, with the holes inked up, and no jewelry; when you
+want silk and laces, and all the jewelry; you are generous."
+
+"Oh, well, you may have the--the things if she will loan them; don't get
+fussy," said Ernestine, not a trifle abashed. "Who do you suppose will
+be there?"
+
+"Whoever she invites, I suppose," answered Bea, still ruffled.
+
+"And I expect Dell will be dressed beautifully; oh, dear, how nice it
+would be to be rich," sighed Ernestine.
+
+"I don't think it's fair for some girls to have so much, and others to
+have to scrimp and pinch, and then have nothing," cried Bea,
+exaggerating her woes, as is usual, when one is determined to think
+one's self the worst abused of all mortals. "I wonder if Olive is going,
+and how she will dress."
+
+"Just like she always does, I suppose, in that old green, with a big
+white collar, and her hair pulled straight back, and as smooth as a
+door-knob, no ornaments, and look fierce enough to chew every body up. I
+do wonder what Olive is good for anyhow, she isn't any comfort to
+anybody," and, as Ernestine spoke, her eyes went slyly over to the
+glass, where her pretty attitude in Jean's chair, and the sunshine lying
+warm on her hair, were reflected.
+
+Usually, Bea would have taken up her sister's cause, and uttered some
+conclusive defence, but now she felt abused, and didn't care much what
+was said of anybody, so after a moment, Ernestine went on--
+
+"I wish I knew the 'German,' I'm going to ask Dell to teach me, she does
+it beautifully. I think it is so hateful in Olive not to dance, it
+spoils a set for us, so that we can never dance quadrilles ourselves."
+
+"I suppose she has a right to do as she pleases," answered Bea,
+revelling in the questionable luxury of being as cross as she could. "I
+don't care whether mama lets us go or not, I haven't a thing to wear,
+and of course if I don't go, you can't."
+
+"Oh, but she will, I'll fix you so pretty, that you'll blush to look at
+yourself, and you know Mrs. Richards said last summer, that you looked
+like an angel in white, and you may have quillings off my bolt of
+footing to put in your basque, and around the pleatings;" and, with
+these skilfully thrown in words, Ernestine ran off to look over her
+little collection of ribbons and laces, while Bea turned her eyes slowly
+to the glass, just as her pretty sister had done a moment before, only
+not with such an air of perfect satisfaction.
+
+"How pretty Ernestine is, and even if she is selfish, she's always so
+willing to loan things, that any one doesn't think that it's just
+because she doesn't happen to want them herself. I hope if Olive does
+go, she will fix up a little," and with a sigh Bea turned away from her
+reflection, and after covering Jean with a shawl, went down to see if
+dinner was not nearly ready.
+
+If they could have seen Olive, they would never needed to have asked if
+she was going. All the afternoon she walked slowly up and down her room,
+sometimes increasing her gait, as the thoughts crowded and doubled the
+deep trouble in her face; and, in her mind was one thought that mastered
+every other, and that often formed itself into words and crossed her
+lips in a whisper of shivering dread.
+
+"The sixty days are almost gone, and papa has not got the money! What
+will he do? oh! what will he do?"
+
+Being with him constantly in the store, Olive saw, what he struggled to
+hide from those at home,--the utter despair that was mastering a patient
+hope;--and she knew that as the days went so swiftly by, that to him,
+the end was growing more certain. Once she saw him eagerly tear open a
+letter, and after reading a few lines, drop his head on his hands, and,
+unconscious of her nearness, groan despairingly. It weighed on her mind
+terribly, and her great desire to be of help, faced by the fact of her
+perfect inability, made her almost desperate, at times.
+
+Beatrice spent the afternoon in fussing with her dress, and Ernestine in
+watching for her mother, who was spending the day with a sick friend, so
+as she was still absent, when the tea-bell rang, the meal was rather
+gloomy; for the three older girls were busy with thoughts; Kat's tooth
+still ached, Kittie had caught cold, and their resentment at not being
+included in the invitation, being mutual, they devoted themselves
+exclusively to each other, and Jean dismayed at the unusual silence, ate
+her bread and milk with a pathetic air of loneliness, quite touching.
+
+"Ernestine, won't you sing just a little something," she asked, as they
+went into the sitting-room, where the fire burned low. "It's _so_
+lonesome without mama, when you're all so still. Seems to me everything
+has gone wrong all day, what's the matter?"
+
+"Everybody's in the blues, it's in the air," laughed Ernestine, sitting
+down to the piano, and skimming the keys. "Sit down chickie, and I'll
+sing 'Three Fishers.'"
+
+Jean curled in a chair, with a pleased smile, and Ernestine began the
+plaintive song, with the firelight flitting over her face, showing that
+she sang with more feeling than usual.
+
+    "For men must work, and women must weep,
+     And the sooner 'tis over, the sooner to sleep."
+
+The door-bell rang just there, and made them jump, then Bea went to the
+door, for though quite dark, it was not seven yet.
+
+A man stood just outside, a stranger, and as Bea opened the door with no
+light, but the fire from the sitting-room, he did not seem to know what
+to say.
+
+"Is Mrs. Dering here,--that is,--is she home?"
+
+"No, she is not, but will you come in, perhaps I will do," answered Bea,
+peering beyond him, and starting, as she caught the outline of other
+figures on the steps.
+
+"I do not think you will, I,--in fact we,--" and there he paused, and
+looked behind him, and a vague chilling alarm struck Bea, and made her
+voice tremble as she asked--
+
+"Is it anything so particular, any----,"
+
+"Bad news," he said, as she hesitated. "Yes Miss,--Dering, I presume, I
+do bring bad news, your father----;"
+
+Ernestine stood in the sitting-room door, and as the words were uttered,
+she saw Bea rush out, heard a faint scream, and a strange voice say,
+"catch her, she's falling;" then there came a tramp of feet across the
+porch, and four men crossed the hall, and came into the room with a
+strange burden; a rude litter, with a motionless figure on a mattress!
+Bea had fainted, for she had followed it, but as the men set their
+burden down with pitying faces, there came a shrill scream and a fall,
+for Ernestine dropped to the floor, and Jean continued to scream with
+her face hid. The three girls from up stairs came flying down, Huldah
+ran from the kitchen, and in the dire confusion, the strangers stood,
+not knowing what to do, or whom to address, for every one seemed to have
+lost self-possession in the overwhelming shock. So thought the gentleman
+who seemed to be leader, but at that minute a hand touched his arm, and
+a voice startlingly hushed, asked: "Is he _dead_?"
+
+"He is, madam."
+
+A spasm of pain crossed her set-white face, as her lips opened slowly,
+and the next question came with a gasp of dread:
+
+"By--by his own hand?"
+
+"Oh, no, madam, no indeed," cried the gentleman eagerly, glad to give
+that relief. "He was on the train going down to the city, which was
+wrecked twenty miles this side of it. His death was instant and
+painless, a blow on the left temple."
+
+"Thank God!"
+
+She uttered it slowly, and almost below her breath, then lifted her eyes
+from the peaceful face so life-like in death, and looked around the
+room. Ernestine lay moaning on the lounge, Kittie and Kat locked in each
+others arms crouched in the corner, tearless, because paralyzed with
+fright, Jean shook as with a spasm in Bea's lap, while Huldah stood by
+the lounge, with her apron over her head; and the men stood hushed and
+abashed with their eyes down.
+
+"Take Jean out," Olive said again in that strange still voice. "Huldah
+carry Ernestine to her room, and Kittie, you and Kat go out to the steps
+and watch for mama."
+
+How instantly they all obeyed her, as though recognizing one with
+authority, and how curiously the gentleman scanned her stonily white
+face, so worn in this brief moment of suffering, and listened to her
+last words with wonder.
+
+"Then you are not Mrs. Dering?"
+
+"No!" Olive did not seem surprised at the question, but her eyes went to
+his face slowly, and her lips began to twitch. "How will we ever tell
+her; oh! how will we?" she murmured, clasping her hands tightly; but the
+stranger heard the low words, and spoke hurriedly, with his eyes on the
+dead face.
+
+"If you are expecting her, some one had better go to prepare her, for
+the shock might prove----"
+
+Olive did not wait for more, but snatching a shawl from the chair,
+saying as she vanished:
+
+"I will go, only stay 'till we come back."
+
+The moon was coming slowly through a bank of clouds, and the wind
+sighing mournfully through the bare treetops, as she sped swiftly down
+the path and through the gate, whose familiar slam sounded dreary and
+dull, though it hardly reached her, as she ran down the quiet street.
+
+In just a few minutes she saw another figure wearing a familiar shawl in
+the moonlight.
+
+"Why, Olive," cried Mrs. Dering. "Were you all worried about me. Mr.
+Dane wanted to walk home with me, but I told him I would stop at the
+store for papa, and when I got there, the boy told me he had taken the
+afternoon train to the city; some sudden business I suppose. Why dear,
+how you have run!"
+
+"Oh, mama!" it was Olive's only utterance, but it told its own story,
+for Mrs. Dering instantly grasped the hand held out to her and inquired
+sharply:
+
+"What is it, quick,--any trouble at home?"
+
+"Yes,"--gaspingly.
+
+"What,--I heard them talking of an accident,--Oh! Olive!"
+
+"Papa," said Olive, growing calm as she saw her mother blanch and
+tremble in the pale light; but Mrs. Dering waited for no more; grasping
+Olive's hand still tighter, she broke into a swift run, that did not
+slacken, until the steps were reached, and the sobbing within reached
+their ears; then Olive forcibly held her back an instant.
+
+"Oh, mama,--wait,--let me tell you,--"
+
+"No,--he is dead, I know it;" and breaking from the detaining hold, Mrs.
+Dering ran in, and when Olive reached the door, she was kneeling beside
+the litter, with one dead hand pressed to her hidden face.
+
+In a moment they knew that she was praying, and feeling in the presence
+of something sacred, each man bent his head reverently, and covering her
+face, Olive too, tried to pray, and shed her first tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A STRANGER.
+
+
+On the day of the funeral, the sun came up and flashed over the grey
+chill earth, with a spring-like warmth and radiance, and crept through
+the open windows with a broad glad smile, as though no sorrow darkened
+the home and hushed the merry voices.
+
+Many times in these three days of crushing sorrow, when heart and hand
+seemed powerless to act, had Ernestine thought in a vague, wondering
+way, of her words: "I wonder what Olive is good for, she is no comfort
+to any one." Why, she herself, shivering and white, clung to her; Bea
+went to her; Mrs. Dering turned to them all for comfort, but to Olive
+for help and advice; Huldah came to her for orders; callers with offers
+of flowers and help saw her, and all said when questioned; "ask Olive,
+she can tell you;" "where is Olive?" "Olive knows all about it, don't
+disturb mama;" and so for once, home without Olive, would have known its
+greatest need.
+
+On the evening of that last day, when all the sorrowful farewells were
+over, and the grief stricken family had returned to their saddened
+home; there came a stranger into Canfield, and after inquiring the way,
+stalked briskly out to the Dering house. All the heavy foliage being
+gone, Jean saw him coming through the gate, and turned from the window.
+
+"Some one is coming, Olive," and Olive reached the door, just as the
+stranger gave a vain pull at the muffled bell. He was a strange, odd
+looking old gentleman, erect as a picket, scrupulously dressed, and
+looking at her with fierce grey eyes from under the bushiest lashes.
+
+"Is Mrs. Dering in?" he inquired with a tap of his cane.
+
+"Yes, sir, but----,"
+
+"Well, that's all I want to know now, I'll ask the rest after I get in,"
+and emphasizing the words with another sharp tap of his cane, in he
+walked.
+
+"But, sir, my mother cannot see you to-night," said Olive, somewhat
+startled, but speaking with decision, and still holding the door open.
+
+"Tut, tut, tut! I haven't come three hundred miles to be turned out into
+the night. Come, come, young woman, lead the way to where there's a fire
+and light, then take this card to your mother, and if she won't see me,
+give me a good comfortable bed, and I'll wait 'till morning for her."
+
+Olive began to feel as though she had little to say in the matter,
+besides, he stamped his cane and looked at her so fiercely, that she
+thought he might be an escaped lunatic, and perhaps she had better humor
+him. So she led the way into the sitting room, poked the fire till it
+glowed brightly, then the old gentleman sat down, but jerked his head
+around quickly as the sound of Jean's retiring crutch fell on his ear.
+
+"Ha, hum; come here little girl;" and his voice sharp and rough,
+softened wonderfully; but Jean only lifted her tear-stained pale little
+face, for an instant, then vanished; whereupon he pulled out a scarlet
+silk handkerchief, and blew his nose fiercely, then turned to Olive as
+if he expected to demolish her instantly with the card in his fingers.
+
+"Here girl, take that to your mother and be quick."
+
+Olive took it and unconsciously dropped her eyes to the name--
+
+    "ROGER RIDLEY CONGREVE."
+
+Even the old gentleman started as she looked up, for pale as her face
+had been before, it was positively ashy now, and her eyes glared at him
+like a young lioness at bay. Somewhat amazed the old man rose and
+approached her; but she started back, threw the card at his feet, crying
+chokingly with a frantic gesture of her hands:
+
+"Go away, go away, don't touch me,--oh, how I hate you!" and vanished
+through the door as if she had been shot.
+
+"God bless my soul!" cried the astonished man, dropping into his chair
+and apostrophizing the fire with startled energy. "If I ever saw the
+like,--where's my snuff-box,--I never did to be sure; streak of
+insanity, must be attended to; fine eyes, but ferocious young woman;
+hum, ha!--I'll sit here till somebody comes."
+
+A movement of several persons in the room above, would indicate that the
+family were gathered there; as indeed they were, sitting around mother,
+feeling nearer and dearer than ever in their mutual loss, each one
+drying her eyes slowly, as she talked lovingly of the dead, trying to
+make them feel as did she, that father was not lost, but just gone home
+a little sooner than they. Into this peaceful, loving group came Olive,
+with ashy lips, and excited eyes, and a few minutes later, the old
+gentleman down stairs, arose from his waiting seat, as the door opened,
+and a lady came towards him. Just while she crossed the little distance
+lying between them, he scrutinized her, with almost savage intentness,
+and his survey ended in a slightly astonished, "humph," as she paused
+before him, and bent her head slightly, but with due respect for his
+age.
+
+"Mr. Congreve. Will you be seated, sir?"
+
+"Humph! Well, I suppose I will," and down he sat, with more force than
+was necessary, perhaps, but then he was excited.
+
+"I'm too late for Robert's funeral, I hear," he said, in a moment, as
+gruff and short as though she were to blame for the fact, and he was
+come to deliver a verbal chastisement.
+
+"Yes, sir, a few hours."
+
+"Humph! His death was very sudden."
+
+"Very sudden indeed."
+
+"Humph!"
+
+Very plainly, Mr. Congreve did not know exactly what to say next. He
+hadn't expected this kind of a widow; his mind had pictured one in
+bushels of crape, with a drenched, woe-begone face, who would scream
+when she saw him, fall on his neck, in lieu of his purse, and gasp out
+dramatically: "Dear, dear Uncle Ridley, now all my troubles are over,"
+after which, he would have to pet her into quietude, when there was
+nothing, next to walking out of the window in his sleep, that he dreaded
+more than a crying woman; then he would have to kiss all the children,
+and so greatly did he object to such an osculatory performance, that
+after the act he looked as though he had made way with a quart of alum.
+Now, there was the pleasing, but slightly astonishing fact, that nobody
+was going to want to kiss him, and this pale, sweet-faced woman, with
+her quiet eyes and determined mouth was Robert's widow, that he would
+have to talk to; and it was very evident, that if he had anything to
+say, she was waiting quietly to hear it.
+
+"You have quite a large family,--madam," he said, hurriedly rushing in
+to break a pause.
+
+"Yes, sir, six daughters."
+
+"Six! Bless my soul,--six girls," and Mr. Congreve hastily took some
+snuff to settle his nerves. "Astonishing, I declare. Pity they're not
+boys,--great pity."
+
+"I would not have it otherwise than it is, sir."
+
+"Humph! well, they're your burden, not mine," said the old man, testily,
+and twisting uneasily in his chair.
+
+"A burden I am happy and grateful to bear, if burden it be," answered
+the widow, calmly. "I am thankful they are all mine, my comforts and
+helps at all times."
+
+"One of them is lame, is she?" and as he spoke, the old man's voice
+softened, as it had done when he called to Jean.
+
+"Yes, sir, my little one, lame from babyhood."
+
+Mr. Congreve resorted to his handkerchief again, and waved its scarlet
+folds back and forth in much agitation for a few seconds, then, as he
+put it back in its capacious pocket, and sniffed once or twice, as if in
+defiance to some internal commotion, Mrs. Dering remembered that he had
+once had a little lame girl, who died before reaching womanhood.
+
+He was regarding her intently, and now as she lifted her eyes, softened
+with this sudden remembrance, he bounced out of his chair, and set his
+cane down sharply on the hearth.
+
+"Elizabeth Dering, you're not the woman I thought you were. You're not
+like your father, and I'm glad of that. I came here to offer you help,
+because I know for a certainty that Robert was in trouble, and I see
+that you are no more pleased to see me, than I was at the prospect of
+seeing you. That I have been angry with my nephew for many years, you
+know well enough, but there's no use denying that his sudden death has
+touched me, and I want to do something for his family. To-night you are
+in no condition to talk, no more am I; so if you will show me my room I
+will go to it immediately."
+
+Mrs. Dering arose also, with relief plainly visible in her face, and
+after finding that he had taken an early supper before leaving the city,
+excused herself to arrange for his comfort during the night.
+
+Several hours later, when the household had forgotten its grief in
+slumber, and nothing disturbed the stillness of the night, but an
+occasional frog, and the lonesome sighing of the wind through the bare
+trees, two persons found it extremely difficult to sleep. In Mrs.
+Dering's room the fire lay in dying embers on the hearth, and in a low
+chair before it, sat the pale mother and widow, with no need now to hide
+her grief, lest other hearts were made sad, for no one was near but
+Jean, and she slept soundly, with sorrow lost in the oblivion of dreams.
+So feeling for the first time, the liberty of tears, that poor, aching
+heart broke its stern control, and burying her face, the sorrowing woman
+wept, praying, as the tears rolled down her cheeks, that they might not
+be shed in bitterness or rebellion, and that her heart, through all its
+pain, might still feel and know, "what is, is best." When the violence
+of her grief had expended itself, and she could lift her face to view
+calmly her loss and new responsibilities, the unvoiced prayer of her
+heart was: "O God, help me; I cannot work alone; let me know what to do;
+help me to think and act aright, and strengthen my trembling faith, that
+whatever may come to me, I can say: 'God knows it is for the best.'"
+
+Even as she prayed, help came to her, for Olive could not sleep, and
+feeling assured that her mother was awake, had come noiselessly in, and
+now stood by her.
+
+"Mama, I cannot sleep either; let me stay with you."
+
+"Olive, my child, it is past midnight."
+
+"I know, mama," and as Olive spoke, she pushed a stool to her mother's
+feet, and sat down, for something in the voice assured her that she was
+welcome.
+
+"Why couldn't you sleep, dear?"
+
+"Thinking," answered Olive, gravely. "And I wanted to talk to you, mama,
+when we could be quite alone."
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"Will you tell me about Mr. Congreve, please?"
+
+No curiosity prompted the question; that her mother knew; so, looking
+down into the grave, thoughtful face, she lowered her voice, and began:
+
+"Mr. Congreve took papa when he was left an orphan at eight years old,
+and raised him, expecting to make him his heir, as he is very wealthy.
+When Mr. Congreve and my father were boys they were great friends; but
+in early manhood, had a bitter quarrel that has never been forgiven
+either side, and they have hated each other fiercely ever since. When
+Mr. Congreve found that his nephew was in love with his enemy's
+daughter, he was furious with anger, and my father also objected to the
+match, but not so bitterly and blind to reason, as his enemy. Your
+father was threatened, plead with, and sworn at; but while he remained
+firm to his intention of marrying me, he really loved his fiery uncle,
+and disliked to come out in open rebellion; but a final move of Mr.
+Congreve's was more than he could bear. He locked him up. Of course no
+man of age and reason could stand such an indignity as that, so, making
+his escape at night, he left without a word of any kind, and has never
+seen his uncle but once since. A little while after we were married, we
+received a letter from him, very short and bitter, saying that he could
+tread the path he had chosen unmolested; that we were no more to him
+than strangers, and that his new will left his property entire, to a
+cousin's child, Roger Ridley Congreve, his namesake. He says now, that
+when he saw papa's death in the paper, that he was touched by it, and
+that he has come to help us, though I don't see how he knows we need
+it."
+
+"I do, mama."
+
+"You, Olive?"
+
+"Yes, mama." Olive's fingers were interlaced nervously and her eyes were
+flashing warmly as she lifted them from the low fire to her mother's
+face. "I know all about it, mama. Do you remember the night I talked
+with papa in the study about two months ago?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, he told me a great deal that night about his business, that he
+never told you, because he said he did not want to worry you with it
+unless he had to; he had a note of six thousand to meet in sixty days,
+and he was trying every way to raise it without touching your money in
+the bank. He said if he could not pay it, the store would go, that the
+home was ours, and must never go for his debts. Just a few days ago a
+letter came, and he snatched it so eagerly, that I knew it was very
+important; it was very short, and when he finished reading it he laid
+his head down and groaned. He didn't know I was near, and I did not
+speak then, but that letter has haunted me ever since, and yesterday
+when you thought I was asleep, I was down at the store, and I found it
+in his private drawer. O mama, it was from Mr. Congreve, and so short
+and cruel, oh, so bitterly cruel, and I tore it all to shreds, and burnt
+it, and never meant to tell you, at least, not for awhile. He refused to
+loan papa a cent, and said he didn't care if he lost both business and
+home, and when I read it I believe I could almost have killed him.
+To-night when he came and gave me his card I threw it in his face, and
+told him I _hated_ him!"
+
+"Olive! Olive!"
+
+"I did, I did, and I'm glad; I felt as if it would choke me to sleep
+with him in the house to-night, and I never want to look at him again. I
+would rather work my fingers off than ever have you take one penny of
+his money, or let him help us in any way," cried Olive, excitedly,
+almost forgetting the sleeping household in her energy.
+
+Mrs. Dering put her hand to her head, bewildered with the sudden news,
+and Olive saw, and comprehended the look of startled trouble that rested
+on her face.
+
+"We are very poor now, aren't we, mama?"
+
+"Yes, child, yes; indeed I am quite bewildered," exclaimed Mrs. Dering,
+anxiously. "Did you say sixty days, Olive?"
+
+"Yes, mama, the time is out next Friday."
+
+"Is it possible? What shall we do!"
+
+"Isn't letting it go, the only thing we can do?" asked Olive.
+
+"I suppose so, but really I can hardly think, it all seems so sudden,"
+and truly her sad, troubled face echoed her words.
+
+"I have been thinking about it so long," said Olive, as though relieved
+to speak her thoughts. "The home is ours, and you have four thousand in
+the bank. It seems to me a very little for seven people to live on, but
+we are all strong and well, and can work."
+
+"Yes, all strong and well but Jean," and Mrs. Dering's eyes went
+wistfully to the little unconscious face resting on the pillow. "She
+will have to be so neglected in more ways than one, if home is broken up
+and every one's hands and work belonging to some one else."
+
+"Dear me," cried Olive, reproachfully. "How could I forget her! There's
+something more to think over, now."
+
+"But you must think no more to-night, dear, nor must I, or we will not
+be fit for to-morrow's work and thought. Go to bed, and remember, God
+will not send us more than we can bear; we must only do the best we can
+and all that is left, He will provide a way for us. Good night, dear."
+
+Next morning after breakfast, Mr. Congreve stood pulling his gloves on
+and eyeing the six girls from under his fierce, bushy brows, and there
+was something almost like amusement in the quizzical look as it swept
+from one face to the other.
+
+Whatever he thought, he put it into no words, but caught up his cane,
+then stooped down over Jean, lying on the lounge, and whispered
+something in her ear. It must have been something magical, indeed, for
+Jean got up, took her shawl and crutch, and walked with him down to the
+gate, and there the astonished girls, who all rushed to the window, saw
+them pause, and the old gentleman lifted Jean up on the post, put her
+shawl up over her head, and then began talking earnestly.
+
+"Did you ever!" cried Kittie, falling back at the amazing sight. "I
+thought she was afraid of him!"
+
+"She is the only one that he has looked at kindly," said Bea, with some
+indications of resentment in her voice. "Was he always so fierce and
+queer, mama?"
+
+"Always," answered Mrs. Dering, who was watching from another window.
+"He has a kind heart, but a most exceedingly violent temper, which he
+seems to have under no control.
+
+"If thwarted or vexed, he stops at nothing, but most always repents his
+rash acts as soon as they are committed, and, sometimes, if the humor so
+strikes him, there is nothing he will not do as reparation."
+
+Olive, understanding that this little explanation was especially for
+her, shut her lips tightly, whereupon Kate exclaimed, "You never looked
+at him when you were introduced, Olive, and if you could have seen the
+way he frowned and glared at you, you would have shook all over."
+
+"I don't care how he looked, nor how much he frowned. I don't like him,
+and I wish he was back in Virginia."
+
+"If he isn't stingy as a miser, he'll give us something, and perhaps ask
+us to visit him," said Ernestine, who looked languid and pale from
+excessive and violent weeping, and really seemed to be the only one who
+was not trying to be cheerful for the others' sake.
+
+[Illustration: THE OLD GENTLEMAN LIFTED JEAN UP ON THE POST.]
+
+"I should like to see where papa lived when he was a boy, but I wouldn't
+care to have Mr. Congreve there," said Bea, who had that morning began
+being more womanly than usual by relieving mama of coffee-urn duties.
+
+"He's gone!" exclaimed Kittie, from the window. "Now for the secret!
+What did he say, Jean?"
+
+"I'm not to tell," answered Jean, looking quite excited and rather pale,
+as she hurried in; then amazed them all again by hiding her face in Mrs.
+Dering's dress and bursting into tears.
+
+"What ever has he done?" cried Kat, bouncing excitedly out of her chair.
+"Was he cross?--or perhaps he pinched you or something."
+
+"No, he didn't," said Jean, trembling but smiling through her tears. "He
+was very good and kind, and didn't look near so cross as he did in here.
+He said that a great many years ago he had a little girl just like me,
+and he kissed me, too."
+
+"Did I ever!" cried Kat, quite carried away by curiosity. "And is that
+all that he said?"
+
+"No, but I can't tell the rest, now, but he's going to bring me some
+candy and I'll give you all some."
+
+Perhaps it was because Mrs. Dering turned her head away just then,
+finding control of her face impossible; or because Jean looked so
+pathetic, as she gave her little promise; at any rate, Ernestine broke
+into a quick sob, and the next moment they were all crying, while Kittie
+threw herself on the lounge, and hid her face, as though she never cared
+to show it again, and Kat followed her example in the rocking-chair.
+
+For several minutes the sound of weeping filled the room, then Mrs.
+Dering wiped her eyes and tried to steady her voice.
+
+"Children, do you think it would make papa happy to see us all so
+miserable and wretched?"
+
+Something in the voice hushed the sobs, and caught attention, except
+from Ernestine, who continued to cry wailingly.
+
+"If papa had gone to Europe, made a great fortune, and built a grand,
+beautiful home for us all to come to, would we all sit down and cry
+about it, and say it wasn't right?"
+
+Even Ernestine listened a little at this, and Kittie lifted her drenched
+face to look in amaze at her mother.
+
+"I don't think we would, but that our happiness would hardly wait for
+the time 'till we started to join him. Now, instead of going to any
+country to build us a home, he has gone home himself, to the beautiful
+glorious home that was waiting for him, and waits for us; and isn't it
+lovely to think how glad he'll be to see us when we come, and it may
+not be long, either. I can almost imagine how happy he is to-night, and
+I should hate to feel that we made him sad by sitting here and crying,
+as though we regretted his perfect joy. We miss him sadly indeed, but it
+will make our time of waiting seem shorter, if we busy ourselves in
+doing what we know he would have approved and enjoyed, had he stayed
+with us. You, my girls, know how proud and fond he was of you; you know
+just which of your little faults grieved him, so work to overcome them,
+and try to become the noble, splendid women he always prayed you might
+be. As for me, I know how he always trusted me in raising our girls, and
+now that he has gone home, and left it all to me, don't you suppose it
+is a duty made doubly precious? None of us can complain of idle hands,
+and so with busy hearts we can find no time to complain and weep. Now
+let's go to our morning work, and all be as happy and cheerful as you
+can; just remember, God loves us so much that He has put some one who is
+dear to us all in our home above, so that we cannot forget it, even if
+we are tempted to do so."
+
+There was a general putting away of handkerchiefs, and many resolves
+written on the girlish faces, that were facing their first grief, and
+found it hard to do so with a patient faith. As they all left the room
+for morning duties, Bea lingered behind the others, and throwing her
+arms about her mother, looked up with full eyes and a loving smile.
+"Mama, you are such a comfort; you talk about heaven and papa, as if
+they were just around the corner, and make me feel as if he knew, and
+was interested in all that we did, just as much as ever. I know what
+will make him the happiest, and that is for us to be just like you, for
+he did love and trust you so perfectly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+MR. CONGREVE SURPRISES HIMSELF AND EVERYBODY ELSE.
+
+
+When Mr. Congreve came back from his walk, which had been a very lengthy
+one, for he was much unsettled in mind, he came very slowly, and began
+an uneasy soliloquy as he neared the house.
+
+"How I just hate to go back there, I do; seven women,--God bless my
+soul! and I'll wager my best hat they're all crying like water-spouts,
+and haven't made my bed yet. I won't sit down in a room that isn't
+cleaned up, and bless my soul,--where's my snuff box? I'd sit out doors,
+sooner than be in the room where they're all sniffling, with the
+curtains pulled down, as if Robert's going into eternal bliss, was a
+thing to turn yourself into a wailing dungeon over;" and, ending his
+mutterings with a revengeful snap of the gate, he stamped fiercely up
+the walk, scattering the gravel right and left, and scaring a stray cat
+almost into fits, by the way he swung his cane at her. Something in the
+looks of the house when he glanced up, brought him to a sudden stand
+still. The blinds were all open, with the sun shining warmly on the
+glass, one window was thrown up, and through it came the merry whistle
+of a bird, giving forth a musical defiance to the coming of winter, and
+when Mr. Congreve rather slowly opened the front door, there met him a
+warm, cheery odor, and,--yes, actually; some one laughed upstairs! In
+the sitting-room a jolly fire leaped and shone in the shining grate, the
+piano stood open, the room was full of sunshine, and under Mr. Dering's
+large portrait, was a bracket, and there on it, a graceful little vase
+filled with pansys and a tea-rose, from Jean's little window garden in
+the dining-room.
+
+Mr. Congreve gave a surprised and emphatic "humph," and tramped away to
+his own room, which was in apple-pie order, then tramped back, without
+having seen any one but Huldah flying around on the back porch.
+
+Presently Jean came through the hall, and seeing him sitting there and
+frowning at the fire, as though trying to study out some new and
+astonishing puzzle, she stopped at the stairs to call,--"Mr. Congreve is
+here, mama."
+
+"Humph! _Mr. Congreve_, if I ever, if I ever," exclaimed that gentleman,
+with some energy, and whirling about in his seat.
+
+"Come here, Jeanie; here's your candy."
+
+It really was quite astonishing how his voice could change when he spoke
+to her, and how his face brightened when she came in without hesitation
+and received the package with a pleased,--"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Well, I declare,--quite right, to be sure; but don't you know who I am,
+and what my name is?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you're my papa's uncle, and your name is Mr. Congreve,"
+answered Jean, just a little startled at being lifted on to his knee,
+and having his arm around her.
+
+"So I am, to be sure; quite true; but if I'm your papa's uncle, I'm your
+great-uncle, and there isn't such an immense amount of difference; don't
+you suppose you had better call me Uncle Ridley, as he did?"
+
+"Why, I don't know, perhaps I had. I'll ask mama," answered Jean in
+earnest simplicity.
+
+"Well, you do that, and tell her if she's not busy, I'd like to talk
+with her awhile. Do you remember what I said to you this morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Well, I'm going to talk to her about it now."
+
+Jean slipped down in a hurry, and departed with her big bundle of candy,
+looking both pleased and frightened.
+
+Mrs. Dering came down in a moment, and not having entirely given up his
+imaginary widow, Mr. Congreve looked up in some trepidation to see if
+she was crying. But no; her face, though pale and sad, was perfectly
+tranquil, and her dress was cozy, comfortable brown.
+
+After a few remarks about his walk, and the attractions of Canfield,
+conversation sank into an uneasy pause, and for some unknown reason, Mr.
+Congreve grew as red as a lobster. He had expected when he came that all
+he would have to do would be to fill out a check for several thousand,
+assure the demonstrative widow that she should never want, graciously
+allow the children to call him Uncle Ridley, submit to be kissed at
+coming and going, then get out of the way, and confine his further
+acquaintance with them to the medium of occasional checks and a few
+letters, when,--well, did you ever!--here he sat, blushing like the
+most bashful lover in Christendom, and couldn't get up his courage to
+offer the widow help of any kind; had actually requested the youngest
+child to kiss, and call him Uncle Ridley, and was now entertaining an
+idea, which, had it been broached to him before leaving home, would have
+aroused his fiercest ridicule and amaze.
+
+"You know, perhaps," he began, with a preparatory and strengthening
+sniff of snuff, "that I heard from Robert, some days ago?"
+
+"Yes, sir, but I did not know it until last night."
+
+"Humph!" he remembered his first greeting, and looked at her sharply.
+"Perhaps you did not know until then, just how his affairs stood?"
+
+"No, sir, I did not. Our daughter Olive was her father's book-keeper and
+confidante; she knew all; but with his ever thoughtful consideration, he
+hoped to settle his business difficulty without worrying me, and I did
+not know until after I left you last night, how deep had been his
+trouble."
+
+"Olive,--hum, ha!" said Mr. Congreve, nodding decidedly, and really
+looking pleased. "She's the one that said she hated me last night; good!
+I'll wager my hat she saw my letter; I like her spunk; she's a thorough
+Congreve. Your oldest, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh no, she's quite a child in years, not yet sixteen."
+
+"God bless my soul! you don't say so; only fifteen, and a book-keeper,
+and shares her father's troubles, and flies like a tiger into a man's
+face who don't do to suit her!--hum!
+
+"I should like to see her again. I should, indeed."
+
+Mrs. Dering could not restrain a smile at the utter amazement depicted
+in his face. He looked like a man who was undergoing a constant
+shower-bath, and didn't know what to make of it.
+
+"I am very sorry," she said. "It grieves me that Olive has an
+exceedingly peculiar and unforgiving disposition. She was devoted to her
+father, and you are quite correct in your supposition that she saw your
+letter."
+
+"And consequently don't want to see any more of me," said Mr. Congreve,
+with a quick nod, and as Mrs. Dering made no denial, he got up, and
+seizing his cane, began to walk up and down the room, and Mrs. Dering
+watching his face, saw therein a struggle of some kind. In truth, he was
+turning over in his mind a confession, which his obstinate pride
+struggled against, but which a new, strange feeling, that told him he
+did not want this family's contempt and hatred, claimed and conquered.
+He stopped in his restless walk, and faced her suddenly.
+
+"I have been angry with my nephew for years, you know that, and you know
+my nature," he said sharply, all the more so to hide his feelings. "When
+I wrote that letter I meant every word of it, and as many more of the
+same kind, but some womanish weakness afterwards possessed me, and on
+the day that I heard of his death, I had a letter written to him,
+containing the check for six thousand."
+
+Knowing him, as she did, Mrs. Dering well understood the feelings
+attendant upon this confession, and her face softened wonderfully as she
+said:
+
+"I most regret, Mr. Congreve, that Robert did not live to know that you
+repented the cruel words that so grieved him. You know how proud and
+sensitive he was, and what a struggle it must have been to ask help of
+you. Your kindness, though too late, we all appreciate sincerely."
+
+"Too late? The time is not out."
+
+"But I shall let the store go. I have no sons, and I cannot have the
+care of it on my mind."
+
+"Humph! May I ask what you intend to do?"
+
+"Certainly. I have some money, four thousand in the bank, which will
+only be taken out in great necessity. As soon as possible, myself and
+children will begin to work. I am quite sure that I can secure a
+situation in the seminary three miles out of town, perhaps one also for
+Beatrice, my oldest daughter, and I hope before long to find something
+for the others."
+
+Mr. Congreve opened his lips to speak, but was amazed beyond all
+comprehension, to find that he had no voice, he tried it again, then
+again, then broke abruptly into a hurried walk up and down the room, and
+flourished his scarlet handkerchief furiously.
+
+"It was very kind of you to undertake such a long tiresome journey for
+our sakes, Mr. Congreve," said Mrs. Dering, beginning to feel a strange
+sympathy for the old gentleman who could not hide how deeply he was
+moved.
+
+"Not half what I ought to do," sputtered the inconsistent old man. "I
+always want to help where I see it is so worthy. I am proud indeed, to
+see,--where's my snuff-box--that Robert's wife and daughters are so
+worthy of him; I--I--will you allow me to settle four thousand per annum
+on you and your children?"
+
+"Oh, no; thank you so gratefully; but I could not, so long as we are
+well; we can work and live quite comfortably, but if I am ever in
+trouble, if sickness drains our savings low, I will come to you gladly,
+and Robert will be so pleased."
+
+It was no use to try and hide a sniff, so Mr. Congreve made a savage
+thrust at his eyes and wiped them both, blew his nose long and
+earnestly, coughed several times without any apparent necessity, and
+then subsided into a chair.
+
+"I suppose you are right, Elizabeth Dering, and I like you better for
+it, though,--God bless my soul!--to think of you and the little girls
+working for bread and butter, while I count my hundreds of thousands and
+lay up in ease and laziness. Why, it makes me feel as I never supposed I
+could feel over any sorrow or privation that might come to Daniel
+Lathrop's daughter. But you're not like your father, no, you're not, and
+I'm glad of it, and if I had it to do over again, I would not banish
+Robert for marrying you."
+
+If Mrs. Dering felt any resentment at the thrust against her father, she
+gave no evidence of it, but only thought with a quiet joy, mingled with
+a little longing, "If Robert was only here to hear him say it."
+
+"I want to make another offer to you," said Mr. Congreve, tapping his
+stick lightly on the floor, and keeping his eyes averted, "and before I
+make it, I want to ask that you do not decide too quick. Take all the
+time you want, and whatever your decision will be, it will affect my
+happiness quite as much as it does yours."
+
+He stopped there, and looked at her closely, as though contemplating a
+possible refusal; then went on interrogatively:
+
+"You are going to work at something that will take all of your time,
+and, perhaps, keep you away from home; your daughters are going to work,
+such of them as are able, but, from my observation, there are three of
+them who can do nothing in a business line. Two of them, the twins, are
+strong and healthy and can look after themselves, but the third, Jean,
+what will you do with her?"
+
+"You have touched the point that constitutes my greatest worry and
+perplexity," answered Mrs. Dering, quite unconscious of the thoughts in
+his mind. "Jean is so delicate and frail that she requires constant
+attention; she is a child, and must be amused, and because of her
+affliction she can never be unattended. I have always taught her, and
+being fond of her books, she is much farther advanced than most children
+of her age, and I regret beyond all expression that she will have to
+fall behind now, she----"
+
+"No, she won't," cried Mr. Congreve, who had been growing more excited
+as the speech progressed, and who now jumped out of his chair with every
+indication of breaking into a jig. "I assure you she won't, only let me
+have her; she shall have the best governess and attendant that money can
+bring. Every luxury and comfort that can be thought of, every wish
+gratified as soon as expressed and I--I--"
+
+He was obliged to stop to get his breath, and grow a little more quiet,
+for Mrs. Dering was leaning back in her chair, quite white with amaze
+and contending emotions; so Mr. Congreve settled abruptly into a chair
+and smoothed his voice and manner down several degrees.
+
+"I didn't mean to startle you," he continued. "I know it is sudden and,
+indeed, I am quite as astonished as you are; I am, indeed; but the
+moment I looked at the child last night, there was something in her face
+and manner, that reminded me so strongly of my own little Mabel, that my
+heart, old and dried up as it is, went right out to her. You know,
+Elizabeth Dering, how I loved my child. She would have been a woman now
+had she lived, but the Lord saw fit to take her, and--and--I--where's my
+snuff-box?--I suppose, of course, 'twas best; but here's your little
+one, yours and Robert's, afflicted like my little Mabel, and I am able
+to do everything by her that the sick and afflicted need. She shall
+travel, have the best of medical attention, and if the dear good Lord
+sees fit, perhaps she may be cured."
+
+His fierce gray eyes were completely softened and full of tears, and the
+way that scarlet handkerchief flew about would have puzzled the closest
+watcher, but Mrs. Dering saw nothing, heard nothing but his last
+words:--"perhaps she may be cured." Almost unconsciously she stood up
+and held out her hands.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Congreve, do you mean it, indeed?"
+
+"God bless my soul! mean it? Yes, I do, indeed. I do, with all my heart.
+I'll feel like there was something for me to live longer for, and it
+will put new, strong life into my dried-up old being, to see a child's
+sunny face around my quiet home and to know that it is for her good that
+I live. Ha! mean it? Yes, my dear madam; I should rather say I did mean
+it."
+
+It really seemed as though Mrs. Dering could not speak for the many
+emotions that oppressed her, but after one or two glances at her face,
+which caused the old gentleman to scout at the idea of her refusing, he
+exclaimed with a fatherly benignity which sat oddly on his crusty
+abruptness:
+
+"There, there, dear child, go right off up stairs and think about it.
+I'll just take a snooze right here by the fire, and then after awhile
+we'll talk again. I don't think the little girl will object. I said a
+few words to her this morning, and the idea pleased her, I am quite
+sure."
+
+So Mrs. Dering retired after a few inarticulate words of thanks or joy,
+and after taking a tremendous tiff of snuff with such haste that it
+nearly strangled him, Mr. Congreve settled into a comfortable, dreamy
+state, where a face, long since gone from his home, looked out at him
+from the fire with a smile, and then beside it came another, sweet and
+patient, with soft eyes, and the two seemed to know each other, and as
+they smiled, the one that was now an angel faded slowly and left the
+other there looking at him with beseeching eyes.
+
+There was the greatest commotion up stairs when Mrs. Dering told the
+assembled girls of Mr. Congreve's proposition. Jean instantly hid her
+face and began to cry, and influenced by this, the girls instantly
+pounced upon Mr. Congreve, and declared it should not be.
+
+"Why do you cry, dearie?" asked Mrs. Dering.
+
+"I don't know," answered Jean, somewhat bewildered, as she looked around
+on the indignant faces. "Because it seems so queer, I guess. I always
+thought I would be crooked, and have to go on a crutch, and Uncle
+Ridley,--he asked me to call him that,--says, perhaps, all the doctors
+can cure me, and--and it seems so good that I don't know how to be glad
+enough, so I just cry, you see."
+
+Everybody "saw," figuratively speaking, for actual sight was quite
+impossible with the quick sympathetic tears that sprang to every one's
+eyes. Opinions flew about like papers in the wind, and Mrs. Dering could
+not make herself heard in the babel of tongues.
+
+"Wait, girls, listen a moment," she exclaimed at last, and the
+commotion quieted, somewhat, to hear what she had to say.
+
+"You know," she began, drawing Jean to her side, "I have been telling
+you this morning how very differently we would have to live, now; it
+will take all of us, working hard, to keep home comfortable, for the
+expenses of a family of such size are very heavy. Since realizing this,
+I have prayed long and earnestly to know what was best to do about
+Jeanie, for if I can secure the position at the seminary, I can only
+come home twice a week, and in the meantime, I could not bear the worry
+of her being here alone with you girls, even though I know you would be
+faithful and careful of the trust. Now comes Mr. Congreve's offer, with
+the promise that she shall have every attention, care and luxury, and
+better than all, that she shall see eminent and skillful physicians,
+whom we could never afford. I feel as though it was God's answer to my
+prayer, and that it is wicked to hesitate a moment, however much we all
+love our little girl, and hate to have her go so far away."
+
+"But, oh, mama," cried Jean, with a sob of ecstatic joy and excitement,
+"just to think of my being straight and well, like Kittie and the rest!
+I would feel like I never could thank God and Uncle Ridley enough. Oh, I
+_may_ go, mayn't I?"
+
+"Yes, darling, you shall go."
+
+So briefly was it settled.
+
+Everybody was in raptures excepting Olive. She frowned severely, and
+looked bitterly pained, but she said nothing until the rest had left the
+room, then she came to Mrs. Dering's side. "Oh, mama, are you really
+going to let her go?"
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"How can you? Such a cruel, selfish, unfeeling--"
+
+"Hush, Olive."
+
+Olive did so instantly, and stood with her hands folded and eyes down,
+the very picture of bitter defiant distrust, and Mrs. Dering saw in an
+instant that any thing she might say in Mr. Congreve's behalf, would be
+wasted words, as Olive was fully prepared to misconstrue anything that
+the old gentleman might say or do. Nevertheless, she laid her hands on
+those tightly folded ones, and said gently: "Olive dear, we must be
+charitable and forgiving. Remember, Mr. Congreve is old and very
+peculiar; he always was, and one's peculiarities increase as they grow
+older. You heard what I said about him this morning, and you see he must
+be kind at heart, to have taken such a long journey, just for our
+sakes."
+
+Olive made no answer, and her mother sighed a little.
+
+"In regard to the estrangement between him and papa, I think he went to
+extremes, as hot passionate tempered people are apt to do; and yet, he
+is not wholly at fault, for I grieve very much to say, that in the
+quarrel between my father and Mr. Congreve, father was much to blame;
+he did very wrong, and it was quite natural for Mr. Congreve to feel a
+violent hatred for all his family, and to object to his nephew marrying
+into it. That Mr. Congreve has many times repented his harsh treatment,
+I know to a certainty; but he is proud, as well as hasty, and pride in
+an old man is harder to battle with than in a young one. In speaking of
+papa a few minutes ago down stairs, he could not restrain the tears. He
+says he wrote that letter, and meant it, but that on the day he heard of
+papa's death, he had another letter, and the required check ready to
+send to him."
+
+"I don't believe it!" interrupted Olive passionately. "If he did, he
+wrote it after he heard, just so as to tell you so."
+
+"Oh, my child!" exclaimed Mrs. Dering, sadly, "how your hasty,
+distrustful spirit grieves me. You cannot conceive of the misery it will
+cause you, when you are brought to face the world, where there is so
+much to distrust, and so much that must be overlooked and blindly
+believed in. Can't you allow for others, some of the pride, the wilful
+temper and bitter hastiness that you know so well what it is to battle
+against, when I tell you that the greatest point of difference between
+your own and your great-uncle's disposition, is, that he is as hasty one
+way as you are the other; can't you be more charitable to him?"
+
+"Oh, mama! _I_, like _him_?" cried Olive.
+
+"Yes, dear, except that when you are once angry or hurt, you nurse your
+pride, and repel every advance towards a reconciliation. Mr. Congreve is
+more generous; if he really sees he is wrong, he is as impulsive to mend
+as he was passionate to break. He is bitter and distrustful from a long
+and often sad and disappointed struggle with the world; you are bitter
+and distrustful--for what, my dear child, I never could imagine, for we
+all love you most tenderly, and in this grief and trouble which God has
+sent for some good reason, you have been an inexpressible comfort to us
+all."
+
+Olive withdrew her hand from her mother's clasp, and hurried away
+without a word. Mrs. Dering thought she was hurt, perhaps angry, and
+sighed deeply; but Olive had gone to hide her tears, and resolve to do
+differently, but all her resolves were made without asking for higher
+strength and help.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ODDS AND ENDS.
+
+
+"My patience alive!" exclaimed Kittie, slamming the stove door open, and
+poking in among the ashes and cinders with wrathful haste, "if this
+abominable fire hasn't gone out; I never did in all my life! burnt up a
+bushel of kindling, too, dear me; water in the tea-kettle stone cold,
+not a blessed thing cooking; no more stuff in here to start the fire up,
+and Olive waiting for her breakfast this minute to go to the store, good
+_gracious_!" and having freed her mind, Kittie ran to the back stairs,
+jerked the door open, and shouted with much unseemly energy,--"Kathleen
+Dering!"
+
+"Just so; don't strain your lungs that much again, I'm coming, clear the
+track," responded Kat cheerfully, and came clattering down with her
+shoes unlaced, and her nose as red as a beet.
+
+"Bless the people, but isn't it cold, though. Whew! Jupiter Ammons! What
+a relief it is to say something when you're most friz. You don't look
+cheerful, sister mine."
+
+"I don't care; it's your week to build the fire and mine to set the
+table, and I think you were real mean, to go to sleep again, when you
+know Olive has to have her breakfast at seven," grumbled Kittie, flying
+about distractedly, while Kat sat on the floor and whistled "Down in a
+coal-mine," as she laced her shoes.
+
+"That's the truth, my dear, melancholy like the present days. But you
+just skip into the dining-room and set your table, and I'll have a few
+words to say to this stove in private, if I don't freeze stiff
+beforehand;" and Kat jumped up briskly, having compromised on a lace
+with one shoe, by tying the strings about her ankle. "No kindling to
+begin with! Oh, this is bliss! Now for a trot to the woodshed," and away
+went Kat flying down the yard and back again in a minute with her arms
+full.
+
+"I'll be late," said Olive, putting her head in the door, just as the
+fire began to snap with its new supply of kindling.
+
+"Sorry, but doing the best I can," answered Kat, pausing a minute to
+warm her numb fingers. "Can you get along on bread and coffee for this
+morning?"
+
+"I suppose I'll have to," answered Olive, none too graciously, and shut
+the door again with a snap.
+
+"Cross-patch, draw the latch, sit at the fire and spin," sang Kat; then
+the door opened again, and Ernestine came in.
+
+"Dear me, how cold it is in here, and Bea hasn't got the sitting-room
+fire built either. I'd just as soon be out doors."
+
+"Go on, and let's see how long you'll stay," said Kat, shaking an egg
+into her coffee. "If the fires don't get along fast enough to suit you,
+pitch in and build one of them; there's piles of difference between that
+and standing around watching some one else."
+
+Ernestine chose to ignore the remark, and stood warming her fingers,
+while she contemplated the frosty window-pane.
+
+"To-day's lesson-day, so of course I hate it," she said, with an air of
+settled resignation. "I never thought I'd teach music, that's sure. I
+never was cut out for it, so neither the children, nor I, get along
+well. Is there anything I can do to help out here?"
+
+"No, breakfast is ready; just trot the bread in to the table. I'll bring
+the butter, and the coffee will be done in a few minutes; that's all
+we've got for breakfast this morning," said Kat, vanishing down the
+cellar stairs.
+
+"I could eat two hundred and fifty griddle cakes, I know!" exclaimed
+Kittie, as they collected about the table, and Bea began rattling the
+cups, and the bread started around.
+
+"Come down a hundred and seventy-five," laughed Ernestine who had taken
+time, despite all depressing circumstances, to twist a rose-colored
+ribbon in her sunny hair. "I believe it's going to snow real hard; don't
+I wish those children wouldn't come to-day. You all can't imagine how
+horrible it is to teach music."
+
+"Well, you have the easiest time of any of us," said Kittie.
+
+"You ought to cook and wash dishes awhile," cried Kat.
+
+"Or keep the house," added Bea.
+
+"Or have to stay all day long in the dreariest store in town and keep
+books," echoed Olive.
+
+"I thought you loved to work so?" said Ernestine, in answer to this last
+comparison. "You're always preaching independence."
+
+"So I do," answered Olive, setting her cup down with crackable force. "I
+never would be idle, but I could choose more pleasant kind of work than
+sitting in Mr. Dane's office all day; it's the dreariest place I ever
+got into."
+
+"Well, anyhow, Christmas is coming," said Bea, nodding cheerfully over
+the coffee-urn.
+
+"More's the pity," said Kittie disconsolately. "We're not going to get
+anything; it'll be awful poky."
+
+"But mama'll be home for ten days; oh, bliss!" cried Kat, waving her
+teaspoon, and every cloudy face brightened. "Can't we give her
+something, girls?"
+
+"I don't see how," said Ernestine. "It takes every cent we all earn to
+keep things going. Who ever thought we'd be so poor? Just think of last
+Christmas, how glorious!"
+
+Everybody remembered, and faces saddened again. How gay the house had
+been in evergreens! how mysterious the locked parlors, where all knew, a
+tree stood, branching up to the ceiling; how blissfully happy everybody
+had been during the two weeks when the world becomes one in spirit and
+truth, and the god of good-will wields the sceptre and wears the crown!
+Father had been with them, dear, unselfish, great-hearted papa, whose
+every exertion had been to make them all happy and whose dearest hope
+and prayer had been that his girls might be noble, splendid women, with
+pure, true hearts and the spirit of God therein.
+
+"Olive, will you bring some butter when you come home? This is the last
+drop," said Kittie, scraping the dish, and collecting the silver, after
+the meal was finished, as it was very soon, for breakfasts were hurried
+now-a-days.
+
+"Yes; two pounds? That's the third time this month; our bill will be
+pretty big. If I'm very busy I will not be home to dinner."
+
+"Sha'n't I fix some lunch for you?"
+
+"I haven't time to wait. Where's my rubbers?"
+
+"I don't know. Kat, did you have Olive's rubbers last night?"
+
+"Yes, and I don't know any more than Adam where I put them. Look in the
+closet, Olive, and I'll run up stairs and see," answered Kat, departing
+in haste.
+
+"Well, I wish you would let my things alone," said Olive testily,
+throwing down her mittens and veil, and diving into the closet; the
+general closet, as it was called, where everything, from the kitchen
+stove-hook to the girls best Sunday-go-to-meeting bonnets, were apt to
+find a lodging at odd times. "I never can be on time," she muttered,
+slamming things around and comparing various odd rubbers. "This closet
+looks like a demented bedlam. I'd be ashamed, that's what I would."
+
+"I can't do everything," answered Bea in a hurry, feeling that the
+thrust was meant for her. "Because I'm housekeeper, it doesn't rest on
+me to keep everything in perfect order, when you all help to muss up."
+
+"It's like distraction without mama, anyhow," declared Kittie, departing
+for the kitchen, with her hands full of dishes, and scowling defiantly
+at the stove, where the fire was sizzling with a lazy sputter, while the
+dish-water taking advantage of the lull in heat, cooled at leisure.
+
+"Pretty near as bad without Huldah," was Ernestine's comment. "I'm
+nearly starved for a splendid good meal like we used to have, when we
+could eat all we wanted, and didn't have to think how much it cost, or
+worry with cooking it."
+
+"You do less than anybody towards getting it," said Olive, coming
+flushed and impatient from her vain search. "If Kat doesn't leave my
+things alone, I'll--"
+
+"Let not your angry passions rise," cried Kat, coming in with a rubber
+whirling on each hand, and quoting her copy-book with cheerful disregard
+for any one's anger. "Here's your rubbers, my dear, and I found them
+right where I put them, on the end of our mantel-piece, where I put them
+in plain sight so as not to forget to bring them down this morning, as
+my prophetic soul felt a row in the air if they were not in sight at six
+and a half, sharp."
+
+"You talk like a lunatic," was Olive's sole response as she drew them
+on.
+
+"It's my only talent, dear," answered Kat cheerfully, beginning to work
+on the table, where she made the dishes rattle.
+
+Bea trailed slowly through the room with her broom and dust pan, and a
+rather discontented face. Olive tied on her veil and hurried away to her
+daily business; Ernestine went to practice a new piece 'till the first
+scholar should arrive; and Kittie and Kat were left to the bliss of
+dish-washing and kitchen work. So began the day.
+
+This was several weeks after events last recorded, and all things in the
+Dering household had changed much.
+
+Jean had not gone to Virginia at once. Her wardrobe had needed complete
+repairing, and during the time so occupied, Mr. Congreve spent much of
+it in the city, sending therefrom various and beautiful things for Jean,
+and a dress for each of the girls, doing so without permission, knowing,
+that if asked, it would be refused him.
+
+Kittie and Kat had been withdrawn from school, and studied at home with
+the older girls. Their part of the work fell in the kitchen. With Mrs.
+Dering and Huldah for teachers, they had studied the easier branches of
+cooking, and the crooks and by-ways of that department of general work.
+They proved apt and merry pupils, and learned their tasks quite readily,
+so, that while the girls missed the wonderful dishes that Huldah had
+been able to "knock up," they were daily fed on very palatable food,
+considering the age and newness of the young cooks.
+
+Bea was chief housekeeper, kept an eye over general affairs, sat at the
+head of the table, and had commenced doing her hair in a most dignified
+way; filling with much girlish satisfaction, the position of "Miss
+Dering," and "lady of the house."
+
+Olive was book-keeper in Mr. Dane's store, and really more head of the
+family than Bea, as she kept all accounts, settled the bills, and was
+frequently consulted on some questionable matters, involving the home
+expenses. To Ernestine fell the easy lot of four pupils in music.
+
+Affording her no opportunities of display, or avenue for compliments or
+praise, she thought it very hard indeed, and found it bitterly
+uncongenial, to her ideas of independence, if, indeed, she had ever
+possessed any really tangible ones. She wanted to help, as a matter of
+course, especially as all the rest did; but such an ordinary,
+self-denying way was sadly distasteful to her, and she still had a
+vague, but pleasing, idea of becoming a great prima-donna and
+electrifying vast concourses of people, who would praise, admire, and
+pay her largely. Unfortunately, however, such positions do not lie
+around in wait, and invite some one to honor them with an acceptance;
+but, in spite of such a discouraging fact, Ernestine held tenaciously to
+her pleasing idea, and spent much time in thinking how delightful all
+things would be, when that time arrived.
+
+Mrs. Dering had secured the desired position in the seminary, three
+miles out of Canfield, and had a flourishing class in both music and
+languages. The stage came in twice a week after mail, and at these times
+the anxious mother made hurried trips home, and these few hours were
+snatches of greatest joy and comfort to all parties, and especially
+comforting to the girls, who found the first few weeks of the new life
+very trying, and oftentimes discouraging.
+
+On the next Tuesday evening, when the stage came in, Mrs. Dering found a
+thick, tempting letter, with the Staunton post mark, and Jean's prim,
+childish hand writing. There had come several short letters from the
+little girl, who said she would wait until she saw everything about her
+new home before writing a very long letter to describe it; so it was
+evident now that the long letter had come, and with this extra joy for
+herself and the girls, Mrs. Dering hurried home, where everything was
+radiantly bright for her reception, and where the girls looked and felt
+as though care had rolled from them for the time, or was at least so
+lightened, that it seemed quite gone.
+
+They did not read the letter until after supper, and on the evenings
+when mother was with them, this meal was always a long one, for there
+was so much to talk about, and somehow it seemed so natural and old-time
+like, to linger about the table, that they invariably did so.
+
+After awhile they went into the sitting-room, leaving the dishes until
+later, when mama said they would all help; and seating themselves, with
+many smiles and nods of satisfaction, about the fire, prepared to hear
+all that Jean had to say about her new home.
+
+
+    _Congreve Hall, Staunton, Virginia,
+     November, 29th, 18--._
+
+    "DEAR PRECIOUS MAMA AND SISTERS:
+
+    "I promised to write you a long letter, and tell you all about
+    Congreve Hall, as soon as I had seen everything about it, and
+    felt well enough acquainted to tell it well. It is so beautiful
+    and big that I hardly know how to begin; I do wish the girls
+    could see it, especially Ernestine; she likes splendid, grand
+    things so much.
+
+    "We came out of Staunton, which is a lovely city, in a beautiful
+    carriage, which was waiting for us at the train. It was a lovely
+    day, and the sunshine was so warm that Uncle Ridley had the top
+    all put back, so that I could see everything. The road was so
+    wide and very smooth that the carriage just rolled along like we
+    were on a floor, and the horses were such splendid big black
+    ones, with harness all covered with shiny things, and they acted
+    as if they were as proud as could be. The driver was dressed
+    beautifully, nicer than the gentlemen dress at home for every
+    day, and when I got into the carriage he lifted his tall hat,
+    and called me 'Miss Dering.' It sounded so funny I pretty nearly
+    laughed; but Uncle Ridley looked as if it was all right, so I
+    thought perhaps I had better not.
+
+    "Pretty soon we began to go up hill, and I thought we must have
+    come very far because the horses went so fast; but we had only
+    come half-way. The leaves had not fallen then, and the mountains
+    reaching up so high, way ahead of us, did look like some
+    beautiful pictures that we used to see when papa took us to the
+    city with him. After awhile we came to a big gate, oh, so tall,
+    and such high posts, with figures on top of them, holding big
+    lamps with ever so many globes, and Uncle Ridley says some
+    night, he will light them, so I can see how bright it makes it
+    all around, and way down the road. We went through, and then the
+    road began to wind around, and it was perfectly lovely; we went
+    up and up, under the grandest trees, and after a little ways,
+    there began to be statuary sitting around under them, and
+    beautiful seats made like the limbs of trees, all twisted
+    together. I saw a flight of stone steps, and they came up the
+    hill from another gate, for people that walk, and they look as
+    white as snow in the green grass. All of a sudden we turned
+    around a big curve, and I just screamed right out; I was so
+    surprised, and Uncle Ridley said that was Congreve Hall. Why,
+    mama, it is big enough to be a hotel in the city, and ever so
+    many people could go in the front door all at once, it is so
+    wide, and such lovely marble steps go up to it. There are two
+    big towers, and two funny little squatty ones, with a big stone
+    railing around the top, and there are porches, terraces Uncle
+    Ridley says they call them, all of stone. They go pretty near
+    around the house, and then end in steps, broad ones, that make a
+    big curve and come down to the ground. I think that's a mighty
+    funny way to build them. The house is such a pretty grey color,
+    and some places there is moss growing all over the sides, and
+    there are ever so many vines too, that Uncle Ridley says would
+    hold me up, they are so old and strong. Inside everything is so
+    big and grand and dark, that I was afraid at first, and never
+    went around anywhere unless uncle went with me; but I'm getting
+    more used to it now, and like to hunt around, in the big rooms,
+    and walk around in the splendid halls. My rooms, I have four you
+    know, are all furnished so sweet in blue and white, with the
+    dearest little easy chairs and sofas, and the cunningest little
+    bed, with an angel on top holding the pretty curtains that come
+    down all around. I just thought at first that I would want to
+    stay in bed all the time. My maid has a little room just off my
+    bath room, and she is such a funny girl. She combs my hair and
+    dresses me, and all that, and talks all the time just like a
+    monkey. Her name is Bettine, and she always calls me Miss Jean.
+    My governess, Miss Serle, is such a dear, kind lady, and I'm
+    going to study awful hard, so as to know lots and make you
+    happy, dear mama, when I come home. Uncle Ridley is just the
+    dearest, nicest, kindest uncle that ever lived, I'm sure. He is
+    so good to me, and I love him like everything. Sometimes he
+    tells me about Mabel, and then he takes out his big red
+    handkerchief and cries; and I'm almost glad I'm lame so I can
+    look like her, and make him happier. Mabel Congreve must have
+    been a very sweet little girl, and very pretty; there are
+    pictures of her all over the house, but the one in the library
+    is the prettiest. She is all dressed in white, with such lovely
+    yellow curls, and sitting in the very little blue velvet chair
+    that I ride around in now. Uncle Ridley always sits in there,
+    and I do believe he talks to her. I have all of her things,
+    except her pony; he died, and mine is a new white one; such a
+    darling, and I go to ride every pleasant day in her little
+    buggy, with beautiful soft cushions and silk curtains. Her chair
+    is on wheels, and I can ride all over the house by myself, or
+    have Bettine draw me, whichever I want. All of her things are
+    just as nice as new, because Uncle Ridley has been so careful of
+    them. Yesterday he brought me her crutch, and said he wanted me
+    to use it. It is such a shiny, beautiful black wood, with a
+    silver rim and pad on the bottom, so it don't make any noise,
+    and a soft top covered with blue velvet.
+
+    "I always take my breakfast in my room, because Uncle Ridley
+    does not get up until so late, and it would be very dreary in
+    the big dining-room for me. After breakfast I take a ride either
+    in the house or out, then play awhile, or do as I please until
+    ten; then Miss Serle comes to my room, and my lessons last until
+    twelve. Dinner is gloomy. There is a servant stands behind Uncle
+    Ridley, and he is so tall and solemn looking in his white vest
+    and necktie, that I don't feel comfortable at all. After dinner
+    I play or ride until two o'clock, then I have my lessons and my
+    music 'till four, and after that Miss Serle almost always reads
+    to me awhile. I practice from five o'clock for a half an hour,
+    then play 'till eight o'clock, and that is time for me to go to
+    bed. Some days Uncle Ridley takes me into Staunton with him.
+
+    "I believe I have told you everything now that you asked me
+    about, and I've tried hard to write a nice letter, because you
+    were always so particular about it, I've looked in the
+    dictionary for all the words I wasn't sure of, and I hope you
+    will not find many mistakes. Do please, dear mama and girls,
+    write me long, long letters, because I get so lonesome and
+    homesick for you all. Every night when I say my prayers and ask
+    God to take care of you all, I can hardly keep from crying, and
+    sometimes I do, and then Bettine looks so sorry and most like
+    she wanted to cry too.
+
+    "The doctor that Uncle Ridley wants to have me see first, is
+    very sick, you know I told you, but he is getting better, and
+    perhaps I will not have to wait so long. Oh, my dear mama, I
+    know you ask God to let me grow straight, but please ask Him a
+    very great many times, so that He will be quite sure to hear. I
+    do.
+
+    "I am going into Staunton with Uncle Ridley to put this in the
+    office myself, so you will know it came right from me with a
+    kiss on it.
+
+    "Good-bye, my dear, darling mama and sisters,
+        "Your own
+            "JEANIE."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+WHAT OLIVE HEARD.
+
+
+Mr. Dane had closed his office at four o'clock. Nobody cared why he did
+so, and when he informed his book-keeper that she could go home, she
+never stopped to wonder why, but wiped her pens, straightened her desk,
+got into her wrappings and went, with her mind fixed on a certain
+picture that needed much that these two vacation hours could give.
+
+It was snowing very hard, great blinding flakes that came whirling
+defiantly into your eyes, nose, and mouth; almost preventing a necessary
+amount of sight and breath: and they had collected to such depth, that
+walking was a matter of much labor, and only a few plucky pedestrians
+were out to enliven the quiet shrouded streets. Olive plunged rapidly
+along with her head down and seemed more engrossed with her own
+thoughts, than with any contemplation of the weather, for she whisked
+the impudent flakes aside and seemed to be looking down at something
+that was neither of earth, earthy, or of snow, snowy, but quite beyond
+the realm of either. She was scowling much the same as usual only in
+something of a puzzled way, that had less of the impatient dissatisfied
+tinge to it than was customary. In fact she was thinking of that last
+talk she had had with her mother, before Mr. Congreve went back to
+Virginia, when she had resolved in a vague hasty way, that she was going
+to do differently; and really, how little good, or change, had come from
+the resolution. She didn't think, to begin with, that she was any worse
+than the rest, or that she needed changing any more, but rather any
+thing, than be like Mr. Congreve! So she summed up all she knew of him,
+resolved on what was disagreeable, and began to model herself
+accordingly. So to begin with she was no longer so hasty or bitter, in
+speech I mean, for her inner-self was not touched, she only kept it all
+to herself now, instead of speaking it out as formerly, but if she
+thought herself changed there, she was the only one deceived, for our
+inner minds do not always require the aid of language to photograph
+themselves before the world. Next, instead of staying with the girls out
+of store hours, and running the risk of losing her temper, she held
+herself sternly aloof, always in the security of her own room, and at
+the end of a week was apt to say to herself with some satisfaction:
+
+"There, I surely have done well; haven't been mad with any one this
+week, which is more than the other girls can say;" and there never came
+any thought that the sisters were hurt over her manner, for, indeed, she
+had worked herself up to the bitter belief, that they did not want her,
+she was so ugly, and so unlike them in all ways.
+
+Now what puzzled her was the girls. Here she had worked (yes, she
+thought she had worked), she certainly ought to be improved, and yet
+they seemed to think no more of her than before. Way down in Olive's
+heart, was a longing,--choked and starved, that was beginning to assert
+itself. When home held mother and father and everything that could make
+a girl contented, she had not felt, or rather, listened to it; she
+compelled herself to be without it; but now, when they were left alone,
+when their daily life and happiness was so utterly dependent upon each
+other, she began to realize how she was out of the loving circle that
+bound her sisters together, and what a gulf of her own make, seemed to
+lie between them. She stood beside it in frequent contemplation, but
+never recognized her own handiwork, so she eyed it bitterly, and thought
+them cruelly unkind.
+
+This was what she was thinking about as she plunged through the storm,
+looking like an animated snow-figure, so powdered was she; and regarding
+herself for a moment, Olive went round to the back door, so as to
+dispose of her ladened garments and brush off her shoes This done, she
+went into the kitchen, where a warm atmosphere still lingered, and,
+preferring to be alone, sat down there, with her feet in the oven and
+her chin in her hands, and once more fell into a brown study. Only a few
+minutes later, Kittie came into the dining-room for something, and on
+going back, failed to close the door, so that the murmur of voices came
+quite distinctly out to the quiet kitchen. A discussion was warmly in
+progress, and in a minute Olive started out of her reverie at hearing
+her name spoken.
+
+"What's the use? Olive knows, or ought to know better." It was
+Ernestine's voice.
+
+"But, mama says," interposed Bea, mildly persuasive, "that we don't try
+hard enough; we give up too soon."
+
+"Bother," cried Kat, "would she have us always playing the 'gentle
+sister, meek and mild,' and go whining about Olive as though her company
+was a great honor. I'm sure we had a season of always begging her to go
+with us, and didn't she snap us up like a rat-trap?"
+
+"She--well--she's very odd you know," said Bea, wondering if her quiver
+of defense would outlast the arrows of complaint.
+
+"Yes, odd, as an odd shoe," laughed Kat with a yawn.
+
+"What did mama say to you, Bea?" asked Ernestine.
+
+"She said that Olive's greatest fault was being so nasty and sensitive,
+and that because she was rather plain and--"
+
+"She isn't," interrupted Kittie, with much energy. "I think she has
+beautiful eyes, if she just wouldn't scowl so much, and when she laughs
+her mouth and teeth are just as pretty, only she never laughs more'n
+once a month, so people don't know it. Not one of us has such lovely
+thick hair as she has, and if she just would wave or crimp it a little
+bit in front, I think--well, I think she would be real pretty." And
+overcome with this valuable earnest defence, Kittie sat down and looked
+complacent.
+
+"When I see Olive Dering crimping her hair, and laughing instead of
+scowling, I will look for the end of the world," said Ernestine, with
+some asperity, as she walked over to the glass and surveyed her own
+hair, which Kittie had intimated was inferior to Olive's. "She can't do
+it, she was made to frown and stay by herself and she better do it."
+
+"You don't mean it, Ernestine, you know you don't," said Bea, in a tone
+of calm conviction, and beginning to feel that the duties of elder
+sister imposed a warmer defense of this abused one, upon her. "I want to
+tell you how I feel, though it may be nothing as you all do. I really
+believe Olive thinks we do not want her, because, for so long time
+lately, we have just let her alone, and she always goes----"
+
+"None of us ever receive a special invitation to join this circle,"
+interrupted Kat, briskly. "Why should she?"
+
+"I don't know, but she is so strange," answered Bea, rather helplessly,
+but not giving up. "And because she is so, we have sort a' stayed
+together and let her alone. When we used to try to get her to go with
+us, I think she always refused, because she thought she was ugly, and we
+did not try long enough to overcome this feeling, and now she imagines
+we don't want her."
+
+"Stuff," persisted Kat, "I wouldn't act that way if I was as ugly as a
+wilted pumpkin and cross-eyed. What's the use?"
+
+"None," promptly responded Beatrice. "But if you were like her, very
+likely you'd feel as she does."
+
+"Catch me," laughed Kat, jumping up and making a scornful spin on her
+heel. "What do you say, Kittie?"
+
+"I had my say a minute ago," answered Kittie, who was evidently thinking
+out something over the flames.
+
+"I wonder what makes her hate Uncle Ridley so?" was Ernestine's query,
+as she turned from the glass, having satisfied herself that Kittie was
+certainly wrong about Olive's hair.
+
+"I never could imagine," answered Bea, with evident curiosity.
+
+"She won't call him, uncle, and the dress he sent her is in mama's room,
+and Olive says, she'll never wear it."
+
+"May be she would give it me," suggested Kat. "I think hers was prettier
+than any of the rest."
+
+"Well, I don't," said Ernestine, taking exceptions to this remark also.
+"Why hers is black?"
+
+"I'm perfectly aware of that, also, that yours is purple, Bea's brown,
+mine and Kittie's grey; tell me something I don't know," said Kat
+flippantly. "I wish ours were black, it's so stylish."
+
+That black was more stylish than purple, was an idea quite beneath
+Ernestine's notice, so she went back to her former query.
+
+"I would like to know, anyhow, what makes Olive dislike him so." For
+Mrs. Dering had not thought it necessary that the girls should know of
+their father's final appeal, and Mr. Congreve's reception thereof; so
+they were all equally curious, and so, nobody being able to give an
+answer, Kat ventured an assertion.
+
+"She hates him just because it's a part of her religion to hate
+everybody, and, to go around with her fist doubled up ready to fight. I
+believe she'd hate us with a little trying."
+
+"Kat," cried Beatrice, with some severity. "You must not speak so, it is
+wrong, and you don't mean it Why, if any one else was to say such things
+about Olive, you'd pretty near fight."
+
+"To be sure I would," said Kat with ready inconsistency. "I truly think
+Olive is a trump, and I'd cheerfully knock anybody down who said she
+wasn't. I don't know what we would have done without her in the trouble,
+and I do wish she wasn't so odd, and stayed away from us so."
+
+"She makes me think of a chestnut burr," said Kittie resorting to
+figurative comparisons. "There's lots of good in her, but she won't let
+any one get at it. If we try, she shuts up and gets prickly. I never
+thought much about it, until here lately, and then she was so splendid,
+and knew how to do everything; and, I begin to think that there is ever
+so much more to her than we think, even if she is queer, and don't seem
+to like us much."
+
+"Well, I wouldn't worry so about her," interposed Ernestine, as though
+the subject wearied her. "She evidently don't like us excessively, or
+care about being with us, so leave her alone. Bea, come let's try our
+duet."
+
+Olive had sat perfectly still, and heard all this, quite unconscious
+that her feet were getting chilly in the cold oven, or that, perhaps,
+she should have notified them of her presence. She had a vague feeling,
+as of one trying hard to solve a problem, and pausing suddenly in her
+vain efforts, to listen to some one solving it for her. But surely they
+could not be right! Olive left her seat noiselessly, and went up the
+back stairs to her room. It was bitterly cold there, but she wrapped her
+shawl about her, and sat down by the window, where the fast falling
+snow was almost hidden in a heavy wrap of early twilight. Olive did not
+often pray. To be sure she said her prayers every night, as properly and
+methodical as clockwork, and was very particular about always kneeling
+down, as though position could atone for any lacking earnestness; for
+she was just as apt to be thinking of her account-book, or Mr. Dane's
+last order, as of anything, in the hurried words that slid over her
+lips. Yes, she prayed in this way once in every twenty-four hours, but
+there never came to her any of those sudden, passionate appeals for help
+or strength, when the whole heart leaps to the lips, or pleads dumbly,
+in its great need. Notwithstanding all teachings to the point, it never
+really occurred to her that God had as quick and sympathetic an ear for
+a little prayer of few words over some trivial worry, given silently in
+the busy kitchen, or on the crowded street, as He had for those when she
+knelt down at night, and absently asked for her daily bread, and to
+forgive as she was forgiven, and then get properly into bed and
+refrained from speaking again, lest she spoilt the effect. At any rate,
+the first prayer that had ever sprung to her lips, with the suddenness
+of utter helplessness, came from them now, as she sat there, trying to
+think and battle with hasty conclusions that would spring up:
+
+"Oh God, please don't let me try to think it out alone, because I will
+get it all wrong if I do. If it is my fault, make me feel it and know
+how to act, and don't let me be so odd, or whatever it is that makes me
+feel as I do."
+
+With the earnestness of the request, came a quiet feeling that she felt
+to be her answer, and all the time she sat there, which was until the
+supper-bell rang, she felt more contented than ever before with her
+thoughts. Not that God immediately took away her faults, and left her
+placid and quiet, with nothing to battle against, because He does not do
+that way; it can never be said to us: "Well done, good and faithful
+servant," if we've done nothing; and the battling with our faults and
+worries is just as much our work, as the successful doing of some great
+deed that may bring both God's pleasure and an earthly halo.
+
+When Mrs. Dering came home on Friday evening, she was quick to note a
+change of some kind, not but what every one seemed the same at a quick
+observation, but, there was a something. Now don't think that any thing
+so unnatural and improbable had happened, as Olive being bereft of all
+faults, and suddenly clothed in the guise of a household angel, because
+there hadn't, there never does; but she had thought much, and Olive had
+a mind capable of more deep reasoning thought than most girls of
+fifteen; she stopped fighting herself with weapons solely of her own
+make, but sent many a little wordless prayer for a different feeling,
+and then she found that it came more easily, and more completely
+triumphed over its enemy. To-night she had a little ribbon tied in her
+hair, only a small thing, but something unusual for Olive, and Mrs.
+Dering noticed that the bow at her throat was just of the same shade,
+also something unusual. Now over just this little thing, Olive had stood
+in silence, while two feelings within her held an argument:
+
+"What's the use," said one; "you're as ugly as fate, and the girls will
+laugh; besides if you go in the sitting-room after supper, they will say
+you just did it to make them say something."
+
+"No such thing," retorted the other, "You've no right to think such
+things, when they've given you no reason. Go on right down stairs, you
+know they want you, they said they did." And so she had gone down
+immediately,--perhaps she took a little pleasure in defying
+herself,--and though the girls saw the ribbons the moment she came in,
+no one said anything, for there came a feeling to each, that she would
+not want them spoken of.
+
+Mrs. Dering noticed also that when they were gathered in the
+sitting-room after supper, that instead of sitting off in the far corner
+of the lounge as usual, she had joined the circle about the table, and
+was busy on some worsted work.
+
+Ernestine was rocking idly with her pretty feet displayed on the fender,
+and her prettier hands clasped above her head, in an attitude both
+graceful and becoming. She was surveying the group about the table,
+where all hands were busy, and all tongues going merrily, and more than
+once her eyes went from Olive's ribbon's to Olive's face, so changed
+under the effect of a smile. They were talking of father now, with their
+voices lowered a little, and looking up frequently to the large
+portrait, as if expecting him to answer, and she wondered a little, what
+could be the matter with Olive, that she talked so much more than usual.
+
+"A penny for your thoughts Ernestine," said Bea, in a pause that came
+presently.
+
+"I was just thinking how hard it was to be disappointed," answered
+Ernestine, as pathetically as though the whole world had grieved her in
+some way.
+
+"What's your disappointment! tell us," cried Kittie with interest; and
+everybody looked up expectant at the young lady who "had a
+disappointment."
+
+"Why, I want to study with great masters and be a splendid wonderful
+singer, with the whole world at my feet, and sending me elegant
+presents," said Ernestine, who always liked to tell her little
+grievances or wants, and receive condolence or help.
+
+"What a modest desire," laughed Kat. "Hasn't some one else got a
+disappointment, because they can't sit on a gold throne and eat sauce
+made of pearls with a gold spoon?"
+
+"I've got one," said Bea, with her head over her sewing. "I'd like to
+have mama stay home and be easy, and I'd like to have lots of pretty
+clothes and some real lace."
+
+"Well, I've got one," announced Kat briskly. "I don't like being poor. I
+hate pots and kettles worse than mad dogs. I would like a wheel-barrow
+full of butter-scotch every day and a pair of slippers with blue tops
+and French heels. I haven't got any talent, so I needn't worry about
+never being able to bring it out; it would scare me to death if I had
+one, because talented people are always expected to do something big.
+That's all, and I don't know really where the disappointment is, but I
+guess it's the butter-scotch and slippers. What's yours Kittie?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Kittie, with a sigh and a glance at her hands.
+"I guess mine's having to wash dishes, and not having black eyes, and
+not being able to travel all over the world."
+
+"Well, I've got one too," said Olive, to every one's intense surprise,
+as they did not suppose that she was paying any attention to what they
+were saying, much less to join them. "I'd like to be as beautiful as the
+loveliest portrait ever seen, and be able to paint the grandest pictures
+in the world."
+
+Everyone was silent with astonishment. For Olive to express two wishes,
+and such exaggerated ones, before them all, was something no one could
+fully appreciate who had not heard her repeatedly ridicule the same when
+uttered by the others.
+
+Mrs. Dering had been sewing and listening with a smile, but now she
+glanced up, met Olive's eyes, and the smile brightened warmly, and there
+was something in it that made Olive's heart feel happy and glad that she
+had made her little speech, though she had hesitated before doing so.
+
+"I don't suppose anybody cares to hear about my disappointments," said
+Mrs. Dering, not looking as if she had any.
+
+"Yes, we do; I was just going to ask," exclaimed Kittie, moving closer.
+"I know you've got heaps, and they're not about clothes and
+butter-scotch, and eyes, and doing great things either. Now tell us
+all."
+
+"I don't see why I should have heaps," began Mrs. Dering, with a laugh.
+"Is it because I am so old, or do I look as though I had been weighted
+down with them?"
+
+"Why, no indeed; but didn't you ever have any, really?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, my dear girls, many; that at the time, perhaps seemed very
+hard and bitter; but I came through them, and have seen some happy,
+happy days where their shadow never fell. I tell you what would be a
+very bitter disappointment to me now, and that would be to have my
+girls grow to womanhood, and each be discontented with her lot. I would
+feel as though all my love and labor had been in vain. It is my constant
+regret that I cannot give you each a complete and finished education,
+and supply home with all the comforts we love; but when I look at you
+now, all working so bravely, and receiving with so little complaint your
+rigid discipline, it makes me happy indeed, because I see in you, a
+womanly strength and character, that a life of ease, comfort, and few
+self-denials, could never have brought out clearly, and I know that God
+has chosen this way to make our girls the dear noble women we want them.
+I would that He had seen best to leave father with us, but He did not,
+so we must just feel that He still loves, and is interested in us, and
+have just as much thought for His approval as when _he_ was with us.
+Now, about your disappointments;" and there she paused to glance around,
+but each young face was warm with interest, so she went on with her
+cheery smile:
+
+"Here Ernestine, to begin with, wants to conquer the world with song,
+and receive elegant presents. Dearie, to conquer the world, the great,
+many-faced world, one's head and heart must be capable and willing to
+assume any and every guise; to stoop to every form of policy that
+secures the fickle smile; to bend to all its freaks, until it is
+subject to yours; and after you had done this, after you had spent your
+life's sweetest and purest years in studying the art of deceit and
+triumph, and had brought the beautiful wicked world to your feet, would
+you be quite happy? Could you ever be again the fresh, untouched, pure
+hearted creature that you are now? I'm afraid not, dear; and your
+warmest, greatest longing, would come back to home and girlhood, when
+you only knew the world's wickedness by hearsay, when you owed it
+nothing, and never heard its grasping cry for pay for its homage.
+
+"Bea wants pretty clothes, and regrets that mother must work. Quite
+natural, dear, we all love pretty clothes, and I hope some time we can
+have all we want, providing it does not become a chief and selfish
+desire. Mother loves to work for her girls, and only regrets that it
+must take her from them so much of the time, for the dearest light to a
+mother's life, the brightest cloud that receives that life's setting
+sun, is found in the circle of her children's faces. To go back to Bea,
+she wants some real lace; I hope she may have it some time; it is a
+beautiful and valuable addition to a lady's wardrobe. But I am quite
+sure that the face of my Beatrice could never look lovelier over a garb
+of rarest and most exquisite workmanship than it does to-night, over a
+pretty linen band, with its womanly thoughtfulness and care."
+
+Bea flushed joyfully, and bent lower over her sewing, while mother went
+on, with a glance at Kat's expectant face:
+
+"Next comes one of papa's 'boys' with such a hodgepodge of a
+disappointment, that I can hardly make out which part of it grieves her,
+or if any does. She don't like pots and kettles, but they often teach us
+unromantic but necessary lessons that fans and perfumery never could. A
+wheel-barrow per day of butter-scotch would soon leave her more than she
+could manage or desire, and slippers with satin tops and high heels,
+would only prove themselves useless and injurious. She also says she has
+no talent, but she has a rare and valuable one, that of making the best
+of all her little trials and grievances, of keeping her daily sunshine
+free from clouds, and making home happy with her cheerful, happy heart."
+
+Kittie gave her mother's hand a grateful squeeze, for praise given to
+either of the twins was dear to the other; and Kat sank out of her sight
+in her chair, quite overcome, and resolved heartily to cultivate her
+talent to the uttermost.
+
+"Now, our other 'boy,'" continued Mrs. Dering, smiling down into
+Kittie's upturned face, "wants black eyes, don't like dish-washing, and
+would like to travel. I wonder if she thinks I would give up these
+brave, true, trusty blue eyes, for all the black ones in the universe.
+They show what a warm, faithful heart lies within, a heart that shares
+its twin's talent for making sunshine out of shadows, and home happy
+with its laughter. A life without a dish-pan misses a good
+disciplinarian, and, sometimes, a teacher of patience; it's like pots
+and kettles--unpleasant but necessary, so the sooner we take hold, when
+we have it to handle, and the better the grace with which we handle it,
+just so much have we brought our rebellious likes and dislikes under
+control, and made the best of our duty. While you are getting ready to
+travel, dear, read the works of those who have travelled, have your mind
+fresh and ready to more heartily enjoy what others have seen and made
+immortal through the power of their pen, and if it is best that that
+pleasure should be given you, it will come at the right time.
+
+"Our Olive next. I wonder if she thinks that though her face was as
+exquisitely beautiful as the rarest picture ever painted, that it could
+be any more precious to our sight, than it is now; or if beauty of the
+loveliest type would be taken in exchange for the strong, earnest
+character and brave, true heart that is stamped in it. The most
+beautiful face may sometimes, by nature's indelible portrayer, reveal
+itself soulless in heart and mind; and the plainest face possess an
+irresistible charm, if it is allowed to interpret the emotions of a
+truly noble heart. I have no ambition that my little girl should paint
+the grandest pictures in the world, but I hope before long to give her
+instructions in the art that she loves, and then I want her to use to
+the uttermost, the beautiful talent God has given her, and though it
+should fall far short of being the grandest picture, I should be very
+happy, and quite content."
+
+Mrs. Dering began folding up her sewing as she finished, and the girls
+did likewise, looking as though they had taken the little talk to heart
+and were thinking over it. Olive went out for her account-books and her
+face wore a happier look, than any one could remember seeing there
+lately. Before they got through examining and comparing accounts, the
+other girls said good-night and went up stairs, and when the last book
+was pushed aside, Mrs. Dering put her arm around Olive, who sat on the
+stool at her feet, and looked down at her with a smile.
+
+"I like this, dear," she said, touching the ribbons. "And you have made
+me so much happier to-night, by looking more happy, what is it dear?"
+
+"Nothing, mama," answered Olive. "Only I came home early one day, when
+the girls didn't know it, and I heard them talking about me. They said
+how queer and odd I was, and how they felt hurt, because I always stayed
+away from them, and some more things, and mama, I was so amazed. I
+always thought they didn't want me, and I didn't know which way to
+believe and I,--I just asked God to help me; and I guess He did. It's
+terrible hard work, though I've only tried it a few days. I'm so ugly,
+and I've got such a dreadful temper, and always want to think the wrong
+way, but I notice that I really have been happier these few days; and
+mama, to-night, you--" Olive paused and looked up shyly, she did not
+often say such things and it cost something of a little effort to
+begin--"you looked so happy and I couldn't help but feel that it was
+because you were glad, and I really am going to try all the harder now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LITTLE BLACK TRUNK.
+
+
+When Spring came, spirits and strength began to flag. Everything without
+was so alluring, that indoors and duties grew dreadfully monotonous and
+tiresome. Bea found that her sweeping and dusting fell terribly behind,
+because she spent so much time sitting in the window-sills, and standing
+in the doors, where the sunshine was so temptingly clear and warm, and
+from where the yard and trees, so rapidly budding out, could be enjoyed.
+Olive dreaded her close dark counting-room, but said little about it, in
+the belief that complaining wouldn't help. Ernestine's four scholars
+lessened to two, and as the days grew warmer she spent much of the time
+on the lounge, looking listless, and betraying little interest in
+anything.
+
+Kittie and Kat, found that snatching moments from work, to take a race
+down the yard, or gather some particular cluster of fresh young
+blossoms, gave dish-water a chance to cool; or dust, left ready for
+taking up, to blow back to all corners of the room. Meals began to fall
+behind, but everybody was too warm and listless to eat much, or mind the
+tardiness. In short, everybody had the spring fever, but such ordinary
+complaint was not noticed, until, as the heat grew more debilitating,
+Bea said to her mother one evening, as they stood in the door, looking
+out into the soft still moonlight that lay so purely over the fresh
+early grass and blossoms:--"Mama, seems to me Ernestine is not well."
+
+Bea could not understand why her mother should start so, at such a
+slight intimation, or why her face should look so anxious as she turned
+it.
+
+"Why, dear?"
+
+"She lies down so much; it may be because the weather has turned warm so
+suddenly, but seems to me, she is so pale and quiet, and it is something
+so unusual, that I couldn't help but notice it; but then, may be, it's
+nothing after all."
+
+"Only the weather, I fancy," answered Mrs. Dering; but Bea saw that she
+looked uneasy, and that all that evening she watched Ernestine, who lay
+on the lounge, more lively than she had been for several days, with a
+sparkling light in her eyes, and a rich color in her face, that made her
+more beautiful than mother or sisters had ever seen her before. Bea
+watched her mother with some anxiety and no little curiosity. How sad
+and troubled her eyes looked, as they rested on Ernestine's radiant
+face, while every now and then a tremble seized her lips, even while she
+smiled at the continual merry nonsense that seemed to possess the girls
+that night.
+
+"Ernestine's going to run away," announced Kittie, presently, with some
+abruptness; but no one but Bea, who was on the alert, saw how her mother
+started, with a force that ran her needle clear under her thumb nail, or
+how excessively pale she was as she wiped off the little drops of blood.
+
+"That I am," laughed Ernestine gayly. "Some of these fine mornings I'll
+be gone, and you'll find a touching little note on my pin-cushion; and
+after I've earned piles of glory and money, I'll come back in an elegant
+carriage, and set you all up in luxury."
+
+Everybody laughed, and professed much impatience for the delightful time
+to arrive; but Mrs. Dering pushed her sewing aside with an impatient
+hand that trembled, and proposed that Ernestine sing for them, which she
+immediately did, with a bewildering bird-like witchery, that held them
+all entranced, and made the girls sigh more than once, that some of the
+flute-like tones had not been given to them, as their talent.
+
+Mrs. Dering's last look and words, when she left next morning, were for
+Ernestine, who looked languid and pale in the sunshine, with all her
+radiant sparkle and color gone, and no sound or look of song about her
+lips; and after the hack had gone, and the girls returned to the house,
+Kat said to Kittie, with much resentment in her voice:
+
+"Ernestine always was the petted one in this family. Just see how
+anxious mama is about her having a little spring fever, and what an easy
+time she has, anyhow. Only two music scholars! I guess we've got the
+spring fever just as bad as she has, but we have to work just as hard as
+ever, and I don't think it is fair."
+
+And Kittie, notwithstanding she had some such thoughts herself, answered
+promptly:
+
+"Well, I suppose there's a reason of some kind, because you know Kat,
+mama never would do anything unfair. Perhaps she thinks Ernestine is
+more delicate than we are."
+
+"Delicate--fiddlesticks! I've three minds to believe it's because she's
+got such big brown eyes and yellow hair, and is so--well--so--"
+
+"Ain't you ashamed," interrupted Kittie, slamming down her dishes. "To
+hint at such a thing, Kat Dering!"
+
+The very next evening that brought Mrs. Dering home, brought her with a
+proposition for Ernestine to go into the country for a week or two,
+giving her two pupils a vacation for that length of time. Perhaps it
+occurred to each of the girls that they needed the rest just as much,
+if not a little more than Ernestine, and perhaps Mrs. Dering detected
+the look in their faces, for she sighed, and Bea discovered that the
+same sad look, only deepened and more anxious, lingered in her eyes; and
+to show her repentance for a moment's complaining thought, she entered
+heartily into Ernestine's selfish joy.
+
+"Just think how I will ride horseback," cried Ernestine, gayly. "I must
+fix out a habit some way, mama, and girls, you must let me have all your
+pretty things, because Mrs. Raymond's girls dress beautifully, and
+entertain a great deal."
+
+"But my dear," spoke her mother, "I am sending you out there to rest, to
+enjoy their lovely home, and to grow stronger on country air, not to
+frolic and waste all your strength."
+
+"Oh, mama, what an idea!" laughed Ernestine. "Why, I'm not sick, I don't
+need rest, all I want is a little fun and something gay. Look at Bea;
+she's as pale as a little ghost; you might talk about sending her out to
+the country to be quiet, and drink milk, but not me. I don't need it."
+And Ernestine nodded gayly to her own radiant reflection in the glass
+opposite; then without waiting for any answer, jumped up and waltzed
+around the room.
+
+"What a blessing it is that Uncle Ridley gave us the dresses. My purple
+is just as stylish as can be, only I do wish, mama, you'd have let me
+had a train to it; I'm so tall, and plenty old enough. Bea, will you let
+me have that pretty gilt butterfly that you fixed for your hair, and
+your gold cuff pins? I've lost one of mine, and they are always such an
+addition to one's dress. Olive, you never wore your new black kids much;
+let me take them, will you? mine look worn, and I do love nice gloves;
+they always mark a lady. And your new dress. I do need a black one
+dreadfully, and you say you never will wear yours, so you might just as
+well give it to me,--loan it, anyhow."
+
+"You may have it, for all I care," answered Olive. "But my gloves are
+one of the things that I cannot loan."
+
+"Nor the dress," said Mrs. Dering, quickly. "You have quite enough
+dresses, Ernestine, and besides, Olive's is from her Uncle Ridley, and
+she cannot give it away."
+
+Ernestine couldn't see any sense of having it lay upstairs in the
+drawer, though she did not say so; and privately thought that perhaps
+she could coax her mother around, since Olive was so willing. It proved
+quite a vain idea, however, though she made it her last request in the
+morning, before her mother left.
+
+"No, Ernestine, I spoke quite as decidedly the first time you asked me.
+Be all ready to go by this day week, you have not much sewing to do.
+Good-bye, once more, my girls; be careful of the lights, take good care
+of yourselves and do not get sick. Write to Jean to-morrow, a nice long
+letter and tell her everything. Good-bye."
+
+So she went away again, and nothing discouraged at her inability to
+secure Olive's dress, Ernestine danced gayly into the house and off to
+her room, to overlook, for the dozenth time, her little collection of
+trinkets, and to sing blithely over her dresses; for she did possess the
+spirit of coming down cheerfully to any thing inevitable excepting work,
+and then, perhaps, mama would relent at the final moment, when she saw
+how much a black dress was really needed.
+
+"It's as lonesome as a desert, and Ernestine is selfish as a pig,"
+declared Kittie, subsiding gloomily on to the stairs as the hack rattled
+out of sight.
+
+"Two solemn facts, but they won't wash the dishes," rejoined Kat,
+balancing over the bannisters, in a way that threatened immediate
+perpendicularity, with a change of base from what was customary.
+
+"I hate dishes and dish-pans and everything," exclaimed Kittie with much
+vehemence. "Any how, this is your week to wash, and mine to wipe; go
+along and get the old things ready, and I'll be out in a minute."
+
+"I'll change with you next week," said Beatrice turning from the door,
+where she had stood contemplatively. "You and Kat may tend to all the
+sweeping, and dusting, and keeping the house in order, and I'll do the
+kitchen work."
+
+"Hurrah, will you?" cried Kittie, flying up from her despondent
+attitude. "You're a jewel, Bea, shake hands."
+
+Bea surrendered her hand with some misgiving, rightfully conjecturing
+that it would receive a shake and twist of over-powering heartiness in
+the high tide of Kittie's spirits; and that young lady, having done her
+best to dislocate that useful member, rushed off to impart the news to
+Kat, and swing her dish rag jubilantly.
+
+The change of instruments, as the girls said, took place Monday morning.
+Bea awoke, to find her bed-posts ornamented variously, with a dish-pan,
+a flaunting rag and two scrupulously neat towels, while there was a
+sound of revelry in the lower hall, which would indicate that the twins
+were up, and at their new branch of work, with a vigor which novelty
+always imparts to labor. Not that there was anything so novel to a broom
+or dust-pan, but they were so tired of their work, that Bea's really
+seemed delightful and easy and much to be envied.
+
+"You must have been anxious to get to work," said that sister, coming
+down the stairs with her post ornaments, and interrupting a lively
+skirmish, where brooms flew around through the air, with a cheerful
+disregard for the swinging lamp, or any one's head.
+
+"Anxious to get through, you mean," laughed Kat, throwing down her
+weapon, and tumbling her dishevelled hair into a net. "Hollo, Kittie,
+your corners are swept cleaner'n mine."
+
+"Of course," answered Kittie complacently, and turning her broom right
+end up, in a spasm of housewifely care. "You better go to work and do
+yours over; that's in the bargain, isn't it, Bea?"
+
+"Work to be done well," said Bea, surveying Kat's corners with a
+critical eye. "And those are not clean; you've slipped right by them."
+
+"Just as well," asserted Kat, whisking her broom about and scattering
+the dust that disgraced a small corner over such extent of surface that
+it could not be noticed. "That's the way. What's the use of being so
+particular?"
+
+Bea shook her head and declared it wouldn't do, then gave to Kittie the
+overwhelming responsibility of keeping Kat straight, and departed for
+the kitchen.
+
+"Set the blind to lead the blind," laughed Kat, spinning about on her
+heels, and finishing up with a hearty hug for Kittie, and the penitent
+remark: "You are getting lots better than I, that's a fact; and I must
+begin to brush up and sober down, or I'll be the black sheep of the
+flock,--as if I wasn't always that. But you really are getting terrible
+good, Kittie; I've seen it for a long time and it makes me
+uncomfortable; spin around and be gay like you used to."
+
+"Nonsense," laughed Kittie, then looked sober, and sat down upon the
+stairs suddenly. "I'm not good, Kat, it isn't that; I don't know how to
+be; but some way, I can't be as terribly wild and gay as I used to be,
+there seems to be so much more to think about now, and seems to me we
+ought to help think as much as the others, and besides, I don't think we
+ought to be so wild any more; why, Kat, we're in our teens!"
+
+"Suppose we are, dear me!" cried Kat, standing off and surveying her
+sister with a sort of vague alarm, "what ever is the matter with this
+family? Olive is getting so pleasant, and wears ribbons, and you're not
+going to be wild any more, and have gone to thinking; you'll both die
+next thing, good people always die; and anyhow, my fun's all up. I never
+can be gay if you sit around so solemn and goody-goody;" and Kat rumpled
+up her hair and looked desperate.
+
+"The idea, what a speech!" exclaimed Kittie, looking as if her new
+resolutions had received a shock. "As if I couldn't be sensible without
+being goody-goody, whatever that is. Pick up your broom and don't worry,
+my dear. I'll never die of being too good."
+
+Nevertheless, Kat looked forlorn all the rest of the day, and had spells
+of solemnly surveying Kittie, as though some wonderful change had taken
+place, and a pair of wings, or some equally astonishing thing might be
+the result. Next morning was as beautiful as a spring morning ever could
+be, and Kat took much comfort in the fact, that, in her haste to get out
+to the pond, Kittie flew about the sitting-room in a hurry, whisked the
+dirt under the stove, didn't stop to dust, except a rapid skim over the
+top, left the piano shut, neglected to put fresh flowers under father's
+portrait, and shut the blinds so as to hide all defects under a
+comfortable shielding gloom. Kat looked on and felt relieved. Kittie
+wasn't going to be so dreadfully good and proper after all, and much
+consoled, Kat put on her hat, and dashed out to the pond, where Kittie
+was already sailing about, with her head still ornamented in a dust-cap.
+
+Bea had watched their early departure from the field of work, with some
+misgiving, and decided to go and take a view of the house as soon as she
+got the dishes put away, but just at that moment, the door bell rang;
+and dear me, what should she do? The twins were at the farthest end of
+the pond, yelling like bedlamites, Bea declared. Ernestine had finished
+her small share of work, then put on her cocked-up hat with a blue bow,
+and gone down town; so there was no one left to see to the door, and
+smoothing down her hair, Bea hurried through the hall with flushed
+cheeks and some anxiety.
+
+True to a prophetic feeling which possessed her, the opening of the door
+disclosed to view the last person to be desired, on that or any other
+morning: Miss Strong, a regular Dickensonian old maid.
+
+"Good morning, sweet child!" she exclaimed, the moment Bea's dismayed
+face presented itself.
+
+"Good morning, Miss Strong; will you come in?"
+
+"Come in? Surely, dear. I want to see you all; and then I hear that you
+and your sisters are such model little housekeepers, and I think it is
+so lovely that you all, in your heart-rending afflictions, should bow so
+meekly beneath God's chastening rod, and put your shoulders to the
+wheel."
+
+Bea opened the sitting-room door in fear and trembling, and blinded by
+the spring sunshine, Miss Strong walked into the dark room, in her
+girlish, hasty way, and immediately stumbled over a footstool, and
+landed at full length on the lounge, with such force that she dropped
+her beaded reticule, and knocked her bonnet off.
+
+"Oh, I am so sorry," cried Bea, running to pick up the things, and
+return them to the startled and scarlet-faced spinster. "I don't know
+why Kittie shut the blinds, she oughtn't to."
+
+"No, I should say she hadn't, I should, indeed," returned Miss Strong,
+putting on her bonnet with a jerk, and snapping her reticule. "It's a
+sinful shame, the way some people keep their houses dark as dungeons, to
+hide dirt and dust. I have heard that you were neat housekeepers, but I
+can't help having my opinion of people who shut out every speck of
+light, and trip up respectable people in this way."
+
+Poor Bea's face burned and burned, and her heart throbbed faster as she
+went to the window, to open the blinds, feeling that her reputation was
+at stake, and that the first ray of light would kindle the faggots. Not
+a speck of dust, from the ceiling down, would escape Miss Strong's eagle
+eyes, and oh, how she would talk about it! Well, it was done; she threw
+them open, and turned around in the calmness of despair. The glaring
+sunshine came boldly in, and danced over the dusty table, over the top
+of the piano, where you might have written your name, right under the
+stove where the dirt lay thick, all around the corners, into Miss
+Strong's scornful, roving eyes, and into Bea's burning face. Miss Strong
+was angry. She never liked to be seen or heard under a disadvantage, and
+she surely had received an unreconcilable insult just now. Besides, she
+always went about seeking whom she might devour; she wore little
+spit-curls all over her sallow, wrinkled forehead, had a hooked nose, a
+long, sharp chin, a dried-apple mouth, and two fiercely bright eyes,
+that looked clear through you, and plainly indicated that she thought
+you all wrong, and at fault. Whenever she heard any one praised, she
+immediately set about finding a flaw somewhere, and heralded it to the
+world, as soon as found. She knew the Dering family were not as nice and
+worthy of praise and sympathy, as people seemed to think, and she had
+come this morning on purpose to find out, and then correct the deluded
+public mind. She was quite satisfied, and the "I-told-you-so" spirit
+was so jubilant within her, that she could hardly keep from flaunting it
+before Bea's distressed face. She satisfied herself, however, with
+looking at each dusty article with great care, brushing some imaginary
+specks from her dress, settling her bonnet, and asking abruptly:
+
+"How's your mother? I haven't long to stay."
+
+"She was quite well, thank you, the last time she was home," answered
+Bea, watching those eagle eyes in terror.
+
+"Umph! Pity she can't stay home," said Miss Strong, once more taking in
+the room with an unmistakable glance.
+
+"It's very lonely without her," assented Bea, catching sight of the
+wilted flowers under her father's portrait, and fervently hoping that
+her visitor's eye would not see them. But vain hope! Miss Strong's eyes
+went straight from the dirt under the stove up to the neglected vase,
+and she smiled in a way, that made Bea long to jump up and scream.
+
+"I have often wanted to see your father's portrait, and I have heard
+what beautiful flowers you always kept under it. So lovely!"
+
+"We do," answered Bea, with much dignity, and flashing a resentful
+glance at Miss Strong. "Papa loved flowers dearly, and we always love to
+have them under his picture; but Kittie must have been in a hurry, and
+forgotten it this morning."
+
+"In-deed," said Miss Strong slowly. "But excuse me, pray do, I wouldn't
+have spoken of it, but I supposed, of course, that this room had not
+been arranged for the day yet."
+
+"Well, it is very early," retorted Bea, stung quite out of her patient
+politeness; and Miss Strong got up immediately, shutting her mouth with
+a vicious snap.
+
+"I'm sure I wouldn't have called so early," she said shortly. "But I am
+soliciting for the Church Fund, and having heard how exceedingly
+generous and willing you all were to give to all such causes, I made my
+first call here, confident that it would yield me encouragement."
+
+Poor Bea colored violently again, remembering that she only had enough
+money to pay the grocery bill, due to-morrow, and yet Miss Strong had
+made her feel as though she must give something; every one would expect
+it.
+
+"I'm very sorry," she said, slowly. "But I really cannot this morning."
+
+"In-deed," said Miss Strong again. "But then, people will be mistaken
+once in a while; I must bid you good morning, Miss Dering;" and out she
+stalked, before Bea could gain her breath.
+
+When Kittie and Kat came in from the pond a little while later, they
+found Bea, lying on the lounge and sobbing, with a despairing energy,
+that excited their liveliest alarm, and made all horrible things seem
+possible, from mother's death down to the breaking of the cherished
+family tea-pot. Bea told her story, but hadn't room to remonstrate, for
+the sobs that caught her breath; and the girls listened in grave alarm.
+
+"Who cares for old Polly Strong?" cried Kat, with defiant irreverence,
+and throwing her hat to the ceiling.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry," cried Kittie, running to comfort the prostrate chief.
+"It's all my fault; Kat swept the parlor this morning and I cleaned in
+here. Oh, I am ashamed, and so sorry, Bea dear."
+
+"Well--well, I think it's too--too bad," sobbed Bea, uncomforted. "She
+talked so mean, and--and--she'll tell everybody that--that--I'm no
+housekeeper, and then--then, mama--"
+
+"If she does," interrupted Kat fiercely, "I'll tell every mortal man,
+woman and child, in turn, that she's a meddling old thing, if they don't
+know it already; and I'll tell them just the truth about this room,
+too."
+
+"It was horrible in me," sighed Kittie in great self-reproach. "And when
+you were so kind as to change, too. We'll go right back to the dishes,
+Bea, and not disgrace your work any more, and I'll go right to work and
+clean this room decent, so that everything will shine until you can see
+your face in it."
+
+By this time Ernestine's wardrobe was pretty near ready to go upon her
+visit. She had exercised her ingenuity in making few things look their
+best and go a long way; and her selfishness in getting every available
+thing from the girls, without ever expressing a wish that they were
+going to share the pleasure; because, she reasoned in her mind, if they
+were going, she couldn't have all their pretty things, so better be
+still, than express an untruthful desire. On the day after the Strong
+visit, she came from down-town, and walked up to the house, very much as
+if she were a little ashamed to go in, but which she did, with an
+assumption of indifference, and came into the room where the girls were
+sitting.
+
+"I've got the last things," she said with a laugh, tinged with an
+uneasiness that no one noticed, and unwrapping a small parcel.
+
+"What?" asked Bea, glancing up with interest; then looked at the open
+paper, and did not say another word.
+
+Kittie and Kat did likewise, and in a moment Ernestine broke the silence
+with an impatient laugh.
+
+"Well, what do you all look so horrified at? It was my own money, I
+guess, and precious little at that."
+
+"What did you pay for them?" asked Bea gravely.
+
+"These--" Ernestine held up a pair of snowy kids, with three buttons--"I
+got for a dollar and a half, cheap, because one finger is a little
+soiled. This--" lifting a creamy tip, with pale blue shading--"was two
+dollars. Won't it look lovely in my black hat?"
+
+"Yes, it will look lovely," said Bea slowly; she was really too
+astonished and hurt to say any more; but Kat cried out explosively:
+
+"Oh Ernestine Dering! you selfish, selfish, old--pig, you--" "Know mama
+wants shoes," interrupted Kittie, with her voice full of indignant
+tears. "And you heard her say the last time she was home, that she did
+not want to spend the money for them, and here you spend three dollars
+and a half for--"
+
+"Things that I want," finished Ernestine, getting up and pushing her
+chair away. "I've worked hard, and I think I might spend a very little
+bit of my own money. You all don't seem to think so, and you're not very
+pleasant, so I'll just leave you until you are in a better humor."
+
+With that she went out, feeling really as though she were more aggrieved
+than aggressor, and stillness followed her departure.
+
+"She's worked hard?" cried Kittie at length, with indignant scorn. "Very
+hard; but mama hasn't, nor we haven't--"
+
+"Oh don't, please," exclaimed Bea, bursting into tears. "Don't say
+anything, girls; I don't know what I hadn't rather have, than for mama
+to know that Ernestine would do such a thing. Oh, I wish she need never
+to know it."
+
+It did not take much thought to decide Ernestine, that she was much
+abused, and though her usually laggard conscience insisted on being
+touched, she solaced it by putting the tip in her hat, and seeing how
+becoming it was, and by trying on the gloves, which were a perfect fit.
+Then putting them away, she stole off to the garret, to carry out a
+plan, made in secrecy--that of rummaging the packed trunks there, and
+perhaps finding something that could be turned into a party dress, which
+she was quite sure she would need. The garret was roomy and sunny, and
+all the rest of the afternoon, Ernestine comforted herself, and her
+abused feelings by hunting among the old trunks, and spinning many gay
+dreams, wherein she dwelt in luxury, and all that heart could wish. She
+had selected a pale green silk, and a fine soft lawn from her mother's
+put aside wardrobe, and her mind's eye saw herself most becomingly, and
+beautifully dressed in them--if mama would only consent.
+
+Over in the corner, something caught her eye presently, that she had
+never seen before. Only a small dark trunk with an air of secrecy about
+it; and something irresistibly took her right over to it, with her arm
+load of gay things.
+
+"I wonder what it is," she mused, fingering the lock curiously, and
+feeling so strange as she did so.
+
+"Go away!" something seemed to say imperatively; but she lingered, and
+fingered more curiously than ever the small key attached to a faded
+ribbon.
+
+"Go away! Go away!" seemed to come again that voice, and she felt it to
+her inmost soul; but the very realization of an inward warning against
+it, urged her on. She put the key in the lock,--and hesitated; turned it
+slowly,--and hesitated again; then broke into a nervous little laugh,
+and tossed the cover open.
+
+[Illustration: "NOW LET'S SEE WHAT'S IN THIS WONDERFUL TRUNK."]
+
+"Why I'm as cold as ice, what a goose! Now let's see what's in this
+wonderful trunk to make me feel so funny; something splendid I guess,
+but I couldn't help opening it, I really couldn't,--oh dear!"
+
+It was of disappointment, for there was nothing there but a queer old
+basket, a pillow, with a plain little slip, and a worn faded letter on
+top.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+WHERE IS ERNESTINE?
+
+
+The odor of hot cakes brought everybody in a hurry, when Kat opened the
+dining-room door, and shouted, "supper!" as though she was a pop-gun and
+the single word a deadly fire, and everybody had fallen to work at
+demolishing the pile of aforesaid cakes, before Bea looked up suddenly
+and asked:
+
+"Where is Ernestine?"
+
+Nobody knew, but Kat ventured, that perhaps she was going to supper it,
+on gloves and feathers.
+
+"You better call again, Kat, perhaps she didn't hear."
+
+So Kat rushed to the door, and shouted:
+
+"Er-nes-tin-e-e, cakes are getting cold," with an amount of energy and
+noise that might have reached that young lady, had she been sitting on
+the top-most round of the farthest chimney; but there was no response
+of any kind, neither was there any indications of a light up stairs, so
+Kat went back, remarking, as she again fell to work:
+
+"She's put on her new toggery, most likely, and gone somewhere."
+
+"But where should she go?" asked Bea with a strange uneasiness.
+
+"Anywhere, just so people see her new things, and say how pretty she
+looks," answered Kat, who was not uneasy.
+
+So they eat supper and waited; but no appearance of the delinquent. The
+twins began to clear up, putting a good supply in the oven to keep warm;
+but the dishes were through with, and all put away, and no Ernestine.
+Kittie began to feel anxious and worried, but Kat made fun of her,
+though she herself began to grow more quiet, as the evening went on.
+Eight. Nine. No Ernestine. What should they do?
+
+Bea sprang up from her seat at the window, all in a pale tremor.
+
+"I cannot stand it. Oh, Olive, what shall we do?"
+
+"Why, I don't know," said Olive, putting down the book in which she had
+read nothing. "Have you looked for her hat and cloak?"
+
+No. No one had. So they all rushed up stairs, as though it required five
+pairs of eyes to discover a hat and cloak, which was found lying on the
+bed, just as she had thrown them on coming up stairs. Bea went to her
+boxes, with a vague idea that the gloves and feather were in some way
+connected with the mystery; but they were put away with greatest
+possible care, and Kat, who always did the absurd things in hasty
+moments, reported that all her clothes and dresses were in their places,
+so she couldn't have gone away.
+
+"Of course not; there's no place for her to go to," answered Olive.
+
+"Mrs. Dane's, perhaps," suggested Kittie.
+
+This was plausible.
+
+"But what would she go for?" asked Bea in a moment. "And without any hat
+or shawl, and stay so late?"
+
+Nobody knew, and all looked irresolute and anxious.
+
+"Her blue shawl is gone," exclaimed Kat, in the midst of her second
+rummage in the closet; for what, no one knew, since it was impossible
+for Ernestine to be hanging over a hook; or settled in one of her
+pockets. "And her straw hat!"
+
+At that, all five dived into the closet, with no clearly defined
+purpose, but it seemed the only thing to do just then; and in the
+scramble that followed, the missing straw hat was found on the floor,
+but no blue shawl kept its company. They all took hold of it in turn,
+looking at it solemnly, and turning it over and over, as though it
+possessed the secret of its missing mistress. But if it knew, it kept
+its knowledge, and only flapped its ribbons in feeble protest at being
+twisted about so. No one said any thing, until Bea discovered two long
+golden hairs clinging to the straw, then she threw it down, and burst
+into tears. Everybody looked aghast, and Bea cried out between her sobs:
+
+"I can't help it--indeed--I feel as if something dreadful had
+happened--and I'm so frightened."
+
+Just then the clock struck ten, such slow solemn strokes, echoing
+through the still house, and everybody shivered drearily, and looked
+fearfully out into the dark hall; wishing, oh, how fervently, that
+mother was home. Bea stopped crying with a great effort, and seemed to
+feel that she must do something--but what? She looked at the girls in
+anxious inquiry. Kittie and Kat were sitting on the bed, trembling and
+frightened. Olive was so dreadfully pale and still; and Beatrice was
+nearly at her wits end.
+
+"Perhaps--perhaps--" ventured Kittie, looking around as though her voice
+frightened her: "she may be trying to frighten us; you know we were a
+little fussy when she came up stairs this afternoon."
+
+Nobody seemed to think so, it might be a rather good joke, but Ernestine
+wouldn't keep it up until ten o'clock.
+
+"Let's look in the rooms and then go down stairs, said Olive taking up
+the light. Perhaps she has gone to Mrs. Dane's after all, and is staying
+late to frighten us, as Kittie says. Come on, and when she comes, don't
+pretend to be surprised or a bit scared."
+
+This being Olive's first suggestion, it was received as bearing some
+weight, as indeed suggestions and advice always are when they come from
+people who do not always have them at tongue's end, ready for all, or
+any occasions. A little brighter feeling dawned upon the forlorn group,
+as they went to the twin's and Olive's rooms, without finding any trace,
+and then returned to the sitting-room. Bea half hoped and expected that
+they would find Ernestine sitting by the fire, full of laugh, and ready
+to tease them on their fright and search; but she was disappointed, for
+the room was dreary and lonely, the light wood fire having died of
+neglect; and everything looked unutterably forlorn to their anxious
+eyes. In an ominous silence all four sat down on the lounge, closely
+huddled together, and tried to talk; but it was a vain attempt. It
+seemed impossible to bring any voice low enough so as that it did not
+sound like a trumpet in the painful stillness of the house; every one
+jumped when any one spoke, so by and by, they were perfectly still,
+while the clock ticked so loudly and every moment brought a deeper fear
+and trembling anxiety.
+
+Eleven! Twelve!
+
+"Let us go to bed," whispered Olive. Somehow it seemed that whispering
+was the only admissible thing then. "See, the lamp was not filled fresh
+to-day, and it's burning down; we'll be in the dark in a few minutes."
+
+"Oh, I'm so afraid," quavered Kat. "Let's all sleep together."
+
+No one seemed to object, for really it was something to chill even a
+brave heart. Those four girls alone in the great still house at
+midnight, with the terrible fear at their hearts, and their wildest
+imagination in full play. They went up stairs as softly as though
+Ernestine lay dead in the house; and all went with their eyes shut
+except Olive, who carried the lamp, and even she kept her eyes away from
+everything save right where she walked. No one had cried yet but Bea; so
+when they knelt about the bed for prayer, each one broke down, and they
+finally dropped asleep, sobbing softly, with their arms about each
+other.
+
+Morning came, with the brightest of sunshine, and put a more cheerful
+face upon things, as daylight always does. The girls jumped up merrily,
+quite convinced that it was all a joke, and that they were foolish to
+have been so frightened. Ernestine had gone to Mrs. Dane's and stayed
+all night; she would be home pretty soon and they would all have a good
+laugh over it. So they thought, and flew about lively with their work;
+but breakfast was over and cleaned up, the house was all in order, and
+the day fairly begun; still no Ernestine had arrived, and Olive had not
+gone.
+
+"Seems to me, I can't go until we know something," she said, standing in
+the door and looking down the street. "I will be home to dinner, and
+surely she will be here by that time."
+
+"I suppose so, of course," said Bea, feeling last night's fear beginning
+to tug at her heart again.
+
+"Seems to me nothing could happen with a morning so lovely as this,"
+said Kittie, looking anxious and sleepy.
+
+"Well, I suppose I must go," said Olive at last. "I'm an hour late now,
+and I don't know what to tell Mr. Dane; but then, it's the first time
+I've ever been tardy, so he may not speak of it."
+
+"If she comes pretty soon, I'll trot down and tell you," volunteered
+Kat, who was stretching on the stairs, and pretty near strangling with a
+succession of gasps.
+
+"All right," said Olive, going out reluctantly.
+
+Morning went slowly and heavily; the girls tried to study as usual, but
+found it impossible. There was only one thought in their minds;
+Ernestine! Ernestine! where was she?
+
+"Kittie," said Bea, when it was nearly noon, "Olive is so tired, I
+expect, being worried and up so late, and then bothering over her
+business this morning, suppose you take her dinner down to her, and then
+go round by Mrs. Dane's?"
+
+"All right," answered Kittie, glad of something to work off her
+feverish impatience. "You fix the basket, while I run up stairs and get
+ready; it will only take me a minute."
+
+Olive was sitting at her desk, very pale and tired, when Kittie came in.
+She looked up eagerly, but in a glance, each saw that the other knew
+nothing.
+
+"I brought your dinner," said Kittie, putting down the basket,
+"because--she hasn't come, and we thought you'd be so tired."
+
+"I am, and so much obliged," answered Olive, with a grateful smile,
+thinking, as she put the lunch aside, how kind it was, for Kittie was
+tired too; and thinking also, that a few weeks ago they wouldn't have
+done so; but that had been much her own fault, she was quite convinced
+of it now.
+
+"Mr. Dane went to the city on this morning's train," she said in a
+moment, "so I have not seen him."
+
+"I'm going there," answered Kittie. "Mrs. Dane's, I mean. If Ernestine
+is there, I'll come back by here and tell you, and if I don't come
+you'll know that I haven't heard anything."
+
+They both felt that nothing would be heard, but each said good-bye
+cheerfully, and Kittie hurried away.
+
+Mrs. Dane was a dear, motherly-hearted lady who had no children of her
+own, and consequently felt a warm interest in any one's else. She had
+kept a watchful, loving eye on the Dering girls, especially, since
+their troubles, going to see them frequently, and dropping much comfort
+and encouragement in all that she said and did. When she saw Kittie
+coming, she met her at the door, with a warm, cheery smile and inquired
+gayly:
+
+"Good morning, my dear; what is going to happen that you are without
+your mate? and which one are you?"
+
+Kittie laughed as she went up the neat little walk, with early violets
+blooming either side, but Mrs. Dane noticed that she looked anxiously
+beyond her, into the house, and that her face was pale and worried,
+something unheard of, for either of the twins.
+
+"I'm Kittie, and Kat was too busy to come," answered Kittie, as they
+went in, and she wondered what she should say next.
+
+"It looks strange to ever see you without each other," said Mrs. Dane,
+detecting an uneasiness. "All well at home, dear?"
+
+"Yes'm, pretty well, except spring fever."
+
+"I saw Ernestine down town yesterday afternoon, and I thought she looked
+quite pale, but very pretty," continued Mrs. Dane.
+
+"Yes'm," said Kittie again, with her heart jumping into her throat.
+"Mama is going to have her go out to Mrs. Raymond's for two weeks. Has
+she been by here this morning?"
+
+"Not that I have seen. I should think it a very good plan for her to be
+in the country a while, if she will only be quiet; the Raymond home is a
+very lovely one. I notice here lately that she coughs a good deal."
+
+"Yes'm," answered Kittie, guiltily conscious that she hadn't noticed it.
+"I hope it isn't much though."
+
+"Nothing more than a spring cold, I fancy; you must all be very careful.
+Now, my dear, take off your hat, and stay to dinner with me. I'm all
+alone, to-day."
+
+"I should like to; thank you, Mrs. Dane, but Bea will be expecting me
+home, and I guess I had better go," said Kittie, so intensely
+disappointed with her call that she could hardly keep the tears back. So
+she went, and Mrs. Dane soliloquized, as she recalled the troubled face.
+"Something the matter, I am quite positive; and those poor, dear, brave
+little girls all alone. I shall go over this evening and see if I am
+needed."
+
+Kat was at the gate, and started out the moment she saw Kittie coming,
+to meet her. She was quite as ashy colored as ever brown-faced,
+rosy-cheeked Kat could be, and she was trembling as with a fit of ague,
+and as Kittie saw her, the question died on her lips, and she could only
+look her fear, as Kat burst forth:--
+
+"She hasn't come--don't know anything about her; but Bea went up in the
+garret this morning to open the windows, and ever since she came down,
+she's been crying and pretty near fainted; won't tell me anything, and
+I thought you never would come. What _shall_ we do?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know; why didn't I tell Mrs. Dane? I felt as if I ought
+to," cried Kittie, standing still in despair for a moment; then pulling
+off her hat and shawl, she put them on her sister in a hurry.
+
+"There, Kat, run; I'm so tired, you can go the fastest; go to Mr.
+Phillips, ask him to take Prince and go for mama, quick;" and, without a
+second thought, Kat dashed down the street at her most breathless flying
+speed, not caring who saw, or what they thought, and feeling as though
+she had done the right thing. Kittie hurried into the house; she was
+alarmed, indeed, at the violence of Bea's crying, and after trying in
+vain to find some cause, or give some comfort, gave up in despair.
+
+"Don't ask me," Bea would cry, when questioned. "I can't tell! Oh, if
+mama was only here! What shall I do?"
+
+"I've sent for her!" exclaimed Kittie, with a great sigh of relief. "Kat
+has gone now to ask Mr. Phillips, and she'll be here this afternoon, I
+know."
+
+Bea looked up for an instant, with a flash of relief in her face, then
+burst out again, crying more bitterly than ever, and with a vehemence
+that shook her from head to foot.
+
+"What ever can it be?" thought Kittie, flying up stairs, and off to the
+garret in desperation; but, pausing as she reached the door, and
+shaking with a sudden terror. What if Ernestine should be in there dead,
+or something? She shook and hesitated, but finally opened the door, for
+Kittie was brave, and looked in!
+
+Nothing seemed to be the matter. The sunshine came warmly in at the
+windows and illumined every corner. The little black trunk stood there,
+but it was closed, and she did not notice it, though she went all
+around, and amazed to find nothing out of place. Over in an unused
+corner, for the garret was very large, stood a big dry-goods box that
+Mr. Dering had long kept some things packed in, but on the very day
+before his sudden death, he had been up in the garret, unnailed the
+heavy cover, and gone to the bottom for some things that he wanted, and
+then hurried away, intending to repack, and nail up, on his return; but
+in the little act, was a mighty working of Providence, or fate; the box
+had remained just so, with its dislodged contents at its side, the
+little black trunk among them, and the garret having been rarely entered
+during the winter, it had not been noticed or remedied.
+
+Kittie, happening to glance that way, saw it; and with a vague idea that
+Ernestine might be in the box, went over to it, pushed the little black
+trunk nearer, and stood on it to look in; but saw only a confused lot of
+things, tumbled up in her father's haste, and so she got down, and left
+the garret slowly, more perplexed and bewildered than ever.
+
+As she went down the stairs, she heard, she surely heard an unmistakable
+moan, that stopped her in an instant, and made her heart beat fast and
+loud with terror; and as she stood and listened, it came again, and it
+did not come from the garret either.
+
+As I said, Kittie was brave. Kat would have torn wildly down stairs, and
+declared that the house was haunted; but she stood there, quite still,
+until that feeble moan came again; then with a thought as quick as
+lightning, she cleared the remaining steps with one jump, flew across
+the hall, and into the spare room!
+
+There, at last, after all these hours of painful anxiety and fright,
+there, so near, that by simply opening an unused door, they would have
+found her--lay Ernestine.
+
+As Kittie burst into the room, Ernestine tossed her arms above her head,
+and uttered that feeble moan again; and too astonished to utter a word
+of any kind, Kittie saw that she was unconscious, that her face was
+scarlet with fever, and that the dazed, wide open eyes recognized
+nothing.
+
+She never exactly remembered how she got down stairs, and told Bea; or
+how it happened that Kat was with them when they went back; she only
+knew that Bea threw down her handkerchief, and worked swift and silent,
+that she helped, and that Kat flew off again to bring Mrs. Dane, and was
+back in just a moment, for that lady, being so forcibly impressed with
+an idea that something was wrong, had started over, and met Kat just a
+few minutes after she came tearing out of the gate.
+
+It did not take long to get Ernestine into her own bed, to bathe her
+burning hands and face, and smooth her tangled hair, that lay all over
+the pillow like stray sun-beams. She submitted passively to all of it,
+and appeared to notice no one, except now and then to turn her eyes to
+Mrs. Dane, with a puzzled, pleading look, and mutter with a wistful
+longing: "It isn't so, is it? I know it isn't;" then would drift into
+some unintelligible murmurings, or lay quiet with no expression of any
+kind in her face.
+
+"She was perfectly well yesterday," said Bea, in answer to Mrs. Dane's
+questions. "She came up stairs singing, about four o'clock, and that was
+the last we saw of her until just now, when Kittie found her."
+
+"Poor child! What did you do all night?"
+
+"We sat up until twelve o'clock, and it seemed like a week nearly, Olive
+said, and we all hoped that she had gone to spend the night with you,
+and that is what kept us from giving up entirely. We were having a
+little argument when she left us," added Bea, dropping her eyes, but
+feeling that a little explanation was necessary. "So we thought perhaps
+she went off without saying anything, so as to frighten us."
+
+Kittie looked at Bea in curious amazement. She was so rejoiced that
+Ernestine was found, that she wondered why Bea should still be so white
+and tremble, and sit down every once in a while, as though too faint to
+stand. Finally concluding that it was fatigue and worrying, Kittie
+hurried down to the kitchen, built a fire, and had water boiling for tea
+in a hurry, and in just a little while, brought a cup of that
+invigorating beverage, and insisted on Bea's drinking it, and another,
+too, if she could.
+
+"How kind you are," said Bea, looking grateful, and trying to smile, but
+failing utterly. "You better go and drink some yourself. Where is Kat?"
+
+"She rushed right off again to tell Olive," answered Kittie, sitting
+down on the floor. "Poor dear, she will be tired to death. Oh, Bea,
+aren't you glad we found her before mama came?"
+
+Bea nodded yes, and hid her face in the tea-cup, while Kittie hearing
+Kat down stairs, hurried down to have a social and rejoicing cup of tea
+with her.
+
+Mrs. Dering arrived late in the afternoon; the twins threw open the big
+gate, shouting the good news as they did so, and Prince came gayly up
+the old familiar drive with a joyous whisk of his tail, and a loud neigh
+of recognition, and as Kittie and Kat fell to hugging him wildly, Mrs.
+Dering hurried into the house, and was met by Bea at the door.
+
+"Were is she? What does it all mean?" cried the terrified mother.
+
+"She was in the spare room--sick--we found her this afternoon," answered
+Bea, speaking as though the words choked her. "Come--come into the
+sitting-room, mama, and--let me tell you."
+
+Mrs. Dering followed, with a terrible fear at her heart, and was obliged
+to sit down, so trembling and faint was she; and Beatrice meeting that
+anguished, imploring look, could not utter a word, but simply put her
+hand in her pocket, and drew out a worn, faded letter.
+
+Mrs. Dering looked at it for an instant, then uttered a broken cry, and
+threw out her hands beseechingly.
+
+"Oh, Beatrice! my daughter! Not that, not that, surely!"
+
+"Yes, mama."
+
+Mrs. Dering dropped her face in her hands with a moan that came from the
+depths of her heart, and overcome with the confirmation of her fears,
+Bea sank into a chair and burst into tears; and nothing but her sobs
+were heard for several moments.
+
+Under all circumstances, Mrs. Dering was a woman of wonderful self
+control; so in a moment she looked up and asked:
+
+"Do you know anything about it?"
+
+"No, mama," answered Bea, then repeated the circumstances in the case,
+adding, with a look of loving sympathy into the grief-stricken face
+opposite, "When I went up into the garret this morning, I saw one of
+your trunks open, and your green silk and white lawn lying on the floor
+by the little black trunk, which was open also, and the letter was
+dropped on the floor, and I knew she had been there, and thought perhaps
+it was something she had left, so I read--only a part of it, and--oh,
+mama!"
+
+Mrs. Dering vouchsafed no explanation, as Bea paused with a sob; but
+looked out of the window with a world of puzzled inquiry in her face,
+and murmured to herself:
+
+"How did it ever come out of the box?"
+
+"Papa," answered Bea, catching the words, "He was up there the day
+before he--died, and I remember when he came down with what he wanted,
+he said that he had gone clear to the bottom of the big box for it, and
+that he would put things back, and nail it up when he came back home,
+and they were all left just that way, mama; and oh--please tell me--is
+it true?"
+
+"Yes, Beatrice, it is true, too true," answered Mrs. Dering, sadly, then
+went up stairs, and left Bea sobbing on the lounge.
+
+In just a few minutes Kittie came running in, and paused astonished at
+the sitting-room door, but as she surveyed her sister, and heard how
+bitterly she was sobbing, she went in and knelt by the lounge.
+
+"Bea, can't you tell me yet, what the matter is?"
+
+"No-o," sobbed Bea.
+
+"Well, please tell me just one thing: I'm so frightened about something,
+I don't know what. But, is Ernestine very very sick, and is that what
+you are crying about? or--or, _has_ something happened that we don't
+know anything about? Please tell me just this, Bea, and I won't ask any
+more."
+
+"Yes, something has," was Bea's answer; and Kittie went sorrowfully away
+to tell Kat and Olive not to rejoice so much, yet.
+
+It was quite late that night, and every one had gone to bed, except Mrs.
+Dering, who sat sleeplessly beside the bed, holding Ernestine's hot
+hand, and Bea, who nestled quietly in a large rocking chair, equally
+sleepless, and looking alternately from the loving, watchful face of
+mother, to the flushed, restless one on the pillow, while the big tears
+dropped unheeded down her cheeks.
+
+The doctor had said, on leaving in the evening, that when Ernestine
+awoke, she would be herself, and for some time Mrs. Dering had been
+watching the feverish flush give way to pallor, and the restless, uneasy
+tossing to quiet slumber, and she knew, that before long, Ernestine
+would be herself, and ask a dreaded question. The house was painfully
+still. Bea shivered as the clock's ticking sounded loudly through the
+halls, and thought of last night when they all stood there, in that
+same room, and wondered where Ernestine was; and Mrs. Dering shivered,
+though, for quite another reason, for her mind held far different
+memories.
+
+Just then, Ernestine turned, as though awakening, and the clock began to
+strike twelve. Through the dozen slow strokes she did not move again,
+but the moment they ceased, she moaned just a little bit, in a feeble,
+tired way, and opened her eyes.
+
+At the same instant, Mrs. Dering held a tiny glass to her lips, raised
+the pillow and said quietly:
+
+"Drink, dear."
+
+Ernestine did so, unresistingly, and lay for several minutes perfectly
+quiet, with her eyes wide open; and then they began to grow startled,
+and went suddenly to Bea's face, and stopped there. Bea smiled,
+notwithstanding she was trembling violently, and leaving her seat, came
+to the bed. But Ernestine was not noticing her now; she was looking all
+about the room in a terrified way, and suddenly sat up straight in bed,
+pushed her hair back, and saw her mother. For an instant she did not
+seem to know what it was she wanted; but it came to her suddenly, and
+with a beseeching cry, she threw out her arms.
+
+"Oh, mama, mama! is it true? Am I somebody else's child?"
+
+Bea turned away, and fell into her chair again, unable to see that
+pitiful, anguished face; and Mrs. Dering, sitting down on the bed, drew
+the trembling figure closely to her heart.
+
+"My darling, you are my own dear little girl--" but Ernestine
+interrupted, with a pitiful cry:
+
+"Oh! tell me if that letter is so, or if it means some other Ernestine?
+just tell me that, quick, mama, oh please do!"
+
+What could Mrs. Dering say, with those clinging arms about her neck, and
+that pleading face, and the despairing eyes never moving from hers?
+
+"You are dreaming, darling," she began soothingly; but Ernestine threw
+her head back, and her voice rose to a terrified shriek:
+
+"You won't tell me; you won't tell me," she cried wildly. "Oh, I must
+know if it is true; I must. Oh, mama, say it isn't; tell me that you are
+my own mama, that the letter don't mean me; oh mama! mama!"
+
+"Ernestine, darling, listen;" said Mrs. Dering, with the tears running
+down her pale face. "You shall know the truth. You have been my little
+girl ever since you were two months old, but your own mother gave you to
+me just before she went to heaven, and she was my--;" but it was
+needless to say more; Ernestine gave a little moan, and dropped her
+head, and Mrs. Dering was sobbing, as she laid her back on the pillow;
+while Bea ran for some water.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE STORY.
+
+
+Mrs. Dering and Ernestine were alone; Ernestine had asked for the story
+of her own, or rather her mother's life, and now lay with her face
+turned away, while Mrs. Dering held her hand in that loving clasp, and
+began telling it quietly:
+
+"We were all living in Virginia at the time, dear. Papa Dering lived
+with his uncle Ridley. Uncle Walter Dering lived in Staunton, and your
+mama's home and mine, also in the city, were only a little way apart,
+and we saw a great deal of each other. Florence Granger was her name,
+and she was the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen, except the
+little daughter here, who is going to be her mother's very image. She
+was lovable in every way, but possessed a restless, impatient,
+dissatisfied spirit, that brought her much unhappiness. She constantly
+yearned for some kind of life that would give her eager, uncontrollable
+spirits free play; she hated the restraints of home, and frequently
+threw out dark hints to me of what she would do sometimes, when the
+right moment presented itself. I often begged her to give up such
+restless longings, and be happy at home; for she certainly had a lovely
+one, and might have been the happiest of girls; but she would kiss me
+and laugh, and call me 'dear little proper Bess,' and really be so happy
+and gay for a time that I would lose my fears, and think her threats all
+lively fun. About this time, papa and I became engaged, and I, confiding
+to him a secret that I had discovered, that his brother Walter loved
+Florence, he said that Walter had confessed it to him but that he
+despaired of ever gaining her heart, and that he dreaded the depressing
+effect of discouragement on his health, for Walter was very delicate. So
+I promised to do all I could towards helping him, and finding out the
+true state of Florence's heart towards him, and I did so quite
+successfully, though it has always been a source of bitterest regret to
+me. I found, with very little trouble that she had no thought or feeling
+of love for him, and one day, when she was thoughtlessly laughing at him
+for something, I told her, in a hasty moment, how he loved her, and how
+the disappointment might kill him. I never can forget how surprised and
+grieved she looked, nor how bitterly I regretted my hastiness, for a
+more tender-hearted girl never lived, and it was impossible to guess,
+how, in a generous, impulsive moment, she might sacrifice herself. That
+night she stayed with me, and both Walter and papa called; and I saw in
+an instant, that in her generous pity, she was going to do a work that
+could never be undone. Poor Walter was nearly beside himself with joy
+and encouragement. She sang for him, and oh, how many times have I gone
+back to that night, when you have been singing to me, with your mother's
+voice, dear. She promised to ride with him next day, and as papa watched
+them, he said to me in great relief: 'She loves him, and they will be
+happy;' and I could only say 'I hope so, truly,' and pray that I might
+be forgiven for what I had done; for I knew she did not love him.
+
+"In a few days, she came rushing to me in a perfect passion of stormy,
+bitter tears, and frightened me greatly with her fierce vehemence. She
+declared that she hated him, that she could not endure the sight of him,
+and yet, not half an hour before, she had promised to marry him, and
+now, if I did not say something to comfort her, she would do something
+dreadful, sure. I was perfectly at a loss what to say or do, and
+trembled for the end of it all, but I knew the only way to quiet her
+would be to appeal to her pity and tenderness, so I talked and talked
+for a great while about him, how he loved her, how the disappointment
+now would surely kill him, how happy we would be as sisters when
+married, and how we would all go to Europe if papa inherited uncle
+Congreve's estate; and so finally won her over to a more pleasing view
+of the case. In the weeks that followed, I had the same thing to do
+many, many times, and found it more difficult to accomplish each time.
+She was wildly rebellious, and in an unguarded moment, let fall her
+passion for stage life, and then confided to me all her former plans,
+hopes, and aspirations. She had been in correspondence with members of
+the profession and had many secret plans laid for carrying out her
+ideas. She showed me several letters from Clarence Clare, then a famous
+actor, and I did not dream, could not even realize then, how far matters
+had gone. She was to have joined his troupe when he reached Staunton,
+left her home and gone out into the world under an assumed name, to
+taste and know its bitterness, when it was all too late. I was in an
+agony of fear, and besought her to give it up and think, before she lost
+herself to home and friends, but she told me I need not worry, she had
+written to him that morning that she was to be married, and could not
+fulfill her plans with him, and that I could rest in peace, for she was
+going to be a really good girl now, and settle down as properly as I
+could wish. I believed her, and was entirely deceived by the quiet,
+contented aspect that marked her from that day, and was overjoyed at the
+happiness that seemed to come to her as the day of our double marriage
+drew near. She spent much of her time with Walter, and the rest almost
+entirely with me, and we had hours of delightful chatter of when we
+would be sisters indeed, and always live together, for papa and Walter
+were devoted brothers.
+
+"It all comes back to me now, so terribly clear, how the day before our
+wedding came, and Florence was in such a state of ecstatic happiness;
+she left me in the evening with the warmest, tenderest kisses and
+embraces, and said she would be on hand early in the morning, for we
+were to be married at ten o'clock. While we were at breakfast next
+morning, her maid came over in great haste, to know if she was with me,
+that she wasn't at home, and evidently had not been, as her room was
+untouched. It seemed for a moment that I could not move, so great was
+the terror that possessed me; then I jumped up, snatched a hat and ran
+all the way to her home, without once thinking of amazed observers. She
+was gone. There was a little note left for me, and no word for any one
+else; she had gone with Clarence Clare, who had arrived the day before,
+and, perhaps, even as I stood there reading her hurried words, she was
+being married, or was already his wife. I can never tell you of the
+tempest of grief that fell upon two homes, or how we ever got through
+that wretched day. Papa came to me for just a few minutes, then hurried
+off to stay with Walter who had not spoken, or betrayed any signs of
+consciousness since the word of Florence's desertion reached him. We
+knew from that day that he could not live, and though he was never ill,
+he died slowly, lingering with us only about six months, and his last
+words were to papa and me, spoken just before he died: 'If she ever
+comes back, tell her I forgave her, that I loved her to the last, and
+prayed God every hour that she might be happy.'
+
+"A little while after, papa and I were married, and moved to Richmond.
+He received nothing from Uncle Congreve, you know, so we both had to go
+to work, and we were very happy, for papa was brave, strong and
+honorable, and he prospered; so that in a little while we had a cosy
+home of our own, and envied no one their riches.
+
+"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, your grandparents, were very proud, and left
+Staunton, rather than stay where their daughter had disgraced them, and
+we never knew where they went to, or whether they are still living or
+not. Two years went by, and in that time I sent many a loving, anxious
+thought to Florence, where ever she was, and wondered if we were ever to
+meet again; and one night my answer came to me. It was a bitter night,
+snowing hard and blowing fiercely. Papa and I, were sitting in our cosy,
+warm room, and Bea was sleeping, rosy and sweet, in her little crib,
+when there came the feeblest kind of a ring at the door-bell, and papa
+went to the door. In just a second he called me, and I hurried there, to
+find him holding a basket, with a queer bundle in it, and looking
+amazed out into the night; then he set it down suddenly, and hurried
+out. I had not collected my thoughts, when he came in again with a
+fainting figure in his arms; a woman with a face uncovered, and we both
+recognized her in an instant. She was nearly dead with exposure, and it
+was a long time before she was able to speak a word, but we doctored her
+strongly, got her into a hot bed, and after a while she opened her eyes,
+and knew us. When she could talk, she told us how unhappy she had been;
+how, after submitting to her husband's neglect and the trials of stage
+life, for over a year, she had left him, and as soon as her baby was
+born, began looking for us. She was very feeble, and after leaving her
+burden on the steps, fainted in the snow before reaching the gate."
+
+Here Ernestine, who had lain motionless all the while, gave a quick sob,
+and shivered from head to foot, and bending down to kiss her tenderly,
+Mrs. Dering went on:
+
+"She died with us, dear, in just a few days after, and with her last
+breath, gave you to me; and ever since I took you, a tiny, little babe
+from her arms, you have been just as dear to me as though God had sent
+you to me, my very own."
+
+Ernestine was shivering violently, and as Mrs. Dering finished, hid her
+face deeper in the pillow with a pitiful heart-broken moan, that was
+hard to hear, and Mrs. Dering said softly:
+
+"Here, darling, in this box are some things that were to belong to you,
+in case you ever knew the truth, though with her last breath, your
+mother besought us to keep it from you, if we could, and we have tried,
+that being one reason why we afterwards left Virginia for New York
+State. But God knows best; it is right for you to know, or it would not
+have been so. The ring in the box is the one given by Walter to your
+mother, and she wished you, if you ever knew the story, to wear it."
+
+Some time after Mrs. Dering left the room, Ernestine slowly turned her
+head, looked at the box, and with trembling fingers lifted the cover.
+The first thing that met her eyes, was a picture, an exquisite face
+painted on porcelain, and she uttered a smothered cry as she looked at
+the face of her mother, of whom she was the living image. There was the
+same brown eyes, with their slender arches; the same fine straight nose,
+and wilful, determined mouth, and the same halo of sunny hair, covering
+the proud little head. But Ernestine, looking at it then, thought of the
+sweet, true, dear woman, she had always called mother, and threw it down
+with a bitter cry of pain. There was also a tiny note, written in a
+beautiful dashing hand, and after a while she read it slowly.
+
+    "BESS DARLING:
+
+    "You have always been my good angel, and I could cry if I
+    wasn't so happy, to think how I am going to disappoint you after
+    all. But you mustn't mind, only think how happy I am going to
+    be, for Clarence loves me! I will be his wife when you read
+    this, and oh Bess I cannot help but be happy then. Tell Walter
+    he must not care, he never would have been happy with me,
+    because I could not love him. I hope you will not feel badly
+    when you get this; have a gay wedding, and think how happy I am.
+    I expect it is wrong to run off this way, but I've always done
+    things wrong, I always will, but it might have been different,
+    if my mother had loved home more, society less, and been as true
+    and good to me as a mother, as you have been as a friend.
+
+        "FLORENCE."
+
+There were many little trinkets, beside the diamond ring, which
+Ernestine declared she could never wear; and in a tiny little box, with
+"My Baby," written on the top, were four round bits of gold, each a five
+dollar piece.
+
+It really seemed as though the girls could never recover from the shock.
+Their faces were pale and tear-stained for many days; and only Olive,
+whose self-control was greatest, could venture into Ernestine's
+presence, without bursting into tears, and having to beat a hasty
+retreat. Every fault that she had ever possessed, they lost sight of
+now; they only thought how they all loved her, how happy and sweet she
+had always been about home, how lovely she was, and how dreadful it
+would be if they were to lose her. For Mrs. Dering had told them some
+things that she had not told Ernestine, among them these:
+
+"You have many times noticed how much more careful and anxious I have
+been of Ernestine's health than of yours. That was because I knew that
+God had given me my girls well and strong, and poor little Ernestine
+came, burdened with the fatal seeds of her mother's disease,
+consumption. I have known always, for the doctor told me, that she would
+become its victim sooner or later; and that if she lived to womanhood,
+he would be surprised. I also saw in early childhood, that she had
+inherited her mother's restless, eager, dissatisfied disposition, though
+the difference in her home life has modified it greatly; and knowing the
+weakness that would assail her if she lived, I have battled against it,
+and prayed that she might ever be spared a trial, or that a greater
+strength would be hers, than had been her mother's. As she has grown
+older, I have been grieved and troubled, beyond expression, to watch the
+growth of that spirit, and of a selfishness, that must have been her
+father's, as not an atom of it belonged to her mother, and many times I
+would have been discouraged utterly, if I had not had the faith that God
+would do all things for the best, and that all He wanted was for me to
+do all in my power, and trust the rest to Him."
+
+As the days went by, Ernestine did not seem to grow any better, and
+friends hearing she was ill, began making kindly visits of sympathy, and
+were greatly surprised to find her so terribly altered by the brief
+illness. At first she refused to see any one; but Mrs. Dering asked if
+she could not, as they would think it strange, and she immediately
+assented.
+
+It was indeed sad to look at her face, changed so suddenly from its
+laughing, exquisite beauty to such a pallid, hollow-eyed, heart-broken
+look, and every one pitied, and wondered, and privately talked it over.
+Miss Strong, who had industriously circulated the report of her visit,
+with many additions and wonderfully sly, meaning looks, now felt called
+upon to supply the public with a reason, so she told her dearest friend
+that Ernestine Dering had had a foolish little love affair, and broken
+her heart over it; and before twenty-four hours, the whole of Canfield
+had heard from, or told their dearest friend, the same thing; while Mrs.
+Dane, and a few other sensible ladies, were indignantly denying it, with
+what success, persons who deny rash stories, can guess.
+
+"I declare," cried Kat one day in desperation, "I can't bear to go up
+stairs. I just dream about how sad she looks, and I can't keep from
+crying just to think that she really isn't our sister any more
+than--than Susie Darrow or any of the other girls. Oh, Kittie, just
+suppose we were ever to find out that we were not sisters, or belonged
+to somebody else, or something dreadful!"
+
+Kittie gave a long, expressive shiver, and hugged her "fac-simile" by
+way of satisfaction, for such a dreadful thought.
+
+"How often we have wondered where she got her lovely hair and eyes," she
+said slowly. "And how many times we fretted because mama watched her so,
+and seemed to humor her, where she never did us. I expect we have made
+mama unhappy lots of times by acting jealous that way."
+
+"Like as not," answered Kat remorsefully. "It's all dreadful, every bit
+of it. I'd give worlds if it had never happened."
+
+They all tried, by every way in their power, to win Ernestine back to
+something of her old self; but it seemed impossible. She spent hours and
+hours by herself, just sitting with her hands folded, looking out of the
+window with no sign of life or interest in her colorless face, and
+rarely speaking. Just brooding, brooding, and nursing her grief, until
+the doctor said she must go away, take a complete change, and then she
+would come back herself again. He accepted the lover-story, as indeed,
+most every one did, for surely the general behavior and symptoms were
+much the same, and then, besides, what _could_ the reason be if it
+wasn't that?
+
+Ernestine was perfectly indifferent about a visit anywhere. She was
+selfish in her grief, as in everything else, and took no interest in all
+their plans for her, expressing no satisfaction at the decision that
+Bea should go with her, and saying that she did not care when or where
+they went.
+
+One afternoon, Kittie went up stairs and found her writing something and
+crying bitterly over it. She so seldom cried, that Kittie was alarmed,
+but Ernestine said it was only because she was nervous; then put her
+writing away, and took her old, listless attitude in the chair by the
+window.
+
+That night Olive heard something; she was sure that she did, and started
+up in bed for a moment to listen, but everything was perfectly still, so
+in a moment she lay down again, but could not get to sleep until long
+after the whistle had blown for the midnight train that went through to
+the city.
+
+Next morning Ernestine did not come to breakfast, but it was nothing
+unusual, so Kittie fixed a tempting waiter and took it up stairs.
+
+In a few minutes she called "mama," in a frightened way, and Mrs. Dering
+instantly sprang up, followed by the girls, and ran up stairs.
+
+Since her sickness, Ernestine had slept alone, and Bea had gone over
+with Olive; so now, as they hurried in, they saw her untumbled bed, with
+just the slight pressure made where she had lain down, as though gone to
+bed for the night; everything else was unchanged. Mrs. Dering sank
+trembling into a chair, and pointed to a paper lying on the table.
+Olive reached it, and read aloud in a frightened, awe-struck voice:
+
+    "DARLING MAMA:
+
+    "I'm going away; I can't stay, and oh please don't look for me;
+    for I could not come back. It seems as though my heart was
+    broken, and it nearly made me crazy to think that I was all
+    alone in the world, except a wicked, cruel father. Oh, I never
+    knew how much I loved you all, until I found that I was
+    nothing--neither daughter nor sister. I have taken the twenty
+    dollars in gold, and fifteen dollars that I saved from my
+    teaching, and I will go some where and work for my living. I
+    know it will grieve you, and that is all that has kept me from
+    going before; but I could not stand it any longer; something
+    made me go. Oh, please forgive me, and do not look for me. I
+    love you all so much, and it nearly broke my heart to look at
+    the girls, and think they were all sisters, and you their own
+    mama, while I was nothing. Don't grieve for me, please, but do
+    love me.
+
+        "ERNESTINE."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A YEAR LATER.
+
+
+Kathleen was sitting in the swing, and idly pushing a hole in the saw
+dust, with the toe of her shoe; while Katherine sat on a log hemming a
+handkerchief, a red rose stuck in her hair, and much thoughtfulness in
+her face.
+
+"I think it's too horrible to think about," said the former, suddenly,
+and with a vinegary aspect of countenance.
+
+"He may be nice," returned the latter, consolingly, though with much
+evident distaste to the fact.
+
+"Who cares, and then besides, I bet he isn't."
+
+"You mustn't bet."
+
+"I will. You may be nice, and proper, and so awfully prim, if you want
+to, but I sha'n't."
+
+"You're nearly fifteen."
+
+"Suppose I am. Besides I'm not; it's three months yet."
+
+"Well," said Kittie, after a pause, and turning a corner in her
+handkerchief with great nicety, "I suppose since it's settled, that he
+will be here in a few days. Bea has fixed his room so pretty."
+
+"Pooh! I bet he'll never notice it, and he'll be an everlasting bother,
+and we'll never have any more fun; and I'm going to tell him the minute
+he gets here, that I hate him; and I hope that'll make him happy and
+want to stay," exclaimed Kat vehemently.
+
+"Besides," continued Kittie, as placidly as though nothing was
+disturbing the serenity of her sister, "you see, my dear, how it will
+help mama."
+
+Any remark of a like character, would, at any time, reduce the girls
+from the most active rebellion to passive acquiescence; and Kat
+immediately lost her ferocious determination and looked reflective, as
+she recalled the dear face they loved, with its pale patient sweetness,
+and the gray hair that had all come into the brown locks within the last
+year, since Ernestine went away.
+
+"Well," she said in a moment, and beginning to swing, "I suppose it's
+all right, but I wish he wasn't so old. Twenty! my goodness! He'll be
+forever lecturing us and reading solemn books, because I know he's
+solemn; sick people always are, and everything will have to be poky and
+still to suit him, and I think it's abominable!"
+
+"Exactly," answered Kittie, with a nod of agreement. "But Kat, there's
+one splendid big thing to offset all those little horrid ones; why don't
+you think of that?"
+
+"Well, I do, and I'm most tickled to death, that mama won't have to
+teach any more; poor, dear, blessed mama, she's most tired and worried
+to death;" and Kat's face grew very tender as she swung and thought over
+it all.
+
+"Oh Kat!" cried Kittie, with a sudden vehemence, though the question
+that hung on her lips had been asked countless times in the past year,
+"Where do you suppose Ernestine is?"
+
+Kat stopped the swing, and faced her sister with a sudden decision.
+
+"I think," she said slowly, "Kittie, I think she's--dead!"
+
+"Oh no! you don't surely! She can't be!" cried Kittie in terror; for no
+one had ever hazarded that cruel belief before. "Our Ernestine dead! I
+couldn't believe it, and I think it would kill mama, if she thought we
+would never find her again."
+
+"But I can't help but feel so," said Kat sadly. "Just think of her
+getting into New York in the night, and not knowing anything where to
+go. I just know something dreadful happened, because we never can find
+one thing about her after she got there."
+
+"But I don't believe she's dead!" exclaimed Kittie firmly. "I wouldn't
+believe it if I wanted to; and I think some time, or somehow, we will
+find her, or she will come back to us."
+
+"Well I hope so I'm sure, for it will never seem right without her,"
+said Kat. "Seems to me, we all lived so happy, with no troubles of any
+kind, until all of a sudden, then everything happens all at once. Home
+has never seemed the same since papa died."
+
+"When you look back and think how things have changed, don't it seem
+strange," said Kittie, dropping her sewing and looking pensively off at
+the wood-pile. "It seems so funny, to think that Miss Howard is married,
+and that people live in the little old school-house.
+
+"Didn't we used to have fun there?"
+
+"Yes, we did, and we're getting old dreadful fast," said Kat, ruefully.
+
+"I can't imagine anything more dreadful than getting to be young ladies,
+and having to wear long dresses, and done-up hair, and always be polite
+and proper. I think it's horrible to be nearly fifteen!"
+
+Kittie loved fun as much as Kat, but she was not quite so frolicsome in
+her tastes, nor so averse to a graceful train, or a lady-like structure
+of hair. In fact, she had many ideas of ideal young-ladyhood that would
+have amazed and dismayed her twin, had they been known. Any one who knew
+them well was no longer at a loss to know which was which, for while in
+childhood they had been too similar to ever be distinguished, the coming
+years brought different ideas to each, and left their print in looks and
+manner. Kat was wildly rebellious at the thought of growing up; she
+wanted to remain in the blissful days of short hair and dresses, when
+she could race with anybody, jump a fence, climb trees, and in every way
+be as boyish as she could, to pay up for being a girl. Consequently she
+always had a fly-away, unsettled look about her, rebelled at the
+lengthened dresses, insisted on wearing her hair in a flying braid,
+wouldn't be induced to cultivate ease and grace, and altogether was as
+wild and unconquerable on the threshold of fifteen as she had been in
+the freedom of twelve. Kittie, on the contrary, had a decided love for
+grace, and the ease of a cultivated young lady. She did her hair up in
+various and complicated fashions, occasionally practiced with a train,
+and had learned to bow with the latest grace and twist. She remembered
+Ernestine's little graceful ways, and profited by the remembrance,
+thereby driving Kat to the verge of desperation, by giving frequent
+lectures on the necessity of sitting still gracefully, and walking
+without a skip or jump every third step. With all their little growing
+differences, they were just as devoted and inseparable as ever. Kittie
+would sit and sew with a lady-like air, and a posy in her belt, while
+Kat would lounge in the window-seat, and read aloud, or amuse them with
+nonsense; or, if they went out on the pond, Kittie would wear her
+gloves and ply her oar with an eye to grace, while Kat would, perhaps,
+be encased in a sun-bonnet, or be bareheaded and row as if on a contract
+to outdo the champion club in existence. In their work was the same
+little mark of distinction, and so now-a-days it was very easy to tell
+which was Kittie and which was Kat.
+
+It was just a year since Ernestine had gone, and such a long, sad,
+hopeless year! Not a clue or trace of any kind could they find except
+that she had gone to New York. The Canfield ticket agent had had his
+suspicions when a lady had bought a ticket and gone on the midnight
+train; but it was none of his business, to be sure; so she had gone on
+her way unmolested, and farther than that, they knew nothing. Where she
+went on reaching the city, no one knew, though no mode of search had
+been left untried, and no expense spared, either by Mrs. Dering, or the
+relatives and friends who so heartily sympathized in her heart-broken
+search. There was nothing, from himself to the last dollar he possessed,
+that Mr. Congreve did not offer; and Jean sent a tear-stained note with
+a crisp ten dollars--all she had, and saying: "Mama, please spend it to
+find Ernestine; and I ask God every few minutes, if He won't please let
+us have her again."
+
+But it had all been in vain. In the long days when Ernestine had sat and
+thought and grieved, she must have matured her plans well, or else she
+had gone blindly forth, on the wild impulse of despair, and been
+swallowed in the black wickedness of the great city, into which she
+went. It was a ceaseless question in the anxious hearts of those who
+loved her, but there never came any answer; and the days and weeks
+dragged into months until the year had rolled around, and they had heard
+nothing. The name of the lost became more precious than ever, and many
+things she had left behind, that all spoke so eloquently of her, they
+treasured as priceless, and wet them with many a sad tear, while heart
+and lips pleaded for the return of the dear one. The year of anxiety had
+told on Mrs. Dering, for the soft brown hair was thickly lined with
+grey, and there was a never-dying look of prayerful anxiety in her face,
+as though in some way, her life-work had been remiss and the fault of
+this one, gone astray, lay at her door. Still she never once gave up
+hope that at some time God would return this dear one to her, though it
+required constant prayer to strengthen the faith that trembled on the
+threshold of this affliction.
+
+Under the strain of mental and physical work, her health was slowly
+giving way, and for many weeks there had been the anxious question,
+"what can be done to relieve mama?" and there had been no way
+discovered, for money was low, and each one already doing her utmost; so
+Mrs. Dering held her position at the seminary, and was obliged to
+content herself with one visit home a week, and sometimes not even
+that, for the hack drive was so fatiguing, and besides, it cost fifty
+cents every time.
+
+Well, after all, God never fails to give us something to cheer our
+flagging steps, never fails to know when a burdened child is falling
+with its load, and never fails to take the hand outstretched to Him, and
+help that child along!
+
+In the midst of an anxious controversy one evening, when Mrs. Dering had
+just arrived home, and was lying exhausted on the lounge; Olive came in
+from the store and brought a letter with the Boston post mark; it proved
+to be from Mr. Dering's cousin, a wealthy widow, with an only son whose
+health was failing, and for whom the doctor prescribed a summer's rest,
+and relief from study. She had once visited the Dering home, and said
+she knew of no one, to whom she would so willingly trust her boy, in his
+delicate health, as to Robert's wife. The price named for his board was
+lavishly liberal, and filled the long felt want, for it would more than
+admit of mother's being free and at home to rest, and regain her own
+health and strength.
+
+So this was what Kat, viewing matters from a personal standpoint,
+thought was "horrible," and what Kittie tried to reconcile her to by
+reviewing the good things that would result from it. Bea was to room
+with Olive, and the sunny front room was fixed for the coming invalid,
+and it is a pity that all the knick-knacks arranged by the girls could
+not have retained all the curious conjectures uttered in their hearing,
+as to what the coming cousin was apt to be like, and repeated them to
+that same person.
+
+He came one evening, a tall pale youth, with very black eyes, quiet
+gentlemanly manners, and a faint suspicion of a mustache, and Kat
+instantly declared that she didn't like him.
+
+"I told you he'd be solemn, and look like a preacher. I bet he's got
+consumption too, and I suppose he'll call me Kathleen and ask me if I'm
+prepared to die?" she exclaimed, after they had met him and he had gone
+to his room.
+
+"I think he's very polite and nice," said Bea.
+
+"He looks very intelligent," added Olive, with a pleasing idea in her
+mind, of having some one with whom she could discuss her books, and
+study Latin.
+
+"Some fun in him I know," laughed Kittie. "And what nice manners he has,
+and black eyes, I wonder if he appreciates them?"
+
+"Poor fellow, just hear him cough," exclaimed Bea in sympathy. "Girls,
+what have you nice for supper?"
+
+"Slap-jacks," answered Kat grimly. "I hope he'll enjoy them."
+
+"O Kat, you surely have something else besides cakes," cried Bea in
+dismay. "It'll never do, he's used to everything nice."
+
+"Suppose he is, we're not, and he mustn't expect it here."
+
+"Dear me," explained Bea, starting for the kitchen; but Kittie
+interrupted her, with the consoling remark:
+
+"It's all right, I made a nice pudding with sugar sauce, and there is
+cold meat and hot biscuit, that's enough, mama said so."
+
+"I bet you he'll sit and mope in his room, and cry for his mama, dear
+little boy, I'll give him a sugar horn," laughed Kat, then caught her
+breath suddenly, and flushed scarlet, for there in the door stood the
+new cousin, also rather flushed, but with his eyes twinkling, and his
+arms full of things.
+
+"Thank you, Cousin Kathleen," he said gravely; "I really hadn't thought
+of crying, but your promise is tempting, I'll begin in a few moments. In
+the meantime, here are some messages that mother sent with her love. She
+selected for each, as she remembered you, and I hope that none of you
+have so changed in tastes, that these little things will be out of
+keeping."
+
+His genial tone, and winning smile were very taking, and made every one
+feel acquainted at once, so Bea pushed an easy chair forward, saying
+with a smile:
+
+"We'll try hard to be grateful, Cousin Ralph. Come, take this easy chair
+and deliver your messages, you see we're anxious."
+
+He did so, holding up a splendid copy of Dante.
+
+"For Olive, whom mother remembers as a studious book-loving little girl,
+and hoped she would enjoy this grand work."
+
+"I shall indeed," cried Olive joyfully. "How kind your mother is."
+
+"She is indeed," answered Ralph. "And very dear to me, I assure you."
+
+"This for Beatrice," he added, holding up a stout package; "I assure
+you, the interior is more attractive than the exterior," he said with a
+laugh; and so Bea found it, for there was a box of kid gloves, a dozen
+beautiful handkerchiefs, with her monogram worked in the corner, and a
+beautiful set of jet jewelry.
+
+Bea was in ecstasies, and put on her ornaments at once, while Ralph next
+unfastened two boxes exactly alike and handed them, with their contents
+exposed, to their owners.
+
+"For Kittie," he said, "and Kathleen."
+
+Kittie gave a little scream of delight, but Kat simply made a bow, and
+said "Thanks," with the grace of a ramrod, and shut her box with a snap.
+They were two beautiful chains and lockets, of ebony and gold, with the
+letters "K. D." in raised letters on the lockets, and a picture of the
+giver within. Ralph took no notice of Kat's reception of the gift, but
+complimented Kittie as she put hers on, and then asked for Mrs. Dering.
+
+Her gift was a dress of heavy black silk, with everything necessary to
+its make-up, and yards and yards of beautiful lace and fringe for its
+trimming. Oh, how happy the girls were over that, and how splendid it
+would seem to see mama once more in an elegant dress, such as she used
+to wear.
+
+For Ernestine, were elegantly bound copies of the old composers, and for
+Jeanie an exquisite little pearl ring. The one of these, Mrs. Dering
+laid away with tears, and a silent prayer, such as came from her heart
+every hour of the day for the absent one; the other, she sent with a
+long, loving letter to the little girl in Virginia, and thought, with a
+grateful heart, that the bitterest sorrows have a drop of joy somewhere,
+for the doctors had said that Jeanie could be cured.
+
+In just a little while, it seemed as though Ralph had been with them
+always, such a comfort as he was to all, and such a genial, jovial
+companion as he became on all occasions. Mrs. Dering, or Aunt Elizabeth,
+he very soon lifted to the niche of affection next to his mother's; and
+she, in turn, loved him as an own son, and in his ambitious moments,
+gave him long earnest talks, wherein she drew his unremembered Uncle
+Robert, as an example of truth, manhood and honor, such as she hoped to
+see him follow.
+
+For Bea, who now revelled in all the bliss of being a young lady nearly
+eighteen, he exerted all his most courtly politeness and gallant
+manners, and she wondered how she had ever gotten on without him
+before.
+
+To Olive, he was confidential, and finally won her to the same state.
+They studied, read and discussed, disagreed and argued, but he was
+always so polite, and ready to gracefully yield when a contested point
+could not be settled, that Olive grew ashamed of her more abrupt manners
+and hasty speech, and so the intimacy helped her in more ways than one.
+He confided to her all his ambitious plans of being a great lawyer, and
+his impatience at having to drop his studies for so many months. She, in
+turn, confided to him her longing for artistic study, and made him
+ashamed by the patience with which she had laid aside her cherished
+plans, and given all her time to the work which necessity demanded. So
+their friendship prospered.
+
+To Kittie, he was invaluable, and a more devoted brother and sister
+surely never lived. They boated, walked, sang, played and, in short,
+were almost constantly together. He was quick to discover the girlish
+longing to be graceful, refined and accomplished, and he helped her
+much, both as an example of polished, polite manners, and by rehearsing
+for her many of the accomplishments and graces of ladies of his
+acquaintance. And many times had he said to her in their little chats:
+"You have a constant example before you, Kittie, in your mother. She is
+so refined, and such a true, noble woman, I would love to see you like
+her."
+
+To Kat, he was nothing, unless it was a stumbling block in the way of
+her happiness. She didn't like him, and was furiously jealous of the
+flourishing friendship between him and Kittie. He had not been solemn
+and poky, as she had prophesied, and the fact nettled her. She never
+could make him angry, though she left no way untried, and that was
+exasperating. He was always catching her at a disadvantage, and what she
+thought was anger at the fact, was, in truth, wounded pride. She was as
+rude as she dared be, and never lost an opportunity to sharp-shoot; and
+while he realized the impoliteness of a return shot, the temptation was
+too great to resist; so they had some lively skirmishes, in all good
+humor on his side, but in lively anger on hers.
+
+He came out on the porch one day, and found her sitting on the steps,
+with her hat tilted over her eyes, and a generally woe-begone look in
+her whole attitude; and they had just had a wordy battle out at the
+pond.
+
+"Why, Kathleen," he exclaimed, in mock penitence, "is it possible? Why,
+I never meant to hurt your feelings. I didn't suppose they could be
+hurt."
+
+"No; they can't, by you," retorted Kat, knocking off her hat, and
+showing her eyes scornfully bright and dry. "Whenever you speak, I
+consider the source, and it never amounts to much."
+
+"Is it possible?" he exclaimed, laughing. "When I speak to you, you are
+the source of every inspiring word."
+
+"Then I am heartily ashamed of myself."
+
+"I don't wonder; I'm often ashamed of you."
+
+"You're hideous," cried Kat, fiercely. "I wonder if you have the ghost
+of an idea how horrible you are, Ralph Tremayne?"
+
+"No, indeed, I never found any one impolite enough to tell me; but you
+will, I'm sure."
+
+"Don't judge my politeness by your own!"
+
+"I can't for you have none," he rejoined coolly.
+
+Kat could have slapped him with a relish, and like as not, if he had
+been nearer her own age she would have tried it. As it was, she looked
+into his laughing eyes and knew that she was angry, and he was not,
+therefore he would win, for a cool head can think a great deal faster
+than a hot one; so she turned on her heel with a contemptuous spin, and
+left him.
+
+That afternoon she heard Ralph and Kittie planning a walk to the woods
+next day, and her jealous heart ached and burned fiercely. How
+despicable he was to take all of Kittie's time, and make himself such a
+paragon in her eyes, that she could talk of no one else. Kat shook her
+head in dire vengeance, and might have cried if she hadn't been too
+proud. But just then Kittie said:
+
+"I don't know, Ralph, whether I can go or not; I have some sewing that I
+ought to do; you remember how I tore my dress the last time we went
+boating? well, I ought to darn it, you see."
+
+"No, I don't happen to see, unless you take it out in the woods and mend
+it, while I make you a crown and put it on your head as queen of
+industrious girls. Violets would be very becoming to your brown hair and
+winsome face."
+
+"What nonsense!" muttered Kat, in disgust, while all the time her heart
+ached. "Wouldn't it be a joke if he was saying all those things to me
+instead of Kittie, and didn't know the difference. He wouldn't think I
+had a winsome face if I was the last girl alive, and yet I'm the moral
+image of Kittie."
+
+"Perhaps I can find time to darn my dress this afternoon, and if I do,
+then I'll go to-morrow," Kittie was saying, and then in a few moments
+Ralph went away. The moment he was gone Kat came around into the arbor,
+and threw herself on the grass.
+
+"Now then, Kittie."
+
+"Well, my dear."
+
+"I would just like to know a thing or two?"
+
+"What, for instance?"
+
+"Who are you going with to-morrow? That abomination wants you to go with
+him, and I've set my heart on having you go with me down town. You
+haven't been with me, since the dear knows when, and upon my word, I
+feel real bad."
+
+"I'll mend my dress now, go with Ralph in the morning, and you in the
+afternoon," smiled Kittie sweetly.
+
+"No you don't," cried Kat, sitting up. "I'd like to have you to myself
+for one day, at least. If he can get you from me so much in six weeks,
+by the end of summer you'll be beyond speaking to me."
+
+"Oh, Kat," cried Kittie reproachfully. "How can you?"
+
+"Well, will you go with me to-morrow?"
+
+"My dress--"
+
+"I'll darn your old dress right now. Will you?"
+
+"I don't believe you care half as much for me to go, as you do to spite
+Ralph," said Kittie thoughtfully, and to Kat's amazement she suddenly
+realized that this was so, not but what she really wanted Kittie, but
+the predominant desire was to spite Ralph, and she was bound to do it
+now, so she ran off for the dress, brought it back, and darned it
+immaculately, whereupon Kittie felt that the thing was settled.
+
+Kat was jubilant all the evening, and seized the first opportunity of
+announcing the change in the programme. Shortly after they came into the
+sitting-room, Ralph asked:
+
+"Is the dress darned, Kittie?"
+
+"Yes, it is, and I darned it, and Kittie's going down town with me
+to-morrow," answered Kat glibly.
+
+Ralph lifted his eye-brows with a smile, instantly detecting the little
+spite-work.
+
+"Why, did I speak to you?"
+
+"Believe not; I spoke to you."
+
+"Suppose you try the novelty of speaking when you're spoken to."
+
+"I generally do; also at any other time that I take a notion. I've done
+it all my life, and it'll take more than you to stop me."
+
+"Some people talk to hear themselves."
+
+"So I've heard, and I'm quite convinced that no one has a better right
+to come under that head than yourself."
+
+"Quite true; I'm amazed at your powers of penetration. Perhaps you also
+observed that I rank only a little ways below my illustrious cousin,
+Kathleen."
+
+"I'm not your cousin, thank goodness."
+
+"Don't thank anything with which you have so little acquaintance; it's
+apt to never be appreciated."
+
+"No acquaintance that I have with anything, or any body troubles me as
+much as the acquaintance that I have with you."
+
+"You have my sympathy, for I'm troubled with the same feeling."
+
+"Do hush," exclaimed Kittie. "It's perfectly awful the way you two do
+talk. Ralph, come play chess. Kat, I'm astonished."
+
+"I don't wonder; so am I; but I never had such an object to deal with
+before, so no wonder I do some unusual things," cried Kat, and bounced
+out of the room to hide the tears that would come; for Kittie's voice
+was reproof, and she took Ralph's part, and that was altogether too
+much!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+STUDY OR PLAY?
+
+
+Olive was standing at the window, with a thoughtful face. Any one who
+remembered seeing her on the porch one evening, a little over two years
+ago, and recalled her face then, compared to what it was now, would have
+said in incredulous amaze:
+
+"What a change!"
+
+She was now nearly seventeen, though she looked every day of twenty,
+both in face and figure. There was such a settled, purposeful look in
+the face, and so much strength and soul looking out from the eyes, that
+had been used to scowling fiercely, so much determination expressed in
+the mouth, that had caught the trick of smiling much more readily than
+it once had. Nor was this all of the change either; she had come to
+realize that care in personal attire, and a study of pleasing others,
+could frame the most unattractive in attractive guise, and indeed, they
+had done their work for her. Instead of wearing the very things that she
+knew did not harmonize with her peculiar dark complexion, she studied
+what was becoming. Her hair, which was luxuriously long and heavy, she
+wore in such a manner as to soften the severe outline to head and face,
+and waved it deeply in front, so that curly tendrils of hair lessened
+the height of her too-high brow, and gave a more girlish look to the
+thoughtful face. In short, the Olive of two years ago was not much like
+the Olive of to-day, and in what her character had changed, I leave you
+to find out for yourself.
+
+She stood there, looking out, and something pleasing, evidently, caught
+her eye, for it brightened suddenly, then in a moment a look of regret
+chased the smile from her face.
+
+"What is it, dear?" inquired Mrs. Dering.
+
+"What, mama?"
+
+"The faces of my girls are so dear to me, that I can read them quickly.
+Something pleased you, then brought an after-thought that was sad. What
+was it?"
+
+"Nothing. I only saw Bea coming with Dr. Barnett."
+
+"Ah!" The same smile, followed by a look of regret and a little sigh
+crossed Mrs. Dering's face, and she sewed a little faster than before,
+as if her thoughts were suddenly quickened by something. Dr. Walter
+Barnett had come to Canfield within the past year, rented a modest
+little office, hung out a neat, pretty sign to indicate that all persons
+afflicted with any of the ills to which flesh is heir, would always find
+him ready and anxious to do his best; and after a patient, hopeful
+struggle, he had now settled in a flourishing practise; for he was
+courteous and gentle, ready and willing, and always inspired the
+children with a liking, which old Dr. Potts, with his blue glasses and
+loud voice, could never do. Dr. Walter also taught the bible-class, and
+won the flinty hearts of the congregation, and the susceptible ones of
+the young ladies. He also frequently walked home with Beatrice Dering,
+and had fallen into the way of occasionally stopping in the evenings, if
+he happened to be passing and saw them in the yard. The old house, with
+its shady porches, clambering vines, and sheltering trees, made him
+think of his own home he said, and then Mrs. Dering, with her sweet,
+motherly ways, and surrounded by such lovely attractions, seemed to
+charm him; and Ralph Tremayne possessed a wonderful influence over him
+some way, which served to bring him there more frequently than he could
+have found an excuse for coming, if that young gentleman had not formed
+a part of the household.
+
+Bea came up stairs in a little while, with a lovely color in her cheeks,
+and looking very bewitching indeed, with her soft bright eyes, a posy
+in her belt, and a merry smile on her lips.
+
+"I met Dr. Barnett" she said, taking off her hat, and smoothing out the
+ribbons with a little thoughtful air; "he was just going to see that
+poor widow's little girl, who broke her back last week, and he stopped
+while I gathered some flowers for him to take to her. He is going to
+cure her if he can, and not charge anything. Isn't it good and kind in
+him, mama?"
+
+"Yes, dear, very. He did not tell you so, did he?"
+
+"Oh no; he's too modest. Mrs. Dane told me. She went to see the little
+girl, and took some things, for they are very poor, you know; and the
+mother told her, and just cried when she told how good and kind he was,
+and how he talked, and told Katie stories, when she was afraid to have
+her back fixed."
+
+"He is a very estimable young man, and a true Christian, I think," said
+Mrs. Dering, watching Bea's animated face as she talked, and noticing
+that there was no touch of embarrassment or any trace of color, as she
+rehearsed her friend's praise.
+
+"When I gave him the flowers," added Bea, taking the posy from her belt,
+and sniffing at the fragrant leaves, "he gave me these, and said we
+would exchange. He has a little window-garden in his office. I think
+that is so nice,--and these grew in it; they need some water now, poor
+little things. Hand me that vase, Olive! There!"
+
+Mrs. Dering went on with her sewing, and her heart, ever young, went
+back to the blissful days of her own life, like these in which Bea now
+lived, and she thought, with a smile:
+
+"Bless the dear innocent little heart. She doesn't suspect yet how happy
+she is, nor what precious meaning the little exchange of posies will
+soon take unto themselves."
+
+Olive was thinking of Bea's happy face and blithe laugh, and after her
+sister had gone singing from the room, she came over to her mother's
+side, and sat down on a stool there.
+
+"Mama, are you glad?"
+
+"Yes, dear, both glad and sad. A mother always dreads the time when she
+must begin to prepare herself to have her children leave her; but it
+must come, so if she can know that their new choice will bring them
+happiness, it, of course, lessens the pain which comes with losing them.
+Dr. Barnett is a good Christian, a perfect gentleman, and I think he
+loves Beatrice. I also think she is quite unconscious of it as yet, and
+I am very glad. I hope it will continue so. She is young yet, my dear
+little girl, and when she becomes aware of the new love, then I must be
+content with second place, and I do not want it to come yet."
+
+"And, mama--"
+
+"Well, dear."
+
+"I want to speak of something that may be all imagination on my part,
+and will take your word to settle it. But don't you think Ralph thinks a
+great deal of Kittie?"
+
+"Yes, he does; but it is all a brotherly feeling, anything else would be
+nonsense! Why, they're nothing but children!" said Mrs. Dering a little
+sharply.
+
+"I know Kittie is, and she never thinks of such a thing any more than a
+genuine kitten; but Ralph is twenty, mama," said Olive.
+
+"I know; and very old for his age in many things, but at heart he is
+nothing but a boy. He has always been at home with his mother, and has
+an almost girlish love and preference for ladies' society. He and Kittie
+are genial in amusements, just as you and he are in books and ambitions.
+They love each other as brother and sister, but as nothing more. I
+should be sorely displeased if any other idea should ever reach either."
+
+"It never will through me," said Olive. She then sat silent for a long
+time, and finally breaking the pause, by saying:
+
+"Mama, do you remember, one night a long time ago, when we were all
+telling disappointments?"
+
+"Yes, quite well."
+
+"Of course, it was all nonsense; but I have often thought since, that
+some time, I would tell you what I wanted to do."
+
+"And am I to hear now?"
+
+Olive smiled, and looked a little wistful.
+
+"Yes, I guess I will tell you, though it will be no surprise to you. I
+want to study, but I can never do it in Canfield. When I was fourteen, I
+first thought of going to the city and studying in Cooper's Institute
+and coming home for over Sunday, and I began to save up my money for it.
+The money that I gave to papa was that, and I was at work on a head to
+take with me, because I thought perhaps I would have to have a trial
+picture. I knew I couldn't go then, because I was too young and
+inexperienced; but I'm older now, and if you would only say that you are
+willing, so that I could begin to put just a little money away every
+month--"
+
+Mrs. Dering laid down her sewing, and looked in amaze at Olive's face,
+which had become so enthusiastic as she put her plea in a voice that
+trembled in its eagerness.
+
+"My dear child, I had thought of that same thing for you."
+
+"Why, mama!"
+
+"I had, indeed; and is it possible that it has been your own thought and
+desire for so long? You have so cheerfully given up your own work and
+done that less tasteful, and so patiently waited for the time to come
+when you could use your own money, that I had decided on just this
+thing, and will draw enough money from the bank to send you. I have a
+dear old friend in the city who would be delighted to have you board
+with her during the week, and now that Ralph is here, you can and shall
+be spared from your work, and shall take a rest in doing the work that
+you love."
+
+Olive looked speechless. Her eyes were full of sparkling tears, and her
+lips trembling with a smile. She evidently did not know what to say for
+some moments, then she exclaimed:
+
+"Oh, mama! Is it really so? It seems too good to believe, I had almost
+given up hope, for it didn't seem as if I ever could go. Oh, how I will
+study and draw, so as to make money and make my name;" and overcome with
+joy and a desire to shed some happy tears, Olive jumped up and ran out.
+
+In a day or two, however, something happened that deferred Olive's
+studies for a while longer. It was from Jean, a long letter, full of
+love and longings to see them all, and long reports of what the doctors
+were doing for her, and how she could stand straight now without her
+crutch, and would soon be able to take a step. And after all that, she
+began about Uncle Ridley: how kind and good he was, how she had
+everything she could think of; how they loved each other; and then came
+this piece of news:
+
+"He wants one of the girls to come and make a visit, mama. He's often
+said so; but the other day he told me to write for one of them, which
+ever one I wanted, and he would pay her expenses. Now you know I never
+could choose which of the girls I'd love to see most, because I want to
+see them all so very much. But I think he wants to see Olive; he's often
+said so; and he's asked me so much about her, and said he'd like to know
+her because she was so impudent to him. Why was she? Do you know, mama?
+I think it's so strange, when he's such a dear, darling uncle. Anyhow, I
+think it would please him very much if she would come, and oh, how very
+happy I would be. Tell me what you think about it, and I do hope she'll
+come; and if she can't, please let one of the others, and hurry and let
+me know. I can hardly wait."
+
+"Of course you'll go," said Kittie, when the letter was finished, and
+the question open to discussion.
+
+"To be sure," said Kat. "Olive, you're a lucky girl. I wish I had been
+impudent to him."
+
+"I always have wanted to see Congreve Hall," said Bea, with a little
+sigh. "How grand it would seem to live in a magnificent place that had a
+name to it. I suppose you'll stay a long time, Olive?"
+
+"I wish he wanted any of you," said Olive, "and I believe he does. It's
+all Jeanie's notion, his wanting me. Fix Bea up, mama, and let her go. I
+have something else on my mind."
+
+But Mrs. Dering shook her head. "I think Jean is right," she said.
+"Uncle Ridley is a peculiar old man and he thinks Olive is much like the
+Congreves; he told me so himself, and I think he wants you for that
+reason."
+
+So great was Olive's consternation, that she sprang right up from her
+seat in dismay.
+
+"Oh, mama! I want to see Jean; you know I do, but I can't give up my
+plan any longer; I can't. You don't think I ought to, do you?"
+
+"What do you think about it, Olive?"
+
+"I don't know; I think it's too bad," cried Olive; then fled from the
+room, as she always did when she found her emotions getting the mastery
+over her.
+
+"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Kat, in sympathy. "It is too bad when her
+heart is so set on her studies. That's the disadvantage of having a
+talent. Don't you suppose Uncle Ridley would be satisfied with me? I'd
+do my level best to be like the Congreves, if that is such an attraction
+to him."
+
+"He'd go crazy with such a whirligig about as you," said Bea, a little
+envious of Olive's good luck. "I think I might go. I'm the oldest, and
+dear me, how I would enjoy it!"
+
+"I would love to have you all go," said Mrs. Dering, thoughtfully
+creasing the letter in her fingers. "Congreve Hall was papa's home, and
+I would enjoy having you see it, would love to go myself, in fact, and
+when I think of my dear precious little girl, it seems as though I must
+go. But that cannot be, so it need not be thought of. As to Olive, Uncle
+Ridley is peculiar and quick, and he took a fancy to her, and if her
+going to see them would give him any pleasure, I am only too glad and
+willing to have her go. I am sorry the invitation came just now for the
+child has waited so patiently to study and work on her art, that delay
+will be a sore disappointment to her. But she will see through it
+rightly I am sure and be willing to wait a little longer."
+
+"Mama," said Kat, reflectively, "don't you think Olive has changed very,
+very much?"
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"And especially since Ernestine went away. Why?" asked Kittie.
+
+Mrs. Dering sighed and looked sad; she always did when Ernestine's name
+was mentioned.
+
+"Olive's was a very unhappy disposition then, a great deal more so than
+she is now," she said. "What attractions she possessed, she hid by her
+faults; she did not try to please any one, but took her time in envying
+Ernestine's natural beauty and power to please. She made herself bitter,
+morose, and unattractive, then blamed others for showing any preference
+for her sisters. I think the lesson poor Ernestine taught was one that
+she took to heart deeply, and has profited much by."
+
+"I notice she does not dislike Uncle Ridley as much as she used to,"
+said Bea, smiling and looking very happy all at once as she caught sight
+of a gentleman coming up the shady walk. "Mama, here comes Dr. Barnett.
+I promised him some more flowers to take to little Katie Gregg. If he is
+not in a hurry I shall ask him in; and, Kat, I advise you to put up your
+hair. It looks like an Indian's that way."
+
+"Who cares for old Barnett?" said Kat, as Bea flitted out. "My hair
+suits myself, and if he don't like it, he can look at Kittie's. Hers is
+as proper as ten commandments, with a killing bow fastened right on an
+angle with her ear. Now here comes Ralph, and I'm off. Kittie come down
+to the pond, and let's take a row."
+
+"I will in a little while," said Kittie, putting her sewing aside; "but
+Ralph is going to help me with that example I couldn't get, and I'll do
+that first, then I'll be down."
+
+"Well, I'll not look for you," said Kat discontentedly. "After you get
+your old example, there'll be something else, and then it'll be time to
+get dinner. I just abominate cousins!" and Kat slammed out of one door,
+just as Ralph came in at the other.
+
+No one saw Olive again during the day, but just before supper she came
+down stairs and asked for mother.
+
+"I don't know," said Kittie, flying about the kitchen with her big apron
+on. "She and Bea went down town this afternoon; I don't know whether
+they're back or not. If you're going in the sitting-room, tell Ralph to
+come; he said he'd beat the eggs, if I'd make a puff-cake."
+
+So Olive went into the sitting-room, and sent Ralph out to the feminine
+employment of egg-beating, then she stood by the window and looked
+absently out at the shadowy yard. She was going to Virginia; she had
+decided on that, though the decision had cost some bitter tears and some
+stern reasoning; for her new plans, long held in check, were doubly
+precious in the sudden promise of fulfillment, and her whole soul,
+starved out on book-keeping and dusty offices, begged for a revel in the
+art she loved so well.
+
+"After all," she mused, deciding grimly to look at the best side of
+things, "Jean says there is a gallery of grand pictures at Congreve
+Hall, and I suppose I can study and make copies of the ones that I like;
+and then"--the thought was a little distasteful to her--"I suppose I was
+unjust to Mr. Congreve, and ought to make amends if I can. We do owe him
+more than any amount of gratitude can ever repay, for all he's done for
+Jean, and I suppose I ought to call him Uncle Ridley, and have the dress
+made that he sent me; perhaps he'll recognize it;" then she laughed a
+little, to think what he would say at discovering her just accepting the
+present made two years ago.
+
+"A laugh sounds encouraging; what brings it Olive?" asked Mrs. Dering,
+having entered noiselessly.
+
+"Nothing, I was just thinking," answered Olive. "I will go, mama,
+because I cannot help but think that I ought to, I was just deciding in
+my mind to call him Uncle Ridley, and have the black dress made. How
+soon shall I go?"
+
+"I cannot tell yet; there is much that you will need done. I am very
+glad that you have decided in this way, Olive dear, though I know it was
+a sacrifice; but your art will become none the less precious through
+delay, and your decision shows a desire to retract some hasty judgments,
+and do justice to a peculiar old man, who, with all his faults and
+vagaries, has a heart as true as gold."
+
+"I guess that's it," said Olive, with a little sigh; and then the
+supper-bell rang.
+
+At the end of three weeks Olive was ready to go, and it was hard to tell
+whether she was any more enthusiastic with the idea or not. After the
+fashion of all young girls, she could not help but be pleased to see the
+accumulating pile of pretty things; to feel all the time that something,
+which might prove very pleasant, was going to happen; and that she was
+the cause of all the little bustle of preparation that filled the house,
+and engrossed the mind and hands of mother and sisters. There is always
+something, more or less exciting in the appearance of a trunk, and when
+packing time actually came, Olive found that she was beginning to
+indulge in some very pleasing anticipations.
+
+"I expect Jean has grown very tall," said Bea one afternoon, as the
+girls were all gathered in Olive's room, and the big trunk stood open in
+the middle of the floor.
+
+"Probably wears long dresses, and does her hair in a chignogger," said
+Kat, from a perch on the foot-board of the bed, where she rested in idle
+moments.
+
+"'Tisn't to be supposed that she can be treated so like a young lady,
+and not get stuck up. Just to think of having a maid, and being called
+Miss Dering, when you are only twelve. Hollo, Kittie! hand me that pile
+of skirts, and I'll fold them."
+
+"Dear me," said Kittie, handing over the snowy starched heap. "You have
+six white skirts, Olive, and three of them trimmed. I'd feel terribly
+fixed up, and lady-like with so many."
+
+"Pooh! some girls have six dozen, with tucks, and ruffles and puffles on
+every blessed one of them," said Kat, making the starched cloth rattle
+with her vigorous folding.
+
+"All nonsense," assented Kittie, down on her knees before the trunk.
+"Now hand me the things and I'll pack. Kat, you're knocking everything
+off the table, the way you whisk those skirts around. Hand me the black
+dress; that's the heaviest and must go in first."
+
+"Where's the other black tip?" asked Bea, who was trimming the
+travelling hat. "There it is, you blew it behind the table with your
+whirlwind of skirts; hand it to me, Kat."
+
+"What fun it is to pack and go away," said Kat, fishing out the desired
+feather with Olive's parasol. "You pack like a captain, Kittie. I'd most
+likely have put her best hat in the first thing, shoe polish next, and
+then tumbled in anything that I happened to lay my hands on. Dear me, I
+wish I was going."
+
+"I really think it's too bad that you haven't a party dress, Olive,"
+said Kittie, with some disapproval.
+
+"Whatever would she do with a party dress," cried Kat, once more
+enthroned on the foot-board. "Who'd give a party, I'd like to know? One
+old man, a little girl, and a pile of servants!"
+
+"Young Mr. Congreve is there," corrected Bea.
+
+"S'pose he is; and anyhow, I hope you'll snub him, Olive; he's going to
+own Congreve Hall, and it ought to have been papa's. If he was a decent
+man he wouldn't take it. How are you going to treat him?"
+
+"I don't know;--yes, I like the feather that way; you ought to see how
+nicely my dress hangs," said Olive, in a little flutter of pleasing
+excitement. "Really, it's quite nice getting ready to go away. I only
+wish the visit was over and done with, and all this preparation was for
+sending me off to study."
+
+"Don't worry about your studying, you're twice as smart now as any of
+us," said Bea, surveying her work, from its perch on her finger. "Now
+try this on, Olive, I've tipped the feather a little more to one side,
+and it looks more jaunty--just the thing too; isn't that becoming
+girls?"
+
+"Perfectly mag!" exclaimed Kat, making an eye-glass of her hands, and
+falling into a rapture of admiration that pretty near upset her from the
+foot-board.
+
+"I declare, you're going to be very distinguished looking, Olive," said
+Kittie, resting from her packing to survey, and pass an opinion. "And a
+cocked hat is very becoming. The next thing we hear, you will be
+creating a sensation in Staunton that will shake the whole of Virginia."
+
+"Very likely," laughed Olive; but she looked pleased, for there was
+honest admiration in each sister's voice; and, after all, it is no small
+thing to be going off alone, with a trunk filled by loving hands, a new
+cocked hat that is becoming, and the pleasing thought of looking well in
+all respects, and perhaps "distinguished."
+
+The day for departure came at last; and in the afternoon sunshine,
+Olive, trunk and satchel stood on the porch, waiting for the express
+wagon; and the front door stood open, and there was a great deal of
+laughing and talking going on within, that sounded very gay and happy.
+Dr. Barnett had taken advantage of the little excitement to drop in,
+though he had been around only the evening before, and bid Olive
+good-bye, with much ceremony and many good wishes; but no one seemed to
+object to his being on hand again, for Bea looked her unconscious
+happiness, and Mrs. Dering was cordial and kind, and the young doctor
+was in a dream of bliss.
+
+"Where's Ralph?" exclaimed Olive, suddenly, when the real good-bye
+moment had fairly come; if such it could be called, when the whole
+family were going to the depot with the young traveller.
+
+"He's gone, sure enough!" said Kittie, after some hasty and lusty
+calling had taken place. "I suppose he's gone on down to the train; but
+it's funny the wagon don't come."
+
+"I'll trot down to the gate and see if it is in sight," volunteered Kat,
+who was obliged to keep moving as a vent to excitement; but just as she
+started, there rattled up to the gate, in great style, the handsomest of
+Canfield's two hacks, and out of it sprang Ralph.
+
+"I wanted you to go off in style," he said, well pleased with himself
+when he saw Olive's delighted look. "Here cabby, is the trunk! Now,
+ladies--hollo, doctor! you going to the train?"
+
+"Well, really," said Dr. Barnett, hesitating, "I hadn't thought, but, if
+Miss Olive will allow me, I'll be happy."
+
+He said Miss Olive, but, bless you! he looked right straight at Miss
+Beatrice, and she smiled; and after that, neither ever knew whether
+Olive was willing or not.
+
+"This is putting on style with a vengeance," said Kat, as the ladies
+seated themselves in the back, after the trunk had been tossed aloft.
+"People will think the whole family is departing for Europe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CONGREVE HALL.
+
+
+"That's Olive! that's Olive! Oh I'm so glad; hurry James, there she is!"
+
+It was an eager, childish voice, ringing joyfully through the Staunton
+depot, and making every one turn and smile at the speaker, who stood in
+a large carriage, running her eyes over the crowd that gathered as the
+train came in and stopped; and suddenly breaking into that joyful cry,
+as she watched for a face, which appeared among so many strange ones.
+
+"Yes, Miss Jean; the young lady in grey?"
+
+"Yes, and hurry; she doesn't see us yet," cried Jean, almost leaping
+from the carriage in her eager excitement, but James made his way
+through the crowd, and Olive suddenly found herself confronted by a tall
+man who lifted his hat.
+
+"Miss Dering? Miss Jean is in the carriage; may I take your satchel?
+This way, please."
+
+Olive followed, with her heart fluttering wildly; but almost before her
+quick eye discovered her little sister, James had paused at the
+carriage, and Jean was laughing and crying on her neck.
+
+"Oh, Olive, I'm so glad and happy, I don't know what to do! I was so
+afraid you wouldn't come--and Uncle Ridley told me I mustn't get out of
+the carriage--and cousin Roger couldn't come with me--and I'm so glad
+you came--and how is mama and the girls--why don't you say something?"
+
+More than one person in hearing of this incoherent outburst, smiled
+broadly, and James was obliged to lower his head as he assisted Olive
+into the carriage, lest the twinkle of amusement in his face, should mar
+his profound dignity and professed stolidity for anything outside his
+coachmanship.
+
+"Do tell me everything--quick," cried Jean, as the carriage started
+onward, and she took her seat on Olive's lap. "Didn't mama send her
+picture, or something? I'd give twenty million dollars, if I had it, if
+I could just see her for a few little minutes. I guess I've cried about
+fifty gallons of tears to see you all since I came here."
+
+"Cried, when you are getting well?" laughed Olive, just beginning to
+realize how much she had wanted to see the little sister, who was now
+clinging to her with such joyous love.
+
+"Yes, indeed I have; and then Bettine gets so sorry for me, and says it
+isn't right, but then, I think God ought not to make me love mama and
+you all so much, if He does not want me to cry to see you."
+
+"And are you ever so much better?" asked Olive.
+
+"Oh yes, I never use my crutch now, only a little cane to help me, and
+the first time I really walk without any thing, I'm going to have my
+picture taken for mama."
+
+"I will draw it," exclaimed Olive. "If I am here, and have you standing
+among the flowers."
+
+"How nice," cried Jean; then drew back a little, and looked at her
+sister, as though just aware that she was really present.
+
+"Why, Olive, you--seems to me--I don't know; but then, aren't you
+changed a good deal, someway?"
+
+"I don't know; do you think I am?" asked Olive feeling the color creep
+into her cheeks, at the honest childish question.
+
+"Yes, it seems to me you are;" and Jean looked undecided whether to go
+on. "You look so nice and pretty, and then you don't seem a bit cross;
+is it because you are glad to see me?"
+
+"That's just exactly it," cried Olive, moved to hide her face.
+
+"You don't know how glad I am to see you Jeanie, and if I'm cross a
+single once while I'm here, you may scold me."
+
+"Oh, Olive," and Jean laughed merrily. "The idea of my scolding you,
+that's too funny. Don't you ever get cross any more?"
+
+"I try not, but then I do a great many times, I expect; I don't think I
+will now though, for I'm so glad to be with you, and find that you are
+just the same little Jeanie, that mama and the girls love and want to
+see so much. Why Kat said she expected you would have on long dresses,
+and be a young lady."
+
+"What a funny old girl she is," cried Jean. "I'd give anything to hear
+her laugh once, it always sounds so pretty."
+
+The rest of the drive was taken up in hasty chattering, as though they
+were going to be separated in just a few moments, and would leave
+something untold; and Olive never noticed that they had entered some
+tall gates, and were going up a white gravel road that wound in and out
+of the velvet-like lawn; and had quite forgotten her trepidation at
+meeting Mr. Congreve, until they came to a stand still, and James,
+throwing open the carriage door, revealed the great entrance portico,
+the open doors and the cool dark interior to Congreve Hall.
+
+"Where is Uncle Ridley?" was Jean's first question, as James lifted her
+out and handed her cane, while Olive followed.
+
+"I do not know, Miss Jean," James answered; but at that moment, Mr.
+Congreve became visible, advancing through the wide hall, and with her
+heart in a little jump, Olive passed Jean, entered the door, and met
+him, with outstretched hand.
+
+"How do you do, Uncle Ridley?"
+
+"Uncle Ridley! God bless my soul, just listen," cried the old man, the
+quizzical look on his face changing to one of blank delighted amazement,
+"Why, how do you do, my dear child; I didn't know but what you'd take my
+head off the first thing; you've changed a great deal; yes, bless my
+soul you have, but it's very becoming, it is indeed. Now come right in
+and sit down, and let me look at you, for I'd like to do so, yes I
+would. There--hum! ha, I never expected to get this close to you and be
+safe. And you called me Uncle Ridley too. Do it of your own accord?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Going to do it again?"
+
+"If you want me to?"
+
+"Want you to! God bless my soul! Just listen. I never was a downright,
+unvarnished heathen, but twice in my life; and I guess you know about
+both of those times, and my first request is that you let them slide
+from your memory. The Lord knows I'd like to! Yes, child, I want you to
+call me uncle, I hoped you would, but I wasn't going to ask you to.
+Before I die, I would like to be a better uncle to Robert's children
+than I ever was to him."
+
+[Illustration: "WHY, HOW DO YOU DO, MY DEAR CHILD?"]
+
+Olive found that what little of the old dislike that lingered in her
+memory was fast vanishing, but before she could speak, he had whisked
+back into his odd, abrupt way.
+
+"What stupids we are, to be sure; never ask you to take off your things,
+or wash your face; and it's dirty sure as I'm alive! but then, there's
+enough smoke and dust and stuff, between here and New York, to dirty the
+faces of all the angel hosts, so you needn't mind; though I don't
+suppose you do; bless me! no; but then, you had better go and wash it.
+Jeanie, Olive is ready to go up stairs."
+
+Jean had been fluttering about Olive's chair in impatient eagerness, and
+now signified her readiness to act as guide by seizing her hand and
+hurrying out.
+
+"I was so afraid he would keep you there to talk," she said, as they
+went up the wide stairway, and through the hall, that made Olive open
+her eyes in spite of herself, for she never had seen such lavish display
+of elegance; and she was immediately seized with an old feeling of
+awkward strangeness, that brought a defiant color to her face, as she
+thought of any one discovering that she was unused to any elegance or
+custom that might reign in Congreve Hall.
+
+"Uncle Ridley had these rooms fixed for you," said Jean, throwing open
+a large door, and ushering her in. "See, aren't they just beautiful?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Olive in quick delight; for they were certainly
+gems to make a girl rejoice. Three, with a bath-room, all complete, and
+looking like Titania's bower in their delicate green coloring and bamboo
+furniture. The carpets were like untouched moss clinging fresh and
+sweet, to mother-rocks, and to Olive, it seemed almost like sacrilege to
+tread upon it. From the wide, deep windows was a view, such as would
+hold the most careless gazer in a moment of ecstasy, and after one quick
+cry of artistic appreciation, Olive stood mutely entranced. Looking
+down, there were occasional glimpses of the magnificent lawn, with here
+and there, a rustic seat, and white statue, thrown in bold relief as
+seen through the tossing foliage; and looking out, there showed the road
+winding down through the mountains, every now and then disappearing,
+until finally lost to view; and farther off, and down in the valley lay
+Staunton, the busy, beautiful city, with its church spires rising into
+the hazy atmosphere, as though in defiance to the lofty peaks towering
+so much higher, and printing themselves against the sky in the far
+distance, in jagged, immovable lines, that looked like relentless guards
+to something beyond.
+
+"Do you want a maid?" asked Jean, breaking in upon her reverie. "Uncle
+Ridley sent to ask you."
+
+"A maid!" exclaimed Olive, feeling blank for a moment. Did she want a
+maid? No; of course she didn't. Ernestine would have taken a maid; oh,
+yes; and no one would ever thought but what she had had a maid and
+untold luxuries all her life. But she--"No, I don't want any maid," she
+said, almost sharply; then laughed as Jean looked grieved at the quick
+tone. "What would I do with a maid, Jeanie? She would know a great deal
+more what to do than I, and that would never do, you know. Besides, I'm
+too used to dressing myself. Do all young ladies in Virginia have
+maids?"
+
+"All the rich ones, I guess. Miss Franc Murray,--she is going to marry
+Cousin Roger, Bettine says; she has one, and scolds her like everything
+when her hair isn't just right."
+
+"Why, how do you know?" laughed Olive.
+
+"I've been there lots of times. She comes here for me, and tells Uncle
+Ridley she loves me dearly; but Olive--"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"When she comes, she stays just as long as she can; and if Cousin Roger
+isn't around, she asks me where he is, and all about him; then I have to
+promise never to tell."
+
+"But you are telling me."
+
+"Oh, do you think that counts?" cried Jean in alarm. "She didn't ever
+mean you; but then, perhaps, I better not tell any more until I ask
+her, for I might break my word."
+
+Olive could not resist kissing the childish, innocent face that looked
+more like a little angel's than a child of nearly twelve. Surely, no
+matter how Jean was surrounded, she would always retain that childish
+sweetness and purity, that had always made her seem more of heaven than
+earth. Before she left Congreve Hall, Olive many times wondered that the
+child was not spoiled, for her slightest wish was law, from the owner
+down to the last servant therein.
+
+When the bell rang for tea, it broke in upon an earnest cosy chat
+between the sisters, and made them reluctant to leave their seat in the
+twilight; but Mr. Congreve was punctual to the letter, and required the
+same of others, so Jean led the way in a moment, and together they
+descended the stairs and entered the room.
+
+"Here you are, with your face clean, and a posy in your hair," cried Mr.
+Congreve, from his stand on the rug. "Fine looking girl, you are, my
+dear, and a Congreve every inch of you. Come here, and shake a paw with
+your Uncle Ridley."
+
+Olive did so, and conscious that another gentleman was standing outside
+the circle of light, and doubtless regarding her as she crossed the room
+to "shake a paw," she advanced, and tried not to think whether she was
+doing so gracefully or not.
+
+"That's the way," exclaimed Mr. Congreve, drawing her into the brightest
+light. "Roger, here is your Cousin Olive, and Olive, this is Roger
+Ridley Congreve at your service, and we will suppose that you are
+cousins, for the want of a better name. Now shake hands and be friends,
+children."
+
+The gentleman came forward, and conscious that her face was growing
+scarlet, Olive bowed slightly, and murmured something wherein no words
+were audible, but his name, and grew furiously angry with herself,
+because she had become confused at the sight of a gentleman, where she
+had expected to see only a youth.
+
+"Hoity-toity!" cried Mr. Congreve. "That will never do; call the boy
+Roger, Olive, and then we will go to supper."
+
+"The boy" smiled in a friendly fashion, and supposing that her confusion
+arose from the old gentleman's abrupt manner, he held out his hand.
+
+"Let us shake and be friendly, Cousin Olive, and it is a great wonder
+that he doesn't command a kiss of greeting, on the strength of our being
+cousins, more or less distantly removed."
+
+As he spoke, Olive looked up with a startled air, and unconscious that
+he was holding her hand, she looked straight at him for several moments.
+Where had she ever seen that face and heard that voice?
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Jean, for the memory was in some way painful
+to her, and reflected itself so in her face.
+
+"Nothing," exclaimed Olive, withdrawing her hand in mortified haste, and
+flushing scarlet again.
+
+"I thought perhaps you was getting ready to blow his head off,"
+exclaimed Mr. Congreve, as if in relief. "That's something the way you
+looked at me, only not so ferocious, no! God bless my soul, no! I should
+have run if it had been; I should indeed. Now let's go to supper.
+Jeanie, come and help your old uncle along, and Roger, you take your
+Cousin Olive, and lead the way."
+
+Olive was angry, mortified and confused, so her reception of Roger's arm
+was none too gracious, nor the few words she uttered in answer to what
+he said, anything but barely audible and civil. Sensitively aware that
+she had allowed her feelings to get possession of her in the
+commencement, she tried to rectify matters now, and grew so frigid that
+there was no thawing her out. Roger Congreve's eyes wore a constant
+twinkle, and he looked at her so frequently that Olive defiantly felt
+that he was laughing at her awkward confusion, and the thought made his
+prospects towards gaining her friendship, none too bright. So on the
+whole, supper was not a successful meal, for Mr. Congreve never, when at
+the table, allowed any duty or pleasure to interfere with his eating;
+in consequence of which, he now devoted himself solely to chicken and
+chocolate, with only an occasional word, shot in edgeways, between
+bites. Jean was worried, because Olive looked so displeased, and as for
+Mr. Congreve the younger, he soon found that their guest preferred to
+say little or nothing, so allowed her to have her way. Immediately at
+the close of the meal, Jean and Olive went up stairs. Mr. Congreve went
+to sleep, with a big pocket handkerchief over his head, and his hands
+folded solemnly over his waistcoat; and the young gentleman took himself
+away,--to see "Miss Murray," said Jean, as she settled in Olive's lap
+for a chat. "I know he's going there, because I heard him tell Carl,
+that's the gardener, to gather a beautiful bouquet."
+
+For the first week the two sisters were left entirely to themselves; and
+they talked early and late, until every step travelled by each; during
+their separation, had been gone over, and made familiar with, by the
+other. Almost every day, Jean wanted to hear Ernestine's story repeated,
+and each time it seemed to grieve her more, though she never failed to
+say with a patient trusting faith--"She will come back, I know she will,
+for I ask God every night, and then somehow I always feel as though he
+had said to me: 'Wait a little longer Jean, I'm not ready quite yet,' so
+I'm waiting, Olive."
+
+Such perfect unquestioning faith, was something that Olive could not
+understand; and many times, when Jean spoke in such a simple trusting
+way, of how she talked to God, and told Him her little wants and
+worries, the elder sister would feel, with a thrill of fear, that
+perhaps God was going to take onto Himself, the child, who, all her
+short life had seemed to breath the air of Heaven more than of earth;
+and that up above, she would be united to the sister, who seemed lost to
+them below.
+
+They wrote home nearly every day, and Olive's letters were such
+blessings, for were they not filled, from beginning to end, with news of
+Jean! How she was growing strong and well, and would, perhaps, walk
+before Fall; how every one, from Uncle Ridley down, were devoted to her,
+and what a little dream of luxury her life was now, with every want or
+wish gratified, and everything that heart could wish. "And she is so
+sweet and unselfish," writes Olive. "A very little angel she seems to
+me, mama, and every hour that I spend with her, helps me in some way.
+There is a little lesson for me in all her childish words, and I'm not
+ashamed to tell you that I wish I could be more like her, though I never
+can. She seems apart some way, and is a constant study, that becomes
+more precious to me every day. When I pray, it seems to me like an
+important extra thing, that I must make some preparation for and be
+precise about; and then I cannot help feeling, that perhaps I'm not
+heard after all, which I know is wrong; but it is so different with
+Jean. She goes to God, as she would to you or papa, and never seems to
+doubt that every word is heard, and interested in. She is perfectly
+confident that Ernestine is coming back, and it gives me hope just to be
+near such perfect faith."
+
+After having given them several days of uninterrupted talk, Mr. Congreve
+began to lay claims to more of their time. He said he was lonesome for
+Jean, and that he was not getting any better acquainted with Olive, than
+as if she had staid at home; and that he thought they might talk to him,
+five minutes a day, at least; so after that, Jean spent her usual time
+with him, and Olive brought bits of sewing, or a little sketch she might
+be working on, down to the library, and they spent hours together. It
+was a pleasing study, to see how this companionship with the girls,
+affected the crusty old gentleman. He would sit by the hour with Jean on
+his knee, listening to her quaint childish talk, and looking alternately
+at her and at Olive, sketching or sewing, in the window seat; and the
+dear knows, what all he might be thinking about; but it must have been
+much; for it sometimes got the better of him, in a way that made easy
+breathing difficult, and brought the red handkerchief into vigorous use;
+and then he would jump up, flurry about, as though he were scaring a
+whole brood of chickens from the room.
+
+"There! clear out, clear out; God bless my soul! I want to read and be
+quiet awhile. Jeanie, hunt up my glasses, and get down my book, and
+then trot out, and be quick about it."
+
+The first time he dismissed them in this abrupt fashion, Olive left with
+dignity, and told Jean that they would not trouble him again; then she
+thought it over, and changed her mind, and went back the next day as
+usual, to his evident surprise, for he had noticed her heightened color
+the day before, and little expected to see her back; so that when she
+came in, he gave vent to an astonished "humph!" and after a moment's
+pause, took one or two thoughtful turns around the room.
+
+"So you are determined to put up with the crusty old uncle, are you?" he
+said, pausing beside her, and looking down at the little sketch that was
+growing under her busy fingers. "Well, my dear, I'll turn in and help
+you; but if I ever get too much like a bear to be called human, you must
+remember that I'm getting old, and rather on the cross-grain; and not
+mind me any more than you can help. Now I just enjoy seeing you sit here
+and sketch," he went on more briskly. "Robert used to sit here in this
+very window, and draw mountains and valleys, and all sorts of things,
+and he did 'em well, though not as quick and true as you. I suppose he
+would have been an artist, and a splendid good one, too; but then I
+didn't want him to, so he gave it up,--a good boy was Robert, a splendid
+good boy, and I hope the dear Lord will forgive me for ever forgetting
+what my duty was to him, and letting my thundering temper get the better
+of me;--there now, draw away; I'm going off for a little tramp in the
+garden, and I'll be back a great deal sooner than you'll want me, I
+expect;" and off he went, with a great racket, which he never failed to
+make, when at all excited.
+
+One day, when he startled them with the usual abrupt dismissal, Olive
+did not go; instead, she laid down her work, and took his book, which
+was a ponderous volume of essays.
+
+"Now, Uncle Ridley, don't you want me to read to you?"
+
+"Read to me! God bless my soul! you read to me! Well, I never, I never
+did, to be sure; where's my snuff-box?--you read to me? No, I think not;
+you--you'll read too fast, and clatter your words up, and I'll have to
+work like a steam engine to keep up with you; no, on the whole, I guess
+not, I guess not."
+
+Olive's first thought was to put the book down, and leave, but her
+second was the one she acted upon.
+
+"I'll read slow," she said, "and as distinctly as I can; shall I try?"
+
+"Well, humph! I guess you may; sit down there, and go slow," with which
+remark, he sat back in his chair, spread the red handkerchief over his
+face, and Olive began to read. She read well, slowly and distinctly,
+and in a little while, the clear voice attracted another listener, who
+came in quietly, and studied the young reader's thoughtful face, from
+his seat in a distant corner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+UNDER THE SHADY GREEN-WOOD TREE.
+
+
+"Why, Kat, what is the matter?"
+
+"Nothing; not a blessed thing; I'm just trying to see how big a goose I
+can be. Where did you come from?"
+
+"Down town. Why, child, you look as if you had been crying for hours.
+What is the matter?"
+
+"Nothing, I tell you; take my word, and get out of the way, for I'm
+going to jump;" and down she came from above, with a swinging leap that
+brought a shower of half-ripe apples with her, and filled the air with
+leaves. "I had the dumps a little, and I've been sitting here in the
+tree crying over this book, until my nose is so big that I cannot see
+over it, and my eyes ache terribly."
+
+"I should think they would, and you look dreadfully frowzled," said Bea,
+smoothing down her own dress, with an air of self-approval. "Really,
+Kat--"
+
+"Oh, come now, don't. I never was, and never will be a pink of
+propriety; and I would like to have a little peace and rest from
+lectures. You and Kittie are getting so orderly and band-boxy-fied, that
+there's no pleasure living. I'll be glad when Olive comes back, for she
+isn't quite so distressingly particular!" exclaimed Kat, who was
+evidently in anything but the best of humors.
+
+"Well, don't get fussy about it, and I won't say any more," promised
+Bea, with a conciliatory smile. "Besides, I've got some good news. We
+are invited to Mrs. Raymond's picnic, next Wednesday!"
+
+"You don't say so; hurrah!" cried Kat, in a sudden gale of delight, her
+eyes beginning to sparkle behind their still wet lashes.
+
+"What oceans of bliss! Who did you see?"
+
+"Clara and Lou; they were just coming out here to invite us, when I met
+them. It will be splendid; they are going ten miles out, and they supply
+carriages for all, and there will be boating and dancing, and games, and
+just everything delightful."
+
+Kat spun around on her heel enthusiastically, and threw a handful of
+small apples into the air. "Of course there will," she cried. "Raymonds'
+never do anything except in the most stylish way. That's the fun of
+being rich."
+
+"I've just been down to call on Miss Barnett," said Bea, stooping to
+pick some imaginary burr from her dress. "They are invited, too."
+
+"Ah, indeed," said Kat, with a mischievous chuckle, "I suppose of
+course, you are glad, for you want Miss Barnett to have a good time,
+don't you?"
+
+"Of course," answered Bea, with much composure, and a little color. "She
+is a very pleasant young lady, and I would like to invite them here one
+evening before she goes home."
+
+"Nothing to prevent that I can see," said Kat, "unless the doctor should
+object; but then, I don't think he will."
+
+"I shall ask mama," continued Bea, without noticing the little sly
+remark. "I need not have many, about fifteen is enough; and we might
+have cake, you know."
+
+"Yes, cake and water; cheap and original; she won't expect much, for I
+suppose the doctor has told her that we are poor as Job's turkey."
+
+"I suppose he has not," corrected Bea, with some mild resentment. "He
+would have no occasion to mention us in connection with such a subject.
+Besides, we're not as poor as that."
+
+"Just go by it then," laughed Kat. "But you shall have a party, dear, if
+I have to paint the hole in the carpet and do all the work. We'll have a
+party or die."
+
+Very much the same conclusion, only a little more mildly put, Mrs.
+Dering came to, when Bea made her modest request, with a pretty color in
+her face.
+
+"I know the parlor furniture is shabby, but it won't show so much at
+night," Bea explained. "And we might just have cake and coffee, you
+know, mama."
+
+"Yes, dear, quite a nice little idea; and I think we can do it without
+any trouble," answered Mrs. Dering, with that degree of motherly
+interest that is always so encouraging, "How many would you like to
+have, and on what evening?"
+
+"How good you are!" cried Bea, with a grateful hug, before she answered
+any questions. "Twelve is enough, don't you think so! Perhaps we'd like
+to dance, or if the moon should be very bright, we could play croquet
+and row on the pond."
+
+"Quite delightful ideas. And what evening, dear?"
+
+"Next--the picnic is on Wednesday. I guess on Friday evening would be
+the best; Miss Barnett goes home on the next Tuesday."
+
+"On Friday evening next. Well, I will spend the meantime studying up my
+receipt-book, for its been a long time since I made a fancy cake,"
+laughed Mrs. Dering. "As to the parlor, I think you had better go right
+in and see what is needed there."
+
+"So we had. Come on girls;" and off fluttered Bea, with a blithe song on
+her lips, and followed by Kittie and Kat, who were consumed with
+excitement at the prospect of a picnic and party in one week.
+
+The parlors were quite large double rooms that had never been fully
+furnished, but had received chairs and a table or two, by degrees; a
+lounge at one time, a couple of stools at another, and, lastly, a
+what-not, at which point contributions towards furnishing them ceased.
+The carpet was rather shabby, from long use, and in one or two places
+was worn perfectly white, which must be remedied in some way, as they
+looked alarmingly big. The girls opened the door, and Kat immediately
+said:
+
+"Curtains must be washed."
+
+"Sweeping the carpet with salt and tea-leaves brightens it up," added
+Kittie, throwing open the blinds, and letting the sunlight in.
+
+"Goodness, how that makes everything look!" cried Bea, in sudden dismay.
+
+"But it doesn't shine at night," said Kat, consolingly. "Bless me! how
+the back of the big chair is worn! what shall we do?"
+
+"Make a big tidy out of darning-cotton," answered Kittie. "That's pretty
+and cheap, and I know a lovely stitch, and can put long fringe on."
+
+"Capital idea!" assented Kat, with an approving nod.
+
+"We'll have to bring something in out of the sitting-room," said Bea,
+pushing the chairs around, with a view to making one fill the space
+required by two. "There's so much room, and it makes things look so
+skimpy."
+
+"Don't have everything pushed back so," advised Kittie, giving a twitch
+here and a pull there, that brought things to more social angles, and
+left less space. "See that fills out some, and in that corner we can put
+the wire rack and fill it with flowers and vines."
+
+"But the rack is so rusty," said Bea, only half relieved.
+
+"There's some green paint in the woodshed, and I'll touch it up," said
+Kittie, becoming thoroughly interested. "We can make a lovely
+corner-piece out of it; there's all those limestones down in the yard,
+and some of them are such pretty shapes, that will look lovely set in
+moss, with vines going over them. We can hang the baskets in the
+windows, and when the curtains are fresh and clean, it will look so
+pretty."
+
+"Hurrah for my better half," cried Kat, with a flourish of her hat.
+"It's bliss to hear you talk. Your words are like wisdom
+and--butter-scotch."
+
+"What's in the wind?" asked an interested voice from the window. "And
+what's all this I hear about limestones and butter-scotch and wisdom?"
+
+"Don't you wish you knew?" said Kat, with an unfriendly grimace.
+
+"I do, indeed; and what's more I'm going to find out, because you will
+tell me, won't you, Posy?" said the new-comer, appealing to Bea, by the
+nickname which her prettily-colored cheeks had won from him.
+
+"Oh, yes, of course; and you must make yourself useful. I'm going to
+give a little company for Miss Barnett," said Bea, with a friendly nod,
+to make up for Kat's ungraciousness.
+
+"So-ho, a party, and we are all going to make our _debut_, are we?"
+asked Ralph, swinging himself into the open window, and taking a seat on
+the sill, with an air of interest. "Good! Tell me what you want done,
+and I'm ready, Posy."
+
+"We'd like to have you take yourself off, somewhere, and stay till the
+day after the party," was Kat's uncomplimentary remark.
+
+"And I would like to oblige you, my dear, but I couldn't stay away from
+you that long," retorted Ralph.
+
+"I'm not your dear, shut up;" cried Kat, flapping her hat, and scowling
+at the handsome, laughing face.
+
+"There," cried Bea, with a suddenly exhausted air. "I don't see any way
+of filling that big space between the windows in the back parlor. Dear
+me, I wish there was more furniture."
+
+"Bring the piano in," advised Ralph. "That's just exactly the place for
+it, and it ought to be in here on such an occasion."
+
+"Goodness! To be sure, but there's the expense of moving," exclaimed
+Bea with a longing sigh. "And it would have to go back, of course."
+
+"Why? Leave it here, a parlor's the place for a piano."
+
+"Yes, but that would never do," said Bea with decision. "We always sit
+in the other room, because it is so much more sunshiny and cozy than
+these big parlors; and it would seem deserted without the piano there,
+especially in the evenings."
+
+"Reasons very good and accepted," assented Ralph. "The only thing left
+to be done, is to decide whether or no, the piano shall come in and go
+back; ready, those who want it so;--and remember, I'm going to attend to
+it. Now then: yea or nay?"
+
+"Yea," cried the girls, in one delighted breath; after which, Bea
+ornamented him with a rose-bud, in token of her thanks, Kittie beamed
+untold gratitude upon him, and Kat remarked with condescension: "You can
+be a first-rate trump, when you take a notion."
+
+"I'm overcome," said Ralph, with both hands over his heart, and leaving
+his seat to make an extravagant bow--"To receive a bud from Posy, a
+smile from Kittie, and the assurance from my unconquerable Kathleen,
+that I can be a trump; is too much; I therefore hope you will excuse me
+for leaving you somewhat abruptly, ladies;" and out of the window he
+went with a flying leap, and Kat, watching him stroll down the yard,
+made another astonishing admission:
+
+"He's very handsome, if he is such a bother," she said, putting on her
+hat with a reflective air. "I don't know, but what he might become quite
+civilized, if he staid here long enough."
+
+Between the picnic and the party, the girls were kept pretty busy for
+the next few days, and the house was very merry, for busy hands with
+happy hearts, bring chattering tongues and joyous laughter; and these
+summer days were gleeful ones.
+
+To be sure, some accidents happened, both comical and disastrous, and in
+fact, it never was otherwise, if anything was going on in which Kat had
+a hand.
+
+On the impulse of an unlucky moment she offered to paint the
+flower-rack, as Kittie was busy; so rigged in a big torn flat, and a
+pair of fingerless gloves, she went to work, and painted the bottom
+first, with flourishing success; but left it out over night, when it
+rained and splashed her work with mud; then she began over, and did the
+top first, and then hung the pot on a little hook, and went over the
+bottom again; but in the midst of her zeal, the pot slipped, turned
+over, and deluged her head and body with slopping green paint, and would
+have ruined her eyes, if she hadn't shut them tight with the first gasp
+of amaze; and when she tried to walk to the house with them closed, the
+wheel-barrow stood in the way, and over she went, with a shriek of
+dismay that brought the whole household flying to the spot; after which
+the afflicted damsel was picked up, and carried tenderly to the kitchen
+to be worked with.
+
+Ralph finished the rack, and Kat heard him remark, that she had daubed
+enough paint on one knob, to do for half the rack. It didn't make her
+feel any better.
+
+In her zeal to get the parlors clean, Bea had climbed the step-ladder to
+wash some ancient dust from the top of the folding doors, but the ladder
+tilted, and over she went soap suds and all; and in answer to a wailing
+cry, the rescuing family once more put in an appearance, to find that
+the cleanly heroine, had wrenched her ankle, and could not step on it,
+but must be carried to the sitting-room, to have the afflicted member
+rubbed with arnica.
+
+"I tried to jump," she explained with pathetic rivers of tears. "Oh
+dear, what shall I do? I can't go to the picnic--nor have the
+company--nor anything--and I think it's too b-b-ad."
+
+"Perhaps it is not so serious," said Mrs. Dering, with comfort in her
+voice, and in her swift careful fingers that were binding the swollen
+ankle in cool bands. "You will have to be perfectly still, and by
+Wednesday, I think it will be well; it is only a little twist, so don't
+feel so cast down dear." But Bea refused to be comforted, and sobbed
+herself to sleep that night. Not to go to the picnic, when Dr. Barnett
+had asked her to go in the phaeton with them, oh, it was too bad,
+surely!
+
+Beyond hammering one of her fingers, till the nail swelled up with
+insulted feeling, and threatened to come off, nothing happened to
+Kittie, who considered herself specially blessed, and did her whole head
+up in papers on Monday night, so as to be sure and have it curl for
+Wednesday.
+
+When Tuesday arrived, Bea had sunk to the lowest ebb. She knew she
+couldn't go, and there was no use talking. She was the most unfortunate
+girl that ever lived, and no one could deny it; and after making this
+assertion numberless times during the day, she gave up and cried
+despondingly, giving herself full freedom as she was alone; and so it
+happened that a young man came up the walk, and finding the front door
+open, came in, and a moment later, stood transfixed at the sitting-room
+threshold, to behold that utterly crushed looking figure on the lounge,
+with dishevelled hair, and hidden face; while the most heart-broken sobs
+crept out from behind a drenched handkerchief. No wonder he was alarmed,
+or that his voice trembled when he asked:
+
+"What is the matter--what has happened?"
+
+Bea nearly fell off the lounge in dismay, and only gave him one brief,
+startled glimpse of her wet face, then she stopped crying, and said
+after a reflective pause:
+
+"Nothing--I guess."
+
+"Nothing," he repeated, with a breath of relief, and then began to
+laugh.
+
+"Won't you come in, Dr. Barnett?" said the discomfited weeper from
+behind her handkerchief, and with an attempt at dignity, "Excuse me for
+not rising; I'm--I'm lame."
+
+The little hitch in her voice betrayed her grief; but, dear me! he was
+all interest now. He drew a chair close to the lounge, professional
+habit, no doubt, and ventured to touch one of the hands that supported
+the doleful looking handkerchief.
+
+"Won't you let me see you? When did this happen?"
+
+"Saturday. No, you can't see me; I've been crying an hour."
+
+"Is the pain so great?"
+
+Oh, no wonder this young M.D. was so popular if his voice was always
+thus tender and anxious in making inquiries.
+
+"Pain! no, but," with a little hysterical sob, "I can't go to the
+picnic!"
+
+Now you needn't smile at this frank explanation, for he did not. Bless
+you! no; he looked as if he had three minds to cry too, and if Mrs.
+Dering hadn't entered at that moment, there's no telling what he might
+have said by way of sympathy. As it was, he returned her cordial
+greeting, and began to express his regret in polite terms, but with much
+warmth of feeling that could not be concealed.
+
+"Is it quite impossible, do you think? Lottie will be so disappointed;"
+he said, regardless of the fact that he was making Lottie do double
+duty, in the way of disappointment; but Bea took the remark in all good
+faith, and thought it was very sweet of Lottie to care whether she went
+or not.
+
+"I don't know," answered Mrs. Dering, thoughtfully. "It was only a
+little twist, and she stood on it this morning, didn't you, Bea?"
+
+"Yes, mama," said Bea, coming out from behind her handkerchief in eager
+interest. "I did for several minutes, and it didn't hurt hardly any."
+
+"Suppose you try again," said Dr. Barnett with unprofessional haste to
+test an injured member. "Take my arm, and let's see if you cannot walk a
+step or two."
+
+Bea did so, with a shy blush, and stood up; then after a moment, took a
+few steps, with the color coming and going in her cheeks, for more
+reasons than one; and, though it was very pleasant to feel her clinging
+to his arm in that helpless way, Dr. Barnett made her sit down; but
+passed his opinion that she could go to the picnic.
+
+"Do you really think so?" said Bea, with delighted eagerness.
+
+"I do, if you will be content to sit in the carriage all day," he
+answered, looking down at her, as though he thought a much swollen nose
+and highly colored eyes were the most adorable sights; and Bea looked up
+at him, then blushed, without any reason whatever, whereupon Mrs.
+Dering made some hasty remark about the desirable weather for picnics,
+and the doctor decided, all of a sudden, that he must go, which he
+accordingly did.
+
+What a glorious hub-bub a picnic morning is, especially when there are
+several in one home interested in its perfect success. Neither of the
+girls slept much. Bea couldn't have told what kept her awake, but
+somehow, her eyes would remain open, and she was dimly conscious, of
+smiling several times in the dark, and feeling very happy. Once she came
+very near humming out a little air, that seemed to be singing itself
+over and over in her heart, but she suppressed the desire, out of
+consideration for others, who were less blissfully affected. Kittie
+declared that there was no use trying to sleep, because Kat kept getting
+up every few minutes, to look out and see if it was going to rain; and
+Kat, in turn, said that Kittie had sat up all night, because her
+crimping papers hurt her so she couldn't lie down. At just four o'clock
+everybody was fully awakened, by the twins clattering down stairs with a
+great racket, and getting breakfast under headway, and Mrs. Dering,
+awakened from her morning nap, consoled herself with a fervent--"Bless
+the children, I'm glad this doesn't happen often."
+
+"It's going to rain," cried Kat, with a despairing wail. "See that
+cloud?"
+
+"Stuff!" echoed Kittie. "It isn't as big as a door-knob." But
+nevertheless, they both let breakfast burn, while running every few
+moments to see if it was swelling any bigger, and were fully rewarded by
+seeing it dwindle and sail away over the barn before six o'clock.
+
+No, it didn't rain, and before the sun was through his earliest infancy,
+they were all ready, and Dr. Barnett's phaeton stood at the gate, with
+Miss Lottie in a pretty picnic suit; and her brother deeply absorbed in
+the pleasing task of getting Bea down to the gate without hurting her
+ankle. Ralph officiated on one side of the interesting cripple, and took
+a wicked satisfaction in doing the greatest share of the supporting; but
+then the doctor was reasonable, and was as happy as possible with what
+fell to his share; and Bea,--well, Bea was perfectly content.
+
+They drove off with an accompanying shout from those left behind, and a
+few moments later, Ralph and the twins departed on foot to meet the
+carriages that were all to assemble at a certain place.
+
+Quite a little flutter of admiration went round as this trio came up,
+for Ralph was a very handsome centre piece, and the twins in their very
+becoming costumes and wide-awake hats, cocked up at one side after the
+prevailing fashion, made pictures of great attractiveness on each side.
+Everybody was there, and everybody was laughing and talking merrily, and
+everybody had a word of greeting for the new arrivals. Of all the old
+school-girls from Miss Howard's, Kittie and Kat were the only two who
+did not make pretensions towards young ladyhood; and just now, there was
+something so girlish and sweet about them, in their fresh calico suits,
+and bright young faces under the big hats, that one or two strangers
+asked who they were, all the elder people smiled approval, while the
+young ones, with an eye on the handsome cousin, nodded sweetly, and were
+quite attentive.
+
+"Look at Susie Darrow," whispered Kat, under cover of her lowered hat.
+"All tricked out in silk, and a little gipsy bonnet, with a white plume;
+and she's been smiling at me every minute, and Ralph thinks she's the
+biggest goose out. I'll tell her so."
+
+"No, goodness no; let her smile if she wants to, she'll soon find out
+that it's no use," answered Kittie. "There's Sadie Brooks too, she's
+been in New York, and has got an eye-glass, dear sakes alive, just watch
+her use it, will you?"
+
+"Good morning girls, you look a couple of daisies;" said Mrs. Raymond,
+going by with a nod and a smile. "You and your cousin, are to go in our
+carriage, the girls want you," and away she went, like a busy happy soul
+that she was.
+
+"The Raymond girls look sensible," said Kittie, with an air of approval;
+"see they have on short dresses, and big hats; I think Lou is prettier
+than Clara, don't you?"
+
+"Rather," answered Kat, too much taken up in watching her former
+play-mates, to notice others. Susie Darrow had been to boarding-school,
+Sadie Brooks to New York, and May Moore was going to the sea-side next
+month; so they were all much uplifted in mind and manner, and took unto
+themselves the airs of thoroughly initiated society-ladies.
+
+"Girls?" said Miss Brooks, with her little affected drawl, and raising
+her eye-glass in her lavender kid-fingers. "Which ones do you mean, I do
+not quite understand?"
+
+"Those two under the big tree," replied her questioner, a visitor in
+Canfield. "Twins they are, in the big hats."
+
+"Oh! Yes." Miss Brooks's eye-glass went slowly to the place indicated,
+and took a leisure survey. "You mean the little girls in calico dresses;
+they are the Derings, I believe, but really, being in the city so long,
+I find I am quite forgetting old faces."
+
+"Indeed," was the reply, with a respectful air, though the desire to
+laugh was almost irresistible. The little girls in calico dresses were
+fifteen, and taller than Miss Brooks, who was just sixteen; but then,
+dear me, she had on a train of party length, bushels of banged hair, a
+little wisp of a bonnet, and little fine black marks along her lower
+eyelid, so altogether she looked about twenty, and was perfectly
+satisfied with herself. She could not look ahead to the dissatisfaction
+that would be hers when she became twenty, and looked to be
+twenty-eight.
+
+When they started, ten merry carriage-loads, everybody stood in their
+doors, and hung over the front gates to see them off, for Canfield was a
+social little place, and felt a deep interest in anything going on
+within its limits; so if good wishes could make a successful day, surely
+they would have it.
+
+Well, they did have it; yes, indeed, they did; and a happier set of
+young people were never turned wild in green-woods. To be sure, there
+were some draw-backs; for instance, when a dozen or so went off to swing
+in a wild-grape vine, Sadie Brooks couldn't go, her dress was too long,
+and it would tear her gloves. Likewise, when they played "drop the
+handkerchief," "blind-man," and "down on this carpet," Susie Darrow
+couldn't join, because her tie-back would hardly admit of sitting down,
+let alone racing in the woods; besides, the wind blew her white plume
+all up, and took the crimp out of her hair, and then she lost her lace
+handkerchief, and didn't receive much attention from handsome Ralph
+Tremayne; and altogether, she lost her temper, declared picnics a bore,
+and told May Moore that no one but romps ever came to them anyhow,
+which, considering that both she and May were in attendance, was a
+remark which might have been improved on.
+
+Sitting in a carriage all day proved to be no hardship to Bea, for
+didn't Dr. Barnett spend nearly all his time there? and at Miss Lottie's
+proposal, didn't several of them trim the phaeton in boughs and vines,
+and deck her out in flowers until she looked like a forest queen? and
+aside from being a favorite, didn't she receive so much sympathy that
+there was a constant court before and around her throne? and above it
+all, don't you suppose a certain pair of eyes, as they looked at her
+that day, told her a certain story more plainly than the owner's lips
+ever could? That she was the fairest and dearest picture to him, there,
+or elsewhere?
+
+"Who is that young lady--little girl, I am almost disposed to call her,
+with the fresh young face and lovely eyes? The one who stands on the
+bank, there, with the wreath of leaves on her hat?"
+
+Mrs. Raymond's brother asked the question, as he sat with his sister on
+an elevated spot under a big tree, surveying the gay crowds roaming
+about in all directions.
+
+"That? It is one of the Dering twins," answered Mrs. Raymond, with a
+smile of interest. "But I don't know which; they are not to be
+distinguished; they are lovely girls, so fresh and unaffected. I suppose
+you have noticed them both?"
+
+"Yes, and I disagree with you, for they are to be distinguished; I have
+been watching them with considerable interest. There; the other one is
+coming down the hill now; do you mean to tell me that you see no
+difference?"
+
+"Well, surely not in face or figure," replied Mrs. Raymond, with a
+puzzled glance. "I see that the new-comer's hat is hanging to her neck,
+and has no trimming, that her gloves are gone, and she has the general
+appearance of having gone through a wind-mill."
+
+"And you have struck the distinction admirably, my dear," was the
+smiling answer. "There was something in their faces that interested me
+this morning, and I have noticed them a great deal. So far as I can see,
+the one has had just as gay a time as the other, and done very nearly as
+much romping; and yet you see, she looks as fresh and sweet as when
+starting out, with the addition of much becoming trimming; and where she
+has gone heartily, yet with a girlish grace, the other has gone
+pell-mell, as though in defiance of any restriction on feminine gender.
+Do you know which is which?"
+
+"Indeed, I do not," said Mrs. Raymond, who was not acquainted with the
+characteristics of the twins. "All I know is that one is Kittie and the
+other Kat, and that I never know which is which when I am talking to
+them, never having had time to study them up."
+
+"Well, I will wager my shoe-buckle, that the one on the bank is Kittie,
+and the hatless one Kat," was the quiet response. "At least, that is the
+way it ought to be. Now I should like to meet Miss Kittie, and if you--"
+
+"Is it possible?" cried the lady, throwing up her hands in amaze. "You,
+who would only consent to come, on condition that you need not be
+introduced, and play the agreeable to the young ladies; well, well! who
+would have thought it, Paul?"
+
+"The generality of young ladies are bores," was the reply. "I did not
+expect to meet such a fresh faced, lovely young girl; for society never
+allows them to remain so, if it gets hold of them."
+
+"It will never be so with these girls," said Mrs. Raymond. "They have
+too sensible and lovely a mother, and besides, they are a family much
+devoted among themselves; there are five sisters, you will remember my
+telling you about the other one, Ernestine, she sang like an angel; and
+another one is an artist, the youngest a cripple, and--well they all
+seem to live solely for each other, so require little from society. I
+admire them all very much."
+
+"So do I, from what I hear," said the gentleman, getting up from his
+grassy seat, and glancing down at the bank. "Shall I assist you?"
+
+"No, indeed; I'm not old yet, if I am grey," laughed Mrs. Raymond,
+jumping nimbly up to prove her assertion. "I don't know what the ladies
+will say, Paul, to see you finally succumbing to feminine attractions;
+they have all eyed you in your seclusion with evident regret. You know
+there is something singularly attractive about a widower, young or old;
+though I suppose you have found that out," she added with a sister's
+fond belief that her brother is irresistible in every way.
+
+"Yes, I dislike conceit; but I have found out a few things in the last
+four years," he answered, smiling; then uttering a little exclamation of
+disappointment, as they reached the foot of the hill, and found that
+Kittie had disappeared from the bank.
+
+"Great oaks from little acorns grow." Sometimes they do in books,
+sometimes they do out; and this afternoon in the sunshiny woods, two
+little acorns had been planted. One of them was when Paul Murray had
+looked with careless eyes into Kittie Dering's face, and found in its
+bright girlish sweetness, what had been lacking for him, in any woman's
+face since he lost his wife; namely--interest. He was a grave,
+thoughtful faced man, with just a dash of grey on his temples, and a
+listless air of world-weariness, that made him look beyond his years;
+for he was only twenty-eight; and yet he had had a vigorous cuffing from
+the reed-shaken hand of Fortune, and had come to regard himself with a
+sort of pitying disapprobation, such as falls upon us when we know we
+have a duty to perform, yet think it too great, and hesitate between
+self-condolence and accusation.
+
+He had seen the day of wild oats, and had sown them, but had drawn back
+ere they sprung into life and choked out all else. He had had riches and
+lost them; had married a lovely loving girl, only to have her taken from
+him in one short year; then to deaden his grief he had gone to work,
+regained his wealth, after which he left his infant daughter in tender
+hands, and had gone abroad, only to again lose all he had in an
+unfortunate speculation, which brought him home, where he had again gone
+to work, but with a listless, disinterested way,--that had brought him
+little success.
+
+So, to-day, he was a lawyer, struggling as though he had just entered
+the bar. So, I say, he felt like a man without an incentive. To be sure,
+there was his little daughter, but then he had really seen so little of
+the child, and for a time there had been almost a bitter feeling against
+her, because, in gaining her life, she had taken her young mother's, and
+left him desolate; and then if he was to die, she was amply provided
+for by her grandmother. He had yet to learn, that, though severely dealt
+with, he had still much to live for.
+
+The other little acorn had fallen in kindred ground, in no less place,
+than the loving little heart of Pansy Murray.
+
+The brother and sister were strolling rather aimlessly about, with a
+word here and there to chattering groups, and an occasional glance
+around to see if Kittie was in sight, when, who should they see, but
+that young lady coming slowly towards them, with her arms filled with a
+familiar bundle, that showed signs of life, as they came in sight of
+each other. It thus remarked with much excitement:
+
+"I was losted, I was, papa, behind a big tree, an' I was a kyin'
+dreffully when the lady finded me, I was."
+
+"Lost? Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Raymond, snatching the child in a
+hurry, and forgetting all introductions. "Why, I told the girls not to
+lose sight of you, Pansy."
+
+"But they did," said Pansy, with a blissful smile, as though she had
+done something great. "They bothered me dreadfully, saying: 'Come,
+Pansy,' 'Don't go there, Pansy,' till I went right off for sure 'thout
+telling one body, and then I got losted mos' right away, and I wished I
+could hear somebody say 'Come, Pansy,' but nobody did, so I jes' began
+to commence to holler, 'th all my might, and the lady camed right off; I
+think 'twas drefful good for her to."
+
+"Kat lost her breastpin, and I was helping look for it," said Kittie,
+with a modest blush, being quite overcome with the gratitude visible in
+both faces before her. "She wasn't very far away."
+
+"I was far away," corrected Pansy with decision. "I was more'n
+'leventeen miles, and I expected to see a big bear mos' every minute, I
+did, and I know one would have camed if the lady hadn't; and I jes' love
+her very much, I do."
+
+"Oh, yes; excuse me," said Mrs. Raymond, hastily. "Paul, this is Miss
+Dering; my brother, Mr. Murray; and we're so thankful to you, Kittie."
+
+Kittie bowed and blushed still more, as Mr. Murray repeated his
+gratitude, but as she turned to leave, Pansy cried vehemently:
+
+"You stay with me, 'cause I want you, and you go home with me and my
+papa in the little buggy; tell her so quick, right off, papa."
+
+Of course what could Mr. Murray do but say politely:
+
+"I should be most pleased, Miss Dering, if you would allow me to be
+cruel enough to take you from the gay party."
+
+Kittie did not know the invitation came from a society lion, who
+refused to be caught, and the depths of her innocent heart never dreamed
+how pleased he was, at thus being forced into giving it; she only knew
+that she had much rather go home in the carriage, with the girls, and
+was quite unconscious that the thought shone in her eyes, but Mr. Murray
+saw it and hastily added:
+
+"It would be too unkind, after all. Do not consider it another moment;
+only tell me if you will allow Pansy and me to come and take you to ride
+some evening soon."
+
+"Yes, thank you," answered Kittie. "I should be very much pleased."
+
+Some one shouted her name through the woods just then, and with a little
+bow and smile, she went away, leaving Mr. Murray to comfort Pansy, as he
+said slowly:
+
+"A delightfully natural, and charming little girl! We will go and take
+her to ride soon; so don't cry, Pansy."
+
+Well the blissful day came to an end, as all days will, though they
+prolonged it to the last minute and did not reach home until after dark;
+and then everybody forgot how tired they were, and said with a sigh of
+pleasing memory, "How delightful it was, to be sure!"
+
+"I had a lovely time," said Bea, smiling to herself in the dark, after
+they had gone to bed.
+
+"Well, I'm sure I did," added Kittie, hugging her pillow with a tired,
+contented sigh, and thankful that she had no crimps in the way.
+
+"Well, I didn't find my pin, and I tore my dress, and knocked my head
+till I saw stars, on that grape vine, but I had a grand tip-top time,
+and I'd like to go again, yes, I would, if only to see Sadie Brooks
+wiggle her eye-glass and say, 'How shocking!' when I walked the log
+across the creek," was Kat's final remark as she dropped into worn-out
+slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+SEVERAL THINGS.
+
+
+On Friday morning, while the girls were flying busily around, and Mrs.
+Dering was deep in the task of getting a tall cake browned just to a
+turn, there came a note from Mrs. Dane.
+
+"How unfortunate," she mused, reading it hurriedly, as the girls ran in
+to see what it was. "Mr. Dane has gone to the city and will not be back
+until ten to night, and Mrs. Dane wants me to come and stay with her, as
+she has one of her dreadful nervous attacks. I feel as though I ought to
+go, if you can spare me girls!"
+
+"Things will go higgle-ty-piggle-ty, sure as the world," said Kat,
+balancing on the edge of the table, and fanning with the duster.
+
+"No, they will not either," corrected Bea. "We ought to be ashamed if
+they do. Go, of course, mama, though I will be dreadfully sorry not to
+have you here this evening."
+
+"The cake is not quite done, and has to be iced," said Mrs. Dering,
+glancing from the fire to the clock. "I don't know,--"
+
+"I'll finish it," said Kittie, letting down her dress, and replacing her
+sweeping cap with a big kitchen apron. "Go, and get ready mama, then
+come and tell me how to do the icing; the cake will be done by that
+time."
+
+"It must cool first, but you can get five eggs, and take the whites, get
+the beater and the sugar, and then I'll be back," replied Mrs. Dering,
+brushing some flour from her sleeves, and hurrying out.
+
+"Now something is going to happen," said Kat with prophetic certainty.
+"I feel it in my bones, and I bet you a postage-stamp it will be my
+fault."
+
+"Then I'd advise you to be careful," said Kittie, taking a hurried peep
+into the oven.
+
+"Never!" cried Kat. "Something would be sure to go wrong then; it always
+does when I'm trying my very level best to be a credit to my family. The
+only thing for me to do, is to go at it with a slap and a bang; then
+things twist about like proper magic."
+
+"What nonsense!" said Kittie, breaking eggs with deft fingers. "Have you
+cleaned the lamps yet?"
+
+"No, nor done much else either; it's too hot; the thermometer is
+boiling, down cellar, and Ralph said that I was so good natured that I'd
+turn to grease if I got too heated, so I'm being careful, you see," said
+Kat, with a lazy laugh; and she sat in the window and fanned, with the
+duster in one hand and the egg-beater in the other.
+
+"Well, I think the parlors look so pretty," said Kittie, with an air of
+relief, as the last egg deposited its silvery white in the big platter.
+"What an addition a piano is, and how nicely the curtains are done up;
+everything seems to be going right."
+
+"I smell the cake; it's burning!" cried Kat, jumping from her seat in a
+hurry; but Kittie threw open the oven, and jerked out the precious
+contents which did smell burnt, and was deep black right around one
+edge.
+
+"What a shame!" she cried regretfully; but Kat resumed her seat with the
+comforting remark:
+
+"Slice it over, and cover it up with icing; it will never show in the
+world; you see, if I hadn't been in here, it would have been burnt up."
+
+"I guess I've got a nose," retorted Kittie, beginning to beat eggs with
+a swiftness that brought high color to her cheeks. "Now go on, Kat, and
+fix the lamps and help Bea, for she mustn't be on her foot much."
+
+"That's right, beat them just as stiff as possible before you put in
+the sugar," said Mrs. Dering, coming in with her things on, to note the
+progress, and leave orders. "Put it on with a large knife as smoothly as
+possible, then set it down cellar. As to the coffee, you know about that
+just as well as I do. The milk that is raising cream is on the back
+swing-shelf, down cellar. That is all, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes'm, and I guess we'll manage all right. Tell Mrs. Dane I'm sorry
+she's sick. Good-bye."
+
+"Everything looks beautiful, and I hope you'll have a pleasant time,
+dears," was Mrs. Dering's next remark, as she glanced into the parlors
+on her way out. "Don't tax your ankle too much, Bea, and Kat, try and
+not have anything happen to you this time. I suppose I will be here
+before they all go home, but if I am not, present my compliments and
+regrets. A merry time to you all. Good-bye."
+
+"There, how does that look?" asked Kat, balancing herself on the
+step-ladder with a caution born of bitter experience, and looking
+cock-eyed at the blooming basket she had just hung.
+
+"Beautiful," answered Bea, with her head, in a big sweeping-cap, turned
+admiringly side-ways. "Yes, that effect is lovely. I hope it will look
+as pretty by lamp-light. There comes Ralph with two big packages. I
+wonder what they are: something good, I expect?"
+
+Kat sat down on the ladder to look out the window, as Bea hurried out
+on to the porch to meet the young man of packages, and receive his
+burdens, if they were offered to her.
+
+"I was meditating this morning," said Ralph, sitting down on the steps
+with an exhausted air. "And it struck me, that to drink coffee on such a
+night as this--with the thermometer at blood heat in an ice chest--would
+be nothing less than a new order of suicide, so I have brought a
+substitute, which I venture to hope, will meet with your
+approval;--lemonade."
+
+"Oh, you're a blessing," cried Bea, with a joyful pounce on to the
+bundles. "It will be so much nicer, and what splendid big lemons, and
+enough sugar to make a gallon."
+
+"A gallon won't come amiss, I guess, people are ravenously thirsty such
+weather as this; why, I feel like I could drink a quart myself this very
+minute;--where's Kat?" asked Ralph, drawing another package from his
+pocket.
+
+"Here I am; what's wanted?" answered Kat, putting her head out at the
+top of the window.
+
+"Here's something that you are fond of--catch," said Ralph, tossing the
+package, which Kat grasped as it flew by. "I looked all over town for
+some decent candy for this evening, and couldn't find a thing except
+that, which I knew would suit Kat, and put her in a good humor."
+
+"Butter-scotch!" cried Kat, with a shriek of delight. "I haven't had any
+in the natural life of ten coons. What bliss! Ralph you're a top!"
+
+"Thank you. I'm getting along, I see; for I suppose a top is a little
+higher than a trump, isn't it?"
+
+But Kat had disappeared, so Ralph leaned up lazily against the post,
+fanning with his big straw hat, while drinking in with dreamy delight
+the quiet beauty before and around him. How intensely quiet nature can
+become in the sunshine of a summer afternoon! Even the birds in
+sheltering nooks among the shady leaves find greatest happiness in
+helping the solitude; and save a light breeze, touching the tops of the
+trees, and dipping down to stir the cool grass, lying in deep shade,
+there is no evidence that nature's pulse still answers to the quiet
+beating of her heart. The Dering home at a time like this, looked more
+like an old picture steeped in cool shadows, with glints of sunshine
+here and there, and one could almost imagine now, in looking at it, that
+the open windows, with glimpses of snowy curtains, the great front door
+with the cool, deep hall beyond, the shady, vine-covered porch, and the
+indolent figure on the steps, with dreamy, dark eyes, and hat idly
+dropped, were but witcheries of the artist's brush and colors.
+
+Something entirely averse to the idea of a painting, namely, a moving
+figure, appeared at this moment, coming from the front door, and
+bearing a small waiter with a glass of cool lemonade.
+
+"Here's something to make your eyes shine!" cried a voice that made him
+start up from his reverie in a hurry and look delighted.
+
+"Kat! Is it possible? For me? Who made it?"
+
+"I did, to be sure, all alone by myself."
+
+"Where's the other glass?"
+
+"Other? Patience! won't one glass do you?"
+
+"No, but wait; I'll get it," and away he went, coming back in a moment
+with an empty glass, into which he poured half the cool refreshing
+contents.
+
+"There! To be more social, you see. Now, mademoiselle, let's drink to
+health, happiness, and everlasting peace and friendship between us, from
+this moment henceforth. Shall we?"
+
+"Yes," said Kat, with her brightest smile; so they clinked glasses and
+drank merrily in the shady porch; then shook hands to strengthen the
+contract, and made mutual resolves to smoke the pipe of peace forever.
+
+Meantime Kittie, unconscious of the great reconciliation just being
+sealed, was having a sorry time by herself out in the hot kitchen. The
+icing wouldn't ice worth a cent, but persisted in being sloppy and
+unmanageable; and the more she spatted and smoothed, the worse it
+looked; and finally she called to Bea, in worn-out despair:
+
+"I don't see what in the world is the matter with it," cried the
+discouraged icer, setting forth her work with a sigh of exhausted
+energy. "Do you see what's wrong?"
+
+"You've iced it on the wrong side," said Bea, smothering her own
+disappointment, out of consideration for Kittie's tired despair. "You
+see the top always puffs and bakes out of shape, so the way to do is to
+ice the bottom, so it will look smooth and nice."
+
+"Yes, to be sure; what a goose I was not to think! I tried to make it
+look even by filling the dents up, and they're all perfect little
+puddles;" cried Kittie in heated disgust. "What shall we do, make
+another one? Though I'd be afraid to try. I never made any kind but the
+very plainest and that wouldn't do."
+
+"No, I had rather have this. Put it down cellar in the very coolest
+place, and I guess it will harden up all right," advised Bea, smothering
+a little sigh of regretful anxiety, as she tried to give comfort to the
+discouraged cook. So Kittie carried it down cellar, and throughout the
+rest of the day made regular trips down to see if it was hardening any;
+but it wasn't, and her spirits sank so low that the astonishing sight of
+Ralph and Kat, sworn enemies when last she saw them, coming slowly up
+from the pond under one umbrella and evidently on such amicable grounds,
+did not rouse her, except to a moment of amaze; after which, she sank
+back into a world of troubled dreams, where there seemed to be nothing
+but cakes, swimming about in puddles of icing, while a dreadful penalty
+hung above her defenceless head, if the puddles did not congeal into
+ornamental coverings before a given time.
+
+"Oh, dear, oh! What can the matter be?" sang Ralph, stopping at the
+kitchen window, just in time to see her coming from the cellar-way with
+a face bereft of all hope. "What has happened?"
+
+"Oh, Ralph! I don't know what I shall do," she cried, with desponding
+agony, and then sat down on the wood-box and burst into tears.
+
+"Why, bless your poor little heart! Tell me about it," exclaimed Ralph,
+swinging himself into the window, and hurrying to turn comforter.
+
+"The ca-ake is ruined," sobbed Kittie, entirely given over to despair
+and grief. "It's all slopped and soaked to pieces in the old icing--and
+I don't want to tell Bea--and I don't know what to do, either.
+I--I--fan--fanned it a whole hour to make it colder, and it didn't do a
+bit of good, and--oh, dear me!"
+
+"Well, that is a calamity, to be sure," said Ralph, feeling a masculine
+helplessness since the trouble lay within the domain of cookery. "But
+then, never mind; we'll drink lemonade, and let the cake go."
+
+"Yes, I'd just as soon, but Bea--she'll be so disappointed, and I hate
+to tell her," sobbed Kittie, wailing.
+
+"But Bea is reasonable," urged Ralph. "She will know you did your best,
+and ought to be ashamed if she says anything cross."
+
+"Oh, it isn't that," cried Kittie, hastily. "She knows I tried, and she
+won't say a word, but then she'll be so disappointed, because she wants
+everything nice for Miss Barnett, and--and, I hate to tell her."
+
+"Exactly," said Ralph, much touched at this little evidence of sisterly
+consideration, and feeling a greater desire than ever to do something to
+help the cause along. "See here, Kittie," he exclaimed suddenly, and
+Kittie looked up quickly, for there was something promising in the
+voice. "Do you dry those eyes out in a hurry, and run out doors to get
+cool and cheerful, and don't ask me any questions."
+
+"But Ralph--"
+
+"Go, I say, and do just as I tell you. Don't give that cake another
+thought, but go and fix yourself as pretty as you can for this evening,
+and I promise you everything shall be all right."
+
+"Oh, you blessed boy," cried Kittie, with a gasp of relief.
+
+"Boy! Don't insult me; remember I will vote this Fall."
+
+"To be sure; I beg your pardon," and Kittie began to laugh through her
+tears. She hadn't the slightest idea what he could do to make matters
+all right, but then he had said he would, and that was enough. She
+never doubted but what he could do whatever he set his mind to.
+
+Just after it came time to light the parlors, it became evident to all
+that something was the matter with Kat. She didn't say anything, but on
+coming in from a late tow on the pond, and finding everything lighted,
+she gave a gasp, and stood perfectly still in the parlor door.
+
+"Well, what were you down to the pond this late for?" asked Bea,
+flitting about in her white dress, with the softest color in her cheeks,
+a knot of blush roses in her hair, and another in her belt.
+
+"I--I was cool--I mean I wanted to get cool," answered Kat with a
+stammer, and her eyes going hurriedly from one room to the other.
+
+"What did you light up so early for?"
+
+"I don't call seven o'clock early--there goes the gate now."
+
+Kat groaned, as if in deepest despair, then dashed up stairs, and cast
+herself into the first chair with a tragic air.
+
+"I knew it! I knew it! oh, what a miserable wretch I am, and whatever
+will I do? I never never will be anything but a black sheep to the
+longest day that I live?" After which cheerful prophesy, she ran both
+hands over her hair by way of smoothing any stray locks, gave her skirts
+a twist, and herself a general shake, and started slowly down stairs
+again, with a grimly resigned air.
+
+It was only the most informal of little evening company, so every one
+came early, and in a little while the quiet evening air grew musical
+with merry voices and gay laughter, then became quieter, and was
+replaced by notes from the piano, or some one voice trilling out a
+popular song or a pretty ballad. Everything went flourishingly; to be
+sure, there were more ladies than gentlemen, which required much
+watching and managing on Bea's part, that no lady should suffer a dearth
+of masculine attention. Once, Ralph was missing from the room for some
+little time, which worried her greatly, but when he came back, she
+noticed that he nodded and smiled to Kittie, which was unintelligible to
+her, but was readily understood by her sister, to mean that everything
+was right. Just as the young hostess had decided that it was time to
+serve refreshments, some one asked her to sing.
+
+"I? Oh, I never sing," she said with a modest blush, and drawing back,
+while her heart began to flutter nervously.
+
+"I'm quite sure you do," persisted the young lady; whereupon the request
+was strengthened by all voices; and conscious that it would be impolite
+to still refuse, Bea walked to the piano, with her fingers growing cold
+as ice, and a die-away feeling in her throat. It took a few minutes to
+spin up the stool and decide what to sing, then in a voice that would
+quaver, she began a little Scotch song, and was just through the first
+verse when things began to look strange. Was it because she was so
+nervous, or was it growing dark? She played a few rambling chords, then
+she stopped and looked at the lamp with a chilly foreboding, and--_it
+was going out_!
+
+Somebody else had noticed it before she did, and now as she sat in
+blank, dazed mortification, some one crossed the room, and lifting the
+lamp, blew it out, saying with a careless laugh:
+
+"Several adventurous bugs were burning themselves to death, so I have
+ended their, and our misery, by putting out what they were slowly
+killing, and now while they are being dislodged, and the lamp relighted,
+shall we adjourn to the porch, ladies and gentlemen? The moon is coming
+up gorgeously."
+
+Bea could have gone down on her knees in gratitude to him, and Kat, the
+terrible, actually threw him a kiss in the dark, before she rushed out
+to the kitchen, where Bea had carried the lamp.
+
+"It's all my fault, every bit," she cried remorsefully. "I thought this
+morning, when I cleaned the lamps, that I would wait until it got cooler
+to go up after the coal-oil, and then I forgot it, clean as a shingle,
+and I'll do anything under the sun if you'll forgive me."
+
+"Don't talk," said Bea sharply, too excited and nervous to say much.
+"Go, bring every lamp in the house, quick!"
+
+"Never mind," exclaimed Kittie, coming hurriedly in, as Kat went off on
+a rush. "Don't feel bad, Bea, not a soul noticed it, and you were
+singing beautifully; besides you just ought to look in the dining-room;
+there's the most magnificent cake that you ever saw, and a freezer of
+delicious ice-cream!"
+
+Bea dropped the lamp-top from her trembling fingers, and turned her face
+with incredulous relief and delight.
+
+"Oh, Kittie!"
+
+"Yes, and I'm going right out now to distribute plates and napkins, and
+let them eat out in the moonlight; it's nearly as light as day, so don't
+worry another bit; the other big lamp will burn over two hours, yet, and
+you can empty enough from the little ones into this to make it go, and
+everybody but Dr. Barnett thinks it was bugs. Only hurry and come out;"
+and away fluttered Kittie, with the memory of Bea's brightened face, to
+provide the young guests with plates and expectations.
+
+So, when Bea replaced the lamp in the parlor, with its blaze high and
+bright, and came out on to the porch, she found the merriest party
+imaginable, and there were generous saucers of cream going round amid
+"Oh's," and "Ah's" of satisfaction, and Kat following after them with an
+immense cake, its top shining white as snow in the moonlight. Bea knew
+only too well who was the author of all this generosity, and she seized
+the first opportunity of giving Ralph's hand a squeeze of inexpressible
+gratitude, to which he made answer by giving her a fraternal pat on the
+shoulder, as they stood in the shadow of the vine, and whispered slyly:
+
+"Barnett's a trump, isn't he? I never saw anything neater."
+
+Bea thought so and was treasuring up a little speech of thanks to make
+him when the good-night moment should arrive, but she didn't make it,
+for that moment turned out to be something so different from what she
+expected. It was this way. After having reduced the cake and lemonade to
+a state of bankruptcy, and made way with all the ice-cream, the young
+people strolled around the yard for a while in the moonlight, took rides
+in the Water-Rat across the pond, and then decided that it was time to
+go home, and began making their parting thanks accordingly; so that in a
+few moments every one was gone but Dr. Barnett and his sister; and that
+sister, with feminine quickness, understood that this moment might be
+the very one her brother wanted, so she engaged Kittie and Kat in a
+lively conversation, and together they all went up stairs for her
+wrappings.
+
+"It was so kind in you," began Bea when she found that they were quite
+alone on the porch. "I don't know what I should have done, and it was so
+terribly mortifying, but then--" and there she came to a pause, for
+looking up, she met his eyes, wearing an expression, such as chased all
+further words from her lips, and made her forget entirely what it was
+that she was going to say next.
+
+"Don't you suppose," began the young doctor rather hurriedly, "that it
+is very pleasant for me to know that I saved you any pain, and don't you
+know that I wish I might feel that you would give me the right to do so
+always? don't you, Beatrice?"
+
+"Oh--I--don't know;" stammered Bea, with a foolish little quaver to her
+voice, and dropping her face clean out of sight, yet making no
+resistance when she found her hands imprisoned.
+
+"Please look at me," was the first request, in very tender tones. "I
+need some encouragement. Won't you give me a little? If you love me ever
+so little, dear, won't you put your hand in mine again?"
+
+Bea dropped her head still lower, all in a tremor of happy, shy delight,
+and looked at the hand which he had released, and was waiting to claim
+from her. Should she give it? She knew she would, even while she
+hesitated, for didn't she love him from the top to the bottom of her
+devoted little heart? Yes, of course she did. And didn't she foolishly
+think that the loveliest music in heaven could never be more delightful
+to listen to than his voice asking for her love? To be sure she did. Oh,
+it's wonderful how such times affect us all!
+
+"I'm waiting, Beatrice," said Dr. Walter, with a very proper degree of
+beseeching impatience. "Don't you love me any, darling?"
+
+Up came her head with a little flash of courage, giving him one glance
+of the shy, happy eyes, then down it went again, as she held out her
+hand, and felt it covered with an eager firmness, while something was
+said close to her rosy ear that did well enough for her to hear, but
+cannot be told to you.
+
+It is wonderful how much time Miss Lottie managed to consume in putting
+on a single wrap--a fleecy covering over her head; but she realized the
+importance of keeping out of the way a while, so loitered and chatted
+and admired the moon-lit view from the windows, and finally started
+slowly down stairs, fervently hoping that the important words had been
+spoken.
+
+They evidently had, for both parties looked so happy, and when the
+doctor bade the twins good night, it really seemed as though he would
+shake their hands off, in the excess of some feeling that possessed him;
+and there is no mistake about it, he certainly kissed Bea in the shadow
+of the vines, as he said to her in parting:
+
+"To-morrow, I am coming to see your mother, and then I hope to put my
+seal on this little hand that you have given to me."
+
+At first, Bea did not know whether to tell the girls or not, but then,
+of course they knew, for after they were alone, what unheard-of capers
+they did go through with, such winks, and sighs, and groans, and tragic
+acting. So Bea sat over in the shadow where they couldn't see her face,
+and said with a laugh:
+
+"Stop your nonsense, if you want me to tell you about it."
+
+"Tell!" echoed Kat. "As if we didn't know, and hadn't seen for months.
+I've been nearly dead to tease, 'cause you're such a good subject, but
+then mama said we shouldn't. Engaged! Oh, here's a go!"
+
+"What did you both say?" asked Kittie, in romantic interest, and feeling
+as though a great hole had been made in the family, with Bea set apart
+from them in some way.
+
+"Not much," answered Bea, with a little smile to think how quickly it
+had all been done. "I hear voices at the gate; it's mama and Mr. Dane; I
+guess I'll go down and meet her;" so off she went, leaving the twins to
+laugh and mourn over the event.
+
+Dr. Barnett came the next day, and he and Mrs. Dering talked in the
+sitting-room together for a long time. Then Bea was sent for, and after
+a while, when she came out with a quiet, almost sad happiness in her
+face, she wore a rim of gold on her left hand, and for a long time she
+sat alone in her room, thinking much, shedding a few tears, and saying a
+little prayer, as though she felt that she stood on the threshold of
+something that would require help, and that was hard for her to
+realize.
+
+After this, the summer days came and went, with little to disturb the
+quiet life at the Dering's. The heat was so intense that amusements of
+all kinds were laid aside, just as little work done as possible, and the
+greater portion of the long days spent out on the old roof, where it was
+constantly shady. So nothing further happened until the time came for
+Ralph to return to home and studies. The prospect of such an event drove
+despair into the hearts of the girls and made them extensively
+rebellious. Even Kat mourned and felt a great deal more than she showed,
+for with all pretensions to dislike, would it have been possible to have
+had Ralph Tremayne there for six months, and not like him?
+
+"I'll come back," he would say over and over again, as though in some
+way, he gained comfort himself from the assertion. "In two years I'll be
+through with my studies, and my very first trip will be here and then--"
+but somehow, he never finished, but would look thoughtful for a little
+while, as though the move after _then_, was going to be a very important
+one.
+
+"I believe you're glad to go," Kittie would say to him when he would
+often be telling of what he was going to work for and accomplish.
+"You'll go back to Boston, and study, and make yourself a great lawyer,
+and you'll see such elegant ladies in society there, that you will
+forget all about this little country town, and these little country
+girls."
+
+"Kittie," Ralph would exclaim in return, as though this little doubt of
+his faithfulness hurt him, "you know you don't mean it, and if you knew
+what this summer has been to me, you never would say so."
+
+"Why don't you tell us, then?" asked Kat, who happened to overhear this
+remark one day.
+
+"Perhaps I will some time, if I find that you are glad to see me when I
+come back," answered Ralph with a mysterious smile.
+
+"Can you ever doubt that?" asked Bea. "After the blessing and comfort
+that you have been to us all? I don't know what we ever will do without
+you, Ralph; it will be so lonesome."
+
+"Why, you ought not to care," said Ralph with a laugh, and touching the
+hand that wore the gold ring, with a significant gesture. "My place was
+taken long ago in your fickle heart, mademoiselle."
+
+It did not really seem as though they were going to lose him until
+September came, and the days crept around, till the one came when a
+trunk stood packed in the hall, the front room up stairs looked
+forsaken, and Ralph was really going next morning.
+
+Right after dinner, Kat took her book and went off to the farthest
+corner of the back-yard, where a gigantic apple-tree stood, with a
+magnificent seat of curled branches up in its centre, into which, Kat
+found her way, with some speedy climbing, and then sat down and looked
+thoughtfully at nothing for nearly half an hour. Yes, she did look very
+thoughtful, and after a while, she opened her book, but did not read
+much, for something kept coming between her and the leaves, and two or
+three times she might have been seen to slide her hand across her eyes,
+and wink pretty fast, which plainly indicated that something must be the
+matter. She never could have told afterwards what made her stay there
+all the afternoon, but stay she did, and never came down until the sun
+had commenced to throw slanting shadows across the grass. On the way up
+to the house, she walked slowly, and appeared to be holding some
+internal communion or argument with herself, and was seen to shake
+herself rather fiercely before she went in.
+
+"Well, where in the world have you been?" was the remark that greeted
+her, as she appeared in the sitting-room door; and the speaker was Bea,
+who turned from the window with wet eyes.
+
+"Been? Up in the big tree out below the pond."
+
+"Why I thought you had gone up town," exclaimed Kittie, who was crying
+on the piano-stool, like one bereft. "Ralph's gone."
+
+"Gone!" echoed Kat, slowly.
+
+"Yes, gone," repeated Bea. "He found that he could make connections
+right through by taking this afternoon's train, and he raced all around
+town an hour before train-time, to find you. Kittie said you were going
+after dinner."
+
+"Yes, but I changed my mind," said Kat slowly, then turned and went out.
+Gone, and with no good-bye to her! She wondered a little to see how much
+the thought hurt her. Ralph's old straw hat, with its broad band of blue
+ribbon, just as he used to wear it around the yard, hung on the rack.
+She took it down with a queer little feeling in her throat, and slapped
+it on to her head, then went out into the yard again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+AT THE OPERA.
+
+
+The sun came warmly in at the great west window of the picture gallery,
+and showed Olive sitting before a tall frame, and working busily at the
+sketch that lay in her lap. Very near to her lay Jean, on a luxurious
+little divan, with an open book in her hands, from which she read a
+little now and then, and watching her sister in the meantime. It was
+very still, for when Olive was at work she was always too absorbed to
+think of aught else, and objected to being talked to, so the deep
+silence lay unbroken, and Jean satisfied herself with being allowed to
+watch to her heart's content.
+
+At last Olive raised her head with a sigh, partly of fatigue, and partly
+of blissful content, and after taking a professional squint at her
+subject and her copy, passed it over to Jean with the remark:
+
+"There, how do you like that, Jean? Does his nose look right?"
+
+"Just beautiful!" cried Jean with enthusiasm. "How splendidly you do it,
+Olive. He looks as if he was going to speak. It must be so nice to be an
+artist; you'll be a great one, some day, won't you?"
+
+"I want to be," answered Olive, who had lately learned that nothing so
+threw Jean into raptures, as to be appealed to, and confided in. "After
+I learn to draw heads just as nicely as possible, I am going to sketch
+yours and Ernestine's for mama."
+
+"Are you really?" exclaimed Jean in delight, "and like that one?"
+
+"Yes, like this," said Olive, looking at her sketch, which was a copy of
+a magnificent head of Demosthenes, cast in bas-relief against black
+velvet. "Don't you think she will like it?"
+
+"Oh, she'll just be too happy!" cried Jean, slipping from her lounge,
+and limping over to Olive with her cane. "I want to talk a little while
+now, will you, Olive?"
+
+The young artist cast a hasty regretful look at her drawing, and was on
+the point of putting off the little talk, for her fingers fairly
+trembled to go on with her work, and catch with her pencil the peculiar
+life-like expression about the mouth of the great orator; but the
+temptation was thrust aside, and the next moment, Jean was sitting in
+her lap, with the contented air of one who expects no rebuffs or
+unreturned caresses.
+
+"I've been watching you so long," she began, touching with loving
+fingers, the long, heavy braid of beautiful hair, that had fallen over
+Olive's shoulder, "and I just wanted to tell you how different you look
+from the way you used to, you know."
+
+"Yes," answered Olive, who had grown used to these loving bursts of
+admiration from the observing little girl.
+
+"I used to think," continued Jean, "that you was the most unhappy girl I
+ever saw, and it made me feel so sorry, 'cause I thought it must be
+somebody's fault, and then I wanted to kiss you, or something, but you
+always looked so, I didn't know whether you'd like it or not, and so I
+never did."
+
+"But I would have been glad," said Olive, who could remember very well
+the many times she had frozen the little girl's loving advances.
+
+"I'll tell you why I was so unhappy, Jeanie; I thought no body loved me,
+and that I was in the way."
+
+"Why, Olive! Olive!" cried Jean in greatest amaze. "How could you think
+so; who made you?"
+
+"I made myself," said Olive. "I was so cross, that I made you all stay
+away from me, and then I thought it was because no one cared for me,
+because I was so ugly."
+
+"You wasn't pretty then," was Jean's honest remark. "But you are now,
+really, and so splendid looking some way. You haven't got rosy cheeks
+like Miss Foster, nor yellow hair like Ernestine, but somehow I love to
+look at you, and so does Cousin Roger, 'cause sometimes when you are
+drawing, he just looks right straight at you all the whole time."
+
+"Does he?" laughed Olive, and then revealed the utter want of romance in
+her nature, by never giving the complimentary fact another thought.
+"I'll tell you something, Jean, if you'll not repeat it."
+
+"Oh, no, Olive, never!"
+
+"Well, I'm drawing Cousin Roger's head."
+
+"You are, and he don't know it?"
+
+"No, I take good looks when he don't see, then go and draw awhile; it's
+good practise, and he has such a strong, clear face, and splendidly
+shaped head, that I have to work hard to make my picture good, and I
+find it is helping me a great deal," said Olive, with never a thought of
+doing a thing that might be termed romantic.
+
+"How nice, and may I see it?"
+
+"Yes, when it is done."
+
+"And may _I_ see it?" inquired a new voice, that made them both start
+and turn, to see Roger Congreve coming down the gallery.
+
+"Did you hear?" asked Olive, looking a little vexed; and Jean opened
+her mouth to say something, then shut it in a hurry.
+
+"No, I didn't except the last two sentences; but from the way you both
+look, I think it must be something that I ought to hear," answered the
+gentleman, sitting down on Jean's divan with a laugh.
+
+"Tell him," whispered Jean, and as Olive looked up, and saw his head
+with gleams of sunshine falling across it, she realized the advantage of
+having it to look at steadily, and how grand his forehead was.
+
+"Yes, I'd just as soon tell you as not," she said frankly. "I've been
+taking a sketch of your head."
+
+"Have you indeed," he exclaimed, with a sudden light in his face that
+Olive could not understand, if indeed, she thought anything about it.
+
+"Yes, it makes a splendid study, but I haven't made much progress,
+because I've had so few chances."
+
+"Why did you do it on the sly?" he asked, hoping to detect a little
+confusion in her answer, such as might indicate a little deeper interest
+than the mere study; but not a bit of it; she answered readily enough:
+
+"I thought you might consider it a bore to sit still, doing nothing,
+just for the sake of being copied, so I never said anything about it,
+but studied by piece-meal."
+
+"On the contrary, believe me, nothing would be greater bliss than to sit
+still doing nothing, by the hour, for the sake of being copied--by
+you," said Roger with an unmistakable accent.
+
+"It is very kind of you, I am sure," replied Olive, on whom all such
+things were thrown away; as indeed he had found out long ago, being a
+little nettled at the discovery. Not that he was given such, to any
+extreme, but then he was a society man, born and bred, with all of
+society's pleasing little airs, which might have made him a society
+fool, if he had not also possessed too much manhood and good common
+sense. Between his handsome self, and it being known that he was "old
+Congreve's heir," it's a never ending wonder that he wasn't spoiled; but
+he had kept clear headed, and also clear hearted so far, and had come to
+find out that there were but few women who were not susceptible to
+flattery, and who would not drop into a harmless flirtation with little
+invitation. Therefore, when Olive came, and never seemed to regard him
+as any extraordinary being, he decided to make her; so after trying
+indifference, equal to her own awhile, he was somewhat amazed to find
+that his was feigned, and hers was too genuine to be complimentary;
+after which he tried the attentive, which rarely fails to bring a girl
+around, and was astonished beyond measure, to find that it was in vain.
+To be sure, Olive accepted his flowers, sometimes wearing a bud or two
+in her hair, and seemed to think it very kind in him to remember her in
+that way. And she went riding day after day with him, with the most
+hearty enjoyment, for did she not see the most magnificent scenery from
+the mountain roads, round which they cantered in the lovely days? And
+they frequently spent evenings together, when at her request he would
+read aloud from books she might name, and then they would discuss them,
+when he would find that hers was no ordinary school-girlish mind, that
+could be bent according to another's ideas. And so, at last, he came to
+feel a genuine desire to win some feeling from her, since she was
+rousing so much in him; but the genuine desire seemed as vain as the
+former idle one, for while Olive undoubtedly enjoyed his society, since
+he assisted her in discovering the best sketching points, and was an
+able conversationalist in what he had read and seen; there was nothing
+beyond it, and she would have enjoyed the same, just as well, in any one
+else. Most any girl but Olive, would have come to understand and
+appreciate, the evident preference he at last professed for her society,
+above that of the Staunton belles; and most any girl would have been
+flattered by the attentions which now bore sincerity in their face; but
+to Olive they seemed only courtesies paid to her as a guest, for which
+she was grateful, and gave no extra thought. She was wrapped too deeply
+in her art to have any thought of lovers, besides she was not at all
+romantic; all her cravings for affection were satisfied in the home
+circle, and the deeper fountains of her heart, that, once reached,
+would be a well-spring of deathless unchanged devotion, lay deeply
+buried now. So it was that Roger Congreve had met the first woman whom
+he could not attract in some way, who won from him the strongest
+feelings, and gave him nothing in return but polite friendliness; and
+that she should be nothing but a seventeen year old girl, was something
+rather humiliating. When the study on the head began, as it did the next
+day, it was both a pleasure and almost a pain to him to feel that he
+might as well have been a piece of statuary as for all the attention she
+gave him, aside from the long careful looks her thoughtful eyes bestowed
+on some particular curve to his nose, or expression about his mouth. But
+then it gave him plenty of time to study the quiet face, with its clear
+colorlessness, the lowered eyelids with curling lashes, the nose, that
+was purely aristocratic in its fine outline, and the wavy sweep of brown
+hair from the high, white brow. The study was always a pleasure to him,
+and made ten times stronger his resolve to win some feeling and
+expression thereof from her.
+
+"Are you sleepy?" Olive asked once, when he had fallen into a reverie,
+and was regarding her with eyes dreamily tender. "I'm ready for your
+eyes now, and that expression will never do. I've put your head and face
+in an expression of strong defiance, and those eyes would ruin it. Look
+real angry for a minute, and let me catch the expression!--no, not that
+way, it's too fierce; but just steady and earnest, as though you were
+determined to do something, whether or no."
+
+"Very well; look at me now," he said, turning his eyes on her with a
+flash of determination, such as set her pencil to work in a hurry. "I
+want to tell you that I have made up my mind to do a certain thing,
+which I will tell you about when accomplished."
+
+She was too busy replacing that look on paper to heed the gracious
+promise; and he had the questionable pleasure of knowing that he was
+entirely forgotten for the next few minutes, save in the capacity of a
+model, and that thought accomplished what Olive wanted, for it kept that
+look of roused defiance in his eyes.
+
+Occasionally old Mr. Congreve would come into the gallery and take a
+look at the work, on which he would pass some characteristic comment,
+and then depart, taking Jean with him, and saying to her with a chuckle,
+that sounded like intense satisfaction:
+
+"Come along with me, Jeanie, and let's leave the young folks alone with
+their drawing. I guess they can manage it better alone;" and Jean would
+go regretfully, and with an innocent wondering how her staying would
+make any difference.
+
+One evening, towards the latter part of September, Roger came up from
+the city, and meeting Olive on the lawn, drew two tickets from his
+pocket, and threw them into her lap.
+
+[Illustration: MR. CONGREVE WOULD COME INTO THE GALLERY.]
+
+"There! The first opera of the season, and pretty early for that, too!
+but I hear they are rather good, and they give 'Bohemian Girl' to-night,
+so I bought tickets. Shall we go?"
+
+"Yes, it was kind of you. I would like to hear it very much," answered
+Olive with a pleased smile. "Do you know, I never heard an opera in my
+life."
+
+"Is it possible?" in intense surprise. "Why, we will go every night they
+are here, if you say so."
+
+"Oh, no," with an air of reproof. "That would be very nice, but too
+extravagant. I know money is nothing to you, but then it wouldn't seem
+right to spend so much for mere pleasure when there are so many poor."
+
+He looked at her in surprise for a moment, but was too modest to tell
+that he gave twice as much to worthy poor as he ever gave to personal
+pleasure; so the subject dropped, and they were silent until Olive
+asked, with a sudden recollection of how she had frequently heard him
+describe ladies' toilets:
+
+"Do they--I will have to ask you because there is no one else--but do
+the ladies dress much at opera, here?"
+
+"Just as they please. It is not so popular as formerly. Street dress is
+mostly worn now."
+
+"Well, I don't know as it makes any difference, for I've got just so
+much to dress in, and would have to wear it anyhow," said Olive, with a
+composed laugh, which indicated how little she cared for what was
+popular aside from a polite desire to be becomingly attired in the eyes
+of her escort.
+
+"Will you wear some flowers if I will send them up to you?"
+
+"Yes, thank you."
+
+"Why do you always thank me for every little thing as if we were perfect
+strangers?" he exclaimed, with a little impatience, and a sort of vague
+feeling that if she realized or cared for the devotion accompanying the
+acts, she would accept them more as a matter of course.
+
+"Why should I not thank you?" with an air of surprise. "Is it any reason
+that I should not be polite since we are well acquainted?"
+
+"No, to be sure not," with a slight laugh; "but, then--what flowers do
+you prefer?"
+
+"Make your own selection."
+
+"I shall choose white then. Are you going in?"
+
+"Yes; this is Jean's day to go to the doctor's, and I promised to go
+with her," and with a little nod, she walked off and left him where he
+had thrown himself on the grass at her feet.
+
+That night, many a glass was turned towards their box for Roger Congreve
+was too eligible not to be a perfect magnet of interest, and any lady
+that he might choose to show a slight preference for, became, at once,
+a target for glances and comments; so, for a while, Olive was conscious
+of a dazzling battery of eyes and glasses; but Roger noticed, with some
+wonder, that the fact did not seem to disturb her more than as though it
+had been the commonest occurrence in her life. She looked exceedingly
+well to-night, dressed entirely in black, with lillies-of-the-valley in
+her hair, and fastened in the lace at her throat, while the pleasing
+excitement brought a bright flash into her eyes, and more color than
+usual into the lips that clearly showed their curved outline.
+
+The evening's amusement began, and progressed pleasurably through the
+first act, to which Olive listened attentively, saying with a little
+sigh of regret when the curtain fell:
+
+"How lovely it all is! Ernestine always wanted to go on the stage! It
+must be delightful if one can?"
+
+"Delightful, possibly; but a life of drudgery until one has worked to
+the top, and even then, there are hardships," Roger answered, noting how
+a look of sadness chased the gay smile from her lips when she spoke of
+the absent sister. Somehow, the place seemed replete with memories of
+Ernestine; the music which she had often played, the glitter of wealth
+and fashion that she always loved and longed for, the very atmosphere of
+gayety and excitement, such as she had always craved to draw breath in,
+seemed to recall her now, as Olive, caring so little for it, sat in its
+midst, and lost in memory. Roger regretted that any sadness should have
+obtruded itself, and was relieved to see, that when the curtain rose on
+the second act, that Olive soon became absorbed in the picturesque gypsy
+scene and lovely music. The robbery of Florestein was being committed
+with the usual success of brilliancy, and the gipsies were taking French
+leave, when the figure of a woman enters, drops her cloak, and--Roger
+sees no more. He hears a sudden painful gasp at his side, and turns to
+see Olive, whiter than her lilies, rising from her seat slowly, as if
+faint.
+
+"Olive," he exclaimed, hastily drawing the curtain between them and the
+audience, but she put out her hand, and then sank back in her chair, too
+weak to stand, for the first time in her life:
+
+"Ernestine!" she said, huskily. "It is Ernestine!"
+
+In incredulous amaze, he looked back at the stage, just as the queen was
+leading Florestein off, and he sees a frail-looking figure heaped in
+gaudy toggery, that looks as though it would drag her down with its
+weight; and, above it, is a pale flower-like face, with great dark,
+weary-looking eyes, and a heavy coronet of yellow hair twisted with
+tinsel and gauze.
+
+"How can I go to her?" Olive is saying with intense eagerness, and
+leaving her seat with a new strength. "Tell me quick, for I must go at
+once--tell me, quick."
+
+"It will do no good," said Roger, laying a detaining hand on her arm.
+"Listen to me a moment, Olive,"--as she threw it off in wild impatience.
+"They would not admit us behind the scenes, and besides, do you not see
+how frail and weak she looks? The shock would unfit her for the rest of
+the performance and--"
+
+"What do I care for that? She shall leave them at once. I will go to
+her. I'll go alone, if you will not go with me," cried Olive with
+glowing eyes and trembling lips, and moving towards the door.
+
+"But she dare not leave, and they would not allow you to see her," said
+Roger earnestly. "Only wait until the performance is over, and we will
+be at the stage entrance to meet her as she comes out. It will be best
+so; believe me, and trust in my interest, that is doubly deep for your
+sake."
+
+Olive hesitated, but reason conquered, and she came trembling back to
+her seat, saying in an excited whisper:
+
+"I cannot look at her again; I shall certainly betray myself if I do.
+Oh, how deathly she looks! I cannot bear it!"
+
+Roger did not doubt her self-control, until the gypsy queen appeared
+from her tent to disturb the love-scene of Thaddeus and Arline; and
+then, as Olive started forward and leaned against the box-rail, with
+parted, colorless lips, he certainly thought the name hovering on them
+would escape. But it did not. She pressed her hands tightly together
+and looked down, with such glittering eyes that it is a wonder their
+intense gaze did not make itself felt, and draw an answering look from
+the pale, worn queen, who, it was very evident, was making every
+particle of her strength work, to carry her through her part. Roger
+noticed, with an excitement almost equal to Olive's, that as she
+advanced to unite the lovers' hands, that she cleared her throat huskily
+and grew even yet paler in the tent-lights, and that twice she opened
+her lips before any sound crossed them. The next moment Olive had sprung
+to her feet, as with the first words:--
+
+    "Hand to hand, and heart to heart--"
+
+The voice ceased, a thin stream of blood crossed the queen's white lips
+and the curtain was rung down in a hurry, as she fell back into the
+gypsy's arms and was carried off.
+
+"This way, give me your arm," said Roger, pausing to say nothing else as
+they left the box and made their way through the dim little hall to the
+stage door. It was locked, and the most imperative and repeated knocks,
+failed to bring any response; and pitying the trembling eagerness that
+made Olive cling to his arm, he turned back, making all possible haste
+through the auditorium. The greater part of the audience still kept
+their seats to hear what would follow, but several were leaving, so that
+their hurrying through was hardly noticed, though neither gave it a
+thought. Just as they turned into the alley-way, from which the stage
+entrance led, a hack was seen to drive hurriedly from the door, and
+Olive's trembling strength almost forsook her, as she gasped out--
+
+"That is she--they are taking her away,--and we do not know where!"
+
+But it only took a moment to find where, to call another hack, help
+Olive in, to shout: "To the Virginia!" and then to be rattled off,
+through the darkness, in frantic haste; as cabby realized, from the
+excited order, that greatest speed was wanted.
+
+Olive spoke no word through that drive, but the moment the hack stopped
+before the hotel, she sprang from it, and rushed into the house,
+appealing eagerly to the first one met--
+
+"Where is she--the lady they have just brought in?"
+
+"The actress? Miss Clare? Third floor, but I don't know the number."
+
+Olive turned to see Roger coming in with a tall, kindly faced man, who
+hurried up stairs, while Roger said to her:
+
+"It is the doctor, we will follow him;" and together they went up,
+through the dim halls, and climbing the steep stairs, until they saw him
+enter a door, around which several curious persons stood, and then Roger
+paused, saying with decision:
+
+"You risk her life if you go in now, when she is in such a condition;
+the shock might bring on another hemorrhage."
+
+"I will wait," said Olive, beginning to feel the stern necessity of
+rigid self-control. "But cannot you go in, and ask the doctor how she
+is, and ask him how long before I can see her?"
+
+"I will try, wait here;" and Olive waited, while he went to the door,
+and tapped. She saw that he was refused admittance; but that in a few
+moments the doctor came out, and talked with him, after which they
+walked down to where she stood.
+
+"Dr. Pierce, Olive; and I have told him a few of the sad facts of the
+case," was Roger's hurried introduction and explanation.
+
+"And can I see her?" asked Olive, with trembling eagerness.
+
+"I think not, but I am sorry," was the kindly answer. "The hemorrhage
+was not very severe, but she is perfectly prostrated with overwork and
+excitement, so that I would dread the effect of any shock. Besides I
+have given her an opiate, from which she may not wake for hours, if it
+has the desired effect."
+
+"But may I not see her when she gets to sleep?" pleaded Olive,
+tremulously. "I will be very quiet indeed."
+
+"Yes, you may; I will call you," answered the doctor, and then some of
+the bystanders brought Olive a chair, and she dropped into it, and
+leaning her head against the door casing, waited, hardly noticing that
+through the hour that followed, Roger Congreve stood close by her side
+and studied the pale, anxious face, while pondering the revelation made
+to him that evening. He had almost decided that she had no heart, simply
+because it had not responded to his; but had she not?
+
+"You may come now," whispered an attendant, opening the door; and with
+her heart bounding so that she could scarcely stand, Olive went in
+slowly, and holding her breath as she drew near the bed whereon lay the
+motionless figure. Oh, could it be Ernestine? She stood and looked, with
+eyes blinded by hot tears, and once ventured to touch one of the thin
+waxen-like hands lying on the coverlid. Did it seem possible?
+Light-hearted, beautiful Ernestine Dering, and this white, shadowy,
+motionless being, one and the same? The face, as seen in the glare of
+lights, and under its gaudy trappings, was a picture of health, compared
+to what it was now, lying on the small, hard pillow, with the golden
+hair pushed straight back, and the face as pallid as marble, with sunken
+eyes, and pinched, white lips. Olive stood and looked for several
+moments, with the sobs swelling in her throat; then she knelt down
+beside the bed, and hid her face in the coverings, and no one disturbed
+her; but with Ernestine's first move she drew back, and out of sight
+across the room, which was needless, for the sleeper only turned her
+head, and then sank into that death-like stillness again.
+
+"Has she been ill long?" asked Olive of the single woman who still
+remained in the room. "Do you know anything about her?"
+
+"Oh, yes, miss. I am Madame T----, the prima donna's maid, and I helped
+dress Miss Clare to-night," answered the quiet-faced woman, who was
+nearly dead with curiosity, but stood in some awe of the tall, strange
+young lady. "She has not been strong any of the time since she's been
+with us; but yesterday, Miss Downs took sick, and Mr. Hurst, he's the
+manager, put Miss Clare in her place, and she's studied and sung every
+minute since, to be ready for to-night; and I thought when I dressed
+her, that she looked more like going into her coffin, than on the stage
+in all that toggery. She needs proper good care now, or she'll be like
+to die;--might you be a--friend, miss?"
+
+"Yes; and I shall remove her from here as soon as she is able. What has
+she in the way of clothes, and where are they?"
+
+"Laws! miss, not much, I guess, only that little trunk there," answered
+the woman, pointing to what might have been a good sized band-box, that
+stood in the corner, and which, in other days would hardly have held
+Ernestine's sashes, ribbons and trinkets, let alone the smallest corner
+of her wardrobe.
+
+"I am going," said Roger, tiptoeing carefully to Olive's side. "It is
+past eleven, and the carriage will have come for us and gone back, and
+Uncle Ridley will be alarmed. I shall return immediately, and is there
+anything you want brought?"
+
+"Yes," whispered Olive. "Pillows, eight or ten of them, wine, and my
+blue wrapper; Jean will be asleep; Bettine will get it for you;--that is
+all, I think;" and he went carefully away, to bear the startling news
+out to Congreve Hall; and Olive was left to her lonely vigil, for the
+troupe arrived presently from the theatre, and the maid was obliged to
+attend to Madame T----. Most of the performers had rooms on the third
+floor, and after a loiter down stairs, came up noisily, singing and
+chatting right by the sick-room, and Olive was horrified to hear that
+they stopped next door, from which place the merriment continued to flow
+forth unceasing. Did they not know that the sick girl lay next door, or
+at least that she was in the house? Olive stood it as long as she could,
+then sprang to her feet, and in a moment had tapped at the next door.
+
+The sounds ceased for a moment, then some one threw it open, and the
+light flashed on her pale, indignant face and flashing eyes, with the
+wilted lilies at her throat, and the unmistakable air of a woman "born
+to command," in her erect head, and clear, indignant glance.
+
+"Are you not aware,"--she had no time to couch her language in pleasing
+terms,--"Are you not aware that a lady lies at the point of death in the
+next room?"
+
+The four men looked at the apparition in silent amaze for a moment, then
+one of them said, with an unmistakable hiccough and a silly smile:
+
+"You don't say so! hic, come in, an' tell us all about it."
+
+"Shut up, Bunce! can't you see it's a lady?" retorted he, who sheepishly
+held the door. "I'm--I'm sorry, mam," he continued, with a bow to Olive.
+"I--we--forgot; I hope we've not disturbed her much; there shall be no
+more noise, I promise you."
+
+Olive disappeared, and returned to Ernestine, her heart swelling with
+furious indignation. If she had not been there, would the maid have gone
+to Madame T----, and would the sick girl have been left alone in that
+death-like stupor? It seemed too heartlessly cruel to be true; Olive
+could not understand it.
+
+Roger Congreve returned just before twelve, and found Olive sitting
+alone by the sleeper, and his wrath was fully equal to hers.
+
+"But they all know you are with her," he said, "and there are all manner
+of curious conjectures floating round. Here are pillows, and wine, and I
+have brought Bettine back with me."
+
+"Oh, I am so glad," said Olive, with a sigh of relief, "I have been
+pondering what I would do if she should wake up. What did Uncle Ridley
+say?"
+
+"Say? Why, it was all I could do to keep him from coming here right
+away; and I left him trying to comfort Jean, who was nearly in a spasm
+of joy. She was awake and insisted on knowing why you did not come;
+otherwise I should not have told her to-night. Here, Bettine, bring one
+of those largest pillows."
+
+Bettine came forward from where she stood near the door, bringing a
+large, soft pillow, very unlike the little hard one on which Ernestine's
+head rested; and as Olive carefully lifted the sleeper's head, they were
+exchanged, without disturbing the heavy stupefied slumber.
+
+"I think the manager will be up here in a moment," said Roger, when
+Olive had taken her seat and Bettine had retreated to the corner, wiping
+her eyes on the rough little pillow-case; and even as he spoke, there
+came steps in the hall and a slight tap at the door, and Bettine
+admitted the doctor, followed by a tall, surly-faced man, who looked
+fiercely around the room, and scowled at Olive, who took her seat by the
+bed, with an instinctive feeling that the unconscious sleeper might need
+her protection.
+
+"You see for yourself," said the doctor, stepping to the bed with the
+stranger, after having bowed to Olive and Roger. "She is alive, and
+really doing better than I expected; but a slight turn may be her
+instant death, or she may live several months yet with perfect rest and
+comfort. She can never be of further use to you, for her last note had
+been sung, and her last act given."
+
+The manager scowled down at the death-like sleeper.
+
+"Nevertheless, I have a claim on her. I paid her fifty dollars in
+advance to buy necessary stage-wardrobe," he said, with a heartless
+coolness. "I never was such a fool before, but she had a fine voice and
+good stage air, and I thought she'd last."
+
+Almost before he finished speaking, Olive had leaped to her feet with
+flashing eyes and quivering white lips, but before she could speak,
+Roger's quiet voice interrupted:
+
+"Will you step this way, sir, and make out your bill against the young
+lady? I am quite ready to cancel all or any demands."
+
+The manager turned and looked at him for a moment, in silence, then
+crossed the room with a shrug of his shoulders, and took the pencil held
+out to him, also the little page of blanks.
+
+"Sign her release, while I make out your check," said Roger, drawing his
+bank book from his pocket, and hastily filling a page, while the manager
+slowly scrawled a few words on the blank, attached his name, and passed
+it over, receiving the check in exchange.
+
+"It's not half what I ought to receive," he said, with surly grimace.
+"Here I've got to go and look up some one else, and she made the
+performance fizzle out to-night, besides being a deal of trouble all
+along with her delicate airs."
+
+"Leave the room!" cried Olive fiercely, trembling and white with
+uncontrollable rage. "You have killed her. I hope you will remember it
+to your last day. You are her murderer, and whatever you paid her, it is
+more than likely she had given her life to work out for you, so what you
+are paid now is wages for your brutish work. Leave the room, I say; you
+have no longer a right here, nor any claim, if indeed you ever had one,
+for I tell you I don't believe you ever paid her a cent, even what you
+owed her, and you shall not breathe the same air with her longer."
+
+"Young woman, be careful!" thundered the manager, growing an irate
+scarlet, as the fiercely uttered words rolled in upon him; but Olive met
+his gaze with flashing, undaunted eyes, and then the good doctor
+recovered from his speechless amaze and came between them, after which,
+Bettine, trembling with awe and fright, let the two gentlemen out. Olive
+dropped back into her seat, and through it all, Ernestine slept, her
+thin hands folded over her quiet bosom, and an air of utter repose on
+her face, as of one too near another world to heed struggles in this,
+even though they reached her weary hearing.
+
+So the night wore on, and save the doctor returning for a moment, utter
+silence reigned. Olive never moved from her low seat by the bed, with
+her face hid. Bettine dropped asleep in her chair, and Roger, over by
+the window, found that his busy thoughts kept him awake for hours, but
+that he finally grew drowsy, and at last dropped into a doze, with his
+head against the casing.
+
+As the city bell tolled the hour of three, Ernestine opened her eyes
+slowly, with a weary air that seemed like regret, and looked about the
+dimly lighted room, with only a half conscious air. Roger received a
+slow wondering look, then Bettine, and then her eyes fell on the figure
+by the bed, with crushed white flowers in her hair, and face bowed from
+sight; but it seemed to matter little who they all were, for she made no
+move and looked away beyond them all, with a dreamy air of lingering
+stupor, that still held thoughts and memory in check. But presently a
+brighter light of reason crept into the eyes that made them open wider
+and look about once more at the three silent figures, with more wonder
+and closer attention, and at last she put out her hand slowly, and
+touched the bowed head beside her; and startled by the light pressure,
+Olive raised her head quickly, and they looked at each other.
+
+For a moment her heart stood still in terror, as the dark eyes rested on
+her face, then there came a feeble, husky moan of delirious joy. "Olive!
+Oh, Olive!" and Roger, wakened by the slight sound, sprang up, to find
+Ernestine fainted entirely away, and Olive rushed wildly for water; at
+which Bettine also awakened, and shaking with fright, as her first
+thought was, that Ernestine was dying. But she was not, for with
+moistened lips and dampened brow, they brought a feeble flutter of life
+back, and with the first lifting of the eyelids, Olive bent down to lay
+her lips to those that tried to speak.
+
+"Not another word for your life's sake, darling. I am here. I am going
+to take you home to mama, but you must not speak."
+
+Words cannot describe the incredulous joy and perfect peace that touched
+the wan face at the words, nor the bewildering happiness that lighted
+the sunken eyes, as the feeble arms tried to clasp themselves about
+Olive's neck, but fell weakly down.
+
+Roger found his eyes blinded by tears as he stepped back to get the
+wine. "Give her some," he said, handing the glass to Olive, and slipping
+his arm under Ernestine's pillow to raise her head slightly, and
+Ernestine sipped slowly at the wine held to her lips, never once moving
+her eyes from Olive's face, then lay back with that contented, peaceful
+look, like some who, from facing despair, desperation, and the bitterest
+heart-ache, suddenly find themselves cradled in perfect peace, with no
+trouble, no want, no sadness, and too weak to wonder, hold fast their
+wild joy and are content.
+
+For a long time it seemed as though Ernestine cared to know nothing,
+save that Olive was beside her, held her hand, and bent to kiss her
+every few moments; but, after a long time her eyes went to Roger, as
+though she had just discovered his presence, and Olive answered the
+question in them.
+
+"It is our Cousin Roger, dear, and Uncle Ridley, and Jean will be here
+in the morning; can't you go to sleep, so as to be stronger then?"
+
+Ernestine's lips trembled with joy, but she shut her eyes instantly, as
+though to win sleep and hasten the morning; but no sleep came, and so
+till daylight touched the world, Olive sat and held the hands that
+trembled eagerly, as the moments went by. At last, she grew perfectly
+quiet, and Olive, knowing she had dropped asleep drew back from the
+long-held position that had made every muscle ache.
+
+"Won't you lie down?" whispered Roger. "You look like a ghost. I am
+going to sit out in the hall so as to keep things quiet when the
+boarders begin to leave their rooms."
+
+"How good you are!" said Olive, looking up at him with a sudden
+gratitude, and noting how pale and worn he looked from the long night of
+sleeplessness and anxiety. "I can never thank you."
+
+"Do not try," he answered, pressing the hand she had held out to him,
+and looking at her with eyes she could not have failed to read had she
+not been in such a tumult of absorbing thoughts, and then he went
+carefully out, and Olive, bidding sleepy Bettine to lie down, took her
+seat again by the bed, and daylight came up brightly, while she watched
+Ernestine's sleeping face, with eyes that were continually blinded by
+thankful tears.
+
+Soon after breakfast, the carriage from the Hall came dashing up to the
+Virginia, and in a few moments, Mr. Congreve was stamping hurriedly up
+stairs, while James followed, carrying Jean, who was trembling like a
+leaf with eager excitement.
+
+"God bless my soul! I never did!" cried Mr. Congreve, as Roger, hearing
+them coming, met them at the top of the last flight. "Such thundering
+stairs! Why I sha'n't breathe straight again for a month, and I don't
+want to go in on the dear child puffing like a crazy porpoise. Let me
+sit right down here to blow my nose and get my breath. How is she,
+Roger?"
+
+"Better this morning. She ate a little breakfast and drank some wine,
+but is very weak yet. Jeanie, that is the room. You may go in, but go
+quietly," said Roger, and Jean, being placed on the floor, almost forgot
+to use her cane, as she limped hurriedly along.
+
+Ernestine was watching the door with eager, hungry eyes, and the moment
+Jean appeared, she held out her feeble hands, and the next moment,
+Jean's kisses were covering her face, and the little girl was saying in
+joyous eagerness:
+
+"I knew God would bring you back. I've asked Him every night since you
+went away. Oh, my precious, darling, Ernestine, I'm so glad that I can't
+help crying," the delighted sobs bubbling up as she spoke; while
+Ernestine, forbidden to speak, fondled the curly hair and dear little
+face, and feebly smiled her happiness.
+
+"Well, my child, God bless you, I'm glad we've got you again," was Mr.
+Congreve's greeting, as he came in, making every effort not to be noisy
+or speak too loud, in consequence of which, his voice was dropped to a
+sepulchral whisper, and he walked as if the floor was spread with eggs.
+But his kind, sharp eyes were full of tears, his voice shook, and he
+held her frail hand as though it was a precious wafer, that slight
+pressure might demolish.
+
+"The doctor was here, just now," said Olive, "He says we may take her
+out home by to-morrow, if she continues to do well."
+
+"Yes, yes, to be sure," answered Mr. Congreve, retreating to the corner
+and employing both hands and an immense handkerchief to wipe away the
+tears. "Has the child everything that she wants, Olive? I--God bless my
+soul! she looks half dead already, as though she had been starved and
+treated like a dog! Confound my eyes! but then I must cry; I'd like to
+take a good out and out bellow, I would, indeed; I haven't felt so
+stuffed with tears for fifty years. Have you sent word to your mother?"
+
+"No; I wanted to ask you about it. Ernestine is out of danger, and yet,
+if mama knows she is found and so ill, it will make her sick with
+anxiety and waiting, so I thought we had better wait until she is able
+to be taken home, then write."
+
+"Just so, exactly; you're right, no doubt. I hope the dear child can be
+moved to-morrow, for this place is like a musty chicken coop; I wouldn't
+put my worst enemy's dog in such a room, and I think I'll go down and
+blow off my feelings by telling the man who runs this shanty, just what
+I think of him;" and away went the excited old gentleman in a hurry,
+after telling Olive once more to spare no expense, if the dear child
+wanted anything.
+
+The next day Ernestine was taken to Congreve Hall.
+
+How many times had the girls thought of Ernestine, with her beauty, her
+grace, and queenly little airs, as being in Congreve Hall. How they had
+imagined her ornamenting its stately rooms, sweeping through the great
+halls, and queening it to her happy heart's content, a fit inmate to its
+splendor.
+
+Now, on a bed, that could be lifted from the carriage, by two careful
+servants, and slowly taken in at the great entrance, wan, wasted, and
+helpless, Ernestine was going into Congreve Hall at last.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+COMING HOME.
+
+
+"We haven't had a letter from Olive this week," said Bea, breaking a
+silence that had fallen upon them, as they sat sewing in the cheerful
+sitting-room. "How long she has been gone! Isn't it most time for her to
+be coming home, mama?"
+
+"She was to stay as long as she was enjoying herself, and pleasing Uncle
+Ridley," answered Mrs. Dering. "I hardly thought she would stay so long
+on account of her studies, but from what she writes about the scenery
+and gallery of pictures at Congreve, I suppose she is having a little
+artistic revelry that is very pleasant."
+
+"Well, she has forever lost place in my eyes," said Kat severely, "for
+not snubbing that chap. 'Cousin Roger,' she calls him! Stuff! He's no
+more our cousin than I'm your uncle; and he's to own the Hall, when it
+ought to be ours. I should think his conscience would wear a hole right
+through him, and if she brings that picture of his head home with her,
+I'll jab the carving-fork into it, sure's the world!"
+
+"It would make you feel better, I've no doubt," remarked Kittie, who sat
+by the window stitching ruffles, with a lady-like air, while a great
+bouquet ornamented the sill, shedding its fragrance through the room; it
+having been brought that morning by the polite colored man from
+Raymond's, with a tiny, three-cornered card, fastened to a rose-bud, and
+reading:
+
+    "FOR MISS KITTIE, FROM PANSY,"
+
+in crazy-looking capitals.
+
+"Well, I don't see how she can," said Kat, "be so polite to a fellow who
+is paddling about in our canoe, while we flounder in the water, and get
+along the best we can. I think it's too mean."
+
+"But it's not his fault," remonstrated Bea. "Uncle Ridley has a right to
+leave his money and house where he pleases; and I'm sure I can't see
+what right we have to fuss, especially after all he's done for us."
+
+"We have too much to be thankful for to make complaints of any kind,"
+said Mrs. Dering, looking out of the window, as the gate was heard to
+slam. "There comes a boy! You may go to the door, Kat, as you don't
+appear to be doing anything."
+
+Kat lifted herself from the floor with a yawn, and strolled lazily out
+to the door, but came back in a moment, with quicker steps, and less
+color in her face.
+
+"It's a despatch," she said, holding out the envelope that always bears
+alarm in its very face; and Mrs. Dering took it quickly, while the girls
+hung round her chair in anxiety. Was Olive or Jean sick? Neither. The
+paper unfolded, briefly read:
+
+    "I will be home on Wednesday with Ernestine. She is quite
+    ill. Meet the train with an easy carriage and pillows, and
+    with Dr. B.
+
+        "OLIVE."
+
+For a moment not a sound broke the stillness, then Mrs. Dering dropped
+the paper, and hid her face in her hands, and the girls knew that her
+first thought was to return thanks for this answer to her long, yearning
+prayers. A moment after, it was as though a whirlwind had struck the
+peaceful room; no one seemed to know, in the excitement that possessed
+them, just what it was they wanted to say or do, and between the joy and
+anxiety that the news occasioned, they all laughed and cried
+alternately.
+
+"To-morrow is Wednesday, and Ernestine will be here. Oh, don't it seem
+too happy to be true," cried Kittie, wiping away her tears with a strand
+of ruffling. "How do you suppose it ever happened? I can hardly wait;
+what shall we do to make time pass?"
+
+There proved to be plenty to keep their hands in keeping with their
+thoughts, for a room must be prepared for the invalid, and thoroughly
+prepared, too. They went to work on it that afternoon, first building a
+bright fire in the great fire-place, and throwing open all the windows
+to let the sunshine pour in. How strange it seemed; how happy, and yet
+how sad! Ernestine coming home! Not dead nor lost, but coming home,
+feeble and helpless! Where had she been all these long, weary months?
+and had any of their heart-aches and longings reached her? Perhaps she
+had been sick and alone, had not known of their eager search, or been
+able to drag herself back to them.
+
+The girls laughed and cried, while they swept, and dusted, and made up
+the bed like a snow-bank, ready turned down to admit the weary form. The
+whitest, most beautifully fluted curtains were hung before the windows,
+whose panes glistened like diamonds from hot soap-suds and crisp
+rubbings. All the pretty knick-knacks were brought in and put upon the
+walls with an eye to Ernestine's graceful little fancy likings. The
+easiest chairs, and prettiest rugs--in short, when finished, it was a
+little bower, and Kittie put the finishing touches in the way of flowers
+and vines, that, together, with the sunshine, made a sick-room of
+perfection to greet the coming invalid. Mrs. Dering went down to Mr.
+Phillips's to get Prince and the buggy, and found that the news had
+preceded her. The telegram had been repeated, and in an hour's time had
+pretty near made the circle of Canfield; so her appearance was greeted
+with joyful congratulations and sympathetic rejoicing; for Canfield had
+taken the matter to heart, and having grieved with the family, were now
+prepared to rejoice with it also. Miss Clara Raymond met Mrs Dering on
+her way to Mr. Phillips's, and offered their carriage, which was
+gratefully accepted, as it was large, low, and easy, and much more
+comfortable than the buggy for an invalid.
+
+Little sleeping was done that night, and in the morning the girls cooked
+every dainty that Ernestine had ever loved. They cleaned the whole house
+till it shone, under the stress of excitement; and, as train time drew
+near, they fairly grew weak and sick with anxiety and suspense. Mrs.
+Dering did not say much, but when the carriage came, and she put on her
+hat, while the girls got the pillows, they saw that she was pale and
+trembling, and that her voice shook beyond control when she gave Dr.
+Barnett a smiling "good-morning."
+
+There was nothing left to do, so after the carriage drove away the three
+girls sat on the steps, with their hands clasped, and waited. Kittie
+made one or two flying trips up stairs to see if everything was really
+beyond further improvement, while Kat vibrated nervously between the
+porch and the gate, and Bea sat still, looking at her ring, and
+wondering if Ernestine would like the giver, and what she would say.
+
+"There!" cried Kat at last, with a nervous jump. "The train is in, now
+in just a little bit--"
+
+It is possible that there was not a heart in Canfield but gave an
+expectant throb when the rumble and roar of the train shook the little
+place to its centre, and was heard to stop, a thing it did not often do;
+and there were but few who did not imagine, and earnestly sympathize
+with the joy it was bringing to one home in their midst.
+
+"There they come! Oh, girls I feel perfectly faint," cried Kittie,
+making a grasp at the gate post, to sustain her trembling excited self.
+"How slow and careful,--she must be so sick."
+
+No one answered, but six eager eyes watched, and three throbbing hearts
+waited, as the horses came with slow steps, and the carriage rolled
+carefully along. The top had been raised, and curious gazers along the
+way could see nothing; neither could the girls, when at last the gate
+was reached, but though they went out, something restrained their eager
+joyous welcome, and they said nothing.
+
+Olive got out first, then Mrs. Dering, and Dr. Barnett, and then came a
+strange gentleman, bearing a perfectly helpless and evidently
+unconscious figure, with its face covered; and the girls shrank back to
+let them pass, then surrounded Olive with eager, trembling questions.
+
+"She has fainted," Olive said. "She kept growing more excited after we
+left New York, and I thought she would faint when we came in sight of
+Canfield, but she didn't until the train stopped; and then the moment
+she saw mama, she tried to speak, and fainted right away."
+
+There was no time to ask, or answer further questions, as they hurried
+into the house and up stairs, where Ernestine had been carried, and laid
+upon the soft, snowy bed; but after one glance at her unconscious face,
+they drew back and burst into tears. Olive was talking to the strange
+gentleman, for whose name no one had thought to inquire, and Dr. Barnett
+and Mrs. Dering hung over the bed, winning life back to the fragile
+figure thereon. They all saw the first opening of her eyes, that went
+straight to one dear face, saw the feeble arms lifted with a strength,
+born of joy, and heard the sobbing cry:
+
+"Mama, mama! darling mama!" and everybody cried.
+
+After awhile the girls went in and kissed her quietly, then the room was
+ordered to be cleared, and under the influence of an opiate, Ernestine
+sank to sleep, with her hands clasping those of the dear woman who was,
+and would be always, "mama."
+
+When they went down stairs, Olive presented them to Cousin Roger, and
+told in few words of all his kindness; and Kat, the vivacious, who hated
+and longed to see him removed from the face of the earth, was seen to
+drop two big tears on his hand that she was shaking heartily. To
+Beatrice came the same vague, uncertain feeling that Olive had
+experienced when first seeing him, and he caught the same bewildered
+look in her eyes.
+
+Had she ever seen him before? If not, what was it in his face that
+reminded her of--something?
+
+Mrs. Dering did not leave Ernestine's side again that day. Olive came up
+with her, and they held a long conversation in low voices; and a look of
+perfect content was seen to drift into the mother's pale, anxious face,
+as she listened how Jean was growing well, and then looked down at the
+quiet sleeper--the one who had been snatched from the burning, and given
+back into her arms.
+
+"Just think, if I had not gone to Virginia?" Olive said that evening,
+while they were all in the kitchen, doing up the supper work. "It really
+makes me tremble to think how I did not want to go, and hesitated about
+it."
+
+"If I had been you, I should have screamed right out when she came on
+the stage," said Kat, unable to imagine herself in such a position and
+remaining quiet. "How did you feel, Olive?"
+
+"So weak that I could not move, I never came so near losing my senses in
+my life, and it is such a dreadful feeling that you can't scream. It was
+dreadful to sit there and watch her, and when the hemorrhage came, I
+just jumped and ran."
+
+"Dear me, how you must have felt," said Kittie with a shiver, as she
+polished a tumbler brightly, and put it back in the water to every one's
+amusement.
+
+"I don't know what I would have done without Cousin Roger," said Olive.
+"He was so kind and thoughtful."
+
+"Who does he make me think of?" asked Bea, which caused Olive to look up
+in surprise.
+
+"How strange; he reminds me of some one, too, and it worried me so for a
+while, but I thought it was nonsense, and never spoke about it," she
+said.
+
+"Well, I s'pose it is a notion," answered Bea, and then talk went back
+to Ernestine and Jean, of whom, it seemed, enough could never be told.
+
+The next day, a little discovery was made to the girls.
+
+Mr. Congreve was seen walking about in the fresh autumn sunshine, before
+breakfast, and the girls saw him gathering a small cluster of flowers,
+selecting from the dewy bunches with much care; and after a while Olive,
+who had slept late with fatigue, came down in her grey wrapper with its
+blue facings, and part of the flowers were in her wavy hair, and part at
+her throat, with a little knot of ribbon.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Kat, rushing into the kitchen with a tragic
+expression, and setting a pile of dishes on the table with some force.
+"Do you see that? What's this family coming to?"
+
+"Dust," responded Kittie calmly. "What's the matter, Kat?"
+
+"Do you mean to tell me you didn't see Olive wearing the flowers he
+gathered before breakfast, and that you didn't see how he looked at her
+at the table?" cried Kat impatiently.
+
+"That's the way they all do; it's the first symptoms I guess, for it's
+the way that Bea and Dr. Barnett began."
+
+"Oh, the idea," laughed Kittie, "of Olive being in love."
+
+"I don't care, perhaps she isn't, but he is," asserted Kat, with an
+appeal to Bea, who had just come in.
+
+"I don't know," said Bea. "I saw him give her the flowers, and fasten
+those in her hair, but I don't think it's anything."
+
+"Well, you watch--there they go now!" exclaimed Kat, whereupon they all
+rushed to the window, to see Olive and Roger strolling out among the
+flowers.
+
+"Would you ever think that was Olive?" said Kittie, as they looked.
+"Think how quiet and snappy she used to be, and how ugly she always
+looked, and just see how pretty she is now, and how she laughs and
+talks. But she's not in love, dear no; she looks as cool and dignified
+as a cucumber, not a bit blushy, or anything of the kind."
+
+"Well, I should hope not," said Kat severely. "One engaged sister is
+enough; two would ruin the family."
+
+"If such a thing was to happen," remarked Bea, with a little mercenary
+expectation, "Congreve Hall would be Olive's; just think of it, girls,
+how grand! and Cousin Roger is immensely wealthy, and there would be no
+end of splendid things;" and Bea sighed a little, as she spoke, for she
+was not going to win any wealth or grand home by her wedding, and there
+came, just now, a little moment of regret, that such would never be
+hers. Then she looked at her ring, and felt wicked and ungrateful. Would
+she exchange with Olive, or any other girl who might win wealth? No, no,
+never!
+
+"Well, dear suz, what a funny place the world is," said Kat. "Here I've
+just hated that Roger Congreve, and now I could bless him forever, for
+being so good and kind, and after all, perhaps he'll be my brother, and
+Congreve Hall come back to us. I don't like it though," she added, with
+energy, "we're all getting broken up some way; it don't seem like old
+times, and I don't want any of us to get married! It's horrid, and I
+never will. Now Ernestine is home, I'd rather be poor all the days of my
+life, and have us all stay together, and never get old, or big."
+
+"Very good, but 'buds will be roses, and kittens, cats,' as Jo says,"
+answered Bea, going off with a laugh.
+
+Ernestine was still too weak to see or say much this day. She had been
+much better on leaving Virginia, and as the trip home was taken in the
+most luxurious way afforded to travellers, she might have stood it very
+well, had it not been for the nervous excitement that completely
+prostrated her before home was reached. So Dr. Barnett prescribed the
+most perfect quiet, which was given, the girls only going in on tiptoe,
+now and then, to carry some little dainty, or smile their loving
+welcome, while Mrs. Dering spent all of her time at the bed side.
+Ernestine seemed perfectly content, for she lay for hours, with
+dreamy eyes fixed on Mrs. Dering's face, and never spoke or moved,
+as though she had been beaten and bruised by her brief struggle with
+the world, and only wanted to lie at peace, with one dear face in
+constant sight; and to let her tired life drift in or out. The change
+was heart-breaking, and drove the girls from her room at every visit, to
+hide their tears, and think, as in a dream, of the time when Ernestine,
+gay, frivolous, careless-hearted girl, was the sunshine of the house,
+the one being who seemed to never feel or know the touch of care or
+sadness.
+
+Roger was to go back the second day, and on the evening before, he said:
+
+"The scenery about this little place is perfectly beautiful. Does
+Canfield afford a livery stable, Olive? If so, I will get a buggy in the
+morning, and you shall pilot me around the country."
+
+Kat sent an expressive wink and nod of her head to Kittie and Bea, while
+Olive answered:
+
+"There is a small one, I believe, where you might find something."
+
+"Perhaps they'd loan you their wheel-barrow," added Kat, who found
+herself in a fair way of liking this distant relative, in spite of his
+usurping what she termed the family position.
+
+So next morning Roger went down town, and came back in a rather
+dilapidated buggy, with a lamb-like looking horse, and said with a
+laugh, as he helped Olive in:
+
+"The very best your city affords; I hope it will not break with us, for
+my life is not insured."
+
+"My mind's eye rests lovingly on Congreve Hall, as presided over by my
+artistic sister," cried Kat, with a dramatic gesture, as they drove off;
+and the next moment she was looking after them with a touch of regretful
+sadness in her face.
+
+"I don't like it," she said. "Bea gone, Olive going, Jean way off,
+Ernestine so changed;--oh, Kittie! when anything happens to you, I will
+be ruined for sure. You don't think you are going to fall in love, or be
+sick, or go away, or anything; do you?"
+
+"Nonsense," said Kittie, but gave an expressive hug that was soothing
+and satisfactory, and set Kat's heart at rest.
+
+The ride in that clear morning air, brought a warm stain of color into
+Olive's clear cheeks, and a sparkle to her eyes, that was very becoming;
+and she laughed and talked, in a careless, happy way, that left no doubt
+in her companion's mind as to her perfect ignorance of his love, and
+made him more determined not to return to Virginia, leaving her in
+ignorance.
+
+It was difficult to approach the subject, while her mind was so far away
+from it, and his perfect assurance as to her answer made it still harder
+for him. But Olive unconsciously led the way at last, for she was
+talking of their trip home, and dwelling gratefully on his care and
+kindness, her eyes bright with feeling, as she turned them to him
+suddenly:
+
+"You have helped me through it all," she said. "I wish I could thank you
+for all your thoughtful kindness."
+
+They were rolling lazily around a hill, with autumn colors on every
+side, and autumn's soft winds fanning the air into life, and Olive
+thought the answer she received was some deceptive flutter of their
+wings.
+
+"Do not try," he was saying. "Every care or anxiety you have felt have
+been to me as my own. I have tried to show you what you were to me, and
+I have failed, but you cannot help but understand me, when I say that I
+love you, Olive."
+
+She did not take her eyes from a distant hill-top, where their glance
+had rested, neither did she blush or look pleased when he finished, but
+was as silent for a moment as though studying on what he had said; then
+looked at him slowly:
+
+"You surely do not mean it?"
+
+"I surely do mean it, and have tried to make you see and know it, for
+weeks past, but your answer now is only what I had expected, for though
+I at first thought your indifference feigned, I soon came to see that
+neither I, nor any other man had ever received a thought from you, and
+to fear that I never would. You seemed wedded to your love of art, but
+now, when you know that I love you, cannot you find a little feeling
+somewhere in your heart for me, Olive?"
+
+"No, I cannot," answered Olive, after a moment, and with the air of one
+who had been literally hunting for something, and failed to find it. "I
+could not help but think a great deal of you, when you made my visit so
+pleasant, and then was so kind when trouble came; but I never dreamed
+that you loved me; I really think you must be mistaken, it seems so
+strange. Why do you?"
+
+There was no misunderstanding the honest wonder in her eyes, as she
+asked the question, and no possibility of construing it into a desire
+for flattery.
+
+"I have loved you," he said, "ever since that first sad night, so long
+ago, when you showed a womanly strength--"
+
+"What night?" she asked eagerly, the old vague remembrance coming back
+to her; and, at the interruption, he looked at her in amaze.
+
+"Is it possible you do not remember?" he asked.
+
+"No, I do not; but the moment I saw you, there seemed a remembrance that
+has worried me ever since. What is it?"
+
+For a moment he hesitated to tell her.
+
+"It was I, who brought your father home," he said, at last; and with a
+swift, painful recollection, she dropped her face into her hands, and
+said nothing.
+
+"When you came to the Hall," he went on presently, "and was introduced
+to me, there was such an air of surprise, together with a look of pain
+in your face, that I immediately supposed you remembered me, and that
+the memory was painful, so I never spoke of it. I was travelling here in
+New York, and was on the train just a few seats behind your father. I
+saw him when he received the blow on the temple, and went to him as soon
+as possible, and was the one asked to see him brought safely to his
+home. I did not know, until my return home, two weeks later, that it was
+Uncle Ridley's nephew."
+
+After he finished speaking, they rode in silence for a long way, and the
+peaceful old horse, finding himself unguided, turned his head homeward,
+and jogged off more lively. Olive did not look up again. She was
+evidently lost in sad memories, that his words awakened, and he had not
+the heart to bring her back to a subject so foreign to her thoughts as
+his love. So in silence, they reached home, and, as he helped her from
+the buggy, Olive said with trembling lips:
+
+"I'm glad it was you. I loved papa better than any one in the world, and
+I can never forget that you saw him last and tried to help him." Then,
+after telling her mother and the girls their additional cause for
+gratitude to him, she went off to her room, and was not seen again for
+some time; for when affected so that tears were her only relief, she
+always took them alone.
+
+Roger went that night. He spent the afternoon sitting in Ernestine's
+room with them all, and telling over and over the last moments of Mr.
+Dering, what he had overheard him saying to another passenger just a few
+moments before the accident; just how the blow came, so quick and
+painless, and how his last words had been of home, and how they would be
+surprised at his sudden departure.
+
+Olive was not present, and fearing that Roger might consider it rude,
+Mrs. Dering explained the little habit of taking all her grief alone,
+and how the reminding of that sad night had doubtless overcome her. But
+Olive came down just before supper, and her face showed plainer than
+ever before, its traces of heavy tears, though she said nothing about
+it, and seemed to think her absence explained itself to the only one to
+whom an explanation was due.
+
+While the girls were busy in the kitchen, and mother was with Ernestine,
+they were alone in the sitting-room, and Roger said to her, as they
+stood by the window, watching the shadows creep through the yard, and
+lift themselves in a misty cloud:
+
+"Olive, have you no other answer for me, before I go?"
+
+"No," said Olive, slowly. "You seem so different to me. In one way, I
+love you; I could not help it; and, in another way, you are nothing to
+me. I wish you would forget that you ever thought you loved me, and let
+me feel as though you were my brother."
+
+"I cannot," he answered. "I do not think that I love you, but I _know_
+that I do, and that I always will; and some time, when you are older,
+and come to feel that home-love and art cannot satisfy you, I will come
+back and try to win a place in the new yearning."
+
+"You needn't," said Olive, with discouraging honesty. "I shall never
+love any one that way. I don't want to. All I want is mama and the
+girls, and to study until I am satisfied with myself, or as near it as I
+can be. But you mustn't let that keep you away; you will forget this,
+indeed, you will, and must come and see us often, and then everything
+will be delightful."
+
+"No; I shall never come until I feel that I do not come in vain. Do not
+doubt my love, Olive, because your own heart is so free from it. It is a
+girlish heart, and when it reaches womanhood, I may not be the one to
+satisfy it, but I will come and try."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+A SAD STORY.
+
+
+Ernestine was getting better, and how could she help it, with everything
+heart could wish, perfect peace and quiet, and six devoted hearts and
+pairs of hands, ready to obey her slightest command. She did not issue
+many, for one of the changes that had come to her, was asking for
+little, complaining of nothing, even her own suffering, but lying still,
+patient, contented, unselfish and quiet. She seemed grateful and pleased
+at the least little act of kindness, a thing she would have accepted
+before as a matter-of-course, and complained at not receiving; and after
+she grew stronger, and the girls resumed their gayeties, she never
+seemed to regret for a moment, that she was removed from all such, and
+must lie still, day after day; when before, it was intolerable to pass a
+single day without something to pass away her gleeful spirits with
+Canfield, with its promising circle of girls, budding into young
+ladyhood, was beginning to put on quite a number of social airs, in the
+way of little dances, nutting parties, one or two literary clubs, and a
+card club; which acted upon the little place, like a fresh spring
+breeze, blowing in upon a pile of peaceful autumn leaves. The Dering
+girls were popular, and partook largely in all these innocent
+festivities, bringing gay accounts of them to Ernestine, to which she
+listened, with a quiet smile, but with never a wish to be in them.
+Nothing seemed to interest her so much, as the new experience and
+dignity that had fallen upon Beatrice; and for hours they would chat
+together of the new plans, and tender little fancies, which Bea had not
+the courage to confess to others, and Ernestine, bolstered up with
+pillows, would listen, and now and then, do a little of the pretty work
+that was going on to the bridal garments.
+
+After a while, when she grew strong enough to talk more, and cough less,
+she told them of her life, while they had been separated, and the girls
+never forgot the day on which they listened to it. She was partly
+sitting up in bed, as colorless as the snowy ruffled linen about her,
+with her beautiful golden hair in the old-time waves, and curly ends;
+her lovely eyes, with their liquid brown lights and heavy lashes, and
+the dainty ruffles to her snowy night-dress, fastened at the throat with
+a fragile bit of coral, that seemed to throw a shade of its exquisite
+coloring into her stainless face.
+
+It was a lovely home-scene, for the girls were sewing in their low
+rocking-chairs, Olive was sketching at the window, Mrs. Dering sat at
+the bedside holding Ernestine's hand, and over them all the autumn
+sunshine fell, warm and sweet, as with a touch of loving benediction;
+and the trill of Jeanie's canary down stairs, was the only sound, save
+Ernestine's low voice, sad and sweet, in its feebleness.
+
+"I went on the midnight train, you know," she was saying. "It seemed
+terrible, and with all the people around, I felt as if I was the only
+person out in the night. Oh, it is too horrible to feel so alone and as
+though no one knew, or cared where you were going, or what terrible
+trouble you might be in. Nearly everybody in the car was asleep, and
+there was only one lady; so I sat down behind her, and for a long time I
+was so miserable myself that I didn't notice her; then her baby woke up,
+and began to cry, so did her little girl, and I saw that she was sick or
+something; so in a little bit, I spoke to her, and asked if I could do
+anything. She said no, at first, but afterwards said if I would take the
+baby a moment, as she felt so sick and faint; so I did, and he seemed so
+astonished that he stopped crying, and then the little girl wanted to
+come over in my seat, and I helped her over, and told the lady to lie
+down, as she looked very pale. I knew she was astonished at my being
+alone, and thought that she might ask my name, and after thinking about
+it a while, I decided to take my very own name, my--mother's," with a
+little choke over the name. "She did ask me in a little while, said I
+looked so young, and why was I travelling alone; and I told her that I
+was an orphan, that my name was Florence Clare, and that I was on my way
+to New York; and then she looked so kind and interested that I burst
+right out crying. I couldn't help it. She didn't ask me any more then,
+but when we got to New York, no one met her, and she was terribly
+worried. She asked me where I was going, and I was afraid she would
+think something was wrong if I told her I didn't know where; so I just
+gave any street and number, but I said that if she wanted me to go and
+help her, I could just as well as not, as no one was expecting me
+anywhere. She seemed very glad, so I carried the children out, and after
+a policeman had called a hack for her, we went to the St. Nicholas; she
+was very sick after we got there, and after I put the children to sleep,
+I sat up with her nearly all night. She was a widow, she said, and had
+written to a friend in New York to meet her on that train, but that,
+probably, he had not received the letter; and that she wanted to go
+right on to Boston, next morning, if she was able. I asked her then if
+she did not want me to go with her, to take care of the children, that I
+was all alone in the world, and obliged to work some way and somewhere,
+and after asking me a great many questions, she said she would think
+about it. She seemed like a very good, kind lady, and I was afraid she
+would think there was something strange about me, so I made my story
+sound just as good as possible. I said I was coming to the city because
+I thought I could find work better than in a small place, and that I had
+no near relatives in the world, and would like to go with her, because
+she looked kind, and I would just as soon take care of children as
+anything else. She looked at my clothes, but they were my very plainest;
+and then she asked me what baggage I had, and I showed her my satchel,
+with nothing but some clothes in it, and then she said that I looked
+truthful, and too young and pretty to be alone in the city, and that I
+should go on with her in the morning. I don't know what I would have
+done if it hadn't been for her, for when I was on the train, I had no
+idea where I would go or what I would do. Before I left home, I tried to
+feel right, to forget who I was, but I couldn't; my head kept aching,
+and I thought every day that it ached harder, and that pretty soon I
+would be crazy; and then I thought of going away where I could never be
+found, and die somewhere, and something made me go. It seemed as if I
+was being pulled away, and every time I heard any of the girls say
+'mama,' it came to me that you wasn't my mama, that the girls were not
+my sisters, then my head ached harder than ever and I couldn't cry. I
+thought God must surely feel sorry for me, and that he sent the lady on
+purpose--" and as Ernestine paused to cough and get breath, several
+tears were smuggled out of sight by her listeners, and Mrs. Dering's
+voice trembled, as she kissed the speaker, and said:
+
+"He did, dear; believe it, I asked Him to care for and watch over you,
+wherever you might be, and I knew that He would."
+
+"I went on to Boston with her," continued Ernestine, after a moment's
+rest. "I knew you would never find me there, and I didn't want to know
+that you ever looked for me; I knew you would, but I didn't want to hear
+about it. For awhile the lady watched me very closely, and I knew she
+was a little distrustful, but the children liked me, and though the work
+nearly killed me, I kept up. I was with the children constantly, slept,
+ate, and went out with them, washed, dressed and took care of them from
+morning 'till night; and sometimes I wished I could die, I was so tired
+and unhappy. I did not intend to stay with her, but meant to go on the
+stage just as soon as possible, though I never saw the papers, and had
+no chance of finding the names of companies. Once I asked to see the
+papers, but she didn't like it; she was never unkind really, but she
+always seemed a little suspicious, and when I asked for the paper, she
+asked what I wanted it for? I had a good place, and no need of the
+papers. I didn't want to tell her, for fear she would turn me off, so I
+just waited. One day I was singing the baby to sleep; it was the first
+time I had ever sung in her house, and she happened to hear me, and came
+in and complimented my voice, said how beautiful it was, and why didn't
+I use it, instead of wearing my life out nursing babies. I said right
+away that I wanted to, and meant to go on the stage as soon as I could;
+then she was angry, and threatened to find another girl if I did not at
+once give up such a notion. I promised I would, but I didn't and a few
+days later, I was out with the children, and saw an advertisement for
+fifty girls wanted at a play, and as soon as I got back, I told her I
+was going to leave. She was very angry, and kept that week's wages, but
+I went, and the next day I answered the advertisement. It was for girls
+to dance, and I said I could not, and would not, and was just going to
+leave, when the manager came in, and stopped me. He began by making
+foolish speeches about how beautiful I was, but when I started away, he
+begged pardon, and said I was just what they wanted for a queen, who was
+to come out of a flower, and did not have to dance, which would suit me,
+since I was so over-particular. At first I thought I never could, and it
+made me so ashamed, to think of being in such a crowd, that I felt like
+hiding my face forever. But there I was, with no home and no money, and
+what could I do? So I signed the contract for ten nights, at fifty cents
+a night, and felt that I could never look you in the face again, or any
+of the girls. It was not as bad as I expected, but oh, so different from
+what I had always thought the stage was. We all had to dress in a little
+room that was as cold as ice, and most of the girls were so loud and
+coarse, and talked slang, and they all took a dislike to me because I
+was queen. They called me "old prudy," and had all kinds of coarse jokes
+that made me feel as though I would die of shame; I took cold the first
+night, the stage was so windy, and our dresses as thin as wisps, and
+then I was so mortified and miserable. I nearly starved while I was
+there, the pay was so small, and I couldn't afford to have any fire in
+my room at the small hotel, and took such a heavy cold that I thought I
+would die coughing. Oh, how wretched I was! I wanted to die, for I
+thought I had fallen so low that you would never care for me again, and
+I never felt that I needed God as I did then. I don't think I ever
+prayed honestly before, but it seemed as if that terrible feeling of
+being alone, would kill me, so I began to go to God, as I would to you,
+and it became such a comfort. I wanted to be good and honest, whatever I
+did, so that I could feel that I still had a right to love and think of
+you all. I stayed with that company the rest of the winter, at a salary
+of two dollars a week, and did all manner of odds and ends. Sometimes go
+on as a substitute, sometimes as a servant or some inferior character,
+and often to dress the leading ladies, when they found that I could do
+it nicely. The manager was a gruff, coarse man, but he had a kind heart,
+and after a while, he seemed to take a sort of interest in me,
+especially when my cough grew so bad. He brought me medicine twice, and
+one night asked me if I had been used to such a life. I told him, no,
+but would not answer any other questions. When the company broke up in
+the spring, he found me a place as nurse-girl in a family that he knew,
+and said, that in the fall, a friend of his was going to organize an
+opera-troupe, and that he would try and get me in, for by that time, I
+had sung for him, and said that opera was what I had rather be in.
+
+"I found my second trial as nurse-girl, a great deal harder than the
+first; for there were three children, all sick and cross, and when hot
+weather came, I had a little room up under the roof to sleep in, and the
+heat was frightful. I had to be up nearly every night with the children,
+for two of them were very sick during the hottest weather, and I was
+called upon for nearly every thing. Between the heat and working so
+hard, I gave out, and fainted one night, while sitting up with the
+little girl, and the doctor told my mistress that if I did not have a
+rest, I would be sick, and probably die on her hands. So in a few days,
+she sent me and her oldest girl out to her mother's, who lived in the
+country. I was so glad and grateful for the rest, that I never can
+forget her. The grandmother was a plain, good-hearted old lady, who
+seemed very sorry for me, and she used to tell me every day, that I
+would never live to see another year, especially after she found that my
+mother had died of consumption. I didn't care how soon I died, and told
+her so, and then she thought I was wicked, and began to preach long
+sermons to me, and give me all kinds of queer drinks and medicines,
+which did me much more good than the sermons, for after staying there
+three weeks, I was much better, as was Nettie; so we went back to the
+city, and I stayed with Mrs. Feathers until late in August.
+
+"One day, Mr. Fox, the old manager, came and brought Mr. Hurst, the
+friend who was going to organize the troupe, and I sang for him. He
+liked my voice, but said he would not engage me until I had rehearsed
+once or twice with the company, so that he could see what I amounted to,
+and Mrs. Feathers said I might keep my place with her, until he had
+decided. After one or two rehearsals, he engaged me, at four dollars a
+week, and so I left Mrs. Feathers. She was so kind, gave me a new dress
+and two dollars, and said if I broke down in health, that her mother had
+taken a fancy to me, and would like to have me come out again and stay
+awhile with her. I felt so grateful that I threw my arms around her neck
+and cried, and she kissed me; I never shall forget how good it seemed to
+really be kissed again by some one who was a mother, and whom I knew,
+felt sorry for me.
+
+"I had a very rough time in the new troupe. The manager was cross and
+rude, and I had to study hard to catch up with the old members; we
+rehearsed stiff and steadily, and started out in September, visiting
+only small places first, and not making much money, so that our pay was
+often behind. In a while I was promoted from chorus singing to
+character, and I had no money to buy a wardrobe, so the manager paid me
+fifteen dollars that he owed me, and advanced ten--"
+
+Here Olive gave an indignant breath, but said nothing, on second
+thought; and Ernestine went on, without noticing the interruption.
+
+"I bought some stage clothes with part of it, and used the other to
+redeem my ring, that you gave me, mama, that I had been obliged to pawn
+for my board; but while I was working out the ten for him, I had to pawn
+it again, and one of my dresses, as I hadn't a cent. We travelled south,
+and were in Virginia a few nights before going to Staunton, and when I
+heard that we were to go there, I felt as though I never could! I
+didn't know whether Jean was there yet, and I didn't expect she would
+come to an opera if she was; but to go there, and perhaps be so near
+her, when I would have been glad to have died, just for the sake of
+seeing, or hearing from one of you, in some way--oh, it was so hard! The
+manager grew very much provoked and impatient because I coughed so much
+and was so weak, and threatened to discharge me, as I was getting
+useless; so I used to nearly strangle trying not to cough, and never
+dared say I was tired again. The very evening we got to Staunton, Miss
+Downs, one of the leading ladies, was taken quite sick, and the manager
+told me I would have to take her part next evening, in 'The Bohemian
+Girl,' so I sat up nearly all night to study, and sang all next day,
+until I was ready to drop. When the time came to go to the theatre, I
+was so faint I could not stand up and dress; I begged them not to tell
+the manager, for I knew he would discharge me right there; but Madame
+T---- heard of it, and sent her maid up with a hot whiskey-toddy, and to
+help me dress, and that is the way I started out for the evening.
+
+"You know the rest. From the time that I felt my voice leaving me, and
+everything began growing dark, I did not know anything, until I opened
+my eyes, and saw Olive! Oh, I thought I was in Heaven, surely; it
+seemed too sweet to be true. I wonder I did not die, instead of faint,
+with pure joy. Even after I had looked at her long, had heard her speak,
+and felt her kisses, I could not believe it. I almost expected to wake
+up and find that I had been dreaming between acts, on the cold, windy
+stage, or that the manager was scolding me for falling to sleep, and
+daring to dream of happiness and you. I don't think I would have lived
+much longer, and perhaps when I found that I was really going to die, I
+could not have left you without a little word of some kind, for my heart
+used to nearly break with longing to know if you loved me yet, or would
+ever want to see me again. I did not feel as though I ever had a right
+to go back, but when I found that I was coming, that you wanted and
+loved me, oh, mama! I thought then my heart would surely break, I was so
+happy!"
+
+At this point every one was crying. Mrs. Dering had laid her face down
+in the pillows; the girls had, one by one, retired behind their work,
+and Kat, with her head wrapped in the towel she had been hemming was
+crying, while she vowed vengeance alike on saint and sinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+MY LADY.
+
+
+"I would like to see my lady."
+
+It was an imperious demand, that every one in the Dering household had
+become used to, likewise, to the speaker, a mite of humanity, with
+wicked big blue eyes, a pug nose, and a frowzled head of brown curls.
+
+She was dressed to day, in a long white fur cloak, a cap of the same,
+and a mite of a muff, with scarlet silk tassels, and hung to her neck
+with a broad scarlet ribbon; and she had rung the bell with her own wee
+hand, and presented her message, in that imperative way, that indicated
+a spoiled, but precious specimen of babydom.
+
+"I do hope you will forgive us," said the smiling faced young lady, who
+accompanied her. "We don't intend to come every day, but mother made
+some delicious chocolate cake yesterday, and I thought possibly Miss
+Ernestine might relish a taste of it, with some of my wine jelly; and
+when I spoke of bringing it, Pansy heard me, and insisted on coming too;
+so here we are."
+
+"How very kind you are," said Bea, taking the dainty wicker basket,
+knotted with scarlet ribbons, and peeping in at its fancy glass of
+moulded jelly, the delicious cake, and a bunch of hot-house flowers. "We
+should be glad to see you every day; how could we help it, when you
+always come laden like a good angel!"
+
+"I would like--to--see--my--lady!" repeated Pansy, with impressive
+dignity, and some severity of manner; for what did she care about jelly,
+and good angels, and all that. "I haven't seen her since the other day
+before yesterday morning."
+
+"You shall see her right away," laughed Bea, setting down the basket.
+"Excuse me a moment, Miss Clara, Kittie is busy in the kitchen. I'll
+take Pansy out there, before we go up stairs."
+
+Kittie was pealing apples, and meditating on how she would trim her hat,
+since it had to be trimmed over, and nothing new to do it with; but she
+put all such thoughts aside when she saw her visitor, and made a seat
+for her on the bench.
+
+"I 'spect I'm most gladder to see you than I ever was before," said
+Pansy, with a devoted smile, as she took her seat near Kittie.
+
+"Why, what are you sitting there for? Here I am," said Kat, who sat
+opposite slicing apples. "I thought you always knew me."
+
+Pansy looked from one to the other, for a moment, then nestled close to
+Kittie, as she remarked with decision:
+
+"You're not my lady; you're the other one."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Well, I 'spect I couldn't jes tell, but then you are."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if you were right, but I want to tell you that you
+mustn't love Kittie so much; she's mine, and I'm jealous," said Kat,
+with a foreboding shake of her head.
+
+"But she keeped the bear from eating me up," cried Pansy, with unshaken
+belief that she would have been forever lost except for Kittie's timely
+arrival. "I jes never'd seen my papa once any more, 'f she hadn't finded
+me in the woods; and he said I ought to love her jes as much more as
+ever I could, and I _do_," accompanying the assertion with a loving
+clasp of Kittie's arm, the suddenness of which sent her apple spinning
+across the floor.
+
+"There, see; I'll get it," she cried, running after it, with a
+triumphant glance at Kat. "'F I'd knocked your apple, you'd a scolded
+me."
+
+"Oh, no; I'm an angel," laughed Kat. "Kittie's the one that scolds."
+
+"Do you?" asked Pansy, leaning against Kittie, with a devotion that
+nearly knocked the whole pan of apples over.
+
+"I never scolded you, did I?" asked Kittie.
+
+"No, but Auntie Raymond says I mind you the bestest of anybody. I think
+I do. I 'spect it's because I love you best, right up next to my papa;
+do you love me?"
+
+"Ever so much."
+
+"Well, I don't know what I'll do," said Pansy, with a long sigh, after
+she expressed a little rapture over the assurance. "My papa said the
+other day, what I'd do when we went back to the city 'thout you, and I
+said I was going to take you along; 'll you go?"
+
+"How could I? Leave my mama and sisters?"
+
+"But don't you love me 'n my papa?"
+
+"I love you a very great deal."
+
+"'N not my papa?"
+
+"I think he's a very nice gentleman, and that you ought to be a very
+good little girl, and love him lots and lots."
+
+Pansy drew back, and slowly surveyed her idol, as though she had just
+discovered the first flaw. "I think you might love him, too," she said
+with a grieved air, and some resentment.
+
+"If she loved him, she wouldn't love you so much," said Kat, slyly.
+
+"Then I'm glad you don't," exclaimed Pansy, with sudden satisfaction,
+and returning to her seat with an enraptured smile.
+
+There was no mistaking the child's devotion. She firmly believed that
+Kittie had saved her from being lost forever, and on the foundation of
+her great gratitude, she had built an overwhelming love, that expressed
+itself in various ways. She never let any one of the family come to town
+without bringing flowers, and she insisted on coming in at least three
+times a week, herself; and it may be remarked, that whatever Pansy set
+her mind on, she did.
+
+Between aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a father, who was rapidly coming
+to the conclusion that she was the most wonderful child alive, she was
+in a fair way of being spoiled, and had finally come to where she ruled
+the household with the most imperious little will, which every one
+submitted to, and thought delightful.
+
+Twice since the picnic, she had come with her papa, in the phaeton, and
+taken Kittie to ride, and three times, Mr. Murray had come in the long
+summer evenings, and brought her to spend an hour or two; and there
+Kittie's acquaintance with him ceased.
+
+In the rides, he had talked to her but little, preferring to listen to
+the unbroken chatter which Pansy kept up with her. And then he saw, that
+to her, he appeared in a fatherly guise, which made her feel perfectly
+free and unrestrained, and he thought it best to leave it so for the
+present.
+
+His calls in the evenings had been entirely devoted to Mrs. Dering. They
+would sit on the porch, in proper, elderly fashion, sometimes joined by
+Bea, while the twins and Pansy would roam about the yard, and play
+together like three children, and Mr. Murray would have nothing to say
+to the one he really came to see except "Good evening, Miss Kittie,"
+when he came, and when he left.
+
+No one, except his own sister, suspected in the least that anything took
+him there save a desire to accompany Pansy, whose absorbing devotion
+everyone in Canfield knew by this time.
+
+Mr. Murray was quick to see that in the mother's eyes, Kittie and Kat
+were the merest children, and that a thought of any other kind in
+connection with them, would not be harbored for an instant; and he also
+saw, that never a girlish heart was freer from anything of loves or
+lovers, than Kittie's, and so long as it was so, he was quite content to
+let it remain, and watch it grow to maturity. There was no denying that
+he was strangely and powerfully interested in her, wonder and laugh at
+the idea, as he would, though he could not yet think that the feeling
+had assumed the name of love. It was only that respect and interest that
+comes to the heart of man when he meets a woman, lovely, fresh-hearted,
+and unselfishly sweet.
+
+The approaching dignity of sixteen lay over the girls, and while Kat was
+still a most thoroughly romping tom-boy, Kittie was wonderfully womanly,
+with pretty, graceful, lady-like ways, the sweetest possible voice, and
+the loveliest eyes that ever looked, with girlish innocence, into the
+face of the man who felt that love her he could, and love her he would,
+in spite of himself.
+
+There was something irresistibly attractive and sweet to Paul Murray, in
+watching the love between his little daughter and the young girl.
+Kittie's slightest word was law to Pansy; and there was something so
+womanly in the way she exercised her influence, and made the child's
+love a source of benefit unto her spoiled, wayward little self.
+
+When fall drifted into the chilly reign of winter, Mr. Murray went back
+to the city. He had intended going long before, but had put it off, a
+week at a time, until winter had finally come; then he decided with a
+sudden determination, and, as if to test his firmness of purpose, had
+slipped away from Pansy, and galloped into town, trusting to the
+darkness to hide from Canfield's prying eyes, that he was coming to the
+Dering's alone. Not that he cared; oh, no, he would just as soon have
+heralded to every soul therein that it was so, but for Kittie's sake,
+it was best to give no one's tongue a chance to wag. Many a bud is
+rudely hastened into blossom by impatient fingers, and withers from the
+shock; it must not be so now.
+
+He fastened his horse at the gate, and went slowly up the walk,
+wondering a little if they would be surprised. A bright light came from
+Ernestine's window, and out from down stairs, falling across the porch
+floor; and before ringing the bell, he paused a moment, and looked in.
+How bright and homelike everything looked, and there, before the grate,
+stood the very object of his visit, making the prettiest picture
+imaginable, with a big kitchen apron on, her sleeves rolled up, and
+reading a letter. He knew it was Kittie, in a moment, for in her hair
+was a knot of scarlet ribbon, and the foot resting on the fender wore a
+bow, of the same color, astride its slippered toe--little niceties that
+Kat, was seldom, if ever, guilty of.
+
+Beatrice answered his ring, and tried to look as though she had not
+expected some one else, some one who would have given her a more cordial
+greeting, than "Good evening, Miss Dering."
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Murray; walk in, please, and I will call mama," said
+Bea, ushering him into the sitting-room, with some little wonder, and
+going up stairs.
+
+Kittie had vanished with her letter; but as Mr. Murray sat down, he saw
+the envelope on the table, and immediately experienced the most
+peculiar and unpleasant sensation, on observing the masculine scrawls
+thereon. What gentleman was writing to her? he wondered, with quick
+resentment; and the next moment Kittie came in, and found him studying
+that envelope closely. She had thrown off her apron, and let down her
+sleeves, and he thought she looked prettier the other way, though he
+found that either way she was suddenly invested with a stronger
+attraction than ever; for a little competition will always make us more
+eager, and the star of our desire much brighter. He explained, with a
+laugh, as they sat down, that he had just been admiring the free, easy
+chirography on the envelope; which same was a fib of first degree, but
+then--
+
+"It is Cousin Ralph's; I think it beautiful," said Kittie, unconsciously
+obliging, but giving no relief, for Mr. Murray's mind went back to the
+day he met "Cousin Ralph," handsome, manly fellow, and he remembered
+that it was only second cousin, and that Ralph had been very attentive
+to Kittie at the picnic, and that--oh, what didn't he think, all in a
+few minutes; and how true it is that
+
+    "Trifles light as air, are to the jealous,
+     Confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ."
+
+The rebound from a feeling of perfect security to one of miserable
+doubt, at finding the field already taken, nearly drove Mr. Murray into
+a precipitancy that he might have regretted forever. As it was, he
+answered Kittie's inquiries for Pansy, in a pre-occupied way, that was
+surprising, and seemed too much pleased with that envelope to ever lay
+it down; and yet, with all his looking, he failed to discover that the
+name, in a maze of flourishes, was Miss Kathleen Dering, instead of Miss
+Katherine. Just so do we make up our minds to see things in a certain
+light, and see them so, in spite of fate.
+
+How pleasant it was, sitting there in the warm firelight, with Kittie
+opposite, in the low rocking chair, and no one else near. It seemed so
+homelike and sweet to this man who had no fireside of his own, and only
+a memory of one short, happy year, when another girlish face and heart,
+not unlike Kittie's, had been all his own. He wished now, that no one
+else would come in to spoil this cozy chat; but they did, in just a
+moment--Mrs. Dering and Bea; and Kittie resigned the low rocker, for a
+corner over on the lounge, to his great regret.
+
+They all heard with polite and honest expressions of regret, that he was
+going to leave for the city on the next day; but after hearing that he
+was going to leave Pansy behind, Kittie was quite satisfied.
+
+"I have no home, you know," he said, looking at Mrs. Dering, with an
+expression that caused her kindly heart to pity him. "I shall board,
+and be hard at work 'till late every night, and poor little Pansy would
+have a dreary life with a hired nurse. Besides, the influences
+surrounding her would not be such as I would like. So Sister Julia has
+kindly promised to keep her until I can make some arrangements, and
+become a little settled."
+
+He staid for some time; promised to call in and see Olive, who had gone
+to her studies at last; and then he rose to leave. If he held Kittie's
+hand a little longer than any of the others, no one noticed it; and if,
+in that good-bye, his eyes went to her face less guarded in their
+expression than usual, no one noticed that either, because no one
+dreamed of such a thing.
+
+"May I have Pansy with me as often as I want her?" asked Kittie, just
+before he left.
+
+"Certainly; I shall always be pleased to hear that you still love the
+child, and that she is sometimes with you," he answered, lingering, as
+if loth to go. But at that instant a step was heard on the porch, and a
+certain expression in Bea's face warned him that the sitting-room would
+now be in demand; whereupon he gave a hasty good-bye, and left; not
+without a little envy for Dr. Barnett, who entered at the same moment,
+and who came, in the full assurance of recognized right, such as was not
+yet Paul Murray's.
+
+Of course, the family discreetly retired, after a few words of greeting
+to the young man, and while the cozy sitting-room took unto itself these
+
+    "Two souls with but a single thought,"
+
+the others went up to Ernestine's room to finish the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+TO REAR, TO LOVE, AND THEN TO LOSE.
+
+
+Spring came, and with it much that was of absorbing interest, of untold
+importance, and yet so sad. In May, Bea would leave the home of
+childhood and girlhood, and would be mistress of one of the prettiest
+little cottages in Canfield. She was blithely happy, and sang and sewed
+from morning until night, in a blissful content, that made mother and
+sisters smile and sigh at once; and wonder how home would seem with Bea
+gone. Such marvels of pretty things as had been made, and such a little
+gem of a bower, as the new home was, and how happy and gay everything
+was, to be sure. Every Saturday night, when Olive came home from the
+city, her first trip was to the little cottage, to see the latest
+improvements; for there were several, in the way of a verandah, a frail,
+spidery looking summer-house, with a sick looking vine started over one
+corner, a new front fence, and a hitching post. Each and every one was
+of greatest importance and everybody in Canfield was as interested, as
+though they were one great family, just marrying off their first
+daughter. Bea visited her future dominion every day, as did the twins;
+but Ernestine was not to go, until everything was ready for the new
+occupants, and then she was to pass her opinion on the whole, and
+suggest any changes that might strike her graceful fancy.
+
+"It must have a name," said Bea, coming in one day, just a week before
+the wedding. "When Meg got married in 'Little Women,' she went to
+housekeeping in a little cottage, and they called it Dovecot. What shall
+I call mine?"
+
+"Call it a house and let it go; better not begin with fancy names and
+all that, it won't last," advised Kat, rigidly practical.
+
+"Yes, it will--always," asserted Bea, with the fond delusive belief,
+experienced by every women when in love, that life will be one endless
+courtship and honey-moon.
+
+"I think a name is a pretty idea," said Kittie, recalling all the Roman
+titles she had ever heard of. "Call it--let's see, call it Fern-nook."
+
+"Yes, I would," laughed Kat "It's so appropriate. There's not a fern
+within a mile, and not the ghost of a nook anywhere."
+
+"Well, I thought Bird's-nest a real pretty name," said Bea, swinging her
+hat by its ribbon, and looking thoughtful. "But, somehow, I want
+something else."
+
+"What kind of flowers are you going to have?" asked Kittie, with a view
+to selecting something appropriate this time.
+
+"Geraniums in the big bed in front, with a border of some kind, then I
+will have vines all over the porch, and a lily in the little urn, and a
+heart-shaped bed of pansies under that shady side-window. None of those
+do for a name, though."
+
+Kittie confessed that they did not, but said in a moment:
+
+"We'll go up and ask Ernestine, if she can't think of something no one
+else can." To which they all agreed, and hurried up stairs forthwith.
+
+Ernestine was sitting up in the big rocker, in a lovely white wrapper,
+and a little fancy scarlet sacque. She looked very frail and weak,
+though very lovely, and much interested when the important question was
+put to her. The girls had perfect faith in her selection, and waited
+patiently, as her eyes went from the budding trees outside, to the
+gleams of sunshine playing across the carpet, then to the bunch of
+purple pansies in the vase on the table.
+
+"Call it Hearts-ease," she said.
+
+"I told you," cried Kittie. "That's just the name."
+
+"Hearts-ease it is, to the end of the chapter;" exclaimed Kat with a
+flourish as of benediction.
+
+"Yes, that is lovely--and there comes Walter, I'll go right down and
+tell him," said Bea, and flitted gayly away.
+
+"A penny for your thoughts, Ernestine," said Kat, watching her eyes go
+out to the sunshine again with a dreamy smile.
+
+"I was thinking how happy everything was," answered Ernestine slowly.
+"It's all so lovely. Olive is doing so splendidly in her painting. Bea
+is so happy. Jean is coming home, and--I am here. I can hardly believe
+it even now, and I so often wonder if I'm happy enough."
+
+"This will be a gay old household," said Kat briskly, warmed into gayety
+by the sad tone of the invalid's voice. "Uncle Ridley will make Bea a
+handsome present I expect."
+
+"How strange and delightful it will be to have Jeanie home, bless her
+precious little heart," cried Kittie with loving eagerness. "I can
+hardly wait, and mama seems almost too happy to live."
+
+"Jean has not changed much," said Ernestine. "She is taller and sweeter
+looking, but just the same dear, quiet little thing. She walks with a
+cane now, and is perfectly straight. How glad I shall be to see her, I
+wish she was coming to-day!"
+
+She came the next, as if in answer to their eagerness and longing, and
+this is the way it happened.
+
+Mrs. Dering was in the hall, when she saw a carriage stop at the gate,
+and though Mr. Congreve and Jean were expected in two or three days, it
+never occurred to her, that they might come before; so while she took
+off her apron, and brushed a little flour--having been in the
+kitchen--from her dress, the arrivals had left the carriage, and were
+coming in at the gate. She got as far as the door, then paused, and
+caught her breath as if in a spasm of sudden joy.
+
+Coming up the walk with swiftly flying feet, outstretched arms, and
+glowing face wildly eager, was a light girlish figure in a pretty
+travelling suit, and the mother, feeling her strength forsaking her
+knelt down on the porch and opened her arms, her lips dumb, her eyes
+blinded with great joyful tears.
+
+Could it be? Oh, had God been so good? Was the flying figure, with
+strong perfect limbs and bright eager face, her crippled, crooked little
+Jean? It seemed a dream too blissful to be true but the next moment,
+their arms were clasped, and Jean's tears and kisses fell like rain, on
+her mother's face and hair.
+
+"Oh mama; precious darling mama! are you glad? are you happy that I'm
+well? Speak to me, mama; what are you crying for?"
+
+"I'm so happy, darling. Oh, my little Jean, I'm so glad and grateful,"
+cried Mrs. Dering, with a great sob, as she folded the little girl
+closer, and kissed her again and again. "I knew you would come back to
+me better, I did not dream you would come well. Why did you not tell me,
+darling?"
+
+"I wanted to surprise you," began Jean; but just then Kat came into the
+hall, beheld the astonishing spectacle, and with one shrill utterance of
+Jean's name, that summoned the whole family, she had rushed to the
+porch, and taken the little girl in a great hug.
+
+Well, what a hub-bub there did follow! How everybody hugged and kissed
+everybody, in the abandonment of joy; how Uncle Ridley was deluged with
+caresses, and suddenly found himself holding Mrs. Dering in his arms,
+and patting her wildly on the back, while she cried on his shoulder. And
+didn't Ernestine creep slowly down stairs, and appear like a frail
+spirit in their midst, and wasn't she whisked on to the lounge in a
+hurry, and kissed heartily by every one in the excitement.
+
+"God bless my soul! How happy we all are!" cried Mr. Congreve, with a
+final gasp of joy, and sitting down with an exhausted smile. "I never
+expected to be in such a good humor again as long as I lived--no I
+never did. I'm fairly swelled up with happiness, and I've bust a button
+right off my vest."
+
+Everybody laughed heartily. Gay words and blithe laughs hung on every
+one's lips; everything was sunshine, and every one was happy. What a
+household idol was Jean in the days that followed! How mother and
+sisters clung to her, watched her walk--oh, joy of all joys--so straight
+and free; and how many, many times did Mrs. Dering go to Mr. Congreve,
+and put her arms about his neck, like a child, to thank him, again and
+again, as the agent whom God had sent to be the means of answering her
+most fervent prayers!
+
+Well, to be sure, as Kat had said, it was a lively household now.
+
+The day before the wedding, the girls all went over to the new house--to
+"Hearts-ease." Mr. Phillips sent the buggy over so that Ernestine could
+go, and she and Bea drove over, while the rest walked. It was a pretty
+little place, indeed, as they came in sight of it, nestled under a big
+tree, that was just budding into pale green in the spring sunshine.
+Everything was ready for the young bride to take possession on the next
+day, even to the mat laid before the front door on the new porch, and
+the bright tin cup hanging to the freshly painted pump in the little
+back yard.
+
+Bea unlocked the door, with an air of proud importance, and they went
+in, all anxious to show Ernestine and Jean every corner, as it was their
+first visit. The little mite of a square hall, and the small
+sitting-room on one side, were covered with brown and white matting,
+with soft, woolly rugs of brown and white. Curtains of soft, shady brown
+were at the windows, and the walls were papered in clear creamy white,
+with a deep border of brown dashed in gold. The chairs were all willow,
+also a pretty, standing work-basket, already filled with some of Bea's
+light work; and there, on the table, lay some of the young doctor's
+books and papers. The tiny dining room next, with its round table and
+new chairs, its little closet, with the shelves covered with snowy
+paper, and well stocked with dishes, all plain and cheap, but of pretty
+shapes and serviceable strength. Then the kitchen, shining with new tin,
+and a brisk little stove, and the rack hung with neatly-hemmed
+dish-cloths; the brand new cake of soap on the table, and the orderly
+line of pots and kettles--oh, it was all a sight to tickle your eyes.
+
+Up stairs, the ceilings were low, and a very tall person would have
+bumped his head unmercifully, but then, it all looked lovely. The pretty
+bedroom was all in blue, and nearly everything in it was the work of
+Bea's hands. She had made all the pretty mats on stands and bureaus,
+also the carpet ones on the floor. The daintily ruffled Swiss curtains,
+knotted with blue bows, she had made, washed, fluted and put up. All
+the fancy, pretty work about the bed was hers; and the bunches of
+forget-me-nots that adorned the chamber-set, looked as though they had
+sprung into real life on the snowy surface, instead of having been stuck
+and artistically plastered on. Oh, it was all lovely, and beyond
+improvement, every one said, and Bea laughed and looked so proud and
+happy.
+
+"This is to be my spare room," she said, throwing open the door to the
+back room. "The view from this window is just as pretty as the front,
+because it looks off to the hills; and just as soon as we are able, we
+will furnish it, and I shall fix it just like my room, only in pale
+pink. Won't it be lovely?"
+
+"Ecstatic!" cried Kat. "Who is it to be for?"
+
+"All of you. I expect you and Kittie will have it first, when mama and
+Jean and Ernestine go to visit Uncle Ridley next year. There are lots of
+things we can't afford yet," Bea continued, as they went down stairs. "I
+haven't anything to put in the hall, and it looks a little bare, but I
+don't mind it much. Then the parlor hasn't a thing in it except the
+carpet and curtains; but I can wait easy enough. I don't want Walter to
+think I'm at all dissatisfied or want to be extravagant, because I think
+everything is just lovely, and I'm so happy."
+
+"Uncle Ridley said when he started for the city this morning, that it
+was because he was in a hurry to see Olive, and to bring her home
+to-night; but I just know he's going to bring you something beautiful!"
+exclaimed Jean, who had flitted everywhere, like a butterfly, and looked
+radiant with happiness.
+
+"Of course he'll get something," said Kittie, polishing the slim,
+shining bannister with her handkerchief. "Let's hurry home; the train
+has just come in since we left, and I know Ralph has sent something; he
+said he was going to send his representative."
+
+"I don't see anything that can be changed," said Ernestine slowly, as
+they took a final peep into the sitting-room, "unless you put that
+bracket with the figure under the picture over the mantel, and leave
+that space between the windows for the head that Olive is going to paint
+for you."
+
+"Yes, I'll do that. And now come; you look so tired, dear. Kittie,
+unhitch Prince for me, will you, while I lock up?"
+
+"Oh, Bea, dear! I hope you will always be so happy," exclaimed
+Ernestine, with a wistful sadness in her voice, as they drove slowly
+home; and she laid her head on Bea's shoulder with a tired sigh. "It all
+seems so lovely, and I am so glad, though I shall miss you so after you
+are gone."
+
+"But I'm not gone," said Bea, much touched, as she slipped her arm
+around the frail form with a loving pressure. "I'll be over home every
+day, and you will come and stay with me, and everything will be just as
+it is now, except that Walter will be your brother, and you know he
+loves you like one now."
+
+"Yes, he is a dear fellow, and he will make you happy, I know. But I
+will not have you always, as I have since I came home--there, the girls
+have beaten us home, and Kat is waving her hat over the gate, so I
+suppose the box has come from Ralph."
+
+Bea drove faster, in pleased anticipation, and as soon as they drew
+near, Kat cried excitedly:
+
+"Hurry up! It's come! pretty near as big as the woodshed, and awful
+heavy! Kittie and Jean are getting the nails out. Don't stop to hitch.
+Prince is too glad to be here to go off of his own accord. Here,
+Ernestine, let me carry you," and, as she spoke, she caught the frail,
+light form in her strong young arms, and walked off to the house with
+perfect ease, while Bea tied Prince, and followed in a flutter. Sure
+enough, an immense box stood on the back porch, with the whole family
+around it, waiting for the owner to unpack, and Bea went down on her
+knees beside it, and began to throw out straw with an excited laugh.
+
+"Oh, my patience! dishes!" cried Kittie, as the first bundles began to
+appear, and immediately arose the most extravagant cries of delight and
+approval, as one by one, Bea took out, and unwrapped the daintiest
+morsels of china, exquisitely painted in grasses, butterflies and
+flowers. Oh, how lovely they were; the frail, tiny things, looking more
+like fairy waiters than anything intended for mortal use. Then came a
+dozen tea-spoons, table-spoons, knives and forks, all engraved; a lovely
+card basket, swung by a silver chain, from the finger of a winged
+Mercury; two beautiful napkin rings, marked "Walter" and "Beatrice;" a
+dozen of the finest damask napkins, with a gorgeous "B." in the corner;
+and lastly, a fancy dust-pan and brush, an indescribable sweeping cap,
+six of the most perfect kitchen aprons, a patent stove-hook, and an old
+shoe, with "Good Luck," painted in red letters on the sole.
+
+"Oh, I declare, I never did!" cried Bea, sitting down on the floor, to
+laugh and cry at the same time. "Isn't it all too lovely!"
+
+"What does the card say?" asked Jean, as the others began to carry in
+the china and things. "Just
+
+    "'BEATRICE,
+     FROM
+     AUNT TREMAYNE AND RALPH,'"
+
+answered Bea, looking at the card, that had been tied with a white
+ribbon to the nose of the tea-pot. "How good they are! I'm too happy to
+live."
+
+So it seemed, as she helped take in the things, laughing and crying, and
+touching them with careful, caressing fingers. They made a most imposing
+show when arranged on the table, and during the day more modest
+presents, that came in from well wishing friends, were added to the
+collection. There came a fancy clock from Mr. Dane, three dozen handsome
+towels and four beautiful table spreads from Mrs. Dane; and a variety of
+little things from the young people, with whom Bea was a favorite.
+
+As soon as Mr. Congreve and Olive arrived, on the evening train, they
+were taken in to view "the show," but the old gentleman added nothing to
+it, to every one's surprise; though he seemed pleased with everything
+there, and said it was a plenty for one bride.
+
+After supper, Olive disappeared and was gone some little time, but
+where, no one knew, and finally Mr. Congreve jumped up, with the remark,
+that he had heard her say something about Mrs. Dane's, and as he knew
+where it was, he guessed he'd walk over after her.
+
+"Never mind, Uncle Ridley, if she is there, Mr. Dane will walk home with
+her, and you must be tired," said Mrs. Dering.
+
+"God bless my soul, Elizabeth! I'm not an old man," exclaimed the crusty
+old gentleman of seventy odd years, as he threw open the door, and
+strode briskly out into the May moonlight. "I think a great deal of your
+Olive; she's a thorough Congreve, and I'd rather lose my best
+handkerchief than have anything happen to her--I had indeed. So go in,
+my dear, go in," and Mrs. Dering obediently went in, as he tramped
+briskly down the walk.
+
+That last evening of Bea's in the old home came very near being a sad
+one, in spite of every one's attempt to the contrary. Ernestine stayed
+down stairs for the first evening since her illness, and the excitement
+brought a stain of color into her white cheeks that made her look more
+like her old self, as she lay on the lounge.
+
+Bea sat on the stool at her mother's feet, and Mrs. Dering softly
+caressed the plump, white hand, that to-morrow she would give away, and
+now and then a pause would come, when the mother's eyes would fill with
+tears, and her lips tremble, and then some one would rush in, to break
+the silence, and thrust irrelevant nonsense into the groove cut for
+April tears.
+
+Wherever Mr. Congreve and Olive came from, they had a serious talk on
+the way home. Something evidently disturbed the old gentleman's mind,
+and he fidgetted nervously, until he had relieved himself with the
+explosive remark:
+
+"So you sent Roger home, did you?"
+
+"No, sir, he went," answered Olive, with a smile but with some
+surprise.
+
+"Humph! He did, and what did you say, to make him come home, looking
+like a criminal expecting to be hung?"
+
+"I said I couldn't love him, and I can't and don't," answered Olive,
+feeling provoked to think that Roger couldn't keep his own counsel.
+
+"Tut, tut! what did you say that, for?"
+
+"Because it's the truth; I like him very much indeed, but I don't want
+any lovers, I'm too young, and something else to think about," exclaimed
+Olive with unmistakable aversion to the thought.
+
+"Heighty-tighty! your mother was married at eighteen," cried the old
+gentleman briskly.
+
+"I can't help it, sir. I never want, or expect to marry. My work is all
+I want."
+
+"Yes, but your work will fail you some time, child; a one-sided love on
+a single altar soon burns itself out for want of fuel. There must be
+
+    "'The happiness thrown on from kindred flames to sustain
+      A spark of devotion for a lifeless love.'
+
+"The time will come when you may be alone in the world, and I'm much
+mistaken if your art alone will satisfy the cravings of your woman's
+heart."
+
+Olive listened in some amaze to such a lengthy speech from the usually
+short spoken gentleman; and though she felt no less certain of lifelong
+satisfaction with her art, she asked meekly.
+
+"What would you have me do, Uncle Ridley? I don't love him."
+
+"But are you sure you don't, my child? I knew he loved you all along,
+and it made my old heart glad; but I never knew how very dear you were
+to him, until he came back from here, and told me what you had said. You
+think marriage would interfere with your work, but it will not; why,
+Roger is as proud and anxious for your success as ever you could be for
+yourself. He told me that if you would only let him share your work and
+efforts, that he would take you abroad, that you should see the finest
+paintings the world holds, and that you should study with the finest
+masters. You--" but here he paused, for Olive gave a gasp, and turned
+white as a ghost in the moonlight. _Abroad, masters!_ The words struck
+her like a flash of lightning, and made her tremble with a great rush of
+delicious longing. She clung to the old gentleman's arm for a moment,
+and wondered if she was dreaming; but his next words brought her back;
+though she heard them but dimly.
+
+"Here is a letter for you; he wanted me to bring it, and Olive, don't
+make up your mind too quickly. Both you and Roger are very dear to me,
+and I would like to see you both happy before I die--as I suppose I must
+before many years, and--and--confound it! where's my snuff?--I hope you
+will send a different word back to him."
+
+Olive took the letter and put it in her pocket, still in that dazed
+wonder, and when they reached home, she longed to go off up stairs, and
+think it over alone, but it would be unkind on Bea's last evening; so
+she followed Mr. Congreve into the sitting-room, where a chorus of
+questions met them.
+
+"God bless my soul, what curiosity!" cried the old gentleman, crustily.
+"She went down town and I went after her, let that do."
+
+So no one asked another question, except Jean, who got on to his lap
+with the freedom of one who knew that nothing she did would receive
+reproof; and she whispered something in his ear, that made him smile
+good-naturedly, and immediately take an immense pinch of snuff.
+
+That night, as on the one so long ago, when Mr. Congreve made his first
+visit to them, two persons found it hard to sleep, even after silence
+and slumber had long held the others.
+
+To-night, as on that other, Mrs. Dering sat alone in her room, only now
+she sat by the window, instead of the dying fire. Now, as then, Jean
+slept soundly, only now her childish face wore the rosy flush of health
+instead of feebleness and pallor, and the little form was straight and
+perfect, instead of crooked and crippled.
+
+Who, but a mother, can appreciate a mother's thoughts, when she stands
+on the threshold of the first separation; the first giving up of her own
+into another's love and keeping "for better, for worse, until death
+should them part." The pale young moon climbed slowly up above the
+tree-top, and just as its slanting rays reached the window-sill, and
+fell in across the floor, the door opened carefully, and Olive's voice
+spoke:
+
+"Mama? You are up?"
+
+"Yes, dear; are you sick? What is the matter?"
+
+"Nothing. I only want to tell you something;" and Olive pushed the stool
+up as she spoke, and sat down.
+
+"I meant to tell you before, but somehow I never did. Will you listen
+now?"
+
+"Certainly, dear;" for well enough she knew that something weighed on
+Olive's mind to bring her there at that time. So Olive told her story,
+without a blush or hesitancy, from the beginning down to the receipt of
+the letter; and as Mrs. Dering watched her face in the pale light, so
+clearly expressing its dislike to any lover, and its rapt devotion to
+her art, she knew well enough what the decision would be.
+
+"And I'm going to say no," finished Olive, at last. "Have I done right,
+mama?"
+
+"Perfectly, Olive. I am surprised, and yet not wholly so, for something
+of the kind occurred to me when he was here. Never marry where you do
+not love, dear. No possible advantage, influence, or station, that can
+be gained by a loveless marriage, will ever be sufficient recompense for
+the galling misery of two hearts, grinding their life out, for want of
+sympathy and mutual love to oil the way. I admire and think a great deal
+of Roger Congreve, and you have won the love of a good man, dear, which
+if true, will bide its time patiently, and when you are older it may
+seem different to you."
+
+Olive looked up in mute amazement. Even mother said that to her.
+
+"No," she said obstinately, in a moment. "I don't think it will be so. I
+know it will not. I'm sorry that he loves me, because it will always
+keep us from being friends. Mama, surely you would not have me do such a
+thing as get married, and drop my work, as I would have to do, more or
+less, with so many new duties?"
+
+"No, dear, no; I am only too glad that your heart is still free, for you
+are too young to think of marriage. I would not consent to it. Besides
+you are quite right; with the duties and responsibilities of a wife, you
+could not devote your whole time and love to your art, and I should feel
+very sorry to think that anything is going to interfere with perfecting
+the talent which God has given you. But sooner or later, Olive, there
+comes to every woman, who stands alone, a yearning for love and home; a
+desire to feel that there is some one whom she can claim as her own, and
+to whom she is dearer than aught else. Love your art, dear, work
+faithfully in it, and if it should always satisfy your heart, I will be
+quite content, for then you will always be my own. If the other feeling
+ever comes, God will take care of it. Now go, dear; don't let this keep
+you awake longer, for we want all fresh faces to-morrow. Good night."
+
+The clock struck one, as they gave a kiss in the moonlight, then Olive
+went slowly away; not a whit less certain, that every one was wrong, and
+she was right; no number of years could make any difference to her.
+
+Everything joined in making the next day the brightest, and loveliest
+that had ever dawned. Never did a May morning sun come up with a purer
+glitter of gold; never had the birds sang so sweetly; and never before,
+as any one remembered, had the rose-vines over the porch, blossomed
+before June, and yet this morning, there were three snowy half-blown
+buds peeping in at the window of Ernestine's room, and she picked them
+to put in the bride's brown hair.
+
+Pansy Murray came over early in the morning, and brought a beautiful
+bouquet to each of the sisters, excepting Bea, to whom she said with
+mysterious smiles: "I couldn't bring your bouquet, but our green-house
+man's going to come with it;" and then finding that Kittie was too busy
+to pay much attention to her, she devoted herself to Jean, whom she had
+seen once before, and fallen quite in love with.
+
+Bea had had some little longings for a stylish wedding, but it had been
+impossible, besides, she had found that Walter preferred a quiet home
+one; so this morning, when the girls helped to dress her, and she put on
+her pretty brown suit, with the white rose-buds in her brown hair, she
+was perfectly content, and would not have had it otherwise.
+
+"You look lovely," cried Kittie, with a rapturous sigh, when the last
+thing had been done, and they all drew back to inspect.
+
+"That dress is a beauty, and you look like a daisy."
+
+"What do you think?" cried Kat, rushing in just then. "Raymond's
+gardener has brought your bouquet, and what do you think it is?"
+
+"What?" cried the girls eagerly.
+
+"A beautiful wedding-bell, all of white flowers; and he's hanging it in
+the folding doors;" upon which announcement, every one ran down stairs,
+to view the new beauty, and the bride jerked the flowery clapper by its
+white ribbon; then departed in haste, and with a sudden shyness, as Dr.
+Barnett and the minister, were seen coming slowly up the walk.
+
+No one cried when the supreme moment came, though Kittie was heard to
+sniff suspiciously, and Kat stared straight at a certain spot in the
+ceiling, until she was pretty near sightless; while Ernestine's eyes
+rested on the young wife's face, with a loving wistful sadness, that was
+pathetic, and made Mr. Congreve whisk his handkerchief briskly about his
+eyes. Mrs. Dering stood with her arm about Jean, Olive was next with her
+arm in Mr. Congreve's, and so they listened, and watched the little
+ceremony that gave Bea to another, and left the first vacancy in the
+home nest. As soon as it was over, and the rush of congratulations and
+kisses were given, Dr. Barnett took Bea's hand and with a lowly bow,
+said to them all:
+
+"Mother and sisters, relatives and friends, my wife and I will be
+pleased to have you come with us to our new home, and help eat our
+wedding breakfast."
+
+Everybody buzzed with surprise, and looked for explanation to every one
+else; but no one seemed to know more than another, even Bea, blushing
+like a rose, as she put on her new hat, looked as surprised as anybody.
+So there was nothing to be done but wait for some revelation.
+
+The walk from the old home to the new, was very short, and as the gay
+party took it in the warm sunshine, every one on the way called, or
+smiled their congratulations to the pretty bride who walked with Uncle
+Ridley, while the young husband followed with his new-made mother. When
+they came in sight of the little cottage, there was smoke coming gayly
+from the kitchen chimney, and the front door stood widely open.
+
+"What is it?" whispered Kittie, in a spasm of curiosity.
+
+"A breakfast already for them," answered Olive. "Dr. Barnett has got
+Huldah, and Bea doesn't know it."
+
+Well, dear me, what a jolly confusion did follow. Bea was too much
+overcome to welcome any one to her new home, and nearly gave way to
+tears when Huldah was seen bowing ecstatically in the back-ground, and
+saying over and over: "Welcome home, Mrs. Barnett, how-dy-do?"
+
+"This is where Uncle Ridley and Olive were last night," cried Jean
+excitedly, throwing open the parlor door, and pushing Mrs. Barnett in.
+"Just look!"
+
+Bea tried to speak, but couldn't, and threw her arms about Mr.
+Congreve's neck, while everybody else "oh'd" and "ah'd" about the parlor
+door. For wasn't it furnished with three of the most beautiful easy
+chairs, a tiny lounge, two spidery-legged tables, with gilded
+chains--and--oh!--a piano! A shiny, beautiful upright piano, with a blue
+velvet stool.
+
+"I didn't do it all, Olive did half," cried Mr. Congreve the first
+chance he had of making himself heard above the babel of admiration and
+gratitude; whereupon Olive put in a hasty denial. She hadn't done a
+thing but come over and arrange. Everything was from Uncle Ridley except
+the silver vase and bracket, between the windows.
+
+"Well, you've seen it now, that'll do. I was invited here to breakfast,
+and I'd like to have it," cried the old gentleman, in a testy voice,
+which the good-natured gleam in his sharp eyes denied. So everybody
+pranced into the dining-room, and Bea was placed behind the coffee-urn,
+and couldn't do a thing but blush, and look too happy and overcome to
+attend to her duties.
+
+Perfect silence fell, as the young husband lifted his hand, and in a
+voice that trembled slightly, asked the minister to request a blessing
+on this, the first meal in the new home. But when that was done,
+everybody broke into a babel of fun again, and a merrier meal was never
+witnessed anywhere.
+
+"I shall come over and call on you this afternoon, Mrs. Barnett," was
+Kat's good-bye, when good-bye moment came.
+
+"Everything is lovely; may you live long, and always be thus gay," said
+Kittie, who began to feel a queer sensation in her throat, and wanted to
+get off in a hurry.
+
+"I don't know what to say, except that I want you to be so happy, Bea
+dear," Ernestine said, giving a good-bye kiss lingeringly.
+
+"Well, I think weddings are splendid, though I wish you wasn't going to
+have a new home, Bea," remarked Jean with regret, as she tied on her
+hat, and shook hands with her new brother.
+
+"I shall miss you dreadfully, and our room will seem so lonely," was
+Olive's next remark. "But you must not let us be apart much."
+
+"I will not," said Bea with full heart and eyes. "I will never love you
+any less, and we will all be just the same, except that you'll have a
+brother, and you know you've always wanted one."
+
+"I hope you'll be happy, dear child, I do indeed," said Mr. Congreve,
+with an exhaustive hand shake. "But married life is full of swampy
+places, and you must both be careful. I've only one piece of advice, and
+that is, whatever you do, don't let your confidence and trust in each
+other get a shake, for it is the tree of married life, and one shake
+will knock off more apples of love and happiness than can ever be
+replaced."
+
+"God bless you both," said Mrs. Dering, with one hand in that of her
+daughter, the other in that of her new son. "I give her to you freely,
+Walter, with perfect faith in your love and loyalty, and a dear daughter
+is the most precious gift a mother ever yielded up. Be worthy of each
+other's perfect love and trust, and once more, God bless you. Good-bye."
+
+      To hear, to heed, to wed,
+    Fair lot that maidens choose;
+    Thy mother's tenderest words are said,
+    Thy face no more she views.
+    Thy mother's lot, my dear,
+    She doth in nought accuse;
+    Her lot to bear, to nurse, to rear,
+    To love--and then to lose.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+WHEN GOD DREW NEAR AMONG HIS OWN TO CHOOSE.
+
+
+"And is that the word you are going to send back, Olive?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And Roger must go abroad, alone?"
+
+"I suppose so, if he goes at all."
+
+Mr. Congreve sighed, and Olive began to tap her foot impatiently on the
+grass.
+
+"Uncle Ridley, I couldn't; I should hate him; I should hate myself and
+my art, too, if I felt that I owed all its success to some one else. He
+would be miserably unhappy, and so would I. Even if I loved him as he
+wants me to, I couldn't accept everything from him."
+
+"Too proud, Olive, too proud; but then I suppose you are right; indeed,
+I shouldn't wonder if you were," muttered the old gentleman, walking
+slowly back and forth with his eyes down. "But I hate to take this word
+back to the boy, I do indeed."
+
+"Well, I'm sure, he's a man, and I really think by this time, that he is
+quite reconciled to it. At any rate, he'll get over it before long,"
+said Olive complacently.
+
+"God bless my soul!" cried Mr. Congreve, pausing before her, with a
+puzzled wonder in his shrewd eyes. "Do you honestly so little realize
+what Roger's nature is, or how much the boy loves you, and how he is
+waiting to hear what word I bring!"
+
+"He ought to know by this time that it is the same I gave to him. I told
+you, no, the day after you gave me the letter; surely, you told him so
+when you wrote."
+
+"But I didn't, though. I thought, like as not, with the prospect of
+travel, you might change your mind after you'd thought about it more,
+and I told him that I was giving you time."
+
+"You must think I am very weak and uncertain," said Olive with some
+impatience. "If he really is anxious for an answer, it is unkind to keep
+him waiting."
+
+"Well, well, that's so, I know, but I must confess that I thought the
+masters and travel would bring you 'round," and Mr. Congreve shook his
+head, as if in dire perplexity.
+
+"I had rather work day and night, and win my own success, be it ever so
+little, than to owe the widest fame to another. Besides, I don't want to
+be married, I wouldn't be for anything; I want to belong to myself, and
+do as I please!" cried Olive, vehemently; then slipped her arm through
+his, with a little coaxing gesture, such as she sometime used with the
+crusty old man, and said:
+
+"There, Uncle Ridley, it is all settled, so let's not speak of it any
+more. There come Walter and Bea; we'll walk down to the gate and meet
+them."
+
+This was all a month after the wedding, and it was the loveliest June
+Sunday, imaginable. Mr. Congreve had dreaded so to go back to Virginia
+without Jean, that he had yielded to their entreaties, and spent that
+length of time with them; but now he was going on the next day; and the
+old gentleman's feelings were so deeply stirred with the thought that he
+was obliged to resort to his crusty manners to hide them. He had most
+fervently hoped that Olive would change her mind, though possessed with
+an inward conviction that she would not; yet even while he so deeply
+regretted her decision, he could not but admire the independence, that
+refused to sit with idle hands, and receive every advantage and
+advancement from another. Surely, if Olive ever did marry, she would
+bring something to her husband besides her dependent self, and he might
+know, above all doubts, that indeed, he was truly loved in her heart of
+hearts.
+
+Every member of the family had grown to dearly love the crusty, abrupt,
+peculiar old man, who wore the goodness of his heart like a mantle about
+him, yet so modest with it. They never knew, until after he had left
+them, how much good he had quietly done in his morning walks about
+Canfield. How he had bought poor little lame Katie Gregg a great wax
+doll, that could speak and cry; filled the pantry of the hard-working
+widow mother with packages unnumbered, pretending to be so innocent of
+the deed, when she found who was the giver, and tried to thank him.
+There came to them, for many days after he had gone, reports, here and
+there, of the little deeds of kindness and acts of thoughtful
+generosity, the need of which, he had discovered at odd times and said
+nothing about, with the modesty which is characteristic of the true
+giver.
+
+The parting was a truly sad one, yet not without its funny side, for the
+old gentleman was so torn up in mind that his actions were irresistibly
+funny. He whisked his red handkerchief about with such energy that its
+edges were pretty near in strips; and he blew his poor old nose in such
+repeated and violent fashions, that it clearly resembled a highly
+colored tomato.
+
+"There won't be any little girl any where," he said, mournfully. "It
+will be so lonesome in the morning, and in the evening, and all in the
+day, and I will wonder if Jeanie is never coming down stairs to sit in
+my lap in the old library. I shall get cross, and ugly as a bear, for
+want of two little hands to smooth the wrinkles out of my old forehead,
+and a dear little girl to keep my heart in good working order. It will
+all be dreadful! dreadful!"
+
+There was something pathetic in the picture they made, sitting there.
+The old man, with his white head and tear dimmed eyes, holding Jean in
+his lap, with her arms about his neck, and his wrinkled cheek rested on
+her curly hair.
+
+"I haven't very much longer to live," he went on, in that pathetic way,
+"and I shall have to crawl through the last little while all by myself.
+I suppose the dear good Lord knows best, but I don't see why He gave me
+two little girls to love, and then took them both away. Even Olive won't
+go back with me, and Roger will go off, and it will be dreadful!
+dreadful!"
+
+So far down had the poor man's spirits gone, that he seemed perfectly
+lost in pathetic resignation. Even the apparently unquenchable
+handkerchief hung limp and inactive from a coat-tail pocket, where it
+had been jammed in a moment of unresigned despair; and the big tears
+dropped one by one on Jeanie's hair, as he talked now in that quiet,
+grieved way.
+
+"Will you come back to us?" asked Mrs. Dering, much touched, and laying
+her hands on his shoulder. "We should so love to have you, Uncle Ridley,
+all of us. Go home and send Roger off if he wants to go; leave the Hall
+with such old servants as you can trust, and then come back to us, and
+call this home. Will you?"
+
+"Will I?" Mr. Congreve jumped up, and the handkerchief came out in all
+its color and activity. "Are you really in earnest, Elizabeth? Would you
+have such a crusty old humbug as I am, around?"
+
+"In the truest and warmest earnest, Uncle Ridley."
+
+"Oh, please do," cried Jean eagerly; and the other girls echoed it.
+
+"If I ever! God bless my soul! I never did!" exclaimed Mr. Congreve,
+falling back into his chair, perfectly overcome. "You will let me come
+and stay till next summer, then you and Jean and Ernestine go home with
+me, as you promised?"
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Dering.
+
+"Well, well, I might have known that the good Lord would fix it some
+way. That's just the thing. I'll do it, Elizabeth; I will. Where's my
+snuff-box and satchel! It's pretty near train time."
+
+Jean ran to get them, while Mr. Congreve went up stairs to say good-bye
+to Ernestine; and when he went off at last, it was in the gayest
+possible spirits, with promises to be back as soon as Roger started
+abroad; and so all the sadness was taken from the parting.
+
+They thought he would be back in, at least, a month, but the time
+lengthened itself into three and four, and yet he did not come. Roger
+was sick, to begin with, and did not gain strength very rapidly, and
+nothing could have made the old man leave him.
+
+"But I can stand it very well," he wrote. "I know that it's not going to
+last, so I can keep up plenty of spirits, with thinking of the time when
+I will come. The boy is getting better fast, and as soon as he settles
+up a little business, he is off, and then I will shut up and be off
+likewise, in a hurry."
+
+But they at home, found hands and hearts busy with new work that was
+sadly brief and bitter. As the warm weather came, Ernestine began to
+fail rapidly. She suffered no new pain, and uttered no complaint, but as
+the days went by, and the intense heat of summer burned all purity and
+life from the air, she just seemed to droop, and bow her head feebly
+beneath the oppressive heat; and the frail stem of life snapped, with
+the weight of its own slight self. They had hoped against hope, that the
+sad end could be fought off, and with the first coming of warm days,
+Mrs. Dering had proposed going to the sea-side with her; but Dr.
+Barnett, who had fought eagerly and desperately with the dread disease,
+told them that it would do no good. The excitement might only hasten the
+end, and better to leave her quiet, and so contentedly happy as she
+seemed, than to bring new faces and new scenes to worry and distract the
+last feeble remnant of her strength. So they submitted themselves to his
+word, as one of authority, and took upon themselves the sad duty of
+watching a loved life drift peacefully out, and trying to say, as the
+end drew near: "Thy will be done."
+
+The big rocking-chair, the pretty wrappers, and gayly colored sacques
+were all laid aside now. The feeblest strength could no longer lift the
+frail form, and all the patient sufferer said when lifted or moved was,
+"I'm so tired; that will do; it is quite easy." Then the short breath
+would give out, and she could only thank them with her eyes, that daily
+grew more eloquently beautiful, as though the spirit, refined through
+suffering, were taking its last, long farewell look at mother and
+sisters, and uttering wordless thanks, which the heart loving then
+framed, but the lips weakly refused to utter.
+
+"The end is not far off," Dr. Barnett said, one sultry August night,
+after he had left the sick-room. "I shall go down and telegraph for
+Olive to come on the first train."
+
+Mrs. Dering laid her clasped hands on his arms with a little gasp, as of
+one long expecting a bitter draught, and finding the cup held to her
+lips at last. But she was very quiet.
+
+"You think it will come to-night?"
+
+"Hardly. She may live through to-morrow, but no longer, mother."
+
+There was something so helpful in his presence, the warm, loving
+utterance of that dear name, and the strong, tender clasp of his hands,
+and she clung to him for a moment, as in recognition of the comfort and
+help he was, and had been in these sad days.
+
+"They have telegraphed for Olive," Kittie whispered to Kat and Jean, as
+they three sat sleeplessly on the bedside, with their arms about each
+other, and a pale, hushed awe in their faces.
+
+"That means that she is going to die," cried Kat, trembling. "Oh, how
+dreadful it is! I don't think it's right, no I don't."
+
+"Hush," said Kittie, solemnly; but she couldn't say any more. Her own
+heart was sadly rebellious, and could not think it was right.
+
+"It must be," said Jean slowly, in her sweet, quiet way. "God never
+does what isn't right; He can't, girls, though we can't always
+understand why some things are."
+
+No one was disposed to speak further on the subject, the like of which
+has vexed many great minds, the world over, but they sat there hushed
+and quiet, and with awe-stricken hearts, as though they heard or felt
+the noiseless approach of the coming king, who passed them by, and went
+into the room where the pale mother watched and prayed beside the quiet
+sleeper.
+
+Dr. Barnett came back soon, and brought Bea with him; but after looking
+in to speak a few hurried words that tried to be of comfort, she went
+into the other room, to take her place by the bedside, while the worn
+mother snatched a little rest, if not sleep, on the lounge near by. So
+the night crept slowly by, while anxious hearts and sleepless eyes kept
+sad vigil. In the first grey dawn of morning, Olive came; but when
+daylight fairly blushed into rosy sunshine, Ernestine awoke from a long
+sleep, clear-eyed, feverless, and rational, and recognized them all with
+a quiet, peaceful smile.
+
+"You home in the middle of the week?" she said to Olive, with a little
+wondering surprise.
+
+Dr. Barnett sent one swift, wordless glance of warning, and Olive caught
+it.
+
+"Yes, I was not very busy this week and thought I would come home last
+night," she said, warmly pressing the almost transparent fingers lying
+on the coverlid, adding brightly: "How well you look this morning!"
+
+"I feel better," answered Ernestine, slowly. "So strangely better; all
+rested and in no pain. Where is mama?"
+
+"Here, darling."
+
+"I--I feel so much better, mama," lifting the feeble hand, with a look
+of pleasure in her wan face. "It seems as if I was lying on the softest
+feathers, and all well again. Everything is so very easy, and I haven't
+any pain."
+
+"You are much better, dear, and we are very glad;" but Mrs. Dering bent
+her head as she spoke, that no one might see the tremble of her lips,
+for well she knew, without any word or glance at her son-in-law's face,
+that the sufferer was passing into the sunlight of God's rest and love,
+and that the passing away of pain was because His hand had already
+touched her.
+
+But to the girls it seemed different. To them, the clear, bright eyes,
+the quiet, easy breathing, and restful feeling, meant better for life,
+and they had a joyful jubilant time over it down stairs. They gathered
+the loveliest flowers in bloom, and took them up stairs, and Ernestine
+smiled brightly and even held them for a few moments in her weak hands,
+keeping a pure, pale, creamy bud, when they put the rest in water.
+
+During the day Dr. Barnett brought some mail from the office, among
+which was a letter from Ralph for Kat, and a strange one from New York
+for Kittie, which proved to be from Mr. Murray.
+
+"How funny!" she said, with a pleased smile.
+
+"What is he writing to you for?" inquired Kat, sharing the general
+interest and curiosity to such an extent that she forgot her own letter.
+"Is Pansy sick?"
+
+"No; he only says how she is, and how she wishes for me every day, and
+wants me to write a letter, all to herself," answered Kittie, too busy
+running her eyes over the few lines, with the signature
+
+    "Yours, most sincerely,
+        "PAUL MURRAY."
+
+in bold, handsome hand, to notice the different expressions in the eyes
+that were watching her pleased, smiling face. Perhaps no one detected
+therein just what Mrs. Dering did, for it takes a marvelously small
+thing, to open a mother's eyes. But then Kittie's pleasure was as
+innocent as a child's; she read that letter over and over, and admired
+the beautiful writing, but thought that all her pleasure grew from the
+fact of hearing from Pansy, who had been gone a month, and said, as she
+put it in her pocket, "It was very kind in Mr. Murray to write, I'm sure
+for I did want to hear from Pansy."
+
+But every one forgot the letters after awhile.
+
+At supper-time Ernestine asked for something to eat. She even raised
+herself from the pillow by her own strength, and said how very hungry
+she was, and as the girls left the room to get what she asked for, a
+strange cold thrill struck their hearts. Eagerly, as though famishing,
+Ernestine ate the cream toast that they brought, drank the chocolate,
+and asked for more.
+
+"Give her all she wants," said Dr. Barnett, in answer to an appealing
+look from Mrs. Dering; and so they brought more, with the strange pain
+still in their hearts; and she ate it eagerly, with that unearthly
+brightness in her eyes, and such a fluttering stain of scarlet in her
+wasted cheeks. The sad truth came first to Beatrice, as she looked from
+husband to mother, and read it in their pale, quiet faces; then it came
+to Olive, for she drew near, and put her arm around Bea, with a touch
+that both gave and asked for help; and then Kittie and Kat, seeing the
+hopeless sadness in their faces, suddenly realized that they stood in
+the dread presence at last, and with one accord turned to each other for
+help; while Jean crept to her mother's side, and hid her face in the
+folds of her dress. So death found them, as he drew near, and claimed a
+place before mother, sisters, or brother; but he did not come
+repulsively, or like the grinning head that portrays him to our mind's
+eye; instead, it seemed as though a white angel, with kindly eyes had
+drawn near, and breathed upon the sufferer before he kissed the life
+from her lips; for after a short stupor Ernestine awoke, and looked upon
+them with peaceful, shining eyes.
+
+"Don't cry," she said, softly. "I am only going before, as papa did. I
+think I saw him while I slept, and I am not afraid. It is not a dark
+river, mama, but beautiful and bright, and nothing can happen, for God
+stands there and smiles. Please don't cry, or shut the windows; let the
+sunshine come in, and be glad that I will never suffer any more. Lift me
+up, mama."
+
+Mrs. Dering did so, and with her head pillowed on that dear breast,
+Ernestine sank to sleep like a child, breathing softly; while the
+shadows fell, and no one stirred. But the early moon rose slowly, and
+lighted the room, and as she drew her last breath, with a fluttering
+little sigh, it fell across her face, pure and sweet, and touched the
+withered rose-bud, lying on the pillow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+TWO SECRETS.
+
+
+Joy and sorrow, laughter and tears come and go and mingle as one in
+memory of the past. Between _now_ and _then_, time weaves a veil, misty
+with tears of our sorrow, and diamond dusted with the bright laughter of
+our joy, and as we look through it, on the path that weaves our
+footsteps, the sunshine and shadows, that have fallen thereon, mingle
+and soften each other, so that neither the brilliant light of one nor
+the saddening shade of the other can pain our eyes, that look back, in
+wistful, happy memory.
+
+In the fresh, pure air, that follows rain on a summer day, Kat was
+leaning from the window, and watching the sun go slowly down behind the
+hills; while slender spires of light shot up into the hazy atmosphere,
+and pierced the flitting clouds. She was gazing idly, with eyes in
+which many thoughts lay dreamily, and the slight smile that touched her
+lips came, perhaps, from something in the letter that lay open in her
+lap, or maybe from the distant view of a basket buggy, drawn by a white
+pony, coming slowly down the road, as though the riders were in no
+haste.
+
+At any rate, she smiled; and it crept from the corners of her roguish
+mouth up to her eyes, and made her face very attractive, especially as
+she leaned it against the vines that crept in at the window, and looked
+thoughtfully down at the open letter. It was one such as she received
+very often now-a-days, as a very large pack, all of that year's date,
+much worn, and tied with a blue ribbon, would testify. Most of them were
+dashed boldly off on large office paper, with "Kathie dear," flourished
+into one corner, and news of all kinds, inquiries and odds and ends,
+filling several sheets, and "Yours, Ralph," in business scrawls at the
+bottom. But this was different. It was on small note paper to begin
+with, much more carefully written than usual, and contained no address
+whatever, simply starting off with what the writer had to say, and only
+filling three pages.
+
+There was one particular place where Kat's eyes lingered, and where she
+smiled, very slowly, as though it was something not to be enjoyed fully,
+all at once; and we will look right over her shoulder and read it as
+she does again and again:--
+
+    "The time is up now, and I am coming, if you say for me to. Will
+    you? All my work has been done with the hope that you would let
+    me come and share my success, whatever it might be, with you. It
+    has been my one thought, and greatest incentive since I learned
+    to know, and love you, as I did in the old days, when we
+    skirmished and were gay, together. To-day, when I saw my name
+    added as junior partner, to the finest law firm in our city, I
+    thought of you, and felt more willing and proud to offer you
+    that name. If you bid me come, I will do so; the walk out to
+    Raymond's is short, and shall I meet you on the road!
+
+        "RALPH."
+
+Should he meet her on the road? I've no way of telling you, I'm sure,
+for her answer is written and gone, and I, like you, will have to wait
+and see.
+
+The white pony and basket buggy draws nearer, it comes through the gate
+and up the drive, and as Kat watches it, some one comes to her side and
+looks out also.
+
+"They've been a dreadful long ride," says the new-comer, with an
+impatient relief, as she leans against the window.
+
+"Yes," answered Kat, with a little start, just realizing the fact.
+
+"I think it's very funny," Pansy continued, with a truly puzzled air.
+"When we was here before, papa always said to me, 'come, Pansy, let's go
+take Miss Kittie to ride,' and now he never does; he goes off all alone
+by hisself, and takes her."
+
+"Is it possible!" said Kat with an air of interest.
+
+"Yes, 'tis; an' he does a lot of funny things. Once when we was to New
+York, I wanted a penny, and he said to get it in his pocket, an' there
+wasn't one penny there, but all the pretty letters Miss Kittie had
+writed to me for my own. I thought 'twas so funny, but he said they were
+safer there, than in my box, an' I better leave 'm, so I did."
+
+"Very strange," said Kat, with a solemn shake of her head.
+
+"I'll guess I'll go down and ask him what for he didn't take me," said
+Pansy, going away, and leaving Kat to put her letter up and try to look
+quite composed before Kittie came.
+
+You must know that this was two years later, and that the twins were
+spending a few weeks with the Raymond's, where there were several other
+young people. Olive was working hard and rising steadily, and had never
+once been heard or suspected of wishing that Roger Congreve would come
+home from the continent, where he still roamed and threatened to settle.
+She was completely devoted to her art, and was now paying her way by
+teaching, while she was being taught. Mrs. Dering and Jean were in
+Virginia, and when Olive or the twins came home, it was to Bea's home,
+where everything was cosy and happy, with the rising young physician and
+his pretty little wife.
+
+Two years had made some changes in the twins, more perceptibly so in Kat
+than Kittie; for time and love work wonders, and while she would never
+quite reach the perfection of lady-like grace and dignity, that made
+Kittie so charmingly attractive, she certainly had quieted much, was
+more careful of her language and dress, and bade fair to be a most
+delightful little woman after all, and one that Ralph might well love
+and be proud of having won.
+
+When Kittie came up stairs, she was very quiet, and in answer to
+inquiries, said that her head ached. Kat was relieved to think she would
+not have to be on close guard, for she did not feel like telling her
+secret just then, and had rather dreaded Kittie's eyes. But Kittie was
+wholly absorbed in something else; she put away her things, and sat down
+by the window without saying much.
+
+"It's pretty near tea-time," remarked Kat presently. "Are you all
+ready?"
+
+"I--don't believe I'll go down," said Kittie. "I'm not hungry."
+
+"Humph!" thought Kat, with a sudden and intense curiosity. "I guess I'm
+not the only one that has a secret."
+
+"Did you have a pleasant ride?" she asked, after some silence.
+
+"Yes--very;" answered Kittie absently.
+
+"You were gone long enough."
+
+No answer.
+
+"I had a letter from Ralph;" guardedly.
+
+"Did you?"
+
+"Yes; I expect he'll come before long."
+
+"I'd like to see him;" with more interest. "Wouldn't you?"
+
+"Yes--rather," answered Kat, with a smile at herself in the glass, where
+she was comparing the effect of pink, or blue bow in her hair. "I'm
+going down now; what shall I say for you?"
+
+"That I've a headache, and not hungry," said Kittie, and Kat whisked
+gayly off, laughing to herself, to think how she had intended to be the
+mystifier, and instead, was the mystified.
+
+When Kittie was alone, she went to the glass, and leaning her chin in
+her hands, looked herself steadily in the face, as though absorbed in a
+new and astounding discovery. It was hard to tell just exactly how it
+affected her, for she looked a good deal astonished, rather sober, but
+very much pleased and a little bit shy.
+
+"I'm sure," she said, nodding to herself with all earnestness, "I never
+dreamed of such a thing before, but--but--I do believe it's so;" and
+then she colored up all of a sudden, and the reflection disappeared from
+view.
+
+Kat came upstairs very soon after supper, and found her sitting in just
+the same place by the window, and just as little inclined to talk as
+before, which made matters seem uncomfortable.
+
+"I declare!" muttered Kat, slamming about in the clothes-press, with no
+particular object in view, except to make a little noise. "This is
+abominable! I think she might tell me, but I'm not going to ask. I'm
+sure, I'd tell her quick enough, but she don't care, and I sha'n't 'till
+she asks me;" and then becoming aware of the inconsistency of her
+reflections Kat shut the door with some force, and sat down in silence.
+
+There was no telling how long this pleasing quietude might have lasted,
+if it had not been for an immense bug that sailed in at the window,
+close to Kittie's nose, and began to bump gayly around the room, while
+both girls flew up, in feminine nervousness, and opened fire upon him,
+with any objects they might lay hands on.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Kat, after a breathless battle, during which
+three chairs had been laid low, various objects upset, and the lamp
+blown out. "Let the old thing go; it won't stay in the dark. What geese
+we are anyhow, afraid of a bug."
+
+"I wasn't afraid," said Kittie, dropping into her chair with an
+exhausted sigh. "But they always make me fidgetty; and, beside, it came
+in right across my nose. Well, anyhow, it's cooler in the dark."
+
+"What in the world are you so quiet for!" exclaimed Kat, in despair,
+after a few moments, during which silence settled again.
+
+"I? Nothing," said Kittie, with a little start.
+
+"Nonsense!"
+
+"Well, it's the truth; I didn't know that I was so quiet," said Kittie,
+who in truth had nothing to tell. "I'll talk gay enough if you'll start
+me on something."
+
+"You never had to be started before," grumbled Kat, who would have
+teased and tormented unmercifully, had it not been for the weight of her
+own secret, which was wonderfully subduing.
+
+"We had a delightful ride," continued Kittie, but with very apparent
+exertion. "Mr. Murray drove out by Hanging Rock, and that's five miles,
+you know, and then we came home by Craig's creek, and--it was very long.
+What did Ralph say? Where's the letter?"
+
+"Oh!" said Kat, with a little gasp--for Kittie had covered the whole
+ground so quickly that it quite took her breath--"you can't read it in
+the dark, and if we light the lamp that bug will come back. It was only
+a small one. He has been admitted to the firm, and is coming pretty soon
+to see us."
+
+Something in the voice, for Kat couldn't hide anything successfully,
+drew Kittie's thoughts from herself, and made her turn to look closely
+at the face just visible in the dark. It had been a settled fact in the
+family, for the past year, that Ralph was growing very fond of "Kathy
+dear," and that very likely she had been the great object in his
+thoughts when he went away, and promised to come back, and then--
+
+"Kat," said Kittie, with great solemnity, when her thoughts reached that
+point, and she was conscious of feeling hurt. "I never thought you'd
+keep such a thing from me, and wait for me to ask."
+
+"Neither did I think you would, but you are."
+
+"Me? Why I've nothing to tell."
+
+"Honestly?"
+
+"Not a thing. And have you, really?"
+
+"Nothing, except that he asked me if he should come, and I sent a letter
+right off, and told him yes," confessed Kat, relieved to share her
+secret, and feeling very glad and happy as she laid her head in Kittie's
+lap, as though to hide her face from the darkness.
+
+Kittie entirely forgot herself in that moment. There came a little
+choking feeling in her throat, to think that she now came second in this
+dearest sister's heart, and she put her arms around her, with a little
+resentful, defiant clasp, and said nothing.
+
+"Haven't you anything to confess?" asked Kat, in a moment.
+
+"Come, dear; be honest."
+
+"Not much," said Kittie, slowly. "You know, I always thought Mr. Murray
+was ever so much older than he is, and I never dreamed of his liking me,
+or any such thing, and it all seems so odd. But since he came this time,
+and we have been together so often, why--it all seemed different, you
+know, though I can't tell just how. To-day, while we were riding, I
+dropped some flowers out of my hair, and he picked them up, and asked if
+he might keep them, and--and--that's all," finished Kittie, quite
+shamefacedly.
+
+"How romantic!" sighed Kat. "He'll say something pretty soon, and I'm
+very glad. It would be dreadful for one of us to go, and not the other.
+But it all seems odd, doesn't it, dear?"
+
+So they sat together for a long time, dreaming the dream that comes
+rosily and sweet to all, and the silent clasp of their arms, and the
+pressure of their cheeks, laid together in the twilight, expressed the
+warm love that mutual joy brightened; and into this new experience, as
+in all that had come to them, they went hand in hand.
+
+After awhile, Kat went down to the parlors, where the young people were,
+and a very funny thing happened. It was too warm to dance, play games,
+or, in fact, remain in the house; so they strolled out in the yard, and
+over the veranda, and once, as Kat sat alone in a big rustic chair, she
+saw Mr. Murray coming towards her. The light fell through the window,
+and out on to her face and head, showing a silver butterfly that Pansy
+had given to Kittie, fastened in her hair; and guided by this, Mr.
+Murray drew near, and paused at her side, never doubting that she was
+the one he had been in search of. A few words were sufficient to reveal
+his mistake to Kat, but some mischievous impulse kept her quiet as to
+her identity, so they talked on and on, and presently he began to tell
+of the home he had prepared in the city, and Kat's heart sank with a
+sudden thump, but what could she say? He went on without giving her
+chance to utter a word, and just as she was growing cold with
+apprehension, and hardly hearing what he was telling, he laid his hand
+on hers that were clasped in her lap, and said very tenderly:
+
+"Will you share it with me, darling? I have hoped and dreamed that you
+would, and have made it beautiful for your sake. It has been many, many
+months since the sweet possibility"--but there Kat jumped up, scarlet
+and ashamed.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Murray! I'm not Kittie; I'm so sorry; but I thought--I meant--I
+don't know just what. I'll tell her to come down and I think she will,"
+Kat cried incoherently, and vanished with a complicated and wonderful
+gesture of her hands, that might have passed for a supplication for
+forgiveness, a benediction, or total despair, or most anything.
+
+"Go down stairs," were her first words, as she rushed into the room
+where Kittie sat, and cast herself on to the bed with a hysterical
+laugh. "I've been, and gone, and done, and had a proposal from Mr.
+Murray, and you better go down quick. Oh, it's too funny, and he's
+dreadfully in earnest; there's something about a sweet possibility, and
+you'd better go down and listen to it."
+
+"What do you mean?" cried Kittie, starting up, and dropping her book,
+with a vague idea that Kat had lost her senses.
+
+"He thought I was you. Oh, it's too funny! and he is out there by the
+geranium-bed waiting for you," cried Kat, convulsed with laughter; and
+Kittie dropped into her chair, all trembling.
+
+"Oh, Kat! how could you?"
+
+"Bless you, I didn't do anything except promise to send you down, and
+you better go. There, you look like a peach. Put this little posy in
+your hair and go on."
+
+"Oh, I can't," cried Kittie, all blushes and shyness.
+
+"Yes, you can, you must; it will never do in the world!" exclaimed Kat
+with decision; so with many pauses, much hesitation and trembling,
+Kittie went, and appeared shyly before her lover with down-cast eyes,
+and all the sweet color fled from cheek and lips.
+
+Of course, no one said anything, but somehow the secret crept into the
+gay company, and Kittie found her ordeal so trying that she threatened
+to go home.
+
+"Of course we'll go as soon as Ralph comes," said Kat, who had her own
+reasons for wanting to get away then; so Kittie promised to wait those
+few days. It was very evident that Kat was going to meet him on the
+road, for one lovely afternoon, a few days later, she was seen to stroll
+away, dressed with particular care in a pale blue lawn, with bunches of
+forget-me-nots in her hair and belt, and a very big hat that
+conveniently and becomingly shaded her eyes, and flapped in the breeze
+as she walked.
+
+The train was in; it had whizzed around the corner of Raymond's farm
+over an hour ago, and Ralph had had time to nearly make the distance
+between the depot and a certain tall sycamore tree, where she had
+decided to stop and wait; so she strolled slowly, with her eyes down,
+and thought of him. He would look just as he used to, she thought, not
+realizing the time that had elapsed, nor how much she had changed
+herself. There would be the merry dark eyes, and faint mustache, the
+eager, almost boyish face and figure, and he would kiss her, as he used
+to, and how funny it would seem, to think they were nearly engaged.
+
+She smiled to herself, unconscious that he was drawing near, and eagerly
+watching the pretty, slight, blue-robed figure, strolling in the
+sunshine; but she looked up in a moment and saw him.
+
+Was that Ralph? She felt her heart jump clear into her throat; as she
+paused, and stared at the tall gentleman rapidly approaching, and she
+had no strength to take another step. She had arranged a little speech
+to deliver at the proper moment, but,
+
+    "By the sycamore passed he, and through the white clover;"
+
+then all the sweet speech she had fashioned took flight. He came nearer
+with eager brightness in his handsome eyes; he took her two resistless
+hands and looked under her hat-brim.
+
+"Kathleen, is it you?"
+
+At the sound of the voice, which was still the same, Kat was covered
+with a swift, shy confusion. She had expected a boy; there had come to
+her a man, who had come at her bidding, and who loved her. She longed to
+run away or hide her head, or something, but how could she when he held
+her hands, and persisted in looking under her hat.
+
+"I expected to find you racing along the road or sitting on a fence, and
+waiting for me," he said, with a laugh. "I looked for my dear romp, and
+instead of that, I meet a graceful lovely young woman with the sweetest
+face in the world, and I don't believe she's glad to see me."
+
+"What made you go and change so?" stammered Kat, still unable to
+reconcile the vision before her with the boyish Ralph Tremayne. "I'd
+never known you, anywhere."
+
+"Nor I, you, hardly. What made you go and change so?" retorted he.
+
+"I haven't."
+
+"Neither have I."
+
+Whereupon they felt better acquainted, and laughed socially; then he
+kissed her, and slipped her hand through his arm.
+
+"You're not sorry you told me to come, are you?"
+
+"Not a bit. Are you sorry you came?"
+
+"Not a bit. You're altogether lovely and charming, my dear, and may I
+tell you how much I love you?"
+
+"I guess you'd better not. I'll have to get a little better acquainted
+with you first, you've gone and grown so big and handsome, and all
+that," answered Kat, feeling more comfortable, and looking up at him
+with some of the old saucy twinkle in her eyes.
+
+"Bless those eyes," he exclaimed, with every symptom of telling the
+forbidden fact. "I must tell you, dear, that you have grown lovely."
+
+"You told me that once."
+
+"Don't you like to hear it?"
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if I did. But I must tell you something important
+before we go any farther," said Kat solemnly.
+
+"Do so at once; I'm listening."
+
+"Well, Ralph, I've--I've had another proposal since I wrote to you,"
+confessed the wretched little hypocrite, with lowered hat-brim.
+
+"You have? By jingo! Who from?" Ralph dropped her hand, and the ruddy
+color went from his face suddenly.
+
+"From a New York gentleman at Mrs. Raymond's, and--and--"
+
+"Go on," said Ralph shortly, his voice cold and hard.
+
+"He said he had built--no, bought--no, had a beautiful home, and asked
+me to share it, and I didn't know what on earth to say, so--I told
+him--that I wasn't Kittie, and then he changed his mind."
+
+"Kathy!" What a blessing it was that no one was anywhere near, for right
+there in the sunshine, Ralph threw his arm around her and drew her
+close, to kiss the saucy lips and eyes. "How could you? I'm stunned out
+of a year's growth! Was it Murray?"
+
+"Well, I don't think you'll miss it," laughed Kat. "Yes, it was Mr.
+Murray, and Kittie's going to share that home."
+
+"You don't say so. We'll go off doubly and very soon, too, for of course
+the little mother will be willing."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Kat.
+
+So they strolled on in the sunshine, and the sweetest story in the
+world, gray with age, yet fresh as spring-time in their hearts, made the
+sunshine brighter than ever before to their happy eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT. FIVE YEARS LATER.
+
+
+The house was lighted from attic to basement, and though it was
+Christmas Eve, the air was like spring, for nature sometimes turns
+freakish, and smiles on us when we are expecting the cold shoulder. Here
+and there, a window was open, for the Derings always did love plenty of
+air; and so a merry sound of laughter and gay voices was wafted out into
+the night air, and the old trees rustled joyfully, as though the sound
+were a familiar and happy one to them, and it did their old bones--or
+bark, good to hear it. Even the vines, that clambered about as gayly now
+as ever--only closer and thicker, tapped on the windows and nodded their
+leafless heads, as though in welcome, and fairly rustled with joy clear
+down to their aged roots, to see all the dear children at home once
+more.
+
+The front door stood hospitably open, as it had always had a trick of
+doing, and in the wide old hall were two children, one of whom sat on
+the stairs, with a sober, thoughtful face, while the other, in
+diminutive petticoats, was trying to stand on his head against the stout
+bannister-post. One failure followed another, in discouraging
+succession, but the little fellow kept determinedly at it, in spite of
+bumps and thumps, and finally succeeded in hoisting his fat legs up for
+the briefest second imaginable, which was perfectly satisfactory, and
+after which he righted himself, with serenely glowing face.
+
+"Did," he said, triumphantly; to which the judge, sitting gravely on the
+stairs, assented with much solemnity, and seemed to be casting about in
+his mind for some other feat to propose.
+
+"Hurts," said the young tumbler, rubbing his top-knot with a mite of a
+hand, and glancing severely at the judge.
+
+"Stand on this," said the judge, coming down and offering his square
+inch of pocket-handkerchief, which was accordingly laid down by the
+post. "That makes it thoft; won't hurt now. Do't over."
+
+With a readiness and faith that was sublime, he of the petticoats went
+at it, and had just succeeded in turning a side somersault, such as was
+never seen before, when further effort was nipped in the bud by some one
+coming into the hall.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried a merry voice, as the tumbler was caught up,
+shaken, and set down with some force. "What are you up to now, Thomas,
+my lively son?"
+
+"He wath standin' on hith head, auntie," explained the judge, with great
+politeness, as the tumbler appeared too much confused by all the
+circumstances to make any answer.
+
+"Wath he, indeed?" laughed Thomas's mama. "Mashing his little head all
+to jelly; poor Tommy!"
+
+"No," said Tom, whose remarks were more noticeable for brevity than
+anything else. "No shelly."
+
+"Yes, indeed, little soft-head; come, ask papa," and with that Mrs.
+Tremayne--for who should it be but lively Kat--shouldered her small, but
+ambitious son, and carried him away. The judge looked forlorn after
+that. He folded his small handkerchief and put it carefully away in its
+tiny pocket, then he sat down on the lowest step and looked thoughtfully
+out of the front door, as though he expected further developments to
+arrive from that direction. Nor was he disappointed. There arose a sound
+of labored and energetic breathing from without, as of some one toiling
+up the steps, and then something in white fluttered across the porch,
+and in at the door, and the judge fairly beamed with delight and
+satisfaction.
+
+"Hullo!" he said politely.
+
+"'Llo," returned the new-comer.
+
+"Where'd you come from?"
+
+"Off," said the stranger, with a flourish of both small arms, intended
+to indicate some great distance. "Runned off."
+
+"Did you? From Pansy?"
+
+"Yeth." And the bunch of ruffles and brown ribbon shook its head with
+distinctive force, while the bits of slippered feet began to dance
+wildly up and down the hall.
+
+"Mama'll come," said the judge, warningly, and, sure enough, out came a
+lady, with the loveliest face, and a white lace cap on her grey hair.
+
+"Come, dears," she said, in a voice we know well and both flew to her,
+for who was dearer to their loving hearts than "Dramma?" "Time for
+little birdies to be eating supper, and getting little peepers shut up
+tight, before Santa Claus comes," she said, going towards the dining
+room, with a little hopper clinging to each hand, and playing peep
+around her. Tom was already at the table, pounding with his spoon, and
+smiling serenely through the milk that spattered his face from forehead
+to chin, and there were two other bowls and spoons and high chairs,
+ready and waiting.
+
+"Naughty Louise," said Mrs. Kittie, as she lifted the white-robed morsel
+to her chair, and tied on her bib. "Run away from poor sister Pansy, and
+make her feel bad."
+
+"All baddy, mama?" inquired Louise, looking over her bowl with repentant
+eyes.
+
+"She comed in the front door," said Philip, otherwise the judge, who was
+the eldest hopeful of the Barnett household, and was, at present, under
+the care of aunt Kathy, as mama Bea had the baby in the sitting-room. "I
+thaw her," he went on to explain with care; but was evidently disgusted,
+that every one laughed and talked, instead of listening to him; so
+paused right there, and ate his bread and milk in silence and with
+dignity, not even unbending when Tom and Louise had a skirmish, and
+testified their cousinly regard, by throwing their spoons at each other,
+and upsetting what milk had been left in their bowls.
+
+"Dear me, what children!" cried Kittie, running for a towel, with a
+laugh that sounded as though "such children" were very delightful.
+
+"Thomas, Thomas!" said Mrs. Kat, with an air of grave reproof, such as
+she sometimes wasted on her lively son; and Thomas looked up at her,
+with roguish eyes, brimful of mischief, and fairly crowed with glee, a
+method of expression that he resorted to in gay moments, as it was still
+an exertion for him to talk.
+
+When the young people were finally carried off to bed, every one went
+along, for the gentlemen were all down town, and what better could the
+mothers and aunties do than follow the procession headed by "Dramma,"
+and watch the roguish imps get into their snowy little nests? There was
+much skirmishing and crowing, but it all ended in a doleful wail, for
+Tom fell out of bed and bumped his precious head, and refused to be
+comforted, in any way, shape, or form, until Philip was heard to remark
+with admiration:
+
+"You stood on your head, Tom, and wath straight up," and that was
+Balm-of-Gilead to the infantile soul of that Young America, for he
+immediately ceased to weep, and looked content.
+
+They all lingered there some time after the children had grown quiet,
+but finally went down stairs, and left Grandma rocking and watching,
+till the last little peeper should be closed, for she insisted on
+staying, as all the little folks were not with her always, and dearly
+she enjoyed each moment spent with them.
+
+Down stairs, the sisters clustered about the fire, with all the old
+girlish love and glee, and looking at them, in that familiar group, very
+few changes were noticeable, for time brings few foot-prints if the
+heart is happy. Bea wore a matronly little cap of bits of lace and blue
+bows, and held in her arms a gleeful baby, with roguish eyes and sunny
+little rings of hair, who was named after dear grandma, and who
+obstinately refused to go "by-low," as any well regulated baby ought to
+do, by seven o'clock in the evening. Kittie and Kat, on the lounge with
+clasped arms as of old, looked scarcely a whit changed, though they were
+both indelibly stamped with the grace and elegance of city ladies, and
+had fulfilled the promise in girlhood, by becoming truly refined and
+lovely women. The little stool by the fire was not vacant, for there sat
+Jean as of old, with the same sweet face and lovely eyes, only now she
+was taller than mama, and the still childish face wore a perfect
+happiness, for on the hand that supported her chin, the firelight showed
+a ring, and in the smiling eyes any one could read the story of it.
+Olive was there too. Olive, of whom they were all so proud, and who was
+still Olive Dering; and time had made her very fair to look upon; for
+energy and purpose had stamped her face indelibly, and the clear eyes
+were beautiful in their light of strength and happy content. She was no
+longer a struggling girl, battling with all circumstances, and fighting
+her way into work, but a woman, restful, yet not resting, in perfect
+success; for every nerve was still alert to further progress, and every
+wish and ambition had been sacrificed to one great desire, which would
+next year be satisfied; she was going to Europe. Masters and travel
+awaited her eager heart, and her own hand had carved the way. Her studio
+in New York was filled with works; many homes, far and wide, owed their
+pleasure, in the portrayed face of some dear one, to her pencil or
+brushes; and a large class, constantly increasing in size, trod the
+first pathways of art under her careful guidance. And so with hard work
+and economy, the money had come in, and been laid away; and now at last,
+there was enough. Mother and Olive were going to Europe.
+
+I know it is all very nice and easy to carry a girl through ambitious
+battles in a book, and after a lapse of years, which are left to the
+imagination, to bring her out, glowing with success, and with her
+heart's desire realized. It is done in a book this time; but Olive
+Dering's love and longing for art, her struggles, determination, and
+final success, are taken from the life of one who still lives, and who
+is now enjoying the perfect happiness earned by hard labor, in the
+galleries of the old masters. There had been toil and troubles and
+trials; discouraging tears and times of despair, in the years through
+which we have slipped without a pause; but it would do no good to tell
+them all; it is enough to know that patience, perseverance and will had
+overcome them, as there is rarely a case where they will not.
+
+"Next year this time we'll not be here together," said Kittie, breaking
+a long pause, such as will often come, when hearts are content with
+worldless communion.
+
+"Why not?" asked Jean. "Mama and Olive being in Italy, is no reason why
+you should not come and spend Christmas with me."
+
+"Bless the baby, to think she will be married then," exclaimed Bea,
+caressing the brown head with loving hand. "Every one gone from the old
+home but Jeanie, and she presiding over it, a married lady; to think of
+it, girls?"
+
+"So wags the world," said Kat with a brisk nod. "I think it would be sad
+to come here and spend Christmas, with Olive and mama gone; but you must
+all come to Boston, and if my house isn't big enough, I'll have an
+addition put on."
+
+"No, my home is best," put in Kittie with decision. "It's between you
+all, and is plenty big enough. That is the place."
+
+"Yes, indeed," chimed in Pansy, who was now a tall pretty girl of ten,
+and perfectly devoted to mama. "We want you to come to New York, and
+spoke about it before we left home; didn't we mama?"
+
+"Yes, and we'll wage a brisk war with any one who puts in a claim, so
+you had better subside at once my dear," answered Kittie with a smile at
+her twin, which looked like most anything except a war-like preparation.
+
+"There's the gate, the boys are coming," was the answer of Mrs. Kat, and
+sure enough, there arose a clatter of feet on the porch, a smell of
+cigar smoke in the air, and in came "the boys," with the usual amount of
+noise, which boys, big or little, invariably make; and then grandma came
+flitting down stairs, with a smile and a warning "hush;" and there they
+were all together.
+
+Supper was a gloriously gay meal, where every one's health was drank in
+fragrant coffee, from Grandma Dering, down to Prince, who had been
+returned to the home of his youth, and was passing his last days in
+peaceful content, with just enough exercise to keep his old bones from
+rusting out too fast. And then they talked of those who were gone from
+the circle: Father Dering, Ernestine, and lastly, dear old Uncle Ridley,
+who had died that year, and for whom every one had such a warm loving
+memory.
+
+After supper the boys went off to the library to smoke, and mother and
+daughters clustered together in the dear old sitting-room, to chat
+lovingly as in other days; for now, as then, the sweet motherly face, to
+which they still looked for love, comfort, and praise, was the dearest
+in the world to them, and the loveliest, they all thought, with its
+serene happy smile and contented loving eyes.
+
+"Has anybody any disappointments to tell to-night," she asked, looking
+around at the bright happy faces, and remembering another night long
+ago, when they all sat so, and told such.
+
+"Yes, I've got one," announced Kat, just as briskly as she had done on
+that other night. "I can't, to save my life, arrive at the point where I
+will always look stately and unruffled, and ready to receive callers, in
+spite of babies and household work, as Mrs. McGregor does, who lives
+opposite me. And then, I do believe that Thomas is going to be short and
+fat, instead of tall and slim, and from present indications I think he
+will prefer being a clown to anything else in the world. That's my
+disappointment, and it's just about as sensible as my other, but it's
+the best I've got. What's yours, Kittie?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," answered Kittie, looking down into Pansy's
+upturned face, and laying her hand lovingly on the curly head. "I have
+the dearest husband, and two of the most precious little daughters in
+the world, and what more could I ask? I always did want curly hair and
+black eyes, but Pansy has one, and Louise the other, so I'm content. The
+only disappointment I have, is that mama and Olive will not be with us
+next Christmas."
+
+"Well, I've a very small one," said Bea, as she rocked and trotted, with
+a vain attempt to get small Bessie's eyes shut. "Walter isn't quite as
+well as I should like to have him; he works too hard, poor fellow, and I
+want him to go off to the mountains next summer, and get rested, but we
+can't all afford to go, and he says he will not go and leave me at home
+in the hot weather with the house and babies. So I can't help worrying
+and wishing that I could help him some way."
+
+"You do help him, dear," interposed Mrs. Dering promptly. "You keep home
+bright and happy, and anticipate all his wants and wishes. In times of
+weariness or trouble, he has you and the dear babies for comfort. You
+love, sympathize and help him in a thousand ways, the want of which he
+could not do without."
+
+"And sew on his buttons," added Kat. "Don't leave that out, for if he's
+anything like Ralph, it's a mighty big item."
+
+"And here's my little girl," continued Mrs. Dering in a moment, and
+looking down at Jean, whose head lay in her lap. "Has she any?"
+
+"None, mama," answered Jean, looking up with happy eyes. "Except that
+you are going away, and that Uncle Ridley is not here."
+
+"Surely, no one supposes for an instant that I have any," said Olive,
+and every one shook their heads in a decided negative, except Mrs.
+Dering, and she looked across into Olive's eyes with a smile, and Olive,
+catching the look, dropped them to the fire, and said no more. She had
+intimated that she had none; but was it so in the depths of her heart?
+Was she quite content?
+
+"You do to-night, as you did before, and no one asks me for mine," said
+Mrs. Dering with a smile. "Do you rightly guess that I have none?"
+
+"We hope that you have none, mama," said Bea, lovingly.
+
+"Indeed, I have not, my dear girls; instead, as I sit here to-night with
+you all around me, I wonder if I am fully grateful for how good God has
+been to me. I look at you, and I see in my girls just such good, true
+women as their father would have them, and I am more than content. I
+would that these three vacant places might be filled to-night, but God
+knows best, and I feel only love, not regret. No, my dear girls, I have
+no disappointments to-night, only a heart full of happiness and
+content."
+
+They were silent after that for a little while, and then Bess dropped
+to sleep, and Olive crossed to Bea's side, as the gentlemen were heard
+coming from the library.
+
+"Let me take her up stairs, Bea--you look tired;" and Bea handed the
+precious charge over, and Olive went slowly up stairs, with her arms
+tenderly clasped about the little form, her cheeks laid to the soft baby
+face, and a look in her eyes that mother might have read had she seen
+it.
+
+The sleepers already there, and sprawled about in characteristic
+attitudes, was a sight to hold one's gaze.
+
+Philip lay perfectly straight and orderly, with a sober countenance, and
+both hands crossed on his little stomach; while Tom, the tumbler, had
+completely reversed himself, and lay with his feet on the pillow, his
+body in a snarl, and his head just ready to fall off the edge with the
+next jerk. Louise had dispensed with her pillow, it was on the floor,
+while she lay in the sweetest possible attitude, with one tiny hand
+under the dimpled cheek, on which the long, dark lashes rested softly,
+and one wee snowy little foot peeped out of the clothes. Olive laid the
+baby in its nest, and covered it warmly, bending many times to kiss the
+rosy little face; then she righted Tom, restored the pillow, and removed
+some of Philip's covering, as he seemed to be too warm; and then she
+stood still looking at them.
+
+Was she perfectly happy, and quite content?
+
+The pale light that fell across her, as she stood there watching the
+sleepers, with eyes that were traitorously expressive, would have made a
+very dear picture to one pair of eyes, had they not been too far away to
+rest on. The grey dress which she wore, fell in colorless draperies, and
+the soft laces at her throat and wrists, were very becoming to the clear
+skin. In the rich dark hair, was a white flower, that touched the tip of
+her ear as with a caress; but greatest of all was the eyes, that were
+growing dim with tears, as she stood there. The feeling that was in her
+heart was no new one, but to-night it came differently from what it ever
+had before. Then it had only been a half defined loneliness that could
+be quenched with a little effort, and pass without a name; but to-night
+it came surging up and assumed shape and title before her eyes. She had
+no claim on these little ones; she would never be able to stand so and
+watch one of her own in its innocent sleep. Would never feel the tender
+happiness of knowing that her blood beat in another little heart, that
+her life had given breath to its laughing lips, and the warm color to
+the dimpled cheeks. In the room down stairs, each sister had her own;
+even little Jean would soon be claimed by one to whom she was dearer
+than all else in the world; and in a few years mother might be gone, and
+then--_success_ was hers. She had worked and won. Her name was on many
+lips, and her fame spreading. The goal she had looked forward to for
+years, with eager heart, was hers at last, and while the anticipation,
+had in this case, lost nothing through possession; did it wholly satisfy
+her? Was there no corner, no longing, or want that brushes, oils, and
+inspiration failed to satisfy? Her eyes grew blind with strange, wistful
+tears, a queer choking filled her throat, and with a sudden movement she
+had crossed the room and knelt down by the baby. Had she no
+disappointment? Would she not have said "come," to some one, still a
+wanderer beyond the seas, had it been in her power? Or, had he stood
+before her, with the old, old longing, would she have drawn back and
+said: "My art is all I want."
+
+Ah, indeed, Uncle Ridley had been right:
+
+    "A single flame gives little warmth, and needs a kindred spark."
+
+Art was none the less dear, but the woman's heart had asserted itself,
+and there was a yearning passionate cry for a love that would answer to
+that, which had so strangely grown within her heart, and which called
+for something more than a lifeless irresponsive idol.
+
+Sometimes, even out of books, the right thing happens just at the right
+moment; then, again, sometimes it does not; but this is what happened
+just at that moment. Some one had been standing in the shadow outside
+the door, for several moments and now entered, and crossing the room,
+stood beside her, kneeling there, and said:
+
+"Olive."
+
+She stood up quickly, and looked at him for a moment, and knew him, in
+spite of seven years' absence, and the bronze and change wrought by time
+and constant travel. Yes, she knew him, for the eyes were the same, and
+wore the look she had seen in them last. It was a true love that had
+bided its time, and won its reward at last. She did not blush rosy red,
+as most women would have done, but a speechless joy came slowly into her
+eyes, where the tears yet lay, and she was quite silent.
+
+"You have no welcome for me?" he asked, holding out his hand. "Have I
+waited so long, and come in vain, at last, Olive?"
+
+"No," she answered, finding her voice, and it sounded strangely sweet
+and glad, even to herself, as she drew nearer and laid her hand in his.
+"I am glad that you came; I--I have wished that you would."
+
+It was not a romantic place at all, with the three little tumbled beds
+and sleepers; the diminutive stockings, shoes, and slips, scattered
+about, and Philip unmistakably snoring, as became a worn-out judge. But
+as he clasped the hand laid in his, and drawing her to him, kissed her
+gladly, I doubt if the most romantic spot, either side the sea, could
+have made that meeting sweeter to either of them.
+
+"I was on the porch when you passed through the hall," said Roger, in a
+moment. "I had been out there some little time watching you through the
+window, and studying your face, that I have so longed and hungered to
+see in these years, and I read in it such complete happiness, that my
+heart failed me. I had waited till you should reach the perfect goal of
+your ambition, and should know what it was to own fame; and as I looked
+at you, to-night, I thought it satisfied your heart entirely. So I was
+tempted to go away without having you send me. When you came into the
+hall with the baby, I followed you up here--quite against my will. As
+you stood here a few moments ago, and I saw that sadness creep into your
+face and eyes, I first thought that, perhaps, I had not come in vain.
+And have you really wished that I would come, Olive?"
+
+"Yes; neither my work nor my life is perfect without you, Roger, and I
+think that I have known it for some time, though I never so fully
+confessed it to myself as to-night. I honestly sent you from me, and I
+honestly welcome you back. I have nothing more to wish for now."
+
+So together they went down stairs, and the wanderer's welcome far
+exceeded his strongest hopes. A new ray of light and joy seemed brought
+into that circle, with this new union of hands, hearts, and happiness;
+and as Mrs. Dering kissed each of her girls good-night, she said,
+looking into Olive's eyes, with a loving smile:
+
+"I fully believe, dear, that now you have no disappointment."
+
+
+    +------------------------------------------------+
+    |Transcriber's Note:                             |
+    |                                                |
+    |The illustration on page 267 with the caption   |
+    |"WHAT IS THE MATTER? WHAT HAS HAPPENED?" was not|
+    |available for inclusion in this ebook.          |
+    +------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Six Girls, by Fannie Belle Irving
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